It's not every year we get an earthquake and a hurricane in the same week.

Yet, it happened in late August, when we were rattled, drenched and blown over. Some cities took it harder than others.

"That was a little different," remarked Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter of nature's one-two punch when we caught up with him at Reading Terminal Market recently.

That crazy week could serve as a metaphor for a 2011 in which Philadelphia aimed to shake free from old ways and introduce winds of reform on a variety of fronts. We scored better in some areas than others.

For Nutter, re-election was far easier than some of those struggles to innovate.

"A continued focus on making Philadelphia a safer city, and a continued focus on activities around education reform," were points of pride, said Nutter of 2011.

For Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development Alan Greenberger, there was one clear favorite.

"The highlight of 2011 for me is zoning code reform," he said. "Getting the zoning code done has been the work of the past four years of my life and on Dec. 22, Mayor Nutter signs it into law."

That will no doubt be a fitting cap to the year. Let's look back at our most popular content from the previous 12 months, and how it reveals the impact of food, technology, sustainability and innovative minds throughout Greater Philadelphia.

10. Women's Web: Philly's Rising Tide of Female-Focused Tech Groups (Nov. 29, JV Chiu)
It has become impossible to ignore the explosion of initiatives centered around increasing the participation of women and girls in technology, as well as the reasons the need exists in the first place.

9.  Heaven in Hunting Park: Transformation at Critical Mass (Dec. 13, Sue Spolan)
Faith, art, open space and dedicated and invested workers on the ground have combined to create real change in this important North Philadelphia neighborhood.

8. There's Gold in Them Thar Sewers (Jan. 4, Dan Eldridge)
Emily Landsburg and her startup known as BlackGold Biofuels aims to commercialize its chemical conversion system to turn waste into biodiesel.

7. Fresh Start: Regional Produce Market's Big Move Means Big Things in Southwest Philly (Feb. 1, Maria DeFeliciantonio)
One of Philly's oldest professions -- produce trading -- got a makeover courtesy of a $218.5 million public-private partnership in the form of the new Philadelphia Wholesale Produce Market at 6700 Essington Ave.

6. An Increasingly More Common Market: North Philly Group Sets Bar High for Local Food Distribution (May 24, Sue Spolan)
Institutional food service is the local food movement's final frontier, and a fledgling local food distributor, Common Market Philadelphia, is making it work with more than 100 clients and three-year revenue of more than $1.5 million.

5. Planning for Health: How Philly is Building a Model That's Proactive About Public Health (Feb. 22, Joe Petrucci)
The intersection of city planning and public health is in Philadelphia, which has an army of invested and passionate people like Clint Randall making stronger connections.

4. Versatile and Visible: A New Advertising Age for Philly Firms (Sept. 20, Rebecca VanderMeulen)
It offended Philebrity's sensibilities, but for those who read the story, a clear picture emerged: firms small and large need more high-profile projects and local clients to thrive.

3. State of Startups: A New Philly Underdog Story? (Sept. 13, Joe Petrucci)
Undeniable is the growth of resources provided by and for the local startup community and the tipping point at which it finds itself, including re-focusing Philly Startup Leaders.

2. Cost of Living: How Expensive is Philadelphia? (Nov. 1, Lee Stabert)
Not very. In fact, we're a surprising bargain, providing serious value in rent, home ownership, and cultural capital.

1. Does Philly Have An Image Problem? (March 15, Sue Spolan)
Yes and no. In talking with more than a dozen of the city's most important personalities, there's a lot more to feel good about than we realize.

JOE PETRUCCI is managing editor of Flying Kite. Send feedback here.

SUE SPOLAN is Innovation & Jobs News editor of Flying Kite. Send feedback here.