Public Safety Director's Spotlight - Memorial Day Holiday Weekend Fun

 
A number of exciting events are planned for the Memorial Day Holiday weekend in St. Louis.  Before I highlight several of the activities scheduled for the next two weekends, I want to take this opportunity to recognize all of the 2011 graduates.  You have probably heard it said many times before that education is the key to the future both yours and ours as a City.  Education doesn't just unlock doors, it breaks them down.  Statistics verify that in the course of a lifetime someone who has dropped out of high school will earn less than someone who has graduated from high school, and the individual who attains a college degree will earn more than a high school grad.  I strongly encourage you to join me in congratulating all our graduates and supporting them as they go out to make their mark on the world.  

I also want to give a "tip of the cap" to the 87 juniors at Gateway Institute of Technology High School who completed their CERT (Community Emergency Response Team) Training this week.  They were recognized at a ceremony Wednesday, at which time they were given a CERT pack and a certificate of completion.  CERT Training prepares individuals for what to do in case of a natural disaster or other type of emergency.  I am very proud of these young people and encourage everyone to sign up for CERT Training.  If you would like more information, contact the City’s Emergency Management Agency (CEMA) at (314) 622-3501.

On Monday, May 30 we will observe Memorial Day – the day our nation has set aside to pay tribute to those who have paid the ultimate price to defend the United States and the principles upon which America was founded.  Let us also use the day to renew our support to our troops, their families, and our veterans.  At 3 p.m. local time on that day, Americans will observe, in their own way, the National Moment of Remembrance.

Listed below are just a few of the events that will take place in St. Louis in the next few days and weeks.  I encourage you to stop by and take advantage of all that our great City neighborhoods have to offer.  Also, if you haven't visited the City's new website (http://stlouis-mo.gov/) I encourage you to do so.  On its 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.  See you in the neighborhood!


2011 U.S. Cellular Rib America Festival

This year's Rib America Festival, the proceeds of which support the Soldiers’ Memorial, will be held from 11 a.m. Friday, May 27 through 5 p.m. Monday, May 30 at the Soldiers’ Memorial Plaza in Downtown St. Louis. Enjoy delicious ribs from across the country, lively entertainment and more.  For a complete schedule and pricing information, visit http://www.ribamerica.com/ .


Memorial Day Ceremony Update

The American Legion will be holding its annual Memorial Day Ceremony at Soldiers' Memorial, 1315 Chestnut, in Downtown St. Louis, at 10:55 a.m. on Saturday, May 28. I encourage you to join the American Legion Veterans in honoring the men and women who have given their lives in service to our country.


St. Louis African Arts Festival

The 2011 St. Louis African Arts Festival will be held from May 28 through May 30 at the World's Fair Pavilion in beautiful Forest Park.  The festival features an African marketplace, African arts and crafts, jewelry, clothing, oils, children's entertainment and more.  Visit http://www.stlafricanartsfest.org for a full activity schedule.


“Lindenwood Live” Concert in the Park

Grab your family, friends and neighbors, pack a picnic supper and enjoy the music of Kevin Weaks and the Roadhouse Band at the “Lindenwood Live” Concert in the Park on Sunday, May 29, from 6 – 8 p.m. in Lindenwood Park, corner of Jamieson and Pernod.


Free Memorial Day Concert

The Compton Heights Concert Band, featuring Gina Galati, will give a free concert in Tower Grove Park at 3 p.m. on Monday, May 30.  Bring your lawn chair or blanket and enjoy!


Shakespeare Festival St. Louis

The Shakespeare Festival St. Louis' presentation of The Taming of the Shrew is being performed now through June 19 in Shakespeare Glen in Forest Park, near the St. Louis Art Museum.  Performances are at 8 p.m. For more details, visit the SFSL website at http://www.shakespearefestivalstlouis.org/ .


Twilight Tuesdays Concert Series

The Twilight Tuesday Concerts at the Missouri History Museum at Lindell & DeBaliviere continue this Tuesday, May 31, with a performance by Blues prodigy Marquise Knox.  Activities begin at 6:30 p.m.  For a complete list of this season's line-up, visit http://www.mohistory.org/ .


Circus Flora

The air-conditioned, red-and-white big top tent returns to Grand Center June 2 through June 26 for Circus Flora.  The 25th season production is “Vagabond Adventures.”  Ticket prices range from $8 - $44.  For more details, visit http://www.circusflora.org/.

Lunchtime ‘Not So Quiet’ Concert Series Returns

The St. Louis Public Library’s “Not So Quiet” Concert Series will return to Old Post Office Plaza, 8th & Locust, in Downtown St. Louis on Thursday, June 2 from Noon to 1 p.m.  Park Avenue Jazz is scheduled to perform.  The lunchtime concerts will be held every Thursday during June and July.  For the line-up of performers, visit http://www.slpl.org ( http://www.slpl.org/ ).  Note:  If it rains, the show will be canceled.


Healthy Corner Store

The new owner of the corner store at 3430 Itaska (at Alaska) in the Dutchtown neighborhood will be hosting a fun event there on Friday, June 3 from 2 – 7 p.m.  The owner will announce the new name of the store, have taste tests, cooking demonstrations, information on healthy recipes and more.  Be sure to stop by, meet the new owner, and find out what delicious foods you can now find at the market.  For more information, call Dutchtown South Community Corporation at (314) 352-4865.


Free Outdoor Movies Downtown

The movie “Raiders of the Lost Ark” will be shown under the train shed at Union Station on Friday, June 3 beginning at Sunset.  The free movie series will be held the 1st Friday of every month from now through Sept.

The movie “Top Gun” will be shown at Old Post Office Plaza, 8th and Locust, on Friday, June 3 beginning at Dusk as part of the Cinema on the Plaza Series.  This free movie series is set for every Friday in June.


Walk / Ride Fun

June 4 - 20th Annual St. Louis Area Tour de Cure.  Four choices of routes.  Visit http://www.diabetes.org/tour . 

June 4 – Area F Councils 9th Annual HIV/AIDS Awareness Walk & Health Expo, Dwight Davis Park, Lillian & Riverview.

June 4 – Gateway Greening’s Tour de Plants. Visit https://community.gatewaygreening.org/ .


Music, Fairs, Festivals

June 4 and 5 - Route 66 Festival @ Old Chain of Rocks Bridge.  Visit www.confluencegreenway.org ( http://www.confluencegreenway.org/ )

June 4 – Taste of Tilles, Tilles Park, Hampton & Fyler.  Visit http://www.tillesparkneighborhood.com/blog/

June 4 and 5 – St. Stanislaus Picnic, www.stanislauskostka.com ( http://www.stanislauskostka.com/ )

June 4 – Franz Park Art Fair & Movie Night, Mitchell & Prather.  Visit http://franzpark.org/.

June 4 – West End Neighborhood 5th Annual Day in the Park, Marie Fowler Park, Page and Union.

June 4 – Riverfront Times Music Showcase, Washington Avenue in Downtown St. Louis.  Visit www.riverfronttimes.com/musicshowcase

June 4 – Lafayette Square Concert in the Park

June 5 – Concert in Carondelet Park, Loughborough & I-55, 7 p.m.  The Bob Kuban Band is scheduled to perform.


Save the Dates

The talented OLStars theater group from Our Lady of Sorrows Parish will present its cabaret-style musical rendition of “The Sensational 70s Show” on Thursday, June 23; Friday, June 24; and Saturday, June 25 at 7:30 p.m. as well as Sunday, June 26 at 2 p.m.  This will be a fun-filled musical that will have you singing along and tapping your toes the whole time.  The production will take place at Our Lady of Sorrows Parish Hall, 5050 Rhodes Avenue.  This year, tickets are only $5 for all ages.  You can call to place reservations starting June 8 with Connie at 799-1858 Monday through Friday.  After June 22, plan on getting your tickets at the door.

June 4 and 5 – Lafayette Square House & Garden Tour.  Visit http://www.lafayettesquare.org/.

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