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Preschool Spotlight: Mother’s Morning Out (MMO)

From The Editors — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 04:30:29 +0000

“MMO has exceeded my expectations regarding curriculum for my child. I basically chose it because it was affordable – I’m a stay-at-home mom looking for stimulation and activity for my 2-year old. The teachers always seem engaged with the kids and my child is happy to go to school.” — an MMO Parent

Mother’s Morning Out (MMO) will hold its open house on Monday, Feb. 6 at 6:30 p.m.

For more than 40 years, Mother’s Morning Out (MMO) has provided high quality childcare for generations of children in the Champaign-Urbana community. Over the past four decades, we have grown and adapted. In June of 2010, we moved from First Presbyterian Church in Champaign, to the Temple Baptist Church Education Facility. Though we rent our space from the church, we are not affiliated with any religious organization. Our new location includes our own playground, basketball courts, blacktop for riding bikes, and multiple acres of open green space for games and discovery. As a non-profit organization, all of the funds, which we receive from tuition go directly back into the school.

MMO offers two unique programs within one school; a Drop-In program for children aged 6 weeks through Pre-Kindergarten and a Preschool program for children aged 2.5 through Pre-Kindergarten. The Drop-In program allows parents the flexibility to bring their child as much or as little as they need and only pay for the hours used. Similarly, the preschool program allows parents flexibility to chose two-, three- or five-day programs.

MMO’s regular Preschool and Drop-In hours are from 8:30 a.m. to noon Monday through Friday. Parents may extend their child’s day by using our Before & After Care programs, which are available 30 minutes before school starts, and 30 minutes after school ends. MMO follows the Unit 4 school calendar with an additional summer camp during the month of June.

MMO implements the Creative Curriculum® in both its Drop-In and Preschool program. Through this play-based curriculum, we help children become independent, self-confident, curious learners who can work well with others. Our activities are designed to foster enthusiasm and creativity.

“Our goal is for children to feel safe and secure at MMO, and for them to see it as a place to explore and discover,” says Director Amy Kilgus Chamley. “We want to provide a place where kids (and parents) feel comfortable having new experiences and developing relationships with friends and teachers. With our older students we also begin placing more emphasis on introducing academics through play. We are teaching children how to embrace learning all through their lives. ”

MMO Parent Elizabeth Perrachione is enthusiastic about her daughter’s experience, “I really feel as though the teachers know my daughter, care about her, care about us as a family, and want to do what they can to support us in every way possible. This caring environment is what sold me on MMO – especially because it is paired with a keen intelligence and grounded curriculum. Kudos!”

This year, MMO is excited to have added a Music Class and a Creative Movement Class. Children in all age groups attend these weekly classes, which expand on the music and movement activities they do regularly in their classrooms.

“Preschoolers and toddlers just exude music. They love to sing and express themselves and music is the appropriate avenue!” says Sarah Scully, music therapist, MMO teacher, and MMO Parent. We have hired teachers with backgrounds in these areas to teach these classes.

MMO is a DCFS certified childcare facility, which is important, not only for safety purposes, but for the fact that DCFS child care facilities have requirements for their teachers that non-certified facilities do not. Teachers are required to have an educational background in Early Childhood Development as well as annual continued education courses, which keep our staff up to date with trends and developments within the Early Childhood field. Our teachers are very experienced and are always excited to implement new and improved teaching strategies within their classrooms. MMO has one of the most highly qualified and experienced staff within the community.

Come check us out at the Mother’s Morning Out Community Open House on February 6, 2012 at 6:30 p.m. in the Temple Baptist Education Building at 1100 Broadmoor Drive, Champaign.

Editor’s Note: Mother’s Morning Out is a sponsor of chambanamoms.com.

Best-Kept Secret: Confidentially Yours

Amy L. Hatch — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 06:00:15 +0000

Feeling cranky? Maybe you need a good bra fitting. Credit: Jamiesrabbits, Flickr

By Amy L. Hatch

Warning: All you guys out there might want to look away. I’m going to be talking about underwear.

Ladies’ underwear. Specifically, brassieres.

