The Missouri Department of Transportation will suspend most highway construction and maintenance work throughout the state this weekend to accommodate an increase in traffic due to the Memorial Day holiday.   

Work will stop at noon on Friday, May 23, and resume Tuesday, May 27, after the morning rush hour. Still, some lane and bridge closures will remain in place due to more permanent closures.  Even though the majority of highway work is stopping for the weekend, motorists can't let their guard down and need to drive smart to ensure safe travels. That means paying attention, buckling up, obeying the speed limit, not drinking and driving, and planning ahead.  

During the 2013 Memorial Day weekend, there were six people killed and 63 seriously injured in Missouri traffic crashes. Ten percent of the people killed or seriously injured involved a substance-impaired driver.  DRIVE SAFE - ARRIVE ALIVE. 

Music will be in the air in Downtown Kirkwood again this summer. Downtown Kirkwood's Summer Concert Series begins Thursday, June 5, and continues on most Thursday evenings throughout the summer. This will be the tenth season of this popular concert series. Local businesses sponsor bands that perform at Kirkwood Station Plaza from 6:30-9:00 p.m. on Thursday evenings. Downtown Kirkwood Special Business District organizes the June concerts. Bring a chair and enjoy!  Here's the June schedule: 

~ June 5: The Ralph Butler Band. Sponsored by Downtown Kirkwood SBD, Riggs Construction & Design, and Summit Produce & Plants

~ June 12:  Rosewood.  Sponsored by Workman Group, Great Harvest Bread Company, and Checkered Cottage

~ June 19:  Fair Warning.  Sponsored by The Haiti Orphan Project, an initiative of The Keane Insurance Group

~ June 26:  Soulard Blues Band.  Sponsored by STL Real Estate, Spencer's Grill, and One 19 North.

Unless you live in a micro-climate that has been receiving more water than the rest of Kirkwood, your lawn and gardens are very dry.  Along with the warming temps, we have had very windy days lately.  General rule of thumb is an inch of water per week.  Some plants, like tomatoes and especially anything in pots, need more.  A rain gauge is a great way to determine the amount of rainfall.  It can also be used to determine the amount of water from hoses or irrigation systems.  Let's hope for a lot of rain next week (after the holiday)!!

What do you have in your wallet or purse that identity thieves would love to get their hands on? If lost or stolen, some personal items may put you at risk for identity theft or fraud. A recent Kiplinger.com article entitled "8 Things Not to Keep in Your Wallet1" was an excellent reminder to all of us to get rid of those unnecessary items. So get your wallet out and empty it of these things:

1. A Social Security Card or anything else with a social security number on it. This only makes sense, because your social security number is the main key to stealing your identity. Medicare cards have your SSN on them. The article suggests making copies of the front and back of the card (blacking out the last four digits) then laminate the card and carry that with you. This can sometimes be problematic if you need medical attention at a health care facility for the first time.

2. Password Cheat Sheets. This is sound advice, especially if the password is linked to a specific item, such as your bank account, debit or ATM cards. Create strong passwords, jot them down, memorize them, and then secure them. Don't store your passwords on a computer or portable storage device, such as a flash drive or CD.

3. Spare Keys. Lose your wallet with your house or car keys? Better get to your home before the thieves do. You don't want to pay a locksmith to re-key your locks. Leave a key with a trusted neighbor or friend instead.

4. Checks. Carry only the check(s) you plan to use that day.

5. Passport. You don't need it inside the U.S. when traveling; make a copy of your passport and leave the original in your hotel's lockbox.

6. Multiple Credit Cards. Carry only the cards you use frequently. If you shop at the "ABC Store" infrequently, leave that card at home until you really plan to use it. 

7. Birth Certificate. Your driver's license is enough identification. Replacing a lost birth certificate can be very time consuming.

8. Credit Card Receipts. Review the receipt for accuracy before signing it, and then keep them in a secure place at home, shredding the receipts you don't need. Although only the last four digits of the account number appear on the receipt, a crafty ID thief can use the limited info to recreate the rest of the number.

For Adults: 

~ 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.    

Closing:  All library locations will be closed on Monday, May 26, in observance of Memorial Day. 

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.