Things To Do This Weekend In New York City & Roosevelt Island- Inflatable Sculpture, Chinese New Year Tour, MOMA Political Movies & RI Photo Exhibit

Image of Inflatable Sculptures from 3rd Ward

Looking for fun things to do on Roosevelt Island or in some other part of New York City this weekend? Here are some suggestions.

On Friday night take a trip to Brooklyn's 3rd Ward to view their current exhibition of Inflatable Sculptures. According to Free NYC:

A one-night exhibition of towering sculptures that by morning will fit into the pocket of even your skinniest jeans. Featuring the work of students from 3rd Ward's Inflatable Sculpture Class, Instructor Partick Flibotte, his former students from University of Miami, and Billie Grace Lynn. Live Music from DJ Tanner, Complimentary Drinks & a Crash Course in Inflatable Sculpture Building.

On Saturday afternoon, the Museum of Chinese in America (MOCA) is conducting a Preparing for the New Year Walking Tour. According to MOCA:

Witness how Chinatown transforms itself in preparation for the New Year. Learn about the traditions and customs observed by Chinese households and discover the significance of red envelopes and New Year foods and decorations. Enjoy the sights, smells, sounds and tastes of Chinatown as MOCA’s experienced docents take you on the most festive tour of the year! This seasonal tour will now include a shopping and tasting portion of Manhattan’s Chinatown!

On Sunday the Museum of Modern Art is showing a cinematic double feature on Abraham Lincoln as part of MOMA's week long American Politics series. The two Lincoln films are:

Abraham Lincoln. 1930. USA. Directed by D. W. Griffit. Screenplay by Stephen Vincent Benet. With Walter Huston, Una Merkel, Ian Keith. A respectful and poetic account of Lincoln's entry into politics, Griffith's first sound film is a sincere, passionate, and moving portrait of a remarkable man. 97 min.

and

Young Mr. Lincoln. 1939. USA. Directed by John Ford. Screenplay by Lamar Trotti. With Henry Fonda, Alice Brady, Marjorie Weaver. In this fictionalized account, a young Abraham Lincoln moves from Kentucky to small-town Springfield, Ohio, where he begins to practice law. 100 min.

On Roosevelt Island this weekend, the Farmers Market will be open as usual on Saturday as is Gallery RIVAA, the Roosevelt Island Visual Arts Association which is exhibiting the Winter of Change group show. Also, RIOC has produced a great self guided tour map (PDF File) of Roosevelt Island for any visitor or resident looking to stroll the Island and learn something more about it.

Roosevelt Island will also host 2 events this weekend. On Sunday The Roosevelt Island Historical Society is presenting a photo exhibit on the Effler Family's Life on Roosevelt Island in the early 20th Century. The second event on Sunday afternoon is a concert by the ZigZag Quarted hosted by the Church of the Good Shepherd. The ZigZag quartet:

brings innovative programs with a wide variety of musical styles, including their own arrangements of the classics, spanning three centuries: from the Baroque to jazz and Latin American to premiered works written for the quartet. A mix of solos, duos and trios showcase the artists and the instruments.

Good weekend transportation news. The MTA is reporting normal Roosevelt Island F Train subway service in both directions and RIOC is not reporting any Tram service advisories either.

Check out some other ideas on what to do in New York City this weekend from the NY Times Urban Eye, NY Post Weekend Calendar and Newyorkology.

RIOC President and CFO Explain Roosevelt Island Budget To Residents During RIRA Town Hall Meeting

RIOC officials explain Roosevelt Island Budget during RIRA Town Hall Meeting

RIOC President Steve Shane and Chief Finance Officer Steven Chironis attended last Wednesday night's RIRA Town Hall Meeting to discuss RIOC's proposed 2009-10 fiscal year operating budget which was the main topic of the January 15 RIOC Board of Directors Meeting (The web cast of the RIOC Board meeting is available here) . They informed the approximately 20 residents present that despite the current national and local financial difficulties they are reasonably confident that RIOC will be able to finance Roosevelt Island's operating needs for the foreseeable future (the next 5 years).

Mr. Shane and Chironis explained the process they go through as they develop the budget and informed us that due to decisions made many years ago, Roosevelt Island has 4 budgets, an operating, capital, public purpose and reserve fund. The operating budget is to meet the annual needs of running Roosevelt Island such as operating public safety, picking up the garbage, RIOC salaries etc. The Capital budget is for major infrastructure improvements such as the Tram replacement, fixing the AVAC garbage system and seawall. The public purpose fund makes financial awards to local Roosevelt Island organizations. The Reserve fund is set aside for emergencies.

