The Virginian-Pilot
                             THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT 

              Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.



DATE: Sunday, October 29, 1995               TAG: 9510270208

SECTION: VIRGINIA BEACH BEACON    PAGE: 03   EDITION: FINAL 

                                             LENGTH: Long  :  126 lines


SEVEN DAYS: SLICES OF VIRGINIA BEACH

Friday, Oct. 13

12:30 p.m. - A Beach high school.

Two English teachers are talking.

``Watch out for that one,'' says the shorter teacher pointing to a student in baggy blue pants. ``There was one time when he . . . '' she whispers in the taller teacher's ear.

``What about that one?'' asks the taller teacher.

``He's just like Jermainne,'' the shorter one answers. ``Now that one . . . ''

- Michelle Mizal

Thursday, Oct. 19

12:20 p.m. - Virginia Wesleyan College.

A group of students watches a video from the 1980s titled ``Stale Roles and Tight Buns'' about the influence of advertising.

An old Dingo boots advertisement is featured and students are surprised by the attached message. Laughter fills the classroom when the narrator says, ``Next time you're shopping for shoes, you'll think twice about what kind of boots to buy,'' as a picture of O.J. Simpson flashes on the screen.

- Holly Wester

Saturday, Oct. 21

3 p.m. - 17th Street Park at the Oceanfront.

U nder a blue sky streaked with clouds, the strains of string music waft out to strollers and bicyclists on the Boardwalk. It attracts clusters of people licking ice cream cones and slurping milk shakes purchased from a nearby Dairy Queen.

Quiet and curious, the crowd moves closer to watch the proceedings on a grassy area in front of the stage.

There, moving slowly down an aisle formed by several rows of occupied folding chairs, is a smiling bride, with veil and flowing white gown, clutching the arm of her smiling father.

The two walk toward the groom, who waits solemnly in front of a raised platform occupied by a minister. Flanking the platform are a handful of groomsmen and bridesmaids.

The music stops and the minister begins the ceremony. ``Dearly beloved,'' he intones and onlookers continue licking their cones.

Beyond the Boardwalk, a scattering of bathers splash in the surf, oblivious to the wedding rites in progress.

- Bill Reed

Sunday, Oct. 22

6:45 p.m. - Virginia Beach.

T hree friends compare wild childhood and teenage experiences, but it's the lone fellow in the group who has the best story of all.

He explains how he got stabbed at work seven years ago, during a robbery attempt at a Chesapeake grocery store.

``Yeah, it was pretty bad,'' he says of the incident, which left a scar on his leg.

``But I did get bagger of the month.''

- Holly Wester

Monday, Oct. 23

12:30 p.m. - Virginia Wesleyan College.

B ill Ruehlmann, associate professor of communications/journalism, proudly wears a sassy message on his green sweater vest. His black and white button reads: TRUST ME; I'M A DOCTOR.

- Holly Wester

6:01 p.m. - Aboard the Miss Kicks, trolling beside the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel.

T he four fisherman onboard Princess Anne Inn owner Dawson Sterling's boat are in search of striped bass.

But the winds have kicked up the Bay waters and there's nothing much biting.

However, there is plenty to see as the sun begins to set. A pair of tall sailing ships glide by, followed by the Fugi blimp heading south to the Norfolk International Airport.

Suddenly there's a lot more to see.

``Look. It's the rocket,'' shouts Sterling from the helm.

Screaming into the northern sky is the just launched Conestoga rocket.

Within seconds there's a strange puff of smoke followed by several smoke trails going in different directions.

``Must be the second booster kicking in,'' Sterling says to his fishing companions.

But this rocket appears to be heading down, not up and the boaters wonder what's happening.

One angler doesn't want to speculate. He reaches for his cellular phone and calls the local newspaper to confirm the rocket did flop and that he and his friends, although fishless, are being treated to a $20 million fireworks show.

- Lee Tolliver

Tuesday, Oct. 24

8:25 a.m. - Independence Boulevard.

A bumper sticker stuck on the back of a two-tone blue Chevrolet van reads, ``Don't wash this vehicle. Dirt test in progress.''

- Lori A. Denney

12:30 p.m. - The site of the new city amphitheater.

I t is a perfect fall afternoon. A group of dignitaries has assembled near the construction of the Virginia Beach amphitheater to dedicate the site and publicly declare that the project is right on schedule even though the area looks more like a mud pile than anything else.

Several speeches are planned but the one at hand is one by W.W. ``Bill'' Harrison, the Lynnhaven Borough councilman. He is talking about what a wonderful amphitheater the city will have, how it will be world class and something that the entire community can take pride in having.

In the distance, a Navy jet appears as a black spot in the sky, then looms large before its engines drown out Harrison.

The humor is not lost on anyone. If a man speaking to a small, attentive audience cannot be heard on a quiet afternoon, what might happen if the Virginia Symphony were playing at the amphitheater and a squadron of jets flies overhead?

- Tom Holden

4:25 p.m. - Lynnhaven Parkway and Virginia Beach Boulevard.

A gray Chevy Nova sports this bumper sticker. ``There are only two types of ships: Submarines and targets.''

- Charlie Meads ILLUSTRATION: Staff file photo by\ DAVID B. HOLLINGSWORTH

Better late than dead

At the site dedication Tuesday for the city's new amphitheater,

Elvis impersonator Bob Glass missed his cue when Virginia Beach City

Councilman W.W. ``Bill'' Harrison addressed the crowd, saying he

wondered if Elvis would have played here if he were still alive.

After Harrison ad-libbed for a minute or so, the limo carrying ``The

King'' finally pulled up. When he did speak, Elvis assured the

audience that he'd be glad to perform there.

by CNB