Oz The Great And Powerful Actress Joey King Visits Roosevelt Island - No Yellow Brick Road Here But Ms. King Says Main Street Sweets Ice Cream Is The BEST

Actress Joey King visited Roosevelt Island's Coach Scot's Main Street Sweets yesterday

 Roosevelt Island Coach Scot's Main Street Sweets

 and liked it alot. Ms. King tweets

The BEST ice cream & treats around!! "Main Street Sweets" on Roosevelt Island!lockerz.com/s/287159718
— Joey King (@JoeyKingActress) March 15, 2013

Among Ms. King's films are Oz The Great And Powerful and The Dark Knight. She talks about her recent role in Oz and plans for her future career below.



Ms. King is right about the ice cream at Coach Scot's Main Street Sweets. It is good.

Here We Go Again, No Roosevelt Island F Train Service From Manhattan This Weekend - Starts Friday 9:45 PM

According to the MTA:

F Jamaica-bound trains run via the M from 47-50 Sts to Roosevelt Av

Weekend, 9:45 PM Fri to 5 AM Mon, Mar 15 - 18

Trains run express from Queens Plaza to Roosevelt Av.

No Jamaica-bound service at 57 St, Lexington Av/63 St, Roosevelt Island and 21 St-Queensbridge.

More information on subway service disruptions this weekend from the MTA's Weekender.

No word from RIOC if additional Tram service will be made available.

Roosevelt Island Southtown Riverwalk Building 7 Construction Starting In June, New Tot Lot To Be Built On Nearby Blackwell Park Lawn - Ground Lease Payment For Building 7 Reduced From $32 To 28 Million

Hudson Related will start construction of Southtown Riverwalk Building 7 in June

Site Of New Southtown Building 7 Covers Northern Section Of Area By Shed/Tot Lot

which will require the removal of the existing children's Tot Lot.

The Southtown Tot Lot is used extensively by area parents who have been concerned about its future. During March 12 Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC) Real Estate Advisory Committee meeting (audio web cast here) Hudson Related representative Sara Willard sought permission from the RIOC Directors to move the existing Tot Lot a few yards east and north to a shady area on the Blackwell Park Lawn.

New Site Of Tot Lot In Blackwell Park

Ms Willard explained Hudson Related's plan for a new, slightly larger, Tot Lot open and available for use before construction of Building 7 begins and the closing of the existing Tot Lot.

The plan was approved by the RIOC Directors.

Ms. Willard noted that the Southtown Dog Run will not be re-located during construction of building 7.

Here's the discussion about moving the Tot Lot.



Also, the Southtown Building 7-9 Ground Lease amendment with Hudson Related was approved during the February 28 RIOC Board of Directors meeting. According to RIOC CFO Steve Chironis the ground lease payment from Hudson Related to RIOC  for building 7 was reduced from $32 million to $28 million. The terms for buildings 8-9 remained the same.

Here's video of Mr. Chironis explaining the Ground Lease amendment to the RIOC Board.

Help Fight Cancer While Having Fun With the Roosevelt Island Relay For Life - Come Learn More Saturday March 16 At Riverwalk Bar & Grill

 Image From Roosevelt Island Relay For Life

Reported last September that:

The American Cancer Society (ACS) is inviting Roosevelt Island residents to organize and participate in a Relay For Life on Roosevelt Island.

and:

A Relay For Life is:

• Organized, overnight community fundraising walk
• Teams of people camp out around a track
• Members of each team take turns walking around the track
• Food, games and activities provide entertainment and build camraderie
• Family-friendly environment for the entire community

Because it’s a team event, individual participants are not required to be there the entire time. But it's so much fun, you'll find it hard to leave!

To date, 6 teams and 12 participants have joined the Roosevelt Island Relay For Life which is scheduled for June 15. If you would like to join or learn more about the Relay For Life, the Roosevelt Island planning committee is holding an "open house" at the Riverwalk Bar & Grill on Saturday, March 16 from 4-7 PM. All are invited.

