DATE: Sunday, June 29, 1997                 TAG: 9706270226

SECTION: VIRGINIA BEACH BEACON   PAGE: 03   EDITION: FINAL 

COLUMN: CLOSE-UP 

                                            LENGTH:   68 lines

DOUG THOMPSON: TEACHER, MUSICIAN, ACTIVIST

Doug Thompson has become a living civics lesson, of sorts. The First Colonial High School teacher and history buff has spent the past school year as an academic by day and an activist by night and weekend.

His cause these days is convincing city leaders to turn a vacant oceanfront lot at 31st Street into a public park, or ``green space.'' He and some of his students have collected about 6,000 petition signatures to make his case.

If you spend anytime at all on the Boardwalk near what's now a parking lot, don't be surprised if you're approached by Thompson with pen and paper in hand. He's not done yet.

For those who know a more personal side of the sign-toting Thompson, they'll quickly tell you about his not-so-public musical talents. This pianist has penned a number of original tunes but has not recorded any of them - yet.

Full name: Douglas Edward Thompson.

Hometown: Virginia Beach.

What brought you to the Beach? My two wonderful parents.

Birthdate: June 14, 1957 (Flag Day).

Occupation: First Colonial High School U.S. history teacher and junior class sponsor.

Nickname: ``The Bear'' and ``Feats.''

Marital status: Happily married 14 years to my awesome wife and chum, Barbara.

Children: One great son, Sean.

What is your idea of a perfect day off? Day at the beach with waves, back home for burgers on the grill and then off to a great concert like: Emerson, Lake and Palmer or Crosby, Stills and Nash.

Last smart thing you did: Married Barbara.

Last dumb thing you did: You mean today? Trying to help Mother Nature raise her baby ducks.

Favorite meal: Cheeseburgers on the grill and anything my mother cooks.

Favorite movies: 1) ``The Wizard of Oz,'' 2) ``To Kill a Mockingbird'' and 3) ``Apocalypse Now.''

Favorite song: ``Suite: Judy Blue Eyes,'' written by Stephen Stills, recorded by Crosby, Stills and Nash.

Last book read: ``High Treason,'' by Robert Groden and Harrison Livingstone.

Hobbies: Playing piano, acting in the Patriot Playhouse, music, coin collecting, gardening and bicycling.

If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be? Lose that perpetually impossible last 20 pounds.

If you could change one thing about your spouse, what would it be? Are you crazy? She's perfect! My friends and I still haven't figured out why she married me.

Secret vice: I love to Curly Shuffle and I like to listen to English progressive rock music.

Favorite restaurant: Five 01 City Grill and Baja at Sandbridge.

Your favorite night on the town: Being out with our friends.

Favorite TV shows: ``Friends,'' ``X-Files'' and ``Tom Brokaw's Nightly News.''

Favorite sport: Racquetball.

Last vacation: Bermuda.

Pets: Summer, our golden retriever - shouldn't she be listed with children?

Worst job: Parking lot attendant.

Of what achievements are you most proud? 1) Working with my students to help create the 24th Street Park, and hoping to do it again this year at 31st Street; and 2) Working with teenagers and trying to help them.

What would you like as your epitaph? He enjoyed the ride, died laughing. ILLUSTRATION: Staff photo by DAVID B. HOLLINGSWORTH

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