Public Safety Director's Spotlight - Lightning Safety Tips

June 29, Soulard Garden Tour, start at Soulard Station, 9 a.m.

The Second Annual Soulard Garden Tour will take place this Saturday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.  The self-guided tour will showcase rarely seen gardens in private homes and businesses.  Tour-goers also will be able to enjoy live music, local artists at work, and refreshments.  All tours will begin at Soulard Station, 1911 S. 12^th Street.  Tickets will be $15 day of the tour.  For more information about the tour and purchasing tickets, visit the soulard.org web site.

June 29 – BBQ Concert, Greg Freeman Four Corners Park, 6 p.m.

The Skinker DeBaliviere community will kick off its 2013 BBQ Concert Series this Saturday from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Greg Freeman Four Corners Park, located at 6008 Kingsbury Avenue.  The featured band is "Non-Stop Reggae," which will perform an exciting combination of classic roots rock reggae and modern reggae dance hits.  Bring a friend or the whole family and enjoy the evening. Proceeds from the BBQ will be donated to SDCC/WEAC to help cover the artists' fees.  For more details, call (314) 862-5122.

June 29 – Carondelet Neighborhood Bicycle Tour, Bellerive Park, 9:30 a.m.

Trailnet and the Carondelet Business Association have partnered to produce the Carondelet Neighborhood Bicycle Tour this Saturday.  Founded in 1767, the town of Carondelet is now one of the City of St. Louis' most historic neighborhoods.  The eight-mile, family friendly ride will visit a number of historic buildings in this "city within a city."  Registration will take place from 9 to 9:30 a.m. at Bellerive Park, located at S. Broadway and Bates Street , and the group ride will depart at 9:30 a.m.  Cost is $5 for adults and $3 for children 10 and under.  Bicycles may be rented from Big Shark Bicycle Company.  To reserve a bike online, visit the bigshark.com web site.

June 29 -- Outdoor Concert, Art Hill Plaza, 7 p.m.

An exciting new series will be offered at Art Hill Plaza in front of the St. Louis Art Museum each month, June through September.  The first concert in the series will be presented at 7 p.m. this Saturday by Jazz St. Louis.  Invite your friends and family to join you for an exciting night of cool Jazz.  To learn more, visit the slam.org web site.

June 29 – 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 "Retro Boogie Band."  Pack a picnic basket, bring lawn chairs or a blanket and enjoy a lively performance under the stars.

June 29 & 30 – Grand Opening Festivities, St. Louis Art Museum, 10 a.m.

The St. Louis Art Museum will open its $130.5 million Sir David Chipperfield-designed East Building on Saturday, June 29.  The inaugural installation in the Main Exhibition galleries of the new East Building will feature Postwar German painting, sculpture, drawings, prints, and photography from the Museum's collection.   The exhibit will open at 10 a.m.  To learn more, visit the slam.org web site.

June 29 – Tower Grove Pride Walk & Community Block Party, Tower Grove Park, 10 a.m.

The Tower Grove Pride Walk and Community Block Party will be held this Saturday from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. in Tower Grove Park.  The walk will begin from the Main Entrance of the Park on S. Grand at Pestalozzi, and the Scouts for Equality will honor the event by presenting the Colors at the beginning of the walk.  For more details, call Michael Powers at (314) 629-6911.

June 29 & 30 – PrideFest & Pride Parade, Downtown, Noon

The Pride St. Louis annual PrideFest and Pride Parade have moved this year from Tower Grove Park to Poelker and Kauffmann Parks, 13^th and Market Street, across from Soldiers' Memorial in Downtown St. Louis.  PrideFest will run from 11 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. on Saturday and 1 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. on Sunday.  Visitors will be able to enjoy live entertainment on the Bud Light Stage each day.  

The annual Pride Parade will step off at 11 a.m. on Sunday, June 30 from 8^th and Market and proceed west on Market to 18^th Street.  For a complete schedule of all the PrideFest activities, visit the pridestl.org web site.

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

The Old Chain of Rocks Bridge is turning 84 years old.  In honor of the occasion, Trailnet will hold a Bridge Birthday Bash and Bicycle Ride on Sunday, June 30.  Registration will take place from 7:30 to 9 a.m. at the bridge, located at 10950 Riverview Drive in the Riverview neighborhood.  Riders will have a choice of short, medium and long routes on both sides of the mighty Mississippi River.  After the ride, return to the bridge for the Birthday Bash that will feature brews, tunes, and ice cream & cake (while they last).  The cost day of the ride will be $10 for members, $15 for non-members and $3 for children.  Questions?  Visit the trailnet.org web site.

