Kirkwood Weekly HappeningsCity Logo B-W
City of Kirkwood
June 12, 2014
In This Issue
News from MSD
MoDOT News
Farmers' Market
Greentree Bookfair
Thursday Night Concerts
Summer Concert Series
Hotdog Dayz
Arts Calendar
Gardening Tips
Kirkwood Public Library
Oak Bend Library
Last Thoughts
Join Our Mailing List!
Quick Links
  
  
PHOTO OF THE WEEK:  Kirkwood's Horticulturist Pete Laufersweiler, on the left, plants new flowering plants in the beds on the west side of City Hall. Also pictured: Matt Norman (red shirt) and Greg Heaghny (yellow shirt), seasonal horticulture workers, who also worked on the flower beds. 
NEWS FROM MSD
TIPS TO PROTECT HOMES AND PROPERTY
With rain predicted for most of this week, MSD is distributing tips that homeowners can follow to protect their homes and neighborhoods during storms.  MSD suggests some proactive steps that will allow the area's stormwater sewers and drainage systems to operate at the highest possible efficiency. Click here:  MSD Offers Tips to Protect Homes and Property During Storms.
 
NEWS FROM MoDOT
MoDOT WILL CLOSE i-44 RAMP DOWNTOWN ON THURSDAY/FRIDAY

Motorists heading into downtown on Thursday and Friday after morning rush hour need to be aware that the ramp from eastbound I-44/northbound I-55 to Memorial/Walnut will be closed.  Crews will close the ramp on Thursday, June 12 and Friday, June 13 at 9 a.m.  The ramp will reopen by 6 p.m. in the evening each day.  Crews will be demolishing portions of the ramp between the Poplar Street Bridge and Memorial.

 

To detour around the closed ramp, motorists can continue on eastbound I-44 to the Washington Avenue exit and use Washington or the U-turn ramp to get to downtown.

 

KOMEN-RELATED CLOSURES ON SATURDAY:  Several exits on I-64 will be closed Saturday from 5 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. due to the Komen Race for the Cure event. Closures include eastbound Market Street exits and westbound Market, Compton and Chestnut exits.

A TASTEFUL EVENING
FARMERS' MARKET COMMITTEE ANNOUNCES A FARM-TO-TABLE EVENT

The Kirkwood Farmers' Market Advisory Committee is partnering with Downtown Kirkwood chefs, farmers, and local producers to present A Tasteful Evening at Kirkwood Farmers' Market, 150 E. Argonne Dr., from 6:30-9:00 p.m. on Friday, June 27.  The purpose of the fundraising event is to showcase the talents of local chefs while using food that is raised, grown and produced locally. Proceeds from the event will be used to make improvements to Kirkwood Farmers' Market.  

 

On the seasonal menu are rillettes of pork on baguettes, pate on brown bread, stuffed grape leaves, herbed deviled eggs, Five Star Burgers off the grill, queso blonco canapés, mini gyros of lamb, and of course there will be a vegetable display with an array of sauces and a root vegetable salad medley.  To accompany these tasty offerings will be locally produced wines and beers from Kirkwood Station Brewery, Robler Winery and Wenwood Farms. Tickets are $45 and must be purchased by June 23. Please call 314-822-0084 for more information or to buy tickets, or purchase tickets in person at the Market on Saturday, June 14 or Saturday, June 21.

GREENTREE BOOK FAIR COLLECTION
DONATE BOOKS TO SUPPORT BAND/ORCHESTRA PROGRAMS:
Donations of books and other materials will be accepted beginning Saturday, June 14, for the annual Greentree Book Fair.  Donations may be placed in the bins located at the Kirkwood Train Station. Tax-deductible letters will be located in envelopes inside each bin.  Donations of the following are requested:  Hard-cover and paperback fiction and non-fiction books, children's books, sheet music, videos, DVDs, and recorded music.  PLEASE NO encyclopedias, textbooks, magazines, software, or Reader's Digest magazines.  The Book Fair is sponsored by Kirkwood Band Boosters and the Kirkwood Orchestra Parent Association. Proceeds benefit students in the instrumental music programs in the Kirkwood School District. Typically, the collection continues through mid-July. Thank you.
THURSDAY NIGHT CONCERTS AT STATION PLAZA
DOWNTOWN SUMMER CONCERT SERIES:

~ 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.

SUMMER CONCERT SERIES IN KIRKWOOD PARK
MAKING MUSIC SUMMER SCHEDULE STARTS JUNE 14
We have several requests from readers to re-run the schedule of summer concerts in Kirkwood Park, so here it is.
~ June 14:  St. Louis Wind Symphony (please note corrected date). St. Louis Wind Symphony is one of the Midwest's premier concert band organizations. This 65-member ensemble is comprised of music educators and professionals from the greater St. Louis region. The ensemble's musical versatility is reflected in its extensive repertoire, which embraces the classical wind literature, new compositions, patriotic showpieces and marches, Broadway show tunes, jazz, holiday music, and more. Performances are tailored to entice, entertain, and educate our audiences. To read more about them, visit their Website at www.stlwindsym.org. 

~ June 28:  Gateway City Big Band.  This 17-piece dance band with two vocalists has been entertaining audiences in the St. Louis area and beyond since 1966.  Read more about them at:  www.gatewaycitybigband.com.  


All Making Music concerts are held at the Lions' Amphitheatre in Kirkwood Park at 7:00 p.m.
HOTDOG DAYZ OF SUMMER ARE BAAAAAAAAACK!
ANNUAL TREAT FOR KIDS STARTS JUNE 20
Hotdog Dayz
Officer Jim Cox (r) with Hotdog Dayz attendees from a previous year

The Kirkwood Police Department and the Kirkwood Parks & Recreation Department will team up again this year for some fun in the parks!  Officer Jim Cox and School Resource Officer Yvonne Bonner will serve hotdog lunches, while recreation staff set up some fun games and activities for kids.  All ages welcome.  All Hotdog Dayz events run from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., subject to weather cancellation.  Here's the schedule:
  • June 20:  Meacham Memorial Park, corner of Meacham and Orleans
  • June 27:  Walker Park (Turtle Park), corner of Washington and Taylor
  • July 11:  Monfort Park, corner of Briargate and Barberry Lane
  • July 18:  Loewnau Park, corner of Oakland and Sappington
  • July 25:  Fillmore Park, corner of Fillmore and Clinton  
FROM THE ARTS & CULTURE COMMISSION
COMING UP THIS SPRING AND SUMMER:
~ Art at the Station: The Kirkwood Area Arts Council will feature the oil paintings of Elaine Harris through June 30. Please join us for her opening reception on Thursday, June 5, from 5:30 to 7:00 p.m., at the Kirkwood Train Station, located at the corner of Argonne & South Kirkwood Road. Exhibits and receptions are free and open to the public (donations are welcome). Art may be viewed when the station is open for passengers.
~ Art Exhibits at Kirkwood Public Library:   Julie Hammond, June 2 thru July 31 (note corrected dates).  Hal Moran, August 1 thru September 30 (reception, August 17, 5:30 p.m.).

If you have an arts event that you would like the Commission to consider for inclusion in its calendar, please send the information to:  Arts@KirkwoodMO.org.
GARDENING TIP OF THE WEEK!
TAKE CARE WITH PESTICIDES

If you decide to use a pesticide in your gardens, take care.  Many of these products will kill beneficial insects and bugs as well as the ones you are trying to eliminate.  Often a strong squirt from your hose will get rid of insects.  Another option is sticky traps.  Yet another way to get rid unwanted insects is to introduce one that eats the offending ones.  There are several local and internet sellers that can provide ladybugs or praying mantis that will help.  With bees, which are major pollinators and on the decline, use of pesticides can be problematic.  If you do spray, get your garden notebook out and make note of the date.  This will help avoid spraying with too great a frequency.

 

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.
FROM KIRKWOOD PUBLIC LIBRARY
JUNE EVENTS AT YOUR KIRKWOOD PUBLIC LIBRARY

Story Times:
  • Weekly: Tuesdays, 10:00 a.m., June 3 thru August 5
  • Books for Babies:  For babies 6 to 24 months and their caregivers, Thursdays, 9:30 a.m., June 5 thru August 7
  • First Steps: For young 2s, Thursdays, 10:30 a.m., June 5 thru August 7 
Book Clubs:

Family Book Club Junior, Mondays, 6:30 p.m.  June 2:  The One and Only Ivan by K.A. Applegate

Stories in the Park - Tuesdays, 6:30 p.m.:

  • June 17: Meacham Memorial Park
  • June 24: Fillmore Park

KPL @ Farmers' Market:  June 14, 9:00 a.m. to noon

   

Reading Buddies - Children entering 1st thru 4th grades partner with teen volunteers for one-on-one reading time. Children and teens must apply to participate: 

  • Mondays, thru July 28
  • Session I:  1:30 to 2:15 p.m.
  • Session II:  2:30 to 3:15 
Summer Science Club - Fun with science; recommended for kids ages 6 and up. Thursdays at 2:00 p.m. and Saturdays, 10:30 a.m.
  • Thursday, June 12: Build with Paper Blocks and Gumdrops
  • Thursday, June 19:  KMOV Meterologist Kristen Cornett 
  • Saturday, June 28: Weather 
Art in the Yard:  June 26, 6:30 p.m. Meet us in the front yard for some most likely messy art!

Mister Max's Hunt for Lost Things: June 25, 2:00 p.m.  Join us on a treasure hunt for Max's lost things. Prizes!

 

Wacky Wednesdays!

  • June 18:  Dino O'Dell
  • June 25:  Animal Tales presents Reptiles, Scales, and Tails

For Teens:

  • Doctor Who at the Library.  One Saturday a month (June 28), 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 (June 27), 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.  Play Minecraft in the library on our server. Sign-up required.

For Adults:

  • Author Signing/Book Discussion, Wednesday, June 18, 7:30 p.m.  The Cardinals of Cooperstown by Greg Marecek and Myron Holtzman
  • Music in the Library, Sunday, June 29, 2:00 to 3:00 p.m.  Glen Goewert

Adult Book Clubs:

  • Mystery Readers (Wednesdays, 2:00 p.m.). June 18:  Cold Tuscan Stone: A Rick Montoya Italian Mystery, by David P. Wagner. Rick is recruited by an old friend in the Italian Art Squad to act as a buyer for a Santa Fe gallery and interview possible traffickers in burial urn thievery. However, an employee of a Tuscan gallery dies in a fall from a high cliff, and Rick, the foreigner, becomes the main suspect of the local police and the area's criminal element.
  • Saturday Morning Perks (Saturdays, 10:00 a.m.).  June 21:  Maid's Version  
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 PUBLIC LIBRARY
OAK BEND HAPPENINGS IN JUNE

Bounce Into Summer Reading:  Saturday, June 7, 1:00-4:00 p.m. Join us for a summer reading celebration at all 20 SLCL locations. Festivities will include a bounce house, snow cones, crafts, games, and more! (Activities may vary by location.) Plus: You can sign up for Summer Reading Club.  All ages are welcome.

For Kids:
~ Fizz, Boom, Pop:  Friday, June 13, 2:00 p.m.  Mix your ingredients, stand back, and watch when we unleash some serious science on everyday materials. Prepare to get messy.  Ages 7-11  Registration required.  Groups, please contact to inquire about space availability.
~ Discovery Club: Banana DNA. Monday, June 16, 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 thy whys and hows of this big, beautiful universe. Ages 6-11. Registration required.
~ Reptile Scales, and Tails. Wednesday, June 18, 2:00 p.m. For centuries, reptiles have intrigued and horrified people often due to simple misunderstanding. Animal Tales will attempt to reverse these misunderstandings by bringing live reptile ambassadors to the library. Groups, please contact to inquire about space availability.
~ Christian the Magician.  Wednesday, June 25, 2:00 p.m. Catch this family-friendly program filled with comedy, magic and zany audience participation. Groups, please contact to inquire about space availability.

