Monday, March 18, 2024

United Nations Diplomat, Hostage Negotiator, Chief Troubleshooter And Former Roosevelt Island Resident Giandomencio Picco Died March 10 At Age Of 75 - Did Diplomacy "In The Real Theater Of Life"

According to a March 15 NY Times obituary:

Giandomenico Picco, an Italian diplomat who as a lead negotiator for the United Nations helped resolve conflicts across the globe — most notably spending nearly a year in the early 1990s shuttling around the Middle East to secure the release of 11 hostages held by terrorist groups in Lebanon — died on Sunday in Wilton, Conn., in Fairfield County. He was 75....

... Tall, sharply dressed and always discreet, Mr. Picco was something of a mystery within the U.N. bureaucracy. He would disappear without notice from the headquarters in Manhattan, only to surface a few days later in Lebanon, Iran or Afghanistan, often without having passed through border controls along the way....

Click here for the full obituary of Mr Picco. 

Mr Picco and his family were residents of the Roosevelt Island Rivercross building in the 1980's - not sure of the exact dates.

Here's Mr Picco discussing his work negotiating release of hostages from Hezbollah.


Mr Picco talked about his career in diplomacy:
... I did not do diplomacy in the desk. I did not do diplomacy on the great halls of the UN. I actually did diplomacy with results not with the blah blah and not with the piece of paper. In the real theater of life. 

I took home eight American hostages, which had been kept there the longest one for five years, three British hostages and two German hostages. In the meantime and during this operation, I was myself taken four times, blindfolded, locked up in the back of the car and eventually talked so much that they've let me go because they couldn't take it anymore... 

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

Sunday, March 17, 2024

RIHS Invites You To Free Lecture Exploring Redevelopment Of Roosevelt Island From Visionary Master Plan By Architects Phillip Johnson And John Burgee To Present Day - Tuesday Evening March 19 At Roosevelt Island NYPL Library

The Roosevelt Island Historical Society (RIHS) presents: 

Redeveloping Roosevelt Island: Today's Interpolation of the 1969 Master Plan 
6:30 PM Tuesday March 19 at the Roosevelt Island NYPL branch (504 Main Street).

According to the Roosevelt Island NYPL branch

51 years ago, an isolated island in the East River underwent a transformation and was renamed Roosevelt Island, shedding its former identity as Welfare Island. Once home to numerous public institutions, the island has since evolved into a vibrant community that attracts thousands of tourists annually. However, many visitors and even residents remain unaware of its intricate history, encompassing decades of development in a relatively small space.

In 1969, architects Philip Johnson and John Burgee introduced the visionary master plan titled "The Island that Nobody Knows." This plan aimed to create a groundbreaking, new community as a response to the urban exodus of previous decades. Despite its positive reception, the plan fell short of complete realization. Today's Roosevelt Island reflects only a fraction of Johnson and Burgee's ambitious vision.

Join us for a presentation hosted by The Roosevelt Island Historical Society, featuring Hunter College graduate student Dylan Brown. Brown will delve into the intricate redevelopment of Roosevelt Island and illuminate how its current state diverges from the original master plan. Explore this fascinating journey through archival materials exclusively sourced from The Roosevelt Island Historical Society's collections.

Typology has more on the Roosevelt Island Master Plan.

Saturday, March 16, 2024

Happy St Patrick's Day From Roosevelt Island, Celebrate Tomorrow With Live Irish Music, A Pint And Food At Granny Annie's - Some History, Clancy Brothers/Tommy Makem & Dropkick Murphy's Too

Stop by Granny Annie's Bar & Kitchen this weekend to celebrate St Patrick's Day on Roosevelt Island

with your favorite pint, some Irish music

and food.

Here's a brief history of St Patrick's Day

and a reminder from the Clancy Brothers & Tommy Makem of a time when:

We Want No Irish Here.

Enjoy some Dropkick Murphy's from their 2024 St Patrick week Boston concerts 

But, try to follow the advice of Great Big Sea and be careful of the Old Black Rum.

You can livestream Dropkick Murphy's March 17 St Patrick's Day Concert live from Boston and they will be playing NYC on March 20 at Carnegie Hall.

Here's today's NYC St Patrick's Day Parade.