Those in attendance also learned that:

• $2.5-3 million in capital funds is available for renovating the Sportspark facility though a decision on how to use these funds is awaiting a decision on whether it is desirable and feasible to incorporate the adjacent Roosevelt Island Tennis Club into a larger Chelsea Piers like facility with Sportspark that the Tennis Club owners are promoting;
• $400,000 in NY City funds in available to renovate Blackwell House but if that money is accepted the use of Blackwell House will be limited to a museum exhibition space. A decision will have to be made if that is the type of use favored by RIOC and the community
• Revenue to RIOC from the Riverwalk developments has been less than anticipated due to the declining real estate market and certain payments to RIOC from the Hudson/Related developers of Buildings 5 and 6 due this year may be deferred. The opening of the new buildings has been pushed back to the Spring and according to RIOC only 40 of the 123 units in the condo building are in contract.

Mr. Shane and Chironis should be complimented for participating in the RIRA Town Hall meeting.

Is Roosevelt Island The Most Haunted Place on The Planet? More Spooky Happenings At The Renwick Ruins Smallpox Hospital

Interior of Renwick Ruins Smallpox Hospital

Blogger Melissa Bastian, who was creeped out by the spirits and ghosts at the Octagon has company in thinking that Roosevelt Island is:

possibly the most haunted piece of land on the planet.

Well maybe not the most haunted on the planet but perhaps in New York City. Another visitor to Roosevelt Island sees spooky images in pictures he took of the Renwick Ruins Smallpox Hospital wall and a friend feels a tap on the shoulder when nobody is close by according to this Live Journal account.

Last winter, my friend and I took the tram over to Roosevelt Island's crumbling Smallpox Hospital.

... For those who aren't skeptical, I kept seeing odd images come up on these, but take that as you wish.

When I first opened this on my phone, the image of a forlorn emaciated person's upper half with their face leaning on their hand jumped out at me from the left side of this picture. Then the image of a small boy on the right of the black hole in the middle was pointed out to me. Now that it's been lightened in photoshop and enlarged, I can see even more faces.

My friend told me that he felt someone tapping him on the shoulder, turned around to find me several feet back, but didn't mention it until we had left.

Image of face on Renwick Ruins Wall from Live Journal

I don't see the images but that doesn't mean they aren' t there.

A reader, Just a Mommy, shared her memories of driving past the Renwick Ruins in this earlier post.

As a child who grew up in Manhattan my family and I used to drive alot on the FDR and I remember looking out the window to my right and seeing what was left of this building. My brothers would say it was a crazy house where monsters lived and my older brother would tell the younger one if he misbehaved he would be shipped there permanently. I always found it very pretty and I envisioned it a castle and I would one day grow up and restore it and live there...

Here's a night time excursion to the Renwick Ruins via You Tube.

Watch Barack Obama's Presidential Inauguration Ceremony At Roosevelt Island's Good Shepherd Community Center - There's No One As Irish As Barack Obama

Barack Obama Inaugural Image from RIOC

RIOC's Community Relations Specialist Erica Wilder sends the following message regarding the Inauguration Ceremony for President-Elect Barack Obama:

Come Watch the Presidential Inauguration Live at the Good Shepherd Community Center
Tuesday January 20th 2009
Beginning @ 11:00 am
Event will continue throughout the day until President Elect Obama's Speech has concluded.

Refreshments will be served
For more information Please call 212-832-4540 Ext #349

UPDATE 11 AM - It looks like the Hardy Boys and Nancy Drew (now known as the Corrigan Brothers) who informed us in this earlier post that there was No One As Irish As Barack Obama will be performing for the Inaugural, though not here on Roosevelt Island, but in Washington DC. The UPI reports:

The Corrigan Brothers wrote their song "There's No One As Irish As Barack Obama" in 20 minutes after learning he had roots in Ireland, the trio's label said.

The Irish rock group's tribute to President-elect Barack Obama's Irish heritage has gotten more than 710,000 hits on YouTube as of Wednesday. The single is available at all Internet outlets, including iTunes and Amazon.

