Saturday, December 31, 2016

Best Wishes For A Happy And Healthy New Year From Roosevelt Island - Goodbye 2016 With A Last Party, Welcome 2017 With Peace, Love, Understanding & Auld Lang Syne


Best Wishes to all for a Happy And Healthy New Year in 2017.


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

Here's hoping for some 2017 Peace, Love and Understanding from Elvis Costello.  



And Auld Lang Syne.



Cheers.

HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE!

Thar She Blows, Whale Spotted In NYC East River Passing Roosevelt Island Lighthouse On New Year's Eve Morning

What a way to end 2016.

This morning, NYPD Special Operations spotted a whale in the East River across from Roosevelt Island and Manhattan

as it was passing the Roosevelt Island Lighthouse.

Friday, December 30, 2016

SPONSORED POST - Roosevelt Island Gristedes Supermarket New Year's Specials & Sales, Diamond Rewards Featured Bonus Items For December 30 - January 12 & More

The Roosevelt Island Gristedes Supermarket


wishes you a Very Happy New Year with this Special Sale Through December 31.

(No Card Required For the Pop Chip Potato Chips)

Also, Diamond Rewards customer loyalty program items for December 30- January 12 are now available .

Examples of featured items purchased from December 30 - January 12 that earn you big points include
  • Eight O'Clock Coffee earn 100 points,
  • Poland Spring Sparkling Water earn 75 points,
  • Oscar Meyer Bacon earn 50 points,
  • Friendly's Ice Cream Novelties earn 25 points and
  • many more shown in flyer below.

According to Gristedes:
Start Earning Points Today

Join the Diamond Rewards loyalty program today! Get exclusive offers and earn points on hundreds of items! Get $5 Coupons for every 500 points earned, redeemable on next order.

Look for the Diamond Rewards label on the shelf or the product
If you have a Gristedes Bonus Savings Card and provided your email address, you are automatically enrolled in the Diamond Loyalty Program.

You can sign up for a Gristedes Bonus Savings Card online or in store - just make sure you give your email address and whether you are a new or existing Bonus Savings Club member, in order to be eligible for the Diamond Rewards Loyalty program.

And, Roosevelt Island Gristedes Supermarket invites you to check out their:
  • Groceries, 
  • Organic & Gourmet, 
  • Snacks
  • Meat, 
  • Fresh Produce, 
  • Seafood, 
  • Frozen, 
  • Deli &;
  • Fresh Bakery
Department Offerings for January 6 - January 12

Gristedes representative Bob Capano invites Roosevelt Island residents to check out their various product departments for all of your shopping needs.



Don't forget the 10% Roosevelt Island Seniors Discount on Tuesday and Wednesday and Sign Up for the Gristedes Diamond Loyalty Rewards Program.

More Gristedes Supermarket information available at their web site, Facebook Page and Twitter feed.

Good News, Roosevelt Island F Train Service To And From Manhattan This New Year's Weekend - Also, Take A Tour Of The Second Avenue Subway Art & Innovation With Roosevelt Island Historical Society Sunday January 1

According to the MTA, there will be Roosevelt Island F Train


service to and from Manhattan this New Year's weekend.

Also, Roosevelt Island Historical Society (RIHS) President Judy Berdy leads a tour of the Second Avenue Subway on Sunday January 1. According to the RIHS:
Tour the Art and Innovation of the NEW Second Avenue Subway

FINALLY! The Second Avenue subway, connecting with the F line at 63rd Street and stopping at 72nd, 86th and 96th Streets, will open on SUNDAY, January 1, 2017.

Be among the first to admire the artwork and innovation of this dramatic expansion of public transportation.

Roosevelt Island Historical Society president Judy Berdy will lead adventurous travelers on a tour through the three new Second Avenue Subway Stations.

Meet at 2:00 p.m. on Monday, January 1st at the Roosevelt Island Subway Station, in the waiting area on the upper level, just past the turnstiles.

"See what has been happening all these years. We will explore the contemporary mosaics by famed artists, the escalators and more," said Berdy.

For additional information, please call 212-688-4836 or 917-744-3721.

RSVPs and donations to benefit the Historical Society will be gratefully appreciated.
Here's more



on the Second Avenue Subway art.

Thursday, December 29, 2016

How To Get Rid Of Your Roosevelt Island Christmas Tree - Bring To NYC Parks MulchFest In Astoria And Long Island City For Composting Into Wood Chips

A Roosevelt Island resident asks:

Does anyone know how people dispose of Christmas trees on Roosevelt Island? Thank you!
I asked the Roosevelt Island Garden Club (RIGC):
Any info on where Roosevelt Island residents can bring their Christmas trees for mulching.
RIGC's Julia Ferguson replied:
As we volunteer with NYC Compost hosted by BigReuse, we hear lots of people asking about how to handle their Christmas trees.
and provides this link to NYC MulchFest


with info for disposing of your Roosevelt Island Christmas Tree.



According to the NYC Parks Department:
Mulch Fest

Saturday and Sunday, January 7 and 8, 2017
10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

Bring your holiday tree to a designated city park to be recycled into mulch that will nourish plantings across the city!

Join the New York City Department of Parks & Recreation, the New York City Department of Sanitation , and GreeNYC to recycle your Christmas trees into wood chips. These wood chips are used to nourish trees and plants on streets and gardens citywide. Or, take home your very own bag of mulch to use in your backyard or to make a winter bed for a street tree . More than 30,000 trees were recycled last year. Help us top this number!...
Astoria Park (19th Street and Hoyt Avenue) and Hunters Point South Park (LIC Landing Events Space at 51st Avenue and Center Boulevard) are the locations closest to Roosevelt Island.
RIGC's Julia Ferguson adds:
As volunteers, we hope to plan ahead for 2018 to see if we can invite a Mulchfest to Roosevelt Island site. Anyone interested in looking ahead one year or in volunteering with Mulchfest is welcome to email us at this email or to contact them directly.
The NYC Sanitation Department reports:
Christmas Trees

Composting: Weather permitting, DSNY will collect and compost clean Christmas trees left at the curb from Tuesday, January 3, 2017 through Saturday, January 14, 2017. The trees are chipped, mixed with leaves, and recycled into rich compost for NYC's parks, institutions, and community gardens. Remove all lights, ornaments, stands, and plastic bags from your tree; trees that still have these items attached will be collected as garbage.

Recycling: Remove ornaments from fake trees that are mostly metal or rigid plastic, and put out next to your recycling container on regular recycling days.

Garbage: Except for the dates indicated in early January, Christmas trees are collected as garbage. Discard fake trees that are not mostly metal or rigid plastic with regular trash....
Contact the RIGC if you are interested in bringing a Christmas Tree MulchFest to Roosevelt Island for 2018.

UPDATE 12/30 - Roosevelt Island residents should check with their building management regarding disposal of Christmas Trees.

Roosevelt Landings management requests that residents notify them by calling 212 -838 - 4747 and staff will come and remove the Christmas Tree from your apartment.

Wednesday, December 28, 2016

You're Invited To Tour The Art And Innovation Of New Second Avenue Subway With Roosevelt Island Historical Society Sunday January 1 - RSVP And Donation To RIHS Greatly Appreciated

Roosevelt Island Historical Society (RIHS) President Judy Berdy reports:

East 96th Street station has mosaic by Sarah Sze. Credit: Office of NY Gov. Andrew Cuomo

Tour the Art and Innovation of the NEW Second Avenue Subway

FINALLY! The Second Avenue subway, connecting with the F line at 63rd Street and stopping at 72nd, 86th and 96th Streets, will open on Sunday, January 1, 2017.

Be among the first to admire the artwork and innovation of this dramatic expansion of public transportation.

Roosevelt Island Historical Society president Judy Berdy will lead adventurous travelers on a tour through the three new Second Avenue Subway Stations.

Meet at 2:00 p.m. on Sunday, January 1st at the Roosevelt Island Subway Station, in the waiting area on the upper level, just past the turnstiles.

See what has been happening all these years. We will explore the contemporary mosaics by famed artists, the escalators and more.

For additional information, please call 212-688-4836 or 917-744-3721.

RSVPs and donations to benefit the Historical Society will be gratefully appreciated.
Roosevelt Island F Train riders can connect to the Second Avenue subway one stop away at the 63rd/Lexington Avenue station.

More on the Second Avenue Subway grand opening.







and art.

Monday, December 26, 2016

Electrical Substation Fire And 3rd Rail Power Loss At 7th Avenue Causes Extensive Subway Delays And Service Disruptions Today Including Roosevelt Island F Train Service Says MTA - 1200 Passengers Evacuated Safely Last Night

Earlier this morning, there were extensive delays, disruptions and subway service changes including no F train service at the


Roosevelt Island station.
As of 10:07 AM, the MTA reports that F Train service has resumed in both directions


with extensive delays.

CBS New York reports what happened:
... Con Edison told CBS2 the outages started after a fire was reported at an electrical substation on 53rd Street near 7th Avenue, shutting down the third rail shortly before 11 p.m. Sunday night. According to Cod Edison, there were 50 percent gas readings in the area at that time, causing risk for an explosion....

