Kirkwood Happenings
City of Kirkwood, Missouri
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May 7, 2015


Welcome to the May 7 edition of Kirkwood Happenings.

Photo of the Week:  You may have noticed these signs on the roadways around Kirkwood. This one was spotted on Argonne.


 
This Weekend
Train Station Day and Mayfest on Saturday

The City of Kirkwood will once again host a Rail Safety Day and Train Day as part of the Amtrak Days program and in combination with Downtown Kirkwood's Mayfest on Saturday, May 9. The event will run from 9:00 a.m., to 2:00 p.m., at the Kirkwood Train Station, 110 W. Argonne Drive. Displays will include:

  • Kirkwood Police & Fire Departments
  • Amtrak
  • Missouri Operation Lifesaver
  • National Museum of Transport
  • Morse Telegraph Club
  • Union Pacific and BNSF Railroad Police
  • Kirkwood Historical Society
  • Operating Model Train Exhibit
Food will be available from the American Legion while it lasts. There will be a drawing for free Amtrak tickets to Chicago or Kansas City.

Saturday is also Mayfest in Downtown Kirkwood
Start celebrating Mother's Day on Saturday!  Mayfest Event Schedule:
  • 8:00 a.m. Farmers' Market opens:  Farmers, treats, flowers, and sampling
  • Food Trucks:  Walk Away Waffles, Gioia's Deli, Vincent Van Doughnut
  • 9:00 a.m. to noon:  Kirkwood Garden Club Plant Sale at the Train Station
  • 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.  Art Show and Sale at Station Plaza.
  • 11:00 a.m. Boogie Foot performs on stage at Station Plaza
  • 2:00 p.m.  Lucille Rapp Dancers and Tumblers on stage at Station Plaza
  • 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.  In-store sales and specials throughout Dontown Kirkwood. Look for the butterflies at participating merchants.
Be sure to visit the Arts Commission booth at Station Plaza and vote on the best decorated flower pot!  Voting is from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.  You can also bid on the pots during the silent auction.

City Sponsors Electronics Recycling Drive on Saturday
RAIN OR SHINE:  This Saturday, May 9, the City will host an Electronics Recycling Drive, in partnership with MRC Recycling, at the Public Works Building, 345 S. Fillmore, from 9:00 a.m., to noon.  This is mostly a free drop off; however, older-model TVs up to 27" are $20 and larger models are $40. For full details, visit the City's Website calendar and download the flyer (scroll down to May 9).

Happening in May
Comprehensive Planning Workshop May 19
Planning that will shape Kirkwood and lead the City into the future is underway.  A new 20-year Comprehensive Plan is the goal, but it needs the input of the Community.  That's why you, the citizens of Kirkwood, are important to the planning process. 

 

The City's EnVision 2015 Comprehensive Plan will steer the growth of the Kirkwood community over the next 20 years.  A number of meetings, workshops, and presentations will solicit input and the opinions of the public.  The first workshop will be held:

  • Tuesday, May 19, 4:00 to 8:00 p.m.
  • At Nipher Middle School, 700 S. Kirkwood Road, in the north gym
  • Come-and-go format.
  • For more information, please visit the comprehensive planning Website at www.Kirkwood2035.org.

Pool Opens for the Season May 23
The Kirkwood Aquatic Center opens for the season on Saturday, May 23, at 10:00 a.m.  Get your pool passes and ID cards now before the lines get long.  For scheduling and cost information, please visit the Aquatics page on the City Website at:  www.kirkwoodmo.org/pool.

Holiday Hours:  The Community Center office will be open over the Memorial Day holiday weekend as follows:
~ Saturday, May 23, 9am to 3pm
~ Sunday, May 24, 11am to 4pm
~ Monday, May 25, 8am to 4pm

City Offices Closed Memorial Day:  No Sanitation
City Hall and most City offices will be closed on Monday, May 25, for Memorial Day.  There will be no sanitation collected on the holiday, and all routes will be delayed by one day all week.

Kirkwood Historical Society Antique Appraisal Fair May 30
The Kirkwood Historical Society will hold its annual Antique Appraisal Fair on Saturday, May 30, from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., at the Kirkwood Community Center, 111 S. Geyer Road.  The cost is $15 per item, with a maximum of two items.  Tickets are available at Mudd's Grove Library, 302 W. Argonne, on Thursdays and Sundays from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m.  Also at: Christopher's, 127 E. Argonne, and at James Durbin Jewelry, 114 W. Jefferson, or at the door.  Appointments can be made with appraisers of more items at a later date.  Please bring photos of large furniture.  Questions:  Call Carol at 314-265-3630 or Kate at 314-965-3831.
Save the Date(s)
2015 Making Music Concert Series Kicks Off June 13 in Kirkwood Park 
The 2015 "Making Music" concert series opens on Saturday, June 13, with: One More Round - A Tribute to Johnny Cash.  One More Round is an era-driven Johnny Cash tribute band, offering an authentic look, sound, an feel of a Johnny Cash performance. They showcase his hits from the 1950s through the 1990s.  A June Carter vocalist with a powerful stage performance will join the band to sing on the Cash-Carter duets.  For more information, visit their Website at www.jcashtribute.com.

One June 27, the Gateway City Big Band will perform.  Gateway City is a 17-piece dance band with two vocalists. They have been entertaining audiences in the St. Louis area since 1966.  For more information, visit their Website at www.gatewaycitybigband.com.

All "Making Music" concerts start at 7:00 p.m., and are held in the Lions' Amphitheatre in Kirkwood Park.  The concerts are free, and donations are greatly appreciated.  Sponsored by the Kirkwood Arts Commission, with funding support from the Kirkwood Arts Foundation.  

Kirkwood Route 66 Festival Featuring the Great Race:  June 20

The City of Kirkwood will hold its first-ever Route 66 Festival on June 20, in conjunction with the start of the Hemmings Motor News Great Race, a vintage-car rally that this year will start in Kirkwood and end eight days later in Santa Monica, California.  Family-friendly activities include bounce houses and face painting, live music, performances by "Frozen" characters, and hands-on activities offered by the Magic House and Kirkwood Public Library.

Thursday Evening Concert Series in Station Plaza Kicks Off June 4 with Ralph Butler
~ June 4:  Ralph Butler Quartet, sponsored by Riggs Construction & Design and Summit Produce & Plants
~ June 11:  Rosewood, sponsored by The Workman Group and Checkered Cottage
~ June 18:  Soulard Blues Band, sponsored by Spencer's Grill and STL Real Estate
~ June 25:  Fair Warning, Sponsored by the Haiti Orphan Project, an initiative of Keane Insurance Group
~ July 2:  Killer Whales, Tourism Night, sponsored by Amtrak's Missouri River Runner

All concerts start at 6:30 p.m. and run until 9:00 p.m. For inclement weather information, call 822-0084, ext. 5.

Tunes @ Ten Kicks Off May 9: Saturday Mornings at the Farmers' Market
~ May 9: Salt of the Earth
~ May 23:  The Souhside Creole Playboys
~ June 6:  Salt of the Earth
~ June 20:  Maple Jam Band
~ July 18:  Maple Jam Band
~ August 15:  Salt of the Earth
~ August 29:  Maple Jam Band
~ September 12:  The Southside Creole Playboys
~ September 26:  Sadie Hawkins Day*(

All concerts start at 10:00 a.m., on the east side of the Kirkwood Farmers' Market.  For inclement weather information, call 822-0084, ext. 5, or check the Farmers' Market Facebook page.

*Sadie Hawkins Day will also perform July 31 during our farm-to-table dinner. Tickets required.


Freedom Festival in Kirkwood Park: July 4
The annual Kirkwood Fourth of July Freedom Festival kicks off at 7:00 p.m., in Kirkwood Park.  Fireworks at dusk.

Gardening Tip of the Month
Watch Out for Aphids!

If you have white "flecks" on the leaves of your roses or other plants, it is most likely aphids.  These are small pests that can also infest your house plants.  For outdoor plants, the easiest way to remove them is by spraying with your hose.  For indoor plants, using your sink sprayer is effective too.

