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FOOD & DRINK
Highest-rated seafood restaurants in Champaign by diners
For lobster lovers and cod connoisseurs, Stacker compiled a list of the highest-rated seafood restaurants in Champaign using data from Yelp. Originally published on stacker.com, part of the BLOX Digital Content Exchange.
Experience C-U Foundation announces African American heritage murals
On Tuesday, the Experience Champaign-Urbana Foundation announced a new mural series as part of the Champaign County African American Heritage Trail. The Experience C-U Foundation and 40 North, the Champaign County Arts Council, declared this initiative to celebrate key themes in local African American history through public art. The project...
Recite the pledge, get ice cream: The Main Scoop celebrating 4th of July all month
CENTRAL ILLINOIS (WCIA) — The month of July is not only America’s birth month, but National Ice Cream Month. The Main Scoop is celebrating both with free ice cream scoops for kids under the age of 10 for the entire month. They just have to pass one test: recite the Pledge of Allegiance. “We believe […]
WEEKEND TOP PICKS: Get ready for some red, white, and BOOM!
CHAMPAIGN, IL (Chambana Today) – Break out your red, white and blue and put those colors on display as you enjoy some of the best fireworks displays in the state! Don’t forget to grab the sunscreen and slather up the kiddos – and yourself, too!. With many...
Six empanadas from The Empanadas House
The students are gone for the summer which is my favorite time of year to visit Green Street restaurants. No shade to the students, but it is much more manageable when the 30,000 of them are on break. Related, I easily found a parking spot on Fourth Street. The Empanadas...
Outdoors Bound: Tips for beginning hikers
ROANOKE, Va. (WFXR) — With the Independence Day holiday approaching, more people will be taking to hiking trails. For beginning hikers here are a few tips: Hikers are also encouraged to plan their hikes for the periods between sunrise and 10:00 a.m., and 4:00 p.m. and an hour before sunset. That way hikers can avoid […]
Cobrafest 2024 set to ignite Loose Cobra July 6th
Cobrafest 2024 will take over Loose Cobra in Tolono on Saturday, July 6th, starting at 4 p.m. Prepare for a scorching lineup, headlined by FACS, who are back with their original member. This Chicago-based trio delivers an intense, minimalist noise-rock experience that’s sure to captivate. Champaign-Urbana’s own Menthol also takes the stage, blending sharp lyrics with the region’s signature guitar fuzz for a sound that’s both catchy and biting.
Weekender: June 27-30
Take a drive for some produce, Monticello Farmers’ Market, 3 to 6 p.m., free but you’ll need money to buy things. We have two farmers markets in C-U, but it could be that you need to re-up your produce on a Thursday. Monticello’s market is Thursday afternoon, and you can add in a hike at Allerton or lunch (or pie) at Brown Bag. Make a little afternoon of it! (JH)
PYGMALION announces lineup for 20th anniversary
Celebrating its 20th year, the multi-faceted cultural event PYGMALION has unveiled its complete 2024 lineup. This year’s festival, which promises a blend of music, comedy, and more, kicks off with a highly anticipated performance by Australian duo Royel Otis at the Canopy Club on September 19th. The duo, who gained fame for their viral covers of “Murder on the Dancefloor” and “Linger,” recently released their debut album, Pratts & Pain and are currently blowing up in the pop scene.
EDITORIAL: Hotel's completion plan good news for Urbana
Jun. 28—Saints be praised — there is an end in sight. At least, let's hope so. This week's news that Hotel Royer is scheduled to open this summer after a long and painful renovation process ought to put a spring in the step of Urbana residents. Hotel what? If that name doesn't sound familiar, let's revisit the history. Hotel Royer is the former Urbana-Lincoln, the former Jumer's Hotel and the ...
Thirsty Thursday: Papaya bubble tea slush at Xinh Xinh Café
After the wild hurricane-like winds we had this week, this Thursday, I’m thirsty for something tropical. I want a bubble tea slushie at Xinh Xinh Café. The Vietnamese restaurant’s delicious blended bubble tea ($5.95) comes in fourteen flavor options, but I love the papaya. The papaya’s sweet fruity flavor tastes delicious in slush form with some boba. It has a smooth, easy-drinking texture and a lot of boba at the bottom, so every other sip slurps a surprise of chewy tapioca bubbles. I like the boba here because the pearls have a nice gummy texture beneath the soft, silken outer layer — clearly fresh. Probably any flavor would be good with boba, but the bright tropical flavor of papaya tastes especially like summer to me.
Teacher of the Week: Nick Schulze, music, Franklin STEAM Academy, Champaign
Jun. 27—Email nominations to Anthony Zilis at For the last 13 years, Nick Schulze has worked to help Unit 4 students develop enthusiasm for music, first at the district's two high schools and now at Franklin STEAM Academy, where he serves as orchestra director. The Vandalia native, who won a Shining Star Award from the Champaign Urbana Schools Foundation last month, makes sure to create a ...
CI Kitchen: Gimbap by Charlotte Kim
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WCIA) — Gimbap recipe by Guest Chef Charlotte Kim. 5 hot dogs/sausages (can be substituted for other meat) On one side of the seaweed paper, evenly spread about ¾ cup of rice. Add ingredients to the middle (add whichever and however much you like) Roll it...
Champaign-Urbana’s Favorite Italian Food
When Champaign-Urbana residents look for delicious Italian food, these are the restaurants they consider. Pizza, pasta, gelato and more; many choices exist at a variety of price points for Italian dining in Champaign-Urbana. Your idea of the perfect Italian meal may be unlimited soup, salad and breadsticks at Olive Garden,...
The Top Things to Do in July in Champaign-Urbana
Summer is officially here, and July is packed with PLENTY to do around around Champaign-Urbana. So to keep it all straight, we’ve picked out a few of our many favorites and listed them here so you will make sure not to miss them. They’re listed chronologically. (For info on area fireworks, go here. For other July 4 events, go here.)
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