Kirkwood Weekly HappeningsCity Logo B-W
City of Kirkwood
February 6, 2014
In This Issue
Mammography Van
At the Community Center
City offices closed
Art at the Station
Mobile Dental Unit
Gardening Tips
News from MODOT
Pancake Supper
Kirkwood Public Library
Last Thoughts
Join Our Mailing List!
Quick Links
  
 
PHOTOS OF THE WEEK:  The City and the region got slammed with another heaping of snow this week, along with all it brings: Cold, heavy traffic, accidents...but also some great photo opportunities (above).  On Monday, before the snow hit, Kirkwood's Fleet workers were busy getting snow plows and trucks ready for the next day's work (photo below: Fleet employee Mike Hedrick).
MAMMOGRAPHY AT THE COMMUNITY CENTER
MERCY HOSPITAL MAMMOGRAPHY VAN: FEB 12 & APRIL 22
If you are pressed for time but need to schedule your annual mammogram, the Mercy Hospital Mammography Van may be the answer.  It typically visits the Community Center three to four times per year.  This winter and spring, you can schedule an appointment for Wednesday, February 12, between 8:30 a.m. and 4:00 p.m., or for Tuesday, April 22, from 8:30 a.m. until 3:45 p.m.  Call 314-251-6300 to schedule your appointment.   The Van will be parked in the lot at the Community Center.
COMING UP AT THE COMMUNITY CENTER

IN FEBRUARY AND MARCH: 

~ Cabin Fever Productions:  Gem and Mineral Show. February 14, 15 & 16:  Friday:  4:00 to 9:00 p.m.  Saturday:  10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.  Sunday:  10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. 

~ International Brotherhood of Magicians presents: World's Greatest Illusionists - Parade of Magic.  February 15,  2:00 & 7:30 p.m. 

~ Artists Boutique:  Fine Arts and Craft Show.  March 1 & 2 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

~ Kirkwood Theatre Guild presents:  Musical Comedy Murders of 1940.  March 7,8,9 & 13,14,15, & 16, 2014.  For ticket info: 314-821-9956.

WASHINGTON'S BIRTHDAY CLOSURE
CITY OFFICES CLOSED ON FEBRUARY 17 George
City Hall and most City offices will be closed in observance of Washington's Birthday on  Monday, February 17. Please Note:  THIS IS NOT A SANITATION HOLIDAY.  Sanitation will be collected normally.
ART AT THE STATION

THE WORK OF ArtFIBER SAINT LOUIS IN FEBRUARY:

The work of ArtFiber Saint Louis will be on display February 4 thru March 3. Please join us for their opening reception on Thursday,  February 6, 5:30 to 7:00pm at the Kirkwood Train Station. All exhibits are free and open to the public.  Art may be viewed when the Station is open for passengers. 

 

We will be jurying artists who would like to exhibit in the latter part of 2014 on Saturday, February 1, beginning at 11:00 a.m. For more information or to schedule an appointment, please contact Linda Epp 314-821-2250.
ELKS MOBILE DENTAL PROGRAM
ELKS MOBILE DENTAL UNIT AT LITZSINGER SCHOOL THROUGH FEBRUARY 20
The Elks Mobile Dental Unit will be at Litzsinger School, 10094 Litzsinger Road (corner of Lindbergh, just south of Plaza Frontenac), through February 20.  They offer free dental care for eligible individuals.

Patient Eligibility:
~ Children and adults who have developmental disabilities or intellectual disabilities (DD/ID) as identified by the Department of Mental Health, Division of Developmental Disabilities.
~ Individuals in extreme financial distress who have found it impossible to receive dental care anywhere else. These individuals must be referred by the local Elk's Lodge. A letter of referral must come from the Lodge.

For complete information, please visit their Website at www.trumed.org (click on TMC Lakewood - Health Services Lakewood - Dental Services Elks Mobile) OR call 816-404-6904.
GARDENING TIP OF THE WEEK!

TAKING CARE OF HOUSE PLANTS WHEN IT'S COLD OUTSIDE  

  

A lot of house plants are looking puny.  The winter has been as tough on them, as it has been on us.  Resist the urge to fertilize your plants.  The one exception would be a plant that is currently blooming.  If you do fertilize, use just half the level identified on the package label.  For the rest of your plants fertilizing can be done later in March.  When watering your house plants, it is best to use room-temperature water.  Take care not to over water any plant.

TIPS AND NEWS FROM MODOT
HIGH WINDS MAKE GOING TOUGH FOR MOTORISTS IN MUCH OF MISSOURI
The Missouri Department of Transportation advises motorists - especially those driving high-profile vehicles and commercial trucks - that wind gusts in excess of 30 mph are forecast in the state.  Sustained winds of 15 to 25 mph are expected this week.  Winds at this speed can make driving high profile vehicles such as minivans, panel trucks and tractor trailers more difficult in ideal road conditions. Winds paired with covered or partially covered roads have the potential to cause these vehicles to slide off driving lanes.

In addition to these hazards, winds are expected to blow fallen snow onto highway lanes, making it difficult for snowplow operators to gain the upper hand. Expect to see plows in operation well after snowfall ends and give them plenty of room to work.

WESTBOUND I-70 CLOSURE DOWNTOWN THIS WEEKEND:

MoDOT has scheduled a weekend closure of all lanes of westbound I-70.  Current plans call for crews to close all lanes of westbound I-70 downtown between the Poplar Street Bridge and Pine Street starting at 8 p.m. Saturday, February 8, weather permitting. The department will also close a lane on eastbound I-70 at that time, with full closures of eastbound I-70 for up to 15 minutes. Crews will be installing girders over the interstate for the new Walnut Street bridge. All interstate lanes are projected to reopen by noon Sunday, February 9.

