As regular readers know, columnist Lois Caplan has been recovering from complications that resulted after a nasty fall and has been gone from the newspaper for quite a while (way too long, for my liking). The good news is that her daughter, Leslie, reports she is on the mend, so hopefully, “Kibbitzing with Caplan” will resume in the near future.

In the meantime, we’ve gotten deluged with news of worthwhile events and benefits coming this fall. What can I say – I’ll try to pick up the slack, but as we all know, Lois Caplan is a true original.

First up, the “Saving One Heart at a Time,” also known as the Congenital Heart Walk, which takes place Sunday in Creve Coeur Park. This event, under the auspices of the Children’s Heart Foundation, is the only nationwide walk focused on raising money to fund vital research into congenital heart defects, the No. 1 birth defect in the U.S. and around the world.

The event’s fundraising chair and uber volunteer Roberta Cohen takes this cause personally since her grandson, Killian, was born with a congenital heart defect that required three open-heart surgeries and five heart catherizations. “He’s almost eight now and is doing great…but we know he will need more surgery in the future,” Cohen reports. “We’re doing this for him and the thousands of babies born with heart defects. With research, scientists and doctors can find better ways to detect, treat and possibly prevent CHDs.”

This cause is dear to me as well. My 25-year-old stepdaughter Megan was born with a hole in her heart and has undergone several surgeries, including open-heart surgery 18 months ago to replace a pulmonary valve. She’s doing great now, but the memory of her hooked up to all that machinery after the surgery is vivid and still upsets me to think about. But the alternative – not having the medical know-how to deal with these heart problems – is much worse. No parent or child should have to endure that.

Check in for the walk begins at 8:30 a.m. and the walk begins at 9:30. There is no fee to register but donations and fundraising are encouraged. Everyone who raises or donates $100 or more will receive a limited-edition Walk T-shirt. Complimentary breakfast, lunch and beverages will be provided for all registered participants. To register, go to this website: http://congenitalheartwalk.kintera.org/StLouis.

Next up, “Let’s Give Burns the Boot,” a fashion show presented by Saks Fifth Avenue from 5:30 to 8 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 22 in the Upper Level Designer Salon at Saks in Plaza Frontenac. Proceeds will go to the Missouri Children’s Burn Camp, which takes place every summer at Camp Sabra in Lake of the Ozarks.

Chairwoman Sheri Sherman, also a Jewish Light trustee, explains the camp is one of only a few throughout the nation that allows children recovering from life-threatening burn injuries to enjoy summer fun for absolutely no charge. The camp, begun by Gary and Linda Hansen of Chesterfield, focuses on helping these children build self-esteem while participating in swimming, boating, archery and other camp activities that youngsters (and oldsters) love.

The show itself will feature campers, counselors and firefighters (the staff at the camp is all volunteer) modeling the evening’s clothes, shoes and accessories. Food will be on hand from local eateries such as Sugo’s, Trattoria Branica, the Ritz-Carlton, Brio’s, McCormick & Schmick’s and others, and complimentary wine and soft drinks will be served. If that isn’t enough, each guest will also receive a gift bag (love those goodie bags!) and 10 percent of proceeds from all merchandise purchased that day at Saks will be donated to the camp.

The cost for all of this is $60 a person. For more information, go to www.brsg.org or call 314-997-2757.

And finally, “Face the Nation” takes place on Saturday, Sept. 24 from 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. at Neiman Marcus in Plaza Frontenac. This fundraiser for the Press Club of Metropolitan St. Louis goes to support the organization’s Media Scholarships, which are awarded to outstanding college students majoring in all areas of communications.

Attendees will enjoy brunch bites and sip mimosas as renowned cosmetic experts lead demonstrations and offer make-up tips and tricks so we all can look our best as we “Face the Nation” on film and in everyday life. Tickets can be purchased online at www.stlpressclub.org or by sending a check payable to the Press Club of Metropolitan St. Louis, P.O. Box 410522, Creve Coeur, MO 63141. Call 636-230-1973 for more information.

Go Eitan!

Last week, N&S told you about 19-year-old Eitan Kantor of Clayton who was among the 30 semi-finalists in Israel for the annual global Hallelujah singing competition. Well, Eitan’s mother, Lynnsie Kantor, emailed to say that her son was chosen as one of the 12 finalists who will compete Thursday (Aug. 25) night in the Israeli city of Ramat Hasharon, near Tel Aviv. The winner of the competition receives $8,000 in scholarship money and the chance to record a duet with major Israeli singer, plus a contract to perform in Jewish communities around the world. The finale will be performed in front of thousands and broadcast on national Israeli television as well as being streamed via the Jerusalem Post website (www.jpost.com). Be sure to check it out and root Eitan on.