According to this year's RIRA Roosevelt Island Blood Drive Committee Chair Janine Schaefer
RIRA Blood Drive
Sponsored by Roosevelt Island Residents Association (RIRA) and hosted by Roosevelt Island Seniors Association (RISA)
The Blood drive is a big part of Roosevelt Island Day and has been an annual event for years. Volunteers will be sitting at Farmer's Market every Saturday from May 18th until the day of the event June 8th, to help people to sign up to donate in person from 10am to 4pm at the Community Room Senior Center 546 Main Street.
RIRA donated 36 pints of blood positively affecting the lives of over 105 New Yorkers in June 2018. If each donor this year brings a colleague, a family member, a friend or foe. We can double these results.
WALK-INS WELCOME
All donors must provide identification and should eat and be well hydrated prior to blood donation. Appointments are appreciated, but walk-ins welcome.
Attn New York: we are experiencing a blood shortage! We need donors to step up and donate, just like our team members David and Kass, who are walkin' the walk and giving their all! Sign up to donate today: https://t.co/HhlMfkZgwepic.twitter.com/PXF7nNicmq
The 3 month trial period is over. It's up to the resident RIOC Board Members on the Real Estate Development Advisory Committee to decide if the Eyesore stays or goes. Make a decision.
Or at least try moving it to another Roosevelt Island location such as Blackwell Plaza
or Mediation Steps
where it does not obstruct sight views and might encourage tourists to visit the middle of the Island for their Instagram Photo.
Roosevelt Island original pioneers and current long time Roosevelt Island residents are planning a reunion at Lighthouse Park for September 7.
150 - 200 people are expected to attend the event. But a problem has occurred obtaining a permit for the reunion from the Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC).
I asked RIOC President Susan Rosenthal and RIOC Directors:
I am preparing a story about an upcoming reunion of current and former Roosevelt Island residents planned for this September at Lighthouse Park. 200 to 300 people are expected to attend.
I'm told that RIOC is seeking $7,500 as a permit fee from the group of current and former residents to use Lighthouse Park for their reunion. I'm also told there were previous similar reunions of this group and that no permit fee was required.
is this true?
Any statement from RIOC regarding why a permit fee is being charged and why in the amount of $7,500?
RIOC Community Affairs Supervisor Jessica Murray replied:
RIOC is conducting internal discussions to evaluate and decide upon fee structures for these types of activities. We will communicate with the applicant and the community as soon as possible. RIOC is committed to supporting community activities at all of our island amenities.
Long time Roosevelt Island resident Frank Farance shares this message he sent to RIOC President Susan Rosenthal:
... We'd like to have the permit fee waived, as RIOC has done in the past, including SPP and FFP (before it was developed), Lighthouse Park, Blackwell Park (a tree was planted Paula Spiaggia, in Memoriam, at that event), and the Meditation Steps.
One of our parks Capobianco Field is named after one of us originals Tony Capobianco, and his children are part of our reunions. Brian Dorfmann, whose chess table is in Al Lewis Park, was one of us "originals". Judy Berdy and David Kraut are of us "originals". The original movie "Fame" featured Island residents, as Performance Arts high school (along with other specialized schools) had many students on the Island (and PS/IS 217 graduates, too) -- and they return for Roosevelt Island reunions. There have been reunions in 2009, 2010, 2011, 2013, 2015, and 2017.
We started planning this reunion in 2018, and Larry Slade contacted RIOC, and RIOC suggested Lighthouse Park for this kind of event (as it worked well in the past). Larry applied for the permit the first day it was possible to apply (February 1, 2019) for the event on September 7, 2019. The insurance was already purchased on February 1, we're about 200-300 people looking to have a picnic, as you can see in the following video.
Here's a video of one of the songs that us musicians played, "Born On The Bayou" (Credence Clearwater Revival - CCR, a 1960s band), and if you watch the first 2 minutes you can see the RIOC tents ... this was a pretty pleasant event.
Each reunion, we have a slideshow presentation from our community and history on the Island and, unfortunately-but-inevitably, a longer "Necrology" segment of the presentation. Here was the RI Blog's coverage in 2010:
I ask that you waive the fee so we can commit to planning for this site, and not have to look for another site. Thank you.
Roosevelt Island resident Mihaela Mihut is an actor, teacher and founder of the Mihut Studio, This weekend, Friday May 17 - Sunday May 19 the Mihut Studio is presenting People of Platonovka: Actors At Work hosted by the Main Street Theatre & Dance Alliance (548 Main Street).
