Public Safety Director's Spotlight - 2015 National Crime Victims' Rights Week

 

2015 National Crime Victims' Rights Week

Each April, the Office for Victims of Crime helps lead communities throughout the country in the observance of National Crime Victims' Rights Week (NCVRW), which will be observed April 19-25, 2015.  This year's theme - Engaging Communities, Empowering Victims - emphasizes the role of the entire community, individually and collectively, as we support victims of crime and empower them to direct their own recovery.  As we commemorate NCVRW and celebrate the achievements of the crime victims' rights movement, we also need to recognize that there is more to accomplish.  Every year, millions of people's lives are forever changed by crime.  They are our families, neighbors, friends, and colleagues.  Many will have life-changing injuries or need ongoing care and support.  We can all play a role in helping crime victims rebuild their lives.  Visit www.VictimsofCrime.org for information.  Another helpful site is the online Directory of Crime Victim Services at http://ovc.ncjrs.gov/findvictimservices to find services in your area.

Upcoming Events

April 17 & 18 – Book Fair, Lafayette Park United Methodist Church, 2300 Lafayette Avenue, 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Lafayette Park United Methodist Church will host its annual Book Fair this Friday (8 a.m. to 3 p.m.) and Saturday (8 a.m. to Noon) at 2300 Lafayette Avenue.  Visitors will find a wide selection of titles.  Saturday is $2 per bag day.  Need more information?  Call (314) 771-9214.

April 18 – Business Opportunities Showcase, St. Anthony of Padua Meeting Hall, 3133 Meramec, 9 a.m. to Noon

The South City Business Collaborative will host the Third Annual Business Opportunities Showcase this Saturday.  The breakfast and booth fair will begin at 9 a.m.  The program will start at 10 a.m. and a self-guided Commercial Property Open House will start at 11:30 a.m  .Questions?  Contact Maude Bauschard, BauschardM@stlouis-mo.gov, or (314) 657-3772.

April 18 – 50^th Anniversary Organ Marathon, Christ Church Cathedral, 1210 Locust Street, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

On Easter Day (April 18, 1965) the new Cathedral organ sounded for the first time.  Now, 50 years later, this outstanding and much admired organ continues to enhance worship and the arts and musical life of St. Louis.  To celebrate this milestone occasion, an all-day marathon of organ music will take place this Saturday beginning at 9 a.m.  Organists and students from throughout the greater St. Louis area will participate.  Offering plates will be available for those who wish to contribute to the Lichtenberger Organ Endowment Fund.  For additional information, contact William Partridge at (314) 255-1634.

April 18 – Lung Cancer Connection Annual 5K, Chesterfield Amphitheater, 9 a.m.

Lung Cancer Connection's Sixth Annual 5K will take place this Saturday.  Registration will start at 7:30 a.m. and the Walk/Run will begin at 9 a.m.  Cost is $30 for adults and $10 for kids under 10.  One hundred percent of all money raised assists people in St. Louis affected by lung cancer.  For more information, call (314) 571-4002 ext. 4 or visit the lungcancerconnectioninc.org web site.

April 19 – Wurstmarkt & Pretzel-fest, German Cultural Society, 3652 S. Jefferson, Noon to 5 p.m.

Everyone is invited to stop by the Wurstmarkt &Pretzel-fest this Sunday from Noon to 5 p.m. at the German Cultural Society.  Visitors will be able to enjoy live German music and dance performances, and there will be sausage dinner and pretzels for purchase.  For more information, call (314) 771-8368.

April 22 – MERS/Goodwill and St. Louis Cardinals Electronics Recycling Drive, Busch Stadium, Parking Lot C (northwest corner of 8^th & Cerre streets), 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.

MERS/Goodwill and the St. Louis Cardinals are once again teaming up for the Fifth Annual Electronics Recycling and General Donations Drive.  Fittingly, the drive will be held on Earth Day, Tuesday, April 22.  The drive will accept donors' unwanted computers, laptops, printers and other electronic items that include a battery, cord or plug, as well as general donations.  Need more information?  Visit the mersgoodwill.org web site.

