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W. Golf. Koschmann Wins JMU Eagle Landing Invitational

Tue, 09 Mar 2010 18:58:55 -0800

The Illinois women's golf team has their first individual tournament winner since Seul Ki Park won two tournaments in 2007, with sophomore Hailey Koschmann taking medalist honors at the JMU Eagle Landing Invitational on Tuesday. Illinois had a 40-over par 54-hole total of 904 to finish as runner-up to tournament winner South Florida. In the third round on Tuesday, Illinois shot a 14-over par 302 on the 6,282 yard, par 72 Eagle Landing golf course. Only six strokes separated Illinois and South Florida, and two strokes separating Illinois and third place Central Arkansas. Rounding out the top five were Kennesaw State and East Carolina.

Illini Basketball: Jereme Richmond and Waukegan vs Stevenson tonight

Tue, 09 Mar 2010 16:35:15 -0800

M. Golf. Illinois places second at LA Classics Invite

Tue, 09 Mar 2010 14:13:39 -0800

After leading the first round and sharing the lead after round two, Illinois placed second at the LA Classics Invitational held at the 7,141-yard par-72 Oakbourne Club in Lafayette, La.

M. Basketball. Illinois to Play in 2010 Coaches vs. Cancer Classic in New York City

Tue, 09 Mar 2010 11:20:48 -0800

Illinois, Pittsburgh, Texas and Maryland will tip-off the 2010 college basketball season in the Coaches vs. Cancer Classic, which culminates with the Championship Rounds at Madison Square Garden in New York City, Nov. 18-19.

Champaign Co Bd Endorses Redistricting Commission.

Wed, 10 Mar 2010 02:52:32 -0800

The Champaign County Board is getting ready to create a separate commission to come up with new county board district boundaries after the new census is completed. The proposal survived vigorous debate Tuesday night at the county board’s committee-of-the-whole meeting. Backers of the Redistricting Commission say it would take the task of redrawing the county board district map out of the hands of partisan politicians. Outside of four seats for county board members, the commission would feature seven independent at-large members from diverse backgrounds – nominated by the county board chair and approved by the county board. Democratic County Board member Sam Smucker challenged the proposal—- he says the county board is best suited to redraw the district map, because it’s an elected body. “I just disagree with (the) idea that this committee, which is going to be not elected but selected, is somehow the even-handed committee” says Smucker.. “The even-handed committee is the will of the voters.” But backers like Urbana Democrat Steve Beckett say the Redistricting Commission would follow strict standards in redrawing the county map, and be free of political interference. “Is it such a terrible idea to vote this before open in public. Where everybody can see what you’re dong?” said Beckett. The measure passed the committee-of-the-whole 16 to 8, with support from most Republicans and half the Democrats present. A final Champaign County Board vote is expected later this month. Meanwhile, a proposal for a county board with fewer members and single member districts attracted just four speakers at a public hearing last night. Policy Committee Chairman Tom Betz says he’ll schedule a 2nd hearing—- perhaps at a different location—- to gather more comment.

Iroquois County Officials Explore Closing the County Jail

Wed, 10 Mar 2010 02:52:32 -0800

The Chairman of the Iroquois County Board says a proposal to close the county jail may not be perfect, but is worth looking at for three to four months. Ron Schroeder commends County Sheriff Eldon Sprau for at least coming up with a cost-saving measure. It’s costing about $600,000 a year to operate the aging jail, which was built in 1964. Sprau says at this rate, his fuel budget will be exhausted in six months, keeping deputies from patrolling. Schroder says taking prisoners to Kankakee County would save about $250,000, and enable Iroquois County to hire back four sheriff’s deputies who lost their jobs last week. However, closing the jail would mean 10 correctional officers. Schroder says the only other alternative, a voter-backed public safety tax, has seen no success with voters. “When the public safety tax for remodeling the jail failed, then we went to a public safety tax to keep the people on staff, that failed,” says Schroder. “We went to unions and asked for somebacks - that failed. So you tell me what we’re supposed to do.” Officials in Kankakee County have already agreed to house prisoners from Iroquois County. But Watseka Police Chief Roger Lebeck says the county’s savings would mean additional costs for him, paying another officer overtime while one of his officers took a prisoner to Kankakee. Lebeck suspects closing the jail would mean more I-Bonds, or prisoners who are issued notices to appear in court. “You must show up at that date and time, or else a warrant will be issued for your arrest, that kind of thing,’ says Lebeck. “We don’t I-Bond on felonies, there’s no bond amount set for that statutorily, and that’s something a judge sets so normally they sit in the jail until they see the judge. So domestic batteries, those kinds of things, they’ll have to go to the jail.” Schroder says Iroquois County Board members expect to hold several meetings before holding a vote on closing the jail.

Champaign Reverses Traffic Pattern Designed to be Crime Deterrent

Wed, 10 Mar 2010 02:52:32 -0800

Removing one-way signs from a residential street doesn’t usually attract a lot of attention – but the city of Champaign is calling a traffic-pattern change this afternoon a big step forward for one neighborhood. 12 years ago neighbors asked the city to convert portions of four streets in the Bristol Place neighborhood into one-way street. The thinking was that the inconvenience would discourage crime on those streets. Eugene Barnes of the community group Metanoia Centers has watched crime slowly decline in that area since then. But he gives the traffic pattern only a small share of the credit. “We had drug dealing and prostitution. And it takes a different shape over a period of time—you learn to adapt to new situations,” Barnes said. “So along with urban planning, you’ve got to look at the human factor (and) what else is going to be involved with that. Just one-way streets alone are not that great a deterrent.” Still, Barnes says neighbors today asked for the resumption of two way traffic on the streets – he says the neighborhood has improved since 1998, but he says neighbors and police will have to keep up their surveillance.

Champaign School Board OK’s Budget Cuts for 2010-2011

Wed, 10 Mar 2010 02:52:32 -0800

After weeks of discussions and revisions, the Champaign School Board approved 2-point-3-million dollars in budget cuts and new revenue last (Monday) night. The move comes in reaction to delays and expected cuts in state funding. Some of the changes to the Unit Four budget are permanent—- like the elimination of nine administrative positions and four high school-level positions. But others can only be done once—- such as plans to sell two plots of land to raise 435-thousand dollars. School board member Stig Lanesskog says he had misgivings about one-time items at first—- but no longer. “I’ve become less concerned about that”, says Lanesskog, “because the last thing I want to do is have, in this economy, more people lose their jobs earlier than they need to” But board member Greg Novak says the board should have looked for more savings through permanent cuts—- in case delayed state payments don’t arrive in time for the start of school next fall. “Because what happens all too often, is we’ll get to September, and your buildings’ budgets are all that’s left to cut”, says Novak. “And that which we’re trying to protect will be the only thing left to cut.” In all, Unit Four is cutting 1-point-9 million dollars in spending, and selling land worth an estimated 435-thousand dollars, for a total budget decrease of 2-point-3 million. Champaign school board member Susan Grey says she expects that the state’s financial problems will keep their budgets tight for the next two or three years. “And depending on what happens with the state budgets, there may be some cuts that are just completely out of our control”, says Grey. “How do we fine $1,400,000. if the state does indeed cut our funding by at least ten percent. It could be more, we don’t know.” Other school districts are also considering steep budget cuts—- including the Urbana and Mahomet-Seymour districts. The Urbana school board will be hearing public comment on their proposed budget cuts at meetings set for tonight Tuesday and Wednesday

Exit 182 Festival Preview: The Young Republic

Wed, 10 Mar 2010 08:00:46 -0800

Next week, over a thousand performers will descend upon Austin, Texas. These musicians, comedians, artists, and filmmakers will be joined by around ten thousand fans for a week of innovation, creativity and really killer music. Meanwhile, I will be here in Urbana, analyzing mouse brains and jonesing for a week away from work spent wrapped up in the best in indie music.

While most of us probably can't afford to take a week off work and make it to South By Southwest, this year C-U has the opportunity to get a taste of the talent headed down to Austin (or, for you lucky bastards who are headed to the festival, a preview). Mike n' Molly's will be playing host to four SXSW bands this Thursday, Friday, and Saturday nights, as part if their first ever Exit 182 Festival.

The festival kicks off on Thursday with The Young Republic, supported by locals Heyokas, Kilroy, et. al. and Roses and Saké. On Friday, Chicago SXSWers Jared Grabb will be playing alongside Tina Sparkle, Laarks, and Mayhew the Traitor and on Saturday Pet Lions and Mittens on Strings will play before heading down to Austin, with Jet W. Lee and The Fantastic Plastics supporting.

While many of the bands playing in the mini-festival will be new to my ears, there's one I can't wait to see: The Young Republic. In the interest of full disclosure, I should tell you that I have a previous relationship with The Young Republic. Although we didn't meet until five years ago, the band went to school across the street from my alma mater in Nashville, and when they were looking to expand their tour dates in the Midwest, I pointed them toward Mike n' Molly's. While I wouldn't say we were friends, the band was a mainstay in my little piece of the Nashville music scene, and having them play in Champaign feels just about like having an old friend come visit.

The Young Republic is the creative outlet of Julian Saporiti, who grew up in Nashville and recruited a handful of talented friends from his high school, the University School of Nashville, which is well known for churning out smart, motivated and creative students. The Young Republic were no exception. Julian and the band were prolific and assertive, handing out home-burnt CDs at shows and cramming into our tiny radio station to promote their local gigs. I remember them as friendly, enthusiastic, surprisingly savvy to the hurdles they faced as musicians. They headed to Berklee College of Music but have remained Nashvillians at heart, coming back in town to play shows at their high school and in local coffee shops and venues.