All you women out there know that when you have an undergarment that is too big, too small, too loose or too tight all in the wrong places, it can make you feel a little bit like Dirty Harriet.

Go ahead, punk. Make my day.

I’ve been wandering around Chambana for the last three years wearing bras that do not fit. I bought three of them — white, nude and black — after Henry was born. I was so exhausted then that all I really wanted was something clean. Fit and fancy did not even come into play. I grabbed what I thought was my size, paid and I’ve been wearing them ever since.

Until this month, when every bra I own went haywire. Get it? Haywire? Like underwire?

I wish I was kidding but literally all my bras except for one super-duper uncomfortable one I bought at Target popped their underwires. Into the trash they went.

I’ve been meaning to make a stop at Confidentially Yours forever, but I don’t get up that way very often. The store, in the Round Barn Centre is waaaaaay across town from me, but recently I was up in that neck of the woods for a meeting.

I walked into the shop and I swear, I heard a choir of angels.

There was no blaring music, no distracting and nonsensical display of lotions and cosmetics, no underpants with questionable slogans emblazoned across the rear.

There was a lovely woman behind a counter named Allyssa who asked if she could help me, and then gently led me into a changing room to measure me.

And lo and behold, I have been wearing the wrong size bra.

This is not very shocking and, frankly, I’m sure I’m not alone. Lots of women just keep wearing the same size bra they always wore, but a couple of kids and some milestone birthdays can change a person’s … ahem … physique.

I didn’t have to hunt around for my size (incidentally, the most popular size, look at me I’m popular!), because Allyssa found a whole bunch for me. And she didn’t choose just the most expensive ones — she even plucked several from the extremely well-organized sales rack.

Heh, I said rack.

Anyway, the experience at Confidentially Yours could not have been better. From the merchandise to the sales person to the atmosphere, I can’t recommend this shop enough.

Now, before you go visit and then come back to yell at me, the bras at Confidentially Yours do not have Target prices. But if you think about how often you wear these items (um, every day, I hope) and the number of years you expect them to last, the math will make sense.

And, as I said, the sales rack was well stocked and extremely reasonable, with prices lower than a certain mall lingerie retailer.

The store also does a lot of work with breast-cancer survivors, and in fact Allyssa told me that many women mistakenly believe the shop only caters to that customer base.

That isn’t the case at all, and in fact if you have a teen-age daughter I would highly recommend Confidentially Yours for a bra-buying experience. The store also offers nursing bras and clothing.

Confidentially Yours is definitely a best-kept secret, and I’m so happy to spill the beans.

Full disclosure: Confidentially Yours is not a chambanamoms sponsor, but I really, really enjoyed my experience there. These opinions are all mine!

Common Ground Food Coop Lowers Prices On Staples

Amy L. Hatch — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 06:00:05 +0000

By Amy L. Hatch

In an effort to make local and organic food available to a wider range of people, the Common Ground Food Co-Operative in Urbana has created a “staples list” and lowered the prices of all list items by 20 to 40 percent.

Joy Rust, marketing manager for Common Ground, says the move makes it easier for the entire community to have access to local, organic produce and goods, as well as products that are geared for green living.

The prices, which will not be raised, provide just enough income for the coop to replenish those particular items.

“We don’t make a profit on the staples,” Rust says.

The program, “Food For All,” also includes a series of free recipes using the foodstuffs on the list. The recipes make meals that come out to be about $2 per serving for a family of four.

So what does the staples list include? Staples, of course, including:

Milk
Eggs
yogurt
bulk flour
rolled oats
canola oil
Carrots
Potatoes
Onions
Seasonal fruit bags
Bread
Toilet paper

The full list of all 45 items is available online at the Common Ground website or at the store itself. And, many of these staples are locally grown.

If you haven’t already, check out this video about the “Food For All” effort — and then stop by Common Ground (located in Lincoln Square Mall in Urbana) to check it out for yourself. I am a member of Common Ground, and I’m here to tell you that it’s really a local gem and we’re lucky to have it. In 2012 the space will expand, thanks to more than $600,000 generated by coop members. I can’t wait!

