Local Hippies Distressed By Health Food Cafe "Renovation"
When frequenters of the Strawberry Fields Cafe heard word of it's impending renovation, they were eager to see new possibilities for the bustlling cafe. Then the construction began. It became clearer and clearer to many folks that the restaurant was going to be gone for good. Now, as the renovation has come to a close, the cafe has been replaced by an expanded vitamins and supplements section and what appears to be some sort of "common room". Perhaps to quell the outcry of discontent, the owners established a coffee counter on the opposite end of the store that offers some of their fan favorites such as coffee and a handful of pastries. There are even a couple of tables to sit at and sip your coffee. N A. from Urbana, IL writes, "I think they made a huge mistake in closing the cafe, and their lame attempt to reincarnate a few cafe favorites at the tiny coffee counter is just not cutting it."
Champaign Police Dept Really Really Bored This Summer
The Champaign Police Dept recently announced its interest in recruiting local preteens (ages 12-14) to join a summer "mock police academy". Apparently, the Police Dept is interested in establishing "stronger, more positive relationships" with Champaign youth.
That, or they are just extremely bored.
Visit their website for more information.
Urbana Clings To Hope Of Becoming Remarkable Town
Is the 2003 Miss America winner really Urbana's only claim to fame?--that she happened to live here, eat the food here, breathe the air here? And is it really worthy of a roadsign? I mean, even if it is, they are not really trying with this one. At least Urbana has its priorities straight even if they don't know how to brag effectively to unknowing visitors. Order of priorities: 1.name of town--Urbana, 2.population--37,362, 3.elevation--730ft, 4.claim to fame--hometown of Miss America 2003.
And that is so five years ago.
Neighborhood Leaders Update
Don't worry if you missed it! Video Footage from The 2008 Champaign Neighborhood Leaders Update is now available online!
Also check out Mayor Shweighart's Welcoming Video!
Urbana Maintains Racist Tomb Marker
Woodlawn cemetary in northern Urbana houses many graves from before the Civil War. The very first poor soul to be buried in this cemetary was Isham Cook. He died in December of 1830 at age 43 and, apparently, was buried by native Indians. This information can be found on a commemorative tombstone erected sometime during Gen. S. T. Busey's political career (1880-1909). Despite the fact that the marker does not actually indicate Cook's burial spot, the cemetary's groundskeeper maintains that his remains are "still around somewhere under the grounds". Interestingly enough, the tombstone that remembers his life and death also points out the significance of racism--even in our local history. The tablet reads, "His was the first death among the whites in Champaign County. he was buried in a bark coffin by wild Indians." With access to this tidbit of history, the question remains: Is such a relic problematic in our PC modern era or does it simply offer a glance into the past?