Items by Avenging Archangel

• Finnish Independence Day 2009

  —Avenging Archangel

  Number of comments: 0
  Finland declared independence from Russia on December 6, 1917. Finland had been a Grand Duchy of the Russian Empire since 1809. With the provisional government in Petrograd overthrown by Lenin and his Bolsheviks in October, the Finns weren't going to stick around any longer.
  
  The video below has the' [...]
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  Posted: December 06, 2009, 12:01am EST
  by Avenging Archangel

• 2010 World Cup Draw

  —Avenging Archangel

  Number of comments: 1
  Earlier today the draw for the 2010 World Cup Finals was held. Matches begin June 11 in South Africa, with soccer's World Cup being the most watched sporting event in the world. 32 teams were in the field: 31 had qualified through regional matches, plus the host team (South Africa) [...]
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  Posted: December 04, 2009, 11:00pm EST
  by Avenging Archangel

• TPPC December 3, 2009

  —Avenging Archangel

  Number of comments: 0
  The Transportation, Parking, and Pedestrian Committee (TPPC) of Virginia Beach's Resort Advisory Commission (RAC) met this morning. It was the delayed November meeting, as the normal November date would have fallen on Thanksgiving morning.
  
  Barry Frankenfield gave an update on the Laskin Gateway Project. The sticking point is the [...]
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  Posted: December 03, 2009, 4:05pm EST
  by Avenging Archangel

• Wally Erb, Light Rail, and Race

  —Avenging Archangel

  Number of comments: 1
  Nothing like a trip back through the microfiche. Wally Erb is heading up the VBTA front group trying to petition a light rail referendum question onto the ballot. I have a good memory for detail, and recalled an article from the 1999 light rail campaign, Sure enough, I found this [...]
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  Posted: December 03, 2009, 3:41pm EST
  by Avenging Archangel

• "The Miss Of The Century"

  —Avenging Archangel

  Number of comments: 0
  It's only 2009, but this blown play by English soccer player Rocky Baptiste has already been dubbed "The Miss Of The Century". Baptiste takes a pass, gets past the goalie...only to have the ball squirm loose on him and hit the outer side of the goal.
  
  I played a' [...]
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  Posted: December 03, 2009, 3:35pm EST
  by Avenging Archangel

• You Like Rosemary By A 2:1 Margin

  —Avenging Archangel

  Number of comments: 2
  By a 2:1 margin you like Rosemary Wilson's chances against Jeff McWaters in Saturday's "firehouse primary" for the Republican nomination in the 8th Senate District special election.
  
  Anyone who knows me knows I wouldn't vote for Rosemary if she was running unopposed. However, I think McWaters may have sunk' [...]
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  Posted: December 01, 2009, 10:00pm EST
  by Avenging Archangel

• Happy Thanksgiving, Turkeys!

  —Avenging Archangel

  Number of comments: 2
  On Tuesday the Chesapeake City Council passed 8-0 a Resolution asking for a light rail extension study for their study. The Virginian-Pravda has the story here: [hamptonroads.com]
  
  There's the obvious story here: yet another city in the region jumps on board the train. 5 of the 7 cities [...]
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  Posted: November 25, 2009, 8:51pm EST
  by Avenging Archangel

• Phone Fun

  —Avenging Archangel

  Number of comments: 0
  One of my Facebook Friends posted this one, and it's quite amusing.
  
  Dial the Nestle Crunch Hotline at (800) 295-0051. When it asks you to choose English or Spanish, doing nothing...and hear what happens after about 10 seconds. Press "4" from there and enjoy. [...]
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  Posted: November 24, 2009, 9:35am EST
  by Avenging Archangel

• December Newtown SGA Meeting Schedule

  —Avenging Archangel

  Number of comments: 0
  The schedule has been set for the next round of public meetings on the Newtown Strategic Growth Area (SGA). The initial meetings were in October. This time, the consultant will be back with some concepts (based on the October input) to get public comment on.
  
  1. Wednesday, December 16
  [...]
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  Posted: November 23, 2009, 9:17pm EST
  by Avenging Archangel

• Kurbaan

  —Avenging Archangel

  Number of comments: 0
  As a rule I don't post trailers from currently running movies, as I don't want to be accused of acting in self-interest. However, this afternoon I watched a movie that most of you probably had no intention of seeing, Kurbaan. It's an Indian-made film which has at it's center an [...]
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  Posted: November 23, 2009, 8:51pm EST
  by Avenging Archangel

• An Idea Walking To The Bus Stop

  —Avenging Archangel

  Number of comments: 1
  Okay, it's a well-worn talking point to go on about how the policies advocated by the Virginia Beach Taxpayers Alliance (VBTA) would backfire royally on the very taxpayers the VBTA pretends to represent.
  
  However, an idea hit me walking to the bus stop today: could some area college student [...]
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  Posted: November 23, 2009, 8:42pm EST
  by Avenging Archangel

• Start Planning Now

  —Avenging Archangel

  Number of comments: 3
  65% agreed that Hampton Roads should begin designing a series of dikes and levees with the sea's level expected to rise., with 35% opposed.
  
  The new poll question: who will win the Republican nomination for the 8th Senate District special election? [...]
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  Posted: November 20, 2009, 8:01pm EST
  by Avenging Archangel

• TRAC November 18, 2009

  —Avenging Archangel

  Number of comments: 0
  The Transit Riders Advisory Committee (TRAC) of Hampton Roads Transit (HRT) met Wednesday evening at HRT Headquarters in Hampton.
  