June 30 – 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 the group, "PowerPlay."   For a complete list of the concert schedule, visit the carondeletliving.com web site.

June 30 – 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, enjoy a Tribute to July 4^th with Beverly Stewart-Anderson. For a complete list of the Sunday Serenades schedule, visit http://www.chband.org/summer2013.html .

July 1 – 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, July 1, enjoy a Tribute to July 4^th with Beverly Stewart-Anderson. For a complete list of performances in the series, visit http://www.chband.org/summer2013.html .

July 4 – Historic Fourth of July, Old Courthouse, 8 a.m.

The Old Courthouse will be hosting a number of patriotic activities on Thursday, July 4.  The building's rotunda area will be decorated in historic July 4^th detail and there also will be a large Garrison flag on display.  Stop by at 1:30 p.m. to hear the Air Force Concert Band, or 2:30 p.m. for a recitation of the Declaration of Independence, or at 2:45 p.m. for a performance by the Clayton Silver Strings.  The events are free.  For more information, call (314) 655-1614.

July 3 & 4, VP Balloon Glow & Parade, Downtown, 9:30 a.m.

The annual VP Parade is a grand St. Louis tradition.  New this year is a balloon glow in Kiener Plaza showcasing some of the parade's enormous character balloons.  The glow will feature food, games and entertainment and will run from 5 to 10 p.m.  on Wednesday, July 3.

The 136^th Annual Veiled Prophet Parade will step off at 9:30 a.m. on Thursday, July 4 from the Central Library at Olive and 14^th Streets, proceed east to Tucker Boulevard, north to Washington Avenue, east to Fourth Street and south to Market Street before turning west on Market where it will conclude at Citygarden.  To learn more, visit the vpparade.org web site.

July 4 – Folk Festival Showcase, Gateway Arch, 1:15 p.m.

Visitors coming to Downtown St. Louis to celebrate the 4^th of July are invited to stop by the Gateway Arch from 1:15 p.m. to 8 p.m. for the 74^th National Folk Festival Showcase that will be held on the grounds of the Gateway Arch at Fair Saint Louis.  Featured artists will include musical and cultural styles such as Cajun, Mexican mariachi, Native American, western swing/hot jazz, South Indian classical dance, blues, Missouri fiddling and more.  The festival is free.  Need more information?  Call (301) 565-0654.

July 4, 5 & 6 – Fair Saint Louis, on the grounds of the Jefferson National Expansion Memorial, Noon

Make plans now to catch some of the excitement of this year's Fair Saint Louis.  This three-day free family event will give you the opportunity to celebrate America's birthday under the majestic Gateway Arch.  Activities will include Air Shows, headline entertainers, Kids Zone & Cultural Stage, fireworks and more.  Gates will open at Noon each day.  The headliners will take the Budweiser Main Stage at 8 p.m. each night and their performances will be followed by a spectacular fireworks finale.  For all the particulars, visit the fairsaintlouis.org web site.

July 4, 5 & 6 – Rockin' on the Landing, Laclede's Landing, Noon

Looking for a great way to spend the July 4^th weekend?  Visit Laclede's Landing July 4, 5 and 6 and enjoy the ultimate entertainment experience.  Live music will be on every corner, along with various food, craft, and art vendors.  The Landing will also provide a great view of the Fair Saint Louis fireworks and air shows. The event will run from Noon to 11 p.m. each day.  For more information, visit the lacledeslanding.com web site.

Save the Date

July 5 – Summer of Love Outdoor Film Series, Art Hill in Forest Park, 7 p.m.

July 6 – Fireworks, Sublette Park, after sunset

July 6 – 1863 St. Louis Historic Fourth of July, Old Courthouse, 10 a.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.

Call for Nominations

Do you know a business visionary?  The St. Louis Business Journal is seeking nominations for its 2013 Diverse Business Leaders Awards, which promote diversity around race, sexual orientation and disability.  If you know a business executive or entrepreneur who is making an impact on the St. Louis Business community, nominate him or her.  The deadline is Friday, July 12.  To submit your nomination, visit http://www.bizjournals.com/stlouis/nomination/36601 .  Questions?  Call (314) 421-8323.