No Roosevelt Island F Train Service From Manhattan This Weekend -Tram Operating On Rush Hour Schedule

According to the MTA:

F Jamaica-bound trains run via the M from 47-50 Sts to Roosevelt Av

Weekend, 9:45 PM Fri to 5 AM Mon, May 8 - 11

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

That's 3 straight weekends without Roosevelt Island F Train service from Manhattan.

The Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC) adds:

Please be advised that the MTA has issued a weekend service advisory for the F train, which may affect travel plans. The Tram will run on a rush hour schedule from 7:00 AM until 10:00 PM to accommodate any increase in traffic. Please plan your travel accordingly and visit http://mta.info/weekender or call 511 for more information.

For electronic updates on F Train service, sign up for MTA Alerts at http://mymtaalerts.com.

Plan on crowded

 Image Of Crowded Tram Cabin Last Sunday Afternoon

Roosevelt Island Tram cabins this weekend.

Roosevelt Island Grandmother And Infant In Stroller Hit By SUV At Blackwell Turnaround - Taken To Hospital, Expected To Be Released Today

Received report this morning from a Roosevelt Island resident of an:

...accident at the traffic triangle just north of the Riverwalk buildings yesterday. I was walking by around 3 p.m. and there were several ambulances stationed there. A woman was being carried on a stretcher into one of the ambulances. And there was a stroller stuck under one of the wheels of the SUV that seemed to have been involved in the accident. I didn't see the child and was very worried.

Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC) Public Safety Department Chief Jack McManus confirmed that a collision occurred at the Blackwell Turnaround between a car service SUV and a grandmother walking with an infant in a stroller.

Image Of Stroller Under SUV Wheel At Blackwell Turnaround Accident Yesterday

The grandmother and infant were taken to the hospital and reportedly are being released today.

No charges were brought against the driver.

Newzulu has a video report on the incident.

[Video] New York: Car smashes baby stroller in Roosevelt Island - News - Newzulu USA http://t.co/NFB6FhoCmj via @newzuluUSA

— Alexander Hartman (@hartsparis) May 8, 2015

Roosevelt Island PS/IS 217 PTA Thanks Community For Support Of Participatory Budget Vote Green Roof Project - Invites You To May 13 Celebration With Cake

As reported April 30, the Roosevelt Island PS/IS 217 Green Roof project was the top vote getter in NYC Council District 5 Participatory Budget election and will receive $5 Hundred thousand towards the total $1.5 million project cost. The Roosevelt Island PS/IS 217 PTA wishes to thank the Roosevelt Island community and NYC Council Member Ben Kallos for their support and invites you to celebrate with some cake.

On behalf of PS/IS 217 and 217PTA we wish to thank you for your amazing support of the Green Roof project. We are still pinching ourselves with joy that our island won the top votes and secured $500,000 toward the project. Thank you!

Please join us for cake and celebration at the 645 Main Street school yard next Wednesday, May 13 6:15-7:30 PM and share this invitation with others who helped out.
Sincerely,

PTA Co-Presidents, Olga Shchuchinov & Natalia Starkova

During the Roosevelt Island Residents Association (RIRA) May 6 Common Council Public Session, Christina Delfico reported on the Green Roof election win, thanked the community for its support and noted that additional needed sums for the project may be coming from the Manhattan Borough President Gale Brewer as well.



Following Ms. Delfico, PS/IS 217 PTA member Corrina Kell thanked the Roosevelt Island community for their support of the Green Roof project, invited us to the Cake Celebration and to May 30 International Dinner Fundraiser.



Also during the RIRA Public Session, NYC Council Member Ben Kallos congratulated Roosevelt Island on the victory, praised the community's Participatory Budget organizing,



and explained the Participatory budget process for this and future years.

Join American Cancer Society's Relay For Life Of Roosevelt Island Paint The Town Purple May 9 - Sign Up For June 20 Relay Walk To Fight Cancer

The American Cancer Society's (ACS) Relay For Life Of Roosevelt Island will Paint The Town Purple tomorrow, May 9.

According to the Relay For Life Of Roosevelt Island:

May 9th 2015- Join the American Cancer Society Relay For Life At Roosevelt Island for Paint the Town Purple 10-1pm.

We will be near the Roosevelt Island Farmer's Market, Roosevelt Island Tram, and train station. Join us for fun activities with your families and let's talk Relay!

The Relay For Life Of Roosevelt Island takes place:

Saturday, June 20, 2015

10:00 AM - 10:00 PM

Octagon Field, opposite Fire Station

Main St, New York, NY

Here more on the ACS Relay For Life



and some scenes from the 2013 Roosevelt Island Relay For Life.



