The more than 20 events over that weekend include readings and discussions with Alice McDermott, Chris Bohjalian and Kate Alcott, to name just a few. There’s also a local authors’ reception at the Barnes and Noble bookstore. And because this is D.C., some of the featured authors have published nonfiction books about politics and the presidency.

On April 20, there’s an open house at the Writer’s Center. This is one of the best resources for writers who live in the D.C. metro area. (And even if you don’t, you can take advantage of online courses.) Check out the center’s website: the aptly named writer.org.

If you live anywhere near D.C., come out to the festival.

1.  To be a catcher on the NY Mets.
2.  To be a professional ballet dancer.
3.  To be a glassblower.

I knew pretty early on (like, before I was 9) that due to a number of physiological issues, Number 1 was never going to happen.  I had slightly more (but not much more) hope for Number 2.  That dream of being a dancer lasted a little longer, but had pretty much evaporated before I hit the teen years.

The glassblowing dream, though, behaved in strange ways.  (You can read about its origins here and here.)  It sort of popped its little head in the doorway every once in a while well into my young adult years.  It took years-long sabbaticals, only to re-appear all refreshed and well-rested, tanned and toned (bastard) and tease me with thoughts like, “Man.  If I won the lottery, I’d open a glass studio.”  Or “I could have a glass studio on one side, and Rachel (my sis) could have a flower shop on the other…YEAH!  That’s it!  People can watch me making the vase their flowers were gonna go into!”

While glassblowing is expensive and unusual, I sensed if I could really study and practice, I just might have the ability to do this professionally.  However, unlike the first 2 dreams, I was only vaguely aware that this was a real aspiration of mine until I spent a week in an intensive glassblowing class in Pittsburgh when I was 42.  As you’ve probably read, though, it became clear to me over that week that this dream, too, was unlikely to pan out.

It probably goes without saying that putting a dream to bed at 42 is a lot harder than at 9 or 12 years old.   My parents weren’t there to buffer the blow, like they were with ballet.  I had to deal with this myself.  I dealt with it by staying as far away from the glass studio as possible.  Not thinking about it, not writing about it, nothing.

In the meantime, though, I did something else creative.  I continued blogging on Catonsville Patch.  I started my own blog.  I wrote about bullies, truck-drivers, gender, politics, you name it.  I started having breakfast with a friend whose writing I LOVED and we started talking about ways to get our writing out there more.  In fact, it was she who pointed me towards an essay contest in the Bethesda Literary Festival.  Here was the topic:  ”Who or what has influenced, motivated or inspired you and how has it shaped your outlook on life?”

Oh, this was too easy.  Mr. Andros, of course.  My childhood ballet teacher – I had written what was essentially a love letter in the form of a blog post to him last August!  All about how he influenced and inspired me!  I really had fun capturing his attitudes and mannerisms in prose – it was perfect for the contest!  Except for the second half of the topic.  I hadn’t written or thought about how he shaped my outlook on life.  I had to do that (along with editing it down to 500 words…)

When I tackled that task in January, it came really easily, too.  While most teachers help you succeed, Mr. Andros taught me how to fail.  Rather, he taught me that limitations do not equal failure.  That I was valuable as a dance student, even though I wouldn’t be a professional dancer.  That it was possible to let go of that dream and keep my dignity and sense of self-worth.  That accepting my limitations didn’t have to mean rejecting the art form.  (Does anyone else see where I’m going with this?  Who needs help with the analogy?)

If that wasn’t enough to make me glance sideways at the glass studio again, there was this.  A tweet from my friend, Billy – and old buddy and music geek from camp.  That’s right.  Buck’s Rock camp, where all this glassblowing began.  He tweeted the following: “Your biggest fear should perhaps be ignoring your true voice’s true calling. The trick is: it might be different than you think it is.”  Now, he wasn’t writing to me – he was just having one of his many Oprah moments.  But boy, was he speaking to me.

Enough layers for ya?  Through writing, I discovered I could go back to glass.  Maybe my true calling is writing, not glassblowing.  Glassblowing can and should take its place with dreams which are now beloved past-times and activities in which I still engage with great joy.  I mean, crap – I already know how to write well…and getting better at it is a helluva lot less expensive than getting better at glassblowing.

Don’t worry, though.  I’m still getting better at glassblowing.  Here’s proof.  And if you didn’t feel like watching the video, here’s more proof.

3 of the 5 pieces I made on 2/20/12. The one on the left is the one from the second half of the video.

Just a few of the books and toys

Recently, I found myself looking for a gift for a boy who was turning eight.  He is a typical 8-year-old and enjoys electronic and computer games as well as Legos and fancy contraptions.  But he also likes to read and build things so I thought I would try to find a ‘use-your-imagination’ kind of gift versus the kind that need batteries.  But where do you find a really good kids book or imaginative toy?  Definitely not at the big chain stores.

Then I stumbled into Booktopia located at 6912 Arlington Rd near Strosniders hardware store.  The minute I walked in the door, I felt like a little kid again!   I wanted to sit on the floor and flip through the beautiful, brightly colored books adorning the shelves.  I wanted to play with the games and toys.  Booktopia offers everything from the old classics like Charlotte’s Web to wonderful new children’s literature.  There are lots of games, toys, dress-up clothes and animals for all ages.

The owner, Nina, was present when Brian and I stopped by and she described how she chooses each book and item in the store with care, selecting only those that are non-violent & that spur the imagination.  She also takes care to avoid books that exhibit kids behaving badly, as so many kids stories do today.  She is truly passionate about her store and the selections she makes for the customers she serves.

