Dec 11, 2024 · Carl Busch WORST three-peat: Sweet Basil Café’s failed health inspections October 24, 2024: “Three mortar mixers, one of which had flaking paint and was soiled with food residue, were used with power drills to mix up batter and beat eggs, not approved. The mixers were condemned and marked with stickers, and the PIC was directed to purchase an immersion blender.Orange Home Depot 5-gallon ...

Dec 12, 2024 · Elm City Urbana opens in the space that was once Cafe & Co. The new café will serve small-batch coffee from their roastery in Jacksonville.

Dec 12, 2024 · It’s that time again, when we reflect upon the last year. It’s sometimes hard to remember what happened in May or June, never mind January and February. But it’s important that we make a point of considering the things that brought us joy, or a chuckle, or excitement and delight. Here, in this BEST column, you’ll find a collection of some of the things Smile Politely editors enjoyed ...

Dec 9, 2024 · Happy December, everyone. It’s been so, so cold, which I find to be incredibly unmotivating. Who wants to go out in the freezing cold darkness and gloom? Putting together this list was a helpful reminder ...

Oct 23, 2024 · We’ve written a lot about the state of COVID in Champaign-Urbana. In our last article, we wrote about our post-COVID future and how it affects the various health landscapes in our community. Even though we’re ...

Jan 6, 2025 · Get excited for Restaurant Week 2025, happening January 24th through February 1st. For nine days, the 9th annual Restaurant Week will have 50+ participating restaurants, food trucks, and cafes offering exclusive menus that showcase a ...

Dec 4, 2024 · We can count on Urbana’s Market at the Square, maybe another series of night markets, the Champaign-Urbana indoor farmers market, and arts programming from the Urbana Arts & Culture Program to continue to add to the rich tapestry of social and cultural life in Urbana. What do you want to see in Urbana next year? Unit 4 and Unit 116 getting it together The dramas are farcical, and only hurt ...

Dec 3, 2024 · As winter descends on C-U like a heavy velvet curtain, I’m usually the first to burrow into my sofa with Netflix and a weighted blanket. Once my bleary-eyed students shuffle off for their winter break, you’d typically find me basking in the glow of our killer prairie sunsets, watching frost etch abstract art on my windows. But friends, 2024’s grand finale has …

Nov 20, 2024 · It’s hard to believe 2024 is coming to an end. And while it’s easy to focus on all of the uncertainty 2025 will bring to our country, the Editorial Board wanted to instead, zoom in ...

Dec 18, 2024 · A brand new bar called Amy’s Place is opening in Champaign next year. Owned by Amy Beth Myers, Amy’s Place will be a gay bar that offers low-priced drinks and dance parties on the regular. Myers has been a producer of successful drag shows and DJ for countless dance nights in the area. This location will provide a space to bring her events under one roof and offer more programming. In this ...