Giveaway: All Things Kids

From The Editors — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 18:29:27 +0000

Born and raised in the Champaign/Mahomet area, Reagan Merkle-Litteken and her husband, Eric, wanted a business that would help the community as well as provide the flexibility to spend time with their children, now 8 and 4. They found it in All Things Kids Inc., a babies, kids, and maternity consignment shop in Champaign.

The Merkle-Litteken family includs All Things Kids owners Reagan and Eric, and their two children. Credit: Reagan Merkle-Litteken

All Things Kids boasts 5,000-square feet of must-have items for all ages, from infants to teenagers, as well as for new or seasoned parents. The store is unique because it consigns and sells all seasons, all year. The clothing selection consists of sizes preemie up to juniors and maternity. The store also consigns toys, books, games, equipment and furniture.

It is kind of like an indoor garage sale, year round.

Back in early 2008, when the Merkle-Litteken family was exploring the kids consignment shop options, they were shocked that there was only one kids consignment shop in the Champaign area. The store opened in August 2008 in a small location with 33 consignors.

“We were amazed at the awesome response right away,” Reagan Merkle-Litteken said.

Shortly after opening, the store was expanded, eventually tripling in size. In May 2010, the Merkle-Litteken family moved the store to just west of North Prospect on Mattis Avenue to better accommodate the ever-expanding inventory.

“[We] are now where we never dreamed we would be in three short years,” Merkle-Litteken said. “We are still dreaming of more.”

All Things Kids is full of gently used clothes, books, toys and games for all ages and sizes. Credit: Reagan Merkle-Litteken

The store’s owners love the idea of helping moms, dads and caregivers by offering a place where they can consign outgrown items and shop for the next size. Merkle-Litteken believes consignors can find peace of mind knowing they will buy quality clothing and toys at affordable prices. (Consignors also have the option to using their credit for in-store purchases or request the money in their account.)

The owners are proud of their dedicated staff, “who put their hearts into making [All Things Kids] what it is today,” Merkle-Litteken said. “We are always striving to make things better for our customers.”

“The store is definitely more work than I ever imagined, but worth it when you hear and see the excitement when someone checks their credit and/or sees the amazing amount of stuff bought for far less than a real store.”

All Things Kids is open Monday through Saturday, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., with extended hours Tuesday and Thursday evenings until 8 p.m. for the working parents. Also like them on Facebook to get updates and pictures of what’s new in the store.

Want to find out what All Things Kids is all about? Can’t wait to get back to the store and see what they’ll have next?

All Things Kids is giving one lucky Chambanamoms.com reader a $50 gift certificate. To be eligible, leave us a comment and tell us: What items would you like to find in a consignment shop like All Things Kids OR what’s the best deal you’ve ever nabbed at a consignment shop?

No purchase necessary. Only one entry per person. Contest will be wrapped up by 5 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 25. Winner will be picked at random by random.org. Winner must respond to email notification by noon on Monday, Jan. 30, or another winner will be selected. Open to U.S. residents 18 and older.

Feast or Family: Luna

From The Editors — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 20:55:15 +0000

By Megan Gillette

Luna, housed in the old train station in Champaign easily has one of the coolest architectural settings and decors in town. The antique woodwork is painted a steely lavender, juxtaposing classic and the modern. This relates well to the cuisine, contemporary tapas and classic bistro fare. Raquel Aikmen became a certified chef in Switzerland and has brought Luna to the top tier of restaurants locally. One of the only female chefs and propriestesses in town, everything I have experienced in her restaurant has been elegant, graceful and sublime.

The atmosphere at Luna is one of the many things that makes it a wonderful place to dine. Credit: McGown Photography

In the summer months, we love to take the kids and sit out back in the garden by the train tracks. It’s thrilling whenever a motorcycle goes under the viaduct or a train passes overhead. Tables are amidst the raised container gardens that grow produce and herbs served and snipped freshly for Luna’s dishes. It’s important to me for my children to see where food comes from.

I love to taste everything! For me, the tapas are perfect. I can eat bites of the steamed artichoke with creamy mustard sauce, sample the coconut-crusted shrimp with curry aioli, or indulge in the flank steak with blue cheese and fig jam crostini. The mushroom crostini with gruyere and truffle oil is actually the dish that finally taught me to appreciate mushrooms. A newer addition to the menu, the duck ravioli comes highly recommended. Sesame-seared tuna cubes are a clean, omega-3 filled starter. Most tapas are served in a silvered tureen, enhancing the presentation and heightening the anticipation. My husband is a steak-frites guy, and it does not disappoint. You can also get the parmesan fries with truffle oil a la carte and will not regret it. For steak light, we always love the beef tenderloin kabob with gratin potatoes. Oh, and the bell pepper crab cakes are fabulous for the shellfish-inclined.

In the mood for a cocktail? The fully-stocked bar makes a mean Manhattan and, my favorite, a juicy sangria. Although I can leave most places without dessert calling to me, the Napoleon with light, flaky layers of pastry delicately balancing fresh berries amidst cool pastry cream and with a dusting of powdered sugar is the perfect end to any meal.

Inside is a favorite date night place for us, as it’s quiet with romantic surroundings of raspberry, velvet banquettes and sumptuous brocade panels in the molding. Lighting is soft and reflected from high, down-angled, silver-framed mirrors. Servers are always genteel and not over-bearing.

A unique aspect of Luna is their extra room that can comfortably accommodate larger groups and parties. The walls are painted gilded gold and the ceiling is whimsically hung with opulent chandeliers and woodland branches. Raquel is very easy to work with for budgeting, decorating and inspired menu’s. There is an additional bar in the room and the service and timing has invariably been impeccable.

So, Feast or Family? This time of year, feast!. I like a slow dinner to experience the flavors, take in the charming surroundings, and enjoy some adult conversation. Come summer though, I’ll be back outside, racing the kids back up to the train tracks between courses!

Megan Gillette is a mother of two active little boys — FIT kids (Foodies in Training). In her “spare time” she is a senior graphic and web designer at Wolfram, a real-estate broker with TeamKay at Keller Williams, and a real-estate maven for the family holding company. Megan is in constant pursuit of perfect food, exciting dining experiences, and farm-to-fork meals with her husband and personal sous chef, Kurt.

C-U Essential Toolkit: Champaign Public Library

From The Editors — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 18:13:52 +0000

Photo courtesy of champaign.org

What: Champaign Public Library

Where: 200 W. Green Street, Champaign

Description: The current Champaign Public Library facility (the main branch) was completed in 2008 and is truly a fantastic, beautiful community facility. It offers quiet working spaces, a place for children and a great little cafe area where you can eat a lunch or snack you’ve brought with you or grab a bite and a beverage from Latte Da! Cafe. You can also visit the Douglass Branch, located just north of B.T. Washington School in north Champaign.

Hours: 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., Monday-Friday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturdays and 1 to 6 p.m. on Sundays.

Good For: Everyone!

Amy’s Take: The Champaign Public Library is truly an amazing place. Coming from a much larger city, I can honestly say that it is one of the best libraries in which I’ve ever spent time. Laura and I worked many hours during the birthing of chambanamoms in the glass-enclosed work rooms on the second floor and I’ve followed my two kids through the stacks and stacks of children’s books on the first floor.

And, the children’s stacks are low enough that moms and dads (and caregivers) can keep a bead on the wee ones without having to a) run or b) raise your voice, both of which are major library faux pas!

Words cannot describe how gorgeous this building is. Just spending time there reading or quietly working can lift your spirits thanks to the open spaces and natural light and, of course, the book collection and resources are outstanding. Each and every librarian is ready to help and friendly, to boot. I love the small seating areas where you can relax in a comfy place with a great book.

The work tables on the second level are all equipped with electrical outlets beneath them on the floor, in a welcome nod to the fact that many of us are working with electronic technology. There are also plenty of public computers available for those who may not have access at home or left their laptops behind.

The library offers many programs and events, as well, too numerous to list here. Check out our calendar to find out what’s happening at CPL and the Douglass Branch — you will be amazed at the number and variety of options for everyone.

