Beat The Heat, NYC Cooling Centers Open This Weekend Says OEM - Roosevelt Island Cooling Center At Senior Center, Will Move To Good Shepherd Effective August 1 Says RIOC

NYC Office of Emergency Management tweets:

NYC cooling centers are open today. Visit https://t.co/1YlBqQIwK3 or call @nyc311 for locations & hours of operation. #BeatTheHeat

— NYCEM (@nycoem) July 16, 2016

The Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC) issued this advisory yesterday:

Effective August 1, 2016, the Roosevelt Island Cooling Center will move to the Good Shepherd Community Center (543 Main St.). The Cooling Center will be open from 9 AM- 9 PM when the National Weather Service issues a Heat Advisory for New York City. This advisory is issued for New York City when the combination of heat and humidity is expected to make it feel like it is at least 95 degrees for two consecutive days, or 100 degrees for any length of time. Individuals without air conditioning, particularly those at risk for heat-related illness, should use established cooling centers during a heat wave.

I asked RIOC Acting President Susan Rosenthal and Public Safety Director Jack McManus:

The advisory ... says Roosevelt Island Cooling Center will move to Good Shepherd starting August 1.

What about until August 1.

Is the cooling center at Seniors Center open?

If yes, what are the hours.

RIOC issued this advisory earlier today:

As a reminder, the Roosevelt Island Cooling Center, located at 546 Main St., will be open Saturday, July 16, 2016 and Sunday, July 17, 2016 from 9 AM- 5 PM when the National Weather Service issues a Heat Advisory for the New York City area. This advisory is issued for New York City when the combination of heat and humidity is expected to make it feel like it is at least 95 degrees for two consecutive days, or 100 degrees for any length of time. Individuals without air conditioning, particularly those at risk for heat-related illness, should use established cooling centers during a heat wave.

The NYC Office Of Emergency Management tweets:

Extreme heat affects everyone. Make a special effort to check on your neighbors. #BeatTheHeat pic.twitter.com/jPKlHOwOQQ

— NYCEM (@nycoem) July 15, 2016

Be healthy & safe with these #beattheheat tips from @nycoem, @nychealthy & @nycfc: https://t.co/ooHmwMzWwB

— NYCEM (@nycoem) July 15, 2016

Stay cool and safe this weekend.

SPONSORED POST - Roosevelt Island Gristedes Supermarket Bonus Savings Card Diamond Rewards Loyalty Program July 15 To 28, Get Exclusive Offers And Earn Points On Hundreds Of Items - Check Out Weekly Sales And Wendy Williams Shopping At Chelsea Gristedes Store Too

The Roosevelt Island Gristedes Supermarket brand new Diamond Rewards customer loyalty program for July 15- 28 is now available .

Gristedes representative Bob Capano explains the new Customer Diamonds Rewards Loyalty Program, how to sign up to receive exclusive offers and earn points that can be redeemed on your next order.



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

Examples of featured items purchased from July 15-28 that earn you big points include

• Lavazza Coffee earn 100 points,
• Ajax Liquid Dish Detergent earn 75 points,
• Horizon Organic Milk earn 50 points,
• Kraft Shredded Cheese earn 25 points and
• many more shown in flyer below.

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, whether a new or existing Bonus Savings Club member, in order to be eligible for the Diamond Rewards Loyalty program.

Also, Roosevelt Island Gristedes Supermarket invites you to check out their:

• Groceries, 
• Organic & Gourmet, 
• Snacks
• Meat, 
• Fresh Produce, 
• Deli &;
• Fresh Bakery

Department Offerings for July 15 - July 28 (Pages 1-4)  and Perishable Items July 15 - 21 (Pages 5-6)

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.

Check out @WendyWilliams shopping at #Gristedes!https://t.co/9N8mJr7ahf

— Gristedes (@Gristedes) July 8, 2016

Roosevelt Island Marlins Swim Team Partners With Gallery RIVAA Artists To Paint - Artwork On Display Between Sportspark & Racquet Club

According to the Roosevelt Island Marlins Swim Team:

Roosevelt Island Swim Team is excited to partner up with our friends at Gallery RIVAA for yet another fun project!

 Our swimmers had an amazing opportunity to work with RIVAA artists

this past Thursday, July 14th. The artwork will be on display

between Sportspark facility and Racquet Club for the next few weeks - please stop by and check it out!

