Kirkwood Weekly HappeningsCity Logo B-W
City of Kirkwood
May 8, 2014

In This Issue
Star Gazing
Handball Court Dedication
News from MoDOT
Arts Calendar
Gardening Tips
Library Happenings
Oak Bend Library
Last Thoughts
Join Our Mailing List!
Quick Links
  
 
PHOTO OF THE WEEK:  The home at 422 N. Harrison Avenue is one of multiple buildings in Kirkwood to be honored this month as a "Favorite Building."  The 2014 Favorite Building Awards ceremony will be held at 7:00 p.m., on Wednesday, May 14, at the historic Kirkwood Train Station.

This year's awardees are:
  • Billy Gs, 131 W. Argonne (below), for Commercial Renovation of Merit.
  • Sole Comfort, 108 N. Kirkwood Road, for Commercial Restoration of Merit
  • 300 N. Taylor Avenue, for Restoration of Merit
  • 423 N. Harrison Avenue, for Feature of Distinction
  • 531 E. Essex Avenue, for Addition of Merit
  • 403 W. Argonne Drive, for Addition of Merit
  • 243 E. Jefferson Avenue, for Infill of Merit
  • 4 Homewood Lane, for Infill of Merit
  • Sugar Creek Ranch subdivision, for Neighborhood of Distinction
  • ARB Architect of the Year: Jim Bulejski

 


STAR GAZING IN KIRKWOOD PARK
STAR GAZING IN KIRKWOOD PARK THIS SATURDAY: MAY 10

Kirkwood Parks and Recreation will offer one more stargazing event for this spring.  This is FREE and open to the public (all ages).  Saturday, May 10, 8:00 to 11:00 p.m., Kirkwood Park, Fields 5 and 6. Call the event hotline for cancellation due to cloud cover: 314-433-4313.

DEDICATION THIS SATURDAY, MAY 10

GRAND OPENING OF HANDBALL COURTS INCLUDES HANDBALL TOURNEY 

 

The Kirkwood Parks and Recreation Department will hold a dedication ceremony  
and grand opening for the Central Ridge Phase 4 project in Kirkwood Park this Saturday, May 10, at 10:00 a.m..  Phase 4 is the final project phase called for in the 2005 Kirkwood Parks Master Plan.

 

The Central Ridge Phase 4 project encompasses construction of a new pro shop,  resurfacing of tennis court #9, construction of two handball-racquetball courts, resurfacing of the parking lots at the courts, and improvements to pedestrian circulation and spectator areas in the project area.  Although it won't be completed in time for the grand opening ceremony, a tennis teaching court for young players that will double as a pickle ball court is also included in the courts complex.  

New Handball Courts 

 

A highlight of the event will be the unveiling of a plaque that honors the memory of Neal Losse.  Losse was an avid handball player whose family made a significant contribution to the development of the two new handball courts.  Following the dedication, the Losse family will be conducting a handball tournament to further honor Neal's memory.  Anyone interested in participating in the handball tournament should contact Matt Losse at 314-267-4767 or by email at:  [email protected].  The handball tournament will start at approximately 10:30 a.m. The event will be held at the Tennis/Handball Courts in Kirkwood Park, corner of Geyer Road and West Adams Avenue.  Enter the courts parking lot from Adams.
New Tennis Building 
 
NEWS FROM MODOT
REMINDER:  KIRKWOOD ROAD / MANCHESTER ROAD INTERSECTION - ROAD WORK OVER NIGHT, STARTING WEEK OF MAY 12

N. B. West Contracting will be working in the intersection of Lindbergh and Manchester for a MoDOT project starting the week of May 12.  

 

The work being done will be accomplished between the hours of 7:00 p.m. and 5:00 a.m., Monday through Friday only.  The work entails removing and replacing the concrete medians to allow for dual turn lanes for both northbound and southbound Lindbergh at Manchester.  The pavement will be resurfaced and new striping will be placed in the new lanes.

FROM THE ARTS & CULTURE COMMISSION
COMING UP THIS SPRING AND SUMMER:
~ Kirkwood Theatre Guild presents 9 to 5: The Musical. Performances:  May 8, 9, 10, and 11, at the Reim Theatre, Kirkwood Community Center.  Last production of the season.  Music and Lyrics by Dolly Parton, Book by Patricia Resnick, Music Theatre International.  Directed by Brad Schwartz. Showtimes:  All shows are 8:00 p.m., except for the Sunday matinee, which is at 2:00 p.m.
~ Art at the Station:
The printmaking work of Sandra Griffin will be on display in May.  The art exhibits may be viewed when the Train Station is open for passengers. Free. Donations welcome.
~ Art Show and Sale:  May 10, sponsored by the Downtown Business District, as part of Mayfest 2014. They still have a few openings for artists.  Anyone interested in exhibiting should contact Kori Thompson at 314-822-0084.
~ Art Exhibits at Kirkwood Public Library:  Elizabeth Holm Cole, April 3 thru May 30. Julie Hammond, July 2 thru July 31.  Hal Moran, August 1 thru September 30 (reception, August 17, 5:30 p.m.).
~ Music at Kirkwood Public Library:  Maple Jam Band, May 17, 10:00-11:30 a.m.
~ Tunes at Ten:  The Downhome Blues Band will perform on May 24 at the Kirkwood Farmers' Market, at 10:00 a.m.
~ Gypsy Caravan:  The 42nd annual Gypsy Caravan will be held at the St. Charles Family Arena on Memorial Day (May 26).  Proceeds benefit the Saint Louis Symphony. Read more about it here.

If you have an arts event that you would like the Commission to consider for inclusion in its calendar, please send the information to:  [email protected].

 

GARDENING TIP OF THE WEEK!
ANNUAL PLANT SALE  AND PLANTING TIPS!

Come to the Kirkwood Train Station Sat. May 10th beginning at 9:00 a.m. for the Kirkwood Garden Club annual plant sale.  You'll find perennials and annuals along with lots of friendly people willing to answer your gardening questions.  Money raised from the plant sale is used for the Station gardens, club educational programs, and a horticulture scholarship.

 

When planting perennials or annuals, gently separate the roots before planting.  This allows them to spread horizontally to take up the moisture and nutrients in the soil.  Take care to avoid planting too deeply.  This results in water pooling around the plant and can lead to root rot.


The Kirkwood Garden Club periodically shares a Gardening Tip of the Week with Happenings' readers.  Formore 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.
LIBRARY HAPPENINGS
COMING UP AT YOUR KIRKWOOD PUBLIC LIBRARY IN MAY

Summer Reading Kick-Off Day:  May 17!
May 17, 10:00 a.m. to noon: Activities for all ages, including: Magic House Bubble Exhibit and Take a Closer Look, Maple Jam Band, ice cream, crafts, and activities.  Sign up for summer reading at:  KirkwoodPublicLibrary.org.

For Teens: 
~ Game Night at the Library. Second Monday of the Month ( May 12, 5:00 to 7:00 p.m.) Enjoy old and new board games with friends.

~ Summer Reading Kickoff. Saturday May 17, 10:00 a.m. to noon.  Celebrate the start of summer reading with KPL and Spark a Reaction!

~ Mythbusters. Saturday, May 31, 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. Try experiments and learn about science.

~ Capture the Flag Presented by TAB. Friday, May 23, 5:30-7:30 p.m.  Sign Up Required. Play Capture the Flag in the library.

~ Doctor Who at the Library.  One Saturday a Month (May 24, 3:00 to 5:00 p.m.).  Whovians unite to create fan fiction videos and writings and to discuss important Doctor Who topics.

~ Minecraft Night. Last Friday of the Month (May 30, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.). Play Minecraft in the library on our server. Sign Up Required.


Events for Adults:
~ Summer Reading Kick-Off - Literary Elements AND Music in the Library - Maple Jam Band. May 17, 10:00 to 11:30 a.m. Sign up at the library or online. Read to win prizes! 

Book Clubs for Adults:
~ Mystery Readers, Wednesdays at 2:00 p.m.  Wednesday, May 21: Star Island, by Carl Hiaasen.  Cheny Pye, a pop star, lives a life of drug addiction. Her entourage must rescue her after being kidnapped by a paparazzo and yet keep her situation secret from her adoring public.
~ Saturday Morning Perks: Saturdays at 10:00 a.m.  May 24: Death Comes to Pemberly, P.D. James.

Your Kirkwood Public Library is located at 140 E. Jefferson Avenue.  For additional information or to register for programs, call 821-5770.
FROM OAK BEND LIBRARY
MAY HAPPENINGS AT OAK BEND LIBRARY

For Kids:
~ Music and Movement, Monday, May 12, 10:30 a.m.  Hop, skip, jump, wiggle...and freeze! Enjoy a morning of musical activities sure to get you up and dancing to the beat.

~ Discovery Club: Create a Catapult. Monday, May 19, 6:00 p.m. There's a whole world of wonder to explore. Through projects, experiments and activities, we will navigate through the sciences to figure out the whys and hows of this big, beautiful universe. Ages 6-11. Registration required.  

For Adults: 

~ Creative Writing and Poetry Share Group.  Thursday, May 15, 7:00 p.m.   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.

~ Tech Talks @ Oak Bend: Hoopla Digital.  Thursday, May 29, 2:00 p.m. Join us to learn about Hoopla, SLCL's newest digital media service. Hoopla allows library users to borrow movies, television shows, music and more using a computer or mobile device. Registration requested.   

 

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.  

FROM THE EDITOR: The Mini Blog
How is YOUR planting coming along?  I don't know about my readers, but your editor is stiff and sore from all the gardening I've been trying to get done in the last three weeks.  I was a little late getting started, thanks to the weather, and then all the plants I ordered started arriving on my doorstep.  Yikes.  Then after a week of rain, all the little weeds started popping up through the soil.  Then there was this huge hairy bumble bee and his brother who finally convinced me to give up on my window boxes this past Sunday, when I was only half finished (so there's more to do this weekend).  I am trying to get it all done before I leave for Santa Fe for five days next week, which reminds me:  There will be no edition of Weekly Happenings next Thursday.  I know you will miss me, but I'm sure you'll fill the hours with all the great stuff going on in Kirkwood this month.

This weekend:  It's MAYFEST in Downtown Kirkwood.  Read all about that here.  This weekend is also the dedication and grand opening for the new handball courts in Kirkwood Park.  There will be a memorial handball tournament right after the dedication (see story above), so it should be a fun morning.

Then it's Mother's Day. I hope you all have great plans for celebrating your mothers - maybe brunch at one of our great restaurants and then a little shopping from a local retailer?  (Don't forget to SHOP KIRKWOOD FIRST!)  Some downtown retailers are offering some cool sales on Saturday (during Mayfest - see link).  Mother's Day is the one day of the year I can usually convince my 20-year-old son to spend more than 20 minutes with me. I may even convince him to help me with some yard and garden work, who knows!
 
So far, my Weather Channel phone app is predicting sun and 80 degrees for both weekend days.  Let's hope that doesn't change.  Happy Mother's Day!  Have a great weekend, and see you in two weeks!

Beth von Behren, Happenings Editor 
City of Kirkwood
139 S. Kirkwood Road
Kirkwood, MO  63122
314-822-5894
www.kirkwoodmo.org