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City of Kirkwood
December 18, 2014

Happy Holidays to All!
In This Issue
Toys for Tots
Winter Fireworks
Holiday Hours
Skate with Santa
Community Survey
Feasibility Study
Tree Inventory
Art Happenings
Gardening Tips
Library Happenings
Oak Bend Library
Last Thoughts
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HAPPY HOLIDAYS FROM THE CITY OF KIRKWOOD  CITY COUNCIL AND EMPLOYEES! 

Article Headline
THANK YOU, KIRKWOOD!

ABOVE:  Deputy Fire Chief Dave Smith (left) and Fire Chief Tom Openlander pose with the toys that residents dropped off last week at Fire House 2 for the Toys for Tots drive.  Below:  Firefighter Matt Mathes (center) and Deputy Chief Smith (right) work with three Marines to get the ambulance ready for donations. The Marines' Toys for Tots Foundation has collected toys for children since 1947.


WINTER FIREWORKS
"WINTER FIREWORKS" WILL LIGHT UP THE SKIES OVER KIRKWOOD SATURDAY, DECEMBER 27

Bring the whole family to Downtown Kirkwood on Saturday, December 27, for the third-annual Winter Fireworks Festival. Festivities begin at 5:00 p.m. Fireworks start at 6:30 p.m. Arrive early to shop and dine. Dinner reservations recommended.

 

THANK YOU to this year's sponsors:

Downtown Kirkwood Special Business District Winter Fireworks

Des Peres Hospital

First Church of Christ Scientist

Adams Place Retirement Community

Riggs Construction & Design

BRiC Partnership, LLC

Kirkwood Station Restaurant & Brewing Company

Gaffner Realty

Hardy R. Washington, Jr., State Farm Insurance Agent

Billy G's

Simmons First National Bank

Spencer's Grill

Barb & Jim Byerly

Barbara & Art McDonnell

 

Bad Weather Date: December 28

CITY HALL HOLIDAY SCHEDULE

City Hall / Most City Offices:

  • Wednesday, December 24: Closed
  • Thursday, December 25: Closed
  • Friday, December 26: Open normal hours
  • Wednesday, December 31: Open normal hours
  • Thursday, January 1: Closed
  • Friday, January 2: Open normal hours
Community Center Office / Ice Rink:
  • Office is closed on December 24 & 25 but will be open normal hours on Friday, Dec. 26, and Saturday, Dec. 27.
  • Office will close at 4pm on December 31 and remain closed on January 1. Normal hours on Saturday, Jan. 2.
  • Ice Rink: Closed on Christmas Day but open the rest of the weekend. Public skating sessions will be held on both December 31 and January 1. For the full public skating session schedule, visit: www.KirkwoodMO.org/IceRink.
Sanitation Holiday Schedule, Remainder of Year:
  • Thursday, December 25: No sanitation collected
  • Friday, December 26: Thursday routes collected
  • Thursday, January 1: No sanitation collected
  • Friday, January 2: Thursday routes collected

 

PLEASE NOTE: 

Due to the New Year's holiday falling on what would normally be a City Council meeting day (the first Thursday of the month), Kirkwood's City Council will instead meet on January 8 and 15 - in January only.  The formal meeting begins at 7:00 p.m. on both dates. Information on work sessions will be forthcoming in the January 8 edition of this newsletter.

 

SKATE WITH SANTA

SKATE WITH SANTA / CHRISTMAS ICE SHOW AT THE ICE RINK

Skate with Santa this Saturday, December 20, at the Kirkwood Ice Rink, during the public session from 1:30 to 4:00 p.m. Normal admission policies and prices apply. Then stay for the: FREE Christmas Show at 4:15 p.m. The January-February skating-lesson session begins January 5. Call 822-5855 for information.

COMMUNITY SURVEY
CITY WILL CONDUCT COMMUNITY SURVEY
The City of Kirkwood has contracted with ETC Institute to perform a community survey.  The survey will be random and statistically valid.  It was mailed to a random sample of residents at the end of November. Those residents who received the survey can fill it out and return it in the pre-addressed, stamped envelope that was included with the survey.  Participants can also complete the survey on the ETC Website, and a link was provided with the survey. Some residents may receive a telephone call reminding them to complete the survey.

