Northland Community Alliance presents FREE movie nights every Saturday at Briarcliff Village! Bring chairs, blankets and food for an outdoor movie at dusk. Movies are 8:45 p.m., every Saturday at Mulberry Lake across from Briarcliff Village. The movies and their show dates are listed below:

July 10: “Polar Express” (G)

July 17: “Ghostbusters” (PG)

July 24: “Free Willy” (PG)

July 31: “Back to the Future” (PG)

August 7: “Curious George” (G)

August 14: “Men in Black” (PG-13)

August 21: “Enchanted” (PG)

August 28: “Finding Nemo” (G)

For more information go to www.briarcliffvillagekc.com

The City of Riverside is soliciting grant applications from groups interested in hosting events or leading initiatives that would expand or enhance the tourism industry in Riverside.  More than $70,000 is available to be awarded in grants in the upcoming fiscal year. 

There are two grant cycles each fiscal year and organizations may apply for funds up to one calendar year in advance of their project.  The deadline for the Fall 2009 cycle is July 31 and the deadline for the Spring 2010 cycle will be February 1.

Eligible applicants will present projects that: increase the number of visitors to Riverside (first time or returning), generate a return-on-investment for Riverside residents and businesses and expand the public’s knowledge of Riverside.

Funding for the grant program is provided through the City’s Tourism Tax Fund.  In addition to offering grants, the Riverside Tourism Commission also provides funding and oversight for other tourism-related programs in the City.

Interested?  Download the Tourism Commission Funding Guidelines now and send a request to Community Relations to receive more information about the process as it becomes available.

Save the date!  The City of Riverside will host its first annual backyard BBQ contest on June 20 to kick off fireworks season in Riverside.  More information, including BBQ contest registration forms and a complete schedule, will be available in March in the City newsletter and on the Web.

Have an idea for a great name for this event?  The BBQ Naming Contest is still underway and the City is accepting entries until 5 p.m. on February 27.  The winner will receive a BBQ prize pack valued at $50.

Riverside was recently featured in All Roads Lead Home, a movie about a young girl who loses her mother and is taught a lesson in love by her dog (see IMDd Plot Summary).  The movie, part of which was shot at the old Skyline Inn, was released in Fall 2008 and is available on DVD today.  For more information, visit the All Roads Lead Home Web site.