Scenes From Roosevelt Island Pumpkin Smash And Leaf Gathering Today - Kids Have Fun Composting Leftover Halloween Pumpkins To Avoid Landfills

iDig2Learn's Christina Delfico reported last Tuesday:

Halloween is spooky but our food scraps need not haunt the landfill!

PLEASE SAVE THAT MUSHY PUMPKIN!

Bring your pumpkin, squash or gourds and join us for a free, fun Pumpkin Bash / Leaf Gathering event on Friday afternoon, November 4th from noon to 3PM.

Earlier today, Roosevelt Island residents brought their leftover Halloween Pumpkins to the Manhattan Park lawn to be smashed and composted...

Nick Turner shares scenes from today's Roosevelt Island Pumkin Smash.

If we could always connect composting with smashing pumpkins, environmentalism would be much more popular in this country pic.twitter.com/FwIevGRZse

— Nick Turner (@SFNick) November 4, 2016

Looks like alot of fun.

SPONSORED POST - Roosevelt Island Gristedes Supermarket Bonus Savings Card Diamond Rewards Loyalty Program November 4 To November 17 - Get Exclusive Offers And Earn Points On Hundreds Of Items To Be Redeemed On Next Order

The Roosevelt Island Gristedes Supermarket

brand new Diamond Rewards customer loyalty program for November 4- November 17 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 November 4 - November 17 that earn you big points include

• Wisk Laundry Detergent earn 75 points,
• Carnation Essential Breakfasts earn 50 points,
• Imagine Broth earn 50 points,
• Cambell's Chunky Soup 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 and whether you are 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, 
• Seafood, 
• Frozen, 
• Deli &;
• Fresh Bakery

Department Offerings for November 11 - November 17

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.

Ocean Spray #Juice Cocktails are on sale at your local #Gristedes! Pick your favorite flavor for only $2.99 / 64oz!https://t.co/gU5TaHfn62 pic.twitter.com/WNSXtiZ6PT

— Gristedes (@Gristedes) November 4, 2016

Roosevelt Island Dogs Show Off Their Halloween Costumes At October 30 Wildlife Freedom Foundation Show

Roosevelt Island resident and Wildlife Freedom Foundation President Rossana Ceruzzi shares these photos and reports on the October 30 Roosevelt Island Halloween Costume Dog Show Contest.

 According to Ms. Ceruzzi:

Wildlife Freedom Foundation: Binding our Community together.​​​

The show was fantastic with a great turnout and success!

On behalf of myself and the entire WFF team I would like to extend my heartfelt gratitude to all the attendees, (two and four legged)

the volunteers, the Daisies, the Girl Scouts of RI, and all the sponsors: RIRA, RIOC, MANHATTAN PARK, CAMP BOW-WOW, DUANE READE, FLOR, GRISTEDES, STARBUCKS, WHOLESOME MARKET who contributed to make this event so successful!

Thank you to all the FANTASTIC doggies who wore FANTASTIC and unique costumes.

They are the ones who ran the show!! Thank you and woof woof till next year. :) Please visit Wildlife Freedom Foundation Facebook Page to see more pics and video



of the event.

More information on the Wildlife Freedom Foundation available at their web site.

Roosevelt Island FDR Four Freedoms Park Conservancy Announces Howard Axel As New President - Also, Completion Of Strategic Plan To Be A Leading Presidential Memorial Park And Destination For Visitors From Around The World

Roosevelt Island's FDR Four Freedoms Park tweets:

We are pleased to announce the appointment of our new CEO, Howard Axel, effective today. Congrats Howard! https://t.co/nKFlGa37Y0 pic.twitter.com/7wqLJOBC5Z

— Four Freedoms Park (@4FreedomsPark) November 1, 2016

According to this October 31 announcement from the FDR Four Freedoms Park:

Ambassador William J. vanden Heuvel, founder of Four Freedoms Park Conservancy, announced today the completion of a three-year strategic plan for the organization. Funded by Alphawood Foundation Chicago, the plan, designed with consultants Lord Cultural Resources, sets the stage for Four Freedoms Park, which has welcomed over 600,000 visitors since opening in 2012, to solidify by 2020 its place as a leading presidential memorial park and important destination for visitors from around the world. Barbara Shattuck Kohn, Chair of the Board, announced that Howard Axel has been named the Conservancy’s President and CEO to execute the vision articulated by the strategic plan. Sally Minard, founding president and CEO of the Conservancy, who championed the creation of the Park since 2007 and guided the strategic planning process, will become Vice-Chair of the Conservancy’s Board of Directors.

