Public Safety Director's Spotlight - Hot Weather Tips

 

Hot Weather Tips

With the daily temperature climbing into the 90s several days this week, it's a good time to pass along a few hot weather tips from Operation Weather Survival, a coalition of local government, faith-based and charitable organizations.

* Stay cool – stay out of the direct sun and heat as much as possible.  Spend as many hours as you can in a cool place.  Minimize physical activity.  Wear lightweight, light-colored, loose fitting clothing.  Use air-conditioning if available.

* Keep cool – If you don't have air-conditioning, go to a cool safe place such as a senior center, shopping mall, etc.  You can locate a cooling center by dialing 2-1-1.

* Drink plenty of water/natural juices – drink at least 6-8 glasses of fluids every day.  Avoid alcohol and caffeine.  Eat light foods.

* Know your neighbors – develop a personal support network of people and plan how you can check in with each other and help each other in the hot summer days ahead.  Call for help when needed.

* Know the warning signs of heat illness (heavy sweating, cramps, headache, nausea or vomiting, tiredness, weakness, dizziness and fainting) and call 9-1-1 if you or anyone you know needs medical attention.

By taking precautions and planning ahead, we can all have a fun, safe summer.

 

Summer Food Program

Do you know children in your neighborhood that need meals this summer?  School's Out Café, the Summer Food Service Program sponsored by the City of St. Louis, is in operation now through Aug. 9.  Young persons 18 of age and under can enjoy free breakfast and/or lunch at more than 100 sites within the St. Louis Metropolitan area.  To find a location in your area, contact the City's Department of Human Services, Youth and Family Division at (314) 657-1695.

 

Upcoming Events

June 14 – Sauce Food Truck Friday, Tower Grove Park, 5 p.m.

The Sauce Food Truck Friday at  this month will be this Friday from  on the southwest side of the park. If you haven't attended this event in the past, then come and savor the food truck experience for yourself this Friday. Bring your family, friends and appetite! You'll find a wide variety of food trucks such as Holy Crepe, El Gran Taco, Hot Aztec, Zia's Italian, Cha Cha Chow, Go Gyro Go, Schlafly and more, with items to fit everyone's pocketbook.  For more information, visit the saucemagazine.com web site.

June 15 – Tour De Plants Bicycle Tour, Bell Demonstration Garden, 8:30 a.m.

Gateway Greening will hold its annual Tour de Plants this Saturday.  The tour will be a 16-mile ride.  Riders will have the opportunity to explore historic neighborhoods, and tour community gardens including the Bell Demonstration Garden and Wayside Community Garden.  Registration will be from 8:30 a.m. to 9 a.m.  The ride will depart at 9 a.m. and will end back at Bell Garden, 3871 Bell Avenue in the Covenant Blu/Grand Center neighborhood, where there will be a food truck stationed.  You may also register online at trailnet.org.  Cost is $5 for adults and $3 for children 10 and under.  Need more information?  Call (314) 588-9600.

June 15 – St. Louis Garlic Fest, Carondelet Park, 9 a.m.

The Fourth Annual St. Louis Garlic Fest in historic Carondelet will be held this Saturday from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. in Carondelet Park, South Grand and Loughborough. Visitors will find it to be a celebration of everything garlic. There will be family activities as well as a children's corner.  Enjoy live music, great food, a Best Garlic Dish competition, contests and great local shopping with a farmers' market, too.

June 15 – Kids Night Out, Carondelet Park Rec Complex, 6:45 p.m.

Everyone is invited to bring their kids over to the Y for some messy themed fun at this month's Kids Night Out on Saturday.  Be sure to pack the bathing suit and towel for swimming at the Outdoor Pool from 6:45 p.m. to 8 p.m.  There will also be games and crafts.  For additional information, call (314) 685-3800 x 228.

June 15 – Downtown Architecture Walking Tours – West, St. Louis Union Station, 10 a.m.

Interested in the history and architectural significance of Downtown Buildings?  If so, then consider taking the walking tour this Saturday that departs from St. Louis Union Station, 1820 Market Street, at 10 a.m.  Highlights of the guided tour will include Memorial Plaza, the Peabody Opera House, City Hall, Soldiers' Memorial and more.  Cost is $5 per person.  Questions?  Call (314) 662-3187.

June 15 – Free Concert, Lafayette Park, 6 p.m.

Invite your family and friends to join you this Saturday from 6 – 9 p.m. in Lafayette Park, Mississippi and Lafayette, by the gazebo for a free concert by the group "Mondinband."  Pack a picnic basket, bring lawn chairs or a blanket and enjoy some Blues, Classic Rock and Rock music by this exciting local band.

June 16 – Juneteenth Celebration, Missouri History Museum, 3 p.m.

The Missouri History Museum in Forest Park will hold a Juneteenth Celebration on Sunday from 3 – 4 p.m. in its Lee Auditorium.  The performance ensemble "Kreative Pandemonium" will blend the traditional instrumentations of West African culture with gospel, jazz, soul, rumba, and samba.  The event is free and open to the public.  Invite your family and friends to join you for this special performance.  Go to mohistory.org for all the particulars.

June 16 – Free Concert, Carondelet Park, 6 p.m.

The Carondelet Community Betterment Foundation will sponsor a free concert in Carondelet Park this Sunday, starting at 6 p.m. at the Bandstand off Loughborough. Bring your lawn chair, pack a picnic basket and enjoy "A Touch of the Rat Pack" by Dean Christopher.   For a complete list of the concert schedule, visit the carondeletliving.com web site.

June 16 – Free Concert, Francis Park, 7:30 p.m.

The Compton Heights Concert Band of St. Louis is once again presenting its Sunday Serenades Concert Series at Francis Park, Eichelberger and Donovan, each Sunday at 7:30 p.m.  The concerts are free.  This Sunday, concert-goers will be able to enjoy the musical stylings of "The Sins of the Pioneers."  For a complete list of the Sunday Serenades schedule, visit http://www.chband.org/summer2013.html .

June 17 – Free Concert, Tower Grove Park, 7:30 p.m.

The Compton Heights Concert Band of St. Louis is once again presenting its Musical Mondays Concert Series at Tower Grove Park, South Grand and Magnolia, each Monday at 7:30 p.m.  The concerts are free.  This Monday, June 17, enjoy the sounds of "The Sins of the Pioneers."  For a complete list of performances in the series, visit http://www.chband.org/summer2013.html .

June 18 – World's Largest Swimming Lesson, Carondelet Park Rec Complex, 10 a.m.

The Carondelet Park Rec Complex is inviting everyone to join forces with them for The World's Largest Swimming Lesson ^TM (WLSL) at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, June 18.  If successful in the attempt to break the Guinness World Record, each participant will get their name in the book.  The main purpose of the event is to build awareness about the vital importance of teaching children to swim to help prevent drowning.  For more details, call (314) 685-3800 x 253.

June 18 – Open House for The Trestle, Crown District, 4:30 p.m.

Great Rivers Greenway will host an open house on Tuesday, June 18 from 4:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. to discuss plans to convert The Trestle into a vibrant park and recreation district.  The free open house will showcase early renderings of the project, and residents will be able to provide their input on project design and amenities.  For those of you not familiar with The Trestle, it is a 1.5 mile abandoned elevated railroad alignment in North St. Louis City.  Crown District is located at 2617 N. 14^th Street.  Call (314) 436-7009 for more details.

June 18 – Not So Quiet! Concert Series, St. Louis Public Library, 6:30 p.m.

This month's Not So Quiet! Concert stars "Cosmic Cow," a group of hipsters with a passion for skinny ties, plastic shoes, spiky hair, and totally awesome music from the original MTV generation.  The event will take place in Central Library's Auditorium, 1301 Olive Street, on Tuesday, June 18 at 6:30 p.m.  The show is free and open to the public.  Seating is on a first-come, first-served basis.  For more details, visit slpl.org or call (314) 206-6779.

June 20 – Whitaker Urban Evening Series, St. Louis Place Park, 7 p.m.

Grace Hill's Whitaker Urban Evening Series has returned to St. Louis Place Park for a seventh season.  "Gumbohead" will be performing from 7 – 9 p.m. on Thursday, June 20.  The park is located at St. Louis Avenue and Rauschenbach Avenue in the St. Louis Place neighborhood.  For a schedule of the performers in the coming weeks, visit gracehill.org or call (314) 276-3655.

June 20 – 23 – Musical Variety Show, Our Lady of Sorrows Parish, 7:30 p.m.

The talented OLStars theater group will present next weekend its cabaret style musical, "Lords & Ladies," a fun-filled show that will have you singing along and tapping your toes.  Performances will take place on Thursday, June 20; Friday, June 21; and Saturday, June 22 at 7:30 p.m. and again on Sunday, June 23 at 2 p.m. at Our Lady of Sorrows Parish Hall, 5050 Rhodes.  Tickets are $5 for all ages.  You may call (314) 651-8745 Monday through Friday to place reservations.  After June 17, plan on getting tickets at the door.

June 20 – 24 – St. Lou Fringe Fest, Grand Center, 7 p.m.

The second ever St. Lou Fringe Fest will take place June 20 – 24 in Midtown and GrandCenter.  Visitors to the Fest will be able to enjoy all types of performing arts – from theater and dance to puppetry and the spoken word.  For ticket pricing and more information, visit stlfringe.com or call (314) 289-1500.

Now - June 23 - Circus Flora, Grand Center, various times

In its 27th big top production, St. Louis' own Circus Flora is going where no circus has gone before:  to the moon.  Based on the 1902 movie, "A Trip to the Moon," this 2013 production is mesmerizing audiences with its visual styling, costuming and narrative elements.  Ticket prices start at $10 and the production will run through June 23.  Visit the circusflora.org web site for all the details.

 

Save the Date

June 21 – Third Friday Free Party, Third Degree Glass Factory, 6 p.m.

June 22 – Free Electronic Recycling Drive, Hope Lutheran Church, 8 a.m.

June 22 -- Grub and Groove, Francis Park, 4:30 p.m.

June 22 – Free Movie in the Park, Lafayette Square Park, 7 p.m.

June 22 & 23 – 13^th Annual St. Louis Water Gardening Pond-o-Rama Pond & Garden Tour, various locations, 9 a.m.

June 23 – Third Annual Sustainable Backyard Tour, Southwest Garden neighborhood, 11 a.m.

June 23 – Full Moon Event, The Compton Hill Water Tower, 5:30 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 deekenc@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 on the home page. The listing is free. I encourage you to take advantage of this free way to promote your event.

 

Small Business Week

The U.S. Small Business Administration will be celebrating National Small Business Week (which will begin Monday, June 17) with an event at Harris-Stowe State University, 3026 Laclede Avenue, on Wednesday, June 19.  Registration will begin at 8 a.m.  There will be plenary sessions from 9:30 a.m. to Noon and breakout sessions from 12:30 p.m. to 2 p.m.  The event is free.  To register online and to learn more, visit the sba.gov web site.

 

Charlene Deeken
Director of Public Safety
City of St. Louis