Florida Today from Cocoa, Florida • Page 41

I. INSIDE PEOPLE ON TELEVISION Hope (Cynthia Stevenson) gathers clips for a "Dennis Dupree Show" retrospective, on "Hope and Gloria," airing at 9 p.m. on NBC. More on TV, 3D. Brevard Symphony presents works from famous composer, 2D.

Helpful Herman needs to stop helping out, 7D. STEVENSON SECTION Tom Clifford, Newsfeatures editor, 242-3710. 9 a.m.-6 p.m. SflKnOSSSaEBl i 1 Ft On SATURDAY, March 16, 1996 Is vision enough for local revival? What if there was a big, multichurch, interdenominational revival in South Brevard County, but nobody knew the guy who was coordinating it? Would anybody go? "I was unknown and Beach is backdrop for TV teen sleuth t- I'M, Ut ft mm base. But God said, 'I'll use you for my says the Rev.

George B. Thomas. The pastor of Victory Evangelistic Center Ministry in Palm Bay 25 to 30 worshippers on a typical Sunday believes God has called him to coordinate a huge, six-night, in- sir terdenominational revival nil A meeting April 1-6 on the Palm Bay campus of Brevard Community College. "I've already rented a ELKINS FOCUS ON FAITH 1 By Colleen Moore FLORIDA TODAY A priceless antique gold coin is missing and the search is on. Can Shelby Woo, Cocoa Beach's most determined teen-age detective, get to the bottom of this mystery? Find out tonight by tuning in to "The Mystery Files of Shelby Woo," a new half-hour show on the Nickelodeon network.

The series, partially filmed in Cocoa Beach in December and January, premieres at 8:30 p.m. today. It will be repeated at 6 p.m. Sunday, its regularly scheduled time. Starring as Woo is actress Irene Ng (pror Ung), a Harvard Univeisity student who appeared in "The Joy Luck Club" as a young version of Auntie Lindo and also had a recurring role on "All My Children" a few years ago.

In "Shelby Woo," she plays a restless teen-ager who lives at a bed-and-breakfast inn owned by her grandfather, played by Pat Morita of "The Karate Kid" and "Happy Days." Together they meet a rotating cast of visitors and situations. When a mystery presents itself, Shelby rolls up her sleeves and enlists her buddies to resolve matters. Viewers will see flashes of local scenery, including the Cocoa Beach Pier, Kiwanis Park on Vr vt Pat Jarrell. FLORIDA TODAY MEMBERS OF THE SUTHERLAND family have parts in the "Shelby Woo" series. From left are, Samuel, 12, Derek, 16, Raymond, 10, Tameeka, 16, Kathleen, Bethany, 5, Celeste, 4, Dexter, Denee, 14, Daniel, 18 and Rhesa, 7.

i Merritt Island, Coconuts on the Beach, and a stretch of the Banana River. They also might spot friends, co-workers and neighbors more than 50 local people worked as extras and were paid about $8,000 in all, said Traci Danielle, who booked them through her agency, Brevard Talent Group in Indian Harbour Beach. Many of them earned about $21 an hour. The Sutherland family of Canaveral Groves were among the background scenery. They have 12 children, four of whom were hired to work as extras with their parents, Kathleen and Dexter.

See TV, Next Page hhhbhhi tent, and everything is arranged in advance," said Thomas, adding he doesn't have any money for the county-wide revival. He estimates it will cost more than $9,000, including costs for the guest speaker, Dr. Vincent T. Williams. Thomas is counting on "love offerings" collected nightly to cover expenses.

Thomas says Williams, of Jamaica, is an "internationally renowned radio and TV minister" who will be arriving directly from a mission in England. But in many Brevard Christian circles, Williams is as unknown as Thomas. "I've been praying for six years for the city, and God laid a tremendous burden on my heart for the city," Thomas says, adding he means the area from Mims to Sebastian. But the Jamaican native has done more than count on God to motivate participation: He has personally visited at least 60 churches in Brevard and Indian River counties, explaining his vision to church leaders and inviting participation. Even as a relative unknown in the imaginery Who's Who Among Brevard Clergy, Thomas' lilting Jamaican accent and deeply sincere face have convinced many to support him anyway.

