Will Roosevelt Island Become the New Paris? Let's Ask Regina Spektor And Other Things To Do This Weekend In NYC

You Tube video of Ile de la Cite, Paris

Among the things to do this weekend could be a walk around the Manhattan and Roosevelt Island perimeter of the East River following the trail laid out by blogger Walking Off The Big Apple. But be prepared for this stunning question by the blogger.

Can Roosevelt Island, in its own special way, become a new Paris?

Now that the paramedics have revived me, let's consider the blogger's proposition.

Why not invite a comparative discussion of Roosevelt Island in New York and the Île de la Cité in Paris? The islands both occupy important geographical sites within rivers of major world cities, one in the East River and the other in the Seine. The islands both served as locations for historic prisons - Blackwell's Island Penitentiary in New York and The Conciergerie in Paris, and both incarcerated famous women - Mae West, Emma Goldman, and Billie Holiday in NYC and Marie Antoinette, Charlotte Corday, and Madame du Barry in Paris. Large hospital complexes dominate the past and present of both islands, the legacy of the ancient practice of shifting patients with contagious diseases to areas of isolation and quarantine. The Hotel Dieu, founded in 651, is the oldest hospital in France.

And:

Île de la Cité, about .75 miles from one end to the other, is smaller than the 2-mile long Roosevelt Island, and while accessible by many bridges, including the Pont Neuf, this island in Paris does not enjoy the delights of a tram system. The Parisian island has evolved greatly over the past ten centuries, and in its current state serves as headquarters for law, police, and religion, all housed in large institutional buildings. Roosevelt Island is also rapidly evolving, filling out an overall plan by Philip Johnson and John Burgee. Both islands feature basic retail and services.

Reading this, it almost makes sense to me. Almost. Like waking up from a dream and not quite sure if it was real or not. Anything in this video look like Roosevelt Island to you?

You Tube Video of L'ile de ls Cite set to Ne me quitte pas by Regina Spektor

If you are on Roosevelt Island this weekend remember Saturday's Community Action Fair at Lighthouse Park that includes recycling your old electronics and much more. From RIOC:

Community Action Fair

Goodwill Industries of Greater New York is proud to announce a “Community Action Fair” to be held on July 12th at Lighthouse Park on Roosevelt Island from 11am-4pm. Goodwill Industries together with Northwestern Mutual will sponsor over 30 organizations to connect New York City residents with public and private resources, as well as host a fun and exciting day out to the beautiful Lighthouse Park.

This free event will include:

* Education Zone- Adult classes and resources for kids!
* Green Environmental Zone- Learn about going Green!
* Clothing Donation Area- Donate clothing, computers, and household goods!
* Kids Play Area-The Natural History Moveable Museum- Kids can enjoy a Dinosaur Exhibit, as well as clowns, games, face painting, music and more!
* Business & Technology Zone- Scope out employment resources, and speak with possible employers!
* Health & Fitness Zone- Free Health Screenings provided by local healthcare professionals!
* Community Zone- Learn about services and agencies in your community!

For more information about the event please contact:
Goodwill Industries of Greater NY and Northern NJ
Youth Services Department
718.777.6315

Here's weekend listings of other things to do in New York City from NY Times Urban Eye and NY Post.