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City of Kirkwood
May 31, 2013

In This Issue
MoDOT News
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Historical Society
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Gardening Tip
Kirkwood Public Library
Art at the Station
Last Thoughts
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PHOTO OF THE WEEK: 
Mayor Art McDonnell addresses the audience during the 2013 Memorial Day service in the Veterans' Plaza next to the Memorial Walkway on Monday.  Thank you to Kirkwood resident Katie Burckhalter for letting us use her photo, and thank you, veterans, for your service.

Have you taken a really great photograph of something or someone in Kirkwood recently?  Your editor would love to use it in the newsletter.  Simply email it to [email protected] (or just reply to this newsletter), along with a brief description and your name. Thanks! 
NEWS FROM MODOT

SOUTHBOUND I-170 CLOSURES START THIS WEEKEND

Crews will close several lanes and parts of a ramp on southbound I-170 at Route 180 (St. Charles Rock Road) this weekend to continue preventative maintenance on an interstate bridge.  Crews will close the two right lanes of southbound I-170 at St. Charles Rock Road at 9 p.m. on Friday, May 31. They will also close one of the left turn lanes from the ramp from southbound I-170 to eastbound St. Charles Rock Road at the same time.  All closed lanes are projected to be open by 5 a.m. Monday.  Crews will close the left lane of southbound I-170 and the left turn lane to eastbound St. Charles Rock Road June 4 and June 5 between 9 p.m. and 5:30 a.m. the following morning.

 

I-70 / FIFTH STREET IN ST CHARLES:  The ramp from westbound Interstate 70 to southbound Fifth Street will be closed starting at 8 p.m. Monday, June 3, until Monday, June 24 for bridge repair work.  The westbound I-70 bridge over Fifth Street is being rehabilitated and resurfaced as part of the westbound I-70 Blanchette Missouri River Bridge project.  Three lanes of westbound I-70 will remain open and the ramp from westbound I-70 to northbound Fifth Street will remain open. On Monday, June 3, crews will close one lane of westbound I-70 from 8 p.m. until 5 a.m., Tuesday morning to set up the work zone and close the ramp to southbound Fifth Street.  Only two lanes will be open to traffic on westbound I-70 overnight Monday, June 3.  Three lanes will be back open for I-70 traffic by 5 a.m. Tuesday.

YOGA BY THE POOL!

HOW DO YOU DE-STRESS DURING THE SUMMER MONTHS? 

If you are a yoga enthusiast, you can now take your yoga practice outside, and enjoy the sunshine. Join us poolside for a practice that will:
  • Increase your body's strength, flexibility, and balance
  • Incorporate relaxation and breathing techniques into your daily life
  • Sharpen your mind's focus and lift your spirit

This summer class will be offered by Kirkwood Parks & Recreation on Wednesday mornings, 7:30 to 8:30 a.m., poolside, at the Kirkwood Aquatic Center, now through August 14. On rainy days, we will take it inside to the Community Center next door. The class will be taught by Becky Vollmer (Registered Yoga Teacher since 2007).

 

Yoga By the Pool will be offered to residents at a cost of $10 per class if a 5-punch card is purchased, and to nonresidents at a cost of $12 per class if a 5-punch card is purchased. The drop-in rate is $13 per class for residents and $15 per class for nonresidents. Punch cards can be purchased in advance at the pool's front desk. Classes run through August 14. For additional information, call 314-822-5855 or contact Becky Vollmer at [email protected]. 

HOTDOG DAYZ OF SUMMER ARE BACK!
HOSTED BY THE KIRKWOOD POLICE & PARKS/RECREATION DEPARTMENTS
The Kirkwood Police Department and Kirkwood Parks & Recreation Department are once again teaming up this summer to reach out to Kirkwood and Oakland children on Fridays, from June 15 through July 26. We will serve a hotdog lunch and play games with the kids.  The Kirkwood PD wants the children of Kirkwood to know we are here if they need us.  FREE.  Fridays, 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.  Schedule subject to change, due to weather conditions.  SEE YOU THERE!  Here's the full schedule:
  • June 14: Meacham Memorial Park, corner of Meacham and Orleans
  • June 21: Walker Park (Turtle Park), corner of Washington and Taylor
  • June 28:  Avery Park, 221-225 Avery Drive
  • July 5: Monfort Park, corner of Briargate and Barberry Lane
  • July 12: Loewnau Park, corner of Oakland and Sappington
  • July 19:  Fillmore Park, corner of Fillmore and Clinton
  • July 26: Meacham Memorial Park, corner of Meacham and Orleans.
KIRKWOOD HISTORICAL SOCIETY NEWS
KITCHEN / GARDEN TOUR JUNE 1
Friends of the Kirkwood Historical Society will host a Kitchen and Garden Tour on Saturday, June 1, from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Six Kirkwood gardens and three kitchens will be featured.  Tickets are $15 in advance or $20 on the day of the tour. Tickets can be purchased at OK Hatchery, the Kirkwood Library Gift Shop, or Mudd's Grove. For more information, call 821-0184 or 965-5151.

ALSO IN JUNE:  STRAWBERRY FESTIVAL
The Historical Society's annual Strawberry Festival is Tuesday, June 11, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., at Mudd's Grove, southwest corner of Argonne and Harrison avenue. Come and enjoy hotdogs and music, followed by strawberries and ice cream. There will be a cakewalk and old-fashioned games for kids. FREE and open to the public.
MAKIN' MUSIC CONCERT SERIES IN KIRKWOOD PARK
ELEVENTH ANNUAL SUMMER CONCERT SERIES RETURNS THIS WEEKEND!
The Kirkwood Area Arts Council and the Kirkwood Parks & Recreation Department have partnered once again to bring you the 11th Annual Making Music Series in Kirkwood Park.  Concerts start at 7:00 p.m. in the Lions' Amphitheater on Saturdays.

FULL SUMMER 2013 SCHEDULE:
~ Saturday, June 1: Unites States Air Force Band of Mid-America, Hot Brass Ensemble
~ Saturday, June 8: Gateway City Big Band
~ Saturday, June 22:  The Scandaleros
~ Saturday, July 13: Rocky and the Wranglers
~ Saturday, July 27:  Maple Jam Band
~ Saturday, August 10:  Route 66 Jazz Orchestra
~ Saturday, August 24:  St. Louis Wind Symphony

 

NEW THIS YEAR:  Bring your appetites! The St. Louis Food Truck Association will be on hand, with food available for purchase beginning at 6:00 p.m.

GARDENERS' CORNER
GARDENING TIP OF THE WEEK 

When planting new shrubs and trees, dig the hole three times wider than the root ball, but only 80% as deep as the root ball.  The same applies to transplanting shrubs and trees.  The additional width allows for the spreading roots.  Planting with the root ball 20% above the soil level allows for settling and avoids water pooling around the roots, which is the fastest way to kill a shrub or tree.  Once the planting is complete, water and enjoy.

 

Want to learn about cactus and succulents?  Plan to attend our meeting at the Community Center on June 4 at 7:00 p.m. 

   

The Kirkwood Garden Club will periodically share a Gardening Tip of the Week with Weekly Happenings readers.  For more information about the club, visit their Website at kirkwoodgardenclub.org. New members and guests - both men and women - are always welcome to attend their meetings and events.  Meetings are held on the first Tuesday of the month at 7:00 p.m., at the Kirkwood Community Center.
FROM KIRKWOOD PUBLIC LIBRARY
DO YOU HAVE KIDS WHO NEED SOMETHING TO DO THIS SUMMER?
Kirkwood Public Library has a few suggestions...

SUMMER STORY TIMES:

~ Tuesdays, 10:00 a.m., June 4-July 30

~ Thursdays, 9:30 a.m., Books for Babies, June 6-July 25

~ Thursdays, 10:30 a.m., First Steps Storytime, June 6- July 25

 

KIDS' SUMMER BOOK CLUB TIMES:

Mondays, 7:00 p.m.

Family Book Club. For children grades 4-6 and parents.
~ June 10: Plunked by Michael Northrop
~ July 8: Pie by Sarah Weeks
~ August 12: Lone Wolfby Kathryn Lasky

Thursdays, 6:30 pm.

Family Book Club Junior . For children grades 2-4 and their parents.
~ June 6: The Crazy Case of the Missing Thunder by Tony Abbott
~ July 11: Piper Reed Rodeo Star by Kimberly Willis Holt

~ August 1:  How Oliver Olson Changed the World by Claudia Mills

 

STORIES IN THE PARK, Tuesdays, 6:30 pm. 

~ June 4:  Avery Park  

~ June 11:  Monfort Park

~ June 18:  Meacham Memorial Park

~ June 25:  Fireman's Park

~ July 9:  Fillmore Park

~ July 16:  Little Mitchell Park

~ July 23:  Kirkwood Park, Lions' Pavilion

 

WACKY WEDNESDAYS, Wednesdays, 10:30 a.m. 

~ June 5:  Nitro Joe - Air in Action

~ June 12:  Butterfly House presents The World According to Insects

~ June 19:  Animal Tales presents Underground Animals

~ June 26:  Yo-Yo Kid - Ian Cole and Yoyo-ology

~ July 3:   Worm Races

~ July 10:  Juggling Jeff

~ July 17:  World Bird Sanctuary presents Creatures of Myths & Legends

~ July 24:  Laughing Matters presents "Toss, Catch, Dig"

~ July 31:  Babaloo : shows at 10 am and 11 am

 

KPL @ THE FARMERS' MARKET:

We're at the market from 9:00 a.m. to noon on the following Saturdays:

~ Saturday, June 15:  Donuts and Dads

~ Saturday, July 13:  Picnics

~ Saturday, August 10:  Summer Reads

 

READING BUDDIES!  Mondays, June 10 through July 29
~ Session 1: 1:30 to 2:15 p.m.

~ Session 2:  2:30 to 3:15 p.m.

Children entering 1st through 4th grade partner with teen volunteers for one-on-one reading time. Children and teens must apply to participate. Applications are available in the library. 

 

CHAMPS READING DOGS: Sundays, 3:00 to 4:00 p.m., June 2, July 7, August 4.   

 

TEEN EVENTS IN JUNE:  

~ T-Shirt Tote Creation: Sunday, June 2, 2:00-3:00 p.m.

~ Doctor Who Fan Fiction Writing Competition: Wednesdays, June 5 and 26, 6:30 to 7:30 p.m.

~ Yoga in the Stacks:  Friday, June 7, 5:30-6:30 p.m.
~ Roaring 1920s Jazz Party: Trivia, Music, Dance - Just in time for The Great Gatsby movie release. Friday, June 21, 5:30 - 7:00 p.m.
~ Duct Tape Craft Hour: Sunday, June 23, 2:00-3:00 p.m.  

~ YouTube U: Creating the Surface and the Creatures Beneath: Friday, June 28 (and again on July 26), 2:30 to 4:00 p.m.

 

OTHER SPECIAL EVENTS IN JUNE: 

~ Family Lego Days: Saturdays, June 1, and June 29, 10:30 - 11:30.  Master builders and their parents are invited for some Lego building fun.

~ Children's Garden & Planting: Saturday, June 8, 10:00 a.m.  Bring a small shovel, and join us on the front lawn.

~ Bobby Norfalk presents Shadowball:  Sunday, June 9, 2:00 p.m. Emmy-Award-winning storyteller brings history to life in this performance about the Negro Baseball League. For families and adults.

