Saturday, October 19, 2024

Continuing Adventures Of Rosie The Roosevelt Island Turkey - Saturday Night Dip In Blackwell Park Water Fountain, Dodging Street Traffic And Exploring Main Street Retail

Spotted Rosie the Turkey roaming Roosevelt Island this evening near the Blackwell Park Water Fountain and crossing Main Street.

Rosie had a close encounter with oncoming Main Street traffic and the Red Bus tonight but was protected by a concerned resident who helped her safely cross the street.

Friday, October 18, 2024

The Roosevelt Island Business Alliance (TRIBA) 1st Annual Merit Awards Fundraising Gala October 23 Honoring Nancy Brown, Sonal Bhatia & Red Apple Group/Foodtown For Outstanding Community Achievement, Commitment And Impact - All Proceeds Will Go To Local Non Profits And TRIBA Community Projects

The Roosevelt Island Business Alliance (TRIBA), was formed in 2023 to represent the local business community and make a positive impact for the entire Roosevelt Island Community (for disclosure purposes, I am a member and helped to form TRIBA).

According to TRIBA:

Welcome to the TRIBA Merit Awards! Join us for a night of celebration and recognition on October 23, 2024 at The Sanctuary Roosevelt Island. Get ready to honor outstanding individuals in our community who have made a significant impact: Sonal Bhatia, Nancy Brown, and Red Apple Group/Foodtown. Dress to impress and be prepared for an unforgettable evening filled with music, food, and inspiring stories. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to come together and show appreciation for those who go above and beyond.

Sonal Bhatia: A longtime resident of Roosevelt Island, Sonal Bhatia is currently Senior Vice President, Head of Medical Affairs, Specialty Care at Pfizer. Dr. Bhatia is passionate about finding solutions for patients on a large scale in partnership with innovative science and new technology to ensure access to new medicines for patients.

Dr. Bhatia is actively involved with non-profit organizations focused on reducing healthcare disparities, access to cardiovascular health, healthy living and being a catalyst for change in women’s health. She currently serves on the Board of Directors for the American Heart Association (AHA) and is on the Executive Leadership Board for AHA Go Red for Women.

Nancy Brown: Nancy Brown’s work on behalf of the disabled in New York City is legendary. Disabled herself since the age of 7, now 83, she is a longtime Island resident who remains active in her motorized chair with a ventilator. She has successfully advocated for public policies that educated and addressed the challenges faced by disabled persons.

She championed the FDR Hope Memorial, helping to raise funds for the Southpoint Park statue of President Roosevelt sitting in his wheelchair with another disabled young person. She has been the forever Vice President of the Roosevelt Island Disabled Association that provides trips, other social activities, and a food pantry that serve the disabled, the poor, and the elderly.

Red Apple Group/ Foodtown

John Catsimatidis, Jr. President/Red Apple Group

Joe Parisi President/Foodtown

Foodtown Supermarkets, converted from a Gristedes Supermarkets store on February 7, 2020, has been a vital part of the Roosevelt Island community since 1976. Over the years, the store has undergone multiple renovations to serve the community better, continually improving its offerings and facilities.

Foodtown at Roosevelt Island provides approximately 100 jobs, playing a key role in the local economy. Foodtown remains dedicated to providing quality groceries and essential services, supporting the island’s residents for nearly five decades.

All proceeds will go to Roosevelt Island non profit organizations and TRIBA's special projects that contribute to the vitality and quality of life on the Island.

CLICK HERE FOR TICKETS

Here's a July 2023 interview with three of the founding Directors of the The Roosevelt Island Business Alliance, Skip Hartman of the Roosevelt Island Racquet Club, David Kramer of the Hudson Companies and Frank (Turtle) Raffaele of The Sanctuary. 

Current members of TRIBA are:

Contact Skip Hartman if you're interested in more info about TRIBA and the October 23 Merit Awards Gala.

Thursday, October 17, 2024

Fascinating Art, Memory & Community Panel Discussion About The Value Of Roosevelt Island Four Freedoms Park And Girl Puzzle Public Memorials Hosted By RIVAA Gallery - Watch The Video

A wonderful evening with fascinating conversation was had by attendees during a panel discussion at the Roosevelt Island RIVAA Gallery last Tuesday October 8. The subject was Art, Memory and Community of Roosevelt Island public memorials.

According to RIVAA Gallery
It was a remarkable evening at Rivaa Gallery at Chris Vail’s Solo Photography Exhibition “Roosevelt Island: The Vision Revisited” yesterday with a Panel discussion hosted by him with special guests who greatly contributed to Roosevelt Island, Gina Pollara- Managing Architect Four Freedoms Park, Susan Rosenthal- Former Roosevelt Island CEO and Amanda Matthews- Sculptor, The Girl Puzzle who gave us insight into their connection and vision, to the Island, their involvement, their stories and what they built. A special thanks to Margie Smith for organizing the event.

