Public Safety Director's Spotlight - Bond Issue on the Ballot August 4th

 

Bond Issue on the Ballot August 4th

Residents of the City of St. Louis will be asked to vote on a $180 million General Obligation bond on Tuesday, Aug. 4.  The bonds will pay for pressing needs of the Fire and Police departments, streets and bridge repairs, derelict building demolition and building preservation, municipal court improvements, corrections department updating, and other city building improvements and service vehicle replacements.  Specific projects include:

• The replacement of Fire trucks
• Upgrades to jail security systems
• A new centralized and secure 9-1-1 dispatch center
• As well as funding for neighborhood projects and recreation centers

The City has not gone to the voters for a major general obligation bond since 1999.  You can ensure the funding of vital capital needs throughout the City by considering and approving this on Tuesday, August 4^th.

Upcoming Events

July 24 – St. LouisArt Museum Outdoor Film Services, Art Hill in Forest Park, 6 p.m.

Come enjoy the outdoors, fantastic food, great live music, and some of your favorite movies at St. Louis Art Museum's Third Annual Outdoor Film Series.  Relax and picnic at the base of Art Hill this Friday and indulge in offerings of food trucks as the featured film, "Clueless" plays on an enormous screen for all to see.  The food trucks and music will start at 6 p.m.  The film will begin promptly at 9 p.m.  To learn more, visit http://www.slam.org/filmseries/ .

Every Friday, May – September – Lunchtime Live, OldPostOfficePlaza, 801 Locust, 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

Lunchtime Live is Downtown's premier outdoor lunchtime party that features live bands, food trucks and great networking opportunities.  Invite your co-workers to join you at this fun way to spend your lunch hour.  For more information, visit the downtownstl.org web site.

Every Friday – STLive on Washington Avenue, participating venues on Washington Avenue in Downtown St. Louis, 5 p.m.

Washington Avenue is alive with the sound of music every Friday night all year 'round at various Washington Avenue restaurants such as Tigin, Pi, Robust, Takaya, Dubliner, Copia, Flamingo Bowl, Hair of the Dog, Blondie's, Lucas Park Grille, Rosalita's, Wash Ave Post, Hiro Asian Kitchen, Sen Thai and many more.  Restaurants offer drink and dinner specials in addition to the live music.  All genres of music – from pop to jazz to country to rock -- are represented.  There is something for everyone to enjoy.  For more information, visit the STLiveMusic page on Facebook.

July 25 – Health Fair & Back-2-School Supply Giveaway, Union Tabernacle M.B. Church, 626 North Newstead Avenue, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Union Tabernacle M.B. Church will be holding its annual Health Fair & Back-2-School Supply Giverway this Saturday.  Free health screenings, educational booths and many resources will be available at the health fair.  The goal of the event is to inform members of the community about resources available to them and also to educate community members about healthy lifestyles and disease prevention.  There will be lots of fun activities for the children.Free lunch will be proved and school supplies will be distribute after lunch to health fair participants. Questions?  Email Bridget Franklin at bjfranklin73@gmail.com

July 25 – A March to Promote Peace, Demetrious Johnson Foundation Center, 724 N. Union Boulevard, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The Demetrious Johnson Community Foundation, Places for People, St. Louis Public Schools and numerous other organizations, elected officials, human service agencies, professionals, activists, youth and cultural/grassroots organizations will be convening a March to Promote Peace, Justice and Healing this Saturday.  The March for Peace will begin at 8:30 a.m. at the Demetrious Johnson Community Foundation.  Following the march for peace, educational panels will address various issues.  Throughout the day, children will be entertained outdoors with fun-filled activities.  For more information, contact Khatib Waheed at (314) 721-0557.

July 25 – Free Movie, LafayettePark, SE Corner, 7 p.m.

Join your neighbors for an evening of fun activities followed by a screening of "Beetlejuice" this Saturday in a beautiful Lafayette Park.  The fun will begin at 7 p.m. with the film starting at 8:30 p.m. For more information, visit the lafayettesquare.org web site.

July 26 – Free Concert, BentonPark, Arsenal & South Jefferson, 3 to 6 p.m.

Stop by Benton Park this Sunday afternoon for a free concert by Samba Bom.  Food and beverages will be available for purchase.  For all the details, visit the bentonpark.org web site.

July 26 – Free Concert, Ivory Perry Park, 800 N. Belt, 6 to 8 p.m.

Bring your chairs to sit under the tent or a blanket to spread on the lawn and come to Ivory Perry Park this Sunday to enjoy a free concert.  Vendors will be on site with food for purchase.  Get details on the bands at the ivoryperrypark.com web site.

Every Sunday through August 2 -- Sunday Serenades, Francis Park, Eichelberger and Donovan, 7:30 p.m.

The Compton Heights Concert Band is once again presenting its Sunday Serenades Concert Series in Francis Park.  Enjoy Joyous Traditional Jazz and Heartbreaking Blues on July 26.  Join your neighbors for a lively night of entertainment in a beautiful park. To learn more, visit the chband.org web site.

July 26 – Free Concert, CarondeletPark, 6 to 8 p.m.

The Carondelet Community Betterment Federation is presenting its 27^th Annual Concerts in the Park Series now through Aug. 23^rd.  Each concert is free to the public.  Bring your blanket and friends and join the fun at the performance by Big Little Big Band this Sunday in Carondelet Park.  For details about the concerts at Carondelet Park and others that will be held in South St. Louis Square Park, Fanetti Park and Bellerive Park throughout the summer, visit www.carondeletliving.com.

Every Monday through August 3 –  Musical Mondays, TowerGrovePark, Magnolia & S. Grand, 7:30 p.m.

The Compton Heights Concert Band is once again presenting its Musical Mondays Concert Series in Tower Grove Park.  Enjoy Joyous Traditional Jazz and Heartbreaking Blues on July 27.  Join your neighbors for a lively night of entertainment in a beautiful park.  To learn more, visit the chband.org web site.

July 27 – Free Concert, BellerivePark, 5570 South Broadway, 7 to 9 p.m.

Bring your chairs, blankets and friends to Bellerive Park on Monday, July 27 for a free concert by Dennis Stroughmatt et L'Esprit Creole.  The Carondelet Summer Concerts in the Park Series is a longstanding annual celebration of diverse music, hosting local musicians at various parks in the Carondelet neighborhood each week.  For more information, visit the carondeletliving.com web site.

July 28 – Free Concert, Fanetti Park, Michigan & Ivory, 7 to 9 p.m.

Bring your chairs, blankets and friends to Fanetti Park on Tuesday, July 28 for a free concert by Sarah Jane and the Blue Notes.  The Carondelet Summer Concerts in the Park Series is a longstanding annual celebration of diverse music, hosting local musicians at various parks in the Carondelet neighborhood each week.  For more information, visit the carondeletliving.com web site.

July 28 – Last Tuesday with Trailnet, OldPostOfficePlaza, 8^th & Locust, 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

Invite your co-workers to join you on Tuesday, July 28 for the Last Tuesday with Trailnet event at Old Post Office Plaza in exciting Downtown St. Louis.  The lunchtime concerts are held every last Tuesday through the summer.  For more information, visit the trailnet.org web site.

Every Wednesday – Wednesday Lunch Free Concert Series, Citygarden, 10^th & Market, 11:45 a.m. to 12:45 p.m.

The Wednesday Lunch bands at Citygarden have returned and perform every Wednesday through Aug. 26.  Refreshments will be served. Stop by and catch the performance by Bottoms Up Blues Gang on Wednesday, July 29.  Visit the citygardenstl.org web site for more details.

July 29 – Little Miss Sunshine screening, Maryland Plaza Fountainside, Central West End, Sunset Start

The Movies on the Plaza Series will continue on Wednesday, July 29 with a screening of the hit movie, "Little Miss Sunshine."  Invite your family and friends to a fun evening Fountainside in Maryland Plaza in the Central West End.  For more information visit www.marylandplaza.com .

Now through August 23 – Lantern Festival:  Magic Reimagined, MissouriBotanical Garden, 4344 Shaw Boulevard, times vary

This year's Lantern Festival:Magic Reimagined has brought all-new lighted works of art to the Missouri Botanical Garden for the summer.  The all-new sets crafted from silk and steel are once again offering visitors from around the world the opportunity to experience an event rarely staged outside of Asia.  For ticket information, visit the missouribotanicalgarden.org web site or call (314) 678-7442.

Save the Date

Aug. 1 – The Grove Criterium, Manchester & Newstead, Noon

Aug. 1 – A Walk in 1875 St. Louis Exhibit, Missouri History Museum, 5700 Lindell Boulevard, regular business hours

Aug. 1 & 2 – SerbFest 2015, Holy Trinity Serbian Eastern Orthodox Church, 1910 Serbian Drive, 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Aug. 2 – The Wedding Show, America's Center, 701 Convention Plaza, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Aug. 2 – Budweiser Burger Battle, Kaufmann Park, 13^th and Chestnut, Noon to 4 p.m.

Aug. 2 – Orchid Auction, Missouri Botanical Garden, 4344 Shaw Blvd., Noon to 5 p.m.

Aug. 4 – Skinker-DeBaliviere Concert Series, Lucier Park, Hamilton and Westminster, 6 to 9 p.m.

Aug. 4 – National Night Out, various neighborhoods, 5 to 10 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.

Compton Hill Water Tower

The Compton Hill Water Tower in Reservoir Park, located at Shaw and South Grand, will be open Friday, July 31^st from 5:30 p.m. to 11:30 p.m. for adventurers who want to climb the 179-foot architectural gem to take in the stunning, all-direction views of the City that are available to the public from atop the Tower.  For more details, as well as a history of this City landmark, go to www.watertowerfoundatin.org/.

Col. Richard Gray

Director of Public Safety

City of St. Louis