The Missouri Department of Transportation will periodically close lanes and ramps overnight on I-44 and I-55 in the city next week for resurfacing, weather permitting.  Weeknights, crews will close lanes and ramps near the I-44 and I-55 interchange periodically starting at 8 p.m.. Crews will close at least one lane in each direction overnight. All lanes and ramps will reopen by 6 a.m. the following morning. In addition, the northbound I-55 entrance ramp at 12th Street and the exit ramp at Park will close for short periods on July 28, July 29, and July 30. Closures will last about two hours, until the overlay is safe for driving.  Inclement weather may shift anticipated closures to the next night. For a list of ramp and lane closings and days, visit their Website here.

~ July 26:  One More Time:  A Tribute to Johnny Cash.  This is an era-driven Johnny Cash tribute band, offering an authentic look, sound, and feel of a Johnny Cash performance. They showcase all of his hits from the 1950s through the 1990s. A June Carter vocalist with a powerful stage performance will join the band to present Johnny and June duets.  Food Trucks:   My Big Fat Greek Truck, Shell's Coastal Cuisine, and Destination Desserts.

~ August 9:  Samba Bom.  This Midwest-based music ensemble plays authentic Brazilian music at schools, night clubs, wineries, festivals and private events. The group plays a unique mix of Brazilian popular music styles, including, Samba, Bossa Nova, Brazilian Jazz, Olodum, Forro, and Chorinho, among others.  Food Trucks:  Holy Crepe!  And Steak Louie.

All Making Music concerts are held at the Lions' Amphitheatre in Kirkwood Park, starting at 7:00 p.m.  These concerts are free and open to the public.  Donations are encouraged.  

MONTHLY MEETING TAKES PLACE MONDAY, AUGUST 4 

The Friends of the Kirkwood Historical Society will meet on Monday, August 4, at 10:00 a.m., at Mudd's Grove, 302 W. Argonne Drive.  Nancy Reeves will present a program entitled "All Old Quilts," which will feature some of the antique quilts owned by the Society. The meeting will include a "show and tell' with members and guests invited to bring their own heirlooms and share their stories. The meeting is free and open to the public.

KIRKWOOD EVENT SET FOR SATURDAY, OCTOBER 4 

The Annual National Night Out for American cities is typically scheduled on the first Tuesday in August.  However, in 2010, the Kirkwood Police Department decided to move its "Night Out" back by a couple of months - to the cooler month of October.  Therefore, this year's event will be held on Saturday, October 4, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., on the parking lot between Kirkwood City Hall and the Police Department.

As always, KPD will have a variety of organizations on hand to make the day interesting for everyone.  There will be more information to come in the weeks ahead.  Police Officer Jim Cox reminds all residents that you can continue to have your local block parties anytime your neighborhood chooses to do so.  If you contact him at least a week in advance, representatives from both the Police and Fire Departments will stop by to visit.  You can contact him by email at CoxJD@KirkwoodMO.org, or by phone at 314-822-5868.

The Elements of Comics. Thursday, July 24, 7:00 p.m.: A behind the scenes look at comic strips from a cartoonist's perspective. George Norman Lippert will talk about comics from the Post-Dispatch as well as other comics from years past. This is an adult program but older children are welcome. Receive a Comic Strip bookmark souvenir.

BOOK CLUBS:

~ Classics Revisited (Thursdays @ 7:00pm).  Thursday, July 24, 7:00 pm.  The Things They Carried by Tim O'Brien.  A classic work of American literature that has not stopped changing minds and lives since it burst onto the literary scene, The Things They Carried is a ground-breaking meditation on war, memory, imagination, and the redemptive power of storytelling.

FOR TEENS:

~ Teen Summer Movie: "Back to the Future."  Friday, July 25, 6:00 p.m. MPAA rating: PG. Running time: 115 min. Groups, please contact hosting branch for registration and to inquire about space availability for all summer programs.

~ Teen Book Club: Teens' Top Ten Nominees. Wednesday, July 30, 7:00 p.m. 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. Wednesday, July 30, 7:30 p.m. 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. 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.