NEXT THURSDAY:  ANNUAL PANCAKE SUPPER
KIRKWOOD POLICE PANCAKE SUPPER:  FEBRUARY 13
The annual Kirkwood Police Department's Pancake Supper will be held Thursday, Febuary Pancakes 2013 13, from 4:30 to 7:00 p.m., at Kirkwood High School, 801 W. Essex Avenue.  It's $4 for all  the pancakes you can eat (no carry-outs) plus sausage, eggs, coffee, milk, and applesauce.  Purchase your tickets from any Police Department employee (at the PD, 131 W. Madison, or at City Hall, 139 S. Kirkwood Road), OR at the door.  Questions:  822-5868.
FROM KIRKWOOD PUBLIC LIBRARY

ADULT EVENTS:

~ Saturday, February 8, 2pm.  Maintaining Your Home:  Codes, Permits and Plumbing.  Join Bill and Amie of Riggs Construction & Design and Chris LaMartina of Tony LaMartina Plumbing as they discuss building codes, applying for permits and keeping your home's plumbing trouble free.

~ Tuesday, February 11, 1:30 pm.  Cinema KPL.  We are showing Notorious.

~ Wednesday, February 12, 7pm.  Author visit:  Timothy Schaffert.  Mr. Schaffert will be at the library to talk about his new book The Swan Gondola.  Books will be available for sale and signing through Subterranean Books. 

~ Saturday, February 15, 2pm.  Author visit:  Maria Holmes.  Ms. Holmes will be at the library to talk about her book Connections: Making the Most of the Moment.  The book is available in both Spanish and English.  Books will be available for sale and signing. 

~ Tuesday, February 18, 2pm.  Bingo for Books.  Join other adults for a fun hour of bingo and win books.

~ Tuesday, February 18, 7pm.  Healthy Sleep Habits For Children.  Sleep Consultant Erin Meckfessel talks about encouraging healthy sleep habits for young children, birth to preschool.

~ Wednesday, February 19, 2pm.  Mystery Readers  Book Club.  We are discussing Death of an Artist by Kate Wilhelm.

~ Tuesday, February 25, 1:30 pm.  Cinema KPL.  We are showing Now, Voyager.


EVENTS FOR CHILDREN:

~ Saturday, February 8, 10:30am.  Where Would We Be Without Thee.  Living history portrayals of Phillis Wheatley, Sojourner Truth and Harriet Tubman by master storyteller, Loretta Washington.

 ~ Monday, February 10, 7pm.  Family Book Club.  We are discussing The Watsons Go to Birmingham by Christopher Paul Curtis.  For grades 4-6 and their parents.

 ~ Wednesday, February 12, 4pm.  After School Special: Science Fun.

~ Saturday, February 22, 10am-2pm.  Pete the Cat Day.  Drop in for games & crafts featuring your favorite cool cat.  

~ Wednesday, February 26, 4pm.  After School Special:  Make & Take Craft.  

 

STORY TIMES: 

~ Weekly Storytimes: Tuesdays, 10am: Feb. 11-March 25th, Wednesdays, 10am:  Feb. 12-March 26. All ages.

~ Books for Babies:  Thursdays, 9:30am: Feb. 13- March 27.  6-24 months and caregivers.

First Steps Storytime:  Thursdays, 10:30am.  Feb. 13-March 27.  Young 2s.

 

TEEN EVENTS:   

~ Friday, February 14, 5:30-7:30pm.  Anti-Valentine's Day Party.  No Valentine? Does the sight of a candy heart make you ill?  Join KPL in taking the love out of Valentine's Day.

~ Tuesday, February 25, 7:15-8:15pm.  SAT/ACT Prep.  Learn how the library can prepare you for national standardized tests.

 ~ Friday, February 28, 5:30-7:30pm.  Minecraft Night.  Play Minecraft after hours at the library.  Sign up required.

 

Holiday: Kirkwood Public Library will be closed on February 17 in observance of Washington's Birthday.
 
Your Kirkwood Public Library is located at 140 E. Jefferson Avenue.  For additional information or to register for programs, call 821-5770.
FROM THE EDITOR: The Mini Blog
T.I.L.T. (Things I Love on Thursday):

Warm boots and thick socks; a weight loss of two pounds; the new dress I bought to wear to tomorrow night's Kirkwood-Des Peres Chamber Installation & Gala; getting closer to spring; Valentine's Day; the new weekly entries by Kirkwood Public Library on the City's Blog (read the first one here!); social media when you can't leave your house because of snow, wind, and cold; planning my flower and vegetable garden for the coming year (last week's suggestion from Kirkwood Gardening Club!); the new book I'm getting ready to start (Still Life with Bread Crumbs, by Anna Quindlen); a four-day weekend!

Somebody asked me last week where my T.I.L.T. was in the newsletter.  They had enjoyed the rest of the mini blog but missed that.  Of course, I don't do one every week, but maybe I should!

Snow..................argh.  Our Street Department keeps records on snow fall as well as temperatures, how much salt and calcium chloride we have used, and other information related to winter weather.  Periodically, Street Director Tony Bonastia sends me a copy.  This week's spreadsheet shows we had 26 inches of snow between December 5 and Saturday, February 1 (so, BEFORE this week's snow).  We used 1,888 tons of salt during that period and another 4,840 gallons of calcium chloride (65 tons of salt in the parks alone - that's the boat ramp in Greentree Park above).  Collective sigh...

Have a great weekend. Stay warm, 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