Emergency Preparedness Program – September 27 on Roosevelt Island

On September 27, 2007, the American Red Cross of Greater New York, RIOC, and NYS Assembly Member Micah Z. Kellner are sponsoring a emergency preparedness program titled “Ready New York” to be held at the Church of the Good Shepherd from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm.

Designed to teach individuals and families how to design family disaster plans, create and maintain supply kits as well as tips on how to stay informed during times of disaster.

As per the poster for more information contact Gabriela Garcia, of the Red Cross, at 212-875-2424 or via email at gargiag@nyredcross.org

2007 Open House New York Tour: Exterior of Smallpox Hospital Only

It has been reported (or inferred) on at least two websites, NewYorkology (09/04/2007) and on the New Yorker (09/24/2007) that the October 6-7, 2007 Open House New York Weekend Tour would include an interior tour of the Renwick Ruin, the former smallpox hospital located within Roosevelt Island's Southpoint Park. I had left comments on NewYorkology expressing my disbelief with this possibility due to the nature of the ruins. Amy resonded quickly and indicated she would confirm this with OHNY.

Today I received the following response from Erica Wilder, the Community Liaison, from the Roosevelt Island Operating Corporation ("RIOC"), in response to my query if such access is allowed or even possible:

"You're absolutely right. Considering that the Renwick ruins is dangerously unstable, all tours of the ruins are strictly views of the exterior structure from the outer perimeters of the gate which surrounds the ruins."

So hopefully all those individuals looking to pay OHNY for such access know before they get to Roosevelt Island you will not be given access other than from outside the gates. Believe me if access was allowed you'd have a line of residents who have been wanting a peek inside for years.

If you do come to the island that weekend I believe OHNY is also marketing the tour to include access to The Encampment which looks like it will be an amazing project to see and witness.

PBS Tonight: The Why Behind the 9/29 NYC Run for Congo Women

Tonight on most PBS stations the documentary "Lumo" is being televised on Point of View . In NYC, WNET, the local PBS station is broadcasting POV at 10:00 pm EST.

As this blog post title states the atrocities discussed in this program are the reason for the 9/29 NYC Run for Congo Women that will take place on Roosevelt Island. I first posted about his event on September 5, 2007. For links to the official event page and the associated organizations please go to that blog posting.

For a NY Times review of tonight's program link through HERE.

Roosevelt Island Based Orphans International Summer Campaign Surpasses Goal

As reported this past weekend , Orphans International, on 9/15/07, held its Grand Finale at the Manhattan Park Theatre on Roosevelt Island. Jim Luce, founder of OI and Roosevelt Island resident, summarized the event on the Orphans International blog. It starts by noting that they surpassed their $10,000 target. It's a great post to read and I invite readers to do so.

Jim notes on his blog post that City Council member Jessica Lappin presented an Official Proclamation from the New York City Council which read:

“Whereas, the Council of the City of New York is proud and pleased to join family, friends and distinguished community members in celebrating the outstanding efforts of Orphans International, and to honor Mr. Jim Luce, whose tireless efforts commitment to the lives of children around the world has been vital to countless lives, and

Whereas we are truly indebted to Orphans International, shoes contribution to the well-being of children is inestimable, we are truly fortunate to have such a dedicated organization in our City, and it is with the deepest gratitude of this legislative body that we acknowledge and applaud its outstanding efforts.”


Congratulations to Jim and to everybody at Orphans International.

Main Street Wire Looking for Volunteers to Assist in "Stuffing" of Papers

The Main Street WIRE is looking for additional volunteers to "stuff" the paper on Fridays, approximately every two weeks, when the paper is scheduled to come out.

"With more buildings on the Island, we need more help inserting advertising fliers into each copy, then bagging and boxing them for distribution," says WIRE editor Dick Lutz.

The stuffing sessions last from about 9:30 to about 1:30, and lunch is provided. Residents willing to join the genial group can call Teri Sheridan 319-7408 or Sherie Helstien at 212 935-7534 and, if necessary, record a message with name and phone number.

Update re 9/21 Community Board 8 TV Broadcast re Hurricane Preparedness

According to Elizabeth McKee of Community Board 8 the broadcast is a videotape of the July 20, 2006 event that took place at the Church of Good Shepherd which was sponsored by CB8. The above image was of the flyer that advertised that event. for info regarding that event you can check out the Main Street Wire article that covered it and ran in the July 29, 2006 issue. To be honest that article covered a lot of ground ad is worth reading again. It also raised a lot of good questions as many of the residents that attended the 2006 seminar were not altogether satisfied with the OEM plan.

