Kirkwood E-HappeningsCity Logo B-W
City of Kirkwood
February 19, 2015
In This Issue
Pancake Supper
Events and Programs
Candidate Forum
Development Update
Art Happenings
Gardening Tips
News from MSD
Order of Plowing
Library Happenings
Oak Bend Library
Last Thoughts
Join Our Mailing List!
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PHOTO OF THE WEEK:  Burn, baby, burn. Horticultural worker Renee Kennedy (left) and horticultural assistant Tiffany Rodenberg work on a controlled burn in one of the grassy areas adjacent to Walker Lake in Kirkwood Park. According to Kirkwood horticulturist Pete Laufersweiler, we burn the grasses at the lake to help remove the buildup of dead material on the crowns of the plants that would accumulate over the years if we just cut the plants back. These are mostly all Missouri native prairie grasses, and they evolved with fire being a regular occurrence in the prairies, so they respond well to this process.  As a result, they will flesh out more vigorously this spring and be an overall healthier plant. The burn also helps to remove the weeds that have invaded the plants' crown, an area that can't be sprayed with herbicide or easily dug out.

Don't try this at home:  This is something we only do in select areas, and only with approval of the Fire Department. We take safety precautions to prevent the fire from getting out of control and to make sure that the workers are safe and everyone around the workers is safe too.
PANCAKE SUPPER FEB 26
ANNUAL POLICE PANCAKE SUPPER COMING UP! Pancakes
The Kirkwood Police Department will hold its annual Pancake Supper on Thursday, February 26, at Kirkwood High School, 801 W. Essex, from 4:30 to 7:00 p.m.  Tickets are $4.00 and are available at the Police Department, 131 W. Madison, at City Hall, 139 S. Kirkwood Road, and at the door.  "All the pancakes you can eat" plus sausage, eggs, coffee, milk, applesauce. No carry-outs, please
COMING UP AT THE COMMUNITY CENTER
BACK BY POPULAR DEMAND...

~ World's Greatest Illusionist Parade of Magic, presented by the International Brotherhood of Magicians, February 21, 2:00 and 7:30 p.m. For information call 314-791-9108

~ Artists' Boutique Fine Arts and Craft Show, March 7 and 8, 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. For information, call 314-802-7193.

 
CANDIDATE FORUM MARCH 2
LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTER'S FORUM WILL BE HELD 
The League of Women Voters will host a forum for Kirkwood School Board Candidates on Monday, March 2, at 7:00 p.m.  The Forum will be held in the Keating Center at Kirkwood High School, 801 W. Essex Avenue.  
DEVELOPMENT UPDATES
ICYMI: COMMERCIAL DEVELOPMENT UPDATE FOR LATE WINTER 2014-2015

Recent Approvals:
  • CVS Pharmacy:  Received Planning & Zoning approval to construct a 13,592-square foot pharmacy with drive-thru at 1085 N. Kirkwood Road.
  • Fresh Thyme Market:  Received final development approval for food store. The proposed store, which is 27,977 square feet, will be located at 1018 N. Kirkwood Road. Fresh Thyme is a specialty grocer and will offer organic, locally sourced fruits and vegetables, store-created sausages, premium coffee beans, and local craft beers.
  • McArthur's Bakery: Received a Special Use Permit for a restaurant use at 210 N. Kirkwood Road (formerly Amici's).
  • Midwest Regional Bank:  Received Site Plan Approval to construct a new financial institution at 1085 N. Kirkwood Road (located adjacent to the future CVS Pharmacy).
Current Construction:
Greentree Church:  Received a building permit to construct a place of worship at 100 Kirkwood Place. The main sanctuary will include seating for 422 individuals and a separate fellowship hall will provide seating for 120 individuals. Classrooms will be located on the lower level. A large outdoor amphitheater will be the main focus on the west side of the facility and will allow for special church and public activities.

