
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: FRIDAY, May 11, 1990                   TAG: 9005110664
SECTION: EDITORIAL                    PAGE: A10   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Short

BLUE COLLARS WELCOME AT FFAF

THE APRIL 25 letter of John R. Montgomery eloquently criticized the First Friday at Five parties in Roanoke. His main points seemed to be that "blue collars" were not welcome; that the intent of the attendees was to become inebriated, thereby causing extreme risk as they drove home, and lowering the status of the charities that benefit from the proceeds of FFAF to that of a "cash bar."

While Montgomery writes a nice letter, it is a shame that he chose a public forum to display his ignorance of the subject. He says we should be ashamed.

I have attended several First Friday at Five functions. There is no guard at the door who turns away those who don't fit the label of "young professional." All are welcome, and the very nominal entrance fee shows that there is no effort to price anyone out of the event.

Is it the intention of everyone who attends a gathering where adult beverages are served to drink to excess? Of course not, and FFAF is no exception. Both hard and soft drinks are served, and I have yet to see anyone who displayed the overt signs of intoxication, regardless of the color of collar.

\ DAVE REDDING\ ROANOKE

by CNB