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Conrad's closed temporarily due to 'imminent health hazard'
Jul. 26—A Campustown restaurant is currently shut down following a public health inspection, though officials say it can reopen once the issue is resolved. A red placard, dated July 18, states that Conrad's Grill, located at 301 E. Green St. in Champaign, is closed due to an "imminent health hazard." Sarah Michaels, director of environmental health for the Champaign-Urbana Public Health ...
Felines and frappes: Cat cafe coming to downtown Champaign
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WCIA) — In Champaign, a redevelopment and incentive program is bringing a new business to downtown. It’ll include felines and frappes. The Scratching Post is a future cat cafe that will open on University Avenue. It’ll fill a building that has sat vacant since 2019 and used to be home to the Record […]
Thirsty Thursday: Axe Rita at The Axe Bar
I’m not ready for school to start nor am I ready for anything fall just yet. I’m still clinging to summer, and this Thursday, I’m thirsty for something fun: the Axe Rita at The Axe Bar. In a giant glass goblet with a rim of tajin, this Axe Rita ($6 during happy hour) had tequila, triple sec, lime, and strawberry-banana nectar. Bright and refreshing, the drink tasted like a strawberry margarita. It had a prominent juicy berry flavor balanced by pleasingly subtle banana and a whisper of sour citrus — and there was pretty much no alcohol taste to it. This adult beverage sipped like juice, so watch out; it’s looking to deal some damage.
Meadowbrook Park's new PrairiePlay playground set to be ready in September
Jul. 25—URBANA — Earlier this year, the Urbana Park District hosted one last playdate at the original PrairiePlay to help community members say goodbye to the Meadowbrook Park playground after nearly 30 years. It's expected that, come fall, the public will likely be invited to a similar event to welcome the new PrairiePlay playground, said project manager Andy Rousseau. "The space is going to ...
A chat with Six Red Chairs Bakery baker Manon Lalonde
Saturday morning at Urbana’s Market at the Square is a whole vibe. Like all the other market goers, I love the local produce, fresh flowers, and baked goods. One vendor that I never miss is Six Red Chairs Bakery, a cottage bakery owned by Manon Lalonde. Every Saturday, I report weekly to her red tent to buy a cinnamon kouign amann (which I have written about here, here here, and here) because it is so delicious. From the almond biscotti to the s’mores cookie to the fall spiced molasses cookie, every one of the baked goods I’ve tried from Six Red Chairs has been good.
Teacher of the Week: Les Kutz, art, Dr. Williams Elementary, Urbana
Jul. 25—In Les Kutz's first year at Dr. Williams Elementary, the University of Illinois graduate changed the way art was taught at the Urbana school. Kutz allowed students to sign up for activities that included crocheting, sewing and zine-making, and collaborated with teachers during social-emotional planning sessions. This year, Kutz was given a Shining Star Award by the Champaign-Urbana ...
Please appreciate Spurlock’s chain mail mannequin
Summertime in the midwest tends to get a little sweaty, and with campus being quieter this time of year, Spurlock Museum of World Cultures is a great option to find some brief respite. Their blog helps us keep up with what’s going on during the summer months at the museum, which as they point out, has provided them some time to focus on unique projects — like this chain mail armor, for starters. I was drawn to this because I mean, who doesn’t think chain mail armor is pretty sweet? I don’t think there are many people out there that wouldn’t be interested in trying this bad boy on and taking it for a test drive.
Hamilton Walker’s teaming up with PlumpJack Winery for August 15th dinner
Hamilton Walker’s is cruising through wine dinners lately, as they just completed their recent July 11th collaboration celebrating some tastes of summer. August is right around the corner, and while the menu has not been announced yet for this upcoming dinner, they’re accepting reservations for their next one with PlumpJack Winery on August 15th, so now is the time to plan since it is just a few weeks away. The dinner takes place at 6 p.m.
The art of community: An interview with EKAH
EKAH, aka Steampunk Grub, aka E.K. Anna Hennequet is one of the most color-full, creative, and productive artists our community. EKAH sat down with me for an interview ahead of the unveiling of her new triptych art presentation this Sunday, July 28th at 2 p.m. at the Champaign Public Library.
Mannheim Steamroller announced to play at Virginia Theater
CHAMPAIGN, IL (Chambana Today) – It was recently announced that the musical ensemble Mannheim Steamroller will be performing at the historic Virginia Theater in Champaign on Sunday, December 29, 2024. Mannheim Steamroller, a neoclassical new-age music ensemble by Chip Davis, announced Monday that it will be performing in December...
Ganser set to headline fourth annual Pricklefest this weekend
This Sunday, Rose Bowl Tavern is gearing up for its 4th annual Pricklefest. This all-day rock fest utilizes both the indoor and outdoor stages and features a mix of both local and traveling artists. Upon seeing the initial lineup release, I immediately decided two things. The first was that I needed to be there this year. The second was to learn as much as I could about the headlining band, Ganser.
Spectrum Staging brings ‘Willy Wonka Jr.’ to Allen Park; ‘Shrek the Musical’ comes to the Fisher Theater
Two children’s stories that adults love will be coming to area stages Aug. 2 to 4, as Spectrum Staging presents a youth production of Roald Dahl’s “Willy Wonka Jr.” in Allen Park, and a touring company of “Shrek the Musical” comes to the Fisher Theater.
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