Roosevelt Island's NYC Council Member Ben Kallos invites you to his annual State of the District on Sunday January 7, 1 PM, at Memorial Sloan Kettering Auditorium (430 East 67th Street)
📢📢This Sunday, January 7th I will be hosting our annual State of the District, all residents are invited. Afterwards stick around for coffee and bagels and get you FREE Reusable bag. RSVP at https://t.co/6ijHy1BgN4pic.twitter.com/0PtTR5PrzB
Due to the winter recess here at the campus we will be open from 8am to 2pm with coffee, pastries and a few hot breakfast options. We will look to resume our normal dining options starting 1/22
Diamond Value Rewards customer loyalty program items for January 5 - 18 are now available to purchase. Examples of Diamond Rewards featured items that earn you big points include
Roosevelt island Youth Program Opens Youth Center on School Snow Day
Today was a snow day (school closing) for all school children in New York City. All after-school programs were closed also, except for one, the Roosevelt Island Youth Program.
For the past 4 decades the Youth Program has provided services for youth on every school snow day except for one and on every NYC emergency. Our program takes pride in providing these special services for the youth and families of Roosevelt Island.
Today our clients feasted on grilled cheese and hot chocolate, watched movies, had access to computers, played video games and cards with their friends in a safe and loving environment Roosevelt Island. This is the Roosevelt Island Youth Program and
I am declaring a Winter Weather Emergency for New York City. With the snow and wind, there is near blizzard and white-out conditions. pic.twitter.com/tCSeiViApS
Snow is coming down at a rate of 1-2 inches per hour. We now estimate a total of 6-10 inches, but it could be more in some places, with the snow tapering off this evening.
This morning, I asked Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC) President Susan Rosenthal and Public Safety Department Chief Jack McManus:
Rioc usually sends out advisories before snowstorms that no Main Street parking is allowed but available at Motorgate for free.
No such advisory was sent out for today’s snowstorm.
Why? Any statement from Rioc on matter?
This afternoon RIOC issued the following advisory:
The National Weather Service has issued a Winter Storm Warning for our area on Thursday, January 4th, 2018, due to snow, forecasted temperatures, and/or wind chills.
Total snow accumulation is expected to be between 6-12 inches. Residents are encouraged to avoid unnecessary travel. Please drive slowly, use major streets or highways, and keep the name and number of at least one local towing service in your vehicle. Pedestrians should avoid slippery surfaces, dress in layers, and maintain a heightened awareness of cars, especially when crossing intersections
Please be advised that, due to the Snow Emergency, there is “NO PARKING, NO STOPPING OR NO STANDING” on Main St. or the East and West Roadways from, Thursday, January 4th, 2018 at 5:00PM THRU Friday, January 5th, 2018 at 11:00PM, in order for snow removal to take place.
As an alternative, free parking will be available at the Motorgate Garage starting at 5PM, Thurs, Jan. 4th, 2018. Please note that free parking is only for residents of the island. Proof of residency and vehicle registration must be presented upon entering. Vehicle must be registered to a Roosevelt Island resident. Vehicles accommodated for snow emergency must be moved by 11PM on Fri, Jan. 5th, 2018 when Main Street reopens for parking. After that time, standard Motorgate parking fees will apply. Please contact the Motorgate Garage at (212) 832-4585 or visit the Motorgate offices on the fourth floor if you have any additional questions.
Trucks will be plowing and salting the roadways throughout the day and night in order to avert dangerous travel conditions. RIOC will be working to keep all areas clean for the duration of the storm. Expect delays in Red Bus and Tram service. Thank you for your cooperation while necessary preparations for the storm and subsequent snow removal are taking place.
To report any icy or other hazardous areas, please call the Public Safety Department at 212-832-4545 as soon as possible. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation.
Roosevelt Island Main Street at 1:30 This Afternoon
A long time Roosevelt Island resident shares this message sent to RIOC President Rosenthal this morning:
... As a long-timer & veteran of many snowstorms & RIOC Administrations, I was surprised there was no Advisory yesterday requesting / requiring cars be moved off Main Street south of Manhattan Park & the East & West Channel Drives & offering free parking at Motorgate.
That always guarantees DSNY & RIOC curb-to-curb street & cross-walk cleaning for those folks who have to be out & for unfettered Island access by NYPD & FDNY to both ends of the Island.
I am surprised I received 3 RIOC Advisories on SportsPark & Good Shepherd & nothing yet about the Tram, Red Bus service or any plowing or pavement/sidewalk activity....
and Ms. Rosenthal's reply:
We decided within the last 45 minutes to require cars to be moved. Our staff knows what to do in this storm and I realized in the first few minutes of our emergency meeting at 591, that I'm really not needed! All those copied have their teams doing what needs to be done to protect our community. I'm so very proud of them!
... Jack was here at 5am with many staffers. The storm model was changing every hour. Moving cars off Main Street can be a major imposition to residents' work schedules and to the many disabled on our island. If we can avoid removing cars, it is preferable. I have been here, am in charge and am fully in the know.
PSD Chief McManus adds:
... there have been no less than 6 Dept of Sanitation visits to the Island. I saw the first one at 6:00 am and they have continued to plow and sand every 40 minutes give or take a minute. RIOC's Ground Department has been out since roughly 6:00 am as well.
Here's an interesting discussion with Cardinal Dolan and Goldman Sach's CEO Lloyd Blankfein on leadership, business and the evolution of the Catholic Church including the recent closing and merging of parishes.
The Roosevelt Island Disabled Association (RIDA) 2018 membership drive has begun. Wendy Hersh is the new RIDA President, taking over for long time RIDA President Jim Bates who passed away last November.
Ms Hersh reports:
My goal is to make RIDA a fully inclusive organization, welcoming people with any type of disability: physical, mental or emotional impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities. There are many hidden disablities such as depression...also included.
... RIDA's mission is to improve and enhance the quality of life for individuals with disabilities - mental, physical or emotional living on Roosevelt Island including but not limited to social services to help with working knowledge of organizations and facilities that can assist individuals in daily living so they can live a more independent and social active life. Also, cultural and social activities...
The Roosevelt Island Residents Association (RIRA) Common Council will hold it's monthly meeting this evening, January 3 at 8:00 PM in the Good Shepherd Community Center (543 Main Street).
As always, prior to the start of each monthly meeting there is a Public Session in which residents can come and address the Common Council Delegates on any issue of concern.
According to the RIRA Agenda:
If at all possible, please arrive 15 mins early to help set up tables and chairs
Date: Wednesday, January 3, 2018
Time & Place: 8:00 pm, Church of Good Shepard, Basement
1. Public Session (please sign-in to be placed on the Public Session Speaking List)
2. Roll Call of Common Council Members
3. Adoption of Agenda
4. Committee Reports & Business
a. Island Services Committee Update (oral)
b. Public Purpose Funds Ad Hoc Committee Update (oral)
You can celebrate 2018 New Year's Day across the street from Firefighters Field tonight at a Roosevelt Island Supermoon viewing with amateur astronomer Kuiper Kat.
Join Kuiper Kat's Astronomy on Roosevelt Island as we kick off the New Year with a Supermoon observing session! This will be our first full moon of the year, as well as a Supermoon.
Observing will be from 6pm-8:30pm, weather permitting.
... We will be on Main Street, near the entrance of the Riverwalk Bar & Grill.
Learn more about Supermoons from NASA.
A supermoon is coming! On Jan. 1, the full Moon will be at or near its closest point in its orbit around Earth, making it a supermoon. Bundle up, get outside and look up! https://t.co/c0Ox5CDvmf Follow @NASAMoon for more lunar facts! pic.twitter.com/TH9H8Ly1V9
We're havin' a party
Everybody's swinging
Dancing to the music
On the radio
So listen, Mr. DJ
Keep those records playing
'Cause I'm having such a good time
Dancing with my baby
You Tube Video of Southside Johnny and Bruce Springsteen Having a Party in 1978
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.