  At their previous meeting, TRAC had approved their new committee guidelines, which include holding TRAC members to HRT's Sexual Harassment Policy. Copies of the policy were distributed to TRAC members. [...]
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  Posted: November 19, 2009, 8:02pm EST
  by Avenging Archangel

• My Good Samaritan

  —Avenging Archangel

  Number of comments: 1
  With yesterday's TPO meeting adjourning about 12:06 yesterday, I knew I had closely missed the previous Outbound Greenbrier 15, with the next Outbound 15 through the area being the one from Robert Hall at 12:18. I hurried towards a courtesy stop on Military Highway.
  
  As I made the final [...]
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  Posted: November 19, 2009, 7:13pm EST
  by Avenging Archangel

• TPO November 18, 2009

  —Avenging Archangel

  Number of comments: 0
  Hampton Roads' Transportation Planning Organization (TPO) met on Wednesday for it's November meeting. There was one speaker under Public Comment: a bicyclist pushing bike paths. The consent agenda was unanimously passed.
  
  Aubrey Layne, the recently-appointed member of the Commonwealth Transportation Board (CTB), addressed the TPO. He expressed his thoughts' [...]
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  Posted: November 19, 2009, 6:46pm EST
  by Avenging Archangel

• Invictus

  —Avenging Archangel

  Number of comments: 0
  On my day off yesterday, I went to MacArthur Center to see 2012. It was pretty good.
  
  However, what really got my attention was one of the trailers shown before the main feature: Invictus. Starring Morgan Freeman as Nelson Mandela and having Clint Eastwood as Director, Invictus is based [...]
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  Posted: November 17, 2009, 12:15pm EST
  by Avenging Archangel

• Spinning Their Wheels

  —Avenging Archangel

  Number of comments: 0
  The rain of the past few days has flooded the street that provides the lone entrance into our apartment complex (and the complex behind us). The water is up over the curb and covers the sidewalks.
  
  Accordingly, a 4x4 trying to come in here this evening attempted to come [...]
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  Posted: November 13, 2009, 7:15pm EST
  by Avenging Archangel

• Pushing Through To 15th Street And Back

  —Avenging Archangel

  Number of comments: 3
  In looking forward to today's scheduled TDCHR meeting, the big concern was that there was also a Virginia Municipal League meeting slated. How many Commissioners would be gone? With an eminent domain hearing for Norfolk light rail, quorum was needed. What no one could have known then was that we'd [...]
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  Posted: November 12, 2009, 6:23pm EST
  by Avenging Archangel

• 88% Will Ride Higher Speed Rail

  —Avenging Archangel

  Number of comments: 1
  88% of those who voted said they'd ride Higher Speed Rail from Norfolk if built, while 12% wouldn't.
  
  The new poll question: should Hampton Roads begin planning a system of dikes and levees? In his most recent State of the Region Report, Dr. Koch stated that Hampton Roads should [...]
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  Posted: November 10, 2009, 9:54am EST
  by Avenging Archangel

• Citizens Rapid Transit

  —Avenging Archangel

  Number of comments: 0
  Citizens Rapid Transit (CRT) was the predecessor of Pentran, which merged with Tidewater Regional Transit (TRT) to become Hampton Roads Transit (HRT) on October 1, 1999.
  
  Well, someone has put up a website devoted to a historical look at CRT. The site includes some photos and a few stories. [...]
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  Posted: November 10, 2009, 9:46am EST
  by Avenging Archangel

• Yes, I Was Quieter Than Expected This Week

  —Avenging Archangel

  Number of comments: 0
  Yes, I was busy as usual. However, the big post I had been planning after November 3 was a first look at the 2010 Virginia Beach City Council races.
  
  The catch is that one of the seats up is Ron Villanueva's At-Large seat. Until we know whether he's a [...]
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  Posted: November 07, 2009, 7:45am EST
  by Avenging Archangel

• City Budget Public Meeting

  —Avenging Archangel

  Number of comments: 0
  On Thursday evening there was the second of four public meetings on the City Budget. 58 residents attended the session at Princess Anne High School.
  
  Upon arrival participants were given documents with the evening's agenda, germane facts and figures, plus a survey. The meeting was called to order by' [...]
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  Posted: November 07, 2009, 6:43am EST
  by Avenging Archangel

• RAC November 5, 2009

  —Avenging Archangel

  Number of comments: 2
  On Thursday afternoon Virginia Beach's Resort Advisory Commission (RAC) held it's November meeting.
  
  Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVB) Director Jim Ricketts gave a preliminary summary of the 2009 season. For the year to date, occupancy is down 1.03%, led by a huge drop in the Northampton Boulevard Corridor. September [...]
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  Posted: November 07, 2009, 5:42am EST
  by Avenging Archangel

• You've Read The Comp Plan

  —Avenging Archangel

  Number of comments: 0
  60% of voters have read Virginia Beach's draft Comprehensive Plan, 35% hadn't, while 3% planned to.
  
  The new question is on the big story of the week: Higher Speed Rail. If built, would you ride it? [...]
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  Posted: October 31, 2009, 9:28pm EDT
  by Avenging Archangel

• "Trailblazers, Triumphs, and Tributes"

  —Avenging Archangel

  Number of comments: 1
  That was the theme for the annual Freedom Fund Banquet of the Virginia Beach Chapter of the NAACP, held Friday evening at the Westin at Town Center. Over 200 people were in attendance for an enjoyable evening with a good meal.
  
  The Banquet opened with the signing of Lift [...]
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  Posted: October 31, 2009, 8:26pm EDT
  by Avenging Archangel

• TPO Higher Speed Rail Special Meeting

  —Avenging Archangel

  Number of comments: 2
  Yesterday there was a special meeting of the Transportation Planning Organization (TPO), Hampton Roads' Federally-mandated Transportation planning board. The meeting was called to try to settle on an alignment for future Higher Speed Rail service to our region.
  
