Aren’t you supposed to relax and slow down at the beach? Just asking.

Shore Drive Speed Limit

Last June the city of Virginia Beach lowered the speed limit on Shore Drive from 45 to 35 after two pedestrians were killed along that stretch of the road within six months. A city-commissioned study of the impact of the lower limit, however, has just concluded that the decrease did not make the road safer.

The study found that speeds on the road averaged 36-42 during the period that the limit was 35. With a limit of 45, no doubt the typical speeds would be 46-52, or thereabouts. People want to be able to go fast, but the Beach needs to decide whether that road is a commercial and residential avenue, or a highway. It can’t be both. I say, it’s the beach, man. Slooow down. Relax. And stop running over people at 50 miles an hour. As Vice Mayor Louis Jones says in the story, “We haven’t had a death since we implemented the 35 mile per hour speed limit. I like that, and I want to keep it that way.”

Seizures at ODU

Circuit Court Judge Louis Sherman ruled to uphold the authority of the city to seize property in the redevelopment zone near ODU. Five parcels are involved in a lawsuit fighting the seizure, including commercial properties owned by Central Radio and Norva Plastics. I’m ambivalent about the eminent domain power. I appreciate the outcome, but I deplore the process. Anyone passing by Norva Plastics would be hard-pressed to call it blighted. It’s a functioning manufacturing business. It’s not pretty, but it’s not blight. I’d like to hope that this can all be worked out–that the businesses being asked to move can make enough from the sale of these properties to cover the expense and disruption of their businesses, and maybe even make some improvements in the process.

Solar-design contest

A group of students from Hampton University and ODU have joined together into Team Tidewater, and they will be entering the solar-powered house into the Solar Decathlon in DC this summer. Read this story for the description of the house where they’ve been doing all their work. And give them an A for effort and cooperation. Also, check out the awesome drawings of the house on their team site.

Whole Foods reviewed

Lorraine Eaton weighs in on the Whole Foods experience.

Talking the Boondocks at TCC

I’m not going to pretend that I’m cool enough to have ever heard of the field of “Rhetoric and Hip-hop Theology” (even though I have a degree in Theology). But I will tell you that an expert in that field will be bringing his knowledge and expertise to bear on the subject of Aaron McGruders “The Boondocks.” The discussion will take place at 6pm this Thursday at the Virginia Beach TCC campus, Advanced Technology Center Theatre, 1700 College Crescent. Admission is free.

Girls Go Nuts for Nature

10-year-old Mariah Moss is a 5th grader at Norfolk Academy who has written a 100-page book about her nature club, which she hopes to get published. This story is sweet and inspirational. The world needs more mighty Mosses.