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August 28, 2015


Welcome to the August 28 edition of the City of Kirkwood's e-newsletter. 

Photo of the Week:  Kirkwood Parks' Horticulturist Pete Laufersweiler treats an ash tree in the parking lot at City Hall with a chemical designed to attack the Emerald Ash Borer.  See full article below.

  
Greentree Parade Deadline
Parade Applications Due Friday, August 27, 5:00 p.m.
 
If you want to have an entry in this year's Greentree Parade (on September 19), please get your application in no later than 5:00 p.m., Friday, August 28.


City Offices Closed on Labor Day
No Sanitation Collected on the Holiday
 
City Hall and most City offices will be closed on Monday, September 7, in observance of Labor Day. We resume normal hours on Tuesday.

Other Holiday Info:
~ There will be no sanitation collection on Labor Day.  All routes will be delayed by one day all week.  Monday routes move to Tuesday. Tuesday routes move to Wednesday, and so on.
~ The Community Center Office and the Ice Rink will both be closed on the holiday.
~ Pool hours on Labor Day Weekend:  10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. All pools open.
~ Pool hours on Labor Day: 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Pool closes for the season at 6:00 p.m. on Labor Day.

EAB Update
Kirkwood Prepares for Arrival of the Emerald Ash Borer
 
The Back Story:  The EAB is an exotic, invasive, wood-boring beetle that infests and kills ash trees. The adult beetle is dark metallic green, with a bullet-shaped body that is about one-half inch long and one-eighth inch wide. The larvae (the immature stage) are flat, creamy-white grubs with distinct bell-shaped body segments. Adult beetles are usually seen from mid-May through July on or near ash trees. Larvae are found under the bark of ash trees during the remaining months of the year.  The native range of EAB is eastern Russia, northern China, and Korea.

Not sure if you have an ash tree?  Here is a photo of the leave of an ash to help you identify any on your property:



Human Transportation:  EAB adults generally fly less than a half mile to mate and lay eggs on ash trees, making the natural spread of this pest relatively slow.  Humans, however, can move the EAB long distances inadvertently in a short period of time. EAB can hitchhike under the bark of ash firewood, nursery stock, logs, and lumber, emerging from these materials to start an infestation in a new area.

What's Being Done:  To read more about what the Missouri Department of Conversation is doing about this and what they are recommending, please visit their Website (click here).  There are several informational articles in the right-hand navigation on this page, including: "New EAB Management Guide for Homeowners."
 
What You Can Do:  First, make an assessment of the trees on your property to determine if you have any ash trees (see photo above).  Next, determine if your ash trees are of high value or lower value.  Here is a page on the MDC Website that will help with that (click here). If you have ash trees that you want to save, the final step would be to find an arborist who can treat your tree(s). 

For information about what the City is doing for its trees, please visit the City Blog.
Dog Pool Parties
Bring Your Canine Friends! Dog Pool Party
 
Dog Pool Party #1:  Tuesday, September 8, 5:00 to 7:00 p.m.

Dog Pool Party #2:  Thursday, September 10, 5:30 to 6:00 p.m. for dogs 25 pounds and smaller; 6:00-7:30 p.m. for all dogs.

$10 per dog/owner. $3 for each additional person.

Current shot records required - DHLPP and Rabies. Sponsored by the Missouri Alliance for Animal Legislation and Pool Paws for Humane Laws.

Thursday Night Concerts
Thursday Evening Concert Series in Station Plaza

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:

~ August 27:  "Kirkwoodstock," sponsored by Kirkwood United Methodist Church
~ September 3:  Gentlemen Bandits, sponsored by Bar Louie
~ September 10:  Vondrukes, sponsored by Bar Louie
~ September 17:  Emily Wallace, sponsored by Bar Louie
~ September 24:  Breakdown Shakedown, sponsored by Bar Louie
Senior Corner!
OASIS Offerings September through December, at the Kirkwood Community Center
 
THE AMERICAN WEST:  THE FRONTIER, 1803-1890. The settling of the American West from 1803 (Louisiana Purchase / Lewis and Clark Journey) to 1890: Closing the frontier by the superintendent of the U.S. Census.  Frederick Jackson Turner's Thesis on The West. The Battle of Wounded Knee.  This is one of our country's most stirring dramas, and St. Louis was "The Gateway." The class will focus on those 87 years of myths an facts in American History.  Mondays and Thursdays, October 5, 8, 12, 15, 19, 22, 1:00-3:00 p.m.  Fee:  $74, 6 sessions. Taught by Tom St. John.  

