The Insider: 3.4.15

Zoofari, the Saint Louis Zoo’s popular biennial soiree, is celebrating its golden anniversary with special musical guest Kenny Loggins. The Grammy-award winner is known for hits like Footloose and Danger Zone. The creative black-tie event June 19 is chaired by Susan Block and James Sansone, with proceeds to benefit the zoo’s efforts to save endangered species at home and around the world.

Sarah England joins a notable group of scientists as a newly installed Alan A. and Edith L. Wolff Professor of Medicine at Washington University. England’s work focuses on how the movement of ions in blood vessels and the uterus affects pregnancy and aims to reduce the frequency of preterm labor. She joined the faculty at Wash U. in 2011 after teaching at the University of Iowa for 14 years. (Pictured: Dr. Larry Shapiro, Sarah England, Dr. George Macones, W. U. Chancellor Mark Wrighton)

A newly released children’s book by Ferguson native Carol Swartout Klein focuses on the positive aspects of recent events. Painting for Peace in Ferguson is written in verse and includes vivid images of artwork on boarded-up businesses. Klein, who still lives in St. Louis, wanted to capture the moments of hope and healing she witnessed after visiting her childhood neighborhood days after the riots. The book is available at local bookstores and at paintingforpeacebook.com. Proceeds will benefit North County-area youth and art programs, as well as small businesses affected by the damage.

Saint Louis Crisis Nursery has announced this year’s recipients of the H.U.G.S. & K.I.S.S.E.S awards: Shop ‘n Save, Distinguished Corporate Citizen; Don Fitzgerald, Man of the Year; Cynthia Doria, Woman of the Year; and Dr. Mollie Spire and Naretha Hopson, Young Professional Heroines of the Year. The honors, which recognize significant contributions to child abuse and neglect prevention, will be presented at the Razzle Dazzle Ball March 28.

Sherwood Forest is the recipient of the newly established Eleanor P. Eells Excellence in Research in Practice Award from the American Camp Association (ACA) for its third-grade book club program. Executive director Mary Rogers accepted the award at a national conference in New Orleans. Sherwood Forest offers monthlong residential programs throughout the year to connect with, inspire and educate economically disadvantaged youth in St. Louis.

Pictured: Kenny Loggins; Photo: Stephen Morales