Co-op City Times 11/29/14 by Co-op City Times

Vol. 49 No. 48

Saturday, November 29, 2014

Public Safety and Bronx CERT-10 stage 2nd Disaster Simulation To continue to improve on the procedures and coordinated action established in their previous mock drill, the Public Safety Department and Bronx CERT-10 (Community Emergency Response Team for Community Board 10) held its second Disaster Simulation exercise on Friday, November 21st. These exercises are intended to help Co-op City successfully navigate through any of a number of potential emergency scenarios. BY BILL STUTTIG

Beginning at approximately 6 p.m. last Friday evening, the 43 active members of CERT-10 received a call to report to Public Safety headquarters to receive specific instructions for handling an ongoing multi-faceted emergency. According to Public Safety’s Chief Frank Apollo, the mock emergency in this case was a major power failure affecting all of Sections 1 through 4 in Co-op City. It was staged in such a (Continued on page 2)

The Department of Public Safety’s Chief Frank Apollo addresses members of Bronx District 10’s Community Emergency Response Team (CERT), comprised of many Co-op City volunteers, as they prepare to take to the field in response to a simulated emergency in the community. The drill, held on Friday evening, November 21st, was the second held by CERT and Public Safety in the past year to establish effective coordination between the two agencies in case of a real emergency in the community in the near future. Board Director Khalil Abdul-Wahhab serves as the CERT Team Leader and coordinated the drill along with Apollo and Co-op City’s Interim General Manager Noel Ellison.

25¢

Eight firms submit bids to become Co-op City’s new managing agent BY JIM ROBERTS Eight substantial, serious bids were submitted by the Nov. 19 deadline and now the Riverbay Board of Director’s Ad Hoc Committee will begin its work to choose three finalists for the position of managing agent of Co-op City. The full Board of Directors will then vote to decide which of those three finalists will be selected to take overall responsibility for managing the Riverbay Corp. for a one-year period. A final decision is expected some time early next year. Since no individual general manager candidates submitted a bid, the Ad Hoc Committee's recommendations will be limited to those eight managing agents that did respond. As required by the Request for

Proposal that the Board authorized to solicit bids, all of the eight candidates were required to complete a detailed application and establish compliance with both New York State Division of Homes and Community Renewal (HCR) and the federal Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) requirements. Among other requirements, bidders (Continued on page 4)

We wish our readers an enjoyable and safe Thanksgiving holiday weekend.

United Parcel Service institutes one-try delivery policy in Co-op City and the Bronx With the holiday gift-giving season around the corner, Co-op City residents have begun to realize receiving deliveries of holiday gifts and other packages from the United Parcel Service (UPS) will not be as easy as it has been in past years. According to Natalie Godwin, a spokesperson for UPS, the world-wide parcel delivery service is in the midst of changing its delivery policy, specifically stating that currently in certain areas, if the resident is not home to accept delivery on the first try, a second try at delivery will not be made, but instead the package will be left at what the delivery service calls an access point location, which in the case of Co-op City, are local businesses contracted to accept the packages and hold them for pick-up by the resident. Godwin said that in Co-op City, there are two official access point locaBY BILL STUTTIG

tions: the Associated Supermarket in the Einstein Shopping Center at 119 Einstein Loop in Section 5 and the Associated Supermarket in the Dreiser Shopping Center at 111 Dreiser Loop. Alex Perez, the owner of the two Co-op City supermarkets serving as access points for UPS deliveries, said the acceptance of packages by his stores is done under strict guidelines set forth by UPS which includes making sure the packages accepted are kept in a designated secure area around the clock. When the packages are accepted, they are scanned for tracking purposes and kept in the store for 48 hours. If no one picks up the package after 48 hours, the UPS delivery person then takes the package back and delivers it to a UPS facility in the Bronx from where the rightful owner can then pick it up. In order for a resident to retrieve a (Continued on page 2)

Out with the old … Contracted workers performed the work of dismantling one of Co-op City’s original low pressure boilers earlier this week. According to Assistant Power Plant Director Dave Stone, the original three-story boiler outlived its usefulness after more than four decades of service to the community. By dismantling the old boiler piece-by-piece, the Power Plant is creating room for a new, more efficient high pressure boiler, now under construction off-site, which, among other things, will allow the plant to better comply with state and local emission standards and create greater reliability in the around-the-clock production of electricity and temperature control services for the community’s homes. The new boiler should be ready for delivery to the plant by early spring. Photo by Bill Stuttig

CERT

Co-op City Times / November 29, 2014

way that residents did not experience any real service disruptions and were free to go about their normal business in the early evening hours when the drill was staged. Residents were notified of the drill and told that they may notice CERT members wearing bright emer-gency vests and helmets stationed at various locations around the area carrying out certain assigned duties related to the emergency simulation. Residents were advised not be alarmed by the unusual activity and to continue with their normal evening activities. Khalil Abdul-Wahhab, the CERT-10 Team Chief since its inception in 2008, said that Friday’s drill, the second of a continuing series, was intended to add a new level of complexity for both Public Safety and CERT team members. Abdul-Wahhab, who is also a Riverbay Board Director, said: “The entire drill this time around went flawlessly. The radio units provided by City Wide Disaster Services were excellent and helped us expand the

complexity of the drill, and work together with Public Safety at confronting a variety of different scenarios which emergency responders would generally confront during a general emergency, such as a widespread, prolonged power failure.” Both Abdul-Wahhab and Chief Apollo said last Friday evening’s drill included a number of mock scenarios, including responding to a multivehicle accident, locating missing family members and bringing affected people to safe locations where food, water, medical care and shelter from the elements could be provided. Volunteers from the community participated by serving as actors to help play out a variety of unforeseen scenarios that the responders might face when confronting the emergency situation. The weather cooperated because the outdoor temperatures were unseasonably cold last Friday evening, increasing the challenge of providing comfort and security to those affected by the simulated emergency.

package from either of the two stores, the owner explained, they must present government issued photo I.D., like a driver’s license. If they don’t have the I.D., they are asked a series of questions provided by UPS to help confirm their identity before the package is released to them.Perez explained that a few residents are upset about the new procedure, but it has nothing to do with him or his businesses. It is strictly a new UPS policy. He said by his businesses agreeing to accept the packages under UPS guidelines, he feels he is helping Co-op City residents, most of whom live a few blocks or less from one of his two stores, to get their packages without having to travel by car or mass transit to another location in the Bronx. He also said, from a business perspective, that by accepting the packages he hopes to increase foot traffic into his local grocery stores. Perez said that the store accepts up to 15 packages a day on average and the procedure has been in place for approximately two months already. Godwin said that this new policy is being rolled out nationally beginning now and expanding gradually throughout 2015. She said that as of now, the new one-delivery policy is in effect in the Bronx and Brooklyn and in Chicago. She said that it affects all residences in these locations and cities from small private homes to large high-rise residential buildings like those that dominate Co-op City and other communities of the Bronx and Brooklyn. The UPS spokesperson added that beginning in 2015, access point locations will include more than 4400 UPS service stores throughout the nation. She added that the new policy is not a pilot program, but a policy that has already been decided on and currently being rolled out in stages throughout the country. According to Sonja Maxwell, the long-time President of Cooperators United, a coalition of Co-op City building

association leaders, the new policy has not sit well with many Co-op City residents that she has heard from. Maxwell said: “My concern is what are we paying UPS for? Delivery means delivery to our door. If we are not home, UPS should make a second attempt. Their new policy is no second attempt. My concerns also extend to our elderly. We are a NORC comm-unity with over 12,000 seniors. If our seniors have doctors' appointments, delivery will be made once and they will be forced to go to where their package has been taken. Other concerns are the weather. It's getting cold and many of our seniors receive packages that contain medical supplies. “This is a wrong-headed decision,” Maxwell added. “I would advocate for a letter from Riverbay to our senators and congressman to let them know what UPS is doing. I would bet they have no idea. One of my neighbors had to pick up her package at the Associated Market in Dreiser. She was appalled. The packages are not secure. They are kept in shopping carts. Can you imagine when packages start arriving for the holidays? When you go to pick up your package and it is in the cart, other packages are not placed on the floor, but dropped to the floor in order to locate another person’s package. This is also of concern because what if the items in the package are fragile.” Board Director Leslie Peterson said: “I believe this new ‘policy’ of theirs will create a hardship for many shareholders. What happens when a package is very heavy? What happens if a package is large? We will have to start asking how our packages are being sent when placing an order and/or asking for alternate ways for delivery.” Store-owner Perez said that in the case of his Co-op City businesses, store employees help deliver the package to the home of the residents if it appears too heavy or large for them when they come to pick it up.

UPS

(Continued from page 1)

Chief Apollo said that he was very happy with the outcome of the drill in allowing Public Safety and the CERT team to work together through some coordination problems that they discovered during the first mock drill held last March. “I was very pleased with the improvement of the coordination between the two agencies,” Chief Apollo said. Both Apollo and AbdulWahhab said that other drills are planned for the near future which will involve scenarios of increasing complexity. Abdul-Wahhab and Apollo thanked the Public Safety officers and the CERT team members who participated along with the community volunteers who helped in staging a realistic emergency scenario. They also thanked the CERT team members from other areas of the city who took part and helped provide assistance and advice. The majority of the 43 active CERT members serving Community Board 10 are Co-op City residents. CB-10 is geographically one of the largest Board districts in New York City. Co-op City is unique in that it has its own 100officer Public Safety force, each extensively trained in handling a wide variety of emergency situations. Chief Apollo explained earlier this month: “In the case of a large scale emergency affecting the entire city or

region, other professional emergency responders could very well be spread thin throughout the entire area and with that being the case, Co-op City’s personnel, as well as CERT volunteers, need to be prepared to take care of its own community and the unique set of circumstances that exist here. This is why we began working with Khalil and the CERT members in planning out procedures for doing just that. Friday evening’s drill was the latest in a series of dress rehearsals in a matter of speaking, to take the procedures that were mapped out by the two agencies in a conference room over many months, and put them into practical use simply for the purpose of seeing what works and what needs to be improved.” Last week’s drill was the creation of both CERT and Public Safety and did not involve the participation of other New York City emergency response agencies. “This is just a preliminary test for us here in Co-op City to see how we do in working together handling an emergency to find out the ways we work well together along with other things that we need to improve,” Chief Apollo said. “This time around, we again discovered both, but I was very pleased that communication and coordination improved greatly even as we increased the complexity of the mock scenario.”

DR. LEWIS WOLSTEIN Podiatrist — Foot Specialist • Practicing in Co-op City since 1975 • Board Certified in Foot Surgery • ALL conditions of the foot treated • We

accept most health insurance plans

• Participating in the Medicare Diabetic Shoe Program • Evening and Saturday appointments

Dr. Lewis Wolstein

Call:

“Se Habla Español”

718.671.7226 100 DeKruif Place

Building 8 • Ground Floor Section 1 • Co-op City • Bronx, NY 10475

Co-op City Times / November 29, 2014

2nd Combing Co-op City

Annual Holiday Celebration, Dec. 3

The Riverbay Fund will sponsor the annual Holiday Menorah and Tree Lighting Ceremony on Wednesday evening, December 3, in the Dreiser Auditorium. From 5-7 p.m., you are invited to take a free photo with Santa. At 7 p.m., the Menorah and Tree Lighting Ceremony will begin. Everyone is invited to come out and enjoy this annual celebration that ushers in the holiday season in Co-op City.

18th Annual Kwanzaa celebration, Dec. 27

The Coalition of African American Churches & Community Organizations will hold their 18th Annual Kwanzaa Celebration on Saturday, December 27, 2 p.m. in Room 31 of the Bartow Center. This event is free and all are invited to attend. The Coalition requests donations of a dish of your choice (no pork, please), as well as fresh fruits, salads, baked goods and refreshments.

BVA exhibits

In December, the Baychester Visual Arts Association will be exhibiting paintings at the Baychester Library located at Bartow Avenue. The exhibit will be ongoing throughout the month. On December 13th and 14th, BVA will also have an art show and bazaar in Room 5 of the Dreiser Center, 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. All are invited to attend and see the beautiful artwork and gift items for sale. There will be a raffle and you can win an original painting, so don’t miss this event. Refreshments will be served.

CCPD food drive

CCPD recently kicked off its annual Food Drive, organized by Sgt. Nat Diaz, in conjunction with City Harvest, a charity which collects and distributes donated food to the city’s less fortunate throughout the year. Last year, the community donated over 1,500 pounds of non-perishable food items, well over the stated goal of 1,000 pounds. This year, the goal is to exceed 1,500 pounds. Donation bins have been set up in all three community centers, as well as at Public Safety headquarters which is open 24 hours a day. Donation will be accepted until January 16th.

FRONT PA G E

DOT offers pedestrian safety education seminar for seniors As part of a series of agreed upon improvements and programs designed to mitigate traffic and safety concerns around Co-op City in the wake of the recent opening of the Mall at Bay Plaza, the city’s Department of Transportation offered a pedestrian safety seminar to the community’s seniors on November 13th at the Bartow Community Center. More than 70 seniors attended the afternoon session Eric Miu, a safety educator and community coordinator for the city’s DOT, offered an hour-long lesson on how seniors can protect themselves from being injured or worse by the ever-increasing traffic in and around this community and elsewhere. Miu stressed that the presentation and the overall increased education of city residents regarding pedestrian safety is all part of Mayor Bill deBlasio’s Vision Zero initiative designed to reduce pedestrian deaths and injuries through an ongoing program of reduced speed limits, improved signage and signals and increased community education about driver and pedestrian safety. In offering evidence that the Mayor’s initiatives have already begun to have an effect, Miu pointed to a significant reduction of pedestrian deaths throughout New York City, from 280 in 2013 to 130 so far this year as of the date of the seminar. Miu said that it is the Mayor’s goal to reduce the number of pedestrian deaths to zero in 10 years, thus the name Vision Zero which has included a recent reduction of speed limits on New York City streets to 25 mph unless otherwise posted. That change took effect on November 7th. The initiative also includes reaching out to older adults – people over 65 — who, because of a series of physical factors, including poorer mobility, vision and hearing, account for 38% of all traffic deaths in New York City despite representing only 15% of the population. Miu said that a series of steps can be taken to reduce the risk for seniors, including increasing focus when crossing streets, being aware and not taking unnecessary risks, and the chief one being not stepping off the curb before the light changes to walk and checking for cars running the light before crossing the street with the walk signal. Miu said that blind faith in the traffic signals alone often is one of the leading causes of pedestrian accidents. He said that establishing and maintaining visual contact with a driver is key to assuring a safe crossing for any pedestrian, particularly seniors. Other BY BILL STUTTIG

Eric Miu, safety education coordinator for the city’s Department of Transportation, teaches pedestrian safety measures to more than 50 Co-op City seniors earlier this month. Photo by Bill Stuttig

tips included staying visual at all times through the wearing of white or bright colored clothing and using reflective garments after dark. He said that senior pedestrians should also remain aware of back-up lights on seemingly parked vehicles and bicycle riders who notoriously disobey traffic laws, including ignoring traffic signals and in some cases even riding against the flow of traffic.

Older pedestrians were also advised to avoid distractions such as cell phones when walking in high traffic areas and to be aware of road hazards, such as pot holes, and broken sidewalks and curbs. While most of the residents in attendance were appreciative of the safety tips and reminders, the majority of the (Continued on page 9)

Public Safety officer nabs trespasser holding 100 bags of crack cocaine A nineteen year old resident of the Grand Concourse who was stopped by a Co-op City Public Safety officer in the stairwell of Building 14 was arrested and charged with possession of 100 bags of crack cocaine. “The action taken by our officers while conducting a stairwell vertical was instrumental in removing a significant amount of narcotics off of our streets,” said Frank Apollo, Chief of Co-op City’s Public Safety Department. “I applaud the efforts of our Public Safety officers who work diligently to keep the community safe. The results of this arrest reverberate throughout the community in that it prevents these harmful and illegal substances from reaching our young adults in the community thus creating a safer environment for all who enter and reside in Co-op City.” On Nov. 12 at approximately 5

BY JIM ROBERTS

p.m., the suspect was spotted by the Public Safety officer sitting on the stairs in the building with a clear bag of marijuana. After determining that the suspect had no authority to be in the building, the officer placed him under arrest and brought him to Public Safety headquarters. While conducting a more thorough search of the suspect at Public Safety, the officer observed a bulge at the rear pant’s pocket of the suspect. When the officers went to search him, the suspect turned quickly in an attempt to conceal what he was holding under his pants. The Public Safety officer then searched the suspect and discovered a clear bag filled with the cocaine wrapped in individual packets held beneath the suspect’s underwear. The suspect was charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance, along with unlawful possession of marijuana.

Firm bids

must be registered real estate brokers in New York, have five or more years experience managing large residential properties in complex regulatory environments, have experience with HCR and HUD, be able to qualify for a fidelity bond, answer two detailed questionnaires, consent to a background check, complete all required HUD and HCR forms, submit a detailed Management Plan for Co-op City, and state the fees they will charge for their services.

Co-op City Times / November 29, 2014 The eight bidders are: Avison Young; Compass Rock Real Estate; Douglas Elliman Property Management; First Service Residential; Marion Scott Real Estate, Inc.; Metro Management, Inc.; Prestige Management, Inc.; and Winn WB Management Comp. The Board’s Ad Hoc Committee overseeing the management search process is scheduled to meet next week to begin reviewing the proposals from the interested parties. (Continued from page 1)

Preparing for the snow

Defensive driving course sponsored by Riverbay online and open to general public

The defensive driving course offered by Riverbay Corporation to its employees to enhance their driving skills and lower points on their licenses is also available online and open to the general public at a reduced cost. The 6-hour course is offered through the National Safety Council online at a cost of $44.96, and anyone in the general population can benefit from the reduced price by entering Riverbay’s referral code. During the registration process, applicants who use referral code #664 will receive a $5 discount which brings the cost down to $39.95. For participating in the program, Riverbay Corporation, in turn, will receive a rebate of $11.39 per participant which goes back into the corporation’s general fund to help offset the expenses of the corporation. Riverbay’s Loss Prevention Manager in Risk Management Department, Monica Williams, was instrumental in organizing this course offering. “Riverbay has been a long-time member of the NSC and we’ve been providing defensive driving classes to our employees to help enhance their driving skills and reduce points off their licenses, which also reduces their automotive insurance premiums,” said Williams.

“Through this program, we are also able to offer the course throughout the community so we’re inviting everyone to encourage their friends and family members to take advantage of it.” Registrants for the course must input the referral code #664 or else they will not receive the discount. To purchase the online version of the NSC’s defensive driving course, log onto its website at www.ddcnsc.org/ny. The program uses Adobe Flash Player to deliver the course and if a student exits the program before completing it, their progress is bookmarked. There is also no limit to the number of times you may log in to complete the course, however, you must complete the course within 30 days from the date of purchase or else you have to repurchase it. Applicants must complete a minimum of 320 instructional minutes, answer 25 questions at the end of the course and achieve a score of 75% or better to pass the course. Each applicant is allowed three attempts to pass the course, after which it must be repurchased. After successfully completing the course, the defensive driving certificate is mailed to the applicant.

Pre-Thanksgiving snow … On Thanksgiving eve, Riverbay staff began preparing and mobilizing the community’s snow plows and salt spreaders as the first wet snow of the season began to fall. Building and Grounds crews were kept on duty until 10 p.m. that evening to help keep the community’s pathways clear of the slushy, icy mix. Supervisors said they were prepared to call in workers at 5 a.m. Thanksgiving morning to make sure the sidewalks were clear by the time visitors began arriving to enjoy their Thanksgiving meals with family in Co-op City. Photos by Bill Stuttig

Green Dot MoneyPak and Money Gram scams still prevalent

BY ROZAAN BOONE

With the holiday season upon us, the 45th Precinct’s Crime Prevention and Community Affairs Units continue to warn the general public, and especially seniors, to be vigilant and not become victims of scammers using Money Grams and Green Dot MoneyPak cards. According to the New York City Police Department (NYPD), while Money Grams and Green Dot MoneyPak cards are legitimate products, scammers are using them to steal money from their intended victims. The scammers utilize a variety of schemes with some of the most common being the utility company, government agencies and IRS scams in which the victim is told that they owe money and the call is to immediately collect what is owed or else service will be shut off, or worse. In addition, the scammers may claim that a loved one is being held against their will, or has been involved in an accident and payment is needed to gain their freedom. They may also say that a grandchild or relative has been locked up in another country and needs bail money. Victims are also told that they won the

lottery or some type of sweepstakes and money is needed to claim the winnings or for taxes on the prize. If you have to pay for a prize you won, you didn’t win, the NYPD warns. The Green Dot MoneyPak scam is a phone scam where the victim is called by someone claiming to work at a utility company, for example, ConEd, or a cable company, or a government agency, such as the Department of Finance, and they are collecting money that is past due. The caller then informs the victim that they can avoid service interruption, arrest or deportation, if they immediately bring their account up to date by paying the past due amount using a Money Gram or Green Dot MoneyPak card that can be purchased at a local store. The caller instructs the victim to purchase a Money Gram or a Green Dot MoneyPak card in a specified amount and call a phone number that the caller gives to the victim once this has been done. The victim proceeds to purchase the Green Dot card at a local store and then calls the number they were given by the caller to satisfy the debt. The victim is then instructed to scratch off and read the MoneyPak card serial number to the per-

petrator. The perpetrator then drains the funds from the Green Dot MoneyPak card. The NYPD notes that while many schemes still involve victims being asked to wire money to the scammers, MoneyPaks have the added benefit of the scammer not having to show up at an office or bank to claim the funds loaded onto the card. The cards can only be purchased using cash and consumers never have to disclose their personal or financial information to a retail cashier or to make a payment. Anyone with the 14-digit number located on the back of the MoneyPak card can drain the funds. In the IRS scam, the victim is contacted and told that they owe back taxes, fees or fines to the IRS and that if they do not make immediate payment using a Money Gram or Green Dot MoneyPak card, they will be arrested or deported. The scam is perpetrated in the same manner as the utility scam with the results also being the same – the victim’s money is stolen. The NYPD is warning residents to be alert and not fall victim to these crimes. Crime Prevention Officers also point out that the scammers can purchase computer apps whereby their true telephone number

is disguised and can appear as a legitimate number, for example, the 45th Precinct, NYPD, 9-1-1, ConEd, etc. In addition to cautioning the public that the NYPD does not solicit money, and that utility companies and government agencies would not contact you demanding payment for outstanding bills using Money Grams or MoneyPak card, the NYPD is also warning residents not to call any of the phone numbers provided by the scammers since this is another layer to the scam. If you think a call is suspicious, call the number listed on your bill. The NYPD offers the following tips to avoid becoming a victim of this scam: • Be suspicious of any caller who demands immediate payment for any reason. • Remember that anyone who has the number on a Green Dot MoneyPak card has access to the funds on the card. • Never give out personal or financial information to anyone who emails or calls you unsolicited, and • Never wire money, provide debit or credit card numbers or Green Dot MoneyPak card numbers to someone you do not know.

Co-op City Times / November 29, 2014

It’s happening in Co-op City

Bronx CERT-10 Disaster Simulation CCPD and CERT-10 held their second mock disaster drill last Friday evening when 43 active members of CERT received orders to report to CCPD headquarters for specific instructions for handling an ongoing multi-faceted emergency, in this case, a major power failure affecting all of Sections 1 through 4. Residents were not affected by any real service interruptions and were advised to go about their normal routines while the responders carried out their assigned tasks.

CO-OP CITY FOOT CARE CENTER

Councilmember King lends helping hand

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.

NYC Councilmember Andy King (12th District/Bronx) distributed hundreds of FREE Thanksgiving Day turkeys to Bronx families, seniors, NYCHA residents and clergy on Monday at his district offices on East Gun Hill Road and Co-op City, Bronx. “The smiles on the people's faces today is truly an indication of what it means to give thanks to helping people,” said Councilmember King. Pictured above is Councilmember King with residents from Co-op City at his office at 135 Einstein Loop, Room 44.

Black Forum receives holiday donation

Two representatives of Verizon Wireless in Bay Plaza donated a supply of canned food and juices to the Black Forum of Co-op City on Tuesday. From left to right are Michelle; Tony Illis, President of the Black Forum, accepting the much needed donation; and Rachel. The Black Forum food distribution takes place every Tuesday through Friday, 11 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. in Room 20 of the Dreiser Community Center. Photo by Lisa Annor

Co-op City Times / November 29, 2014

Letters to the Editor To the Editor: I don't understand why our old management should be allowed to bid to stay here. For years, I believe we have only seen a negative on their impact. We still have cracks and undone work and lousy top soil that flowers can't grow on, a lousy long term deal with Cablevision keeping a monopoly on our To the Editor: I condemn the fatal police shooting of Mr. Akai Gurley by a New York City Police Officer. Mr. Gurley's death at the hands of the New York City Police Department was unnecessary and totally unacceptable. At the time of the killing, Mr. Gurley was engaged in what appears to be a normal, innocent activity in his community in a non-hostile, nonaggressive and nonthreatening environment. At the time of the killing, Mr. Gurley was not involved with any suspected or known criminal behavior. Therefore, I reject the Police Department's justification or excuse for yet another police killing of an unarmed African American man. I

Trying to understand

cable services. Now, unless it's an early April Fool’s joke, the bond issue. In my opinion, they should only bid on how much they should pay back the community for their ineffective management for the last couple of years. I only hope that the election truly brings results, and not the ones we don't wish to see. I would also like to thank

Fatal shooting condemned reject the police excuse of accidental shooting when the highly trained police officer fired a fatal round at an unarmed citizen under the above circumstances. I reject the police excuse of faulty lighting being a causation factor for shooting and killing an unarmed citizen while he engaged in a normal innocent activity of walking in a stairway. When a police officer acts and behaves like a criminal on the street in shooting an unarmed citizen, he should be held to the same level of accountability and exposed to the same judicial system as a criminal on the street. Therefore, I am calling for the termination, arrest, indictment and prosecution of the police officer involved in this fatal police shooting. In this calling, I

Door-to-door delivery of Co-op City Times

Beginning last Saturday, November 22, and continuing for at least the next 2 months, the Co-op City Times will be delivered door-to-door, instead of by the elevators on each floor of the high rise residential buildings. The paper will also be delivered to each townhouse door as is currently the case. With the change in scope of the delivery process, the distributor will need until 5 p.m. to complete delivery. Therefore, some shareholders may receive their paper after 1 p.m. on Saturday. If you require a paper earlier, you may pick one up from the distribution bins in the three (3) community centers while the paper delivery is being completed. You can also read and follow the Co-op City Times online at http://issuu.com/cctimes. If you do not receive your paper by 5 p.m. on Saturday, please call (347) 439-5632 and let the distribution supervisor know. Also call the Co-op City Times office at (718) 320-3300, Ext. 3375 and let us know so we can follow-up with the distributor. We thank you for your patience and cooperation as we work to ensure efficient delivery of the Co-op City Times.

Mr. Johnson for his hard stance on getting things done and doing it with a passion to get rid of the ugly and bring in the good. Not that I believe the main members are not doing the same, but all I hear is the good fight to rid the waste that is and should not be accepted by any means in our community! —David Sanquiche am relying upon the laws of New York State that plainly states that the only time a police officer can use deadly physical force is when his life or someone else's life is in danger. At the time of his death, I do not believe Mr. Gurley posed a threat to the life of the officer or anyone else in the building. Therefore, any use of deadly or lethal force against him, as far as I am concerned, is a violation of New York State Penal Laws, and the perpetrator should be held lawfully accountable in a court of law. I extend my heartfelt sympathy and deepest condolences to the family of Mr. Gurley and I am committed to seeking justice on his behalf. —Jerome L. Rice

MetroCard Bus to visit Co-op City next week

The MetroCard Bus will be visiting all three Co-op City locations next week, enabling customers to sign up for or refill their Reduced-Fare MetroCard, purchase or add money to an existing Metrocard, and purchase E-Z Pass On the Go tags. On Thursday, December 4, and again on Thursday, December 18, the MetroCard bus will be at the Bartow Mall on Co-op City Blvd. (in front of the Bingo Hall and the eyecare center), from 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.; at Dreiser Loop (Park on Debs Place) from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and at Einstein Loop (Elgar Place) from 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. The MetroCard Bus and Van do not operate on the following holidays: New Year’s Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving and Christmas. For more MetroCard information, please visit the MTA’s website at www.mta.info and click on Fares and Tolls.

Important Notice to Shareholders of Building 18

Article SIXTH of your Occupancy Agreement provides, in part, that your lease automatically renews for an additional three (3) year period. You need to do nothing if you want your lease to extend for another three (3) year period. If you will be moving out at the end of your lease, notify Riverbay, in writing, Attention: Sales Support Office, 2049 Bartow Avenue, Bronx, NY 10475, ninety (90) days prior to lease expiration.

Building 18

Current Lease Expiration Date

New 3 yr. Expiration Date

100 Alcott Place

Feb. 28, 2015

Feb. 28, 2017

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

Rozaan Boone Editor-in-Chief

Bill Stuttig

Associate Editor

Jim Roberts

Business Manager

Jennifer Piovanetti Operations Manager

Ralph Henriquez

Production Manager

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. 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.

If the Co-op City Times Was Not Delivered: Call 347-439-5632 on Saturdays ONLY, 1 p.m. - 5 p.m.

Public Safety Report

Co-op City Times / November 29, 2014

CCPD wishes everyone a happy, healthy and safe holiday season

The Co-op City Department of Public Safety would like to take this opportunity to wish all of our readers a happy, healthy and safe Holiday season. Whether you celebrate Chanukah, Christmas, Kwanzaa or another winter holiday, we would like to wish you happiness and joy this season. Holidays are a busy time, but be sure to relax and enjoy yourself. Frazzled holiday shoppers present a variety of opportunities for unscrupulous thieves. Auto crimes are heightened this time of the year. The criminal may observe packages or other valuables inside your vehicle and choose to break into your vehicle. Try to avoid leaving packages in your auto even when shopping. If this is unavoidable, place packages in the trunk and move your vehicle to another parking spot, if possible. Avoid the temptation of using your automobile as a location to store gifts you are hiding from family members. Parking in the garages offers residents a safer and more convenient option than street parking. Co-op City’s eight garages are patrolled 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year by the Public Safety Department. The Department of Public Safety offers these safety tips and requests the assistance of residents in keeping the garages as safe as possible. Co-op City’s eight garages have all exits locked with entry by key only for authorized persons who possess garage leases. The exits on all four corners, as well as front and rear doors, require a key to gain access. It is most important that residents make certain doors lock behind themselves. Garage parkers should also make certain not to open the door for anyone they do not know. It may seem rude not to hold the door, but granting access to persons who are not authorized presents a hazard to authorized parkers and their property. Reports of suspicious persons or activities are investigated promptly. Any persons observed in the garage may be asked to provide identification, including vehicle registration for vehicle parked in the garage. Persons observed within the garages without a valid reason can be placed under arrest and receive a Universal Summons for Trespass. Arrests can also be made for crimes including Grand Larceny Auto, Burglary or Possession of Burglars Tools. If the arrested person is a Co-op City resident, a Co-op City Community Complaint, which carries a monetary fine, can also be issued in connection with the arrest. It is most important that garage parkers notify the Department of Public Safety at (718) 671-3050 and 9-1-1 if they observe any suspicious persons or activity in the garages. Suspicious activity near vehicles parked on the street should also be reported. If you see something that just does not seem right, be sure to call immediately. Your intuition that something is wrong usually is just that and is always worth investigating. Observations by residents have yielded many arrests over the years. Patterns of auto crimes are readily identified and put to an end with the arrest of the person(s) responsible. Active involvement by residents allows auto crime rates within Co-op City to remain among the lowest in the city. Distracted shoppers also present an opportunity for thieves. As you bustle around to complete that holiday shopping, be sure to be alert to your surroundings. Extra crowds provide an excellent opportunity for criminals, such as pickpockets. Shop with a friend and consider giving gift cards or cash for your remaining BY LIEUTENANT PAM APOLLO

(Continued on page 9)

OPPORTUNITIES AT CO-OP CITY

Tell your friends, relatives and employers about:

2049 Bartow Avenue, Bronx, NY 10475 • 718-320-3300 Riverbay Corporation is an equal opportunity employer.

For information on CONTRACT OPPORTUNITIES ONLY, please contact: Lenya Garcia at Lgarcia@riverbay corp.com; AND Barbara Penn at Bpenn@riverbaycorp.com. Please note that emails should be sent to both parties. Please DO NOT email resumes for EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES to the aforementioned emails. For EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES, please see bottom of the employment listings for specific directions.

CONTRACT SUMMARY

Contract 2947, Preventative Maintenance of Sanitary & Storm Sewers: Perform preventative maintenance of combined sewers and storm drains, roof drain maintenance and emergency work as needed in Co-op City. Pre-Bid Meeting: November 20, 2014 at 2:00 p.m. Bids Due: December 9, 2014 at 2:00 p.m. Bonding: Bonding is not required Insurance: Insurance is required

Contract 2953, Overhaul Main Transformer: Disconnect 7X25 Transformer for rewinding and repairing. Pre-Bid Meeting: December 2, 2014 at 2:00 p.m. Bids Due: December 17, 2014 at 2:00 p.m. Bonding: Bonding is required Insurance: Insurance is required

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES

Employees who are promoted will receive the current union scale for respective union positions, or applicable rate increase for non-union positions. Open to 32BJ Union Members only November 21, 2014 – December 1, 2014 Open to all applicants: December 2, 2014 – December 5, 2014

Originally posted: November 21, 2014 Job Reference # 14-57

Request for transfer/promotion must be received by the Human Resources Department by December 8, 2014.

Emergency Desk Utility Person (2) Maintenance Under the supervision of a Maintenance Emergency Desk Supervisor, candidate will be responsible for performing emergency and routine maintenance repairs throughout the development. Perform HVAC repairs, including clearing of condensation lines, blower fan and motor replacement. Perform plumbing repairs on lines up to 2 1/2 inches diameter. Snake sewer lines as required with manual and electric equipment, as well as perform electrical troubleshooting and repair of apartment & public space circuits and devices. Performance of other duties as assigned by supervisor. Requirements - Knowledge of Maintenance techniques and procedures with an emphasis on plumbing and electrical repairs. Strong troubleshooting skills for the repair of various plumbing, electrical and HVAC systems related to hi-rise buildings and other smaller facilities. Knowledge of OSHA and safety requirements related to performing maintenance repairs. Must have effective written/oral communication in English and good customer service skills. Applicant must have ability to walk for long periods of time, twist, kneel, push, stoop, climb ladders as well as lift and carry up to 100 pounds. Valid Driver License (NY, NJ, CT, PA) Required – no exceptions Selected candidate must successfully complete interview/selection process, as well as pre-employment screening (urinalysis, criminal background check, verification of previous employment). Days and hours will vary. Open to all applicants: November 21, 2014 – December 1, 2014 Originally posted: November 21, 2014 - Job Reference # 14-55

Request for transfer/promotion must be received by the Human Resources Department by December 1, 2014.

Temporary Grounds Persons (14) Grounds Dept. Candidates for these entry level part-time positions will perform numerous duties in landscaping, maintenance of and general upkeep of company grounds and property greens. Responsibilities include basic grounds keeping duties as planting flowers, trees & shrubs, weeding, fertilizing, mowing, cutting hedges, general lawn & nursery care and seasonal duties including snow removal. Candidates will also perform other tasks as assigned by supervisor including working outside during inclement weather. Candidates will also need to respond to emergencies (floods, etc.) throughout the Co-op City complex, as well as the completion of other assignments from supervisor(s) as necessary. Candidates must have knowledge and experience with all grounds procedures, techniques and machines. Applicants must possess effective written/oral communication, and good interpersonal skills. Ability to walk for long periods, twist, kneel, push, stoop, lift heavy objects (approx. 100 lbs.) and work in inclement weather. Selected candidate must successfully complete inter-

view/selection process, as well as pre-employment screening (urinalysis, criminal background check, verification of previous employment). Days and hours may vary. Open to 32BJ Union Members only November 21, 2014 – December 1, 2014 Open to all applicants: December 2, 2014 – December 5, 2014 Originally posted: November 21, 2014 Job Reference # 14-54

Request for transfer/promotion must be received by the Human Resources Department by December 8, 2014.

Building Porter (1) Buildings Dept. Candidates for this full-time position will perform numerous cleaning and restoration duties, such as washing, sweeping, mopping, waxing, buffing and stripping of VCT and terrazzo floors. Responsibilities include cleaning all assigned internal and external areas of the Residential Buildings and/or Shopping Centers. Seasonal duties, including leaf raking, snow removal and power washing of assigned areas, will be required as necessary. If assigned to Community Centers, candidate will be responsible for set-up and breakdown of center rooms for various social functions. Applicant will also need to respond to emergencies (floods, etc.) throughout the Co-op City complex, as well as the completion of other assignments from supervisor(s) as necessary. Candidate must have knowledge and experience with all janitorial procedures, techniques and machines. Applicant must possess effective written/oral communication, and good interpersonal skills. Ability to walk for long periods, twist, kneel, push, stoop, lift heavy objects (approx. 100 lbs.) and work in inclement weather. Selected candidate must successfully complete interview/selection process, as well as pre-employment screening (urinalysis, criminal background check, verification of previous employment). Days and hours will vary. Open to all applicants: November 21, 2014 – December 1, 2014 Originally posted: November 21, 2014 Job Reference # 14-56

Temporary Buildings Porters (2) Buildings Dept. Candidates for these entry-level part-time positions will perform numerous cleaning and restoration duties such as washing, sweeping, mopping, waxing, buffing and stripping of VCT and terrazzo floors. Responsibilities include cleaning all assigned internal and external areas of the Residential Buildings and/or Shopping Centers. Seasonal duties, including leaf raking, snow removal and power washing of assigned areas, will be required as necessary. If assigned to Community Centers, candidate will be responsible for set-up and breakdown of center rooms for various social functions. Applicant will also need to respond to emergencies (floods, etc.) throughout the Co-op City complex, as well as the completion of other assignments from supervisor(s) as necessary. Candidate must have knowledge and experience with all janitorial procedures, techniques and machines. Applicant must possess effective written/oral communication, and good interpersonal skills. Ability to walk for long periods, twist, kneel, push, stoop, lift heavy objects (approx. 100 lbs.) and work in inclement weather. Selected candidate must successfully complete interview/selection process as well as pre-employment screening (urinalysis, criminal background check, verification of previous employment). Days and hours will vary.

Applicants for EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES must apply IN PERSON at the Bartow Administrative Office, located at 2049 Bartow Avenue, between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m., Monday-Friday.

We must follow the regulations to get Management out Co-op City Times / November 29, 2014

the assistant commissioner We had a lively meeting in Bartow on sent a letter to our board Wednesday, November 19. The room was Director’s Viewpoint president on, amazingly, packed and the main outcry was that manNovember 18. agement has to go. "My immediate concern Fired Up First Vice President is your unilateral decision to Our community is rightfully fed up with indefinitely ‘suspend’ all of this management company allegedly squanthe managing agent's employees at Riverbay, pending a dering our money, raising our carrying charges, and involving themselves in what review by the Board and HCR. This action is in violamay be considered very questionable busition of HCR regulations and Riverbay's obligations ness practices. So, although it was cold outunder their Wells Fargo/HUD loan documents. side, a lot of people made sure that they "HUD's Multi-Party Coordination Agreement ("MPCA") states that 'all changes to the management came out to voice their opinions on the supagent will require approval by HUD and DHCR’.” posed ouster of this management company. Now, as mentioned on numerous occasions, I "I'm glad they're gone. They've been here believe that MSI should have been put out of this comfor too long. We need an investigation," were some of the milder statements from our cooperamunity from the moment that this new board was seated tors. Then, as the evening progressed, the tone escalated. on June 5, 2014. So, the question becomes: Did we have "We need the attorney general to come here. Some peogrounds to put them out on June 5? In my opinion, we ple here need to be arrested." had plenty of grounds to put them out. For instance, if Letter to HCR you go online and review the '2007 NYS Inspector On November 17, our board president wrote a letter to General's report on Co-op City,' you will see a lot of accusations that have been made against MSI. But, no one, Richmond McCurnin, Assistant Commissioner, for the including the inspector general's office and other law NYS Homes & Community Renewal (HCR) agency. “MSI (Marion Scott, Inc.) did not have a fidelity bond enforcement agencies, have bothered to take action in place as required by HCR regulations. In addition, against this outrageous management company. MSI routinely negotiated and contracted for more than Even when you read the letter above, you'll see that $8M/year in contracts without approval of the Riverbay HCR did not take too well to the president's unilateral Board or HCR. comments, "I have suspended." So, as mentioned before, “Further, MSI mishandled its employment responsiwe should have followed the proper protocols when we were seated on this board. But, since that didn't happen, bilities, exposing Riverbay to approximately $7M in HCR has now ruled against us at the end of their letter by uninsured damages, for which MSI also has no insurance coverage.” stating, "You must immediately reinstate MSI's employThen the president stated that the director of Risk ees, pending the completion of our investigation." So, Management "is actually working on non-Riverbay management will probably be in their offices, with their insurance matters during the work day, at the direction of, feet up, by the time that you read this article. If not, then, and for the benefit of MSI." HCR has the power to remove the president, any board "In response to this inappropriate conduct I have susmember, or the entire board. Amazing, huh? pended, pending a review by the Board and HCR, the Terminating Management If this new board had not foolishly dragged their feet Director of Risk Management and MSI." Now, before we go on, did you notice a big problem and invited management to bid on their own contract, with this last sentence? then MSI would have been out of here. But, all hope is HCR Fires Back not lost. And, we can still get rid of MSI if we follow Although it wasn't cited in this newspaper last week, HCR's regulations and the steps cited below:

Daryl Johnson

Coalition to Save Affordable Housing

As you know, our monthly General Membership meetings are regularly scheduled for the second Monday of the month in the Bartow Community Center in Room 28 from 7:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. However, our final meeting for the year has been scheduled for Monday, December 15th as we prepare to celebrate the end of the year with all our members and their friends. We plan to have a few treats for everyone and simply ask that you bring along an unwrapped present which will be donated to a homeless shelter in the surrounding area. We’ll be collecting donated items at the meeting. As you may recall, we hosted an amazing Harvest Dance a few weeks ago. The turnout was great and the Silent Auction was a huge success. This was our very first launch of this type of

In loving memory Gerald (Jerry) Green and Walter Moore

Since you left us, our hearts are broken beyond repair and we will never be whole again. Our love for you goes beyond time and space. On November 30, happy birthday in Heaven to both of you. All our love, now and forever, —Mom, Kathryn; dad, Jerry, Sr., and sisters, Deborah, Karen and Denise

endeavor as those people who scooped up some great buys can attest. Thanks for supporting us! We couldn’t have done it without your help. Most especially, we’d like to thank all of our volunteers and their friends for their tireless efforts and sacrifice. We couldn’t have done it without your commitment and for this we’re grateful. Finally, we’d like to wish everyone a most safe and healthy holiday. Most especially, we want to express our sincerest thanks to everyone and their cherished friends and loved ones during the days and weeks ago. Belated happy Thanksgiving and a most peaceful holiday season from the Coalition to Save Affordable Housing’s Executive Committee and all of our general membership. —Claudia A. Sampson

"The housing company may choose not to renew a managing agent contract upon its expiration on thirty days’ notice. "However, a housing company may not exercise such notice until it has selected a new managing agent in accordance with the procedures set forth in these regulations and such agent has been approved by the division or the housing company has established to the division that exigent circumstances require a different basis for a more immediate selection.” Additionally, there are other state requirements regarding termination, bidding, qualifications, selection and approval, of both the proposed bid and the management entity to be selected. Also, there are federal requirements from HUD related to the selection and approval of a management entity. Finally, under our loan agreement with Wells Fargo, this bank also has to approve the selection of a new managing agent. Bottom line: We need to work with HCR, create a self-management team, and give management a 30-day notice of termination. Then, we can work with HUD and Wells Fargo so that they can approve what we're doing. After their approval, we can get what we want and we can finally get rid of this management company. Happy Holidays I would like to wish everyone a happy holiday season. And, I would like to encourage everyone to not drink and drive. Thanks. Close Despite the headlines, did you know that MSI accepted the invitation from this new board and now they're 1 of 8 companies bidding on their own contract? Thank you. Questions or comments? Please send a message to: Daryl Johnson, Riverbay Board Director, c/o Riverbay Corporation, 2049 Bartow Avenue, Bronx, NY 10475. Or, please send a message to me at darylhjohnson @optonline.net (Please double-check the spelling of this address.) Also, please call me at 718-671-4544 if you don't receive a response from your message. You can also join me on Facebook by typing in: Daryl H. Johnson. Okay, that’s it for now. So, please have a wonderful week. And, may God bless you and your family. Thank you.

Public Safety Report

gifts. It’s always the thought that counts. Don’t forget, the Department of Public Safety has a lost and found for keys and eyeglasses located at our office at 2049 Bartow Avenue, lower level. Just this week, three cooperators were reunited with their property. If you find keys or eyeglasses, bring them to Public Safety. Be sure to check here if you are missing these items as well. Don’t forget to use up any money you have left in Flexible Spending Accounts for 2014. Schedule any end of the year medical appointments for the coming week, if necessary. In New York State, the Expanded “Move Over” law has been in effect

Senior Safety

senior residents who asked questions following the presentation complained of the street and traffic conditions in the community and the adjacent Bay Plaza, including the wide intersections particularly at Bartow Avenue and Co-op City Blvd., speeding cars along Co-op City Blvd., the lack of traffic enforcement in the community, the common practice of illegal turns, poorly maintained medians, the lack of traffic signals within Bay Plaza, and the quick traffic lights that do not leave enough time for pedestrians, particularly senior pedestrians, to cross the street safely. Sonja Maxwell, the long-time Pre-

Co-op City Times / November 29, 2014 (Continued from page 7)

since January 1, 2012. This law makes it a violation to fail to move over a lane when approaching a service vehicle, such as a tow truck or a stopped emergency vehicle with or without its warning lights on. This violation carries a fine of up to $150 and up to two points on your license. The purpose of this law is to protect emergency responders and other service vehicles. This year, the Co-op City Department of Public Safety has joined City Harvest in its crusade to provide food to the hungry. Collection bins have been set up in all 3 community centers by Public Safety’s Sgt. Nat Diaz. The circular bins are beige with trees and snowmen and (Continued from page 3)

sident of Cooperators United, who, along with former Board Director Eleanor Bailey, was instrumental in arranging for the safety seminar and also having the DOT to agree to certain traffic safety changes in the community in the wake of the opening of the new mall, said that the community can expect to see many improvements come out of a DOT study of the area due to be released in the next month. Bailey urged the community to let their voices be heard at future meetings and protests if the coming changes do not do enough to solve the community’s increasing traffic problems.

Gregory S. Gang D.D.S., M.S. Complete Family Dental Care Cosmetic Bonding Periodontal (Gum) Treatment Endodontics (Root Canal) Dentures / Crowns / Bridges Participating Dentist UFT • Oxford • CSA • Con Edison Guardian • BC/BS • Aetna Cigna • HIP/Dental • PBA Most other dental plans as full or partial payment

Evening and Saturday Appointments Available

140-1 Casals Place, Co-op City Building 14, Section 2 - Bronx, NY 10475 Visit our website G re go r yGa ng DDS.co m or email us at: smileggdds@aol.com

(718) 671 - 6000

can be found next to the elevators on the lower level of the Dreiser and Einstein community centers, as well as boxes at the Public Safety Base next to the Administration Offices at Bartow Avenue. There is 24-hour access to the last location. Please donate non-perishable items which are not expired. While picking up your holiday items, select a few items for those less fortunate. City Harvest picks up the donations and delivers them to those in need. Collection bins will be in place until January 16, 2015. If donating cash is easier or you would like more information, contact City Harvest. Call 1-800-77-HAR-

9 VEST or visit cityharvest.org/dnrc. In addition to this food drive, City Harvest also rescues unused food from stores and restaurants and delivers it to those in need. Donations are needed year round for this excellent program. Be sure to buckle your seatbelt and avoid distractions when driving. If you plan to consume alcoholic beverages, be sure to designate a driver who will not drink or call a taxi. Always remember, if you see something, say something. 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.

Co-op City Times / November 29, 2014

MSI under NYS review

A courageous and historic event occurred on Wednesday, November 19th, 2014. The Riverbay Board, acting in an Open Meeting before an overflow standing room audience, voted to request the investigation and termination of Marion Scott by New York State Housing and Community Renewal (HCR). The Board also voted to have General Counsel Jeffrey Buss conduct an investigation of various issues including the use of Riverbay employees by Marion Scott for the benefit of MSI, the awarding of contracts without Board approval, and the administration of various labor policies which have exposed Riverbay to financial liability. The Board’s vote was preceded by a detailed explanation by Board President Cleve Taylor. Representatives from HCR attended the meeting. HCR has assured Riverbay that the issues raised by the Board Resolution would be thoroughly and promptly investigated. It must be stressed that HCR, the state agency overseeing Co-op City, has regulations regarding the removal of a managing agent. In fact, the agency has the authority to remove Board members who, in violation of its rules, have terminated a manager without HCR approval and without an HCR approved replacement manager. Upon the advice of counsel, the Board Resolution asks HCR to carry out its duties, to conduct an imme-

diate performance review, to investigate the charges, and upon completion of the review, to terminate MSI. A Federal Judge has already determined that certain labor policies implemented and administered by MSI are illegal. MSI has admitted that it routinely awards more than $8M in insurance contracts without Board approval or ratification. And although MSI denies that it has used Riverbay employees for its benefit, written emails, provided to HCR, show the opposite. In the interim, the day-to-day operations of Riverbay are handled by approximately 1,065 Riverbay employees, all of whom remain in place. BIDS RECEIVED FROM 8 MANAGEMENT FIRMS Two hours before Wednesday’s Open Board meeting, Jeff Buss, Co-op City’s General Counsel, received eight bid packages from firms seeking the position of managing agents — including one from MSI. No bid proposals were submitted from applicants for the general

Thank you to all who attended the Ebola Symposium last Saturday. There was an enormous amount of information presented and I'm sure those in attendance learned a great deal. At the next African American Association meeting, we will discuss ways in which we can help the people in the countries affected by this deadly virus. The Association sponsors the following ongoing programs and encourages your participation. Computer Classes – This class meets at 12:00 p.m. on Saturdays, Dreiser Center, Room #15. Learn Internet use, virus protection, E-mail, Microsoft Office, etc. Bring your laptop or tablet to class with you. Fee: $50 or $8 per class. Call Mercedes at 347-943-0423. Salsa & Zumbali Dancercise – Most Saturdays at 10:00 a.m., Dreiser Center, Room #1. Dance and exercise to Latin and R&B sounds. Call Keith at 917-561-6211 or Iris, 917-838-7723. Creative Movement – Saturday dance classes for children, ages 3-7 at 9:30 a.m. and 10:30 a.m., Dreiser Center, Room #2. Contact Ms. Barnes at 646-281-4570. Yoga & Pilates Mat Classes – Tuesdays, 7 p.m., Dreiser Center, Rm. #2. Lose weight, tone and strengthen your muscles with exercises that reduce stress through breathing techniques. Call Meena at 718-671-8364. Belly Dance Classes – Wednesdays, 7 p.m., Dreiser Center, Rm. #2. A fun and healthy way to stay in shape! Call Xonia, 646-301-9438. Evening Line Dance Classes – Thursdays, 7-9 p.m., Dreiser Center, Rm. #2. Dance to Soul, Latin, and Gospel music. Call Cynthia at 917-

903-7073. Adult Study Group – ASCAC’s Institute For Youth, the 2nd and 4th Mondays, 7:00 p.m., Dreiser Center, Room 15. White House Tour – The Association is planning a one-day bus trip to Washington, D.C. at which time we will take a tour of the White House. The tentative date is May 2, 2015. Contact us if you would like to go. Call 718-379-5555. The Hidden Colors #3 DVD will be available at the December 13th meeting. SAVE THE DATE AND PLAN TO ATTEND – The 18th Annual Kwanzaa Celebration sponsored by The Coalition of African-American Churches & Community Organizations of Co-op City, Inc. will be held on Saturday, December 27th at 1:00 p.m. in Dreiser Center, Room 31. The next meeting will be held on Saturday, December 13th at 4:00 p.m. in Dreiser Center, Room 15, at which time we plan to have our annual Christmas Party. There will be caroling, entertainment, gifts, a brief update on programs and special events, celebration of December birthdays and a delicious holiday meal. If you are unable to attend this meeting, please read our weekly column for information. Also, if you wish to join or update your membership, please send a check or money order (DO NOT MAIL CASH) of $15 for a single membership or $25 for families to: African-American Association of Co-op City, P.O. Box 702, Co-op City Station, Bronx, NY 10475. Donations are welcomed. Like us on Facebook at Coopcity Africanamericanassoc. —Francine Jones

Bernard Cylich

Director’s Viewpoint Treasurer

African-American Association

manager position. Bids were received from Avison Young, Compass Rock, Douglas Elliman, First Service, Metro Management, MSI, Prestige, and Winn WB. A number of the bids were for less money than the present managing agent’s fee. The Ad Hoc Committee (of which I am chairperson, Linda Berk is co-chair, and Board members Leah Graham and Leslie Peterson) will, as required by Board resolution #14-35, review bids, interview candidates, and present three recommendations to the full Board. After the Board considers the applicants and then makes its final choice, the selected candidate’s name must be forwarded for approval to HCR; to the Federal Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD); and to Wells Fargo, our $621.5 Million mortgage lender. In an effort to expedite the review, all of the bids were also submitted to HCR, HUD and Wells Fargo. SEARCHING FOR MANAGEMENT – FAIRLY, LEGALLY In order to conform to the HCR’s specific guidelines, the Board has proceeded cautiously, by first establishing an Ad Hoc Committee to search for a managing agent or a general manager. The committee itself has taken great care to follow the rules and regulations and to conduct its search with fairness, objectivity, and legality—in particular,

not to discriminate against any candidate. I believe we have adhered scrupulously to these requirements. We prepared and solicited for RFP (Request for Proposal) packages, conducted a pre-bid conference and tour of Co-op City with interested bidders, and will now begin the screening process. I have disclosed the names of all applicants and would welcome comments from anyone who has knowledge of the bidders, or who has lived in buildings managed by the applicants. NEW MACHINES IN ALL LAUNDRY ROOMS? Coinmach is the company that supplies and services our laundry machines. At the request of Board members, Coinmach installed new machines in Buildings 10 and 20 as a test project. If cooperators in the two buildings find the new machines better than the old ones, Coinmach would replace all our machines—provided that the company receives a three-year extension of its contract and an additional 25 cent charge for use of the machines. These terms are as yet only proposals by Coinmach. They have not come before the Board for review. I CAN BE REACHED… By mail at Riverbay Board, 2049 Bartow Ave., Bronx, NY, by phone at 718-379-5874, by email at lichsr@ earthlink.net.

Co-op Insurance

Co-op City Times / November 29, 2014

The Wright Agency: Serving Co-op City for 33 years!

Riverbay Requires Current Co-op Shareholders to Obtain Coverage!

Your Co-op is an Investment Worth Protecting! Protection to cover your belongings against: • Fire & Smoke • Water damage from plumbing • Vandalism/Riot

We offer:

• Low Premiums

• Protective Device Discounts • Auto-Home Discounts

• 55 & Retired Discounts

• Certain personal liabilities • Guest medical protection • And so much more!

Other Lines of Insurance: • Auto

• Homeowners • Life

The Wright Agency

Agency Owner

Rates as low as $72 for the entire year! Conveniently located only blocks from Co-op City! (near Eastchester Road) 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.

1435 East Gun Hill Road

718-671-8000 Contact Us Today!

sny79441@allstate.com

Courteous Staff! Convenient Hours!

Is there a Riverbay Board? Co-op City Times / November 29, 2014

On Monday, November 17th, Marion Directorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Viewpoint am waiting to see if HCR Scott, Inc. (MSI) was notified by three will enforce their demand of members of the Riverbay Board that they reinstatement. were being suspended and were asked to As I write this viewpoint on Saturday, November 22, leave the premises. At approximately the and it is about noon, I have not yet received my same time, the Director of Risk Co-op City Times and have been notified that the Management was told he was being susreason is that the delivery method has been pended indefinitely. As of the writing of changed. The Riverbay Board quite a few years this viewpoint, both suspensions are still ago, in order to save money, in effect. changed the delivery of the It is my belief that the argument can be made that the suspension of our managing Co-op City Times from in agent is the most important decision the front of each door to a central Riverbay Board would have made in the location on each floor in front of the elevator. Last year, when I past few years. Yet, this decision was not made by the was president, the matter of doorRiverbay Board; it was made by a few members meetto-door delivery was revisited and ing in the apartment of our President. As of this writing, when I was given the cost comthere has been no discussion by the full Board on this pared to what we were paying, matter, either in open/closed or executive session. An Open Board meeting was announced for Nov. 19th which was a difference of more to discuss the dismissal of MSI. However, the only than $1,200 per week, I decided discussion was limited to Resolution 14-72, a resoluthat it was fiscally prudent to let tion which was amended to remove all mention of a the distribution remain as it was. suspension of MSI. The maker of the Resolution Now if a change was to be considadmitted that this was done due to a letter from ered, a change order should have Assistant Commissioner Richmond McCurnin that been written and the Riverbay quoted both HCR Regulations and our agreement with Board as a whole should have discussed and voted on the change HUD that reserved the right of HUD and DHCR to order. If the Board majority or the approve all management changes in writing prior to President felt this was something any change. This letter also ordered the reinstatement that needed immediate attention, of MSI. an emergency resolution and I voted for the resolution because all it accomphone vote could have been plished was to ask HCR to conduct a review of the initiated. charges against MSI, something HCR had already said Any cooperator or visitor attendthey would do in the above mentioned letter anyway. I

Bill Gordon

ing the Open Board meeting on Wednesday the 19th would not have been wrong to think they were attending a Roman Circus, with myself and other past presidents being thrown to the lions and the present administration being honored as the saviors of Co-op City. The Riverbay Board consists of 15 cooperators all of whom were elected to the Board. In order for all cooperators to be represented, all Directors must participate in the business of the cooperation.

Remembering our veterans this Holiday season On November 22nd, Post members had a mission at the VA Hospital to give out Christmas presents to our wounded and sick veterans in the nursing home at the James Peters VA Hospital. One service member who we had the pleasure of meeting was a 95 year old by the name of Joseph Bernardo who was on the first landing at Ohoma Beach on June 6, 1944. He suffered a wound by a German mortar and survived. In the picture, from left to right, are Post member Robert Feliciano, Joseph Bernardo and Post member Donald Fuller. Picture by Richard I. Lawson, Jr.

Co-op City Times / November 29, 2014

A disappointing show of inappropriate behavior Co-op City Times / November 29, 2014

search of a managing agent The recent emergency meeting, in Director’s Viewpoint so that we can enter into a my opinion, took place with a show of “formal, approved contracdisrespect and inappropriate behavior. tual relationship” responsiEffective meetings are productive when bly. I am disappointed at the poor behavior by participants is preunilateral decision made. vented. It was sad to see this behavior UPS Information not admonished. My conversation with UPS revealed they are In a letter addressed to the Board rolling out a new program they call “Access President, from the Homes and CommPoint.” They feel this will give consumers the unity Renewal (HCR) Assistant Commisoption of picking up a package at a time of day sioner, R. McCurnin, dated November 18, later than the UPS business hours and also give 2014, he stated: “However, my immediate consumers the ability to pick up packages on concern is your unilateral decision to Saturday and Sunday. Certain packages will not indefinitely ‘suspend’ all of the managing be delivered in this manner and a few examples agent’s employees at Riverbay, pending are COD packages, high value packages (what a review by the Board and HCR. This constitutes high value was not given); packages that action is in violation of HCR regulations and require a signature and packages that are over 44 Riverbay’s obligations under their Wells Fargo/HUD pounds. If you do not want your package delivered in loan documents. … As such, you must immediately reinstate MSI’s employees, pending the completion of our investigation.” Two wrongs do not make a right. These actions were taken without prior disclosure to the Riverbay Board. If the claim is rules were violated, are we doing the same? Based on the Assistant Commissioner’s correspondence, there were concerns and questions that needed to be answered either by our General Counsel or the Board President. Because of the tenor of the meeting, the ability to ask about the ramifications of violating the NYS Regulations and what could happen if we did not adhere to the Asst. Commissioner’s order was not addressed. If the suspension is in violation, are we setting ourselves up for future problems? Because of the disorder, questions could not be asked or answered. In my opinion, the schism that is being perpetuated by recent actions has permeated throughout the workplace, with the shareholders and the Board. In June, there were 11 Board members that voted to establish an Ad Hoc Committee to solicit bids in

Leslie Peterson

NCNW

NCNW members were invited to the UN on Thursday, November 20, to celebrate the 25th Anniversary of the Convention on the Rights of the Child. There are 54 article that states the rights of a child under the Convention on the Rights of the Child. You can learn more by going to http://goo.gl/s2z85#CRC#ChildRights#DPINGO. The Youth Committee is preparing for our Annual Holiday Drive. We are collecting new, unwrapped winter hats, scarves, gloves, socks, toys and books for a local shelter. The age range we are collecting for are from Newborn 0 months to High School teens 19 years of age. We will also collect pull-ups and diapers for infants and toddlers. Items can be dropped off on Saturday, 12/6, 12/13 and 12/20 at the Dreiser Center, Room 14, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. For more information, please call (917) 399-2643. Save the Date: Saturday, February 28, 2015; 14th Annual NCNW/Riverbay Fund Black History Youth Celebration. “A Tribute to the Harlem Renaissance,” Dreiser Auditorium, 1-4 p.m. Youth groups interested in showcasing their talent in song, dance, poetry, spoken word, storytelling, theatrical performances, instrument playing, etc., please call (917) 399-2643. The Saturday Academy Education Program: The Saturday Academy is closed today, Saturday, November 29, due to the Thanksgiving Holiday weekend. Classes and registration will resume on Saturday, December 6, 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. There are limited spaces available for parents/guardians who want to enroll their children who are in grades 3-6 in the Saturday Academy Education Program. The lessons taught in reading and math are aligned with the public and private school curriculum. Our instructors are Board Certified by the New York City Department of Education. For more information, call (718) 655-9034 or (718) 671-2555. Fundraising: All NCNW members, please contact Maxine Sullivan at (718) 320-2366 for our schedule for Holiday Gift Wrapping Fundraiser. The NCNW trip planned for Cape Cod, June, 2015 has been cancelled due to a scheduling conflict with the Retirees of Dreiser Loop who are planning a similar trip. Next General Membership Meeting: Sunday, Dec. 14, Dreiser Center, Rm. 11, 3 p.m. —Lori Melton

this manner, then it will be your responsibility to advise the shipper or ask about how they plan to deliver your package. The Access Point locations in our immediate area are Associated Supermarket in Dreiser Loop and Einstein Loop. On Bartow, it is the Hari Krishna Stationary Store. There are also other locations on Boston Road and throughout the city that you can locate on their website. The carrier will attempt to deliver your package once. If you are not available, a note will be left at your home advising where you can retrieve your package. I am always interested in hearing your thoughts on various issues. You can contact me by letter, telephone or e-mail. I can be reached by mail at: Leslie Peterson, Riverbay Board Director, 2049 Bartow Avenue, Bronx, NY 10475; telephone at 718-3201370; or by e-mail at lpeterson@riverbaycorp.com or daddpeterson@aol.com.

