RIOC And Judy Berdy Install Wild Turkey Signage To Protect Rosie The Roosevelt Island Turkey From Vehicle Traffic As She Crosses Main Street

Reported last August 29 that the folks from the Manhattan Bird Alert: 

... are concerned for the safety of Rosie (A/K/A Astoria) the Roosevelt Island wild Turkey....

and sent a message to me asking: 

We wanted to raise a concern about the Turkey that you might be able to address. Astoria crosses streets every day and that is a bit dangerous. She sometimes appears to wait for traffic to move through. Sometimes people help her make it across safely. And the speed limit is low. 15 mph we believe. All good things.

Maybe you have some ideas on how to make her life even safer. Signage perhaps? Encouraging local drivers to watch out for her? Encouraging pedestrians to help her when she is near the road?

We now have Main Street Wild Turkey Crossing signage 

to protect Rosie 

from oncoming vehicles.

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Roosevelt Island residents and government work together to erect "Turkey Crossing" signs to make Astoria (aka Rosie) the Wild Turkey's life safer—the first such signs in NYC. 🦃 ❤️https://t.co/xcM4hIxMpx

— Manhattan Bird Alert (@BirdCentralPark) September 13, 2024

According to the NY Post:

... A concerned neighbor dropped off two of such signs at the Roosevelt Island Operating Corporation office Friday morning, which the local governing body said will be erected at some of Rosie’s hangout spots in the next few days.

“I worry because Ms. Turkey, Rosie, she doesn’t have a good sense of direction, and she just walks in the middle of the street. She doesn’t know any better,” Judy Berdy, 77, who made the placards, told The Post....

Tipster Theresa Bosbach shares this photo

of a flyer she spotted in the subway from a writer seeking stories about our Rosie the Roosevelt Island Turkey for an article.

No Roosevelt Island F Train Service From Manhattan This Weekend - Plan On Long Line At Roosevelt Island Manhattan Tram Station

According to the MTA, there will be no Roosevelt Island F Train service from Manhattan this weekend. 

Q & A Interview With Roosevelt Island Artist Saundra Lamb Currently Showing Earth Sky And Above Painting Exhibition At RIVAA Gallery - Last Chance To See Her Romantic, Mysterious And Dreamlike Vision Of The Universe This Weekend

This weekend is your last chance to visit artist Saundra Lamb's 

Image By Esther Piaskowski Cohen

Earth Sky and Above exhibition of paintings at the RIVAA Gallery. According to RIVAA Gallery: 

Saundra Lamb looks at our world and beyond in her upcoming exhibition, Earth, Sky and Above at RIVAA Gallery. Join in her travels and share her dreamlike vision of our home, planet Earth, and its place in our universe. Her exhibition runs from August 30 - September 22, 2024....

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Roosevelt Island resident and Gallery RIVAA member artist Laura Hussey interviewed Ms Lamb recently about her Earth Sky And Above exhibition in this question and answer format.

Q - Saundra, in your current exhibition at RIVAA Gallery you take on the entire universe. As a theme for paintings it is rather vast. What inspired you to tackle it and how did you know where to start? Judging by the paintings you appear to have a somewhat romantic, mysterious, and dreamlike feeling about space. Can you talk about your technique a bit to explain how you manage to convey that so well?

Image By Esther Piaskowski Cohen

A - In my universe paintings I was inspired by National Geographic Magazine. I had accompany my granddaughter to her dental appointment. While sitting in the waiting area, I noticed the magazine, which I am familiar with. I have always found it interesting. This day was no exception.I came across the article on the Hubble Telescope. I viewed the very colorful photos of the galaxy. I was fascinated, and I knew I wanted to paint my own depiction. I began watching the science programs for any material on the galaxy. I started taking pictures of the beautiful images. I have tried to show those images in my own way. I began each of these pieces by first painting the canvas black. Thinking this would allow for a more vibrant color tone. I began the first work based on what I liked and what I felt to be movement of the vivid colors, and did they give me a warm feeling. I actually gave it a try and brought it to completion.

Q - Some of the paintings have “figures” that look like people. Do you actually see that when you look at the sky, were you inspired by photographs or are the images solely from your imagination?