Under Review:
  • Raising Cane's is awaiting MSD approval before moving forward with Final Development Review. The new drive-thru restaurant will be be located at 1034 S. Kirkwood Road (formerly O'Donnell Eye Institute).
  • BARx CrossFit submitted an application for a Zoning Code amendment and Special Use Permit for a physical fitness facility to be located at 12309 Old Big Bend (formerly McDonnell's Market building). The facility would be geared toward CrossFit training which is a constantly varied, high intensity and communal workout. Class sizes will range from 1 to 12 individuals.
ART HAPPENINGS IN KIRKWOOD
ARTS CALENDAR, FEBRUARY/MARCH:
 Art at the Station:  The Kirkwood area Arts Council and the Kirkwood Arts Commission will feature the photography of Fred Baugh from March 2 through 30 at Art at the Station. His opening reception will be Thursday, March 5, from 5:30 to 7:00 p.m., at the Station, located at the corner of Argonne and South Kirkwood Road. Exhibits and receptions are free and open to the public. Art may be viewed when the station is open for passengers. The watercolor work of Sharon Wyman continues through March 1.

Con Spirito Concert Series:
Con Spirito Concerts are held at the First Presbyterian Church, 100 E. Adams Avenue, in Kirkwood. The series celebrates its 15th season by observing "The Year of the Organ," honoring the installation of the church's new Casavant Freres Pipe Organ.  In February:
~ Feb. 20:  John Cargile, Manchester United Methodist, 12:00 noon
~ Feb. 27:  Mary Beth Wittry, organist, St. Gabriel the Archangel (NOTE the change), 12:00 noon
~ March 13:  Brent Johnson, organist, Third Baptist Church
~ March 27:  Nancy Peterson, organist, Zion Lutheran Church, Mascoutah, Illinois
 
AIM Community Band Annual Concert:
~ Sunday, March 8, 3:00 p.m., Keating Auditorium, Kirkwood High School, 801 W. Essex Avenue.  The concert is free.  For more information, call 314-822-2749.

Other February Events:
~ Music in the Library:  Bella Corda (Kirk Hanser), Sunday,. March 8, 3:00 to 4:00 p.m., at Kirkwood Public Library, 140 E. Jefferson in downtown Kirkwood.
~ Kirkwood Public Library will feature the work of Susan Zimmerman in the Library's Art Gallery through March 15, with an artist's reception on Friday, March 6, 5:30 to 6:30 p.m.  Ms. Zimmerman is a local artist who creates hand-built porcelain vessels whose shapes evoke enigmatic narratives about nature. She will also have photography on display. 
 
Kirkwood Public Library Accepts Artist Applications:
Kirkwood Public Library will accept applications beginning Sunday, March 1, to exhibit their work for the coming year, which runs August 2015 through August 2015, in the Library's Art Gallery. KPL exhibits work in the gallery throughout the year to expose the community to new art forms and ideas, foster creativity, inspire curiosity, and to provide exhibition opportunities for the artistic community.  Exhibits are chosen by a staff committee, according to the needs and interests of the community, the variety of shows, the artistic quality of the works, and the suitability of the format for the Library's physical space. The Library will accept applications through May 5 at 5:00 p.m. Portfolios will be accepted physically and by electronic application. Physical submissions may be delivered or mailed to the Library at 140 E. Jefferson Avenue in downtown Kirkwood. Electronic submissions should be emailed to: edeLooze@kirkwoodpubliclibrary.org. For more details and instructions for the submission process, please visit the Library's Website at KirkwoodPublicLibrary.org. Click on "Display my artwork."  Or call 314-821-5770, ext. 1012. 

Save the Date - Missouri Chamber Music Festival:
The Missouri Chamber Music Festival (MOCM) presents its fifth anniversary season of concerts and an adult amateur musician workshop.  The concerts will take place June 17, 18, 20, and 21 at the First Congregational Church of Webster Groves. Derek Bermel returns as Composer-in-Residence. Single tickets are $12 to $30, and a 4-concert pass is $70. Purchase tickets in advance by phone, 314-882-0053, or online at www.mochambermusic.org, beginning April 17.  Tickets will also be available at the door one hour before the performance.  MOCM also hosts its continuing education program for adult amateur musicians - the MOCM Pro-Am Intensive Workshop, June 4 thru 7, at Webster University's Community Music School.  Visit their Website for full details about the workshop and a full schedule and description of concert performances. 

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!
IN THE GARDEN THIS WEEK...

The tips of the foliage for spring blooming flowers such as daffodils, surprise lilies, tulips etc., may be damaged by the extremely cold weather the region is experiencing.  But the flowers should be fine.  The tips of the leaves may be burned (brown) and can be trimmed when the weather warms up.  Don't attempt to cover these plants.  This may cause more harm than good.

 

Leaving evergreen shrubs and trees uncovered prevents the branches from breaking or bending unnaturally.  Trying to knock snow off these plants generally results in more damage than letting nature take its course.

 

Everyone is welcome to the Kirkwood Garden Club's March 3 meeting where Dan Billman will discuss trees and their proper pruning.  Dan is on the horticulture staff at St. Louis Community College at Meramec.  The meeting will be at 7:00 p.m. at the Kirkwood Community Center.   

 

 

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.
NEWS FROM MSD
WHAT IS HOUSEHOLD HAZARDOUS WASTE?

Ah, springtime is coming. Time for spring cleaning. And what happens when we clean the basement, in the garage and under the sink? We often come across things like paint, motor oil, and cleaners.   Can they go in the trash or are they considered household hazardous waste (HHW)?

 

Products around the home that contain chemicals that are toxic, flammable, corrosive, or reactive are hazardous household products. These products are safe when used and stored following label direction. However, when the products become unusable and are no longer wanted, they become household hazardous waste.

 

Until recently, the best option for disposing of household hazardous waste in our area was to wait for collection days organized by various government entities and non-profits. In 2013, through a partnership with the Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District, a permanent household hazardous waste collection facility opened at 291 E. Hoffmeister, St. Louis, MO 63125, on the grounds of the Lemay Wastewater Treatment Plant.

 

Residents of Jefferson County, St. Louis County, and the City of St. Louis are encouraged to take advantage of this facility. Additional locations are anticipated to open in the coming years.   

 

For more information including what you can drop off and how to schedule a drop-off, visit:  http://www.hhwstl.com.   While on the site, make sure to learn about ways to reduce and reuse household hazardous waste materials so you don't have to make the trip too often.

WHEN IT SNOWS...
ORDER OF PLOWING REMINDER
When snow falls, City plowing crews focus first on the main roads, such as Kirkwood Road, Geyer Road, Essex, Woodlawn, Woodbine, Couch, etc.   Cleaning these streets first allows emergency vehicles to get through when needed. During this first stage, street crews also work on hills and bridges. Crews do not begin to work on secondary streets until the snow stops. Secondary streets include Taylor, Fillmore, Dickson, Quan, Rose Hill, Clay, Lindeman, Harrison, Peeke, and Ann. When all those are done, crews move to subdivision streets and clear those.

PRE-TREATING:  When possible, crews pre-treat all City streets when a storm has been predicted. However, in some storms, when the temperatures are very low, pretreating may not work very well.

FROM YOUR KIRKWOOD PUBLIC LIBRARY
IN FEBRUARY

FOR ADULTS:

Saturday Morning Perk's Club: Saturday, February 28, 10:00 am: Under the Wide and Starry Sky by Nancy Horan. Author of Loving Frank writes her second novel about the improbable love story of Scottish writer Robert Louis Stevenson and his tempestuous American wife Fanny.


FOR KIDS:

Wednesday After School Special.  Join us on Wednesdays from 4:00 to 5:00 p.m., for a different activity each week of the month. For elementary school age children. February 25:  Make and Take After-School Craft.

_________________________________________
IN MARCH:

FOR ADULTS:
~ Romance through the Ages. Book Discussion. Cora Cormack's "Losing It." March 2, 7:00-8:00 p.m.
~ An Afternoon Coffee: "Jessie Tarbox Beals and the 1904 World's Fair." Don't miss Chautauqua Scholar Dianne Moran portray photojournalist Jessie Tarbox Beals in historically correct dress with theme displays and memorabilia of our 1904 World's Fair.  We are planning a special afternoon "coffee" for ladies in our community.  Wednesday, March 4, 1:30 p.m.
~ Art Gallery:  Susan Zimmerman, February thru March. Reception: March 6, 5:30-6:30 p.m.
~ Author Event:  Edna Campos Gravenhorst will discuss her book "Famous Barr: St. Louis Shopping at its Finest."  Ms. Gravenhorst will discuss the 95-year history of the St. Louis department store and the ins and outs and impact of this institution. Saturday, March 21, 2:00 p.m.
~ Music in the Library:  Bella Corda (Kirk Hanser), Sunday,. March 8, 3:00 to 4:00 p.m.

FOR CHILDREN:
~ Happy Birthday, Dr. Seuss.  Celebrate everything Seuss with activities, crafts, and cake. Happy 110th, Dr. Seuss!  All ages.  March 2, 4:00 to 5:00 p.m.
~ Wednesday After-School Special:  Join us on Wednesdays for a different activity each week of the month. For elementary school-age children.  March 4:  Lego Club. March 11:  Science Fun.  March 25:  Make and Take After-School Craft.

STORY TIMES:
~ Time for Twos, Tuesdays, 10:00 a.m. Stories, songs, crafts.
~ Pre-school Story Time, Wednesdays, 10:00 a.m. Stories, songs, crafts.
~ 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.
~ Count on Books:  Join us for a 6-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. Call the Children's Room at 821-5777, ext. 1015, to sign up. Fridays through March 6, 10:00-10:45 a.m.
~ Champ Reading Dogs: First Sunday of the month, 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 thru 8 and their parents. Books available at library for check out. .
~ Family Book Club Junior. For children in grades 3 and 4 and their parents. February 23, 6:30 p.m. Mysteries for Children.

 

Kirkwood Public Library is located at 140 E. Jefferson Avenue in Downtown Kirkwood.
FROM OAK BEND LIBRARY
FEBRUARY PROGRAMMING AND EVENTS:

FOR TEENS:
~ SAT/ACT Math Prep Workshop, Saturday, February 21, 1:30 p.m.  Join us at the Oak Bend Branch as we help you prepare for the SAT or ACT college entrance exam. Adult and teen volunteers will be on hand to teach you test-taking skills and more. You may also bring your own SAT/ACT problems and we will find the best way to solve them. Grades 7-12. Registration required.

FOR ADULTS:
~ Tax Assistance for Older Residents: Select Mondays and Wednesdays, 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. (Feb.  23 and 25). Offered by CORP (St. Louis County Older Resident Program). Free assistance in preparation of income tax forms and property tax credit claims for low- and moderate-income persons 60 years and older. To make an appointment, call 314-615-4037.

FOR KIDS/FAMILIES:
~ Discovery Club: World of Glue. Monday, February 23, 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.
~ Discovery Time:  Light and Dark. Tuesday, February 24, 10:30 a.m.  Explore the world of light, reflection, and shadow through stories, songs, and hands-on experiences. Ages 3-5. Registration required.


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
I love the smell of grass burning in the morning...it smells like...SPRING! Have you ever found yourself driving down the highway in the middle of the countryside, when suddenly the smell of something acrid hits your olfactory senses, and you look around but can't see a fire anywhere?  I only had to ask my mother once: "What's that burning smell?"  She informed me it was the fields, that some farmer was burning off his old crops. Years later, I saw my own grandfather, who switched from construction to farming in retirement, burn his fields too.

Of course, it's more complicated than that.  We have all seen television news reports of controlled burns in our national forests.  A quick Wikipedia search tells us a controlled burn stimulates germination of desirable forest seeds, which helps to renew the forest.  Fire is a natural part of both forest and grassland ecology, and farmers have learned to use it too. According to Wikipedia:  "[controlled burning] is seen as one component of shifting cultivation, as a part of field preparation for planting. Often called field burning, this technique is used to clear the land of any existing crop residue as well as kill weeds and weed seeds. Field burning is less expensive than most other methods such as herbicides or tillage, but because it does produce smoke and other fire-related pollutants, its use is not popular in agricultural areas bounded by residential housing."

A further point:  It is only done during cooler weather and in periods of non-drought (although controlled burning is also used as a fire prevention tool to stave off out-of-control forest fires during times of drought). So if you smelled a little grass burning last week, or saw the flames at Walker Lake in Kirkwood Park (photo above), now you know the rest of the story.

More reasons why we can't wait for Spring:  I have now missed both a movie ("Selma") and the orchid show at Missouri Botanical Gardens twice due to cold weather and snow.  I hope to make it to MoBot this weekend, but if we get the promised snow on Saturday, it may have to wait.  I know we all are counting the days until spring.  One indicator it's not too far off:  Daylight Savings Time begins March 8.

Stay warm out there, and see you in two weeks (on March 5).
    

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