Gristedes Keeping Promise To Rid Roosevelt Island Supermarket Of Outdated Items - Alternative Grocery Shopping Options Includes Angel Food Service

Roosevelt Island Gristedes Image From Roosevelt Island 360

An earlier post on Gristedes owner John Catsimatidis' promise to improve the quality of his Roosevelt Island Gristedes supermarket, included this:

... Every item in the store is being removed from the shelves and checked for quality and proper dates. This will be accomplished by the end of February...

It looks like they are doing so, at least if my experience last Monday night is any measure. As I was checking out with some items, including my favorite Heat Is On Peanut Butter, the cashier informed me that the expiration date of two of the Peanut Butter jars had expired and removed it from my bag.

That is a good first step and I hope Gristedes continues to remove outdated expired items from their shelves. Also, please restock soon more Heat Is On Peanut Butter and whatever favorite foods other Roosevelt Island residents may have. I am still waiting for the Ginger Beer.

Ginger Beer Image From Stewart's

Another grocery shopping alternative for Roosevelt Island residents besides Gristedes, web based Fresh Direct, Queens' Trade Fair and Costco and the Food Emporium in Manhattan, is the low cost Angel Food service sponsored by the Roosevelt Island Disabled Association. Once a month a menu is distributed for that month's items with a deadline for ordering and a pick up location here on Roosevelt Island. The February menu is located below and includes pricing as well as item information. Angel Food service is available to all regardless of income.

Click On Image To Enlarge February Angel Food Menu

More information on Roosevelt Island Angel Food service is available at earlier posts.

Roosevelt Island Fire With Flames And Smoke Rising From Below Sidewalk In Front Of Island House- But Was It Really Fire?

Image From Frank Farance

There was a fire yesterday afternoon in front of Island House with smoke and

Image From Frank Farance

flames rising from the sidewalk. (Click on images to enlarge for better view).

Image From Frank Farance

I asked Roosevelt Island Public Safety Director Keith Guerra what happened and he replied:

There was a fire earlier today across the street from Public Safety Headquarters. We do not know exactly what caused it, although one of the FDNY Firefighters on the scene stated that it could have been salt that had fallen through the grates onto the wires below. Con-Ed has been working to repair the damage as well as to provide temporary power to support the five light poles that are out between 543-563 Main Street. The Public Safety Department has an officer posted at the location. There were no injuries or traffic issues.

Image From Frank Farance

Roosevelt Island Residents Association Frank Farance was on the scene and states that what appears to be flames is not so but is instead:

On several of the pictures, you might think you are seeing *fire* coming out of the grate, but that is not what is actually happening. If it were fire, it would be melting the snow/ice around the grate and that is not happening. What you are seeing is smoke, particles, and sparks that are being *illuminated* by the very bright arcing below.

For example, in picture 1/6 (1303) it looks like fire is breathing out of the grate, but if it were a really big fire, then there would be a lot of convection above it -- in fact, the smoke puffs are rising slowly. So the apparent strong streams of smoke are really just sharp rays of light from the arcing. When you see the video, this will make more sense. ( The picture below is what Mr. Farance is referring to -a video is forthcoming).

Image From Frank Farance

Con Ed was working on the site later in the afternoon and will advise as to whether the problem was caused by transformers or something else.

Images From A Roosevelt Island Snowstorm - February 10, 2010

Image of Roosevelt Island Tram and Historical Society Kiosk By Judith Berdy

Roosevelt Island was a snowy winter wonderland on Wednesday. A little birdy sent in these pictures of Southtown sledding by the East Channel,

Blackwell House looking like a winter picture postcard,


and Main Street near the Rivercross Lawn.

Ms Berdy also shows us that the streets were not shoveled by themselves but by snowplow trucks

as well as a strong back and shovel.

More pictures from Ms. Berdy of a snowy Roosevelt Island day in February are available here.

Another Roosevelt Island resident, Lorena Fortuna, sent in these images and more of a snowy Roosevelt Island Wednesday.

The Queensboro Bridge,


and sledding in its shadow.

There was a snowman near a playground,

the Red Bus waiting for the Tram


and a snowblower clearing a path.


Ms. Fortuna's February Roosevelt Island Snow Album is here.

Finally, a sample of Roosevelt Island snow people



and on the way home from a fun filled Roosevelt Island snowy day.

Roosevelt Island Tram Service Cancelled During Rush Hour Due To Snow Storm, RIRA Town Hall Meeting Cancelled & Southoint Park Closed Today

RIOC Plowing Roosevelt Island's Main Street Snow

RIOC issued the following snow advisory at 3:20 PM regarding the Roosevelt Island Tram:

The Tram has canceled the rush hour schedule due to the weather and service will be intermittent until further notice.

I am also advised by Roosevelt Island Residents Association President Frank Farance that tonight's RIRA Town Hall Meeting has been cancelled and will be rescheduled for next Wednesday, February 17.