Here's more on the American Cancer Society's Relay For Life.

Anyone See The East River Dolphin From Roosevelt Island?

Image From Yana Paskova for The New York Times

DNA Info reports:

A dolphin was spotted swimming in the East River Wednesday morning.
The dolphin was spotted swimming in large circles reaching from East 96th Street up to East 106th Street at 11:45 a.m., drawing a large crowd of gawkers and officials.

The NY Times adds:

... the dolphin would swim in one direction for a couple of minutes, then turn around and swim back, remaining in the area roughly bounded by the East 90s of Manhattan, Randalls Island and the end of Astoria Boulevard in Queens....

From the Roosevelt Island Twitterverse:

This is a picture of the dolphin in the East River, that's Queens and Roosevelt Island in the background twitter.com/benhjacobs/sta…
— Ben Jacobs (@benhjacobs) March 13, 2013

More pictures of the East River Dolphin from The NY Daily News.

Chrysler Building View From Roosevelt Island And Rarely Seen Hidden Cities View Inside Chrysler Building Spire

We have a great view of the Chrysler Building from a distance on Roosevelt Island

whenever we want but how many times can you get a view inside the Chrysler Building's spire? The answer is never - until now. According to Curbed:

"Urban explorer" Moses Gates took Opie of radio duo Opie and Anthony on a harrowing trek many have dared to imagine but few have had the chutzpah to undertake—they climbed to the very tippy top of the Chrysler Building...

More on Hidden Cities from urban explorer Moses Gates:



Is there any "hidden Roosevelt Island"? I always wanted to go to the top of the Roosevelt Island Lighthouse. How about you?

Sponsored Post - New Roosevelt Island Gristedes Cafe, Eat In Or Take Out.... Prepared Fresh Daily - Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Buffet, Pizza Parlor, Ice Cream & More

From the Roosevelt Island Gristedes:

Free High School SAT and Middle School SHSAT Prep Classes Offered By Roosevelt Island Youth Program/Beacon Starting Monday March 18 - Test Your Math Skills With The Khan Academy Too

Are you preparing for the upcoming SAT or SHAT Tests? Do you know someone who is? If so, take advantage of the preparation classes offered by Roosevelt Island Youth Program/Beacon (RIYP) starting next week. According to RIYP:

Classes Starting March 18th -- Sign up at PS/IS 217 Beacon Desk

Sign up for Middle School SHSAT Prep classes:

Mondays - with Mr. Bhai 6th Grade Math 4:30-6pm

Tuesdays - with Ms Tang 7th Grade Math 4:30 -5:30

Thursday - Ms Sanchez 6th and 7th Grade ELA 3:00-4:00

High School SAT Prep

Monday and Thursday - with Ms Sanchez High School Reading and Writing 4:30-6pm

Saturday - with Ms Tang High School Math 12pm-3pm

More information on RIYP SAT and SHAT Prep Classes available at 212-527-2505 or info@rooseveltislandyouthprogram.com

For additional SAT help, check out the online Khan Academy. Here is a SAT Preparation Class for math. Even if you are not taking the SAT, you might find some of these math problems fun. Maybe.

Roosevelt Island's Riverwalk Bar & Grill Chef Ally Gangeri Profiled - Get Up To Half Off Coupon For Her Restaurant Too

Fameology profiled Roosevelt Island Riverwalk Bar & Grill and Ally Cakes Chef Ally Gangeri yesterday in an article titled :

A “Sweet Genius” on Roosevelt Island

According to Fameology:

Chef Alyssa Gangeri is used to offbeat requests from customers through her specialty business, “Ally Cakes.” She has made custom confections in the shapes of guitars, basketballs, and even boxing gloves. While there’s an occasional special request for a unique filling or icing, most are the usual chocolate and vanilla. But when one “customer” requested duck fat as a mandatory ingredient, Gangeri was thrown off.