You can sign up to join a team,

make a donation or get some more information on the ACS Relay For Life Of Roosevelt Island at their web site and Facebook page.

Coach Scot's Main Street Sweets Ice Cream Available At Roosevelt Island Historical Society Visitors Kiosk Weekends Next to Tram

Roosevelt Island Historical Society President (RIHS) Judy Berdy reports that Coach Scot's Main Street Sweets Ice Cream

will be available at the Visitors Center Kiosk

  Image of RIHS President Judy Berdy Welcoming Guests to the Roosevelt Island Visitors Center Kiosk

next to the Tram weekend afternoons from 12 - 5 PM.

Obituary For Roosevelt Island Resident H. Patrick Stewart - Memorial Service 2 PM Saturday May 16 At Good Shepherd Chapel

Below is Roosevelt Island resident Patrick Stewart's obituary.

Image Of Mr. Stewart From May 2003 Main Street WIRE

H. Patrick Stewart, III, 82, died of a heart attack April 28, 2015 at his home on Roosevelt Island, NYC.

Mr. Stewart was born in Grosse Pointe, MI on April 25, 1933 and grew up in Detroit and Kansas City, summering at Nahant, MA.

His maternal grandfather, Peter F. Minnock, headed General Motors for more than 20 years. His paternal grandfather, Henry P. Stewart, was Police Commissioner of Kansas City.

His father, H. Patrick Stewart, Jr., along with 20 of his classmates at Yale, left the US for England to fight in World War I before the US entered the war. He flew for the nascent RAF and went on to become the youngest member ever of the British Military to reach the rank of Major, a record only broken 25 years later during WWII by his son, and Patrick’s brother, Peter F. Minnock-Stewart, as a member of Military Intelligence in the British Indian Army in Burma.

Inspired by his dreams of military glory, Mr. Stewart prepared for a career as a professional soldier first at Rockhurst Preparatory School and Kemper Military School, then went on to Virginia Military Institute and Hampden Sydney College. He joined the US Army in 1955 as a 2nd Lieutenant and rose to the rank of Captain in Special Forces. He served in Lebanon and in Germany.

Disappointed with the peace time military, Mr. Stewart left the Army in 1960 and became an advertising executive first with Batten, Barton, Durstine and Osborne and then with Young and Rubicam in New York and Los Angeles, then a senior marketing executive at Nabisco, Inc.

Mr. Stewart left marketing in 1978 to become a Limited Partner at Intellectics, SMB, the Management Consulting firm founded by his brother, Peter, serving clients as diverse as DuPont, General Electric, WJ Grace, United Airlines, AT&T and the US Department of the Interior.

Representing Intellectics, SMB he served on President Reagan’s Grace Commission Study of Cost Control in Federal Government.

Mr. Stewart was active for many years as an Arbitrator and Tribunal Member of the American Arbitration Association, and an Associate Member of the American Bar Association, Alternative Dispute Resolution.

Mr. Stewart moved to Roosevelt Island in 1982 and by the 90’s had become an impassioned community activist. He was appointed to Community Board 8 by Ruth Messinger in 1995 and served until 2013. He was for many years the Chair of its Roosevelt Island Committee, and in 2006 became Co-Chair of the 2nd Avenue Subway Task Force.

Mr. Stewart served as President of the Roosevelt Island Residents Association from 1996 to 2000. He was appointed by Governor Pataki as a Director of the Roosevelt Island Operating Corporation, which is responsible for the state-run community, from 1999 through 2009, serving as Chair for the Governance Oversight Committee.

Mr. Stewart said once in a CB8 Speaks television interview that… “Community organizing takes persistence and resolve. Movement is an emotional thing of marches and demonstrations, but organization is different; especially to aim for something bigger. Many movement people are not good organizers. It takes a special cold, rational type of anger.”

It also took patience and the help of his exquisite, old fashioned courtesy. Always a thoughtful listener, he was a dedicated champion of the residents of R.I. He will be sorely missed by the community he served.

Mr. Stewart is survived by his wife, the former Karen Jellison Sanford, by his daughter, Canby French Stewart of Phoenix AZ, his stepson, Adam Sanford of NYC, his niece, Brooke Stewart Disbrow and her husband Jack of Wilson CT, their daughter, Eirinn Stewart Disbrow of Los Angeles, CA, his nephew, Peter F. M. Stewart, Jr of Ridgefield, CT and by Mr. Stewart’s surrogate granddaughter, Zoe Schreiber of Cleveland, OH.

