Good News, Roosevelt Island F Train Service To And From Manhattan This Weekend Says MTA

According to the MTA Weekender site, there will be Roosevelt Island F train service

to and from Manhattan this weekend.

70th Anniversary Of World War 2 Allied D-Day Invasion Today, Roosevelt Island's Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney Honors NY Veterans - President Barack Obama Normandy D-Day Address Today

Today is the 70th anniversary of D-Day.



History.com reports:

During World War II (1939-1945), the Battle of Normandy, which lasted from June 1944 to August 1944, resulted in the Allied liberation of Western Europe from Nazi Germany’s control. Codenamed Operation Overlord, the battle began on June 6, 1944, also known as D-Day, when some 156,000 American, British and Canadian forces landed on five beaches along a 50-mile stretch of the heavily fortified coast of France’s Normandy region. The invasion was one of the largest amphibious military assaults in history and required extensive planning. Prior to D-Day, the Allies conducted a large-scale deception campaign designed to mislead the Germans about the intended invasion target. By late August 1944, all of northern France had been liberated, and by the following spring the Allies had defeated the Germans. The Normandy landings have been called the beginning of the end of war in Europe....

Click here for more on D-Day from History.com

According to this press release from Roosevelt Island's United States Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney (NY-12), Ms. Maloney:

... is a member of a Congressional Delegation headed for Normandy to honor the sacrifices made by American troops during the D-Day Invasion 70 years ago. On Friday, June 6, the delegation will take part in observances of the anniversary at Omaha Beach and Sword Beach, in which U.S. President Barack Obama and French President Francois Hollande will participate.

“It is an honor to join my colleagues, and several New York veterans to honor the tremendous sacrifices made at the Normandy Beaches 70 years ago,” said Maloney. “During the Normandy landings, members of the American military and Allied Forces descended on the shores of France ready to die in order to rid France and the world of the genocidal imperialism of the Nazi occupiers. Many of the men who stormed the beaches of Juno, Gold, Omaha and Sword paid the ultimate price. As we reflect on the freedom France and the rest of the world won as a result of D-Day, I am so grateful for the sacrifice and the bravery of the men who fought that fight and are still with us today. It is a privilege to stand with them and celebrate their service.”

Several New York veterans will also take part in the observances:
Mr. Leo Cohen, New York, NY
Mr. Lawrence Friedland, New York, NY
Mr. John Trzaskos, Amsterdam, NY
Mr. Richard Baily, Johnson City, NY
Mr. Arnold Franco, New York
Mr. Jack Read, Brooklyn, New York
Mr. Stephen Weiss, Brooklyn, New York

On Tuesday, Maloney held an emotional ceremony at the VA Hospital in Manhattan to honor the bravery and service of veterans of World War II and those who stormed the beaches at Normandy in the fight to liberate France from Nazi occupation. Maloney, joined by NYC Mayor’s Office of Veterans’ Affairs Commissioner Terrance Holliday, awarded two veterans with Congressional Certificates and presented a number of military medals to one service member.

Congresswoman Maloney recognized local World War II and D-Day veterans, including Rocco Moretto, an Astoria native who fought at Normandy.

Rocco Moretto was in the U.S. Army Company C, 26th Infantry Regiment, 1st Infantry Division, better known as “The Big Red One.” As a 19-year-old soldier, the Normandy invasion was the first action he saw, as part of the second wave of troops to storm Omaha Beach. He is one of just two men in his company who survived the war from Normandy until the Czechoslovakian liberation in 1945 without being killed, wounded or captured. Mr. Moretto also fought in the Battle of the Bulge.

Rep. Maloney also presented a certificate to Commissioner Holliday in honor of his late father, Roderick Holliday, who was a Corporal in the U.S. Navy and was present at the invasion of Normandy.

Rep. Maloney also presented service medals to Gerald Alperstein, a constituent and Navy veteran of the Vietnam War. He was presented with the National Defense Service Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal, the Meritorious Unit Commendation Ribbon and the Combat Action Ribbon. Mr. Alperstein is past legislative chair of the Jewish War Veterans and edits the organization’s publication.

Here's photo of Congresswoman Maloney and Mayor’s Office of Veterans’ Affairs Commissioner Terrance Holliday (standing 2nd from left) joined by WWII veteran and Astoria resident, Rocco Moretto (seated) and other veterans at the Manhattan VA Hospital in commemoration of the 70th Anniversary of D-Day.

Image From Congresswoman Maloney's Office

President Barack Obama's  attended today's ceremony in Normandy commemorating the 70th anniversary of D-Day. Here's what he had to say



as well as the remembrances



of D-Day veterans.

Congresswoman Maloney tweets:

It’s my honor to join the NYers who stormed the beaches 70 yrs ago at the site of the invasion that saved the world. pic.twitter.com/yHnxDhURXD

— Carolyn B. Maloney (@RepMaloney) June 6, 2014

Report From RIOC President Charlene Indelicato - Roosevelt Island July 4 Fireworks TV Simulcast Viewing At Firefighters Field, AVAC Yard Cleanup, Bike NY Painting Party, Octagon Tennis Resurfacing & Sportspark Classes

 Image Of Cleaned Up Roosevelt Island AVAC Area

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

Summer has officially arrived in New York, and Roosevelt Island is bustling with activity. The Fourth of July fireworks have moved back to the East River, but unfortunately for us, visibility will be very poor from the Island. Instead of an event at Southpoint Park, RIOC will be hosting a free community celebration at Firefighter’s Field – please read below for more information. Many other events, such as Roosevelt Island Day and the Summer Movie Series, are also coming up soon. Last year, Roosevelt Island Day served as an excellent introduction for me to the Island and the many active residents who are passionate about this community. I hope you will join in this Island-wide celebration with your friends, family and neighbors.

Our Maintenance, Engineering and Grounds departments have been very busy working hard maintaining the Island’s facilities, roads and fields. Work is also proceeding on capital projects such as the resurfacing of the Octagon Tennis Courts, which is expected to be completed shortly.

Fourth of July Celebration

This year, many in Brooklyn and eastern Manhattan are excited that New York City’s Fourth of July fireworks display has been moved back to the East River. However, the fireworks will be taking place much further south this year and will be located near the Brooklyn Bridge. The visibility from Roosevelt Island will be extremely limited, unlike previous years’ “front row” views. Both Southpoint Park and the FDR Four Freedoms Park will close at 7 p.m. on July 4, however, Gantry Plaza State Park (4-09 47th Rd.) in Long Island City will be open during the fireworks display.

Though the fireworks display may not be highly visible from Roosevelt Island, RIOC has planned a neighborhood holiday celebration at Firefighter’s Field beginning at 7 p.m. All are invited to gather on the field for a free, live simulcast of the fireworks display on a large outdoor screen. A free, friendly karaoke competition will take place before the show starts, and food and drink will be available for purchase. Come and join in the fun with your Island neighbors – we hope to see you there.

AVAC Yard Cleanup

Last Wednesday, June 3, RIOC staff members organized a joint effort with the Department of Sanitation and employees from several Roosevelt Island building companies to clean the yard outside of AVAC, Roosevelt Island's trash and recycling facility. Many thanks go out to the following buildings and management companies who volunteered to provide staff and assistance during the cleanup effort: The Octagon, Manhattan Park, Island House, Rivercross, Eastwood and Urban American. Thanks to this collaboration, the AVAC yard is now clean and tidy.

Bike New York’s Painting Party

On June 14, Bike New York and the Roosevelt Island Visual Art Association invite artistic Roosevelt Island residents to gather near the Helix Ramp and decorate their bicycle storage container with paintings. All are encouraged to come and express their creativity while beautifying the neighborhood. Participation is free and requires pre-registration. If you are interested in taking part in this event, please contact Caitlin Goodspeed at  cgoodspeed@bikenewyork.org.

Roosevelt Island Day

Roosevelt Island Day 2014 will take place very soon and excitement for this fantastic yearly event is building quickly. Urban American, in partnership with RIOC and the Roosevelt Island Youth Program, invite you to join in the neighborhood beautification effort and free community celebration on Saturday June 21, from 8 a.m. until 8 p.m. Many wonderful activities are planned for this free event, including an early-morning planting and cleanup, carnival games and rides, outdoor yoga classes, a free concert, giveaways and much more. We hope that you will take part in this celebration of your community and the people that make Roosevelt Island such a unique and special place in New York City.

Octagon Tennis Courts

Work is moving forward on the new playing surface at the Octagon Tennis Courts. The newly-poured concrete pole supports have cured and workers have again mobilized on-site. Although this project is weather-sensitive, construction is expected to be completed on schedule, within the next three weeks. We thank you for your patience as we perform these renovations.

Classes and Programs at Sportspark

Changes have been made at Sportspark’s Young Adult Program. The program was initiated as part of an effort to increase the amount of engaging activities for young Roosevelt Island residents. Every Friday and Saturday evening from 9 p.m. to 12 a.m., the sports facility is open to ages 16-25 for weight lifting and basketball. As of last Friday, May 30, participation in the program has been limited to Roosevelt Island residents only. Identification and proof of residency is required for entry. We welcome you to join in and get active at Sportspark.

If the summer heat is making it difficult to exercise outdoors, we invite you to take a look at the free and low-cost programs available for all ages at Sportspark. In addition to offering swim classes, the Sportspark Pool is open every day of the week for two Open Swim sessions in the mornings and later in the day. In addition to the Young Adult Program, the Sportspark Gym offers free Open Basketball play on Saturdays at 2 p.m. and free open ping pong play on Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday nights beginning at 6 p.m. The gym also offers low-cost fitness classes. Information about Sportspark’s classes and other programming is available on our Parks and Recreation website at  rioc.recdesk.com.

Gorgeous Nightime NYC East River Waterfront View From Up On A Roosevelt Island Roof Tonight

The view from a Roosevelt Island rooftop tonight of the Queensboro Bridge and East River waterfront was awesome.



It's always better Up On The Roof.

Roosevelt Island Race To Save Lives 5K Charity Run, Walk & Carnival On Sunday June 8 - Raising Funds For United Hatzalah Ambucycle Emergency Medical Response Efforts

 Image Of United Hatzalah's Eli Beer And the Ambucycle From You Tube

Roosevelt Island will be the location for United Hatzalah of Israel's Race To Save Lives 5K Charity Run, Walk, and Carnival on Sunday morning June 8 from 9 - 11 AM. According to the Race To Save Lives:

WORLD-RENOWNED EMS ORGANIZATION HOLDS 2ND ANNUAL U.S. CHARITY 5K ON ROOSEVELT ISLAND

SUNDAY MORNING RACE EXPECTED TO DRAW 1,000-PLUS AND RAISE OVER $1 MILLION TO HELP SAVE LIVES AROUND THE WORLD

The Race to Save Lives is a charity 5K to raise money for United Hatzalah of Israel, Israel’s world-renowned and largest non-profit, volunteer emergency medical response organization. Hatzalah volunteers use GPS smart phone technology and “ambucycles,” or supped-up motor scooters to race to emergency events. The group’s average response time is under three minutes. Traditional ambulance squads take six-and-ten minutes. U.H. stabilizes victims and awaits support. They work free-of-charge. All money raised will buy equipment, and more ambucycles. The race is the second, annual U.S. 5K. Hatzalah is working to bring its revolutionary life-saving model to the U.S. Sign up at www.racetosavelives.com. Learn more about Hatzalah at www.israelrescue.org.

Close to 1,000 runners are expected. Eli Beer, United Hatzalah of Israel’s founder, will be on site. Beer founded U.H. in 2000 after a stint as a Jerusalem EMT. He started it after seeing too many die, or suffer irrevocable injuries, because his ambulance got stuck in traffic took too long to arrive.

More on Unitd Hatzalah's motorcycle emergency response efforts from this TED MED Talk by founder Eli Beer.



Last year's United Hatzalah Race To Save Lives on Roosevelt Island drew more than 350 people and raised more than $350,000.

Here's more information on the Race To Save Lives and click here to register.

Local Democratic Party Politics Come To Roosevelt Island Residents Association Meeting Last Night - - Four Freedoms Democratic Club Invites You To Join And NY State Democratic Primary Assembly Candidates David Menegon and Ed Hartzog Introduced

Are you interested in joining a Democratic Party political club that is interested in Roosevelt Island issues? If your answer is yes, then consider becoming a member of the recently formed FDR Four Freedoms Democratic Club. 

Image From Four Freedoms Democratic Club

According to the Club's web site:

Membership in the Four Freedoms Democratic Club is open to all those to wish to support an active, progressive Democratic organization in the 76th Assembly District of New York State.

On February 6th, 2014 at the Founding Meeting of the club, regular dues were set at $10 for 2014.

Voting privileges are extended to all dues paying members who do not vote (or hold a position) in any other district-based Democratic Club and who have previously attended one regular meeting of the club.

Anyone interested in joining who is unable to pay dues for financial or legal reasons (e.g. being under 18) are encouraged to simply attend an event and speak to one of the organizers.

The Roosevelt Island Twitterverse reported yesterday:

Excited to be at the Roosevelt Island Residents Association meeting talking about @FourFreedomsNYC! pic.twitter.com/iU3sWzUF1A
— Kim Moscaritolo (@kimmosc) June 5, 2014

Four Freedoms Democratic Club Chair Kim Moscaritolo and Treasurer Michael Dillon spoke at the Roosevelt Island Residents Association (RIRA) Public Session last night inviting those interested in Democratic Party politics to join their new club. Here's what they had to say.



Also appearing at last night's RIRA Public Session were two of the four Democratic Party Primary candidates seeking to replace Micah Kellner as the Roosevelt Island/Upper East Side NY State Assembly Member for the 76 District - David Menegon

Image From David Menegon

and Ed Hartzog.

Image From Ed For Assembly

RIRA Vice President Sherrie Helstien reported that RIRA's Government Relations Committee (GRC) is organizing a Town Hall Meeting with the four Democratic Party 76th District NY State Assembly Candidates.



The two other candidates seeking to represent Roosevelt Island and the Upper East Side in the NY State Assembly 76th District are Rebecca Seabright

Image From Rebecca Seabright

and Gus Christensen

Image From Gus Christensen

David Garland is the only announced Republican candidate for the Roosevelt Island/Upper East Side 76th NY State Assembly seat.

Roosevelt Island Has A New Men's Soccer Team In The Gotham Soccer League - Home Opener Of Zum Schneider Football Club Roosevelt Island At Octagon Field Tomorrow Evening

Roosevelt Islander Andrew Giacalone reports on the home opener of a new men's Roosevelt Island Soccer team. Mr. Giacalone, the team manager and right back, says he is:

... very excited about debuting on our home field...

at the Octagon Soccer Field tomorrow night.

Image Of Octagon Soccer Field

Mr. Giacolone writes:

AFTER 15 YEAR HIATUS, ROOSEVELT ISLAND MEN’S SOCCER TEAM TO DEBUT IN HOME OPENER

Men’s soccer will finally return to Roosevelt Island as Zum Schneider Football Club Roosevelt Island (ZSFC Roosevelt Island) prepares to take the field for its home opener in the Gotham Soccer League at Octagon Park tomorrow, June 5th at 7:45 PM. The game marks a comeback for a Roosevelt Island men’s soccer team after a 15-year interruption.

Boasting a full squad of homegrown talent, ZSFC Roosevelt Island is looking to claim promotion to the Gotham Soccer League's First Division as well as its third overall title in as many years.

"We've been successful in a variety of leagues around the city – from Urban Soccer to MetroSoccer – but now we have an opportunity to show our worth in front of a home crowd on the very island where we first learned how to kick a ball."

The Gotham Soccer League is a two-tier league with new teams debuting in the Second Division and requiring promotion into the top tier. As a result, ZSFC Roosevelt Island will have a challenging season ahead of them as they seek immediate promotion into the top flight.

Assistant Manager Alex Beola expressed confidence that the season would ultimately be a successful one.

"We have many talented players on our squad who just returned from playing with competitive college teams," Mr. Beola noted. "Not only do we have Roosevelt Island pride to play for but we also have the necessary skill and know-how to make us a winning team and a team worth watching and supporting."

ZSFC Roosevelt Island has received its sponsorship from Zum Schneider, a renowned Bavarian beer hall located in the East Village that also nurtures a winning soccer ethos.

Zum Schneider has a well-established reputation for supporting high-level soccer throughout the city. It's an additional honor for us that they would choose to sponsor the Roosevelt Island men's soccer team and evidence that they believe in our long term project. Tomorrow night's game will be the first home game at Octagon Park since I last captained the Roosevelt Island Strikers to their 1998 Eastern New York State Cup victory.

It'll be an emotional homecoming. But I'll get over it quickly.

ZSFC Roosevelt Island kicks off its debut match tomorrow, June 5th at 7:45 PM against the Brooklyn Gunners. The game will be held at Octagon Park.

I'm looking forward to an exciting match tomorrow night at the Octagon Field like this one by the Roosevelt Island Youth Program Soccer League. It's A GOOOOAAAAAAALLLLLLLLLL.

Roosevelt Island Residents Association (RIRA) Common Council Monthly Meeting Tonight, You're Invited To Attend - Next One In September

Image Of March 2014 RIRA Meeting

The Roosevelt Island Residents Association (RIRA) will be meeting tonight, 8:15 PM, at the Good Shepherd Community Center (543 Main Street).

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.

All residents are encouraged to attend RIRA meetings.

Here's the Agenda.

The next RIRA Common Council meeting will be in September.

You're Invited To Help Paint Bike New York's White Container, Come Show Your Creativity With Biking On Roosevelt Island Theme - Last Day To Register Is June 6

Bike New York's Roosevelt Island Community Outreach Manager Caitlin Goodspeed sends the following invitation to you.

Bike New York Paints!
In partnership with RIVAA
Saturday, June 14, 2014
10am – 2pm

Calling artists of all ages! The Bike New York container has arrived underneath the Helix Ramp (next to Gristedes) and it’s ready to be painted!

In partnership with The Roosevelt Island Visual Arts Association (RIVAA), we’ll be painting the container on Saturday, June 14 from 10am – 2pm. Registered participants will get their own space to paint. Brushes and paint will be provided. Children under the age of 9 must be accompanied by an adult.

The theme of the project is “Biking on Roosevelt Island” so we’d love to see images that bring this theme to life, whether it’s an abstract drawing of the Roosevelt Island tram or a simple replica of your favorite bicycle. The more creativity and color, the better!

To register for your space on the container, please email Caitlin Goodspeed (Community Outreach Manager for Roosevelt Island) at cgoodspeed@bikenewyork.org or call her at 212-870-2075. The last day to register is Friday, June 6, 2014. Once you’ve successfully registered you will receive a confirmation email with more details.

Here's more on Bike New York's plans for Roosevelt Island and scenes from the May 17 Bike NY Roosevelt Island Spring Kickoff Party.

The End Of The NYC East River Rainbow Is On Roosevelt Island

From the Roosevelt Island Twitterverse today:

The end of the rainbow is on Roosevelt Island. Who knew? pic.twitter.com/NbyMhjwnNl
— Tim Allen (@timDallen) June 4, 2014

We knew.

RIOC Staffers Develop Plan With NYC Sanitation Department And Roosevelt Island Building Management To Clean Up Filthy AVAC Garbage Area And Maintain It

Image Of Filthy Roosevelt Island AVAC Garbage Area Seen From Manhattan Park Apartment

The Roosevelt Island AVAC Garbage compound is located between the Motorgate Garage and the FDNY Firehouse below the Manhattan Park apartments facing Queens.

Image of AVAC Garbage Area Entrance

The area is a dirty mess and has been so for a long time. A Manhattan Park resident shares these photos and reports:

There is no one who passes the garbage area from either side and does not find it distasteful and disgusting.

Why can't the people who handle the garbage

be required to keep the area clean by tidying it and sweeping it daily?

Roosevelt Island Historical Society (RIHS) President Judy Berdy asked that same question during May 12 meeting of the Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC) Operations Advisory Committee meeting (full audio web cast of meeting here). Ms. Berdy asked:

Is there any peace treaty between RIOC and the Sanitation Department so that the yard can get cleaned up?

RIOC President Charlene Indelicato replied to Ms. Berdy stating that the responsibility for cleaning inside the AVAC Garbage area belongs to the NYC Sanitation Department and Roosevelt Island building management.

Here's the discussion.



Soon after the May 12 RIOC Operations Advisory Committee meeting, I received the report and photos about the dirty mess at the AVAC Garbage area from the Manhattan Park resident above and asked RIOC President Indelicato:

I understand there is some sort of jurisdiction issue between RIOC and the NYC Sanitation Department over who is responsible for cleaning the area.

Does RIOC have any comment or statement on the situation.

Ms. Indelicato replied that RIOC Grounds Manager Fernando Vargas, Facilities Maintenance Manager Santa Verta and Director Of Island Operations Cy Opperman were meeting with NYC Sanitation and the Roosevelt Island Building managements to develop a plan for cleaning up and maintaining the AVAC Garbage area.

Mr. Vargas told me last week that a plan has been worked out between RIOC, NYC Sanitation and Roosevelt Island building managements for the area to be cleaned on a weekly basis and to bring an additional dumpster container to the area.

RIOC President Indelicato praised the work done by RIOC staffers Vargas, Verta and Opperman in finding a solution to cleaning the area adding:

RIOC is hopeful that this collaborative effort on the part of RIOC, R I Building Management teams and Department of Sanitation will result in a cleaner, healthier environment for the residents of Roosevelt Island.

The residents are hopeful the area will be cleaned and maintained as well.

We shall see.

UPDATE 6/8 -  The area was cleaned up

on Wednesday June 4.

Cool Solution For Increasing Space In Your Small Roosevelt Island NYC Apartment - Micro Home Furniture From MIT Media Lab City Home

I bet you could use some more space in your Roosevelt Island apartment.

Images From MIT Media Lab City Home You Tube Video

Perhaps soon, technology developed by the MIT Media Lab will help.

According to Fast Co Design:

... Two hundred square feet. It’s horrifyingly small, even by New York standards. But a new project called CityHome, by MIT Media Lab’s Changing Places group, can make it feel like you're living in an apartment three times as big.

CityHome is essentially a hideaway bed taken to the upteenth level. It’s a mechanical box about the size of a closet that sits inside an apartment, where it stows a bed, dining room table, kitchen surface, a cooking range, a closet, and multipurpose storage, too. Through gestures, touch, and voice control, each element can be called forth from the cube. Internal motors eject each piece with the convenient fluidity of a power window. And, in a final trick, the entire module can move a few feet each way, extending or compressing a room at will. (If you’re not in the bathroom, do you need the space to use the shower, or would that square footage be better served in the living room or kitchen?)...

Click here for the entire Fast Co Design article.

Digital Trends adds:

... Contrary to what the name might suggest, CityHome isn’t actually a living space itself. It’s more like a large, consolidated chunk of home essentials that allows you to maximize usable space in a small studio. Think of it like a murphy bed on steroids — it’s basically a closet-sized mechanical box that fits into an apartment and functions as a bed, work space, city home dining room table (with seating for six), a cooking range, closet, and multipurpose storage space....

and:

Since CityHome is currently just a prototype, there’s no word on when it’ll be available to consumers, or how big the price tag will be if/when that day comes. That being said, however, the project’s lead researcher Kent Larson has clearly expressed that he intends to bring it to market through either a startup or a commercial sponsor....

Click here for the entire Digital Trends article.

Watch the video and dream what you could do.



Here's more on the MIT Media Lab Changing Places Group.

Roosevelt Island Teaching Jobs Available At PS/IS 217 For 2014-15 School Year - 2 Gifted & Talented And 1 Early Childhood Special Education Teacher Needed

Image From How I Save Money

Teaching jobs at Roosevelt Island's PS/IS 217 are available for the 2014 school year. According to this May 12 posting on Craigslist:

PS/IS 217, a PreK -- Grade 8, NYCDOE public school located on Roosevelt Island is seeking 3 teachers for the 2014-2015 school year: Two Gifted and Talent certified teachers (one candidate that holds Common Branch Certification and one candidate that holds Early Childhood Certification) AND one teacher that hold Early Childhood Special Education Certification....

Click here for more information from the Craigslist posting.

Image Of PS/IS 217

More information about PS/IS 217 available at the school's web portal, the school's PTA and from previous posts.

Parakeet Flies Into Roosevelt Island Apartment Window Today - Is Your Parakeet Missing?

Are you missing your Roosevelt Island Parakeet?

Roosevelt Island resident Trevre Andrews reports:

This guy flew in my window today

If it's your Parakeet, contact Roosevelt Island Public Safety Department (212 832-4545) to arrange its return.

UPDATE 6/2 - A reader adds:

One landed on my head right outside the deli a few years ago. It was windy out and I thought it was a tree branch. Put my hand up to move it out of my hair and felt a beak