function unselect_all_menu_items(parent) {
  parent = $(parent);
  
  var links;
  
  if(parent) {
    $$('#subcats-menu-container .selected').each(function(e){e.removeClassName('selected')});
  }
  else {
    $$('.selected').each(function(e){e.removeClassName('selected')});
  }  
}

function select_menu_item(a_id, parent) {
  var a = $(a_id);
  unselect_all_menu_items(parent);
  if(a) {
    a.addClassName('selected');
  }
}