Public Safety Director's Spotlight - Enjoy Neighborhood Activities

The New Year is off to a great start.  There are many entertaining events on the schedule in St. Louis for this weekend, but before I highlight a few of those activities, I want to encourage you to make sure you and your family are ready for the winter storms that will surely come our way in the next few months. 

 

Winter storms can range from a moderate snow over a few hours to a blizzard with blinding, wind-driven snow.  Many winter storms are accompanied by dangerously low temperatures, strong winds, sleet and freezing rain.  Here’s a short checklist:

 

• Water – at least a 3-day supply; one gallon per person per day
• Food – at least a 3-day supply of non-perishable, easy-to-prepare food
• Flashlight
• Battery-powered radio (NOAA Weather Radio, if possible)
• Extra batteries
• First aid kit
• Sanitation items
• Cell phone with chargers
• Extra warm clothing for all members of the family

 

For more information on disaster and emergency preparedness, visit http://www.AllReadySTL.com/   or http://www.redcross.org/ .

 

Listed below are just a few of the terrific events that are coming up in St. Louis.  I encourage you to take advantage of all that our great City neighborhoods have to offer.  Also, if you haven't visited the City's website stlouis-mo.gov (http://stlouis-mo.gov/ ), I encourage you to do so.  On our home page you will find a link to the Calendar of Events.  Please feel free to see what activities are coming up and to submit an event that your organization will be holding.  The listing is free.  See you in the neighborhood!

 

The Great Brightside Bulb Planting of 2012

Please consider helping Brightside St. Louis plant 500,000 daffodil and tulip bulbs to beautify St.  Louis.  This is a great way to start 2012, help kick-off Brightside’s 30^th Anniversary year, and show your pride in St. Louis.  Planting dates are Friday, Jan. 20; Saturday, Jan. 21; Friday, Jan. 27 and Saturday, Jan. 28.  Planting will take place from 9 a.m. to Noon each day.  Volunteers are asked to meet and park in the Upper Muny Parking Lot in Forest Park.  The first shuttle will leave at 8:45 a.m. to take volunteers to the planting locations along area highways.  All volunteers must be at least 16 years old.  RSVP to http://www.brightsidestl.org/ .

 

Third Friday Free Party

Third Degree Glass Factory will hold its first Third Friday Free Party of 2012 on Friday, Jan. 20 from 6 – 10 p.m. at 5200 Delmar Blvd. in the trendy Central West End.  This fun event provides the opportunity to watch glassblowers play with fire to make glowing hot glass go gorgeous.  Visitors can make a paperweight, a snowflake tile keepsake, fused jewelry or glass beads.  Enjoy rock music by Last To Show First To Go and view paintings by Megan Rose Rieke and sculptures by Adam Long.  To read more about it, visit http://www.thirddegreeglassfactory.com/ .

 

New Year for the Strays Trivia Night 2012

One of St.  Louis’ biggest trivia nights, New Year for the Strays Trivia Night 2012 will benefit seven amazing animal welfare groups, helping homeless pets and/or providing low-cost spay/neuter services. The fun event will take place on Friday, Jan. 20 at the Renaissance St. Louis Grand Hotel, 800 Washington  Avenue.  Doors will open at 6:30 p.m. and Trivia will start at 7:30 p.m.  Cost is $30 per person or $300 per table of 10.  To purchase tickets online, visit www.blacktie-missouri.com/rsvp and use event code FAAS120.  Dress is casual.  Bring your own food.

 

Snowman Softball Tournament

Bring your Mardi Gras beads and cheer on the teams that will be playing in the Snowman Softball Tournament on Saturday, Jan. 21 at Central Ballfields in Forest Park to benefit the Police Athletic League.  Play will begin at 8 a.m. and go to dusk.  There will be a fire pit at every field and spectators will be able to purchase great food and beverages on-site with big screen TVs showing all the sporting action in a heated environment.  For more details, visit http://www.stlmardigras.org/ .

 

Disco Snow Party

The Tower Grove East Neighborhood Association will hold a Disco Snow Party from 7 – 11 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 21 at Van Goghz Martini Bar & Bistro, 3200 Shenandoah.  Seventy’s Disco costumes are optional, but neighbors are invited to bring new neighbors and old friends to have a groovy time.  RSVP to lfedio@yahoo.com or check the TGENA Facebook page for the event and RSVP there.

 

Taste of SEA

St. Elizabeth’s Academy will be holding its 3^rd Annual Taste of SEA event on Saturday, Jan. 21 from 5 to 8 p.m. at the Academy located at 3401  Arsenal Street in the Tower Grove East neighborhood.  The Taste of SEA will bring St. Louis restaurants together for a tasting event and scholarship fundraiser.  Try food from Biggie’s, McGurk’s, Pappy’s Smokehouse, SqWire’s and more!  Cost is $25 at the door.  Tables and seating will be available on a first-come, first-served basis.  Want more information?  Visit http://seahs.org/ .