  I arrived early for the meeting and the three draft Resolutions' [...]
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  Posted: October 31, 2009, 8:52am EDT
  by Avenging Archangel

• Virginia Beach Vision Transportation Forum

  —Avenging Archangel

  Number of comments: 0
  Yesterday evening Virginia Beach Vision hosted a Transportation Forum at Meyera E. Oberndorf Central Library. A number of community leaders were invited to attend, and the room was packed. The Forum featured a panel discussion by Dwight Farmer (Executive Director of the Hampton Roads Transportation Planning Organization), Aubrey Layne (Commonwealth [...]
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  Posted: October 28, 2009, 10:32am EDT
  by Avenging Archangel

• I Wish I Didn't Have This Post To Make

  —Avenging Archangel

  Number of comments: 5
  The local media has noted the rise in homelessness due to the recession. Virginia Beach Mayor Will Sessoms has stated he doesn't believe we can close the Winter Shelter program next Spring. Taking the bus to and from this evening's Comprehensive Plan meeting, I got to see the problem firsthand.
  [...]
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  Posted: October 26, 2009, 11:00pm EDT
  by Avenging Archangel

• Comprehensive Plan Public Meeting

  —Avenging Archangel

  Number of comments: 0
  This evening there was a public meeting at the convention center on Virginia Beach's draft Comprehensive Plan. I counted 17 in attendance. (City Staff told me there were 26 last Thursday evening at the Bayside Recreation Center.)
  
  The meeting started with a Presentation by Tom Pauls, who is the' [...]
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  Posted: October 26, 2009, 10:06pm EDT
  by Avenging Archangel

• The Drama Queens Cometh?

  —Avenging Archangel

  Number of comments: 3
  On Tuesday's agenda for the Virginia Beach City Council's formal session is the granting of a new two-year contract to City Manager Jim Spore. I'm certainly no Jim Spore fan, but only a fool would bet against Council approving the contract.
  
  That raises a big question in my mind:' [...]
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  Posted: October 25, 2009, 7:47pm EDT
  by Avenging Archangel

• TDCHR October 22, 2009

  —Avenging Archangel

  Number of comments: 21
  The Transportation District Commission of Hampton Roads (TDCHR) held it's October meeting this afternoon in Hampton.
  
  A Presentation was given by Rear Admiral Mark Boensel, Commander of Navy Region Mid-Atlantic. He covered the Navy's economic impact on the region ($14.69 billion directly in FY 2008), but - appropriately enough [...]
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  Posted: October 22, 2009, 8:05pm EDT
  by Avenging Archangel

• The Public Is Much Smarter Than Reid Greenmun

  —Avenging Archangel

  Number of comments: 1
  As part of the process for developing the region's 2034 Long-Range Transportation Plan, an Internet survey of residents was conducted. When asked the question "What do you think is the most effective way to reduce transportation congestion in our region?", here's what they chose:
  
  1. Expanding the mass transit [...]
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  Posted: October 22, 2009, 10:41am EDT
  by Avenging Archangel

• TPO October 21, 2009

  —Avenging Archangel

  Number of comments: 4
  Wednesday morning the Transportation Planning Organization (TPO) held it's October meeting. The TPO is Hampton Roads' Federally-mandated Transportation planning commission.
  
  First of all, there were no speakers for the Public Comment session, then the consent agenda was passed unanimously without comment.
  
  The big thing was that the TPO [...]
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  Posted: October 22, 2009, 10:32am EDT
  by Avenging Archangel

• Sacre Bleu!

  —Avenging Archangel

  Number of comments: 9
  Coming out of the City Council strategic planning meeting, I crafted a poll question on the Property Tax rate. I never would have guessed what the results would be: 47% want to raise the rate to above 91 cents, 34% want to raise the rate to remain revenue neutral (with [...]
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  Posted: October 18, 2009, 8:37pm EDT
  by Avenging Archangel

• I Finally Figured It Out

  —Avenging Archangel

  Number of comments: 0
  It's always cheap fun to kick around our favorite bunch of kooks, the Virginia Beach Taxpayers Alliance (VBTA). Transportation is one of the major issues in Virginia Beach and Hampton Roads as a whole. A number have verbally jousted with the VBTA and their Transportation Chairman, Reid Greenmun, on the' [...]
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  Posted: October 18, 2009, 8:10pm EDT
  by Avenging Archangel

• Transit Notes October 16, 2009

  —Avenging Archangel

  Number of comments: 19
  Today's full itinerary (a medical appointment, lunch & matinee, and a couple errands) made for an 11 bus day. Some notes from it all:
  
  1. It was the first time I had rode the first Outbound Route 20 of the morning, which goes through Pembroke East at 5:45 A.M.' [...]
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  Posted: October 16, 2009, 9:21pm EDT
  by Avenging Archangel

• This In 2009?!?