 

PLANT SALE:  Be sure to visit the Kirkwood Garden Club's annual plant sale this weekend - on Saturday, May 9, beginning at 9:00 a.m., at the Train Station.  Perennials, annuals, herbs, and veggies will be available for sale.  Members will be happy to answer any gardening questions you have.  Funds raised by the sale support the planting at the Kirkwood Train Station, a horticultural scholarship, and other community programs.  

 

The Kirkwood Garden Club writes a Gardening Tip for most editions of Happenings.  For more information about the club, check out their Website at KirkwoodGardenClub.org. New members and guests, both men and women, are welcome to attend their meetings and events.  Meetings are typically held on the first Tuesday of the month at 7:00 p.m. at the Kirkwood Community Center.

 

Kirkwood Public Library News
Summer Reading Kick-Off May 16!! 

Summer Reading Kick-Off for ALL AGES:  May 16, 10:00 a.m. to noon.  Games, crafts, activities, and music for the entire family. Read to win prizes!  Featuring the music of River Bound, a St. Louis-based bluegrass band. 


Programming for Adults:
  • Saturday Morning Perks Club. Saturday, May 9, 10:00 a.m.  "Aviator's Wife," by Melanie Benjamin.
  • Books on Tap.  2nd Wednesday of the Month at Kirkwood Station Brewing Company.  May 13: "Let's Pretend This Never Happened," by Jenny Lawson.
  • Mortgages and Refinancing. May 14, 7:00 p.m. Featuring:
    • Brokers, bankers, credit unions
    • Interest-only vs interest and principal
    • 30-year mortgage vs 15-year mortgage
    • Mortgages that increase your wealth
    • Common mortgage misconceptions
    • Reducing mortgage fees
  • Mystery Readers:  Wednesday, May 20, 2:00 p.m.  "Death Stalks Door County, A Dave Cubiak Door County Mystery," by Patricia Skalka.
  • Three Women:  The Treacherous, the Bold, and the Brilliant.  Tuesday, May 26, 2:00 p.m. Bev Schuetz from History Talks presents three diverse but equally unique women from history and literature - Peggy Shippen, Nellie Bly, and Marie Curie.
  • Adult Craft Series. Wednesday, May 27, 7:00 p.m. Monogram Tote Bag.
  • World War I Book Discussion Series. Thursday, May 28, 1:30 p.m. "Marching with the 83rd Infantry Across Europe."
Programming for Teens:
  • Anime Afternoon. Friday, May 15, 3:00-5:00 p.m.
  • Minecraft NIght.  Friday, May 22, 5:30-7:30 p.m.

Kirkwood Public Library is located at 140 E. Jefferson Avenue in Downtown Kirkwood.  Contact them at 314-821-5770 for additional information or to register.  Or visit their Website at www.KirkwoodPublicLibrary.org

Oak Bend Branch Library News
May Programming

FOR TEENS:
SAT/ACT Math Prep Workshop, Saturday, May 16, 1:30 p.m. Join us to 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.

MINECRAFT FOR TEENS.  Wednesday, May 27, 7:00 p.m. Teens of all skill levels are invited. Grades 6-12. Registration required.

CREATIVITY LAB:  MAKEY MAKEY. Friday, May 29, 3:00-4:30 p.m.  Stop in any time between 3:00 and 4:30 p.m. to get creative with an assortment of technology and art supplies.  Bring your own projects or use food, play dough, and more to control a computer with MaKey MaKey.  Grades 6-12. Registration requested.

FOR KIDS:
PARENT/CAREGIVER MAKE & TAKE WORKSHOP. Tuesday, May 12, 10:00 a.m. Make fun learning activities to take home and share with your preschooler. Registration required.

DISCOVER CLUB: KITE CREATION.
Monday, May 18, 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.


All County Library branches will be closed on Monday, May 25, in observance of Memorial Day.

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.

Arts Calendar
Coming Up in the Arts in May 

 

ART AT THE STATION presents the water color work of Amalia Lottes through June 1.  Art may be viewed at the Kirkwood Train Station, 110 W. Argonne, when the Station is open for passengers.  Sponsored by the Kirkwood Arts Commission, with funding from the Kirkwood Arts Foundation.