Duck fat was one of the required ingredients during Gangeri’s stint as a contestant on the first season of the Food Network reality show “Sweet Genius.”...

and:

... Gangeri, 28, is the type of woman who reaches to shake your hand while she’s still ten feet away. She is the Executive Chef at the River Walk Bar and Grill on Roosevelt Island. She opened the casual restaurant with her boyfriend in 2009. She also continues to runs her own custom cake business, Ally Cakes, and consults for a hotel in Florida....

Click here for the entire Fameology article and Ms. Gangeri introduces herself here on Sweet Genius.



Find out how she did on the show. The full Sweet Genius episode is here.

Riverwalk Bar & Grill is currently running a Groupon half price deal:

Riverwalk Bar & Grill – Roosevelt Island
American Meal for Two or Four (Up to 58% Off)
... Choose Between Two Options

$24 for an American meal for two (up to a $56.85 total value)
One appetizer (up to a $10.95 value)
Two entrees (up to a $16.95 value each)
Two drinks (up to a $6 value each)

$48 for an American meal for four (up to a $113.70 total value)
Two appetizers (up to a $10.95 value each)
Four entrees (up to an $16.95 value each)
Four drinks (up to a $6 value each)...

More information available here.

Interesting article from Techcrunch on the business model for restaurants using Groupon coupons. Are Groupon coupon buyers existing customers looking for a discount or will the discount draw in new customers who will become regulars?

The Street TV's Jim Cramer does not think much of Groupon's business model.

RIRA Rep Seeks Answers To Manhattan Park Electricity Submetering - As A Result, Building Management Invites Rep To End Leasehold, They Don't Want Unhappy Tenants

Understanding Your Con Ed Electricity Bill from NY Times

Roosevelt Island Residents Association (RIRA) Manhattan Park Common Council Member Mark Lyon reports:

Manhattan Park and several other Roosevelt Island housing developments submeter electricity instead of allowing residents to purchase their electrical service directly from Con Edison.  While controversial, the NY Public Service Commission has strongly pushed submetering as an environmentally friendly measure that provides incentives for conservation and which also has the potential to offer electrical service at a lower rate than direct metering.

Unfortunately, efforts at submetering have neglected to consider a number of issues including the loss of incentives for landlords to provide energy efficient structures and appliances and the risk that some landlords may not be well suited to also performing the duties of a utility provider.  Coupled with the regrettable decisions of RIOC and its predecessor organizations in failing to require developers to make use of the existing island steam plant for effective, low-cost district heating, Roosevelt Islanders find themselves, in many cases, paying significant sums for electric heat to keep their apartments at a comfortable temperature during cold weather.

In December, the PSC adopted new rules for submetering. After reviewing these new rules, I thought it prudent, as a member of RIRA, to evaluate the impact of these changes on my electrical service and at similar submetered buildings on the Island. To legally submeter electrical service, individual PSC orders granting such authority to each development are required. As an initial step, I sought out the approved orders for all Roosevelt Island buildings.  I was able to easily locate the orders for The Octagon and Roosevelt Landings, but not for Manhattan Park.  When I submitted a records request, the PSC indicated that no such order could be found.

I reached out to the Manhattan Park management office, but received no response to my request for evidence of their approved submetering order.  As a result, I registered a complaint with the Secretary of the PSC, expressing my concern over the lack of an accessible copy of the order and also pointed out several issues with the way submetering is handled at the complex.  Many of the concerns I outlined have been shared with me by numerous other residents and affect everyone.  Fearing retaliation, however, few are willing to approach the management office with their concerns.

Manhattan Park responded by sending documents they claim indicate their approval to submeter and ignoring the other complaints.  In their response, they note that I am a “market rate tenant” with “market rate electrical consuming devices, the use of which [I] should pay for.” My complaints, however, are not about receiving free electricity. Instead, they are about ensuring management operates in accordance with the rules, laws and protections afforded to utility customers. Manhattan Park then invited me to end my tenancy (even though I have a year remaining in my lease) because they “prefer to have tenants who are not unhappy with their leasehold.”  I visited the management office and requested the attachments (which they intentionally omitted from my copy of the response), but the request was refused; I was instructed to contact the PSC for copies.

