Public Safety Director's Spotlight - It's Our Region

 

It’s Our Region Fund - 2012

 

I want to start this week’s Spotlight with information from the St. Louis Regional Business Council.  The RBC is seeking applications for grants from the “It’s Our Region Fund – 2012.”  This is a philanthropic initiative with the goal of improving the quality of life for St. Louisans.  The grants must be used to support capital improvement projects.  The focus of the funded projects should fit into one of the following categories:  brick and mortar, beautification or healthy living.  Examples might include building a playground or ballpark in an underserved neighborhood or planting flowers in an urban area.  Applications will be accepted until Aug. 15.  To review guidelines and complete an application, visit www.stlrbc.org/bigimpact  or call (314) 225-2100.

 
 Upcoming Events

Thursday nights  - Thursdays @ The Intersection, Grand Center

Enjoy the free outdoor concert series, Thursdays @ The Intersection,  at 5 p.m. every Thursday at Strauss Park, located at Grand and Washington in Grand Center, now through Oct. 4. For a complete schedule of performers, visit http://www.grandcenter.org/ .

Thursday nights – 2012 Whitaker Urban Evening Series, St. LouisPlacePark

The Whitaker Urban Evening Series at St.  Louis Place Park, Rauschenbach and St. Louis Ave., on Thursday nights will continue through July 19.    Children’s activities will take place from 7 to 8:30 p.m. and the concert will run from 7 to 9 p.m.  Invite your family, friends and neighbors to join you for a fun evening in the park.

 
July 6 & 7 - Fair Saint Louis, Under the Gateway Arch

Fair Saint Louis will resume this Friday at 4 p.m. on the Arch grounds with a variety of performances on the Cultural Stage.  The Salute to Our Troops will take place at 7 p.m.  Third Eye Blind will perform on the Budweiser Main Stage under the Arch at 8 p.m.  The evening will conclude with another outstanding fireworks display at approximately 9:15 p.m.

The Fair will open at Noon on Saturday with performances on the Cultural Stage beginning at 1 p.m.  Dierks Bentley will take the Main Stage at 8 p.m.  The evening and the Fair will conclude with the Fireworks Finale at approximately 9:15 p.m.

For a complete list of all the remaining activities of Fair Saint Louis on July 6 and 7, go to the web site at http://www.fairstlouis.org/ .

July 6 & 7 - Rockin’ on the Landing, Laclede’s Landing

Rockin’ on the Landing will resume this Friday with more performances from some of St. Louis’ best original bands and cover groups, plus a great selection of food and beverages from Laclede’s Landing’s outstanding restaurants and bars. Come explore the historic St. Louis riverfront from 1 to 11 p.m. each day, listen to some entertaining musical acts and save your spot for the world-class St. Louis riverfront fireworks display each night (approximately 9:15 p.m.). For all the details, visit http://www.lacledeslanding.com/ .

July 6 - Outdoor Film Series, St. LouisArt Museum

The cult classic, “Monty Python and the Holy Grail,” will be screened Friday at 9 p.m. outside the St. LouisArt Museum in fabulous Forest Park.  Before the film, enjoy a bite to eat from a variety of food trucks if you wish and listen to live music that will begin at 7 p.m.  Questions?  Call (314) 721-0072.

July 7 - 1862 Historic Fourth of July, Old Courthouse

Everyone is invited to stop by the Old Courthouse at 11 N. 4^th Street  in Downtown St. Louis this Saturday.  From 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. living history volunteers and park rangers will present an 1862 Fourth of July celebration with music, speeches, and the reading of the Declaration of Independence.  Concerts will take place at Noon, 1 p.m. and 2 p.m.  For more information, call (314) 655-1700 or visit the web site at www.nps.gov/jeff.  The event is free.

July 7 - Uncle Sam Throwdown Free Concert, BentonPark

The 2012 Budweiser Benton Park Concert Season is in full swing.  The Uncle Sam Throwdown featuring a tribute to Johnny Cash will take place on Saturday from 5 – 10 p.m.  Bring your lawn chairs or a blanket and enjoy the concert in the park as well as other family-oriented activities.  For more details, visit the web site at www.bpnastl.org/

July 7 – July Family Day, World Chess Hall of Fame

You don’t have to play chess to enjoy the World Chess Hall of Fame free Family Day activities.  On Saturday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., the World Chess Hall of Fame, located at 4652 Maryland Avenue, will be honoring artist Marcel Dzama and photographer Harry Benson.  Visitors will be able to create a sketchbook and decorate a photo frame for a favorite snapshot.  For more details, call (314) 367-9243 ext. 105.

