Public Safety Director's Spotlight - Public Safety Telecommunicators Week

National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week

Each year, the second full week of April is dedicated to the men and women who serve as public safety telecommunicators.  This year National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week will be observed from April 13 through April 19.  The official name of the week was originally introduced in Congress in 1991 in House Joint Resolution 284 which recognized the public safety telecommunicators who have been there – ready and willing to help – when someone has had to dial 9-1-1 in the middle of a fire, a robbery, or a medical emergency.  Although they are not as visible as the men and women who arrive at the scene of emergencies, they are just as important.  It takes a special person with unique skills to provide telecommunications support to law enforcement, fire services, emergency medical services and other governmental field personnel.  I thank you for the important job you do, and I am proud to work with you.

  

Upcoming Events

April 11 -- Fridays on Clark, Ballpark Village, 5 p.m.

Every Friday from 5 to 7 p.m. Ballpark Village will host the biggest Friday Happy Hour event in St. Louis on Clark Avenue.  Happy Hour starts with the delivery of a special featured beer for the evening, the first keg is tapped, a toast is made and free samples are distributed.  After the opening festivities, a live band performs for free for the public.  Invite your co-workers and friends to join you Downtown at Ballpark Village after work for Fridays on Clark.  Visit the stlballparkvillage.com web site for more information.

April 11 & 12 -- Book Fair, Lafayette Park United Methodist Church, 8 a.m.

Lafayette Park United Methodist Church will be hosting its annual Book Fair this Friday and Saturday at 2300 Lafayette Avenue in the Lafayette Square neighborhood.  Visitors will enjoy browsing a wide selection of titles.  The book fair will run from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Friday and from 8 a.m. to Noon on Saturday.  You may purchase a bag of books for only $2 on Saturday.  Questions?  Call (314) 771-9214.

April 11 -- Lenten Fish Fries, various locations, various start times

During the Lenten Season, many St. Louis churches and organizations offer Friday Fish Fries.  These events are a great way to gather with family and friends and meet new neighbors.  Here is one to consider:

• Fish Fry, Loyola Academy, 3851 Washington, 4 to 8 p.m.

April 12 – City Schools 101, Bishop DuBourg High School, 9 a.m.

Soon-to-be and parents of children ages 3 to 18 are invited to attend the City Schools 101 event that will be held this Saturday from 9 to 11 a.m. at Bishop DuBourg High School in the cafeteria.  Attendees will hear speakers from St. Louis public, magnet, charter and parochial schools and get answers to general questions about enrolling children in city schools. The school is located at 5850 Eichelberger in the St. Louis Hills neighborhood.  For more information, visit the southamptonstl.org website.

April 12 – Second Annual South City Business Opportunity Showcase, St. Anthony of Padua Meeting Hall, 9 a.m.

The Carondelet Business Association, Chippewa-Broadway Business Association, and the Downtown Dutchtown Business Association have joined efforts to present the Second Annual South City Business Opportunity Showcase this Saturday at the St. Anthony of Padua Meeting Hall, located at 3133 Meramec in the Dutchtown neighborhood.  The event will begin at 9 a.m. with refreshments and business resource fair.  The program will begin at 10 a.m., followed by an optional commercial property open house.  Need more information?  Call Jon at (414) 628-0900 or Maude at (314) 657-3772.

April 12 -- Strong Women and Families Health and Resource Fair, Grace Hill Water Tower Campus, 10 a.m.

The Junior League of St. Louis has partnered with Grace Hill to present the Strong Women and Families Health and Resource Fair that will take place this Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Grace Hill Water Tower Campus, located at 4414 N. Florissant in the Penrose neighborhood.  Stop by this free event to connect to resources, talk with professional service providers, and access information.  Medical screenings will also be available with co-pay, and free dental screenings for children.  Call (314) 822-2344 for more information.

April 12 – Czech Festival, American Czech Education Center, 11 a.m.

The annual Czech Festival will take place this Saturday beginning at 11 a.m. at the American Czech Education Center, located at 4690 Lansdowne Avenue in the Bevo Mill neighborhood.  Dinner will be served from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. and will feature roast duck, roast pork or goulash with sides of dumplings, sauerkraut, green beans and mashed potatoes.  Dinners will include pastry and coffee.  Guests will be able to enjoy music by the Button Box Accordion Band.  Invite your family and friends to join you for great food, live music and more.  To learn more, visit the acec-stl.org web site. 

April 12 -- STLVillage Grand Launch, Missouri History Museum, 10 a.m.

Everyone is invited to stop by the Missouri History Museum in beautiful Forest Park this Saturday from 10 a.m. to Noon for the Launch of STL Village, a new nonprofit organization for people 50+ who want to remain in their own homes and stay active in the community.  Visitors will enjoy music, entertainment from The Black Rep Theatre and information on area senior resources.  Also learn about the benefits of becoming a member, volunteer, or partner of STL Village.  To learn more, call (314) 802-0275.

April 12 -- Rosati-Kain High School Memorabilia/Stuff Sale, Convent Building, 10 a.m.