I had planned to go down to Southpoint Park today. I am sure it is beautiful with all the snow. Fortunately, before I made the trek, I asked the Public Safety Department if it is open. I was told that it is closed today. Not known yet if it will be open tomorrow.

King Of The Hill At Manhattan Park Commons

RIOC and Roosevelt Island building managements have been doing a good job clearing the snow from the streets and pathways so far.

Roosevelt Island Jobs Available - Engineering Project Manager For RIOC, Pharmacist At Coler-Goldwater and Real Estate Leasing Director

Image of Want Ads From Boston College

Another job opportunity with the Roosevelt Island Operating Corporation (RIOC) is available. Yesterday, there was an opportunity for a part-time lifeguard and today a position as a Senior Project Manager in the Engineering Department. According Monster.com:

The Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC) is a NYS Agency with the responsibility of developing and maintaining Roosevelt Island, NY, Located in the East River between Manhattan and Queens counties.

RIOC is currently looking for a qualified candidate to join its Engineering Department. The Sr. Project Manager will take responsibility for the daily management, supervision, coordination and successful completion of Island-wide construction projects on Roosevelt Island.

SR. M.E.P. PROJECT MANAGER:
Reporting to the the Director of Engineering, the Senior Project Manager will be responsible for the daily management, supervision, coordination and successful completion of Island-wide mechanical, electrical and plumbing (MEP) construction and maintenance projects....

Click here for more information.

There are two additional Roosevelt Island job listing on the Monster web site. One is for a Director of Pharmacy at Coler Goldwater Hospital and the other is for a Director of Leasing at what is described as a 500 unit luxury rental building on Roosevelt Island.

Best of Luck.

Roosevelt Island Pregnant Mom Using Womb Box To Boogie With Fetus

Image From NY Post

Today's NY Post has an article about pregnant women using a device called a "Womb Box" to communicate with their fetus. Some even play music to the fetus. One of the woman mentioned in the article is from Roosevelt Island. According to the NY Post:

... Five-months-pregnant Maria Suarez, 32, of Roosevelt Island, pipes in classical tunes to her fetus using “Belly Buds” ($60), which has suction cups for speakers that connect straight to her iPod.

By the time her baby boy is born, Suarez expects him to have a broad musical appreciation.

“Hopefully by seven months he’ll be listening to Beyoncé,” she says.

But doctors are now warning against the potential hazards of a mother turning her womb into a boom-boom room. “This could be a hindrance to a baby’s sleep cycle,” says Dr. David Cabbad, a pediatrician at the Brooklyn Hospital Center....

RIOC Issues Snow Advisory For Roosevelt Island Starting 6 PM Today - A Winter Wonderland Or Pain In The Butt?

You Tube Video of Roosevelt Island Snowfall from rebknell

Received the following snow advisory from RIOC:

Due to the upcoming winter storm please be advised there will be no parking on Main Street from 6:00 P.M. today, February 9th to 12:00 P.M. Thursday, February 11th. This rule is in effect to allow for the passage of emergency vehicles and snow removal.

Although we did not get any of the predicted snow last week on Roosevelt Island, tomorrow will probably be the real thing. According to Weather Channel:

...Many areas will likely see over a foot of new snow, including the Philadelphia and New York metro areas as well as in some locations in the Appalachians...

Be Prepared!

UPDATE 7:20 PM:

In addition to the no parking rules and regulations which are in effect for 2/9/10 - 2/11/10, please be aware if you are unloading groceries, etc. to put your hazard lights (blinkers) on so Public Safety will know you are not parking illegally. Please also be mindful of not blocking the breeze ways unless specific permission is obtained by Public Safety.

Roosevelt Island Lifeguard Position Available

Image of Sportspark Pool From RIOC

Are you a certified lifeguard and looking for a job. If so, RIOC may have a position available for you on Roosevelt Island.

According to Craigslist:

The Roosevelt Island Operating Corp. (RIOC) is recruiting for a NYS qualified Lifeguard for it's indoor pool facility located on Roosvelt Island. This is a Part-time position which includes an EARLY (6:00 AM) shift, some evenings and weekends. Non-certified applicants, need not apply.

The Roosevelt Island Operating Corporation is a New York State Agency with the responsibility for the development, maintenance and safety of Roosevelt Island, NY. Located in the East River between Manhattan and Queens counties, Roosevelt Island is a vibrant community with residential and commercial properties, a transportation system, various parks and community areas.

Man Falls Asleep On Roosevelt Island Subway Platform - Pants Cut, Wallet & Iphone Stolen

Subway Sleeper Image From Through My Third Eye

Filed under the category of Don't Fall Asleep On The Roosevelt Island Subway Station Platform. According to the 1/6 - 1/7 Roosevelt Island Public Safety Report:

Robbery- In the subway. Male was asleep and unknown subject cut his pants and removed a wallet and an I Phone. PSD responded. EMS refused. Victim to file a report with Transit NYPD. search for the subject yielded negative results.

