THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, December 8, 1994 TAG: 9412060177
SECTION: NORFOLK COMPASS PAGE: 12 EDITION: FINAL
COLUMN: ON THE TOWN
SOURCE: SAM MARTINETTE
LENGTH: Medium: 75 lines
If you are a procrastinator like me, by now you're starting to wonder when you'll get a chance to do some quick holiday shopping.
Even if you can find a parking space at any of the area shopping emporiums, the merchandise may have been pretty well picked over by this time. After all, the serious shoppers started the day after Thanksgiving.
You might want to consider as a gift the Entertainment '95 book, which is being sold by a number of religious and fraternal organizations, as well as retail shops, to benefit area non-profit organizations. There are hundreds of restaurants, fast-food eateries and other entertainment-related businesses represented in the book, which covers all of Hampton Roads, including Williamsburg, and includes some businesses in the Outer Banks, Richmond and the D.C. area.
The book costs $35 if you buy it from a business or group that is selling it to benefit a worthy cause, $40 if you buy it from a retail shop that handles it as straight merchandise. In it you'll find discount coupons for everything from a free trip to the salad bar (with the purchase of a second salad bar) at Pizza Hut, to a complimentary dinner cruise (Sunday through Thursday) on the Spirit of Norfolk (with the purchase of a second cruise).
In its 34th year, the book is published in 120 cities in the United States, and in Canada, Europe and Israel, according to Cathy Beale, district manager of Entertainment Publications Inc. in Virginia Beach.
``This year we expect to return close to $30 million nationally to non-profit organizations, and $330,000 locally,'' Beale said.
This is how it works: If you buy the book from the offices of North Shore Pediatrics on West Little Creek Road, part of the proceeds will go to benefit St. Mary's Infant Home. If you purchase one at the Colley Pharmacy in Ghent, some money will go to the B'nai B'rith Women. Part of the proceeds from sales through the Jackson-Hewitt Tax Service at Wards Corner is earmarked for the Cancer Fund.
You can find the book in the gift shop at the Children's Hospital of The King's Daughters, and the Norfolk SPCA will benefit from books sold also, so call them directly.
``A minimum of 20 percent of the sales price is returned to the organization,'' Beale explained, ``plus they have complimentary books, some of which they sell and get bonuses based on sales.''
That means at least $7 from every book sold is forwarded to the non-profit organization earmarked to receive it, if the book is not a straight retail sale.
``Our company does fine, there's no question about that, but it's also rewarding to see so many worthy organizations benefit,'' Beale said.
Those who use the book will benefit also if they plan to try one of the many dozens of Norfolk eateries represented in the book, from little favorite places of mine like the Bavarian Inn or Robertson's Bar-B-Que, to upscale dining spots like the Riverwalk at Omni or Nawab Indian Cuisine. The book contains a card that you present at a fine dining establishment, much like a credit card, rather than a coupon. There are travel discounts (for items like hotel rooms and airline tickets), discounts on movie and theater tickets and other goodies as well.
Some other spots that are carrying the book to benefit a local non-profit organization: the Jessie Williams gift shops at Wards Corner and in Ghent to benefit CANDII House, Mitchell's Formal Wear at Military Circle to benefit the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, Pak Mail on West 21st Street to benefit the Youth Boxing Association, area K-Mart and Rite Aid Pharmacy stores to benefit Children's Hospital, and Sue Adler's at Wards Corner to benefit the Jewish Family Center.
The books also are being sold by the Ghent United Methodist Church Men's Club, the German Club and the Lower School of Norfolk Collegiate School, at Holy Trinity School in Ocean View, at Norfolk Christian High School and at many other locations. For information on the book or to get your organization involved, call 473-8668.
Happy Holidays and safe shopping. by CNB