Who:               Fire Chief Dennis Jenkerson

What:             First Alert Donates 150 Carbon Monoxide Alarms for St. Louis Families

 When:            Friday, February 24, 2012

10:00 a.m.    

Where:            St. Louis Fire Department Headquarters

                      1421 N. Jefferson

                       St. Louis, M0  63106

The poisoning of several children and the death of their mother last week are a terrifying reminder that accidental carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning can happen any time.  There is no typical situation for accidental carbon monoxide poisoning.  The St. Louis Fire Department urges everyone to take this time to make sure they install CO alarms to protect families. Please note that carbon monoxide alarms do not replace smoke alarms. Both are required to keep families safe.

Tips to help prevent accidental carbon monoxide poisoning:

• Have all fuel-burning appliances (furnaces, stoves, space heaters, dryers, and water heaters) professionally installed and maintained.
• Never use a portable generator indoors, including in your home, garage, basement, crawlspace, shed or partially-enclosed area – even with ventilation. Opening doors and windows or using fans will not prevent CO buildup in the home.
• Never bring a charcoal grill in an enclosed area, even with ventilation.
• Never leave a car running in an attached garage, even with the garage door open.
• Install CO alarms near sleeping areas. Alarms can be battery operated, plug-in with battery backup or hardwired with battery backup.

You are cordially invited to assign a reporter and or camera / videographer. Interview and photo opportunities will be available. 

# # #

Also, The Academy of Science – St.  Louis is now accepting nominations for the 2012 Science Teacher of the Year Awards.  Two science teachers will be awarded $2,000 for professional development and $500 for classroom supplies.  Take a moment between now and Friday, March 9 to nominate a colleague or favorite science teacher.  For details, visit http://academyofsciencestl.org/ .

Listed below are just a few of the terrific events that are coming up in St. Louis. I encourage you to take advantage of all that our great City neighborhoods have to offer. Also, if you haven't visited the City's website http://stlouis-mo.gov/ , I encourage you to do so. On our 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. The listing is free. See you in the neighborhood!

St. Louis Builders Home & Garden Show

Five shows in one, the St. Louis Builders Home & Garden Show will feature the latest in lawn and garden, kitchen and bath, interior design, pool and spas, and building projects.  The show will run 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. from Thursday, Feb. 23 through Saturday, Feb. 25 and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday, Feb. 26 at America's Center in Downtown St. Louis.  For ticket information and more details, visit http://www.stlhomeshow.com or call (314) 342-5000.

Metropolis St.  Louis Board Game Night

Calling all Board Game lovers!  Metropolis St.  Louis is teaming up with the Board Gamers of St. Louis for one big evening of friendly competition at the Gramophone in the Grove neighborhood.  Any and all games are welcome so bring along what you would like to play and bring a friend.  Board Game Night will take place from 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 23.  The Gramophone is located at 4243 Manchester.  To learn more, visit http://www.mstl.org/ or http://www.BoardGamersSTL.com/ .

Downtown Idiotarod

The Downtown Idiotarod will be held from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on both Friday, March 2 and Saturday, March 3.  Idiotarod is a fun and whimsical event that will pay homage to the Alaskan Iditarod, except here we will replace the dogs with people, the sleds with shopping carts, and compete at various stops, all for a good cause, Operation Food Search. To participate, you must register your team before Friday, Feb. 24.  For more information, visit http://www.downtownstl.org/idiotarod or call Lindsay Van Quaethem at (314) 436-6500 ext. 237.

27^th Annual Paula J. Carter Wine & Roses Reception

The 27^th Annual Paula J. Carter Wine & Roses Reception will be held from 6 – 9 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 25 at the Bishop Willie Ellis Conference Center, 5939 Goodfellow in the North Point neighborhood.  For the past 27 years the proceeds from the Wine & Roses event has gone to assist neighbors during tragic and trying times and to support various programs and activities in the community.  For more information, visit http://www.aldgregorycarter.com/ .

