URBANA – The CU Community Fab Lab will host its 4th annual Holiday Maker Market from 2-6 p.m. on Nov. 30 and Dec. 1.
The Fab Lab is now accepting applications from craftmakers and artists for booths at this year’s market. Whether you are a veteran artist or just starting out, the Holiday Maker Market is an opportunity for local craft makers to sell one-of-a-kind gifts, customizable ornaments, and other handmade goods.
The market prides itself on offering a wide variety of art styles, crafting mediums, and unique gifts at different price points, making a visit to the holiday event fun and festive for all. The products offered must be crafted, made, or designed by the artisans, who will be selected through the application process.
Applications for vendor booths are due by 11:59 p.m. on Oct. 11. All applications will be reviewed, and vendors will be selected by Nov. 1. You can apply online here.
Proceeds from booth fees and Fab Lab sales benefit the Summer Camp Scholarship Fund. All proceeds generated from Fab Lab goods directly support local youth and families by removing financial barriers to attend the lab’s summer camp programs. Last year, the Fab Lab provided $2,200 in scholarship funds to kids in the community.
For more information, contact the Community Fab Lab at communityfablab@gmail.com or call (217) 265-5342.
Emil "The Button Man" Cobb creates a new button for a customer last Thursday at Urbana's first Night Market at the Square at Lincoln Square Mall Thursday evening. Night Markets will be held every Thursday for the next five weeks in the Southeast parking lot, showcasing local artists, craftsmen, and food vendors. Next week, Panc8s will be the featured band for the event, sponsored by The Market and the Urbana Arts and Culture. Cobb creates photo buttons and keychains on the spot from customer social media feeds or phone albums.
Artist Christopher Reme poses in booth at the Crystal Lake Park Art Fair last month. His unique, afrofuturistic graphic designs are characters he creates not only visually, but also each with their own personality and legend.
Photo: Sentinel/Clark Brooks
URBANA - Christopher Reme remembers starting to draw when he was around six years old. Unable to stay quiet during church services, his grandmother handed him paper and pens to keep him occupied during sermons. It was not long after he became obsessed with art. Influenced by comic books and cartoons, his technical ability improved to the point that he could enroll at the Art Institute in Chicago.
After two years, he left the program to continue his art education along a self-directed path. Eventually, he pursued other interests, putting art on hold. Nearly 15 years later, he rediscovered his passion and talent.
One of the many characters created by Christopher Reme. The Champaign native creates designs featuring characters and creatures doing everyday things. For every demon, warlord, or mutant he has created, each has an elaborate backstory.
Illustration provided
"When I first started doing this, I didn't expect anybody to like it or care about it," Reme said from behind a table in his booth at the Crystal Lake Park Art Fair on August 3. "I would draw while at work or school and be like that's nice. That's cool. But that was as far as it went."
That was until his wife Sara convinced him to take the next step.
"You're good at this," she told him three years ago. "We're doing a show."
Reme only had four pieces ready for his first show at the annual Boneyard Festival. He was taken by surprise with the initial reception to his work at his very first show.
"People showed up and they were like, 'Hey, this is awesome' and 'this is nice'," he said recounting the experience. It was then he learned his style and vision had a name, Afrofuturism.
"All of my characters have a back story and a whole lore with them," Reme said. "None of them are heroes, and none of them are villains. They're just people and creatures doing stuff because they have to."
Many of the festival-goers Reme spoke with at the Boneyard Festival compared his work to that of a University of Illinois professor.
"People kept coming up and asking, do you know Stacey Robinson? And we're like, no."
Robinson, an Associate Professor of Graphic Design at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, is known for his multimedia work through collages, motion graphics, and illustrations featuring Black people in the futuristic, sometimes fantasy world. He eventually met Robinson and said the two exchange tips and discuss their work regularly.
Reme's creative process is simple.
"I just pick up the pen and the table and go at it," he said. "It creates itself. I'm just a vessel it flows through."
Reme plans to release a graphic novel or book by the end of the year. View his artwork and portfolio at www.theicedoutnomadstudios.com. See additional designs at https://www.artstation.com/christopherreme.
URBANA - Painter Bekki Canine paints a new piece between visitors to her booth at the Crystal Lake Art Fair on Saturday. The two-day event featured 40 artists from around the local area and beyond. Canine earned her BFA at Illinois Wesleyan and holds an MA in Art Education from the University of Illinois. The Villa Grove native has taught art classes from kindergarten to college-level coursework. Her paintings and note cards are available on her website.
URBANA - Vendor booths line the drive around Crystal Lake Park for the two-day art fair this weekend. Forty vendors specializing in genres from mixed media to ceramics, photography to fiber-based art displayed their work for sale. Despite the warm midday temperatures, many patrons and art enthusiasts visited the shaded area of the park, exploring the various booths.
URBANA - Looking to meet new people or maybe show off your artistic side? Unwind and chill at this post-workday event at the Urbana Arts and Culture free craft happy hour at the Urbana Free Library on Wednesday, April 3, from 6 to 7 p.m.