  —Avenging Archangel

  Number of comments: 10
  In Louisiana a Justice of the Peace is refusing to issue marriage licenses for interracial couples. His excuse is that he claims interracial marriages don't last long. [www.kansascity.com]
  
  As the ACLU lawyer in the story notes, the Supreme Court struck down prohibitions on marriage based on race 46' [...]
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  Posted: October 15, 2009, 5:41pm EDT
  by Avenging Archangel

• Comp Plan Photo Police

  —Avenging Archangel

  Number of comments: 5
  Yesterday I was skimming Virginia Beach's new draft Comprehensive Plan. There were a couple bus photos in the Policy Document that caught my eye:
  
  Page 18
  
  There's a photo of the bus on Hampton Roads Transit's (HRT) Route 72...sitting at the Suffolk Bus Plaza. That's right: the 72 [...]
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  Posted: October 15, 2009, 12:05pm EDT
  by Avenging Archangel

• VBTA Vice Chairman Calls For Cutting City Budget By $530 Million

  —Avenging Archangel

  Number of comments: 4
  It's pretty much an axiom in Virginia Beach politics that if you want to hear a position that's so extreme that it's beyond the pale, wait for Reid Greenmun to speak up. On Wednesday the Virginia Beach Taxpayers Alliance (VBTA) Vice Chairman/Transportation Chairman was commenting on a story online, and' [...]
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  Posted: October 08, 2009, 12:07am EDT
  by Avenging Archangel

• Draft Comp Plan Now Online

  —Avenging Archangel

  Number of comments: 1
  The new draft Comprehensive Plan for the City of Virginia Beach has now been posted online. [www.vbgov.com] [...]
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  Posted: October 07, 2009, 11:48pm EDT
  by Avenging Archangel

• This Is So Rich!

  —Avenging Archangel

  Number of comments: 1
  The VBTA was passing out a flier at tables prior to the Community Summit getting underway on Monday evening. (They were violating at least two city Ordinances in the process, but that's another story....) The opening sentence makes for a great laugh:
  
  "The Virginia Beach Taxpayers Alliance's vision is" [...]
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  Posted: October 07, 2009, 11:39pm EDT
  by Avenging Archangel

• Redevelopment Wins Over Traffic Flow

  —Avenging Archangel

  Number of comments: 0
  I never saw one on this scale coming. 72% voted to design 32nd Street with three lanes for traffic, then wider sidewalks to aid urban redevelopment. 27% supported four lanes of traffic for better vehicle flow.
  
  The new question is one what to do with Virginia Beach's Property Tax [...]
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  Posted: October 07, 2009, 11:09am EDT
  by Avenging Archangel

• 2009-2010 City Council Priorities

  —Avenging Archangel

  Number of comments: 0
  Early this afternoon the Virginia Beach City Council voted out their priorities for the coming year.
  
  POLICY AGENDA
  
  Top Priority
  
  1. Landfill/SPSA
  
  2. Tax Rate: Direction and Debt Limit
  
  9. Roads Funding
  
  10. Transportation and Light Rail : Strategy and Public Engagement
  
  12. [...]
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  Posted: October 06, 2009, 7:09pm EDT
  by Avenging Archangel

• 2009 Council Retreat - Day 3

  —Avenging Archangel

  Number of comments: 5
  It's been quite awhile since the Virginia Beach City Council met for strategic planning in August. With the Community Summit concluded, Council met again Tuesday morning.
  
  The morning started with distribution of resident feedback from the Summit and a reading of their comment cards. The comment cards were a' [...]
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  Posted: October 06, 2009, 6:47pm EDT
  by Avenging Archangel

• Community Summit 2009 Feedback

  —Avenging Archangel

  Number of comments: 1
  On Tuesday morning sheets with the written-up and tallied resident feedback from Monday night's Community Summit were presented. The following were the top vote getters among the suggestions.
  
  MAJOR SUCCESSES 2004-2009
  
  1. Town Center
  
  2. Oceana NAS and BRAC
  
  3. Convention Center
  
  4. Oceanfront Upgrades
  [...]
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  Posted: October 06, 2009, 6:26pm EDT
  by Avenging Archangel

• Community Summit 2009

  —Avenging Archangel

  Number of comments: 2
  On Monday evening Virginia Beach held a Community Summit. Residents were asked questions derived from City Council's two days of strategic planning in August. 80 residents came to the convention center to participate.
  
  It was an enjoyable evening that brought forth some intriguing ideas. A couple of the revenue [...]
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  Posted: October 06, 2009, 6:12pm EDT
  by Avenging Archangel

• Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad Is Jewish

  —Avenging Archangel

  Number of comments: 1
  Astonishing. Experts have examined a closeup of a photo of President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad taken at the March, 2008 Iranian election. He's holding up his identity papers. The papers reveal that he was originally named Sabourijan, which means "weaver of the Sabour". In Persia, the talit (the Jewish prayer shawl) is [...]
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  Posted: October 03, 2009, 11:03pm EDT
  by Avenging Archangel

• Newtown SGA Meetings - Round 1

  —Avenging Archangel

  Number of comments: 8
  On Thursday Virginia Beach held the first round of public meetings on a plan for redevelopment of the Newtown Strategic Growth Area (SGA). There were focus groups earlier in the day, followed by a meeting open to the general public in the evening. Both types of sessions asked the same [...]
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  Posted: October 02, 2009, 10:28pm EDT
  by Avenging Archangel

• Happy Anniversary HRT

  —Avenging Archangel

  Number of comments: 0
  Yesterday (October 1, 2009) was the 10th Anniversary of the merger of Tidewater Regional Transit (TRT) and Pentran to form Hampton Roads Transit (HRT). No, I know of no official commemoration of the event.
  
  While I had heard talk in the weeks leading up to it, I had forgotten [...]
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  Posted: October 02, 2009, 8:58pm EDT
  by Avenging Archangel

• RAC October 1, 2009

  —Avenging Archangel

  Number of comments: 1
  On Thursday afternoon Virginia Beach's Resort Advisory Commission (RAC) held it's October meeting. Originally slated to be a short meeting, it ended up running about 85 minutes.
  