This week, he got a commitment of help from the South Brevard Christian Ministers' Fellowship, a blending of two former racially segregated clergy groups. "The desire for the ministerial fellowship to bring together ministers for the purpose of revival or crusade has been one of our goals," says the Rev. Paul Rosbury, vice president. "Since the Lord seems to have called George to lead this, we have chosen as a ministerial fellowship to join with him." That represents 15-20 churches the fellowship doesn't keep membership records. Nickelodeon IRENE NG stars in the series, "The Mystery Files of Shelby Woo." Pat Morita, known for his role in "The Karate Kid" movies, co-stars as Shelby's grandfather.

The series was shot in Cocoa Beach. Success no mystery to Irene Ng "I like Shelby because I believe that girls should feel uninhibited about following their heart. She is very adventurous and never lets anything stand in her way." Irene Ng, 21 star of series "Shelby Woo." By Scott Moore The Washington Post Irene Ng doesn't yet have a driver's license, but she's had quite a ride during her seven years in the United States. Since fleeing the anti-Chinese atmosphere of Malaysia, Ng, 21, has learned English, graduated as valedictorian of her Allentown, high school class, appeared in a daytime soap and two films, and maintained an A average in pre-med and economics at Harvard. "Working with Irene was just an extraordinary experience," said executive producer Alan Goodman.

He marvels at a "young actress so devoted to her craft and her school work and uninhibited about following their heart," Ng said. "She is very adventurous and never lets anything stand in her way." Benefitting from the wisdom of others is something that Shelby usually discovers belatedly in each adventure, but Ng has quickly latched onto the idea. She credits Morita with helping to refine her acting skills, such as how to position her feet correctly. Similarly, Ng is a mentor to 16-year-old sleuthing partner Presley Edwards. "We get together sometimes, and she asks me advice about boys," Ng said.

At 16, Ng entered a beauty pageant and was crowned Metro Miss Teen Lehigh Valley. With her father driving her to auditions in New York, Ng quickly landed a role on "All My Children," playing An Li Chen. At the end of 1991, she got a small part in the Oliver Stone film "Heaven Earth," shot in Thailand and released in 1993. During that production, Ng was selected for the cast of "The Joy Luck Club." Cultural differences have come up at home as she considers careers in acting and medicine. Her mother, a nurse, thinks that a female doctor would not have enough time to spend with a husband.

"I'm going to make that decision when I really have to, when I graduate or something," Ng said. personal goals She's really something special." Pat Morita, cast as Shelby's grandfather, says Ng has qualities that remind him of Henry Winkler and Ralph Macchio when they were inexperienced. "She's a still-blossoming talent," he said. "Once she learns that the camera is her best friend, she's going to go very, very far. Nickelodeon arranged the on-location shooting in Cocoa Beach and Orlando around Ng's Harvard schedule.

"I like Shelby because I believe that girls should feel They will help Thomas implement his vision for a 250-voice choir representing singers from every participating church. Rosbury's Covenant Christian Church's core of about 15-20 members will attend the revival, which is weightily titled "The Mighty Move of God Harvesting of Souls Revival Crusade '96" on a brochure Thomas had printed this week. Rosbury says he has known Thomas for about six years, since the old Midway Colony Scotland tragedy may hit close to home days when Rosbury held church services in Melbourne's former hotbed of hopelessness. But What are your family values? Friday, Thomas was still running door to door among Brevard churches, meeting other min isters who don't have a clue who he is. "I don't really know him," says the Rev.

