Blueweeds

VIDEO: The Week In (Painful) Review.

Political Drafting And The School Facilities Study Report

The Falls Church public schools facilities study report was quietly presented at the school board meeting last week.  The report details current and anticipated facility limitations in the existing city schools, does a needs analysis based on school population projections, and describes possible design and use changes to city schools over the next three to five years.

The school board is evaluating the study, which contained no specific cost analysis, and is actively soliciting comments from the public.  The study is for informational purposes only.  The school board may accept or reject the concepts contained in the study, and is likely to significantly alter recommendations before proceeding with any specific policy or budget actions. 

The study was conducted by the engineering and architectural design firm PSA-Dewberry.  The city council used the same firm two years ago when it considered making changes to city hall.  PSA-Dewberry had recommended a $75 million renovation to city hall ... an astronomically expensive and politically impossible idea which was rejected out of hand by the city council. The council ended up refusing all three recommendations of the consulting firm, but did approve a $12 million dollar "out years place holder" CIP budget item and is waiting for a revised proposal from the firm.  

Any project which is more than 10 percent within one yearof the total city budget (currently at about $70 million) would have to be approved by public referendum.

The school facilities study presented last week will likely have a similar review and rejection pattern before any action is taken.  The school facilities study recommends changes which are operationally significant and very expensive.

The politics of the facilities studies are brutal.  The decision to go back to the same consultant and produce another glossy concept report which will never get built in this city is painful to watch. 

Our city politics has been fractionalized by what can roughly be described as "pro-school / development" and "anti-kids / development" political interests.  On its face, the school facilities study seems to play into the hands of latter.  Producing a concept report which has aggressive school population numbers and proposes humongous school construction costs is the equivalent of throwing gas on the anti-kids/development fire. 

Scheduling the first public hearing on the report for election night was unfortunate.  The meeting was televised but there were nearly as many consultants at the meeting as there were members of the public.  The study was also, unfortunately, presented just a few days before the painful city staff layoffs triggered by fully funding the schools and giving all school employees a raise take effect.

It will be interesting to compare the reaction of the school board to the facilities study with how the city council dealt with the city hall facilities study.  Local politicos may well catch a glimpse of our political and budget future in what happens next. 

 

Rolling With Ronaldo

Last week's trade of Portuguese soccer star Christiano Ronaldo from Manchester United (English Club) to Real Madrid (Spanish Club) has caused quite a stir in international sports communities.  The trade is certainly remarkable for being the most expensive soccer contract ever - the equivalent of US $132 million for the 24 year old striker.  But the trade also broadcasts a psychological signal to players and fans of the game which will get played out on the world stage, including the 2010 World Cup, in years to come. 

The American football equivalent, perhaps, of Tom Brady seeking and accepting a trade from the Patriots to Pittsburgh.    

Ronaldo is largely considered the best soccer player in the world (at the moment).  He also has a *tiny bit* of a flashy reputation - dating actress Paris Hilton, crashing a Ferrari, (Messi) personality clashes with other world class players, to give just a few examples.  English tabloids and fans are feeling a bit snubbed by Ronaldo, who wore the mythical number seven jersey for Man U and had pledged his everlasting love for the club.  

Since the trade last week, Ronaldo has made a television commercial in which he brags about which bank he is going to put all of the money he got for (betraying) Manchester United.  Which is, um, not being particularly well received in England. 

Soccer tip of day from old Mike at Blueweeds:  If you ever find yourself facing a player like Ronaldo ... well, congratulations and enjoy yourself.  First, try not to give the player the "magic three foot distance."  Get closer to disrupt or step further away to recover.  Second, you are going to need help.  The object of your defense should be containment and to slow the player down (not to win the ball).  You and your backup should practice a "stack defense" (the soccer equivalent of good cop - bad cop) and hope the player passes the ball.   If you are one on one with the player, your options are limited.  The player is reacting instinctively to multiple signals you are giving out about foot preference, balance, height, weight, condition, aggression, ecetera ... one tactic in an open field one-on-one situation with a very skilled player is to close the distance and make an asymmetric play - that is, make a play on the ball in a space where you do not think the ball is going to go.  Sometimes it works and it has as good a chance as any to stop the play. 

Quality VPAP Election Maps

H/T to Waldo who has another excellent post on election data - which folks who are into this type of information should definitely check out. 

VPAP has produced some really effective election maps which compare elections, and regions, based on candidate supported, votes cast, and voting trends.  Waldo is right in his observation thatthe recent Democratic primary shows widespread support for Deeds across different regions of the state.  Good stuff for Virginia political junkies. 

