Saturday, April 18, 2020

Today In Roosevelt Island History - April 18, 2006 Years Ago, Roosevelt Island Tram Power Failure Leaves 69 Passengers Stranded Over East River For Over 7 Hours Until Rescued, Do You Remember?

14 years ago today, the Roosevelt Island Tram got stuck over the East River stranding 69 people for over  7 hours.


According to the NY Times:
A four-minute trip on the Roosevelt Island Tramway yesterday turned into a harrowing ordeal that lasted hours as a series of power failures left about 70 people suspended hundreds of feet in the air, forcing a daring late-night rescue...


CBS News has more pictures here.

Roosevelt Island Mom Juggles 5 Kids, Work And A New Race & Surveillance Podcast In The Age Of Coronavirus Pandemic - See How She Does It

Earlier this week, a Roosevelt Island Mom and Doctor described in the NY Times sending her children away to Connecticut while treating Coronavirus patients

Yesterday,  Mother Jones profiled a Roosevelt Island single mom trying to balance taking care of her children, work and a new podcast in the age of the Coronavirus pandemic.


According to Mother Jones:
J. Khadijah Abdurahman, a single parent living on Roosevelt Island in New York City, works full-time as an independent researcher focusing on race and surveillance technologies. In 2011, Abdurahman started fostering her four nieces and nephews. Eventually she adopted all of them, and they joined her biological son, who was born in 2008. Her three sons and two daughters range in age from 5 to 13. Each attends a different school, and they all have disabilities....
Click here for the full Mother Jones article and

the We Be Imagining podcast.

Roosevelt Island Foodtown Supermarket Donates Lunch Boxes To Coler Hospital This Morning - Initiates First In Line Program For Health Care Workers And First Responders To Process Their Orders Quickly As Thank You Too

Reported yesterday that Roosevelt Island Friends Of Coler delivered vital supplies and personal protective equipment to Coler Hospital.

And:


This morning, representatives of the Roosevelt Island Foodtown supermarket delivered lunch boxes to Coler. According to Foodtown's Nancy D'agostino
We delivered 50 individually packed lunches

Friday, April 17, 2020

After Many Years Of Asking, Uber Eats Now Delivers To Roosevelt Island - What Will You Order?


Roosevelt Island residents have been hoping for Uber Eats delivery service for years




but with no success

Until now.

Roosevelt Island Main Street Shops Go Online - Check Out Virtual Music + Play Station Kids Classes And Family Friendly Yoga & Meditation With Island Om - Sing And Relax

Shops On Main Street promotes Roosevelt Island retail stores and reports

Music + Playstation is now bringing music to Roosevelt Island online! You can find them on Facebook LIVE at the following times:
  • Tuesday, 10AM
  • Thursday, 10AM
  • Saturday, 10AM
The fun and casual interactive classes are a great way for your kids (and you!) to add a happy new activity into your days.

Head to their Facebook page here, like and follow their page so you can stay up-to-date with these classes and more.
According to Music + Play Station:
We are going Online!

Roosevelt Island F Train Service To And From Manhattan This Weekend, E Train Too - Wear Mask On Tram, Red Bus & All Public Transportation, Stay Home Unless You're Providing An Essential Service Or An Emergency


According to the MTA, there will be Roosevelt Island F Train service to and from Manhattan this weekend.

Also E train service.
TRACK MAINTENANCE Apr 17 - 20, Fri 11:45 PM to Mon 5 AM E Trains run via the F in both directions between 21 St-Queensbridge station and W 4 St

According to the Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC):
Red Buses will continue to run on a Weekend Schedule and the Trams will continue to operate as normal until further notice.
and:
According to Executive Order 202.7, as of 8 p.m. on Friday, April 17, 2020 any individual who can medically tolerate a face-covering must cover their nose and mouth with a mask or cloth when a) in a public place and b) unable to observe proper social distancing guidelines. This includes all forms of public transportation, including the Tram.
Here's the NYC Ferry Roosevelt Island Astoria Route Schedule.

