Beach Boys Still California Dreamin’ Decades Later

My first career in journalism began as a teenage entertainment reporter. I probably appreciate more now the things I got to do and see than I did as a kid at the time. 

Even though I was young, I was enthusiastic and not only worked as an editor of the Post Pioneer, but I managed to get myself a gig as an editor for the short-lived New York’s Nightlife Magazine.

One of my assignments was to cover a Beach Boys concert at the Nassau Coliseum (for those not familiar with Long Island, you probably know it as where the Islanders play hockey).

My photographer, Joe, and I had front row seats and press passes. While we were getting set up, a gentleman came over to me and said, “I’ve got a great story for you. Come with me backstage.”

That man was Bruce Johnston. He had recently started playing with the Beach Boys and was interested in getting me to write about his joining the group. Along with Bruce, I met Brian Wilson, Carl Wilson, Mike Love, and Al Jardine. They were about to go on stage and asked me to come to their after party.

I did go, with Joe, for a while, but it was easy to see they were more interested in partying than interviewing. I arranged the interview for another time and we ran it as a cover story in the magazine.

Recently I happened to hear that the Beach Boys were playing right near my new home in the newly renovated Virginia Theater. I thought it would be neat to see them again. I was not able to arrange another interview as they had to leave right after the show to travel to their next gig, but it was still a great experience to return to my youth – and theirs.

Obviously, Mike Love is 74 years old and not quite running around the stage the way he used to. I’m happy to say that his voice is still 100% there, as is Bruce Johnston’s.

They managed to include nearly every song they wrote in the two hours (there was a 20 minute break after the first hour). Many of those songs, like “Sloop John B,” “Wouldn’t it be Nice,” Good Vibrations,” ‘Help Me, Rhonda,” and “Surfin' USA” had the audience on their feet singing along.

Throughout the concert the audience was shown video clips of them through the years, as well as given tidbits about the band and history in general. I didn’t realize before that Bruce Johnston had won a Grammy for writing Barry Manilow’s “I Write the Songs,” or Mike Love spent time in India with George Harrison, who passed away from lung cancer two years after Carl Wilson died of the same disease.

It was also an interesting note that the first time The Beach Boys played in Champaign was at the original Farm Aid concert in 1985.

The show ended with the entire audience swaying, clapping and singing to two of the Beach Boys most popular songs, “Kokomo” and “Fun, Fun, Fun.” And, yes, I was one of those. Sitting up in the balcony rather than in the front seat allowed me to act like a fan rather than a journalist.

I hope I do get to re-interview the Beach Boys someday, but for now, I’m just glad that their still out there.

I also have to say that the Virginia Theater’s renovation is incredible. It’s kept the old charm of a Broadway style theater, with necessary updates. I’m looking forward to going back for a full tour of the venue -- and another great show.

Re-Visiting Champaign with North Shore Distillery

I’m so busy traveling around that I often don’t get to go to some of my favorite places in my hometown. When my friend Sonja Kassenbaum of North Shore Distillery told me she was coming to town to visit some of the bars and restaurants that house her products, I decided it was a perfect time to catch up with both Sonja and downtown Champaign.

We started the evening at Radio Maria, which I’m sorry to say I haven’t been to in a while.  Sonja was pouring cocktails made with some North Shore Sol Vodka (which has a citrus infusion) for the guests while I enjoyed one of my all-time favorite drinks – North Shore No. 11 Gin and Tonic. I was surprised at how many people had never had her spirits before, but not surprised that they kept ordering them the rest of the night.

Radio Maria is in the heart of downtown Champaign and is known for not only a large selection of spirits, but their beer list. They had 27 beers on tap during my visit. The other thing Radio Maria is popular for is their tapas. Sonja and I sampled some wonderful ones which I had remembered from my last visit: Arancini, risotto balls with mozzarella, topped with tomato sauce; Queso de Cabra, fried goat cheese topped with honey; and Lamb Meatballs, stuffed with cheese and pine nuts, cooked in a tomato broth.

While we nibbled on the tapas, Sonja told me all about the expansion of North Shore with a new tour (that includes a visit with Ethel, their famous still) and tasting room. The only thing I couldn’t get her to tell me was what her special spirit would be this year.  There have been some exciting ones, including the  Mole Poblano, Medjool Date Infusion and last year’s Corpse Reviver, but she is very good at keeping a secret so we will have to wait until Ethel is ready to divulge it on her Facebook page.

Sonja had lots more places to visit in Champaign-Urbana that carry her products, such as Carmon’s Bistro (I haven’t tried it under the new ownership, but it was a favorite and I’m hoping it hasn’t changed much) and Black Dog (some of the best barbecue you will find this far north). Before she went back to Chicagoland, I also took her to check out Destihl, a brewery I love that she had not yet visited.

