NYC Coronavirus Health Emergency Forces Cancellation Of Roosevelt Island In Person Religious Services - Online Streaming Available For Cabrini And Mosaic Churches

The Roosevelt Island Jewish Congregation (RIJC) reported yesterday the cancellation of Friday services and programs due to the Coronavirus health emergency.

Today, the NY Archdiocese announced

In light of the continued concern surrounding the coronavirus, and the advice of medical experts, all Masses in the Archdiocese of New York will be canceled beginning this weekend, March 14-15, 2020. https://t.co/5nXy6Mehfi

— Archdiocese of NY (@NY_Arch) March 14, 2020

which includes Roosevelt Island's

St Francis Xavier Cabrini Church. Father Richard Baker of East River Catholics adds that Sunday Mass will be streamed online from their Facebook Page:

Mass will be aired at Noon from our Church on First Avenue on Facebook.

The Mosaic Roosevelt Island Church (formerly known as Hope) is also cancelling it's in person Sunday Service and streaming it live.

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As Of March 12, No Roosevelt Island Residents Test Positive For Coronavirus - Roosevelt Island Senior Center & Public Library Closing Due To The Health Emergency

Coronavirus update.

Roosevelt Island's NYC Council Member Ben Kallos reports today:

... As of this morning, there are currently 95 cases of COVID-19 in New York City with 25 in Manhattan, 24 in Brooklyn, 17 in Queens, 10 in the Bronx, and 5 on Staten Island...

I asked Council Member Kallos:

Are any of the Manhattan Coronavirus cases in Roosevelt Island?

Mr. Kallos replied:

Zero on Roosevelt Island as of yesterday

As of 2 PM today, the NYC Health Department adds:

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Roosevelt Island Jewish Congregation Cancels Friday Night Services & Programs Due To Coronavirus Emergency - RIJC Hopes To Offer On Line Services In Near Future

 Roosevelt Island Jewish Congregation (RIJC) Rabbi Joel Shaiman and President Nina Lublin report:

Friends,

With deep concern for the health and well-being of our community members, we’ve decided to cancel all our Friday night programming at the RIJC this week, including our 7:00 pm service. We made this decision with the assistance of several of our community members, and we are closely following the CDC recommendations for community and religious organizations.

We are disappointed, but we feel that it is most prudent to join in with many other synagogues in this extreme “social distancing” in the hope that it slows the spread of this disease and, by so doing, allows us all to gather again together soon.

We encourage you to participate in Friday night services on-line, as several local synagogues are live-streaming their services:

• Park Avenue Synagogue (6:15 pm Friday)
• Central Synagogue (6:00 pm Friday)
• Bnai Jeshrun Synagogue (6:15 pm Friday)

We are evaluating the possibility of the RIJC providing a similar on-line experience in the weeks ahead.

In the meantime, we wish you all a Shabbat shalom, and a prayer for health and healing. Please feel free to reach out directly to either one of us during the days ahead if we can be of any assistance or support.

The Forward reports on Jewish Online Streaming services for teens and adults.

Good News, Roosevelt Island F Train Service To And From Manhattan This Weekend - Watch Video Of MTA Presentation On Roosevelt Island Subway Service

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

to and from Manhattan this weekend.

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

During June 13,2019  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

NYC Coronavirus Update - Mayor Declares State Of Emergency, Governor Bans Gatherings With More Than 500 People, Dr Fauci Says It's Going To Get Worse, NYC Shows How To Help Stop The Spread Of Coronavirus & Handwashing Tips

A Roosevelt Island resident asks this morning:

Covid and RI

Is RIOC or anyone keeping track of when RI gets its first case, or self quarantine on the island? Do we have resources?

I asked Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC) President Susan Rosenthal:

Roosevelt Island community members are asking if there are any cases of residents or workers who have tested positive for Coronavirus to date.

Part of reason for asking is an attempt to help those who may be in self quarantine to get food and other necessities.

