Kirkwood Happenings
City of Kirkwood, Missouri
December 23, 2015
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City Hall at Dawn, December 20. Photo by Police Officer Dennis Wigge.
WINTER FIREWORKS POSTPONED!
Downtown Winter Fireworks Festival Postponed to January 1

Due to expected bad weather conditions, the 2015 Winter Fireworks Festival in Downtown Kirkwood has been postponed from this Saturday to:

FRIDAY, JANUARY 1
~ Festivities begin at 5:00 p.m.
~ Fireworks at 6:30 p.m.

 
Holiday Closings
CITY HOLIDAY CLOSING INFORMATION

CHRISTMAS:  City Hall, the Community Center, and most City offices will be closed on Thursday and Friday, December 24 and 25, for the Christmas holiday.  The Community Center office will be open Saturday morning, December 26, 9:00 a.m. to noon.
  • Sanitation will be unaffected. All trash, recycling, and yard waste will be collected normally all week, including on Christmas Eve.
  • The Ice Rink will be closed on December 25 but will have a skating session on December 24 from 11:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
 
NEW YEAR'S 2016: City Hall, the Community Center, and most City offices will be closed on Friday, January 1, for the New Year's holiday.
  • Sanitation will be unaffected. However, special pick-ups will be done on Thursday this week, instead of Friday. Please schedule before noon on Wednesday, December 30.
  • The Community Center office will close at 4:30 p.m., on New Year's Eve and will be open on Saturday, January 2, from 9:00 a.m. to noon. 
CHRISTMAS TREES:  Christmas trees will be picked up free of charge on your regular collection day throughout January.  Yard waste fees will apply beginning Feb. 1. 

MARTIN LUTHER KING BIRTHDAY:  Monday, January 18: City offices closed. No sanitation will be collected.  All routes are delayed by a day all week. The Community Center and Ice Rink will be open. 
Planning/Zoning Public Hearing
PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION WILL HOLD PUBLIC HEARING
 
The Planning and Zoning Commission will hold a public hearing on January 6, 2016, at 7:00 p.m., to receive public input on proposed amendments to the site plan review section of the City's Zoning Code.  The proposed amendments, which can be viewed on the home page of the City Website at www.kirkwoodmo.org, would allow for more flexible and creative site planning for properties located in commercial zoning districts. If you have specific questions or comments, please contact City Planner Ryan Spencer at 314-984-5907 or by email at: [email protected]
Gardening Tip
Time to Trim, Move, and Fertilize!

Live Holiday Trees: If you purchased a live holiday tree or any other type of tree, plan on planting as soon after the holiday as possible.  Dig a hole three times the size of the root ball and two thirds as deep.  Plant and water well.  Use mulch or compost around the base of the tree.  (Do not have the mulch/compost touching the tree trunk.)  With the unseasonably warm weather, continue to water the new tree as well as other trees and shrubs until the ground freezes.
 
House Plants:  Reduce the amount of water used for house plants for the remainder of the winter.  Over watering is more damaging than under watering.  Unless your house plants are in bud or blooming, avoid fertilizing until spring.  If you do fertilize blooming plants, use half the recommended amount suggested on the package.
 

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.

News from Kirkwood Public Library
JANUARY AT KIRKWOOD PUBLIC LIBRARY

Winter Reading Program Ends January 10th!
Battle the winter blahs with great books.  Pre-readers through adults read to win prizes.  Sign up and log your reading online.  Last day to log and claim prizes is January 10, 2016.
 
FOR ADULTS:
 
Special Events
~ Saturday, January 16th at 10:00 a.m. Taxes and the IRS with the Foundation for Financial Education
  • Where do our taxes go?
  • Do I need a tax advisor?
  • Tax avoidance
  • Tax-free savings
  • Tax-deferral vs. tax-deductible vs. tax-free
  • Why you shouldn't wait to get your refund
 
~ Saturday, January 30th at 2:00 p.m. New Regionalism: the Art of Bryan Haynes. Kirkwood native, Bryan Haynes will join us to discuss his artwork, which has appeared in national magazines, international advertising campaigns, CD covers, posters, and book covers from Agatha Christie to the cover of "Scarlett" the sequel to "Gone With the Wind." You can also find Bryan's work on the first and second levels of the Old Courthouse Rotunda in downtown St. Louis.   
 
~ CrAfter Work. Wednesday, January 27th at 7:00pm
Coloring Night
 
BOOK CLUBS:
 
~ Saturday Morning Perks: Saturday, Jan. 30, 2016   10:00 a.m.   Boys in the Boat by Daniel Brown.  Daniel James Brown's robust book tells the story of the University of Washington's 1936 eight-oar crew and their epic quest for an Olympic gold medal, a team that transformed the sport and grabbed the attention of millions of Americans. 
 
~ Science Fiction/Fantasy Book Club: Monday, January 11th at 7:00 p.m. each member will read a short story to discuss and share with the group.
 
~ Books on Tap: Held at Mike Duffy's Pub & Grill. Wednesday, January 13th at 7:00 p.m. Bellweather Rhapsody  by Kate Racculia
 
~ Mystery Readers:  Wednesday, January 20, 2:00 p.m.:  The Tomb in Turkey:  a Fethering mystery by Simon Brett.  Carol and Jude are enjoying a vacation at a Turkish villa until they become enmeshed in several disturbing events.  When a body is discovered in a Lycian tomb, they turn their casual efforts into a serious investigation.
 
~ Music in the Library. Sunday, January 24, 2016, 2:00 p.m. St. Louis Spelmanslag is a group of musicians of all instruments and abilities that perform folk music of Scandinavian countries.
 
~ Art Gallery.  December 2015-January 2016. Artist: KHS Photography students (Kim Powell, Teacher). 
 

FOR CHILDREN:

Storytimes
Weekday storytimes start the week of January 12.  Last Spring storytime is April 28.
Storytime -  Tuesdays, 10 am, stories, songs and crafts
~ Preschool Storytime- Wednesdays, 10 am, stories, songs and crafts. 
~ Books for Babies - For babies 6-24 months and their caregivers, Thursdays, 9:30 am.  January 28 - April 28.
~ First Steps Storytime-For our youngest 2's and graduates of Books for Babies, Thursdays, 10:30 am. January 28 - April 28.
~ Champ Reading Dogs. First Sunday of the month from 3-4 pm.  Come read with a furry friend.
 
Book Clubs
~ Family Book Club Junior - For children in grades 4-5 and their parents. Books available at the library for check out.  6:30 p.m. January 11: The Emerald Atlas by John Stephens
 
~ Family Book Club, For children in grades 6-8 and their parents.  Books available at the library for check out. 7:00 p.m. January 25:  Walk Two Moons by Sharon Creech.
 
~ 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.  Lego Club:  January 6.  Science Fun:
January 13.  Minecraft for Kids:  Wednesdays: January 20.  Sign-up required.  Make and Take After School Craft: January 27. 
 
~ Tween Scene Thursdays.  Join us to "make and do" something new each month.  Ages 9-12. Dates: 1/14, 2/11, 3/10, 4/14. Time: 4-5 pm
 
~ Imagination Station.  Kirkwood Public Library and Kirkwood Parks & Recreation partner to offer a program filled with stories, craft activities, games and more.  Each month we explore a different fun location.  Ages 1-6 with an adult.  Please register by calling 822-5855. Time: 6:30 p.m. January 14:  Imagination Train Station @ Kirkwood Train Station.
 
Special Events
~ January 23, 10:30-11:30 am:   Under the Sea Party
Explore the wonders of "under the sea" with stories, activities and crafts.  Recommended for preschoolers.

~ Art Journaling Series. January 14. Unleash your creativity in this combination of writing and art.  Taught by artist and staff member, Julie Hammond.  Please bring a spiral bound book to the first class.  Ask at the Children's Desk for details.  Ages 9 through adult.
From Parks & Recreation
Upcoming Events and Programming
  • Kids' Movie Day. Wednesday, December 30.  "Big Hero 6" in the Reim Theatre at the Community Center. Noon to 3:00 p.m. Ages 7-13. $10/residents and $12/nonresidents. Includes pizza, lemonade, and snacks. Call 822-5855.
  • Doctor Volleyball session starts January 6. Year-round program offers the correct "dosage" of volleyball instruction. Designed to provide a fundamental, fun approach for "patients" ages 4th grade through high school. Staff instructors are current collegiate, USAV players, coaches, or referees. Wednesdays, 4th through 6th grades, 5:15-6:15 p.m. Thursdays, 7th grade through high school, 5:15-6:15 p.m. Cost: $75 per student for each 6-week session.  Next session starts February 24.
  • Imagination Station:  Kirkwood Recreation has partnered with Kirkwood Public Library to offer a program filled with story time, craft activities, games, and more. Each month we will explore a different fun location. FREE. Wednesday, January 14: Imagination TRAIN Station. Listen up for the train whistle! Meet at the Kirkwood Train Station at 6:30 p.m.  Wednesday, February 11: Imagination FIRE Station, 6:30 p.m. Check out the big red trucks. Meet at Firehouse #2, 11804 Big Bend, 6:30 p.m. Pre-registration is required. Call 822-5855.
  • Kirkwood Theatre Guild presents Enchanted April, Kirkwood Community Center, Reim Theatre, January 15-17 and January 22-25. Call 822-9956 for times and costs.
  • Daddy-Daughter Dance, Friday, January 29, Kirkwood Community Center. Call 822-5855.
  • Spring/Summer Recreation Guide.  Mailed to homes January 28 and 29. Registration opens on February 10 for recreation programs.
  • Meramec Spring Swim Program:  January 30 through April 9 for kids ages 5 to 18, at St. Louis Community College at Meramec's pool.  Sessions are on Saturdays at 8:00 a.m. and 9:00 a.m. Open slots are are reserved for 2015 swim team participants during initial sign-up period, after which time anyone can register. Hurry and sign up today. Call 822-5855.
  • Camp Kirkwood:  Online (only) registration for residents opens February 10. Phone or in-person registration for residents opens February 17.

For 55+
Upcoming Programming for 55+
 
  • Eagle Watching on the Great River Road. Friday, January 29, 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., $65. Register by January 15. Includes transportation, stops at the Melvin Price lock and dam and Pere Marquette State Park, and an all-you-can-eat fried chicken dinner overlooking the Illinois River.  Call 822-5855.
  • Card Club, every Friday, 10:30 a.m., at the Community Center. There is a 50-cent charge per week. This is a drop-in program. Registration is not required.
 
The Finish Line...
Wishing you a festive and merry holiday season...
 
Greetings!  This is a short column today for me because I am headed out soon for a flight to Seattle to visit my daughter.  I hope this finds you all rested and ready for a spirited (given the expected weather) holiday weekend.  Please note that the Downtown Business District has decided to move the fireworks to the night of New Year's Day. We hope you and your loved ones can share in the festivities that evening.

Until next year:  Stay safe, stay warm. Happy holidays.

Next issue:  January 7.

Beth von Behren
PIO/Happenings Editor