Co-op City Times 03/14/15 by Co-op City Times

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

The Right to vote: Selma, Alabama to Co-op City

Elected officials discuss community’s issues involving city and state agencies with Management Vol. 50 No. 11

BY BILL STUTTIG

Saturday, March 14, 2015

who have been filling in the gaps. “I believe that the interim management team has been doing a wonderful

As part of a renewed series of regular communication and meetings between Riverbay’s new interim management and the community’s elected representatives, City Councilman Andy King and State Senator Ruth HassellThompson met separately with Riverbay’s co-interim General Managers Noel Ellison and Peter Merola last week to discuss a number of issues concerning New York City and State governments and agencies, and their relationship with Co-op City. Councilman King said after the closed door meet- City Councilman Andy King (center) discusses Co-op City’s issues with Riverbay’s co-interim general maning which took place on agers Noel Ellison and Peter Merola. Wednesday, March 4th: “The Wednesday meeting with Noel job and have a true ownership approach, Ellison and Peter Merola was a very compared to what we’ve seen in the past productive meeting, filled with commitwith outside interests exhibiting less of ted people in the room. The theme of a commitment to this community,” King the conversation was building our relationships with the interim management (Continued on page 2

2015 Election Committee chair appointed Petition period begins March 23

BY ROZAAN BOONE

At last Wednesday’s meeting of the Riverbay Board of Directors, Board President Cleve Taylor appointed Director Andrea Leslie to chair the 2015 Riverbay Election Committee. Director Leslie, currently serving

her third term on the Riverbay Board of Directors, is chair of the Board’s Audit Committee. This is her first time chairing the Election Committee. “The position of chairperson of our (Continued on page 4)

Prestige Properties meets with Riverbay and CB10 over traffic concerns BY BILL STUTTIG

Last week, in what can be viewed as a breakthrough meeting at which two long-time neighbors finally agreed to work together to solve mutual concerns Riverbay officials – including co-interim General Managers Noel Ellison and Peter Merola, Riverbay Board President Cleve Taylor and Board Director Leslie Peterson sat down behind closed doors with executives from Prestige Properties, the owners and developers of Bay Plaza, to agree to work together to solve some of the problems shared by the two

large adjacent developments. The meeting also included input from Community Board 10 members, including its District Manager Ken Kearns and Board Chairperson Martin Prince, a Co-op City resident. The meeting was not open to the press, but Ellison shared some of the discussion with the Co-op City Times the following day and said the meeting – which included the participation of Prestige Properties Chairman Sam Shalem – was productive (Continued on page 4)

25¢

Dear shareholders: President’s Message on the streets and This month comin our view as memorates the 50th Americans. Anniversary of the WE’VE COME President march from Selma A LONG WAY to Montgomery, Alabama, from Selma to Co-op City. the state’s capital. This We have the right and privihistoric time in our lives lege to vote, yet, so many of was marked by one of the us do not take the opportunity greatest men of all-time, to help the very community the Rev. Dr. Martin that we share and live in. Luther King, Jr. Brave A BREATH OF FRESH Americans came from all AIR HAS ENTERED over this country and the CO-OP CITY as we try to world to join in this march return to a “True Cooperative to give African Americans, Spirit.” Please think of Latinos and poor Whites the right to yourselves as shareholders, and not as tenants. I need your help and vote in this country. participation to determine the future I can remember as a small child direction of our property before watching the events unfold on my Co-op City slips into the hands of small black and white TV (channels our mortgage lender, Wells Fargo 2-13). At the same time, my parents Bank, and/or Managing Agents. As cried to see what was unfolding on the you are aware, our last managing road to the Edmund Pettus Bridge. agent had questionable business Thousands of lives were sacripractices and as a result, made a ficed for us to have the right to vote; mess of our finances. the right to vote through its individThe “new” Board of Directors ual single action to shape those has made it possible for the first time events that collectively determine in the history of Co-op City for the our destiny. The right to vote for African Americans, Latinos and (Continued on page 2) poor Whites was granted by blood

Cleve Taylor

Bulk cable ballots being counted BY ROZAAN BOONE

As of press time yesterday, more than 7,134 shareholders out of the 10,248 needed to validate the referendum on the bulk cable agreement with Cablevision had cast their votes on whether or not they are interested in having the Riverbay Board move forward with a decision on signing the agreement. The Riverbay Finance Department has been counting the returned ballots that accompany the March carrying charge payments as they have been coming in since last week. As of close of business yesterday, ballots that had been forwarded by the bank to Riverbay’s Finance Department had yet to be counted. So far, 3,799 shareholders have voted “yes,” and 3,335 have voted “no.” For the referendum to be validated, not only must 2/3 of all shareholders respond to the survey, which amounts to 10,248, but 2/3 of those responding, or 6,832, must also vote “yes” for the bulk cable deal to move forward. “The Board has set a high standard for approval,” Board President Cleve

Taylor said recently. “It has to be an overwhelming number of shareholders who want the bulk cable deal for it to move forward, so if this is something you want, you should make sure you get your ballots in…” The Riverbay-Cablevision proposal is to have Riverbay purchase cable services worth a retail value of approximately $75 from Cablevision for only $25, a considerable bulk rate discount, and then Riverbay will pass this saving on to current Cablevision subscribers, and provide cable TV service to those residential units for a flat fee of $25 per month. This amounts to a saving of up to $50 for some Cablevision subscribers and a much more affordable cable bill, savings which could be used to help offset the proposed 4.5% carrying charge and 10% garage fee increases that are slated for this fiscal year to raise the $8M needed to help pay for the settlement of the federal Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) lawsuit and clean-up of the cooling tower after the (Continued on page 10)

President’s Report

shareholders to vote on a $12 million offer extended by Cablevision. The survey ballot was sent to every single family in Co-op City (15,372). Yes or No vote, we want you to be a partner in our governance. Cablevision Vote I have never seen an issue that evoked such passion in Co-op City than this offer extended by Cablevision. The feelings, sentiments and trying to read between the lines run the gamut from reasonable to absurd, mistrust, to let me save $50. This debate is good for the shareholders of Co-op City because this is your company and your home. This debate is also good if conducted respectfully and the realization that your

Elected officials

said. “Noel and Peter are professionals who are smart, qualified, and have lived and/or worked in this community for years. They really understand the issues that need to be impressed on management. Among other topics, we revisited the asbestos problem and current policies that target Riverbay unreasonably. I am committed to an action plan that will deliver Co-op City from under this unfair protocol. It’s time for action in the best interest of the cooperators and I’m on the same page with Noel and Peter with respect to this.” Interim General Manager Ellison said that Councilman King was very knowledgeable about the specifics of the key issues facing us, including the costly asbestos abatement requirements exclusively placed on Co-op City by the city’s Department of Environmental Protection. Ellison added that he and other management officials also discussed having the Councilman contact the New York City Fire Department to discuss easing the city regulations governing space around the standpipes in each of the community’s garages. Ellison said that allowing more parking in the vicinity of the standpipes on each garage floor would open up as many as 15 needed spaces in each garage. Ellison added that the Councilman also expressed a willingness to work with Riverbay at getting additional city grants to help fund many of the cultural celebrations presented in Co-op City each year, such as the weekly free summer concert series. Two days later, management officials met with State Senator Ruth Hassell-Thompson to discuss Co-op City’s need for help on the state level with a number of issues. Ellison said that management specifically asked the Senator for her continuing support in the effort to get New York State Peace Officer status for Riverbay’s Public Safety Officers. Currently, the Public Safety Department is granted its arrest powers through the NYPD’s Special Patrolman program and over the last few years Public Safety, under the charge of its

In Loving memory of Nathan Silverstein We wish to announce the one year anniversary of the passing of Mr. Nathan Silverstein of Building 14 on Casals Place. He passed on March 11, 2014. There will be an unveiling of the stone on March 22, weather permitting, at the New Montefiore Cemetery, Pinelawn, NY. I am sure some people knew and remember Nathan because we moved into Building 14 in September, 1970. If anyone wants to attend or phone us, the telephone number is (718) 379-5734. Nathan is sorely missed. Lovingly submitted, —Mrs. Doris Silverstein and son, Jason.

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

one vote is just as important as your neighbor’s one vote. The Board of Directors is working on innovative ways to keep the residents of Co-op City involved however, you must stay engaged. The Board of Directors, under the leadership of former President Bill Gordon and Director Bernard Cylich, developed a fairly high standard of approval for the vote count –2/3 of all shareholders must vote (10,248) and of that total, 2/3 “yes” votes are needed to pass. I fully concur with this high standard set by the Board of Directors. Then each Board Director would vote on if we should move forward on adopting the Bulk Service Rider (2 pages). My hope is that “Our People” at least exercise the

right to vote, a right that so many have sacrificed their lives for; “America the Beautiful.” The President’s Project With the assistance of the Board of Directors willing to work with me and the Riverbay Department Directors, I hope to prepare the first Comprehensive Survey questionnaire to be sent to the residents of Coop City. This questionnaire will ask a series of questions, scenarios and cost, that will help the long-term planning and development of Co-op City. This will require coordination and participation of all shareholders. We must unify Co-op City if we are to gentrify it under our set of conditions. It will take time and money. GOD BLESS AMERICA.

(Continued from page 1)

Commanding Officer, Chief Frank Apollo, has been lobbying to get legislation passed by the state legislature granting CCPD officers New York State Peace Officer status, which would, in turn, safeguard the department, and more importantly, the community, in case the NYPD ever decides to forego its program granting Special Patrolman status to certain private policing agencies such as CCPD. Thompson, as Assemblyman Benedetto did two weeks ago, recommitted to doing what can be done to make New York State Peace Officer status a reality for Co-op City’s Public Safety Department. Ellison added that Senator Thompson also expressed a willingness to work with Riverbay and Prestige Properties – owners and developers of the new Mall at Bay Plaza – to get state funding to enhance traffic patterns in and around the mega-shopping complex and to provide more direct access from the huge shopping center onto adjacent highways without impacting on the congestion and safety of local Co-op City streets. According to Ellison, both elected official demonstrated themselves to be extremely knowledgeable about the specific issues facing the community and they both expressed a willingness to work closely with Co-op City in the coming months to solve many of the ongoing problems. One possibility suggested by Senator Thompson, Ellison said, was a joint meeting

State Senator Ruth Hassell-Thompson met with Riverbay’s interim management team on Friday, March 6th.

with all of Co-op City’s elected representatives to formulate a team strategy for tackling some of these ongoing issues. Riverbay Community Relations Director Michelle Sajous said that these meetings and a similar one held two weeks ago with Assemblyman Mike Benedetto are the first in a series of regular meetings with leading elected and government officials as part of what will be a new era of a more cordial and open dialogue between them and the leaders and residents of Co-op City. In addition to meeting with both Councilman King and Senator Thompson, Ellison and Merola met briefly with City Comptroller Scott Stringer last week as part of a series of appearances in Co-op City on March 4th.

Co-op City Times / March 14, 2015

2nd

Combing Co-op City

Next CB 10 meeting

The next Community Board 10 meeting will be held on Thursday, March 19, 7:30 p.m. at Ft. Schuyler House, 3077 Cross Bronx Expressway, Bronx, NY 10465. For more info., 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 next Saturday, March 21, at 11 a.m. in Room 31 of the Bartow Center. FREE admission. 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.

Design a Poster Contest

The Section 2 Summer Fun Day Committee invites you to showcase your artistic talent and be compensated! Design a poster to represent the “Summer Fun Day” event theme. Summer Fun Day will take place on June 20, 12-6 p.m. at the park on Carver Loop and Casals Place, and it’s a block party that celebrated family, friends and the community that brings them together. You must be: • Under 21 to enter • The layout must be submitted on 8½” x 11” paper in Power Point or Word format • Must mention Hosted by Buildings 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14 and Riverbay Community Relations • Free T-shirt for first 50 children • Must include date, time and location • Include activities; crafts, basketball, name that tune The deadline for submission is March 31 to your building representative or Gail Sharbaan, (718) 671-3801. The final decision will be made by the Event Committee.

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

FRONT PA G E

Riverbay CSO’s are residents’ first step in securing essential services

BY ROZAAN BOONE

views with shareholders who have meet and greet them upon moving in to unresolved, ongoing issues and also the complex. refers the shareholders for remediation Riverbay’s CSO managers work services. with and relate to the cooperators on a Shareholders who need them can one-on-one basis primarily, but also in pick up dog accommodation applicagroup settings, such as at building assotions from their respective CSO office. ciation meetings, Riverbay orientation Shareholders can also contact their meetings for new shareholders and at respective CSO for guidance in proptownhall meetings. All in all, they are erly disposing of their garbage in the the “eyes and ears” of the corporation compactor rooms, including adherence because of their close relationship to to the city’s recycling laws, as failure the cooperators. to do so may result in a fine. No appointment is needed and any All recyclables should be washed cooperator can walk into the CSO and placed in the plastic bag in the office for service. In addition, they may compactor room before being left for also call their respective CSO. the porters to cart away. • Cooperators who live in Buildings No raw garbage, plastic bags or 1-14, may contact CSO 1 in Dreiser, cans should be left on the floor of the Room 6, at (718) 320-3300, and follow compactor room. Furniture must be the prompts. brought down to the Ash Cart room • CSO 2 covers Buildings 15-25 and in the basement, as well as mattresses is located in the Bartow Community that are being disposed which must Center, Room B. The office may be be wrapped in plastic before being contacted by calling (718) 320-3300, brought down to the basement for and follow the prompts. disposal. Only newspapers and mag• CSO 3 covers Buildings 26-35 azines should be left on the shelf in and is located in Room 37 in the the compactor room. All bulk items, Einstein Center. The office can be such as cardboard boxes of any kind reached by calling (718) 320-3300, and sizes, including pizza boxes, and follow the prompts. must be taken down to the lower ash cart room in the basement. Cooperators have a responsibility to comply with New York City’s recycling regulations as failure to do so will result in a The Department of Public Safety this week community complaint and reported the sighting of 6 to 8 Canadian geese a fine of $125 if the coopfound dead on Co-op City grounds over the last erator is identified. two weeks and they are now working with the In addition to the services New York State Department of Environmental mentioned above, CSO also Conservation (DEC) to find out what may have sells small, over-the-counter caused the deaths. items, such as towel bars, Captain James Keappock of Public Safety aerators, drawer rollers, reported that DEC has requested that Public hinges and convector filters. Safety send a carcass of one of the recently disNew cooperators who covered geese to investigate the possible cause of may not be familiar with the sudden rash of deaths among the area’s geese the CSO office and its population. DEC has sent Public Safety a special services are given an inforcontainer in which to place the carcass for delivmation package during ery to DEC labs in Albany for an examination their Orientation session into the possible cause of death. which includes the inforIn the meantime, Public Safety is asking resimation about this departdents who spot a dead goose on Co-op City ment. A welcome package grounds to contact them immediately at 718-671is also given to the new 3050. Residents are also warned not to touch and shareholder by their CSO to stay a safe distance away from any discovered representatives when they geese carcass and especially make sure that children stay away for their own health and safety. Co-op City Department The findings into the possible causes of death of Public Safety will be reported to the community when DEC completes their examinations and reports the (718) 671-3050 • www.ccpd.us results of their tests back to Public Safety. If you SEE something, —Bill Stuttig

Riverbay’s Cooperator Services Office (CSO) has an office in each of the three community centers—Dreiser, Bartow and Einstein—which is charged with providing essential services to residents of Co-op City in a timely and efficient manner. These services include providing maintenance to social work, and each CSO office is staffed by an Area Manager, Assistant Manager, Secretary and two maintenance service representatives. CSO interfaces with the Risk Management Department on behalf of shareholders for personal damage to apartments which result from air conditioning leaks and pipe breaks. CSO processes work orders for disbursement to Maintenance. The office also interacts with other departments on a daily basis based on cooperators’ requests for services, for example, window replacement, lobby glass and apartment window glass replacements, and free exterminating services. They allocate hall closets to cooperators interested in such rentals and maintain the waiting list for those rentals. CSO personnel prepare lease agreements for shareholders with freezers and dishwashers and forward all pertinent information to the Rent/ Bookkeeping office. Senior residents who require social services assistance are referred by CSO staff members to in-house case worker at JASA’s Naturally Occurring Retirement Community (NORC) program. The CSO staff document these cases through the preparation of confidential reports. Another important function of CSO is to process community complaints as they are received by logging and notifying the shareholder of such complaints through correspondence, and then forwarding the complaint to the Riverbay Board’s Cooperator Appeals Committee for a hearing, as well as attending these hearings if the shareholder requests their presence. In addition, CSO sends letters to shareholders for poor housekeeping, noise complaints, illegal appliances, throwing objects out of windows, and mats outside of their apartment doors. CSO conducts face-to-face inter-

SAY something!

Public Safety working with NYS DEC to investigate cause of geese deaths

Election Committee

2015 Board of Directors Election Committee is an important additional responsibility that I plan to carry out with transparency and fairness,” said Director Leslie. “As our community participates in this very important democratic process, I hope the community will take seriously its responsibility to elect to the Board fellow shareholders who are conscientious activists who will represent them well as we continue to work toward a better Co-op City. My hope is also that we have a massive shareholder-voter turn out.” The Riverbay Board approved Resolution 15-08 on February 4, authorizing the annual shareholders’ meeting and election of directors of the Riverbay Corporation to be held on Wednesday, May 20. According to the resolution, the Board election “shall be conducted in accordance with the general rules and regulations hereby adopted and annexed hereto; and “Be it further resolved, that subject to the Riverbay Corporation By-Laws and the aforementioned general rules and regulation promulgated by the

Traffic concerns

on a number of fronts, including an agreement to work together in lobbying government agencies for improvements to roads directing traffic in and out of the mega shopping complex while reducing congestion on local streets in and around Co-op City. Prestige Properties Chairman Sam Shalem also characterized the meeting as very productive. “The discussion was very good and we talked about working together to resolve our traffic issues and already we have been in touch with elected officials about improving access to I-95,” he said. Ellison said that he felt the meeting was significant because, among other things, for the first time in his memory, Prestige officials acknowledged that the stability of Co-op City has played an important role in the tremendous success of the shopping complex over the past quarter century, growing from a strip mall to perhaps the largest shopping complex in the tri-state region which includes a new state-of-the art 780,000 square foot indoor mall. Shalem acknowledged to the Co-op City Times that Co-op City customers have been very important to the mall’s overall success. “We consider Co-op City residents our base customer and we have to continue the same great relationship with Co-op City and work for the same goals,” Shalem said. According to Ellison, representatives for both Riverbay and Prestige also acknowledged the mutual interest they have in improving the area’s traffic flow with Prestige needing to make the flow of shoppers into their new mall more efficient and Riverbay residents concerned about quality of life and safety with the significant increase of vehicles coming into the area. CB 10 Chairman Prince also said the meeting was a very good one at which the two sides agreed to collaborate on a number of issues, such as lobbying government agencies for funding to improve direct access and egress to the huge shopping complex moving traffic from the two adjacent highways into the shopping center without impacting local streets. Ellison said that Prestige executives seemed to favor the development of a dedicated lane going from the shopping

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

Riverbay Board of Directors, the Election Committee appointed by the President of the Corporation is hereby approved by the Board of Directors and charged with the duty and responsibility for supervising the voting for the election of Directors, and “Be it further resolved, that the eligibility of shareholders to vote shall be determined in accordance with the general rules and regulations annexed hereto…” Resolution 15-08 was approved by Directors Helen Atkins, Linda Berk, Bernard Cylich, Bill Gordon, Francine Jones, Othelia Jones, Rev. Calvin E. Owens, Leslie Peterson, Al Shapiro, Board President Cleve Taylor, Evelyn Turner and Khalil Abdul-Wahhab. Board Director Daryl Johnson voted no, Director Andrea Leslie was absent and Director Leah Graham was absent for the vote. At the February 4th Board business meeting, after lengthy discussion, the Board also approved the 2015 Election Rules and Regulations which this year includes changes allowing candidates (Continued from page 1)

center, underneath the I-95 overpass at Bartow Avenue and directly onto the I-95 southbound lanes. A similar idea was proposed by engineers contracted by the state Department of Transportation in 2000 to compete a study on traffic alternatives for the area. No improvements ever came from that study, however. Chairman Prince said, “The one main thing that seemed to come out of the meeting is the agreement that there is a mutual need and benefit to the two huge developments working together and helping each other.” Aside from traffic, both the Riverbay and Prestige executives agreed to mutually support each other in the future including, according to Ellison, an agreement by Prestige to consult with Riverbay about improving its commercial leasing opportunities to fill existing vacancies in the shopping centers and increase revenue for the community and its shareholders. Shalem confirmed this. He said, “We agreed to help Riverbay with filling some of the commercial vacancies they are experiencing by referring businesses who can’t afford our rent to perhaps inquire over there.” The meeting also featured discussion on Prestige providing financial support for some of the community’s non-profit youth programs, such as the Co-op City Little League. According to Ellison, there was also preliminary discussion of periodic free shuttle service between the community and the mall on certain days specifically for the purpose of allowing seniors to have better and safer access to the new mall. Shalem said that his firm will look into the possibility of providing free transportation occasionally, perhaps this summer, if it is financially viable to do so. There was also a preliminary discussion of the huge shopping complex perhaps buying some of its power from Riverbay’s co-generation plant if the plant could provide energy prices that are competitive with other outside utilities. Shalem said to the Co-op Times, “You have to understand that we are a business and if Riverbay can provide us competitive pricing to meet our energy needs, we will certainly look into that.”

to use social media sites, such as Facebook and Twitter, to make campaign statements without prior approval of the Riverbay Election Committee. In addition, campaign statements made through personal emails will also not require the prior approval of the 2015 Election Committee. However, should the internet be used to create and post campaign websites or webpages, these material must first be approved by the Election Committee, and must also include a statement by the candidate posting the online ad or page taking full responsibility for the content of the ad, similar to the requirements for the distribution of campaign flyers in the community which must include the name, address or post office box of the person or organization who issued such literature, and in the case of an organization, the name of the chairperson or treasurer. (The official 2015 Election Rules and Regulations will be published in an upcoming issue of this publication.) This year’s election period will run from Monday, March 23, which is the first day qualifying petitions will be available, until June 4, when the swearing in of the new Directors elected on May 20th takes place and they are officially seated on the 2015-2016 Riverbay Board of Directors. The petition period will be from

Monday, March 23 to Monday, April 6. Generally, once the election period begins on March 23, the 2015 Election Committee will meet every Tuesday and those who volunteer to serve on the Election Committee will be required to attend these meetings, assist in certifying the petition signatures, assist at the official Candidates’ Forums, and also assist on the night of the election with the unofficial count. The Election Committee also reviews all campaign literature including candidates’ statements and ads, Director’s viewpoints, etc., during the election period with the assistance of the corporation’s General Counsel, Jeffrey Buss. The Election Committee members also assist at the official recount. Volunteer shareholders serving on the Election Committee are not allowed to endorse any candidates running in the election. Any shareholder who is interested in serving on the 2015 Election Committee may send their request to: Andrea Leslie, Riverbay Board Office, 2049 Bartow Avenue, Bronx, NY 10475 or email aleslie@riverbayboard.com. More information regarding the election will be published in the coming weeks as the election petition period approaches.

For career opportunities at Riverbay, see page 7 for job listings.

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Co-op City Times / March 14, 2015

Assemblyman Benedetto’s 2015 Scholarships for Co-op City students Assemblymember Michael R. Benedetto has kicked-off the annual Co-op City Scholarship competition, an initiative to help students who live in Co-op City achieve their dreams of attending college. To qualify for the scholarship, applicants must be Co-op City residents in their senior year of high school, is currently serving or has served their community in a volunteer capacity, and have a C+ grade average or better. Applications for the scholarship can be picked up at

the assemblymember’s offices at 3602 East Tremont Avenue and 177 Dreiser Loop, U.S. Representative Eliot Engel’s Office at Dreiser Community Center, Room 4, Riverbay’s Corporation office at Bartow Community Center, Church of the Savior at 920 Baychester Avenue or at high school guidance counselor’s offices. All applications are due by Monday, April 13. For more information, contact the assemblymember’s office at 718-892-2235.

BY JIM ROBERTS

emergency blanket, duct tape, work gloves, and a water bottle. “Governor Cuomo has been sponsoring these emergency preparedness meetings at various schools, hospitals and large auditoriums around New York City,” said Khalil Abdul-Wahhab, who is the field chief of the local CERT 10 team and the Assistant Borough Manager for CERT operations in the Bronx. “We were able to host a previous meeting at Truman High School and despite short notice, nearly 300 people attended that event,” Abdul-Wahhab said. “We hope to have an even bigger turnout at the next meeting, which is tentatively scheduled for either March 26 or 27 at Truman.” The preparedness training seminars are taught by members of the New York State National Guard who also hand out the free GO Bags to all attendees. “You’ll get all the basics you need in an emergency which you would grab and go,” said Abdul-Wahhab. “The presentations are very well done and will be held in the early evening to allow people who work during the day to attend.” You must register in advance in order to attend the seminar. To register, go to the website www.prepare. ny.gov The event is being held at Truman at the urging of the Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) 10, whose Bronx branch is headquartered in Co-op City.

Emergency training event scheduled for March at Truman High School

Cooperators who want to make the best preparations possible for their families in case of natural emergencies are invited to attend a one-hour seminar on preparedness training to be held later this month at Truman High School. Attendees will also receive a free “GO Bag” Preparedness Kit containing a plastic drop cloth, a Light stick, two D batteries, First Aid Kit, face mask, safety goggles, AM/FM pocket radio w/batteries, six packs of drinking water, six food bars, a regular flashlight, an

New concrete at Bldg. 23 community room

Last week, the Riverbay Construction Department removed the pea gravel at the entrance to the community room in Building 23 which was causing a trip hazard going into and out of the room. The pea gravel was replaced with new concrete.

Second annual Co-op City Spelling Bee next Saturday

The African-American Association of Co-op City and the Riverbay Fund, Inc. are co-sponsoring the Second Annual Co-op City Spelling Bee, next Saturday, March 21, at 11:00 a.m. in the Bartow Community Center, Room 31. All parents of elementary and middle school students (Grades 4-8) are encouraged to enroll their children in this event. Not only does it provide a source of entertainment, but most importantly, it places emphasis on offering the children of our community the experience of engaging with others in this competitive environment. The winner of the Spelling Bee will receive the Grand Prize of $100. The second place prize is $50, and the third place prize is $25. All participants will receive recognition and a token of appreciation. Light refreshments will be served. Registration forms for the second annual Co-op City Spelling Bee are available at the Riverbay Administration Office in the Bartow Community Center. You may also call (718) 3795555 to register your child, to volunteer at the event, or for additional information.

Domestic hot & cold water shutdown Buildings 2 & 3

On Wednesday, March 18th, there will be no domestic hot water or cold water in both Building 2 and Building 3 from the hours of 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. in order for the regulator valves in both buildings to be replaced. During this shutdown, there will be no interruption to heat or electricity in either building. In preparation for the shut-down, we urge cooperators to keep a supply of water on hand for emergency prior to the shutdown. Please also make sure that you keep your faucets in a closed position and all drains clear of objects. Thank you for your patience while we complete these repairs and restore your service. —CSO (Dreiser)

Co-op City Times / March 14, 2015

Letters to the Editor To the Editor: I write in support of Daryl Johnson’s position on our precarious financial situation reportedly caused by the previous MSI management firm and the majority faction on the Board. Given the fact that the community is currently on financial life-support, there is a need for some austere measures; at the very least, I believe we need to freeze spending at 2014 levels. Additionally, we must critically examine our current spending with a view to cutting some fat (waste). There must be some waste somewhere that can be identified and eliminated. The role of management and the Board is to work together to engender productivity (how much a worker produces in an hour). Productive workers are able to To the Editor: Answer “yes” or “no” on the slip to be enclosed with March carrying charge billing, I find objectionable. Our monthly obligation covers (as inclusive) gas, electricity, air cooling seasonally…period. All other “elected” expenses are “personal amenities” – cable being but one. The fact that Cablevision has a monopoly here with thousands of subscribers has a singular relationship to Riverbay, i.e. they were given a contract. A contract Board-approved minus To the Editor: I moved here in 2000, and the quality of life has changed from then to now. I believe all new elected Board members are doing their best to help offset a 4.5% increase, but at the risk of losing some quality of life, that is not the way to go. I believe we, shareholders, are more to blame because we were dissatisfied with management for years; we, the shareholders, who never go to meetings or get involved in making this community grow, by fixing it up right without nonsensical work by contractors, change orders, reported mismanagement of funds, we didn’t vote out those

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.

Where is the outrage?

efficiently utilize existing equipment and tools. In a less-productive environment, more people have to be hired to accomplish the same amount of work. Productivity, however, is driven by INNOVATION. Instead of hiring more people, innovation improves the efficacy and efficiency of existing staff (or reduced staff) through training, better equipment and/or technology. Our community suffers from managing agents/board members who seem to lack the ability to innovate. Let’s start turning the wheels of innovation instead of continued increases in carrying charges. One thing that amazes me is how apathetic cooperators are; we don’t demonstrate our outrage at how badly, inefficiently, or incompetently our corporation is managed. In my opin-

Sugar-coated rent increase our shareholders’ entitled term (in full) as to all terms, etc. Hardly entitled transparency, in my opinion, plus the omission of disclosure re: full extent of free services to Board members. All consumers in any area know that “bulk” purchasing has reward of cheaper cost. Board members who pay zilch for what Cablevision bestows on them I believe should have recused themselves from any “bulk” rate pursuit. Instead, the representatives of Cablevision should have been invited here to address subscribers en masse on

Making prudent decisions Board members who seemed to be on the strings of the management company. Cleve Taylor has merit by saying that we spent money on trucks, containers, compact station, etc., to take care of our garbage, and to have it sit there waiting for the city to pick it up means more pests that we may not like. I believe Mr. Johnson has our best interests at heart, but more thought has to be given before a decision like this is made. I don’t want raccoons running around any more than I want the geese. I’m not crazy about the Cablevision deal, but if it could offset the 4.5% increase, then it’s a no brainer since we

ion, MSI is not singularly responsible or culpable for sending our finances into a tailspin; we had a Board (a majority of whom seemed to be in the hip-pocket of MSI) who should share the blame for our current predicament. And some of these members are still on the Board! When MSI bankrolled the Baez faction in an election, there was no outrage from the community. When are we going to show outrage? I suggest that cooperators who serve on the Board and fail to steadfastly uphold and discharge their fiduciary duties/responsibilities should be permanently barred from holding office in the community and have their names enshrined in the community’s imaginary Wall of Shame to serve as deterrence. —Solo J Dowuona-Hammond our consumer numbers. It is not mandatory that we have cable regardless of their Bronx monopoly so we are in a bargaining position without our private Board’s involvement. Our success remains unknown, but it beats linking a rent increase to a sugar coated, unrelated amenity which is cable. How we spend our money beyond our rent is personal and private – choices of our own. There never should have been this Board’s “spoonful of sugar” offer to offset the taste of another rent hike. —Marilyn Brand can’t get Fios here. What the new Board has offered us is something we never got – transparency. We can now sit on the couch and see their meetings, and hear more about rooting out those who are ripping us off. I hope to see more lawsuits on faulty construction of the garages (and I don’t have a car), and getting money back from those responsible for the top soil issue and now for the labor lawsuit. Shareholders must be more involved in who runs Co-op City or we could be a “right to live” community, and that you don’t want. —David Sanquiche

Important Notice to Shareholders of Building 19 Building 19

Current Lease Expiration Date

New 3 yr. Expiration Date

140 Alcott Place

Mar. 31, 2015

Mar. 31, 2018

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

Lobby Attendants are the EYES and EARS of CCPD BY LIEUTENANT PAM APOLLO

The Co-op City Department of Public Safety utilizes the Lobby Attendant Program as one of the tools to help keep the community safe. Co-op City’s 65 lobbies are manned by lobby attendants during the hours of 2:00 p.m. and 10:00 p.m. on Wednesday, Thursday and Sunday and from 4:00 p.m. and midnight on Fridays and Saturdays. This coverage is provided by a current total of 70 lobby attendants and 3 supervisors. When each lobby attendant comes on duty, they set up their podium and notify Public Safety that they are present. The lobby attendant proceeds to conduct an inspection of the lobby. This inspection includes the elevators, doors and windows. They are responsible for noting any broken items, malfunctioning equipment or hazardous conditions. Any deficiencies are noted in the Log Book and Public Safety is notified. During the course of their tour of duty, a lobby attendant is responsible for monitoring the lobby for illegal activity or violations of the lease. Illegal activities include any crimes, Disorderly Conduct, Trespassing, and Public Consumption of Alcohol or Use of Controlled Substances. Violations of the lease monitored by the lobby attendant include smoking, loitering, bike riding and dogs. Public Safety is to be notified when any violations of the law or lease are observed. Log Book entries documenting this notification are also to be made. All lobby attendants are responsible to maintain an up to date Log Book. In this Log Book, all inspections, referrals and notifications are recorded. All move-ins, move-outs, deliveries and other visitors are entered into the Log Book. Public Safety is to be notified if a move-in or move-out does not have a valid permit. Log Book entries are also made when Public Safety, New York City Police Department, Fire Department or any other authorized agency enters the building. Public Safety is to be notified if there is any question regarding allowing access to any party. The Lobby Attendant must also make entries in the Log Book when leaving post for any reason, such as a meal period or a break. Lobby attendants are not authorized to receive mail, packages or any other deliveries. Lobby attendants are not required to hold or open the front door except in the event of a disabled person or elderly person carrying packages. Residents are required to utilize their key for entry into the building. Lobby attendants are not permitted to run errands or perform outside jobs for cooperators or other Riverbay employees. Lobby attendants are not permitted to leave their assigned area without permission. Engaging in unnecessary conversation is also against the rules. Lobby attendants may not identify themselves as Public Safety Officers, Police Officers or Security Officers. Lobby attendants are not permitted to arrest or detain violators. In the event a violation of the lease or the law is observed, it is the responsibility of the lobby attendant to notify the Department of Public Safety. As the “civilian” EYES and EARS of the Co-op City Department of Public Safety, the lobby attendants effectively serve to reduce crime and maintain a high (Continued on page 23)

Co-op City Times / March 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

There are no contract opportunities to list this week. Please check back again next week.

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES

Open to: ONLY Internal Applicants Time Period: March 9 to March 18, 2015 Job Reference #: 15-08 Internal Candidates: Request for transfer/promotion must be received by the Human Resources Department by March 18, 2015. Employees are responsible for submitting the transfer forms in person to the Human Resources Department. Employees who are promoted will receive the applicable rate scale for this position.

CSO Manager Cooperators Services Dept. Ideal candidate will be responsible for the day-to-day duties of assisting in the enforcement of rules, regulations and policies set forth in the Occupancy Agreement by the Board of Directors and Executive Management. Reviewing all open work order reports. Providing supervision coverage for Area Managers. Attending various meetings, such as Town-Halls, Building Associations, Cooperator Appeals, and Cooperator Service forums. Job Description: Ideal candidate will: • Manage and oversee operations, maintenance, administration, and improvement of residential properties. • Plan, schedule, and coordinate general maintenance, major repairs, or construction projects for residential properties. • Inspect grounds and facilities routinely to determine necessity of repairs or maintenance. • Act as liaisons between on-site managers, tenants, owners, shareholders, and board members. • Explain terms of occupancy, and provide information about local areas. • Investigate complaints, disturbances and violations and resolve problems following management rules and regulations. • Meet with board of directors and committees to discuss and resolve legal and environmental issues or disputes between neighbors. • Confer regularly with community association members to ensure their needs are being met. • Resolve customer complaints or answer customers' questions regarding policies and procedures. • Supervise the work of office, administrative, or customer service employees to ensure adherence to quality standards, deadlines, and proper procedures, correcting errors or problems. • Prepare and issue work schedules, deadlines, and duty assignments for office or administrative staff. • Research, compile, and prepare reports, manuals, correspondence, or other information required by management or governmental agencies. • Coordinate activities with other supervisory personnel or with other work units or departments. • Make recommendations to management concerning such issues as staffing decisions or procedural changes. • Consult with managers or other personnel to resolve problems in areas such as equipment performance, output quality, or work schedules. • Design, implement, or evaluate staff training and development programs, customer service initiatives, or performance measurement criteria. • Discuss work problems or grievances with union representatives. • Perform other duties as assigned. Job Requirements: Bachelor’s degree or 3-5 years industry experience; Must be able to read and write in English; Bi-Lingual is a plus. Drug Screening Test, Background check Days and Hours: Monday – Friday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m., with some flexibility required. How to Apply: MUST SUBMIT A “REQUEST FOR TRANSFER” FORM IN PERSON ONLY TO: Human Resources, Riverbay Corporation Administration Office, 2049 Bartow Ave., Bronx, NY 10475. All Internal Applicants are advised to submit a resume along with the “Request for Transfer.” All “Request for Transfer” forms must be signed by your current Department Head.

New Job Posting: Open to 32BJ Union Members from March 12, 2015 to March 18, 2015 Open to All applicants from March 19, 2015 to March 27, 2015 Job Reference #: 15-09 Request for transfer/promotion must be received by the Human Resources Department by March 18, 2015. Employees are responsible for submitting the transfer forms in person to the Human Resources Department. Employees who are promoted will receive the applicable rate scale for this position.

2 Permanent Building Porters Buildings & Grounds Ideal employee will be responsible for the day-today responsibilities duties including, but not limited to, numerous cleaning and restoration duties such as washing, sweeping, mopping, waxing, buffing and stripping of VCT and terrazzo floors. Responsibilities include cleaning all assigned internal and external areas of the Residential Buildings and/or Shopping Centers. Seasonal duties, including leaf raking, snow removal and power washing of assigned areas, will be required as necessary. If assigned to Community Centers, candidate will be responsible for set-up and breakdown of center rooms for various social functions. This employee will also need to respond to emergencies (floods, etc.) throughout the Co-op City complex, as well as the completion of other assignments from supervisor(s) as necessary. Job Description: Ideal candidate will: • Service, clean, or supply restrooms. Gather and empty trash. • Clean building floors by sweeping, mopping, scrubbing, or vacuuming. • Follow procedures for the use of chemical cleaners and power equipment to prevent damage to floors and fixtures. • Mix water and detergents or acids in containers to prepare cleaning solutions, according to specifications. • Clean windows, glass partitions, or mirrors, using soapy water or other cleaners, sponges, or squeegees. • Notify managers concerning the need for major repairs or additions to building operating systems. • Requisition supplies or equipment needed for cleaning and maintenance duties. • Dust furniture, walls, machines, or equipment. • Strip, seal, finish, and polish floors. Steam clean or shampoo carpets. • Clean and polish furniture and fixtures. • Move heavy furniture, equipment, or supplies, either manually or by using hand trucks. • Remove snow from sidewalks, driveways, or parking areas, using snowplows, snow blowers, or snow shovels, or spread snow melting chemicals. • Monitor building security and safety by performing tasks such as locking doors after operating hours or checking electrical appliance use to ensure that hazards are not created. • Set up, arrange, or remove decorations, tables, chairs, ladders, or scaffolding to prepare facilities for events, such as banquets or meetings. • Performs other duties as assigned. Job Requirements: HS Diploma or equivalent is a plus; Candidate should have a working knowledge of janitorial equipment, tools, and material; Applicant must have ability to walk for long periods of time, twist, kneel, push, stoop, climb ladders; work in inclement weather, as well as lift and carry up to 80 pounds; Must be available for emergency work; Must be able to read and write in English; BiLingual is a plus. Drug Screening Test; Background check How to Apply: Applications are given out at the below address from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Days and Hours: Days and hours of operation 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* (Continued on page 9)

Leadership qualities Co-op City Times / March 14, 2015

Respecting Differences of Opinion I truly appreciate your continued calls, emails, positive & constructive feedback and support. Your expressed concerns and sentiments give me the drive to work hard on your behalf. Many contacted me regarding the President’s Report in last week’s CC Times and what they believe were his poor choice of words and inappropriate comments against Board colleagues and Budget Committee. You are correct; in my opinion, in a leadership capacity, it is unquestionably in poor taste to discredit the views or activities of those you collaborate with on an ongoing basis, especially when those efforts are on behalf of shareholders. Perhaps he missed that cooperators do not want to read personal attacks in their paper. I was very surprised by the Board President’s comments because he sits as my co-chair on the Budget Committee. I was also surprised he was not interested in examining the corporation’s spending habits and FY14/15 budget before asking cooperators of an affordable housing community to independently foot a lawsuit bill with a 4.5% increase. The corporation’s financial crisis include pending payments towards the $6.4 million lawsuit, minimum cash-flow, a possible 5year cable bill expense of approx. $350,000 per month and other pending costs. We could have kept the departmental expenses at the current year’s budget amount of $104 million while awaiting a budget reduction analysis from each department. Budgeting (business planning) is not number crunching, it’s an analytical approach on where we want the corporation to go and how to get there. The focus should be the financial impact of the 4.5% increase, controlledspending, and budget workshops for each department director.

Leah Graham

Director’s Viewpoint First Vice President

Budget Committee Out of respect for the Budget Committee’s commitment to this community, I will correct some misstatements made by the Board President in his CC Times “report”: (1) At the end of January 2015, the budget committee was notified of an increase and given the draft 2-year Budget. The Budget Committee agreed to meet twice in February to come up with sources of income in time for the carrying charge increase Board vote on Feb. 25, 2015. (2) Since the meeting agenda listed committee reports after the carrying charge vote and there was no response to the 10% budget reductions as directed, I asked to table (postpone) the carrying charge vote to allow for pending revenue information. That request was denied. (3) The departmental expenses for FY15/16 increased $6.8 million and another $1.3 million for FY16/17. I would have appreciated seeing a general business statement on the reasons for the increase in dept. expenses. (4) Information I presented to the Board were not budget cuts but were sources of income (revenue) along with a request to freeze the depts. budget at $104 million. These recommendations were to help reduce the carrying charge increase amount. That request was denied. (5) My charts & graphs (please see below) shown during the rebroadcast included preliminary data the committee worked on and are not considered mission state-

Domestic hot & cold water shutdown — Buildings 2 & 3

Basement Extermination — Building 19 The basement will be closed to allow for thorough extermination of the area. There will be no elevator service to the basement during this time. Date: Wednesday, March 18 Time: 7:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. We apologize for the inconvenience and appreciate your patience in this matter. —CSO (Bartow)

Advertising works! Call 718.320.3300, x3384 for our affordable rates.

ments. (6) The Board President approved my Feb. 18, 2015 memo asking the interim general managers to have each department (except Public Safety) reduce their budget by 10% without affecting quality of service. The corporation’s response to me when inquiring was “We’ll let you know.” The President did not stand behind my request for this information. I hoped he would have supported my budget request; variance reports did show overspending. (7) The Budget Committee does not change staffing

levels, salaries, or negotiate employee contracts. It is not the Budget Committee’s role to adjust policies or priorities set by the Board or to add, delete, increase or decrease departmental expenses. This responsibility belongs to the managing agent and Finance Dept. (8) The President’s reference to department budget cuts, account numbers, allocations and reclassifications are the responsibility of the corporation, not the committee. This information would have been provided had he supported my February 18th budget reduction memo, which he approved.

The role of the Budget Committee is to review and test the reasonableness of budgeted line items, look for ways to increase revenue, analyze the corporation’s financial performance and under the guidance of Riverbay’s Finance Director, make recommendations to the Board for approval. I appreciate the hard work and efforts of the Budget Committee, especially on short notice and stand behind the suggestions made. Below is a recap of suggestions from the Budget committee:

Closing As a Board Director, I have a responsibility to shareholders and the corporation itself. As a result, my decisions will remain balanced; I will continue to ask questions, expect quality service, stay focused & detail-oriented, not be easily swayed, exercise “big” picture thinking and bring the right talents to the table for discussions. Please contact me at lgraham@river bayboard.com or you may leave a phone message with the Riverbay Board office at 347-913-4225, and I will return your call. Remember, sharing is caring.

Employment Opportunities

New Job Posting: Open to 32BJ Union Members from March 12, 2015 to March 18, 2015 Open to All applicants from March 19 to March 27, 2015 • Job Reference #: 15-10 Request for transfer/promotion must be received by the Human Resources Department by March 18, 2015. Employees are responsible for submitting the transfer forms in person to the Human Resources Department. Employees who are promoted will receive the applicable rate scale for this position. Permanent Comm. Center Porter Buildings & Grounds Ideal employee will be responsible for the day-to-day responsibilities duties including but not limited to numerous cleaning and restoration duties such as washing, sweeping, mopping, waxing, buffing and stripping of VCT and terrazzo floors. Cleaning all assigned internal and external areas of the Community Centers. In addition, this employee will be responsible for set-up and breakdown of center rooms for various social functions. This employee will also need to respond to emergencies (floods, etc.) throughout the Co-op City complex, as well as the completion of other assignments from supervisor(s) as necessary. Job Description: Ideal candidate will: • Service, clean, or supply restrooms. • Clean building floors by sweeping, mopping, scrubbing, or vacuuming. • Gather and empty trash. • Follow procedures for the use of chemical cleaners and power equipment to prevent damage to floors and fixtures. • Mix water and detergents or acids in containers to prepare cleaning solutions, according to specifications. • Clean windows, glass partitions, or mirrors, using soapy water or other cleaners, sponges, or squeegees. • Notify managers concerning the need for major repairs or additions to building operating systems. • Requisition supplies or equipment needed for cleaning and maintenance duties. • Dust furniture, walls, machines, or equipment. • Strip, seal, finish, and polish floors. • Clean and polish furniture and fixtures. • Steam clean or shampoo carpets. • Move heavy furniture, equipment, or supplies, either manually or by using hand trucks. • Remove snow from sidewalks, driveways, or parking areas, using snowplows, snow blowers, or snow shovels, or spread snow melting chemicals. • Monitor building security and safety by performing tasks such as locking doors after operating hours or checking electrical appliance use to ensure that hazards are not created. • Set up, arrange, or remove decorations, tables, chairs, ladders, or scaffolding to prepare facilities for events, such as banquets or meetings. • Performs other duties as assigned. Job Requirements: HS Diploma or equivalent is a plus; Candidate should have a working knowledge of janitorial equipment, tools, and material; Applicant must have ability to walk for long periods of time, twist, kneel, push, stoop, climb ladders; work in inclement weather, as well as lift and carry up to 80 pounds; Must be available for emergency work; Must be able to read and write in English; Bi-Lingual is a plus. Drug Screening Test; Background check How to Apply: Applications are given out at the below address from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.: Days and Hours: Days and hours of operation will vary on a flexible schedule. __________________________________________

New Job Posting: Open to All applicants from March 13, 2015 to March 24, 2015 Job Reference #: 15-11 Request for transfer/promotion must be received by the Human Resources Department by March 20, 2015. Employees are responsible for submitting the transfer forms in person to the Human Resources Department. Employees who are promoted will receive the applicable rate scale for this position. HR Administrative Asst. Human Resources Dept. Ideal candidate will be responsible for all office administrative duties it pertains to Staffing & HR Orientation; Compensation & Benefits, Training & Development; and other initiatives as directed. These duties may include but are not limited to the management of all departmental filing, screening of visitors and phone calls for department. In addition to creating new employee files, ordering departmental supplies and maintaining department calendars. Ideal candidate will also need to respond to phone calls, correspondence and inquiries in a timely manner. She/he should have a knack for effective oral and written communications, coupled with excellent interpersonal and organizational skills. Ideal candidate will be highly customer service oriented and acute attention to detail. Job Description: Ideal candidate will: • Administer preemployment screening packets and process of employee photo ID’s pictures. • Track medical/ FMLA documentation along with all other documentations related to personnel functions including, but not limited to medical, I-9, recruitment and labor issues and corporate equipment/policy distribution. • Prepare invoices, reports, memos, letters, and other documents, using word processing, spreadsheet, database, or presentation software. • Answer phone calls and direct calls to appropriate parties or take messages. • Attend meetings and special company events to record minutes. • Prepare papers for consideration and presentation by executives, committees and boards of directors. • Greet visitors and determine whether they should be given access to specific individuals. • Read and analyze incoming memos, submis-

Co-op City Times / March 14, 2015

(Continued from page 7)

sions, and reports to determine their significance and plan resources department. • Review operating practices and protheir distribution. • Perform general office duties, such as cedures to determine whether improvements can be made in ordering supplies, maintaining records management dataareas such as workflow, reporting procedures, or expendibase systems, and performing basic bookkeeping work. • tures. File and retrieve documents, records, and reports. • Make Job Requirements: HS Diploma or equivalent is travel arrangements for directors if needed. • Open, sort, and required. College degree is a plus; Successful candidate will distribute incoming correspondence, including faxes and have 1 to 3 years of experience as administrative assistant; email. • Prepare responses to correspondence containing rouHuman Resources or legal background is a plus; Candidate tine inquiries. • Prepare agendas and make arrangements, should have a working knowledge in Microsoft Office that such as coordinating catering for luncheons, for committee, includes MS Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint & Adobe board, and other meetings. • Coordinate and direct office products; Candidate should be able to type 50 to 60 wpm; services, such as records, departmental finances, budget Fluent in Spanish is required; Applicant must have ability to preparation, personnel issues, and housekeeping, to aid HR walk for long periods of time, twist, kneel, push, stoop, climb Director. • Manage and maintain executives' schedules. • ladders; work in inclement weather, as well as lift and carry Assist in processing payroll information. • Compile, tranup to 20 pounds; Must be available for emergency work; scribe, and distribute minutes of meetings. • Set up and overMust be able to read and write in English; Bi-Lingual is a see administrative policies and procedures for offices or plus. Typing Test; Drug Screening Test; Background check organizations. • Train other staff members on clerical office Days and Hours: Monday through Friday, may vary duties. • Interpret administrative and operating policies and between 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. procedures for employees. • Meet with individuals, employHow to Apply: Applications are given out at the below ees, special interest groups and others on behalf of the human address from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. 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*

Our legal obligation Co-op City Times / March 14, 2015

Bernard Cylich

On February 25, 2015, the Board of The increases would not Directors approved a two-year budget that Director’s Viewpoint generate $910,000 a month. called for a 4.5% carrying charge increase Rather, they would produce this year, and no increase the next year. This that amount in a year! Treasurer budget also called for a one-time 10% hike Despite the faulty math, this in all parking garage fees. Commenting on Board member continues to the budget, I was quoted in the Co-op City argue for her proposals in her Director’s viewpoints Times as follows: to replace the Board’s budget, by asserting that “Nobody likes carrying charge increases, “there is no need for any layoffs” (2/28/15) in her but we as Board [members] are legally obliplan. She also claims that “discretionary spending is gated to protect the corporation and the one of the first things to consider when introducing community from financial default. The legal a budget reduction.” (3/7/15) She proposes cutting settlement [of the lawsuit brought by some $6.89 million of our discretionary spending to offset Riverbay workers] has placed a financial the need for a carrying charge increase. burden on us that none of us like, but neverLet’s first look at Riverbay’s non-discretionary theless it is reality and it has to be dealt with. That is the budget items. They are items that Riverbay has little, only responsible thing to do and that is why I voted for if any, control over, such as taxes, fuel, insurance, debt this proposed budget.” service, convector motors, and gasoline. With the GRANDSTANDING? exception of debt service obligation which are fixed Eight Board members voted for the budget resolufor the next 35 years, all other items are subject to tion, and four voted against it. According to two of the increases. The only item that Riverbay has at least four, the carrying charge increases could be avoided. some discretionary control over is payroll. The current One of these members claims that by cutting $20 million payroll is $75 million annually, to employ approxifrom the budget, the Board would avoid any increase for mately 965 full-time and 100 part-time workers. Most years to come. But in the four years he’s been on the of the full-timers are covered by labor agreements, in Board, this Director has yet to offer any resolution that which increases are negotiated and represent legally identifies where and how such cuts can be made. binding contracts. Freezing wages would infringe on Without specifics, such assertions do not promote the these contracts. interests of the community; they are no more than grandTHE DEVIL IN THE DETAILS standing. Riverbay is not prevented from reducing the numMISCALCULATION ber of staff. If, say, 90 full time workers were laid off, Another Board member who opposed the budget and $6.89 million would be saved annually. Is that what continues to criticize it has presented a detailed alternathe chairperson of the Budget Committee is thinking? tive proposal from the Budget Committee with a supShe doesn’t say. But advocating such action would porting graph. She argues that raising fees on appliances, seem to contradict her stated position that “there is no hall closets, storage, and parking to include transient need for any layoffs.” parkers in the increase would generate an extra $910,000 So without carrying charge increases, without layper month, or $10.8 million a year. There is, however, a offs, and without cost control over non-discretionary fairly serious error in the presentation of her proposal. budgetary items, where are we to find $6.89 million in

Cable Ballots

city’s Department of Health reported elevated cases of Legionnaire’s Disease in the Bronx, and the resulting necessity to purchase energy from ConEd while the cooling tower was offline for cleaning. A bulk cable agreement with Cablevision was explored in 2013, but that effort failed to meet the required quorum of 2/3 of shareholders responding, and of those responding, 2/3 approving the bulk cable deal. The current Riverbay Board, under the leadership of Cleve Taylor as Board President, has revisited the bulk cable proposal with Cablevision as a way to soften the financial burden facing shareholders. At 2 townhall meetings in early February, the Board President outlined the community’s current financial state and explained in depth how the bulk cable proposal could be beneficial in helping shareholders to offset the added $8M in expenses they have incurred as a result of the FLSA lawsuit and the decontamination of the cooling tower and its related expenses. The bulk cable ballots were included with the March carrying charge statements and asks shareholders to circle “yes” or “no” registering their vote for Riverbay Corporation to engage, or not, in a bulk cable agreement with Cablevision which would lower the cable TV charges by up to $50 for some current Cablevision subscribers which accounts for approximately 13,500 households in the development, and which would save shareholders an estimated $8M over the course of the 5-year agreement. This offer only covers cable service, not internet and phone charges, rental of remotes and cable boxes, dvr or speciality channels, so whatever subscribers who have these other services with Cablevision are currently paying, those charges will continue to be reflected on their Cablevision bills. Shareholders were asked to return the ballots with their March carrying charge payments. Those who pay their carrying charges online, and any others who may

the budget? We do not function in a house of mirrors. We can’t simply walk away from contracts with our staff, and we can’t play around with essential cooperator services. Laying off workers instead of increasing carrying charges to meet Riverbay’s shortfall was considered by the Board and rejected. Not only would laying off workers undermine our quality of life; the courts may look upon such a move as retaliatory action against workers who sued the corporation for unfair labor practice under MSI management. And the courts might impose a severe fine on Co-op City. The chairperson of the Budget Committee goes on to propose a “temporary freeze on overtime unless there is an emergency.” Doing so could save us $669,000 annually, she estimates. Once again, we have to examine the specifics. How would this overtime freeze be applied? When our janitorial staff works overtime clearing snow, on weekends or before or after their regular shifts, would that be considered an emergency? Should the unscheduled snowfall be left un-shoveled? When Public Safety officers have to accompany an arrested suspect to Central Booking or appear in court on overtime, is that an emergency? Who would go to Central Booking and who would appear in court in such events? When a co-generation operating engineer has to work an extra shift on overtime in the absence of another engineer, would that situation be considered an emergency OT? If not, how will the essential work of the absent operating engineer be covered? If all the above are considered emergency OT, then how much OT is not emergency? The devil is always in the details. I CAN BE REACHED By mail at Riverbay Board, 2049 Bartow Ave., Bronx NY; by phone at 718-379-5874; by email cylich@earthlink.net.

(Continued from page 1)

wish to do so, can bring their ballots to the Riverbay Finance Department at 2049 Bartow Avenue, Bronx, NY 10475. Last week, Riverbay Board Treasurer Bernard Cylich said: “The only way for cooperators to express themselves on this issue is through their ballot. The Board wants to hear from the community and even though we may have our own opinions, we will abide by the wishes of the community. We will take that message back to the Board for determination and make a decision based on the community’s input.” 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-

ment was negotiated which provides the Riverbay Corporation with approximately $500,000 annually. The Riverbay-Cablevision agreement does not grant Cablevision an exclusive right of access, or an exclusive right to provide service, however, it does grant Cablevision certain preferential and exclusive marketing rights which are bound by a confidentiality clause which limits public disclosure. The current agreement with Cablevision expires in 2024 so the community is still bound to the contract for the next 9 years. The bulk cable deal which is being offered will cover 5 of those 9 years during which time shareholders will be able to save on their cable charges. Riverbay’s General Counsel, Jeffrey Buss, had previously reported to the Board that the RiverbayCablevision agreement is consistent with federal law governing this area and complies with Orders issued by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) in 2010 and 2007, and with the decision of the Federal Appellate Court which upheld the 2007 FCC Order.

