Roosevelt Island Disabled Association (RIDA) President Wendy Hersh reports:
The RIDA Food Pantry will resume serving the community tomorrow, Friday, December 4th, from 4 PM – 6:30 PM.
Due to the pandemic numbers rising, in order to keep everyone safe, we will be distributing boxes of food from the RI Senior Center garden gate, off of the 540 Main St. alleyway. Please be sure to bring your ID and a shopping cart, as the boxes may be heavy.
Numbers will be given out as usual from 1-2 PM, behind the Public Safety Department (550 Main St.).
Everyone is welcome!
I spoke with Ms Hersh about the Roosevelt Island Food Pantry last September.
As
we approach the end of an unprecedented year, I reflect on the past
eight months with a deep sense of gratitude and awe for the unwavering
commitment parents have shown to their
children and New York City. I always say parents are our partners in
everything we do, and at no point has that ever been more true than
throughout the Coronavirus pandemic. Each of you has gone above and
beyond during this crisis, and your continued investment
and engagement in our school communities has been vital as we move
forward together.
As
a parent myself, I know how challenging it can be even in normal times
to feel pulled in different directions simultaneously. In this moment,
it seems as though society’s expectations
of parents has increased tenfold—and we need you to know we are here to
support you every step of the way. We are expanding every effort to
lift up and empower parents as our partners for the good of our children
and this city.
In
that spirit, I am proud to announce the launch of Parent University: a
new online platform that offers pre-recorded courses, live events, and
activities to help families connect
and support students at every grade band, in multiple languages.
We
know our families are busier than ever, and this platform is designed
to meet the ongoing needs of parents through a variety of on-demand
resources that harness best practices
across multiple subject areas and grade levels. We invite all families
across the five boroughs to create a free account and register for
workshops, attend events, access trainings, and more through the Parent University website.
There
are currently more than 95 courses offered through the program that
cover a wide range of topics. From reading strategies for students with
disabilities and help multiplying
fractions to learning how to use Google Classroom and preparing for PTA
elections, there is something on Parent University for everyone.
Parent University will also provide even more ways for us to share important
news, updates, and information with families. I am so excited that this
new platform will take our efforts
to communicate vital information to parents and guardians one step
further during this crisis and beyond.
Now
more than ever, it is critically important that we find creative new
ways to lift up our families and strengthen our school communities—and
that’s what Parent University is all
about. This crisis has demanded so much flexibility and patience from
you, and we are here to meet you where you are. Our commitment is to
empower parents as partners throughout the learning journey, and I hope
you will take time to explore the Parent University website, access resources, and register for an upcoming workshop.
Cornell Tech Assistant Director of Community and Government Affairs Jane Swanson invites Roosevelt Island residents to a panel discussion on The Future Of American Democracy. According to Ms Swanson
Hello Roosevelt Islanders! This panel discussion (tomorrow) promises to be fascinating and may be of interest to many of you. See registration info below. Take care. Jane
The 2020 presidential election tested the political system and pushed American democracy close to the brink. President Donald J. Trump and many of his supporters continue to claim that the election was beset with fraud.
This Democracy 20/20 panel will look back at a turbulent election cycle and consider how effectively the U.S. political system will weather these historic challenges. Some key questions we'll discuss include:
Will the 2020 election ultimately show American democracy to be resilient, or will our political institutions and norms deteriorate toward authoritarianism?
How will the Biden presidency shape these trends?
What will this election mean for Congress, the states, the Republican and Democratic parties—and the future of American politics?
This Democracy 20/20 event is co-sponsored by the American Democracy Collaborative, the Einaudi Center, and the Institute of Politics and Global Affairs.
Panelists
Frances Lee, Princeton University
Christopher S. Parker, University of Washington, Seattle
Paul Pierson, University of California at Berkeley
Moderator
Robert C. Lieberman, Johns Hopkins University
Do you use online grocer Fresh Direct for any of your Roosevelt Island grocery shopping? Business Insider shows us how Fresh Direct delivers your online shopping list items to your door.
Roosevelt Island resident Paul Krikler has been working to make the Roosevelt
Island Bridge Bike lane safe for cyclists. According to Mr Krikler:
... It’s like riding over a an industrial cheese grater....
... The metal grille surface on the bridge is fine for cars but the metal
grille makes it extremely uncomfortable to ride across on a bike. Further,
in wet and / or cold conditions, the surface becomes very treacherous to
cycle across and becomes extremely slippery. I have seen people slide over
and fall....
DOT is evaluating bike-friendly materials for the bridge deck and will ask for
funding in the next budget.
Council Member Kallos adds:
Our office is looking forward to seeing DOT's plan and suggestions. Any
opportunity we get to help improve the City's bike infrastructure is an
opportunity we like to take advantage of,...
A new COVID-19 rapid testing location will be opening on Roosevelt Island in mid-December 2020! Testing will be located at 526 Main St., the former R.I. Branch Library location.
More details to follow. Testing saves lives. Keep your friends, family, and neighbors safe by getting tested.
According to the NYC Department of Health, the Roosevelt Island zip code 10044 most recent 7 day Covid 19 reporting data for November 21-27 shows of 278 people tested, 7 were positive for a 2.52% positive rate.
For the seven days ending November 21, Roosevelt Island zip code 10044 had a lower positivity rate of 0.27%
And here's a live stream from the NASA International Space Station.
According to NASA:
Thanks for watching Space Videos : Live video of Earth from space - as seen from the Nasa ISS live stream aboard the International Space Station.
