Saturday, July 19, 2014

Miami Vice Pool Party Comes To Roosevelt Island Last Night At Manhattan Park - Where's Crockett & Tubbs?


Mike Temple shares these video snippets of Manhattan Park Miami Vice Pool Party last night.



Mike says that the party was "Brilliant" and hopes they have another. He also wants to thank the Party organizers on behalf of the guests.

Next time, please invite me.

UPDATE 7/20 - Apparently, Crockett & Tubbs were at at the Manhattan Park Miami Vice Pool Party.

Friday, July 18, 2014

No Roosevelt Island F Train Service To Manhattan This Weekend


According to the MTA:
F Coney Island-bound trains run via the M from Roosevelt Av to 47-50 Sts

Weekend, 11:15 PM Fri to 5 AM Mon, Jul 18 - 21

Trains run express from Roosevelt Av to Queens Plaza.

No Coney Island-bound F service at 21 St-Queensbridge, Roosevelt Island, Lexington Av/63 St and 57 St.
Expect crowded Manhattan bound Roosevelt Island Tram cabins this weekend. Plan accordingly.

Roosevelt Island Photographers Prints For Sale At The Saturday FarmersMarket - Excellent Photos By Paul Katz And Tony Vita, Stop By And TakeA Look

I spotted two new vendors at last Saturday's Roosevelt Island Farmers Market. Lloyd Woltz and Tony Vita were selling photography prints.  Mr. Woltz was selling prints on behalf of Paul Katz and Mr. Vita was selling his own prints.

Image Of Lloyd and Tony Selling Photography Prints At July 12 Roosevelt Island Farmers Market

Mr. Woltz reports:
I've been a Roosevelt Island resident since January 1989. I first met Paul Katz shortly after he moved to the Island in 2003. A few months before his passing (in August of last year) he asked if I would be interested in helping him sell his prints. When it became obvious that he didn't have much time left, he told me "to do whatever [I] wanted" with his work. When I proposed that his share of the proceeds go to the Youth Program to help facilitate Island kids' access to photography (by hopefully providing equipment, supplies, etc.) his eyes lit up.

Image Of Lloyd Selling Paul Katz Photography Prints At Roosevelt Island Farmers Market

His family has graciously offered their full support to this endeavor.

Paul loved it here, and in retrospect, it is apparent just how important it was for him to remain at home on the Island as long as he possibly could...

Island residents may recognize some of Paul's work from the Main Street Wire and Trellis, where his prints cover a couple of walls.

Image Of Paul Katz Photography

Also familiar to many, though more anonymous, is work of his that has been featured in print ads and on websites over the years.

Paul's personal history can best be described as just as eclectic as his work is. He commanded military photo units in Vietnam and later Central America. At different times he had his own studio, worked for and taught at colleges around the City (including NYU, where he met and befriended Island resident, artist Tony Vita over 35 years ago,) and also served as an auxiliary police officer and part-time Federal Marshall.

Many will remember him as the white-haired 'gentleman' regularly at Trellis, who liked every small child (as well as most women) he ever met.

 Image Of Paul Katz From Reserveinc

His work encompasses an incredibly broad range of styles and methods too numerous to elaborate on here. Suffice it to say that he saw every new advance and innovation in photographic technology as a toy that he would play with until he found what he considered 'neat' things to do with it.

Prints will be available for purchase (and browsing) at the Island's green-market on Saturdays when weather permits. As noted earlier, proceeds from all sales will benefit photography at the Roosevelt Island Youth Program.
If you are at the Farmers Market tomorrow, stop on by and take a look at some of the prints for sale by Lloyd and Tony,

Image of Tony Vita At Roosevelt Island Farmers Market

chat with them and maybe even buy a print or two.

Thursday, July 17, 2014

Roosevelt Island Moms Walking Group Still On The Move Friday's 11 AM Starting At Tram Kiosk - Yoga, Exercise & Lunch Too

Image Of Roosevelt Island Moms On The Move

Roosevelt Island Parents' Network Coordinator Eva Bosbach reports:
Hi everyone,

This is a reminder about our next RI MoM walk, exercise and lunch, tomorrow, Friday July 18, starting at 11 AM at the Tram kiosk. Free. For details, please see here.

And we have a special guest tomorrow: Keren Messer, a Yoga teacher and a mom here on the island will teach the exercise part. We are excited! :)

Feel free to join us later - we will walk on the shady Manhattan side to the south of the island and back and then do the exercise and have picnic lunch under trees on the lawn above the Meditation steps, in front of Dr. Grimm's office. 

See you there.

Please send me a short e-mail if you are interested in joining us.

Status Update On Roosevelt Island Tram Elevators - Recent Repairs Plus New Service Contract Should Insure Reliable Service For The Forseeable Future And Proposals For 2 New ADA Compliant Elevators Due July 21 Says RIOC

The frequently out of service Roosevelt Island Tram Station elevators have been a constant headache for Roosevelt Island parents with strollers, disabled residents and others who need the elevators to use the Manhattan Tram Station.


Last week, users of the Roosevelt Island Tram Station elevators became even more worried and frustrated when they learned that the F Train Lexington 63rd Street Station elevator(s) were going out of service for repairs from July 15 - February 2015:
There are signs up that there will be no elevator service at 63/ Lex station from 7/15


 until February 15.
The MTA Elevator status page indicates that it is the street to mezzanine elevator that is being repaired and going out of service.

Image From The MTA Elevator Status Page

Last Monday, I asked Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC) President Charlene Indelicato how the MTA elevator announcement will affect Roosevelt Island residents:
... As you know this will create difficulties for Roosevelt Island residents in wheelchairs, parents with strollers and others who need the elevator to get to the street, particularly when the Roosevelt Island Tram elevators are not working.

Does RIOC have any statement on the current status of Tram Elevator replacement and if any additional plans are being contemplated in view of the Lexington/63 Street F Train elevator being out of service for the next 7 months.
Ms. Indelicato responded later that day:
Getting together a time line and the measures we have taken to insure that the elevators are working.

I do realize that many people are severely inconvenienced and I hope we may help to somewhat alleviate any problems.
and yesterday provided this Roosevelt Island Tram Elevator status report prepared by RIOC Director of Engineering Jim Mortimer:
Last Friday, 7/11/14, we replaced the interior elevator door on the passenger elevator at the Manhattan Station. We have also scheduled our maintenance crew to clean the track that the door rides on every Friday. This should insure the passenger elevator provides reliable service for the foreseeable future.

Approximately two weeks before that, at the end of June, KONE serviced the red lift. That service coupled with the repairs made previous to that service, which corrected problems with the door contact, should insure reliable service for the red lift.

Additionally, a new service contract is ready to be awarded, where after initial repairs to the elevators, the service company is responsible for all service and repairs thereafter. This contract should start on August 1, 2014. The contract will provide more reliable service for the elevators, because the service company, KONE, will be responsible, at their own cost, for any repairs thereafter.

Finally, proposals for designing and building new elevators at the Tram are due on July 21, 2014. After evaluation of the bids and an award of the contract, we will be able to give you a time line for this work. the work will be sequenced so the red lift will be replaced first followed by the existing passenger elevator, so one elevator will always be in service.

Upon completion of the work, the Manhattan Station will have two new ADA compliant passenger elevators.
The ongoing repair of the existing Manhattan Tram Station elevators and their eventual replacement has been the subject of many Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC) Board Of Directors meetings.

Here's Ms. Indelicato speaking on the Tram Elevator problems at April 10 RIOC Board meeting



and January 15 RIOC Operations Advisory Committee meeting discussion of subject.

Beautiful Fiery Red Sunset Over Roosevelt Island New York City East River Waterfront Last Night - Did You See It?

The Twitterverse had some great Roosevelt Island sunset pictures from last night.

Wow!!!

More great NYC photos from Inga Sarda-Sorensen available at her web site.

Wednesday, July 16, 2014

Lighthouse Park Footbridges Washed Away By Hurricane Sandy Finally Replaced - Finishing Touches Still Need To Be Completed But You Can Now Walk To Peaceful Lighthouse At Northern Tip Of Roosevelt Island

Good News.

The Lighthouse Park footbridges washed away by Hurricane Sandy in October 2012  have been replaced. Roosevelt Island resident C. Grant sent in this picture yesterday

Image From C. Grant

and reports:
I forgot how nice the walk around the point is for peaceful thinking

The yellow tape is blocking only the red wood area where they are still fixing. The bridges are open and one can walk around
There are still some finishing touches that need to be made in the area but you can finally walk to the northern tip of Roosevelt Island's Lighthouse Park.

