Co-op City Times 04/23/11

Co-op City’s official newspaper serving the world’s largest cooperative community. © Copyright 2011 Co-op City Times

Vol. 46 No. 17

Saturday, April 23, 2011

Ending special handling for flooring removal could save Co-op City millions

BY JIM ROBERTS time a wood floor is removed from an Thousands of tests required by New apartment and for disposals. The tests are York City over the past several years, and done to measure the air where the tiles are still going on today, have shown there is removed and certify that no asbestos fibers no risk from asbestos when wood floor escape from the mastic glue under the tiles are removed from apartments in Co- wood floor tiles. op City.

The millions of dollars that Co-op City (Continued on page 5) continues to pay for these unnecessary monitoring tests and removal procedures are a waste of shareholder money and could finally end if city officials grant the request of an attorney for Riverbay Corporation who is asking the city to end the expensive procedures now required by the city.

Riverbay Corporation now spends on average $4 million each year for unnecFormer Assemblyman Stephen Kaufman (right), essary asbestos abatement Riverbay’s attorney, seeks end to exorbitant floor hanhandling and removal and dling procedures to save shareholders millions. Above, he for independent testing com- apprises Board President Helen Atkins (center) and General Manager Vernon Cooper of the course of action. panies to monitor work each Photo by Bill Stuttig

Candidates encouraged to abide by rules for fair election; First election supplement next week

BY ROZAAN BOONE Director Bill Gordon, Chair of the 2011 Election Committee, said this week that all candidates running in the 2011 Riverbay Board of Directors election should familiarize themselves with the election rules and adhere to them so that the election process will be a decent and fair one.

“The Election Committee will be reviewing all election material and we intend to deal with infractions swiftly,” said Director Gordon, who is serving along with Board Directors Othelia Jones and Francine Reva Jones as co-Chairs, and shareholders Sandra WilliamsJackson, Judith Washington and William Odom. “We urge all candidates and their supporters to read and understand those rules and if any clarification is necessary to contact the Election Committee and

we will respond expeditiously.”

Last week, the Election Committee announced that all 13 candidates who submitted qualifying petitions to run in the 2011 Board election were certified as official candidates. Those candidates, in the order in which they will appear on the ballot on Wednesday, May 18, are Daryl Johnson, Rev. Dr. Calvin E. Owens, John Rose, Kenneth Mercer, Michelle S. Davy, Leah Graham, Carmen M. Howell, Emmanuel Manny Torres, Eleanor G. Bailey, Tony Illis, Yolanda Canales Schumann, Krystal Serrano and Frank Belcher. Included among the certified candidates are three of the five incumbent Directors whose terms are expiring this year—Rev. Dr. Calvin E. Owens, Eleanor G. Bailey and

25¢

Former Co-op City worker found guilty of murdering former supervisor and shooting two co-workers

BY BILL STUTTIG Three and a half years after the commission of one of the most horrific crimes in the history of Co-op City, Paulino Valenzuela, a former Co-op City resident and worker, was found guilty of shooting and killing his former supervisor and wounding two former co-workers.

A Bronx Supreme Court jury convicted Valenzuela on one count of Murder in the 2nd degree in the death of his former supervisor, Audley Bent; one count of Attempted Murder in the 2nd degree in the shooting of former co-worker Filip Zadrima; and one count of Assault in the 1st degree in the shooting of former coworker Sander Palaj. Valenzuela was also found guilty of two counts of Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the 2nd degree.

Acting State Supreme Court Justice Alvin Yearwood set sentencing for

Thursday, May 5, 2011. Valenzuela is facing maximum consecutive sentences of up to 25 years to life imprisonment for the murder, up to 25 years each for the attempted murder and assault, and a concurrent sentence of up to 15 years imprisonment for the illegal gun possession.

The case was successfully prosecuted by Assistant Bronx District Attorney Christiana Stover of D.A. Robert Johnson’s Gang Prosecution/Major Case Bureau.

Valenzuela was a former Co-op City resident and porter for Riverbay from 1994 until he was fired in 2005 for a documented history of incidents related to threats and violence against co-workers and supervisors and drinking on the job. He took revenge for his firing two (Continued on page 5)

Home improvement fair next weekend

BY ROZAAN BOONE The Riverbay Home Improvement Fair will be held next weekend in the Dreiser Auditorium and several vendors, including Riverbay Corporation, will be in attendance to showcase their products to shareholders interested in updating the look of their apartments.

The fair will be held on Saturday, April 30, from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Sunday, May 1, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

“The Home Improvement Fair has always been one of the most popular Riverbay-sponsored events among shareholders,” said Helen Atkins, President of the Riverbay Board. “It is the one place where residents who are interested in updating their apartments can come, window shop and purchase just about anything to improve and update the look of (Continued on page 4)

(Continued on page 2)

History Lesson … Hillel Valentine, one of the community’s leading scholars of Jewish history and tradition, led more than 200 seniors and guests in reading the Haggadah at JASA’s annual Passover luncheon on Thursday in the Dreiser auditorium. The Haggadah tells the story of the escape from Egyptian bondage by the enslaved Jewish people during the time of Moses. The event was presented as a commemoration of all groups throughout history that overcame the bondage of an oppressing force. Assisting Valentine in the reading of the Haggadah were Lynn Levine, President of the Co-op City Jewish Community Council; Lenore Greenwald, Millie Brager, and Helen Atkins, Riverbay Board President.

See more photos on page 3.

Photo by Bill Stuttig

2

Co-op City Times / April 23, 2011

Election

(Continued from page 1)

Emmanuel Manny Torres.

Shareholders will vote on Wednesday, May 18 from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. in their building lobbies for five candidates to represent them on the Riverbay Board of Directors for the next three years. There will be one vote per unit by residents who are shareholders of record as of March 28, 2011.

The first of three consecutive election supplements will be published next Saturday, April 30, in the Co-op City Times in which each candidate will be given space to place a statement and an ad outlining their qualifications for the position of Riverbay Board Director and their views on issues facing the community. The second election supplement will be published on Saturday, May 7 and the final issue will be on Saturday, May 14.

At the Candidates’ Meeting last Tuesday, April 12, each certified candidate received the guidelines and deadlines

for submission of their statements and ads to the Co-op City Times. All material to be included in the election issues of the Co-op City Times must first be reviewed by the 2011 Election Committee and their attorneys, so it is imperative that all deadlines are met.

In addition to the three election supplements in the Co-op City Times, the 2011 Election Committee has scheduled two official Candidates’ Forums which will be held on Wednesday, May 4th in the Dreiser Center, Auditorium B, at 7:30 p.m., and on Monday, May 9th in the Einstein Community Center, Room 45, at 7:30 p.m.

At the same time, several building associations are also holding candidates’ meetings which residents and candidates both are encouraged to attend.

“Attending the building associations’ candidates’ meeting is a good way of getting to know the candidates on a more per-

sonal level,” said Director Gordon. “It is therefore a unique opportunity and one I hope that all residents will take advantage of—finding out when the candidates’ meeting will be held in your building, or at a neighboring building, and make every effort to attend. In the event that you are unable to attend the candidates’ meeting at your building, there are also two official Candidate’s Forums—one to be held in the Dreiser Auditorium and the other at the Einstein Community Center, and again, every effort should be made to attend at least one of them.”

After the publication of the final election supplement on Saturday, May 14, shareholders will go to the polls the following Wednesday, May 18 and vote for the candidate(s) of their choice to represent them on the Riverbay Board.

After the polls close on May 18th, the tallies will be counted after 9 p.m. in Room

31 of the Bartow Community Center.

A recount of the votes, if necessary, will be conducted on Thursday, June 2nd.

The final results of the election will be posted in the three community centers the next day and published in the next issue of the Co-op City Times that Saturday, May 28th.

After the results are certified, the five top vote getters in this year’s election will be sworn in as new members of the Riverbay Board of Directors on Thursday, June 9th and begin serving their terms.

Last year, the NYC Board of Election confirmed that 5,880 ballots were cast in the Riverbay Board election of which 5,766 were machine votes, 80 stand-by ballots and 34 absentee ballots. 5,056 votes were needed for a quorum in the 2010 Board of Directors election.

This year, 5,019 votes are needed for a quorum.

Wee kend 5 s ervic e s uspended fo r track work MTA New York City Transit announced earlier this week that the 5 train service will be suspended this weekend from 11:30 p.m., Friday, April 22 to 5 a.m., Monday, April 25 due to work on three projects including the East 180th Street Signal Modernization.

Workers will be making preparations for the next phase of the East 180th Street signal project that begins on May 2. This new phase, which will run through the summer,

will necessitate fewer 2 and 5 rush hour trains north of East 180th Street and the continuation of the suspension of afternoon northbound 5 express service.

This weekend, free shuttle buses will replace the 5 between Dyre Avenue and East 180th Street. Customers may take the 2 for service between East 180th Street and 149th Street-Grand Concourse and the 4 for service between 149th Street-Grand Concourse and

Brooklyn Bridge. The 4 trains will run local in both directions between 125th Street and Brooklyn Bridge.

Brooklyn Bridge will be the last stop for the 4 train this weekend due to work at the Fulton Street Transit Center and track replacement south of Grand Central-42nd Street. There will be a special J subway shuttle available for service between Chambers Street-Brooklyn Bridge and Atlantic Avenue.

Customers should watch for “Planned Service Changes” posters and brochures in stations for the latest information. Customers may also visit the MTA website at www.mta.info and click on “Planned Service Changes” or sign up for free email and text message alerts. The Travel Information line may be reached at 718-330-1234 daily, between 6 a.m. and 10 p.m. for assistance with travel plans.

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Co-op City Times / April 23, 2011

2nd Combing ty p Cinext Blood Co-oDrive Next CB 10 meeting on May 19 The next Community Board 10 meeting will be held on Thursday, May 19, 7:30 p.m. at Schuyler House, 3077 Cross Bronx Expressway, Bronx, N.Y. 10465.

For further information, please contact Community Board 10 at (718) (718) 892-1161.

Annual Easter Egg Hunt April 23 One of the community’s favorite family events, the annual Easter Egg Hunt, will be held from noon to 4 p.m., Saturday, April 23rd on the Section 5 Greenway. The event is presented by the Riverbay Fund, and will include a wide variety of games and activities for children.

Church of the Savior’s food pantry Church of the Savior, located on the ground floor of Building 7, has instituted a parishioner-supported food pantry later this spring for Coop City residents who are finding it difficult to make ends meet in these tough times. The church has been accepting applications from residents. Applicants need to bring a photo identification, such as a driver’s license or a benefits card. Divulging social security numbers will not be required. After the application process is complete, food packages will be prepared and distributed to the accepted applicants on Saturdays starting some time later this spring.

In the meantime, Church of the Savior is asking residents to donate un-expired non-perishable food items to the food pantry. Food items will be collected at the church on Monday evenings from 6 to 7 p.m., Wednesday evenings from 6:20 to 8:00 p.m., and Thursdays from 7 to 8 p.m. For more information about the application process, donating food, or volunteering, call Church of the Savior’s First Lady Theresa Smith at 718-925-5052.

We wish ou r r ea d er s a H a p p y E a st er !

FRONT PA G E

Annual Income Affidavits

BY LOUIS SALEGNA, CONTROLLER The annual income affidavit process for Co-op City residents is currently underway.

The Income Affidavit and related instructions were mailed out this week to all cooperators required to file (excluded are new residents who moved into Co-op City after December 31, 2010, and those cooperators on the Section 8 Program).

The due date for returning your completed Affidavit, which must be notarized, is April 30, 2011. Currently, surcharges based upon 2009 Income Affidavit forms will expire June 30, 2011. New surcharges will be imposed for the period July 1, 2011 through June 30, 2012 based upon data taken from your 2010 Income Affidavit form. Please note that it is essential that every cooperator submits their 2010 Income Affidavit in a timely manner. If you filed an application for extension in lieu of a 2010 NYS Tax Return, you are still required to submit your affidavit by April 30, 2011.

Please estimate your income and identify it as “Estimated Income.” File an amended affidavit once you have filed your tax return or you will be subject to the maximum 50% surcharge. Also, please note that Riverbay must be notified in writing with a copy of the extension form.

I n ca ses wh er e th er e a r e t wo sh a r eholder s of a n a pa r tm ent a nd if one of th e sha r eholder s h a s p er m a n ent ly va ca ted t he a pa r t men t, it is imp or t a nt t ha t th e r em a in ing sha r eholder su bm it d ocum ent a tion to R iver ba y C or por a tion a s to wh er e t he va ca t ing sha r eholder cur r en tly r esid es. Accep ta ble d ocum ent a tion cou ld b e (1) d r iver ’s licen se wit h cu r r en t a d dr ess; (2) cop y of th e a pa r t men t lea se; (3) ut ility b ill with cur r en t a d dr ess. If th is docum en ta tion is not sub mit ted with th e

I n come Affidavit , t he incom e a ffid avit will b e r etu r n ed a s in comp lete u nt il t he d ocu ment a t ion is subm it ted . T h e sha r eh old er will b e lia b le for a ll su r cha r ges a ssessed, no cr ed its will b e issued for su r ch a r ges a lr ea dy a ssessed.

Failure to complete and return the Income Affidavit form in a timely manner will result in the maximum surcharge of 50% of your basic carrying charges being levied on July 1, 2011.

You would then be required to pay the 50% surcharge for each month, through the end of the month you finally filed. In no event will credit be given for excess surcharges already assessed as a result of failure, neglect or refusal of the cooperator to file the Income Affidavit on a timely basis. The instructions being mailed with the Income Affidavit form include a cover letter and worksheet which will assist the cooperator in determining whether they are subject to a carrying charge surcharge. Cooperators are advised to read the material very carefully.

As required by State law, copies of Income Affidavit forms will be submitted to the State for verification of income against filed tax return. Cooperators are cautioned, therefore, to make sure that the data provided come from their NY State tax return.

Riverbay staff will hold all-day sessions to assist cooperators in filling out their Income Affidavit form on Tuesday, April 26th and Thursday, April 28th from 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. in Dreiser Center, Room 8; Bartow Center, Room 28; and Einstein Center, Room 35. Extra forms will be available at the sessions for those cooperators who do not receive their mailed copy. Notaries will also be present so cooperators can file their completed Income Affidavit form at the sessions.

Any cooperators wishing to have their Income Affidavit form notarized must pres-

ent two (2) forms of identification, one of which must be a picture of the individual.

The affidavit will not be notarized without proper identification.

Completed forms must be returned to Riverbay Corporation by April 30, 2011.

Special boxes have been set up in the CSO Offices at Dreiser and Einstein and the Administration Office Reception area at Bartow Avenue for this purpose. The boxes will be open during regular business hours (9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.). An additional box will be available after 5:00 p.m. during the week and all day on weekends at the Bartow Security Office.

Also for your convenience, there will be personnel available at the following locations to assist and/or notarize your income affidavit form: 1. Assemblyman Michael Benedetto’s Office, Dreiser Center, Room 12.

2. Congressman Joseph Crowley’s Office, Dreiser Center, Room 3.

3. Jewish Community Council Office, Dreiser Center, Room 18.

4. Multi-Service, 140 Carver Loop.

Enclosed with the annual income affidavit packet is a letter from Mr. Ron Caesar, Director of Risk Management, regarding the submission of co-op insurance declaration page or certified letter from your insurance broker or company showing that you have the required insurance coverage on your apartment.

Please note that the insurance documentation must be submitted along with your annual income affidavit by no later than April 30, 2011 to avoid the assessment of $150 Community Complaint fine. Any questions regarding the insurance documentation should be addressed to the Risk Management Department at (718) 320-3388.

Passover celebrates a history of freedom

Top left: Members of Co-op City’s Grandparents Connection raise a glass of symbolic wine to commemorate Passover’s legacy of freedom for all people.

Top right: Reading the Haggadah are: (l. to r.) Lynn Levine, Millie Brager, Hillel Valentine, Riverbay Board President Helen Atkins and Lenore Greenwald.

Bottom left: Teenagers from the Grandparents Connection, Amara Sanchez, Asia Malcolm and Ashley Carter ask the traditional four questions about the Passover meal.

Photos by Bill Stuttig

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Co-op City Times / April 23, 2011

Fair

(Continued from page 1)

their apartments.”

This year, after missing last year’s fair, Riverbay will once again be offering kitchen cabinet resurfacing.

“I’m pleased that Riverbay will once again be holding a Home Improvement Fair as it’s always well received and welcomed by our shareholders,” said Joe Boiko, Riverbay’s Ombudsman. “Our last Home Improvement Fair was two years ago and the turnout was great; shareholders purchased many items from the various vendors present. Many cooperators were disappointed at the last fair to find that Riverbay Corporation was not selling the Riverbay kitchen cabinets and expressed their dissatisfaction in that regard. I’m pleased to say we have heard the wants and needs of our cooperators and I’m happy to report that Riverbay will return to the fair this year selling Riverbay kitchens cabinets.”

Boiko said that cooperators can choose between maple and cherrywood kitchen cabinets, all at reasonable pricing.

“Having a Home Improvement Fair of this type allows vendors to offer their goods to our shareholders all in one location, taking the stress away of having to travel to the vendors’ locations; It allows for competition, for immediate comparison of product and in many instances, the vendors offer discounts here not found in the stores as they are now selling in bulk to the community,” said Boiko. “It’s a winwin for everyone, and with our shareholders now receiving their tax refund checks, the timing is perfect.”

At the Home Improvement Fair shareholders will have the opportunity to browse and purchase a wide variety of goods and services designed to improve both the look and value of their home.

“In the past when we’ve had the home improvement fairs, shareholders were very excited about this idea and attended in record numbers,” said Vernon Cooper, Riverbay’s General Manager. “Our hope is

that this year will be no different especially since Riverbay will once again be participating having heard shareholders’ complaints about our absence last year. As we continue to repair our infrastructure, certainly shareholders can help add to that value by upkeeping and updating their individual apartments as well. This is another way to show their commitment to the community.”

Barbara Penn of the Riverbay Contracts Department, principal organizer of the Riverbay Home Improvement Fair, said, “We are going to have flooring vendors, window treatments, bathroom vanities, shower doors, closet doors, kitchen cabinets, carpet cleaning, pigeon netting for terraces, painting, co-op insurance, bathtub covers, and much more.”

Shareholders will also find a wide variety of appliances such as stoves, and refrigerators. Brochures on freezers, dishwashers and washers and dryers will also be available, however, while any cooperator may purchase a dishwasher providing they have a co-op insurance policy that includes a $25,000 flood rider, only townhouse owners are allowed to have washers and dryers which must be professionally installed.

Shareholders who purchase freezers, dishwashers and/or washers and dryers must notify their respective Cooperator Services Office (CSO) as there is a $6 monthly electrical charge to cover the additional cost of electrical usage.

So far, among the vendors who have acknowledged that they will participate in the Home Improvement Fair are Co-op Sales; Tristate Interiors offering flooring and carpeting; Elegant Home Décor for window treatment & carpet cleaning; Ron’s Pigeon Guard, Riverbay’s approved vendor for pigeon netting for the terraces; X-Press Bath for bathtub covers; Polar Distributors for appliances; Atlas Paint for apartment painting; Watermatic selling water filtration systems and Celine Kitchen and Bath showcasing cabinets,

vanities and appliances, among others.

