|
Up And Coming
Book Pickup
April 3
Book Pickup
April 4
Danny's Peace Party
to benefit Open Books
April 14
Book Pickup
April 18
Book Sort
April 19
One Brick Happy Hour
to benefit Open Books
April 23
|
|
Open Mic:
Dani Brzozowski
Dani Brzozowski is the new Director of Development at Open Books. Although she started on April Fool's Day, we got serious long enough to ask her...
How would you spend your last 24 hours if you knew the world would end in the morning?
Wake up, have a really good cup of coffee and write or read a good book until the sun is nearly out. Take a bike ride through the foliage (I'm choosing for the world to end during autumn). Go to the grocery store to buy loads of food for a big delicious dinner. Stop at Jimmy Choo on the way home and buy some shoes to wear for said dinner. (Who cares about overdraw fees when the world is ending?) Spend the rest of the day cooking with my husband sitting around somewhere nearby, then finish up the evening with my family and friends over to eat, drink, and be merry.
What was your dream job when you were 5?
Astronaut/first female president.
If you could have dinner with 3 people (real or fictional), who would you invite and what would you eat?
Scarlett O'Hara, Christian from Project Runway, and I'd have to pick one of my best friends to witness...if there is a rule that the other guests must eat what I've chosen, I pick BBQ sandwiches. Imagine Scarlett O'Hara with a face full of Baby Ray's.
What was your favorite childhood toy or game?
Evidence of my future aspiration to be World's Best Wife: my favorite toy was the plastic vacuum with balls in the dome that popped up and made noise when you pushed it.
If you had one superpower, what would it be?
I was part of a teleconference once called 'Ask anyone for any amount for any purpose,' so I would add the word 'fruitfully' at the end and take that as my superpower. Either that or lightning speed. Lightning speed without sweating.
What secret obsession do you have that no one knew about before this interview?
QVC -- I watch it so much I burned spots into our last TV -- the outline of the product information box was visible even when we were watching other channels!
What makes you laugh uncontrollably?
When I'm at a movie and something that barely warrants a giggle makes me laugh inappropriately -- that gets me on a roll and I'm unstoppable after that.
What book are you reading right now?
Ha. Right now we're in the process of moving. (I should have a book called How to Operate Radiator Heat.) I finished (and loved) Anna Quindlen's One True Thing the day before we left.
What is your favorite ice cream flavor?
Ahh! I am a) allergic to milk and b) a ridiculous ice cream fan. It's a sad situation. But I can't choose a favorite. RIght now we have Edy's Take The Cake in the freezer...it was better before it melted and refroze.
What is playing on your iPod/record player these days?
Now that the internet at the condo is working, I'll be downloading Leona Lewis.
|
Podcast Premieres!
After weeks of anticipation, the first Open Books Podcast has finally arrived! A Podcast is basically a mini radio show. But unlike a radio show, you can listen to a Podcast whenever you please from the convenience of your personal computer. Each 10-minute podcast will fill you in on another unique aspect of Open Books. You'll get to know the people and programs, our partner organizations, and the schools and communities where we work.
Open Books Podcast #1 introduces you to Open Books Directors Stacy Ratner, Becca Keaty, and Erin Walter. Give it a listen even if you think you know everything about Open Books; you'll have fun listening to Stacy, Becca, and Erin chatting it up. Just get your headphones ready and listen here!
And don't blink, because Podcast #2 will be ready soon, complete with a profile of the Neofuturists Theater Company.
|
Edgar & Ellen Share Their Mischief With Open Books
Despite their reprehensible tendencies, Edgar & Ellen revealed a hidden streak of generosity in their donation of 100 copies of "Rare Beasts" to Open Books. Normally, Edgar & Ellen, the pranky "identical" twins, make mayhem in the sticky sweet town of Nod's Limbs. They live in a 13-story tower at the edge of town with their hairy eyeball pet, "Pet," and a bust of their favorite author, Edgar Alan Poe. Kids ages 8-13 are crazy about the books which are illustrated and funny and never talk down to them. Teachers appreciate their equal boy/girl appeal and their ability to engage reluctant readers.
