Arriving in downtown Norfolk in late morning to see the movie Madea Goes To Jail (very good), I stopped in Kelly's Backstage Tavern for an early lunch. In hindsight, I wish I hadn't.
When I entered, two employees were there but neither greeted me. After having to find my own way to a table, it was nearly 15 minutes before I got a waiter. (I considered walking out.) He had an "I don't really care" attitude. It then took nearly 30 minutes before my lunch arrived.
My French Dip had tough meat. The cheese was melted largely to one side of the sandwich. The french fries were undercooked and some stuck together.
While I've had mostly good experiences with Kelly's Tavern at Pembroke Mall, avoid their Granby Street location.
Sunday, March 8, 2009
The Boondocks
Yesterday I was invited to a neighbor's apartment for a get-together. One of the things that was going on was that he had episodes of The Boondocks for us to watch. The show's website is at http://www.boondockstv.com
I had never seen The Boondocks before, but loved it. The combination of pointed social commentary coupled with some great humor will keep you glued to the screen. If you haven't seen it, I'd suggest watching.
Below is a clip from the show that was on YouTube.
I had never seen The Boondocks before, but loved it. The combination of pointed social commentary coupled with some great humor will keep you glued to the screen. If you haven't seen it, I'd suggest watching.
Below is a clip from the show that was on YouTube.
Friday, March 6, 2009
RAC March 5, 2009
Yesterday afternoon Virginia Beach's Resort Advisory Commission (RAC) held it's March meeting.
It began with a Presentation by Mac Rawls from the Historical Preservation Committee. He covered preservation efforts in Virginia Beach, claiming the largest concentration of historic buildings is in the Resort Area. Rawls cited the efforts to save the Roland Courts Theater on 17th Street (ongoing) and the 24th Street Post Office (probably lost). Being just one generation removed from Finland, I couldn't help but think Europeans would laugh at some of what Virginia Beach is trying to designate as "historic buildings".
John Uhrin, Councilman and RAC Liaison, announced that we'll probably have three privately-operated bus tours from the Resort Area this Summer. Details should be firm by the April RAC meeting.
The sustainable Green initiative for the Resort Area has been dubbed the Green Resort Ecofriendly Efficient Neighbors (GREEN) Committee. It will meet at Croc's at 10:30 A.M. That started jokes about whether Bloody Mary's would be served.
The Communications Committee reported on the Gift of Tourism Campaign.
Staff is wrapping up the details with IMG on the Resort Area entertainment contract and event schedule.
Three Resort Area Ordinances are scheduled for City Council action on March 24. First, to amend the sidewalk cafe guidelines. Second, to remove the sunset clause from the Newsracks Ordinance. Third, to extend the horse riding on the beach franchise to Memorial Day.
Finally, it is hoped to arrange a RAC field trip to the Military Aviation Museum "down in the county". The April RAC meeting might be held there.
It began with a Presentation by Mac Rawls from the Historical Preservation Committee. He covered preservation efforts in Virginia Beach, claiming the largest concentration of historic buildings is in the Resort Area. Rawls cited the efforts to save the Roland Courts Theater on 17th Street (ongoing) and the 24th Street Post Office (probably lost). Being just one generation removed from Finland, I couldn't help but think Europeans would laugh at some of what Virginia Beach is trying to designate as "historic buildings".
John Uhrin, Councilman and RAC Liaison, announced that we'll probably have three privately-operated bus tours from the Resort Area this Summer. Details should be firm by the April RAC meeting.
The sustainable Green initiative for the Resort Area has been dubbed the Green Resort Ecofriendly Efficient Neighbors (GREEN) Committee. It will meet at Croc's at 10:30 A.M. That started jokes about whether Bloody Mary's would be served.
The Communications Committee reported on the Gift of Tourism Campaign.
Staff is wrapping up the details with IMG on the Resort Area entertainment contract and event schedule.
Three Resort Area Ordinances are scheduled for City Council action on March 24. First, to amend the sidewalk cafe guidelines. Second, to remove the sunset clause from the Newsracks Ordinance. Third, to extend the horse riding on the beach franchise to Memorial Day.
Finally, it is hoped to arrange a RAC field trip to the Military Aviation Museum "down in the county". The April RAC meeting might be held there.
