Kansas City is like a giant amoeba spread out over a vast distance spilling it's shape in every direction. In those interesting shapes lay interesting cities. One of those cities has an amazing new slogan, "wake up on the right side...Riverside." When I first saw the billboard plastered in front of the Broadway Bridge headed to the Northland in Kansas City I laughed out loud.
You see Riverside as a bit of a reputation as a dichotomy in and of itself. You have a tremendous tax base consisting mainly of the Argosy Casino which allows for no property tax, fantastic public works, and a sliver of high income homes and businesses. On the other hand you have tremendous poverty, a higher crime rate than the surrounding area, the firework stand epicenter of Kansas City, and Red X. For more on the fireworks see my previous post Fireworks, Riverside, and Second Degree Burns
What Riverside also has is the River City Roll Skate Center a roller staking rink that is stuck in 1986 but making great memories in 2011. For the past four months my oldest daughter has been guilting me regularly to let you go the PTA skate party they host once a month. She has been unable to go because she has soccer practice on Wednesday nights and when you make a commitment you stick to it (thanks Pujols). Last night was the first time that she was able to go this year and we had a blast. Come to find out my youngest thinks skating is pretty badass too. She killed it in her Fisher Price skates and only came to say hello when she wanted something to drink. The fiercely independent nature of my kids always astounds me when they try something new and don't want any help.
From the carpet, to the arcade games, to the snack bar, skate rental, black lights, backward skate, limbo, dice game, and the dirty derby roller team smoking outside waiting for the kids to leave, it was like I was right back home. The only difference is the music which is pop hits from today. For nine bucks both girls were able to skate for two hours and get exhausted. I would certainly recommend the local rink for a good time.
You see Riverside as a bit of a reputation as a dichotomy in and of itself. You have a tremendous tax base consisting mainly of the Argosy Casino which allows for no property tax, fantastic public works, and a sliver of high income homes and businesses. On the other hand you have tremendous poverty, a higher crime rate than the surrounding area, the firework stand epicenter of Kansas City, and Red X. For more on the fireworks see my previous post Fireworks, Riverside, and Second Degree Burns
What Riverside also has is the River City Roll Skate Center a roller staking rink that is stuck in 1986 but making great memories in 2011. For the past four months my oldest daughter has been guilting me regularly to let you go the PTA skate party they host once a month. She has been unable to go because she has soccer practice on Wednesday nights and when you make a commitment you stick to it (thanks Pujols). Last night was the first time that she was able to go this year and we had a blast. Come to find out my youngest thinks skating is pretty badass too. She killed it in her Fisher Price skates and only came to say hello when she wanted something to drink. The fiercely independent nature of my kids always astounds me when they try something new and don't want any help.
From the carpet, to the arcade games, to the snack bar, skate rental, black lights, backward skate, limbo, dice game, and the dirty derby roller team smoking outside waiting for the kids to leave, it was like I was right back home. The only difference is the music which is pop hits from today. For nine bucks both girls were able to skate for two hours and get exhausted. I would certainly recommend the local rink for a good time.
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