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Watch our latest video - East Coast USA By Night -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The International Space Station - ISS - circles the earth at 240 miles above the planet, on the edge of space in low earth orbit.
The station is crewed by NASA astronauts as well as Russian Cosmonauts and a mixture of Japanese, Canadian and European astronauts as well.
The Expedition 63 Crew are: NASA's Chris Cassidy and Roscosmos' Anatoly Ivanishin and Ivan Vagner
Beautiful views of planet Earth seen from the ISS. As seen from the Nasa space video ISS live stream - A real astronaut view of Earth!
THIS WILL SHOW LIVE and PRE-RECORDED FOOTAGE - depending on signal from the station or if the ISS is on the night side of Earth.
The annual Roosevelt Island Christmas Tree Emporium sponsored by the PS/IS 217 PTA opened for business today at Motorgate Plaza next to Foodtown and the Saturday Farmers Market.
1989 New York City is bumping to hip hop. The beat echoes across the 5 Boroughs. Aids is claiming its first victims and the “Wilding” of a Central Park attack lands innocent black youths in prison. The summer heat is epic in 1989. And Jimmy is HOT.
At ten years old, Jimmy knows all about the world of his hood. Roosevelt Island is a slip of land that lies between Manhattan and Queens in the East River. Though the Queensboro Bridge intersects it, the bridge bypasses Roosevelt Island connecting Queens to Manhattan and there are practically no cars on the island.
Jimmy and his friends grew up running wild on the 2 mile by 800 foot island, and mom's feel ok about it because contrary to NYC in the 80s, there is practically no crime on the island. The residents all know each other, this especially true in Jimmy's building, a sprawling castle of concrete, a fortress firmly planted on the island community...
According to the Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC):
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 Sunday, November 1st, from 20 to 35
passengers per cabin, and we will continue to assess and gradually
increase 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.
Happy Roosevelt Island Thanksgiving Day wishes to everyone.
I hope you all have the best Thanksgiving possible under the present Covid 19 Pandemic circumstances and that Thanksgiving next year will be more normal.
Since Thanksgiving is still a day all about about Tradition, here is my traditional Thanksgiving Day post started in 2007:
A former station DJ remembers Thanksgiving and Arlo Guthrie this way on the blog All Mixed Up Radio.
Every year a couple of days before Thanksgiving, it starts.
It's slow at first, and then turns into a non-stop avalanche of phone
calls. And no matter how many times a station runs promo announcements
telling people exactly when it will be played, the calls still come.
"What time are you playing 'Alice's Restaurant?'"...
Yes, in the olden days people used to listen to music on the radio. Imagine that!...
Here's Arlo Guthrie singing Alice's Restaurant with scenes from the movie.
Arlo Guthrie's "Alice's Restaurant" Thanksgiving classic germinated from this incident. Here, as reported out by the @BerkshireEagle newspaper: pic.twitter.com/6TNJO2aSpO
Thanksgiving is a season of gratitude. Celebrating this Thanksgiving this year in the midst of a pandemic is very stressful having to be away from people that you’d normally draw close to.
But as much as this year has been the worst, it’s also shown us how we as humans can be a lot better when we actually try. These past months have been rough and chaotic, but we have gotten through it together and have so much to be thankful for.
We at the Roosevelt Island Disabled Association would like to take time today on Thanksgiving, to thank everyone who has supported us through this pandemic for the last 8 months. From our daily meal deliveries 6 days a week to Grocery bags and emergency boxes to our now ongoing pantry....we couldn't have done it without the help of so many.
From Doryne Isley of C & C Management who continuously supported us and gave us whatever we needed; Chuck & Hector and the wonderful C & C Maintence staff for always being there for us in a minutes notice ; Lisa, Pat and Yulissa from Carter Burden (senior center) for their continuous assistance and allowing us to use their space; Pastor Carolyn Marko and her amazing staff from 9 Million Reasons for always providing us with enough food to feed our community; all of the wonderful volunteers that have selflessly given their time and energy to help us feed our community.
There is no food pantry tomorrow, but there will be one next Friday in
spite of Covid-19 numbers going up. Only difference may be that
residents will be given boxes of food that we will pack up for safety
reasons. We will play it be ear...we want to keep everyone safe...both
residents and volunteers.
We appreciate all of you ....and wish you all a Very Happy Thanksgiving...
Saks Fifth Avenue revealed its iconic holiday window display and ten-story-tall theatrical light show at its New York flagship with a reimagined, one-of-a-kind event concept titled, Saks Lights Up Fifth Avenue....
... Saks' theme for the holiday season, This is How We Celebrate, shines a light on the importance of spending time with loved ones and the different ways people and places across the country celebrate.
Saks' legendary window display is synonymous with the holiday season in New York and this year is no exception. The center six windows showcase how different people celebrate in iconic settings around the city, with each over-the-top celebration scene bringing a different quintessential New York moment to life:
A musical celebration on bustling Broadway in Times Square
A classic barber shop getting a visit from some adorable kids and their pets, wanting to look their best for the New Year celebration
A couple on their way to deliver gifts via the Roosevelt Island tram
An aspiring dancer getting an autograph from her ballerina idol
A celebration surrounding the neighborhood food truck at a holiday block party
A friendly competition of holiday lights and decor at neighboring houses in Dyker Heights, Brooklyn
Here's the Saks lighting ceremony
Take a vitural walk around the Saks Holiday Window Display and check out the Roosevelt Island Tram window.
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WELCOME TO ROOSEVELT ISLAND
Welcome to the Roosevelt Islander Online!
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.
