Public Safety Director's Spotlight - Older Driver Safety Awareness Week

 

Older Driver Safety Awareness Week

Originated by the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA), Older Driver Safety Awareness Week was created to promote the importance mobility and transportation play in ensuring older adults remain active in their communities.  It's a fact of life that people grow older each day.  With increasing age come physical changes that can challenge a person's continued ability to drive safely.  Family and friends play a major role in discussions about older driver safety.  For many seniors such conversations spark strong reactions, but fortunately, these conversations can be opportunities for good communication and problem solving.  Working together, you can develop an action plan that preserves your loved one's personal freedom and mobility, while ensuring their safety and the safety of other road users.  To read more on this topic, visit http://seniordriving.aaa.com/ .

Upcoming Events

Dec. 5 – First Friday, Grand Center, 5 p.m.

Enjoy an evening of art, music, and culture the first Friday of every month.  Museums and galleries throughout Grand Center are free and open the entire evening.  To learn more, visit the grandcenter.org web site.

Dec. 5 – 7 – Holiday Magic, St. Louis Union Station

Whether you have tickets for The Polar Express^TM Train Ride or not, exciting Holiday Magic events and activities at St. Louis Union Station are open to all.  Check the website at STLPolarExpressRide.com for an up-to-date list of events including Santa's Mail Room where kids can write to the Jolly Old Elf; story time with Mrs. Claus; live music and dance performances; the Panoramic Light Show in the Grand Hall and more.

Dec. 5 – 7 – U.S. Bank Wild Lights, St. Louis Zoo, 5:30 p.m.

Stroll through the Saint Louis Zoo's enchanting holiday wonderland and enjoy thousands of colorful lights, animated light displays and seasonal sounds this weekend from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.  Visitors will also be able to gather 'round for fireside stories and live performances on select nights.  Hot chocolate, meals and snacks will be available for purchase at Lakeside Café.  For the complete calendar of events, visit the stlzoo.org web site.

Dec. 5 through Dec. 27 – Chase Park Plaza's Annual Holiday Extravaganza, 6 p.m.

The legendary Chase Park Plaza hotel is hosting an Annual Holiday Extravaganza this Friday through Dec. 27 to celebrate St. Louis' most beloved Holiday traditions.  The month-long event will feature Christmas carolers, cookie decorating, a gingerbread house, elves, a Hanukkah Celebration, a special Kwanzaa display, and free photos with Santa and Mrs. Claus.  Throughout the month, Mrs. Claus will be available Friday and Saturday evenings (6-8 p.m.) to read Holiday stories and pose for free photos with visitors in the Chase's lobby  .On Sundays, other events include free cookie decorating workshop with Mrs. Claus (Dec. 7 & 14, 2-5 p.m.) and a special Hanukkah Celebration in the main lobby (Dec. 21, 2-4 p.m.)  Need more information?  Visit the chaseparkplaza.com web site.

Dec. 6 – Skinker DeBaliviere Wintermarkt, Greg Freeman Park, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Wintermarkt will be back this Saturday in Skinker DeBaliviere, providing another exciting outdoor craft sale in the spirit of the holiday season. This German-inspired festival is ideal for those looking for one-of-a-kind holiday gifts. Visitors can expect to find vendors selling jewelry, photographs, candles, Christmas ornaments and locally produced honey.  A variety of musical groups will perform at the Wintermarkt which will take place in Greg Freeman Park, 6000 Kingsbury Avenue.  For more information, call (314) 862-5122.

Dec. 6 – 5^th Annual Window Walk, Central West End, 1 to 6 p.m.

The 5^th Annual Central West End Window Walk will kick off this Saturday and continue through the holiday season with scheduled events.  Enjoy family-friendly festivities, stroll amidst beautifully decorated windows, watch live entertainment and discover special promotions throughout the District.  Don't miss the tree lighting ceremony at 6 p.m. at Maryland Plaza.  Go to http://cwescene.com for all the details.

Dec. 6 – Grinchmas, MoKaBe's Coffeehouse, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

The Grinch will be arriving in the South Grand neighborhood this Saturday to spread holiday cheer and joy, and to raise funds for Shriners Hospitals for Children.  The Grinch will be at MoKaBe's Coffeehouse and Tower Grove Creamery, located at S. Grand and Arsenal, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.  For a $7 donation to the hospital, participants can get their photo taken with the Grinch.  Those who bring a toy donation for the children at Shriners Hospitals for Children can get a photo taken for only $5.  Moolah Shriners clowns will also be there to provide face-painting and balloon animals.  Street parking is available, as well as a free parking lot located at 3500 Hartford provided by the business district.  For more information, visit the southgrand.org web site.

Dec. 6 & 7 – Soulard Holiday Parlour Tour, starts at Gene Slay's Boys' Club of St. Louis, 10 a.m.

Come to Soulard this weekend and experience the 39^th Annual Soulard Holiday Parlour Tour.  The tour is one of St. Louis' most time-honored traditions, inviting guests to view featured homes decked in their holiday best.  Heated shuttles departing from the Boys' Club located at 2524 S. 11^th Street will take guests from home to home where they will get to meet homeowners and hear interesting facts and stories about their restoration efforts.  Tickets will cost $25 per person the day of the event.  Advance reservations are encouraged for a preferred tour time slot.  Visit the soulard.org web site for more information and to buy tickets online.

