Scenes From Today's Roosevelt Island Halloween Parade - Check Out The Terrific Photos

Roosevelt Island photographer Irina Hage shares these wonderful photos from today's Roosevelt Island Halloween Parade.



Check out more of Irina's photos at her 2016 Roosevelt Island Halloween Parade Flikr page.



Irina specializes in children and family photography. According to Irina:

If someone wants the original photo file (in original size and without the watermark), please contact me by e-mail.

Captain America, also known as Roosevelt Island's NYC Council Member Ben Kallos, shares these photos of costumed characters from today's Roosevelt Island Halloween Parade too.

UPDATE 10/30 - Roosevelt Island, don't ever change says resident Nick Turner at the Halloween Parade:

Don't ever change, Roosevelt Island Halloween Parade (not that there's much danger of that happening) https://t.co/V2tAq3yDqa

— Nick Turner (@SFNick) October 30, 2016

Karine Wong shares these pictures from the Roosevelt Island Halloween Parade.

More pictures of the Roosevelt Island Halloween Parade from Ms. Wong.

Following the Halloween Parade, the festivities continued at Capobianco Field.

where a sign of love could be seen in the blue skies

above.

UPDATE 10/31 - Watch here as the Roosevelt Island Tram is investigated for Ghosts and Slimers by a Ghostbuster.

Roosevelt Island Parents' Network Workshop Shares Information, Experience & Tips On Choosing A New York City Kindergarten For Your Child - Watch Video Of The Kindergarten Workshop

Roosevelt Island Parents' Network Coordinator Eva Bosbach reports:

Dear RI Parents,

Thanks to all of you who made our 6th workshop in the Parents for Parents series "Choosing a Kindergarten" possible!

Approximately 30  Roosevelt Island parents attended our Sunday October 23 workshop and 10 parents presented as speakers at the panel discussion and answered questions. The videos of the workshop are now available below.

I would like to thank all our speakers for their time and expertise in presenting about school choices available to Roosevelt Island parents:

Irena Durkovic and Chris Warsing spoke about Roosevelt Island's own PS/IS217 general education and G&T program, Michal Melamed introduced the Gifted and Talented program (G&T) as part of the NYC public school system and also informed parents about the Special Music School and the Charter schools later in the workshop.

Three parents introduced three unzoned school options for Roosevelt Island parents: Pamela Stark the Ella Baker school, Magda Orlicka-So the Tribeca Learning Center, and Jax Schott Midtown West, including information about the Individualized Education Program (IEP), which was supplemented through Nina Lublin in the audience, and through materials sent in by Sarah Birnbaum.

In addition to the G&T program at our local public school PS/IS217, two other district wide G&T programs were introduced: Aiesha Eleusizov presented about PS11 and Arshi Saeed about PS77, the Lower Lab school.

For independent schools, the thank you goes to Kristi Towey who introduced the Poly Prep Country Day school and the Garden School as well as private schools admissions in general, and to Melanie Ramjoue who presented about the United Nations International School (UNIS).

Firuza Mukhamadieva could not be present at the last minute, but she kindly offered to answer your questions via e-mail about the city-wide G&T program at the NEST+m school, the district wide G&T program at PS111, and the Hunter placement for Kindergarten and high school. Adele Ganly for the St. Stephen of Hungary school and Kippi Rai-Spraggon for the Success Academies were also not able to attend in person but kindly offered to answer your questions via e-mail. You can contact me with questions about the city-wide G&T program at PS334, the Anderson school, and also if you would like to get in touch with any of the speakers.

Thank you to all our parents speakers! :)

We would also like to thank the Roosevelt Island Jewish Congregation, Main Street Sweets & Eats and the Girls Scouts of Roosevelt Island for co-hosting the workshop.

Special thank yous go to Janine Schaefer and Girl Scout Troop 3244 & 3245 for designing our flyer this year, and to Heart Sugiyama, Megumi Shinkawa and Ryan Ashley for videotaping the event so that parents who are interested but were not able to attend can watch it online later.

Thank you all and Happy Halloween weekend!

Eva

Here are the videos of Roosevelt Island Parents' Network 2016 Choosing A Kindergarten workshop courtesy of Heart Sugiyama and Megumi Shinkawa. There are 8 videos of various lengths in the playlist. Individual videos can be seen here.



Contact the Roosevelt Island Parents' Network for more information.  

UPDATE 1;40 PM - Click here for videos and more info from 2014-2016 Roosevelt Island Parents' Network Kindergarten Workshops.

