As this issue has come to production, I’ve been repeatedly struck by how much can change in 18 months—how a whole nation, a whole world for that matter, can transition from optimistic boom to depressed recession in a length of time equivalent to a historical heartbeat.

Eighteen months ago, when we were envisioning the next year of in|ur content, the concept of “Urban Getaways” spoke to our goals for this publication: to maintain a heart of sustainability fed by the driving belief that you can “have it all.” We believe all the beautiful and enjoyable things in life can be appreciated in a way that is harmonious to an existence filled with heart and purpose. These values can seem hard to hold on to—can seem almost extravagant—especially in light of the real hardships being faced by our neighbors, our friends, our loved ones in these difficult and uncertain times.

But as we’ve nurtured the stories of this issue to print, it’s been equal parts astonishing and gratifying to see how well this theme of spinning a summer vacation to the tune of a light carbon footprint fits the current times.

Our feature on legendary sports agent Leigh Steinberg (the real life Jerry McGuire) reminds us that social change does not have to be put on hold, even in bad economic times. Features about the Urban Assault Ride (the largest bicycle scavenger hunt in the world) and the hot DIY trend highlight the quirky passions of our urban neighbors and remind us how vitally important it is to nurture those enthusiasms in good times and in bad.

These dualities of sustainability and practicality, of passion, and purpose—in them we find inspiration, hope, and our own passion. I hope the stories of this issue do the same for you!

Dee Reddy
Managing Editor