The construction of the Walker Lake Phase 4 project in Kirkwood Park kicked off on Monday, January 19.  The contractor for the project, Two Alpha, hit the ground running, taking advantage of the unseasonably warm and dry weather conditions.  Already, Two Alpha has started tearing out the walls of the concrete channel, or swale, that leads from Geyer Road to Walker Lake.  Materials are on site, including the ledge rock that will form the new channel walls.  The park staff has been actively involved in the project:  Setting up tree protection fencing and temporarily striping the central entrance (between the pool and Reim Theatre) into the Community Center parking lot.  This is the temporary entrance to the parking lot.  The temporary striping will allow for two-way traffic in this area to compensate for the closure of the north drive during the duration of the project.  The project is expected to last 100 to 120 days, unless there are weather-related delays.    

Construction of the swale leading into Walker Lake, in Kirkwood Park. Photo by Murray Pounds.

Join the Bike-Pedestrian Planning Team as they preview the recommendations for improving walking safety in Kirkwood. This 30-minute walking tour will be an opportunity to learn about the planning process and recommendations and to ask questions.  There will be two walking tours on Saturday, January 24:

• Argonne Drive.  Meet at the northeast corner of Argonne Drive and Kirkwood Road, from 11:00 am - 12:00 p.m.
• Longview Boulevard.  Meet at the corner of Woodlawn Avenue and Longview Boulevard, from 1:00 to 2:00 p.m.

For more information on the Kirkwood Pedestrian and Bicycle Master Plan, click here.   In the event of bad weather - storms, severe ice, heavy snow - the event will be rescheduled for January 31, 2015.  

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.

FRIENDS OF THE KIRKWOOD HISTORICAL SOCIETY WILL MEET FEBRUARY 2 

The Friends of the Kirkwood Historical Society will meet on Monday, February 2 at 10:00 a.m., at Mudd's Grove, corner of Harrison and Argonne. The featured speaker will be Barb Albrecht, with a presentation on "Writing Your Own Book."  As always, the meeting is free and open to the public.

FOR ADULTS:

Special Events:

~ 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.

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.

~ 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.  

~ 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. 

~ 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.  Science Fun, January 14. Make and Take After School Craft, January 28.

Special Events:

~ 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. 

FOR TEENS:

~ 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.  

SAVE THE DATE(S) IN FEBRUARY:

~ Feb. 2: Romance through the Ages Book Discussion, 7:00 p.m.  Jane Austen's "Pride and Prejudice" and Bernie Su's "The Secret Diary of Lizzie Bennett."

~ Feb. 7:  "Frozen" Party, 10:00 a.m.  Join us for games, crafts, and activities inspired by the Disney movie, "Frozen." 

~ Feb. 15:  Community Music School, Suzuki Ensemble, 2:00 p.m.