Reports are coming in of Santa Claus sightings from all around the world. You
can even follow Santa moment by moment as he travels around the world with the
aid of
Norad's Santa Tracker.
Santa will arrive on Roosevelt Island in a few hours. When he does, it may
be on his specially designed, Reindeer powered, Roosevelt Island Tram Cabin
sled.
Roosevelt Island Tram
Reindeer Cards from Marty Atkins
It's time for some great Christmas Eve songs. Darlene Love singing Baby Please
Come Home
It's a Christmas Eve tradition like no other: Darlene Love singing "Baby
Please Come Home" on Letterman. Enjoy!
pic.twitter.com/oIYWRVTzwK
The Haki Compost Food Scrap drop off site will be closed both Christmas and New Year's Day but will open Sunday December 26 and Sunday January 2. It will return to the regular Saturday hours on January 8.
One Trick Records
Thanks You For Supporting Live Music And Wishes You More Great Jazz In 2022.
Roosevelt Island is fortunate to have many talented musicians as residents
and a community which appreciates and treasures them.
Among the very talented Roosevelt Island musicians is
Ben Rosenblum
who provided a wonderful treat for building residents at Riverwalk Place by
performing with his friend
Jasper Dutz
last weekend in the building lobby.
Did you know the Accordion could play jazz?
>
Here's more from Ben Rosenblum and Jasper Dutz from last weekend.
Today, Friday December 24th, is the last day scheduled for now.
While the mobile
DocGo Covid
and Vaccination Unit Roosevelt Island service was needed and welcomed this
week, there were problems each day starting last Monday with long wait lines
of 3-4 hours in the freezing cold.
Third day of 3 to 4 hour waiting on line in the cold for Roosevelt Island
residents some elderly or disabled
@NYCHealthSystem
COVID mobile Test Van Site. No rapid test and ran out of at home test by
10:30. No more than 45 on line at any one time.
https://t.co/2Bqfs4riQlpic.twitter.com/U3lmQjVw8o
Waited for 3 hours. It’s insane how long it took. But I have to say everyone
was very courteous and helpful.
They were terrible. Was in line for 4 hours and it was avoidable. They never
told us you had to register until you joined the line. Public safety
could’ve have the code for people to do that instead of leaving the line and
coming back. Then they ran out of PCR’s. Instead of having one person do
testing and are in that line, and other in a line for COVID vaccines they
just let those wanting to get vaccinated just can walk up to the van and do
it! Public safety didn’t help at all with the overflow. They just allowed
some random person to walk up and ask questions while holding up the line
causing the testing to stop! The mobile van has about 5-6 people in there
and it makes no sense you have one person doing testing and then they stop
to do COVD vaccines or assist someone else with all those people in there.
What also made that set up worse? They had someone in that van not wearing a
mask!
Why did the residents of Roosevelt Island have to stand for many hours on a
very cold and windy plaza, when across the street we have a covered and better
protected sidewalk?
What is so complicated that when it is your turn, a Public Safety officer
guides you across the street to the
DocGo van?
There were many elderly and handicapped residents standing for 3-4 hours in
bitter cold, that was dangerous, unsafe and unhealthy !
I did go to the Public Safety Office to ask if it was possible to make the
move to the covered sidewalk and the answer was that “they” would take it
into consideration.
NISI restaurant
provided free hot chocolate which brought big smiles and greatly appreciated
!
According to NYC Health Department, the most recent 7 Day Covid Testing Data from December 14 - 20 for
Roosevelt Island (Zip Code 10044 ) shows 932 people tested and 78 Positive
Cases for a rate of 8.37%.
... 7 Day Covid Testing Data from December 13 - 19 for Roosevelt Island (Zip
Code 10044 ) shows 980 people tested and 79 Positive Cases for a rate of
8.06%....
...
7 Day Covid Testing Data
from December 11 - 17, on Roosevelt Island (Zip Code 10044 ) shows 835
people tested and 51 Positive Case for a rate of 6.11%
7 Day Covid Testing Data
from December 10 - 16, on Roosevelt Island (Zip Code 10044 ) shows 778
people tested and 36 Positive Case for a rate of 4.63%
7 Day Covid Testing Data
from December 7 - 13 for Roosevelt Island (Zip Code 10044 ) - 813 people
were tested and 33 Positive Case for a rate of 4.06%.
