E-Newsletter for City of Kirkwood: January 21, 2016
Changing of the Guard: Filing Has Closed for April City Council Elections
Candidate Filing Closes
L to R: Scott Stream, Mark Zimmer, and Tim Griffin waited in line on July 24, 2015, to file their candidacies.
What follows is the list of candidates for the April 5, 2016, election for City Council and Mayor of the City of Kirkwood.  Please note that two candidates still need to be verified by the Board of Election.

For Mayor:
~ Timothy Griffin
~ Scott Stream
~ Gina Jaksetic (needs to be verified by Board of Election)

For City Council Member:
~ Mark Zimmer
~ Maggie Duwe
~ Ellen Edman
~ Nancy Luetzow
~ Kevin E. O'Brien
~ David Poger (needs to be verified by Board of Election)
What's Coming Up In Kirkwood?
Christmas Trees
Christmas trees will be picked up free of charge on your regular collection day throughout January. Please remove all decorations. Normal yard waste fees will apply beginning February 1.
City Offices Closed February 15 for Washington's Birthday
George Washington
City Hall and most City offices will be closed on Monday, February 15, in observance of Washington's Birthday.  No sanitation will be collected on the holiday, and all routes will be delayed by a day all week. The Community Center and the Ice Rink will both be open.
Kirkwood Historical Society Will Meet February 1
Mudd's Grove
The Friends of the Kirkwood Historical Society will meet on Monday, February 1, 10:00 a.m., at Mudd's Grove, corner of Harrison and Argonne. This month's topic will be "Hidden Treasures from the Past," presented by local historian Keith Rawlins. Mr. Rawlins is the author of "Gone But Not Forgotten: A History of Quinette Cemetery" and "What a Grave Undertaking."  As always, the meeting is free and open to the public.
Kirkwood OASIS Registration is Open for New Sessions
OASIS Logo
Kick off the new year with some Kirkwood OASIS classes to stimulate your mind and body. The following listings are offered at the Kirkwood Community Center. However, OASIS offers classes in Crestwood, Chesterfield, and Clayton as well.

~ New Zumba Gold:  Start off 2016 right movin' and groovin' to great music while getting a great workout! Easy-to-follow Zumba choreography focuses on balance, range of motion, and coordination. Kirkwood OASIS 307. Wednesdays, January 27 thru February 17, 12:00 to 1:00 p.m. Fee: $20. 4 Sessions.

~ Pilates 50+:  Strengthen and tone core muscles, increase flexibility, and improve posture with this class designed for and taught by an adult 50+. Participants should be comfortable moving from standing to the floor and will need to supply their own mat. Kirkwood OASIS 301. Tuesdays, January 26 to March 1. Fee:  $40. 6 Sessions.

~ 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 of folk music. Bring an instrument, or just bring yourself. All levels are welcome. Kirkwood OASIS 310, Thursdays, January 28 through March 17, 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. Fee:  $65. 8 Sessions.

