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PHOTO OF THE WEEK: Walker Lake, in Kirkwood Park, at sunset. Photo by Murray Pounds, Kirkwood Parks & Recreation Director. Happy Thanksgiving!

THANKSGIVING HOLIDAY INFORMATION

CITY HALL CLOSED - SANITATION DELAYED

~ City Hall and most City offices will be closed on Thursday and Friday, November 27 and 28.

~ There will be no sanitation collection on Thanksgiving Day. All Thursday routes will be picked up on Friday.

Turkey Toon

~ The Community Center will be closed on both days but will be open on Saturday morning, November 29.

~ The Ice Rink will be closed on Thanksgiving but will be open for the rest of the holiday weekend. For a full public skating session schedule, visit: KirkwoodMO.org/IceRink.

~ Saturday, November 29, is SMALL BUSINESS SATURDAY. Be sure to Shop Kirkwood First!

TOYS FOR TOTS DRIVE

KIRKWOOD FIRE DEPARTMENT AND THE MAGIC HOUSE TEAM UP FOR TOYS-FOR-TOTS DRIVE

STUFF THE AMBULANCE! The Kirkwood Fire Department and the Magic House will team up on Saturday, December 13, to Stuff the Ambulance full of toys (new, unwrapped), for the annual Toys-for-Tots toy drive sponsored each year by the United States Marine Corps Toys for Tots Foundation. The Drive will run from 10:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m.

But if you can't make that date, bring your toy donations to: Kirkwood Fire House 2, 11804 Big Bend, anytime between now and December 13. Thank you.

FOOD DRIVE AT CITY HALL

FOOD DRIVE FOR KIRKCARE ONGOING THROUGH DECEMBER 12

City employees are collecting canned and packaged food for the KirkCare food pantry. Donations are being accepted at City Hall, 139 S. Kirkwood Road, now through Friday, December 12, in the lobby. Requested items include: Packaged/non-refrigerated items and canned or packaged meat, stew, pasta, fruit, cereal, and vegetables. Please no refrigerated or frozen items. City Hall is open Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Kirkwood residents can also donate to KirkCare by checking the KirkCare box on utility bills and adding the amount to your payment.

County Library Food Drive: All 20 St. Louis County Library locations are collecting food for Operation Food Search through December 31. The most-needed items are canned meats, fish, vegetables, beans, canned chili, soup, ravioli, and low- or no-sugar breakfast cereal.

DOWNTOWN KIRKWOOD HOLIDAY WALK

KIRKWOOD'S ANNUAL DOWNTOWN HOLIDAY WALK IS THIS SATURDAY!

Downtown Kirkwood's annual Holiday Walk kicks off at 9:30 a.m., on Saturday, November 22, with the arrival of Santa and Mrs. Claus on the Amtrak train! After Santa's grand entrance, he will pose for photos, so be sure to bring your camera to snap a few shots. Adults will enjoy shopping for holiday gifts offered by Downtown Kirkwood's unique specialty stores, many of which will feature free refreshments and special offers.

The Train Station will be the headquarters for children's activities. Santa will be on hand from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., and Mrs. Claus will tell holiday stories beginning at 10:00 a.m. The Lucille Rapp Tumblers and Dancers and the Statesmen singers will perform. You can also catch the Holiday Trolley for a free ride around historic Downtown Kirkwood from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Other activities include:

~ McArthur's Bakery will be giving away cookies and hot chocolate (while they last).

~ The Gingerbread Shoppe and Christmas Tree
Lot at the Farmers' Market will be open, and the Tree Lot folks will sample special holiday candies and baked goods from 11:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m.

~ Kirkwood Kiwanis will serve free grilled hotdogs near the Train Station (while they last). KIRKCARE: Any donations they receive for the hotdogs, Kirkwood Kiwanis will match with a donation of up to $1,000.00, going to the KirkCare food pantry.

~ Kirkwood Historical Society will have Mudd's Grove, 302 W. Argonne Avenue, open that day and decorated for the holidays, with a LEGO Christmas train display.

~ Children's Holiday Shopping Store at the Kirkwood Public Library. 9:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. An opportunity for children to holiday shop for family members and friends. All gift items offered at kid-friendly prices. All proceeds benefit Kirkwood Public Library.

Holiday Walk Schedule of Activities:

9:30 a.m. Santa Claus arrives at the Kirkwood Train Station
10:00 a.m. Bring your camera to pose for Photos with Santa. Holiday Shopping begins. Listen to stories with Mrs. Claus. Free refreshments. Downtown Kirkwood stores open
11:00 a.m. Free trolley rides throughout Downtown Kirkwood until 3 p.m. The Statesman Singers perform. Lunch at your favorite restaurant.
2:00 p.m. Lucille Rapp Dancers perform.
3:00 p.m. Activities at the train station end. Shopping and dining continue

TURKEY DAY RACE

NOT TOO LATE TO SIGN UP - RACE ROUTE AVAILABLE:

It's not too late to register for the Kirkwood-Webster Turkey Day Race that happens on Thanksgiving Day. The three-mile race starts at 7:30 a.m., and the six-mile race starts at 8:10 a.m. Click here for more information about times, cost, and how to register.

