Roosevelt Island Residents Association (RIRA) Nominations Open For 2012-14 Common Council Delegates, Come Participate And Help Improve Your Community - Ellen Polivy Running For President and Jeff Escobar Vice President

Do you want to help improve life here on Roosevelt Island? Provide input on issues of importance to you and your neighbors such as Affordable Housing, Cornell NYC Tech development, Public Safety, Transportation (Red Bus,Tram, Bicycles, Ferries), Governance, Main Street Retail, Parks, Parking, Dogs and anything else you can think of?

If so, please consider representing your building area as a delegate to the Roosevelt Island Residents Association (RIRA) Common Council in the upcoming November 6, 2012 elections and lending your voice and expertise to these discussions.

 Panorama Image of October 2012 RIRA Common Council Meeting From Trevre Andrews (Click to enlarge)

More information on the RIRA Common Council and RIRA election process available at the RIRA web site.

Current RIRA Vice President Ellen Polivy and RIRA Common Council Member Jeff Escobar have announced their intent to run for RIRA President and Vice President respectively. Ms Polivy reports:

Dear neighbors,

On Wednesday night I put in bid for Presidency of the RIRA Common Council and Jeff Escobar stepped up to be Vice President. Both of us have full time careers. But we have big ideas and RIRA can be a huge undertaking.

If we all work together, we can improve our community in ways that can only happen in a small, defined community such as ours with strong channels of communications. Thanks to the WIRE, the blog, the kiosks and to the RIRA Common Council we are able to get the word out to the community rapidly. Each council member need only connect with his or her building residents with moderate consistency.

Remember how Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney saved our post office? She asked us to get 3000 signatures. It took us a long time to do that but we succeeded and she had the community backing to save our post office. Our elected officials, including our elected RIOC board members need the continued mass support of the community. This helps them justify fighting for us. And mass community support gives me legitimacy when advocating for us.

Jeff and my vision for this term is to have a cadre of 5000 residents who will quickly and consistently respond on many issues of importance to the to the island so that we have strength in numbers. With such a grass roots response, our residents can become an effective and powerful political force here on Roosevelt Island, in the City and in the State. To make this happen will take a concerted effort by all the Common Council Members. Jeff and I cannot do this alone. Will you join us on the Common Council to make history?

Jeff and I look forward to working with you in November.

Both Ms. Polivy and Mr. Escobar are members of Manhattan Community Board 8 and are leading efforts to establish the Roosevelt Island Community Coalition (RICC) to negotiate with Cornell NYC Tech on behalf of Roosevelt Island stakeholders.

Here's Ms. Polivy



and Mr. Escobar



speaking at the October 2 meeting of RICC.

Don't forget, your voice is needed as well. Please consider representing your building at RIRA.

Roosevelt Island Fall For Arts Festival Tomorrow At Soutpoint Park - Art, Food, Music And Lots Of Fun For All

Image From RIOC

Just a reminder that tomorrow is the Roosevelt Island Fall For Arts Festival. According to the Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC):

Come out and experience an alluring mix of music, art, great food and much more this Saturday at the 7th Annual Fall for Arts Festival from 11 AM to 4 PM at Southpoint Park.

The Park will be transformed into an outdoor art gallery, presenting various creations from local artists and by attendees creating some of their own works of art. There will also be roaming entertainment, a DJ, live Carribean Jazz & Funk Bands providing rhythmic sounds throughout the park. So join us for, full day of art and fun for all ages.

Here’s a sneak peek of the line up of SOME of the festivities:

Ongoing Activities From 11 AM to 4 PM

Materials for the Arts- Puppet and Mask Making
The School of Visual Arts- Hands-on Arts and Crafts Workshops, Tie Dying, Mask Making, Clay Sculpting, Beading, and Sidewalk Chalk Art

"Louie" Billingual Musical Storyteller- Interactive children's songs with instruments

RIVAA Gallery
11 AM- 4 PM- Free Art Instruction

R.I. Dayspring Church- Storytelling, Games and Painting
R.I. Day Nursery- Community Quilt and Painting

Music:
DJ "Crazy Doc" spinning from 11 AM - 3 PM (Entrance of Southpoint Park)
Carribean Jazz Band "Marvin Dolly Trinity Jazz Ensemble" Performing at 11 AM & 2 PM
Funk Band "Antwon Robinson & Black Soul" Performing at 1 PM & 3 PM

Soul Food- By Roosevelt Island Chef "Julie Palermo" aka Julie's Unique Cuisine

Murals painted by The Renaissance Art Club, the R.I. Senior Center, Guest Artist: Doron Lev & Members of the RIVAA Gallery and many more!

