Highest ‘green’ certification sought through Rice Center
The Inger and Walter Rice Center for Environmental Life Sciences is devoted to scientific and public policy education relating to river ecosystems. VCU debuted the $2.6 million building Oct. 15.
The Rice Center was built in pursuance of Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Platinum Certification.
Obama speaks at Coliseum
A near-capacity crowd of about 13,000 spectators filled the Richmond Coliseum at a rally for Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Barack Obama. He also greeted an overflow crowd of 7,000 people waiting outside in nearby Festival Park.
Robert Fleskes, the director of marketing and booking for the Richmond Coliseum, said the staff was prepared for the turnout.
India launches first unmanned moon mission
India launched its first mission to the moon Wednesday, rocketing a satellite up into the dawn sky in a two-year mission to redraw maps of the lunar surface.
Clapping and cheering scientists tracked the ascent on computer screens after they lost sight of Chandrayaan-1 from the Sriharikota space center in southern India.
Bail denied for Ark. evangelist in sex abuse case
A federal magistrate called Tony Alamo a flight risk Wednesday, as he ordered the evangelist held without bail until his trial on charges that he took a minor across state lines for sex.
The ruling came after Alamo’s former followers testified at a hearing that they were often beaten at his instructions and one said Alamo practiced polygamy with several females, including a 9-year-old girl.
Panel calls for vaccine for adult smokers
The influential Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices decided Wednesday adult smokers under 65 should get pneumococcal vaccine. The shot – already recommended for anyone 65 or older – protects against bacteria that cause pneumonia, meningitis and other illnesses.
Va. registrars complain of e-mail glut
Election alert e-mails intended to remind Virginia registrars to do a good job actually impeded their work.
Nancy Rodrigues, secretary of the State Board of Elections, said Tuesday registrars in Fairfax County, Newport News and Richmond County complained of being deluged with up to 1,000 e-mails in the span of a few hours.
Va. groups tackle truancy, dropout rates
Officials in Virginia are looking for ways to reduce truancy and dropout rates.
The Virginia Commission on Youth, in partnership with VCU and the Governor’s Office on Substance Abuse Prevention, held the First Family Impact Seminar Wednesday to discuss truancy and dropout prevention policies and strategies.
Palin returns to Virginia Monday
Republican vice presidential candidate Gov. Sarah Palin returns to Virginia on a three-city tour Monday.
According to the McCain-Palin campaign, during Palin’s third trip to Virginia, she plans to start her day with an event in Leesburg at J.R.’s Festival Lakes.
40th anniversary celebration
VCU’s 40th anniversary celebration began Wednesday with the dedication of historic markers on the MCV Campus in the plaza between the Egyptian and Kontos Medical Sciences buildings. There will be an event Friday from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Siegel Center, which included music and the dedication of the Monroe Park Campus historical markers and free food over the lunch hour.
UEFA Champions League Pick’em Matchday Three
After a hiatus from Matchday 2, Roberto Curtis, Stephanie Power and Marcelo Lopez are back in the fray to speculate on some gems that will hopefully be laden with goals. Fiorentina at Bayern promises to be a riveter, as does the excitement of watching Raul and his Madridistas become owned in Italy after a lashing at the hands of Juventus.