Beautiful NYC East River Sunset From Southern Tip Of Roosevelt Island's FDR Park Today

Out of the way, but the Louis Kahn designed Four Freedoms Park on Roosevelt Island is such a powerful public space: pic.twitter.com/2dHdLHPBJ7
— Mike Konczal (@rortybomb) November 23, 2013

Roosevelt Island Goldwater Hospital Patients Being Relocated To Henry J Carter Hospital In Harlem On Sunday And Monday - OEM And RIOC Advise Of Increased Emergency Personnel And Ambulance Traffic During Transfer

 Image Of Roosevelt Island's Goldwater Hospital

The NYC Office Of Emergency Management (OEM) tweets:

11/24-11/25, Coler-Goldwater Facility will transfer patients on Roosevelt Is, MN. Expect increased emergency personnel & traffic in the area
— NYC OEM - Notify NYC (@NotifyNYC) November 23, 2013

The Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC) adds:

The NYC Health and Hospitals Corporation (HHC), has announced a planned relocation of patients from Coler-Goldwater Hospital on Roosevelt Island to the new Henry J. Carter Specialty Hospital and Nursing Facility at Park Avenue and East 122nd Street in Manhattan.The transfer will take place on Sunday, November 24, 2013 from 4:00am to 6:00pm, and on Monday, November 25, 2013 from 8:00 am to 7:00pm. During these times, residents can expect increased ambulance traffic on the Island. The New York City Police Department (NYPD), will be assisting with traffic management. Please anticipate minor traffic delays. The New York Office of Emergency Management (OEM) will be coordinating the transfer. For further information, please contact 311.

Sincerely,

Roosevelt Island Operating Corp Advisories Group

The patients are being transferred in anticipation of Goldwater Hospital being demolished for the coming of the Roosevelt Island Cornell NYC Tech campus.

The NY Times has more on the Goldwater Hospital patients being transferred and here is video from last July of Goldwater patients and workers testifying about their fears and concerns on the hospital's closing.

No Roosevelt Island F Train Service To Manhattan Again This Weekend - Work Continuing On Second Avenue Subway 63rd Street Tunnel

According to the MTA:

F Coney Island-bound trains run via the E from Roosevelt Av to 5 Av/53 St

Weekend, 11:15 PM Fri to 5 AM Mon, Nov 22 - 25

Trains resume regular service at 47-50 Sts.

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

As reported last Friday:

... During NYC Planning Department Western Queens/Roosevelt Island Transportation Study presentation to Community Board 8 (CB8) Roosevelt Island committee last night, a Roosevelt Island resident asked about why the constant Roosevelt Island F Train weekend subway service disruptions.

The NYC Planning Department representative did not have an answer.

CB 8 member Larry Parnes indicated that he thought the Roosevelt Island weekend F Train subway disruptions are caused by work related to the construction of the Second Avenue tunnel and that this work is scheduled to be completed by the end of 2013. Mr. Parnes added that he did not know if there is other work related to subway service maintenance and rehabilitation which might  require additional Roosevelt Island weekend subway service disruptions after completion of the Second Avenue tunnel work....

The excellent Transportation blog Second Avenue Sagas has much more

Lower level 63rd St. Tunnel Image Jacob Silberberg for The New York Times via 2nd Ave Sagas

on the history of the 63rd Street Tunnel



as well as the present status of Second Avenue Subway constuction:

The Second Ave. Subway took another step toward completion today — and Upper East Side residents will now get something of a reprieve — as the agency announced that all blasting for Phase 1 construction is complete....

NBC New York has this September 2013 report on the Second Avenue Subway Information Center



and the NY Times on the construction



of the Second Avenue Subway project.

Faces And Action Photos Recap Plays From Semi Finals Of Roosevelt Island Youth Program Soccer League Games - Exciting Finals Tomorrow

Roosevelt Island Youth Program (RIYP)

Image From RIYP

Soccer Director Adib Mansour updates us on the 2013 RIYP Soccer Season season semi-finals last week and the upcoming finals tomorrow. First Mr. Mansour shares the RIYP faces and plays from the semi-finals



and then recaps the season so far. According to Mr. Mansour:

The Roosevelt Island Youth Program Soccer 2013 Season is coming to an end... with a big bang!!

The Semi FInals games were held last Saturday November 16, and here are the results:

MINORS:

All 6 Minors teams' Semi Finals games were fantastic and will be remembered for a long long time!!

Here's a recap of the Semi Finals:

Nov. 16: Semi Finals Round 1:
James Brown's team: 3 vs. Marc Block's team: 0
John Evans' team: 3 vs. Dan Sadlier's team: 0

Nov. 19: Semi Finals Round 2:
James Brown's team (won on penalty kicks): 1 vs. Tony Leon's team: 1
John Evans' team: 2 vs. James Highsmith's team: 1

Noteworthy players are: The trio from James Brown's team: Amin Robello-Miles Brown-Emilia Brown practiced the perfect corner kick and scored using the technique they worked on in preparation. Also note worthy are the following players from Marc Block's team: Miguel Conciello, Hannah Block, and Isabella Tejada. From Dan Sadlier's team the following players stood out: Nemanja Prokic, Isaiah Sadlier, and Diego Olivo; and in John Evans' team: Sebastian Navarro, Mack Massey, Lydia Evans, and Ethan Baahboakye. In the latter game on Tuesday the following players from James Highsmith's team stood out: Elyes Bouchik, Nelle Gray, Byron Jones. And from Tony's team, we noticed: Momar Gaye, Giulia Cartegni, and Heaven Leon.

The Championship game will be Saturday Nov. 23rd at 9:30AM.


JUNIORS:

The Juniors' games were inevitably filled with excitement and team-play! 2 teams go on to the Championship next Saturday November 23, 2013 at 11AM: Johan Marfey vs. Jessey Krieg. Jack McManus' and Patrick Reidy's team play for the consolation game at 9:30AM on Saturday as well. The season was abundant with beautiful and skillful goals.

Nov. 23, 9:30AM: Consolation game: Patrick Reidy's team vs. Jack McManus' team
11:00AM: Championship game: Jessey Krieg's team vs. Johan Marfey's team

Stats for the Juniors:

                         Points            Rank              Goals
Jessey Krieg     25                1st place         38 goals
Johan Marfey   21                2nd place        41 goals
Jack McManus 12                3rd place         33 goals
Patrick Reidy      6               4th place          13 goals

Noteworthy on Patrick Reidy's team are: Madison Rodriguez, Jared Pazmino, Daniel Joffe, and Maya Levanon. While the following players shined in Jesse Krieg's team: Muad Kurer, Galen Bennie, Frederick Weachter, Anika Amin, and Madison Luna. Players that stood out on Jack McManus' team are: Isiaha Dickens (in his new role as Goalie ExtraOrdinaire!), Kaia Keaton, and Emilia Farance. And on Johan Marfey's team: Amir Ghirany, Kyla Pilgrim, and SeeYoung Lee.


SENIORS:

As expected, the Seniors games were intoxicating, filled with action and advanced skills. The games were a marvel to watch. The victorious team that will move on to the Championship game are: Frantz Enama vs. Boris Lissassi, next Saturday at 1PM. While the consolation game will be held at 3PM between Cesar & Marianna vs. Daniel Folla.

Nov. 23, 1:00PM: Championship game: Frantz Enama's team vs. Boris Lissassi's team
3:00PM: Consolation game: Cesar & Mariana's team vs. Daniel Folla's team

Stats for the Seniors:

                          Points               Rank            Goals
Frantz Enama     24                      1st place       37
Boris Lissassi    14                       2nd place     44
Daniel Folla       13                      3rd place      31
Cesar &               6                      4th place       36
Marianna

Noteworthy on Cesar & Marianne team are: Jaden Perry, Mepham Yugyel, and Luis Tejada. From Frantz's team: Daniel Wlczuk, Laura King, and Nadia Affolter. While the following players shined on Boris Lissassi's team: Ian Chapman, Ez Malik, Jaden Luna, and Aron Pazmino. And on Daniel Folla's team:
Peter Suggs, Tatiana Dickens, Muhammad Elbadri, and Nonso Nwaokolo.

Please take a moment to say congratulations to coach Boris for the birth of his baby girl Nia Akemi Lissassi!

The FINALS will be held on November 23rd... come watch the clash of the titans!! Soccer at its best!!

EVERYONE SHOULD COME AND CHEER YOUR TEAMS!!!

Report From RIOC President Charlene Indelicato - Roosevelt Island Tree Lighting Ceremony, 2014 Public Purpose Funds, Goldwater Patients Relocations, Construction Update & More

2012 Roosevelt Island Tree Lighting Ceremony At Blackwell Park

Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC) President Charlene Indelicato sends the following report to the community.

The holidays are upon us, and in celebration of the season RIOC will be hosting Roosevelt Island’s annual Tree Lighting Ceremony – more information is below. Despite the cold weather, many construction projects are going forward on the Island – work is taking place at the West Pier, Good Shepherd Community Center, 504 Main Street and the Motorgate Garage. RIOC would like to wish safe travels to those who are going to see family, as well as to those who are coming home to Roosevelt Island to be with their loved ones.

RIOC Advisories

Following the phone outage on Roosevelt Island this past week, we would like to encourage residents to sign up for our email advisory system. The advisories that RIOC sends include important updates on Island events, traffic diversions, Tram service, construction and other news that directly affect Roosevelt Island residents. In the event of an emergency, the advisories are the fastest way to get information directly from us. You can sign up online at http://rioc.ny.gov/advisorybody.htm or send an email to subscribe@rioc.ny.gov .

Tree Lighting

Roosevelt Island’s annual Tree Lighting Ceremony will be taking place at 7 p.m. on Friday, December 6 at Blackwell Plaza. This festive Island tradition celebrates the unique spirit that brings the community together. Performers from The Main Street Theater and Dance Alliance, The Child School, and Roosevelt Island Youth Program will sing holiday songs as we await the lighting of the tree. We invite you to come out with your friends and family to listen to Island performers, watch the lights twinkle, and even have a photo op with Santa. Come join in the fun and festivities!

Holiday Train Show

This year, the New York Botanical Garden has included a replica of the Roosevelt Island Lighthouse in their annual Holiday Train Show! The Show is a cherished tradition that delights people of all ages. Marvel at the charming model trains and New York landmark replicas, stroll the spectacular grounds, break for lunch and hot chocolate in the Holiday Dining Pavilion, and shop for everyone on your list! A 30% discount has been offered to members of our community – if you would like to attend, you can get tickets at nybg.org and use discount code 9036.

Public Purpose Funds

As a reminder, the Public Purpose Funds application is now available online at http://rioc.ny.gov/grants.htm. The deadline for submissions is Friday, January 10, 2014 at 11:59 PM. All non-profit organizations on the Island that are in need of funding are encouraged to visit the webpage for more information or to apply.

Motorgate Garage

Work at the Motorgate Parking Garage is moving forward as renovation to the surface conditions and lighting continues. The project will be entering into sections 5B South, 6B North, 6C South, 6D South, and 6B South beginning in two weeks. Work in sections 4B North, 5B North, 5D, 5C, 6A North and 6A South for this portion of the project is expected to be completed by December 2, 2013, during which time these sections will be reopened to patrons for parking.

·       December 2, 2013 — December 16, 2013: Section 5B South.
·       December 16, 2013 — January 3, 2014: Section 6B North.
·       January 3, 2014 — January 17, 2014: Section 6C South.
·       January 17, 2014 — January 31, 2014: Section 6D South.
·       January 31, 2014 — February 14, 2014: Section 6B South.

We appreciate your cooperation and patience during this project.

Construction Updates

Repairs will soon be commencing at the West Pier – the contractor has been selected and will take the site next Tuesday, November 26, 2013. Work is expected to be completed in three to four months. The construction site will extend along the West side of the Island, from the Subway station to the second staircase leading from the promenade up toward the street. Signs and notices to redirect pedestrian traffic will be posted.

Restoration work will also be taking place at the Good Shepherd Community Center. The entry doors and narthex, or entrance area at the front of the building, will be renovated over the next six months. The existing schedule of the Community Center will be taken into account; the project will also be implemented in phases in order to facilitate its continued use. Work is expected to commence on December 2, 2013.

Painting and repair work on the Tram has been rescheduled. The reason for the change in schedule is that the paint to be applied to the Tram requires the temperature to remain higher than 50° F in order to cure properly. Following a discussion with the contractors, it was determined that April 2014 is a much more feasible point in time for the work to take place. The sidewalk near the Tram and bus turnaround will also be repaired in the Spring.

At 504 Main Street, designs have been approved and authorization to begin work on the windows has been given – expect to see replacements soon.

Goldwater Hospital Move

The NYC Health and Hospitals Corporation has announced that the dates for the Coler-Goldwater patient relocation move – originally scheduled for Sunday, November 17, 2013, and Monday, November 18, 2013 – have been changed. The new dates are Sunday, November 24, 2013, from 4 a.m. until 6 p.m. and Monday, November 25, 2013, from 8:30 a.m. until 9:35 p.m. PSD and the NYPD will be available to direct traffic around the Roosevelt Island Bridge. RIOC Advisories and Notify NYC will be sending out more information in the form of advisories. If you have any questions or concerns, you may contact 311 for the most up-to-date information

Hope Church Forming On Roosevelt Island - Preview Service and Thanksgiving Community Dinner November 24

Roosevelt Island resident Drew Hyun reports that a new church is being formed on Roosevelt Island. The Hope Church Roosevelt Island will be conducting a preview service and Thanksgiving Community Dinner on November 24 at the Good Shepherd Chapel.

More information on the Hope Church Roosevelt Island available at their web site.

Roosevelt Island May Seem Like A Mysterious Place But There's Plenty To Do Says NBC New York City Guide - Try The Tram Shake At Main Street Sweets

Image from NBC New York City Guide Video

NBC New York City Guide visited Roosevelt Island recently. Here's what they found.

Roosevelt Island Residents Express Concern Over Dead Squirrels Found Near Westview And Good Shepherd Community Center

For the last several days, I have been receiving reports from concerned residents of dead squirrels being found on Roosevelt Island near Westview and the Good Shepherd Community Center:

There is something suspicious going on with island squirrels being found dead (poisoned) by Westview building.. Please let me know if there is someone in RIOC or PSD who would shed a light on poison being used on island grounds... next time it could be someone dog or even a child.

Another Roosevelt Island resident shares this report and pictures:

For the last month and a half someone announced a genocide on our island squirrels.

Me and my husband discovered 8 bodies. One of them is still lying
 

in the corner schoolyard next to Westview.

Someone ... hates these animals.

The rat poison is being distributed freely, and especially in Westview backyard

and around the church, looks like a children's toy or candy - it is bright pink tube or a box, that can end up in a child poisoning.

We need to warn all people to be vigilant and report dead squirrels and suspicious bright pink objects on the ground.

I tried to save one yesterday, but it died at the hospitals doors.

We found the pink tube and a dying squirrel in the Westview backyard. I rushed to save the squirrel but that forced me to drop the pink tube through the hole in the manhole. I was afraid to put it in my pocket or leave it there for another squirrel. Here is a picture of it through the manhole hole. It's a pink little thing on the left bottom.

Squirrels on our island are the last original inhabitants that we have left. We have to protect them!

I asked Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC) President Charlene Indelicato:

I have been told that there have been several incidents of dead squirrels found recently in the area of Westview. There are suspicions of poison.

Do you have any information on this?

Ms. Indelicato responded that RIOC is looking into the matter and:

We are now setting traps for the rats rather than poison

Ms. Indelicato also urged residents to inform RIOC if they see any more dead squirrels or have any information regarding the incidents.

With the increased construction in Southtown and the Goldwater Hospital demolition/Cornell campus coming soon, rats are going to become a greater problem on Roosevelt Island so a way must be found to safely address the issue of pest control.

Roosevelt Island Sportspark Swim Classes For Toddlers As Well As Kids 3 years And Over

Image of Roosevelt Island Sportspark Toddler Swim Program

Roosevelt Island Parents' Network coordinator Eva Bosbach reports that the swim classes for children at Sportspark provided by the Roosevelt Island Operating Corp  (RIOC) are now also available on a drop-in basis (no registration needed), and include new classes for children of age 3 years and up. According to Ms. Bosbach:

Children 6 to 36 months:

For an amazing $5 per class per family, join us for fun in the (warm!) water, including basic swim skills, songs, floating, splashing, games and more. Classes are offered every Wednesday at 10.30 and 11am and every Sunday at 11 and 11.30am and run until Dec 18th/22nd. Please bring a swim diaper and a bathing suit for your child and a swim cap for yourself as well as a lock for the locker. Classes are taught by Ryan Sherrill.

To access the pool with a stroller, it is best to go around the Tram station on the Queens side, make a right under the bridge and another right, to get between the basketball court and the swimming pool building. The door will be on your left. If you are coming from further up on the island, you can take the south bound red bus and let the driver know after the Tram stop that you would like to get off at the next stop, Sportspark's swimming pool. You will be right at the door.

You can register and pre-pay for the rest of the classes to secure your spot, or just join on a drop-in basis. The classes are not full and not restricted to RI residents, so feel free to bring friends and forward this information.

Children 3 years and up:

Discounted learn to swim classes for children ages 3 years and up are offered by the swim and aqua aerobics instructor from Sportspark, Ryan Sherrill, on Saturday afternoons 3-4pm. The cost is $15 for drop-in or $100 for a 10-week course. Ryan also offers semi private and one-on-one classes as well as swimming lessons for people of all ages (learn to swim or improve your skills). For questions or to register, call or e-mail Ryan at 917.261.7761 or ryansherrill84@gmail.com .

Thank you RIOC. 

New Roosevelt Island Shaped Main Street Benches In Place - What Do You Think?

Did you notice

the new

Roosevelt Island shaped Main Street

benches?

What do you think?

NYPD Emergency Service Officers And Dogs Performing Roosevelt Island Tram Rescue Drills Today

 Image of 2012 NYPD ESU and Police Dog  Tram Rescue Drill From The Daily You Tube Video

According to the Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC):

Please be advised that NYPD personnel will be conducting practice drills on the Roosevelt Island Tramway from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM tomorrow, 11/20. There will be no impact to Tram service during these drills. Expect to see emergency personnel in the area.

Sincerely,

Roosevelt Island Operating Corp Advisories Group

NYPD News tweeted this picture of today's Tram Rescue Drill.

ESU officers & K9s training today on Roosevelt Island Tram, some 225' above the ground.http://t.co/e0DjPwtMwR pic.twitter.com/9ljs3diAeP
— NYPD NEWS (@NYPDnews) November 20, 2013

Here's video of previous NYPD Tram Rescue Drill.



More on NYPD and FDNY Tram Rescue drills from previous posts.

Remarkable Video Of River In The Basement Tells Story Of Hurricane Sandy's Flooding Of NYC Public Hospitals Including Roosevelt Island's Coler Hospital

Image of Patients Evacuated From Coler Hospital By Judy Berdy

The NYC Health & Hospitals Corp (HHC) provides a close up view of Hurricane Sandy's flooding of its facilities in this video titled The River In The Basement.

Despite the unprecedented scope of Superstorm Sandy, HHC staff members stayed on the job before, during, and after the storm to care for New Yorkers in need.

Here's an excerpt from the video showing how Roosevelt Island's Coler Hospital

 Image Of Hurricane Sandy Coler Flooding From The River In The Basement Video

was damaged by Hurricane Sandy's East River flooding.



Watch the entire video here.



More on Hurricane Sandy Coler Hospital conditions and its partial evacuation at previous post.

Roosevelt Island Women's Health Organization Thanksgiving Meeting Wednesday November 20

The Roosevelt Island Women's Health Organization (RIWHO) sends the following invitation to women 18 years and older for their November 20 Thanksgiving Monthly Seminar. The meeting will take place 6:30 PM tomorrow at 546 Main Street Community Room on the 12th floor.

Superheroes On The Roosevelt Island Tram - Who Were Those Masked Batpeople?

A trip on the Roosevelt Island Tram got a bit strange last week as Batman and Bat Girl

Image From Adib Mansour

with entourage took a ride and then began break dancing.



Just another ride on the Roosevelt Island Tram.

Super Fast Crossing Of East River To Manhattan On Roosevelt Island Tram

Whew, that was fast.

Roosevelt Island PS/IS 217 Principal Beckman and Cornell NYC Tech VP Dove Featured At Community Board 8 Education Meeting November 19 - PS/IS 217 Received B Grade From DOE, Also, Middle School Math Teacher Job Available At Roosevelt Island PS/IS 217

Double Parked Cars Waiting To Pick Up Students at Roosevelt Island 217

As previously reported, Cornell NYC Tech has agreed to:

..."Adopt" the local school on Roosevelt Island, PS/IS 217, by providing programming such as teacher training and support, after school programming, tech events, career day options, and hardware and software programming development....

and:

... Responding to my question as to what Cornell adopting PS/IS 217 means, Ms. Dove said:

the Roosevelt Island school ... is where our focus is going to be ... in perpetuity...

Tomorrow night, we may learn more about Cornell NYC Tech's plan for Roosevelt Island's PS/IS 217 during Community Board 8's (CB 8) Youth & Education (Y&E) Committee meeting. The CB 8 Y&E meeting will feature PS/IS 217 Principal Mandana Beckman and Cornell NYC Tech Vice President Cathy Dove as well as  a question and answer session.

Image From Community Board 8

Here's video of CB 8 Y&E meeting last June with Ms. Beckman and Ms. Dove speaking about Cornell NYC Tech involvement with PS/IS 217 and link to the 2012 -13 NYC Department of Education Progress Report for the school which received an overall grade of B.

Image From DOE

More on Roosevelt Island's PS/IS 217 from their web portal.

There is a job available as the sole middle school Math Teacher at Roosevelt Island's PS/IS 217. According to Craigslist:

PS/IS 217, a PreK -- Grade 8, NYCDOE public school located on Roosevelt Island is seeking a Middle School Math Teacher for a permanent position. Our Middle School Math Teacher is the sole mathematics teacher for the middle school; responsible for planning for and teaching grades 6, 7 and 8. All candidates must be a NYS Certified Mathematics teacher for grades 5-9 or 7-12....

Click here for more information and how to apply for the position.

High School Math teacher Dan Meyer gave this interesting TED Talk presentation



describing how to makeover the math curriculum

Sunday News Shows In 90 Seconds From Politico - Pelosi, Gillibrand, Woodward On Obamacare, Wisconsin Governor Walker On Republican Presidential Primary Politics

If you are interested in a quick summary of the Sunday News talks shows, Politico has it in 90 seconds.