When I first moved to the Wicker Park neighborhood of Chicago, I decided to check out the area. While strolling down Milwaukee Avenue, I noticed a store called the Boring Store. With a bright orange awning, and an illustration of a private detective with a shopping cart—I was intrigued. I walked into the Boring Store, not having any idea what I would find. Would it really be boring, like the name boasted, or the exact opposite of the word?

Upon entering, I was immediately caught up in all the novelty items for sale, like mustache disguises, Pepsi cans that double as a safe, cameras that squirt water, pencils that are actually pens, and every other gadget an aspiring spy would need to successfully go undercover. After being told that The Boring Store sells things that are “not what they seem,” the confused look on my face promptly caused the volunteer working the cash register to laugh and take pity on me and tell me what the Boring Store really is.

Yes, it’s a spy supply store—but it’s also a “cover” for a writing and tutoring center for kids ages 6-18. Take a photo tour of the Boring Store here.

826CHI, part of 826 National—an organization started by author Dave Eggers—is a place where kids are given the resources, one-on-one tutoring, and encouragement to learn creative and expository writing. They offer drop-in tutoring, class field trips, writing workshops, and in-schools programs. And the best part is, all of their services are FREE!

Wait, that’s only one of the best parts. Another best part is that you can buy books written by the students of 826CHI right at the Boring Store. Have you ever read a book of short stories by a group of elementary students? If you haven’t, I can tell you one thing—it will make you wish you were 8 again.

And yet ANOTHER best part is that the people at 826CHI don’t take themselves terribly seriously. They take what they DO seriously, but will you find them hosting a gala with $900 tickets to raise money for their organization? If they are, they’re doing that undercover, too.

826CHI makes contributing attainable for volunteers of various age and income with events like the Moustache-a-thon, where participants find people to sponsor them as they dare to attempt a feat that’s equally as impressive as running 26.2 miles—growing facial hair! Even the baby-faced can participate by competing in mustache-related challenges, like writing a song about a mustache, or making a mustache related craft. This is an event that doesn’t cost you any money to participate—a little dignity, maybe—but it allows you to give a lot.

And, if you’re feeling nostalgic about your high school days, or you finally have your braces off and would like a second chance at attending prom, you’re in luck. Each year, 826CHI hosts a themed prom where you can dress up, drink, dance and pretend like you’re 17 again. This year’s prom is titled Prom Hanks, and partygoers are encouraged to dress like a character from any Tom Hanks movie. Money raised from this, and other events, goes towards keeping 826Chi’s programs completely FREE. Buy your tickets here before they sell out!

Event details:
April 24th, 2010 at 8pm
Pulaski Park Field house (Wicker Park)
Tickets are $35 and (according to their site) include: refillable cup for hooch, food, silent auction, not silent music, and dancing, dancing, dancing

I was lucky enough to get Patrick Shaffner, the Lead Spy in Residence at 826CHI, to answer a couple of questions for me about the organization. Basically, he owed me for using a picture of me with an onion ring mustache in a Moustache-a-thon newsletter without telling me!

How do you come up with the ideas for your events? Mustache-a-thon, Prom Hanks, Scrabble for Cheaters, etc…?
After eating a seven-course meal, heavy on pasta and candy, I sit on the Idea Throne. Once on the Throne, a volunteer shouts, “What shall the event be?” And then, inspiration strikes and I am able to declare the new event. In other words, there is no method, per se, for developing events.

I’m fortunate to work with amazing volunteers and staff members and friends and family that are eager to brainstorm.  826CHI is also fortunate to have a few brother and sister 826 chapters in other cities that we bounce ideas off of or steal ideas from!

What’s one thing you want our readers to know about 826chi?
Come to Prom Hanks. Come and volunteer. Stop on by the Boring Store. Buy our students’ books.

Maybe, if you stop in, Patrick will let you sit on his idea throne. Or maybe, you’ll just end up making an impact on some kids’ lives. Either way, YOU WIN!

When I need to lift my spirits without spending money on retail therapy, one of my favorite things to do is go out for brunch with friends. Luckily, there are so many great restaurants in Chicago that serve brunch, I never run out of options of scrumptious things to try. After taste-testing my way around the brunch places that Chicago has to offer, I’ve compiled a list below of my favorites.

Toast Two
Location: Bucktown
I put this one at the top of my list because not only is the food delicious, the décor is quirky and perfectly reflects the name, with toasters from every decade gracing the walls. They’re known for their stuffed French toast, but I’m a savory girl, so I ordered an omelet along with chicken sausage stuffed with apple and gouda cheese, both of which exceeded my expectations. Toast Two is in Bucktown, while the original Toast is in Lincoln Park. They don’t have a website, but you can check out their menu, here.

Ann Sather
Locations: Andersonville, Lakeview, Broadway, and Southport
I have one thing to say about Ann Sather and it’s a very important thing. Are you ready? Cinnamon Rolls! All egg entrees come with two mouth-watering, gooey cinnamon rolls on the side. Do you really even need another reason to go? If you do, you can check out Ann’s menu here.

Meli Café and Juice Bar
Location: Greektown
The early bird gets the bacon at Meli, so set your alarm to avoid the crowd. The wait can be up to two hours, but the food is worth it. The ingredients are so fresh, they virtually melt in your mouth. I ordered a skillet and it was enough food to eat for brunch and dinner that night. With such a vast food selection and a healthy juice bar, you can satisfy your appetite in any way imaginable. And, it’s all presented so beautifully, you might just want to take a picture! (I did.)
See Meli’s menu here.

