Public Safety Director's Spotlight - Crime Victims' Rights Week

National Crime Victims’ Rights Week

Since 1981, National Crime Victims’ Rights Week (NCVRW) has been observed annually each April in recognition of the need to support victims and to have their voices heard.  This year National Crime Victims’ Rights Week will be observed April 22 – 28.  Part of the observance will include an art exhibition that will highlight crime’s impact on the community as well as the victim’s experience and road to recovery.  For crime victims and their loved ones, recovery is sometimes a long path to regain a sense of safety and well-being and to once again have trust in others.  The exhibit’s Opening Reception will be held Sunday, April 22 from 1 – 4 p.m. at the Urban League’s Vaughn Cultural Center at 3701 Grandel Square in Grand Center.  I encourage you to take a moment this week to recognize those members of our community in the criminal justice field who advocate on behalf of crime victims and their families.

Happy 50^th Anniversary

St. LouisCommunity College is 50!  Voters approved the establishment of the Junior College District of St. Louis-St. Louis County on April 3, 1962.  At the time, that was a new and radical educational model.  Since that day, more than 1.2 million students have come through the doors of St. Louis Community College in pursuit of higher education.  Throughout this anniversary year, a number of events will be held to commemorate this milestone in the college’s history.  If you have fond memories at SLCC, you may tell your story on the 50^th Anniversary blog at http://50th.stlcc.edu/50th-blog/ .  To all the current and former faculty and staff of St. Louis Community College -- congratulations in your successful efforts to provide affordable access to higher education to everyone.

Upcoming Events

April 19 – Downtown STL ARTwalk Kickoff

After six months of living and working together, the residents of Leather Trades Artist Lofts will be showcasing their talent this Thursday at the Downtown STL ARTwalk.  The festivities will kick off at 4 p.m. at 1600 Locust Street with art exhibits, dance, demonstrations and loft and studio tours.  Before leaving Leather Trades, ARTwalk participants will be given a wristband and event guide to other shops, galleries, bars and restaurants along Washington Avenue and nearby streets that will feature art displays, demonstrations, music, and performances throughout the evening.  Need more information?  Visit http://www.facebook.com/stlartwalk/ .

April 20 – Breakfast for Bikers, Downtown

Trailnet’s 3^rd Annual Breakfast for Bikers Series kicks off this Friday from 7 – 9 a.m. at the Downtown Bicycle Station located at 1011 Locust Street.  Breakfast for Bikers is the perfect place to meet other people who bike to work Downtown and will be offered the third Friday of every month from April through October.  Also, if you’re not already a member, this is an easy way to fit in a tour of the Downtown Bicycle Station.  For more information about the series, visit http://www.trailnet.org/ .

April 20 – Third Friday Open House, Third Degree Glass Factory

Third Degree Glass Factory will be holding its free Third Friday Open House on Friday, April 20 from 6 – 10 p.m.  Enjoy watching glass artists, listen to live music and then perhaps try your hand at making a glass tile.  Third Degree Glass Factory is located at 5200 Delmar Boulevard in the trendy Central West End.  For more information, visit http://www.stlglass.com/ or call (314) 367-4527.

April 21 & 22 – Brightside St. Louis’ Blitz 2012 Continues

Project Blitz, Brightside St. Louis’ annual campaign to clean up city neighborhoods continues this weekend.  Blitz is a great time to join your neighbors to clean up the streets, alleys and vacant lots on your block and in your immediate neighborhood.  The focus for this weekend will be Region 4 North (bounded by the City limits on the north; Mississippi River on the east; W. Florissant, Grand & Palm on the south, & the City limits on the west) and Region 4 South (bounded by Forest Park on the north; Gravois, Kingshighway, Chippewa, Macklind, Arsenal, Kingshighway on the east; the City limits on the south, & the City limits on the west).  To learn more, call (314) 772-4646.

April 21 – 2^nd Annual Open/Closed Conference

This Saturday in the O’Fallon neighborhood a group of active St. Louisans will host the 2^nd Annual Open/Closed Conference to discuss vacancy and population loss in the St. Louis region. The conference will consist of panel discussions, presentations and a keynote address and will run from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at The Sanctuary located at 4449 Red Bud Avenue.  For the full agenda, visit http://www.facebook.com/openclosedstl .