Thursday, March 5, 2009
Why KMart Is A Mess
This afternoon I stopped at KMart to buy beer. Not your typical place to buy it, but very convenient for me. I was carded on the beer purchase. At age 44.
It's The Pension
Today's Virginian-Pravda reports that state Senator Ken Stolle is considering running for Sheriff. http://hamptonroads.com/2009/03/state-sen-stolle-ponders-run-virginia-beach-sheriff Some may be wondering "Why give up the Senate for jailkeeper?"
I've had it explained to me before that it's usually about the pension. Virginia would pension him based on total years service (Senate + Sheriff) with the amount based on the last three years salary (Sheriff's pay). When you consider the difference between a state Senator's salary and that of the Sheriff, Stolle would have much to gain in outlying years by becoming Sheriff. That's why regularly former legislators become Constitutional Officers (such as Norfolk's Tom Moss), Cabinet Secretaries, and state agency directors.
Does Stolle do it? If Ken really wants it, I don't expect current Sheriff Paul Lanteigne to stand in the way.
I've had it explained to me before that it's usually about the pension. Virginia would pension him based on total years service (Senate + Sheriff) with the amount based on the last three years salary (Sheriff's pay). When you consider the difference between a state Senator's salary and that of the Sheriff, Stolle would have much to gain in outlying years by becoming Sheriff. That's why regularly former legislators become Constitutional Officers (such as Norfolk's Tom Moss), Cabinet Secretaries, and state agency directors.
Does Stolle do it? If Ken really wants it, I don't expect current Sheriff Paul Lanteigne to stand in the way.
Sunday, March 1, 2009
75% Want Both
The previous poll question asked about Corridor 11 in the draft Regional Transit Vision Plan. In the long term it proposes both commuter rail and light rail in the CSX Corridor Lightfoot - Newport News. 75% agreed with that recommendation, 18% wanted light rail only, while 6% wanted commuter rail only. If both ran in tandem, commuter rail would be the rush hour express versus light rail offering local service throughout the day.
For lack of a better idea, I'm going to ask another Transportation question. How should Virginia Beach cover the local share of light rail construction? Should it come out of the General Fund, a TIF or SSD enacted to pull the revenue from properties adjacent to the rail line, or a new tax or fee?
For lack of a better idea, I'm going to ask another Transportation question. How should Virginia Beach cover the local share of light rail construction? Should it come out of the General Fund, a TIF or SSD enacted to pull the revenue from properties adjacent to the rail line, or a new tax or fee?
Friday's Meltdown
On Friday, Bishop Willis' funeral procession caused major disruptions in bus service in South Hampton Roads, especially Norfolk and Virginia Beach. Hampton Roads Transit's (HRT) failure to do adequate preplanning and enact countermeasures meant buses were off - if running at all - most of Friday afternoon. Michael Ragsdale covers the story on HR Transit Ideas http://blog.raggiesoft.com/?p=110
Michael and I came up with the route modifications in about ten minutes on the phone. If we could do it that quick, why didn't the professionals at HRT act? Kudos to trolley base for detouring their two impacted routes (Routes 25 and 27). However, Central Dispatch fiddled in their Hampton office while Southside operations went to meltdown. Excuse me, but an occasional announcement over the ACS doesn't make up for not getting people where they needed to be.
At my home stop I dealt with a young lady who had been waiting over a half hour before I arrived and told her what was going on. At Pembroke East I saw Operators improvising to try to get back on schedule. It was a mess, and HRT needs to do a full assessment to learn lessons for future occurrences.
Michael and I came up with the route modifications in about ten minutes on the phone. If we could do it that quick, why didn't the professionals at HRT act? Kudos to trolley base for detouring their two impacted routes (Routes 25 and 27). However, Central Dispatch fiddled in their Hampton office while Southside operations went to meltdown. Excuse me, but an occasional announcement over the ACS doesn't make up for not getting people where they needed to be.
At my home stop I dealt with a young lady who had been waiting over a half hour before I arrived and told her what was going on. At Pembroke East I saw Operators improvising to try to get back on schedule. It was a mess, and HRT needs to do a full assessment to learn lessons for future occurrences.
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