Public Safety Director's Spotlight - Buckle Up

Click It or Ticket

May 20 through June 2, 2013, has been selected as the national Click It or Ticket mobilization enforcement period.  Across the country law enforcement officers will be actively participating in the mobilization to ensure all motor vehicle occupants are buckled up day and night to reduce the risk of injury and death in traffic crashes.  In 2011, of the 21,253 passenger vehicle occupants who were killed in motor vehicle crashes nationwide, 52 percent were not wearing seat belts at the time of their fatal crashes.  Younger motorists are most at risk.  Among teens and young adults, ages 18-34, who were killed in fatal crashes in 2011, 64 percent were not buckled up. I encourage you to always wear seat belts when driving or riding on the roadways and to tell your children and grandchildren about the importance of buckling up.

 

Upcoming Events

May 24 – June 16, Twelfth Night, Forest Park, 8 p.m.

Shakespeare Festival St. Louis will be presenting free performances of Twelfth Night at Shakespeare Glen in Forest Park beginning this Friday at 8 p.m. through June 16 (excluding Tuesdays).  Open lawn seating will be available on a first-come, first-served basis.  Call (314) 531-9800 for more information or visit the sfstl.com web site.

May 24 – Compton Hill Water Tower Full Moon, Grand and Russell, 5:30 p.m.

The Compton Hill Water Tower will be open every full moon April to November.  The top of the tower is a beautiful look out over St. Louis.  Food trucks will be on hand starting at 5:30 p.m.  There will be live music under the tower beginning at 7 p.m.  The cost is $5 to make the trip to the top of the tower.  To learn more, visit the watertowerfoundation.org web site.

May 24 – Art After 5, St. Louis Art Museum, 7 p.m.

Each May, the St. Louis Art Museum highlights African art with a concert and other activities.  The May Art After 5 event this Friday will celebrate the newly installed African Art Collection.  At 6 p.m., visitors will be invited to attend a tour of the African Art Galleries, then at 7 p.m. visitors will be able to enjoy a musical performance.  The event is free.  For more details, visit the slam.org web site.

May 24 – 26, St. Louis Bluesweek Festival, Soldiers' Memorial Plaza, 4:30 p.m.

If you love great Blues music, brews and barbecue, Soldiers' Memorial Plaza in beautiful Downtown St. Louis is the place to be for the St. Louis Bluesweek Festival this Friday, Saturday and Sunday.  Bring your chair, blanket, sunscreen and enjoy this free event.  Vendors will have food and beverages available for purchase.  A $5 donation at the door is suggested, with net proceeds going to the construction of the National Blues Museum.  For all the particulars, visit the bluesweek.com web site.

May 25 – Memorial Day Ceremony, Soldiers' Memorial, 10 a.m.

Everyone is invited to attend the American Legion 11^th and 12^th District Memorial Day Ceremony at 10 a.m. this Saturday outside the Soldiers' Memorial at 1315 Chestnut on the Bluesweek Festival Main Stage.  Invite your family and friends to join you in paying tribute to and remembering the men and women who died while serving in the United States Armed Forces.

May 25 – Living History Program, Gateway Arch, 10 a.m.

If you are interested in the stories of early St. Louisans, be sure to stop by the Gateway Arch this Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. to hear the stories of the people of St. Louis during the British Attack on May 26, 1780.  Using their own words, hear about the event from the perspective of the Spanish soldiers, the local militia, the merchants, the women and the British Indians.  Eighteenth century artillery and musket drill and firing demonstrations will be offered on the half hour.  The program is free.  For more details, call (314) 655-1614.  

May 25 – 27 – 22^nd Annual African Arts Festival, World's Fair Pavilion, 10 a.m.

The theme for this year's African Arts Festival at the World's Fair Pavilion in Forest Park is "Educating Minds Through Cultural Connections."   The free three-day festival will offer unique entertainment, food, culture, vendors and much more.  Come celebrate the rich contributions of Africa and the African Diaspora.  Questions?  Call (314) 935-9676 or visit the STLAfricanArtsFest.com web site.

May 26 – "Lindenwood Live" Concert in the Park, Lindenwood Park, 6 p.m.