Uh Oh, No Roosevelt Island F Train Service To Manhattan This Weekend

According to the MTA Weekender:

Image From MTA Weekender F Line

F Coney Island-bound trains run via the E from Roosevelt Av to 5 Av/53 St Weekend, 11:45 PM Fri to 5 AM Mon, Oct 28 - 31

Trains resume regular service at 47-50 Sts.

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

Roosevelt Island 2016 Annual Halloween Parade & Extravaganza Saturday October 29 - Great Costumes, Games, Rides, Music, Marching Band, Food & More Fun

The annual fun filled Roosevelt Island Halloween Parade

 2014 Roosevelt Island Halloween Parade Zombie

and festivities takes place Saturday October 29.

   Image From RIOC

According to the Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC):

Happy Halloween! On Saturday, October 29th from 12 PM until 3 PM, Roosevelt Island's annual Halloween Parade & Extravaganza will take place beginning at Blackwell Park (500 Main St.) and concluding at Capobianco Field. Join in the fun with FREE Halloween festivities, including performances from the Marching Cobras of NY, game booths, moon walk, mechanical rides, balloon typhoon, spin art, cotton candy, popcorn, music, and more! We hope to see you there.

This event is sponsored by Urban American, The Roosevelt Island Operating Corporation, and the Roosevelt Island Youth Program with contributions from Rivercross, Hudson Related, Westview, Island House and Cornell Tech.

Here are some scenes from the 2015 Roosevelt Island Halloween Parade.



More pictures from 2015 Roosevelt Island Halloween Parade here.

Don't forget Sunday October 30 is the Wildlife Freedom Foundation's Halloween Costume Dog Show.

Register at the door or online.

Roosevelt Island Residents Ask Why NYC Department Of Environmental Protection Shutting Down Water In Riverwalk Buildings Today and Friday - The Answer Is Cornell Tech Construction Site Temporary Hydrant Removal

Residents of Roosevelt Island's Southtown Riverwalk Buildings



received notice from Related Rentals

that their water was scheduled to be shut down for a few hours today and Friday. According to a message sent to residents by Related Rentals last Monday:

We received notification from the Department of Environmental Protection this afternoon of a planned water shut down for testing at two scheduled times this week affecting all nearby buildings. Your awareness and understanding throughout the repair process will be greatly appreciated.

On Wednesday, October 26, water will be shut off from 9:00am through 1:00pm for approximately 4 hours.

On Friday, October 28, water will be shut off from 9:00am through 12:00pm for approximately 3 hours.

In order to prepare for this outage, we suggest the following:

• Fill containers with water to provide for your needs
• Close all faucets.
• Plan necessary clothes washing and showers ahead of time.

Reminder and update notices will be posted in the building ahead of the water disruptions.

Unfortunately this interruption is out of our hands and is caused by work being performed by the DEP. We thank you in advance for your understanding and cooperation and apologize for the inconvenience this may cause.

Several residents were concerned about why the NYC Department of Environmental Protection would be shutting down the water for Riverwalk Buildings and asked:

Do you happen to know why the DEP is testing the water on Roosevelt Island? I'm getting nervous since my kids drink a lot of water :-).

Also:

We just found out ... that there will be no water in any of the RW buildings tomorrow 9-12- not 405, 480, etc. etc.- that whole section of the island. Supposedly EPA is checking something about the water tomorrow and Fri. If you have any more information about it please let me know thank you!

I asked Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC) President Susan Rosenthal yesterday:

The water is being shut off in Southtown Riverwalk buildings tomorrow morning.

I'm told that DEP is checking water quality in Roosevelt Island and I have been receiving emails from residents who are concerned about the water.

Does RIOC know what is going on with the water shut off? Any reason to be concerned about water quality?

RIOC Vice President of Operations Shelton Haynes replied:

It is our understanding that DEP has conducted testing today from 9am to 1pm and have an actual shutdown scheduled for Friday from 9am to 12pm. The purpose of the Test Shutdown is to confirm the functionality of the valves (x2) that will be closed during the actual shutdown on Friday. This is all in relation a temporary hydrant being removed (on Friday 11-4) within the Cornell Tech job site. We hope this was helpful.

Roosevelt Island's Only Comedy Show Returns With A Night Of Laughs And Improv Friday October 28 At Main Street Theatre & Dance Alliance - Improv Classes Coming In November Too

Roosevelt Island's Only Comedy show
 

 Image From Main Street Theater & Dance Alliance

is back performing again at the Main Street Theater & Dance Alliance (548 Main Street) after a summer hiatus. According to the show's producer Will Neville:

The laughs are back! The Friday, October 28, marks the return of Roosevelt Island's Only Comedy show at the Main Street Theater & Dance alliance. At 8pm this Friday night join the cast for an hour of improv comedy that is sure to keep them on their toes and you rolling in your seat.

