Friday, November 3, 2017

Take The Roosevelt Island Sportspark Survey - RIOC Seeking Your Ideas For Future Programs And Amenities Residents Want For Sportspark

The Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC) is seeking your ideas for future programming at the Sportspark facility.

Sportspark Image From Google Maps

According to RIOC:
Please take a few minutes to provide feedback to help guide the Roosevelt Island Operating Corporation (RIOC) meet the needs of current and future users of the Sportspark facility. Your comments will also identify new ideas and opportunities for programming and amenities. Once the survey is completed, please leave your email address in the space indicated to enter into a drawing for a chance to win a FREE 6-month pool membership at Sportspark!

Click here to begin the survey.

Thank you!
RIOC adds:
Sportspark, located at 250 Main Street, is a 107,000 sq. ft. indoor athletic facility equipped with a pool, gymnasium, several multipurpose rooms and changing room areas. The facility offers multiple indoor athletic and general fitness opportunities for all ages throughout the year.
Click here to take the Sportspark survey.

The Roosevelt Island Residents Association (RIRA) Island Services Committee (ISC) recently completed a 22 page report on the current condition of the Sportspark Facility. According to the ISC:
... This report will be sent to the appropriate people at RIOC for their review. Then we will schedule a meeting with RIOC’s Director of Parks & Recreation and the Sportspark staff to discuss how and when RIOC will address the facilities deficiencies. We hope we can hold the meeting before the end of November....
The ISC also reported that Cornell Tech students are working on a Sportspark report. The ISC adds that the Cornell Tech:
... Sportspark Team is looking into the future of Sportspark facilities and programs and ISC is working fix the present problems with the facility and programs. These efforts compliment each other.
Here's a 2015 report about what was then RIOC's ambitious plan for the future of Sportspark.

Sponsored Post - Check Out Roosevelt Island Gristedes Bonus Card Diamond Rewards Items For November 3 To November 16 - Weekly Sales & Specials Too


The Roosevelt Island Gristedes Supermarket


Diamond Rewards customer loyalty program items for November 3 - November 16 are now available .
Examples of featured items purchased from November 3 - November 16 that earn you big points include

November And December Events At Roosevelt Island Main Street Theatre & Dance Alliance - Alice Childress Reading, {title of show} Musical & Christmas Dreams

Roosevelt Island's Main Street Theatre & Dance Alliance (MST&DA)

 Image From MST&DA

Executive Director Kristi Towey reports on upcoming events for November & December. According to Ms. Towey
November 6th and 13th @ 7:15pm in the Howe Theatre at the Cultural Center, Main Street Theatre & Dance Alliance, 548 Main Street - "Trouble in Mind" by Alice Childress, a staged script reading directed by Michael Rogers in collaboration with Roosevelt Island Operating Corporation.

Free event, ticket reservation recommended. Space is limited. Tickets can be reserved here.


November 10-12, and 17-19th - A musical theatre performance of [title of show].



 Here is the info for the show in an eventbrite link

December 16 & 17th - "Christmas Dreams" will play at MST&DA on Saturday & Sunday, December 16 and 17 at 4 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. both days.

$20 adults; $15 students and seniors.

Directed by Roosevelt Islanders, John and Kara Curtis. He writes -
My wife Kara and I are choreographing again, and I wrote the script. The music is mostly our own original music that we wrote and recorded in the group.

This year's show follows the story of a group of performers putting on their annual Christmas show. As in all of our shows, it's a story about people.

The show is built around four dream ballet sequences, combining ballet, jazz, tap and contemporary dance. At the heart of the story is the dancers and their internal struggles to make Christmas special. One of the dancers in the story is a single mom trying to make it with her daughter who is also a dancer in the group. Another performer in the story lost a child in a tragic incident. She is trying to find faith at Christmastime when everyone is experiencing the joy of the season, but she is lost.

There is a section of the show that we dedicate to the victims of the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting in Newtown, CT. We will be coming up on the fifth anniversary of the tragedy this year. When that happened, it had a profound impact on so many of us in the area here, including Kara and me. Can the performers overcome their own struggles in time to pull the show off? We will find out. "Christmas Dreams" is in the spirit of the classic MGM musicals, but also with a modern sense of gravitas. It will be a delight for fans of musical theater and dance, but even those who are not necessarily fans of this genre will likely see themselves onstage in the lives of the characters.

This year's cast is eight adults and 13 children. A number of our children are from Roosevelt Island, including some students from MST&DA. This is a great opportunity for our children to get to work alongside the adults.
Here's how you get to MST&DA





and click here for more info from the MST&DA web site.

