Grow NYC Roosevelt Island Stop N Swap Reuse Event A Great Success - Diverted Over 6 Thousand Pounds From Landfill, 2nd Most Donations Received Anywhere Ever Says Grow NYC, Re-Purposing Is Good!

@RIOCny Goes Green diverting over 6,000 pounds from landfill. This is the good kind of weight loss! Thanks 2 @GrowNYC Stop N Swap on @Rooseveltisland 260 neighbors donated & took free good quality items! Swaps make sense! #zerowaste pic.twitter.com/LkyH9oMlCy

— iDig2Learn (@iDig2Learn) November 21, 2019

The second annual Grow NYC Roosevelt Island Swap N Stop

held Saturday November 9 at the Manhattan Park Theater Club was a great success. Residents gave away items they no longer wanted to be reused by others who did want them. Items remaining were either donated or recycled.

The theme of the day as expressed by these Roosevelt Island Girl Scouts who welcomed Swappers to the Stop N Swap was:

Re-Purposing Is Good

I spoke to Grow NYC Project Coordinator Ida Yu and Roosevelt Island resident/iDig2Learn founder Christina Delfico at the Stop N Swap.



Ms Delfico reported yesterday:

Breaking news: GrowNYC project coordinator, Ida Yu conveys that the 2019 Roosevelt Island GrowNYC Stop N' Swap had the 2nd most donations GrowNYC swaps have received anywhere, ever! 1,509 more pounds of good quality items were dropped off this year than last year totaling 6,317 pounds. And the free take back rate of those items directly to the community jumped up 13% to total 80%. Thanks to RIOC, Manhattan Park, Gristedes, the Girl Scouts, RI Garden Club and GRIN our GrowNYC partner's Stop N' Swap was a huge success.

These Zero Waste events are kind to our wallets, our neighbors and the earth by reducing unnecessary waste to the landfill. Plus Gristedes food donation filled bag after reusable bag of free food to support islanders. And we added the a plant exchange thanks to the RI Garden Club. iDig2Learn gave away stylish kitchen compost bins to encourage another earth-friendly practice - dropping food scraps weekly so they can be composted by partner Big Reuse.

One island neighbor said she saw the most island neighbors ever at any island event at the Swap.

Thank you GrowNYC volunteers and of course, Ida Yu and Cordelia Alquist.

Who knew being kind to the earth could be so much fun!

The stats side by side 2018 / 2019

Last year 362 people attended / this year 260 people attended

Last year 4808 pounds of good quality items were donated / this year 6,317 pounds

Last year 67% taken back to the community the same day / this year 80 %

Some more scenes from the November 9 Grow NYC Roosevelt Island Stop N Swap.

Thanks @RIOCny @GrowNYC Stop N’ Swap was a hit! Adding the plant exchange was great & @Gristedes food donation in reusable bags so appreciated. @girlscoutsnyc rocked the day w/ reuse messaging & helping everyone celebrate the value of exchanging. #zerowaste pic.twitter.com/v63pCkPVrF

— iDig2Learn (@iDig2Learn) November 9, 2019

Roosevelt Island F & E Train Service To And From Manhattan This Weekend, Tram And Ferry Service Too And Watch Video Of MTA Rep Talking Roosevelt Island Subway Service

According to the MTA there will be Roosevelt Island F Train service

to and from Manhattan this weekend. E Train service too.

Both Roosevelt Island Tram cabins are operating and here's the NYC Ferry Roosevelt Island Astoria Route new Winter 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.

Carter Burden Roosevelt Island Senior Center Needs Your Help Identifying Roosevelt Island Home Bound Seniors And Disabled Adults Who Could Benefit From Tech Pals, A New Program Using Amazon Echo Smart Devices To Improve Social Interaction and Quality Of Life

Do you know a Roosevelt Island home bound senior or adult with disabilities who may benefit from using the Amazon Echo Show smart screen device to improve their ability to interact with others and enhance their quality of life.

If you do, please contact the Carter Burden Network Roosevelt Island Senior Center so they may offer this new tech based program to help the person.

Tech Pals is designed to improve access to services, independence, and social connectedness for homebound seniors and adults with disabilities through a holistic approach using technology. Funded in part through a generous grant from the New York Community Trust.

Eligibility Criteria:

• Open to Roosevelt Island-based homebound seniors and adults with disabilities who have limited interaction with others due to their disability 
• Participants must have Wi-Fi and a mobile phone with SMS (texting) capability
• Participants must be willing to participate in program activities including pre and post surveys, a social media group, and in-home device setup and training 
• Participants must keep the devices for themselves for the 2-year project period

Participants will receive:

• A free Amazon Echo Show smart screen device (valued at $230)
• One-on-one in-home device setup and training/technology education
• Ongoing troubleshooting assistance, as needed
• Access to virtual services through the CBN Roosevelt Island Senior Center (case management, presentations, and socialization)

Please contact Carter Burden Network Roosevelt Island Senior Center Outreach Coordinator Yulisa Santana or Tech Coordinator Jay Yi if you know anyone that can benefit by the Tech Pals program.

Jay Yi adds:

I am the designated Tech / Instructor who is installing, setting up and showing homebound Seniors how to make the best use of the Amazon Echo Show device.

My background is in Information Technology and Technical Instructional Education in both the private and Non-Profit Sectors. I have previously worked in Vocational Schools, The Coalition for the Homeless and also most recently at the NY Housing Authority.

I am very pleased to have the honor of helping our Seniors improve and facilitate their daily life routines with this Artificial Intelligent Technology Device. I look forward to meeting many more of you while listening and sharing our experiences together while aiding more Seniors any way that I can.

Carter Burden Network Roosevelt Island Senior Center Director Lisa Fernandez describes the Tech Pals program during the November 13 Roosevelt Island Residents Association (RIRA) Common Council Public Session.

Here's what Ms Fernandez said.



And an example of Amazon Echo helping disabled people.

You're Invited To Meet Friendly Roosevelt Island Neighborhood Scientists, Weill Cornell Medicine Postdoc Pub Talk On Manhattan's Next Top Model Organism At Nisi Restaurant December 3- Watch Video Of Past Postdoc Pub Talks On Frederick The Sperm's Journey To Fertilization And Top Mouse: The Development Of Social Dominance

Mark your calendars for the next #postdoc #PubTalks about the pros and cons of different research models, on 12/3 @ Nisi @Rooseveltisland. Free to all who are interested. #NYC #AcademicTwitter #scicomm #Science #phdchat #phdlife #model #postdoclife #Outreach https://t.co/azSc0gUfrX

— NYC Postdoc Coalition (@NYC_Postdoc) November 19, 2019

The Postdoctoral Association of Weill Cornell Medicine is hosting their fourth neighborhood Pub Talk event at Roosevelt Island's Nisi Kitchen (559 Main Street) Tuesday December 3..

You're invited to attend.

According to Postdoc Pub Talks:

Come meet your friendly neighborhood scientists! Grab a pint and join us as four researchers from Weill Cornell Medicine discuss the model organisms they use to conduct their cutting edge research, at “Manhattan’s Next Top Model Organism”. Featured organisms include Yeast, Zebrafish, Cell Culture and Cerebral Organoids, and Transgenic Mice and the event will conclude with a panel-style Q&A about the relevance of these models and how they are used in research. December 3, 2019 - 7:30 PM at Nisi Kitchen. Visit www.PostdocTalks.com for more information!

Last June 24, the Postdoc Pub Talk featured a talk by Melanie Balback on:

Survival of the fittest: A Sperm's Journey to Fertilization

and Katherine Lopez on:

Top Mouse: The Development of Social Dominance

Here's the presentation by Ms Balback



followed by audience Question and Answers:.

Pub Talk Journey Of Fredrick The Sperm

And the presentation by Ms. Lopez



followed by Q&A.



So, come meet your friendly local scientists Tuesday, December 3 at Nisi Restaurant for the Fourth Roosevelt Island Weill Cornell Postdocs Pub Talk.

Engaged Roosevelt Island Grant From Cornell Tech, Watch First Program Of Getting To Zero Waste In Your Daily Life Workshop Presentation - Promoting Environmental Understanding And Boost Sustainable Practices

On November 14 Cornell Tech hosted the first of a year long series of programming to promote environmental understanding and boost sustainable practices on Roosevelt Island in front of a packed room of over 100 people.

Happening Now! @cornell_tech @CornellCUCE_NYC received a an Engaged grant to kick-off a year of environmental understanding & sustainable practices on @Rooseveltisland with tonight’s Zero Waste Talk featuring Noonan & Nicole Grossberg. #zerowaste pic.twitter.com/s2oQED5cAG

— iDig2Learn (@iDig2Learn) November 15, 2019

According to Engaged RI:

An Engaged Opportunity Grant from Cornell University's Office of Engagement Initiatives was awarded to Cornell Tech for a year of planning and learning with the community. The goal of this grant is to promote environmental understanding and boost sustainable practices on Roosevelt Island. Throughout the year there will be engagement events to foster collaboration with residents, community groups, schools, building managers, island businesses, RIOC, RIRA and elected officials toward a cleaner and healthier neighborhood.

The first program supported by this grant was a well attended workshop on Nov. 14, 2019 presented by ZeroWaste NYC Workshop Series. All enjoyed the gracious space and hosting by leaders from the Cornell Tech Campus at the beautiful Tata Innovation Center. In order to foster innovative thinking and community connections, entrepreneurs Grounded Upcycling and Farm to People were also present alongside RI activists from iDig2Learn, The Market and the Good podcast and others... 

The November 14 workshop featured Zero Waste NYC founders Sandra Noonan and Nicole Grossberg sharing their zero waste, low impact lifestyle to spur a conversation among Roosevelt Island residents of what more can be done to boost sustainable practices on Roosevelt Island:

No matter what level of sustainability you practice, or if you are just getting started, you can live cleaner and healthier by learning how to avoid single use plastic, cut down on food waste, and shop smarter in NYC.

Prior to the workshop, iDig2Learn's Christina Delfico described the upcoming Roosevelt Island environmental sustainability efforts and Zero Waste NYC's Sandra Noonan and Nicole Grossberg suggested 2 ways to practice zero waste in your daily life - composting food scraps and finding substitute household items to replace single use plastic packaging.



During the presentation, the audience was asked if anyone composts and the answer, captured in this photo by Green Roosevelt Island Neighbors (GRIN) Founder Anthony Longo, was more than half raised their hands saying they do compost.

Image From Anthony Longo

Ms Delfico reports:

It was a great Engaged Roosevelt Island kick-off thanks to the Cornell Tech grant. And learning about Zero Waste can be daunting but if you ride the subway or use the library you are already reducing pollution and reusing resources.

 This workshop is the first of many events in the year ahead to engage community and university to foster environmental understanding and sustainable practices on Roosevelt Island. Simply put we can be kind to the earth and our bodies and keep us and our land, air, water free of toxins if we just know the impact of our choices.

Image From Waste NYC Workshop

Please fill in the initial Take Action survey & check out the new website. To learn more, hear about events, or sign up to be an eco-ambassador, visit the Engaged Roosevelt Island launching website.

Consider some of the lifestyle substitutions suggestions

Image From Roosevelt Island Zero Waste NYC Presentation

recommended by the Roosevelt Island Zero Waste NYC workshop (see video below for more details)

Images From Roosevelt Island Zero Waste NYC Presentation

and review the Roosevelt Island Green Map.

Image From Roosevelt Island Zero Waste NYC Presentation

Here's the full November 14 Roosevelt Island Zero Waste NYC presentation beginning with an introduction by Cornell Tech Assistant Director of Community and Government Relations Jane Swanson and Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC) Assistant VP of Capital Planning and Projects Jonna Carmona-Graf describing RIOC's environmental and sustainability practices



followed by the Zero Waste NYC presentation



and Q&A period.



More info on Engage RI available at their web site and it's Take Action Page.

UPDATE 11/20 - Ms Delfico adds:

Thanks to

• Julia Ferguson Roosevelt Island Garden Club (RIGC)
• Chris Gassman for Roosevelt Island Residents Association (RIRA)
• Michelle Edwards Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC)
• Jane Swanson and Samar Sabie Cornell Tech
• Jennifer Tiffany of Cornell Cooperative Extension NYC

for helping to organize the event.

Roosevelt Island Holiday Lights On Display Now, Reindeer Sled, Street Lamp Garlands, Ornament Balls & More - Some Southtown Residents Complain Of Dangerous Electrical Lines, Fallen Decorations And Arguable Aesthetics

Thanksgiving has yet to arrive but the Roosevelt Island Holiday Lights were on display lit up this evening with the Reindeer sled at Good Shepherd Plaza

Street lamp garlands on Main Street

and Riverwalk Commons,

Reindeer next to the Roosevelt Island Historical Society Visitors Center Kiosk

Holiday ornament balls at Tram Plaza

and the Roosevelt Island Holiday/Christmas tree on the Rivercross Lawn which will be lit Friday, December 6

REMINDER: Come join the annual Tree Lighting Ceremony on Fri. 12/6 @ 7PM @ the lawn south of Rivercross. Enjoy a night of holiday music & celebration, featuring The Funktion band, island performers, hot beverages, prizes, & maybe even a visit from a guest from the North Pole! pic.twitter.com/bCHMkWHI6f

— RIOC NYS (@RIOCny) November 15, 2019

A Roosevelt Island Southtown resident had this to say about Riverwalk Commons decorations in a message to RIOC last week:

... The Commons During Christmas Season: Prior decorations have not been well-received and, quite frankly introduced unacceptable hazards, due to a lack of being well maintained, and arguable aesthetics. Dangerous electrical lines and decorations that had fallen or pulled to the ground made for a dangerous situation for residents and visitors. Who would be liable were a child was injured?We do not want "enter at your own risk" situations....

As reported in 2017, RIOC and  Main Street Retail Master Leaseholder Hudson Related agreed to:

...  create a joint marketing campaign to draw pedestrian traffic to the Island’s Main Street. The campaign will install holiday decorations for the winter holiday season throughout Roosevelt Island to attract more shoppers to the Island retail establishments. Various proposals were considered, and it was agreed that HRR would hire Neave Décor (“Neave”), a prominent decoration company, to bring a “winter wonderland” experience to Roosevelt Island, for the holiday season. This experience would include various decorations such as tree lights, snowflake lights, rain deer, stars etc. though out the Main Street retail corridor, the transportation hub and the Good Shepherd plaza, among other areas.

Neave agreed to enter into a three-year contract with HRR at a reduced price of slightly less than $75,000 per year. HRR would be responsible for one-third of the expenses (i.e. $25,000 per year) associated with this project. RIOC would be responsible for the remaining portion and issue HRR a $50,000 credit on the MSA fees for each of the three years. If possible, RIOC will endeavor to solicit contributions towards its share from other stakeholders on the Island....

This is the final year of 3 year agreement.

Sponsored Post - You're Invited To Final Program Of The Weill Cornell Medicine & NY Presbyterian Free Health & Wellness Fall 2019 Seminars - Tuesday November, 19 Keeping Your Liver & Gut Happy

You're invited to final program of the Weill Cornell Medicine & NY-Presbyterian Free Health & Wellness Fall 2019 Seminar Series.

November 19

Digestive Health and Weight Management: Keeping Your Liver & Gut Happy

Carolyn Newberry, MD

Sonal Kumar, MD, MPH

Time 6:30–8 pm

Place - All seminars held at:

Uris Auditorium
Meyer Research and Education Building
Weill Cornell Medicine
1300 York Avenue (at 69th St.)

All seminars are FREE and open to the public. Seating is available for 250 people on a first-come, first-served basis.

American Sign Language interpretive services will be provided at all seminars.

If you require a disability-related accommodation, please call 212-821-0888 and leave a message.

According to Weill Cornell Medicine Government & Communty Affairs:

Health & Wellness Seminars

Weill Cornell Medicine (WCM) physicians actively educate their communities beyond standard appointment times. Wellness seminars, as well as presentations in collaboration with community-based organizations, create forums for attendees to learn about particular health topics, ask questions and engage in a communicative dialogue with our physicians. The WCM Division of Government & Community Affairs organizes these critically important opportunities to educate and expose common questions, misconceptions or concerns....

Watch the video below to learn more about Weill Cornell Medicine's public outreach programs



including the Health & Wellness Seminars and STEM Education.

More info on the Weill Cornell Medicine/NY Presbyterian Fall 2019 Health & Wellness Seminars.

Celebrate National Take A Hike Day With Minute Of Boulder Colorado Eldorado Canyon Adventure , Taking Walk On Roosevelt Island Is A Bit Different On RI Historical Tour Walk

Today is National Take A Hike Day.

So many trails in #Boulder, so little time. 📷: yeahkaren via Instagram. #NationalTakeaHikeDay pic.twitter.com/GgdIuVFxbO

— City of Boulder (@bouldercolorado) November 17, 2019

It's so true that there are many hiking trails in Boulder Colorado and here's one minute of my hike on an El Dorado Canyon Trail outside Boulder (Click full screen icon at bottom right of video for great view).



I learned you have to watch out for bears and rattlesnakes on the trail.

We think we have wildlife on @wffny Roosevelt Island but hiking El Dorado Mountain trail outside @bouldercolorado is a little bit different. Watching out for Bears and rattlesnakes, oh my. pic.twitter.com/Bfz9ymqBWh

— Roosevelt Islander (@Rooseveltisland) November 2, 2019

Taking a Roosevelt Island hike is not quite as dramatic on our Roosevelt Island Historical Tour.

Image From Roosevelt Island Historical Society

More on the Roosevelt Island Historical Walk from the Roosevelt Island Historical Society.

Here's how National Take A Hike Day was celebrated



in other parts of the country.