Public Safety Director's Spotlight - 2014 Change Your Clock, Change Your Battery Campaign

 

2014 Change Your Clock, Change Your Battery Campaign

The St. Louis Fire Department, Schnucks and Energizer are teaming up once again to remind everyone about fire safety awareness and to encourage St. Louis-area residents to change the batteries in their smoke detectors when they change their clocks this weekend for the end of Daylight Saving Time.  The fire safety awareness event will take place this Saturday from Noon to 3 p.m. at Schnucks on the Hill located at 5055 Arsenal Street.  Activities will include appearances from the Energizer Bunny, local firefighters, a fire truck, fire safety demonstrations, Energizer giveaways, family-friendly activities and more.  The event will provide a fun environment for families and individuals to learn how they can take simple, preventative steps to protect their loved ones and home.  To request a smoke detector for a residential home or apartment, St. Louis City residents may call (314) 533-3406.

Upcoming Events

Oct. 31 – Purchasing a Home Workshop, SLATE, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Interested in homeownership?  If so, then consider attending the free Purchasing a Home Workshop that will be held Friday at the SLATE American Job Center, 1520 Market Street, 3^rd Floor, in beautiful Downtown St. Louis.  Participants will learn about NACA mortgage, a revolutionary product that can be used for buying an existing home, a new construction, single or multi-family home, condo or co-op, or for purchasing a home needing repairs and financing the cost of the renovation.  For more information, call SLATE at (314) 657-3500.

Oct. 31 – "Fright Night" Halloween Party, Ballpark Village, 8 p.m.

Ballpark Village and Johnnie Brock's Dungeon have joined forces for the first annual "Fright Night" Halloween Party this Friday from 8 to 11 p.m.  The adults-only activities indoors and out at all of the Ballpark Village venues will include a DJ, a Halloween costume contest with $5,000 in prizes, a free outdoor party on the Busch II Infield with street performers, live band, and midnight showing of the "Rocky Horror Picture Show" on the outdoor screen.  All-inclusive packages start at $25.  For more information, visit the stlballparkvillage.com web site.

Oct. 31 – Trick-or-Treating, Area Police Stations, 6 to 7:30 p.m.

The St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department in conjunction with the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Citizens Academy Alumni Association will give away Halloween candy, coloring books/crayons along with safety tips at each Area Police Station this Friday from 6 to 7:30 p.m. (or until the candy is gone).  The stations are located at 919 N. Jefferson, 3157 Sublette and 4014 N. Union.

Oct. 31 – Halloween Parade & Party, Lafayette Park Playground, 5:30 p.m.

Everyone is invited to stop by the Lafayette Square Halloween Parade & Party this Friday.  All the scary-fun will begin at 5:30 p.m. at the Lafayette Park Playground.  For more information, visit the LafayetteSquare.org web site.

Oct. 31 – Trunk or Treat, parking lot of St. Anthony of Padua Church / Confluence Academy, 3132 Meramec, 6 to 7:30 p.m.

The Mt. Pleasant Neighborhood Association is once again reaching out to the kids in the neighborhood by providing a safe, fun Halloween night Trunk or Treat event.  Stop by the parking lot of St. Anthony Padua Church / Confluence Academy at 3132 Meramec (at Michigan) and enjoy hot dogs, popcorn, Halloween candy and more from 6 to 7:30 p.m. (while supplies last).  Questions?  Call (314) 655-0550.

Oct. 31 – Trick or Treat on Cherokee Street, Jefferson & Cherokee, 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

Trick-or-treaters are invited to stop by participating stores and offices on Cherokee Street (look for pumpkins outside participating venues) this Friday from 6 to 8:30 p.m.

Oct. 31 –Halloween Twilight Tours, Campbell House Museum, 6:30, 7 and 7:30 p.m.

Take advantage of the rare opportunity to tour Campbell House after dark this Friday during a Halloween Twilight Tour.  Visitors will learn about the many losses the Campbell family experienced during its 84 years at 1508 Locust Street in Downtown St. Louis.  Participants are encouraged to come in costume.  The cost is $12 per person and advance reservations for one of the three tours are required.  Call (314) 421-0325 to reserve your spot.

Oct. 31 – Skinker DeBaliviere Halloween Party 2014, Saint Roch Church, 5:30 p.m.

Neighborhood kids are invited to dress up in their best costume and come join the fun at the Skinker DeBaliviere Halloween Party 2014 this Friday beginning at 5:30 p.m. at Saint Roch Church, 6040 Waterman.  Enjoy prizes, treats and a fantastic entertainer.  All kids are welcome!  Neighborhood trick-or-treating will follow from 6:30 to 8 p.m.

Nov. 1 – Dred Scott Footprints Tour, begins at Eugene Field House, 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

The Dred Scott Footprints Tour will take place this Saturday beginning at 1 p.m.  This fascinating bus tour of the St. Louis area will visit and discuss almost 40 locations and memorials that connect to the person and cause of Dred Scott's case for freedom.  The tour will be narrated by descendants of Dred Scott.  The cost of $75 per person includes transportation, lunch, souvenirs, and more.  The tour will depart at 8:30 a.m. from Eugene Field House and return by 3:30 p.m.  For more information, call (816) 809-8791 or (910) 964-8790 or email info@thedredscottfoundation.org.

Nov. 1 – SLACO 19^th Annual Regional Neighborhoods Conference, Harris-Stowe State University, 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.

The 19^th Annual Regional Neighborhoods Conference will take place this Saturday from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Harris-Stowe State University, 3026 Laclede Avenue.  The annual SLACO conference presents prime learning and networking opportunities for people active in their neighborhoods, as well as for the government and nonprofit officials that serve them.  For more information, visit the slaco-mo.org web site.

Nov. 1 – ZOMBIE Apocalypse Invasion Walk, Soulard Market Park, 1 p.m.

Molly's, Nadine's, Hammerstone's, 1860's Saloon and Great Grizzly Bear have teamed up to host the ZOMBIE Apocalypse Invasion Walk this Saturday to benefit CARE (Coalition for Animal Rescue and Education).  CARE is a 501(c)3, tax-exempt no-kill animal rescue organization.  Participants will enjoy music, dancing, a costume contest and more.  Soulard Market Park is located at 728 Lafayette Avenue. Register at Zombie-invastion-walk.eventbrite.org or go to the caretakersnetwork.org web site.

Save the Date

Nov. 7 – Opening Night Premiere of Tennessee Williams' 'Stairs to the Roof,' Boo Cat Club, 8 p.m.

Nov. 7 - 9 – Spectrum 2014:  A Festival of Short Plays, Southampton Presbyterian Church, 8 p.m.

Nov. 8 – Veterans Day Parade, Soldiers' Memorial, 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

Nov. 8 – Annual Warehouse Sale, The Blessing Basket Project Warehouse, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Nov. 8 – Potential Neighborhood Greenway Route Walk, beginning at De La Salle Middle School, 10 a.m. to Noon.

Nov. 8 –Vendor Fair, New Covenant Methodist Church, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Nov. 9 – Annual TurkeyFest, St. Vincent DePaul Parish, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Nov. 11 – Veterans Day Patriotic Concert, Old Courthouse, Noon to 1 p.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 GrayR@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 at the very bottom of the home page.  The listing is free.  I encourage you to take advantage of this free way to promote your event.

St. Louis Teen Talent Competition

Registration is now open for the 5^th Annual St. Louis Teen Talent Competition.  In the spirit of fostering the emerging talent in the St. Louis performing arts community, the Fox Performing Arts Charitable Foundation is underwriting and producing the competition to showcase the talented teens of our metropolitan area.  Students will compete for college scholarships, special awards, prizes and public appearance opportunities.  There are no fees to participate.  Friday, Nov. 21 is the deadline for students to register their act online to participate in the 2015 St. Louis Teen Talent Competition.  For all the details, visit http://www.foxpacf.org/ .

Col. Richard Gray

Director of Public Safety

City of St. Louis