For two weekends a year, race fans help Dover become Delaware’s largest city in terms of population. The twice-annual visit of NASCAR to Dover International Speedway is a highlight for race fans and for the business community in Delaware’s capital.

However, the 400-mile Sunday Sprint Cup race in May took place before tens of thousands of empty seats at what’s known as “The Monster Mile.” Not many years ago, all 135,000 tickets were snapped up long in advance of a Sunday race.

While local businesses adjust their expectations in response to the slip in attendance, the track itself is also responding to the changing economy as the AAA 400 approaches October 2nd.

The drawing power of NASCAR in Dover is not difficult to uncover – auto racing fans are among the most loyal in all of sports.

The athletes themselves also put that drawing power to work in the communities they visit and throughout the year to support local and national causes, charities and awareness campaigns.

On the heels of the announcement that credit card giant CapitalOne will add 500 new jobs in Delaware, Governor Markell discusses the recent job creation efforts associated with the the manufacturing and banking/finance sectors in the state

2011 marks the 40th anniversary of Delaware’s Coastal Zone Act – landmark legislation that banned heavy industry from the state’s oceanfront, inland bays and wetlands and became the model for similar laws around the country and around the world. Friday, Widener Law and its Environmental Law Center celebrate that anniversary by hosting a day long examination of the act entitled “The Delaware Coastal Zone Act at 40: Past, Present and Future”.

Widener Law professor and co-director of Widener’s Environmental Law Center Jim May believes the act has stood the test of time over 40 years. “Storms come and go and the seasons change, and the Delaware Coastal Zone Act is still there,” said May, who served as chairman for the event’s planning committee.

Like many entrepreneurs, Brian Sowards started his IT business, WebHappy, in his home. Sure, he could work in his PJs until noon and watch the kids if needed. But the allure of working from home faded fast. “I felt lonely and disconnected,” he recalled. “I wanted to find people like myself.”

He found them at The coIN Loft in downtown Wilmington. Launched in April 2010, The coIN Loft is built on the co-working concept: People work independently in a shared space. (The “IN” in the business’s name is a play on its slogan, “Independently Working Together.”)

Depending on the co-working model, entrepreneurs and contractors rent a desk for an hour, a few days per week or on an ongoing basis. They bring their mobile phone and laptop; the site provides Internet access and, frequently, coffee and bottled water.

The University of Delaware is positioning itself as a leader in developing renewable energy. Earlier this week, the school announced a groundbreaking partnership with NRG Energy to commercialize vehicle-to-grid technology that UD professor Willett Kempton has been developing since 1996. But as DFM News’ Patrick Mairs reports, the school’s history with “green energy” goes back much further than that – especially when it comes to solar technology where UD has played a school pioneering role for nearly 40 years.

The University of Delaware signed an agreement Monday with renewable energy company NRG to commercialize a pioneering technology that can feed excess power from electric vehicles into the national grid, helping to smooth peaks and troughs in power demand and supply.

Vehicle-to-grid technology, developed since 1996 by University of Delaware professor Willett Kempton, will be promoted initially for use in fleets, and has the potential to be a significant source of power that is currently untapped, officials said.

“The energy storage inherent in automobiles is staggering,” said David Weir, director of UD’s Office of Economic Innovation and Partnerships. “If all the automobiles in the U.S. were electrified, it would be enough to power the entire U.S. for half a day.”

India and Pakistan have a history of war and disputes. They each have nuclear programs, and are among the most populous nations in the world. The prospects for peace and stability in South Asia are very much uncertain. The threat is ever-present for continued conflict, and even war.

What can the United States do? Should it do anything?

About 100 people attended a panel discussion, “Pakistan and India: The Challenge Ahead,” Thursday night at the University and Whist Club in Wilmington. The program was sponsored by the Pakistan Project Committee of the Wilmington Rotary Club.

Governor Markell uses his weekly address to remember New Castle County Police officer Joseph Szczerba – who was killed in the line of duty last week and laid to rest Friday in Wilmington.

Hakin Drake of Georgetown, DE, has been looking for a job since last month but he faces one big hurdle beyond those typical job seekers face in this tough job market. He’s an ex-con.

After serving more than 13 years in prison for armed robbery and possession of a firearm, he walked out of Delaware’s state prison system last month with little guidance on how to navigate his job search, beyond a computer class he took while incarcerated, and limited state or county help once he was on the outside.

“I’m at rock bottom now,” said Drake, 31.
The clock is ticking on Drake and his chances of successfully integrating back into society because finding a good job quickly is his best bet to making it happen.