Roosevelt Island Softball: Prelim Sched - May, June, July

------Original Message------

From: Frank Farance
Sent: May 8, 2009 6:40 AM
Subject: Roosevelt Island Softball: Preliminary Schedule for May, June, July

Folks-

I have the permits, based upon our discussions last Sunday.

Here's the summary:

- Co-ed league
- Slow pitch, 6-12 arc, 1-1 staring count
- Play at Capobianco Field (across from PS/IS 217)
- Sundays, 9AM-1PM
- May: 17, 31
- June: 7, 14, 21, 28
- July: 12 (championship)

Shortly, I'll have more information about team registration.

My contact info is:

E-mail: frank@farance.com (be sure to put "softball" in the Subject: line)

-FF

Specific Ballfield Maps: Firefighters, Capobianco, Octagon, Pony

During the height of the corporate sports leagues it appears that sometimes various players are confused where on Roosevelt Island their game is being played. So when the Main Street WIRE provided maps are out of stock at the Tram perhaps these individual field maps will be of service. Double click any individual map to expand it for printing purposes.

Video: 2008 Health & Fitness Day - May 17, 2008

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

Last weekend's Second Roosevelt Island Annual Health & Fitness Day sponsored by RIOC was a lot of fun. The weather was perfect and all the kids had a blast.

The blowup jumper / slide, see the video, was the perfect size for younger children as was the swings on the merry-go-round. My only hang up for the day was the idea that Zog Sports, I believe it was them, was giving away bottle openers and lollypops which seemed contradictory to the day's theme. The free smoothies were great and quite refreshing.

I missed Scott Stringer's official remarks but it was nice to see his appearance on Roosevelt Island. I think he saw the opportunity to meet a number of his constituents and we certainly hope to see more of him in the future. Earlier in the day former Mayor Dinkins was on hand and we certainly appreciate his participation suporting the junior tennis outreach segment of the day's actvivities. That's two years in a row for Mayor Dinkins. Thank you Mr. Mayor.

The large stage seemed underused and perhaps next year some of our local performers shoudl be pressed into service for a large scale "Simon Says" and other healthy exercise programs. Maybe this happened after lunch and before 4pm so if it did fantastic.

I don't know if Dora was at a Health & Fitness day event but we did run into her on the street which was cool for the kids.

Roosevelt Island, the Ravenswood Keyspan Plant and Asthma Alley

Over the last few weeks while taking one of my kids to Saturday morning soccer at Capobianco Field you can’t help but notice the Keyspan Plant across the East Chanel. Its formal name is the Ravenswood Keyspan Generating Station. With the demise of the Manhattan power plant just South of the United Nations this plant and that at 14th Street in Manhattan are the two major generation plants along the East River

When we moved here to the Island we immediately were concerned about the plant but were told that RIOC had once tested the island for the level of EMFs generated (electro magnetic fields) and it was determined that the levels were low and posed no risk to the children or residents of the island. I never pursued whether any tests were actually run and we were so excited about moving here that we put our worries aside. But sometimes I do still wonder.

The other concern when you live near a plant like this is the pollutants put out by the plant’s stacks day and night. In a March, 2001 WIRE article the following list of such pollutants was recited:

“Brown fumes rise above the plant. Chemical odors waft across the river when the wind blows in this direction. The facility's three red-and-white smokestacks spill out nitrogen oxides, sulfur dioxide, carbon monoxide and particulate matter that help make this area among the worst-polluted in New York State.”

I have never smelled anything from the East Channel or seen actual brown fumes but having lived near the 14th Street Con Ed plant I know asthma levels are higher for those living nearby and as the 2001 article states sections of NorthWest Queens have earned the name “Asthma Alley”. I also recognize the levels of soot landing on my windowsills as similar to that when I lived downtown.

I am now interested in learning when and what studies were ever undertaken regarding asthma and EMF levels for our area. The 2001 article refers to an organization named the Coalition Helping Organize a Kleaner Environment (CHOKE), and described it as a watchdog group that is fighting on behalf of the residents of the Queens neighborhoods near the plant. The website for CHOKE (www.chokequeens.com) appears to be inactive. If I find any organization that succeeded and took over where CHOKE left off I will report it here. In the mean time I will make some inquiries with RIOC, CB8 and RIRA.

Capobianco Field, Roosevelt Island - A Single Purpose Map

I have noticed for some that many of our visitors show up on Roosevelt Island looking for Capobianco Field but have no idea where it is. For those that travel over via the Tram that are smart enough to pick up the new Roosevelt Island Visitor's Guide they will have the Main Street Wire map and not look so befuddled when the Tram touches down on the island.

But what do the visitors do that arrive by subway? Well until The Wire convinces the MTA to allow them to put up a distribution board or a large version of the map (on the subway info board - replicating the standard "you are here" signs most stations have) I am providing this single purpose image of the map detailing where Capobianco Field is in reference to the subway.

So Play Ball (after you find your way to your game that is). And afterwards perhaps have a drink or bite to eat here on the island. I am sure your company would cover the expenses.