Public Safety Director's Spotlight - 2015 National Safety Month

 

2015 National Safety Month

Each June, the National Safety Council (NSC) and thousands of organizations across the country work to raise awareness of what it takes to stay safe.  The focus of the annual campaign is to reduce the leading causes of injury and death at work, on the road and in our homes and communities.  Many Americans often worry about plane crashes or lightning strikes, but it's the everyday things like driving that pose greater risks to our safety.  Here are a few tips from the NSC to keep you and your family safe all year-round:

· Don't speed

· Wear your seat belt

· Designate a non-drinking driver

· Don't use cell phones while driving

· Wipe up spills and tuck away cords

· Install handrails and no-slip bathmats

· Never share or take more prescription drugs than necessary.

For more tips, visit the nsc.org web site.

Upcoming Events

June 5 & 6 – STL Uncorked, Soldiers' Memorial, 1315 Chestnut, 5 to 11 p.m.

One of the largest and most popular annual Downtown St. Louis festivals is back – St. Louis Uncorked.  Free to attend and now in its seventh year, the festival will kick off this Friday at 5 p.m. Visitors will be able to purchase food and beverages and enjoy live performances and cooking demonstrations.  The Cutter Kid Zone will provide a fun and family-friendly experience within the festival grounds.  For more information, visit http://cbsloc.al/1ETj6vJ .

June 5, 6 & 7 – Traveling Vietnam Wall, Eternal Flame Park, 14^th &Chestnut Street, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.

The Traveling Vietnam Wall will be set up in Eternal Flame Park beginning on Wed. June 3, 2015.  If set up goes well, it is possible that the Wall will be open for visitors late afternoon on Thursday, June 4.  If so, it will remain open until 8 p.m. on Thursday.  Otherwise, the Wall will be open for visitors from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, and from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sunday.  For more information, visit the stlsoldiersmemorial.org web site.

June 5 & 6 – Thurman Loop Fest, Shenandoah & Thurman Avenue, 5 p.m.

The Shaw Neighborhood's biggest free block party, the Thurman Loop Fest, will take place this Friday from 5 to 11:30 p.m. and this Saturday from Noon to 11:30 p.m.  Stroll the streets perusing the shops, browsing the wares of the arts and crafts vendors and being entertained by a meandering magician, all while sipping a cool beverage and listening to live music.  Children's activities will include a storyteller, puppet show and carnival games.  Need more information?  Call (314) 772-8484.

Every Friday, May – September – Lunchtime Live, Old Post Office Plaza, 801 Locust, 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

Lunchtime Live is Downtown's premier outdoor lunchtime party that features live bands, food trucks and great networking opportunities.  Invite your co-workers to join you at this fun way to spend your lunch hour.  For more information, visit the downtownstl.org web site.

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

Washington Avenue is alive with the sound of music every Friday night all year 'round at various Washington Avenue restaurants such as Tigin, Pi, Robust, Takaya, Dubliner, Copia, Flamingo Bowl, Hair of the Dog, Blondie's, Lucas Park Grille, Rosalita's, Wash Ave Post, Hiro Asian Kitchen, Sen Thai and many more.  Restaurants offer drink and dinner specials in addition to the live music.  All genres of music – from pop to jazz to country to rock -- are represented.  There is something for everyone to enjoy.  For more information, visit the STLiveMusic page on Facebook.

Now through June 14 – Antony and Cleopatra – Shakespeare Festival St. Louis, Forest Park, 8 p.m.

Enjoy a lovely night of Shakespeare under the stars in beautiful Forest Park.  Antony and Cleopatra tells the epic, intriguing, and enchanting tale of a Roman general caught under the spell of history's most stunning and powerful queen.  Bring blankets or chairs for lawn seating or rent a chair.  Bring your own picnic or enjoy a box dinner from the on-site caterer  .Come early (6:30 p.m.) for the traditional Green Show where dancers, musicians, jugglers and other entertainers interact with the audience.  Thursday performances are signed for the hearing impaired.  The site is wheelchair accessible.  For more information, visit the sfstl.com web site or call (314) 531-9800.

Now through June 28 – Circus Flora, 3511 Samuel Shepard Drive in Grand Center, performance times vary

Travel back to The Jazz Age – to a time when American cities grew rapidly, becoming home to families from all walks of life and corners of the map – when you attend Circus Flora's "One Summer on 2^nd Street."  Invite your friends and family to journey with you to a typical block in a typical city on a typical day – and meet a very atypical set of families – all under the Big Top this summer.  For ticket information, visit the circusflora.org web site.

Now through July 31 – Nanjing Style:  Photographs from our Sister City, The Kranzberg Arts Center, 501 N. Grand Boulevard, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

One year ago, the International Photography Hall of Fame and Museum (IPHF) sent eight St. Louis based photographers to Nanjing, China as part of their Sister City collaboration with the Nanjing Federation of the Arts.  Last month, 16 Chinese photographers spent a week visiting St. Louis and photographing our great city.  IPHF is presenting the work of the guest photographers at the Center.  The photographic works featured in this exhibit include everything from landscape panoramas to sports, social commentary, photojournalism and more.  Don't miss this powerful cultural exhibit.  Questions?  Call (314) 533-0367.

Now through August 23 – Lantern Festival:  Magic Reimagined, Missouri Botanical Garden, 4344 Shaw Boulevard, times vary

This year's Lantern Festival:  Magic Reimagined has brought all-new lighted works of art to the Missouri Botanical Garden for the summer.  The all-new sets crafted from silk and steel are once again offering visitors from around the world the opportunity to experience an event rarely staged outside of Asia.  For ticket information, visit the missouribotanicalgarden.org web site or call (314) 678-7442.

June 6 – 2015 St. Louis Urban Gardening Symposium, Brightside St. Louis' Demonstration Garden, 4646 Shenandoah Avenue, 9 a.m. to Noon

Spend Saturday morning in Brightside St. Louis' beautiful Demonstration Garden learning how to plan, plant and maintain a sustainable home or community garden.  You may choose from 13 workshop topics, each led by local experts.  There is something for everyone to learn at this year's Symposium.  The cost is only $10 per person.  Registration is required so sign up today at www.brightsidestl.org

June 6 – Family Fun Day – Biking the Katy Trail, start at the Scott Joplin House State Historic Site, 2658 Delmar, 6:30 a.m.

Calling all bicyclists!  Join the Scott Joplin House State Historic Site and the Department of Natural Resources St. Louis Area Office for an early morning bike ride this Saturday.  National Trails Day is June 6, 2015.  Come, celebrate and bike the Katy Trail.  The event will begin with check in at Scott Joplin House at 6:30 a.m., then ride by bus 38 miles to Defiance, Missouri, where participants will be fitted with a bicycle for the scenic ride along the Katy Trail to Augusta, MO. The ride is for persons 10 years old and up that can ride a long distance without assistance.  Space is limited so register today by calling Almetta Jordan at (314) 340-5790.

June 6 – Taste of Tilles, Tilles Park, Hampton & Fyler, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

This fun-filled event offers participants the opportunity to choose their tastes of 14 local restaurants.  The day begins at the park where ticket holders hop aboard a bus that will take them to the restaurant route where they choose which restaurants to stop at and to trade in their tickets for a sample of food.  Tickets are $10 per booklet and each booklet entitles you to five tastes and one treat in Tilles Park. Buses will run continuously from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., but the party doesn't stop after the restaurants.  Live music and sweet treats will be provided in Tilles Park from 2 to 4 p.m.  All proceeds go toward funding improvements within the park, movie nights, snow cones in the park and other events made available to the community throughout the year.  To learn more, visit the tillesparkneighborhood.com web site.

June 6 – Free Concert, Lafayette Park, 6 to 9 p.m.

Invite your family and friends to join you for the free concert in Lafayette Park this Saturday.  Dawn Weber's Swinging Blues Review will perform a variety of Blues, Jazz and Swing tunes.  For more information, visit the lafayettesquare.org web site.

June 6 & 7 – Lafayette Square House & Garden Tour, start in Lafayette Park, Mississippi & Parks Streets, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The 46^th Annual Lafayette Square House & Garden Tour will take place this Saturday and Sunday.  Ten stunning Victorian "painted ladies" homes and several gardens will be included in the tour.  Tickets cost $18 in advance; $25 tour day.  Other activities include Antiques in the Park, Free Carriage Rides and Vintage Baseball.  To learn more, visit the LafayetteSquare.org web site.

Every Saturday, now through June 27 – Grand Center Architecture and History Tours, KDHX, 3524 Washington Boulevard, 10 a.m.

The Grand Center Architecture and History Walking Tour, sponsored by Enterprise Bank and Trust, provides a fascinating look into the District's magnificent buildings, rich history, dynamic neighborhood, and vibrant arts culture.  The free 1.5 mile tour starts from the Magnolia Café at KDHX.  Tours run every Saturday, now through June 27, 2015.  Visit www.grandcenter.org/gctourssignup to RSVP for a tour.  For more information, you may call (314) 289-1500.

June 7 – Ragtime Afterglow Party, New Rosebud Café at the Scott Joplin House State Historic Site, 2658 Delmar, 2 to 5 p.m.

Stop by the New Rosebud Café this Sunday for the Ragtime Afterglow Party which will feature several topnotch ragtime and early jazz performers who will have just finished playing at the Scott Joplin Ragtime Festival in Sedalia, Missouri the night before.  This free ragtime party promises a lot of fun and good music played on the two pianos in the Café.  If you happen to play an instrument, please feel free to bring it along.  Need more information?  Email rintz78fbt@yahoo.com .

June 7 – Free Concert, Carondelet Park, 6 to 8 p.m.

The Carondelet Community Betterment Federation will present its 27^th Annual Concerts in the Park Series beginning June 7^th through Aug. 23^rd.  Each concert is free to the public.  Bring your blanket and friends and join the fun at the performance by the Bob Kuban Band this Sunday in Carondelet Park.  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.

Every Sunday – St. Louis Swap Meet, located at the historic Lemp Brewery, Cherokee and Lemp Streets, 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.

The St. Louis Swap Meet, the new outdoor marketplace for local vendors, is open every Sunday at 9:30 a.m.  Visitors will be able to buy everything from furniture, delicious food, and unique toys to posters and pottery all while enjoying live music and more. For more information, visit the stlswapmeet.com web site.

June 9 – Free Landlord Training, Missouri Botanical Garden, 4344 Shaw Boulevard, 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

All landlords, property managers, developers, and interested parties are welcome to attend the free Landlord Training session on Tuesday, June 9.  Stan Presson, of Fox Grove Management, will share his systematic approach to residential property management.  To register, visit the Tower Grove Neighborhoods CDC Facebook page.

Every Wednesday – Wednesday Lunch Free Concert Series, Citygarden, 10^th & Market, 11:45 a.m. to 12:45 p.m.

The Wednesday Lunch bands at Citygarden have returned and perform every Wednesday through Aug. 26.  Stop by the garden next Wednesday and catch the free concert by Miss Jubilee.  Visit the citygardenstl.org web site for more details.

Every Thursday – Whitaker Urban Evening Series, St. Louis Place Park, Rauschenbach & St. Louis Avenue, 7 to 9 p.m.

The Whitaker Urban Evening Concert Series will take place every Thursday night now through July 16 in historic St. Louis Place Park.  The evening will feature live music by established artists, children's activities, and food trucks  .Invite your family and friends to join you for an unforgettable evening in the park.  For more information, visit the gracehillsettlement.org web site.

Save the Date

June 12 – Local Social, Central West End, 6 to 9 p.m.

June 12 – Food Truck Friday, Tower Grove Park, Arsenal & S. Kingshighway, 4 to 8 p.m.

June 13 – Dutchtown Second Annual Bazaar, The Feasting Fox Parking Lot, 4200 South Grand Boulevard, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

June 13 – Susan G. Komen St. Louis Race for the Cure, Downtown St. Louis, 6:30 a.m.

June 13 – Youth Garden Tour, begins and ends at Clay Elementary School, 3824 N. 14^th Street, 9 a.m. to Noon

June 13 – A Night at the Races, The Spanish Society, 7107 Michigan Avenue, 5:30 p.m. to 10 p.m.

June 14 – Temporal Cities Art Fort Festival, Benton Park, Arsenal & S. Jefferson, 2 to 7 p.m.

June 14 – Self-guided Sustainable Backyard Tour, various locations, 11 a.m. to 4 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.

2015 Summer Camps Enrolling Now

Applications are now being accepted for the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater St. Louis 2015 Summer Camps.  Boys & Girls Clubs summer camp offers youth, ages 6-15, a fun and dynamic experience that will spark creativity, engagement, and exploration through an individualized, structured learning experience mixed with tons of fun. City locations include:

Adams Park Club – 4317 Vista Avenue, 314.335.8200

Herbert Hoover Club – 2901 N. Grand Avenue, 314.335.8000

O'Fallon Park Club -- 4343 West Florissant, 314.932.1371

For more information or to register, visit www.bgcstl.org.  Call to reserve your spot today.

Col. Richard Gray

Director of Public Safety

City of St. Louis