Saturday, January 6, 2018

Roosevelt Island's NYC Council Member Ben Kallos Invites You To Annual State Of The District Sunday January 7

Roosevelt Island's NYC Council Member Ben Kallos invites you to his annual State of the District on Sunday January 7, 1 PM, at Memorial Sloan Kettering Auditorium (430 East 67th Street)

More info on NYC Council Member Kallos available at his web site.

Friday, January 5, 2018

The Roosevelt Island Cafe At Cornell Tech Winter Recess Hours 8 AM To 2 PM Each Day Serving Coffee, Espresso Drinks And Brunch - Resumes Normal Service January 22


The Cafe @Cornel Tech reports
Due to the winter recess here at the campus we will be open from 8am to 2pm with coffee, pastries and a few hot breakfast options. We will look to resume our normal dining options starting 1/22

Good News, Roosevelt Island F Train Service To And From Manhattan This Weekend - But No F Service Between 57th & York Street Says MTA

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


to and from Manhattan this weekend.
But:


No F service at 57 St, 47-50 Sts, 42 St-Bryant Pk, 23 St, 14 St, W 4 St, B'way-Lafayette St, 2 Av, Delancey St/Essex St, East Broadway, and York St.
Click here for more MTA Weekender info.

Sponsored Post - Check Out Roosevelt Island Gristedes Bonus Card Diamond Rewards Items For January 5 Thru 18, Weekly Sales, Specials & Free Delivery With $75 Or More Purchase


The Roosevelt Island Gristedes Supermarket


Diamond Value Rewards customer loyalty program items for January 5 - 18 are now available to purchase. Examples of Diamond Rewards featured items that earn you big points include
  • Hex Laundry Detergent earn 150 points,
  • Twinings K- Cup T earn 100 points,
  • Nutella Hazelnut Spread earn 75 points
  • Botticelli Past Sauce earn 50 points,
  • White Castle Hamburgers earn 25 points and
  • many more shown in flyer below.

Thursday, January 4, 2018

PS/IS 217 School Closed For Snowstorm Today But Roosevelt Island Youth Program Doors Open For Kids - Friends, Movies, Video Games, Cards, Grill Cheese & Hot Chocolate Too

Roosevelt Island Youth Program Executive Director Charlie Defino reports:

Roosevelt island Youth Program Opens Youth Center on School Snow Day

Today was a snow day (school closing) for all school children in New York City. All after-school programs were closed also, except for one, the Roosevelt Island Youth Program.

For the past 4 decades the Youth Program has provided services for youth on every school snow day except for one and on every NYC emergency. Our program takes pride in providing these special services for the youth and families of Roosevelt Island.

Today our clients feasted on grilled cheese and hot chocolate, watched movies, had access to computers, played video games and cards with their friends in a safe and loving environment Roosevelt Island. This is the Roosevelt Island Youth Program and


these are our children.

Roosevelt Island Winter Snowstorm Emergency - Very Dangerous Outside, Trucks Will Be Plowing And Salting Roadways Day & Night, Remove Cars From Main Street Says RIOC

This morning, I asked Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC) President Susan Rosenthal and Public Safety Department Chief Jack McManus:
Rioc usually sends out advisories before snowstorms that no Main Street parking is allowed but available at Motorgate for free.

No such advisory was sent out for today’s snowstorm.

Why? Any statement from Rioc on matter?
This afternoon RIOC issued the following advisory:
The National Weather Service has issued a Winter Storm Warning for our area on Thursday, January 4th, 2018, due to snow, forecasted temperatures, and/or wind chills.

Total snow accumulation is expected to be between 6-12 inches. Residents are encouraged to avoid unnecessary travel. Please drive slowly, use major streets or highways, and keep the name and number of at least one local towing service in your vehicle. Pedestrians should avoid slippery surfaces, dress in layers, and maintain a heightened awareness of cars, especially when crossing intersections

Please be advised that, due to the Snow Emergency, there is “NO PARKING, NO STOPPING OR NO STANDING” on Main St. or the East and West Roadways from, Thursday, January 4th, 2018 at 5:00PM THRU Friday, January 5th, 2018 at 11:00PM, in order for snow removal to take place.