Finding this response more than a bit odd, I contacted the PSC to request copies of the attachments and to reiterate my concerns with the handling of submetering at Manhattan Park.  Those attachments have not yet been provided.  Even if the attachments to the letter demonstrated proper authority to provide submetering, there are still concerns to be addressed.  These include:

* Potentially charging more for electrical service than would otherwise be charged if tenants received directly metered service (violating the PSC's "rate cap" applied to most submetered service).

* Requiring a utility deposit before providing service (generally, utility deposits are allowed only in circumstances where a customer has a track record of missing payments).

* Failing to provide utility bills in a clear and understandable form.  Currently, the utility charges are added as a line item on our rent statements, showing a total kWh usage only.  PSC rules require additional information, including present and previous meter readings, on bills.

* Requiring excessive late fees.

* Delivering combined rent and utility bills on or after the due date.

* Failing to provide yearly Home Energy Fair Practices Act notices.

Two of the most critical issues with utility billing at Manhattan Park are the late distribution of bills and the lack of information about the service provided. Without access to the meters, historical readings or to the rates that will be charged, residents have no way to measure their electrical usage and anticipate the charges that might appear on their next bill.  Giving residents precious little time to pay before imposing late charges, while simultaneously providing almost no transparency creates a situation in which tenants can be easily abused.

The Public Service Commission is currently investigating these complaints.  Other complaints regarding overcharging, cross-wiring (where the power that you pay for is used for things outside your apartment like hallway lights or ventilation fans), billing practices (including threats of eviction or excessive late fees) or any other issues can be reported to the PSC online, by phone or by mail.  If others are experiencing issues with their submetered electrical service, I urge them to contact the PSC.

I asked Manhattan Park management if they wish to comment on the matter. They have not replied but will update if they do comment.

Don't Worry If You See FDNY Climbing On Top Of And Repelling Down From Roosevelt Island Tram Today - FDNY Conducting Tram Rescue Drill Today and Every Wednesday For Next 7 Weeks

 Image of FDNY Tram Rescue Drill From You Tube

According to the Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC):

Please be advised the New York City Fire Department (FDNY) will be conducting training sessions on one Tramway cabin every Wednesday for the next 7 weeks beginning March 13th to Wednesday, April 24th from 10 AM to 2 PM.

As part of the training exercise, FDNY members may climb on top of a suspended Tram, and/or repel down from the Tram.

Tram service will not be affected.

Sincerely,

Roosevelt Island Operating Corp Advisories Group

Here's a FDNY Roosevelt Island Tram Rescue Drill from July 2011.



and a recent NYPD Tram rescue drill.

In response to a 2011 inquiry I made asking why NYPD and FDNY do not appear to have joint Tram Rescue Drills, former RIOC Vice President Of Operations Fernando Martinez replied:

RIOC has an MOU with NYPD, FDNY, and OEM. The MOU establishes a "Joint Command" for Tram exercises, including emergency evacuation procedures. The exercises are typically held in the Spring and Fall. In the event of an actual emergency, the Joint Command will be implemented. The NYPD and FDNY have individually requested additional practices in order to become more familiar with the Tram and utilize new equipment.

Last month, the NYPD and FDNY rescued an injured Tram worker from the top of Tram cabin.

Passenger Staying In Shape While Riding Roosevelt Island Tram

From the Roosevelt Island Twitterverse:

Oh you know...Just workin' on my fitness in the Roosevelt Island Tram 😁 @ Roosevelt Island Tram instagr.am/p/Wrb6-soBiI/
— Karen Zavack (@KarenZavack) March 10, 2013

RIOC Real Estate Committee Hearing Presentation On Roosevelt Island Ferry Dock Today - Proposed Site Far Away From Residential Population At FDR Four Freedoms Park

RIOC Officials At Oil Dock in November 2009 Watching NY Water Taxi Ferry Boat Go By

The Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC) Real Estate Advisory Committee is meeting later this afternoon. According to RIOC:

PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that a meeting of the Real Estate Development Advisory Committee of the RIOC Board of Directors will be held on Tuesday, March 12, 2013 at 5:30 p.m. at the RIOC administrative office, 591 Main Street, Roosevelt Island, New York.

