Kirkwood Weekly HappeningsCity Logo B-W
City of Kirkwood
February 7, 2013

In This Issue
News from MoDOT
PANCAKES!!!
Senior Corner
Art at the Station
At the Community Center
Kirkwood Public Library
Oak Bend Library
Last Thoughts
Join Our Mailing List!
Quick Links
Greetings!
Train Station in Snow  
PHOTO OF THE WEEK:  
It's hard to take a bad photo of the Kirkwood Train Station, but this one, by Kirkwood resident Bill Burckhalter, seems to capture its quiet beauty especially well.  Taken early on Sunday, February 3, after the unexpected snowfall. 
PRESIDENTS' DAY HOLIDAY
CITY OFFICES CLOSED George
City Hall and most City offices will be closed on Monday, February 18, in observance of Washington's Birthday / Presidents' Day.  Sanitation will be collected normally.  The Ice Rink and Community Center will be open.  Kirkwood Public Library will be closed.
NEWS FROM MoDOT
TIPS FOR REDUCING TRAFFIC DELAYS IN ST LOUIS:

St. Louis is in the middle of the pack when it comes to urban traffic delays, according to a recent study released by Texas A& M Transportation Institute.  Although the Missouri Department of Transportation is responsible for ensuring that roadway delays are minimized, drivers can take steps to reduce the amount of time they spend stuck in traffic:

  1. If the car is drivable after a crash, the driver should move it out of the driving lanes to a safe location.  If the shoulders are wide enough, drivers can pull there, or pull completely off the roadway into the parking lot of a nearby business.
  2. Use alternate forms of transportation, where possible. Use MetroLink or MetroBus in the St. Louis region, St. Charles Area Transit or Madison County Transit where you can.
  3. Consider non-traditional work options, if your employer supports it. If there are more vehicles on the road at a particular time, the delay is greater. Try to flex your time to arrive at work outside of the peak traffic hours - either earlier or later. Consider telecommuting.
  4. Plan your route, and investigate alternate routes. Know several different routes to get to work or those important meetings. Sometimes, the interstate may not be the fastest way to get where you are going.  Visit MoDOT's Traveler Information Map before leaving home. 
  5. Pay attention on the roadway.  Traffic conditions change quickly and MoDOT posts travel times on all interstates and many state routes. In addition, the department shares informational messages about construction closures and crashes ahead.  Paying attention to the roadway will help you learn in advance of possible delays and let you decide if you need to use an alternate route. 

For additional work zone information, go to modot.org . For real time traffic, visit gatewayguide.com. All work is weather permitting and may be shifted due to inclement weather.

NEWS FROM THE KIRKWOOD POLICE DEPARTMENT

ANNUAL PD PANCAKE SUPPER FEB 28:  Pancakes 2013

The Police Department's annual Pancake Supper will be held Thursday, February 28, at Kirkwood High School, 4:30 to 7:30 p.m.  COST is $4 per person (no carry-outs).  Buy your tickets at City Hall (139 S. Kirkwood Road), at the Police Department (131 W. Madison), or at the door.  MENU:  Cost includes ALL the pancakes you can eat plus one serving per person of sausages, eggs, and apple sauce.  Milk and coffee too. But go early...the line gets really long!  All proceeds benefit the Kirkwood Police Department's Benevolent Fund.  Thank you.
SENIOR CORNER

DO YOU PLAY BRIDGE?  

Come play bridge, starting at 10:30 a.m., or pinochle, starting at 12:30 p.m., every Friday at the Community Center.  There is a 50-cent weekly charge. Call CORP at 822-1883 for more information.  For 55+, offered at the Kirkwood Community Center, 111 S. Geyer Road, through the St. Louis County Older Resident Program.  

 

ST. PAT'S POOL TOURNAMENT AND LUNCH/BINGO (55+): 

~ Celebrate St. Patrick's Day with our "Eight Ball" Tournament at the Community Center.  A corned beef and cabbage lunch is included.  Spaces are limited. Thursday, March 14, 10:00 a.m., Residents: $11. Nonresidents: $15.

~ You don't have to be Irish to enjoy a delicious lunch of corned beef and cabbage, followed by dessert.  Then try your luck at bingo - for some great prizes.  Thursday, March 14, 11:30 a.m.  Residents: $11.  Nonresidents:  $15.    

 

ST LOUIS COUNTY OFFERS FREE INCOME TAX ASSISTANCE TO SENIOR CITIZENS  Tax Help

FREE assistance with simple federal and state income tax forms and the Missouri Property Tax Credit Claim (Mo-PTC or "Circuit Breaker") is available through the Saint Louis County Department of Human Services' County Older Resident Programs (CORP).  You must be a Saint Louis County resident, 60 years or older with income below $51,000, including Social Security, to qualify for assistance.  Call Monday thru Thursday, 9:00 a.m., to 2:00 p.m.  For North County locations, call 314-615-7447. For South County locations, please call 314-615-4037. Persons with a hearing impairment may call 800-735-2966.  To learn more about the "Circuit Breaker" Property Tax Credit, and to determine your eligibility, visit the County's Website here.  