Tinner Hill Blues Festival

The 15th Annual Tinner Hill Blues Festival is really starting to get things cooking in the Falls Church.  The sounds and smells are beginning to drift around the community, with different artists and events planned at several locations around town throughout the weekend.

The three day, free, festival of blues music, performance artists, and soul food is brought to you by our historic Tinner Hill Heritage Foundation.  The site has complete schedules and details on how to come down and enjoy the really special event. 

The first rural branch of what became the NAACP was founded in Falls Church City by residents of the Tinner Hill neighborhood who protested an effort to create a local segregated housing ordinance.  Yeah, that's right.  We have a *long* history of local activism on housing issues.  The Tinner Hill Heritage Foundation preserves the heritage of those citizens and their neighborhood. 

The 15th Annual Falls Church Blues Festival looks to be the best and biggest ever.  There are events all day Friday, Saturday, and then a slow wind down on Sunday.  Performance will be hosted at key locations across the city - the Virginia Tech campus, State Theater, Bangkok Blues, Tax Analysts Building, "early bird blues" Saturday at the Farmers Market, and the main gig starting at 3:00 pm on Saturday at Cherry Hill Park. 

The Tinner Hill link has complete schedules and details. 

If Big Daddy's Ribs are in the area ... do yourself a favor and get some of those.  They are unbelievable. 

See additional coverage at Falls Church News-Press,  The Black Fives Blog, and The Examiner.   

Below is a sample from Deanna Bogart - who will be at the festival on Saturday. 

Flippin' Pizza Opens In Falls Church

The new Falls Church City Flippin' Pizza is open for business. Located next to the (opening soon) Post Office in the Broad Street Flower Building, the New York - style pizzeria in tucked into an intimate storefront space in the building. 

I stopped in earlier this week and had a chance to talk with one of the owners.  He has been pleasantly surprised by the intimacy of Falls Church and with the level of foot traffic he is already seeing.  The store has not had its official opening yet and had planned for minimal customers until the Post Office opens in several days.  After a few bumps and bruises with permits, the store opened before the Post Office and it has seen a surprising number of customers.

The Flippin' Pizza niche is a neighborhood pizzeria with a straightforward menu and quality fresh ingredients.  The pies are New York - style ... large slices, with thin crusts, designed to be folded over and eaten with gusto.  The menu is simple, a la the famous In-N-Out burger chain in California.  You get quality pizza with a drink for bargain price.  Salads and some garlic twists are available, but it's really about getting a slice of pizza.   

Flippin' Pizza is staffed almost entirely by local residents.  It has a small seating area.  It does not deliver, but I understand it may bring a meal out to your car if you call ahead.  It does serve beer, along with fountain soft drinks.

Frequent readers may know I am not really a pizza fan (un-American, I know).  But when you have kids and are married to a real Jersey Girl, hey, you have to make certain accommodations.  What can I say, the pizza was good.  The fresh ingredients made a difference, and the crust is particularly tasty and crisp.  Flippin' Pizza is running a pre-opening special right now ... I believe the price for a slice and fountain drink was $1.58.  Hard to beat that ... and it won't last.

The location seems good.  The Post Office is always busy, and the Flower Building is impossible to ignore.  The  St. James kids, city office workers, and the residents off of Park should be regulars at a simple, good quality, high-value local pizzeria.   

Falls Church Constitutional Officers Unopposed

None of the three incumbent Falls Church City constitutional officers will be challenged for re-election in November 2009.  Sheriff Steve Bittle (pictured lower left), Commissioner of Revenue Tom Clinton (pictured lower right), and City Treasurer Cathy Kaye (pictured upper left), each of whom is an active Democrat, will be unopposed on the fall ballot.  

The filing deadline for candidates passed on Tuesday, June 9, with no last minute candidates stepping forward.  

Constitutional officers are elected as partisan local officials under the state constitution and city charter, and are considered state employees once in office.  Falls Church City has its own sheriff, commissioner of revenue, and treasurer, but shares two other constitutional offices (clerk of court and commonwealth's attorney) with the County of Arlington.

Oddly, there has been no public communication about the constitutional officer candidates or the status of the fall ballot from the local Democratic Committee. 