Rosati-Kain High School in the Central West End neighborhood will be holding a sale of R-K memorabilia, fixtures, office furniture, supplies and other household items this Saturday from 10 a.m. to Noon.  The sale will be held in the convent building, located at 216 N. Newstead Avenue.  To learn more, call (314) 533-8513.

April 12 – Tower Grove Farmers' Market Opens, Tower Grove Park, 8 a.m.

Tower Grove Farmers' Market will kick off its Ninth Season this Saturday from 8 a.m. to Noon.  The Market has an impressive lineup of vendors this year.  Visitors will find plenty of spring produce available, plants for the garden, artisan foods, delicious prepared foods and more.  For more details, visit http://www.tgmarket.org/ .

April 12 – The Art of Riding Bicycle Ride & Public Art Tour, The Pulitzer Foundation for the Arts, 10:30 a.m.

Discover the power and value of public art within the St. Louis community by participating in the free Art of Riding Bicycle Ride & Public Art Tour this Saturday.  The ride will begin at The Pulitzer Foundation for the Arts, 3716 Washington Boulevard in the Grand Center Arts District and will make stops at several public works of art, with the opportunity to hear from the artists.  Route options are 8 or 12 miles on City streets.  Registration will begin at 10 a.m. and the group ride will depart at 10:30 a.m.  For more information, visit the trailnet.org website.

April 13 & 14 – Qualifying Rounds for American Ninja Warrior, Soldiers' Memorial, 7 p.m.

Do you think you have what it takes to be an American Ninja Warrior?  For the first time in the NBC show's six season history, a regional qualifying event has been scheduled in St. Louis.  Registration for walk-ons will begin at 7 p.m. on Sunday, and the competition will kick off at 9 p.m.  Spectators can join the wait list for tickets by logging on to the following web site:  http://on-camera-audiences.com/shows/American_Ninja_Warrior but know that the main qualifying event will begin at approximately 1 a.m. and could run about five hours.

April 13 – Organ Recital, Second Presbyterian Church, 4 p.m.

Organist Andrew Peters will present a free organ recital this Sunday beginning at 4 p.m. at Second Presbyterian Church, located at 4501 Westminster Place in the Central West End neighborhood.  His program will include works of J.S. Bach, Hindemith, and Joseph Jongen, to name but a few.  Call (314) 367-0366 for more information.

April 16 -- Neighborhood Meeting, Carondelet YMCA RecPlex, 7 p.m.

The next Carondelet/Patch/Boulevard Neighborhood Heights Neighborhood Ownership Meeting (NOM) will be held on Wednesday, April 16, 2014, at the Carondelet YMCA RecPlex, 930 Holly Hills, at 7 p.m. in the Honesty Room.  A Neighborhood Liaison Officer with the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department and a Neighborhood Improvement Specialist will be present.  Aldermen are always invited.  The guest speaker will be Ernie Bouilcault, Building Division Supervisor, 11th Ward.  Contact Dee Brown at (314) 402-8681 for more information.

April 16 -- Free Tennis Play Day for Kids, Dwight Davis Tennis Center, 4 p.m.

In conjunction with the Fed Cup matches coming to Chaifetz Arena April 19 and 20, Dwight Davis Tennis Center in beautiful Forest Park will hold a free Tennis Play Day for Kids from 4 - 6 p.m. on Wednesday, April 16, that will include a meet and greet with players on the U.S. Fed Cup Team.  All skill levels will be accommodated.  Beginners will learn fundamentals and play games, while more experienced players will enjoy games and matchplay.  Bring a racket or borrow one.  If raining, the tennis portion will be canceled, but come meet the U.S. Fed Cup team from 4:30 - 5:15 p.m. under the tent.  To register for the event, visit the dwightdavistennis.com website.

 

Save the Date

April 18 – Breakfast for Bikers, Mississippi Mud, 7 a.m.

April 19 – Hops Run 5K, Upper Muny Parking Lot in Forest Park, 9 a.m.

April 19 – National Park Week at the Gateway Arch, 10 a.m.

April 19-20 – 2014 Fed Cup Playoff, Chaifetz Arena, 3 p.m.

April 19 – Kids Bunny Run, Upper Muny Parking Lot, 9 a.m.

April 20 – St. Louis Earth Day, The Muny Grounds of Forest Park, 11 a.m.

April 20 – Eggstravaganza, Saint Louis Zoo, 9 a.m

April 20 – Easter Sunday Brunch Cruise, Gateway Arch Riverboats, 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.

Central Region Nixle Conference 2014

As many of you know, the Department of Public Safety City Emergency Management Agency uses Nixle to send out important weather and emergency related messages to those City residents who have signed up for the service.   Nixle has chosen the Sheraton St. Louis City Center Hotel in exciting Downtown for its 2014 Central Region Conference that will be held on Tuesday, May 6.  Public Safety, Education, and Government Employees and Officials will meet to share best practices, participate in product trainings, network with industry experts and more.  If you currently receive our Nixle messages, please let us know your comments about this service.  If you are not signed up to receive them, simply text STLCEMA from your cell phone to 888777.

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