In many ways, St. Louis is a big city. But when you get right down to it, what makes our town special is combination of its many unique neighborhoods. Enjoy our annual tribute to St. Louis’ neighborhoods.

Will the door be scratched up this time? Or will the pillows be in tatters? Separation anxiety can cause pets to be destructive in ways that make their owners not even want to leave the house. And while it’s a stressful situation, most dogs can overcome it. “We have a lot of interventions to help us, and we have good success in many, many cases,” says Dr. Debra Horwitz of Veterinary Behavior Consultations. “It is one common reason people end up giving their dog to a shelter, but it’s a very treatable condition.”

It has been a strange week. Normally I write this column on a Thursday, a nice, relaxing day—no pressure. Usually Cranky Whiny and Punch have engaged in some sort of hijinks—a soccer mishap or a bake-sale fiasco—but for some reason, this week was different. I was out of gas—literally and figuratively: I had no column and my car ran out of gas (I say that like it’s my car’s fault). Now, normally when life hands me lemons…but not today.

The Kirkwood School District and Kirkwood School District Foundation dedicated the new Alvin Miller Track, named in honor of Alvin Miller, a 1983 KHS graduate regarded as the best athlete in the school’s history. He earned four varsity letters in basketball, three in football and two in track and field. He captured four individual track and field state championships in 1983 and still holds the three school track and field records. Pictured: Julie Beattie, Romona Miller, Alvin Miller, Lauryn Miller, Ariel Miller and Kevin Beattie.

Walter Knoll Florist’s Chuck Knoll and Press Club board members gathered to create centerpieces for the Press Club’s Media Person of the Year gala? The Oct. 4 event, to be held at the St. Louis Hilton at the Ballpark, will honor KSDK-TV’s Leisa Zigman. It also will recognize photojournalists Jim Forbes and Robert Cohen of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch for extraordinary coverage of the 2011 Joplin tornado. St. Louis’ own Fleishman-Hillard will receive an award for its worldwide contributions to journalistic excellence. Proceeds benefit journalism/communications scholarships, as well as enterprise investigative journalism fellowships, and the St. Louis Library Media Archives. Pictured: Chuck Knoll with Press Club board members Alice Handelman and Ellen Soule.

When I was a kid, people used to say we lived in a fast-paced world. Phones had click lines, documents could be faxed, and homework could be done on computers. Clearly, that all seems quite leisurely now. Cranky, 14, and Whiny, 13, are all about social media--and that’s fine. They 'friended' me and I monitor their activity, trolling their Facebook pages every now and then--everything is fine. Let me rephrase: I thought everything was fine.

Well, it’s that time of year again. Cranky, 14, Whiny, 13, and Punch, 11, are back in school. But somehow, this year, things are a little bit different. It’s been brewing like a storm on the horizon, so I wasn’t shocked at the occurrence. I was, however, shocked by the enormity of it all. Suddenly, all three of them have cultivated a social life. A social life—I might add—that is much more time-consuming and entertaining than my own. There are limitless options for a tween/teen weekend: sports, movies, hanging out. Occasionally, a kid will have parents brave enough to host a party—I think brave is the word I’m looking for—but in the end, things are as they have always been: The nucleus of young-teen socializing continues to be ‘the dance.’

The name says it all—if you’re in need of a chic ensemble for a special occasion, Special Occasions by Paulette and Teddy has you covered. Selections from designers like Montage, Daymor, Jovani and Sherri Hill traverse all age groups, from demure styles for the mother of the bride/groom to fun, flirty frocks for a cocktail party or homecoming. Long or short, sleek or voluminous, neutrals, pastels or bold bright colors—whatever your vision, you’re sure to find a gown that is perfect for you and your special event!

One of the most anticipated date nights for teens is just around the corner: Homecoming! So on a perfect St. Louis day, we gathered a group of friends at The Muny to shine the spotlight on this fall’s hottest homecoming looks.

Acclaimed trumpet player and composer WYNTON MARSALIS will headline the ST. LOUIS SYMPHONY’s fourth annual gala, Red Velvet Ball Swings!

The fall season is in full swing. Today marks the fourth week of the 10- week football regular season. Soccer, volleyball and cross country will reach their midpoint at the end of this coming week. Girls golf is just over a week away from the start of district play and softball isn’t far behind.

When…the 30th anniversary Beaux Arts Council dinner celebrated the Saint Louis Art Museum’s featured exhibition, Joe Jones: Painter of the American Scene? The event was held at the Coronado Ballroom and the exhibition was organized and curated by Andrew Walker, assistant director for curatorial affairs and curator of American art, and by Janeen Turk, senior curatorial assistant. Pictured: Brent Benjamin,

For 160 years, Christian Brothers College High School has been preparing young men for college—and for life. “At CBC, accomplishment is not just for an elite few,” says president Mike England. “Our students come from more than 100 different parishes and public schools, representing a cross section of religious, ethnic, social and economic backgrounds.” The school prides itself on nurturing the strengths of students with a broad range of abilities and achievement levels: “Kids who score in the 90th percentile aren’t necessarily better, or even smarter, than kids who don’t,” he says. “We focus on individual needs and customize each student’s program accordingly.”

Fall in St. Louis brings a bounty of fairs and festivals. Nearly every weekend beginning in September and continuing through November features art shows, music fests and family-friendly events. Whether you have a yen for crafts, cultural performances, wine or blues—or you’re simply craving funnel cake—our area is hopping with activity.

Jill Myrna Young and Mario Monty Menears are happy to announce their engagement.

    Congratulations to this year’s WOMEN OF ACHIEVEMENT honorees: JANIE BICKHAM (humanitarian concerns), CYNTHIA FROHLICHSTEIN (lifetime service), PATTY GREGORY (arts entrepreneur), JUDY HARRIS (creative philanthropy), DEBRA HOLLINGS WORTH (community betterment), KAREN KALISH (multi-cultural leadership), SANDRA MURDOCK (youth enrichment), CECILIA NADAL (cultural enrichment), VALERIE PATTON (women’s empowerment), and RITA SWIENER (spirit of giving). The ladies will be celebrated at a May 18 luncheon at The Ritz-Carlton. This is the 55th year the awards have been given, honoring women for their volunteer contributions to the community.

Brentwood city administrator Chris Seemayer

After 23 seasons at the helm of Opera Theatre of Saint Louis, Charles MacKay has gone home to Santa Fe to lead the Santa Fe Opera. Ladue News spoke with MacKay about the highlights of his time in St. Louis.

compiled by Amanda Henry