Fall 2009 Editor’s Note

What a difference three months makes.

We produced this issue (our third) from our new office at 235E Highland Avenue in the Spring Hill part of town. We’re just about halfway between the O2 Yoga Studio and Arts at the Armory. We’re across the street from Somerville Hospital and three doors down from Supreme Kitchen, a breakfast and lunch restaurant whose food and vibe we wholeheartedly endorse. In short, we’re in the neighborhood – and we’re thrilled.

We have a new business manager too. Jon Van Kuiken has joined our team and already tackled a sweeping range of tasks: streamlining our office move, coordinating our photographers and, of course, keeping our books in order. But wait, there’s more: Both Jon and our publisher, Holli Banks, have embarked upon fitness regimens, supervised by the experts at The Training Room (691A Somerville Ave). Jon and Holli will journalize their efforts on our revamped web site.

Our updated site includes archived editions and a daily calendar of Somerville happenings as well. Just email your events to . One event you’ll find there is the October 17 CD Release Party for Somerville singer-songwriter Audrey Ryan at the Nave Gallery (155 Powderhouse Blvd). Ryan is the founder of the annual Viva la Vinal festival at the Community Growing Center (22 Vinal Ave). Jourdan Abel profiles Ryan in our Sounds of Somerville.

Also on our calendar: the weekly four-mile runs of the Somerville Road Runners (SRR), departing every Thursday at 7:15 p.m. from Casey’s Bar (171 Broadway). SRR holds five major races a year and donates the proceeds to local charities. In addition, SRR staffers and volunteers do plenty of giving on their own. For example, SRR board member Heather Kispert Hagerty has run the Boston Marathon 12 times for Dana Farber. She is just one of the do-gooders Scout writer Deb Fraize interviewed for her article about the Somerville nonprofit community and its inspired volunteers (page 16).

Of course, Somerville is also home to plenty of for-profit activity. From high-tech startups like 3Play Media, cofounded by four students at MIT Sloan, to established companies like Triumvirate Environmental, which moved here in 1994, the city is no stranger to entrepreneurship. But is Somerville doing all it can to attract and retain high-growth businesses? Our lead story explores that question.

Speaking of area commerce, we also have a column by Joe Grafton of Somerville Local First, in which Joe reiterates five basic reasons for buying local. Manny’s Auto Center (463 McGrath Highway) has taken Joe’s principles one step further with a promotional deal: Buy a vehicle at Manny’s before year’s end, and you’ll get a $100 gift certificate to spend at Somerville businesses advertising in this issue. Businesses like Manny’s are just one more reason we’re thrilled to be in the neighborhood.

-Ilan Mochari