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Link Politely

Has anyone been checking you out lately? Pay a visit to Craigslist's Missed Connections site to see who's looking for you (or, as odds have it, who's looking for someone else). 

As you might know by now, we're big fans of Deadspin.com. And now, it seems like they might be becoming fans of ours as well.

It seems like we have a fan... after you link up to this, click on the top of the page to check out more! We are flattered, amongst other things...

Former C-U resident Chris Wiberg brings us Morse Music, a blog that features all sorts of music talk as well as Playlists of the Dead — glimpses into what great historical figures may have enjoyed from the catalog of recent popular music. 

There was a time when openingbands.com ruled the local music scene. The forums were constantly filled with chatter, flame wars were a regular thing and bands could talk to each other about how to improve themselves for their next show. It's been lighter as of late — but we want to see it flourish again. Click on the link above and join the conversation.

Live Fast Die brings its brand of loud, fast, East Coast punk/ metal/noise to the Phoenix on Monday night (that's June 2). For a taste of what's coming to town, check out this 2006 performance.

Local artistic talent makes us smile, and that's why we're glad we came across the website of local illustrator and caricaturist Dan Wild

Where you running off to? To answer this question, check out the racing calendar provided and updated by C-U's Second Wind Running Club. 

Got earthquakes on the brain? Check out the USGS Earthquake Center for info on seismic activity in our neck of the woods and worldwide. 

For local views on national news, politics, law and a little more, check out Urbanagora

University of Illinois student, James Kurisunkal, makes waves with New Yorker socialites on his website, Park Avenue Peerage

Don't miss out on this year's Bagelfest in Mattoon, Illinois.


Urbana High School has more than meets the eye. One editor on staff can corroborate that!

Extra books lying around? Donate them to the UC Books to Prisoners program

Track down your C-U ancestors and long-lost cousins in the online Champaign County Historical and Genealogical Index at the Urbana Free Library.

This essay, "Scratch Me, and I Bleed Champaign: Geography, Poverty and Politics in the Heart of East Central Illinois," is now 14 years old. Is this the same Champaign-Urbana we see today? Is this an accurate portrayal of yesterday's C-U? You decide.

Do some good in your community! Go to cuvolunteer.org to find a local organization at which you can volunteer your time and make the world a better place.

Test your U of IQ!

Want to learn how to juggle? How about ride a unicycle? Then check out the Illini Juggling & Unicycle Club.

The first day of spring is about a week away! Time to get out your bicycle. Here is a map of the bike trails and parks in Champaign. Happy pedaling!

What does the Champaign-raised, bluegrass star Alison Krauss have to do to get her own honorary street? She already won the Illinois State Fiddle Championship. Sheesh...

Go to the Champaign County Assessor's website to find out how much your neighbor's house is worth. Or go to the Champaign County Circuit Clerk's website to see if your friends have gotten a speeding ticket, DUI or been found guilty of other offenses.

Almost every day, go here to find a new picture of C-U taken by photographer Dan O'Brien. 

On a recent trip to C-U (SP coverage here) Mark Frauenfelder interviewed student inventors at the University of Illinois.

Keep live jazz on your schedule. All week, every week. 

Need help with your green thumb? Sign up for the Grow Illini! mailing list for gardeners in East Central Illinois.

Check out this video of who played at Farm Aid in Memorial Stadium in 1985.

R.I.P. Mabel's, the old Green Street venue that sat at the heart of the local music scene. Here's some footage of Uncle Tupelo playing Mabel's in 1992.  

Do you like trees? In Urbana, we like them so much, we're considered a Tree City.

From REO to Eureka Browncheck out the playlist of C-U artists' music videos on YouTube, collected by SP writer Larry Gates.

Listen to WILL-AM 580 on your computer!

Remember when Bill Clinton was the President? Neither do we, really.  He spoke at the University of Illinois in 1998, just before his world came crumbling down as a result of cigars and a blue dress. Here is a transcript of the speech.

Spend a few minutes driving around northwest Champaign and you're bound to come across the Kraft plant. Check out this News-Gazette article for a closer look at Kraft's history and future in C-U.

If you are a student or faculty of the U. of I., here's a quick way to receive an alert in the event of an emergency on campus.

Who's representing you? State Senator Mike Frerichs.