Dec. 7 – Magic Chef Christmas Cookie Bake and Mansion Tour, 3400 Russell Blvd., 4 p.m.

The Magic Chef Mansion at 3400 Russell Boulevard will be brimming with Christmas delights – and the aromas of holiday baking this Sunday from 4 to 8 p.m.  Visitors will be able to tour the Mansion's first floor.  An antique toy train will circle 'round, much as it did in the last century for the children of the Stockstrom family, residents there for 80+ years.  Admission is $15 for adults; $12 for seniors; $8 for children age 12 to 6; and free for under 6.  For all the details, visit the magicchefmansion.com web site.

Dec. 7 – Family Sundays, Saint Louis Art Museum, Noon

Everyone is invited to stop by the Saint Louis Art Museum every Sunday afternoon in December from Noon to 4 p.m. for Family Sundays:  Winter Celebrations.  Experience a different culture each week with art activities, scavenger hunts, performances, and special treats.  For a complete calendar of activities, log on to the slam.org web site.

Dec. 10 – Light Up SoHa Holiday Walk, Macklind Business District, 6 p.m.

Everyone is invited to join in the holiday festivities along Macklind Avenue on Wednesday, Dec. 10 from 6 to 9 p.m.  Visitors will hear carolers singing as they walk along Macklind, enjoying special offerings from the local businesses.  There will also be a holiday photo opportunity for the kids.  Select businesses will be collecting donations to support Lydia's House.  Public voting on the holiday house decorating contest will be open at the Macklind Avenue Deli (at Nottingham) during this event.  For more information, follow the @SouthamptonSTL Twitter account.

Now through Jan. 4, 2015 – Anheuser-Busch Holiday Lights 2014, Anheuser-Busch Brewery Tour Center, 6 to 10 p.m.

The Anheuser-Busch holiday lights display offers more than half a million lights and a variety of new experiences for guests of all ages to enjoy.  This family-friendly event offers free self-guided walking tours, warm and cozy fire pits for making s'mores, complimentary beer samples for adults 21 and older, dinner at the Biergarten and more!  Guests can enter through the Tour Center, located at 1200 Lynch Street, and park for free in designated Tour Center parking lots.  The season-long activities take place every Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 6 to 9 p.m. through Jan. 4, 2015.  For all the details, visit www.budweisertours.com.

Now through Dec. 31 – The Polar Express^TM Train Ride, St. Louis Union Station, 4:30 p.m.

All aboard for The Polar Express Train Ride departing St. Louis Union Station with service to the North Pole on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays during the holiday season!  The magical story of the classic children's book, The Polar Express, is told during this ride on real trains.  Families will drink hot chocolate, enjoy cookies, sing Christmas carols, play with elves and meet Santa Claus, who will give them the first gift of Christmas – a silver sleigh bell.  Trains depart at 4:30, 6:30 and 8:30 p.m. for an hour-long journey.  For ticket information and more details, visit the stlpolarexpressride.com web site.

Now through Jan. 3, 2015 – Garden Glow Holiday Light Exhibit, Missouri Botanical Garden, 5:30 to 9:30 p.m.

The Garden Glow Light Exhibit at the Missouri Botanical Garden provides visitors a spectacle of unique light displays, with hundreds of thousands of lights adorning some of the Garden's most widely recognized locations including the Climatron.  The Garden is located at 4344 Shaw Boulevard.  To learn more, visit the missouribotanicalgarden.org web site.

Save the Date

Dec. 13 – Holidays in Old North Festival & Craft Market, 14^th & Montgomery, 11 a.m.

Dec. 13 – Holiday Market, City Garden Montessori School, 9 a.m.

Dec. 13 – Holiday Open House, Scott Joplin House State Historic Site, 2658 Delmar, 1 p.m.

Dec. 13 – Urban League Guild of Metropolitan St. Louis Holiday Bazaar, Vashon High School, 3 p.m.

Dec. 13 – Downtown Dutchtown Holiday Shop Hop, On and around Meramec Street, During regular store hours

Dec. 13 – St. Louis Classic Viewing Party, Steinberg Skating Rink, 9 p.m.

Dec. 14 – Holiday Parlor Tour, Lafayette Square, 10 a.m.

Dec. 14 – Hot Chocolate 15K/5K, Downtown, 7:30 a.m.

Dec. 17 – DT2's Annual Holiday Party, The Liermann Loft, 6 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.

Empty Bowls Project

Urban Eats Café will be hosting an Empty Bowls Project event this Sunday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at 3301 Meramec Street.  Empty Bowls Project is a grassroots movement to help end hunger.  Potters and other craftsmen, educators and non-profits gather with their community to create hand-crafted bowls.  Guests are invited for a meal of soup and bread, and as a "thank you" for donating to local hunger relief, are gifted a handmade bowl as a reminder of all of the empty bowls in the world.  All the proceeds from the event will be given to St. Anthony's Food Pantry in South City.  Questions?  Visit http://emptybowls.urbaneatscafe.com/ .

Col. Richard Gray

Director of Public Safety

City of St. Louis