Saturday, December 24, 2016

It's Christmas Eve, Santa Claus Is Coming To Town Tonight - On The Roosevelt Island Tram?

Reports are coming in of Santa Claus sightings from all around the world. You can even track him with the aid of Google's Santa Tracker and a Santa Tracker from NORAD.

Santa will arrive on Roosevelt Island in a couple of hours. When he does, it may be on his specially designed, Reindeer powered, Roosevelt Island Tram sled using one of the old Tram cabins.

Roosevelt Island Tram Reindeer Cards from Marty Atkins

Santa visited Roosevelt Island earlier this month during the Christmas/Holiday Tree Lighting ceremony.



Hope you've taken Bruce Springsteen's advice and were good this year.



It's not Christmas Eve without the Pogues and Kristy MacColl"s



Fairytale Of New York.

Merry Christmas.

Friday, December 23, 2016

SPONSORED POST - Wengerd Family Farmers Market Wishes A Blessed Christmas Season And A Wonderful 2017 New Year To Roosevelt Island Community, Will Be Open Saturday December 24 & December 31

The Roosevelt Island Farmers Market under the Motorgate Ramp is open early morning to mid afternoon on Saturdays in good weather and bad.


The Wengerd Family,


operators of the Roosevelt Island Farmers Market, wish you a Blessed Christmas season and a wonderful 2017 and want you to know that they will be open Saturday December 24 and December 31.

Good News, Roosevelt Island F Train Service To And From Manhattan This Christmas & Chanukah Weekend And 360 Degree Video Sneak Peak Of 2nd Avenue Subway Scheduled To Open January 1, 2017

According to the MTA, there will be Roosevelt Island F Train 


service to and from Manhattan this weekend.

Also, Cheshire Kitty tips us off to this cool NY Times 360 degree video of new Second Avenue Subway which is scheduled to open January 1, 2017.



Roosevelt Island residents can connect to the Second Avenue subway line one F stop away at 63rd/Lex.

Thursday, December 22, 2016

Warning, Possible Electric Condition On Roosevelt Island Sidewalk Next To Riverwalk Building Across From Tram - Con Ed Investigating Contact Voltage Cause Since December 8

Have you noticed the yellow cones with Do Not Enter warning tape attached


on the sidewalk next to Roosevelt Island's 405 Main street Riverwalk building


in Southtown across from the Tram Station


for about the last 2 weeks? The signage says:
Warning, Possible Electrical Condition, Do Not Enter


On December 19, I asked Con Ed:
Do you have any information on Stray Voltage incident at 405 Main Street sidewalk?

For about a week a section of the sidewalk has been cordoned off with yellow tape that says Caution, Possible Electric Condition.
Con Ed Spokesperson Alan Drury replied:
We are investigating the cause of the condition you referenced. Once we find the cause, we will see that the condition is eliminated.

... We generally use the term “contact voltage,” as opposed to “stray voltage.” Our engineers say each term has a specific meaning and they are two different conditions...
I followed up:
Can you provide any details as to how you determined there was a problem and what is being done to remedy it.

What is the difference between "stray voltage" and "contact voltage"?...
Mr. Drury answered:
We have vehicles that scan the service area for contact voltage. We got a hit on this one on Dec. 8. To locate the source, our people are checking underground vaults (such as manholes) for obvious visual inspections. The search also includes the cutting and reconnecting of cables, and examination of the internal electrical equipment of buildings in the area.

... the main difference is that stray voltage is naturally occurring in an electrical delivery system, while contact voltage indicates faults.



As of today, the "possible electric condition" next to 405 Main Street has not been resolved.

More on contact and stray voltage at this Con Ed report.

UPDATE 12/23 -Spotted workers this afternoon


at the site.

Roosevelt Island Youth Program 2016 Christmas Party - Movie, Clown, Magic, Face Painting, Lunch, Dessert & Santa Claus

Roosevelt Island Youth Program Executive Director Charlie Defino reports:

Roosevelt Island Youth Program 2016 Christmas Party

The staff of the Roosevelt Island Youth Program celebrated the holiday season with a party on Saturday from 11am to 3pm.


The children


were treated to a movie, entertainment by Francis the Clown, face painting



and magic show by the one and only Daisey the Magician,


and a lunch


comprised of chicken, meatballs, macaroni and cheese, salad and of course a choice chocolate and vanilla cake. Then of course a visit from Santa Claus,


who had gifts for all the children. This was the 36th Christmas Party for the children hosted by the Roosevelt Island Youth Program since 1978 when the agency was formed.