Mr. Axel came to the Conservancy from Grameen America, the largest microfinance organization in the United States, where he was Senior Vice President. In addition to his background in the non-profit sector, Howard worked for many years in the entertainment industry, most recently as Vice President for Strategic Partnerships for Talenthouse. He also has a strong background in park and preservation issues from his years as Development Director at the Trust for Public Land.

“We are thrilled that Howard will serve as our new CEO,” said Barbara Shattuck Kohn, Chairman of the Board of Four Freedoms Park Conservancy. “His experience in the non-profit and private sectors will be a tremendous asset to our organization. At the same time, we extend our heartfelt gratitude to Sally for her 10 years of leadership. This remarkable New York State Park would not exist today if not for her tireless dedication, passion, and service.”

“It has been a true privilege to be part of a team that realized Ambassador vanden Heuvel’s 40-year vision for a memorial to President Roosevelt,” said Minard. “The past decade has been challenging, exhilarating, and enormously satisfying.”

“I am honored to succeed Sally and build on her accomplishments, which have made the memorial a world-class destination,” said Axel. “I am particularly thankful to Alphawood for investing in the future vision of the Conservancy as I take on this new role. I share a real sense of excitement and commitment with our stakeholders as we look forward to protecting and promoting this incredible memorial and implementing inspiring public programs.”

Alphawood Foundation Chicago, a private foundation, also announced its continued support of Franklin D. Roosevelt Four Freedoms Park with a $500,000 donation to advance the mission of the Conservancy. This gift, which will be disbursed over two years, supplements the approximately $11 million of support provided to date by Alphawood to build and open the Park. “Honoring the legacy of FDR goes to the core of Alphawood’s mission,” said James D. McDonough, Alphawood Foundation Executive Director. “We take inspiration from his memory and from the Four Freedom speech every day as we go about the work of the Alphawood Foundation. We are proud to provide additional support to the Conservancy to ensure that its leadership is the best available.”

About Franklin D. Roosevelt Four Freedoms Park

Franklin D. Roosevelt Four Freedoms Park is the first memorial dedicated to the president in his home state of New York. Located on the southern tip of Roosevelt Island in New York City, it is the last work of Louis I. Kahn, an iconic architect of the 20th century.

About Four Freedoms Park Conservancy

Four Freedoms Park Conservancy is the 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization responsible for maintaining and operating FDR Four Freedoms Park under a cooperative agreement with the New York State Parks Department. As steward of this extraordinary civic space designed by Louis I. Kahn, the Conservancy advances President Roosevelt’s legacy and inspires, educates, and engages the public in the ideals of the Four Freedoms: freedom of speech and expression, freedom of worship, freedom from want, and freedom from fear. The Conservancy does this by:

• safeguarding the memorial as a space for inspired use

• fostering community and understanding

• igniting conversation about human rights and freedoms today.

For more information, please visit: www.fdrfourfreedomspark.org.

About Alphawood Foundation

Alphawood Foundation is a Chicago-based grant making private foundation working for an equitable, just and humane society. It awards grants to more than 200 organizations annually, primarily in the areas of advocacy, architecture and preservation, arts, domestic violence prevention, the environment, promotion and protection of the rights of LGBT citizens and people living with HIV/AIDS, and other human and civil rights.

About Lord Cultural Resources

Lord Cultural Resources is the world's largest global professional practice dedicated to creating cultural capital. We collaborate with people and organizations to plan and manage cultural places, programs and resources that deliver excellence in the service of society. Visit www.lord.ca for more information.

Mr. Axel had previously been the Vice President of Development for the FDR Park since June 2016.