This is one festival you just cant miss!

This event is Sponsored by RIOC in partnership with the RIVAA Gallery

Sincerely,

Roosevelt Island Operating Corp Advisories Group

Here's a sneak peak at Julie's Unique Cuisine menu that will be available at the Roosevelt Island Fall For Arts Festival

Report From Acting RIOC President Don Lewis - Introduces Himself, Roosevelt Island Tram Ridership Soaring, Fall For Arts, And Run For Congo Women

 Image Of Acting RIOC President Don Lewis From RIOC

Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC) Acting President Don Lewis sends the following report to Roosevelt Island residents.

As the new Acting CEO and President of RIOC, I want to take this opportunity to reintroduce myself to the Roosevelt Island community. For the past year, I have served as RIOC's Vice President and General Counsel working on matters involving real estate transactions, preservation of affordable housing, labor and employment, Board resolutions, litigation, and have conferred with high level government officials concerning various issues related to the Island.

There is a wealth of excitement on the horizon for the Island, including the new retail shops coming to Main Street, the opening of Four Freedoms Park, and the construction of the Cornell/Technion campus. I look forward to continuing to work cohesively with the RIOC Board, RIOC staff and Island residents to develop and implement innovative strategies that will enhance our wonderful community.

Tram Ridership Continues to Soar

As we enter October, which is historically the busiest month for the Aerial Tramway, it is an opportune time to review current ridership numbers for 2012. Continuing a yearlong trend, the number of riders has soared this summer as compared to the previous summer; a total of 629,854 people rode the tram from June through August, which is a 12 percent increase from the same period a year ago. In addition, year-to-date ridership has increased to over 1.6 million riders from January through August, representing an average of 6,600 riders per day and a 20 percent increase from the same period in 2011.

We recently renovated the passenger waiting areas in both tram stations, and are committed to ensuring that the tram continues to offer an optimal urban transportation experience.

Fall for Arts Festival

RIOC’s annual Fall for Arts Festival has become an Island tradition that residents, as well as visitors, look forward to every year. This year the Festival will take place at Southpoint Park on Saturday, October 6, from 11:00 am to 4:00 pm, rain or shine. The Roosevelt Island Visual Art Association will offer free hands-on arts and crafts workshops for all ages, and we are thrilled that many local artists will be on hand to exhibit their work. Delicious food and drink will be available for purchase and there will be complimentary giveaways, entertainment and more. We look forward to seeing you at the Festival.

Run for Congo Women 5K

The Fifth Annual Run for Congo Women 5K scheduled for Saturday, October 6, will be a terrific opportunity to exercise and enjoy the Roosevelt Island scenery, while supporting a great cause. The course will track the perimeter of the Island and finish at Blackwell Park where food, drinks, gift bags, and music will await the participants. To date, entrants have raised over $33,000 in connection with Women for Women International’s efforts to help Congolese survivors of war and civil strife.

The run is scheduled to begin at the Firefighters’ Field at 9:00 am. If you want to join the hundreds of participants, please visit www.runforcongowomen.org or register on Saturday beginning at 8:30 am.

Update On Dangerous Fire Barrel Burning At Roosevelt Island Community Garden - RIOC Reports Barrel Removed And Garden Club Assures No Similar Incidents Will Happen Again

Reported September 17 of receiving a report:

... from a very concerned Roosevelt Island resident who spotted a a potentially dangerous fire burning from this barrel at the Roosevelt Island Garden Club...

Image Of Fire Barrel Burning At Roosevelt Island Community Garden

who observed:

... the fire was very tall under the trees, the barbecue propane tank was close by, a very dry field was located directly behind the fence, as the partially burned twigs fell to the ground....

Image of Flame Burning Near Trees From Roosevelt Island Community Garden Fire Barrel

That same day, I sent the following inquiry to former Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC) President Leslie Torres and Vice President of Operations Fernando Martinez:

I published post today about a potentially dangerous unattended fire barrel at the Roosevelt Island Community Garden.

Does RIOC have any comment.