ART AT THE STATION
DORIS VAUGHN EXHIBIT OPENS IN FEBRUARY

Doris Vaughn in the medium of incise-art will be featured in February.  The opening reception is tonight, Thursday, February 7, from 5:30 to 7:00 p.m., at the Kirkwood Train Station, 110 West Argonne, corner of Kirkwood Road. Art may be viewed when the station is open for passengers. For more information, visit  www.kirkwoodareaarts.org.

COMING UP AT THE COMMUNITY CENTER
MY HEART MET MY SOUL, A FAMILY MUSICAL, THIS WEEKEND 
Presented by Star Enterprises.  February 8 and 9, 2013. For ticket information, call 314-822-0286.

GEM & MINERAL SHOW, FEBRUARY 15, 16, 17, 2013
Cabin Fever Productions' Gem and Mineral Show. February 15, 16, and 17.  Times to follow.  For information, call 618-973-7222.

DESIGNER PURSE SALE, MARCH 2

Designer Purse Sale at the Community Center, March 2, 2013, 10:00 am - 2:00 pm.


ARTISTS' BOUTIQUE MARCH 2 & 3, 2013: 
Fine Arts and Craft Show, March 2 and 3, 2013, 10:00 a.m., to 4:00 p.m.  For more information, call 314-821-9956.

PARADE OF MAGIC, MARCH 16, 2012:
The International Brotherhood of Magicians presents the Parade of Magic, March 16, 2013. Performances at 2:00 p.m., and 7:30 p.m. For information, call 314-791-9108
 
KIRKWOOD THEATRE GUILD presents Lilies of the Field in March:
March 1,2,3,7,8,9,10.  Call 314-821-9956 for times and ticket information
KIRKWOOD PUBLIC LIBRARY HAPPENINGS IN FEBRUARY
FOR ADULTS:
~ CINEMA KPL, 1:30 p.m.: The Client, February 12.  To Kill a Mockingbird, February 26.
~ BOOK CLUBS:  Saturday Morning Perks, 10:00 a.m.  State of Wonder, by Ann Patchett, February 2.  Wednesday Mystery Readers, 1:00 p.m.  The Other Rembrandt, by Alexander Connor, February 20.
~ SERIES:  Dauphne Du Maurier, 7:00 p.m.  Her Life and Times, February 13.
~ FAMILY HISTORY, 10:00 a.m.  Dennis Northcott, associate archivist for reference at the Missouri History Museum, will discuss finding your ancestors.  February 6.
~ DROP-IN IT HELP:  Tuesdays, 10:00 a.m. to Noon.  Thursdays, 6:00-8:00 p.m.

FOR CHILDREN/FAMILIES:
~ FAMILY BOOK CLUB JUNIOR, 6:30 p.m. Sarah Plain and Tall, by Patricia MacLachlan. February 7.
~ READY, SET ART!  10:30 a.m.  Supplies and inspiration provided by us, creativity provided by you.  Art experience for ages 6 and up. Saturday, February 9 and February 23.
~ FAMILY BOOK CLUB, 7:00 p.m., February 11. One Crazy Summer, by Rita Williams-Garcia. Author visit via Skype.
~ LEGO CLUB, 4:00 p.m.  Wednesday, February 13.
~ COMPUTER CLUB FOR KIDS, 4:00 p.m.  Wednesday, February 20.
~ MAKE AND TAKE CRAFTS, 4:00 p.m.  Wednesday, February 27.

OTHER PROGRAMS:
~ Saturday, February 16, 10:00 a.m.  African-American Heritage Story Time.  Join us for fun with books, music and a craft.
~ Thursday, February 28, 4pm.  Happy Birthday Dr. Seuss.  Celebrate everything Seuss.  Activities, crafts and cake.  All ages.

SPECIAL EVENTS:
February 1 - 28.  February is Black History Month, and we are having an African-American Read In.  Read and log books authored by or about African-Americans.  Each book read is a chance to win a book gift basket.  Winners awarded on March 1.  Sign up link on the library's homepage (kirkwoodpubliclibrary.org) starting February 1.  For preschool - grade 12.

 

WEEKLY STORY TIMES:

~ Weekly Story Time (stories, songs, and crafts), Tuesdays, 10:00 a.m., February 12, 19, and 26. 

~ Books for Babies (songs, stories, and music for babies 6 to 24 months and their caregivers), Thursdays, 9:30 a.m.  February 7, 14, 21, and 28. 

~ First Steps Story Time (Songs, stories, music, and a siple craft for young 2s), Thursdays, 10:30 a.m., February 14, 21, and 28. 

 

The Library will be closed on Monday, February 18, in observance of Washington's Birthday / Presidents' Day.
 

Kirkwood Public Library is located at 140 E. Jefferson in Downtown Kirkwood.  For more information or to register for an event or program, please call 314-921-5770.

OAK BEND PUBLIC LIBRARY HAPPENINGS

FOR TEENS

ART AT YOUR LIBRARY:  Stage Combat for Teens, Saturday, February 16, 2:00 p.m. 

Practice your acting skills and learn techniques for stage fighting. No previous experience necessary. Presented by local actor and stage combat choreographer Michael Monsey. Parent is required to sign waiver before teens can participate. Ages 14- 18. Registration required.

 

TAG:  Join the Oak Bend Teen Advisory Group. Wednesday, February 27, 7:00 p.m. Join the Oak Bend Teen Advisory Group! Be involved in planning library activities and resources just for teens. Snacks provided. Registration requested.

 

ALL AGES:
THE BENEFITS OF LAVENDER: Tuesday, February 12, 10:00 a.m.  Learn about the benefits of lavender and make some scrubs using lavender and other herbs. Registration required.

RHYTHMS AND FOLKLORE OF AFRICA:  Thursday, February 21, 7:00 p.m. 

Experience a unique combination of storytelling, drumming and dance. Hand-picked customers will be dancing and playing the African instruments. Immerse yourself in the rhythms of Africa as you join Kenya Ajanaku in this exciting program. All ages.

 

TECHNOLOGY DISCOVERY CLUB:  WINDOWS.  Thursday, February 28, 6:00 p.m.   

Join us on the last Thursday of every month as we discuss and explore new and interesting topics in computers and technology. Recommended for adults. Registration requested.

HOLIDAY NOTICE:  The library will be closed on Monday, February 18, in observance of Presidents' Day. 

 

Oak Bend Library is part of the St. Louis County Library system and is located at 842 S. Holmes Avenue. For more information or to register for a program, call 314-994-3300.  Note:  The City provides the Oak Bend Library listings in Friday Happenings for the benefit of Kirkwood residents who live near Oak Bend Library. Not all Kirkwood residents live within the Kirkwood Public Library (KPL) District. However, ALL Kirkwood residents are encouraged to obtain a FREE Kirkwood library card, check out materials from KPL, and attend KPL programs and events. 

FROM THE EDITOR: The Mini Blog
The article above from MoDOT, "Tips for Reducing Traffic Delays," caught my eye today because I just last week found a new route to drive to and from work (tip #4).  That may not sound like a big deal, but it has cut my commute from 35 minutes to about 22 minutes.  I live in University City and most of my commute is NOT on the highway. People I work with who live much further away (Lake St. Louis, Imperial, etc) have shorter commutes because it's ALL-highway.  I have tried a couple of different things, including taking Manchester between Big Bend and Kirkwood Road, which is great when 40 is backed up but not so great when Manchester is.

One night last week when 40 was a parking lot, I diverted my 40-eastbound-to-Big Bend route by heading north on 170.  I figured I'd take Olive, but decided on impulse to try Forest Park Parkway.  Are you familiar with the Parkway? I used to take it all the time; it's a nice alternative route to reach Clayton, mid-town, and even downtown.  For various reasons over the years, not the least of which was its speed limit reduction after a Metrolink track was added down its middle, I'd stopped taking it.  Turns out that it's pretty much a straight shot from 170 to Big Bend, with only one stoplight, as opposed to the gazillion lights on Olive.  Bonus:  The speed limit is 40 mph.

You would have to know how much I hate driving in rush hour traffic (hair-pulling-out hatred) to understand what a stress reliever this has been.  If I didn't have to get up so early to make it work, in fact, I would honestly try to take Metrolink to work (a 1.5-mile walk, then the train, then a bus, and then another short walk - good to know, but probably not feasible).  Anyway, I'm sharing MoDOT's tips here because if I can shave 13 minutes, and who knows how many gas dollars, from my drive, maybe you can too. You just never know...

I would offer you some news about this weekend's weather, but then you'd just laugh if I promised warm weather, and you woke up Sunday morning with snow again.  So I'll just wish you safe travels, especially if you're planning a trip down to the Mardi Gras festivities this weekend.  Stay warm, laissez les bon temps rouler, and see you next Thursday!

Beth von Behren
Happenings Editor/Public Information Officer 
City of Kirkwood
139 S. Kirkwood Road
Kirkwood, MO  63122
314-822-5894
www.kirkwoodmo.org