Sophisticated. Tongue-in-cheek. Sometimes really dumb. No joke left unturned, no matching theme napkins unwadded. Lipstick on plastic wine glasses. Superhero capes on theater seats.

If you've missed the Lake County Apex Awards other years, come see what the buzz is about. Celebrate Lake County's best work in professional marketing and communications, judged by upstanding professionals in their fields.

Invitations are in the mail for the 2005 Lake County Apex Awards, presented from 5:00 to 9:00 p.m. Wednesday, October 12th, at the Fine Arts Association in Willoughby, 38660 Mentor Ave. Expect hearty hors d'ouevres, wine & beer.

Tickets are $25. Mail to Lake Communicators, P.O. Box 1344, Mentor, OH 44061. Reservations (440) 946-9919. Your superhero costume encouraged but not required. And hey, have fun.

Lynne Strah is Public Relations Manager for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northeast Ohio. Lynne is responsible for planning and implementing all public relations and advertising activities for the agency, as well as providing support for special fundraising events.

Lynne is a graduate of Ohio University and began her career as a copywriter with a local ad agency

colleges, business to business trade association publications, government libraries and Penton Media.

The cost to do market research can be prohibitive, ranging from $500 - $5000. The best forecasting is for a period of 3 years, no more. The most effective means of business-to-business research is via e-mail (10-15% rate of return), fax (4-5%) and mail (1-2%). There is a network of 8 million researchers. To obtain information on who to contact and how, check out www.quirks.com.

sales. There is no charge for this event or the breakfast. Contact the Lakeland Institute for Economic Advancement at (440) 525-7315, e-mail liea@lakelandcc.edu.

SAVE THE DATE--Tuesday, November 8th: for "Safeguarding the Workplace: What the CEO Needs to Know!" Learn how to protect your organization's assets including your facility, your data and your employees. Contact the Lakeland Institute for Economic Advancement for details. 

the Board of Trustees for the Lake-Geauga Fast Track 50 Awards, The Kidney Foundation of Lake County, and the Painesville Chamber of Commerce. In addition she serves on the Executive Committee of the Lakeland Staff Association and as Treasurer of AFSCME 1184 Subchapter 120 retirees of Lake, Ashtabula and Geauga counties.

Cathie has successfully completed the Certified Program Planner with LERN (Learning Resources Network, a program that teaches how to plan programs). During her "spare" time, she enjoys traveling with her husband, Preston.

main stage will feature some of the area's most exciting and talented entertainment as well as some of Cleveland's most popular radio DJ's. In addition, strolling performers, magicians, clowns and more will wander the mall, adding a festive touch and reminding everyone of the joys of the holiday seasons. Fellow Lake Communicator members, Lake Metroparks, Deepwood, YMCA, Council on Aging and Society for Rehabilitation are selling tickets to this event.

For more information, contact Diana L. Lewis at (440) 255-8932 or dlewis@simon.com.

Monthly Meetings
Membership meetings are held the second Wednesday of each month at the Comfort Inn & Conference Center, 7701 Reynolds Road, just south of Rt. 2. Lunch meetings are held from 11:45 a.m. to 1 p.m. and include networking and a half hour program. Breakfast meetings are held from 7:45 to 9 a.m. Guests are always welcome.

Advance reservations are required by replying to Shirley Wolfe's e-mail at wolfeshirley@yahoo.com or by calling Diana Lewis at (440) 255-8932 by the Friday prior to the meeting. You may send a substitute; no-shows will be billed. Members $10, guests $15.