Mr Stewart's life will be celebrated at a Memorial Service on Saturday, May 16, at 2:00 PM at the Good Shepherd Chapel , Main Street, Roosevelt Island.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions to Wounded Warrior, Inc.

Report From RIRA President Jeff Escobar - Recent Roosevelt Landings Shooting, Remembers Resident Patrick Stewart, CB 8 Cornell Meeting On PS 217 Partnership, Green Roof Participatory Budget Victory, Polling Initiative & More

Below is the Report From Roosevelt Island Residents Association (RIRA) President Jeff Escobar

to the May 6 RIRA Common Council. Mr. Escobar discussed:

• April 25 shooting at Roosevelt Landing (organizing Town Hall meeting),
• The recent death of former RIOC Director/RIRA President/CB 8 Member Patrick Stewart (Memorial Service Scheduled for May 16 at Good Shepherd),
• June 8 Community Board 8 public meeting with Cornell Tech on Partnership with PS 217,
• PS 217 Green Roof Participatory Budget Victory and
• RIRA Polling Initiative.

Here's what Mr. Escobar had to say.

Some Visitors Only Take Roosevelt Island Tram Back And Forth, Others Enjoy Exploring On Beautiful Spring Day - Result Is Packed Like Sardine Tram Cabins For Everyone

Some visitors to Roosevelt Island never leave the Tram and others explore.

Image From 100 Days Of Becoming A New Yorker Video

According to 100 Days Of Becoming A New Yorker:

Allison wants to become a New Yorker. She's from Alabama.

For 100 days Allison will be exploring all the ways to become a true New Yorker. She's lived in the city since January 2014, but like so many people that move here she started a job and found herself too exhausted to really enjoy the life that New York has to offer. Not anymore.

This list came from many friends who have lived in New York for a long time, but this will be changing and growing over time!...

A ride on the Roosevelt Island Tram is Day #29 on her list of a things to do for a newcomer to become a New Yorker.

Here's Allison's Ride on the Roosevelt Island Tram:

Residents of Roosevelt Island have to ride the tram because of limited subway service, and I'm sure this is a blessing and a curse. Roosevelt Island doesn't have much to do, but it is a damn pretty ride over there!

Another Roosevelt Island visitor, Fitlala has a different experience:

Roosevelt Island has some gorgeous views of midtown Manhattan, and beyond that, it has some interesting history to explore. Now is the time to visit with the cherry blossoms in bloom. Spring is upon us in all of its glory!

and found a bit more to enjoy on a nice spring day.

One thing for sure, the Roosevelt Island Tram is getting much more crowded

Image Of Crowded Tram Cabin Last Sunday Afternoon

with visitors.

Roosevelt Island Residents Association (RIRA) May 2015 Common Council Monthly Meeting Tonight, Community Polling Initiative Among Items On Agenda -You're Invited To Attend And Raise Issues Of Concern

The Roosevelt Island Residents Association (RIRA) Common Council will meet this evening at 8:00 PM in the Good Shepherd Community Center (543 Main Street).

  Image Of December 2014 RIRA Common Council Meeting

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.

Below is agenda for RIRA meeting tonight

AGENDA

If at all possible, please arrive a half-hour early to help set up tables and chairs

Date: Wednesday, May 6th, 2015

Time & Place: 8:00 pm, Church of Good Shepard


1. Public Session

2. Roll Call of Common Council Members

3. Adoption of Agenda

4. Approval of Minutes

a. March 4, 2015 Council Session Minutes

b. April 1, 2015 Council Session Minutes

5. Treasurer’s Report & Business

6. President’s Report & Business

a. Community Polling Initiative

b. September 2, 2015 Common Council Meeting Scheduling

7. Committee Reports

a. Island Services Committee Report

b. SC&E Committee Report

8. Old Business

a. RIRA Annual Blood Drive

9. New Business

a. Committee Reports and Resolutions Submitted after deadline of 5PM the Friday preceding present Common Council Session

i. Public Safety Committee Oral Report (presented by PSC Chair Erin Feely-Nahem)

Roosevelt Island Parents' Network Mother's Day Crafts For Kids 5 - 6 PM Friday May 8

Image From Danielles Place

Roosevelt Island Parents' Network Coordinator (RIPN) Eva Bosbach reports:

Dear RI parents,

Mother's Day is coming up this weekend and we hope you can join us for the next free event in the "Crafts with Kids" series by the Roosevelt Island Parents' Network!

Our Mother's Day craft will take place this Friday, May 8, at the Senior Center, 546 Main Street. The children will be painting with acrylic paint on wooden picture frames. We will take a picture of the mother and child/ren or just the child/ren, whatever the parent or caregiver prefers. We will print the picture out while the child is painting so that you can have a picture to go in the frame as well. To round up, there will be a little story-time in the end. Please bring smogs for the children and some extra wipes.

Special thank you goes to HOPE RI Church for sponsoring the event supplies, and to Wendy Hersh for booking the room for us.

How you can get involved: We could use a few more helpers for this one so if you have time to stay the entire hour and help with the crafts, please let me know. Also please let me know if you have great theme related books for the story time or for our little kids book shelf during the event. Finally, if you have craft event ideas you would like me to include in our series, let me know! :)

Please RSVP to eva.bosbach@gmail.com by Wednesday, May 6.

Looking forward to seeing you!

Previous RIPN Crafts With Kids celebrated St. Patricks Day,

Easter,

Matisse and more.

Watch FDNY Train For Rescuing Roosevelt Island Tram Passengers From Catastrophic Failure And Getting Riders Back To Ground

The NY Fire Department conducted Roosevelt Island Tram rescue drills Wednesday April 29. The FDNY trained to rescue Tram Passengers in the event of a total power failure.

Video: FDNY Rescue 1 and 4 training in case of failure of Roosevelt Island Tram. http://t.co/hKpRnMVzbm

— NYC EMS Website (@NYCEMSwebsite) May 5, 2015

According to PIX 11 News, the FDNY trained:

... for a catastrophic failure of the Roosevelt Island Tram Car that would stall the car in place, dangling high in the air. Their mission is to rescue everyone on board and get them safely to the ground below.

Back in 2006, the tram became stuck with dozens of people on board. In that case, the FDNY used a diesel-powered bucket to rescue those onboard. Since then, the tram has undergone a $25 million renovation that changed how the tram works. Therefore, these firefighters train for how to safely rescue those trapped without the use of one of those diesel buckets....

The FDNY also conducted Tram Drills last October 15. At the time, I spoke with Chief Richard Blatus



and WCBS News reporter Chris Wragge.



More Roosevelt Island Tram rescue drills here.

You're Invited To Roosevelt Island Chabad Lubavitch Lag Ba'Omer Bonfire Thursday May 7 - Best Schnitzel In NYC Too

Image From Chabad Lubavitch Of Roosevelt Island

The Chabad Lubavitch of Roosevelt Island invite you to the annual Lag Ba'Omer celebration. According to Nechama Duchman:

Please join the RI Jewish Community on Thursday, May 7th for the Annual Lag Ba’Omer Bonfire at 6:00-8:00pm – in the lot across from 455 Main Street – on the Queen’s side, near the construction site.

Image Of Previous RI Lag Ba'Omer Bonfire From Nechama Duchman

This year, we are lucky to once again have a special treat – the best schnitzel in NYC – by Schnitzi.

Image of Schnitzel Food Truck From Nechama Duchman

Looking forward to an awesome evening – warmed up by the fun, activities and fire…

More on Lag Ba'Omer from Chabad Lubavitch Of Roosevelt Island.

The Schnitzi Food Truck is very good. Give it a try.

New York Junior Tennis League Free Roosevelt Island Spring Program at the Octagon Park Tennis Courts - Kids Learn How To Keep Tennis Score With A Poem Too

The New York Junior Tennis League (NYJTL) Free Summer Roosevelt Island Program has begun at the Octagon Park Tennis Courts.

 Image Of Joyce Short From NYJTL

According to NYJTL:

Octagon Park – Opens 4/27
Monday—Friday: 3-6 pm
Main St (North End),
Roosevelt Island, NY 10044
Site Director: Joyce Short

Joyce Short reports:

The FREE Springtime New York Junior Tennis and Learning program for kids has begun at the Octagon Park courts. Children aged five to eighteen are invited to attend. Little ones, five, six and 7 years old, are scheduled for Tuesdays, from 5-6 PM, and Thursdays from 3-4 PM. All children aged 7 and older may attend all five days per week. No pre-registration is required. Pee-Wees must have a parent or guardian in attendance. All children must wear clothes that are appropriate for the weather and active sports, including sneakers.

Parents can Help teach their kids how to keep score in a tennis match with a YouTube video



 of our littlest Roosevelt Island participants.

Ms. Short was recently profiled in the NYJTL's Coaches Corner.

