Saturday, July 8, 2017

Lovely Saturday Evening On The Roosevelt Island East River Waterfront Promenade Pier - But What Was The Staten Island Ferry Doing On East River Passing Roosevelt Island This Afternoon?

Lovely Saturday evening hanging out at Roosevelt Island East River waterfront promenade pier this evening.


Earlier today, the Staten Island Ferry was spotted passing Roosevelt Island making its annual East River trip for a children's charity.


The Twitterverse was asking today what the Staten Island Ferry was doing on the East River?

Roosevelt Island Hope Church Hosting Free Summer Festival Sunday July 9 - You're Invited To Neighborhood Party At Good Shepherd Plaza For Food, Carnival Games, Dunk Tank & Water Balloon Fight

Roosevelt Island Hope Church is hosting a free summer festival and all members of the Roosevelt Island community are invited to attend. According to Roosevelt Island Hope Church Pastor Dan Sadlier:
At Hope we believe that our neighborhood, as well as our city is only as good as the next generation. If the next generation is thriving emotionally, physically, socially, and spiritually than usually the overall community is as well. This is why investing in the next generation (Birth-25yrs) is one of our largest priorities at Hope Church. This happens throughout the year in various ways, from our weekly kids programming every Sunday at 4:30PM, to social events, mentoring programs, retreats, and global trips. We want Hope Church to be a people and a place where Roosevelt Island kids, as well as youth living around the city can flourish, having a community of peers and adults supporting, encouraging, and empowering them every step of the way.

This Sunday is another one of those moments where we have planned an event for all of Roosevelt Island, but with families and their children especially on our minds.

Join us for our first summer family fest immediately following our 4:30PM service. We will be throwing a neighborhood party in the Chapel square. The family fest includes live music, a community wide meal, carnival games, and a dunk tank. You won’t want to miss it! In addition registration for the island’s largest water balloon fight will begin at 4:15PM just before our Sunday family friendly service. All activities are free to the community. If you haven't yet had the chance to experience a Hope service this would be the perfect summer weekend.

Hope Church Family Fest
Sunday July 9th @ 4:30PM
543 Main Street | Good Shepherd Chapel & Square
Click here from more info.

Friday, July 7, 2017

Roosevelt Island Main Street Retail Update - China 1 Restaurant Renovation Has Sleek New Look, New BubbleCool Tea Shop Getting Ready To Open & Trellis/Nisi Owner Still Hopes To Be Back In Business Soon

Roosevelt Island's China 1 restaurant was closed for a few days recently while undergoing renovations. I walked by China 1


yesterday and was stunned to see how nice the renovated interior looked with new window seating


and large picnic table placed in the corner.


Customers remarked how wonderful the renovated space looked.


Take a look.



Renovation work was also being done yesterday on the new BubbleCool Tea shop scheduled to open this summer


and Trellis/Nisi diner owner Kai Razaghi was on site too.


Mr. Razaghi told residents asking when Trellis/Nisi will re-open that he still did not have a set date yet, but definitely will re-open and be back in business as soon as he can.

UPDATE 8 PM:

You're Invited To BE AMAZED - July 8 Opening Reception For Roosevelt Island's Gallery RIVAA New Exhibit By New Zealand Artist Malcolm Hazeldean

Roosevelt Island's Gallery RIVAA is hosting an opening reception for it's latest exhibition, Be Amazed, by New Zealand artist Malcolm Hazeldean on Saturday July 8. According to Gallery RIVAA:

Dear all,

Gallery RIVAA is pleased to invite you to the opening reception of "Be Amazed", an exhibition by our guest artist - Malcolm Hazeldean from New Zealand, on Saturday, July 8th from 6-9pm @Gallery RIVAA.

Exhibition Dates: July 8th - July 30th, 2017
Opening Reception: Saturday, July 8th, 6-9pm
Location: 527 Main Street, Roosevelt Island, New York
Website: http://rivaa.com/event/be-amazed


We hope you can make it!

Cheers,
Gallery RIVAA
Take a look at Malcolm Hazeldean's unique art showcasing aviation, sports, motor vehicles, industry, architecture and Be Amazed.


Stuff I Produce from Malcolm Hazeldean on Vimeo.





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

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


to and from Manhattan this weekend.

Also:
F Trains run local in both directions between 71 Av and 21 St-Queensbridge Weekends, 11:30 PM Fri to 5 AM Mon, until Aug 7

Trains stop at 67 Av, 63 Dr, Woodhaven Blvd, Grand, Elmhurst, Roosevelt Avs, 65 St, Northern Blvd, 46, Steinway and 36 Sts.

Thursday, July 6, 2017

Roosevelt Island Summer Outdoor Movie Showing Olympic Hockey Story Miracle Tomorrow Night July 7, At Firefighters Field

The 2017 Roosevelt Island Outdoor Summer Movie Series continues tomorrow night at Firefighters Field

Image From June 30, 2017 Showing of Back To The Future

with the showing of Miracle.



According to the Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC):

Summer Outdoor Movie Series: Miracle

Our second movie screening, Miracle, will show this Friday, July 7th, at Firefighter's Field (405-425 Main Street). Festivities begin at 7 PM. The movie will begin showing at sunset.

We hope to see you there!
Below is the Roosevelt Island Outdoor Summer Movie


remaining schedule:
Have fun!!!!!

Free Gardening Lessons For Roosevelt Island Middle School Students At Community Garden Wednesday Evenings In July - Sign Up Now

The Roosevelt Island Garden Club (RIGC) reports:

RIGC is offering some free gardening experiences for pre 5th to pre 8th graders in July. The young pre-teens and teens just need to sign up by sending an email to rigardenoutreach@gmail.com and bring in parent signed permission forms. Each gardening lesson/experience involves two hours in the garden and they can sign up for one week or all three.

Here's the Garden Club showing us



how composting is done.

More info on the Roosevelt Island Garden Club available at their web site including stories from the gardeners.

You're Invited To Celebrate And Share Memories Of 40 Years Living On Roosevelt Island With RIHS President Judy Berdy - Friday July 7 At Visitors Center Kiosk

Roosevelt Island Historical Society President (RIHS) Judy Berdy is celebrating 40 years of living on Roosevelt Island and you are invited to join her tomorrow to share memories of Roosevelt Island.

According to RIHS:

Join Roosevelt Island Historical Society President Judith Berdy As She Celebrates 40 Years of Living on Roosevelt Island

Visitor Center Kiosk
Tram Plaza
Friday, July 7, 5 p.m. - 8 p.m.

RSVP jbird134@aol.com or just stop by.

Refreshments will be served.

Join Roosevelt Island Historical Society President Judy Berdy as she celebrates 40 years of living on Roosevelt Island. Judy will share her insights into and memories of living on RI through decades of change.

Come celebrate and bring your recollections of RI life to share with friends and neighbors!

This event is FREE and open to the public.


The Roosevelt Island Historical Society promotes awareness of Roosevelt Island's unique story and pursues the preservation of its landmarks and artifacts. For more information, please visit www.rihs.us.
Ms Berdy recently spoke to the Historic Districts Council (HDC) about Roosevelt Island fascinating history and present condition. According to the HDC:
Roosevelt Island: Fact, Fiction, Myth, Folktales, Fraud, Felons, + the Future," from this year's Conference. Listen to Judy Berdy, from the Roosevelt Island Historical Society, talk about Roosevelt Island's fascinating history.
Watch Ms. Berdy's presentation - it's very interesting.



Come celebrate 40 years of living on Roosevelt Island and share your Roosevelt Island memories at the RIHS Visitors Center Kiosk

  Image of RIHS Visitors Kiosk By Richard Bachman From Friend Of The UES Historic District

Friday, July 7 from 5-8 PM.

See you there.

