Ken Plum: Forging a future path

Ken Plum

Over the next couple of decades Virginia will have many more job openings for educated professionals and skilled technicians than there are persons in the pipeline to fill them, according to Northern Virginia Community College President Robert Templin speaking at “Blueprint Virginia,” an annual economic summit in Northern Virginia last week.

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‘Roadmap’ of human metabolism offers new understanding of cancer, obesity, more

AFP

An international consortium of researchers has created the largest computer model of human metabolism to date, an astonishingly detailed roadmap that points the way to better understanding of cancer, obesity, diabetes, heart disease and a host of other conditions. It’s a powerful new tool that will speed the development of new drugs and treatments and, eventually, may allow doctors to tailor medicine to each patient’s personal biology.

Ken Plum: Children and outside learning

Ken Plum

Research highlights the benefits of outdoor and environmental education for children–ranging from increased academic achievement, improved social skills and interest in school, and boosted health, according to environmental education leaders who have organized NoVA Outside: An Alliance of Environmental Educators (www.novaoutside.org). I attended their School Environmental Action Showcase last week at George Mason University, and I was impressed by the students and their projects. The Showcase is like a science fair but with the emphasis on environmental science.

Staunton Downtown Development Association hosts Todd Barman from the National Trust Main Street Center

AFP

On Wednesday, May 1 through Friday, May 3, Todd Barman, sponsored by Virginia Main Street will visit Staunton to tour the Downtown Service District and host a variety of meetings with the SDDA stakeholders, Economic Development Committee, Board, and economic development partners to evaluate the District and do some strategic planning and education about succession planning for business owners and trainers.