Public Safety Director's Spotlight - Safety Tips for the Memorial Day Weekend

 

Safety Tips for the Memorial Day Weekend

With the Memorial Day Weekend almost here, that means people will be swimming, cooking out, traveling, and having fun.  No matter what activities you have planned, you should always plan on being safe.  Below are five safety tips for the holiday weekend:

• Fire Safety.  Be sure to clean your grill before using it; grease or dust could cause a fire later.  When using a grill, do not use it in the garage, porch or other enclosed spaces.
• Food Safety.  It's always important to thoroughly cook foods, especially when you're grilling with ground beef, poultry and pork.  Always wash your hands with soap and water before handling food and after touching raw meat. And, make sure you refrigerate perishable foods within two hours.
• Water Safety.  Don't, under any circumstances, swim alone.  Make sure to always wear a life vest while boating no matter how uncomfortable they are.  And, always keep an eye out for children who are in or near the water.
• Sun Safety.  Wearing a hat and sunglasses can help block out unwanted sun, but the best protection from the sun is sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or higher.  Staying hydrated is key, so remember to drink lots of water.
• Travel Safety.  For many, this weekend will mean getting out on the road.  Before hitting the road, make sure your vehicle has been serviced.  Always wear your seat belt and never drink and drive or travel with anyone who has been drinking.

Have a safe, enjoyable Memorial Day!

Upcoming Events

May 22 through May 24 – Wizard World Comic Con St. Louis 2015, America's Center, times vary

Make plans now to stop by Wizard World Comic Con St. Louis this Friday, Saturday and Sunday at America's Center. Join the thousands of fans that will be on hand to celebrate the best in pop culture.  Admissions start at $39.95.  Children 10 and under will get in free when accompanied by a paid adult (limit two per paid adult admissions).  For ticket pricing and autograph sessions information, visit http://www.wizardworld.com/stlouis.html.

Every Friday – STLive on Washington Avenue, participating venues on Washington Avenue in Downtown St. Louis, 5 p.m.

Washington Avenue is alive with the sound of music every Friday night all year 'round at various Washington Avenue restaurants such as Tigin, Pi, Robust, Takaya, Dubliner, Copia, Flamingo Bowl, Hair of the Dog, Blondie's, Lucas Park Grille, Rosalita's, Wash Ave Post, Hiro Asian Kitchen, Sen Thai and many more.  Restaurants offer drink and dinner specials in addition to the live music.  All genres of music – from pop to jazz to country to rock -- are represented.  There is something for everyone to enjoy.  For more information, visit the STLiveMusic page on Facebook.

May 22 through June 14 – Antony and Cleopatra – Shakespeare Festival St. Louis, Forest Park, 8 p.m.

Enjoy a lovely night of Shakespeare under the stars in beautiful Forest Park.  Antony and Cleopatra tells the epic, intriguing, and enchanting tale of a Roman general caught under the spell of history's most stunning and powerful queen.  Bring blankets or chairs for lawn seating or rent a chair.  Bring your own picnic or enjoy a box dinner from the on-site caterer.  Come early (6:30 p.m.) for the traditional Green Show where dancers, musicians, jugglers and other entertainers interact with the audience.  Thursday performances are signed for the hearing impaired.  The site is wheelchair accessible  .For more information, visit the sfstl.com web site or call (314) 531-9800.

Every Friday, May – September – Lunchtime Live, Old Post Office Plaza, 801 Locust, 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

Lunchtime Live is Downtown's premier outdoor lunchtime party that features live bands, food trucks and great networking opportunities.  Invite your co-workers to join you at this fun way to spend your lunch hour.  For more information, visit the downtownstl.org web site.

May 23 – Free Landlord Training, North Newstead Association, 4601 Pope Avenue, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

The North Newstead Association will be providing a free Landlord Training Opportunity this Saturday.  The workshop will cover topics related to understanding the nuisance process according to St. Louis City ordinance(s).  For more details, visit www.northnewstead.org or call (314) 385-4343.

May 23 – 1780 British Attack on St. Louis Re-enactment, Old Courthouse, 11 North Fourth Street, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The National Park Service will present a program this Saturday about the historic 1780 Revolutionary War battle that took place on the present-day Gateway Arch Grounds  .Living history volunteers in 18^th-century attire will perform musket and cannon demonstrations at the northwest courtyard of the Old Courthouse from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and share with visitors the story of St. Louis' role in the American Revolution.  Visit the gatewayarch.com web site or call 1-877-982-1410 for more information.

May 23 through August 23 – Lantern Festival: Magic Reimagined, Missouri Botanical Garden, 4344 Shaw Boulevard, times vary

This year's Lantern Festival: Magic Reimagined will bring all-new lighted works of art to the Missouri Botanical Garden this summer.  The all-new sets crafted from silk and steel will once again offer visitors from around the world the opportunity to experience an event rarely staged outside of Asia.  For ticket information, visit the missouribotanicalgarden.org web site or call (314) 678-7442.

May 23 – Unity Community Series, Blank Space, 2847 Cherokee Street, 3 p.m.