So if you felt attending that seminar was enough watching this broadcast may not be something for your agenda but if you missed attending that event perhaps this broadcast is something to put on your calendar.

If you cannot watch or videotape this re-broadcast you can also listen to an audiotape of the event at the Community Board 8 offices which are located at 505 Park Avenue, Suite 620, (East 59th Street). CB8 asks that those wanting to listen to the tapes call their offices before coming so that they can have the tape ready for you (212-758-4340).

U.N. Related Roosevelt Island Bridge & Southpoint Advisories

Southpoint Advisory

As of Tuesday, September 18th through Tuesday, October 2nd,
Southpoint will be subject to closure due to the U.N. General Assembly.

Bridge Advisory

Due to the U.N. Security Zone closures on the East River,
NYC DOT Bridge Operations Unit will be performing openings on the Roosevelt Island Bridge.
The openings will be starting Tuesday, September 18th through
Tuesday, October 2nd between the hours of 7:00am - 7:00pm.
Please be advised that each opening will take anywhere from
8 to 10 minutes to be completed. Traffic crossing the bridge will be interrupted.

Jodie Foster vs. Roosevelt Island Parking Mogul?

I think I am going to have to see this Jodie Foster movie to understand how Roosevelt Island plays into the script but according to the Brooklyn Skeptic one of the characters is a "Roosevelt Island Parking Mogul". Usually if someone is a mogul they own or control more than one of something. Is Roosevelt Island in this movie covered with parking garages?

The Brooklyn Skeptic was not thrilled with the movie and apparently felt that the plot was too unbelievable. Read the Skeptic's words for yourself:

"I’m just going to put this out there, but no UWS radio host .... no one at all - has ever been nearly beaten to death in Central Park, then witnessed a murder in a bodega, then mugged on the subway, then coerced into prostitution, and then gotten into a crowbar fight with a Roosevelt Island parking mogul. "

Amusing.

Roosevelt Island & The NYC Transit Museum

On Sunday, we visited the NYCTA Transit Museum located on Schermerhorm Street in Downtown Brooklyn for a birthday party. It was a lot of fun. It was quite amusing as the birthday boy and half the kids / families were from Roosevelt Island.

The only reference to the Roosevelt Island Tram is within an exhibit of toys dealing with transportation as noted below. The toy tram pictured is obviously not our tram.

Overall it is one of my very favorite museums for kids and adults. Kids love it as almost everything in their collection can be touched by kids. The track level has vintage subway cars everybody enjoys walking through, sitting down in, and reading the vintage subway ads and maps. The exhibition level in addition to various permanent historical pictures and objects includes cut away buses and trains that children can play on and in.

To get there we took the F train to Jay Street / Borough Hall and walked for about 10 minutes to the NW corner of Schermerhorm and Boerum Place. For info re hours, directions, phone numbers, etc. click HERE.

The Transit Museum On-Line store includes a section where the visitor can choose their subway line and their station and personalize various gift items including shirts, mugs, etc. This stuff can be great for birthday gifts etc. As party favors for guests it appears a bit pricey. Unfortunately the virtual “Roosevelt Island Station” seems perpetually under construction. So we don’t get a lot of respect in this venue as we don’t get any relief in the real world.

I first notified the on-line store of this problem back in February 2007 and the issue still exists. Back then I was told if anyone is interested in ordering merchandise with the Roosevelt Island station logo etc that they should call 1-866-Buy-NYTM (1-866-289-6986).

To get a feel for the Museum the below YouTube video gives you a great idea of what it is all about.

TV 9/21 – “Hurricane Preparedness Comes to Roosevelt Island”

This Friday, September 21, 2007, at 2:30 pm on the Manhattan Neighborhood Network [Channel 34 Time Warner/Channel 82 RCN], Community Board 8 will rebroadcast "Hurricane Preparedness Comes to Roosevelt Island". The program is a mere half hour long so if you plan to be out of the apartment that afternoon set your VCRs or DVRs.

Apparently this is the third showing of this program this month. It previously played on September 7th and on September 12th.

I have not seen the program so I am unsure when it was filmed and who the presenters are. I have sent an email to CB8 looking for information and I plan on calling their office tomorrow in that same regard. Look for updates to this post.

