Public Safety Director's Spotlight - Laissez Les Bons Temps Rouler

Boatshow, Mardi Gras fun and more this weekend in St. Louis

February 7, 2013 | 7 min reading time

This article is 11 years old. It was published on February 7, 2013.

Charlene Deeken, Director of Public Safety
Photo by Cathy Smentkowski Title: Portrait of Charlene Deeken, Director of Public Safety
Source: Cathy Smentkowski

 

New Firefighters and Correctional Officers

I want to begin this week's Spotlight by congratulating the St. Louis Fire Department's newest Firefighter Recruit Class that was sworn in earlier this week.  The class is named in honor of Lieutenant Alfred Altmann and Firefighter Frank J. Altmann, the great-grandfather and grandfather, respectively, of Deputy Chief John Altmann.  Lt. Altmann was appointed to the Department July 12, 1895 and served until 1932, and F.F. Altmann served from Aug. 1, 1918 until 1961.

I am also pleased to extend congratulations to the recent graduates of the Correctional Officers Training Academy and the Corrections Division's newly promoted lieutenants and captains.  Welcome aboard and best wishes in your new positions!

 

Upcoming Events

Now through Feb. 10 -- St. Louis Boat & Sportshow, America's Center

America's Center and the Edward Jones Dome in exciting Downtown St. Louis has been transformed into an outdoor lovers' paradise for the 2013 St. Louis Boat & Sportshow, showcasing the largest selection of boats, marine accessories, travel resorts and outdoors equipment, plus fun for all ages. Ticket prices are $10 for adults; kids 15 and under get in for free.  Need more info?  Call (314) 821-5400.

Feb. 8 - 11th Annual Mayor's Mardi Gras Ball, City Hall, 6 p.m. 

To celebrate the magic and merriment of the Mardi Gras season, the 11th Annual Mayor's Mardi Gras Ball will be held this Friday at St. Louis City Hall, 1200 Market Street in beautiful Downtown St. Louis.  Guests will be able to enjoy live bands, mingle with jesters, enjoy superb cuisine, taste drinks of the season and more.  For all the details and ticket information, visit the mardigrasinc.com web site.

Feb. 9 -- Let's Move! STL! 3rd Anniversary Celebration, Vashon High School Gym, 10 a.m.

The City of St. Louis Department of Health is inviting everyone to stop by and celebrate the 3rd anniversary of Let's Move! STL!  This event will feature many activities including 3-on-3 basketball, double-dutch, dance, and cooking demonstrations.  Bring the whole family to the Vashon High School Gymnasium, 3035 Cass Avenue, in the JeffVanderLou neighborhood and get movin'!  You may register for the event through the healthinstituteSTL.org web site or by calling Lauren at (314) 657-1549.

Feb. 9 -- River City Casino Grand Parade, Busch Stadium, 11 a.m.

The River City Casino Grand Parade is one of the largest parades in the Midwest and will take place this Saturday beginning in downtown St. Louis and ending in Soulard.  This year's parade will feature more than 130 units ranging from the large, established parade krewes to new participants just joining in on the fun of this St. Louis tradition.  The parade will step off at 11 a.m. from Busch Stadium and will make its way through streets lined with revelers to the Anheuser-Busch complex.  For all the particulars, visit the mardigrasinc.com web site.

Feb. 9 -- Laclede's Landing Mardi Gras, 8 a.m.

Laclede's Landing in Downtown St. Louis is the place to "let the good times roll" for Mardi Gras this Saturday.  As the official after-party destination for Mardi Gras, Laclede's Landing will be running shuttle service to and from Soulard Mardi Gras all day from 8 a.m. to 10:30 p.m.  Save yourself the hassle of traffic.  Park at any of the many parking lots on The Landing or take MetroLink to the Arch-Landing stop, then hop on one of the three shuttles. When you're done in Soulard, come back to The Landing for some more fun in any of the many establishments. Charge for the shuttle is $1.  For exact times and shuttle stops, visit the lacledeslanding.com web site.

Feb. 9 -- Trivia Night

If you are a trivia buff, you have several options this Saturday night:

A Trivia Night will be held at the St. Louis Gateway Classic Sports Foundation, located at 2012 Dr. Martin Luther King Drive in the Downtown West neighborhood, beginning at 6 p.m.  Participants will vie for cash prizes and bragging rights.  The price for a table of 10 ranges from $260 to $310.  To register, call (314) 383-1733 ext. 17. 

A Trivia Night will be held at City Garden Montessori School, located at 1618 Tower Grove Avenue in the Botanical Heights neighborhood, beginning at 6 p.m.  Trivia goers will compete for cash prizes and are welcome to bring their own food and beverages.  A regular table of 10 is $250; a VIP table is $300.For more details, call (314) 383-1733 x 17. 

St. Wenceslaus Church will hold its 6th Annual Trivia Night in the Parish Hall (school gym), located 3022 Oregon Avenue in the Benton Park West neighborhood.  Doors will open at 6:30 p.m. and the trivia will begin at 7 p.m.  The cost is $20 per person / $160 per table of 8.  To reserve your table, call Kathy at (314) 588-0770.

