Monday, July 7th— If you are able to read this message, you must be part of Chicago’s secret-agent community, because it has been encrypted using the finest intelligence equipment:
(super-secret) ANNOUNCEMENT! To keep our counterintelligence nemeses on their toes, The Boring Store has changed its hours! That’s right, spies—same Boring Store, new Boring hours! From now until August 17, the store will be open:
Monday-Thursday
Noon-7:30 p.m.
Friday-Sunday
11:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.
Join us before departing on your super-secret summer missions!
Thursday, July 3rd— Last week, a group of 12 teenage agents (or, as we like to call them, teenagents) infiltrated 826CHI’s Young Writers Camp with Local Authors. Not only did these junior spies learn about slam poetry, anagrams of their own names (at least one of which was “Ace Monolith”) and tips on how to make it as a published author, they also managed to invade the Chicago Tribune headquarters! To support their continued (covert) operations, visit The Boring Store to buy a copy of their chapbook.
Friday, June 20th— Summer is here, and with its arrival, we wrap up our third year of drop-in tutoring—and what an exciting year it was! We worked with students 3,637 times, averaging 27 students per day—which we couldn’t have done without the help of our 159 drop-in tutors! It’s hard to believe that any one group of people could have so much generosity, humor, knowledge, patience, and valor (they tackle long division and science fair projects without even flinching). Yet happily, this group does exist. Drop-in tutors, we salute you, and we are counting the days until your return this fall!
Wednesday, June 4th— The June Spy of the Month can often be found working at The Boring Store, tutoring our fabulous drop-in students, and sharing delectable baked goods—all at the same time! Join us in honoring Special Agent Jess Galli, and read all about her many talents and upcoming missions in our blog.
Wednesday, May 21st— Well, agents, Prom has come and gone—but not without making some noise first! We’d like to extend some well-deserved thanks to our planning committee, our sponsors, our hosts, our volunteers, our DJ, our band, our photographers (check out photos here and here!), our chocolate fountain operators, and the purveyors of wacky, tacky, classy, sassy, retro formal-wear everywhere! Phew! What a list! Clearly, it was quite a shindig, and not at all possible without your help in both the implementation and celebration aspects of partying. Stay tuned for a detailed transmission about next year’s soirée….
Wednesday, May 7th— What does baking a moustache-shaped cake and building balloon towers have to do with being a spy in the windy city? Ask Special Agent Meghan Keys! (Or just read more about her in our blog.) For her boundless creativity and talent for prosthetic moustache growth, we honor Agent Keys as the May Spy of the Month!
Thursday, April 17th— 826CHI presents: PROM! Join us on Saturday, May 17, 2008, 8 p.m.-midnight, for the (secondhand) formal event of the season! There will be free drinks (21+), a silent auction, and the musical stylings of The Power of Love and DJ Frier Tuck. No dates are required.
Buy your tickets for $38.26 (see the 8, the 2, the 6…) in advance (by following the link below or visiting The Boring Store) or $50 at the door (which, like the event, will be at Pulaski Park Fieldhouse, 1419 W. Blackhawk St., just a few blocks from 826CHI). Hope to see you there!
Wednesday, April 16th— It’s time to fill your virtual shopping cart with Boring Merchandise and push it down the information super highway. The Boring Store is now online!
Go HERE to get shirts, bags, and other goods, including 826CHI’s latest publication, Right In Front of Us.
Tuesday, April 15th— We here at 826CHI would like to extend a big ol’ THANK YOU! to everyone who attended the April 8th release of our latest student publication, Right in Front of Us. After all their hard work, the 47 student authors certainly enjoyed their time in the limelight, reading their pieces to a captivated audience, sipping sparkling lemonade, signing hundreds of autographs, and enjoying the sheer excitement of the occasion.
Missed the event? Don’t worry, you can still celebrate the students’ success by reading their book! Buy your copy online or in-person at The Boring Store.
Monday, April 7th— The secret is out: Special Agent Mike Schramm has been covertly volunteering at 826CHI since we opened in 2005. For his stealthy ways and tutoring talents (not to mention his dedication to facial follicle focused fundraising), we honor Agent Schramm as the April Spy of the Month. Read more about this outstanding agent in our blog.