RIOC & OEM Hurricane Info:

The emergency preparedness webpage of the Roosevelt Island Operating Corporation (RIOC) can be found HERE. A supplement (made for a magnet format) with emergency phone numbers for Roosevelt Island can be found HERE.

New Jodie Foster Movie: Includes a Roosevelt Island Scene?

In it’s review of the movie “The Brave One”, the new Jodie Foster flick, the Reverse Blog indicates that one scene involves a killing on Roosevelt Island:

“The biggest eye-rolls come courtesy of Terrence "baby wipes" Howard's detective ("the only living cop in New York," as my friend chuckled), who literally is on every crime scene of Foster's random killing spree: whether it's on the Upper West Side or Roosevelt Island, they always conveniently seem to be in his jurisdiction.”

Did part of this movie film here on Roosevelt Island? Or did they re-create their version of Roosevelt Island? Has anybody seen it yet to answer these questions?

Tell the Daily News $400 / Garbage Can Is a Bargain

Yesterday’s NY Daily News (9/16/2007) editorial bemoaned the fact that the City is now buying $400 trash receptacles which they feel are quite overpriced. The editorial also discusses how local politicians are using them as politically funded campaign announcements.

I am sure Roosevelt Island residents will feel some sympathy as the overpriced argument rings a bell when a prior RIOC administration switched from the old trash receptacles to the new red ones which I recall were at a reported cost of $800 per unit. Perhaps the Daily News should be informed that the City got a bargain. Don’t get me wrong the new red receptacles are attractive as such cans go and we all like the Tram logo but the cost was apparently substantial.

The crazy thing is where our state tax dollars paid for the RIOC Reds now our NYC tax dollars are contributing to these new City trash cans. What a waste…again.

Update 3:00 pm
After an extensive search through old on-line issues of the WIRE, I found a reference, within the RIRA column by then President Steve Marcus, in the January 14, 2006 issue regarding the Red trash receptacles. Guess what they were not purchased at $800 per receptacle but at $2,000 per can. And at 40 cans that added up to over $80,000.00.

[Note: The red can pics were taken from Flickr and I have not properly credited the photogs. I will try to do so later today.]

Chase ATM Expected to Arrive 10/3 at Roosevelt Island Duane Reade

Again this falls into the category of I can’t believe this is news but here on Roosevelt Island it is. Until October 3, 2007 the New York National Bank and its two external ATMs will continue to be the only source for residents to access their money outside of cash back at the Gristedes. As of October 3rd, according to reps at our Duane Reade, they expect the Chase ATM to be installed and operational. On that date Chase bank customers hope to access their accounts free of any fees and on their own terms. Again another note of civilization.

The Little Red (Roosevelt Island) Lighthouse It Is Not

The Roosevelt Island Lighthouse does not have a children’s book about it, as does the Little Red Lighthouse, nor an annual festival in its honor hosted by the NYC Parks Department (the 15th Annual Festival was held yesterday 9/15/07), bringing it eternal love from children worldwide but it does have a real kooky story about asylum patients and inmates who built a fort at its location prior to its commission. Sounds like a really cool movie just waiting to be made starring a much younger Robin Williams.

You can read the whole story at the Lighthouse web page of the Roosevelt Island Historical Walk. The story related by the RI Walk has been picked up by other sources only adding to the mystery.

The picture above is the stone referred to in each of the histories as giving credit for the lighthouse construction to John McCarthy.

Would Roosevelt Island Residents Mourn Gristedes Departure?

According to the Gothamist, John Catsimatidis, Owner of Gristedes, believes that rising rents will drive grocery stores out of New York City. Many Roosevelt Island residents may not mind if our own Gristedes was one of them as many have complained that their prices have long been too high (due to a near monopoly) and that many products at this location are stale and out of date.

If you are a resident of Roosevelt Island would you mourn a departure of current supermarket Gristedes? Granted Catsimedes is stating that he thinks all supermarkets could be driven out not just his.

The Main Street Wire reported in its September 8, 2007 issue that six local vendors just had their leases renewed by RIOC. I don’t recall any mention regarding the Gristedes lease in recent issue or how long their current lease has. It is felt and hoped that with the addition of the Duane Reade at Southtown that Gristedes will lower prices and increase its quality. We shall see.

But if this Gristedes goes I know some residents will not mourn its loss. The problem is whether RIOC could even replace it with another supermarket chain. That is a whole separate issue as a “full service” supermarket is a necessity on the island. Thank heavens for Fresh Direct.

Orphans International and Domestic Cats - Support Always Needed

I missed two events yesterday that I had hoped to video parts of for this blog (1) The Orphans International Benefit Concert and (2) The Island Cats Adoption Event. The great thing about each of these organizations is I know neither will turn away support today, even after these events, if you are inclined to give it, whether it be monetary or otherwise.

Note: Each of the above images ran as ads previously in the September 8, 2007 issue of the Main Street Wire

I can say based on the Flickr side show of the cats that were available for adoption, there were a bunch of real cute cats , so if I had gotten to the event I am sure my kids would not have let me leave without adopting one or two friends for our current feline family member. Check out the slide show and contact Island Cats to see who is still available.

If anyone has Flickr photos of the Orphans International event please let us know.

The Octagon Playground: The Good & The Bad

Today I walked with my kids up from the Church of the Good Shepherd all the way up to the Octagon and back. I was quite amazed they did so well. Our goal was to play at the Octagon playground which they enjoy.

The structure at the Octagon playground is by the Gametime company that RIOC’s Donna Masly indicated is involved with the design and eventual reconstruction of the new playground which will be replacing the Castle playground (currently gated off). They are also the builders of the playground apparatus at the Grandpa Al Lewis playground, the Riverwalk toddler playground, and perhaps at Manhattan Park (I don’t recall on this one). I am a bit concerned that having one manufacturer will prevent these parks from having any individual character but so far the kids are not complaining.



THe above video shows the viewer the settng the playground is surrounded by. The video was shot from atop the tallest structure in the playground. From the playground you can see the East River. the Prow, the Dayspring Church and of course the Octagon complex itself. On Sunday mornings you can enjoy the singing coming from the Church.

It’s a nice two part playground with a rock climbing theme on one side, designed for 5 year olds and up, and a mixed boat theme on the side built for 3 to 5 year olds. The “younger” side is used by the Bright Horizon’s Day Care center located at the Octagon which accounts partially for the Stalag 17 gates separating the two sides. But you wonder did the center fences have to be built so high?



Another issue at this park, and a pet peeve of mine as evidenced by recent posts, is in regard to gate locks. Two of the internal locks (between the play areas and the central bench area) are either shot or non-existent and one exterior lock (from this center bench area to the street) of the same design no longer lines up between the bolt and the mechanism. According to one resident parent it appears that the management company rather than having a real locksmith look at these locks is simply having a non-professional solder on some additional metal each time with the hope of getting by.





All I can say is parents don’t appreciate this but at the moment they don’t seem to be able to get management to do anything about it. I am not sure if RIOC has any power here. I am also not sure if an insurance liability issue can be raised but its just plain shoddy and could result in another Bright Horizon’s child getting loose and this time lead to a lawsuit (which did not happen at the Riverwalk MSKCC when this happened to them).

I did not intend this to become a playground review and critique but as a parent of kids who live and play here it was bound to happen (and will continue to do so).

Just Another Tram Video

What I liked about this video is that it starts with a exterior shots of the Tram leaving the Manhattan station. Other than that standard stuff.

Direct YouTube Link by PaulBlanco69

Riverwalk Toddler Playground: (2) It’s History

I know in earlier posts I reported that RIOC engineers determined that this playground should safely escape being lost due to construction. And I accepted their opinion without question but today while standing at the back fence at looking at how it lines up with the sales office, it's circular driveway, and the 475 Main Street building I don’t see how their review can hold up. Based on the rendering above the building in the foreground to my reckoning will be sitting directly on the site where the current playground is. Maybe I am missing something but I think I am right. Maybe they will move it but I still don't see where.

Riverwalk Toddler Playground: (1) Fix the Gate

Ok, I am back on my Riverwalk Toddler playground obsession. In short the gate is broken again. I left a message at RIOC Facility Operations as I understand they are responsible for the maintenance on the park.

The picture above is of the gate from earlier today. If you have not been to the park in some time you may notice that the mechanism is now at the top and no longer in the middle of the gate. Without getting into great detail apparently the teachers at the MSKCC Day Care Facility had their kids in the park one morning and a child got out without their knowing and even made it up to the street before the escape was noticed. For all concerned it ended with the child being found and returned safely but the lock was quickly changed.