Good News, Roosevelt Island F Train Service To And From Manhattan This Weekend And Tram Platform Repair Project On Target To Be Finished By End Of 2017 But No Metro Card Vending Machine At RI Tram Station Until January 2018

According to the MTA, there will be Roosevelt Island F Train service


to and from Manhattan this weekend.

Also, there will be E Train service to Roosevelt Island from Manhattan this weekend:
E Jamaica Center-bound trains run via the F from W 4 St to 21 St-Queensbridge Station Weekend, 11:45 PM Fri to 8 PM Sat, Nov 3 - 4
Remember, only 1 Roosevelt Island Tram Cabin running now through the end of 2017 due to the Tram Platform Repair Project.

And:
Due to ongoing construction of the Roosevelt Island Tram Plaza platform, the MTA Metro Card vending machines will not be accessible from Thursday, October 26th, 2017 through Saturday, January 6th, 2018.

Please use the MTA Metro Card vending machines located on the Manhattan Tram Plaza or at the Roosevelt Island Subway station located at 400 Main St.

Thursday, November 2, 2017

Roosevelt Island Youth Program Free SAT Prep Class - Limited Space Available, Sign Up Now For Classes Starting November 9

The Roosevelt Island Youth Program reports:

Free SAT Prep Classes Offered By Roosevelt Island Youth Program Starting Thursday November 9, 2017

Are you preparing for the SAT? Do you know someone who is? If so, take advantage of the preparation classes offered by Roosevelt Island Youth Program (RIYP) starting next week. Limited space available.

Make an appointment here.

Enter your full name in the "PARTICIPANT" column.

Select the date(s) you would like to attend, then click "DONE."

Tell us the topic(s) you need reinforcement in "CONTACT THE POLL CREATOR" section.


Roosevelt Island Youth Program, Inc.
506 Main Street
New York, NY 10044

RooseveltIslandYouthProgram@gmail.com

212-935-3645

Follow Us on Facebook.

You're Invited To Roosevelt Island Seniors Association Appreciation Day Saturday November 4

The Roosevelt Island Seniors Association (RISA) President Barbara Parker reports;

Hello Everyone

Join Us For A Fun Filled Afternoon

This Saturday, November 4th 2:00p.m. - 4:00p.m.

RISA Appreciation Day!

A Huge Thank You For All Your Support

546 Community Center

Please RSVP 

Email: riseniorsa@gmail.com

More info on RISA available at their web site.

Roosevelt Island Pumpkin Smash Saturday November 4, Turn Landfill Waste Into Compost For NYC Parks & Green Space Hosted By NYC Compost Project By Big Reuse - Pie, Apple Cider And Coffee Too

Come join your friends and neighbors for Pumpkin Smashing Time on Roosevelt Island this Saturday, November 4.

Roosevelt Island resident and iDig2Learn Founder Christina Delfico reports:

The Smash is on! Save that mushy Halloween pumpkin. Don’t let it haunt the landfill.


Thanks to our weekly food scrap drop partners, NYC Compost Project hosted by Big Reuse, we invite you to join us for the Free Pumpkin Smash 2017 this Saturday, November 4th from 11 am - 2 pm


Thanks to Manhattan Park join us on Manhattan Park’s lower lawn


between buildings #20 and #30 down by the river. Across from the Post Office and alongside the East River facing Manhattan’s Skyline.

This Saturday, the 2017 Pumpkin Smash on Roosevelt Island becomes part of the Department of Sanitation’s official citywide efforts to reduce landfill waste. This is historic and it is happening right here, be a part of it!
This event is made possible by RIOC, NYC Compost hosted by BigReuse, Manhattan Park, Roosevelt Island Garden Club and iDig2Learn

In Collaboration with 217PTA, RI Parents' Network, Island Kids, Girl Scouts, Gristedes, Wengerd Farm, RIRA, RIYP, NYC Ferry Operated by Hornblower, Cornell Tech and RI Explorers

Children, families and anyone with a pumpkin, squash or gourd to recycle


for compost can come smash pumpkins,


eat pie and drink apple cider from our Wengerd farm market and enjoy coffee donated by Gristedes.

Wednesday, November 1, 2017

Alzheimer's Foundation Of America Caregivers Discussion At Roosevelt Island Senior Center Carter Burden Network Program Thursday, November 2 - Open To All Residents

The Roosevelt Island Senior Center Carter Burden Network program is hosting an Alzheimer's Foundation of America caregivers discussion open to all residents Thursday November 2. According to the program flyer:

Caregiver 101
Thursday November 2nd
1:00PM Open to all Roosevelt Island residents

Please join the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America (AFA) as we discuss a variety of issues that can surface as a caregiver.
  • During this Caregiving 101 discussion, AFA’s social worker will provide a brief overview of the potential impacts care providing can have on the whole system, including the person providing and receiving care.
  • Participants will learn tips and engage in a conversation about caregiving needs.
Watch videos below for more info on Alzheimer's Caregiving





and click link to learn about fighting Alzheimer's with nutrition and exercise

Tuesday, October 31, 2017

Scenes From Roosevelt Island Halloween Parade Extravaganza - Great Time For Kids Of All Ages

Happy Halloween Roosevelt Island!!!!.

