NY Governor Kathy Hochul Visits Roosevelt Island Cornell Tech Campus Today To Announce $275 Million State Investment In Artificial Intelligence Research Consortium - She Also Addresses Columbia University Protests And References FDR Four Freedoms Park

NY State Governor Kathy Hochul visited the Roosevelt Island Cornell Tech campus today to announce the establishment of Empire AI:

... a first-of-its-kind consortium to secure New York’s place at the forefront of artificial intelligence research, as part of the FY 2025 Enacted Budget. The consortium will leverage a $275 million state investment to create and launch a state-of-the-art artificial intelligence computing center on the University at Buffalo’s campus. The center will be used by leading New York institutions to promote responsible research and development, create jobs and advance AI for the public good....

Empire AI will put New York at the forefront of the AI industry for generations to come.

Join me live in New York City: https://t.co/ANElcGF6RJ

— Governor Kathy Hochul (@GovKathyHochul) April 30, 2024

Governor Hochul spoke about the Columbia University protests to assembled media at Cornell Tech after the Empire AI announcement. Governor Hochul referenced the Roosevelt Island FDR Four Freedoms Park in her statement about the Columbia protest. According to Governor Hochul:

... Let me close with this: we are gathered here on Roosevelt Island, just steps from here is Four Freedoms Park. I’m reminded of Franklin Roosevelt's comments about the freedoms that Americans are entitled to – freedom of speech, freedom of worship, freedom from want and freedom from fear. All of these freedoms are essential. We have a right to speak and to worship. But it must be done without fear. As my predecessor FDR made clear, that is what everyone deserves and we’ll ensure that is the case.

Here's her full statement.

Here's more on the Columbia University protest from the PBS NewsHour today.

Will have more on today's Empire AI announcement at Cornell Tech soon.

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Roosevelt Island Main Street Retail Space Availability, Selection Of Retail Tenants, Tram & Motorgate Operations, Eleanor's Pier Emergency Repairs, AVAC Pipe Replacement & Bus Service On Agenda For May 1 Operations Advisory Committee Meeting - Public Invited To Attend

The Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC) Operations Advisory Committee is meeting 5:00 PM Wednesday May 1 at the Good Shepherd Community Center (543 Main Street). 

According to RIOC:

Please be advised that a meeting of the Operations Advisory Committee of the RIOC Board of Directors will be held on Wednesday, May 1, 2024, at 5:00 p.m. at the Good Shepherd Community Center, 543 Main St, Roosevelt Island, New York 10044.

AGENDA: 

1. Update by Hudson Related on the Commercial Spaces Availability and the Selection Process for Commercial Tenants;
2. Bus Contingency - Overview of an Option to Lease a Bus;
3. Update on Emergency Repairs (Eleanor’s Pier);
4. Update on Pipes Replacement for AVAC;
5. Presentation by Director Fhala on the Tram and the Motorgate Operations; and
6. Any Other Committee Business that May be Brought Before the Committee.

During the last RIOC Real Estate Development Advisory Committee meeting on March 14, 2024, RIOC Directors Fay Christian and Ben Fhala asked for information about how Main Street Retail Master Leaseholder Hudson Related selects tenants for any vacant stores. 

Tomorrow they can ask their questions and we'll see how Hudson Related answers.

Sponsored Post - Check Out The Roosevelt Island Café At Cornell Tech April 29 Weekly Menu For Breakfast, Lunch, Salad Bar, Coffee, Smoothies, Wifi For Your Laptop & Much More - How Are We Doing? Send Your Feedback By Email Too

Check out the April 29 weekly menu at the Roosevelt Island Cornell Tech Café.

We want to hear from you. Feel free to email us with any questions or concerns. Thank you for taking the time to let us know how we are doing. Any feedback can be emailed to thecafe-fbservices@tech.cornell.edu

The Cornell Tech Café is a great spot on Roosevelt Island   

for breakfast, Daily Hot Lunch Meals,  

Specialty & Grab and Go Sandwiches, Make Your Own Salads, Flatbread and Neapolitan Pizza, Salads, Soup, Coffee, Smoothies,

 beer, wine,

Sushi Thursday

and more.

Bring your laptop if you wish. The Cafe has very good wi-fi connection  

and a very relaxing outdoor patio.