GO LEAN WITH PROTEIN:  Learn the importance of the protein food group in your diet, while identifying the best animal and non-animal sources. Learn about portion sizing and acquire tips on purchasing protein on a budget. Develop skills to keep your food safe while you're cooking, as well as keeping food safe after a meal is over.  Practice using a food thermometer to identify when your food could be in a dangerous temperature zone.  FREE. Wednesday, October 14, 1:00-2:00 p.m.

BARRE FITNESS CLASS. Taught by Cindy Fernandez, Certified Pilates Instructor.  This energetic core conditioning class uses the ballet barre to increase strength, balance, and flexibility.  Participants will need to bring a mat and weights. Class is tailored to all fitness levels. Fridays, October 16 through November 20, 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon. Fee:  $40. 6 Sessions. OASIS Logo

FOLK SONG SING-A-LONG:  Brought to you in partnership with the Folk School of KDHX. Each week, learn about and sing different periods of folk music.   Come and join the living tradition with this fun class that will explore old and new folk songs. Bring an instrument or just bring yourself.  All levels are welcome. Thursdays, October 15 through December 10, 10:30 to 11:30 a.m.   Fee:  $65.  8 sessions.

PILATES FOR 50+. Taught by Heather Needleman, Certified Pilates Instructor.  Strengthen and tone core muscles, increase flexibility, and improve posture with this class taught by an adult who is 50+.  Participants should be able to do floor exercises and supply their own mat.  Tuesdays, October 20 through November 24, 10:00 to 11:00 a.m.  Fee:  $40.  6 sessions. 

MAH JONGG I:  Taught by mary Lamping and Lori Nobbe, Mah Jongg instructors.  Dating back to ancient China, the game Mah Jongg is making a comeback in popularity. Learn to play the American version of this rumm7-like game, using tiles. OASIS will provide tiles.  Whether you're new to the game and want to learn the basics, or you know ho and you're looking for someone to play with, we invite you to join the group.  Call for inforamtion on your National Mah Jongg.  Wednesdays, October 7, through November 25, 1:00-3:00 p.m.   Fee: $15. 8 sessions. 

SPIES, COURIERS, SABOTEURS, AND SECRET SOCIETIES OF THE CIVIL WAR IN MISSOURI. Taught by James Erwin.  An examination of the men and women who risked imprisonment, or wore, to collect political and military intelligence and to attack military installations behind the lines.  We will discuss secret societies, real and imagined, believed to be engaged in subversive activities in the state - and the government's response to perceived threats.  Monday, December 14, 10:30 a.m. to 12:00 noon.  Fee:  $12.

_____________________________

Register today!  To register or for additional information, please call 314-862-4859, ext. 24. Or visit www.oasisnet.org/stl and select "Classes."
 
EnVision Kirkwood 2035 Update
Comprehensive Planning:  Virtual Open House and Survey

What is YOUR vision for the future of Kirkwood?  Residents can help shape the future of the community by being a part of the EnVision 2035 Comprehensive Planning process in two ways.
1) Complete the monthly surveys at Kirkwood2035.org.
2) Attend the Open House/Workshop on September 22, 5:00 to 8:00 p.m., at the Kirkwood Community Center, 111 S. Geyer Road.
Greentree Festival 2015
It's the Greentree Circus Parade!
 
The theme for the 2015 Greentree Festival is "Greentree Circus Parade."  The Festival is held annually in Kirkwood Park, located at the intersection of South Geyer Road and West Adams Avenue.  Here are just a few highlights, but look for the full schedule on the Festival Website at www.GreentreeFestival.com. 

Information:
~ Festival Dates:  September 18, 19, 20
~ Festival Hours:   Friday night, 5:00 to 10:00 p.m. (No arts and crafts booths will be open Friday night, but many food and information booths will be open).  Saturday, 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.  Sunday, 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
~ The Motown Revue takes the stage on Friday night at 6:30 in the Lions' Amphitheatre.
~ The annual Greentree Parade steps off at 10:00 a.m., Saturday morning. See the Festival Website for route and street closures.
~ Wine Garden Hours:   Friday, 5:00-10:00 p.m.  Saturday, 11:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.  Sunday, Noon to 5:00 p.m.
~ Book Fair Hours:  Friday, 5:00-10:00 p.m. (Early Bird Viewing is 5:00-7:00). Saturday, 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.  Sunday, 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
~ Folklife Festival Hours:  Saturday, 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.  Sunday, 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
~ Other highlights:  180 Arts & Crafts Booths.  Kids' Dog Show and Canine Frisbee Contest Friday night. Classic Car Show and Sailboat Regatta on Sunday. 
Gardening Tip
Time to Plant Trees, Shrubs, Perennials!

