Register Now For RIRA's April 1 Roosevelt Island Egg Hunt At Manhattan Park Lawn - Meet The Easter Bunny, Stuffed Animal Prizes, MST&DA Seussical Jr Performance & More

Roosevelt Island Residents Association (RIRA) Egg Hunt Committee Co-Chairperson Irina Skuletic reports:

Dear Roosevelt Island Families,

RIRA’s Annual Easter Egg Hunt will be held on April 1st, from 10 am to 12 pm on the Manhattan Park lawn. Besides the Egg Hunt, there will be a lot of crafts and activities brought to you by our local organizations. Entertainment includes a performance by the Main Street Theatre cast of Seussical Jr, as well as appearance of the Easter Bunny. Prizes (stuffed animals, English and non-English language books) will be awarded.

Please visit our registration site at http://rira-eeh.weebly.com/ . Fee is $4 per adult. One paying adult can bring up to three children. Children must have at least one adult chaperone. Deadline for Pre-registration is Friday, March 24. Price at the day of the event is $5, cash only. If you are unable to pay due to financial hardship, please email us at sce@riraonline.com.

For more information or if you are interested in volunteering on the day of the event, please contact RIRA organizing committee at sce@riraonline.com.

Here's some scenes from the

2016 Roosevelt Island Egg Hunt.

Another successful egg hunt on Roosevelt Island (other than the 5-year-old outing the Easter Bunny's true identity). https://t.co/FBN6pBcwbe

— Nick Turner (@SFNick) March 26, 2016

Register for this year's Roosevelt Island Egg Hunt here.

Scenes From 2016 Roosevelt Island Egg Hunt At Manhattan Park Lawn - 1,500 People, 300 Families, 12,000 Eggs, 50 Volunteers, Donations, Plenty Of Fun For The Kids & CERT Crowd Control Too

The Roosevelt Island Residents Association (RIRA) Annual Egg Hunt took place

(You Tube Video From Renate)

Saturday March 26 under bright and sunny skies at the Manhattan Park lawn.

Another successful egg hunt on Roosevelt Island (other than the 5-year-old outing the Easter Bunny's true identity). https://t.co/FBN6pBcwbe

— Nick Turner (@SFNick) March 26, 2016

RIRA Social, Cultural & Educational Egg Hunt Committee Co-Chairs Shauna Howard and Julie Adegite report:

The Annual Egg Hunt at the central lawn in Manhattan Park was a resounding success, with more than 1,500 people representing more than 300 families, a turnout that was near-record attendance.

We had a perfect day in terms of joyful children, beaming adults, participant and volunteer turn-out, cooperation, and weather.

The centerpiece of the event was the dash for more than 12,000 plastic eggs, with one round for children ages three to five years old, followed by a separate dash with children ages six to eight years of age.

The eggs, which had been prepared by more than 50 volunteers, were stuffed with stickers, temporary tattoos, finger puppets, rubber erasers, plastic dinosaurs and tiny stuffed animals. The most sought after eggs contained a colored ticket; these were redeemed for prizes. Every child received a book before she or he left the lawn area.

Participants are reminded to please re-cycle the plastic eggs at Coach Scot’s Main Street Sweets.

Children ages one to three played in a separate area, where they looked for rubber duckies. Because these toys are larger than the plastic eggs and not breakable, they meet the non-choke standards for toddlers. According to Lynne Strong Shinozaki,

EGG HUNT #Roosevelt-Island with the best Bunny Ever 2016 pic.twitter.com/Hz4ARqFpDG

— Lynne Shinozaki (@LASHINOZAKI) March 28, 2016

Roosevelt Island is one of the few locations where the under three year-olds have their own safety-oriented event. Toddlers received a book and a stuffed animal, while supplies lasted.

As the children scampered around Manhattan Park’s lawn, others took in the fun activities and their parents and other family members watched them enjoy the day.

The giant pink and white Easter bunny hugged and high-fived everyone in sight!

There was a table of crafts for bonnet-making. Students of Main Street Theatre and Dance Alliance performed. Councilmember Ben Kallos greeted the attendees.

I want to thnk the Easter Bunny and all the Upper East Side residents who came out today for the Egg hunt #RIRA #SAC pic.twitter.com/Py8WFyKs5J

— Ben Kallos (@BenKallos) March 26, 2016

Thanks to the donations of many companies and organizations, the Social, Cultural and Education Committee was able to produce this event with very low expenses, making it the most significant fundraiser of the year for RIRA.

Breakfast food was donated by New Yorker Bagels in Astoria. Baskets filled with chocolate and prizes were contributed by Costco, Roosevelt Landings/Urban American and Manhattan Park. Creche du Monde donated 100 stuffed animals, 48 toys and a large number of tiny bottles of bubbles. Starbucks contributed bags to collect eggs. Bike New York gave a child’s bicycle helmet.

New this year was the advance online registration. The combined publicity of RIRA Facebook page, Twitter posts, notices distributed to every door in Roosevelt Landings, email to building networks and posters on the kiosks contributed to more than 100 families signing up in advance. Walk-on guests were accommodated with on-site registration. About 10 children who requested it received entry at no-fee, thanks to sponsors.

The SCE Committee thanks the many volunteers who made the event so successful: Girl Scouts of Roosevelt Island (poster design, egg stuffers, distributed eggs, helped at bonnet table); Island Kids (volunteers, tables, supplies); Manhattan Park (Beautiful Central Park, meeting room space, set-up equipment, prizes) and Roosevelt Island Parents’ Network (volunteers, toys, prizes, books in non-English language) and other residents.

Several organizations attended the event and shared information of interest to the community: PS/IS 217 PTA encouraged parents to vote in participatory budgeting to secure additional funds for the green roof at the school. Rosana Ceruzzi’s, Wildlife Freedom Foundation and Dan Sadlier’s Roosevelt Island Center of Community Development.

We hope Roosevelt Islands’ children enjoy reading their new books as we continue to encourage them to share and be good citizens.

The Roosevelt Island Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) performed crowd control duties. CERT Team member Frank Farance shares these photos and reports:

CERT deployment at Easter Egg Hunt the crowd control working very well: participants on the sidewalk, CERT members in the street. Nice working with everyone today!

Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC) Public Safety Department Director Jack McManus adds:

I just wanted to extend my appreciation to the members of the Cert Team that graciously lent their support to the Easter Egg Hunt. This is the second year in a row that the Cert Team managed crowd control and traffic at this event, rendering the area safe for all those who participated. This event attracts large numbers of children and parents and the Public Safety Department appreciates the help of the Cert Team. Frank's photos graphically document the Team's efforts. Thank you again.

Roosevelt Island Family Easter Egg Hunt For Children Toddlers To 8 Years Old Saturday March 26 - Pre Registration Deadline March 24

The Roosevelt Island Residents Association (RIRA) annual Easter Egg hunt takes place Saturday March 26.

RIRA's Social, Cultural & Educational Committee Chair Lynn Strong-Shinozaki reports:

Sign Up TODAY for the Easter Egg Hunt on Saturday, March 26 at 11:00 am

Family fun for Roosevelt Islanders. The Annual Easter Egg Hunt is for children ages Toddler to 8 years old and meets in Manhattan Park. Food and books for all.

Please Pre-Register HERE. 

Fee is $5 per child and maximum $20 per family. Children will hunt for eggs in the Manhattan Park lawn and greet the Bunny. Make a bonnet and play games. Prizes (stuffed animals, English and non-English language books) will be awarded.

Entertainment includes a performance by the Main Street Theatre cast of Annie. Read-aloud with Girl Scouts and volunteers. In case of rain, the activities will be moved to 8 River Road. For more information, please contact SCE@riraonline.com

Pre- Register here to PAY IN ADVANCE AND AVOID LONG LINES. Pre Registration deadline is Thursday March 24.

CASH ONLY DAY OF EVENT

Please note that priority is given to Roosevelt Island residents and their families.

Thanks! Hope to see you all there!

Ms. Shinozaki adds:

Totally amazed at peoples generosity.

We had over 30 people helping us stuff our 10,000 eggs. We had a 91 year old Grandmother who stuffed over 300 eggs by herself! We had a very pregnant mother helping us with our inventory count. We had a Superr stuffer who had a crisis at her work till 3am and still woke up and got the eggs to us when she promised.

We received about 70 non-english books and hundreds of toys donated!

We are so happy to have a performance by the Main Street Theater & Dance Alliance.

We have the best committee and team ever. Every one involved has been working incredibly hard. Julie, Shauna, Julia, Susy, Eva, Marie, John, Janet, Sherie, the Girl Scouts, to name a few! Let’s hope this year we get good weather!

Some scenes

Image From Jacqueline Schott

from past



Roosevelt Island Easter Egg Hunts.

Have fun!!

Roosevelt Island Residents Association (RIRA) March 2016 Common Council Meeting Tonight, You're Invited To Attend And Raise Issues Of Concern - Cherry Blossom Festival, Easter Egg Hunt And Ethics Review Among Items On Agenda

 Image Of September 2015 RIRA Common Council Meeting

The Roosevelt Island Residents Association (RIRA) Common Council will meet this evening, March 2, at 8:00 PM in the Good Shepherd Community Center (543 Main Street).

As always, prior to the start of each monthly meeting there is a Public Session in which residents can come and address the Common Council Delegates on any issue of concern.

Here's the Agenda.

If at all possible, please arrive a half-hour early to help set up tables and chairs

Date: Wednesday, February 2nd, 2016

Time & Place: 8:00 pm, Church of Good Shepard, Basement

1. Public Session (please sign-in to be placed on the Public Session Speaking List)

2. Roll Call of Common Council Members

3. Adoption of Agenda

4. Approval of Minutes

a. February 3, 2016 Common Council Session

5. Committee Reports

a. SC&E Committee

i. SC&E Committee Report

ii. “On Roosevelt Island We ...” Sub-Committee Report

iii. Motion to Allocate up to $900 for 2016 RIRA Annual Egg Hunt on March 26, 2016
Movants: Lynne Strong-Shinozaki, SC&E Chair and Shauna Howard, Egg Hunt Sub-Committee Chair

iv. Motion to Allocate up to $3000 for 2016 RIRA Cherry Blossom Festival on April 30, 2016
Movants: Lynne Strong-Shinozaki, SC&E Chair and Lydia Tang, Cherry Blossom Sub-Committee Chair

v. Resolution to Allow Use of PayPal for Receipt of Payment for SC&E Committee Events
Movant: Lynne Strong-Shinozaki, SC&E Chair

b. Ethics Ad Hoc Committee

i. Ethics Committee Report

ii. Resolution to Retain Lawyer’s Alliance for New York and Payment of Retainer Fee for Legal Review of Ethics and By-Laws for Compliance with New York State Laws Movant: Mickey Rindler, Ethics Ad Hoc Committee Chair

iii. Motion to Reimburse Mickey Rindler New York State Fee for Obtaining Certified Copy of RIRA Certificate of Incorporation Movant: Mickey Rindler, Ethics Ad Hoc Committee Chair

6. Old Business

a. Tabled Resolution to Increase RIOC’s Public Purpose Funds Movant: Aaron Hamburger, as Southtown Representative

7. New Business

You can still fill out the RIRA Community Polling Survey Initiative
 

 Image From RIRA 2016 Community Polling Survey

to tell RIRA about your Roosevelt Island community concerns.

RIRA And Roosevelt Island Brownie Girl Scouts Poster Campaign To Promote Good Citizenship And Community Pride

Roosevelt Island Residents Association (RIRA) Social, Cultural & Educational Committee Chair Lynn Strong-Shinozaki reports:

The Social Cultural and Education Committee of the Roosevelt Island Residents Association is working with local groups to promote good citizenship. The multi-media campaign is designed to raise awareness of the impact residents have on each others' lives, whether by design or through inadvertent actions.

Most residents are loyal members of our community and praise life in our small town. The campaign will highlight actions individuals can take to make the island a warmer place for everyone.

The campaign began with posters drawn by members of Brownie Girl Scout Troop 3001, a group of second and third grade girls. Together, the girls brainstormed a list of ways to complete the sentence "On Roosevelt Island we" with a verb that suggested a positive action and a picture that illustrates the thought.

The girls identified many ways that we can be good citizens to make our community a warmer and better place.

Troop Leader Aiesha Eleusizov said that one action that really resonated with the girls was cleaning up after their pets. One girl immediately piped up, "I once stepped in it in my bare feet!" Which of course, elicited a loud chorus of "EEEEW" from the rest of the troop.

This is an issue which personally impacts everyone's ability to enjoy the wonderful outdoor activities available on Roosevelt Island, especially the children who spend a lot of time playing in the grass.

Several of the Scouts drew pictures of children playing with and cleaning up after their dogs with the sentence, "On Roosevelt Island we pick up the poop!" to help remind everyone on the island to be a responsible pet owner.

@TruesdellClass We R doing neighborhood campaign children draw pictures ON ROOSEVELT ISLAND WE.... pic.twitter.com/4mu59rFz3V

— Lynne Shinozaki (@LASHINOZAKI) December 9, 2015

The "On Roosevelt Island we" posters will emphasize positive actions, like saying hello to neighbors

and helping elderly residents. They will be printed in a larger format for placement on the kiosks and the red bus. Some will be scanned and displayed on the monitors in the tram cabin. RIOC is supporting the reproduction of the posters.

The campaign is scheduled to run for the year ahead, with posters from Girl Scout Troops 3244 & 3245 with Troop leader Janine Schaefer in the next series.

Other child-oriented groups to be invited to participate are students of PS/IS 217, Roosevelt Island Day Nursery, Island Kids, Roosevelt Island Parents Network, Church of Good Shepherd, Roosevelt Island Jewish Congregation, Hope Church, Roosevelt Island Marlins and the Child/Legacy High Schools.

UPDATE 6:15 PM - Ms. Shinozaki adds:

We were unable to list every group we intend to reach out to but we look forward to having the opportunity to present first the work of all Island Children and then we hope to reach out to everyone who would like to participate.

Italian Heritage, Culture & Cuisine Celebrated With Authentic Pizza Making Demo At Roosevelt Island PS/IS 217 Courtesy Of RIRA Youth Initiative And San Mateo Pizza & Espresso Bar

Italian heritage, culture and cuisine were on display last night at Roosevelt Island's PS/IS 217 cafeteria courtesy of the Roosevelt Island Residents Association (RIRA) Social, Cultural & Educational Committee (SC&E) together with the owner and chef of San Mateo Pizza & Espresso Bar.

Image of San Matteo's Chef, Owner, RI Resident Fabio Vanorio and Adib Mansour From PS/IS 217 PTA

RIRA's Adib Mansour reports

Brothers Fabio and Ciro Casella entered the restaurant industry at a young age, working at the restaurant their mother owned in Italy. More recently, they had a hand in developing the Italian cheese programs at Dean and Deluca and Grace’s Marketplace. Ciro built San Matteo’s pizza oven himself. From the Anima e Trucco to the Regina Margherita, the pizza at San Matteo are blistered, pliable and chewy in the traditions imported from the area around Salerno. San Matteo Pizza and Espresso Bar is located on 2nd Avenue and 90th Street.

At the Roosevelt Island PS/IS 217 Italian Pizza cooking demonstration last evening, chef Ciro Casella brought his own wood oven

to the school and spoke with Middle Schoolers about the Italian culture, its cuisine, and taught the students

Posted by San Matteo Pizza and Espresso Bar on Tuesday, December 1, 2015

how to make authentic Pizza using his special Southern Italian recipe.

Working with RIRA, Fabio Vanorio, the Executive Director - Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of Italy- and Chef Ciro Casella, this event is intended to bring Middle Schoolers together with their parents to this special occasion (Chef Ciro donated his time and all the cost including dough, ingredients, water from Italy, napkins, plates, etc.).

This event is part of RIRA’s Youth Initiative, who’s objective is to expose the youths of the Island to different cultures as well as widening their outlook for future job opportunities.

Here's Mr. Mansour explaining RIRA's Youth Initiative to bring Italian culture and heritage to Roosevelt Island PS/IS 217 students with the Pizza Making demonstration and RIRA's SC&E Committee Chair Lynn Strong Shinozaki describing goal to educate residents about different cultures and to connect with each other.



Followed by Roosevelt Island resident Fabio Vanorio introducing San Mateo Pizza Chef Cirro Cassela



and Mr. Cassela.



Looks like the

Image From Roosevelt Island PS/IS 217 PTA

kids enjoyed

making and eating the pizza.

Roosevelt Island Residents Association Social, Cultural & Educational Committee Report To November RIRA Common Council - Upcoming Projects, Events And Ideas

Below is Roosevelt Island Residents Association (RIRA) Social, Culture & Educational (SC&E) Committee

Image From RIRA

report to the RIRA November Common Council: 

Review of projects for the coming year 2016:

Egg hunt: March 19th or 27th: Simplified to egg hunt, prizes and giving books to families.

Cherry Blossom Festival: Tentatively scheduled for April 30th.

Roosevelt Island Day: scheduled by RIOC.

Hands‐Only CPR: on‐island advertising for training sessions in residents’ buildings, RI businesses’ staff members, and any Island organizations and groups. Recruit trainers. Jeff to include this information in his RIRA WIRE column. Amalgamated Bank has requested training for its employees. We discussed the need for RIRA CPR signs for placement at events.

Youth Initiative Subcommittee: Chair: Adib Mansour. Possible projects:

1. A chef will come teach families how to make pizzas. Chef Ciro Casella will cover all expenses for materials and will bring his own wood oven. Possible venue would be the PS/IS 217, or Nonno’s. It is intended to bring Middle School children and their parents together to learn about Italian culture and make pizza with a special recipe. 
2. Develop a skate board park on RI. 
3. Italian famous designer Stefano Imbert will do a book cover project with the youth. Working on the venue.

Other Possible projects:

Community Emergency Readiness Program: To be lead by Ellen Polivy. Program will involve CERT/RI CERT Team members, Hands‐Only CPR training. Ben Kallos' office will provide "Go‐bags" for islanders.

Preschool education seminar: Partner with the RI Parents' Network and schools.
Purpose: To help families navigate getting their children into appropriate schools and programs in the City. RIRA President, Jeff Escobar will lead, and SC&E will co‐sponsor this event.

Public Service Announcement project with the girl scouts. Girl Scouts to create signs for the island encouraging being good neighbors: help keep our community clean, etc.

Bollywood party / RIRA fund raising event: dinner / dance. Possibly January or February 2016.

Amalgamated Bank expressed interest to SC&E Chair, Lynne Shinozaki, in becoming more involved by financially helping with its projects and events.

Possible proposals for support:

• Co‐sponsoring CPR program by funding the cost (or partial cost?) of CPR banners and supplies: approximately $750 for CPR supplies ($500 for manikins, CPR training kit / 5 pack, CPR banners).
• Funding for Girl Scouts created PSA posters and, 
• Funding for youth initiative ($400‐$500).

Amalgamated Bank suggested that they would also like to support RIRA by having their staff personally volunteer at various RIRA events.

Put in a motion to RIRA for updated RIRA logo banners to be placed at events. Or ask Amalgamated Bank for funds?

Need to do an inventory of the RIRA storage space with SC&E event supplies.

Respectfully Submitted, Sharon Williams

HOCPR Subcommittee Chair

RIRA SC&E Chair Lynn Strong-Shinozaki gave this oral report to the November Common Council



reporting that the donated Kraitz Sculpture pictured below

will be installed this spring near Southpoint Park (pending approval by RIOC Board), encouraged RIRA members to reach out to residents in their building for Hands Only CPR Training and a Good Neighbor initiative with the Girl Scouts.

Roosevelt Island Residents Help Set World Record For Most People In CPR Relay Today In Times Square - Roosevelt Island Hands Only CPR Training June 5 At Tram Lawn And Subway Station, Help Save A Life

Roosevelt Island Residents Association (RIRA) Social, Cultural and Educational Committee Chair Lynn Strong-Shinozaki reports that residents Sharon Williams and Francesca DeCesare are participating today in the American Heart Association Times Square CPR Training Relay.

@Rooseveltisland @MainStreetWIRE @RIOC @SeawrightForNY @BenKallos @SenatorSerrano 2RI's Training Now Time Square pic.twitter.com/fQJ6DUTxo3

— Lynne Shinozaki (@LASHINOZAKI) June 4, 2015

Ms. Williams shows how Hands Only CPR is done today at Times Square Relay.

Guinness Book #HandsOnlyCPR relay on stage in Times Square! #keepthebeat @Rooseveltisland @MainStreetWIRE pic.twitter.com/xER78q1YzC

— Sharon Lee Williams (@Sharon3williams) June 4, 2015

Learn 2 save a life! #HandsOnlyCPR in #TimesSquare! #keepthebeat @Rooseveltisland @MainStreetWIRE @foundersheart pic.twitter.com/Rn1KNpzCGS

— Sharon Lee Williams (@Sharon3williams) June 4, 2015

Ms. Williams and Ms DeCesare help set a Guinness World Record for most people in a CPR Relay.



Ms Strong-Shinozaki is receiving an American Heart Saver Award for her efforts in teaching and advocating for Hands Only CPR training. To date, Ms. Shinozaki and her colleagues have trained 454 Roosevelt Island residents in Hands Only CPR.

Here's how to do Hands Only CPR.




Ms. Shinozaki adds:

Friday June 5th from 5-8pm we will be training people in front of the Tram and the Subway. We will be training people on Roosevelt Island Day with the American Heart Association and Cornell Medical Center. Lastly we will be training people before the summer movie series.

#HandsOnly CPR 2min. Free training THIS Friday #Roosevelt-Island @Rooseveltisland @MainStreetWIRE pic.twitter.com/wGMwcygK2Z

— Lynne Shinozaki (@LASHINOZAKI) June 2, 2015

Learn #HandsOnlyCPR Friday June 5 @Rooseveltisland 5-8:00 pm at tram & subway! #keepthebeat @MainStreetWIRE pic.twitter.com/7oH4Mhd81w

— Sharon Lee Williams (@Sharon3williams) June 4, 2015

Roosevelt Island Hands Only CPR Training

was available at last night's RIRA meeting.

You can do it too. Help save a life.

UPDATE 4:50 PM:

@LASHINOZAKI receives Heart Saver Award w @BenKallos #CPRSavesLives ! @Rooseveltisland @MainStreetWIRE pic.twitter.com/4QcZeEiWwg

— Sharon Lee Williams (@Sharon3williams) June 4, 2015

Roosevelt Island Historical Society Cherry Tree Blossom Walk April 25 - The Roosevelt Island Cherry Blossoms Will Be Beautiful, Some Already Are Blooming

It's getting close to that time of year when the Roosevelt Island Cherry Blossoms are in bloom

Roosevelt Island Cherry Tree Row By Goldwater Hospital now Cornell Construction Site Seen From Tram in 2012

and the annual Roosevelt Island Historical Society (RIHS) Cherry Blossom Walk:

Image From RIHS

Roosevelt Island Historical Society
Annual Cherry Blossom Walk
Saturday, April 25, 2015
11 a.m.
Meet at the RIHS Visitor Center Kiosk
Tram Plaza, Roosevelt Island
Suggested Donation $10-
r.s.v.p. to rooseveltislandhistory@gmail.com or 212-688-4836

Cornell Tech's Director of K-12 Education Jane Levitt reports that some of the Roosevelt Island Cherry Trees are blossoming now and tweets:

Yes @informor! It's beautiful here today! @Rooseveltisland cc @cornell_tech pic.twitter.com/QS4JzQCWc0
— Diane Levitt (@diane_levitt) April 16, 2015

These Cherry trees are on the Queens side of Roosevelt Island next to Capobianco Field opposite PS/IS 217.

UPDATE 4/17 - Roosevelt Island Residents Association (RIRA) Social, Cultural & Educational Committee Chair Lynn Strong-Shinozaki adds:

Saturday, 4/25 Cherry Blossom Walking Tour and Festival: Picnic, Food & Fun in Southpoint Park, plus Japanese Music and Dance at FDR Memorial.

Meet Island neighbors at a Community Picnic at Southpoint Park
Saturday, April 25 at 11:00 am
Bring a blanket, food and fun

See You There!!

Fourth Annual Cherry Blossom Festival

Roosevelt Island Historical Society

11:00am - 1:00pm Cherry Blossom Walk

Meet at the Visitor Center Kiosk at Tram Plaza

Suggested donation $10


Southpoint Park
11:00am - Community Picnic (bring your own food and blanket)

FDR Memorial Four Freedoms Park
1:00 pm Shamisen (Kicho Kai) Japanese String Ensemble
1:30 pm Japanese classical Dance (IchiFuji-kai Dance Association)

2:00 pm Samurai Swordsmanship (Iaikai)
2:25 pm Karate (JKA Karate Shiroma)

3:05 pm Koto (Masayo Ishigure and Koto Shamisen Ensemble)
3:40 pm Japanese blues (Kayo Yoshioka of Neo blues maki)
4:15 pm Japanese Taiko Drummers (Sohdaiko)

Gallery RIVAA (527 Main Street)
3:00 pm Japanese Ink Painting Workshop (open to all ages)
4:25 pm Gerald Starlight (Japanese flute)

Produced by The Roosevelt Island Residents Association

Roosevelt Island Residents Association (RIRA) April 2015 Common Council Monthly Meeting Tonight, You're Invited To Attend And Raise Issues Of Concern

The Roosevelt Island Residents Association (RIRA) Common Council will be meeting this evening at 8:00 PM in the Good Shepherd Community Center (543 Main Street).

  Image Of December 2014 RIRA Common Council Meeting

As always, prior to the start of each monthly meeting there is a Public Session in which residents can come and address the Common Council Delegates on any issue of concern.

Among the Public Session Speakers tonight is Christina Delico of iDig2Learn, who will be give a short presentation regarding their upcoming Earth Day activities,

as well as the City’s Participatory Budgeting Vote and PS 217’s efforts to obtain a green roof.

All residents are encouraged to attend RIRA meetings.

Below is the full Agenda for tonight's RIRA Common Council meeting.

AGENDA
If at all possible, please arrive a half-hour early to help set up tables and chairs
Date: Wednesday, April 1st, 2015
Time & Place: 8:00 pm, Church of Good Shepard

1. Public Session

2. Roll Call of Common Council Members

3. Adoption of Agenda

4. Approval March 4, 2015 Council Session Minutes

5. Treasurer’s Report & Business

6.President’s Report & Business

a. Call for RIRA 2015 Blood Drive Captain

7. Committee Reports

a. SC&E Committee Report

8. Old Business

9. New Business

a. Committee Reports and Resolutions Submitted after deadline of 5PM the Friday preceding present Common Council Session

i. Island Services Committee Report

ii. PPF Ad Hoc Committee Report and Resolution re ABO Ruling

1. Resolution on RIRA Response to ABO Ruling 15-01 Denying Public Purpose Funds from RIOC (Movant: Dave Evans, PPF Ad Hoc Committee Chair)

Scenes From A Snowy Roosevelt Island Easter Egg Hunt Today - Kids, Bunnies, Eggs & Good Times

The Roosevelt Island Residents Association (RIRA) Easter Egg Hunt

Image From Anamaria Sudarov

took place today at the Manhattan Park lawn with the Easter Bunny greeting kids

Image From Jacqueline Schott

of all ages

Image From Joceyln Lavallo

who filled their bags with tiny bunnies.

Image From Anamaria Sudarov

It was a cold and snowy Roosevelt Island Easter Egg Hunt today but that didn't stop the fun.

It's snowing on the Easter egg hunt. I feel like Jesus would take personal affront at this. pic.twitter.com/3ELOgPmv8T
— Nick Turner (@SFNick) March 28, 2015

Nick Turner shares this video of the Roosevelt Island Snowy Easter Egg Hunt and notes:

Roosevelt Island's 2015 Easter egg hunt gets an unwelcome guest: snow. A good day for pinwheels, though

RIRA worked with the Girl Scouts and other Roosevelt Island organizations to stage today's Easter Egg Hunt. RIRA's Social, Cultural & Educational Committee Chair Lynn Strong- Shinozaki shares this picture taken before the Easter Egg Hunt

Image From Lynn Strong-Shinozaki

and reports:

Getting ready with the Girl Scouts

More preparations for the Easter Egg Hunt at this previous post.

RIRA Roosevelt Island Easter Egg Hunt Saturday March 28 Starting At 10:30 AM - Event Requires Alot Of Preparation By RI Community Groups

The Roosevelt Island Residents Association (RIRA) Easter Egg Hunt takes place this Saturday, March 28 at the Manhattan Park Lawn.

Image From RIRA

According to RIRA:

Family fun for Roosevelt Islanders. The Annual Easter Egg Hunt is for children ages Toddler to 8 years old and meets in Manhattan Park. Food and books for all. Fee is $5 per child and maximum $20 per family.

Online pre-registration ended last night. Registration is still available in person today only at PS/IS 217 from 2:45 PM to 4 PM by cash or check or at the event on Saturday by cash only.

RIRA's Social Cultural & Educational Committee Chair Lynn Strong-Shinozaki shares these pictures

and reports:

A lot goes into making a special day for everyone to enjoy.....

Beacon Kids egg stuffing,

Moms making sample bonnets,

Girl Scouts stuffing eggs,

Girl Scouts painting egg posters,

Octagon Basket donation,

Girl Scout Brownie Troop 3001 stuffing eggs

and making Boy Hats

Ms. Shinozaki adds:

The Roosevelt Island Egg Hunt Committee is the proud recipients of a gift of 500 books from Reading Reflections.

They are donating the books because they were so happy to see an early reading initiative that encourages children to be compassionate.

Some scenes from 2013 Roosevelt Island Easter Egg Hunt.



More 2013 Roosevelt Island Easter Egg Hunt scenes here.

Roosevelt Island Residents Association Community Update - Committees Work On Tram Elevator Status, Easter Egg Hunt, Cherry Blossom Festival, Relay For Life, Hands Only CPR Training, Skills Exchange & More

Below is the Roosevelt Island Residents Association (RIRA)

Image Of 2014-16 RIRA Common Council (RIRA President Jeff Escobar Kneeling Wearing Suit)

Community Update, formerly known as the RIRA President's Report.

Friends and Neighbors – With Spring almost in sight, we continue to battle freezing temperatures by day and blustery, stormy winters by night. Although recent forecasts hint at 50 degree temperatures on the way, it is hard to believe that we will be shedding our winter layers of clothing anytime soon. Despite the wintry weather, however, RIRA has been hard at work laying the groundwork for the upcoming spring, while addressing some of the Island's most pressing issues. Here is a taste of what RIRA and its committees have focused on these past couple of weeks:

Tram Elevator Update from Island Services Committee

Together with the Roosevelt Island Parents' Network, the RIRA Island Services Committee has been diligently working on addressing the long standing issue of prolonged out-of-service elevators on the Manhattan side of the Tram. For those who do not know, for the past year, both of the elevators have been intermittently placed completely out of service for prolonged periods, the most recent being the last two weeks. This unreliable and, often times unannounced, status makes life for many residents particularly difficult, especially for those parents and child caregivers with strollers, seniors and the mobility disabled. Whenever the elevators were placed out-of-service, neither RIOC nor the tram operators provided assistance to those unable to get down the stairs, nor was an alternate means of access to and from Manhattan made available. The situation had been aggravated by the winter weather conditions and those weekends and evenings when no Manhattan bound F-Train service was available from Roosevelt Island. With the street level elevator at the 63rd St/Lex Ave Subway station out of service at least until May 31, 2015, Island residents who rely on the Tram and Subway elevator system to give them access on and off the Island have been left with no good alternative.

Since last year, we have been pressing RIOC for a solid and long term solution to both the current state of the Tram elevators and to their eventual replacement. So far, we have been successful in reaching the following sub-goals: (1) the Board approval by RIOC to replace the aged and faulty elevator system as part of the 2014/2105 budget, (2) the replacement of the Tram elevator door and the repair of the “red lift”, (3) the consistent placement of signage informing residents when one or both elevators units are out of service, both at the RI side of the Tram and at the Manhattan station, and (4) for when both the Tram elevator and the red lift simultaneously go out of service, the immediate provision of Red Bus Shuttle Service to and from Manhattan until at least one unit is repaired.

Unfortunately, regarding the provision of Red Bus shuttle service to and from Manhattan, RIOC has failed to keep its promise to address the community’s needs. The Red Bus Shuttle Service, when provided, has only been provided to date on weekdays. We urge RIOC to change that practice so that, whenever and so long as both elevator units are out of service, Red Bus Shuttle Service is also provided consistent with the Tram’s schedule, including on evenings and especially on weekends. In addition, we have asked that, during these times, a Public Safety staff member be stationed on the Manhattan side of the Tram to assist residents with mobility issues.

Moreover, we have demanded that at least one of the elevator units be immediately repaired, so that the constant outages of service cease. We sincerely hope RIOC will do as promised and press the servicing company to either repair the presently out-of-service elevator quickly or hire another company to install a temporary moving platform next to the Red lift. As many have noted, both elevators are very old (they should have been replaced much sooner) and the replacement parts have proven hard to get. Moreover, with the constant break-downs and the overall replacement of the elevators now predicted to be completed in 2016 (at the earliest), we have urged RIOC or order all of the replacements parts now and store them appropriately so that the servicing company can use them right away for any repairs when necessary rather than having residents waiting for weeks to have at least one unit back in service. We continue to work for a quick and permanent solution to this very inconvenient situation.

RIRA Social, Cultural and Education Committee (SC&E Committee) Program Agenda for 2015

The Social, Cultural and Educational Committee of RIRA has defined this term as a celebration of this great community. Our goal is to create programs and events that give islander opportunities to enjoy the island and get to know each other better. We have tasked ourselves with a really ambitious goal we want to connect and unify this wonderfully divers community. We can only do this with your help support and participation.

Which of these events interests you? You can help out, in the planning of the event or on the day of the event itself. From community organizing to the stuffing of donated give-aways and hiding plastic eggs at the Easter Egg event, any and all community volunteerism is strongly encouraged.

Roosevelt Island Easter Egg Hunt: The Roosevelt Island Easter Egg Hunt, a favorite event in our community, returns this year to Roosevelt Island on Saturday, March 28th. 10:30 -1:30 pm at Manhattan Park please mark your calendars as space will be limited and pre-registration will be required. This year, we will endeavor to encourage our Island children to become good citizens by taking only a few eggs, so that everyone gets at least one this year. We will distribute books to encourage reading, have family games for the older children, and once again have Easter Bonnet Making for all. The Reading Bunny will be back in his tree this year, and we will have a very special guest return this year. We ask for children's book donations from Islanders, as in the past. The event is designed for children up to the age of 8.

Roosevelt Island Cherry Blossom Festival: The Roosevelt Island Cherry Blossom Festival is back this year!! Scheduled for Saturday, April 25, from 11:00 am-4:00 pm. We will focus this year on celebrating our Roosevelt Island community, the Festival’s tradition of spectacular performances, beautiful Cherry Trees and a chance to come out and enjoy your community. This year’s festivities will be kicked off with a community-wide picnic at Southpoint Park to meet your neighbors. Activities will help build deep community connections amongst the Island’s different age groups, everyone from young adults, 20's and 30's year olds, families to seniors during the event to and get to know each other.

Relay For Life: We plan do to our part to see that, for the 3 year, Roosevelt Island's Relay For Life is the most successful one yet; Islanders either participate in the day's events, pledge a donation or do both.

Relay For Life is a national fundraising event sponsored by the American Cancer Society to raise money for cancer research and services. Each team member solicits donations to raise money. At the event, each team member takes a turn walking the track. The Relay For Life event is scheduled for Saturday, June 20 from 10:00 am to 10:00 pm at the Octagon soccer field; participants are welcome to walk or run for any part of the day. It’s a fun day, with a lot of community spirit, entertainment and great raffles! Our goal is to have a RIRA Team and to also have a representative from each building or district on the island build their own team. Family and friends are welcome join any team.



The following programs are already underway:

Hands Only CPR Training: The Hands Only CPR skill training program returns for its second year of classes. Having trained more than 400 Roosevelt Islanders in the life saving skill of hands only CPR, our goal this year will be to train as many Roosevelt Islanders as possible, as well as to grow our team of trainers. Hands Only CPR does save lives, and we want the wonderful people of Roosevelt Island to stand out as a community who cares, and is ready to care, for others. A calendar of classes will be posted on the RIRA website and Facebook page.



Roosevelt Island Skills Exchange: The Roosevelt Island Skills Exchange (RISE) aims to provide an opportunity for residents who have a certain or unique skill to impart that skill to other residents who would like to learn it. Our Island has people with a rich array of teachable skills that includes many languages, styles of cuisine, work skills and hobbies. Through RISE, Islanders can earn RISE credits from teaching a skills course, which then can be used to take a skills class from another skilled Islanders. The skills courses will be offered online with full descriptions of teachers, schedules, locations, course offerings and expectations. There will be skills discounts for young people and seniors, as well as systematic evaluations of courses to help ensure quality. A forum will also be provided for participants to request a skills topic of interest that another in the community may be able to offer. This is a new way to get to know your Island neighbor, while learning a little on the way!



Looking ahead, we plan two more events:

Celebration of Lights: We are planning the first ever Celebration of Lights in November of this year. Details will be forthcoming, including the planned festive fundraising dinner as well as activities for community participation.

RIRA Showcase: We hope to again bring you our RIRA Showcase where members of Roosevelt Island take the opportunity to perform and share their entertainment talents with the community. 



Remember, these events and programs happen because you volunteer. Please officially participate in and join any of our planned events by writing to us at SCE@riraonline.com and let us know how you would like to help! Invite your neighbors and members of your community organizations to also get involved. So please, reach out! Any and all help is appreciated, and we can’t wait to see all of you at one, some or all of our planned events!


RIRA contributors to the update are:

Jeffrey Escobar, President
Aaron Hamburger, Chair, Island Services committee
Eva Bosbach, member ISC
Lynne Strong Shinozaki, Chair, Social, Cultural & Educational Committee
Anthony Longo, member SC&E
Rossana Ceruzzi, member SC&E
John Dougherty, member SC&E
Maria Newkirk, member SC&E
Sharon Williams, member SC&E
Lydia Tang, member SC&E
Julia Palermo, member SC&E

The next monthly meeting of the RIRA Common Council is Wednesday April 1.