Public Safety Director's Spotlight - CERT Training

The CERT Program

September is National Preparedness Month.  By planning for emergencies, individuals can protect themselves and their families while also contributing to their community's resilience.  In the past few Spotlights, I've passed along various tips about how you can prepare yourself in the event of an emergency.  It is important for people of all ages to increase their preparedness by moving from awareness to action.  Taking a CERT (Community Emergency Response Team) course will benefit any person who does so.  Those who take the course will be better prepared to respond to and cope with the aftermath of a disaster.  Additionally, if the City would need to supplement its response capability after a disaster, civilians who have completed CERT training could be recruited and trained as neighborhood, business, and government teams that, in essence, would be auxiliary responders. The CERT training for community groups is usually delivered in 2-1/2 hour sessions, one evening a week over a seven-week period.  If you belong to a neighborhood organization or community group, I encourage you to discuss CERT training with your fellow members.  For more information, contact CEMA at (314) 622-3501 or email CERT@stlouis-mo.gov.

 

Upcoming Events

Sept. 19 – 21, Shakespeare in the Streets, The Grove neighborhood, 8 p.m.

The 2013 Shakespeare in the Streets production, an adaptation of the Bard's "The Winter's Tale," will begin this Thursday and will run through Saturday in The Grove neighborhood at 4226 Manchester Avenue.  The story focuses on loss and redemption and explores the themes of jealousy and healing.  The free performances will begin at 8 p.m. each evening.  For more information, visit the sfstl.com web site.

Sept. 20 – Breakfast For Bikers Series, Downtown Bicycle Station, 7 a.m.

Thinking about biking to work?  Join Trailnet and fellow cyclists for free coffee and breakfast at the Downtown Bicycle Station this Friday, from 7 a.m. to 9 a.m. as part of the 2013 Breakfast For Bikers Series.  The station is located at 1011 Locust Street.  For more details, visit the trailnet.org web site.

Sept. 20 – RHCDA Street Party, Crown Square, 5:30 p.m.

The Regional Housing and Community Development Alliance (RHCDA) will present its First Annual Pop-Up Street Party this Friday in Crown Square, North 14^th Street at St. Louis Avenue. Festivities will begin with Happy Hour at 5:30 p.m.  Enjoy fabulous food, street performers, neighborhood business showcase, a special performance by Vote for Pedro from 7 – 10 p.m. and more.  Questions?  Visit the rhcda.com web site.

Sept. 20 – Balloon Glow, Forest Park, 7 p.m.

One of the most spectacular events of the year in St. Louis will take place this Friday night.  Held in conjunction with the 41^st Annual Great Forest Park Balloon Race, the Balloon Glow will offer spectators a breathtaking view of the inflated balloons illuminated by their burners. Visitors will be able to walk around the balloons for a close up look as the balloons light up Forest Park.  Refreshments and food will be available for purchase.  The evening will conclude at approximately 9 p.m. with the PNC Bank fireworks finale display.

Sept. 21 – Great Forest Park Balloon Race, Forest Park, Noon

All eyes will be on the sky for the 2013 Great Forest Park Balloon Race this Saturday.  Festivities will begin at Noon at Central Field in Forest Park and include the Purina Kid's Entertainment Area, pony rides, photo booths, live performances, and more!  Opening ceremonies will begin at 3:30 p.m. and the "Hare" balloon will launch at 4:30 p.m. followed by the launch of 70 "Hound" balloons.  Need more information?  Visit the greatforestparkballoonrace.com web site.

Sept. 21 – 11^th Annual Neighborhood Festival, 4600 Lewis Place in the parkway, 11 a.m.

The Lewis Place Historical Preservation, Inc. will host its 11^th Annual Neighborhood Festival this Saturday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 4600 Lewis Place in the parkway.  The festival is also a fundraiser, dedicated to saving the historic Lewis Place community and strengthening its legacy.  Bring your family, friends, and neighbors and make new friends, celebrating the rich history and culture of this spirited and enterprising community.  Visitors will be able to enjoy free family fun, live music, spoken word, children's games and more.  To learn more, visit the lewisplacestl.org web site.

Sept. 21 – Heal-A-Bration, Tandy Recreation Center, 4 p.m.

The Heal Wellness Team is inviting everyone to stop by the Tandy Recreation Center this Saturday from 4 – 8 p.m. for the September Heal-A-Bration.  The Heal (Healthy Effective Alternatives to Live) Wellness Team is a collaborative of wellness professionals who get together to bring holistic health care to residents in the inner city.  Participants can expect to experience vegetarian and raw food prep demonstrations, massage and aroma therapy, blood pressure checks and health assessments, fitness demonstrations such as Zumba, African Fusion dance, weighted Hula Hoops and more.  Tandy Recreation Center is located at 4026 Kennerly Avenue in the Greater Ville neighborhood.

Sept. 21 – 2013 Bellerive Day Sale, Bellerive and Dover Place, 7 a.m.

The annual Bellerive Day garage sale event will take place this Saturday from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m.  Approximately 50 homes on Bellerive Boulevard and Dover Place in the Carondelet neighborhood will be participating.  The event is sponsored by New Covenant United Methodist Church at 900 Bellerive Boulevard.  You may find something at the sale that you did not know you needed!  You'll definitely find breakfast, BBQ lunch, live music and a rest area provided at New Covenant.  Visit covenanttogether.org for more details.

Sept. 21 – Run for the Hills 5K Run, St. Louis Hills neighborhood, 8 a.m.

The 22^nd Annual Run for the Hills 5K Run will take place this Saturday, starting at 8 a.m.  The challenging course will take runners on a scenic route through St. Louis Hills and will pass directly by two of Stan Musial's former homes where he lived during his Hall of Fame playing career.  Plenty of fun will be available for all after the race at Francis Park, Tamm & Nottingham, with music, an awards ceremony, and delicious food from local businesses.  To learn more, visit the SLHNA web site http://stlhills.com/events/run-for-the-hills/ .

Sept. 21 – Macklind Days, Southampton neighborhood, 3 p.m.

Invite your family and friends to join you for Macklind Days this Saturday.  The Southampton neighborhood's biggest block party will feature live music, delicious food, cold beverages, fun for the kids and more.  The festivities will run from 3 – 8 p.m. on Macklind Avenue between Devonshire and Nottingham.  To learn more visit the macklinddays.com web site.

Sept. 21 – Dancing in the Street, Grand Center, 1 p.m.

The annual Dancing in the Street festival will take place this Saturday, from 1 to 8 p..m. in Grand Center.  This free, outdoor dance festival will feature an array of talent and styles on three outdoor stages between Lindell and Delmar, centered at Grand and Washington Boulevards.  BANDALOOP, presented by HBE Corporation, will be headlining this year's event.  For a complete schedule of events, visit the grandcenter.org web site.

Sept. 21 – Free Movie, Lafayette Park, 7:30 p.m.

Bring your family and friends to Lafayette Park this Saturday night for fun and a free movie.  Activities will begin at 6 p.m. in the southeast corner of the park by the gazebo and "Toy Story" will begin at 7:30 p.m.

Sept. 21 – 3^rd Annual Neighborhood Dog Walk, Lindenwood neighborhood, 10 a.m.

The Third Annual Dog Walk, benefiting St. Louis Humane Society of Missouri, returns to the Lindenwood neighborhood this Saturday beginning at 10 a.m.  The walk will loop from Union United Methodist Church, 3454 Watson Road, to Lindenwood Park and around park, then back to the front yard of church.  A shorter route to and from the park also will be available.  Suggested donation is $10 per family, with 100% of donations going to Humane Society of Missouri.  Onsite registration will begin at 9:30 a.m. day of event.  You may also register online at http://www.unionumcstl.org.

Sept. 21 – Free Concert, Greg Freeman Four Corners Park, 6 p.m.

The Skinker-DeBaliviere neighborhood's 2013 BBQ Concert Series will close out this Saturday with a free concert featuring Hudson and the Hoo Doo Cats – one of St. Louis' favorite swinging bands.  All Skinker-DeBaliviere residents and visitors from around the St. Louis area are invited to bring a friend and join in the fun.  Famous BBQ will be available for purchase, with proceeds being donated to SDCC/WEAC to help cover the artists' fees.  The park is located at 6008 Kingsbury Avenue, and the festivities will run from 6 – 9 p.m.

