Saturday, October 28, 2017

Man Assaulted And Slashed With Knife Walking On Roosevelt Island Main Street At 6:45 PM Last Night, Attempted Neck Chain Snatching Says NYPD

I received these reports last evening from Roosevelt Island residents:

Saw a couple parts of the sidewalk closed off on Main Street. Blood and glass all over. Was told a crime was committed. First seen was south of the Subway and second scene was outside the temporary library. PSD didn’t say much except there was a crime. Any word?
And:
They have yellow tape outside the library and there's a red liquid/fluid.

Do you know anything?
In response to my inquiry, a NYPD spokesperson reported today:
On Friday, October 27, 2017 at approximately 1845 hours, police responded to a 911 call of a male assaulted in the vicinity of 505 Main Street within the confines of the 114 Precinct.

Upon arrival, police were informed that a 19-year-old male victim was walking in the vicinity of 505 Main Street when an unidentified individual approached and slashed the victim on his left arm. The unidentified individual attempted to remove a chain from the victim’s neck.

The individual then fled in an unknown direction without any property. The victim was transported to an area hospital via EMS in stable condition. There are no arrests and the investigation is ongoing.
I've asked the Roosevelt Island Public Safety Department for info and will update if more details received.

Friday, October 27, 2017

New Roosevelt Island NY Public Library Branch Delayed Again - Supposed To Open In 2017 But Construction Won't Start Until September 2018 With Opening Planned For Early 2020 - No Reason Given For Delay

Why does everything on Roosevelt Island take so long to get done?

Image Of Future Roosevelt Island NY Public Library On 1st Floor Of 504 Main Street

On July 3, 2013, the New York Public Library announced:
... On July 1 the Library signed a lease for a property on the ground floor at 504 Main Street, which will be the site of a new Roosevelt Island branch. The new library will be more than double the size of the current library – which is only a short distance away at 524 Main Street – and is expected to be completed in 2017....
As reported at the time:
... The New York Public Library has already initiated the Roosevelt Island Library project with the New York City Department of Design & Construction (DDC), which begin working on architect selection, which, along with the contract development and registration process, will take approximately five months or so. Current projected schedule is to start design 12/2013 or 1/2014, start construction some time in 2015, and open the new branch in 2017, and the current budget is approximately $4.5 million....
In January 2016, the NYPL told the Roosevelt Island community:
... Construction of the new building begins in Fall 2016, with an expected completion date of late 2017-early 2018....
Rendering of New Roosevelt Island Public Library Entrance at 504 Main Street NYPL January 14 Presentation

It looks like the new Roosevelt Island NY Public Library branch will not open before 2020.

In response to an inquiry from Roosevelt Island resident Matt Katz, NY Public Library Manager Carlos Chavez reports:
I am writing in response to your concern about the opening of the new Roosevelt Island Library at 504 Main Street. Thank you for your dedicated involvement with the planning of our new branch.

Construction is set to start September 2018 and conclude October 2019. The new Branch is opening early 2020. We appreciate your patience and support during this endeavor. Please let me know if I can be of any further assistance in the future and I look forward to meeting you soon.
Yesterday, I asked Mr. Chavez:
Do you know why the Roosevelt Island new NY Public Library branch construction schedule is delayed?

In 2013, the Library announced plans for the new space and said it would open in 2017.
Mr. Chavez replied:
We, the New York Public Library, are also asking the DDC why the project has been delayed. We have yet to receive an answer.

What has been communicated to us is that the DDC is working with our local elected officials to hold a public community meeting to address the delay, as well as the construction and opening dates I communicated to Matthew.
The DDC is the NYC Department of Design and Construction.

I asked Hudson Related's David Kramer, the Main Street Master Retail Leaseholder for the premises: 
Do you know what the reason for all of the delays are?

Are they paying rent?
Mr. Kramer replied:
We asked the Library to proceed at an appropriate pace to make Nisi look good.
Below is NYPL January 2016 presentation on the new Roosevelt Island branch library


including video of the community meeting.

Also, NYPL 2015 presentation to the Roosevelt Island Operating Corp.

Long Delays Again For Roosevelt Island F Train Riders This Morning - Long Lines For Roosevelt Island Tram Riders Too

Long delays at the Roosevelt Island F Train station this morning.

A Roosevelt Island resident reports:

Friday morning F train crowds on RI


After some people already waited for half an hour, the policeman just announced there are no downtown F trains and they don't know for how long.
Another resident adds:
50 minutes delay without any announcement from MTA in the platform.


Outrageous!
The Roosevelt Island Twitterverse reports:
The F train subway problems caused long lines at the Roosevelt Island Tram too.
According to the MTA, the delays were caused by switch problems at West 4th Street.
At least there will be Roosevelt Island F Train service to and from Manhattan this weekend - we hope.

Good News, Roosevelt Island F Train Service To And From Manhattan This Weekend And Tram Platform Repair Project On Target To Be Finished By End Of 2017 But No Metro Card Vending Machine At RI Tram Station Until January 2018

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


to and from Manhattan this weekend.

Remember, only 1 Roosevelt Island Tram Cabin running now through the end of 2017 due to the Tram Platform Repair Project.

And:
Due to ongoing construction of the Roosevelt Island Tram Plaza platform, the MTA Metro Card vending machines will not be accessible from Thursday, October 26th, 2017 through Saturday, January 6th, 2018.

Please use the MTA Metro Card vending machines located on the Manhattan Tram Plaza or at the Roosevelt Island Subway station located at 400 Main St.

Sponsored Post - Party/Event Planning - BeSpoke My Heart

Bespoke My Heart is a party/event planning, supplies, and rental boutique now serving Roosevelt Island since July 2017!


Always planning a party in her head way ahead of time, Natalia DiPalma decided to put her skills to good use and venture on a party/event planning business. After months of brainstorming what’s needed in our community, she, and her husband Eric, founded Bespoke my Heart, LLC with a mission to bring new services, products, and the best innovative party and event experiences to our community at an affordable price . . . AND without the need to leave Roosevelt Island!

Serving Children and Families:


...


With all the changes and advances in child development and play, their goal is to bring a new movement in kids’ party planning/hosting: Imagination Play and STEM parties

“We believe kids parties should be fun, unique, enjoyable events that promote safe and constructive/educational play for children ranging from infant to 10 years of age.” - Natalia DiPalma

Bespoke My Heart offers mobile, unique and interactive parties catered to everyone’s needs: packages range from DIY solutions (“Party-in-a-box”) to an all-included service (“Oh My Heart”) where you don't have to do a thing . . . except show up - of course!  

All of their packages include entertainment, decorations and party rooms on the Island! They can customize everything including:
Invitations Favors Paper Goods Tables Backdrops Balloons Food, Cakes, Deserts and more!

Bespoke My Heart parties are never one-dimensional and the experiences are all equally amazing. There are many options to choose from and each new party is unlike any other one created.  Their mobile play areas are fit for indoor and outdoor spaces,  and  include:

Shop 'Till You Drop! At the Marketplace Build and Fix at the Construction Site S'mores & More at the Campsite Be a Star on the Stage Sensory Table Prince & Princess Dress Up Unicorns and Rainbows Nail Salon Tattoos and Face-painting and much more!

...


Their “STEM Parties” take core educational concepts from the classroom and apply them to a party atmosphere. The results are amazing! Children have a blast and parents enjoy a more well-behaved and engaged gathering of beautiful young minds. Children can enjoy:

Little Picasso Paint Studio Art Station Play-Doh® Station Little Bakers Build a Robot Mad Scientists Dinosaur Dig and more!

...


Serving Adults and Businesses:
The fun doesn’t end with Kids Parties. Bespoke My Heart has been building up accounts with the Residential Buildings on the Island to bring fun and creative monthly events to our fellow residents. Look forward to one of their Karaoke Night events coming to a building community room near you in the next few months!

Showers, anniversaries or any party/event can also utilize the services of Bespoke My Heart to bring an added special touch, or even to coordinate the entire event from finding a space, to decorations, favors, catering, rentals and more!

BMH has also been instrumental in working with our new Cornell Tech neighbors, ensuring the opening events have everything they need to be successful.

Bespoke my Heart’s promise is to bring the best party service and affordability without having to leave our wonderful island.

At Bespoke My Heart we put the parts in parties. And our hearts, too!
They still have a few weekends available for outdoor parties!

Contact them at www.bespokemyheart.com, by emailing hello@bespokemyheart.com or calling 646-397-8730.

You're Invited To Roosevelt Island Hope Church Fall Festival On Sunday October 29 - Pumpkins, Donuts, Cider, Face Painting, Pie Eating, Carnival Games & More

Roosevelt Island Hope Church Pastor Dan Sadlier reports:
Join Hope Roosevelt Island this Sunday, October 29th for a shortened Sunday celebration and Fall Fest After Party.

Get ready for pumpkins, donuts, cider, face painting, pie eating contests, and photo booth, along with carnival games where you and friends can win some great prizes.

Win a trip to the Poconos and one of the many gift baskets. Join us for free food, live music, and karaoke. All are welcome.

The night begins at 4:30PM inside The Chapel Of The Good Shepherd at 543 Main Street. Invite friends and family, and make sure to register today to get your free food tickets...

Fall Fest (hosted by Hope Church)
Sunday, October 29th
Night begins at 4:30PM
543 Main Street
Hopericc.org


Thursday, October 26, 2017

Roosevelt Island PS/IS 217 Middle School Students Learning Computer Science From Cornell Tech Let's Code RI Student Mentors - The Challenge, Lets Code The News!!

On Friday, October 20, 60 Cornell Tech and 75 Roosevelt Island PS/IS 217 middle school students participated in the 4th annual Let's Code RI computer science learning project.

Cornell Tech Director of K-12 Education Diane Levitt tweets:

During the October 24 Roosevelt Island Cornell Tech Community Task Force meeting held at the PS/IS 217 auditorium, Ms Levitt described last Friday's Let's Code RI which had the PS/IS 217 middle school students editing news reports with help from their Cornell Tech student mentors.



Check out previous Cornell Tech and Roosevelt Island PS/IS 217 Let's Code RI projects at these previous posts.

Following the Let's Code RI presentation, Ms Levitt moderated a panel discussion of Cornell Tech’s Teacher in Residence Program and computer science education at PS/IS 217 with the school Principal, Teachers, PTA President and the Teacher in Residence.

Will have video of this panel presentation soon as well.

Wednesday, October 25, 2017

Roosevelt Island Tram Station Metro Card Machines Out Of Service October 26 - January 6 Says RIOC - Use Manhattan Tram Or Subway Station Vending Machines Instead

 Image Of Roosevelt Island Subway Station Metro Card Machines

According to the Roosevelt Island Operating Corp:
Due to ongoing construction of the Roosevelt Island Tram Plaza platform, the MTA Metro Card vending machines will not be accessible from Thursday, October 26th, 2017 through Saturday, January 6th, 2018.

Please use the MTA Metro Card vending machines located on the Manhattan Tram Plaza or at the Roosevelt Island Subway station located at 400 Main St.

Thank you for your cooperation.

Roosevelt Island Halloween Celebrations - Senior Center Party October 27, Annual Parade Extravaganza October 28 & Dog Costume Contest October 29

Roosevelt Island will celebrate Halloween this year with plenty of events for our local ghouls, goblins & ghosts.

On Friday, October 27, the Roosevelt Island Senior Center Carter Burden Network program is celebrating with it's:

Second Annual Halloween Party with live DJ sponsored by Visiting Nurses, starting at 1 p.m. Who said we can only dress up once a year?


The Roosevelt Island 2017 Halloween Parade & Extravaganza takes place Saturday October 28.


According to the Roosevelt Island Operating  Corp (RIOC):
Happy Halloween! Join us, this Saturday, October 28th from 12 PM until 3 PM, for Roosevelt Island's annual Halloween Parade & Extravaganza, taking place beginning at Blackwell House (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, 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 Youth Program, and the Roosevelt Island Operating Corporation. Contributors: Rivercross, Westview, Island House, The Octagon, Cornell, and NYC Ferry.
And don't forget the Howloween Dog Costume Contest on Sunday, October 29.

Image From Wildlife Freedom Foundation

According to the Wildlife Freedom Foundation:
... there will be prizes for Most Original, Scariest & Funniest Costume. Special Award for Best Trick in Show. Samples, Raffles, Trick or Treating ... and Door Prizes For All Dogs.
Click here to register for the Roosevelt Island Howloween Dog Costume Contest.

Have a spooky good time.

Tuesday, October 24, 2017

He Is The Former Roosevelt Island Resident, 12 Game & $411,000, Jeopardy Game Winner? The Answer Is ...

Who is Austin Rogers?

According to the Roosevelt Island Twitterverse:

Here's more on the 12 game Jeopardy winning streak of former Roosevelt Island resident Austin Rogers



and his appearance on the Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon.



Austin Rogers will be appearing in the Jeopardy Tournament Of Champions beginning November 6.

Good luck.

Maybe we can get Austin to return to Roosevelt Island and host a Trivia Night at Cornell Tech Cafe?

SPONSORED POST - Roosevelt Island Urgent Care Medical Facility, Just Walk In At 520 Main Street 7 Days A Week For Your Medical Needs

According to Roosevelt Island Urgent Care (RIUC):
Our Roosevelt Island facility is  located at 520 Main Street.
The medical needs of this 2 mile long historic island on the East River is a perfect landscape for our services.

RIUC is the first health care facility on the Island. Currently local residents must travel to either Manhattan or Astoria, for treatment—a trip that requires the use of a tram, subway, bus or car. Our facility in essence created a full-service medical center for a growing population of 15,000. RIUC is here to serve your needs.

These needs will increase in the near future with the addition of new multi-family developments and the new Cornell NYC Tech campus, which is under construction and due to open this year. The University is relying on our center to tend to the medical needs of the students and faculty. Roosevelt Island Urgent Care is also well positioned to provide services to the many construction workers who are on the Island during the next few years.

Other amenities include:
  • Hot and cold complimentary beverage center
  • Charging station
  • Flat screen TV in waiting room as well as every exam room
  • Childrens play area
  • And much more!



Monday, October 23, 2017

Roosevelt Island Capobianco Field Basketball Court Closed This Week For Resurfacing Says RIOC - Al Lewis & Blackwell Park Playgrounds Will Get New Surfaces Soon Too

The Roosevelt Island Capobianco Field basketball courts are closed this week for resurfacing.


According to the Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC):
Please be advised that the Capobianco Basketball Court resurfacing project will commence on Monday, October 23rd, with contractors working daily from 7 AM to 4 PM. The project will conclude on Friday, October 27th. Protective fencing will be installed around the perimeter of the site for safety purposes. The court will re-open for play on Monday, October 30th.
The Blackwell Park Basketball Court


is open.

As previously reported, RIOC will also replace the flooring at Al Lewis and Blackwell Park playgrounds.

Sponsored Post - You're Invited To Weill Cornell Medicine & NY-Presbyterian Free Health & Wellness Fall 2017 Seminar Series - October 24, You Are One Of A Million: Precision Medicine & The Future Of Health Care

The Government & Community Affairs Team at NewYork-Presbyterian and the Office of External Affairs at Weill Cornell Medicine invite you to our Fall 2017 Health & Wellness Seminar series. The series will feature expert physicians speaking to community members about pressing issues pertaining to healthy living and healthy aging while offering the opportunity to ask questions directly to the physicians and experts.

 October 24
You Are One of A Million:
Precision Medicine and the Future of Healthcare
M. Elizabeth Ross, MD, PhD 
Kelly Williams, MBA, BSN, RN

If you require a disability-related accommodation, or for weather-related cancellations, please call 212-821-0888 and leave a message.

All seminars are FREE and open to the public. Seating is available for 250 people on a first-come, first-served basis.

Time - 6:30–8 pm
Place - All seminars held at:
Uris Auditorium
Meyer Research and Education Building Weill Cornell Medicine
1300 York Avenue (at 69th St.)

Please click here to register for the Fall 2017 October 24 Health & Wellness seminar.

The October 24 seminar is the last in the Fall 2017 Health & Wellness seminars.

Side decks are available for for the Fall 2017 series and include the attached slides for the October 3rd (Comprehensive Care For Your Mind & Body) and October 10th (Steps You Can Take To Improve Your Spine Health) presentations.

You're Invited To Learn About Cornell Tech Roosevelt Island PS/IS 217 Teacher In Residence Program And Computer Science Education Tuesday October 24

According to the Cornell Tech Roosevelt Island Community Task Force:

Come join the Cornell Tech Community Task Force meeting on Tuesday, October 24 at 6:00 pm at PS/IS 217, 645 Main Street, which includes a panel discussion of Cornell Tech’s Teacher in Residence Program and computer science education at PS/IS 217.

Cornell Tech's Director Of K-12 Education Diane Levitt tweets:
There will also be an update on the Cornell Tech construction.

You're invited to attend, learn and ask questions.

UPDATE 7  PM - The Roosevelt Island Community Coalition (RICC) adds:
Dear RICC Members and Friends,

Updates on Cornell Tech's Community Impact.

Quarterly Cornell Tech Community & Construction Task Force

Tuesday, October 24th
645 Main Street at 6PM / PS 217 Auditorium
Public Welcome / Open Meeting

Cornell Tech corporate co-location campus is open. Construction will be extended two additional years to complete the hotel and executive conference center building. RICC urges you to attend the Cornell Tech quarterly construction and community task force membership meeting tomorrow Tuesday, October 24th.

Please attend, voice concerns and stay engaged.

RICC's goal has been vigilance: making certain that Cornell fulfills its written and spoken promises, advocating for our community and sustaining communication with RIOC and stakeholders. In exchange for the 12.5 acres of land to build the Cornell Tech corporate campus on Roosevelt Island they made promises to the city and the community - your concerns matter.

RICC Board members (and RICC members!) continue to engage our elected officials, participate in tours of the corporate campus, and attend town halls to keep island concerns top of mind. We urge you to participate in quarterly Cornell Community and Construction Task Force Meetings.

Reminder, if you have concerns about Cornell Tech please contact community liaison Jane Swanson at Jane.Swanson@cornell.edu or (646) 220 1505 for immediate action. Jane Swanson's weekly community hours are Tuesday's 3-4 PM and Wednesday's 10-11 am at The Cafe on Cornell Tech's campus and she is available by appointment as needed.

Please email ricommunitycoalition@gmail.com to send any concerns you may have if you can not attend .