Thursday, April 16, 2020

Roosevelt Island Virtual Zoom Talent Show Tomorrow, Watch Every Friday At 7 PM - Have Fun And Connect With Your Roosevelt Island Neighbors

So, you want to be a local star, or maybe just have a little bit of fun staying home on a Roosevelt Island Friday night during the Coronavirus Pandemic shutdown?

Roosevelt Island resident Kaja Meade reports:

New Week! New Talent Show! Join us as a performer or audience! This regularly scheduled show is open to all Roosevelt Island residents to preform OR watch. The show begins at 7pm Fridays on Zoom. Meeting ID: 634 771 949

If you would like to be IN the show preforming your talent: Please sign up here Sign-up Genius

We know that Roosevelt Island's Got Talent! We hope that you will consider joining in this week. We are looking for a number of talents from people of all ages – be as creative as you can! The purpose is to HAVE FUN, and connect with each other as an island community. Professional quality talent is NOT necessary. Ideas include: Singing, Dancing, Cooking, Pet tricks, Origami, Knitting Tutorial and Showcase, Hair Techniques (like French Braid), Makeup Tips, Cooking, Baking, Karate, Rhythmic gymnastics, Magic tricks, Juggling, Dog Tricks, Crafting, Impressions, Comedy, Windowsill Gardening, and more!

Reminder: if you would like to WATCH the show, please join here Zoom Meeting

Meeting ID: 634 771 949

For updates, check Instagram @rooseveltislandlove
Here's an example of a talented Roosevelt Island musician.  Chris "Moose" Rohifs new music video - Emergency Contact

Roosevelt Island Friends Of Coler And Assembly Member Rebecca Seawright Donate And Deliver Vital Supplies And Personal Protective Equipment To Coler Nursing Facility Today Including 3d Printed Visors From Cornell Tech - Adjacent Roosevelt Medical Facility Seeking Food And Equipment Support Too

As reported April 9

... the Friends Of Coler are a group of Roosevelt Island residents organizing to help the patients and staff of NYC Health & Hospitals Corp (HHC) Coler Facility during the Coronavirus pandemic. The Friends Of Coler are responding to calls for help from highly vulnerable patients and staff like this plea for N 95 masks by a Coler nurse



... Roosevelt Islanders remain very worried for friends, family, neighbors living and working at Coler Rehab and Nursing Care Center. We are continuing efforts to get detailed oversight to provide the safest medical practices available and get supplies to Coler staff and residents.

Friends of Coler is coordinating with Assembly Member Seawright’s office to donate supplies early next week to Coler. Gloves, masks, sanitizer, disinfectant wipes are all welcome at this time, especially N95 masks. Please email friendsofcoler@gmail.com to give supplies to Coler.

Friends of Coler has connected Seawright’s office with Cornell Tech’s MakerLAB and they are making 50 face shields to be finished over the weekend and donated to Coler....
This morning, Assembly Member Rebecca Seawright


and Roosevelt Island Friends Of Coler delivered Face shields, N95 respirators, surgical masks, and gloves


to Coler Nursing Facility.Director Robert Hughes and Director of Nursing Care Yves-Rose Pascal.



According to Ms Seawright:

NYPD Harbor Patrol Recovers Deceased Male From East River Next To Roosevelt Island This Morning


A Roosevelt Island Tipster reports this morning:
There was police activity and FDNY emergency response team in front of Coler and the Octagon around 7 am today. I was woken up to more sirens than usual all at once and saw the following scenes....


It seems like they may have pulled a body from the river, but the police truck blocked the view. What I do know is that two NYPD officers jumped into the water to what look like them assisting the two men on the NYPD patrol boat.”