Sheriff Bittle was raised in Arlington and was a longtime city police officer before becoming sheriff in 1992.  Tom Clinton was elected commissioner in 2002 and is one of the most popular local officials in the city.  He has been given friendly nicknames (which I will not divulge here out of respect for the office ;-)) for his habit of attending long city meetings and enjoying the food at served at numerous Democratic events.  Cathy Kaye was also elected in 2002  2006 after a contentious election which she won by a four -to - one margin.  Cathy has made significant administrative improvements in the office since her election; notably removing a pain of thick, murky, bullet proof glass in the public office which many felt set an inappropriate "us versus them" tone in what has traditionally been a friendly small town office. 

Impressive In-Deeds

Congratulations to Creigh Deeds and his campaign.  I fully support his nomination and look forward to assisting him and the rest of the Democratic ticket during the general election.

The Deeds numbers are impressive.  This was not a plurality election decided by Republicans sneaking into the voting booth.  The polls which showed late undecideds breaking in huge numbers to the Deeds campaign turned out to be accurate.  I certainly did not see Deeds winning the Eighth Congressional District, or Arlington, or Falls Church ... but he did, and it was not very close.

From a Falls Church City perspective, the turnout was high.  None of the campaigns had GOTV ground troops in the city, and, honestly, my friends on the local Democratic Committee did nothing special to increase turnout.   I believe our high relative turnout numbers were not driven by operations, but by the fact we are an older, politically savvy, populace which is progressive and active.  We also seem to have a better voter roll than larger jurisdictions.  Our "active" voter lists are easier to manage and it is easier to cull invalid registrations and "inactive" voters.   

There is some interesting ward information in the Falls Church numbers.  Apparently, conservatives like to live in wards II and IV. 

It strikes me that all Falls Church local officials endorsed Brian Moran, as did the mayor and three other city council members, our local newspaper, and this blog ... and by my amateur evaluation it looks like those endorsements might be attributable for a 3 to 5 percent uptick for Moran.  Not much to brag about. 

Below is a snapshot of unofficial area turnout, votes cast, and vote percentages. More of this data is at Virginia SBE.   

Open Thread: Primary Day In Virginia

An open thread for comments - observations on the Virginia primary.  Turnout looks moderate in Falls Church City, with about 12 percent of registered voters voting.  Quick observations at the polls showed good Brian Moran and Jody Wagner support.  

There were no lines that I saw during the day, and only sporadic manning of the polls.  Big thunderstorms during the two busiest parts of teh day - early morning and evening drive time. 

Also, today is the filing deadline for consititutional officers.  So our Commissioner of Revenue, Treasurer, and Sherif are standing by to see if their elections will be contested. 

So what say the masses? 

US Prepares For SA2010 World Cup

Religion, politics and soccer are three dialecs in the only true global language.  When a community communicates, or not, in any of these dialects it is giving the rest of the world insight into its essence.

The world is preparing for a big get together - the 2010 World Cup which will be staged in South Africa.  It will be the first time the tournement has been hosted on the continent of Africa.  People around the world will particpate, in person and/or remotely, in a sort of global family reunion where our essence, voiced simultaneously and passionately in the dialecs of our respective religion, politics, and soccer playing, will be on display to the whole family. 

How is Cousin Germany?  Still disciplined and aging.  And Cousin Italy?  Creative, a bit disorganized at home, and self-tormented.  Cousin England?  Aggressive and on a mission of self-improvement.  And Cousin Brazil?  Still beautiful, passionate, but a bit coddled by its many lovers. 

So it goes.  The World Cup is a chance for us to catch up with our family.  To reaffirm or disprove our global stereotypes, settle differences or make new ones, and, most of all, to revel in our common condition. 

The United States is in good position to qualify for SA2010 with a 2 - 1 come from behind victory over Honduras on Saturday.  For qualifying purposes, countries are divided into six  different "continental zones" with each zone having its own procedures for picking the top 3 to 5 teams to advance to the actual tournement.  The US plays in the CONCACAF zone, along with Costa Rica, El Salvador, Mexico, Trinidad & Tobago, and Honduras.   The US has played five of its ten qualifying matches, and as a result of its win over Homduras is now solidly in second place behind zone-favorite and Central American champion Costa Rica.  See FIFA for more info on SA2010.

Within our global family, the United States soccer team has a reputation for being physically fit, a bit direct in its approach, and not so much passionate as a bit boorish in our love for the game.  If Spain is the great lover Don Juan, the US is a buff frat boy.  Not that one is better or worse, just that they are, well, different.

