IF YOU HAVEN’T YET SEEN the new East Wing addition to the St. Louis Art Museum, it is magnificent and worthy of the “Impressionist France” exhibit that is showing through July 6. It features 120 paintings from artists such as Camille Pissarro, Edgar Degas, Paul Cezanne and Claude Monet and Édouard Manet, along with works by photographers such as Gustave Le Gray and Charles Marville. While you are there do not miss the “Tragic and Timeless: The Art of Mark Rothko” exhibit and, particularly, a lecture by his son Christopher on June 10. You will need a reservation, so call the museum at 314-721-0072.

PHOTOGRAPHER KRISTI FOSTER, whose work appears regularly in the Jewish Light, has won second place in “The City at 250: A Citywide Celebration in Photography” contest held in conjunction with the 250th anniversary of St. Louis, which is being celebrated this year. More than 500 entries were received in the contest, sponsored by the Sheldon Art Galleries and the St. Louis Beacon (which is now part of St. Louis Public Radio). Kristi’s prize-winning image, “l’Dor v’Dor,” will be among 100 images taken by amateurs, professionals and children that will displayed in an exhibit opening Friday, June 6, at the Sheldon with a free, public reception from 5-9 p.m. Think Kristi for bar/bat mitzvahs and weddings as well as for family and pet portraits. While I think of it, I should tell you that her recent picture of me will replace the one I have been using since confirmation from Temple Israel — well, not quite. You may reach Kristi at 314-330-2407.

“BRISKET IN THE BACK SEAT” is an anthology of stories and recipes about brisket that is being written by Laura Edwards Ray, a writer and a very funny lady, according to my friend Diane Kline. The name of the book is a phrase created by Laura to describe how she (the ultimate people pleaser) frequently transports a brisket to somebody — a sick friend, family or the funeral of a stranger. No kidding, it happened. The book will be an anthology like “Chicken Soup for the Soul,” and Laura is inviting people to submit brisket stories and recipes for it. If you have a story to share, contact Laura at 314-570-0726 or at [email protected]. Laura is not a novice writer.  Her first two books were “Brain Dead in the Suburbs and Cooking Your Way to Sanity” and “Still Brain Dead and Still Cooking.”

I RECENTLY WROTE A COLUMN ON NORC, which translates to Naturally Occurring Retirement Community.  I was so impressed by the good work NORC accomplishes that I devoted most of the column to this agency, wishing folks 65 and older living in a designated area in Creve Coeur to learn about it. However, I had terrible computer problems and was unable to produce the column.  

I called Karen Berry Elbert, the dynamic director of NORC, and told her my problem. Before you could say “Jack Robinson,” Karen had recruited a NORC volunteer who appeared at my front door with his briefcase and all the toys needed to resuscitate the computer. Soon the computer was restored to life as was a recalcitrant printer. Thanks to NORC, I was in business again. Now, I will tell you the volunteer’s name, but you must promise never to call him. He is Richard Walker, otherwise known as Saint Richard. 

If I could only afford it, I would establish the NORC Richard Walker Computer School for Dummies like me, and for smart people like you who may occasionally need help with the computer.