Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: WEDNESDAY, March 13, 1991                   TAG: 9103130065
SECTION: CURRENT                    PAGE: NRV-1   EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY 
SOURCE: KIM SUNDERLAND/ NEW RIVER VALLEY BUREAU
DATELINE: BLACKSBURG                                LENGTH: Medium

A DEAL ON A DATE BENEFITS CANCER SOCIETY

There will be some unbelievable deals Friday at the fourth annual Bid for Bachelors when about 20 beefy, bulky, graying, wealthy, sexy and average specimens of the male gender - all decked out in tuxes - parade themselves on the auction block.

But this isn't for their personal gain. The money you pay for a date with the guy of your dreams - or nightmare - goes to the American Cancer Society.

And, better yet, he's got to make it worth your hard-earned cash by offering a date package. So, hey, if he doesn't look that good, don't worry. He still might be worth something.

Like their physiques, the bachelors' date packages will vary. Bidders can choose from waterskiing at Smith Mountain Lake or in Cancun, dining at Pargo's or the Chateau Morrisette Winery, or a jaunt to a comedy club or the symphony in Roanoke.

And here's some advice: Don't hold back, ladies. This is your choice. Above all, don't be shy.

In their auction surveys, most of the bachelors have indicated they look for "outgoing, humorous and fun" personalities in women.

"I don't really have any expectations," said Rick Richardson of Christiansburg, at 52 the oldest eligible bachelor. "Whoever bids the highest could be somebody that for at least one night we could have some fun.

"I'm not looking for the love of my life," he added.

Yeah, sure.

Jimmy Gianopoulos, a Blacksburg accountant, is the youngest bachelor at 26. He likes women with defined calves. However, he says he likes meeting all kinds of people.

"I'm just looking forward to going out and having a good time," he said from his office at Litton Poly-Scientific.

Other bachelors said they desire someone who feels comfortable wearing an evening dress or jeans. And they want a woman who is physically fit, smiles easily and likes to take long midnight strolls.

But who cares what they want? Who's got the money here, anyhow? OK, maybe the men are donating something to this cause, too, but it takes two to tango.

Luckily, all the bachelors hold down respectable jobs. There's a dentist, a football coach, a town official, a real estate agent and a doctor.

And for those of you with varying degrees of fantastical day-dreaming, you might want to choose between a campus minister or a salesman.

Into aerobics? So are some of these males.

And take advantage of the fact that these guys will be nervous.

"I don't know what to expect!" said Gianopoulos. "I know my face is going to be a little red."

Last year's event raised $5,300 for the cancer society. The average bid was $100 to $200, and every man sold his date package.

So call your girlfriends, rent a bus and head on out to the auction Friday at the Holiday Inn in Blacksburg. Doors open at 7 p.m., and bidding starts at 8 p.m.

There's even a social hour to chat with your prospective choice(s).

Tickets, $7 in advance and $10 at the door, are available at the New River Valley Mall, from the Radford and Montgomery County Unit of the American Cancer Society or from the participating bachelors.

And if you don't want to use your own money, seek a donation from a business or corporation that can be used to purchase date packages.

Or you don't even have to bid. Just come on out for the fun of it. Maybe money can't always buy a good time, but Friday night you can at least rent it.