Red Tail Hawk And Peregrine Falcon Spotted In Aerial Battle Over Roosevelt Island

The Roosevelt Island Twitterverse reports:

I've see the falcon on the 59st bridge #rooseveltisland towers a few times this week. Territorial behav today. Maybe a nest this spring?
— Sara Kross (@sara_kross) January 3, 2015

Just watched an aerial battle btwn a peregrine falcon and red tailed hawk in the skies above #rooseveltisland + #manhattan #urbanwildlife
— Sara Kross (@sara_kross) January 3, 2015

This hawk was spotted last November 14

Image From Rossana Ceruzzi

lunching on a rat at the West (Eleanor's) Pier



and here's another Roosevelt Island hawk sighting



at Capobianco Park in January 2013.

More Good News, Roosevelt Island F Train Service To And From Manhattan This Weekend - That's 7 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.

Also, the MTA reports:

F Trains run local in both directions between 21 St-Queensbridge and 71 Av

Weekends, 12:01 AM Sat to 5 AM Mon, Jan 3 - 5 • Jan 10 - 12

Trains stop at 36, Steinway, 46 Sts, Northern Blvd, 65 St, Roosevelt, Elmhurst, Grand Avs, Woodhaven Blvd, 63 Dr and 67 Av.

Former New York State Governor And Liberal Lion Mario Cuomo Passes Away At Age 82 - Created Roosevelt Island Operating Corp Too

Sad news.

Image From NY Daily News Front Page

The NY Times reports:

Mario M. Cuomo, the three-term governor of New York who commanded the attention of the country with a compelling public presence, a forceful defense of liberalism and his exhaustive ruminations about whether to run for president, died on Thursday at his home in Manhattan. He was 82.

His family confirmed the death, which occurred only hours after Mr. Cuomo’s son Andrew M. Cuomo was inaugurated in Manhattan for a second term as governor. The cause was heart failure.

Mario Cuomo led New York during a turbulent time, 1983 through 1994. His ambitions for an activist government were thwarted by recession. He found himself struggling with the State Legislature not over what the government should do but over what programs should be cut, and what taxes should be raised, simply to balance the budget....

Click here for the full NY Times article.

The Office Of Governor Andrew Cuomo issued this statement on January 1:

MARIO M. CUOMO

(June 15, 1932- January 1, 2015)

The family of former Governor Mario M. Cuomo announced that the Governor passed away from natural causes due to heart failure this evening at home with his loving family at his side.
He was 82 years of age.

The Fifty Second Governor of New York State, Governor Mario Cuomo served as New York’s Chief Executive from 1983 through 1994. He was credited with simultaneously improving the business environment of New York and the quality of life for its citizens, despite a national recession at the time.

Governor Cuomo presented eleven consecutive balanced budgets, reduced taxes, and implemented comprehensive governmental ethics and fiscal reforms. From the time Cuomo took office, New York experienced an increase of hundreds of thousands of jobs and tens of thousands of businesses.

Proclaiming the Decade of the Child, Mario Cuomo ushered in a multi-faceted effort to improve the lives of all New York’s children. His administration became the first in the country to develop an Energy Plan and to sign into law controls on acid rain among many undertakings.

Prior to his election as governor in 1983, Governor Cuomo served in the public and private practice of law for 18 years, simultaneously teaching as an adjunct professor for more than ten years at The St. John’s School of Law.

Mario Cuomo first gained public recognition for his resolution of the Forest Hills housing controversy in 1972. He was appointed to serve as the Secretary of State of New York in 1975 and in 1978 he was elected as Lieutenant Governor. He later received national attention for his 1984 Keynote Address at the Democratic National Convention in San Francisco.

2014 marked 60 years of marriage to first lady Matilda Raffa Cuomo, a graduate of The St. John’s University Teacher’s College. The Governor is survived by his children, Margaret (Howard Maier), Andrew (Sandra Lee), Maria (Kenneth Cole), Madeline (Brian O'Donoghue), Christopher (Cristina Cuomo), as well as 14 grandchildren: Christina Cuomo Perpignano,
Marianna Cuomo Maier, Cara Kennedy Cuomo, Mariah Kennedy Cuomo, Michaela Kennedy Cuomo, Emily Cole, Amanda Cole, Katherine Cole, Samantha O'Donoghue, Kristin O'Donoghue, Tess O'Donoghue, Bella Cuomo, Mario Cuomo, and Carolina Regina Cuomo.

Funeral arrangements will be announced shortly.

and on January 2:

The Cuomo family today announced details of the wake and funeral arrangements for former Governor Mario M. Cuomo.

On Monday, January 5th, calling hours will be held between 1:00PM-5:00PM and 7:00PM-10:00PM at the Frank E. Campbell Funeral Home, located at 1076 Madison Avenue in Manhattan.

On Tuesday, January 6th at 11:00 AM, funeral services will be held at St. Ignatius Loyola Church, located at 980 Park Avenue in Manhattan. The service will be private.

CBS News New York remembers Governor Mario Cuomo.



Here's an excerpt from Governor Mario Cuomo's 1984 Democratic Party Convention Keynote Speech



and the full speech is here.

Also,

In 1984, under Governor Mario Cuomo's direction, the Roosevelt Island Operating Corporation (RIOC) was created as a state public benefit corporation, succeeding UDC in operating and developing the island.

The NY Times has more on the life and career of Governor Mario Cuomo.

Rest in peace Governor Mario Cuomo.

Best Wishes For A Happy And Healthy New Year From Roosevelt Island - Goodbye 2014, Welcome 2015 With Peace, Love And Understanding

Best Wishes to all for a Happy And Healthy New Year in 2015.

You Tube Video of Bottle Band Auld Lang Syne Performance

There's no better way to party out the past year than with a traditional last song from Southside Johnny & the Asbury Jukes together with Bruce Springsteen & the E Street Band .

We're havin' a party
Everybody's swinging
Dancing to the music
On the radio
So listen, Mr. DJ
Keep those records playing
'Cause I'm having such a good time
Dancing with my baby

You Tube Video of Southside Johnny and Bruce Springsteen Having a Party in 1978 - Lyrics are by Sam Cooke.

Here's hoping for some 2015 Peace, Love and Understanding from Elvis Costello. HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE!

First Phase Of Goldwater Hospital Demolition Completed, Second Phase Continuing For New Roosevelt Island Cornell Tech Campus

Here's the latest

Image Of Cornell NYC Tech Demolition Of Goldwater Hospital December 30 

on the demolition of Roosevelt Island's

Image Of Cornell NYC Tech Demolition Of Goldwater Hospital December 30

Goldwater Hospital

Image Of Cornell NYC Tech Demolition Of Goldwater Hospital December 30

to make way

Image Of Cornell NYC Tech Demolition Of Goldwater Hospital December 30

for the new Cornell Tech campus.

Image Of Cornell NYC Tech Demolition Of Goldwater Hospital December 30

According to the latest Cornell NYC Tech Roosevelt Island construction update:

December 19 - January 2 Look Ahead

Phase I of the demolition project is now complete. All building foundations have been removed and backfilled. The team has been working to level the entire Phase I parcel before shifting their focus to the south of the Goldwater site.

Work continues in Phase II. Structural demolition of Building J, the southernmost building, continues and is approximately 50% complete. Preparatory work on Building E is underway with façade demolition expected to start in the coming weeks.

The ductbank operation continues along the west roadway. Much of the installation takes place within the current fence line, although there are locations where work must take place in the roadway.

And just a reminder that Cornell Tech has a community space at Gallery RIVAA, 527 Main Street, with office hours on Wednesdays and Fridays from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm and 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm. Please stop by and learn about our campus.

There are also of course wonderful art exhibits at Gallery RIVAA. From January 3rd to January 18th Paul Calendrillo New York Presents Out with the Old in with the Few, 14 Artists to Follow in 2015. The Opening Reception is January 6th from 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm at the gallery. Paul Calendrillo New York will move his 14 artists from Chelsea “to a show celebrating all of New York and all of its greatness.” The artists represented come from Tokyo, Cuba, Scotland, Wales, Argentina, Mexico, California and of course New York.

The Horseflies Hush Little Baby Music Video Performed Inside Roosevelt Island's Renwick Ruins Smallpox Hospital - In 1989

Image From Horseflies You Tube Video

According to Wikipedia:

The Horse Flies are an American alternative rock/folk band, founded in the late 1970s under the name 'Tompkins County Horseflies' by husband and wife Jeff Claus and Judy Hyman, along with Richie Stearns and John Hayward.

The four original members of the Horse Flies emerged from the old-time music scene and, in collaboration with percussionist Taki Masuko and keyboardist/accordionist Peter Dodge, would develop their unique sound by twining old-time fiddle tunes with modern art/alt rock influences and world folk music traditions.

Songs by Claus and Stearns included surreal elements that simultaneously evoke Appalachian imagery and the alienated perspective British and American indie rock bands of the 1980s. This link was perhaps most explicit in their reworking of the Cramps' "Human Fly," the title cut of the Horseflies' first album. Claus's homage to their adopted hometown of Ithaca, New York, "I Live Where It's Grey" recalls early Talking Heads and Devo, but the mechanical precision is executed on traditional acoustic instruments. Stearns' adaptation of the lullaby "Hush Little Baby" transforms it into a series of heartfelt promises from someone who has little, but offers everything...

In 1989, Horseflies made a music video of Hush Little Baby inside Roosevelt Island's abandoned Renwick Ruins Smallpox Hospital and at Southpoint Park.

Take a look and listen.



More on The Horseflies from their web site.

2014 Year End Report From NYC Council Member Ben Kallos - Living And Breathing Roosevelt Island Every Single Day Says Mr. Kallos

Roosevelt Island and Upper East Side

Image Of NYC Council District 5 Including Roosevelt Island From Ben Kallos

NYC Council Member (CM) Ben Kallos reported December 23 on the end of his first year serving as our CM.
 

Image From Ben Kallos

According to Mr. Kallos:

It has been one year since I began serving as your City Council Member. I am deeply proud of the work we have done together and excited for the road ahead. Though there certainly have been difficult times, especially in recent days and months, it is time for our city to come together in mourning of those we have lost and with resolve to move forward.

I look forward to meeting you at an upcoming event--or perhaps my holiday party tonight, 12/23, from 4-7p.m. at my District Office at 244 East 93rd Street. You can RSVP at BenKallos.com/Events.

If you would like to compare my goals with actions over the past year, please have a look at my 2013 Policy Book. I am proud of these achievements--but I know there's much, much more to do. Thank you for your support this year. I am looking forward to the next three.

Sincerely,

Ben Kallos


Year One: By the Numbers

Residents served: More than 1,000
Legislation Passed: 3 bills and 2 resolutions
Land use matters: 2, with both passing
City Council attendance: 100 Percent (perfect attendance)
Governmental Operations Committee Hearing chaired: 14
Laws passed through committee: 7 Bills and 2 Resolutions
First Fridays and policy nights: Nearly 20
Funding Secured for East River Esplanade: $35 Million
Community Meetings: More than 100
Money allocated to projects the community voted on through participatory budgeting: $2.7 million

Table Of Contents

1. Fighting the Marine Transfer Station
2. Safer Streets
3. Revitalizing the East River Esplanade
4. Supporting Education
5. Affordable Housing
6. Healthier Communities
7. Open Office
8. Government Reform
9. City Council Rules Reform
10. Participatory Budgeting
12. Technology
12. Improving Elections
13. Starting off and Moving Forward

Mr. Kallos spoke at the December 8 Cornell Tech Roosevelt Island Town Hall meeting. He discussed accessibility for hearing impaired at public meetings, new Roosevelt Island NYC Public Library visioning session, $1 million Participatory Budgeting process, Cornell Tech construction barging and constituent services.



Mr. Kallos has mobile Roosevelt Island constituent service office hours on the 4th Wednesday of every month from 4-7 PM at the Roosevelt Island Seniors Center (546 Main Street) and his Roosevelt Island Director, resident Joe Strong, can be stopped on the street to discuss issues as well.