Wednesday, April 15, 2020

Roosevelt Island Mom, Doctor Grace Farris Writes In NY Times About Missing Her Kids Sent Out Of Town As She's On NYC Front Line Treating Coronavirus Patients

Roosevelt Island resident Dr. Grace Farris writes in the NY Times today about sending her children away to Connecticut while treating Coronavirus patients


Tired Of Being Stuck In The Apartment During Coronavirus Stay At Home Time? Try Allergic To Salad Roosevelt Island Virtual Cooking Classes For Kids, Families And Adults

Are you looking for fun and creative activities to keep yourself, children and family busy during the Coronavirus Roosevelt Island Stay At Home time? And learn something useful too? Then, check out the Virtual Cooking classes being offered by Allergic To Salad.

According to Allergic To Salad founder Stacy Ornstein:

Hi there, my son goes to Roosevelt Island's PS/IS 217 (1st grade) and my company, Allergic to Salad brings cooking class to the Beacon after-school program. Beacon hasn't yet moved to virtual cooking classes, but I do think it's something Roosevelt Island families might find of interest.

Many PS/IS 217 students have been in our Allergic to Salad culinary classrooms during after-school and I wanted to let people know we continue to offer classes in an interactive live virtual format. They are our same awesome life skills/technique building classes. Kids 5+ years can complete the classes solo.

This week's 5-10 year olds are making "cook later" (with an adult) homemade pasta and red sauce. Next week middle and high schoolers are making homemade Pierogis. Classes are vegetarian, and offer a lot of equipment and ingredient substitutions, so are simple to personalize and work around any allergy.

Available for ages PreK thru High School (plus a free family and adult classes coming in May). Classes are low cost and due to some generous donations we some scholarship funds available.

Tuesday, April 14, 2020

Citibike Sharing Expanding To Roosevelt Island This Spring - Join Virtual Town Hall April 15 To Learn About Citibike Coming To Roosevelt Island & Other NYC Locations

Citibike is hosting a Zoom Virtual Town Hall Meeting on upcoming NYC expansion including coming to Roosevelt Island.


Sign up here to participate in the Citibike Town Hall.

More info on Citibike coming to Roosevelt Island this spring



at this prior post.

A Roosevelt Island Hero Passed Away, PSD Chief Jack McManus Died Yesterday After A Long Battle With 9/11 World Trade Center Related Cancer - Leaves A Lasting Legacy Of Respect And Love On Roosevelt Island

A Roosevelt Island hero passed away yesterday. It is with profound sadness that I have to report that former Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC) Public Safety Department (PSD) Chief and NYPD Assistant Chief Jack McManus died yesterday after a long battle with 9/11 World Trade Center related cancer.

According to RIOC President Susan Rosenthal:

Jack McManus Has Passed Away

The following is a statement from Susan G. Rosenthal, President and CEO of Roosevelt Island Operating Corporation about the passing of Jack McManus:

"I was saddened to learn this morning of Jack’s passing during the night. For over two years, he fought cancer resulting from his extraordinary service as head of operations during the 9/11 aftermath.

Over the past 5 years, I got to know the man. He loved Roosevelt Island and was committed to his job as Chief as much as he was committed to every position he ever held. I spoke to him last on Easter Sunday. When I told him about officer Fischer’s passing, his immediate response was to call the PSD officers closest to Fischer to ease their pain. That’s just who he was.

At some point, he knew he wasn’t going to beat this cancer, but he continued with whatever treatment was available no matter how debilitating so he could live. He loved life and especially his family.

Those on Roosevelt Island know how much he cared about our community. He spent endless hours talking to residents about their concerns or complaints. He brought peace, cooperation and respect to the relationship between PSD and our residents.

I’m so pleased that we honored him at the community’s retirement party and we named Octagon Field for him so that he was able to experience being celebrated by us while he was alive."

Chief McManus’s implementation of community policing is credited for not only making Roosevelt Island one of the safest neighborhoods in New York City, but for improving the department’s relationship with the community. Please join the Roosevelt Island Operating Corporation, its Public Safety Officers and Jack’s family in mourning the loss of this exemplary public servant.
I last spoke with Chief McManus at the naming ceremony for McManus Soccer Field last October



when he spoke of his passion for coaching Roosevelt Island kids in various sports activities.

Roosevelt Island Assembly Member Rebecca Seawright Hosting Public Safety Zoom Virtual Town Hall Meeting Tonight, April 14, With RIOC PSD Chief Kevin Brown And NYPD 19 Precinct Inspector Kathleen Walsh - You're Invited To Join

Roosevelt Island, Yorkville and Upper East Side NY State Assembly Member Rebecca Seawright  is hosting a Public Safety  Zoom virtual town hall meeting  meeting 7 PM tonight, April 14. with Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC) Public Safety Department Chief Kevin Brown and NYPD 19 precinct Commanding Officer Inspector Kathleen Walsh.

According to Ms Seawright:

... we are having the 19th Precinct’s Commanding Officer Inspector Kathleen Walsh and Roosevelt Island Operating Corporation’s Public Safety Department’s Chief Kevin Brown to discuss public safety.

The meeting will be hosted on zoom with an option to join by telephone for those who may not have computer access. You can join on your computer using the URL: https://zoom.us/j/131837787 OR call 646-558-8656 and enter Meeting ID: 131 837 787 followed by #, then press # to enter the call. The joining URL and number remain the same week to week for each town hall.

The NYPD 19th precinct includes the Roosevelt Island Manhattan Tram station.

The NYPD 114 precinct covers Roosevelt Island. 

As previously reported, last Tuesday Ms Seawright hosted a Zoom Virtual Town Hall on issues facing senior citizens and homebound elderly during the Coronavirus Pandemic - watch video here.

Monday, April 13, 2020

What Special Restaurant Food Treat Do You Miss During The Coronavirus Quarantine - Me,I'm Dreaming Of Pastrami, Matzo Ball Soup And Blintz From Katz's Deli, That's All

Around this time of year, I usually make one of my 1 or 2 annual trips with family to Katz's Deli for a Pastrami Sandwich, Matzo Ball Soup and either a Potato Pancake or Cheese Blintz. But not this year, since I can't make a case that taking the F Train down to the Lower East Side  for a Pastrami Sandwich is an emergency - although Katz's is known for serving "Jewish Penicillin".

So, the next best option is to watch this James & Karla Murray video of Katz's Deli still open for take out and serving the Front line workers of NYC.





UPDATE 4/14:

NYC Schools Closed For The Year Due To Coronavirus, RIRA Youth Committee Chair Develops Art History Lessons For Roosevelt Island Students And Families During Quarantine - Cornell Tech Computer Science And Beacon Virtual Classroom Programs Available Too

NYC Mayor Bill de Blasio reported that NYC schools will be closed for the rest of the year.



What additional educational options are available for Roosevelt Island students and their families until the schools re-open. One option is a program developed by Roosevelt Island Residents Association (RIRA) Children, Youth & Education Committee Chair Adib Mansour. According to Mr Mansour:

I believe the students on the island as well as their parents /caretakers, are searching for activities to share with their children at home.

My idea is to provide parents / caretakers and the youth of this beautiful island educational outlets with fun activities. These consist of easy to learn facts, easy for the youth to learn on their own or with the help of the families / caretakers.

Sunday, April 12, 2020

Nature Oblivious To Coronavirus, Roosevelt Island Cherry Blossoms Blooming - Take A Virtual Walk And Enjoy


Roosevelt Island Cherry Blossoms were in full bloom earlier this week.

Take a virtual walk on the promenade and enjoy.



Fred & Judy Stroll Down 5th Ave In The Easter Parade - Next Year, We Can Too, Hopefully

There's no strolling down 5th Ave for the Easter Parade this year but Judy Garland and Fred Astaire show us how it's done