The Cafe is open Monday thru Friday 8am to 7 pm. Saturday and Sundays 11am to 5pm.

More info at the Cornell Tech Café website and Instagram Page.

See you soon at the Cornell Tech Café.

Domestic Violence Assault Arrest Yesterday On Roosevelt Island - Victim Claims Being Struck Several Times With A Cane By Sibling

There was Roosevelt Island Public Safety Department and NYPD activity on Main Street yesterday morning blocking traffic and briefly suspending Red Bus Service.

I asked Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC) Communications Director Bryant Daniels:

Do you have any additional details regarding the assault arrest shown in PSD Blotter below?

04/28/24 – 1040 – 560 Main Street – Assault – PSD, NYPD, and EMS responded – Arrested by NYPD.

Mr Daniels answered:

At 10:40 AM Sunday an individual visited PSD and reported that they had been the victim of a domestic assault at a relative’s residence at 560 Main Street. The victim claimed the assailant, their sibling, struck them several times with a cane. Prior to arriving at PSD, the victim had also called 911 and reported the incident, resulting in an NYPD response. NYPD officers arrested the alleged perpetrator for assault at approximately 10:52 AM. No other weapons were involved.

During the October 17, 2023 Roosevelt Island Public Safety Community Engagement meeting, PSD Chief Kevin Brown reported that Roosevelt Island (I minute 22 second mark):

... has above average domestic violence issues. Half of my complaints a year are attributed to some kind of domestic violence. It runs the gamut, partners, spouses, children, parents...

Group Of Volunteer Visitors From Indian Based DSNDP Global Non Profit Celebrates Earth Day Last Saturday With A Roosevelt Island Cleanliness Drive Picking Up Garbage Left By Others

Some visitors to Roosevelt Island leave a dirty mess of garbage and others come to Roosevelt Island to help clean up and take away the garbage left by others.

A group of volunteer members from the Dr. Shri Nanasaheb Dharmadhikari Pratishthan (DSNDP) organization, celebrated Earth Day on Saturday April 27 in NYC with a cleanliness drive picking up garbage on Roosevelt Island. 

Most of the DSNDP volunteers travelled from Toronto. I spoke with with one volunteer from New Jersey.

According to the New Jersey volunteer, DSNDP is:

... a nonprofit organization based in India. We are a worldwide organization and one of our causes is that we work towards making the environment better and making the world a better place. What better occasion than to be celebrating this on Earth Day weekend?... 

... We are here at Roosevelt Island. It's a small group of around 8 to 10 people but the whole event has around 400 people who have traveled all the way from different states of the US and Canada and Mexico.... 

We have a presence in 18 states where we've already done so many events. Tree Plantation, Cleanliness Drive, Blood Donation - you name it and we have done it. 

We are very passionate about it. This is a great opportunity for us to tell you about our cause and just spread our word. Hopefully, more people are able to contribute to this cause....

... Our philosophy in Sanskrit or Hindi we say Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam which basically means the whole world is a one big family. We try our best to bring a sense of community among us our own members and even others. Anyone can volunteer in these events so if anyone's interested definitely reach out. You can also take a look at our website DSNDP.com if you want to know more about us... 

There was not alot of Trash on Roosevelt Island Saturday morning. When we spoke at the half way point of their garbage cleanup, 10 people had picked up  about 10 bags of trash in total.

This morning was a different garbage story. A Roosevelt Island Tipster shares this photo and reports:

Walking this morning- what is up with all the overflowing garbage? Tourists for the cherry blossoms? What a mess! I walked down to Cornell Tech this morning and had to stop at Duane Reade; the can near its doors was full, along with another near the parked cars walking toward the tram. The sanitation is usually good here; I know there is an increase with tourists now but I’ve never seen so much trash early in the AM.

The good news was that the Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC) had the area cleaned up 

today before 11 AM.

Wonderful Jazz Jam Session Performed Today At The Roosevelt Island Library Outdoor Plaza Celebrating International Jazz Day - Watch And Enjoy Video Of The Jam

International Jazz Day was celebrated this afternoon at the Roosevelt Island Public Library Outdoor Plaza with a wonderful Jazz Jam session performed by local musicians together with some of their musician and vocalist friends. 

Roosevelt Island residents of all ages enjoyed today's Jazz Jam.

