One of T&S’ past Notable Neighbors continues to make an impact in the StL! Eighteen-year-old political whiz Gabe Fleisher now can be heard on St. Louis Public Radio airwaves with his new podcast, Wake Up To Politics. The biweekly episodes will deconstruct the mechanics behind the American political system.

More than 1 billion animals are thought to have been killed by the wildfires and flooding in Australia. Being in St. Louis, it’s hard not to feel completely helpless. But wonderful companies like Niche Food Group are doing what they can. The Gerard Craft-led team recently hosted a bake sale at Rockwell Beer Co. (pictured at top), and all proceeds were given to WIRES Wildlife Rescue for animal relief.

Ballpark Village keeps growing! The project’s latest phase includes Live! By Loews, an upscale option for booking a room downtown that is merely steps from Busch Stadium. Opening Feb. 26, it will feature 216 rooms and serve as an entertainment hub with four dining options that will make bourbon lovers happy.

Opera Theatre of Saint Louis has a monumental announcement. One of its most beloved founding supporters and life board members, Phyllis Brissenden, more than doubled its endowment by leaving a $45 million gift to the organization that she cherished deeply. The humble philanthropist passed away in December in Springfield, Illinois, at the age of 86. Her gift is the largest any U.S. opera company has ever received.

Congrats to Saint Louis University for its notable recognition by USA Today. The newspaper listed the SLU Museum of Art as one of its Top 10 university museums nationwide worth exploring for its “impressive permanent collection.” SLU is in the company of Yale, Princeton, Stanford and others.