Public Safety Director's Spotlight - Welcome Home the Heroes

A number of fun and exciting events are on the schedule in St. Louis for this weekend, but before I highlight a few of those activities, I want to pass along some information about the upcoming Give Kids A Smile Free Dental Clinic that will be held at the Saint Louis University Center for Advanced Dental Education on Friday, Feb. 10 and Saturday, Feb. 11.  Comprehensive dental services that will be available for toddlers through 8th grade children in need include X-rays, professional cleanings, fluoride treatments and sealants, as well as restorations and oral surgery.  The registration deadline is Tuesday, Jan. 31.  For more information, go to http://gkas.org/  or call (636) 397-6453 to register.

 

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!

 

2012 St. Louis Auto Show

One of St. Louisans’ favorite exhibitions, the annual St. Louis Auto Show, will be at America’s Center and the Edward Jones Dome Jan. 26 – 29.  See and test drive more than 500 cars, trucks, SUVs and motorsports.  For all the latest information about the show and the Pistons & Pearls Charity Gala at America’s Center from 7 to 10 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 28, visit http://www.saintlouisautoshow.com/ .  Proceeds from the Gala will benefit several local charities.

 

The Great Brightside Bulb Planting of 2012

If you weren’t able to volunteer last weekend, Brightside St. Louis will continue to plant 500,000 daffodil and tulip bulbs this coming Friday and Saturday.  This is a great way to start 2012, help kick-off Brightside’s 30th Anniversary year, and show your pride in St.  Louis.  Planting dates are Friday, Jan. 27, 9 a.m. to Noon and 1 – 4 p.m. and Saturday, Jan. 28 from 9 a.m. to Noon.  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/ .

 

Trivia Nights

The Emerald Society of Missouri, Metro St. Louis Chapter, will hold its annual Trivia Night on Friday, Jan. 27, at the Electrician’s Hall located at 5859 Elizabeth Avenue in The Hill neighborhood.  Doors will open at 6:15 p.m. and trivia will begin at 7 p.m.  There will be food, snacks, beverages, attendances prizes, a silent auction and more.  The price is $200 per table of eight.  If you are interested in attending, visit http://www.emeraldsocietyofmissouri.com/ .

 

Shaw Avenue Children’s Center (SACC) will hold its annual Trivia Night and Silent Auction at 6 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 28 at Oliva on the Hill, 4915 Daggett.  Cost is $30 per person, tables of eight.  Proceeds will help SACC continue to provide quality daycare for the next generation as well as provide tuition scholarships for families in need of assistance.  To reserve a table, email Michelesmith79@yahoo.com .

 

Spirit & History Art Exhibit Opening

Observe Black History Month and explore African-American heritage by stopping by the Spirit & History Exhibit at the St. Louis University Museum of Art, 3663 Lindell.  View the spiritual, political, and emotional journey through the brush strokes and distinctive, yet harmonious perspectives of two noted painters:  Father James Hasse, S.J. and Judge Nathan B. Young.  The exhibition will open at 6 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 27.  For more information, visit http://www.slu.edu/x52762.xml .

 

Welcome Home the Heroes from Iraq Parade  & Veterans Resource Village

Everyone is invited to attend and show their support and appreciation this Saturday, Jan. 28 at St. Louis’ Welcome Home the Heroes from Iraq Parade to welcome home our men and women returning from military service in Iraq.  The parade will step off at Noon from Kiener Plaza in Downtown St. Louis and proceed west on Market Street to Union Station, where the Veterans Resource Village will be open until 5 p.m.  This will be the first parade in the U.S. to honor military personnel that served in Iraq.  For more details, visit http://Jan28group.org/ .    

 

Family Winter Carnival

One of the popular St. Louis Mardi Gras events is the annual Family Winter Carnival that takes place in Soulard Market Park at 9th and Soulard.  This free family-friendly event will be held on Saturday, Jan. 28 from 11 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.  Activities under the Fifth Third Bank Big Tent include decorating your own masks, crowns and capes, making beads, face painting, an art wall, interactive games, performances and more.  Read more at http://www.StlMardiGras.org/ .

 

5th Annual Officer Norvelle Brown Fundraiser

Order Papa John’s Pizza in any of the St. Louis, St. Charles or Metro East locations on Saturday, Jan. 28 and Sunday, Jan. 29 and Papa John’s will donate back to the “Norvelle Brown 7th District Scholarship” 20% of your total order.  Be sure to mention that you are a supporter of “Norvelle Brown Fundraiser” when placing the order.  This will be valid for carry out or delivery.

 

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/ .

 

Funding Your Neighborhood Project – Grant Writing Workshop

Whether you are new to grant writing or fundraising or are a seasoned professional, this workshop offered by the University of Missouri-St. Louis in partnership with the Community Partnership Project’s Neighborhood Leadership Academy on Saturday, Feb. 4 will provide you with real-world examples and take-aways that will help you get your neighborhood project started or expand an existing one.  Learn how to seek out a variety of funding opportunities and sources specific to your project.  The workshop will take place from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. in Room 202, J.C. Penney Building, UMSL North Campus. Registration fee is $40 and the registration deadline is Feb. 2.  To read more, visit http://ce.umsl.edu/npml   ( http://ce.umsl.edu/npml%20or%20call%20 ) or call (314) 516-5994.

 

Save the Date

Feb. 3 – Mardi Gras Wine Taste, City Hall

Feb. 3 – Friday Night Film Series, Washington Tabernacle Church

Feb. 3 – National Wear Red Day

Feb. 3 – Teacher Workshop, Old Courthouse

Feb. 4 – Bone Marrow Registration, Harris-Stowe State University

Feb. 4 – February Family Day, World Chess Hall of Fame

Feb. 4 - 2012 Mardi Gras Crystal Cajun Cook-off, City Hall

Feb. 4 – Trivia With a Purpose with Prison Performing Arts, Central Reform Congregation

 

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