Report From RIOC President Leslie Torres - Congratulates Super Bowl Winning NY Giants, Roosevelt Island Verdant Tidal Enery Project, 2.1 Million Tram Riders, NYPD and FDNY Tram Rescue Training, Red Bus GPS Tracking Fix, Grandparents Safety Day and Black History Month

 Image of Roosevelt Island Red Bus GPS Tracking Screenshot from Itunes

Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC) President Lesie Torres sends the following report to Roosevelt Island residents.

Congratulations to the Super Bowl champion New York Giants! I’m sure all of you Giants fans enjoyed the game and the celebration in the days that followed. Hopefully the team’s display of hard work and unity can give us all a little bit of inspiration.

Roosevelt Island Tidal Energy Project Moves Forward

While the south end of Roosevelt Island prepares to become the host site of the new Cornell/Technion Applied Sciences Campus, the waters off the north end of the Island will soon be home to another kind of groundbreaking innovation. Last month the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission granted Verdant Power the first-ever 10-year license to create a tidal wave energy plant right here in the East River. Verdant launched a pilot version of the project in 2002, culminating with the delivery of electricity to Gristedes and Motorgate. The expanded field of underwater windmills, to be located in the waters north of the Roosevelt Island Bridge, is projected to supply electricity to more than 9,500 homes on the Island by 2015. Dubbed the Roosevelt Island Tidal Energy (RITE) project, it is another example of the Island a leader in innovation and green technology, not only for the city, but for the world as well.

More Than 2.1 Million Ride Tram in 2011

RIOC is excited to announce that a record 2,109,878 people rode our Tram in 2011, the first full year since the Tramway modernization project was completed. That’s over 5,700 riders per day! The new Tram system, which opened in November 2010, offers a quicker, smoother, safer ride, while simultaneously using less electricity – not to mention those breathtaking views of the Manhattan skyline. Also, you’ve probably noticed that it doesn’t shut down during inclement weather as frequently as the old Tram did. The new Tram has truly been an innovation in mass transit for residents and visitors alike, and will serve the Island well in the exciting – and busy – years ahead.

NYPD and FDNY Use Tram for Periodic Training

If you were near the Tram between 10 am and 2 pm this past Wednesday, you may have noticed NYPD officers conducting exercises on one of the cars. They were part of routine training sessions that NYPD and FDNY periodically conduct on the Tram to test their equipment. These sessions take place only during off-peak hours and use only one car, so that regular ridership on the other car is unaffected. RIOC always distributes an advisory via email before each training sessions to let residents know when they will occur. To subscribe and receive our advisories, you can send an email to subscribe@rioc.com.

Apps Track Red Buses

Last week RIOC received word that the iOS RBT Red Bus Tracking App wasn’t functioning properly. This is a good opportunity to explain how riders can use their mobile devices to track buses’ progress, for those who aren’t aware. A service called NextBus tracks RIOC’s Red Buses, which are equipped with a GPS system. Riders can see the location of each bus on www.nextbus.com, and by accessing the aforementioned RBT App or the R.I. Bus Tracker App for Android devices. You can plan your trip by checking the next arrival times at the stop closest to you. When the RBT App stopped working last week, RIOC discovered that NextBus was still showing the location of all the buses, and thus the problem was with the app, not the GPS. At the risk of getting too technical, it turns out that the app required an update in order to continue communicating with NextBus’ GPS. As of the evening of February 2, the RBT App was back up and running. We hope you will take advantage of this technology to make your travel as smooth as possible.

Grandparents Safety Day

I encourage seniors and their grandchildren to come out to our annual Grandparents Safety Day on Thursday, February 23 at the Roosevelt Island Senior Center (546 Main Street), starting at 11 am. Co-sponsored by RIOC’s Public Safety Department and Safe Kids NYC, the event will feature safety tips, goodie bags and light refreshments. It’s part of the Public Safety Department’s on-going efforts to keep citizens young and old safe.

