Public Safety Director's Spotlight - National Police Week

National Police Week

Each year during the month of May the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund conducts events in Washington, D.C. in honor of National Police Week (May 13 – 17).  Many communities across our great nation hold local events to honor the men and women who bravely protect and serve, as well as to remember those law enforcement officers who have been killed in the line of duty.  On Thursday, many will attend the annual St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department Police Memorial Breakfast.  I encourage you to take a moment this week to recognize the challenges police officers face, the split-second decisions they must often make in the name of public safety and how you can play a part in the common goal of strong, safe neighborhoods.

Upcoming Events

May 18 – National Bike to Work Day, Downtown Bicycle Station

Friday is National Bike to Work Day and Trailnet is inviting everyone to celebrate with them at one or more of their refueling stations for breakfast bagels and coffee.  Last year, more than 330 cyclists participated in Bike to Work Day and Trailnet is looking to exceed that number this year.  Locations in the City include:

·      Big Shark, 6133 Delmar

·      Downtown Bicycle Station, 1011 Locust

·      Missouri History Museum, 5700 Lindell Blvd.

·      Missouri Botanical Garden, corner of Tower Grove and Shaw

For more information, visit http://www.trailnet.org/ .

May 18 – 20 – MayFest, Ballpark Village Lot

Billed as a festival of music, food and drink, the three-day MayFest across from Busch Stadium this week has a schedule of performers and other activities that will satisfy everyone.  General admission is $5 and the MayFest will be open from 4 – 11:30 p.m. on Friday, 11 a.m. to 11:30 p.m. on Saturday and from Noon to 10 p.m. on Sunday.  For more details, visit the web site at http://www.mayfeststl.com/ .

May 18 – 2012 Clips of Faith Beer & Film Tour, World's Fair Pavilion

The New Belgium Clips of Faith Film & Beer Festival will be returning to Missouri for its second year to celebrate craft beer, short films, and local food.  Bring the family to the World's Fair Pavilion in Forest Park on Friday starting at 7:30 p.m. for a night of whimsy and amusement under the stars.  Bring a blanket, bring a picnic or buy food from local vendors.  Films will begin at dark.  The event will benefit Missouri Bicycle and Pedestrian Federation.  Please note that the event is cash-only.  To learn more, visit http://www.clipsoffaith.com/ . 

May 18 – Art Invitation for Poetry Scores, Mad Art Gallery

Poetry Scores has invited 50+ artists from St. Louis, Hawaii, New York and Texas to make art to the same Wole Soyinka poem.  Come see their work at a one-night only Poetry Scores art exhibit and silent auction this Friday from 7 – 10 p.m. at Mad Art Gallery, 2727 S. 12^th Street in the Soulard neighborhood.  The event is free and open to the public.  To read the poem and to learn more, visit http://www.madart.com/ .

May 19 – 2012 Metro Heart Walk, Busch Stadium

Join the American Heart Association for the fun-filled family oriented, non-competitive Metro Heart Walk through the streets of Downtown St. Louis this Saturday starting at 7:30 a.m.  Participants can choose a 1- or 3-mile route that starts at Busch Stadium Gate 4 and leads back to Busch Stadium for a final lap around the field.  Enjoy walking as part of your healthy lifestyle and raise funds to support cardiovascular research and educational programs in St. Louis.  To register, visit the web site at: http://heartwalk.kintera.org/faf/home/default.asp?ievent=486750 .

May 19 – Arts & Crafts Fair, Soulard Market Park

If you enjoy handmade art and crafts, consider stopping by the Arts & Crafts Fair in Soulard Market Park this Saturday, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.  Enjoy fun, food and the best handmade art & crafts around!  Soulard Market Park is located on the corner of 9^th and Lafayette.  For more information, visit http://www.soulardcraftfairs.com/ .

