(The Bureau of Fearless Ideas is having an open house to celebrate its new identity on Saturday, November 15th, from noon to 2 pm. It’s free.)
On Saturday night, dozens of supporters of 826 Seattle gathered in the tutoring space hidden behind the Greenwood Space Travel Supply Company for a top-secret party. A mysterious invitation sent in October promised the unveiling of secret plans for the Seattle chapter of 826 National, the nationwide nonprofit writing center for children and teens founded by Dave Eggers, and the room was buzzing. Nobody knew what was about to happen.
What happened first were drinks and snacks. An energetic 9-year-old played host, leading guests around. Finally, the secret was revealed in the form of a skit. Local author (and 74-time Jeopardy! champion) Ken Jennings was joined in a round of Jeopardy! by three 826 Seattle students (categories included “Famous Goats,” “Fearless Ideas,” and “Burien”). The answers kept getting more and more weirdly specific…