The Apex Chamber of Commerce held a luncheon to thank teachers for contributing to our community’s superior quality of life. Principals, teachers and teacher assistants attended the event on February 12 to honor teachers and teacher assistants with this year’s Reuben McNeill Golden Apple Award in a ceremony at Carrabbas restaurant on Highway 55 in Apex.

Mayor Keith Weatherly attended and said he is proud to honor Apex educators. "Education in Apex is very important and its success makes Apex the peak of good education.”

The Reuben McNeill Golden Apple Award is in its 12th year and was started by the Apex Chamber of Commerce.

Each year, the teachers who were nominated by their peers as Teacher of the Year, are awarded and recognized by the organization in Apex that supports businesses and future business leaders.

The Chamber and the business community appreciate the contribution teachers have on the vitality of our community.

Reuben McNeill, who the award is named after, was a teacher, coach, and assistant principal at Apex Middle School, and was due to become the principal at the Lufkin Road Ninth Grade Center before his death in 1998. He also worked for the Apex Parks and Recreation Department as a field supervisor of baseball and softball and at the middle school gym during basketball season.

Mr. McNeill wanted the teachers to feel appreciated and know they were valued by their peers, students, and the business community. He had the idea for the Golden Apple Award, but didn’t get the chance to present the first one.

The Chamber continues his memory by presenting this award each year.

This year’s honorees were: Apex Elementary, Barbara Smith and Karen Stapleton. AV Baucom Elementary, Lynn Sweeney. Laurel Park Elementary, Daniele Gannon and Elana Murray. Olive Chapel Elementary, Linda Noble and Pam Shaw. Salem Elementary, Elizabeth (Liz) Gibbs, Debra Edwards. Apex Middle School, Virginia (Ginny) Chilcott, Lufkin Road Middle School, Rona Atkinson and Mary Alice Fox. Salem Middle School, Margaret Feldman. Apex High School, Melissa Corn.

The event would not have been possible without event sponsors and donors. Event sponsors included premier sponsor Progress Energy as well as BB&T, Crescent Bank, EMC Corporation, L.G. Jordan Oil Company, MLB, WakeMed, Kraft Family YMCA, Prime Mortgage Lending, SunTrust, Capital Paving and Grading and Veridea.

The teachers were given a large goodie bag full of small gifts from the following sponsors: Accent Urgent Care, Authors Ink, Batteries Plus, Bistro 64, Blue Tiger, Bruegger’s Bagels, Curves of Apex, Edward Jones/Bonnie Fischer, Hair, Body & Sole, Harmony Animal Hospital, Infinity Ballet, Jersey Mikes, Judy Fourie, Jump Zone, L.G. Jordan Oil, Lake Cameron Apartments, OP Lauren, Peak City Film Festival, Primrose School of West Cary, Progress Energy, Rex Hospital, Rex Rehabilitation Center, Spring Arbor, Sweet Tomatoes, The Ice Cream Shop, The Rusty Bucket Kids Club, The Wake Zone, WakeMed and Yoga Garden.

For more information or to view photos visit www.apexchamber.com or check out the Apex Chamber on facebook. Economic Development for Existing Industry

Back in September, the Apex Chamber board of directors elected to eliminate the staff position of economic development housed within the structure of the Apex Chamber. Economic development is a variety of functions. The function most commonly associated with economic development is new business. New business development in Apex now resides within the town of Apex, a most logical place for the inquiring party to obtain exactly what it needs. Business Briefing Series at Breakfast There is yet another important component of economic development and that is retention – the retention of existing industry/business. Existing industry/business is where the Apex Chamber is now focusing its efforts for economic development. Beginning on Wednesday, March 10, the economic development committee will host its first event for 2010 - the new Business Briefing series.

This event will be hosted by the Holiday Inn Express on Marco Drive in Apex and will run from 8:00-9:00 am.

Dennis Edwards, executive director of the Greater Raleigh Convention and Visitor Bureau, will be the guest speaker for this event. He will discuss tourism in the area, in particular Apex, Cary, and Holly Springs, and what that translates to for the local economy.

These events are free to members, but space is limited, so an RSVP is required. Please contact the Chamber staff or register directly online at www.apexchamber.com. The Chamber plans to hold this series every other month with a topic related to economic development. The next Breakfast Briefing series event will be held on May 12 and the speaker will be from Wake County Economic Development. The topic of this breakfast series will be Economic Development 101. This seminar is intended for Chamber members who want to better understand exactly what ‘economic development’ is. Bus Tour 2010

On May 12, the economic development committee will host its first Bus Tour. The bus tour will travel to developments within Apex under construction or approved for construction. The developer will be your tour guide and will explain what is happening, what the projected completion date is and what opportunities exist for Chamber members as a result of these new developments. Free to Chamber members, sponsors needed.

Please contact Brenda Steen for more information, brenda@apexchamber.com or 362-6456. Professional Women’s Networking

On Wednesday, February 24 2010, from 11:30 a.m.—1:00 p.m., the Chamber will host their professional women’s networking event at Carrabba’s Italian Grill. The topic, Be Careful What You Wish For! Presented by Nicoa Dunne, Managing Partner and Professional Speaker with holland archer, inc. and President of Roving Coach International, brings real life experience, humor and advice to ensure you are Living Mindfully in the midst of your American Dream! “Be Careful What You Wish For!” will be an interactive session that will stop your S.O.U.L. in its tracks and remind you what really matters most in your life! Nicoa has over 16 years of human resources experience, is a workin’ momma of three girls and a wife of a stay at home dad (that’s different!) and is an engaging coach for women in the workforce. Join us for this entertaining and enlightening lunch.

To register visit www.apexchamber.com or call 362-6456. $25 for members/$35 for non-members (includes lunch)