News and Information from the City of Kirkwood

Bring your family and friends as we kick off the 2013 Greentree Festival (the following weekend) with this FUN and FREE family event. Boogie Chyld (below) will provide the entertainment. Tekno Bubbles will be on hand for the kids. An assortment of Food Trucks will have food for sale, and the United Service Clubs will also be selling soda, wine, and beer. (Formerly called the Greentree Dance.)

HOLIDAY INFORMATION!

SANITATION SCHEDULE FOR THE REMAINDER OF THE WEEK:

~ Friday, September 6: Thursday routes collected.
~ Saturday, September 7: Friday routes collected.

FROM MoDOT

LANE CLOSURES ON I-64 / HWY 40 THIS WEEKEND

The Missouri Department of Transportation will have several lane closures on I-64 in St. Louis City and on the Poplar Street Bridge that will impact weekend traffic in the area.

The department will be adjusting work so that lanes into the city will be open an hour before scheduled Cardinal games and lanes out of the city will be open for at least an hour after Cardinal games for fans. All work is weather permitting.

Planned work on I-64 this weekend includes:

Friday, September 6: Crews will be closing two left lanes on westbound I-64 at the Poplar Street Bridge starting at 8 p.m. At 12:01 a.m., Saturday, crews will close the left two lanes on eastbound I-64. At least one through lane on I-64 will remain open in both directions on the bridge and in the city. All lanes will reopen before 5 a.m. Monday.
Saturday, September 7: Crews will close the ramp from eastbound I-70 to the Poplar Street Bridge at 12:01 a.m. Crews will reopen the ramp before the end of the Cardinal games on Saturday and Sunday. They will close the ramp one hour after the end of the Cardinal games on each day. The ramp will reopen before 5 a.m. Monday.
Saturday, September 7, crews will be shifting traffic on eastbound I-64 between Kingshighway and Boyle. Crews will close the two left lanes at 12:01 a.m. Saturday morning. Crews will have at least two eastbound lanes open an hour before the start of Saturday's game. Once the game starts, crews will close lanes again. All lanes are projected to be reopened by 5 a.m. Sunday. When the lanes reopen all three through lanes of traffic will be shifted to the right.

The Poplar Street Bridge work is part of a project to replace the driving surface on the bridge. It will require a second, similar lane closure next week. Details on that will be released when available.

FROM PARKS & RECREATION

REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN FOR FALL PROGRAMMING!

The Fall / Winter Program Guide was mailed to Kirkwood households this month. Click here to access the Guide online. Registration for all programs, events, and classes for Fall 2013 is NOW OPEN.

RAPTORS IN FLIGHT: TONIGHT!
The Webster Groves Nature Study Society and the World Bird Sanctuary present "Raptors in Flight" at Kirkwood Park, Picnic Site 13, on Thursday, September 5, 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. This event is FREE and open to the public. Bring a lawn chair or a blanket. NOTE: No one will be allowed to stand while the raptors are flying. Additional information about the event will be posted at www.wgnss.org.

APPLE FESTIVAL AT KIRKWOOD FARMERS' MARKET

THIS WEEKEND: SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 7

Kirkwood Farmers' Market merchants are welcoming fall and celebrating the local apple harvest with an Apple Festival on Saturday, September 7. Visitors will enjoy apple samples from local farmers as well as apple-related treats and menu items at the market. Visitors will also be able to compare different varieties of apples.

Chef Mike Ryan, from Kirkwood Station Restaurant & Brewing Company, will demonstrate how to prepare an appealing apple dish at 9:00 a.m. Following his cooking demonstration, the Lulus will add to the festivities by performing their bluegrass and Americana music.

Schedule:

8:00 a.m. Market Opens

9:00 a.m. Cooking Demonstration by Mike Ryan

10:00 a.m. to Noon: The Lulus perform. Taste and compare varieties of apples - free samples of apple treats.

For more information, call 314-822-0084 or email: Info@downtownkirkwood.com.

SENIOR CORNER

TELLING STORIES: THE ORAL TRADITION

Folktales, personal stories, jokes, and poems: Brush up on your speaking skills, lose your stage fright, and entertain us all! Liz Lippa, storyteller and actor, will facilitate these storytelling sessions. Come and participate or just sit back and listen. Fridays, October 4 through November 1, 1:00-3:00 p.m. Fee: $25, five sessions. (Kirkwood OASIS 310)

OASIS offers programming for 50+ adults at the Kirkwood Community Center. Call 314-966-5433 for more information or to register, or visit their Website: http://www.oasisnet.org/Cities/Central/StLouisMO.aspx

MEET YOUR UTILITY DIRECTORS!

KIRKWOOD WATER DIRECTOR ANSWERS YOUR QUESTIONS!

Where: Kirkwood Public Library, 140 E. Jefferson

When: September 25, 7:00 p.m.

Bill Bensing, Kirkwood Water Director, will give an informational presentation to residents at Kirkwood Public Library on September 25. Bill will talk about Kirkwood Water's history and operations, the municipal water industry, how we compare with other municipal utilities, and how owning our own water company benefits the City and its residents. Bill will also discuss how rates are set, new technologies, automated meter reading, and long-term plans, after which, he will open it up for questions from the audience.

HANDS ON KIRKWOOD

HANDS ON KIRKWOOD: COMMUNITY VOLUNTEER DAY IS OCTOBER 5

Hands on Kirkwood (HOK) is a one-day mission blitz of the Kirkwood community. It's a special day when every member of the community is encouraged and empowered to go and to serve.

Want to volunteer? It's simple. Just sign up on their Website, at: www.handsonkirkwood.org, or call 314-965-2349. Want to donate? There are drop-off sites around the City for gently used winter clothing, including: Kirkwood Public Library, 140 E. Jefferson.

Know someone in need?

~ For home projects (yard work, small home repairs, simple household chores, etc.), call 314-965-2349.

~ FREE winter Clothing Store, 9:00 a.m. until Noon, at Kirkwood Baptist Church, 211 N. Woodlawn avenue. New and gently used clothing for men, women, and children in various sizes will be available.

~ Electronics Recycling and Paper Shredding: 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., St. Louis Community College at Meramec, 11333 Big Bend. Limit of two boxes to shred and one "old style" TV per car, but other than that, if you can plug it in, they will take it! Thank you to Shred It and the Midwest Recycling Center.

~ Winterize Car Check: 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., Kirkwood Baptist Church, 211 N. Woodlawn Avenue. FREE of charge, volunteers will inspect cars and provide visitors with items to follow up on with their local mechanic. In addition, windshield wiper fluid will be topped off and tires and batteries will be checked.

For additional information, visit: handsonkirkwood.org, or call 314-965-2349.

GARDENER'S CORNER

GARDENING TIP OF THE WEEK, FROM THE KIRKWOOD GARDEN CLUB

September is the time to allow your plants to finish their summer growth cycle in a normal manner. Never encourage growth with heavy applications of fertilizer or excessive pruning at this time. Plants will delay their dormancy process that has already begun in anticipation of winter in the months ahead. New growth can be injured by an early freeze.

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.

ART AT THE STATION

SEPTEMBER EXHIBIT
The oil and watercolor paintings of Mark Robinson opens September 5 and runs through September 30. The opening reception will be held Thursday, September 5, 5:30 to 7:00 p.m. FREE and open to the public.

All art exhibits are on display at the Kirkwood Train Station, located at the corner of Argonne & South Kirkwood Road. The exhibits and receptions are free and open to the public. Art may be viewed when the station is open for passengers. Sponsored by the Kirkwood Area Arts Council.

KIRKWOOD PUBLIC LIBRARY

SEPTEMBER PROGRAMMING:

Adult Programs:

~ Tuesday, September 10, 1:30 pm. Cinema KPL presents Agatha.

~ Tuesday, September 10, 7pm. Parenting Event. The "MOST 529" College Savings Program - Planning for Parents and Grandparents. Most 529 Program Manager for Upromise Investments presents information on the State of Missouri's College Savings Plan. Sponsored by Friends of Kirkwood Public Library.

~ Wednesday, September 18, 2pm. Mystery Readers Bookclub: Deception by Denise Mina.

~ Thursday, September 19, 10 am. Searching the Foundation Directory Online Database. Learn how to search this database and get tips on proposal writing.

~ Thursday, September 19, 7pm. Parenting Event. Feeding Baby: The First 6 Months. Learn about what to feed your baby during the first months of babyhood from Nancy Cooksey, BSN, RN. Sponsored by Friends of the Kirkwood Public Library.

~ Wednesday, September 25, 1 pm. Friends of the Kirkwood Public Library are celebrating Banned Books week with Bob Boyd who will speak on "The Censor's Dilemma: Keeping Society Safe for Misfits and the Outright Weird."

~ Sunday, September 22, 2pm. Music in the Library. Guitarist Kirk Hanser.

~ Tuesday, September 24, 1:30 pm. Cinema KPL presents Evil Under the Sun.

~ Saturday, September 28, 2pm. The Steamer Admiral and Strekfus Steamers. Join author Annie A. Blum as she tells about her 18 years working on the steamer Admiral and for the Strekfus family company. Books available for sale and signing.

Children's Programs:

~ Wednesday, September 4, 4pm. Lego Club

~ Thursday, September 5, 6:30 pm. Family Book Club Junior, for grades 2-3 and parents. We are discussing Roxie and the Hooligans by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor.

~ Monday, September 9, 7pm. Family Book Club, for grades 4-6 and parents. We are discussing Hattie Big Sky by Kirby Larson.

~ Wednesday, September 11, 4 pm. Science Fun.

~ Wednesday, September 18, 4pm. Minecraft.

~ Saturday, September 21, 9am - Noon. Meet us at the Farmer's Market for a fabulous dog craft.

~ Saturday, September 21, 1:30 pm. Fan favorite and 2013 Parent's Choice audio award winner Dino O'Dell is here with music and fun.

~ Wednesday, September 25, 4 pm. Make & Take Craft.

~ Saturday, September 28, 1:30-4:30 pm. Harry Potter Mania. Immerse yourself in the world of Harry Potter. Fish in Hogwarts Lake, decorate a broom craft, De-gnome the Garden, Harry Potter Wii games, Horcrux Hunt and more. Drop in anytime to join the fun. For kids and teens.

Story Times:

~ Tuesdays, 10 am, September 10 - December 10, 2013. All ages.

~ Wednesdays, 10 am, September 11-December 11, 2013, all ages.

~ Thursdays, 9:30 am, September 12-December 12, 2013. Books For Babies for babies 6-24 months and their caregivers.

~ Thursdays, 10:30 am. September 12-December 12, 2013. First Steps Storytime for young 2s.

The Kirkwood Public Library is located at 140 E. Jefferson in Downtown Kirkwood. For additional information, please call 821-5770.

FROM OAK BEND LIBRARY

For Children:

~ Thursday, September 12, 10:30 a.m. Preschool Craft Day. Preschoolers and their special adults are invited to make crafts to take home. Ages 3-6. Registration required.

~ Wednesday, September 25, 4:30 p.m. Book Bites Junior: Frog and Toad. Meet with fans of Mr. Putter and Tabby, Amelia Bedelia and other early chapter books. This month we'll be discussing the Frog and Toad books by Arnold Lobel. Grades 1-3. Registration requested.

For Adults:

~ Wednesday, September 18, 7:30 p.m. Evening Book Discussion Group. Join the Evening Book Discussion Group for a discussion of City of Thieves by David Benioff. Visitors welcome; open membership.

~ Thursday, September 19, 7:00 p.m. Creative Writing and Poetry Share Group. Do you enjoy writing? Would you like to share your creativity with a captive audience? Bring some of your work and join us for our creative writing and poetry share group. Registration requested.

For Teens:

~ Wednesday, September 18, 8:00 p.m. Guys Read Twitter Chat: "Steve Jobs" by Walter Isaacson. Join us on Twitter each month as we discuss a great book with guy appeal. This month we get inside the head of the man who revolutionized the computer industry. Steve Jobs' path to success was anything but typical, but neither was his personality. Check out this bestselling biography and read the incredible story of this brilliant man's life. 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 Guys Read STL at twitter.com/GuysReadSTL for a recap of the

discussion.

~ Friday, September 20, 6:00-9:00 p.m. Hobbit Night. Celebrate the birthdays of Frodo and Bilbo Baggins with an evening of all things hobbit. We'll watch "The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey" (Running time: 169 min. MPAA rating: PG-13) and have a feast fit for the Shire. Grades 6-12. Registration required.

~ Wednesday, September 25, 7:00 p.m. TAG: 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.

MUSIC, MUSIC, MUSIC...

SUMMER CONCERTS - WINDING DOWN:
Tunes at Ten, select Saturday mornings, 10;00 a.m., Kirkwood Farmers' Market:
~ Sept 7: The Lulus

~ Sept 21: Salt of the Earth

Thursday Night Concert Series, selected Thursdays, 6:30 p.m., Station Plaza:
~ Thursday, September 19: Push the Limit, sponsored by Kirkwood Station Plaza
~ Thursday, September 26: Kirkwood Stock, sponsored by Kirkwood United Methodist Church

FROM THE EDITOR: The Mini Blog

My T.I.L.T. (Things I Love On Thursday) for Today: Winning an Innovation Award from the Missouri Municipal League (see details below); having lunch outside on the patio yesterday at the new Billy G's restaurant, with Kirkwood Chamber VP Gina March (as we planned our girlfriends' getaway for this fall!); getting ready for the fall bowling league season that begins this weekend; still being able to play tennis, due to this fabulous weather AND the refinished court at Kirkwood Park; getting ready to enjoy next weekend's Greentree Festival and parade, where my boss, the illustrious Mike Brown, will serve as the grand marshal (go get 'em, Mike, I mean "Muddy Trails"!).

Yes, we did win an award! The Innovation Award is given each year to a member of the Missouri Municipal League for a program that has been innovative and could be replicated by other cities. The City of Kirkwood won this year for its Biggest Loser weight-loss program, which we ran in 2012 and 2013. We loved offering this program to employees, so it's just icing on the cake to win an award for it! Of course, the best award we got was seeing all the happy faces of the City employees who lost weight, started new exercise routines, and generally improved their health and well-being. It was a thrill and an honor to be part of that. (And I won't lie, it's a THRILL to win an award for it too.)

Speaking of thrilling, I am very excited about this weekend's Party in the Park (see above) null

and the start, next week, of the 53rd annual Greentree Festival. I am really looking forward to seeing my boss, the City's Chief Administrative Officer Mike Brown (right), lead the parade on Saturday. We'll post a full Greentree schedule here next week so that those of you who use your phones for everything (I know I do) can have it on your phone.

Have a great weekend, and see you next Thursday!!

Beth von Behren

Happenings Editor

City of Kirkwood
139 S. Kirkwood Road
Kirkwood, MO 63122
314-822-5894
www.kirkwoodmo.org