Friday, August 23, 2019

Solutions To End Gun Violence The Topic Of Coffee And Conversation Hosted By Roosevelt Island Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney With Moms Demand Action NY At Cornell Tech Cafe Sunday August 25 - You're Invited To Participate

Roosevelt Island's Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney is hosting a Coffee and Conversation about solutions to end gun violence together with Moms Demand Action NY at the Cornell Tech Cafe on Sunday August 25 from 1-2:30 PM


Ms Maloney spoke at a Gun Safety rally last Sunday August 18.



According to Congresswoman Maloney's Gun Safety Issue web page:
Gun violence continues to plague communities across the country. Too many Americans are gunned down in cities and towns every day and mass shootings like those at Sandy Hook, Pulse Nightclub, Charleston, Las Vegas, and Sutherland Springs are all too common. These horrifying incidents serve as reminders that Congress needs to fight for common sense policies to make Americans safer.

Congresswoman Maloney has long supported sensible gun safety reforms, starting with support of The Brady Handgun Violence Prevention Act of 1993, named for President Reagan’s press secretary, Jim Brady, who suffered grievous injuries in the assassination attempt on the President. That law provides for background checks for most handgun purchases, and has stopped thousands of dangerous individuals from buying firearms.

Since that historic act, Congresswoman Maloney has pushed several key bills to crack down on gun violence by making gun trafficking illegal, allowing federal public health agencies to conduct research into gun safety, close the gun show loophole, and support innovative “smart gun” technology. She has also cosponsored legislation to require universal background checks, limit the number of rounds within magazine clips, and renew the expired assault weapons ban.....
In addition to Roosevelt Island,  Ms Maloney's 12 Congressional District includes Manhattan's Upper East Side, Astoria, Long Island City and Woodside in Queens and Greenpoint Brooklyn.

More info

on Moms Demand Action at their web site.

Roosevelt Island Transportation This Weekend - No Roosevelt Island F Train Service To Manhattan This Weekend, Watch Video Of MTA Rep Talking Roosevelt Island Subway Service

There is no Roosevelt Island F Train service to Manhattan this weekend.


According to the MTA:
... TRACK MAINTENANCE Aug 23 - 26, Fri 9:45 PM to Mon 5 AM Coney Island-bound F trains run via the E from Roosevelt Av, Queens to 5 Av/53 St, Manhattan

Trains resume regular service at 47-50 Sts.

No Coney Island-bound F service at 21 St-Queensbridge, Roosevelt Island, Lexington Av/63 St and 57 St.

Travel Alternatives:
For service to these stations, take the F to 47-50 Sts and transfer to a Jamaica-bound F.

For service from 21 St-Queensbridge and Roosevelt Island, take the F to Roosevelt Av and transfer to a Coney Island-bound F ....
Both Roosevelt Island Tram cabins are operating and here's the NYC Ferry 2019 Ferry Summer Schedule. 

During June 13 Roosevelt Island Town Hall Meeting organized by Council Member Ben Kallos, MTA representative Markus Book spoke about Roosevelt Island F Train subway service. Watch the full MTA Roosevelt Island presentation below.

Thursday, August 22, 2019

Father & Son Leave Bikes Unattended And Unsecured Outside Roosevelt Island Jupioca To Get A Drink - 3 Male Youths Steal Their Bikes

According to the Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC) Public Safety Incident Report:

08/20/19 – 2044 - 455 Main St – Grand Larceny – PSD responded – Referred to NYPD.

I asked for more details. A RIOC spokesperson replied:
Be advised that a male and his son left their bikes unattended in front of 455 Main Street, while they went into get something to drink from Jupioca and when they came out a female advised them that she believed three male youths had taken the bike that was laying there. The bikes were not secured. Victim advised that he would go to NYPD on his own to file a rpt. As per the victim, the bike is valued at $1500.

PSD conducted an Island wide search for the bike with negative results.
Make sure you lock up your bicycle when unattended.

Final Roosevelt Island Outdoor Summer Movie Of The Season - Clueless Showing At Southpoint Park Friday August 23, Enjoy The Movie And Fantastic East River Waterfront View

The Roosevelt Island Southpoint Park


2019 Outdoor Summer Movie Series


concludes this weekend with the showing of Clueless on Friday August 23.



According to the Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC):
Clueless' will be shown at Southpoint Park this Friday, 8/23. Music, trivia, food & fun start at 7 PM. Movie begins at sunset, weather permitting. Admission is free. Come join us for the last movie of the season!
For the last time this summer, enjoy the movie, East River waterfront view and have fun.

UPDATE 8/23, 12 PM - According to RIOC:
Unfortunately, tonight's Summer Movie Series showing of Clueless must be postponed due to field conditions following recent rain storms. The movie will be shown next Friday, August 30th.

Wednesday, August 21, 2019

Rainbow Over NYC East River Waterfront And Long Island City Seen From Roosevelt Island This Evening After Rain Storm

Did you see the Roosevelt Island rainbow this evening after the rain storm?


Here's another view. Click on full screen icon at bottom right of video for better view.

Roosevelt Island Main Street Theatre & Dance Alliance Production Of A Christmas Carol, The Musical Auditions Taking Place Saturday August 24 - Adults, Teen & Children Welcome To Audition

Yes, we're in the dog days of an August Summer but if you're a performer, or want to be, it's time for the Roosevelt Island Main Street Theatre & Dance Alliance (MST&DA) auditions for roles in A Christmas Carol.

According to the MST&DA:

Main Street Theatre & Dance Alliance Adult* Musical Theatre Studio Class Production of
A CHRISTMAS CAROL The Musical


By Alan Menken, Lynn Ahrens, and Mike Ockrent
​Directed by Jacqueline Lucid

Show dates: December 13, 14, 19, 20 2019

*Teens & children** welcome to audition as well!

When: Saturday, August 24 from 10am - 2pm (there will be a lunch break). Registration required.
Where: The Howe Theatre @ MST&DA, The Cultural Center 548 Main St. Roosevelt Island, NY 10044

Cost: There is a $50 audition deposit required to audition. The fee will be applied towards the production fee of $475. Visit this link -  to register.

After registering, please review and look over all audition materials to the right on this page. Auditions will start at 10am promptly and end at 2pm. There will be a break for lunch. Be sure to bring your required "Audition Form" with you (the top form to the right on this page).

Scholarship and Work-study opportunities are available. Visit this link - to apply.

Question or conflict with the audition date? Email us at info@mstda.org So that we can make other arrangements.
More info on the MST&DA available at their web site and Facebook page.

Tuesday, August 20, 2019

Roosevelt Island Teens Shoot Rock From Sling Shot Hitting Woman On East Promenade Near 510 Breezeway - Apprehended By RIOC Public Safety And Released To Parents

Received report that a woman was shot with a BB gun yesterday. I asked Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC) Acting Public Safety Director Kevin Brown what happened.

A RIOC spokesperson replied today:

At about 1 pm yesterday afternoon, four youths (three 12 year olds and 1 thirteen year old) apparently shot a female victim with what appeared to be a BB-Gun on the seawall opposite 510 breezeway. All youths were apprehended and bought into PSD with their parents. The victim sustained a small bruise on her leg. EMS was refused at the scene by the complainant. Subsequent investigation revealed that the youth used a sling shot and a small rock. The youths were released to their parents. NYPD was on scene and notified. The youths are island residents.
Image Of 510 Main Street Breezeway Leading to Seawall

RIOC Announces New Traffic Safety Measures For Roosevelt Island Waterfront Promenades - 10 MPH Speed Limit, Radar Speed Signs, Bollards And Possible Dismissal Of Employees Who Violate Safety Regulations, Private Vehicles Banned

The Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC) announced today:


In response to several complaints about speeding vehicles on the Island, The Roosevelt Island Operating Corporation (RIOC) is implementing several traffic safety measures designed to make the Island’s roadways safer for residents, stakeholders and employees.

Some of the measures RIOC has already taken and will take in the immediate future include:
  • Speed limits on promenades have been lowered from 15 mph to 10 mph.
  • Failure of RIOC employees to observe all safety regulations, especially speed, will result in possible dismissal.
  • New radar speed signs have been ordered and will be placed on the east seawall promenade. A temporary speed radar device will be moved there today.
  • Bollards will be placed in designated areas to prohibit the public from driving on the east seawall promenade. New signage will also show where vehicles – other than official RIOC vehicles – are prohibited.
All RIOC employees have undergone mandatory vehicle safety training in the past six months.
Reported July 31 on RIOC) banning cars


from the East Promenade
... In response to complaints about people driving along the eastern promenade, RIOC will soon be installing barriers and placing signage at key locations to prevent cars from accessing this area. RIOC and emergency vehicles will still be able to reach the promenade if necessary. Pedestrians and bicyclists will not be impeded by these barriers in any way. Placement of the barriers will begin over the next several weeks.

RIOC is taking these measures as part of its on-going commitment to keep Roosevelt Island safe for pedestrians, children and bicyclists....
Roosevelt Island residents reacted:

and:
  • Thank you thank you
  • Finally!!! It should of never been allowed, it wasn’t allowed before. They are not “back roads”, they are for pedestrians, and for people walking, biking and running.
  • I never could quite understand why private vehicles were in any way permitted on those perimeter roads. I could only figure it was to accommodate loading and unloading. This used to be provided for on Main Street, with ONLY short term parking. But now we have to accommodate long term parkers with stickers, and there are no loading zones to speak of. Virtually no place for service vehicles to park during the day. All so that sticker and favored parkers can be accommodated'. That is really sad. I've abandoned trying to bring my car onto Main St. I just ferry back and forth from the garage, which I PAY for, unlike the stickered vehicles. And in that garage, I have to drive by the EMPTY handicapped spaces while I search for parking, while the stickered vehicles are out on the street....
  • What they should ban is long term parking by RI workers in the courtyards and breezeways (which have become defacto parking lots) of Roosevelt Landings...and still permit loading and unloading in breezeways and back elevators....in addition does this ban include the west side where i was nearly run over?...
  • Potential solution. Speed bumps close proximity before and after every intersection.
  • Public Safety regularly speeds down the west roadway. Without lights. There is no warning for a child coming down one of the access ways. Should we wait for an accident that can’t be turned back?
  • And who will protect pedestrians, children and seniors from outside bikers on our shore walkway that will no longer be a place to sit peacefully to read or watch the ocean?
The East and West Waterfront promenades are closed to private vehicles but RIOC Staff and Public Safety may use them but must adhere to the 10 mph speed limit.

Monday, August 19, 2019

You're Invited To Roosevelt Island Concerts Presentation Of Last Gasps Of Favorite Composers - Final Works Of Haydn, Webern & Mendelssohn Friday August 23 At Good Shepherd

As reported earlier this year,the Roosevelt Island classical concert series organizers, R&R Concerts began their 12 season with a new name, Roosevelt Island Concerts.
 


According to Roosevelt Island Concerts:
Roosevelt Island Concerts is currently in its 12th season and has become a vital asset in the cultural life of Roosevelt Island. Augmenting its rich chamber music programming, the series has recently begun to present orchestral concerts under the direction of conductor Benjamin Hochman. The generosity of our audiences is an essential part of the series, complementing the support of individuals, corporations, and institutions in and beyond New York City. One of the few concert series in New York that produces both orchestral and chamber music concerts, the series is earning a reputation as an essential part of New York City’s rich landscape of classical music....
Take a listen here.



and attend live this Roosevelt Island Concerts presentation


 Friday August 23 (rescheduled from Tuesday, August 20).
Friday, August 23, 7:30 p.m.

Good Shepherd Chapel

Roosevelt Island Concerts Presents:

LAST GASPS

All things must come to an end; however, our favorite composers of the past have left fantastic catalogues of music behind for future generations to appreciate. On LAST GASPS, we take a look at the final works of three beloved Germanic composers, and appreciate the culmination of their musical endeavors.

Haydn - String Quartet in D Minor, Op. 103
Webern - Langsamer Satz
Mendelssohn - String Quartet in F Minor, Op. 80

Salley Koo, violin
Ralph Allen, violin
Lisa Matricardi, viola
Iris Jortner, cello

Your generous contribution keeps the series affordable
Suggested donation: $20
Students & seniors: $10

For our contributors at Supporter level ($100) and above who would like reserved seats at this concert, please email music@riconcerts.org with the quantity of seats requested.

For directions and information about the series, see our website at riconcerts.org.
Check out the Roosevelt Island Concerts web site to learn more about the orchestra, the artists and how to help with your support.