Public Safety Director's Spotlight - Beware Utility Scams

 

Beware Utility Scams

I want to begin this week's Spotlight by passing along a warning from the American Association of Retired Persons about criminals taking advantage of utility customers.  One common scam is contacting customers to tell them their utility account is overdue and saying that the utilities will be shut off unless the customer pays by credit or prepaid debit card immediately.  While they may seem legitimate, don't be fooled.  Another scam involves persons masquerading as utility company employees visiting your home without an appointment to conduct an "energy audit."  While one of the thieves distracts you, the other will ransack your home.  If you are ever approached by anyone attempting one of these scams, contact the utility company directly at the phone number listed on your bill.

 

 

Upcoming Events

June 7 – First Friday, Contemporary Art Museum, 5 p.m.

Enjoy an evening of art, music, and culture this Friday night.  Stop by the Contemporary Art Museum, 3750 Washington Avenue, in Grand Center from 5 – 9 p.m. and listen to music, take a tour and enjoy a cold beverage in the café.  Arts organizations throughout Grand Center will be free and open the entire evening.  For a complete list of participating institutions, visit the grandcenter.org web site.

June 8 – Flag Retirement Ceremony, Soldiers' Memorial, 10 a.m.

The American Legion 11^th and 12^th District will hold a Flag Retirement Ceremony this Saturday beginning at 10 a.m. at Soldiers' Memorial, 1315 Chestnut Street, in Downtown St. Louis.  Take a moment to stop by and join the members of the American Legion in this solemn ceremony.

June 8 & 9 – St. Louis Pagan Picnic, Tower Grove Park, 10 a.m.

This year marks the 21^st anniversary for the annual St. Louis Pagan Picnic in Tower Grove Park, Grand & Magnolia.  Participants will be able to enjoy artists, authors, musicians, workshops and rituals.  The picnic will run from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday and from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday. Visit the paganpicnic.org web site for a full schedule of events.

June 8 – Bevo Bash, 5028 Morgan Ford Road, 11 a.m.

This Saturday is the Bevo Bash from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at 5028 Morgan Ford Road in the Bevo Mill neighborhood.  Enjoy fun activities, entertainment, demonstrations, food, information booths and more. Invite your family and friends to join you at this fun event.

June 8 – Get F.I.T. Seminar, Carondelet Park Rec Complex, 10 a.m.

Southern Commercial Bank is inviting everyone to attend this free Get F.I.T. Seminar for Financial Independence Training.  Author Travis Freeman will discuss items of personal financing that affect your everyday life and can save you money over a lifetime.  To sign up, call (314) 768-9622.

June 8 – 2013 Soulard Concert Series, Soulard Market on the Plaza, 6 p.m.

The Soulard Business Association, with generous support from American Eagle Credit Union, Soulard Restoration Group and Mardi Gras, Inc., will be presenting the 2013 Soulard Concert Series this summer.  The series kicks off this Saturday with David Dee & the Hot Tracks performing from 6 – 9 p.m. at Soulard Market on the Plaza, Lafayette & 8th Street.  Bring your family and friends.  There will be food and beverages available for purchase.  For more information, visit the soulardinthecity.com web site.

June 8 – Tribute to the Women of Motown Concert, Pagoda Circle across from The Muny in Forest Park, 6 p.m.

To commemorate the 100^th anniversary of the St. Louis City NAACP chapter, the Missouri History Museum will present Cheryl Brown:  A Tribute to the Women of Motown this Saturday from 6 – 8 p.m. in Pagoda Circle across from The Muny in Forest Park.  The special concert is free and open to the public.  Invite your family and friends to join you for an evening of the great sounds of Motown.  For more details, visit the mohistory.org web site.

June 8 – Get Outdoors Under the Arch, Gateway Arch, 9 a.m.

The National Park Service is promoting outdoor activities and healthy lifestyles with its Get Outdoors event this Saturday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. under the Gateway Arch in Downtown St. Louis.  Activities will include bicycle safety, bicycle tours, walking tours, a climbing wall, fishing, exercise classes, information booths and more.  Visit our national park and have fun.  Need more info? Call (314) 655-1634.   

