Authors and philanthropists Dave Eggers and Vendela Vida describe their '826 Valencia' writing and tutoring center's pirate supply shop, located in San Francisco, as "for the working buccaneer." At first, people were puzzled by the storefront and its purpose. But, given time, both volunteers and the children they were to serve, came streaming in.
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| photo courtesy of sfcityguides.org |
Ten years later, whether purchasing pirate hook protectors or getting free one-on-one support with their writing in the center, everyone feels at home. In the back, recycled church pews face a fish tank "theater" where even breast-feeding mothers can congregate.
In conversation with Davia Nelson, one of the two Kitchen Sisters from a National Public Radio program Hidden Kitchens, the married couple spoke to an audience of over 300 in Sonoma Country Day School's Jackson Theater in Santa Rosa, California recently as part of its Contemporary Issues Series.
Eggers, in jeans and brown blazer, and Vida, wearing a striped dress with beige cardigan, spoke candidly about their literary lives, including running an independent publishing house, and creating nonprofits and foundations.
