
DATE: Thursday, April 17, 1997              TAG: 9704160103

SECTION: NORFOLK COMPASS         PAGE: 02   EDITION: FINAL 

COLUMN: ON THE TOWN 

SOURCE: Sam Martinette  

                                            LENGTH:   95 lines

CELEBRITY NIGHT AND BARBECUE ON THE BAY TO HELP FIGHT CRIME

Two charity events take place this week: Tonight, local media stars, political, and social leaders wait tables and man the bar at eight area restaurants to raise funds to fight child abuse, during the 15th Annual Celebrity Night. Wednesday, from 3 to 8 p.m. at Ocean View Park, Norfolk Sheriff Bob McCabe and the Ocean View Beach Kiwanis will sponsor the First Annual Barbecue on the Bay.

Both benefits help to fight crime.

Celebrity Night, sponsored by the Hampton Roads Committee to Prevent Child Abuse, has set a goal of $17,000 this year, to be raised through tips donated to the serving celebrities, a percentage of restaurant receipts, and the sale of aprons and T-shirts.

``We hold the event to raise awareness of the issues of child abuse and the importance of preventing it, and to help fund our programs,'' explained Betty Wade Coyle, executive director of the organization. ``Proceeds help support the Parent Connection - a support group for parents struggling with parenthood - on which we collaborate with the YMCA.

``We do a lot of public speaking, and produce educational material for distribution to parents on positive parenting practices and strategies, and this helps fund that.''

Celebrities will be appearing at three Norfolk restaurants, as well as at Croc's, Federicos, and Pasta e Pani in Virginia Beach, at Pargo's in Chesapeake, and at Amory's Wharf in Portsmouth.

The list is subject to change, but appearing at Darryl's 1930 on Military Highway are: WTKR's LeAnne Rains, Bob Mathews and Ted Alexander; Norfolk Tides mascot Rip Tide; WFOG's Karen Parker; WPTE's Eric Worden; WMYK's Blair Carter and Carol Lewis; WOWI's Toni Black; ODU basketball coach Jeff Capel and player E.J. Sherod; the Fabulous Balloon Man; and singer Chris Clifton.

At La Galleria: WAVY's Les Smith; WTKR's Gerald Owens; WVEC's Regina Mobley and Kathryn Barrett; Gigi Young of QAFX; WJCD's Terry Steele and Larry Hollowell; humorist and lecturer Hope Mihalap of WHRO, Peter Tripp of WPTE; and The Virginian-Pilot's Earl Swift and Tom Shean.

On hand at Uncle Louie's: Tom Randles of WTKR; Carol Hoffman of WVEC; WHRV's Lynn Summerall; Karen Parker of WFOG; Metro Traffic's Leila Rice; state Del. Thelma Drake; Commonwealth's Attorney Chuck Griffith; and Debra Gordon, Fred Kirsch and Lynn Waltz of The Pilot.

According to figures provided by Coyle, 25 children died in Virginia last year because of child abuse and neglect. For more information on Celebrity Night, call 440-2749.

Among the charities targeted to receive proceeds from the First Annual Barbecue on the Bay, are Victims Against Crime, the Norfolk Crime Line, Norfolk Senior Watch Program, the Ernie Morgan Environmental Action Center, Cox Cable Techologies Center-Boys and Girls Club and the Ocean View Beach Kiwanis Charities, which include Children's Hospital of The King's Daughters and the Haven Center.

Set for 3 to 8 p.m. Wednesday on the lawn of Ocean View Park, overlooking the Chesapeake Bay, the event features music by the Fat Ammon Band and barbecue and fixings from Smokey's Barbecue. Other area restaurants will also be on hand, including Abbie's Deli, Squealers Diner, Charley's Seafood, Ribs-R-Us, Phantoms in Ghent, Willoughby Subs and Chi Chi's.

Tickets for Barbecue on the Bay are $15 in advance and $20 at the gate.

Sheriff McCabe said he patterned the event after the successful Food Fest that Chesapeake Sheriff John Newhart has promoted for 17 years.

``All of the money we raise will go to local charities,'' McCabe said. ``And although I'm involved with it, it's not political at all. Ocean View Park is the ideal location for an event like this, and there's not a more active group out there than the Ocean View Beach Kiwanis Club. It's an after work thing, for people to get together and have a good time. If we get 500 people, we'll be all right. If we get a thousand, we'll make some money for charity.''

For information, or to buy tickets, call Squealers Diner, 583-0003, or Abbie's Deli, 588-6728. ILLUSTRATION: Photo by SAM MARTINETTE

David Nimmer, left, of the Ocean View Kiwanis confers with Sheriff

Bob McCabe and Deputy Ed Fiorella about the Barbecue on the Bay

event.

Graphics

BARBECUE ON BAY

WHAT: 1st Annual Barbecue on the Bay: sponsored by the Ocean View

Beach Kiwanis and Sheriff Bob McCabe.

WHERE: 3 to 8 p.m., Wednesday at Ocean View Park.

WHAT: a charity networking event, featuring barbecue, food

sampling and the music of the Fat Ammon Band.

TICKETS: $15 in advance, $20 at the gate; call Squealers Diner,