Individual responses will be completely confidential, and the City will not be informed which residents received or completed surveys.  Survey questions primarily deal with the level of satisfaction residents have with City services such as police, fire, parks, streets, water, sanitation, electric service, and utility billing.  ETC Institute will compile and present aggregate results to the Mayor and City Council in January 2015. For any questions about the survey, please contact the Assistant Chief Administrative Officer Georgia Ragland at 314-822-5801 or RaglanGL@kirkwoodmo.org.
COMMUNITY CENTER FEASIBILITY STUDY
OPTIONS FOR THE COMMUNITY CENTER TO BE CONSIDERED: PUBLIC INVITED TO GIVE COMMENTS

As a portion of the existing Kirkwood Community Center approaches its 50th birthday, a feasibility study is being conducted to examine the future of the building.  A statistically valid survey completed earlier this year has given direction to the feasibility study, which is being conducted by Jacobs Engineering.  As part of the feasibility study process, the public is being invited to review and comment on some very preliminary design ideas and conceptual plans.  This opportunity will take place during two public comments sessions.  The first will be held Wednesday, January 21, from 6:00 - 9:00 p.m. and the second will be held Saturday, January 24 from 10:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.  Both sessions will be held at the Kirkwood Community Center, 111 S. Geyer Road.

TREE INVENTORY IN KIRKWOOD
IF YOU SEE SOMEONE IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD...
The City has hired a company to do an inventory of trees on public streets in the right-of-way. The company, ArborPro, plans to start the week of December 22. The inventory should take about two to three weeks, depending on the density of trees in the ROW. The worker doing the inventory will wear an ArborPro shirt and a bright orange vest. He will have identification on him. He should not need to enter private property. The inventory will assist the City with tree maintenance in the coming years.
ART HAPPENINGS IN KIRKWOOD
ARTS CALENDAR:
December:
~ December 20 and 21: Dance Center of Kirkwood presents "The Nutcracker" at the Kirkwood Community Center, 111 S. Geyer Road, 1:00 and 6:00 p.m. For ticket information, call 314-821-6663.
~ December 21: Christmas Concert, Community Gospel Choir, at the Galilee Baptist Church, 4300 Delmar, 63108, 3:00 p.m. FREE

January:
ART AT THE STATION. The oil paintings of Elizabeth Moreland Kern, January 5 thru February 2. Opening reception: January 8, 5:30 to 7:00 p.m., at the Train Station, corner of Kirkwood Road and Argonne. Receptions and exhibits are free and open to the public. Art may be viewed when the Station is open for passengers.

~ January 16: Twisted Improv. Tickets $10-15, at the door or call ahead. 314-821-9956 or visit www.ktg-onstage.org. At the Steamboat Room, 314 S. Clay Avenue. Doors open at 7:00 p.m.  Show starts at 8:00 p.m.
~ January 16-25: The Fox on the Fairway, Kirkwood Theatre Guild, at the Reim Theatre, Kirkwood Community Center, 111. S. Geyer Road. 8:00 p.m., nightly; 2:00 p.m., Sunday.  Tickets $20, at the door or online: www.ktg-onstage.org. Phone: 821-9956..
~ January 20-31, 2015: Arabian Nights, Kirkwood High School Drama, at the Keating Center, Kirkwood High School, 7:00 p.m..  Tickets $10 or $7/students, at the door.

February:
~ Through February 1 at Laumeier Sculpture Park: Tom Huck - Bugs. For information: 314-615-5278 or www.laumeiersculpturepark.org.
~ February 15:  Wind Symphony Concert, at the Skip Viragh Center, 425 S. Lindbergh, 3:00 p.m., FREE but ticket reservation required. Call 636-244-1294 or4 visit www.stlwindsym.org.
 ~ February 11-16: The Foreigner (play), at St. Louis Community College at Meramec, 11333 S. Geyer, 7:30 p.m. nightly and 2:00 p.m., Sundays. FREE. Information:  www.stlcc.edu or 984-7564.

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!
USE YARD ITEMS FOR HOLIDAY DECORATIONS!

 

Look to your yard and gardens to help with holiday decorations.  Evergreen branches, pine cones, holly, twigs, and berries can be used to make wreaths, center pieces, tree ornaments, and package decorations.  Additional items that can be added are candles, flowers, dried fruit, small ornaments, and ribbons.  Let your imagination guide you.  Kids love to participate in making items and decorating, so let them in on the fun.  Have a happy and safe holiday season!

