UFL Community Lens

So, we thought we would try something new, and we'd like to know what you think.

I sat down with Shai Mauth, the owner of Xinh Xinh Cafe in Urbana and Doodles in Champaign to learn a little about him and about what it's like to own a small business [1]. Big thanks to Shai for being a willing test subject for the trial, by the way. The library worked with UPTV to produce the video below, which will air on UPTV [2], in addition to being available on our YouTube page [3].



I like the idea of libraries creating videos like this, which bring together elements of things libraries already do. This interview with Shai is a virtual library program--we could have invited him to speak and give a Q&A in our auditorium, but at that point, we run into the problems of real-time phyisical events. His schedule would have to match up with an opening in our room schedule, and then your schedule would have to match up for you to be able to attend. Also, being realistic about this, we'd all have to remember the event.

What do you think? Should the library record more interviews with Urbanafolk?

With boba or lychee jelly:
1. Xinh Xinh Cafe is at 114 N. Vine Street in Urbana (same corner as Schnucks), where you can eat in or get take out. Call (217) 337-7600 for more info.

Doodles is ar 502 E. John #109 in Champaign (same building as Fat Sandwich and Insomnia Cookies), where you can mix your own ramen or cereal or grab sushi to go. Call (217) 344-2550 for more info.

2. Urbana Public Television is very cool for providing access to recording and editing equipment to the people of Urbana. You can make video, too--see their site for more info.

3. See what else is on our YouTube page--SPOILER--there're a couple humorous summer reading skits from our children's department.
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Almost forgot my mom...

That's nothing new. I almost forget about my mom every year, and some years I follow through and actually do forget my mom. While we've got our weekend phone calls, for some reason she never reminds me that Mother's Day is impending. Aren't moms supposed to help you remember stuff? Why do I have to find out about it afterward--not that I want to avoid knowing I've erred, but before I've actually missed Mother's Day would be the productive time for a reminder.

If you've forgotten about mom, and you're lucky enough that she lives here in town, the fantastic Champaign Taste blog can save your day. Sure, you can scramble for a card, rifling through all the leftovers with us other slackers, but wouldn't it be more impressive to surprise your mom with a brunch like you'd been planning it all along?

Guerrilla Gardening

Photo from Flickr user Shira Golding, used under Creative Commons license

According to the Smile Politely post, guerrillas have positioned themselves inside Champaign-Urbana. Lucky for us, they're guerrilla gardeners.

What's a guerrilla gardener? I don't care for the wikipedia definition, as it attaches meaning to the actions of guerrilla gardeners, labeling them as activists, environmentalists, and squatters, when they could just be committing random acts of horticulture. Defining them solely by action, guerrilla gardeners are folks who grow plants on land they do not own without permission.

So, if you've got a plot in the community garden at Meadowbook Park, you're not a guerrilla gardener, but if you plant in an abandoned neighborhood lot, you are.

Intrigued? We've got a book you can check out, called On Guerrilla Gardening: A Handbook for Gardening without Boundaries if you'd like more information.

Chambana Wifi Hot Spots

Thank you, Chambanamoms.com ("Where Champaign-Urbana moms meet"), for the extensive list of area wifi hot spots, and for including us on the list!