Co-op City Times / November 29, 2014

Riverbay Corporation department updates Co-op City Times / November 29, 2014

First and foremost, thank you, cooperators, for attending the awesome Open Board Meeting last week. I am sure many of you are glad that you did as you received "first hand" information. The conduct of the managing agent, Marion Scott Realty, Inc., is still under investigation based on "hard evidence." The Resolution to continue the investigation with the company offsite was modified due to a language issue. The unraveling of MSI’s business practices was uncovered due to this President's due diligence. A comment that "this new board is making up lots of excuses for not wanting to get rid of them" (Marion Scott Realty) I believe has no merit. The Ad-Hoc Committee has done a fantastic job in getting information out so that the corporation will be able to finally begin the interview process. We do have a list of interested companies who want to manage the corporation. We have "Knowledge Assistants" ensuring that the corporation runs smoothly during this transitional period. We also have “competent” Directors who are able to run their respective departments. A snapshot is being provided to give you an idea of what's going on in "most" of the Riverbay Corporation departments. More to come as it's important to know and appreciate what Directors are doing on a day-to-day basis for our benefit. Employee Evaluations Employee evaluations were conducted for the period July 1, 2013 through June 30th, 2014. Employees are rated for various categories, with 1 being the lowest and 5 being the highest. Points can range

from 50 or less to 170 to 200 points based on levels of employee effectiveness. Reportedly, the corporation will be looking at additional indicators in determining effectiveness and applying appropriate compensation. Community Relations The Community Relations Director continues to plan, organize, coordinate and direct activities of the Community Relations Department. She also plans events for the Riverbay Fund. The schedule for community and Riverbay Fund events for 2015 will be submitted to the Board for approval. The Director is to be commended for being an awesome event organizer. Officers of the Riverbay Fund are the following Board members: Evelyn M. Turner, President; Leslie Peterson, Vice President; Leah Graham, Secretary and Bernie Cylich, Treasurer. An executive meeting was held recently to discuss plans to move forward with our proposed “Youth Enrichment Center” located at the former “Bingo Hall.” Computer Services The Director has been very busy with creating, teaching, setting up and troubleshooting. A major accomplish-

It was great to see people who came out to the forum, The African Response to Ebola: Facing Facts and Fears which took place last Saturday in the Dreiser Community Center. The forum, moderated by Milton Allimadi of Black Star News and Divine Muragijimana, presented life saving information about the spread of the Ebola virus on the African continent specifically, and shared reports from the affected regions of Liberia, Sierra Leone and Guinea. Presenters explored Africa’s health and infrastructure capacity and presented region which included historical context as to why this disease has been hard to control. It was a general observation that Bronx borough leadership not present, missed an important opportunity to engage with a community affected by the effects of the Ebola crisis. The afternoon began with a special opening performance by the renowned hip hop artists of the 80’s now called The Ground Breakers. They performed their song about Ebola titled We Don’t Wanna Die that was recently launched. Their performance was fol-

lowed by the presentations: Bullying as a Tool: Impact of Discrimination on Health and Well-being by Tanya M. White-Davis, Psy.D.; The Impact and Consequence of the Stigmatization of The African Community with the Ebola Virus by Ngande Ambroise, a community activist and social Committee Chair, African Advisory Council Bronx Borough President Office; and the Economic Impact of Fear of Ebola on African Economies by Kofi A. Boateng, Ph.D., Executive Director of West Harlem Development Corporation. The event was covered by News 12 and City University of New York with highlights aired at 5 p.m. We wish to express our thanks to the African American Association of Co-op City for their swift support, Reva Jones for helping us to feed guests and the lovely libation by Deborah Nelson. Also great to see Rev. Dr. Robert Smith Jr.! To hear the new tracks produced and performed at the event by the hip hop artists, visit: http://bit.ly/1t0OSOp. For more information, write to: Drammeh. center@gmail.com. —Elise Edwards

Evelyn Turner

Director’s Viewpoint

Drammeh Center

Winter Tennis Program in progress

The Co-op City Tennis Club has begun its Winter Early Morning Tennis Program each Saturday morning between 6 and 7:30 a.m. at the Keia Indoor Tennis Center, 525 Homestead Avenue in Mt. Vernon. The program is open to young people between 5 and 18 years old. Parents who would like further information about the program can call Co-op City Tennis Club Director Lorraine Alexander at 718-671-4437.

ment has been the installation and configuration of a new telephone system for the Board Office. Other accomplishments have been to install new antivirus control server; tested Dvtel High Definition analytics camera and Upgraded Symantec messaging gateway to latest build. Technical Services New cameras were finished to look at Debs Townhouse; look behind Building 20A; two cameras by the pizza shop in Dreiser and one camera by the lower loading dock in Dreiser. Risk Management & Employee Services: (Snapshot) There were (102) open general liability lawsuits as of August, 2014. One thousand, six hundred and forty-four (1,644) shareholders did not provide insurance with their 2013 affidavits. Three (3) settlements conferences were held with Executive Management, Risk Management and Legal, money was approved for settlement. Fifteen (15) work related injuries reported in August, 2014. Nine (9) bodily injuries received and are under investigation. Payment made on (7) claims which include five (5) lawsuits. Total settlement amount $386,809.25. Legal Department (Snapshot) Five (5) D.A. Evictions - Four (4) abuses of premises - Six (G) sublet/non primary. Seven (7) pending HCR decisions. Nine (9) Estate/no succession - 112 on Housing Court calendar - Monitoring 64 chronic non-payment stipulations Monitoring 16 probationary holdover agreements which include permanent

exclusion of a family member; no antisocial misconduct; no noise; no arrests during probationary period. Currently, there are 212 approved dog accommodations and 29 pending. (August 2014) Public Safety: (Snapshot) Abuse of premises (12) - Anti-Social Behavior (23) - Loitering (4) - Noise (14) - Objects from Building (1) Refusal of Apartment Inspection ((6) - Universal Summons (27) - NYC Parking Violation (22) - The Department responded to (122) elevator related calls for service. Residential Sales and Marketing (August 2014) We had 103 unassigned units. Thirty two (32) sets of keys turned in. Two (2) Abandoned Units. A total of 57 closings were completed, (56) New Cooperators and (1) Transfer. We need a “waiting list!” Commercial Leasing Several leases are being negotiated. The Scheduling Office arranged 114 community room rentals. These rentals netted $26,494.40. A myriad of other topics are not covered, however, all Department Directors and our Knowledge Team are on top of things during this unique period in Co-op's history. Please continue to reach out to Board members and Committee Chairs as needed. Your request will be forwarded to the correct department. Have a safe holiday. “If you try to cleanse others - like soap, you will waste away in the process!” – African Proverb I may be reached at: Evelyn M. Turner- eturner@riverbayboard.com or 2049 Bartow Avenue, Bronx, NY. 10475.

Co-op City Times / November 29, 2014

News from the Youth Committee

Youth Committee Update

The Youth Committee will be hosting “A Family Fun Night for Children affected by Autism” on Friday, December 5 from 6 to 9 p.m. The event will be held at 177 Dreiser Loop, Auditorium A. Please email t_ajasin@ yahoo.com to register. This event is in collaboration with Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Eta Omega, Omega Chapter. Do you love someone with Autism? Please call to volunteer at 917-3241033. The next meeting of the Youth Committee will be held on Tuesday, December 9, Rm. 26, 2049 Bartow Avenue. Our guest speaker will be Sergeant Gregory from Public Safety who will share some self-defense tips. He will also share information about other youth programs we can consider. The Chairman, along with other cooperators, attended the 7th Annual Latino College Fair at Fordham University on Saturday, November 22. What an awesome networking and learning experience. Information will be shared next week. A meeting was held with Parent Leaders and Principals at P.S. 160 and Equality School on Monday, November 24. Youth Committee members will be updated on plans to work in partnership with these schools at our December meeting. We congratulate the parents and family members of our “Youth of the Week” as we know that without you, this young person could not be where she is today. —Evelyn M. Turner Chairman, Youth Committee

My name is Charisse Black. I was born and raised in Co-op City. I attended P.S. 160, M.S. 180 and am now a senior at The Collegiate Institute for Math & Science, at the Columbus H.S. Campus. My goal in life is to become a veterinarian and for that reason, I have maintained a 99.52 GPA and have been on the Honor Roll since my freshman year. I have Charisse Black taken four Advanced Placement classes (college level), am consistently on the Principal’s List, and am a member of the National Honor Society. I attend the Einstein Enrichment Program (Science & Technology Entry Program/S.T.E.P) at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine, a program designed for minority students with aspirations to work in the field of medicine. I attend presentations and panels twice a week and during the summers, the program allows me to do internships. This past summer, I shadowed an anesthesiologist at Montefiore Medical Center. I had the opportunity to observe procedures, including knee and hip replacements, a breast biopsy, gall bladder removal, ovarian cystic fibrosis, a total abdominal hysterectomy, nerve repair, and various others.

Baychester Visual Arts Association

Exciting events are happening at BVA and we hope you will be able to enjoy it with us. Beginning in December, we will be exhibiting paintings at the Baychester Library located at Bartow Avenue. They will be on display for the month of December with a list of all the paintings and artists. On December 13th and 14th, we will have an art show and bazaar in our permanent room 5 in the Dreiser Community Center from 12:00 p.m. until 4 p.m. Come and see the beautiful artwork and gift items for sale. There will be a raffle and you can win an original painting so don’t miss it. Refreshments will be served. Our next set of 10 classes begins on Tuesday, November 18th in Room 5 at the Dreiser Community Center. You can choose from the 2 class schedules which are 1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. or 3:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. The fees are as follows: Annual membership is $35 a year and a session of 10 classes is $60. This is the

Youth of the Week

best bargain in the Bronx – maybe even the city – given the quality of instruction offered. You can stop by Room 5 any Tuesday between the hours of 1 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. to register for a class. Mr. Moses Groves, BVA’s own art instructor, will be the artistic guide for these classes. Mr. Groves is an accomplished artist who has studied at the Art Students League and NYU. He has exhibited work in the New York and New Jersey area and has won awards for his artwork. BVA is a non-profit, self-supporting organization that needs your support to continue offering high level art instruction at these bargain prices. So come join BVA on this fabulous artistic trek, take a class, make a donation — tax deductible, and feel the satisfaction of being a creator and/or patron of the arts. All checks should be made out as indicated above. Science is for the body and art is for the soul. —Sylvia Lochansky

Sponsor a family for the Holidays

Church of the Savior invites you to sponsor a family for the holidays! Please bring a bag of non-perishable fixings, including stuffing, cranberry sauce, gravy, string beans/vegetables, rice, yams, and corn bread mix to the Church of the Savior Food Pantry, located at 920 Baychester Ave. (close to Darrow Pl). For additional information, please contact Rev. Dr. Robert A. Smith, pastor, at (917) 734-4058.

Co-op City Department of Public Safety (718) 671-3050 • www.ccpd.us. If you SEE something, SAY something!

During the summer of 2013, I shadowed a child psychologist counseling parents with children that had behavioral issues. I am involved with several volunteer organizations and have received a Community Service Award from the College Explorers Program. I volunteered for Co-op City Fun Day and I have participated with the Coalition of African-American Churches and Community Organizations on Friends and Family Day, and their Kwanzaa Celebration. This organization is in Co-op City and my grandmother, Patricia Bonaparte, is the Vice President. In 2013, I was involved with the Teen Action Planning - Bronx Science Health Opportunities Partnership, where we conducted a workshop with high school students on eating disorders. I also volunteered at the Early Childhood Center where I presented a module to children which incorporated the teaching of science in an interactive way earlier this year. I am a member of the Young Woman's Leadership Club, the Student Government Club, and Health Club at my school. In addition to the above, I babysit to make extra money. My schedule is busy, but this is all a part of the plan to be successful and reach my goals. If you wish to enjoy your life and to be able to accomplish all your goals when you become an adult, you must work hard. Once you understand this, you will be able to prosper academically and in any other thing you put your mind to. In short, you must make certain sacrifices. At the expense of my social life, I often spend my weekends studying. Although it may seem annoying and difficult in the moment, I realize it will all be worth it when I become the success story I always dreamt of in the future.

Co-op City Times / November 29, 2014

Co-op City Sports

Velocity Track Club New York

With the XC (cross country) season winding down, Velocity Track Club New York continues to improve. Our goal is to have our children standing on the podium of the 2014 AAU (American Amateur Union) XC National Championship in Rim Rock Farm, Lawrence, Kansas on Saturday, December 6th. To help us prepare for our goal, on Sunday, November 16, we competed in the Thanks-Running Day XC Meet hosted by Eclipse Track Team at Van Cortlandt Park, Bronx, NY. The competition was good and the course was hard. Plus, they gave free turkeys to every winner in their events and 1st place trophies & awards to the top 6 in each race. Our blessing continued! We had 6 student athletes compete and 5 won awards. Tiarra Jackson took 4th in the girls 8 years old & under 2K (1.5 miles) race. In the boys 9 & 10 years old 3k (1.8 miles) race, Dontae Lindo took 2nd, Jordan Ingram took 4th and Julian Caldwell took 8th place. In the girls 13 – 14 divi-

sion, Giovanna Tolbert took 2nd in the 4K (2.5 miles) race and Darius Gordon won a turkey with a 1st place finish in the boys 15 – 16 years old 5k (3.1 miles) race. On Sunday, Nov. 23, we competed in the Run to Deliver 4 Miles Run, to benefit God’s Love We Deliver, host by the NYRR (New York Road Runners). This was an incredible event for a good cause. There were approximately 5,000 partici- Velocity Track Club athletes at the Run to Deliver 4 Miles Run pants taking the 4 miles challenge through Central Park NY. then the shorter children races. The 4 Each participant received lovely long mile run will help with their endurance; sleeved T-shirts, water and bagels. it will help better prep them for the There were also kid races for ages 12 nationals in Kansas. In the 4 mile race, years old and younger. They also Dontae took 6th place, Jordan took 7th place & Julian took 11th place in the received books and children items. boys 14 years old & under. Giovanna Our children ran the 4 mile race and

What a meeting it was! Our guest speaker, Mr. Cleve Taylor, President of the Riverbay Board of Directors, gave an eyeopening presentation. He was dynamic! One of our newer cooperators who attended this meeting was heard to say that he was surprised that more people didn't come to the meeting, that more people didn't seem to care about what is happening in our building and our community. This was the last meeting for 2014. The winners of the Turkey raffle, (Supermarket gift card) was Betty

McFarlane from 32A, and Juan Rivera, from 32B. The winner of the door prize, also a supermarket gift card, was Julie Martinez from 32A. Our refreshments, which were especially tasty, included a home-baked cherry cheese cake. Thank you to the donor; the cake was delicious. Building Dues The ANNUAL dues for membership in the Building Association remains at $5 per family; this is LESS than TEN CENTS per week. Dues collection will begin the first

week of January, and you can also give your dues to any of the Executive Board members. Your dues funds holiday gifts for our porters, lobby attendants, and maintenance man, as well as decorations for the buildings, such as the paintings and plants that are in our lobbies, replenishing holiday decorations which make our lobbies cheerful and bring delight to young and old alike, treats for the children at Halloween, "Lunch for the Bunch," refreshments for the meetings and myriad other items. Please con-

tribute to your building's dues collection as all Building 32's cooperators benefit. Trips We will be going to see West Side Story at the Westchester Dinner Theatre on May 21, 2015. The cost will be $80 which includes round-trip transportation, a full choice of entree luncheon, trips and gratuities. This will be a matinee performance. Contact Ms. Eleanor Bailey at (718) 379-7754 or Ms. Dolores Rankin at (718) 379-0910 for further info. —Lorna Smith

Hoping that all had a very happy Thanksgiving, and didn’t overeat. Today is the day we start to decorate the lobbies. We still need volunteers. We’ll start decorating at one o’clock in the afternoon.