Executive Chef Manny Martinez joined us at Destihl for a fun sampling of his food (mainly the out of this world Beer Battered Asparagus and Stuffed Poblano) and her spirits. We managed to get through most of the North Shore Collection of vodkas and gins before making our way to their Sirène Absinthe Verte. North Shore was the first to bring this delicious spirit into the U.S. and I for one am certainly glad they did. If you haven’t tasted this high proof, less sweet Sambuca tasting liqueur, I urge you to head over to Lake Bluff (just outside of Chicago) and do it soon.

While I’m on the subject of Destihl, I’d like to pass along some information on their beer dinner this week (11/9) in their Normal location. It’s not only a great opportunity to check out some of their beers, but you can also sample some of Chef Martinez’s fabulous food. For more information on the dinner, contact the brewery,  309-862-2337. Unfortunately, I will be out of town (what else is new), but I’m sure I will find another excuse to go back for asparagus and poblanos!

The Lastest in Champaign - Being Home Is My Vacation

I’ve often said that a vacation for me is time at home. While I still had to work, I did recently get two weeks back in Champaign. I had a chance to discover a great new place in the neighborhood and a major change for another.

When you go to your regular salon to get your haircut and find out that they’ve done a few renovations it’s not shocking, but when you find out they are building their own one stop beauty block, it’s a different story. That’s what I faced at Rod Sickler Salon & Spa in Champaign. The expansion has added chiropractic care, cosmetic dentistry, photography, personal training, a medical spa and a tattoo parlor!

“We’re getting all ages, from teenagers up to people in their 60s.” says Rod Sickler himself. “We call it now a ‘Center for Art, Beauty and Wellness.’ Where else can get a tattoo and have it lasered off in the same place?!”

In addition to the unusual set up he’s orchestrated, my reason for giving a shoutout to Rod is that he is very involved in charitable events. “I just think you can’t expect your business to grow without the support of the community unless you give it back.  We try to say ‘yes’ to every Philanthropy that comes in. Sometimes we can do more than others with shows and sometimes we do ‘cutathons.’ Even if it means giving 200 $10 gift cards out, I feel that I should give back.”

The new momentum of the Rod Sickler Salon is definitely not the only thing people in Champaign have been buzzing about while I was busy travelling. I kept hearing about the great food and fantastic time they had at Destihl. I was curious about it so I decided to check it out myself, bringing my friend Paul to take care of the two things I don’t do – drink beer and eat seafood.

Paul and I were greeted by Manny Martinez, the executive chef and on of the owners of Destihl. I had actually stopped by the previous day to meet Manny and get a feel for the Normal location, the only other Destihl property they currently have. Like that location, the one in downtown Champaign popped up without any fanfare, but word of mouth has led them to a packed bar, patio and restaurant every night.

The idea behind Destihl, which has been fulfilled to perfection, is to make a variety of high quality beer to go with an unusual menu that was closer to gourmet dining than pub fare. The Champaign Destihl has windows showcasing the brewery. Once inside, the bar area is large and has a blackboard highlighting the current beer selections. The dining areas are separated into various rooms, making it a comfortable place for intimate dinners or parties of all sizes.

While I was more than happy with the fruity White Sangria and then the Pomegranate Gin-Lit (there’s also an impressive wine list), Paul got to work sampling the 13 beers currently available. His favorites were: Black Angel Stout, which he called like an espresso, full bodied with chocolate overtones; Hawaii Five-Ale light with no hops after taste and soft tropical fruit; Lawnmower Ale, citrusy and light in body and alcohol; and Champaign Blonde, a mixture of light and dry, with a hint of hops, made in an Americanesque fashion. He also added that the Frankengluten Belgian Sorghum Ale, a gluten free beer, was funky and fizzy, and a bit tart. (Note: Destihl brews are also available to go if you can’t get enough in the restaurant. )

The idea to start a Destihl actually started with a home brewing kit that the wife of now CEO Matt Potts got him as a present. Potts, a lawyer, had been selling beer to Biaggi’s, an Italian restaurant Manny Martinez was the chef at. The duo became friends and brought in Laurie Nelson and Jason Brather to the partnership.

While the beers at Destihl are appealing, I was more interested in the food and each dish I had impressed us more than the last.  Some can’t miss appetizers that the restaurant is fast becoming famous for are the Beer Battered Asparagus, Thai Wings, Potato Croquettes and Marinated Stuffed Olives. For a meal, try the Flat Iron Steak Quesadilla with Blue Cheese, which you can eat with the steak on the side or inside, or the pizzas (Mediterranean, with roasted garlic, artichokes, olives, mozzarella, spinach and feta is wonderful). Paul loved the Spiced Seared Swordfish with carrots, mint, bok choy and grilled pineapple in a coconut curry sauce. The Gaucho Skirt Steak on rice and beans is excellent, but the best Tex-Mex you are going to ever find is their Stuffed Poblano Pepper.