April 22 – 25 – FIRST Robotics Championship, Edward Jones Dome, 701 Convention Plaza, times vary

The annual FIRST Robotics Championship pits teams against one another in a rock 'em sock 'em competition of homemade robots.  Watch the best teams from all over the world compete for the top honors in design excellence, competitive play and sportsmanship.  The events are free and open to the public.  For all the details, visit the usfirst.org web site.

April 23 – Jammin' for Justice, Rustic Goat Eatery and Lounge, 2617 Washington Avenue, 6:30 to 9:30 p.m.

Jammin' for Justice returns!  This fundraiser benefits Metropolitan Congregations United (MCU) faith-based community organizing.  The night includes appetizers, a cash bar, live music, games, door prizes, a silent auction and a dessert auction.  Tickets are $30 per person.  For more information, contact the MCU office at (314) 367-3484.  All proceeds benefit the work of MCU in working for community change.

Save the Date

April 24 – Food Policy "Brown Bag" Speaker Series, Gateway Greening Office, 2211 Washington Avenue, Noon to 1 p.m.

April 24 – Teen Talent Competition, Fox Theatre, 527 N. Grand Blvd., 8 p.m.

April 24 – Free Concert, Mathews-Dickey Boys' & Girls' Club, 4245 N. Kingshighway, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.

April 24 – 12^th Annual I Love Movies Trivia Night, Centene Center for Arts & Education, 3547 Olive Street, 6 p.m.

April 24 & 25 –FORM 2015:Contemporary Design Show, The Luminary, 2701 Cherokee Street, 7 p.m.

April 25 – Caffeine Crawl St. Louis, start at Kaldi's Coffee Roasting and Education Center, 700 Saint Bernards Lane, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

April 25 – Free Landlord Training, 4601 Pope Avenue, 10 a.m. to Noon

April 25 – 2015 March for Babies, Langenberg Field in Forest Park, 9 a.m.

April 25 – 5 Year Celebration, Our City Farm, 4539 Delmar Blvd., 2 to 5 p.m.

April 25 – Trivia Night, City Garden School, 1618 Tower Grove, 6 p.m.

April 25 – Supply Drive to benefit Stray Rescue, Wood Realty parking lot, 6500 Chippewa, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

April 25 – Launch of Bike St. Louis Phase III, Cabanne Branch Library, 1106 Union, 10 a.m. to Noon

April 25 – Financial Empowerment and Job Fair, St. Louis Community College-Forest Park, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

April 25 – 2015 St. Louis Kidney Walk, Saint Louis University, 3338 Olive Street, 8 a.m. to Noon

April 25 – Biking 4 Books Cycling Event, Patrick Henry Downtown Academy, 1220 N. 10^th Street, 9 a.m.

April 25 --  South City Health Festival, in Fox Park, Shenandoah & Ohio, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.

April 25 – Earth Day Eve, Muny Grounds in Forest Park, 4 to 7 p.m.

April 25 & 26 –Volunteers Needed, Virginia and Itaska, 9-Noon and 1-4 p.m.

April 25 & 26 –Garry Kasparov vs. Nigel Short, Live at the Chess Club and Scholastic Center of Saint Louis, 4657 Maryland Avenue, 11 a.m.

April 26 – St. Louis Earth Day Festival, Muny Grounds in Forest Park, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

April 26 – Recycling Extravaganza, St. Louis Community College at Forest Park, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

April 26 – History of Poetry in St. Louis, Missouri History Museum in Forest Park, 3 to 4 p.m.

April 26 – Shake 38, Ritz Park, 3147 S. Grand Blvd., Noon to 2 p.m.

April 26 – Family Fun Day for Earth Day, Scott Joplin House State Historic Site, 2658 Delmar, 2 to 4 p.m.

April 28 – Twilight Tuesdays, Missouri History Museum in Forest Park, 6 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.

National PrepareAthon! Day

Make plans now to participate in National PrepareAthon! Day on Thursday, April 30.  America's PrepareAthon! is an opportunity for individuals, organizations, and communities to prepare for specific hazards through drills, group discussions, and exercises.  The focus this year will revolve around taking actions to prepare for six specific hazards:

* Earthquake

* Flood

* Hurricane

* Tornado

* Wildfire

* Winter Storm

Be smart.  Take part.  Prepare.  For more information on disaster preparedness, visit the ready.gov web site.

Col. Richard Gray

Director of Public Safety

City of St. Louis