Here's a little bit of what happened - Watermelon Man Cantaloupe Island by Herbie Hancock.

Jazz guitarist Susheel explained the impromptu nature of the jam session by remarking:

This is the beautiful thing about a jam session. We don't know what we're going to play. Hopefully these guys don't call something we have no idea about. Fortunately, protocol is to suggest a tune that most of us, some of us, know.

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It was a great time this afternoon and the outdoor Library Plaza is a fantastic spot to hold a concert. Hopefully more outdoor concerts will take place at the Library Plaza this year.

Good job by the Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC), the Roosevelt Island NYPL branch and especially the performing musicians putting the event on. Thanks to all of you!

Roosevelt Island RIVAA Gallery Open Call For Artists To Participate In Upcoming Pride Month Exhibition Themed "Safe Space" - Express Your Interpretation Of Safety, Refuge And Sanctuary Through Your Art

 The Roosevelt Island RIVAA Gallery is celebrating Pride Month with an Open Call For Artists.

According to RIVAA Gallery:

We’re thrilled to invite LGBTQ+ artists to participate in our upcoming exhibition themed “Safe Space” at RIVAA Gallery. Express your interpretation of safety, refuge, and sanctuary through your art. 🏳️‍🌈

For submission form, please click link 

For questions and images submissions, please contact us at RIVAAPride@gmail.com

Submission Guidelines:

Up to 5 pieces per artist.

Please send attachment photos including artwork title, dimensions, and medium.

Explain how your art relates to the theme “Safe Space.”

Artwork must be ready to hang or set on a display surface.

Submission Details:

Submissions are free.

If your artwork is accepted, there is a $25 flat fee for participation.

Drop-off your accepted artwork in-person with the fee at RIVAA Gallery on May 27 & 28.

Important Dates:

Deadline for submissions: May 9, 2024

Exhibition dates: May 30 - June 8, 2024

Opening Reception: Saturday, June 1, 2024 from 5 - 8PM

Artwork pick-up: June 13 & 14, 2024

Location:

RIVAA Gallery 527 Main St, Roosevelt Island, NY 10044

Here's how Pride Month was celebrated last year on Roosevelt Island. 

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The Lighthouse will be lit again tonight and tomorrow to celebrate the opening of RIVAA Art Gallery's LGBTQ+ Art Exhibit which runs from 6/26 to 7/2. pic.twitter.com/DhRFea7COn

— Roosevelt Island Operating Corporation (@RIOCny) June 25, 2023

Academy Of American Poets Poem A Day Series Features Poetry By Monica Youn Titled "Four Freedoms Park" About Roosevelt Island - "A Reminder That, In the U.S., Freedom For Some Has Always Come At The Expense Of Incarceration For Others"

The Academy Of American Poets celebrates April as National Poetry Month. A poem by Monica Youn titled "Four Freedoms Park" about Roosevelt Island is featured as part of their Poem-A-Day series.

Then—as if someone had switched on a black light in the sky—

the traceries of dread just visible all around her, the curving
trajectories of each possible disaster

once seen, now indelible

––Monica Youn@MonicaYoun #PoemADay https://t.co/MNfxGuDKU4

— Academy of American Poets (@POETSorg) April 20, 2024

According to the Poem-A-Day website:

“In my son’s early infancy, I was staying near Roosevelt Island and spent many afternoons taking the tram over and circumambulating the little island. The FDR Memorial in Four Freedoms Park, a luxurious geometry of honed granite, is the play/picnic ground for local families, many of whom are Asian American and drawn by the island’s sterile high-rise condos and the promise of a car-free, crime-free New York City neighborhood. The ubiquity of Asian American faces sharpened the many ironies of FDR’s Four Freedoms, a speech he gave in the same year in which, caving to wartime racism, he signed Executive Order 9066, authorizing the internment of Americans of Japanese ancestry. The memorial also abuts the ruins of the Smallpox Hospital, and ties into the island’s long history as a site of segregation and confinement for those deemed criminal, insane, or poor––a reminder that, in the U.S., freedom for some has always come at the expense of incarceration for others.” ––Monica Youn

Ms Youn recites her poem, Four Freedoms Park

Academy of American Poets · Monica Youn: "Four Freedoms Park"

Click here to read the text of the poem.