“We are going to have appliance vendors, flooring vendors, window treatments, bathroom vanities, kitchen cabinets, carpet cleaning, pigeon netting for terraces, painting, co-op insurance, and bathtub covers.”

Cooper pointed out that the companies participating in the home improvement fair have been doing business in Co-op City, in some cases, for many years so they are not strangers to the community.

“The vendors are already familiar with the configuration of the apartments and they know and understand the needs of the residents,” said Cooper. “This is one of the big advantages of the home improvement fair as opposed to purchasing from outside merchants who may not be as familiar with the community or the apartments and who may sell residents products that do not meet the guidelines of Co-op City apartments.”

Shareholders should note that although Riverbay allows different vendors to sell their goods and services at the Home Improvement Fair, Riverbay does not endorse or is the corporation a party to any warranties given or implied.

Shareholders are also advised that kitchen cabinets may be left behind when they move out as part of the apartment sale provided they are in good condition. In the event that the kitchen cabinets are not, they will be removed and replaced with Riverbay cabinets, since Riverbay does not stock replacement parts sold by outside vendors,

and the shareholder will be charged for the removal and replacement. This charge is deducted from their equity reimbursement.

At the same time, residents who are purchasing sinks other than those from Riverbay for their bathroom or kitchen will be held responsible for any and all repairs that may be needed in the future, for instance, back-ups, replacement washers, etc. The cooperator will be responsible for hiring a plumber to make such repairs when needed.

In addition, cooperators who have bathtub liners installed relinquish Riverbay Corporation from its responsibility to do future repairs to their bathtub since the cooperator then becomes responsible and therefore must hire a plumber to do any future repairs. If there is a problem, such as a leak, and Riverbay needs to open an area of the tub to access any piping, the cooperator’s co-op insurance will be responsible for paying for any associated repair and/or tub replacement.

Regarding closet doors, if a cooperator chooses to replace their closet doors, they will not be charged for the doors when they exit the apartment.

“We will also be giving out door prizes throughout the weekend; that’s the fun part of the show,” said Penn. “Cooperators can come up and get a ticket and be in it for the whole weekend. So the earlier you come and get a ticket, the more chances you have of winning. Only one ticket is allowed per household.”

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MetroCard bus to visit Co-op City next month The MetroCard bus will be visiting all three Co-op City shopping malls again next month, May, enabling people to sign up for the Reduced-Fare MetroCard or purchase or add money to existing Metrocard.

On Thursday, May 5 and again on Thursday, May 19, the MetroCard bus will be at Bartow Mall on Co-op City Blvd., from 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.; at Dreiser Loop from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and at Einstein Loop from 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.

“Our mobile MetroCard sales vehicles are part of our outreach effort to senior citizens and people with disabilities who might have problems accessing our subway station booths,” said NYC Transit President Lawrence G. Reuter.

Senior citizens and persons with disabilities may apply for the Reduced-Fare MetroCard on the bus during regular visits to this community or other locations on scheduled dates throughout the Bronx.

To sign up for the Reduced-Fare MetroCard, seniors must be over 65 years

and bring proof of age with a photo, such as a Medicare card, driver’s license or passport. Persons with disabilities must have a valid U.S. Medicare card (red, white and blue) along with a valid federal/state issued photo identification card in order to be immediately processed.

Disabled persons without Medicare Cards must ensure that their doctors complete the physician’s section of the application.

After a review process, permanent Reduced Fare MetroCards are mailed to qualified applicants.

In addition to being able to sign up for a Reduced-Fare MetroCard or have one refilled, anyone can add value to their MetroCards or purchase pre-encoded MetroCards, including daily, weekly and monthly unlimited-ride passes. Also, Transit staff is on hand to answer any MetroCardrelated questions.

For more information, call (212) METROCARD.

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Co-op City Times / April 23, 2011

Asbestos

(Continued from page 1)

Each time Riverbay repairs or renovates the wood flooring tile in an apartment, New York City requires that an outside company monitor the air quality during the work to test for asbestos. Riverbay has to pay for the monitoring tests and for asbestos disposal each time. Several thousand wood floor replacement jobs are done here each year.

The slight amounts of asbestos that exists in the glue on the wood floor tiles are commonplace throughout all of New York City, yet only Co-op City has been required to perform the expensive testing requirements, according to former assemblyman Stephen Kaufman, the attorney representing Riverbay.

“Everything in the 1950s and 1960s and 1970s was built with this mastic glue, so you’re not talking about only Co-op City. There are loads and loads of housing complexes that have that glue,” Kaufman said.

“Nobody else in New York City is being punished the way we are being punished, requiring the whole hazmat outfit removal. In fact, the federal OSHA department does not consider this a problem at all. And the city already exempts certain sites that have the mastic glue that are here in Co-op City.”

In a cover letter to New York City Department of Environmental Protection Commissioner Caswell F. Holloway sent earlier this month, Kaufman wrote: “More than 65,000 tests taken over a several year period show that there is no asbestos-containing material released into the apartments, the atmosphere or anywhere due to this renovation activity.

“The material removed, specifically the wood floor tiles and the glue that holds the tiles to the floor, do not release asbestos at all – and not during the repair or renovation activity.

“The requirement here is inconsistent with the treatment of similar material under the legal and programmatic administration and interpretations of the department. All of the independent experts conclude that there is no risk and that the floor repair and renovation activity does not warrant regulation as

Guilty

5

environmentally sensitive material,” Kaufman wrote in his cover letter.

As part of the hundreds of pages of evidence that Kaufman as submitted to the city, he included letters from several former top New York City officials who confirm that the unnecessary asbestos testing required by the city should be ended.

Brendan Sexton, the former Commissioner of the New York City Department of Sanitation, wrote: “There are no asbestos related risks to residents, workers or to the environment from the removal of floor tiles at Co-op City. There is no need to regulate this activity as an asbestos risk.

“Accordingly, I believe that after all the testing and analysis done on this material and on Riverbay’s practices in these floor repair jobs, the time has come to recognize that this is not a case for ACM regulation in the usual sense,” the former Sanitation Commissioner concluded.

In addition, Joseph Miele, a former Commissioner of the New York City Department of Environmental Protection and a former Commissioner of the New York City Department of Buildings, stated: “It is my professional opinion that this work does not constitute an asbestos project and that only an asbestos survey is required prior to commencement of work.”

The evidence sent to New York City officials includes test results from McCabe Environmental Services and reports from independent laboratories including Envirosafe Training and Consultants Inc. and Exponent Inc. All the experts, experienced in the use of the mastic glue involved and the use of statistical analysis, concluded independently that testing at Co-op City is not necessary to ensure the health and safety of workers and residents.

The report from Envirosafe concludes: “Thus, it is stated with good scientific certainty that asbestos abatement work practices are not necessary when disturbing mastic in the Coop City building/structures… a waiver of abatement practices is scientifically justified and warranted.”

Even when more sophisticated laboratory tests are required

by New York City, no asbestos has ever been found during any wood tile removal job in Co-op City during the more than 65,000 tests conducted over the past several years.

This is because the glue used on the wood tiles that contains very small amounts of asbestos is embedded by the cement that is under the wood tiles. Even when that cement is damaged during tile removal, no asbestos has ever been released into the air.

“You cannot release this asbestos even if you have a fire in the apartment – it’s not releasable,” Kaufman said. “So you’re talking about a small quantity of asbestos fibers that are benign and not dangerous, and it’s thoroughly and completely encapsulated. And we’re being forced to spend $4 million a year to abate this when there is no need to do that.”

To be absolutely certain that no asbestos is released, Kaufman had even more demanding tests done by an independent lab using transmission electron microscope equipment which certified that no asbestos fibers were detected.

The testing at Co-op City began in February, 2005 when a New York City DEP inspector appeared at a vacant apartment here where wood tiles were being replaced, according to Kaufman’s report.

Only by burning the glue in a laboratory at very high temperatures did the city discover that a small amount of non-toxic asbestos called chrysotile was noticeable.

The city then issued violations to Riverbay Corporation and since then has required millions of dollars of monitoring and testing on routine wood floor tile replacement jobs here.

Discussions with city officials are scheduled for early May to pursue an exemption from the regulations which are costing shareholders millions of dollars each year.

“I’m optimistic because I think the evidence is so overwhelming that a rational person can see that we don’t have to do any abatement because there is no asbestos hazard here,” Kaufman said.

(Continued from page 1)

years later just days after a federal judge disallowed his claim that his firing was based on discrimination.

On August 30th, 2007, at approximately 8 a.m., the start of what was anticipated to be a normal work day at Riverbay, Valenzuela went to the Building 26 office of his former boss armed with a .38 caliber revolver equipped with a silencer and shot and killed Riverbay building supervisor Audley Bent in his office and then shot two other Riverbay employees who happened to be in the vicinity of Bent’s office. Filip Zadrima was shot in the arm and quickly recovered from his wound, but Sander Palaj was left a quadriplegic by the bullet that struck him. Another worker in the vicinity had the gun pointed at him and Valenzuela fired but the gun jammed saving the man from serious injury or worse.

In the immediate aftermath of the shooting, an extreme alert was sounded throughout the community as Valenzuela’s whereabouts were unknown. Fearing that he may continue to take his revenge against other Riverbay supervisors and employees, all workers were ordered to secure locations set up at all three community centers and told to remain there until the suspect was found.

The precautions, although well-founded, fortunately turned out to be unnecessary because, in a bizarre twist, the suspect, stained with blood and still armed, calmly hopped onto a New York City bus to Pelham Bay Station and proceeded to take trains to Bronx Criminal Court at East 161st Street where he turned himself into court officers 45 minutes later while handing over his revolver and confessing his heinous crimes.

But by the next day, Valenzuela changed his story and claimed the shootings were in self-defense, a defense he carried with him into trial.

During the more than month-long trial, Valenzuela’s attorney Michael Torres also tried to use the defense that his client committed his crimes due to extreme emotional distress, but the jury did not buy the claim and convicted Valenzuela.

Bent, the supervisor killed in the deadly crime had been employed by Riverbay for approximately five years when the shooting occurred. He was described by his supervisor, Building and Grounds Director Donovan Plummer, as “an excellent supervisor. He was hands-on and he knew his job. He was friendly with all of his peers, always willing to help other

people.”

Bent’s death left a terrible void as he is survived by his wife Cynthia, two grown children, Nivea and Kevin, and a grandchild, Devon Jordan Bent.

Valenzuela’s employment history with Riverbay was checkered with a series of incidents that began in 2000 and ended with the termination of his employment in 2005.

Incidents for which he was disciplined over the years included using threatening language against his co-workers in 2000,

drinking on the job in 2001, threatening a supervisor in 2004, and then striking a supervisor in the head in February of 2005, an action which resulted in his immediate termination.

A year later, Valenzuela filed a federal lawsuit against Riverbay claiming his termination was based on discrimination. But on August 24th, 2007, United States District Court Judge Dennis Cote dismissed the suit, ruling that Riverbay had “certainly identified legitimate cause for the termination of Valenzuela’s employment.”

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Co-op City Times / April 23, 2011

Important election notice to clubs, and religious and community organizations With the Riverbay Board Election in progress, we remind shareholders that the articles of recognized organizations are published at no cost to your organization each week, but at a considerable cost to Riverbay, in order t o in for m you r m em b er s a n d t h e com m u n it y a t la r ge a b ou t you r or ga n iza t ion ’s p r ogr a m s, ser vices a n d even t s, n ot a s ed it or ia l sp a ce for p er son a l com m en t , op in ion s, or t o m a k e p olit ica l en d or sem en t s or cr it ica l com m en t d u r in g t h e Boa r d elect ion s.

There is limited space in the paper each week, as well as limited resources

and funds, but we work hard to accommodate the many clubs, synagogues, churches and other community organizations that submit articles for weekly publication.

In an effort to better accommodate all the organizations, groups and religious institutions that submit articles for inclusion in the Co-op City Times, weekly submissions M UST NOT exceed 500 wor d s. Articles that do not conform will be edited for content and space availability. At the same time, articles that significantly stray from its purpose of informing the community of your orga-

nization’s p r ogr a m s, se r vice s a n d even t s will a lso b e ed it ed or om it t ed a lt oget h er.

Remember also that the deadline for submission of articles from clubs, religious institutions and community organizations is 3 p.m. each Monday. Articles that are received after this deadline will be considered on a first-come, firstserved basis.

Religious institutions may continue to include a topical message, in addition to listing their schedules, events and programs as long as they do not exceed 500 words..

Co-op City Times Co-op City’s official newspaper serving the world’s largest cooperative community.

(718) 320-3300, ext. 3375 cctimes@riverbaycorp.com

Derek Alger Director of Communications

Rozaan Boone Editor-in-Chief

Bill Stuttig Associate Editor

Jim Roberts Business Manager

Jennifer Flynn Operations Manager

Ralph Henriquez Production Manager

Notice of non-delivery of the Co-op City Times The Co-op City Times is the official newspaper of the residents of Co-op City. It is distributed to every residential building and townhouse cluster on Saturdays. If you do not receive the paper, it is imperative that you call the distributor’s field supervisor between 9 a.m. and 2 p.m. at (646) 479-1041. You should also contact the Co-op City Times office at (718) 320-3300, Ext. 3375, or email us at cctimes@riverbaycorp.com, to notify us so that we can follow-up with the distributor to ensure that the situation is addressed and corrected, especially if it is an ongoing problem.

Thank you for your cooperation.

Window Guard Notice If you have not yet returned your 2011 Window Guard form, please fill it out, sign it and enter the date and your phone number.

Either mail it back using the envelope provided, return it to your local Cooperator Service Office (CSO) or return it to Room S in Bartow.

On Monday, April 4, Window Guard forms will be delivered to those in Buildings 14, 15 and 16, who have not yet returned their forms.

Thank you for your cooperation.

—R iver b a y W in d ow G u a r d O ffice

Riverbay Safety Flash Do you want better mileage?

Sta y with in post ed speed limit , stop a ggr essive dr iving, avoid un necessar y id lin g, comb in e er r an ds, use over dr ive gear s an d cr uise con tr ol when a pp r opr ia te, r emove excess weigh t fr om the t r unk, avoid pa cking item s on top of your car, keep your engine t uned, keep your t ir es pr oper ly infla ted a nd a ligned, chan ge your oil, check a nd r epla ce a ir filt er s r egula r ly.

—R iver b a y Sa fet y Dep a r t m en t

We wish our readers a Happy Easter!

Mary Ann Sowah Graphic Artist

Deborah Harris Editorial Assistant The Co-op City Times welcomes issue-oriented letters to the editor to be considered for publication. All letters, in prose, not poetry, must be addressed to the editor, not to third parties. All letters must be handsigned by the writers and include their addresses and phone numbers, which will be kept confidential, so that the editor can verify the authenticity of the authors.

Writers will be limited to one letter per topic. And to give everyone a chance, we will limit writers to one published letter every 30 days.

Anonymous or unsigned letters will not be accepted for publication.

Letters cannot exceed 350 words.

Ideally, they should be typed. All letters must be in the Co-op City Times office in Room 21, Bartow Community Center, by 3 p.m. every Monday to be considered for publication in that week’s edition. Views and opinions expressed in letters and Directors’ Viewpoint are solely the writer’s, and not necessarily shared by the Co-op City Times or Riverbay Corp.

Advertisements and classified advertisements in the Co-op City Times do not necessarily reflect an endorsement from Riverbay Corporation of goods and services, but present greater options to cooperators of products and services available.

The Riverbay Corporation does not assume any responsibility nor is it a party to any contract or agreement between the cooperator and the vendor.

All matter published herein is copyrighted by the Co-op City Times.

Permission for reprints of advertising or editorial contents produced by the Co-op City Times must be obtained in writing from Riverbay Corporation, 2049 Bartow Ave., Bronx, New York 10475.

Send us your

Letters!

Important Notice to Shareholders of Building 11 Article SIXTH of your Occupancy submit your completed form for a short- lease, notify Riverbay, in writing, Attention: Agreement provides, in part, that your lease term lease no later than thirty (30) days Sales Support Office, 2049 Bartow Avenue, automatically renews for an additional before the expiration of your present lease. Bronx, NY 10475, ninety (90) days prior to three (3) year period. You need to do noth- If you will be moving out at the end of your lease expiration. ing if you want your lease to extend for another three (3) New Three (3) Year Last Date to Request Current Lease either a One (1) or year period. If you desire a Expiration Date Expiration Date lease of less than three (3) Two (2) Year Lease years, you may call 718-3203373 to request a form to subBuilding 11 July 31, 2011 July 31, 2014 July 1, 2011 mit for either a one (1) year or 100, 120, 140 Carver Loop two (2) year lease. You must

r es Edito City Tim e. p o A Co Bartow v 5 2049 , NY 1047 x Bron

email: cctimes@riverbaycorp.com

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Co-op City Times / April 23, 2011

Public Safety Report

CCPD urges residents to “GO GREEN” and “GO SAFE” in honor of Earth Day on April 22

BY LIEUTENANT PAM APOLLO Co-op City Department of Public Safety and Riverbay Corporation celebrated Earth Day on Friday, April 22.

Earth Day has been set aside as a day when we focus on what we can do to keep our planet clean and green. By making an effort to conserve our natural resources, we can make a difference in keeping the world clean and reducing global warming. Various activities take place during Earth Week focused on conservation and cleaning up the planet. Conservation and reduction of waste should take place all year long. While taking steps to reduce the use of electricity, we should also take steps to be sure we use electricity safely.

Recycling is an excellent way to conserve natural resources. Everyone should “REDUCE, REUSE and RECYCLE.” REDUCE the amount of things you use that will eventually end up in a landfill. Buy only those items you really need and plan to keep for a long time. REUSE things like plastic bags for other purposes after you bring them home. Many stores offer reusable bags to bring home your purchases. RECYCLE newspaper, cans, glass bottles and plastic containers.

Co-op City works with the New York City Department of Sanitation to make sure that all recyclable items are collected and appropriately processed.

People should do what they can to reduce fuel consumption. With high gasoline prices and an increased desire to reduce dependence on foreign oil, fuel conservation is even more important than ever. Whenever possible, people should walk or utilize public transportation.

Map out and combine errands to save fuel. Consider purchasing a fuel efficient, alternative fuel or hybrid vehicle as your next vehicle. Newer technology has greatly improved the reliability of these vehicles.

Residents can save energy by keeping windows closed when air conditioning or heat is turned on. Unplug phone chargers and plugs which have power converters. These plugs constantly drain energy and can also become very hot. Turn off lights when there is nobody in the room.

Consider replacing regular light bulbs with compact fluorescent bulbs. Compact fluorescent bulbs use almost ¼ of the energy and also last much longer. Compact fluorescent bulbs are available now for use with dimmer switches and 3 way lamps. Make certain that new appliances are Energy Star rated. These appliances use much less electricity than older appliances. Utilize holiday lighting only during the holiday season. Public Safety canvasses the community for lights that remain on past the holiday season. Eliminating unnecessary electricity usage is good for the community and good for the planet.

Safety is essential when using electrical appliances.

Always keep liquids away from electric equipment.

Never leave cords hanging near bathtubs, where they can easily be grabbed by children. Avoid putting things on top of electrical devices; they could get hot and catch fire.

Never use frayed cables. Do not crowd a multi-plug socket; it creates a serious fire hazard. Be sure that unused outlets are covered with outlet protectors if young children live in or visit your home.

Energy conservation and safety go hand-in-hand to improve the quality of life locally and globally. Earth Day is a good time to think about energy conservation, plus safety as it pertains to using electricity. If everyone takes a few small steps, the planet can stay clean and green for generations to come. Have a Happy Earth Week and always remember, if you see something, say something. Be especially vigilant for persons trespassing on

the roofs, alarms sound when entry is made onto the roof.

Call 9-1-1 and the Department of Public Safety at (718) 671-3050 or online at www.ccpd.us. Callers may remain anonymous when giving information. The Co-op City

Department of Public Safety would like to thank all persons who have called in suspicious activity. It is by your actions that the crime rate remains low and a high quality of life is maintained.

NEW YORK STATE DIVISION OF HOUSING & COMMUNITY RENEWAL OFFICE OF HOUSING OPERATIONS

Overview of MITCHELL-LAMA RENT INCREASE PROCESS BAC KG ROUND OF M I T C HE L L -L AM A R E NT I NC R E ASE P ROC E SS The NYS Private Housing Finance Law (PHFL) provides that Mitchell-Lama rents may be increased from time to time, upon application by the housing company, in order to ensure the financial viability of each housing company. In accordance with the PHFL, the DHCR Commissioner is required to set rents at the minimum amount sufficient to meet all of the housing company's financial obligations.

DHCR's rent increase process requires the submission every two years (biennially) of a housing company's operating budget to DHCR to determine whether or not rent revenues are sufficient to meet the housing company's expenses. If the budget projections point to a shortfall, the housing company can petition DHCR for a rent increase to make up the deficit.

BUDGE T DHCR regulations require that, every two years, Mitchell-Lama housing companies must prepare a two year, line item budget in a format prescribed by DHCR. The budget takes the following items into account: • The revenues of the company; • Its projected operating expenses (management, payroll, repairs, maintenance, taxes, insurance, etc.); • Repayment of the mortgage and other debt; • Capital expenditures and reserve provisions; and • The payment of a limited return on equity to the owners (where applicable).

The latest actual results of operation are shown along with the projections for the two ensuing years on a line item basis. If the budget shows that the current existing rents, together with all other income of the development, are not sufficient to meet all the financial obligations of the company, the owners should submit an application to DHCR for a rent increase.

R E NT I NC R E ASE AP P L I C AT I ON The rent increase application includes a narrative describing the development and states the reason why the owner thinks the increase is needed and shows the amount of the rent increase being requested by the housing company on a per-room-per month basis. The detailed projections showing an insufficiency in income is submitted in support of the application.

DHCR staff reviews the application and projections and formulates DHCR's preliminary two-year projections. If DHCR's preliminary projections differ from the housing company's projections, DHCR may accept the housing company's projection or propose a different rent increase amount.

PUBL I C C OM M E NT S P E R I O D & FI NAL DE C I SI ON Before any final decision is made on the increase, notice of the increase, together with the housing company's application and projections, and DHCR's preliminary projections are served on the residents. The residents are given an opportunity to review the application and projections (including DHCR's preliminary projections) and submit comments in writing to DHCR. After the conclusion of the comment period, for cooperatives and rentals, a meeting is scheduled during which the residents and their representatives have an opportunity to discuss the proposed rent increase with representatives of the housing company and DHCR. The notice of potential rent increase establishes the 30-day comment deadline, time and place of the meeting.

DHCR staff completes a final review of the entire record (including comments received and any updated financial information) and prepare summary memoranda and analyses including, where needed, revisions to the preliminary schedules.

DHCR accountants and housing management representative(s), supervisors and management-level staff meet with the Assistant and Deputy Commissioners to review each application and arrive at a decision on the final disposition of the application. At this meeting, all aspects of the record assembled are discussed, including the impact of the proposed increase on the residents as well as conditions at the development prior to implementation of the rent increase.

The DHCR Commissioner's Order is issued stating the amount of the rent increase approved and is served on all the residents.

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Co-op City Times / April 23, 2011

Living in a Vacuum/Buying a Bridge (Part 1 – An Aerial View) Bigger tha n a br ea dbox Because of the size and requirements of our community, the complexity of providing satisfactory service, ample security, clean and attractive grounds, and a sustained quality of life for cooperators is no easy task.

Regarding the business of Co-op City, no action can be taken without first giving consideration to how that action might negatively impact other areas.

As an example, consider doorknobs. At a minimum, there are 15,372 of them – one each on the front door of every apartment.

But there are also doorknobs inside each apartment, one on every door. The doorknobs inside apartments are not the same as those on the front door.

Nevertheless, the correct quantity of each must be purchased along with the requisite number of locks, bolts, and screws. But the quantity continues to grow as we consider the doorknobs in the professional offices, community centers, and administration offices. The original 15,000 number for doorknobs rapidly grows to well above 100,000 along with the need for all of the associated materials.

This example only considers doorknobs.

If one considers the complexity and planning for installing 300,000 replacement windows (A world record) or the construction and operation of a state-of-the-art power plant (the first of its kind for a residency in the TriState area) the complexity of budgets, planning, schedule adjustments, and trying to handle cooperator demands, the overall difficulty begins to boggle the mind.

Director’s Viewpoint

Khalil Abdul-Wahhab Second Vice President Sh oot in g fr om t h e h ip The only people that do not make errors are those that don’t do anything.

There are Directors on the Board whose never-ending search is only for items or issues that will help them to fix blame on management. Their sole hope is to replace the current management company with a single general manager.

Gathering data in order to fix blame is a “hamster wheel” process – a lot of motion but no possibility for advancement. I believe that their idea and efforts are simply a “kneejerk” response with no long term design and not a viable pathway for progress.

There are other individuals, some who do not even live in this community, that regardless of the current financial state of the national housing market or the current status of uncompleted capital repairs here in Co-op City – are portraying privatization as ‘the salvation’ for all of Co-op City’s problems and the pathway to uncounted riches. They attempt to portray the Board as weak because Directors have stayed focused on the current issues facing the community and have

relegated privatization to a back burner until today’s projects and issues are resolved.

Consider at ions on R ea lity If you believe the notion that the largest cooperative residency in the nation can maintain a budget that will allow for the maintenance, upkeep, repairs and improvements without incurring reasonable carryingcharge (maintenance) increases over time, I have a bridge that you might be interested in buying. The Co-op City community is not sealed in a vacuum; we are affected by the same events as other cities and states around the nation.

The price of gasoline is an example that can be applied. Riverbay Corporation (Co-op City) must buy goods and services to maintain the community. Those goods and services must come from wherever they are (point A) to this community (point B). A projected budget is prepared in advance to pay for those goods and services. Then the price of fuel increases from what it was six months ago to the price that it is today. With an increase in gas price, increases in the cost of goods and services also increase. The increased price for gas is passed onto the consumer, in this case Riverbay Corporation.

The cost of material increases because factories need fuel to operate. Again, the increased cost is passed onto the consumer.

The cost of every item around us from fuel for our cars to food on the table increases, but there are those that will only assign blame for increased costs to either current management or to not having privatized. Go figure!

An idea wr itten in stone

The most dangerous person in the world is the one that clings to one idea with the exclusion of all others. Board Directors must be prepared to review and discuss all options.

The complex issues, budgets, processes, and procedures of a corporation – any corporation – must be tackled with sharpened focus and an open mind. The future of our community – as for any large community – depends upon careful planning, reasonable budget construction, and logical action.

An evaluation is the proper tool to assess the effectiveness of the management of a corporation. Proper evaluations are not made to find fault. Correctly done, an evaluation focuses on rating overall effectiveness and efficiency. Evaluations should be a fair, objective, and as accurate as possible. An evaluation template has been constructed. After the elections, a committee can be assembled and the evaluation process can begin.

With this Viewpoint, I have attempted to provide a ‘bird’s eye’ view of what I believe to be some of the misleading assertions aimed at cooperators. A closer look is warranted. Please see my next Viewpoint.

Neigh bors, fr iends, plea se, set a side time to vote. Your vote is the tool tha t will sha pe the future of Co-op City.

If you see something, say something.

Share your suggestions, complaints, or special concerns with me. Send letters to Khalil Abdul-Wahhab, c/o Riverbay Corporation, 2049 Bartow Avenue, Bronx, NY 10475 or address e-mail to k wa h h a b 10475@h ot m a il.com .

Broun Place Townhouse Association Happy Easter to everyone who celebrates this special day.

Candidates running for election to the Riverbay Board of Directors have been certified. Check the “Co-op City Times” for the list of names. It is crucial that you participate in the voting process to elect those candidates you feel will best represent you and this community. In order to be informed on the issues that are germane to you, please read candidates’ statements when they are published in the “Co-op City Times.” If their position on issues is synonymous with yours, it is your obligation to vote for those candidates. If your Association is not sponsoring a candidates’ forum, make certain you attend one of the candidates’ forums which will be

held in the Dreiser and Einstein Community Centers. (Check the “Co-op City Times” for dates and time.)

Thanks to those of you who have submitted articles for the “Broun Place News Bulletin.” To date, I have received three articles to be printed. (One more is promised to me). Since a few people liked the recipe that was printed in the last issue, if you have a favorite recipe, please send it to me or place it in my mailbox. Sometimes, we all like to be a little “adventurous” and try something new to place on the dinner table. I will try to have the “Bulletin” distributed to you by the end of the month.

We’ll just go with what we have.

Don’t forget about our Walking Club!

Let’s all try to get healthier and stay

healthy by doing some degree of walking even if it’s only 30 minutes a day four to five days a week. It’s better than doing nothing at all. If you can’t get outside because of the weather, walk around your apartment several times. As a “challenged exercise person” (smile), I am trying my best to walk more. All my excuses not to walk have been used so I have none left!!

Our next meeting is scheduled on Thursday, April 28th at 7:00 p.m. in our meeting room. Mr. Vernon Cooper, Executive General Manager, and Chief Frank Apollo of the Riverbay Public Safety Department will be our guest speakers. If you have questions you want answered, we expect to see you at the meeting. Light refreshments will be served as usual and we

will have a 50/50 raffle. Flyers will be distributed prior to the meeting with more details.

If you have any complaints regarding repairs or any other issues, please contact Mr. Edgar Perez at 718-320-3300, Ext. 3408 or his assistant, Ms. Valerie Hayes. Call 9-11 and Public Safety at 718-671-3050 if you observe any suspicious activities.

Our prayers go out to the sick and homebound. Congratulations to those celebrating a special event and our condolences to those who have lost loved ones. If you have acknowledgements of any kind that you wish to share with us, please contact Ms. Iris Sanchez or any officer on the Executive Board. You can also email us at brounplaceassoc@hotmail.com.

—M a r j or ie H elm s

Building 18 Association Hi, neighbors.

Thanks to all who attended our Building Association general meeting on Tuesday, April 12th. We thank Ms. Atkins, our building president, for her answers to the many questions and concerns; She was very informative.

P lea se Not e: Our building association general meeting date has been changed to the second Tuesday of every month at 7:00 p.m. The next meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, May 10th. Guest speaker to be announced. There will be refreshments and 50/50 as always. Neighbors, please make all efforts to attend the meetings when possible. Come down and find out

what is going on around you. Listen, make suggestions, ask questions, or whatever is of importance to you, your attendance is very important. Remember, TOGETHER WE CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE. M em b er sh ip Du es: At present, we have 205 membership families. We are moving toward our goal of 95% membership. Thank you for your continue support.

Ac t ivit ie s: Due to the Activity Committee’s busy schedule, there will be no Game Night or Movie Matinee for the month of April. Please check bulletin board for updates.

E lect ion of officer s: During election,

one person (Quinten Campbell) applied for position (Sergeant-At-Arms), therefore, the Executive Board remains the same for 2011-2013: Helen Atkins: President; Gertie Brown: Vice President; Deborah Huges: Recording Secretary; Liza Ellis: Corresponding Secretary; Lorraine Turner: Treasurer; Lawson Crumpler: SergeantAt-Arms, and Quinten Campbell: Sergeant -At-Arms in training. Quinten is our youngest member on the executive board.

Young people, we are here for you, get involved, we need you.

Lawson men meetings are growing and continue twice a month. Men and women, your continued support is appre-

ciated. Please continue to send your articles to our building newsletter e-mail address: BLDG18newsletter@aol.com.

Floor captains, please check bulletin board for a scheduled meeting soon.

To all who are celebrating special occasions this month, may it be all you want it to be. Our deepest sympathy to the bereaved families and to the sick and homebound, we pray for a speedy recovery. To all, may this Easter give you many reasons to rejoice in the Lord.

Happy Easter and happy Passover.

Please be vigilant: If you see something, say something.

G er t ie Br own —G

Co-op City Times / April 23, 2011

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Co-op City Times / April 23, 2011

The Sky Is Not Falling!

Ladies and gentleman, contrary to what you have been reading we are not on the verge of armageddon!

I’m happy to report that a refinancing is close to reality, thanks to the efforts of our Management team and members of the Finance Department, along with those members of the Board that voted with the best interest of THE PEOPLE and common sense.

The windows will be installed at a much faster rate, as well as our capital

As long as we maintain RATIONAL, INTELLIGENT and CARING persons Secretary to serve on our Board of Directors we will projects. always be able to rise above those who People understand look at everything with negativity. this, this is a very large Personally, I think Co-op City and its community, the largest people will be in a good position to ride of its kind. There will always be prob- the current recession and even prosper. lems and mistakes made, such is life.

Remember we are now preparing to

Our next general membership meeting will be next Thursday, April 28, at 7:00 p.m. in the back of the building (in the voting room). There will be a presentation on life insurance.

In the Building 13 Association, we are committed to a ‘Zero Tolerance’ for graffiti.

We ask you not to participate in it, not to encourage it and report it to Riverbay.

Remember to send in the Annual Income Affidavits by the due date of April 30.

Building 13 Social Committee’s trip to Harrah’s Casino and Warmdaddy’s Jazz/Blues/Soul Food Club in Philadelphia held on April 16, was a great success. The trip to the casino was fun as expected, but equally enjoyable, if not more, was the delicious food at Warmdaddy’s. We had so much food, it was hard to finish and most left with food and dessert in tow. Next, what can we say about the treat we had

with the fantastic sounds of the Brass Heaven Band featuring Jeff Bradshaw on trombone. It was truly an entertaining show exhibited by everyone clapping, singing along and shouting their praises.

Thank you for letting us know at the end of the trip you had a wonderful time.

We enjoyed you too and hope you join us again in the future.

T O DAY - April 23: Visit Building 13 at 100 Casals Place and view our youth and adult masterpieces at the ARTS & CRAFTS SHOW EXHIBITION/ FUNDRAISER, from 12 noon-3:00 p.m. (being filmed for Bronxnet).

W r it in g Wor k sh op-Wednesdays, May 4th, May 11th, May 18th & May 25th.

Youth - 6:15 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. and Adults 7:45 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. Come and share your thoughts on various topics writing prose or poetry. OPEN MIC Night Fundraiser –

Director’s Viewpoint

Raymond Tirado

test our ability to sell electricity to others. That in itself is a great milestone.

So is the sky falling? Heck No. R ESP EC T AND PROFESSI ONALI SM Also, to respond to a cooperator who states they were treated with disrespect by our own employee during a call to the Administration Office, we cannot and will not allow ourselves to be treated with disrespect by the people who we employ and are trained to act like professionals.

This will be investigated and settled.

Building 13 Association Entertainment tentatively scheduled for June 4. Event to be filmed for viewing on Bronxnet. So get your poetry, prose and raps together and register for the event on any of the workshop dates listed above.

Wo m en K e ep i n g It R e a lR ela t ion sh ip s: Date to be announced.

Conversation on relationships with women of all ages. ALL WELCOME, yes you can bring guests. You must be 18 and older to participate.

For information on any events, contact: Leslie Peterson, 718-320-1370; or Gail Sharbaan, 718-671-3801.

We remind Building 13 Association drivers/passengers that SEAT BELTS SAVE LIVES. Always buckle up - “It is not an option, it is the law.”

Please avoid texting while driving.

Remember to observe speed limit and

STOP for yellow school bus with flashing red lights.

O b ey t h e followin g q u a lit y-of-life r egu la t ion s: a) NO DOG is allowed in the apartment; b) NO LOITERING in the lobby and on the stairways. c) NO SELLING in the lobby. Period. d) NO VANDALIZING the stairs and the elevators.

Unannounced “police sweeps” are conducted day and night to enforce these rules.

Report any criminal activities to Riverbay Public Safety at (718) 320-3050, and/or the 45th Precinct at (718) 822-5411.

For all NYC non-emergency inquiries, call 3-1-1.

For traffic updates, call 5-1-1.

“If you see something, say something.”

—O lu b iyi Seh in d em i (M r. B)

Co-op City Times / April 23, 2011

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Co-op City Times / April 23, 2011

Ballooned by “Emergency Resolution” Though nine years remain on our current New York Community Bank (NYCB) balloon loan, a preliminary step for a new loan with the same bank was rushed through by means of an emergency resolution, at a closed Board meeting on April 13.

Only two Board members, Francine Jones and I, voted No on that resolution (Andrea Leslie was away on a short vacation).

Brushing aside Director Francine Jones’ request for an open meeting, the Board met behind closed doors to consider placing 15,000 cooperator families under the obligations of a 15-year, $555 million balloon loan.

This was done despite management’s acknowledgment that more favorable options had not been fully explored—such as a loan from New York State Housing Finance Agency or New York City Housing Development Corporation—even though both can sell bonds to refinance self-liquidating, 30-year mortgages at low interest rates for not-for-profits like ours.

According to management, Wachovia Bank, Riverbay’s approved lender through the federal Department of Housing and Urban Development, offered to pursue approval from HUD for a mortgage guarantee. Such a loan would be at a lower interest rate than the one from NYCB and would self-amortize after 35 years. The Wachovia offer was not declined but seems to be essentially preempted by the emergency resolution authorizing the Board president to move toward that less favorable NYCB loan, which was sealed with a $500,000 “good faith” deposit to the bank. Further action is scheduled to be considered at the Board’s May 25th meeting.

Director’s Viewpoint

Bernard Cylich I believe the Board acted because a majority of its members are eager to privatize Co-op City. Unlike a loan from HFA or HDC, or a guaranteed one from HUD, a mortgage from NYCB will not require Co-op City to remain in Mitchell-Lama. I hope cooperators will express their concerns about this deal — before the loan is finalized – when they participate in the Riverbay Board election on May 18th.

In anticipation of the adoption of the NYCB mortgage, management requested the tabling of the 2-year budget resolution, so that it may be amended to comply with the new mortgage.

However, despite the hyping of the NYCB loan, no indication has been given that the two proposed 3% carrying-charge increases would be dropped from the final budget draft.

UP DATE O N CO INMACH Also acted on was a change order resolution to extend Coinmach’s laundry room rental contract for another six years. As I reported in a previous viewpoint, management solicited bids from other laundry vendors. The best return was a lease offer from the vendor Mac Gray. After that offer was received, Coinmach amended its bids.