Just when I thought I couldn’t possibly eat another bite, Martinez brought out the most scrumptious desserts.  His own take of S’Mores – baked marshmallows, melted dark chocolate, homemade cinnamon cookies and cinnamon cream – was delectable, and the Sour Cherry Bread Pudding was creamy, rich and fruity. For something lighter, we tasted the Fresh Berry Napoleon, with flaky pastry, homemade lemon curd and fresh berries, topped with raspberry-lemon ice cream. There was even more treats on the dessert list that I wish I could try so I guess I’ll know next time that I need to save some room!

IHotel offers Rooms, Food & Spirits in the Center of Illini action

Updated 8/2/2026

One of the reasons I moved to the Champaign-Urbana area was to be part of a college town.  I grew up and lived most of my adult life in areas without that atmosphere. A taste of it during visits made me hungry for more.  

It's like an infectious disease that you don't want to get rid of.  The feeling that you forever want to cheer for your team.  Whether you are a local, an alumni or just a fan, there's a hotel right in the middle of sports land at the University of Illinois, where you can get right in the action for that team, or your home team when they come to town.

The IHotel opened in August, 2008, complete with a Houlihan's for spirited cheer before and after the games (and during for those who can't get tickets).  It is directly across a short road from the Big Ten action of Illini men's basketball at Assembly Hall, down the block from the football team's Memorial Stadium and a nice walk to the Atkins Tennis Center or Huff Hall, where the current No. 1 in the country Men's Gymnastic Team  plays.

I wanted to experience the basketball game from the I Hotel & Conference Center point of view, so I arrived at the hotel about an hour before. I took a brief tour of the hotel, with modern rooms and facilities and what seemed like a flood of Orange and Blue clothing.  There were hundreds of people getting ready for the game, many of them heading from the rooms to Houlihan's. 

It's quite a scene, with a packed bar and drinks flowing.  Some were eating at the tables, which sometimes fill up with reservations a week before the game.  There was a flood of empty beer bottles and glasses of every kind suddenly hitting the bar a half hour before the game, as the majority of people - many regulars who come in pre-game, the rest travelers who stay at the IHotel and watch for the whole experience -- left for Assembly Hall.

While the crowd took off, I enjoyed the game and the atmosphere.  I had some delicious Grilled Vegetable Pizza and the people next to me raved about the Lettuce Wraps and the Rare Seared Tuna Wontons (there is also a full dinner menu), but it's more about the drinks when I'm checking out a place.  There's no shortage of drinks at Houlihan's.  

They go through five cases of Miller Lite on a game night, as well as a keg of Bud Lite and plenty of other brews, but it's not all about the beer here.  The endless variety includes Wine Flights, eight Flavors of Long Island Iced Tea and an incredible selection of Martinis.  There's even a Mini Martini Flight that allows you to sample 3 for $9.99.

The Martinis were calling me and I had a blueberry in my hand before long.  The combination of Stoli Blueberry Vodka, Blue Curaco, pomegrante and cranberry juice, with fresh blueberries floating through was just delicious.  The menu also includes such unusual drinks as the X-Rate Fliritini-Champagne, X-rated Fusion Liqueur, orange juice, mango and Brazilian passion fruit; and Zen Green Tea Martini-Zen Green Tea Liqueur, Skyy Vodka and Ocean Spray White Cranberry Juice. 

I decided to skip the delicious mini desserts this time (White Chocolate Bannana Cream, Pie, Bourbon Pecan Pie or Chocolate Cappaccino Cake) in favor of the Chocolate Smoothie Martini.  As if Absolute Vanilla, White Creme de Cacao, Dark Creme de Cacao and sweet creme weren't indulgent enough, it arrived with a Hostess Ding Dong perched on the side!  The bartenders here pull out all the stops in service, mixing and presentation.

It wasn't long after I finished enjoying my piece of chocolate heaven that the crowd started coming in, filling the place with gameday celebration.  The drinks were once again flowing. Drink specials are available at Houlihans at the IHotel everyday.  On game days you wil find $6.00 appetizers and $3.50 for 20 oz beers.  Wednesday is half price wine day and you can see a live band there on Tuesday nights.

There are catering facilities at the IHotel for weddings, events and classes, as well as dinners for the visiting teams (Indiana's women's basketball team was enjoying dinner when I was there).  In addition to the Houlihan's restaurant, there are 126 rooms, (with two suites), a fitness center, spa room for massages and the ICafe for coffee, snacks and breakfasts.  There are frequent packages and specials, visit the IHotel's website or call 217-819-5000 for details.  

It's only two hours from Chicago, St. Louis or Indianapolis, so it's a great stopover location.  And don't forget to save room for the Chocolate Martini!