Friday, July 26, 2019

Roosevelt Island Transportation - Good News Again, This Weekend F Trains To And From Manhattan, E Train Too, Both Tram Cabins Working And Ferry Service, That's 14 In A Row - Watch Video Of MTA Rep Talking Roosevelt Island Subway Service

Good news, for the 14th 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.

According to the MTA, Roosevelt Island E Train service too:
... SIGNAL MODERNIZATION Jul 26 - 29, 11:45 PM Fri to 5 AM Mon E Trains run via the F in both directions between W 4 St, Manhattan and 21 St-Queensbridge station, Queens.
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 25, 2019

Clifford The Big Red Dog Filming In Queensbridge Park This Week, That Explains Red And White Tents In LIC's Queensbridge Park - See Pics From Clifford Movie Filmed At Cornell Tech Earlier This Month

Roosevelt Island residents with questions often come here seeking answers:

All kinds of tents are being erected in Queensbridge Park. red and white ones, big ones, small ones. What is going on there?

and:
What are those red striped and white tents in LIC across the River?

The answer is, courtesy of Normandeau Newswire, and confirmed by the movie production company, is that Clifford The Big Red Dog is filming in Queensbridge Park.

According to the production company:
​... Walt Becker is directing Clifford the Big Red Dog, which stars Darby Camp and Jack Whitehall. This big, classic family film follows Emily Elizabeth who befriends Clifford as she’s trying to fit in at home and at school. He grows to a giant size and attracts the attention of a genetics company. Emily and her Uncle Casey have to fight the forces of greed as they go on the run across New York....
Earlier this month, Clifford The Big Red Dog


was filming on the Roosevelt Island Cornell tech campus

The film production company gave away free Ben & Jerry's Ice Cream 


as a thank you to Roosevelt Island community.

Roosevelt Island Outdoor Summer Movie Series Double Header Weekend Showing Close Encounters Of A Third Kind Friday July 26 And Captain Marvel Saturday July 27 At Southpoint Park - Enjoy The Films And Fantastic East River Waterfront View

The Roosevelt Island Southpoint Park


2019 Outdoor Summer Movie Series


continues this weekend with a double header, showing Close Encounters Of A Third Kind on Friday July 26



and Captain Marvel Saturday July 27.



According to the Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC)
THIS WEEKEND: RIOC's Summer Movie Series continues with 'Close Encounters of the Third Kind' (Friday Night) and 'Captain Marvel' (Saturday) at Southpoint Park. Music, trivia, food & fun start at 7 PM. Movie begins at sunset, weather permitting. Admission is free.
The remaining movies for the 2019 Roosevelt Island Summer Movie Series at Southpoint Park are:
  • Friday August 2 - Ready Player One
  • Friday August 23 - Clueless
Enjoy the movie, East River waterfront view and have fun.

Wednesday, July 24, 2019

Roosevelt Island Garden Club Invites Kids 8 And Younger To Enjoy Nature Activities Saturday Morning - Public Invited To Visit Roosevelt Island Community Garden Weekends 9 AM To 7 PM

Julia Ferguson of the Roosevelt Island Garden Club (RIGC) reports:

Garden Activities for Children 8 & Younger with Adult


Saturday Morning July 27th 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

Bring your child (8 and under) to enjoy nature activities at the Roosevelt Island Garden Club this coming Saturday morning 10 to 12.
More info about Roosevelt Island Garden Club at their web site.

The public is invited to visit the Roosevelt Island Community Garden



weekends from 9 AM to 7 PM.

You're Invited To Roosevelt Island FDR 4 Freedoms Park Summer Sunset Thursday Photo Workshop Filling In The Blanks - FDR Park Stays Open To 8:30 PM


The Roosevelt Island FDR Four Freedoms Park invites you to Summer Sunset Thursdays in July Photo Workshop tomorrow July 25.

According to the FDR Park:
Thursday, July 25, 2019
6:30 PM 8:30 PM

Using the unique architecture of FDR Four Freedoms State Park as a backdrop, students will be assigned a location in the Park to use as inspiration for their photographs. In each group, members will take turns alternating between photographer and model, working together to bring each person's ideas to life. Students will be encouraged to combine key components of their assigned backdrop such as composition, color, lighting and shadows with their desired subject matter to create a narrative of their choosing.

This is a BYOC (bring-your-own-camera) workshop that will meet for an introduction before heading out on assignment around FDR Four Freedoms State Park. The workshop will wrap-up with a casual group critique, where students can share work and ideas, and get feedback from instructors and workshop peers.

This event is produced in collaboration with United Photo Industries and coincides with Summer Sunset Thursdays, an evening inviting visitors to enjoy the twilight hours at the Park. This event is free and open to the public; registration is required.

Tuesday, July 23, 2019

Free Monthly Organic Gardening Workshop Hosted By Roosevelt Island NY Public Library And Life Frames RI Living Library, Next Workshop Saturday July 27 - You're Invited To Learn Succession Planting & Feeding Your Garden

The Roosevelt Island NY Public Library (524 Main Street) and the Roosevelt Island Living Library are hosting free monthly workshops on organic gardening. The next workshop in the series is this Saturday July 27 beginning at 12 PM. According to the Roosevelt Island Public Library:


RI Living Library & Think Park and RI Public Library Present FREE Monthly Workshops on Organic Gardening Open To All Ages Including Parents & Children!

This workshop will demonstrate how to plant to create consistent yields throughout the season, plus, what to add to your soil to fuel new and larger growth.

The program will begin at the Roosevelt Island Library for a presentation and discussion, followed by a quick walk over to the Roosevelt Island Living Library & Think Park Gardens for a hands-on workshop.

