Public Safety Director's Spotlight - 2013 Fire Prevention Week

A Grand Opening, concerts, artist showcases, the Best of Missouri, Bosnian Festival, and more in STL City neighborhoods.

October 3, 2013 | 8 min reading time

This article is 11 years old. It was published on October 3, 2013.

 

Fire Prevention Week

"Prevent Kitchen Fires" is the message of this year's Fire Prevention Week which will be observed from Oct. 6 - 12.  More fires start in the kitchen than in any other part of the home.  Here are a few facts from the National Fire Protection Association:

* U.S. Fire Departments responded to an estimated annual average of 156,600 cooking-related fires between 2007-2011, resulting in 400 civilian deaths, 5,080 civilian injuries and $853 million in direct damage.

* Two of every five home fires start in the kitchen.

* Unattended cooking was a factor in 34% of reported home cooking fires.

*Two-thirds of home cooking fires started with ignition of food or other cooking materials.

* Ranges accounted for the 58% of home cooking fire incidents.  Ovens accounted for 16%.

 

Always remember to cook with caution.  Stay in the kitchen while you are frying or broiling food.  If you are simmering, baking, roasting, or boiling food, check it regularly and remain in the home while food is cooking.  Keep anything that can catch fire – oven mitts, wooden utensils, food packaging, towels, or curtains – away from your stovetop.  For more fire safety tips, visit www.nfpa.org .



Tip of the Cap

In a ceremony at the State Capitol earlier this week, Gov. Jay Nixon awarded the Missouri Medal of Valor to nine public safety officers from across the state for their exceptional bravery and heroism in efforts to save lives and protect the public during 2012.  Two detectives from the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department received the Missouri Medal of Valor.  Congratulations to Angela N. Hawkins and Michael W. Betz for your commitment to public safety.

 

 

Upcoming Events

Oct. 4 – Grand Opening of International Photography Hall of Fame and Museum, 3415 Olive, 11 a.m.

The International Photography Hall of Fame and Museum (IPHF) has moved from Oklahoma City to the Grand Center Arts District of St. Louis and will open its doors to the general public this Friday.  To celebrate the opening, IPHF will offer free admission on Friday and will also participate in Grand Center First Fridays.  The museum will be open from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Friday.  The current exhibition features Hall of Fame inductee Peter Dombrovskis, Noppadol Paothong, and images from the National Geographic Young Explorers and North American Nature Photography Association High School Scholarship Students.  The museum is located above the Triumph Grill, 3415 Olive Street.  For more information, visit the iphf.org web site.

 

Oct. 4 – Food Truck Friday, Tower Grove Park, 5 p.m.

If you have not attended a Food Truck Friday event in Tower Grove Park, this is your last chance for the season.  From 5 p.m. – 8 p.m. enjoy everything from pizza to tacos, cupcakes to crepes, sushi to sausage, and more at a price that's easy on your wallet.  Be early, bring chairs, invite friends to join you and make a night of it this Friday.

Oct. 4 – Free Movie, 3500 Hartford, dusk

South Grand's Back Lot Films showing of "The Incredibles" has been rescheduled for the night of Friday, October 4 at 3500 Hartford in South Grand's parking lot.  Tower Grove Creamery will be selling ice cream and soft drinks.  Please feel free to bring your own snacks as well.

Oct. 4 – 20 – American Arts Experience-St. Louis, various venues, various times

For 17 days and nights, beginning this Friday the American Arts Experience-St. Louis will fill venues across the region with productions of American theatre, dance, music and art.  For the full schedule of free and ticketed events, visit the americanartsstl.org web site

Oct. 4 & 5 – LPUMC Fall Rummage Sale, Lafayette Park United Methodist Church, 8 a.m.

Lafayette Park United Methodist Church will hold its annual Fall Rummage Sale this Friday and Saturday at the church at 2300 Lafayette Avenue.  The sale will run from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Friday and from 8 a.m. to Noon on Saturday.  Saturday will be $2 a bag day.  Stop by and see what treasures you may find.  Questions?  Call 351-2603.

Oct. 5 & 6 – Historic Shaw Art Fair, 4100-4200 Flora Place, 9 a.m.