7 Day Covid Testing Data
from November 24 - November 30 for Roosevelt Island Zip Code 10044
shows 578 people tested and 15 Positive Case for a rate of 2.6%...
After standing on line for 3 hrs this am. It was the best treat from
@nisikitchen . Thank you!
I got a cold just from staying in that line for so long…! I am thankful
that we have this truck on the island but it is absolutely ridiculous how
long it takes!
According to NYC Health Department, the most recent
7 Day Covid Testing Data
from December 13 - 19 for Roosevelt Island (Zip Code 10044 ) shows 980 people
tested and 79 Positive Cases for a rate of 8.06%.
As previously reported the:
... 7 Day Covid Testing Data from December 11 - 17, on Roosevelt Island (Zip Code 10044 ) shows 835 people
tested and 51 Positive Case for a rate of 6.11%
7 Day Covid Testing Data
from December 10 - 16, on Roosevelt Island (Zip Code 10044 ) shows 778 people
tested and 36 Positive Case for a rate of 4.63%
The
7 Day Covid Testing Data
from December 7 - 13 for Roosevelt Island (Zip Code 10044 ) - 813 people
were tested and 33 Positive Case for a rate of 4.06%.
The
7 Day Covid Testing Data
from November 24 - November 30 for Roosevelt Island Zip Code 10044
shows 578 people tested and 15 Positive Case for a rate of 2.6%...
Here's today's update on the Roosevelt Island Mobile Covid Testing Site at Good Shepherd Plaza.
@NY1@Rooseveltisland@nycgov only spot for testing on all of Roosevelt Island’s printer not working. Hundreds of people in line can’t get a PCR test because of… a printer. Please help 😭😭
Third day of 3 to 4 hour waiting on line in the cold for Roosevelt Island residents some elderly or disabled @NYCHealthSystem COVID mobile Test Van Site. No rapid test and ran out of at home test by 10:30. No more than 45 on line at any one time. https://t.co/2Bqfs4riQlpic.twitter.com/U3lmQjVw8o
Anyone going to the RI free mobile testing van this week should get in line well before the posted closing time. The hours are advertised as 9:00 - 6:00 M - Th and 9:00 - 2:00 on Friday, Christmas Eve. Here is my experience from yesterday:
I arrived at 4:55 p.m. on Tuesday, December 21. When I arrived they were announcing that they were closing the line at 5:00. This happened last December when we had the mobile testing van here as well. They need to advertise closing time as the time the line will close, or keep the line open for the full advertised time. One or the other.
When I was 8 or 10 people away (after having been in line for over 2 hours) they tried to close down for the day. This also happened last year. Last year they said they finished at 6:00, which is why they closed the line earlier than 6:00. Not okay.
I recognized two of the people working there yesterday as the people I spoke to last year. Luckily for those of us left in line the PSD sargeant would not let them close and worked incredibly hard to make sure we all got tested. I don't know his name, but huge kudos and thanks to him.
Last year PSD was letting the folks who worked in the van take charge and when I complained said there was nothing they could do about it. This year PSD took charge and if not for the Sergeant's efforts, a bunch of us would have waited all that time just to be turned away when it was almost our turns.
I got swabbed at 7:40 p.m., exactly 2 hours and 45 minutes after I got in line.
While I absolutely appreciate the efforts of @seawrightforny and whomever else was responsible for providing this service to Roosevelt Island (@rooseveltislandrioc, @nychealthsystem), there are too many problems with the administration of it, and the fact that there were similar problems last year, it is clear the system needs to be revamped.
There appears to be a manpower issue, the workers working too many hours and not getting proper breaks.
How about two crews who work 8 hours each, and switch off during breaks. That way there wouldn't need to be a shut down of service for the lunch break, the line could stay open until the posted time, and people could be served for as long as it took without the threat of shutdown after a long wait and without the worry of overtime for the workers.
There should be a separate line, and van, for vaccinations. I think it slowed things down and was confusing to do them both by the same team/out of the same van.