Mr Vail began the panel discussion with this question:

... Each of you have very different qualities, talents that you bring to this work. I'm really curious. All of you are involved in the development and building of public memorials and I would love to hear you tell us what you think the value is, or talk about the values, of public memorials to a community, our community, and Society in general...

followed by a very interesting discussion.

Mr Vail's current exhibit, Roosevelt Island: The Vision Revisited, is showing through October 21 at RIVAA Gallery.

Wednesday, October 16, 2024

Roosevelt Island Celebrates National Shakeout Day With Earthquake Preparedness And Tsunami Awareness Presentation Thursday October 17 - This Is A Family Event, So Bring The Children After School

According to the Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC):

Dear Roosevelt Island Community:

On Thursday, October 17th RIOC and the Roosevelt Island Residents Association (RIRA) will celebrate "National Shakeout Day" by co-hosting a special earthquake preparedness seminar at Good Shepherd Chapel from 6pm to 7pm. RIRA President Frank Farance and local Boy Scouts will be presenting on how to prepare and respond to earthquakes on the island.

Said Mr. Farance, "Do you remember our two earthquakes earlier this year? On Thursday October 17 at 6-7 PM, Roosevelt Island will participate in 'National Shakeout Day 2024' at Good Shepherd Chapel. You'll learn about preparing for and responding to an earthquake, whether here in New York or In California. We will recap the two 2024 earthquakes here, and have opportunities to drill and practice. Although it's a low probability, we'll also cover Tsunami Awareness, which is a kind of earthquake.

"If you have a mobility difficulties, or have a friend or family member, or are standing next to someone with mobility difficulties, you can learn important tips to help keep you and others safe, so please attend. All participants will receive a certificate of participation.

"This is a family event, so bring the children after school."

We hope to see you next Thursday for this special event!

-PSD

As reported January 2, 2024:

... The United States Geological Survey reported today a 1.7 magnitude earthquake hit NYC at 5:45 (10:45 UTC) this morning shaking up the residents of Roosevelt Island, Astoria and the Upper East Side....

Here's more on NYC earthquakes

Tuesday, October 15, 2024

Riverwalk Commons Jupioca Juice Bar Cafe Closed Earlier This Month - No More Tasty Smoothies, Bubble Teas, Acai Bowls And Thai Rolled Ice Cream For Roosevelt Island

The Roosevelt Island Jupioca Juice Bar Cafe closed earlier this month.

Jupioca opened at the Riverwalk Commons in May 2019 serving delicious tasting and healthy fruit and vegetable smoothies, bubble teas and Acai Bowls. Also, the Thai Rolled Ice Cream was very good and fun to watch being made.

Among the comments today about the Jupioca closing on Roosevelt Island Instagram page post:

  • So sad! I went the other day and was heartbroken when I saw the place empty.
  • NOOOOO I go all the time 😭 I was just there like last week??
  • Thats devastating. Their smoothies were so good. Better than the deli's
  • Any idea what business will take over the spot?
  • Anyone knows about that toys store next to the Chinese takeout place? Is it open ?
  • Their melon iced tea was the best!!! We loved their açaí bowls as well. Sad 😢

I asked a Related Companies retail representative:

I’m following up on email below regarding the closing of the Roosevelt Island Jupioca juice/smoothie bar.

Can you confirm that they are permanently closed?

Do you know if their other stores closed or is it just the Roosevelt Island store?

Is there a new tenant for the space?

Will update with any answer.

Monday, October 14, 2024

RIOC Celebrates Indigenous Peoples' Day By Remembering Contributions Of Lenape & Yakama Nation Leaders To Miyawaki Method Pocket Forest Tree Planting At Roosevelt Island A/K/A "Tekenink Atàm" (Let Us Go To The Forest)

The Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC) celebrated Indigenous Peoples' Day by remembering the April 6, 2024 planting of the Sugi Miyawaki Method Pocket Forest at Southpoint Park initiated by iDig2Learn.

According to RIOC:

Today, on Indigenous Peoples' Day, we celebrate the rich cultures, histories, and contributions of Indigenous communities. In April 2024, iDig2Learn, RIOC, SUGi, and the Lenape Center united to plant NYC’s first Miyawaki Method Pocket Forest on Roosevelt Island. Named "Tekenink atàm" (Let us go to the forest) by the Lenape Center, the forest symbolizes the regenerative power of collaboration and respect for our land.

iDig2Learn adds:

So grateful for our partnership. And wouldn’t ya know that the first tree planted by Curtis Zunigha #lenapecenter and Marylee Smunitee Jones @smunitee of the Yakima Nation - an Eastern White Pine - is thriving as we celebrate six months of the 1st #miyawakiforest in NYC thanks to @sugiproject and many, many local partners.

Here are the remarks by Curtis Zunigha from the Lenape Center of the Lenape peoples and Marylee Smunitee Jones from the Yakama Nation during the planting of the first White Pine tree at the Roosevelt Island Healing Pocket Forest

and their remarks prior to the plantings.

Today is also Columbus Day celebrating Italian Heritage with the annual NYC 5th Avenue Parade.

Indigenous Peoples' Day was celebrated on NYC Randall's Island too.