The group, which also performs under the name Hardy Drew and the Nancy Boys, is slated to perform "There's No One As Irish As Barack Obama" at next week's Inauguration Day Parade in Washington on the Irish-American float and then again at the Irish-American Democrats Dinner that evening....

You Tube Video of There's No One As Irish As Barack Obama

Congratulations to the Corrigan Brothers for being recognized for their great song!

UPDATE - 1/20 - Here is what happened at the Roosevelt Island Obama Inauguration viewing earlier today including video of President Obama' s Inauguration Speech.

Roosevelt Island Fiscal Year 2009-10 Budget Subject of Tonights RIRA Town Hall Meeting and Tomorrow's RIOC Board of Directors Meeting

Image from RIOC Proposed 2009-2010 Budget

The Roosevelt Island Residents Association (RIRA) will be holding a Town Hall Meeting later tonight to raise questions and discuss the issues on the Agenda for tomorrow's RIOC Board of Directors Meeting. The most significant item on the RIOC Board Agenda is the proposed fiscal year 2009-10 Roosevelt Island budget. RIRA President Frank Farance forwards this message he sent to RIOC President Steve Shane concerning the Town Hall Meeting.

Dear Steve-

As we discussed, RIRA will be sponsoring Town Hall meetings. The next Town Hall meeting will be on Wednesday, January 14, at 8-9:30PM at the Church of the Good Shepherd -- upper floor.

The meeting will be a Q&A session for residents to interact with RIOC Board members and RIOC Staff. The discussion will involve 3 areas:

(1) Discussion of agenda items on the January 15 RIOC Board meeting agenda.

(2) Discussion of results from the December 4 RIOC Board meeting.

(3) Any other topics.

I am expecting some questions on the RIOC budget. I will forward them to you as soon as I receive them so that you can prepare in advance of the meeting.

Again, thank you, your staff, and your directors for participating in the Town Hall meetings.

Mr. Shane is expected to attend tonights RIRA Town Hall Meeting.

The Agenda for tomorrow's RIOC Board Meeting is:

I. Call to Order
II. Roll Call
III. Approval of Minutes
1. December 4, 2008 Board Meeting (Board Action Required)
IV. Old Business
V. New Business
1. Presentation of the Proposed RIOC Budget for Fiscal Year 2009-10
2. Authorization to Enter into Contract for Replacement of the Central Compactor of the AVAC System (Board Action Required)
3. Ratification of Contract for Southpoint Site Clean-up (Board Action Required)
4. Ratification of Change Order for Lighthouse Park Comfort Station (Board Action Required)
5. Ratification of Purchase Orders for Emergency Dismantling of the Sports Park Facade (Board Action Required)
6. Ratification of Fuel Contracts for RIOC Vehicles (Board Action Required)
7. Ratification of Purchase Orders for Employee Uniforms (Board Action Required)
8. Ratification of Change Order for Roof Rehabilitation at 504 Main Street (Board Action Required)
9. Committee Reports
a. Audit Committee
b. Governance/Operations Advisory Committee
c. Real Estate Development Advisory Committee
10. Public Safety Report
11. President’s Report
VI. Adjournment

The proposed RIOC budget for fiscal year 2009-10 is available here. Highlights include (page 2):

1. Revenues: Projected revenues for FY 09-10 when compared to FY 08-09 is down (8%). Income sources which have significant projected decreases are; Tram,
Condo Conversion Fees, and investment income. The Tram projected revenue is 39% less ($1,177,671) due to the anticipated 6 month Tram shutdown. Condo Conversion Fees, which are discussed in detail under "Budget Risks" on page 5, is down 65% ($919,793). Investment income is down 39% ($473,274), with the projected rate -of-return reduced from 3% to 2%.

2. Personal Services (PS):Projected Personal Services as noted above is essentially flat, at a 0% increase. Per the directive from NYS Department of Budget (DOB), a 3% COLA increase and performance bonuses were included in the budget but will not be paid until if or when that State re-negotiates it's collective bargaining agreement with the union. Projected fringe benefits have actually decreased from the FY 08-09 budget due to a decrease in health insurance premiums and last years over estimation of the pension contribution.

3. Other Than Personal Services (OTPS):Projected (OTPS) is reduced by 29%, reflecting in a decrease in expense of ($2,885,420). The three main areas that have the most significant reduction in expense are; Tram (6 months less of management fees and reduced insurance expense), Professional Fees (primarily more engineeringservices in-house) and a more efficient use of repair expenditures.

4. Net Surplus (Cash Flow) Generated (Before Depreciation):Projected Cash Flow Generated increased 85% from $1,383,490 to $2,565,107.

Regarding fees from the Hudson/Related Southtown Riverwalk development, RIOC's proposed 2009-10 budget reveals (Page 5):

1. Southtown 7, 8, and 9:
In 2006, the Southtown developers exersized an option at a cost of $2,000,000 to extend the Construction Commencement Date for all buildings of Southtown 5–9 from no later than December 31, 2010 to December 31, 2012. Management believes that given current market conditions there is a real possibility that the development of Southtown 7, 8, and 9 may not happen, negatively affecting projected cash reserves. Below is the effect on projected cash reserves, if the development of Southtown 7, 8, and 9 were not to go forward. It is management's belief that if Southtown 7, 8, and 9 were to not proceed in the time period, there would be other subsequent development opportunities after the economic downturn cycle reverses its course.

2. Condo Conversion Fees:
Projected condo conversion fee income for ST# 5–9 is derived from 2% of all condo sales up to $750/sq ft., and 3% for the amount of sales above the $750/sq ft. threshold.Average sales prices for ST# 3 & 4 condo sales in 2007 & 2008 were approximately $750/sq ft. Projected condo sales for ST# 5 for 09–10 were projected at an average sales price of $600/sq ft. In addition, only 25% of units were projected to be sold in 2009–2010 resulting in $408,000 in fees income —down from the budgeted 2008–2009 condo fee income of $1,285,793.

3. Southtown 5 & 6 Substantial Completion Payments:
Included in the Budget FY 09-10 are contractural payments relating to the ST#5 & #6 substantial construction completion. The developers have requested possible deferment of payment of said payments due to the slow sales activity of units. The payments in question are secured debt obligations to the Corporation but the timing of these payments may be delayed. The timing of payments in question are listed below:

ST #5 NPV Payment ( 04/09) $6,331,150
ST #6 NPV Payment ( 04/09) $10,184,950
Increase in Ground Rents (from $1.80/sq' to $3.60/sq') $659,369
Public Safety Fees $84,720
$17,260,189

Artist Sculpts Statue Of Liberty Inside The Eye of A Needle - Will Roosevelt Island Tram Be Next?

Image of Statue of Liberty inside eye of needle from Willard Wigan

Below is an amazing video of a British artist, Willard Wigan, who creates the tiniest sculptures on the head of a pin or inside the eye of a needle such as representations of the Statue of Liberty, The Thinker or Elvis. According to the BBC:

The best things come in small packages - they really do - and local artist Willard Wigan is the only person in the world who can put Snow White and her Seven Dwafs into the eye of a needle...

Mr. Wigan has learning difficulties, cannot read or write, and says his teachers made him feel small. It looks like he turned that to his advantage and found where his genius lies. Mr. Wigan sold his collection of micro-art to a collector for $20 million.

You Tube video of ABC News report on needle and pin artist via crooks and liars

Maybe one day Mr. Wigan will put the Roosevelt Island Tram on top of a pin or inside the eye of a needle.

Senator Serrano Provides List Of Private Funding Opportunities/Grants For Roosevelt Island Organziations - Deadline For Public Purpose Funds 1/30/09

Image of State Senator Jose Serrano

Acknowledging the reality of the severe NY State budget crisis, State Senator Jose Serrano forwards the following message regarding alternative sources of non-governmental funding for organizations and groups on Roosevelt Island and elsewhere. Another source of funding for Roosevelt Island organizations is the Roosevelt Island Public Purpose Fund but be aware that the deadline for applying for these funds is fast approaching - January 30, 2009

Dear Friends:
There has been no indication thus far that legislators will be provided grant allocations due to this year's budget crisis. I have for this reason compiled a list of some other funding opportunities you might wish to consider. As you know, I am strongly committed to a comprehensive and transparent state government. If and when I learn of new State legislative grant money, my staff and I will vigorously outreach to the district, and post the official application on my website. In the meantime, I hope the following list helps you out; be sure to click on all the hyperlinks. (Disclaimer: Please know that I am not associated with nor endorsing any of these foundations, but simply want to share the information with non-profits and individuals in the 28th district.)

Yours in Service,
Senator José M. Serrano

· William T. Grant Youth Service Improvement Grants

The Youth Service Improvement Grants (YSIG) program is open to community-based organizations in the New York metropolitan area that want to improve the quality of the services they offer to young people ages 8 to 25. They expect most grants will be close to the maximum amount of $25,000. Applications for the Spring 2009 cycle will be accepted between January 12, 2009 and March 11, 2009, with grant decisions to be made in August 2009.

· NoMAA Kleenex Art Contest

The North Manhattan Arts Alliance joins Kleenex brand to celebrate Hispanic Heritage with launch of National Art Contest winning designs to be featured on Kleenex Brand Facial Tissue cartons in September. Winners will Receive $5,000. Join NoMAA for an orientation event where interested artists can learn how to submit their artwork and participate in this exciting contest:
Wednesday, January 14, 5-7 pm
Mamajuana Café - 247 Dyckman Street (at Seaman Avenue)
RSVP: info@nomaanyc.org 212.568.4396

· Music Matters

This is for public school program and/or non-profits. Priority will be given to the following music education programs (need not meet all criteria listed to qualify): programs serving students in grades K-12; programs involving innovative educational reform; programs serving economically disadvantaged children; programs having established collaborative partnerships with parent-teacher-student associations (PTSA) and other community groups; programs possibly including the basic need of music instruments and educational materials. Deadline is February 4, 2008.

· State Farm

Groups can apply once per year, at any time. Grant requests can fall into any one of three categories. "Safe Neighbors" for programs like disaster preparedness or enhancing personal financial security. "Strong Neighborhoods" for programs that make housing affordable, foster sustainable communities, eliminate barriers to home ownership, etc. "K-12 Public Schools" for teacher excellence or service-learning programs.

· Jenny's Heroes

All grant requests will be reviewed by Jenny Jones (yes, that Jenny) in consultation with her advisors. They will try to review all requests within a month of receipt and notify applicants who are being considered within six weeks of receipt. Here's a list of past grantees to get an idea of the kind of projects they fund.

· Charles Lafitte

Grant requests can be made at any time. The Foundation supports four distinct charitable programs: Education, Children's Advocacy, Medical Issues & Research and The Arts. Together these programs act as a catalyst to effect ways of helping people help themselves and others around them to lead healthy, satisfying and enriched lives.

· OASAS Funding Page

This is a great running list of federal, state, and foundation funding opportunities compiled by the New York State Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services.

Roosevelt Island Public Safety Reports For 12/31/08 - 1/13/09 - Mailbox Credit Card Theft, Robbery/Assault, Stuck in Subway Elevator & Egg Throwing

Image of stolen mail from AARP

During the January 7 RIRA Common Council Meeting it was disclosed that there is a problem on Roosevelt Island with new credit cards being stolen from building mail boxes. The problem is not limited to a particular building but one Octagon resident revealed:

... something very scary happened to my husband and I. Through mere accident, my husband became aware that a new credit card had been stolen from our mail. In only a few weeks, the thief has charged over $900 to the card. Upon contacting management to let them know this had happened to us, we were told that she had received several similar reports in recent weeks and that in fact this has been an ongoing problem throughout Roosevelt Island. We learned that these fraudulent acts are being perpetrated in all Roosevelt Island buildings! This thief is clever and slippery - he was able to ascertain enough of my husband's personal information through observing our mail and to call the credit card company and have the fraud alert lifted on two separate occasions! He was bold enough to use the credit card at locations throughout the island.

Having lived here since the building opened in 2006, we do remember the occasional murmur ... from other residents that had mail stolen from them. We did not, however, realize the how wide spread the problem continues to be....

Note I edited above statement to protect writers identity.

More Public Safety news - RIOC is posting the most current Daily and November Monthly Roosevelt Island Public Safety Incident reports on their web site. Also, available on the RIOC web site is a breakdown of Roosevelt Island Public Safety incidents by location and category for the month of November. Below are the Roosevelt Island Daily Public Safety Reports for December 31 - January 13 2009. Incidents included:

• Hazardous window condition at Roosevelt Landings/Eastwood (12/31)
• Robbery/Assault - Punch in face and lip (12/31, 1/1)
• Sale of Cigarettes without license (1/1)
• Criminal possession of controlled substance (1/3)
• Loud music together with possible smell of illegal substance(1/4)
• Criminal Mischief - egg throwing (1/6)
• Theft of Cab service (1/8, 9)
• 6 to 7 males urinating in hallway and (1/8)
  
• 4 persons stuck in subway elevator (1/10)
  

12/31/08-7:00 AM to 1/1/09-7:00 AM

Aided- Senior center Case worker hadn't seen a senior. UA and PSD responded. Tenant not home. later it was discovered he was in the Hospital.