Edgar & Ellen fans can add their own stories, art and TV ideas at
www.edgarandellen.com. They can also play games, watch cartoons, and download avatars and Guides for "Fiendishly Clever Teachers" -- or see a banner ad for Open Books. All this originated right here in Chicago at Star Farm Productions, where Edgar & Ellen are just the first of six new properties under development. Stay tuned for more. If you can't wait, check out a preview at www.kaimiracode.com!
|
Field Trips!
Do you know a teacher, school, or summer youth program that might like to take students on an exciting, inspiring trip downtown? Tell them about Open Books' creative writing field trips! This newest addition to our literacy programs is going on NOW at our River North offices. We're scheduling classes for April and May field trips -- as well as excursions for summer programs -- and dates are going fast! Currently, we know we especially need volunteers for the mornings of April 23 and May 1.
We're eager to hear from educators and youth programs! To claim a field trip slot, volunteer to help with the field trips, or get more info, call Erin at 312-492-4079 or write to fieldtrips@open-books.org.
|
|
|
|
It's April, and the focus here is NEW -- brand new, just made, fresh and exciting updates from Open Books! We've got a new web site, new podcast, new field trips, new partners, new events, and a new Director of Development, all in one monthly newsletter. Enjoy!
|
|
|
Let's Have Some Fun
Never has it been easier to support Open Books! Grab all of your friends and join us at our TWO upcoming Social Hour Events!
FUN SOCIAL OPPORTUNITY #1
Danny's Peace Party!
Monday, April 14, 2008
9 pm - 2 am
Danny's Tavern
1951 W. Dickens Ave
El: Blue to Damen
Bus: 50 Damen, 73 Armitage
The Peace Party is a monthly charity event at Bucktown's favorite bar, Danny's Tavern -- and on April 14, proceeds will benefit Open Books, with 50% of drink sales going to our literacy programs. Hooray! There will be DJs, and you can choose to dance or just chill on Danny's comfy couches and barstools. Just tell your friends, extend the weekend with us, and place your order at the bar! Since the place will be packed with Open Books supporters, you know you'll see old friends from past events and meet cool new people who care about Chicago and the cause of literacy. See you there!
FUN SOCIAL OPPORTUNITY #2
World Book Day One Brick Happy Hour!
Wednesday, April 23, 2008
6:30 pm - 9:30 pm
Mystic Celt
3443 N. Southport Ave.
(between Cornelia and Roscoe)
$5 donation to One Brick with a book, $10 without
Street parking is limited, so we recommend CTA: Brown Line to Southport. If you do drive,
though, take Lincoln or Belmont to Southport and head north or take
Addison to Southport and head south.
On April 23, 1616, Cervantes, Shakespeare and
Inca Garcilaso de la Vega all died. Thus, the date was a natural choice
for UNESCO to select as a worldwide tribute to books and authors.
One Brick honors this date and UNESCO's mission to encourage everyone, and in
particular young people, to discover the pleasure of reading and gain a
renewed respect for the irreplaceable contributions of those who have
furthered the social and cultural progress of humanity. Bring your
gently-used bestsellers to donate to Chicago's own Open Books, and hang
out with new and returning One Brick volunteers!
RSVP to One Brick at: http://www.onebrick.org/eventdetails.asp?EventID=4021.
|
|
|
A New Look For Open Books!
You may have already noticed, but Open Books has launched a new web site! If you haven't seen it for yourself, visit us soon at www.open-books.org to check out the total makeover. As we continue to grow, adding new volunteers, events and programs almost every week, the amount of information is wonderful and plentiful. We hope the new design is easier to navigate and use.
Please check the web site often as we are always updating it with the latest information on how you can join us in raising awareness about illiteracy and spreading the love of books in Chicago. We hope to see everyone at a volunteer program or special event soon!
