This Holiday Season We Celebrate The Warmth Of Our Friendships. Thank You For Your Trust And Support - The Carter Burden Network Roosevelt Island Older Adult Center
By ROOSEVELT ISLANDER at 7:59:00 PM 0 comments
Labels: Carter Burden Center , Holiday greeting 2024 , Holiday Greetings , Senior Center
The lack of public bathrooms on Roosevelt Island has been a problem for many years. As reported in 2007:
... Good Day: I was visiting Roosevelt Island yesterday. I basically had a nice time, residents were very friendly, but I was unable to find any public restrooms....
Every day dozens of visitors and residents arrive at the kiosk in need of bathroom facilities.As you can see from the message below there will be an urgent bathroom shortage starting next week.
In the past Cornell Tech has accommodated visitors in the bathrooms at Bloomberg Cafe.
We have referred people to Southpoint Park which is really difficult if they are not on their way to Southpoint Park.
We know that the sewer work has been done and assume that the two bathrooms in the station should be in operation.
We Know it is a challenge to have visitors use the station bathroom., but the only other solution is opening the two bathrooms in Sportspark for visitors. Use of these bathrooms will not interupt the function of Sportspark, a RIOC facility, not a private club.
RIOC has never been good at accommodating the toilet needs of visitors or residents.
The use of portable facilities in mid-winter is unreasonable and unsafe.
Please send us your solution Monday or Tuesday since Cornell Cafe will be closed starting Wednesday.
The Roosevelt Island Tram bathrooms were closed today.
a short 5-10 minute walk from the Tram.
RIOC Communications Director Bryant Daniels replied to Ms Berdy that bathrooms in the Sportspark will be available to the public.
According to Mr Bryant:
The westside Sportspark bathrooms near the main entrance are open for the general public to use while the Tram station bathrooms are offline. Judy you and your team can let folks know as needed, there is now no sign on the door about no public bathrooms.
Signage will be necessary to make sure that people know the Sportspark bathrooms are available for the public to use.
Wishing You a Peaceful and Healthy New Year.Contact our office if you need assistance.
- Phone 212 288-4607
- Email SeawrightR@NYAssembly.gov
- Website
- X(Twitter)
🚨NEW🚨@SeawrightForNY's op-ed in @amNewYork highlights the urgent need to support New Yorkers with disabilities and what @GovKathyHochul can do to ensure a #StableCareSystem.
— New York Disability Advocates (@NYDisabilityAdv) December 16, 2024
🗞️ Read the full piece here: https://t.co/vp50kybBQy#InvestInMe #InvestInUs
By ROOSEVELT ISLANDER at 1:56:00 PM 0 comments
Labels: Holiday greeting 2024 , Holiday Greetings , Rebecca Seawright
The Roosevelt Island Café at Cornell Tech Wishes HAPPY HOLIDAYS to the Roosevelt Island community
The Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC) Public Safety Department reports:
Dear Roosevelt Island Community:On Tuesday, December 17th from 6-7 PM in the Good Shepherd Community Center, RIOC and the Roosevelt Island Residents Association (RIRA) will present a special "Holiday Fire Safety Preparedness Seminar" which will cover preparedness, prevention, and response for fires inside the home. Attendees of the seminar will receive a free "Fire Safety Bedside Bag," which will include small items that can help you in the event of a fire in the home.*
Said RIRA President Frank Farance, "This is the busiest time of year for home fires. POP QUIZ: A dried out Christmas Tree will become engulfed in flames in about:
(A) 2-3 seconds;
(B) 30 seconds;
(C) 2-3 minutes.
"The answer is (A) - now count One-Mississippi, Two-Mississippi, and it's that quick. Also, what happens when an emergency - fire, flood, tornado, earthquake, power failure, etc. occurs in the middle of the night when you're sleeping? We have an answer for that, and each of you will get a free Bedside Bag, including whistle and flashlight. This will complement your Go Bag and your Stay Box - and you'll learn more about making it easier to respond to these emergencies.
"This is a family friendly presentation, so children and youth are welcome. Encourage your teens to attend as they can be the biggest helpers for family safety. The presentation will leave enough time for Questions and Answers. Looking forward to a happy, healthy, and SAFE holiday season."
We hope to see you next Tuesday (12/17) at 6pm in Good Shepherd Chapel!
