Happy July 4 Independence Day America From Roosevelt Island - Despite Coronavirus Pandemic, America Celebrates Ideals Of The Declaration Of Independence

This year's July 4 Independence Day celebration is more subdued due to the Coronavirus Pandemic but we can still wish Happy Birthday America and celebrate the ideals of the Declaration of Independence.

This holiday weekend, let’s be safe and smart. It’s going to take all of us to beat this virus. So wear a mask. Wash your hands. And listen to the experts, not the folks trying to divide us. That's the only way we’ll do this—together.https://t.co/UwNKAzL8JU

— Barack Obama (@BarackObama) July 3, 2020

Our nation was founded on a simple idea: We're all created equal. We've never lived up to it — but we've never stopped trying. This Independence Day, let's not just celebrate those words, let's commit to finally fulfill them. Happy #FourthOfJuly! pic.twitter.com/1WrATlx8Xl

— Joe Biden (@JoeBiden) July 4, 2020

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

Here is Thomas Jefferson's “Original Rough Draught" of Declaration of Independence (with revisions by John Adams and Benjamin Franklin): pic.twitter.com/JN9DMHlpOn

— Michael Beschloss (@BeschlossDC) July 2, 2019

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Sponsored Post - Only 3 Days Remaining For Roosevelt Island Riverwalk Park Affordable Housing Lottery July 6 Deadline - Submit Your Application Before It's Too Late, Tell Your Roosevelt Island Friends Too

The July 6 deadline to apply for the 313 available units in the soon to open Roosevelt Island Hudson Related Riverwalk Park (460 Main Street) Affordable Housing Building lottery is only 3 days away.

Image Of Riverwalk Park

If you're interested and meet the eligibilty criteria, apply now at Housing Connect.

As previously reported:

... Riverwalk Park will be 100% affordable for individuals and families that earn between 40-165% of the Area Median Income. Fifty percent of the units are reserved for current residents of Manhattan Community Board 8....

... Riverwalk Park will have 313 affordable units including apartments ranging in size and price of:

• Studios $506 - $1,961
• 1 Bedroom,$648 - $2,468
• 2 Bedroom &$791 - $2,974
• 3 Bedroom $909 - $3,432

Roosevelt Island residents are part of the 50% Community Board 8 preference.

On June 30, NYC Council Member Ben Kallos hosted an online Riverwalk Park information session with representatives of Hudson Related describing the application process and answering questions from interested community members.

Watch the video of information session to learn more about Riverwalk Park and



this step by step video showing how to apply using Housing Connect.

Read more »

Sponsored Post -Roosevelt Island Farmers Market Every Saturday At Good Shepherd Plaza Featuring Wide Variety Of Locally Grown Healthy And Delicious Tasting Fruits, Vegetables & Much More - Social Distancing Rules Maintained

The Roosevelt Island Saturday Farmers Market is open every Saturday, including the Fourth Of July, at Good Shepherd Plaza

from 6 AM to 3 PM rain or shine.

The Roosevelt Island Farmers Market features a wide variety of Locally Grown, Healthy and Delicious tasting fruits, vegetables and much more.



Israel Wengerd of Wengerd Farms adds:

Come to the Farmers Market. It's an exciting time of the season for local homegrown fruits and vegetables.

Support your Local Farmers, Eat Healthy!

Social Distancing practices will be maintained by Roosevelt Island Public Safety Department and Market Staff. Face Coverings are required to enter the Farmers Market and gloves will be given out before entering.

The Farmers Market accepts credit and EBT cards for payment too. 

Sponsored Post - Check Out Roosevelt Island Foodtown Supermarket July 3 - July 9 Product Offerings, Specials & Sales Items - Online Shopping, Delivery Options, Digital Coupons & Social Media Facebook And Instagram Too

The Roosevelt Island Foodtown Supermarket

invites you to check out their July 3 - July 9 Weekly Flyer for  Product Offerings, Specials & Sales items.



Click here to visit the Roosevelt Island Foodtown Supermarket web site for online shopping, delivery options, digital coupons, weekly flyer and more.

Follow Roosevelt Island Foodtown Supermarket on Facebook

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Roosevelt Island Transportation This July 4 Weekend - F Train Service To And From Manhattan, Tram Passenger Limits At Discretion Of Operator, Ferry Service And Citibike Too - Wear Your Masks To Travel Safely For You And Others

According to the MTA, there is Roosevelt Island F Train Service to and from Manhattan this weekend.

