Public Safety Director's Spotlight - Coping With Extreme Heat

Coping with Extreme Heat

Summer is here and that means more fun in the outdoors, but also the need to stay aware when the temperature gets excessive.  As Missouri Summer Weather Safety Week comes to a close, this is a good time to remember a few tips to keep this summer safe and healthy:

• Drink plenty of water, even if you do not feel thirsty (check with your doctor if you are normally supposed to limit your fluids).
• Stay in air-conditioned space if possible.
• Pace yourself in outside activities.
• Wear lightweight and light-colored, loose-fitting clothing.
• Check regularly on those who are at high risk of heat-related illness, including elderly, chronically ill or incapacitated relatives, neighbors and friends.
• Never leave anyone or any pet in a parked vehicle.

Upcoming Events

June 27 -- Open Studios STL Kick-off Party, Contemporary Art Museum, 6 p.m.

More than 150 artist studios will be open to the public over the course of this weekend.  Explore on your own, take guided tours, enjoy special events, and get to know St. Louis' artists.  A printed map will be available at Contemporary Art Museum (CAM).  Stop by the Open Studios STL Kick-off Party at CAM, 3450 Washington Boulevard in Grand Center this Friday beginning at 6 p.m. or visit the openstudios-stl.org web site for more information.

June 27 -- Fourth Friday Happy Hour Concert, Historic Trinity Lutheran Church, 5:30 p.m.

Each fourth Friday of the month, Historic Trinity Lutheran Church will hold a Happy Hour Concert from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m.  Enjoy a free half-hour concert by local organists on Trinity's newly renovated pipe organ, followed by a reception in the Parish House. The church is located at 1805 S. Eighth Street in the Soulard neighborhood. Call (314) 231-4092 for more information.

June 28 -- The Macklind Mile, South City YMCA, 8 a.m.

The Macklind Mile is one of St. Louis' most unique races.  Presented by Big River Running Company, it is the area's largest one mile road race with nearly 1,500 registrants.  Almost anyone can muster this fun one-mile route. Whether you'll be running or walking, the downhill course from the South City YMCA, 3150 Sublette, to Big River Running Company located at Macklind and Devonshire is sure to please. Registration cost is $25.  To learn more, call (636) 527-9700.

June 28 -- St. LouisAllCity Boxing, Koken Exhibition Hall, 5:30 p.m.

St. Louis All City Boxing will present a night of amateur boxing this Saturday at the Koken Exhibition Hall, 2655 Victor Street in the Fox Park neighborhood.  The gym provides a comprehensive program for youth and young adults.  Cost will be $15 at the door.  The matches will begin at 5:30 p.m.  Invite your friends to join you for a fun evening to support the talented athletes.  Need more information?  Email stlacb@gmail.com.

June 28 -- BBQ Concert with Non-Stop Reggae, Greg Freeman Four Corners Park, 6 p.m.

The 2014 Skinker-DeBaliviere BBQ Concert Series will kick off this Saturday with a performance by Non-Stop Reggae, one of St. Louis' best-known reggae bands.  Everyone is invited to stop by to enjoy the performance of classic and modern reggae dance hits.  Skinker DeBalieviere's Famous BBQ will be available for sale. The BBQ Concert will run from 6 to 9 p.m. in Greg Freeman Four Corners Park, 6008 Kingsbury Avenue.  Questions?  Call (314) 862-5122.

June 28 -- I Love STL:  Invested Neighborhoods Bicycle Tour, Greg Freeman Park at Four Corners, 9 a.m.

Grab your bike, hit the St. Vincent Greenway, and learn about the great work happening to build strong communities along the Greenway.  The Invested Neighborhoods Bicycle Tour will take you from Skinker DeBalieviere to the West End to Pagedale and beyond.  Following the ride, join InveSTL for lunch, fun, and games.  Proceeds from the lunch will raise funds to invest in St. Louis communities.  Registration will be from 9 to 9:30 a.m. at Greg Freeman Park at Four Corners, 6008 Kingsbury, and the group ride will depart from the Park at 9:30 a.m.  Cost is $5 for adults and $3 for children 10 and under.  For more details, visit the trailnet.org web site.

June 28 –Free Movie, LafayettePark, 7 p.m.

Invite your family and friends to join you for fun activities and a free movie this Saturday in Lafayette Park at the SE corner of the park.  Games, arts & crafts, and more will begin at 7 p.m. and the movie "Ironman" will be screened at 8:30 p.m. Bring your chairs or a blanket and enjoy a great movie under starlit skies. For the calendar of events, visit the LafayetteSquare.org web site.

June 28 & 29 -- PrideFest, Soldiers' Memorial Park, Noon

This weekend's annual PrideFest, organized by Pride St. Louis, will provide an opportunity for the entire community to come together with a spirit of diversity, tolerance, and social justice. The festival will be open from Noon to 9:30 p.m. on Saturday and from 1 to 7:30 p.m. on Sunday at Soldiers' Memorial Park, 13^th and Chestnut, in the heart of Downtown St. Louis. The Pride Parade will step off at 11 a.m. on Sunday from 8^th and Market Street and will end at 18^th and Market Street.  To learn more, visit the pridestl.org web site.

June 29 –Bridge Birthday Bash & Bicycle Ride, Old Chain of Rocks Bridge, 7:30 a.m.

Everyone is invited to come celebrate the 85^th birthday of the Old Chain of Rocks Bridge this Sunday with a scenic ride and the Birthday Bash, where you'll enjoy birthday cake, live music, beer, and food for purchase.  The routes are flat and family friendly and feature some of the region's very best trails.  Registration will take place from 7:30 to 9:30 a.m. at the Old Chain of Rocks Bridge, entrance on Riverview Drive just south of I-270.  Cost day of the ride will be $10 for members, $15 for nonmembers and $3 per child.  For more information, visit the trailnet.org web site.

June 29 -- Family Fun Days, BallparkVillage, 1 p.m.

Family Fun Days at BallparkVillage this Sunday will include a variety of activities for kids of all ages. Visitors will be able to enjoy live music, inflatables, face painting, a rock climbing wall and more.  Admission is free, though some premium activities will require $1 tickets with proceeds benefiting Stray Rescue.  For more details, visit the stlballparkvillage.com web site.

June 29 -- Sunday Serenades, Francis Park, 7:30 p.m.

The Compton Heights Concert Band's Sunday Serenades will begin this Sunday in Francis Park, Donovan and Eichelberger, in the St. Louis Hills neighborhood at 7:30 p.m.  The program will be a tribute to July 4^th.  Special guests will include Civil War re-enactors with authentic cannons for the 1812 Overture spectacular finale.  For the complete concert schedule, visit the chband.org web site.

June 30 -- Musical Mondays, Tower Grove Park, 7:30 p.m.

The Compton Heights Concert Band's Musical Mondays will begin Monday, June 30 in Tower Grove Park, S. Grand and Magnolia at the historic Henry Shaw Bandstand at 7:30 p.m.  The program will be a tribute to July 4^th.  Special guests will include Civil War re-enactors with authentic cannons for the 1812 Overture spectacular finale.  For the complete concert schedule, visit the chband.org web site.

July 3 – 5 –Fair Saint Louis, Forest Park, 5 p.m.

America's biggest birthday bash – Fair Saint Louis – will be different this year, no doubt, but will have special meaning to St. Louisans because the grounds that once hosted the 1904 World's Fair will once again welcome fairgoers from far and near.  Forest Park is one of the greatest outdoor spaces in the country and what better venue to celebrate Independence Day and the 250^th anniversary of the founding of our great city.  Fair Saint Louis will have a full lineup of concerts, shows, exhibitions and events, and the biggest fireworks display fitting for this milestone occasion.  The Fair will run from 5 to 10:30 p.m. on Thursday, July 3; Noon to 10:30 p.m. on Friday, July 4 and Noon to 10:30 p.m. on Saturday, July 5.  The 132^nd Annual VP Parade will step off at 10 a.m. on July 4 from The Muny on Theatre Drive in Forest Park and will end at Probstein Golf Center.  For all the details about Fair Saint Louis, visit the fairsaintlouis.org web site.  To see the parade route, log on to the vpparade.org web site.

Save the Date

July 5 –Americana Concert, Benton Park, 4 p.m.

July 5 –Free Concert, Lafayette Park, 6 p.m.

July 6 –Free Concert, Carondelet Park, 6 p.m.

July 7 –Monday Night Concert, Bellerive Park, 7 p.m.

July 8 –Tuesday Night Concert, Fanetti Park, 7 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.

Safety Outreach Summer Camp

The St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department is now accepting applications for the SOS:  Safety Outreach Summer Camp.  SOS is an exciting five-day camp for kids ages 6 to 9 years old.  The program is designed to help build your child's awareness of possible dangers, safety measures, and how to handle these situations should the need arise.Your child will learn how and when to call 9-1-1; how to escape from a fire in the house; what police officers do; poison control and more.  Applications are available online at www.slmpd.org or call (314) 444-5638 for more information.  Completed applications may also be brought to the registration site:  Metro High School, 4015 McPherson, on Saturday, June 28 from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m.

Col. Richard Gray

Director of Public Safety

City of St. Louis