THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, April 28, 1996 TAG: 9604270048
SECTION: DAILY BREAK PAGE: E3 EDITION: FINAL
COLUMN: Travel-wise
SOURCE: Stephen Harriman
LENGTH: Long : 110 lines
I JUST RETURNED from a trip on which a friend had a camera stolen out of her suitcase. She was surprised that the airline officials were not surprised when she reported the incident. She is, at the least, naive.
Forgetting for a moment that it's a pretty dumb idea to pack something as valuable or as fragile as a camera in checked luggage, this sort of annoyance can be deterred, if not totally prevented.
Use luggage locks on all checked baggage. A lock costs less - I just bought a set of three combination locks for $15 - than almost anything you will pack in your suitcase.
No, locks will not totally prevent theft. Almost anyone can get into a suitcase if they really want to, but thieves are looking for easy marks. If mine is locked, and yours is not, which do you think a thief will go for?
I do NOT have a solution yet for lost luggage - the other big problem in air travel - other than to remind you that it's not really lost, it's just not where it's supposed to be. And eventually it will probably turn up. If it's locked, the contents will probably be intact. Mark your calendar
Here are some highlights of events across Virginia in the merry month of May (with phone numbers for additional info):
May 1 - Seafood Festival, Chincoteague on the Eastern Shore. (804) 787-2460.
May 2-5 - Shenandoah Apple Blossom Festival, Winchester. (504) 662-3863.
May 2-5 - Sheep Dog Trails, Ligon Farm in Shipman, Nelson County. ``Babe'' the sheepherding pig couldn't hold a candle to these border collies. Of course, sheep have behavioral characteristics that can make both pigs and dogs look absolutely brilliant. Also shows May 11-12 at Oatlands Plantation near Leesburg (703) 777-3174; and May 17-19 at Sunnybrook Farm at White Post near Winchester (540) 837-1064.
May 4 - Virginia Golf Cup, the crown jewel of the spring steeplechase races in the state, Great Meadow near Warrenton. (540) 347-2612.
May 11 - Jamestown Landing Day, the 389th anniversary of the founding of America's first permanent English-speaking colony, Jamestown Settlement Park. (804) 253-4838. Also, May 11-12 - Jamestown Weekend at the site of the first settlement, Colonial National Historical Park, Jamestown. (804) 898-3400.
May 11 - Camptown Races, horse racing, tailgating and doo-dah, doo-dah in a natural amphitheater, Graymont Park north of Ashland. (804) 752-6678.
May 11-12 - Re-enactment of the Battle of New Market, New Market. (540) 740-3212. Also, May 15 - the actual day of the battle is commemorated by VMI cadets with dress parade in Lexington honoring the cadets who died in the 1864 battle. (540) 464-7207.
May 18 - Races at Marengo, steeplechase in a plantation setting, New Kent County. (804) 343-7223.
May 18-19 - Battle of the Wilderness re-enactment, one of the largest on the East Coast, near Orange. (703) 787-9483.
On the local scene:
May 2-5 - Greek Festival, Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church, Norfolk. (804) 440-0550.
May 4 - Native American Pow-Wow, Mount Trashmore Park, Virginia Beach. (804) 471-5884.
May 4 - Cinco De Mayo, Spanish independence celebration, 24th Street Park, Virginia Beach. (804) 491-SUNN.
May 10-12 - Ocean View Beach Festival, Ocean View Park, Norfolk. (804) 583-0000.
May 10-12 - Beach Music Weekend, 17th and 30th street stages at Oceanfront, Virginia Beach. (804) 491-SUNN.
May 17 - Legends of the Beach, local legends come alive as Francis Land House celebrates its 10th anniversary as a museum, V.B. Boulevard, Virginia Beach. (804) 431-4000.
May 17-19 - Chesapeake Jubilee, City Park, Chesapeake. (804) 482-4848.
May 18-19 - Stockley Gardens Arts Festival, Ghent, Norfolk. (804) 625-6161.
May 24-26 - Olden Days, Smithfield. (800) 365-9339.
May 24-27 - Afr'Am Fest, family-oriented celebration of African-American art and culture, Town Point Park, Norfolk. (804) 456-1743.
May 25-26 - Seawall Art Show, Olde Towne waterfront, Portsmouth. (804) PORTS-VA.
May 25-26 - 13th annual Pungo Strawberry Festival, Princess Anne and Indian River Roads, Virginia Beach. (804) 721-6001.
May 28-31 - Maritime Week, Nauticus, Town Point Park, Norfolk. (804) 664-1000.
May 28-June 2 - Viva Elvis Week, a tribute to the King, 17th and 24th street stages, Virginia Beach. (804) 491-SUNN. From here to there
Tidewater Community College is sponsoring a trip to the Netherlands Aug. 2-16. Based in Amsterdam, the tour will visit Rotterdam, Gouda, Delft and The Hague by rail. Cost: $1,875, including all transportation, lodging and tours. Info: Derris Raper, (804) 427-7207 or (804) 545-2640. London calling
Anyone headed for London, particularly first-timers, should tune in to the Travel Channel at 10 p.m. Monday for ``Practical Guide to Europe: London.'' The 30-minute program focuses on how to deal with America's favorite European destination - everything from getting into the city from either of the airports to sight-seeing and economical food and lodging. MEMO: Travel-wise is compiled from wire-service reports, news releases, trade
journals, books, magazines and the deepest recesses of the writer's
mind. Send comments and questions to Travel-wise, The Virginian-Pilot,
Norfolk, Va. 23501-0449; phone (804) 446-2904. by CNB