Honorees for the 2015 Saint Louis Visionary Awards have been announced: (pictured above, from left) Amy Kaiser, Ilene Berman, Shualee Cook, Kelly Pollock, Thelma Steward, Cecilia Nadal and Freida Wheaton.The awards, led by an independent committee, recognizes women who make significant contributions to the local arts community.They will be honored at a ceremony April 27 at the Centene Center for Arts & Education.
Bloomin’ Buckets has received the nod of approval from the queen of all things crafty. The local florist was featured in Martha Stewart Weddings Spring 2015 issue on the list of 62 Top Floral Designers. It was the only florist in Missouri to receive the special distinction. Now celebrating its 10-year anniversary, Bloomin’ Buckets is the vision of owner Barb Wehking, who started by selling flowers at the Kirkwood Farmers Market. She now has a team of more than 15 at her shop at 9844 Manchester Road. (Photo: L Photographie)
Ladue Middle School eighth-grader Claire Rowe will compete for the title of Miss Missouri’s Outstanding Teen this summer. The 13-year-old will join more than 30 teens from across the state for the competition, which includes a talent performance, physical fitness performance, on-stage Q&A and formalwear segment. Rowe’s personal platform is STAMP Out Cyberbullying; she devised the acronym (Students Together Against Mean Posts) when fellow students were targeted online through social media. 
(Photo: Lance Tilford of Limelight Studios)
TSA supervisor transportation security officer Dorothy Lathrop has been named Lambert Airport’s Ambassador of the Year for locating several soldiers who were about to miss their bus to Ft. Leonard Wood and paying their restaurant bill. Every month, the airport recognizes two employees nominated by customers or co-workers for outstanding customer service with a Catch Us Giving Award, which Lathrop earned last year.
Dr. Jeffrey Gordon of Washington University has been awarded the King Faisal International Prize in Medicine. The honor is announced annually by the King Faisal Foundation in Saudi Arabia to recognize scientists whose research has major benefits for humanity. Gordon has discovered a link between nutritional health and the inner workings of the microbes that live in the gut, which has the potential to change food production methods and lead to dietary recommendations that recognize the importance of the gut microbiome. Gordon earned a bachelor’s degree from Oberlin College and a medical degree from the University of Chicago. Pictured: Dr. Jeffrey Gordon (back left) with his research team (Photo: Robert Boston, Washington University)