 

Smarty Gras Trivia Night 2012

The Soulard Restoration Group will hold its Smarty Gras Trivia Night 2012 on Saturday, Jan. 21 at The Franklin Room, 816  Allen Avenue in the Soulard neighborhood.  Doors will open at 6:30 p.m. and Trivia will start at 7 p.m.  The cost is $200 for teams of 10 players.  Price includes beer, wine, soft drinks and snacks.  Prizes will be awarded to the top three scoring tables.  All proceeds will benefit ongoing projects of the Soulard Restoration Group.  Please register at www.soulard.org/event-tickets. 

 

Zoo Job Fair

The St. Louis Zoo will host a Job Fair from 9 a.m. to Noon on Saturday, Jan. 21 in the Living World in Forest Park for those interested in part-time Spring, Summer and Fall employment at the zoo.  Flexible weekday and weekend positions are available for students age 15 (with a work permit required at time of hire) and anyone else seeking a seasonal job working with the public.  For more details, visit http://www.stlzoo.org/jobs/ .

 

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Essay Contest Celebration

All are invited to attend the St. Alphonsus “Rock” Church Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Essay Contest Awards Celebration at 3 p.m. on Sunday, Jan. 22.  The church is located at 1118  N. Grand Blvd. in Grand Center.  Students in the 6^th, 7^th and 8^th grades in St. Louis schools were invited to submit an essay answering the question:  If you had to give a eulogy for Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., what would you say?  The top three winning students will be awarded U.S. Savings Bonds.  A reception will immediately follow in the parish gymnasium  The event is free and open to the public.

 

Unveiled Bridal Show

Did you or someone you know get engaged over the holidays? Then you should know that the Unveiled Bridal Show will be held from Noon to 3 p.m. on Sunday, Jan. 22 at the Renaissance Grand St. Louis Hotel, 800  Washington Avenue in Downtown St. Louis.  The Bridal Show is the perfect place to plan your perfect day.  Enjoy sparkling champagne, scrumptious desserts and hors d’oeuvres while you visit with St.  Louis’ most exclusive wedding vendors.  Price is $25 for one ticket or $40 for a pair.  Questions?  Visit http://www.stlmag.com/ for all the particulars. 

 

Trailnet on Tap Speaker Series

The Trailnet on Tap Speaker Series will begin this month.  The goal of the series is to bring education on a variety of biking and active living topics to City neighborhoods in informal, fun settings.  The first session, at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 24, will feature Mike Weiss, owner of the Big Shark Bicycle Company stores, and some of his Big Shark crew.  They will discuss biking for transportation during the winter months and give recommendations for riding in winter.  The talk will take place at Café Ventana (The Annex), 3919  W. Pine Blvd. in the Central West End.  For monthly updates on this series, visit http://www.trailnet.or/events/trailnet-on-tap/ . 

 

Grow St. Louis Contest

The second round of the Grow St. Louis Contest has begun.  St. Louisans nominated their favorite non-profit organizations to be awarded either $15,000, $10,000 or $5,000 for their local project.  Now it’s time to vote for the winners -- one vote per person per day.  Voting ends Jan. 29.  To learn more, visit http://www.stlgrown.com/ .

 

Save the Date

Jan. 26 – 29 – St. Louis Auto Show, America’s Center

Jan. 26 – Pistons and Pearls Charity Gala, America’s Center

Jan. 26 – ALIVE Bride Event & Fashion Show, Lumen

Jan. 26 – Bicycle Dreams, Moolah Theatre

Jan. 27 – Emerald Society of Missouri – Metro St. Louis Trivia Night, Electrician’s Hall

Jan. 27 – Spirit & History Art Exhibit Opening, St. Louis University Museum of Art

Jan. 28 – Welcome Home the Heroes from Iraq Parade, Downtown

Jan. 28 – U.S. Cellular Family Winter Carnival, Soulard Market Park

 

NIXLE

The Department of Public Safety's City Emergency Management Agency (CEMA) provides free emergency alert service through Nixle (http://www.Nixle.com/ ).  When you register for the service, you will receive our informative and timely text messages on your cell phone and/or as emails on your computer.  Visit the Nixle website and sign up for the free service today.  If you have any comments about the service, please let me know.

 

Will you be having an event in your neighborhood that we can support?  If so, you may email the information about it to me at brysonc@stlouiscity.com  or to Cathy Smentkowski at smentkowskic@stlouiscity.com   for consideration of noting it in the Spotlight or you may post it on the City's Calendar of Events.

 

And remember, if you see something in the neighborhood that just doesn't look right, REPORT IT!

 

Charles Bryson

Director of Public Safety

City of St.  Louis