Roosevelt Island celebrated Earth Love Day on this beautiful spring Saturday at the Rivercross Lawn with a Ploggng clean up, book swap, composting and other sustaninable activities.
Local resident and iDig2Learn founder Christina Delfico, together with her young friends, describe their Plogging efforts today.
Roosevelt Island's Gallery RIVAA (527 Main Street) is hosting an opening reception for Vernissage 20th RIVAA Anniversary Celebration Saturday April 24. You're invited.
You are cordially invited to celebrate RIVAA's Annual Anniversary Exhibition Vernissage XX with RIVAA Artist Members and Guests.
The Roosevelt Island Visual Art Assoc. is a non-profit organization
comprised of an internationally diverse group of artists. RIVAA opened
the first gallery on Roosevelt Island in March 2002 and is dedicated to
elevating the quality of life in the community through art, music,
poetry, dance, events, and workshops.
Gallery Hours:
Wednesdays and Fridays: 6 – 9 pm
Saturdays and Sundays: 11 am – 5 pm
Congrats on 20 years of Gallery RIVAA on Roosevelt Island.
Meal Plan is the operator of the Graduate Hotel rooftop bar and ground floor
restaurant. Although an opening date for the bar and restaurant has not
been announced yet,
Meal Plan has begun hiring too.
Happy Earth Day! We wanted to be sure you are aware of RIOC’s #EarthLove Day this Saturday, April 24th from 10 AM – 1 PM. at the Meditation Lawn adjacent to the Meditation Steps (south of Rivercross/501 Main St.) on Roosevelt Island.
Our own iDig2Learn will be hosting Plogging from 10am to Noon. Plogging originated in Sweden (Plocka och Jogga) and combines fresh air by getting neighbors outdoors to move either by jogging or walking to pick up litter. Limtied supply of reusable bags and gloves so please bring your own if you have them. (Coach Scot has been a terrific partner – and made the pilot program the success that it was. See the attached "thank you" flyer – what a wonderful event!)
There will also be a free book exchange, used battery drop off and the updated Green Map of free eco-friendly resources on Roosevelt Island.
While we continue to follow social distancing and align our operations with
New York Forward guidance, we also continue to incrementally increase the
number of passengers permitted on the Tram. Tram capacity will increase on
Monday, March 8th, from 35 to 55 passengers per cabin, and we will continue to
assess and gradually increase ridership in phases. We understand the need for
this mode of transportation, however, the health and safety of our riders and
operators are our priority. We appreciate your cooperation.
In anticipation of an increase in
visitor and pedestrian traffic to the island this weekend to view the Cherry
Blossoms and
participate in #EarthLove Day, the following
safety controls will be activated, effective Saturday, April 24th at 7 AM
through Monday, April 26th:
Overcrowding Safety Controls:
NYPD and PSD will enforce social distancing throughout
the island as well as at highly frequented locations on the island
Large crowds will be managed by PSD officers with the
assistance of the 114th Precinct
Parks will be monitored by PSD throughout the day.
Please note that parks will close in the occurrence of overcrowding on the
island.
Cornell security have been alerted and will monitor and
discourage large gatherings on the Cornell Tech campus
Face coverings will be distributed to anyone in need of
a mask by PSD.
Transportation & Island
Services:
Subway: F train service will run on normal weekend hours.Please
plan your travel accordingly and visit mta.info/weekender or call 511 for more information. For electronic updates
on F Train service, sign up for MTA Alerts at mymtaalerts.com.
Red Bus: Shuttle service will be provided hourly from the R.I.
Tramway, making all northbound local stops
to Capobianco Field (opposite PS/IS 217). The shuttle will depart on the half
hour from the Manhattan Tram station, from the Southwest side of 2nd Avenue,
between 58th and 59th Street, and will make all
southbound local bus stops (starting with 591 Main St.) to the Tram. The last
trip will depart from the Roosevelt Island Tram at 7 PM.
Tram: PSD officers will be present at each station and will
enforce social distancing. Passengers should plan accordingly as they may
experience long lines.
Ferry Service:Ferry service will run on normal weekend service
hours, however, in the event of large crowds, service will be limited to
essential workers only. For schedule info, visit: Ferry.nyc
Vehicular Traffic:In the event of overcrowding, vehicular access to the
island will be restricted to island residents and workers only. PSD and NYPD
will be stationed at the entryway of the bridge (Vernon and 36th Ave.) to
monitor and redirect, if needed.
Bicycles: Citations will be issued to any
cyclist/motorized scooters who do not adhere to NYC bike laws.
Garbage Removal: There will be an increase in waste
management this weekend to address any littering caused by overcrowding.
For more information, please call PSD at 212-832-4545.
Seymour Williams, CFP® (Certified Financial Planner) is a trusted advisor to
individuals and business owners who seek to maximize their financial position.
For over 30 years he has been a fully licensed expert in the financial fields of
investments, insurance, real estate, mortgages and taxation. He is the President
of Accountable Financial Management Corp, a minority owned business which has
operated here on Main Street for more than 20 years.
Mr. Williams’ professional experience is extensive and he has consulted with
several major international banks and with programs sponsored by both the
Small Business Administration and the U.S. Department of Commerce.
He holds a BBA degree from Bernard M. Baruch College and an MBA in Finance
from Long Island University, where he served on the faculty as a Professor of
Finance and Management. Sy has lived on Roosevelt Island for 35+ years raising
his family and serving as a respected member of the community.
CONTACT:
501 Main Street, Roosevelt Island, NY 10044
Website: www.afmcmoney.com Email:
accfin1@aol.com
Phone: 212-644-8231
Fax: 212-644-0292
As reported yesterday, the NBC Today Show morning television program broadcast live today from Roosevelt Island's Southpoint Park to celebrate Earth Day.
Roosevelt Island's Wildlife Freedom Foundation (WFF) founder Rossana Ceruzzi and WFF volunteers were invited to participate in the Earth Day celebration and joined in to help clean up Southpoint Park.
I was watching how Al and Bill turned 180 degrees just before going under the Ed Koch bridge on the East side. They could not make that choice! Both the sidewalk and the road are in horrible shape at that spot. It was kind of funny to see these bikers violating our invisible road signs and going against traffic.
Al Roker and Bill Nye then departed for mainland Manhattan on an empty Roosevelt Island Tram during the morning rush hour
All I want for #EarthDay is someone to be as genuinely excited to hang out with me as @alroker is to run around Roosevelt Island talking about climate issues with @BillNye@TODAYshow 🚴♂️🚴♂️🌎
During the April 20 Roosevelt Island Residents Association (RIRA) Public Safety Committee virtual Zoom meeting last evening, RIRA President
Rossana Ceruzzi asked Roosevelt Island
Public Safety Department
Chief Kevin Brown about the newly reserved parking spots across from 475 Main
Street and the Rivercross Lawn that had previously been public parking
spots.
PSD Chief Kevin Brown answered that the spots will be reserved for
Roosevelt Island Operating Corp
(RIOC) President Shelton Haynes and his guests.
As previously reported,
Mr Haynes will soon be moving his offices "temporarily" to Blackwell
House. The move to a new office is because RIOC lost the lease for it's
long time Westview space at 591 Main Street.
Today I asked RIOC President Shelton Haynes and RIOC Directors:
I understand that 4 current public parking spots on Main Street across from
Blackwell House are being removed from public use to be reserved for RIOC
President Shelton Haynes and guests when he moves his office to Blackwell
House shortly.
As you know, there are very limited parking spaces on Main Street. Why are
they being removed from public use and being reserved for the RIOC President
and guests? Why special treatment for the RIOC President and guests? Why
can't the RIOC President and guests park at a public space or at Motorgate
just like every other resident, business owner, worker or visitor?
I am preparing a story this afternoon on the subject and, as always, would
like to include any statement from RIOC for accuracy and fairness
purposes.
Please let me know if any comment from RIOC.
RIOC Public Information Officer Amy Smith responds:
RIOC remains committed to being a good neighbor and community partner through
thoughtful attention to island life. As to not interfere with the flow of
traffic, prevent the possibility of vehicles inadvertently parking illegally,
or create unwanted disruptions to surrounding businesses, an area on Main
Street has been designated to accommodate visitor, vendor, and Roosevelt
Island Operating Corporation (RIOC) vehicles pertinent to RIOC business
operations.
The arrogance of this new RIOC leader is astounding. He can park and so can
his visitors... Listen if Tish James or the Governor come, they will park
wherever the want. No one else 'merits' a free parking space. This type of
behavior defies the very values this community was build on. Does anyone in
that office know our history? Parking spaces are just another indication of
the much greater problem!
RIOC treats us like we are a guest in our own home. This is just straight up
rude.
I am curious though, if the spaces are for RIOC employees, why wouldn't they
park on the garage roof top like all other employees and business owners who
work on Roosevelt Island?
That is a shame. Blackwell House always used to be a "community" space for
resident gatherings, celebrations, etc. RIOC really knows how to take the
"community" feel out of a community. (And now they are taking parking spaces
away from residents too).
The Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC) communications team issued a Parking Advisory last night and earlier today of no traffic or parking south of the Roosevelt Island Tram Station tomorrow morning. According to RIOC:
Please be advised that the East and West Roads
south of the Tram Plaza turnaround will be closed to traffic and parking on
Thursday, April 22nd from 6:30 AM to 9:30 AM. These areas include:
N. Loop Rd.
W. Loop Rd.
S. Loop Rd.
E. Loop Rd.
Cornell Tech Parking Garage
We apologize for the inconvenience and thank you for your
patience and cooperation.
Several residents asked about the reason for the advisory and I asked RIOC yesterday. No response.
This morning, I learned from a very reliable source that one of the morning TV shows, believed to be NBC Today Show, is broadcasting live tomorrow morning from the Roosevelt Island Cherry Tree Blossom Grove next to Cornell Tech.
I asked RIOC for confirmation of the Today Show live broadcast from Roosevelt Island tomorrow but have not received any response yet.
Will update when more info becomes available.
UPDATE 8:40 PM - Clarification, the Roosevelt Island Wildlife Freedom Foundation (WFF) will be featured on the Today Show tomorrow morning at Southpoint Park with founder Rossana Ceruzzi and 15 WFF volunteers in celebration of Earth Day.
The Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC) hosted a tour of the newly renovated Youth Center for a select group of invited RIOC Staff, Board Directors and politicians last Saturday, April 17.
Roosevelt Island’s NYC Council Member @BenKallos is impressed with newly renovated Roosevelt Island Youth Center Facility @RIOCny@RiocCeo Particularly computer center, video gaming consoles and more. pic.twitter.com/TyXzc3CgCW
Had a great time earlier today at the grand reopening of the newly renovated Roosevelt Island Youth Center with @RepMaloney, @RIOCCeo and many more.
Proud to welcome this safe space for our youth back into the community at a time when they need it the most! pic.twitter.com/JZ7mE1PPnF
— Ben Kallos, NYC Council Member (@BenKallos) April 17, 2021
Thank you to the Roosevelt Island Youth Center for inviting our Neighborhood Coordination Officer Chavez and our Youth Coordination Officers Monestine and Rodriguez to your grand reopening today. We look forward to working together on many future events! pic.twitter.com/7gkCxbn1Vl
The RIOC Communications staff did not invite the local Roosevelt Island media to attend the tour. I happened to be walking back from the Farmers Market when I noticed Mr Kallos talking to an assembled group at the Youth Center and stopped to see what was going on.
Upon learning that a tour of the new facility was about to begin, I asked to be included in the tour to report on the new facility for the Roosevelt Island community. The RIOC Communications staff refused my request. Mr Kallos intervened and persuaded RIOC President Haynes to allow me to report on the Youth Center tour.
Neither was Roosevelt Island Residents Association (RIRA) President Rossana Ceruzzi invited to the renovated Youth Center tour. When she walked by the Youth Center and asked to be included in the tour as a representative of the community, the RIOC Communications staff refused her request.
Rebecca Weintraub is a candidate to represent Roosevelt Island and the Upper
East Side as
Democratic Party 76 Assembly District Part A Leader.
Last Saturday, April 16, Ms Weintraub was at the Roosevelt Island Farmers market
meeting and speaking with residents about her campaign and local issues of
concern.
A great day campaigning at the Roosevelt Island Farmers Market with
@tricia4nyc
and an amazing time at the grand Reopening of the absolutely incredible
Roosevelt Island Youth Center with
@CarolynBMaloney
and @kallos.
pic.twitter.com/J0oW1HtxeM
As your District Leader, Rebecca will work to ensure that the New York County
Democratic Party remains transparent, accountable, and responsive to our
community’s needs. She will advocate for building a diverse and inclusive
county leadership structure that stays true to our Party’s core progressive
values. The position of District Leader is especially important in Part A of
the 76th Assembly District because Roosevelt Island is controlled by the New
York State government through the Roosevelt Island Operating Company
(RIOC)....
A District Leader is an unpaid volunteer elected official. All formal
parties in New York State are required to have at least one District Leader
(DL) per Assembly District (AD). These positions are subject to primary
elections every two years. This ostensibly guarantees that any party with
formal status in New York State (e.g. a permanent ballot line) is
democratically governed by its members. In essence, the District Leader is
the representative of the party members in their district to that political
party’s apparatus.
Cornell Tech Assistant Director of Government and Community Affairs Jane
Swanson reports:
Just a reminder if you haven’t done so already to
register here for our next community event: Community Conversations with Cornell Tech
Faculty: The Importance of Being an Informed Consumer. This virtual event will
be held this coming Tuesday, April 20th at 4:30 pm EST. It promises to be a
fascinating and informative talk. See details below and please feel free to
forward this email to others who you feel would be interested in attending
this event. See you on Tuesday!
Roosevelt Island is a mixed income, racially diverse waterfront community situated in the East River of New York City between Manhattan and Queens and is jurisdictionally part of Manhattan. The Roosevelt Island Tramway, which connects Roosevelt Island to the rest of Manhattan, has become the iconic symbol of Roosevelt Island to its residents.
The Purpose of this Blog is to provide accurate and timely information about Roosevelt Island as well as a forum for residents to express opinions and engage in a dialogue to improve our community.
