Public Safety Director's Spotlight - Fireworks

Fireworks & the 4^th of July

As firework stands begin popping up throughout the metropolitan area, I want to join my colleagues in reminding residents that fireworks are prohibited in the City of St. Louis. Because of the serious risk of injury, we instead encourage residents to come out and enjoy the Downtown riverfront fireworks displays that are part of Fair St. Louis. These displays are conducted by trained professional pyrotechnicians in accordance with City laws. Let’s plan now to have a fun, safe Independence Day celebration.

Upcoming Events

June 14 – Trailnet Open House

Trailnet will open its offices on Thursday evening from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. to answer questions, show off its wide-ranging programs, and mix drinks in the bike blender. Stop by to learn more about Trailnet and how its staff incorporates biking into their daily life. Trailnet is located at 411 North Tenth Street, Suite 202 in Downtown St. Louis.

June 15 – Breakfast for Bikers, Downtown Bicycle Station

Trailnet will be offering breakfast and coffee free to bikers on Friday from 7 a.m. to 9 a.m. at the Downtown Bicycle Station at 1011 Locust Street in Downtown St. Louis. Subsequent dates in the Breakfast for Bikers series are July 20, Aug. 17, Sept. 21 and Oct. 19.

June 15 – 17 – Juneteenth Celebration, Fountain Park

The Neighbors of Fountain Park has partnered with Centennial Church to bring to the community the Fountain Park Juneteenth Celebration this weekend. Activities include entertainment, guest speakers, worship services, Father’s Day Tribute and more. Opening night festivities will take place from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Friday. The fun will continue on Saturday from1 p.m. to 7 p.m., and the event will close with morning worship from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Sunday. Fountain Park is located at Euclid and Fountain. For more information, call (314) 443-4081.

June 15 – 17 – St. Louis Brewers Heritage Festival, Ballpark Village Lot

This year’s St. Louis Brewers Heritage Festival will be held at the Ballpark Village Lot next to Busch Stadium in Downtown St. Louis. More than 15 St. Louis-area licensed breweries will offer a variety of beers, poured during four sessions. Tickets will cost $35 at the festival. For exact times of sessions and more details, visit http://www.stlbrewfest.com/ .

June 16 – Community Health Fair, Union Tabernacle M.B. Church

The LTS Love Outreach Ministry and the Union Tabernacle M.B. Church Health Unit will hold the 3^rd Annual Community Health Fair and Meet the Professional event on Saturday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Church, located at 626 North Newstead Avenue in the trendy Central West End neighborhood. Participants will include the American Lung Association, Center for Hearing and Speech, HealthStreet, St. Louis Children’s Hospital Asthma Team and Siteman Cancer Center to name a few. There will be activities for the children, and lunch will be provided. Questions? Call (314) 583-5042.

June 16 – Grand Reopening Celebration, Carondelet Branch Library

A Grand Reopening Celebration will take place from 2 p.m. – 4 p.m. on Saturday at the Carondelet Branch Library located at 6800 Michigan Avenue. The festivities will kick off with a brief ribbon-cutting ceremony featuring welcoming remarks by dignitaries and Library officials. The Branch will open for business immediately afterward. Be sure to stop by and see the completely restored and renewed interior of this 100+-year-old facility. To learn more, visit the web site at http://www.slpl.org/ .

June 16 – Places for Pets Adoption Event, various locations

Sponsored by the St. Louis Petlover Coalition, the Places for Pets Adoption Event will celebrate the many locations throughout St. Louis for pet adoption and fun destinations for pets and their people. More than 100 homeless dogs and cats will look for their forever homes during Saturday’s event. The event will run from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. For a list of all the locations, visit http://www.stlpetlover.org/ .

June 16 – Chef Demonstrations, Soulard Market

Looking to expand your cooking skills? Chef Lawrence Hutchinson with L’Ecole Culinaire will be in the Plaza at Soulard Market from 10 a.m. to Noon on Saturday demonstrating culinary techniques and how to use them in a variety of recipes. Bon appetit!

June 16 – Arts & Crafts Fair, Soulard Market Park

The Arts & Crafts Fair will be at Soulard Market Park this Saturday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Shop for special handmade items by local artists. Soulard Market Park is located at the corner of 9^thand Lafayette. Subsequent dates for the Soulard Market Park Arts & Crafts Fair are July 21 and August 18.

June 16 – Live Music at the Plaza, Soulard Market

The Roadhouse Band will perform from Noon to 3 p.m. Saturday at the Plaza at Soulard Market. Shop the Market for fresh produce, then visit the Plaza for live musical entertainment. For more information about activities at Soulard Market, visit the web site at http://www.soulardmarketstl.com/ .

June 16 – Ronald McDonald House Ride, St. Louis Community College – Forest Park Campus

The 3^rd Annual Ronald McDonald House Ride will be this Saturday, starting and ending on the campus of St. Louis Community College – Forest Park. The Century Fondo timed ride will begin at 6:40 a.m.; all other rides will depart at 7 a.m. Riders may choose from a 6-mile Fun Ride with Ronald McDonald, 34-mile Fitness Challenge, 62-Mile Metric Century, and 100-mile Century. Enjoy activities for all ages, including rest stops, lunch, a massage tent, face painting and much more. Price varies from $30 - $60. For more information and to register, call (314) 932-4116 or visit http://www.rmhcstl.com/ride .

June 16 – Tower Grove Heights Neighborhood Association’s 25^th Anniversary Block Party

The Tower Grove Heights Neighborhood Association will be celebrating its 25^th Anniversary with a Block Party on Saturday from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the intersection of Spring Avenue and Connecticut. Enjoy live music, complimentary beverages, and activities for the entire family. Feel free to bring your own additional food/drink and spend time with your neighbors in the scenic Tower Grove Heights neighborhood. For more information, log on tohttp://www.towergroveheights.com/ .

June 16 – Neighborhood Block Sale, Oleatha Avenue

Residents of the 5000 Block of Oleatha Avenue, and the surrounding area, will be having a Neighborhood Block Sale on Saturday from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Items for sale will be in either the backyard or the garage. For more information, call (314) 802-7798.

June 16 – 2012 Mid-America Army Birthday Ball

June 14^th will mark the 237^th birthday of America’s Army. To celebrate, the 2012 Mid-America Army Birthday Ball will be held this Saturday, starting at 5:30 p.m. at the Hyatt Regency St. Louis at the Arch, 315 Chestnut Street in beautiful Downtown St. Louis. Cost is $50 per person. No charge for Ustranscom and SDDC Army E6 and below with guest. If you would like to attend, call (618) 220-5050.

June 16 – Free Concert, Lafayette Park

The Arts Council of Lafayette Square is presenting the Summer Concert Series in LafayettePark on select Saturday evenings now through Sept. 8. Funky Butt Brass Band will perform from 6 – 9 p.m. this Saturday. The park is located at Lafayette and Mississippi Avenues.

June 17 – Free Concert, Carondelet Park

The Carondelet Community Betterment Federation is presenting the Summer Concert Series in Carondelet Park every Sunday evening now through Aug. 19. Funky Butt Brass Band will perform from 6 – 8 p.m. this Sunday at the Music Stand (Loughborough & Field). Questions? Call (314) 776-2227.

June 18 – Free Concert, South St. Louis Square Park

Invite your family and friends to join you at the free concert this coming Monday night in South St. Louis Square Park, located at South Broadway and Courtois in the Patch neighborhood. The Melissa Neels Band will perform from 7 – 9 p.m. The concert is sponsored by the Carondelet Community Betterment Federation. For more information, call (314) 776-2227.

Save the Date

Thursday nights through July 19 - 2012 Whitaker Urban Evening Series, St. Louis Place Park

June 22- Grub and Groove, Francis Park

June 23 – Susan G. Komen St. Louis Race for the Cure, Soldiers’ Memorial Plaza

June 23 & 24 – St. Louis Gay Pride Festival 2012, Tower Grove Park

June 23 – 12^th Annual Pond-O-Rama Tour, various locations

June 23 – Soulard Garden Tour “Art in the Garden,” Soulard Station

June 24 – Sustainable Backyard Tour, various locations

June 24 – Trailnet’s Bridge Birthday Bash and Bicycle Ride, Old Chain of Rocks Bridge

June 24 – Lindenwood Live Concert, Lindenwood Park

June 24 – Bocce Tournament, The Hill

June 24 – Free Concert, Carondelet Park

June 24 – Free Concert, Ivory Perry Park

Now through June 24 – Circus Flora, Grand Center

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 rothe@stlouiscity.com or to Cathy Smentkowski at smentkowskic@stlouiscity.com 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.

Moonlight Paddleboat Picnics

In closing, I want to pass along to you some information from the Boathouse in Forest Park. What could be more romantic than a starlit picnic in a boat for two? Every Thursday, June through September, you may enjoy a special evening in one of the Boathouse’s paddleboats furnished with a picnic basket filled with delicious snacks and a bottle of wine. The boats launch at dusk and must be back by 10:30 p.m. For pricing information and reservations, call (314) 376-2224.

Eddie Roth

Director of Public Safety

City of St. Louis