Hazardous Condition- In Building window stoppers in some windows not in place causing the windows to be completely open. PSD and UA responded. Window Company personnel corrected the condition. no injuries.

Shop Lifting- Male subject took Misc. items from the Grestides Super Market and fled. PSD conducted a search for the subject with negative results. NYPD refused.

Aided- An ill person was taken to the Hospital by EMS.

Investigation- Unknown subjects placed debris under an apt door and fled. PSD conducted a search for the subject with negative results.

Robbery/Assault female tenant punched in the face and robbed of money by female subject. Victim taken to the Hospital by EMS. Subject arrested by PSD.

Aided- Female fell on the ground and injured her ankle. EMS transported her to the Hospital.

Assault- Female subject argued with a tenant over the use of the elevator then stuck victim in the lip. Victim sustained laceration to the lip. EMS refused. Search for the subject yielded negative results. NYPD refused.

0700 hrs 01/01/09 - 0700 hrs 01/02/09

Aided - Female twisted ankle falling off curb. Transported to hospital.

Assault - Male assaulted by female in elevator. PSD responded and made search with negative results.

Hazardous Condition - Leaking fire hydrant caused ice condition. Cone placed around ice. PSD called 311 for DEP to respond.

Lost Property - Woman reported to PSD that she lost watch on RIOC Bus or Tram. PSD checked with Tram and RIOC Bus with negative results.

Graffiti - Officer observed graffiti in hallway. Search was made with negative results. Management notified.

No Cigarette license - PSD and NYPD observed female knock on apt. door and exchanged currency for cigarettes. Tenant that answered door was issued summons by NYPD.

0700 hrs 01/02/09 - 0700 hrs 01/03/09

Petit Larceny- tenant came inside PSD to report someone removed her door mat search was made with negative result NYPD refused.

Arrest PSD officers observed male and female subject remained unlawfully with out authoriztion park in lot.Vehicle stop upon arrival observed box cutter and white substance on floor.Female summonses and released,male escorted for processing.

0700 hrs 01/03/09 - 0700 hrs 01/04/09

Criminal Poss. Control Substance- 3 Subjects arrested by PSD.

Defective Lock- At South Point Park. RIOC personnel Notified.

Investigation- RIOC Bus Coin Machine Damaged. Mini Bus Supervisor Notified.

Aided- Theft Store worker accidently locked in the Theft Store. Theft Store personnel notified and opened the door. Worker fine.

Unlawful Poss. of Marijuana/Trespass- 2 Subjects arrested by PSD.

0700 hrs 01/04/09 - 0700 hrs 01/05/09

Aided- An ill person was taken to the Hospital by EMS.

Hazardous Condition- A deep hole in the grass rear of a building. A cone was placed over the hole.

Noise Complaint- Loud Music. PSD responded and it was turned down. Also a smell of possible illegal Substance which was masked by Air freshener spray.

Property Damage- A sign was knocked down by Baseball Field. RIOC notified.

Property Damage- Dent on vehicle at the Motorgate Garage. 911 notified. But before NYPD responded the owner of the vehicle had left.

Verbal Dispute- Between 2 Island residents. No injuries. Female resident was escorted home. NYPD refused.

Broken Window- Vehicle at the Motorgate Garage. The owner was notified and stated it occurred off Island.

0700 hrs 01/05/09 - 0700 hrs 01/06/09

Criminal Mischief - Officer observed broken window on vehicle. Owner was notified and stated that damage happened off Island.

Aided - Male suffering from stomach pains. EMS responds and he is transported to the hospital.

Shoplifting - Store owner reports a male took a quart of milk. Upon arrival male was advised to stay out of store. Friend paid for item. Owner refused to pursue incident.

Lost Property - Female left property on a NYC Q102 bus. She was able to retrieve all of the property except a metro-card. She refused NYPD and will contact MTA.

Waterleak - Female left food to unthaw in sink and water overflowed. Tenant cleaned floor. Service responds to check for damages and there are none to report.

