Public Safety Director's Spotlight - Ready STL Campaign

Being Prepared for an Emergency

In conjunction with Missouri Severe Weather Awareness Week this week, the Department of Public Safety’s City Emergency Management Agency (CEMA) has kicked off the Ready STL Campaign to encourage everyone to sign up for the free emergency alert service provided through Nixle.  Tornado season will soon be upon us, and it is vital to have a source of credible information during a time of emergency.  To receive emergency text messages on your cell phone, simply text STLCEMA to 888777 from your cell phone.  For more service options, you may register through the web site www.Nixle.com.  If you have any questions, call CEMA Commissioner Gary Christmann at (314) 622-3501 ext. 1.

Upcoming Events

March 15 – 17 – 2012 NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships

The St. Louis Sports Commission estimates more than 18,000 fans will attend each session of the upcoming 2012 NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships at Scottrade Center over the next few days.  For ticket information, visit http://www.scottradecenter.com .

March 16 – Third Friday Free Party, Third Degree Glass Factory

Watch glassblowers gather hot molten glass and blow it into glass art at the Third Friday Free Party.  Then make a paperweight, fused jewelry, shamrock glass tile or beads ($25 - $35) as a keepsake of your visit.  The group Trip Daddys will perform at 8 p.m.  Third Degree Glass Factory is located at 5200  Delmar Blvd. in the trendy Central West End neighborhood.  For more information, visit http://www.thirddegreeglassfactory.com .

March 16 – St. James AME Fish Fry

Many St. Louisans have their favorite Friday Night Fish Fry to stop by during the Fridays in Lent.  For those of you who might be interested in a lunch time Fish Fry, St. James AME will hold its Friday Fish Fry from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. this Friday.  Hosted by the Tagger-Richardson Women’s Missionary Society, diners have a choice of Jack, Fillet or Catfish Nuggets and two sides for $10.  The church is located at 4301 St. Ferdinand in The Ville neighborhood.

March 17 – St. Patrick's Day Parade, Downtown

The Annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade will take place in Downtown St. Louis on Saturday.  It will step off at 11:30 a.m. from 18^th and Market Streets, proceed east on Market to Broadway and then south on Broadway where it will disband.  The parade will feature more than 120 units, including bands, large helium-filled balloons, elaborate floats, marching bands, dance groups, animal units and more!  For all the particulars, visit http://www.irishparade.org .

March 17 – St. Patrick's Day Parade, Dogtown

The Annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade in Dogtown will also take place on Saturday.  The parade will step off from Oakland and Tamm at 12:30 p.m., and proceed south on Tamm to Manchester where it will disband.  For all the activities planned in Dogtown for St. Pat’s Day, visit the website at http://www.stlhibernians.com .

March 17 – St. Patrick’s Day Concert, Union Station

In honor of St. Pat’s Day, St. Louis Union Station will celebrate with a concert on the south Plaza Lake Stage, from 12:30 – 4:30 p.m.  Bring your family and friends and enjoy.

March 17 – St. Patrick's Day Dinner, Five Star Senior Center

Everyone is always looking for a place to go for a Corned Beef & Cabbage Dinner after the St. Paddy’s Day Parade.  Let Five Star Senior Center be your after parade stop this year.  Dinners will be served from 1 – 7 p.m. on Saturday.  Cost is $7 for a dinner and $4 for a sandwich.  The Center is located at 2832  Arsenal Street in the Benton Park West neighborhood.

March 17 – St. Patrick's Day Dinner, Lafayette Park Methodist United

Enjoy corned beef or roast beef at the St. Patrick’s Day Dinner on Saturday, hosted by Lafayette Park United Methodist Church.  Adult tickets are $8.  Dinners will be served from Noon to 7 p.m.  The church is located at 2300  Lafayette Avenue in the picturesque Lafayette  Square neighborhood.

Save the Date

March 23-25 – NCAA Basketball, Edward Jones Dome

March 24 – The BEST Trivia Night in St. Louis, German Cultural Center

March 24 – Czech Festival, American Czech Education Center

March 24 – 7^th Annual St. Louis Walk for Wishes, Forest  Park

March 24 – 4^th Annual Confluence Trash Bash

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 rothe@stlouiscity.com or to Cathy Smentkowski at smentkowskic@stlouiscity.com 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.

Emergency Preparedness Academy

In closing, I want to pass along a reminder that March 20 is the deadline to register for American Red Cross Emergency Preparedness Academy at Edward Jones, Hwy. 270 & Dorsett on Tuesday, March 27.  Join business, government, nonprofit and academic leaders from around the Midwest to learn more about the importance of private sector and personal emergency preparedness within your organization.  Discussion topics will be geared toward businesses, organizations, faith-based groups and general interest.  For a detailed list of session topics and speakers, visit http://www.preparednessacademystl.com .

Eddie Roth

Director of Public Safety

City of St.  Louis