May 19 – Guns and Hoses Basketball, Harris-Stowe State University

Join Responder Rescue and the St. Louis City Police and Fire Departments this Saturday for the Guns and Hoses Basketball Game at Harris-Stowe State University, 3026 Laclede Avenue in the Midtown neighborhood.  Tickets are just $5, children 12 and under are free.  Doors will open at Noon and the game will begin at 1 p.m.  Proceeds will benefit Responder Rescue and Sgt. Rick Lingard.  Questions?  Call (314) 627-0700.

May 19 – Old North St. Louis House Tour & Homegrown Festival

Every year in May, Old North St. Louis Restoration Group hosts a neighborhood-wide house and community tour.  This year's tour is scheduled for Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.  The tour will also incorporate the Homegrown Street Festival, which will celebrate and spotlight locally-produced foods, goods and services.  Tour tickets are available in advance for $10 and on the day of the tour for $12 per person.  Visit online at http://www.onsl.org/house-and-community-tour or come by the ONSL Restoration Group office, located at 2700 N. 14^th Street.

May 19 – Saturdays in the Plaza, Soulard Market

The Historic Soulard Market Merchants Association is proud to present Saturday in the Plaza at Soulard Market from 10 a.m. to Noon on Saturdays in May and June.  Learn culinary techniques at this Chef Demonstration Series and use them in a variety of recipes.  Chef Chris Desens of the Culinary Institute of St. Louis will discuss common uses as well as the proper way to select, prepare and plate fruits and vegetables. Chef Madaline Hamid of L'Ecole Culinaire will share her passion for cooking on May 26.  To learn more, visit http://www.soulardmarketstl.com/ .

May 19 – Compton Heights Home & Garden Tour

Will you be one of the thousands expected this weekend to attend the Compton Heights Home & Garden Tour on Saturday and Sunday?  The house tour will run from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on both days.  Check in for the tour will be at 3521 Hawthorne Blvd. at the intersection of Grand Avenue, Longfellow and Hawthorne Boulevards.  Tour tickets are $15 each in advance, $20 on the days of the tour, and $5 additional per person for the optional audio tour.  For details, call (314) 827-6348 or visit http://www.comptonheights.org/ .

May 19 – 3^rd Annual Trivia Night, 5 Star Senior Center

The 3^rd District Police Partnership will hold its 3^rd Annual Trivia Night this Saturday at 5 Star Senior Center, located at 2832 Arsenal in the Benton Park West neighborhood.  Doors will open at 6:30 p.m. and trivia questions will begin at 7 p.m.  Cost is $120 per table of 8 and that includes soda and light snacks.  All proceeds benefit the 3^rd District Police Officer of the Month and Year programs.  To reserve a table, call Paul Costigan at (314) 773-9090 ext. 162 or email him at costiganp@iistl.org .

May 19 – Benton Park 5K Run, Walk & Stroll

The Benton Park Neighborhood Association will be hosting its 2^nd Annual Reclaiming the 80s 5K Run, Walk & Stroll this Saturday in Benton Park, at the corner of Jefferson & Arsenal (across I-55 from Anheuser Busch).  The 5K Run/Walk/Stroll will start at 9 a.m. in Benton Park, loop through the neighborhood and end in the park.  The Kids Fun Run will begin at 10 a.m. and the route will loop through the park.  The Festival will run from 9:15 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.  Enjoy 80s music, 80s costume contests and post-race snacks & beverages for racers.  Proceeds will benefit the Benton Park Neighborhood Association.  You may register online through Big River Running's event registration web site at http://www.bigriverrunning.com/racecalendar.php .

May 19 – The Hill's 1^st Annual Wine Walk, Berra Park

The Hill Business Association and Hill neighborhood are inviting everyone out for a day of fine dining, great shopping, and even better wine!  Wine tastings will be hosted by Hill businesses from 1 – 5 p.m. with fine dining and shopping options available.  Registration will begin at 12:45 p.m. at Berra Park, located at the corner of Macklind and Daggett.  A courtesy shuttle will take you and your guests to participating Wine Walk venues throughout this historic Italian neighborhood.  The cost is $25 and you must be 21 years of age or older.  For more information about this magical event in May, visit http://www.thehill-stl.org/ .

