It’s been 2 years to the week since the Board of Selectmen announced the hiring of former Winchester Town Manager, Mel Kleckner to the position of Town Administrator. On August 1, Mel shared his thoughts with us about the present and future of Brookline government and the challenges that lie ahead.

It has become a welcome sight on St Mary's St. and in Washington Square since the introduction of Brookline's pilot Food Truck program, but now Paris' Creperie's contribution to mobile cuisine is garnering national attention too.  A serious contender in Mobile Cuisine's Best Food Truck Graphic Design Contest, holding first place with 16% of tallied votes as of this article's writing and only entry from New England, le Tour Eiffel is the creation of local graphic artist, Kristen Mallia.

My Dad used to say go all the way or go home. Justin Berke is one of those rare people who goes all the way when it comes to his community and beliefs. He became involved in the community just a few years ago and his impact was immediate. Justin’s engaging personality, warm demeanor, and contagious laugh makes him one of the best “friend” machines in the community. He uses his power to bring everyone into his world to benefit the community he serves with passion.

Located on a floor of suites one storey above street level in Coolidge Corner, Stearns Wealth Management includes a cozy waiting room and two adjoining offices. The office’s floor wraps around the northeast corner of the Harvard and Beacon Street intersection, above the corner CVS. From Beacon Street, one can see the name of the business embossed in gold on a window about Dunkin’ Donuts . This is the office of owner and principal, Jonathan Stearns.

Anyone who has ever had anything to do with the Brookline Emergency Food Pantry knows Jim Margolis.  His dedication and compassion have touched the lives of so many in Brookline.  By his efforts and those of many volunteers at the Pantry, individuals and families in need of a helping hand have been fed, time and time again.

I’ve got Bob Shuman on the phone, co-owner with his wife, Holly, of Zaftig’s, and his answers to my questions are coming as quick as the servers bring out the complimentary bagel chips and dip at one of his restaurants—and as kindly and enthusiastically. Which is to say, very.

Nestled in between Game Stop video games and the Second Time Around women’s clothing boutique, sits Berry Freeze, a unique—even among the burgeoning crop of such outlets—frozen yogurt shop that fits perfectly in the eclectic Coolidge Corner business district.

As a Brookline resident for a handful of years and a frequenter of Coolidge Corner well before that, I have and still highly appreciate that business district’s movie house—now bona fide art house—abbreviated endearingly as The Coolidge.

Change seems to be a constant at Party Favors.  The  two main, Beacon Street-facing windows of Coolidge Corner’s celebration-supplier, gift store and bakery, are constantly changing, cycling through each year’s holiday and party themes. The year opens with Mardi Gras. A birthday-related theme, Easter, Passover, and a general Spring window come next. The displays turn to graduation in May, then a summer theme and Independence Day. A luau continues the fair-weather spirit. Then the autumn displays appear - Halloween, Thanksgiving, and an overarching Fall window are followed by a Christmas, Hannukah, and Winter display.

When I recently spoke with Abe Faber about his small business—Brookline’s Clear Flour Bread—and its involvement in the community, his first comments echoed what I have heard from other local merchants participating in the Feed Brookline Drive. Participating in the Drive was “a no-brainer,” - a way to help people in need locally