Happy St Patricks Day Roosevelt Island!

Friday, March 15, 2024

Mediterranean Eatery Owner Alon Kruvi Signs Lease To Open New Pastry And Italian Style Coffee Shop On Roosevelt Island Main Street

Great news for Roosevelt Island residents.

Roosevelt Island resident and owner of the very popular Mediterranean Eatery, Alon Kruvi, is opening a new shop specializing in freshly baked pies, pastries, donuts, muffins and Italian style coffee. Mr Kruvi hopes to open this summer with indoor and outdoor seating and plans to add offerings such as specialty sandwiches and salads as well.

I spoke to Mr Kruvi today about his new store.

As we were speaking today, residents walking by were thrilled and very happy to learn that Alon is opening a new store on Roosevelt Island.

Stop by the Mediterranean Eatery now to try some of Alon's delicious tasting pastries and baked goods

as well as the Falafel, Shawarma, Chicken wraps and bowls.

Good pizza too.

The empty store was formerly occupied by the Smoke Shop, Bubble Tea and Coach Scot's Ice Cream at 559 Main Street

iFly Queens Indoor Skydiving Center Opens In Long Island City A Short Ferry Ride And Walk From Roosevelt Island - Beginners And Adrenaline Junkies Can Experience Freefalling Through The Air Without A Parachute Or Plane

Are you looking for something fun, exciting and a little different to do this weekend?

Image from iFlyQueens Instagram Page

According to the LIC Post:

A new indoor skydiving center has opened its doors in Long Island City, allowing beginners, adrenaline junkies, and seasoned divers the opportunity to experience freefalling through the air without the need for an aircraft or a parachute.

iFLY Indoor Skydiving, ... opened at 10-20 Borden Ave. at the beginning of the year and will host a grand opening in the near future....

Click here for the full article.

More info available at the iFlyQueens website and Instagram page.

iFlyQueens indoor skydiving is 

a short ferry ride and walk or bike/car ride from Roosevelt Island.

Have fun.

Thursday, March 14, 2024

Watch Video Of March 12 Roosevelt Island Public Safety Community Engagement Meeting With Residents Discussing Variety Of Local Issues - Domestic Violence, Mental Health, Shoplifting, Cherry Blossom Crowd Control, Bathrooms, Missing Packages & More

The Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC) Public Safety Department (PSD) hosted a March 12 community engagement meeting at the Good Shepherd Community Center.

RIOC PSD Chief Kevin Brown, Deputy Chief Anthony Amoroso, Deputy General Counsel/Interim Leadership Team member Gerrald Ellis, Communications Director Bryant Daniels and about a dozen Roosevelt Island residents attended the almost hour long meeting.

Among the issues discussed were:

  • Overall low level of crime on Roosevelt Island but there are incidents of domestic violence and mental health issues,
  • Issuance of parking summons and towing,
  • Crowd control during Cherry Blossom Season and on the Roosevelt Island Tram,
  • Shoplifting at Duane Reade,
  • Missing packages at Roosevelt Landings
  • Keeping communications open between PSD and the community,
  • Lack of bathrooms,
  • and more.

Here's full video of the March 12 Roosevelt Island Public Safety Community Engagement Meeting.

Spring Is In The Air, Come Out And Enjoy Friday Night Jazz Tomorrow At Roosevelt Island's Nisi Restaurant - It's Your Own Local Jazz Hang Out - Try The Smashburger Too

Roosevelt Island's Nisi Kitchen invites you to enjoy Friday night Jazz this Friday evening and every other Friday.

Roosevelt Island resident and Jazz Guitarist In Perpetual Learning Susheel Kurien adds: 

Friday night is Jazz Night at Nisi starting at 7 PM.

Come on out and enjoy. Spring is in the air. 

Jazz at NISI Kitchen.. Roosevelt Island...your own local jazz hang.

Featuring

  • Michele Smith - Flute and vocals
  • Max Baranov - Keyboard
  • Mauricio Suarez-Gonzalez - Drums

Thanks for you support and keeping the music alive.. bring a friend and enjoy the evening! 

And remember... Make jazz, not war.

Alla Kremeznaya shares this video from the February 2 Jazz show at Nisi.

Enjoy the Jazz and try the Nisi Smashburger.