DATE: Monday, October 20, 1997              TAG: 9710200083

SECTION: LOCAL                   PAGE: B2   EDITION: FINAL 

                                            LENGTH:   90 lines

HAMPTON ROADS [BRIEFS]

VIRGINIA BEACH

Absentee voters

can cast ballots

on coming Saturdays

The Virginia Beach Voter Registrar's Office will sponsor Saturday hours for absentee voting in person at two sites.

On two Saturdays, this week and Nov. 1, the registrar's office at the Municipal Center will be open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. for absentee balloting for individuals who will be out of town on Election Day.

On the same Saturdays, the Central Library on Virginia Beach Boulevard will have absentee balloting in person from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Absentee balloting by mail is available by calling the registrar's office at 427-8683 for an application. The deadline to return the form is Oct. 30 at 5 p.m.

SUFFOLK

People may apply for help

with their winter fuel bills

The Department of Social Services is accepting applications for the Energy Assistance Program between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. at their offices at 440 Market St. Applications will be accepted until Nov. 14.

The program is designed to help poor households pay utility bills; it doesn't pay entire bills.

People in the program are urged to pay their bills on time to keep their service from being disconnected. Assistance checks become available in mid-December.

Households enrolled in last year's Fuel Assistance Program will be mailed renewal applications. To renew, applicants need to verify their household income and bank account balances, and return the forms to Social Services.

For more information about the program, call Social Services at 539-0216.

VIRGINIA BEACH

Governor's wife to speak

at breast cancer event

Susan Allen will speak at Virginia Beach General Hospital at 3 p.m. today as part of her Breast Cancer Awareness Initiative.

She is one of three speakers and will plant a pink dogwood in memory of the women and families who have faced this disease.

Two years ago, she began planting pink dogwoods across Virginia as a lasting memorial and has planted about 20 to date.

A reception, after the tree planting, will be open to the public.

PORTSMOUTH

Meeting involves removing

lead paint from water tank

A plan to remove exterior lead paint from a 1.5-million-gallon elevated water tank in Churchland will be discussed at a public meeting at 7 p.m. Wednesday at the Scottish Rite of Freemasonry Hall, 3401 Cedar Lane.

City officials will explain procedures, safeguards and the schedule for the work.

Citizens are asked to send their questions in advance to John McGurk, Department of Public Utilities, Box 490, Portsmouth, Va. 23705-0490.

COMING UP

TODAY

Chesapeake - The Dock Landing Civic League will host a candidate forum at 7 p.m. Monday at St. Therese's Catholic Church at 4137 Portsmouth Blvd. in Chesapeake, across the street from Chesapeake Square Mall.

Candidates S. Chris Jones and Michelle Degnan, who are running for the 76th District delegate seat, and Johnny S. Joannou and D.R. ``Dan'' Evans, who are running for the 79th District seat, will be there.

Chesapeake - The first Support Fair for Children With Disabilities and Their Families, featuring various products and services from area organizations and businesses, 7 to 9 p.m., Oscar Smith High School Cafeteria, 1994 Tiger Drive, Chesapeake. Free. 547-1314 or 548-2759.

WEDNESDAY

Norfolk - Cookout for the Cure, benefiting the Diabetes Institutes Foundation, 5 to 8 p.m., Virginia International Terminals Picnic Grounds, Hampton Boulevard. $20 in advance, $25 at gate, $15 for military, students, and senior citizens. 446-8420.

THURSDAY

Norfolk - Ambassador of Belgium to the United States will address the World Affairs Council. Reception, 6:15 p.m.; dinner, 7; speech, 8. Norfolk Airport Hilton. $17 members, $20 nonmembers, $10 full-time students. Reservations, 461-3664.

MEMO: Staff writers Ida Kay Jordan, Lou Hansen and Alexis Smith

contributed to this report.

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