Kudos to local rabbi Hershey Novack (pictured above) of the Washington University Chabad, who was named one of America’s ‘Most Inspiring Rabbis’ by the national Jewish newspaper, The Forward. Rabbi Novack was nominated by a W.U. student, who described the rabbi’s above-and-beyond dedication to helping students observe the sabbath and other customs.
• Writer Carol Swartout Klein has created a coloring book sequel to her book released last year, Painting for Peace in Ferguson. A book signing takes place June 12 at the Barnes & Noble in Ladue. Many drawings are based on murals that appeared in Ferguson last year, with some new ones by illustrator Robert O’Neil.
• Pediatric yoga specialist Lisa Roberts has penned The Mountain That Longed to be Different, a book about appreciating who you are that also teaches sun salutations at a child’s level.
• And Barnes Hospital nurse Kristin Seymour has written The Fog Lifted: A Clinician’s Victorious Journey with ADHD about her experiences struggling with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder and succeeding despite it. The book is meant to help other families dealing with the issue.
Mark Platt (U. City High ‘73 and W.U. ‘80) was honored as a ‘Tennis Hero’ in the June issue of Tennis Industry magazine. In 1984, Platt started Beginner’s World Tennis in U. City to teach and promote the game to beginners. Now his programs extend across St. Louis at more than 25 facilities. He also has 10 staffers who teach lessons, as well as 10-plus junior tennis team squads this summer.
Were you a Wild Kingdom fan? Now, the series airs as webisodes, and the current host, Stephanie Arne, was here at the Endangered Wolf Center in Eureka to film the progress of wolf pups born there. Founding Wild Kingdom narrator Marlin Perkins and his wife Carol started the center in 1971. Its Wolves & Wine Auction fundraiser takes place June 11 in the CWE; for information, call 636.938.5900. Pictured: Stephanie Arne (right) with the Center’s Regina Mossotti