This is what Lighthouse Park looked like under water during Hurricane Sandy

 Roosevelt Island Lighthouse Park Under Water From Huricane Sandy Via Kate Williams Tweet

and the washed away footbridge space


a few weeks ago.

Happy to have the Lighthouse area open to the public again.

You're Invited To Opening Reception Of All Aboard To The Past Queensboro Bridge Trolley Photo Exhibition By Sid Kaplan At The Octagon Gallery Thursday July 17


The Roosevelt Island Historical Society (RIHS) will host an opening reception for a new photography exhibition by Sid Kaplan showcasing the Queensboro Bridge Trolley at the Octagon Gallery (888 Main Street) Thursday evening July 17 from 5- 8 PM.


According to RIHS President Judy Berdy:
ALL ABOARD TO THE PAST: The Queensboro Bridge Trolley
Photographs by Sid Kaplan
Now on exhibit
Octagon Gallery
888 Main St.
Open daily 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.
RECEPTION: Thursday, July 17th 5-8 p.m.
on view thru July 24
Here's the last Queensboro Bridge Trolley



and more Queensboro Bridge Trolley history from a prior post and here.

Restaurant Owner, Cookbook Author & TV Chef Lidia Bastianich Gives Roosevelt Island Child School Students Cooking Demonstration With Herbs And Pasta - Any Interest In Opening A Restaurant On Roosevelt Island Ms. Bastianich?

Restaurant owner, television cooking show host and best selling cookbook author Lidia Bastianich visited the Roosevelt Island Child School/Legacy High School yesterday and tweeted:

According to Lidia's Italy:
... Lidia is the chef/owner of four acclaimed New York City restaurants ‐ Felidia, Becco, Esca and Del Posto, as well as Lidia’s Pittsburgh and Lidia’s Kansas City. She is also founder and president of Tavola Productions, an entertainment company that produces high‐quality broadcast productions. Along with her son, Joe Bastianich, Mario Batali, and Oscar Farinetti, the team opened Eataly, the largest artisanal Italian food and wine marketplace in New York City....
Here's Ms. Bastianich cooking with fresh herbs and vegetables from the NY Botanical Garden



and giving a tour of Eataly.



Ms. Bastianich, any interest in opening an Italian restaurant on Roosevelt Island?

I can dream, can't I?

Tuesday, July 15, 2014

Roosevelt Island Tip Of The Hat In Respect To The Great Derek Jeter

Roosevelt Island makes an appearance at the end of the Derek Jeter Tip Of The Hat Respect 

 Image of Roosevelt Island At Bottom Left Of Jeter Re2pect Commercial

commercial.



Of course, in tonight's All Star Game, Jeter makes a great diving catch of a sharply hit grounder to his left, thought the runner was safe at first, then doubled and scored in his first at bat.

I was lucky to see in person at Yankee Stadium 2 great Derek Jeter games - the extra inning diving into the stands to catch a foul ball against the Red Sox



and 5 for 5 three thousandth hit game with a home run as hit number 3000.



What a great baseball player. He will be missed.

Roosevelt Island Hardware/Video Store Evicted Today - Main Street Master Leaseholder Hudson Related Takes Possession


The Roosevelt Island Hardware/Video store is no more.


A NYC Marshall's Notice was placed on the store's window today


advising that the landlord, Main Street Master Leaseholder Hudson Related, has legal possession of the premises.

NYC Council Member Ben Kallos Allocates Discretionary Funds To Roosevelt Island Organizations - Others Missed Application Deadline Out Of Luck For Now

The distribution of discretionary funds

Image From NY Post

by NYC Council Members was the subject of this DNA Info article yesterday:
...  Discretionary funds, distributed by Council Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito, are given to each member with the intention of supporting local nonprofit organizations. Mark-Viverito overhauled the process for fiscal year 2015, which runs from July 1, 2014 to June 30, 2015 — giving every council member $660,000, plus additional funds for representatives of more impoverished districts.

Each council member was given $400,000 in base funding, plus $110,000 for aging initiatives and $150,000 for youth programs. They were then allocated an extra $25,000, $50,000, $75,000 or $100,000 based on the poverty level in their district, as determined by 2012 American Community Survey data....
What Roosevelt Island nonprofit organizations received NYC Council discretionary funding? I asked Roosevelt Island/Upper East Side NYC Council member Ben Kallos:
I am preparing story on Roosevelt Island organizations that received NYC Council funding from the Kallos office and those that did not.

I am aware of these organizations that have received funding and amounts. Is the list accurate?

Roosevelt Island Seniors 30,000
ISLAND KIDS 15,000
Junior Tennis League 10,000
Child School 5,000
Four Freedoms Park 10,000

TOTAL $70,000

Did any other Roosevelt Island organization receive funding?

I suspect the Roosevelt Island Disabled Organization, Roosevelt Island Historical Society and Roosevelt Island Youth Program may not be happy being left out of funding.

I am also told that several organizations were not informed by your office about deadlines for applying for the funds....
A spokesperson for Mr. Kallos confirmed that the Roosevelt Island organization funding list above was correct and added that:
  • Roosevelt Island's PS 217 was granted $225,000 in capital funding and $20,000 in expense funding,
  • Bike New York was granted $5000 and Lenox Hill Neighborhood House $15,000, both of whom will use the funds in part for Roosevelt Island-specific programming and
  • Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts was granted $5,000.00 entirely for programming at PS 217.
Mr. Kallos adds:
We engaged in aggressive outreach via email blasts and phone calls to inform the Roosevelt Island and East Side communities about discretionary funding opportunities and deadlines. We funded every Roosevelt Island group that applied, and the amounts were equal to or more than the amounts they received last year. From what I know, Roosevelt Island Disabled Association, Roosevelt Island Historical Society, and Roosevelt Island Youth Program do valuable work serving the Roosevelt Island community, and I strongly encourage them to apply for funding next year.
Click here to view a chart showing how each NYC Council Member distributed their discretionary funds to local nonprofit organizations. According to the chart, Roosevelt Island organizations received funds for these purposes:
Roosevelt Island Seniors Association (RISA) $ 30,000

To support programming and classes for seniors, including tai Chi ,Zumba, building strength, art, Spanish, salsa, yoga stretch, and yoga for the mind.

Child School-Legacy High School $ 5,000

To provide funding for supplemental reading and math programs, to include both materials and initial and ongoing training for school staff, which will assist in remediation and skill improvement for students.

Four Freedoms Park Conservancy $ 10,000

To support programs that will help engage the public in an appreciation of the FDR Four Freedoms Park and President Roosevelt’s life and legacy including the return of Yoga classes; a Family Arts Workshop series; Music of Freedom, featuring programs by the American Wind Symphony on the Louis I. Kahn-design Floating Arts Center, The Amigos, and at least two other artists; Story Hour with actors, librarians, and educators; a lecture/reading series with distinguished scholars; and the development of school-based curriculum around the lessons of the Four Freedoms.

Island Kids $ 15,000

To support the Summer Camp program. Funds will be used to offset the costs associated with additional space rental, insurance, art and sports supplies, as well as costs related to expanding the science program to include an animal education component.

New York Junior Tennis League $ 10,000

To provide free recreational tennis and educational programs for beginner andintermediate players, ages 5-18 years in district five during the summer, fall, winter or spring

Bike New York, Inc. $5,000

To provide free educational programming includes after school programs, summer camp programs, weekend classes and school assembly programs. Requested funding will be used to purchase equipment, maintain equipment and the cost for instructors.

Public School 217 - $20,000

School residencies such as Ballroom Dancing, Yoga, Salvadori Center/ urban planning, NY Historical Society, STUDIO in a School, Drama and Character development.

DOE - PS 217 - The Roosevelt Island School $225,000

Technology update to further support the STEM programs that will be incorporated into the curriculums. Need of updated Active Boards, computers, laptops, smart devices ie. tablets, ipads, chrome books, and document cameras.
The NYC Council Budget Database lists these Roosevelt Island organizations receiving discretionary funds last year from former Council Member Jessica Lappin.
Roosevelt Island Historical Society $5,000 Lappin Local
To support lectures and tours of Roosevelt Island, operation of the RIHS Visitor Center Kiosk, and for archival research and other programming for visitors and scholars

Roosevelt Island Youth Program, Inc. $10,000 Lappin Youth
To support and expand youth Music Program.

Roosevelt Island Seniors Association (RISA, Inc.) $28,000 Lappin Aging
To support programming and classes for seniors, including Tai Chi, Yoga, Zumba, weight training, art, and dance.

Roosevelt Island Disabled Association $6,000 Lappin Aging
To provide transportation for all disabled tenants of Roosevelt Island to attend concerts, plays, sporting events and other events and activities.

New York Junior Tennis League, Inc. $10,000 Lappin Youth
To provide free recreational tennis and educational programs for beginner and intermediate players, ages 5-18 in the council member's district. Loaner racquets and balls will be provided to all participants. Special events, team tennis tournaments, and trips are a regular part of the program.

Island Kids  $5,000 Lappin Youth
To support the Summer Camp program. Funds will be used to offset the costs associated with additional space rental, insurance, art and sports supplies, as well as costs related to expanding our science program to include an animal education component.
Capital New York has more on the NYC Council discretionary funding process.

Watch Roosevelt Island Tram Speeds Across East River And Boats Zoom Under Queensboro Bridge In Cool Time Lapse Video


According to the Roosevelt Island Twitterverse:

Monday, July 14, 2014

Roosevelt Island Westview Building Pool Opens - Excellent Renovation Job

The Roosevelt Island Westview Building pool renovation is completed and is now open.


The pool is currently only open to residents of Westview and Island House


but will allow others to join next month.



The men's and women's locker rooms were very clean.


There is also an exercise gym


and a sauna.

In addition to the newly renovated Westview Pool, Roosevelt Island has indoor pools at Sportspark and Rivercross as well as outdoor pools at Manhattan Park and the Octagon.

Problems With F Train Subway Delays Today Due To Signal Problems At Roosevelt Island F Train Station - Were You Late Going To Work Or Coming Home Today?

Did you experience delays on your Roosevelt Island F train commute to and/or from Manhattan today?

Image Of MTA Roosevelt Island F Train Station Work This Past Weekend

If yes, the MTA explains.
6:02PM

Due to signal problems at Roosevelt Island, northbound F Subway Line trains are running with delays.

Allow additional travel time.
According to the Roosevelt Island F Train Twitterverse:
Hope your commute was not to bad.

UPDATE 7/15 - Problems continue today:

Sponsored Post - Bike New York Roosevelt Island Summer Ride Series To Manhattan Summer Streets, East River Esplanade, Astoria Park Picnic & Around Roosevelt Island

Bike New York invites you to a:

SUMMER RIDE SERIES
Join Bike New York for a series of summer bicycle rides that will take you around Roosevelt Island
and beyond!


SATURDAY RIDES
Join us for a Saturday adventure! To register, send an emal to Caitlin Goodspeed at cgoodspeed@bikenewyork.org or call 212-870-2075 and leave a message with the following: your name, phone number, email and mailing address, & emergency contact information.

You’ll then receive a follow-up email confirming your registration.

August 16: Summer Streets

Nearly 7 miles of NYC streets will be open for people to play, walk, and—most importantly—bike! We’ll ride into Manhattan and check out the various vendors and enjoy the car-free streets!

Departure Time: 9:00AM | Miles: Approx. 8 | Limit: 8 People

September: East River Esplanade

This ride is still in the works, so be on the lookout for more information!

October 4: Picnic in the Park

Astoria Park in Queens is a great destination and an easy bike ride from Roosevelt Island—especially if you’ve mastered the little red bridge! Join us for a relaxing afternoon in the park as we enjoy the last bit of warm weather.
Departure Time: 11:30AM | Miles: 4.5 | Limit: 10 People

THURS. EVENING RIDES

These entry-level, family-friendly rides will take cyclists on a scenic 3-mile loop around Roosevelt Island. We will depart from our container at 6:15PM. After the ride, participants are welcome to join the Bike New York staff for dinner on the island! Rides are scheduled for June 26,July 24, Aug. 21, Sept. 11, Sept. 25, and Oct. 16.

DETAILS: Rides are free, guided, and open to the public. Rides will begin and end at our colorful storage container underneath the Helix Ramp. Participants must fill out a waiver prior to de- parture. Bikes and helmets will be provided for Thursday Evening Rides only. Registration is required for Saturday Rides. Children under the age of 14 must be accompanied by an adult. Rides will be cancelled in the event of rain. (Call our weather hotline at 212-870-2080, ext. 2.) Grab life by the handlebars. Learn more at bikenewyork.org