Regular Roosevelt Island F Train Service for Memorial Day Weekend/ Things To Do

Memorial Day image from History.com

According to the MTA, there will be regular F train subway service to and from Roosevelt Island for the upcoming Memorial Day Weekend. For those staying in town the next three days, Coney Island is open, it's Fleet Week and the 125th birthday of the Brooklyn Bridge among many other exciting happenings. New Yorkology has a great round up of things to do for the weekend.

In addition to enjoying ourselves this Memorial Day weekend, let's also take a moment to remember the men and women of the United States Military who are currently serving our country and those veterans who have done so in the past. From History.com:

Memorial Day is much more than a three-day weekend that marks the beginning of summer. To many people, especially the nation's thousands of combat veterans, this day, which has a history stretching back all the way to the Civil War, is an important reminder of those who died in the service of their country.

Uncover the interesting history of the holiday we now call Memorial Day. Discover little-known facts about America's Wars and stop by the Veterans Forum message boards to share your views with veterans, their loved ones and fellow history buffs.

If you know a veteran or someone currently serving tell them you appreciate their service and say Thank You. If you see a sailor on the street this weekend, say Thanks to him or her as well.

Subway Platform Leak Causes Water Shutdown Tonight for Southtown Buildings 1-4

Image is of the water leak at the Roosevelt Island Manhattan bound subway platform

According to RIOC and the DEP, there will be an emergency water main shutdown on Roosevelt Island tonight from approximately 6 PM until 1 AM that will leave some Roosevelt Islanders without any water for their apartments during that time period. The shutdown is in order to repair and test the water leak at the Roosevelt Island subway station that has been going on for quite a while. I was advised that, at least initially, water was to be shut off for all of Roosevelt Island, but earlier today RIOC President Shane advised that only Riverwalk buildings 3 and 4 in Southtown will be without water. However, it now appears that the water shutdown will also include Riverwalk buildings 1 & 2 as well.

White Guys Can Jump on Roosevelt Island - At Least at the Amalgamated Bank Sponsored Basketball Backboard

A reader sent in this picture of backboard at the basketball court behind Motorgate ramp covered with large logo of Amalgamated Bank. Could this be the beginning of an effort by RIOC to raise funds for Roosevelt Island programs and services through corporate sponsorships? I think if done appropriately with proper controls it is a good idea. RIOC President Steve Shane explains:

Amalgamated Bank has been a supporter (contributor) to public functions as part of its community outreach program. For example, it was the provider of the cider and doughnuts at last December's Christmas Tree lighting. Erica Wilder uses such occasions to promote Island activities and it obviously is good PR for the sponsor entities who are trying to enhance their community image and I presume, ultimately, increase their business.

On the next agenda of the Board is an item proposing a standard
corporate resolution to open a small account at Amalgamated for RIOC
funds in part, to say "thank you" for Amalgamated's interest in the
Island.

Is corporate sponsorship of public or municipal facilities a good idea? If a basketball backboard can be sponsored by a private company, why not a public ball field, tennis court or even the Roosevelt Island Tram though the NY City Council did pass a resolution banning advertising or sponsorship of the Tram. There is a poll on the right side column questioning whether corporate sponsorship of the Tram is a good or bad idea. What do you think?

The Motorgate basketball courts were the site for some pretty rough and tumble 3 0n 3 hoops action this weekend during Roosevelt Island's Health & Fitness Day. Another new Roosevelt Island blog, the blogging team of Scottandelly, were at the game. One played and the other captured the action.

Image of game at Motorgate Basketball Court from Scottandelly

UPDATE:5/27/08 - The 3 on 3 basketball tournament was won by the Public Safety Department Team. Congratulations to Officers Payne, Lindsey, Malone and Rivera!

Obama Wins Majority of Elected Delegates - By 2015, Will Cure Cancer, Bring Peace to Iraq and Major League Baseball Too!

Image of Barack Obama announcing winning majority of elected delegates from NY Times

Today's Washington Post:

Sen. Barack Obama crossed another threshold last night in his march toward the Democratic presidential nomination, splitting a pair of primaries with Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton and claiming a majority of the pledged delegates at stake in the long nomination battle. Obama scored an easy victory in Oregon after being trounced by Clinton in Kentucky. The results left him fewer than 100 delegates short of the 2,026 currently required to win the party's nomination in one of the closest contests that Democrats have staged in a generation.

I look forward to casting my vote this November for the next President of the United States, Senator Barack Obama of Illinois.

What will America look like at the end of President Obama's second term? Imagine waking up from a 7 year coma in the year 2015 and discovering:

You Tube video of Obamatopia from UCB Comedy via Andrew Sullivan

I'm not sure if this video is a pro or anti Obama parody but I am sure it is very funny.

Are Roosevelt Island Ghosts & Spirits Jinxing NY Times Softball Team for Support of Louis Kahn Memorial?

Image of the Encampment from the Weblicist

The ghosts and spirits brought back by the Encampment and now inhabiting Roosevelt Island may be fighting against the New York Times for that newspaper's support of the Louis Kahn/FDR memorial at Southpoint Park. How you may ask? By jinxing the New York Times Digital softball team whenever they play on Roosevelt Island. From NYTD Softball:

... the NYTD team was not looking forward to returning to their least favorite softball field – Roosevelt Island's Copobiancco Field. With an all-time record of 1 win and 3 losses on that field, needless to say we were not feeling very confident going into the game either.

The Times softball team lost another game to make their record on Roosevelt Island 1-4 with one more Roosevelt Island game to play. They are looking forward to playing elsewhere:

After another game on a field that makes Mr. Hankey from South Park look good, we will finally have our first of 4 games in Central Park...

All the Times needs to do in order to win their softball games is to turn away from the Dark Force and join the forces of Light and Goodness opposing the Kahn memorial, thereby saving these magnificent waterfront views from destruction and parkland from concrete.

Roosevelt Island - A Place Without Dogs or Bloggers No More

Image of Turner & Hooch from Amazon

Is it possible that one day soon, Roosevelt Island may challenge Brooklyn neighborhoods as being among the most bloggiest in the United States? Probably not in terms of total number of bloggers but perhaps on a per capita basis now that another new Roosevelt Island blogger has arrived on the scene. Roosevelt Island Dogs - A forum for dog owners living on Roosevelt Island in NY- joins myself, Roosevelt Island 360 and video blogger Press HD in reporting on Island events and brings the number of Roosevelt Island bloggers to 4 from a population of 12,000. Welcome.

According to RI Dogs, the Octagon Dog run has been temporarily closed because a tree fell on it crushing the fencing. The 5/16 Roosevelt Island Public Safety Report advises that:

Hazardous Condition- A tree fell on the Dog Run. No injuries. Area cautioned off. RIOC engineer notified.

Also, RI Dogs notes that:

... a dog run or dog park is only as good and as nice as the dog owners who use the space. Careless and inconsiderate dog owners can turn a dog park into a poop minefield, grass bare wasteland and pothole filled space that no one wants to use. Careful and considerate dog owners can take a nice or decent space and make it better. One of the features our current dog runs both lack is a poop bag dispenser. It doesn't have to be an "official" poop bag dispenser and it doesn't have to be filled with expensive or special dog waste bags. It can be something as simple as a mailbox or some other type of closeable box filled with used/recycled plastic shopping bags.

And suggests:

...If anyone is crafty and wants to take on the project of making a bag dispenser, we'll happily mount it on the fence at the dog run or if someone wants to purchase a mailbox we'll happily mount that too. Once we have a bag dispenser in place I'll have a bag recycle box put in place by the deli/ATM area of the Octagon. Residents can drop off their used plastic bags and I'll fill the dispenser in the dog run.

Perhaps dog owners should seek the assistance of David and Emilia in obtaining the poop bag dispenser.

There was a time not that long ago when dogs were not allowed on Roosevelt Island. This short 16 minute film explores that time in Roosevelt Island's history:

Roosevelt Island sits just a stone's throw from New York's Upper East Side, nestled in the East River between Manhattan and Queens. What makes it so peculiar is not only its anonymity but its by-law stating that no dogs are to be allowed on the island at any time, for any reason. The absurdity of this issue is eclipsed only by the impassioned feelings of many of Roosevelt Island's citizens concerning the specter of canine rights, or, in this case, an acute lack thereof.

Find more videos like this on www.truveo.com.

Hat tip to Roosevelt Island 360 for finding Roosevelt Island: Land Without Dogs.