For a full listing, visit www.OASISnet.org/stl, select "classes," and search for "Kirkwood."
February Programming from Your Kirkwood Public Library
Kirkwood Public Library
Special Events for All Ages:
  • Music in the Library. Sunday, February 21, 2:00 p.m. Songs of Africa Ensemble, a multicultural and eclectic group of highly trained musicians promoting new genres of choral music from around Africa and its diaspora. Their songs teach about Africa's music, its peoples, languages and cultures, and create opportunities for incorporating new styles of African-descent music into modern choral repertory. 
  • Art Gallery. For February/March 2016, the Library features the work of Kate Warner and Lee Streett. The joint exhibit by the artists reflects their love for nature and painting in Plein Air. Their art will be on display in the Library's Art Gallery on the main floor, February 1 through March 31. An after-hours reception for the artists is planned for Sunday, February 7, 5:30 to 6:30 p.m.
Adults - Special Events:
  • Owls of Forest Park. Wednesday, February 3, 6:30 p.m. Mark Glenshaw will discuss the owls of Forest Park.
  • Blind Date with a Book. Saturday, February 6, 2:00 p.m. The old saying "don't judge a book by its cover" is rediscovered with our launch of the Blind Date with a Book program. Choose a mystery title to check out from a large selection of books covered in paper, with short descriptions written on them. Light refreshments will be provided. 
  • Farewell to Downton Abbey. Thursday, February 18, 1:30 p.m. Join us for tea, scones, and a tender look back at the location, characters, and plot of the treasured Downton Abbey television series.  We will view clips from the series, enjoy a Downton Abbey trivia game, and share conversation.  Please register online or by phoning the Reference Desk at 314-821-5770 ext. 1012.
  • CrAfter Work. Wednesday, February 24, 7:00 p.m. Come craft a small keepsake photo album using standard office supplies.
Adults - Book Clubs:
  • Books on Tap. Wednesday, February 10, 7:00 p.m. "The House at Tyneford" by Natasha Solomons. 
  • Mystery Readers. Wednesday, February 17, 2:00 p.m. "Death in Brittany: A Mystery" by Jean-Luc Bannalec. Police Commissioner Dupin is called to search for the killer of an elderly hotelier in Brittany. His investigation leads him to solve the mystery of a missing Gauguin painting.
Teen Events:
  • Anime Afternoon. Fridays, 3:00 to 5:00 p.m. February 5: Japanese pop culture and manga. February 19: "My Love Story" by Kazune Kawahara. 
  • Cookie Decorating. Saturday, February 6, 2:30-3:30 p.m. Unleash your creativity by decorating and eating a delicious cookie. We will provide the cookies, frosting, and decorations. 
  • Box Fort Wars. February 12, 5:00-7:00 p.m. Bigger, better, nerfier. Join us for an epic battle involving tables, chairs, nerf guns, and of course boxes. Zombie challenges may be expected.
  • Teen Craft Afternoons. Tuesday, February 23, 4:00-5:00 p.m. Zen Cactus Garden. 
  • Minecraft Night. Fridays, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. February 26: Sign-up required.
Children - Story Times:
  • Story Time: Tuesdays, 10:00 a.m. Stories, songs, crafts.
  • Preschool Story Time:  Wednesdays, 10:00 a.m. Stories, songs, crafts.
  • Books for Babies: Thursdays, 9:30 a.m. For babies 6 to 24 months and their caregivers.
  • First Steps Story Time: Thursdays, 10:30 a.m. For our youngest 2s and graduates of Books for Babies. 
  • Champ Reading Dogs. First Sunday of the month, 3:00 to 4:00 p.m. Come read with a furry friend.
Children - Special Events:
  • First Art. Three dates: February 4, March 3, April 7, 10:30 a.m. Enjoy the tactile wonders of paint, glitter, glue, and more. Dress to be messy. Recommended for 18 months to age 4. Held the first Thursday of each month.
  • Tween Scene Thursdays. February 11: 4:00 to 5:00 p.m. Join us to "make and do" something new each month. Ages 9 to 12. 
  • Cookie Decorating. February 13, 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. Decorate a sweet treat for your sweetheart. Check out one of our cookbooks while you are here. 
  • Happy Birthday, Dr. Seuss! February 29, 4:00-5:00 p.m. Join us for our annual birthday bash celebrating the works of this beloved author. Featuring Seuss stories, games, crafts, and yes - CAKE!
  • Wednesday After-School Special. Multiple dates, 4:00-5:00 p.m. Join us on Wednesdays for a different activity each week of the month. For elementary school-aged children.
    • Lego Club: February 3
    • Science Fun:  February 10
    • Minecraft for kids: February 17. Sign-up required.
    • Make and Take After-School Craft: February 24
News and Information
New Alfred Avenue Substation Dedicated in the Cold!
About 20 people came out in very cold temperatures on Wednesday, January 13, to celebrate the completion of Kirkwood Electric's newest substation, on Alfred Avenue (behind the Greentree Shopping Center). 

The first Alfred Substation was built in 1959, had three transformers, and delivered power to 2,000 customers. The new Substation has two new transformers that are five times larger than the older ones they will replace. The old Substation could deliver power to roughly 1 out of every 5 Kirkwood Electric customers, while the new Substation will be capable of delivering power to 6,000 customers if needed.  Typically, it will only serve about 2,000 households, but it could potentially deliver power to nearly 2 out of every 3 Kirkwood customers if needed. The new Substation cost just under $2 million to build. Construction began in 2008. The new Substation is expected to be connected to the Ameren Electric system in Fall 2016. 

Photos below, top to bottom: 1) Kirkwood Electric General Line Supervisor Dave Valentine (L) and Distribution Engineer Rick McKinley wait in front of the new substation. 2) KE Director Mark Petty (Center) talks to attendees before the ribbon-cutting. L to R: Lori Givan and Jim Wright, Kirkwood-Des Peres Chamber; Russ Hawes, Kirkwood Chief Administrative Officer; Mark Petty; Tim Griffin, City Council Member; Scott Stream, Chamber Member; Art McDonnell, Mayor. 3) The ribbon-cutting. 


From MoDOT: 2015 Ends With Highest Fatalities in Five Years
The year 2015 ended with an 11.4 percent increase in fatalities on Missouri roads. After two years of lower numbers, the fatalities in Missouri for 2015 were greater than 800 for the first time since 2012. As of December 31, 853 lives were reported lost in 2015 Missouri traffic crashes. Sixty-three percent of the drivers and passengers killed were not wearing seat belts.

According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol, the leading causes of fatal crashes continue to be speeding, driver inattention and impaired driving. A couple of new trends have emerged for 2015 including increases in improper lane use and substance-impaired driving. Those crash trends are showing a 100 percent increase in expressway intersection fatalities and an 82 percent increase in overturning vehicle fatalities when compared to 2014.

"Fifty percent of those not belted were also ejected from the vehicle," said Colonel Bret Johnson, superintendent of the Missouri State Highway Patrol. "Seat belt use is the single most effective way to save lives and reduce injuries resulting from traffic crashes, so make sure everyone is properly restrained on every trip."
Tips and Advice from the Kirkwood Garden Club!
While warm temperatures may have prompted foliage of daffodils and tulips to break ground, the actual flowers will not be damaged by the colder weather. There may be some browning of the tips caused by the freezing weather, but the flowers should bloom without a problem.

With any snow or sleet, you are better off to leave it on your shrubs, versus trying to remove it. It is also unwise to cover these plants with sheets or plastic. Trying to remove snow or sleet can result in breaking limbs or damage to evergreen growth. The same is true for sheets and plastic that could freeze to the plant. Plastic can also create a greenhouse effect on a bright sunny day, thereby "cooking" your plant.

Call-to-Action Link
The Finish Line...
As I sit in my office today, looking out at the snow on the bushes from my window at City Hall, part of me thinks "No, no, no. I am not going out there."  But another part of me knows I need to get up and move.  It may be cold, but that's what my down coat is for (and I need exercise!). If you too are out and about in the cold today, watch out for invisible ice!  If you get any great photos, please send them to me, and I'll use them here in the newsletter. This Saturday:  A high of 45 and rain are predicted (I'll take it!).

Meanwhile: Happy 99th birthday today to Kirk Douglas - who STILL writes a column for Huffington Post. He's a national treasure.

Next issue:  February 4!  See you then. Stay warm.

Beth von Behren, PIO/Editor
Quick Links to Website Pages and Information
City Website:  www.kirkwoodmo.org

City Council Minutes:  www.kirkwoodmo.org/CouncilMinutes

City Calendar and Meeting Agendas:  www.kirkwoodmo.org/Calendar.aspx 

Board and Commission Minutes:  www.kirkwoodmo.org/CommissionMinutes

Kirkwood Public Library:  www.kirkwoodpubliclibrary.org

MoDOT Website:  www.modot.org