Does RIOC know of any residents or workers testing positive for Coronavirus?

Would RIOC be told by NYC or NY State if there were?

Will report when answer received from RIOC.

 Image From NYC Health Department

Roosevelt Island's Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney, Chairperson of the House Oversight Committee, tweets yesterday:

.@RepMaloney: "Is the worst yet to come?"

Dr. Anthony Fauci: "Yes, it is…We will see more cases and things will get worse than they are right now…Bottom line: it's going to get worse."

Watch full #Coronavirus hearing here: https://t.co/qUfpOTAqTq pic.twitter.com/RNBNiPrFN1

— CSPAN (@cspan) March 11, 2020

and today from Dr Fauci.

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Some Good News To Distract From Coronavirus And Stock Market Collapse - Roosevelt Island Cherry Blossoms Starting To Bloom, RIHS Cherry Blossom Tour April 18 And Cherry Blossom Festival Cancelled

And now for something different from the depressing and gloomy news about the Coronavirus and collapse of the Stock Market.

Roosevelt Island Cherry Blossoms are starting to bloom behind the Capobianco basketball courts

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NYPL Cancels All Programs And Events Through March As Preventive Measure To Minimize Coronavirus Spread Including The Roosevelt Island Branch Library

The New York Public Library announced today that it is cancelling all events and programs through the end of March

Please be advised that as a preventative measure to minimize the possible spread of coronavirus (COVID-19), all @nypl programs and events are canceled through March 31. All locations will remain open at this time. Please visit our website for updates. https://t.co/wys1vbAfg9

— NY Public Library (@nypl) March 12, 2020

including at the

 Image From Roosevelt Island Public Library

 Roosevelt Island branch.

Patrons, the Library has decided to suspend all public-facing programs beginning Friday, March 13, through at least the end of March. Please bear with us during this public health crisis. Stay safe.

— RooseveltIslandLib (@LibRoosevelt) March 12, 2020

UPDATE 3/13 - NYPL locations, including Roosevelt Island, will close March 14 through at least March 31.

As a precaution to help limit the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19) and ensure the health and safety of our patrons and staff, all @nypl locations will be closed starting March 14 through at least March 31. Please visit our website for more updates: https://t.co/Fx0wz8GSr4

— NY Public Library (@nypl) March 13, 2020

Community Report From RIOC President Susan Rosenthal On Roosevelt Island Disinfectant Efforts To Minimize Coronavirus, Blackwell House Renovation Done, Tram Station Elevator Project Stop Work Order, Lighthouse Park Expansion Moving Forward, Finalizing Nellie Bly Memorial Agreement With Artist & More

Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC) President Susan Rosenthal reports to the March 5 Board of Directors meeting on:

• Coronavirus - Red Bus, Tram and facilities are being disinfected
• Blackwell House work done , waiting for final inspection from NYC Buildings Department,
• Youth Center renovation is done, waiting for final inspection by FDNY
• Tram Elevator foundations halted by stop work order but will resume this week
• Hope Memorial work halted by stop work order too, hopes to have it resolved this week
• Lighthouse Park expansion plans moving forward
• Finalizing agreement with Nellie Bly Memorial artist
• April 2 Re-introducing RIOC Public Safety Department meeting at Senior Center

Here's video of Ms Rosenthal's President Report:



and more on Roosevelt Island Coronavirus efforts.

Roosevelt Island Tram operator using disinfectant wipes in cabin prior to passengers boarding today @RIOCny #coronavirus https://t.co/VWm36ILIkY pic.twitter.com/Rqjf4ix3G0

— Roosevelt Islander (@Rooseveltisland) March 7, 2020

Local Resident Daniel Jordano Announces First Annual Roosevelt Island Film Festival For August 21-23 - Submissions Being Accepted For Short & Feature Films, Winners Awarded Golden Tram

Roosevelt Island will be joining Tribeca and Sundance with our very own
 

 Image From Roosevelt Island Film Festival

 Film Festival this summer at the Main Street Theatre & Dance Alliance.

