Spectacular Long Island City, Brooklyn and Manhattan Skyline View Seen From ⁦NYC Ferry ⁩East River Ride Starting At Roosevelt Island Today. - Where Else Can You Get These Views But Service Breakdowns And Lack Of Communication Does Not Bode Well For Upcoming Peak Summer Months

Click icon at bottom right for Full Screen better view. 

Where else can you get these views but NYC Ferry has been experiencing service delays today too.

Service Alert – Delays – 5/15/21 (5:10 PM)
NYC Ferry is experiencing delays. To see which departures are affected, please download the NYC Ferry App for real-time boat tracking.

We apologize for the inconvenience.

NYC Ferry

— NYC Ferry (@NYCferry) May 15, 2021

Hello @Mtasucks1, we do apologize for the delay. Unfortunately the vessels on some of our routes have been operating at capacity and causing delays. -M

— NYC Ferry (@NYCferry) May 15, 2021

How about a refund for the inconvenience? Ferry service is unreliable more often than not.

— a Girl Has No Name (@BcavesJH) May 15, 2021

Zero communication. Ferries that are 55 minutes late disappear from the schedule.

This needs to be better.

— Austin Hall (@auttiehall) May 15, 2021

It does not bode well for peak service to have service break down completely. Why would any person seek to use a service that is unreliable and inevitably has some point of failure in nearly every trip.

— Jessica Morris (@caGoodQuestion) May 15, 2021

If NYC Ferry is to be a viable source of transportation, you’ve got to gigure out how to improve service delivery!! What a shame, each time I make attemp to use the service (appx 1-2 times monthly) there is a problem — making the mode a non-option for anyone not on vacation.

— Jessica Morris (@caGoodQuestion) May 15, 2021

Roosevelt Island Cornell Tech Graduate Hotel Announces Special $99 Rate For Roosevelt Island Residents From June 1 Opening Thru August 31, 10% Year Round Discount For Family & Friends - Residents Can Sign Up For A Graduate Hotel Tour Too

As previously reported, the Roosevelt Island Graduate Hotel on the Cornell Tech campus will open June 1. 

A Graduate Hotel spokesperson  announced yesterday that Roosevelt Island : 

... residents will receive a $99 rate from June 1 – August 31, 2021 (plus applicable taxes and fees) and their friends & family can receive 10% off the hotel's Best Available Rate year round and that their apartment management firms will be sharing the booking codes.

Additionally, they will be offering property tours for residents and you can find the reservation link here: Graduate Roosevelt Island | First Look Tickets, Multiple Dates | Eventbrite

Rates range from $219 per night 

to $999 per night for the Presidential Suite.

The Roosevelt Island Graduate Hotel website has more info including room types and rates.

Also click here for prior posts on the Roosevelt Island Graduate Hotel and job opportunities.

The Roosevelt Island Graduate Hotel rooftop bar and ground floor restaurants are expected to open in June but no definite date has been announced.

The Graduate Hotel discount rate for Roosevelt Island residents was part of the 2013 agreement with Cornell Tech negotiated by the Roosevelt Island Community Coalition and then NYC Council Member Jessica Lappin.

Stay tuned for more info.
 

Roosevelt Island Transportation This Weekend - F & R Train To And From Manhattan, Tram Social Distancing, East River Ferry & Citibike Too

According to the MTA, there will be Roosevelt Island F Train service to and from Manhattan this weekend.

Roosevelt Island R train service to and from Manhattan too.

The Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC) adds:

While we continue to follow social distancing and align our operations with New York Forward guidance, we also continue to incrementally increase the number of passengers permitted on the Tram. Tram capacity will increase on Monday, March 8th, from 35 to 55 passengers per cabin, and we will continue to assess and gradually increase ridership in phases. We understand the need for this mode of transportation, however, the health and safety of our riders and operators are our priority. We appreciate your cooperation.

Here's the NYC Ferry Roosevelt Island Astoria Route Schedule which extends to East 90th street on the Upper East Side. 