Collection for the porters will be in the lobby on the B side of Building 30, December 4th and the 11th from 5 to 7. Collection for the porters on the A side will be on the 11th from 5 to 7 only. Don’t forget our holiday party is

Saturday, December 13th. We’re still looking for volunteers especially for baking and cooking. For those who enjoy our crochet classes, we will continue every Wednesday from December 3rd to the

17th with the door opening at 1 p.m. For those who are celebrating birthdays, anniversaries and new additions, congratulations. Those who are under the weather, get well soon. —Linda Werner

took 2nd place & Jacqueline Kendall took 3rd place in the girls 14 years old & under race. Giovanna & Jacqueline won lovely plagues. Darius took 4th in the boys 15 – 17 years old division. This was a good test for them, to run a race where the distance is longer than what they would normally run should make their regular race easier. Great job!!! After the 4 mile race, Dontae, Julian, Jordan and Jasiah Isaac (VTC Baby Farm Team) competed in the kids’ races. Jasiah won the 2 years & younger boys’ race and Dontae won the 8 & 9 years old boys’ race. Go Velocity!!! Anyone interested in supporting Velocity Track Club New York, we are a 501(c)3 - Non-for Profit. Just write the check of any size to Velocity Track Club New York. Your donation is a tax write off and we will send you a receipt. For additional information, please contact Coach Winston Dinkins at 914-441-6196 or email me at WATCLT@AOL.COM. —Winston Dinkins

Building 32 Association

Buildings 30 A&B Association

Integrative Health Massage Therapy

A Little Corner of Heaven

Serving The Community At The Bay Plaza Mall For Info & Appointment Call: 1-917-346-1806

• Diminishes Chronic Pain • Relieves Tired and Aching Muscles • Relieves Pain of Neck and Back Injuries • Increases Range of Motion in Joints Major Medical Auto Accident (No Fault) Workers Comp (upon approval) Debit and Credit

Love

Life

• Express Anti-oxidant Facial • Heaven’s Signature Non-Surgical Face Lift • PCA Hyperpigmentation Peel • Lypo Slim Cellulite Reduction Body Wrap Debit and Credit

www.alittlecornerofheaven.com

Health

Beauty

Co-op City Times / November 29, 2014

Broun Place Townhouse Association

Broun Place Townhouse Association hopes everyone enjoyed a happy Thanksgiving. As mentioned last week, our last official meeting of this year was November 20. Thanks again to Ms. Vanessa Aldea, our CSO Manager, for attending, beginning to the end. A ton of important information was dispensed throughout this meeting. Subjects included when to call maintenance directly; issues of cooperator complaints; NYC Fire Department approved CO2 alarms; faulty new smoke alarms; restoration issues and defining service dogs. Our Vice President and President were among those who attended Wednesday’s Open Board Meeting. They were able to report on that meeting. Unfortunately, Ms. Irene Robinson, President of Debs Place Townhouse Association, was ill and did not attend

ours, but Vice President Nels Grumer, and the Treasurer of Debs Place Association and another Debs Place neighbor came and their contributions were important. We hope they come again. Problems can be resolved by discussing them at the meetings. Refreshments were offered with the assistance of Lana Spaulding and 50/50, too. Broun Place Association is accepting membership renewals. $12 dues, per household can be placed in the mail slot of Apt. 31B, Apt. 10A or Apt. 22A. Our Executive Officers are: President: Mrs. Eva Kindaichi-Lazaar; Vice President: Mrs. Vivian Burrus; Treasurer: Ms. Lillian Richardson; Secretary: Ms. Grace Emanuel. Ms. Lana Spaulding and Mr. Jesse Seise are our support team. Neighbors are urged to follow news in the Co-op City Times. Please continue to work to enhance and

maintain the quality of life in Broun Place and Co-op City! At Holiday season, BEWARE the scammers! The caller says, he’s a NYC policeman soliciting for the “NYC Retired Policemen’s Organization.” The caller says they are from UNICEF. Both are frauds. Do not donate over the phone! Truly give thanks that Barnes & Noble is OPEN. Have you rediscovered what this bookstore offers? If you are interested in a conversational book club of neighbors, please contact 31B. Try to use #3-1-1 and the Community Planning Board to correct local problems. We need these areas adjacent to Co-op City cleaned. Local wild animals scavenge there because of litter and puddles. Neighbors, don’t forget to prepare your terraces and patios for the inclement weather. We have to close it, tie it down, and make sure the

drain is clear. Cooperators enjoy the Greenway and appreciate living in 46 years old Co-op City. More information on Co-op City is available, on the website: www.riverbaycorp.com/. Recycling garbage correctly is important; please take the time to read the bin labels. Call Public Safety, 718379-3050, to help this department enforce our quality of life regulations. Public Safety wants our assistance, “If You See Something, Say Something.” We send prayers to all recovering from surgery, illness or injury and hope for the best recovery possible. Condolences to the Williams family on the passing of their mom and grandmother, may you know no more sorrow. Submit your question or tiding regarding Broun Place. —Eva Lazaar

We hope everyone had a safe and enjoyable Thanksgiving. There was enough time to visit with friends and loved ones you may not have seen in a while, an excuse to go off of your diet and eat all of those desserts you knew you were not supposed to have, but most importantly, a special time to give thanks for being around for another year. Now the Christmas holidays are in front of us. We have less than thirty days before the big day arrives and many things that must be completed before that time. The building associa-

tion also needs to begin our work for the holidays. We will begin the process of decorating the lobby starting on November 29th. Any volunteers would be greatly appreciated. There is also the matter of collection of monies for the building staff which will begin on December 3rd and continue on December 6th, 12th 16th and 18th. If you wonder why we collect on so many days, it is because people have varied schedules and we would like for everyone who wishes to contribute to be afforded the opportunity to do so. We

have a large staff in this building and they serve all of us in one manner or another throughout the year, so let's show our appreciation. There will not be a formal association meeting in December, but we will have a get together on December 13th to celebrate the holidays, get brought up to date on what is going on in Co-op City and try to plan for events in 2015. Our meeting for November was cancelled due to a meeting conflict on November 19th. None the less, we still had the turkey raffle on November

22nd and Ruth Horton was our winner. Congratulations!!! Well wishes to all of our sick. Reach out to see if some of your elderly neighbors might need something from the supermarket. Take the time to encourage a child. Try as much as possible to be kind to your fellow cooperators. Remember, good morning never hurt a soul. Happy birthday, Sagittarians. May you have health and wealth for the coming year. —La Verne Floyd

Building 33 Association had a Thanksgiving canned & non-perishable food drive. We collected 219 lbs. of food. We will be delivering to the (POTS) Part of The Solution Foundation. We had a raffle drawing for this meet and greet, we had a very nice turnout. We met two new people who want to join the association. For every two cans you gave, we entered your name in a drawing. The prize was a $25 Visa credit card. The winner of the raffle was Aleathia

Cherebin. 2nd prize was offered by our photographer, Mr. Marlon McClean, a free family shoot which went to Patricia Bonaparte. To receive these prizes, you had to be present. Quite a few building cooperators’ names were called, but due to the fact that they were not present, they could not receive the prize. That is why we encourage all cooperators to attend these meet and greets. The Association of Building 33 thanks you so much for your donations. The Bldg. 33 Book Club meets on

Thursday afternoons at 1 p.m. in the association meeting room. The next meeting will be on Dec. 4th. The book will be UNCLE VANYA by Anton Chekhov, a noted Russian author and playwright of the 20th century. Bldg. 33 game night will start on Friday, Dec. 5th at 7 p.m. Bring your favorite games or learn to play ones. Cards, board games, word games and more. Socialize with your neighbors! Light refreshments, music and fun. The decorating of the Christmas tree

will be on Dec. 6th at 1 p.m. in the lobby. Please come down and help. The collection for the porters will start on Wednesday, Dec. 3rd; please give. We did not reach our quota of 200 apartments paying building dues, which would have offset this special collection. Our Christmas pot luck social will be on Saturday night, December 20th. Get well wishes to the sick and the shut-ins. —Patricia Bonaparte

Building 34 Association

Building 33 Association

Building 21 Association

LISTEN AND READ Now is the time for us to pay special attention to what’s going on here in our community. More than ever before, we must pay attention. We have dropped the ball the last 15-18 years. Now it’s past due for us to pick up that ball. In other words, find out where the meetings are, make it your business to attend, take notes and inform your neighbors. Our dues of $5 will be collected. It’s only $5 per year (but if you don’t want to contribute to all that we do all year for our buildings without any help from anyone, just hold your head down and act as if you don’t know what’s going on. Oh and you can also sneak out towards the back of the lobby so no one will notice you live here too).

On a lighter side, our “Think Tank” on Friday nights are about to get intense. You might not want to miss it from here on end. It is Friday nights, 8:30 p.m. One of our highlights is our ongoing fundraiser designed not just to empower the building association, but to empower each individual who participates. I tell you its incredible!! You will be shocked at the company we partnered with. Go to our website to learn more: www.21association.com. Oh yeah…Oh Yeahhh!!! We are neighbors and we are family; we will all win by working, sharing and living together. For further correspondence:21association@gmail.com, or call us at :347-504-1821. —Kevin Lambright

VISION CARE SPECIALIST

DR. DAVID HORN, O.D. FAAO • FELLOW, AMERICAN ACADEMY OF OPTOMETRY

• COMPLETE VISION CARE - EYE EXAMINATION

• OCULAR DISEASE TREATMENT

• EYEGLASSES

• GLAUCOMA TREATMENT

• CONTACT LENSES

High Fashion Frames on Premises. “Your Vision Health Is My Concern.” Much of Learning Is Done Through The Eyes. Insist on a Professional Eye Examination.

120 ALCOTT PLACE

(Bldg. 17 • Sect. 3) • Co-op City

718-379-8029 Medicare and many insurances accepted. DOCTOR’S HOURS: MONDAY: 1:30 - 7:00 PM • WEDNESDAY: 2:00 - 7:00 PM FRIDAY: 11:00 AM - 5:00 PM • SATURDAY: 8:30 AM - 2:00 PM CALL FOR AN APPOINTMENT!

Co-op City Times / November 29, 2014

Building 25 Association

Greetings, cooperators, Our regular monthly meeting was held on Nov. 18th and a few of the residents announced they attended the NYS Citizen Preparedness Training Course held at Truman HS, Nov. 12th. This free course open to the public provided an extensive amount of information about what to do in case of a disaster. All attendees received a free NYS Disaster Preparedness Kit that included items such as a backpack, plastic drop cloth, first aid kit, packs of drinking water & food and a flashlight. It is highly encouraged to attend important trainings like this so you and your fam-

ily know what to do and how to properly prepare for unexpected disasters. For more information and to learn about upcoming trainings, you can visit NYPrepare@dhses.ny.gov. Residents also brought up concerns of water and items being thrown outside of the windows, a missing panel in the high rise elevator #3 and damage to the elevator room door located on the 21st floor. Some of these concerns have been brought to the attention of the CSO, but have yet to be resolved. These concerns will only be addressed and taken seriously when we all play an active role in protecting our home

because no one is going to do it for us. Special thanks to all the residents who attended the meeting. Special Announcements We hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving and may you continue to enjoy the holiday season with family and friends. To keep the holiday spirit going, the association will have a lobby decorating gathering on Friday, Dec. 12th at 7:30 p.m. We will form a Decorating Committee where we are looking to capture the artistic gifts of the various talented people in the building, no matter the age. Most importantly, you get involved, beautify

your building and spread holiday cheer to all. Those who are interested can send an email to building25ca@ gmail.com or look for flyers with further contact information. Well wishes to those celebrating birthdays in December, anniversaries, births and special events. Condolences to cooperators who lost loved ones. Blessings & prayers go out to our sick and shut-in. May we also keep in pray the people who may not have a home during these cold days or family and friends to celebrate the holidays with. Always give thanks for your blessings. —Katrina Asante

Hello, neighbors. I trust all had a wonderful Thanksgiving and now we have until Christmas to run around the block to lose some calories. (smile). SUNSHINE COMMITTEE: We are in need of cooperators to work on this committee, to send birthdays, bereavement, get-well cards, etc. to add a little sunshine in someone’s life. We are still in need of “you.” FUNDRAISING COMMITTEE: Well, we told you they will be back. We would like for you to join us in a trip to ACE IN THE HOLE, A tribute to Sam Cook (WE ARE HAVING A PARTY) on Thursday, February 19th, 2015 at the Royal Manor, Garfield, New Jersey. Price is $85 which includes transportation, a family-style menu (braised tips, beef, roast chicken,

etc.) and 2 complimentary drinks. We understand the holidays are approaching, however, we do not want you to miss your seat on the bus for this fabulous occasion. Send your payments, via cash, checks or money orders to reserve your seat. For further information, please contact Margie, 917-921-7749; Nelson Sweeting, 646644-4055 and Sharon at 718-671-1905. Also, checks can be made payable to Building 27 Association and mailed c/o Lillian Sumpter, 140 Erdman Pl., apt 6D, Bronx, NY 10475. OUR GENERAL MEETING was held on Thursday, November 20th, at 7 p.m. The 3 winners of the raffles, were 1. Ms. Ardell (TURKEY), 2. Ms. Francis (WINE), 3. Ms. Brown (COOKIES). Kudos to them.

CHRISTMAS HOLIDAY DONATIONS: This is the time of the year wherein we, as shareholders, show our appreciation to the porters, lobby attendants, and mail carriers of our buildings. We are appreciative of our building staffing; they are really our family, for we see them every day, so let’s give generously to them. COLLECTION OF DONATIONS/ DECORATIONS: The decorations of our lobbies will begin at 11 a.m. on Dec. 4th and 5th. Volunteers are greatly needed, from the youth to all. Also, collection of the donations will take place on Thursday, December 4th and Friday, December 5th, from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. on both days in Buildings A, B and C lobbies. The 50/50 raffle winner, Ms. Sumpter. Refreshments were

served. The association thanks you all for your continuous support. Without you and you, there would be no association. We extend our prayers for the sick and shut in, wishing you a speedy recovery. With profound sadness, we now once again have to extend our heartfelt sympathy and prayers to the family of Carol Pressley. CAROL, MAY YOU REST IN PEACE. We also express our sympathy to all who has lost a loved one. Listen to all, we are going through TRYING TIMES, it behooves us to stay in Prayer for our BOARD, homes and communities. Let us continue to remember each other and leaders in prayer everywhere. —H. Overman

Thanks to all who attended our November association meeting to hear our invited speaker, Public Safety Chief Frank Apollo. Chief Apollo visits us annually and as usual brought us up to date with how criminal cases and events had been handled in Co-op City in general and in Section Five in particular. He spoke on how well coordinated our security systems - lobby attendants, call boxes and cameras - are in place and working for our safety. It was quite reassuring to know that our building has been relatively safe and secure from crime. Attentively, he listened to the voiced complaints and comments and promised to do what was necessary to take care of the matters. In addition, he handed out informative brochures and reiterated safety tips for us to

implement during this holiday season. While we need to be aware of our surroundings at all times, unfortunately, this is the time of year we need to be more vigilant. We need volunteers to help with lobby decorations for the holidays in both A and B lobbies on Friday, December 5th, 5 p.m. and Saturday, December 6th, 11 a.m. We need your physical support, as well as any specific decorations you can donate for Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa and Three Kings Day. We will be collecting for our building staff and lobby attendants in both lobbies on Wednesday, December 10th, 5- 8 p.m.; Friday, December 12th, 5-8 p.m.; and Saturday, December 13th, 11 a.m. - 2 p.m. Our festive holiday season will

end with our building Christmas party on Friday, December 19th, 7:30 p.m. PLEASE, contact Vice President, Sharon Clarke, B side, 917-359-7852, to let her know what dish(es) you will be preparing so that we won't have too many of one dish and not enough of another. Please join us - with a dish or without - let's make this a successful coming together to cap off the year. Watch for posted flyers in both buildings heralding these events. Sadly, no one has yet come forward to conduct a Christmas party for our children. Is anyone up to the challenge? If so, please contact President Robert Hedgepeth, 347- 249-8938, #6F, B side, or Treasurer Loretta Paul, #14A, A side, as soon as possible. Our knit and crochet class still

meets on Monday nights; Tuesday night meeting 50/50 was won by Delores, A side, and the door prize by Sharon, B side. Our game night on the 21st was successful as usual. On a more sombre note, we are sending prayers for our sick and shutins to get well soon and our heartfelt condolences are extended to the Batista and LeCointe families, both B side, for the loss of their beloved family members. By the time this news is printed, Thanksgiving Day will have passed and we hope it was a blessed event for all. Because of the various activities in December, there will be no monthly association meeting until January. So, on that note, we look forward to resuming meetings in the year 2015. —R. Hedgepeth

Thanksgiving - Our Thanksgiving Dinner Event headed by “Chef Toni” and the transformation of the Association Room, decorated by Valerie Gunn and Lelia Dickenson, created an ambiance that was warm and toasty with delicious food and a very homelike setting. A great deal of work went into accomplishing this Thanksgiving event. We are extremely appreciative and give thanks to our fantastic friends and neighbors. We hope that everyone enjoyed their day

as much as we did. Collections for our building staff will commence beginning the first week in December. The exact dates and times will be posted in the bulletin board so when you see us, stop and show your appreciation. Our next meeting is scheduled for December 11. Join our After and Before Party. Tired after all of the shopping and preparing, but anxiously waiting for the New Year? Want to kick back and listen to good music and eat good

food? Well, our ANNUAL “After and Before” party is for you. Flyers will be posted soon or you can check out our website. During the holiday collection, we will be asking parents to sign up for the no bullying workshop. Information received from the document will determine the best day and time. Important information will be given to the youth, as well as the parents on the best way to handle situations. The workshop will be facilitated by Sgt. Gregory,

CCPD. Checks for Building 13 events should be made payable to Building 13 Assoc. Inc. and mailed to: Bldg. 13 Assoc. Inc., 100 Casals Place #32K, Bronx, NY 10475. All activities are on a first come basis. For information, contact Gail Sharbaan at 718-671-3801 or Leslie Peterson at 718-320-1370, our website: http://www.bldg13assoc.com or e-mail us at building13assoc@yahoo.com. Thanks for making our team work. —Leslie Peterson

Building 27 Association

Building 31 Association

Building 13 Association

Co-op City Times / November 29, 2014

Please join us on the 2nd Thursday of every month at 8:00 p.m. Everyone is welcome – not just members! Our next general membership meeting will be held on December 11th. Save the Date: Our Christmas Party is scheduled for Saturday, Dec-ember 20th. The Cultural and Social Committees are combining their efforts to make this a very special evening. Join

Spanish-American Community Club

us in Dreiser Auditorium ‘B’ from 7:00 p.m. to 1:00 a.m. and enjoy the music of ‘Cinco En Plena’ and DJ Salsero. Members will be admitted free; nonmembers admitted for only $20. For more information, please contact Lourdes Suarez at (347) 224-4954 or Antoinette Toro at (917) 744-4373. Help us ring in 2015! The ‘Social Friday’ is hosting our annual New

Black Forum

Next Defensive driving course The next Black Forum defensive driving course will be next Saturday, December 13, in Rm. 1, Dreiser Community Center, 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. Lower your liability insurance cost by 10% and remove up to 4 points from your driver’s license. Please make your check in the amount of $35, payable to “the Black Forum of Co-op City,” and mail to P.O. Box 563, Bronx, N.Y. 10475 at least 1½ weeks before the class, or you can walk in on the day of the class but you must have $35 in cash to pay for the course. Remember, don’t text and drive. Black Forum Aerobics and Zumba Aerobics classes will be held on Mondays and Wednesdays; Zumba on Thursday. Classes will be held in the Dreiser Aud., 7:30 p.m. To register, please call (718) 320-8035. Nominal fee for each class. Black Forum’s Lyons Mane Track Club Register now for the fall. Youth ages 818. Practice sessions are held on Mondays and Wednesdays e in the Dreiser Auditorium. For further information, or to register your child, please call (718) 320-8035. Ghanaian Association of Co-op City Election of Officers was held last Saturday. Re-elected President is Seth Osei Fosu. Food distribution sites added Each Thursday, residents of Buildings 27, 28, 29, 32 and 33 must pick up food at the New Vision Church, 115 Einstein

Loop, 11 a.m. – 12:45 p.m. every Thursday. Residents of Building 26, 30, 31, 34 and 35 should go to the Evangelical Church, 2350 Palmer Avenue, 11 a.m. – 12:45 p.m. starting Aug. 7. For information, please call (718) 320-8035. Volunteers needed We need volunteers for the Food Program, Tuesdays and Thursdays. If you have 2 hours per day to spare, between 11-12:45 p.m., call us, (718) 320-8035. Emergency Food Program We are open Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays, 11 a.m. to 12:45 p.m., Room 20 in the Dreiser 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. Please also have your current photo ID such as a non or driver’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. We Need You - Join Us Today 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. Everyone is encouraged to join. Call or visit us, Room 20 in the Dreiser Community Center. —Tony Illis

Donizetti Building 4 Association

At our meeting on November 13th, we had Mr. E. Thomas from Allstate Insurance Company as our guest. He provided us with insurance updates and the need for adequate apartment insurance. He emphasized the importance of listing items of value, such as furs and jewelry, to your policy. We thank you, Mr. Thomas. Our next meeting will be held December 11, at 7:30 p.m. Refreshments will be served and don’t forget the 50/50 raffle. See you then! Collections: Collection time is here for our building service personnel, e.g. porters/maintenance staff, lobby attendants and mail carrier. The dates of collection in the lobbies will be December 4th, 5th and 12th. Please check lobby bulletin boards for exact time regarding these dates. Thanksgiving Turkey Raffle: The raffle drawing was held Thursday, November 20th in the lobby of Building 4B. The winners of the 3 turkey baskets were: 1st prize, Ms. Mitchell from Bldg. 4C; 2nd prize, Ms. Merriman from Bldg. 4A and 3rd prize, Mr. Werner

from Bldg. 4A. Game Day: There will be NO game day on November 27th, December 25th and January 1, 2015 due to the holidays. Otherwise, our game day is every Thursday from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. in the Association Room in Building 4B. If you are free, then stop down and join us for fun and an opportunity to gather as neighbors. Senior Holiday Dinner: Thanks to everyone who attended this dinner; it was a delicious day of eating, conversation, laughter and togetherness. MEDIEVAL TIMES Bus Trip: Sorry…but this trip is cancelled. All monies have been returned. Keep watch for our next venture. Congratulations to all those celebrating a birthday or special event/occasion in December. Get well wishes are extended to the sick and shut-in while we keep our troops in prayer. Have a safe and happy holiday. *Remember, this is our home. “IF YOU SEE SOMETHING, SAY SOMETHING.” —Yvonne Burrus (DW)

Year’s Eve party beginning at 8:00 p.m. in Dreiser Auditorium ‘C.’ ‘Sabor y Swing’ will be providing the live entertainment, with additional music by DJ Salsero. Admission will be $10 for children under 12 years of age; $20 admission for all others. Bring your noise-makers and party supplies. Contact Jose Lopez at (347) 202-7930 for all tickets and all the

details. Additional information for all of our upcoming club events, as well as details concerning the club in general, can be found on our website: http://spanamcccc.synthasite.com. You may also contact the club at (718) 379-7017 or email us at SpanAmCCCC@gmail.com. —Carmen Rodriguez

Building 19 Association

Greetings, Building 19, cooperators. I hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving Day and celebrated the occasion with love and friendship. The Building 19 Association wants to thank Ms. Vanessa Aldea, the CSO II manager, and Ms. Kim-Marie Umstead, the Director of Commercial Leasing, for attending our general meeting on Nov. 18th. They brought us a wealth of information and answered the questions that cooperators of Building 19 presented. We greatly appreciate their attendance and participation. We gained insight into many issues, policies and question that were plaguing us. Cooperators were given directions as to how to proceed in solving many of these issues and we also learned what Riverbay is presently doing and what Riverbay will do in the future to put an end to these problems; find resolutions to these issues and to hopefully improve the

quality of life in Building 19 particularly; and the Co-op City community in general. Again, our thanks to Ms. Aldea and Ms. Umstead for their participation and hopefully they will return to a Building 19 general meeting some time in the future to continue ‘team building’ between Building 19 Association and Riverbay Corp. I would also like to invite everyone to attend our next steering committee meeting on December 2nd at 7:30 p.m. in the association room. The steering committee is the event planning, and operations segment of the building association. We need new ideas, we need opinions, we need active participation. Join us on Tuesday, December 2nd at 7:30 p.m. and help us in making plans for the Holiday activities in Building 19. Thank you and I look forward to working with you. —Lillie Hall

Co-op City Times / November 29, 2014

American Legion Post 1871

Greetings to all of our Post members who are homebound and recovering from various medical operations. We wish you a speedy recovery. Happy birthday to all of our members who will be celebrating their birthday in November. Our Post is always looking for new members to join, so if you are a veteran from any branch of the military, stop by and join us. Bring your DD-214 with you. Post 1871 is located in Section #5 in the community center in 135 Einstein Loop, Room 41. Our office telephone number is (718) 320-8165, and our email address is post1871@optimum.net. On November 21, with a short notice

that Christmas presents would be given out on November 22, only three members from our Post were able to visit the James Peters VA Hospital and disburse presents to the service members at the James Peters VA Hospital, Mrs. & Mr. Robert Feliciano, Donald Fuller and Richard I. Lawson, Jr. The meeting room was changed to Room 1B07 located on the first floor and after a hot cup of coffee, things started to roll. We headed towards the 6th floor to give out an assorted collection of sweat shirts in several sizes to the service members, and as we handed each member a gift, we received a big smile and a hearty thank you. On our

return trip, we ran into a veteran who was 95 years old; his name was Joseph Bernardo and he was on the first landing at Omaha Beach on June 6, 1944. During his landing on the beach, he was wounded by a mortar round. His son was at the VA Hospital to visit him and a picture was taken of him, along with Robert Feliciano. Mr. Joseph Bernardo served his country and it was our turn to show him how grateful we are that he served by presenting him with an early Christmas gift. The next EXECUTIVE meeting will be on December 3, at 3 p.m. sharp. Please arrive on time and upon your arrival, turn off your cell phone and sign in.