Some streets will be closed that morning. A map of the route is below.

HOLIDAY HAPPENINGS & EVENTS AT THE COMMUNITY CENTER

AUXILIARY HOLIDAY BAZAAR TO BENEFIT OPEN DOOR SANCTUARY

November 22: Holiday Bazaar to benefit Open Door Sanctuary, at the Community Center, Saturday, November 22, 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Special Guest: Marshall the Miracle Dog (11am to 1pm). For information, call 314-832-9892.

SANTA LUCIA CHRISTMAS PAGEANT

December 13: The Swedish Council presents the Santa Lucia Christmas Pageant, at 2:00 p.m., at the Kirkwood Community Center, 111. S. Geyer Road.

THE NUTCRACKER BALLET

Performed by Dance Center of Kirkwood presents "The Nutcracker" at the Kirkwood Community Center, 111 S. Kirkwood Road
~ December 20 and 21, 1:00 and 6:00 p.m.
~ For ticket information, call 314-821-6663.

SANTA LETTERS ARE BAAAAAACK!

FRIENDS OF KPL SPONSOR LETTERS FROM SANTA

Deadlines: December 2 (with North Pole Postmark) and December 16 (Final)

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. This year a Letter from Santa can be ordered and paid for online. For full details or to sign up, please visit 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.

SMALL BUSINESS EXPO DECEMBER 5

ST LOUIS COUNTY LIBRARY PRESENTS SMALL BUSINESS INFORMATION EXPO

Here's your chance to network with small business organizations from all over the St. Louis area. No matter if you have started a small business, are an entrepreneur, or are just thinking about starting a business, this event will show you how many organizations are available to help you. PLEASE REGISTER IN ADVANCE by calling 314-994-3300 or just stop by any County Library location to sign up.

DETAILS: Friday, December 5, 1:00-4:30 p.m., St. Louis County Library Headquarters, 1640 S. Lindbergh Blvd.

New in 2014:

~ Library Demo Space, featuring 15-minute lightning presentations highlighting SLCL's business resources.

~ Exhibitor Intro Space featuring 10-minute presentations by Expo exhibitors.

CFUH SPONSORS DIALOGUE SESSION DECEMBER 6

FORUM ON RACE AND JUSTICE DECEMBER 6

Sponsored by the Kirkwood Human Rights Commission and the Committee for Understanding and Hope (CFUH), the forum will involve a dialogue and discussion group on Saturday, December 6, from 9:00 to 11:30 a.m., at Kirkwood Baptist Church, 211 N. Woodlawn Avenue. The topic will be "Race and Justice." The opening speaker will be Willis Johnston, Pastor of Wellspring United Methodist Church in Ferguson. After the opening session, attendees will break out into facilitated dialogue circles. The public is invited to attend.

FROM KIRKWOOD HISTORICAL SOCIETY

HISTORICAL SOCIETY WILL PRESENT A SWEDISH CHRISTMAS

The quarterly meeting of the Kirkwood Historical Society will take place on Tuesday, December 9, at Mudd's Grove, corner of Harrison and Argonne. The featured speaker will be June Nystrom, with a Swedish Christmas presentation. Swedish Christmas treats will be served. As always, the meeting is free and open to the public.

ART HAPPENINGS IN KIRKWOOD

ARTS CALENDAR:
November:

~ November 21: Twisted Improv. Kirkwood Theatre Guild, 314 S. Clay, 8:00 p.m.
~ November 19-22: "Wooed and Viewed & Romance in a Flat." Theatre One Acts, St. Louis Community College at Meramec, 11333 S. Geyer, 7:30 p.m. and 2:00 p.m. FREE. www.stlcc.edu.

December:

~ December 4-6: Fame: The Musical. Kirkwood-Crestwood Youth Theatre. Robert Reim Theatre, Kirkwood Community Center, 111 S. Geyer: 7:00 and 2:00 p.m. Tickets: $5.00, at door or call ahead (822-5855).
~ December 4: "Hamlet, Kirkwood High School Drama, Keating Center, Kirkwood High School, 801 W. Essex Avenue, 7:00 p.m. Tickets: $10/adults, $7/students, at door or on Web: www.tinyurl.com/khsdrama
~ December 5: Gallery Opening, Archie St. Clair, OA Gallery, 101 A W. Argonne, 6:00-9:00 p.m. FREE. www.oberandersongallery.com
~ November 7: Christmas Concert, Community Gospel Choir, Kirkwood Baptist Church, Adams at Woodlawn, 3:00 p.m. FREE. www.communitygospelchoir.org
~ December 7: Ring in the Holiday Season, instrumental concert, St. Louis Wind Symphony/Chaminade High School Band, Skip Viragh Center, 425 S. Lindbergh. 3:00 p.m. FREE (ticket reservation required). www.stlwindsym.org
~ December 7: Gallery Reception, Sandra Ure Griffin, Kirkwood Public Library, 140 E. Jefferson Avenue, 5:30-6:30 p.m. Free
~ December 12: Winter Concert, Kirkwood Children's Chorale, Kirkwood High School, 801 W. Essex Avenue, 3:00 p.m.
~ December 21: Christmas Concert, Community Gospel Choir, Galilee Baptist Church, 4300 Delmar, 63108, 3:00 p.m. FREE

If you have an arts event you would like the Kirkwood Arts Commission to consider for inclusion in its calendar, please send the information to: Arts@KirkwoodMO.org.

GARDENING TIP OF THE WEEK!

HOW ARE YOUR TREES LOOKING?

Take a close look at your trees to check for broken, split, or dangling branches or limbs. If the damaged area is easily reached from the ground, trim off the branch or limb. If the damage is higher in the tree, call a professional tree service. Using a professional service is doubly important if the branch or limb is over your roof or near utility lines. NEVER attempt to remove anything touching or overhanging any overhead wires.

Broken or damaged tree limbs pose a danger when the weight of snow or ice cause them to fall, so be proactive and address the issue now. If you have branches lying across your utility lines, call Kirkwood Electric at 314-822-5842 or Ameren at 800-552-7583.

The Kirkwood Garden Club periodically shares a Gardening Tip of the Week with Happenings' readers. For more 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.

KIRKWOOD PUBLIC LIBRARY PROGRAMMING & EVENTS

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:

~ 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 TEENS:

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

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 27 due to Thanksgiving.

Kirkwood Public Library will be closed on:
~ Thursday, November 27, for Thanksgiving (will close at 5:00 p.m., on Wednesday, November 26).

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

FROM OAK BEND BRANCH

NOVEMBER PROGRAMMING:

FOR TEENS:

~ 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.

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

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

Brrrrrr....................Hey, at least we're not in Buffalo!

This week's snow storm in Buffalo, New York: That poor kid!

It has been WAY TOO COLD this week for November, but the City of Buffalo, New York, may have us beat on weather-related pain. They have 70 inches (you read that correctly) of snow, and more is expected this week. The temperatures have come up a little bit here at home, but the long-term forecast is for some warmer days and some rain this weekend (it may reach the upper 50s) but back to the 30s for next week's holiday. Of course, that could change...

Ferguson Situation: We have been getting some calls and emails from residents with concerns about the Ferguson situation and whether or not it will affect the City of Kirkwood. Of course, at this point, we just don't know the answer to that. There are a lot of rumors being disseminated, and there are stories making the rounds on social media, many of them unconfirmed.

This is what we do know: Governor Jay Nixon issued a state of emergency declaration on Monday, November 17, because that declaration is required by law before the National Guard can be deployed inside the state. In his announcement, the governor said: "As part of our ongoing efforts to plan and be prepared for any contingency, it is necessary to have these resources in place in advance of any announcement of the grand jury's decision. These additional resources will support law enforcement's efforts to maintain peace and protect those exercising their right to free speech."

The police department and administration in Kirkwood advise Kirkwood residents to remain calm. Any resident, business owner, or visitor who witness activity about which they feel concern should contact the Kirkwood Police Department at 314-822-5858 or, in an emergency, call 9-1-1.

In other news: Holiday Safety Tips! I want to send out a big shout-out to our Fire Marshal, Leo Meyer, who keeps on top of safety tips for the newsletter year-round. Here are some great ones for the upcoming season of lights:

According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, more than12,000 people are treated at hospital emergency rooms every holiday season for injuries, such as falls, cuts and shocks, related to holiday lights. Christmas trees are involved in nearly 300 fires annually, resulting in more than $10 million in property loss and damage. Here are some tips for holiday safety, courtesy of Ameren U.E.

Never overload electrical circuits or outlets. Use Underwriters Laboratories Inc. (UL�) certified surge protector strips if multiple outlets are required.
Plug outdoor cords into GFCI (Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter) outlets. It is suggested that GFCI outlets be used for indoor lights, as well.
Keep electrical connections off the ground and away from water.
Only use insulated staples to attach extension cords and lights to wood. Never use nails, tacks or regular staples.
Never leave holiday tree lights on when away from your residence.
Avoid running outdoor lights or extension cords through door or window openings where they can be damaged.
Do not place cords under rugs or carpets where they can be walked upon or where someone can trip over them.
Watch for and correct problems with cords and faulty sockets, and always avoid jerking on wires because you can break insulation and damage plugs.
Make certain lights, decorations and other electrical devices are disconnected when installing or working on them.

I wish you all a happy and warm Thanksgiving celebration. See you again on Thursday, December 4.

Beth von Behren
Happenings Editor/Public Information Officer

City of Kirkwood
139 S. Kirkwood Road
Kirkwood, MO 63122
314-822-5894
www.kirkwoodmo.org