Friday, July 11, 2014

No Roosevelt Island F Train Service From Manhattan This Weekend - Also, No Elevator Service At Lex/63rd Street F Train Station From July 15 - February 2015


According to the MTA:
F Jamaica-bound trains run via the M from 47-50 Sts to Roosevelt Av

Weekends, 9:45 PM Fri to 5 AM Mon, until Jul 14

No Jamaica-bound service at 57 St, Lexington Av/63 St, Roosevelt Island and 21 St-Queensbridge.
Also, Judy Berdy reports:
There are signs up that there will be no elevator service at 63/ Lex station from 7/15


 until February 15.

Come See Superhero Weekend At The Roosevelt Island Southpoint Park Outdoor Movie Series -Thor: The Dark World Tonight And Marvel's: The Avengers Saturday Night - UPDATE, Movie Moved To Firefighters Field Due To Power Outage At Southpoint Park

Image of June 28 Southpoint Park Outdoor Movie Showing Of Frozen From Irina Hage

It's Superhero Weekend at the Roosevelt Island Southpoint Park 2014 Summer Outdoor Movie Series.


According to the Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC)
Come join us for an action packed Superhero Weekend brought to you by Roosevelt Island Operating Corporation’s Outdoor Summer Movie Series at Southpoint Park.

This Friday, July 11th, there will be a screening of Thor: The Dark World. Join us again on Saturday, July 12th, for the screening of Marvel’s:The Avengers. The fun starts at 7 PM, the movies will begin at dusk. Attendees can enjoy superhero trivia games, prizes music and more!

Please bring a blanket or lawn chair and enjoy these Marvel films with your friends and family.
RIOC adds:
Friday July 11th and Saturday, July 12, a shuttle bus will provide service to the Summer Movie Series at Southpoint Park for seniors and those with limited mobility. The bus will depart at 8 PM from the R.I. Senior Center (546 Main Street). The bus will make a return trip from Southpoint Park to the R.I. Senior Center at the conclusion of the movie screening.

Sincerely,

Roosevelt Island Operating Corp Advisories Group
Here's the trailer from Thor: The Dark World



and Marvel's: The Avengers.



On Saturday evening, Bike New York will have a bicycle ride around Roosevelt Island and dinner at Eleanor's Pier before heading over for the showing of Marvells: The Avengers.

Have a fun weekend.

UPDATE 7/12 at 5:50 PM:

Image Of RIOC Staff Preparing For Tonight's Outdoor Movie At Firefighters Field

According to RIOC:
Due to a temporary power outage at South point Park, tonight's scheduled outdoor movie, The Avengers, has been moved to Firefighter's Field.

Sincerely,

Roosevelt Island Operating Corp Advisories Group

Thursday, July 10, 2014

Join Bike New York For Saturday Night Roosevelt Island Bicycle Excursion, Followed By Dinner At Eleanor's Pier and Southpoint Park Outdoor Movie Showing Of Marvel's: The Avengers

Bike New York Roosevelt Island Community Outreach Manager Caitlin Goodspeed invites you to a Saturday evening bicycle excursion around Roosevelt Island, followed by dinner at Eleanor's Pier on the East River waterfront and then an outdoor movie at Southpoint Park. According to Ms. Goodspeed:

Join Bike New York for a ride around Roosevelt Island


before the movie on Saturday! Meet at our container under the helix ramp at 6pm. Dinner to follow on Eleanor's Pier! #bikeRI #bikeNYC

Image Of Eleanor's Pier

Come join us for an action packed Superhero Weekend brought to you by Roosevelt Island Operating Corporation’s Outdoor Summer Movie Series at Southpoint Park.

This Friday, July 11th, there will be a screening of Thor: The Dark World. Join us again on Saturday, July 12th, for the screening of Marvel’s:The Avengers.


The fun starts at 7 PM, the movies will begin at dusk. Attendees can enjoy superhero trivia games, prizes music and more!

Please bring a blanket or lawn chair and enjoy these Marvel films with your friends and family.