Booktopia

The story of Booktopia began once upon a time when Nina’s son was 16 years old and getting ready to soon graduate.  Nina was sad that her son would be leaving for college and she didn’t know what she would do with herself – as so many of us feel when the “chicks leave the nest.”  She realized after talking things through with her family that was she loved most were books and kids and voila, Booktopia was created!

The new store opened in 2003.  Today, Nina’s dream and inspiration is a wonderful little place for the kids in our town to dream, imagine and play and get a new treasure to take home with them.  If you have never been there before, consider stopping by on Saturday, April 16th from 2 – 5 PM.  As part of Bethesda’s Literary Festival, Booktopia will be holding a Children’s Book Author and Illustrator Day with visits from 6 popular authors/illustrators.  Get your book signed, ask questions about writing & publishing or hear your favorite author read their story.

By the way, the gift I selected for the 8-year-old boy, called “imaginets“ was a big hit!  I was shocked when he actually left the electronic game laying aside while he enjoyed building interesting creations with his new magnetic toy.  Thanks Booktopia!  ~Amy

Logo from Bethesda Magazine, A Festival Sponsor

Mark your calendars now for April 15th.  No, not just because good ole’ Uncle Sam will have his palm out awaiting your tax returns (and of course any payments that may be due) but this date also marks the beginning of the Bethesda Literary Festival. 

Beginning at 7 PM on April 15th and continuing on through Sunday the 17th at 2 PM, the Bethesda Literary Festival will offer over 20 events at various locations within our town.  The event was organized by Bethesda Urban Partnership, Inc. and highlights the works of journalists, authors, poets and essay contest winners.

Remember the essay and short story contest whose deadline was mentioned on Day 46 of Bethesda365?  The winners will be presented at the Hyatt Recency on Friday, the 15th at 7 PM at which time they will read their award-winning works. 

Kids stories on Sat. at the Library

On Saturday, events will begin at 9:30 AM and continue on until 8 PM at various locations around the city including the Bethesda Library, Barnes and Noble, Imagination Stage, The Writers Center and Waverly Gallery among others.  Many of Saturday’s events will include readings by well-known authors for children, teens and adults.  For a full list of events, authors, literary works and locations, visit the BUP website.  Plan your schedule as some of the events are running concurrently.

Sunday will mark the final day of the Festival.  One of the highlights is an Author’s Reception at 11 AM at Barnes and Noble as well as an opportunity to hear from Cokie Roberts, political commentator for ABC News and senior news analyst for National Public Radio and her husband Steve Roberts, a political analyst on ABC Radio and National Public Radio at 12:30 PM at the Hyatt Regency.  They will discuss their latest book, Our Haggadah: Uniting Traditions for Interfaith Families.  Check the BUP calendar for additional events of the day.

Here is a list of addresses for the various event locations:

Author Reception on Sat. at Barnes and Noble

Barnes and Noble, 4801 Bethesda Ave
Bethesda Library, 7400 Arlington Rd
Doubletree Bethesda, 8120 Wisconsin Ave
Hilton Garden Inn, 7301 Waverly St
Hyatt Regency Bethesda, 7400 Wisconsin Ave
Imagination Stage, 4908 Auburn Ave
Writer’s Center, 4508 Walsh St
Waverly Street Gallery, 4600 East-West Hwy

Bring your families and enjoy an opportunity to experience the arts through literature.  Meet the authors and hear about the inspiration for their work.  We are lucky to live in a city that appreciates and honors the lost art of writing.   ~Amy

White House Grounds and Garden Tour
Here’s your chance to get up close and personal with the first family’s flowers. The annual tour of the White House gardens takes place on Saturday 10am – 4pm and on Sunday 10am – 3pm. The Jacqueline Kennedy Garden, Rose Garden, Children’s Garden, and South Lawn will be on view to guests. The public is invited, but every visitor (small children included) needs a ticket to tour. Starting at 8am on both days, tickets will be distributed at the Ellipse Visitor Pavillion at 15th & E Streets NW on a first-come, first-served basis. Tour times are indicated on each ticket, so keep your day open if you hope to go.

Family Day: Earth Day Celebration at the Smithsonian American Art Museum
Earth Day is just around the corner, and the American Art Museum is starting its celebration early with a Family Day on Saturday that also marks the opening of the exhibition, “Running Fence.” From 11:30am – 3pm, there will be several hands-on activities for kids. They can make eco-friendly woven placemats, decorate tote bags, create fabric collages, and help build a community fence. Storytellers and performers will also be there to entertain. The museum is located at 8th and F Streets NW.

Brookside Gardens Earth Day Festival
Another early Earth Day celebration will be happening at Brookside Gardens on Sunday. The festival begins with a bird walk around the garden and continues with botanic-ish activities throughout the day. Kids can listen to a reading of Jack and the Beanstalk and plant a bean seed for their own garden, then participate (for a fee) in the “Grow it, Eat it, Salad Box” workshop. And the Children’s Garden is a must! A gnome hut, tree house, turtle pond, and stepping stones to a tea party are practically out of a fairy tale. A few Earth Day specials: Photo ops with the Brookside Gardens Frog, Earth Wish Flower crafts, and worm composting.

Junior Ranger Day at Rock Creek
Rock Creek Park is kicking off National Park Week with a day full of activities for kids that highlight nature, history, wildlife, and Native American culture. Explore the Horse Center, meet its staff, and learn about horses within the park. Tour Peirce Mill and hear stories about its history. Adopt a tree, make dolls out of corn husks, and learn to write with a quill pen. Visit the National Park Service website for times and recommended ages for each activity.

Bethesda Literary Festival
The 11th annual festival celebrating reading and writing begins Friday night and runs through the weekend. Both local and national authors, journalists, and poets will be there to present their works, lead discussions, and sign books. Other events include children’s storytimes, writing contests, and poetry slams. Admission is free. View the schedule for event times and locations.