Good News, Roosevelt Island F Train Service To And From Manhattan This Weekend - That's 6 Consecutive Weeks Of Roosevelt Island F Train Service In Both Directions

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

to and from Manhattan this weekend.

Roosevelt Island Marlins Swim Team Celebrate 2014 With Team Banquet - Review Past Success, Congratulate Outstanding Swimmers And Look Forward To Next Year

The Roosevelt Island Marlins Swim Team report:

Roosevelt Island Marlins Celebrate at 2014 Team Banquet

Image From Roosevelt Island Marlins

Roosevelt Island Marlins Celebrate at 2014 Team Banquet

Roosevelt Island Marlins, a local non-profit swim team, serving hundreds of island children since 2006, celebrated another great year of swimming with food, friends, and festivities this past Friday, December 19. 2014 finished with fantastic records for the young athletes - and members of the Marlins swim team are ranked as some of the best in the Metropolitan Area.

“We are having a great, phenomenal swimming season!” - Head coach Michael Gavrilchin reports. - “The team had great performances in local metropolitan league meets. We captured multiple first, second and third places. I’d like to thank team’s coaching staff for hard work and dedication. We strive to help kids set the goals, achieve them, and along this journey, teach them valuable life skills such as discipline, self-confidence and leadership, which they will apply not only in the swimming, but in their own lives. Special appreciation to Marlins’ parents for being supportive, very active and keeping this team united. I wish to Marlins Swim Team all the best in 2015 year, we look forward to keeping every swimmer motivated and lead the Marlins to greater accomplishments.”

“We have had 12 junior olympics qualifiers, 18 silvers championship qualifiers, and tremendous amount of personal best times.” - Junior Group coach Igor Zagoruiko adds. “The swimming season is not over, and we are looking forward to more medals, age group records and another great year of swimming in 2015.”

Both coaches credit large part of this success to Marlins dedicated Board of Directors - Slavica Gak, Sanya Hamsic, Ana Gasic, and Gene Teytelman, as well as to parents who support their children’s passion for swimming.

Team’s “Learn to Swim” program, available to children as young as 3 years old, is a great feeder for the Team. “I am looking at you now, and remember you as 6-7 year olds, just learning to swim.” - one of the Board Directors Gene Teytelman reminisced addressing 15 & Older division swimmers towering over him. ”With some of our best Senior swimmers graduating High School and leaving our squad last summer, and several more of you heading for college at the end of this school year, it will be a great transitional year in the Marlins’ history as we move forward in attaining our position at the top of Metropolitan Local Swimming Committee.”

Congratulations to Marlins’ Outstanding Swimmers of the Year - winners of 2014 Team challenge:

10 & Under Division Girls
1st place - Sophia Shchuchinov
2nd place - Elena Jordan
3rd place - Kelsey Long

10 & Under Division Boys
1st place - William Sakmar
2nd place - Strahinja Maslo
3rd place - Stephan Vesselov

11-12 Years Old Division Girls
1st place - Katarina Grozdanic
2nd place - Juliette Sakmar
3rd place - Charlotte Sakmar

11-12 Years Old Division Boys
1st place - Nicholas Gusita
2nd place - Patrick Ren
3rd place - Jasper Bruskotter

13-14 Years Old Division Girls
1st place - Lara Jordan
2nd place - Helena Horvat
3rd place - Kristina Jankovic

13-14 Years Old Division Boys
1st place - Matija Prokic
2nd place - Victor Gazdoiu
3rd place - Matteo Coullare

15 & Older Division Girls
1st place - Andrea Gasic
2nd place - Charline Mazanek
3rd place - Doris Gasic

15 & Older Division Boys
1st place - Nader Yamout
2nd place - Edoardo Snaidero
3rd place - Omar Hamsic

More information available on the Roosevelt Island Marlins Swim Team at their web site.

Scenes From Roosevelt Island Cabrini Church Children's Christmas Show Last Night, Merry Christmas - Also, A Song From Great Big Sea, Come And I Will Sing You (The Twelve Apostles)

Frank Farance shares these photos from Roosevelt Island's Church of St. Francis Xavier Cabrini Children's Christmas show last night at the Good Shepherd Community Center.

Images From Frank Farance

Here's a traditional Christmas song from another Island community, Newfoundland Canada, sung by Great Big Sea. The song is Come and I Will Sing You (The Twelve Apostles)



That looks like a great snowy White Christmas.

Merry Christmas.

A Roosevelt Island Christmas Tale - Local Residents, RIOC Public Safety Officers and RI Youth Program Help Bring Toys For Tots to Coler Hospital Children's Ward

A Roosevelt Island Christmas story from Sasha Ross:

A few weeks ago  Priscilla Morales told me she was collecting toys for the Toys for Tots program and asked if we, as a Roosevelt Island community, could donate a toy or two for less fortunate children.

Of course I was willing to donate what I could.

The collection ended 12/19 (last Friday) so when I noticed the boxes still sitting in the PS/IS 217 school on Monday, I asked why. Apparently Toys for Tots had not picked them up yet.

Yesterday, about 5:45 pm I got a phone call from Priscilla asking about the children's ward at Coler Hospital. PS/IS 217 was closing at 6pm and would remain closed until after the new year. She needed a place to donate the toys before it was too late.

So, I made a few phone calls. Yes there was a Coler Hospital children's ward I was told. But no, they were not sure if they could accept any donations, I would have to wait for another call from someone in Coler Hospital's Human Resources department.

I was able to use the Roosevelt Island Youth Program (RIYP) Center as a holding area for the toys until I got a call back from someone in HR at Coler. I called the Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC) Public Safety Department (PSD) for some help. I would need transport to the hospital, would PSD help?

Well it all worked out and by 7:30pm yesterday, the Coler Hospital Children's ward received 2 huge densely packed boxes of brand new Christmas toys.

Image of Toys For Tots Delivery To Coler Hospital Representative By Sasha Ross

So I'm sending a huge thank you to Priscilla Morales for such an amazing idea. To RIYP's Romance Barber, PSD's Chief Jack McManus, Sergeant Michelle Evans and Sergeant Rodell Lindsey for all of their help. I know we all made those children's holiday season a bit better.

Also, a Big Thank You to Ms. Ross for her efforts to bring Christmas Toys to children at Coler Hospital and for telling us the story.

Roosevelt Island Resident And Art Gallery Owner Paul Calendrillo Begins New Year With Exhibit At Gallery RIVAA Starting January 3 - Out With The Old In With The Few, 14 Artists To Follow In 2015

Roosevelt Island resident and art gallery owner Paul Calendrillo is ringing in the 2015 New Year by curating a new exhibit at Gallery RIVAA beginning January 3 with an opening reception January 6.  Mark your calendars.

According to Mr. Calendrillo:

Paul Calendrillo New York Presents

Out with the Old in with the Few

14 Artists to Follow in 2015

Stephen Hall, American Still Life

January 3rd to January 18th

Opening Reception January 6th 6:00pm to 9:00pm

Gallery RIVAA

527 Main St.

Roosevelt Island

Curated by Paul Calendrillo

Gallery Hours: Tuesday and Thursday 1pm to 5pm

Wednesday and Friday 10am to 4pm

Saturday and Sunday 11am to 5pm

Wednesday and Friday 6pm to 9pm

Artist Talk Series

January 7th through January 18th

It’s the perfect time and the perfect place for new beginnings in 2015. This new year, like all new years, will open full of hope and optimism. It is a time to search in the most unlikely places for ideas that will spark change and lead to something unforeseen and wonderful. And at this time, in a place that ties all New York by an orange umbilical cord running from the upper east side to lower Manhattan and Brooklyn that we all call the F train, on an Island alive with art and artists, Roosevelt Island, and in the beautiful gallery RIVVA, Paul Calendrillo New York will move his 14 artists from Chelsea to a show celebrating all New York and all its greatness.

The group is highly diversified and comes from all parts of the world but has several overwhelming commonalities—they are all highly skilled, accomplished, successful and consistently push the boundaries of their own art. The artists represented come from Tokyo, Cuba, Canada, Scotland, Wales, Argentina, Mexico, California and of course New York. They range from the elegant, fabulous couture worn by faceless women in Courtney Murphy’s oils to the heavy, violent strokes of black on black acrylic in the work of Andres Giles. Come to the gallery to see the deterioration of Cuba in the paintings of Alejandro Mora, crafted with sensitivity for the country he left but still lives in his heart, the joyous, bugs-eye view of nature by Asako Iwasawa, the social commentary of Stephen Hall, the unique technique and contemporary work of Sean Donovan, the mythical sculpture of Blake Emory, the microscopic and galactic forms and colors in the paintings of Sarah Doherty Heinrichs, the facetious surrealism of Pat Moretti, the two dimensions in motion of Jesse Best’s abstracts, the vibrant color of Linda Louis, the search for meaning in Regina Davis’s oils, the inspiration garnered from Northern India in Janeen Hunt Humphries work and the unique painting process that combines watercolor and earth ephemera of Andre Eamiello.

Roosevelt Island is the home to the Franklin D. Roosevelt Four Freedoms Park, a gift to all New Yorkers. The park is the first memorial dedicated to the former President in his home state of New York. It is the last work of the late, famous Louis I. Kahn, an iconic architect of the 20th century. The Park celebrates the Four Freedoms, as pronounced in President Roosevelt’s famous January 6, 1941 State of the Union speech. At the tip of the park rests the intense 1933 bust of FDR crafted by the late sculptor Jo Davidson.

Artist Talk Calendar

(Check our website at www.paulcalendrillo.com for any last minute changes or additions to the schedule)

• Stephen Hall January 7th at 6:30pm
• Asako Iwasawa January 8th at 1:30pm
• Janine Hunt-Humphries January 8th at 1:00pm
• Linda Louis January 9th at 6:30pm
• Blake Emory January 10th at 1:00 pm
• Sarah Doherty Heinrichs January 11th at 12pm
• Andres Giles January 13th at 1:30 pm
• Regina Davis January 14th at 1:30pm
• Jesse Best January 14th at 6:30pm
• Sean Donovan January 15th at 1:30 pm
• Andre Eamiello January 16th at 6:30pm

Here's more on Mr. Calendrillo at a private showing in his home



and from his web site.

A Christmas Story Holiday Classic Movie Showing Tonight At Roosevelt Island New York Public Library Branch - Also, Please Take Online Survey To Help Plan Future Programs At New Roosevelt Island Library

According to the Roosevelt Island Twitterverse:

Enjoy a free screening of the classic movie A Christmas Story today at 6pm at Roosevelt Island Library. pic.twitter.com/ZyiuThz17T
— Duane Reade (@DuaneReade) December 23, 2014

The New York Public Library Roosevelt Island branch adds:

Movie Night: "A Christmas Story" Tuesday, December 23, 2014, 6PM
(1983) (PG) (98 Minutes) - Audience: Families
It's the Christmas season in 1940's Indiana. Young Ralphie wants a Red Rider B.B. Gun for Christmas, but every adult he talks to including a department store Santa tells him: "You'll shoot your eye out, kid!" Will Ralphie's Christmas wishes come true?

and here's the trailer from the movie.



Also,don't forget to help shape the plans for the new Roosevelt Island NYPL branch at 504 Main Street by filling out this survey.

Residential Manager For Roosevelt Island Related Riverwalk Luxury Condo Job Available - Comes With A 2 Bedroom, 2 Bathroom Apartment Too

Image From How I Save Money

Are you looking for a job on Roosevelt Island. How about one that comes with a 2 bedroom, 2 bathroom apartment at one of the Riverwalk Luxury condos? If you are qualified, then this Related Resident Manager position for a Roosevelt Island Riverwalk building is for you.

According to Select Leaders

Premier Real Estate Company, Related Management is seeking an exceptional Resident Manager to join our team of professionals at our 233 unit luxury condominium on Roosevelt Island. Our Resident Managers are hands-on managers who live on-site and are responsible for the supervision and training of all building operations staff, maintaining quality resident relations, supervision of day-to-day maintenance operations, overseeing special projects and other related duties, as needed. The ideal candidate will possess a strong background in residential property management and will have exceptional analytical and communication skills.

Requirements include: Superb leadership skills; facilities/operations experience with solid knowledge of building systems, college degree in a related field preferred; strong organizational and administrative skills; must be able to prioritize and handle multiple tasks; working knowledge of Microsoft Office. Must live on-site with applicable on-call responsibilities. Lovely 2 bedroom/2 bath apartment is included. Salary and bonus commensurate with experience.

Qualifications: • Highly skilled in plumbing, electrical, carpentry, HVAC, and janitorial. • Appropriate licenses (Boiler, Chiller). • Motivated service-oriented self starter. • Strong financial management skills. • Demonstrated ability to manage multiple and complex operational matters on a daily basis. • Superior written and oral communication skills. • Strong supervisory skills....

Click here for more information about the job from Select Leaders and here for direct link to Related Management job description as well as Related career web site

Good luck.

SPONSORED POST - ROOSEVELT LANDINGS HOLIDAY AND SEASONS GREETINGS TO ROOSEVELT ISLAND COMMUNITY

Image From Roosevelt Landings

Help Shape Plans For New Roosevelt Island New York Public Library Branch By Taking Online Survey - Also Upcoming Events At Roosevelt Island NYPL Branch

Roosevelt Island NY Public Library Branch Manager Nicole Nelson is asking for your thoughts and ideas to help shape the plans for the new Roosevelt Island NYPL branch at 504 Main Street scheduled to open in 2018.

Image From NYPL

According to Ms. Nelson:

Dear Friend,

Right now, we are beginning to plan our programs and services for the new home of a larger Roosevelt Island Library at 504 Main Street. We truly value your opinion — and here is a chance to have a say in our plans!

Click here to take this quick survey and help shape our neighborhood library.

This is an exciting time to be part of Roosevelt Island. We have new apartments being built, a revitalized Main Street commercial corridor, the recent opening of Four Freedoms Park, and the arrival of Cornell Tech's new Roosevelt Island campus.

Your input is key in making Roosevelt Island Library a part of our community's bright future, and helping ensure that our branch serves everyone: book lovers, adult learners, teens, families, students, small-business owners, writers, creators, and anyone else who comes through our doors.

The New York Public Library spent a century building a network of 88 neighborhood and four research libraries in the Bronx, Manhattan, and Staten Island. We've spent $250 million over the past 10 years to improve libraries across our system. Moving the Roosevelt Island Library to a larger space is one of many projects that will help give New Yorkers the libraries they deserve.

Your feedback is essential for all of our plans. To get it right, we've been talking to community leaders, recently hosted a community conversation — and now, we're conducting a survey of our users.

Please take this survey in the next five days and help shape our plans for the Roosevelt Island Library.

Thank you for helping to guide our future. You are helping us achieve our mission of inspiring lifelong learning, advancing knowledge, and strengthening our communities.

Sincerely,

Nicole Nelson
Library Manager

Please click here to take the Roosevelt Island Public Library survey.

For more information on plans for the new Roosevelt Island NYPL branch at 504 Main Street,

Future Home Of NYPL Roosevelt Island Branch At 504 Main Street

watch video from this NYPL November 20 Roosevelt Island Town Hall Meeting.

Also, below are upcoming events at the Roosevelt Island NYC Public Library branch including:

Roosevelt Island Library
524 Main Street
Phone (212) 308-6243

Early Closings: The library will close at 3PM on Christmas Eve, 12/24, and New Year's Eve, 12/31
Holiday Closings: The library will be closed on Christmas Day, 12/25, and New Year's Day, 1/1

Upcoming Special Programs:

Movie Night: "A Christmas Story" Tuesday, December 23, 2014, 6PM
(1983) (PG) (98 Minutes) - Audience: Families
It's the Christmas season in 1940's Indiana. Young Ralphie wants a Red Rider B.B. Gun for Christmas, but every adult he talks to including a department store Santa tells him: "You'll shoot your eye out, kid!" Will Ralphie's Christmas wishes come true?

Chilren's Film: "Frozen: Sing-Along Edition" Tuesday, December 30, 3-4:45PM
(2014) (PG) (102 Minutes) Audience: Families
Experience “Frozen,” the epic animated hit like never before in an all-new, full-length sing-along edition. Join Anna as she sets off on an epic journey, teaming up with mountain man, Kristoff, and a snowman named Olaf, to find her sister, Elsa, whose icy powers have trapped the kingdom in eternal winter.
Featuring the voices of: Idina Menzel, Kristen Bell, Jonathan Groff, Josh Gad, and Santino Fontana

Children's Film: "Planes: Fire and Rescue" Friday, January 2, 2-3:30PM
(2014) (PG) (84 Minutes) Audience: Famililes
When air racer Dusty learns that he may never race again, he shifts gears and joins the world of aerial firefighting. Dusty joins forces with veteran fire and rescue helicopter Blade Ranger and his team, The Smokejumpers. Together, the fearless team battles a massive wildfire, and Dusty learns what it takes to become a true hero.
Featuring the voices of: Dane Cook, Ed Harris, Julie Bowen, Wes Studi, Regina King, Teri Hatcher, and Stacy Keach

"Winter With Bilingual Birdies: Spanish" Thursdays, January 8, 15, 22, 29, 11AM
This January, Bilingual Birdies will visit the Roosevelt Island Library to warm up the families with live music, dance parties, and theatre-based games. We'll take you on an adventure to learn new vocabulary about the snow and rain, warm winter clothes, and playing winter sports. Children will also learn about various professions and modes of transportation. Teachers play the guitar and instruments are provided for a collective family jam!

Happy Holidays And Seasons Greetings From Bike New York - New Web Page And Sign Up For Roosevelt Island Only Bike Maintenance Class

Image From Bike NY

Bike New York's Roosevelt Island Community Outreach Manager Caitlin Goodspeed reports:

Last week we launched our new website, www.bike.nyc! I am especially excited about the page that is dedicated entirely to Roosevelt Island. You can find it under the education tab on the main page. I will be updating the page frequently with news from the island.

Also, we have a Bike Maintenance 101 class for Roosevelt Island residents only happening on Sunday, January 25th from 11-1 at Sportspark Gym. People must email me at cgoodspeed@bike.nyc (new email) to register. There are a limited number of spots for this class! We recommend that people bring their own bikes to practice on, but it's okay if you come sans bike.

Thank you and have a happy holiday!

NYPD Officers Wenjian Liu and Rafael Ramos Shot And Killed By Gunman While Sitting In Their Patrol Car On Bed Stuy Brooklyn Street Saturday Afternoon - Targeted Because They Were NYPD, Horrible.

The NY Times reports:

Two police officers sitting in their patrol car in Brooklyn were shot at point-blank range and killed on Saturday afternoon by a man who, officials said, had traveled to the city from Baltimore vowing to kill officers. The suspect then committed suicide with the same gun, the authorities said.

The officers, Wenjian Liu and Rafael Ramos, were in the car near Myrtle and Tompkins Avenues in Bedford-Stuyvesant in the shadow of a tall housing project when the gunman, Ismaaiyl Brinsley, walked up to the passenger-side window and assumed a firing stance, Police Commissioner William J. Bratton said. Mr. Brinsley shot several rounds into the heads and upper bodies of the officers, who never drew their weapons, the authorities said....

Heroes. Always Heroes | Police Officer Rafael Ramos | Police Officer Wenjian Liu | #NYPD pic.twitter.com/egcnOSO6jk
— Steve Weiss (@steveODMP) December 21, 2014

We mourn the loss of NYPD Police Officers Wenjian Liu & Rafael Ramos. Both were shot & killed today while working in Brooklyn.
— NYPD NEWS (@NYPDnews) December 21, 2014

NYPD Commissioner William Bratton and NYC Mayor Bill deBlasio had this to say at press conference yesterday about the killing of the two NYPD officers.



Patrolmen Benvolent Association (PBA) President Pat Lynch blamed Mayor de Blasio and:

... those that incited violence on the streets under the guise of protest that tried to tear down what NYPD officers did every day....

for the shooting of the officers.

PBA Pres Pat Lynch: "Those who allowed this to happen will be held accountable." #1010WINS @CBSNewYork pic.twitter.com/SUauR2n4Dy
— Sonia Rincon (@SoniaRincon) December 21, 2014

Also:

Pat Lynch nodded yes when asked if officers turned their backs to the mayor.
— Danielle Tcholakian (@danielleiat) December 21, 2014

NYPD Chief Of Detectives Robert Boyce gave this briefing on the shooting earlier today



NYC must find a way to heal from this brutal killing of Officers Liu and Ramos.

As previously reported the Roosevelt Island Residents Association (RIRA) Public Safety Committee recently:

... approved by a 13 to 0 vote a proposed resolution condemning the decision by the Staten Island Grand Jury not to issue an indictment of the NYPD Officer in the choking death of Eric Garner. The resolution will be sent to the full RIRA Common Council for discussion at the January 2015 monthly meeting....

Will RIRA still go forward with this resolution after the shooting of Officers Liu and Ramos?

More information on the proposed RIRA resolution regarding the Eric Garner case here.

UPDATE - 12/22 - RIRA Public Safety Committee Chair Erin Feely-Nahem issued this statement on behalf of the Public Safety Committee:

The cold-blooded random murder -- execution style -- of two New York City police officers is without any mitigation to be unreservedly condemned. The RIRA Public Safety Committee offers our condolences to the families of Officers Wenjian Liu and Rafael Ramos.

Patrick Lynch, head of the Patrolmen's Benevolent Association, has tried to link these murders to the recent legitimate and overwhelmingly peaceful protests against the longstanding pattern of police killings of innocent, unarmed people (almost always African-American) by NYPD officers, most recently and notoriously the killing of Eric Garner.

The deranged killer in Brooklyn falsely sought to identify his criminal act with the recent events in Ferguson, Missouri and Staten Island, New York. There is no rational connection between legitimate protests against police brutality and unjustified killings of innocent, unarmed civilians with no legal accountability and the cold-blooded murders of police officers who are carrying out their legitimate authority.