Ml pi!) ()rA Mi At FAMILY VALUES Terry Dye, assistant pastor at First Baptist Church of South Brevard, where Thomas visited early Friday. "He did come by and leave a brochure, but that's all I can tell you. Few words have received more ink and airplay since the last election than "family values." Politicians base policy upon them. Economists "Normally, our church wouldn't get involved in something like that," Dye says, adding that they're just not into interchurch activities very much. A call to the Thomas home (727-0584), where the brochure directs inquiries for more infor By Amy Clark FLORIDA TODAY In the aftermath of the tragedy in Dunblane, Scotland, where 16 kindergartnere and a teacher were killed by a gunman, your child may come to you with questions or expressing fears.

How do you handle this? Gala Durrance, counselor at Challenger 7 Elementary in Port St. John, advises parents to talk to their children honestly. "Parents can also tell their child to contact the school counselor if they're feeling any fears." The following are tips for parents offered by counselors Peggy Davis of Apollo Elementary in Titusville, Helen Kershaw of Hans Christian Anderson in Rockledge and Bette Mila of Meadowlane Elementary in West Melbourne: Listen to their fears; allow the child to ventilate and to express them. Be honest and as matter-of-fact as possible with the child. Tell the child that sometimes these things happen, but won't necessarily happen to them.

Reassure them. Have them draw a picture depicting their fear or sorrow. COPING Suggest they write a note of sympathy to those who are left after such a tragedy. The address is: Dunblane Primary School, Doune Road, Dunblane FK15, Scotland. Read a book to or with them about death.

Recommended reading is Let's Talk About Dying. Be age appropriate. If your child is a kindergartner, be as simple as possible; for a fifth- or sixth-grader, sit down and talk about it more in-depth. Talk about what they've seen or read. Let them know that if something similar to the Dunblane tragedy should happen, teachers will be as protective as possible and they should follow their teacher's directions.

Officials with six area schools contacted Friday said they haven't had to deal with many requests for assistance. Dave Goodman, resource teacher for secondary guidance and career education in the Office of Student Services said, "If a school needs our services, we form a Grief Team and go to the school that has requested it. But we haven't done that with this situation." mation, is met with an answering machine. The visionary Thomas is out knocking on more church doors, trying to fill 2,000 seats a night for six nights before Easter in Palm Bay. A recorded woman's voice invites callers to leave a message.

"And remember, with God all predict the fu- nHH ture with them. Trend setters are nervous about them. Clergy cherish them. Problem is, nobody has defined them at least not definitively. So, what's your definition of family values? Write us no more than 250 words, please before March 27.

Mail it to Florida Today, P.O. Box 419000, Melbourne, FL 32941-9000; fax to 242-6620 (area code 407); or e-mail to 71333.1616 things are possible," it says. Send your news AP Rita Elkins' Focus on Faith column appears each Saturday Florida Today. A TEDDY BEAR and flowers lie outside of Dunblane Primary School in Dunblane, Scotland. Religious briefs, 5-6D.

Cyberspace news Coming up Quick fix Valeska Urbina To your health The e-mail address for Mr. Cereal Box is the aptly named flake(a flake.com. Find out why. Go to http:www.flake.com Club Involvement: Editor-in-chief of yearbook staff, National Honor Society, Community Service Club and varsity cheerleader. Can't live without: "My lucky charm." Pet peeve: Pessimistic people.

Forget about expensive chemical cleaners and deodorizers for your car. Fill the ashtray with baking soda. Mix baking soda with water and use it on vinyl or fabric upholstery. Pelican Home Tour: See five Cocoa Beach homes when the Cocoa Beach Woman's Club sponsors its 29th annual Pelican Home Tour from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

today. Donation, $8, includes refreshments. Call 783-5754. About 30 percent of people over 65 have some degree of hearing loss associated solely with age. Have your ears checked if you have problems hearing over the telephone, can't hear conversations clearly in noisy environments such as a Lives in: Palm Bay.

Senior at: Melbourne Central Catholic High School. Best part of school: Senior activities. Biggest hassle: Not enough time between classes. t7.