During the past two weeks RIOC representatives advised that they were looking into the matter and yesterday  I received the following response from RIOC's Press Spokesperson:

RIOC has met with Ron Schuppert, President of the Roosevelt Island Garden Club, to discuss the recent incident in which a fire barrel was used to destroy debris. Mr. Schuppert agreed that it was an inappropriate action, and it created a potentially hazardous situation. Mr. Schuppert also indicated that the barrel has been removed from the site, and has assured RIOC that no similar incidents will happen. We appreciate the cooperation of Mr. Schuppert and the Garden Club.

More on the Roosevelt Island Community Garden Fire Barrel incident from this previous post.

Image of Burning Fire Barrel At Roosevelt Island Community Garden

Among the items on today's Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC) Real Estate Committee Agenda is:

... 2. Review of the Roosevelt Island Garden Club Permit Status;...

NYPD Roosevelt Island Community Officer Dino Sitaris Commended By Roosevelt Island Residents Association For His Service To The Community - RIRA Also Approves Motion Opposing Use Of Tasers By RIOC Public Safety Department

During last night's Common Council Meeting, the Roosevelt Island Residents Association (RIRA) approved the following motion by its Public Safety Committee commending NYPD Officer Dino Sitaris

 Image of Officer Sitaris At Farmers Market October 2011

 for his service to the Roosevelt Island community.

Commendation for Officer Sitaras:
The PSC would like to present a motion, requesting a vote of support from the RIRA Common Council to present the following commendation to Officer Sitaras. We are asking that the RIRA President write a letter to Deputy Inspector Cirabisi, presently the Deputy Inspector who oversees the 114th, informing him of the commendation, with Officer Sitaras cc’d on the letter.

It is with great pleasure that we award Office Sitaras this commendation for his service to the Roosevelt Island community. Officer Sitaras' enthusiastic approach to community policing and the excellent rapport that he has generated with the Island residents has been instrumental in providing a safe and secure environment on Roosevelt Island.

Here's what happened.



The RIRA Common Council also approved this motion by its Public Safety Committee opposing the arming of Roosevelt Island Public Safety Department, both officers and supervisors, with Tasers.

MOTION: The RIRA Common Council is opposed to arming Public Safety officers or supervisors with Tasers and recommends to the RIOC Board of Directors that they turn down this request.

Here's what happened:



More on the Roosevelt Island Taser issue from previous posts.

VERY IMPORTANT MEETING TONIGHT - Land Use Education Forum In Preparation For Cornell NYC Tech Campus On Roosevelt Island Held By Manhattan Borough President Scott Stringer

A reminder - according to Borough President Scott Stringer's office:

The purpose of the meeting is to provide an opportunity for Roosevelt Island and Community Board 8 community members to learn about the ULURP process and discuss best practices in community organizing around large-scale development projects. Residents will also have an opportunity to discuss questions and concerns about the Cornell project in particular.

The meeting will take place next Thursday, October 4th from 6:00-8:00pm at the Manhattan Park Theatre Club.

More here.

UPDATE 4 PM - During October 3 Roosevelt Island Residents Association Common Council meeting, Cornell NYC Tech Vice President provided an update, including important upcoming dates, on the project. Here's what happened.



UPDATE 10/5 - Will have more on the Land Use Forum in the next few days including video of the excellent presentation by Manhattan Borough President's Director of Land Use and Planning Brian Cook. In the meantime here's are slides from the Mr. Cook's presentation giving an overview of the NYC zoning and time line for ULURP process.

Roosevelt Island Community Space, Garden Club, Food Truck, Pier NYC Among the Items On Public Session of RIOC Real Estate Committee Meeting Tomorrow - Steam Plant, Southtown Ground Lease Extension And Cornell To Be Discussed In Executive Session

Roosevelt Island Food Trucks and Pier NYC From Above This Past Summer

According to the Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC):

PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that a meeting of the Real Estate Development Advisory Committee of the RIOC Board of Directors will be held on Friday, October 5, 2012 at 5:30 p.m. at the RIOC administrative office, 591 Main Street, Roosevelt Island, New York.

AGENDA

1. Discuss Availability of Additional Community Spaces;
2. Review of the Roosevelt Island Garden Club Permit Status;
3. Status Update on Food Concession Permits and Pier NYC;
4. Chair's Motion for Executive Session to Review and Discuss Negotiations Regarding:
a. Proposed Modifications to the Ground Lease for Southtown Buildings 7, 8;
b. Disposition of the Steam Plant; and
c. Open Issues Related to the Cornell NYC Project
5. Any Other Committee Business That May be Brought Before the Committee.

