DATE: Wednesday, March 5, 1997              TAG: 9703050658

SECTION: LOCAL                   PAGE: B3   EDITION: FINAL 

TYPE: PUBLIC LIFE

                                            LENGTH:   41 lines

UPCOMING

The council tonight will revisit the city's real-estate tax rate. Rising assessments have resulted in what is equivalent to a general tax increase. Under state law, the council has to vote to approve that increase or homeowners' taxes will automatically drop by an average of a few pennies a year. During the afternoon work session, the council will review a proposed $59 million capital spending plan. VIRGINIA BEACH

A grass-roots partnership called PEACE Keepers will launch a neighborhood-based violence-prevention program Saturday, 9 p.m. to midnight, at the YMCA at 4441 South Blvd., near Mount Trashmore.

Participants will be divided into teams for non-violent problem solving. There also will be pizza and sports.

The full program, March 26 through May 22, will include training for adults and weekly meetings and sports for teens.

``The goals of the program are to teach three skills: resolving conflict, anger management and awareness of the facts and myths about violence,'' said Annette Jones, a clinical psychologist who will train the adults.

The program is needed because of increasing neighborhood concerns about violence, said Tim McCarthy, director of the Family Counseling Center in Virginia Beach and one of the leaders of PEACE Keepers. Other partners include the YMCA, several churches and neighborhoods.

PEACE Keepers wants to offer the program to any neighborhood in Hampton Roads. Call Jones to send an observer on Saturday or to join future sessions, 498-1135.

By Mike Knepler ILLUSTRATION: [Photo]

Jones

Send Suggestions or Comments to webmaster@scholar.lib.vt.edu