Black History Month Celebration

Please join us on Saturday February 25 at the Senior Center as we celebrate the achievements and contributions of African Americans throughout history with music, poetry and dance. Festivities begin at 2 pm and light refreshments will be served. RIOC is proud to partner with the Roosevelt Island Senior Association to bring you this fun event.

Regular F Train Subway Service For Roosevelt Island This Weekend - MTA Cancels Planned Service Disruptions Due To Upcoming Snow Forecast

Ignore the Planned Service Change signs for this weekend currently plastered on the Roosevelt Island F Train Subway Station

According to the MTA:

With weather forecasts calling for a winter storm to hit the area this weekend, all MTA Agencies have begun storm preparations to ensure safe travel across the region, readying the materials, equipment and personnel that will need to be deployed when the storm advances.

We expect to run normal service, but please monitor mta.info for the latest service updates.

We urge our customers to take extra care when traveling during the storm and to allow extra travel time. For more information on winter preparations click here

All NYC Transit planned service changes, with the exception of the line diversions are cancelled.  All long-term station closures remain in effect.

Roosevelt Island Resident and Rethink Group Founder Denise Shull Reading From Her New Book Market Mind Games - A Radical New Psychology of Investing, Trading and Risk On Sunday At Gallery RIVAA 4 PM

Are you a Wall Street Master of the Universe, independent day trader or just interested in making better decisions to manage your own money. If that's the case, you may be interested in a new book written by Roosevelt Island resident and founder of The ReThink Group Denise Shull -  Market Mind Games: A Radical New Psychology of Investing, Trading and Risk.

 Image of Denise Shull's New Book Market Games In Barnes & Nobles 5th Avenue Store Window

According to the Chicago Sun-Times:

...  Denise Shull, author of Market Mind Games (McGraw Hill, 2012), is an internationally recognized pioneer in the new psychology of risk and uncertainty. She’s the founder of ReThink Group Inc., a New York-based consulting firm that helps increase performance by using the science called neuro-economics, an interesting approach to behavioral economics. Basically, what Shull advises is not that you try to beat down all your emotions so they don’t impact your investment performance. She says that’s not only impossible — but counter-productive. Every decision includes an emotion. So instead, Shull advises that you recognize the impact of those emotions — the meaning they are imparting to your thinking. After all, it isn’t the emotion that needs to be controlled, it is the action you take that need to be directed...

and:

... Market Mind Games reads more like a mystery romance novel than a psychological dissertation. It is must-reading for anyone who intends to do more than just invest a regular amount monthly into a diversified 40l(k) portfolio. That’s not to say that a regular dollar investment is a bad idea. In fact, for most people, who have neither the time nor the self-discipline to read this book, a long-term monthly investment plan is truly a better solution.

Then again, you might want to read this book just for the knowledge of how your emotions rule your brain — and to learn how to recognize the urge to dump your plan, and your stocks, in a moment of panic...

Ms. Shull will be doing a Books & Bites reading from Market Mind Games at Roosevelt Island's Gallery RIVAA starting 4 PM Sunday February 12. According to Ms. Shull, there will be:

crudité, two unusual dips, chocolate coconut almonds, chardonnay and pinot grigio. A small number of books will be for sale.

More on Ms. Shull's ReThink Group:

... We specialize in assisting Wall St. and athletes – teaching highly paid performers a new way to handle the key emotional dimensions of their work. For example, find a quote about the key use of context in The New York Times Sunday Business section from our Founder Denise Shull on the August Market volatility. Adapting findings from the neurosciences of the unconscious, emotion and perception, we deliver a new way to work with Emotional Intelligence, Behavioral Finance and sports psychology....

You can buy Ms. Shull's Market Games at Amazon or Barnes & Nobles and here's an interview with Ms. Shull about her book.

You Tube Interview of Denise Shull

Denise Shull's another interesting Roosevelt Island resident. I watched an excellent Wall Street movie about the collapse of an investment bank's mortgage backed securities holdings last night - Margin Call (trailer) with Kevin Spacey and Jeremy Irons. I highly recommend it for people who like this kind of stuff. Here's a review.