3^rd Annual St. Louis Community Garden Summit

Gateway Greening will hold its 3^rd AnnualSt. LouisCommunityGardenSummit on Saturday, Feb. 25 at St. Patrick Center, 800 North Tucker Blvd.  Registration and light breakfast will begin at 8 a.m., followed by a keynote address from Seed Savers Exchange President and Executive Director John Torgrimson.  The morning session will include topics on civic advocacy, community gardening, horticulture and sustainable practices.  The afternoon will consist of various breakout sessions, ending at 4 p.m.  To register, visit http://www.gatewaygreening.org/ .

Black History Month at JeffersonNational Expansion Memorial

Stop by the Historic Old Courthouse on Saturday, Feb. 25 from Noon to 4 p.m. for an afternoon of programming in celebration of Black History Month.  Segments will include Dr. Joe Johnson speaking on the history of St. Louis Black Music, Prof. Dave Uhler speaking on 19^th century judicial activism and Lynn Jackson sharing insights on Dred & Harriet Scott's understanding of their court case.  For more details, call (314) 655-1724.

38^th Annual Yes I Can Black History Awards

To celebrate Black History Month, the St. Louis Metro Sentinel Journal will hold its 38^th Annual Yes I Can Black History Awards to honor Blacks who broke the color line in the St. Louis radio industry and Black DJs.  The ceremony will take place starting at 6:30 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 25 at the Polish Heritage Center, 1413 N. 20^th Street in the Carr Square neighborhood.  Enjoy dancing, hors d'oeuvres and celebrate Black pioneers in the radio industry.  Tickets are $40 each, with a portion of the proceeds going to a scholarship for a deserving student interested in journalism or broadcasting. For more information, call (314) 531-2101 or email metrosentinel@sbcglobal.net .

Griot Storytelling Festival

The TEACH Griot Festival will be held from 3 – 6 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 25 at Sabayet's Center, 4000 Maffitt in The Greater Ville neighborhood.  This lively family-oriented festival features music, masquerade, inspired renditions of popular folktales and epic stories by practitioners of the oral tradition, African drumming and much more.  The event is free.  For more information, visit http://www.teachsociety.org/ or call (314) 583-3745.

Trivia Nights

The Annual Arch Rival Roller Girls Trivia Night will be held at 6 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 24 at the German Cultural Society Hall, located at 3652 S. Jefferson in the Marine Villa neighborhood.  Doors will open at 6 p.m. and trivia will begin at 7 p.m.  Tickets are $20 per person, tables of 10, and teams may register at the door, first come, first served.  For all the particulars, visit http://www.archrivalrollergirls.com/ .

Habitat for Humanity St. Louis will hold its annual Trivia Night on Saturday, Feb. 25 at the IBEW Union Hall, 5850  Elizabeth Avenue on The Hill.  Doors will open at 6:20 p.m. and trivia will start at 7 p.m.  The cost of a regular table of 8 is $160 and the price includes beer, soda, water and table snacks.  To register, email anna@habitatstl.org .

Enjoy trivia and help the Five Star Senior Center help seniors in our neighborhoods.  Trivia will begin at 7 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 25 at the Center located at 2832 Arsenal (just two blocks east of Arsenal and Gravois).  Admission is $20 per person, tables of 8.  If you don't have enough in your party for a full table, they will hook you up with others to make a table.  The price includes beer, soda, water and light snacks.  If you have questions or have donations, you can call the center at (314) 664-1008 or email fstrivia@yahoo.com. 

Whether you're a trivia buff, always wanted to try your hand at the game or just want to have a good time for a great cause, Young Variety Trivia Night is for you.  Buy a table, get seven of your smartest (or most fun) friends together and come on out to raise money for Variety kids.  The price of a Know-It-All Table of 8 is $200.  Trivia will start at 7 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 25 at St.  Louis University High School, 4970 Oakland Avenue in the lovely Kings Oak neighborhood.  To reserve your table, visit http://www.varietystl.org/ .

DevonAlexander Faces Marcos Maidana

St. Louisan Devon Alexander will be home headlining another big professional boxing card on Saturday, Feb.25 at Scottrade Center, and HBO will carry the bout between Alexander and Marco Maidana live nationally on HBO's Boxing After Dark.  For ticket information, visit http://www.scottradecenter.com/ .

Angela Davis

The St. Louis Public Library is proud to cap off its celebration of Black History Month 2012 with a keynote address by author and social equity activist Angela Davis.  After her speech on "Black Women in American Culture and History," Davis will sign her books, which will be for sale courtesy of Amber Books.  The free event will take place from 2 – 4 p.m. on Sunday, Feb. 26 at Christ Church Cathedral-Episcopal, 1210  Locust Street in Downtown St. Louis.

African American History Event

Compton Hill M.B. Church will host a special African American History event on Sunday, Feb. 26 from 3 – 5 p.m. at the Church located at 3141  LaSalle Street in The Gate District.  The event theme will be:  Mountains that were spoken to.  Special guests will include the Pontoon Beach Baptist Choir, Pontoon Beach, IL, and Ms. Fane from Hazelwood East Middle  School.  A Free Will offering will be taken up.  Want more information?  Call (314) 355-1528.

"Underground" Screening

The film "Underground," which follows the life of a field slave who plans to escape from his oppressive plantation life, will be shown at the Historic Old Courthouse in Downtown St. Louis on Sunday, Feb. 26 at 2 p.m.  Following the presentation, visitors will have the opportunity to take part in a Dred Scott Trial reenactment portraying trial characters reading scripts, arguing facts, and deciding a verdict in an historic courtroom.  The screening event is free.  For more information, call (314) 655-1700. 

Family Sundays: Crazy About Color

Everyone is invited to stop by the St. Louis Art Museum on Sunday afternoons in February from 1 – 4 p.m. for hands-on art activities and a lively 30-minute family tour through the galleries. The Family Tour will leave at 2:30 p.m. Examine how and why artists use color and learn about mixing and matching.  Then create your own colorful work of art.  Questions?  Call (314) 721-0072.

Save the Date

Feb. 29 – March 2 – National Frame Building Expo, America's Center

March 1 – 4 – "Arch Madness" time, Missouri Valley Conference, Scottrade Center

March 2 – The Unfish Fry, First Unitarian Church of St. Louis

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

For more information about the League of American Orchestras, see:  http://www.americanorchestras.org/

For more information about our world famous St. Louis Symphony Orchestra, see:  http://www.stlsymphony.org/

Many fun and exciting events are scheduled for this weekend in St. Louis.  Before I highlight a few of those activities, I want to remind everyone that City Hall will be closed on Monday, Feb. 20 in observance of Presidents' Day.  Enjoy the three-day weekend and in the spirit of Mardi Gras Season "Laissez Les Bon Temps Roulez!"

 Listed below are just a few of the terrific events that are coming up in St. Louis. I encourage you to take advantage of all that our great City neighborhoods have to offer. Also, if you haven't visited the City's website http://stlouis-mo.gov/ , I encourage you to do so. On our 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. The listing is free. See you in the neighborhood!

Third Friday Free Party

This month's Third Friday Free Party: Hot. Sweet. Fiery is scheduled for Friday, Feb. 17 from 6 – 10 p.m. Guests will be able to watch glassblowers gather hot molten glass and blow it into art, and then try their hand at making fused jewelry, glass Luv beads, a paperweight or a Token of Affection glass tile – offered only in February. Stop by and indulge in free S'Mores Bar, enjoy belly dancing by Aalim Belly Dance and at 8 pm. listen to Jazz great Carolbeth True with guitarist Randy Bahr. Third Degree Glass Factory is located at 5200 Delmar Blvd. in the trendy Central West End neighborhood.

Mardi Gras Activities

The hottest event of the Mardi Gras Season, The Mayor's Masquerade Ball, will be held from 6:30 p.m. to Midnight on Friday, Feb. 17 at St. Louis City Hall in Downtown St. Louis. Creative Black Tie/Masquerade Attire is encouraged. To purchase tickets, visit www.stlmardigras.org/mayorsball.

The River City Casino Grand Parade is one of the largest parades in the Midwest. The streets along its route are lined with hundreds of thousands of revelers crying out for the various beads and other trinkets tossed by float riders. After the parade, the throng makes its way into the Soulard neighborhood to enjoy live music, delicious food and drinks and to celebrate Mardi Gras – St. Louis Style.

Mardi Gras in St. Louis will close with the Lumiére Place Light Up The Night Fat Tuesday Parade on Tuesday, Feb. 21. The colorful, fun-filled evening parade will step off at 7 p.m. from the corner of Washington and Broadway and will wind through Downtown St. Louis.

Open House

Home Eco will be celebrating its 6^th Anniversary on Saturday, Feb. 18 with an Open House and free classes. Plan to join the fun.  Home Eco is located at 4611 Macklind in the Southampton neighborhood.  For more information, call 351-2000.

Art Show at Urban Eats

An opening reception for the art show entitled, "Black & White," by Greg Kluempers will take place from Noon to 3 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 18 at Urban Eats Café and Gallery, 3301 Meramec in the Dutchtown Neighborhood. The show will run through Feb. 25. Ten percent of each sale will be donated to Art St. Louis, 555 Washington Ave.

Trivia Nights

The Young Friends of the Missouri Botanical Garden and Schlafly beer are sponsoring their 4^th Annual Trivia Night – Garden Style at 7 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 18 at the Garden, 4434 Shaw Blvd. Doors will open at 6 p.m. Trivia will begin at 7 p.m. Cost is $300 for a table of 10. Proceeds will benefit the Garden. Advance reservations are required. Call (314) 577-9750 or email membership@mobot.org.

Concert

St. Louis has talent. The Joys of Glory Gospel Singers will salute African-American History Month at 3 p.m. on Sunday, Feb. 19 at Solomon Temple M.B. Church, located at 4859 St. Louis Avenue in the Kingshighway East neighborhood.

Family Sundays: Crazy About Color

Everyone is invited to stop by the St. Louis Art Museum on Sunday afternoons in February for hands-on art activities and a lively 30-minute family tour through the galleries. The Family Tour will leave at 2:30 p.m. Explore the basics of color in a fun setting.

Save the Date

Feb. 23 – 26 St. Louis Builders Home & Garden Show

Feb. 23 – Metropolis St. Louis Board Game Night, The Gramaphone

Feb. 24 – Art After 5, St. Louis Art Museum

Feb. 24 – Arch Rival Roller Girls Trivia, German Cultural Society

Feb. 25 - 27^th Annual Paula J. Carter Wine & Roses Reception, Bishop Willie Ellis Conference Center

Feb. 25 – 3^rd Annual St. Louis Community Garden Summit, St. Patrick Center

Feb. 25 – Black History Month at Jefferson National Expansion Memorial

Feb. 25 – Celebrate Black History with the Metro Sentinel Journal, Polish Heritage Center

Feb. 25 – Trivia Night, IBEW Union Hall

Feb. 25 – Devon Alexander faces Marcos Maidana, Scottrade Center

Feb. 26 – "Underground" Screening, Old Courthouse

Feb. 28 – Trailnet on Tap, Llewelyn's Pub

Feb. 29 – Mayor's Education Expo, City Hall

Feb. 29 – March 2 – National Frame Building Expo, America's Center

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

The latest E-Newsletter from USA.gov contains an item about the Startup America Policy Challenge. Uncle Sam wants ideas from entrepreneurs on knocking down barriers to innovation in healthcare, IT, learning technologies and clean energy. College students and other solvers will be asked to translate the best ideas into policy proposals, which will be shared with the Cabinet secretaries from the relevant departments: Health & Human Services, Education and Energy. Deadline for submissions is May 31. For more information, visit http://challenge.gov/White House/257-startup-america-policy-challenge

Through a grant from the ASPCA, BARC is offering a low-cost vaccination clinic for FIXED pets of low-income families. For one day only -- Saturday, Feb. 11 from 2 - 4 p.m. -- bring your spayed or neutered dog or cat to St. Matthew United Church of Christ, located at 2613 Potomac Street (at Jefferson). Cost is $15 for Rabies/Tag & Distemper combo (cash only). No appointments needed. Call St. Louis Vet Center at (314) 773-6400 for more information or visit http://www.barcstl.org/ .

Listed below are just a few of the terrific events that are coming up in St. Louis. I encourage you to take advantage of all that our great City neighborhoods have to offer. Also, if you haven't visited the City's website http://stlouis-mo.gov/ , I encourage you to do so. On our 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. The listing is free. See you in the neighborhood!

St. Louis Boat & Sportshow

That annual favorite, the Progressive Insurance St. Louis Boat & Sportshow, is in town at America's Center through Sunday, Feb. 12. Prepare for outdoor fun at this one-stop destination event for every boating and outdoors enthusiast. Enjoy hundreds of the newest boats, marine accessories, fishing and hunting gear, and much more. For ticket information and more details, visit http://www.stlouisboatshow.com/.

Trivia Nights

If you enjoy trivia, these two events may be perfect for you. First, Trivia Night - Mardi Gras Style from 6 - 10 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 10 at Grbic Restaurant, 4071 Keokuk in the Dutchtown neighborhood. Beverages and light snacks will be provided. Feel free to bring your own food. Price is $160 for a table of 8. Proceeds to benefit Bevo ACIC programs. For more information, call (314) 352-0141.

The 5th Annual St. Wenceslaus Trivia Night will take place on Saturday, Feb. 11 at the Parish Hall, 3014 Oregon Avenue in the Benton Park West neighborhood. Doors will open at 6:15 p.m. and trivia will begin at 7 p.m. Cost is $20 per person or $160 per table of 8. To reserve a table, call Kathy Styer at (314) 588-0770.

Freedom Rides

Stories of the "Freedom Rides" and the early Civil Rights Movement will come to life on Saturday, Feb. 11 when Dr. Ernest "Rip" Patton comes to Christ Church Cathedral-Episcopal, 1210 Locust Street in Downtown St. Louis.  Patton will be the keynote speaker at "Seeking Our Past, Creating Our Future" from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.  The event is free and open to the public.

So You Got Moves Expo

The City of St. Louis Department of Health's Let's Move StL is inviting everyone to the So You Got Moves Expo from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 11 in the Gym Annex at St. Louis Community College - Forest Park, 5600 Oakland in the Cheltenham neighborhood. Featured activities include 3-on-3 Basketball Tournaments, Hula Hoop Contest, Double Dutch Competition, Cooking Up Change, Let's Move Dance Routine, and much more. Please wear sneakers or soft-soled shoes to the event. For more information, visit http://www.healthinstitutestl.org/.

Farmer's Market

Saturday, Feb. 11 is the second Saturday of the month. That means the St. Louis Community Farmer's Market at St. John's Episcopal Church will be open from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Everyone is invited to stop by and shop the wonderful vendors for local farm products. The church is located at 3664 Arsenal Street in the Tower Grove South neighborhood.

Curatorial Tour

Join the curatorial staff of the The Pulitzer Foundation for the Arts at 2 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 11 as they take you on a journey through Reflections of the Buddha. Learn about the artworks on display as they relate to Buddhism, Tadao Ando's architecture, and cultural history. The tour is free and open to the public. The Pulitzer Foundation for the Arts is located at 3716 Washington Boulevard in the Covenant Blu / Grand Center neighborhood. For more information, visit http://pulitzerarts.org/ .