Amended Agenda:

1. Presentation of Proposed Pilot Ferry and Dock Near Four Freedoms Park
2. Review Anticipated Impacts of Southtown Building #7 Construction:
      a) Removal and Replacement of Certain Trees, and
      b) Relocation of the "Tot-lot" Playground.
3. Any Other Committee Business That May be Brought Before the Committee

An audio web cast of the Operations Advisory Committee will be available soon after the meeting.

The November 15, 2012 RIOC Operations Committee meeting heard a presentation from Ocean and Coastal Consultants evaluating the best locations for a Roosevelt Island Ferry dock. The locations considered were the Oil Dock on the East Channel under the Queensboro Bridge, the Observation/Subway Pier on the West Channel, near the Octagon building on the West Channel and Southpoint Park on the East Channel (near FDR Park).

Ocean and Coastal Consultants concluded the optimum ferry location for Roosevelt Island was either the Observation/Subway Pier or the Oil Dock. They also noted that the most likely route for a Roosevelt Island Ferry was as a shuttle back and forth to Manhattan's 34th Street dock. The RIOC Directors ended the discussion seeking an analysis of the costs and potential funders of a Roosevelt Island ferry dock as well as a determination if ferry service on the proposed shuttle route back and forth to 34th Street is wanted by residents.

Here's the ferry discussion from November 2012 RIOC Operations Committee.



More on Roosevelt Island Ferry service from previous post and first posts on ferry service in 2007 here, here and here.

Roosevelt Island Tram Red Bus Stop Temporarily Relocating Tomorrow Thru Friday For Emergency Repair Work Advises RIOC

Received the following advisory form the Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC) today:

Please be advised emergency repair work will begin near the Tram turnaround, tomorrow morning March 12th and will conclude on Friday, March 15th. During this time, the Red Bus stops located near the Tram will be temporary relocated away from their current locations. Personnel will be at the site to inform and guide pedestrians and commuters. Motorists are advised to drive carefully and follow the cones when approaching the realigned road.

Sincerely,

Roosevelt Island Operating Corp Advisories Group

Goldwater Hospital Walls Tell Their Story With Help From Roosevelt Island Historical Society President Judy Berdy During Talk Tomorrow At Public Library - What Will Happen To The Displaced Patients?

Roosevelt Island Historical Society (RIHS) President Judy Berdy will be giving a talk on the history of Goldwater Hospital

tomorrow 6:30 PM at the Roosevelt Island Public Library.  According to the RIHS:

IF THE WALLS OF GOLDWATER HOSPITAL COULD TALK

Seemingly a fortress, Goldwater's fierce exterior belies its history as a center of innovation. Historian Judith Berdy will recount little-known aspects of Goldwater Hospital's past, such as several notable experiments in medical care and the integration of the disabled in a residential setting, in a lecture sponsored by the Roosevelt Island Historical Society, of which she is President, at the New York Public Library Branch on Roosevelt Island, on Tuesday, March 12, at 6:30 p.m.

Even in its architectural design, Goldwater is notable for its open and airy layout, incorporating community space with individual patient rooms for its long-term residents. In the 1930s, several recreational rooms were painted by artists through a program sponsored by the Works Progress Administration. Sadly, three of the four murals were painted over and it is hoped that Cornell University will remove and restore them. The fourth mural has been restored and is visible today.

In addition to serving as a home to more than 1,000 residents, Goldwater has also gained cinematic fame as the setting for numerous films. The Exorcist, Cold Souls and the remake of Arthur were all set at the hospital.

The lecture is both a celebration of Goldwater Hospital, which has led the way in treatment of patients with tuberculosis, polio, AIDS, and other long-term chronic diseases, plus a farewell. The hospital is scheduled to close in December 2013.