A - I often look at the Sky. My imagination is at work when I have images that look like people. My imagination is telling me, maybe those figures exist in space.

Q - Judging by the paintings you appear to have a somewhat romantic, mysterious, and dreamlike feeling about space. Can you talk about your technique a bit to explain how you manage to convey that so well?

Image By Esther Piaskowski Cohen

The other subject your paintings in the exhibition cover is nature, specifically landscape. You seem to imbue your landscapes, and especially trees with human qualities, a “personality”. It comes across that you identify very closely with trees and flowers beyond their function as part of the formal composition of a painting. Is my impression correct? If it is, would you explain a little further how you arrive at your landscapes? Are they purely from imagination or are you inspired by actual landscapes, particular settings, trees or flowers that inspire your feelings?

Image By Esther Piaskowski Cohen

A - Your impression of my landscapes is indeed correct, spot on. I think of Trees as a form of protection when the Sun is too hot, and as one of the original pillars of the earth. I do try to depict them in some sort of human form as though they interact with each other as humans do. I feel the same about Flowers. I love their beauty, fragrance, lively colors and the joy they bring to us. I try to show them n that light. All based on my imagination. However, I do get inspiration from actual landscapes. Has Roosevelt Island ever been the inspiration for any of your landscape paintings? Roosevelt Island has been and is the inspiration for some of the landscapes, in particular the Cherry Blossom Trees. I love it when they are in bloom.

Q - Do you ever put people or other figures in your landscapes? If not why don’t you?

A - I put imaginary images of people in some of my landscapes, but one must look closely to see them. They are sometimes hiding behind Trees.

Image By Esther Piaskowski Cohen

Q - How did you start painting? How did you come to be a member of RIVAA and how long have you been a member ?

A - I started painting in 1996 after meeting the late Arlene Jacoby, and taking lessons from Art Professor Valeriu Boborelu. I became a RIVAA member, per Arlene Jacoby's encouragement, and sometimes Art instructions. She saw some of my Trees and she liked them. At first I rejected the idea, telling her I'm not an Artist. She was very insistent and would not take no for an answer. I am grateful that she did not listen to me.

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Photos are by Roosevelt Island artist and RIVAA Gallery member Esther Piaskowski Cohen.

You're Invited To Convent Avenue Baptist Church Male Choir Gospel And Black Spiritual Music Concert Sunday Afternoon At Roosevelt Island Good Shepherd Church - Reception To Follow Afterwards

The Roosevelt Island Episcopal Congregation at the Church of the Good Shepherd (543 Main Street

invites you to:

Please join us for a musical concert with the Convent Avenue Baptist Church Male Choir 4 PM Sunday September 22, 2024 at the Church of the Good Shepherd. Donation at the door $20 ($10 for Seniors). There will be a reception right after the event.

Watch Video Of Roosevelt Island Public Safety Department September 17 Monthly Community Engagement Meeting With Chief Brown and Deputy Chief Amoroso - Items Discussed Include Domestic Assaults, Overcrowding Disaster Averted, Motorbike Crackdown/Confiscation, Pet Registration & More

Roosevelt Island Public Safety Department (PSD) Chief Kevin Brown and Deputy Chief Anthony Amoroso hosted the PSD Monthly Community Engagement  with a small gathering of Roosevelt Island residents at the Good Shepherd Chapel on Tuesday evening September 17.

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Among the issues discussed were:

• Recent events including National Night Out and School Backpack & supplies giveaway (over 300 backpacks given away),
• 9/11 Remembrance Ceremony,
• Pet Registrations,
• Overcrowding last Saturday during the Flower Market public art installation at Four Freedoms Park,
• Crackdown on reckless Main Street motorbike drivers and confiscation of their vehicles,
• Too many domestic violence assaults occurring,
• Ambulance and FDNY vehicles will be stationed on Roosevelt Island during the upcoming UN General Assembly Week when the Roosevelt Island Bridge is often closed
• among other issues.

Watch the full video

 

of the meeting.

Good News For Roosevelt Island Non Profit Organizations, RIOC Seeks Approval To Increase Total Annual Public Purpose Funds Distribution From $150 Thousand To $250 Thousand At September 19 Board Of Directors Meeting

The Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC) Board of Directors

will meet Thursday September 19 in the Good Shepherd Community Center (543 Main Street) beginning at 5:30 pm.

You're invited to attend, ask questions and share concerns about Roosevelt Island during the opening Public Session before the start of the RIOC Board meeting. Sign up to speak here.

Among the items on the Agenda are:

1. Adoption of the Whistleblower Policy and Procedures (Board Action Required)
2. Discussion of the Proposed By-Laws Revisions (Materials to Follow)
3. Authorization to Increase the Public Purpose Funds Amount (Board Action Required - Materials to Follow)
4. Authorization to Enter into Contract with the New York Community Trust (“NYCT”) for Public Purpose Funds Grant Program (Board Action Required – Materials to Follow) 5. Update on the Bus Operations...

Here's the full agenda for the September 19 RIOC Board Of Directors Meeting.

Here's the memo from RIOC CFO Dhru Amin to the RIOC Board of Directors in support of increasing Public Purpose Funds from $150 thousand to $250 thousand annually

and memo in support of the NY Community Trust to continue administering the Public Purpose Funds program.

As reported May 12, 2023, the Roosevelt Island Public Purpose Fund 

Image From NY Community Trust

administered by NY Community Trust distributed:

... $301,000 in two-year grants to 12 nonprofits working to benefit Roosevelt Island residents and enhance their quality of life....

... Based on formal criteria laid out in the Request for Proposals, they prioritized projects that enhanced the well-being of Roosevelt Island residents; organizations with a history of commitment and a proven track record of serving Roosevelt Island; that filled a critical gap in services to historically under-resourced communities (such as low-income populations, communities of color, older adults, and people with disabilities); that clearly articulated project outcomes and activities; and that aimed for long-term engagement with beneficiaries.

The grant recipients are:

• The Carter Burden Network, $29,000, to provide case management services to Korean-speaking residents.
• iDig2Learn, $20,000, for a community meals, composting, and beautification project.
• Island Kids, $20,000, for summer camp scholarships for 15 or more children.
• Main Street Theatre and Dance Alliance, $40,000, for 200 scholarships and work-study placements and 30 internships.
• Open Doors, a project of the Center for Transformative Action, $25,000, to publish a poetry anthology and provide poetry workshops.
• PTA PS/IS 217, $26,000, for dance arts education for 300 3K, Pre-K, and kindergarten students.
• Roosevelt Island: A Living Library/Life Frames, $28,000, to expand the “Vegetables and Me” workshop series, provide nutritional workshops, and expand accessibility offerings.
• Roosevelt Island Concerts, $13,000, to hold a performance and community outreach concert series.
• Roosevelt Island Disabled Association, $40,000, to provide food pantry services, field trips, and a mental health fair to disabled and older adult communities.
• Roosevelt Island Historical Society, $20,000, to support the Roosevelt Island visitor center and educational lecture series.
• Roosevelt Island Senior Association, $20,000, for community events and weekend and evening classes for older adults.
• Roosevelt Island Visual Art Association, $20,000, for a series of community events and exhibitions. 

 In addition, the Fund provided a grant of $15,000 to Community Resource Exchange to offer a series of free management and network-building workshops to grantees and other Roosevelt Island nonprofits. The workshops will help strengthen nonprofits in areas such as marketing, fundraising, and creating strategic partnerships.

There have been concerns raised by some Roosevelt Island organizations about a lack of transparency by NY Community Trust in not publicly reporting the reasons why some groups receive greater and others lesser amounts of Public Purpose Funds as was done in prior years when the Roosevelt Island Residents Association made these recommendations to RIOC. It's not clear whether greater reporting transparency is including in this new agreement with RIOC.

