Public Safety Director's Spotlight - Bicycle Rider Safety Tips

 

Bicycle Rider Safety Tips

More and more St. Louisans are taking to the roads on their bicycles.  Here are a few rules from the Missouri Department of Revenue Driver Guide about sharing the road:

• On public streets and highways, bicyclists have the same rights and responsibilities as a motor vehicle operation.
• Always ride with traffic, never against it.
• When operating at less than the posted speed or traffic flow, generally ride as near to the right side of the roadway as is safe.  On a one-way street, you may also choose to ride as far left as is safe.
• Always check traffic and signal before changing lanes or changing your position within a lane.
• Make sure motorists see you. Wear bright colored clothes and stay out of a vehicle's blind spots.  Use proper lights and reflectors when riding after dark.
• Be extra careful at intersections.  Do not assume your right-of-way.  Be aware that motor vehicle drivers may not see you approaching.

Bicycling is fun.  By riding correctly, you can greatly increase your use and enjoyment of the bicycle – for transportation, for exercise, and for recreation.  Enjoy your bicycling!

 

Volunteer Mediators Sought

The Saint Louis Mediation Program is seeking individuals who would like to become volunteer mediators.  A 32-hour training program is planned to begin in November.  If you are interested in learning more about the type of issues that are mediated, review the website at www.mediationstl.org.  Not everyone will find this volunteer opportunity appealing, but for those who do, it is most rewarding when they see parties resolving their own issues.  Please do not hesitate to contact the Mediation office with questions:  (314) 533-3550 or mediatestl@yahoo.com.  

 

Upcoming Events

Oct. 18 – Breakfast for Bikers, Downtown Bicycle Station, 7 a.m.

 The 2013 Breakfast for Bikers Series sponsored by Trailnet will conclude this Friday.  Join Trailnet and fellow cyclists to network over free coffee and breakfast at the Downtown Bicycle Station, 1011 Locust Street, from 7 - 9 a.m.  For more information, visit the trailnet.org web site.

  

Oct. 18 & 19 – Thurman Loop OktoberFest, Thurman Grill & Provisions, 5 p.m.

 Everyone is invited to stop by the Thurman Loop OktoberFest this Friday and Saturday for great music, games, art, and more.  The Fest will run from 5 – 9 p.m. on Friday and 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Saturday at 4069 Shenandoah at Thurman in the Shaw neighborhood.  For all the particulars, visit the thurmanloopoktoberfest.com web site.

 

Oct. 19 -- Taste of Baden, David Hickey Park, 10 a.m.

Taste of Baden will be held this Saturday, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. in David Hickey Park, 8700 N. Broadway.   Rescheduled from its original September date, there will something for everyone.  The City's Recycling Program will have a booth at the event and will have a container available for e-waste that needs to be recycled.  So please feel free to bring any old electronics with you!  For more information, call (314) 382-9000.

 

Oct. 19 – Greening Event, Leona & Holly Hills, 8:30 a.m.

 Do you have a green thumb?  Volunteers are invited to meet at Leona and Holly Hills at 8:30 a.m. this Saturday to plant approximately 4,500 bulbs courtesy of Brightside St. Louis to the Holly Hills neighborhood.  Bring a shovel, bulb digger, etc. and help beautify the parkways in the area.  For more information, visit the HollyHills.info web site.

Oct. 19 – Harvest Festival, Tower Grove Farmers' Market, 8 a.m.

Tower Grove Farmers' Market's Eighth Annual Harvest Festival will take place this Saturday, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. in Tower Grove Park.  Eighty-plus vendors of the best Missouri and Illinois foods and artisan wares will be there, along with three bands and fun for everyone.  To learn more, visit the tgmarket.org web site.

  

Oct. 19 – River des Peres Trash Bash, Fultz Field, 8:30 a.m.

 Volunteers of all ages are invited to join Great Rivers Greenway, the River des Peres Watershed Coalition, Missouri Stream Team, and the Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District this Saturday for the Fifth Annual River des Peres Trash Bash.  Registration will take place from 8 - 8:30 a.m. at Fultz Field (on River des Peres Boulevard between Morganford Road and Gravois Avenue).  The cleanup will run from 8:30 a.m. to Noon, immediately followed by a celebratory lunch at Fultz Field from Noon to 1 p.m.  For more details and to register in advance, visit the stlmsd.com website or call (314) 436-8708.

  

Oct. 19 – Financial Planning Workshop, St. LouisCommunity College @ Forest Park, 9 a.m.

 The St. Louis Agency on Training and Employment (SLATE), Mayor Francis G. Slay, and the Financial Planning Association of Greater St. Louis are encouraging St. Louisans to take advantage of the Financial Planning Workshop that will take place this Saturday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at St. Louis Community College at Forest Park, Student Center Building, Tower E, 5600 Oakland Avenue in the Cheltenham neighborhood.  Register to meet with professional financial planners to discuss your personal finances, concerns, and interests -- all at no cost.  Receive expert advice on such topics as general financial planning, investment, retirement, income tax, estate planning, insurance planning, budgeting and more.  Register at www.FinancialPlanningDays.org/SaintLouis or call 877-861-7826.

  

Oct. 19 -- Insurance Marketplace Enrollment Assistance Site, Schlafly Branch Public Library, 9:30 a.m.

If you can't get affordable health insurance through your job, you can now buy quality health coverage for yourself and your family through the Missouri Health Insurance Marketplace.  You will also see if you can get financial help to buy health insurance. Learn more or sign up online by going to www.covermissouri.org.  You may also visit one of the Insurance Marketplace Enrollment sites scheduled events from now through the enrollment period (Dec. 14) to obtain information and sign up.  An enrollment assistance event will be held on Saturday, Oct.19 from 9:30 a.m. – Noon at the Schlafly Branch Public Library located at 225 N. Euclid in the trendy Central West End neighborhood.  For a complete list of the enrollment sites scheduled events, log on to www.stlouis-mo.gov.   

 

Oct. 19 – The Blessing Basket Project® Warehouse Sale, 5234 Oakland Avenue, 10 a.m.

The Blessing Basket Project is an effort to combat poverty world wide.  By purchasing hand woven Blessing Baskets® products, you empower families around the world not just to exist, but to thrive.  Make plans to stop by the Warehouse Sale this Saturday and see the beautifully hand-crafted basket and other specialty items they have to offer from more than 2,000 artisans from third-world countries.  The Blessing Basket Project is located at 5234 Oakland Avenue in the Kings Oak neighborhood.  The sale will run from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.  Log on to the blessingbasket.org web site to learn more.

 

Oct. 19 – BBQ, Watson Terrace Christian Church, Noon

Washington Terrace Christian Church will hold its last of the season barbecue this Saturday, from Noon - 7 p.m.  Visitors will be able to purchase pork steaks, brats, chicken breasts, hot dogs, burgers, side dishes, dessert and more.  The Church is located at 4205 Watson Road (at Winnebago) in the Lindenwood Park neighborhood.  Need more information?  Call (314) 647-3840.

 

Oct. 19 – ROCKtoberfest, Laclede's Landing, 3 p.m.

The Laclede's Landing community is inviting everyone to stop by this Saturday for ROCKtoberfest, an outdoor music festival that will feature seven of the city's best original, rock-alternative bands on two stages.  The event is free to attend and visitors will be able to purchase delicious food and drinks as they enjoy the great music.  If you're a music lover looking for a place to hang out with friends and listen to great music, ROCKtoberfest is for you.  For the complete schedule, visit the the lacledeslanding.com web site.

Oct. 19 -- Trivia Night, St. Stephen Protomartyr PTO, 6:30 p.m.

It's that time of year again for the St. Stephen Protomartyr PTO Annual Trivia Night and Silent Auction.  This year's event will be held on Saturday, Oct. 19 in the Gym, 3949 Wilmington in the Holly Hills neighborhood.  Doors will open at 6:30 p.m. and Trivia will start at 7 p.m.  The cost is $20 per person, $200 for a table of 10.  To reserve your table, make a donation, become a sponsor or if you have any questions, call (314) 752-1580 or email h_blaskiewicz@yahoo.com.  

 

Oct. 20 – Polish Heritage Month Celebration, PNA Sports Club, Noon

October is Polish Heritage Month.  Celebrate Polish Heritage this Sunday from Noon until 5 p.m. at PNA Sports Club, 3630 Bates Avenue (at Grand) in the Holly Hills neighborhood.  Guests may enjoy authentic Polish dinners including Kielbasa (Polish Sausage), Golabki (stuffed cabbage), Kapusta (cooked cabbage & sauerkraut), Pierogi (pasta filled with potato & cheese), vegetable, dessert and drink.  The cost will be $7.50 for adults and $3.50 for children.  Questions?  Call John at (636) 938-4641.

 

October 24 -- Professional Career Fair, Harris-Stowe State University, 8:30 a.m.

The National Black MBA Association, Inc., St. Louis Chapter will host its 20th Annual Minority Professional Career Fair from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Harris-Stowe State University's Emerson Performance Center on Thursday, Oct. 24.  The event is free and open to everyone with a four-year college degree or who will be graduating in December.  To learn more visit: http://www.nbmbaa.org/Chapters/ChapterOverview/stLouis.aspx .

 

Save the Date

Oct. 25 -- Metamorphosis Costume Party, Moulin, 7 p.m.

Oct. 25 & 26 -- Rock 'n' Roll St. Louis Expo, America's Center, 10 a.m.

Oct. 26 - Fifth Annual Great Pumpkin Carve & Glow, Moonrise Hotel, Noon

Oct. 26 -- Tricks & Treats on Park, Lafayette Park, 11 a.m.

Oct. 26 -- Halloween Hullabaloo!, Carondelet Park Rec Complex, 4 - p.m.

Oct. 26 -- Boo at the Zoo Spooky Saturday, St. Louis Zoo, 9 a.m.

Oct. 26 -- Free Family Day:  Halloween, Contemporary Art Museum, 1 p.m.

Oct. 27 -- Trunk or Treat, Southwest Baptist Church, 5:30 p.m.

Oct. 27 -- Rock 'n' Roll St. Louis Marathon, on Market Street west of Tucker, 7 a.m.

Oct. 27 -- Free Organ Recital, Second Presbyterian Church, 4 p.m.

Oct. 31 -- Halloween Parade & Party, Lafayette Park Playground, 5:30 p.m.

  

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 deekenc@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.

 

Poster Coloring Contest

Calling all artists between the ages of 5 and 12!  How would you like you to be named the Ameren Missouri Thanksgiving Day Parade Junior Grand Marshal?  Christmas in St. Louis has created a poster that young artists are invited to download, print, creatively color and submit so that it's received by November 1.  The winner of the poster coloring contest will be invited to ride in this year's Thanksgiving Day Parade in Downtown St. Louis as a special VIP with his or her parent or guardian.  To download the poster, entry form, and rules, visit http://christmasinstlouis.org/coloring-contest.