• 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.

SPIRIT OF ST LOUIS BRIDGE OVER I-64/HWY 40 CLOSED FOR 30 DAYS 

The Spirit of St. Louis Boulevard bridge over Interstate 64 in Chesterfield will be closed for 30 days effective Monday, July 8, through Wednesday, August 7.  Construction crews will raise the existing bridge to increase and improve clearance for vehicles on I-64.  

The westbound I-64 exit at Spirit of St. Louis will remain open during the bridge closure.  Traffic on the North Outer Road will be available, but it will be limited.  Traffic will be controlled by a traffic signal to allow only one directional movement at a time adjacent to the work zone at the Spirit of St. Louis Blvd bridge.  During the one month closure, motorists are advised to use the Boone's Crossing interchange to cross I-64 and access the athletic fields, trails and businesses along the North Outer Road.  During most of the one month closure, the ramp from Spirit of St. Louis Blvd to eastbound I-64 will also be closed.  Motorists can use Long Road or Boone's Crossing to access eastbound I-64.

The Spirit of St. Louis bridge work is part of the overall $110.9 million new I-64 Daniel Boone Missouri River bridge being constructed by the Walsh-Alberici Joint Venture.  The entire I-64 Daniel Boone Bridge project will be complete by December 2015.

EASTBOUND I-64 RAMP TO JEFFERSON AVENUE CLOSED FOR 3 WEEKS 

The Missouri Department of Transportation and its contractor, Fred Weber Inc., closed the ramp from eastbound I-64 to southbound Jefferson Avenue just after midnight this morning (Thursday, July 11).  The ramp will remain closed for three weeks, while crews connect the new ramp to the interstate and to Jefferson. While the ramp is closed, drivers can take the Grand exit from eastbound I-64, turn left on Chouteau and right on Jefferson, or take the 14th Street exit from eastbound I-64, turn right on Chouteau and left on Jefferson.

ANNUAL SIDEWALK SALE AND PEACH FESTIVAL IS JULY 13 IN DOWNTOWN KIRKWOOD  

WHAT: Sidewalk Sale & Peach Festival

WHEN: Saturday, July 13th

WHERE: Downtown Kirkwood / Kirkwood Farmers' Market

INFO: www.downtownkirkwood.com; 314-822-0084

Activities will be bountiful during the Downtown Kirkwood Sidewalk Sale and Kirkwood Farmers' Market Peach Festival on Saturday, July 13. Visitors to Downtown will enjoy peach samples from local farmers as well as peach related treats and menu items at Kirkwood Farmers' Market. Local farmers will compete in a contest for the best locally grown peach. The Maple Jam Band will fill the market with music.  Shoppers will find bargains all over Downtown Kirkwood. Participating merchants will display red and white checked tablecloths outside their businesses, including:

Aazore Med Spa, 110 N. Kirkwood.  Alpine Shop, 440 N. Kirkwood. Bug Store, 113 W. Argonne. Checkered Cottage, 135 W. Jefferson. Christopher's, 127 E. Argonne. Down by the Station, 150 W. Argonne. East + West, 205 N. Kirkwood. Finders Keepers, 112 E. Jefferson. Fun in the Sun Sports, 121 N. Kirkwood. Ginger & Mary Ann Boutique, 151 W. Kirkwood. Kirkwood Station Restaurant and Brewing Company, 105 E. Jefferson. Lass & Laddie, 161 W. Jefferson. Moonbeams, 124 W. Jefferson. Old Dog New Treats, 100 W. Jefferson. Paperdolls, 110 E. Jefferson. Plowsharing Crafts, 137 W. Jefferson. Rusted Chandelier, 118 N. Kirkwood. Sparkle Boutique, 107 1/2 E. Argonne.

July 13 Schedule of Activities:

8:00 a.m.:  Farmers' Market opens

8:00 a.m. - noon:   Kirkwood Public Library picnic-themed activity at Kirkwood Farmers' Market

10:00 a.m.: Maple Jam Band performs at the Market

10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.  Best Local Peach Contest  

10:00 a.m. to Noon:  Peachy Samples at Kirkwood Farmers' Market   

10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.   Bargain Hunting: Downtown Kirkwood Sidewalk Sale

For more information, please call the Downtown Kirkwood office at 314-822-0084 or email info@downtownkirkwood.com.

The sidewalk sale will run from 10:00 a.m., until 4:00 p.m., on the front lawn of Kirkwood Public Library, 140 E. Jefferson, this Saturday, July 13.  Be sure to stop by our tables this coming Saturday. We'll have some of our regular merchandise available for sale such as Cardinal Pez dispensers, jewelry, and hair bows, as well as our Craft Group's new themed earrings: Just the thing for book lovers, pet lovers, cooks, and motorcycle fans!

We'll also have lots of great bargains with markdowns as high as 60%, including:

~ Bella Taylor quilted purse and travel accessories

~ Charming floor puzzles for three-year-olds and up

~ Brand new journals

~ Six-sided and two-sided puzzles for adults

~ Children's craft kits

~ Special selections from our Craft Group

Additionally, you'll find tables filled with BOGO jigsaw puzzles (buy one / get one of lesser value free). This is a very popular Books & Beyond special sale.

At the close of the Sidewalk Sale, we'll draw the winner of the book lamp. This is one of our most attractive and popular lamps, made from the spines of 12 volumes of Funk & Wagnalls Standard Reference Encyclopedias. The book spines are beautifully designed with red and black panels on beige leather, hot-stamped in gold foil. Tickets cost $5.00 each or three for $10.00. The winner does not have to be present to win. Tickets are currently available in Books & Beyond and will be sold at the Sidewalk Sale on the 13th. The lamp can be viewed on the south magazine rack in the main level reading room. Questions? Please contact the Friends at 821-5770, Extension 1023. 

WILL YOU GIVE?  In the spirit of community involvement and in hopes of helping to keep the local blood supply plentiful during the summer months, the City of Kirkwood along with the Kirkwood Fire Department, will host a Community Blood Drive, in partnership with Mississippi Valley Regional Blood Center, on Wednesday, July 31, from 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., at the Kirkwood Community Center, 111 S. Geyer Road, in the East Gym.

Mississippi Valley Regional Blood Center is a not-for-profit, community-based and community-supported blood center serving the SSM Medical Centers throughout the Saint Louis Metropolitan area, including Cardinal Glennon Children's Hospital, Des Peres Hospital, Mercy Hospital - Jefferson, and other Saint Louis-area hospitals.

To schedule a donation, call 822-5894, or register online at:  www.bloodcenterIMPACT.org. Use Sponsor Code:  10356.  Before donating:  Eat. Hydrate. Bring a Photo ID. 

The Kirkwood Area Arts Council will feature the work of  watercolorist, Jeanne Conway through July 1. The pencil drawings of Diane Reising will be on display through July 29. Please join us for her opening reception Thursday, July 11, 5:30 to 7:00 p.m., at the Kirkwood Train Station, corner of Argonne Avenue and South Kirkwood Road. Exhibit and reception are free and open to the public. Art may be viewed when the station is open for passengers.

~ TONIGHT:   Erin Bode performs. Concert sponsored by Kaldi's Coffeehouse and James Durbin Jewelry Design

In the event of threatening weather, concerts will be cancelled. Call 314-822-0084 and enter 4 for the Event mailbox and to receive special event updates and cancellation information.  

FOR ADULTS:

~ Cook's Club: Let's Get Grillin'. Do you like to collect and share recipes? Come see what we've whipped up. Join us the first Wednesday of every month to exchange recipes and indulge in some appetizing discussion on food and cooking. Adults. Registration requested.  Wednesday, July 3, 10:00 a.m.   

FOR KIDS:  

~ Big Digs, Little Digs. Vroom, vroom! Join us for stories, songs, and fingerplays all about big machines. Little ones are invited to make a craft to take home. Registration required. Friday, July 12, 10:00 a.m.   

~ Art @ Your Library: Musical Storytelling. Bring children's books to life by weaving together music and spoken word! Audience members enjoy a performance of classic children's literature with a musical twist. Then, under the direction of pianist Johanna Ballou, they participate in their own musical performance to go along with a favorite children's book. Monday, July 15, 2:00 p.m.

~ CSI Training.  Calling all investigators! Got a mystery to solve? Find out how real detectives solve cases through fun, hands-on activities. Ages 7-11. Registration required. Friday, July 19, 2:00 p.m.  

~ Whiskers and Tales.  Need practice reading? How about practicing your reading with 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. Weather permitting. All ages welcome. No registration required.  Monday, July 29, 7:00 p.m.

FOR TEENS: 

~ Minecraft: Your Craft. Create your favorite Minecraft character or weapon by using fuse beads to achieve that pixelated look. Grades 6-12. Registration required. Wednesday, July 3, 7:00 p.m. 

~ Teen DIY: Stop Motion Animation. Learn how to tell stories through stop motion animation using a digital camera and computer software. Dry erase markers, clay, and other objects to animate will be provided...feel free to bring your own materials and stories. Grades 6-12. Registration required.  Wednesday, July 10, 6:00 p.m. 

~ Guys Read Twitter Chat: "Life of Pi" by Yann Martel. Wednesday, July 17, 8:00 p.m.  Join us on Twitter each month as we discuss a great book with guy appeal. "Life of Pi" chronicles 16-year-old Pi Patel's survival at sea while stranded on a lifeboat with a Bengal tiger. This story cannot possibly end well...or can it? How do you join a Twitter chat? It's easy!  Log on to Twitter between 8:00 and 8:45 p.m.. Search for the hashtag #guysreadstl. Use this hashtag when tweeting to join the discussion. Follow Guys Read STL at twitter.com/GuysReadSTL for a recap of the discussion. 

~ Design Your Own T-Shirt. Materials, t-shirts and one-on-one instruction will be provided. Registration required. Wednesday, July 24, 6:00 p.m. 

~ TAG. Wednesday, July 31, 7:00 p.m.  Join the Oak Bend Teen Advisory Group and become involved in planning teen activities for the year. Lots of snacks will be provided! Grades 6-12.

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.