Good News - Roosevelt Island F Train Subway Service To And From Manhattan This Weekend

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

to and from Manhattan this weekend.

Yay!!!!!

Also:

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

Run DMC's Darryl McDaniels Freaks Out Hyperventilating First Time Seeing The Roosevelt Island Tram While Riding In Car Crossing Queensboro Bridge

Run-DMC's Darryl McDaniels

Image From Run-DMC

was interviewed on WNYC's Leonard Lopate program yesterday. He recalls his reaction the first time seeing the Roosevelt Island Tram.

 ... It does exist. I saw it in Spiderman.

4/6 @THEKINGDMC on witnessing the Roosevelt Island Tram for the first time https://t.co/Y3otJ0nHa0https://t.co/cZahO2HkD6

— Leonard Lopate Show (@LeonardLopate) July 14, 2016

Full interview here.



Darryl McDaniels memoir, 10 Ways Not To Commit Suicide, is available at Amazon.

Fantastic Aerial View Of Roosevet Island's Southern Tip - See FDR Four Freedoms Park, Smallpox Hospital, Southpoint Park, Cornell Tech Campus Construction Site & Queensboro Bridge

From the Roosevelt Island Twitterverse:

cool view just ahead of #sunset @Rooseveltisland @nyc @queens pic.twitter.com/VnzQr8LC0A

— nada (@nada_lipulse) July 14, 2016

Roosevelt Island Outdoor Summer Movie Showing Labyrinth With David Bowie At Firefighters Field Saturday July 16 - Enjoy Movie And The View

The July 9 Roosevelt Island outdoor movie showing of Labyrinth at Firefighters Field

Image From June 24 Firefighters Field Outdoor Movie Showing Of Star Wars: The Force Awakens

was cancelled due to forecast of thunderstorms. It has been rescheduled for Saturday July 16.



According to the Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC):

Join us where everything seems possible and nothing is what it seems!

This Saturday, July 16th, we will be screening the film Labyrinth at Firefighter’s Field. Movie night fun begins at 7 PM. There will be music, trivia, prizes and a journey through Jim Henson's world of fantasy and adventure! You are welcome to bring blankets and lawn chairs. There will be food on-site, available for purchase.

Schedule of screenings this summer:

Friday, July 22nd- Inside Out

Friday, August 5th- Across the Universe

Saturday, August 6th- The Goonies

Friday, August 19th- Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark

This free event is sponsored by the Roosevelt Island Operating Corporation.

Don't forget the Roosevelt Island showing of Labyrinth is rescheduled for this Sat., July 16 at Firefighter's Field! pic.twitter.com/jOIkTbzScY

— RIOC NYS (@RIOCny) July 12, 2016

Enjoy the movie and beautiful view.

Be aware that the movie does not start until it gets dark.

Waiting for start of Roosevelt Island Summer outdoor movie tonight - Star Wars: The Force Awakens pic.twitter.com/yaGsOXuVwX

— Roosevelt Islander (@Rooseveltisland) June 24, 2016

@teoarmus @RIOCny usually waits until it gets dark to start the movie.

— Roosevelt Islander (@Rooseveltisland) June 25, 2016

@Rooseveltisland @RIOCny Then it shouldn't have 7 pm listed as the start time! Star Wars is a long movie

— Teo Armus (@teoarmus) June 25, 2016

RIRA Youth Initiative Teaches Financial Literacy To Roosevelt Island Young Adults With Help Of Amalgamated Bank Execs - Will Use New Skills To Organize Program For Seniors And Disabled

Roosevelt Island Residents Association (RIRA) Community Polling and Youth Initiative Chair Adib Mansour reports:

YOUNG ADULTS ON ROOSEVELT ISLAND

The RIRA Survey showed that many residents feel the community is not doing enough for the young adults on Roosevelt Island. This has prompted me to create a new RIRA Initiative that has short and long term benefits. A new program was designed to focus on the middle school female students that were in the Soccer Leadership program created last year through the Roosevelt Island Beacon at PS/IS 217.

MAKE IT COUNT: A LEADERSHIP PROJECT

The initiative fits in a Civic Engagement category that will teach young adults on Roosevelt Island basic financial literacy: how a bank works, how a credit card differs from an ATM card, how to manage a budget and how / why saving money for future needs is valuable. It also introduces them to new job opportunities in the financial field. On the long term aspect, the young adults will organize activities or events for members of the Roosevelt Island Seniors Association and the Roosevelt Island Disabled Association and be recognized island-wide for their leadership engagement.

