Public Safety Director's Spotlight - Recognizing St. Louis' Finest

Recognizing St. Louis' Finest

Next week law enforcement officials across the country will observe National Police Week (May 11 -17) and Peace Officers Memorial Day (Thursday, May 15).  Established by a joint resolution of Congress in 1962, National Police Week pays special recognition to those law enforcement officers who have lost their lives in the line of duty for the safety and protection of others.  I would like to take this opportunity to recognize the local, State, and Federal law enforcement officers who serve and protect us with courage and dedication, and to especially remember those officers who have made the ultimate sacrifice.  They will never be forgotten.

Upcoming Events

May 9 -- The Faces Project Exhibition, Soulard Art Market, 6 p.m.

Artists participating in The Faces Project paint a portrait of a child who was killed by gun violence.  This powerful exhibit pays tribute to the young lives that were cut short and protests the unacceptable number of young lives lost to senseless gun violence.  The exhibit will be on display this Friday at the Soulard Art Market, 2028 South 12th Street in the Soulard neighborhood from 6 to 9 p.m.  To learn more, visit the soulardartmarket.com web site.

May 9 -- Summer Exhibitions Opening Reception, Contemporary Art Museum, 7 p.m.

Everyone is invited to stop by the Contemporary Art Museum (CAM) this Friday for the Opening Reception for the Summer Exhibitions.  CAM will celebrate the St. Louis artist community with the sixth edition of the Great Rivers Biennial.  St. Louis artists will present new work including painting, sculpture, embroidery, and more.  The free reception will run from 7 to 9 p.m.   For more information, call (314) 535-4660.  CAM is located at 3450 Washington Boulevard in Grand Center.

May 9 -- Food Truck Friday, Tower Grove Park, 4 p.m.

Back by popular demand, the fourth annual 2014 Sauce Food Truck Friday series will kick off this Friday from 4 to 8 p.m. in Tower Grove Park.  This year, Food Truck Fridays will expand with new offerings such as new beverages, entertainment and local charity contributions.  Need more information?  Visit http://www.saucemagazine.com/foodtruckfriday.php for details. 

May 9 -- Gateway to the Stars:  Ghosts of the Arch Grounds, Gateway Arch Grounds, 8 p.m.

Invite your family and friends to join you for a free twilight walking tour of the Arch grounds followed by stargazing.  Meet at the north leg of the Arch for the tour which will conjure up visions of buildings, people and boats that once occupied the historic area.  Then, pending clear skies, the St. Louis Astronomical Society will lead a stargazing session.  Attendees are encouraged to call (314) 655-1750 ext. 472 the day of the event for a weather status check.

May 10 -- Train Exhibits, St. Louis Union Station, 10:30 a.m.

Saint Louis Union Station will celebrate National Train Day 2014 this Saturday with free exhibits from 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.  If you want to skip the lines, you can prepay for Parking and receive up to six Premium Line tickets.  The cost would be $12.  Visit http://st-louis-union-station.ticketleap.com/national-train-day-train-exhibits/dates/May-10-2014_at_1030AM for more information.

May 10 -- Peace Festival, Amherst Park, Noon

Invite your family and friends to join you this Saturday for the Amherst Park Peace Festival.  Neighbors will gather from Noon to 3 p.m. to enjoy BBQ, dancing, entertainment, children's art projects and more.  The Park is located at Hodiamont and Plymouth in the West End neighborhood.   

May 10 -- Tower Grove Better Block Festival, 3200 Block of Morganford, Noon

The Tower Grove Neighborhoods Community Development Corporation will host the Tower Grove Better Block Project this Saturday from Noon to 4 p.m. on the 3200 block of Morganford in Tower Grove South.  Visitors will see the 3200 block of Morganford transformed with pop-up stores, restaurants and entertainment venues.  Outdoor cafe seating will be installed and a vacant lot will become a public space that will offer classes and information on sustainability, as well as a Stray Rescue adoption event and a canned food drive benefiting Operation Food Search. For a list of all the entertainment and activities, visit http://towergrovecdc.org.

May 10 -- Spring Fling in the City, Crown Square, 10 a.m.

If you are interested in vintage items, then make plans now to stop by Spring Fling in the City this Saturday at Crown Square, 2624 N. 14th Street in the Old North St. Louis neighborhood.  Local vendors will be selling vintage clothing, vintage accessories and vintage home decor, as well as vintage-inspired handmade items.  The event will run from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.  Go to http://parsimoniaspringfling.blogspot.com/ for more information.

May 11 -- South Grand Cyclofemme Bike Ride, Grand & Juniata, 10 a.m.

The South Grand Cyclofemme Bike Ride will take place this Sunday, Mother's Day.  Moms will ride free on this route through impressive St. Louis neighborhoods.   Registration on the day of the bike ride will run from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. at Juniata Street and Grand Boulevard in the Tower Grove South neighborhood.  Pre-registration is available at www.trailnet.org.  A free and open to the public street festival will follow the ride and will feature booths and activities designed for women, families and everyone who enjoys cycling.  For all the details, visit Trailnet's web site.

May 13 – Twilight Tuesdays Spring 2014 Concert Series, Missouri History Museum, 6 p.m. 

The Missouri History Museum's Twilight Tuesdays Concert Series will continue on Tuesday, May 6 with a free concert by the group Dogs of Society, playing a tribute to Elton John.  Festivities will run from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. on the Museum's front lawn on Lindell Boulevard at DeBaliviere in Forest Park.  For the complete schedule of concert performers, log on to the mohistory.org/twilight-Tuesdays web site.

May 14 -- Landlord Training, Missouri Botanical Garden, 6:30 p.m.

The next session of Landlord Training will take place on Wednesday, May 14 and will cover the topic of Leasing Practices.  Attendees will learn about the importance of lease signing, lease addendums, lease renewals, and more.  This, and all future sessions, will be held in the Beaumont Room at the Missouri Botanical Garden, 4344 Shaw Avenue.    To reserve your free ticket, visit http://www.eventbrite.com/e/landlord-training-leasing-practices-tickets-11506555417?aff=zvents

Save the Date

May 16 – Breakfast for Bikers, Mississippi Mud, 7 a.m.

May 16 – Third Friday Free Party, Third Degree Glass Factory, 6 p.m.

May 17 – Old North House & Community Tour, start at 2719 N. 14^th Street, 10 a.m.

May 17 – Re-dedication of the Naked Truth monument, Reservoir Park, 1 p.m.

May 17 – Connect with a Purpose: Volunteer & BBQ, Tower Grove Park, 9 a.m.

May 17 – Bone Marrow Drive, Italia-America Bocce Club, 1 p.m.

May 17 – Bark in the Park, Forest Park, 9 a.m.

May 17 – Grand Opening, The Luminary Center for the Arts, 8 p.m.

May 18 – Annie Malone May Day Parade, Downtown, 1 p.m.

May 18 – Make Tracks for the Zoo 2014, Saint Louis Zoo, 7:30 a.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 GrayR@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 at the very bottom of the home page. The listing is free. I encourage you to take advantage of this free way to promote your event.

Friday, May 16 is National Bike to Work Day

Trailnet will once again celebrate Bike to Work Day on Friday, May 16 by organizing refueling stations across the region.  From 6:30 to 9 a.m. these stations will provide coffee and a free breakfast from Companion to about 500 cyclists.  Many people do pedal to work.  This would be a great chance to try bike commuting and to meet other bike commuters.  Trailnet staff will be available to talk about routes, rules of the road, and getting motivated to be part of a season full of biking activities and events.  One of the refueling stations will be located at St. Louis City Hall, co-hosted by Mississippi Mud Coffee Roasters and Urban Shark.  For more details, visit the trailnet.org web site.

Col. Richard Gray
Director of Public Safety
City of St. Louis