Roosevelt Island Celebrates 1 Year Anniversary Of NYC Compost Food Scrap Drop Off Site Hosted By Big Reuse At Farmers Market - Over 13 Tons Diverted From Landfill

IDig2 Learn tweets:

Thanks @NYCSanitation @BigReuse & garden club 4 a great year of diverting scraps from landfill & restoring local soil. pic.twitter.com/nBwPtkqZ1X

— iDig2Learn (@iDig2Learn) November 26, 2016

Roosevelt Island Garden Club's Julia Ferguson reports:

Over 13 tons diverted from landfill!

The NYC Compost Food Scrap Drop Off Site on Roosevelt Island arrived one year ago this weekend.

Because of NYC Compost hosted by Big Reuse and the support from RIOC, 217 PTA, RIGC, Girl Scouts, RIRA, iDig2 Learn and many, many residents (and bloggers!), we can re-use food scraps as a simple natural resource and divert tons of waste from landfills where it could create methane gas and definitely burn fossil fuels in the transport process. In addition, we have already benefited from 7-8 give back programs with Big Reuse where the compost returns to Roosevelt Island. Rebuilding the Soil Neighborhood by Neighborhood!

As previously reported:

You can drop your food scraps

Images From Roosevelt Island Garden Club

every Saturday morning to mid afternoon

at the Roosevelt Island Farmers Market.

The Roosevelt Island Garden Club has more on composting including an 18 day composting experiment.

... We are trying to see if we can get the time to compost down to 18 days. It will take a few tries to get it right for sure. This is the first attempt, started this past Sunday 11/13. In theory and if done correctly, this batch will be completely done by 12/1. We will let you know how it goes!...

Stay tuned to see if they succeed.

Roosevelt Island F Train Service To And From Manhattan This Weekend, Manhattan Bound F Skips Lex/63rd - Only 1 Tram Cabin In Service For Rest Of November

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

service to and from Manhattan this weekend.

The bad news, as previously reported, only be 1 Roosevelt Island Tram cabin in service for the rest of November:

... 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....

The MTA adds:

F Coney Island-bound trains skip Lexington Av/63 St

and:

F Jamaica-bound trains are rerouted via E the after 47-50 Sts to Roosevelt Av Late Nights, 11:45 PM to 5 AM, Mon to Fri, Nov 28 - Dec 2

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

PS/IS 217 PTA Roosevelt Island Christmas Tree Sale Starts Saturday November 26 At Motorgate Plaza And Every Weekend Through December 24

The Roosevelt Island PS/IS 217 PTA Christmas Tree Emporium opens Saturday November 26 at Motorgate Plaza.

PS/IS 217 PTA's Erin Olavesen adds:

The trees do run out, so I'd recommend getting them early, but the sale will run on weekends through December 24th or until the supply runs out.  There will be some wreaths available as well.  Feel free to email me, eolavesen@gmail.com with questions or comments!

And to support 217 while doing some Black Friday shopping, use our affiliate link at Amazon.  We get 4-10% of the purchase just for clicking through the link.  Shoppers have to click through BEFORE adding items to your cart for 217 to earn.   The link is "quiet" so there is not indication that you're shopping to benefit 217 but we are receiving a percentage! Direct link: https://www.amazon.com/?tag=pi2p-20# And it's on our website if folks forget to bookmark it! http://www.217pta.com/news/this-holiday-season-support-217-with-this-amazon-link

If you're looking to buy a Christmas Tree, check them out at Motorgate Plaza and help our local school at the same time.

Happy Thanksgiving From Roosevelt Island - Tradition, Family, Food, Football, Parade, History And Alice's Restaurant

Image of Rockefeller Center Turkey from The Onion

Happy Thanksgiving Day wishes to everyone out there in Roosevelt Island land and elsewhere. I hope you all have a wonderful Thanksgiving!!!

 Image From libnot

Since Thanksgiving is a day all about about Tradition, here is my traditional Thanksgiving Day post started in 2007.

In addition to family, great food, the Macy's Parade, Miracle on 34th Street, March of the Wooden Soldiers and football, listening to Arlo Guthrie's rendition of Alice's Restaurant on WNEW-FM was, for me, a wonderful Thanksgiving tradition.

