A large flotilla of Jet Skis passed by Roosevelt Island this morning on the
East River attracting the attention of onlookers walking along the waterfront
promenade wondering what was going on. It even appeared as though a passing NY
Ferry boat on way from Long Island City to Roosevelt Island was having
difficulty navigating through the Jet Ski flotilla.
This nonsense better not be the reason why the
@NYCferry
hasn't arrived at Roosevelt Island yet.
Resident Thom Heyer reflects on 2021 Pride Month experienced here on Roosevelt
Island. According to Mr Heyer:
Representation & Visibility Does Matter
When my husband & I left Chelsea, almost 4 years ago to move to
Roosevelt Island, it was with zero regrets.
We've both found Roosevelt Island to be welcoming & full of
possibilities.
I've enjoyed participating with many of the organizations and events on the
island: Fall For the Arts, Open Doors, RIVAA, RIHS, MSTDA, Cornell
Tech, concerts, community demonstrations & protests. "Showing up"
actually seems to matter when you live in a community the size of
ours.
In 2019 when RIOC put up rainbow flags for the first time to celebrate Pride
Month, my first thought was " 'bout time!"
But then I stopped being so cynical & started to take in the joy.
Being a 60 year old gay man, I have lived through MANY phases of Queer
identity in NYC.
I love going to the Pride Parade every year to see that wonderful range of
"my people" from the ridiculous to the sublime!
Granted, it now seems to be a bloated example of capitalism & corporate
America, but I sure missed the parade last year when it was cancelled
because of Covid.
I also missed seeing the rainbow flags up last year on Roosevelt Island.
I could have used the little bit of comfort I always get from seeing the
rainbow flags.
They somehow feel like the community at large saying, "I SEE you & your
Queer life has value to me!"
I gave RIOC a free pass last year, because NOTHING was normal.
I put two little rainbow flags in a flower pot on my deck overlooking the
Meditation Steps last year.
I wanted our local Queer community to know that I saw each and every one of
them!
If I looked stupid, at least my heart was in the right place....
June arrived this year & WHERE were the rainbow flags?
The Queer community has not left the island--I assure you we are still
here!
I finally got around to emailing two members of RIOC who I know.
I told them that to be acknowledged one year & then not after that
seemed insensitive at best & insulting at worst.
They told me I was correct & assured me it was an oversite.
They were scrambling to get some type of representation up by the final
weekend.
I'm sure I was not the only one contacting RIOC, but I am thankful that I
can "call them out" & know that they will listen.
The people I talked to responded with an open heart.
We'll see what turns up this weekend, because I WILL BE LOOKING!
Please know that representation and visibility DOES matter.
We all want to be acknowledged & valued & acknowledging our LGBTQ+
community on Roosevelt Island IS important--
... Through storytelling and creativity, DQSH teaches children about
gender diversity and all forms of difference to build empathy and give kids
the confidence to express themselves however they feel comfortable...
Roosevelt Island's Graduate Hotel is celebrating Pride Month with a Saturday
afternoon of Pop Ups and Sweet Treats:
The newly opened Graduate Roosevelt Island who will be hosting a series of
pop-ups from NYC favorites on Saturday, June 26th including Big Gay Ice Cream,
nail-art and mini manicures from Paint Box, Magic Mix Juicery, a
Pride-inspired floral design from East Olivia. A pop-up shop will also feature
specialty candles by Queer Candle Co., iconic clothing from MessQueen, and
incredibly fun accessories by Smiley Goods, and RatTrapp, Graduate Roosevelt
Island is excited to welcome all, through their brand new doors.
The hotel’s restaurant, Anything At All, will also be open for breakfast,
lunch and dinner during the festivities.
Grannie Annie's Bar & Kitchen is displaying the Rainbow Banner.
In 2019, the FDR 4 Freedoms Park celebrated Pride Month by transforming it
monument staircase into NYC's largest Pride Flag.
The New York City Pride March is not for everyone — “Real pride is not
rainbow capitalism,” one activist said. Here are other ways to celebrate
Pride in NYC this weekend, including the Dyke March and Beers with Queers, a
10K run with beer tastings.https://t.co/tmUBqWAkjJ
Gallery RIVAA is hosting a Jazz Jam Session Sunday, June 27 from 2-6 PM and welcomes Roosevelt Island Jazz musicians and singers to join in.
Before Covid, the Gallery RIVAA Jazz Jam was a regular celebration for the prior 4 years. This coming Sunday's Jazz Jam is intended to be a celebration of live music after the long lapse due to the Covid Pandemic.