Report From RIOC President Charlene Indelicato - Memorial Service For PSD Lieutenant Gary Yee Friday July 11, Roosevelt Island Outdoor Movie Weekend, Lighthouse Park Footbridge Repairs Underway, New York State Citizen Emergency Preparedness Training, Tennis Permits & More

Image Of RIOC Public Safety Lieutenant Gary Yee From RIOC

Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC) President Charlene Indelicato sends the following report to the community.
On behalf of all of us here at the Roosevelt Island Operating Corporation (RIOC), I hope you all had a very happy 4th of July holiday. Thank you to all the members of the community who came out to participate in last Friday’s neighborhood celebration at Firefighter’s Field.  The karaoke and dance competitions showed that we certainly have a lot of talented residents on the Island, and I enjoyed watching the live simulcast of the fireworks with the rest of the community. Many thanks to The Octagon, Fuji East, Main Street Sweets, and Wholesome Factory for generously contributing wonderful prizes to the event. Photographs of the event are available on our Facebook page (facebook.com/RIOCny).

This weekend, we hope you’ll join us again for the second and third Outdoor Summer Movies

Southpoint Park Outdoor Movie Image From RIOC

at Southpoint Park. Thor: The Dark World will be shown this Friday, July 11, followed by The Avengers on Saturday July 12. Music and trivia will begin at 7 PM; the movies will begin at dusk. Food and beverages will be available for purchase at the event; bring a blanket or a lawn chair.

In Memory of Lt. Gary Yee
Last month, RIOC and the Roosevelt Island community lost a valued member of our team. Lieutenant Gary Yee of the Roosevelt Island Public Safety Department passed away on the morning of Sunday, June 29. We are deeply saddened by this loss and honor him for his 22 years and 4 months of dedicated service to the Roosevelt Island community.  We offer our heartfelt condolences to his family and friends during this difficult time.

Memorial services will be held for Lt. Yee this Friday, July 11th, 12 PM at the Timothy P. Doyle Funeral Home (845-452-0460, 371 Hooker Avenue, Poughkeepsie NY 12603). Flowers may be sent directly to the funeral home or, in lieu of flowers, a donation can be made to the American Diabetes Association.

Tennis Permits
The resurfacing of the Octagon Tennis Courts has been completed and the courts are currently open for permit holders. If you would like to play, you may purchase a Tennis Permits online through the RIOC website – please visit us at rioc.ny.gov/tenniscourts.htm for more information or to apply.

Citizens Preparedness Training
In case of emergency, is your family prepared with a plan and the right tools?

Image From RIOC

On Wednesday, August 6 at 6:00 PM, the NYS Citizens Preparedness Corps will host a free disaster preparedness class for Roosevelt Island residents at the Manhattan Park Theater Club (8 River Road). In addition to the training, each family participating will receive a free Citizen Preparedness Corps Response Starter Kit, which includes a first aid kit, emergency food and water, AM/FM radio, flashlight, and more items that are useful in case of a man-made or natural disaster. The training is free, but you must register in advance in order to participate. Visit http://www.prepare.ny.gov/training-events to sign up. This class is presented by the Roosevelt Island Operating Corporation of the State of New York in Partnership with the Citizens Preparedness Corps and the Office of Governor Andrew M. Cuomo.

Construction
At the southern tip of Lighthouse Park, the repair and reconstruction of the Lighthouse Park footbridges is underway. Contractors began work once the lumber was delivered and are expected to be complete reconstruction within the next two weeks. We are eagerly anticipating the reopening of this section of the Park to the public.

The repainting of the Manhattan and Roosevelt Island Tram Stations has been completed. During the next phase of the project, the station floors will receive repairs, improvements, and overall design upgrades. The RIOC Engineering department is currently working with the contractors to create a repair schedule that will have the smallest possible impact on the Tram’s operating schedule. In case of any changes to the Tram’s timetable, advisories will be issued to the public via our RIOC Advisories alert system (visit rioc.ny.gov to subscribe).

Roosevelt Island Sportspark Users Group Meet With RIOC To Address Issues Of Concern - Positive And Productive Changes Already Made But More Is Needed To Continue Improvements

Sportspark Image From Google Maps

Reported May 7 on the formation of the Sportspark Users Group:
... In conjuction with the Roosevelt Island Residents Association (RIRA) Island Services Commitee, a group of us brought our concerns about Sportspark to the Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC)...

