Friday, July 5, 2019

Roosevelt Island Transportation - Good News Again, This Weekend F Trains To And From Manhattan, Both Tram Cabins Working And Ferry Service Too, That's 11 In A Row - Watch Video Of MTA Rep Talking Roosevelt Island Subway Service

Good news, for the 11th week in a row, Roosevelt Island residents will have weekend F Trains running to and from Manhattan, both Tram Cabins operating and East River Astoria Route Ferry service.

Here's the NYC Ferry 2019 Ferry Summer Schedule. 

More good news. During June 13 Roosevelt Island Town Hall Meeting organized by Council Member Ben Kallos, MTA representative Markus Book reported that there are no planned Roosevelt Island F Train weekend disruptions until August 16 weekend.

Watch the full MTA Roosevelt Island presentation below.

Thursday, July 4, 2019

HAPPY JULY 4 INDEPENDENCE DAY AMERICA FROM ROOSEVELT ISLAND

Image of John Trumbull's Declaration of Independence from US History



Without the Macy's Fireworks viewing this July 4, Roosevelt Island has had a low-key day

although there was still plenty of BBQ'ing with friends at Octagon Park


and Lighthouse Park.

July 4 is also the 12th anniversary of Roosevelt Islander Online. Here's the first post from 2007 and it's about the Southpoint Park July 4 Fireworks Celebration.

Happy Birthday America!!!

Wednesday, July 3, 2019

All 8 Roosevelt Island F Train Subway Station Escalators Out Of Service This Afternoon For Approximately 90 Minutes - Elevator Working But That's Alot Of Stairs To Climb

Earlier this afternoon, all of the Roosevelt Island F Train subway station elevators


were out of service


The MTA Escalator crew was dispatched to Roosevelt Island


and service from platform to street level was restored after approximately 90 minutes.


2 escalators


are currently out of service.

According to Wikipedia, the Roosevelt Island F Train subway station:
... is the fourth-deepest station in the New York City Subway at about 100 feet (30 m) below street level (approximately 10 stories deep) behind 34th Street–Hudson Yards, 190th Street, and 191st Street stations, also in Manhattan
That's alot of stairs to climb.

Reminder, 2019 Macy's July 4 Fireworks Celebration Staged On Lower East River By Brooklyn Bridge - No View From Roosevelt Island This Year But Take A Look At Video Of 2018 July 4 Fireworks Celebration Finale At FDR Four Freedoms Park

As reported last May, there will be no view of the Macy's July 4 Fireworks celebration this year from Roosevelt Island.


According to the FDR 4 Freedoms Park:


and Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC)
Since the July 4th fireworks display will be held out of viewing range of Roosevelt Island, we will not be hosting any events this year. RIOC wishes everyone a safe and happy holiday.
Here's finale of the 2018 July 4 Fireworks Celebration from Roosevelt Island FDR Four Freedoms Park.



Click on full screen icon at bottom right for best viewing.

Maybe it will be back next year.

Roosevelt Island Garden Club Open To Public Weekends 9 AM - 7 PM - A Beautiful Quiet Place To Relax, Sit Down And Enjoy The Plants, Birds And Butterflies


Julia Ferguson of the Roosevelt Island Garden Club (RIGC) reports:
RIGC front gates are open (for pedestrian traffic only). RIGC is open to the public every weekend from 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 pm.


The front common area is quiet place to relax a bit and RIGC has benches in every border area for guests to sit down and enjoy the plants, birds, and butterflies. Visitors of all ages are welcome. Reminders: please stay on the main gravel paths


 and take pictures only, please. A RIGC visitor from the United Kingdom wrote us:
Hello Roosevelt Gardens NYC,

We were visiting NYC last week and staying in RI. We spent a very pleasant hour or more in your community garden last Saturday and enormously enjoyed it. We are keen gardeners and it was joyful to see your variety of gardens and planting. It is a fond memory from our stay.

Just wanted to say thank you for such a pleasant experience. Much appreciated!
The Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC) and NYC Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) have really worked to be very helpful to this RI social infrastructure/garden space during their construction project. RIOC placed a temporary bus stop at our north access road


and our front gates are open again before full completion of the construction work!


Also, Roosevelt Island food scraps were returned to the Island as climate cooling compost. Roosevelt Island is a greener place thanks to the collaboration of many. NYC Compost hosted Big Reuse and RIOC played a big part in the beautification and greening at RI Day this year and Roosevelt Island Garden Club was happy to be a part of it all. We created this blog post to mark all the positive compost and planting collaborations.

Happy July 4th!!!!
More info on the RIGC available at their web site and blog as well as how to become a member.

Tuesday, July 2, 2019

What Was That Brown Substance Oozing Into East River From Long Island City Big Allis Ravenswood Power Plant Across From Roosevelt Island - And What Is That Awful Noise Plaguing Residents At All Times Of Day?

Last Friday afternoon, June 28, a Roosevelt Island resident spotted a brown substance, shown in video below, oozing into the East River next to the Big Allis Ravenswood Power Generating Plant in Long Island City and asked:

What are they LEAKING into the East River??

Don't know what it is, but am asking.

Another Roosevelt Island resident who lives in Roosevelt Landings reports on constant loud noises coming from the


Big Allis Power Plant :
... there is an awful noise that has plagued Eastwood residents for several months. The big problem is not only that it's loud and disturbing, but that it's intermittent. There is no regularity to it. It can wake you up in the middle of the night. It can happen at any time during the day. It can be repetitive, within seconds, or it can take place once and not be heard for several hours.

It's coming from the power plant. It sounds like something is shorting, like a live wire has become detached.

t’s an everyday, multiple times per day occurrence. It’s not the steam thing. It’s more like a jolt of electricity.
which others have confirmed:
  • "I hear it almost every night and sometimes wee hours of the morning! It sounds like a warning drill!"
  • "Yes I hear it all during the day and night. It's very disturbing especially at night when the noise wakes you out of your sleep."
  • " I hear it almost every night and sometimes wee hours of the morning! It sounds like a warning drill!"
  • "Sometimes there are lots of helicopters or small planes flying over the island or the river, I used to hear it but I’ve become so used to it I don’t anymore. Same way the sounds coming from the generating plant across the river. Tuned out."
The Big Allis Ravenswood Power Plant is owned by LS Power, having purchased the 1.1 million square foot Long Island City facility in 2017 from TransCanada for $167 million according to The Real Deal.

According to LS Power:
Ravenswood (Queens, New York) – 2,480 megawatts, multiple-unit generating natural gas facility using dual fuel-capable steam turbine, combined-cycle and combustion turbine.
More info on history of Big Allis Ravenswood Power station here.

Will update with more info. Stay tuned

UPDATE 8:15 - In response to my inquiry a Ravenswood spokesperson replied:
What the resident saw last Friday was rust-colored water being flushed from pipes as part of a scheduled test of the fire protection system at Ravenswood. This test is mandated by the FDNY, and we were pretesting the system. The DEC (Department of Environmental Control) were on site during the test, there were no safety or environmental issues, and the test was conducted in accordance with all permits and regulations. The test went extremely smoothly and safely.

As for noise, there was nothing at the plant that happened that we know of to cause it. May we ask that if residents hear any noise from the plant, they let us know the date and specific time, and we will investigate quickly, and respond back to them? Thank you.“
UPDATE 7/3:

UPDATE 4:34 PM: In response to above Tweet, the Ravenswood Spokesperson inquired and reports:
As best as we can tell, the noise came from a vacuum truck, which can be noisy. This is not frequent, but we have now advised the contractor that this work should only be performed during daylight hours going forward.

This specific information is very helpful for us to fix these situations. We appreciate the opportunity to address them.
UPDATE 7/4 - Another resident reported hearing noise last night.

Jacobs Technion Cornell Institute At Cornell Tech Will Host Roosevelt Island Campus Conference On Future Of NYC Transportation And Modernizing MTA Says Governor Cuomo - Please Start By Fixing Roosevelt Island F Train Service

NY Governor Andrew Cuomo announced yesterday that Roosevelt Island's Cornell Tech will host a conference to explore innovative technology solutions to the 100 year old MTA transportation infrastructure. A good place to start the improvements is with the often delayed and overcrowded Roosevelt Island F Train service.



According to Governor Cuomo's press release:
Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced a wide ranging series of economic development partnerships between New York State and Israel that are the result of the Governor's recent trip to Israel. The administration and several major New York health care institutions have signed a series of agreements with Israeli entities in the UAV/drones, transportation, energy, cybersecurity, financial technology and health care industries.

"Our economy is stronger than it's ever been and our message during this trip was simple: New York is open for business," Governor Cuomo said. "On our solidarity trip, we focused on key areas that present real opportunities for collaboration with Israeli companies because when Israeli startups choose New York, there is tremendous potential for growth for both economies. I am confident the initiatives announced today will build on the current partnerships that exist between businesses in New York and Israel, and bring our people even closer together."...

