Public Safety Director's Spotlight - Local Social, Missouri Black Expo and More

Aug. 9 - Local Social, Central West End, 5 p.m.

Every second Friday of the month through September the shops, galleries and restaurants in the Central West End neighborhood will be hosting Local Social.  On these Fridays, local owners, artists and chefs will welcome guests to the CWE to enjoy street entertainment, discounts, food and drink to highlight all things local.  So mark your calendar for this Friday, Aug. 9 to stop by some of the establishments in the Central West End and participate in Local Social.

Aug. 9 - Food Truck Friday, Tower Grove Park, 5 p.m.

The Third Annual 2013 Sauce Food Truck Friday Series continues this Friday from 5 – 8 p.m. at Tower Grove Park (southwest corner).  Arrive early, bring chairs or blankets to mark your turf, bring friends to buy items from different trucks and then make a night of it, sharing all the goodies!  For a list of participating trucks, visit the saucemagazine.com web site.

Aug. 9 & 10 – Free Children's Vision Screening, Science Center, 9:30 a.m.

The Missouri Lions Eye Research Foundation will offer free vision screenings to children at the St. Louis Science Center this Friday and Saturday from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.  Healthy vision is important to success in the classroom, so these quick, non-invasive screenings are a great way for parents to make sure their children have the eyesight they need for school.  Need more information? Call (800) 283-1982.

Aug. 10 - 2013 Prostate Cancer Run/Walk, Chaifetz Arena, 7 a.m.

Several organizations including the 100 Black Men of Metropolitan St. Louis, Missouri Black Expo, PACE and Alvin J. Siteman Cancer Center will sponsor the 11^th Annual Prostate Cancer Survivors and Awareness Run/Walk this Saturday.  Prostate Cancer is the second leading cause of male cancer deaths and affects African American men at a higher rat than any other ethnic group in the United States.  The event will begin at 7 a.m. at Chaifetz Arena, 1 S. Compton Avenue in the Midtown neighborhood and will cover a three-mile radius ending at the Missouri Black Expo where all men, 35 years of age and older will be offered a free PSA blood test.  To register for the walk, call (314) 367-7778.

Aug. 10 & 11 -- 22nd Annual Missouri Black Expo, Chaifetz Arena, 10 a.m.

The 22^nd Annual Missouri Black Expo, the largest African American consumer event in the State of Missouri will take place this Saturday and Sunday at Chaifetz Arena, 1 S. Compton Avenue in the Midtown neighborhood.  The Expo will have something for everyone.  Activities include a career fair, health fair, workshops, food, live music, an amateur boxing tournament, and more.  For the complete Expo Schedule, visit the missouriblackexpo.com web site.

Aug. 10 - St. Louis Metropolitan Area Amnesty Project, St. LouisCommunity College @ Forest Park, 7 a.m.

The third and final session of Better Family Life's St. Louis Metropolitan Area Amnesty Project will be this Saturday from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. at St. Louis Community College @ Forest Park, 5600 Oakland in the Mildred E. Bastian Theater.  Persons with outstanding misdemeanor warrants, including traffic, may attend to receive vouchers they can take to court later this month to resolve their issue(s) with the criminal court system. Questions?  Call (314) 281-8200.

Aug. 10 – Community Development Carnival, DeSotoPark, 11 a.m.

The Seventh Annual Community Development Carnival will be held this Saturday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. in DeSoto Park, 2101 Carr Street in the Carr Square neighborhood.  The event is free and open to the public.  Children 12 years of age and under must have a parent or guardian with them.  Invite your family and friends to join you for a fun afternoon in the park.

Aug. 10 – Free Concert, Lafayette Park, 6 p.m.

Invite your family and friends to join you this Saturday from 6 – 9 p.m. in Lafayette Park, Mississippi and Lafayette, by the gazebo for a free concert by the "Funky Butt Brass Band."  Pack a picnic basket, bring lawn chairs or a blanket and enjoy a fun evening under starlit skies.

Aug. 10 -- Volunteer Orientation, Bell Demonstration Garden, 10 a.m.

Bell Demonstration Garden is a community garden resource center serving community and youth gardeners throughout the St. Louis area.  Volunteers are needed to help care for 20 demonstration beds that are used to illustrate intensive vegetable growing techniques, maintain ornamental plantings that beautify the property and tackle special seasonal projects.  If you are interested in volunteering, an Orientation Session will be held this Saturday from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. at the Garden, located at 3871 Bell Avenue in the Covenant Blu / Grand Center neighborhood.  RSVP to Hannah Reinhart, 588-9600 ext. 104.

Aug. 10 -- Old Frenchtown Neighborhood Bicycle Tour, departs from Church of St. Vincent de Paul, 9:30 a.m.

Trailnet will be sponsoring the Old Frenchtown Neighborhood Bicycle Tour this Saturday.  The 10-mile ride on city streets will explore two of St. Louis' most fascinating and historic neighborhoods:  LaSallePark and Soulard.  Home to some of the Midwest's most interesting and unique architecture, both are case studies in the effects of highway construction on the traditional city as well as models of late 20^th century historic preservation and urban redevelopment.  Registration will run from 9 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. The cost of the ride is $5 for adults, $3 for children age 10 and under.  The group ride will depart at 9:30 a.m. from the Church of St. Vincent de Paul, 1408 S. 10^th Street . For all the details, visit the trailnet.org web site.

Aug. 11 – Lakeside Jazz Picnic, Benton Park, 3 p.m.

The next installment in the 2013 Summer Concert Series in Benton Park will take place this Sunday with the Lakeside Jazz Picnic from 3 – 6 p.m.  Grab your blankets, picnic baskets, and come on down to Benton Park to enjoy the swinging sounds of "Bosch, Victoria & Melange ."The event is free.  For more details, visit the bpnastl.org web site.

Aug. 11 -- Free Concert, Carondelet Park, 5:30 p.m.

The Carondelet Community Betterment Foundation will sponsor a free concert in Carondelet Park this Sunday, starting at 5:30 p.m. at the Bandstand off Loughborough. Bring your lawn chair, pack a picnic basket and enjoy "Elvis, Patsy Cline & Buddy Holly."   For a complete list of the concert schedule, visit the carondeletliving.com web site.

Save the Date

Aug. 16 – Breakfast for Bikers, Downtown Bicycle Station, 7 a.m.

Aug. 16 – Third Friday Free Party, Third Degree Glass Factory, 6 p.m.

Aug. 16 – Free Movie, 3500 Hartford, Dusk

Aug. 17 – 1^st Ever SLLIS Back to School Block Party, Soldiers' Memorial, 10 a.m.

Aug. 17 – Free Concert, Soulard Market on the Plaza, 6 p.m.

Aug. 17 – 50^th Annual Moonlight Ramble, 8^th and Cerre, 9 p.m.

Aug. 18 – Free Back-To-School Health Fair, Loyola Academy, 10 a.m.

Aug. 19 – 25 – Downtown Restaurant Week 2013, various locations, times vary

Aug. 20 – Free Concert, Central Library, 6:30 p.m.

Aug. 21 – 24 – Missouri Fashion Week, Moto Museum, times vary

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.govf or 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.

Outstanding Older Worker Contest

Nominations are now being accepted for the 23^rd Annual Missouri Older Worker Contest.  Nominees must be 65 years of age or older, gainfully employed at a Missouri job site for an average of 20 or more hours per week and a Missouri resident.  The deadline for nominations is Aug. 23.  For additional information, contact the Division of Senior and Disability Services at (573) 526-8534 or visit http://health.mo.gov/seniors/senioremployment/pdf/ownomform.pdf