One of the more endearing aspects of little kids is how they notice the little things that we, as adults, somehow become oblivious to over time.

I was reminded of this while driving our two boys home from a T-ball game. As the obstacles of the road and life were competing for my focus, young Solomon and Lionel were audibly in awe of something outside the car. After rubbernecking a bit, I finally noticed what they were talking about — a squirrel that was doing its best Karl Wallenda imitation on an electric wire between two telephone poles.

For a moment, at least, I found myself in wonder, too — over the memories of not only noticing but also appreciating the simpler things in life.

I’m guessing life is a little more complicated for the kids that attend Marion-Sterling Elementary School in the Central neighborhood of Cleveland. But I’m also certain that they’ve already noticed and embraced the efforts of Shaker Heights resident Lisa Weitzman.

As detailed on page 7 of this issue, Weitzman went out of her way to renovate the school’s outdated library. Having been there for a photo shoot, I can vouch that the classroom-sized space is a beautiful sight. The first thing you notice — something every bit as eye-catching as that daredevil squirrel — are the stenciled “quotable quotes” that border the tops of each wall. Among the dozen or so passages that promote the value of books and reading are these gems:

“Not all readers are leaders, but all leaders are readers.” — Harry S. Truman

“The man who does not read good books has no advantage over the man who can’t read.” — Mark Twain

“Outside of a dog, a book is a man’s best friend. Inside of a dog, it’s too dark to read.” — Groucho Marx

The citations reminded me that I wish I would read more often. A friend once told me that the only way to write better is to do just that. If that is the case, I’m lucky I can write my own name, let alone put together CBC on a monthly basis. But I’ve got a plan. Once I finish off my resolution this year — to watch each of the American Film Institute’s top 100 movies (37 more to go) — I am going to dedicate 2012 to reading all of those lonely books that are otherwise serving as decorations on our living-room bookshelves.

Back at Marion-Sterling, I trust the students will do likewise inside their new library. It’s inevitable that Weitzman will make a difference in their lives. And after seeing a group of smiling children rally around her for an impromptu group photograph, it’s great to know that Weitzman’s generosity — as a reader and a leader — is very much appreciated.

As CBC moves closer to its milestone 50th issue in August, we are always looking for new ways to reach our audience. Whether we’re hosting events, such as the Connectors Choice Awards and Amplify panel discussions, or reaching out via social media platforms like Facebook or Twitter, raising awareness of the magazine while enlightening and entertaining the local corporate community is always a priority.

For the last year we have been emailing a monthly enewsletter, Connections, to reader subscribers. If you’re a fan of CBC but do not yet receive Connections, you might want to visit cbcmagazine.com to sign up. While the print issues of CBC tell interesting and untold stories of Northeast Ohio’s top companies and organizations, some of our best copy is reserved for our enewsletter.

Four writers — Phil Stella, Ryan McKay, Allison Saget, and Colleen Harding — focus on corporate networking, trade shows, and business etiquette. Each provides valuable tips and interesting anecdotes.

Stella (aka, Mr. Networking) just celebrated the 21st anniversary of his company, Effective Training and Communication, by building a new website, communicate-confidently.com. If you want to see how a pro does it, attend any event hosted by the Council of Smaller Enterprises, the Sales and Marketing Executives of Cleveland or the Heights-Hillcrest Regional Chamber of Commerce. Stella will be there. Until then, here’s one of his most recent networking tips: “It's called handSHAKE, not handHOLD, so go for two or three shakes, stop and separate. Any longer starts to feel uncomfortable.”

When it comes to trade shows, McKay handles the exhibiting side while Saget focuses on the marketing side.

McKay, the senior account manager and director of operations at Ohio Displays Inc., has a great talent for writing. He illustrates as much in his blog, which can be found at on-the-road-with-odi.blogspot.com. Here’s an excerpt in which he talks about his favorite trade show city: “At the end of the day, Orlando (or, more truthfully, the Lake Buena Vista area) keeps the streets clean, the prices reasonable, and the attendees plentiful, to say nothing of the cotton candy, mouse-ears, and magic wands.”

Saget, the president of EventBLT, leaves no stone unturned in her writers about how to properly market an event. For example: “Before you set out to just do the event, review the specific sales initiatives and business objectives. (I always look for the hook — Why are we doing this and who is interested?)”

Harding, the president of the Cleveland School of Etiquette and Corporate Protocol, is the newest member of the Connections arsenal. We thought the time was right to provide etiquette tips, considering how often attendees talk over speakers these days. And Harding didn’t disappoint last month while dedicating her first article to comic relief in the office:

“Individuals who take chances with humor may be viewed as careless and unprofessional. Furthermore, you do not know who is within earshot of your comments. Many times individuals who were not supposed to hear the comment do and are offended without anyone knowing.”

In the case of Connections, we want you to hear and see all of the advice offered by our expert writers.