Public Safety Director's Spotlight - Free Summer Camps

Free Summer Camps Available to City Youth

I want to begin this week's Spotlight by passing along information from the City's Recreation Division about free summer camps that are available to City youth.  The City of St. Louis, joined with Playtime Recreation and the Recreation Division, will offer a wide array of free summer day camps featuring a variety of activities including swimming, soccer, arts and crafts, and more as well as theme camps focusing on tennis, football, basketball, cheerleading, track, golf, poetry, creative writing and the theater.  To learn more, visit the City's web site at http://stlouis-mo.gov or call (314) 289-5367.

 

 

Upcoming Events

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

In its 27th big top production, St. Louis' own Circus Flora will go where no circus has gone before:  to the moon.  Based on the 1902 movie, "A Trip to the Moon," this 2013 production will mesmerize audiences with its visual styling, costuming and narrative elements.  Ticket prices start at $10 and the production will run from May 31 through June 23.  Visit the circusflora.org web site for all the details.

May 31 & June 1 -- Thurman LoopFest, Shenandoah & Thurman Avenues, 5 p.m.

Invite your family and friends to meet you at the Thurman LoopFest this Friday and Saturday at Shenandoah & Thurman Avenues in the beautiful Shaw neighborhood.  This music, arts and BBQ festival is a family-friendly event that will benefit Habitat For Humanity St. Louis.  The hours will be 5 - 11 p.m. on Friday and 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Saturday.  To learn more visit the thurmanloopfest.com web site.

June 1 -- North City's Farmers' Market Opening, Crown Square, 10 a.m.

The North City Farmers' Market will kick off its season this Saturday, right across the street from Crown Candy at 14th and St. Louis Avenue in Old North St. Louis.  The market has changed its hours for this season and will be open from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.  For all the particulars, visit http://northcityfarmersmarket.blogspot.com/ .

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

The Benton Park West Neighborhood-wide Garage Sale will be held this Saturday, rain or shine, from 7 a.m. to Noon.  The starting point will be the parking lot at 3136-38 Gravois, where you will find some great deals and a list of the participating homes.  For more details visit the Benton Park West HUB Facebook page.

June 1 & 2 -- Midtown Taste and Art Fair, Grand and Locust, 10 a.m.

Everyone is invited to stop by the Taste of Midtown Art Fair this Saturday and Sunday on Locust Street just east of the Fabulous Fox Theatre.  Visitors will enjoy the best in arts, crafts, entertainment, restaurants and lots of other activities.  The Midtown Taste and Art Fair will begin at 10 a.m. each day. For more information, visit the midtowntaste.com web site.

June 1 -- Free Workshop, Lane Tabernacle CME Church, 9:30 a.m.

A free Workshop on Healthy Food Preparation will be presented for local faith community culinary staff and pastors at Lane Tabernacle CME Church this Saturday from 9:30 a.m. to Noon.  Educational materials will be distributed on how to start health ministries, healthy recipes will be prepared and sampled, and discussions will be held regarding the negative health consequences of unhealthy eating and how that is affecting the community.  The church is located at 910 N. Newstead Avenue in the Lewis Place neighborhood.  Questions?  Call (314) 286-0095.

June 1 & 2 -- St. Thomas Orthodox Summer Picnic, 6501 Nottingham, 11 a.m.

St. Thomas the Apostle Romanian Orthodox Church will hold its annual summer picnic this Saturday and Sunday.  Come visit with friends, family and St. Thomas parishioners of Albanian and Romanian descent.  There will be indoor and outdoor seating for your dining pleasure.  Prices will range from $6 - $9 for dinners.

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

The Arts Council of Lafayette Square is inviting everyone to its first concert of the season this Saturday, from 6 - 9 p.m. in Lafayette Park.  The free concert will feature Kim Massie and the Solid Senders.  Go to the lafayettesquare.org web site for more information.

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

The Lafayette Square Spring House and Garden Tour on Saturday and Sunday will offer you the rare opportunity to look inside the beautiful homes and gardens of our City's historic Victorian neighborhood.  Tickets will cost $20 day of tour.  For more information, call (314) 772-5724.

June 2 - Vintage Baseball, Gateway Arch Grounds, Noon

Would you like to see a baseball game played using the rules from the 19th century?  If so, then consider stopping by the Gateway Arch on Sunday from Noon to 5:30 p.m. to see a vintage baseball game.  The event is free and baseball-related hands-on activities will be available in the Arch visitor center.  For more information, call (314) 655-1614.

June 2 -- Carondelet 25th Anniversary of Free Concerts in the Park

For 25 years, the Carondelet Community Betterment Foundation has sponsored free concerts in Carondelet neighborhood parks.  The season will kick off on Sunday, June 2 with a 6 p.m. concert by the Bob Kuban Band in Carondelet Park, 3900 Holly Hills.  The Younger Brothers will perform at 7 p.m. on Monday, June 3 in St. Louis Square Park, located at S. Broadway and Courtois.  For a complete list of concert dates/locations, visit the carondeletliving.com web site.

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

Shakespeare Festival St. Louis is presenting free performances of Twelfth Night at Shakespeare Glen in Forest Park beginning at 8 p.m. now 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.

 

Save the Date

June 7 -- First Friday, Contemporary Art Museum, 5 p.m.

June 8 -- St. Louis Pagan Picnic, Tower Grove Park, 10 a.m.

June 8 -- St. Louis Uncorked Wine and Music Festival, Soldiers' Memorial Park, 6 p.m.

June 8 -- 2013 Soulard Concert Series, Soulard Market on the Plaza, 6 p.m.

June 9 -- Spring Picnic, St. Joseph CroatianChurch, 11 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.

 

You've Just Won a Foreign Lottery!

In closing, I want to pass along a reminder from the U.S. Postal Service and AARP.  If it sounds too good to be true, chances are it's a scam.  Here's how the scam is worked:  you receive a call, email or letter in the mail informing you that you've won, but to claim your prize you need to mail or wire a small amount of money for taxes and fees.  Don't do it!  Never wire or send money to anyone, anywhere, who says you've won a prize.  To learn more about protecting yourself and others, visit www.DeliveringTrust.com or www.aarp.org/protectyourfinances .

  

Charlene Deeken
Director of Public Safety
City of St. Louis