By ROOSEVELT ISLANDER at 5:39:00 PM 0 comments
Labels: emergency preparedness , RIOC PSD Meeting , RIRA Emergency Preparedness
RIHS invites you to an evening of ISLAND TALES FANTASY-HISTORY - CELEBRATIONS & HOLIDAY GIFT SALES
- TOYS,
- PUZZLES,
- GAMES,
- BOOKS,
- PILLOWS,
- STOCKINGS,
- TAPESTRY THROWS.
- HOLIDAY CARD AND
- MUCH MORE
At BLACKWELL HOUSE500 MAIN STREETTUESDAY, DECEMBER 17th 5 TO 8 P.M.REFRESHMENTS & HOLIDAY Cheer
By ROOSEVELT ISLANDER at 5:04:00 PM 0 comments
Labels: Blackwell House , holiday gifts , ROOSEVELT ISLAND HISTORICAL SOCIETY
Roosevelt Island resident, tennis coach, community activist, consent awareness advocate and dog parent Joyce Short was profiled in the NY Times Sunday Routine feature today.
NYTimes Sunday Routine features Roosevelt Island resident today . https://t.co/xFQgtF2FP2 via @NYTimes
— Roosevelt Islander (@Rooseveltisland) December 15, 2024
According to the NY Times:
Joyce Short, 77, has survived many things....
Click here for the full NY Times Sunday Routine article about Ms Short.
In June 2022 Ms Short told me about the NY Junior Tennis & Learning program on Roosevelt Island that she runs and is a big part of her Sunday activities.
Ms Short is the President of the Roosevelt Landings Tenants Association and reported last August about electricity submetering issues in the building.
Check out the annual Holiday Pop Up Market at the Carter Burden Roosevelt Island Older Adult Center for some unique and local Holiday Gifts and delicious ethnic food.
I stopped by the Market today to see for myself.
The Market will be open tomorrow too.
The Holiday Pop Up Market is sponsored by Roosevelt Island Disabled Association (RIDA) and Carter Burden Network Roosevelt Island Older Adult Center.
The Roosevelt Island Visual Art Association (RIVAA) thanks the Roosevelt Island Community for your support and wishes you prosperity in the New Year.
We believe there can never be too much art or too many people buying it
Prove us right! Make your holiday season bright with the purchase of art at affordable prices that you can enjoy every day of 2025 and well beyond. Dates and hours of RIVAA's Affordable Art Sale are Saturday and Sunday December 14th and 15th from 11 AM - 5 PM. In addition to tables with artwork and art-related crafts from 43 RIVAA and local artists, there are affordable art walls in the gallery as part of our Gifts of the Heart exhibition.
RIVAA is a member organization dedicated to establishing an art center in its unique Roosevelt Island location on the East River in New York.
When you buy from RIVAA, you are supporting a Roosevelt Island nonprofit and shopping local, supporting the community. Art makes a great gift, so visit RIVAA Gallery at 527 Main Street, and buy art.
Please Support RIVAA Gallery.
Click here for the RIVAA Gallery website and Instagram page for more info.
Thank You.
By ROOSEVELT ISLANDER at 5:35:00 PM 0 comments
Labels: Gallery RIVAA , Holiday greeting 2024 , Holiday Greetings
The Landings Wishing Roosevelt Island Community A Joyous Holiday Season And A Happy New Year.
The NYC Bird Alliance is celebrating 125 years of the Christmas Bird Count. on Sunday December 15
Want to take part in the 125th Annual #ChristmasBirdCount this year? There's still time to register for counts happening across NYC this weekend and next. Learn more and register at https://t.co/30LRw06Blp
— NYC Bird Alliance (@nycbirdalliance) December 11, 2024
According to the NYC Bird Alliance:
The 125th annual Audubon Christmas Bird Count—the nation's longest-running Community-Science bird project—will soon be underway nationwide, and in all five boroughs of New York City.Anyone can participate, even beginner birders! The data collected over the past century by volunteer observers, ranging from experienced ornithologists to casual nature enthusiasts, allow researchers to study the long-term health and status of bird populations across North America. This family-friendly activity is a great way to explore our City's natural areas while contributing to valuable scientific research, and we encourage all to participate!...
iDig2Learn reports that Roosevelt Island is part of the NYC Bird Count
Here's more on the NYC Bird Count.
Roosevelt Island Shops On Main Street Wishing You Happy Holidays.
The Roosevelt Island Main Street Theatre & Dance Alliance (MST&DA) will be performing Noel Coward's Blithe Spírít December 12 - 21 at the MST&DA's Howe Theatre (548 Main Street).
