THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, October 31, 1996 TAG: 9610290122
SECTION: NORFOLK COMPASS PAGE: 02 EDITION: FINAL
COLUMN: ON THE TOWN
SOURCE: Sam Martinette
LENGTH: 84 lines
I'm not writing about the Virginia All Captive-Bred Reptile Exhibition just because Tony Dongarra's phython hissed at me while I was taking his picture last week. After all, I was protected by staff of the Foodbank of Southeastern Virginia, which stands to benefit from the the one-day event.
According to Dongarra, a life-long reptile collector, the show at the Chesapeake Holiday Inn on Woodlake Drive, Sunday, Nov. 3rd, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. will feature, ``in excess of 100 species and varieties of snakes, an easy dozen of turtles, and a few amphibians, the vast majority being babies, and all captive-bred.
``We'll have leopard geckos from Pakistan, albino boa constrictors, dwarf pythons that only grow to about 3-feet long, a selection of tortoises, bearded dragons, and likely a few species of exotic frog,'' he added. And all are for sale. ``You'll see prices as low as $20 for a leopard gecko to $6,000 for an albino boa.''
What's the connection to the Foodbank, you might ask. Those bringing a food donation or dry goods, will get $1 off the $4 admission. Dongarra hopes a sizable pile of goods will be gathered for those in need. ``We like working with the Foodbank because they're primarily locally and privately funded, he explained. ``People can bring a canned or dried food item, toiletries, personal-care products, a bar of soap, toothpaste, napkins, baby food, cleaning supplies, anything a family in need could use.''
Hosted by Dongarra's Chesapeake Herpetoculture, the event will feature 29 breeders and dealers of supplies, book distributors, cage manufacturers and even a veterinarian.
But why keep a snake or lizard in the house? ``These animals focus our attention on the complexity of nature and provide unique opportunities to observe the events not commonly encountered in our hectic and industrial-oriented lives,'' Dongarra responded.
``This can only enrich us and heighten our awareness of the impact we are having on nature.''
For information on the event, contact Chesapeake Herpetoculture, 482-1541.
Leave your personal pets at home if you attend the show. That python looked hungry to me.
Big kids will be out in costume tonight at eateries and clubs all over town.
``Last year we were packed and almost everyone was in costume,'' said Belle of The Banque. ``Halloween has turned into a glorious dress-up for adults.''
The Banque (1849 E. Little Creek Road, 480-3600) is offering $600 in prizes, including a $300 first prize, as well as gift certificates, to those in the best costumes. ``What really wins here is creativity. Our customers vote after seeing the people playing all night.''
The Straight and Narrow band will be playing, and there will be a $2 cover charge. Free dance lessons are available from 7 to 8 p.m.
Will there be creepy Cajuns at the Bienville Grill? Chef Mike Hall certainly hopes so. He's having a Halloween party from 8 to midnight, featuring the Henry Johnson Band, door prizes and a $200 first prize for best costume.
The tricky part about the Beinville Grill these days is getting in. The sidewalk fronting the main entrance on 21st Street is all torn up. ``I just want people to know there is plenty of parking and a great new entranced in the back,'' Chef Hall said last week. Call the Beinvilled (723 W. 21st Street, 625-5427) for information.
Paddy's Irish Pub will feature ``spooky songs, special effects and a witch's brew,'' said owner Joe Haskell. Not only will his employees be dressed for the occasion, there will be costume prizes for best male and female, and other prizes as well.
``It's always a weird night anyway,'' he said, ``with people in costumed in and out all night long.'' Call Paddy's (111 W. Little Creek Road, 489-2342) for information.
The new Bambino's Restaurant (1011 Kempsville Road, 461-9871) is a working man's eatery, set to serve an inexpensive breakfast and lunch to those who work or live along the Virginia Beach Boulevard corridor.
Lunch specials are $2.99 and include a choice of lasagna, pasta and marinara sauce, clam strips or a sloppy Joe with fries, or liver and onions, while the menu offers subs, burgers, salads and entrees such as fettuccine Alfredo with broccoli ($5.45); chicken cacciatore ($4.95); veal scallopini ($5.95); and many more, most in the $3.50-$5 range.
Neither fancy, nor haute cuisine, Bambino's offers dozens of dishes that go easy on the pocketbook. ILLUSTRATION: Photo by SAM MARTINETTE
Reptile collector Tony Dongarra handles a Queenland Carpet Python
from Australia. by CNB