Public Safety Director's Spotlight - Sustainability Summit II

Mayor's Sustainability Summit II Community Workshops

As part of the Mayor's Sustainability Planning process, the City of St. Louis is inviting everyone to attend any of three Mayor's Sustainability Summit II Community Workshops next Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.  The workshops are free and open to the public. Your input and participation in a workshop is important, and I encourage you to register for the one that best meets your schedule.  

*     Tuesday, May 8, 6:30 – 8:30 p.m. at the Dennis & Judith Jones Visitor & Education Center, 5595 Grand Drive in Forest Park (southeast of the History Museum)

*     Wednesday, May 9, 6:30 – 8:30 p.m. at Bevo-Long Community Education Full Service School, 5028 Morganford Road (parking available in rear; enter at Doors #7 & #10)

*     Thursday, May 10, 6:30 – 8:30 p.m. at Friendly Temple Missionary Baptist Church, 5515 Dr. Martin Luther King Drive.

To register, please visit http://stlouis-mo.gov/sustainability/

 

Upcoming Events

May 4 & 5 – Annual St. Louis Microfest Beer Festival, Forest Park

St. Louis' Premiere Craft Beer-Tasting Festival returns for its 17^th year on May 4^th and 5^th in Forest Park's Upper Muny parking lot.  Sample more than 80 craft beers and 50 international beers.  Features include the Brewer Olympics, Homebrew Competition, live music and more.  All proceeds benefit Lift For Life Gym, a non-profit organization serving St. Louis City children.  Prices range from $30 - $54.  Festival hours: 7 – 10 p.m. on Friday and Noon – 4 p.m. & 6-10 p.m. on Saturday.  For all the details, visit the web site at http://www.stlmicrofest.org/ or call (314) 588-0007.

May 5 – 10^th Annual Mary Meachum Freedom Crossing Celebration, North Riverfront Trail

Come experience Missouri history and its role in the Underground Railroad.  The 10^th Annual Freedom Crossing will include a fully-costumed historical reenactment of the events of May 21, 1855, when a party of nine enslaved Africans crossed the Mississippi River to Illinois in an attempt to make a daring "flight to freedom."  Entertainment will begin at Noon and the reenactment will take place at 3 p.m.  The event will also feature a group bike ride (departing at 11 a.m.), bike rodeo, live music, cultural acts, food vendors, and exhibits.  The Mary Meachum Freedom Crossing Site is located at 28 E. Prairie Avenue near the Riverfront Trail.  For more details, go to http://www.confluencegreenway.org/ or call (314) 436-1324.

May 5 – Free Nonviolence Workshop, Schlafly Branch Library

A free Nonviolence Workshop for adults 18 and older will be hosted by the Building Life Foundation's Nonviolence Center this Saturday.  The Workshop will run from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and will take place at the Schlafly Branch Library at 225 N. Euclid Avenue in the trendy Central West End neighborhood.  If you plan to attend, please RSVP to BLF@charter.net.

May 5 – Cinco de Mayo on Cherokee Street

The 2012 Cinco de Mayo Festival on Cherokee Street will feature a wide variety of live entertainment, live art demonstrations by Cherokee Street based artists, and a one-of-a-kind grassroots parade of colorful floats, home made costumes, marching bands, gigante puppets, art cars, bike brigades, and more.  The parade will start at Cherokee and Minnesota at 1:11 p.m.  See the web site at http://www.cincodemayostl.com/  for the parade route and more information.

May 5 – Tower Grove Farmer's Market Opens for the Season

The Tower Grove Farmers' Market in Tower Grove Park (west of the Whitaker Theater at the Pool Pavilion) will kick off its 7^th season this Saturday, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., with 80 vendors, free yoga, live music and more!  For all the particulars, visit the web site at http://www.tgmarket.org/ .

May 5 – 2^nd Annual Run/Walk to benefit Northside Community Center, Tower Grove Park

The Second Annual "Speedy Feet Help Seniors Eat" 1-Mile ~ 5K Run/Walk will be held on Saturday at the Sons of Rest Pavilion in Tower Grove Park.  Proceeds will benefit the Northside Community Center.  For registration information, call (314) 531-4161 or register online at http://www.northsidecommunitycenter.net/ or http://www.bigriverrunning.com/ . 

May 5 & 6 – Brightside St. Louis' Blitz 2012 Continues

Project Blitz, Brightside St. Louis' annual campaign to clean up city neighborhoods finishes up this weekend.  Blitz is a great time to join your neighbors to clean up the streets, alleys and vacant lots on your block and in your immediate neighborhood.  The focus for this weekend will be Region 1 North (bounded by Natural Bridge on the north; Taylor on the east; Metrolink & Lindell on the south, & the city limits on the west) and Region 1 South (bounded by Meramec & Chippewa on the north; Mississippi River on the east; city limits on the south, & Gravois & Kingshighway on the west).  To learn more, call (314) 772-4646.

