THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, January 14, 1996 TAG: 9601120167
SECTION: VIRGINIA BEACH BEACON PAGE: 03 EDITION: FINAL
LENGTH: Long : 123 lines
Wednesday, Jan. 3
6:10 p.m. - Hilltop.
After attending their weekly Weight Watchers meeting, three members walk to their cars and talk football.
One of the two women in the trio makes a remark about the lone man's Florida Gators jacket - since the team got slayed by Nebraska in the national championship, 62 to 24.
The fellow's argument illustrates the strength of school spirit. ``That's where I went to school,'' he says. ``I bleed orange and blue.''
- Holly Wester
Friday, Jan. 5
10 a.m. - Astor Lane in Fairfield.
For several weeks a large decorative flag has flown from the front of Tim and Donna Brady's home, halfway down the short street. Unlike the Santa Clauses, candles and poinsettias which flew from neighboring porches during the holiday season, this one will stay for a while.
On this gray morning, with its promise of a brewing storm, the flag is particularly appropriate. Against a bright blue background, it sports a single, very large snowflake.
``We've had it up all fall and we're going to leave it up until spring,'' Donna Brady says. ``We just love to see snow.''
- Jo-Ann Clegg
1:09 p.m. - Holland Road.
A woman driving a red Ford van advertises her lifestyle on her license plates. She's not a beach bunny or a snow bunny. She's a SNGL BNY.
- Holly Wester
2:02 p.m. - Virginia Wesleyan College.
During a session of ``Man, Manhood and Manliness,'' one of the college's featured ``January Term'' courses, a professor tries to play a videocassette of the classic film ``Pat and Mike.''
While he fools with the VCR from atop a chair, he groans, ``I don't know why they hire short professors . . . and then put the TVs on the ceiling.''
- Holly Wester
Saturday, Jan. 6
6:45 p.m. - Ragin' Cajun.
In the beginning hours of what would be dubbed the ``Blizzard of '96,'' some of the Atlantic Avenue restaurant's customers and employees take guesses as to what's in store for the next few days.
A water-sipping surfer swears it will turn to rain. A husband-and-wife team suggest the sun will cure everything tomorrow. A waitress expects the worst.
While they debate, owner Jack Graff emerges from the kitchen to drop an honest and to-the-point analysis - probably the best of the evening.
``Do you wanna know what my weather forecast is?'' he asks the handful of folks scattered between the bar and the tables. ``It's gonna do what it's gonna do whether you like it or not!''
- Holly Wester
Midnight - Chase Court.
There's a loud commotion in the street on this bright, but snowy night. Down the road comes a four-wheel drive vehicle with a very long rope attached to the back. Hanging onto the rope is a man on skis wearing a cowboy hat and boots.
As they continue down the street and around the corner, the man is shouting ``eaaaah'' at the top of his lungs.
- Alexis Smith
Monday, Jan. 8
3 p.m. - The Sports Authority in Lynnhaven North Shopping Center.
Ted Lindsey and his wife Karen are browsing through the ski hats hanging from a wall display. There are only a dozen or so to choose from.
As Lindsey shuffles through some hats that have fallen and gathered at the bottom of the display, he explains that he's looking for the right hat to shelter him from the elements. Not the occasional elements that most seek shelter from; Lindsey's looking for winter-long warmth. He's the man assigned to the tiller seat of a ladder truck for the fire department.
He's already got a coat - a yellow regulation-issue fireman's jacket. Now, he has a purple fuzzy hat, too.
Even so, hats seem to be a secondary need in this sporting goods store.
Most everyone else is concerned with travel, says Joe Vizi, the store's manager.
``Everyone's looking for sleds,'' said Vizi. ``But, we sold out of those on Friday. We've also sold inflatable canoes and boats.''
- Lori A. Denney
4:30 p.m. - Advance Auto Parts on Princess Anne Road.
Assistant Manager Jeff Rohrabaugh is one tired man even though the auto parts store closed early the day before and will close at 5 today instead of the normal 9 p.m.
Rohrabaugh says the store sold 20 cases of de-icer, finally selling out completely two days ago. They've also sold every ice scraper the store had. And windshield wipers? There are only a few left.
Batteries have been big sellers, too.
``We're just jammin' '' said Rohrabaugh, almost breathless. ``When cold weather hits it's battery time.''
- Lori A. Denney
5 p.m. - A pickup truck in a Pembroke area parking lot.
A man sits in the front seat of his truck and looks out at the swirling snow and icy patches. He shakes his head ruefully at the wintry scene.
``I thought it would be a great time to head south . . . then, I saw the Weather Channel. It was 29 degrees in Miami, so I changed my mind.
``Wouldn't that be disappointing? Drive 1,000 miles south and still be in freezing cold.''
- Gary Edwards
Tuesday, Jan. 9
4:10 p.m. - Corner of Newtown Road and Virginia Beach Boulevard.
At the intersection's red light, three young fellows in a maroon pickup truck work to keep the spirit of the '60s alive.
While the automobile wears its share of peace and love bumper stickers, one of the passengers holds up a homemade sign to women in nearby cars. The message, scribbled in different colored crayons on a torn piece of cardboard, advertises: PHREE LUVIN'.
- Holly Wester ILLUSTRATION: Staff photo by STEVE EARLEY
Thank you. Thank you very much
Sterling Riggs of Cheseapeake steps up the microphone Wednesday
morning inside Krispy Kreme on Virginia Beach Boulevard. Elvi from
around the area have gathered to celebrate what would have been the
King's 61st birthday this week. Jimmy Ray Dunn and Jay Francis of
Eagle 97 radio invited the impersonators to stop by the doughnut
shop to walk the walk, talk the talk and sing Elvis songs. The event
was originally planned for Monday - Elvis' real birthday - but got
snowed out and had to be postponed.
by CNB