FDR Park representative Madeline Grimes notes:

... As always, central to our goal is to operate and maintain Franklin D. Roosevelt Four Freedoms Park to the highest possible standard. We love being a part of the Roosevelt Island community, and will strive to continuously make a positive impact on its members....

Former President and now Vice Chairman of the FDR Park Conservancy Board Sally Minard adds:

... after exactly 10 years in this job, I couldn’t stop working for Four Freedoms Park if I tried. As Conservancy Vice Chair and member of the Board Finance and Development committees, my work continues. Now, I’ll have even more time to introduce new people to Roosevelt Island and host visits to Four Freedoms Park....

Good News, Roosevelt Island F Train Service To And From Manhattan This Weekend Says MTA - No Planned F Train Service Disruptions For Rest Of Month During Tram Service Reduction Says RIOC

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

 to and from Manhattan this weekend.

Also, as reported yesterday, the Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC) reports that only 1 Roosevelt Island Tram Cabin will be operating for the month of November starting Monday, November 7, and:

... The MTA has advised that there are no planned F train service disruptions during this period....

Roosevelt Island Tram Service Disruptions Starting November 7 - Only 1Tram Cabin Operating At A Time For Rest Of Month Due To RequiredInspections And Maintenance

Oh boy. This is not going to be fun.

According to the Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC):

Leitner-Poma, operator of the Roosevelt Island Tramway, has advised that, due to required inspections and maintenance on both Tram cabins (including the replacement of both cabin floors), the Tram will operate with one cabin, running on a peak schedule during the month of November. During this time, the Red Bus will provide supplemental service to Manhattan Monday - Friday from 10 AM to 8:30 PM, with buses departing every hour from Roosevelt Island to Manhattan and every half hour from Manhattan back to Roosevelt Island. These changes will take effect on Monday, November 7th .

The MTA has advised that there are no planned F train service disruptions during this period.

Thank you in advance for your patience during this necessary work

Plan for a very crowded ride on the Tram

 Image Of 2013 Crowded Tram Cabin From Trevre Andrews

starting

 Image Of Crowded Tram Station From May 2016

Monday November 7.

Is there anything RIOC can do to reduce the overcrowding of the Tram that is sure to result from only one cabin in use during this time?

Perhaps RIOC can consider eliminating weekend 5 & 10 K race permits and playing field permits for non-resident groups during the time only one Tram Cabin is in service in order to reduce Tram crowding. Find a way to discourage the tourists too.

UPDATE 11/4 - From RIOC:

Where Did The Wild Cats Of Roosevelt Island Come From - Chasing News Gets Answers From Roosevelt Island's Wildlife Freedom Foundation President Rossana Ceruzzi

The Roosevelt Island wild cats is the subject of story today from Chasing News. Chasing News reporter Diana Blass tweets:

#ICYMI: How did NYC's Roosevelt Island become a Kingdom of Cats? I dig in! WATCH: @ChasingNews https://t.co/f1zvMtakrR pic.twitter.com/y8WE493CLd

— Diana Blass (@dianablass) November 3, 2016

reports:

How did abandoned cats find a home on Roosevelt Island?

It's a mystery that's haunted the NYC island for decades and some have their speculations. Diana spoke with Rossana Cercuzzi, president of the Wildlife Freedom Foundation, who told her Roosevelt Island became an epicenter for "animal dumping" years ago. Many of the abandoned cats were not neutered or spayed, which led to a huge feral cat problem....

and interviews Roosevelt Island resident and Wildlife Freedom Foundation President Rossana Ceruzzi.

Roosevelt Island Marlins Swim Team Coach Reports On Fall Season - Despite Temporary Sportspark Closure, Marlins Excel In Metro Area Competitions And Welcome Your Support

Image From Roosevelt Island Marlins

Roosevelt Island Marlins Swim Team Coach



Michael Gavrilchin reports:

Our boys and girls had a phenomenal start to the Fall season, despite training in exile because of the Sportspark pool closure. Eight Roosevelt Islanders: Gabriela Finchelstein, Mira Goodman, Strahinja and Tadija Maslo, Denys Mialkovskyi, Sophia and Timur Shchuchinov, and Maksim Tesovic placed in top 25 swimmers in the entire Metro Area - New York City, Westchester and Long Island! We are also excited to see more Marlins swimmers achieving National rankings this Fall.

Challenging sets at the pool, grueling dryland sessions, the stress of high stakes swim meets, hundreds of amazingly fast and fierce competitors from all over Metro Area, are no match for our young athletes. These results are a testimony to both Marlins’ swimmers and coaches skills, hard work and dedication!

Commuting to train in Astoria has been very difficult for our athletes and their parents. And we are particularly sad that the backbone of our team - Learn to Swim program, Health Club (recreational swimming) and adults classes are still on hold. We are looking forward to returning to our home at the Sportspark pool as soon as the renovations are complete.

This season has also tested us financially, if you would like to support your island team, please shop Roosevelt Island Swim Team online store  or donate to us:  R.I. Swimming is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, all contributions are tax deductible, and eligible for company monetary matches.

Marlins are proud to represent Roosevelt Island, and will keep working on bringing more of their best performances!”

More info on Roosevelt Island Marlins Swim Team available at their web site.

Bad News For Roosevelt Island Kids Of All Ages - Coach Scot's Main Street Sweets Closing On November 30

Reported yesterday good news that the Roosevelt Island Urgent Care medical facility opened up on Main Street.

Learned today some bad news that Coach Scot's

Image From Main Street Sweets

Main Street Sweets

is closing at the end of the month - November 30.

The closing of Main Street Sweets is a big loss for Roosevelt Island. Besides having very good ice cream, breakfast sandwiches, pastries, coffee, tea, soups, & more, the owner, Scot Bobo, made the space available

 Image Of Roosevelt Island Girl Scouts And Coach Scot From Heather Smith

to our community for events, meetings, concerts and a comfortable place to hang out.

Best part of Saturday! #rooseveltisland #icecream pic.twitter.com/TSRTI0Mf4C

— Main Street Sweets (@MainStSweetsNYC) September 17, 2016

Roosevelt Island kids, of all ages, will miss Coach Scot's Main Street Sweets.

Will leave for another time what Main Street Sweets closing says about prospects for Roosevelt Island Main Street retail.

UPDATE 7 PM - According to a Hudson Companies Spokeswoman:

Main Street Sweets will be missed and we're sad to see them go. We want to thank Coach Scot for his service to the Roosevelt Island community and we wish him the best of luck.

Roosevelt Island Urgent Care Medical Facility Opens On Main Street Today - Service Available 7 Days A Week

The Roosevelt Island Urgent Care medical facility

Image From Urgent Care Facebook Page

at 520 Main Street opened today. Roosevelt Island Urgent Care is open 7 days a week, 8 AM - 8 PM Monday - Friday and 9 AM - 6 PM Saturday and Sunday. Phone # is (646) 977-7974.

Image From Roosevelt Islander Facebook Page

According to the Roosevelt Island Urgent Care Facebook Page:


Urgent Care joins the long established Dr. Jack Resnick and Dr Kathy Grimm in serving the medical needs of the Roosevelt Island community.

Welcome to Roosevelt Island.

Will have more information on Roosevelt Island Urgent Care in the coming days.

You're Invited To Roosevelt Island Free Pumpkin Bash And Leaf GatheringFriday November 4 - Help Recycle, Compost, Rake Leaves And Enjoy ApplePie & Cider

Roosevelt Island resident and iDig2Learn founder Christina Delfico reports:

Halloween is spooky but our food scraps need not haunt the landfill!

PLEASE SAVE THAT MUSHY PUMPKIN!

Bring your pumpkin, squash or gourds and join us for a free, fun Pumpkin Bash / Leaf Gathering event on Friday afternoon, November 4th from noon to 3PM. Rain or shine.

35% of NYC's landfill waste stream is organic. That means when we drop our food scraps to be processed into compost they return to our island as healthy soil. And Islanders know a lot about composting. In partnership with The NYC Compost Project hosted by BigReuse, alongside RIOC, with volunteers from the RI Garden Club, Girl Scouts & iDig2Learn, Roosevelt Island residents have dropped over 23,000 pounds of food scraps on Saturdays since November of 2015. That is more than 11 tons, or the equivalent of five SUV's full of food scraps, which have been diverted from landfill. Very impressive!

So let's bring those pumpkins and have a good time at our pumpkin smash event as we demonstrate the full cycle from food to field.

And in the spirit of recycling, we invite you to bring your gently used Halloween costume to donate.

Manhattan Park is generously providing the host location on the Manhattan Park great lawn. And RIOC, Roosevelt Island Garden Club and iDig2Learn are partnering with The NYC Compost Project hosted by BigReuse for this composting event. Huge thanks to all the volunteers, supporters and collaborators from 217PTA, RI Parents' Network, Island Kids, Girl Scouts, RI Youth Program, Beacon PS217, Gristedes, Wengerd Farm, RIRA and RI Explorers.

SAVE THE DATE - NOV 4th - RAIN OR SHINE

What: Pumpkin Bash / Leaf Gathering event

When: Friday, November 4th, 2016

Time: Noon to 3PM - (half day at PS IS 217)

Location: Manhattan Park great lawn

Made possible by: RIOC, NYC Compost hosted by BigReuse, Manhattan Park, Roosevelt Island Garden Club and iDig2Learn

In Collaboration with: 217PTA, RI Parents' Network, Island Kids, Girl Scouts, RI Youth Program, Beacon PS217, Gristedes, Wengerd Farm, RIRA and RI Explorers

Cost: Free

Who: Children and their families and anyone with a pumpkin, squash or gourd to recycle for compost!

Activities: Raking leaves, smashing pumpkins - eating apple pie and drinking apple cider from our Wengerd farm market and enjoying coffee from Gristedes.

Bring: Your mushy pumpkin, squash or gourd and your smile.

Donate: Gently used Halloween costume.

Goal: To highlight that, rather than be thrown into the trash and trucked to a landfill, plant based materials like pumpkins and leaves, can be composted and returned to the earth.

Together we could keep even more out of landfill and have a smashing good time.

Residents Spot Large Barge And Crane In East River Next To Roosevelt Island Southtown Riverwalk Buildings - Ask What Is Going On?

Residents spotted a huge crane mounted on a barge in the East River (Queens side) adjacent to Roosevelt Island's Souththown Riverwalk buildings

today with plenty of workers in construction hard hats and yellow vests

nearby.

What was going on? Some thought it might be fixing Hurricane Sandy damage,

@Rooseveltisland huge crane on river outside 480 main fixing sandy damage on walkway Umm...4 yrs later? @ajbcomms pic.twitter.com/mKhmFVMle9

— Adriana Davis (@adriananyc) November 1, 2016

the beginning of work on the Roosevelt Island East River Ferry Dock or start of construction on new Riverwalk building 8.

I asked Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC) President Susan Rosenthal what was going on. Ms Rosenthal provided the answer:

New York City Transit and its sub-contractor Simpson & Brown are replacing anodes on the East Side of Roosevelt Island bulkhead to protect the steel shell of the 63rd St tunnel.

They have a permit from RIOC.

Meet Your Building's Roosevelt Island Residents Association (RIRA) Common Council Candidates Tonight

The Roosevelt Island twitterverse reports:

Come meet your @Rooseveltisland #RIRA candidates TONIGHT! See pic 4 locations. #vote next Tuesday! pic.twitter.com/YjsWso5Eqe

— Sharon Lee Williams (@Sharon3williams) November 1, 2016

Ghostbuster Says Roosevelt Island Tram Clear Of Any Ghosts And Slimers - That's A Relief, Happy Halloween

Roosevelt Island resident Suzy del Campo Perea spotted a Ghostbuster at the Roosevelt Island Tram yesterday and reports:

This Ghostbuster was looking for ghosts and slime at the Roosevelt Island Tram yesterday.

The Ghostbuster was scanning Leire and Itziar to check if they were ghosts...


(Click full screen icon for better view)

Happy Halloween!!

Fortunately, the Ghost Buster gave the all clear sign for the Tram, Leire and Itziar.

Not known what the verdict was for the rest of Roosevelt Island.

Have you seen any ghosts recently?