Amidst calls for the demise of the book, it's good to see a couple of Ann Arbor's presses are still hot. Excerpt: "Ben Mondloch is talking about the fierce nature of the book publishing business and bears. It's all in a day's work for Mondloch, CEO of Cherry Lake Publishing, which he started in Ann Arbor four years ago to offer educational books, and Sleeping Bear Press, which he acquired in 2012 and sells children's books. Though book publishers had a tough time in 2012 with the Internet and economy wreaking havoc, Mondloch saw his sales jump 25%. Sleeping Bear Press currently has more than 400 titles with another 60 in development." More here.

The dwellers of the Great White North of Alaska, which has to import many of its fresh veggies, are reading about Ann Arbor's greener greens. Excerpt: "Spring greens are popping up at grocery stores and farmers markets... Woods picked up a bag of pea shoots from Garden Works organic farm in Ann Arbor.... "They're very tender, and have the same flavor as a pea pod," says Robert MacKercher, 46, who owns Garden Works. "They're very good sauteed with olive oil and garlic." But the appeal of spring produce goes beyond the taste. As farmers markets gear up for the summer season, sales of spring greens are a healthy pick-me-up for those who eat them and those who sell them. Says MacKercher: "It's a nice spring boost for everybody." More here.

Source: Eric Joh, Belly Deli Writer: Natalie Burg

Source: Shari Martuscelli, Boyd Beauty Writer: Natalie Burg

Change was an important word for Akervall Technologies over the last year. The Ann Arbor-based business has rebranded, expanded its product portfolio, added to its staff and begun work on a bigger and better product. The 3-year-old company's first product is a thin-yet-tough mouthguard made of non-compressible, perforated material, and is 30 percent stronger than conventional mouth guards. The creation of Dr. Jan Akervall -- a local ear, nose and throat specialist -- was originally branded as Protech Dent. Akervall Technologies rebranded it as SISU Mouth Guards because the former brand was often confused with other non-related firms, such as a gun company, with similar names. Akervall Technologies also expanded its product portfolio, adding a flavor spray to put on mouth guards called SISU Lyst. It is currently in mint flavor with plans to expand the taste options soon. "Eventually we're going to have to have some more flavors," says Sassa Akervall, COO & president of Akervall Technologies and wife of Dr. Jan Akervall. Akervall Technologies has also hired three people over the last year, expanding its staff to seven employees. It is currently looking for a summer intern or two. One of its recent hires, made possible by a federal Small Business Innovation Resarch grant, was a scientist who is developing a new material for an improved mouthguard set to launch next year. "Testing shows it can take impact 50 percent better than existing mouth guards," Akervall says. "The original can take impact 30 percent better." Source: Sassa Akervall, COO & president of Akervall Technologies Writer: Jon Zemke Read more about Metro Detroit's growing entrepreneurial ecosystem at SEMichiganStartup.com.

There is a new man in charge of the Michigan Microloan Fund Program at Ann Arbor SPARK, and Joe Licavoli's plan is not to fix a seed-funding initiative that isn't broken. The Michigan Microloan Fund Program has been on a tear the last 18 months, servicing a growing number of small businesses looking for a source of start-up capital. Nine companies have received $397,000 in loans in recent months. "We have seen an increase in deal flow going from 2012 to 2013," says Licavoli, manager of capital programs at Ann Arbor SPARK. The Michigan Microloan Fund Program provides small loans (think low five figures) to even smaller start-ups in the pre-seed stage, companies that need some seed capital to grow but aren't mature enough to garner angel investment or bank loans. So far the program has made $3.6 million in subordinated loans to 84 Michigan-based companies since 2009. Licavoli is a veteran of the IT and finance industries, working in business development, operations and investment, at companies such as Ramsoft Systems and Kelly Services. He is focused on keeping the current level of deal flow at the Michigan Microloan Fund Program as it works to establish itself as a permanent funding source for local start-ups. "It's not a mature program," Licavoli says. "It's only been around a couple years." Source: Joe Licavoli, manager of capital programs for Ann Arbor SPARK Writer: Jon Zemke Read more about Metro Detroit's growing entrepreneurial ecosystem at SEMichiganStartup.com.

No longer just for well-worn books, the nation's libraries are turning into lenders of all trades. And the Ann Arbor Public Library is one of the standouts. Excerpt: "This spring, your next packet of garden seeds may come not from a hardware store or nursery, but from your local public library. Fighting to stay relevant in the digital age, public libraries have taken to lending all manner of weird and wonderful items: hand tools, baking pans, fishing poles, telescopes and knitting needles, among others. Don't like the memoir offerings at your local branch? Bring a USB thumb drive, plug it in at one of several massive Espresso Book Machines and print a hard-cover copy of your own memoir — or any other obscure title the library doesn't keep on hand. In Ann Arbor, Mich., the library circulates three kinds of energy meters that patrons can take home to test how much juice their appliances use. On a recent Monday, 27 of the library's 30 meters were checked out with the 28th on hold, said Celeste Choate, associate director for services, collections and access. Later this year they plan to begin circulating science equipment — oscilloscopes, microscopes and perhaps even a few life-size models of the human skeleton — so students can shine at science fairs. "Sometimes you need tools in order to do cool science projects," Choate said. "Not everybody can afford a pH meter." More here.