Tickets are just $10 for Roosevelt Island residents, $5 for Students, and $15 for General Admission. The show will be appropriate for anyone who is 13 years of age or older.

We are also starting improv classes on Monday in mid November, more info on that to come soon.

The Main Street Theatre & Dance Alliance adds:

MST&DA alliance welcomes some of the City's top improvisers for an hour of hilarious, fast-paced improv comedy. It features alumni of the National Comedy Theater, UCB, The Magnet Theater, The People's Improv Theater, The Second City and more, these hilarious performers will spin an hour of original comedy out of thin air every single month!

The Improv Team:
Kevin Laibson, Jake Keefe, Tracy Mull, Rachel Scherer, and Langston Belton.

Doors open at 7:30. Ticket information here.

Enjoy Roosevelt Island's Only Comedy (RIOC) show!

Adult Open Gym, Soccer & Basketball Weekday Nights 7:30 - 10 PM Hosted By Roosevelt Island Youth Program - Yoga & Volleyball Too, Zumba Next Week

The Roosevelt Island Youth Program is currently hosting open adult gym evening activities Monday to Friday from 7:30 - 10 PM at PS/IS 217 (645 Main Street) for men and women featuring Wednesday Soccer

Monday, Tuesday & Thursday basketball,

Friday volleyball

and Thursday yoga.

Next week, on Tuesday's and Friday's, Zumba is included as well.

Check it out.

Roosevelt Island 2016 Public Purpose Funds Community Review Process October 26 & 27 - Local Non Profit Applicants Present To RIRA Committee For Recommendations To RIOC Board

It's that time again. Allocation of Roosevelt Island Public Purpose Funds

 Pile Of Money Image From Passive Income Genius

for local Roosevelt Island non-profit organizations. According to the Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC):

Grant Overview

Public Purpose funds first became available after the construction of Manhattan Park in 1989 when New York State allowed the fund to be established in lieu of the developers paying sales tax on construction materials. The RIOC Board of Directors approves the allocation of these funds yearly based upon the recommendation of the Roosevelt Island Residents Association (RIRA). Not-for-profit community organizations are welcome to apply for a Public Purpose Grant by following the application process below.

Public Purpose Funds should be allocated to benefit Roosevelt Island residents, enhancing their quality of life through education, artistic and cultural enrichment, improved health or a better environment....

RIOC announced this afternoon:

Please be advised that the 2016 Public Purpose Grant Community Review Process for applicant proposed programs and projects will be conducted at the Good Shepherd Community Center, 543 Main Street,Wednesday, October 26th and Thursday October 27th. The presentations are open to the public and will be an opportunity to learn more about the programs and projects from community groups who are seeking funding. At the conclusion of each presentation, time will be reserved for questions and answers by public attendees and members of the Roosevelt Island Resident Association’s Public Purpose Grant Committee.

Below is the schedule of applicant presentations:

October 26th

7:30 PM – 8:00 PM: Roosevelt Island Disabled Association

8:00 PM – 8:30 PM: Carter Burden Center for the Aging

8:30 PM– 9:00 PM: Roosevelt Island Visual Art Association

9:00 PM- 9:30 PM: Roosevelt Island Seniors Association

9:30 PM- 10:00 PM: Main Street Theatre and Dance Alliance

October 27th

7:30 – 8:00 pm: Life Frames

8:00 – 8:30 pm: Roosevelt Island Historical Society

8:30 – 9:00 pm: PS/IS 217 Parent Teacher Association

9:00 – 9:30 pm: Island Kids

For more information, please call our office at 212-832-4540.

Thanks.

The Roosevelt Island Residents Association (RIRA) Public Purpose Funds committee will conduct the review of applications and make funding recommendations to the full RIRA Common Council and the RIOC Board. The final funding determination is made by the RIOC Board.

The Public Purpose Funds Timeline is a month behind previously announced schedule

Image From RIOC

More information available on RIOC's Public Purpose Funding Guidelines and Procedures as well as status

Image From RIOC

of 2015-16 applicant funding distributions.

As reported last May, Governor Cuomo signed legislation introduced by NY State Assembly Member Rebecca Seawright and NY State Senator Jose Serrano to allow RIOC to continue its practice of distributing Public Purpose Funds to Roosevelt Island non-profit organizations following a January 2015 announcement by the NY State Authorities Budget Office discontinuing the practice.