Roosevelt Island After School PS/IS 217 Beacon Program For Kids In Danger Of Being Eliminated By NYC Budget Cuts - No More After School Educational Mentoring, Sports and Other Activities For Roosevelt Island Kids If Cuts Not Stopped

 STEM Mentoring Image From RIYP

According to the NYC Department of Youth and Community Development:

Beacons are school-based community centers serving children, youth, and adults. There are currently 80 Beacons located throughout New York City, operating in the afternoons and evenings, on weekends, during school holidays and vacation periods, and during the summer.

Typical activities for youth include:

* Literacy activities
* Tutoring
* High school/college prep
* Math clubs
* Photography
* Basketball
* Chess
* Martial arts

In addition, Beacons commonly offer adult programs, including:

* General Education Diploma (GED)
* English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL)
* Parenting Skills
* Family Relations
* Tenant Education and Advocacy

The New York Daily News reported this past Tuesday:

More than half-a-dozen city centers that offer free after-school, GED and immigration services are on the chopping block — and half of the ones most at risk are in Queens.

The city plans to cut funding for seven Beacon programs by July 1 and that’s causing panic among parents and advocates.

No announcements have been made on which of the 80 city centers, based in public schools, are to be shuttered.

“It’s going to be a huge loss,” said Gigi Li, co-director of the Neighborhood Family Services Coalition, which opposes the cuts.

“Families are really going to have to think about how they’re going to be able to maintain an income while their kids are in a safe space,” she said, referring to the free after-school and summer camp programs....

I asked Roosevelt Island's NYC Council Member Jessica Lappin if Roosevelt Island's Beacon After School Program will be cut. Ms. Lappin's office replied:

The mayor proposed shutting seven Beacon programs in July 2012, including the one on Roosevelt Island. Council Member Lappin is against eliminating the Roosevelt Island program, and will fight to keep it open during budget negotiations this year.

Some of the Roosevelt Island kids who use the PS/IS 217 Beacon program ask Don't Close Our Beacon.

Programs offered by the Roosevelt Island Beacon in danger of being lost include math and science mentoring, English as a second language, basketball and martial arts among others.

NY 1 has more on the possible closing of some NYC after school Beacon program closings.

Fantastic Bird's Eye View Riding Roosevelt Island Tram Over East River To Manhattan But When Will Tram Station Bathrooms Be Fixed?

This may be the best way to experience riding the Roosevelt Island Tram over the East River on way to the Manhattan Second Avenue Tram Station without actually being on it. Here's a birds eye view of a Roosevelt Island Tram Trip.



Roosevelt Island Tramway sekund for sekund from Anders Eriksson on Vimeo.

The view and trip on the Tram is terrific but residents, tourists and Tram workers would like to have the bathrooms at the Roosevelt Island Tram station open again.

 Image Of Roosevelt Island Tram Bathroom Space

During the January 19, 2012 Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC) Board of Directors meeting, Vice President of Operations Fernando Martinez explained that the contractor doing the bathroom renovation was replaced (same contractor that did the Good Shepherd Plaza Restoration) and RIOC would perform the renovation internally together with the same contractor handling the Tram Station Renovation. Mr. Martinez expressed hope that one bathroom would be open by the end of January and the other by mid-February. As of today, the Tram Station bathrooms are still closed. Here's full explanation from Mr. Martinez.

You Tube Video of RIOC Tram Bathroom Discussion

Roosevelt Island Young Adult Late Night Sportspark Recreation and Future Mentoring Program Discussed At February RIRA Meeting

During February 1 Roosevelt Island Residents Association (RIRA) meeting, Public Safety Committee Chair Erin Feeley-Nahem discussed late night Friday and Saturday recreational program for young adults (16 -24) at Sportspark and proposal for establishing a future young adults mentoring program with the assistance of Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC). If proposal is approved by RIOC, she hopes to get residents and local businesses involved in providing job skill lessons and internships as part of the mentoring program. Here's what Ms. Feeley-Nahem had to say at the February RIRA meeting.

You Tube Video of RIRA Mentoring Program Discussion.

Last Friday night I stopped by the the late night Sportspark weekend recreational program. At 10:30 PM there were about 20 -25 young adults shooting baskets and playing in a refereed game.

You Tube Video of Late Night Roosevelt Island Young Adult Basketball Game

Statements From RIOC Board Director Nominee Election Winners Kalkin, Polivy & Christian - Assembly Member Kellner Promises To Do All He Can To Ensure They Are Appointed To RIOC Board By Governor Cuomo

You Tube Video Of Counting The RIOC Board Director Nominee Election Vote

As reported earlier today. Roosevelt Island residents Jonathan Kalkin, Howard Polivy and Fay Christian were the three top vote getters in the February 7 RIOC Board of Director Nominee election.

I received the following statements from the winning candidates.

From Mr. Kalkin:

Roosevelt Island has proven again it can take on any challenge. I want to thank everyone who came out  to support our democracy. I'm eager to get back to work and I'm excited to help Roosevelt Island reach its potential as a place that not only leads the city, but the country as a center of reform and innovation. 

From Mr. Polivy,



and Ms. Christian:

I want to thank all the Island residents for coming out to vote and showing the Governor we care about our Island.  I hope this vote will lead to my reappointment so I can continue to serve on the Roosevelt  Island Operation Corporation Board of Directors. I extend my congratulations  to Jonathan and Howard and I thank all the other candidates for their participation.

Roosevelt Island Assembly Member Micah Kellner issued the following statement in support of the RIOC Board Nominee winners:

Once again, the Roosevelt Island Residents Association has shown their commitment to ensuring that Islanders be truly represented on the RIOC Board of Directors. After holding their third island-wide referendum to make clear the residents’ choices for filling three Board seats, the people have spoken.”

“I want to offer my congratulations to Jonathan Kalkin, Howard Polivy and Fay Christian for winning Tuesday’s election. All three individuals have a wealth of knowledge and experience when it comes to serving Roosevelt Island and will continue to make real contributions to the community. I will do all I can to ensure that they are reappointed by Governor Cuomo.

The ball is now in Governor Cuomo's court. We shall see if Governor Cuomo will respect Roosevelt Island democracy and appoint Mr. Kalkin to one of the three expired RIOC Board Director seats and reappoint Mr. Polivy and Ms. Christian to the RIOC Board seats they currently occupy.

UPDATE 2/9 - NYC Council Member Jessica Lappin adds:

First off, congrats to the winners. Now that the voters have spoken, I hope Governor Cuomo will respect their will in making his appointments.

Roosevelt Island Jobs Available - Associate Pediatrician and Property Management Legal Assistant Wanted

Image From How I Save Money

Craigslist has two Roosevelt Island jobs listed. One for a pediatrician

Pediatrics practice on Roosevelt Island (New York, NY) is looking for an Associate Pediatrician who will take over the practice in the next few years. There is flexibility with the possibility of starting off immediately in a part-time role. There are opportunities for growth in this predominately international community. This practice provides holistic and comprehensive care to the children of Roosevelt Island and surrounding communities and has transitioned to a completely electronic medical records system. Please email your resume.

and the other for:

Property Management Legal Assistant (Manhattan/Roosevelt Island)
Fast pace management office seeks person familiar with real estate management to work in our legal department handling disposes, evictions, holdovers and court ordered repairs. Applicant should have knowledge of housing court system, section 8 regulations and excellent computer skills. Candidate must be highly organized and have exceptional skills for detail and follow up. Prior property management office or legal experience required. 

 Click here for more information on the pediatrician job and here for the legal assistant job.

Good Luck!

