Public Safety Director's Spotlight - Picnics, Concerts and More!

Public Safety Director's Spotlight on Neighborhood Activities

Pools Will Open Monday, June 11

Outdoor city-operated swimming pools in St. Louis will open on Monday, June 11 and remain open through Aug. 17 for the summer season. Pool entrance is free to city residents. The city's indoor pools also will remain open throughout the summer. Outdoor pools are located at Chambers, Fairgrounds and Marquette parks. Indoor pools are at Wohl, Tandy, 12^th & Park, and Cherokee Recreation Centers. For more information about hours of operation, visit the City's web site at http://stlouis-mo.gov/government/departments/mayor/news/Free-City-Pools-Open-June-11th-2012.cfm

National Flag Day

Flag Day will be observed next week on Thursday, June 14. The observance commemorates the adoption of the flag of the United States by resolution of the Second Continental Congress that day in 1777. In 1916, President Woodrow Wilson issued a proclamation that officially established June 14 as Flag Day; in August 1949, National Flag Day was established by an Act of Congress. On Thursday at 1 p.m. 75 prospective U.S. citizens will take the oath of allegiance during a naturalization ceremony in the Old Courthouse Rotunda in Downtown St. Louis. This will be a life-changing, unforgettable day for them and their families. The event is free and open to the public. I encourage you to fly the American flag on National Flag Day and to remember the many generations of people who have chosen St. Louis as their gateway to life in America.

Upcoming Events

June 8 – Dred & Harriet Scott Statue Dedication, Old Courthouse

Everyone is invited to attend the dedication of a statue honoring Dred & Harriet Scott on Friday at 3 p.m. outside the Old Courthouse, Market & Dred Scott Way, in Downtown St. Louis. The life-sized bronze statue by sculptor Harry Weber will be the first ever of these Civil Rights pioneers. For more information about the statue, visit http://www.thedredscottfoundation.org/ .

June 8 – Food Truck Friday, Tower Grove Park

Sauce Magazine's Food Truck Friday at Tower Grove Park will be this Friday, June 8 from 5 – 8 p.m. on the southwest side of the park. Come and experience the food truck experience for yourself. Hungry diners will have a wide variety of food to purchase, from pizza to tacos, cupcakes to crepes, sushi to sausages and more!

June 9 – Get Outdoors – Under the Gateway Arch

Everyone is invited to stop by the Gateway Arch on the Riverfront on Saturday from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. to enjoy wildlife, rock climbing, fishing, gardening, walking, biking, exercise classes and much more related to healthy living. This event is free and open to the public. For exact times/locations of classes and tours call (877) 982-1410 or log on tohttp://www.coreofdiscovery.com/ .

June 9 & 10 – St. Thomas Orthodox Summer Picnic

The annual Summer Picnic at St. Thomas the Apostle Romanian Orthodox Church will be from11 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Saturday and Noon to 6 p.m. on Sunday. Come visit with friends, family and fellow St. Thomas parishioners of Albanian and Romanian descent. There will be shaded outdoor seating as well as indoor seating. Enjoy chicken, shish-kebabs, bratwurst, Romanian beer, traditional BBQ side dishes and homemade Romanian desserts. Price of dinners will range from $6 - $9. St. Thomas is located at 6501 Nottingham in the St. Louis Hills neighborhood.

June 9 – St. Gabriel the Archangel Parish Picnic

St. Gabriel the Archangel Church will hold its annual Parish Picnic on Saturday from 10 a.m. to10 p.m. Enjoy rides, games, crafts, food, beverages, raffles and more! St. Gabriel's is located at 6303 Nottingham in the St. Louis Hills neighborhood.

June 9 - St. Louis Uncorked, Soldiers' Memorial Plaza

Enjoy sampling more than 150 delicious wines, enjoy delectable foods from area restaurants, sing along to some of St. Louis' live acts and best of all – admission to the event is free. St. Louis Uncorked: A Wine and Music Festival, will be held from 3 – 11 p.m. Saturday at Soldiers' Memorial Plaza, 13^th and Chestnut, in beautiful Downtown St. Louis.

June 9 – Live Music at the Plaza, Soulard Market

The Roadhouse Band will perform from Noon to 3 p.m. on Saturday in the Plaza at Soulard Market. Enjoy shopping for healthy fruit and vegetables, then stop by the Plaza for live music. For more information about all the activities at the market, visit http://www.soulardmarketstl.com/ .

June 10 – Soap Box Derby, The Hill

The annual "Thrill on the Hill" Soap Box Derby will take place on Sunday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., rain or shine. The races will start at Macklind and Columbia Avenues and will take place on Macklind between Shaw and Columbia. The children, ages 8 – 17, who signed up to participate in the derby built their own soap box car from a kit in order to race. Be sure to stop by this fun, family-friendly event and cheer on the young competitors. For more information about the Soap Box Derby, go to http://www.stljaycees.org/soapbox.html .

 

June 10 - Deutschmeister Band in Concert, Carondelet Park

Carondelet Community Betterment Federation is having free concerts all summer long, in the beautiful parks in St. Louis. This Sunday, from 6 – 8 p.m. Deutschmeister Band will perform in concert at the Boathouse Pavilion at Carondelet Park, Loughborough Avenue and Grand Drive in the Holly Hills neighborhood.

June 10 - St. Joseph Annual Spring Picnic, St. Joseph Croatian Church

The St. Joseph Croatian Catholic Church will hold its annual Spring Picnic on Sunday, June 10 from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. inside the two air-conditioned halls of the church. Admission is free. Dance music will begin at Noon. Roasted lamb, goulash, chicken, cakes and pastries will be available. Invite your family and friends to join you at this fun event.

June 12 – Twilight Tuesday Concert, Missouri History Museum

The final concert in the current Twilight Tuesday Concert Series will be this Tuesday, June 12. Performer Wendell Brown will pay tribute to Luther Vandross. The concert will begin at 6 p.m. on the museum's front lawn. Admission is free. To get more information, visit http://www.mohistory.org/ .

June 16 – "The Hero's Run," The Upper Muny Parking Lot in Forest Park

Run with St. Louis Police and Law Enforcement Officers from the Greater St. Louis Area on Saturday, June 16 and show your appreciation for their support of running and walking while supporting the St. Louis Police Athletic League. All events will start and finish at the Upper Muny Parking Lot in Forest Park. The 5K adult run will start at 8 a.m. The ½-Mile Youth Run will start at 9:15 a.m. For information concerning registration or to volunteer for The Hero's Run, call the St. Louis Track Club at (314) 781-3926 or the St. Louis PAL Office at (314) 444-5967.

Save the Date

June 14 – Trailnet Open House

June 15 – Breakfast for Bikers, Downtown Bicycle Station

June 15 – 17 – Juneteenth Celebration, Fountain Park

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

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

June 16 – Arts & Crafts Fair, Soulard Market Park

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

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

June 16 – Free Concert, Lafayette Park

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.

Fishing in Forest Park

In closing, I want to pass along some information about fishing in Forest Park. Many St. Louisans enjoy fishing in the lakes in Forest Park as well as other City parks. Fishing is permitted with a license. If you have children ages 7 – 12 in your family, you may want to take this opportunity to have them learn the basics of fishing. This program will meet from 10 a.m. to Noon on Tuesday, June 12 at the Hatchery and Educational Fishing Lakes in Forest Park. The hatchery is not open to public fishing, but is strictly used for educational fishing. To learn more details and to register, call (314) 877-1309.

Eddie Roth

Director of Public Safety

City of St. Louis