I am a resident of Roosevelt Island and I wanted to know if BBQ parties are
allowed during July 4th? If so, where are the spots to grill and if there is
any particular process for this (permits etc.)
Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC) Public Information Officer Amy Smith
answered:
The Lighthouse Park grills will be available for use on July 4th. The
procedure will be standard, which is a first-come, first-serve basis. You can
read more about it and send readers to our
website, here.
Save Our Compost @BigReuse bike tour stops at Roosevelt Island Haki food scrap drop off site this morning. We learned that Queensbridge Compost Processing Site will not be evicted by @NYCParks and will remain on site for at least another year. @iDig2Learnpic.twitter.com/e66notTVTH
— Roosevelt Islander (@Rooseveltisland) June 19, 2021
Here is
June 10 letter from NYC Parks Commissioner Mitchel Silver to Big Reuse informing them that the Queensbridge Compost Facility license agreement is extended for one year thru June 2022.
As we work our way back from the pandemic, this is not the time to close down a successful composting site. We commend the Parks Department's quick response to prevent the closure of a valued facility that composts more than 1 million pounds of waste per year. Roosevelt Islanders are among the most loyal fans of composting and now they can count on continued Saturday collection service of food scraps and other approved compostable materials.
Big Reuse is celebrating the extension of Queensbridge Compost Processing Facility license agreement with a Carnival on Sunday June 27. You're invited.
Please join us this Sunday, June 27 from 1-5pm for a Compost Carnival in celebration of community composting and the recent @bigreuse & @lesecologyctr wins!
It will be a family-friendly gathering in Queensbridge park with music, art making, BBQing, and more.
Join Flame and Lori Lu for Drag Queen Story Hour at FDR Four Freedoms State Park, on Roosevelt Island this weekend, Saturday, June 26 and Sunday June 27.
Stories and songs for kids of all ages!
This program is presented by Drag Queen Story Hour NYC, an organization which
provides a range of fun and fabulous educational experiences for children and
teens from 3 to 18 years old in libraries, schools, museums, and community
spaces. Through storytelling and creativity, DQSH teaches children about
gender diversity and all forms of difference to build empathy and give kids
the confidence to express themselves however they feel comfortable. (Register here for Sunday.)
This event is hosted by Four Freedoms Park Conservancy, a 501(c)(3) non-profit
organization that programs Franklin D. Roosevelt Four Freedoms State Park on
Roosevelt Island, on behalf of the people of New York, and in partnership with
the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation.
According to the
NYC Board Of Elections,
the unofficial election night results of the NYC Council District 5 Democratic
Party Primary to represent Roosevelt Island, Upper East Side and East
Harlem are:
We don't know yet who won the election.
Julie Menin was the
top vote getter with 6,982 votes (33.93%) followed by Tricia Shimamura with
4,810 votes (23.38%). The vote count does not include absentee ballots or
ranked choice voting. The NYC Board Of Elections will
begin tabulating Ranked Choice Voting on June 29.
I’m so proud of what we’ve built and am incredibly hopeful for what’s to
come in the next few weeks. My full statement is below.
pic.twitter.com/KQzF4Qfj1D
🧵I am full of gratitude today as I reflect on our campaign. While we await
absentee ballots & the RCV process, it is unlikely that we will prevail.
I am so proud of the community we forged & ideas we championed, and
thankful beyond words for our supporters. A few thoughts: (1/7)
pic.twitter.com/paYtupqJVf
— Billy Freeland 🚴♂️🚠 (@BillyFreelandNY)
June 23, 2021
🧵After 18 months of campaigning, the ballots have been cast. While we await
the results I wanted to say, from the bottom of my heart, thank you. This
race has been the greatest challenge and most incredible experience of my
life. (1/6) pic.twitter.com/LjDO0yCxuu
— Rebecca Lamorte 🛠🌃🍕 (@RebeccaLamorte)
June 23, 2021
While last night didn't go as we had hoped, there were some bright spots.
