Why do athletes who struggle in the classroom succeed on the playing field? Could it be because the coach is there to guide them every step of the way? What if that same approach was applied to academics? That's what Clintondale's Flipped program did - with remarkable success.

What do mini laptops, video-streaming pencasts and Charlie Sheen have to do with scholastic achievement? At Clarkston Junior High School, a whole heckuva lot. Jeff Peariso, who teaches algebra and statistics, has piloted a high-tech teaching program for a handful of students, with exciting results.

There's little doubt that Michigan is the midwest's Horn Of Plenty. But how to wrangle all those delicious wines, ciders, jams, and treats from around the state into your pantry? The folks at Cherries & Grapes intend to make being a true-blue locavore as easy as a few clicks on your computer.

Social media, "tweeting" and "friending". These days, it's hard to tell screen time from face time. Meet Jeffrey MacKie-Mason, associate dean for academic affairs at the University of Michigan School of Information. This week, he'll be talking about the knowledge economy opportunities emerging from a unique graduate program that blends information systems with the social sciences.

Anthony Morrow knows just how much Detroit rocks. He's the editor & publisher of Detour --a music, film and culture blog out of Royal Oak--, the creator of both Metro Times' Blowout, and Detour's Rock City music festivals. Anthony has also shot videos for the White Stripes, Von Bondies, and Specs Howard. That enough street cred for you? He'll be writing about what it takes to start an Internet publication, and keep it going.

Candy and Detroit rock n' roll - two great tastes that taste great together! Royal Oak's Bellyache Candy Company is taking the web by storm, pushing Goo Goo Clusters, Pop Rocks and Charleston Chews along with CDs, vinyl LPs and 7-inch singles from bands like  The Amino Acids, The Hentchman, and Gore Gore Girls. Can you say, "Yummy"?

For eight years Royal Oak's IBC has been a stealth company, pulling in customers and profits with its old school ideas about servicing clients. Now the e-commerce and credit card processing firm is ready to step into the sunlight and school other companies about the power of topnotch customer service.

The virtual world is their oyster. Royal Oak's RTT, USA has turned its virtual prototyping technology into a must-use strategy for companies developing new products. It can then use that same technology to virtually market the product to an endless Internet audience. Cool.