Orange
Location: South Loop
You really can’t call it brunch without a mimosa or bloody mary. Save some money and bring your own, because two of Orange’s four locations are BYOB! Orange gets points for its creativity, including the Frushi, fresh fruit presented as a sushi platter. I’m a fan of the pancake flights, which feature four flavors of mini pancakes, choices of which change weekly. Just like Meli’s, they have a juice bar where you can choose any combination of flavors and have your juice brought to your table just minutes after being squeezed. Visit their website to check out the list of locations and their menu.

If there’s one thing I’ve learned along my journey to discover the best brunch places in Chicago, it’s this: The one word or women-named bruncheries rule.

Photo credit: Simondee

Are you on the prowl for a new or different job? Or, are you just looking to make more friends with similar interests? Attending networking events can be the easiest way to do either! If you’ve been thinking about putting yourself out there, but don’t know where to start, look no further. Below, we’ve compiled a list of some of the best upcoming networking events and groups in the Chicago area listed by interest.

If you’re into social media, a great place to find the most up-to-date list of Twitter-related networking events, or “Tweet Ups,” is Chicago Tweetups. They keep an extensive calendar of events and they’ll gladly add your event to their list!

If you’re into helping others, the people over at Networking for a Cause host events with the purpose of bringing together those who are interested in non-profit organizations. With an average price of between $10-20 per event, you get a lot for your time and one great cause, usually local, benefits from your money. Check out their Facebook Fan Page for updated news and events.

If you’re into the environment, every Wednesday, the people at Go Green Management host a networking event where you can mingle with other environmentally conscious people and businesses. The next event isn’t until the 2010, but you can sign up for a yearly membership early. The cost is well worth the 40+ events you’ll be entitled to and the company you’ll enjoy. Event and membership details are here.

If you’re into technology, you need to check out Tech Cocktail. Their mission is to offer community-powered projects and events  in under-served technology communities. Best of all, Tech Cocktail welcomes everyone who’s into technology, not just the elite iPhone application developers. Details are here.

If you’re out of work or looking, Out of Work Chicago hosts monthly events where you can network with everyone from recruiters, to headshot photographers, to consultants who will help you write a better resume or put together an interview outfit. Find upcoming events here.

If you’re into a little bit of everything, Windy City Social has a networking event for you. WCS connects Chicago professionals to each other and events around the city, ranging from Interactive Social Media and Online Marketing events, to wine tastings, to hikes and bike rides. With the diversity of their events, you’re sure to find one that suits you. Find updated events here.

Now that you know where to go, is there a right or wrong way to act when you get there? Below I’ve listed a couple of small, but valuable, tips that can help you get the most out of the networking events above, should you decide to attend.

Take notes: If you exchange business cards with someone, take a few seconds to write a small note on it, so when you DO follow up (and you better!), you have something personal to write instead of the generic, “Nice meeting you. Hope we can connect again soon.” The more you remember about your conversation the better. Which leads me to my next tip.

Don’t drink too much: A lot of networking events have free booze, and, quite frankly, sometimes it’s hard to turn down. You don’t have to turn it down. Just know your limit, so that when you send a follow up email, or get one, you actually remember who you’re communicating with. That “Who the hell IS that?” feeling can be just as bad after a networking event as it can after a night out at a bar.

Thank the host/coordinator: If you spent all that time planning a snazzy event for other people to benefit from, you’d want a thank you too, right? Your momma raised you better than that.

Now that you know where to go and what (not) to do, I’ll see you at the next event!

Do you like to laugh? Me too! We have sooo much in common. Since we’ve just established that you and I are two peas in a pod, you’ll probably want to know what I thought about Banana Shpeel, Cirque Du Soleil’s first venture into traditional “theater.”

You might be thinking, but aren’t all of their performances considered…theatrical? Of course! But I’m talking about small stage, intimate audience theater—theater that’s more about the connections made between viewers and performers than it is about the big production value.

Banana Shpeel, which officially opened at the Chicago Theater on November 19, 2009, combines sketch comedy, with slapstick, tap dancing, musical numbers, magic, and traditional Cirque performances. One could say it tries to be everything to everyone. However, in my opinion, it does so successfully.

I didn’t know what to expect when I sat down in my chair, filled with anticipation. Would I see contortionists who would cause me to wince in pain with their pretzel-like bodies? Would the humor be crude like traditional Vaudeville? Would they pick on audience members? Would I be one of them?! The answer to all of these questions was, “YES!” Except for the last one. Sadly, I didn’t get to go onstage, but one lucky girl did as she was fought over by no less than four of the zany characters. Beware of sitting in the front ladies!

Excluding one birthing scene, that I can only describe as uncomfortable, Banana Shpeel kept me smiling, oohing and aahing, tapping my toes, clapping, grooving in my seat and wishing I hadn’t quit dance after high school, so I could be part of a production this fun.

The footwork was fancy (and fast!), the costumes were flashy, and the comedy was just the right amount of bizarre yet silly. If you’re not afraid of clowns, then this is a show you don’t want to miss. And frankly, you could if you don’t get tickets soon. Banana Shpeel only runs until January 3, 2009. After that, you’ll have to travel all the way to New York to see Cirque Du Soleil’s probably least expensive production, but maybe their most inventive.

Photo courtesy of the SFlovestory