June 9 – Spring Picnic, St. Joseph Croatian Church, 11 a.m.

St. Joseph Croatian Catholic Church will hold its annual Spring Picnic this Sunday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.  Enjoy music, food and more.  Admission is free.  The church is located at 2112 S. 12^th Street in the Soulard neighborhood.  To learn more, call (314) 771-0958.

June 9 – Free Concert, Carondelet Park, 6 p.m.

The Carondelet Community Betterment Foundation will sponsor a free concert in Carondelet Park this Sunday, starting at 6 p.m. at the Bandstand off Loughborough. Bring your lawn chair, pack a picnic basket and enjoy the sounds of the Waterloo German Band.   For a complete list of the concert schedule, visit the carondeletliving.com web site.

June 9 – Science of the Circus, CenteneCenter, 11 a.m.

Want to learn the science behind many of your favorite circus acts?  Before the Sunday matinee of Circus Flora, the Science of the Circus will be presented from 11 a.m. to Noon this Sunday at Centene Center, 3547 Olive, 4^th floor.  The presentation is free.  Questions?  Call 314-533-8586 or visit the academyofsciencestl.org web site.

June 10 – Career Fair, Harris-Stowe State University, 9:30 a.m.

Congressman Wm. Lacy Clay (D) Missouri will present his Eighth Annual First District Career Fair on Monday, June 10 from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at Harris- Stowe State University's Emerson Physical Education and Performing Arts Center, located at 3026 Laclede Avenue in Midtown.  The fair will feature more than 100 of the St. Louis area's top employers and it's absolutely free.  Go towww.lacyclay.house.gov for more details.

June 15 – 17^th Annual Fatherhood Walk/5K Run and Rally, Tower Grove Park, 7:30 a.m.

The Fathers' Support Center of St. Louis and the Fatherhood Initiative Committee will host its 17^th Annual Fatherhood Walk/5K Run and Rally on Saturday, June 15 from 7:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Tower Grove Park, Grand Avenue entrance.  This year's theme is "Dads, Make the Difference."  Registration is $14.50.  For all the details, call (314) 333-4170.

June 15 – Susan G. Komen St. Louis Race for the Cure, Downtown St. Louis, 6:30 a.m.

This year marks the 15^th Annual Susan G. Komen St. Louis Race for the Cure which will take place on Saturday, June 15 in Downtown St. Louis.  Activities will run from 6:30 a.m. to 11 a.m.  Registration cost is $30.  The race raises funds for life-saving local breast health services and breast cancer research.  To learn more, call (314) 569-3900 or visit the komenstlouis.org web site.

Now – June 16, Twelfth Night, Forest Park, 8 p.m.

Shakespeare Festival St. Louis is presenting free performances of Twelfth Night at Shakespeare Glen in Forest Park beginning at 8 p.m. now through June 16 (excluding Tuesdays).  Open lawn seating will be available on a first-come, first-served basis.  Call (314) 531-9800 for more information or visit the sfstl.com web site.

Now - June 23 - Circus Flora, Grand Center, various times

In its 27th big top production, St. Louis' own Circus Flora will go where no circus has gone before:  to the moon.  Based on the 1902 movie, "A Trip to the Moon," this 2013 production will mesmerize audiences with its visual styling, costuming and narrative elements.  Ticket prices start at $10 and the production will run through June 23.  Visit the circusflora.org web site for all the details.

 

Save the Date

June 14 – Bowling FUN(draiser), Flamingo Bowl, 6 p.m.

June 15 – Tour De Plants Bicycle Tour, Bell Demonstration Garden, 8:30 a.m.

June 15 – Kids Night Out, Carondelet Park Rec Complex, 6:45 p.m.

June 17 – Free Concert, Tower Grove Park, 7:30 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 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.

 

Last Call For Grant Applications

In closing, I want to pass along a reminder from Catherine Werner, the City's Sustainability Director, that the deadline for grant applications for the first Sustainability Neighborhood Small Grant Competition is Saturday, June 15^th.  For more information, visit the sustainableneighborhood.net web site.

  

Charlene Deeken
Director of Public Safety
City of St. Louis