... Our goal is to work together with RIOC to help improve conditions at Sportspark pool so that our community can continue to enjoy this facility that we are fortunate enough to have!...
Roberta Kleiman is one of the organizers of the Sportspark Users Group. Ms. Kleiman recently met with the Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC) to discuss issues of concern regarding the Sportspark facility. Ms. Kleiman shares this report on her meeting with RIOC:
I am delighted to report that the meeting with RIOC was tremendously positive and productive! They listened to each and every issue, question, and suggestion we had with great concern, care and a committment to improving Sportspark! Matters of safety, hygeine, courtesy and consideration are being addressed, and a commitment was made to recify. All of our suggestions are being carefully considered, and we will see changes over the next several weeks and months for immediate concerns, and the next several years for longer range plans.

I have already seen positive changes, but more is needed to continue improvements. We will be following up with RIOC so please keep your constuctive concerns and suggestions coming!

The following is a recap of the issues that were discussed.

Immediate Concerns:

Improved Sanitary Conditions in the Locker Rooms

This is a two part issue;
  1. The facility is old, it looks dirty and broken down even after industrial strength cleaning. A major renovation would be required to fix this (more on this below).
  2. However, although I see some efforts to improve daily cleanliness, the locker rooms are still often dirty. Discussion with RIOC included the possibility of posting a cleaning schedule, but this has yet to be implemented. We look forward to improvements in this area.
Opening At Scheduled Time

As far as I can tell, major improvements have been made in terms of opening Sportspark on-time. Please let us know if you continue to experience delays in opening at the scheduled time.

Better Regulation of Air and Water Temperature (meaning the extremes)

The areas we discussed in terms of extremes in water and air temperature are;
  1. Not backwashing during open swim (in general) and
  2. Not opening doors and windows when it is so chilly that lifeguards are wearing warm up jackets
As far as I can tell, this has been rectified.

We did NOT discuss average daily pool temperature, nor did we discuss mechanical or human errors creating infrequent extremes in pool temperature. Some members of our group have expressed the desire to bring this up in a future meeting with RIOC.

Chemicals

RIOC said they would look into the amount and types of chemicals being used to see if any improvements need to be made. No word yet on the result of this inquiry.

Staff (rudeness by some)

RIOC said they would look into this. Please let us know if this continues to be a problem.

Rules Should be Enforced

RIOC said they would look into this. As far as I can tell some improvements have been made, but I've still seen inconsistencies.

Reconsideration of Pool Schedule due to changes in Island Population/Demographics

RIOC said they would consider this, however no word yet as to whether any scheduling changes will be implemented.

Improvements to Sportspark online system including readability, timely information, and online payments.

RIOC said this is currently being worked on, but no time frame was given.

Longer Range Concerns/Questions:

Plans for approximate 1 month closure for pool patching, timing, and related concerns. Barring the unforeseen this will be during a winter month.

Installation of additional space heater in Women’s and Men’s locker room. YES!

Possible Renovation of Locker Rooms. Currently in discussion stage, and will take several years for planning, approval, bidding, and implementation! We look forward to hearing more about these plans as they develop. RIOC board approval would be required, so we would see this in the RIOC Board meeting agenda on the Roosevelt Islander blog and in the WIRE in the future.
Are you a user of the Roosevelt Island Sportspark pool with concerns about how it is operated? Contact Sportspark Users Group here

Wednesday, July 9, 2014

Roosevelt Island Moms On The Move Walking And Exercise Group Meeting Friday 11 AM At Tram Kiosk

Image Of Roosevelt Island Moms On The Move

Reported June 26 on the Roosevelt Island Parents' Network (RIPN) Roosevelt Island Moms On The Move (RI MoM) initiative. According to RIPN Coordinator Eva Bosbach:
...This is a walking group for moms with children in strollers. We are meeting to exercise and lose baby weight while having a nice chat and enjoying fresh air. In case you are up to more you can add a short after-walk exercise program...

... Please send me a short e-mail if you are interested in joining....

Image Of RI Moms On The Move Exercise Group

Ms. Bosbach adds:
The next RI Moms on the Move walk, exercise and picnic lunch will will START 11 am this Friday, JULY 11, at the Tram Kiosk.
Image Of RI Moms On The Move Exercise Group

More information available from Ms. Bosbach.

Upcoming Summer Events At Roosevelt Island NY Public Library Branch - From Planes To Silly Putty Science Workshop For Teens, Downloading Free E Books For Adults, Kids Crafts, Coloring, Origami And Movies, Summer Reading Challenge, Making Ramadan Lanterns & More

Image Of Roosevelt Island NY Public Library

You're invited to these upcoming Roosevelt Island Public Library events (524 Main Street):
From Planes to Silly Putty: How Things Work (For ages 12-18; 3pm-4:30pm on the dates below) This is a FREE hands-on, science-based workshop series for teens. You'll learn about how things work and experiment with paper planes (July 10), electrical circuits (July 24), boats (Aug 14), and silly putty (Aug 19). You'll even get to participate in design competitions! Please register at the library or by phone (212) 308-6243.

Curious George: Story & Craft (Tuesday, July 15, 3pm-4pm; For children ages 4 and older)Listen to the story of “Curious George,” and then create a picture of Curious George with paper and glue.

Coloring Time (Thursday, July 17; 11am-11:45am; For children ages 3 and older) Enjoy coloring pictures of your favorite characters.

Origami (Thursday, July 17, 3pm-4pm; For children ages 4 and older)
Make a rosette with eight sheets of colorful paper and glue! Origami Skill Level: Intermediate

Ramadan & Eid Craft (Saturday, July 19, 11am-12pm; For children ages 4 and older)
Make lanterns to decorate your home for Ramadan and Eid.

Downloading NYPL Ebooks (Tuesday, July 22, 10am-11am; For adults) Learn how to download free ebooks from the New York Public Library. Please bring your library card and PIN number. Tablet users need to know their device's user ID and password. Kindle users need to know their Amazon account username and password.

Children's Film: "Happy Feet Two" (Tuesday, July 29, 3pm-4:45pm; For children of all ages)
The world’s most famous tap-dancing penguin, Mumble, and Gloria, now have a son named Erik. Erik is struggling to find his own particular talents in the Emperor Penguin world. But new dangers are threatening the penguin nation, and it’s going to take everyone working and dancing together to save them. Warner Bros. Pictures; Animated; Rated PG; 103 minutes; 2011; Featuring the voices of: Elijah Wood, Robin Williams, Pink, Hank Azaria, Brad Pitt, and Matt Damon

Children's Craft (Thursday, July 31, 11am-12pm & 3pm-4pm; For ages 4 and older)
Make pompoms using tissue paper, tape, and dowels.

Summer Reading Challenge (For all ages) Sign up for the summer reading program at the Roosevelt Island Library, or at https://www.summerreading.org If you sign up at the library and use a paper reading log, you will receive a sticker for every ten books that you have read. A grand prize will also be given to the child (ages 5-11) or teen (ages 12-18) who has registered with Roosevelt Island Library, and logged the most books in their paper log or online between June 1, 2014 - August 16, 2014. Please visit the Roosevelt Island Library to receive a copy of the official contest rules and regulations.

Summer Reading Celebration: Girls are Heroes Too (Thursday, August 21, 3pm-4pm; For ages 5 and older) Not all girls wait for a prince! These are old tales and new stories of strong women and girls who can take care of business.
More Roosevelt Island NY Public Library events listed here. There is something interesting for everybody.

Tuesday, July 8, 2014

Fantastic Video Taken From Aerial Drone Flying High Above Roosevelt Island NYC East River Waterfront - WOW

Reported previously on an aerial drone hovering over Roosevelt Island's Lighthouse Park and taking remarkable video images from above.

This is even better. An aerial drone flying over the southern portion of Roosevelt Island taking great images of the NYC East River waterfront,


the future home of Cornell NYC Tech at current Goldwater Hospital site,


FDR Four Freedoms Park and the Renwick Ruins Smallpox Hospital


as well as Southpoint Park and the Long Island City waterfront.


Here's the flight of the drone above southern tip of Roosevelt Island



and the drone that flew over Lighthouse Park last November



taking these pictures.



Wow!!!!!!!

Could the Roosevelt Island drones be a test of Amazon's Drone Delivery system?