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by @rooseveltislander

And Roosevelt Island Ciibike docking stations too.

Roosevelt Island street potholes noticed by @TODAYshow @alroker @BillNye on their @CitiBikeNYC ride near Tram station. @RIOCny @RiocCeo need to repair many Roosevelt Island broken streets, sidewalks and potholes https://t.co/BC41aSI97m

— Roosevelt Islander (@Rooseveltisland) April 22, 2021

Sponsored Post - Check Out Roosevelt Island Foodtown Supermarket May 14- May 20 Grill Like A Pro Savings, Product Offerings & Special Items - Online Shopping, Delivery Option, Digital Coupons & 30 Day Health Challenge Too

The Roosevelt Island Foodtown Supermarket     

invites you to check out their May 14 - May 20 Weekly Flyer for Product Offerings, Specials and 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.

>

Roosevelt Island Seniors Association Celebrates Mother's And Grandmothers With Hand Made Flower Pin Gift Giveways

Roosevelt Island Seniors Association (RISA) President Barbara Parker shares these photos and reports: 

This past Saturday, May 9th, In honor of Mother’s Day, 

 RISA handed out beautiful hand made pin on flowers to Mom’s and GrandMom’s

 in front of 546 Main Street.

These are just some of the pictures taken that we wanted to share with you and the community. 

Two Roosevelt Island Residents Get Into Verbal Dispute About Unleashed Dogs, Escalates Into Fight And RIOC Public Safety Department Arrests One For Assault - RIOC PSD Starts To Enforce No Roosevelt Island Unleashed Dogs Or Dogs On Playing Fields

The Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC) May 6 Public Safety Incident report listed an assault taking place at 11 East Loop Road (Cornell Tech Tata Innovation Center)

On Friday, May 7, I asked RIOC Public Safety Department (PSD) Chief Kevin Brown: 

Is there any more information on the Assault last night? What happened, any injuries, weapons used? 

05/06/21 – 2040 – 11 East Loop Rd – Assault – PSD responded – PSD arrested subject

Under RIOC President Shelton Haynes new media information policy, Chief Brown is no longer allowed to answer questions directly from the the local Roosevelt Island media as he and his predecessors, Chief Jack McManus and Chief Keith Guerra, had done for more than 10 years providing information to the community.

On Wednesday, May 12, RIOC Public Information Officer Amy Smith responded to my inquiry about the May 6 assault. According to Ms Smith:

On the evening of May 6^th, two Roosevelt Island residents engaged in a verbal dispute over an unleashed dog. The dispute escalated to a physical assault which resulted in an arrest where a desk appearance ticket (DAT) was issued.

I replied asking Ms Smith: 

As a follow up, was the person with unleashed dog the one arrested or the other person.  

What were the approximate ages of people involved and male or female. 

The location is described as East Loop Road. Was it on the Cornell campus or hills?

I was working on a story about RIOC dog policy so this incident is very relevant.

Ms Smith answered today:

While we can’t comment on the residents’ gender, we can inform you that they are aged 58 and 30 years. The incident took place at 11 East Loop Road.

During the April 20 Roosevelt Island Residents Association (RIRA) Public Safety Committee meeting with Chief Brown, a resident questioned the Chief about problems caused by the increasing number of unleashed dogs on Roosevelt Island, 

 

Chief Brown said that PSD was about to begin enforcing a policy of no unleashed dogs on Roosevelt Island and no dogs on Roosevelt Island ball fields. 

 Recent RIOC Public Safety Reports show unleashed dog incidents.

• 05/07/21 – 0758 – 20‐30 River Road – Unleashed Dog – PSD responded – Condition unfounded 
• 05/07/21 – 1215 – 540 Main St – Unleashed Dog – PSD responded – Condition corrected 
• 05/04/21 – 1125 – 755 Main St – Unleashed Dog – PSD responded – Condition corrected. 

