For as long as I can remember, I swore I'd never live in Philly. Brooklyn-born and Poconos-raised--once an anomaly, my rearing is now a clich� in those parts---I was an avid New York sports fan growing up, and found it unimaginable that someday I might live among the green, the red, or that God-forsaken orange and black.

Fortunately for me, some childhood dreams don't come true. When I left the newspaper business almost four years ago, I needed a new job. A new direction, really. I knew I was born at the wrong time, but I also knew I needed to play in a bigger sandbox, one with some modern shovels and pails. I wound up taking a job with a non-profit and moved to Manayunk--"a safe distance from the stadium complex," I told myself.

Since arriving I've:
--appeared on the big screen at The Linc
--starred in a music video shot in an old warehouse in North Philly
--met my wife at a Stephen Starr restaurant
--started composting and emceed a fundraiser for sustainable agriculture in Greater Philadelphia
--played accordion at a Catholic-Buddhist wedding ceremony at the Painted Bride theater in Northern Liberties

My life, as you can see, is infinitely better, more exciting and more fulfilling since coming to Philadelphia. And frankly, during the 45 months-and-counting since my zipcode has begun with a "19," I've been so preoccupied with everything happening here, that I've practically lost all vitriol for the Phils, Eagles, Sixers and Flyers. Like many people who have come here with certain expectations, I have learned that just because the beloved hometown baseball and football teams take up many of the headlines here and in large part define this city and region for much of the rest of the world, doesn't mean that's an accurate (or particularly useful) representation of Greater Philadelphia.

That brings me to why you're reading this. Much of this self-realization can be attributed to what Flying Kite, Greater Philadelphia's newest publication, stands for. Our weekly online magazine is creating a new narrative about the region, one that is focused on what's next for the city and suburbs and how we're all connected. We'll be reporting on the most creative, innovative and intelligent people in Philadelphia, their ideas and companies and institutions, and how they're propelling the region forward. We'll be covering the latest in entrepreneurship, emerging technology like nanotech and biotech, neighborhood innovation, and sustainability in every corner of Greater Philadelphia, from Bristol to Brewerytown to Broomall. There are a lot more than meds and eds here, but we'll cover them, too.

The future of Greater Philadelphia is being shaped as we speak, and our entire team is devoted to making it accessible for you and the rest of the world. This is a story that is far bigger and more impactful than is being portrayed anywhere else. We will tell it through written, video and slideshow features; our Innovation and Job News section, in which we report on growing companies and innovative game-changers; our Development News section, in which we report on the latest community, real estate and city development; and our databases of places to live, companies to watch and sectors that matter.

It's all stuff you won't find in a boxscore or the top story on your usual morning read. It's the kind of news that years ago would have given me a far different picture of my future home, and today helps me forget that I'm living among the Phillies and Eagles. I'm too busy flying this kite.

JOE PETRUCCI is managing editor of Flying Kite. Send feedback here.