Valentine's Free Family Day

Bring the entire family to a special Valentine's Free Family Day at Contemporary Art Museum, 3750 Washington Blvd. in the Covenant Blue / Grand Center neighborhood. Dress up in your favorite shade of red and spend quality time enjoying the exhibitions or partaking in an afternoon of fun-filled activities ranging from artist-led workshops to face painting, storytelling and more. The event will take place from 1 - 4 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 11. For more information, visit http://www.camstl.org/.

Wall Ball 2012

Saint Louis City Open Studio and Gallery will present Wall Ball 2012 at 7 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 11 at Third Degree Glass Factory, 5200 Delmar Blvd. in the Central West End neighborhood. Enjoy an eclectic mix of artists, patrons, collectors and admirers and the chance to purchase amazing art work from St. Louis' most admired artists at unbelievable prices. Want more info? Visit http://www.scosag.org/ or call (314) 865-0060.

Princess & Father Valentine Dance

An elegant evening of music, dancing, and dinner has been planned for Saturday, Feb. 11 for daughters of all ages and their fathers. All proceeds will benefit Sisters of Hope, Inc., a 501 (c) 3 nonprofit organization that empowers women and girls. The dance will begin at 5:30 p.m. at the Regional Arts Commission, 6128 Delmar Blvd. in the Skinker / DeBaliviere neighborhood. Price is $30. For more details, visit http://www.sistersofhope.org/ or call (314) 827-5216.

Mardi Gras Fun in Soulard

Mardi Gras Season events continue this weekend in Soulard with three perennial favorites: Taste of Soulard, Beggin' Pet Parade and the Wiener Dog Derby. Sample six different special Mardi Gras Season dishes from Soulard restaurants at the Taste of Soulard on Saturday, Feb. 11 and Sunday, Feb. 12 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Patrons can either walk or board a free trolley. Cost is $20 per ticket booklet.

This year's Beggin' Pet Parade will be held on Sunday, Feb. 12. Entry fee is $10, with the proceeds going to the Open Door Animal Sanctuary. The parade will step off from Menard Street & Allen Avenue at 1 p.m.  Registration will begin at 10 a.m.

Area Dachshunds of all ages are invited to compete in the Weiner Dog Derby that will begin at 2 p.m. on Sunday, Feb. 12 in Soulard Market Park, 8th and Lafayette. The cost is $10 to compete; free to observe.

For all the particulars on these Mardi Gras events in Soulard, visit http://www.mardigrasinc.com/ .

Sweet 5K Run

Downtown's sweetest new event is Run for the Chocolate, an exciting 5K run through the streets of Downtown that will spice up Valentine's weekend for couples and singles alike on Sunday, Feb. 12. Cost is $30 per person or $50 per couple. Proceeds will benefit the Downtown Bicycle Station, and the trophies will be delicious. For all the details, call (314) 436-6500 ext. 237 or visit http://www.downtownstl.org/ .

Free Concert

The Cornet Chop Suey Jazz Band will present a concert on Sunday, Feb. 12 at 4 p.m. at Second Presbyterian Church, 4501 Westminster Place in the Central West End neighborhood. Enjoy jazz, swing, blues and more at this free concert. Questions? Call (314) 367-0366.

Save the Date

Feb. 16 - The World According to Dick Gregory, SLU, Busch Student Center

Feb. 17 – Mayor's Mardi Gras Ball

Feb. 17 - Third Friday Free Party - Third Degree Glass Factory

Feb. 18 - River City Casino Grand Parade, Busch Stadium

Feb. 19 - Joys of Glory Gospel Singers Salute African-American History Month,

Solomon Temple M.B. Church

Feb. 21 - Lumiére Place Light Up The Night Fat Tuesday Parade, Downtown

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

Of the $4, 000,000 awarded, the Commission conditionally approved $762,500 to provide partial funding for five development projects, including Habitat for Humanity's latest single-family home development in the 11^th Ward and Phase II of the North Sarah development in the 18^th Ward. In total, Affordable Housing Trust Funds will help to create 161 new rental and for-sale homes for low and moderate income families in 2012. Of this total, 20 homes will be directly subsidized by Affordable Housing Trust Funds.

The Commission also continued funding an initiative to help low and moderate income City homeowners in danger of losing their homes to foreclosure. Five agencies: Better Family Life, The Urban League, Beyond Housing, Catholic Charities and MORE (Missourians Organizing for Reform and Empowerment), organized as the "St. Louis Alliance for Homeownership Preservation". The partnering agencies collaborate to provide counseling, public awareness and mortgage assistance for homeowners facing foreclosure. In addition, more than 40 other grants to nonprofit agencies, many of them homeless services providers, were approved.  

For a list of award recipients click here: Fall 2011 Awards

Second, the deadline to register for the Neighborhood Leadership Academy at UMSL is Wednesday, Feb. 8.  The academy provides hands-on leadership training that emphasizes community building principles, organizational leadership and management practices, and personal leadership skills.  The 2012 session will consist of 10 sessions, Feb. 14 – May 22.  Registration fee is $400.  For more information, visit http://ce.umsl.edu/nla  or call (314) 516-5994.

Third, the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department is accepting applications for the next CitizensAcademy, which will begin on March 7.  Apply online at http://www.slmpd.org or via email at citizensacademy@slmpd.org or call (314) 444-5638 for an application by mail.  Applicants must be at least 18 years of age, a St. Louis City resident or business owner, have no outstanding warrants and agree to a background check.

Finally, the St. Louis Public Schools have created the Fresh Start Academy program where students ages 17 to 21 may earn a high school diploma or a GED.  If you know a young person who has dropped out but wants to earn his or her high school diploma, contact:

*      Fresh Start Academy-North, 4248 West Cottage Avenue, (314) 531-2220

*      Fresh Start Academy-South, 2030 S. Vandeventer Avenue, (314) 932-1337.

Listed below are just a few of the terrific events that are coming up in St. Louis.  I encourage you to take advantage of all that our great City neighborhoods have to offer.  Also, if you haven't visited the City's website stlouis-mo.gov (http://stlouis-mo.gov/ ), I encourage you to do so.  On our 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.  The listing is free.  See you in the neighborhood!

Mardi Gras Wine Taste

The popular annual Mardi Gras Wine and Beer Taste, billed as a "Mardi Gras Happy Hour," will take place on Friday, Feb. 3 from 5:30 – 9:30 p.m. in the St. Louis City Hall Rotunda, 1200 Market Street.  It will feature a variety of vintners, as well as beers from A-B InBev and whiskeys from the Jack Daniels family.  Cost is $40 at the door.  To read more, visit http://www.mardigrasinc.com/

Friday Night Film Series

A free screening of the film "The Pruitt-Igoe Myth" will be held Friday, Feb. 3 at Washington Tabernacle Church, 3200 Washington Blvd.  The reception will begin at 6 p.m., the film will begin at 7 p.m. and a post-viewing discussion will follow.  For more information, call (314) 283-6123.

Teacher Workshop

A teacher workshop entitled, "St. Louis and the Civil War:  Untold Stories, New Perspectives" will take place at the Old Courthouse in Downtown St. Louis on Friday, Feb. 3 from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.  The workshop will shed light on homefront St. Louis during the Civil War.  Educators will come away from this free talk with content knowledge, lesson plans, primary source documents and classroom activities.  To learn more, call (314) 655-1635.

Volunteers Needed

Join neighbors in the Holly Hills Neighborhood to plant 8,000 daffodil bulbs at and near Carondelet Park. No experience is necessary.  Please feel free to bring your own shovel, gloves, etc.  Meet at the Boathouse in Cardondelet Park starting at 8 a.m. on Saturday, Feb. 4.  Planting will take place at the Boathouse, the Holly Hills Parkway, Federer Parkway, the small park at Leona and Bowen, Leona Parkway, Holly Hills Community Garden, Bellerive Parkway, and other common public areas. 

Bone Marrow Registration Drive

A Bone Marrow Registration Drive will take place at Harris-Stowe State University at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Feb. 4 in the William Clay Sr. Early Childhood Development Center, 10 North Compton.  For all the particulars, call (314) 348-5650 or email dmosley@nmdp.org .

2012 Mardi Gras Crystal Cajun Cook-off

This year's Crystal Cajun Cook-off will feature 10 professional chefs and 10 amateurs, who will brew up their best Cajun/Creole dish to compete for the title in their respective categories.  The cook-off will take place on Saturday, Feb. 4 from Noon to 4 p.m. in the Rotunda of City Hall, 1200 Market Street.  Cost is $40 at the door and includes food, beer, SoCo Hurricanes and entertainment.  Want more information?  Visit http://www.mardigrasinc.com/ . 

Trivia With a Purpose with Prison Performing Arts

Join popular St. Louis personalities and friends of Prison Performing Arts (PPA) for a night of trivia in the Central West End on Saturday, Feb. 4 at 6:30 p.m. at Central Reform Congregation, 5020 Waterman Avenue.  The price is $20 per person or $160 for a table of 8.  To reserve your table, call (314) 289-4190 or email info@prisonartsstl.org .

Great Central U.S. Shakeout

More than one million people across nine states (including Missouri) will participate in the 2012 Great Central U.S. Shakeout at 10:15 a.m. CST on Tuesday, Feb. 7.  The earthquake drill offers individuals, schools, businesses, governments, and communities an opportunity to prepare themselves before a damaging earthquake strikes.  There are steps you can take before, during and after an earthquake to protect yourself, your family and your property.  Briefly, to begin preparing, you should build an emergency kit and make a family communications plan.  During an earthquake, "drop, cover and hold on."  Minimize your movements to a few steps to a nearby safe place, stay there until the shaking has stopped, then look around to make sure it is safe to move.  For more tips, visit http://www.ready.gov/

African American Read-In

Since 1990, more than one million readers from across the U.S., the West Indies and Africa have participated in the African American Read-In, an annual celebration of African American literacy.  On Tuesday, Feb. 7 starting at 6:30 p.m., K-12 students will share selections from works of African American literature at the Missouri History Museum, Lindell and DeBaliviere in Forest Park.  The free event will take place in the AT&T Foundation Multipurpose Room at the museum.

Progressive Insurance St. Louis Boat & Sportshow

Escape the winter freeze and prepare for outdoor fun at the Progressive Insurance St. Louis Boat & Sportshow, the one-stop destination event for every boating and outdoors enthusiast, showcasing hundreds of the newest boats, marine accessories, fishing and hunting gear, and much more.  The show will be at America's Center Feb. 8 – 12.  For ticket information and more details, visit http://www.stlouisboatshow.com/ .

Save the Date

Feb. 9 – Black History Month Program, St. Louis College of Pharmacy

Feb. 10 – Trivia – Mardi Gras Style, Grbic Restaurant

Feb. 11 – St. Louis Community Farmers' Market, St. John's Episcopal Church

Feb. 11 – Curatorial Tour, Pulitzer Foundation for the Arts

Feb. 11 – Valentine's Free Family Day, Contemporary Art Museum

Feb. 11 – Safe Haven Community Seminar, Poor Souls Society

Feb. 11 – 5^th Annual St. Wenceslaus Trivia Night, Parish Hall

Feb. 11 – Princess & Father Valentine Dance, Regional Arts Commission

Feb. 11 – Wall Ball 2012, Third Degree Glass Factory

Feb. 11 – Taste of Soulard

Feb. 11 – Beggin' Pet Parade, Soulard

Feb. 11 – So You Got Moves Fitness & Sports Expo, Forest Park Community College

Feb. 11 & 12 – Stories of the "Freedom Rides," Christ Church Cathedral-Episcopal

Feb. 12 – Run for the Chocolate, Downtown

Feb. 12 – Wiener Dog Derby, Soulard

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