WATCH THE Q&A CAFE, FEATURING AN INTERVIEW WITH "GAME CHANGE" AUTHORS MARK HALPERIN AND JOHN HEILEMANN, ON DC CABLE, THIS WEEKEND AND THROUGHOUT THE WEEK. CHECK YOUR TV LISTINGS FOR TIMES.
Pageviews on this website since September: 101,497
Swimming in Quicksand
A Diary of Life, Love and Staying Afloat Mailing List
Even though my resistance was mighty, I got tired of people suggesting I set up a twitter account and, with not much else to do in the snow, went ahead and joined the twitter nation yesterday. I can understand its value as the calendar gets closer to the publication of "Innocent Spouse," but that is still 10-11 months away. Nonetheless, with the Twitter account I'll try to focus on the progress toward publication. I'm learning there are many steps, gates and chutes as a book travels from the keyboard to the book store shelf. Also, any Q&A Cafe tidbits.
We'll see what happens. We'll find our way. I promise not to report moments like I just flossed my teeth, bought new socks or emptied the dishwasher. Goal is to make it followable!
After
55 years of bringing Washington’s collectors and socialites together in a
celebration of the rare, the beautiful, or the simply unusual, the Washington
Antiques Show has thrown in the towel. A source confirmed, “The Thrift Shop
Charities did vote not to continue the Washington Antiques Show next year.”
This brings to an end an annual event that was the beginning of the winter
social season here. But more than that, it was a warm gathering of Washington
residents who shared the joy of collecting. It wasn’t as big as New York’s
Winter Antiques Show, or as rich, but it felt like the worthy prelude. It drew
many of the same dealers.
The
rumors of its demise were bubbling up since mid January, after the wind up of
this year’s show, which was in its second year at a new home: the Katzen Arts
Center. For 49 years before its home was the Shoreham Hotel. While the Katzen
Center was a completely different venue (in other words, modern), the old crowd
adapted well. Whether they bought anything is another issue. Antique sales are
down all across the board. In a bad economy, it’s a vulnerable game. Another
problem for the Antiques Show was the young crowd no longer showed up.
Among
the rumors of its demise were whispers of tax problems – perhaps a debt of as
much as $80,000. My source said only, “Like most charity fundraising during the
economic downturn, the WAS had a decline in income and contributions from its
historical performance.” There were also unexpected costs in the move from the
Shoreham to the Katzen. “Over the past 54 years, the WAS has raised over $7
million for the charities supported by Thrift Shop Charities, and, in the past
five years, WAS has contributed approximately $1.1 million to the existing four
charities.”
My
source indicated a renegade group will try to form a new antiques show. “A
group of past volunteers, show chairs, and others have now formed a new
nonprofit entity, the Washington Winter Show, and are exploring the possibility
of having a show for charity in the tradition of the past shows.”
My memoir is to be published in early 2011 by Crown Publishers. Check back here for updates on what's happening with the book. At the moment, it's being written.
WATCH THE Q&A CAFE, FEATURING AN INTERVIEW WITH "GAME CHANGE" AUTHORS MARK HALPERIN AND JOHN HEILEMANN, ON DC CABLE, THIS WEEKEND AND THROUGHOUT THE WEEK. CHECK YOUR TV LISTINGS FOR TIMES.
Founder of the Q&A Cafe. 