Hey everybody! Grego here!

Hope everyone is enjoying their summer so far! Its been very fun for me! Hanging out at WPGU, going to shows, visiting with friends, and soon to be going on tour with the band I’m in.

There is all sorts of great things going in Champaign-Urbana during the summer. And if you are saying “How can a college town be cool during the summer?”, then I have a solution for you!!!!\

Come check out 13 Thursdays! Every Thursday, the Campustown business on Green Street have all sorts of great deals on food and merchandise and even sometimes have some cool stuff going on right on the sidewalk! Like for instance, yours truly at WPGU and Illini Media.

Every Thursday from 5-7, the WPGU Promotions Team will have all sorts of fun games, treats, and prizes for all of you to enjoy. Not too mention there will be a musical act and this week is Zak Maybaum! Not too mention you can meet WPGU DJ’s and see Rich in the studio through our big window. Be sure and laugh at him ;).

So come enjoy 13 Thursdays every Thursday on Green in Campustown! The best place to find cool stuff to do during the summer!

Keep listening to PGU!
Grego

SO a few days ago I had the pleasure of taste testing food at the WPGU restaurant of the week. Noodles and Company is cool because they offer dishes (mostly noodles, some salads and desserts) from all over the globe. Call me a Midwesterner (I am), but one of my favorites was the Wisconsin Mac and Cheese. The noodles are regular macaroni, but the cheese is shredded and melted on top! I even went out and got some more today.

If you’re feeling international and maybe a little healthy, I personally recommend the Whole Grain Tuscan Linguine. I can’t really figure out why the vegetables and whole grain noodles are so darn delicious in this dish. I mean, I try to cook this kind of thing at home, but it never exactly has me licking the plate. For proof that healthy things can be yummy, give it a shot ASAP. It’s no joke.

Stop on by Noodles and Co., the WPGU restaurant of the week. And when you do, give us a wave at our studio— 512 E. Green St.—maybe you can even bring one of our DJs a rice crispy treat.

If you know me, then you’re aware of what music I like.  I’m all about strong melodies and dynamic, hard rock.  One of the most overlooked aspects of music today is, well, musicianship.  It’s quite rare (these days) if a ‘popular’ band can stretch beyond their own tunes and really play their instruments.  This came to my attention when a gold mine was sent to me via the Internet: John Mayer covering Van Halen’s Panama.  Yes, you heard it right.  I’m not even going to post a link of the performance because it is so hideous.  While his millions of fans have been taught that John Mayer is an influential, idolized guitarist, his take on a classic rock song is proof of the opposite.

Aside from stealing licks directly from Stevie Ray Vaughan, Mayer is not much more than a pop singer.

I realize that my previous statements may offend some of Mayer’s beloved fans, so I’ll suggest some good listening.  The following bands have not only great songs, but they also have great, live performances.  See: Chickenfoot, Alter Bridge, Mr. Big.

P.S. – I’d like to hear your comments!  Feel free to respond after checking out some live videos (or studio recordings) of the three aforementioned bands.

The sun is shining, and it’s certainly heating up in Champaign-Urbana.  Even though there’s no Taste of Champaign this weekend, there’s still a ton of stuff to do!  In the ‘taste’ vein, Taste of Chicago has begun — and we’ve got our WPGU stamp on it.  In Grant Park, the Dew Tour will be making its first appearance in Chicago!  Today and tomorrow, first-class BMXers will be putting on the action-sports show of a lifetime — Dave Mirra, Ryan Nyquist, and Jamie Bestwick will not only be performing, but signing autographs as well!  We’re support this event with a huge prize giveaway, including gifts from Ogio, Nike, and other great sponsors!  For more info on the whole show, be sure to check out allisports.com . If you’re not looking to travel out of town this weekend, just visit the217.com’s extensive calendar — if there’s something going on in Champaign-Urbana, it’s on the calendar.

