Science was not my best subject in school. I leaned more toward the arts and history, where the stories are. It was hard for me to find this in science, though my peers who understood it laughed at my irony and argued otherwise. I found ways around a deeper learning because charts intimidated me. Of course, no one can escape required tracks and Gen Eds, so I chose astronomy. Now this kind of science, I could get down with. I was hooked on the universe, even wrote a heavily researched love letter to Galileo.

One of my favorite series on Netflix (I think it’s still on) is Cosmos, a science documentary series narrated by astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson. If you haven’t seen it already, please do. The way it is broken down is very accessible for the average viewer, like myself, whose eyes glaze over at the lack of drama or plotline. But there is something in the way Tyson speaks that is crisp and inviting to those who may be intimidated by his plethora of knowledge. Maybe this is because you can easily locate the boy who lacks knowledge, who stares up at stars and dares himself to wonder written all over his face when he speaks.

I was pretty pumped when the Greenbuild Conference and Expo announced that Tyson will be the closing speaker at this year’s show, which I will be attending in November. Please stay tuned for our coverage on a show that reaches toward the future. With the current and upcoming natural disasters, we will need all hands on deck. It will be up to the builders to reshape things, as it always has been.

More forward thinking (a little less forward?): Our December issue is the Contractor of the Year issue. We’re looking to feature a contractor, or firm, that has gone above and beyond to meet challenges, whether on a project, or by ways of forward thinking in business. Do you know anyone who fits this bill? Are you a stellar contractor? Get your nominations in! We want to know about your projects and accomplishments. Please share with us in a brief description of what sets you, or the contractor you’re nominating, apart. Email sharon@tmbpublishing.com.