If you haven’t already, make some plans to spend time in the Champaign Public Library soon!

Tell us: why do you love the Champaign Public Library?

Living With Less: Where To Donate in Champaign-Urbana

RachaelMcMillan — Mon, 02 Jan 2012 12:00:53 +0000

Editor’s Note: We first ran this article last year at New Year’s. We’ve updated and revised it for 2012. We also have an article that details where to recycle, and another one devoted to consignment. Happy purging!

By Rachael McMillan

Even kids can get in the act when you donate your unused stuff. Credit: Editor B, Flickr

New Year’s Resolution or not, getting rid of clutter seems to be a popular goal lately.

What I love about donating stuff we never use is that it is one of those rare win-win-win-win opportunities.

Win #1: After a good decluttering, our house has less junk spilling out from everywhere.

Win #2: By donating our goods, a worthy non-profit organization benefits.

Win #3: Someone who can’t afford to purchase brand new items–or, someone who prefers to reuse–can shop the donations.

Win #4: The environment has less waste floating around in it when donated items are purchased vs. discarded.

Of course, getting rid of excess stuff can also be an opportunity to make a few bucks. But, that’s an article for another day.

The following lists can help you figure out what to do with your excess. Whether you’re looking to donate right now, don’t mind waiting a little bit longer, or have a very specific donation item, this information can hopefully point you in the right direction.

Get Rid Of It NOW

The following organizations are always ready to accept clothes, toys, household items, and more. Clicking on the links will lead to more information about hours, drop-off locations, and individual store policies regarding what they will/won’t accept.

Consider the condition of your clothing items when donating. Some organizations (Goodwill and the Salvation Army are known nationally for the practice) will accept worn and stained garments, which they sell to a clothing recycler (who knew? thanks commenters!). Mark such donations with recycling, and separate them from other goods that may be resold.

Also, if you want an item to be re-used but aren’t sure where to donate or recycle it, check out the The I.D.E.A. Store in Champaign. It accepts items that are safe to reuse in art projects, and the list of what they’ll take is fairly large. It includes scraps of fabric, mismatched game pieces–even pop tabs and bottle caps. All are welcome to peruse their collection of art supplies, and proceeds benefit the Champaign Urbana Schools Foundation.

Crisis Nursery 1309 W. Hill St., Urbana: baby/child clothing, baby/childcare items, office supplies, kids’ snacks, misc. items. Be sure to check out the link if you’d like to donate to them, as their needs are very specific.
Empty Tomb 301 North Fourth St., Champaign: in-season clothing, household items, furniture. If you live in Champaign, Urbana, or Savoy, call 356-2262 to arrange pick-up of furniture donations.
Goodwill 912 W. Anthony Dr., Champaign: clothing, accessories, some furniture, household items, books, cds. Ever wonder who Goodwill benefits? Read about it here.
Restoration Urban Ministries 1213 Parkland Ct., Champaign: in-season clothing, furniture, appliances, and household goods. Call 355-2662 for drop-off hours and information.
ReStore 119 E. University Ave, Champaign: furniture, appliances, building materials, household items, books, some accessories. They offer pick-up services (call 355-6460).
Salt & Light Ministry 1512 W. Anthony Dr., Champaign: like-new condition clothes, furniture, and household items. This organization also accepts food donations, as does the Eastern Illinois Foodbank.
Salvation Army 2212 N. Market St. and 109 W. John, Champaign: clothes, accessories, some furniture/household items, books, toys. They now have two locations, both of which accept donations. Call 373-7825 to arrange for pick up of furniture donations.
Transitions Located inside Lincoln Square Mall, Urbana: adult and children’s clothing, accessories, and toys. Proceeds benefit the Center for Women in Transition.
Twice is Nice 607 W. Elm, Urbana: clothing, household items, small appliances, books, cds, toys, accessories. This is a program of the First Presbyterian Church in Urbana; the website has more information about who benefits when you donate/shop there.