‘People of Platonovka; Actors at Work' is the first project that will be presented by an ensemble of actors from the Mihut Studio.The creative process began at the 'Mihut Studio' classes, held at Main Street Theatre & Dance Alliance on Roosevelt Island. The rehearsal process was and will be uncovered and explored in depth throughout the journey of various individuals guided by the Mihut Method Acting Technique.
For the first time the audience will be able to witness live character exploration within the guise of an official live performance in May. Performances will be held on the 17th, 18th and 19th of May 2019 at Main Street Theatre & Dance Alliance (MST&DA).
Cameras will follow talented, successful, yet perhaps lesser known, as well as 'known' artists from different backgrounds, showing their personal struggles, with life, family, facades, habits, showing their personal fears, doubts, hopes, dreams, as well as the intrinsic passion underneath that sustains them towards exploring the characters as part of the production. Ultimately it is a celebration of life in spite of all the obstacles an artist faces on and off stage -- in search of the characters. All will be revealed.
For the first time, the actors work is being shown in service of the story, with the awareness that the work is never complete. There is no 'final destination'. Within the process of our continual striving of Chekhov's characters -- we present to you this production.
The Mihut Method technique; an interpretation and adaptation of Strasberg’s Method Acting Technique, has assisted in the process of self-discovery for many artists of different backgrounds, to create memorable characters, both on stage and in film. The technique reflects and guides this process and replicates real, surprising, dynamic human behavior. Throughout this process the Mihut Method challenges a worldwide audience to recognize and connect with its own humanity.
'People of Platonovka; Actors at Work' is based on Chekhov’s ‘Platonov’, and is the first showing in which actors run into the obstacles of themselves as well as their characters in order to illuminate the work of the actor as well as the story. The element of ensemble, a defining feature of the work, is fully present in this play.
‘Mihut Studio Classes’ are for artists of varying levels and artistic backgrounds – amongst them are actors, writers, directors, dancers, along with other professionals -- sharing their journey with the common goal of reaching their highest human potential.
Please be advised that the Roosevelt Island Public Safety Department has received a report of an alleged assault with pepper spray which may have occurred on a RIOC Red Bus in front of the F Train Station at or around 9:45pm Tuesday May 14th 2019. Anyone with information in regards to this alleged assault is encouraged to contact the Roosevelt Island Public Safety Department by phone at 212-832-4545 or in person at 550 Main Street. All information provided will be handled with the utmost confidentiality.
This morning, RIOC Public Safety Department Chief Jack McManus added some more info. According to Chief McManus a man walked into the PSD office last evening saying that he was just pepper sprayed by a woman on the Red Bus that was full of other passengers. The man said he had a dispute with the woman on the subway that continued on to the Red Bus where she pepper sprayed him.
The Bus Driver did not see anything. If you have any info on this incident, please contact the Roosevelt Island PSD. The NYPD 114th precinct was also informed.
Excited to continue celebrating #APAHM with our May Pop Up Libraries! 5/18 featuring Story Time and activity with Super Satya Saves the Day author @Raakstar at 12:30pm, and 5/19 with Always Anjali author @sheetalsheth at 2pm!
In honor of the 200th anniversary of Walt Whitman’s birth, join @4FreedomsPark, on Thursday, May 30 from 7 - 8 PM, in celebrating with a music-theatre piece drawn entirely from Whitman’s 1855 Song of Myself! pic.twitter.com/bLDZAXzZ5d
Excited to announce Ascend with Pride: An Afternoon with Friends & Family at FDR Four Freedoms State Park! A free Pride celebration for all ages w/VideoOut onsite capturing coming out stories, a picnic on the lawn, a visit from Drag Queen Story Hour, and a 12’ x 100’ Pride flag!
Roosevelt Island Community Dog Advocate Scott Piro has been working with the Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC) to improve conditions at the Southtown Dog Run. Last January, Mr. Piro reported on successful efforts to find a solution for the muddy mess that becomes the South Dog Run following any rain.
.... erect a shade structure for the southern run before summer, so the animals can be comfortable.
Image of South Dog Run Taken Last Saturday
But, Mr Piro reported during the May 9 RIOC Board of Directors Meeting Public Session being told the South Dog Run structure would not be built. Mr. Piro urged RIOC to keep the promise made by former RIOC Director of Capital Planning Steve Noone to install a shade structure for the dogs using the South Run. Here's Mr. Piro speaking during the Public Session.
Today, I asked RIOC President Susan Rosenthal:
During the Roosevelt Island May 9 RIOC Board of Directors Meeting Public Session, Roosevelt Island Dog Advocate Scott Piro asked about a prior RIOC promise to erect a shaded structure over the South Dog Run.
Mr Piro said the promises was made by former RIOC Director Of Capital Projects Steve Noone and was planned to be in place before this summer.