Subway Sleeper Image is for illustrative purposes only and does not involve the incident described.

RIOC Real Estate Committee Meeting Today On Roosevelt Island Main Street Retail & Ground Lease Extension For Mitchell Lama Buildings Privatization

Main Street Image Of Roosevelt Island Is The Village From Glark

A reader of this post on the good bread sold at the Roosevelt Island Farmers Market commented:

BTW, I liked the bread and think we should have a bakery here. maybe sometime soon.

and another asked:

I thought getting new stores here was now in the laps of the RIOC Board Members.... Can someone ask them what's being done to fill the storefronts?

We may be getting some answers soon regarding the deploring condition of Roosevelt Island's Main Street retail situation. Later today, the Roosevelt Island Board of Directors Real Estate Development committee will be meeting and one of the items on the Agenda is an update on the Main Street Master Leaseholder status..

PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that a meeting of the Real Estate Development Advisory Committee of the RIOC Board of Directors will be held on Monday, February 8, 2010 at 6:00 p.m. at the RIOC administrative office, 591 Main Street, Roosevelt Island, New York. The Committee will meet to:

discuss ground lease extensions for the Mitchell-Lama projects in the context of privatization plans; and

receive an update on the Main Street master lease RFP initiative.

During the December 2009 RIOC Board Meeting, the Real Estate Development Committee reported (From the Minutes of RIOC's December Meeting Page 9):

REAL ESTATE DEVELOPMENT ADVISORY COMMITTEE

...Mr. Kalkin noted that the Committee met on November 20, 2009 to discuss the draft of the appraisal of the Main Street commercial spaces that was prepared by Liberty Appraisal Services. Mr. Kalkin stated that the Committee agreed to go ahead with an RFP for the retail master lease, and today the Board voted to hire Jones Lang to provide necessary consulting services and draft the RFP. Mr. Kalkin also noted that the Committee decided not to extend the hardware store lease, but rather to offer the current tenant a month-to-month tenancy, so as to allow it to pay its arrears and continue operating the business until an alternative arrangement is set in place....

More Roosevelt Island Main Street retail real estate news from the minutes of December 2009 board meeting (page 10):

... Mr. Shane noted that the hardware store’s lease had expired as of November 30, 2009. Per the Real Estate Development Advisory Committee’s directive, RIOC will seek to offer the tenant Liberty of Roosevelt Island Corp. a month-to-month tenancy with a requirement to vacate the premises upon the expiration of a 30-day period after appropriate notice is given by RIOC. For the time being, the tenant will pay $3,400 per month, along with the additional $100 per month as amortization of its arrears until the entire sum of $2,400 is paid...

Here's some additional information on Main Street Master Leaseholder concept and the Roosevelt Island Main Street Retail Study.

On the Ground Lease extension for Roosevelt Island's Mitchell Lama Buildings, the December 2009 minutes also reveal (Page 4)

...The second item of new business was the authorization to enter into an amendment of the real estate consulting services contract with Jones Lang LaSalle Americas, Inc.

Mr. Shane reminded the Board that RIOC has an agreement with Jones Lang LaSalle Americas, Inc. (“Jones Lang”) with respect to real estate consulting on Roosevelt Island. He provided a brief history of Jones Lang’s consulting services for the Corporation. Mr. Shane mentioned that according to the agreement, Jones Lang’s compensation was comprised of a monthly stipend and commission. He then noted that the Jones Lang agreement has been tolled for the last two-and-a-half years.

Mr. Shane stated that the Island House, Rivercross and Westview projects are currently seeking to extend their ground leases and withdraw from the State’s Mitchell-Lama program. Mr. Shane further noted that DHCR worked out a formula for building conversion, which meets DHCR standards for long-term affordability. However, according to Mr. Shane, given the complexity of the Mitchell-Lama withdrawal process and the diverse scenarios that may ensue, RIOC would need a consultant to provide economic modeling and formulas to make appropriate assessments of the financial consequences of such withdrawal. Given the intricacy of these transactions, the assessments would be crucial in several matters, including RIOC’s negotiations with the ESDC regarding tax equivalent payments, the City of New York regarding diminution of tax abatement, as well as in ensuring that the conversions do not create a windfall for the project owners...

The resolution authorizing the hiring of Jones Lang as a real estatae consultant passed (Page 6):

... RIOC is hereby authorized to negotiate and enter into an amendment of the Contract with Jones Lang to eliminate the prior brokerage arrangement and to engage Jones Lang to furnish financial and leasing advisory services on an hourly basis in connection with the Rivercross, Island House and Westview negotiations, the Main Street retail/commercial space master lease initiative and such other related matters on as needed basis, upon such terms and conditions substantially similar to those outlined in the Memorandum from Stephen H. Shane to RIOC Board of Directors dated November 24, 2009, attached hereto;

A webcast of the February 8 Real Estate Development Committee will be available a few days later. Audio Cast of the meeting is now available.