Sept. 21 & 22 – Soulard Art Fair, Soulard Market Park, 10 a.m.

Everyone is invited to stop by the Soulard Art Fair this Saturday and Sunday at Soulard Market Park, located at 9^th and Lafayette. Visitors will be able to enjoy artists, magicians, street performers, the wine garden, delicious food and some of the best musicians in St. Louis.  The Fair will run from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Saturday and from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday.  Make a day of it in the Soulard neighborhood.  For more details, visit the soulardartfair.com web site.

Sept. 23 – 29 – STL Design Week, various locations, various times

AIGA Saint Louis will be presenting its third STL Design Week from Monday, Sept. 23 through Sunday, Sept. 29.  The week-long series of events and programs is designed to highlight and celebrate the impact of design in our community and to recognize the efforts and contributions of emerging and established local designers, architects, illustrators, photographers and others in St. Louis' emerging and established creative collective.  Event locations include CAM / Contemporary Art Museum St. Louis, Central Library, Webster University, and Forest Park, to name a few.  For a complete schedule of events, visit the stlouis.aiga.org web site.

Sept. 24 -- Twilight Tuesdays Ameren Concert Series, Missouri History Museum, 6 p.m.

The Twilight Tuesdays Ameren Concert Series hosted by the Missouri History Museum will continue on Tuesday, Sept. 24 at 6 p.m.  Invite your friends and family to join you on the Museum's front lawn at Lindell and DeBaliviere for an evening of "Celebrating the Women of Motown" with Satin, featuring Marsha Evans.  For the complete schedule of performances, visit the mohistory.org web site.

Sept. 26 – Oct. 6, Saint Louis Fashion Week 2013, various locations, various times

Saint Louis Fashion Week is back!  This year's shows will feature 36 regional and national designers, 70 models, 10 venues and more from Sept. 26 – Oct. 6.  Locations include The Fabulous Fox Theatre, The Delmar Loop, Windows on Washington, The Sheldon Art Gallery, and KOKEN Art Factory, to name a few.  If your passion is fashion, you will not want to miss these shows.  For all the particulars, visit the saintlouisfashionweek.com web site.

 

Save the Date

Sept. 27 – Food Policy Brown Bag Series, Gateway Greening, Noon

Sept. 27 – Drink Up & Tweetup For Smithsonian Museum Day!, Campbell House Museum, 4 p.m.

Sept. 27 – 29 – The Budweiser Taste of St. Louis, Soldiers' Memorial Plaza, 11 a.m.

Septl.27 & 28 – Scottish Games & Cultural Festival, Forest Park, 5 p.m.

Sept. 28 – St. Louis Gateway Classic, Edward Jones Dome, 2 p.m.

Sept. 28 – Tailgate Sale, Woerner Elementary, 8 a.m.

Sept. 28 – Carondelet Park Rec Complex Kids Night Out, CPRC, 6:30 p.m.

Sept. 28 – Green Homes & Great Health Festival, Missouri Botanical Garden, 9 a.m.

Sept. 29 – Art in the Park, Francis Park, 10 a.m.

Sept. 29 – 2013 Big BIG Tour, Flying Saucer Starbucks, 11 a.m.

Sept. 29 – Civil War Dedication & Period Fashion Show, St. Stanislaus Kostka Catholic Church, 11 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 deekenc@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 on the home page. The listing is free. I encourage you to take advantage of this free way to promote your event.

 

Veteran Nominations Sought

St. Louis Veteran of the Year nominations are being sought.  The person selected will be honored at this year's St. Louis Veterans' Parade and at a luncheon at the Missouri Athletic Club.  All active duty, Reserve, National Guard and retired service members who live or work in St. Louis City or the counties of St. Louis, St Charles, Franklin, Jefferson, Monroe, St. Clair or Madison are eligible.  The recognition honors a military veteran who demonstrates support of veterans in everyday life and who serves as a role model for all residents.  For a nomination form, contact the Missouri Athletic Club at (314) 539-4402.  The completed form must be returned no later than Monday, Sept. 30.

Charlene Deeken