THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, August 6, 1995 TAG: 9508040177
SECTION: VIRGINIA BEACH BEACON PAGE: 03 EDITION: FINAL
LENGTH: Long : 156 lines
Wednesday, July 19
Noon - Twin B Auto Store.
The temperature is searing when the woman walks out of her office to find her rear view mirror on the front seat of her Chrysler LeBaron.
She drives to the closest auto parts store and asks for glue. The man behind the counter laughs and says, ``Boy, we've had a run on this glue today. We're practically sold out.'' The heat inside cars is causing the mirrors to drop right off the windshields.
Also, he adds: ``Don't follow the step that says to leave it on for 15 minutes and re-attach the mirror. Put the glue on at night and let it set for 24 hours, in a dark cool place if you can find one.''
- Alexis Smith
8:30 p.m. - A house in Windsor Woods.
With a hiss and a small pop, yet another air conditioner bites the dust after trying to keep up with two weeks of scorching temperatures.
After hours of stifling heat, the occupants finally see the answer to their prayers pull into the driveway - it's the heating and air man and he's promptly led to the thermostat.
``Bet you guys have been busy,'' comments the homeowner.
``Yeah,'' answers the worker. ``It sure has been hot.''
``You got A/C in your truck?'' the owner asks.
``No,'' says the man, wiping his brow. ``It's broke. They promised to fix it but . . .''
- Lori A. Denney
Friday, July 28
8 p.m. - Bubba's Crabhouse & Seafood Restaurant.
A young couple and a boy who looks to be about 10 add their names to the list of folks waiting to dine at an outside table.
They spot an empty bar stool and kindly ask a gentleman nearby to move down one so that at least two of the three can sit together.
``Sure,'' he slurs as he slides over one stool.
The young boy hops up and turns to talk to his mom.
The man, who is in dirty shorts and a dingy T-shirt, notices the boy for the first time and taps him on the shoulder.
``You know,'' says the man, who, although sipping on a Sprite, is obviously very drunk, ``drinking and driving ain't cool.
``You see, that's why I got my keys right here. I ain't going NO WHERE,'' he announces to the other bar patrons. ``I got a little fella like you and I wanna be there.''
- Lori A. Denney
Saturday, July 29
1:56 p.m. - Gasoline station, corner of Lynnhaven Parkway and Princess Anne Road.
A minivan driven by a clown in full clown makeup and costume circles the attendant's booth.
``I get nervous when a clown pulls up,'' says the attendant, as if it is an everyday event. She explains that if she were going to rob a place, she'd wear a clown disguise.
The clown in question, who's only looking for directions, laughs when told this.
Then she tells her own story of a clown colleague who, dressed for a clown job, had to stop in a bank. There she was confronted by shotgun-wielding police officers. It turns out that someone dressed as a clown had just robbed a business up the street.
Now, she says, her group of professional clowns carry clown identification cards to prove they're really clowns. And not just clowning around.
- Matthew Bowers
2:10 p.m. - Hills Department Store on Virginia Beach Boulevard.
It's the grand opening of the new Hills in the old HQ building. Inside, throngs of shoppers are checking out the merchandise.
One couple is browsing through the toy department when they come across shelves upon shelves of Barbie dolls, furniture, cars and accessories. The woman, who looks more than 6 feet tall, inspects the perfectly formed dolls.
``Hmm, I wonder if they have Extra Tall Barbie,'' she muses. ``That would have been a help growing up.''
Just then there's a commotion at the front of the toy department. A stunning woman with long, bleached blond hair and a deep tan is holding court at a table, surrounded by young admirers and their parents. She's in a floor length fluffy pink dress and a sparkling tiara sits on her head.
``It's Barbie!'' one girl shrieks. ``Hi, Barbie!''
Sure enough, Barbie is signing autographs and having her picture taken to celebrate the grand opening.
- Pam Starr
Sunday, July 30
5:30 p.m. - Baja Restaurant in Sandbridge.
Most patrons, busy sipping beer, aren't paying attention as the band Hot Cakes sets up speakers and instruments.
Suddenly, one of the band members spins around and smacks a customer in the back of the head with a guitar case.
While the man rubs his head and the musician apologizes, others at the table laugh and yell ``Call a lawyer, call a lawyer.''
- David B. Hollingsworth
Tuesday, Aug. 1
6:35 p.m. - A restaurant on Holland Road.
Several expectant parents are sitting in a sectioned-off room in a steakhouse listening to a salesman pitch his company's baby products.
The couples were sent coupons in the mail informing them they could have a free dinner and a basket of baby goodies for coming to the presentation.
But the room is stuffy and some of the moms-to-be look uncomfortable as the salesman goes on and on about his company's highchairs. Finally, he stops and asks if there are any questions. One woman raises her hand.
``How long is this going to last?'' she asks bluntly.
``Roughly two hours,'' the man replies. ``Any other questions?''
The same woman raises her hand.
``When do we get to eat?'' she asks, as the other couples laugh.
The salesman smiles thinly.
``Your dinners have been ordered and will be out shortly,'' he says.
The woman sits back and looks at her husband.
``I'm starved,'' she whispers. ``I didn't know we had to sit through this first. I don't think I can last any longer.''
Her husband nods. ``Me, neither,'' he says. ``Let's go.''
Ignoring the stares, the couple rises from the booth and quickly exits.
- Pam Starr
7 p.m. - North End.
The beach is busy. Families linger in the cool breezes reluctant to return to the city heat. Others, home from work, arrive with children, dogs, fishing rods and cool drinks.
The tide is low and the beach is wide and flat beyond a steep shoulder of sand at the high tide mark. Children freely run and splash in the water, safe in the shoals. Surfers and body surfers ride the long waves that ripple over the shallows.
Pelicans and terns fly overhead searching for a meal. A big flock of sanderlings runs up and down the beach searching for food. Disturbed by a beachcomber, they all fly in unison out over the water just skimming the waves, glinting in the setting sun.
``They look like they're made of silver,'' says one neighbor to another.
``I forget every year,'' the other responds, ``how beautiful the August and September beach is.''
- Mary Reid Barrow ILLUSTRATION: Staff photo by D. KEVIN ELLIOTT
The queen has a day
Mayor Meyera Oberndorf announced it was Amber Medlin Day Tuesday
at the City Council meeting. She also gave Medlin a loving cup with
the city seal enscribed on it.
Medlin, alluding to the recent controversy surrounding the Miss
Virginia pageant, said, ``I know this is an interesting way to be
crowned Miss Virginia. ``I hope to turn this controversy right
around and make the State of Virginia very proud of me.''
Later, as she walked to the elevator with her parents, Medlin
scanned the proclamation, which was enclosed in a handsome blue
folder. ``Look,'' she said, showing her mother and father. ``It says
today is Amber Medlin Day!''
- Bill Reed
by CNB