The Roosevelt island community lost a long-time friend and neighbor, Judith Arond Dinerstein, on September 14, 2017. Judi was a beautiful “fixture” on Roosevelt Island since 1976. She participated in many Island and off-Island groups and activities. Before there was Facebook, there was Judi, the original social networker who brought people together. She was well known by residents as an effervescent, friendly neighbor who knew everyone by name.
Judi was born in New York on November 22, 1950. She was raised in Queens, a real New York gal. Judi became an RN and worked for 27 years as a nurse and unit director at Bellevue Hospital. She was an avid sailor, accomplished musician and long-time docent at Carnegie Hall.
Judi was board member and the Summer Program Director at The Center for Learning and Living, an adult education school in New York City. She maintained that a place to learn and socialize was an antidote to social isolation in retirement. When the school lost its space and closed, Judi used her networking powers to find a new space, mobilize the board, work on the finances, find an administrator, locate professors and reach out to former students. Watching her generate the school anew, simply through the power of conviction was an inspiration.
Judi enjoyed the community garden, social activism, travel and the arts. She was an avid supporter of many Island organizations and events. For the past 11 years Judi had the opportunity to enjoy winters in Florida. While there she was a member of an orchestra, volunteered at an adult day program for people with memory loss, took classes and created a large community of friends in Florida. She never stopped!
Judi leaves behind a legacy of love, friendship, and an appreciation for continued learning and growth. For thousands of people, whether they were touched by her personally or through her work for charitable causes or lifelong political activism, the world is a better, kinder, and more just place.
She is survived by her beloved husband, Marty Dinerstein, parents, Ronnie and Hank Arond, her brother, David, nephew, Josh, and his daughter Khalila, niece, Elisa, her step-daughter Rhonda and her husband, Doug and their children, Jordana and Michael, step-daughter, Joyce and her husband, Phil and their children Ashley and Ethan. She was pre-deceased by her sister-in- law, Caroline.
Upon finding out we'll pretty much be stuck on #rooseveltisland all weekend due to no F train service and only one 🚠car, my hubs said it feels as if we are like the forgotten toys on the Island of Misfits in the Rudolph the Raindeer film. @RIOCny@MTA@Rooseveltislandpic.twitter.com/EhqvXbL9Mc
No F train service from Friday, 11/17/17 at 11:45 PM to Monday, 11/20/17 at 5:00 AM.
MTA will run free shuttle buses which will operate between Roosevelt Island and Queens Plaza beginning Friday, 11/17/17 at 11:45 PM thru Monday, 11/20/17 at 5:00 AM.
Additionally, RIOC will provide shuttle buses from the Roosevelt Island Tram Plaza to the Manhattan Tram Plaza. The first shuttle bus will operate from Roosevelt Island, Saturday, 11/18/17 at 11:00 AM, last bus from Manhattan will be at 7:30 PM on 11/18/17. Sunday, 11/19/17, bus schedule will be the same as Saturday.
Q 102 will operate normal regular schedule.
At Queens Plaza you can get the R, E or re-routed F Train to Manhattan.
I asked the MTA:
@NYCTSubway There is no Roosevelt Island F Train Service to or from Roosevelt Island this weekend. @MTA running free shuttle buses but no time schedule provided. What times will the Roosevelt Island Shuttle operate this weekend? Thanks
I remember when at a @Cb1Queens meeting the rep from RI said they did not want subway stopping on RI as it would bring undesirables.
This was probably c. 1988 https://t.co/GRChGHePmc
Last weekend sixteen teams battled it out to get to Championship for their divisions, in both the Minors and Sophmores, games were settled in exciting overtime shootouts.
Upcoming: RIYP Championship games this week will be at 10am for Minors, 12pm for Sophmores, 2pm for Junior's and the Seniors at 4pm. Join us and your children for an exciting day of soccer!
This morning, the Twitterverse reported long delays and crowds at Roosevelt Island F Train subway station.
F train in Roosevelt Island is always packed. Third one I am waiting. Remove the bars close to the doors in the train because people don't move when new passengers what to enter. #MTA#flinesucks#fml
@mtanowf there are about 1,000 people waiting now 9:09 am in the #RooseveltIsland station. This is getting really old and it is bullshit. We are one of the highest tax people in the US. We should expect EXCELLENT service from the MTA.
The new Netflix TV show Maniac, also known as Ronald, is filming tonight on Roosevelt Island. According to Netflix:
Emma Stone and Jonah Hill star in this remake of a Norwegian dark-comedy series about an institutionalized man who lives a fantasy life in his dreams.
The film crew started work yesterday transforming the Roosevelt Island Day Nursery entrance into a Roosevelt Island subway stop in the likeness of Visitors Center Kiosk.
... Peter Miqueli, 54, was at the center of a scandalous civil lawsuit parishioners filed in 2015. They alleged the priest, who worked at St. Frances de Chantal Church in the Bronx and St. Francis Cabrini on Manhattan’s Roosevelt Island, used the cash to pay a hunky boytoy for S&M sex.
The Bronx DA did not investigate the salacious sex claims, but the Archdiocese did, a Church official said, and found “nothing has been brought forward to substantiate them.”...
The Starr Catering Group Cornell Tech Cafe is hosting Happy Hour On The Patio tomorrow night, Thursday, November 16. Come enjoy a glass of wine, beer or another beverage as well as a variety of new food options and enjoy the fantastic views from the Cornell Tech Cafe Roosevelt Island campus.
during renovations has caused difficulties for riders with strollers and wheelchairs to access the Tram Platform.
For example, Roosevelt Island Mom Jennie Smith shares this November 3 message she sent to Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC) President Susan Rosenthal:
Good Morning Ms. Rosenthal,
I just wanted to let you know about an experience that I had last evening with hopes you will encourage the tram operators to have more consideration for families with strollers and the disabled population of this island .
The new closure due to the renovation on the Manhattan side does not have a gate by the turnstile. I didn't realize this and the tram operator told me the only solution was to take both of my 1.5 year olds out, fold the stroller, put the stroller over the turnstile and let the kids run under. When I flatly said no, I wasn't going to do that, he then said with much irritation that it was ok that I turn around, go back to the area of the elevator on the south area of the platform where there is an emergency gate that he let me through with much hesitation.
My point is, this should be the standard for strollers at this time and all others that may have mobility issues. I hope they are not giving wheelchair bound people the same hard time.
Also, the path to the turnstile is very narrow and having to swipe at the turnstile and then having to back up while a line is forming is near impossible for me who is strong on my feet and is a falls hazard for anyone with mobility issues. I'm sure this is a violation of the ADA act.
There should be a sign and an attendant manning the emergency gate area to avoid this congestion and encouraging those who need it to use the gate, rather than rolling their eyes, huffing and puffing and suggesting there is no other way except the turnstile.
I looks forward to your reply on this matter,
During the November 9 RIOC Real Estate Development Advisory Committee meeting (audio web cast of meeting here), I asked about Manhattan Tram Station access for strollers and wheelchairs.
RIOC Vice President of Operations Shelton Haynes responded that he was aware of the problem and that additional signage and Tram Attendant assistance will be made available
to make it easier for strollers and wheelchairs to use the emergency gate.
RIOC Director Faye Christian added that tourists and others should be encouraged by RIOC staff to move up as close to the front of the platform as possible
in order to lessen the length of lines.
RIOC Engineering Consultant Mike Russo also reported that the Tram Platform repair project is on schedule for substantial completion by the end of December although there may still be some punch list items to be finished in January.
Public Purpose funds first became available after the construction of Manhattan Park in 1989 when New York State allowed the fund to be established in lieu of the developers paying sales tax on construction materials. The RIOC Board of Directors approves the allocation of these funds yearly based upon the recommendation of the Roosevelt Island Residents Association (RIRA). Not-for-profit community organizations are welcome to apply for a Public Purpose Grant by following the application process below.
Public Purpose Funds should be allocated to benefit Roosevelt Island residents, enhancing their quality of life through education, artistic and cultural enrichment, improved health or a better environment...
