Public Safety Director's Spotlight - Emergencies Happen So Be Prepared

Emergencies Happen So Be Prepared

Although no one can prevent natural disasters from occurring, there are many things you can do to make the impact less devastating for your family.  Every home should have three key elements in place:

* Evacuation Plan

Establish a "safety destination" and plan several different routes to get there in the event you are instructed to evacuate your house due to an emergency.

* Communication Plan

During an emergency, it is usually easier to make a long distance call, so select an out-of-town relative to be your family's "communication center."  By having everyone call one central person, it will be easier for you to check on each other if you are separated and to reunite after the disaster.

* Emergency Supply Kit

The food, water, medications, radio, and other items should be placed in a sturdy, closed container that can be easily accessed.  Restock the food and water twice a year.  For detailed information on an emergency preparedness kit, visit the ready.gov website.

In addition to the above,

* Know Your Neighbors

Find out if any of your neighbors will need extra help during an emergency.  The elderly, disabled, and people with small children may need you to lend a helping hand.

Upcoming Events

June 13 -- CWE Local Social, The Central West End, 5 p.m.

Everyone is invited to stop by the Central West End this Friday night from 5 to 9 p.m. to celebrate all things local in the CWE.  The event will showcase the beautiful, trendy neighborhood's shops, galleries and restaurants.  Local owners, artists and chefs will welcome you to the neighborhood.  Visitors will enjoy street entertainment, special discounts at participating businesses, and more.  Go to the cwescene.com website for more information.

June 13 -- Food Truck Friday, Tower Grove Park, 4 p.m.

Come early, bring your appetite, and enjoy Sauce Magazine's Food Truck Friday this Friday from 4 to 8 p.m. in Tower Grove Park.  Join your neighbors for a fun evening in the park.  For all the details, visit http://www.saucemagazine.com/foodtruckfriday.php

June 13 -- Somewhere Over the Rainbow, Soulard Art Market  & Contemporary Art Gallery, 7 p.m.

This year marks the 75th anniversary of the classic, "The Wizard of Oz."  In honor of the occasion the Soulard Art Market & Contemporary Art Gallery is presenting "Somewhere Over the Rainbow," an art exhibit inspired by the movie.  Stop by 2028 S. 12th Street from 7 to 10 p.m. this Friday to view the exhibit.  Log on to the soulardartmarket.org website for more details.

June 13 -- New Exhibit Opening Reception & 3rd Anniversary Celebration, SOHA Studio and Gallery, 6 p.m.

Celebrate the 3rd anniversary of SOHA Studio and Gallery this Friday from 6 to 10 p.m.  SOHA founder, Julie Malone, will hold an opening reception showcasing her new paintings.  Additionally, special cocktails and champagne will be offered in celebration of the anniversary.  The Studio and Gallery is located at 4915 Macklind Avenue in the Southampton neighborhood.  Questions?  Call (314) 497-5202.

June 13 & 14 -- Saint Louis Brewers Guild Heritage Festival 2014, Forest Park, 6 p.m.

The 8th Annual St. Louis Brewers Guild Heritage Festival will take place this Friday and Saturday in Central Field in Forest Park.  Sessions will take place from 6 to 10 p.m. each evening.  The festival will feature 23 St. Louis breweries, 105 different beers, live music, food trucks and more.  Tickets range from $10 to $100.  For more information visit, the schlafly.com web site.

June 14 -- National Get Outdoors Day Event, Gateway Arch Grounds, 9 a.m.

The staff of Jefferson National Expansion Memorial is inviting everyone to reconnect with nature this Saturday through a number of free fun activities on the Arch grounds.  Enjoy fitness sessions, live music, a rock climbing wall and more.  Invite your friends and family to join you between 9 a.m. and 2 p.m. for some outdoor fun under the majestic Gateway Arch.

June 14 -- Free Family Day, Contemporary Art Museum, 1 p.m.

Celebrate summer and Father's Day this Saturday at Contemporary Art Museum from 1 to 4 p.m.  Children ages 3 to 12 will be delighted by the hands-on activities, musical performances, face painting, storytelling and more.  Need more information about Family Day?  Call (314) 535-4660.

June 14 -- Susan G. Komen St. Louis Race for the Cure, Olive & Tucker, 6:30 a.m.

The Susan G. Komen St. Louis Race for the Cure will take place this Saturday in Downtown St. Louis.  The event raises funds for the local fight against breast cancer, celebrates breast cancer survivors, and honors those who have lost their battle with the disease.  Race Day Registration will open at 6:30 a.m., with the non-timed 5K stepping off at 8:45 a.m. from Tucker and Olive.  For the route and complete schedule of activities, visit the komenstlouis.org web site.

June 15 -- Father's Day Sunday Brunch Cruise, Gateway Arch Riverboats, 1 p.m.

This Father's Day, take Dad on a mid-day getaway on the Mississippi River that will include an extensive buffet, breathtaking views along the river and entertainment by a Dixieland band.  The cost is $38 for adults; $18 for children ages 3 - 12.  Visit www.gatewayarch.com or call (877) 982-1410 for more information.

June 15 -- Bike St. Louis City Tour, start at Anheuser-Busch, 7:30 a.m.

The Bike St. Louis City Tour will take place this Sunday.  Registration will run from 7:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. on the day of the event from the starting point at One Busch Place in the Soulard neighborhood. Participants will have the option of 40-, 34- or 19-mile routes.  Pedal the Great Rivers Greenway's Bike St. Louis route through historic St. Louis neighborhoods.  BBQ and drinks will be available for purchase.  This urban ride is for experienced riders.  For more information visit the trailnet.org web site.  

