Kirkwood Weekly HappeningsCity Logo B-W
City of Kirkwood
May 9, 2013

In This Issue
MoDOT News
The Next 2 Weeks
Parks & Rec News
Plant Sale Saturday
Working Savvy
Kirkwood Public Library
Art at the Station
Oakbend Library
Last Thoughts
Join Our Mailing List!
Quick Links
Greetings!
  
PHOTO OF THE WEEK: 
In partnership with the St. Louis Poetry Center, the City of Kirkwood hosted a Shake38 reading of "The Winter's Tale," on April 22 at the historic downtown Train Station.  Dwight Bitikofer, publisher of the Webster-Kirkwood Times, reads his role of  Leontes, along with other members of the St. Louis Poetry Center.  Shake38 is a production of the Shakespeare Festival of St. Louis. During the four-day event, groups of Shakespeare enthusiasts read from each of his 38 plays.  "Twelfth Night" will be performed by the Festival this year in Shakespeare Glen in Forest Park, May 24 through June 16.  Read the Mini Blog below for more Shakespeare news! 
NEWS FROM MoDOT

STRIPING ROADS AROUND THE REGION - BLASTING CONTINUES 

MoDOT's maintenance crews are continuing to work daily on touching up striping on state roads around the region.  Drivers should be aware of slow moving maintenance operations on roadways as crews continue to work on putting on a new coat of paint.  When drivers see a MoDOT vehicle with flashing lights, please remember to slow down or move over to avoid the work ahead.  Often three or more maintenance vehicles will be spaced out over some distance to complete maintenance work.

 

In Saint Louis County, blasting operations on southbound I-270 near Big Bend is scheduled weekdays at 1:00 p.m., and will continue weekly, weather permitting.  Both directions of I-270 will have a rolling closure and potential stopped traffic for approximately 15 minutes.  For additional work zone information, go to www.modot.org. For real time traffic, visit gatewayguide.com.   All work is weather permitting and may be shifted due to inclement weather

THE COMING WEEK IN KIRKWOOD

MAYFEST IN DOWNTOWN KIRKWOOD, MAY 9-11:

Mayfest in Downtown Kirkwood runs May 9 through 11 at the Kirkwood Farmers' Market, starting with the Ladies Night of Fashion & Art on Thursday, May 9, from 6:00 to 8:30 p.m., at the newly opened Ober Anderson Gallery. Tapas, beverages, a fashion show, attendance prizes and more!  Tickets are $25 and must be purchased in advance at the Downtown Business District offices (130 E. Jefferson) or by calling 314-822-0084.


KIRKWOOD ROTARY RAMBLE MAY 11:

You can register in advance up through tomorrow evening.  There are multiple ways to compete: Youth 5K and 10K (18 and under), Adult 5k and 10K, Family 1K Fun Run and Walk, Adult and Youth Zumbathon, and an Obstacle Course for all ages. Everything starts off at the Kirkwood Aquatic Center. Visit www.kirkwoodrotary.org for full details.


NATIONAL TRAIN DAY THIS SATURDAY AT THE TRAIN STATION, MAY 11: 

Kirkwood will celebrate National Train Day on May 11, from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., at the historic Kirkwood Train Station.  Exhibits and displays on trains, train safety, and

Morse Code Display 
from Rail Safety Day 

railroad history.  Also on hand:  Kirkwood Police and Fire Departments, Missouri Operation Lifesaver, National Museum of Transport, Morse Telegraph Club, Amtrak, Big Bend Model Railroad Club, National Railway Historical Society, and Kirkwood Historical Society.  Amtrak will host a drawing for free tickets. A children's activity table and an operating model train layout will be on display. Food will be available from Kirkwood Optimists. Live music after 10:00 a.m.  

 

 

PLANT SALE AT THE TRAIN STATION THIS SATURDAY TOO - See story below. 
FROM PARKS & RECREATION
CARD CLUB:  St. Louis CORP (County Older Residents Program) offers Bridge on Fridays for ages 55+ at the Kirkwood Community Center, starting at 10:30 a.m., and lasting through 2:00 p.m. Pinochle starts at 12:30 p.m. The cost is a whopping FIFTY CENTS per week. Call 822-1883 for additional information. The Community Center is located at 111 S. Geyer Road.

THE POOL OPENS IN 16 DAYS:  GET YOUR SUMMER PASS AND ID CARDS TODAY AND AVOID THE LONG LINES ON THE HOLIDAY WEEKEND
2013 Aquatic Center Swim Passes ON SALE NOW.  Don't wait until the lines are out the door at the Community Center.  Beat the crowd: Get your pass today. 
~ Season Pass Cost:  $80/Youth (4-17).  $95/Adult (18-64).  $210/Family of 3 ($20 each additional member).  $80/Senior (65+).  $75/Nanny Pass.
~ Daily Admission with current ID Card:  $4/Youth (4-17).  $5/Adults (18-64).  $4/Senior.  Non-resident guests can enter with a paying ID Card holder: $6/Youth.  $7/Adult and Senior.
~ ID CARD:  ID cards are $5 each, both for originals and replacements, and are good for up to three years.  In order to obtain an ID card, each purchaser, 16 and over, must present a valid and current Missouri Driver's License (or State of Missouri ID card), showing resident address and a current utility bill (gas, water, electric, or phone), bank statement, or voter ID card, issued to their home address within the last three months. Purchasers age 15 and under must be accompanied by a person at the same address who can present the documents listed above.

NEW THIS YEAR:  ALL FITNESS 10-PUNCH CARD:
Purchase a new punch card to attend any class for Water Fitness, Aqua Zumba, or River Walk.  Residents, $45; nonresidents, $55.
GARDENERS' CORNER
PLANT SALE AT THE TRAIN STATION,THIS SATURDAY,  MAY 11:
Kirkwood Garden Club will hold its annual plant sale at the Kirkwood Train Station THIS SATURDAY,  May 11, beginning at 9:00 a.m. They will have annuals and perennials for sale, many of which are from the gardens of their members. Garden Club members will be on hand to answer questions and give advice on gardening issues. They will also host a raffle for an unusual bird feeder donated by OK Hatchery. Proceeds from the sale will be used to design, plant, and maintain the gardens at the Train Station.

WORKING SAVVY
FOR TEENS - HIGH SCHOOL AND COLLEGE-AGE
Do you know a teen who needs help looking for a job or advice on how to act once he or she gets a job?  The City of Kirkwood is sponsoring a workshop, "Working Savvy," on Thursday, May 23, at the Oak Bend Library, 842 S. Holmes Avenue, from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m.  Topics will include:

~ Getting a Job: Conducting career and job research, resume writing, cover letters, online applications, interviewing, looking and sounding professional
~ Keeping a Job:  Employer expectations, what's acceptable in the workplace.

The speakers will be: Georgia Ragland, Assistant Chief Administrative Officer, City of Kirkwood, and Lynda Higbee, Principal/Owner, Higbee & Associates. This workshop is FREE and open to high school and college students.  Questions?  Call 822-5801.
FROM KIRKWOOD PUBLIC LIBRARY
SUMMER READING KICK-OFF PARTY, MAY 18!
Saturday, May 18, 10 am - Noon.  Summer Reading Kickoff Party.  The sign-up process for summer reading begins.  Sign up at home or come to the library for Magic House Bubble Magic, caricature artist, crafts, Ted Drewes ice cream and Ruffy the River City Rascal Mascot. 
 From 10 am - 2pm, every thirty minutes we're offering a variety of classes for adults, teens and kids so you can dig into something new!  Learn about origami, cake decorating, dog training, bike maintenance and more.  Check our online calendar or pick up a schedule at the library.  

FOR ADULTS:
~ Monday, May 13, 7 pm.  Life Journaling. 

~ Wednesday, May 15, 2pm.  Mystery Readers.  Discussing The Thirteenth Tale by Diane Setterfield.

 

NO STORY TIMES IN MAY!

The Kirkwood Public Library is located at 140 E. Jefferson in Downtown Kirkwood.  For additional information, please call 821-5770.
ART AT THE STATION
ART AT THE STATION DURING MAY:

The Kirkwood Area Arts Council's May exhibit will feature transportation photography by local artists. Please join us for the opening reception on Thursday, May 2, 5:30 to 7:00 p.m.   The historic Kirkwood Train Station is located at 110 W. Argonne at the corner of Kirkwood Road. Art may be viewed when the Station is open for passengers.

FROM OAK BEND LIBRARY
FOR TEENS:

 

~ GUYS READ TWITTER CHAT: "Bomb" by Steve Sheinkin. Wednesday, May 15, 8:00 p.m.  Join us on Twitter each month as we discuss a great book with guy appeal. May's selection is "Bomb: The Race to Build and Steal the World's Most Dangerous Weapon," the pulse-pounding account of the creation of the atomic bomb. School Library Journal recommends this book for grades 5 and up.

  

How do you join a Twitter chat? It's easy!

  1. Log on to Twitter between 8:00 and 8:45 p.m.
  2. Search for the hashtag #guysreadstl
  3. Use this hashtag when tweeting to join the discussion
  4. Follow St. Louis County Library at twitter.com/SLCL for a recap of the discussion.

~ TEEN VOLUNTEER TRAINING. Wednesday, May 22, 7:00 p.m.  Interested in volunteering at the library this summer? Come for training and learn how you can volunteer to help with the Summer Reading Club. Ages 12-18. Registration requested.


FOR ALL AGES:

~ NEED PRACTICE READING?  Whiskers and Tales, Monday, May 13, 7:00 p.m.

Need practice reading? How about practicing your reading to a dog or a cat? The mission of Whiskers and Tales is to improve the literacy skills of children through the assistance of certified pet therapy teams as literacy mentors. All ages welcome. No registration required.

 

~ ARCHAEOLOGY IN ST. LOUIS, Tuesday, May 28, 2:00 p.m.  Celebrate "Groundbreaking Reads" with a fascinating discussion about archaeology in St. Louis from Dr. Thomas Finan, Assistant Professor and Associate Director of the Center for Medieval and Renaissance Studies at Saint Louis University. Dr. Finan has led numerous archaeological excavations, both in the area and abroad. Refreshments will be served. Registration requested. 


 

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
Happy Mother's Day Weekend!!  There is so much to do in Kirkwood on this Mother's Day Weekend - Open House at the Train Station, Mayfest in Downtown, the Kirkwood Garden Club's flower sale (Mother's Day hint there), and more!

My T.I.L.T. for today (Things I Love on Thursday):  My daughter's arrival tomorrow for a six-day visit; flowers blooming EVERYWHERE; the beautiful tiled outdoor table I just bought today at the Bug Store in downtown Kirkwood; driving my own Bug with the top down; summer reading (KPL's "Dig Into Reading" summer reading kicks off May 18) and summer theatre, which means Shakespeare!  The Shakespeare Festival St. Louis is starting up something new this year: Communal Dining.  If you like sitting on a blanket with your own picnic basket, cool!  But if you'd like to sit at a table and share a meal with others who love the Bard, then check out their new Communal Dining option.  From Mary McHugh, the Festival's Spokeswoman:  "The tables will accommodate approximately 30 people.  Butler's Pantry will be providing the food for these dinners, and there will be six of them during the run of the show.  Reservations can only be made in advance (at sfstl.com) and seats are available on a first-come, first-served basis."  The season opens May 24.

And if you love live theatre, here's the scoop on the upcoming Stages St. Louis season at the Kirkwood Community Center's Reim Theatre:

Stages 2013 Season:

~ Always...Patsy Cline: May 31-June 30, 2013

~ Legally Blonde, The Musical July 19-August 18, 2013

~ My Fair Lady, September 6-October 6, 2013

~ Box Office Number:  314-821-2407.  Website:  www.stagesstlouis.org

~ Facebook.com/stagesstlouis   ~ Twitter@stagesstlouis

 

That's all for now. The Weather Channel's Website predicts thunderstorms tonight and tomorrow, but sunny temperatures for the weekend (highs of 70 on Saturday and 63 on Sunday).  Have a great weekend, 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