News briefs for November 29, 2002

News briefs published in The Daily News:

Galveston

Mario’s has annual feast for homeless, poor

Mario’s Seawall restaurant had its 10th annual Turkey Day Bash Thursday to feed homeless an underprivileged people.

Each guest of the restaurant received a blanket donated or purchased by O’Connell High School freshmen and local retailer Meyer Reiswerg.

More than 100 people turned out for the free meal, and restaurant owner and city councilman Johnny Smecca called Thursday’s dinner “a great community event.”

Mayor Roger “Bo” Quiroga also served meals at the dinner, as did Smecca and council members Booker T. Price and Cornelia Harris Banks. Numerous volunteers from the community also served food and drinks.

— Scott E. Williams

Nia to honor youth Saturday

The Nia Cultural Center will present its 10th annual Youth of Nia Awards Ceremony on Saturday.

Youth role models will be honored for their positive behavior, community service, academic achievements and accomplishments.

The ceremony will be at 7:30 p.m. at Shiloh AME Church, 1310 29th St. For information, call Chenica Holland at (409) 765-7086.

— Staff report

UTMB seeks AIDS, HIV volunteers

People suffering from numbness in the feet or legs from HIV medications or experiencing weight loss and woman on HIV therapy interested in hormonal contraception may be eligible to volunteer for clinical trials if they are newly diagnosed or new to HIV drug treatment.

Volunteers must be 18 or older and meet study eligibility may participate in clinical trials, regardless of county of residence.

Study-related visits, exams, viral load tests and other labs, and most study medications are provided at no cost to participants.

The trials are part of a federally funded program of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases.

For information, call 747-0214 or toll free (877) 324-2288.

— Staff report

Volunteers needed for Time To Read program

Volunteers are needed for the Time to Read at Rosenberg School program.

A training session for interested volunteers and mentors will be from 3 to 5:30 p.m. Dec. 5 at Rosenberg Elementary School, 721 10th St.

Time Warner is providing training and material for the program. Each volunteer receives a dictionary, an atlas, copies of “Time for Kids” magazine and copies of Sports Illustrated for Kids magazine.

Participating students receive the magazines each week to take home after the tutoring session.

For information, contact Dr. Sis Sealover at (409) 765-5731.

— Staff report