When it all comes down to it, life's a roller coaster. The key is staying on track despite all those ups and downs. So who do you turn to when you need a lawyer? The 2012 edition of Central Pennsylvania's Best Lawyers(r) will get you acquainted with the top local attorneys in every specialty - from antitrust law to workers' compensation law. Are you starting a business? Did you receive a legal notice from an employee? Were you hurt in an accident? Rest assured that there is a highly competent attorney in this guide who can cater to your needs. You'll also find a roundup of advice and insight...

Welcome to a new Washington, D.C. suburb — Franklin County. Just look at a map and you'll see that the tri-state market of Pennsylvania, Maryland and West Virginia isn't far from the D.C. area. It has the advantages of a reasonable cost of living, strategic location along Interstate 81, and by the end of 2012, there will be two intermodal rail terminals. As the fourth-fastest growing county in Pennsylvania, it's no wonder that businesses have their eyes on Franklin County.

Pennsylvania is a great place in which to live and work, but that didn't happen all by itself. This state is filled with a quality workforce and world-class businesses just waiting to be recognized. The Best Places to Work in Pennsylvania program is an incentive to improve upon those resources so that we can keep building a stronger economy. Learn the unique ways in which 100 companies have proven themselves to be innovators, and let that be inspiration to your company.

This past year held a fairly unpredictable climate for Central Pennsylvania - literally, with record heat, tropical storms, floods and even snow in October. Most would agree that managing your wealth has been equally unpredictable. But you should be comfortable with managing your wealth, so we're offering some insight into planning for your financial future. We also asked our readers who they considered to be some of the best wealth advisers in the region, and from there we've compiled the 2012 Best Wealth Managers in Central Pennsylvania.

The rocky economy has kept the loan market lukewarm, but deals are out there if you know where to look. The Central Penn Business Journal's Business Lending Guide can help you find the deals that are right for you.

Central Penn Business Journal's Higher Education Guide looks at trends in higher education and workforce development and reports on how technology is playing a large role in this area. It also contains updated lists with Central Pennsylvania Colleges and Universities, Pennsylvania MBA Programs and Career & Trade Schools.

What does building one of the largest construction-management firms in the mid-Atlantic region, a 78-property hotel management company or a 20-location sandwich restaurant get you? A spot in our Hall of Fame! Meet this year's hall of famers, who were chosen based on achievements throughout their careers. They share the spotlight with our Business of the Year award winners and finalists — local companies that are brimming with innovation, dedication and smart business strategies. Go ahead, get inspired from these business success stories.

It can be a complicated riddle. Shale continues to drive economic growth, solar was dying and now it's not, e-recycling is hot again, and the alternative-energy sources once thought too unrealistic are becoming reality. Energy is a complicated industry in Central Pennsylvania. In this issue of Currents, we decipher it, giving you information to help you make better business decisions.

Connecting the dots — it's an activity that you enjoyed as a kid and it's something that you still have to do in the business world, especially when it comes to technology. Except that now there's no numerical order for creating the big picture. From setting up a mobile office and working via virtual desktop to establishing a social media strategy and properly securing data, this guide will touch upon points that can make your business that much more vivid, efficient and connected.

We can probably all agree that the late entertainer Frank Sinatra had talent, but the same goes for the Forty Under 40 class of 2011. Whether they are effortlessly juggling tennis balls or clients, running a 5K or a company, it's obviously a group of talented stars. Consider this your playbill showcasing the talents of 40 young professionals who stand out in our business community. It's like having our very own Hollywood right here in Central Pennsylvania.

Finding the perfect holiday gift for your employees, customers and business acquaintances is no easy task. Need a little inspiration? Let Tidings do the thinking for you. The best part is that your purchases will help support local merchants. Start browsing today!