Week’s End

WEEK'S END

This weekend the Richmond Rebels play in a soccer tournament in Washington. Sponsored by the Daily Planet, the Rebels participate in the Street Soccer USA Cup, a league whose players are homeless. The players may be homeless, but the Rebels are a hometown team. Go!

Street soccer was founded by Lawrence Cann, a Richmond native and an individual of commitment and compassion.

Richmond welcomes news that a new city jail appears on the fast track. The jail as it is is not fit for human habitation. Many of the jail's inmates suffer from mental illness and ought to be elsewhere; even hardened criminals ought to be housed in conditions safe, clean, and secure.

The Peking on Grove Avenue taught many Central Virginians that there is more to Chinese food than chow mein, shrimp fried rice, and egg foo yung. Our favorites included the lamb of two seasons. Other Pekings serve excellent meals at locations throughout the region, but the original owned a piece of many hearts. The restaurant has closed. The quality of international cooking has improved dramatically in the past few decades. Much of the credit goes to Dick Du.

References to Chinese eateries always summon images of "Chop Suey," one of Edward Hopper's finest paintings.

Speaking of closures: We will miss the Indy cars at Richmond International Raceway. This year's race may have lacked drama, but plenty of NASCAR's races produce yawns as well. RIR remains a singular track, one of racing's best. In an era when too many tracks look alike, RIR stands out. It is a pity that the Indy Racing League will not be returning.