Now through June 15 -- Shakespeare Festival St. Louis Presents Henry IV, Parts 1 & 2, and Henry V, Forest Park, 8 p.m.

This year marks the Festival's 14th season of producing free performances in an outdoor setting, and for the first time audiences are invited to experience more than one of Shakespeare's works.  If you haven't made it out to Shakespeare Glen in Forest Park yet to see Henry IV or Henry V, time is running out.  Pre-show activities include a nightly Green Show at 6:30 p.m., and the regular performance at 8 p.m.  For all the particulars about the remaining performances, visit the sfstl.com web site.

June 15 –Sunday Night Concerts, Carondelet Park, 6 p.m.

The Carondelet Community Betterment Federation is once again sponsoring Concerts in the Park this summer at Carondelet Park, South St. Louis Square Park, Bellerive Park and Fanetti Park.  The Sunday Night Concert in Carondelet Park, located at Holly Hills and Loughborough, this Sunday will feature Power Play from 6 –8 p.m. Bring your lawn chair and snacks and enjoy a fun, free concert in the park.  For more information, visit www.carondeletevents.com.

June 16 –Monday Night Concerts, South St. Louis Square Park, 7 p.m.

The Monday Night Concert in South St. Louis Square Park this coming Monday, June 9 will feature the Steamrollers from 7 –9 p.m.  Bring your family and friends and enjoy a free concert in the park.  The park is located at S. Broadway & Courtois in the Patch neighborhood.  For a complete list of upcoming concerts sponsored by the Carondelet Community Betterment Federation, visit www.carondeletevents.com .

June 19 -- Opening Reception for Portrait/Process Exhibit, International Photography Hall of Fame, 6 p.m.

The International Photography Hall of Fame will hold an opening reception on Thursday, June 19 for its new exhibit, "Portrait/Process."  The exhibition will examine approaches in contemporary photography and provide a historical perspective on the portrait from the daguerreotype to the smartphone.  The IPHF is located at 3415 Olive in Grand Center. To learn more, visit the iphf.org web site.

June 21 -- St. Louis Urban Gardening Symposium, Brightside St. Louis' Demonstration Garden, 8:30 a.m.

Brightside St. Louis will be hosting the St. Louis Urban Gardening Symposium on Saturday, June 21 from 8:30 a.m. to Noon at its Demonstration Garden located at 4646 Shenandoah Avenue in the Southwest Garden neighborhood.  Experts in their respective fields will lead a series of 25-minute workshops covering topics such as Butterfly Gardening; Insects & Disease; Lawn & Tree Issues; Native Plants; Brightside's Neighbors Naturescaping Program; Plant Care & Maintenance; Plant Establishment; Plant Selection; Pruning Trees & Shrubs; and Rain Gardening.  A fee of $10 per person includes participation in up to five workshops and the Q&A session.  Register online via the brightsidestl.org web site or call (314) 400-2115.  Space is limited so registration is required.

Now through June 22 -- Circus Flora, Big Top behind Powell Symphony Hall, 7 p.m.

Circus Flora's 28^th production, "The Pawn," is currently taking place under the Big Top behind Powell Symphony Hall at Grand and Samuel Shepard.  Experience the game of chess through the journey of the Pawn in a mythical tale of knights, bishops and other chess pieces set in the mystique of ancient Persia and India.  For tickets and more information, visit the circusflora.org web site or call (314) 534-1111.

June 26 - 29 -- A Night at the Oscars, Our Lady of Sorrows Parish Hall, 7:30 p.m.

The talented theater group from Our Lady of Sorrows will present its cabaret style show, A Night at the Oscars….a fun-filled musical that will have you singing along and tapping your toes.  Travel back in time to enjoy songs that were nominated for or won an Oscar for best original song over the past 80 years.  Come join us Thursday, June 26; Friday, June 27 and Saturday, June 28 at 7:30 p.m. -- or on Sunday afternoon June, 29 at 2 p.m.  Refreshments will be available before the show begins and again at intermission.  The production will take place at Our Lady of Sorrows Parish Hall at 5050 Rhodes Avenue and tickets are only $5 for all ages.  You can call to place reservations at (314) 651-8745 Monday through Friday up to June 20.  After June 20, plan on getting tickets at the door.

 

Save the Date

June 21 -- I Love STL:  Bakeries on the Rise Bicycle Tour, start at 2201 Cherokee Street, 9:30 a.m.

June 21 -- Flicks and Foodies, Gateway Arch, 7 p.m.

June 21 -- Grub and Groove, Francis Park, 7:30 p.m.

June 21 -- Dutchtown Bazaar, Feasting Fox parking lot, 9 a.m.

June 21 -- Free Bicycle Ride, Calvary Cemetery, 9:30 a.m.

June 21 -- Soulard Garden Tour, begin at Mad Art Gallery, 9 a.m.

June 21 -- Opening Reception for Pop-Up Art Exhibit, Duane Reed Gallery, 2 p.m.

June 22 -- Free Concert, Benton Park, 3 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. 

Volunteer Opportunity at Fair St. Louis

With Fair St. Louis being held in Forest Park this year, many St. Louisans will opt to ride their bicycles to the Fair.  Trailnet will be the official Bike Valet for the event and is in need of volunteers to help park and retrieve bikes over the course of the event – Thursday, July 3 through Saturday, July 5.  This is a great opportunity for you and a friend or a group of friends, co-workers or neighbors to support the Fair's green efforts.  Sign up before June 27 and receive a special gift.  To learn more, visit the trailnet.org website.  To sign up visit, http://www.signupgenius.com/go/8050c4aa8a723a64-fair .

Col. Richard Gray

Director of Public Safety

City of St. Louis