What I am hoping is that the same quick service will result in the lock now being FIXED. But alas my wife tells me that the lock has been broken for at least a couple of weeks which gets me worried. I can understand parts being on order but when there are kids involved extra parts should always be in stock. Especially when there has already been an incident of a child who figured out how to escape.

Southpoint Park : Was it always there?

Yesterday’s Gothamist showed the effects of 400 years of landfill on Lower Manhattan and how the tip of Manhattan grew to its present day girth. It’s a picture worth checking out as most New Yorkers just think and recall that Battery Park was built on top of landfill.

The above image details Roosevelt Island’s own growth due to landfill. For instance how many of you knew that Roosevelt Island’s Southern tip used to stop just after the Renwick Ruin? Well it did and a good part of Southpoint Park is the result of the subway coming to the island. So now you know where all that rock went to the next time you descend down those escalators and stand on the F Train platform.

The RI Historical Walk – An Update

A few weeks ago I posted about the status of the RI Historical Walk sign posted just South of the Subway station. Since then I discussed the Walk with both Judy Berdy of the Roosevelt Island Historical Society and with Neil Tandon the creator of the Walk.

I believe from those conversations that there is a chance the Walk can be reborn. The RIHS is unsure whether they want to sponsor the Walk as previously posted, creating new and improved sign posts that will better withstand the elements (natural and those inflicted by man), or if they want to start from scratch.

I know when I spoke with Neil he was enthusiastic about the Walk being given new life but due to his own time constraints would not be able to devote significant time to this effort if at all. Neil did send me all of his images and instructions as to how the Walk was assembled so the source files could be used again.

The above picture if of the sole remaining sign found on the Northern part of the Island. This one is located just across from the Coler Hospital Campus on the Western Promenade heading North towards Lighthouse Park. The Lighthouse Park Historical Walk sign no longer exists and the only remnant is the metal sign (at top) indicating to the traveler that they are still on the Walk. I saw two of these. The first was just between Coler and the Octagon.

I have not yet visited the locations the Walk signs which were posted down by the Goldwater Hospital Campus on the East and West sides of the island to determine if those signs still exist.

If you are interested in participating in re-starting this project or interested in donating funds to this effort please feel free to drop me a line.

Promoting Landmark Status for the Tram

The NYC Tram Committee’s sole purpose is to work towards securing landmark status for the Roosevelt Island Tram. To that end the group set up a website back in 2006 to secure signatures on an on-line petition and to raise awareness to their efforts.

The website discusses the history of the Tram and the reasons it deserves landmark status, first NYC landmark status and National landmark status.

According to the site:

“Once the signatures are collected, the Save the Tram Committee and the Community Board 8 Landmark Commission will present their case to the New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission, an 11 member group appointed by the Mayor. If it is approved by the Commission, it then goes to the City Council for final approval. The Save the Tram Committee has enlisted the aid of Jessica Lappin, City Council Member, and Scott Stringer, Manhattan Borough President, to work with the Community Board 8 Landmark Commission on their presentation.”

I have sent e-mails to Jessica Lappin’s office to inquire as to the status of this effort from her point of view. The Councilmember is the chair of the Land Use Subcommittee on Landmarks, Public Siting, and Maritime Uses as well as a member of the Transportation Committee.

The officers of the NYC Tram Committee include Archie Seale (President),Kai Razaghi (Vice-President), David Oh (Treasurer) and Tami Campbell (Secretary).

I am interested in this effort and I will provide updates as I learn more.

Another Red Bus Video: From the Octagon South

Make video montages at www.OneTrueMedia.com

A while back I began videotaping various aspects of life here on Roosevelt Island and for some reason one of the more popular topics has been the Red Bus. I can only surmise is that it provides the viewer a quick view of the island and at a quarter per trip it is seen as a bargain which “mainlanders” can’t believe. The above video was taken about two weeks ago and is of a bus ride from the Octagon South to the Church of Good Shepherd Plaza.

The video is hot facing the Western side of Main Street for the most part with a few quick shots looking East capturing views of the FDNY Special Operations Command, the Gristedes when the bus turned left into the circular pick up drive.

I thought about traveling further South to make it a complete trip down to the Tram but at four minutes the video is long enough and I have captured those views in earlier videos.

The Octagon Sabrina - Part 2

The following text is from an email I received from Bruce Becker regarding the Octagon Sabrina pictured above. Bruce’s reply clearly answers the question raised on the Amherst website whether the Roosevelt Island Sabrina was “the” Sabrina. Per the response below it is a recasting.