Amalgamated Bank:

In June, the group of young ladies visited Amalgamated Bank for a behind-the-scene tour and learned the ins-and-outs of a bank’s operations. Branch Manager Albert Salas and Retail Banking Representative George Alba

Image Of Roosevelt Island Youth Initiative Visit To Amalgamated Bank

provided a Banking 101 overview, as well as a description of future career opportunities. Some of the things they learned: Identifying the major types of insured financial institutions, as well as five reasons to use a bank; they learned how to open and maintain a bank account, the diverse bank services. At the end, they went into the bank’s Safe, which turned out to be a thrilling experience.

The students found the session highly informative and they also appreciated receiving Amalgamated Bank souvenirs.

Community Engagement:

We will provide the group with $200 credit card (unanimously approved by the RIRA Common Council) to come up with an event or program to serve the seniors and disabled on the island. This could be anything from a picnic to acquiring books to be read to the Seniors by the students on a long-term basis; etc.

The group had several meetings thus far where the young ladies volunteered to take on different responsibilities including budget, talent and dance performances, sound and music, costume and props, and much more. They would have to figure out the cost and budget for their project and determine the best possible way to spend their money. They will also have to engage the Roosevelt Islander blogger and the WIRE for publicity, as well as engaging with local politicians, the community leaders, RIOC, and RIRA. They are working on dance performances with the help of the Main Street Theatre & Dance Alliance.

The young adults will gain knowledge of banking, job opportunities, budgeting, and planning, as well as helping neighbors in their community, a win-win-win benefiting many aspects of the island.

The Future Leaders:

Here are the names of the young ladies in this RIRA leadership program and their responsibilities:

• Kaia K. Dance 2 / Cupckaes
• Tia Y. Dance 1 / Costume Coordinator
• Madison L. Food/Drinks Vendors Coordinator
• Jaden L. Location/ Publicity Coordinator
• Any L. Talent / General Coordinator
• Kyla P. Dance 2/ Food/Drinks Vendors Coordinator
• Sarah L. Music DJ Coordinator
• Lina B. Dance 3 / Costume Coordinator
• Tatiana D. Dance 3 / Budget Coordinator
• Kayla F. Dance 1 / Props Coordinator

For more information, please contact Adib Mansour at riradib@earthlink.net. We will announce the date of the final event that will be presented to the senior and disabled citizens of Roosevelt Island.

The full RIRA survey is here.

Roosevelt Island Marlins Swim Team And Island Kids Team Up For Splash-A-Palooza Toddler Sensory Water Activities And Safety Class Sunday July 17 - Space Limited, Sign Up Now

 Image of 2013 Roosevelt Island Sportspark Toddler Swim Program

According to the Roosevelt Island Marlins Swim Team:

Roosevelt Island Swim Team partners up with Island Kids for a Sunday, July 17th, 9am Splash-A-Palooza!

Marlins invite Island Kids toddler group to SportsPark pool for a FREE session of sensory water activities and "Mommy & Me" water safety class with our certified instructors.

Space is limited.

RSVP to rimarlinsteam@gmail.com to sign up.

More on the Roosevelt Island Marlins Swim Team.

President Obama, Former President Bush And Dallas Police Chief David Brown Speak At Memorial For Slain Dallas Police Officers Today

“We are here to honor the memory, and mourn the loss, of five fellow Americans—to grieve with their loved ones” —@POTUS in Dallas

— The White House (@WhiteHouse) July 12, 2016

“Like police officers across the country, these men and their families shared a commitment to something larger than themselves.” —@POTUS

— The White House (@WhiteHouse) July 12, 2016

“These men and this department did their jobs like the professionals they were.” —@POTUS in Dallas: https://t.co/fi41y6GwN9

— The White House (@WhiteHouse) July 12, 2016

"The Dallas Police Department has been at the forefront of improving relations between police and the community" —@POTUS in Dallas

— The White House (@WhiteHouse) July 12, 2016

“If we cannot even talk about these things honestly and openly...we will never break this dangerous cycle.” —@POTUS at the #DallasMemorial

— The White House (@WhiteHouse) July 12, 2016

“For even those who dislike the phrase Black Lives Matter should be able to hear the pain of Alton Sterling’s family” —@POTUS in Dallas

— The White House (@WhiteHouse) July 12, 2016

"We cannot simply turn away and dismiss those in peaceful protest as troublemakers" —@POTUS #DallasMemorial https://t.co/S2Lueskwzf

— The White House (@WhiteHouse) July 12, 2016

Former President Bush:

"Too often, we judge other groups by their worst examples while judging ourselves by our best intentions" https://t.co/Y2hoJDhrqi

— POLITICO (@politico) July 12, 2016

And Dallas Police Chief David Brown.

#Obama agrees with #Dallas Police Chief Brown: We ask the police to do too much and too little of ourselves. pic.twitter.com/bePtnWuRG7

— Fox News (@FoxNews) July 12, 2016

Make A Ladybug Hat At Roosevelt Island Parents' Network Summer Crafts With Kids Free Workshop Thursday July 14 - Please RSVP

Roosevelt Island Parents' Network Coordinator Eva Bosbach reports:

We would like to invite you to another event in the free "Crafts with Kids" series by the Roosevelt Island Parents' Network.

Join us for "Summer Craft" next Saturday, July 16th, 10-11 AM. We will confirm the venue upon your RSVP.

For this Summer Craft the children will make a "Ladybug Hat,"

which is a fun and simple craft activity for kids (plus the finished hats make pretty cute photos too!). Perhaps your children can wear this cool hat for a summer day ladybug hunt!?

Please RSVP to mrs.nataliadipalma@gmail.com by Thursday, July 14th.

We are looking forward to seeing you,

Natalia, Neha and Eva

"Crafts with Kids" is a free workshop series for children organized by the Roosevelt Island Parents' Network. The monthly events included "Tram art and necklaces", "Matisse for Kids", "Valentine's Craft", "Black History Month Craft", "Spring Craft", "St. Patrick's Craft", "Earth Day Craft", "Easter Craft", "Mothers Day Craft", "Fathers Day Craft", "Summer craft - a lady bug", a "Back to school craft", a "Halloween craft", a "Lantern making workshop", a "Thanksgiving Craft", a "Holiday Craft" and the "On Roosevelt Island We... Craft".

For more info on RIPN, contact here.

Roosevelt Island Living Library & NY Public Library Free Gardening Program For Parents Children & Caregivers Starts Wednesday July 13 - Registration Now At Roosevelt Island NYPL

A Living Library (A.L.L.) founder Bonnie Sherk reports:

PARENTS & CHILDREN TOGETHER !!

A.L.L. Gardening, Literacy, Multi‐Arts, Science, Nutrition, Local History/Ecology FREE PROGRAM with A LIVING LIBRARY & RI BRANCH PUBLIC LIBRARY

Wednesdays: 11:00 AM‐12:00 PM, July 13-September 7

And, Every Other Saturday: 10:00 AM-12:00 PM: 7/23. 8/6, 8/20, 9/3

Roosevelt Island Living Library & Think Park behind 504 Main Street

Register Now at the RI Library, 524 Main Street, Roosevelt Island

Enrollment limited to 25 Families with Children Ages 4-14. Parents or Caregivers must attend with children.

More on A Living Library at their web site

Roosevelt Island FDR Four Freedoms Park Open Tonight To View Manhattanhenge Spectacular Light Show - Registration Required For FDR Parkhenge

According to the Roosevelt Island FDR 4 Freedoms Park:

On July 12, Four Freedoms Park Conservancy will open the gates of FDR Four Freedoms Park after-hours so that visitors can take advantage of “Manhattanhenge.” Twice a year, the sun sets perfectly in line with the New York City street grid, creating this spectacular light show.

(Photo: Katie Killary/Flickr)

Critically acclaimed Mitch Frohman Latin Jazz Quartet will play a free concert. Food, beer, and wine will be available for sale at the Katchkie Farm Food Station.

Bring your camera, grab a friend, and capture the NYC skyline as you’ve never seen it before.

WHEN:

Tuesday, July 12, 7pm – 9:30pm

This is a free event, but registration is required. For more information, visit our Manhattanhenge events page.

More on Manhattanhenge from Neil deGrasse Tyson:



Please share your Roosevelt Island Manhattanhenge pictures.