  Two reports are in the queue for the RAC. Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVB) Director Jim Ricketts will give a preliminary report [...]
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  Posted: October 02, 2009, 8:42pm EDT
  by Avenging Archangel

• What Passes For "Justice" In San Francisco....

  —Avenging Archangel

  Number of comments: 1
  We're used to zany rulings by the Federal judges out there. However, two new lawsuits have been filed that could only have a snowball's chance in San Francisco. A man has filed separate suits over neither Froot Loops nor Cap'n Crunch Crunch Berries containing real fruit, claiming their advertising was [...]
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  Posted: October 01, 2009, 7:15am EDT
  by Avenging Archangel

• More On 2009 NAACP Freedom Fund Banquet

  —Avenging Archangel

  Number of comments: 1
  The date of the 2009 Banquet has been changed. Originally scheduled for Sunday, November 1, it is now slated for Friday, October 30 at the Town Center Westin at 6 P.M.
  
  Among awards at the Banquet, Delegate Bob Tata will be recognized. [...]
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  Posted: September 30, 2009, 6:40am EDT
  by Avenging Archangel

• Poland Moves Towards Castration For Pedophiles

  —Avenging Archangel

  Number of comments: 1
  The lower chamber of Poland's parliament on Friday passed a bill that would, in some cases, require chemical castration of pedophiles. [www.reuters.com] [...]
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  Posted: September 28, 2009, 11:38pm EDT
  by Avenging Archangel

• 82% Grasp Land Use

  —Avenging Archangel

  Number of comments: 0
  82% of voters understand that Virginia Beach's traditional land use patterns aren't sustainable in the long term. 17% thought they were. As has been said, Virginia Beach was built on cheap land and cheap gas. With both gone, we have to rethink how we do both land planning and transportation.[...]
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  Posted: September 27, 2009, 9:19pm EDT
  by Avenging Archangel

• Redskins = Laughingstocks

  —Avenging Archangel

  Number of comments: 0
  Your sorry team couldn't even beat the Detroit Lions. Yeah, you lost at Ford Field 19-14. The rest of the teams in the league and their fans are busy laughing at you tonight. For more coverage, try the website of the Detroit Free Press at [www.freep.com]
  
  My Ravens' [...]
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  Posted: September 27, 2009, 7:16pm EDT
  by Avenging Archangel

• Southside Draft COA Changes

  —Avenging Archangel

  Number of comments: 19
  With the draft Comprehensive Operations Analysis (COA) rolled out this week, a look at changes it proposes in South Hampton Roads. Being an expert neither on Peninsula geography nor it's bus routes, I'll let some Peninsula blogger cover them.
  
  SUFFOLK
  
  Routes 73 & 74 - in the long [...]
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  Posted: September 26, 2009, 11:44am EDT
  by Avenging Archangel

• Draft COA Meetings

  —Avenging Archangel

  Number of comments: 0
  Hampton Roads Transit (HRT) held meetings on it's draft Comprehensive Operations Analysis (COA) this week, Wednesday in Norfolk and Thursday evening in Hampton. The COA examined existing mainline bus service and suggested where it could be improved. The COA was done by HNTB Corporation, a consultant.
  
  The essential difference [...]
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  Posted: September 26, 2009, 11:12am EDT
  by Avenging Archangel

• TDCHR September 24, 2009

  —Avenging Archangel

  Number of comments: 3
  Thursday the Transportation District Commission of Hampton Roads (TDCHR) met at Hampton Roads Transit (HRT) headquarters in Hampton. The meeting lasted just over 45 minutes.
  
  The TDCHR unanimously approved the construction of a replacement transfer center at Victory Crossing in Portsmouth. (I'd argue the current TC is the worst' [...]
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  Posted: September 25, 2009, 7:53pm EDT
  by Avenging Archangel

• TPPC September 24, 2009

  —Avenging Archangel

  Number of comments: 0
  On Thursday morning the Transportation, Parking, and Pedestrian Committee (TPPC) of Virginia Beach's Resort Advisory Commission (RAC) met.
  
  The top issue was 32nd Street. For the Laskin Gateway Project, current draft plans put the road from the Laskin Road veer off to Pacific Avenue at four lanes. Some wanting [...]
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  Posted: September 25, 2009, 7:35pm EDT
  by Avenging Archangel

• Community On The 23

  —Avenging Archangel

  Number of comments: 0
  One of my axioms is that there is no stronger bond of community in Hampton Roads than on a Hampton Roads Transit (HRT) bus. With the day off today, I followed a regular template: bus into Norfolk, daily Mass at St. Mary's Basilica, lunch, a matinee at MacArthur Center, then [...]
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  Posted: September 22, 2009, 8:03pm EDT
  by Avenging Archangel

• Carmageddon Video

  —Avenging Archangel

  Number of comments: 1
  This video was put together by Rubin Communications Group for the TPO. It covers the events of July 2, which saw four water crossings in our region shut down at once. It was highlighted by the flooding of the westbound tube on the Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel, but also saw problems [...]
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  Posted: September 17, 2009, 4:39pm EDT
  by Avenging Archangel

• TRAC September 16, 2009

  —Avenging Archangel

  Number of comments: 2
  In it's July By-Laws revisions, the TDCHR reconstituted it's User Citizen Advisory Committee (UCAC) as the Transit Riders Advisory Committee (TRAC). TRAC is now a subcommittee of the TDCHR's Executive Committee. It held it's first meeting as TRAC last night at HRT's Norfolk offices.
  
  The bulk of the meeting [...]
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  Posted: September 17, 2009, 4:16pm EDT
  by Avenging Archangel

• TPO September 15, 2009

  —Avenging Archangel

  Number of comments: 3
  Earlier today the Transportation Planning Organization (TPO) of Hampton Roads met, it's first meeting in two months. (They took August off.)
  