A former station DJ remembers Thanksgiving and Arlo Guthrie this way on the blog All Mixed Up Radio.

Every year a couple of days before Thanksgiving, it starts. It's slow at first, and then turns into a non-stop avalanche of phone calls. And no matter how many times a station runs promo announcements telling people exactly when it will be played, the calls still come.

"What time are you playing 'Alice's Restaurant?'"...

Yes, in the olden days people used to listen to music on the radio. Imagine that!

Here's a snippet of Alice's Restaurant with Arlo Guthrie and Johnny Cash



and the full song with scenes from the movie.



More nostalgia. Take a look at some of these Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade Floats from 1927 thru 1968 via Buzzfeed.

 Image of 1927 Felix the Cat Macy's Thanksgiving Float From Buzzfeed

Image of 1935 The Marx Brothers Macy'sThanksgiving Float from Buzzfeed

 Image of 1940 The Tin Man Macy's Thanksgiving Float From Buzzfeed

HAPPY THANKSGIVING everybody!

Roosevelt Island Historical Society President Judy Berdy shares a Thanksgiving  story from Roosevelt Island's past when it was known as Welfare Island and housed a penitentiary. Also, former blogger Roosevelt Island 360 tells us about the first Roosevelt Island Thanksgiving in 1975.

Getting back to 2016, President Barack Obama pardoned the National Thanksgiving Turkey yesterday wishing Americans a Happy Thanksgiving



and President Elect Donald Trump sent this



Thanksgiving message.

Happy Thanksgiving Roosevelt Islanders!!!!!!!!

Roosevelt Island Hawk Spotted At Capobianco Field Last Saturday Found Dead Today - What Happened?

Last Saturday, Roosevelt Island residents looked up at a Capobianco Field Tree and were delighted to spot this hawk sitting on a tree branch

gazing out over it's domain.

But, Roosevelt Island resident and Wildlife Freedom Foundation President Rossana Ceruzzi reports that the female hawk was found dead today. According to Ms. Ceruzzi:

The hawk is dead. It's such a loss. The hawk was confused outside of Gristedes about 5 PM. The Public Safety Department called me but it was too late to save this beauty.

The question is - what is going on?

Stay tuned as we try to find out what is going on?

Roosevelt Island And Jackson Heights PS/IS 217 Families Show Support For NYC Council Member Ben Kallos At November 19 Saturday Morning Fundraiser

Roosevelt Island families, mostly parents with children attending our local PS/IS 217 school, as well as Jackson Heights families with children at PS/IS 217

showed their support for our NYC Council Member Ben Kallos

during a November 19 Saturday morning fundraiser held at the Riverwalk Bar & Grill.

PS/IS 217 PTA's Will Sweeney introduced Council Member Kallos and thanked him for his support of the school and Roosevelt Island.



Here's what Mr. Kallos told the families attending the event.



Mr. Kallos spoke of his attempts to fix broken government to improve the lives of Roosevelt Island residents and noted that the next President of the US may be one of the children sitting in the room that day.

Shop The Roosevelt Island Historical Society Visitors Center Kiosk On Small Business Saturday November 26 - Tram Magnets, Puzzles, Mugs & Much More

November 26 is Small Business Saturday.



 Roosevelt Island Historical Society (RIHS) President Judy Berdy encourages residents to shop at the RIHS Visitors Center Kiosk.

According to Ms. Berdy:

SHOP THE VISITOR CENTER KIOSK
(at the R.I. Tram Plaza)
ON
Saturday, November 26th
11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Cards, Gifts, Toys, Puzzles, Magnets, Stuffed Squirrels, Pins, Tram Puzzles, Model Trains and much more………….
The Roosevelt Island Historical Society

More RIHS merchandise here.

Happy Shopping and try to make a purchase at one of Roosevelt Island's local businesses.

Wow - Glorious NYC East River Sunset Seen From Roosevelt Island Today

From the Roosevelt Island Twitterverse:

Sunset as seen from Roosevelt Island. #nyc #newyork #sunset #photography #CanonFavPic #bridges #cityscape pic.twitter.com/nb29JNtr3K

— In Sirch Of (@InSirchOf) November 22, 2016

RIRA Government Relations Chair Joyce Short Discusses Grassroots Community Organizing With Roosevelt Island's NY State Assembly Member Rebecca Seawright In MNN TV Interview - "There Has To Be A Difference Between How You Run A Government And How You Run A Corporation" Says Ms. Short

On Now: #RepresentNYC feat. @Rebecca76AD & reps from @e72na & the Roosevelt Island Residents Association https://t.co/PCHSGmpJTd pic.twitter.com/cDOA16eEYv

— MNN (@MNN59) November 14, 2016

Roosevelt Island's NY State Assembly Member Rebecca Seawright hosted a discussion of grassroots community organizing televised by the Manhattan Neighborhood Network (MNN). Participating in the discussion was Roosevelt Island Residents Association (RIRA) Government Relations Committee Chair Joyce Short.

According to MNN:

As the eyes and ears of the city, New Yorkers play an important role in bringing the issues of our communities to the attention of elected officials.

On this episode of “Represent NYC,” District 76 Assembly Member Rebecca Seawright discusses the importance of grassroots community organizing in promoting a better quality of life for all with her guests Elizabeth Patrick, vice president of the East 72nd Street Neighborhood Association, and Joyce Short, committee chair of government operation for the Roosevelt Island Residents Association.

Ms Short reported on:

• the pecuilar  nature of Roosevelt Island governance by a State Public Benefit Corporation (RIOC) and the resulting difficulties which arise ("there has to be a difference between how you run a business and how you run a government." she said) , and
• development of the Cornell Tech campus and it's impact on  the quality of life for Roosevelt Island residents.

Ms Short added:

... we were particularly disappointed with the oversight of the impacts of Cornell on the community and as it develops we are hoping our elected officials will help protect the lifestyle of Roosevelt Islanders....

Ms Seawright responded:

Absolutely... 

and proposed that Cornell Tech provide free classes to Roosevelt Island residents.

Here's the full interview.


Represent NYC: Grassroots Community Organizing with Assembly Member Rebecca Seawright from Manhattan Neighborhood Network on Vimeo.

Roosevelt Island Main Street Sweets Closing At End Of November - Stop By Today To Visit With Bobo Family At Ice Cream Shop For Last Time

Reported previously that Roosevelt Island's Coach Scot's Main Street Sweets is closing at the end of November.

Main Street Sweets tweets:

Bobo family's last times working together at Main Street Sweets. Come by and see us tomorrow afternoon. 🍦☕️🍪🍬 #rooseveltisland #solong pic.twitter.com/NWhLqciVZH

— Main Street Sweets (@MainStSweetsNYC) November 20, 2016

They will be missed.

Volunteers Needed For Roosevelt Island Seniors & Disabled Association November 24 Thanksgiving Day Dinner

Would you like to volunteer and help out a local Roosevelt Island organization with Thanksgiving 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/Seniors Association Annual Thanksgiving Day dinner.

2014 RIDA Thanksgiving Dinner

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

2014 RIDA Thanksgiving Dinner

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

No heavy lifting involved.

We expect between 30-40 people to attend.

Date is Nov 24 (Thanksgiving day)
Times of service
1:45 - 4:30 PM

Location :546 Main St (Senior Center)

Roosevelt Island, NY

Please have anyone who wants to volunteer to either call me

Jim 718-614-4784 or email me at

Fdrhopememorial@gmail.com.

SPONSORED POST - Roosevelt Island Gristedes Supermarket Thanksgiving Dinner Specials, Bonus Savings Card Diamond Rewards Loyalty Program And More Department Offerings Too

Check out the Roosevelt Island Gristedes Supermarket

brand new Diamond Rewards customer loyalty program for November 18- December 1 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 18 - December 1 that earn you big points include

• Paesana Pasta Sauce earn 100 points,
• Poland Spring Sparkling Water earn 50 points,
• Maille Mustard earn 50 points,
• Ronzoni Pasta 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 25 - December 1

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.