~ Intergenerational Art Classes. Wednesday, June 12 (also July 10, and July 31), 1:00 to 3:00 p.m.  Ages 9 to adult.

~ One Book One Kirkwood:  This summer's community-wide read is baseball themed and features an adult fiction and a children's fiction selection. Monday, June 10, 7:00 p.m.: Book Discussion on children's selection, Plunked. Tuesday, June 18, 7:00 p.m.: Author Visit, Joe Schuster, author of The Might Have Been.  Thursday, June 20, 7:00 p.m.: Author Visit, Michael Northrop talks about his book Plunked.  

 

ADULT PROGRAMS:

KPL Cinema, Tuesdays, 1:30 p.m.  Movie titles for June:
~ June 11:  Time Team America: Range Creed UT

~ June 18: National Treasure

~ June 25:  National Treasure 2: Book of Secrets

 

Wanderlust Series: Wednesdays, 7:00 p.m. 

~ July 24, 7 pm: Chesterfield Archeological Dig, by Joe Hart.

~ August 7, 7 pm: Tropical Destinations, presented by Wes Lipe.

~ August 14, 7 pm: Missouri Caves, presented by Jim Reudin.

 

Special Events for Adults: Wednesdays and Thursdays
~ Organizing 101. Thursday, June 6, 1:00 p.m.  Join Janine Adams, professional organizer, and learn how to de-clutter and create harmony in your home or any space.

~ Intergenerational Art Classes. Wednesday, June 12, July 10, and July 31, 1:00 to 3:00 p.m.  Ages 9 to adult.

~ Bellefontaine Cemetery. Thursday, June 13, 7:00 p.m.  Join Carol Shepley for an evening of stories, featuring both the famous and infamous occupants of the historic cemetery.

 

Mystery Readers, Wednesdays, 2:00 p.m.
~ June 19: The Crowded Grave by Martin Walker


Saturday Morning Perks, Saturdays, 10:00 a.m. 

~ June 22: Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry by Rachel Joyce

 

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 AND JUNE

The Kirkwood Area Arts Council's June exhibit features the work of watercolorist Jeanne Conway (art work, right), from June 3 to July 1.  The artists' opening reception is set for Thursday, June 6, 5:30 to 7:00 p.m., at the Train Station.  FREE & open to the public.  

 

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 THE EDITOR: The Mini Blog
What are YOUR plans for this weekend?  I'm headed to a Cardinals' game tomorrow night, and I have my fingers crossed that my presence won't lose them the game (I have never seen the Cardinals win a game in person, including that soul-crushing World Series game in 1985 when we lost 6-1 to the Royals). But I digress.  What are YOUR plans?  If you like to bike, be sure and check out the second-annual Kirkwood Farmers' Market Bike Ride TONIGHT.  Babaloo will be there too.  The ride takes off at 6:00 p.m. from the market, with the help of Trailnet. Babaloo plays at 7:30 p.m. in Station Plaza.  No pre-registration required.  Just show up with your bikes and helmets! (Note: In the event of severe weather, cancellation information will be posted at www.downtownkirkwood.com and on the Special Event Information line at 314-822-0084.)

Then there's the first "Jungle Boogie" concert of the season at the Zoo tomorrow night. The FREE Chevy Music Showcase concerts are held in the center of the Zoo, from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m., Friday nights.  FatPocket plays tomorrow night.  American Idle (Top 40) plays June 7.  Groove Thang (70s to today) plays June 14.  There's no concert on June 21, and Bottoms Up Blues Game (blues music) plays June 28.  For more information, visit stlzoo.org. Admission to the Zoo, of course, is always free.

Father's Day is coming up in just a few weeks.  Sarah Erwin, the director of Kirkwood Public Library, sent me a link today to their blog, where a special book list in honor of Dad's Day has been created by all those voracious readers who work at KPL.  There are some good books on this list if you are looking for some summer reading.  Here's the link.

Whatever you do, have a great weekend.  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