Since its contract doesn’t end until early in 2012, there is plenty of time, and I suggested that cooperators might benefit from giving Mac Gray the opportunity to improve its offer before we extend the Coinmach change order.

“ NO I NC R E ASE C O NT E M P L AT E D NOW ’ Management’s first response was to describe Mac Gray’s service in Rochdale Village as lousy. Then management maintained that dealing with Mac Gray would require renewed competitive bidding and early termination of Coinmach’s contract.

Why, then, did management list Mac Gray as a reputable vendor in the first place? Was the Coinmach change order resolution simply a way to circumvent competitive bidding for a new laundry service contract?

Answering my question about whether the Coinmach extension involved a written or unwritten understanding that metered prices of laundry machines would be jacked up in the future, management reply was merely that no increase contemplated now.

Now? I voted No on the Coinmach change order extension.

AT L AS HO L DS UP TH E GL OBE ?

On yet another change order extension resolution, the one for the painting/ plastering contractor, Atlas Restoration: Since a proposal to solicit contractors for that work has not been approved by HRC, the state agency overseeing Mitchell-Lama, management recommended that the Board adopt a six-month change order extension with Atlas (until October 2011), not to exceed $1.7 million. What would happen, I asked, if this contract is not extended?

Management replied that if money for the present contract runs out, all painting and plastering would stop. What about employing our own painting staff? I asked.

If we don’t have enough staff, why not hire from the same union hall that supplies the workers employed by Atlas? Too costly, says management, because Riverbay

would have to hire 55 painters and plasterers while Atlas employs only 20.

Why does a management firm claiming 40 years of housing experience need more than twice as many painters and plasterers than a contractor? Maybe what Riverbay needs is a new manager?

MSI also claims that Riverbay would have to employ the workers year round, whether there is work or not. As a retired construction worker (like painters and plasterers), I disputed that notion. We never had year-round guaranteed employment. As soon as a job was finished, we would be laid off, then rehired when work became available. Management argued further that Riverbay would have to purchase supplies and dispose of toxic waste—which is now the contractor’s burden. How is the contractor managing to make a profit?

IGNO RE IT OR RE SCIND IT In another action, Board resolution (03-69), mandating at least three open Board meetings a year with Gallery sessions at the beginning of the meetings, was rescinded by #11-31: gallery sessions were moved to the end of the meetings.

The change formalizes what was done blatantly in practice. Resolutions like #0369 have been violated, with impunity, since their adoption. For example, at one of the rarely convened open meetings, last February, the requirement that the Gallery Sessions precede the Board business meetings was ignored. The Gallery was placed after the Board business. And now Board Directors have voted to make the practice official. With no guarantee three mandated open Board meetings with Gallery Sessions will be held.

There are no mechanisms for ensuring compliance with By-Laws or resolutions.

Co-op Insurance

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Co-op City Times / April 23, 2011

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14

Co-op City Times / April 23, 2011

Co-op City Branch of the NAACP The Co-op City Branch of the NAACP sends Easter Greetings to all and hopes everyone has a joyous and healthy spring celebration. In the spirit of Easter, we encourage reaching out to those less fortunate. Even if you are unable to donate money to a charity perhaps you can donate packaged goods, gently used items or volunteer your skills and time.

On April 17, the Co-op City Branch of the NAACP made a donation to the Co-op City NAACP Daycare Center as a result of the Co-op City NAACP Branch Walkathon 2010.

Yesterday’s committee reports contained news of a variety of events and activities beginning to take shape. A brunch celebrating heroines of our community, the annual walkathon and a report on the second quarterly NAACP meeting are just a few of the upcoming items. The Youth Committee is hoping the youth of our community will join up and a program get underway. The Youth Committee requires a Youth Supervisor volunteer who must be

Co-op City Toastmasters It’s been a busy month for Co-op City Toastmasters!

First, we’re 10 years old, and have been participating in numerous speech contests which will culminate at the District 46 All day conference on April 30.

Congratulations to our very own Bill Bute who came in second in the Division A Speech Contest. We’re very proud of you!

If you have an interest in speech competitions or wish to improve your public speaking skills, come visit one of our meetings. Co-op City Toastmasters Club is a warm and positive environment where one can improve their public speaking skills. At our meetings, we work on giving planned and impromptu speeches and presentations and reducing if not eliminating the use of filler sounds and words. We also work on leadership roles, compete in speaking competitions, and sharpening our evaluation skills.

Visit one of our meetings and see what Toastmasters is all about! We meet every 1st and 3rd Thursdays each month. Although we’re located at 4160 Hutchinson River Parkway East, Building 32B (Section 5) in the first floor community room, we’re bringing Co-op City Toastmasters to Room 28 in Bartow Community Center on Thursday, May 5, at 7:30 p.m. Please remember to bring your parking stub to the meeting for validation.

Please visit www.toastmasters46.org or call 1-800-WE SPEAK for more information. You can also e-mail us at co-optoastmasters@hotmail.com.

We also want to wish everyone a Happy Passover and —J u d it h Slowly Easter holiday.

Spanish American Community Club The Spanish American Community Club, Inc. is now accepting applications for new members. All are welcome.

If you would like to become a member, please contact the Spanish American Community Club at 718-379-7017. We have a friendly atmosphere and great functions for the entire family. $30 a year membership fee.

On April 29, we will be having Installation of Officers.

Anyone who is interested, please call the number mentioned above. $65 for non-members.

—Na ncy Vega Sa ntia go

Happy 13th birthday, Jermaine And now the road becomes a little more challenging. We pray that you will stay focused and see with clear eyes so that you can avoid any obstacles that may be placed in your journey.

We love you!

—G r a n d p a Ted , G r a n d m a Dot , Desi, Am a n d a , Alyssa , Aa liya h & Scot t y

approved by the NAACP New York State advisors. It is very important to have this committee here in Co-op City.

Are you interested? Please contact 718–671–7856 and leave your information.

Other committees include Membership, Health, Civic Engagement, Education and Freedom Fund/Fundraising.

NAACPJobFinder.com is one of the newest components of the NAACP national website. May 9, a “Diversity Job Fair, NAACP Professional & Executive Job Fair” will be held from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. at the Doubletree Guest Suites, 1568 Broadway. For more information, please access http://www.naacp.org/content/main/, the NAACP national website.

In history last week, April 12th & 13 marked the 150th Anniversary of the Confederate attack on Charleston, South Carolina’s Ft. Sumter, thus the Civil War began.

American media may focus on the “sesquicentennial of the war” and some organizations may attempt to romanticize or glorify the era, but the NAACP is determined to make

sure that the true history is told. Last week, National Public Radio commemorated the anniversary by interviewing NAACP Vice President for Stakeholder Relations Rev. Nelson B. Rivers. "No matter how you dress it up, how you try to revise history," Rivers says, "when you're finished with this story, the war was about the South and my state in particular, South Carolina wanting to be able to hold black people as property”. There is more on this interview on the NPR website.

Come, join us and together in Co-op City, we will build our NAACP Chapter. If you have any questions, please call 1-718-671-7856 and visit the newly redesigned website: http://action.naacp.org/. Remember NAACP membership comes to students for $15 and adults $30 with the respected quarterly, “ The Crisis” coming as an additional resource. The Co-op City Branch of the NAACP hopes for the good health of all, everyday and especially during this spring season. This press release is submitted with the —E va L a za a r approval of President Jeannette Graves.

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15

Co-op City Times / April 23, 2011

Black Forum Defensive Driving Our defensive driving course will be back on Saturday, May 14, Rm. 1, Dreiser Community Center, 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. Call today to register, 718-320-8035. Please mail check in the amount of $35 to P.O. Box 563, Bronx, N.Y. 10475. All money must be received at least one week prior to the class. No personal checks will be accepted on the day of the class, only cash.

Upcoming events The Million Kids March 2011 will be on Saturday, May 7. The bus will be leaving from the Dreiser Community Center, 7 a.m. For tickets/information, call (718) 320-8035 or (718) 825-9750.

There will be a Saturday Gospel Brunch on Saturday, April 2, Dreiser Auditorium A., 11 a.m.-2 p.m. For further information, call (718) 320-8035 or (718) 825-9750.

Black Forum Aerobics in session Aerobics classes have begun. Classes are held every Monday and Wednesday, Dreiser, Aud. A, 7:30 p.m.. To register, please call us at (718) 320-8035. There is a nominal fee for each of these classes.

Advanced Aerobics classes This is an advanced aerobics class for men and women which will begin soon.

This is not for the light hearted, but for those who are serious about getting in shape. Activities include exercise, health awareness classes and open discussions.

Einstein and Dreiser Community Centers. Call to register today, (718) 320-8035, or email us at coopcityblackforum@gmail.com. Other classes being formed are Tai Chi, Salsa, Belly Dancing and Children’s dance classes. Sign up today.

Black Forum’s Lyons Mane Track Club Try-outs are ongoing Mondays and Wednesdays, Dreiser Auditorium. A small fee is required for participation. For further information, please call (718) 320-8035.

Emergency Food Program - New Hours & Days We are now open on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays from 11 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. in Room 20 at the Dreiser Community Center. Also, due to budget constraints and shortage of available food, you must live within zip code 10475 to participate in this program. You must also have your card with you and bring two clean plastic shopping bags.

In order to receive food, you must present a current photo ID such as a non or dri-

ver’s license or any photo ID card with proof of address. You will then be issued a card in order to pick up food in the future.

New email address The Black Forum has a new email address, coopcityblackforum@gmail.com.

For membership applications, inquiries or to join the Black Forum, you may call anytime and leave a message or email us.

We Need You - Join Us Today Now is the time for us to get involved.

Membership is $5 per year/person. Call (718) 320-8035 or write to Black Forum, P.O. Box 563, Bronx, NY 10475; email: coopcityblackforum@gmail.com. Help us keep independent community organizations alive in Co-op City. Don’t wait until it’s too late. Everyone is encouraged to join. Call us or visit us in Room 20 in the Dreiser Community Center.

Baychester Visual Arts Association If you’ve ever wanted to learn how to draw and paint, this is the time to get expert instruction at BVA. The instructors teach drawing skills, as well as painting.

You will be able to complete original paintings worthy of exhibiting.

Periodically, we have art shows so that budding artists have a chance to show off and sell their creations. We are lucky to have such fine art lessons given in Co-op City.

On April 30th, we will have a pre-

Mother’s Day show in our permanent room 5 in the Dreiser Community Center from 12 p.m. until 5 p.m. You will see beautiful artwork displayed. Cake will be available and boutique items for sale.

Other upcoming events include our celebration of Bronx Month by having a large display of pictures at the Baychester Library for the month of June. It ends with an outdoor art show in the Bartow mall. We are planning a show to be held at the Barnes and Noble in Bay Plaza on

July 27, from 5 p.m. until 7 p.m. We hope you will get to see some of these events.

BVA offers art classes in our permanent room 5, Dreiser Center. Tuesday classes have 3 sessions to choose from: 1 – 3 p.m., 3:30 – 5:30 p.m. or 5:45 – 7:45 p.m. with Mr. Groves, an award winning artist who studied at NYU and the Art Student’s League, as the instructor.

Membership dues are $35 for the year and a session of 10 classes is $60. BVA’s art instructor will guide you along a creative

path that will bring hours, weeks and years of joy into the life of those who avail themselves of this opportunity.

BVA has a permanent art gallery with artwork done by our members. They are on display in our permanent room 5 in the Dreiser Community Center every Tuesday from 11 a.m. until 12:45 p.m.

Stop by and see the beautiful paintings.

Science is for the body, but art is for the soul.

—Sylvia L och a n sky

The Wright Agency: Serving Co-op City for 29 years!

Hours: Monday: 9 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.

Tuesday: 9 a.m. - 8 p.m.

Wednesday - Friday: 9 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.

Saturday: 8 a.m. - 1 p.m.

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Co-op City Times / April 23, 2011

Co-op City Times / April 23, 2011

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Co-op City Times / April 23, 2011

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Co-op City Times / April 23, 2011

Building 30 Association The Building 30 Association (A & B) is here for you!

There is always an advantage to becoming a member of your association. Won’t you please join us and help to make a difference?

Be sure to read the Building 30 Bulletin Board located in your lobby to learn of future get together events.

At t en t ion : We have an email address. It is: Building30@hotmail.com.

Join the Crochet Club this fall. We meet every Wednesday from 1 to 3 p.m. in our meeting room on the

“B” side. Learn how to crochet with Linda. Just think of how grateful your family will be when they receive a beautiful handmade gift that you have made with love.

Her students have progressed very nicely. She has patience and teaches you with feeling. Give it a try! It’s a great way to exercise your mind and fingers. It is stimulating and relaxing too. Throw away the tranquillizers and join in the fun.

C om in g E ven t s: We will continue to run our 50/50 raffle at our meet-

ings. Refreshments always follow at the end of the meeting. Check the Association Bulletin Board in your lobby for dates and times of events. Get involved and make a difference!! We are looking forward to meeting and greeting you at the meetings.

G ood & Welfa r e: Speedy get well wishes to all who are under the weather. If you are celebrating a special occasion, an anniversary or a birthday, we hope that you enjoy your day.

—M ir ia m E . Ber lofsk y

Building 19 Association Like daylight savings time, the calendar, the weather, this weekend is the ultimate reminder that spring is here by our celebration of the joyous holidays of Passover and Easter: Happy Passover and Easter Blessings! Let us use these reminders to re-commit your support to our: 1. Buildings and Scholarship fundraising activities.

2. Participating in the candidate’s forum to select your Board of Directors.

BAKE SALE TODAY: In our lobby, between 12 and 4 p.m., we will hold our annual Building and Scholarship fundraising Bake Sale of tasty treats! Whether you are cooking for yourself or for family and friends for the holiday, please take advantage of purchasing an assortment of desserts; 1 selection for $2 or 3 selections for $5. We will have a big selection of sugar-free desserts for those who cannot indulge in sugar products. Hope to see you today!

Huge thanks to all of our committee members and especially members who donated money and desserts to make this fundraising event possible.

If you have not joined your Building 19 Association, you may do so today with a $5 fee.

R IVE RBAY BOAR D OF DIR E CTOR S C ANDIDATE S’ FORUM Mark your calendar to attend our Association’s Board of Directors candidates’ forum on Friday, May 13, at 7:30 p.m. in our meeting room. We are looking for ideas to encourage all units in the building to vote on Wednesday, May 18, from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. Please send them to bldg19assoc @gmail.com or call 347-427-4746.

Congratulations to Stanley and Voncile Mallory on their daughter, Tamika Mallory, National Executive Director of National Action Network (NAN) on a most powerful and

successful convention held at the Sheraton New York Hotel & Towers from April 6 to April 9. Tamika is a dynamic young lady who the world will know one day. On various days, members of our association attended educational and enlighten communications from our political leaders. The highlight of my attendance was to see and hear the eloquent address by the President of the United States, Barack Obama.

Let’s thank our President-elect, Valencia Pinckney, for contacting management and resolving our security problem of not being able to view the lobby or laundry room via our television for over three months.

In closing, let’s not forget to include in our prayers, our building associates who are ill or recovering from an illness.

Please send get well wishes to Marie Beaudouin, Dominick Bonanno, Steve Liss and Laura Morgan.

—C ha r lotte Codr ington

Riverbay management to meet with government agencies next week to discuss cleaning up conditions and improving service A meeting has been established for the week of April 25th, with representatives from each of a wide variety of city and state agencies to discuss the poor conditions of government-owned properties that surround Co-op City and also services required of these agencies within the community that are not being provided adequately.

Agencies that will take part include the New York City Departments of Transportation, Sanitation, Parks, Environmental Protection and the Transit Authority. New York State Agencies due to participate include the Department of Transportation, and the Thruway Authority. It is also hoped that a representative from AMTRAK will attend.

“For the last several years, management has enlisted the help of the community’s local officials in setting up a meeting with the various city and state agencies to have them address the conditions that exist in and around the development that are under their respective jurisdiction,” said

Councilman Seabrook and CUNY offer free immigration services Councilman Seabrook and the CUNY Citizenship and Immigration Project have teamed up to provide free legal services and consultations on all immigration matters at his District Office, 3586 Boston Road, 3rd Floor.

CUNY Project staff will be at the Councilman’s office two days a week and will provide consultations on all immigration matters, application assistance, and assistance to U.S. citizens and permanent residents who are filing for family members.

Any constituent with immigration problems or concerns should call for an appointment at 718-994-9900.

Appointments are held on Tuesdays from 12-7 p.m. and Saturdays from 11 a.m.-4 p.m.

JASA offers Self Defense for seniors JASA offers Self Defense classes for seniors on Tuesdays at the Bartow and Dreiser Community Centers and on Fridays at the Einstein Center. Classes are held for beginners and advanced students. For further information, please contact JASA at (718) 3202066. The instructor is Dr. John W. Covington, Jr.

Riverbay General Manager Vernon Cooper. “For the last three years, we have always been able to rely upon Councilman Larry Seabrook and Assemblyman Michael Benedetto to get this done. Although these agencies have responded in the past, there has been little to no follow up by these agencies after the initial clean up and/or corrections of unattended and unacceptable conditions has been made.

“Management’s focus this year will not only be about the conditions that exist currently but, in addition, the need for ongoing corrective action and ongoing improvements made throughout the community as needed. Towards that end, I have requested and received the assistance from our elected officials in setting up such a meeting that will address these concerns.”

Management has taken and documented photographs of many of the deplorable conditions that exist around the community for which both the city and state governments are responsible to correct and maintain but yet consistently fail to

do so. They include broken fences, littered bus stops, unpainted street markings, neglected vacant lots, broken and missing storm drains, potholes, and deteriorating safety barriers.

A full report on the meeting will be published in next week’s Co-op City Times.

“It is important to point out also that cooperators should call the City of New York to report conditions that they observe as well,” Cooper added, “as we are often told by the city agencies that they are governed by and respond to service requests placed with the city’s 3-1-1 telephone number, where the person making said requests will receive a complaint number that can be used at a later date as a reference.

If cooperators have in fact made such calls and have complaint numbers, please feel free to contact the CSO Department with this information and we will raise the issue with the respective agencies. Hopefully, this meeting will begin a series of continuous meetings that will enable us to bring these concerns to fruition.”

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Co-op City Times / April 23, 2011

Riverbay’s Succession Rights summarized and updated for clarity

BY ROZAAN BOONE Riverbay Corporation has summarized the Division of Housing and Community Renewal’s (DHCR) rules and regulations on succession rights to avoid confusion or misunderstanding.

The DHCR has specific rules governing the transfer or assumption of ownership of apartments within Mitchell-Lama developments, which are spelled out in 9NYCRR Part 1727-8.1.

“The Succession Rights Policy is intended to help a cooperator be aware of the protection provided to a family member or a ‘life companion’ in the event a cooperator moves or dies,” said Michael Munns, Riverbay’s Senior Attorney.

“DHCR regulations provide that eligible persons may continue to live in an apartment after the death or move-out of the cooperator. Our policy follows DHCR rules and explains succession rights to Co-op City residents.”

