Co-op City Times 7/13/19

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Boycott could follow if MTA rejects ad hoc’s bus plan Vol. 54 No. 28

Saturday, July 13, 2019

Blossom Johns, co-chairman of the ad hoc committee charged with providing opposition and alternative ideas to the Metropolitan Transportation Authority’s proposed redesign of Co-op City’s bus routes, said, if the MTA won’t accept a counter plan, there’s already another action in the works. “A boycott has never happened from a neighbor or community,” Ms. Johns told the Co-op City Times. “The MTA has taken advantage of us far too long.” Ms. Johns, along with fellow shareholder Aaron Carnegie, was elected cochairman of the ad hoc committee at its July 1 meeting. At the same meeting, the larger committee, consisting of about 22 members, was broken up into smaller subcommittees, each tasked with one front in the battle against the MTA. Before any serious talk of organizing a boycott takes place, Mr. Carnegie told the Co-op City Times, he’d like to see the subcommittees do their work and produce an alternative to the transportation authority’s proposal. “I believe we are on the right track now and should have our counter proposal ready in a few weeks,” Mr. Carnegie said. “We are hoping that our proposal is a common-sense solution to the problem and will not be quickly dismissed.” The door for a shareholder generated counterplan to the MTA’s proposal was opened wide by New York City Transit Authority President Andy Byford, who stood in front of hundreds of co-operators in the Bartow Center’s courtyard June 27 and said the MTA’s plans were “not set in stone.” Rod Saunders, Riverbay Board second vice president and member of the ad hoc committee, said it was community members and Co-op City officials, both in-house and elected, that left the MTA with no choice but to listen. “Our delivery was much different than they anticipated … our political representation was much better aligned than they anticipated, and most important … our community was upset in numbers that clearly they were not prepared to respond to,” Mr. Saunders said. While he did not endorse the idea of a boycott directly should the ad hoc’s counterproposal face rejection, Mr. Saunders said “absolutely nothing is ‘off the table’ as far as demonstrating to the MTA, and the governor, exactly how far the Co-op City community is willing to go in order to retain what once was arguably the best bus transportation service in the city of New York.” With work on the counter proposal underway, the ad hoc committee gave its

$1.25

50th Anniversary Special Event

BY JASON CHIREVAS

“A boycott has never happened from a neighbor or community,” Ms. Johns told the Co-op City Times. “The MTA has taken advantage of us far too long.”

attention July 8 to Bob Liff, senior vice president of George Arzt Communications, Inc., a Manhattan-based public relations firm with which Riverbay has contracted. Liff told the ad hoc committee he would aid in drafting an op-ed for submission to the city’s largest newspapers stating Co-op City’s case in opposition to the proposed MTA bus route redesign. The hope for the op-ed would be a higher profile for Co-op City’s predicament should the changes go through as well as a possible beacon to other parts of the Bronx that at least one section is fighting back in an organized fashion. When the op-ed is complete, it is expected to be submitted under the name of Riverbay Board President Linda Berk, who was present at the July 8 meeting along with General Manager Noel Ellison, who arranged Liff’s appearance. Ms. Berk and Mr. Ellison acting in key roles at the July 8 meeting would seem to settle a point of contention last week about whether or not the ad hoc committee is an adjunct to the Riverbay Board of Directors. “[Mr. Ellison] cleared it up … that we are an adjunct to the Board,” Ms. Johns told the Co-op City Times. “Any money we need (Continued on page 11)

The Mayor’s Office of Media and Entertainment presented its Broadway in the Boros in Co-op City on Friday, July 12, in the Section 1 Greenway. The free lunchtime show featured performances by members of the current cast and musicians from Tony-nominated musicals, Beautiful: The Carole King Musical and Wicked. See page 5 for more. Photo by Toriea McCauseland

Bronx Metro-North public workshop to be held in Co-op City July 16 The Bronx Metro-North Station Area Study Team of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority will hold a public workshop in Co-op City on Tuesday, July 16, to hear ideas for improving pedestrian and transit (Continued on page 2) BY ROZAAN BOONE

Metropolitan Transportation Authority officials will interact with shareholders at a July 16 public workshop dedicated to the multi-year, $1.5 billion Penn Station Access Project that would, in part, see a Metro-North station built for Co-op City. Above is a rendering of what that station might look like.

Laundry room overhauls to begin next week Tower 34, next week you get a new laundry room. Then, Tower 24, you get a new laundry room. Then, guess what, Triple Core 28? You get a new laundry room. So does your building and your building and your building until every applicable building in Co-op City gets a new laundry room. And who do you have to thank for this modernization and refurbishment? Meet the new laundry vendor, same as the old laundry vendor. One of the constants of living cooperatively is the (Continued on page 11)

By JASON CHIREVAS


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Metro-North

Co-op City Times / July 13, 2019 (Continued from page 1)

