THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, April 5, 1996 TAG: 9604040144
SECTION: VIRGINIA BEACH BEACON PAGE: 21 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: Pam Starr
LENGTH: Medium: 73 lines
Last April only a few elected officials appeared at the Legislative Breakfast, an annual event where people share their concerns about the elderly.
A late session in Richmond the previous night was to blame for most of the no-shows. This year, however, nearly all of the legislators invited have promised to chow down with the local folks on April 12.
Is it just a coincidence that this is an election year? The chairperson of the Virginia Beach Task Force on Aging hates to think so. This is the third year the task force has sponsored the event.
``I do hope more legislators will show up this year,'' said Laurmel Buergey. ``The breakfast deals with the concerns of the elderly in our community. Response has been pretty good.''
City Council members Robert Dean, Barbara Henley and Louisa Strayhorn have said they will come. So have House of Delegates members Thelma Drake, Robert Tata, Harry Purkey, Bob McDonnell, Glenn Croshaw and Owen Pickett. Sen. Stanley Walker will attend and Sen. John Warner will send a representative. And, of course, Mayor Meyera Oberndorf wouldn't miss it.
That impressive line up of officials will hear about elder abuse, long term health care, transportation, mental health, intergenerational programs and Medigrant (managed care forced on the Medicaid population). About 250 to 300 citizens are expected to attend the third annual Legislative Breakfast at the Ramada Ocean Front Tower.
The cost is $15 per person, which includes a buffet breakfast and beverages. That might sound steep, but I attended the breakfast last year and did not leave hungry. You can get seconds and thirds on bacon, eggs, hash browns, biscuits, toast, muffins, fruit, coffee, tea. Plus, you'll get to rub elbows with some of the movers and shakers in the senior community. People from SEVAMP and AARP will be there, as will many members of the Task Force on Aging and the Mayor's Committee on Aging.
The only hitch is, if you want to attend, you have to RSVP today by calling SEVAMP at 461-9481. The breakfast will be held April 12 at 8 a.m. at the Ramada Ocean Front Tower.
MAY IS OLDER AMERICANS MONTH, and the Central Library will celebrate with a month-long display of artwork by seniors.
The sixth annual Senior Art Show is open to amateur and professional artists over 55. Betty McClane, publicity chair for the Mayor's Committee on Aging, said that artists will be able to sell their work but not at the library.
``If anyone is interested in buying the piece, they'll have to go to the secretary's office for the artist's phone number and price,'' said McClane. ``This year we're going to give out prizes for first, second and third place for both professionals and amateurs.''
The art show ties into the Senior Showcase of Services, which will be held at the library on May 18 at 10 a.m. The purpose of the showcase, hosted by the Mayor's Committee on Aging, is to tell seniors what services are available to them in the city.
Booths, exhibits, entertainment, lunch and a panel discussion moderated by the mayor are highlights. Panel members are Susan Walston, director of Parks and Recreation; John Skirven, director of SEVAMP; Dennis Wool of the Community Services Board and Bonnie Mizenko of the Adult Learning Center. They will each talk for a few minutes and take questions from the audience.
The mayor will also present two awards during the event: one to an outstanding individual who helps the elderly and one to an organization that has done the most to help the elderly (especially with employment).
The Senior Showcase and Senior Art Show are free. If you would like to enter the art show, you'll have to bring your work to the library on May 1 between 10 a.m. and noon. But you must call Betty McClane beforehand to register at 497-8504. Call between 9 a.m. and 9 p.m. and leave a message if she's not in. by CNB