Update 6/15/09: Definitely read the links provided in the comments below, which lead to pieces that ask some hard questions. This reminds me of why blogs and comments are so important!
A Winston-Salem blogger lives near the RJR building downtown and noticed some hand made signs hanging in the lobby window. Looks like management let their people vent some steam about the state's recent regulatory moves. Pics here.
Although I grew up all over Northern Virginia (the joke in my family is that we moved every few years because my Mom hated redecorating) the place I think of when I think of my childhood is Arlington. We moved there when I was in 7th grade and stayed through the end of 10th grade and those were some formative years for me. The Arlington of the late 70s and early 80s that I remember was a little rough around the edges, with neighborhoods like Ballston and Clarendon epitomized by retail strips that had seen better days and some neighborhoods that were teetering on the edge of going to seed. Well in the 80s the Orange line of the Metro system was finished and the stops in Arlington attracted all kinds of development and there isn't much of Arlington, the smallest county in Virginia and located right across the Potomac from DC, that hasn't be redeveloped. Heck, it's downright upscale these days. That's what makes this video, Arlington: The Rap so funny. Thanks to my buddy Rich for sending me the link.
Winston-Salem's mayor Allen Joines, or someone on his staff, just posted this status on Facebook:
Allen Joines Doing what is responsible for our future Sometimes doing what is right is not the easiest or most popular course to take. But the plan we have come up with to get our baseball stadium completed is responsible and will not cost our taxpayers any additional money. For more discussion please go to my blog page at AllenJoinesForMayor.com – Thanks
He's referring to the story that broke today that the city is going to have to pony up a BIG loan to Billy Prim to get the downtown baseball stadium finished. They're giving citizens today and the weekend to share their comments with the mayor and the city council before a special meeting next Monday night. More on that later. Anyhoo, head on over to the mayor's site and give him an eareyeful.
BTW, props to the mayor for using Facebook. I can tell you that there are LOTS of constituents there, no matter what the Luddites and old codgers say. Not sure why he's only asking for comments on his website since Facebook is also an ideal environment for online discussion, but at this point let's just say that something's better than nothing.
Furthermore, financial aid is declining at many schools during the recession. Students could stay at home and enroll in community colleges to save money for their families or defer college and seek employment to earn tuition money. The final outcome for student enrollment–and the resulting effect on student housing pricing–remains uncertain."
Befuddled 