Have you heard the buzz about our spectacular production of Blíthe Spirit? It's an event you absolutely can't miss! Secure your seat today by grabbing your tickets online. Join us for an unforgettable experience!About Blíthe Spirit
The smash comedy of the London and Broadway stages, this much revived classic from one of the twentieth centuries most admired playwrights offers up fussy, cantankerous novelist Charles Condomine, remarried but haunted (literally) by the ghost of his late first wife, the clever and insistent Elvira who is called up by a visiting ‘happy medium’, one Madam Arcarti. As the world's (and unworldly) personalities clash, Charles is faced with the dilemma of facing both his current wife – the recently married Ruth, whilst placating his previous one – who is out to win him back – whatever it takes! Throw in a disbelieving man of medicine, Dr Bradman and his chatty wife, along with a clumsy maid and you have a comedy that has withstood the tests of time and is as popular now as when it was first performed.
MST&DA:
... has offered music, theatre and dance training along with performance opportunities for all ages for over 40 years in the Roosevelt Island community.
Our Mission - MSTDA nourishes creativity by providing high quality music, theatrical and dance training as well as performing opportunities to everyone in our diverse community. We offer every person, child or adult, the opportunity to participate in the arts without discrimination due to race, color, national origin, sex including gender and orientation, cultural background, socio-economic status, age, ability, or disability. With a robust scholarship program no one is turned away for financial reasons.
Here's how you get to the MST&DA.
The Roosevelt Island Haki Compost Collective is back collecting your food scraps at the Motorgate Plaza every Saturday next to the Farmers Market. I spoke with 2 of the Haki volunteers last Saturday.
The compost program is back. Thank you Roosevelt Islanders!
On October 5th, 2024 the food scrap drop-off collection for compost returned to Roosevelt Island in partnership with Big Reuse, RIOC and the all volunteer run Haki Compost Collective.
Every Saturday year round from 9 am to 2 pm at Motorgate Plaza your food scraps are collected by Haki and Big Reuse processes them into nutrient-rich compost to return to neighborhood landscapes, school and community gardens, sidewalk tree pits and neighbor’s houseplants.
Now New Yorkers have more options, they can send their scraps for methane gas capture to Newtown Creek through the resident brown bin and sidewalk orange bin programs and rejuvenate NYC soils through the Haki/Big Reuse Saturday green bin collection.
December 5th marked World Soil Day with a focus on measure, monitor and manage so here’s the success of the collectives efforts thanks to your participation…
Since the Oct 5th 2024 food scrap collection reopened Haki launched again with 17 rotating volunteers (including 5 new!) and welcomed 783 drop-offs, capturing over 100 pounds per hour each Saturday thanks to islanders
That is a collection total of 5,492 pounds over ten Saturdays - over 2 tons!
Since Haki started 4 years ago our neighborhood has diverted 205,231 pounds of scraps from landfill. Pre-dating Haki, the island's Big Reuse food scrap collection which started in 2015 thanks to advocates like Julia Ferguson and others has collected is over 340,000 pounds of scraps which were processed into compost! That is equivalent to 84 SUV's!
Haki Compost welcomes new volunteers. Join an orientation then sign up for an hour on one Saturday a month or more it is up to you. Students welcome.
The next short orientation is this coming Saturday 12/14 from 11 am to 11:30 am. Come see if supporting this local effort is right for you.
Not available this Saturday? Please write to Haki Compost Collective at hakicompost@gmail.com to explore volunteering. Follow us on IG @hakicompost
Haki thanks the Lenape Center for giving us the name Haki which means earth, dirt, ground and land and the Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC) for their ongoing support.
The Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC) Operations Advisory Committee is meeting 4 PM tomorrow, Wednesday December 11, at 680 Main Street.
There is no issue which has decreased the quality of life
and angered more Roosevelt Island residents than the long lines
and unsafe platforms
from overcrowding by
sightseeing tourists
on the Roosevelt Island Tram.
In slightly over 1 month's time,
over 2200 people have signed the Trampled By Tourists, Priority Boarding for Residents and Workers on the Roosevelt Island Tram petition.
According to the Petition organizers:
Roosevelt Island Residents and Workers Need Priority Boarding of the Roosevelt Island Tram
New York Transportation Law § 102
“No common carrier shall make or give any undue or unreasonable preference or advantage to any person or corporation or to any locality or to any particular description of traffic in any respect whatsoever, or subject any particular person or corporation or locality or any particular description of traffic, to any undue or unreasonable prejudice or disadvantage in any respect whatsoever.”