The game against Honduras was consistent with each team's pattern of play.  Honduras scored early on a turnover at mid-field and a quick crossing run at the top of the box.  To me, the US defense was a bit disorganized off the turnover and quick counter, with the crossing runs by Honduras creating what must have looked to the US keeper like a triple stack of players at the top of the area.  The keeper appeared to lean left to try to glimpse the ball in traffic and, as a result, had his weight on the wrong foot for a shot that came high and to his right.  From that distance, the keeper should have stopped the shot if he had seen the play cleanly. 

Honduras has a very good midfield (formation and players), but a reputation for being unfit and undisciplined on defense.  The US created several chances on set plays.  The busy and fit US striker Donovan Landon timed a ball lofted uncreatively down the middle (off of a set play) to beat an offsides and, frankly, it looked like Donovan startled the tired Honduran defender with his speed.  The defender inexplicably slapped at a ball in the penalty area rather than clear it with his left foot.  A penalty kick resulted.  Somebody will have to explain to me how a hand ball in the area to stop a goal scoring chance does not result in a red card, but the ref gave a very generous yellow card instead. 

In the second half, the US scored the winning goal off a (set play) corner kick.  The Honduran defense looked bolted to the pitch and was clearly caught guarding space rather than players.  A big no-no when defending set plays on defense (flashback to a clever coach yelling at me "... guard your MAN Mike.  Never in the f***ing HISTORY OF THE GAME has a blade of grass ever risen up and kicked the f***ing ball in the net ...").  Indeed. 

The US was not at world class level (which to its credit it admitted).  A 4-3-3 scheme with a strategy that depends on an unfit opponent, middle runs, and set plays will not beat any premier team ... or even an average European team. 

The story of the CONCACAF zone may be Mexico.  The CONCACAF is heavily weighted toward advancing the perennial "big three" - US, Mexico, and Costa Rica.  However, with its loss on Saturday to El Salvador and its really poor playing during qualifying, Mexico may not qualify for the tournement - sending El Salvador in its place.  Mexico has a new coach, and its miserable play seems to mirror the political turbulance in the country caused by drug cartels and swine flu epidemics.  The US will play Mexico soon at the fabled Azteca stadium.  The US has never won against Mexico at Azteca, and a victory could not only break that tradition, but could elliminate Mexico from SA2010 and tear the heart out of our beleagured favorite cousin. 

Anyway.  Good stuff and lots of family drama to come. 

See more at Sports Illustrated and Washington Post.   

Virginia Primary Poll Horror Show

 

A truly frightening poll graph from pollster.com.  The analysis of the graph at pollster is an interesting read.  The point is made that regional turnout is now the master key to deciding the primary.  See also politico.com on same subject.  

Why is the poll so frightening?  Because the drop in the McAuliffe line looks like he has been caught with the proverbial "dead hooker or live boy."  But not only can McAuliffe still win the nomination, a good argument can be made he is still the favorite (poll volatility and difficult to predict turnout).

Given the context McAuliffe has outraised and outspent his opponents by huge margins, this suggests what many (myself included) thought was a campaign canard might be true: the more voters get to know McAuliffe the less they like him. 

Which sucks (for Democrats).

The modern Democratic governors in Virginia have all been elected in a conservative state on a "try us, you'll like us" message.  If McAuliffe wins the nomination, the message will have to shift to something like "take this, it's good for you"  or "take this so you don't have to have that other *really* nasty thing."

Not to get all political operative-ity on my dear readers, but it seems like a particularly hard message for the party deliver, for activists to get behind, and for Virginia voters to give to in a general election.

VIDEO: Obama Speech In Cairo (full version)

Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy

The full text of the speech is: here.

West End Excitement Was A Hoax

Falls Church west-enders had a little extra excitement Saturday afternoon when police and SWAT officers shut down much of West Street going door to door with helicopters circling overhead.  Turned out it was a hoax.  Someone called in shooting spree threat.  

Let's not do that anymore please.   

BREAKING: Ad Wrongfully Implies Key Endorsement Of McAuliffe

An ad running on the popular social networking site Facebook wrongfully implies Scott Surovell, the chair of the powerful Fairfax County Democratic Committee, has endorsed the campaign of Terry McAuliffe. 

The ad places the Facebook image of Surovell along with a notation that Surovell is "a fan of Terry McAuliffe" over a request to "Vote June 9 for McAuliffe."  It has not been confirmed whether or not the McAuliffe campaign authorized the ad.  The ad contains no attestation.  The ad strongly suggests Surovell has endorsed the McAuliffe campaign.   

Surovell is the local chair of the Democratic committee in the most populous jurisdiction in Virginia. It is common practice for local party chairs to stay neutral in contested primaries in order to limit party infighting in the general election.  Scott has publicly stated he is neutral in the 2009 Democratic primary. 

Reached for comment Friday afternoon, Scott confirmed he has not endorsed McAuliffe.  Scott's Facebook page includes being "a fan" of the McAuliffe, Deeds, and Moran campaigns, and includes 816 friends.

As a disclosure, this blog made a general endorsement of the Moran campaign earlier this week.  No person associated with Blueweeds works for, or has coordinated with any campaign, in its endorsement or in this post.  The ad, reproduced below, was seen by the writer on Facebook and was preserved via print screen.  It represents precisely what was seen on the screen.

Update 1:  Eli Kaplan with the McAuliffe campaign returned my call.  He confirmed the McAuliffe campaign purchased the ad and explained the ad is constructed to automatically "pop up" random photos of any person who has signed up as "a fan" of the campaign.  Eli explained this is a common construction for fan pages and ads on social networking sites.  No specific permissions were obtained by the McAuliffe campaign to use photos of fans in the get out the vote ad.  There was no explanation for why this particular ad happened to feature Surovell.  When asked if the ad would be adjusted, Eli indicated the ad is being "examined" and "if it was used inappropriately or inaccurately [the McAuliffe campaign] will work to make adjustments."  Regarding the impression Surovell has endorsed the campaign, Eli said there was "no way it was done intentionally and we apologize" if it was misleading.

Virginia Bans Smiles To Accomodate Spy Machines. Run People! Flee!

Unfreakingbelievable.   State bans smiles so it can use technology to watch us more closely.  F***!!! 

Check please.  (Short on-point Indie film while I wait for my passport ...)

Endorsing Brian Moran

A few words about the June 9th primary and an offering up of my enthusiastic endorsement of Brian Moran.

Virginia voters will select their party nominees for governor on Tuesday June 9th.  The Democratic slate is contested by Brian Moran, Creigh Deeds, and Terry McAuliffe.  The three candidates bring distinct pros and cons to their candidacies, and each is well qualified in his own way.  Relative parity among the candidates, in an open primary, in a red-but-trending-blue state which has extreme population disparity weighted in Northern Virginia, sets the stage for a close plurality election which will be decided by what our region does with its votes.

It is tempting for good Democrats to wait out a tough primary contest and then get behind the eventual winner.  Primary voters typically have some personal connection to the campaigns and are loath to criticize a fellow Democrat.  Others are concerned they may back the wrong candidate and be blacklisted by the winner.

My issue with the "wait and see" approach to primaries is it cedes an important decision to others ... including, in an open primary state like Virginia, to Republicans who can select the candidate they would like to run against in the fall.  It is also a soft signal to the general electorate that politics does not matter, that essentially all the candidates are the same.  Which is not true among our Democratic candidates this year, and is certainly not true about the Republican nominee ... who is a hard right conservative who is already scrubbing his party branding from his campaign and purposefully positioning himself as an innocuously moderate candidate.   

I encourage people to vote and to evaluate the experience and platforms of the candidates.  I intend to vote for Brian Moran and I endorse his campaign. 

My political background includes active participation in Virginia politics since 1996; including being a campaign organizer, volunteer, fundraiser, a local party member - vice chair - chair, a member of the Eighth District Democratic Committee, DPVA Central Committee, a progressive political blogger, and the spouse of a local elected official.

There are a couple of articles which capture the essence of my reasons for endorsing Brian.  The first is an excellent Falls Church News-Press article which discusses his longstanding ties to, understanding of, and advocacy for the Falls Church City community.  Another is a Washington Post article which accurately describes Brian as a dutiful political grinder - the go to guy who straps it on and does the difficult work up against the political boards.  The other two articles are the Virginia Partisans endorsement of Brian Moran and a post done by The Green Miles on the respective environmental positions of the candidates.