As an alternative, free parking will be available at the Motorgate Garage starting at 5PM, Thurs, Jan. 4th, 2018. Please note that free parking is only for residents of the island. Proof of residency and vehicle registration must be presented upon entering. Vehicle must be registered to a Roosevelt Island resident. Vehicles accommodated for snow emergency must be moved by 11PM on Fri, Jan. 5th, 2018 when Main Street reopens for parking. After that time, standard Motorgate parking fees will apply. Please contact the Motorgate Garage at (212) 832-4585 or visit the Motorgate offices on the fourth floor if you have any additional questions.

Trucks will be plowing and salting the roadways throughout the day and night in order to avert dangerous travel conditions. RIOC will be working to keep all areas clean for the duration of the storm. Expect delays in Red Bus and Tram service. Thank you for your cooperation while necessary preparations for the storm and subsequent snow removal are taking place.

To report any icy or other hazardous areas, please call the Public Safety Department at 212-832-4545 as soon as possible. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation.
 Roosevelt Island Main Street at 1:30 This Afternoon

A long time Roosevelt Island resident shares this message sent to RIOC President Rosenthal this morning:
... As a long-timer & veteran of many snowstorms & RIOC Administrations, I was surprised there was no Advisory yesterday requesting / requiring cars be moved off Main Street south of Manhattan Park & the East & West Channel Drives & offering free parking at Motorgate.

That always guarantees DSNY & RIOC curb-to-curb street & cross-walk cleaning for those folks who have to be out & for unfettered Island access by NYPD & FDNY to both ends of the Island.

I am surprised I received 3 RIOC Advisories on SportsPark & Good Shepherd & nothing yet about the Tram, Red Bus service or any plowing or pavement/sidewalk activity....
and Ms. Rosenthal's reply:
We decided within the last 45 minutes to require cars to be moved. Our staff knows what to do in this storm and I realized in the first few minutes of our emergency meeting at 591, that I'm really not needed! All those copied have their teams doing what needs to be done to protect our community. I'm so very proud of them!

... Jack was here at 5am with many staffers. The storm model was changing every hour. Moving cars off Main Street can be a major imposition to residents' work schedules and to the many disabled on our island. If we can avoid removing cars, it is preferable. I have been here, am in charge and am fully in the know.
PSD Chief McManus adds:
... there have been no less than 6 Dept of Sanitation visits to the Island. I saw the first one at 6:00 am and they have continued to plow and sand every 40 minutes give or take a minute. RIOC's Ground Department has been out since roughly 6:00 am as well.

Archbishop Of New York Cardinal Timothy Dolan Will Celebrate Mass And Bless The New Roosevelt Island St Francis X Cabrini Church Sunday January 7


On Sunday January 7, Archbishop Of New York Cardinal Timothy Dolan will celebrate Mass at Roosevelt Island's new Church of St Francis X Cabrini


on the
 

second floor

Image of 2017 Christmas Mass At the new Cabrini Church

of 504 Main Street.

More info on the Roosevelt Island Cabrini Church available at East River Catholics web site.

Here's an interesting discussion with Cardinal Dolan and Goldman Sach's CEO Lloyd Blankfein on leadership, business and the evolution of the Catholic Church including the recent closing and merging of parishes.


Wednesday, January 3, 2018

Roosevelt Island 2018 Disabled Association Membership Drive Begins - RIDA Welcomes And Seeks To Help People With Physical, Mental Or Emotional Impairments

The Roosevelt Island Disabled Association (RIDA) 2018 membership drive has begun. Wendy Hersh is the new RIDA President, taking over for long time RIDA President Jim Bates who passed away last November.

