DATE: Saturday, July 26, 1997               TAG: 9707260471

SECTION: LOCAL                   PAGE: B2   EDITION: FINAL 

SOURCE: Staff writers Cindy Clayton, Ida Kay Jordan and Stephen Kiehl

        contributed to this report.

                                            LENGTH:  116 lines

HAMPTON ROADS

VIRGINIA BEACH

Apartment residents

routed by chemical

spill in pool house

A vapor cloud from a small chemical spill inside a pool house at the Birdneck Village Apartments forced the evacuation of apartments residents Friday.

Maintenance workers were siphoning hydrochloric acid from large drums to small containers when the chemical either overflowed or the workers were distracted and the acid mixed with another chemical on the floor of the pool house, said Battalion Chief Mike Wade.

Firefighters were called about 10:40 a.m. after the chemicals began reacting. As they arrived at the scene, a cloud began forming over the pool area of the apartments. Several children at the pool and residents in six or seven buildings around the pool were evacuated, and hazardous materials teams from Chesapeake and Norfolk were called to help.

Wade said hazardous materials workers dumped soda ash on the spill to stop the chemical reaction. He said maintenance workers committed no violations by having the chemicals and using them at the apartment complex.

One maintenance man complained that his throat was burning and was examined at the scene by rescue workers, Wade said.

Residents were allowed back into their apartments about 2 p.m. Wade said the pool would remain closed until next week.

Dinosaurs to be topic

of conservative author

Dr. Don Boys, a Christian, conservative author, former member of the Indiana House of Representatives, newspaper columnist and director of Common Sense for Today, will speak on dinosaurs at Courthouse Baptist Church at 7 p.m. Thursday.

Boys, who was known as ``the most conservative member of the General Assembly,'' has written 10 books, has edited more than 100 texts and has discussed Christian and conservative positions on ``Sally Jessy Raphael,'' ``Jerry Springer,'' ``Charles Perez,'' ``Crossfire,'' and NBC and CBS news.

Boys spent seven years researching evolution and has debated noted scientists on the subject. His latest book is ``Evolution: Fact, Fraud or Faith?''

Thursday, Boys will deal with facts about dinosaurs and issues such as the Bible and dinosaurs, whether they existed, how they died, were they on the Ark and whether some are still alive today.

The church is at 1347 Lynnhaven Parkway. For information, call the Rev. Les Smith at 427-2928 or 721-4174.

PORTSMOUTH

Both parties to open

campaign headquarters

The race for the 79th District House of Delegates seat is revving up with the opening next week of both Republican and Democratic campaign headquarters in Portsmouth.

The House seat has been vacant since former Del. Billy Moore was named judge of Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court in the spring. The district covers a large section of Portsmouth and small areas of Chesapeake and Suffolk.

Dan Evans, a businessman who ran two years ago against Moore, is the Republican candidate. His campaign kickoff is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. Monday at the Republican campaign headquarters, 3212 High St.

Johnny Joannou, a lawyer who has served in both the House of Delegates and state Senate in the past, is the Democratic nominee. His headquarters are in the Churchland Shopping Center.

A third candidate, Vice Mayor Johnny Clemons, is running as an independent. To date, he has not opened an office or announced campaign plans.

Both Joannou and Evans have brought in professional campaign managers. Chuck McGee of New Hampshire is working for the Republicans and may be reached at 397-7979. Jim Ross of Maryland is working for the Democrats and may be reached at 686-5508.

Free tour today will show

30 sites to be auctioned

The state is auctioning off 30 properties in Portsmouth next week and is offering a free tour today of the sites to anyone interested. Vans will leave from the parking lot behind the Circuit Court Building, 601 Crawford St., at 10 a.m.

Of the 30 properties, two have houses on them and one has a store. But auction coordinator Gale Willoughby warned that they are not in good condition. The state took possession of the properties when their owners died without wills and did not have any family the property could go to.

``This is way below what market value would be,'' Willoughby said. ``It pays to buy and rehab them.''

The auction will be at 10 a.m. Thursday in Circuit Courtroom No. 2 in the Circuit Court Building. All properties must be paid for on Thursday. A list of the properties is available at City Hall.

COMING UP

TODAY

Norfolk - The Conference of Minority Public Administrators is sponsoring the first Black Arts Festival. The festival is designed to provide a venue for up-and-coming black artists to showcase their talent. It takes place from noon to 7 p.m. on the rear patio deck at Nauticus.

Suffolk - The Knot Hole Station and Children's Hospital of The King's Daughters will hold a ``Beanie Baby'' sale at the Knot Hole Station to benefit the children of Hampton Roads.

At least 200 assorted Beanie Babies will be for sale beginning at 11 a.m. The first 100 children can purchase one for $5 and choose a second to be donated by that child and the Knot Hole Station to a sick child at CHKD.

The sale kicks off the ``Let Kids Collect Kids Things'' campaign.

WEDNESDAY

Portsmouth - The 44th annual Portsmouth Seafood Outing will be held from 4:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the U.S. Coast Guard Support Center in West Norfolk. Bill Deal and Ammon Tharp will provide music for the outdoor party, which features a seafood buffet, business exhibits and a silent auction. Tickets are $20 for members in advance, and $25 for nonmembers and at the gate. A block of 10 tickets costs $180. Call 664-2576.

Send Suggestions or Comments to webmaster@scholar.lib.vt.edu