Saturday, September 2, 2017

How Was Your Roosevelt Island Commute To Manhattan Today - No F Train, Long Tram Lines & New Ferry Service

So, did you try to get to Manhattan from Roosevelt Island with no F Train direct service and only one Tram Cabin in service today?

The Roosevelt Island Tram line today to use the one working Tram Cabin while Station Platform work is being done was very long.

The Twitterverse reports:

At about 1:40 PM, the Tram line was down the street almost reaching 

Friday, September 1, 2017

CBS News NY Channel 2 Reports On Roosevelt Island Residents Upset Over Long Lines At Tram Due To Repair Project

CBS News New York Channel 2 returned to Roosevelt Island today to report on the long lines at the Roosevelt Island Tram due to the Tram Platform Station repair project. Reporter Reena Roy spoke to residents who expressed frustration with the Roosevelt Island Tram lines and F Train subway overcrowding.



Last June, Ms. Roy reported on the PS/IS 217 rat problem.

Artist Carlos Molina Paints Diversity Of Bike NY Riders Using Roosevelt Island Storage Container As Easel

We've got some talented artists living on Roosevelt Island. One of them is Carlos Molina

Image From Frank Farance

who is creating art on the Bike New York

Image From Frank Farance

Storage container

Image From Frank Farance

beneath the Motorgate Helix next to Gristedes.

Frank Farance reports:
Carlos Molina is the artist behind the Bike NYC container at the Helix.

Literally, it is a work in progress.

Image From Frank Farance
The artist, Carlos Molina explains:

Cornell Tech Dean Dan Huttenlocher Welcomes Roosevelt Island Residents To Newly Opened Campus And Roosevelt Island Welcomes Cornell Tech To The Community

Have you been to the new Roosevelt Island Cornell Tech campus yet? It's a wonderful new Roosevelt Island public space and the Cafe with outdoor seating is great. Take a walk down there this Labor Day Weekend.

Here's an aerial view above the new Roosevelt Island Cornell Tech campus.



On August 5, Cornell Tech's Jane Swanson and Dean Dan Huttenlocher welcomed Roosevelt Island residents to the opening of the new campus, described the mission of Cornell Tech and it's relationship with Roosevelt Island Community.



Also, during the August 5 Community Day, Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC) President Susan Rosenthal



and Roosevelt Island Community Coalition (RICC) member Judy Buck



welcomed Cornell Tech to Roosevelt Island as residents, young and a bit older enjoyed the new



public open space.

Take a virtual walk thru of the Cornell Tech campus and Cafe from this previous post.

Thursday, August 31, 2017

No Roosevelt Island F Train Service To Manhattan And Only 1 Tram Cabin In Service This Labor Day Weekend - Ferry Service Available But Plan On A Big Transportation Mess For Roosevelt Island This Weekend

There will be no Roosevelt Island F train service to Manhattan this Labor Day Weekend.


According to the MTA
:
F Coney Island-bound trains run via the E from Roosevelt Av to Canal St, and via the A to Jay St-MetroTech Weekend & Holiday , 11:45 PM Fri to 5 AM Tue, Sep 1 - 5

Trains run express from Roosevelt Av to Queens Plaza.

No Coney Island-bound F service at 21 St-Queensbridge, Roosevelt Island, Lexington Av/63 St, 57, 47-50 Sts, 42 St-Bryant Pk, 34 St-Herald Sq, 23, 14, B'way-Lafayette Sts, 2 Av, Delancey St, East Broadway and York St.
With only 1 Tram Cabin in service due to the Tram Station Platform repair project, we can expect huge crowds and long lines at the Roosevelt Island Tram Station to Manhattan.
According to the Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC):

Wednesday, August 30, 2017

A Tale Of Two Roosevelt Island Commutes To Work This Morning - F Train Subway Delays And Frustration For Some, A Beautiful Ferry Ride For Others

The Twitterverse reports frustration with long lines and delays at the Roosevelt Island F Train subway station this morning:


But those Roosevelt Islanders able to commute by Ferry had a relaxing trip.
More on the start of Roosevelt Island ferry service at this post from yesterday.

UPDATE 3;45 PM - Relaxing just watching this:
UPDATE 10:30 PM:

Roosevelt Island Youth Program Fall Registration Open - Free Music, Computer, Cooking, Game Room, Virtual Reality, Movie Nights, Soccer League & More For 2nd - 8th Grade Students

Roosevelt Island Youth Program (RIYP) Executive Director Charlie DeFino reports:

RIYP Charts New Course

The Roosevelt Island Youth Program (RIYP) is looking forward to its new chapter providing no-fee after-school services to the community.


We will continue to be the largest service provider for youth on Roosevelt Island; the services will include:

• Violin Lessons
• Piano Classes
• Java Script Computer Coding
• Stem Classes
• Cooking and Culinary Arts
• Virtual Reality
• Open Game Room
• Computer Access
• Soccer League (Outdoor and Indoor Seasons)
• Saturday Teen nights
• Movie Nights
• Special Events

Roosevelt Island Youth Program will be enrolling 30-40 students in 3rd and 4th grades, as well as, students attending middle school grades (5th through 8th grades).

All applicants will undergo a screening process and only completed applications will be considered.


The application can be found here: http://tinyurl.com/yaxe

Tuesday, August 29, 2017

What Are Those Big Cranes & Barges In East River Close To Roosevelt Island Buildings Asks Resident?

The Roosevelt Island Twitterverse asked today about the big barges and cranes that have been in place for about the last week:

And the answer is:

Roosevelt Island's NYPD 114 Precinct Auxiliary Police Officer Open Enrollment August 30 At Ravenswood Community Center 7-9 PM - Opportunity To Volunteer And Serve Community?

Are you interested in becoming a NYPD volunteer auxiliary police officer?



If you are, the NYPD 114 precinct wants you and is hosting an open enrollment tomorrow at the Ravenswood Community Center (35-40 21 Street) from 7-9 PM.

According to the NYPD:
Who are the volunteer auxiliary police?

The NYPD's auxiliary police program is the largest auxiliary police program in the United States, with thousands volunteer officers contributing more than one million hours of public service each year. Auxiliary officers are trained to observe and report conditions requiring the services of the regular police. Whenever possible, they assist in non-enforcement and non-hazardous duties.

They are civic-minded men and women who volunteer to assist their local police precincts, housing police service areas, and transit districts by serving as the "eyes and ears" of the neighborhood through foot, vehicle, and bicycle patrols.

Duties of an auxiliary police officer

The following are some ways that the auxiliary police assist the Police Department:
  • Patrol housing developments, residential, and commercial areas
  • Patrol subway entrances and stations
  • Maintain order at parades, festivals, street fairs, and other special events
  • Patrol houses of worship
  • Assist in crime prevention activities
  • Perform traffic control at motor vehicle accidents and fire scenes
  • Perform various other non-enforcement duties...
Click here for more information about becoming an auxiliary police officer.

The NYPD 114th precinct in Astoria Queens covers Roosevelt Island.


More on NYPD 114th Precinct's Roosevelt Island community policing efforts at this previous post.

First Day Of Roosevelt Island Astoria Route NYC Ferry Service - It Was Fantastic, See For Yourself

Roosevelt Island residents waited and waited and waited some more for NYC East River Ferry service.

It finally came today.


Here are some scenes


from this morning.
About 30 very excited and happy Roosevelt Islanders were looking forward to boarding the ferry.



At 6:40 this morning, NYC Ferry Astoria Route service arrived at Roosevelt Island to pick up passengers for the first time.



Roosevelt Island residents boarded the ferry. But first,

Monday, August 28, 2017

Roosevelt Island East River Astoria Ferry Route Opening Day Tomorrow, August 29 - Watch Video Of NYC EDC and Hornblower Ferry Operator Roosevelt Island Community Info Session

After many, many years of wishing, complaining and advocacy, Roosevelt Island residents are finally getting ferry service starting tomorrow.

The Roosevelt Island Ferry Terminal


will be open tomorrow


with the first ferry arriving at Roosevelt Island from Astoria at 6:40 AM

Click here for the full Roosevelt Island Astoria Route schedule and to buy your tickets at $2.75.
Roosevelt Island's NY State Assembly Member Rebecca Seawright hosted a Roosevelt Island Ferry service community session on August 23 with representative of the NYC Economic Development Corp and the NYC Ferry Operator, Hornblower.

It was very informative and provided answers to many questions regarding the ferry service.

Here's video of the presentations made by NYC EDC and Hornblower representatives


Sponsored Post - NYC Office Of Emergency Management Wants You To Know Your Hurricane Zone And Be Prepared - Roosevelt Island Is Zone 2 & 3

The New York City Office of Emergency Management (NYC OEM) wants you to be prepared and Know Your Hurricane Evacuation Zone.



According to the NYC OEM:
It’s Hurricane Season: Make Sure You Know Your Zone and Have a Plan

Hurricane Sandy left an indelible mark on the minds of all New Yorkers, but especially for the residents that experienced some of the storm’s most devastating impacts. New York City’s geography makes it especially vulnerable to wind and flooding. With sustained winds of more than 74 mph, hurricanes can flatten homes, topple trees and turn loose objects into deadly projectiles. Storm surge, the “dome” of ocean water that is pushed ashore by the winds and low barometric pressure of a hurricane, is the most serious hurricane-related hazard. And a storm’s driving winds and torrential rains can cause massive and dangerous flooding in low-lying and poor-drainage areas.

To ensure that New Yorkers are prepared for the 2017 hurricane season, which runs from June 1 through November 30, the New York City Emergency Management Department is urging everyone to take steps to be ready if a storm approaches. Roughly three million New Yorkers live within the city’s six hurricane evacuation zones, which were revised in 2013. Hurricane evacuation zones are based on coastal flood risk resulting from storm surge, the geography of the city’s low-lying neighborhoods, and the accessibility of these neighborhoods by bridges and roads. The City may order residents who live in a zone to evacuate depending on a hurricane’s forecasted strength, track, and storm surge. If you are ordered to evacuate as a storm approaches, do so as directed.

NYC Emergency Management encourages residents to take key steps to prepare for hurricane season:

Know Your Zone – Find out whether you live in one of the City’s six hurricane evacuation zones by using the Hurricane Evacuation Zone Finder or calling 311 (212-639-9675 for video Relay service, or TTY: 212-504-4115). If you live in a hurricane evacuation zone, have a plan for where you will go if an evacuation order is issued for your area. The City strongly recommends that evacuees stay with friends or family who live outside evacuation zones. For those who have no other shelter, the City will open evacuation centers throughout the five boroughs. Consult the Hurricane Evacuation Zone Finder or call 311 to identify which evacuation center is most appropriate for you.

Make a Plan – Make a plan so you know what to do, how to find each other, and how to communicate if a hurricane strikes.

Stay informed – Sign up to receive emergency updates and information online and via e-mail, text, phone, and Twitter through the City’s free Notify NYC program. Visit NYC.gov/notifynyc or call 311 to sign up.

Visit the NYC Know Your Zone website at NYC.gov/knowyourzone or call 311 for more information about the city’s hurricane evacuation zones, hurricane hazards, and tips to prepare for storms.
Roosevelt Island is located in Hurricane Zones 2

Image From NYC OEM

and 3.

Image From NYC OEM

Most of Roosevelt Island,

Image From NYC OEM

including all of the residential buildings and Cornell Tech campus, are located in Zone 3.

Coler Hospital,

Image From NYC OEM

Lighthouse and FDR Four Freedoms Park are located in Zone 2.

Watch video here of 2016 Roosevelt Island Emergency Preparedness Town Hall Meeting
Be ready.

Sunday, August 27, 2017

Soooo Long Line For Roosevelt Island Tram Manhattan Station Today - Down The Stairs & Into Tramway Plaza Park

The Roosevelt Island Twitterverse reports:

More here.

Hurricane Harvey Causing Catastrophic Flooding In Houston - Be Prepared, It Can Happen On Roosevelt Island

It was a beautiful day today on Roosevelt Island.

But that can change very quickly

Hurricane Harvey is raging in Texas. The news reports today from Houston are mind boggling. Tremendous suffering and amazing acts of bravery and kindness.

The Twitterverse reports:

This can happen on Roosevelt Island.

Be prepared. Check out the NYC Office of Emergency Management Know Your Zone Hurricane Preparedness web site.

UPDATE 7:30 PM: