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During the month of January 2024, residents can place their live Christmas trees at the curb on their regular sanitation day for free! Beginning in February, you will need to attach a yard waste sticker to your tree when placing it for collection.



Please make sure to remove all decorations and lights. There is no need to wrap the tree in a plastic bag. Please do not place your tree too close to the buses in the yard, which can make it easy to miss. 

Please be patient with your recycling services. Due to equipment issues our sanitation department is running behind on recycling. Please leave your bins at the curb and we will be there as soon as we can to pick it up. The recycling center at 350 S Taylor is available for drop off if needed.

Serve Your Community – By Working as a St. Louis County Election Judge

Play a big part in the upcoming April 2nd St. Louis County General Municipal Election by becoming a St Louis County Election Judge! The St. Louis County Election Board needs to staff more than 200 polling places throughout the county, and you can help. 

Bi-partisan teams of Election Judges at each poll are vital to citizens exercising their right to vote. Election Judges are responsible for essential tasks such as setting up and operating voting equipment, managing the voting process by checking in voters, and securing ballots for collection at the Election Board. 

High school students are also needed to assist official Election Judges at the polls. Students shadow experienced judges through an innovative Student Election Judge program. Students will learn how the electoral process works and the importance of public service beginning at a young age. 

Election Judges can earn at least $250 for their service. Students can earn $170 or 16 community service hours that many schools require for graduation. 

Contact Jim McHugh of the St. Louis County Election Board to learn more about these programs and the opportunity to serve your community and nation. Call Jim at (314) 615-1858 or email him at jmchugh@stlouiscountymo.gov.

Manager Jenny Hoechst received an Employment Initiative window sticker on December 11, 2023 from Kirkwood Human Rights Commissioner Carolyn Becker as employee Jake Martine looks on. The sticker, which reads “This Business fosters a workforce of Diverse Abilities,” is given to employers in recognition of their hiring those with physical, mental or developmental challenges. Kirkwood Hair Saloon joins pervious Employment Initiative Awardees Sammysoap, Schnucks’ Market, Pioneer Bakery, Great Harvest Bread Company and The Greek Kitchen.

Kirkwood employers can apply for a sticker by contacting KHRC through Jessica Winter (winterja@kirkwoodmo.org) or through the City’s website at kirkwoodmo.org/humanrights.

The Kirkwood Human Rights Commission will once again sponsor an Essay Contest for Juniors in public, private, and home schools within the boundaries of the Kirkwood R-7 School District.

ESSAY TOPIC: “What is the most important human rights issue currently? Why?”

WHO CAN PARTICIPATE: The Contest is open to all 11th grade students enrolled at Kirkwood High School, Vianney High School, or Ursuline Academy, all 11th grade Kirkwood residents enrolled elsewhere, and all 11th grade home-schooled students residing within the Kirkwood School District.

ESSAY RULES: The essay should be 500 to 750 words in length, typed, double-spaced, in 12 font size, with one-inch margins. The pages should be numbered. The author’s name, age, address, telephone number, email address and high school (or “home-schooled”) should be on the first page.

JUDGING CRITERIA:

• Thematic Maturity - How the essay demonstrates the ability to write in a logical, organized manner that easily and efficiently conveys meaning.
• Content - How the essay expresses ideas that are substantive and workable.
• Communication - The essay should be understandable with good sentence and paragraph construction, attention paid to spelling and grammar, and formatted according to aforesaid Essay Rules.

SUBMISSION: Essays can be submitted by mail or in-person to Jessica Winter, Kirkwood City Hall, 139 S. Kirkwood Rd., 63122. By email (only as an attachment, i.e., do not send in the body of the email or as a cloud-based document) to winterja@kirkwoodmo.org.

DEADLINE: 11:59 p.m., Sunday, February 18, 2024.

(ESSAYS RECEIVED AFTER THAT TIME WILL BE INELIGIBLE FOR CONSIDERATION.)

AWARDS: First Place: $100 | Second Place: $75 | Third Place: $50 | Fourth Place: $25

A “Celebration of the Life and Legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.” will be held on Monday, January 15, 2024 from 1:00 to 2:00 p.m. at the Keating Center on the campus of Kirkwood High School, 801 W. Essex, 63122.

The Keynote Speaker will be Missouri Supreme Court Justice Robin Ransom who is the first African-American woman appointed to the State Supreme Court.

The Community Gospel Choir of St. Louis will also perform and there will be participation in the program by Kirkwood High students.

Social Justice groups will have information tables before and after the program. Light refreshments will be served.

The Celebration is sponsored by the Meacham Park Neighborhood Improvement Association, the Kirkwood Social Justice Coalition, the Kirkwood Human Rights Commission and the Kirkwood School District.

Jeremiah Johnson

Saturday, January 20, at 7:30 p.m., The Strauss Black Box Theater

Mark your calendars for a night of soul-stirring blues rock with St. Louis native, Jeremiah Johnson. This talented musician has been taking the world by storm with his unique blend of southern sounds, Mississippi River blues, and country charm.

With four chart-topping albums, two #1 hits on the Billboard Blues Album Charts, and a current nomination for "Best Blues Rock Album of the Year" at the 2022 Blues Music Awards, Jeremiah's talent is undeniable.

Don't miss out on this electrifying experience as he brings his tour to a city near you in 2023. Get ready to feel the rhythm and the power of Jeremiah Johnson. Grab your tickets now! 

Kendrick Smith Quartet

Friday, January 26, at 7:30 p.m., The Strauss Black Box Theater

Experience the smooth, soulful sounds of the Kendrick Smith Quartet live in concert. Born and raised in East St. Louis, Kendrick is a saxophonist, composer, and educator who has captivated audiences worldwide with his extraordinary talent.

