Public Safety Director's Spotlight - Enjoy a Variety of Activities

There are a number of exciting, fun events on tap in St. Louis for this weekend, but before I highlight a few of those activities, I want to pass along some information from the St. Louis Healthy Corner Store Project.  The project coordinators are seeking nominations for the 2012 program year.  Families often depend on small corner stores for food purchases.  Working with neighborhood leadership groups and corner store owners, the St. Louis Healthy Corner Store Project will help formulate a comprehensive approach that combines nutrition education, small business management, neighborhood leadership and greater availability of affordable, healthy food.  Application forms may be found on the University of Missouri  Extension website at http://extension.missouri.edu/stlouis/healthycornerstore/ .  The application process requires the identification of both a neighborhood corner store and a leadership group in that neighborhood.  The nominations are due on Friday, Feb. 3.

 

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!

 

Urbane STL Presents “Cocktails 2 Connect”

Urbane  St. Louis is inviting all young mainstream professionals to come out and mingle at its first installment of the year of “Cocktails 2 Connect.”  The event will take place on Thursday, Jan. 12 from 7 to 11 p.m. at Three Sixty – St. Louis, the ultimate rooftop bar in the Hilton at the Ballpark, 4^th and Broadway in Downtown St. Louis.  Need more details?  Visit http://www.urbaneworldwide.com/stl/ .

 

St. Louis RV Vacation and Travel Show

This will be the 35^th year for the St. Louis RV Vacation and Travel Show, which is one of the largest, public, recreational vehicle consumer shows in the country.  Nearly 300 RVs will be on display, including motor homes, travel trailers, and various types of campers.  The show will take place at America’s Center starting at 10 a.m. Friday, Jan. 13 and will run through Sunday, Jan. 15.  Regular admission: $8.  On Friday, persons ages 60 and up admitted for $5 on that day.  For more information, visit http://www.stlrv.com/stlrv/welcome-page.html .

 

Trivia Nights

The volunteer group Fuel for the City is inviting everyone to its Rock Star Trivia Night on Saturday, Jan. 14 at The Franklin Room, 8^th and Allen, in the Soulard neighborhood.  Test your knowledge of rock trivia and a variety of other topics.  Doors open at 6:30 p.m.; trivia begins at 7 p.m.  Cost is $35 per person.  Proceeds will benefit Fuel.  For all the details, visit http://www.fuelforthecity.org/ . 

 

Trivia Night benefiting the St. Vincent de Paul Society will be held at St. Vincent de Paul Church, 1408 S. Tenth  Street in the historic LaSalle neighborhood on Saturday, Jan. 14.  Doors open at 6:15 p.m.; trivia begins at 7 p.m.  Tables are $20 per person ($25 at the door) for teams of 8.  Beer, soda, and snacks included.  Proceeds will provide utility and rental assistance to those in need in the LaSalle Park, Peabody, and Soulard neighborhoods.  RSVP to svdptrivia@yahoo.com or call Daniel at (303) 263-1373.

 

St. Louis Community Farmers’ Market Reopening

The St. Louis Community Farmers’ Market will return to St. John’s Episcopal Church this winter – every second Saturday of the month from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.  Everyone is invited to stop by on Saturday, Jan. 14 to shop the participating vendors for local farm products.  There are still fresh vegetables!  St. John’s Episcopal Church is located at 3664 Arsenal Street in the Tower Grove South neighborhood. 

 

Eagle Days at the Old Chain of RocksBridge

It’s that time of the year when the Mississippi River hosts one of North America’s largest concentrations of majestic bald eagles, which are drawn to open water such as the Chain of Rock rapids just south of the bridge in search of their preferred food – fish.  The Chain of Rocks Bridge is an ideal viewing platform for visitors to watch eagles fishing, riding ice floes, soaring overhead, or roosting in nearby trees. Eagle Days at the Old Chain of Rocks Bridge will be Saturday, Jan. 14 and Sunday, Jan. 15.  To learn more, visit http://www.trailnet.org/ .  

 

5^th Annual Dogs & Suds Benefit Dog Wash

The 5^th Annual Dogs & Suds Benefit DogWash supporting OpSpot will be from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 14 at Four Muddy Paws, 1711 Park Avenue in the Lafayette Square neighborhood.  Friendly volunteers from Operation Stop Pet Overpopulation will be washing and drying dogs on a first-come, first-served basis for only $15 with 100% of the proceeds benefiting OpSpot.  While their dogs are being washed and dried, guardians may sample hand-crafted brews from Square One Microbrewery and Distillery and other treats.  Questions? Call (314) 773-PAWS (7297) or visit http://fourmuddypaws.com/ .

