Public Safety Director's Spotlight - Recognizing America's Small Businesses

 

Recognizing America's Small Businesses

For more than 50 years, the Small Business Administration (SBA) has recognized the outstanding achievements of America's small businesses for their contributions in their local communities, and to our nation's economy.  The SBA is now accepting nominations for the 2015 National Small Business Week Awards.  Are you a small business owner with an amazing success story to tell?  If so, then submit your nomination today online at http://awards.sba.gov .  The deadline for nominations is 3 p.m. ET on Monday, Jan. 5, 2015.  Will the next winner be from the St. Louis metropolitan area?  Winners will be announced during National Small Business Week in May 2015.

Upcoming Events

Nov. 14 – Friday Evening Tours, Contemporary Art Museum St. Louis, 6 p.m.

Take advantage of Contemporary Art Museum St. Louis' late hours on Friday evenings and stop by for a special 30-minute tour of the exhibitions.  CAM is located at 3750 Washington Boulevard in Grand Center.  For more information, visit the camstl.org web site.

Nov. 14 & 15 – Spectrum 2014: A Festival of Short Plays, Southampton Presbyterian Church, 8 p.m.

First Run Theater will present Spectrum 2014: A Festival of Short Plays this Friday and Saturday at 8 p.m. at Southampton Presbyterian Church, 4716 Macklind Avenue.  This annual highly success festival of short 10-minute new plays by St. Louis playwrights will feature eight new plays by seven playwrights.  For more information, visit the firstruntheatre.com web site.

Nov. 15 – Family Days, World Chess Hall of Fame, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Saturday Family Days at the World Chess Hall of Fame are designed for families with children ages 5 to 12 and feature a kid-friendly tour of current exhibitions and related art project or activity.  Identical sessions begin at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. and last about one hour.  Free for members; $5 per child for non-members.  All children must be accompanied by an adult.  Registration is limited to 24 children per session, and reservations are strongly recommended.  RSVP to events@worldchesshof.org.  For more details, visit the worldchesshof.org web site.

Nov. 15 – Czech Fall Festival, American Czech Educational Center, 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Everyone is invited to stop by the Czech Fall Festival this Saturday from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. at the American Czech Educational Center, 4690 Lansdowne Avenue in the Bevo Mill neighborhood.  Visitors will be able to enjoy Czech food, Czech beer, Czech pastry, Czech music and more.  Questions?  Call (314) 752-8168.

Nov. 15 – Trivia Night, St. Mary's High School, 7 p.m.

Calling all trivia buffs!  The St. Mary's High School Trivia Night will take place this Saturday.  Doors will open at 6:15 p.m.  Trivia will begin at 7 p.m.  Bring your favorite snacks and appetizers; beer, soda and water will be provided.  Cost is $25 per person, tables of 8 to 10 people.  All proceeds will benefit the Senior Class Graduation Lock-In.  To reserve your table, contact Tammy at (314) 359-0316 or email Dogtowntammy@gmail.com.

Nov. 16 – Sock Hop, German Cultural Society Hall, 1 to 5 p.m.

Everyone is invited to join in the fun at the German Cultural Society's '50s Sock Hop dance this Sunday from 1 –5 p.m. at the Hall located at 3652 South Jefferson in the Marine Villa neighborhood.  Put on your poodle skirts and bowling shirts and invite your friends and neighbors to join you for a fun afternoon.  Admission price ranges from $5 to $10 and includes hamburgers and snacks.  Need more information?  Call (314) 771-8368.

Nov. 16 – Thanksgiving Concert, Second Presbyterian Church, 4 to 5 p.m.

The Second Church Chorale and Orchestra with conductor Andrew Peters will present a program in celebration of Thanksgiving this Sunday from 4 to 5 p.m. at the church located at 4501 Westminster Place in the trendy Central West End neighborhood.  The performance will feature Handel's Dettingen Te Deum for soloists, choir, and orchestra.  For more details, visit the secondchurch.net web site.

Nov. 19 – Landlord Training Session, MissouriBotanical Garden, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.

The Tower Grove CDC will hold its final Landlord Training Session for 2014 on Wednesday, Nov. 19.  The topic is Financial Assistance for Remediation.  Come and learn about the dangers of lead hazards, the consequences for non-compliance with the federal Lead Based Paint, Renovation, Repair and Painting Program, and financial assistance available for lead remediation.  The session will be held from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. in the Beaumont Room at the Missouri Botanical Garden, 4344 Shaw.  To register for this free session, go to https://www.eventbrite.com/e/final-landlord-training-for-2014-tickets-14204507063 .

Now through Nov. 23 – 23^rd Annual St. Louis International Film Festival, various venues and times

The annual Whitaker St. Louis International Film Festival is one of the largest international film festivals in the Midwest, and it is taking place now through Nov. 23.  Venues include the Tivoli Theatre, Stage at KDHX, Centene Center for A&E, Contemporary Art Museum St. Louis, Missouri History Museum, Nine Network, Saint Louis Art Museum, and Saint Louis University, to name but a few.  For ticket information and the day-by-day schedule of screenings and events, visit http://www.cinemastlouis.org/ .

Save the Date

Nov. 22 – Ameren Missouri Festival of Lights, St. Louis Union Station, 4:30 p.m.

Nov. 22 – Garden Glow Holiday Light Exhibit, Missouri Botanical Garden, 5:30 to 9:30 p.m.

Nov. 22— Shaw Community Thanksgiving Potluck, 2149 S. Grand Blvd., 4 p.m.

Nov. 27 – Ameren Missouri Thanksgiving Day Parade, Downtown, 8:45 a.m.

Nov. 28 – Holiday Tree Lighting, Lafayette Square Plaza Fountain, 5 to 7 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.

Junior Grand Marshal Coloring & Essay Contest

The Christmas in St. Louis Foundation in conjunction with St. Louis Union Station is sponsoring a Coloring & Essay Contest for children between the ages of 5 and 13 in the St. Louis Metropolitan area currently enrolled in Kindergarten through 8^th grade, including home schooled children.  Four winners will be named Junior Grand Marshals in the 2014 Ameren Missouri St. Louis Thanksgiving Day Parade and will participate, along with a parent or legal guardian, as special guests of the parade.  In addition, the four first place winners will receive a Polar Express package provided by St. Louis Union Station.  Poster and essay entries must be submitted no later than Saturday, Nov. 15 to the Christmas in St. Louis Foundation, 6600 Manchester Avenue, St. Louis, MO  63139.  For all the details, visit http://christmasinstlouis.org/coloring-contest .

Col. Richard Gray

Director of Public Safety

City of St. Louis