Monthly Archives: January 2014

It’s Almost Game Day!

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Whether you’re a die-hard fan or haven’t watched a game all season, Super Bowl Sunday is a great excuse to get together with friends, take a break from homework, and, let’s be honest, eat. A lot. Wherever you fall on the spectrum, here are some tips and fun facts from the UGL to get you ready for this year’s game.

The Denver Broncos and the Seattle Seahawks will face off this Sunday in Super Bowl XLVIII at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey. If you follow the NFL, you may have strong feelings on the match-up, as the league’s best teams go head to head. What you may not know is our own Big Ten Conference will be well-represented on Super Bowl Sunday. Thirteen former Big Ten student-athletes and nine coaches with conference ties will vie for the title, including Bronco’s running back Montee Ball and Seahawks’ quarterback Russell Wilson, both former Wisconsin Badgers.

Russell Wilson, Seattle Seahawks QB and former Wisconsin Badger. Photo courtesy of Football Schedule via Flickr

For many, the football game simply interrupts the true entertainment featured on Super Bowl Sunday: the commercials. Between mouthfuls of nacho dip, watch out for Illini alumnus Jim Coates (AM ’73), who is featured in “Time Machine”, one of the top 5 commercials competing in the Doritos “Crash the Superbowl” Contest.

Mmm…nachos. Photo courtesy of jeffreyw via Flickr

If Super Bowl Sunday is simply an excuse to hang out and eat, join the club. The UGL has your back with tons of cookbooks to help you prep the perfect appetizer, like Bobby Flay’s Throwdown. Are you vegan, gluten-free, or just on a budget? We’ve got you covered. Check out our Pinterest page for more staff suggestions and get cooking!

Whip up a delicious app with the Cheesy Vegan!

Now that the football season almost over, check out more gridiron greats in the UGL collection to keep you entertained until kick-off next season.

We already can’t wait until next season.

 

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Keeping Warm and beating the Polar Vortex

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Fellow UGLers, it seems like the polar vortex is bringing us down. Do you find yourself at home, wrapped in a blanket, and looking out the window thinking, “There is nothing to do?” Have no fear; the UGL is here to give a couple of suggestions to keep warm on campus this winter.

The UIUC greenhouse is full of tropical plants.

The plant Biology Greenhouse. Courtesy of the UIUC Plant Biology Greenhouse Center

Make sure to check out the plant biology greenhouses right here on campus! The extreme weather is no reason why you should not enjoy some nature. Be sure to check out what events and open hours they have.

We’re all counting down the days until summer, but in the mean time, check out what the recreational centers have to offer. The ARC offers a climbing wall, swimming pools, and -wait for it – the best part, a 35-person sauna. That ought to warm you right up.

The 35-foot indoor climbing wall at the ARC. Photo courtesy of the UIUC Recreational Center

CRCE also offers a hot tub, an indoor swimming pool, and a 12-person spa. This sounds like the perfect way to relax on the cold days up ahead.

CRCE Pool has a waterslide and a weird volcano fountain thing

CRCE Swimming Pool. Photo Courtesy of the UIUC Recreational Center

If swimming or rock climbing isn’t your cup of tea, there are always exercise machines and you are sure to build up a sweat.

The Illini Union holds many events throughout the school year. Past events have been trivia nights, ballroom dancing events, and much more. Also, the Union has a recreational room in the basement. The UGL always supports a good underground attraction. Grab a friend and go bowling for the night! Check out the Union calendar here.

Sometimes, you can bowl with everything lit by blacklights.

Bowling at the Illini Union Rec Room. Photo Courtesy of the Illini Union

The campus observatory holds open house hours. It is the perfect opportunity to take advantage of a clear night sky, while observing from indoors. Be sure to bring a friend and a thermos of hot chocolate.  For more information, visit the observatory webpage.

The Campus Observatory holds open house hours. Photo Courtesy of the UIUC Campus Observatory

So there you have it, Club UGL, just a couple of things around campus where you can keep warm while having some fun. Also, don’t forget that the UGL and other campus libraries are (usually) warm, so come see us to stay toasty while studying.

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Springing into Action!

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Even in the darkness of winter nights…we’re here.

Well…it’s actually still winter here in Illinois, and there’s still snow everywhere, but the UGL is still ready to spring forward into a new spring semester, helping you with all your reference, research, and information needs. Read on to find out when you can come see us during Spring 2014.

We’re super pumped to resume our usual 24-hours-during-the-week non-stop library party, but this first week will be a little different. Here’s how it’ll go:

  • Tuesday, January 21st – open at 8 AM and stay open until…
  • Friday, January 24th – close at 10 PM
  • Saturday, January 25th – open from 10 AM to 2 AM
  • Sunday, January 26th – open at 10 am and resume standard hours

Standard hours means we’re open 24 hours Sunday through Thursday, and then close at 2am on both Friday and Saturday nights (re-opening at 10 am on Saturday and Sunday mornings). That’s what we mean by ‘non-stop party.’

Our hours will be different over spring break – we’ll update you about that when the time comes, but in the mean time you can always check hours for any library on the appropriately named library hours page.

Stay tuned later this week for a round-up of helpful start-of-semester info. Happy spring! If you study hard, summer will come sooner.

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