Insider: 3.11.15

A student at Green Trails Elementary School is alive and well thanks to the quick reaction of school nurse Annette Polzin (pictured above). The grade schooler came to the office with a severe stomachache, hives, and a scratchy throat, and Polzin discovered she had eaten a friend’s pistachio nuts. She quickly injected her with an EpiPen and called 911 while counselor Nancy Winkler kept the youngster calm. Once at the hospital, the student showed signs of shock; the doctor said Polzin saved her life. The student and her family were unaware of her allergy.

A new book, Moonlight Serenade to City Lights, celebrates regional musicians and bands that entertained Missouri families during the 1940s and ‘50s, also known as the Dance Hall Era. Dr. Kenneth Johnson, a professor at Lindenwood University, compiled the pictorial history from images previously displayed in local homes and businesses. Johnson grew up in central Missouri and, for a time, lived in a dance hall, which inspired his lifelong love of music.

At its annual gala, the Jewish Student Union honored Galia and Milton Movitz, Melanie and Dan Winograd, and Parkway Central JSU faculty adviser Sean Rochester for their support of the organization and their dedication to strengthening the Jewish community among St. Louis youth. The first local JSU meeting was held in 2003 with 16 Ladue High School students in attendance. Now, JSU has clubs in 12 local high schools and operates the Senator John Danforth Israel Scholars Program.

Opera Theatre of Saint Louis is one of 11 recipients to receive an audience development grant from Opera America. The national organization awarded a total of $150,000 to support audience development activities for specific productions. For the world premiere of OT SL’s Shalimar the Clown, the grant will fund audience engagement events featuring the author, composer and various artists.

Scott Mosby, president and owner of Mosby Building Arts, recently was recognized as Business Person of the Year by the Kirkwood-Des Peres Chamber of Commerce. He was honored for his more than 30 years in the business, extensive knowledge of the remodeling industry and ongoing volunteer efforts on behalf of children’s charities. Mosby says he remains committed to the Kirkwood community thanks to its support of small business.