The annual Historic Shaw Art Fair will take place this Saturday and Sunday in the 4100-4200 block of Flora Place.  The fair will feature 135 artists from across the United States showcasing a variety of art mediums including photography, clay, glass, textiles, jewelry, painting, woodwork, mixed media, and sculpture.  This family-friendly event also will feature food, music and children's art area.  The fair will run from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday and from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday.  Admission price is $7.  For all the particulars, visit the shawartfair.org web site.

Oct. 5– Eighth Annual Grove Fest, The Grove neighborhood, 2 p.m.

The Grove is a vibrant commercial district in St. Louis City located along Manchester between Kingshighway and Vandeventer.  The 8th Annual Grove Fest will take place this Saturday along Manchester Avenue between Tower Grove and Sarah.  The free festival will run from 2 p.m. to Midnight.  Invite your family and friends to join you for one of the best street festivals in St. Louis.  Need more information?  Call (314) 535-5311.

Oct. 5 & 6 – 22nd Annual Best of Missouri Market, Missouri Botanical Garden, 9 a.m.

The 22nd Annual Best of Missouri Market will take place this Saturday and Sunday at the Missouri Botanical Garden, 4344 Shaw Avenue.  Visitors will enjoy browsing under large tents and discovering the best of Missouri's hidden treasures, including stands filled will fresh produce, flowers, plants, herbs, nuts, candies, meats, cheeses, seasonings, salsas, and baked goods from Missouri's finest farmers and producers.  You also will be able to find handcrafted items such as willow furniture, carved wooden birds, dried flowers and more.  Admission is $12 for adults; $5 for Garden members.  To learn more, call (314) 577-5100.

Oct. 5 – Free Concert, Taste of Benton Park and Art Festival, Benton Park, 1 p.m.

The 2013 Summer Concert Series in Benton Park will conclude this Saturday with performances by the bands "Swing Set" and "Jake's Leg."  Visitors to the park also will be able to enjoy an Art Festival and Taste of Benton Park.  The activities will run from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m.  Grab your blankets, picnic baskets and sit back and enjoy a delightful day in the park.  For all the details, visit the bpnastl.org web site.

 

Oct. 5 – Community Forum, Central VPA High School, 3125 S. Kingshighway, 10 a.m.

The St. Louis Public School Board will hold its second open forum on the future of Mann School this Saturday from 10 a.m. to Noon in the cafeteria at Central VPA High School, 3125 S. Kingshighway (at Arsenal Street).  Three options are currently on the table:

  • Rehabilitate and upgrade Shenandoah School and add a modern addition – close Mann School and merge the two schools;
  • Demolish Shenandoah School, building a new building on its site, close Mann and merge both schools; and
  • Rehabilitate both schools and keep them both open.

You may RSVP for the meeting at www.slps.org/towergrove, especially if you need childcare or language interpreters, but you may still attend if you don't pre-register.

Oct. 6 – Traditional Bosnian Day Festival, Carondelet Park, 11 a.m.

The Bosnian Chamber of Commerce and United Bosnian Association are inviting everyone to stop by the Traditional Bosnian Day Festival that will be held this Sunday, from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. in Carondelet Park.  The festival will feature the richness of Bosnian-Herzegovinian culture.  Guests will be able to enjoy Bosnian music and folk dancers as well as American music.  A number of Bosnian restaurants and specialty stores will be featured.

Oct. 6 -- Ugandan Orphans Choir, The Griot Museum of Black History, 3 p.m.

The Ugandan Orphans Choir will perform this Saturday from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. at The Griot Museum of Black History, 2505 St. Louis Avenue, in the St. Louis Place neighborhood.  The children are from the Ssese Islands located on Uganda's Lake Victoria and have lost one or both of their parents, but have been able to gain an education and have become ambassadors of hope for other children in need of sponsors.  Admission is $10 per person.  Go to thegriotmuseum.com web site to learn more.

 

Oct. 6 – Civil War Re-enactment, Lafayette Park, 1 p.m.

Calling all Civil War buffs.  A Civil War Re-enactment will take place in Lafayette Park this Sunday beginning at 1 p.m.  Other activities will include storytelling, a quilt display and Vintage Baseball.  Join your neighbors for a fun afternoon in the Park located at Mississippi and Park Avenues in the Lafayette Square neighborhood.

Oct. 6 – Generation Worship Launch, New Covenant Church, 10 a.m.