St. Louis Poet Laureate Dr. Michael Castro and Spoken Word poet Pacia Elaine will be hosting the latest edition in the Unity Community Series this Saturday with a community poetry gathering at Blank Space.  The event will feature performances by:  Jacqui Germain, Aja La'Starr, Lenny Smith, DuEwa Frazier, Chris Parr, Spitfire and K-Word (Kirkwood Verbquake Teen Poets).  Questions?  Email Michael.castro@usa.net.

May 23 – Low-Cost Vaccination & Microchip Clinic, Charlotte's Hall, 8709 Riverview Boulevard, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Looking for low-cost vaccinations or a spay/neuter procedure for your pet?  Make your appointment today for Ward 2 Pets in the Neighborhood!  On May 23, the Operation S.P.O.T. (Stop Pet Overpopulation Today) Waggin' will be at Charlotte's Hall to perform low-cost vaccinations.  Then, be sure to make an appointment for a spay/neuter surgery at the same location on May 27, 30 or June 3.  To make an appointment, please call (314) 622-3769.

Every Saturday, now through June 27 – Grand Center Architecture and History Tours, KDHX, 3524 Washington Boulevard, 10 a.m.

The Grand Center Architecture and History Walking Tour, sponsored by Enterprise Bank and Trust, provides a fascinating look into the District's magnificent buildings, rich history, dynamic neighborhood, and vibrant arts culture.  The free 1.5 mile tour starts from the Magnolia Café at KDHX.  Tours run every Saturday, now through June 27, 2015.  Visit www.grandcenter.org/gctourssignup to RSVP for a tour.  For more information, you may call (314) 289-1500.

May 23, 24 & 25 – 24^th Annual St. Louis African Arts Festival, World's Fair Pavilion in Forest Park, 10 a.m.

The 24^th Annual St. Louis African Arts Festival will take place this Saturday, Sunday and Monday at the World's Fair Pavilion in beautiful Forest Park.  Visitors will be able to shop for African arts and crafts, jewelry, clothing, oils and more.  Other activities include health forums and screenings, cultural demonstrations, children's activities, and a screening of  "The First Grader."  For a complete schedule of activities, visit the africanartsfest.com web site.

May 24 – Lindenwood Live Concert, Lindenwood Park (Pernod & Jamieson Avenues), 5 to 8 p.m.

Gather up your friends and neighbors and come enjoy the sound of local bands at the free Lindenwood Live Concert this Sunday.  Food trucks will begin serving at 5 p.m.  Go to the lindenwoodpark.org web site to learn more.

Every Sunday – St. Louis Swap Meet, located at the historic Lemp Brewery, Cherokee and Lemp Streets, 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.

The St. Louis Swap Meet, the new outdoor marketplace for local vendors, is open every Sunday at 9:30 a.m.  Visitors will be able to buy everything from furniture, delicious food, and unique toys to posters and pottery all while enjoying live music and more.  For more information, visit the stlswapmeet.com web site.

May 26 – Twilight Tuesdays, Missouri History Museum in Forest Park, 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.

The Twilight Tuesdays Spring 2015 Concert Series is underway.  This fabulous free concert on the History Museum's front lawn on Tuesday, May 26, will be Sinatra Song Book.  Pre-concert activities will begin at 4:30 p.m. and in the event of a weather cancellation, these activities are rain or shine and will resume as normal each Tuesday.  For all the details, visit the mohistory.org web site.

Save the Date

May 28 – June 28 – Circus Flora, 3511 Samuel Shepard Drive in Grand Center, performance times vary

May 29 – We Heart STL Best of the City Celebration, Old Post Office Plaza, 11^th and Locust Street, 7 to 11 p.m.

May 30 – Neighborhood Clean Up -- Hyde Park, start at Sun Café, 1435 Salisbury, 9 a.m.

May 30 –2015 Concert Series, Benton Park, Arsenal &S. Jefferson, 4 to 9 p.m.

May 30 – Relay For Life of St. Louis, Soldiers' Memorial, 1315 Chestnut Street, 6 p.m. to Midnight

May 30 – IndiHop 2015, Cherokee Street and The Grove, 1 to 7 p.m.

May 31 – Friends of Tower Grove Picnic in the Park, Music Stand and Piper Palm House in Tower Grove Park, 4 to 7 p.m.

June 2 – Circus Flora Appearance, Citygarden, 10^th & Market Street, 12:15 to 1 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.

2015 St. Louis Urban Gardening Symposium

Attention Gardeners!  Register now for the 2015 St. Louis Urban Gardening Symposium.  Want to learn about gardening with native plants, how to attract butterflies to your garden, or what you can do to improve your soil?  Then sign up now for the 2^nd Annual St. Louis Urban Gardening Symposium located at Brightside St. Louis' Demonstration Garden at 4646 Shenandoah Avenue.  The symposium will feature a series of 40-minute workshops from 9 a.m. until Noon.  Each workshop will be led by experts in their respective fields to help gardeners learn how to plan, plant and care for a neighborhood or home garden.  The cost is only $10 per person.  Learn more and register at http://www.brightsidestl.org/?p=2960.  Space is limited!

Col. Richard Gray

Director of Public Safety

City of St. Louis