Happy Holidays from the Roosevelt Island Youth Program inc. to all the families we have served for the past 4 decades.
More pictures at RIYP Beacon After School Facebook page.

You're Invited To Roosevelt Island Family Public Chanukah Menorah Lighting Saturday Evening December 24 - Music Dreidels, Hot Drinks, Donuts & More - Watch A Hamilton Hanukkah Video With The Maccabeats Too

The Chabad Lubavitch of Roosevelt Island invite you to the Chanukah Menorah Lighting Ceremony in front of Blackwell House this Saturday, December 24:


Please join us for the annual Roosevelt Island Family Public Menorah Lighting Saturday Evening, December 24th.

 The 1st Chanukah Light 7:00 PM in front of Blackwell House Music!!

Dreidels!!

Hot Drinks!!

Hot Latkes!!

Doughnuts!!

A Gift for all!!

Chanukah Gelt!

For more info please contact 212-652-5660 or Nechama@RIJewish.org
Here's the Maccabeats Chanukah song for 2016 - A Hamilton Hanukkah.



Happy Chanukah!

Wednesday, December 21, 2016

Roosevelt Island F Train Subway Station WiFi Service Finally Arrives At End Of 2016

Reported in October 2015:

Well, wireless service has arrived at the Roosevelt Island F Train Subway station


platform.


 According to Roosevelt Island resident Volker Hage this afternoon:
Today I am writing this from somewhat 100 feet below you ...

WiFi is working from the Roosevelt Island Subway station.
More on NYC subway Wi-Fi service





from provider Transit Wireless.

SPONSORED POST - Four Freedoms Park Conservancy Wishes Roosevelt Island Community A Happy And Joyous New Year

Thank you for being a part of our community.


Four Freedoms Park Conservancy Wishing You All A Joyous New Year

Wildlife Freedom Foundation Protects Animals On Roosevelt Island - Educates Children And Adults To Respect And Appreciate RI Wildlife

Wildlife Freedom Foundation President Rossana Ceruzzi shares these Roosevelt Island


wildlife photos of


baby swan cygnets


recently spotted at Southpoint Park


More information on the Wildlife Freedom Foundation available below



and from this presentation to the November 30, 2016 Roosevelt Island Residents Association (RIRA) Common Council by Wildlife Freedom Foundation Director Kim Smithingham and President Rossana Ceruzzi.



Ms Ceruzzi was also the subject of this



November Chasing News report.

More information on the Wildlife Freedom Foundation available at it's web site.

Roosevelt Island Christmas Carols At MST&DA, Holiday Gifts At RIHS Visitors Kiosk And Christmas Trees From PS/IS 217 PTA At Motorgate Plaza

According to the Main Street Theater & Dance Alliance (MST&DA):

HOLIDAY CAROLING & COMMUNITY GIVING NIGHT @ MST&DA on December 23rd.

Doors open at 7pm for refreshments, singing begins at 8pm.

Click here to reserve ticket and for more information
.

Roosevelt Island Historical Society (RIHS) President Judy Berdy reminds us that holiday gifts


from Roosevelt Island's rich history are available at the Visitors Center Kiosk:

Don't forget there's still time to pick up your Roosevelt Island Christmas Tree sponsored by the PS/IS 217 PTA


at Motorgate Plaza on Saturday, December 24 from 9 AM - 3 PM.

Tuesday, December 20, 2016

SPONSORED POST - CORNELL TECH WISHES ROOSEVELT ISLANDERS A JOYOUS HOLIDAY SEASON

Cornell Tech Wishing Roosevelt Islanders a Joyous Holiday Season and a Safe and Prosperous New Year.

Volunteers Needed For Roosevelt Island Disabled Association December 25 Christmas Day Dinner

Would you like to volunteer and help out a local Roosevelt Island organization with Christmas dinner for some of your neighbors? If so, Roosevelt Island Disabled Association (RIDA) President Jim Bates can use your help. Mr. Bates sends the following request to the Roosevelt Island community:

Can you ask for help out at the Roosevelt Island Disabled Association Annual Christmas Day dinner Sunday December 25?

We need servers who will assist in helping in the serving of dinner to the 25-30 disabled and seniors who will attend.

Time needed is from 2-5 pm.

We need about 4 volunteers.

They will also help in breaking down and cleaning up before and after the dinner.

No heavy lifting involved.

Contact Jim at Fdrhopememorial@gmail.com or 718 614-4784
Here are some of the volunteers at RIDA's


2015 Thanksgiving Day Dinner.

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

Roosevelt Landings Sending Best Wishes To All For The New Year.


For Rental Information, Please Call 201-553-9800

Urban American