To avoid people standing in line for a long time in the cold and with no access to bathroom facilities, give people numbers representing their place in line and let them leave and come back. Or, better yet, text them 15 - 30 minutes prior to their turn.
I asked to use the church bathroom and was told no by PSD. Between the cold and having to go to the bathroom I was extremely uncomfortable during the wait. Finally, there is no excuse for running out of supplies.
In summary, it's a great service, but the execution needs a lot of improvement. Given this wasn't their first rodeo, they should have learned from last year. PSD did.
Shout-out to the staff of the NYC testing van. They work in the cold, with limited resources and answer all kinds of questions asked by frustrated people. Kudos to the RI PSD personnel, in their best role as peace-keepers.
Due to the recent surge in Covid cases, the Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC) reimposed a 55 passenger capacity limit on each Roosevelt Island Tram cabin yesterday.
New York is
currently experiencing a surge of COVID-19. In an effort to keep the
Roosevelt Island community and our staff safe, Roosevelt Island
Operating Corporation (RIOC) is taking the following precautions to help
mitigate the spread:
Tram capacity will be limited to 55 persons per cabin.
There will be a 30-day pause in permitting. Previously scheduled/permitted events due to occur within this 30-day period will be canceled or suspended.
The Roosevelt Island Youth Center (RIYC) will be temporarily closed for the next 30 days.
RIOC will be working with our
partners at the Food Pantry, Farmer's Market, and other businesses
deemed essential to put COVID-19 safety protocols in place for the next
30 days.
As the current
situation is fluid, RIOC will continuously monitor each area,
reassessing them within at least 30 days and providing updates
accordingly. As a reminder, passengers on public transportation,
including the Tram and Red Bus, are required to wear masks or face
coverings. Additionally, masks or face coverings are required in all
RIOC facilities.
We appreciate your patience and cooperation in helping us keep the community and beyond safe during these challenging times.
Sad news. Long time Roosevelt Island resident Eunice Tazuko Tamashiro Folla died
December
The family shares her obituary:
Eunice Tazuko Tamashiro Folla was a force of life, a radiant and joyful
presence who devoted her life to loving, giving and educating – loving her
children, her family, and her community, and giving all of herself to the
education of young children.
Born in São Paulo, Brazil to immigrant parents, Eunice navigated multiple
languages and cultures from an early age, instilling in her an ability to
appreciate the humanity in every person and to love and care across languages
and differences. Eunice believed in building community and supporting others
in all spaces she entered and engaged with. An immigrant to New York, she
quickly became a beloved member of her communities and redefined family as one
of countless immigrants far from their homelands. She was a true artist with
profound aesthetic sensitivity and rife with intellectual curiosity. She was
wildly hilarious in every language she expressed herself in and could make you
laugh for hours with her endless jokes, wit and stories.
As the first generation in her family to go to college, Eunice deeply valued
the transformative power of education and was a lifelong learner, earning her
master’s degree in early childhood education while working full-time and
raising three children in her adopted city, New York. She was a passionately
engaged and treasured educator for many years, proudly carrying the title of
Roosevelt Island pre-school teacher and giving 110% of herself to her
profession every day.
Eunice navigated the world with an awe-inspiring sense of self and purpose, a
radical comfort in her own skin that allowed her to care for and nurture
others deeply. She embodied altruism and taught us that a life worth living is
one in which you love fiercely and with your whole heart in service of others.
A fighter to the end, she was a mother who honored all mothers. She saw
humanity and potential in young and old. Her soulfulness and indelible impact
will be remembered by those she touched through her love or her teaching. The
sadness for saying goodbye so soon when she had so much more to give and to
learn will be overcome by the memory of countless moments of joy she shared
with family, friends, colleagues and students.
Eunice joins our ancestors, her mother, Hatsuko Kobashigawa, brother, Pedro
Yoshito Tamashiro, oji, Taiyo Shiroma, and oba, Fumi Shiroma.
Our guerreira, we love and miss you every single day and hold you in gratitude
for the years we were blessed to have with you on this earth.