A good way to store your spices is in the fridge. Paprika, cayenne powder and chili powder will stay fresher longer and keep their bright color which can be dulled by light and heat. I hope all of our Post members and their families had a safe and great Thanksgiving. Our Post has Post caps on hand for sale; see the finance officer if you would like to purchase one. Q: Why did the Leper go back into the shower? A: He forgot his Head and Shoulders. This information was provided by the Post information officer. —Richard I. Lawson, Jr.

October 2014 marked the 90th anniversary of Toastmasters International. For ninety years, this one organization has helped millions of individual members around the world empower themselves by building confidence and gaining communication and leadership skills. During this same time, Toastmasters has evolved from a small group of clubs in Southern California to more than 14,650 clubs in 126 coun-

tries today, including our club here in the Northeast Bronx. Dr. Ralph C. Smedley, the founder, noted that people “learn in moments of enjoyment.” Co-op City Toastmasters continues that tradition. Therefore, we continue to celebrate this milestone and invite you to visit our next meeting scheduled for Dec. 4 at 7:30 p.m.; get started in your individualized Toastmasters

path to be-coming a better communicator or leader. We meet at 2049 Bartow Ave., Bartow Community Center and would love to see you. Come, participate in the meeting, hear manual speeches, offer constructive feedback, have fun and much more. Note: There are only two meetings left in 2014: Dec. 4 (fifty-fifty nite) and Dec. 18 (holiday party). Why not

come to both meetings? Now is a fine time to start and set your goals for 2015. Don’t procrastinate another minute; you are worth it. You may also visit us at 3824. toastmastersclubs.org or toastmasters46.org or toastmasters.org for more information, and/or you may contact our VP Membership Kim Robinson at itsme@kimmiekim.com. —L. Jaysura

Co-op City Toastmasters Club

Coalition of African American Churches and Community Organizations

The next meeting of the Coalition will be on Tuesday, December 2nd at noon in Room #15 of the Dreiser Loop Community Center. The Coalition will host their Annual Kwanzaa Celebration on Saturday, December, 27th in the Bartow Community Center at 2 p.m. We are asking everyone to bring a dish of choice (no pork) please. You can bring fruits, salads, juice, baked goods, etc. The vendors list is closed. We have more vendors than we can accommodate. Thanks so much for your interest. The coalition is a non-profit organiza-

tion whose mission is to enhance the quality of life in the community by focusing on education, community involvement, spirituality and youth. In order to accomplish our goals, the member churches and organizations provide ongoing programs, and together, we sponsor this event and an annual Friends and Family Day. All free to the community. The coalition is made up of several organizations, and churches; we invite all organizations and churches to come and join us. Please support our efforts by sending a tax deductible contribution made payable to: The Coalition of

African American Churches and Community Organizations, P.O. Box 619, Bronx, NY 10475. Remember our motto: Coming

together is the beginning, staying together is progress, working together is success. —Patricia Bonaparte

Co-op City Times / November 29, 2014

Newsong Church

Hey, Co-op City! We invite you to stop by our Worship Experience this Sunday at 11:00 a.m.! We’re located at 177 Dreiser Auditorium B. We have deaf interpretation and a fully staffed children’s church called “Kidsong.” This Sunday, we start a new teaching series entitled “He will be called.” There are many names for Jesus, but what do they mean? Join us as we discover why He is called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, and Prince of Peace. You’ll gain a new and relevant perspective on the Savior who was born in a manger over two thousand years ago! Here’s what you can expect from our church if you choose to take us up on the invitation. At our church, we believe that Jesus is LORD…that single belief calls us together as a community, and sends us into our world with hope and purpose! At our church, your past

will NEVER define your future…there’s always redemption, which means there’s always a brighter day! At our church, we don’t think we’re better than any other church out there…we’re just doing our best to become OUR best! At our church, we want you to believe in God…but we want you to know that God BELIEVES in you! We are not against people who don’t attend church anywhere…instead we PURSUE them with LOVE, the very same love that’s pursuing us! At our church, we’re learning to serve God with ALL our hearts and we’re learning to worship Him with ALL our lives! If you’re looking for the perfect church…we’re NOT it. At our church, we WILL make mistakes, but we will choose to GROW from them! At our church, we’re part of a global community that’s knit together by the RESURRECTION of Jesus…and by the way, at our church, we believe that REALLY

happened too! At our church, we will engage with people who are in real NEED…because we are the hands and the feet of JESUS! And finally (please hear this loud and clear), at our church, it’s not really our church at all…It’s HIS, and we live and move and breathe in His church, for His glory and His fame, not OURS! So here’s the INVITATION…You’re invited to jump in with your whole HEART at your own PACE, and to experience the LIFE that awaits you In CHRIST! It’s our prayer that you join us this Sunday and experience the difference…Friends, this is going to be GOOD! For more information, you can check out our website: www.newsongchurchnyc.org, "Like" us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/newsongchurchbx; "Follow" us on Twitter @newsongchurchBX We look forward to meeting you! —Pastor Mike Tolone

“For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me…” Matthew 25:35 HUNGRY? LONELY? NEED PRAYER? NEED SOMEONE TO TALK TO? Greater Love’s SOUP KITCHEN begins Saturday, December 6th from 12:00 p.m. to 2 p.m. If you or someone that you know is HUNGRY and can benefit from a hearty bowl of soup/bread/dessert, a kind word of encouragement or prayer, we invite you to join us. Anointed men & women of God will be available to pray with you and for you. On behalf of Presiding Elder B. Landrum, Pastor C.

Landrum, and the Greater Love family, we welcome and encourage you to fellowship with us. Greater Love is a teaching, preaching, tithing, faith and Bible way ministry. We believe that anyone can be saved according to our foundational Scripture, Romans 10:9, “For if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.” We are conveniently located at 900 Co-op City Blvd. (Bldg. 2A), on the ground level, Bronx, N.Y., 10475; main entrance - red buzzer. Doors open at 2:30 p.m. on Sunday. Free parking is available in Garage #1 on Darrow Place. Church phone: 347-920-5607.

Weekly Schedule Sunday Bible School: 3:00 p.m. (sharp) Sunday Afternoon Praise & Worship: 3:45 p.m. Holy Communion – First Sunday Tuesday Evening Prayer: 7:00 p.m. Training for Service - A Survey of the Bible: Thursday Eve Family Nite/Youth Nite Blessing/Dedication of Children SPECIAL REMINDER: Non-perishable items are needed for our food pantry. will you help? thank you to all who continue to support tis effort. Peace & Blessings! —Pastor Carol Landrum

Greater Love Cathedral United Baptist Church

Greetings! The RETIREES invite you to their exciting Holiday Luncheon at the Marina del Rey featuring the Carol/DAD Productions on Thursday, December 11, from 11:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Price: $75 (includes transportation, plus free admission to the Spring Bash). First come, first served. Contacts: Beverly Waller & Ida Morton, 718-379-0377. TRAVEL EVENTS ▪ Jan. 14&15, 2015, (2 days/1 night). FOXWOODS CASINO & MOHEGAN CASINO, CT. Price: double/Triple, $179 & single, $249. Price includes transportation, one night hotel stay at Foxwoods Resort, one breakfast, one dinner, and casino bonuses. Deposits: Double/triple $60 & single $80 - required ASAP to hold your seat. Note: Final payment due Thursday, Dec. 18th. Contacts: Serita G, 347-564-5722 and Barbara W, 718-320-0500. ▪ NOTE - a fun time to be had. Join us on May 1921, 2015, (3 days/2 nights) to MARTHA VINEYARD/CAPE COD. Price: Double $429 & single $489. $50 deposit required. Final payment due by April, 2015. Package includes – WELCOME Reception, 2 dinners & 2 breakfasts, several tours, including Hyannis Port/JFK, African American tour, and shopping at Clinton Crossing outlets. Contacts: Serita G, 347-564-5722 and Barbara W, 718-3200500. THEATRE COMMITTEE: (*prices include transportation/Dreiser Loop): Sat., Dec. 13th, 3 p.m. show Apollo Theatre (Price: $63) presents NUTCRACKER SUITE. Hear Duke Ellington’s Jazz interpretation under the musical direction of David Berger Jazz Orchestra Coach Bus departs: 1:30 p.m. sharp. Contact: Paisley H, 718671-8637. GOOD AND WELFARE Sadly, we’ve lost a beautiful lady, Miriam Henson, who at 106 years young passed away on Thursday, November 20th. We offer our profound condolences to her family and friends. Best wishes to Raymond Scott, patient in Montefiore Hospital and husband of our 2nd VP Lois Scott, for a quick recovery. Also, we send a Get Well shout-out to Virginia Stewart suffering with the flu

Retirees of Dreiser Loop

bug and to Gail Crouch who is in Rehab and getting stronger on a daily basis. To all members and friends, as you rest and heal, know that you too are thought of warmly. Contact: Elinor Gordon, Chair, at 718-379-8755, regarding illnesses and bereavements. RECAP: We require your name, telephone number and your DEPOSIT to reserve your seat when signing up for shows/trips (checks payable to RETIREES of Dreiser Loop). Committee members will be available in Dreiser clubroom 19 (718-379-

0377) on Mondays and/or Thursdays approximately from 3 p.m.–5 p.m. "May you always have enough happiness to keep you sweet; enough trials to keep you strong; enough success to keep you eager; enough faith to give you courage, and enough determination to make each day a good day.” Happy belated Thanksgiving. “The thing I’m most thankful for right now is elastic waistbands.” —Claudette Davis

Family Owned and Operated

• Large Chapel on premises

• Pre-need counseling

• Ample Parking on premises

• Out of town services

• Casket Showroom on premises

• Cremations

A dignified funeral every family can afford. All areas are handicapped accessible

Personalized & Professional Care • 48 Years Serving Our Community Worldwide Shipping including Caribbean, Africa & South America

718-231-7647 Call 24 Hours

Fax: 718-231-7665

NOW WEBCASTING TO FAMILY AND FRIENDS ABROAD

www.mccalls.net • director@mccalls.net 4035 Bronxwood Avenue, Bronx, N.Y.

Serving all cultures & faiths

Co-op City Times / November 29, 2014

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 starting at 9:30 a.m. with Sunday School designed to meet the spiritual needs of our young people. Parents, please send your children to learn of the Lord Jesus. Bible Teaching from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. Be with us to learn the truth from the Word of God. Prayer services take place every Wednesday evening from 8 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. List of Events Sunday, November 30th—Please join with us for our Church Anniversary and Senior Ministry Anniversary as we celebrate during our 8:00 a.m. and 11:00

a.m. services. Our guest speaker will be Bishop Angelo Rosario from Church of God's Children. Saturday, Dec. 13th at 2:00 p.m., you are invited to join us as we present the movie Left Behind. This movie presents a portrayal of future events affecting Christians and non-Christians as well. All are welcomed. The movie is offered FREE to the community. Please join us! Come join New Vision's “Partners in Reading Program” every Sunday afternoon from 1:15 p.m. to 2:15 p.m. Students in Grades 1 through 8 can 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 free program, taught by trained professionals. Registration is ongoing. You could contact the church at the number listed below. The Church of the New Vision is located at 115 Einstein Loop, Bronx, NY 10475; Telephone (718) 671-8746 or (718) 320-0409. Our mailing address is: P.O. Box 753037, Bronx, NY 10475. Please visit our website at: www.churchofnewvision.com. —Carol Haque

“He shall be called Wonderful” It is important to have a clear concept of God. We need to become better acquainted with our wonderful God and to serve Him better. The Bible reveals amazing truths about His nature and characteristics. Throughout the Word, lessons will show us specifically why He is called "Wonderful" and what He has done so we can claim Him as "ours." When we become acquainted with God, we discover that He is, indeed wonderful. He is a God of goodness, as well as greatness. Of love, as well as wisdom. Of mercy, as well as justice. He is the God of the poor and meek, the wealthy and the great. He is the God of all races, which are equally loved by Him.

David's concept of God includes the following: "Declare his glory among the heathen; his marvelous works among all nations. For great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised: he also is to be feared above all gods" (1 Chron. 16:24, 25). Also read Job 38:1-41; Psalm 19:1-6; We serve an eternal, living God who delights in making us the objects of His saving grace. His greatness and omnipresence can give us strength and courage during even the most difficult situations. Nowhere else can we find such a friend. Message from the Co-op City Seventh-Day Adventist Church, 1010 Baychester Avenue; 718.320.0518; www.coopcitysdachurch.org. Our serv-

ices are open to the community, come as you are. December 6 - Community Service Day - The Community Services Ministry cordially invites our neighbors and friends to—“Come praise with us, Come Pray with us. Come dine with us. You are a part of a big family. For transportation, call Sis Salmon, 646.851.8591. December 10 - Please join the Disabilities Ministry as we continue to work on the Community Quilt. All are welcomed, every 2nd Wednesday of the month from 6:15 p.m. - 7:15 p.m. Light refreshments will be served. December 13—Deacon/Deaconess Day - Guest Speaker is Pastor Harry Reid, Director of Pastoral CareWoodhull Hospital, Brooklyn, NY.

Come celebrate with us; we recognize our deacons/deaconesses for their commitment & dedication to the work of God’s church. December 25 - Second Annual Community Feast and Fellowship —12 p.m.-3 p.m. We want to extend a warm invitation to our community family to share a wonderful dinner and good fellowship. Food Pantry - Open to community on the first and third Wednesdays of each month, 4:30-6 p.m. Please bring identification. Each Wednesday evening from 7:30-9 p.m., we come together as a church family to bless the name of the Lord as we sing and pray. All events are held at the church. —Pastor Terry Giles

Rev. Dr. Sheldon E. Williams and the Co-op City Baptist Church family invite you to join us tomorrow at 8:00 or 11:00 a.m. for worship service. Sunday School for children and adults is held at 9:15 a.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. Our telephone number is 718-3203774. Visit us on the web at www.coopcitybaptistchurch.org.

Join us for a mid-week spiritual pick-up at our mid-week worship service which is held on Wednesdays at 12 p.m. Bible study is held on Wednesdays at 1:00 and 7:30 p.m. Bible study will also be held on Wednesday, December 3, at 5:00 p.m. Prayer Service is held on Fridays at noon and 7:30 p.m. Men’s prayer service is held monthly at 7:30 p.m.; we invite the men of the community to join us on Tuesday, January 13, 2015.

Have you planned your vacation for 2015 yet? If not, why not join the Scholarship Ministry on their 9 day and 8 night trip to New Orleans from July 11 to July 19, 2015? They will travel by motor coach, 8 nights lodging including 4 consecutive nights in New Orleans; 14 meals: 8 breakfasts and 6 dinners; guided tour of a Louisiana Plantation; relaxing riverboat cruise on the Mississippi River; free time and much more. A $100 deposit is due

immediately. For additional information, call 718-671-7507, 718-379-0541 or 718-379-3774. The Co-op City Baptist Church exists to glorify God and to establish a living community of people who follow the teachings of Jesus the Christ through worship, prayer, Bible study and fellowship. We seek to meet the spiritual and physical needs of the church through ministry. —Hattie L. Lucas

New Church Location: 120 DeKruif Place (street level). Praise and Worship begins at 9:30 a.m. Church telephone: (347) 346-5790 email: fatwcc@aol.com. Weekly Worship Experiences 6:00 p.m., Wednesday Prayer Service 6:30 p.m., Wednesday Bible Study Sunday Morning Worship, 9:30 a.m. Teen Church, 10:00 a.m., 2nd Sundays Children's Church, 3rd Sundays, (K-3) Older Children's Church, 4th Sundays, (4th-7th). Church Motto: "We are Christ-cen-

tered, family-focused with power and authority." Church Mission: To empower, educate and motivate men, women, boys and girls to reach their full potential and live abundant lives through preaching and teaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Come worship with us—where we honor tradition, but are not bound by it! All are welcome to join us any and every Sunday because our goal is to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ, in LOVE, through teaching and preaching the Word of God from the Bible.

Heartfelt thanks to all who made our Pre-Thanksgiving Community Meal and Turkey Giveaway a success! Special thanks to Community Activist Junius Williams, for his generous contribution of donated hams to give to the community! New York Theological Seminary Comes to Co-op City!!! We will be the newest site for the Certificate in Christian Ministry beginning January 27, 2015. Classes will meet Tuesday evenings from 6:15 p.m. until 9 p.m. and Saturday mornings from 9 a.m.

until 12 p.m. We will have a FREE mini-class on Monday, December 8, 6:30 p.m. for ALL who may be interested in gaining a deeper understanding of the Bible and for church leaders desiring credentials from one of the nation's leading seminaries. Come out and learn how credits from this program can be applied to a B.A. and MDiv. Remember, it's never about us, but always about the goodness of the Lord. —Pastor Deborah Jenkins

Hi, neighbors. We survived Halloween. It was exciting with the decorations – thanks to those who participated this year. Our Annual Thanksgiving raffle had a new twist this year. One of the winners won last year – making her our first back-to-back winner. We have had

two (2) that won twice, but never a back-to-back. Again, thanks for your participation. REMINDER: Our collection for the workers will begin this weekend – Saturday, November 29th. To our new cooperators: we collect donations for our workers – no set amount, whatever you

want to donate. Collection is made in the lobby. As noted in last week’s Co-op Times, it will be delivered to your door. Please read it! As a cooperator, you should be interested in what is going on where you live. Hope your Thanksgiving was cheerful. —Celestine Withey

Read and follow the Co-op City Times online at http://issuu.com/ cctimes

Co-op City Seventh-Day Adventist Church

Co-op City Baptist Church

Faith @ Work Christian Church

Building 24 Association

Tues., December 2

Mon., December 1

Co-op City Times / November 29, 2014

Bartow

Einstein

Weight Management Support Group Bartow Ave. main office; 10-11:30 a.m. Word Games 9:30 – 11 a.m., Rm. 31 Bingo 9:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m., Rm. 31 Arthritis Exercises 11 – 12 p.m., Rm. 31 Library 9:30 a.m. - 1 p.m., Rm. 31 Card Games 2–4 p.m., Rm. 31 Dominoes 2:30 p.m., Rm. 31 Tablet class 1st & 3rd Cellphone Class 2nd & 4th 12:40 - 1:40 p.m., Bartow Ave. Services Main office

Library 9:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m., Rm. 49 Dominoes 10 a.m., Rm 45 Line Dancing w/Ellie 10 a.m. – 11 a.m., Rm. 45 Around The Lunch Table 11:30 a.m., Rm 49 Word Search w/Sandy 11 a.m. – Noon, Rm 49

Word Games 9:30 – 11:30 a.m., Rm. 31 Current Events 10 a.m., Rm. 31 Bingo 12:30-2:30 p.m., Rm. 31 Card Games 2-4 p.m., Rm. 31 Dominoes 2:30 p.m., Rm. 31 Srs. Walking Group 10:30 a.m., Rm. 31

Dominoes 10 a.m., Rm. 49 Tai Chi 11 a.m., Rm. 45 Bingo 1 p.m., Rm. 49 Matinee Movie w/George 10 a.m.-12 p.m., Rm. 45

Fri., December 5

Thurs., December 4

Wed., December 3

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

Word Games Rm. 31 9:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. Stay Well Exercise 10 -11 a.m., Rm. 31 Line Dancing w/Voncile 11 a.m.-Noon, Rm. 31 Bingo 12:30–2:30 p.m., Rm. 31 Card Games 2 -4 p.m., Rm. 31 Dominoes 2:30 p.m., Rm. 31

Dreiser Crochet and Knitting 10 a.m. -12 p.m., Rm. 7 Library, Exercise Bike, Chat Session 9:30-10:30 a.m., Rm. 7 Stay Well Exercise 10–11 a.m., Rm. 2 Mind Teasers 12– 1 p.m., Rm. 4 Gentle Yoga w/Anne 1:15 - 2 p.m., Rm. 2 Intermediate Yoga 2 p.m. - 3 p.m., Rm. 2 Basic Cellphone & iPad 1:30-2:30 p.m., Rm. 7

Library, Exercise Bike, Chat Session 9:30 – 10:30 a.m., Rm. 7 Alert & Alive 10:30-11:30 a.m., Rm. 7 Cultural Dance 10:30-11:30 a.m., Aud. B Mind Teasers 12–1 p.m., Rm. 4 Zumba 1-2 p.m., Aud. A Tuesday Movie w/ popcorn 2-4 p.m., Rm. 7

Dominoes

Library, Exercise Bike, Chat Session

10 a.m., Rm. 45

9:30 – 10:30 a.m., Rm. 7

10 a.m., Rm. 49

Sewing w/Raymonde 9:30-11:30 a.m., Rm. 7 Tai Chi

Spanish Practice Class

11 a.m.-12 p.m., Rm. 2

10:30 a.m., Computer Lab

Mind Teasers

Spelling Bee

12 p.m. – 1 p.m., Rm. 4

Zumba w/Ola 11 a.m. – Noon, Rm. 45

Bingo 1 pm, Rm. 49

Art Class 1 p.m. - 3 p.m., Rm. 7

YOGA w/Bhadra 2 p.m.-3 p.m., Rm. 2

Library

Dominoes

9:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m., Rm. 31

10:00 a.m., Rm. 45

Word Games

Stay Well Exercise

9:30 a.m.-11:30 a.m., Rm. 31

10:00 -11:00 a.m., Rm. 45

Chat Session

11:00 a.m., Rm. 49

9:30 am - 1:00 p.m., Rm. 31

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

1st & 3rd Thursday 10:00 -11:30 a.m., Rm. 8 Line Dancing w/Ellie 10-11 a.m., Aud. A

Bingo

Po-Ke-No

Piano Sing Along

12:30 - 2:30 p.m., Rm. 31

1:00 - 2:00 p.m., Rm. 49

Card Games

Arthritis Exercise Class w/Damian

11:00 a.m. – 12:00 pm, Rm. 7

2:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m., Rm. 31

Spelling Bee

11 am – Noon, Rm. 45

Dominoes

Word search w/Sandy

2:30 p.m., Rm. 31

11 a.m. - Noon, Rm. 49

Men’s Line Dancing w/ Voncile 9 -10 a.m., Rm. 31 Word Games 9:30 – 11:30 a.m., Rm. 31 Women’s Line Dancing w/Jenifer 10–11:30 a.m., Rm. 31 Chat Session 10 a.m., Rm. 31 Bingo 12:30 – 2:30 p.m., Rm. 25 Sing along w/Charles Carrington 11 a.m.-12 p.m. Rm. 31 Card Games 2-4 p.m., Rm. 31 Dominoes 2:30 pm, Rm. 31

Dominoes 10 a.m., Rm. 45 Art 10 a.m., Rm. 45 Bingo 1 p.m., Rm. 49 Card Games 2-4 p.m., Rm. 49 Blood Pressure 2nd and 4th Friday, 10-11:30am, Rm. 49

Schedule subject to changes without notice*

Library, Exercise Bike, Chat Session 9:30 - 10:30 a.m., Rm. 7

Blood Pressure

Mind Teasers 12 p.m.-1:00 p.m., Rm. 4 Drama Club 1:30 – 4:00 p.m., Rm. 7 Crochet and Knitting 10 a.m.-12 p.m., Rm. 7 Library, Exercise Bike, Chat Session 9:30-10:30 a.m., Rm. 7 Meditative Moments 11 a.m. – Noon, Rm. 8 Mind Teasers 12 p.m.-1 p.m., Rm. 4 Spanish Class 1 p.m.-2 p.m., Rm. 7 Card Games, Dominoes 2 p.m.-4 p.m., Rm. 7 Therapeutic Yoga 1:30 – 2:30 p.m., Rm. 8

(Schedule subject to change without notice)

Fee for lunch is $2.00 & $3.50 for guest

*Menu subject to change without notice. Lunch must be ordered a week in advance.

ALL meals served w/margarine and fresh milk

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

For information, please call: (718) 320-2066

New Payment Schedule - Payments for trips @ the Bartow office can be made Monday – Friday: 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. & 2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. (Only) Funded by: The NYC Department for the Aging, The NYS Office for the Aging and Riverbay Corporation.

Non-Kosher

Soups, Breads and Desserts Whole wheat bread Fresh fruit

Alt: Veggie burger patty

Italian or Swedish meatballs Egg noodles Garden salad

Tues, Dec., 2

Orange juice Grilled Caribbean chicken breast, Rice-aRoni, Vegetable mix Alt: Egg salad

Chicken Jambalaya Brown rice Broccoli w/teriyaki sauce

Whole wheat bread Fresh fruit

Wed., Dec., 3

Apple juice Stuffed cabbage w/beef Mashed potatoes Steamed carrots Alt: Tuna Fish salad

Roast loin of pork California blend vegetables Steamed corn on the cob

Thurs., Dec., 4

Orange pineapple juice Lemon garlic Tilapia Pasta w/sweet peas Sautéed spinach Alt: Baked turkey breast

Jumbo stuffed shells w/meat sauce Sautéed string beans

Whole wheat bread Fresh fruit

Fri., Dec., 5

Orange juice, Italian roast chicken, Kasha varnishkes, Cabbage w/shredded carrots Alt: Gefilte fish

Baked breaded fish fillet Baked potato in skin Kale & lemon

Challah bread Canned apricots

Date:

Kosher Apple juice, BBQ sauce

Mon., turkey meatballs, Dec., Mashed sweet potatoes, Steamed green beans 1

Upcoming Events/Trips

There will be no refunds for all trips. All trips includes roundtrip transportation. Call the Bartow Office to register unless otherwise noted, 718-320-2066. Effective immediately, when you bring a senior guest to eat lunch in the Bartow & Einstein Senior Centers, the guest will get their meal for free. Social Work Office Hours: Please call 718-320-2066 for additional info.: 2049 Bartow Ave., Mon. – Fri., 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.; 135 Einstein Loop, Room 40, by appointment; 177 Dreiser Loop, Room 13, (office will open after repairs are completed). Free SNAP (Food Stamp) Application Assistance – Friday, Dec. 5th at the Co-op City Senior Services Office, 2049 Bartow Ave., 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Walk in - first come, first served! Please bring documents that verify your identity, address, income & expenses (rent, medical, etc.). For more infor.: 718320-2066. Coat Drive at 177 Dreiser Loop Sr. Center will begin on Mon., Nov. 17, and will end on Fri., Jan. 2, 2015. Coats can be dropped off in Room 7 from 8:30 a.m. – 4 p.m. Coat Drive at 2049 Bartow Ave., Room 31 will begin on Mon., Nov. 17, and will end on Fri., Jan. 2, 2015. Coats can be dropped off in Room 31 from 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. Stew Leonard’s – Fri., Dec. 5th, $5. 2 hours. Pick-ups: Bartow, 9:30 a.m.; Einstein, 9:45 a.m. and Dreiser, 10 a.m. Wal-Mart – Mon., Dec. 8th, $15. Pick-ups: Bartow, 8:30 a.m.; Einstein, 8:45 a.m. and Dreiser, 9 a.m. COSTCO – Mon., Dec. 8th, $5. Pickups: Bartow, 9:30 a.m.; Einstein, 9:45 a.m. Dreiser, 10 a.m. You must have a Costco membership card. 12 seats available. Empire Casino – Tue., Dec. 9th, $5. Pick-ups: Bartow, 9:30 a.m., Einstein, 9:45 a.m., Dreiser, 10 a.m. Central Avenue – Thurs., Dec. 11, 2 hrs. Kohl’s department store; 2 hrs. Burlington Coat Factory; 1 ½ hrs. Xmas Tree store. $13. Pick-ups: Bartow, 8:15 a.m.; Einstein, 8:30 a.m., Dreiser, 8:45 a.m. Woodbury Commons Outlet – Mon., Dec. 15th. $15. Pick-ups: Bartow, 9 a.m.; Einstein, 9:15 a.m. & Dreiser

Whole wheat bread Fresh fruit

Loop, 9:30 a.m. Ridgehill Mall – Mon., Dec. 15th. $7, 3 hours. Pick-ups: Bartow, 9:30 a.m.; Einstein, 9:45 a.m.; Dreiser, 10 a.m. Bowling - JASA has resumed bowling on Tuesdays for seniors at the Paradise Lanes in Yonkers. If you’re interested, please call the JASA Senior Services office at 2049 Bartow Ave. to register. Pick-ups: Bartow, 11 a.m.; Einstein, 11:15 a.m. & Dreiser, 11:30 a.m. CANCELLED — Holiday Celebration – Friday, December 12, Villa Barone. JASA Christmas Holiday Party – Fri., Dec. 19, Dreiser Loop Auditorium B, $4 in advance and $5 at the door, 11 a.m. - 2 p.m. Tickets can be purchased at the 3 senior centers. Music by DJ Angela Lobianco. Pick-ups: Bartow, 10:30 a.m. & Einstein, 10:45 a.m. Menu TBA. Presentations by Neighborhood Initiatives Development Corporation on the “Peep Hole Installation” initiative. This installation is free of charge. We will provide you with installation of a new, more useful peephole that will make it easier for you to reach and have a better view of who is at your door. Thurs., Dec. 11th, 10:30 a.m.-Bartow Community Center, Room 31; Fri., Dec. 12th, 1 p.m.; Dreiser Loop, Room 7 and Tues., Dec. 15th, 10:30 a.m., Einstein Community Center, Room 49. Weight Management Support Group – Mon., Dec. 1, 10 a.m., 2049 Bartow Ave., main office, facilitated by social workers. Learn techniques and information that can help you maintain a healthy lifestyle. For info.: 718-320-2066. Caregiver Support Group – Tues., Dec. 2, Dec. 16 and Dec. 30, 1 p.m., 2049 Bartow Ave., Room 31. The group offers resources, as well as an atmosphere of understanding and support, whether you care for a loved one from a distance or in your home. Group is facilitated by a social worker. For info.: 718-320-2066. Grandparents Connection Kinship Caregiver Support Group – Wed., Dec. 3rd and Thurs., Dec, 11th, 10:30 a.m., 135 Einstein Loop Teen Center. For additional info., please contact Hattie Lucas at 718-379-0433, Ext. 2139 or 917-734-5935.

Co-op City Times / November 29, 2014

WEEKLY SCHEDULE

AARP Chapter #4997

Attention: General Membership Meeting Cancelled for December!! The next General meeting will be in January, 2015. Reminder: All money is due for the annual Holiday Celebration which is scheduled for Thursday, December 18th, 12 p.m.-5 p.m. at Eastwood Manor $70. There are tickets available, however, they must be paid for at time of pickup. You may purchase tickets in Room “O” on Thursdays after 1 p.m. or Fridays after 10 a.m. (see Stella B). Heartfelt condolences to the family of our member, Miriam Henson, who passed away at the age of 107. 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. 2014 Tour Activities December 30, 2014 – January 1, 2015 – The Red Carpet Party at the Desmond Hotel, Malvern, PA – Stop at the American Music Theater Christmas Show; after check-in, dinner & entertainment; choice of 4 side events next

day; New Year’s Eve “Walk the Red Carpet w/a Photo Op;” Surf & Turf dinner, music/dancing and live show; Cocktail Party & Champagne Toast; New Year’s Day Champagne & Mimosa Brunch w/a show -- $575/person double; $685 single; $565/person triple; travel insurance available - $31/person double & triple; $40 for a single…All Money is due by the end of November……contact Jean, 718-3793742. 2015 Tour Activities APRIL 23 – 26, 2015 –Azalea Festival in Norfolk (VA) w/reserved seats for the Azalea Festival Grand Parade; a Dinner Cruise on board the Spirit of Norfolk; attend the International Tattoo Show; Norfolk Botanical Gardens Tram Tour; 3 breakfasts and 3 full-course diners; evening entertainment; deluxe Motorcoach transportation -- $550/person double; $719/single (correction)…$100 deposit, payable to AARP #4997, when you sign up…travel insurance available upon request….Contact Jean, 718-379-3742. —Delores Debnam

Sunday, November 30—in Room 39 at 1:30 p.m., we will have Bingo game. Admission is $3. We welcome everyone to come and join in the game. Snacks and refreshments served. Wednesday, December 3—Bingo game in Room 39 at 1:30 p.m. Admission is $2 for members only. Refreshments served. Ann and Mary are arranging trips for 2015. As soon as we have all the information, you will be notified. Our next bingo game is December

10 in Room 39 at 1:30 p.m. Admission is $2. No Bingo for the following dates in December: December 17, 24, 28 and 31 because of the holidays. For more information, call Ann or Mary at 718-379-9613 or come to 135 Einstein Loop, in Room 39, Monday – Thursday from 10 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. or call Mary at 718-379-4899 and I will return your call. Good health to all. —Mary Pilla

Wishing everyone a happy birthday and/or happy anniversary to all celebrating this coming month of December. Reminder - December 2nd - general meeting at 1:30 p.m. in Room 38. We will have a Bingo and all are welcomed. Refreshments will be served. This will be our last meeting for this year until we meet again on March 3rd, 2015. Reminder — Wednesday, December 3rd – The Resorts Casino. Cost per person is $33 with the casino package of the day of $25 slot play. Time of pick-

up: 8 a.m. starting at Einstein Loop, followed by Asch Loop and Dreiser Loop. Don’t forget your casino card and a valid photo I.D. Please call Loretta at 718-671-2958, Annie Eutsey at 718-320-1874 or Lydia at 718-671-3005. For memorial cards, please call Loretta. You can call us Monday to Saturday from 9 to 11:30 a.m. and in the evening from 6 to 8 p.m. Please remember to call the homebound and those in nursing homes, especially during the coming holidays. Good health and healings are wished to all. —Lydia Ruas

Goose Island Seniors

Einstein Cancer Fund

Baychester Library Events VISIT THE LIBRARY - A GREAT WEALTH OF INFORMATION UPCOMING EVENTS Holiday Program Day of Opera Allegro Singers - Sat., Nov. 29 @ 2 p.m. Stop-Motion Animation Young Adult Program — December 2, 3 and 4 from 3 p.m. - 5 p.m. Do you want to be the next Steven Spielberg? Do you love how Jack Skellington comes to life in "The Nightmare Before Christmas" or even "Wallace and Gromit"? Then come to the Baychester Library to create your very own Stop-Motion clay animation. Teens will have three days to create their animation, with the use of iPads, and other materials that we will provide. All Public Library Programs are free of charge. Registration: Phone or in person. Limited to 15 spots. WEEKLY EVENTS for November (Call Library for more information) Toddler Time - Tuesdays, 11:00 a.m. Teen Lounge - Wednesdays, 3:00 - 4:30 p.m. Tech Connect - Wednesdays, 5 p.m. - 6:30 p.m. Tech Connect - Thursdays, 10 a.m. - 12 p.m. Click On - Fridays, 10:30 a.m Film - Saturday, 2 p.m.; Nov. 29, NO FILM.

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

718.379.6700 FREE ADMISSION TO ALL

REMINDER: Be careful

If you are having work done in your apartment, shareholders – especially those who are elderly and/or who live alone – are reminded that all personal items should be secured in a safe location. This is for your own peace of mind, as well as the protection of the Riverbay workers/contractors coming into your home. Riverbay employees wear identification badges and so do the various Riverbay-approved contractors seeking access to your home. Ask to see identification before allowing anyone to enter your apartment. If you are unsure, you should contact your local CSO at (718) 320-3300 (follow the prompts), or Public Safety at (718) 671-3050.

Co-op City Times / November 29, 2014

Reflections by Rabbi Solomon I. Berl Spiritual Leader of Young Israel Synagogue With Thanksgiving behind us, we know that winter, with its forbidding austerity, will soon come upon our world. Soon the paralysis of cold will strike. Soon nature will cover its growing glory with a mask of snow. I can see the birds in their migrations southward, seeking the comforts of a warmer home. Who taught the birds to follow the journey south? Who mapped out their

itinerary? Who gave them the spirit of adventure to follow the promise of a better life, and who gives them the wisdom to find their way back when the winter is ended and a warm sun shines on our world once more? When I contemplate the wonder of the birds, I know that G-d Almighty guides it all. Not blind chance, but a plan of infinite wisdom governs the life of the universe.

Young Israel of Co-op City

Young Israel of Co-op City (lower level of the Dreiser Loop Shopping Center) is a house of worship that opens its doors every morning from 6 until 7 a.m. Anyone who wishes to start the daily routine with prayers, during which our spiritual leader, Rabbi Solomon I. Berl, offers a brief Bible teaching is welcome. On Friday evening, Sabbath services begin at 10 minutes after the candle-lighting time. Saturday morning

services start at 9 a.m. Rabbi Berl delivers his sermon at 10:30 a.m. The Rabbi's class on the Torah reading of the week begins one hour before sunset every Saturday afternoon. For office hours or any information you may seek, feel free to call (718) 671-2300 and leave your name, phone number and a brief message on the synagogue’s answering machine, and your call will be returned as soon as possible.

Church of God’s Children

Pastors Nancy & Angelo Rosario and the membership invite you to worship and learn God’s Word for instructions in your life. You may visit us and maybe stay, but please visit and become a member at any of the many houses of worship in the Co-op City community that are teaching God’s Word. We are located at 127 Dreiser Loop (to the right of the Montefiore Health Clinic). 718-7909120. You can call the office and leave your prayer request for our prayer group that meets on Monday & Wednesday. Schedule: Sunday Worship-Spanish, 9:30 a.m.; English Worship, 1:15 p.m.; Sunday School, 11:30 a.m. for men, women and children. Separate classes for each. Monday, 9:30-11:30 a.m. prayer with Brother Steve. Wed. Prayer, 7-8:30 p.m. Office hours: Tues./Thurs., 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Visit our Goodwill Ministry at 163 Dreiser for a free coat

and other items. For credit restoration services, call 718-320-3873. December 10, we are sponsoring a Peace & Health Breakfast at Dreiser Loop – Auditorium B, 9:30-11:30 a.m. Guest speakers are Deputy Boro President Aurelia Greene, Councilmember Andy King and Bishop Angelo Rosario. Guest artist/soloist, praise dancer and other entertainment. There will be a VA van outside to assist with blood pressure testing and information for veterans. In addition, physicians will be onsite and there will be HIV Testing and Hepatitis C testing. Seating is limited, please RSVP 718-790-9120 or churchofgodschildren@gmail.com. Starting Dec. 3, Bronxworks Health Navigator will be at 159 Dreiser and in Rm. 10 at 177 Dreiser to assist with application and information for health care benefits. —Bishop Nancy Rosario

Shalom Jewish Funeral Home, Inc. George Farr - Funeral Director

(718) 828-1700 Keeping Tradition Under Rabbinical Supervision

1528 Castle Hill Avenue Bronx, NY 10462 www.shalomjewish.com Services from Our Chapel, Graveside or Synagogue Parking Facilities • Pre-Arrangements

Traditional Synagogue of Co-op City

Traditional Synagogue of Co-op City, Young Israel of Baychester, Section 5 at 120 Erdman Place (behind the lobby 27B), welcomes you to pray with them. Tel. for the Synagogue: 1718-379-6920. Note: Our office hours are on Thursday from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m. and on Sunday from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m. Candle Lighting on Friday, December 5 is at 4:09 p.m. Shabbat ends today, Saturday, November 29 at 5:13 p.m. Coming Events Sunday, Dec. 7, Bingo is at 1 p.m., and admission of $3 per person includes snacks and refreshments. We are having a Hanukah party on Sunday, Dec. 21, 12 p.m. Cost: $15 per person. No money will be accepted at the door. Limited seating early so get your reservations in as soon as possible. For reservation, call Mimi at 347-4274526. All monies must be in by Thursday, December 11. We have Hanukah candles for sale.