A Roosevelt Island resident told me today about a recent experience being verbally abused and cursed at for politely asking a dog owner to put a leash on his dog and parents have expressed concerns over unleashed dogs running towards their children.

Another resident added:

Unleashed dogs all over island, not just Cornell Campus!

A Roosevelt Island dog owner has another perspective:

My daughter was approached by Public Safety today for having our puppy off leash near the soccer field. They said that someone calls Public Safety daily to complain about dogs off leash.

Public Safety recently changed the language on the website- it used to say that PS abides by NYC leash laws which are more flexible between 6 and 9 AM. 

Anyway, I think the problem is that the dog parks are awful. We go to both of them but they are just gross and dangerous- Do you know how one would go about having RIOC pay attention to the condition of the dog parks so there is a safe place for dogs to be off leash and play?

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by @rooseveltislander

Beautiful Aerial View From High Flying Drone Of Roosevelt Island And NYC East River Waterfront

Click icon at bottom right for better full screen view. 

Check out more drone videos of NYC, Paris, Las Vegas and LA from the Dronalist.

Sponsored Post - Deadline May 17 To File Your Taxes, Says Roosevelt Island Based Accountable Financial Management Corporation President Seymour Williams - We'll Get The Job Done

Seymour Williams, CFP® (Certified Financial Planner) is a trusted advisor to individuals and business owners who seek to maximize their financial position. For over 30 years he has been a fully licensed expert in the financial fields of investments, insurance, real estate, mortgages and taxation. He is the President of Accountable Financial Management Corp, a minority owned business which has operated here on Main Street for more than 20 years. 

Mr. Williams’ professional experience is extensive and he has consulted with several major international banks and with programs sponsored by both the Small Business Administration and the U.S. Department of Commerce.

He holds a BBA degree from Bernard M. Baruch College and an MBA in Finance from Long Island University, where he served on the faculty as a Professor of Finance and Management. Sy has lived on Roosevelt Island for 35+ years raising his family and serving as a respected member of the community.

CONTACT:
501 Main Street, Roosevelt Island, NY 10044
Website: www.afmcmoney.com Email: accfin1@aol.com
Phone: 212-644-8231
Fax: 212-644-0292

Good News From Roosevelt Island Coler Nursing Facility Tipster - First Time In Many Months Zero Newly Diagnosed Positive Covid Cases For Both Residents And Staff Last Week Week, All Units Off Quarantine And Visits Allowed By Appointment

It's been a very difficult year for Roosevelt Island residents of the NYC Health & Hospitals Corp Coler Rehab & Nursing  facility as shown in this trailer from Fire Through Dry Grass, an upcoming documentary about living through the Coronavirus Pandemic at Coler.
 

According to the NY State Health Department

• COVID confirmed deaths at Coler: 13 
• COVID confirmed deaths outside of Coler: 17 
• COVID presumed death at Coler: 1 
• TOTAL: 31

as of February 4, 2021.Some say there were alot more Coler Covid deaths than officially reported.

But, good news this week from a Coler Resident. According to the Tipster yesterday:

For the week of April 10th -16th there were: 

0 newly diagnosed positive residents

5 newly diagnosed positive staff

For the week of April 17th - 23rd there were:

0 newly diagnosed positive residents

2 newly diagnosed positive staff

For the week of April 24TH - 30TH

0 newly diagnosed positive residents

2 newly diagnosed positive staff

                 AND NOW

Get ready for the REALLY BIG NEWS!! Cue the band!!!  

            🤸🥂

For the week of May 1ST - 7TH and for the FIRST TIME IN MANY MONTHS

0 newly diagnosed positive residents

                           AND

0 newly diagnosed positive staff!!!

All the units are off quarantine and 

yesterday, May 10th,  visitations resumed inside the facility, and continued outside, by appointment.

A momentous day!!

Let's hope it holds!!

Another round of vaccinations for residents and staff was given on April 27th. I don't have the numbers yet, but let's hope they were significant.