Wednesday, July 5, 2017

Scenes From Spectacular Macy's July 4 Fireworks Celebration Seen From Roosevelt Island - More Tickets Needed For Residents Next Year

The view of 2017 Macy's July 4 Fireworks Celebration from Roosevelt Island's FDR Four Freedoms Park was fantastic last night. Here's the spectacular finale



and some more scenes of the festivities.



Click on the full screen icons for better view.

People starting lining up to exchange their tickets for wristbands at 5 PM (including many arriving via the Tram and subway).

to get prime viewing spots.
Here's more of yesterday's Macy's July 4 Fireworks as seen from Roosevelt Island.
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Image From Irina Hage
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Roosevelt Island Parents' Network Coordinator Cecilia shares this message regarding difficulties some residents had in obtaining July 4 tickets from the Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC) online registration system.
Dear Community,

Last Thursday I emailed president of RIOC Ms. Susan Rosenthal the responses I collected about families' frustration and requests about fireworks viewing, and on Friday I got to speak with her over the phone.

She explained that they had to set up such procedure and number limit because Four Freedom Park is a state park, and they even tried to remove some waterside structures to maximize the number of people allowed in the park. She is sympathetic that not all who wished to go could, however they have to ensure the safety of all those who did get tickets, e.g. if any emergency happens, emergency vehicles should be able to move around easily, and/or people should be able to evacuate quickly enough.

As to the online ticket claiming, they had an outside contributor to manage the process and she thinks that it is likely that a lot of people were getting it all at the same time in the first few minutes.

I also asked about how many standby tickets are, and whether they can have a separate area for family with small children, and she replied that the number will depend on the number of ticketed folks who actually come to the event. Also because of that it's not easy to set up separate spots for standby tickets. (We can however still submit it for their consideration for future events.)

She also invites all residents to continue submitting requests and suggestions and they will do their best to accommodate next year and beyond....
It was a great Roosevelt Island fireworks show. Hopefully, next year more Roosevelt Island residents will be able to attend.

Roosevelt Island Parents' Network RI Moms On The Move Three Year Anniversary - Moms, Dads, & Caregivers Are Invited To Join Them For Walk And Exercise Thursday July 6

The Roosevelt Island Parents' Network is celebrated the third anniversary of it's RI Moms on the Move program. Saskia Dux shares these photos and reports.

Dear all,

The RI Parents' Network launched its RI Moms on the Move (RI MoM) program three years ago. Congratulations to all! Since June 27, 2014 we met regularly at the Tram kiosk, went for a walk, exercised, had picnics, went to playrooms and enjoyed each others company while watching our children play and grow up together.


Thank you to every mom and dad who participated in these fun gatherings and came to RI MoM despite rain, crying babies, unfinished laundry, sleep-deprivation and other challenges of parenting and life. If you never made it, please join us Thursday! Pregnant moms, moms of children of all ages, daddies and other caregivers are all welcome.


Special Thank you goes to Paulina Mansz, an Island mom of two who started the exercise part three years ago and made us sweat and laugh every week as our fitness coach. She has moved to Washington but thanks to many other volunteers the RI MoM program has been continued! Thank you all for your volunteered time and for bringing so much joy and friendship into our group!


To all: Please join us Thursday, July 06, 2017 for a celebratory picnic on the occasion of a 3 year anniversary of the RI MoM program.

We will meet at 9:30am at the Tram kiosk and go for a walk. Afterwards we will continue with some exercise and the picnic. Please bring a blanket/mat for you and the kids, some toys to share and something to eat and drink.
Please contact Saskia if you would like to join the RI Moms on the Move.

The RI Moms on the Move is not just a summer program. The Moms


did winter too.

Here's the post from three years ago announcing the first RI Moms On The Move walk and exercise program.

Happy Anniversary Roosevelt Island Moms On The Move!

Tuesday, July 4, 2017

HAPPY JULY 4 INDEPENDENCE DAY AMERICA FROM ROOSEVELT ISLAND

Image of John Trumbull's Declaration of Independence from US History



Today is also the 10th anniversary of Roosevelt Islander Online.

Here's the first post from July 4, 2007 about July 4 Fireworks Celebration at Southpoint Park.

UPDATE 11 PM - A little bit from tonight's Roosevelt Island July 4 Fireworks celebration at FDR 4 Freedoms Park.

Monday, July 3, 2017

2017 Macy's July 4 Fireworks Celebration At Roosevelt Island Southpoint & FDR Four Freedoms Park - Fantastic View But Only A Few Standby Tickets Remain Available

One of the best spots to view the 2017 Macy's July Fireworks Celebration is right here on Roosevelt Island at Southpoint and FDR Four Freedoms Park.

The Fireworks barges will be located on the East River between East 24th Street and East 41 Street.


The Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC) distributed 2500 free tickets with an advanced online registration for Roosevelt Island residents on June 26 and a public online registration on June 28 for the small amounts of remaining tickets (number is not publicly known). Both ticket registrations were sold out within minutes.

Image From RIOC Facebook Page

According to RIOC:
FOURTH OF JULY FAMILY FIREWORKS CELEBRATION

TUESDAY, JULY 4, 2017 5PM—10:30PM EDT

SOUTHPOINT PARK & FRANKLIN D. ROOSEVELT FOUR FREEDOMS PARK

Come enjoy music, a Bounce house, and a Double Slide. Attendees can get festive designs by face painters! Food, including Salt N Bone/Bareburger and Dippin Dots will also be available for purchase inside Southpoint Park. Fireworks are scheduled to begin at 9:25 PM!

Reminder: There will be NO Reentry.

We look forward to seeing you there!
And:
Due to the overwhelming demand, a limited number of standby tickets will be available at Firefighter’s Field on Tuesday, July 4th between 7:30 -8:30 PM. Standby tickets will be given out on a first come, first served basis until capacity has been reached. Standby tickets will be one per person. Attendees must be present to receive standby wristband. YOU MUST CHECK IN FOR A STANDBY WRISTBAND AT FIREFIGHTER’S FIELD TO BE ELIGIBLE FOR STANDBY TICKETS.

Firefighter's Field will be closed on Tuesday, July 4th and opened at 7:30 PM for only those procuring standby tickets.

Please visit http://rioc.ny.gov/pdf/JULY4TH2016.pdf for full event details. Thank you.
And:
July 4th- Security Checks at Island Parks & Fireworks Event

Visitors to Lighthouse, Southpoint and Four Freedoms Parks are advised that the Roosevelt Island Public Safety Department (PSD) will be conducting security spot checks of containers, backpacks and over-sized bags that are brought into the parks on Tuesday July 4, 2017. Visitors are reminded that alcoholic drinks, outside grills, illegal drugs, and other illegal items are strictly prohibited within the parks.

As a reminder, fireworks are not permitted in New York State, including on Roosevelt Island, at any time. Thank you for your anticipated cooperation.
And:
July 4th- Limited Visitor Parking

Please be advised that on Tuesday July 4, 2017, visitor parking at the Motorgate Garage will be limited to ensure adequate parking for residents and patrons with a monthly permit. Residents without a monthly access card should be prepared to show proof of residency when approaching the 36th Avenue Bridge. It is recommended that residents who need to park in Motorgate arrive no later than 5 pm to secure admittance.

As a reminder, fireworks are not permitted in New York State, including on Roosevelt Island, at any time.
More July 4 ticket info here.

Here are some scenes from a rainy 2016 July 4 Fireworks Celebration at Roosevelt Island's FDR Four Freedoms Park.


Enjoy the Roosevelt Island July 4 Fireworks Celebration!!!!!!

Sunday, July 2, 2017

Hot July Afternoon Up On A Roosevelt Island Roof Enjoying NYC East River View Of Skyline, Kayaks & Tram

Take a look of view this afternoon from a Roosevelt Island rooftop



and this great NYC version of Up On The Roof from the English duo Robson & Jerome.



The blonde guy in the video, Jerome Flynn, may look familiar to Game of Thrones fans. He plays Bronn,

Click on the video's full screen icon for better view.