Unsecured Door - Officer observed door unsecured. Area checked and appeared in order. Door was secured.

Graffiti - Front of an apartment on the wall. Photo taken and Urban American service was notified.

Graffiti - In stairwell. Photo taken and Urban American service notified.

1/6/09-7:00 AM to 1/7/09/7:00 AM

Aided- Female fell. EMS responded but female refused transport to the Hospital.

Aided- Male in a wheelchair made contact with a vehicle. Male in wheelchair left. No damages to vehicle. EMS and NYPD refused.

Unsecured Vehicle- In the Motorgate Garage. No record of the owner as per Central Parking. PSD conducted periodic checks of the vehicle.

Aided- Male knocking on door to see female for insulin. But female not home. PSD responded and male refused EMS and stated he will see his own private doctor.

Criminal Mischief- Unknown subject threw eggs on an apt door and on the wall in the hallway. Search for the subject yielded negative results. UA notified.

1/7/09-7:00 AM to 1/8/09/7:00 AM

Trespass- Personal property found in the Motorgate Garage. PSD checked area and conducted search for the subject with negative results.

Lost Property- A Camera was left on a RIOC Bus and was returned to the owner.

Investigation- Report of possible illegal substance detectable in an apt. PSD responded and conducted a search for the source with negative results.

Verbal Dispute- Between two persons over money. PSD responded and one party stated he knew nothing. NYPD refused.

1/8/09-7:00 AM to 1/9/09/7:00 AM

Theft Of Service - Cab driver reports two subjects(male and female) ran out of cab without paying. PSD apprehended female subject. Victim didn't want to press charges but wanted fare to be paid. Female subject paid fare. Summons issued for harassment.

Unsecured Apt - PSD Officer observed patio door off hinges and on the ground. Search was made with negative results. Apt door was unlocked. Apt door was secured by Public Safety.

Investigation - Tenant reports two paint signs posted in building and unknown person wrote in ink references to Public Safety and NYPD CPOP. Search was conducted with negative results.

Verbal Dispute - PSD responded to dispute between two males. Male subject was knocking on apt door arguing over money. Subject was escorted out of building.

Criminal Mischief - Tenant reported to PSD that group of six to seven males hang out in hallway urinating on the floor. Tour supervisors were notified to do more checks of area.

Trespass/Disorderly Conduct - Male subject was issued summons for Trespass and Disorderly Conduct by PSD.

Criminal Mischief - PSD responded to report of broken window. Search was made with negative results. Super was notified.

Investigation - PSD Officer responded to apt for smell of illegal substance coming from bathroom vent. PSD Officer made check with negative results.

1/9/09-7:00 AM to 1/10/09/7:00 AM

Investigation- Tenant entered PSD to report two signs posted next to apartment door. Search made with negative results NYPD refused.

Unsecured Apartment- PSD officer observed the outer wooden gate to patio off the hinges laying on the patio ground.

Family Dispute- Mother reports daughter refused going to school and lock bathroom. PSD responded upon arrival request NYPD and EMS. Mother cut hand while banging door. Child went to school EMS refused.

Aided- PSD officer responded with EMS for possible aided. Upon arrival a female was complaining of stomach pain transported to hospital.

Aided- Officer responded to female apartment who appears incoherent EMS transported to hospital.

Theft of Service/ Harassment- Taxi driver reports to PSD officers two male subjects ran out without paying fare. Search made, one male was identified, and paid fare, summons and released for harassment.

1/10/09-7:00 AM to 1/11/09/7:00 AM

Smoke Condition- In a dryer in the Laundry Room. UA and PSD responded and it was extinguished. No injuries. Unknown damage to the dryer. UA to notify the laundry machine company.

Aided- At the Subway. 4 persons stuck in the elevator. FDNY removed them. They refused to provided information and EMS. PSD handled traffic until FDNY completed the job.

Found property- Blue purse with credit cards and money. Credit card company notified and contacted the owner. The owner retrieved the property.

Graffiti- In building. UA notified. Search for the subject yielded negative results.

Aided- Male on the icy sidewalk. He sustained injury to left knee and ankle and also had pain to chest (Asthmatic and did not have medication). EMS transported aided to the Hospital.

1/11/09-7:00 Am to 1/12/09-7:00 am

Property Damage- RIOC fence damaged underneath the 59th Street Bridge.
RIOC personnel notified.

