Beer in Champaign

Champaign is a a beautiful place. A beautiful place with flowing taps of delicious beer! With places like Blind Pig Brewery, Triptych Brewing (okay, Savoy), and Desthil making it in-house; and then places like Dublin O'Neil's and Big Grove Tavern serving up an awesome selection of delicious crafts brews, you can drink the good stuff until the cows come home... which is all fine and dandy, until you get knocked up.

I'm 13 weeks pregnant, and have known since week 5. That's 8 whole weeks I've endured people, and approximately 26 to go. Yes, I remember the last beer I drank. Sea Dog Blueberry Wheat Ale at Guido's, April 26, 2013
. It was great.

So what's a preggo to do? Non-alcoholic beer? Many of the local joints do offer it, but I had the misfortune of reading some forum that said most non-alcoholics have .5% alcohol and that the baby can't handle it. Say what you will, but because of this, I'm avoiding.

So NOW what's a preggo to do? Well, there is alcohol-FREE beer. Sadly, I haven't seen any menus rockin' alcohol-free beers. Hoping to keep this thang local, I visited Piccadilly and called Common Ground Food Co-Op (I mean, they don't have their Champaign location YET... i'm not driving alllll the way over there on hopes and dreams, ha) and sadly neither had alcohol-free beer. Friar Tuck and Binny's, however, both offer Bitburger alcohol-free beer.

Bitburger is the only option I've found locally. The first sip feels natural... but after the first sip and especially after it warms, you're out. It's over.

There are quite a few options online if I want to spend cray-cray amounts of money. Honestly, after having a few of these I'm not that interested. I guess it did its job, eh?

There will be a day when I will enjoy the delectable flow of beer bubbles into my mouth again. I look forward to trying Triptych Brewing, I haven't had the chance yet! Until then, friend, please... go have a beer for me at a wonderful C-U pub. My, I mean.. your first recommended stop should be Dublin O'Neils.

CU Bike to Work Day - My Newbie Experience

CU Bike to Work Day was about a week ago. I went for it, I biked to work! Being someone that does not normally bike anywhere, I was excited about the challenge and a little nervous about being on the road.

Luckily for me, I live only a mile away from work. This was gonna be CAKE, right?!

Sadly, there weren't any official CU Bike to Work Day stations with free stuff on my side of town. I left 15 mins early, since I had no idea how long it would take. I got to work with plenty of time to spare, which was pretty cool. I ride an old Schwinn (maybe.. it has been repainted), it is probably from 1950something. Single gear. There was an uphill moment that I really had to pump on, but other than that it was a decent ride. I wore a different shirt in case I got too hot, which really I didn't because it was 8am.

At work, everyone that noticed I biked mentioned it and was in awe a bit. It was strange to get so much recognition for a mode of transportation. But then again, I bet if I showed up on a Harley there'd be a lot of talk too ;)

I had a meeting outside of my office that luckily was close, so I rode to it and back.

Lunchtime was approaching and I realized I hadn't brought anything. I normally go home for lunch to eat with my husband. Damn.. I was going to have to bike back home for lunch! I was getting a little tired of all this morning biking, but had to do it so I loaded up and headed back home. This was the harder ride because I was hungry, it was warm, and I was already a little tired from my morning excursions. I survived though, and the ride home after work was pretty gentle.

I'm glad I tried biking to work. When I started my new job and realized its close proximity to my home, I figured I should try to bike every once in a while. All kinds of things like nerves and the extra planning got in the way. CU Bike to Work Day made me get off my ass and onto my bike.

Since then, I haven't rode. Even though the weather has been beautiful... I realized I should really wear a helmet, which I don't have. Well, I have a roller derby helmet, but from what I understand it is not the same, and would not do.

To sum things up, let me list what I learned about biking to work:

• Biking to work is great because it gets you moving and your heart pumping! Plus, it saves gas, etc.
• Bring your lunch if you think the extra trip will be a bit much for you...
• Learn the rules of the road - there was a point where I was turning left and didn't know where to be in the lane...
• You won't get that sweaty, especially if your only trip is in the morning/after work. Although bringing a shirt to change into might make you a bit more comfortable.
• Keep deodorant at work or bring with you.
• Plan your errands. If you have places to go, you'll need to figure out how to bike there or save them for the car after work.
• Less road rage - unless cars don't share the road, which luckily.. I didn't encounter.
• Biking to work feels good. Although I was a bit tired at the end of the day, I know I would get used to it and to the great feeling of getting yourself somewhere without relying on a big car and gas $$.

Whew! So that was my experience. Did you do it? Would you do it?

Ya Heard?

So there is a lot going on this weekend in Chambana (that's why we love it, right?)

I'm going to give you Friday's top priority:



JD McPherson, free, at Krannert, 5-7pm.

I've seen him twice, I've listened to his record a thousand times, I still haven't gotten enough.

Whether you're a rockabilly cat or even just a "normal person", you'll love the musicianship and passion exuding from this group. Plus, they were on Letterman, so they're totally legit.

Saturday, you're going to want to do a lot of things for the Boneyard Arts Festival. I know I do! It is actually to the point that there are so many great things to do I'm tempted to have a meltdown and sit on the couch in my sweats. I'm 97% sure I won't, but that 3% possibility is always there...

ANYWAY, my top priorities are to visit The Living Letterpress, The Art Theater, and The Virginia Theatre. Here's why:

Image from LLP's Facebook.

The Living Letterpress - Friday & Saturday, 11-5pm, visit the studio and pull a print. Also, see artist Lisa Kesler in action making a linocut.
I'm mildly obsessed with their work. I think there is something very special about letterpress and I appreciate the work they've put into bringing it back. I really like words and phrases, and that is a lot of what they do (obviously!). Bonus: Everyone I've met involved with Living Letterpress is a wonderful person, passionate about their work.

Ippatsu Salon - Friday, 8-10pm, artist reception *free wine alert*
I won't be able to make it there, but you should also go to Ippatsu tonight to see the wonderful Baub Aldred's artwork at their fancy reception. It will be faboosh!

The Ghastly Love of Johnny X - @ The Art Theater, Friday & Saturday, Midnight
I want to see this because it is supposed to be awesomely bad. See it on IMDB. "A truly mad concoction, blending 1950s juvenile delinquents, sci-fi melodrama, song-and-dance, and a touch of horror, everything in just the right combination to create an engaging big screen spectacle!" The movie's opening weekend earned $86. It will probably be a cult classic in like 3 seconds. Don't you want to say you saw it before the hipsters took it over? Yeah, I thought so.

Image via my phone+Instagram <3

The Virginia Theatre - Saturday, 1-5pm, free Open House to view latest restoration.
Okay, so part of that is a work plug. What? I didn't make the announcement that I now work as the Marketing Coordinator for the Champaign Park District? Welp, there it is. Here's what makes my work plug legit - I've been to The Virginia Theatre many times in the last week alone. I still want to go. The restoration work blows my mind, especially seeing before and after pictures (which we have on display within the theatre). Please please please walk through and take a peek. It is free, beautiful, there will be free popcorn (!!!) and an organ performance around 2pm.