Take Normal Roosevelt Island F Train Weekend Subway Service to a Wild Ride on the Coney Island Cyclone!

You Tube video of Roosevelt Island F Trains running in both directions

According to the MTA there will be regular F Train service to and from Roosevelt Island this weekend. That makes it two in a row for normal weekend subway service but be aware there is a Roosevelt Island Tram advisory for Sunday. From RIOC:

On Sunday, June 1st, The Tramway will be operating on a rush-hour schedule from 6:00 AM to noon to accommodate passengers during a film shoot.

There are two theater productions taking place here this weekend, including Roosevelt Island's version of Shakespeare in the Park right here on the Rivercross Lawn. Here's some more information from RIOC:

Shakespeare in the Park Series on Roosevelt Island
"Much Ado About Nothing"
Where: Rivercross Lawn
When: May 31st- June 1st
Time: 2:00pm

And:

Once Upon a Mattress
presented by the Main Street Teen Theatre
When: Friday May 30 at 7:30 pm.
Sat May 31 at 2pm and again at 7:30 pm.
Sun Jun 1 at 2 pm and again at 7 pm.
Mon Jun 2 at 7 pm.
Where: Howe Theatre, Main Street Theatre and Dance Alliance, 548 Main St. (entry behind video store).
Evening performances $15 (Seniors and students $10), matinees $12 ($8).
Reservations and information call 212-371-4449.

There are plenty of other things to do this weekend including the Third Annual Governors Island Island Family Day. Our friends at the Governors Island Alliance sent the following information:

On Saturday May 31, the Governors Island Alliance hosting its Third Annual Family Festival. It’s an afternoon of FREE fun events including music, theatre, and dance performances, circus clowns, tours with National Park Service rangers, and harbor explorations. The event takes place on the green lawns of beautiful Governors Island.

There is free ferry service from Manhattan and a Polo match as well. Check out Newyorkology for a listing of many other things to do in NYC this weekend.

Or, take the F Train down to Coney Island and ride the Cyclone. Wheeeeeee!!!!!!!!!!

You Tube video of Coney Island Cyclone

Young Roosevelt Island Community Activists Get The Job Done - Is World Peace Next On their List?

Remember David and Emilia? They are the young Roosevelt Island community activists who were so concerned about this metal strip being a danger to children playing at Capobianco playground that they wrote a letter to "Mr. President", that is RIOC President Steve Shane, asking that it be repaired.


I am happy to report that David and Emilia got the job done with help from RIOC President Shane. The metal strip as well as some other railroad ties were quickly removed and are no longer a danger to Roosevelt Island children. For future similar problems, Mr. Shane advises:

All anyone has to do is ask. We appreciate all the extra eyes and ears (of all sizes).

Here are David and Emilia showing "Mr. President" Shane the repaired sidewalk. Good job by all involved.

Image via Main Street WIRE

As suggested by our friends at Curbed, now maybe David and Emilia can start working on world peace.

Update on RIOC Board Nominee Candidates

Image of Roosevelt Island 6 from Roosevelt Island 360 via Main Street WIRE

Assemblymember Micah Kellner updates Roosevelt Islanders on the status of the RIOC Board nominee candidates. According to Kellner:

I have been told by the Governor's office that they will perform background checks shortly for the winners of the RIOC nomination vote. After the background checks have been completed, the Governor will make his recommendations. Mayor Bloomberg's office will then interview two of the nominees so that the Mayor can make his two recommendations.

Roosevelt Island School Crossing Guard Job Opportunity

Image of Roosevelt Island Public Safety Department from RIOC

RIOC Public Safety Director Keith Guerra sends the following message to the Roosevelt Island community.

I am looking to fill the part-time position of School Crossing Guard.
I would prefer an island resident with the time to put in 3 hours a day,
during the school year. The hours are 7:45 AM to 8:45 AM, 11:45 AM to
12:45 PM & 2:45 PM to 3:45 PM. The job pays $15 per hour (or $45 a
day). The School Crossing Guard will be issued a uniform and trained to
cross children at the appropriate crosswalk. Those with interest in
this position should fill out a RIOC application and submit it to the
Director of Public Safety.

Salivating For Some Jack's Ribs On The Barbecue Now that More Grills At Roosevelt Island's Lighthouse Park Are Coming

You Tube video of Jacks Ribs on the Barbecue from BarbecueWeb.com

Great news for all you Roosevelt Island barbecuers out there. RIOC will be adding additional grills and benches at Lighthouse Park. According to RIOC President Steve Shane:

Barbecue grills are free to use and are on a first come basis. Realizing the heavy demand and frequent use of our grills we will be adding 5 new grills in addition to the 2 existing for a total of 7, we will also be adding I charcoal dumper which we haven't had in the past, along with 7 new Park benches which are wheel chair accessible. All items will be installed within two weeks at Lighthouse Park. Moving forward we will make additional assessments and improvements as needed.

That looked like a yummy recipe for Country Style Pork Ribs, also known as Jack's Ribs. Just remember to invite me. On a cautionary note, be aware that open bottles of alcohol could get you a ticket and a trip to court. More on that later.

Image is of the barbecue grill and benches in Octagon Park

Wouldn't it be great to be able to barbecue and enjoy the magnificent views at Southpoint Park as well. That won't ever happen if the Louis Kahn/FDR memorial is permitted to be built.

UPDATE: The Snapple Big Apple Barbecue Block Party in Madison Square Park is scheduled for June 7-8.

A Rare Look Inside Roosevelt Island's Renwick Ruins Smallpox Hospital

Image of collapsing wall at Renwick Ruins from Gothamist

Roosevelt Island's Renwick Ruins Smallpox Hospital at Southpoint Park is about to undergo a $4 million stabilization program that will attempt to prevent the structure from completely collapsing.

Very few people have ever been inside the Renwick Ruins - or at least are still alive to talk about it. Here's a chance to take a look inside the Renwick Ruins Smallpox Hospital on Roosevelt Island from the safety of your computer screen.

You Tube video Inside Renwick Ruins Smallpox Hospital (Part 1)

You Tube video Inside Renwick Ruins Smallpox Hospital (Part 2)

Relaxing Memorial Day Weekend on Roosevelt Island

Roosevelt Islanders found plenty of ways to relax this past Memorial Day weekend and the perfect weather certainly helped. From picnicking at the Octagon BBQ area,

to lounging and swimming at the Manhattan Park pool,



or a restful day of East River fishing at Lighthouse Park

Just a beautiful weekend! Let's hope for many more this summer.

Having a Cold is No Fun - Even For Panda Bears

You Tube video of Panda sneezing via Presurfer

This is how I have been feeling the last few days with a cold I can't seem to shake. Unfortunately, for those around me my sneezing is not as cute as this panda bear, it's more like a wounded elephant.