Public Safety Director's Spotlight - 2015 Small Business Week of Eastern Missouri

 

Small Business Week of Eastern Missouri

Small Business Week of Eastern Missouri will be observed May 4 through May 9, 2015.  The celebration is widely recognized as one of the most robust Small Business Week celebrations in the nation.  More than 20 events have been scheduled throughout the week at various locations throughout the St. Louis area.  You're sure to find something on the calendar to assist you in your efforts to start, run or support a small business.  For the complete schedule of events, visit http://sbwem.org/calendar-of-events/.

Upcoming Events

April 30 – May 2 – Saint Louis Storytelling Festival, all over St. Louis, 9:30 a.m. 9:30 p.m.

From April 30 through May 2, MU Extension will be partnering with the St. Louis Storytelling Festival, which has been in existence for 36 years and counting.  Invite your family and friends to join you for the largest free storytelling festival in the world!  Visit http://stlstorytellingfestival.com/, for a complete list of the storytellers and specific time and location information.  You may also call (314) 400-7287 for more details.

May 1 & 2 – 20^th Annual St. Louis Microfest Beer Festival, Forest Park, 6 p.m.

The 20th Annual St. Louis Microfest Beer Festival will take place this Friday and Saturday in beautiful Forest Park.  This beer tasting festival offers the chance to sample international and craft beers.  Profits from the festival go to Lift For Life Gym.  Sessions times are 6 to 10 p.m. and Noon to 4 p.m.  For more details, visit the stlmicrofet.org web site.

May 1 & 2 – Spring Rummage Sale, LafayettePark United MethodistChurch, 2300 Lafayette Avenue, 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Lafayette Park United Methodist Church will hold its annual Spring Rummage Sale on Friday, May 1 from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. and Saturday, May 2, from 8 a.m. to Noon.  Saturday will be $2 a bag day.  Need more information?  Call (314) 771-9214.

May 2 -- Ice Cream Social and Open House, Annie Malone Crisis & Emergency Placement, 5355 Page Blvd., Noon to 3 p.m.

Stop by this free, fun, family-friendly Ice Cream Social and Open House this Saturday and take the opportunity to tour the facility and learn more about Annie Malone's programs and services.  Fun activities will include a live DJ, bounce houses, ponies, face-painting, and of course, free ice cream (while it lasts).  Questions?  Call (314) 531-0120 or visit the anniemalone.com web site.

May 2 -- Neighborhood Beautification Day, Old North Saint Louis, 9 a.m.

The Old North Saint Louis Restoration Group will hold its Second Brightside Neighborhood Beautification Day of the Spring this Saturday.  Volunteers will start meeting at 9 a.m. at the 13th Street Community Garden.  Invite your friends and family to join you in this effort to keep Old North looking great.  Trash bags, tools, and a large dumpster will be on site.  All you have to bring is your energy.  Visit the onsl.org web site for more details.

May 2 – Cinco de Mayo Festival, Cherokee Street (between Nebraska and Ohio), 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Cinco de Mayo on Cherokee Street will be celebrated this Saturday.  The 2015 Cinco de Mayo Festival will feature a wide variety of live entertainment on three stages, the People's Joy Parade (details below), vendors offering handmade items from St. Louis and beyond, Lucha Libre Wrestling, a mechanical bull, and children's activities.  To learn more about the Festival, visit the cincodemayostl.com web site.

May 2 – People's Joy Parade, Cherokee Street, Minnesota & Cherokee, 1 to 2 p.m.

Invite your family and friends to join you this Saturday for the People's Joy Parade, which is part of Cherokee Street's Cinco de Mayo Festival.  Take part in the annual celebration of community spirit, diversity, and culture.  The theme this year is, "People Power."  The parade will start at Minnesota &Cherokee at 1:11 p.m., then head east through the Benton Park West neighborhood, and end at Texas & Cherokee.  For more information about the Cinco de Mayo Festival, visit the cincodemayostl.com web site.

May 2 – Free Shred Day, American Eagle Credit Union, 6600 Chippewa Street, 9 a.m. to Noon

Protect your identity and kick off spring cleaning by stopping by Free Shred Day this Saturday from 9 a.m. to Noon.  Secure destruction of sensitive materials by a qualified shredding service will be performed on-site at the American Eagle Credit Union branch location in St. Louis Hills.  Please be sure your paper is free of all metal clips.  Need more information?  Contact Cindy at (314) 657-9305.

May 2 – Magic Chef Mansion House Tour, 3400 Russell, Noon to 4 p.m.

Take a self-guided tour of the 1908 historic Magic Chef Mansion this Saturday. The tour includes the second floor, first floor and basement, which features the original bowling alley.  Tickets are sold at the front door on the day of the tour.  Ticket prices range from $8 to $15.  No reservations are required.  For more information, visit the magicchefmansion.com web site.