Gather up your neighbors and friends, pack a picnic supper and come enjoy the sound of Fanfare at the "Lindenwood Live" Concert in the Park from 6 – 8 p.m. this Sunday.  Murray's Shaved Ice will be available for purchase and face painting will be available for the little ones.  Lindenwood Park is located at Jamieson and Lindenwood.

May 26 – New Charter School Planning Meeting, St. John'sChurch, 6 p.m.

St. Louis Montessori Charter will be holding a New Charter Elementary School Startup Monthly Planning Meeting this Sunday beginning at 6 p.m. at St. John's Church, Tower Grove Chapel, 3672 Arsenal Street.  To learn more visit the Facebook page:  http://www.facebook.com/groups/STLMontessoriCharter/

May 28 – Twilight Tuesdays Ameren Concert Series, Missouri History Museum, 6 p.m.

The Twilight Tuesdays Ameren Concert Series will continue on Tuesday, May 28 with a Tribute to Earth, Wind & Fire by Brock Walker and the Earth, Wind & Fire Review.  The concert will run from 6 – 8 p.m. on the Front Lawn of the Missouri History Museum, 5700 Lindell Boulevard.  The concert is free and open to the public.  For a complete schedule of the concert series, visit the mohistory.org web site.

May 29 – Mount Pleasant Neighborhood Association Meeting, Gretchen Inn at the Feasting Fox, 7 p.m.

The Mount Pleasant Quarterly Neighborhood Meeting will take place on Wednesday, May 29 at 7 p.m. at the Gretchen Inn at the Feasting Fox on Meramec at Grand.  City Assessor Ed Bushmeyer will provide info on the new property assessments.  In addition, Larry Lazar and Jim Seko from the Climate Project will speak on climate change and its effects on Missouri and St Louis. Guests will also hear from their NSOs, the Police and Aldermen.

June 8 – Concordia Turners 5 K and 1 Mile Fun Run, Carondelet Park, 8:30 a.m.

The Second Annual Concordia Turners 5K and 1 Mile Fun Run will take place on Saturday, June 8 in Carondelet Park by the Boathouse.  The 5K Run will step off at 8:30 a.m.  The 1 Mile Fun Run will begin at 10 a.m.  The Awards presentation will begin at 10:30 a.m. with medals to the top three in each category and ribbons for all finishers in the Fun Run.  T-shirts guaranteed if you are registered by May 25.  For more information, visit www.iWantRegistered.com .

 

Save the Date

May 31 – June 23 – Circus Flora, Grand Center, various times

June 1 – Benton Park West Neighborhood-wide Garage Sale, starts at 3136-38 Gravois, 7 a.m.

June 1 – Southampton Neighborhood Third Annual Garden Tour, 11 a.m.

June 1 – Free Concert, Lafayette Park, 6 p.m.

June 1 & 2 – 44^th Annual Spring House & Garden Tour, Lafayette Square, 10 a.m.

June 3 – Carondelet 25^th Anniversary of Free Concerts in the Park, South St. Louis Square Park, 7 p.m.

June 3 – Forest Park – Then and Now Walking Tours, Forest Park, 9:30 a.m.

 

Promoting Your Neighborhood Activities

Is there a neighborhood event on the schedule that you would like noted in the Spotlight? If so, you may email the information about it to me at deekenc@stlouis-mo.gov or to Cathy Smentkowski at smentkowskic@stlouis-mo.gov for consideration. You may also post it on the City's Calendar of Events on the City's web site:  http://stlouis-mo.gov.  The link to submit an event is on the home page. The listing is free. I encourage you to take advantage of this free way to promote your event.

 

Did You Know? Campaign

Did you know that spaying and neutering is safe and easy for kittens and puppies as young as eight to 10 weeks old?  Carol House Quick Fix Pet Clinic, with funding provided by PetSmart Charities, is introducing the Did You Know? Campaign, featuring a special $20 spay or neuter surgery for puppies and kittens under six months of age during the month of June.  Please visit the CarolHousePetClinic.org web site or call (314) 771-PETS (7387) for more information or to schedule an appointment.

 

Charlene Deeken
Director of Public Safety
City of St. Louis