Trick or Treaters  were celebrating Halloween


 on Roosevelt Island this evening.

Roosevelt Island also celebrated Halloween last Saturday with the annual Main Street Parade & Extravanza.

Take a look at the Parade



and some of the great costumes.

Sponsored Post - Lannon Builders, Custom Small Scale Home Improvements For Your Roosevelt Island Apartment Needs

Lannon Builders Inc. Custom Small Scale Home Improvement Based on Roosevelt Island, NYC

Welcome to Lannon Builders Inc. We are a family owned and operated home improvement contractor fully licensed, bonded, and insured in New York City. We provide the highest quality home improvement services at the most competitive prices.

We've recently started kitchen door replacements for Roosevelt Island residents. I've noticed that especially in the newer buildings on Roosevelt Island, the builder's grade melamine cabinets that were used crack, peel, and split due to high heat cooking - a pretty unsightly occurrence for a high end apartment.

We've partnered with a cabinet company (based in North Carolina) and are able to use the existing cabinet frames and replace the doors with 100% birch slabs (we also can do higher end custom cabinets if desired).

Before,


After.


This is much more cost effective than replacing the cabinets completely.

If you have a project that calls for a dependable, experienced, and trustworthy contractor, please contact us to discuss how we can make your home improvement dreams become a reality.

Please visit Lannon Builders web site for more information and client testimonials as well as our Facebook Page or call us at  646-653-9533

Roosevelt Island Transportation Is A Mess, Frequent F Train Subway Delays, Long Lines At The Tram Stations & Main Street Traffic Delays Today Due To RI Bridge Accident

A perfect image to describe how many Roosevelt Island residents feel about their daily commute.

Last night, long lines at the Roosevelt Island Tram Manhattan Station. A frustrated Roosevelt Island resident reports:
Here's the image of 8PM at the tram station.

Image From Carol Sales

The line was all the way around the corner of 59th st. No red buses and no train service to Manhattan since about 4:45PM and then no trains to RI since 6:45PM (they were skipping 57th st, Lex/63rd st, RI, Queens Plaza).

This is unacceptable for RIOC, they knew the situation no advisories and no extended red bus service to get people home."
And this morning there was a vehicle accident on the Roosevelt Island Bridge causing Main Street traffic back ups and delays.
Extensive subway delays and long Tram lines last Friday too.

Monday, October 30, 2017

Get Your Free Flu Shot At Roosevelt Island Senior Center Carter Burden Network Program Wednesday November 1 - Fall Prevention Seminar Too November 1 & 8

You can get a free Flu Shot at the Roosevelt Island Senior Center Carter Burden Network program Wednesday, November 1 from 2-4 PM.


The Roosevelt Island Senior Center Carter Burden program will also be hosting a Fall Prevention Presentation on November 1


as well as November 8.

Watch Roosevelt Island Pooches Parade Down Runway At Wildlife Freedom Foundation Halloween Dog Costume Contest

The Wildlife Freedom Foundation hosted its Second Annual Roosevelt Island Howloween Dog Costume Contest yesterday.


The Roosevelt Island pooches showed off their costumes as they paraded down runway at the Manhattan Park Theater Club runway.



According to the Wildlife Freedom Foundation:
A special thank you to Delighted Dog, Starbucks, Wildlife Freedom Foundation, Mayor’s Alliance of New York, Wholesome Factory, Manhattan Park, RIRA, RIOC, Duane Reade and Steinway Court Veterinarian.
Click here for more info on the Roosevelt Island Wildlife Freedom Foundation.

Sunday, October 29, 2017

Roosevelt Island F Train Station 63rd Street Extension Service Began On This Day, October 29, In 1989 - Happy Birthday



Here's a fascinating video from 1971 about the construction of the



63rd street subway tunnel.

The NY Times reported on the October 29, 1989 opening day of Roosevelt Island F Train service:
Twenty years after its conception, a new subway-line extension - dubbed the subway to nowhere by its critics -made a ceremonial maiden run yesterday, rumbling under the East River from Manhattan to Roosevelt Island and into Queens. Regular service was to start today on the $868 million line, the first subway to the island....
and:
... The new line ends abruptly 1,500 feet short of the E, F, G and R lines at Queens Plaza which are used daily by half a million commuters. The M.T.A. hopes to build a connection with these lines, but it may take several years, Ms. Gardner said....
Click here for the full NY Times article.