DATE: Thursday, April 3, 1997               TAG: 9704030456

SECTION: LOCAL                   PAGE: B2   EDITION: FINAL 

                                            LENGTH:  144 lines

HAMPTON ROADS [BRIEFS]

A new HOV express bus service from Great Neck in Virginia Beach to Norfolk Naval Base will begin Monday.

The bus, which will operate on weekdays, will use the HOV lanes on Route 44 and Interstate 64 to provide direct service to the base. It is a demonstration program and ridership will be evaluated in a year to gauge its success.

The Great Neck park and ride lot is located on Virginia Beach Boulevard between First Colonial and Great Neck roads.

HOV express bus riders are guaranteed a taxi ride home for $1.50 if the event of an unexpected change in work schedules or emergencies. The program guarantees no one will be ``stranded'' at work.

Call TRAFFIX, a regional resource for commuter information and services, for details at 1-800-700-RIDE.

Event offers new insight

for people with disabilities

``Knowledge is Power,'' the 1997 regional symposium and exposition designed to improve the quality of life for citizens with disabilities in Hampton Roads, will be held April 22-23 at the Virginia Beach Pavilion.

Topics include getting a driver's license, surviving the first year of college, coping with a disability, remodeling for accessible housing and enjoying leisure activities.

The featured speaker will be Dana Bowman, a skydiver who lost his legs while performing with the U.S. Army's parachute team.

``We want anyone with a disability to be able to come to this event and come away with a new product or service, to learn from the experiences of others or to gain new living, employment or advocacy skills,'' said chairman Ron Pearson.

Call 425-8833 to register or for more information.

CHESAPEAKE

City called one of the best

places to raise a family

The best reasons to live in Chesapeake are its affordable housing, progressive schools, low crime and community spirit, according to the second edition of ``50 Fabulous Places to Raise Your Family'' by Melissa Giovagnoli.

Chesapeake is one of three Virginia cities featured in the book, published by Career Press of Franklin Lakes, N.J.

The other two are Charlottesville and Reston.

The city was cited for its ``strong sense of civic and community involvement. Attendance is very high at meetings for local government and community projects.''

The author writes that cities were evaluated on the basis of 15 criteria, including a strong economic outlook, exceptional public schools and access to colleges, a diversified housing market, ample recreation, culture and family fun, an abundance of community services and programs, affordable living costs, low taxes, low crime, quality medical care, environmentally aware attitudes, religion and ethnic diversity, a welcoming attitude toward newcomers, scenic beauty, access to airports and highways and a hospitable climate.

Cities in 30 states are featured in the guide.

NORFOLK

``First View'' open house

set for Saturday at NSU

The office of admissions at Norfolk State University will hold a university-wide open house for prospective students, parents and community leaders Saturday.

``First View'' will feature a campus tour, meetings with faculty and academic departments, panel discussions, informational sessions on scholarships, student financial aid and campus living.

Last year, approximately 2,000 attended.

The day will begin at 8:30 a.m. and conclude with a picnic, step show and performance by the NSU Marching Band and a baseball game.

REGION

Group offers free Internet

training to civic leagues

The Hampton Roads Coalition of Civic Organizations will conduct free training in the use of the Internet for representatives of member civic leagues April 7, 8, 9 and 10.

The classes will take place from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. at the Chesapeake Center for Science and Technology, 1617 Cedar Road.

Participants will be introduced to the basics of Internet use and encouraged to use the computer network as a means of exchanging information about civic activities.

More information is available by calling Denise or Gene Waters at 547-8885.

PORTSMOUTH

Exhibit features friends'

contrasting artistic styles

``A Contrast of Style with Two Old Friends,'' an exhibit of work by Ruth Splichal and Filie Norton, will open Sunday at Olde Towne Art Gallery with a First Sunday reception from 2 to 5 p.m.

Splichal's works with permanent ink markers and collage on watercolor papers. Norton is a traditional artist who works with watercolors, pastels and oils, and is known for her silhouettes.

The two women became acquainted when Splichal studied art with Norton.

Splichal and her late husband, Spike, were a familiar partnership at many outdoor art shows. His clay creations over the years had become popular with many patrons and brought him many awards. Ruth Splichal recently took third place in the Seawall Art Show.

Norton also has exhibited in local shows, including the Seawall and recently won second place in the Southport (N.C.) Show.

ALSO. . .

Virginia Beach - The Department of Public Utilities will have water crews install valves in Sandbridge during April. This work will provide the ability to better manage water quality. If this construction activity causes discolored water, it is not harmful. Give the water time to clear by not using it for one to two hours. Call 563-1400.Norfolk - The Norfolk Public Library is celebrating National Library Week (April 13-19) with two Wild Thing Storyhours, featuring Wild Thing from the Caldecott award-winning children's book ``Where the Wild Things Are.'' The first storyhour will be April 12 at 3 p.m. at Van Wyck Branch Library, 1368 DeBree Ave.; the second will be April 19 at 11:30 a.m. at Brambleton Branch Library, 961 Park Ave. Call 664-7338 for more information.

COMING UP

THURSDAY

Williamsburg - Arun Gandhi, the grandson of Mohandas Gandhi, speaks at the College of William and Mary at 7 p.m. in rooms Tidewater A and B of the University Center. Call 757-221-2300.

Virginia Beach - The Virginia Beach Human Rights Commission will have a public forum from 7 to 9 p.m. in the City Council Chambers at City Hall in the Municipal Center Complex. Presentation will be made on the International Festival and the human rights needs and crime prevention programs.

MONDAY

Norfolk - Mohammed S. Al-Sabah, the Kuwaiti ambassador to the United States, will address the World Affairs Council of Greater Hampton Roads at Virginia Wesleyan College on ``The Future of Security in the Persian Gulf.'' The event had been scheduled for last month but was postponed. The event will include a reception at 6:15 p.m., dinner at 7 and the speech at 8. The cost is $16 for council members, $20 for non-members and $10 for students. For reservations, call 461-3664 by 11 a.m. Friday. MEMO: Staff writers Debbie Messina and Ida Kay Jordan contributed to

this report.

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