Coler resident and Open Doors NYC poet Vincent Pierce provides a first hand description of what it was like for him and others during the past year.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by OPEN DOORS (@opendoorsnyc)

On Monday, May 10, Open Doors NYC hosted a discussion about Coler residents and staff working together for a safer facility.

Let's hope the good news at Coler continues.

For National Skilled Nursing Care Week, take a virtual tour of NYC Health + Hospitals/Coler on #RooseveltIsland, a post acute nursing facility with a music and memory program for #dementia patients. Learn more: https://t.co/YmoL4j2BuP#NSNCW pic.twitter.com/V6xrL7egOa

— NYC Health + Hospitals (@NYCHealthSystem) May 11, 2021

Come Along On A Virtual Nighttime Bike Ride Around Roosevelt Island And Enjoy The View

Click icon at bottom right for better full screen view.

Follow Your Roosevelt Island Food Scraps Journey Back To The Earth With Haki Compost Collective Tour Of Big Reuse Queensbridge Compost Processing Site Sunday May 16 - Learn Why Site Is Worth Saving From Closure By NYC Parks Department

The Roosevelt Island Haki Compost Collective reports:

Curious to see where all your food scraps go? Join Haki Compost Collective for a tour of the Queensbridge Compost Processing Site, the world-class facility where @BigReuse turns your eggshells and coffee grounds into finished compost, and the community compost site that @NYCParks is still hellbent on evicting this June. Follow your banana peel’s journey back to the earth and learn more about why this site is worth saving.

Field Trip: Queensbridge Compost Processing Site 

Date: Sun, May 16 

Time: 10:30am - Meet at Motorgate Garage | 

11am - Tour begins at the site  Location: 

The processing site is located under the Queensboro Bridge at Vernon Blvd and Queens Plaza S (entrance on Queens Plaza S across the street from the Ravel Hotel)

The tour is free and open to the public. All ages welcome. To walk as a group from Roosevelt Island, meet at Motorgate Garage at 10:30am, or meet us at the processing site at 11am. No reservations necessary. DM us or email info@hakicompost.org with any questions you may have.

Note on Accessibility: The majority of the tour is wheelchair accessible. Only some activities (like stomping around on a compost pile) may not be practical for all. The tour will be conducted in English. For more information, please email info@hakicompost.org.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Haki Compost Collective (@hakicompost)

As previously reported, in 2020

... 23,000+ pounds of food scraps diverted from landfill and transformed into compost for island projects (150,000+ since 2015)...

from the Roosevelt Island Food Scrap drop off site.

You can bring your food scraps 

to the  Haki Compost Collective every Saturday from 9AM - 2PM next to the Farmers market  in front of the Rivercross Building (531 Main Street)

which will be picked up by a Big Reuse truck

 and delivered to the Big Reuse Queensbridge Compost Processing site.

Here's more from Big Reuse on NYC Parks Department efforts to evict the Compost Processing Site from the Queensbridge Location.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Big Reuse (@bigreuse)

Roosevelt Island Living Library & Think Park Gardens Plant Sale Fundraiser Saturday May 15 - Vegetables, Herbs & Flowers, Hourly Seed Giveaways Too

The Roosevelt Island Living Library, located next to the RI Public Library (504 Main Street),

is hosting a Plant Sale Fundraiser and seed giveaway on Saturday May 15. According to the Living Library: 

Join us on May 15, 11 am – 4 pm for the First Annual Roosevelt Island Living Library & Think Park’s Plant Sale Fundraiser to be held in the beautiful, RI Living Library & Think Park Gardens. All proceeds will support the sustainability and growth of these healthy Gardens.

More info on The Living Library at their website and Twitter page.

Manhattan District Attorney Candidate Dan Quart Meets And Speaks With Roosevelt Island Residents Last Saturday At Nisi Restaurant - Watch Video Of What He Says About Criminal Justice Reform And Longstanding Relationship With RI Residents And Issues

According to the NY Times:

The race to become Manhattan’s next district attorney is shaping up to be one of the most important in decades, a watershed contest that is likely to fundamentally change the mission of the prominent office and may affect the future of former President Donald J. Trump. 

Yet the eight candidates are all relative unknowns, and, with no public polling, there is no clear front-runner. The victor is likely to win the general election in November without having received a majority of votes in the Democratic primary.

Dan Quart is among the candidates seeking to replace Cy Vance as Manhattan District Attorney. According to Mr Quart's website:

Dan Quart is a New York State Assembly Member representing Manhattan’s East Side and one of New York City’s top pro-bono attorneys. A Washington Heights native, Dan grew up in subsidized housing with his working-class parents. His dad, Irving, was a public school teacher for 41 years, and his mother, Madeline was a guidance counselor at a Manhattan public school. Irving and Madeline instilled the value of service to others and giving back to the community in Dan from a young age.

After graduating from SUNY Binghamton and St. John's School of Law, Dan defended tenants’ rights and public lands as a pro bono attorney. Volunteering with the Legal Aid Society, Dan represented rent controlled and stabilized tenants who were facing eviction by unscrupulous developers. He has also served as an 18-b criminal defense attorney. 

Through his legal work, Dan witnessed the harmful failings of New York’s justice system for Black, indigenous, and people of color and low-income communities. Since being elected in 2011 to the New York State Assembly, he’s been a staunch advocate for criminal justice reform and fighting for working families. 

Dan is running for Manhattan District Attorney to hold police brutality accountable, fight white supremacy, end cash bail and mass incarceration, review wrongful convictions, stop the criminalization of poverty, and offer more alternatives to jail or prison....

Mr. Quart has been involved with Roosevelt Island issues since 2004 when he represented Eastwood residents (now Roosevelt Landings) pro bono during their Mitchell Lama privatization negotiations. 

Mr. Quart was at the Roosevelt Island Nisi Restaurant last Saturday speaking with residents about his run for Manhattan District Attorney and local issues. I spoke with him too. Here's what Mr Quart had to say.

Learn more about Mr Quart's campaign for Manhattan District Attorney, experience and views on criminal justice issues at his website.

Get ready, NYC! I'm excited to officially launch my campaign for #ManhattanDA today to fight for:
✅Police accountability
✅Prosecuting hate crimes
✅Stopping white collar crime
✅Ending mass incarceration
✅and more reforms

🙋‍♀️Sound good to you? Join us: https://t.co/YhJcEOvzFA pic.twitter.com/AT3QFG3CnV

— Dan Quart ⚖️ (丹濶特) (@AMDanQuart) February 4, 2021

 Mr Quart's opponents in the June 22 Manhattan District Attorney Democratic Party are:

• Eliza Orlins
• Elizabeth R. Crotty
• Tali Farhadian Weinstein
• Diana Florence (interview at Farmers Market here)
• Tahanie Aboushi
• Alvin L. Bragg Jr. and
• Lucy J. Lang 

The Gotham Gazette has more information on all the candidates for 2021 Manhattan District Attorney election.

Happy Mother's Day From Roosevelt Island, Say Thank You To Your Mom And Learn How The Day Got Started

Happy Mother's Day From Roosevelt Island https://t.co/2ksv41SA3k

— Roosevelt Islander (@Rooseveltisland) May 9, 2021

Happy Mother's Day wishes for all the moms out there.

Happy #MothersDay to all the moms guiding us through life. Roosevelt Island Lighthouse from East River. pic.twitter.com/MB0dhVXzDT

— Maura Kelly (@MauraKellyMedia) May 9, 2021

Give your Mom a Great Big Hug and Kiss today and tell her how much she is loved and appreciated.

Here's a History Of Mother's Day.

Happy Mother's Day to this absolute boss of the cat sanctuary of Roosevelt Island NYC. pic.twitter.com/jwsa0nc1Lu

— Rachel Manteuffel (@RachelMan2) May 9, 2021

Thanks Moms.