A couple of quick points:

1. The term of the next governor will likely be dominated by the difficult issues of zero budgeting and redistricting.  This is necessary and un-flashy political work for which Brian is particularly well suited;

2. Northern Virginia is rightfully out of step with the rest of Virginia on gay rights and green issues.  Brian's campaign has distinguished itself from his opponents on these two issues - demonstrating a clear willingness to lead Virginia in a progressive direction based on clearly articulate political values.  Brian's tact on these two issues is clear, different than his opponents, and reflects remarkable political character;

3. Brian has unusually close ties to Falls Church City.  He is the only candidate with a Falls Church City business license; he shops here; plays basketball at our community center; makes appearances in our local court system; and routinely sits in our Beltway - Broad Street traffic;

4. Brian is a proven party builder.  He has done the hard work of being the minority caucus leader in the house of horrors known as the Republican-led House of Delegates.  He has been a terrific advocate - forceful and outspoken on party differences, able to communicate clearly and respectfully with opponents.  In a place in which it is especially hard to keep personal integrity, he has managed to do so;

5. Jim Moran, our congressman and Brian's brother, has been a remarkable asset to our region and to the Democratic Party.  As a local party leader, Jim's willingness to assist businesses and political leaders in NOVA on grassroots community and constituency issues has been extraordinary.  The congressman's value on local issues and party building, irrespective of how one comes down on Jim's outspoken positions on national issues, is hard to overestimate.  Jim has kept his distance in his brother's campaign, but supporting Brian is an opportunity to acknowledge the work Jim has done for years for our region;

6. Brian understands the importance of the Dillon Rule to small local jurisdictions like Falls Church.  His opponents have either not addressed the Dillon Rule or openly called for its repeal.  Repealing the Dillon Rule would polarize the political climate of small jurisdictions and greatly complicate the efforts of communities like ours to maintain independent school systems and run effective local government; and

7. Our local political stealth-zellmiller-dixiecrat dark force has McAuliffe yards signs.  All good people on the planet should take note and run, run, away from whatever they are selling.  Seriously. 

Another point.  I have closely followed the posts of my colleagues in the "progressive netroots blogosphere" and attended campaign events targeted specifically at the blogging community.  I found most of their endorsements and arguments particularly un-compelling.  Too often the arguments were written from a political operatives point of view.  That is, the positions taken were focused on who could win the election and why ... rather than on the much more important point of who should win and why.  One of the benefits of being a grassroots truth-as-you-see-it blogger is that you do not (and should not) give a rip about campaign operation realities.  Just tell your readers what you see as a progressive advocate and leave operational work to the campaign drones and wannabes. 

Last point, which I am intentionally understating.  I have seen the political elephant (figuratively and literally) and very little shocks me about politics.  But I find myself deeply disquieted by the political tactics used by a small but important group of "progressive netroots" bloggers who endorsed and/or work for the McAuliffe campaign.  Look.  No virgins here.  But I saw what you did, and I believe it has done real damage to the Democratic Party of Virginia. 

Thanks for reading.  Happy voting. 

A Lovely Robocaller

It was one of those surreal political moments.  Sitting down to dinner with the mayor, only to be interrupted by a robocall from the mayor asking me to vote for Brian Moran.  What do you do?  Hang up on the mayor so you can go talk with the mayor?  Swear at the mayor for interrupting your time with the mayor?  Then friends started calling the house, "hey, you just called here and I wanted to call you back to tell you (stop robocalling me / thanks for calling)."     

My wife robocalling me.  Weird.  Just weird. 

VIDEO: President Obama On Memorial Day 2009

VIDEO: 2009 Falls Church Memorial Day

Memorial Day 2009 was hot and humid in Falls Church City with attendance noticeably up from last year. 

An estimated 30,000 people attended various events held throughout the day in what amounted to a day long street party.   Food and craft vendors lined the City Hall parking lot and Little Falls Street, with various civic, political, business and religious organizations also vying for attention. 

A Memorial Day remembrance ceremony was held at the community center.  Live music blared throughout the day.  The activities were capped off with a long parade.

[Updated]

Below is video from NewsChannel8.  The remembrance ceremony was officiatedby Rev. Michael Pipkin, who is the priest in charge at the The Falls Church Episcopal Church and a former Navy Chaplin who served in Iraq.  Also, the reporter just mentioned Terry McAuliffe, but Brian Moran also participated in the parade.  Creigh Deeds was in Norfolk.  Democratic candidates for Lt. Governor Jody Wagner and Mike Signer were both there.  Delagate Jim Scott was there.  Democratic AG Steve Shannon was also in the parade.  The Republican nominee for delegate in the 38th (Danny Smith - met him, seemed like a nice guy who should lose by a respectable margin to the eventual winner of the Democratic primary) was there and had a booth.  Incumbent Democrat Bob Hull has a primary challenge from Kaye Kory - Bob was at the parade and rode in one of the FCCDC vehicles.  I am getting conflicting information on whether Kaye was at the parade - will confirm and provide an update.

VIDEO: WTF(ox)!?