Kirkwood's Fire Marshal Leo Meyer and the State Fire Marshal remind all Missourians that public fireworks displays put on by professionals offer the most spectacular sights and are the safest option for the public.

Don't forget:  Setting off personal fireworks is prohibited inside the City of Kirkwood and in all of Saint Louis County.

When:  Monday, July 6, 4:00 to 10:00 p.m.

If you have any questions, call KPD Oficer Gary Baldridge at 314-984-6953. Thank you!

The City of Kirkwood contracts with Saint Louis County for vector control service. Here is some general information for interested residents:

• To request spraying on your street or in your neighborhood, call Saint Louis County Vector Control at 314-615-0680, Monday thru Friday, after 10:00 a.m.
• The Kirkwood area is generally sprayed on Thursday evenings.
• If you would like to hear specific information listing where spraying will occur tonight (on any given day), call 314-615-4284. A recorded message is updated daily between 4:00 and 6:00 p.m.  Spraying begins at sunset.

Tips for Neighborhood Mosquito Control

Mosquitoes are an all too familiar summer nuisance. They can also pose a potential health threat as they can transmit such mosquito-born diseases as encephalitis, dengue, malaria and dog heart worm.  The Vector Control Section of the County's Environmental Protection Division operates a disease surveillance program and offers a mosquito control service to residents of unincorporated areas of the County. These control services are also available to residents of incorporated areas on a contract basis.

 

If you wish to spray your yard to control adult mosquitoes, your Public Health Department, the University of Missouri Extension Center, or your local hardware store or garden center can recommend insecticides that are effective and approved by the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency). Be sure to follow all label instructions carefully.

 

Remember, treating adult mosquitoes is only a temporary solution. Elimination of breeding sites and stopping mosquitoes while they are still in the water is much more effective and economical. 

 

Dump Standing Water:

All mosquitoes need water in which to pass their early life states. Adult flying mosquitoes frequently rest in grass, shrubbery or other foliage, but they never develop there. Some mosquitoes lay their eggs in standing water where they hatch in a day or two. Other mosquitoes lay their eggs in old tires, tin cans, or other water-holding containers in which they may remain unhatched for weeks or months until they are covered with water. With both types of mosquitoes, the "wigglers" or larvae grow quickly and turn into "tumblers" or pupae. Soon the skin of the tumbler splits open and out climbs another hungry adult mosquito.  Places where standing water can accumulate: 

• Pool cover, neglected swimming pool, hot tub, or child's wading pool
• Birdbath (clean weekly) or ornamental pool (stock with fish)
• Any toy, garden equipment, or container that can hold water
• Flat roof without adequate drainage
• Clogged rain gutter
• Leaky faucet or pet bowl (change water daily)
• Uncovered boat or boat cover that collects water
• Missing, damaged, or improperly installed screens
• Tree rot hole or hollow stump
• Junk and discarded tires (drill drain holes in bottom of tire swings)

 

Recently, the City has experienced several thefts from parked cars on the western part of town, including two cars stolen.  All of the cars were left unlocked by their owner. One of the two stolen cars had the keys inside the parked vehicle. Wallets, cash, and other itmes were removed from the unlocked cars.  All of the thefts appear to be crimes of opportunity.

Here's a quick list of suggestions for preventing these kinds of crimes in the future.

• Lock it and pocket the keys.  Nearly 20 percent of all vehicles stolen had the keys in them.  Remember to lock the trunk, the hatchback, or the tailgate of a station wagon or SUV.
• If your motor vehicle is an older model, replace standard door lock buttons with tapered ones. These replacements are inexpensive and much more difficult to pry up.
• Don't leave motor vehicle registration, insurance policies, credit cards, or other important papers in a vehicle's glove compartment.
• If you use a self-service gas station or convenience store, don't leave the keys in the vehicle when you go inside to pay your bill.
• Don't place a mini-replica of a license plate or personal identification on a vehicle's key ring.
• Never hide a second set of keys in the vehicle. Extra keys can easily be found if the thief takes time to look. Store a spare key in your wallet instead.
• If possible, avoid parking next to SUVs, pick-up trucks, or other large vehicles, where your smaller vehicle may be hidden, making it more difficult for others to observe.
• When parking along a curb, angle the front wheels sharply to the left or right, making it difficult for a thief to tow it away. Wheels should also be turned to the side in driveways and on parking lots.
• Don't invite a break-in by leaving packages or valuables in sight (radar detectors, cell phones, CDs, etc.). Take valuables with you or put them under the seat or in the trunk.
• Whenever possible, park in well-lighted and busy areas, and try to park in an attended lot. Thieves do not like witnesses and prefer unattended parking lots.
• When you park in an attended lot, only leave the ignition/door key with the attendant. 
• Avoid transferring items to the trunk of a vehicle where it is to be parked.  A thief may be watching.
• Install different locks for the door, ignition, trunk, and glove box. A thief who might obtain your vehicle's door key won't have the ignition key. 

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

For gardeners, golfers, picnickers, hikers, campers, and anyone spending time outdoors, coming into contact with poison ivy, poison oak, sumac, and other rash-causing plants is likely to happen.  Having a zip-top bag nearby holding an alcohol-soaked washcloth is very helpful.  As soon as you have had contact with the plant, use the washcloth to wipe down the affected skin.  Taking a shower and changing clothes quickly also helps.  Pitch the clothes you were wearing directly into the washer to avoid repeat contact.

 

To rid your yard of poison ivy, poison oak, or sumac requires an herbicide for woody plants.  Regular herbicides are not strong enough to do the job.  Removing the dead plant material may still result in exposure, so make sure to wear protective clothing and use gloves.  All of which will need to be laundered before wearing again.  Any tools used will also need to be cleaned.

 

Art at the Station:  In July, Art at the Station will feature the oil and mixed media work of Margaret Sayers, June 29 through August 3. Opening reception will be held Thursday, July 2, 5:30 to 7:00 p.m., at the Kirkwood Train Station, 110 W. Argonne Drive, corner of Kirkwood Road. Exhibits and receptions are free and open to the public. Art may be viewed when the station is open for passengers. Sponsored by the Kirkwood Arts Commission, with generous support from the Kirkwood Arts Foundation.

 

Greetings!  When it rains as heavily as it has for the past several weeks, those of us who are curly-headed, both girls and boys, can only hope for the best.  On some days, the humidity softens and tightens the curls, and on other days, well, it's just a mess. This morning I straightened and styled my hair on what turned out to be yet another wet and muggy morning.  What was I thinking?  

I wasn't thinking.  I was hoping for the best.  And that is what we are doing today as we look toward the weather forecasts for Saturday.  Earlier this week, rain was predicted for Friday and Sunday, with intermittent clouds and a few thunderstorms expected on Saturday.  As of 3pm today, that has all changed.  I'm looking now at a prediction of sunny skies and highs of 82 on Friday, 84 on Saturday, and 87 on Sunday. I'm hoping that holds.  I'm hoping for the best.

However, if it rains on Saturday and we have to postpone the Fireworks, we will try to reschedule them for Sunday. If there is a hint of bad weather on Saturday, please check the City Website at www.kirkwoodmo.org, or our Facebook page at: Facebook.com/CityOfKirkwoodMo.  

I wish you a sunny, but not-too-hot, Independence Day celebration. Don't forget - we are closed tomorrow (Friday). See you in two weeks!

Beth von Behren

PIO/Happenings Editor