May 2 -- Second Annual Nextdoor Neighborhood Yard Sale, 10 City Neighborhoods, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

This Saturday will be a day of Treasure Hunting in the following City neighborhoods:  Clifton Heights, Ellendale, Lindenwood, Southwest Garden, The Hill, North Hampton, Dogtown, Clayton-Tamm, Cheltenham, and Kings Oak as part of the Second Annual Nextdoor Neighborhood Yard Sale.  Maps may be picked up at Patti Anne's Exchange located at 6022 Southwest and CECIL the salon spa gallery at 6134 Southwest.

May 2 & 3 – Climb to the Top, Compton Hill Water Tower, Reservoir Park, S. Grand and Shaw Blvds., Noon to 4 p.m.

On a clear day you can see stunning, all-direction views of the City from the observation deck atop one of St. Louis' architectural gems -- the Compton Hill Water Tower.  The 179-ft. tower will be open to the public this Saturday from Noon to 4 p.m. and this Sunday beginning at 5:30 p.m.  The admission cost is $5 for adults, $3 for children 12 and under, and no charge for children under 6.  Please see the watertowerfoundation.org web site for the complete schedule of tower events.

May 3 – 23^rd Annual Delta Gamma Center Run For Sight, Union Station, 1820 Market Street, 9 a.m.

The Delta Gamma Center for Children with Visual Impairments will hold its 23rd Annual Run For Sight this Sunday beginning at 9 a.m. in the Train Shed area of Union Station in exciting Downtown St. Louis.  Run For Sight is the Center's largest annual event, and all funds raised from the race go toward critical programming provided by the Center.  Registration for adults for the 5K ranges from $25 to $30.  Activities also include a 2-mile walk and a Kids' Fun Run.  For more information, visit the dgckids.org web site.

May 5 – Twilight Tuesdays, MissouriHistoryMuseum in Forest Park, 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.

The Twilight Tuesdays Spring 2015 Concert Series is underway.  GalaxyRed, a dance/party band, will provide the fabulous free concert on the History Museum's front lawn on Tuesday, May 5.  Pre-Concert activities will begin at 4:30 p.m. and in the event of a weather cancellation, these activities are rain or shine and will resume as normal each Tuesday.  For all the details, visit the mohistory.org web site.

May 8 -- Spring Luncheon and Fashion Show, St. LouisActivityCenter, 5602 Arsenal, Noon to 2 p.m.

The St. Louis Activity Center will be hosting a Spring Luncheon and Fashion Show on Friday, May 8.  In addition to the lunch, vendors will be there to show and sell their wares beginning at Noon.  The luncheon will begin at 12:30 p.m. and the "Panache" fashion show will be held during the luncheon  Tickets are $10 for Center members and $12 for non-members.  To make reservations or for more information, please call (314) 645-3477.

Save the Date

May 8 -- Heal-the-Divide Concert, Second Presbyterian Church, 4501 Westminster Place, 7 to 8 p.m.

May 8 -- Shadows of St. Louis, Soulard Art Market & Contemporary Gallery, 2028 S. 12th Street, 7 to 10 p.m.

May 9  -- Letter Carriers' Food Drive, place your non-perishable donation in a bag by our mailbox

May 9 -- Annual Old North House &Community Tour, starts at corner of North 14th Street and St. Louis Avenue, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

May 9 -- Girls on the Run 5K, Soldiers' Memorial, 1315 Chestnut, 8 to 10 a.m.

May 9 -- Electronic Recycling Drive, Hope Lutheran Church parking lot, 5218 Neosho, 9 a.m. to Noon

May 9 -- The Great Jubilation, Mary Meachum Freedom Crossing site, on the Mississippi River Greenway, just north of Merchant's Bridge, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

May 9 -- Plant Sale, St. Louis City Greenhouse, 5600 Clayton Avenue in Forest Park, 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

May 9 -- Metro St. Louis Heart Walk, Busch Stadium, 700 Clark Avenue, 7:30 a.m. to Noon

May 9 -- May Puppet Festival, Regional Arts Commission Studio Theatre, 6128 Delmar Blvd., 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 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.

Donate Your Used Home Medical Equipment

St. Louis HELP, the not-for-profit Health Equipment Lending Program that freely loans home medical equipment to any person who needs it, is hosting a Medical Equipment Donation Drive on Saturday, May 2, 2015, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at 12 designated Walgreens parking lots.  The organization is looking for donations of used home medical equipment in good condition to build its inventory of home medical equipment that is freely loaned to people and families.  Acceptable tax-deductible donations include manual and power wheelchairs, electric hospital beds, shower chairs, canes, crutches, walkers, grab bars, elevated toilet seats, portable commodes, lift chairs, seating cushions, back supports, folding ramps and other devices.  For more information and the list of drop-off sites, visit the stlhelp.org web site.

Col. Richard Gray

Director of Public Safety

City of St. Louis