If you have any comments, feedback or suggestions about the new site, let us know: site@open-books.org.
|
The Terrific Two
On May 1, Open Books will be preparing for a major milestone -- our 2-year anniversary! We're putting together a special celebration and would love to include your memories about your experience with Open Books. Do you have a story about how volunteering with us has made a difference in your life, how moving 150,000 books in one day was exhausting but inspiring, or why it feels good to donate your books to our organization? Are there photos of you and your Reading Buddy at one of our partner elementary schools, you and your author at an Open Books Press editing session, you and your team at a book sort, or you and some new friends at a volunteer social? Please send them to us -- the sky is the limit! We look forward to hearing from you, and just cannot thank you enough...as we look back, we know that none of this could have happened without the support and encouragement from wonderful people like you. To share your stories, photos, and memories of Open Books so far, just write to us at press@open-books.org. We can't wait to hear from you.
|
|
Book Sorting and Pickups
 April is here -- time to hop, skip and jump into spring! It's also time to grab a friend and hit the road for a book pickup! You can explore the city while helping your favorite literacy organization (and hopefully the sun will even be shining as you cruise around town).
Collecting books from generous donors is fun and only requires a couple of hours, a vehicle and an adventurous spirit. Interested? Wonderful! Just contact Dustin (dwalsh@open-books.org) and let him know if you're available April 3, 4, or 18.
We're also excited to have a new sorting process and schedule of sorting times. So, if organizing is your passion or you get as excited about books as we do, then sorts are for you! Book sorts now take place the third Saturday of every month at our 600 N. Albany warehouse, and you never know what excitement is hidden among the stacks of more than 150,000 books.
To get started, just check the site at www.open-books.org/volunteer.php for dates, times, and directions. See you there!
|
|
Out Of The Box: Three Fabulous Finds
In the process of sorting thousands upon thousands of books, there are always a few that stand out. Here are our three favorites for the month.
1. How To Hold Your Husband
 In our modern age of information transparency, there is little that remains sacred, and a book entitled How To Hold [or -- for that matter -- Bind, Stun, Restrain, Spindle, or Mutilate] Your Husband would probably not raise much attention. In 1925, however, it was a topic so hot that only an author with three full names and two degrees (in this instance, the estimable Simon Louis Katzoff, M.D., Ph.D.) dared to approach it, and can we be surprised? Look at the towering stature of that reading wife. Observe her much smaller husband, capable of amazing knee bends but not of retaining his own hat. How does she remain upright standing on the very tips of her infinitesimal feet? How did she wind up married to a man not only half her size and twice her age, but also apparently drawn by a different artist? We can only wonder.
2. Grocery Bag Art Farm
 Many years ago, when such things were new and amusing and we had only a small square refrigerator to keep clean under them, we took delight in our many sets of refrigerator poetry magnets and the games that could be played with them. Among the most popular of these entertainments was the game where a poem had to be formed from a handful of randomly chosen words, and, in retrospect, we can only be devastated that we were never granted the opportunity to form a sonnet from the timeless phrase Grocery Bag Art Farm. We can imagine such a place now: the neatly planted hedgerows of grocery bag seeds, the heavy machinery rumbling through fields of pale brown grocery bag art shrubs, the silos and elevators and barns full of carefully harvested art ready for preserving and sale, the Pick-Your-Own weekends when, armed with a bushel basket, we could roam the grocery bag art trees and buy as much as our walls could hold. It is too late for such joys now. But we have the book to remember it by, and its cover will look wonderful on our refrigerator for years to come.
3. The New Joys Of Jell-O
 "The joys of Jell-O," begins this cheerful little book, "are never ending. Start with a packet of Jell-O. Then work simple wonders." Well! Imaginations aflame with our newly burning desire to be wonderworkers, we raced to the table of contents. Should we begin with the powerhouse Salads That Make The Meal? The jaunty Salads For The Slim Life? The elegant Salads For Special Events? The surprisingly independent Sociable Side Salads? Hesitant to choose, we found ourselves swaying to the commanding Bring On The Desserts. But even the delights of that imperative chapter faded to second place when our gaze fell on the final frontier: Things You Never Thought Of. It is safe to say that the title was 100% correct. We never had. And we are a little sorry, now, that that has changed.
|
|
|
|
|