Com amor, saudade, e gratidão,
Renato, Daniel, Diana, Leo, Elza e Luca and beloved “granddogs” Oscar and Lou
Please consider making a donation of any amount meaningful to support Eunice's
funeral and final burial expenses. Her wish is to have her final resting place
be with her Mother and Brother in Brazil. Thank you!
Condolences to the family, friends and neighbors of Eunice Tazuko Tamashiro
Folla
Main Street Theatre & Dance Alliance wishes the Roosevelt Island community joy, peace and love for the holidays, and a happy New Year filled with singing, dancing and merriment.
Hoping
@NYCHealthSystem
can do better by our neighbors on Roosevelt Island. The island has a huge
population of seniors and people with disabilities. For many, this is their
only realistic testing site. Clearly, the demand is huge and H+H should
adjust accordingly.
https://t.co/qC87UNYDvp
An Older Long Time Roosevelt Island Resident with underlying conditions
reports:
I came down at 11:45 to get on a short line to get tested. I had been
watching the line from my apartment since about 8:30 am; at one point the
line seemed to extend to the river to allow for some physical distancing.
Great Credit to Roosevelt Island Public Safety Department (PSD) Sgt.
Hazelwood & the other PSD officers for helping us out.
At 11:45, They were already out of the rapid tests, and then ran out of
swabs for the PCR test — and were not sure they would have more swabs
quickly. Someone started taking names & phone numbers of about 30-40
people on line so they could be called to come back when the swabs were
received. And then they just stopped taking names & numbers ... and left
the rest of us just standing there. A few minutes later we were told there
were about 60 people to be called.
And then, they went on their lunch break from 1 to 2...
I’m pretty pissed, actually, because there seemed to be no effort of the
Test folks to try to prioritize any of the folks on the line.
1. No accommodations for elderly or folks with disabilities or users of
canes, walkers, etc. Although I saw two chairs outside the van I guess in
case someone couldn’t navigate the steps of the inaccessible van.
2. No attempt to utilize the benches on either side of the plaza for folks
who might need to sit while they wait.
Others commented on Roosevelt Islander Instagram:
We were first in line this morning and were given take home tests. Would
also be great if they can state the ages they can test too. Parents like us
need places to test our pre k aged kids.
It was a big mess this morning! They need to be more organized.
Maybe they could alternate going on lunch break. One entire hour is precious
when you’ve been freezing for two (hours).
They deserve a lunch break! They should give out numbers and maybe a time to
come back for the elderly or maybe allow the elderly first.
As of 4:45 they were out of rapid tests. They were giving out at home rapid tests but ran out of those too
At 4:30 this afternoon, the line stretched from Main Street through Good Shepherd Plaza almost to the East River at which time some residents were waiting four hours for a test.
Roosevelt Island resident Thom Heyer was on the line waiting for a Covid test in the cold. According to Mr Heyer:
I was there for just over 3 hours (3--6:15pm)
I would have been there even longer except I was offered a "spit" version of the PCR test which I was able to do in line.
(There were 4 people still in front of me + 3 people waiting for vaccinations)
I was also given a rapid test to do at home...
They definitely could use some work because it was very unclear why it was moving so slowly.
Glad it's all behind me now
NYC Health &Hospitals Corp President Mitch Katz reported during press
briefing with
Mayor deBlasio today:
... Let me reiterate that the people who do the testing, whether it's at one
of our hospitals or through a vendor, these are in fact heroes. They are
coming very close to people with COVID without their masks on, because while
the swabber has their mask on, the patient cannot, because you're swabbing
their nose....
... we've now created an extra
pool of people who we can send to replace people at lunch. People do have to
take a lunch break, but it is – as you say, sir, it's on us to replace that
person so that they can go and have their lunch. But that the testing line
keeps moving. And with today, you'll see the sites will run better.
Once we
have enough home kits – that was a huge way we would make lines better, by
offering people home kits. They work quite well. And as soon as the supply
improves on that, that will be another tool to make the lines go fast, sir.
The Mobile Covid Test van will be on Roosevelt Island this week Tuesday - Thursday 8 AM to 6 PM and Friday 8 AM to 2 PM. No appointments, first come first serve for tests and vaccinations. There is a separate line for tests and vaccinations. The vaccination line was much smaller.
