The Friends of the Kirkwood Public Library will again sponsor its "Letter from Santa" program. The Santa Letter is an annual fundraiser for the Library but it also helps Kris Kringle with his correspondence.

The person ordering the letter answers a few basic questions about the intended recipient, such as the child's favorite class in school and recent accomplishments. Santa then uses those answers to write a very personalized letter.  The letters don't have to go to children. College students, spouses, adult siblings, and seniors have all received letters, putting an extra smile on their faces during the holiday season.

Because this is all handled by mail, the requestor and the recipient can be anywhere. Every effort will be made to have the letter postmarked "North Pole," so the recipients know it really came from Santa. The deadline for the North Pole postmark is December 2. Requests received after that date will have a local postmark. All requests must be received by December 16 to ensure delivery before Christmas.   

For this year's fundraiser, the requestor has a choice for the cost of each letter, ranging from $7.00 to $15.00. All proceeds benefit the Kirkwood Public Library. The Friends have been instrumental in providing special "extras" for the Children's Room including technology upgrades and popular materials.

This year a Letter from Santa can be ordered and paid for online. Go to www.kirkwoodpubliclibrary.org/santaletter. Forms can also be picked up at the library (140 E. Jefferson, Kirkwood, MO 63122). For further information, please call the Friends at 314-821-5770, ext. 1021, and leave a message, or send an email to:  KPLFriends@kirkwoodpubliclibrary.org. One of Santa's elves will respond quick as a wink.

FAT-FREE SEWERS BENEFIT US ALL 

Your garbage disposal may be strong enough to handle that turkey carcass, but your drain may complain. Fats, oils, and grease don't just clog our arteries; they clog our sewers too. Keeping fat, grease, and oil out of the drain is one of the best ways to avoid a sewer backup in your home. Many backups result from accumulated grease buildup along the walls of your sewer line. Over time, grease buildup will block water flow in your pipes.

Fats, oils, and grease are found in many of the foods we eat every day - foods such as meat, fish, butter, cooking oil, gravy, sauces, mayonnaise, salad dressing, and cheese. Keep these items out of the drain or garbage disposal.

The Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District reminds you of these easy steps to prevent grease buildup in your pipes:

• Wipe cooled pots and pans with a paper towel before washing.
• Remove fatty foods from plates and the kitchen sink and place them in the trash, not down the drain.
• Can it, cool it, and trash it. Pour all cooled cooking fats that will harden into a container such as an empty pet food, vegetable, or coffee can. Cool them and throw them in the trash.

Help prevent drain and sewer clogs by keeping drains fat-free.

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED IN SAINT LOUIS COUNTY TO HELP SENIORS WITH INCOME TAX PREPARATION 

The County Older Resident Program (CORP), a division of the Saint Louis County Department of Human Services, seeks volunteer tax preparers to assist with a variety of positions, including: Electronic filing tax assistance and Quality Reviewers for federal returns at South and North County sites. Experience preparing tax returns is preferred. Training is provided in January of 2015. Volunteers must be VITA-certified and will begin volunteering at CORP sites the first week of February and continue through mid-April. Interested individuals should email Mike Nickel at mnickel@stlouisco.com or call 314-615-4559.  Thank you. 

The Friends of the Kirkwood Public Library will hold a book sale November 21 and 22 in the Library, 140 E. Jefferson, Kirkwood. The sale will feature fiction of all genres, including mystery, romance, westerns, plays, poetry and short stories.  The hours of the sale are:  Friday, November 21, 5:00 to 8:00 p.m., and Saturday, November 22, 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.  There is no entry fee. Book prices are generally in the $.50 to $3.00 range, with payment by cash or check. No credit or debit cards.  All proceeds benefit the Library. For further information, call 314-821-5770, x1023, or email KPLFriends@kirkwoodpubliclibrary.org.

FREE TELESCOPE CHECK-OUT PROGRAM BEGINS NOVEMBER 10:

In partnership with the St. Louis Astronomical Society (SLAS), Kirkwood Public Library will make telescopes available for check-out for seven (7) days for patrons age 18 and older who have a valid library card and state-issued identification.  SLAS will provide 17 Orion StarBlast 4.5" telescopes to participating St. Louis-area library systems (including St. Louis County Libraries, St. Louis City Public Libraries, and University City Library), three of which will be donated. Each telescope is modified by SLAS to be more durable and patron-friendly and is equipped with everything needed to explore the night sky:  User manual, constellation guide, moon map, lens cleaner, night light, and a storage pouch. SLAS will provide the libraries with ongoing educational support and telescope maintenance.  Throughout the coming year, KPL will host star parties where the public can gather to view the wonders of the universe through telescopes.

