On Sunday morning, we received the most ominous message from the city of Kirkwood: Thanks to the continuing drought and torrid temperatures, we Kirkwoodians are running out of water. We are still allowed to water gardens and plants, but watering the lawn is out. Nonetheless, I saw five homes with sprinklers running on Sunday in various parts of town. Maybe they didn’t get the call or see the news.
The computer-sounding voice on the message was straight out of 2001: A Space Odyssey. It was a weird call to get just before heading to church.
Since moving back to Kirkwood in 1995, this is the first time that we are not allowed to do a number of things. Fire pits and open burning certainly aren’t smart right now, and they're a no-no in Kirkwood. We are also warned to douse our Tiki Torches or anything else with an open flame. (Do people really still have Tiki Torches? I mean the real kind with the flame?)
Enough joking: This has now grown serious.
There is a ban on charcoal barbecue. First of all, this is discrimination against those of us who choose charcoal over gas. Gas grills take cooking indoors to the outdoors—that’s not barbecue. To barbecue is to barbecue, and that takes charcoal. But for the first time in a long time, there will be no barbecue at the Reid household on July 4. Bummer.
If that isn’t bad enough, there are no fireworks at Kirkwood Park. The entire day’s Freedom Festival has been cancelled. There is too big a chance of fire. Fireworks, electricity, people smoking are just too much for the park and its bone-dry grass.
Kirkwood isn’t alone. Most municipalities that celebrate the Fourth with fireworks are being forced to stand down because of the early summer from hell.
So no fireworks in Kirkwood. Bummer.
But there are fireworks in St. Louis. Fair St. Louis is still a go with its fireworks on three nights, including the Fourth, sixth, and seventh of July.
Also, Alderman Antonio French announced that Gateway Fireworks will put on a display at O’Fallon Park, located at West Florissant Street and I-70. Since there is a pond there, it has the approval of the St. Louis Fire Department.
Have a happy and safe Fourth of July!
Commentary by Alvin Reid
