It'sss creepy but educational at Hoffler Creek

“Absolutely beautiful” are not words commonly used to describe snakes, but John “J.B.” Barnes uses them often. He owns J.B.’s Rattles, a traveling educational reptile show.  Recently, he brought a few of his 120 serpents to the Hoffler Creek Wildlife Preserve for a program. Audience members were allowed to come forward and handle the creatures if they dared. At one point, seven volunteers were arranged side-by-side in order to hold a 13-foot, 70-pound Burmese python. J.B. was a fountain of information about snakes, including how snake venom is beneficial in the treatment of cancer and other diseases. How does a snake bite feel? “Like slamming a car door on your finger then setting it on fire,” J.B. says. His reptile friends are available for parties, scouts, schools and other groups. Visit www.jbsrattles.com . It was a great program, but I still think snakes are creepy.

Talk about humble beginnings. What began as a playgroup 42 years ago has evolved into one of the longest running state-certified preschool programs in the area. In 1968, a few mothers gathered regularly at Green Acres Presbyterian Church so their children could play together. Eventually, they decided to hire a teacher to work with their growing kids and the preschool program was born. Today, the school employs four elementary education instructors with degrees, even though degrees aren’t required at the preschool level. Three of the teachers have worked with the program for 16 years. The classes of 3- and 4-year-olds are kept to a 10-1 student-teacher ratio. This year, the little ones will participate in a Halloween parade, Thanksgiving feast, manger depiction, Easter egg and leprechaun hunt, a Cat in the Hat celebration on the birthday of Dr. Suess and a family picnic. Classes start tomorrow but there are still a few openings. Green Acres Presbyterian is on Hanley Avenue, at the intersection of High Street and Cedar Lane, diagonally across from the Churchland branch library. Contact them at 484-5125. 

Congratulations to Anthony Claud, owner of the 2010 Black Expo business of the year for Portsmouth. Claud’s Lawn Care has been providing quality landscaping and lawn service throughout Hampton Roads for more than 22 years. Anthony, who lives in Long Point, grew up in East Suffolk Gardens and developed his love for all things lawn-related as a child, when he would ride around his neighborhood with a lawnmower attached to the back of his bicycle. Today, Claud’s Lawn Care caters to both residential and corporate customers in Portsmouth, Suffolk and at Maersk Terminals.

I love libraries and so do my girls. Gracie greets customers and bags books when I volunteer at the Book Nook every other Saturday, and Bethany volunteers in the children’s department on Wednesday afternoons. A year ago when I spoke with then-manager Clint Rudy on the eve of the opening of the new Churchland branch library, he shared the vision that the new library would be a hub for the community, a place with something for everyone. I think they’ve succeeded. On any given day, current manager LeoNard Thompson  and his staff host youth and children’s events, offer rooms for community meetings and assist lovers of books with their needs. When I think about our wonderful library and what it means for my family and neighbors, I feel sad hearing about U.S. cities closing their library systems because of economic woes. Here’s a chance to recognize our libraries and the great people who work there. Go to www.ilovelibraries.org and cast your vote for your favorite librarian in a contest sponsored by the American Library Association.  The prize is a cool $5,000 and a New York Times-hosted reception.    

Drop me a line and tell me about your goals for the new school year. Contact me at pamelawrites@hotmail.com or 717-0628.

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