NOVEMBER PROGRAMMING:

FOR ALL AGES:

~ KPL's new Winter Reading Program opened November 1 for all ages. Participation is free, and registration continues. Sign up online at at kirkwoodpubliclibrary.org, or stop by the library.

FOR ADULTS:

~ Maintaining Your Home series: Decorating Your Home for the Holidays. Wednesday, November 19, 10:00 a.m.  Note: Held at Roots and Blooms, 915 S. Kirkwood Road. Space is limited. Please phone the reference desk for a reservation:  821-5770, ext. 1012.

~ Music in the Library.  Cellist Gary Lee performs Saturday, November 22, at 1:00 p.m.

~ eDiscover: Saturday, November 29, 12:00 noon to 1:00 p.m.  Thinking of getting a new tablet? Want to check out some of the equipment your library has on hand? Join us in the teen room to play with tablets and computer lab equipment.

FOR KIDS:

~ Mercy Watson Day, Saturday, November 15, 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.  Join us for some Mercy Watson fun and celebrate the new Kate DiCamillo book, featuring Mercy' friend Leroy Ninker. Yippie-ki-oh!

~ Wednesday After-School Special, November 12, 4:00 to 5:00 p.m.  Join us on Wednesdays for a different activity each month. Elementary school-age. 

~ Imagination POLICE Station, November 12, 6:30 p.m.  Meet some of our area heroes! NOTE:  Held at Kirkwood Police Station, 131 W. Madison.  A program filled with stories, craft activities, games, and more. Ages 1 to 6 with adult. Free, but please register by calling 822-5855. 

FOR TEENS:

~ 3DS Sunday, November 9, 1:00 to 3:00 p.m.  Do you have a 2DS or a 3DS?  If so, come to the Teen Room and meet other like-minded teens.  Trade Pokemon, get Streetpasses, meet new Animal Crossing neighbors, and gain more Friend Codes!

~ Geek Embroidery, Wednesday, November 12, 6:00 to 7:00 p.m.  Learn how easy it is to stitch and make some fun embroidery art.

~ Minecraft Night, Friday, November 21, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.  Sign up required.  Call 821-5770, ext. 1020, or go here.  

BOOK CLUBS:

~ Family Book Club, November 10: Moon Over Manifest by Clare Vanderpool

STORY TIMES - Stories with songs and crafts:

~ Time for Twos: Tuesdays, 10:00 a.m.

~ Preschool Story Time:  Wednesdays, 10:00 a.m.

~ Books for Babies:  Thursdays, 9:30 a.m.  For babies 6-24 months and their caregivers

~ First Steps Story Time:  Thursdays, 10:30 a.m., for our youngest 2s and graduates of Books for Babies.

Please Note:  No Story Times November 25, 26 or 26, due to Thanksgiving.  

Kirkwood Public Library is located at 140 E. Jefferson Avenue in Downtown Kirkwood. 

~ Button Making, Saturday, November 8, 2:00 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. Ages 8-14. Registration required.

~ Creativity Lab:  LED Cards, Friday, November 21, 6:00 p.m. Get creative with an assortment of technology and art supplies. Bring your own projects or use the materials provided to make an LED-lit holiday card. Grades 6-12. Registration required.  

FOR ADULTS:

~ Oak Bend History Book Club:  "Close to Shore," by Michael Capuzzo. Are you interested in reading about history? Would you like to meet other people who also share your fascination? Join us at the Oak Bend History Book Club. This month we will read and discuss "Close to Shore" by Michael Capuzzo. Adults.

~ Creative Crew:  Mittens/Fingerless Gloves. Tuesday, November 11, 10:00 a.m.  It's cold outside! Bring in an old sweater (long sleeve), that we will recycle to mittens/fingerless gloves. These make great gifts. Adults. Registration required.

FOR KIDS: 

~ stART: A Bad Case of Stripes. Tuesday, November 11, 4:30 p.m.  Unleash your inner artist with stART, a story plus art. Explore the art of illustrator David Shannon and create a project of your own based on his work. Ages 5 and up. Registration required.

~ Discovery Club:  Bridge Science.  Monday, November 17, 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.  

HOLIDAY NOTICE:  All branches of St. Louis County Library will be closed on Thursday, November 27, and Friday, November 28, for Thanksgiving.