BREAKING NEWS !!!!!! Results Are In For Roosevelt Island Board Of Director Nominees Election - Jonathan Kalkin With Most Votes, Howard Polivy Second and Fay Christian Third

You Tube Video Of RIOC Board Director Nominee Election Results

Around 11:15 Tuesday evening, Ashton Barfield announced the winners of the Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC) Board of Director Nominees elections. The winners and three highest vote getters were:

• Jonathan Kalkin 497 votes
• Howard Polivy 397 votes and
• Fay Christian 381

The remaining candidates received the following number of votes:

• Grace Bernstein 250 votes
• Gerald Lombardi 234 votes
• Dottie Jeffires 231 votes
• Lydia Tang 227 votes
• and Adrienne Grist 75 votes

Total number of ballots cast was 837 which is more than the 766 votes cast in the 2009 RIOC Board Nominee election.

Congratulations to the winners, appreciation to all the candidates and a great big thanks to the organizers of the election.

WELL DONE EVERYONE.

UPDATE 1:15 AM - Here is chart showing total votes and votes by buildings.

Click here to view a larger version of the chart.

Election For Roosevelt Island Board of Director Nominees Continuing Until 9 PM Tonight - Please Vote and Urge Your Friends and Neighbors To Vote As Well

Image of Roosevelt Island Building Voting Stations at Good Shepherd From Trevre Andrews

Voting for Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC) Board of Director Nominees started bright and early this morning at 6 AM

7 AM at Good Shepherd Voting Location Image From Trevre Andrews

and will continue through 9 PM tonight. If you have not voted yet, please do so and urge your friends and neighbors to do the same. This is what the election ballot looks like.

Image From Trevre Andrews

There are three expired seats on the RIOC Board held by Howard Polivy, Fay Christian and David Kraut. Mr. Polivy and Ms. Christian are seeking the support of the Roosevelt Island community to retain their seat through this election process. Mr. Kraut has chosen not to participate in today's election process or in the previous RIOC Board Nominee elections.

I am voting for Jonathan Kalkin, Howard Polivy and Fay Christian.

Former RIOC Director Jonathan Kalkin brings fresh, innovative ideas to Roosevelt Island such as his initiative for the Main Street Retail Master Leaseholder, technology initiatives including the RI 311 See Click Fix Reporting System and Next Bus GPS Red Bus Tracking system as well as a business background to effectively monitor and supervise the RIOC staff. These initiatives would not have happened without Mr. Kalkin's presence on the RIOC Board.

Howard Polivy's financial background is a strong asset to have on the RIOC Board as is his experience and ability to oversee the RIOC staff.

Fay Christian has shown an ability to challenge RIOC staff to justify the decisions they are taking which is an important function of a RIOC Director. My one hesitation in voting for Ms. Christian is that she is a resident of the Rivercross Building which is overly represented on the RIOC Board. Mr. Polivy is also a Rivercross resident and Mr. Kalkin a resident of Southtown.

Grace Bernstein, Dottie Jeffries, Lydia Tang and Gerald Lombardi are all fine RIOC Board Nominee candidates with excellent skill sets and should be thanked for their willingness to serve the Roosevelt Island community. However, in my opinion, Mr. Kalkin, Mr. Polivy and Ms. Christian have greater experience and understanding of the important issues facing Roosevelt Island now and in the future and should be on the RIOC Board.

Here's where you vote. OCTAGON residents vote from 6am-10am and 5pm-9pm in their building, 10am-5pm at the Good Shepherd Community Center (next to The Trellis diner), and SOUTHTOWN residents vote the same set of hours (6-10am/5-9pm) at #455 Main St. and then, at GS Community Center 10am-5pm. All NORTHTOWN residents will vote ALL day at the Good Shepherd Community Center.

FDNY Responds To A Roosevelt Island Smoke Condition Last Night - Traffic Backed Up On Main Street

Image From Jonathan Kalkin

Received this advisory from Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC) last night at 10:26 PM:

FDNY is investigating a smoke condition, traffic on Main street is backed up. PSD is assisting with traffic.

