Co-op City Times 02/14/15 by Co-op City Times

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

Vol. 50 No. 7

Saturday, February 14, 2015

BY BILL STUTTIG

At a pair of town hall meetings held here Saturday afternoon and Wednesday evening, hundreds of Co-op City shareholders were brought up-to-date on the approximate $8 million shortfall the community is currently facing due to a recent settlement of a long-standing class-action federal lawsuit against Riverbay filed by employees, and also the recent actions taken due to the discovery of the legionella bacteria in the Power Plant’s cooling tower. More than 800 shareholders attended a meeting in a filled-to-capacity Dreiser Community Center on Saturday afternoon and another 300 came out to Section 5’s Einstein Center Monday evening to hear the grim news, but also possible short-term solutions to the problems and long-term projections which indicated a potentially brighter financial future in the years to follow. Aside from the more than 100 shareholders who attended the meetings in person, perhaps thousands more watched the proceedings live on their televisions from the comfort of the

Approximately 300 Co-op City shareholders filled the Einstein Community Center’s room 45 on Wednesday evening for a town hall meeting on the community’s current financial situation as the Board prepares to approve a new two-year operating budget to take effect by the end of March. Photo by Bill Stuttig

homes in the first of what Riverbay President Cleve Taylor promised to be many live televised public meetings in the community in the months and years ahead as a new era of transparency

Board discusses Cablevision bulk cable agreement with shareholders BY ROZAAN BOONE

At the town hall meetings held with Co-op City shareholders last Saturday and again on Wednesday evening, Riverbay Board President Cleve Taylor presented the Cablevision bulk cable agreement as an option to help save $8

million off of the cable portion of their Cablevision bills and therefore ease the financial burden in the wake of a proposed upcoming 4.5% carrying charge and a 10% garage fee increase facing (Continued on page 17)

takes root under his charge. And the new transparent era was kicked off by President Taylor who, with the assistance of Riverbay General Counsel Jeffrey Buss, began each of the

25¢

two meetings with a detailed approximately 90-minute explanation of recent developments affecting the community, specifically the recent decision to settle a federal class action lawsuit over nonpayment of overtime and other salary matters. The lawsuit was originally filed by six employees who claimed they were given comp time in lieu of overtime, an illegal labor practice. The lawsuit, Ramirez vs. Riverbay, then grew into a federal class action lawsuit against Riverbay involving approximately 1,700 current and former employees claiming they too were shorted on overtime and also, as General Counsel Buss explained to the shareholders, not paid fully for the complete amount of hours for which they were clocked in and other matters, including miscalculations of night differential pay due to late night shift workers. The lawsuit alleged that all these alleged transgressions against the workers were committed under the (Continued on page 4)

Townhall meeting rebroadcast The Saturday, February 7th Townhall meeting held at the Dreiser Auditorium will be rebroadcast on Tuesday, February 17, at 10 a.m. and again at 6-10 p.m. on MATV Channel 12 and Cablevision Channel 591. If you missed last Saturday’s broadcast, be sure to tune in and be informed!

Riverbay Holiday closing and Co-op City Times deadline notice

Riverbay’s administrative offices will be closed on Monday, February 16, in observance of Presidents’ Day. Shareholders may contact the Emergency Maintenance Desk for service emergencies, and the Co-op City Public Safety Department at (718) 671-3050, and 9-1-1 for all other emergencies. Because of the holiday shortened work week, all Directors’ viewpoints and club articles must be submitted by 9 a.m. on Tuesday, February 17. Material received after this time will not be considered for publication in the Saturday, February 21st issue of the Co-op City Times. Please note that this deadline will be strictly enforced to ensure that we meet our production schedule. Articles and viewpoints may be submitted electronically by emailing 24/7 to cctimes@riverbaycorp.com or by faxing to (718) 320-2595. Material may also be slipped under the door of Room 21 in the Bartow Community Center, 2049 Bartow Avenue, Bronx, N.Y. 10475. We wish our readers a happy Valentine’s Day and a safe and enjoyable Presidents’ Day holiday weekend.

Co-op City Times / February 14, 2015

Riverbay begins mandatory OSHA training for union and management employees BY BILL STUTTIG

This past week more than 100 Riverbay employees, all members of the labor union Local 32BJ, began attending what will be up to 10 hours of OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) training on preventing safety and health hazards in the workplace. This comprehensive program, which in the coming weeks will also include 30-hours of mandatory OSHA training for all Riverbay management employees, was instituted this week under the supervision of Riverbay Director of Safety Kevin Keenan and in accordance with a recent directive from Riverbay President Cleve Taylor and the Board of Directors to make sure that operational union and supervisory employees are trained in the proper guidelines for preventing workrelated accidents and illnesses. Keenan said that the training, all of which is being provided to Riverbay at no cost, increases productivity, reduces the community’s liability for work accidents and their associated costs, but most importantly, creates a safe workplace for all employees, reducing the likelihood of both minor and serious and potentially life-altering accidents. Also, in the future, Riverbay has mandated that the winning bidder for all new contracts present proof to Riverbay that all their workers have received the same OSHA 10-hour safety course that all inhouse union employees are now required

to complete. Keenan explained, “The OSHA Outreach Training Program provides training for workers and employers of the recognition, avoidance, abatement and prevention of safety and health hazards in the workplace. The program also provides information regarding workers’ rights, employer responsibilities and how to file a complaint.” He added that the training is not an OSHA requirement, but a voluntary program initiated by Riverbay with the cooperation of the labor union. The OSHA certified- instructor teaching the classes is being provided by Local 32BJ at no cost to Riverbay or its shareholders. Keenan said that up to 25 union employees receive 5-hours of training each day in Room 10 of the Dreiser Community Center and then return to the classroom on the same day the following week to complete the 10 hour training program. Under this schedule, approximately 125 union employees receive the training every two weeks. With Riverbay employing approximately 500 Local 32BJ employees, the corporation should be able to get all of its Local 32BJ employees the 10-hours of safety training over an approximate eight week period. At about the same time, beginning the week of February 24th, all employees who work in a management or supervisory capacities will begin attending what will be a 30-hour OSHA safety

Earlier this week, Riverbay staff belonging to Local 32BJ began 10 hours of training on safe and healthy workplace procedures taught by a certified instructor from the federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration. Over the next two months all Local 32BJ Riverbay workers will receive the ten hours of training. Management employees will also receive 30 hours of OSHA training this spring. Photo by Bill Stuttig

course. The management employees will receive six hours of training per week for a total of five weeks. As with the case for the 10-hour program for the union employees, the 30 hour course will be presented at no cost to Riverbay as the certified instructor is being provided through the Durnan Safety Group, a division of a firm which provides Riverbay with insurance coverage. Both OSHA Outreach Training Programs provides training for work-

ers and supervisors in the recognition, avoidance, abatement, and prevention of safety and health hazards in workplaces of all types. The 30-hour class is naturally more comprehensive and geared towards those employees with supervisory responsibilities which naturally include looking out for all the employers under their charge during the course of carrying out their department’s assignments and responsibilities in providing Co-op City residents their regular services.

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

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Co-op City Times / February 14, 2015

2nd

Combing Co-op City

NCNW’s Black History Youth Celebration

On Saturday, February 28, NCNW, Inc. Co-op City Section, and the Riverbay Fund, will cosponsor their 14th Annual Black History Youth Celebration entitled, “Living The Dream And Celebrating Our Gifts;” “Equality and Justice For All,” at Dreiser Auditorium B, from 1-4 p.m. Youth interested in showcasing their talent in song, dance, poetry, spoken word, storytelling, theatrical performances, instrument playing, etc., please call (917) 399-2643.

Next CB 10 meeting

The next Community Board 10 meeting will be held on Thursday, Feb. 19, 7:30 p.m. at Preston High School, 2870 Schurz Ave., Bronx, NY 10465. For more information, please call Community Board 10 at (718) 892-1161.

Annual Co-op City Spelling Bee March 21

The African American Association and the Riverbay Fund will present the 2nd Annual Co-op City Spelling Bee for 4-8th graders on Saturday, March 21, at 11 a.m. in Room 31 of the Bartow Center. Admission is FREE. The Grand Prize is $100, and all participants will be recognized. Registration forms are available at the Riverbay Administrative Office in the Bartow Community Center. To register your child or to volunteer, please call (718) 379-5555.

We wish our readers a happy Valentine’s Day and a safe and enjoyable Presidents’ Day holiday weekend.

FRONT PA G E

Riverbay’s Portico program enhances flooring choices for shareholders

BY ROZAAN BOONE

Riverbay Corporation is a participant in the Mohawk Industries’ Portico Program which offers quality carpeting and flooring to shareholders of Co-op City at discounted prices while also contributing a minimal percentage of the annual sales back into Riverbay’s general fund to help offset the community’s expenses. This program is open to both incoming and current shareholders of Co-op City and is available through TriState Interiors located at 2925 Westchester Avenue, Bronx, N.Y. 10461. Incoming shareholders are given a voucher to offset the cost of the base carpeting/flooring, while current shareholder can either replace or purchase carpeting/ flooring at reasonable prices. All shareholders can also upgrade their choices if they choose to do so with incoming shareholders utilizing their vouchers and paying the difference of the upgrade. According to Riverbay’s Director of Special Projects, Joe Boiko, in researching the community’s flooring options several years ago when the carpeting that was used previously was discontinued, it was found that the vendor, Mohawk Industries, has a program that is designed for homebuilders, but because of the size of Co-op City, Mohawk agreed to extend the program

Basement extermination Building 17 The basement will be closed to allow for thorough extermination on Wednesday, February 18, 7:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. There will be no elevator service to the basement during this time. We apologize for the inconvenience and appreciate your patience in this matter. —CSO (Bartow)

to Riverbay Corporation as well. “We felt that the products that Mohawk offered were better suited to the needs of the corporation,” said Boiko. “We know what the shareholders like and would want and having worked with Mohawk in the past since they were also the manufacturer of the previous carpeting that was used in the development, we decided to go with their portico program.” This new program offers two base carpets, a plush which comes in 36 colors that shareholders can choose from—and which is a green product— as well as a Berber which has 6-8 different color choices. “From here, incoming shareholders can upgrade to 3-6 different styles in each category,” said Boiko. “Should they choose to upgrade, the value of the voucher that Riverbay gives them, will be used towards the upgrade and they just merely pay the difference.” New shareholders who choose not to carpet can use their vouchers towards other style floors, such as Pergo-style floors, vinyl flooring, vinyl wood look style flooring, ceramic tiles, and the new Riverbay 9x9 developed specifically for Riverbay by Mohawk, as well as a whole host of other choices, Boiko said. On the other hand, current shareholders who would like to put down carpet-

ing/flooring, redecorate or change their existing carpeting or flooring, can also make their purchases through the new Portico program, which also includes the Mohawk wood floors that Riverbay uses in the apartments. “All current cooperators who choose to redecorate or upgrade their carpeting or flooring can go to TriState Interiors and tell them that they live in Co-op City and would like to look at the carpeting or flooring available through the Portico program,” Boiko said. “They can choose whatever they like from low end which is excellent carpet, to a very high end carpet and purchase from the company directly who will also install the carpeting for them.” Boiko added that while the shareholders benefit in that they will get quality carpeting and flooring at discounted prices from Tri-State compared to other carpet/flooring companies, Riverbay also benefits in that the corporation will receive a rebate of approximately 2-4% of all annual sales which will go back into the corporation’s general fund. “This program is a win-win situation for everyone,” said Boiko. “It offers quality flooring, it offers discounts and, at the same time, it offers a minimal rebate at the end of the year which goes back into the general fund so it helps to offset some of Riverbay’s expenses as well.”

Be an informed cooperator — Pick up and read your Co-op City Times

The Co-op City Times is distributed each Saturday to each townhouse door, at the elevators in the high rise buildings, and in the three (3) community centers.

It is very important that you pick up and read your Co-op City Times to ensure you are informed about what is going on in the community, and more importantly, what your Board and management are doing to ensure efficient delivery of services to you, and the proper upkeep of the development. When you are informed, you can be prepared to discuss issues that are pertinent to you and your household at the community meetings held periodically by the Board of Directors. Be an informed cooperator. The Co-op City Times can also be read online at www.issuu.com/cctimes.

Townhall

Co-op City Times / February 14, 2015 (Continued from page 1)

charge of Riverbay’s former managing recent low-interest refinancing agreecable package for a period of five years. including Board Treasurer Bernie agent, Marion Scott Real Estate, Inc., ment with Wells Fargo Bank under the (More details of this offer are explained Cylich, further argued that a 10% reducwhich was named as a co-defendant in guarantee of HUD, are restricted at the on page 1 and elsewhere throughout tion in Riverbay staff could not be done the case and as such, bears some legal present time, Taylor explained, until they this issue.) without a drastic reduction in the quality and financial responsibility, but as are built up to a level exceeding $14 milPresident Taylor made it clear of services adding that in the last 15 President Taylor said at the meetings lion. Riverbay is only half way there at throughout the meetings that the Board years staff has been cut to the tune of and on numerous occasions before, the present time. would agree on nothing without the nearly 400 workers less than 1999 labor MSI has refused to accept any finanAll these events, as Taylor expapproval of a majority of the sharelevels and to cut more would seriously cial responsibility for any verdict or lained, left the Board no choice but to holders and said there is a proposal to curtail services, such as basic upkeep of settlement, even threatening bankruptcy, consider raising carrying charges over offer the question to all shareholders on buildings and grounds. according to Taylor, rather than taking the next year. The Board, together with their March carrying charge statement Other suggestions made by some on any of the onerous financial burden advice from the Riverbay’s Finance and then the Board would decide cooperators included cutting the Public associated with this case. Department, recently agreed upon a depending on what the consensus of the Safety force and even closing the This left Riverbay and its shareproposed increase of 4.5% which — in shareholders wanted. Peartree garbage processing facility holders on the hook for any findings addition with a 10% hike in the garage When the offer was presented to the which costs Riverbay an approximate against Riverbay or for any negotiated parking fees — would raise approxicommunity the first time in late 2013 $3 million a year to run. settlements even though Riverbay is mately $8 million in revenue and and early 2014, the measure was tabled Taylor explained that cutting Public currently countersuing MSI in the largely offset the cost of the mandated by the then-Board due to what they Safety would increase the community’s hopes of forcing the firm to live up to $6.5 million court settlement plus the believed to be poor execution in predependence on the 45th Precinct which its financial responsibility regarding $1 million in unanticipated expenses senting the offer to the community and would not increase patrols here unless this case. related to the legionella health crisis. a lack of clarity regarding the fairness of there was a significant increase in crime As explained at the meeting, Garage parking fees have not been the voting process even though a preover time, which the community defiRiverbay General Counsel Buss raised in over seven years and are still liminary look at the ballots submitted by nitely does not want. He added that the reviewed thousands of pages of docuamong the lowest fees charged throughshareholders a year ago indicated that a 45th Precinct does not do vertical ments associated with the case and out New York City for monthly parking clear majority of the shareholders patrols, a key component of Co-op came to the conclusion that there was privileges, it was argued. favored taking the offer. City’s crime prevention strategy. He a very good chance that Riverbay Under the terms of the Board’s proYou could not tell that was the case argued that Co-op City has an extremely would lose the case, exposing the corposal explained at both meetings, carryby listening to the few dozen sharelow crime rate due to the presence of the poration and its shareholders, the resiing charges would be increased by 4.5% holders who spoke at either of the two Public Safety force and its sophisticated dents, to potentially being forced to in the next fiscal year, 2015-2016, and town hall meetings, many expressing a surveillance in public spaces. He argued pay as much as $40 million to all against a significant cut to Public of the defendants in the federal Safety saying that the price for class-action suit although Buss giving that up would be a signifirealistically estimated any potencant reduction in safety and qualtial negative findings going ity of life. against Riverbay would be in Taylor also argued against the range of $15 to $16 million, suggestions for closing the still way beyond anything that Peartree facility saying that he Riverbay could possibly afford at and most of the community this time without raising carrying would not want to go back to the charges by as much as 10% or days when garbage piled up in assessing the community’s resifront of the buildings. Besides, he dents an exorbitant one-time said, the City Council is likely to amount to meet the court’s mandate in the very near future demands. that all major housing developFaced with this potentially ments, such as Co-op City, operdevastating financial prospect, ate a central garbage collection President Taylor and the other facility like the one Co-op City Board Directors, under the has operated since 2006. advice of counsel, decided to Other shareholders suggesbegin trying to negotiate an ted finding additional revenue affordable settlement on behalf streams, such as being more of the community. As explained Approximately 1,000 shareholders combined turned out for two town hall meetings last week – proactive filling currently vacant at both meetings, over the course one in Dreiser Community Center and one in Einstein Community Center. The meetings were the retail space. of several weeks, the two sides, first public Co-op City community meetings telecast live to all Co-op City homes. Photo by Bill Stuttig The Riverbay Board’s Budget under the supervision of the preCommittee Chairperson Leah siding federal judge, negotiated Graham reported that her comand eventually agreed upon a payment then remain flat or at a 0% increase for dissatisfaction with Cablevision’s curmittee has been looking over several of approximately $6.5 million to the the following fiscal year, 2016-2017. rent service, a fear of being locked into months at areas where the overall plaintiffs, negotiated down by Taylor Compounding the problems, as a plan even as new media technology budget could be cut and revenue can be and counsel from original offers in the President Taylor and others explained, appears to be on the horizon and still increased and will be making a report to neighborhood of $15 million. is the fact that Riverbay must submit a many more expressing an unwillingthe Board with their recommendations As also explained, exacerbating two-year budget for the approval of ness to submit the additional $25 as in the very near future. “We are trying to the financial shortfall is the recent the state’s Division of Homes and part of Riverbay’s monthly carrying bring costs down,” Graham explained. legionella crisis which involves the Community Renewal in the next few charge even though it will come in tanDirector Linda Berk said at the cost to disinfect the cooling tower and weeks and that budget must account for dem with the $75 discount on the cable Einstein Center town hall forum that other costs associated with the crisis the recent unanticipated expenses portion of their Cablevision bills. residents have to understand that Co-op including the community’s temporary which include, as part of the classA few shareholders who are not subCity is subject to the ongoing increases dependence on Con Edison as a power action suit settlement, a $1.5 million scribers to Cablevision expressed their in the costs of goods, services, labor source while the cooling tower was payment to the court earlier this week, natural unwillingness to pay the addiand taxes like everyone else. forced to shut down. This accounted another $1.5 million payment due in tional $25 fee. They were told that share“We are in this world like everyone for an additional approximate $1 milApril, and another $3.5 million payholders not receiving cable would not be else,” Berk said. lion in unanticipated expenses faced ment due in September, thus paying off charged the $25 fee and they would still While the two meetings did become by the community and its shareholders the cost of the settlement over the next receive a cable box giving them basic contentious at times, some shareholders in the past month. eight months. broadcast channels at no cost. used their speaking time to thank As Taylor and others explained In addition to presenting the bad Many shareholders who spoke at Board President Taylor and the rest of throughout the course of both town news to the shareholders in as detailed the town hall meetings expressed their the Board for the countless volunteer hall meetings, the current financial sita manner as possible, the Board belief that other methods for making hours they have dedicated in recent uation is complicated by the fact that President also presented a way to possiup the shortfall should be looked into months to try to get this community Riverbay’s current cash position is bly ease the financial burden on shareincluding cutting the work force. through the current financial situation very poor with little or no available holders by revisiting a Cablevision General Counsel Buss explained that as painlessly as possible. cash to offset the unanticipated offer first made to the community in a significant cut to the workforce A first reading of a resolution for a expenses. The shareholders were December, 2013 which would provide could be looked upon by the federal new two-year operating budget for handed copies of Riverbay’s most to the community’s Cablevision subcourt overseeing the labor lawsuit and Riverbay was presented at the last recent financial statement showing scribers — of which more than 13,000 its settlement as “retaliatory” against Board meeting on February 4th and less than a million in available funds at of the community 15,000 homes are – the workers and thus forbid the layoffs the Board needs to and is expected to the end of the last fiscal year. an approximate $50 discount on their and force additional financial penalvote on a resolution on a new two-year Reserve funds which have been built monthly cable bills in exchange for the ties on the community. budget in the very near future, perhaps up in recent months, as per terms of the community’s signing on for a bulk Taylor and other Board Directors, as early as this week’s meeting.

Co-op City Times / February 14, 2015

It’s happening in Co-op City Black History Month Celebration

Keith Witherspoon and the African-American Voices perform at the African-American Association's Black History Month Film Festival last Saturday. Photos courtesy of Francine Reva Jones

Our friend and neighbor, Brother Kaba Kamene, who was featured in "Hidden Colors," stopped in to discuss African history, the problems of today and how we were instrumental in creating a brighter future for people of color.

Townhall Meetings (Top left) At Wednesday’s Town Hall meeting shareholder George Vargas argued that a large carrying charge increase would be a difficult burden on the community’s families and alternatives need to be explored. (Center) Board President Cleve Taylor reviews with shareholders financial charts illustrating how Riverbay’s cash position has been significantly diminished over the past 15 years. (Bottom) Both town hall meetings were televised live to all Co-op City homes. They were the first live telecasts of in-house public meetings in the history of the community. (See page 20 for more pictures) Photos by Bill Stuttig

Co-op City Times / February 14, 2015

Letters to the Editor To the Editor: Saturday, February 7, Riverbay Board President Cleve Taylor and several other Riverbay Corp. Board members held an open shareholders meeting to discuss our current financial situation and the negotiated settlement of the federal court case brought on by an illegal contract given to over a thousand Riverbay union employees, by the former Riverbay Corp. managers, Marion Scott, Inc. Our impending carrying charge increases are the net results. Mr. Taylor made it clear that Board politics, and fiscal irresponsibility brought us to this point, and stated that from now on, Riverbay Corp. should be run like a responsible business. For those of you who lived here as

We are all responsible! cooperator/shareholders and have followed the Board’s history for more than 20 years, you know who is largely the blame – we all are! We have allowed Board members to lie about, be ignorant of, or hide financial truths. We’ve elected a collection of members who have admitted to taking monies, hire a managing firm who employed sitting Board members, accept contractors lowest bid, then allow filings for request for payments that re-negotiated the bid to a point where they were no longer the lowest bidder, and who allegedly screwed up the Power Plant proposal, leaving shareholders and no one else, paying the price. Since the originally proposed 1998 Goldman Sachs loan of $500M at 5.5%

one-time carrying charge increase to address our existing and proposed standard of living conditions, we’ve elected Board members who have given cooperators multiple increases by borrowing $450 million at over 14% interest in one loan, $460 in a second loan (about the same percentage), and now $650 million loan (less than 3% interest), that we, the cooperator/shareholders, have never voted for. Shareholders need a comprehensive forensic investigation from the NY State Attorney General’s Office regarding Riverbay activity from 1999 to 2014, and a determination based on past resolutions (or federal law), if specific shareholders’ referendums were required for any or all of those loans. —Rod Saunders

Who’s been building straw men?

To the Editor: Mr. Cylich claims that the Team for Change didn’t exist when the referendum on the bulk Cablevision deal was held in December, 2013. He conveniently forgot that he was reelected to the Riverbay Board of Directors in May, 2013 as part of the Team for Change. He doesn’t remember his View before the referendum in which he said the vote should not be held until the Board got approval from HCR. He doesn’t remember that one of his allies wrote a View before the referendum saying that Verizon had already wired the buildings in Co-op City. He doesn’t remember setting up his own straw man in March of 2014 when

he and his allies introduced and voted for a resolution to invite Verizon to come to Co-op City knowing that if it were to pass and the proposed actions taken it would have led to a multi-million dollar lawsuit by Cablevision that Co-op City would have lost. (He relied on the majority of the Board who put their fiduciary duties to Co-op City ahead of politics to kill the resolution.) Mr. Cylich wanted the vote for an election issue for candidates in the May, 2014 Board of Directors election running as members of the Team for Change. The endorsement he gave to the members of the Team for Change included “Wouldn’t bringing Verizon/FIOS to Co-op City save cooperators money?” even though he

knew that was not possible. The resolution was not reintroduced after control of the Board changed. Mr. Taylor, who was elected as a member of the Team for Change that pledged to invite Verizon to Co-op City, now admits it would cost Riverbay as much as $200,000,000 to do it. It is nice to see that Mr. Taylor now says the Board should pursue a bulk agreement with Cablevision. But how does he propose to recover the $600 already lost by the 13,000 families that subscribe to Cablevision? That lost totals $7,800,000 to date and is growing at a rate of $650,000 for every month that the bulk deal is not in place. —Stewart Berman

Board President responds to Mr. Berman

Dear Mr. Berman, Thank you for your criticism. There are several important issues that require the new Board of Directors leadership. In the past 8 months, the new Board of Directors has taken more preemptive measures to assist our company than any other Board in the history of Co-op City. Please be careful about your misrepresentative statements regarding my personal opinions regarding the Cablevision offer. In the upcoming questionnaire, I will have one vote equal to all of my constituents that I represent. It will be

counted the same way as yours and I am willing to abide by the general consensus of our community. Prior to being elected President, I personally supported the $600 offer being extended by Cablevision. However, as President, my business decision will be based on the overwhelming support of the shareholders to enter into and bind our company. Unfortunately, Marion Scott Real Estate, Inc. and Cablevision did a poor job of explaining this offer to the shareholders. I agree with you that the $8 million

net savings to the cooperators is a wonderful re-offer that we should take advantage of. Therefore, I have proposed to the Board of Directors that a questionnaire survey be included in the March 1, 2015 carrying charge envelope regarding this issue. I will also establish a chain of custody for the counting of those questionnaires and the results of those questionnaires shall be considered by the Board of Directors in its subsequent deliberations. —Cleve Taylor President, Riverbay Corp.

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, 9 a.m. - 1 p.m.

Public Safety Report

CCPD Alerts residents of romance scams BY LIEUTENANT PAM APOLLO

The Co-op City Department of Public Safety receives updates from various agencies regarding trends in scams. The fact that scammers would target “Romance” right in time for Valentine’s Day is proof that nothing is sacred in the world of scammers. Pursuit of love or the perfect romantic partner may leave some people at risk of becoming a scam victim. Scam artists are a very clever group of people. They take their knowledge of human nature and combine it with current information in an attempt to find new victims. Recent studies have shown that certain types of scams, especially internet scams, increase every year. By being aware of potential scams, readers can reduce their chance of becoming a victim. Valentine’s Day should be a time for love and romance; instead, it has been a new avenue for thieves to try to scam unsuspecting victims. Use caution when giving out personal information on dating websites. Be wary of anyone who wants you to quickly leave the dating website to engage in conversation in another forum, such as email or telephone. Be cautious of anyone who states they love you in just a short time of online communication. Never give anyone personal information, such as bank account numbers, date of birth or Social Security number. Never wire money or send a Green Dot card to anyone you do not know and have only met through a dating website. Never send money for plane tickets, bail money, medicine for a sick family member or any other reason to anyone you do not know well. Be leery also of fake websites for flowers or chocolates. Always be sure to enter a website directly into your browser; never click on a link from an email. Sometimes, one letter off can take you to a fake website. This is true every day, not just Valentine’s Day. Some people may read about these scams and wonder how anyone could possibly fall for them. Scam artists are very persistent; they blanket a large number of potential victims until they find their prey. The internet has made it extremely easy for scam artists to target millions of potential victims with a single touch of a button. Telephone or regular mail scam artists work a little harder, but do eventually find their victim. Bold scammers have even been known to approach their potential victim in person at their door or in a public place. Another scam I heard about and then actually received myself is a Pay Pal scheme. The email states that you are almost finished completing your registration for Pay Pal. The email looks legitimate and it asks you to enter your Pay Pal username and password. It then prompts you to enter your bank account number. When you call the customer service number, it tells you to mail a Green Dot card to an address. A friend of mine did not realize there was a problem until that point. When I received the same email, I investigated the email right away as I was not trying to set up a Pay Pal account. Upon scrutiny, the email came from an email address at e.paypal.com, very close to the actual email. In any case, when you are doing business with a legitimate company, enter the website into your browser yourself, do not use search engine results or click on a link from an email. Pay Pal is a legitimate company which offers an extra level of protection for online payments, but a scammer pretending to be Pay Pal can be a real threat to your financial identity. Although not necessarily a scam with malicious intent, some Co-op City residents may have received a (Continued on page 14)

Co-op City Times / February 14, 2015

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 2969, Hazardous Materials Spill Clean-up (Standby Agreement): Provide 24- hour emergency spill clean-up response services Pre-bid Meeting: February 18, 2015 at 2:00 p.m. Bids Due: March 5, 2015 at 2 p.m.; no bids accepted after 2 p.m. Bonding: Bonding is not required Insurance: Insurance is required

Contract 2970, Auditing and Tax Service: Provide auditing and tax services from a qualified independent auditing firms. Bids Due: Feb. 24, 2015 at 2 p.m.; no bids accepted after 2 p.m. Bonding: Bonding is not required Insurance: Insurance is required Contract P762, Web Design For Riverbay Bids Due: February 25, 2015 To receive the bid package, contact bpenn@riverbaycorp.com

Contract 2971, Architectural Services for Balcony Repairs (Buildings 20, 26 & 10A Only): Provide architectural services for the repair of concrete balconies. Pre-bid Meeting: February 10, 2015 at 10: 00 a.m. Bids Due: February 19, 2015 at 2:00 p.m. Bonding: Bonding is not required Insurance: Insurance is required

Contract 2981 Building 15A Lobby Renovations Pre-Bid meeting: Feburary 25, 2015 at 10 a.m. Bids Due: March 12, 2015; no bids accepted after 2 p.m. Insurance: Insurance is required To receive a bid package, contact lgarcia@riverbaycorp.com

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES Open to all applicants February 5 – 20, 2015 transfer forms in person to the Human Resources Originally posted: 08/25/14 • Job Reference #15-02 Department. Employees who are promoted will receive the applicable rate scale for this position. Asst. CSO Manager Pest Control Technician Exterminating Services Cooperator Services Department THIS IS A TEMP TO PERM POSITION. This Ideal candidate will be responsible for the day-to-day ideal employee will be responsible for the day-to-day duties of assisting in the enforcement of rules, regulations responsibilities duties including, but not limited to, and policies set forth in the Occupancy Agreement by the spraying or releasing chemical solutions and/or toxic Board of Directors and Executive Management. gases, set traps to kill and control pests, animals and Reviewing all open work order reports. Providing supervermin, such as mice, roaches, termites, bedbugs, ants, vision coverage for Area Managers. Attending various meetings, such as Town Halls, Building Associations, flies, wasps, etc. that infest buildings and surrounding Cooperator Appeals and Cooperator Service forums. areas. Inspect apartments and buildings to identify Job Description: Manage and oversee operations, source of infestation. Identify and seal holes around maintenance, administration, and improvement of resipipes or walls where bugs or rodents may be able to dential properties. Plan, schedule, and coordinate general access apartments. Assist other workers in insect and maintenance, major repairs, or construction projects for rodent treatments processes and control geese popularesidential properties. Inspect grounds and facilities roution on the property. tinely to determine necessity of repairs or maintenance. Job Description: Record work activities perAct as liaisons between on-site managers, tenants, owners, formed. Inspect premises to identify infestation shareholders, and board members. Explain terms of occusources and extent of damage to property, wall(s), or pancy, and provide information about local areas. Investigate complaints, disturbances and violations and roof porosity and access to infested locations. Spray or resolve problems following management rules and regudust chemical solutions, powders, or gases into rooms, lations. Meet with board of directors and committees to onto clothing, furnishings, or wood, or over marshdiscuss and resolve legal and environmental issues or dislands, ditches, or catch basins. Clean work site after putes between neighbors. Confer regularly with commucompletion of job. Direct or assist other workers in nity association members to ensure their needs are being treatment or extermination processes to eliminate or met. Resolve customer complaints or answer customers' control rodents, insects, or weeds. Drive vehicles that questions regarding policies and procedures. Supervise are equipped with power spraying gear and tools. the work of office, administrative, or customer service Measure area dimensions requiring treatment, using employees to ensure adherence to quality standards, deadlines, and proper procedures, correcting errors or probrule, calculate fumigant requirements, and estimate lems. Prepare and issue work schedules, deadlines, and cost for service. Post warning signs and lock building duty assignments for office or administrative staff. doors to secure area to be fumigated. Cut or bore openResearch, compile, and prepare reports, manuals, correings in building or surrounding concrete, access inspondence, or other information required by management fested areas, insert nozzle, and inject pesticide to or governmental agencies. Coordinate activities with other impregnate ground. Study preliminary reports or diasupervisory personnel or with other work units or departgrams of infested area and determine treatment type ments. Make recommendations to management concernrequired to eliminate and prevent recurrence of infesing, such issues as staffing decisions or procedural tation. Dig up and burn or spray weeds with herbichanges. Consult with managers or other personnel to cides. Set mechanical traps or place poisonous paste or resolve problems in areas such as equipment performance, output quality, or work schedules. Design, implement, or bait in sewers, burrows, or ditches. Clean and remove evaluate staff training and development programs, cusblockages from infested areas to facilitate spraying tomer service initiatives, or performance measurement procedures and provide drainage, using brooms, mops, criteria. Discuss work problems or grievances with union shovels, or rakes. Position and fasten edges of tarpaurepresentatives. Perform other duties as assigned. lins over building and tape vents to ensure air-tight Job Requirements: Bachelor’s degree or 3-5 years environment and check for leaks. industry experience. Must be able to read and write in Job Requirements: HS Diploma or equivalent is a English. Bilingual a plus. Drug screening. Background plus. Minimum of one year in exterminator applicacheck. tion. Working knowledge of exterminating equipment, Days and Hours: Monday – Friday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m., with some flexibility required. tools and material. Ability to walk for long periods of time, twist, kneel, push, stoop, climb ladders; work in Open to all applicants February 5 — 17, 2015 inclement weather; as well as lift and carry up to 50 Job Reference #15-03 pounds. Must be available for emergency work. Must Request for transfer/promotion must be received by be able to read and write in English. Bilingual is a plus. the Human Resources Department by February 13, Drug Screening. Background check. 2015. Employees are responsible for submitting the Days and hours will vary on a flexible schedule. Applications are given out at the following address from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.: Riverbay Corporation Administration Office, 2049 Bartow Ave., Bronx, NY 10475; OR Resumes can be faxed to 718-3203672 with the Job Title and Job Reference # on the TOP RIGHT CORNER of the resume. *Riverbay Corporation is an Equal Opportunity Employer*

g Y C A b r h i h i m

o t s d o c s m

8 The Riverbay Corporation’s financial outlook this year will be a challenging one for many cooperators and the corporation itself. With the possibility of a 4.5% carrying charge increase, a Cablevision Bulk Agreement that many hope will minimize the impact of an increase and Public Safety’s constant work to improve the security and safety of those who live and visit our community, have been more of an obstacle than usual. I contribute many of these challenges to the reported prior mismanagement of our corporation’s day-to-day activities. Nine months ago, five of us were elected to represent you for a term of three years. During this period, the Board accomplished the following: • Held a pre-swearing in meeting with all Directors to collectively appoint the executive officers of the corporation. • Initiated the competitive bid process for a new managing agent. • Identified and addressed mismanagement activities. • Recognized Riverbay employees for their hard work. • Increased communications with our Legal and Finance departments’ directors. • Developed a contracts business model team to integrate and better manage all contracts & purchase orders under one department. • Held our first televised open Board meeting. • Addressed concerns regarding Verizon and other cable carriers. • Increased transparency of corporation’s finances. Despite the challenges we are left with, the Board has continued to focus our efforts on reconstructing and improving our finances, maintaining quality services, protecting cooperators & workers, and strengthening overall business performance. These changes will not happen

We attended the Riverbay Financial Crises Meeting on Saturday, February 7. The presentation chaired by Riverbay Board Director Cleve Taylor was welldone. It’s now up to all of us to either accept or not accept the proposals that were presented. As I mentioned above, we are in a Financial Crisis and have little choice. Having said that, the Cablevision package that was presented to us, although Cablevision upped the ante, needs to be voted on by us. If you

Budget reform - All hands on deck Co-op City Times / February 14, 2015

overnight but I am confident we will get through this and ask for your continued support, ideas, feedback and patience and we tow this storm together. Budget Committee The Riverbay Budget Committee consists of an accountant, bookkeepers, Riverbay Finance Director & Budget Analyst along with individuals familiar with basic accounting concepts. This committee was in the process of developing ways to generate revenue and increase cash-flow when informed of the possibility of a 4.5% carrying charge increase. As the Budget Chair, I immediately met with the Finance Director and Budget Analyst to discuss a variety of information within the draft budget dated January 30, 2015. As a result of the corporation’s sudden financial shift, the Budget Committee will carefully review the Jan. 2015 draft budget to identify all opportunities that might help offset costs and possibly reduce the carrying charge increase percentage. Since the Riverbay Corporation’s fiscal year ends March 31, 2015, the committee has a very short window to come up with viable budget changes. As a result, the Budget Committee will introduce the “all-handson-deck Budget reform” approach from within the corporation to streamline budget costs without affecting quality of service. I also invited Director Daryl Johnson to join our meeting and share his budgetary ideas for consideration as well.

Cablevision Essentially, since we have 9-years left on our 17-year market agreement with Cablevision, the Board revisited the possibility of a bulk agreement to minimize the impact of a potential 4.5% carrying charge increase. This means: 1. All bulk agreements come with a discount to the corporation and not to an individual. 2. With a bulk agreement, each cooperator will receive a $75 credit on their monthly Cablevision bill for the next 5years. 3. With a bulk agreement, the Riverbay Corporation, which you own, will make a payment each month of $25 for each Cablevision subscriber (13,191). 4. Once the corporation makes that monthly payment to Cablevision, each Cablevision subscriber is responsible for the payment made by the corporation. This monthly amount is $25 and will show on your carrying charge statement as a separate item like a garage space, storage room, dishwasher, etc. 5. By the corporation entering into this bulk agreement, each Cablevision subscriber will receive a cost savings of up to $50 each month for the 5-year agreement period. During Saturday’s Town Hall meeting, cooperators asked great questions, some identical to those shared last year when the bulk agreement was first introduced. They included: • Why will I see $25 on my carrying charge statement? Is there some other way to bill me? • I am currently not a Cablevision subscriber. How will I be affected by this bulk agreement? • Will the Riverbay Corporation have to pay for every apartment or only those apartments with Cablevision? If yes, how will this affect the corporation?

all recall, last year, ballots were handed out and we had the opportunity to vote. I hope we are given that opportunity again. Reminder, our next monthly general membership meeting is Monday, February 23, 7:30 p.m., Activity Room. At our meeting, we will discuss building issues, security and other matters you may want to add to the agenda. More importantly, we will discuss our 2015 calendar. We have a full agenda planned

for this meeting. Summer Fun Day is Saturday, June 20. We hope all of last year’s volunteers will volunteer this year. In the meantime, we have a Design Poster Contest. All of the information you need to enter can be found in our Bulletin Board. You can pick up flyers for the Design Poster Contest at the February 23rd meeting. The due date for submission is March 31. Our thoughts and prayers go out to everyone who has suffered a loss and to

Leah Graham

Director’s Viewpoint First Vice President

Building 12 Cooperators Civic Association

Happy birthday, Dashan! We love you very much. You have become a very wonderful person; keep up the good work. All the best. —Mother, Granny Rosie, Granny Louise, Cory, Auntie Lisa, Monique, Uncle James, Jimmy, Ernest and Grand Daddy

Happy 10th birthday, Kaylen! Congratulations on all of your achievements! Wishing you a happy 10th birthday. To be young and gifted at ten is truly a blessing. Kaylen, you bring so much joy to us. We want you to know how much we love you. Congratulations and happy, happy, happy 10th birthday! God’s blessing, Kaylen Amber! Love, —Ma, Dad, Aylandra, Grandma, Uncle Ian and the rest of the family.

• Am I allowed to drop Cablevision during the 5-year agreement period? • What if someone does not pay the $25 on their carrying charge statement? • Can the bulk agreement and/or Co-op City partnership with Cablevision include them renting a commercial space in our Bartow mall for easier access for Co-op City subscribers? • Can the bulk agreement include Optimum Wi-Fi throughout Co-op City and in our laundry rooms? Currently, it is only in certain areas. • Is the $25 a fixed amount for the 5year period or will the amount increase? The IT (Information Technology) Committee also raised great questions to consider prior to accepting a bulk agreement. I will share those questions in a memo to the Board, Finance and Counsel to ensure our relationship with Cablevision is of quality and fair. Building 27 Meeting Thank you for inviting me to your meeting. There were a lot of great questions and fantastic ideas, which I will share with our interim general managers and legal department. Closing I understand I have significant responsibility to you as one of your Board of Directors. I hold that responsibility with high regard and assure you I will not simply go along to get along. Anything brought before me must be fair, proper, and make good business sense. I will continue to advocate on your behalf and take necessary steps to ensure our community remains affordable and operates with the highest level of integrity. Please feel free to contact me at lgraham@riverbayboard.com or you may leave a message with the Riverbay Board office at 347-913-4225. I will return your call within 24 hours of receiving your message. Remember, sharing is caring.

our sick and shut-in. If you see anyone defacing our property or not picking up after their dog, call Riverbay Security at 718-671-3050 and for Maintenance issues, call 718-320-3300. Don’t forget, if you see something, say something. We have a few more weeks of cold weather. Please be careful when entering and leaving the Building. We can be reached at 718-379-7841, MLSAH@aol.com. —Sonja Maxwell

Happy birthday, Amanda! Amanda Marie Byrd - Happy 15th birthday. We wait with great anticipation and joy for each new season to mature. It is with this same joy that we have each year of your growth. We are very proud of how radiant and mature you have grown. We love you. —Grandparents Ted & Dorothy, Mom, Troy, Jermaine, Sr.; Jermaine, Jr., Alyssa and Aaliyah

In Memoriam: Elizabeth “Betty” Rose Elizabeth Rose passed from this life ten years ago, this past January 30th. During her 90 years, the long-time Co-op City resident accomplished much. After she gave birth to me, a child with cerebral palsy, she, along with my late father, Tony, became staunch fighters for the rights of the disabled, becoming founding members of United Cerebral Palsy. Her dedication to me throughout my life helped me to lead a productive, rewarding life despite my disabilities. I still miss her terribly, but I will always be grateful for her unwavering love and guidance. Her loving son, —John Rose

Co-op City Times / February 14, 2015

MetroCard Bus to visit Co-op City next week

The MetroCard Bus will be visiting all three Co-op City locations again 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, February 19, 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.

MTA New York City Transit advises its customers that there are two kinds of traveling MetroCard Service Centers: the MetroCard Bus and the MetroCard Van. Both vehicles make regularly scheduled stops in all five boroughs each month. The MetroCard Bus, which stops in Co-op City, travels around the city, stopping at senior citizen centers, shopping centers and along major bus routes. Customers can handle all of their MetroCard needs, whether it is applying for or refilling a Reduced-Fare MetroCard, buying or refilling a regular MetroCard or asking MetroCard-related

questions. Senior citizens and people with disabilities may apply for the Reduced-Fare MetroCard on the Bus. They will need photo ID and seniors must show proof of age (at least 65 years old). The MetroCard Van, like the Bus, travels around the city with helpful onboard staff ready to sell Unlimited and Pay-Per-Ride MetroCards, add money to regular and Reduced-Fare MetroCards and answer questions. Reduced-Fare MetroCard applications are available. EZ Pass On The Go tags are also available for purchase on both the Bus and the Van.

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. Customers may also want to explore the EasyPay Reduced-Fare payment option. EasyPay lets customers link to their credit or debit card to their Reduced-Fare MetroCard so it refills automatically. For more MetroCard information, please visit the MTA’s website at www.mta.info and click on Fares and Tolls.

Benedetto: Tax credits are available to help you save money

Too often, hardworking families miss the opportunity to save hundreds or even thousands of dollars in federal and state tax credits. These tax credits are in place to help families make their hard-earned dollars stretch just a little further, Assemblyman Michael Benedetto reminds his constituents. Current programs you may qualify for include: • the Empire State Child Credit, a refundable tax credit worth up to $330 per child for ages 4-16; • the Child and Dependent Care Credit, a tax credit based on a sliding income scale for working parents who pay for child care or those who live with a spouse or dependent who is physically or mentally incapable of selfcare; • the federal Child Tax Credit, a non-refundable tax credit of up to $1,000 per child under the age of 17, or the refundable Additional Child Tax Credit; • the Real Property Tax Credit, a refundable tax credit worth up to $375 for eligible homeowners and renters; and • the New York City School Tax Credit, a refundable tax credit of up to $125 for qualifying taxpayers. Additionally, if eligible, you may be able to recoup portions of the income tax that were withheld from your pay-

check throughout the year. In fact, through an often overlooked tax break called the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC), eligible taxpayers can get extra cash back from the IRS, New York State or New York City governments. These savings help many families cover their monthly bills and allow them to put some money away for the future. To qualify for the New York State and federal EITC, you must: • have worked full or part time at some point during the calendar year; • have income below $38,511 ($43,941 if married) with one child; • have income below $43,756 ($49,186 if married) with two children; • have income below $46,997 ($52,427 if married) with three or more children; or • be a worker between the ages of 25 and 65, earning less than $14,590 ($20,020 if married) with no children. To be eligible for the New York City EITC, in addition to the above requirements, you must be a full- or part-year resident of New York City, claim the federal Earned Income Tax Credit and file a New York State income tax return. Tax season doesn’t need to be a stressful time of year,

and assistance is available to help you prepare your taxes. The IRS-certified volunteers with the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program provide free tax preparation services to individuals and families with annual incomes of $53,000 or less. For those 60 years of age and older, the Tax Counseling for the Elderly (TCE) program can also provide assistance at no cost to you. To find the nearest VITA or TCE site, visit irs.gov/Individuals/Find-a-Location-forFree-Tax-Prep or call 800-906-9887. “I encourage you to set aside some time and check what tax credits you’re eligible for,” said Assemblyman Benedetto. “These tax credits exist for your benefit; if you’re eligible, they can help you lower your taxes and even put money back in your pocket.” To learn more about the federal Earned Income Tax Credit and the Child and Dependent Care Credit, visit irs.gov. For information or questions on New York State taxes, the state EITC and New York City tax credits, visit tax.ny.gov. New York City residents may also visit nyc.gov/taxprep for additional assistance. You may also contact Assemblyman Benedetto about this or any other community issue at (718) 892-2235 or at benedem@assembly.state.ny.us.

The Riverbay Corporation Advances in Technology Co-op City Times / February 14, 2015

Francine Reva Jones

Dear cooperators, Kamene were the motivaI was so pleased to learn that there was a Director’s Viewpoint tional speakers for the day. full house at the Town Hall meeting last There was entertainment by Saturday. Previous plans prevented me the African-American VoiSecretary from being there, but I intend to attend the ces and refreshments. Wednesday Town Hall meeting at Einstein The NCNW’s Black Center. I was also excited that shareholders History Youth Celebration will take place on Saturday, were able to view the meeting “live” from February 28th at 1:00 p.m. in Dreiser Auditorium B. their homes. It is about time that the The Great Debates in Black History 2015 – Many Riverbay Corporation moved into the 21st African scholars are participating in these debates at the century when it comes to technology. John Henrik Clarke House on Sundays at 3:00 p.m., Our Board President Cleve Taylor underincluding Dr. Leonard Jeffries, Basir Mchawi, stands the need for the advances. With the Omowale Clay, Michael Greys, James McIntosh, support of other Board Directors, we will Tyrene Wright, William Seraile, and many more. There continue to make progress. If the Senate, is no winner or loser, no better or worse; but stimulatHouse and Council meetings can be televised, why ing, thought-provoking exchanges. shouldn’t cooperators be able to view what’s happening Baychester Library Upcoming Events in their own community from the comfort of their homes. Parenting can be Tough: Mondays, Feb. 9 – March Because of hazardous conditions on Saturday, coopera16th (no class March 9th), 4:30-6:30 p.m. tors were asked to call if they needed a ride to the Dreiser African dancing and folktales, presented by Urban Center. The Riverbay technician informed me that the Town Hall meeting might be rebroadcast in the near future. Not only did we make technological advances in televising, but for the upcoming Board race in May, we will be able to utilize social media when campaigning. Proposals to utilize social media in the past had been discussed, but rejected by most Board Directors. However, when revising the Election Rules at last Wednesday’s meeting, Director Linda Berk proposed the change and a majority voted affirmatively. I was pleased to read the Letters to the Editor in the Co-op City Times last week. Mr. Bruce Silberman stated that he was in favor of the Cablevision bulk rate offer. Whatever the increase cooperators will be required to pay, the $50 per month savings will help to defray that cost. Mr. Jose Rosado wrote about making budget cuts. Our Budget Committee Chairperson, Director Leah Graham, will make this part of her meeting agenda. Thanks to Ms. Marilyn Brand for her commentary. When shareholders take the time to write, it shows that they care. Board of Directors Officers Changes were made to the Executive Board at our last meeting. Congratulations to Director Leah Graham, who was elected to the office of First Vice President and Khalil Abdul-Wahhab, who was elected Second Vice President. Director Daryl Johnson will remain a Board Director. The circumstances under which these elections took place remain confidential. Snail Mail The U.S. Postal Service has been slow in the mail delivery over the past few weeks and, as of last week, many cooperators had not yet received their monthly invoice statements to pay their carrying charges bill. Cooperators should know that you don’t need the invoice in order to pay. You can go to the Administration Office at 2049 Bartow Avenue and see a bookkeeper, who will ask for your name, building and apartment number and will inform you of the amount you owe. You will always get a receipt. To make matter worse, for those that received their invoices, some did not receive the School Tax Relief (STAR) credit. There were several cooperators lined up in the Riverbay Administration Office in order to speak with a bookkeeper in an effort to make an adjustment to their invoice. All taxpaying cooperators should have received the basic STAR credit of $101.68. Cooperators who are 65 years of age and older, with limited incomes, should have applied for and received the Enhanced STAR credit of $215.08. Valentine’s Day The African-American Association will have a Special Valentine’s Day meeting today, February 14th, at 4:00 p.m., Dreiser Center, Room 15. All current members who are present will be eligible to win one of several Valentine’s Day prizes. The agenda will include updates on the White House Tour, the Spelling Bee, the Ebola crisis, celebration of February birthdays, music and refreshments. You can join today and be lucky enough to win a prize. New members also get a free copy of the dvd Hidden Colors #1. The Eleanor Roosevelt Democratic Club will sponsor a St. Valentine’s Day Dance today at 4:00 p.m. Black History Month Events There are many ways that you can take part in Black History Month. Last Saturday, the African-American Association presented its 18th Annual Black History Month Film Festival, showing Brother Future and Hidden Colors 2. Elders Keith Witherspoon and Kaba

Stages; Friday, Feb. 20th, 3:30 p.m. Don Witter Performing Latin American Guitar: Sat., Feb. 21, 2 p.m. Arts for a Lifetime, A poetry writing workshop: March 11, 18, 25. You & Your Health Tips for shoveling snow: • Don’t shovel after eating or while smoking • Take it slow • Shovel only fresh snow • Push the snow - it is easier than lifting • Don’t pick up too much at once • Don’t shovel to the point of exhaustion —From the Riverbay Safety Department Contact me If you have questions or comments, feel free to contact me. I can be reached at: Francine Jones, Board of Directors, Riverbay Corporation, 2049 Bartow Avenue, Bronx, NY 10475 or call 718-671-5957.

Co-op City Times / February 14, 2015

12 It was wonderful to see so many people come out to the Town Hall in Dreiser Center last Saturday. It was standing room only, and from what I was told, a couple of thousand watching on TV in the comfort of their homes. This was history in the making. We finally were able to bring those who can’t leave their homes into the live town hall meeting. It was a detailed presentation of the finances of Riverbay Corp. followed by a robust and informative question and answer period. It’s not easy to inform people of things they would rather not hear. Not one Board Director wanted to say to this community that we needed to raise our carrying charges. However, it was very important that the Board explains in detail the financial challenges Riverbay Corp. is experiencing. We Need a Balanced Financial Solution I had a cooperator say to me that it was strange that this Board couldn’t find cuts in a $200 million budget. In response, I think it's important to remember this Board has already cut expenses by eliminating the glaring and obvious excessive expenses like no show employees and cutting back a couple of over bloated salaries saving $400,000 in the first two months. Within 4 months, we brought painting in-house which should save us more money, and ended a contract with a questionable contractor, more savings. We saved money on insur-

Standing Room Only Co-op City Times / February 14, 2015

Linda Berk

Director’s Viewpoint Assistant Secretary

ance where we could and we continue to look for more areas to cut cost. What we can't do is cut the budget to find the immediate $8 million we need now. As presented at the town hall, we must be surgical in cutting our budget. My years of management experience supports a methodical and deliberate strategy when we cut our budget. If you just slash and cut without a deliberate approach, you very well may end up increasing cost in other ways. I am confident that we will be able to cut our budget even more once we hire an in-house auditor (vacant since 2007) and a new managing agent who can spend the time to investigate and drill down to insure we cut the appropriate and less painful items in our budget. We want to maintain our quality of living while we keep cost down. We Are Affordable Remaining as an affordable housing option is critical for Co-op City. It is the main reason I ran for the Board of Directors. We are the largest affordable housing development in the country! In addition to being a “city within a city,”

it’s what makes us unique. We continue to be the best deal in town, while we maintain the quality of our living and the value of our property. While we listened to a couple of budget cutting ideas, there were reasons some of these ideas were not realistic solutions. One suggestion was to eliminate garbage pick-up and bring the garbage dumpsters back for NYC Sanitation to pick up. Most cooperators DO NOT want the garbage brought back with the smell, rodents, animals and unsightly views. They expressed that loud and clear on Saturday! Another large budget cut that isn’t there is the $7 million for flooring. The majority of the flooring budget is spent on the asbestos abatement to pick up damaged floors and their replacement. However, when asked, cooperators said loud and clear that they want their damaged floors replaced. As a matter of fact, they want their closet doors repaired too, which is currently not policy because of cost. No Grandstanding Please Because I know we have been transparent and sincere, I am also confident the community will see that we have looked at every option. This Board invites dialogue with residents, it could be very helpful. Discussions can lead to new ideas or help eliminate misconceptions or clarify the details. Many times, cooperators don't have all the facts or the facts have been twisted by people

who grandstand. We don't need big egos and people who feed off of chaos, we need people to get engaged, ask questions, dialogue and share their ideas, specific ideas based on FACTS. Everyone is welcome to the table. The one requisite is that you come to genuinely participate in the process and make contributions. We've had enough complaints, skepticism, negativism and complacency here in Co-op City to last us a lifetime. Now it's time for our entire community to step up. This Board is genuinely trying to improve this corporation, to make it healthier and financially sound. As President Taylor said Saturday, he doesn't allow politics, this Board is about business. I ask that you stay engaged and encourage your family, friends and neighbors to do the same. We as a Board don't have all the answers, so we welcome the community’s input. I serve at your pleasure and I do it with honor and integrity. Enough Snow! I’m sure I’m not the only one who is tired of this winter weather. We are a month away from the official start of spring. In the meantime, please remain safe and warm and keep looking out for each other. I continue to be interested in your thoughts. I can be reached at Riverbay Board Office, 2049 Bartow Avenue, Bronx, NY 10475 or Lberk@riverbay board.com.

Co-op Insurance

Co-op City Times / February 14, 2015

The Wright Agency: Serving Co-op City for 34 years!

Riverbay Requires Current Co-op Shareholders to Obtain Coverage!

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Other Lines of Insurance: • Auto

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Co-op City will get a 4½% increase and a 5-year Cablevision plan

Our cooperators came out in force and voiced their opinions on what's going on here during an almost packed out meeting in Dreiser on Saturday, February 7. We had the cameras rolling. So, you know there had to be some action. The Meeting The meeting started off with an extremely long presentation by our president, Cleve Taylor, on our financial situation. "We have no cash," he ultimately stated. Then, he went ahead with a proposal from Cablevision. "Do you want these charges to appear on your monthly statement?" he asked. And, that's when the audience reacted. "No, we don't want these charges on our statements. Why can't they give us a package without those charges being on our statement?" This one point was a major issue in the previously defeated offer from Cablevision. But, in a surprise move, Taylor indicated that this board is now going to make the decision for the community to accept this proposal from Cablevision. Cablevision Proposal Under this current proposal, Cablevision will issue a credit, up to $75, to each of their 13,191 current television subscribers here for the next 5 years. Thereafter, Cablevision will transfer the billing for these cable television subscribers to Riverbay. Riverbay will then make monthly payments of $25 for each subscriber to Cablevision for 5 years. Therefore, that monthly payment will be 13,191 subscribers multiplied by $25, for a total of $329,775. Thereafter, Riverbay will charge each subscriber a $25 monthly fee for cable television service for 5 years. And, these charges will appear on a separate line on their monthly carrying charge statement. But, think, we currently

CCPD

group mailing offering insurance for water pipes between the New York City water main pipes and the pipes inside your home. Here in Co-op City, cooperators are not responsible for any of the water pipes. Any problem with the water pipes inside the home or between the buildings or townhouses and the New York City water mains will be repaired by Riverbay without cost. Sending out these mailings may not have been meant to defraud cooperators, but it is clearly a type of insurance which is not necessary. Cooperators are only required to have renters’ insurance for their Co-op City apartments. Renters’ insurance protects items within the apartment and against claims that might arise for damage caused by the cooperator. Another type of scam we have seen either calls or texts someone’s phone and tells them that a family member is in danger unless they wire money to specified person. In most cases, the scammer does not even know who the victim or their family members are. Many calls or texts are initiated until someone falls for the scam. Wiring money to someone you do not know is almost never a good idea. If something seems out of order, notify authorities. Another type of scam is a “sweepstakes” based scam. In this case, the victim receives a real looking check. New technology makes it possible for this forged check to appear realistic. The quality of the forged check is so realistic that it can even fool banks or check cashing establishments. The problem comes in when the bank

Co-op City Times / February 14, 2015

Daryl Johnson

Director’s Viewpoint

have 1,000 cooperators that pay their carrying charges on the very last business day of the month. So, do you think that some of these subscribers will pay their $25 monthly television fee on a consistent basis? Probably not. But, that's when a formerly little problem is now going to become a large legal problem for them. See You in Court Cooperators will not be able to get out of this 5-year agreement. Additionally, Riverbay will not be able to discontinue a cooperator's television service for nonpayment. So, a major question at this point is when will Riverbay stop accepting all reduced payments from a cooperator and take that cooperator into housing court? "Riverbay will seek to take away a privilege—a garage pass or a hallway closet—if a cooperator doesn't pay for their television service," according to Taylor. But, that's a slap on the wrist if a cooperator digs in and stops making all payments. So, Riverbay will have no choice but to take that cooperator into housing court, after a certain point. Now, what happens if a large percentage of these subscribers become unhappy and stop paying for this television service? Well, Riverbay will still be on the hook to make those same monthly payments. And, at that point, Riverbay might also

decide to take those cooperators into housing court and issue another carrying charge increase to make up for those payments. Will they get evicted? We will have to wait and see. But, for now, this presentation has drawn mixed reactions. "This program works for me," stated some cooperators. Then, some cooperators are not happy with Riverbay's involvement. "I don't want any charges for TV on my monthly statement." Closing this meeting out, a cooperator stated that we need for Cablevision to have an office here. Answering this question, I pointed out that Cablevision previously indicated that they might be interested in opening an office inside of Bay Plaza. STAR Credit Cooperators that previously enrolled in the Basic or the Enhanced STAR program received credits of $101.68 or $215.08, respectively, on their February carrying charge statements. If you are not registered, then please call 3-1-1 or go online and register for this program before March 15, 2015. Thanks. Inappropriate Board Politics Recently, I had two issues with this board over signing documents and starting a patrol in my building. My objections were that there are too many questionable things going on here. As an example, I recently wrote about some items that were approved by this board. First, we had 3 resolutions for change orders that totaled more than $1.1 million for the power plant. Then, we had a resolution for a $50,000 donation, in unrestricted funds, that was issued to the Riverbay Fund. And, more recently, nine board members and a Riverbay employee recently received new laptops that cost

$13,265.48. Also, a board member was paid $960 for a claim that she missed work to attend some board and community meetings. Other than approving a new computer for an employee, do you think that I, as a responsible director, would have approved these other items? No! The second issue involved setting up a patrol in my building, 25. I wanted to help my neighbors because we had two gunpoint incidents with the robbers hanging out in the stairwells. This board apparently didn't like these actions and took a vote to remove me as the 1st vice president. My response? I’m volunteering my time to help this entire community. So, I could care less about a position. Bottom line: I am still a board member and I do not play games, rubberstamp documents, and then give out large increases to hurt this community. Close Five board member seats will be up for grabs soon. So, please call me if you are interested in running for the board. 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 718671-4544 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.

their banking information. In order to protect yourself from these and other scams, realize that legitimate persons will never ask you for upfront fees to obtain a loan or receive a prize. Be leery of a lender who is not concerned with your credit history. Hang up on any caller making a loan offer. Check a lender’s legit-imacy with the New York State Department of Banking or the Better Business Bureau. There are reputable lenders that can help you to consolidate your debt in order to make payments more manageable. Those of you wishing to make donations to assist in the event of a legitimate emergency, make sure that the agency to which you donate is legitimate. In the past, scammers posing as charities attempted to solicit donations for disasters. It is unfortunate, but this is, unfortunately, a fact of life. In some cases, it may be better to donate funds locally at your church, synagogue or religious institution. Be certain the charitable organization you select is, in fact, using the funds for the intended purpose. It is unfortunate that scammers will take advantage of a tragic situation. If you fall victim to a scam, notify the New York State Attorney General at 1 (800)771-7755 or www.oag.state.ny.us/ and the Federal Trade Commission at 1877-382-4357 or www.ftc.gov/. The Federal Bureau of Investigation has set up an Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) specifically for the purpose of reporting internet crimes. Their website if www.ic3.gov/. School is open, DRIVE CAREFULLY. Never pass a stopped school bus with a

STOP sign displayed or its red lights flashing. This means children are loading or unloading. Be aware of pedestrians and bike riders when operating a motor vehicle. Bike riders must refrain from riding bicycles near buildings and shopping centers. Bicycle riders must give pedestrians the same level of respect that they expect from motor vehicles. Everyone needs to share the road safely. If your Valentine’s Day celebration includes consuming alcoholic beverages, do not operate a motor vehicle. Enforcement of drunk driving has increased nationwide in an attempt to reduce Drunk Driving deaths and injuries. Never operate a motor vehicle if you have consumed alcoholic beverages. Always buckle your seatbelt; it will save your life in a serious collision. Avoid distractions and excess speed when driving; these are the two leading causes of collisions within New York State. Always remember, if you see something, say something. If you see suspicious persons in the garage or lurking near parked vehicles on the street, an auto crime could be taking place or be ready to happen, notify the authorities. Call 9-1-1 and the Department of Public Safety at (718) 671-3050 or online at www.ccpd.us. Callers may remain anonymous when giving information. The Co-op City Department of Public Safety would like to thank all persons who have called in suspicious activity or sent information via our website. It is by your actions that the crime rate remains low and a high quality of life is maintained.

(Continued from page 7)

attempts to retrieve the funds associated with the check and finds that there are none. By this time, the victim may have already wired money to another state or country attempting to receive an even larger sum of money. Unfortunately, the victim may be responsible for the funds received from the fraudulent check. Remember, a legitimate contest or sweepstakes will never make you pay money to receive your prize. Another scam involves a person claiming to be from a government agency claiming to have unclaimed funds belonging to the intended victim. For a fee, the “government employee” can help you obtain these funds. While there are legitimate means of obtaining unclaimed funds, the government does not send employees out to solicit the owners of these fees. If you believe that you are entitled to unclaimed fees, seek out the New York State Attorney General’s office and find out how to proceed. Never pay anyone to help you to obtain these funds. The appropriate agency will provide assistance in this matter free of charge. The mere mention of fraud somehow makes potential victims more likely to believe the scam artist. It is not impossible that a bank could call you in the event of fraud, but a legitimate bank employee would not ask you for your account number, Personal Identification Number or other personal data. If you receive a request like this, call your financial institution using a number you are sure belongs to your bank or inquire in person. Banks and other financial institutions are happy if their customers do not readily give out

Co-op City Times / February 15, 2015

Use of parking facilities during inclement weather

As you are aware, during inclement weather, the garages are often more full than normal. Many of our residents who pay for a garage space utilize street parking on a regular basis. However, when there is snow in the forecast, these drivers then come into the garage. In addition to the mass influx of vehicles in the garage, the overcrowding is also caused by those cooperators who park and do not leave to their normal destination, instead remaining at home. In order to balance these factors, we close some of the garages in advance to the public. This is done to ensure that our cooperators who park are able to find a spot with minimal difficulty. The capacities of our garage spaces include the rooftop and both ramps. We’d like to reiterate to cooperators the safety of our roof parking. The roof

should be utilized in inclement weather, especially by those with four (4) wheel drive vehicles. This will allow other vehicles that may not have 4 wheel drive capabilities to drive and maneuver through the garage safely and securely. In addition, drivers who block the drive aisles make it difficult for our snow plows to get up to the roof. Therefore, patrons are asked to make every effort to find a parking space and refrain from parking in the drive aisles. Cooperators, please be patient and safe when the garages are filled to capacity. Be mindful of your fellow drivers in the garage, especially during difficult weather conditions. If you have any trouble navigating the roof or are unable to locate a parking space, please inform the attendant and s/he will contact the supervisor for further assistance. —Parking Facilities Department

2015 Window Guard Notice

Please fill out your 2015 Window Guard form and return it to the Window Guard office using the envelope provided. You may also

leave your form in any Cooperator Service Office or in Room S in the Bartow Community Center. Thank you.

Elevator Inspections Schedule

Elevator Category 1 and Category 5 inspections are required by city law. These inspections will be conducted in Co-op City according to the schedule below. Each inspection will take 1½ - 2 hrs. to complete. We apologize for the inconvenience and appreciate your patience as we work to ensure the safety of your elevators. DATE Thursday, February 19th

BUILDING

CAR

INSPECTION

2B 2B

3 4

Cat 1 Cat 1

11:00 AM

Cat 1 Cat 1

11:00AM

2A 2A

Thursday, February 19th Thursday, February 26th

4A 4A

Thursday, February 26th

4B 4B

1 2

1 2 3 4

Cat 1 Cat 1

TIME

8:00 AM

Cat 1 Cat 1

8:00 AM

NOTICE To all cooperators in Building 32A & 32B

Re: domestic hot and cold water shutdown

The domestic hot and cold water will be shut down in order to replace regulator valves in the pump room. In preparation for the shut-down, we urge cooperators to keep a supply of water on hand for emergency prior

to the shutdown. Date: Wednesday, February 18 Time: 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Please make sure that you keep your faucets in a closed position and all drains clear of objects. We apologize for the inconvenience and appreciate your patience in this matter. —CSO (Einstein Loop)

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Individuals - Couples - Groups Accepts most insurance

1910 Pelham Parkway South (near I-95, Hutchinson, 6-train and BX-12 bus) Call for a consultation:

718-823-4864

Doing what’s best for cooperators Co-op City Times / February 14, 2015

Recently, we had the first televised Town Hall meeting in Dreiser Center regarding the pending carrying charge increase and the Cablevision bulk offer. The auditorium was packed. Having it televised allowed many shareholders to hear the information, as well as the questions. I think Eddie Diaz, Director of the Electrical Department, and Rick Schmidt, Director of Tech Services, did a fantastic job and as a result many people were able to view the process from the comfort of their home. There are many topics that are important to this community and it would be great to see future meetings well attended. There was passion, concern and detailed questions expressed by those seeking answers and a very engaged audience. The respect demonstrated at the meeting, whether in agreement or not, allowed the shareholders to hear the various points of

view. We may disagree on how to get there, carrying charge increase, assessment, cutbacks, but we were at least able to hear the case being made and why. In my opinion, I am sure the mortgage lenders et al will feel their investment is more secure with a carrying charge increase, but is yours? Often in articles you read that we are the largest NORC (Naturally Occurring Retirement Community), so what does that mean? It means that we have a large number of families receiv-

ing pensions and various forms of Social Security benefits. If their income is above the specified amount, they may not be protected from increases. There are also some shareholders that have lived here for many years in large apartments who are in under-occupied units, but can’t move to smaller apartments because of the hardship the equity would impose. The decisions that must be made are difficult and not easily made. I am concerned, but I know we have a great community with great shareholders all interested in doing what’s best for Riverbay Corporation cooperators. The National Council of Negro Women’s Co-op City Section is cosponsoring with the Riverbay Fund its 14th Annual Black History Month Youth Celebration on Saturday, February 28, from 1:00-4:00 p.m. at the Dreiser Community Center. It will

Compliments to all the folks involved with getting the town hall meeting held Saturday from noon till about 4 p.m. televised. For me, having a bad cold, it was really important to have the ability to see this meeting in our living room. It is still winter, but Riverbay Election season 2015 is just around the corner. We are fortunate in Co-op City to participate in a democratic system, each family has a vote. All you have to do is vote! However, if you don’t win, it’s a democracy, you compromise, accept the loss, and move on till next year or the opportunity to convince others so the next time you may gain votes. It was really something to hear the pros and cons on various issues discussed. By the way, what is Mitchell-Lama Housing and your role has a shareholder? Now, with careful,

deliberate plans we will get through this bad financial time in Co-op City. 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. Our next general meeting is Thursday, March 19, 7 – 9 p.m. in Bartow Community Center. Again, sincere appreciation to Buildings and Grounds workers for doing a great job on clearing the ice and snow. Another issue to thank the powers that be for is clearing up the cooling tower regarding “Legionnaire’s Disease.” We cannot pinch pennies where health is concerned. It was a necessity to get that job done correctly.

Thank you, Co-op City Times, for updating readers on the continuing work being done. The two page synopsis published in the January 17th issue was very helpful. It is hard to honor the recycling designations in the winter, but the three designations at our dumpster bins are: White is for mixed paper, cardboard, paper containers; Blue is for bottles, cans, metal, and foil; Green is for ALL other garbage. On discarding electronic equipment, sort and bundle separately, then put it at the dumpster site. Please don’t litter in our sidewalks and gutters. It’s disgusting finding broken shopping carts, food containers, diapers, bottles, etc. in the streets and gutters. Keep your eyes and ears open to recognize frauds and scammers. “The

Hi, all: We are reprinting the statistics for those of you who did not receive a newspaper. Keep up the good work. Our next general membership meeting is Tuesday, February 24, 7:00 p.m., Bartow, Room 31. Below are motor vehicle statistics given to us by the 45th Precinct. The stats below represent a significant increase in traffic and only bears out our concerns that if nothing is done, our traffic mess will only get worse. Motor vehicle accidents for Bartow Ave. and Baychester Ave. 2013 – 70 vehicle accidents 2014 - 64 vehicle accidents 2015 - 2 vehicle accidents The two (2) motor vehicle accidents are for the month of January, 2015. We just started the year and already have two (2) accidents. Motor vehicle accidents for Bartow Ave. and Co-op City Blvd. 2013 – 27 motor vehicle accidents

2014 - 43 motor vehicle accidents 2015 - 2 motor vehicle accidents Again, the two (2) motor vehicle accidents is just for January, 2015. We just started the year. Preliminary Section 5 Statistics will be forthcoming and are continuing along with more statistical gathering from Co-op City Boulevard, Bartow and Baychester Avenues. Continue to call, email and fax. When you call, you say—I am a Co-op City resident extremely concerned about pedestrian safety and high volume traffic that already exist through Section 5, and Bartow and Baychester Avenues. How many studies or time does the DOT need? Help us prevent a fatality by starting to implement these changes NOW. • Create a new (another) exit leading out of the Mall unto I-95 and/or Hutchinson River Parkway • Speed Signs

• Increased Signal Lights to enable us to cross the streets • Turn Only signals on major streets leading into and out of Co-op City • Street lines painted • Dividers to be installed and/or replaced • More ADA accessible streets and sidewalks • Signs at the Mall’s exit next to Toys R Us not to cross lanes that say (Complete Right Turn Only) • Do Not Block Intersection Signs • Traffic agents CALL: Commissioner Constance Moran – 212-748-6680 Congressman Elliot L. Engel –718796-9700/202-225-2464 State Senator Ruth HassellThompson – 718-547-8854 Assemblyman Michael Benedetto – 718-892-2235/718-320-2220 City Council Member Andy King – 718-684-5509/212-788-6873

Leslie Peterson

Director’s Viewpoint

Broun Place Townhouse Association

Cooperators United of Co-op City

be an afternoon of singing, dancing, stepping, and poetry. So join them as they “Live the Dream and Celebrate our Gifts.” Admission is free and light refreshments will be served. REMINDER: The STAR Program has two categories – The Basic STAR and the Enhanced STAR. The Basic STAR is open to the primary residence of any New York State resident and has no age restriction. The Enhanced STAR is for eligible senior citizens at or above age 65. For more information or to obtain an application, type in STAR tax credit or call 3-1-1. I believe the deadline to apply is March 15. I am always interested in hearing your thoughts on various issues. I can be reached by mail at: Leslie Peterson, Riverbay Board Director, 2049 Bartow Avenue, Bronx, NY 10475; telephone at 718-320-1370; or e-mail at dadd peterson@aol.com.

NYPD Retirees,” “Veterans of the Vietnam War,” “American Water Resources,” for example, are frauds and/or not applicable to us. The best thing to do is register with “Do Not Call.” For Public Safety, dial 718-6713050. Help enforce our quality of life regulations. “If You See Something, Say Something.” Please urge our Community Planning Board to pick up garbage around Co-op City. Remember, prepare terraces and patios for this winter, close tables and grills, tie them down, and make sure your terrace drain is clear. Tell a Broun Place board member about your tidings and special dates. Special prayers for those recovering from surgery; we hope for the best recovery possible. –Eva Lazaar FAX: State Senator Ruth HassellThompson – 718-515-2718 Congressman Elliot L. Engel – 718796-5134 Assemblyman Michael Benedetto – 718-892-0035/718-320-4753 City Council Member Andy King – 718-684-5510 EMAIL: State Senator Ruth Hassell-Thompson - hassellt@senate. state.ny.us Assemblyman Michael Benedetto – benedem@assembly.state.ny.us Congressman Elliot L. Engel – www.engel.house.gov Commissioner Constance Moran cmoran@dot.nyc.gov City Council Member Andy King – andyking@council.nyc.gov We thank you for your support. Come out to our next meeting. Let us hear from you. We can be reached at 718-379-7841 or MLSAH@aol.com. —Sonja Maxwell

Delivery of the Co-op City Times has returned to the elevator area on your floor. If you do not receive your Co-op City Times by 12 p.m., please call 347-439-5632 on Saturdays ONLY, 9 a.m. - 1 p.m.

Bulk deal

residents of the community. As explained by President Taylor at the meetings, the community needs to raise $8M to cover the $6.25 million settlement in the Ramirez vs. Riverbay labor settlement and approximately $1M associated with cleaning the cooling tower at the Riverbay Power Plant after preliminary tests conducted by the city’s Department of Health found the presence of legionella bacteria. (See report on town hall meetings on page 1.) The Cablevision proposal is to have Riverbay Corporation purchase cable services with a retail value of approximately $75 from Cablevision at a considerable bulk rate discount. Riverbay will then pass on this savings to shareholders, and provide this service to each residential unit for $25 per month for the next 5 years. This translates into a savings of approximately up to $50, and a much more affordable cable television bill, savings which could help to offset the proposed carrying charge increase, as well as the garage fee increase which has not gone up in the last 7 years. (See Savings Chart on page 1). Cablevision currently has more than 13,000 subscribers in Co-op City while about 2,000 units are still on the master antenna. Those with cable service as of January, 2015 will be incorporated into the bulk agreement should the proposal be adopted by the community and those on the master antenna will be upgraded to Cablevision’s Optimum Preferred package if they so choose, which will provide them with more channels than they previously had at no cost. Those who wish to remain on the master antenna will be able to do so as well since the master antenna will continue to be maintained. Shareholders who wish to downgrade their Cablevision Optimum services up to the Preferred package during the 5-year agreement can do so. If those units that were previously on the master antenna become vacant during the course of the 5 years of the bulk cable agreement, they will then be charged the $25 fee by Riverbay for cable services going forward. In addressing the capacity crowd that filled the Dreiser Auditorium last Saturday, February 7, President Taylor stated: “Ladies and gentlemen, Verizon is not coming, let’s be clear on that. We’ve had these discussions before about Verizon. We’ve had several meetings back in July where we tried to get Verizon to come in and wire Co-op City. They told us ‘no’ unless we gave Verizon the same deal that we gave Cablevision. That, contractually, is impossible.” The Riverbay-Cablevision agreement was negotiated in 2007 when Community Home Entertainment (CHE), Co-op City’s prior satellite provider, discontinued services to the development and sold its satellite system to Cablevision. Riverbay then went to court to enjoin the sale and obtained an order precluding any sale without the consent of Riverbay. At that point, Riverbay contacted several carriers, including Cablevision, Verizon, RCN and others, to obtain competing offers. Verizon declined and ultimately, the 2007 Cablevision-Riverbay agree-

Co-op City Times / February 14, 2015 (Continued from page 1)

ment was negotiated which provides the Riverbay Corporation with approximately $500,000 annually. The Riverbay-Cablevision agreement is set to expire in 2024, so at this point, the community is still bound to this contract for the next 9 years. The bulk cable agreement that Cablevision is offering would cover 5 of those 9 years. “We left $8 million dollars on the table by not taking this package last year,” said President Taylor. “This year, Cablevision is offering another $8 million to put directly in your pocket. They want to lower your television charge by $75 a month for the next five years. That cumulative total to the shareholders would amount to about $11.5 million returned to the shareholders.” The Board President continued: “The benefit of the $8 million saving, and if you remember our lawsuit is $8 million, if we combine these two features, the net effect on your monthly living expenses would go down. In other words, if we combine these two items as part of your family budget because we all have tv and we all have to pay our carrying charges, so let’s look at these two bills together. If you follow the chart, your carrying charge would go down on your bill.” (See chart below).

increase of $11 per month, but still not close to what their carrying charge would be if the cable credit is not accepted. “We put together these proposals in order to soften the impact and blow of any carrying charge, but if you adamantly don’t want to take advantage of this, then you just pay the full 4.5% increase, you can subtract out the $25 and you can forget the Cablevision credit because you won’t get it,” said Board President Taylor. “They (Cablevision) have no problem keeping the $8 million dollars.” President Taylor added that he also asked the Cablevision representatives, “How can I protect the shareholders in Co-op City from future innovations and technology because we all know that technology changes and changes quickly, and they informed me that as Cablevision subscribers, and Cablevision has some 10-15 million subscribers in the Tri-State area, that we will be entitled to the exact same technology that every other Cablevision customer is, so whatever technology they roll out, they will provide it to us.” Shareholders should keep in mind that the bulk cable proposal only applies to their cable charges and not the other charges on their Cablevision bills. In other words, if you have Cablevision’s

PROPOSED CARRYING CHARGE INCREASE & CABLEVISION PROPOSAL

According to the Proposed Carrying Charge Increase & Cablevision Proposal Chart (above) which was discussed at the townhall meetings, if the Cablevision proposal is accepted by the community, shareholders with a 1-bedroom efficiency apartment, (3-unit), whose current carrying charge is $621, after the 4.5% carrying charge increase is factored into their monthly maintenance charge, along with the $25 fee for their bulk rate cable and their $75 Cablevision credit, would end up paying $599 monthly, saving $22 per month on their carrying charges. Shareholders with a 2 bedroom (4.5-unit) whose current carrying charge is $932 per month, would pay $924 after the 4.5% proposed carrying charge and $25 cable fee are factored into their monthly maintenance, resulting in a monthly saving of $8 per month. On the other hand, shareholders with a 3 bedroom with a terrace (6.5 unit size) who currently pay $1,346 per month, after their 4.5% carrying charge increase and $25 cable fee are added to their monthly maintenance would end up paying $1,357, a slight

Optimum Triple Play, you will still be responsible for paying the charges for your Optimum Voice and Online services, as well as charges for additional outlets and cable boxes and their associated taxes and fees. In addition, while shareholders on the Optimum Value and Preferred packages will see $0.00 on their Cablevision bills for TV, those who have the Silver and Gold packages will see a charge of $15 and $35, respectively, as per the Savings Chart on page 1. Most likely, as the Board continues discussions on the bulk cable proposal, shareholders will be polled on their March maintenance bills to help the Board decide if this proposal is something that the shareholders wish to accept before the Board reports back to the community. In the meantime, those with questions are urged to reach out to the Co-op City Times, Riverbay’s Director of Special Projects Joe Boiko, and to Board members so they can be compiled and the answers sought to bring greater clarity to the issues involved. To help answer some of the questions

that shareholders have so far asked, the following Q & A has been prepared. Frequently Asked Questions Co-op City Cable TV Bulk Offer: Q &A Residents within the community are beginning to realize that this is a unique opportunity to save money while continuing to enjoy their cable TV. With the excitement now building within the community regarding Cablevision’s bulk rate proposal to Co-op City, we would like to take this opportunity to answer some frequently asked questions regarding this savings opportunity. Q: If I currently receive Cablevision’s Optimum Preferred package, will I continue to receive the same package and how much would I save? A: Yes, you would still receive Cablevision’s Optimum Preferred Package. Your monthly savings here would also be substantial. For example, if you currently pay the non-promotional rate of $75 for Cablevision’s Optimum Preferred plan, your monthly charge for this package to Cablevision would be reduced to $0. Your monthly payment to Riverbay would be $25. This would result in up to approximately $50 per month savings for your family. Q: If I currently receive Cablevision’s Optimum Silver package, will I continue to receive the same package and how much would I save? A: Yes, you would still receive the Cablevision’s Optimum Silver package. Your overall monthly bill will decrease substantially should the proposal be accepted. For example, if you currently pay the non-promotional rate of $89.95 for Cablevision’s Optimum Silver, your monthly charge for this package to Cablevision would be reduced to $15. Your monthly payment to Riverbay would be $25. This would result in up to approximately $50 per month savings for your family. Q: If I currently receive Cablevision’s Optimum Gold package, will I continue to receive the same package and how much would I save? A: Yes, you would still receive the Cablevision Optimum Gold package. Your overall monthly bill will decrease substantially should the proposal be accepted. For example, if you currently pay the non-promotional rate of $109.95 for Cablevision’s Optimum Gold, your monthly charge for this package to Cablevision would be reduced to $35. Your monthly payment to Riverbay would be $25. This would result in up to approximately $50 per month savings for your family. Q: If I currently receive Cablevision’s Optimum Value package, will I continue to receive the same package and how much would I save? A: In this scenario, you would be automatically upgraded to Cablevision’s Optimum Preferred Package. You will still end up paying less money for more channels. For example, if you currently pay the non-promotional rate of $64.95 for Cablevision’s Optimum Value plan, (Continued on page 20)

Co-op City Times / February 14, 2015

Happy Valentine’s Day to those who believe and celebrate this day. To all the cooperators who attended our first Televised/Open Board Meeting, thank you. Many of you were allowed to share the pros and cons of an increase in our carrying charges and allowing Cablevision a Bulk Rate agreement. It is my understanding that cooperators will have the opportunity to vote on the Cablevision offer. The Board is continuing to review the budget and will be making additional recommendations in the coming weeks. Cooperators should continue to voice their concerns via email, letter or telephone calls to your Board members. The purpose of transparency is to encourage more participation. BLACK HISTORY MONTH – LOOKING BACK - Part 2. In sharing our history, our young people should be encouraged to read the research by Ivan Van Sertima, who has documented that Africans came to the Americas before Columbus. Also, before the “floating dungeons” and the culmination of over thirty years of multidisciplinary research, Scholar Cheikh Anta Diop, Dakar, Senegal participated in the “intellectual fight” that uncovered the ancient origins of classical African civilization. His awesome work was not published in this country until 1974. According to his research, Egypt, before several invasions, was “black.” According to his research, “the prehistoric native of Egypt, both in the old and new Stone Ages, was African, and there is every

Your voice is important Co-op City Times / February 14, 2015

Evelyn Turner

Director’s Viewpoint

reason for saying that the earliest settlers came from the South.” The “intellectual fight” continues when it comes to “Mother Africa.” When visiting Ghana, I was told that the word “Mother” is used as Africa gives to the world. She has carried the world on her shoulders for the benefit of others (gold, diamonds, rubber, oil, etc.) It has been documented that before becoming “slaves” in America, African (the richest piece of real estate on planet earth) had great Kings and Queens. Imhotep “Prince of Peace” was the world’s first recorded multi- genius. This is well over 2200 years before the Western father of Medicine, Hippocrates, is born. Imhotep’s most famous phase: “Eat, drink, and be merry for tomorrow we shall die.” As we move to where we are now, Dr. Joy DeGruy’s theory is that Black Americans were traumatized, never healed and suffer from Post Traumatic Slave Syndrome (PTSS). In other words, when and where did we get the “counseling” for the worst kind of physical, emotional, psychological and emotional abuse? What happened to a people who after the end of slavery had to endure a 100+ more years of

Black Codes, Jim Crow, Institutional Racism, convict leasing, terrorism and lynching? Dr. DeGruy asks, “What do repeated traumas visited upon generation after generation of a people produce?” The fact that African Americans are a strong, spiritual, loving and hopeful people has allowed us to build communities, colleges and universities under seemingly impossible circumstances. The organized brainwashing that African Americans are an inferior people has been disproved time and time again. We are a creative and industrious and forgiving people in spite of ongoing challenges. Ancestor, Professor, Amos N. Wilson has produced a revolutionary book entitled, “Black-On-Black Violence” that talks about the violent and self-destructive demise of a very significant part of the community, the Black male. Based on his theory, the ending of Black-on-Black violence is the primary, if not the sole responsibility of Afrikan people in American and abroad. According to Professor Amos Wilson, parents need to take charge as their children’s “preeminent educators” and “enculturators.” Parents must take charge of their history, their future and the love of their African selves. If not, we shall continue to be exploited and victimized by the children of other cultures. In the dominate culture, Wilson contends that many feel that their world would be more secure if all young Black males were imprisoned, solitarily confined to their ghettos, or kept under

constant surveillance. The Black male is not only readily suspected of committing crimes, but is actively provoked and seduced into criminality by his accusers and persecutors. Attorney Michelle Alexander provides America with a powerful analysis of why and how mass incarceration is the new caste system in America. Black Americans and others need to pay attention to the “New Jim Crow.” In America today, racial disparities in drug convictions and sentences is imprisoning a larger percentage of its Black population than South Africa did during apartheid. Reform of the criminal justice system is a movement in our time that will define what we will leave the next generation. As Frederick Douglas declared many years ago, “power exceeds nothing without a demand: it never has and never will.” This Director does not profess to be an expert on Black history, only a long time student of suppressed Black history and grateful to be living in a time when I can share and motivate others to gain knowledge of Black scholars. Information is important. Thanks to those who are celebrating Black History Month. A special thanks to Ancestor Carter G. Woodson for his advocacy for a WEEK. All History Matters! I may be reached at: Evelyn M. Turner – 718-320-8088 or eturner@riverbay board.com. Write me at: 2049 Bartow Avenue, Bronx, NY 10475.

Townhall Meetings Approximately 1,000 shareholders combined turned out for two town hall meetings last week – one in Dreiser Community Center and one in Einstein Community Center — during which Riverbay President Cleve Taylor explained in great detail to the shareholders the temporary financial shortfall facing the community and the steps the Board is considering taking to overcome these short term deficits as a new two-year operating budget comes due by the end of March. Aside from the extraordinary detail of the content provided, the meetings were historic because they were the first public Co-op City community meetings telecast live to all Co-op City homes. The telecasts were directed by Riverbay’s long-time electrical engineer Eddie Diaz with invaluable technical support provided by Rick Schmidt, Riverbay Director of Technical Services. (See page 5 for more pictures) Photos by Bill Stuttig

Bulk deal Q & A

you will be automatically upgraded to the Optimum Preferred package. Your monthly charge for this package to Cablevision would be reduced to $0. You will receive more channels, for no money in this scenario. Your monthly payment to Riverbay would be $25. This would result in up to approximately $40 per month savings for your family.

(Continued from page 17)

Q: I have Cablevision’s Optimum Triple Play; will this affect my Online or Voice pricing? A: No. You will continue to enjoy your Cablevision Optimum Online and Voice service at the same regular rates you currently pay. The cable TV portion of your bill will be reduced as described in some of the scenarios above.

Cablevision will continue to bill you separately for your Online and Voice services. Q: How long will I receive reduced rates? A: Cablevision has proposed a 5 year agreement to Riverbay. Q: Why does this charge have to be included on my Carrying Charge

Statement? A: In order to give a communitywide bulk rate savings plan, Riverbay Corporation would need to enter into a contract with Cablevision on behalf of the Co-op City community. Cablevision would be billing Riverbay for the services starting at the Optimum Preferred package level.

Co-op City Times / February 14, 2015

General Membership Meeting – The Association will meet today, February 14th, “Valentine’s Day,” at 4:00 p.m., Dreiser Center, Room 15. All current members who are present will be eligible to win one of several prizes. The agenda will include updates on the White House Tour, the Spelling Bee, the Ebola crisis, celebration of February birthdays, music and refreshments. If you are unable to attend this meeting, please read our weekly column for updated 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: CoopcityAfricanamericanassoc. Black History Month Film Festival – Thanks to everyone who attended the

African-American Association

Black History Month Film Festival last Saturday. Much was learned from Brother Future and many copies of Hidden Colors were requested. Elder Keith Witherspoon delivered a fantastic inspirational message which was followed by refreshments and entertainment by The African-American Voices. All were pleasantly surprised by a visit from our friend and neighbor, Brother Kaba Kamene, who is featured in the Hidden Colors documentary. He shared his experiences with us and responded to our questions. The Association appreciated the assistance from Augusta, who used her own decorations, and Cathy, who donated snacks. Other members that helped were Cheryl, Martha, Delores and Deborah. Spelling Bee – The Association will present the Second Annual Spelling Bee on Saturday, March 21st at 11:00 a.m. in the Bartow Community Center, Room

31. If you would like your child to participate, call 718-379-5555 and leave your email address and a registration form will be sent to you. You may also obtain the form at the Riverbay Administration Office, 2049 Bartow Avenue. We look forward to another successful contest. The Association sponsors the following ongoing programs and encourages your participation. Belly Dance Classes – Wednesdays, 7 p.m., Dreiser, Room #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, Room #2. Dance to Soul, Latin, and Gospel music. Call Cynthia, 917-903-7073. Study Groups – The Institute for Youth meets on the 2nd & 4th Mondays, 7:00 p.m. The Book Study Group meets every 3rd Sunday, 1:00 p.m., Dreiser, Room #15. Call 718-379-5555.

Thank you to Sgt. Gregory of the CCPD for a great NO BULLYING Workshop – from the look on the youth and parents faces, it was a very enlightening, interactive experience. The youth were given tips on how to handle difficult situations and reminded to always inform their parents and other authority figures when bullying occurs. Both youth and parents have requested another session. Read the Building 13 Association bulletin board and Co-op City Times for updates. Paint Party – Scheduled for Saturday, February 21, from 7:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. No need to trek to Manhattan to create a masterpiece! B13 offers a relaxed and fun-filled environment that is perfect for a friend or a date! Intended for people who have little or no experience painting, but all levels will be welcomed. Place: Association Room, 100 Casals Place, Bronx, NY 10475. Donation: $20 per person (includes material). This event is made possible by Building 13 Association, Inc. as a fundraiser for future artistic programming. GAME NIGHT - Is scheduled for Saturday, February 28, from 7:0010:00 p.m., in the Association Room of

Building 13 hosted by Miguel and Nancy. Join us and play Left, Right and Center, Bingo, Cards, Dominoes, Heads Up or any game you choose. We eat, chat and listen to good music. All are welcome to come and join the fun and by all means bring a friend. On Saturday, March 21st at 4 p.m., the American Red Cross will conduct a Disaster Preparedness Workshop in the Building 13 association room. A limited number of items will be distributed for your preparedness bag, so if you are interested in attending and would like to bring someone, please let us know in advance. Women Keeping It Real is scheduled for Saturday, March 21, from 6:30-8:30 p.m. It's an inspiring, insightful, informative and often hilarious social gathering of women of all ages discussing various issues. Remember! You must be 18 and over to participate. YOU and your friends are welcome. DON'T MISS IT! Sur La Table-Chef Night Laugh, eat and learn together. It’s a dinner party. Led and instructed by chefs and trained culinary professionals, we will create a multicourse meal. Once finished, we

will sit down, eat and enjoy. The price includes the chef, kitchen assistants and all food. Water, tea, coffee, soda and sparkling water are provided. Scheduled on Saturday, April 18 at 2:00 p.m. The cost is $95, payable in two installments. Payment of $45 is due by March 7, and the balance by April 4. Please see the paragraph below to submit payment. Checks for Building 13 events

I hope everyone is staying safe and warm during this cold winter season we have been having lately. We are planning our next building meeting for Wednesday, Feb. 18 at 7:30 p.m. We are trying to get a guest speaker for this meeting too. Our building meeting room is located across from the building's back door. We also have game night there also. We want to hear your ideas that you have for our building. Come out and meet your neighbors. We want to hear what you think about

Riverbay revisiting the Cable-vision bulk deal, if you are for it or against it. Make your voice heard at our building meeting. I also want to thank our Lobby Attendant, Andy, for doing a great job making our building safe. Keep up the great work, Andy. I am happy to see everyone in the building getting to know him. Please help your building association stay alive. We are looking for new board members for our building association. —Jeffrey Schwartz

Hope that all our neighbors are warm and comfy during these cold months. The itinerary for the association this month is Pokeno on Friday, the 13th, and movie night, Friday, the 20th. Doors open for these event at 7 p.m.,

events start at 7:30 p.m. There will be no general meeting of the association this month. Crochet is still every Wednesday in the association room starting at 1 p.m. —Linda Werner

Building 13 Association

Building 6 Association

Building 30 A&B Association

21 Music, Rhythm & Dance – Most Fridays, 7:30 p.m., Dreiser Center, Room #15; most Saturdays, 10:00 a.m., Dreiser Center, Room #2. Call Keith, 917-5616211, 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, Room #1. Contact Ms. Barnes at 646-281-4570. African Dance classes will be coming soon. Yoga & Pilates Mat Classes – Tuesdays, 7 p.m., Dreiser, Room #2. This class will resume on 3/3/15. Call Meena, 718-671-8364. Before School Program – Your child will be cared for from 6:00-8:00 a.m. and walked to school. Call 718-379-5555. After School Program – Your child will be picked up from school and cared for from 3:00-6:00 p.m. Call 718-3795555. —Francine Jones should be made payable to Building 13 Assoc. Inc. and mailed to: Bldg. 13 Assoc. Inc., 100 Casals Place #32K, Bronx, NY 10475. For information, contact Gail Sharbaan at 718-671-3801 or Leslie Peterson at 718-320-1370, our website: www.bldg13assoc.com, or e-mail us at building13assoc@ yahoo.com. Thanks for making our team work. —Leslie Peterson

Co-op City Times / February 14, 2015

Building 31 Association

Have you missed us? We are around. However, circumstances like this winter weather with low temperatures we have had to turn our plans around. As you all know, our meeting room does not retain heat from the one convector we have. This does not allow us to sit comfortably in this room for any expanded period of time unless it is above the freezing temps we have been having outside. We are

hoping and planning for Wed., February 25th, enabling us to hold our meeting. Did you view the townhall meeting on TV channel 591 on Saturday, Jan. 7th, regarding increases we are being faced with? We will invite a Board member to discuss the issue of the 4.5% maintenance increase and the additional $25 for Cablevision which will be attached to our monthly bill as well. If

you’re not clear, then make it a point to be at our meeting where perhaps you can get some clarity. So far this winter, several members have been ill and our Sunshine Committee headed by Rosie Kaplan has sent them well wishes. She has also sent out condolences to those we lost based on your notification. We are continuing our Knitting and

Trips Join us on June 20 for a day of fun. Leaving Co-op City at 8:00 a.m., we will be heading to a Wine Tasting at the Amore Vineyards. Our next stop is the Sands Casino (w/casino bonus) and attached outlet shopping mall for hours of gambling and shopping. Our last stop is for an all-you-can-eat buffet at the Golden Coral Restaurant prior to heading home. Total cost is $85, with deposit of $40 due no later than March 16 and final payment of $45 due by April 18. There will be NO refunds

Crochet Group on Monday evenings and our game night every other Friday, and invite all members and friends to attend. Please read the posters in your lobby for the next meeting and any other function mentioned here, then check out telephone numbers located on bulletin board in the lobby if you need additional information. —Marilyn McDaniel

after April 18. Payments can be sent to: Ms. Eleanor Bailey, 4180 Hutchinson River Pkwy. Apt. 10A, Bronx, NY 10475 (718) 379-7754; or given to: Ms. Dolores Rankin, 4160 Hutchinson River Pkwy. Apt. 10E, Bronx, NY 10475; (718) 379-0910. We have canceled the May 21st trip to the Dinner Theatre. Cake Sale We are planning a fundraiser Cake Sale for Saturday, April 18. Pull out your recipe books and experiment now so you'll be ready for our event. All

baked and purchased goods are greatly appreciated. Contact Ms. BrownClarke at (718) 671-1685 for information, suggestions, questions, etc. Association Dues Annual dues collection of $5 per family for the ENTIRE year (2015) are in progress. Look for postings indicating when dues will be collected and/or Executive Board members sitting in the lobby. Your dues are less than 10 cents per week, and as previously stated, serves numerous purposes. Please help your Building Association stay

alive.

Hi, neighbors: Our general meeting was cancelled in January due to inclement weather. Our next meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, February 24, at 7:00 p.m. in the association room under the portico. No guest speaker is scheduled at this time. Please watch bulletin board for updates. There will be a 50/50 drawing and refreshments will be served. Many thanks to our frequent “meeting goers” who assist with keeping our association alive. Your attendance is important to us. All are invited. These meetings are scheduled with you in mind. “Together, We Can Make A Difference!” MOVIE MATINEE: Our next movie is scheduled for Wednesday, February 18, at 3:30 p.m. in the association room. Refreshments will be served. Come and enjoy the movie and refreshments, and relax with your neighbors all afternoon.

MEMBERSHIP DUES: We will be collecting membership dues starting Wednesday, February 25th thru February 28th in the lobby. Information will be posted. Only $10 per household, a copy of the membership benefits are posted on the bulletin board. In case you have been away during collection times, you can give your membership dues to Gertie Brown or any committee member anytime. SCHOLARSHIP FUNDRAISER: Raffle tickets are on sale right now. Please get your tickets. Two (2) high school graduates will be given $500 scholarship award each to help towards their college expenses. SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATIONS: will be available soon. Recipients of the awards must meet the scholarship award’s criteria posted on the bulletin board. Neighbors, please check on our seniors and ones with disabilities, and

assist them when possible. Run errands, if needed, and assist them as they attempt to cross streets, etc. Our condolences go out to the Belle family in the loss of their loved one earlier this month, and to all the bereaved families, we give our deepest sympathies. Happy birthday to all with that

special day this month and may it be all you want it to be. Enjoy, and please be careful. To our sick and homebound, we wish that your health be restored to your normal capacity very soon. Please stay alert: If you see something, say something! —Gertie Brown

Building 32 Association

Building 18 Association

National Council of Negro Women

Our Legacy…. Our Leadership…. Our Future. Black History Month! “There is in this world no such force as the force of a person determined to rise.” — W.E.B. Du Bois/Educator and civil rights activist. Save the Date: Saturday, February 28, NCNW, Inc.’s Co-op City Section, co-sponsored with the Riverbay Fund, presents our 14th Annual Black History Youth Month celebration. Our theme this year, “Living The Dream And Celebrating Our Gifts,” “Equality and Justice For All” at Dreiser Auditorium B from 1-4 p.m. Youth interested in showcasing their talent in song, dance, poetry, spoken word, storytelling, theatrical

performances, instrument playing, etc., please call (917) 399-2643. Save the Date: Saturday, May 16th. Our Annual Bethune Height Recognition Luncheon will be held at the Coral House on the Lake, 70 Milburn Avenue, Baldwin, New York from 12:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. Members, please call and make arrangement to pick up your raffles and luncheon tickets. 718-320-2366. Please contact Sadie Gilmore, 718671-3721, to notify us of any birthdays, illness or bereavement. Happy birthday, February members. Crazy Winter Weather…Be safe. —Maxine Sullivan

Co-op City Public Safety Dept.

Emergency: 718-651-3050 www.ccpd.us

Non-Emergency: 718-320-3330 @CCPDnyc

Cleaning Up If you drop something, please pick it up. If it's your child or grand, teach them to pick up when they drop something. Our elevators are not a depository for candy wrappers, French fry containers, and assorted refuse. There are even cigarette butts in the elevators when everyone should know there is no smoking in either the halls or elevator. Let's keep our lobbies and elevators clean. —Lorna Smith

Co-op City Times / February 14, 2015

Co-op City Sports

Velocity Track Club New York The blessing continues! At the Colgate Women’s Games finals on Saturday, February 8th, we had 6 girls qualify, a great improvement from having one girl last year. Last year, Dominique Jackson was the only girl to qualify and received an educational grant. This year, through the hard work of athletes, coaches and dedicated parents, Dominique qualified once again, earning a $500 educational grant. She was joined by 5 more Velocity athletes, of which two of them also earned educational grants. The other 5 girls that made the finals are: Pearl Webster, who took 2nd in the shot put, which moved her up to 3rd place overall. She won a lovely trophy and a $250 grant. River Sampson took 3rd in the 55 meters dash and she won a lovely trophy and a $250 grant. Nariah Mathis took 5th in the 55 meter dash and earned a lovely trophy. Lisha McKenzie took 6th place in the 55 meter hurdles and earned a lovely trophy. Olyvia Burrell took 4th in the 55 meter dash and she also earned a lovely trophy. This was a great accomplishment for these young ladies. There may have been a thousand athletes

competing for the finals and VTC had 6 girls make it. Our great improvement may have been one of the reasons why we received the Coaches of the Year award. God is good, 6 girls made the final, with 3 earning funds for school. After the Colgate Women’s Games finals, the team went to Dave & Buster’s in the Palisades Mall in Nyack, New York. We had over 35 people come out to enjoy this special occasion. The children played games, while the adults enjoyed good conversation and watched the sporting games in their new sports restaurant. Then the next day, we drove to Jersey City for the AAU New Jersey Youth Indoor Championship. There were over 900 athletes participating. A team travelled from as far as Maryland to participate in this event. We arrived at the New Jersey Recreation Center at 7:40 a.m. and left at 10:25 p.m. Awards were given to the top 6 finishes in their event: medals to the top 3 and ribbons for 4th, 5th & 6th place. Earning medals for VTC were: Danielle Jackson, she is becoming one of the top girls in 200 & 400 meters for the 11 &

Co-op City Little League

Indoor Clinic Start Up Thanks to the Riverbay Board of Directors approval of Resolution #1483 on the temporary use of the former Bingo Hall by the Co-op City Little League, the indoor baseball clinic started last Saturday, Feb. 7th. The “yes” vote by Board Directors Atkins, Berk, Cylich, Gordon, F. Jones, O. Jones, Leslie, Peterson, Shapiro, Taylor, and Turner demonstrate Riverbay’s commitment to the betterment of our community youth. Special gratitude to Cleve Taylor and Evelyn Turner for submitting the proposal and supporting the CCLL program. The former Bingo Hall is located at 2081 Bartow Ave., next to the Bartow shopping mall. At the clinic, only sign-up players will be allowed to participate. Players should arrive on time at their scheduled clinic session; wear comfortable clothes; bring their fielding glove (league will provide a loaner, if needed). Baseball bats and regular baseballs are not allowed in the hall. It is recommended that parents bring bottled water for their child. Since there’s no seating at the site, it’s suggested to bring a portable folding chair. Registration is available during the

clinic hours (11 a.m. - 3 p.m.). Online registration is also available at SportsSignup website: coopcitylittle league.sportssignup.com. The site provides an easy to use online registration service which is available twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week. The fee payment can be made by credit card, debit card, money order or check. The online system uses a secured web page for credit and debit cards transactions which are processed via a merchant account. In addition, copies of the registration forms are accessible at the CCLL website: www.eteamz.com/coopcityll/. The page to the sign-up forms is found on the top left hand side of the “Welcome” page in the “Sports Signup Registration Online” link. Once completed the forms should be mailed to the Co-op City Little League, Dreiser Loop Community Center, Room 17, Bronx, NY 10475. Also include a registration fee check (minimum $25 partial payment) payable to Co-op City Little League. Clinic updates and more information on the Co-op City Little League programs can be found at the website www.eteamz.com/coopcityll/. —Hector Ayala

Let us know… If you have news you’d like to share with your neighbors, please give us a call at (718) 320-3300, Ext. 3375/6; email: cctimes@riverbaycorp.com or fax (718) 320-2595.

12 girls division, she won Gold in both events. Dontae Lindo is also being recognized as one of the top boys in the 1500 meters race for the 9 & 10 years old boys division, he also won the gold. Danielle and Dontae won these events at the last 3 highly competitive track meets. I went over some technical aspects with Lisha McKenzie in the 55 meter hurdles, which pay some dividends. Lisha also won a gold medal and her time Velocity Track Club’s Colgate Women’s Games improved. Avery Philip won finalists and Coach Dinkins sporting the trophies. gold in the 8 & under boys’ shot put. Kristian also won a bronze medal in the Phillip Raseam, Kanan Hickman, 200 meter race. We are so proud of Ladarius Jones & Darius Gordon ran what our children have accomplished. the 15 – 18 boys 4 x 200 meter relay for Anyone interested in supporting the first time and won gold medals. Velocity Track Club New York, we are Ladarius also won a silver medal in a 501(c)3 - Not-for-Profit. Just write the shot put and Darius won a the check of any size to Velocity Track bronze medal in the 800 meter race. Club New York. Your donation is a tax Domnique Jackson won a silver medal write off and we will send you a in the 15 – 16 girls 200 meter race. receipt. For additional information, Joseph Webster-Rutledge, Jordan please contact Coach Winston Dinkins Samuel, Trevon James & Kristian at 914-441-6196 or email me at Cadiz-Domville won bronze medals in WATCLT@AOL.COM. the 4 x 200 meters 13 & 14 boys relay. —Winston Dinkins

Co-op City Times / February 14, 2015

The Harriet Tubman Independent Democratic Club will have their first meeting of the New Year on Tuesday, February 17th, 7 p.m. in the Einstein Community Center. The club is calling all old and new members to come out and give us your support. This club started in 1990 and was a very strong group of people. We are trying to regroup and get going again. This is a good time to start again, being this is Black History Month. Did you know Dr. Carter G.

Harriet Tubman Independent Democratic Club Woodson? He established the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History in 1915, and a year later, founded the widely respected Journal of Negro History. In 1926, he launched Negro History Week as an initiative to bring national attention to the contributions of Black people throughout American history. He chose the second week of February for Negro History Week because it marks the birthdays of two men who greatly influenced the Black American population, Frederick Douglas and Abraham Lincoln.

Retirees of Dreiser Loop

TRAVEL EVENTS ● Thurs., March 19 – We are going back to the SANDS CASINO RESORT. Great shopping at the Sands’ Outlets– where Fashion meets the Fabulous. SOLD OUT! Rebate – TBD. Meet bus/depart: 8:45/9:00 a.m. Contacts: Serita G, 347-564-5722/Barbara W, 718-320-0500. ▪ May 19-21, (Tues.-Thurs.). MARTHA VINEYARD/CAPE COD. Price: Double $429 & Single $489. $50 deposit required to hold seat. SOLD OUT! Waitlist. Package includes WELCOME reception, 2 dinners & 2 breakfasts, several tours, and shopping at Clinton Crossing outlets. Contacts: Serita G, 347-564-5722/ Barbara W, 718-320-0500. THEATRE COMMITTEE: (prices include transportation/Dreiser Loop): ● Thurs., March 26th. 11:15 a.m. show. Price: $68. CAMELOT. Westchester Broadway Theatre. “The story of the marriage of England's King Arthur to Guinevere. The plot of illegitimate Modred to gain the throne and Guinevere's growing attachment to Sir Lancelot. This new, intimate production focuses on the dynamic and rich intense characters in this most regal of American musicals.” Final payment due Monday, Feb. 16th. Meet van/depart: 10:00/10:15 a.m. Contact Marie GreenRyan, 718-379-0377. ● Wed., April 22nd. (Note-Date change) 11:15 a.m. show. Price: $68. WEST SIDE STORY. Westchester Broadway Theatre. A modern (musical) version of Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet set on the mean streets of New York during the turbulent fifties. Caught between two warring street gangs, Tony and Maria attempt to create a life together. A deposit of $35 to hold seat required. Final payment due March

19th. Contact: Ione Edwards, 718-3797756. ● Sat., April 25th. 4:00 p.m. show. Price: $45. ALIVE 55+ AND KICKIN. "The first 50 years are for learning; the second 50 are for LIVING!" That's the motto of a new show in Harlem with a cast of singers ages 55 and up. Dempsey Theatre, W. 127 St. Harlem. Deposit required to hold seat. Contact: Lois Scott, 347-768-3943. ● Come to the Dreiser clubroom to check out the show/trip wall and sign up for your performance of choice with a deposit to hold seat. GOOD AND WELFARE Our deep condolences to the family and friends of one of our long time members, Eldra Wheatland, who passed away on Wednesday, February 3rd. Best wishes to Anthony Cox for a speedy recovery following his shoulder operation. To all members and friends, as you rest and heal, know that you are thought of warmly and we wish you brighter days. Contact: Elinor Gordon, Chair, at 718-379-8755, regarding illnesses and bereavements. RECAP: We require your name, telephone number and a deposit to reserve your seat when signing up for shows/trips (money orders/checks payable to - RETIREES of Dreiser Loop, at 177 Dreiser Loop, Room 19, Bronx, NY 10475). Committee members will be available in Dreiser clubroom 19 (718-379-0377) on Mondays and/or Thursdays approximately from 2:30 p.m.–5:00 p.m. “What I find most disturbing about Valentine's Day is, look, I get that you have to have a holiday of love, but in the height of flu season, it makes no sense.” —Claudette Davis

Building 10 Association

Our next building association meeting will be held Tuesday, February 17, at 7:00 p.m. Doors open for this meeting at 6:45 p.m. NEW COOPERATORS, we welcome you to our meeting. The association is comprised of shareholders, come down to the meeting and discuss your concerns within our buildings and community.

Ladies Night will be held Friday, February 27, from 7:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m., hosted by Maxine Sullivan. Join us and play games/Bingo/Dominoes or cards. Bring your neighbor. Happy birthday to February shareholders!!!! Get well wishes to all the sick and shut-in’s in the buildings! —Maxine Sullivan

However, we have more, for example: 1 - Feb. 23rd, 1868: W.E.B. Dubois was born. He co-founded the NAACP. 2 - Feb. 3rd, 1876: the 15th Amendment was passed granting Blacks the right to vote. 3 - Feb. 25th, 1870: The first Black U.S. Senator, Hiram R. Revels (18221901), took his oath of office. 3 - Feb. 12th, 1909: the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) was founded by a group of concerned Black and White citizens in New York City.

4 - Feb. 1st, 1960: A group of Black Greensboro, NC, college students began a sit-in at a segregated Woolworth lunch counter. 5- Feb. 21, 1965; Malcolm X was shot to death. Do you see why it is so important for us to keep going, so we can improve and better our causes? The Democratic Club has Room #35 every 3rd, Tuesday of every month. Looking for your support. Thank you! —Patricia Bonaparte

The next meeting of the Coalition will be on Tuesday, March 3rd at noon, in the Dreiser Loop Community Center, Room #15. Our new President, Ms. Virginia Stewart, is calling all interested churches and community organizations to join us. We meet once a month, the first Tuesday of every month at 12 p.m. The Coalition is a non-profit organization whose mission is to enhance the quality of life in the community by focusing on education, community

involvement, spiritually, and youth. In order to accomplish our goals, the member churches and organizations provide ongoing programs and together we sponsor a Friends and Family Day Affair every October free to the community and a Kwanzaa Celebration in December. Remember our motto: Coming together is the beginning, staying together is progress, working together is success. Peace! —Patricia Bonaparte

Coalition of African American Churches and Community Organizations

If you SEE something, SAY SOMETHING!!! 718-671-3050 • Co-op City Public Safety

Co-op City Times / February 14, 2015

Black Forum

Defensive driving course The next Black Forum defensive driving course will be today, Saturday, March 14, in Room 1, at 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. Returning to Aqueduct We will be heading to Aqueduct on Saturday, March 21. All seats must be paid for by March 7, no exceptions. Cost: $25.

No checks, preferably cash. No refunds. Black Forum Aerobics and Zumba Aerobics classes will be held on Mondays and Wednesdays; Zumba on Thursday. Classes held in the Dreiser Aud., 7:30 p.m. To register, please call (718) 3208035. Nominal fee for each class. Black Forum’s Lyons Mane Track Club Register now for the fall. Youth ages 8-18. Practice sessions are held on Mondays & Wednesdays, Dreiser Auditorium. Please call (718) 320-8035. Food distribution sites added On Thursdays, 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. Likewise, residents of Building 26,

The Williamsbridge Club of the National Association of Negro Business and Professional Women’s Clubs, Inc. is an organization dedicated to community service in the areas of health, employment, education and economic development. If you are interested in joining our organization, dedicated to community service, please call Sylvia Hicks, Membership Chairperson, 917. 921.5445. Young Adults are persons 18-35 years of age; you may inquire about our rapidly evolving leaders in the Young Adult section. Ombudsmen are men of the community interested in decreasing the dropout rate of youth in the community. We are interested in your ideas concerning the accomplishment this goal. The Youth Club consists of youth 12 to 18 years of age. The Youth Club is dedicated to community service, higher

education, technology and activism. If you fit this description, are interested in expressing yourself, obtaining community service credit, developing new programs and leadership skills, you should join this organization. This is your chance, as a young person, to help plan the activities of the club. Don’t delay obtaining your required community service credits in a fun and interesting way. Mrs. Hicks welcomes your inquiry about any one of these groups and will be happy to help you through the application process. Applications for scholarships are available for seniors in high school, please call Sandra Hall, 917.972.7732, or Joetta Brown, 404.803. 9869. Black History Moment: This week, we highlight Maggie L. Walker, Richmond Virginia, born 1864 – 1934. Ms Walker was a teacher and businesswoman [insurance and banking]. Ms.

If you SEE something, SAY SOMETHING!!! 718-671-3050 • Co-op City Public Safety

34 REASONS TO DRINK KANGEN WATER TODAY 1. Extend your life 2. Increase your energy and strength 3. Look and feel younger 4. Lower your blood pressure 5. Prevent Cancer 6. Maintain healthy cholesterol levels 7. Balance blood sugar and manage diabetes 8. Enhance libido and sexual function 9. Lose weight 10. Relieve headaches and dizziness 11. Get a better sleep 12. Improve your vision 13. Strengthen your heart 14. Inhibit lipid peroxidation 15. Resist disease 16. Improve immune response 17. Manage and fight cancer

30, 31, 34 and 35 must go to the Evangelical Church, 2350 Palmer Avenue, 11 a.m. – 12:45 p.m. on Thursdays to pick up food. For information, please call (718) 320-8035. Volunteers needed We need volunteers, especially men, for the Food Program, Tuesdays and Thursdays. If you live within the vicinity of the Dreiser Center and can spare 2 hours per day, between 11-12:45 p.m., please call us, (718) 320-8035. Emergency Food Program We are open on 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 or tonyshome10475@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

Walker was the first female bank president of any race. She chartered the ‘St. Luke Penny Savings Bank.’ She established a newspaper, ‘The St. Luke Herald’ to increase communication. The National Park Service purchased the Walker family home in 1979. This National Historic Site in Richmond is worth a visit. The club’s next event in collaboration with the Bronx Club is “THE POWER OF PRAYER” AT F & J PINE family style restaurant, 1913 Bronxdale Avenue, Bronx, NY, 10462, at 8:30 a.m. Donation: $35. Please call the listed

numbers to respond. Our Guest Speaker is Mildred Green-Thompson. Anyone wishing to render community service assisting with any of our programs, without joining any of our club areas, may do so. To obtain more information, please contact the First Vice President, Sandra Hall, 917.972 .7732. Information concerning the National Association of Negro Business and Professional Women’s Clubs, Inc. may be found at www.nanbpwc.org or our mailing address: Williamsbridge Club, P.O. Box 6, Co-op City Station, Bronx, NY 10475.

Williamsbridge Club

Follow the Co-op City Department of Public Safety on Twitter @CCPDnyc or visit www.ccpd.us

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Co-op City Times / February 14, 2015

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 this month. 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. Please bring your DD-214 with you. Post 1871 is located in Section #5 in the Einstein Community Center, 135 Einstein Loop, Room 41. Our office telephone number is (718) 320-8165 and our e-mail address is post1871@optimum.net. The Post Commander would thank all of our Post members who attended the

Bronx County meeting at our Post on February 3. All 6 members, thanks for taking the time and effort to attend the meeting. The next GENERAL MEETING will take place on February 21st, Saturday, at 11:00 a.m. sharp. All Post members will be receiving their raffles for the Memorial Day affair, so make sure you attend this meeting. The Bronx County is looking for volunteers to work at the Bronx VA Hospital. If you would like to volunteer your time, see the Post commander. Mayor DeBlasio will push in his State of the City speech to end veteran homelessness by the end of the year. About 1,000 veterans currently live in the city’s

homeless shelters and can be placed in permanent homes in the coming months. The Mayor's Office of Veterans Affairs has a moral obligation to serve those who have served us. The American Legion is thinking about doing TV advertising to recruit more members to join the American Legion. Nathan Armfield, thanks for the home cooked meals to our WW2 veterans. The VA has changed its labels on the prescription bottles. The letters are much larger and the color is yellow. This will help 4.8 million veterans who receive medication by mail. Staples last longer than you think. Dried pasta will keep for a decade, for instance, may loose a bit of flavor, but opened dried

pasta is edible indefinitely. The month of May will be a big day for our Post for activities. The plan is in the works; we will have the VA information truck to talk about death benefits to all veterans, so stay alert for information that will be coming your way real soon. If you see a veteran looking for a Post to join, remember our Post is open to all veterans with an honorable discharge. Q: Why didn’t the skeleton go on a date? A: He had no body to go with. Q: Why can’t your nose be 12 inches long? A: Because then it would be a foot. This information was provided by the Post information officer. —Richard I. Lawson, Jr.

The Eleanor Roosevelt Democratic Club will hold its Regular Monthly Meeting on Thursday, February 19, in the Bartow Center, Room #28 at 7:30 p.m. All members are requested to attend this very important meeting. A series of relevant events will be discussed that will determine how we will be moving forward in the near future. Please attend. The Eleanor Roosevelt Democratic

Club cordially invites you to attend the 11th Annual St. Valentine's Day Dance on Saturday, February 14, in the Dreiser Loop Auditorium B. The time of this event is from 4 p.m. thru 9 p.m. Music will be provided by Ty & Tye (affiliates of DJ Carol Productions). The cost is $30 per person. ($3 per set-up). For ticket information, please call Ms. Gloria Clarke at (718) 3795430, Ms. Sylvia Polite at (718) 320-2837,

Ms. Barbara Irby at (718) 379-9294, Ms. Anna Rodgers at (347) 275-4682 or Ms. Lina Holmes at (718) 671-4577. There will be no tickets sold at the door on the day of the event. Come out and have an enjoyable time with us while actually celebrating the observance of Valentine's Day. Best wishes to Assemblyman Carl Heastie on his new position as the Speaker of the New York State Assembly. I'm sure

that he will do as good a job in his new position as he did as the Bronx County Democratic Leader. Prayers are extended to all members who are recovering from various medical procedures. We are hoping that you are doing well and healing quickly. I would like to thank the membership and the community for your continued support. —George T. Clarke

Hello, neighbors, it has been bitter cold and snowy, bundle up and stay warm, be careful when walking outside; it can be slippery, as well as hidden black ice. FEBRUARY IS BLACK HISTORY MONTH - Social media would have you think that all our young Black men are bad, but I truly believe that there are more good Black young men that are succeeding and doing well. We are grateful for the trailblazers right here in our own community who share their time and skills to help our

youth and young people. In any case, stay alert, be watchful, careful, and stay safe. FUNDRAISING COMMITTEE We would like you to join us in a trip to the ACE IN THE HOLE. A tribute to Sam Cooke (WE ARE HAVING A PARTY) on Thursday, February 19th, 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. The time is drawing near,

and we have a few seats available. Please make checks payable to Building 27 Association, cash and money orders are accepted. Because time is of the ESSENCE, please contact Margie, 917921-7749; Nelson Sweeting, 646-6444055 and Sharon at 718-671-1905. They will make arrangements for you ASAP. PLEASE BOARD THE BUS AT 9:45 IN FRONT OF EINSTEIN CENTER. THE BUS LEAVES AT 10 A.M. SHARP. The Association congratulates those

that are celebrating birthdays, or that special occasion. We pray for a speedy recovery for the sick and shut in. We also express sympathy to all who have lost a loved one. This world appears to be in an uproar, and we, as a community and nation, are going through TRYING TIMES. We must pray diligently for our Board members, homes, communities and nation. Pray for leaders everywhere and for each other for peace and love. —H. Overman

The building association will be changing their monthly meeting date this month to Saturday, February 21 at l p.m., in the building association room. The change is because the guest speakers can only come on a Saturday. The meeting will be about wellness and fitness. Mr. Eugene Hawkins from Family Fitness Gym, will be our guest speaker, giving us a lot of information about fitness. Come down and get some valuable information.

The association has to keep reminding you, the cooperator, about throwing your garbage on the elevator floor. I entered the elevator the other day, there was 2 soda bottles on the floor, along with potato chip bags. Come on now, where do you think you live? Please take your garbage with you. As many of you are aware, the attendants with these young people in the group homes in our buildings are very careful as to not let their charges get in the

way of the cooperators. They will go out of their way to make sure they do not annoy you. I am sure you have never seen them lounge out at anyone. If I am remembering correctly, the group homes came here when we had a large vacancy. I think they belong to an agency who pays for them. As far as can be seen, they pose no threat to us. They are very well handled. If any neighbor has a problem, they have an office on the 8th floor, with a very nice and pleasant super-

visor who would be glad to talk to you. The Flea Market and Cake Sale is planned for March, so gather all of your good and useable items for us. I know the bakers in the building will come thru, like always. A date will be set at the building meeting. Keep Ms. Dorsey in your prayers; she is still in the hospital. Get well wishes go out to all of the sick and shut-in's, feel better soon. —Patricia Bonaparte

Eleanor Roosevelt Democratic Club

Building 27 Association

Building 33 Association

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Co-op City Times / February 14, 2015

Evangelical Church of Co-op City – UMC Open Doors, Open Hearts and Open Minds

Come & Visit Us – We welcome you to God’s House – Your House – One Family in Christ. We are a congregation with spirit-filled worship, offering a variety of opportunities for spiritual growth, fellowship and service to God and our community. We are a multi-ethnic, multi-cultural and bilingual congregation and all are welcome. Services are at the church at 2350 Palmer Avenue, across the street from Building 30. Parking is available. Sunday Services – The first Sunday of the month is a bilingual service with communion at 10 a.m. Every other week, the English Service at 9 a.m. and the Spanish Service at 11:30 a.m. Children: At 10:30 a.m., classes are for 3 yrs. – 12 yrs. The curriculum being used

will be The Super Book. Prayer Night (English) & Prayer Morning (Spanish): The Lord said, “Whenever two or more are gathered in my name, I am in the midst of them.” Matthew 18:20. Tuesday evenings at 7:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Thursday mornings at 10:30 a.m. to 11:15 a.m. Come and bring your prayer needs so we can pray together. Women’s Fellowship: Meets the first Saturday of the month at 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. We are having an exercise classes following the study and on the third Saturday of the month. Men’s Fellowship: Meets the last Saturday of the month at 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. Crescendo Christian Music School:

Rev. Dr. Robert A. Smith, Jr., Pastor, and Lady Theresa M. Smith, coFounders, and the Church of the Savior family extend an invitation to every person to worship with us. We are a non-denominational, inter-racial, intercultural, 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: 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're 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. Message to the Community Church of the Savior has a new website. It is the open door to all the friends we haven't met yet. You can get to know us by going to www.churchofthesaviorbx.org. New friendship and growth is just a click away! 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

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 a.m. or 11 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 a 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 7:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.; and Prayer Service from 8:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. every Wednesday evening. Be with us to learn the Truth from the Word of God. List of Events 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 part-

ners. 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. Sat., Feb. 14th at 2 p.m. - Final chapter of the movie, Left Behind, will be shown. Free & all are welcomed. Sat., Feb. 28th, The Women's Fellowship will sponsor “You Got To Have Heart” from 11 a.m. - 2 p.m. Wear comfortable active wear for low impact activities. There will be informational sessions regarding nutrition and heart health, along with a nutritious lunch. Come out for a wonderful time of fellowship. Donation is $10. For tickets, see any Women's Fellowship member or call Sis. Scott at 718-671-2623 or Sis. Hardwick Whyte at 347-398-8993. 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 Wishing all our neighbors and friends God’s blessing during this holiday season and throughout the coming New Year! Please visit our website at www.churchofnewvision.com. —Carole Haque

Learn piano, guitar, violin, percussion, flute, voice and theory. Contact Maestro Frank Colon at (917) 753-3644. The school will be open from Monday – Friday, 2 p.m. – 8 p.m. Private and group lessons are available. All ages are welcome. Registration is free/rates are affordable. Trip to the Holy Land Experience in Florida: We will be having a 9 day trip to the Holy Land Experience in Orlando, Florida from August 8 to August 16. The trip is $799 per double occupancy. A $75 deposit will hold your seat. We will be stopping at different places and will spend two days at the Holy Land Experience and two extra days in Florida. For pricing on triple or single, call Linda at (917) 684-6463. If

there is no answer, leave a message and she will get back to you. Trip to Sight & Sound to see Joseph: We will be going to see Joseph at Sight & Sound in Lancaster on May 22. This will be a fun trip. First were going to Rockvale Square Mall, then to the theater and after to Shady Maple for dinner. Cost is $140/person and make your reservations soon, seats fill up fast. Deposit of $70/person must be in no later than March 1st and final payment must be no later than April 5th. Checks are payable to the Evangelical Church of Co-op City-UM. Call Barbara at (347) 603-7473. If no answer, leave a message and someone will get back to you. Come and have a blessed time. —Rev. Dr. Milca C. Plaud

teach and nurture your child/children in the word of God. All sessions are during worship service. Dr. Smith’s Sermon Topic: "It's a Done Deal!" Reading from Holy Scripture: Romans 8:28-31 Weekly Activities Bereavement group Monday 5 p.m. Thursdays at 10:00 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, 9:00 - 10:15; Monday evenings, 5:00 - 7:00. 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: Prayer. "What a Father says to his children is not heard by the world, but it will be seen by what their children become." —Rev. Dr. Robert A. Smith, Jr.

Church of the Savior

Church of the New Vision

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

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

Most Union and Insurance Plans Accepted. HIP CMO (Montefiore) Health Plan Accepted. We participate in Postal Workers, Mail Handlers, Letter Carriers, Verizon Workers, 1199, GHI, Blue Shield, Empire Plan, Medicare, Travelers, United Health Care and many other union and major medical plans. Se Habla Español MEDICARE ACCEPTED • HOUSE CALLS BY APPOINTMENT

Diabetic Patients with Medicare may be eligible for shoes.

Co-op City Times / February 14, 2015

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 718320-3774. Visit us on the web at www.coopcitybaptistchurch.org. Join us for a mid-week spiritual pick-up at our midweek worship service which is held on Wednesdays at

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.

Baptist Church

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, February 18 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, February 10. On Sunday, February 15 at the 11:00 a.m. service, the First Lady’s Ministry will celebrate their 19th Anniversary. Their guest speaker will be Rev. Dr. Ruth Singletary, Overseer of World Evangelical Deliverance Center, Bronx, NY. The theme for the day is “God

Community Protestant Church OTHER SCHEDULED EVENTS 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. Sunday, February 22rd - GO RED SUNDAY. The Nurses’ Ministry requests that everyone wear red this Sunday in support of the American Heart Association’s effort to raise awareness of Women’s Heart Disease. Saturday, March 14th, 9:00 a.m. – Sound of Praise Annual Worship and Praise Breakfast “Giving God Our All.” Donation: $20. For tickets and/or additional infor-

Supply the Power of the Spirit.” 2nd Timothy 1:7. Everyone is invited to this celebratory service. The Sunday School will present their Black History Program on Saturday, February 28 at 10:00 a.m. All are invited. 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 mation, call the church office: (718) 862-9172. 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

St. Joseph’s Episcopal Anglican Church

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, February 15, when we will celebrate The Last Sunday after the Epiphany. Ash Wednesday, February 18: Services at 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. with the imposition of ashes and Holy Communion. The Season of Lent begins.

Be an informed cooperator —

Pick up and read your Co-op City Times

Residents are reminded that the Co-op City Times is the official newspaper of the Riverbay Corporation. It is the vehicle through which your Board of Directors and management, and the state supervisory agency, the New York State Division of Homes and Community Renewal (HCR), communicate with you, the shareholder. The Co-op City Times is distributed each Saturday to each townhouse door, at the elevators in the high rise buildings, and in the three (3) community centers. It is very important that you pick up and read your Co-op City Times to ensure you are informed about what is going on in the community, and more importantly, what your Board and management are doing to ensure efficient delivery of services to you, and the proper upkeep of the development. When you are informed, you can be prepared to discuss issues that are pertinent to you and your household at the community meetings held periodically by the Board of Directors. Be an informed cooperator. The Co-op City Times can also be read online at www.issuu.com/cctimes.

Fundraising Events • Save the Date: Saturday, April 18, bus trip to Warm Daddy Blues & Jazz with sit down dinner and stop at the Sugar House Casino in Philadelphia. $110 p.p., deposit of $30 required. Contact June Grimes, 347-4578249. • Reminder, ECW 8-day cruise on the Carnival Splendor, leaving out of New York on August 12: 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. Only 5 cabins remain available. If you would like to

go, please contact June Grimes as soon as possible (Tel. 347-457-8249) to indicate your interest and work out a payment plan with her. Outreach Program: We continue to collect nonperishable 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 718-320-0844, or visit our website: http://www.stjosephsepcbronx.org. “The Lord, the God of gods, has spoken; *he has called the earth from the rising of the sun to its setting.” —(Psalm 50:1) —M. Chambers

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 • 49 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 / February 14, 2015

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! Scripture carries spiritual vitality. That’s why it doesn’t return void.

Wherever it encounters an open heart, it brings refreshment, nourishment, and new life. Isaiah 55:8-11 supports this. It says: 8 “For My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways,” says the Lord. 9 For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts. 10 “For as the rain comes down, and the snow from heaven, and do not

return there, but water the earth, and make it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower and bread to the eater, 11 so shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth; it shall not return to Me void, but it shall accomplish what I please, and it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it.” 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.soundcloud.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

It’s Valentine's week and God wrote you a "love note" that reads: My Child "See what great LOVE the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God." 1: John 3:1. I created you: "For we are God's handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do." Ephesians 2:10. I want you to know that I love you, and I always will: "I have loved you with an everlasting LOVE."

Jeremiah 31:3. Remember when I showed you just how much I love you? "For God so LOVED the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life." John 3:16. Remember that I will never leave you: "He will never leave you nor forsake you." Deuteronomy 31:6. This Valentine's Day, remember God loves you and desires a relationship with you!

We hope that you will join us this Sunday as we continue our teaching series, “Don't get married until…" Since it’s February, we want to focus on bringing God into our relationships! We meet at 177 Dreiser Loop in Auditorium B at 11:00 a.m. Parking is available in the parking garage located on Dreiser Loop. Please bring your ticket to our connection tent for validation. Deaf interpretation is available during our adult worship experi-

ence. For more information, you can contact us: Website: www.newsongchurchnyc.org; Email: info@newsongchurchnyc.org, Facebook: www.facebook.com/ newsongchurchbx; Twitter: @newsong churchBX. Our Newsong family is here for you, stop by this Sunday and experience the difference! God bless you! —Pastor Mike Tolone

lowship 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.” Our vision is to change hearts, change minds and change lives Word of God. We believe that when you change your attitude, you can change your altitude! Greater Love is 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. Let us remember Black History

Month, a month set aside to learn, honor, and celebrate the achievements of Black men and women throughout history. Americans have recognized Black history annually since 1926, first as "Negro History Week" and later as "Black History Month." Black history had barely begun to be studied, or even documented, when the tradition originated. Although Blacks have been in America at least as far back as colonial times, it was not until the 20th century that they gained a respectable presence in the history books. In recognition of Black History Month, we present to you the following quote: “Yes we can.” — Barack Obama, President of the United States Greater Love’s Weekly Schedule Sunday Bible School for Young People: 3:00 p.m. (sharp) Sunday Afternoon Praise & Worship:

4:00 p.m. Holy Communion – First Sunday Adult Bible Study/Discipleship Class: Wednesday evenings at 7:00 p.m.-8:30 p.m. Training for Service - A Survey of the Bible: Thursdays at 7:00 p.m. Family Nite: Third Fridays (next: Feb. 20th – Family Bowling) Youth Service: Every 4th Sunday (beginning Feb. 22nd) Blessing/Dedication of Children Men/Women’s Fellowship **Young adults 16+ are also welcome. Family Nite – Friday, Feb. 20th, we will depart from Greater Love at 6:30 p.m. for a fun-filled evening of bowling at “Bowlerland.” Free shoe rental – game $7 per person – All ages - call us to RSVP. Have a blessed week! —Pastor Carol Landrum

“My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience steadfastness, constancy, endurance.” James 1:2-3 Spiritual Food for Thought: Beloved, God wants you to become more aware in discerning the choices that are before you every day. Some of you will choose evil by default through passivity and not actively resisting the work of the enemy against you. You must take an active role in being righteous. You can't always choose what happens to you, but you can choose to put your faith in the Lord. He will strengthen you and bring you through adversity. Are you looking for a new church home? Pastor Carol, Presiding Elder Landrum and the Greater Love family welcome and encourage you to fel-

Newsong Church

Greater Love Cathedral United Baptist Church

Advertising works!

Call 718.320.3300, ext. 3384 for our affordable rates.

Co-op City Times / February 14, 2015

Fri., February 20

Thurs., February 19

Wed., February 18

Tues., February 17

Mon., February 16

Bartow

JASA CLOSED FOR PRESIDENTS’ DAY

Einstein

JASA CLOSED FOR PRESIDENTS’ DAY

Dreiser

JASA CLOSED FOR PERESIDENTS’ DAY

Date:

Kosher

Non-Kosher

Soups, Breads and Desserts

Mon., Feb., 16

JASA CLOSED FOR PRESIDENTS’ DAY

JASA CLOSED FOR PERESIDENTS’ DAY

Tues, Feb., 17

Apple juice Shake & Bake chicken Egg barley w/mushrooms, Coleslaw Alt: Tuna fish salad

Apple cinnamon chicken sausage Baked French fries Peppers & onions

Whole wheat bread Whole wheat dinner roll Fresh fruit

Orange juice Word Games 9:30 – 11:30 a.m., Rm. 31 Current Events 10 a.m., Rm. 31 Bingo12:30-2:30 p.m., Rm. 31 Card Games 2-4 p.m., Rm. 31 Dominoes 2:30 p.m., Rm. 31 Caregiver Support Group 1:00 p.m. 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 Library 9 a.m.-1 p.m., Rm. 31 Word Games 9:3011:30 a.m., Rm. 31 Chat Session 9:30 a.m. -1 p.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 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 Singalong w/Charles Carrington 11 a.m.-12 p.m., Rm. 31 Card Games 2-4 p.m., Rm. 31 Dominos 2:30 p.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 Pokeno 1-3 p.m., Rm. 35

Dominoes 10 a.m., Rm. 45 Spelling Bee 10 a.m., Rm. 49 Spanish Practice Class 10:30 a.m., Computer Lab Zumba w/Ola 11 a.m. – Noon, Rm. 45 Bingo 1-3 p.m., Rm. 35 Dominoes 10 a.m., Rm. 45 Stay Well Exercise 10-11 a.m., Rm. 45 Spelling Bee 11 a.m., Rm. 49 Pokeno & Bingo 1-3 p.m., Rm 35 Arthritis Exercise Class w/Damian 11 a.m. – 12 p.m., Rm 45 Word Search w/Sandy 11 a.m.-12 p.m., Rm 49 Dominoes 10 a.m., Rm. 45

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 w/Millie 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 Library, Exercise Bike, Chat Session 9:30 – 10:30 a.m., Rm. 7 Sewing w/Raymonde 9:30 –11:30 a.m., Rm. 7 Tai Chi 11 a.m. - noon, Room 2 Mind Teasers 12 p.m. – 1 p.m., Rm. 4 Art Class 1 p.m. - 3 p.m., Rm. 7 YOGA w/Bhadra 2 p.m.-3 p.m., Rm. 2 Library, Exercise Bike, Chat Session 9:3010:30 a.m. Rm 7 Blood Pressure 1st & 3rd Thursday 10-11:30 a.m., Rm. 8 Line Dancing w/Ellie 10–11 a.m., Aud. A Piano Sing Along 11 a.m. – 12 p.m., Rm. 7 Mind Teasers 12-1 p.m., Rm. 4 Drama Club 1:30 – 4:00, Rm. 7 Crochet and Knitting 10 a.m.-12 p.m., Rm. 7

Art 10 a.m., Rm. 45

Library, Exercise Bike, Chat Session

Bingo 1 p.m., Rm. 49

9:30-10:30 am, Rm. 7

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

Meditative Moments 11–12 p.m., Rm. 8

Mind Teasers 12-1 p.m., Rm. 4

Spanish Class 1-2 p.m., Rm. 7

Card Games, Dominoes Bingo1–3 p.m., Rm. 35 Pokeno 3–4 p.m., Rm. 35

2-4 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.

Beef Salisbury steak

Turkey meatballs Wed., w/mushroom sauce Fusilli pasta w/parsley Feb., Kale w/garlic sauce Mashed sweet potatoes Sautéed spinach 18 Alt: Veggie burger patty Apple juice

Thurs., Tilapia Francaise Feb., Cuban style yellow rice Steamed peas & carrots 19

Whole wheat bread Fresh fruit

Baked Asian style honey chicken Rice & beans Mixed vegetables

Whole wheat bread Fresh fruit

Lemon pepper fish Polenta Garden salad Peppers & onion

Challah bread Applesauce unsweetened

Alt: Chicken salad

Fri., Feb., 20

Orange juice Baked chicken legs Green beans Potato krugel Alt: Gefilte fish

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. All trips must be paid in advance. No exceptions! Hiring: Senior Aide position available at Dreiser Loop Senior Center. 14 hours, 5 days a week. For information, call Paola Ogando, 718-320-1345, 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. Free SNAP (Food Stamp) Application Assistance – Friday, February 27th at the Co-op City Senior Services office, 2049 Bartow Avenue, 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 information: 718-320-2066. JASA Closed February 16th in observance of Presidents’ Day. Heart Health Workshop – Thursday, February 19th, 10:30 a.m., 2049 Bartow Avenue, Room 31. Making plans for your adult child w/ disabilities with Bronx Legal Services – Tuesday, February 24th, 10:30 a.m., 2049 Bartow Ave., Room 31. Announcing a new Group: – Health Current Events Club – Starting Tuesdays, 10:30 a.m. February 17th in the JASA Senior Services office, 2049 Bartow Ave. Participants will share information from a newspaper article they read that week about health topics Live Music of “Juan Ortega” Wednesday, March 4th, $2, at the Bartow Senior Center, 2049 Bartow Ave., Room 31, 11:30 a.m.–2 p.m. Sign up for lunch in advance at all 3 senior centers. Pick-ups: Einstein, 10 a.m. & Dreiser, 10:30 a.m. – See the Co-op City Times for the menu. Knitting and Crochet Circle at the Dreiser Loop Senior Center will be hosting a Flea Market to sell their knitting creations. Friday, February 20th 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. - 177 Dreiser Loop, Room 7. Empire Casino – Tuesday, February 17th, $5. Pick-ups: Bartow, 9:30 a.m.; Einstein, 9:45 a.m. &

Dreiser, 10 a.m. Woodbury Commons Premium Outlet – Wednesday, February 18th – $15. – Pick-ups: Bartow, 8:30 a.m.; Einstein, 8:45 a.m. & Dreiser, 9:30 a.m. New date: (City Island) Seafood City – Thursday, February 19th, $3. Pick-ups: Bartow, 9:30 a.m.; Einstein, 9:45 a.m. & Dreiser, 10 a.m. Empire Casino – Friday, February 20th, $5. Pick-ups: Bartow, 9:30 a.m.; Einstein, 9:45 a.m. & Dreiser, 10 a.m. New date: Shoprite: Friday, February 20th, $3, 2 hrs. Pick-ups: Bartow, 9:30 a.m.; Einstein, 9:45 a.m. & Dreiser, 10 a.m. (12 seats available). Stew Leonard’s – Monday, February 23rd, $5. 2 hrs. Pick-ups: Bartow, 9:30 a.m.; Einstein, 9:45 a.m.; Dreiser, 10 a.m. Central Avenue – Wednesday, February 25th, 2 hrs. Xmas Tree Store, 1 hr. Kohl’s & 2 hrs. Burlington Coat Factory, $13. Pick-ups: Bartow, 9:30 a.m.; Einstein, 9:45 a.m.; Dreiser, 10 a.m. Empire Casino – Thursday, February 26th, $5. Pick-ups: Bartow, 9:30 a.m.; Einstein, 9:45 a.m. & Dreiser, 10 a.m. Super Walmart – Friday, February 27th, $15. Pick-ups: Bartow, 8:30 a.m.; Einstein, 8:45 a.m. & Dreiser, 9 a.m. Tanger Outlet (Deer Park) – Friday, February 27th. Pick-ups: Bartow, 8:30 a.m.; Einstein, 8:45 a.m.; Dreiser, 9 a.m. (Grandparents Connection) Kinship Caregiver Support Group – Thursday, February 19th. Activities are being held at 12 p.m. in honor of Black History Month - 135 Einstein Loop, Room 35. Bring your grandchildren. For information, call 718-320-2066. Diabetes Support Group - Monday, February 23, 177 Dreiser Loop, Room 7, 1 p.m. Meet other people who are diabetics. Learn from and support each other! We frequently have expert speakers. AARP Tax-Aide Hosted by JASAFree Tax preparation and free e-File: 135 Einstein Loop, Room 35, February 3rd to April 15th, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Call 718320-2066. First come, first served! AARP has the right to limit the number of clients seen on each day.

Co-op City Times / February 14, 2015

WEEKLY SCHEDULE

AARP Chapter #4997

FYI: The Caregiver Advise, Record and Enable (CARE) Act requires hospitals to offer demonstrations and instructions on any post-discharge care and tasks family caregivers will have to perform at home, such as administering multiple medications, dressing wounds and operating medical equipment. This bill, which has been introduced in the Assembly, also requires that patients’ designated family caregivers be identified and included in official medical records and that hospitals notify family caregivers prior to a patient’s transfer or discharge. AARP commends the members of the Senate Health Committee for recognizing the quiet crisis New York’s family caregivers face – and for supporting a common sense solution. To our sick, on the mend and shutin members, and those bereaved members, please know that you are in our prayers. Contact Frances Wilson, Good & Welfare Coordinator, 718671-5493. 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 Motor coach transportation — $550/person double; $719/single (correction)…$100 deposit, payable to AARP #4997, when you sign up…travel insurance available upon request….Contact Jean, 718-3793742. October 30 - November 13 – Autumn Repositioning 15-day Cruise on the Norwegian Dawn – Deluxe Motorcoach to Boston, MA to board the ship going to San Juan, PR; Bonaire Curacao and Aruba; Ocho Rios, Jamaica; Georgetown in Cayman Islands; Cozumel, Mexico; returning to New Orleans, LA to fly back to New York….Double Occupancy - Inside State Room - $1,853; Ocean View $2,253 and Balcony - $2,553; Insurance and 1st deposit ($600/person) due at time of reservation; 2nd payment due June 5th and final payment due 7/15/15…Contact Jean, 718-379-3742. —Delores Debnam

Goose Island Seniors

Baychester Library Events VISIT THE LIBRARY - A GREAT WEALTH OF INFORMATION Library will be CLOSED Monday, 2/16 for Presidents’ Day Upcoming Events for February Toddler Time - Tuesdays, 11:00 a.m. YA Program - Tuesday, 2/24, 3-4:30 p.m. - CSI @ Baychester Tech Connect - Wednesdays, 5 p.m. - 6:30 p.m., 2/18, 2/25 - MS Excel Tech Connect - Thursdays, 10 a.m.-12 p.m., 2/19 - Computer Safety & Maintenance; 2/26 - Protecting your Privacy & Security African Dancing and Folk Tales - Friday, 2/20, 3:30 p.m. Click On - Fridays, 10:30 a.m., 2/20 - Email; 2/27 - MS Word Films - Saturday, 2 p.m., 2/28 - Duke Ellington Music @ NYPL Presents Don Whitter - Saturday, 2/21, 2 p.m. Boys Town Common Sense Parenting® class - Mondays, Feb. 2-March 16, (NO class March 9th) 4:30-6:30 p.m. Parents are invited to join in our fun and interactive classes. • Balancing discipline with affection • Praising your child's good behavior • Reducing a child's problem behavior • Power struggles between you and your child • Effective communication. CSP Classes run for 6 consecutive weeks. Childcare and MetroCards are NOT provided. Class size is limited! Classes are FREE. To sign up, call Lilybelle Gonzalez at 646-488-6053 or 718-636-0496 today!

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

Wednesday, February l—Bingo game in Room 39 at 1:30 p.m. Price is $2 for members only. Refreshments served. Trip to Atlantic City Resorts Casino: On Tuesday, February 24; price is $33. Rebate is $25 slot play. Always bring your I.D. card with you at all times. Pick-up time is 8 a.m. at our 3 usual bus stops: Einstein Loop, Asch Loop (back of library) and Dreiser Loop. Trip to the Hunterdon House: On Tuesday, April 14. They are having Abie’s Irish Rose, a hilarious comedy. Price: $79. Pick-up time is 8:30 p.m. at our 3 usual bus stops. You can pay this in installments. See Ann or Mary.

Menu: Yankee pot roast, fried jumbo shrimps, stuffed breast of chicken, lemon pepper Cod baked, vegetable lasagna, roasted vegetables kabob, also mixed garden salad, their famous homemade bread, and all those delicious desserts, coffee and tea. Don’t forget to pay your dues for 2015. $15 per year. See Ann or Mary. For more information, see Ann or Mary at 135 Einstein Loop or call us at 718-379-9613, Monday – Thursday, 10 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. or call Mary at 718-379-4899. Leave a message and will return your call. Good health to all. —Mary Pilla

Happy Valentine’s Day to everyone young at heart. Enjoy! Reminder — Monday, February 16th — Resort Casino. Cost per person $33 and receive the slot bonus of the day of $25 slot play. Time of pick-up starting at Einstein Loop is 8 a.m., followed by Asch Loop and a valid photo I.D. We will commence our meetings on Tuesday, March 3rd. Hoping to put our heads together in planning our trips and agendas for the year.

For the above trip, please call Loretta at 718-671-2958, Annie Eutsey at 718-320-1874 or Lydia at 718-671-3005. We are available Monday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. and in the evening 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Please remember those who are homebound and in nursing homes. Give them a call. Good health and healings are wished to all. —Lydia Ruas

Einstein Cancer Fund

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 / February 14, 2015

Reflections by Rabbi Solomon I. Berl Spiritual Leader of Young Israel Synagogue An important Biblical passage contains just five little, but powerful words, “Justice, justice shall you pursue” (Deuteronomy 16:20). A Spanish Rabbi in the 14th century raised a very interesting question about this sentence. Why was the word “justice” repeated twice? He answered that the duplication brings out the greatest possible emphasis on even-handed justice for all. These are his exact words. “Justice, whether to your profit or loss, whether in word or in action, whether to rich or poor.” I recall reading about an important

leader who was arrested for speeding and brought before a judge in a Los Angeles court. The judge delivered quite a sermon and indicated that just because he was an important civic leader he would not be excused from his responsibilities. The man sneered and said to the judge, “Aren't you the eloquent one? I’ll bet you can recite Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address by heart, too.” “I’m proud to say I can,” said the judge, “and I hereby fine you fourscore and seven dollars.” Justice, justice shall you pursue!

Young Israel of Co-op City

Winter Schedule 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.

Who are the women?

Bronx in the 1600’s was an unnamed wilderness. Courageous pioneers settled here, both women and men. While history often names only men, we know they usually did not come alone. Familiar surnames include Bronck, Throckmorton, Cornell, and Hutchinson. City Islander Toby Z. Liederman, women’s advocate and coordinator of Anne Hutchinson annual events, will share brief early and more recent stories, and encourages you to bring your own choice of a familiar or unknown Bronx woman, from current or past times. This free public lecture and discussion, sponsored by The Bronx County Historical Society in celebration of National Women’s History Month, will take place at The Bronx County Archives Building, 3313 Bainbridge Avenue, on Saturday, March 21, at 1 p.m. For more information, please call 718-881-8900.

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, February 20, is at 5:17 p.m. Shabbat ends today, Saturday, February 14 at 6:19 p.m. Coming Events Services will be held on Saturday, February 14 at 9 a.m. Join Rabbi Daniel Kronengold in prayer. Weather permitting, we have scheduled Bingo tomorrow, Sunday, February 15, at 1 p.m. Admission is $3; refreshments will be served. On Wednesday, March 4, we have a fast of Esther. The fast ends at 6:20 p.m. and the reading of the Megillah is at 7:15 p.m. The following day, Thursday, March 5, we have Purim. Services begin at 11 a.m. After services, we will be having a luncheon. Cost is $18 per person. The menu includes salmon croquettes,

sweet noodle kugel, salad, garlic bread and the traditional hamentashen. We hope that you will sign up to sponsor a Kiddish to take place after services on Saturdays. Come pray with us and enjoy the Kiddish after services. Dues are due for both the synagogue and Sisterhood. Good and Welfare Get well wishes to Sharon and Marcia, both of whom took bad falls and broke bones. We wish you a quick recovery. Congratulations to Marilyn Sherman and family on the birth of their great grandson. Happy belated birthday wishes to Jeffrey Sherman. Best wishes to all 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

Men’s Club Traditional Synagogue is running a trip to RESORT's CASINO in Atlantic City on Sunday, March 22. Have a day of fun on the boardwalk, shopping and all the sights and sounds of Atlantic City. The Cost: $35 per person with a $25 slot. Player may use any machine or table. I would like to remind you that you need a RESORT's Casino card or government photo ID card (such as a Driver or Non-Driver License) to get your bonus slot play. Payment is due by March 15. Please send checks and make it out

to the following: Men's Club Traditional Synagogue of Co-op City, 120 Erdman Place, Building 27B, Bronx, NY 10475. We provide a free snack going, play games, and on the return trip, we show a movie. For reservations, call: Gary, (718) 671-8424; or Bruce, (718) 320-2234. Please Note Pick-Up Times: Einstein Loop, 8:00 a.m.; Asch Loop, 8:10 a.m.; Dreiser Loop, 8:20 a.m. Everyone is invited to all our functions. We hope you will join us. Shalom! —Bruce Gitelson

Men’s Club Traditional Synagogue

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

We welcome your letters to the editor, however, if you would like your letter to be considered for publication, it must be signed, and include your address and telephone number – which will be kept confidential – so the authenticity of the writer can be verified. The Co-op City Times does not print anonymous or unsigned letters.

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Co-op City Times / February 14, 2015

The Pentecostal Tabernacle invites everyone to worship service at 120 Benchley Place (Building 24) Bronx, N.Y. 10475. Sundays: Sunday School for all age group begins at 10:30 a.m. Midday worship service begins at 11:45 a.m. Wednesdays: Prayer and fasting service will be held every Wednesday morning starting at 11 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. Regular prayer meeting and Bible study will also be held every Wednesday evening starting at 7:30 p.m. Fridays: Youth service will be held every Friday evening starting at 7:30 p.m. Focus: A Transformed Life. The believer’s life is transformed by the power of God to a conquering lifestyle through Christ Jesus. (ROMANS 12: 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 ChristCentered, Family-Focused with Power and Authority." Church Mission: To empower, edu-

Pentecostal Tabernacle

1-2, 10-18) I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world; but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect will of God. (10-18) Be kindly affection one to another with brotherly love, in honoring preferring one another. Not slothful in business, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord. Rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing instant in prayer. Distributing to the necessity of saints; given to hospitality. Bless them which persecute you, bless and curse not. Rejoice with them that do rejoice

and weep with them that weep. Be of the same mind one toward another, mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate. Be not wise in your own conceits Recompense to no man evil for evil, provide things honest in the sight of all men. If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men. The plan of God for salvation of mankind spans all of time, bears the price tag of the blood of Jesus, and offers all people a brand new start. Paul expounded on these marvelous truths in the Book of Romans. We have read of the hopeless plight of sinful mankind, of the miracle of deliverance, and of the joyous promise of restoration. In Romans, chapter 12, Paul gave some

very practical direction about the application of this truth to our daily lives. It is essential that we have an understanding of foundational doctrines such as faith, justification, and divine guidance. But the Scriptures do not leave us to live our lives in the realm of the theoretical. This life changing gospel calls us to a place of commitment that will affect the way we live and how we interact with other people. It is important that we study the Bible every day and meditate on the word we will find grace, strength, joy, peace to overcome the trials of life. God’s grace is sufficient to keep us every day. Our duty is to remain faithful to God in whatever, area He has called us work. For further information, call Rev. R. Sibblies, 718-324-0334. —Rev. R. Sibblies

cate 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. March 20, Women's History Month Awards Dinner, 7 p.m., Dreiser Community Center: We are so pleased to recognized women who lead in our community and beyond. Several are cooperators (Ms. Evelyn Turner, Michelle Sajous, Katrina Asante) and we are thrilled to elevate Mrs. Olive "Red Hat" Glasgow to the spiritual title of "Church

Mother." In addition, we are honoring Ms. Flora Goldston and Diane Cooper and Maria Crai, P.S. 178 2nd Grade Teacher. Please join us for a light dinner and celebration. Tickets are $25. Please contact Deacon Sonja Chisolm at the church for additional information. Faith Cafe and Pantry: This Sunday, we open the Faith Cafe for a hot meal, our gift to our community, and the Food Pantry is open from 12-1 p.m. We also have coats and sneakers donated by MS 203 and Deacon Juanita

Pressley and NY Cares through our partnership with the Bronx Clergy Task Force and Archbishop Angelo and Bishop Nancy Rosario. Male and female mentors needed for community-faith-based youth ministry. If interested, reply to email address: fatwcc@aol.com with "Mentor" in subject line. Remember, it's never about us, but always about the goodness of the Lord. —Pastor Deborah

Faith @ Work Christian Church

Harvest Restoration Ministries

Pastors Anthony Davis and Andrée Davis, co-founders of Harvest Restoration Ministries, Inc., extend to you a warm invitation to come and worship the Lord Jesus Christ with us. We are a community oriented nondenominational church that preaches and teaches the Bible in an exegetical style. Our focus is to teach members of the ministry to use Biblical doctrines in a practical sense to be a blessing to both the home and the community. Pastor Davis has a particular affinity towards the empowerment the youth. His approach is to meet these young people where they are and to help transform them to meet their God given destiny.

We meet at: 135 Einstein Loop Community Center, Room 42 Order of Services Sunday School – 11:00 a.m. Sunday Morning Worship – 12:00 p.m. Tuesday night Prayer Service – 7:30 p.m. Wednesday night Bible Study – 7:30 p.m. Thursday night Praise Team rehearsal – 7:30 p.m. Children’s Church – Sunday at noon (during main service) Communion – Every 1st Sunday of every month —Pastor Anthony Davis

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Strict enforcement of angle parking regulations by NYPD begins

The NYPD has begun begin strict enforcement of parking regulations pertaining to angle parking spaces. Shareholders should be aware that vehicles in angle parking spaces on streets such as Asch Loop, Einstein Loop and Hutchinson River Parkway East, must be parked within the marked lines or they will be summonsed.

Co-op City Times / February 14, 2015

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Follow and read the Co-op City Times online at http://issuu.com/cctimes; download to your iOS devices from the App Store THIS DAY IN HISTORY: February 14

On February 14 around the year 278 A.D., Valentine, a holy priest in Rome in the days of Emperor Claudius II, was executed. Under the rule of Claudius the Cruel, Rome was involved in many unpopular and bloody campaigns. The emperor had to maintain a strong army, but was having a difficult time getting soldiers to join his military leagues. Claudius believed that Roman men were unwilling to join the army because of their strong attachment to their wives and families. To get rid of the problem, Claudius banned all marriages and engagements in Rome. Valentine, realizing the injustice of the decree, defied Claudius and continued to perform marriages for young lovers in secret. When Valentine's actions were discovered, Claudius ordered that he be put to death. Valentine was arrested and dragged before the Prefect of Rome, who condemned him to be beaten to death with clubs and to have his head cut off. The sentence was carried out on February 14. Legend also has it that while in jail, St. Valentine left a farewell note for the jailer's daughter, who had become his friend, and signed it "From Your Valentine." For his great service, Valentine was named a saint after his death. In truth, the exact origins and identity of St. Valentine are unclear. According to the Catholic Encyclopedia, "At least three different Saint Valentines, all of them martyrs, are mentioned in the early martyrologies under the date of 14 February." One was a priest in Rome, the second one was a bishop of Interamna (now Terni, Italy) and the third St. Valentine was a martyr in the Roman province of Africa. Legends vary on how the martyr's name became connected with romance. The date of his death may have become mingled with the Feast of Lupercalia, a pagan festival of love. On these occasions, the names of young women were placed in a box, from which they were drawn by the men as chance directed. In 496 AD, Pope Gelasius decided to put an end to the Feast of Lupercalia, and he declared that February 14 be celebrated as St. Valentine's Day. Gradually, February 14 became a date for exchanging love messages, poems and simple gifts such as flowers. Source: www.history.com

Co-op City Times / February 14, 2015

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