THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, November 5, 1995 TAG: 9511030163
SECTION: VIRGINIA BEACH BEACON PAGE: 03 EDITION: FINAL
LENGTH: Long : 126 lines
Thursday, Oct. 26
7:35 p.m. - A classroom at Sentara Leigh Hospital.
A nurse educator is talking to several anxious expectant couples about pain relief in labor. She goes over intravenous medications such as Nubain and then launches into a detailed, graphic description of epidurals and spinals. An illustration showing a large needle entering a woman's spinal column is passed around to the couples. One of the men, visibly disturbed, sits back and shakes his head.
``I don't think so,'' he whispers to his wife. ``I couldn't take seeing that.''
The nurse then asks each of the labor coaches what he hopes to do for his wife during labor and delivery.
``Stay positive,'' says one.
``Help her focus on her breathing,'' says another.
``Bring her ice chips and cool washcloths,'' says a third.
The man who had become queasy about the epidural smiles apologetically.
``Stay conscious,'' he says.
- Pam Starr
Friday, Oct. 27
1 p.m. - A Pembroke area business.
A woman enters an office carrying a wrapped sandwich she just purchased from a restaurant in Pembroke Mall.
Just as she's sitting down to eat, she lets out a loud ``Oh no!''
As co-workers look up inquiringly, she says sheepishly, ``I forgot that I drove to the mall today. After I picked up my sandwich, I walked back to the office.
``My car is still over there!''
- Melinda Forbes
Saturday, Oct. 28
5:25 p.m. - A grocery store on Independence Boulevard.
A man and a woman are checking out the assorted fruits in the produce section of the store.
``How do you know which ones are good?'' says the woman, as she looks over a mound of white and red grapes.
``You taste one,'' answers the man.
``You aren't allowed to do that!'' says the woman, appearing horrified at the suggestion.
Then, another customer offers advice.
``Hon, that's really the only way to tell if the grapes are sweet. You have to taste one,'' says the older woman, as she grabs a round white grape and pops it into her mouth.
- Lori A. Denney
Tuesday, Oct. 31
9:30 a.m. - Providence Road Family Practice.
T he office is teeming with folks on this Halloween morn.
A nurse, dressed in a gray-and-white puppy outfit is talking to a patient. ``So, tell me,'' says the patient, asking about the physician, ``Is he posing as a doctor today?''
``No,'' the nurse says, laughing. ``But, I've got to warn you, he's wearing a hula skirt.''
Just then the doctor appears wearing a long shaggy black wig, half-shell coconuts connected by twine for a top and a full grass skirt around his waist.
``Very cool,'' says the patient.
- Lori A. Denney
6:30 p.m. - Windsor Woods.
T he night is dark and spooky, perfect for trick-or-treaters seeking sweets.
One little girl, dressed as a princess ballerina, with a bright sequined purple tutu and accompanying gold crown, is somewhat timid about accepting candy from strangers.
``Go ahead, honey,'' says a woman, offering the little one a peek at a whole basketful of candy. ``Take one.''
At her parents urging, the little girl reaches out and claims a miniature candy bar.
``Here, have another one,'' the woman says.
The little girl reaches out and claims yet another piece of candy to add to her cache.
``Bye bye, sweetie. Have a safe Halloween,'' says the woman as she begins to close the door.
``MORE!'' yells the little girl as she realizes the basket of candy is disappearing along with the nice lady behind the closed door.
- Lori A. Denney
7:50 p.m. - The Villas of Glenwood.
A couple is watching television in their living room when their front door opens suddenly. Alarmed, they look at each other and the husband jumps out of the chair and runs to the door. A tiny Barney and Batman enter the condo with their grandmother, the couple's friend.
``Trick or treat,'' they say, holding open their bags as they walk around the condo. The man throws in a few candy bars but that's not enough for the two youngsters. Batman finds a box of pretzel sticks on an end table and takes one out.
``Can I have a pretzel?'' he asks, as Barney helps himself to one as well.
``Sure,'' says the wife with a laugh.
They walk around the living room, sucking on the pretzels and checking out the tables for more food, pausing to watch the television screen. Their grandmother rolls her eyes at their antics.
``I'm sorry, they just like to make themselves at home,'' she says.
- Pam Starr
Wednesday, Nov. 1
9:30 a.m. - The newspaper office.
A caller wants to report a case of stupidity among adults.
``You know how you publish those safety tips for kids on Halloween - to wear reflective clothing, carry a flashlight, stay out of the street . . . '' Beverly Pinkerman says.
Maybe there should be safety tips for careless grown-ups, she suggests.
Specifically, out in Salem Village where she says a homeowner had flaming tiki torches near his front door where children were trick-or-treating. To make matters worse, she says, he was spraying something from an aerosol can into the flames to make them flare up.
``I hate to think what could have happened with all those kids around with costumes and wigs and stuff on,'' Pinkerman says.
- Melinda Forbes ILLUSTRATION: All fixed up for the holidays
Staff photo by STEVE EARLEY
Sears at Pembroke Mall is undergoing a face lift inside and out as
part of the new look for Sears' stores nationwide. The inside is
done, and they hope to compete the exterior by Thanksgiving. The new
outdoor look includes adding a stucco-like material and painting the
reddish orange bricks to give the exterior a two-tone beige look.
Sears is celebrating its ``grand reopening'' this weekend.
by CNB