April 21 – Junior Ranger Day, Gateway Arch

Children of all ages are invited to take part in hands-on activities, along with a scavenger hunt offered this Saturday in conjunction with National Park Week.  This free Junior Ranger Day event will take place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Museum of Westward Expansion at the Gateway Arch in beautiful downtown St. Louis.  For all the specifics, contact (314) 655-1700 or visit http://www.nps.gov/jeff .

April 21 – Trivia Night for Neighborhood Houses, St. Louis Gateway Classic Sports Foundation

Neighborhood Houses, a premier social services agency in St. Louis, will host its 2^nd Annual Trivia Night at St. Louis Gateway Classic Sports Foundation, 2012 Dr. Martin Luther King Drive in the Downtown West neighborhood this Saturday.  Doors will open at 6 p.m., with trivia starting at 7 p.m.  There will be cash prizes, raffles, drawings and other games.  The cost is $25 per person and tables range from $250 to $300.  For more information call (314) 383-1733 or visit http://www.neighborhoodhouses.org/ .

April 21 – International Trivia Night, Immaculate Heart of Mary Gym

Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church located at 4092 Blow Street in the Boulevard Heights neighborhood will be hold its annual International Trivia Night supporting World Service this Saturday.  Doors will open at 6:30 p.m. and trivia will begin at 7 p.m.  The cost is $20 per person or $160 per table.  For more information, visit http://www.ymcastlouis.or/carondelet .

April 21 – Most Holy Trinity Election 2012 Trivia Night, Church Hall

Most Holy Trinity Catholic Church will hold its Election 2012 Trivia Night this Saturday at the church hall located at 3519 N. 14^th Street in the Hyde Park neighborhood.  Doors will open at 6:15 p.m. and the games will begin at 7 p.m.  Decorate your table to represent your favorite political party, theme or personality.  A raffle and auction will complete the evening.  Cost is $20 per person or $140 for a table of eight.  Proceeds will benefit Most Holy Trinity School.  For more details, visit http://www.mostholytrinitystl.org/ or call (314) 241-9165.

April 22 – St. Louis Earth Day Festival, Forest Park

The entire family is invited to the 23^rd Annual St. Louis Earth Day Festival on Sunday, April 22 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on the Muny Grounds of Forest Park.  Enjoy two stages of live music, cultural performances, local food and hands-on activities.  Plus, more than 200 artists, educational exhibitors, food vendors, businesses and organizations will share how easy it is to recycle, reuse and reduce.  For a full itinerary of all the day’s activities, go to http://www.stlouisearthday.org/ .

April 22 - Pedal For the Planet – Earth Day Bike Ride, Forest Park

Save the planet and use pedal power as your mode of transportation at this free event that celebrates Earth Day.  Explore some of the natural ecosystems of Forest Park on your own or join the naturalist-led group tour at 9:30 a.m.  Route map will be provided at registration.  To register for the Earth Day Bike Ride, call (314) 877-1309 or visit http://mdc.mo.gov/regions/stl-louis/forest-park-office .

 

Save the Date

April 26 – 28 – Robotics Championship, Edward Jones Dome & America’s Center

April 26 – 19^th Annual Dining Out For Life, various locations

April 26 – Election Fair 2012, Harris-Stowe State University

April 27 – Annie Malone Kickoff Barbeque Benefit Kiener Plaza

April 27 – 29 – Shakespeare in the Streets, Cherokee Street

April 28 – Downtown Home Tour, The Laurel Apartments

April 28 – March of Dimes March for Babies, Forest Park

April 28 – Vintage Baseball, Gateway Arch Grounds

April 28 – Disaster Preparedness Training, Buder Branch Library

 

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.

SLDC Franchise Fair   

In closing, I want to pass along some information from the St. Louis Development Corporation (SLDC).  Recently there has been recognition in the national media for St. Louis as a great place to do business.  Building on this exposure, SLDC is bringing the International Franchise Association, based in Washington, D.C., to our city on Thursday, April 26 for the 2012 Franchise Seminar for Minorities and Women.  The seminar will be held from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Harris-Stowe State University’s Anheuser-Busch School of Business located at 5707 Wilson Avenue in The Hill neighborhood.  The registration free of $25 will include continental breakfast, lunch and seminar materials.  If you are looking for information related to franchise ownership, or are interested in providing services or products to franchise owners, or are seeking opportunities in the construction of franchise locations, then I would encourage you to consider registering for this seminar.  For more information, contact Howard Hayes at (314) 622-3400 ext. 308.

 

Eddie Roth

Director of Public Safety

City of St. Louis