  There was the Presentation of a report on Non-Driver Opportunities, which looked at the matching of work, shopping, and rental housing. Virginia Beach scored surprisingly high given what [...]
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  Posted: September 16, 2009, 4:24pm EDT
  by Avenging Archangel

• 63% Support Obamacare

  —Avenging Archangel

  Number of comments: 0
  Yes, I'm stunned. 63% of poll voters supported President Obama's health care initiative, while 36% are opposed.
  
  Me? Having been on Medicare for 15 years, I know very well first-hand that the Federal government can't start to run a health care program correctly.
  
  The new poll question is [...]
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  Posted: September 16, 2009, 4:11pm EDT
  by Avenging Archangel

• Sustainable Design Project

  —Avenging Archangel

  Number of comments: 0
  Virginia Beach's Sustainable Design Project is holding meetings this week. It's done by the American Institute of Architects (AIA) through a grant, then supplemented by private sponsors. The Project is to look at land use and design issues in Virginia Beach from the perspective of outside professionals looking in, who [...]
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  Posted: September 16, 2009, 3:46pm EDT
  by Avenging Archangel

• HRT Comprehensive Operations Analysis (COA) Meetings

  —Avenging Archangel

  Number of comments: 0
  Finally. Public meetings on Hampton Roads Transit's (HRT) draft Comprehensive Operations Analysis (COA) will be held next week.
  
  Norfolk - Wednesday, September 23 from 5-7 P.M.
  
  Hampton - Thursday, September 24 from 6-8 P.M.
  
  Both meetings will be held at HRT offices. The COA is a look [...]
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  Posted: September 14, 2009, 5:52am EDT
  by Avenging Archangel

• VBTES Scoping Meetings

  —Avenging Archangel

  Number of comments: 5
  This past Wednesday and Thursday evenings were the Scoping meetings for the Virginia Beach Transit Extension Study (VBTES). Yes, that's a few days ago. I've been very busy. However, on Facebook I was asked about the meetings, so I thought I'd share my observations.
  
  WEDNESDAY
  
  There was the [...]
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  Posted: September 13, 2009, 9:05pm EDT
  by Avenging Archangel

• CCO Overhauls By-Laws

  —Avenging Archangel

  Number of comments: 0
  The Council of Civic Organization (CCO), Virginia Beach's civic league federation, this evening made major revisions to it's By-Laws and Standing Rules.
  
  The vote culminates a process that began last Fall as an effort to rewrite arcane language in the By-Laws. Before it was over, there were major shifts [...]
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  Posted: September 09, 2009, 10:17pm EDT
  by Avenging Archangel

• Pierce Homer At The CBDA

  —Avenging Archangel

  Number of comments: 10
  On Tuesday Virginia Secretary of Transportation Pierce Homer was the speaker at the September luncheon of the Central Business District Association (CBDA). He talked about Transportation, and the picture was very bleak.
  
  First, tax collections dedicated to Transportation are down 22.7%. Second, within two years Virginia will face having [...]
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  Posted: September 09, 2009, 2:27pm EDT
  by Avenging Archangel

• 81% Wouldn't Buy A Vick Jersey

  —Avenging Archangel

  Number of comments: 5
  81% of voters wouldn't buy a number 7 Philadelphia Eagles jersey, while 18% would.
  
  The new question: do you support Obamacare?' [...]
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  Posted: September 07, 2009, 9:50pm EDT
  by Avenging Archangel

• Beat Yale!

  —Avenging Archangel

  Number of comments: 4
  On my way to today's RAC meeting, I stopped at Long John Silver's for lunch. There an older gentleman was wearing a crimson t-shirt that read "HAHVAHD". [...]
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  Posted: September 03, 2009, 10:17pm EDT
  by Avenging Archangel

• RAC September 3, 2009

  —Avenging Archangel

  Number of comments: 0
  This afternoon Virginia Beach's Resort Advisory Commission (RAC) held an uneventful (read: boring) September meeting.
  
  A Nominating Committee has been formed to select a new Chair and Vice Chair for 2010. Both Ken Taylor (Chair) and Gerrie King West (Vice Chair) have served three years in their posts, the [...]
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  Posted: September 03, 2009, 10:00pm EDT
  by Avenging Archangel

• I Can't Write Jokes This Good

  —Avenging Archangel

  Number of comments: 0
  A mother in Poland has sued an Egyptian hotel the family stayed at while on vacation, claiming her 13 year old daughter got pregnant in the water of the hotel's pool. She claims her daughter didn't spend time with guys there, that there were sperm in the pool's water that' [...]
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  Posted: September 02, 2009, 3:29pm EDT
  by Avenging Archangel

• September 1 In History

  —Avenging Archangel

  Number of comments: 1
  September 1 is a big day for we history buffs.
  
  Most people would recognize the date as the 70th anniversary of Hitler's invasion of Poland. That was the beginning of total war in Europe for World War II.
  
  However, we real history students get that today is the [...]
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  Posted: September 01, 2009, 7:45pm EDT
  by Avenging Archangel

• 68% Want An Ambulance Fee

  —Avenging Archangel

  Number of comments: 2
  When asked how to pay for the CIP projects bundle, 68% wanted to impose an Ambulance Fee. Chesapeake and Norfolk already have such fees, using a Virginia Beach company to handle the billing. 17% want "Other", 9% a Property Tax increase, and 4% to Cut Elsewhere to pay for the [...]
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  Posted: August 28, 2009, 4:37am EDT
  by Avenging Archangel

• TDCHR August 27, 2009

  —Avenging Archangel

  Number of comments: 0
  This afternoon the Transportation District Commission of Hampton Roads (TDCHR), the governing board of Hampton Roads Transit (HRT), held it's August meeting.
  