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Roosevelt Island Cornell Tech Cancels In Person Classes Starting Thursday March 12, All Classes Conducted Online Due To Coronavirus - Campus And Cafe Will Be Open and Employees Expected To Work As Usual Unless Not Feeling Well

Yesterday, I asked Cornell Tech:

I heard that Cornell Tech may be cancelling Friday, March 13 Autonomous Vehicle Workshop due to Corona Virus concerns. As of now, the workshop is offering virtual participation.

Will the workshop be cancelled?

Also, Columbia announced they are cancelling classes due to the virus - any statement from Cornell Tech on whether they will cancel classes too?

Cornell Tech tweeted today:

Cornell Tech Campus COVID-19 Operating Status Update: All Cornell Tech classes will transition to online instruction effective Thursday 3/12/20. The campus remains open. For more information: https://t.co/o3vFG9ycJ3

— Cornell Tech (@cornell_tech) March 10, 2020

adding:

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Wow - Gorgeous Full Moon Taking Off Over Roosevelt Island, LIC And NYC East River Waterfront - Don't Miss Seeing The Roosevelt Island Rising Moon Time Lapse Video

Fantastic time lapse video of moon rising over Roosevelt Island.

View this post on Instagram

Cleared for Takeoff 🌕 #fullmoon #supermoon #wormmoon #moonchild #iloveny

A post shared by LESisMoreNYC (@lesismorenyc) on Mar 9, 2020 at 6:17pm PDT

RIOC Approves Roosevelt Island Lyft Citibike Dock Sharing System - Approx 75 Bikes At 4 Docking Stations Coming This Spring But Not Allowed On Roosevelt Island Tram

Citibike sharing docking stations are finally coming to Roosevelt Island this spring nearly 10 years after the first Roosevelt Island bike sharing demo in 2010 and in 2014 being the neighborhood with most requests for the Citibke system.

As reported February 27:

... it appears that the deal is done and there will be Roosevelt Island Citibike sharing stations here this spring.

RIOC Vice President of Capital Planning and Projects Jonna Carmona-Graf briefed the RIOC Board Members last evening about the proposed deal to bring Citibike to Roosevelt Island at four locations suggested by Citibike with a total of 72 bicycles. The locations from south to north are:

• Southpoint Park
• Adjacent to new comfort station at Firefighters Field between Tram Station and Ferry Dock
• Under the Helix at Motorgate
• Adjacent to the Octagon Soccer Field on Manhattan Side of East River Promenade....

On March 5, the RIOC Board of Directors approved a pilot program for Roosevelt Island Citibike sharing docking stations at the locations described above except the Octagon station will move from the West Promenade to the Octagon Building parking lot. A request to move the docking station from the Tram/Ferry area closer to the F Train subway station was not accepted at this time but depending on usage could be re-evaluated.

There may even be a few motorized Citibkes.

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Celebrate Purim In Space With Chabad Of Roosevelt Island, Lift Off Tuesday March 10 - Multi Media Megillah Reading, Space Cuisine, Music, Ha Moontashen & Out Of This World Entertainment With Vinny Voltage

The Chabad of Roosevelt Island invite you to Celebrate Purim Outer Space on Tuesday, March 10 with Lift Off 6:00 PM at 425 Main Street Rooftop Party Room. According to the Chabad Of Roosevelt Island, the Purim Outer Space celebration will include:

• Multi-Media Megillah Reading,
• Space Cusine,
• Music,
• Ha-Moontashen and
• Out Out This World Entertainment With Vinny Voltage

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Beautiful Sunday Afternoon For A Roosevelt Island Ultimate Frisbee Pick Up Game At Firefighters Field

A beautiful Sunday afternoon on Roosevelt Island today for a pick up game of Ultimate Frisbee at Firefighters Field