Ms Hersh reports:

My goal is to make RIDA a fully inclusive organization, welcoming people with any type of disability: physical, mental or emotional impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities. There are many hidden disablities such as depression...also included.

Ms Hersh described RIDA activities and upcoming future plans for the organization during her November 14, 2017 presentation to Roosevelt Island Residents Association (RIRA) Public Purpose Funds Committee.

According to Ms. Hersh:
... RIDA's mission is to improve and enhance the quality of life for individuals with disabilities - mental, physical or emotional living on Roosevelt Island  including but not limited to social services to help with working knowledge of organizations and facilities that can assist individuals in daily living so they can live a more independent and social active life. Also, cultural and social activities...


RIDA received $18,000 in Public Purpose Funds.

Contact Ms Hersh for more info on RIDA.

Roosevelt Island Residents Association Monthly Meeting Tonight January 3 - RIRA Public Session To Raise Your Issues And Ask Questions Too

The Roosevelt Island Residents Association (RIRA) Common Council will hold it's monthly meeting this evening, January 3 at 8:00 PM in the Good Shepherd Community Center (543 Main Street).


As always, prior to the start of each monthly meeting there is a Public Session in which residents can come and address the Common Council Delegates on any issue of concern.

According to the RIRA Agenda:
If at all possible, please arrive 15 mins early to help set up tables and chairs

Date: Wednesday, January 3, 2018

Time & Place: 8:00 pm, Church of Good Shepard, Basement

1. Public Session (please sign-in to be placed on the Public Session Speaking List)

2. Roll Call of Common Council Members

3. Adoption of Agenda

4. Committee Reports & Business
     a. Island Services Committee Update (oral)
     b. Public Purpose Funds Ad Hoc Committee Update (oral)

5. Old Business

6.New Business

Tuesday, January 2, 2018

Take A Leisurely Ride On The Roosevelt Island Tram On A Snowy NYC Day - Or A Very, Very, Fast Tram Ride On A Cold & Sunny Day

Take a nice leisurely Roosevelt Island Tram ride on a snowy NYC day.



Or another much faster ride on a cold and sunny day.


Can't beat the view from Roosevelt Island Tram under any circumstances.

Monday, January 1, 2018

Begin 2018 New Year With Roosevelt Island Supermoon Viewing Tonight, Dress Warmly & See The Stars!!!!

Happy 2018 New Year's wishes are drawn on a snowy Roosevelt Island Firefighter's Field

You can celebrate 2018 New Year's Day across the street from Firefighters Field tonight at a Roosevelt Island Supermoon viewing with amateur astronomer Kuiper Kat.
According to amateur astronomer Kuiper Kat:
Join Kuiper Kat's Astronomy on Roosevelt Island as we kick off the New Year with a Supermoon observing session! This will be our first full moon of the year, as well as a Supermoon.

Observing will be from 6pm-8:30pm, weather permitting.

... We will be on Main Street, near the entrance of the Riverwalk Bar & Grill.
Learn more about Supermoons from NASA.


Updates from Kuiper Kat about tonight's Roosevelt Island Supermoon observing here.

UPDATE 1/2/18:


Sunday, December 31, 2017

Best Wishes For A Happy And Healthy New Year From Roosevelt Island - Goodbye 2017 With A Last Party Song, Welcome 2018 With Peace, Love, Understanding & Auld Lang Syne


Best Wishes to all for a Happy And Healthy New Year in 2018.



There's no better way to party out 2017 than with a traditional last song from Southside Johnny & the Asbury Jukes together with Bruce Springsteen & the E Street Band .

We're havin' a party
Everybody's swinging
Dancing to the music
On the radio
So listen, Mr. DJ
Keep those records playing
'Cause I'm having such a good time
Dancing with my baby


You Tube Video of Southside Johnny and Bruce Springsteen Having a Party in 1978

Here's hoping for some 2018 Peace, Love and Understanding from Elvis Costello.  



And Auld Lang Syne.



Cheers

Best Wishes for a Happy & Health New Year to you all.

HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE!