White Heath
FOOD & DRINK
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.
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.
Monticello duo returns back from Westminster Dog Show
MONTICELLO, ILL. (WAND) - We told you last week about a duo heading to New York to compete at the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show. Tracey Kaufman and her border collie, Chappie, have returned home to Monticello. The two competed in the dock diving competition. Chappie made it to finals...
Honoring Operation Honor Guard with Marvin Lee on the CI Stage
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WCIA) — He’s a country music legend here in Central Illinois and we’re excited to welcome back to the CI Stage, music guest Marvin Lee. Joining him to sing is Cindy Crawford. She was 13 when she sang on the Marvin Lee TV show and was a regular for a while.
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.
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.
Celebratory weekend keeps Champaign restaurants busy
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WCIA) — Graduation and Mother’s Day made up the perfect recipe for restaurant crowds in Champaign this weekend. People headed to their favorite spots to celebrate on Sunday. It led to some huge crowds at places all over town. Neil Street Blues is one of those places where people were waiting outside the […]
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.
Top of the Morning; May 13, 2024
On Mondays, we chop it up with the folks responsible for dishing up food around the area. What restaurant should we try next? Let Joey Wright know at jwright@news-gazette.com. Few restaurants in downtown Champaign offer more entertainment on a regular basis than The Space. The Space, which opened in 2023...
Champaign students turn into young florists for Mother’s Day
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WCIA) — Students at a Champaign school geared up for Mother’s Day with a blooming art project. Kindergarteners at Bottenfield Elementary School picked, snipped, and placed the flowers in a beautiful arrangement fit for mom with the help of a local florist. Rick Orr said it’s a unique experience for students and one […]
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.
New sports bar to open at U of I golf club
URBANA, Ill. (WCIA) — A new sports bar is coming to Central Illinois. Oskee’s will be located at the Atkins Golf Club in Urbana. They’ll have a soft opening on Thursday for their golfers, where they will get a chance to try out the limited menu and explore the lounge and pub. General Manager Jim […]
Illini-themed Oskee's Sports Pub expects soft opening this week at Atkins Golf Center
URBANA — A new restaurant and bar with a Fighting Illini theme is on the cusp of opening. Atkins Golf Club general manager Jim Buyze anticipates Oskee’s Sports Pub will have a soft opening this week, with a focus on serving golfers. He expects the restaurant to be fully open by Memorial Day weekend.
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.
Upcoming Champaign-Urbana workshop connects filmmakers to local vendors
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WCIA) — Film Champaign-Urbana will soon host the second of several workshops for local film enthusiasts, focusing on how productions in the region can successfully work with area caterers, hotels, equipment rentals and more. The workshop, entitled “So You Want to Be a Film Vendor?” will take place at Urbana’s Analog Wine Library on May […]
Under a Milk Moon opens at Springer Cultural Center
I’m so looking forward to diving into the newest exhibit at the Springer Cultural Center. Under a Milk Moon opened on May 4th and will run through June 15th. Featuring the work of artists Paula McCarty and Liza Wynette, Springer Cultural Center will host an artists’ reception including light refreshments on Thursday, June 6th. McCarty’s paintings and Wynette’s illustrated ceramics and natural history illustrations will be on display in the lovely confines at Springer. I hope to see you there.
Urbana’s curbanas are back for patio season
Downtown Urbana’s curbanas are back in time for patio season. These temporary structures are enclosed seating areas on raised deck structures next to the sidewalks of Main Street. Find outside seating now in front of Sakura restaurant, El Paraiso restaurant, and Rick’s Bakery on one side of the street, Encanto Restaurant & Bar, Gallery Art Bar, and The Main Scoop ice cream parlor on the other side.
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