Many Riverside residents experienced power outages last night as a result of the storm.  Here are the answers to some frequently asked questions the City gets during and after a power outage:

Who do I call? If your power is out, please call KCPL at 1-888-544-4852 (1-888-LIGHTKC). They will make note of the outage and respond as soon as possible.

Should I call the City or report it to 9-1-1 also? No. City staff or the 9-1-1 operators are usually aware of the outage already. Calling 9-1-1 may clog phone lines for those who need to report a true emergency.

But doesn’t the City have access to people at KCPL who can get it fixed faster? Only for life-threatening situations. City staff and 9-1-1 operators must report general power outages to KCPL like everyone else to the number that is provided above.

Notice a funny smell coming from your floor drain?  The City has received reports that some residents have a sewer gas smell coming from their drain.  Upon investigation by members of the Riverside Fire Division and Public Works Department, it was discovered that that traps on the floor drains in these homes are drying out, most likely as a result of the hot weather.  Fire Chief Gordy Fowlston recommends pouring up to 5 gallons of water into the drain hole as a good preventative measure for this problem.  If you do notice this smell in your home, please contact the Riverside Fire Division at 741-1191.    Although this is the likely cause and the odor is not life threatening, the Fire Division will come investigate the issue to make sure that it’s not something more serious.  

In the coming weeks, you may notice this smell again as the City of Kansas City, Missouri begins work on the sanitary sewer lines that run through Riverside.  The City is working with the contractor to reduce the likelihood of this issue but encourages you to again contact the Riverside Fire Division at 741-1191 if you notice the smell of sewer gas in your home.

Women in Riverside will have a chance to not only learn self-defense tactics, but hit the mats and practice their moves on August 14 at a FREE workshop offered by the Riverside Police Department.  The class is from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Riverside Department of Public Safety (2990 NW Vivion Road) and is open to women ages 12 and older.

“Our goal with the class is to teach several simple techniques that are easy for you to remember and then give you an opportunity to practice them on real people,” Sergeant Dean Noll, Riverside Police and lead trainer of the class, said. “This approach doesn’t overload participants and helps them gain confidence in their ability to use the techniques if the right situation presents itself.”

To sign up for the class, contact Holly Phillips by August 11 at 816-741-1191 or by email at hphillips@riversidemo.com.

Last night, members of Riverside’s emergency radio system advisory committee were awarded the Missouri Municipal League’s 2010 Civic Leadership Award on behalf of the City. 

In Fall 2009, a committee was formed to evaluate a recommendation by the Department of Public Safety to replace the City’s aging emergency radio system.  The committee, made up of residents, business people and representatives from the school district met a number of times to examine the problem and evaluate the solution. What the committee learned was the radio system was past its serviceable life and provided unreliable communication at best.  The committee agreed that while the fix was expensive, the ability of public safety personnel to communicate is basic to providing a safe environment for those who live and work in the City of Riverside.

This was a monumental project which provides one of the most significant improvements ever to the capabilities of the Riverside Department of Public Safety.  This citizens committee took their role seriously and gave up their time to provide an educated recommendation to the Mayor and Board of Aldermen. 

Members of the committee are:

Cy Houston
Beverly Allen
Jim Dwyer
Bob Bayless
Mary Churchill
Pat Casey
Alderman Aaron Thatcher

Riverside Radio Committee

Capture rain that is washing away and put it to good use! Platte County Parks and Recreation is hosting a Rain Barrel workshop with Bridging the Gap at 7 p.m., July 22 at the Platte Ridge park shelter. The workshop cost $45 which includes a rain barrel for all participants to take home.

Rain barrels collect and store runoff rainwater from roofs. They reduce energy by decreasing the demand for treated tap water, which in return,  saves money and helps protect the environment. Since rain water can be stored for long periods of time, it’s beneficial during droughts and hot summers.

Payments and RSVP must be received by Fri., July 16. Payments must be cash or check only. Cash may be dropped off or a chech may be mailed to 415 Third Street, Platte City, MO 64079. There will be no extra barrels at the workshop so reserve accordingly.

For more information or to reserve a rain barrel, call (816) 858-3419 or email Jamie Bequette at jbequette@co.platte.mo.us

In 2002, Mike Smith had a vision to transform his large backyard into a serene water garden. He sat on his wrap-around porch, drew his master plan and immediately got to work. Eight years later, Mike and his wife Mary created a stunning dream garden.

The highlight of the garden is the five waterfalls connected by curvy, pea gravel paths. They are built from scratch out of native rocks and slate and are complete with colorful flowers, fish, lily pads and a bullfrog. Even though it takes a lot of work to maintain the beauty, Mike says it’s all worth it.

“I’m back here for two and a half hours in the morning before work and then I piddle around in it some more when I get home,” says Mike. “I absolutely enjoy it. It doesn’t feel like work to me.”

The Smith’s created their garden as a peaceful, meditative place. Statues of angels and words of wisdom etched in stone are nestled in between flowers. Mary refers to her garden as “God’s little acre.”

“I call it that because He has provided everything for us in this garden and He gave us the strength to be able to put it all together,” says Mary. “I absolutely love it.”

Their garden also features a hand built rain shed, a clear water creek, a fire pit, the largest registered tulip tree in Missouri and several sitting areas for enjoying a warm cup of coffee. While it’s very private, the Smith’s open up their backyard for family gatherings, church picnics and wedding parties. They even have science classes come to their backyard so the kids can do an archaeological dig and learn about ecology.

Mike and Mary’s garden was on the June 6 Northland Garden Tour and will also be featured on the Water Garden Tour on July 10-11.

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

Pack up your buns and hot dogs and head over to EH Young Park for the 4th of July weekend. Some areas are a little muddy but there is still plenty of space to hang out and play games. One section of the Missouri Riverfront Trail is still closed. Don’t forget sunscreen!

Aldermen Cope and Thatcher’s idea to “energize support” for our All-America Story video helped get us to 2,000 votes but we still need your votes to win!

Vote now for Riverside’s video: http://www.allamericacityaward.com/2010/06/09/vote-for-your-favorite-all-america-story-video/

Due to rising waters, the Missouri Riverfront Trail and EH Young Park are both closed to the public. Please avoid both of these areas until further notice. Contact City Hall with any questions at 741-3993.