Earlier this week I blogged about my excitement of attending the Taste of Champaign-Urbana. This evening I was asked to work at the WPGU tent. Work, meaning handing out T-shirts, chat with the locals, you know. The usual. Be the friendly face of WPGU.

This evening I got in my car and began driving to West Side Park. As I was driving, the rain started. Shortly after the wind. Next came the lightening and then the hail.

I call WPGU’s station manager, Jon Hansen, and tell him the situation. Him, being in Chicago for the night, didn’t know the extent of what was going on. I follow orders from Jon to stick around and wait out the storm in my car.

In the end, the Taste of Champaign-Urbana was cancelled for the night. On the plus side, I got some pretty intense pictures of the damage at West Side Park.

Click here to view more!

Now, all I’m curious about is why my roommate didn’t have enough common sense to close all the windows in our apartment while this storm was going on…

WPGU is going to be at the Taste of Champaign all weekend!  Make your way over to West Side Park and enjoy the festivities — we’d love to see you there!  Chances are, you’ll be able to hang out with your favorite DJs while basking in the sights and sounds of Champaign, IL.

In other news, Thirteen Thursdays is well under way.  This means special deals on merchandise, food, and much more all around Campustown!  For a full listing of the businesses involved, check out CUcampustown.com . It’s totally worth your time.

Along with Thirteen Thursdays comes live music outside the WPGU Studio!  Yesterday, we hosted a special performance by Larry from Curb Service.  As if that wasn’t enough, he even performed some new material.  In case you’ve missed out, make sure you’re at the WPGU Studio next Thursday.  And the next one, and the next..all throughout the summer.

After living in the suburbs of Chicago my whole life, I would have never imagined staying in Champaign for a summer. Nonetheless, I am here and I am loving it!

One event that I have been looking forward to is the Taste of Champaign. Food, local businesses, music… what more is there to ask for?

WPGU of course!

The WPGU staff will be out at the Taste of Champaign-Urbana! Make sure you head out to the Taste to come see us. I’m sure we will be giving away free stuff (though I can’t tell you what yet) plus WPGU people are awesome and great to hang out with! (We are humble too.)

I will be with the WPGU staff on Friday night at the Taste of Champaign.

I hope to see you there!

For more information (maps, times, places, etc.) CLICK HERE!

What a great start to summer in Champaign!

If you think you have what it takes to be a part of the staff, you may be in luck. Tune in throughout the next few weeks for information on how you can be part of our WPGU family. No experience needed…trust me.

Today, Tuesday May 12th, be on the Quad at NOON to win some money! Some of the WPGU staff will be there along with 99 Red Balloons containing 98 $1 bills and 1 Balloon with a crisp $100 bill!

All you have to do is show up!

We’re so money, we’re giving it away! Hang out with the staff, pop balloons, and get something for nothing!

This week’s episode of Inside WPGU goes to extreme lengths to entertain, and by extreme I mean going through an excessive amount of pain all for your viewing pleasure.

Recently I had the opportunity to participate in the newly created Zyggy roll challenge at Zyggy’s on Green Street in campus town. Although it seemed quite straight forward: eat 4 Zyggy rolls at a spice level not even available on the menu. In the process I would perhaps achieve fame, maybe fortune, but for all practical matters a rough case of heartburn when all was said and done.

I’m quite familiar with eating challenges near and far so I saw it as an opportunity to add to my wall of accomplishments. Last summer I completed the Alexander’s beefeater challenge in 18 minutes and 55 seconds (that’s a 3 - 3 1/2 pound steak mind you). Additionally I’m well versed in the realm of spicy and hot foods so I saw this as a fitting challenge.

How wrong I was…

Upon watching the video you’ll see what went down, and the sabotage incurred by my fellow DJ’s Noodles and Justin. Now I won’t give anything away but let me say, it was far more then I ever bargained for, and surely something to be enjoyed from the spectator’s point of view…

Click Here to see the video!