The Moneta Group investment advisory firm has been giving back to the community since its founding in 1869, and this year the American Red Cross of Eastern Missouri and Ready Readers are benefiting from donations of $25,000each. The Red Cross will use its funds for a new blood donation transport van, and Ready Readers will provide book programs for early childhood students.




Kudos to Washington University School of Medicine faculty members Dr. Samuel Achilefu, Dr. David Hotzman and Dr. Eric Leuthardt, named fellows of the National Academy of Inventors. They are among 155 scientists and innovators who will be honored at an April 5 ceremony in Boston. Achilefu pioneers molecular imaging and disease treatments; Holtzman develops diagnostic and treatment methods for Alzheimer’s; and Leuthardt works on techniques to map the brain and improve neurosurgery.


Congrats to Explore St. Louis, the city’s destination marketing organization, which is set to snag nine Adrian Awards for Travel Marketing Excellence from the Hospitality Sales & Marketing Association International. At a Feb. 20 ceremony in the Big Apple, it will receive three gold, five silver and one bronze award in categories like digital marketing, TV advertising and website design.


Good news if you’ve got a nose for local history—Christopher Alan Gordon’s book, Fire, Pestilence and Death: St. Louis 1849, is now on shelves. Published by the Missouri Historical Society, it tells the tale of a cholera epidemic, major fire and other disasters that set the stage for a terrible year—and a resilient city.


the main events

Help Chamber Project Saint Louis celebrate its 10th anniversary at a special performance at 7 p.m. Feb. 11 at The Schlafly Tap Room. The event includes refreshments.

Book your spot at St. Louis County Library HQ for a special evening with author George Saunders at 7 p.m. Feb. 17. He will discuss his prize-winning novel, Lincoln in the Bardo.

Feel like partying for a cause? Friends of Wings is throwing its Flutter Bash Feb. 24 at the Old Post Office downtown. Proceeds benefit projects like Evelyn’s House, a new BJC Healthcare hospice facility.