The event is FREE and open to the public. It is the second in a series of spring lectures sponsored by the Roosevelt Island Historical Society.

More information on the WPA Mural program at Goldwater available

Abstraction by Ilya Bolotowsky* WPA Mural Restored at Goldwater Hospital - Image from RIHS

at American Abstract Artists:

The WPA/FAP hired Ilya Bolotowsky to create a mural, Abstraction 1941, for the Day Room of the Hospital for Chronic Diseases on Welfare Island in New York City. The hospital was later renamed Goldwater Memorial Hospital, and is now called Coler-Goldwater Specialty Hospital and Nursing Facility, on what is now Roosevelt Island. Ilya Bolotowsky’s mural fell victim to neglect and was painted over in the 1950s....

The Ilya Bolotowsky Mural at Goldwater Hospital has been restored.

Goldwater Hospital is scheduled to close in December 2013 to make way for the new Cornell NYC Tech Applied Sciences and Engineering School. As previously reported:

... the closing of Goldwater Hospital was planned for a long time and had nothing to do with the NYC Applied Sciences and Engineering School being located on Roosevelt Island....

Gothamist has more on the Goldwater patients being displaced by the closing of the hospital and what is happening to them.

 Image From Daniel Tepper via Gothamist

According to Gothamist:

... Most patients at the facility have no income and are supported through Medicaid. They have no say in their future and there is little else they can do but wait to be relocated. "Some of the patients will end up at a new facility in Harlem, some may end up at Coler," Hernández, the hospital spokeswoman said. "We have staff who are working with the individual patients to make sure that people end up in a placement that's appropriate for them…the process is ongoing." The new $285 million, 365-bed facility in Harlem, named the Henry J. Carter Campus, will be located in two separate buildings and is set to open by the end of the year. "The residents will be provided with orientation to the new facility and to the new community they'll be joining," Hernández said. "Our patients have been well cared for in Roosevelt Island and they'll be well cared for in Harlem."...

Click here for the entire Gothamist article.

Body Cameras For Roosevelt Island Public Safety Officers On Agenda For RIOC Operations Committee Meeting Today - Are Body Cameras A Good Idea?

The Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC) Operations Advisory Committee is meeting later today. The sole Agenda Item is a presentation on the use of body cameras for Public Safety Officers. According to RIOC

PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that a meeting of the Operations Advisory Committee of the RIOC Board of Directors will be held on Monday, March 11, 2013 at 4:30 p.m. at the RIOC administrative office, 591 Main Street, Roosevelt Island, New York.

Agenda:

1. Presentation from TASER on Axon Flex Body Cameras

***
The Open Meetings Law of the State of New York requires that all public bodies conduct meetings, convened for the purpose of officially conducting public business, in a manner open to attendance by the general public to observe and listen.

More on the use of body cameras by Modesto California police officers in this video.



WNYC reported on the proposed use of body cameras by the Roosevelt Island Public Safety Department:

Roosevelt Island is planning to put body-mounted cameras on their public safety officers.

This follows an incident in January in which a 20-year-old man was allegedly beaten by the officers, and years of what residents say is excessive use of force by their public safety department....

and:

... But Eugene O’Donnell, a professor of police studies at John Jay College, says that what works for some police departments might not be the right solution for Roosevelt Island.

“Probably the only thing you’d be offering with a camera is a chance to stop gross abuses and misconduct rather than creating a culture where courtesy and service and professionalism were at the center of what was going on,” said O’Donnell. “So it’s sort of...in my view, the backward approach to a problem.”

O'Donnell says recruitment, training and oversight are the first things that need to be addressed for Roosevelt Island’s Public Safety Department....

Click here for the entire WNYC article and listen to report below.



More on Public Safety body cameras and brutality allegations from previous posts.

An audio web cast of the Operations Committee meeting will be available soon thereafter.

Following the Operations Committee meeting, the RIOC Audit Committee will meet. According to RIOC:

PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that a meeting of the Audit Committee of the RIOC Board of Directors will be held on Monday, March 11, 2013 at 5:30 p.m. at the RIOC administrative office, 591 Main Street, Roosevelt Island, New York.

AGENDA

1. Discuss Development of a Written Policy Governing the use of RIOC's Discretionary Funds
2. Any Other Committee Business Which May be Brought Before the Committee

An audio web cast of the Audit Committee meeting will be available soon thereafter.

UPDATE 9:30 PM -  According to Taser:

Testimony is Interesting. Video is Compelling.

Improves behavior of all parties during police interactions.

Reduces false complaints and lawsuits by accurately capturing video from the officer’s perspective.

Saves time and increases efficiency – officers spend more time on patrol with automated workflows that reduce administrative workload.

Pre-event video buffer yields the greatest reduction in complaints and lawsuits when actions leading up to the incidents are recorded.

Low light recording best shows what the human eye actually sees.

Enhances public trust and creates safer communities at a lower cost.

Below is the Roosevelt Island Body Camera presentation by Taser's Josh Isner to RIOC Operations Advisory Committee earlier today.

Part 1



and Part 2.

Report From RIRA President Ellen Polivy - Roosevelt Island Easter Egg Hunt, Cherry Blossom Festival, Gristedes Renovation, Gardening, Motorgate Mural Art, Cornell Barging, Public Safety & More

Gallery RIVAA Fall For Arts Murals in Motorgate Garage

Roosevelt Island Residents Association (RIRA) President Ellen Polivy sends the following Report To The Community:

Roosevelt Island is bustling with activity right now.

We are seeing some exciting new changes, from wonderful Sunday night music at Gallery RIVAA to their RIOC-RIVAA cosponsored classical music and Art in the Motorgate lobby.

I am thrilled with the Gristedes renovation. The store is clean and bright. I enjoyed seeing the new merchandising with lots of specialty items, interesting gift and housewares items and the specialty foods isles separated for ease. I think the changes are positive. I hope the high prices and the old practice of selling outdated items also get reconsidered.

RIRA Social Cultural and Educational committee planning a host of events. Saturday, March 30 ushers back our Easter Egg Hunt

After many years we have decided to revive the much loved Easter Egg hunt with an exciting day planned for ages one through twelve.

From 10:00am-12:00pm the Easter Bunny and bonnet making will be at Manhattan Park as well as an Easter egg hunt for the youngsters in the Manhattan Park green space.

Later from 2pm-4pm the older children from ages 6 to 12 will be at Firefighter's for Field Games and egg hunting with prizes in the eggs. You will find at both the Easter Bunny and our fundraising raffle that includes Gift Certificates to Eiji’s Salon on Madison Ave., gift certificate for Photographer Rachel, (her work is amazing), Starbucks basket as well as many more wonderful gift certificate from our wonderful local restaurants and prizes.

TO REGISTER YOUR CHILDREN toddler to 12 years, ON LINE PLEASE GO TO
http://go.riraonline.com/easteregg
or FAX to
212-537-6685
or leave your form in box at
PSIS 217

There are volunteer opportunities Saturday, March 23 from 9:00am-3:00pm at 4 River Road Community Room. We will be stuffing Eggs. We also need volunteers for Saturday, March 30th Easter Egg Hunt 9:00am - 5:00pm. You can come for an hour or two if you can't commit to the whole day. Contact us at sceeasteregg@riraonline.com

Sat. April 13th Cherry Blossom Festival

Our Third Annual Cherry Blossom Festival is scheduled for under the Cherry Trees in front of Goldwater Hospital. The vendor organization Japan Block Fair will provide food and vendors. From 10:00am-7:30 pm Rain or Shine our promenade leading to Southpoint Park will teem with wonderful Japanese food and fare. Performances will take place at Four Freedoms Park. You will be able to hear the music you have enjoyed with some wonderful new additions. If the weather is bad everything comes inside. If you are interested in working on the committee or volunteering please contact us at

sce@riraonline.com

Saturday April 20, Love Your Block, Love Our Earth

Come on out to this family friendly event. Join the festivities with flower power as we plant together. Celebrate our Earth and beautify our island. Make your mark. We will be beautifying certain strategic areas along main street including in front of the plaza in front of Motorgate and Gristedes. Christina Delfico got a special grant from Citizens Committee for NYC and NYC Service to celebrate Earth Day and beautify our block. Her group, iDig2Learn is organizing this event collaborating with Roosevelt Island PTA, RI Youth Program, RIOC, RIRA, Urban American, The Hudson Companies and others.

See the work of your hands for years to come. Practice getting dirty in anticipation of Roosevelt Island Day in June. There will be activities in the morning and afternoon for more details or to volunteer contact

iDig2Learn@gmail.com

Updates:

Roosevelt Island Community Coalition (RICC) has been closely following the deliberations of the NYC Planning Commission. We are disappointed that up to this point they have been unwilling to take a stand on barging. This means that our City Councilmember Jessica Lappin will need to save the day and deliver us the barging that our community demands. Also pushing for barging is Assembly member Micah Kellner and Assembly members from Western Queens. RICC plans to continue lobbying our elected officials.

We will be having a RIRA /RICC /CERT Town Hall meeting about emergency planning after OEM releases the new evacuation designations for the City. It is expected that Roosevelt Island will be reclassified. We’ll give you more information when we learn it.

The Public Safety Committee is planning many additional events and are being very active in their mission to replace the leadership of public safety to one that treats Islanders more respectfully. Committee members are continuing with the petition drive and are planning a march and rally. It is not enough to get rid of what we don’t like about public safety, our community must create a public safety that we want. To that end, I have begun some discussions with a not for profit organization that helps communities think through thorny issues and come to collaborative conclusions. I have invited the public safety committee to join this process to create the kind of public safety department that supports life on our Island.

Report From Acting RIOC President Don Lewis - Roosevelt Island Cultural Center Renovation, Lighthouse Park Electrical Repairs, Steam Plant Request For Interest, Tennis Permits & More

 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.

In connection with our diligent efforts to ensure that Roosevelt Island’s infrastructure and public facilities are well maintained, below is an update on certain projects throughout Island. This week’s column concludes with news for tennis players who are undoubtedly looking forward to warmer weather.

Tram Enclosure Project

As part of our ongoing Tram Enclosure Project, we intend to repair and refinish floors at both Tram stations. We cannot, however, proceed until the temperature is consistently above 40 degrees, including the overnight hours. We hope to be able to commence this work by late April or early May.

Good Shepherd Community Center

This spring our contractor will recommence and complete its work at the Good Shepherd Community Center, including repointing the masonry facade and restoring the cupola. We share the community’s delight at the beautiful new slate shingle roof that was installed during the project’s earlier phase. We look forward to the finished product once this final phase is completed.

Z-Brick Reparations

In connection with repairs to roadways, sidewalks and pathways that RIOC undertakes on an as-needed basis, we intend to repair certain Z-bricks in the beginning of the spring. We are aware that the Z-bricks are cherished by many residents and look forward proceeding with this project.

Cultural Center Renovations

The demolition phase of the Cultural Center wrapped up on February 22. We have a hired an architect who will soon get started on restoring this vital community space. We are mindful of the importance and historical significance of this community space, and will continue to work diligently to ensure that the Cultural Center is restored as soon as possible.

Tennis Permits

Tennis permits for the new season will be available on the RIOC website beginning on March 18. Members who held onto their permits from last year need not come in for a new card; instead they can simply pay for this year and their card will automatically be updated.

Below is report from Mr. Lewis to the February 28 RIOC Board of Directors Meeting. Mr. Lewis reported that the Steam Plant will be decommissioned in the near future and RIOC will be issuing a Request For Expressions Of Interest regarding its future use in the next couple of weeks. Mr. Lewis also noted that repairs to electric cables damaged by Hurricane Sandy in Lighthouse Park will be completed later this spring. Hopefully, Lighthouse Park, which has been closed since last November, will then re-open.