May 6 – Morganford Pet Parade

It's back and it's better than before.  Come join in the wild, wild Western fun at the 2012 Morganford Pet Parade that will take place this Sunday on Morganford Street, between Wyoming & Arsenal.  Festivities will start at 12:30 p.m. and include music, vendor booths, BBQ, pet adoptions, raffles, prizes, live dance performances and, of course, the parade, which will step off at 1:30 p.m.  Proceeds will benefit Companions Forever Pet Rescue, A.P.A. & Animal House Cat Rescue.  For information and pre-registration, go to http://www.morganfordpetparade.com/ . 

May 6 – Knock Out Violence Trivia and Silent Auction, Nadine's in Soulard

Pets in the City and Nadine's Gin Joint are joining forces on Sunday to help cover the rest of a co-worker's hospital bill through this Knock Out Violence Trivia and Silent Auction event.  Your entry fee of $15 includes trivia, some drinks, a good time, and feeling happy that you helped.  Money raised in excess of the medical bill will go directly to Progressive Youth Connection, an organization in St. Louis that works to prevent youth violence.  Trivia will begin at 2 p.m. Nadine's is located at 1931 S. 12^th Street in the Soulard neighborhood.  Questions?  Call (314) 772-7387.

May 8 - Twilight Tuesday Concert Series, Missouri History Museum

A favorite of many St. Louisans, the Twilight Tuesday Concert Series at the Missouri History Museum in beautiful Forest Park takes place at 6 p.m. every Tuesday, weather permitting, on the museum's front lawn.  Admission is free.  The series will run through June 12.  For a complete list of performers, visit www.mohistory.org/ .

May 9 - Wednesday Night Out (Downtown-wide Happy Hour)

The Wednesday Night Out Downtown-wide Happy Hour event is back by popular demand this year.  Every Wednesday night, May – August, from 4 – 7 p.m. at participating Downtown restaurants and bars, take advantage of dining specials.  Invite your friends and co-workers to join you after work at one of the great night spots in Downtown St. Louis.

May 19 – Bark in the Park, Forest Park

The Humane Society of Missouri and Purina^® ONE will present Bark in the Park, the largest dog festival in the Midwest on Saturday, May 19.  The annual dog walk and festival will run from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Cricket Field in Forest Park.  The family and pet-friendly event will feature entertainment, food, activities and fun – all while benefiting the Animal Cruelty Fund.  The Walk for Animals will begin at 11 a.m. and will be led by the 2012 Bark in the Park Mascot, G.I. Joe, and his entourage.  Registration is $25 for adults and $5 for kids age 15 and under and includes an official Bark in the Park t-shirt.  Kids under three and pets are free!  For more information and to register, visit http://www.hsmo.org/bark.

June 2 – 6^th Annual TPNA 5K Run and 1-Mile Walk, Tilles Park

The Tilles Park Neighborhood Association (TPNA) is hosting this 5K Run and 1-Mile Walk, which is part of the South City Racing Series.  The race begins in front of St. Louis City's Tilles Park (Hampton & Marquette) and travels through the charming streets of the Tilles Park Neighborhood.  A free kids' fun run will also take place in the Park.  Highlights include:  chip timing for the 5K run, cash prizes to the top three male and female 5K winners, awards to the top finishers in each 5K age group, event t-shirt to 5K and 1-mile walk participants, and a raffle ticket for prizes after the race.  Stick around after the races for the TPNA neighborhood party, too!  Pre-registration is taking place now through May 19^th.  The official and electronic entry forms, along with more information about the race, may be found at http://www.tpnanews.com or http://www.bigriverrunning.com.

May 21 – Monday Night Beer Dinner, Civil Life Brewing Company

The Civil Life Brewing Company and the Iron Barley are co-presenting a Monday Night Beer Dinner on May 21 at the Civil Life Brewing Company's location at 3714 Holt Avenue.  The event will start at 6 p.m.  Formal tasting of the beers paired with food will be from 6:30 – 7:30 p.m. with commentary so those in attendance will learn while they sip and sup.  The event will also feature brewery tours, a raffle, and entertainment by the Lulus, RFT Best of St. Louis – 2011 Best Folk Band, from 7:30 – 9 p.m.  All proceeds will benefit Grand Oak Hill and help support its many programs such as its Senior Center, Management Assistance Program, Citizens on Patrol, and Home Repair Program. Tickets are $50 per person and are available via http://www.BrownPaperTicket.com/ - event #239499.

 

Save the Date

May 11 – Art Walk, Grand Center

May 11 – Food Truck Friday, Tower Grove Park

May 12 – Tour de Grove

May 13 – Trailnet's South Grand Mother's Day Bicycle Ride

 

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.

 

SLMPD Citizens Academy

In closing, I want to pass along a little information about the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department Citizens Academy.  The 10-week course provides citizens with the opportunity to learn about police history, the challenges that officers face on the job, and how they can strengthen their neighborhoods and assist the police.  If you're interested in learning about the history of the Department and more, the Fall Session of the Citizens Academy will accept applicants this summer.  Contact Sergeant Catherine Dennis at citizensacademy@slmpd.org or (314) 444-5638 for more information. 

 

Eddie Roth

Director of Public Safety

City of St. Louis