There was no shortage of spirit yesterday inside Virginia Commonwealth University’s Siegel Center. Whether it was from the ebullient cheerleaders on the floor or the roaring ovations from their supporters in the stands, the arena was rocking. Cheerleaders and dancers from across Virginia converged on downtown Richmond for the 29th annual Virginia State Cheer & Dance Championships. Richmond has been home to the championships since the competition’s inception in 1980.

In a canoe in the James River, Gov. Timothy M. Kaine made an easy paddle stroke and recalled how he landed in Richmond.

The last minute included a one-handed touchdown reception, a wide-left field goal try, and the conclusion of a 17-game winning streak. Villanova’s Brandyn Harvey made the one-handed grab for a 29-yard touchdown with 59 seconds left—on fourth and 11, no less. The University of Richmond’s Andrew Howard missed a 35-yard field goal attempt at :05.

Evergreen Cemetery, the final resting place for bank founder Maggie L. Walker, newspaper editor John Mitchell Jr. and other prominent blacks of Richmond, is being reclaimed from years of neglect. About 25 volunteers, plus a tree-service company, spent about eight hours yesterday removing thick brush that had swallowed a section of the cemetery in the city’s East End.

He blew through the finish line at Pole Green Park late yesterday afternoon, then decelerated, then slowed to a walk as a meet official recorded his race number. Once he reached the end of the chute, Ted Richardson of James River, the newly minted Central Region cross country champion, turned and paused for a moment as runner-up Grant Pollock of Mills Godwin approached.

As fast as cooks stirred up cauldrons of Brunswick stew at the 17th Street Farmers’ Market yesterday, Lenny and Jeri Sturm bought it. Walking through the crowded market, the Sturms each carried bags with containers of stew purchased from vendors competing for Best in Show. Their two favorites had more of a tomatoey flavor, said Lenny Sturm of Chesterfield County, noting that some of the stews were too sweet for their tastes.

Trailing top-ranked Meadowbrook by 13 points with 10:14 left in last night’s clash of Central District unbeatens, Thomas Dale’s players could’ve hung their heads and watched another season draw to a close without a Central Region playoff berth. Instead, the sixth-ranked Knights put together a remarkable rally that leaves them on the verge of a district championship.

Branden Williams had a pressing question during the postgame gathering of the L.C. Bird football team. “Who dumped the water bucket so quick?“ Williams wanted to know. To which Bird coach David Bedwell had a quick response: “You should know I’m always one step ahead of you.“ When you’ve won as many championships as Bedwell and the Skyhawks have, you learn how to escape the traditional liquid-over-the-head celebratory gig, especially on a cold night.

Last night’s Central Region field hockey championship may not have been an elimination game, but there was much more riding on the outcome for Thomas Dale and Cosby than merely an opportunity to add another piece of shiny hardware to their schools’ trophy cases. The Knights were trying to win their fourth consecutive region title. The Titans sought the first region crown in their program’s four-year history. And for both teams, the chance to host a Group AAA state tournament quarterfinal game Tuesday gave last night’s matchup at Clover Hill High School even greater significance.

What makes a restaurant stand out (in a good way) isn’t usually what it’s lacking.  However, in the case of Plaza Mexico, the new south-of-the-border eatery on Main Street in the Fan District, the lack of almost anything Mexican-themed is exactly what caught my eye.  Thank goodness it did. Otherwise, I wouldn’t have given this place a second glance.

People gathered on the banks of the James River in Charles City County to commemorate America’s first Thanksgiving, in honor of the safe landing of English settlers 390 years ago.

The Wahoos led 17-12 with 12 minutes remaining but succumbed 28-17 in a loss that will make it even more difficult for Virginia to achieve bowl eligibility.

Virginia Union persisted in giving the football to Elizabeth City State. Now the Panthers’ fate, too, has been placed in someone else’s hands. A macabre offensive effort that seemed somehow appropriate on Halloween—five interceptions and two lost fumbles—doomed the Panthers to a 21-13 loss to the Vikings yesterday at Hovey Field.

Matoaca was ever-so-close to the end zone once again, facing fourth and 1 at the Meadowbrook 9-yard line late in the third quarter last night. DeQuan Turner took the handoff and followed a pulling lineman off the right side. He was cut down by Meadowbrook defensive end DeQuan Chatmon a half-yard short of the first down.

Having previously distanced himself from the president as a potential liability, R. Creigh Deeds now is embracing Barack Obama in what may be the Democratic gubernatorial candidate’s last chance to shift momentum.