TWILIGHT TUESDAYS, at the Missouri History Museum in Forest Park, every Tuesday through June 2, at 6:00 p.m.  Free.
~ May 12: Skeet Rodgers, the Lovely Ms. Hi-C, an the Inner City Blue Band.
~ May 19:  Tish Haynes Keys - the Soulful R&B Tribute to Chaka Khan
~ May 26:  Sinatra Song Book
~ June 2:  Honey Vox

THOROUGHLY MODERN MILLIE, presented by the Kirkwood Theatre Guild, at the Robert G. Reim Theatre, at the Community Center, 111 S. Geyer. Last weekend.  For tickets and times, visit:  ktg-onstage.org.

LAUMEIER ART FAIR, at Laumeier Sculpture Park, May 8 to 10.  Visit their Website for hours and ticket information:
www.laumeiersculpturepark.org.

TWISTED IMPROV, presented by the Kirkwood Theatre Guild, May 15, 8:00 p.m., at the Steamboat Room, 314 S. Clay.  Tickets:  ktg-onstage.org.

COMMUNITY GOSPEL CHOIR, final concert of the season on Sunday, May 17, at 3:00 p.m., at Concordia Lutheran Church, 505 S. Kirkwood Road.FREE FAMILY DAY AT LAUMEIER:  Sunday, May 17, 2:00 to 4:00 p.m.

SMOKEY JOE'S CAFE, presented by Stages St. Louis, May 29 through June 28, at the Robert G. Reim Theatre at the Community Center, 111 S. Geyer.  For times and ticket prices, visit their Website:
www.StagesStLouis.org.
 
Butterfly Garden at the Train Station
MANY THANKS to Bull Ruppert and his volunteers for the new butterfly garden at the historic downtown Kirkwood Train Station. Photo below.

 
The Finish Line...
Shakespeare, Anyone?  

 

As fans of this column know, I look forward to the opening of the Shakespeare Festival in Forest Park every year.  I even pony up the money to reserve an uncomfortable plastic seat in the reserved area, because it's easier than carrying blankets and chairs, but also because it's a good way to financially support the organization.   This year they are producing "Antony and Cleopatra," from May 22 through June 14, in Shakespeare Glen (just across from the Art Museum).  All performances are FREE and start at 8:00 p.m. nightly (except Tuesdays), with a Green Show starting at 6:00 p.m.  Bring a picnic dinner or purchase food at the event.  I recently started hiking the trails at Forest Park, and one of the routes I take goes right through the Glen.  This past Sunday, I was rewarded (see pic):  Set build has begun!

The opening of the Shakespeare Festival is one of the hallmarks of a St. Louis Spring, along with the budding of tulips and the burgeoning fervor of Cardinals' fans (what ABOUT those guys?).  In Kirkwood, we welcome spring and summer with the start of all the various summer concert series (Station Plaza, "Making Music," Tunes @ Ten - schedules above) and with the opening of the pool on Memorial Day weekend.  (We seriously cannot stress enough the need to get your pool passes early to avoid the long lines.)  Before you know it, July 4 will be here.

This spring, a committee of staff and volunteers is hard at work planning the first-ever "Kirkwood Route 66 Festival" featuring the Great Race.  If you love cars, especially vintage ones, you won't want to miss this event.  The Great Race is a cross-country rally that this year starts off in Kirkwood and ends eight days later in Santa Monica, California.  The committee decided to make it an almost-all-day affair by adding a new family-friendly downtown Kirkwood festival (that we hope to continue in the future, just not with the Great Race).  More details will be forthcoming, but there will be a lot of fun stuff for both kids and adults.  Early warning note:  We encourage all Kirkwood residents who can to walk to the festival, as downtown streets are expected to be traffic-heavy and parking at a premium.  Some streets will be closed for a portion of the day as well.

You can keep up with updates by liking our Facebook page at Facebook.com/KirkwoodMissouriRoute66Festival.

You may have noticed that this is a very long newsletter.  That's because it is the only one we will publish in May.  I will be on vacation May 21 thru 31, so we won't publish again until June 4. 

HAPPY MOTHERS DAY - to all the great moms and stand-in moms out there.  Have a great month.   (No proofreader today - my apologies for any typos.)

Beth von Behren
Happenings Editor