September through mid October is a wonderful time to plant trees, shrubs, many perennials, and to renew lawns.  The ground is warm, allowing roots to become established before we are beset with freezing temperatures.

Many gardeners have fallen victim to one or more planting problems.  Planting too close to your home or garage can cause several problems.  If the planting is under an eave, there will be a lack of moisture.  A lack of air circulation and sunlight are also problems when plants are too close to a building or a fence.  Tree roots are especially dangerous to foundations.  Trees should be a minimum of 10 feet from buildings.  Depending on the type of tree, you may need to be 20-30 feet from a building.

Check the expected size of mature plants before planting.  Items in a one gallon pot look so small the tendency is to plant more than the area can accommodate when the plants mature.  Height is another consideration when putting in new plants.  Don't plant trees or other tall growing material under power lines.  Check mature heights and widths before planting shrubs in front of windows or near doorways - or when they mature, you could have an ongoing pruning nightmare.


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.

From the Historical Society
Meetings in September
 
SOCIETY MEETING:  The quarterly meeting of the Kirkwood Historical Society will take place on Tuesday, September 8 at 7:00pm at Mudd's Grove on the corner of Harrison and Argonne.  The speaker will be Alvin Reid on the topics of Kirkwood history and the Greentree Festival.  Alvin is a lifelong resident of Kirkwood and First Vice Chair of the Greentree Festival this year.  He will Chair the Festival in 2016.  This meeting is free and open to the public.
 
FRIENDS' MEETING:  The Friends of the Kirkwood Historical Society will meet on Monday, September 14, at 10:00 a.m., at Mudd's Grove on the corner of Harrison and Argonne.  Our topic will be Saving and Sharing Family History.   You are welcome to bring your own ideas, photo albums, stories, etc.  The meeting is free and open to the public.
Emmenegger Park Days
Volunteer Days September thru November
 
Join volunteers every Sunday at Emmenegger Park from September through November to have fun, get fresh air, and get some exercise while supporting your community park. The primary task of Emmenegger Park volunteers is to help remove invasive plant species, allowing for native plants to grow. A brief orientation at the trailhead kiosk is provided to new participants. Please bring gloves, hand saw or clippers, and protective clothing with you. To register or for more information, call 314-984-6981 or email kparkv@kirkwoodmo.org.

When:  Sundays in September, October, November, beginning September 6
Time:  11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Where:  Emmenegger Nature Park.  
Directions:  From EB I-44, take the Watson Road exit to Geyer Road. Turn north. Go 200 yards to Cragwold Road, and turn west.  Go one mile to Stoneywood and go south to the park entrance. 
FROM KIRKWOOD PUBLIC LIBRARY
September Programming
 
For Adults:

SPECIAL EVENTS:
~ "The Lost Decade: Players of the 1970s."  Talk with Cardinals' author Gary Abbott, Saturday, September 12, 2:00 p.m. 
~ Basic Research for Grants, led by Kent Hornberger. Monday, September 21, 9:00 a.m.  During this session you will learn the fundamentals of how to conduct research to identify foundations and other funders to help support your not-for-profit organizations. 
~ "St. Louis Brews:  200 Years of Brewing in St. Louis, 1809-2009."  Author talk and book signing. Donald Roussin, Kevin Kious, and Stefene Russell will discuss St. Louis' earliest brewing history in 1809, all the way through the current craft brewing scene.  Saturday, September 26, 2:00 p.m. 
~ "Travels with My Sister:  Scotland and Ireland." Join reference librarian Joan and her sister as they discuss their first trip out of the country together, using slides and music. Can siblings get along?  Wednesday, September 30, 7:00 p.m.

BOOK CLUBS:
~ Books on Tap, Wednesday, September 9, 7:00 p.m. "The Cuckoo's Calling," by Robert Galbraith (JK Rowling).  At Mike Duffy's in Downtown Kirkwood.
~ Saturday Morning Perks. Saturday, September 10, 10:00 a.m.  "What Alice Forgot," by Liane Moriarty.
~ Science Fiction/Fantasy Book Club, Monday September 14, 7:00 p.m.  "Ready Player One," by Ernest Cline
~ Mystery Readers, Wednesday, September 16, 2:00 p.m.  "Scandal in the Secret City: A Libby Clark Mystery," by Diane Fanning

CRAFTER WORK SERIES:
~ Upcycled Books, with Perennial STL, Wednesdeay, September 23, 7:00 p.m. 

IN THE ART GALLERY IN SEPTEMBER:
Featured artist:  Zoe Kline.  Reception: Friday, September 4, 5:30 to 6:30 p.m.


For Kids:
Weekday Story Times resume the week of September 8. Last Fall story time is December 9.
~ Story Times, Tuesdays, 10:00 a.m., stories, songs, and crafts.
~ Preschool Story Times, Wednesdays, 10:00 a.m., stories, songs, and crafts.
~ Books for Babies, Thursdays, 9:30 a.m., September 10 thru December 10, for babies 6 to 24 months and their caregivers.
~ First Steps Story Times, Thursdays, 10:30 a.m., September 10 thru December 10, for our youngest 2s who are graduates of Books for Babies
~ Books and Blocks, September 1 and 3, 10:00 a.m. Hear a story and build with your child.  Ages 6 months thru preschool.
~ CHAMP Reading Dogs. First Sunday of the month, 3:00 to 4:00 p.m. Come read with a furry friend.
~ Family Book Club Junior, September 14, 6:30 p.m. For children in grades 4 and 5 and their parents. Books available at the Library for check out.  "The City of Ember," by Jeanne DuPrau.
~ Family Book Club, September 21, 7:00 p.m.  For children in grades 6 thru 8 and their parents. Books available at the Library for check out.  "Wednesday Wars," by Gary Schmidt.
~ 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-age children. September 9: Lego Club.  September 16:  Minecraft for Kids (registration required).  September 23: Science Fun. September 30:  Make and Take After-School Crafts.

SPECIAL EVENTS:
~ Decorate Your Locker, September 5, 10:30 a.m.  Organize it. Personalize it. Make some fun items to decorate your space.
~ Author Visit - Ingrid Law, September 8, 6:30 p.m.  Newbery Honor Winner and New York Times bestselling author Ingrid Law talks about her work and her newest book, "Switch."  Books available for sale and signing courtesy of Novel Neighbor.

For Teens:
~ Anime, Friday, September 4, 3:00 to 5:00 p.m.
~ Anime Afternoon Part II:  Graphic Novel Book Club, Friday, September 18, 3:00 p.m. 
~ Minecraft Night, Friday, September 25, 5:30 to 7:00 p.m. 
~ Teen Craft Afternoon, Tuesday, September 29, 3:00 to 4:00 p.m. 


Kirkwood Public Library is located in downtown Kirkwood, at 140 E. Jefferson Avenue. For additional information or to register, call 314-821-5770.
From the Kirkwood Arts Commission
Arts at the Station in September

 

Art at the Station:  In September, we feature the watercolor and collage work of Sandy Baker, August 31 through September 28. Opening reception is tonight, Thursday, September 3, 5:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.  Exhibits and receptions are free and open to the public. Art may be viewed when the Station is open for passengers.  Art at the Station is sponsored by the Kirkwood arts Commission, with generous support from the Kirkwood Arts Foundation.  Donations are welcome. Please send your donation to the Kirkwood Arts Foundation, P.O. Box 220492, Kirkwood, MO  63122.

 

Be sure to visit the Kirkwood Arts Commission booth at the 2015 Greentree Festival.

 

The Finish Line
September is almost here...
 
Greetings!  When I take the dog out in the mornings these days, at about 6:30 a.m., it's chilly out on the deck.  That's always a clue that the day is not going to be all that hot.  By the time I leave the office at 5:00, it has warmed up considerably, but not in the way one would expect for August in St. Louis.  It hasn't even touched 90 this week.  I'm not complaining. 

There will only be one edition of Kirkwood Happenings in September - on September 17, just in time for the Greentree Festival.  See you then!

(P.S. My proofreader is out sick today, so please forgive any typos.)

Beth von Behren
PIO/Happenings Editor