Upcoming May Events At The Roosevelt Island NY Public Library - Mother's Day Crafts, Science Fiction Book Club Do Androids Dream Of Electric Sheep, Dracula Movie Night, Black White And Jewish Autobiography Book Discussion & More

Below are upcoming events at the Roosevelt Island NYC Public Library branch including:

Roosevelt Island Library
524 Main Street
New York, NY 10044
Phone 212-308-6243

May 2015 - Special Events

Mother's Day Craft - Thursday, May 7, 3-4pm; Children Ages 4 & Older - Let’s make Mother’s Day cards! Bring your creativity and we’ll supply the paper, crayons, glitter, and glue. All materials will be provided. Space is limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis.

Science Fiction Book Discussion - Tuesday, May 5, 6:30pm; Adults - The group will discuss "Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?" by Philip K. Dick.

Movie Night: "Dracula Untold" - Tuesday, May 12, 6pm, Adults - (2014, PG-13; 93 min) As his kingdom is being threatened by the Turks, young prince Vlad Tepes must become a monster feared by his own people in order to obtain the power needed to protect his own family, and the families of his kingdom.

Book Discussion - Thursday, May 21, 6:30pm, Adults - The group will discuss "Black, White and Jewish: Autobiography of A Shifting Self" by Rebecca Walker. 

More upcoming NYPL Roosevelt Island branch events here.

Roosevelt Island Public Safety Department Officers And CERT Team Member Assist Injured Visitor During Cherry Blossom Festival

Roosevelt Island Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) Member Frank Farance reports:

Roosevelt Island CERT Members Frank Farance & Gwen Ryals At 4/25 Cherry Blossom Festival

I was at the April 25 Cherry Blossom Festival as part of the RI CERT members participating in the event. On my way out of the park, a woman asked for aid: she was sitting by the comfort station, she had a gash in her knee from a fall on the stone work in the Four Freedoms Park, and the FFP staff could not provide first aid because they were required to stay at their position.

The cut was clean and deep, at least 1/8 inch, possibly 1/4 inch, and looked like she would require stitches. As a CERT member, given the depth and location of the injury (across the knee), it was my sense that the woman should not be walking until she receives medical attention.

I provided compression on the injury and called Public Safety. Sgt. Lindsey and SPO Angeles arrived a couple minutes later, Sgt. Lindsey called for EMS. The woman (with her boyfriend, both from Astoria) was hesitant about taking an ambulance to the emergency room in Astoria because they felt it would be a $500 expense.

Sgt. Lindsey reassured them that EMS could come, clean and bandage the wound, but not require them to take the ambulance to the hospital. I called Olympic Car Service to arrange for a taxi, and PSD officers coordinated with arranging for the ambulance and the taxi to drive past the West Service Road construction gate. I was heading back to the church (I'm an usher for the 5 PM Mass), I flagged down the ambulance when it was passing by (to hand off information, and to provide precise location of injured), and SPO Angeles stayed with the woman until the ambulance arrived.

Given the other multiple events and incidents on the Island that day, it seems like a well-coordinated effort with all involved, including getting the injured speedy medical attention and providing comfort until help arrived. Thank you to Sgt. Lindsey and SPO Angeles for their promptness and attention and, regardless of injury, providing a better experience for a visitor to Roosevelt Island.

Thanks to our #NYC CERT volunteers helping out at the Roosevelt Island Cherry Blossom Festival today. pic.twitter.com/uRv5z8DKSu

— Joe Esposito (@JoeEspoNYC) April 25, 2015

More on the April 25 Roosevelt Island Cherry Blossom Festival at this previous post. The other incident that day cited by Mr. Farance was afternoon shooting at Roosevelt Landings.

Sad News, Roosevelt Island Resident Patrick Stewart Passed Away - Condolences To His Family And Friends

Roosevelt Island resident Patrick Stewart died Wednesday, April 29.

Image Of Mr. Stewart From May 2003 Main Street WIRE

Mr. Stewart was a long time Roosevelt Island activist serving on the Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC) Board of Directors, as President of the Roosevelt Island Residents Association (RIRA) and a member of Community Board 8.

RIOC President Charlene Indelicato writes:

We are truly saddened to hear of the passing of Mr. Patrick Stewart, former Board Member of the Roosevelt Island Operating Corporation. Mr. Stewart was a unique soul with a one-of-a-kind personality. He was incredibly passionate about the community he served and was always willing to lend a helping hand when called upon. We extend our deepest and heartfelt sympathies to his family. His death is a tremendous loss to the Roosevelt Island Community and to anyone who had the pleasure of knowing him.

There will be no funeral for Mr. Stewart. A Memorial Service will be held. Details for the Memorial Service will be announced soon.

Condolences to his family and friends. He will be missed.

UPDATE 5/7 - Here's Mr. Stewart's obituary. A Memorial Service will be held 2 PM May 16 at Good Shepherd Chapel (543 Main Street, Roosevelt Island).