Order Your Roosevelt Island Fresh Food For Seniors Mixed Bag Of Locally Grown Fruits & Vegetables At The Senior Center Tomorrow July 12 - Only $8 A Bag

Wendy Hersh reports that you can order your Roosevelt Island Fresh Food For Seniors mixed bag of fresh locally grown fruits and vegetables tomorrow (July 12) at the Senior Center (548 Main Street) from 11:30 AM to 1 PM and 6-7 PM. Price is $8.

More information available at this previous post and from Manhattan Borough President Gale Brewer, who sponsors the program.

Ms Hersh shares this photo from the July 6 Roosevelt Island Fresh Food For Seniors Pick Up

and adds:

First pick up today for the Fresh Foods for Seniors bags....great success...52 bags with a great assortment.

Thanks to Dan Sadlier and Jeff Johnson for helping us pick up the bags to bring back to RI....

Cockatiel Spotted Between Roosevelt Island Tram And Subway Today - Did You Lose A Bird?

Miranda Jacoby shares this picture

reporting:

Cockatiel Spotted Between Tram and Subway around 5:40 pm Today (Mon Jul 11)

The bird was last seen sitting in a tree at the base of the tramway tower. It appeared to have left the immediate area around 6 pm.

Before leaving the area the bird had made what appeared to be two attempts to fly across the river, but came circling back.

and tweets:

There is a cockatiel hanging out between the tram and the subway on Roosevelt Island. Did someone lose a pet bird? pic.twitter.com/M9OatBNDNJ

— Miranda Jacoby (@PracticalPigeon) July 11, 2016

You Have Until Midnight Tonight To Take Roosevelt Island Southpoint Open Space Survey, Help Determine The Future Of Southpoint Park - Should Historic, But Crumbling, Renwick Smallpox Hospital Ruins Be Demolished?

 Image Of Southpoint Park From Google Maps

The Southpoint Open Space Survey team reported today

Complete the Community Survey about Southpoint Open Space TODAY before it closes at midnight! 

We want to hear what you think!

Click here!  Today is your last chance to complete the brief online survey to tell us what you think about Southpoint Open Space.  Get your answers in before the survey closes at midnight!

So what are you waiting for?  Click here to take the survey now!

Please note that all answers are completely anonymous.  We will let you know when the survey results are posted on the project website. 

And don't forget to mark your calendar for our upcoming Planning and Design Charrette on Saturday, July 23rd!  More information, including a detailed schedule and location, can be viewed on the website by clicking here: http://www.southpointcommunityplan.com/public-meetings/

For more information and to learn about more opportunities to get involved, visit the project website by clicking here: www.SouthpointCommunityPlan.com

Have a comment or suggestion?  Email us at SouthpointOpenSpace@gmail.com

We look forward to hearing from you!

I spoke with Fitzgerald & Halliday's Arnie Bloch about the Southpoint Open Space Survey at the May 14 Saturday's Farmers Market.



Here's what Mr. Bloch had to say.



One opinion for Southpoint Park proposed by the Roosevelt Island Daily is to:

Tear Down the Renwick Smallpox Hospital Ruins

It's close to blasphemy in some Roosevelt Island circles, but common sense demands that we take a hard look at the pile of rubble, known variously as the Renwick Ruins, the Smallpox Hospital or a combination of both, scaring the southend of Southpoint before pouring more hundreds of thousands of dollars into it with no other goal than "public access."

Click here for the full Roosevelt Island Daily post advocating demolishing the Renwick Smallpox Hospital Ruins.

Previous estimates for the cost of stabilizing the Renwick Smallpox Hospital Ruins have been in the millions of dollars.

More on the future and possible restoration of the Smallpox Hospital

Image From FDR Four Freedoms Park Conservancy

at this previous post.

UPDATE 7/12 - An online history of the Renwick Smallpox Hospital Ruins.

Swarm Of Bees Cover Security Camera At Entrance Of Roosevelt Island Motorgate Garage Today - NYPD Beekeepers On Way To Remove

Roosevelt Island resident Ananda Bena-Weber shares this picture

and reports this afternoon:

There is a swarm of honey bees on a security camera at the parking garage where cars enter the garage. They look pretty cool!

I am up here frantically calling places trying to get them removed humanely rather than exterminated.

A few minutes later Ananda adds:

Garage security said NYPD beekeepers are on their way. I hope they treat them with care!

Here's more on NYPD's beekeeper "Tony Bees".