 

Everyone is invited to attend the January 6, 2015, meeting of the Kirkwood Garden Club, 7:00 p.m. at the Kirkwood Community Center.  We'll be planning the programs and events for 2015.  Come and share what you'd like the club to address in the coming year.

 

 

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.
FROM YOUR KIRKWOOD PUBLIC LIBRARY
DECEMBER PROGRAMMING AND EVENTS

 

Kirkwood Library's Winter Reading Program Open Now through January 31! 

All ages are invited to participate. Registration is open, and participation is free.  Simply sign up online at www.kirkwoodpubliclibrary.org, or stop by the library.

FOR CHILDREN:

  • December Holiday Hunt. December 29, 1:00 - 3:00 p.m. Drop in anytime between 1pm and 3pm, and hunt for clues, solve riddles, and win a prize.
  • HOLIDAY BOOKS & BLOCKS. December 30, 10:00 a.m.
     

FOR TEENS:

  • Boxfort Wars, December 19, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Join us for another round of Boxfort Wars! Sign Up required - go here: http://goo.gl/nQogBZ

 

Holiday Hours:  The Library will be closed on Wednesday and Thursday, December 24 and 25, and on Wednesday and Thursday, December 31 and January 1, 2015. Happy Holidays!
__________________________________________________________________

JANUARY PROGRAMMING AND EVENTS:

FOR ADULTS:

 

Special Events:

~ How to Get a Summer Job with the U.S. Government. Saturday, January 3, 2015  2:00 p.m.  Do you like to work outside, work at campgrounds, state parks?  Find out how to apply for these very popular jobs.

~ Adult Game Night. Thursday, January 29, 2015 7:00 to 8:45 p.m. You love playing games? Join us for Adult Game Night at the Kirkwood Public Library where we will be playing an assortment of new and old board games. Bring in your favorite board games, cards, or play one of ours. Meet new friends while playing your favorite game!!

~ Author Talk: Julius Hunter. Saturday, January 24, 2015 2:00 p.m.  Priscilla & Babe: From Slavery's Shackles to Millionaire Bordello Madams in Victorian St. Louis, by Julius Hunter. An Amazon Editors' Top Pick of 2014. Book talk and signing to follow.

 

Book Clubs:

~ Saturday Morning Perk's Club: Saturday, January 17, 10 a.m.: Invention of Wings by Sue Monk Kidd. Hetty "Handful" Grimke, an urban slave in early 19th century Charleston, yearns for life beyond the suffocating walls that enclose her within the wealthy Grimke household. The Grimke's daughter, Sarah, has known from an early age she is meant to do something great in the world, but she is hemmed in by the limits imposed on women.

~ Mystery Readers. Wednesday, January 21, 2:00 p.m.: The Stone Wife: A Peter Diamond Investigation, by Peter Lovesey. Three masked men interrupt a competitive-bidding war for a rare, carved stone and kill the highest bidder. Peter Diamond and his team research the mystical origins of the stone while Ingeborg goes undercover to investigate the murder weapon.

~ Books for Bingo. Tuesday, January 20, 2:00-3:00 p.m. Come play bingo with us for an hour on the 3rd Tuesday during the winter months.    We play for books that have been donated to the library.  We always have a good selection.   Everyone always goes home with a book, sometimes with more than one. 

 

FOR CHILDREN AND FAMILIES:

 

Story Times: Weekday story times start the week of January 13.

~ Time for Twos Story Time, Tuesdays, 10:00 a.m. Stories, songs, and crafts.

~ Preschool Story Time, Wednesdays, 10:00 a.m. Stories, songs and crafts.

~ Books for Babies, for babies 6-24 months and their caregivers, Thursdays, 9:30 a.m. January 15 through April 23.

~ First Steps Story Time, for our youngest 2s and graduates of Books for Babies, Thursdays,

10:30 a.m. January 15 through April 23.

~ Books & Blocks. Hear a story and build with your child. Ages 6 months to preschool. January 6, 7, and 8: 10:00 a.m.

~ Count on Books. Join us for a six-week session that combines stories and math activities designed to reinforce early math concepts, with a focus on Kindergarten readiness. Recommended for children entering Kindergarten in Fall 2015. Fridays, January 30 through March 6, 10:00 to 10:45 a.m. Sign up online at kirkwoodpubliclibrary.org

~ Champ Reading Dogs. First Sunday of the month from 3:00 to 4:00 p.m. Come read with a furry friend.

 

Book Clubs:

~ Family Book Club, Mondays, 7:00 p.m. For children in grades 5 to 8 and their guardians. Books available at the library for check out. January 12: The Giver by Lois Lowry.

~ Family Book Club Junior, for children in grades 3 to 4 and their guardians. Join us for a reading selection, discussion, and activities. 6:30 p.m. January 5: Classics for Children.

~ Wednesday After-School Special, 4:00 to 5:00 p.m. Join us on Wednesdays for a different activity each week of the month. For elementary school-age children. Lego Club, January 7. Science Fun, January 14. Make and Take After School Craft, January 28.

Special Events:

~ Sesame Street Fun. Celebrate the 45th anniversary of Sesame Street with activities, games and crafts. January 10, 10:00 a.m.

~ Imagination Station. Join Kirkwood Public Library and Kirkwood Parks & Recreation for stories, crafts, games and more. Ages 1 to 6 with parent. Register by calling 822-5855. Wednesdays at 6:30 pm. January 14: Imagination Train Station @ Kirkwood Train Station

 

FOR TEENS:

~ January 8:  Game Night @ the Library 4:00 to 6:00 p.m.

~ January 9:  Anime Afternoon, 3:00-5:00 p.m.

~ January 11:  CD Scratch Art, 2:00-3:00 p.m.

~ January 16:  Anime Afternoon, 2:00-5:00 p.m.

~ January 18: 3DS Sundays, 1:00-3:00 p.m.

~ January 20:  Chat N' Chew Book Club: Uglies by Scott Westerfeld,  6:30-7:30 p.m.

~ January 23:  Minecraft Night! 5:30-7:30 p.m. Sign Up Required. Call 821-5770, ext. 1020

~ January 28:  Punk Rocks, 6:00-7:00 p.m.


Kirkwood Public Library is located at 140 E. Jefferson Avenue in Downtown Kirkwood.
FROM OAK BEND BRANCH
NOVEMBER PROGRAMMING:

FOR TEENS:
~ Art @ Your Library:  Sharpie Tie-Dye, Friday, December 19, 6:00 p.m.  Tired of the regular tie-dying method that always looks the same? You will be amazed at what you can create with a Sharpie and a white tee-shirt. Tee-shirts will be provided but feel free to bring your own. Ages 12 to 18. Registration required.
~ Creativity Lab, Monday, December 29, 2:00 p.m.  Get creative with an assortment of technology and art supplies. Bring your own project or use the materials provided to create something new. Grades 6-12. Registration requested.

Holiday Hours:  All branches of St. Louis County Library will be closed on Wednesday and Thursday, December 24 and 25 in observance of Christmas. All branches will close at 5:00 p.m. on Wednesday, December 31, and remain closed on Thursday, January 1, in observance of New Year's.

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
To every thing there is a season, turn, turn, turn...

Each year, my extended family on my mother's side gets together for a Christmas party.  We usually meet the first weekend of December, because everyone knows how crazy it gets later on in the month.  This year we were late getting in our reservation, so we met the second weekend.  Despite the lateness of the date, we had 50 adults and about a dozen kids, spread out over five generations.  Of those adults, only four remain from my parents' generation, so it was a bittersweet gathering. I think we realized this year - my brothers and myself, along with our cousins - that our age cohort is now the "older" generation.  Of the original 16 of us ("grandkids," we used to call ourselves; now we're "the cousins"), we have lost three, including one just this past year.  All but one of the 13 made it to this year's celebration. Two of the 13 - our hostesses - were busy running around making things happen so they weren't able to climb into the photo booth with us, but the rest of us are there - ten of us, in one small photo booth (pic at right), laughing and making faces and, really, just glad to be together.  It was fun, and it reminded us how very, very important these kinds of events are.  We are spread out all over the country (two cousins drove in from the KC area), and some of our family members we only see every other year. And with each new year, come December, there seem to be still more new babies. (That's me in the front, bottom row, left.)

In this season of giving and friendship and laughter, I wish you all a bright and festive Christmas, a Hanukkah filled with miracles, a joyous Kwanzaa, and a peaceful new year.  See you all on January 8 (no January 1 edition).

   

Beth von Behren
Happenings Editor/Public Information Officer  
City of Kirkwood
139 S. Kirkwood Road
Kirkwood, MO  63122
314-822-5894
www.kirkwoodmo.org