Mr. Kallos ended his remarks at the Cornell Tech Town Hall meeting saying:

... by having someone on Roosevelt Island, we make sure every single day, morning, evening, afternoon, we're living and breathing Roosevelt Island.

More information about NYC Council Member Ben Kallos is available at his web site.

Take A Trip On The MTA's Nostalgia Train - But No Stop At Welfare (Roosevelt) Island

From the Roosevelt Island Twitterverse:

The Nostalgia Train's vintage map has no stop at Roosevelt Island (and in fact, they call it Welfare Island). pic.twitter.com/psqx28qU3L
— Nick Turner (@SFNick) December 28, 2014

Today was the last day to experience the MTA's Nostalgia Train. Fun trip back to the subway of the 1930s-1970s. http://t.co/SqzonGQGkg
— Nick Turner (@SFNick) December 28, 2014

Here's more on the Nostalgia Train from the Wall Street Journal,



a Nostalgia Train party



and from the MTA web site.

Funeral For Assassinated NYPD Officer Rafael Ramos Yesterday, Remarks By Mayor de Blasio, Vice President Biden and Commissioner Bratton

Image Of Officer Ramos and Liu From NYPD News

The NY Times reports on the funeral of NYPD officer Rafael Ramos yesterday:

... one week removed from the slayings, the city wept for an officer, Rafael Ramos, N.Y.P.D. Shield No. 6335, who was murdered Dec. 20 along with another officer for their choice of occupation....

CNN adds:

... Ramos and his partner, Officer Wenjian Liu, were gunned down December 20 as they sat in their patrol car in Brooklyn. The gunman, Ismaaiyl Brinsley, shot himself at a subway shortly afterward. He earlier posted angry messages on social media against police and government, citing two black men killed by officers....

Mayor Bill de Blasio delivered these remarks at the funeral of Officer Ramos.



NYPD Commissioner Bill Bratton eulogized Officer Ramos (full text here)


More ABC News Videos | ABC World News

and Vice President Biden said:



Commissioner Bratton said on Face The Nation this morning:

New York City Police Commissioner William Bratton said it was "very inappropriate" for officers to turn their backs on New York City Mayor Bill DeBlasio at the funeral for slain NYPD Officer Rafael Ramos. It was the second time officers had done so since the slaying of two NYPD cops.

"That funeral was held to honor Officer Ramos, and to bring politics, to bring issues into that event I think was very inappropriate and I do not support it. He is the mayor of New York, he was there representing the citizens of New York to express their remorse and their regret at that death," Bratton said on CBS' "Face the Nation."

"At the same time it is reflective unfortunately of the feelings of some of our officers at this juncture about not just the mayor but I think about some of the many issues that are afflicting the city at this time and this particular police department," he added....

Former Mayor Rudy Guiliani also appeared today on Face The Nation saying:

Former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani said current mayor Bill de Blasio owes New York City police an apology for creating "an impression with police that he was on the side of the protesters."

"Mayor de Blasio, please say you're sorry to them for having created a false impression of them," Giuliani said on "Face the Nation" Sunday. "You did create a false impression of them. Say you're sorry. Say you didn't realize. Say you didn't realize you have...a non-white police department, in terms of majority."

Still, Giuliani said that he does not blame de Blasio for the deaths and does not think it is appropriate for others to do so....

Details on Officer's Liu's funeral have not yet been announced.

Roosevelt Island Sportspark Pool Will Reopen Monday After Being Closed For Past Week Due To Mechanical Heating Issue Says RIOC

The Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC) announced on December 22:

Notification issued 12/22/14 at 7:31 PM. Due to a mechanical issue with the heat exchanger, the Sportspark pool will be closed until further notice. An advisory will be issued with any new developments.

A Roosevelt Island resident noted today:

Sportspark Pool has been closed for over a week now, with little information and no indication when it will re-open.

and another resident shared this photo

reporting:

no notice yet when they will reopen.

Fortunately, RIOC announced today:

Notification issued 12/28/2014 at 12:25 PM. Following a previous closure, Sports Park Pool 250 Main Street NY NY 10044 will be reopened to its normal schedule on Monday, December 29th 2014 at 6:00 AM.

Click here for more information on the Roosevelt Island Sportspark pool.