Image From Jonathan Kalkin

followed by this RIOC advisory at 10:41:

Traffic is normal on Main St.

The 2/6 - 2/7 Roosevelt Island Daily Public Safety Report notes:

Smoke Condition - At 546 Main Street.  UA and FDNY responded.  Condition corrected.

I asked RIOC for the cause of last night's smoke condition that backed up Main Street traffic. Will update when and if a response is received.

UPDATE 6:10 PM - According to RIOC's spokesperson:

PSD was unable to substantiate the cause of the smoke, but did find burnt paper in the stairwell of 546 Main St., which could have caused the smoke.  Apartments were checked by PSD and FDNY. No injuries were reported.

Cornell Technion Roosevelt Island NYC Applied Sciences & Engineering School Seeking Additional International University Partners - Cornell President David Skorton Discusses Plans For School and Mayor Bloomberg Talks New Industries

Image Of Cornell President Skorton and Proposed Roosevelt Island Campus via You Tube

The Cornell Daily Sun reports today:

Cornell plans to add between one and three international universities as partners to its recently approved New York City tech campus over the next five years, Provost Kent Fuchs said in an interview Friday.

Fuchs said the University hopes to attract at least one university from Europe and as many as two from Asia to bolster the international prestige of the new NYC “global institute,” which already includes the Technion – Israel Institute of Technology.

and:

... Although Cornell had not discussed adding international partners during the heated competition for the campus or at a public forum held Friday, Fuchs said the University and the Technion had always planned on doing so. He cited not wanting to “be flooded with other applications” as a reason for delaying the public search for the new partners.

“If I remember correctly, in the agreement with the Technion we talk about creating a global innovation institute and inviting other members,” Fuchs said. “When anyone asks us about this, we certainly tell them.”

Fuchs added that, although the international universities are not likely to shoulder the financial obligations of constructing the new campus, they will “certainly bring resources indirectly.”...

Click here for the entire Cornell Daily Sun article.

The New York Observer's Beta Beat wonders about the additional international partners and asks:

Ah, we see. It’s just that no one bothered to ask the right questions. Makes you wonder, what else should we be asking Cornell . . .

Ithaca TV staion WBNG reports on Cornell's Roosevelt Island NYC school:


and Cornell President David Skorton discusses the Roosevelt Island project during a January 28, 2012 speech in front of Cornell alumni.



Mr. Skorton's entire speech is here.

Also, Mayor Bloomberg recently responded to a tweet asking about new industries that will come from the Cornell Technion Roosevelt Island campus.

You Tube Video of Mayor Bloomberg on Cornell

Interesting times coming to Roosevelt Island.

Roosevelt Island High School Student Volunteer Helps Close The Technology Gap Across Generations - Teaches Email, Facebook, Twitter and Other Social Media Skills

 Image From NY Times

February 5 NY Times reports on a group of high school student volunteers teaching social media skills across the generations. One of those high school students was a Roosevelt Island resident. According to the NY Times:

Last month, in a computer lab at Baruch College in Manhattan, a group of high school students became teachers for a morning. Their pupils were adults hungry to learn about Gmail, YouTube, Twitter and Facebook.

“I’m going to get on Facebook,” Jeanne Pearson-Gray, 65, said excitedly as Mohamed Sall, 16, stood over her shoulder with his hand on the computer mouse. ...

... Mohamed, who lives on Roosevelt Island, was a volunteer, along with other members of the National Honor Society at his school, in a workshop called Closing the Technology Gap. It was organized in part by the Community Service Society of New York, one of the seven agencies supported by The New York Times Neediest Cases Fund. 

In sharing his Internet know-how, Mohamed said he understood that what might seem basic to him might be harder to grasp for someone who had not grown up with the technology....

Click here for the entire NY Times article.

The Roosevelt Island Public Library is also providing a free introduction to email on Friday, February 10 and introduction to Microsoft Word on Friday, February 17.