No dryers available for use in Building 24 laundry room

The dryers in the laundry room of Building 24 have been shut down after numerous gas leaks were found in the gas line which is the original line and now 47 years old. The gas line is being replaced however, the housing company has to apply for City permits and also needs approval of the new design. We are working as swiftly as possible to obtain the necessary approvals and to complete the gas line replacement. It is expected that the dryers will be out of service until the middle of next week. In the meantime, your laundry room will remain open for washing only. You may use the dryers and laundry rooms in Buildings 23 and 25 while we make the needed repairs. Your lobby key will work in both Buildings 23 and 25. We apologize for the inconvenience and appreciate your patience in this matter. —CSO (Bartow)

Co-op City Times / March 14, 2015

Community Issues Co-op City Times / March 14, 2015

Francine Reva Jones

Dear cooperators, transportation can be There have been tough decisions to Director’s Viewpoint arranged to and from the make regarding the Riverbay Corporation meeting by Special Projects budget. Under the leadership of Board Director Joe Boiko. President Cleve Taylor, the Board has The meeting ended with Secretary reviewed the budget and given an explathe Captain responding to all nation for recommending an increase in questions and Director the shareholders’ carrying charges by Graham reviewing the Cablevision bulk deal and 4.5%. This was done in a thorough, calcuSTAR credit. lated and timely manner. The Board recCommunity Relations Committee ommendation will be submitted to the The African-American Association and the Division of Housing and Community Riverbay Fund, Inc. will sponsor the 2nd Annual Renewal for approval. HCR will examine Spelling Bee on Saturday, March 21st, 11:00 a.m., our budget and recommendation and will Bartow Community Center, Room 31. If you meet with the shareholders. If HCR deterwould like your child to participate, please pick up mines that 4.5% is too high, they will a registration form at the Riverbay Administration reduce it. Should they determine that it is too low, they Office, 2049 Bartow Avenue or arrive before 11 a.m. will increase it. on March 21st. The Budget Committee has been working diligently at The winner of the Bee will receive the Grand Prize finding additional sources of savings and revenue for the of $100. The second place prize is $50 and for third Corporation and perhaps some of their proposals can be used in the future. Power Plant I was pleased that our Interim General Managers have appointed Bill May as Riverbay’s new Principal Power Plant Executive. The Plant is a vital utility and should be maintained and supervised by experts. Mr. May has 35 years of experience overseeing energy generation plants and has consulted with Riverbay periodically over the last seven years regarding improving the efficiency of the plant. Presently, the conditions at the Plant need attention and an experienced consultant has been needed on a regular basis for several years. However, it appeared that Marion Scott Real Estate, Inc. did not see the need, or for a professional engineer. I trust that Mr. May will bring the Power Plant up to standard. Section 4 shareholders’ meeting Director Leah Graham has called several meetings of the shareholders residing in Section 4. These meetings were called as a result of several crimes being committed in Building 25. On March 6, the speakers included Officer Rahn and Captain Keappock. Officer Rahn discussed the best ways of keeping ourselves safe from being attacked and scammed. Be aware of your surroundings. Do not keep all of your personal belongings in your purse. Keep them on your person. Don’t open the e-mails of those you don’t know. Don’t give out your personal information about your computer or anything else. Captain Keappock discussed that scammers prey on seniors at banks and ATMs. He suggested that we walk where there is suitable lighting. Don’t open your door for anyone you have not called beforehand. If you go out at night, take someone with you. Spring is almost here and Captain Keappock talked about people hanging out and smoking and drinking. Drinking alcohol outside is not allowed and those who do might get a summons for public consumption He then reviewed the recent robberies of delivery men of food and money. The suggestion that cooperators go to the lobby to receive their food was not well received by cooperators or commercial businesses. Following a meeting with the commercial businesses, it was left to their discretion to do as they please. The CCPD was merely attempting to protect the delivery men from harm. Captain Keappock spoke specifically about Building 25 and the several crimes that had taken place. The culprit was apprehended and also a gun and there have been no robberies in Building 25 since then. Captain Keappock spoke about the signs that are posted stating “no loitering” and that cameras are being used in and around the buildings and most community activities can be seen at the CCPD Command Center. Many officers wear cameras on their person and that will be increased. He responded to the issue of lighting under the porticos and that it will be improved. Captain Keappock appealed to cooperators to have respect by being conscious of the noise that they make, especially at night and be mindful that the noise you think might come from the apartment above you might come from several floors above or below. Finally, Captain Keappock gave us statistics on the many areas that the CCPD covers, including arrests, robberies, burglaries, burglaries at commercial spaces, grand larceny, shots fired, disorderly conduct, narcotics reports, criminal mischief, arrests, summons, garage reports, building sweeps, post conditions and written reports, and shareholder calls. Captain Keappock encouraged that we attend the 45th Precinct meetings once a month on every first Thursday. In May, it will be in the Bartow Community Center and

place prize is $25. All participants will receive recognition and a token of our appreciation. Light refreshments will be served. Baychester Library Events Parenting Can Be Tough: Mondays, thru March 16th, 4:30-6:30 p.m. Arts for a Lifetime, A poetry writing workshop: March 18, 25. Women’s History Month I salute all the women serving on the Riverbay Board of Directors for all the time and expertise that they contribute to the Riverbay Corporation and the community, including Helen Atkins, Linda Berk, Leah Graham, Othelia Jones, Andrea Leslie, Leslie Peterson and Evelyn Turner. Contact me If you have questions or comments, feel free to contact me, Francine Jones, Board of Directors, Riverbay Corporation, 2049 Bartow Avenue, Bronx, NY 10475 or call 718-671-5957.

Co-op Insurance

Co-op City Times / March 14, 2015

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Save Our Affordable Housing! Co-op City Times / March 14, 2015

Linda Berk

informed the Board and the As a cooperator and an active advo- Director’s Viewpoint Budget Committee again cate for affordable housing, our recent this week. financial dilemma is very important to In a thirty-five year me. The Board has diligently discussed Assistant Secretary career, I have been afforded the issue and considered numerous the opportunity to develop options, including cutting the budget and and manage multi-million dollar budgets. As a laying off staff. The majority of the RAM (Registered in Apartment Management) certiBoard agreed that to increase the carryfied professional, I clearly understand the dynamics ing charge was the only way, other than we are confronted with and I am confident we are an assessment, to raise the money needed doing what’s best for the co-op and our investment to avoid a default on a lawsuit settlement in this corporation. that would amount to tens of millions of Business, NOT Politics dollars more, or the possibility of Wells This Board has been very transparent because Fargo or HCR taking over Co-op City. this is your business. And the Board should be about For Co-op City to remain affordable, it has to the business of this corporation, not the politics. I remain viable, solvent and financially stable! As don’t want to increase my own carrying charges! stated in “The Cooperator,” the Co-op and Condo However, to protect the viability of this corporation monthly, “One of the biggest problems that can cause and ensure that Co-op City will be here as an affordthe downfall of any co-op or condo is a lack of funds, able housing option, there is little choice. In the or more specifically, not enough money to keep oper1990’s when our then-President of the Board ran ations running smoothly and to make the necessary on the campaign promise of not raising carrying repairs to keep everything up to par.” (Surviving a charges, she was VERY popular and this co-op fell Financial Firestorm, July 15, 2014.) into deep disrepair that put the corporation in a critiBudget Cuts of 10% cal financial crisis. We can’t make that same mistake will Drastically Cut Services again! We must protect our community; keep it One of my neighbors asked, why can’t we go financially solvent and affordable for future generawithout lobby attendants? We can eliminate lobby tions. attendants and save approximately $2 million. Cablevision – YES or NO? Deduct that savings from the $8 million we need and I believe two factors have created confusion with it would only reduce the carrying charge increase by this offer. First, we as a community have become 1% or approximately $10 - $12 a month! Would you rightfully jaded and suspicious after years of a stagwant to eliminate lobby attendants for $10 a month nant Board, poor management froth with secrecy and savings? To save $8 million, we would have to drasback door deals and the recent unveiling of major tically cut our services, as our Director of Finances

lawsuits. Second, I believe we over complicated the explanation of the deal. It is a very simple deal—with one payer (Riverbay Corp.) we can save up to $50 each as a Cablevision subscriber. That’s the definition of a bulk deal. In my opinion, it is a good deal that has worked very well at over two hundred other cooperatives around the city. Almost every co-op that was offered these deals accepted them and have saved millions of dollars for their cooperators and they have not gone under because of the bulk deal. Disabilities and Accommodations Committee (DAAC) DAAC met recently after a couple of months off due to the weather. One of the major concerns of our committee is the lack of an emergency evacuation plan for the disabled community. As we researched a plan for Co-op City, it became apparent that emergency plans are lacking in almost every municipality and large community. We are excited that we can establish an evacuation plan that will not only serve our community well, but will be a model for other communities and municipalities to emulate. The committee will also work on updating and improving the RU OK program, an existing notification program for Co-op City. We want to find volunteers in the community who can sign for our Open Board and town hall meetings and we have identified a need to provide sensitivity training for cooperators, staff, Public Safety and merchants. It’s very important for the community to understand that all disabilities are not visible. I am interested in your thoughts and ideas. I can be reached at Board of Directors, 2049 Bartow Avenue, Bronx, NY or Lberk@riverbayboard.com.

DYCD begins accepting applications for New York City’s Summer Youth Employment Program (SYEP) Deadline: Friday, April 10 to apply for lottery

New York City Department of Youth and Community Development (DYCD) is accepting applications for the 2015 Summer Youth Employment Program (SYEP) until Friday, April 10. SYEP, the nation’s largest summer youth employment initiative, provides New York City young people between the ages of 14 and 24 with up to six weeks of entry-level experience at worksites in all five boroughs. Participants are selected by lottery for the program, which runs from July 6 through August 15. “My first job and love of public service are the result of the Summer Youth Employment Program, which taught me work ethic and positively affected the career choices I have made,” said DYCD Commissioner Bill Chong. “Studies show that SYEP improves school attendance, offers new skills, reduces incarceration rates and keeps teens and young adults safe—including youth who wouldn’t otherwise have access to paying jobs—and I urge eligible New Yorkers to apply today for more opportunities tomorrow.” “This program offers a wonderful opportunity for teens to get real-world experience and explore their interests,” said NYC Schools Chancellor Carmen Fariña. “This is a great way for students to stay engaged and keep learning during the summer months, and I strongly encourage them to apply. SYEP participants are compensated for their work at thousands of diverse worksites, including government agencies, hospitals, summer camps, nonprofits, small businesses, law firms, museums, sports enterprises and retail. SYEP also offers workshops on job readiness, career exploration and financial literacy, and opportunities

Keep Co-op City Clean! Dispose of trash properly. Thank you.

to continue education and social growth. Specialized programming for disabled, foster care, runaway/homeless and court-involved young people are also available. Ladders for Leaders is an employer-paid internship component of SYEP for youth aged 16-21. Last year, more than 47,000 young New Yorkers were employed and nearly 8,500 worksites were developed in all five boroughs.

Youth can apply online or at a participating community-based organization during the application period. Worksites interested in providing jobs have until Saturday, May 16, to apply. Online applications for both are available on the DYCD website. Updates will also be posted to DYCD’s Facebook, Twitter and Instagram sites. For more information, call 3-1-1 or DYCD Youth Connect (1-800-246-4646).

Co-op City Times / March 14, 2015

Building 12 Cooperators Civic Association

Thanks to all of you who took the time to attend our Building Association meeting. At the meeting, we discussed our building’s agenda for the coming year, along with Cablevision and the 4.5% carrying-charge increase. It was a lively discussion. We all must decide by sending in our Cablevision referendum whether or not we want the package as it was presented to us. Please return the ballot. Your voice must be heard.

Our next monthly meeting is Monday, March 23, 7:30 p.m., Activity Room. 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 718-3203300. If you see something, say something. We can be reached at 718-379-7841, MLSAH@aol.com. —Sonja Maxwell

Marking the 50th anniversary of the Selma Civil Rights marches

Basement Extermination Building 19

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

New pharmacy to open at 161 Dreiser Loop on Monday, March 16th

Grand opening at 11 a.m.

Congressman Eliot Engel stands with his colleague and dear friend, Congressman John Lewis, on the Edmund Pettus Bridge at the 50th Anniversary of the historic Selma Civil Rights marches in Selma, Alabama last Saturday. Congressman Lewis led the way on the very first Selma march, known today as "Bloody Sunday" due to the violent handling of protestors by Alabama State Troopers, on March 7, 1965.

Co-op City Times / March 14, 2015

Community outrage over big increases and the Cablevision plan

Without making sufficient cuts to help our community avoid an increase, can you believe that this board president had the nerve to write an article justifying his reasons that we should receive a 4½ percent increase? Progress? Here is what several cooperators have said to me: "This president and this board need to go. We're sick of all of them. We need an investigation. Why is this president pushing a 4½ percent increase, a 10 percent garage increase, and this Cablevision plan on us? We voted this Cablevision plan down before. So, why do we need it again?" Nevertheless, to disregard the concerns of our cooperators, this president issued a so-called progress report. Progress? Did you see one bit of progress on his report? The only progress that I saw was that he and his followers have picked up where our former managers have left off. But, that's why this president allowed 3 of MSI's former employees to be hired here. So, what did he bring to the table? As you saw, everything was about increases and this Cablevision plan. But, this is the way that this president and his followers conduct business. Cablevision Plan Why would this president push a Cablevision plan onto this community that will cost us $329,775 a month? This plan will last for 5 long years. And, there is no guarantee that even half of these television subscribers will pay their monthly bill. So, that means that Riverbay might be stuck paying another gigantic bill that we don't need. Plus, what are our cooperators going to do if their internet and phone prices go through the roof? What about service interruptions? Do you honestly think that

Daryl Johnson

Director’s Viewpoint

you will be compensated if your television programming goes out and Riverbay is in control? Look, this television plan is backfiring because lots of cooperators have told me that they're returning their cable boxes to Cable-

vision. Power Plant - Boiling Over Riverbay purchased a boiler that cost $4,040,464. Then, on Wednesday, March 4, this board approved a boiler installation contract for $5,923,100 to a company called Boilermatic Industries, Inc. But, this boiler will not be able to fit into the front doors of the power plant. So, they're going to have to bring in a tremendous crane and cut a hole into the roof to get this boiler inside of the power plant. Progress, huh? Summer Jobs Please make sure that the youth that you know enroll in the Summer Youth Employment Program, SYEP. This program, for youths between the ages of 1424, will provide pay for "summer employment for up to six weeks in July and August." According to the SYEP website, the youth that are selected by lottery will be able to work "in a variety of entry-level jobs including: Government agencies, hospitals, summer camps, non-profits, small businesses, law firms, museums, sports

enterprises, and retail organizations." These jobs will go very fast. So, the youth that would like to participate in this program should go online and sign up immediately. Another Dead Goose, What's Happening? The body count for dead geese in our community has increased to nine, as far as we know. As of last Saturday, March 7, Director Leah Graham said that there was a dead goose near Building 23, on Benchley Place. Previously, on February 22, a man said that seven geese near building 12 were "poisoned." Then, on February 24, a dead goose was found on the greenway, near building 25. So, the Health Department and the Department of Environmental Conservation were alerted to see if a determination can be made on this most recent death. Will they find a toxic substance in this dead goose or on the ground? We will wait and see. Nevertheless, please make sure that you take precautions if you let your children play outside or if you walk an animal outside. Thank you. STAR Credit - March 15 Deadline Did you file your application for the STAR credit? If not, then, tomorrow is the deadline in NYC. As mentioned before, the good news is that some cooperators that previously enrolled in the Basic or the Enhanced STAR program received credits of $100.68 or $215.08, respectively, on their February carrying charge statements. However, the bad news is that only half of our cooperators received a credit from this program. This is not good. So, let's review how easy it is to apply

for this School Tax Relief program, STAR. There are no age restrictions for the Basic STAR program. But, your combined income has to be less than $500,000. Then, we have the Enhanced STAR program for cooperators that are 65 or older and have a combined income of $83,300 or less. In both cases, Co-op City must be your primary residence if the credit is supposed to be applied here. The easy application will take just a few minutes to fill out. But, there is a small section that will ask for your 'Block and Lot Number.' So, the Block number for sections 1-4 in Co-op City is: 5141. And, the Lot number for sections 1-4 is: 120. The Block number for section 5 is: 5135. And, the Lot number for section 5 is: 51. That's it! Close Why are we allowing this new board majority to conduct business in this manner when we can call a special shareholder meeting and effectively deal with all of them? Or, we can wait and vote out the 5 directors that are running again. Anyway, please call me if you want to join the board of directors. Thank you. Questions or comments? Please send a message to: Daryl Johnson, Riverbay Board Director, c/o Riverbay Corporation, 2049 Bartow Avenue, Bronx, NY 10475. Or, please send a message to me at darylhjohnson@optonline.net. (Please double-check the spelling of this address.) Also, please call me at 718-671-4544 if you don't receive a response from your message. You can also join me on Facebook by typing in: Daryl H. Johnson. Okay, that’s it for now. So, please have a wonderful week. And, may God bless you and your family. Thank you.

Co-op City Times / March 14, 2015

African-American Association

General Membership Meeting – Today, March 14th, 4:00 p.m., Dreiser Center, Room 15. All current members will still be eligible to win a “Valentine’s Day” prize and consolation prizes. The agenda will include updates on the White House Tour, Spelling Bee, Ebola crisis, Wholistic Health & Wellness Fair, the Entrepreneur Showcase, celebration of February and March birthdays, refreshments and music. If you are unable to attend the meeting, please read our weekly column for updates. 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. From March-July, the dues are reduced by one-half. Donations are welcomed. Like us on Facebook: Coopcity Afrianamericanassoc. 2nd Annual Spelling Bee – Saturday, March 21st, 11:00 a.m., Bartow Center, Room 31. If you would like your child to participate, call 718379-5555 and leave your e-mail address. You may also obtain the form at the Riverbay Administration Office, 2049 Bartow Avenue. Wholistic Health & Wellness Fair – Save the date – April 11, 12 p.m., Bartow Center, Room 31. 2015 Entrepreneur Showcase – Promote your business or hobby! You can promote your business, hobby, invention, etc. to the community at the upcoming Entrepreneur Showcase. Register for this free event by April 1. Send info to: aaastartup@gmail.com. The Ebola Virus – The Association met with the United African Congress and the Amuloma Development Foundation Inc. to discuss arrangements to send food and supplies to the West African countries suffering from the effects of the Ebola virus. They have presented us with the information

on what is needed and informed us that the shipping cost would be $180. You may bring your food or supplies donation to today’s meeting. Checks should be made payable to the “AfricanAmerican Association.” Your donation can include the following: Food Items: Bags of rice, bulgar wheat, cooking oil, tomato paste, cereals, bottled water, powdered milk, instant noodles, evaporated milk, concentrated mild. Grain food and Seasoning: Cream of wheat, corn meal, soy beans, oatmeal, peanut butter, sugar, sardines, salt and seasonings. Toiletries: Toothpaste, toothbrush, laundry bar soap, bathing bar soap, mouthwash. Dried Beans: Kidney beans, black eyed peas, black turtle beans, snap beans, lima beans. Dried Vegetables: Raisins, cherries, nuts, cranberries, potatoes. Clothing and shoes: Clothing for all ages; sneakers for all ages. Medical supplies: Hospital gloves (S/M/L), hand sanitizer, gallons of bleach, face mask, blood pressure kits, prenatal vitamins, thermometers. Please take your donation(s) to Dreiser Center, Room 15 on Mondays and Wednesdays from 10:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. Monday-Friday, 3-6 p.m. Or, make checks payable to “AfricanAmerican Association.” We hope that you will contribute to this humanitarian effort. The Association sponsors the following ongoing programs and encourages your participation: Belly Dance Classes, Evening Line Dance Classes, Study Groups, Music, Rhythm & Dance, Salsa & More, Creative Movement, African Dance, Yoga & Pilates Mat Classes, Before School Program, and the After School Program. For more information, please call 718-379-5555. —Francine Jones

Shareholders urged to update contact information Riverbay Cooperator Services Office (CSO) reminds shareholders that if there have been any changes in their contact information, they should update their files with Riverbay Corporation as soon as possible so that if there is a need to contact them in an emergency, the information on record with Riverbay will be the most current and accurate. To update your contact information, two important steps are involved. First, the shareholder of the unit is required to go in person to the Emergency Maintenance Office (located in the lower level of the Dreiser Mall) with photo identification and update the “Key Card.” Secondly, shareholders should request an Emergency Contact form from their respective Cooperator Service Office (CSO). This form must be completed by the shareholder and returned in person to their respective CSO, along with photo identification. Their new contact information will then be updated in the Maintenance system and forwarded to the shareholder’s file. Once the information is updated at the Emergency Maintenance Office and Cooperator Service Office, the new information will then be relayed by CSO to Public Safety to be added to that department’s database.

Garage 6 door repaired

Riverbay Construction Department personnel working on grinding the bottom of the rear entrance door at Garage #6 last week. The door was hitting along the bottom and making it difficult to open and sometimes would get stuck open.

Co-op City Times / March 14, 2015

Women’s History and Social Work Month Co-op City Times / March 14, 2015

March is the month of many celebraCelebrating Social tions, however, I would like to share my Director’s Viewpoint Work Month gratitude to Women’s History and Social To all Co-op City social Work Month. workers, (retired/still emAll the women on the Riverbay Board of ployed), make sure you pat Directors are to be commended and celeyourself on the back and brated for their on-going voices andhard give yourself a standing work on behalf of Co-op City. They are: ovation. Othelia Jones, Helen Atkins, Leah Graham, Social work has long been identified through the Andrea Leslie, Linda Berk, Francine Reva delivery of goods and service. Social work is a field Jones, Leslie Peterson and yours truly, of action and engages problems in society and seeks Evelyn M. Turner. As a collective group, we solutions to them. Social work is a service profesare a treasure trove of information. sion that engages consumers in direct and indirect Collectively, we cover a wide range of narraservices. In social work, every human life is of tive styles and our voices many times provide divine origin and therefore created for the purpose frustrations and hope. We all have stories of of unlimited divine expression. In our profession, courage and perseverance during our tenure we believe that human beings have the power to be as Board Directors. infinitely creative and/or destructive. Social workers Some of Co-op City’s most distinguished and believe that one universal law of human functioning is respected leaders, supervisors, newspaper editors, that people behave as they believe themselves to be. peace officers, faith leaders, NY State senator, etc. Social workers aspire to heighten the awareness of all are also women. They are all positive forces bringing individuals that they are priceless in value. Social about change. workers are dedicated to transforming lives and comI am particularly grateful to all women cooperamunities. During the month, social workers and organtors and celebrate you during this month. Thanks to izations will be showcased in news articles, video and you for being the kind of woman that may have the audio formats to show the many ways social workers most important job in the world and are still valued help clients to overcome challenges at different stages the least, “Motherhood.” Although women have been of life. liberated in some areas, mothers and grandmothers The National Association of Social Workers (NASW) have not in many areas. Women continue to be is presently supporting the following legislations: The deprived of financial equality and an adequate social Homeless Children and Youth Act (S.256, H.R. 576); safety net. Women are still in the minority as CEOs The Children’s Bureau is seeking guidance in impleof corporations and not-for-profits. Women all across menting provisions of the Preventing Sex Trafficking the country/world must continue to stand in the shoes and Strengthening Families Act. Social workers are eduof our ancestors, as women divided are conquered. cating the public about stigmas attached to HIV, etc., etc. According to Theodore Roosevelt – “The good The National Association of Black Social Workers mother, the wise mother…is more important to the (NABSW) had its first National Conference in 1969 in community than even the ablest man; her career is Philadelphia, Pa. because of the lack of concern about the more worthy of honor and is more useful to the cominjustice and racism facing the black community. munity than the career of any man, no matter how Ancestor, Cenie “Jomo” Williams, Jr. was the first successful.” elected President in 1969 because of his tremendous To all women in our community, “Count your capacity for hard work. He worked an average of 16 and blessings because you are the author of the story of sometimes as many as 24 hours a day. This social your life.” Wake up with the awe of just being alive worker was responsible for successfully leading many as tomorrow is not promised. community efforts to eliminate racism in New York City,

Evelyn Turner

Williamsbridge Club

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. WOMENS’ HISTORY: Today, we highlight the founders of our organization: Ollie Chinn Porter, Effie Diton, Bertha Perry Rhodes, Josephine B. Keene, and Adelaide Flemming and Pearl Flippen. These women from New York City, Philadelphia and Atlantic City saw the need for a Business and Professional Women’s National Organization in 1934. Their vision remains relevant today as we continue to promote Leadership, Entrepreneurship and Technology in our programs. Come and join us in our listed celebration. The Williamsbridge Club’s next event in collaboration with the Bronx Club is “THE POWER OF PRAYER,” a Prayer Breakfast 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, New York 10475.

including marches on City Hall, Sydenham Hospitals, removal of racist administrators at Harlem Hospital and New York City Human Resources Administration. Many present day supervisors with HRA and other city agencies should salute this social worker. This organization has grown from 30 chapters (1 in New York City) to over 115 chapters in the United States and abroad, with affiliates in South Africa and Caribbean (Bahamas, Jamaica and Barbados), Canada (Montreal), and associates in England, Egypt and Belgium. Cenie’s passion can only be surpassed by his love for African people everywhere. This organization focuses on: Family Pre-servation, Health/Mental Health, Pro-fessional Development, and Administration/Management, Youth De-velopment, Social Issues/Civil Liberties. Faith Based Program Models, Student Affairs, etc. This unique organization does not require a degree in social work to join. This Director is a proud female social worker active with both organizations and proud to celebrate and be celebrated at an upcoming “Women’s History Month Dinner.” It is an honor to be in a position to advocate for a “State-of-the-Art Community Center” in collaboration with other community leaders. Also, with the assistance of a group of dedicated volunteers, we now have an annual College, Career & Resource Fair for our children. We have demonstrated what can be done when cooperators of all backgrounds come together to serve the community, by the permission of the community. As a social worker, I presently spend 35 hours weekly training and empowering individuals and couples to provide safe homes (Foster/Adoptive Homes) for children throughout Westchester County who have been neglected, physically and sexually abused. In 2015, babies are being born addicted to drugs, innocent children are being neglected, physically and sexually abused! Teaching 15 ways to discipline without hitting a child and how to be a loss (stages of grief) and attachment expert is some of what I do as a social worker. Young people look no further - become a social worker - an honorable profession! Enjoy Social Work & Women’s History Month! Contact: Evelyn M. Turner – 917-324-1033; eturner@riverbayboard.com.

National Council of Negro Women

It is Women’s History Month: A phenomenal woman is being memorialized when spring breaks – less than a year after her death, we will have a Postage stamp to honor poet and activist Maya Angelou. Come and join the fundraising event: Shopping at Woodbury Commons of America/Lunch at Gasho Hibachi and Brotherhood Tour – America’s Oldest Winery Est. 1839. (Winetasting), Saturday, June 13. Coach bus leaves at 8 a.m. sharp from 177 Dreiser Loop (hardware store). Return stops: Einstein, Bartow and Dreiser. Cost $80. Make checks payable to: NCNW Co-op City Section. Call and

make your reservation: 718-548-9325, 718-671-4804, 718-320-2366. Recognition: 41st Anniversary Celebration New York State Annual Bethune/Height program and luncheon will take place on Saturday, May 16th. All payments for raffles and luncheon tickets are due at our April 12th meeting. Once again, we thank the Youth Committee team for a program well done; Our 14th Annual NCNW/Riverbay Fund Black History Youth Celebration. Please contact Sadie Gilmore, 718320-3721, to notify us of any birthdays, illness, or bereavement. Happy birthday March members. —Maxine Sullivan

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Co-op City Times / March 14, 2015

March is National Nutrition Month: Tips to Recharge Your Resolutions (StatePoint)— Have your healthy New Year’s habits already begun to fade? Recharge your resolutions this March during National Nutrition Month. While a healthy lifestyle can certainly help you get the body you always wanted, the benefits extend well beyond your appearance, say experts.

“Adopting a healthy lifestyle offers more than just weight loss alone; it can also promote your overall health and reduce your risk of chronic diseases, like diabetes, heart disease, stroke and even some types of cancer,” says Ximena Jimenez, a registered dietitian nutritionist (RDN) and Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics spokesperson. “Eating right and staying active is an investment in a high-quality life.” In time for National Nutrition Month, Jimenez is offering a few ways you can “Bite into a Healthy Lifestyle,” the theme of this year’s annual focus on nutrition. • Make Informed Food Choices: A healthy lifestyle is about so much more than just choosing to eat more fruits and vegetables. While this is important, it’s also essential to make informed food choices based on your individual health and nutrient needs. Knowing which nutrients your body needs, the foods that contain them, and how much fits into your healthy eating plan, are all part of making smart choices. A registered dietitian nutritionist can educate you and guide your food choices while keeping your tastes and preferences in mind. • Choose Sensible Snacks: Sensible snacks are a part of any healthful eating plan. If you choose carefully and plan ahead, snacks can prevent overeating at mealtimes and throughout the day. For children and adults, alike, snacks can supply foods and nutrients that we might miss in meals. Focus on fruits, vegetables, whole-grains and low-fat dairy foods. • Get Plenty of Physical Activity: Daily physical activity is a crucial part of a healthy lifestyle, and unfortunately most Americans don’t include enough exercise in their daily routines. Regular physical activity strengthens bones and muscles, reduces the risk of chronic illness and fosters overall wellbeing. • Consult an Expert: Registered dietitian nutritionists draw on their experience to develop a personalized nutrition plan for individuals of all ages. RDNs are able to separate facts from fads and translate nutritional science into information you can use. An RDN can help you adopt a healthy diet, reach and maintain a healthy weight, and ultimately reduce your risk of chronic disease. To help, the Academy offers tips, games, tools and nutrition resources at www.EatRight.org/nnm. Don’t let your 2015 resolutions fall by the wayside. Use National Nutrition Month as an opportunity to revive your goals for the long-term.

Health and Nutrition March is National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), among cancers that affect both men and women, colorectal cancer, which is cancer of the colon or rectum, is the second leading cause of cancer deaths in the United States. Approximately 140,000 Americans are diagnosed annually with colorectal cancer, and more than 50,000 people die from it. But this disease is highly preventable, by getting screened beginning at age 50. Dr. Rahul Narang, Colorectal Surgeon at the Center for Cancer Care and Assistant Professor of Surgery at Montefiore Medical Center and Albert Einstein College of Medicine, discusses colorectal cancer and offers the following advice: Q: When should someone get screened for colorectal cancer? A: Regular colorectal cancer screening or testing is one of the most powerful tools for preventing colorectal cancer. Regular screening can prevent many cases of colorectal cancer altogether by finding and removing certain types of polyps before they have the chance to turn into cancer. Screening can also find colorectal cancer early, when it is highly curable. Beginning at age 50, both men and women at average risk should begin screening. If you are at an increased or high risk of colorectal cancer, you should begin colorectal cancer screening before age 50 and/or be screened more often. Speak to your doctor about your risk factors. Q: What puts someone in an at-risk category for colorectal cancer? A: Having a risk factor does not mean that you will get the disease, and some people who get the disease may not have any known risk factors. Even if a person with colorectal cancer has a risk factor, it’s often very hard to know how much that risk factor might have contributed to the cancer. Physical inactivity and morbid obesity may increase your risk of developing colorectal cancer. In addition, limiting alcohol use to no more than 2 drinks a day for men and 1 drink a day for women has many health benefits, including lowering your risk of colorectal cancer. Personal history of certain types of colorectal polyps, inflammatory bowel disease, and family history of colorectal cancer or inherited gene deficits may also increase your risk of developing colorectal cancer. Q: Do you have specific diet and/or behavioral rec-

ommendations for colon health? A: Diets that are high in red meats (such as beef, pork, lamb, or liver) and processed meats (hot dogs and some luncheon meats) can increase your risk of colorectal cancer. Cooking meat at very high temperatures (frying, broiling, or grilling) creates chemicals that might increase cancer risk, although it’s not clear how much of an increase in colorectal cancer risk. Diets high in vegetables, fruits, and whole grains have been linked with a decreased risk of colorectal cancer. Q: What symptoms, if any, should prompt someone to seek a professional medical opinion? A: Many times colorectal cancer does not cause any symptoms and is found through routine screening by your doctor. You should see your doctor if you are experiencing a change in bowel habits, such as diarrhea, constipation, or narrowing of the stool. Other symptoms may include feeling that you need to have a bowel movement that is not relieved by doing so, rectal bleeding, blood in the stool which may make it look dark, cramping or abdominal (belly) pain, weakness and fatigue, and unintentional weight loss. Q: What are some of the most important facts and/or statistics about colorectal cancer? A: The American Cancer Society’s estimates of the number of colorectal cancer cases in the United States for 2015 are 93,090 new cases of colon cancer, and 39,610 new cases of rectal cancer. Overall, the lifetime risk of developing colorectal cancer is about 1 in 20 (5%). Colorectal cancer is the third leading cause of cancerrelated deaths in the United States when men and women are considered separately, and the second leading cause when both sexes are combined. It is expected to cause about 49,700 deaths during 2015. The death rate (the number of deaths per 100,000 people per year) from colorectal cancer, however, has been dropping in both men and women for more than 20 years likely because of screening and improvement in treatment. Q: Where can people go for more information /any resources on colorectal cancer? A: To learn more about colorectal cancer, patient can visit the following sites: American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons: www.fascrs.org • American Gastroenterological Association: www.gastro.org/patient-center/ digestive-conditions/colorectal-cancer • Montefiore Center for Cancer Care: www.montefiore.org/colorectalcancers

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Co-op City Times / March 14, 2015

Broun Place Townhouse Association

“It’s not simply about celebrating the past. It’s about fighting against efforts aimed at voter suppression and voter intimidation,” a quote from retired Vanderbilt University professor Lewis Baldwin, in the New York Daily News, Monday, March 9 issue. Voting rights and how will you honor our opportunities to exercise the right to vote, that is the subject. Every time we have the opportunity to vote, it is also a vote against not having that opportunity. Even if you have to say to yourself, I am not really in favor of any of these people, there are those that I like less – so VOTE so that the ones you like less have less of a chance. This week at the back door of Garage 6, man with phone in hand: “Who do I call to complain about aggressive

geese?” Me: “How were they aggressive?” Cooperator: “They were all around near the building.” Me: “Did they attack you?” Cooperator: “NO, they were like begging.” Me: “They are hungry and starving.” Then I am told of our groundskeeper having to bag the dead geese. Many cooperators are thrilled at the geese dying. But please keep in mind, we live on the land they have naturally inhabited for centuries. Our litter feeds them along with nature. The Broun Place Townhouse Association is happy to announce the guest for our next general meeting is Riverbay Corporation’s Special Projects Director, Mr. Joe Boiko. Thursday, March 19, 7–9 p.m., Bartow Community Center. Vivian Burrus, Vice President, will also speak about her experience being on a Board

committee. The Broun Place Board 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. Thank you again to Sonia Maxwell and the leaders of the “Cooperators United” community organization for asking the right questions and keeping on top of the important issues. Hearty kudos to our Grounds staff for the marvelous job they do. The snow is so revealing of how neighbors are not using the corner waste cans. We are lucky to have the waste cans at almost every corner. Yet bottles, bags and etc. are strewn on the snow. Keep in mind, the three designa-

tions of our site dumpster bins: White is for mixed paper, cardboard, paper containers; Blue is for bottles, cans, metal, and foil; Green is for ALL other garbage. Electronic equipment should be sorted and bundled separately, then put it at the dumpster site. Research organizations before donating as many are frauds. Foremost is to register with “Do Not Call.” For Co-op City Public Safety dial 718-671-3050; help enforce our quality of life regulations, “If You See Something, Say, Something.” We extend sincere condolences to neighbor, Ramel, on the passing of her sister. May she rest in peace and may your family know no more sorrow. Best wishes to all for good health and safe travelling. —Eva Lazaar

Thank you to all the cooperators who attended our recent building meeting. Attending building meetings demonstrates your interest in the community. One of the building meeting agenda items was the Cablevision bulk offer. There was still concern and confusion about the bulk particulars of the proposed offer. A variety of interesting views were raised. A thought-provoking, spirited, question and answer session occurred. Although we discussed at length the 4.5% carrying charge at last month’s meeting, additional questions were asked and a dialogue was held about this matter. Our next Paint Party is scheduled for Friday, March 20, from 7:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. Don’t trek to Manhattan to create a masterpiece! B13 offers a relaxed and fun-filled atmosphere 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) DON’T MISS - the American Red Cross Disaster Preparedness presentation scheduled for Saturday, March 21st at 4 p.m. It is being held in the Building 13 association room. A limited number of items will be distributed for your preparedness bag. Interested in attend-

ing and would like to bring someone, please let us know in advance. Doors open at 3:30 p.m. and will begin at 4:00 p.m., so please be prompt! 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! GAME NIGHT is scheduled for Saturday, March 28, from 7-10 p.m., in the association room of Building 13 hosted by Miguel and Nancy. Join us and play Left, Right and Center, Bingo or bring a game of your choice, we’re flexible and eager to learn. We eat, chat and listen to good music. All are welcome to come and join the fun and by all means bring a friend. Checks for Building 13 events should be made payable to Building 13 Assoc. Inc. and mailed to: Bldg. 13 Assoc. Inc., 100 Casals Place #32K, Bronx, NY 10475. For information, contact Gail Sharbaan at 718-671-3801 or Leslie Peterson at 718-320-1370, our website: http://www.bldg13assoc.com or e-mail us at building13assoc@ yahoo.com. Thanks for making our team work. —Leslie Peterson

Hi, neighbors…As you know, our meeting date has always been the second Tuesday in the month. We have had the bad weather to contend with – in addition to other things going on in the community on Tuesdays. However, we haven’t given up trying to meet. Therefore, we have scheduled a meeting for WEDNESDAY, MARCH 18TH, 7:30 p.m. in the meeting room (out the back door and

turn right). Please come down so that we can reestablish our building association. In the mean time, please continue to read the Co-op City Times and participate in everything that is going on in our community that affects your life here in Co-op City. Please bring your “ideas” and dues ($5/family) to the meeting. We look forward to seeing you. —Celestine Withey

Building 13 Association

Building 10 Association

Reminder: General meeting of the association will be Tuesday, March 17, 7:00 p.m. (doors open at 6:45). Mark your calendar: Section 2 presents “Summer Fun Day,” June 20, 12 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. (at the park between Carver Loop and Casals Place). This event is a Block Party to celebrate family, friends and the community that brings them together. Join us for a day of fun. NEW COOPERATORS: We welcome you to our meeting. The association is comprised of shareholders. Come down to the next meeting and

discuss your concerns within our buildings and community. Our next Ladies Night is scheduled for Friday, March 27, from 7:00 – 10:00 p.m. in the association room of Building 10B, hosted by Janis and Ruby. Come down and join us play Cards, Dominoes hear good music, good conversations and refreshment. FUNDRAISING COMMITTEE: Will meet Tuesday, March 24th at 7 p.m. to discuss upcoming events. Get well wishes to all the sick and shut-ins! —Maxine Sullivan

Building 24 Association

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.

Public Safety Report quality of life within the community. By being aware of the duties and responsibilities of the lobby attendants, residents can feel comfortable with extra level of security their presence brings. Be sure to buckle your seatbelt, obey speed limits and avoid distractions when driving. Texting while driving carries a minimum fine of $150, plus 5 points added to your license. Texting while driving has proven to be one of the leading causes of accidents in this country. Be sure all drivers in your family are aware of this law. According to the National Safety Council, more than 100,000 accidents per year involve a driver who was texting. Young adults and teens are the most susceptible to getting in an accident due to texting, yet they continue to do so. 75% of teens state texting while driving is common among their friends as per the National Safety Council. Texting & driving can change your life in an instant. No text

(Continued from page 7)

is worth the risk. Take a pledge with your family members - TEXTING & DRIVING - IT CAN WAIT at www.itcanwait.com. Never drive if you have been drinking; never drink if you will be driving. Penalties for drunk driving are severe and can be very costly. SCHOOL IS OPEN, drive carefully; never pass a stopped school bus from either side of the street with its red lights flashing or its STOP sign out. Children are a precious resource, we must keep them safe. Always remember, if you see something, say something. Call 9-1-1 and the Department of Public Safety at (718) 671-3050 or online at www.ccpd.us. Callers may remain anonymous when giving information. The Co-op City Department of Public Safety would like to thank all persons who have called in suspicious activity. It is by your actions that the crime rate remains low and a high quality of life is maintained.

Building# 17 Elevator Shutdown For NYC Category 1 & 5 Combo Safety Inspection

Please be advised that we will be conducting a safety inspection of your elevator(s) as required by law each year. We will be testing Car(s) # 2, 3, 4, 1 on: Wednesday, March 17th Car# 2 will be done first, followed by Car(s) # 3, 4 & 1 starting at approximately 8:00 a.m. Service will be restored upon completion of the testing. Testing takes approximately two hours per elevator. We thank you in advance for your patience and understanding.

—Riverbay Management

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Co-op City Times / March 14, 2015

Movie Review - Whiplash WHIPLASH has to be seen to be believed. It is not only the best movie of 2014, in my opinion; it is one of the best films in quite some time. The film has such passion and ferocity. Damien Chazelle, the director, created a phenomenal film with a rapid quick pace and an editing style that is so hypnotic you wouldn’t be able to take your eyes off the screen. He makes you follow the musical instruments, beat by beat. It was really, really fascinating. The acting in this film is getting the highest accolades. And if I may add, it is very deserving. It is rare to see such ferociousness on screen. J.K Simmons with a role of a lifetime deserved his Academy Award tenfold! With the help of Damien Chazelle and Cinematographer Sharone Meir, they created some scenes that can be compared to boxing matches. The interactions between J.K Simmons’ character, Fletcher, and Miles Teller’s character, Andrew, are undeniably intense. It is jaw dropping. What Andrew went through with this teacher was harsh torment. The film included probably 2-3 of the most intense scenes I have ever witnessed. I actually almost left the theatre the first time I saw it because I needed to take a breather. It is that intense. The twist and turns in this film are heartbreaking and earth shattering. J.K Simmons getting much of the praise from WHIPLASH is understandable, but Miles Teller was also incredible and the film wouldn’t be the same if he didn’t deliver. What I love about the film is no matter how bad it gets between Terrence and Andrew, you almost have to agree with what Terrence BY ANATOLIY BUDNITSKIY

was doing. To be the best, you have got to live through some torment if you want to get to the top. The stories that Terrence shared about how some of the best Jazz drummers got to the top is very fascinating. It really makes you think, if doing all this a game to him or if he really cares about his students? He sees something in Andrew and maybe he can be the next best thing. One of the quotes from WHIPLASH I will never ever forget is… “There are no two words in the English language more harmful than ‘good job’.” Those are such powerful words. I would even go as far as saying it is life changing to me. When saying “good job,” are you saying it just to say it? Sometimes those words are the easiest to choose from when trying to review the performance of a person. The outcome is what is important. So, was Fletcher right being that brutal to Andrew? WHIPLASH is an incredible experience. Seeing such passion on screen is very inspiring. It is heartbreaking and beautiful at the same time. It gets the highest of any recommendations from me; never before in my life has a film had me so invested right from the opening frame. It was simply breathtaking from start to finish. Do yourself a favor, and see WHIPLASH! WHIPLASH, 2014 Rated R Running Time – 107 Min. Director – Damien Chazelle Writer – Damien Chazelle Miles Teller – Andrew Neiman J.K Simmons – Terence Fletcher

(Anatoliy Budnitskiy is a resident of Building 15B.)

Follow Riverbay Fund on Facebook at www.facebook.com/riverbayfund and on Twitter at www.twitter.com/riverbayfund.

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Co-op City Times / March 14, 2015

Building 31 Association

Thanks to Bill Gordon, a member of the Board of Directors, for attending our first meeting in 2015. Due to the harsh cold temps in our room, we have been unable to hold a meeting. Our president has made several attempts to heat the room up and we were able to proceed on March 3rd because of bearable temps reached in the room. Mr. Gordon started his presentation by asking all of us in attendance had we watched the townhall meeting either in person or on TV. The majority said yes so he proceeded with a brief overview as a reminder, then a question and answer session. He shared with us why we would be voting on the $25 requested for Cablevision and how a reduction in your regular Cablevision with be reduced up to $75, which has nothing to do with the 4.5% increased proposed for our maintenance fee, a fee necessary to take care of many outstanding bills. All these changes are contingent on the approval of HCR. I hope everyone voted as

we all have a voice on the Cablevision direction. Hopefully, all your questions were satisfied at our meeting regarding this matter. If you have things that you think need to be discussed regarding our community and our building, then contact our president, Robert Hedgepeth, so that he can bring to us those people that can help us better understand. Our crochet and knitting group is back and we invite all to attend if interested in that craft. Joyce and the ladies do an awesome job guiding you along the way, if needed. We need to get started on our goal of gathering funds for our scholarships, so be on the lookout for flyers relating to fundraisers and how you can help. It is that time of year when we collect for our annual association dues which is only $5. We use these funds to help with the day-to-day operation of our association. Now you might ask what does the association do for you, then I think you should come

to our meetings to get a better understanding of our work. We are all volunteers trying to maintain and upgrade our building cleanliness and security, so we can all live in a better environment, as well as increase our quality of life. Yet you must understand that it takes all of us to do this. If you hear or see something, then say something. Between March 16th and March 31st, you will receive an envelope under your door addressed to the association which has either our president, Robert Hedgepeth’s, or our Treasurer, Loretta Paul’s, return address on it. DO NOT MAIL THEM. You can either place that envelope under their door or bring it to the lobby on designated dates which will be posted with collection dates. Congratulation to our winners 50/50, Hila Seidle, and door prize went to Lucille Jones both from the B-side. YOUR ASSOCIATION NEEDS YOUR SUPPORT. —Marilyn McDaniel

“Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show by good conduct that his works are done in the meekness of wisdom. But if you have bitter envy and self-seeking in your hearts, do not boast and lie against the truth. This wisdom does not descend from above, but is earthly, sensual, demonic. For where envy and selfseeking exist, confusion and every evil thing are there. But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy.” —James 3:13-18 Spiritual Food For Thought: Position yourself in God’s presence and He will give you directions for solving difficult problems. But, don't come with your own solutions or good ideas, for that will block true wisdom. You need to come with the innocence and openness of a child. Come in faith and let God lead you. Are you in search of a church home? Please stop in and join Pastor Carol, Presiding Elder Boyce Landrum and the Greater Love family for afternoon Praise & Worship. Greater Love is a teaching and preaching Bible way ministry. We believe that if you change your attitude, you can change your altitude; but it will take a desire, willingness, commitment, patience and the power of the Holy Spirit to create a lasting change. The Word teaches us, “Those who disregard discipline despise themselves, but the one who heeds correction gains understanding.” Proverbs 15:32 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. Congratulations to the Berry Bible Institute students of Greater Love and New Life Cathedral Baptist Church who completed their First Talk—A Survey of the Bible on Sunday, March 8th: Darrell Gilbert, Richard States,

Ronald Phoenix, Venecia Woods-Michie, Yolanda Jefferson, Antonette Stanton, Dave Saunders, Devine Saunders, Beverly Ramon, Davione Saunders and, Olympia Saunders. The students will complete the 18-month course this year and a formal graduation ceremony is planned for September. Family Movie Night is Friday, March 20 at 6:30 p.m.: This month’s feature movie is The Fighting Temptations, starring Beyoncé Knowles, Cuba Gooding, Jr., Mike Epps, and more. Free popcorn & hot dogs provided. Movie begins promptly at 7 p.m. Greater Love’s next YOUTH SERVICE will be held on Sunday, March 22nd at 4 p.m. All are invited. 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: Tuesday evenings: 7:00 p.m. Training for Service - A Survey of the Bible: Thursdays at 7:00 p.m. Family Movie Nite: Third Fridays: 6:30 p.m. Youth Bible Study/Rehearsal: 2nd & 4th Fri. at 6:30 p.m. Youth Service: Every 4th Sunday

Blessing/Dedication of Children Men/Women’s Fellowship Have a blessed week! —Pastor Carol Landrum

Building 6 Association

I want to thank everyone who attended game night Friday night and brought soda and chips and other food. We had a blast laughing and enjoying ourselves. We have game night every first and third Friday of each month from 7:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. I hope to see more people at our next game night, March 20. We are trying to have a guest speaker at our next building meeting. We will be collecting annual building dues of $5 to help support the association’s yearly activities soon. I want to thank our lobby attendant, Andy, for an outstanding job in our building. We are all so happy to have him in our building and make it a pleasure of come in and out of our building. He greets us and make sure we are all safe. Keep up the great job, Andy. Our hearts go out to Lucy Rivera on the loss of her mother, and anyone else sick or under the weather. God bless you all and let’s make this building one of the best in Co-op City. —Jeffrey Schwartz

Greater Love

Buildings 30 A&B Association

The weather has warmed up and the geese have come out to play, so watch your step when walking outside. We hope that our last general membership meeting was informative and that several of our members went to the local Community Board meeting. Our itinerary for this month will be Friday, March 13th is Pokeno night. Our movie night will be Friday, the 20th. Doors opening for these events is 7 p.m. in the building association room with events starting at 7:30 p.m. The association room is in the lobby of Building 30B. Don’t forget crochet class every Wednesday at 1 p.m. in our association room. Those who are celebrating birthdays, anniversaries and blessed events have a happy; for those who are under the weather, get well soon. —Linda Werner

Co-op City Times / March 14, 2015

Co-op City Sports

North Bronx Youth Sports Association The North Bronx Youth Sports Association (NBYSA) provides recreational youth sports to keep youth physically fit, engaged in positive activities during after school. Participants from our sports program have gone on to compete in their respective sport at Penn State, University at Buffalo, Temple University, University at Albany among many others. North Bronx Cowboys Youth Tackle Football Registration for the 2014 Tackle Football season is underway. The Cowboys Tackle Football program caters to ages 5-14. Practices for all

Football teams will begin Saturday, April 4th. Practice schedule will be Thursdays, 6-8 p.m. and Saturdays, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. at the Einstein Ballfield. Tackle Football is one of the safer sports for youth who are properly trained in the skills and fundamentals of the sport. All participants play within their age group against youth of similar size. All of the Cowboys Football Coaches are USA Football Heads-Up certified and trained in CPR/First Aid making the sport even safer for all participants. Additional volunteer coaches are always welcome. Tackle Football registration will take

place on Saturday, March 21st and 28th from 10 a.m.-12 p.m. at the Einstein Community Center, 135 Einstein Loop, 2nd Floor, Co-op City, Bronx, NY. North Bronx Cowboys Youth Cheerleading The Cowboys Cheerleaders have been practicing preparing for Spring Competition and Exhibitions. Cheerleading practice is on Mondays and Tuesdays, 6-8:30 p.m. at the Einstein Community Center. Cheerleading is a fun and safe sport taught by experienced coaches who are trained and certified. Additional volunteer Cheer, Dance and Step coaches are always welcome.

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.

Hi all: We would like to thank our representatives from the offices of Congressman Engel, Assemblyman Benedetto, Comptroller Stringer, and the City Council who not only attended our meeting, but were a very important part of our discussion regarding the Bay Plaza Mall Traffic. We stressed that nothing has been done and we have not heard from the DOT as to a time frame when projects will start. We do know there is a study being conducted and should have concluded by now. We would also like the “powers that be” to

Who are the women?

North Bronx Cowboys Youth Soccer The Cowboys Soccer program will return in the Spring, 2015. More information will be provided shortly. Additional Soccer coaches are always welcome. For more information about our programs or registration, please call our office at 718 684 4903 or visit our website at www.nbysa.net, www.nbcowboysfootball.com and www.nbcowboyscheer.com. Office hours beginning in April will be Tuesday and Thursday, 6-8 p.m. and Saturdays, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Other days are available by appointment only. —Colville Bascom

Cooperators United of Co-op City

help us get answers to the many questions that remain. At our meeting, we discussed Cablevision. Many of us have questions, which I hope were answered by now. The next meeting of Cooperators United is Tuesday, March 24, 7:00 p.m., Bartow, Room 31. Our tentative guest speaker is Board Director Leah Graham. 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

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Co-op City Times / March 14, 2015

Drammeh Institute

The Drammeh Institute is looking for interns for our UN Women’s parallel forum to address the United Nations International Decade for People of African Descent. This will be an opportunity to acquire direct exposure to UN Women’s work as it is designed to give young women experience with women’s development programs including international cooperation. We are accepting young women

currently enrolled in a bachelor’s program as well as recent graduates (maximum one year after graduation). Internship assignments will vary in terms of experience and interests. Effort will be made to match the interests of each intern with the needs of the scheduled event. Please view our website and email us for details: thedrammehinstitute.org/news.html Internship assignments began March

13 until March 19 and are available on a part-time basis. The costs associated with internships must be borne by interns who will have to obtain financing for their own arrangements for travel, but there is still plenty of work to do until March 19! If you are reading this now, the UN women’s meeting is today at 6:15 p.m. located at 777 United Nations Plaza. We expect an overflow so arrive early or email us to save a seat.

Consider becoming a member to support multimedia programs in Co-op City or, you may also write to us and send your tax-deductible contribution by check/money order payable to: The Drammeh Institute, Inc. Send to: The Drammeh Institute, P.O. Box 558, Co-op City Station, Bronx, NY 10475; email: Drammehcenter@gmail.com. —Elise Edwards

The Eleanor Roosevelt Democratic Club will hold its Regular Monthly Meeting on Thursday, March 19, in the Bartow Center, Room #28 at 7:30 p.m. It is requested that all members attend this very important meeting, as issues will be discussed relative to the upcoming activities for the club for

the year 2015. Please attend. It will be an informative meeting. We will definitely discuss plans for our Scholarship Program for this year. Thank you. Members are reminded that all instances of personal illness, death in the family, home-bound status, sur-

gery, and hospitalizations should be reported to our Good & Welfare Chairperson, Ms. Gertie Brown. She will take care of all acknowledgements from the club regarding these matters. She can be reached at (347) 275-2995. The club continues to support our

members who are home-bound and those recovering from various medical procedures. Our prayers are with you for a full recovery. I would like to thank the membership and the community for your continued support. —George T. Clarke

Next Defensive driving course The next Black Forum defensive driving course will be next Saturday, April 11, in Rm. 1, Dreiser Community Center, 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. Lower your liability insurance cost by 10% and remove up to 4 points from your driver’s license. Please make your check in the amount of $35, payable to “the Black Forum of Co-op City,” and mail to P.O. Box 563, Bronx, N.Y. 10475 at least 1½ weeks before the class, or you can walk in on the day of the class but you must have $35 in cash to pay for the course. 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 will be held in the Dreiser Aud., 7:30 p.m. To register, please call (718) 320-8035. Nominal fee for each class. Black Forum’s Lyons Mane Track Club Register now for the fall. Youth ages 818. Practice sessions are held on Mondays & 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, 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) 3208035. 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

Trip: 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 (casino bonus) and attached Outlet Shopping Mall for hours of gambling and shopping. Our last stop is for an all-youcan-eat buffet at the Golden Coral

Restaurant prior to heading home. We have extended the day of the first payment to March 23 as I neglected to inform you to make the checks or money orders payable to the Building 32 Association. Sorry about my error. Total cost is $85, with deposit of $40 due no later than March 23 and final payment of $45 due by April 18. There

will be NO refunds after April 18. Payments can be sent to: Ms. Eleanor Bailey, 4180 Hutchinson River Pkwy. Apt. 10A, Bronx, NY 10475; (718) 379-7754, OR Ms. Dolores Rankin, 4160 Hutchinson River Pkwy. Apt. 10 E, Bronx, NY10475; (718) 379-0910. 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. Brown-Clarke at (718) 671-1685 for info, suggestions, questions, etc. One suggestion made was for a chocolate cake. —Lorna Smith

Eleanor Roosevelt Democratic Club

Black Forum

Building 32 Association

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Co-op City Times / March 14, 2015

Retirees of Dreiser Loop

ATTENTION, RETIREES! This is an election year for all offices. The nominating committee is currently accepting applications for candidates interested in holding an office. You may pick-up a Candidate Form in our Dreiser Room 19 after 2 p.m. any day except Wednesdays. TRAVEL EVENTS: ▪ Thurs., March 19 – Sands Casino Resort – Sold Out! Rebate: TBD. Meet bus/depart: 8:45/9 a.m. Contacts: Serita G, 347-564-5722/Barbara W, 718-3200500. ▪ May 19-21 - (Tues.-Thurs.) Martha’s Vineyard/Cape Cod. Sold Out! Waitlist. Package includes welcome reception, 2 dinners & 2 breakfasts, several tours, and shopping at Clinton Crossing outlets. Contacts: Serita G, 347564-5722/Barbara W, 718-320-0500. ● August 17-19. Dover Downs Hotel & Casino, Dover, DE. Price: Double

$400pp; Single $490. $100 deposit required now to hold seat. Monthly payments: $150pp/Double; $195/Single. Final payment due Thursday, June 25th. Casino rebate: TBD. Package includes: All-You-Can-Eat crabs at Woody’s Crab House, shopping at Rehoboth Outlet stores; and on day of return, stopping at the Harrington Raceway & Casino, with bonus: Free slot play and free buffet. Contacts: Serita G., 347-564-5722//Barbara W, 718-320-0500. THEATRE COMMITTEE: (prices include transportation/Dreiser Loop): • Sat., March 21st, 2 p.m. show. Price: $46. Alvin Ailey group presents Ailey II, which launches first independent season at the Joyce Theatre, W. 19 St. SOLD OUT! Contact: Paisley H., 718-671-8637. ● Thurs., March 26th, 11:15 a.m. show. Price: $68. Camelot. Westchester

Broadway Theatre. SOLD OUT! Waitlist. Meet van/depart: 10/10:15 a.m. Contact: Marie Green-Ryan, 718-379-0377. ● Wed., April 22nd. (Note: Date change) 11:15 a.m. show. Price: $68. West Side Story. $35. Deposit required to hold seat. Final Payment Due Thursday, March 19th. Contact: Ione Edwards, 718-379-7756. ● Wed., April 29th. 11 a.m. show. Price: $68. Radio City Spectacular. Manhattan, 50th St., $35. Deposit required to hold seat. Contact: Eleanor Barlow, 718-324-7847. • DATE CHANGE – to Sat., MAY 16th. (from April 25th). 4 p.m. show. Price: $45. ALIVE 55+ AND KICKIN’. "The first 50 years are for learning; the second 50 are for LIVING!" Dempsey Theatre, W. 127 St. Harlem. $20. Deposit required to hold seat. Final payment due Thursday, April 2nd. Wait list. NOTE: Transportation to be determined.

Contact: Lois Scott, 347-768-3943. GOOD AND WELFARE To all members and friends who have been ill and to those whose hearts are grieving for the loss of a loved one, we want you to 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. SUMMING UP: your name, telephone number (with) a deposit to reserve your seat is required. Payments - money order/check payable to - Retirees of Dreiser Loop. Committee members will be available in Dreiser clubroom 19, 718-379-0377, on Mondays and/or Thursdays, 2:30-5 p.m. “Our blessing starts when we wake up in the morning...with the sun shining bright telling you welcome to a new morning and a new day.” —Claudette Davis

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 that 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 our Post. Bring your DD214 with you. Post 1871 is located in Section 5 in the Community Center, 135 Einstein Loop, Room 41. Our office telephone number is (718) 3208165, and our e-mail address is post1871@optimum.net. Did you know that the Army and Air Force Exchanges Service is tied with Wal-Mart for First Place in cus-

tomer satisfaction among large retailers, according to a national customer survey? So if you’re a retired member of the armed service, you will be better off shopping at one of your Army or Air force Exchanges. Plans to build the National Desert Storm War Memorial are moving forward after President Obama signed the legislation in December to authorize federal land to be set aside for construction in Washington, D.C. Supporters can now seek private donations to cover the cost of the memorial, as the bill prohibits the use of federal funds. You can visit the National Desert Storm War Memorial website; www.natlonaldesertstormwar memorlal.org. March 18th at Dreiser Loop, job outreach for veterans. Any Post member

who would like to help out, please report to the center wearing your Post shirt and cap at 8:30 a.m. The program will be from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. A law has been passed for veterans over 85 years old that makes you EXEMPT from paying New York State taxes, so if you are around that age, please look into this as soon as you can. Our Post just received our flag box so the flag on the wall will be removed and folded in the required manner to be placed in the flag box to be displayed in our room for any one to see along with the history of the flag. I hope all mem-

bers of our Post set their clocks forward on March 8th. Any member that has raffle money, turn your money into the finance officer and if you haven't paid for your dinner at Antun's, your $65 will also have to be turned in. "Happy Saint Paddy's Day to all Post members." Q: Why do people wear Shamrocks on St. Patrick's Day? A: Because regular rocks are too heavy. This information was provided to you by your Post information officer. —Richard I. Lawson, Jr.

Pentecostal Tabernacle invites everyone to attend worship service at 120 Benchley Place, Bronx, New York 10475; Tel. 718-324-0334 or 718-3204218. Services are as follow: Sunday School for all age group begins at 10:30 a.m. Mid-day worship service starts at 11:45 a.m. Evangelistic every Sunday evening at 6 p.m. Pray and fasting service will be held every Wednesday morning at 11 a.m. Prayer meeting and Bible study will also be held every Wednesday evening at 7:30 p.m. Fridays: Youth service will be held at 7:30 p.m. Focus: Commissioning you to tell others about God, And he said unto them, go ye into the entire world, and preach the gospel to every creature. Mark 16:15 After Christ death and resurrection, he commissioned his disciples to go into the entire world and preach the gospel to every creature. He further stated in Mark 16: 16, 17 & 18. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned. And these signs shall follow them that believe, in my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly things, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover. Just as Christ had commissioned the disciples to preach the gospel many years ago to every creature, He requires us to do the same today. Many people

living in these days still have not heard of the good news of salvation. We have been passing them day by day without telling them that Jesus’ love is real, and that there is power in his name. Everyone of us needs to know that there is a source of strength and healing we can tapped into whenever we have a need, and we can do so by calling up on our God. If we develop our faith in God, receive his Holy spirit, we will be endued with power so that if we drink any deadly things it will not hurt us. We can pray for healing and receive if we believe with all our heart. Jesus said to the father of the sick child in St. Mark 9:23-24 if thou canst believe all things are possible to him that believeth. And straightway the father of the child cried out, and said with tears, Lord I believe; help thou my unbelief. Therefore, we must try our very best to eradicate unbelief from our hearts and allow the power of God to manifest in our lives. There is power in the name of Jesus; Jesus spake these words in St. Luke 24:46-49 Thus it is written, and thus it behoved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day; and that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. And ye are witnesses of these things. And, behold, I send the promise of my father upon you. But tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until he be endued with power from on high. —Rev. R. Sibblies

American Legion Post 1871

Pentecostal Tabernacle

Co-op City Times / March 14, 2015

Co-op City Baptist Church

Rev. Dr. Sheldon E. Williams and the Co-op City Baptist Church family invite you to join us tomorrow at 8:00 or 11:00 a.m. for worship service. Sunday School for children and adults is held at 9:15 a.m. We invite you to worship, study, and pray with us. The Co-op City Baptist Church is located at 135 Einstein Loop, Room 50. Our telephone number is 718-320-3774. 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 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, March 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, April 14.

Today, Saturday, March 14 at 10 a.m., the Praise Dance and Mime Ministry will hold a cake and bake sale at 135 Einstein Loop, Room 51 (lower level). Please come out to get homemade goodies and support the youth. Tomorrow, Sunday, March 15, the Prison Ministry will celebrate their 4th Anniversary at the 11:00 a.m. service. Please join them for this celebratory service. March is Women’s History Month and on Saturday, March 28, the First Lady’s Ministry will present HerStory at 10 a.m. Their guest speaker is Rev. Lois Giles, Pastor of Seven Light Baptist Church, Bronx, NY. The theme for the day is “A Woman of Godly Wisdom,” weaving HerStory into the fabric of our nation’s history, James 3:17. Adult donation is $15 and children ages 6-12, is $5. The Building Fund Ministry cordially invites you

to a Pre-Mother’s Day Luncheon to celebrate mom on Saturday, May 2, from 12 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. The luncheon is being held at Eastwood Manor, 3371Eastchester Road, Bronx, NY. Donation is $75, adults; $45, children ages 5 -12; children under 5 are free. The featured gospel singer will be Rev. Isaiah Holland, Pastor of Good News Church in Hollis, Queens, along with other entertainment. For tickets or additional information, call 718-320-3774, 718515-6090 or 718-862-9243. 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

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 at10 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 hip-hop, 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) 276-4925. Jesus loves you, and so do we. —Apostle Gladys R. Little

Deaf interpretation is available during our adult worship experience. If you have any questions, you can contact us: Website: www.newsongchurchnyc.org; Email: info@newsongchurchnyc.org. You can also interact with us on social media! Facebook: www.facebook.com/newsongchurchbx; Twitter: @newsongchurchBX; Instagram:@ new songchurchBX. Our Newsong family is here for you; stop by this Sunday and experience the difference! God Bless you! —Pastor Mike Tolone

The pokeno night was a great hit. We had a good crowd, so good they wanted to know when the next one would be. Please come to the next association meeting on March 23 at 7 p.m. We’ll be in the lobby within the next two weeks for association dues. Will be posted. Mrs. Lovella Hensen is still recovering, pray for her. Thank you. —Betty Leak

Faith In God Church & Bible Institute

Newsong Church

Attention Co-op City: It's time to celebrate! On Sunday, March 22nd, we invite you to join us at 11:00 a.m. for our one year anniversary party! It's been one incredible year, and we're just getting warmed up! Here's what you can expect to see when you step through our doors... Newsong Church is a multi-cultural church that believes God has a purpose and a plan for your life. We exist to reach people who are far away from God, and teach them how to follow Jesus step by step. That's why you will find our Sunday Worship Experience to be so warm and friendly; we genuinely care about you! We're not concerned about where you've been, but where you're going. You see we've all got a past, we've all made mistakes, and we still do. When you step into our worship experience, you won't find a bunch of "Holierthan-thou" people pretending to have it all together. Instead, you'll find that we're all broken people, but we're allowing God to put us back together. We're not perfect, but God is! As God puts us back together, we're realizing that although our past has shaped us, it does not define us! We're finding out that not only does God love us with a radical and unconditional love, but that He loves us just as we are! At Newsong Church, we believe that the Bible is the greatest book ever written, containing the greatest story ever told, and that each of us are part of His-story! In fact, we have a saying at our church: "If you're not dead, God's not done with you!" We don't just believe this for the adults, but for our children as well! At Newsong Church, we're so passionate about our children learning about Jesus that we created a church just for them called "Kidsong!" At Kidsong, our children learn about Jesus in a safe, fun, age-appropriate learning environment! We also have a fully staffed nursery! We hope that you will join us this Sunday as we continue our teaching series "The Church Just Wants Your Money!" During this series, we're looking at some of the misconceptions people believe about God, His Church, and Money. 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.

Building 22 A&B Association

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 / March 14, 2015

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.

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

29 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. There are still seats available. Also, watch the paper for upcoming events, such as our annual flea market, cake sales, etc. —Rev. Dr. Milca C. Plaud

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. Remember that prayer brings many blessings, which God has promised to all his children that have a personal relationship with Him. Women’s Fellowship: Meets the

first Saturday of the month at 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. We are having an exercise class 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: 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

On behalf of our Pastor, Reverend Dr. Calvin E. Owens, and our church family, welcome to Community Protestant Church, a church of love and understanding, located at 1659 East Gun Hill Road, Bronx, NY 10469; telephone (718) 862-9172 Church Schedule Sunday School - 9:00 a.m. Worship Service - 11:00 a.m. Communion Service - Every first and third Sundays Prayer Meeting and Bible Study – Wednesday at 7:00 p.m. The following programs are at the Church’s Annex: 2053 Asch Loop North (Co-op City) Morning Prayer Services - Tuesday, 6:00 a.m. – 8:00 a.m. and 9:00 a.m.11:00 a.m. Neighborhood Bible Study Thursday at 10:00 a.m. Extension of Prayer and Worship

Service – Every first, second and third Fridays at 7:00 p.m. Sunday School at Community Protestant Church begins at 9:00 a.m. In Sunday School, in a nurturing Christian education environment, an opportunity is provided for children to learn about the Bible, to grow in grace, to show love and respect for one another and to live more abundant lives. Children attending Sunday School are served breakfast after classes are over. We encourage you to bring your child, children or grandchildren to Sunday School and we look forward to seeing you. Worship Service begins at 11:00 a.m. Everyone is invited to come and be a part of this special moment, set aside each Sunday morning to be in the presence of God. Victor Hugo once wrote, “There are moments when whatever be the attitude of the body, the soul is on its knees.” We are doubly

delighted to blend our spirits with yours as we bend both body and soul before our Heavenly Father. During this Lenten Season, we encourage you to spend time with God, and if it be His will, with us at Community Protestant. 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. Other Scheduled Events Saturday, May 2nd, 4:00 p.m. – BACK BY POPULAR DEMAND! The Hospitality Ministry invites you to join us in A PRE-MOTHER’S DAY CELEBRATION, featuring the Master of Entertainment, internationally renowned MR. HUNTER HAYES. A jazz legend and Emmy Award winner, Mr. Hayes has performed with such great artists as James Brown, Miles

Davis and Lonnie Youngblood. It will be held in Room 31, Bartow Shopping Center, Co-op City. Admission: $30 for adults; $15 for children 17 and under. For tickets and/or additional information, contact: (718) 671-6122, (718) 671-0425 or (718) 671-3181. 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. —Evan G. Mitchell

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, March

15, when we will celebrate The Fourth Sunday in Lent. Wednesday, March 18, at 7:00 p.m. Stations of the Cross led by the Bible Study Group. Fundraising Event Saturday, March 14, the ECW will host a cake sale at the church starting at 12 p.m. Outreach Program: We continue to collect non-perishable food for the feed-

ing program at Grace Episcopal Church in West Farms. Please remember to donate. For additional information on the above, please call the church at 718320-0844, or visit our website: http://www.stjosephsepcbronx.org. “Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever.”— (Psalm 107:1) —M. Chambers

Community Protestant Church

St. Joseph’s Episcopal Anglican Church

Parents! Having Trouble With College Funding? Get Help with Completing forms and getting FREE money. Call Paul NOW! For a FREE Consultation at 914-358-1700 or go to: www.sourcesforstudents.com

Mon., March 16

Co-op City Times / March 14, 2015

Bartow,

Einstein,

Dreiser,

Activities in Room 31 unless otherwise noted

Activities in Room 49 unless otherwise noted

Word Games 9:30-11am Bingo 9:30-11:30am Library 9:30am-1pm Weight Management1011:30am, Bartow Office Arthritis Exercises 11am -noon Tablet class 1st & 3rd; Cell Phone 2nd & 4th, 12:40-1:40pm, Bartow office Card Games 2-4pm Dominos 2:30pm

Library 9:30am-1pm

Activities in Room 7 unless otherwise noted Library, Exercise Bike, Chat 9:30-10:30am Crochet & Knitting 10am-12pm Stay Well Exercise1011am, Rm. 2 Mind Teasers 12-1pm Rm. 4 Diabetes Support Group 1pm, last Mon. Gentle Yoga 1:15-2pm Rm. 2 Cellphone & iPad 1:302:30pm Intermediate Yoga 23pm, Rm. 2

Dominoes 10am, Rm. 45 Line Dancing 10-11am, Rm. 45 Around The Lunch Table 11:30am Word Search 11am12pm Diabetes Support Group 1pm, 2nd Monday

Tues., March 17

Word Games 9:3011:30am Current Events 10am Health Current Events Club 10am, Bartow office Bingo 12:30-2:30pm Caregiver Support Grp 1pm, 1st & 3rd Tues.

Library, Exercise Bike, Chat Session 9:3010:30am Dominoes 10am Tai Chi 11am, Rm. 45

Alert & Alive 10:3011:30am

Matinee Movie 10amnoon, Rm. 45

Cultural Dance 10:3011:30am, Aud. B

Bingo 1pm

Mind Teasers 12-1pm, Rm. 4

Pokeno 1-3pm, Rm. 35

Zumba 1-2pm, Aud. A

Card Games 2-4pm Movie w/popcorn 24pm

Wed., March 18

Dominoes 2:30pm Blood Pressure 9-10am 1st & 3rd Wed. Word Games 9:3011:30am Stay Well Exercise 1011am Line Dancing 11am12pm Bingo 12:30-2:30pm Card Games 2-4pm Dominoes 2:30pm

Thurs., March 19

Library 9am-1pm Word Games 9:30am11:30am Chat Session 9:30am1pm Bingo 12:30- 2:30pm Card Games 2-4pm

Fri., March 20

Dominoes 2:30pm Men’s Line Dancing 910am Word Games 9:30am11:30am Women’s Line Dancing 10-11:30am Chat Session 10am Bingo 12:30-2:30pm, Rm 25 Piano Sing-along 11am12pm Card Games 2-4pm Dominoes 2:30pm

Dominoes 10am, Rm. 45

Library, Exercise Bike, Chat Session 9:3010:30am

Spelling Bee 10am

Sewing 9:30-11:30am

Spanish Practice Class 10:30am, Computer Lab

Tai Chi 11am-12pm

Zumba 11am-12pm, Rm. 45

Mind Teasers 12-1pm, Rm. 4 Art Class 1-3pm

Bingo 1-3pm, Rm. 35

Yoga 2-3pm, Rm. 2

Dominos 10am, Rm. 45 Stay Well Exercise 1011am, Rm. 45 Grandparent Connection 10:30am 1st & 3rd Thurs., computer room Spelling Bee 11am Arthritis Exercise Class 11am-12pm, Rm. 45 Word search 11am12pm Bingo & Pokeno 1-3pm Rm. 35

Library, Exercise Bike, Chat 9:30-10:30am Blood Pressure 1011:30am, 1st & 3rd Thu., Rm. 8 Line Dancing 10-11am, Aud. A Piano Sing Along 11am-12pm Mind Teasers 12-1pm Rm. 4 Drama Club 1:30-4pm

Dominoes 10am, Rm. 45 Art 10am, Rm. 45 Bingo 1pm Card Games 2-4pm Blood Pressure 1011:30am, 2nd & 4th Fri., Rm. 45 Bingo 1-3pm, Rm. 35 Pokeno 3-4pm, Rm. 35

Crochet & Knitting 10am-12pm Library, Exercise Bike, Chat 9:30-10am; 11amnoon Meditative Moments 11am-12pm, Rm. 8 Mind Teasers 12pm1pm, Rm. 4 Spanish Class 1-2pm Card Games, Dominoes 2-4pm Yoga 1:30-2:30pm, 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. Alternate Kosher Meals are also available

ALL meals served w/margarine and fresh milk

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

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

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

Non-Kosher

Kosher Date:

Soups, Breads and Desserts

Alternate Kosher Meals are also available

Mon., Mar., 16

Orange pineapple juice Stuffed peppers w/turkey Green beans Mashed potatoes Alt: Breaded fish fillet

Crispy baked fried chicken Baked French fries Garden salad

Whole wheat bread Canned apricots

Tues, Mar., 17

Orange juice Chicken Francaise Barley w/lima beans California blend vegetables Alt: Egg salad

