Heya Roundtree, and welcome back to the game. 
IMO, the best way to look for an active SG is via PUG (pick up group) teams. Meet new faces as you play. You can edit a player's "Notes" file and 4-5 star good players, and 1-star the jerks. (How? You rightclick on a player, click "Add/Edit Note", and you can star a player on a rating of 1 to 5, and enter notes about them. This is viewable ONLY by you.)
I use this for keeping track of the quality players out there, and since it follows the player on whatever toon they use (it ties to their global name), you can pick out players who might be on a different toon that when you met them. This is extremely effective for me to know, at a glance, if I want to join a team or not.
So, what do you do with this info? You use it to track the good people. Run with someone often enough, and ask if their SG is recruiting. TALK with other players about favorite SGs they prefer running with. Soon enough, you'll find a SG that'll meet your preferences for style and gameplay.
Welcome back, and if you need anything, don't be afraid to ask. Cheers.
@TURGENEV - Freedom Server / IRON / B.A.N.E / HORDE
Turg Fiction: Ghost in the Machine Acts III & IV coming 2012!
Turg Fiction: IX is now LIVE on Architect Entertainment!
returning to CoH and am looking at making Freedom my new COH home and was wandering what the best way to look for an active SG is now (villian or hero no matter)?
Call me old fashion but I still like a group of people to play with when I log in and not have to solo all the time