March 2014 Letter from the Editor
Dear Readers,
Here’s a simple question. What’s your favorite color?
This should be pretty easy to answer, right? After all, people have been asking us this question since we were preschool-age kids. But, it’s tougher than you think. There are so many colors to choose from. You may simply prefer a primary color such as red, blue or yellow. Or, perhaps your preference lies in a shade of the color spectrum such as chartreuse, brick, midnight or lemon.
My favorite color is green. Yes, green. From seafoam to kelly, I like all ‘em all. But recently, when my daughter asked me why I like green so much, I didn’t have just one answer.
Maybe it’s because since the beginning of time, green has signified growth and rebirth. It’s an abundant color, frequently gracing nature’s beauty.
Maybe it’s because it’s easy on the eye and the brain. It isn’t harsh, it isn’t dull. In fact, research has shown that the color green can actually help your vision and improve your reading ability.
Maybe it’s because green is the color of money. Who doesn’t love a greenback?
But mostly, I like the color green because of the calm and peaceful state it puts me in. It soothes, relaxes and alleviates anxiety. It offers a sense of tranquility and harmony. It’s no accident that many television studios provide waiting guests with a “green room” to chill out and relieve
their stress.
As the emblematic color of Ireland, green represents the vast emerald hillsides, as well as Ireland’s patron saint, St. Patrick. And, on March 17 we celebrate St. Patrick’s Day with food, drink and you guessed it… all things green.
All of this is why I am excited about this issue of Marketplace. It incorporates my favorite color in so many ways. First, Andy Cook tells us how we can prepare for Spring, a time of rebirth, by taking care of our outdoor landscape. You don’t even need to have a green thumb. In Hot Ticket, Kelly Cerimele gives us four pages of color-inspired items to help us get our green on. And, finally, Liz Reph provides the low-down on Allentown’s weeklong St. Patrick’s Day festivities.
So, whether you want to begin anew, chill out or celebrate in a big way, put a little green in your life… starting with this issue of Marketplace.
Amy Hines, Editor
[email protected]