For Teens:
~ Button Making.  Friday, June 20, 6:00 p.m.  Create a mini piece of art to wear or share with friends. We'll use online software to design the button, so feel free to bring your own digital pictures. Supplies and button machine provided. Grades 6-12. Registration required. Groups, please contact to inquire about space availability
~ Teen Book Club: Your Choice!  Do you like to read, eat snacks and talk to people? Join our teen book club to share your favorite books and find out about new titles you may enjoy. Come just for the book talk or stay for Teen Advisory Group. Grades 6-12.
~ TAG:  Pizza Party. Wednesday, June 25, 7:30 p.m. Join the Oak Bend Teen Advisory Group and become involved in planning teen activities for the year. Bring your friends to make your own mini pizzas. Grades 6-12. Registration requested.
~ I Want Candy!  Friday, June 25, 2:00 p.m.  Want to be a candy scientist? Experiment with sticky, sweet and colorful treats to unwrap the secrets lurking inside. Grades 6-12. Registration required. Groups, please contact to inquire about space availability.

For Adults:
~ Evening Book Discussion Group. Wednesday, June 18, 7:30 p.m. Join the Evening Book Discussion Group for a discussion of "A Curse as Dark as Gold" by Elizabeth C. Bunce. New members are always welcome! Recommended for adults
~ Bookies Book Discussion Group. Monday, June 23, 2:00 p.m. Join the Bookies to discuss our featured selection "Life Among the Savages" by Shirley Jackson. New members are always welcome! Recommended for adults.
 

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
Love Letters...  We periodically receive notes, letters, emails, and Facebook posts from our residents, with compliments about how well or how quickly we took care of a problem.  I think everybody who works for the City knows how important these little love letters are.  It reinforces for us why we do what we do.  I would like to print a few of them here for you. They make our day...I hope they make yours (names and home addresses have been removed).

Thanks for the notice (about the railroad work) and the quick work. I love living here in Kirkwood. Keep up the great work!!

 

I wish to express my pleasure with your prompt attention to my request and to the fine job the crew did in trimming the front tree at my property.  You guys did way better than I was anticipating.  Thanks for a job well done.

 

Thank you for creating Single Stream Recycling service. The recycling service has encouraged lots of Kirkwood residents to follow through with separating trash from recycling...it has allowed both young and old Kirkwood residents to take part in making Kirkwood green. Thank you again!

 

Please pass on to all involved our tremendous appreciation and thanks for the wonderful job of snow removal in our neighborhood. There are not enough good words to say to tell you what it means to us to be able to get out now if need be for ourselves and our neighbors.

 

"Thanks" to Street Crews": We don't know who to thank individually, so we would like to thank the entire road crew in Kirkwood for their outstanding work on all of the streets. Hope we don't see you until next winter.

 

To All Kirkwood City Employees:  We want to let you know how grateful we are for all of the services every one of you give to our city. We especially appreciate those involved in the endless clearing of streets this winter. As we relaxed or slept in our warm houses, you were out in the cold dealing with the snow and ice, so we could navigate the next day. To those workers we give extra, extra thanks for a job well done.

 

Big shout-out to the crew(s) that helped restore power so quickly this morning! By the time I awoke, noticing that the power was out, and called the police dispatcher, she was able to tell me that crews were out making emergency repairs. I appreciate the consistent great service we get from Kirkwood Electric.

 

And finally...

Ms. Von Behren: Just wanted to say thank you for the Newsletter. You do very well keeping us all informed and interested. Merry Christmas and Happy new Year! 


Have a great weekend, 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