Next month local philanthropy will be celebrated at the 36th annual National Philanthropy Day Luncheon. St. Louis has much to celebrate in this arena, but a big shoutout that day will go to Maxine Clark and Bob Fox, Marsha and Bill Rusnack (pictured above), Rich Ledbetter and several other special honorees.

insider-ozark-hellbender_ray-meibaum-saint-louis-zoo_webThe Saint Louis Zoo has done it again! This time it has received a North American Conservation Award for its Ozark Hellbender Augmentation Program. In 2002, the zoo, along with the Missouri Department of Conservation and U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, initiated efforts to protect the 20-inch salamander, historically abundant in the spring-fed rivers of southern Missouri. The population, important for the overall health of the aquatic ecosystem of our streams and rivers, had declined to 600.insider-hungry-heart-book

Popular author Jennifer Weiner is in town Oct. 19 to discuss ‘Adventures in Life, Love and Writing.’ The prolific writer, whose books have appeared for more than five years on The New York Times Best Sellers list, speaks at 7:30 p.m. at the Jewish Community Center in Creve Coeur. She has 15 novels to her name, including In Her Shoes and her newest, Hungry Heart.

insider-cal-ripken-jr-2016-stan-musial-lifetime-achievement-award-winnerThe annual Stan Musial Lifetime Achievement Award is going to Cal Ripken Jr. this year. The former Baltimore Oriole will be in town Nov. 19 to accept the honor at the 2016 Musial Awards.

insider-charlie-owensThe Netflix children’s show Mack & Moxy includes a local 11-year-old, Charlie Owens, who has autism. He was chosen during a nationwide search to include a character, Trooper Charlie, who exhibits the behavioral traits and mannerisms typical of autism. Easterseals partnered with American Public Television on the show.