With accolades including Most Outstanding Soloist in the Metro East Jazz Festival Competition and performances at renowned venues like Jazz at the Bistro and Sheldon Concert Hall, Kendrick's career is nothing short of remarkable. Don't miss this opportunity to witness his musical journey firsthand as he takes the stage with his quartet.

Any Major Dudes

Steely Dan Tribute

Saturday, January 27, at 7:30 p.m., The Strauss Black Box Theater

Embark on a unique musical journey with the Strauss Studio Series. Experience artistic excellence as visionary artists deliver extraordinary performances. Celebrate the diversity and beauty of global music on our canvas stage, where virtuosos paint captivating soundscapes that transcend boundaries and captivate the soul.

Black Magic: The Santana Experience

Saturday, February 3 at 7 p.m., The Ross Family Theater

Black Magic honors the music of guitar legend Carlos Santana, who attributes his music’s popularity to the blending of African based rhythms, bluesy organ, and of course that melodic guitar played straight from the heart.

Black Magic stays true to this formula and focuses heavily on the authenticity of Santana’s live concerts. Their audience is taken on a journey throughout Santana’s incredible 50+ year career with classics from the Woodstock Era ("Black Magic Woman" and "Oye Como Va"), tributes to his passionate and powerful ballads ("Europa" and "Samba Pa Ti"), and also performing his current Grammy hits ("Smooth" and "Maria Maria").

Always creating an energetic yet soulful performance, Black Magic delivers the true Santana Experience.

Sweetheart Dance

Friday, February 9

6:30-8:30 p.m.

R $15 NR $20 per person

Dads, grandpas, uncles, or guardians, grab your dancing shoes and

bring your little sweethearts to our annual Valentine’s dance. Visit our dessert bar and photo booth area, and enjoy a visit from a very special singing guest! Be sure to register before spots fill up! Ages 3-10.

Fri. Feb. 9th from 6:30 - 8:30 p.m.

R $15 NR $20 per person

(both adult and children need to register)

Rummage Sale

Saturday, February 10

9 a.m.- 1 p.m.

Kirkwood residents can haul down the clutter from their attics and treasures from their garages and organize accumulations from their barns for the Kirkwood Rummage Sale in the Kirkwood Rec Center gym. All of the usual rummage sale items can be found throughout the sale as well as some unique finds. There is sure to be a treasure with your name on it! Each applicant will only receive one space. The Kirkwood Rummage sale is FREE to attend! Interested in being a vendor? Contact Scout at AdamsSA@kirkwoodmo.org

Author Talk: Calvin Riley, Black St. Louis

Saturday, Jan 13 at 2 p.m.

Black St. Louis explores the rich and inspiring history of African Americans in St. Louis from the city’s founding as a French fur trading post during the Spanish colonial era to the new millennium. Authors Calvin Riley and NiNi Harris highlight great figures who showed leadership, incredible innovation, and courage despite the injustices they faced. Black St. Louis covers more than 250 years of history to tell the stories of extraordinary people who helped pave the way for the St. Louis we know today.

Make Your Own Seek N' Find

Friday, Jan 19 at 3:30 p.m.

Ages 6-12

Do you love to find Waldo, look at iSpy and Seek n’ Find books? Join us for a fun craft where you get to design your own Seek n’ Find page and then share that page with others using paper, stickers and magazines.

National Selfie Day

Wednesday, January 24, 2024 , all day  

Ages 12-18

Everyday’s a holiday for something, so once a month, celebrate a unique holiday with the teen library with snacks and activities all day! Take a picture with your favorite book! We’ll have fun photo props.

Hobby Quest

Wednesday, January 24 at 4 pm

Ages 6 – 12

Hobbies can expand our thoughts, build on skills, help us relax, or inspire us! Join our new after school series Hobby Quest, where we’ll introduce you to a new hobby that might just become your next big interest. This month we’ll make things with perler beads.

Why Attainable Housing is Critical for Our Future – Presented by Kirkwood for Everyone

Wednesday, January 31 at 7 p.m.

Are you concerned about the ongoing loss of attainable housing in Kirkwood? This presentation gives the highlights of the 2023 housing study conducted by the City of Kirkwood and includes potential solutions. They will explain how this could affect you, your family, and the Kirkwood community as a whole.  This discussion is presented by Kirkwood for Everyone, a grassroots organization with 30+ members and still growing. Their message is to increase attainable housing in Kirkwood so our city employees, our seniors, our heroes (healthcare workers, firefighters, teachers, etc.) and our adult children can live in Kirkwood. 

Many locally owned shops and boutiques will be offering deep discounts on their winter merchandise to clear the way for their spring selections. The Snowflake Sale Winter Clearance Event is intended to be a winter version of Downtown Kirkwood’s popular Sidewalk Sale which occurs every July.

Participating Merchants:

Alpine Shop, 440 N. Kirkwood

BLUSH Boutique, 159 W. Argonne

Checkered Cottage, 135 W. Jefferson

Cornucopia, 107 N. Kirkwood 

Fox and Hound Antiques, 110 W. Argonne Alley

Junior League of St. Louis, 106 N. Kirkwood

Lass & Laddie, 161 W. Jefferson

MOD on Trend, 112 W. Jefferson

Refill Effect, 204 N. Clay

sammysoap, 123 W. Argonne

paperdolls Boutique, 110 E. Jefferson

The Kerry Cottage, 113 N. Kirkwood

And more...

Tips from the Kirkwood Garden Club

for January...

The Gardening Tip will be taking a break for January and February. While we await a new gardening season, here are some ideas: feed the birds, get a soil test done, plan for 2024, clean your tools, research new plants at mobot.org, and review the seed catalogs.