University of Illinois professor and nationally renowned positive psychologist Ed Diener is featured in the short documentary How to Be Happy, viewable online — watch, smile and learn!

Can't decide where to eat? Feel like takeout? Check out local-run Eat C-U for answers to this, and more.

Would you like to voice your opinion about stores, restaurants, and other places in Champaign-Urbana? Yelp can help!

We don't know her, but this lady on Flickr has some wonderful photos of Champaign and Urbana from the 1970's. Enjoy!

Check out this document from the mid-1990s titled, "Development Opportunities in Urbana." What came true and what did not? What's since disappeared? What's still in the making? 

It may be cold now, but, one year ago today we were in the midst of a blizzard. 

Travis Wayne Hurt.  If you know him, you love him. He used to be a radio personality at WPGU and when he isn't "performing" as Satan's Beer Vomit around town at venues like Pia's, Village Inn Pizza and Kam's, he is drinking. How much is he drinking? Check it out.

Far out, man. Actually, it's not that far out just 36 miles south of Champaign that you can find the small town of Arcola, which is home to the one and only Hippie Memorial. At the end of the day, the memorial is something of a letdown for your average Joe, but all you roadside-attraction junkies can get your fix by taking a brief road trip to the edge of Amish country.

Barrooms statewide have been smoke free since Jan. 1. In commemoration of the one-month anniversary, click here to learn all about the Smoke-free Illinois initiative. To print your own "No Smoking" or "No Fumar" sign, visit this page

Don't drive by Memorial Stadium regularly but want to keep an eye on the construction? Check out Illinois Loyalty, with updated photos every few weeks.

A study, with help from UIUC, makes news in the Technology section of The New York Times.

Read more about starlet Jennie Garth, born in Urbana and raised nearby.

If you want to order in, why not order online? The local branch of campusfood.com allows you to order food online from 22 local restaurants. Menus available, too. 

The Booze News makes national headlines. Holy....

4th of July Observance

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Ask Politely #23

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We all know about Texas and Memphis. Carolina and Kansas City are staples. But, Illinois BBQ?

Sounds flippy to us too. But wouldn't you know it, Bon Appetit recently named the 17th St. Bar and Grill in Murphysboro, Ill the best ribs in the US of A. And while that's not Champaign, it's getting awfully close.

Last weekend saw the premier of what is bound to be one Urbana's best annual traditions with the first annual Blues, Brews and BBQ in the parking lot of the Lincoln Square Village. The turnout, especially given its infancy was more than affirming of the fact that we, too, have a burgeoning BBQ scene that is just about ready to bust from the belt.

So, let's have it. You know the suspects with the smoke and sauce — as well as, if not better, than we do. So, who's got it in ol' C-U in the world of BBQ?

Happy 4th to all.

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Market Watch: Yard Bird

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Market at the Square has been shaping up nicely and every week it just gets better and better. Last week brought us fuzzy peaches, beautiful apricots and more cherries, raspberries, strawberries, gooseberries and blueberries. The folks at First Fruits had a mountainous display of sweet broccoli and cauliflower, along with a gorgeous stack of tri-colored beets that had my mouth watering. This coming Saturday market patrons can expect to find this year's first apples and plums along with more green beans, zucchini, cabbages and potatoes. There are still plenty of greens, kohlrabi, sugar snap peas, garlic scapes and radishes.

It couldn't be easier to come up with a simple pasta dish, soup or salad composed exclusively on what the market has to offer.

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Illinois State Fair Competition Showcases Local Wines

Cab_Franc_grape.JPGI have no burning interest in the upcoming Beijing summer games. While I may try to watch some fencing or swimming, winter’s luge is more to my taste. Besides, the medal contest I really follow occurred in early June in Urbana.

Over 250 wines competed for medals at the Illinois State Fair Competition held at Bevier Hall on the University of Illinois campus. The judges assessed entries using a predetermined rubric. While each of the 12 judges added their own professional wine experience and personal taste to the process, this scorecard allowed objective comparisons between wines of different styles, sweetness and ingredients.

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Sabotaged: The Underbelly of Steroids in Horse Racing

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If some people have all the luck, then somebody’s gotta get what’s left.

