Steve Zelnak, 65, became president of Martin Marietta Corp.’s aggregates division 27 years ago and led it through its spinoff and initial public offering as Martin Marietta Materials Inc. in 1994.

Running a hospital is a balancing act: Doctors and other medical professionals try to keep patients healthy, while administrators must monitor the hospital’s vital signs.

As 2009 ends, economists forecast a mostly jobless recovery. That’s bad news for people out of work. It’s also not so good for anyone who pays taxes, drives on roads or sends their kids to public schools.

Arriving via vintage firetruck, Santa has boarded the train, now crawling along one of the tracks that once lined this place like the wrinkles the sun etches on a farmer’s face.

It hasn’t been a good year for research and development. In and around Research Triangle Park, which is old enough (51 this month) to be admired for its longevity and to feel the occasional ache in its bones, there were a couple of significant twinges in November.