You can have blooming flowers for the holidays by "forcing" paper white bulbs.  Using a 3"-4" deep dish, line the bottom with gravel or marbles.  Place bulbs on top and then add a few more marbles, etc., to secure the bulbs.  Add water to the base of the bulb (not over the bulb).  Check water daily to keep the level at the base of the bulb.  When you see roots appear, move to a sunny window.  Keep the water level at the base of the bulb.  When the flowers bloom, move to diffused light to help the flowers last longer.  One caution about paper whites:  They have a very strong aroma, so you might want to limit the number of bulbs you force.

CITY OFFICES CLOSED FOR CHRISTMAS AND NEW YEAR'S 

~ City Hall and most City offices will be closed on Tuesday and Wednesday, December 24 & 25, in observance of the Christmas holiday.  Offices will also be closed on Wednesday, January 1, for New Year's. 

~ There will be no sanitation collection on Christmas Day or on New Year's Day, and all Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday routes will be delayed by one day both weeks. (Please see story below about sanitation changes coming in January.) 

~ The Kirkwood Community Center office will be closed on December 24 and 25 and on January 1. The Community Center will be open on December 26 and 30, from 8:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. (reduced hours) and on December 31, from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. 

~ `The Ice Rink will be closed on Christmas Day. There will be one public skating session on New Year's Eve and two sessions on New Year's Day.  Please visit the Website for skating session times and costs.

SHOWS, CONCERTS, AND THEATRE EVENTS AT THE ROBERT G. REIM THEATRE, KIRKWOOD COMMUNITY CENTER IN DECEMBER: 

~ The Swing St. Louis Show: Friday, December 13, 2013: 2:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. Ticket information: 636-751-2357.

~ Swedish Christmas. December 14, 2013: Doors open at 2:00 p.m.  The show runs from 3:00 to 4:00 p.m.

~ Kirkwood UMC presents Let it Be Christmas: A Rock Opera. December 15, 16, and 17: 7:30 p.m. Visit Kirkwoodumc.org for information.

~ Gum Drop Mountain (drop-off program for ages 7-11), December 13.  Looking to get some Holiday shopping done? Drop the kids at the Community Center for a Winter Wonderland evening. Don't forget your designs and a sweet tooth for a chance to build the sweetest house in town!  We'll provide everything you need to build a house of sugar! Once houses are complete, we'll be playing games in the gym, and enjoying dinner of pizza and drinks.   Pre-registration required.  This is a drop off program.  Friday, December 13, 6:00 to 9:00 p.m., $12/residents, $17/nonresidents.  

~ Candy Cane Hunt (ages 2-10), December 14. Santa's Reindeer have been busy dropping candy canes in Kirkwood Park! Some candy canes will have special prizes attached! Dress warm for this outdoor event. Pre-registration is required. Come early to decorate a hunting bag! Hunt followed by hot chocolate and pictures with Santa.  Candy Cane Hunt begins promptly at 10 a.m.  Saturday, December 14. $3/resident, $5/nonresident, per child. Meet at Kirkwood Park Lions' Pavilion.  

For more information or to register, call 822-5855 or visit www.kirkwoodmo.org/recreation.  

ADULT PROGRAMS:

~ Sunday, December 15, 2pm.  Music in the Library.  Meramec Chamber Singers are performing.

 ~ Wednesday, December 18, 2pm.  Mystery Readers Book Club. We are discussing The Christmas Thief by Mary Higgins Clark and Carol Higgins Clark.

TEEN PROGRAMS:

~ Saturday, December 14, Noon.  Fight Night.  Are you a master fighter?  Join us for a video game tournament and find out.

~ Thursday, December 19, 7pm.  Teen Trivia Night.  Put your knowledge to the test!! Gather your friends for an epic night of queries.  Sign up requested.

YOUTH PROGRAMS: 

~ Friday, December 27, 1:30 pm.  Winter Break Movie.

~ Holiday Reading Program runs through January 6, 2014.  Pre-readers through high school read to win prizes.  Sign up online or in the library.

For more information about these programs or for any other library information, visit the Library's Website at:  kirkwoodpubliclibrary.org. 

FOR KIDS / FAMILIES: 

~ Saturday, December 14, 2:00 p.m. Nutcracker Ballet. Experience a holiday tale come to life as we explore basic dance terms and steps while moving to music. Students from the Lindbergh Activities Ballet Program will assist in instruction and perform a special dance. Ages 5-8. Registration required.

~ Saturday, December 21, 2:00 p.m. Art @ Your Library: Foam Mosaics. The ancient Romans loved to use pieces of colored stone to form beautiful patterns. We'll us this technique with foam pieces of various shapes to craft a beautiful mosaic masterpiece to take home! Ages 6-11. Registration required.

Monday, December 30, 10:30 a.m.-1:00 p.m. Life-Size Candy Land. Drop in to play a round of Candy Land on our life-size game board and make a sweet craft. All ages.

~ Tuesday, December 31, 11:15 a.m. Ring in the New Year. Count down to 2014 at Oak Bend! We'll make our own party hats and noisemakers and dance until the clock strikes 12 (noon!). All ages.

~ Wednesday, December 18, 7:00 p.m. Teen Book Club: Cloaked by Alex Flinn. Do you like to read, eat snacks, and talk to people? Join our new teen book club. Come just for the book talk or stay for Teen Advisory Group. Grades 6-12.

~ Wednesday, December 18, 7:30 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.

~ Friday, December 27, 2:00 p.m. Cupcake Decorating for Teens. Learn decorating techniques from a professional decorator and snack on your creation. Ages 12-18. Registration required.