For over two and a half decades, Larry Jones’ horses have passed spotlessly on drug tests. The trainer says he hasn’t used steroids since 1997. After his Kentucky Derby filly, Eight Belles, broke both front ankles while galloping out after the race, the trainer was immediately put underneath the magnifying glass. To quell the radical accusations that he’d “made” the filly large by pumping her full of steroids, Jones had the veterinarian perform an unnecessary autopsy on her to prove he had nothing to hide. As expected, the tests resolved the trainer’s innocence. But that’s hardly the end of the story.

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Vinyl Lurks in Unsuspected Places

800px-Vinyl_record_LP_10inch.JPGIf you haven’t heard, records are making a strong comeback. Actually, vinyl never went away, but renewed interest in the LP format in recent years has breathed new life into this medium. A new generation of music fans are discovering records. More and more new releases are consistently issued on vinyl, often with a free digital download of the album included. Classic and obscure albums are being re-issued on LP. Happy days are here again for vinyl lovers, and there are plenty of local businesses that offer opportunities to seek out hidden treasures!
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Video Review: Bellcaster at Mike N' Molly's

Late Tuesday night, local band Bellcaster reunited for one last show after falling off the radar for roughly two years. What could bring a band back from the dead? A good friend of theirs, Bobby Northcutt, was in need of some help, so they decided to host a benefit concert complete with tattoo and piercing raffles to raise money for him. How cool is that? Solo acoustic artist Jonathon Childers, one-man band Andy V, and percussionist Jane Boxall assisted in the farewell show, as well. The audience was receptive, and one man in particular was very pleased with the show — he won not only a $75 piercing, but also a $75 tattoo.

Bellcaster:

More video after the jump...

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Wasting Time on Craigslist

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I’ve been scouring Craigslist for a place in Washington, D.C., where I’ll be moving in a couple of weeks. The nation’s capital is an expensive place to live, and apartments go quickly, so I find myself emailing hordes of strangers each day in hopes that one of them will have a roof that suits my needs, costs the right amount and becomes available within my timeframe. This process has led to countless hours online, a bout with carpal tunnel syndrome and some very suspect responses from property owners.

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My Predictions = Toilet Paper: AL Central Mid-Season Report

AlexeiRamirez.jpgWe've reached the midpoint of the baseball season, and it's time for mid-season awards and a State of the AL Central Report. It's also a good time to revisit my predictions from the beginning of the season. Without going into too much detail, let's just say that if I had laid down any money on my preseason prognostications, I wouldn't be shopping for ways to spend all of that extra cash. Lots to do, so let's get started with the awards:
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Baker's Bikes Sell Like Hot Cakes

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If you’re thinking about getting a bike, absolutely do it. I can’t think of very many excuses for not owning a bike in this town. I know I waited entirely too long to finally get a bike. It was part laziness, part intimidation and part ignorance. Where do I get a bike? What kind of bike? Can I even ride one? Before I took the plunge, I hadn’t been on a bike in years. Growing up in Chicago, I took the "L" everywhere, or just walked. My bicycle knowledge was limited to the fuchsia Huffy I rode as child. My quest for a bicycle was full of anguish that I would be chastised for my complete and utter ignorance in the field of cycling.

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Learning to Be Human(e)

I think it’s kind of strange that we human beings don’t really know how to be human beings. We have to be taught.

I was reminded of this when I attended a “Children First” class last Monday evening at the Family Service of Champaign County. This is a class that is now required by the State of Illinois for all parents who are going through a divorce. It teaches the parents things such as what not to say in front of your children about your spouse, how to handle visitations, communicating with your ex-spouse, etc. It is a class that teaches common decency and how to treat other people — in this case your children and ex-spouse — with dignity and respect. In other words, it is a class on how to be humane (or human).

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Album Review: Local H, Twelve Angry Months

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A concept album is an ambitious venture for any band; thinking of a worthy idea is difficult enough, and then there’s the matter of producing an entire album’s worth of quality material that is thematically cohesive. It seems like there’s an endless supply of artists lined up to be the next Pink Floyd or The Who, but the albums that are produced in this arena tend to range from "bad" to "laughably bad."

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Bellcaster Returns and Then, Departs

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Say it ain't so, Bellcaster.

After almost a full year hiatus, downtown rockers Bellcaster will hit the stage again tonight at the last indie venue standing, Mike N' Molly's. And then, they will hang it up.

For good, in fact.

The reason? Drummer Michael Allen is moving to Vermont with his wife, Jane Boxall, another local percussion hero known for lugging a full-sized marimba about town and performing the community into a trance.

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Deron Williams To Beijing

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It's great to see that Deron Williams was selected to Team USA this past week. Leading up to the Monday announcement of the final 12-man team, there was a nice logjam at the point guard spot, with Chauncey Billups, Jason Kidd, Chris Paul and Williams all vying for a spot on the squad. Luckily for Williams, the team includes three PGs, with Kidd and Paul in the mix as well.

Williams is coming off his best NBA season to date, averaging nearly 20 points and 10 assists per game. He was selected to the All-NBA second team, although ironically was not selected to the All-Star game. He will be the first ever ex-Illini basketball player to represent the USA in men's basketball at the Olympics.

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Stop Lifting, Start Running; Or, Bring Back the Hot Pants!

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Efrem Winters may, or may not be the all-time career leader in the often under reported Illinois Men's Basketball impressive leg muscles category. These days, it's hard to tell. You can't actually see the athletes' legs anymore.

Since the mid-90s, college basketball has endured the thrall of a restrictive, totalitarian regime which requires athletes to hide their bodies in baggy, bulky, flowing robes.

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Simplifying Life: One Phone at a Time

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Our home phone was connected today. This is after two and a half years of being a cell-phone-only household. This in and of itself is likely unremarkable, but in conjunction with signing up for the landline phone, we canceled our cellular service.

This is a move that has been seen as radical — almost to the point of sacrilege — by many people we know. The very thought of being without a cellular phone has become a nightmare scenario for many. Why on Earth would we choose a cell-free life?

We decided that cellular phones are not necessary for our lifestyle.

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Cardinals Overcome Injuries; Hang Tight With The Cubs

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I finally got to see the Redbirds in person a couple of weeks ago. It was against the Royals and I really didn’t have a good feeling coming in. It wasn’t because of the competition so much. It was mostly because I was staring right into the face of an all-you-can-drink buffet in one of those fancy schmancy club rooms. I was basically like the Cards at that point: just trying to keep my head above water.

Both of us barely did.

We ended up losing not only that game, but every damned game of that series. I wasn’t really surprised or even all that disappointed. This entire season has been like a soap opera where only bad things happen. At that point, staff ace Adam Wainwright had been on the DL for a week or so. Albert Pujols finally succumbed to a calf injury that had been ailing him and also went to the disabled list. It could have been the beginning of the end of this season, but once again, the other fellas didn’t quit.

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Some Thoughts on Drugs and Social Policy

During a trip to Colombia this spring, I heard a common theme from a number of Colombians with whom I spoke: In order to help Colombia’s drug violence problem, I should, as an American, work to reduce drug demand in the United States. It is our demand for drugs that produces their supply of drugs and the violence that comes with it.

This seemed unfair to me. Asking me to reduce drug demand in the United States is about as realistic as me asking Colombians to ignore the profit on the supply side or to share it equally with everyone. We should do our parts on both sides, of course, but we shouldn’t be under the illusion that people’s desire for drugs and money is going to go away anytime soon.

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Mike Ingram and Ryan Groff: Radiohead Cover — "High and Dry"

In case you hadn't realized already, the Mike N' Molly's beer garden is truly the place to be for live local music in downtown Champaign these days. It's spacious and inviting, the PA won't destroy your eardrums, and it's got a good beer selection to boot. This is all fine and dandy on most days, but when the weatherman cries "precipitation," everyone starts to get a little worried about playing outside.

This didn't stop Ryan Groff and Mike Ingram from performing their duet rendition of Radiohead's The Bends in support of Nashville's Parachute Musical and Heypenny last Tuesday, however. Amid reports of a storm, the two local rockers pushed all doubt aside and told the crowd just what they wanted to hear: "It doesn't matter if it rains — we're playing anyway!"

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How to Make Money in C-U
without Actually Working

money.jpgOnce I went to a conference where I listened to a bunch of “successful” people explain what, exactly, were the secrets to their success. One of the speakers talked about finances and he said that there are only two ways to make money: 1) You work for your money (in other words you get a job); or 2) Your money works for you (in other words, you invest). Of course, he conveniently avoided the obvious question: Where do the people who invest their money get the money to invest in the first place? It seems to me that at some point or another you have to work for it (unless you’re lucky enough to inherit a fortune — or spill hot coffee on your crotch and sue McDonald’s for millions).
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