“Sabrina is a mythic river goddess, originally sculpted by the the Scottish sculptor William Calder Marshall in 1845. She was inspired by John Milton's poem titled Sabrina Fair which can be found at the following weblink:

http://www.bartleby.com/101/315.html

Marshall's original statue was made of plaster and in 1847 he made a marble copy. Both were exhibited at the Royal Academy.

Sabrina's location at the Octagon overlooking the East River is a perfect setting for this river goddess to "listen and save", augmenting the island's interesting collection of sculpture along the west promenade.

Sabrina is also the patron goddess of Amherst College. A metal casting of her, made by the J.L. Mott Iron Works of New York City, was given to the college by Massachusetts Lieut. Governor Joel Hayden in 1957. The statue was located adjacent to The Octagon building on the Amherst campus until 1885. Roosevelt Island's installation reestablishes the historic setting of Sabrina adjacent to an Octagonal building.

Sabrina has been installed at a number of other projects designed by Becker and Becker over the past 15 years. Copies can be found at the courtyard of a New York City Housing Authority project at Avenue D and 8th Street in Manhattan, the Times Square Hotel, Urban Horizons (the former Morrisania Hospital) in the Bronx, Avalon Grove in Stamford, The Crescent Building in Bridgeport and The Marvin in Norwalk, CT. None of these installations incorporate the original statue which has been the object of class rivalries at Amherst College.

The castings were made from a mold of 19th Century casting I locating in Rochester Vermont that was in perfect condition. The Roosevelt Island installation is the first casting made of solid bronze and is a stunning setting for her, adjacent to the river and The Octagon.

-Bruce”

If I was an Amherst student or alumni I’d ask Mr. Becker to provide pictures of these other Sabrina’s as a web page collage would be pretty cool. For us Roosevelt Island residents we thank Bruce for our Sabrina as it really is a stunning piece.

Corporate Sponsorship of the Tram – Continued

A few weeks ago the Roosevelt Islander over the course of two days (links to each day) opined on the possibility of corporate sponsorship for the Roosevelt Island Tram resulting in advertising wrapping the Tram cabins much like we see on many city buses. Now most of us can guess that any such move to wrap the tram would be met with widespread resistance and protests. And most us would be protesting with that group as it would demean a symbol of this island.

Apparently back in May 2002 however this was a possibility as evidenced by the below WIRE photo and accompanying text.

I also discovered a May 2001 NYC Council Resolution where it was resolved that NO advertising be placed on the exterior or interior of the Tram cabins. To my understanding as Resolutions are not bills and do not transform into laws it appears that the City Council was trying to express its desire to the State Legislature. The below image only re-produces segments of the full resolution which is linked HERE. If any of our legally trained readers can add anything to the discussion as I found no subsequent NYS laws promulgating this position prohibiting such advertising.

I will say that the thought of seeing a Citibank advertisement on the Tram makes me queasy but if it significantly reduced our commuting costs I guess I am as open to a healthy discussion.

Video of Roosevelt Island’s 9-11 Memorial Service Held 9-11-07

Make video montages at www.OneTrueMedia.com

As I mentioned in last night’s post I videotaped the Roosevelt Island 9-11 Candlelight Memorial Service. The memorial started at around 7:15 pm and lasted about 20 minutes and which time the sun had gone down and the lighting behind the Church of the Good Shepherd was not enough to fully light up the faces of the participants for my camera to pick up anyway. For those viewing this that were not in attendance I hope the video does the event justice and not take away from the experience. I will try to edit the video and lighten it up. If successful I will repost the video here.

A 9-11 Ceremony for Us Each to Remember in Our Own Way

This evening’s 9-11 memorial here on Roosevelt Island included several readings of poems, three songs and a presentation of a tree sapling by a representative from a group of Oklahoma City bombing survivors who traveled to NYC to take part in various 9-11 events. The entire ceremony lasted less than a half hour and concluded with those assembled singing “Amazing Grace” and those individuals interested walking from the Church plaza to the East River Promenade to view the Pillars of Light.

By my count there were approximately 200 people or so in attendance. The opening speaker stated that it was important to come together each year so that knowledge of this event is passed on by those that were there to those that were not so that they never forget.

I filmed the entire event with my little camera and am currently converting the file now so I can upload it onto the Internet. The ceremony started in the light and finished in the dark so I am unsure how clear the back end of the video will be. The audio will be fine as RIOC provided microphones and speakers amplifying the event so that even my little camera picked it all up.

Before leaving the plaza I was approached by Tahira Khan, the mother of Taimour Khan, who is one of the individuals we had all come together as a community to remember. Ms. Khan politely introduced herself and indicated that she had forgotten to bring a camera this evening and wanted to ask if I would share the video I had shot. My response was of course yes and I look forward to hearing from her again to give her copies of the base footage.

After separating from Ms. Khan I realized that the ceremony included no words from family members or friends, nor did it include any speechifying by local representatives or clergy. The ceremony simply included a selection of readings and poems meant for us to think and remember those lost, from Roosevelt Island and the whole city, each in our own ways. It succeeded and those individuals who planned it as such should be thanked.

Not just names but people who mattered...

The following are the names of those individuals lost on 9-11 with connections to Roosevelt Island. They include residents, an employee, a resident's relative, as well as firefighters who were based on Roosevelt Island – Ed Beyea, Anthony J. Fallone, Taimour Khan, Scott Larsen, and Kevin J. Smith –– Deputy Chief Ray Downey, Deputy Chief Charlie Kasper, Battalion Chief John Moran, and Battalion Chief John Paolillo.

Where I could find an article about that individual I have linked their name appropriately. If there was no specific article I linked to a picture. This linked WIRE article is of the May 2002 dedication and unveiling of the RIRA memorial tree and placque. Double click on the picture to enlarge it.



Again as I reported the other day there is a memorial planned for tonight at 7:00 pm behind the Church at the Memorial Tree.

My memories of that day....

I realized today after reading some of the personal accounts of 9-11 posted by NY Times reporters that I had never written down my own memories and perhaps I should do so so my children would know what I remember and felt.

Like most New Yorkers I was in disbelief. I was at a tax seminar over on 57th and 10th when my wife called me and told me of a plane crashing into the Towers. Years earlier I had worked in Tower 2 as an intern for the NYS Tax Department on the 58th floor. She knew I was at a seminar but did not know where it was. I thought perhaps that a small Cessna or something had crashed and shushed her off the phone as the speaker was beginning.

I think she called back and told me to get to a TV or something like that. I think I must have stood in that hotel bar for an eternity watching those pictures not believing what I was seeing. When the first Tower collapsed I woke up and realized I had to get out of that building and find my way to my wife, who was pregnant with our first child. It was at around this point that all cellular phone service disappeared. Finding a pay phone not in use was impossible.

My wife and I both worked in Midtown in the 50s by Lex and Third Avenues. After initially taking a bus across 57th street, traffic became snarled and I got off around Park Avenue. What I saw was a sea of people walking their way up Park Avenue. I thought at first they were heading towards Central Park as there were fears of more buildings being struck and collapsing and that the park would be a safe place. But in truth these folks had been walking for already an hour or two and were heading home. The amount of people on the streets was incredible.

After finding my wife and my sister who was in New York City by chance, and very pregnant, we all three headed towards the 59th Street Bridge as her husband was walking down from the Bronx County Court House and they planned on walking across the bridge together into Queens. How they planned to get to Long Island after that I don't recall. Again the amount of people on the streets was incredible. Some folks in a car saw her condition and gave them a lift as the bridge was packed.

We lived at that time in Stuyvesant Town on 16th Street and we began to work our way South and got lucky when a City MTA bus appeared and picked up passengers. I am still amazed that these drivers continued driving. The subways had been stopped but these drivers, who must have been in fear for their own families, were still driving. As the bus drove South on Second Avenue we saw that each cross street heading near the UN had been blocked by City Buses or Mega Dump Trucks to protect from any car bombs I guess getting through. We passed lines of people snaking onto Second Avenue already waiting to give blood at Cabrini, Special Surgery, and Beth Israel. Blood which was never to be used we learned later.

When we got home we spent the afternoon either glued to our TVs or on the roof watching the fires downtown. We used to see the Towers from our bedroom and bathroom windows. We no longer saw them. I don't recall how long it took before I heard that my sister and husband had gotten home.

The initial border the police set up was 14th Street and you were not allowed South of that point unless you lived there. I am not sure when this was phased down to Houston and later Canal but it seemed like forever. In those first few days even the police looked shell shocked. Ladder 5 was based on 14th Street between First and Second Avenues. We'd see the faces of the firefighters and the shock on their faces. It took a long time for them to recover if they really did at all. Still the fires burned and we watched in disbelief. It does not read as an exciting story. Certainly friends of mine who worked down there saw horrors I can't even think of. But I have now written it down.

My apologies for the length of this post.

Update: The Castle Playground & Octagon Soccer Field

Sometime in the next year expect to see the Castle Playground demolished in order for RIOC to build a new playground. According to RIOC they are working with the Gametime to design a new playground.



My understanding is that the deal RIOC is hoping to close will include new Astroturf for the Octagon Soccer field. According to a few residents I spoke with by having Astroturf it would allow RIOC to try to rent out the field on a higher level to various group leagues and schools.



I have not heard yet if the final design of the soon to be former Castle Playground has been decided. I do know that the current sandbox design was slated for removal which is a relief. While it did provide a large digging area you never knew what your kids would find buried. Sanitary it was not by any means.

It is my understanding that the water feature currently enjoyed by our children will be removed which in my opinion is a shame. Like many parents we always knew the cement was something we had to watch our kids around but the water made for a great wading pool for toddlers. When I hear more about the final design I will post it here.

Update (09-11-07):

I was informed this morning by Donna Masly from RIOC Program Services that both "spraygrounds" the one pictured above (between the Castle and the water) and the one between the basketball courts and the Riverwalk playground (behind Blackwell House) will NOT be removed. In fact during Phase 2 of the playground renovation each will be improved. Very very cool. Thanks Donna!

NY Mag Daily Intel re "Downward Mobility" of Pale Male Progeny

In today's Roosevelt Islander it was reported that a hawk was photographed by Capobianco Field which may be roosting on Roosevelt Island. It was opined whether this same hawk could be the progeny of Central Park's Pale Male. The Daily Intel column over at NY Magazine summarized the blog posting as follows:

"Roosevelt Island: The winged progeny of Central Park West celebuhawk Pale Male may be roosting here. Talk about generational downward mobility. [Roosevelt Islander]"

Is it me or did that last phrase have a sting to it?

Wed. 9/12 - Roosevelt Island Bridge - Test Openings

BRIDGE ADVISORY

Per RIOC:

NYC DOT Bridge Operations Unit will be performing openings on the Roosevelt Island Bridge for preventive maintenance. They will be conducting approximately 3 test openings on Wednesday, September 12th, between 11AM & 2PM.

Please be advised that each test opening will take anywhere from 8 to 10 minutes to be completed. The test openings will be appropriately spaced to provide the least amount of disturbance to traffic.

Wheelchair Charities Game Held 9/9 Benefiting Goldwater Hospital A Success

According to both the NBA / NY Knicks website and a post on Hoopsworld.com the Wheelchair Charities event benefiting Goldwater Hospital was a success.

The Hoopsworld post by Tommy Beer features a pre-game interview with Renaldo Balkman of the Knicks. The NY Knicks post, by Tom Kertes, features quotes from Ron Artest, currently with the Sacramento Kings, and with Hank Carter, the founder and CEO of Wheelchair Charities, Inc.

Sun. 9/16 - Tram Out of Service

Per RIOC the Tram will be out of service on Sunday, September 16, 2007 from 6:00 am through 2:00 pm.

The advisory did not specify why but it is assumed for scheduled maintenance. Maintenance outages on weekends are rare so perhaps a movie is being filmed? Standby for more information as we learn what it causing this outage. And just hope the MTA does not pull a fast one on us that weekend and schedule track work which would remove F Train service in one direction or another.

RIVAA Offers Free Art Classes to Island Residents

The Roosevelt Island Visual Arts Association is, as the above poster indicates, organizing six free art classes open to Roosevelt Island residents. The classes which start September 15, 2007 will each be 3 hours in length and all materials will be provided by RIVAA for the attendees. Classes will be taught by professional artists each of whom is a RIVAA member. Based on the poster I believe the classes will be held at The Art Studio at Sports Park.

Gallery RIVAA is located at 527 Main Street, Roosevelt Island. Their phone number is 212-308-6630. As no info is listed on the poster for registration I would suggest calling the Gallery or stopping by as I am sure space is limited and fills up quickly.

The current Gallery RIVAA exhibition is a photographic exhibition by Tad Sudol titled “Stone and Fire”. It premiered this weekend and will be showing for one month through October 7th.