And:
Please be advised that the 2017 Public Purpose Grant community review process for applicant proposed programs and projects will be conducted on Tuesday, November 14th & Wednesday, November 15th at the Good Shepherd Community Center, 543 Main Street. Presentations are open to the public and will be an opportunity to learn more about the programs and projects from community groups who are seeking funding. At the conclusion of each presentation, time will be reserved for questions and answers by public attendees and members of the Roosevelt Island Resident Association’s Public Purpose Grant Committee. The schedule of presenters will be posted at rioc.ny.gov on Monday, November 13th.
Roosevelt Island Residents Association (RIRA) Public Purpose Funds (PPF) committee Chair Dave Evans adds:
There are ten applicants for PPF:
Roosevelt Island Disabled Association (RIDA),
Roosevelt Island Historical Society (RIHS),
Roosevelt Island Visual Arts Association (RIVAA),
Wildlife Freedom Foundation (WFF),
Life Frames,
Island Kids,
More Arts Inc,
Main Street Theatre & Dance Alliance (MSTDA),
RI Swimming and
PS/IS 217 PTA
I am not aware of any public announcement by RIOC informing Roosevelt Island community groups about submitting applications for PPF funds as done in prior years. Are you?
More info on the Roosevelt Island Public Purpose grants process available at RIOC's web site.
Jim Bates, or Uncle Jim, as he was known by many on Roosevelt Island, was one of our neighbors who contributed greatly to making Roosevelt Island a special place to live.
Jim Bates was the President of the Roosevelt Island Disabled Association (RIDA),
a Roosevelt Island Residents Association (RIRA) Common Council member for his building (2-4 River Road) and the driving force behind the FDR Hope Memorial Committee. Jim Bates was also a Veteran of the US Coast Guard.
RIRA President Jeff Escobar reports:
As many of you may or may not already know, one of our most beloved colleague, community member, leader, advocate and stalwart supporter of life on Roosevelt Island, Jim Bates, passed away this last weekend. Jim, our RIRA council member from 2-4 River Road, lost his battle with pancreatic cancer and passed away on Saturday morning, Veterans Day. Words cannot begin to express the sadness and sorrow all of us on Roosevelt Island feel at this loss.
There will be a memorial service for Jim this Wednesday, November 15 at 10:00 am at the Good Shepherd Church on Roosevelt Island. Please consider attending if you are able to. Also please consider using the following link to contribute generously to help his family defray the accumulated debt associated with his passing and funeral. Thank you in advance for your generosity.
Please also feel free to pass and share the above information to your neighbors, friends and your respective building constituents.
... His neighbors will long remember the stubborn New York native who rolled down Main Street with the sign, "Enabled, not Disabled" on the back of his wheelchair. Jim fought to create a world where people with disabilities were welcomed into all areas of life and not seen as a burden or an afterthought, but important, central, contributing members of society....
Here's Jim Bates in action advocating for the "Enabled Not Disabled" to play wheelchair basketball at Sportspark,
UPDATE 3:05 PM - Roosevelt Island resident and FDR Hope Committee member Marc Diamond adds:
Jim's vision of a memorial dedicated to FDR's disability will be realized. The scope of the project has been reduced so that less than $100,000 is now needed to build the plaza for the sculpture and a timeline that explains the interrelated history of Roosevelt Island, polio, and FDR. The timeline culminates with the vision that all communities become like Roosevelt Island: accessible, inclusive, and welcoming.
Contributions to the project can be made by supporting any of the fundraising efforts toward tribute stones on the plaza, or starting a new tribute, at fdrhope.org. To inquire about making a major contribution, contact Marc Diamond at support@fdrhopememorial.org.
Roosevelt Island is a mixed income, racially diverse waterfront community situated in the East River of New York City between Manhattan and Queens and is jurisdictionally part of Manhattan. The Roosevelt Island Tramway, which connects Roosevelt Island to the rest of Manhattan, has become the iconic symbol of Roosevelt Island to its residents.
The Purpose of this Blog is to provide accurate and timely information about Roosevelt Island as well as a forum for residents to express opinions and engage in a dialogue to improve our community.