Beef meatloaf w/mushroom gravy Creamed spinach Homemade mashed potatoes

Whole wheat bread Fresh fruit

Apple juice

Pork & beans Broccoli w/toasted garlic Steamed corn on the cob

Whole wheat bread Fresh fruit

Thurs., Mar., 19

Mauzone orange pineapple juice Baked fillet of sole fish Moroccan fish sauce Cous cous Vegetable mix Alt: Chopped chicken liver

Chili con carne Baked brown rice pilaf Mixed vegetables

Whole wheat bread Fresh fruit

Fri., Mar., 20

Orange juice Spanish style roast chicken Brown rice w/beans Steamed kale Alt: Gefilte fish

Stewed Cod fish Quinoa & black beans Steamed peas & carrots

Challah bread Fresh fruit

Wed., Italian Swedish meatballs Fusilli pasta w/parsley Mar., Zucchini w/onions 18 & peppers Alt: Tuna fish salad

Upcoming Events/Trips

Free SNAP (Food Stamp) Application Assistance – Friday, March 27th at the office, 2049 Bartow Avenue, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. First come, first served! Please bring documents that verify your identity, address, income & expenses (rent, medical, etc.). For more information: 718-3202066. JASA walking group will restart for the Spring season the week of April 1st (Tuesdays) at 10:30 a.m. Please complete the registration form at the Bartow office by March 13. Medieval Times Dinner & Tournament – Lyndhurst Ave., New Jersey - March 20th - Show starts promptly at 11:00 a.m. - $43. - Menu: Oven roasted chicken, spare ribs, garlic bread, tomato bisque soup, herb roasted potato, Pastry of the Castle, and select non-alcoholic beverages. Pick-ups: Bartow – 8:30 a.m., Einstein - 8:45 a.m. & Dreiser - 9:00 a.m. WAIT LIST ONLY Garden State Plaza Mall – Monday, March 23rd - $15. – Pick-ups: Bartow, 9:00 a.m.; Einstein, 9:15 a.m. & Dreiser, 9:30 a.m. (FREE) Brooklyn Botanical Garden – Tuesday, March 24th – Pickups: Bartow, 8:30 a.m.; Einstein, 8:45 a.m. & Dreiser, 9:00 a.m. WAIT LIST ONLY. Fairway – Wednesday, March 18th $5. – Pick-ups: Bartow, 9:30 a.m.; Einstein, 9:45 a.m. & Dreiser, 10:00 a.m. NOTE: DATE CHANGED FROM MARCH 25th. (FREE) ALDI Supermarket – Thursday, March 26th – Pick-ups: Bartow, 9:30 a.m.; Einstein, 9:45 a.m. & Dreiser, 10:00 a.m. Super Wal-Mart – Friday, March 27th - $15 – Pick-ups: Bartow, 8:30 a.m.; Einstein, 8:45 a.m. & Dreiser, 9:00 a.m. WAIT LIST ONLY (FREE) - Harlem Is - Theater, Friday, March 27th - Explore 200 Years of Black Theater at the New York Public Library for the Performing Arts. Tour begins 11:00 a.m. – Pick-ups: Bartow, 9:30 am, Einstein, 9:45 a.m. and Dreiser, 10:00 a.m. WAIT LIST ONLY.

Empire Casino – Monday, March 30th - $5 – Pick-ups: Bartow, 9:30 a.m.; Einstein, 9:45 a.m. & Dreiser, 10:00 a.m. Laugh Out Loud Productions Presents - Ira & Isabella’s Jewish Italian Comedy Wedding – Tuesday, March 31st - $45 on a first come, fist served basis – Showtime – 11:00 a.m. – Pick-ups: Bartow – 9:00 a.m.; Einstein – 9:15 a.m. and Dreiser – 9:30 a.m. – Each guest receives a coupon good for one complimentary glass of wine or beer - Price includes lunch (TBA). Birthday Party Celebration @ the Bartow Senior Center - Room 31 – Thursday, March 26th - $2 – 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. - Music by DJ Woody – Birthday cake will be served. Pick-ups: Einstein, 10:30 a.m. & Dreiser, 10:45 a.m. - See menu in the Co-op City Times. Passover Seder – Friday, April 3 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., Dreiser Auditorium B, 177 Dreiser Loop; Entertainment, price and menu to follow. Medieval Times Dinner & Tournament - Lyndhurst Ave., New Jersey – Thursday, April 2nd – Show starts promptly at 11:00 a.m. - $43. Passover Seder – Friday, April 3rd – 11:00 a.m. – 2 p.m. – 177 Dreiser Loop – Auditorium B – entertainment, price & menu TBA. Radio City Music Hall 2015 New York Spring Spectacular – Friday, April 17th – $45 – Coach (53 seat bus) – Show starts at 11:00 a.m. – Pick-ups: Bartow, 8:15 a.m.; Einstein, 8:30 a.m. & Dreiser, 8:45 a.m. – (SOLD OUT - NO WAIT LIST AVAILABLE.) AARP Tax-Aide Hosted by JASA: Free tax preparation and free eFile: 135 Einstein Loop, Room 35, February 3-April 15, 10:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m., Tuesdays and Wednesdays. First come, first served! AARP has the right to limit the number of clients seen on each day. Note: For the Weight Management, Diabetes, Grandparent Connection & Caregiver Support dates, please see the Activities section of the Co-op City Times.

Co-op City Times / March 14, 2015

WEEKLY SCHEDULE

AARP Chapter #4997

FYI: AARP will host Life @50+ National Event and Expo at the Miami Beach Convention Center in Miami Beach, FL – May 14-16. This event will offer opportunities to learn, enjoy and interact with others who share the same interests and passions as you. Attendees will get up close and personal with celebrities, today’s most interesting thinkers and experts. For additional information, contact AARP, 800-650-6839. To our sick, on the mend and shut-in members, and those bereaved members, please know that you are in our prayers. Contact Frances Wilson, Good & Welfare Coordinator, 718-671-5493. 2015 Tour Activities April 23 – 26 – SOLD OUT – Azalea Festival in Norfolk (VA) w/reserved seats for the Azalea Festival Grand Parade; a Dinner Cruise on board the Spirit of Norfolk; attend the International Tattoo Show; Norfolk Botanical Gardens Tram Tour; 3 breakfasts and 3 full-course diners; evening entertainment; deluxe Motorcoach transportation…Contact

Jean, 718-379-3742. July 23 – Ace in the Hole: A Tribute to the Temptations at the Brownstone – Deluxe Motorcoach, family-style luncheon; entertainment w/a live band and the Boutique Corner…$98/person…Contact Jean, 718-379-3742. 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….Cabins going fast; deposit – AS SOON AS POSSIBLE – will guarantee a cabin…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…Contact Jean, 718-3793742. —Delores Debnam

Goose Island Seniors

Baychester Library Events VISIT THE LIBRARY - A GREAT WEALTH OF INFORMATION Events for March Toddler Time - Tuesdays, 11:00 a.m. Arts for a Lifetime - Wednesdays, 11:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. Tech Connect - Wednesdays, 5 p.m. - 6:30 p.m. Tech Connect - Thursdays, 10 a.m.-12 p.m.: 3/19 - Email for Beginners YA Program - Thursday, 3/26, 3:30 p.m. - Beat-making Session Click On - Fridays, 10:30 a.m.: 3/20 - Email; 3/27 - MS Word Matinee - Fridays, 10:30 a.m.: 3/27 - The Birdcage CR Program - Friday, 3:00 p.m.: 3/20 - Rainbow in a Jar CR Arts and Crafts - Saturday, 2:30 p.m.: 3/14 - Over the Rainbow Films - Saturday, 2 p.m.: 3/28 - Gravity Stories of New York - Saturday, 2 p.m., 3/21 - Stories about living in the great city of New York Boys Town Common Sense Parenting® class - Mondays, Feb. 23-March 30, (NO class March 9th) 4:30-6:30 p.m. • 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. 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!

Wednesday, March 18—Bingo game in Room 30. Time is 1:30 p.m. Admission is $2 for members only. Refreshments served. Tuesday, March 24—Going to Mohegan Sun. Price is $33. Rebate is $15 towards free wheel slot and $15 towards food. Pick-up time is 8:00 a.m. At our 3 usual bus stops. Einstein Loop, Asch Loop (back of library) and Dreiser Loop. Tuesday, April 14—Going to Hunterdon Hills. They’re having Abie’s Irish Rose, a very hilarious comedy. Price is $79. Pick-up time is 8:30 a.m. at our 3 usual bus stops. Menu: Yankee pot roast, fried jumbo shrimps, stuffed breast of chicken, baked lemon pepper Cod fish, vegetable lasagna, roasted vegetable kabobs, green mixed salad, famous

bread, desserts, coffee and tea. Our next trips — keep these dates Wednesday, August 14—Going to Le Nevies for Motown. Price is $75. Wednesday, October 12—Going to Westchester Broadway Theatre. They are having Showboat. Price is $80. Get well wishes are sent to our dearest member Rose Koernor. She was operated on this week. Everyone at goose island seniors, our staff members and friends wish Rose a speedy recovery. For more information, see Ann or Mary at 718-379-9613 at 135 Einstein Loop, Room 39, Monday - Thursday from 10:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Also call Mary at 718-370-4899. Leave a message and I will return your call. Good health to all. —Mary Pilla

Einstein Cancer Fund

We have turned the corner. Spring has finally sprung. We have made arrangements for a trip on Wednesday, April 15th to the Mohegan Sun Casino, Ct. Cost per person, $33, and receive from the casino, a bonus of $15 wheel play and a $15 food voucher. Time of pick-up is 8 a.m. starting at Einstein Loop, followed by Asch Loop and Dreiser Loop. Don’t forget your valid photo I.D. and your casino card. We have made reservations at Hunterdon Hills Playhouse for the luncheon show of Social Security. The date of the show is Saturday,

September 19th. The details will be in future articles. Our annual raffle luncheon is slated for October 3rd. Look for more information in our future articles. For the above, please call, Annie Eutsey at 718-320-1874, Loretta at 718-671-2958or Lydia at 718-6713005. For memorial cards, please call Loretta. We are available Monday through Saturday. Please remember the sick and homebound — also those in nursing homes. Good health and healings are wished to all. —Lydia Ruas

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

New York City Speed Limit The speed limit in New York City is 25 MPH unless otherwise posted.

Co-op City Times / March 14, 2015

Passover Reflections by Rabbi Solomon I. Berl Spiritual Leader of Young Israel Synagogue A law in our tradition asks us to prepare for the arrival of every festival: “30 days before the festival, the laws should be studied.” Before the festival is upon you, turn your attention to it. Attune your heart and prepare your mind so that it may not arrive suddenly. When it comes, it will find you prepared. Throughout our entire tradition, we find this emphasis upon the need for preparation, for in the process of preparation comes the discipline so necessary for our functioning. Nothing in life can be instant. Certainly, religion is not an “instant gift” to be a source of strength to us. Long preparation and discipline is required. There is no easy path, no short cut to education - not to the kind of education that gives you a disciplined mind. “Lifum tzaro agro - According to the pain is the reward.” This is an important reminder to us as we mark the Sabbath that precedes Passover. As we search for freedom and peace in the world, we are reminded of the hardships our ancestors expe-

rienced in bringing the great ideal of freedom into civilization. We are reminded that it all stems from the opening paragraph in the Haggadah, which invites all who are hungry, all who are oppressed, to come and sit and learn the lessons of the road to freedom. To enjoy our family at the Seder table, we are reminded - did we provide the necessities of Passover to those less fortunate than us? For whatever is held holy and significant in the human adventure must be acquired, must be paid for in honest toil, preparation and discipline. We first must be willing to undergo the exertion and invest the effort; the results may be slow - but they will be sure in coming, To enjoy and experience the approaching Passover, let us prepare ourselves for its message of national and family solidarity, by our own understanding of our Jewishness and its place in our world, and our deepened vision in the message or the Haggadah. My warmest wishes for a most enjoyable holiday.

Young Israel of Co-op City

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

ices start at 9 a.m. Rabbi Berl delivers his sermon at 10:30 a.m. The Rabbi’s class on the Torah reading at 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.

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, March 20, is at 6:48 p.m. Shabbat ends today, Saturday, March 14, at 7:51 p.m. Coming Events Services will be held on Saturday, March 14 at 9 a.m. Join Rabbi Daniel Kronengold in prayer. We hope that you will sign up to sponsor a Kiddish to take place after services on Saturdays. We have scheduled Bingo for March 15. Admission: $3. Refreshments served. Keep in mind that Erev Pesach comes early this year, starting on the

evening of April 3 and ending 8 days later on April 11. On April 11, we have Yiskor Services at 10:30 a.m. Dues are due for both the synagogue and Sisterhood. Good and Welfare Much gratitude to everyone who participated in this year’s Purim Luncheon. We’d like to wish our Christian friends and neighbors a joyous Easter. Best wishes to all celebrating special occasions this month. We have tree certificates “in Honor of” or “in Memory of” 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 sight 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. Please note: Checks are not cash until after the trip. 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

REMINDER: Be careful

If you see something, say something! CCPD - 718-671-3050

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 Riverbayapproved 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 prompts), or Public Safety at (718) 671-3050.

Shalom Jewish Funeral Home, Inc.

INCOME TAX PREPARATION MARC A. GOODMAN

George Farr - Funeral Director

ENROLLED AGENT & ACCREDITED TAX PREPARER SERVING CO-OP CITY SINCE 1972

(718) 828-1700 / 914-654-1700 Keeping Tradition Under Rabbinical Supervision

VISIT OUR WEBSITE FOR OUR LOW PRICES AND USEFUL INFORMATION AT:

1528 Castle Hill Avenue Bronx, NY 10462

WWW.GOODMANTAX.COM

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LEFT OF THE ENTRANCE TO THE COMMUNITY CENTER

137 EINSTEIN LOOP * SECTION 5 Services from Our Chapel, Graveside or Synagogue Parking Facilities • Pre-Arrangements

PARKING VALIDATED FOR GARAGE 7

FOR INFORMATION CALL: 718-379-5217

Co-op City Times / March 14, 2015

Faith @ Work Christian Church

New Church Location: 120 DeKruif Place (street level). Praise and Worship begins at 9:30 a.m. Church telephone: (347) 346-5790; email: fatwcc@aol.com. Weekly Worship Experiences 6:00 p.m., Wednesday Prayer Service 6:30 p.m., Wednesday Bible Study Sunday Morning Worship, 9:30 a.m. Teen Church, 10:00 a.m., 2nd Sundays; Children's Church, 3rd Sundays (K3); Older Children's Church, 4th Sundays (4th-7th).

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

LOVE, through teaching and preaching the Word of God from the Bible. 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. 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 Jenkins

Rev. Dr. Robert A. Smith, Jr., Pastor; Lady Theresa M. Smith, co-Founders, and the Church of the Savior family extend an invitation to every person to worship with us. We are a non-denominational, inter-racial, inter-cultural, intergenerational fellowship of believers. We care about you, not your W2. We are not church as usual. Come as you are, we leave the judging to God. The Church of the Savior family extends love and affirmation to the Co-op City community; a warm welcome awaits you!! 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 are being 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. Dr. Smith's Sermon Topic: "Do You Know Him?" Reading from Holy Scripture: Gospel of Mark 8:27-30 Weekly Activities Bereavement group, Monday, 5:00

p.m. Thursdays at 10:00 a.m., Channel 70, Bronxnet. Church of the Savior food pantry will close effective February 21. We thank all our donors for your sacrifice which improved the lives of so many in a significant way. Thought of the Week: "Sin becomes an internal enemy that hinders all. Sin seizes the opportunity provided by such attitudes as ‘my way or the highway.’ I am self made; love and doing for others is a waste of time and what has God ever done for me?" —Rev. Dr. Robert A. Smith, Jr.

Church of the Savior

If You See Something, SAY SOMETHING!!! Co-op City Public Safety - 718-671-3050

Co-op City Times / March 14, 2015

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

Professional Window Cleaning • FAST RELIABLE SERVICE

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Cell:

1-203-482-6337

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Serving Co-op City for over 25 years. “When you see me, You’ll know me.” Call Anytime • Seven Days A Week

Call Mike at: 718-974-1290

3/28

Co-op City Times / March 14, 2015

CLASSIFIEDS

RIVERBAY

Movers 3/28

Painting

THIS DAY IN HISTORY March 14

1862: Battle of New Bern, North Carolina

3/28

Advertise! Call 718-320-3300, x3384 for affordable rates! Co-op City Department of Public Safety (718) 671-3050 www.ccpd.us If you SEE something, SAY something!

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

On this day in 1862, at the Battle of New Bern, Union General Ambrose Burnside captures North Carolina’s second largest city and closes another port through which the Confederates could slip supplies. The capture of New Bern continued Burnside’s success along the Carolina coast. Five weeks earlier, he led an amphibious force against Roanoke Island between Albemarle and Pamlico Sounds. The Yankees captured the island on February 8; now Burnside moved against New Bern on the mainland. On March 13, he landed 12,000 troops along the Neuse River, 15 miles south of New Bern. Accompanied by 13 gunboats, Burnside’s army marched up river to face 4,000 Confederate troops commanded by General Lawrence O. Branch. The city was protected by extensive defenses, but Branch did not have enough soldiers to properly staff them. He concentrated his men along the inner works a few miles downriver from New Bern. Early on the morning of March 14, Burnside’s men attacked in a heavy fog, and two of the three Yankee brigades crashed into the fortifications. General Jesse Reno’s brigade struck the weakest part of the line, where an inexperienced Rebel militia unit tried to hold off the Federals. Burnside’s third brigade joined Reno and the Confederate line collapsed. That afternoon, Union gunboats steamed into New Bern. Union casualties for the battle were around 90 killed and 380 wounded, while the Confederates suffered approximately 60 killed, 100 wounded, and 400 captured. The conflict produced a Confederate hero, Colonel Zebulon Vance, who rescued his regiment by using small boats to bypass a bridge set afire by his comrades. Vance was elected governor of the state later that year.

1887 - Sylvia Beach, bookstore owner and publisher of Ulysses, is born

Sylvia Beach, owner of the Paris-based bookstore Shakespeare and Co., is born in Baltimore. Beach moved to Paris at the age of 14, when her father, a Presbyterian minister, was sent to France. She fell in love with the city. In 1919, she opened her bookstore, Shakespeare and Co., which became a gathering place for American writers in Paris in the 1920s, including F. Scott Fitzgerald and Ernest Hemingway. Beach was a strong supporter of writer James Joyce, who lived in Paris from 1920 to 1940. The Irish writer had achieved fame with his 1915 novel, A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man, and had started publishing his masterwork Ulysses in serial form in an American magazine called the Little Review. However, the serialization was halted in December 1920, after the U.S. Post Office brought a charge of obscenity against Joyce’s work. Beach published the book herself in July 1922. It wasn’t until 1933 that a U.S. judge permitted Ulysses to be distributed in the U.S. Source: history.com

Co-op City Times / March 14, 2015

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