Having been a listener of theirs for so long, I am thrilled by the growth The Young Republic has embraced throughout these recent years. When I first met them in Nashville, the band wrote earnest, orchestral songs ranging from smooth pop to sweeping ballads, relying heavily on sweeping strings and airy acoustic guitars. Their first (apparently unofficial) releases, which I imagine can now only be heard on old music blogs or directly from the band, give The Young Republic a very distinct identity as articulate and thoughtful pop musicians.

Their new full-length, Balletesque, (which seems to be being promoted as The Young Republic's "debut") presents an entirely new sound for the band. Balletesque sees the band taking on new characters apart from the wide-eyed dreamers of their previous work. In place of youthful optimism is a shrewd and playful dark side (The Young Republic curse? Who knew?!). They've picked up a few new tricks in their time together, as their careful strings now mix with electric guitar riffs and energetic drumming. For a Young Republic fan, Balletesque is full of surprises. "Rose Parade" is a song I never would have dreamt the band was capable of—at times aggressive and racy, full of passion and vigor, yet still rich with the imagery I've come to expect from the band. And yes, I'm aware that most of you are probably not active Young Republic fans like myself, but it's my hope that all that will soon change. Past the talent of Balletesque, the album offers an even greater indication of The Young Republic's chances for success: a readiness to embrace different influences and styles combined with a talent for trying on different musical personas and blending them into a seamless storyline.

Much of the band's lineup has changed since they left Berklee, but Julian remains at the heart of the band's writing and decision-making, and with all the shifts in style they still feel like The Young Republic. They retain the characteristic style that makes them stand out—the careful layering of sounds, Julian's smooth, adaptable voice, and an artfulness that makes them not so much storytellers as mood-makers, drawing me into their energy and exuberance.

You can stream all of Balletesque on The Young Republic's website, or swing by and let their Mike n' Molly's show convince you. I'm calling it now: The Young Republic are a band we're going to be hearing from ten years down the road. They may not sound the same, but you're going to wish you had seen them here first.

FULL SCHEDULE:

Day 1: Thursday, March 11 @ 9:00 PM

The Young Republic
Heyokas
Kilroy, et al.
Roses & Saké

Day 2: Friday, March 12 @ 10:00 PM
Tina Sparkle
Laarks
Mayhew the Traitor
Jared Grabb

Day 3: Saturday, March 13 @ 10:00 PM
Pet Lions
Mittens on Strings
Jet W. Lee
The Fantastic Plastics

Check out more Exit 182 coverage tomorrow morning

Published in: Previews

Week Seven: The mug cake and the damage done

Wed, 10 Mar 2010 06:00:54 -0800

I'm not going to pretend like this whole thing is easy. I don't want to fall into a trap here of trying to gloss things over or to make them pretty for public consumption. This is intended to be a true documentation of my journey during The Yoga Experiment. And this week I fell off the wagon. I didn't just fall off, I jumped off and went flying into oblivion.

It isn't the yoga, really. Yoga is awesome, and I have still kept to my at-least-one-hour-a-day-five-times-a-week edict. It's part of my life now; I get up and go to class without thinking about it too much. I'm still seeing improvements in my flexibility with each passing day, and I'm having a really good time.

Published in: The Yoga Experiment

A review of “A History of the American Film”

Wed, 10 Mar 2010 04:00:01 -0800

As is often the case, I entered the Krannert Center's Colwell Playhouse knowing next to nothing about what I was about to see. If I'd read more about this particular play, I'd probably not have attended.

Christopher Durang's "A History of the American Film" is a parody of the classic 1930s–1940s musicals and films that the WWII Generation enjoyed. Good Girl Loretta falls in love with Jimmy the Gangster, and through their adventures we're treated to an historical account of the best that American film had to offer during the early 20th century.

I know virtually nothing about American film during the early 20th century, best or otherwise. Sure, I've seen Gone With the Wind and Fantasia. I've seen Casablanca (was that filmed in the 40s? I think so). I know that there were a lot of films that featured beautiful women performing synchronized swimming (and that this is now an Olympic Sport); I know that there were old, skinny men—wearing top hats and tails—singing and dancing with beautiful, gorgeously dressed women who were also singing and dancing. So I recognized these references. But I've never seen a Fred Astaire film, or an Al Jolson film (did he make films?), or Joan Crawford, or Katherine Hepburn, or anything with Judy Garland after The Wizard of Oz (I'm gonna lose my gay card for this; I know it). So, I'm afraid that I probably missed a lot of Durang's references.

Published in: Theatre

Quinn Budget Effects for Area

Wed, 10 Mar 2010 08:29:58 -0800

Today's NG:

Even before Gov. Pat Quinn formally proposed his budget that includes a cut in the state revenue sharing program with cities and counties, there were howls from local government.

Champaign County Administrator Deb Busey said Quinn’s planned reduction in income tax sharing with municipalities would mean a loss of $795,000 to the county. The governor will propose today a reduction from 10 percent to 7 percent in the amount of income tax revenue the state passes on to local governments.

“To us that’s a 30 percent drop in the revenue stream,” Busey said at Tuesday’s county board committee of the whole meeting. “In 2008 that generated over $3 million.”

Discuss.