Making Chicago COUNT

So you're a non-profit that wants to improve your tech capacity? Or you're in the tech biz - IT, social media, coder - and you want to get involved in the non-profit sphere in Chicago.

If you're interested, have I got an event for you.

On Sunday September 12th, the first ever Chicago COUNTS conference will be held at the Illinois Institute of Technology from 9 am to 5 pm. Trust me, folks, this is the first conference of its kind in the Chicago area, and it is a big deal. Just look at the keynote speakers we have lined up - it's a veritable non-profit Justice League:

• Geoff Livingston, who consults with non-profits on how to get their message across;
• Nate St. Pierre, who works to mobilize others on the common good;
• Chris Jarvis, who helps businesses and non-profits set up employee volunteer programs, and 
• Estrella Rosenberg, who's done a lot to set up and maintain non-profits.

( In the interests of full disclosure, I'm not only helping organize, but I'll also be presenting. Yes, friends, you have the chance to see me in my full-on sexy community organizing mode.)

It's a very small admission ($25 until 9/5, and then $30 if you prepay after that), but be sure to buy a ticket. Sure, you could just join the Facebook page, but why settle? Why not engage in a great chance to learn more about how you can use these cool online tools towards the social good? You or someone you know wants to be part of this event. It's more than just a conference - it's the beginning of a movement.

Go ahead. Buy a ticket. Attend the conference.

Like Robert Conrad, I dare you, but with tongue firmly in cheek.

Obligatory Shout-Out to Roger Green

who, like me, is a big Rod Serling fan:






(videos courtesy iO9 - hey, if I can do shout-outs to Rich, I can do them for Roger, deal?)

I Should Blog About THE AVENGERS More....

...you know, Steed and Peel, especially inspired by this video (possibly NSFW):



(via the Agony Booth)

Getting Schooled In Comics - An Anthology for Everyone

Having worked with Reading With Pictures before (both as a blogger and as organizer for Chicago Net Tuesday), I was very eager to review their anthology, meant to act as an educational aid. I also wanted to be careful - after all, since the organization's mission hits home for me, I could easily throw my objectivity out the window.

The Reading with Pictures Anthology, as a purely all-ages comics experience, is actually quite enjoyable. It's not only good enough for schools and kids....it's definitely worth having on your bookshelf.

Thankfully, all of the stories in the anthology avoid an obvious we're-going-to-teach-you-something tone (think Afterschool Special) - in fact, most of the "education" is neatly folded into entertaining,solid stories. There are some obvious comics-can-help-reading stories (like one of my personal favorites, Tony Wollcott's "So Much More"), but most of the stories featured are subtle (such as Jay Piscopo's "Goblins of the Deep", that neatly ties information about undersea life into a pretty cool short story). In fact, despite diverse storytelling styles - from the Golden Age-esque art of Phillip Bowles' "Stellar Rescue" to the sheer fun of Grace Randolph and Tintin Pantoza's "High Noon in Junior High" - there is a consistently fun tone to the anthology.

(And lest we not forget, Josh Elder's Mail Order Ninja, which is probably the greatest piece of graphic literature since Watchmen. Seriously. And I'm not saying that because he's the Executive Director of Reading With Pictures. I mean, seriously, I love "Mongorillas". Although it comes second only to fellow blogger Rich "Mecha Simian" in terms of high concepts. And the fact that educators and librarians get 10% off their order and free shipping would be good news to Roger, Dave, Lefty, and Redhead Fangirl ).

So, in all honesty, I can recommend this anthology - buy it for a child you know is going back to school. Buy two copies and give one away, keeping a copy for yourself. Annoy your local comic shop owner, because much like pal Terry at Third Coast Comics, all the cool owners have the book on their shelves.

Because it's not just about having a cool comic - it's about taking the art form we love and using it as a way to teach. And that's a cause we can all get behind.