Sure would be nice to get Food Trucks back to Roosevelt Island on a regular basis.


The Eddies Pizza Truck from The Eddie's Pizza Truck on Vimeo.

Roosevelt Island Tram Passengers Packed Like Sardines Waiting For Next Tram During Rush Hour Yesterday

Roosevelt Island resident Trevre Andrews shares this photo of a crowded Roosevelt Island Tram Station with passengers packed together like sardines waiting for the next Tram during yesterday's rush hour at about 9 AM. (Click on the image to enlarge - was taken with new iOS 6 IPhone panorama app)

Image From Trevre Andrews

Reminds me a bit of waiting for the 4 train at 86th street during rush hour.

Also, received this advisory from the Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC) yesterday:

Please be advised Tram service will be disrupted tomorrow, October, 4th, from 1 PM to 2 PM due to the ongoing construction at the Tram station enclosure on the Roosevelt Island Platform.

Sincerely,

Roosevelt Island Operating Corp Advisories Group

RIOC Directors Select Donald Lewis As Acting RIOC President This Evening - Governance Committee Plans To Meet Next Week to Develop Executive Search Procedures For Permanent President

Earlier this evening, the Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC) Board of Directors selected current General Counsel Donald Lewis to be the Interim Acting RIOC President succeeding Leslie Torres who resigned for still unknown reasons.

Also,the RIOC Board announced that the Governance Committee will meet next week to develop procedures to conduct an executive search for a new President.

Here's what happened during the Public Session.



Prior to the start of the Public Session the RIOC Directors met for about 45 minutes in Executive Session.

UPDATE 10/4 - In response to a request for comment, Mr. Lewis writes:

I am very pleased that the RIOC Board of Directors has confirmed me as Acting CEO and President of the Corporation. Roosevelt Island is a wonderful, dynamic and fast expanding community with an extremely exciting future. I am thrilled to be an integral part of that future and will work diligently and collaboratively with the RIOC Board, RIOC staff and Island residents to develop and implement strategies to enhance our great Island.

New York State Inspector General Investigating Roosevelt Island (RIOC) Leadership and Management Structure Reports NY Post Today

Image From NY Inspector General

As previously reported, former Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC) President Leslie Torres resigned suddenly and without explanation on September 21. Later today, the RIOC Board of Directors will be meeting to select an interim President and to establish procedures for selecting a new permanent RIOC President.

What impact, if any, will a brief article in today's NY Post have on Roosevelt Island governance and the selection of a new RIOC President? According to the NY Post, the NY State Inspector General is investigating the "leadership and management structure" of Roosevelt Island and:

... Residents were unhappy with Leslie Torres, who was squeezed out as Roosevelt Island Operating Corp. president last month — but they’re also angry at Gov. Cuomo for what they see as strong-arming.

They fault Cuomo for installing Donald Lewis, the corporation’s relatively new general counsel, as interim president — and also for replacing a popular islander on the corporation board last year with Brooklynite Salvatore Ferrera....

Click here for the entire NY Post article.

Earlier today, I asked Interim RIOC President Don Lewis, RIOC Directors, NY State Assembly Member Micah Kellner and NY State Senator Jose Serrano for comment about the NY Post article. Have not received a response from any yet but will update if a response is received.

Roosevelt Island Residents Association Meeting Tonight, Last Meeting Before New RIRA Elections, Come Learn What Is Going On - Also, State Senator Jose Serrano Constituent Office Hours This Afternoon From 4 to 7 PM

Image of 2010-12 RIRA Common Council Delegates

The Roosevelt Island Residents Association (RIRA) will be meeting later today, 8 PM at the Good Shepherd Community Center (543 Main Street).

This will be the final meeting of the current RIRA Common Council Members elected in 2010 each serving a 2 year term and the last meeting as RIRA President for Matt Katz. If you are interested in serving on the RIRA Common Council starting in November 2012, click here for more information on the upcoming RIRA election.

As always, prior to the start of each monthly meeting there is a public session in which residents can come and address the Common Council Delegates on any issue of concern. Among tonight's Public Session speakers is Cathy Dove, Vice President of Cornell NYC Tech and resident Neil Stueber who was involved in a recent incident with the Public Safety Department.

Below is the October RIRA Agenda:

AGENDA

Date: Wednesday, October 3, 2012
Time: 8:00 P.M. - Finish
Place: Chapel of the Good Shepherd, 543 Main Street

(If convenient, would you please arrive 10 minutes in advance to help set up chairs, or stay 10 minutes late to help clean up? We are guests in the building and
need to be good neighbors. Thanks in advance!)

1. Public Session (8:00)
Cathy Dove–Vice President, Cornell University
Neal Stueber
2. Roll Call (8:20)
X 3. Approval of Agenda (8:25)
X 4. Approval of Minutes– September 5, 2012 (8:30)
5. Treasurer’s Report (8:35)
6. President's Report (8:40)
7. Committees (8:55)
Government Relations
- Reports on Elections
Housing
Constitution
Island Services
- Main Street Retail sub-committee
Public Safety
X Resolution
Social, Cultural and Educational Services
Communications
Planning
- Silicon Island sub-committee
8. Old Business (9:55)
9. New Business 10:00)
A. Hamburger - procedures
10. Adjourn

X Agenda items requiring action

Also, Roosevelt Island State Senator Jose Serrano's staff will be holding their monthly constituent office hours today.

Serrano Roosevelt Island Constituent Hours*

Wednesday, October 3, 2012

4:00 p.m.-7:00 p.m.

591 Main Street

Roosevelt Island, NY 10044

Meet with Senator Serrano's staff to discuss any concerns or suggestions you may have to improve your community.

If you have any questions please do not hesitate to contact our office at (212) 828-5829. We look forward to meeting with you!

*Constituent Services are also available Monday through Friday, 9am-5pm, in Senator Serrano's District Office at 157 East 104th Street.

NYPD Canine Unit Agility Course Permit For Roosevelt Island Southtown Lot Extended For 3 Years Or Until RIOC Decides It Needs The Area

During September 20 meeting, the Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC) Board of Directors approved a 3 year permit extension for the NYPD Canine Unit to continue to use the Southtown Lot pictured below

Image of Roosevelt Island Southtown Lot Used As NYPD Canine Unit Agility Course

as an Agility and Training Course.

The Southtown lot being used for the NYPD Canine Agility Course and surrounding areas are part of the future site for Riverwalk Buildings 7-9.

Image of Canine Agility Course and Future Site Fore Riverwalk Buildings 7-9

The NYPD Canine Agility Permit can be cancelled if RIOC decides it needs the area for its own purposes.

RIOC Vice President of Operations Fernando Martinez explains permit approval resolution to the the RIOC Directors during September 20 RIOC Board Meeting.



More information on the NYPD Canine Unit from previous posts.

Who Will Be New Roosevelt Island Operating Corp Acting/Permanent President and Why Did Former RIOC President Resign? RIOC Board Of Directors Meeting Tomorrow To Discuss, Again

 RIOC Directors and Staff At September 24 Governance Committee Meeting

The Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC) Board of Directors will meet tomorrow to discuss the appointment of an interim President to replace former RIOC President Leslie Torres who resigned for still unknown reasons on September 21. Also to be discussed by the RIOC Directors will be the establishment of an executive search process to select a permanent RIOC President.

As previously reported, during the September 24 RIOC Governance Committee meeting:

... the RIOC Directors announced that General Counsel Donald Lewis will be the Interim RIOC President/CEO until an Emergency RIOC Board of Directors meeting is held which is scheduled for next Wednesday October 3. At that full RIOC Board meeting, an Acting President/CEO will be named by the RIOC Directors and procedures will be announced for conducting a job search for a new RIOC President....

The full web cast of the public portion of September 24 Governance Committee meeting is below. Prior to the public portion of the meeting, the RIOC Governance committee met in Executive Session without the public or press present. During the Executive Session, after discussions among themselves, the RIOC Board Governance Committee met individually with RIOC General Counsel Donald Lewis, RIOC Vice President of Operations Fernando Martinez and RIOC Chief Financial Officer Steve Chironis.



Reliable sources report that Mr. Lewis, Mr. Martinez and Mr. Chironis are the most likely candidates for interim RIOC President (Biographies of each are available at the RIOC web site). Both Mr. Martinez (joined RIOC in 2007) and Mr. Chironis (joined RIOC in 2008) have much more experience working at RIOC and on Roosevelt Island issues than Mr. Lewis (joined RIOC 2011) though Mr. Lewis is reportedly favored by the Governor and/or the Governor's Office for the position of Interim RIOC President and perhaps even the permanent President.