Probably not but the drones do take some great pictures.

Learn more about Unmanned Aerial Vehicles at DIY Drones.

Monday, July 7, 2014

Video Of June 14 Queensboro Bridge Taxi Cab Fire Seen From Roosevelt Island Tram

Reported last June 14 on Queensboro Bridge taxi fire.

 Image From You Tube

Here's video filmed from the Roosevelt Island Tram showing the scene.



More on the June 14 Queensboro Bridge Taxi fire from previous post.

Herb Berman Former President Of Roosevelt Island Operating Corp and Long Time Brooklyn NYC Council Member Passed Away Sunday -Condolences To His Family, Friends And Colleagues


The NY Daily News reported yesterday:
Herbert Berman, a member of the City Council for more than a quarter century, who rose to become its Finance Committee chairman, died Sunday. He was 80.

Berman represented the Brooklyn neighborhoods of Canarsie and Mill Basin in the Council from his election in 1975 until leaving office 2001. He ran for City Controller when term limits prevented him from running for his seat again...
Newsday adds:
... He later headed the Roosevelt Island Operating Corporation...
Mr. Berman was President of the Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC) from August 2003 to April 2007.  The Main Street Wire interviewed Mr. Berman upon his appointment in 2003. According to the article:
... Roosevelt Island is loaded with landmarks and scenery. “I was surprised when I came here to find a place as beautiful as it is,” he said. He offered similar comments to the RIOC directors on August 7 – the night he was appointed on a unanimous vote – expressing admiration for the Island’s historical resources, natural beauty, and potential for tourism.

He was here for the Blackout a week ago Thursday, helping to direct RIOC’s response. It was a rude introduction to Island life, and he said this week that he’s still in the beginning stages of mastering the various issues that are in the mix here. He also admitted that he had yet to ride the Tram.

“I’m working up to it, gentlemen,” he said. “I have a pronounced fear of heights – open heights.”

Berman presents quite a contrast with his predecessor. He is buttoned down, carefully groomed, and quite scripted in his answers to most questions. He projects a feeling of vigor, good health, and decisiveness, and does not, at first glance, appear to be on the threshold of his 70s. He signaled his intention to work past a more typical retirement age by his run for comptroller two years ago, and he shows no sign of slowing down now....
Here's part 1 of a 2010 interview with Mr. Berman discussing his experience on the NYC Council



followed by Parts 2 and 3.

Condolences to Mr. Berman's family, friends and colleagues.

Roosevelt Island Cornell NYC Tech Construction Update - Don't Be Alarmed By Workers In Protective Gear On Roof Of Goldwater Hospital, They Are Removing Non Friable Asbestos Materials - Also, Latest Construction Site Air Quality Tests

Image Of Former Goldwater Hospital Seen From Roosevelt Island Tram

According to Cornell NYC Tech Construction Update:
July 7 - July 18 Look Ahead

Beginning Monday, July 7th, workers will be on the roof of Building D of the former Goldwater Hospital complex undertaking abatement work. Wearing protective gear, the workers will be removing non-friable asbestos roofing materials and will be visible from the tram and the Ed Koch Queensboro Bridge. The work is being done in accordance with approved DEP procedures, using industry-standard products intended to prevent dust from being created during the roof removal. The work will last approximately one week depending on the weather.

In addition to the roof of Building D, interior abatement work is underway on the upper floors of Building B. Interior abatement will move to the lower floors once interior demolition work is complete in the basement level.

Preparation for interior demolition is complete in Building E. Work will begin the week of July 7th.
Also, the most recent air quality monitoring data from Cornell NYC Tech at the Goldwater Hospital construction site.
Air Quality Action Levels
Background corrected particulate concentration data from the site is compared to particulate action levels. This correction is calculated by subtracting the upwind concentration from the downwind concentration and provides the concentration of particulates being generated by site activities. The specific action levels and their response are as follows


Inclement Weather
Monitoring is not conducted during rain events as precipitation acts as a natural suppressant and prevents the migration of particulates. In addition, moisture can impact the accuracy of the data from the monitors.
More on the Cornell NYC Tech demolition and abatement process, including video describing plan in great detail, from this previous post.