Sunday Serenades by ComptonHeights Concert Band, Francis Park

Everyone is invited to come to Francis Park, Donovan and Eichelberger, in the St. Louis Hills neighborhood for the free Sunday Serenades Summer Concert Series by the Compton Heights Concert Band.  The concerts will begin at 7:30 p.m. each Sunday from now through Aug. 5.  Invite your family, friends and neighbors to join you for these lively concerts.

July 8 – Family Sundays, St. LouisArt Museum

Feel like a kid in King Arthur’s court when you visit the St. Louis Art  Museum for Family Sundays this month.  The Family Sundays event takes place for 1 – 4 p.m. each Sunday, and the theme this month is Days of Knights.  Visit the museum’s Arms and Armor galleries, see the two-handed swords and the full suits of armor, then try your hand at the weekly art project.  The event is free.  For more details, call (314) 721-0072.

July 8 - Free Summer Concert, Carondelet ParkPark

The Carondelet Community Betterment Federation will present The Ragtimers from 6 – 8 p.m. on Sunday, July 8 in Carondelet Park as part of its Summer Concert Series.  The concert will take place at the Music Stand at Loughborough and Field.  Pack a picnic basket, bring your lawn chairs or a blanket and enjoy the sights and sounds of this free outdoor concert in the park.

Musical Mondays Concert Series

The Compton Heights Concert Band will present its free Musical Mondays Summer Concert Series at 7:30 p.m. on Mondays in Tower Grove Park (Magnolia and Tower Grove) at the Henry Shaw Bandstand.  Pack a picnic basket, bring a blanket and you’re your neighbors for a great evening in the park.  The series will run from now through Aug. 6th.

July 10 – Free Concert, Fanetti ParkPark

The Carondelet Betterment Federation will present Gateway Jazz from 7 – 9 p.m. on Tuesday, July 10 at Fanetti Park, located at Michigan & Schirmer, as part of its Summer Concert Series.  Pack a snack, gather up the family, and enjoy a free outdoor concert in the park.

July 11 – Kid’s Field Day, Forest Park

Do you have a member of the family between the ages of 9 and 13?  If so, consider spending the day in Forest Park for Kid’s Field Day.  Participants will go fishing, explore the wetland and then break for lunch.  Dress for the weather, pack a sack lunch, and meet at the Dennis and Judith Jones Visitor  & Education Center at 10 a.m.  For more information, call (314) 877-1309. 

July 12 – Forest Park Southeast Dog Park Fundraiser, O’Shay’s Pub

Mark your calendar now for the Forest Park Southeast Dog Park Raffle Fundraiser that will take place at O’Shay’s Pub on Thursday, July 12 from 6 – 9 p.m.  Enjoy some food and drinks with your neighbors and help support the development of a dog park in Forest Park Southeast.  Items donated by neighborhood and St.  Louis businesses will be raffled off.  O’Shay’s is located at 4353 Manchester.


Save the Date

July 13 & 14 – Homeowner Financial Assistance event, St. Louis Union Station Marriott

July 13 & 14 – Celebrate St. Louis Summer Concerts, Soldiers’ Memorial

July 13, 14 & 15 – Hello, Dolly!, St. Gabriel the Archangel

July 13 – Food Truck Friday, Tower Grove Park

July 13 – Outdoor Film Series, St. Louis Art Museum

July 13, 14 & 15 – Saint Joan of Arc Annual Flea Market

July 14 – Free Summer Concert, Lafayette Park

July 15 – Annual Bastille Day Celebration, Chatillon-DeMenil House

July 15 – Free Concert, Carondelet Park

July 16 – Free Concert, Bellerive Park
 
 
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@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 on the home page. The listing is free. I encourage you to take advantage of this free way to promote your event.

St. Louis Police Wives Association Trivia Night Fundraiser

In closing, I want to pass along some information from the St. Louis Police Wives Association.  Get your team of eight together now for the SLPWA Annual Trivia Night Fundraiser that will be held at 7 p.m. on Saturday, July 14 at the Police Association Hall, located at 3710  Hampton Avenue.  Cost is $160 per table.  If interested, you must register by Wednesday, July 11.  For more information, call Jessica at (618) 409-8667.

Eddie Roth
Director of Public Safety
City of St.  Louis