This program is presented as a partnership between the Roosevelt Island Living Library & Think Park and the New York Public Library.

The Roosevelt Island Living Library adds;
On July 27, 2019, Saturday (12.00 PM -1.30 PM), enjoy free workshop on organic gardening presented by Roosevelt Island Living Library & Roosevelt Island Public Library! Funded by RIOC Public Purpose Fund and conducted by A.L.L. Garden Instructor China Bushell, these workshops are one-of-a-kind opportunity to learn and create your own organic garden. The workshops begin in RI Public Library to discuss workshop subjects with the help of Library’s resources and display materials. Later, participants get a chance to get their hands dirty in RI Living Library Gardens, behind new RI Library site, 504 Main Street.
Future workshops include:
  • Aug 17, 2019 Harvesting and Preparing Your Garden for Fall
  • Sept 21, 2019 Fall Plantings, Cuttings, Plant Division
  • Oct 12, 2019 What to Plant in Fall for next Spring’s Season
  • Nov 16, 2019 Winterizing your Garden & Planning Next Year’s Garden Layout
The A Living Library (aka Life Frames) Roosevelt Island gardening program received $13,500 in RIOC Public Purpose Funds for 2019-20 fiscal year.

Here's video of A Living Library's China Bushell



May 28 Public Purpose Funds community review presentation describing the gardening organization's Roosevelt Island programs.

Monday, July 22, 2019

You're Invited To Roosevelt Island Community Celebration Honoring Retired Public Safety Department Chief Jack McManus Thursday July 25 - Residents Thank Chief McManus For His Integrity, Professionalism And Bringing Community Policing To RI

According to the Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC)

On Thursday, July 25th, the Roosevelt Island Operating Corporation (RIOC) will be hosting ‘PSD & Us: A Community Celebration of Cooperation and Respect’. Retiring PSD Chief Jack McManus will be honored at this event. Festivities will be held from 6:00 – 9:00 PM this Thursday, July 25th at Manhattan Park Theater Club – 8 River Road. Come join us for light refreshments, live music, and great people. Please RSVP to info@rioc.ny.gov so we can have an accurate count of attendees.

As previously reported, Roosevelt Island Public Safety Department (PSD) Chief Jack McManus retired at the end of June after 6 years of service. Deputy Chief Kevin Brown will serve as Acting Chief until a permanent Chief is announced.

Chief McManus and Deputy Chief Brown At June 25 PSC Meeting Image From Frank Farance

Last May, Chief McManus explained the reason for his retirement:
Hello. This is Jack McManus from your Public Safety Department (PSD). Some of you may know that I was diagnosed with a serious World Trade Center related illness approximately five (5) months ago. Due to ongoing treatments, side effects from the treatments, and a lot of doctor appointments, I have been forced to make adjustments to my work schedule. Most weeks I am on the Island and in my office on Tuesdays and Fridays.

Recently, my physician informed me that I will have to continue these treatments for the foreseeable future, which will necessitate the continuation of my abbreviated work schedule. PSD Deputy Director Kevin Brown has been standing in for me and doing a phenomenal job. Deputy Brown has been with us for almost three (3) years, and he has a solid commitment to the Roosevelt Island Community -- to keeping everyone safe, improving the quality of life on the Island, and continuing to police within the Community Policing Model which has proven to be successful on Roosevelt Island.

After discussions with the RIOC Executive Team, we have agreed that as of June 30th my position as Chief/Director of PSD will come to an end, but I will continue to actively participate in significant public safety activities on the Island.....
On Tuesday June 25, members of the Roosevelt Island Residents Association (RIRA) Public Safety Committee and other residents

Image From Frank Farance

gathered together to tell Chief McManus how much he has meant to our community and to thank him for his service. It was a remarkable occasion of residents expressing their deep personal affection and respect for Chief McManus and appreciation for the positive transformation and professionalism he brought to the Roosevelt Island PSD after years of tension and conflict between many in the community and the PSD. There was much love, laughter and even tears in the room.

Watch the video of what happened. It was a wonderful time and Chief McManus deserves all the respect, appreciation and love that was shown in the room.



Resident Adib Mansour was one of about 20 people thanking Chief McManus Tuesday evening. According to Mr. Mansour:
I was part of the RIRA Public Safety Committee when we took upon us to document the harsh regime of Chief Guerra’s Public Safety. Every morning I used to tell my kids “be aware of Public Safety”. After the ousting of Guerra, the committee had numerous meeting to decide what does it take to have the perfect Public Safety Chief? The answer came to us on a silver platter.. it took Chief Jack McManus!

He was kind, generous, friendly and quickly got the love of the community. He was good at his job and mostly went out of his way to help and make sure everyone was safe… and happy.

Coinciding with my hire to run the soccer league for the Youth Center, I had the idea to have Public Safety coach some of the teams. Jack jumped at the idea and decided to coach the older kids (ages 15-16)


along with officer Laszcyzch. He immediately took upon himself to teach his team the meaning of teamwork and its responsibility. He often went to a few of the players’ homes in the morning to make sure they attended the games. I often heard him say “You are a crucial member of your team”, or “you have responsibility to your teammates”. He was crucial in making the soccer program a huge success for 3 years when I had 400 players in the league.

Jack made Roosevelt Island his home, and its residents his friends and family. I welcome him to my home any time!

The island gained a wonderful Chief and a great person, and my family gained a friend!

He will be missed… but I am sure we won’t stop texting each others.
Watch the video to learn more about what Chief McManus brought to Roosevelt Island - he will be missed.