The Insider: 2.25.15

John Burroughs ‘95 grad Beau Willimon, creator of the award-winning Netflix series House of Cards, returns to St. Louis for a benefit on behalf of the Library Foundation’s Forward Fund, which supports literacy and early childhood programs in North County. Tickets are available to a private reception at St. Louis County Library Headquarters, where guests will have the opportunity to meet Willimon, and include reserved seats at the Q&A afterward, which is open to the public. Tickets can be purchased at brownpapertickets.com or at library headquarters. (Pictured, above. Photo: Adam Amengual)

St. Louisan Steve Zwolak, CEO of LUME Institute and University City Children’s Center (UCCC), LUME’s program model school, recently received the national Educational Achievement Award from the American Psychoanalytic Association at its national conference. The award, presented annually to an individual or educational institution, recognizes UCCC for its groundbreaking psychodynamic model of education. This focuses on the ‘inner world’ of children, supporting their emotional development while also providing innovative learning opportunities that integrate the local community.

Nancy Allen, a law professor at Missouri State University, can add author to her list of accomplishments. Her legal thriller, A Killing at the Creek, is set to be released in print this spring. The story is set in Allen’s native Missouri Ozarks and follows the story of prosecutor Elsie Arnold as she takes on a controversial murder case. Allen drew from her own experience as former Assistant Missouri Attorney General and assistant prosecutor.

The Moneta Group Charitable Foundation has chosen The Magic House and Haven of Grace as its partners for 2015, granting $25,000 to each organization to support their outreach/education events. The foundation was established in 1999 by Moneta principals wanting to further their philanthropic footprint, and it selects different charitable partners each year.

The Saint Louis Zoo is home to a new baby colobus monkey named Simon, born Dec. 30, 2014. He was welcomed by mom Cecelia, dad Kima and his 2-year-old sister Kivuli, who often is seen holding and carrying her new baby brother. The colobus monkey is a threatened species found throughout the forests of east and central Africa. (Photo: Ethan Riepl/Saint Louis Zoo)