Public Safety Director's Spotlight - National Day of Action

National Day of Action

Earlier this month the White House announced that the first America's PrepareAthon!:  National Day of Action will take place on Wednesday, April 30.  Building on the success of existing preparedness efforts, the goal of America's PrepareAthon! is to build a more secure and resilient nation by getting more Americans to understand that disasters can happen in any community and what they can do to be safe and prepared.  Individuals, families, workplaces, schools and organizations are making plans now to come together on April 30 to practice simple actions to stay safe before, during, and after disasters.  I encourage you to use April 30 as a day to practice what you, your family and your organization would do in response to a hazard you might face and to discuss what steps you can take now to increase your preparedness.  To register your participation in America's PrepareAthon!, go to http://www.ready.gov/prepare/ .

 

Upcoming Events

April 18 – Breakfast for Bikers, Mississippi Mud, 7 a.m.

Trailnet's annual Breakfast for Bikers Series for 2014 will begin this Friday from 7 – 9 a.m. at Mississippi Mud, 1223 Pine Street, in exciting Downtown St. Louis.  Join Trailnet and fellow cyclists for free coffee and breakfast before work.  You are also invited to register your trip as an individual or as a member of your office team on Trailnet's shiftyourcommute.com web site where you can track your carbon emissions saved and calories burned.  For more information, visit the trailnet.org web site.

April 18 -- Fridays on Clark, BallparkVillage, 5 p.m.

Every Friday from 5 to 7 p.m. Ballpark Village will host the biggest Friday Happy Hour event in St. Louis on Clark Avenue.  Happy Hour starts with the delivery of a special featured beer for the evening, the first keg is tapped, a toast is made and free samples are distributed.  After the opening festivities, a live band performs for free for the public.  Invite your co-workers and friends to join you Downtown at Ballpark Village after work for Fridays on Clark.  Visit the stlballparkvillage.com web site for more information.

April 19 – Record Store Day 2014, Apop Records, 10 a.m.

Apop Records on Cherokee Street will be celebrating its Sixth Record Store Day this Saturday with DJs, outdoor music from Noon to 8 p.m., booths, a beer garden and more.  The store is located at 2831 Cherokee Street in the Benton Park West neighborhood.  For more details, call (314) 664-6575.

April 19 – National Park Week at the Gateway Arch, 10 a.m.

The National Park Service will be observing National Park Week this Saturday with free talks by park rangers beginning at 10 a.m. at the Gateway Arch.  The rangers will share memories of working in our nation's parks.  For more details about all the National Park Week events, call (877) 982-1410.

April 19 – First of the Season BBQ, Watson Terrace Christian Church, Noon

Watson Terrace Christian Church will hold its first of the season Barbecue this Saturday from Noon to 7 p.m. Visitors will be able purchase pork steaks, brats, chicken, hot dogs, burgers, side dishes and dessert.  The church is located at 4205 Watson Road (at Winnebago) in the Lindenwood Park neighborhood.  Need more information?  Call (314) 647-3840.

April 19-20 – 2014 Fed Cup Playoff, Chaifetz Arena, 3 p.m.

St. Louis tennis fans are thrilled that international tennis will return to St. Louis this weekend with the 2014 Fed Cup Playoff between the United States and France at Chaifetz Arena.  The Fed Cup is the world's largest annual international women's team competition (96 countries entered in 2014).  The best-of-five match series will begin on Saturday with two singles matches and will be followed by two reverse singles matches and the doubles match on Sunday.  To order tickets, visit www.ticketmaster.com or www.usta.com/fedcup, call (888) 334-8782 or visit the Chaifetz Arena Box Office.

April 19 – Kids' Bunny Run, Upper Muny Parking Lot, 9 a.m.

Children aged 4 to 12 and their parents are invited to hop over to Forest Park this Saturday for the Kids' Bunny Run that will step off at 10 a.m. from the Upper Muny Parking Lot.  The children will complete four silly themed challenges at stations along the Bunny Trail and will be awarded prizes.  At the completion of the run, a complimentary breakfast item and a beverage will be served.  Cost is $10 day of the event.  Questions?  Call (314) 495-5115 or visit the hopsrunstl.com web site.