Investigation- Suspicious male subject stated to a tenant that he was doing inspections in Eastwood. Upon PSD response male had left. Contact made with UA who confirmed no inspections being done. Search for male with negative results.

Aided- An ill person was taken to the Hospital by EMS.

Missing person (Child)- From group home. NYPD and PSD responded. Search conducted with negative results. Youth later returned to the group home.

1/12/09-7:00 AM to 1/13/09-7:00 AM

Criminal Poss Stolen/Petit Larceny/Criminal Trespass-At Grestides Supermarket. PSD arrested the subject.

Aided- Person complained heart beating too fast. EMS responded. Aided refused transport and will see her private doctor.

Aided- An ill person was taken to the Hospital by EMS.

Criminal Mischief- Hole in the wall. Search for the subject yielded negative results. UA notified

RIRA Island Services Committee Lists Roosevelt Island Quality of Life Priorities For 2009

Roosevelt Island Red Bus Image from RIOC

What are the most important issues of concern regarding the quality of life and services available on Roosevelt Island? The Roosevelt Island Residents Association (RIRA) Island Services Committee (ISC) met during the first week of January and formulated the following list of priorities that they will concentrate upon to improve life here on Roosevelt Island. From RIRA's ISC:

Issues:

Committee reviewed and discussed a variety of identified Roosevelt Island services issues. We decided to work on the following for the next 4 – 6 months:

- Red bus morning rush hour schedule – need to optimize to improve convenience.

- Athletic Fields – regulations, permits and schedule of users.

- Disabled accessibility to F train at Roosevelt island station – resolve.

- Credit card theft at Octagon and elsewhere – publicize and interact with Postal Officials.

- Contingency plan when subway is out-of-service to bring people back to Roosevelt Island – Get RIOC to develop.

- Agreement with MTA that there will be no construction related disruptions of F train service while tram is shut-down for reconstruction – RIOC should obtain.

RIOC's Operations and Governance/Operations Committee will be meeting this afternoon at 4 PM for the first time in 11 months and a web cast of the meeting will be available soon thereafter. A member of RIRA's ISC will be in attendance as well.

Roosevelt Island Doctor Jack Resnick's Affordable Home Health Care Proposal Profiled in Today's NY Times

Link:

Last December 29, Roosevelt Island's Doctor Jack Resnick conducted one of the Obama Health Care Forums at the Good Shepherd Community Center in which he presented his plan for affordable home health care and showed the above video to illustrate the benefits of such a system from both a cost and patient care perspective. Today's NY Times column, titled The New Old Age - Why House Calls Save Money, profiled Dr. Resnick's ideas:

Dr. Jack Resnick, an internist in New York, believes that if the frail elderly are treated at home by doctors making house calls, as they did in the good old days, then medical outcomes will improve and Medicare costs can be reduced.

...Dr. Resnick’s own anecdotal experience with house calls has been documented in various medical journals, which report that keeping geriatric patients out of the hospital reduces costs between 30 and 60 percent. With Medicare cost-containment high on the agenda of the incoming administration,...

Almost all of the comments to the NY Times article were deservedly supportive and complimentary of Doctor Resnick but two in particular raised interesting points. The first by AS (#17):

Sounds good, but the bottom line is “Show me the data” until then this is just a heartwarming anecdote.

Prelim data => grant money => real data

I agree that paying people enough is going to be key. At the end of the day, we’re going to have to ration health care. If Bam is smart he’ll start funding the necessary research now. If the outcomes data support this then paying enough to make it financially viable should be a no brainer. My colleagues and I are going to undergo a huge cognitive shift if we as a society finally realize that we want good care more then sophisticated care and align the financial incentives accordingly.

BTW: For anyone with means there’s a way to get a true medical home and possibly house calls right now. It’s called concierge medicine.

Followed by JimJaf (#18):

This all makes sense. So why doesn’t this guy and a bunch of colleagues get together with an insurer and start a medicare advantage program, which pays better than 100% of the average medicare reimbursement. Insofar as their costs will be less than 70% of this norm, they’ll then be able to split the remaining 30% as profit. Seems like a win-win situation.

I am glad that Doctor Resnick has been able to get his message out to the public beyond Roosevelt Island and hope that President-Elect Barack Obama's Health Care Transition Team is paying attention.

YES WE CAN!