Roosevelt Island Seniors Association General Members Meeting Tuesday October 25 - Agenda Includes President's Report, Introduction Of New Board Of Directors, Upcoming Events & More

Roosevelt Island Seniors Association (RISA) President Barbara Parker reports:

RISA MEMBERS GENERAL MEMBERS MEETING

WHEN: Tuesday, October 25, 2016

TIME: 6:30-8:00 P.M.

LOCATION: SENIOR CENTER

546 Main Street

The agenda will include:

President's Report - The Future of RISA

Introducing our new board of directors and their backgrounds

Discussing upcoming events

Forming committees

Program and Event ideas from members

Financial Report

We Look forward to your suggestions and how you would like to help with the revitalization of RISA. To confirm your attendance, please contact 917-951-4137

Meet Your Candidates For Roosevelt Island Residents Association Common Council November 1 & 2 - Deadline To Run For RIRA Common Council Tuesday, October 25

Roosevelt Island Residents Association (RIRA) Election Committee Co-Chair Sharon Williams reports:

The Roosevelt Island Resident’s Association (RIRA) Common Council will be holding its election of council members on Tuesday November 8 at PS217 and the Octagon. We invite you to come meet your building’s candidates on Tuesday November 1st at 8:00 p.m. The following is a schedule of the districts and their candidate night locations. Please find your building and the corresponding candidate night location.

Island House, River Cross, Roosevelt Landings: 546 Main St. in the Senior Center.

Manhattan Park, Octagon and Westview: 625 Main St. in the Westview Community Room.

Southtown buildings (buildings 405, 415, 425, 455, 465, 475 and 480 Main St.): 455 Main St. party room.

We also invite you to come meet the candidates for president and vice president on Wednesday November 2nd at 8:00 p.m. at the Good Shepherd Chapel at 543 Main St.

Please note, anyone interested in running for a seat on the RIRA Common Council, or to vote in RIRA election, you do not need to be a citizen. You must only be at least 18 years of age and a resident of Roosevelt Island. If interested, you may pick up a nomination form through October 25th at the Public Safety Office (550 Main St.) or the Public Library (524 Main St.). The form must be completed and deposited in the red box at the Public Safety Office no later than Tuesday October 25th, at 9:00 p.m.

RIRA's Election Nomination Committee Chair Adib Mansour adds:

Residents will be pleased to learn that many of their neighbors have submitted their nominations for election to The Roosevelt Island Residents Association (RIRA). We have a nearly complete slate for the RIRA 2016 Election, which will be held on Tuesday, November 8.

All residents of Roosevelt Island are eligible to vote in this election, regardless of citizenship.

Every building has between three and eight seats on RIRA, allocated by population.

There are still openings for candidates from Rivercross, Roosevelt Landings Manhattan Park and Octagon (as well as other building). Step up and be a member of the community who contributes to our future.

RIRA’s mission is to represent the interests of residents to all governmental, quasi-governmental and private institutions that develop policy affecting Roosevelt Island and its residents; that supervise or manage our housing and that supervise or manage other Island operations. RIRA serves to ensure that the health, safety and welfare of its members and the quality of life in our community are maintained and improved.

The rewards of serving are far greater than the time commitment of three hours per month to enrich the lives of our neighbors and community. Anyone who is at least 18 years old may serve, regardless of citizenship or nationality.

HOW TO PARTICIPATE IN RIRA:

If you are interested in making a difference on Roosevelt Island, please contact Adib Mansour, Chair of the Election Nomination Committee, at riradib@earthlink.net to arrange a conversation about RIRA and how you might participate as an elected representative.

NOMINATION FORM:

Here is a link to the RIRA Nomination Form.

RIRA 2016 Nomination Form

It must be completed and deposited in the red box at the Public Safety vestibule NO LATER THAN TUESDAY, OCTOBER 25, 2016 at 9:00 pm.

Wildlife Freedom Foundation Invites You To Roosevelt Island Halloween Dog Show Sunday October 30 - Prizes For Funniest, Scariest & Best Halloween Pooch Costume

Roosevelt Island based Wildlife Freedom Foundation is hosting a Halloween Dog Show Sunday October 30th from 12:30 to 5 PM at the Manhattan Park Theater Club (8 River Road).

Did you get UR Dog's costume yet? Halloween Costume Show. Don't wait! Register NOW! https://t.co/jFWzF7VPAg THIS SUNDAY!!!! NO dog come 2 pic.twitter.com/UYR69WPFf2

— Lynne Shinozaki (@LASHINOZAKI) October 24, 2016

Register at the Wildlife Freedom Foundation web site or at the door (Manhattan Park Theater Club, 8 River Road).