 

Delmar Loop Ice Carnival

The Snow Ball, the kick off event for the Delmar Loop Ice Carnival will be from 7 to 11 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 13 at the Moonrise Hotel, 6177 Delmar Blvd.  Revelers ages 21 and up are invited to drinks and cuisine from Eclipse Restaurant and the dance music of DJ Mahf.  The all-day Ice Carnival will take place from 10 a.m. to Midnight on Saturday, Jan. 14.  This annual event promotes businesses in the Loop area and celebrates the best of winter and ice.  Activities such as ice carving and sculpting, games, human dog sled races, and scavenger hunt take will place at various venues between 6000 and 6600 Delmar.  For a complete schedule of events and times, visit http://www.VisitTheLoop.com/ .

 

Teach English Abroad Free Info Session

Have you ever thought about teaching English abroad?  Would you like to know what it is like teaching English abroad? Where are the job opportunities? What do such jobs pay? If so, a free information session regarding teaching English Abroad is scheduled for 7 p.m. on Sunday, Jan. 15 on the campus of Saint Louis University.  Those attending will receive a $50 discount by registering for the Oxford Seminars course and paying in full at the session.  Please feel free to call 1-800-779-1779 or visit http://www.oxfordseminars.com/ to obtain further information.

 

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day Observances

Everyone is invited to the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Health Fair that will take place from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. on Saturday, Jan. 14 at the Sheraton St. Louis Center Hotel & Suites, located at 400  S.14^th Street in Downtown St. Louis.  The focus of the event will be stroke prevention.  Immediately following the Fair will be a luncheon with Special Guest Brian Courtney Wilson.  The event is free, but seating will be on a first-come, first-served basis.  To RSVP, call (314) 692-5642.

 

Join the Saint Louis Art Museum & Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc. to praise the life and celebrate the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. on Saturday, Jan. 14 at the “Out of the Mountain of Despair, a Stone of Hope” program, dedicated to the newly erected King Memorial on the National Mall.  The free program begins at 8:30 a.m. in Gallery 216.  Space is limited.  For more information, visit http://www.slam.org/ .

 

The Connection United Methodist Church will hold its Martin Luther King Jr. Community Worship & Sunday Supper on Sunday, Jan. 15.  Worship will begin at 4 p.m. and Sunday Supper will begin at 5:30 p.m.  Everyone is invited to this worship celebration, which will include music, dance and visual art followed by a delicious meal together.  Connection United Methodist Church is located at 6701  Virginia Avenue in the Carondelet neighborhood.

 

The Missouri History Museum and First Civilizations Inc. will present “I May Not Get There With You” – A Multimedia MLK Commemoration at 7 p.m. on Sunday, Jan. 15 in the Lee Auditorium at the Museum.  Focusing on the last five years of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s life, the production highlights key speeches not often explored through poetry, imagery, and sound.  To read more about this free event, visit http://www.mohistory.org/ .

 

Every AmeriCorps program in the nation will celebrate Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day as “A day on. Not a day off!”  Since its inception, AmeriCorps St. Louis has been involved in the City of St.  Louis’ Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service.  In 2011, more than 300 volunteers helped distribute energy-efficient compact fluorescent light bulbs to approximately 6,000 homes in north  St. Louis.  If you are interested in helping with initiatives planned for Monday, Jan. 16, call (314) 622-3757.

 

The annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day Civic Ceremony and March of Celebration will take place on Monday, Jan. 16.  The theme for 2012 is “Keep the Dream Alive – If Not Now, When?”  The Civic Ceremony at the Old Courthouse, 4^th and Market, will include remarks from elected officials and local dignitaries, music and special award presentation to Dr. Henry Givens Jr.  Immediately following the ceremony (approximately 11 a.m.) the March of Celebration will begin in the streets of Downtown St. Louis.  Then at 12:30 p.m. an Interfaith Service will be held at Powell Symphony Hall at Grand & Delmar.

 

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/ .

 

Calling All Local  St. Louis Bands

St. Louis Hard Rock Café is participating in “2012 Hard Rock Rising – THE Global Battleof the Bands.”  If you or anyone you know is in a local band, encourage them to apply now through the Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/hardrockcafestlouis.  Applications will be accepted through Tuesday, Jan. 17.  There is no cost to participate.

 

Save the Date

Jan 20 – Third Friday, Third Degree Glass Factory

Jan. 20 – New Year for the Strays Trivia Night, Renaissance Grand

Jan. 21 – Snowman Softball Tournament, Forest Park

Jan. 21 – Disco Snow Party, Van Goghz Martini Bar & Bistro

Jan. 21 – Taste of SEA, St. Elizabeth’s Academy

Jan. 21 – Soulard Restoration Group’s Smarty Gras Trivia Night 2012, The Franklin Room

Jan. 24 – Trailnet on Tap, Café Ventana

 

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