April 20 – Eggstravaganza, Saint Louis Zoo, 9 a.m.

Everyone is invited to stop by the Saint Louis Zoo in beautiful Forest Park this Sunday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. to see zookeepers providing enriching "egg hunt" activities for the animals during the Zoo's Eggstravaganza event.  For more information, visit the stlzoo.org web site.

April 22 – Twilight Tuesdays Spring 2014 Concert Series, Missouri History Museum, 6 p.m.

Back by popular demand, the Missouri History Museum's Twilight Tuesdays Concert Series will resume Tuesday, April 22.  The free concert will run from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. on the Museum's front lawn on Lindell Boulevard at DeBaliviere in Forest Park.  The first concert will feature The Michael Fitzgerald Jazz Explosion in a tribute to Miles Davis and David Sanborn.  For the complete schedule of concerts, log on to the mohistory.org/twilight-Tuesdays web site.

April 23 - 27 -- Shake 38, various locations, various times

The Shakespeare Festival St. Louis Shake 38 initiative will launch Wednesday, April 23 at 10 a.m. in Tower Grove Park at the Shakespeare Statue with a performance from "King John."  All of Shakespeare's 38 plays will be performed by 38 different groups in a variety of neighborhoods and locations between April 23 and April 27.  For the complete schedule, visit the sfstl.com web site.

April 24 – Dining Out For Life, various locations, various times

Saint Louis Effort for AIDS is once again inviting St. Louisans to "Dine Out, Fight AIDS" on Thursday, April 24.  The annual "Dining Out For Life" fundraiser will take place at more than 150 area restaurants.  The establishments will donate some or all of their proceeds that day to Saint Louis Effort for AIDS.  For a list of participating businesses, visit the stlefa.org web site.

Save the Date

April 25 – Food Policy "Brown Bag" Speaker Series, Gateway Greening, Noon

April 26 – First Annual Financial Empowerment Fair, Harris-Stowe State University, 11 a.m.

April 26 – 2014 My Sister's Closet, Cardinal Ritter College Prep Gym, 10 a.m.

April 26 – The Color Run 5K, Downtown, 6 a.m.

April 26 – March of Dimes St. Louis March for Babies, Forest Park, 9 a.m.

April 26 – St. Louis ArtWorks Spring Sale, 2707 N. 14^th Street, 11 a.m.

April 26 – Grand Reopening Fest, Pets in the City, 11 a.m.

April 26 – National Dance Week Celebration, St. Louis Union Station, Noon

April 27 – St. Louis Earth Day, The Muny Grounds of Forest Park, 11 a.m.

April 27 – Party for the Planet, Saint Louis Zoo, 11 a.m.

April 27 – Off White Indie Wedding Show, The Old Post Office, 11:30 a.m.

April 27 – Lecture by Dr. Peter Raven, First Unitarian Church of St. Louis, 7 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.

Call for Artists

VP Parade Poster Contest – Showcase your artistic talent by participating in the 2014 Veiled Prophet Parade Poster Contest, sponsored by Artmart.  The winner will receive a $500 gift certificate redeemable at Artmart, and his or her poster will be professionally framed by Artmart, Inc.  The contest is open to all high school students in Missouri and Illinois.  Posters must be submitted no later than May 1, 2014.  You may find complete contest details at www.vpparade.org.

Historic Shaw Art Fair – Historic Shaw Art Fair is now accepting entries for the 22^nd Annual Juried Fine Arts and Fine Crafts Show to be held Oct. 4 & 5, 2014, on the beautiful tree-lined parkway of Flora Place.  Entry deadline is Saturday, April 19.  One hundred and thirty-five artists from across the country will be selected.  Booth fee is $280.  Interested parties may apply online at http://www.shawartfair.org/,  Questions?  Call (3134) 773-3935.

Col. Richard Gray