DATE: Wednesday, August 20, 1997            TAG: 9708200458

SECTION: LOCAL                   PAGE: B2   EDITION: FINAL 

                                            LENGTH:  114 lines

HAMPTON ROADS [BRIEFS]

Police bike patrol

marks anniversary

at ceremony today

A first-anniversary birthday celebration will be held today in honor of the Red Sector police bicycle patrol, which serves the Military Highway area.

In just the past year, officials say, the Red Sector patrol has helped reduce crime in the zone by 12 percent. The 12-member patrol is being recognized for its contributions to improving safety in the Military Highway/Virginia Beach Boulevard corridor.

The presentation ceremony is being hosted by the Military Highway Alliance, a group formed in 1996 and made up of 260 business, civic and municipal participants.

The patrol moved last year to The Shoppes at Military Circle across from Morrison's Cafeteria. The move was made to reinforce the unit's presence within the community and add emphasis to safety. Bicycle patrols began in Norfolk in 1990.

The public is invited to join the celebration, which begins at 11:45 a.m. inside Military Circle Mall at the food court fountain.

VIRGINIA BEACH

Miss Philippine America

pageant to be this weekend

Ten Filipino women will vie for the crown and title of ``Miss Philippine America'' at the 13th annual Miss Philippines America pageant scheduled this weekend at the Oceanfront.

The contestants, ages 17 to 27, will be scored in the talent, interview and gown categories during the pageant, which begins at 7:30 p.m. Saturday at the Pavilion on 19th Street. The women earned the right to compete by winning competitions in their home states or cities, said Dr. Manny Hipol, the pageant's executive chairman.

``It's been a tradition here for 13 years,'' said Hipol. ``It's a big event for the community, and we're attracting contestants from all over.''

Contestants hail from Texas, Pennsylvania, California and even Canada, Hipol said.

Marlyn Obsuna, a 17-year-old Maury High School student, is the only local competitor in the pageant. Obsuna was named runner-up in the Miss Philippine Virginia competition.

Last year's pageant winner, Texan Vanessa Pearson, will be on hand to relinquish the crown to the 1997 winner.

The winner also receives a $1,000 scholarship and a round-trip ticket to the Philippines.

Tickets to the event are $10 prior to the show and $12 at the door.

Tickets are available by calling 499-6395.

Beach party will benefit

local homeless shelter

The Virginia Beach Restaurant Association is sponsoring a beach party Sunday evening to raise funds for the Judeo-Christian Outreach Center.

Called ``Sunset Blue at the Beach,'' the event will be held from 5 to 9 p.m. at the Duck-In on Shore Drive.

Entertainment will include blues music from local artists such as William Gilliam, the self-professed local ``godfather of the blues.''

Restaurant association members are donating the food, which will include beach party fare such as chicken and pork barbecue.

Admission is $35 a couple and $20 for singles. Most of the donations will go to the Judeo-Christian homeless shelter on 17th Street, said Flo McDaniel, spokeswoman for the association. A portion of the proceeds will go to the association. Chesapeake

Wetlands board won't

address cargo terminal

The Chesapeake Wetlands Board will meet at 7 p.m. today in the fourth-floor training room at the Chesapeake municipal center. The board will discuss three residential building projects.

The board will not address a proposed cargo terminal, as previously scheduled. The cargo terminal's developer, Environmental Solutions Inc., has withdrawn indefinitely its application to the wetlands board, said John T. King, environmental coordinator for the department of inspections. The terminal would import trash on the banks of the Elizabeth River.

Environmental Solutions will resubmit its application after modifying its proposal to protect the environment, King said. Suffolk

Gospel step team, gifts

all part of free fun day

Feeling hot? Get cool at the Cypress Pool in Hollywood.

The Parker Riddick and Cypress Manor Resident Council Association is sponsoring a free fun day and picnic at the Cypress Pool on Saturday between noon and 4 p.m. Neighborhood children are welcome to sign up, although permission slips from parents are required.

A gospel step team will appear at the picnic, along with a supporting cast of hot dogs, sodas, and back-to-school gift bags. Basketball courts will also be open.

Shuttle buses and vans will run from Parker Riddick and Cypress Manor to the pool. For more information, contact Barbara Jones at 934-3296.

COMING UP THURSDAY

Norfolk - Norfolk Airport Authority, in conjunction with the United Way of Hampton Roads, is sponsoring an Agency Fair from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Norfolk International Airport in the main terminal, lobby level, second floor. The fair will explain how United Way funds have helped the community.

Portsmouth - The kickoff luncheon for the Portsmouth United Way fund-raising campaign is set for 12:30 p.m. at the Holiday Inn-Portside. Portsmouth Police Lt. Frank Spady will talk about how United Way agencies helped his family when his daughter was in an accident. The luncheon is hosted annually by the Portsmouth Kiwanis and Rotary clubs. MEMO: Staff writers Louis Hansen, Liz Szabo, Bill Reed and Lori Denney

and The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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