When You Don’t Mind Waiting A Bit Longer

The following organizations take donations later in the year to supply their annual rummage sale-style fundraisers. If you see one you would like to support, you may wish to hang onto your items until it’s ready to take them (click on the links to learn more and/or for contact information).

One benefit to going this route is that it allows you to clear clutter at your own pace. My husband and I like to keep a box in the garage for storing things we no longer have use for as we come across them throughout the year. We move a lot of junk this way, and are always ready to support our favorite annual fundraiser when it comes along.

NOTE: The information in the links tends to be about past years’ events; contact each organization for information about the 2012 sale.

Humane Society Garage Sale Sale is on Memorial Day weekend, May 25-26; drop-off occurs the week before. You may also want to consider donating your time to this event when it comes around. Not only do volunteers help out a great cause, they also get first pick of the cool stuff for sale.
St. Patrick Church, Urbana The Cellar to Garret Sale (late summer). Note: This is my church’s garage sale, and it’s awesome. Keep in mind, though, that your place of worship may also hold such an annual event. (Know of one? Add a comment!)
YMCA Dump and Run Sale Drop-off of items occurs at the end of U of I’s spring semester. The main concept behind this fundraiser is to collect items students would otherwise dispose of (read: abandon) during the spring move-out and sell it to the incoming crop of young academics in the fall. Genius.

Donating Very Specific Stuff

If you’re flush with books to donate, consider benefitting local libraries including Champaign, Urbana, Mahomet, and Tolono. Each has its own rules on how, what, and when to donate. Depending on the library, your donation might end up in the general collection, but more likely it will end up in a book sale. Some libraries also accept media including DVDs, CDs, and video games.

You can also donate books to the Books 2 Prisoners program; it has various drop-off locations around town.

Or, if shoes are what you’re drowning in, try donating them to Soles 4 Souls; they will get them to folks who have none. JJ Shoe Repair (109 S. Walnut, Champaign) and Heel to Toe (106 W. Main, Urbana) take donations of used shoes in good condition for this organization.

If you have a prom or semi-formal dress that you would like to donate, consider giving it to the Perfect Prom Project, a student organization at the University of Illinois. The mission of the Perfect Prom Project is, “through collaboration with campus and community members, to provide high school girls in and around Central Illinois with free prom dresses and accessories.” Donations can be dropped off at the Illini Union.

If you need to unload some old eyeglasses, take them to one of the drop box locations provided by the Champaign Lions Club. They recycle used specs and donate them–along with a free exam–to people in need.

Am I missing anything? Add a comment!

Rachael McMillan is a former high school teacher, social worker, cake decorator, and just about any other profession you can think of do-er. In addition to writing, tutoring, and giving talks about fair trade, she is currently staying home with the highly entertaining Jack and Kate.

Top Five: Places To Go Sledding

From The Editors — Tue, 27 Dec 2011 13:57:14 +0000

When it comes to winter, we know there are plenty of extremes. Not only when it comes to weather, but when it comes to how we feel about the weather.

Let’s face it — there are people who love snow, and people who hate snow.

But love it or hate it, you can’t deny the appeal of bundling up and heading out for some good, old-fashioned cold-weather fun — sledding. Kids big and small will love the thrill of careening down a hill on a piece of plastic, holding on for dear life.

Channel your inner daredevil. Credit: Tony The Misfit, Flickr

Just try to make it down the hill without smiling…we double-dog dare you. And when you’re done, you can go home and have cookies and hot chocolate. What’s not to love?

To those who say Champaign-Urbana is just too flat for this classic winter pastime, we say pshaw! We first made this list in 2010 (see the comments below), and we’re adding to it now. Call it ….. Top Five Places To Go Sledding, plus a bonus.

Homer Lake Forest Preserve: Rumor has it that snow makes this 828-acre preserve near Homer into a sledding wonderland, and it even has some historical significance. So after you take the kids sledding, tell them how Abraham Lincoln traveled on what was once a horse trail — and is now a county highway at the north end of the preserve — when he served on the 8th Judicial Circuit.

Crystal Lake Park: C’mon, how can you resist a sledding area called “Cannonball Hill?” That’s what you’ll find in Urbana’s Crystal Lake Park. Sounds to us like you’re going to need your helmet.

