THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1997, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, January 2, 1997 TAG: 9612310218
SECTION: NORFOLK COMPASS PAGE: 03 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Profile
SOURCE: Kathryn Darling
LENGTH: 70 lines
Bill Magnusson
Bill Magnussen never goes to a New Year's Eve party, but he's always in the thick of one, chatting with guests, pouring drinks and popping champagne corks.
Magnussen, 34, a manager and bartender at Magnolia Steak, is usually so busy behind the bar that he doesn't have time to join in the merrymaking.
He's too busy making sure the party is hopping and the drinks are flowing. And he has to have three cases of 12 bottles of champagne popped, poured and distributed for the midnight toast.
Working ``New Year's is always a lot of fun,'' but it requires a good attitude, he said.
It's the one night ``people generally have too much to drink, but they are in a good mood,'' he said.
Magnussen doesn't join in with the midnight toast, either.
He waits until the crowds are gone, the restaurant is closed and most of the employees have left, then he sits down with a beer and lights a cigar and toasts in the new year.
Name: William Magnusson.
Nickname: Bill.
What brought you to Norfolk? Moved here from Williamsburg.
Birthplace: Tokyo, Japan - I grew up in the Air Force.
Birthdate: June 15, 1962.
Occupation: Restaurant manager and bartender.
Marital status: Single.
Children: None.
Last book read: ``Shock Wave'' by Clive Cussler.
Favorite movie: ``Pulp Fiction'' and ``Reservoir.''
Favorite magazine: ``Food and Wine.''
If you could trade places for just one day with anyone in the world, who would it be and why? Tommy Lee - and the reason why is obvious.
Biggest accomplishment: Becoming more financially independent.
Most embarrassing moment: One hectic night at the restaurant, the phone rang incessantly with requests for reservations. I broke away from the front to check the status of the restrooms. When I poked my head into the restroom, rather than asking if anyone was in there, I said ``Magnolia Steak, May I help you?'' Another most embarrassing incident happened when I was a freshman in college, I was outside a Shaky's Pizza Parlor mooning someone through the window. I fell backwards, broke through the glass and fell on a table in the restaurant. I got 12 stitches in my behind and had to pay for the window.
If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be? I'd be more health conscious.
Perfect way to spend the day: Either on a golf course or watching the Cowboys play.
Favorite vacation spot: Skiing in Aspen, Colo.
Pet peeve: Slow drivers.
First job: Cooking fried chicken at Kentucky Fried Chicken when I was a sophomore in high school.
Worst job: Washing dishes at a Ramada Inn by the Garden of the Gods, Colo.. They sold a lot of breakfasts, and there were stacks of greasy dishes and bacon pans.
Hobbies: Golf, skiing and smoking cigars.
Favorite restaurant: Magnolia Steak.
What do you like most about Norfolk? All the different things to do such as the festivals at Town Point Park. And I love the Ghent community.
What do you like least about Norfolk? The crime rate seems to be going up - seems like there's more violent crime. ILLUSTRATION: Photo by Vicki Cronis