The last two times an interim RIOC President was selected following the departure of a RIOC President, the Chief Financial Officer was selected for the temporary position - Steve Chironis following  RIOC President Steve Shane in 2010 and Patrick Siconolfi following RIOC President Robert Ryan in 2003.

Below is the Agenda for tomorrow's RIOC Board of Directors Meeting

AGENDA

OCTOBER 3, 2012
MEETING OF THE ROOSEVELT ISLAND OPERATING CORPORATION
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
THE MANHATTAN PARK COMMUNITY CENTER,
8 RIVER ROAD, ROOSEVELT ISLAND, NEW YORK,
5:30 P.M.

I. Call to Order
II. Roll Call
III. Old Business
IV. New Business
1. Chair�s Motion for Executive Session to Review and Discuss Personnel Matters; and
2. Any Other Business Which may be Brought Before the Board of Directors.
V. Adjournment 

Questions remaining to be answered include:

• How much of the RIOC Board discussion will be conducted in public,
• What will be said in secret, 
• Why did former RIOC President Leslie Torres resign and
• Will the RIOC Board make an independent decision to hire the next President after a professional executive search is conducted or 
• Will the Governor and/or his office ("The Second Floor) force the appointment of a political crony/patron.

Interesting times for Roosevelt Island.

UDPATE - 10/4 - RIOC Board selects Don Lewis as the Acting President and will conduct an Executive Search for a permanent President. More here.

FDR Hope Memorial Sculpture Depicting President Franklin D Roosevelt As A Disabled Person Moving Forward At Southpoint Park Roosevelt Island - Rehearsal Mock Up Presented To Committee Last Saturday

Image Of FDR Hope Memorial Mock Up At Southpoint Park

Reported previously on efforts by the FDR Hope Memorial Committee to:

... celebrate President Franklin D. Roosevelt as the inspiration for all who strive to overcome challenges. According to the memorial’s mission statement, “Roosevelt Island was so named to reflect a commitment to an integrated community where the disabled move freely, live independently and develop to their fullest potential. The FDR Hope Memorial will educate future generations about FDR and about Roosevelt Island, a vital community of ‘enabled’ residents.”...

and:

... A sculpture of President Franklin D. Roosevelt seated in a wheelchair, interacting with a disabled child, is planned for Roosevelt Island in New York City. The FDR Hope Memorial will be located at Southpoint Park, just south of the hospital where survivors of polio, the disease that disabled Roosevelt, benefited from the pioneering use of ventilators that freed them from the constraints of “iron lungs.”...

Last Saturday, sculptor Meredith Bergmann presented a rehearsal mock up of the FDR Hope Memorial

Image of FDR Hope Memorial Rehearsal Mock Up At Southpoint Park

to FDR Hope Memorial Committee members.

Here's a brief interview with Ms. Bergmann as well as Jim Bates, President of the Roosevelt Island Disabled Association and Chairperson of the FDR Hope Memorial Committee.

You Tube Video of FDR Hope Memorial Rehearsal Mock Up Interview

As Committee members were looking at the rehearsal mock up of the sculpture, a number of visitors to Southoint Park stopped by to find out what was going on and to ask questions. Some of the visitors did not know that FDR was a disabled person, demonstrating the importance and need for this FDR Memorial.

More information available at the FDR Hope Memorial web site and the history of the project from these previous posts.

Blast From The Past - Q, B and F Trains Stopped At Roosevelt Island Subway Station Before Southtown Built

Image From You Tube

Don't know what year this video was taken, but if you follow the subway rider all the way up from the Roosevelt Island subway station platform to the street you will discover that at one time the Q, B and F trains all stopped here. Also, notice no Southtown Riverwalk buildings but a building just north of the subway where the Starbucks is currently located.

You Tube Video of Roosevelt Island Tram Station Before Southtown

Anybody know what that building was?

Live Video Streaming Of Roosevelt Island Youth Program Soccer League - With Play By Play Announcing Of The Action

Image From RIYP

The Roosevelt Island Youth Program (RIYP) Soccer League is getting all high tech with live streaming video of their matches.  If you can't make it to the Octagon Soccer field to watch the exciting action, watch it live on your computer or at the Riverwalk Bar and Nonno's.

There's also play by play announcing of all the action.

Here's what happened during one of yesterday's RIYP soccer matches.



Video streaming by Ustream