Orchard Downs: More commonly known as the spot where University of Illinois students with families can find a place to live on campus, Orchard Downs is also a swell spot for sledding, as this YouTube video attests. Looks like fun!

Morrissey Park: If you’ve got a newer sledder this is the place to go. A great “bunny” hill for the 5-and-under crowd. This park can be seen from Windsor Road, but the hill can be accessed off Harrington Drive in Champaign.

Centennial Park: Perhaps the granddaddy of all Chambana sled hills, this Champaign locale is located just west of Prairie Farm and south of the playground.

Colbert Park Sled Hill: Head to Savoy for this is a relatively new addition to the local sledding scene; go south on Neil Street (Route 45) and then east on Church Street.

What’s your favorite spot to sled?

Best-Kept Secret: Columbia Street Roastery

Amy L. Hatch — Tue, 13 Dec 2011 04:12:33 +0000

By Amy L. Hatch

I can admit it–I’m a coffee snob.

No canned coffee from the grocery store for me–I’m willing to shell out some bucks for a wonderful-tasting and smelling bean. And I drink a lot of coffee. Just ask Laura, who will tell you that 99 percent of my Facebook status updates involve caffeine or my lack thereof.

I’ve driven past the Columbia Street Roastery about 100 times, on way to the mall or Escobar’s. I’ve always made a note of it but never had a chance to stop in, until this week when I was looking for a gift to give a fellow coffee addict…er…lover.

First of all, this shop smells FANTASTIC. Even if you don’t go for a cuppa joe, you have to admit that nothing smells better than a freshly roasted coffee bean.

A chalk board lists all the flavors and types of coffee available that day and the lovely, helpful woman behind the counter let me know that they will sell you the beans whole but are just as happy to grind them for you.

They even offer a grind just for one-cup coffeemakers like the Keurig. You can purchase a special little cup that lets you use your own grounds (Columbia Street Roastery does not sell this item).

I bought a pound of Black Velvet Blend beans, which were described to me as similar to a French roast without the bitterness. I also got a pound for my friend, as well as a mug with the shop’s logo and a special canister for storing the beans and keeping them fresh.

The Columbia Street Roastery roasts all of its beans onsite, and also offers a plentiful selection of teas. As well as being a place to buy fantastic tea and coffee, the shop donates 5 percent of its profits back into the Champaign-Urbana community!

The Columbia Street Roastery also offers tours of its facility and, once a month on Saturdays, they’ll give you a tour, show you the climate in which their beans were grown and offer you a sample cup of their delicious java at their “Cuppings” events.

Don’t miss out on this local gem! Stop by soon and tell them Chambanamoms sent you.

Dial-A-Carol: A Champaign-Urbana Tradition Continues

Laura Weisskopf Bleill — Fri, 09 Dec 2011 03:27:49 +0000

Create a Christmas memory, old-school style. Call up Dial-a-Carol today (or before Dec. 16). Photo by kevinspencer on Flickr

It seems so quaint – the idea that you can pick up the phone and request a certain holiday tune. (Now, we have Spotify for that, but I digress).

Dial-A-Carol is one Champaign-Urbana tradition that has stood the test of time — and tape players, CD players, the MP3 revolution and more. A student-run holiday program at the University of Illinois, each year the students of Snyder Hall, provide cheer in the form of holiday music.

As they write in their event announcement: “The idea behind the program is quite simple. Anyone from anywhere can call us and request a holiday tune to be played over the telephone, or a person may send a request to a friend in the local Champaign-Urbana area (217 area code). Volunteers also sing to every 5th caller! Our program runs 24 hours a day for seven days and is held each year during finals week of the first semester. Last year our program logged 1,200 calls from all over the world.”

The program is fully staffed by volunteers. Students pulling all-nighters isn’t uncommon this year, after all. Finals start Friday, Dec. 9.

Celebrating its 51st season, Dial-A-Carol started at midnight on Dec. 8 and will go until 11:59 PM on December 15, 2011. The telephone number during the week is (217) 332-1882.