It should be pointed out that while new ownership can only be assumed in cases of move-out or death, only persons who meet all of the regulatory requirements may obtain leases and stock certificates in their own names as successors.

“It is our intention to reiterate for shareholders what Riverbay’s policy is when it comes to their succession rights so that there will not be any confusion as to who they can leave their apartments to in the event that they decide to move or in cases where the primary shareholder passes away,” said Riverbay’s General Manager Vernon Cooper. “Hopefully, this will go a long way in helping to simplify the process so that we, in turn, can speed up this particular transaction. It’s also important to emphasize that these are DHCR’s rules governing Mitchell-Lama developments and we have to ensure that we are in full compliance.” According to

the rules and regulations, succession of an apartment can only take place if the primary owner of the apartment moves out or passes away. As a general rule, whenever there is a change in the number of persons living in the apartment, Riverbay should be notified within ninety (90) calendar days of any such changes through the use of an Interim Affidavit Form, which can be obtained from their respective CSO Office.

“It is critical for all shareholders to inform Riverbay of changes in the household occupants in order for those occupants to potentially have succession rights at some point in the future,” said Peter Merola, Riverbay’s Director of Finance.

“The annual filing of the Income Affidavit accomplishes this, as well as filing an Interim Affidavit in between annual filings.”

If the shareholder moves out permanently, any member of the primary cooperator’s family or life companion may request, in writing, to be named as a tenant on the lease and on the stock certificate. However, this person must meet certain requirements.

“They must have resided with the cooperator in the apartment as their primary residence for a period of not less than two years, or for one year if the succeeding cooperator is a senior citizen or disabled person, immediately prior to permanent vacating of the apartment by the cooperator,” said Merola. “In cases where the occupancy or relationship is less than two years, the succeeding cooperator must have lived in the apartment from the inception of the tenancy or commencement of the relationship. The succeeding cooperator must have been listed on the Income Affidavit and/or Interim Income Affidavit during the relevant period of time.”

Per DHCR rules, the “relevant period

of time” must be documented by no less than 3 affidavits and can be supported by either combination of 3 annual affidavits, or 1 interim affidavit plus 2 annual affidavits if the successor moves in between annual filings.

DHCR’s rules define “family member” as a husband, wife, son, daughter, stepson, stepdaughter, father, mother, stepfather, stepmother, brother, sister, nephew, niece, uncle, aunt, grandfather, grandmother, grandson, granddaughter, father-in-law, mother-in-law, son-in-law or daughter-inlaw of the primary cooperator.

Cousins are not defined family members and therefore are not eligible for succession under this rule. However, cousins can apply for succession under the DHCR rule of “Emotional and Financial Interdependence.” In addition to meeting the residency requirements in this case, a successor would have to provide similar evidence as in the case of a life companion.

“Primary residence” is defined as the housing accommodation in which the person actually resides and maintains a permanent and continuous physical presence. Proof of such residency must consist of the Income Affidavit or Interim Income Affidavits together with other evidence, for example, certified copies of tax returns, voting records, motor vehicle registration and driver’s license, school registration, bank accounts, employment records, insurance policies and other pertinent documentation.

At the same time, ‘life companion’ is defined as any other person residing with the cooperator as a primary resident who can prove emotional and financial commitment and interdependence between such person and the cooperator. Evidence of this can be the Income Affidavit or Interim Income Affidavit filed by the primary cooperator, as well as evidence of longevi-

ty of the relationship; sharing of or relying upon each other for payment of household or family expenses; joint ownership of bank accounts, personal and real property, credit cards, loan obligations, sharing a household budget for purposes of receiving governmental benefits; engaging in family type activities by jointly attending family functions; and formalizing of legal obligations by such means as executing wills, naming each other as executor and/or beneficiary, granting each other power of attorney, etc.

The other avenue through which a successor can be named to the apartment is through death of the primary shareholder.

If this is the case, the lease and shares of stock for the decedent’s apartment shall be surrendered to the Riverbay Sales Office by the decedent’s estate or survivors for redemption.

If there are no legal disputes, Riverbay will sell or transfer the shares to any member of the decedent’s family or life companion, as long as they meet all of the requirements as stipulated by DHCR’s rules and regulations.

Munns stated that any family member or life companion of a cooperator who would like permission to remain in occupancy after the cooperator moves or dies should submit a written request within ninety (90) days to Riverbay Corporation, 2049 Bartow Avenue, Bronx, N.Y. 10475, Attn.: Succession Rights.

“It is imperative that shareholders understand that no other types of stock transfers or lease amendments are allowed except those directed by statute or an appropriate tribunal or court of law,” said Munns.

Shareholders may log on to Riverbay’s website at www.riverbaycorp.com to download a copy of these succession rights.

National health survey underway in the Bronx The National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), the most comprehensive study of the health and nutritional status of the U.S. population, gets underway in the Bronx beginning on Tuesday, April 26.

The National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey is a: • Unique program that monitors the health and nutritional status of the U.S. population • Valuable tool for developing effective health policies and programs • An opportunity to gain information about one’s health • The survey includes health interviews and health measurements Each year, approximately 7,000 randomly-selected residents in 15 counties across the nation have the opportunity to participate in the latest National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, conducted by the Centers for Disease Control

and Prevention’s (CDC) National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS).

“NHANES serves as the nation’s ‘health check-up,’ going into communities to get health information throughout the country,” said CDC Director Thomas Frieden. “The survey is a unique resource for health information, and without it we would lack important knowledge about major health conditions.”

NHANES has been conducted by NCHS for nearly 50 years and provides annual estimates on a range of diseases such as the number of individuals who have heart disease, diabetes, osteoporosis, hypertension, respiratory disease, and other conditions.

The information gathered in NHANES is used by public health officials, legislators, and physicians to develop sound health policies, direct and design health programs and services, and expand the health knowledge for the nation. In addi-

tion, NHANES data is used to create standardized growth charts used by pediatricians across the country to track children’s growth.

Individuals selected for the survey represent the U.S. population of all ages.

Additional emphasis in the current NHANES is placed on the health of older persons, Asian- Americans, AfricanAmericans, and Hispanics.

Respondents first participate in a health interview conducted in the respondent’s home. The health examination that follows takes place in one of three mobile examination centers that travel to different communities, large and small, urban and rural, across the country for data collection.

A team of health personnel, including a physician, dentist, nutritionists, and health and laboratory technicians using high-tech, state-of-the-art equipment, staffs the mobile examination centers. A

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team of specially-trained professionals conducts the household interviews.

All participants receive an examination by a physician, as well as a dietary interview, and body measurements that include height and weight. Some will be eligible for a hearing test, a scan to evaluate body fat, a breathing test, as well as a blood pressure test. The various tests and procedures depend upon the age of the participant.

No medical care is provided directly in the examination center, but a report on the medical findings is given to each participant along with an explanation from survey medical staff.

All individual information collected in the survey is kept strictly confidential, and privacy is protected by public law.

Participants selected to undergo the physical examination receive reimbursement for travel expenses and remuneration of up to $125 per person.

Call 718.320.3300, ext. 3384 for our affordable rates.

21

Co-op City Times / April 23, 2011

Co-op City Little League Opening Day Highlights The Co-op City Little League opened its 2011 baseball season with victories over the Astor Little League teams by the Minor Division Modell’s Sporting Goods Red Hawks, manager Sebastian Ulganga; Major Division Associated Supermarkets Angels, manager Earl Williams; and the Bay Plaza Shopping Center Cyclones, manager Robert Grant. Robin Sullivan was on two winning teams that day as a coach for the Red Hawks and the Angels.

In the first meeting between the two Co-op City Junior Division teams, the Ver-Tech Elevator red team, manager Eric

Dixon, edged out the Knights of Pythias Yankees, manager Phil Nwogu, by a score of 10-9. Ver-Tech scored first on aggressive base running and hits by Joshua Alfred and Gayle Kalil to bring in Jerry Rice, Robert Cantine, and Vincent Payne.

The Yankees came back on the bottom of the second inning to tie the game with runs by Robert Cruz, Brandon Nazario, Christopher Torres, Ishmael Steward, and Reggie Williams. Leads were exchanged, but Ver-Tech prevailed with the win. The pitchers were Jerry Rice, Joshua Alfred, Vincent Payne, Christopher Torres and Amari Nwogu. Robert Mickey and Elijah

Miller had hits in the losing cause.

The rest of the Ver-Tech team roster is Deivis Castillo, Aiden Gomez, George Ingram, Lamont Jackson, Jr., Malik Mcneish, Tyler Powell, Justin Rollins, Deshawn Thomas, and Joseph Weinstein.

The Knight of Pythias players include Justin Garcia, Jarret Gonzales, Ryan Medina, Sekou Nemhard, Ajay Singh, and Maurice Southwell.

Due to the renovation of the Co-op City Little League fields, all of the Minor (9&10) Division, and Major (11&12) Division games will be played at the Astor Little League field at 2701 Bruner Avenue

by the Gun Hill Bus depot side entrance.

As of April 16, the installation of new lights on both Co-op City Little League fields have been completed and aligned.

The new scoreboards are also in place, site clean-up has begun, and in-field clay has been delivered and installed on field # 1.

The grass landscaping is next. As of now, the target date for the Farm Division (7&8) and the T-ball (4-6) opening day at the Coop City Little League Field 1 is April 30th.

For updated information on the Co-op City Little 2011 baseball season, visit the website at www.eteamz.com/coopcityll.

—H ect or Aya la

Building 24 Association Hi neighbors!!! We are on a roll. We had our second meeting for the year and it was well attended. Our guest speaker was Mr. Perez, our CSO Officer. Some cooperators had forgotten what a CSO did in relation to our everyday needs and conditions.

After he spoke, questions were asked and successfully answered by Mr. Perez.

Moving on!!! We are holding a Candidates’ meeting on Tuesday, April

19th. Report on that event will be discussed next week, due to the fact that articles for the paper are due on Monday.

F UR T H E R : Shirley Saunders, our Female District Leader, will notarize our income affidavits in the lobby on WEDNESDAY, APRIL 27th from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. There is no charge for this service. MORE: What would you say or do if you saw a child climbing in and

out of the lower dryers??? This is dangerous to the child AND what about you or me who might use that dryer without knowing that it is not clean??? NEIGHBORS, please think when you are using the laundry room - you are on camera and the baskets and machines are for use to clean your laundry. I know you are saying, “Who asked her to tell me how to use the laundry room??? Well, it is for all of us. I’ll

give myself TWO taps on my wrists for those remarks.

Our building is scheduled to be painted soon, so watch out for this work! MORE: Dora Bradley will chair the Mother’s Day Cake gala this year. Start thinking what you will BAKE for this event. REMEMBER - Neighbors are people and people should know and look out for each other.

—C elest in e W it h ey

Building 12 Association Don’t forget to call Sonia, 718-3798305, and let her know what dish you are bringing by May 7th for our Pot-Luck Dinner to be held Saturday, May 14th, from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. in our Activity Room.

As an incentive for Getting Out the Riverbay Board Election Vote on Wednesday, May 18, we decided that our

building will give a monetary prize to one apartment if we have a voter turnout of 265 apartments. That means that 265 apartments must vote in order to win this prize.

More details to follow.

Speaking of the Riverbay Board Elections, please read the articles submitted by the candidates and make your

choice.

We are still collecting dues. If you have not already done so, please hand in your dues envelopes to your floor captain or to the apartment number on the front of the envelope or bring them with you to the meeting.

If you see something, say something.

Call 9-1-1 and Riverbay Security at 718-

671-3050.

Our thoughts and prayers go out to all who are sick, shut-in and have lost relatives/friends and to our Troops.

Congratulations to everyone celebrating a special day this month.

We can be reached at MLSAH@aol.com.

—Son j a M a xwell

Building 27 Association You never know till you try it!!...We did just that on April 14th at our first “FREECYCLE” night. It was an overwhelming success! We got so much more than we expected and everyone took something home as

part of the fun night. There were some really outstanding and valuable things for the taking. Many articles were totally new and unused. This encourages us to think about having another night of “Freecycle” soon.

Building 32 Association SPECIAL GUESTS! Some of the candidates running for positions on the Riverbay Board are coming to our Building Association meeting, which is being held on Tuesday, April 26 at 7:30 p.m. This meeting will be held in our meeting room, rear lobby of Building 32B (usual location). Join your fellow cooperators in meeting these candidates, and take this opportunity to ask the questions you want answered. We do not have to accept

the status quo, or be complacent about the upcoming election. Make the effort to find out whose views reflect your own, and hear the voices of those who think differently. Listen and learn and help those who want Co-op City to be the right place to live in. We will all benefit from our actions, so PLEASE COME! There will be a fifty-fifty, light refreshments, and door prizes.

—L or na Sm it h

Cooperators United At our next General Membership Meeting on Tuesday, April 26, our guest speaker will be General Manager Vernon Cooper. He will update us on graffiti issues. Mr. Cooper will speak to us promptly at 7:00 p.m. because he has a previous commitment.

Also on the agenda, we will finalize our “Get Out The Vote Drive.” As you may nor may not know, Cooperators United will give a monetary prize to the Building/Townhouse Association that has the highest percentage of Riverbay Board

election voter turn out on Wednesday, May 18. You must be a current dues paying association to participate. Our dues are $20 per year. More details to follow.

Congratulations to everyone who is celebrating a special day this month. Our thoughts and prayers go out to all who are sick, lost relatives/friends and are shut-in and to our Troops.

Happy Passover and happy Easter.

We can be reached at MLSAH@aol.com.

—Son j a M a xwell

Many residents would certainly enjoy the experience if they take the time to come on down. You’re sure to find something you can use. We extend a big THANK YOU to all who participated, especially those who

donated such nice things.

The Association extends wishes for a blessed Passover and happy Easter to those celebrating.

—Don Doher t y

National Council of Negro Women The NCNW Co-op City Saturday School will be ending the year on Saturday, April 30, with a real treat. The students and staff will be attending a matinee performance of “ Stomp” at the Orpheum Theatre on Second Avenue.

This lively musical is sure to delight all of our students. It is quite a change from our school-ending program last year when we all visited the Intrepid Air and Space Museum. These varied field trips are important to help our children gain knowledge of science and culture in their world.

Our Saturday School will resume in September. We will announce registration in the Co-op City Times in August and September.

Book Club will be meeting on the last Saturday of April, 30th, at the Barnes & Noble in Bay Plaza at 3:30 p.m. This month, we are reading “ The Warmth of Other Suns: The Epic Story of America’s Great Migration” by Isabel Wilkerson.

This stunning account of the 55-year stretch when 6 million Black Americans fled the Jim Crow South is told through

the eyes of three individuals, a Mississippi sharecropper, a Louisiana doctor and a Florida laborer.

Borrow/buy a copy and come join our spirited discussion. All are welcome.

Our Youth Committee is having their Annual Spring Drive. This year, the food drive is supporting Phipps Town ’n Country Residence Home. Non-perishable items can be dropped off at Dreiser Community Center, Room 14, Saturday, April 30, and Saturday, May 7, from 11 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.

For further information, you can contact Ms. Melton at 917-399-2643.

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the death of Benjamin Booze, Jr., one of our early Associate Members, beloved husband of our Charter Member Roberta Booze and father of our member Robin Joyce Miller and son Barry Booze. This is a true NCNW family and we will all miss Ben. Please contact Sadie Gilmore, 718671 3721, to notify us of birthdays, illness or bereavement.

Happy birthday, April members.

—M a xin e Su lliva n

Texting While Driving Increases Your Risk of an Accident by 27%!

22

Co-op City Times / April 23, 2011

American Legion Post 1871 Our Post is located in Section Five in Co-op City at the community center, 135 Einstein Loop, Room 41. Our office phone number is 718-320-8165.You can also reach us by e-mail: post1871@optimum.com.

Greetings to all of our comrades who are homebound and recovering from various medical operations.

Happy birthday to all our Post members who have a birthday in the month of April: David S. Carter, Eli S. Alvarado, Clyde H. Massiah, David B. Dixon, Artie A. Jordan, Clarence N. Kennley, Constance L. Greene, Donald Fuller, Edwin M. Martinez, Julian M. Oliver, Manson M. Grantt, Jr.; James C. Wells, John H. Irving, Leon D. Jernigan, Murray Newman,

Jerome L. Rice, Julian Pitts, Santiago Rodriguez, Jr.; and Charles Gregory.

The next Executive meeting will take place on May 7th . All Executive members are expected to attend this meeting.

Post 1871 has an outstanding membership of 167 paid up members. To all Post members, if you have changed your home phone number, cell phone number or your address, please let the Post know ASAP, so we can keep in touch with you or send you a get well card.

The Testimonial dinner that was given in honor of the National Commander, the American Legion Jimmie L. Foster at Antun’s was very nice and a big thanks to all the Post members who supported the

commander on April 15th—Mrs. & Mr. Robert Feliciano, Benjamin Wright and Richard I. Lawson, Jr. Thanks for supporting the Post at the dinner by attending.

The next thing that will take place will be on Memorial Day, May 29, Sunday.

More information will be given next month.

Starting June 1, all printed Social Security numbers will be removed from all military ID’s as cards expire. All retirees and others who have “indefinite” expiration date and want SSN’s removed should contact their RAPIDS ID card facility. If you are in the New York City area, you have two places where you can go—Fort Hamilton or West Point, but first contact the ID card facility first.

The Post will still be collecting money for the bus ride to Washington, D.C. Remember, it’s $85 per person due to the fact that we haven’t filled all the seats on the bus yet, so hurry up and get that money in. Tell your family and friends about the trip. Whenever you wear your “DRESS” hat, you are considered in uniform and it is suggested that you wear a jacket, shirt and tie to complete your uniform and you will be looking smart, while showing the none Post members that we are always squared away as American Legions. Did you pay your due for the year yet?

This information was provided to you by your Post information officer.

—R ich a r d I . L a wson, J r.

Jewish War Veterans Post 500 There will be a meeting of Co-op City Post 500 on May 1st at 10 a.m. at the Town House Restaurant on Dreiser Loop.

At the Bronx County JWV Convention on April 3rd, Helene Van Clief, a JWV disabled veteran, notified all that women find it harder than men to be treated for Post Combat Traumatic Stress (PCTS).

Overseas, men are classified as combat

troops while women usually are placed into non-combat zones, thusly not combat personnel. But, if while traveling from one non-combat area to another the convoy they are in is attacked, the women have to fight, just as hard, alongside the men, and it can be very stressful for both.

Whether it is overseas or home, the men, as combat personnel, can get psychological

help in a VA hospital much easier than the non-combat classified female personnel.

Post 500, along with the Bronx County and Department of New York JWV organizations, are trying to get Washington to make the status of women troops the same as the men, so they can get help for PCTS conditions, just as readily and without the complications they are now subject to.

Post 500 would like to thank the following members for representing us at the Convention and afternoon luncheon: Alan Kalter and wife, Irene; Marvin Warm and wife, Naomi; Commander Alex Selikoff, and Leon Weinstein.

To all you mothers, have a happy Mother’s Day. —M a r vin Wa r m

Harriet Tubman Democratic Club Thanks to the old and especially the new members who attended our exciting, informative meeting on April 14. Those in attendance left with the knowledge of items in their cupboard that will stop bleeding and burns pending traditional medical follow-up. Thanks to Joe for sharing some old fashion recipes for cleansing. We will continue sharing health information at the beginning of our meeting.

Our May meeting date to be announced.

The most disturbing part of the meeting was feedback concerning the majority Board of Directors pushing a “Balloon Loan” on shareholders and reportedly being deceitful about applying for a HUD loan that would stipulate that we remain in

the Mitchell-Lama Program, which is not the case with New York Community Bank.

We discussed how the Board sent an Employee to Washington to explore borrowing over 400 Million dollars. Some members expressed concerned that we will pay a price down the road. It was reported that 200 signatures against the borrowing of over 500 million dollars was delivered to the Board. It was reported how no public hearing is being held and all shareholders will be getting rent increases and with other cut back in medical benefits many shareholders with fixed incomes may be facing homelessness if we are forced to borrow from New York Community Bank and fail to pay them

back as promised. We discussed an action plan to explore if in fact the single employee who approached HUD did so in good faith. Shareholders have time to request that we look at better deals. Calls are being made to arrange a meeting of concerned shareholders.

Also discussed was the last open Board Meeting when shareholders were not allowed to speak until after the Board had their business meeting. When Board Member Bernie Cylich presented a document to Helen Atkins stating that the shareholders were to have their voices heard first, he was brushed off and the Board proceeded to meet first and listen to shareholders after they had completed

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their lengthy business meeting. On April 13, at the Board of Directors meeting, a majority of the board made it official that the “Corporation Business Session” shall commence the meeting with the shareholders in attendance as observers only to be followed by a “Gallery Session” at which time shareholders may publicly address questions directly to the members of the Board of Directors. This was already being done and now it’s official, shareholders come last and since the business meeting will be over the only response you will get is a promised follow up at a later date. Call 718-3201861 to join.

—E velyn M . Tu r ner

Call 718.320.3300, ext. 3384 for our affordable rates.

JOYFUL TRAVEL & TOURS, INC.

Saturday June 4th

Saturday, May 7, 2011: BALTIMORE INNER HARBOR, Baltimore, MD Includes: Roundtrip Transportation, Phillips Seafood Restaurant, Patapsco Flea Market; $85.00 per person/$42.00 Children(3-7)

Nordic Lodge All-You-Can-Eat Lobster, Filet Mignon, Alaskan King Crab, Shrimp, Prime Rib, Desserts & Much More!

Along with Outlet Shopping and fun time at the Casino!

Friday, June 10, 2011: DOO-WOP LIVES - Garfield, N.J. Includes: Roundtrip Transportation, Luncheon, Stage Show, Dancing to Live Band; $75.00 per person

THIS IS ONE TRIP YOU WON'T WANT TO MISS!! RESERVATIONS GUARANTEED WITH A DEPOSIT OF ONLY $50 PER PERSON!

Tuesday, June 14, 2011: AMISH COUNTRY, Lancaster, PA Includes: Family Style Smorgasbord Luncheon, Sight-Seeing Tour of Lancaster, Bird-in-Hand Farmers Market; $75 pp/$45 children (3-7) July 9-20, 2011, BRANSON, MISSOURI, 12-Day All Inclusive Package Trip, Includes: Roundtrip Transportation, Hotel Accommodations, Meals: Breakfasts/Dinners, Admissions to Shows in Branson, Missouri & More; $1,379.00 per person, double occupancy

Buses Depart In Front of Bingo Hall, Co-op City

For info: (718) 671-6175 • joyfultraveltours.com

Cost: $137 per person

Space is limited! Call STC Tours today at 718-320-0011 Buses Depart 9 a.m. Sharp from 900 Baychester Ave. Co-op City Bronx, NY Come Celebrate our 4th Annual...

White & White PARTY BOAT RIDE

onboard the fully enclosed The Lucille • Music By: DJ PATRICK

SAT., JUNE 18th 2011 • Admission $50 ($55 at the pier) WORLD'S FAIR MARINA City-Field/Shea Stadium, Queens NY

NON-STOP MUSIC, COMPLIMENTARY BUFFET. TIX ARE ON SALE NOW!!

FIRST COME FIRST SERVED • 21 & OVER WITH ID REQUIRED. BOARDING: 11 p.m. • SAILING: 12:00 Midnight. • RETURNING: 4 a.m.

FOR FLYERS, TIX & INFO PLEASE CALL STC TOURS, LLC.

(718) 320-0011

23

Co-op City Times / April 23, 2011

African-American Association The following are programs sponsored by the Association and you are encouraged to participate: Scholar ship Awar ds – The Association is offering scholarships to two high school seniors. Applications may be obtained by calling 718-379-5555 and the deadline for submission is May 30th. The scholarships will be presented at the Annual Scholarship Awards Ceremony on Saturday, June 18th.

Comput er Classes – Learn all there is to know about Microsoft Word, the Internet, Email, Facebook, Skype, and much more. Bring your laptop and $5. Members get one FREE class. The next classes: Mondays, May 2nd and 16th, 7:00 p.m., Dreiser Center, Room 15. Call 718-379-5555.

Cub Scouts Pack – The next Pack meetings: Thursdays, May 5th and 19th, 6:30 p.m., Dreiser Center, Room 4. Boys, ages 6-11 years

old, are welcome to join. They will get the experience of developing new skills, working on projects together, going places together, being in a friendly/safe environment, making friends, having fun, and much more. They will also participate in Bronx Week, May 12th22nd. More information will follow. Call 718379-5555.

E d u ca t ion – The Communiversity of African-Centered Education will meet on Tuesday, May 10th, 7:00 p.m., Dreiser Center, Room 15 to discuss classical African history which is essential for the survival of people of color. The group is led by Brother Kaba Hiawatha Kamene. All are welcome. Call 718379-5555.

An instructional bus trip to The Museum of Fine Arts (MFA) Boston, headed by Dr. Leonard Jeffries and Brother Anthony Browder, will take place on Sunday, May 1st, 7

AT T E NT I O N! The Scholarship Applications are available in Clubroom 19 for H.S. students graduating in June, 2011.

This applies to the children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren of members of the RETIREES in good financial standing. All completed applications must be returned to Clubroom 19 by May 31.

GAM E S DAY – Sat., 4/30 – 1 p.m., Clubroom19. Donation: $3.

We have selected two organizations, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and the Disabled American Veterans, to receive our annual charitable contributions. We are asking all members to donate as generously as possible to the Humanitarian Committee.

Members, do you know anyone who has a clean CDL license, 2 years driving experience and knows maintenance procedures for a van? If so, please have him/her contact

our non-profit organization, RETIREES, Ms. V. Stewart, at 718-379-0377 (or leave message), as we need a P/T volunteer van driver for approximately 2-4 times a month.

The driver will be compensated for each trip.

T R AVE L AC T I VI T I ES: Make a connection as we travel to: Cape Cod, MA trip – has been cancelled. Refunds to be mailed shortly.

Dover, DE and Crab Feast – Aug. 9-11th (3 Days). Price: $409 double and $499 single.

(Contact Beverly James at 718-3790377 or Dolores Shivers; $100 trip deposit required).

Biloxi, MS – Aug. 27–Sept. (9 days).

Price: $750 double and $1020 single.

Spectacular Gulf Coast Gaming, and much, much more. (Deposit $250 due by

a.m. Visit: www.akhettours.com or call 917834-5100.

Yoga & P ilat es Ma t C la sses – Tuesdays and Thursdays, 7:15 p.m., Dreiser Center, Room 2. This class consists of exercises to promote weight loss, tone and strengthen muscles, gently stretch the spine, improve posture and flexibility while reducing stress with breathing techniques and meditation, to create a sense of well being. Call 718-671-8364.

Belly Dance Classes – There will be no classes on April 18th and 25th. Classes will resume on Monday, May 2nd at 7:00 p.m., Dreiser Center, Room 2. Call 646-281-4570.

Bu sin ess O pp or t u n it y Wor k sh op Wednesdays, 7:00 p.m., Dreiser Center, Room 2. Call Kevin Lambright, 646-721-8185.

J ob/Entr epr eneur ial Pr ogr a m: Our mission is to help anyone who wants to work and is seeking a job. Next meeting: Thursday, May

5th, 7:00-9:00 p.m., Dreiser Center, Room 15.

Call 718-320-1424.

Gener a l M ember ship M eeting – The general membership meeting is Saturday, May 14, 4:00 p.m. in Dreiser Center, Room 4. We will entertain nominations for new officers. The elections will take place at our June 11th meeting. We always welcome new members. You can join or renew your membership at any time.

If you cannot attend a meeting, please send your check or money order (DO NOT MAIL CASH) of $7.50 for a single membership and $12.50 for families (thru August 31st) to: African-American Association of Co-op City, P.O. Box 702, Co-op City Station, Bronx, NY 10475. Your membership helps to support this organization that sustains our community.

EASTER GREETINGS are extended to all our friends and neighbors.

—Fr a ncine R eva J ones

Retirees of Dreiser Loop 4/20) - checks payable to RETIREES OF DREISER LOOP) T H E AT R E C O M M I T T E E (prices include transportation): Come with us to see the following *Lehman Center shows (all start at 8 p.m.)

Wed., April 27th; SISTER ACT; Price $86. (Van for SISTER ACT will leave at 12:00 p.m.) *Sat., May 21st; Johnny Mathis; $82. *Sat., June 25th; Michael Jackson Tribute; Price: $52. *Sat., July 16th**; Spirit Cruise, NY Luncheon; Price - $65, **Date changed.

The van will be waiting on Dreiser Loop, across from the deli at 6:45 p.m. for the Lehman performances. Note: A 50% deposit is required for all theatre tickets. Committee members in Clubroom 19 on Thursdays after 3 p.m. (718-379-0377).

GOO D AND W E L FAR E : We send best wishes to Elizabeth Vaughn, who is back in the hospital. And best wishes to our Elinor Gordon who is now at home recuperating. We support all of our members on the mend and send warm and bright wishes for a speedy recovery, and a subsequent long and healthy life.

Contact Elinor Gordon at 718-379-0377 regarding illnesses and bereavements.

RETIREES (old and new) and friends, our Clubroom 19 (718-379-0377) is available for your weekday socializing pleasure.

Come…join the fun.

New member s – We look forward to seeing you at our Welcoming Orientation Meeting which will be held on Wednesday, May 11th at 12:00 p.m. in Clubroom 19, Dreiser Loop. Please mark your calendars.

—C la udet te Davis

CO-OP CITY FOOT CARE CENTER SECTION 5 • BUILDING 29C 4240 HUTCHINSON RIVER PARKWAY EAST

(718) 671-2233 DR. LOUIS JACOBS, DIRECTOR ALL FOOT CONDITIONS TREATED The in-office surgical correction of BUNIONS • HAMMERTOES • INGROWN TOENAILS PAINFUL CORNS and CALLOUSES The treatment of traumatic foot injuries, heel spurs, bursitis and arthritis of the joints of the feet, toenail and skin infections, as well as other conditions.

Most Union and Insurance Plans Accepted.

HIP CMO (Montefiore) Health Plan Accepted.

We participate in Postal Workers, Mail Handlers, Letter Carriers, Verizon Workers, 1199, GHI, Blue Shield, Empire Plan, Medicare, Travelers, United Health Care and many other union and major medical plans.

Se Habla Español MEDICARE ACCEPTED • HOUSE CALLS BY APPOINTMENT

Diabetic Patients with Medicare may be eligible for shoes.

24

Co-op City Times / April 23, 2011

Community Protestant Church On behalf of our Pastor, Reverend Dr. Calvin E. Owens, and our church family, welcome to Community Protestant Church, a church of love and understanding, located at 1659 East Gun Hill Road, Bronx, NY 10469; telephone (718) 862-9172.

C H UR C H SC H E DUL E Sunday School - 9:00 a.m.

Worship Service - 11:00 a.m.

Communion Service - Every first and third Sundays Prayer Meeting and Bible Study – Wednesday at 7:00 p.m.

THE FOLLOWING PROGRAMS ARE AT THE CHURCH’S ANNEX: 2053 ASCH LOOP NORTH (CO-OP CITY) Morning Prayer Services - Tuesday, 6:00 a.m. – 7:30 a.m. and 9:00 a.m.-10:00 a.m.

Neighborhood Bible Study - Thursday at 10:00 a.m.

Fellowship, “Life on God’s Terms” - Every Friday (except 4th Friday), 7:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.

OT H E R SC H E DUL E D E VE NT S: ALL ARE WELCOME Tomorrow April 24th, RESURRECTION SUNDAY (EASTER SUNDAY) Sunrise Service at 5:30 a.m.

Morning Service at 11:00 a.m.

Annual Sunrise Breakfast after Easter Sunrise Service sponsored by the North Carolina Team. Donation: $6.

Saturday, May 7th, 9:00 p.m. - 2:00 a.m. - The South Carolina Committee Dance in celebration of Mother’s Day at the Dreiser Community Center in Co-op City.

Music provided by DJ Parallel. Dress to impress. Ticket: $20 (in advance); $25 (at the door). For tickets and/or additional information, call: (718) 379-8514; (718) 6710425; (718) 671-5493 or (718) 671-0231.

CPC Tours sponsors a phenomenal trip to THE NATIONAL BLACK THEATRE FESTIVAL, WinstonSalem, NC, August 2-6. Professional theater productions, free workshops and seminars, a film festival, midnight poet-

Open Doors, Open Hearts and Open Minds

ry jam, celebrity receptions, international vendor’s market and much more! This 5 days/4 nights’ tour includes tickets to 3 celebrity performances; admission to the evening celebrity receptions, hotel accommodations, 5 breakfasts, 1 dinner, transportation and baggage handling. Cost per person: $725/double occupancy. For reservations and/or additional information, contact CPC Tours at (718) 671-1182.

Saturday, September 17th, 12:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. at Dreiser, Auditorium B, the Missionary Ministry presents a RED CARPET FASHION SHOW AND BRUNCH, featuring the fashions of Dressed to A “T” by Theresa Ferguson. Tickets: $40. For additional information and to purchase tickets, call (718) 379-8514; (718) 671-6922, (718) 671-0425 or (718) 671-6122.

The doors of Community Protestant Church are open to all to worship and fellowship with Christian believers of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. You are cordially invited to come in, join in and receive your blessing.

E va n G. M it ch ell —E

Evangelical Church of Co-op City C om e & Visit Us – We welcome you to God’s House – Your House – One Family in Christ. We are a congregation with spirit-filled worship, offering a variety of opportunities for spiritual growth, fellowship and service to God and our community. We are a multi-ethnic, multi-cultural and bilingual congregation and all are welcome. Services are at the church at 2350 Palmer Avenue, across the street from Building 30. Parking is available. Visit our website at www.co-opcityumchurch.org.

Su n d a y Ser vices – The first Sunday of the month is a bilingual service with communion at 10 a.m. Every other Sunday, the services are as follows: English Service at 9 a.m. and the Spanish Service at 11:30 a.m. There are Bible studies in English and Spanish at 10:30 a.m. We also have a children’s service during the English service.

Neos P r ogr a ms – The teens, tweens and children’s programs every Friday night at 8 p.m. at the church, ages

5 & up. We also have for girls & boys liturgical dancing, ages 5 to 12, 8 p.m. on Fridays. Every last Friday night is pizza and movie night at 8 p.m. at the church.

C r escen d o C h r ist ia n M u sic Sch ool: Learn piano, guitar, percussion (drums, congas, etc.), voice and theory.

Contact Maestro Frank Colon at (917) 753-3644. The school will be open from Monday – Thursday, 2 p.m. – 8 p.m. Private and group lessons are available. Earlier lessons can be arranged. All ages welcome. Registration is free and rates are affordable.

Aft er Sch ool P r ogr a m – In Room 43 of Einstein Community Center is a safe environment where children can do homework, learn God’s word and just have some fun, please call (718) 671-1033.

F lea M a r k et is C omin g – Our annual flea market will be on Saturday, May 7, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Call Pauline (718) 320-1552 (evenings between 5 p.m. & 8 p.m. only);

Priscilla (347) 449-6555 (If no answer, leave message) or Barbara (347) 603-7473 (If no answer, leave message) for a spot. Spots are $30 and $5 for a table.

L a n ca st er , P a . Tr ip – We are going to Lancaster on September 30 to October 1. The trip will consist of shopping at Rockville Square Outlets, Dutch Apple Dinner Theater to see “ I Love a Piano,” staying at the Heritage Hotel, breakfast at the hotel and going to Birdin-Hand Farmers Markets and Luncheon at Shady Maple Smorgasbord. Travel by deluxe coach. Cost is $237 per person, double occupancy; $295 single occupancy; $229 for triple occupancy; $165, children 13 to 18, and $133, children 12 and under. Deposits must be paid by April 30th. Call Barbara at (347) 603-7473 to find out more and make your reservation; If no answer, please leave a message.

—R ev. Dr. M ilca Alva r ez-P la u d a

Church of the Savior Rev. Dr. Robert A. Smith, Jr., Pastor; Lady Theresa M. Smith, co-founder; Rev. McMillian, Assistant Pastor, and the Church of the Savior family extend an invitation to every person to worship with us. We are a non-denominational, inter-racial, inter-cultural, intergenerational fellowship of believers. We care about you, not your W2. We are not church as usual. Come as you are, we leave the judging to God. The Church of the Savior family extends love and affirmation to the Co-op City community; A warm welcome awaits you!! We love you for who you are, not what you have. Please call us at 718-320-0002 or 917-734-4058 for more information. Do you want a place that allows you to meet the living God? Do you want to be connected to people who care about you, not what you have on or how much money you make? A special seat and friend awaits you.

Church of the Savior is located at 120 DeKruif Place – street level (under Building #7 near Dreiser Loop). Take the 38 to Dreiser Loop and DeKruif Pl. Our mailing address is: P.O. Box 86, Bronx, NY 10475.

Sund a y Mor ning Schedu le: Adult Bible Study – 9:15 a.m.

Divine Worship—10:30 a.m.

Our children’s Sunday School will teach and nurture your child/children in the word of God. All sessions are during worship service.

Dr. Smith’s Divine Message: “God’s Plan!”

Reading from God’s word - Matthew 28:1-10.

Weekly Act ivit y – Church of the Savior worship at 10:30 a.m. Come and be blessed, we want an opportunity to love you. See you in church.

Each Thursday at 10:00 a.m., Channel 70, Bronxnet, tune in and be blessed. If this program has lifted you, please let us know. Dr. Smith can be contacted at 718-320-0002. If you prefer to drop a personal note: P.O. Box 86, Bronx, NY 10475 is our mailing address.

Bereavement Support Group meets Monday evenings at 7:00 p.m. Are you grieving the loss of a loved one? Come, our arms and hearts are open to you. God bless you!

Every Thursday evening, 6:00-7:30 p.m., Bible Study in session. Dr. Margaret Watson, gifted instructor and anointed Evangelist, will lead a special journey through the

Bible. Want to know how the God of creation deals with suffering; living a life of faith; how to have a personal relationship with God; How to “love your neighbor as yourself.”

Up com ing Activities: TONIGHT- 5:00 p.m., Movie Night. Feature presentation - “The Greatest Story Ever Told” - Part 1. Join us for popcorn, fellowship, good movie and refreshments. Please bring a friend, neighbor or family member. ADMISSION IS

FREE. Movies are suitable for everyone.

Thur., May 5; Fri., May 6, 7:00 p.m. - Spring revival.

Sat., May 8 - “Brothers Cooking for Mothers” - $10.

Thought for Easter: Easter is an exclamation point!

“Easter is an exclamation of gratitude and of praise for the resurrection of Jesus Christ and for salvation. His victory over death brought us.”

—Rev. Dr. R ob er t A. Sm ith, J r.

Family Owned and Operated • Large Chapel on premises

• Pre-need counseling

• Ample Parking on premises

• Out of town services

• Casket Showroom on premises

• Cremations

Personalized & Professional Care

A dignified funeral every family can afford.

All areas are handicapped accessible

Worldwide Shipping including Caribbean, Africa & South America

718-231-7647 Call 24 Hours

Fax: 718-231-7665 www.mccalls.net • director@mccalls.net 4035 Bronxwood Avenue, Bronx, N.Y.

Serving all cultures & faiths

25

Co-op City Times / April 23, 2011

Co-op City Baptist Church Rev. Dr. Sheldon E. Williams and the Coop City Baptist Church family invite you to join us tomorrow, Resurrection Sunday, for worship service at 8:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m.

The Sunday School Easter program will be held at 9:30 a.m., Easter Sunday morning. All are invited to attend.

Bible study is held on Wednesdays at 1:00 p.m. and at 7:30 p.m. Bible study is also held every other Wednesday at 5 p.m., Prayer Service is held on Fridays at noon and at 7:30 p.m. We invite you to worship, study, and pray with us.

The Co-op City Baptist Church is located at 135 Einstein Loop, Room 50 (lower level). Our telephone number is 718-3203774. Visit us on the web at www.coopcitybaptistchurch.org.

The Co-op City Intergenerational Outreach Center’s Saturday Tutoring Program is in session. Tutoring is held for grades 2-3 on Saturdays from 3:00 to 4:00 p.m. and from 4:00 to 5:00 p.m. for 4th and 5th graders. To register for the program, please come 15 minutes prior to scheduled time of tutoring for your child. Our tutoring sessions are semi-private. The fee has been reduced to $30 a month. For additional information, call 917620-2859 or 718-671-8449. The tutoring program will not be held today, April 23.

On Saturday, May 7 at 3:30 p.m., the Building Fund Ministry will sponsor a Shoe Size Rally. Donation is $10 times your shoe size; the cap is $100. The cap is $50 if you are 70 years of age or more and $5 if you are 18 years old or less. Rev. Roderick McArthur,

Pastor of Mt. Gilead Baptist Church, will be the guest speaker. Lunch will be served from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. All are invited to attend.

“Feast Delivers,” hosted by the Just For Men Ministry, invites everyone to participate. The deadline for payment is May 8 and distribution will be at the church on Saturday, May 21 from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m.

Please note the change in delivery date. This month, the feast has a baby back rib dinner special at a cost of $19. Call the church for additional information.

Rev. Dr. Williams has a radio show on WMCA 570 AM every Friday at 1:30 p.m.

Rev. Dr. Williams is the author of Principle Centered Living: 9 Reasons To Maintain Your Values in a Pressure Filled World and Founder of SEW Universal, Inc. Visit his websites:

www.PrincipleCentered Living.com or www.RevDrSheldonE Williams.com.

The Scholarship Ministry will travel to the Holy Land, re-created in Orlando, Florida on August 13. This 9-day/8-night spectacular venture includes motor coach transportation, 14 meals, admission to the Holy Land Experience, the Morse Museum, and Arabian Nights: an exciting equestrian dinner show.

We will have overnight stays in both Virginia and Georgia, going and returning. Prices are $765 pp/double occupancy. The bus is full, however, the ministry will be getting a second bus if 20 additional people sign up. If you are interested in attending, please call 718-6711918, 718-671-7507 or 718-320-3774.

Happy Passover and Easter to the Co-op —Ha ttie L. Lu cas City community.

Circle of Christ Church - Hearts of Love Ministry of NY Reverend Elisamuel “Sam” Colon and the congregation of Circle of Christ Church would like to extend an invitation of love and peace in the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Please join us for a time of adoring worship, praise and the Word of God. Allow the Lord to reach into your heart and help you see the road of light and joy.

Circle of Christ Church is a beacon which the Lord has lit onto Co-op City and it is our purpose as a church and as children of God to serve, teach and bring forth the Gospel for all to hear and witness.

F O C US SC R I P T UR E F O R T H E

W E E K : The Son of Man came not to be served but to serve. --Mark 10:45 (NRSV) ANNO UNC E M E NT S: Sunday, April 24th at 11a.m. – Resurrection Sunday Service: Join us in Worship, Praise and Fellowship. All are welcome.

Sunday, May 1st at 11 a.m. – Communion Sunday. Join us at the Lord’s table.

Sched ule of Ser vice: Sundays: Worship Service** 11 a.m. start ** First Sunday of each month is our Communion Service.

Children’s Church (4-12 years old) 12

a.m. start (Dreiser, Rm. #2) Little Lambs (2–4 years old) 12 a.m. start (Dreiser, Rm. #2) Wednesdays: Worship, Prayer, & Bible Study 7 p.m. start Fridays: Teen Church 7 p.m.–9 p.m.

Children’s Church, 7 p.m.–9 p.m.

F Y I: You can now see portions of our services and worship on our website www.circleofchristchurch.org, Facebook, Youtube and Bronxnet Cable, Channel #70, Saturdays at 4 p.m.

Circle of Christ Church helps support missions in Peru, Colombia, Puerto Rico, Mexico, Bronx and Africa. Join us in our

goal to expand God’s work throughout the world. Please make all donations to Circle of Christ Church – memo Missions.

You can submit your prayer request online at prayer@circleofchristchurch.org or give your request to an usher during Friday or Sunday services.

P lea se m a il a ll you r in q u ir ies or d on a t ion s t o t h e followin g a d d r ess: Circle of Christ Church, 147 Dreiser Loop, lower level, Bronx, NY 10475; 347-945-1992.

E m a il: admin@circleofchrist church.org.

Website: www.circleofchristchurch.org.

—E ld er J a y R a m os

St. Joseph’s Episcopal Church Fr. Taylor and the congregation of St. Joseph’s invite you to worship with us at 155 Dreiser Loop (lower level) here in Co-op City; telephone: (718) 320-0844.

Week ly Sch ed u le Su n d a y: Service, 9 a.m. Sunday School, 9 a.m. Wednesday: Stations of the Cross at 7 p.m. (during Lenten season); Thursday: Choir rehearsal, 7 p.m.

Friday: Youth group, 4-6 p.m. Young Adults, 6:30 - 9 p.m.

Every 4th Sunday, the Sunday School

children lead the service and every 5th Sunday the Young Adults lead.

H oly Week Sch ed u le: Monday, April 18—Stations of the Cross, 7 p.m.

Tuesday, April 19—Stations of the Cross, 7 p.m.

Wednesday, April 20—The East Bronx Episcopal Churches joint annual holy week service to be held at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, E 222nd Street, Bronx, NY. at 7 p.m. Bishop Catherine Roskam, preacher &

celebrant.

Thursday, April 21—Maundy Thursday service with foot washing and Holy Communion.

Good Friday, April 22—Service at 12 p.m. Liturgy for Good Friday with Stations of the Cross and Holy Communion without wine.

Sunday, April 24—Easter Sunday service at 9 a.m.

Up com in g E ven t s: 14—St. Joseph’s Day May Luncheon at Eastwood Manor, Bronx,

NY Adults $75, Children $25.

June 26—Confirmation and reception of new members with Assistant Bishop Andrew Smith of the Diocese of NY presiding.

July 9—Deluxe bus transportation to Duck Walk Vineyard in Montauk, L.I. Donation $85. Trip includes lunch at Gurney’s Inn, wine tasting and tour of the facility. Please contact church at (718) 320-0844 for reservations.

Have mercy on me, O Lord, for I am in trouble. (Psalm 31:9)

Einstein Cancer Fund We wish everyone a happy Passover and a happy Easter to family and friends.

Our next general members meeting will be on Tuesday, May 3rd in Room 38 at Einstein Loop Center. Refreshments will be served.

We are going to the Showboat Casino on Tuesday, May 10th. Cost per person,

$30, with a bonus casino slot play of $30.

Time of pick-up is at 8 a.m. starting at Einstein Loop, followed by Asch Loop and Dreiser Loop. Please bring a valid photo I.D. As everyone knows, prices of all commodities have increased. We are trying to hold the prices of the buses at $30. The

price of the bus will increase by $3 or $5.

This is beyond our control but if we are to continue to raise funds for Cancer Care Children’s Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering research and, most of all, Calvary Hospice, your support is needed.

We thank you for your understanding.

For the above trip to the Showboat

Casino, please call Mildred at 718-3200288; Loretta, 718-671-2958 or Lydia, 718-671-3005. For memorial cards, please call Loretta.

Our prayers of healing and good health are wished to all who are recuperating in their homes or rehab facilities.

—Lyd ia R u a s

DIVORCE - BANKRUPTCY • ABSOLUTE LOWEST FEES • EVENING APPTS. AVAILABLE • IMMEDIATE FILING

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633 Lydig Ave • Bronx, NY 1 block from Pelham Parkway & White Plains Road Accessible by #2 & #5 trains • #12, #22 & #39 buses

DAVID BRODMAN,Esq.

718.239.7110

26

Co-op City Times / April 23, 2011

Mon., April 25

Bartow

Einstein

Dreiser

ALL CENTERS CLOSED

ALL CENTERS CLOSED

ALL CENTERS CLOSED

Current Events 10 a.m., Rm. 31

Wed., April 27

Tues., April 26

Dominos 10:00 in Rm. 49 Bingo 10:00 in Rm. 31 Beginner’s Self Defense 9 a.m., Rm. 31

Word Games 9:30 – 11:30 a.m., Rm. 31

Mixed Cultural Dance 10:30 in Aud. A Mind Teasers 12-1 p.m., Rm. 7

Bingo 1:00 in Rm. 49

Matinee Movie w/George Rm. 49, 2-4 p.m.

Beginner’s Self Defense 1 - 2 p.m. in Aud. A Tuesday Movie w/popcorn 2-4pm, Rm. 7

Stay Well Exercise 10 a.m., Rm. 31

Library, Exercise Bike, Chat session, Rm. 7, 9:30 – 1

Non-Kosher

Soups, Breads and Desserts

Mon., April 25

ALL CENTERS CLOSED

ALL CENTERS CLOSED

ALL CENTERS CLOSED

Tues., April 26

Tilapia, Baked potato, Diced carrots

PASSOVER

Matzo, Orange

Wed., April 27

Apple juice, Chicken cacciatore, Spaghetti, Italian blend

Veal stew, Bowtie pasta, Mixed vegetables

Italian bread, Pear

Thurs., April 28

Orange juice, Salisbury steak, Mashed potato, Spinach

Breaded chicken thigh, Green peas, Diced turnip

Rye bread, Banana

Fri., April 29

Orange/pineapple juice, Tilapia w/peppers and onions, Yellow rice

Meat loaf w/mushroom gravy, Baked potato, Spinach

Whole wheat bread, Apple

Dominos 10 a.m., Rm. 45

All meals served w/margarine and fresh milk *Menu subject to change without notice. We ask that members please call their center at least one day in advance to register for lunch:

Bartow Center (718) 320-2066, Ext. 2010 Dreiser Center (718) 320-1345 • Gloria Wise Center (718) 671-5161

Line Dancing 11, Rm. 31 Dominos 2:30 p.m., Rm. 25 Word Games 9:30–11:30 a.m., Rm. 31 Bingo 2 p.m. in Rm. 25

Spelling Bee 10 a.m., Rm. 49

Chat session 9:30 a.m. – 1 p.m., Rm. 31

Upcoming Events/Trips

Garden Club 10:00, Rm. 7 Sewing w/Raymonde 9:30-11:30, Rm. 7

Spanish Practice Class 10:30 in Computer lab

Tai Chi 11:00 a.m., Rm. 2

Blood Pressure 1st & 3rd 9-10 a.m., Rm. 31

Library 9 a.m. - 1 p.m., Rm. 31

Thurs., April 28

Tai Chi 11:00 in Rm. 45

Card Games 2:30-4 p.m.

Rm. 25

Card Games 2-4 p.m., Rm. 25

Fri., April 29

Kosher

Alert & Alive 10:30, Rm. 7

Advanced Self Defense 10 a.m., Rm. 31 Dominos 2:30 p.m., Rm. 25

Library, Exercise Bike, Chat Session, Rm. 7, 9:30 – 10:30

Date:

Mind Teasers 12-1 p.m.

Rm. 7

Bingo 1:00 in Rm. 49

Art 1-4 p.m., Rm. 7

Dominos 10 a.m., Rm. 45

Library, Exercise, Chat session, Rm. 7, 9:30 – 1 Blood Pressure 1st & 3rd Thursday 10-11:30, Rm. 7

Dominos 2:30 p.m., Rm. 25

Stay Well Exercise 10-11, Rm. 45

Word Games 9:30 -11:30, Rm. 31

Spelling Bee 11 a.m., Rm. 49

Belly Dancing 12:30 p.m., Aud. A Mind Teasers 12-1 p.m., Rm. 7

Bingo 2 p.m. in Rm. 25 Handi-Flex 1 p.m., Aud. A Card Games 2:30-4 p.m., Rm. 25

Bingo 1:00 in Rm. 49

“Movie Madness” 9:30 a.m., Rm. 31

Dominos 10 a.m., Rm. 45

Drama Rm. 7, 1:30–4 p.m.

Art 10:00 in Rm. 45

Day at the Movies w/ popcorn 10 a.m., Rm. 7

Spelling Bee 11 a.m., Rm. 31 Dominos 2:30 p.m., Rm. 31 Word Games 9:30 – 11:30 a.m., Rm. 31

Crochet & Knitting 9:00 in Rm. 2

Self Defense 10 a.m., Rm. 45

Meditative Moments 11:00 in Rm. 8

Bingo 1:00 p.m. in Rm. 49

Bingo 2 p.m. in Rm. 25

Card Games Rm. 49 2 p.m. – 4 p.m.

Card Games 2-4 p.m., Rm. 25

Blood Pressure 2nd & 4th Friday 10-11:30, Rm. 49

Mind Teasers 12-1 p.m., Rm. 7 Whist Card Game/ Scrabble 2-4 p.m., Rm. 7

*Schedule subject to change without notice*

K NOW YO UR NUM BE R S – Tuesday, April 26, 11:00 a.m., Room 4, Dreiser Center. Robert Fay of DFTA (Department for the Aging) will give a presentation and answer questions on knowing your numbers about your blood sugar, blood pressure, etc. Come out and learn more.

EM PI R E C IT Y C ASI NO Wednesday, May 4 - $3. Trip includes transportation, 4 hours at casino, $10 food coupon. Pick-ups: Bartow, 10 a.m.; Dreiser, 10:15 a.m. and Einstein, 10:30 a.m.

M OT HE R S’ DAY C E L E BR AT I O N -Thursday, May 5, Einstein Center, Room 45 – 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. $5. Enjoy the music of a Mariachi Band.

A DAY AT T HE SPA - JONES’ SPA, Middletown Road, Bronx, New YorkMonday, May 23rd; $110 per person, $20 non-refundable reservation deposit due April 21st, balance due May 3rd. Includes: mini facial, paraffin hand treatment, _ hour body massage, light lunch and round trip transportation. Pick-ups: Bartow, 9 a.m.; Dreiser, 9:15 a.m. and Einstein, 9:30 a.m.

J AZ Z I N HAR L E M - Dwyer Cultural Center, 123rd Street, Friday, May 27th; $10. Price includes transportation/boxed lunch, admission to show and art gallery viewings. Pick-ups: Bartow, 10:30 a.m.; Dreiser; 10:45 a.m. and Einstein; 11 a.m.

C AR E GI VE R SUP P ORT GRO UP Do You Need Support For An Older Person? A Caregiver Support Group can offer an atmosphere of understanding and support for caregivers to discuss issues and problems. Whether you care for a loved one from a distance or in your home, you are most welcome. The group meets every other Tuesday at: 2049 Bartow Avenue, Room 31 from 1-2 p.m. The next session is Tuesday, April 26th. The support group is facilitated by a social worker. If you have any questions, please contact JASA at: 718-320-2066.

DI SABI L I T Y SUP P ORT / SO C I AL I Z AT I O N G R O UP . CANCELLED UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE. AL L J ASA C E NT E R S W I L L BE C L OSE D ON M O NDAY, AP R I L 25.

DI ABE T I C GRO UP next meeting is scheduled for Monday, May 23.

SE NI O R C E NT E R F I E L D T R I P P E R M I SSI ON SL I P – Effective immediately, all senior center participants will be required to fill out a Senior Center Field Trip Permission Slip before going on any JASA senior center trips. If you are paying for someone to go on the trip, you must make sure that they bring the form with them on the day of the trip. All forms must be filled out prior to going on the trip; No Exceptions.

Blood Pressure screenings

WEEKLY TRIPS DATES

WEEKLY TRIPS

PRICE

PICK-UP TIMES

1st Monday: 1st & 3rd Mondays: Fridays Tuesdays

Stew Leonards Super Wal-Mart Swimming Bowling

$5 $12 $3 $10

Bartow 1 p.m.

9 a.m.

1 p.m.

11 a.m.

Dreiser 1:15 p.m.

9:15 a.m.

1:15 p.m.

11:30 a.m.

Einstein 1:30 p.m.

9:30 a.m.

1:30 p.m.

11:15 a.m.

To register for trips and classes, please call: (718) 320-2066 Monday – Friday: 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

Funded by: The NYC Department for the Aging, The NYS Office for the Aging and Riverbay Corporation

Trained volunteers are providing FREE blood pressure screenings to the 60+ community conveniently located at all three of the Co-op City community centers.

All you need is to become a member by simply filling out a short application form available at any of the local centers.

L O C AT I O NS & SC H E DUL E : 135 Einstein Loop, Room 45, every 2nd & 4th Friday at 10:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.; 177 Dreiser Loop, Room 7, every 1st & 3rd Thursday at 10:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.; and 2049 Bartow Avenue, Room 31, every 1st & 3rd Wednesday at 9 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.

No Co-op City Times? Call 646.479.1041 or 646.261.1761, Saturday: 9 am - 2 pm.

27

Co-op City Times / April 23, 2011

WEEKLY SCHEDULE BUILDING & TOWNHOUSES ASSOCIATIONS Coalition of Affordable Housing, “Executive Meeting” Mon., 4/25; 7:30 pm (Bartow Room #28)

Broun Place Association, “Meeting” Thurs., 4/28; 7:30 pm (Bartow Room #31) Debs Place Association, “Meeting” Thurs., 4/28 7:00 pm (Dreiser Room #1)

EDUCATION African American Association, “Business Education Classes” Wed., 4/27; 6:00 pm (Dreiser Room #2)

HOBBIES African American Association, “Belly Dance Class” Mon., 4/25; 7:00 pm (Dreiser Room #2) “Yoga & Pilates” Tues., 4/26; & Thurs., 4/28; 7:00 pm (Dreiser Room #2)

Co-op City Duplicate Bridge Club: “Bridge Training Class” Wed., 4/27; 4:00 pm (Dreiser Room #9) “Bridge Game” Wed., 4/27; 6:00 pm (Dreiser Room #9)

POLITICAL Co-op City Working Families, “Meeting” Tues., 4/26; 7:00 pm (Einstein Room #38)

RELIGIOUS Deeper Life Church, Tues., 4/26; 7:00 pm (Dreiser Room #1) Church of the New Vision, “Bible Studies” Sun., 4/24; 9:30 am (Einstein Room #38) Faith @ Work Christian Church, Sun., 4/24; 8:00 am (Dreiser Room #8)

Iglesia Cristiana Marcos 16:15, Sun., 4/24; 10:00 am (Einstein Rm #35) Harvest Restoration Ministries, “Bible Study” Wed., 4/27 7:00 pm (Dreiser Room #10), “Church Service” Sun., 4/24; 10:00 am (Dreiser Room #10)

Mt. Calvary Baptist Church, Thurs., 4/28; 5:30 pm (Dreiser Room #9) Circle of Christ “Children’s Bible Study” Sun., 4/24; 10:00 am (Dreiser Room #2)

SCOUTS Greater New York Girl Scouts, “Meeting” Fri., 4/29; 5:00 pm (Dreiser Room #1, 2, 4, and 9)

SENIORS JASA Senior Services “luncheon” Mon-Fri., 4/4/;-4/22; 8:00 am (Bartow Room #31)

SERVICE & CIVIC Weight Watchers Nutrition Program: Tues., 4/26; “Meeting Time” 6:00 pm (Dreiser Room #4)

Baychester Library Events

VISIT THE LIBRARY - A GREAT WEALTH OF INFORMATION UPCOMING EVENTS FREE Mamography Screening for women 40 and older. Saturday, April 23, 9 a.m. - 12 p.m. An appointment is necessary. Please call 800-564-6868. Early detection of breast cancer is the best protection.

Teen Talent Show & Exhibition - Tuesday, May 17, 4 p.m. Play a musical instrument? Sing? Dance? Recite poetry or tell stories? Have artwork or writing to display? Sign up at the information desk!

WEEKLY EVENTS KIDS Game On Nintendo Wii! - Every Monday, 3:30 p.m. • TAG - Every Tuesday, 4 p.m., ages 12-18 • KIDS Reading Aloud - Every Wednesday, 3:30 p.m., ages 3-8 • Teen Book Café - Every Wednesday, 4 p.m., Talk about books or listen. • Chess Club - Every Thursday, 3:00 p.m. • Teen Time - Every Friday, 2:30-4:30 p.m. Come and hang out in the library’s community room: Bring a snack, talk to friends, play games.

The New York Public Library Baychester Branch • 2049 Asch Loop • Bronx, NY 10475

AARP Chapter #4997 F YI : AARP is getting ready for another fantastic Life@50+ event. Why not take a break and join AARP in Los Angeles, California! It’s three fun-filled days of exciting exhibits (freebies!), celebrities and speakers, concerts – even a world-class dance party! Life@50+ is all about exploring the possibilities, trying new things and making a plan that puts you on the fast track to achieving your goals. Have a blast while you discover and define what’s next in your life.

The Life@50+ event will be held at the beautiful Los Angeles Convention Center. To find out more or to register for the event, just call 888-347-6445.

Get well wishes extended to Elinor Gordon following cataract surgery.

NOT E : To our sick, on the mend and shut-in members, and those bereaved members, please know that you are in our prayers. Contact Frances Wilson, Good & Welfare Coordinator, 718-671-5493, to make the Chapter aware.

2011 TOUR COMMITTEE ACTIVITIES R E M I NDE R : You don’t have to be a member of Peachtree Chapter to attend any of the trips — so, come and go with us… let’s have fun together.

May 2nd & 3rd – It Just Doesn’t Get Better Than This – 2 days/1 night (at Comfort Inn - Mystic, CT); Shopping in Olde Mystic Village; live Musical

Theater at the Cornerstone Playhouse; 5 hour stay at Foxwoods Casino (meal voucher & Keno); breakfast at Comfort Inn; off to Mohegan Sun w/lunch meal voucher and casino bonus; back to Cornerstone Playhouse w/shopping and show time and home w/a box lunch – Bus departure from Asch Loop (in front of the library) at 7:30 a.m. – contact Delores, 718-379-2176/Daisy May 24 (Tues.) – Chubby Checker TRIP CANCELLED, Sorry….

July 21 (Thurs.) – 4-hour stay at the “new” Sugar House Casino (PA) – w/a 3course luncheon aboard the Moshula Historic Ship; casino bonus (to be announced) – $87/person — contact Daisy, 718-671-3241/Wini.

Aug. 23 (Tues.) – Boston Harbor Cruise; includes roundtrip motor coach; scenic 2-hour Harbor Cruise (aboard the beautiful Odyssey); elegant served 3course luncheon; and musical entertainment — $90/person – contact Delores, 718-379-2176/Wini.

Oct. 17th & 18th – Rocking Horse Resort Fall Foliage – overnight stay; 3 meals; resort activities; Monticello Raceway/Casino on return trip home — $199/double & $249/single — $50 deposit due with registration – balance due by Sept. meeting – contact Jean, 718379-3742/Wini.

—Delor es Deb n a m

Handicapped Adults Association VAN-The van is available Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday on a limited basis. We will take your reservation, but no guarantees against cancellation. Time of operation is 9:30 a.m., return by 2:00 p.m.

DUE S-Dues for the year 2011 are in order. Either mail or bring your dues check to the office, Handicapped Adults, 177 Dreiser Loop, Room #13, Bronx, N.Y. 10475.

F L E A M AR K E T-There are greeting cards 25 cents each; canes $5 each; jewelry; soft covered books 5 for $1; hard cov-

ered books 50 cents each; CD’s music in English and Spanish $1 each. New items arrive daily; Come into the office and look around. We are open from 9:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m.

M E E T I NG -Our next General Membership meeting is Friday, May 13, at 11:30 a.m. in Dreiser Community Center, Room #1. There is an important item to discuss.

The organization extends it sympathy to Ruth Webber on the loss of her sister.

May the family know of no more sorrow.

—Ar len e R od r igu ez

Goose Island Seniors Sunday, April 24—A day to celebrate Easter Sunday and also the PASSOVER HOLIDAY. Tuesday, April 26—Going to Mt. Airy Casino. Price $30. Rebate is $30, slot play, plus $10 for food, according to our contract. Pick-up time is 8:30 a.m. at our 3 usual bus stops—Einstein Center, Asch Loop (back of library) and Dreiser Loop.

Don’t forget to bring your picture I.D. card.

Wednesday, April 27—Bingo game in Room 39 at 1:30 p.m. Admission is $2 members only. You can bring a guest.

Refreshments served.

Thursday, July 14—Going to PLATZL BRAUHAUS. Price $57 (fifty-seven).

Price includes Continental breakfast.

Luncheon served at noon and at 4 p.m., dinner is served in the dining room.

Choice of entrees: Roast beef and roast chicken, and if you care to have salmon, it’s $2 extra. Pick-up time is 8 a.m. at our 3 usual bus stops.

Thursday, May 19—We are have a GARAGE SALE IN ROOM 39. Get well wishes to all our members who are homebound.

For more information, call Ann or Mary, 718-379-9613, or come to 135 Einstein Center, Room 39, MondayThursday, 10 a.m. 4:30 p.m. or call Mary in the evenings, 718-379-4899.

GET WELL WISHES TO ALL —M a r y P illa

(Fully Wheelchair Accessible)

HOURS: Monday & Wednesday, 10-7; Tuesday & Thursday, 10-6; Friday & Saturday, 10-5.

Libros En Español (Books in Spanish). HORARIO DE LA BIBLIOTECA: Lunes 10-7, Martes 10-6, Miércoles 10-7, Jueves 10-6, Viernes 10-5, Sábado 10-5, Domingo Cerrado

Co-op City Department of Public Safety (718) 671-3050 • www.ccpd.us.

718.379.6700 FREE ADMISSION TO ALL

If you SEE something, SAY something!

28

Co-op City Times / April 23, 2011

Reflections

by Rabbi Solomon I. Berl Spiritual Leader of Young Israel Synagogue Peace, I firmly believe, is the natural mode of human life. I can’t agree with those who say “We must have war in order to have peace,” any more than with those who would argue that sickness and disease are natural and should not be unexpected.

Harmony is the supreme principle of all nature. How can anyone persuade himself that of all creation man is intended to be the one exception? Why do we distinguish between virtues and vices?

We try to avoid the vices and practice the virtues because we know that in the latter

lie peace and contentment.

What causes war between individuals, families or nations? Always the unhealthy, unnatural and vile things that corrupt human character. The great enemies of peace are greed, selfishness and arrogance. If these enemies were to be banished, we would inevitably enjoy perpetual peace.

If one should look at the causes of any war in history, or of strife between individuals, one or more of these human shortcomings would be found as the cause.

Co-op City Jewish Center The Co-op City Jewish Center is located at 900 Co-op City Blvd., Bronx, N.Y. 10475.

Saturday services are continuing thanks to those people who attend. Please try to attend whenever possible.

We would like to remind our members and any Jewish people in Co-op City looking for a conservative synagogue, we are still here, and all are welcome. Try to take a Saturday and come to services when you

can.

Thanks to the wonderful turnout this past Saturday.

Please don’t forget April 26th is Yizkor at 10:00 a.m.

DONATIONS OR DUES CAN BE SENT TO THE OFFICE. Hope to see you all next Saturday.

HAPPY AND ZIZIN PASSOVER TO —M a r vin Seidma n ALL.

Men’s Club Traditional Synagogue I would like to remind everyone that the Traditional Synagogue of Co-op City has MOVED to a new location in Section 5.

The new address is 120 Erdman Place, Building 27B. I would like to thank everyone who joined us on our Mount Airy Casino trip in April. Based on all the good words we heard on our return trip, we decided to run another trip.

Therefore, the Men’s Club will be running a trip to the MOUNT AIRY CASINO in Pennsylvania on Monday, June 6. COST: $28 per person with a $30 slot and a $10 food voucher. Player may use any machine or table.

Remember, you need a government photo ID card to get your bonus slot play.

This is the lowest price currently being offered in Co-op City.

We provide a free snack going, play games, and on the return trip, we show a movie. For reservations, call: Marty, (718) 671-7809; Gary, (718) 671-8424; or Bruce, (718) 320-2234.

P ick-u p st op s: Einstein Loop, 7:45 a.m.; Asch Loop, 8:00 a.m.; Dreiser Loop, 8:05 a.m.

Everyone is invited to all our functions.

We hope you will join us.

Shalom!

—Br uce Git elson

No Co-op City Times? Call 646.479.1041

Castle Hill Funeral Directors, Inc.

SHALOM Jewish George Farr - Funeral Director funeral “The Bronx Jewish Community home, inc.

Memorial Chapel” (718) 828-9222 (718) 828-1700 1528 Castle Hill Avenue Bronx, New York 10462

Traditional Synagogue of Co-op City The Traditional Synagogue of Co-op City, Young Israel of Baychester, Section 5 (new address) at Bldg. 27B-120 Erdman Place (behind the lobby), welcomes you to pray with them. Tel. (Mimi) 1-347-427-4526.

Not e : Office hours are on Thursday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and on Sunday, we are here from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

Candle lighting on Friday, April 29, is before 7:31p.m. Shabbat ends today, Saturday, April 23, at 8:27 p.m. We recite Havdallah (The Recital over the Wine) at the end of Shabbos.

Mincha services on Saturday, April 23 are 7:00 p.m.

The community is always welcome to attend our various functions and enjoy a great day of fun and friendship.

C om in g E ven t s: Saturday, April 23—Morning Services are at 9:00 a.m. Mincha is at 7:00 p.m. as is the Rabbi’s class. The parsha this week is “Shabbat Hol Hamoed.” Shabbat ends at 8:27 p.m.

Sunday, April 24-Morning services are at 9:00 a.m. Candle lighting is at 7:26 p.m. (No class today.)

Monday, April 25-Pesach (Seventh day) Morning services at 9:00 a.m.

Candle lighting is after 8:30 p.m.

Tuesday, April 26-Pesach (Eighth day) Morning services are at 9:00 a.m.

Yiskor services are at 10:30 a.m. The holiday ends at 8:31 p.m.

G ood a n d Welfa r e Dues for 2011: Dues are now in order and payment would be greatly appreciated.

Come on down to the synagogue to purchase kosher wine.

Do you need a tree certificate sent “in Honor” or “in Memory” of a special occasion or a condolence? For information, you can call Mimi at 1-347-4274526 and we can accommodate you.

P lea se! Support the Synagogue. We always need your help. Thank you.

Shalom!

M ir ia m E velyn Ber lofsk y —M

Young Israel of Co-op City Schedule of Services for the concluding days of Passover Passover services on Sunday evening, April 24th will begin at 7:35 p.m.

Services on Monday and Tuesday, April 25th and 26th, will begin at 9:00 a.m.

Yizkor Memorial Services will be held

on Tuesday, April 26th at 10:30 a.m.

Rabbi Berl and all the congregants of Young Israel wish all in our community a healthy, delightful and meaningful festival season. May the holiday be bright with promise, blessed with peace and filled with hope.

Donizetti Building 4 Association To all those who attended our general meeting on April 14, to welcome, meet and greet our new Area Manager, Mr. Noel Ellison, and Assistant Area Manager, Ms. Margaret Echevarria, thanks. The meeting was very informative with Mr. Ellison giving us an update on current and future plans.

Be sure to read the candidates information in the Co-op City Times, and/or attend the candidates’ forums so we can be prepared to vote for the best candidate, and help our building win a prize for the largest percentage of votes (from Building 4 Four.)

Applications for 2011 Scholarship will be available soon. For information, please contact Ms. Diane Windley at 347-2757565.

Six lucky seniors will be chosen for a make over on Mother’s Day done by a Mary Kay representative. Call Ms. Pearl for more information, 718-671-6922.

We are still collecting dues, and are in need of additional floor captains.

Have a happy April birthday, Easter and other special events.

If you see something, say something.

This is our home.

—Yvon ne Bur r u s

or 646.261.1761; Saturday: 9 am - 2 pm.

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Services from Our Chapel, Graveside or Synagogue

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Parking Facilities • Pre-Arrangements

Co-op City Times / April 23, 2011

29

Pentecostal Tabernacle Pentecostal Tabernacle, 120 Benchley Pl., Building 24, Bronx, N.Y. 10475; (718) 324-0334 or 718-320-4218.

You are invited to attend worship services every Sunday morning. Sunday School for all age group starts at 10:30 a.m. Mid-day worship begins at 11:45 a.m. Prayer meeting every Wednesday evening at 7:30 p.m. Bible study on Fridays begins at 7:30 p.m.

Focu s: Brotherly kindness is a trait Christians need in order to live triumphantly.

And be ye kind one to another, tender hearted, forgiving one another; even as

God for Christ’s sake hath for given you.

Ephesians 4:32 Kindness cannot be relegated to a personality that some have and some do not.

Christians must show common decency and courtesy to their fellow humans and especially to other Christians. Paul stated in his writing that we must be kind to one another, tender-hearted forgiving one another. We should always be touched with the feelings of others. These are practical implications of Christianity, and practicing them is clearly the daily task of all believers. We must not allow wrath, anger, evil speaking, hate and malice to

take control of our daily life. All these practices must be put away out of our daily life.

Paul stated in Ephesians 5:15, 18-19: “See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise. Redeeming the time, because the days are evil. And be not drunk with wine where in is excess, but be filled with the spirit. Speaking to yourselves in psalm and hymns and spirituals songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord.”

When we maintain a close relationship with God, and walk in humility we will be able to Love others as Christ loved us. As

God showed kindness to us by extending forgiveness, so we are to forgive others. This echoes the teaching of Jesus in Matthew 6:14. For if we forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.

If we are willing to show forgiveness to others, this same forgiveness will be measured back to us. God’s kindness towards us is a model for how we are to treat others. As moral agents, created in God’s image, we too have an obligation to show kindness to one another.

For further information, call 718-3240334 or 718-320-4218.

—R ev. R . Sib b lies

Church of the New Vision Pastor Anne L. Palmore and the congregation of the Church of the New Vision extend a warm and friendly invitation to everyone to worship with us every Sunday at 8:00 a.m. or 11:00 a.m.

We are a church where inspirational messages from the Word of God, the Bible, are delivered every Sunday morning.

The church is designed to meet the spiritual needs of our community by offering anointed singing and preaching, and a general atmosphere of Christian love and friendly hospitality.

We also invite the youth of our community to attend our Sunday Morning services, which are designed to meet the special needs of our young people.

Parents, please send your children to learn of the Lord Jesus.

Prayer Service takes place every

Wednesday evening from 7:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. followed by Bible Teaching from 8:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Be with us to learn the truth from the Word of God. L ist of P r ogr a m s a n d E ve n t s: Adult Sunday School is from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.

Youth Sunday School is also from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.

Holy Communion is served the first Sunday of the month.

Youth Sunday takes place on the second Sunday of the month.

Missionary Sunday takes place on the third Sunday of the month.

Memorial Sunday (Men’s Day) takes place on the fourth Sunday of the month Seniors’ Sunday takes place on the fifth Sunday of the month.

Singles’ Ministry meets every third Tuesday evening of the month at

6:00 p.m.

Kids For Christ Choir & Club meets 1st & 2nd Friday of the month at 6:30 p.m.

Seniors’ Ministry meet 1st Tuesday of the month at 11:00 a.m.

Mid-day Bible Study meets every Tuesday afternoon from 12:00 to 1:00 p.m.

Join us for a time of worship, on Friday, April 22, (Good Friday) at 7:30 p.m., as we present the “Seven Last Words” of Jesus Christ on the cross.

We welcome all to our 2011 Easter Production sponsored by New Vision Sunday School and New Vision Choir.

CNV presents “Matthew 28,” Saturday, April 23rd at 3:00 p.m.

Church of the New Vision cruise set sail once again on August 20th, thru August 27th, aboard the “Norwegian

Jewel” leaving from New York to the beautiful ports of Orlando, (Port Canaveral) Great Stirrup Cay (Pvt. Island) and Nassau Bahamas. For additional information, please contact Sis. Sadie James at (718) 652-8943 or Sis. Marguetta Walker at (718) 611-8145.

Come join New Vision’s “Partners in Reading Program” every Sunday afternoon from 1:40 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.

Students in Grades 1 through 8 discover the joy of reading while exploring and improving their literacy levels through small groups and reading partners.

Parents, we encourage you to bring your children to benefit from this tree program, taught by trained professionals.

The Church of the New Vision is located at 135 Einstein Loop, Room #33, Bronx, NY 10475; Telephone: (716) 671-8746 or (716) 320-0409.

30

Co-op City Times / April 23, 2011

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Co-op City Times / April 23, 2011

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32

Co-op City Times / April 23, 2011

Co-op Sales Est. 1969

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