DATE: Thursday, August 28, 1997             TAG: 9708280557

SECTION: LOCAL                   PAGE: B2   EDITION: FINAL 

SOURCE: Staff writers Mike Knepler, Nia Ngina Meeks and Lewis

        Krauskopf contributed to this report.

                                            LENGTH:  124 lines

HAMPTON ROADS

NORFOLK

Needs created by

welfare reform topic

of next public forum

``Welfare Reform - A Reality'' will be the topic of the Neighborhood Network's next public forum, 7 to 9 p.m. Tuesday in New Hope Christian Community Center, 3241 Brest Ave., Norfolk.

The forum aims to generate ideas on how communities can help meet some of the needs created by welfare reform, such as jobs, job training, child care, mentoring and transportation.

The discussion will be led by a panel, with questions and comments from the audience.

Panelists will be Suzanne Puryear, Norfolk's director of human services; Alice Taylor of St. Columba Ecumenical Ministries; Del. Robert McDonnell (R-Virginia Beach); Del Carlson, Virginia Wesleyan professor of political science, and Patricia Frazier, Norfolk State University professor of political science and economics. Vivian Paige of the Estabrook neighborhood will moderate.

The Neighborhood Network is a loosely knit coalition of civic activists that hosts monthly forums on a wide range of community topics. The discussions are free and open to the public.

For more information, call Bev Sell, 857-1794.

Little Theatre brings

``London Suite'' to town

The Little Theatre of Norfolk will open its 71st season with the area premiere of ``London Suite.''

The theater is the first in the area to acquire the rights to produce the play in Hampton Roads.

The play, written by Neil Simon, comes direct from Broadway and stars K.T. Carlson, Don Chudzik, Lisa Randazzo, Victoria Blake and Peter Yanson.

Performances will be Sept. 5-7, Sept. 11-14 and Sept. 19-21. Curtain time will be 8 p.m. There will be a 2:30 p.m. show on Sundays. Tickets are $10 for adults; $7 for seniors, military and students; and $5 for children.

For more information, call 627-8551.

VIRGINIA BEACH

Hispanic Catholic Center

to be dedicated, blessed

While the Centro Catolico Hispano - Hispanic Catholic Center for Anglos - has been up and running since November, Sunday will be the day that the facility at 269 Clearfield Ave. is dedicated and blessed.

The center already has helped several limited-English-speaking Latino families that are new to the area. Along with ``English as a Second Language'' classes, translators and meeting space are available at the center. About 50 people use the center weekly, plus those who seek emergency services, Sister Barbara Gerwe said. She works at the center and is a member of the Daughters of Charity order.

The center is part of the Richmond Diocese's outreach to Latinos in need. It is located near St. Gregory's Catholic Church. The dedication will be held at 2:15 p.m. Sunday.

For details, call 490-7896.

CHESAPEAKE

City manager recuperating

after surgery on his back

City Manager John L. Pazour is recuperating after surgery on his back two weeks ago.

Pazour, who began work in January, is expected to be out four to six weeks. In his place, deputy City Manager Clarence V. Cuffee will serve as acting city manager.

Pazour came to Chesapeake from Aurora, Colo., where he also served as city manager. He was hired by the city after an extensive nationwide search. Since coming to Chesapeake, he has faced a severe budget crisis that resulted in a capital project and hiring freeze.

Pazour, who resides in the Indian River section of the city, underwent seven hours of surgery on his back. He is at home recuperating.

Public transportation

brings agencies together

Representatives from various government agencies met Wednesday to brainstorm solutions to a nagging problem in the city: public transportation.

They concluded there was at least one thing they could do to help: improve cooperation.

``Communication is our biggest drawback,'' said Helen L. Spruill, a commissioner of the Chesapeake Redevelopment and Housing Authority, who organized the meeting.

The focus was on improving public transportation for people who cannot drive or do not have cars, including the elderly, people with disabilities and those with low income.

Robert E. Knox III, a transportation analyst with the state's Department for the Aging, heard representatives of city and regional agencies - including two city councilmen - air concerns and share advice.

Pooling resources and improving knowledge of public transit routes were among the possible solutions suggested by participants.

The group plans to meet again in October, when representatives from Tidewater Regional Transit will talk about their operation.

ALSO. . .

Portsmouth - Dan Evans, Republican candidate for the Virginia House of Delegates in the 79th District, will get the endorsement of the conservative Madison Project at a press conference today at 3 p.m. in front of the courts building.

Timmy Teepell, executive director of the Madison Project, will present Evans with a campaign contribution from the nonprofit organization that supports ``conservative pro-life candidates in Virginia.''

COMING UP

TODAY

Suffolk - A kick-off luncheon for the local United Way campaign will be held at 1 p.m. at the National Guard Armory on Godwin Boulevard. The event will feature entertainment and a talk by motivational speaker Harold Wood. The cost is $6 for individuals; $40 for companies purchasing a table for eight. For tickets, call 539-1498.

TUESDAY

Chesapeake - The Great Bridge Community Center at 212 Holt Drive will be closed Tuesday, through Sept. 6 while workmen paint the building and refinish the gymnasium floor. All programs and classes at the center will be canceled while the work is in progress.

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