Public Safety Director's Spotlight - Severe Weather Awareness

Severe Weather Awareness Week

The National Weather Service (NWS), Missouri's State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), and local emergency management offices including the City's Emergency Management Agency (CEMA) will conduct the 38^th annual State Tornado Drill on Tuesday, March 13 at 1:30 p.m. as part of Missouri Severe Weather Awareness Week, which runs from March 12-16.  The NWS has established a Severe Weather Awareness Week web site (http://www.crh.noaa.gov/lsx/?n=severeweek ) with details on how to prepare your family for severe weather.  I encourage you to visit that site.

Signing Up for Nixle Just Got Easier

As many of you know, the Department of Public Safety's City Emergency Management Agency (CEMA) provides free emergency alert service through Nixle.  Signing up for the service just got easier.  If you want to receive public safety emergency alert texts via your cell phone, simply text your ZIP CODE to 888777.  For more options, such as receiving the information as an email on your computer, visit the Nixle web site ( http://www.Nixle.com/ ) and register there.  In either case, I encourage you to sign up for this free service and to tell your family and friends about it. 

The Neighborhood Stabilization Team Wants to Know

Every year at this time the Department of Public Safety's Neighborhood Stabilization Team documents vacant buildings and lots so that the Forestry Division may put the owners on notice to maintain their yards during growing season.  If there is a vacant lot on your block that needs immediate attention, please let the Citizens' Service Bureau know by calling (314) 622-4800 or sending an email via the City's web site ( http://stlouis-mo.gov Request a Service link) or tweeting the address and brief description to @stlcsb .  If there is a vacant house on your block that you are concerned about, contact your Neighborhood Stabilization Officer at (314) 657-1392.

Upcoming Events

March 9 – Caribbean Food Fundraiser, Salvation Army

The Salvation Army Temple Corps will be hosting a Caribbean Food Fundraiser this Friday from 12 – 3 p.m. at 2740 Arsenal Street in the Benton Park West neighborhood.  You will not want to miss their amazing Jamaican style Curried Chicken and Haitian style Kreyol Chicken.  Cost:  $10 per plate.  All proceeds will go towards the work of The Salvation Army throughout the world.  Questions?  Call (314) 771-3460 or visit http://www.SAstLouisTemple.org/ .

March 9 – New Exhibits Open, World Chess Hall of Fame

Two new exhibits that explore the game of chess and its place in society will open at 10 a.m. on March 9 at the World Chess Hall of Fame.  The first exhibit, "Bobby Fischer:  Icon Among Icons" displays photographs by Harry Benson.  Benson was the only person to have private access to Bobby Fischer during the noted 1972 World Chess Championship match in Reykjavic, Iceland.  The exhibit will also include photos of other pop culture icons.

The second exhibit, "Marcel Dzama: The End Game" features the artist's film, A Game of Chess, alongside related drawings, paintings, sculptures, and dioramas.  The shows will run through Aug. 12, 2012.  The World Chess Hall of Fame is located at 4652 Maryland Avenue in the trendy Central West End neighborhood.  For more details about the exhibits, visit http://www.worldchesshof.org/ .

March 10 – Fight for Air Stairclimb: Master the Met

Individuals and teams will race, run or walk up the more than 1,000 stairs to the top of the Metropolitan Square Building in Downtown St. Louis on Saturday to raise funds for the American Lung Association.  The Fight for Air Stairclimb:  Master the Met will begin at 8 a.m.  This event is a great way to challenge yourself and support a worthy cause.  For more information, visit http://www.masterthemet.com/ .

March 10 – St. Louis Community Farmer's Market, St. John's Episcopal Church

Every second Saturday of the month this winter, the St. Louis Community Farmers' Market is open at St. John's Episcopal Church located at 3664 Arsenal Street in the Tower Grove South neighborhood.  Come between 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. to shop these wonderful vendors for local farm products this Saturday.

March 10 – Women's History Month Program, Regional Arts Commission

The Saint Louis Art Museum, in conjunction with the St. Louis Metropolitan Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority will celebrate Women's History Month with an encore presentation of If It Wasn't For the Women.  This special program will recognize the triumphs and struggles of three talented women of color in the arts:  Renee Stout, Vivian Gutierrez and Dail Chambers.  The free program is scheduled from 10 a.m. to Noon and will be followed by a luncheon reception.  The Regional Arts Commission is located at 6128 Delmar Blvd. in the Skinker/DeBaliviere neighborhood.  To reserve a seat for this event, call (314) 655-5444.

March 10 – Hooray for HollywoodTrivia Night, St. Vincent DePaul Church

Are you a trivia buff?  If so, the Lafayette Park Conservancy hopes you'll have a "star studded evening" this Saturday while raising funds to benefit Lafayette Park. Doors will open at 6 p.m. for the Hooray for Hollywood! Trivia Night and trivia will begin at 7 p.m.  Cost is $20 per player; $160 for a table of 8.  Water and soft drinks will be provided.  To reserve a table, call Susan at (314) 865-2566 and for more information log on to http://www.lafayettepark.org/ . 

March 12 – Disasters! Are You Ready? Carpenter Branch Library

Learn the nine steps to follow after a disaster and the important items to have in your home.  A simple, effective program, Map Your Neighborhood, helps you cope in a disaster.  Information will be provided by the Missouri Seismic Safety Commission.  The Disasters!  Are You Ready? information session will begin at 7 p.m. at the Library located at 3309 S. Grand Blvd., in the Tower Grove South neighborhood.  Need more information?  Call (314) 772-6586. 

March 12 – Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis 94^th Annual Dinner Meeting, Millennium Hotel

The Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis will host its 94^th Annual Dinner Meeting on Monday, March 12 at 7 p.m.  At the dinner, Frankie Muse Freeman will be honored with a Chairman's Award for her numerous community achievements and other organizations and individuals will be presented with Awards of Merit.  The Millennium Hotel is located at 200 S. 4^th Street in Downtown St. Louis.  For tickets, call (314) 615-3668 or email specialevents@urbanleague-stl.org .

Save the Date

March 16 – Third Friday Free Party, Third Degree Glass Factory

March 17 – St. Patrick's Day Parade, Downtown

March 17 – St. Patrick's Day Parade, Dogtown

March 17 – St. Patrick's Day Dinner, Five Star Senior Center

March 17 – St. Patrick's Day Dinner, Lafayette Park Methodist United

March 20 – Deadline to register for American Red Cross Emergency Preparedness Academy, Edward Jones

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.

Red Cross Lifesaver Awards

In closing, I want to pass along to you that the American Red Cross Greater St. Louis chapter is seeking nominations for its Lifesaver Awards.  Ten awards will be given to individuals who have gone above and beyond to provide help to those in need.  The deadline to nominate someone is Friday, March 16.  For a list of categories and for more details, go to www.redcrossstl.org/ .

 

Eddie Roth

Director of Public Safety

City of St. Louis