Public Safety Director's Spotlight - Honoring EMS Practitioners

 

Honoring EMS Practitioners

National EMS Week will be observed this year from May 18 through May 24 to recognize and honor the hundreds of thousands of emergency medical services practitioners around the country.  EMS Week is a time for national appreciation of the daily life-saving service that EMS practitioners provide to their patients and to acknowledge their unique and critical role in our nation's healthcare system.  First established by President Gerald Ford in 1973, the role of EMS has changed a lot since then.  Please join me in saluting the men and women who provide this valuable service to our great city and throughout the country.

Upcoming Events

May 16 –Bike to Work Day / Breakfast for Bikers, various locations, 6:30 a.m.

This month's Breakfast for Bikers event will coincide with National Bike to Work Day.  Invite your co-workers to join you, Trailnet, and fellow cyclists for free coffee, breakfast and more at various refueling stations on Friday, May 16 from 6:30 a.m. to 9 a.m..  For all the details, visit the trailnet.org web site.

May 16 –Third Friday Free Party, Third Degree Glass Factory, 6 p.m.

Let the Third Friday Free Party at Third Degree Glass Factory this Friday take you on a magic carpet ride of sorts. Visitors will enjoy glassblowers creating art from molten glowing glass, belly dancers, exotic music and more.  The Factory is located at 5200 Delmar Boulevard in the Central West End neighborhood.  For all the particulars, visit the thirddegreeglassfactory.com web site.

May 17 –Community Meeting, New Northside Complex, 10 a.m.

The 27^th Ward will hold its monthly Community Meeting this Saturday from 10 a.m. to Noon at the New Northside Complex located at 5939 Goodfellow in the North Point neighborhood.  Guests will hear from several elected and city officials.  Invite your neighbors to join you at this informative meeting.

May 17 –Old North House & Community Tour, start at 2719 N. 14^th Street, 10 a.m.

Get your tickets now for the annual Old North House &Community Tour sponsored by the Old North Saint Louis Restoration Group.  From 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. this Saturday you can see for yourself the successes in the revitalization of Old North at the more than a dozen stops on the self-guided tour.  Advance tickets at $10 per person may be purchased online at ONSL.org or they may be purchased in person at the ONSLRG Office, 2700 N. 14^th Street during regular business hours up until the day before the tour.  Tickets on the day of the tour will be available for $12 at the registration tent on the corner of St. Louis Avenue and N. 14^th Street.  Proceeds from the tour will help support the continued work of ONSLRG throughout the year.

May 17 –Re-dedication of the Naked Truth monument, Reservoir Park, 1 p.m.

This year marks the 100^th anniversary of the installation of the Naked Truth monument in Compton Hill's Reservoir Park (Grand and Shaw).  To commemorate that milestone, the monument will be re-dedicated this Saturday at 1 p.m.  Festivities will include music by the Deutschmeister Brass Band, color guard, classic cars, a keynote address and more.  Invite your family and friends and to join you for this historic occasion.  For more details, go to the watertowerfoundation.org web site.

May 17 &18 –18^th Annual Chinese Culture Days, Missouri Botanical Garden, 11 a.m.

Experience the tradition and customs of Chinese art, music, performances, parades and cuisine this Saturday and Sunday at the Missouri Botanical Garden at the 18^th Annual Chinese Culture Days.  The festivities will begin at 11 am. Saturday with a grand parade and opening ceremony featuring a colorful, dancing dragon.  The parade will be repeated at 2 p.m. on Sunday.  Guests will enjoy martial arts performances, dancers, acrobatics, Chinese arts and crafts, face painting, fan making, games and more.  Questions?  Visit the mobot.org web site or call (314) 577-5100.

May 17 –Neighborhood Beautification Workshop, 4449 Red Bud, 10 a.m.

The North Newstead Association will be conducting a Neighborhood Beautification Workshop for residents in North St. Louis City from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at 4449 Red Bud.  Topics to be covered in the workshop will include "Developing a Community Garden" and "Public Art as a Way to Revitalize a Neighborhood."  If you would like further information about the event, or any other program offered by the North Newstead Association, please visit www.northnewstead.org, email northnewstead@hotmail.com or call the office at (314) 385-4343.

May 17 – Connect with a Purpose:Volunteer & BBQ, Tower Grove Park, 9 a.m.

Are you a young professional interested in volunteering in the community?  Then consider registering for the Connect With a Purpose event that will take place this Saturday from 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., culminating with a BBQ in Tower Grove Park.  To learn more and to register, visit the focus-stl.org web site.

May 17 – Bone Marrow Drive, Italia-America Bocce Club, 1 p.m.

Italia-America Bocce Club and St. Ambrose Catholic Church are co-sponsoring a Bone Marrow Donor Drive that will be held this Saturday from 1 –5 p.m. at the Club located at 2210 Marconi on "The Hill."  All that is required to join the registry as a potential donor is a cheek swab and about 15 minutes of your time.  If you cannot be a marrow donor at this time, please consider a monetary donation instead.  To learn more about being a bone marrow donor, visit the BeTheMatch.org web site.

May 17 –Bark in the Park, Forest Park, 9 a.m.

The Humane Society of Missouri and Purina ONE^® will present Bark in the Park, the largest dog festival in the Midwest, this Saturday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Cricket Field in Forest Park.  Bring the entire family to this fun festival that will benefit the Humane Society of Missouri Animal Cruelty Fund.  To register for the various events and to learn more, visit http://member.hsmo.org/site/PageServer?pagename=Bark_FAQ ,

May 17 –Grand Opening, The Luminary Center for the Arts, 8 p.m.