New Covenant Church at 900 Bellerive Blvd. in the Carondelet neighborhood will be launching a new worship experience this Sunday that combines the faith of the generations with the challenges of living in 21st century St. Louis.  Pastor Tish Green invites you to experience the contagious music, relevant messages and more.  To learn more, go to www.generationSTL.org.

Oct. 6 – Whole Family Health and Wellness Fair, 4700 Block of Macklind, 11 a.m.

The Whole Family Health and Wellness Fair will take place this Sunday, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. outside the Macklind Avenue Deli on the 4700 block of Macklind Avenue.  Participating businesses will include fitness clubs, healthy food options, and great services for pets.  Stop by and celebrate small, independent businesses in the City serving you, your family, and your pets.

Now through Oct. 6, Saint Louis Fashion Week 2013, various locations, various times

Saint Louis Fashion Week is back!  This year's shows are featuring 36 regional and national designers, 70 models, 10 venues and more from now through Oct. 6.  Locations include The Fabulous Fox Theatre, The Delmar Loop, Windows on Washington, The Sheldon Art Gallery, and KOKEN Art Factory, to name a few.  If fashion is your passion, you will not want to miss these shows.  For all the particulars, visit the saintlouisfashionweek.com web site.

 

Oct. 8 -- Twilight Tuesdays Ameren Concert Series, Missouri History Museum, 6 p.m.

The Twilight Tuesdays Ameren Concert Series hosted by the Missouri History Museum will continue on Tuesday, Oct. 8 at 6 p.m.  Invite your friends and family to join you on the Museum's front lawn at Lindell and DeBaliviere for Disco and 70s music with Dr. Zhivegas.  For the complete schedule of performances, visit the mohistory.org web site.

Oct. 9 - Insurance Marketplace Enrollment Assistance event, Schlafly Branch Public Library, 2 p.m.

If you can't get affordable health insurance through your job, you can now buy quality health coverage for yourself and your family through the Missouri Health Insurance Marketplace.  You will also see if you can get financial help to buy health insurance. Learn more or sign up online by going to www.covermissouri.org.  You may also visit one of the Insurance Marketplace Enrollment sites scheduled events from Oct. 9 through the enrollment period to obtain information and sign up.  The first enrollment assistance event will be held on Wednesday, Oct. 9 from 2 - 6 p.m. at the Schlafly Branch Public Library located at 225 N. Euclid in the trendy Central West End neighborhood.  For a complete list of the enrollment sites scheduled events, log on to www.stlouis-mo.gov.   



Save the Date

Oct. 12 – Autumn Fest, Tower Grove Heights, 5 p.m.

Oct. 12 – Serve St. Louis, an area-wide day of service

Oct. 12 – Ghosts of the Past Bellefontaine Cemetery Bicycle Tour, 9:30 a.m.

Oct. 12 – Flea Market, Timothy Lutheran Church Gym, 7 a.m.

Oct. 12 – Vendor Fair, New Covenant Methodist Church, 10 a.m.

Oct. 12 – Downtown Fall Festival, 11 a.m.

Oct. 12 – Green Acres Tour, 13th Street Community Garden, 10 a.m.

Oct. 12 – Washington Avenue Street Fair & Fall Festival, 11 a.m.

Oct. 12 – SLU Basketball Billiken Madness, Chaifetz Arena, 5 p.m.

Oct. 12 -- Insurance Marketplace Enrollment Assistance Site, Baden Branch Public Library, 10 a.m.

 

Oct. 12 & 13 – Fall Festival, St. Thomas the Apostle Romanian Orthodox Church, 11 a.m.

 

Oct. 13 – Trailnet's Family Fest, The Muny in Forest Park, 11 a.m.

Oct. 13 – BackStoppers Fundraiser, Epiphany of Our Lord Church, Noon

Oct. 13 – Columbus Day Parade, The Hill, Noon

 

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.

 

Cyber Security

The month of October is being recognized as "National Cyber Security Awareness Month."  I encourage you to learn about cyber security and to put that knowledge to practice in your homes, schools, workplaces and businesses.  Here are a few basic tips:

* Keep your security software current

* Protect all devices that connect to the Internet

* Make passwords long and strong

*When in doubt, don't click on the link

 

For more tips and advice, visit www.stopthinkconnect.org and www.inobtr.org .  Technology plays a vital role in our daily lives and in the future of our great Nation.  Take steps now to stay safer and more secure on line.

 

Charlene Deeken
Director of Public Safety
City of St. Louis

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