Orlando’s has grown to be one of the biggest catering operations in St. Louis, and through the generations, the one thing that hasn't changed is family.

As a senior artist for MAC Cosmetics, Jane McKay is a regular participant in the Fashion Weeks of New York, Milan, Paris and London. The industry veteran has worked in every aspect of the company, from artist training to customer service and the global sales division. We asked her about this season’s trends.

Maxine Clark grew up in the decade of big dreams realized. Today, the Build-A-Bear Workshop founder is affectionately gazing back on the journey of her own realized dream.

When we first heard about chef/owner Ben Poremba's innovative vision of turning an old South City house into a fine-dining restaurant (Elaia), and the retired service station next door to it into a wine bar (Olio), we were a bit unsure of just how it would work out. Since the dual concepts have been up and running for a while now, we finally stopped in for dinner at Elaia and are pleased to report the project is quite the success.

Wipe the dust off your car’s tuning knob—classical music is making a comeback on April 8 with the highly-anticipated Radio Arts Foundation – St. Louis.

You voted, we listened! Ladue News readers know what they like; and with this year's Platinum List, you've made your voices heard. This list compiles the best of St. Louis. 

We now have the names for the upcoming Maryville University St. Louis Speakers Series. The 2013-2014 season at Powell Hall begins Oct. 8 with former Greek Prime Minister GEORGE PAPANDREOU. The rest of the lineup includes: A Walk in the Woods author BILL BRYSON, Former U.S. Defense Secretary ROBERT GATES, Apple co-founder STEVE WOZNIAK, historian/author DORIS KEARNS GOODWIN and journalist DAN RATHER, whose March 25, 2014, appearance will be sponsored by LN. For subscription information, visit stlouisspeakersseries.org.

To paraphrase one of modern-day's greatest innovators, Steve Jobs,  innovators need creative skills. In that vein, City Academy in St. Louis recently added art to the traditional STEM curriculum—creating STEAM.

We applaud this year’s GRAND CENTER INC. Visionary Awards honorees, who are being recognized for their commitment to the arts in St. Louis. They are: CAROL VOSS (Major Contributor to the Arts), ANDREA PURNELL (Emerging Artist), LYNN RUBRIGHT (Outstanding Arts Educator), LYDIA RUFFIN (Successful Working Artist), AGNES WILCOX (Outstanding Arts Professional) and JOANNE KOHN (Lifetime Achievement). The awards ceremony will be held Monday, May 13, from 5:45 to 8:30 p.m. at The Sheldon. Tickets, which include admission, pre-event cocktails and a dessert reception, will go on sale April 5. Visit grandcenter.org for more information.

Maybe your bedroom closet space is limited to a few flimsy wire racks and a metal pole, or you struggle to fit groceries in a disorganized pantry. Perhaps there’s no storage system in the garage, or the entertainment center is overrun by cords and DVDs. If you find yourself in such a situation, California Closets may have the answer to your home organization problems, says James Cline, the company’s retail sales and marketing VP. “We work to align our customer’s needs and desires with an exact solution. We could have two spaces with the same dimensions, but because we are customizing each for that particular customer, you’ll never see the same design twice.”

For the second year, in a tight competition with less than 20 votes separating the top two churches, St. Paul's Catholic Church, Fenton, beat out St. Dominic Savio, Affton, to win Friendship Village Sunset Hills' Fourth Annual Quilting Competition. Several hundred voted in the week's competition and display of quilts from area churches at Fountain View, the freestanding assisted-living community at Friendship Village Sunset Hills. Pictured: Erlinda Madridondo, Ruth Finder, Donna Robinson and Mary Haukap (kneeling) proudly display their winning quilt.

Entrepreneur Jason Jan admits he’s a little camera-shy. “I prefer to be humble,” says Jan, a husband and father of three children—two boys, ages 5 and 8, and a 7-month-old daughter.

Old Hollywood glamour will be front and center this week at The Sheldon for 'Notes from Hollywood,' the Jan. 14 concert featuring Maestro LEONARD SLATKIN to benefit CHAMBER MUSIC SOCIETY OF ST. LOUIS. The concert will feature an evening of chamber music from some of Hollywood’s most notable film composers like John Williams, Ennio Morricone and Leonard Bernstein. The event host committee includes honorary chair PRIS MCDONNELL and co-chairs MIRAN HALEN and MARY STRAUSS. For tickets, call the Chamber at 941-6309 or MetroTix, 534-1111.

In mid-January the historic Southern California city of Pasadena and its 935 Tournament of Roses volunteers and staff are already well into preparations for the 2014 Rose Parade and Rose Bowl Game.

As Clayton celebrates its centennial anniversary, LN asked some longtime Clayton business leaders about their hopes for the city's next 100 years.

Mercy Heart and Vascular Hospital St. Louis

During this time of year, it is an LN tradition to salute local charities and nonprofit organizations that have commemorated milestone anniversaries in 2012. In celebration, we've asked a sampling of them to share some favorite memories, as well as even bigger future plans.

Deep within the coastal lowlands of Ecuador, Dave Owens recently discovered just the right beans for his next unique Bissinger’s confection. As chief chocolatier, Owens helps keep the renowned St. Louis-based company's roots in the past, with an eye toward the future.

Story: Well, there really is no story. The Blue Man Group is an act comprised of three mute performers in blue makeup covering their skulls and wearing utilitarian uniforms. They’re backed by an on-stage band as they cavort through one act and 90 minutes of amusing skits that defy simple categorization. Suffice to say that their show blends comedy, music, multi-media and agility into entertainment that appeals to children but also is sophisticated enough to enthrall adults.

Former teacher Beth Fitzgerald took her creativity from the classroom to the city’s nationally recognized children’s museum as the current president of The Magic House. She is one of many University of Missouri—St. Louis alumni using a broad-based education to make a big impact on the community. “Our graduates are problem-solvers, innovators and creative thinkers who know how to think outside the box,” says chancellor Tom George.

A 5-foot bejeweled peacock sculpture is local jewelry artist DIANE KATZMAN’s latest showpiece for charity. The peacock was created to benefit COLLEGE BOUND, to raise awareness of the compelling need for greater equity in education. The stones and feathers on the sculpture represent the hopes and dreams of College Bound students and their families and the community. The peacock made its debut this week at Neiman Marcus, and will be on display throughout the holiday season. This Saturday, Nov. 17, at 1:30 p.m., the store is hosting a ‘peacock party’ with refreshments and treats. Katzman also will be offering attendees the opportunity to create their own piece of jewelry.

There’s a warmhearted comfort that accompanies the autumn season. Beyond the long-awaited chill in the air after the drawn-out summer months, there are caramel apples and cider, vibrant mums, the new television season and football! And all this jollity and contentment returns amid a backdrop of the fall leaves’ warm hues.

Every year, Sr. Lucie Nordmann, head of school at Villa Duchesne, is happy when she hears the same story from recent graduates who have gone off to college. “They’re sitting in class and they see another female with their class ring. They instantly connect and realize they’ve both had a Sacred Heart education," she says. "Our most recent senior class has gone to 48 different colleges and universities. It’s amazing to me how that one simple symbol, their class ring, is recognized universally across the country. The students here belong to something much bigger than this one school in St. Louis.”