I'm thrilled to have a brand new co-District Leader, Alex Bores, who I know
will be an incredible partner. His support throughout this race was
unwavering, and I'm honored to call him a friend. (2/5)
Statement on primary election results with text version below. We won't win
this one, but we're incredibly grateful and looking forward to the future!
pic.twitter.com/Wvd66iWfKD
* Coastal Toast with Smoked trout, Crisp Sourdough, Fried Capers, and
Red Onions
* Fried Chicken Sandwich with cabbage slaw and spicy mayo
Photo by Noah Fecks
* Crispy Mushroom Sandwich with carrots, radishes and zesty aioli
* Opening Dinner Menu Highlights
* Kampachi Crudo with fresnos, shallots, lemon, caviar, and cilantro
*Creamy Gnocchi with shrimp, asparagus, and pecorino
* Roasted Cabbage, charred summer cabbage with herbed yogurt and crunchy
chickpeas
Photo by Noah Fecks
* V&T- with House-made white vermouth, sour orange, tonic,
Castelveltrano olive
* Paloma Milk Punch- with Volcan tequila, grapefruit, lime, verbena
* Rhubarb Spritz- with gin, clarified rhubarb, and strawberry-infused
vermouth
Upcoming menu offerings include:
Wild Greens, Tumeric Dressing, White Corn, Fresh Herbs,
Photo by Noah Fecks
Roasted Carrots, Labne, Pea Shoots, Saba
Photo by Noah Fecks
and Black Sea Bass, Sea Beans, Heirloom Tomatoes, Puffed Rice Chip
Photo by Noah Fecks
Anything At All Opening Hours are:
Breakfast: 7:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.
Lunch: 11:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Bar Bites: 3:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Dinner: 5:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m.
Bar Service: 10:00 p.m. - Midnight
According to Anything At All press release:
From hospitality duo and NYC natives Marc Rose and Med Abrous of Call Mom,
Anything At All is helmed by an incredible all-female food & beverage
team: MINA Group alumna Ja’Toria Harper as Executive Chef, Lindsey Verardo
- formerly of Benno and Gramercy Tavern - as Executive Pastry Chef, and
Estelle Bossy, whose impressive resume includes Union Square Hospitality
Group and Del Posto, as Beverage Director. The team is also behind the
stunning forthcoming rooftop bar Panorama Room and over 3,000 square feet
of meeting and event space at the hotel, which is the first-ever hotel on
Roosevelt Island.
The all-day restaurant is rooted in a farm-first, vegetable-forward
approach to contemporary comfort food where guests can expect a playful,
eclectic menu from Chef Harper with dishes like Coastal Toast with
smoked trout, red onion, olive oil, toasted sourdough; Kampachi Crudo
with fresnos, shallots, lemon, caviar, and cilantro; and The Roasted
Cabbage, charred summer cabbage with herbed yogurt and crunchy
chickpeas. At lunch don’t sleep on the killer Fried Chicken Sandwich
with cabbage slaw and spicy mayo or the Crispy Mushroom Sandwich with
carrots, radishes and zesty aioli, and come back at dinner for the
Seared Sea Bass with sea beans, heirloom cherry tomato and a puffed rice
chip. Not to be missed is Chef Verardo’s elevated dessert program with
dishes like the Vanilla Poached Meringue with black sesame, shiso and
strawberry consomme.
Guests and locals alike will have the opportunity to order menu items
alongside non-alcoholic drinks, bottled cocktails (like a classic
Negroni and a not-so-classic Paloma Milk Punch - also served on draft),
wine and beer for to-go and delivery via ChowNow and DeliverZero, the
innovative service which delivers food in reusable containers.
A dynamic, sustainable synergy exists between the kitchen and the bar
which is reflected in the cocktail menu from Bossy where house-made and
infused vermouths, seasonal spritzes and creative frozen drinks and will
take center stage in the summer months with drinks like the V&T with
house-made white vermouth, sour orange, tonic, and Castelveltrano olive;
Rhubarb Spritz with gin, clarified rhubarb, strawberry-infused vermouth,
rosé and pink peppercorn; and, Kool Thing with mezcal, pineapple brandy,
lemon, white bitters and cacao.
Additionally, Rose and Abrous have partnered with Brooklyn’s Variety
Coffee which will be served at the restaurant and throughout the hotel
as well as from a solar and battery-powered Poindexter Coffee Bike Cart
parked out front of the hotel offering coffee and a curated selection of
morning and afternoon grab-and-go items.
The restaurant’s light-drenched space features floor-to-ceiling windows
and organically flows from the lobby where the walls are artfully curated
with an impressive selection of vintage textbooks. The 140-seat,
indoor-outdoor restaurant is anchored by an 18-seat wraparound bar and a
variety of inviting lounge seating creating a bright and airy space warmed
up with bright vintage-inspired rugs and mid-century light fixtures.
Thoughtful, vibrant greenery from a collaboration between landscape and
floral design studios Verru Design and WYLD add an organic element to both
the indoor and outdoor dining spaces.
Capacity: Inside - 80 Outside - 60 Bar Seating- 18.
The R.I. Outdoor Summer Movie Series is back Check out our full movie schedule and don't forget to join us this Friday, June 25th, for Raya and the Last Dragon, on Firefighter's Field, starting at sunset. Get ready for a night of great views, summer air, and good company. pic.twitter.com/bi4gxatmsk
is offering free Pfizer Covid 19 vaccinations this week from 7 AM to 7 PM on
Roosevelt Island. This morning, the van was located at the Riverwalk Bus Stop in
front of 455 Main Street but may be at other locations during the week. No
appointment is necessary.
The Mobile Vaccine Clinic Van will be back in 3 weeks for the second shot.
According to the
NYC Health Department
Covid Statistics for Roosevelt Island Zip Code 10044, of an estimated population of 11,571:
7627 residents have at least one dose of vaccination (65.35%)
6975 residents fully vaccinated (59.76%)
The most recent 7 Day Covid Testing Data from June 11-17 for Roosevelt Island Zip Code 10044 shows 244 people tested and 1 Positive Case for a rate of 0.41%
The NYC Health Department neighborhood Covid Data Profile for Roosevelt Island zip code 10044 shows a total of 574 cases and 40 deaths.
... Recently released is the new short film Unforgotten: Renwick Ruin by
artist Aaron Asis, Untapped New York’s Artist in Residence. Asis and his team
at Green Ghost Studios were given special access inside the abandoned
structure and the film showcases perspectives of the Renwick ruin that are
rarely seen by the public. We’ll be hosting a premiere of the film in our
upcoming event, Unforgotten: The Renwick Ruin on July 15th, featuring Asis and
Stephen Martin, Founder of Friends of the Ruin and the former Director of
Design & Planning for FDR Four Freedoms Park Conservancy....
New film takes viewers inside the Renwick smallpox hospital ruin on Roosevelt Island. See it first here: https://t.co/k6iDYGzCDA
Stephen Martin, who once worked
as the director of design & planning for
Four Freedoms Park Conservancy, recently began
Friends of the Ruin, a
non profit whose mission is to stabilize the Smallpox Hospital ruin and return
the building, which has been fenced off for over seventy years, to Roosevelt
Island in the form of public park space. The organization envisions a
stabilized ruin, beautifully landscaped and open to the public, free of
charge, year round.
According to Mr. Martin:
The Roosevelt Island Historical Society, the Roosevelt Island Operating
Corporation, and the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and
Historic Preservation have been wonderfully supportive. Friends of the
Ruin considers them partners in its mission.
As part of an ongoing educational component to the organization's mission,
Friends of the Ruin has been working with the Williamsburg High School for
Architecture and Design (WHSAD), a Brooklyn blue ribbon public high school
focused on architectural drafting, design principles, and historic
preservation. WHSAD students, under the instruction of historic
preservation firm Walter B. Melvin Architects, have spent the past five
years studying Roosevelt Island, James Renwick, Jr. (architect of the
Smallpox Hospital), and the ruin. After months of design charettes,
critiques, and mood-boarding, students will often envision a renewed ruin
as public housing, a high end retail experience, or a weekend party
space.
Friends of the Ruin welcomes the students' enthusiasm but hopes the
building could be permanently stabilized and opened to the public as a
wild, landscaped (and safe) gothic ruin. The building (our City's only
landmark ruin) was once a hospital to fight a devastating epidemic and
also served as a nursing school training New York's frontline health care
workers.
It is the nonprofit's goal that the Ruin will serve, in the form of public
park space, to memorialize the science, medical advances, and frontline
workers fighting viral and infectious disease, including COVID-19, SARS,
HIV/AIDS and many other diseases. We believe it is hard to imagine a more
fitting site for this than in our country's first hospital dedicated to
the smallpox epidemic, and on the historically rich Roosevelt Island.
Here's the March 16, 2021 presentation made by
Friends of the Ruin
Founder Stephen Martin to the Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC) Board of Directors about proposed Public Health Memorial to be built at a
renovated Smallpox Hospital.
Roosevelt Island is a mixed income, racially diverse waterfront community situated in the East River of New York City between Manhattan and Queens and is jurisdictionally part of Manhattan. The Roosevelt Island Tramway, which connects Roosevelt Island to the rest of Manhattan, has become the iconic symbol of Roosevelt Island to its residents.
The Purpose of this Blog is to provide accurate and timely information about Roosevelt Island as well as a forum for residents to express opinions and engage in a dialogue to improve our community.
The Twitterverse adds:
