Kirkwood Weekly Happenings
City of Kirkwood
October 24, 2013
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| Greetings! |
PHOTO OF THE WEEK: Kirkwood Councilmember Paul Ward received his "Certified Municipal Official" plaque this week from the Missouri Municipal League (MML). Paul has served in a variety of capacities with the City for many years, including serving on the Planning & Zoning Commission as well as City Council. MML recognized 65 local government officials this year across Missouri as Certified Municipal Officials through the Municipal Governance Institute. Councilmember Nancy Luetzow is also pursuing certification.
The Municipal Governance Institute is a new program for 2013 but is quickly gaining momentum. In addition to the 65 officials already designated, more than 70 officials are in the process of becoming certified. The Institute's goal, according to a MML press release, is to provide a training program focused on the most vital topics municipal officials and staff need for success. Established under the direction of MML's board of directors, the program recently received an education award from the Missouri Society of Association Executives. "When Missouri officials have quality training and are up-to-date on the most pressing issues in local government, communities across the state benefit," said Dan Ross, executive director of the Missouri Municipal League. The Missouri Municipal League has served as the united voice for municipalities across Missouri since 1934. MML serves more than 675 municipalities, providing training, resources and legislative advocacy for local government success.
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TONIGHT: HALLOWEEN WALK
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TONIGHT'S THE NIGHT: HALLOWEEN WALK, DOWNTOWN KIRKWOOD
Wear your costume and Trick-or-Treat participating downtown merchants (see list below): 5:00 to 7:00 p.m.
PARTICIPATING MERCHANTS: 
- Aazore Med Spa, 110 N. Kirkwood
- Beyond Relaxation, 111 N. Taylor
- Bug Store, 113 W. Argonne
- Christopher's, 127 E. Argonne
- Down by the Station, 150 W. Argonne
- Mavrik Jewelry, 200 S. Kirkwood
- McArthurs Bakery, 113 N. Kirkwood
- Paperdolls Boutique, 110 E. Jefferson
- Sparkle Boutique, 107 1/2 E. Argonne
- Spencer's Grill, 223 S. Kirkwood
- And more...
SAFETY TIPS FOR TRICK-OR-TREATERS FROM THE KIRKWOOD POLICE:
For Kids:
*Cross only at corners.
*Never cross between parked cars.
*Walk facing the oncoming traffic if there is no sidewalk.
*Always remove masks before crossing streets.
*Be aware of cars that may be turning into or backing out of driveways.
*Never go into a stranger's house.
For Parents:
*Know the route your children will be taking.
*Make sure children are accompanied by an adult.
*Know what other activities your child may be attending, such as parties.
*Set time limits on when your child should return home.
*Explain to your children the difference between tricks and vandalism.
*Instruct your children NOT to eat treats until they return home and you have had a chance to inspect those treats.
Costumes Should:
*Be made of flame retardant material.
*Be made of brightly colored material.
*Include a flashlight or reflective strips on the costume, so that children can be seen.
*Not include high heel shoes or long dangling pieces that a child may trip over.
Residents Should:
*Remove all obstacles from your lawns and steps to prevent children from
being injured.
*Have lights on, both inside and outside, of your house, to prevent vandalism and to prevent injuries to little ghosts and goblins.
Motorists Should:
*Drive cautiously on Halloween Evening
*Remember: Excited youngsters may forget some of these safety rules and dart out in front of your car
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I-64 CLOSURE AT CHESTERFIELD AIRPORT ROAD
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MODOT WILL CLOSE RAMPS OVERNIGHT THURSDAY NIGHT
MoDOT and its contractor, Walsh-Alberici, will close the exit and entrance ramp at Interstate 64 and Chesterfield Airport Road during the overnight hours Thursday, October 24, into the early morning hours of Friday, October 25. Crews are working on the pavement for these ramps. The ramp from eastbound I-64 to Chesterfield Airport Road will close at 9 p.m. and reopen no later than 5 a.m. Friday, October 25. The ramp from Chesterfield Airport Road to westbound I-64 will close at midnight and open no later than 5 a.m. Friday, October 25. Motorists can use the I-64 and Boone's Crossing interchange as alternate access overnight Thursday.
The new Chesterfield Airport Road interchange is part of the $111 million new I-64 Daniel Boone Missouri River Bridge project. Crews are building a new eastbound I-64 river bridge, making improvements to the Chesterfield Airport Road interchange at I-64, extending the North Outer Road to the entrance ramp to westbound I-64, and adding a new fourth westbound lane from Chesterfield Airport Road west to Route 94. The project is scheduled to be complete by December 31, 2015.
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DRUG TAKE-BACK DAY THIS SATURDAY
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DRUG TAKE-BACK DAY AT THE POLICE DEPARTMENT, THIS SATURDAY, OCT 26:
The Kirkwood Police Department and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) will host another National Prescription Take-Back Day at the Kirkwood Police Department, 131 W.  Madison Avenue, this Saturday, October 26, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. This will be the seventh year the Kirkwood Police Department has participated.
Anyone who wishes to dispose of unused, expired, or unwanted prescription or over-the-counter medications can bring them on Saturday and turn them in anonymously and for free. No needles or inhalers can be accepted, but all other medications, including veterinary medicines, will be accepted. Prescriptions that languish in medicine cabinets create a public health and safety concern because they are susceptible to diversion, misuse, and abuse. Some medications can also pose an environmental hazard if they are flushed down the toilet or sent to landfills.
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LAST ONE FOR THE SEASON THIS SATURDAY
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FALL 2013 NATURE WALKS END ON A COLORFUL NOTE
~ Saturday, October 26: The Colors of Fall, 10am to Noon, Emmenegger Nature Park, 11991 Stoneywood Drive: Join the president of the Webster Groves Nature Study Society and Kirkwood resident Rich Thoma for a walk through Emmenegger Nature Park to enjoy the brisk fall air and learn about why trees change colors. Expect to see oaks, maples, hickories, and a variety of other plants displaying their fall colors for all to enjoy. You'll learn why plants change color in the fall and about the chemical reactions involved to create those colors. Wear hiking shoes and weather-appropriate gear. Bring a camera and notepad if desired. Held rain or shine. FREE and open to all. Meet at the trailhead kiosk by the creek.
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FRIENDS OF MUSIC CONCERTS
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FRIENDS OF MUSIC CONCERTS: FREE CONCERT NOV 17 
FRIENDS OF MUSIC CONCERTS announces the second program in the 2013/2014 season of free concerts on Sunday, November 17, at 3:00 p.m. in the comfortable atmosphere and excellent acoustics of Eliot Unitarian Chapel at 100 South Taylor (at Argonne) in Kirkwood. The program will feature:
~ Max Reger, Serenade, Op. 141, for flute, violin and viola, performed by Paula Bernhardt, Tanya Couture and Anna Lackschewitz
~ Matt Assel, Psalm 1, a new composition for solo violin and electro-acoustic media with Katy Schaefer, violin
~ Peter Tchaikovsky, Piano Trio in A minor, Op. 50, for violin, cello and piano, performed by Lindsey Miller Jones, James Nacy and Diana Umali
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SIGN UP FOR SKATING NOW!
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FIRST FALL ICE SKATING SESSIONS BEGIN NOVEMBER 4
It may feel warm outside still, but Skating Season is almost upon us. Kirkwood's Skate  School is directed by USFSA Gold Medalist Susie Smith, and online registration for classes is open now. Fall classes start November 4, and there are six or seven sessions available on every day of the week except Sunday, November 4 through December 21 (with winter sessions beginning in January). We offer Figure Skating, Power Hockey, Adult classes, and classes for ages 4 and up (Snowplow Sam for ages 4 to 6 and Basic classes for kindergarten and up). For more information, visit the City Website at kirkwoodmo.org/City Departments/Parks & Recreation/Facilities/Ice Rink. To register, call 822-5855, or register online here.
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GARDENER'S CORNER
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GARDENING TIP OF THE WEEK, FROM THE KIRKWOOD GARDEN CLUB
Those pesky leaves just keep falling. To avoid having them mat down and create problems in your yard, such as mold and fungus, they need to be removed. Raking is an option, but an easier answer is to mow them with a mulching blade and let the remains stay on your yard. The chopped leaves act like a compost once they are mulched. Chopped leaves may also be put in your flower and veggies gardens. Again this is a compost and feeds the soil.
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.
