Official Island Tree Lighting Tonight, Free Concert Tomorrow Night

If you are on Roosevelt Island tonight stop by Blackwell House at 7pm to take part in the island's annual Holiday Tree lighting. Then tomorrow stop by Good Shepherd Community Center for a free concert at 8:00 pm.

Happy Chanukah - Public Menorah Lighting Sat. Dec 4th

Menorah Lighting 2007

Happy Chanukah from Roosevelt Island ! The public Memorah lighting will be this Saturday, December 4th at 6:30pm in front of Blackwell House. It should be a lot fun but it is expected to be cold so be sure to bundle up.

From Farm House to Town House

Ever wonder where the Blackwell family went after they left Blackwell (now Roosevelt) Island?

OK, so maybe that question never crossed your mind. But apparently one descendent Louis Blackwell was for a time a member of the New York Stock Exchange and lived in town house in what is now Park Slope, Brooklyn.

The blog "Save the Slope" has an interesting post about Louis Blackwell's residence at 99 Berklely Place and some historical facts about this Blackwell and his connection to now Roosevelt Island.

Caution: Playground under Construction Despite Access

I went down to the new Roosevelt Island playground (former Castle playground site) that is behind / between Blackwell House and Eastwood and noted that while the site is obviously not complete that the fencing is horribly insufficient to prevent children from playing on the site exposing them to risk of injury.

While I was there a group of kids ran through and they themselves moved the portable fencing (as shown below) allowing greater access to the site.

There currently are exposed cement edge surfaces by the tables (which themselves are not yet anchored properly) that pose risks in addition to the small mountain of loose wood chips that is sitting along side of the new climbing apparatus just waiting for kids to slide under the unfinished structure. As well as several holes that have yet to be filled in completely.

I will admit I am also concerned how close the play area comes to the water / sprayground area. I would have hoped for some sort of buffer area. It is also unclear as to whether the wood chips will be the final play surface or wehther some sort of rubberized cushion surface wil be installed on top of the wood chips. Was thrilled to see the new swings though.

I have made an inquiry into RIOC to see if the site can be better secured in the period before it is completed and rated as safe for the island's kids. Makes no sense that it was left this open.

3pm Music Bach ; 5pm Menorah Lighting

The Day After the Tree Lighting

I shot the above picture of Blackwell House, here on Roosevelt Island, a day after the annual tree lighting and arrival of Santa Claus.

News Shorts: Blackwell House, Southtown Retail, & Tram Towers

Blackwell House - As first reported by the Roosevelt Islander last week the historic island landmark had suffered some window damage possibly due to vandalism. This week there is a reliable report that one of the exterior doors to the building may have been subject of a separate incident where a vandal or burglar was attempting to push their way into the structure. Perhaps its time that RIOC stepped up whatever plans it has for the landmark as increased official activity, or perhaps some sort of full time presence (i.e. a tenant, or caretaker), might help deter further vandalism.

Riverwalk Retail - Snazzy new signage at Southtown indicating what stores exist. The plaza isn't exactly so big you can't see every store's sign from where this sign is sitting but they are still cool. Does the presence of two open slots indicate the last remaining space will be subdivided into two retail establishments. Can the name "Riverwalk" be placed upon any more signage? Perhaps it can be mowed into the weave of the grass so that residents can see it from their apartments above.

Last Weeks Tram Tower Project - For those of you that were wondering what the men in the orange jump suits were doing climbing throughout the towers they were absolutely not cage bungee jumping. The news according to Armando Cordova, Tram Operations Director, was that these individuals were "performing structual assessments" as well installing "transducers" that would collect information that will allow "computer models" to be developed to determine allowable stress levels which will be needed for next year's tram modernization project". Interesting information but it was more fun to think that the orange men were in fact practicing for a new Summer olympic sport.

Blackwell House Back Porch - The View

Make an on-line slide show at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Roosevelt Island's Blackwell House Faces Queens but most residents know the back porch, which faces Manhattan, as the view of the house they see from Main Street. This video is the view from the back porch.

Traffic Circles, Traffic Patterns and Onstreet Markings

Dear RIOC Public Safety Director Keith Guerra:

Can I ask for confirmation what the allowed traffic pattern is around the traffic circle by the Tram Plaza? On a few mornings when walking to theTram along the sidewalk adjoining the Soccer Field at Firefighters Field I have seen cars looking to make left turns ignore the posted sign and proceed to drive to the left of the curbed circle. One morning a car almost hit my son as we were trying to cross the street to the Tram when the car failed to bear right around the traffic circle. One afternoon this past May a car cut off a Red Bus apparently thinking this sort of left turn was allowed. It is possible though at that time the existing sign was not there. I posted a report of that incident on my blog as I was in the affected bus.

As opposed to the traffic circle / triangle by Blackwell House where street markings make it clear that forking left is allowed and the street markings also prevent cars who are making "U Turns" from making such turns without stopping the traffic circle by the Tram has no such on-street markings or additional signage. The existing circle is apparently being interpreted as only being applicable to cars looking to make U-turns. Certainly if even a moving bus is not making it clear to oncoming drivers we need better signage and on street markings.

Have I misinterpreted the intended traffic pattern? I believe we cannot wait for Riverwalk construction to conclude and even if we need to paint the street several times before the two existing buildings under constructionare complete I feel the added paint and signage would be worth preventingany injuries or worse. Your feedback is appreciated?

Thank you,
Eric


From: "Keith Guerra"
Date: Mon, 14 Jul 2008 12:05:33
To: rooseveltisland360@gmail.com
Subject: Re: Traffic Circles, Traffic Patterns and Onstreet Markings

Eric,

Thanks for your e-mail. We posted the sign currently on the traffic circle by the tram after we received complaints similar to the one you describe. Traffic is supposed to flow counter clockwise around the circle. Our officers are issuing moving violation summonses to those seen in violation. Unfortunately, in the case of the car in your scenario, if the violation is not actually observed by an officer, a summons cannot be issued. We will continue to pay special attention to that traffic circle.

Regards,
Keith Guerra
Director of Public Safety

UPDATE: 6:00pm

Apparently sometime in the last few days since I took the pictures at top RIOC painted the additional traffic flow yellow lines and cross walk. I can't say whether it was there this morning as I took the Red Bus to the Tram station. Definitely a step in the right direction. Subsequent to Mr. Guerra's above reply he sent another email where he indicated that PSD would look into posting an additional sign stating textually "Traffic Keep Right" in addition to the existing graphic sign.

Main Street US Flag - Lit and Up to Code

As noted a few weeks ago the US Flag Code requires that flags flown at night be properly lit. Well in time for July 4th, the Roosevelt Island Operating Corporation has lived up to its promise to properly light the flag that sits at the traffic circle / triangle across from Blackwell House.

Cooling Off with Style

The temperatire is rising today as well as the humidity. This local Roosevelt Island pooch knew what to do, just jump into the fountain just behind and Southeast of Blackwell House.

Picture courtesy of Dick Lutz of the Main Street WIRE.

Landscaping Begins at Blackwell House

The outdoor landscaping of the Roosevelt Island landmarked Blackwell House has finally begun. You may recall that the grounds around the property were totally stripped of the former plantings and brickwork allowing RIOC to start with a clean slate as only the structure was landmarked. We look forward to seeing the structure with all the new sod and plantings. It was beginning to feel quite baren and cold as we moved into Spring.

A fresh look will be great for all of us to experience as we walk by. Can't wait to see the fountain turned back on and the Historical Society placque returned to the site.

Blackwell House, Roosevelt Island – Jan 2008

The above photo of Blackwell House taken from Blackwell Park / Rivercross Lawn across Main Street can be found in its full size on the MDPNY photoblog. The effect of the large trees in front of Blackwell House is great.