Do You Want Roosevelt Island Residents To Have Power To Vote For Members Of the RIOC Board Of Directors? NYC Council Member Julie Menin Introduced Resolution For Direct RIOC Director Elections, You Can Testify In Person, Virtually Or Writing Thursday September 19

Roosevelt Island's NYC Council Member Julie Menin's Director of Constituent Services Harry Gale reports:

... this past February Council Member Julie Menin introduced Resolution 0132,  calling on the NY State Legislature and Government to grant residents of Roosevelt Island the power to vote for members of the board of the Roosevelt Island Operating Corporation. You can read more about the bill here: 

Just today, the Council Committee on Government Operations, State and Federal Legislation announced that this bill will be heard during their 10am hearing this Thursday, the 19th. We are encouraging all members of the community to testify either in person at the Committee Room at City Hall, virtually through zoom or you may submit written testimony. To register, please visit  and click on the 9/19 Committee on Government Operations, State and Federal Legislation. Unfortunately, Council Member Menin is not a member of this committee and is already scheduled to speak at a healthcare related conference during this hearing. 

Roosevelt Island resident, Manhattan Community Board 8 (CB 8) member and CB 8 Roosevelt Island committee chair Paul Krikler has been an advocate of elections for Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC) Board Directors and organized a petition drive which obtained almost 1100 signatures in support of direct RIOC Board elections. 

I asked Mr Krikler for comment on the resolution. Mr Krikler replied:

I am a member of Community Board 8, but I am commenting in my individual capacity as a resident of RI; As a four year resident of Roosevelt Island, I am thrilled to see Res 0132. I plan on attending the hearing to give testimony in support of this resolution. I will be speaking on behalf of the nearly 1,100 people who signed a petition, we residents started, demanding direct elections of the RIOC Directors. 

We have had too many years of lackadaisical and ineffective management at RIOC. While current interim management are a breathe of fresh air, we need better oversight of RIOC as this is the rarity and not the norm. I encourage others to testify, in person, on zoom or with written testimony. The City Council needs to hear from us all.

Mr Krikler hosted a July 1, 2024 CB 8 Roosevelt Island committee meeting discussion about direct elections of RIOC Board Directors with NY State Senator Liz Krueger,  Assembly Member Rebecca Seawright and concerned residents. Here's the discussion.

Click here for info to testify on the resolution in support of RIOC Board directors before the 9/19 Committee on Government Operations, State and Federal Legislation in person, virtually by zoom or submit written testimony.

But be aware that the NYC Council has no power to implement RIOC Board elections which is under the jurisdiction of NY State although passing the resolution could have a degree of persuasive authority on the issue with NY State decision makers.

Here's origin of the RIOC Board Direct Election petition.

Join RIHS For A Fun Evening Of Roosevelt Island Facts, Fiction And Fantasy At The RI Public Library 6:30 PM Tuesday September 17 - Or Attend The Roosevelt Island Public Safety Department Community Engagement Meeting 6 PM Same Day

There are 2 very interesting Roosevelt Island meetings taking place tomorrow evening but their start times overlap each other.

Join Roosevelt Island Historical Society (RIHS) President Judy Berdy Tuesday September 17 at the Roosevelt Island NY Public Library branch for a fun talk about the past, present and future of Roosevelt Island.

According to the Roosevelt Island NY Public Library:

Many of the things you wondered about the island answered in one evening. Many of us have lived here for decades and have accumulated vast amounts of information (and some mis-information). Join Judith Berdy, long time resident as she takes on a history trip and into how the community developed and how it became the Roosevelt Island we live in today.

“This is a great introduction for our new residents who have many questions about our community,” Judy says. “Join us for a fun evening of facts, fiction and fantasy.”

When: September 17th, @ 6:30 p.m.

Where: New York Public Library Branch, 504 Main Street

*This is a free public program of the Roosevelt Island Historical Society (RIHS). No Registration Required

This is an in-person event

Also, the Roosevelt Island Public Safety Department is holding a monthly community engagement meeting at the Good Shepherd Community Center on Thursday evening too, starting a half hour earlier.

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Scenes From Yesterday's 2024 Roosevelt Island Fall For Arts Festival At The Meditation Lawn - Meet Some Of The Mural Painters And Enjoy The Jazz Concerts At Library Outdoor Patio

Take a virtual tour of yesterday's Roosevelt Island Fall For Arts Festival at Mediation Lawn organized by the Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC) and RIVAA Gallery

and meet some of the Mural painters.

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There were also 2 wonderful jazz concerts

 

at the Roosevelt Island Public Library outdoor patio.