Many people on the line offered compliments to PSD Sergeant Hazelwood and the other officers on duty at the test site for the courtesy and help they provided managing the long line as best they could given the difficult queuing procedures not of their making.
UPDATE 9:10 PM - The most recent
7 Day Covid Testing Data
from December 11 - 17, on Roosevelt Island (Zip Code 10044 ) shows 835 people
tested and 51 Positive Case for a rate of 6.11%.
... 7 Day Covid Testing Data
from December 10 - 16, on Roosevelt Island (Zip Code 10044 ) shows 778 people
tested and 36 Positive Case for a rate of 4.63%....
The
7 Day Covid Testing Data
from December 7 - 13 for Roosevelt Island (Zip Code 10044 ) - 813 people
were tested and 33 Positive Case for a rate of 4.06%.
... The
7 Day Covid Testing Data
from November 24 - November 30 for Roosevelt Island Zip Code 10044
shows 578 people tested and 15 Positive Case for a rate of 2.6%....
Not sure who was handling this operation but just horrible. I also waited for 4 hours. From 12-4. PSD announced 60 people would be seen by 1pm when they would break for lunch until 2pm. During the lunch freeze, PSD managed to find their way into the heated van while there line was growing longer. It wasn’t until we’ll after 2pm that they offered a box of rapid tests since they ran out hours ago. When inquired as to why the PCR line wasn’t moving, I was then informed that everyone who were there at 8am were in front of the current line and being called to come back to test. Then they said it was the internet that went down and so there was a delay. Anyone waiting on the line to get vaxxed were in and out. You had elderly people there and infants who were waiting for hours in the freezing cold. PSD didn’t mention any of this at all once, until people were getting off the line pissed to ask the status. If anyone wasn’t sick already, they sure will be today. You couldn’t pay me to go stand on that line again. What a joke!
I stood on line for those four hours. Noon to 4pm. By the time we got to the bronze position,,we had had enough. We took the bribe of two bintax boxes and left. What we needed was the PCR.
I purchased 5 at home COVID tests today at the Foodtown Pharmacy-$20 each for a box of only 1Test per box. But…they seemed to have more in stock… And- Duane reade said their shipment arrives tomorrow am for other at home tests.
UPDATE 9 PM - Long wait of 3-4 hours again today for Roosevelt Island Covid Testing.
I arrived at the site at 7:45am this morning, naively thinking the situation from yesterday would have been remedied. There were about 40 people ahead of me. I finally got my test done at 12pm. There was a period of about 2 hours where the testing line did not move at all.
5 hours and waiting….massive chaos this morning. No shots being given out at moment but no one wants to say why. Waiting in line is now more dangerous at these temps? https://t.co/s84lWlbSPC
My symptoms started with a slight dry cough on a Monday. On Tuesday, I woke up sick and got tested. (I was double vaxxed, not boosted). Wednesday morning, I found out I was positive. Within a few hours, I got a call from @NYCHealthSystem Test and Trace Corps.
Then, they shared the free resources available: - A home isolation “Take Care Package” (Get this!) - Grocery or medicine delivery - A FREE 10-Day HOTEL STAY including 3 meals a day and transportation (I said no but should have said yes. I've heard it's good!) - and…
The most recent
7 Day Covid Testing Data
from December 12 - 18, on Roosevelt Island (Zip Code 10044 ) shows 949 people
tested and 69 Positive Case for a rate of 7.27%.
@NY1@Rooseveltisland@nycgov only spot for testing on all of Roosevelt Island’s printer not working. Hundreds of people in line can’t get a PCR test because of… a printer. Please help 😭😭
Third day of 3 to 4 hour waiting on line in the cold for Roosevelt Island residents some elderly or disabled @NYCHealthSystem COVID mobile Test Van Site. No rapid test and ran out of at home test by 10:30. No more than 45 on line at any one time. https://t.co/2Bqfs4riQlpic.twitter.com/U3lmQjVw8o
Find loving families for homeless, abandoned cats.
Provide permanent homes for cats that aren't adopted,
Spay and neuter cats.
Raise orphaned squirrels,
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More.
Please donate today to help us save lives. On behalf of all the animals who
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Tax-deductible donation, Thank you!
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.
