Derby Girl Doubleheader: The ‘Paign gets their first victory of the season
On Saturday, the Twin City Derby Girls hosted their home opener with a doubleheader bout at the U of I ice arena, with the Damagin’ Dames edged by the Aurora 88s, 90–79, and the ‘Paign winning over the Boneyard Bombshells, 117–83.
| The Derby Girls return!
After an off-season full of training, fundraising, and recruiting new members, the Twin City Derby Girls are back. Their home opener is this Saturday, May 19, with a doubleheader bout at the U of I Ice Arena.
Coming off a rough weekend at Penn State, the University of Illinois baseball team finds themselves in eighth place in the Big Ten and fighting for a Tournament berth. For the last regular season series, the Illini (9-12) take on the Minnesota Golden Gophers (10-11) here at home beginning this Thursday. Outfielder Jordan Parr (right) leads the Illini in batting average (.354) and RBI (42). Weekend Highlights It was indeed a tough series to lose for the Illini. Yes, they …
Over the last few days, we've taken a close look at some of the gems of our community. Many of them are overlooked, and even more are debatable, because that's the way of subjective matters (just wait 'til tomorrow's BEST finale — Music — for more evidence of that). But much like an ancient kingdom anointing their tallest, strongest and fastest to lead them, the world of Sports cuts through the mealy-mouthed, bleeding-heart equivocation to bring a little objectivity and …
Ramon, we hardly knew ye. Ramon Williams was never officially announced as Illini men's basketball Assistant to the Head Coach, the position Gary Nottingham filled for the last nine years. And he won't be. It's the rite of spring, college basketball version. The coaching carousel giveth, and it taketh away. On Thursday, Virginia Tech announced Williams's hiring as an assistant coach. His tenure in Champaign lasted oh, about a month. Although familiar with the area from his time as DePaul …
Last weekend, Illinois Baseball only managed one win against conference rivals Michigan State. As the season winds down with only six games left, every game counts with the Orange and Blue right at .500. Let’s first take a quick look at the Michigan State series… Weekend Highlights Friday starter Kevin Johnson had an atypically off night. Johnson, who was 7-3 going into the weekend, ran into trouble with Michigan State hitters in the fourth inning when they scored four runs. …
On Friday nights in a deserted parking lot in downtown Urbana, a strange sight can be seen. Half a dozen grown men are riding bicycles in circles, chasing a small fluorescent orange ball in between pairs of similarly-hued traffic cones. A few others are gathered around the periphery, hurling friendly jeers at their saddled friends when they cut a corner too close and take a spill onto the unforgiving asphalt. Such was the scene I stumbled onto shortly after arriving …
Last weekend, the second half of the Big Ten conference baseball season started and the Illini got just what they needed, a three-game sweep. Their victims were Illinois’ cross-state rivals, the Northwestern Wildcats. The Wildcats entered the series in a last place tie with Michigan, so the Illini were poised to win, but they won each game in style. Weekend Highlights Starter Kevin Johnson (right, pictured in a game earlier this season) pitched his best game yet in 2012 on …
It is becoming old hat to write glowing reviews of the Christie Clinic Illinois Marathon. With slight changes to the races this year and nearly ideal, but not perfect, running conditions, the 4th annual event was a resounding success.
When John Groce arrived on campus, he talked about teaching. He described himself as a teacher. He compared the practice gym to a classroom. Due to ever-evolving NCAA rules, basketball school is in session.
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Oh, by the way, the “Champaign County YMCA” no longer exists. The official name is now the “Stephens Family YMCA” (the website has not been updated, but check out the latest program guide). And no, it’s not just the name of the building. It’s the name of the organization.
Very inspired Photochops as well….
Props on the new YMCA dig. I think it’s a terrible spot for it, but then again, I’m not well-to-do and I’m not willing to drive 15 minutes at $4/gallon to exercise for an hour.
http://motorcycle-intelligence.com/do-loud-pipes-save-lives/1119/ Are you a smoker, too? I feel like I’m just getting recycled arguments.
http://www.motorcyclecruiser.com/streetsurvival/dangerous_motorcycle_safety_myths/index.html “Myth 2: Loud Pipes Save Lives”
Yes, I also love the idea of the downtown! However, the “turds” that ride Harley’s or any other motorcycle have the right to ride their motorcycles regardless of the “loudness” anywhere they want. They are buying gas, hence they are contributing to the motor fuel tax that…
Yup, this was the year I realized there’s no way this is my last CU marathon, even though I’m gradumacating next week.Where else am I gonna get cheered on by 70+ year old heart-of-gold volunteers who smile at me so genuinely I could believe I’m their granddaughter?…
I always have a good, but disappointed, laugh when marathon time creeps up and I start seeing posts on the WCIA Facebook page lamenting race day and how difficult it is to get around town that day. One this year said, “can’t they just go run in…
Reminds me of Total Football (soccer) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Total_Football
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Looking forward to trying this place!
I’m in the middle (or the beginning or end, depending on how you look at it) of re-reading Slaughterhouse Five. What a great companion column.
Get yours early. The Rave’s CD will be available at Exile and at The C-U Flea on Saturday. C-U Flea details here: http://www.smilepolitely.com/news/sp_radio_podcast_c-u_flea_arrives/
I don’t know about Gerard and a random police sargeant. My (mild) outrage is based on this: “...he worked closely with Champaign City Clerk Marilyn Banks to make sure he was licensed properly as a transient food peddler, filling out the necessary paperwork and paying a $225…
Local Yocal pretty much nails it here. I suspect there will be merchants who oppose food trucks because they arguably don’t pay their fair share to locate their trucks in high traffic (high rent) areas. The food trucks take away business from rent payers, park in city…
Oh nice! I’d totally vote for Matt Campbell!
“Smile Politely sports writer announces candidacy for city government.”
I also got to visit Big Grove Tavern during the soft open and definitely enjoyed the pork belly the most of all the dishes I sampled. The cheesy grits and the vinegary pickled vegetables were a perfect compliment to the rich pork belly.
The Alan Partridge lookalike on the right in the first small photo has nothing to condescend to anyone about. AH HA!
Snell and the little Hitlers of the neighborhood association need to chill out. Legitimate businesses should have the freedom to exist without having to endure the slings and arrows of ignorant and misguided opposition.
represent, Matt.
Yeah, I’d agree that Transporter Room 3 is the worst house venue I’ve ever seen.
Food trucks are the start-up, small businesses of the future for those unable to afford real estate. No surprise, that merchants who pay rent, utilities, and maintenance on a property would despise the traveling competition. Or developers who build more empty retail spaces would want to close…
Not so much far-right Tea Party as a balanced, moderate viewpoint between letting businesses succeed and protecting society with reasonable regulations. In spite of what the city reps are saying, the interpretation of policy on this issue certainly has changed. Letting a business start up under one…
I think it’s neat that SP has turned rightward, now espousing a Tea Party-style frustration with government regulations & taxes.
This makes me so sad. (Happy to live in Urbana, though!) Crave Truck has been a GREAT addition to the food choices in C-U, and it’d be a travesty to chase them away. This town should be supporting small businesses. I’m glad to hear that they’ll still…
*slow. clap.* Still offering no threat of intelligence…. I know I said I thought you should just write this whole column yourself next year, Isaac, but now that you’ve gone and taken a “part deux” run at it, I’d like to modify my request: Best Music 2013,…
Actually, it’s kind of nice, the quiet. John Heoffleur’s engaging commentary/dialogue is sorely missed, however. In lieu of someone intelligent saying something, I’ve compiled a list of Honourable Mentions: BEST ROCK BAND: Take Care ::these gentlemen have four completely different sets at their disposal right now (which…
What? Echo! (Echo!) Where’s the dischord and dissent?
This weekend will mark the first appearance of Kayla Brown’s Fire Doll Candle booth at the Market. Check it: http://www.facebook.com/firedollcandles
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@Dan - Wow. Unfortunately, I have to refrain from further comment due to a previous employment relationship. But with that brief context you might be able to imagine possible comments or responses I could have.