May 19 & 20 – U.S. Chess Championships, Chess Club & Scholastic Center of St. Louis

The U.S. Chess Championships will conclude this Saturday, with a possible playoff on Sunday.  The top 12 players in the country will play in an 11-game round robin to decide the title of U.S. Champion.  The top 10 female players will play a nine-game round robin.  All games commence at 1 p.m.  Spectators can visit the Club located at 4657 Maryland Avenue in the trendy Central West End or watch the action live with commentary at http://www.uschesschamps.com/ .

May 20 – Annie Malone May Day Parade, Downtown

Annie Malone Children and Family Service Center will hold its Annual May Day Parade – the nation's oldest African-American Parade – this Sunday in beautiful Downtown St. Louis.  The theme of the 2012 May Day Parade is "Embracing Children and Families."  The parade will begin promptly at 1 p.m. and travel along Market Street between Jefferson and Broadway.  The parade will benefit Annie Malone, the non-profit organization that has been serving St. Louis children and families in crisis for 124 years.  For more information, call (314) 531-0120 or visit http://www.anniemalone.com/ .

May 20 – U.S. Olympians and Paralympians Walk to London, Forest Park

Sponsored in part by the City's Parks Department, everyone is invited to join U.S. Olympians and Paralympians in a walk to celebrate the Olympic spirit in all of us.  Walk to London 2012 began in Los Angeles on April 7 and is continuing each weekend in communities across the United States where Olympic Alumni Chapters are located.  Walk to London 2012 will end in Washington, D.C. on June 23, which will be International Olympic Day.  Each community walk will record their miles on the web site http://www.walktolondon2012.org/ , measuring their collective progress on the Walk to London 2012.  Registration will begin at Noon in the Visitor's Center in Forest Park.  The Walk will start at 1 p.m. at the Muny Upper Parking Lot.  A reception will follow at the Visitor's Center and participants will have a chance to meet and greet the Olympians.

May 25 – I Love Movies Trivia Night, Centene Center for Arts & Education

Cinema St. Louis will be hosting its 9^th Annual I Love Movies Trivia Night on Friday, May 25, at the Centene Center for Arts & Education, 3547 Olive Street (1/2 block east of Grand Boulevard).  Doors will open at 6 p.m. and trivia will begin at 7 p.m.  All questions and answers will have a movie-related theme.  Cost (if pre-registering) is $20 per person/$160 per table of 8.  Admission at the door will be $25 per person/$200 per table, if space is available.  Pre-registration is highly recommended.  All proceeds will support Cinema St. Louis, presenter of the Stella Artois St. Louis International Film Festival, and its mission of promoting the finest in cutting-edge local, national and international film.  For reservations and additional information, contact Brian Spath at (314) 289-4153 or visit the web site at http://cinemastlouis.org/ .

 

Save the Date

May 22 – Twilight Tuesday Concert, Missouri History Museum

May 23 – Wednesday Night Out, Downtown-wide Happy Hour

May 26 – Memorial Day Ceremony, Soldiers' Memorial

May 26 – Live Music at the Plaza, Soulard Market

May 26 – 28 – St. Louis African Arts Festival, Forest Park

May 25- 27 – Bluesweek Festival, Soldiers' Memorial Park

May 27 – Lindenwood Live Concert, Lindenwood Park

May 31 – June 24 – Circus Flora, Grand Center

 

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.

Grouphug St. Louis

In closing, I want to pass along a reminder from the St. Louis Curio Shoppe on Cherokee Street that the deadline to get your photo in for this year's Grouphug St. Louis is Wednesday, May 23.  Email your HUG photos to grouphugstl@gmail.com.  To see pictures from last year's Grouphug St. Louis, go to http://grouphugstl.tumblr.com/ .

 

Eddie Roth

Director of Public Safety

City of St. Louis