Public Safety Director's Spotlight - 2014 Drop, Cover and Hold On

Drop, Cover, and Hold On

Millions of people worldwide will practice how to Drop, Cover, and Hold On at 10:16 a.m. on Thursday, Oct. 16 during the Great ShakeOut Earthquake Drill.  You can join them by registering for the 2014 Great Central U.S. Shakeout. Participating is a great way for your family or organization to be prepared to survive and recover quickly from a big earthquake –wherever you live, work or travel.  For more information, visit http://www.shakeout.org/centralus/ .

Upcoming Events

Now through Oct. 18 – Saint Louis Fashion Week, various locations, times

Interested in finding out the latest on the St. Louis Fashion Scene? Then visit www.saintlouisfashionweek.com for the all the details about upcoming St. Louis Fashion Week events .From runway shows to fashion chats, designer competitions to the Midwest Fashion Conference, STLFW has something for everyone.  STLFW has worked with more than 100 designers, 30 boutiques, and 250 models and has raised more than $15,000 for local charities.

Oct. 10 –12 – Soulard Oktoberfest, 7th Street Across from Soulard Market, 4 p.m.

The annual Soulard Oktoberfest will take place this Friday, Saturday and Sunday across from historic Soulard Market on 7^th Street.  Celebrate our city's German heritage and our history as a brewery town.  General admission is $5.  Visitors will be able to enjoy German sausage, a selection of local and German beers, and toe-tapping polka music.  Go to the soulardoktoberfest.com website for all the details.

Oct. 12 – Columbus Day Parade & Festa, The Hill, Noon

October is National Italian American Heritage and Culture Month and St. Louis will be celebrating with the traditional Columbus Day Parade and Festa on Sunday.  The Parade will step off at Noon from Macklind and Botanical and wind its way to Berra Park, where the Festa will begin at 1 p.m.  Stop by for your favorite Italian food, music and beverages  .For more information, visit the stlcolumbusday.com web site.

Oct. 12 –The Great GO! St. Louis Halloween Race, Soldiers' Memorial Park, 7 a.m.

More than 7,000 participants are expected to compete for fun, cash and prizes in this Sunday's Go! St. Louis Halloween Race.  This year's event will feature a Half Marathon, Missouri's largest 10K race, a 5K and a 1-mile Fun Run.  Thousands of runners and walkers of all ages and abilities will dress in costume for fun.  The price varies per race.  For more information, call (314) 727-0800.

Oct. 12 – St. Louis Hills House Tour, Noon

There are many fantastic homes on the 2014 House Tour this year, including a former home of Stan "The Man" Musial!  The Tour will be this Sunday, from Noon to 5 p.m. and you may buy tickets ahead of time ($15) or on the day of the tour ($20).  For information about the houses on the tour, the registration location (Francis Park) and how/where to acquire tickets, visit the stlhills.com website.

Oct. 15 –South Side Shindig Down by the River, The Bluffs on Broadway, 6 p.m.

Everyone is invited to stop by the South Side Shindig on Wednesday, Oct. 15 from 6 –10 p.m. at The Bluffs on Broadway, 4708 S. Broadway.  All funds raised will benefit the Dutchtown South Community Corporation and Dutchtown Business Association.  Tickets may be purchased online at:  http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/853688 .

Save the Date

Oct. 17 – Breakfast for Bikers, Mississippi Mud's new Downtown café within the Art Saint Louis Gallery, 7 a.m.

Oct. 17 – Oktoberfest, St. Pius V Catholic Church, 4 p.m.

Oct. 17 & 18 – Rock 'n' Roll Saint Louis Expo, America's Center, 1 p.m.

Oct. 17 – Second Annual Bobby Ceriotti Glow Run, Forest Park, 7:30 p.m.

Oct. 18 – Neighborhood Greenways Dutchtown Walk, Thomas Dunn Learning Center, 10 a.m.

Oct. 18 – River des Peres Trash Bash, Fultz Field on the River des Peres Greenway, 8 a.m.

Oct. 18 – St. Stephen Protomartyr PTO Trivia Night, St. Stephen Protomartyr School, 6:30 p.m.

Oct. 18 – Magnificent Missouri Music Live!, Public Media Commons, 6:30 p.m.

Oct. 18 & 19 – Rungevity Rock 'n' Roll St. Louis Marathon & ½ Marathon, Downtown St. Louis, 8 a.m.

Oct. 19 – Live Art Auction and Solution Panel, Cinema St. Louis, 2:30 p.m.

Oct. 19 – Orphan Car Display, Missouri History Museum, 10 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 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.

Free Medicare Counseling Event

Every year Medicare beneficiaries have a chance to change coverage during Medicare open enrollment from Oct. 15 to Dec. 7.  Since open enrollment is the only time most people can change their Part D prescription-drug plans and/or Medicare Advantage, it's a wise time to evaluate healthcare needs and budget for the upcoming year.  CLAIM, Missouri's free Medicare counseling program, will provide free confidential advice at the Medicare Counseling event scheduled for Wednesday, Oct. 15 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the William J .Harrison Education Center, 3140 Cass Avenue, in the JeffVanderLou neighborhood.

Col. Richard Gray

Director of Public Safety

City of St. Louis