THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, February 26, 1995 TAG: 9502240153
SECTION: VIRGINIA BEACH BEACON PAGE: 03 EDITION: FINAL
LENGTH: Long : 156 lines
Saturday, Feb. 11
10 p.m. - An apartment in Harbor Club.
A male dancer is entertaining Jen, who is celebrating her 21st birthday.
While a room full of females drools over the sexy, tan hunk, one young lady is heard above all the ``oohs'' and ``ahhs.''
``Hey Angie,'' she shouts to the party planner. ``Don't forget my birthday!''
- Holly Wester
Sunday, Feb. 12
2 p.m. - Kempsville Recreation Center.
``Chicken? What do you mean chicken?'' Eying the newly painted mural, the would-be artist says, ``It's a duck. A duck.''
Then she laughs and adds, ``Well, at least you know it's a bird.''
Another woman paints and talks alongside her. Both are participants in the Very Special Arts Festival, an event that combines creative activities for disabled persons and non-disabled persons. The afternoon is a gala of country dancing, singing, bell choirs, sculpture and more.
To a background of ``Achy Breaky Heart'' that leaks through the partly open door, the artists paint, talk, scrutinize, change colors and talk some more.
``We get a lot from people who aren't disabled,'' the duck painter answers. ``We learn to make a mural, to line dance. They even drive us here.''
Then the other asks, ``But what can I get from someone who's disabled?''
The painting stops. The other one looks somewhere beyond the wall of birds and valentines and flowers. After what seems too long, she answers.
``Friendship. I can give you my friendship.''
- Marlene Ford
Monday, Feb. 13
2 p.m. - Mail/fax/copy business.
Three women standing in line, waiting to send off packages and letters, exchange stories to pass the time.
One young woman tells of her troubles with her male roommate.
A blond woman, making copies behind the counter, offers the perfect ``irk-your-roommate'' solution.
``My boyfriend used to always leave his shoes by the door, and I fell over them everytime I came in the house,'' she says.
``One night, when he was out, I put his shoes under his pillow. He came home drunk, hit the bed and his head felt those shoes. He never left them by the door again.''
- Holly Wester
3:10 p.m. - Parking lot at Dam Neck.
Rather than bashing the country's current political state, a red truck takes the subtle approach. Its red, white and blue bumper sticker reads: Is it 1996 yet?
- Holly Wester
3:40 p.m. - At a local tax service.
It's Girl Scout cookie time and a proud mom is collecting for her daughter's sales.
A co-worker says she has some cash in the back, but wonders if she could snatch a few cookies now.
The receptionist, however, doesn't think that's such a good idea. ``You can't take them if you don't have your money,'' she says. ``The Girl Scouts are ruthless, you know.''
- Holly Wester
Tuesday, Feb. 14
3:15 p.m. - City Council Chambers.
Councilmen John D. Moss and Robert K. Dean are having fun sparring about taxes and what kind is the right kind. It's your typical informal chat that often happens in between agenda items - that is until the tone gets a little strange.
``I think we should have a carbon tax,'' says Moss with open cynicism because he is known to abhor government in general and most taxes in particular.
``Yeah, well I've been to your house when your wife was cooking and there was plenty of carbon there,'' chirps Dean.
An audible groan erupts from council and the handful of people in the audience.
``Oh my God,'' says one observer. ``Did you hear that?''
``Yeah,'' says another.
``What could he be thinking?''
- Tom Holden
6:22 p.m. - Intersection of Bonney Road and Independence Boulevard.
A bumper sticker puts a national controversy into perspective: As long as there are tests, there will be prayer in schools.
- Lorraine Eaton
Saturday, Feb. 18
9:45 a.m. - Mount Trashmore YMCA.
The aerobic instructor asks if anyone is new to a step class.
Someone in the back raises a tentative hand. ``Well, just follow along as best you can. If you can't, just keep moving. And if you get frustrated; just do it on the floor.''
- Carole O'Keeffe
12:45 p.m. - Lynnhaven Parkway.
The lunch crowd has hit Chi Chi's. Over to the side in the restaurant's main dining room sits a young couple, a baby in a travel seat sandwiched between them.
The youngster coos and laughs happily during the ordering and the first round of drinks and chips. But by the time the burritos arrive, he lets loose a wail.
Mom picks him up and pats him, eating with her free hand. He screams louder. Dad takes over and finally leaves Mom to eat alone and carries his red-faced baby out of the dining room.
They both come back a few minutes later. The baby's still hollering, arms and legs churning the air. Dad hands him to Mom, she slips Junior under her sweater and quiet settles over the table as all three work on lunch.
- Krys Stefansky
Sunday, Feb. 19
10 a.m. - Farm Fresh parking lot, Great Neck Road.
A woman trots her shopping cart over to the nearest cart corral and swings around to start back to her car.
``You walk pretty good to be disabled,'' a burly man stops to grunt at her.
She half smiles and asks, ``What?''
``Your car's in a disabled parking spot. You walk pretty good to be disabled,'' he repeats and stomps away.
``Well, my mom. I just helped her in. See, I've got a special parking card,''
She adds quietly, ``But thanks for your vigilance.''
- Marlene Ford
Tuesday, Feb. 21
8:05 a.m. - Seatack Elementary.
Sitting in the back seat of a silver car in the teachers' parking lot are a floppy-eared brown bunny and a fluffy white teddy bear snuggled together and safely secured by a seat belt.
- Jo Mossman
Wednesday, Feb. 22
11 a.m. - Rudee Inlet.
Linkhorn Park Elementary and Ocean Lakes High students get a bonus on a Virginia Marine Science Museum whale watching trip. In addition to seeing humpback and fin whales, the students also see a harbor seal.
The seal is up out of the water and sunning itself on the cement at the Virginia Beach Fishing Center at Rudee Inlet. Museum staff is keeping an eye on the visitor. They say the seal looks a little thin but otherwise healthy.
- Mary Reid Barrow ILLUSTRATION: Showing off new duds
Staff photo by D. KEVIN ELLIOTT
The Cox High School Marching Band presented a Presidents Day Thank
You Parade Monday morning. The band members marched in their new
uniforms at the Great Neck Shopping Center. The parade was the band
members' way of showing appreciation for all the community support
they received during the past year while raising money for new
uniforms.
by CNB