Hello everyone,

Subway stations are now open. We’re operating a Saturday schedule today and there is planned work on the 2 and 5 lines. Check on your line at 👉 https://t.co/vhZQ2kZ2vb before you go, and please, wear your mask! pic.twitter.com/J55QKZY4pq

— NYCT Subway. Wear a Mask. Stop the Spread. (@NYCTSubway) July 3, 2020

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More Roosevelt Island Covid Restart - Starbucks Patio Outdoor Seating Is Back, Can't Beat The View

Yay. Roosevelt Island ⁦@Starbucks⁩ patio outdoor seating is back. Can’t beat the view. pic.twitter.com/UXRZHH1wEB

— Roosevelt Islander (@Rooseveltisland) July 1, 2020

Amalgamated Bank Closing Roosevelt Island Main Street Branch In September - No Other Bank On Roosevelt Island

Amalgamated Bank

announced with a flyer on it's Main Street entrance door that their Roosevelt Island Main Street branch will be permanently closing

on September 26 of this year. The Amalgamated Bank Roosevelt Island branch opened in July 2009.

There is no other bank on Roosevelt Island.

The Westview retail space is controlled by building ownership and is not part of the Hudson Related Main Street Master Leasehold.

Roosevelt Island Community Activist Frank Farance Gives Testimony To NY State Attorney General Letitia James Hearing Investigating NYPD and Public Interactions During Protests in the Wake of George Floyd’s Death

According NY State Attorney General Letitia James:

The Attorney General’s Office is charged with investigating New York Police Department’s (NYPD’s) response to recent protests, including any allegations of misconduct....

... As part of this investigation into interactions between NYPD officers and civilians during recent protests following the killing of George Floyd, Attorney General James, joined by special advisors to the investigation, former United States Attorney General Loretta Lynch and founding Director of New York University Policing Project Barry Friedman, held a virtual public hearing on June 17 and June 18 to examine the nature and details of these interactions.

Members of the public, government officials, and community leaders were invited to provide written and oral testimony. In total, there were more than 300 submitted pieces of written testimony and 17 hours of oral testimony from individuals present at protests, elected officials, legal groups, and community organizations. There were 52 speakers on the first day of the hearing, including 20 members of the public, 17 government officials, and 15 community organizations. The second day of the hearing saw 48 speakers, with 44 members of the public, two government officials, a community organization, and a law enforcement organization.

Among those giving written testimony to the June 17-18 hearings was Roosevelt Island community activist Frank Farance.

Mr Farance summarizes his testimony below

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Appointment Of Shelton Haynes As Acting RIOC President And Approval Of Annual Report Among Items On July 2 Roosevelt Island Operating Corp Board Of Directors Meeting Video Conference - You're Invited To Watch And Ask Questions During Public Comment Session Prior To Meeting

The Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC) Board of Directors will meet 5:30 PM Thursday, July 2  via video conference. You can watch the Board meeting and ,ask questions or share concerns about Roosevelt Island during the opening Public Session before the start of the meeting. Sign up to speak here.

Among the items on the Agenda are:

• Appointment of Shelton Haynes as Acting President/CEO and 
• Approval of the Annual Report

Image From RIOC

 Mr Haynes is scheduled to deliver a President's report as well. Will he address any of the issues relating to the June 19 dismissal of former President Susan Rosenthal based upon allegations made by an employee that Ms Rosenthal made inappropriate racial and sexual remarks and that RIOC senior leadership did nothing to stop the behavior? According to the employee's complaint which was found to be substantiated by a 7 day NY State Governor's Office investigation:

... My experience of working at RIOC for the last several years have been toxic as we've experienced offensive racial comments and jokes of a sexual nature by Ms. Susan Rosenthal, RIOC's Chief Executive Officer/President. I've witnessed the lack of regard for employees as senior leadership continues to make excuses and play a blind eye on these troublesome issues....

Here's the July 2 RIOC Board of Directors meeting agenda.

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Deadline To Apply For Hudson Related Roosevelt Island Riverwalk Park Affordable Housing Lottery Rapidly Approaching, Get Your Applications In By July 6 - To Date, 71 Thousand Applications Received, 618 From Roosevelt Island For 313 Units

The July 6 deadline to apply for the 313 available units in the soon to open Roosevelt Island Hudson Related Riverwalk Park Affordable Housing Building lottery is rapidly approaching.

Image Of Riverwalk Park

As previously reported:

... Riverwalk Park will be 100% affordable for individuals and families that earn between 40-165% of the Area Median Income. Fifty percent of the units are reserved for current residents of Manhattan Community Board 8....

... Riverwalk Park will have 313 affordable units including apartments ranging in size and price of:

• Studios $506 - $1,961
• 1 Bedroom,$648 - $2,468
• 2 Bedroom &$791 - $2,974
• 3 Bedroom $909 - $3,432

Roosevelt Island residents are part of the 50% Community Board 8 preference.

According to a Hudson Related representative, to date there have been a total of 71 thousand applications for affordable housing at Riverwalk Park.  618 applications from Roosevelt Island and 1300 from Community Board 8 including Roosevelt Island.

Last night, NYC Council Member Ben Kallos hosted an online Riverwalk Park information session with representatives of Hudson Related describing the application process and answering questions from interested community members.

Watch the video of information session to learn more about Riverwalk Park and how to apply.

Read more »

Roosevelt Island Girl Scouts Deliver Over 450 Cookies For Courage Boxes To Local Coronavirus Pandemic Essential Workers With Messages Of Thanks And Gratitude From The Community

Roosevelt Island Girl Scout Troop 3001 Leader Aiesha Eleusizov reports:

Now that the city is slowly beginning to open, I thought this might be a good time for the Roosevelt Island Girl Scout troops to express their appreciation

to our community for their support in our cookie season this year and to update everyone on Cookies for Courage.
 

Thanks to the generosity of Roosevelt Island residents and their friends and family, the Girl Scout troops delivered over 450 packages of Girl Scout cookies with messages of gratitude from the community to our island Essential Workers!

Read more »

Roosevelt Island Free Covid-19 Mobile Pop Up Nasal Swab Test Site Is Open This Week Thru Thursday, 133 Residents Got Tested On Monday - TESTING IS A GOOD THING Says NYC Council Member Ben Kallos

Roosevelt Island residents can get a free Covid-19 nasal swab test at the NYC Health & Hospital Corp (NYC HHC) Mobile Van Pop Up Site located under the Motorgate Helix. Roosevelt Island testing began yesterday morning and will continue from 10 AM-4 PM each day thru Thursday July 2. Please arrive before 3 PM to allow enough time to take the test before the 4 PM closing time.

View this post on Instagram

Roosevelt Island residents getting free Covid-19 nasal swab test from NYC Health & Hospitals Corp mobile pop up site under Motorgate Helix Monday June 29 thru Thursday July 2

A post shared by @ rooseveltislander on Jun 29, 2020 at 9:28am PDT

View this post on Instagram

Roosevelt Island mobile pop up Covid-19 testing site below Motorgate Helix today thru Thursday 10am-4pm. First come first served. Everyone welcome Separate line for Seniors over 65. Arrive by 3 pm for enough time to take test before 4 pm closing

A post shared by @ rooseveltislander on Jun 29, 2020 at 2:58pm PDT

Roosevelt Island's NYC Council Member Ben Kallos advocated for the Roosevelt Island Covid-19 mobile test site.

Thank you to @NYCHealthSystem, @RIOCny, and @CB8M for all of your help & support in setting up this free #Covid19 testing pop-up site on Roosevelt Island.

Testing is available under the Motorgate Helix from 10am - 4pm until Thursday (7/2). Stop by and get tested! pic.twitter.com/HjCQ0XTrPa

— Ben Kallos, NYC Council Member (@BenKallos) June 29, 2020

Council Member Kallos was joined by NYC HHC Executive Director for Mobile Pop Up Testing sites Michelle Clarke, Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC) Acting President Shelton Haynes, Community Board 8 Chair Alida Camp and resident Judy Berdy to encourage residents to get Covid-19 testing.

Welcome to Roosevelt Island Covid-19 Mobile Pop Up site at Motorgate Place. Get your free Covid-19 test on Roosevelt Island June 29-July 2. ⁦@benyankee⁩ ⁦@NYCHealthSystem⁩ ⁦@RIOCny⁩ pic.twitter.com/M34fmBShId

— Roosevelt Islander (@Rooseveltisland) June 30, 2020

Read more »

You're Invited To Roosevelt Island Riverwalk Park Affordable Housing Building Virtual Information Session Hosted By NYC Council Member Ben Kallos Tuesday June 30 - Lottery Application Deadline July 6

Roosevelt Island's NYC Council Member Ben Kallos is hosting a virtual Riverwalk Park Affordable Housing building information session tomorrow evening. According to Council Member Kallos:

Join me at 6pm on Tuesday, June 30th for an announcement and information session on the 300+ New Affordable Homes on Roosevelt Island.

RSVP by phone to (212) 860-1950 or at BenKallos.com/Events
Meeting will be hosted on Zoom and streamed at Facebook.com/BenKallos/live

More info on the Hudson Related Riverwalk Park Roosevelt Island affordable housing building at their web site and at this prior post.

The deadline to apply for the Riverwalk Park housing lottery is July 6

Here's a very informative article on NYC Housing lotteries from The City.

NEW: How does “community preference” affect your odds in the New York affordable housing lottery?

We analyzed data from the city’s housing department — and a federal lawsuit over racial segregation — to find out. https://t.co/3pNNQLUcuB

— THE CITY (@THECITYNY) June 29, 2020

Good Luck

Macy's Fireworks Will Be Seen Tonight From Roosevelt Island, LIC And Along The East River - Remember To Keep Your Social Distance

Macy’s fireworks will be seen tonight from Roosevelt Island https://t.co/0Ann3JKcUf

— Roosevelt Islander (@Rooseveltisland) June 30, 2020

UPDATE 10:20 PM - The Fireworks were closer to Roosevelt Island than I've seen them before.

Tonight’s Macy’s Fireworks seen from Queensboro Bridge https://t.co/cnjwHZSuG8

— Roosevelt Islander (@Rooseveltisland) June 30, 2020

Another one with slightly better quality pic.twitter.com/NfixXvcyFW

— Christoph Studer (@ProfStuder) June 30, 2020

Gonna miss it! pic.twitter.com/rGcIZegywK

— Haochuan Song (宋浩川) (@Haochuan_song) June 30, 2020

UPDATE 6/30 - Resident Diana Uribe shares these photos and video from last night's Macy's Fireworks seen from Roosevelt Island.

Roosevelt Island Non Perishable Extra Food Giveaway From RIDA And Carter Burden RI Senior Center Tuesday June 30 At Senior Center - Soup, Cereal, Bread, Canned Goods & More

Roosevelt Island Disabled Association (RIDA) President Wendy Hersh reports;

In need of food?? The Roosevelt Island Disabled Association (RIDA) in collaboration with Carter Burden Network (CBN) Roosevelt Island Senior Center will be distributing non perishable food items again

Image From RIDA Facebook Page

on Tuesday, June 30 at the RI Senior Center (546 Main Street) garden entrance from 9:30AM to 11:30AM for those in need. For access, remember to wear your face mask and gloves, bring your own bag or cart. Please make sure to use the garden entrance.

Learn more about RIDA's food delivery to residents during the Coronavirus Pandemic lockdown.

FDNY And NYPD Marine Units Rescue Stranded Jet Skiers Last Night In East River Between Roosevelt Island And Long Island City

During the summer, jet skiers are seen roaring past Roosevelt Island bouncing up and down on the East River.

View this post on Instagram

East River jet skiers passing Roosevelt island

A post shared by @ rooseveltislander on Jun 29, 2020 at 9:48am PDT

Last evening, around 9:30 PM , the Roosevelt Island Twitterverse reported helicopters circling above the East River and FDNY and NYPD Marine Units in the East River near Roosevelt Island and Long Island City.

Quite some action ongoing on @Rooseveltisland pic.twitter.com/7vzQWLx8fB

— Christoph Studer (@ProfStuder) June 29, 2020

I saw a jet ski toppled over and a few others circling near the ferry station. But that was early in the evening around 7:30pm. Not sure if that's related.

— Narasimha Narahari (@nnarasimha) June 29, 2020

One of the helicopters landed on the Trump Clock building for a period, before all the boats and the fire engine came.

— Wendy Ju (@wendyju) June 29, 2020

According to Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC) Public Information Officer Terrence McCauley:

It appears a jet ski ran out of gas in the East River and had to be towed.

An FDNY spokesperson added:

FDNY received a call to East River /Ed Koch Queensboro brdg. For a report of jet skiers in the water at 21:38 hrs. We closed it out at 22:37 hrs. With no transports.

https://t.co/INAXBTnOg7

— Wendy Ju (@wendyju) June 29, 2020

The NYPD had no info on incident at this time.

WOW, Gorgeous Rainbow Over NYC East River Waterfront, LIC And Queesnboro Bridge Seen Tonight From Roosevelt Island

View this post on Instagram

Gorgeous Rainbow Over NYC East River Waterfront and Queensboro Bridge seen tonight from Roosevelt Island

A post shared by @ rooseveltislander on Jun 28, 2020 at 5:08pm PDT

UPDATE 10:45 PM - Resident Diana Uribe share these photos including a Double Rainbow tonight.

Roosevelt Island Boys of Summer Are Back At Capobianco Field Getting Ready For Upcoming Social Distancing Baseball Season - You Wanna Have A Catch

View this post on Instagram

Roosevelt Island Boys of Summer are back at Capobianco Field getting ready for upcoming social distancing Baseball Season

A post shared by @ rooseveltislander on Jun 28, 2020 at 1:35pm PDT

We all could use some baseball right now



You wanna have a catch?