Smile Politely
@smilepolitely.com
Champaign-Urbana’s Culture Magazine
United Way of Champaign County's program Books with Barbers equips barbers with literacy training, books for their shops, and a positive impact in the world of literacy.
Putting books in the hands of barbers - SPlog
United Way of Champaign County recognizes that barbershops have long been cultural hubs built on connection and lasting relationships in African American communities. Their program Books with Barbers ...
www.smilepolitely.com
January 16, 2026 at 3:20 PM
United Way of Champaign County's program Books with Barbers equips barbers with literacy training, books for their shops, and a positive impact in the world of literacy.
We hope that continuing to publish about things happening in C-U and the surrounding areas can give you space for joy, as well as comfort and a sense of community.
We hope you find community here - SPlog
We are only two weeks into the year and already things feel heavy, and, dare I say, dire. I know this community is deeply troubled by what we’re seeing play out on the national stage. Things ...
www.smilepolitely.com
January 16, 2026 at 3:18 PM
We hope that continuing to publish about things happening in C-U and the surrounding areas can give you space for joy, as well as comfort and a sense of community.
We currently reside in a part of the state that used to be an epicenter for bicycle manufacturing.
This book makes me want to ride my bicycle - SPlog
Bicycles are great. I fancy a bike jaunt just as much as the next person–frequently to the neighborhood cafe in the summer. However, I didn’t know that I currently reside in a part of the ...
www.smilepolitely.com
January 16, 2026 at 3:14 PM
We currently reside in a part of the state that used to be an epicenter for bicycle manufacturing.
Whether you’re angling for new gigs, hunting gear upgrades, or just curious what goes into making movies in Central Illinois, Flyover’s inaugural Filmmakers Expo has you covered.
Still time to catch Flyover's film expo this Saturday - SPlog
Whether you’re angling for new gigs, hunting gear upgrades, or just curious what goes into making movies in Central Illinois, Flyover’s inaugural Filmmakers Expo has you covered. It’s all happening th...
www.smilepolitely.com
January 15, 2026 at 8:26 PM
Whether you’re angling for new gigs, hunting gear upgrades, or just curious what goes into making movies in Central Illinois, Flyover’s inaugural Filmmakers Expo has you covered.
The food truck recently opened a storefront in Mahomet located next door to the former and much-missed Lucky Moon Pies, and Serenity decided to take her whole family along to try it out.
Patty Daddy’s makes a good smashburger - Food & Drink
I don’t make it to food trucks that often, which is how I’ve managed to go so long without ever trying Patty Daddy’s. I was excited to learn they opened a storefront in Mahomet located ...
www.smilepolitely.com
January 15, 2026 at 8:23 PM
The food truck recently opened a storefront in Mahomet located next door to the former and much-missed Lucky Moon Pies, and Serenity decided to take her whole family along to try it out.
Soon we’ll be able to catch the latest blockbusters under the stars on the campus Quad. But until the days are longer and warmer, the Illini Union film series is back–and indoors.
Movie nights are back at the Illini Union - SPlog
Soon we’ll be able to catch the latest blockbusters under the stars on the campus Quad. But until the days are longer and warmer, the Illini Union film series is back–and indoors. This semester kicks ...
www.smilepolitely.com
January 15, 2026 at 8:16 PM
Soon we’ll be able to catch the latest blockbusters under the stars on the campus Quad. But until the days are longer and warmer, the Illini Union film series is back–and indoors.
For those continuing Dry January, Alyssa shares non-alcoholic beverages in this drinks column.
Thirsty Thursday: Bottomless drip coffee at Sam's Cafe - SPlog
We’re into mid January and back to the usual routines. For anyone still continuing Dry January, I support and applaud and continue (for the last week) sharing only non-alcoholic beverages in this drin...
www.smilepolitely.com
January 15, 2026 at 6:52 PM
For those continuing Dry January, Alyssa shares non-alcoholic beverages in this drinks column.
A long holiday weekend that not only invites U of I students back to town, but also offers plenty of ways to have fun.
The Weekender: January 16-18 - Culture
A long holiday weekend that not only invites U of I students back to town, but also offers plenty of ways to have fun.
www.smilepolitely.com
January 15, 2026 at 3:58 PM
A long holiday weekend that not only invites U of I students back to town, but also offers plenty of ways to have fun.
Opened last year in Lincoln Square Mall, Omkar visits Lazy Daisy Diner & Cafe to survey options and provide a review.
Brunch at the new Lazy Daisy Diner & Cafe - Food & Drink
As the new year rolled around, and I contemplated an eventful 2025, I was reminded of many of the fantastic new restaurants and meals I tried. In particular, I remembered when my partner and I ...
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January 14, 2026 at 8:27 PM
Opened last year in Lincoln Square Mall, Omkar visits Lazy Daisy Diner & Cafe to survey options and provide a review.
Go see Citizen Kane on Saturday because we live in a town where our growing film community and local fans care about 16mm prints and the moral implications of the spotlight.
See Citizen Kane the way Roger Ebert wanted you to - Arts
The Virginia Theatre is showing Citizen Kane this Saturday, and if you’ve never seen it on the big screen, you don’t really know it yet. I realize you might feel that twitchy mix of cinematic ...
www.smilepolitely.com
January 14, 2026 at 8:20 PM
Go see Citizen Kane on Saturday because we live in a town where our growing film community and local fans care about 16mm prints and the moral implications of the spotlight.
Next week is ramen week at ISHI. The regular menu is out (temporarily), and ramen is in next Wednesday through Saturday.
Make time for ramen week at ISHI - SPlog
Excuse me, listen up: Next week is ramen week at ISHI. The regular menu is out (temporarily), and ramen is in next Wednesday through Saturday. The restaurant that serves incredidble omakase, omu curry...
www.smilepolitely.com
January 14, 2026 at 8:17 PM
Next week is ramen week at ISHI. The regular menu is out (temporarily), and ramen is in next Wednesday through Saturday.
After shutting their doors in 2022, Dandelion Vintage will be re-opening on January 23, inside of Furniture Lounge.
Dandelion Vintage to reopen - SPlog
After shutting their doors in 2022, Dandelion Vintage will be re-opening on January 23, inside of Furniture Lounge. Their collection of clothing will be sourced from the original Dandelion archive, da...
www.smilepolitely.com
January 14, 2026 at 8:17 PM
After shutting their doors in 2022, Dandelion Vintage will be re-opening on January 23, inside of Furniture Lounge.
Manic purging doesn’t just have to happen this time of year, we can Feed the Thing all year round. Many of our everyday items are recyclable, so let’s resolve to be better consumers.
Resolve to recycle more this year - SPlog
The new year is all about starting anew, cleansing both spiritually and literally. The Year of the Snake is ending, and it’s time to shed all that weighs us down. All that to say, many ...
www.smilepolitely.com
January 14, 2026 at 8:14 PM
Manic purging doesn’t just have to happen this time of year, we can Feed the Thing all year round. Many of our everyday items are recyclable, so let’s resolve to be better consumers.
If you’re not one of the 24% of already-vaccinated people, take note: it’s not too late to get your flu and COVID shots to protect yourself and others from debilitating and potentially deadly viruses.
It's flu season in Champaign County - Opinion
It’s about two weeks into the new year, and we’re willing to bet that you know someone who has or just had the flu or another respiratory illness. Respiratory illnesses—specifically Influenza A—are ba...
www.smilepolitely.com
January 14, 2026 at 6:17 PM
If you’re not one of the 24% of already-vaccinated people, take note: it’s not too late to get your flu and COVID shots to protect yourself and others from debilitating and potentially deadly viruses.
It’s clear to us that you, dear readers, love to eat and drink. We see you sharing your opinions on Champaign-Urbana’s food and drink scene on our social media pages. Why not formalize it and contribute to our Food & Drink section?
Smile Politely needs you as a food writer - SPlog
It’s clear to us that you, dear readers, love to eat and drink. We see you sharing your opinions on Champaign-Urbana’s food and drink scene on our social media pages. Why not formalize it and ...
www.smilepolitely.com
January 14, 2026 at 4:07 PM
It’s clear to us that you, dear readers, love to eat and drink. We see you sharing your opinions on Champaign-Urbana’s food and drink scene on our social media pages. Why not formalize it and contribute to our Food & Drink section?
Blue Ethiopian Cuisine & Cafe, Champaign-Urbana’s very first Ethiopian restaurant, will open this Saturday in Downtown Champaign.
The very first look inside Blue Ethiopian Cuisine & Cafe - SPlog
Blue Ethiopian Cuisine & Cafe, Champaign-Urbana’s very first Ethiopian restaurant, will open this Saturday on January 17, 2026 in the historic Witt Building. Built over an old well in 1909, the downto...
www.smilepolitely.com
January 14, 2026 at 1:50 AM
Blue Ethiopian Cuisine & Cafe, Champaign-Urbana’s very first Ethiopian restaurant, will open this Saturday in Downtown Champaign.
The truck soft launched last week and is officially open this week. The truck’s menu offers hibachi, teriyaki, stir-fry noodles, fried rice, and fried appetizers.
Samurai Hibachi food truck now open - SPlog
There’s a brand-new Champaign-Urbana food truck called Samurai Hibachi. The truck soft launched last week and is officially open this week. The truck’s menu offers hibachi, teriyaki, stir-fry noodles,...
www.smilepolitely.com
January 13, 2026 at 8:19 PM
The truck soft launched last week and is officially open this week. The truck’s menu offers hibachi, teriyaki, stir-fry noodles, fried rice, and fried appetizers.
Set a reminder to buy tickets, mark it in glitter gel pen in your calendar, follow these places online, look forward to doing something new.
Let’s make 2026 the year of the workshop - SPlog
Personally, I’m a big fan of workshops, classes, tutorials, and the like. I am willing to learn how to do just about anything (that’s a little thing called ADHD), and I’ve even been known to ...
www.smilepolitely.com
January 13, 2026 at 8:18 PM
Set a reminder to buy tickets, mark it in glitter gel pen in your calendar, follow these places online, look forward to doing something new.
A family-owned restaurant whose food nourishes, Huaraches Moroleon is a shining example of the kind of restaurant Central Illinois is fortunate to have.
Mexican food flourishes at Huaraches Moroleon - Food & Drink
When I have visitors come into town and I want to make a good impression, Huaraches Moroleon consistently rises to the top of my list of standout restaurants in the Champaign-Urbana area. Since 2011, ...
www.smilepolitely.com
January 13, 2026 at 7:27 PM
A family-owned restaurant whose food nourishes, Huaraches Moroleon is a shining example of the kind of restaurant Central Illinois is fortunate to have.
García's collection, Indifferent Cities, delivers a rigorous autopsy of memory: it is as visually striking as it is textually resonant.
Ángel García excavates ghosts of the disappeared - Arts
In his new poetry collection, Indifferent Cities (Tupelo Press, 2025), University of Illinois poet and professor Ángel García takes up both the shovel and the pen to exhume a history never intended fo...
www.smilepolitely.com
January 13, 2026 at 3:59 PM
García's collection, Indifferent Cities, delivers a rigorous autopsy of memory: it is as visually striking as it is textually resonant.
If you’ve been looking for a way to give back to the community, try volunteering with your local elementary school.
Here’s how to volunteer with your local school - SPlog
If you’ve been looking for a way to give back to the community, try volunteering with your local elementary school. The iRead & iCount programs are currently in need of volunteers for Spring 2026 to ....
www.smilepolitely.com
January 13, 2026 at 1:20 AM
If you’ve been looking for a way to give back to the community, try volunteering with your local elementary school.
Champaign Movie Makers’ 48-hour film competition kicks off this week, and it’s basically controlled chaos meets creative boot camp.
Register now to make a short film this weekend - SPlog
So you want in on this whole “Hollywood of the Midwest” thing everyone’s talking about? Here’s your shot: Champaign Movie Makers’ 48-hour film competition kicks off this week, and it’s basically contr...
www.smilepolitely.com
January 13, 2026 at 1:19 AM
Champaign Movie Makers’ 48-hour film competition kicks off this week, and it’s basically controlled chaos meets creative boot camp.
Since Champaign-Urbana is nationally known for incredible Chinese cuisine, Alyssa wanted to review new Chinese restaurant Chili Bistro for her first review of the year.
Taste the heat at Chili Bistro - Food & Drink
This town has had quite the influx of new restaurants recently, with more opening soon. As the new year unfolds, we’ll be exploring new places and sharing those reviews. Since Champaign-Urbana is nati...
www.smilepolitely.com
January 13, 2026 at 1:18 AM
Since Champaign-Urbana is nationally known for incredible Chinese cuisine, Alyssa wanted to review new Chinese restaurant Chili Bistro for her first review of the year.
Each gift to the campaign helps to provide support and services to over 1,200 children and adults with developmental disabilities.
Help meet DSC’s Tree of Hope goal - SPlog
The DSC kicked off its 31st annual Tree of Hope campaign in late 2025. Although it peaks around the holiday season, the fundraiser continues through the end of January, and it’s so close to meeting .....
www.smilepolitely.com
January 12, 2026 at 6:50 PM
Each gift to the campaign helps to provide support and services to over 1,200 children and adults with developmental disabilities.
Get rid of your Christmas tree, have a mocktail, look at some art, do a puzzle.
The Week: January 12-15 - Culture
Get rid of your Christmas tree, have a mocktail, look at some art, do a puzzle.
www.smilepolitely.com
January 12, 2026 at 4:39 PM
Get rid of your Christmas tree, have a mocktail, look at some art, do a puzzle.