Homer
FOOD & DRINK
The emu was just spotted and they look good
The emu lives! It’s been a while since it was last sighted, but Jacob Dickey just shared this video on his Facebook page, taken by Arnoud Buzing. Look at this emu, just out there, living its best life. The feathers look good, the energy is high, this emu is thriving it seems.
Things are happening at Urbana’s forthcoming H Mart
After a long, long wait, things are finally happening at the spot for our very own H Mart grocery store. Even in the yesterday’s rain, there were construction vehicles and workers starting to renovate Urbana’s vacant Save A Lot location on Broadway Avenue into the popular Korean grocery store.
Pregnant Deer Shows Bobcat Who’s Boss on Maine Trail Cam
Christa Smith shared footage from a trail cam on the MAINE Wildlife Facebook Group showing a deer with absolutely no fear of a bobcat. Turns out, the doe is likely pregnant, and she chases the bobcat away for daring to come near her. “Can’t believe this was on the trail...
My go-to orders at six barbecue places around town
Huzzah, National Barbecue Day is tomorrow, May 16th. Thankfully, we have a lot of barbecue options in Champaign, Urbana, Savoy, and beyond. Our local barbecue joints offer different takes on American barbecue, each with special barbecue sauces and unique barbecue sides. I have two favorite spots in town for burnt ends, two favorites for a saucy barbecue pork sandwich, and two spots that pair yummy pie with barbecue.
Casting service seeking movie extras in Champaign County
CHAMPAIGN COUNTY, Ill. (WCIA) – A film casting service will be looking for background actors in Champaign County throughout this weekend. Amidst an ongoing effort to bring more movie productions to Central Illinois, Bokeh Background Casting is hosting two open casting calls for two upcoming films. The calls will place actors into a talent pool, […]
Champaign County Humane Society | Meet Sheeba
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WCIA) — If you’ve been on the fence about adding a furry friend to your family, now’s the time! Here with us are Daniella Misa, adoption supervisor at the Champaign County Humane Society, and Sheeba!. Website. Social Media Links.
Take a visual tour of the Urbana Straw Bale House
There are many pieces of interesting architecture in our community, some of which I was reminded of after reading Amy Penne’s preview of what is to come in the arts this month. Mid-Continent Modern is being celebrated at Krannert Art Museum this week, a project which took a look at the Erlanger House in Urbana, just one of many mid-century homes. You don’t have to look around too much to find other interesting home projects in Urbana, and while this one is a bit different than something like Erlanger, I was lead to the Urbana Straw Bale House. This house, located at 605 East Main Street in Urbana, was awarded Traditional Construction Heritage Award by PACA a few years back. This is just one of many that is new to me, so I thought it would be worth a share.
The new Hound’s Court and Hound’s Rest owners want these spaces to feel like home
Last month, Alyssa posted about the re-opening of two new bars in the former Blind Pig spaces. There were a lot of questions from the community about the name change and what the future of these spaces looked like, so I took some time to talk to the new owners, Kristen and Jim Enderle, to ask them some questions about their bars, Hound’s Rest and Hound’s Court. We chatted about what drew them to these spaces and what they hope you’ll find when you come for a visit. And stay tuned: You’ll be able to see them for yourself at their grand opening on May 21st.
Afghan Cuisine restaurant is closed
In tragic news, Champaign’s Afghan Cuisine restaurant is now permanently closed. A message from the restaurant was posted on social media:. We regret to announce the closure of the Afghan Cuisine restaurant in Champaign, almost a year since our opening. As a family-owned establishment, we’ve taken immense pride in sharing Afghan cuisine with the CU community. Unfortunately, despite our best efforts, sustaining the restaurant has proven unfeasible. We express our profound gratitude to the community for their steadfast support. Serving the CU community has been an honor, and we’ll forever treasure the memories made here. While our doors closed on May 4th, the essence of Afghan flavors will endure in our hearts and the hearts of those we’ve served.
Toast to Taylor’s dates announced, Mother Nature headlining kickoff this Saturday
This Saturday, Toast to Taylor Street marks the first street festival of the year, this being the fourth edition of the independent, woman-run, volunteer-driven series on Taylor Street next to Farren’s Pub and Eatery. The event’s goal has been to help the Downtown Champaign cultural community rebound after COVID, supporting independent artists and makers.
Red Lobster Closing Down
In the wake of economic shifts and changing consumer preferences, the iconic Red Lobster seafood restaurant chain finds itself facing turbulent waters. With recent announcements of closures and equipment auctions, questions arise about the company’s future trajectory and its ability to weather these challenges. However, behind the headlines lies a narrative of adaptation, innovation, and resilience that underscores Red Lobster’s journey.
Calling fowl on backyard barns
We don’t want to ruffle any feathers here, but it seems at least one local household is making headlines with allegations from neighbors that their backyard barn is a nuisance. Put alongside the now multiple instances of exotic animals on the lam in the region, it got us curious about ordinances and rights pertaining to animal ownership in our county and where the line is between technically legal and morally questionable.
Pandamonium makes some really good doughnuts
My family regularly frequents just about every doughnut place in town: Ye Olde Donut Shoppe, Industrial Donut, even the chains and groceries stores like Dunkin and Shnucks. Though our go-to favorite is Pandamonium Doughnuts, hands down. We’ve been going for years, and my mom (who doesn’t even live in Illinois) has one of their t-shirts. It’s safe to say we are big fans.
Five things in music: May 2024
As the winter chill fades and those first warm breezes start rolling in off the prairie, there’s an extra sense of excitement and renewal in the air around Champaign-Urbana. Sure, the students have largely returned to home base, and a small chunk of the music scene will be on a short hiatus, but for local music fans, this shift in seasons means a bounty of eagerly anticipated annual events and concert series will soon be in full swing once again. From long-running traditions to exciting new happenings, the coming months promise an embarrassment of riches for anyone seeking their fix of live music under the sun. Here are five highlights I’m particularly stoked about this spring and summer.
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