Each month, UAC offers a monthly drop-in crafts program for adults to enjoy after a long day at the office. This week, participants will create painted flower pots to take home. All the craft supplies needed will be provided and light refreshments will be available. Pre-registration is not required.
The adult craft happy hours are presented each month by Urbana Arts and Culture with a different craft and guest artist. For more information contact the Programming and Outreach Manager via email at programming@urbanafree.org or via phone at 217-367-4057.
Summer softball registration in St. Joseph closes soon
St. Joseph Summer Softball is now underway. This year's registration fee will include the $5 village fee. Parents will to register online with a credit card.
The program will not have a separate age division for girls four years-old or in kindergarten this year. The organization is encouraging parents with kids in the age group to play Bitty Ball or T-Ball through the St. Joseph Youth Baseball program.
The Unity FFA is celebrating FFA Week next week with their annual pork chop lunch. The drive through service will take place on the UHS east drive on Wednesday, February 24 from 11:00am - 12:45pm. Pork chop sandwiches are $5 each with proceeds going toward supporting the FFA program. Customers can get a meal deal for an additional $2, which will include chips, drink, and cookies.
Sidney summer ball sign up this weekend
Sidney Baseball/Softball/Tball signups will be held this Saturday from 10am to 12pm at the new Sidney Community Building located at 211 E Main Street in Sidney. An additional sign up day is scheduled for February 22 from 5:30-7:30pm. Ages groups are ages five and six for T-Ball and ages 7-15 for baseball and softball athletes. Registration cost is $55.
Questions or if parents are unable to make it to the in-person registration dates, they are encouraged to send a message to (217)649-7450.
Annual Chili Dinner in Sidney next week
The Sidney Fire Protection District will host its annual chili dinner on February 27 at the new community building, located at 211 East Main, from 4-7pm. The dinner will be available only through drive-through service. Toppings, hotdogs and drinks will be provided with the meal.
Sidney Fire Department cancer awareness shirts will also be available for purchase. Donations help support the local district's firefighter association.
Spots still available in Tolono virtual raffle
The Tolono Firefighters Association is doing a virtual raffle for a $500 Allen Meats Gift Card. Tickets for the drawing are $10 a piece and limited to the first 100 sold. Tickets can be purchased through Venmo or PayPal.
Yesterday there were just 46 active Coronavirus cases across the six villages The Sentinel covers. The last time there fewer than 50 active cases in our area was back on November 13 of last year. A day later, that number surged to 60 and continued to rise from there to a peak of 142 active cases on several days.
The Champaign-Urbana Public Health District reported the number of cases rose by five today.
The agency's dashboard now includes mortality data for Champaign County. Out of the 1,427 cases identified in our area, eight individuals lost their lives to the virus. Two individuals from Ogden, four from Tolono along with one resident from Sidney and St. Joseph succumbed after being infected. As of today, 123 county residents have died from the viral infection since March of 2020.
Put it On The Market
Do you have a home for sale in one of our six communities? The Sentinel would like to highlight it in the upcoming new local real estate feature called On The Market.
Each calendar week our online paper will pick a residential property from those submitted for consideration to promote to our audience. With over 700 readers daily, The Sentinel hopes the new section will direct more potential buyers and competitive offers to sellers in our area. For more submission information, sellers and agents can contact us at editor@oursentinel.com.
Show us your art
We know there are more artists in our area. We just haven't met you yet but would enjoy seeing fruits of your creativity. If you paint, draw, sculpt or do metal work, The Sentinel would love to feature your work and share your artistic talent. Do you spend hours at the potter's wheel, dabble in mixed-media, do glass-work or design jewelry pieces? We would like to hear from you.
If you are interested in having your work featured in a story, please send a brief bio in an email with a link to your website or a online gallery featuring your work to editor@oursentinel.com. We very much look forward to sharing your passion and vision with our readers.
As time and space allows we will publish details for upcoming community events. Please send your business, social or community organization's press release or event information at least four days in advance to The Sentinel at editor@oursentinel.com.
Local confectioner taking orders for Valentine's Day
It is not too early to start thinking about Valentine's Day. Danielle Howard, a
confectioner and stay-at-home mom from nearby Oakwood, is taking orders for her
increasingly popular hot chocolate bombs.
"Hot chocolate bombs are amazing," she said. "They are a thin layer of chocolate
filled with hot chocolate mix and marshmallows. You put the hot chocolate bomb
into a mug and pour hot water, or milk over the bomb and watch the magic
happen!"
In addition to making themed hot chocolate bombs for the most romantic day of
the year, she is also creating breakable chocolate smash hearts and chocolate
covered strawberries.
"We already have orders for Valentine's day in our books!"
The Champaign-Urbana Public Health District reports just one new COVID-19 case
for our area. There are now 62 active cases spanning the six villages.
According to the latest figures from the CUPHD today, Ogden has 3 active cases,
Philo 15, Royal 3, Sidney 3, St. Joseph 17 and Tolono 20.
Champaign County has reported fewer than 700 cases for 13 consecutive days.
Runners finish their first race of the year, Plotner comes in 5th
Five area runners, all from St. Joseph, have tucked their first race of 2021
into their belts on January 2 at the 37th annual Siberian Express trail race.
The group made up 125 that finished this year's installment.
To make the race safe to run during pandemic this year, runners competed against
each in one of six waves and the field was limited to only 150 individuals.
Competitors in each wave had a two-hour time limit to run the course through
Kickapoo Park.
The local contingent of runners was led by
veteran harrier Corey Plotner
who finished the 7.45 mile course in fifth place overall in 58 minutes and six
seconds. The top area female runner,
Amy Bailey, ran the same trail in 1 hour, 23 minutes and .51 seconds. She was the 19th
woman competitor to cross the finish line and was 60th overall.
Other finishers from our area included
John North
(24 overall, 1:10:25),
Scott Hendren
(68, 1:25:25) and
Linda Berry
(110, 1:51:05) who gave a high-five to a finish line worker as she crossed the
finish line at 39th in women's division.
Ribs and brisket in Tolono
Photo provided
How do mouthwatering ribs sound for dinner this weekend? Traxside at 4 East
Holden in Tolono is now taking orders for carryout of their smoked Brisket,
pulled pork and pork spare ribs pickup on Friday.
Steak and baby back ribs are available Saturday nights, and regular menu items
are available Fridays as well as throughout the week.
"I recommend you pre-order beginning at 10 am on Friday mornings because we sell
out fast," guest pitmaster Sean Talbott, who fell in love with cooking at the age
of 5, told The Sentinel. "I smoke locally raised meat ... with locally harvested
hickory and cherry wood, and allow the meat to smoke for 12 to 15 hours until
fully cooked to the perfect temp. I strive to produce the best tasting and
tender smoked meat around."
Call (217) 485-1016 to place orders for Friday evening.
A call to all local artists
Last spring, The Sentinel had the pleasure of publishing spotlight on several
seniors in the Class of 2020 from St. Joseph-Ogden high school. It was then we
discovered the amazing artistic talent of senior
Carson Mills,
one of three in a set of triplets, while writing dozens of stories in April and May. I was struck by
her attention to detail and realism.
Back in January of 2004, while taking pictures for The Leader back when it was owned
by St. Joseph resident and founder Scott Hunter, this publisher, then a
photographer, made a handful of images of author, artist and retired farmer Alvin Decker of
Philo.
We know there are more artists in our area. We just haven't met you yet but would enjoy seeing fruits of your creativity. If you paint, draw, sculpt or do metal work, The Sentinel would love to feature your work and share your artistic talent. Do you spend hours at the potter's wheel, dabble in mixed-media, do glass-work or design jewelry pieces? We'd like to hear from you.
Have you been more creative or had more time to focus on your art? One upcoming story idea we are working on ruual art and the pandemic. We are looking artists who have created unique art pieces over the past nine months that reflects life and living during the COVID outbreak.
If you are interested in having your work featured in a story, please send a brief bio in an email with a link to your website or a online gallery featuring your work to editor@oursentinel.com. We very much look forward to sharing your passion and vision with our readers.
Send your business, social or community organization's press release or event
information to The Sentinel at
editor@oursentinel.com.
Nearly half of older Americans can’t even afford basic needs
I worked hard my whole career and retired feeling secure. Then I lost every last dime in a scam. I was left with $1,300 a month in Social Security benefits to live on in an area where monthly expenses run about $3,700.
I’m a smart woman, but scams against older Americans are increasing in number and sophistication. Whether through scams, strained savings, or costs of living going up, half of older Americans — that’s 27 million households — can’t afford their basic needs.
Budget-Friendly renovation ideas to modernize your home
Renovating your home can be affordable with the right approach. Simple changes, like repainting walls or updating fixtures, can create a fresh, modern look without a high price tag. Whether you’re improving outdated spaces or enhancing functionality, these budget-friendly renovation ideas to modernize your home will help you achieve a stylish, updated space while staying within your budget.
Protecting your valuable works of art when you move, here is how
Transporting artwork can feel daunting, especially when it holds significant emotional and financial value. You want to ensure that your cherished pieces arrive at their destination in Illinois without a scratch. This guide will explore expert ways to transport valuable artwork safely. With the right approach, you can protect your investments and preserve the beauty of your art. Let’s dive into practical tips that make the process easier and more secure.
Protecting cherished pets from highly pathogenic avian influenza: A guide for pet owners
As the threat of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) looms over both avian and domestic populations, pet owners face an urgent challenge: protecting their beloved companions from a virus that can turn a playful afternoon into a perilous health crisis. HPAI, primarily affecting birds, poses significant risks to pets, particularly those that may ...
What da funk? A stinky body can be a sign of a health issue
Death, taxes and body odor.
They’re things we can all expect in life, no matter how clean you are. But health care providers want you to know when body odor is a sign of a more serious health problem.
B.O. basics
Luis Garcia, MD, an OSF HealthCare pediatrician, says sweat and bacteria are the main culprits behind body odor. Warmth and moisture in parts of the body (like your armpits and feet), plus going through puberty and general poor hygiene, can make the smell worse.
St. Joseph Summer Softball is now underway. This year's registration fee will include the $5 village fee. Parents will to register online with a credit card.
