While globalization, googlization,regionalization, mega-mergers, stock market shivers, hyper-tech and impersonal chain ownership are the undeniable trends we remain just the opposite. We’re a trusted, homegrown resource for useful local information produced entirely by local people.

We’re tuned-in to the big picture, but we embrace the small one — the one with the special things that make us proud this part of the world is still home. Whether you’re feeling pummeled, lost or overwhelmed in the turmoil of recession you can get to us when you need us. Buzz us on your Blackberry, touch us on your iPhone, click us on your computer, friend us at Facebook — or hug us at home just like you’ve always done.

Our part of the world is a picturesque, 150-square-mile piece of land cradled between small mountain ridges on its eastern and western edges. It derives its name from the Farmington River whose sparkling water and “Wild and Scenic” designation make it a unique amenity for both residents and visitors. Avon, Canton, Farmington, Simsbury and Granby are the core towns where the Valley’s population is concentrated. Burlington, New Hartford, Colebrook and Barkhamsted are part of the larger watershed area. The population of the core towns is approximately 85,000. More than 100,000 live in the larger area.

While the state capital of Hartford remains a major source of employment and a center of business and cultural activity, the Farmington Valley has its own distinct and independent identity as a mature, upscale market that includes its own strong corporate and commercial infrastructure. With quiet neighborhoods placed unobtrusively in a semi-rural setting, relatively unhurried pace and superb school systems, it’s also among the finest residential communities in Connecticut.

Overall population growth has been steady. Avon, which lies in the center of the dense Route 44 commercial corridor, has seen its population more than triple since 1960. In recent years traditionally sleepy Canton has had a surge in commercial development along its coveted slice of Rt. 44 and attracted spillover residential demand from pricier Simsbury and Avon.

Valley towns have consistently found ways to preserve the exceptional quality of life here despite the inevitable challenges that accompany population growth. But lately, with the pervasive national decline in home values and the sting of a deep recession, the challenges have become more challenging. In a time of shrinking state support, can we continue to rely on residential property taxes to sustain the prized school systems and exceptional municipal amenities? All of the towns have struggled with these issues one-way or another over the past few years and the one ahead promises more intense budget squeezing.

But as is usually true when the going gets tough, people get creative. Canton has proposed harnessing the waterpower of the Collinsville dams to generate renewable energy from a long neglected local resource. Simsbury is tapping the energy of resourceful residents and local businesses to build community attractions and leading an effort to help trim local town budgets by regionalizing municipal services. In Farmington Unionville center’s major makeover continues to stimulate new business activity. In Granby the Boards of Selectmen and Education heeded the message from two “no” referendums and found creative ways to bring a zero-tax-increase budget to voters for the fiscal year 2010.

And no matter if we’re faced with a blizzard of change or sometimes just differ a little on pressing issues, local people still agree that, even in this tough economy or especially in this tough economy, The Valley Book is the way they find the everyday things they need.

As we enter our 11th year more folks than ever continue to tell us they love us and keep us at home, visit us online, friend us on Facebook or connect with us on their smartphone, because we’re the easiest, most reliable way to find real things nearby from a pizza to a plumber to a prep school, to save some money buying local, to discover a place, or enjoy a portrait of a familiar face. When you want to get away nearby for a few hours, our online “Sunday Drives” offer a friendly guide.

Our new Web site also delivers all of our locally centered content with several fun new features, but with the same familiar feeling we’ve always had. Online we’re Google’s top choice for Farmington Valley searches in just about every business and info category.

Thanks to everyone we’ve been associated with over the past decade for giving us this extraordinary opportunity to help make things work better for Valley residents and businesses.

Please enjoy our 2010 edition. Use us for all your regular shopping, reference and information needs, and share us with your visitors. Google us for showtimes, weather, restaurant menus, businesses links and everything that’s in the book. And remember, The Valley’s a special place to live and The Valley Book reminds you why!

“Signs of the Times” by Hunter Neal