It doesn’t say there can’t be a preference shown. It says there can’t be an “undue or unreasonable preference”.
The tram is no longer available to residents and workers - it has become a tourist attraction.
It is *reasonable* to give residents and workers priority boarding and return the tram to its original intended use. Urban Transportation.
RI has very limited reliable public transportation options, with over 12,000 residents and hundreds of workers - there's one subway station, with only one line, a very limited ferry service and the tramway. With the tramway inundated by tourists we are left with a single subway station and are facing a transportation crisis, often made worse when there is a subway shutdown.
Further, the RI Tram is funded by the residents through our land leases and not by New York City or New York State.
Our Position
RIOC has taken the position that it would be illegal to offer priority boarding of the Roosevelt Island Tram to island residents and workers based on this:
“No common carrier shall make or give any undue or unreasonable preference or advantage to any person or corporation or to any locality or to any particular description of traffic in any respect whatsoever, or subject any particular person or corporation or locality or any particular description of traffic, to any undue or unreasonable prejudice or disadvantage in any respect whatsoever.” New York Transportation Law § 102.
We disagree.
Giving island residents and workers priority boarding is not an “undue or unreasonable preference.”
- It’s all about the phrase “undue or unreasonable”.
- If the law had been written without that phrase, then the RIOC position would be correct. No common carrier could give any advantage or preference. However, that’s not what the law says. The law appears to envisage some sort of exception as long as it is reasonable (not unreasonable, or not undue). Laws are drafted carefully and thought is given to each word.
The Roosevelt Island Tram is Urban Transportation
- “The original Roosevelt Island aerial tramway - the first tram in the country to be used for urban transportation – was opened in May 1976” (Source: RIOC website)
The Roosevelt Island Tram has ceased to be available to residents and workers as a reliable method of transportation
- A combination of factors has led to a massive increase in the use of the tram by tourists, particularly since the tram has recently appeared in a number of popular “Top 10 things to do in NYC” lists and videos. The platforms are crowded and lines often form outside the platform. What used to be the case only during certain limited times of day and certain times of year is virtually now a constant.
- Island residents and workers now struggle to get on to the tram, often starting in the morning till late into the night. Many people have given up on the tram while others struggle through the chaos
- This is particularly onerous for our neighbors who may be elderly or unable to walk or stand easily. The island is home to a lot of elderly folks and folks with limited mobility. The same is also true for families with young children.
Priority Boarding for residents and workers is reasonable given the change in ridership
- Residents and workers are now excluded from one of their limited modes of transportation to and from home or work, children school, or nearby shopping places.
- The tourists are not using the tram as a mode of urban transportation, but rather as an opportunity to get great pictures of NYC during the crossing. Almost all of the tourists turn around and head straight back to Manhattan. That is tourism, not transportation.
Precedents for this exist, such as:
- In 1976, “residents were issued priority passes for the tram and a minibus that travels from the tramway station through the island's Main Street.” due to the number of tourists displacing residents. Source: NY Times.
- On December 7 2023, Governor Hochul announced preferential treatment for residents of Queens and The Bronx who use the Henry Hudson Bridge and Cross Bay Bridge with a Toll rebate program which is not available for those who do not live in Queens or the Bronx. Release by NY State.
By ROOSEVELT ISLANDER at 3:53:00 PM 0 comments
Labels: Red Bus , RIOC Operations Committee , ROOSEVELT ISLAND TRAM , Tram lines
You're invited to the annual Roosevelt Island Holiday Pop Up Market Saturday and Sunday December 14-15 at the Senior Center (546 Main Street).
As previously reported, the Roosevelt Island Christmas/Holiday Tree Lighting
Ceremony took place last Friday at the Mediation Lawn.
Introductory remarks by Mr Daniels and Manhattan Borough President Mark Levine.
and kids from the Roosevelt Island Youth Center.
More video from the 2024 Roosevelt Island Christmas/Holiday Tree Lighting.
By ROOSEVELT ISLANDER at 8:08:00 PM 0 comments
Labels: Holiday Tree Lighting , Holiday Tree Lighting Ceremony
Nice job by the Roosevelt Island Operating Corp.
Will update with video from some of the performance later.
UPDATE 12/8:
More video from the Tree Lighting.
By ROOSEVELT ISLANDER at 9:30:00 PM 0 comments
Labels: Holiday Tree Lighting , Holiday Tree Lighting Ceremony , Santa Claus