Feb. 10 -- African American Arts Festival, St. Louis Community College -- Forest Park Campus, 1 p.m.

The 45th Annual African American Arts Festival "At the Crossroads: A Study of Freedom and Equality" will be presented this Sunday by the Zeta Sigma chapter of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc., and St. Louis Community College at Forest Park from 1 p.m. – 6 p.m. in the Student Center, located at 5600 Oakland in the Cheltenham neighborhood.  Visitors will be able to shop at the African Market Place and enjoy vocalists and Spoken Word performers.  The event is free and open to the public.  To learn more, call Angela at (314) 265-1500.

Feb 10 -- Great American Pooch Smooch & Kitty Kiss Adoption Event, Stray Rescue of St. Louis, 10 a.m.

Join St. Louis Blues stars David Backes and Barret Jackman, their wives Kelly Backes and Jenny Jackman, Stray Rescue founded Randy Grim and more for an all day pre-Valentine's Day adoption event at Stray Rescue on Sunday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.  Anyone adopting a dog or cat will be entered into a drawing to win prizes.  Stray Rescue is located at 2320 Pine Street in the Downtown West neighborhood.  Go to the strayrescue.org web site for more details.

Feb. 10 -- Run for the Chocolate 5K, Lumiere Place Casino & Hotels, 9 a.m.


This fun 5K returns to the streets of Downtown St. Louis, just in time to sweeten up Valentine's Day.  The Run for the Chocolate 5K will run from Laclede's Landing to Crown Candy Kitchen in the Old North St. Louis neighborhood and back.  There will also be a 1-mile Walk for the Chocolate.  The price is $30 for singles and $50 for happy couples registering together.  Questions?  Call (314) 862-1188.

Feb. 10 -- Celebrate the Gospel Concert, Missouri Botanical Garden, 3 p.m.

In honor of Black History Month, the Celebrate the Gospel Concert will be held at 3 p.m. on Sunday at the Missouri Botanical Garden, 4344 Shaw Avenue, in the Shoenberg Theater.  Enjoy soul-stirring renditions of traditional gospel favorites.  Seating is limited and available first-come, first-served.  Price of the concert is included with Garden Admission ($4-$8).  For more information, call (314) 577-5100.

Feb.12 -- Lumiere Place Light Up the Night Fat Tuesday Parade, Downtown, 7 p.m.

Now in its 11th year, the Fat Tuesday Parade is a colorful, fun-filled nighttime parade on Washington that celebrates the end of the Mardi Gras season.  This year's parade will step off at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 12 from Washington and Broadway and proceed west to 14th Street.  Invite your family and friends to join you Downtown for an enjoyable evening of enchantment.

Feb. 13 -- Fish Fry, St. Stephen Protomartyr Church, 5 p.m.

St. Stephen Protomartyr Church will begin its Ninth Annual Lenten Fish Fry on Ash Wednesday, Feb. 13, then on the following six Fridays.  The combination of quality/taste, portions, price, service time and atmosphere make the Fish Fry hard to beat.  If you have never attended this event, make this the year to do so.  St. Stephen's is located at 3929 Wilmington in the Holly Hills neighborhood.  For more details, visit the saintstephenstl.org web site.

Now through March 31 -- Orchid Show, Missouri Botanical Garden, 9 a.m.

The Missouri Botanical Garden maintains one of the world's premier orchid collections.  The Orchid Show is the only time of the year when a vast, rotating selection of orchids from the Garden's historic collection is available for public viewing.  You do not want to miss this annual display that features 800 blooming orchids in a lush, tropical landscape.  The price is $5 plus regular garden admission; free for Garden members.  The Garden is located at 4344 Shaw Avenue. Visit the missouribotanicalgarden.org web site to learn more.

Save the Date

Feb. 15 -- Third Friday Free Party, Third Degree Glass, 6 p.m.

Feb. 16 – Open House, ex'treme Institute by Nelly, Noon

Feb. 16 -- 4th Annual Community Garden Summit, SLU High School, 9 a.m.

Feb. 16 – TAM-TAM, Missouri History Museum, 8 p.m.

Feb. 16 -- Free Job Readiness Fair, The "New" Church, 8:30 a.m.

Feb. 16 – Mouse Races, The Spanish Society, 5:30 p.m.

Feb. 17 -- Magical Movements, Powell Hall, 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 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.

 

St. Louis Healthy Corner Store Project

The St. Louis Healthy Corner Store Project works to add healthy options to the food available at small corner stores and markets in the City, primarily in neighborhoods without adequate sources of affordable healthy food.  The project is now accepting nominations for the 2013 program year.  Nominations will be accepted from City of St. Louis Aldermen, Neighborhood Stabilization Officers, neighborhood-based non-profits, neighborhood associations, schools, churches, and community leaders.  Nominations are due Friday, Feb. 15.  For more information, visit http://extension.missouri.edu/stlouis/healthycornerstore.aspx

 

Charlene Deeken
Director of Public Safety
City of St. Louis

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