We hope that you will sign up to sponsor a Kiddish to take place after services on Saturdays. Raffle books have been distributed and you should have received them by now. Be sure to start sending them in with your raffle stubs and payment as quickly as possible. The drawing will take place at the Hanukah party. We look forward to seeing you and are sure you will have a joyous afternoon. Good and Welfare: Congratulations to Faye Breitbart on the Bar Mitzah of her grandson. We all wish Rabbi Solomon Berl a very happy birthday. Best wishes to all else celebrating special occasions this month. We have tree certificates “in Honor of” or “in Memory for” a special occasion or a condolence. The cost is $15 per tree. If you are feeling under the weather, we wish you all a speedy recovery. Mimi Berlofsky welcomes all calls at 347-427-4526. We look forward to seeing you soon. —Miriam Berlofsky

Co-op City Jewish Community Council

The Co-op City Jewish Community Council would like to announce a couple of upcoming events. The first is the annual "Dreydl Ball" to be held at the Conservative Synagogue in Riverdale at 6 p.m. on Monday, December 15, and the second is the (also annual) Hanuka Menorah Lighting at Boro Hall on Grand Concourse. This will be held on Thursday, December 18 at 1 p.m. Both events are free, and food will be served - a whole delicious meal at the Dreydl Ball and latkes and jelly donuts

at the menorah lighting. Please contact Lynn Levine (yes, I am still here, though only on Wednesdays) at 718-320-1234. Please Note: Since I am only in the office on Wednesdays, please do not leave a message on my voicemail. You must wait until 9 a.m. Wednesday and speak to me directly. I will take names in their order, but will NOT respond to messages left on the machine. Thanks for your patience! —Lynn Levine

Co-op City Post 500 will be holding a meeting on Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day, Sunday, December 7 at 10 a.m. at the Town House Restaurant on Dreiser Loop. We will need volunteers on December 20th in the celebration of Hannukah. At the Bronx Veterans Hospital this day, we will join with the other Bronx JWV Posts to wrap gifts

and then distribute them to the hospitalized veterans in their rooms, later that afternoon (or evening). Transportation will be provided, if needed. Get well wishes to Naomi Warm, recuperating at the Kings Harbor Rehab Center. Have a very happy Hanuukah. —Marvin Warm

Jewish War Veterans Post 500

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

• FREE CONSULTATION • FLEXIBLE PAYMENT PLANS

“COURTEOUS AND PROMPT SERVICE AT AN AFFORDABLE FEE”

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

Co-op City Times / November 29, 2014

Faith In God Church & Bible Institute

Rev. Dr. Gladys R. Little, Apostle, and Pastor & Evangelist Vernon Little greet everyone in the name of Jesus, that name which is above every name. We want you to know that you are welcome in this house of the Lord! It is His house by ownership, it is our house by stewardship, and it can be your house by membership; so come on in and join with us. May God bless you in this house! For hope today, remember the end of the story – eternity with God. Let’s go into a passage of Scripture that gives life instructions. James 4:11-17 says:

11. Do not speak evil of one another, brethren. He who speaks evil of a brother and judges his brother, speaks evil of the law and judges the law. But if you judge the law, you are not a doer of the law, but a judge. 12. There is one Lawgiver, who is able to save and to destroy. Who are you to judge another? 13. Come now, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to such and such a city, spend a year there, buy and sell, and make a profit”; 14. whereas you do not know what

will happen tomorrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away. 15. Instead you ought to say, “If the Lord wills, we shall live and do this or that.” 16. But now you boast in your arrogance. All such boasting is evil. 17. Therefore, to him who knows to do good and does not do it, to him it is sin. Invitations Our Sweet Hour of Prayer will be today at 3 p.m. Sunday School is tomorrow at 10 a.m. Our Sunday

Morning Worship Service is at 11 a.m. Every 3rd Sunday following the morning worship, we serve Holy Communion. If you’re into gospel rap/holy hiphop, go to www.datpiff.com and download music from Vernon Little free of charge. He also has videos on YouTube. You will be blessed, encouraged, and inspired. We are located at 171 Dreiser Loop in Section 1. Our phone # is (347) 2764925. Jesus loves you, and so do we. —Apostle Gladys R. Little

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. Church Schedule 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. – 8:00 a.m. and 9:00 a.m. 11:00 a.m.

Neighborhood Bible Study Thursday at 10:00 a.m. Extension of Prayer and Worship Service – Every first, second and third Fridays at 7:00 p.m. Sunday School at Community Protestant Church begins at 9:00 a.m. In Sunday School, in a nurturing Christian education environment, an opportunity is provided for children to learn about the Bible, to grow in grace, to show love and respect for one another and to live more abundant lives. Children attending Sunday School are served breakfast after classes are over. We encourage you to bring your child, children or grandchildren to Sunday School and we look forward to seeing you. Other Scheduled Events Beginning Sunday, November 23rd,

The Willing Workers Annual Pecan and Pecan Cluster sale will be held after service. Stop by their table and pick up a great holiday gift of pecans and pecan clusters. Saturday, December 20th, 3:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m., come celebrate the Holiday Season with our Community Protestant Church family at our Annual Christmas Party sponsored by the North Carolina Team, Bartow Community Center, Room 31, Co-op City. Music by DJ Lonnie Youngblood. Donation: Adults - $15; Children under 16 years of age free (must be accompanied by parent or guardian). For tickets, call (718) 9943751 or (917) 509-2030. The Women’s Guild invites you to join us on our Christmas/New Year

Extravaganza, December 22, 2015 – January 3, 2016. A fantastic 12-Night Southern Caribbean Cruise aboard The Magnificent Queen Mary 2, departing from New York, Red Hook in Brooklyn. Ports of Call: St. Thomas, Charlotte Amalie; St. Kitts, Basseterre; St. Lucia, Castries; St. Maarten, Phillipsburg; Tortola, Road Town. To make a reservation or for additional information about the cruise, please call (718) 320-1435, (718) 6715961 or (718) 320-8576. 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. —Evan G. Mitchell

Rev. Dr. Robert A. Smith, Jr., Pastor, and Lady Theresa M. Smith, co-Founders, and the Church of the Savior family extend an invitation to every person to worship with us. We are a non-denominational, interracial, 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!! A very special invitation to our new neighbors in Co-op City. We love you for who you

are, not what you have. Please call us at 917-734-4058 for more information. To our friends and neighbors: Are you searching for a church home? Come grow with us. Do you have a gift for music? Do you want to be part of planning singles, married, youth ministries? Do you have special talents that's been ignored? Are you serious about changing your life? God has a plan just for you and today is the first day of your new life. Church of the Savior is located at 920 Baychester Ave (close to Darrow Pl). Our mailing address is: P.O. Box 86, Bronx, NY 10475.

Sunday Schedule Meditation and Adult Bible Study 9:15 -10:15 a.m. Divine Worship - 10:30 a.m. Come and be blessed. We want an opportunity to love you. See you in church. 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 Sermon Topic: “It's not Over!” Reading from Holy Scripture Second Chronicles 20:1-15 Weekly Activities Bereavement group, Monday 5:00

p.m. Thursdays at 10 a.m. - Channel 70, Bronxnet. Every other Saturday - Food Pantry. We are reaching out to the community for assistance. Please check expiration date on all items. You can drop off your donations at the church Sunday morning, 9 10:15; Monday evenings, 5-7. To arrange special drop off time, call Dr. Smith at 917-734-4058. Thank you in advance and God bless all our donors. Thought of the Week: “You are richer today if you have laughed, given or forgiven.” —Rev. Dr. Robert A. Smith, Jr.

Fr. Taylor and the congregation of St. Joseph’s cordially invite you to worship with us in Co-op City at 155 Dreiser Loop, lower level. All are welcome. Weekly Schedule: Sunday service with Holy Communion and Sunday School are both at 9 a.m. Every 4th Sunday, our children participate in the reading of the lessons and every 5th Sunday, our young adults assist in the service. Bible study is held each Wednesday at 7 p.m. Choir rehearsal is on Thursday at 7 p.m. The (ECW) Episcopal Church Women meet immediately after service

on the 1st Sunday of each month. Membership is open to all women of the church and dues are $2 per month. We look forward to welcoming everyone at 9:00 a.m. on Sunday, November 30, when we will celebrate The First Sunday of Advent. Fundraising Events Atlantic City bus trip to Bally’s Casino takes place this Saturday, November 29. $35 p.p. No refunds. Deluxe motor coach leaves from Dreiser Loop (in front of the Rehab Center) at 9:00 a.m. Please be there at 8:45 a.m. Spread the word, ECW 8-day cruise

on the Carnival Splendor, leaving out of New York on August 12, 2015: Grand Turk, Half Moon Cay, The Bahamas and Nassau, with fun days at sea. Ocean view cabins start at $1,297 and inside cabins start at $1,217, depending on how many persons per cabin. Although the cruise is in August of next year, the cabins must be reserved early. So if you plan to go, please contact June Grimes at the church as soon as possible to indicate your interest and make a down payment. Flyers with more information

including a suggested payment plan are available. Outreach Program: We continue to collect non-perishable food for the feeding program at Grace Episcopal Church in West Farms. Please remember to donate. For additional information on the above, please call the church at 718320-0844, or visit our website: http://www.stjosephsepcbronx.org. “Restore us, O Lord God of hosts; show the light of your countenance, and we shall be saved.” (Psalm 80:18) —M. Chambers

Community Protestant Church

Church of the Savior

St. Joseph’s Episcopal Anglican Church

Throwing garbage/objects from apartment windows is UNLAWFUL, DANGEROUS and could cause you to receive a community complaint and fine.

Co-op City Times / November 29, 2014

Get Top Cash for your Jazz, Soul, R&B and Gospel albums from 50s to 70s. Call Howard 12/20 at 212-873-4016 anytime. Records Wanted

Old Records Wanted. Will Pay Top $$ for JAZZ, JAZZ, JAZZ, Rock & Roll, 50s, 60s, & 70s. LP, 78 or 45.

Call Joe 718-384-7554

12/27

Spaces for Rent

1. CHURCH WORSHIP SPACE AVAILABLE: St. Paul's Episcopal /Anglican Church on 489 St. Paul's Place off Washington Avenue, Bronx, wishes to rent out its Worship space on Saturdays and other week days. The Worship space can also be made available for rent on Sundays after 3pm. The Church can seat over three hundred people. 2. 7,500 SQUARE FOOT SPACE, comprising a two story attached annex building to St. Paul's Episcopal Church available for rent. The space was used as a Pre-School until June 2012. If interested, call Father Scott on 914-384-2929 for an appointment. 12/27 SERVICES

•

SERVICES

Refrigerators, stoves, air conditioners, washers, dryers, dishwashers. Free service call with repairs.

(718) 379-8782

11/29

L & L APPLIANCE REPAIR

• 1 Year Guarantee on parts • Over 25 Years Experience • Insured • Seniors Discount • 10% OFF with this Ad Call (718) 671-0700 12/27

• Stoves • Washers • Dryers • Refrigerators • Vacuum Cleaners and more

10% DISCOUNT

(except vacuums and lamps)

Fully Insured NYC License #1233497

Call 718.792.2655 10/10/15

EMERGENCY SERVICE

L & L APPLIANCE REPAIR

FREE VALANCE & INSTALLATION. NEW WINDOWS?

1-800-479-2667

Removal & Re-installation of any types of Blinds Quality work! Lowest Prices in Town! Repair Closet Doors and much more! Call Mike at: 718-974-1290 11/29 Call Anytime • Seven Days/Week • “When You See Me, You’ll Know Me!”

Cleaning Service

CO-OP SALES - JASON LASH

• VERTICAL BLINDS • MINI BLINDS • SINK VANITIES • SPACE SAVERS • MATCHING HAMPERS • BATHTUB ENCLOSURES • CLIP-ON MIRROR FRAMES

Breathe Easy

• RANGE HOODS We BEAT • LIGHT FIXTURES Any • KITCHEN CABINETS • CABINET REFACING Quote! • COUNTERTOPS • CUSTOM CLOSET MIRROR DOORS • CUSTOM WALL MIRRORS

Grout & Carpet Cleaning Co-op City Resident Specials

Elim in Bugsate

CO-OP SALES BLINDS! Vertical, Mini, Wood, Pleats

1-800-479-2667

DON’T PAY MORE AT YOUR LOCAL HARDWARE STORE!

A BEE R.A.G. SERVICE, INC. CLEANING SPECIAL - $39 November 17 - December 18, 2014

11/29

Locksmith

CLEANING for 2 Hours/1 Cleaner OR Two Rooms of Carpet Cleaning Added fees per each of the following: Inside Cabinets • Inside Refrigerator • Inside Oven • Laundry wash & Dry • Interior Windows.

718-798-4259 or Sales@abrags.org.

A Touch Of Class Cleaning Co. Available Mon-Sat. for professional and residential. Reasonable rates. Refs Avail. 4hr min. Attic, Bsmt, Garage, trash removal and organizing services avail. Please contact B. Townsend at 914-230-3071. 11/29

FAMILY LOCKSMITH Licensed and Bonded

12/13

HIGH SECURITY LOCKS 20% Off Any Lock Job!

Medeco • MultiLock • Wilson High Quality Labor For a Low Price! Serving Co-op City for over 25 years. “When you see me, You’ll know me.” Call Anytime • Seven Days A Week

GEORGE’S CLEAN WINDOWS Professional Window Cleaning • FAST RELIABLE SERVICE Cell:

L&L APPLIANCE REPAIR Present This Coupon (except vacuums/lamps)

STOVES • WASHERS • REFRIGERATORS • VACUUM CLEANERS and more. LIMIT — One Coupon Per Person. 10/10/15

P&R APPLIANCE SERVICE

if you are tired of paying too much for repairs! 718-829-9090 Service Charge only $24.95 plus 10% off any repair Senior Citizen Discount

12/27

Home Improvement

Cleaning Service - Windows

EMERGENCY SERVICE

718.792.2655

917-541-6528.

Call Mike at: 718-974-1290

11/29

Painting

(except vacuums)

2951 Middletown Road, Bronx, NY 10461 10/10/15 (Near Pelham Bay Station)

Call

NEW STYLE BLINDS

All Colors • Vertical • Minis • Woods • 2 in. Regulars • Wash, Tape, Cord Blinds

www.spoonercleaning.com (718) 320-5112

718.792.2655

Fully Insured NYC License #1233497

Serving Co-op City for over 25 years

• Basic Cleaning — $90 1/3/15 • Deep Cleaning — $130 • Non-Medical Senior Care — $80 • 4 Hour Minimum + 8.78% sales tax • Bonded • 7 Days • Accept Cash, Pay-Pal

Family Owned & Operated Since 1954 NYC License #1233497 10% DISCOUNT

$20 OFF

No Job Too Big - or Too Small! Cabinetry, Painting, Tiles, Electrical, Plumbing, All General Appliance Repair, Carpentry. My Motto - Honest, Reliable, Fair.

DARREN HANDYMAN EXTRAORDINAIRE

FAMILY BLINDS SERVICE

SPOONER DOMESTIC SERVICE

• ALL MAKES & MODELS • Stoves • Washers • Dryers •Lamps • Dishwashers • Refrigerators • Bags • Hoses • Belts • Vacuum Cleaners

Fully Insured

Handyman

Blinds

Services: Painting, Tiling (vinyl and linoleum), Carpet installation and removal, Floor refinishing & polyurethane finish. Plus other services. Call us for an over-the-phone quote or $15 in-home estimate. 718-798-4259 or Sales@abrags.org. 1/10/15

ACE APPLIANCE REPAIR

DR. STEVE’S APPLIANCE REPAIR

Co-op City Times • cctimes@riverbaycorp.com

A BEE CONGLOMERATE

Appliance Repair

For prompt service call:

CLASSIFIEDS

• Washers • Dryers • Stoves • Refrigerators • Dishwashers • Vacuums

Vacuums FREE Pick-up and Delivery!

1058 Morris Park Avenue, Bronx

11/29

1-203-482-6337

11/29

A-1 PAINTING PLUS - Holiday Special Prices! Kitchen Primed & Painted, Select white colors, $110 paint included • Bathroom $50/$60, paint included.

FREE!

WE SAVE YOU MONEY!

718.320.527012/27

ESTIMATE!

Computer Consultant, Sales & Repair JB RYAN COMPUTER REPAIR & UPGRADE

Repair - Upgrade - Trouble-shooting - Data Recovery Virus Removal - Laptop Overheat - Cracked Screen Broken Power Jack. Call James 646-281-4475 • 718-324-4332

2/28/15

Decorator 11/29

Now you can follow the Co-op City Times online at www.issuu.com/cctimes

12/6

Co-op City Times / November 29, 2014

RIVERBAY INFORMATION Riverbay

Riverbay

Follow and read the Co-op City Times online at http://issuu.com/cctimes; download to your iOS devices from the App Store Follow Riverbay Fund on Facebook at www.facebook.com/riverbayfund and on Twitter at www.twitter.com/riverbayfund.

Co-op City Department of Public Safety (718) 671-3050 www.ccpd.us If you SEE something, SAY something!

Co-op City Times SUBSCRIPTION FORM $52/Year

(Includes postage and handling)

The Co-op City Times is FREE for all Shareholders. WHO SHOULD SUBSCRIBE? • Local Businesses • Advertisers • Relatives of Shareholders • Potential/Former Shareholders • Bronx Residents • ANYONE!

FUN FACT: Square Dance Day November 29

Here's a chance to get out and "Dosey Do" with your partner. It's Square Dance Day! English, Irish, and Scottish settlers brought square dancing to the U.S. As it evolved in the U.S., a caller was added, to help dancers stay in step. It remains popular among southern and western rural areas, and with senior citizens. Couples square dance in circles or square formations. It's lively and quick, and lots of fun. Square Dancing is both fun, and great exercise. Medical sites and journals speaks to its health benefits for people of all ages. The origin of Square Dance Day is unknown. But, don't miss the opportunity today to "Swing your partner" to the lively beat! - holidayinsights.com

Advertise! Call 718-320-3300, x3384 for affordable rates! Co-op City Times 20492049 BartowBARTOW Ave. • Room 21 • NY21 10475 AVE. • Bronx, ROOM

BRONX, NY 10475 • 718.320-3380 1.718.320.3300, ext. 3384

CLASSIFIED AD FORM

Rates: $6 for 20 words or less Over 20 words, $6 plus 30¢ for each additional word. $2.40 per line for bold type (3 words max.) Display Classified: $8 first column inch, $4 ea. add’l. column inch.

Fee is payable in advance. No exceptions. No refunds. Checks or Money Orders ONLY payable to Co-op City Times must accompany ad. We no longer accept cash.

Deadline is MONDAY at 3 P.M., except when there is a holiday, in which case the deadline is moved up one day or as announced. Classifieds advertising the sale of land, homes, or apartments outside Co-op City or advertising businesses operating within homes in Co-op City cannot be accepted. No blind ads accepted. No personals.

PRINT YOUR AD HERE CLEARLY. Attach sheet if needed. Use Pen or Typewriter.

1. CATEGORY (Required): 2. AD TEXT:__________ ____________ ____________ ______________4

NAME ___________________________________

____________

______________

______________8

ADDRESS ________________________________

____________

______________

_____________12

CITY ____________________ST____ ZIP_______

____________

______________

_____________16

PHONE __________________________________

____________

______________

_____________20

____________

______________

_____________24

Subscribe for #______ year(s). Send Check or Money Order for $52/year, made out to Co-op City Times 2049 Bartow Ave., Rm 21, Bronx, NY 10475

718.320.3300, ext. 3384 Papers are mailed Monday after issue date.

NAME _________________________________________________________ PHONE ADDRESS

________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________

CITY ________________________STATE________ ZIP __________________ Insert for (#) _________ times. Starting issue date: _____________.

Co-op City Times / November 29, 2014