Mr Piro added that he was recently informed that RIOC no longer intends to build the South Dog Run Shade Structure. Is that true?
Any statement from RIOC on building the South Dog Run Shade Structure?
Newly hired RIOC Assistant VP of Capital Planning and Projects Jonna Carmona-Graf replied:
Regarding your inquiry, RIOC has contracted for design services to relocate the South Dog Run into Blackwell Park. As such, a permanent shade structure will not be installed in the current dog run. We found a product that can be installed as a temporary means to provide shade for the dogs at the current location of the dog run this season. This should be installed as a pilot later this month.
Mr Piro shares this message he sent to RIOC Director David Kraut, President Susan Rosenthal and Ms Carmona-Graf earlier today:
David and Susan, thank you for hearing my presentation during the public session of last week's board meeting.
Jonna, please allow me to introduce myself: my name is Scott Piro, and I am the former secretary of the Roosevelt Island Residents Association. I'm also the unofficial representative for the Island's dog-owning community.
I hope to begin collaborating with you soon on "Petey's Dog Run" -- the name dog-owning residents are using for the Hudson Related-funded dog run coming in Q4 2019 to the redesigned Blackwell Park. My activism was central in moving the project ahead to 2019 from its original 2021 completion date. It was I, who initially scouted the locations for what was originally intended to be a temporary south dog run -- when Hudson Related's run was originally slated to be built inside the upcoming "Commons East."
Last week Mary Cunneen told me of RIOC's decision to scrap plans to erect a no-frills shade structure along one side of the temporary south run. Island residents are very unhappy with this decision, and my objection to it was the focus of my public session presentation last week. As I pointed out:
1) RIOC's Steve Noone promised the organization would build the shade structure -- despite the temporary south run's lifespan expected to last only until Q4 2019.
2) The dogs don't know or care that the south run is temporary. They only know how hot it gets in there starting at this time of year -- so hot, in fact, that they will squeeze themselves under the benches inside for any relief. There is no running water inside the temporary run, and of course the animals cannot efficiently regulate their body temperature, because they do not sweat.
3) When residents pointed out earlier this year that the south run had become an unusable mud pit for days after it rained -- because of downhill water runoff -- RIOC intially threw its hands up and said it could do nothing. Mary had discussed solutions with the grounds teams, and they concluded a cost-effective solution was impossible. But residents persisted and brainstormed -- and eventually we persuaded RIOC to build a no-frills, low wooden barrier around the dog run. The response has not only kept the water flow out of the run, it has also enhanced incomplete fencing that had been allowing smaller dogs to escape.
We call upon RIOC to honor its promise and erect a no-frills shade structure along one side (probably southern or eastern sides -- where resulting shadows would be longest and fall upon locations inside the dog run). Despite the southern dog run's temporary status, erecting a solution remains an imperative upon wihch RIOC should make good.
Mary and Jonna -- please keep me in the loop on the timing of implementing the solution you come up with. The dogs have caught a lucky break with all this cool weather. But it's going to get unbearable for them very soon.
Last Friday, May 10, Roosevelt Island Cornell Tech students were spotted joyously dancing, running around campus in colorful face and body paint.
What was going on? Did the stress and tension of the academic year finally cause some to crack up?
No, what happened was a celebration of the Hindu Holiday of Holi - meant to welcome the coming of Spring and Summer as well as to spread happiness and love.
According to Cornell Tech Students Sat:
... It's a Festival to spread love and inclusivity, where you let go of your pain and suffering and make friends as a group....
and Anmol:
It's a very fun Festival where we put color on each other's faces and everywhere and then we hose them down with water. It's a lot of fun. You guys should try it.
Cornell Tech celebrated it last Friday as weather is a bit kinder (it’s not freezing outside ) and the festival of Holi is preferably celebrated outdoors. Also we thought it would be the perfect way to end the semester, which it was.
Almost all universities ( Stanford, Harvard, etc) have their own version of Holi and we were glad to start this tradition at Cornell Tech.
According to iDig2Learn founder and Roosevelt Island resident Christina Delfico:
Stargazing, Astronomy + Astrophotography
Free Open to the public - families encouraged.
Roosevelt Island has clear views of the daytime and night sky. Join us for fun outdoor evenings as we use high-powered telescopes to view + learn more about the Sun, our Moon, Mars and other sights of our universe. Dates dependent on cloud cover. Look up and if the skies are clear we’ll be there on these evenings!
MON May 13 (Sunset 8:04 pm)
TUES May 14 (Sunset 8:05 pm)
SAT May 18 (Sunset 8:08 pm)
7:00 pm - 11:00 pm
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.