  HRT was forced to seek easements for Norfolk light rail. No speakers showed up for the eminent domain Public Hearing, and the Resolution to condemn unanimously passed.
  [...]
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  Posted: August 27, 2009, 5:37pm EDT
  by Avenging Archangel

• 2009 JT Walk & Beach Party

  —Avenging Archangel

  Number of comments: 0
  The 2nd annual JT Walk & Beach Party will be held October 4 at 11 A.M. at the 31st Street Hilton. 50% of proceeds will go to fight ALS; 50% will go towards funding JT's Grommet Island Park. The party afterwards will have food (oysters & bbq) and live music [...]
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  Posted: August 27, 2009, 11:17am EDT
  by Avenging Archangel

• TPPC August 27, 2009

  —Avenging Archangel

  Number of comments: 0
  This morning the Transportation, Parking, and Pedestrian Committee (TPPC) of Virginia Beach's Resort Advisory Commission (RAC) held it's August meeting. It was the shortest in quite awhile, only running about 45 minutes.
  
  The TPPC was shown a PowerPoint Presentation on JT's Grommet Park, and approved the park in concept [...]
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  Posted: August 27, 2009, 11:03am EDT
  by Avenging Archangel

• Washington Dems Committing Political Suicide

  —Avenging Archangel

  Number of comments: 1
  One of the most fundamental axioms in politics is that the one group that will always go to the polls to vote is senior citizens. Even if no one else shows up, seniors will. No smart politician ticks them off.
  
  First the Dems propose to pay for Obamacare by [...]
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  Posted: August 25, 2009, 7:52pm EDT
  by Avenging Archangel

• Anyone Have An Explaination?

  —Avenging Archangel

  Number of comments: 0
  From time to time you will see things on Hampton Roads Transit's (HRT) buses that don't make sense. I toss this one out to my fellow bus riders to see if anyone can figure it out.
  
  At 5 P.M. today at the Military Circle Transfer Center, a man got' [...]
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  Posted: August 25, 2009, 7:46pm EDT
  by Avenging Archangel

• Virginia Beach On Facebook

  —Avenging Archangel

  Number of comments: 0
  With the elimination of City Page and Beach magazine in Budget cuts, the City of Virginia Beach is looking for new ways to communicate with the residents. One of them: the City now has it's own Facebook page. If you have an account, add it. [...]
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  Posted: August 22, 2009, 10:46pm EDT
  by Avenging Archangel

• Change Begins in Suffolk

  —Avenging Archangel

  Number of comments: 0
  I previously visited Suffolk to check out it's bus service after it was reintegrated into Hampton Roads Transit's (HRT) network ("Riding HRT In Suffolk" May 11, 2009). On Monday HRT began making changes to standardize service delivery practices in Suffolk with those used in the other six cities that HRT [...]
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  Posted: August 19, 2009, 7:56pm EDT
  by Avenging Archangel

• Tops For Growing Up

  —Avenging Archangel

  Number of comments: 0
  Virginia Beach has been named by U.S. News And World Report as one of the Top 10 places in the United States for a child to grow up. [www.usnews.com]
  
  Let's see the usual suspects try to find something negative in that designation.... [...]
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  Posted: August 19, 2009, 7:50pm EDT
  by Avenging Archangel

• Rolling Antique Show

  —Avenging Archangel

  Number of comments: 0
  I previously posted on the overage Gillig Phantoms that Hampton Roads Transit (HRT) has brought from the Peninsula to the Southside for service ("Transit Notes August 12, 2009"). This morning I spotted five of them in service: three on Route 20, one on Route 9, and one on Route 44.
  [...]
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  Posted: August 19, 2009, 7:42pm EDT
  by Avenging Archangel

• 76% Want The CIP Project Bundle

  —Avenging Archangel

  Number of comments: 4
  76% want the CIP Project Bundle done, with 23% opposed.
  
  That brings us to the other half of the question: how to pay for them? Property Tax increase, imposing an Ambulance Fee (as Chesapeake and Norfolk do), Cut Elsewhere to make funds available, or something else? [...]
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  Posted: August 16, 2009, 9:29pm EDT
  by Avenging Archangel

• Michael Vick Signs With The Eagles

  —Avenging Archangel

  Number of comments: 1
  As you've probably heard by now, Michael Vick has signed a two-year contract with the Philadelphia Eagles. Two areas of thought:
  
  1. The only sense it makes is Donovan McNabb's chronic injury problems. Otherwise, why blow that much salary cap space for another quarterback?
  
  2. At the 8' [...]
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  Posted: August 15, 2009, 6:10pm EDT
  by Avenging Archangel

• 2009 Community Legislative Package Meeting

  —Avenging Archangel

  Number of comments: 2
  This evening the City of Virginia Beach held it's annual Community Legislative Package meeting at the convention center. About 80 people were in attendance.
  
  The three big topics of the night:
  
  1. Transportation - everyone agrees our roads are a problem; how will we pay for better? Bob [...]
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  Posted: August 13, 2009, 11:04pm EDT
  by Avenging Archangel

• Pembroke Area Implementation Plan Briefing

  —Avenging Archangel

  Number of comments: 4
  First item on the Agenda this morning for the Planning Commission was a Briefing on the draft Pembroke Area Implementation Plan.
  
  Strategic Growth Area (SGA) 4 is about 1,200 acres, roughly the size of downtown Richmond. The Plan provides for 210-220 blocks of urban redevelopment. To put that in [...]
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  Posted: August 12, 2009, 4:58pm EDT
  by Avenging Archangel

• Transit Notes August 12, 2009

  —Avenging Archangel

  Number of comments: 2
  A couple things after riding the buses of Hampton Roads Transit (HRT) today:
  
  1. This morning I saw Bus 532 being used on Route 20. It was the Outbound 20, arriving at Pembroke East at 7:15 A.M.
  
  For the 98% of you unfamiliar with HRT's vehicle numbering system, [...]
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  Posted: August 12, 2009, 4:37pm EDT
  by Avenging Archangel

• Farmers Market Scores Big

  —Avenging Archangel

  Number of comments: 1
  The Virginia Beach Farmers Market was named in the Top 20 overall among farmers markets in the U.S. The contest was held by the American Farmland Trust.
  
  Given the dusting we took from Forbes, it's great to have some good news. [...]
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  Posted: August 11, 2009, 9:01pm EDT
  by Avenging Archangel

• Fun At The NR&HA

  —Avenging Archangel

  Number of comments: 0
  The past week has brought us some interesting news on the Norfolk Redevelopment and Housing Authority (NR&HA).
  
  First, three developers rented houses in Broad Creek in violation of deed covenants.
  
  Now we learn the NR&HA is in danger of defaulting on the loan it took out for East [...]
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  Posted: August 10, 2009, 12:12pm EDT
  by Avenging Archangel

• Villaneuva Ice Cream Social

  —Avenging Archangel

  Number of comments: 9
  On Saturday afternoon there was an ice cream social held by Ron Villaneuva's campaign for the House of Delegates. It was at his campaign headquarters on Independence Boulevard.
  
  The M.C. of the event was Virginia Beach City Councilman Glen Davis. The guest of honor was House Majority Leader Morgan [...]
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  Posted: August 09, 2009, 1:18pm EDT
  by Avenging Archangel

• Frontal Assault Or Lay Siege?

  —Avenging Archangel

  Number of comments: 9
  One of the fun topics to discuss in Virginia Beach political circles is the question "How do we destroy what's left of the Virginia Beach Taxpayers Alliance (VBTA)?" The consensus is that the pivotal issue will be light rail (LRT); the question is exactly how?
  
  One Councilman who is [...]
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  Posted: August 09, 2009, 12:00pm EDT
  by Avenging Archangel

• China Garden Closes

  —Avenging Archangel

  Number of comments: 1
  In the latest of the merry-go-round at Pembroke Mall, the China Garden restaurant has closed. It was the Chinese restaurant at the very front of the mall with a buffet.
  
  Sometimes you need a scorecard to know who's at the mall, who's not, and where they are. [...]
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  Posted: August 07, 2009, 7:32pm EDT
  by Avenging Archangel

• Not Very Hopeful

  —Avenging Archangel

  Number of comments: 3
  55% of you are pessimistic about the chances of the Minority Roundtable have a good impact. 27% were neutral, while 16% were optimistic.
  
  The new poll question will be about the issue coming out of this week's Virginia Beach City Council Retreat: Do you support the CIP project package? [...]
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  Posted: August 07, 2009, 7:47am EDT
  by Avenging Archangel

• Check The Film, VBPD!

  —Avenging Archangel

  Number of comments: 2
  On the way to today's RAC meeting, the bus I was on ran a red light. We were heading eastbound on Virginia Beach Boulevard, pushing through the light at Independence Boulevard. Yes, that light has one of those Photo Red cameras up. Does VBPD now send a Summons to HRT?
  [...]
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  Posted: August 06, 2009, 7:10pm EDT
  by Avenging Archangel

• RAC August 6, 2009

  —Avenging Archangel

  Number of comments: 0
  The August meeting of Virginia Beach's Resort Advisory Commission (RAC) was held this afternoon.
  
  There was a Presentation on JT's Grommet Park by Bruce Thompson and Billy Almond. The park would be a wheelchair-capable playground on the beach at Rudee Loop. The RAC endorsed the project in concept unanimously [...]
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  Posted: August 06, 2009, 6:44pm EDT
  by Avenging Archangel

• VBTA To The RPVB Again

  —Avenging Archangel

  Number of comments: 1
  At Saturday morning's Republican Party of Virginia Beach (RPVB) Breakfast, the scheduled Program is one of Reid Greenmun's conspiracy-filled rants against light rail. This follows Beth Allen speaking about a month ago on her hit piece against Town Center.
  
  First, both Allen's "White Paper" on Town Center and Greenmun's' [...]
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  Posted: August 06, 2009, 11:25am EDT
  by Avenging Archangel

• Stick To The Plan!

  —Avenging Archangel

  Number of comments: 0
  During their Retreat on Tuesday, all members of the Virginia Beach City Council agreed to sign a letter to Walgreens asking them to preserve the former post office building at Atlantic Avenue and 24th Street. Walgreens has bought it, planning to demolish it for a new pharmacy. I have a [...]
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  Posted: August 04, 2009, 11:57pm EDT
  by Avenging Archangel

• 2009 Individual Council Priorities

  —Avenging Archangel

  Number of comments: 7
  At the City Council Retreat, each member was asked to name their Top 3 priorities for the coming year. Some went more than 3; some fewer. The following are their priorities, from the official list distributed this morning:
  
  Bob Dyer
  
  1. Lynnhaven Parkway Phase XI (i.e. punch-through to [...]
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  Posted: August 04, 2009, 11:27pm EDT
  by Avenging Archangel