... Cornell Tech to Lead Effort to Modernize MTA Technology

Future of Mobility Conference with Cornell Tech and the MTA: Cornell Tech, a joint academic venture between Cornell University and the Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, and the MTA will bring national and international thought leaders from academia, business, government and technology to explore solutions to the most vexing challenges facing transportation in New York City. By advancing the spirit of collegiality and cooperation generated over just a few hours in Israel to two full days of discussion about new technologies and methods for modernizing the MTA's century-old infrastructure, the conference will move the transit innovation discussion to the next level. Globalizing the conversation on topics both cutting edge and conventional will allow the MTA to expand its network of partnerships and deliver a better service to New Yorkers.
Ron Brachman, Director of the Jacobs Technion-Cornell Institute at Cornell Tech and a Professor of Computer Science at Cornell University, added:
We are very excited to take part in this initiative to explore new ways to harness emerging technology to tackle the biggest challenges facing New York State, the State of Israel, and the world today. Thanks to the leadership and vision of Governor Cuomo, this innovative collaboration builds on the terrific partnership between Cornell University and the Technion-Israel Institute of Technology....
Roosevelt Island resident Frank Farance has some suggestions for more immediate improvements to Roosevelt Island F Train subway service:

Monday, July 1, 2019

Roosevelt Island Seniors Association Membership Renewal And New Member Sign Up - RISA Evening & Weekend Activities For Ages 50 And Over Include Group Jazz/Line Dance With Bernard Dove, Self Defense Workshop, Ping Pong, Tai Chi & More

Roosevelt Island Seniors Association (RISA) President Barbara Parker reports on membership renewal, new members sign up and upcoming RISA events. According to Ms Parker:

Hi Everyone,

Don't Forget! Time To Renew

If you have't already renewed your 2019-2020 RISA Membership or joining for the first time, let us know

Membership is on-going - Annual Fee:$20.00

(Membership For The 50+ Population)

Sign Up To Get Your Discounted Rates For Merchants, Classes, Events and Programs
(NOTE: Membership Cards Must Be Presented When Purchasing From Our Merchants) Wholesome Factory and Island Wines

This Week's Feature Classes And Programs

Group Jazz/Line Dance Class
4 Week Summer Session!
Mondays, July 1st, 8th 15th & 22nd
6:30pm - 7:30pm
Fees: $40.00 - $12.00 Per Class

Men & Women Self Defense Workshop
Wednesdays, July 3rd, 10th, 17th & July 24th
6:00pm - 7:00pm
Fee: $12.00 Per Class

Ping Pong Saturdays With Dexter
Starting Saturday, July 6th
12:00pm - 2:00pm
Open For All Levels!

Additionally!
The Tuesday 5:15pm Tai Chi Classes
Will Resume On Tuesday, July 16th

Info & Registrations: Email: riseniorsa@gmail.com
Office: 646-891-0038

Unless otherwise indicated, Classes/Workshops/Seminars/Programs & Events Take Place In The 546 Community Center

Monday Through Thursday - 5:30pm - 8:30pm
Saturday and Sunday - 10:00am to 2:00pm
(Also Weekend Social and Private Events)

Thank You All For Your Continued Support!
Stay Tuned For More....
For more info, contact RISA here.

Sponsored Post - Weekly Menu For Cafe @Cornell Tech Monday July 1 Friday July 5 - Closed July 4

The Roosevelt Island Cafe @Cornell Tech


weekly menu for July 1 - July 5.


The Cafe is closed July 4.

Normal summer hours are:
  • Monday - Friday 8AM - 3 PM
  • Saturday -Sunday 11AM - 3PM
Parliament:
  • Monday - Friday 8AM - 5 PM
  • Saturday - Sunday 11AM - 5PM

Sunday, June 30, 2019

Visitor Agrees Roosevelt Island Does Not Smell Like Pee, Unlike Rest Of Manhattan - A New RI Slogan Born?

A NYC visitor hopes Roosevelt Island smells better than the rest of Manhattan.


I assured the visitor Roosevelt Island does not smell like pea.

and the visitor agrees.
The Twiterrverse suggests we may have a possible new Roosevelt Island slogan.
Could this be a new branding opportunity for Roosevelt Island -remember the Three Olives Rosé Vodka re-branding attempt of Roosevelt Island as Rosévelt Island did not go over well with the locals.

UPDATE 7/1: