While renovations are going on at the Jewish Community Center, which has been home to the New Jewish Theatre for 11 years, the troupe will be in residence at Clayton High School. The new season was planned with the flexibility of the new space in mind.

You can't go wrong -- even if all you do if find a good book and park yourself by the pool -- on a long weekend at the end of summer. But this weekend, St. Louis offers two cultural festivals and the blues, all of which should be enough to get you out of that lounger for a little bit, at least. (Photo by J.J.Lane, courtesy of the Missouri Botanical Garden)

Recent progress in Grand Center can't be denied, but the area still hasn't quite coalesed. Will the new Kranzberg Arts Center -- home to Big Brothers Big Sisters, Craft Alliance as well as cabaret and theater groups -- be the tipping point? (Photo by Tom Nagel | Beacon)

Forty years ago in Chicago, the Democratic convention was anything but the polished presentation that nominated Barack Obama last week. Conflict with anti-war protests exploded. St. Louisans can discuss the political and social aspects of the 1968 convention when KETC and the Missouri History Museum kick off the Community Cinema Series on Sept. 11 with a screening of "Chicago 10" by filmmaker Brett Morgen. (Image of Abbie Hoffman from "Chicago 10")

In Stuff Happens, Nye's show on Planet Green - a new channel produced by Discovery Communications, he explains scientifically how, well, things happen. Specifically, he shows the environmental impacts of daily activities. For example, in the episode about stuff that happens in bathrooms, Nye explains that toothpaste endangers orangutans in Borneo.

A conversation about a lack of opera in St. Louis during the winter prompted a St. Louis native, soprano Gina Galati, to start her own company. And the success of Rigoletto last February means the dream will continue.

The movies and books that Nick went through this week were all so bad they were a blast. From a brand new movie to a 50-year-old book, check out sources for ridiculous fun.

Note: Nick is on vacation, so a new list will not appear Sept. 1. 

Small is looking more beautiful. In St. Louis and some inner suburbs, such as Richmond Heights, the bungalow is becoming more popular. These one-story brick homes of roughly 1,250-square feet often boast architectural details that make them special. They save on energy compared to McMansions. And for many, they're closer to work.

Some churches may have embraced a more contemporary vibe, but those who play the great pipe organs aren't worried. They embrace the challenge of the complex instrument and delight in its sound, which you can see and hear in the accompanying sound slide show. (Photo by Rachel Heidenry at the Lutheran Church of Webster Gardens)

This is the second of two parts on the pipe organ, in this the International Year of the Organ. To read the article on Wicks Organ Co., click here.

Magnificent, soaring pipe organs have been built for more than 100 years in Highland, Ill. The slideshow with this story highlights the workers and the work that makes Wicks Organ Co. a family affair.

This is the first of two parts. the second will look at the instruments made at Wicks, including some local installations, and comments from organists.