Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, October 14, 1993 TAG: 9310140260
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C-1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: Ray Reed
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
A: As in previous years when Halloween fell on Sunday, many localities have designated Saturday, Oct. 30, for masked marauders to bag a month's supply of candy - which usually lasts about three days.
Among the localities to agree on Saturday trick-or-treats are Roanoke, Vinton, Roanoke County, Radford, Pulaski (town and county) and Dublin.
Others are sticking with Sunday night. These include Bedford County, Franklin County, Rocky Mount, Montgomery County, Blacksburg and Christiansburg. Blacksburg's council might consider the Saturday-night option later.
Salem is going with Sunday night so far, but council could discuss a change Oct. 25 if the members wish.
The Saturday-Sunday split could be a bonanza for goblins with a really sweet tooth and enough mobility to haunt more than one community.
Golf-parking jam
Q: During the recent charity golf tournament at Hunting Hills, the guest professional, Fuzzy Zoeller, gave a 30-minute demonstration of hitting the ball. He's so popular that about 1,000 people showed up and there was a huge parking problem. I parked on a street where there weren't any traffic cones. They asked people to move their cars, and some of us left our seats to comply. The exhibition was over when we got back. Why couldn't county police do a better job of marking the road? S.B., Roanoke
A: Many more cars showed up than expected, and some were left in not only illegal but dangerous locations, potentially blocking emergency vehicles.
That's the summary from Roanoke County Police Lt. Stephen Turner.
Police knew from experience there would be a problem with parking on side streets, Turner said, and they tried to see that cars were parked legally. So many cars came suddenly that they started parking everywhere, Turner said. There were too few police personnel to oversee all the streets.
Many drivers ignored the announcement asking them to move their cars, but the event's brevity soon took care of the congestion.
You and Turner had the same suggestion: Things might run smoother at such popular events if the overflow vehicles parked off-site, with shuttle service provided.
It's not outcome-based
Q: I know Virginia has stopped pushing outcome-based education, but I understand some elementary schools in Bedford County are pushing for multi-age classrooms and combining curriculums. It almost sounds like outcome-based education. Will Bedford be able to follow through on this? W.T., Stewartsville
A: Bedford County never considered outcome-based education - and will not - because the state has ruled it out, Superintendent John Kent said.
He also said there are no multi-age classrooms in Stewartsville or that area. The schools use an ungraded primary system, in which pupils advance as they learn skills at their own rate.
Youngsters in the 6-year age group stay in the same classroom all day. Seven- and 8-year-olds also have their own classrooms.
Got a question about something that might affect other people too? Something you've come across and wondered about? Give us a call at 981-3118. Maybe we can find the answer.
by CNB