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CITIZEN OPINIONS SOUGHT
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CITY COUNCIL WANTS CITIZEN INPUT ON CAO SELECTION
PLEASE NOTE: Last week's version of the survey inadvertently left out some of the statements to be ranked. If you took the survey last week, please feel free to re-take it this week. Thank you.The Citizens of Kirkwood are invited to provide their opinions on the selection of the new  Chief Administrative Officer for the City. Mike Brown (right), the City's first and, to-date only, Chief Administrative Officer, has announced his retirement after more than 30 years at the helm. Finding the right person to take the job is very important to the Kirkwood City Council and to the community.
The Council is seeking the help of professionals who regularly recruit for such positions but would also like to solicit input from the public on the type of person you think would be best suited for the City's top spot. This online survey will run on the City's Website for several weeks, as well as in our publications. The results will be tabulated and shared with the Council and the recruitment professionals assisting them. Thank you for taking the time to share your opinions. Click here to take the survey. Thank you. |
SAVE THE DATE: NOVEMBER 8
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HAPPY HOLIDAYS BOUTIQUE 2013!
The third annual Happy Holidays Boutique, sponsored by the Kirkwood Des Peres Chamber of Commerce will be held on Friday, November 8, from 10:00 a.m. until 7:00 p.m.  at the Holiday Inn SW-Route 66, 10709 Watson Road, corner of Lindbergh. FREE and open to the public.
ONE-STOP HOLIDAY SHOPPING: More than 100 vendors will be on hand, offering jewelry, books, spa and skincare items, handmade items, kitchenware, purses, embroidery, bakery items, women's clothing and accessories, linens, candles, gourmet food items, home decor, and more! A special gift for the first 200 attendees after the doors open at 10:00 a.m.
BONUS: Special MEN'S HOUR from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., with personal shoppers to help men shop for gifts.
LADIES HAPPY HOUR: from 4:00-7:00 p.m., with free drinks and a gift for the first 100 attendees after 4:00 p.m.
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KIRKWOOD PUBLIC LIBRARY
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Adult Programs: ~ Saturday, October 26, 10 am. Saturday Morning Perks Book Club. We are discussing The Story of Beautiful Girl by Rachel Simon. ~ Thursday, October 31, 7pm. St. Louis Mystery - Hoax or Literary Phenomena? Bev Schuetz tells the story of Pearl Curran who wrote literature through the spirit of Patience Worth in early 20th century St. Louis. Youth Programs: ~ Friday, October 25, 6:30 pm. Stuffed Animal Sleepover. Join us for a bedtime story hour . Your special stuffed friend is invited to spend the night in the library. Pick up your stuffed animal and watch a short show of the night's activities on Saturday, October 26, 9am - Noon. ~ Saturday, October 26, 1:30 am. Halloween Craft. Make a spooky wreath. The Kirkwood Public Library is located at 140 E. Jefferson in Downtown Kirkwood. For additional information, please call 821-5770.
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FROM THE EDITOR: The Mini Blog
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GO CARDS! The only time I have ever attended a post-season baseball game was also the only time I've ever been to a World Series game. Some friends stood in line over night (meaning they camped out) and got us SRO tickets for the 1987 series against the Twins. It was the fourth game and the Twins were leading in the series two games to one. We lost the game, 7 to 2, and we went on to lose the series, but we played the full seven games, which is not unusual for the Cardinals. They have a track record of letting it go down to the
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One of the best views in the city.
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wire, and often, winning at the last minute or when the odds seem stacked against them. I'm keeping this in mind this morning after watching last night's game. Of course, they have also LOST in the last game, as they did in 1987. It is a wonderful thing when they win the World Series, but for me the big deal is winning the Pennant. I think this is a huge accomplishment, and although I would love to see them win the big trophy, I am just thrilled that they have now been here 19 times. Nobody in the National League has won more pennants than the Cardinals. So the theme of this week's mini blog is: Root, root, root for the CARDINALS! If they don't win it's a shame...Game Two starts at 7:07 p.m. (central time) tonight in Boston (so if you're headed to the Halloween Walk, you won't miss very much of it). Then it's home on Saturday for what at this point looks to be a beautiful Fall day. Have a great weekend - and see you next Thursday!
Beth von Behren
Happenings Editor
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City of Kirkwood
139 S. Kirkwood Road
Kirkwood, MO 63122
314-822-5894
www.kirkwoodmo.org
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