Public Safety Director's Spotlight - 2015 National Preparedness Awareness Month

 

2015 National Preparedness Awareness Month

Each year the month of September is set aside to raise awareness about the need to be prepared in the event of an emergency.  This year's theme is "Don't Wait.  Communicate.  Make Your Emergency Plan today."  Each week of September will focus on a different type of emergency, e.g., flood, wildfire, hurricane, power outage and how individuals and businesses can prepare.  The month will culminate with National PrepareAthon Day on September 30.  I encourage you to take this opportunity to increase your knowledge about emergency preparedness.  Talk with your family about what you can do to be prepared in case of an emergency, and if you don't already have a plan in place, make your emergency plan today.  For more details about National Preparedness Month, visit www.ready.gov/september.

Upcoming Events

Friday –August 28

Every Friday –STLive on Washington Avenue, participating venues on Washington Avenue in Downtown St. Louis, 5 p.m.

Great venues.  Great food.  Great music.  Every Friday night all year 'round at various Washington Avenue restaurants, there is something for everyone to enjoy.  For more information, visit the STLiveMusic page on Facebook.

Saturday –August 29

Better Family Life's Peacefest 2015, Forest Park, Central Fields, 8 a.m.

Faith, family and neighborhood are the themes for this year's Better Family Life Peacefest in Forest Park.  The day will begin with the inaugural PeaceFest 5K from 8 a.m. to Noon.  Other activities include softball, kickball, music, vendors and more.  For additional information, call (314) 381-8200.

Free Concert, Lafayette Park, 6 p.m.

The Jeremiah Johnson Band is scheduled to perform.  Invite your family and friends to join you for a great free concert under the stars.  For additional information, visit the lafayettesquare.org web site.

Compton Hill Water Tower, S. Grand & Shaw Blvds., 5:30 p.m. to 11:30 p.m.

If you have never climbed the 198 steps to the top observation deck of this historical gem, your chance to do so will occur again this Saturday.  For more details about the opening, as well as the history of this City landmark, visit watertowerfoundation.org/.

Taste of the City on the Landing, Chairman's Lot at Lumiere Place, North 2^nd and Carr Streets, 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Live music, food & drink, and much more this Saturday at Taste of the City on the Landing.  Invite your family and friends to join you for this fun event.  For all the details, visit the lumiereplace.com web site.

Car Show, on Elwood from Broadway to Pennsylvania, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.

If you love classic cars, then be sure to stop by the Car Show this Saturday on Elwood from Broadway to Pennsylvania and from Pennsylvania to Minnesota.Questions?  Call (314) 481-3663.

Festival of Nations, Tower Grove Park, 10 a.m.

Our region's premier multicultural celebration, featuring more than 40 ethnic food booths, non-stop dance and music performances, arts and crafts, an international bazaar and more will take place this Saturday and Sunday in Tower Grove Park  .More information about the Festival may be found at the festivalofnationsstl.org web site.

Sunday –August 30

St. Joseph's Croatian Church Summer Picnic, St. Joseph Croatian Church, 2112 S. 12^th Street, Noon to 7 p.m.

Enjoy dance music, Croatian food and more at the Croatian Day Homecoming Picnic.  To learn more, contact martjurc@att.net.

Tip-A-Firefighter, Old Spaghetti Factory, 727 North First Street, 11:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.

The St. Louis Old Spaghetti Factory and the St. Louis Fire Department are teaming up for a great cause.  Enjoy a delicious three-course meal served by a firefighter.  The tips they earn will be donated to the Children's Hospital St. Louis.  Call (314) 621-0276 to make your reservation.

Free Concert, Carondelet Park, 5:30 p.m.

The scheduled performance will be by "Power Play."  For details about the concerts at Carondelet Park and others that will be held in South St. Louis Square Park, Fanetti Park and Bellerive Park throughout the summer, visit www.carondeletliving.com.

Save the Date

Sept. 4 –Tour de Lafayette, Lafayette Square neighborhood, 1:30 p.m.

Sept. 4 –7 –98^th Annual St. Louis Greek Festival, 4967 Forest Park Avenue, 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Sept. 5 –Tour de Francis Park, St. Louis Hills neighborhood, 9 a.m.

Sept. 5 &6 –Big Muddy Blues Festival, Historic Laclede's Landing, 3 p.m. to Midnight

Sept. 5 –7 –38^th Annual Japanese Festival, Missouri Botanical Garden, 4344 Shaw, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Sept. 6 –Giro Della Montagna, The Hill neighborhood, 7 a.m.

Sept. 6 –Annual Bosnian Festival, Bevo Mill neighborhood, 11 a.m.

Sept. 7 –Gateway Cup-Benton Park Classic, Benton Park neighborhood, 9 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.

Workshop for Entrepreneurs

Most large construction contracts require that contractors be "bonded," meaning that the constructor's business guarantor accepts liability for completing the project in case the contractor does not.  A workshop entitled, "Bonding for Minority Small Businesses," will be held on Thursday, September 10, 2015 from 3:30 to 5 p.m. at SLATE American Job Center, 1520 Market Street, 3^rd Floor Conference Room.  Learn the basics of bonding practices and ways for your business to become more bondable.  Admission is free, but you must register.  Call (314) 657-3768 for more details and to reserve your space.

Col. Richard Gray

Director of Public Safety

City of St. Louis