Public Safety Director's Spotlight - Building an Emergency Kit

 

Are You Prepared?

National Preparedness Month started on September 1^st.  This year's theme is "Be Disaster Aware, Take Action to Prepare."  The focus for next week is "How to Build an Emergency Kit."  If you do not have a basic disaster supplies kit, I encourage you to take this opportunity to start building one today.  A basic emergency kit could include the following recommended items:

• Water, one gallon of water per person per day for at least three days, for drinking and sanitation
• Food, at least a three-day supply of non-perishable food
• Battery-powered or hand crank radio and a NOAA Weather Radio with tone alert and extra batteries for both
• Flashlight and extra batteries
• First aid kit
• Whistle to signal for help
• Dust mask to help filter contaminated air and plastic sheeting and duct tape to shelter-in-place
• Moist towelettes, garbage bags and plastic ties for personal sanitation
• Wrench or pliers to turn off utilities
• Manual can opener for food
• Cell phone with chargers, inverter or solar charger

For more recommendations on what to have on hand in the event of an emergency, visit the ready.gov web site.

Upcoming Events

Sept. 12 – Food Truck Friday, Tower Grove Park, 4 p.m.

The Fourth Annual 2014 Sauce Food Truck Friday Series continues this Friday in Tower Grove Park from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.  Invite your family and friends to join you for this fun evening of feasting on St. Louis' finest food truck cuisine.  Arrive early, dare to try something new and savor the experience.

Sept. 12 –14 – St. Louis World's Fare – Heritage Festival & Games, Forest Park,4 p.m.

All are welcome to experience this unique celebration of St. Louis history as the magical energy of the 1904 World's Fair is rekindled in Forest Park at the St. Louis World's Fare –Heritage Festival & Games.  Come celebrate the 110^th anniversary of the 1904 World's Fair and Olympics and the 250^th Birthday of the City of St. Louis.  The event will run from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. Friday and will open at 10 a.m. on both Saturday and Sunday.  Need more information?  Call (314) 367-7275.

Sept. 13 – Jazz on the Greenway, Ruth Porter Park, Noon

Don't miss "Jazz on the Greenway" this Saturday from Noon to 4 p.m. at Ruth Porter Mall Park, Delmar &DeBaliviere.  Come walk, jog, or bike and enjoy food, live jazz, dance workshops and other fun activities.

Sept. 13 – Free Concert, Lafayette Park, 6 p.m.

The Funky Butt Brass Band will be performing this Saturday from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. in Lafayette Park, SE corner.  Bring your family and friends with you to enjoy this free concert in beautiful Lafayette Park.  The St. Louis Classic Cocktail Party will also be taking place in the park from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.  For all the details, visit the LafayetteSquare.org web site.

Sept. 13 – Public Media Commons Opening, 3653 Olive, 7 p.m.

The grand opening of the Public Media Commons at 3653 Olive Street in Grand Center will take place this Saturday.  The party will begin at 7 p.m. and will include dynamic video on the big screens, interactive experiences, entertainment, food trucks, live music and more!  The event is free, but tickets are limited.  Visit the grandcenter.org web site for more information.

Sept. 13 – CHIPS Health and Wellness Center 14^th Annual Run/Walk, 2431 N. Grand, 7 a.m.

The annual CHIPS Health and Wellness Center Run/Walk will take place this Saturday from 7 a.m. to Noon.  This popular family event draws hundreds of people from all over the metropolitan area to compete in the 5K race, or enjoy a stroll on the 5K route or the 1 mile fun walk.  The Run/Walk will be followed by a Community Health Festival which will include free health screenings, vendor displays, refreshments, games for children, raffle prizes and entertainment from local performers.  To register for the 5K and for more information, visit http://www.chipsstl.org/.

Sept. 13 – Rock the Block:  A Skinker DeBaliviere Better Block Project, Greg Freeman Four Corners Park, Noon

An exciting and transformational event will take place this Saturday along Des Peres Avenue, between Delmar & Kingsbury / Greg Freeman Park, from Noon to 4 p.m.  Everyone is invited to stop by "Rock the Block:  A Skinker DeBaliviere Better Block Project."  Using very little money, zero permanent infrastructure and lots of community support, the project will demonstrate what is possible in the Skinker DeBaliviere neighborhood.  The activities planned for the day include many ideas that came out of the community's recent planning initiatives.  Questions?  Call (314) 862-5122.

Sept. 13 – Gateway Greening Cleanup Project, Bell Garden, 10 a.m.

Calling all kids and families! You're invited to the fun family-friendly volunteer project at Gateway Greening's Bell Garden in Midtown this Saturday from 10 a.m. to Noon.  There will be tasks for everyone ages 2 and up!  It will be a great opportunity for adults, teens and kids to partner together in service for our community.  For more information and to register, call (314) 968-7744.

Sept. 13 & 14 – Fiesta on Cherokee, 2800 Cherokee Street, 11 a.m.

Fiesta on Cherokee will be held this Saturday and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. on both days.  Stop by the 2800 block of Cherokee and celebrate all the cultures on Cherokee Street.  Some of the traditional fiesta fare will feature fajitas, chimichangas, margaritas, piña colada, corn on the cob and ice cream.  There also will be booths specializing in many culinary delights from Mexico.

Sept. 14 – Free Concert, Benton Park, 3 p.m.

Invite your friends and neighbors to join you for the Free Concert this Sunday in Benton Park –Lakeside, Jefferson & Arsenal.  The concert will feature Sarah Jane and the Blue Notes from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m.  Bring your lawn chairs, blanket, picnic basket and enjoy a great afternoon in the park.  For more information, visit the bpnastl.org web site.

Sept. 16 – Twilight Tuesdays Concert Series, Missouri History Museum lawn, 6 p.m.

The Fall 2014 Twilight Tuesdays Concert Series is currently underway.  From 6 –8 p.m. each Tuesday, enjoy a free concert on the front lawn of the Missouri History Museum, Lindell and DeBaliviere.  For the complete schedule of concerts, visit the mohistory.org web site.

Sept. 19 – Sixth Annual International Dine Around, on South Grand between Arsenal and Utah Place, 5 p.m.

Get your taste buds ready for an array of great foods from around the world all on South Grand.  The Sixth Annual International Dine Around is scheduled for Thursday, Sept. 18 from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m.  South Grand will be hosting an international progressive dinner at participating venues.  Cost will be $35 day of the event for your choice of an appetizer, entrée, dessert, drink, and a wild card to choose another course besides entree.  For a complete listing of participating establishments, menu and to register in advance and save $5, visit www.southgrand.org.

Sept. 20 – POW/MIA Ceremony and March to the Arch, starts at Soldiers' Memorial, Noon

Make plans now to attend the POW/MIA Ceremony at Noon on Saturday, Sept. 20 at Soldiers' Memorial, 1315 Chestnut, followed by a March to the Arch, in remembrance of all POWs and MIAs.  For more information, visit https://www.stlouis-mo.gov/government/departments/public-service/Soldiers_Memorial/index.cfm

Save the Date

Sept. 19 – Movie Night, Ritz Park, 8 p.m.

Sept. 19 – Park(ing) Day, any metered space in the City of St. Louis, 10 a.m.

Sept. 19 – Webster University's Centennial Celebration Kick-Off, Old Post Office Plaza, 11 a.m.

Sept. 19 – Third Friday event, Third Degree Glass Factory, 6 p.m.

Sept. 19 – Balloon Glow, Forest Park, 7 p.m.

Sept. 20 – The Great Forest Park Balloon Race, Central Field in Forest Park, 3:30 p.m.

Sept. 20 – Run for the Hills 5K, Francis Park, 8 a.m.

Sept. 20 – Lewis Place Festival, Lewis Place Parkway at Marcus, 11 a.m.

Sept. 20 – South Grand Fall Fest, on Grand from Humphrey to Arsenal, 10 a.m.

Sept. 20 – Dogtown Street Musicians Festival, on Tamm between West Park and Clayton Avenue, Noon

Sept. 20 – Dutchtown Better Block event, 4700 block of Virginia, 4 p.m.

Sept. 20 & 21 –Lebanese Festival, St. Raymond's Maronite Cathedral, 6 p.m.

Sept. 20 & 21 – Soulard Art Fair, Soulard Market Park, 10 a.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.

#Plant4PeaceSTL

Calling all neighborhood groups and community advocates!  Five hundred trees are available for community plantings throughout the region on Sunday, Oct. 5 for the "Plant for Peace" initiative.  It will be a day of service, a day of reflection and a day for rooting peace, unity and equity in the communities in the St. Louis region as hundreds of trees are planted in solidarity in the aftermath of the events that unfolded in Ferguson last month.  Interested groups and individuals should reserve their free trees online as soon as possible at www.Plant4PeaceSTL.org.  Questions?  Call (314) 622-4114.

Col. Richard Gray

Director of Public Safety

City of St. Louis

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