Merry Christmas from Roosevelt Island

Just to repeat a couple of holiday related pictures that I took over the last month….

Merry Christmas to those that celebrate the holiday !

Blackwell House Brick Fencing Demolition Began Today

As reported this past October 15, 2007, RIOC had put out bids for a company to demolish the exterior brick fencing that surrounded Blackwell House's Southern garden / patio area. Well by this 8:00 am this all the brick work had been taken down. I must admit last night as I walked home it may have already been gone as I did not notice. As far as I know the garden area and brick work was not subject to the City landmarked status of the building.

Double click on either of the below thumbnails to see the planned changes and work being done.

I do know that over the years various couples had been married on those patios when the building was in good condition in years past prior to the current restoration. I guess the memories of those events will be relegated to personal memories and pictures as the dance floor has been removed.

Update: 1:30pm
The Roosevelt Islander posted a picture HERE of the now demolished grounds surrounding the structure. I admit I was not happy when I left my house without my camera.

A Day for Family Chanukkah Gatherings on Roosevelt Island

Yesterday evening, Saturday, December 8, 2007, a family / community menorah lighting was held on Roosevelt Island in front of Blackwell House. The event was well attended and children young and old were all treated to complimentary Chanukkah gelt, dreidels, as well as latkes courtesy of Rabbi Zalman Duchman (Chabad of Roosevelt Island) and his family. You have got to love the hurricane lanterns used to shield the flames for each of the candles. The evening was perfect weather wise and the views of Manhattan and the River from Blackwell House as always spectacular. Some of the smaller kids found themselves running around the menorah and the neighboring Christmas tree.

The Roosevelt Island Jewish Congregation earlier in the afternoon also held a fun filled Chanukkah party following their morning Shabbat service, lead by Rabbi Leana Moritt, where the children acted out a play explaining the meaning of the various symbols of the holiday and who the main players are in the Chanukkah story.

Chanukkah Events This Saturday Dec. 8th on Roosevelt Island

Today is the first day of Chanukkah. The menorah at Roosevelt Island’s Blackwell House was lit last night in honor of the first night. This coming Saturday evening there will be a special community candle lighting ceremony at Blackwell House hosted, I believe, by Rabbi Zalman Duchman. The below image is a partial image of the announcement from the December 1, 2007 issue of the Main Street WIRE.

The full announcement included the blessings for each night of Chanukkah which can also be found HERE. As noted in the announcement Chanukkah candles should be lit before Shabbat candles this coming Friday evening.



Earlier in the day on December 8th, following regular 11:30 am Shabbat morning services the Roosevelt Island Jewish Center will be hosting for its members and anyone attending services a Chanukkah party at the Shul located in the Cultural Center at 548 Main Street.



The Roosevelt Islander in the spirit of the holiday embedded HERE in his blog Adam Sandler’s always hilarious Chanukkah Song.

Holiday Tree Lighting at Blackwell House

Tonight, November 29, 2007, the Roosevelt Island Holiday Tree was lit in a ceremony that included holiday carols, solo perfomances and a visit from Santa himself to children young and old. The festivities were held on the plaza outside Blackwell House. I expect full coverage from the Main Street WIRE in the next issue. My apologies for no close up shots of Santa and the festivities and I was on daddy duty until after the hoopla subsided.

Blackwell House Unveiled

I am not sure when the exterior renovation of Blackwell House will be officially anounced by RIOC as complete but based on these pictures taken this afternoon it looks pretty much ready.

Roosevelt Island Halloween Extravaganza – Oct 27th, 2007

As the poster states on Saturday October 27th, Roosevelt Island courtesy of RIOC and the management of Eastwood, will play host to the Annual Halloween Extravaganza. In addition to a parade fronted by the New York All-City High School Marching Band there will be activities galore. The parade starts outside Blackwell House and proceeds North on Main Street.