The Grand Opening of the new location for The Luminary Center For The Arts at 2701 Cherokee Street will take place this Saturday from 8 –11 p.m.  The free event will offer a first glimpse into the finished new space.  Visitors will enjoy live music, cash bar, live art auction, a silent auction and more.  Visit theluminaryarts.com web site for all the details.

May 17 –Hammerstone's Car & Motorcycle Show, 9^th & Russell, 9 a.m.

The 15^th Annual Car & Motorcycle Show at Hammerstone's will take place this Saturday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at 9^th and Russell in historic Soulard.  Registration will begin at 9 a.m.  The cost is $15.  The first 100 registrations will receive a dash plaque.  All proceeds will benefit the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation.  Questions?  Call (314) 803-9084.

May 17 through June 15 –Shakespeare Festival St. Louis –Henry IV, Forest Park, 8 p.m.

Shakespeare Festival St. Louis will premier Henry IV at 8 p.m. on May 17 at Shakespeare Glen in Forest Park.  Preview performances will take place on May 15 and 16. Come early to find seats and parking. Visit the sfstl.com web site to plan your visit and to learn more about all the performances planned for May and June.

May 18 –Annie Malone May Day Parade, Downtown, 1 p.m.

The annual Annie Malone May Day Parade will take place this Sunday beginning at 1 p.m. from 20^th and Market Street, east on Market to 7^th Street where it will end.  Invite your family and friends to join you for this fun event in Downtown St. Louis.  For more details, visit the anniemalone.com web site.

May 18 –Make Tracks for the Zoo 2014, Saint Louis Zoo, 7:30 a.m.

Runners and walkers of all ages are invited to participate in the St. Louis Children's Hospital Make Tracks for the Zoo 5K run/walk through Forest Park this Sunday to benefit the Saint Louis Zoo.  For the various routes and registration costs, visit www.stlzoo.org/maketracks or call (314) 646-4771.

May 18 –A Celebration of Japanese Culture, Missouri History Museum, 1 p.m.

The Japanese America Society and the Japan America Society Women's Association will present A Celebration of Japanese Culture this Sunday from 1 to 3 p.m. at the Missouri History Museum at Lindell and DeBaliviere in beautiful Forest Park.  Guests will discover Japanese culture through demonstrations of ikebana flower arranging, a tea ceremony, storytelling, a doll display and more.  Bring a friend and enjoy this free cultural event.  Log on the mohistory.org website to learn more.

May 20 –Twilight Tuesdays Spring 2014 Concert Series, Missouri History Museum, 6 p.m.

The Missouri History Museum's Twilight Tuesdays Concert Series will continue on Tuesday, May 20 with a free concert by the group Groovethang, playing a tribute to the Doobie Brothers.  Festivities will run from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. on the Museum's front lawn on Lindell Boulevard at DeBaliviere in Forest Park.  For the complete schedule of concert performers, log on to the mohistory.org/twilight-Tuesdays web site.

May 21 –2014 Ride and Walk of Silence, Missouri History Museum, 5:30 p.m.

The 2014 Ride and Walk of Silence will be held on Wednesday, May 21 beginning with a time of reflection from 5:30 p.m. to 6 p.m., followed by a memorial for individuals killed or injured by motor vehicles.  The silent ride and walk will begin at 6:15 p.m., departing from the Missouri History Museum at Lindell Boulevard and DeBaliviere Avenue.  Cyclists are asked to ride no faster than 12 miles per hour, wear helmets, follow the rules of the road, remain silent during the ride, and bring lights.  The ride will be 10 miles long; the walk will be two miles long and will also be conducted in silence. Need more information?  Call Steve Schmidt at (314) 436-1324 ext. 138 or steve@trailnet.org.

May 21 –Tower Grove South Monthly NOM Meeting, Grand Oak Hill Community Center, 6:30 p.m.

The monthly Tower Grove South Neighborhood Ownership Model meeting will take place at 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, May 21, at the Grand Oak Hill Community Center, 4168 Juniata.  Attendees will hear from the 2^nd District liaison officer, discuss NOM projects and more.  For more information, visit http://towergrovesouth.org/ .

Save the Date

May 23 –26 –RibFest St. Louis, Soldiers' Memorial Park, 5 p.m.

May 23 –Jungle Boogie Concert Series, Saint Louis Zoo, 5 p.m.

May 23 –Mapping Food Access in St. Louis, Saint Louis University, 11 a.m.

May 24 –Neighborhood Greenways St. Louis Kick-Off Meeting, Thomas Dunn Learning Center, 10 a.m.

May 24 –Shakespeare Festival St. Louis –Henry V, Forest Park, 8 p.m.

March 24 -- 1780 British Attack on St. Louis, Gatweay Arch Grounds, 10 a.m.

May 24 –26 –23^rd Annual St. Louis African Arts Festival, Forest Park, 10 a.m.

May 24 –Flicks and Foodies, Gateway Arch Grounds, 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.

Share Your Ideas for Improving the City of St. Louis

The City of St. Louis is completing its Consolidated Plan.  This plan is how the City of St. Louis applies for and distributes block grant funding from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).

Please consider attending one of the four public meetings that have been scheduled and help the City set its neighborhood, community and city priorities around affordable and market rate housing, historic preservation, economic development, public safety and other services.

The meetng schedule is as follows:

• Tuesday, May 20, 6-8 p.m., O'Fallon Rec Plex, 4343 W. Florissant Avenue
• Thursday, May 22, 6-8 p.m., Thomas Dunn Education Center, 3113 Gasconade Street
• Tuesday, May 27, 6-8 p.m., SLACO, 5888 Plymouth Avenue
• Wednesday, May 28, 6-8 p.m., UMSL @ Grand Center, 3651 Olive Street

For more information, please call Jessica Perkins at (314) 210-8120.

Col. Richard Gray
Director of Public Safety
City of St. Louis

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