connections to and from the proposed station to be built in Section 5. The workshop, which is described by organizers as “interactive� and “self-paced,� will take place from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. in room 31 of the Bartow Center and will probably follow similar-type presentations as the recent MTA Bus Redesign Workshops, which also solicited feedback from local communities prior to their draft proposals being disseminated to the public. The Co-op City Metro-North station is one of four to be built in the east Bronx as part of the MTA’s Penn Station Access Project which, once operational, will provide commuters from Connecticut, Westchester, east Bronx and Sunnyside, Queens, a one-seat ride to Penn Station on the west side of Manhattan using existing Amtrak rails. According to the MTA, some of its Metro-North trains will leave the New Haven line just west of New Rochelle and continue through the east Bronx and Queens via Amtrak’s Hell Gate Line, through the East River Tunnels, before joining Long Island Rail Road trains heading into Penn Station. Other Metro-North trains will stay on course to Grand Central Terminal on the East Side as they currently do. From Co-op City, a Metro-North train ride will be approximately 27 minutes to Penn Station and 31 minutes in the other direction to Stamford, Connecticut. This workshop comes as some of the major hurdles that have to be surmounted before the project can become reality were cleared earlier this year when Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced an agreement among the MTA, Amtrak and Empire State Development Corporation, and approximately $700 million in initial capital funding was allocated for Penn Access in the MTA budget, $250 million of which came from Empire State Development Corp. This led to the first contract being issued for engineering and design work on Penn Access, which, at this point, carries an overall estimated cost of $1.5 billion. Included in that cost is the building of four new Metro-North stations, one in Co-op City and the others in Morris Park, Parkchester and Hunts Point. To accommodate the expansion, three miles of new track will also have to be laid down. Moreover, the governor is credited with getting Amtrak and the MTA back to the negotiation table after talks broke down about a year ago over who would pay for expenses related to the expansion. Amtrak wanted the MTA to pay access fees for the use of their Hell Gate tracks in addition to what the MTA had already agreed to pay as well as the larger share of the cost to renovate the Pelham Bay Bridge, which crosses the Hutchinson River. With the agreement facilitated by the governor, the MTA will now finance the lion’s share of improvements along Hell Gate and design of the new Bronx train stations. Both railroads will share the cost to use the Hell Gate tracks and Pelham Bay Bridge based

The rendering above shows what the Co-op City Metro-North railway station could look like once the Penn Station Access Project is complete. Trains leaving the station would allow passengers boarding at Co-op City access to Penn Station to the south and Stamford, Connecticut, to the north.

on usage, and they will conduct a joint feasibility study of Amtrak running trains daily from Long Island to Penn Station and continuing to either Boston or Washington in 2021. The MTA will also pay for signal, power, communications and track upgrades along the route. Even though it looks like Metro-North is beginning design work on the new train stations with the July 16 workshop having been scheduled to gather input from host communities, the Penn Station Access Project is still several years away since it is dependent on completion of the East Side Access Project and that project has been plagued with delays and cost overruns. Nonetheless, Metro-North has indicated it is anxious to start building as soon as the East Side Project is completed and has committed to securing additional funding in its 2020-2024 capital budget to complete Penn Access. The East Side Access Project, originally projected to cost $3 billion has burgeoned to over $11 billion and is about 13 years behind schedule. The project consists of carving out and building a new LIRR terminal under Grand Central Terminal for Long Island Rail Road trains in order to free up space at Penn Sta-

tion for Metro-North trains coming into the station as part of Penn Access. The MTA recently said the East Side Access Project is about 72 percent completed and insisted the project’s December 2022 date is “set in stone,� although critics remain skeptical. The July 16 meeting in Co-op City between the MTA Metro-North Study Team and shareholders represents the second meeting between Metro-North and the community. The first took place about seven years ago, in September 2012, when more than 1,000 shareholders packed into the Dreiser auditorium to hear Metro-North’s presentation on the proposed station (Continued on page 3)


Co-op City Times / July 13, 2019

COMBING

Find out what’s going on in Co-op City here...

Free Summer Tennis Free community tennis led by Ms. Lorraine is taking place Mondays to Fridays, 9 a.m. to noon at Donizetti Place in Co-op City. Registration is ongoing and only in person during hours of operation. All kids ages 5 to 18 are welcome to attend. Free racquets and equipment are provided during lessons.

Farmers Market Harvest Home Farmer’s Market is back in Co-op City. The market will be open every Wednesday from 8 a.m. until 4 p.m. until Nov. 20 at Asch Loop and Aldrich Street supplying freshly picked, natural produce. Also back this year are weekly healthy recipe cooking demonstrations at the Farmer’s Market. Cooking sessions will run from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. so come out to learn new ways to eat healthy. Recipes change every week so check Harvest Home’s social media pages for more information on the upcoming cooking demonstrations. WIC, FMNP Coupons, Health Bucks, Debit/Credit, SNAP and EBT will be accepted.

Co-op City Times 2 n d Metro-North

(Continued from page 2)

in Co-op City. The message that night was clear. Co-op City residents want and need an alternative means of transportation other than the MTA buses that currently serve the community and whose redesign they vehemently oppose because they say it will result in woefully inadequate service for a community of more than 55,000 residents, many of whom are elderly. The Co-op City train station, as outlined in the MTA MetroNorth plans and presented to shareholders in 2012, will serve Co-op City, Pelham Gardens and Baychester. It will be built around the Amtrak rail lines behind Section 5 and be accessible to Bay Plaza shopping center. Some features of the new station include a center island, high level platform with a pedestrian overpass to the station, a multi-modal transfer area and ADAaccessibility. While there will be ample parking for bicycles, there are no plans to develop parking facilities for vehicles, a concern of many residents who are already disgusted with traffic congestion and pollution experienced from increased shoppers coming in to shop at the Mall at Bay Plaza, coupled with the already limited parking in Section 5. Assemblyman Michael Benedetto, who has been working closely with the MTA to address several transportation-related concerns in and around Co-op City, also spearheaded efforts in Albany to get the Metro-North stations built in the Bronx. He continues his advocacy for a much-needed parking facility for the Co-op City station. He told the Co-op City Times yesterday that he believes the best way to avoid congestion around the station would be to build a parking area on the south side of the station, away from Section 5. The Bronx was identified by Metro-North as one of its fastest growing markets, with approximately two-thirds of the Bronx traveling outbound to northern suburbs. The railroad claimed in its 2012 presentation it connects 5,000 Bronx residents to suburban jobs — the largest reverse commute market in the United States, with many of the riders starting their trip in the east Bronx. Among the benefits highlighted by Metro-North to having a train station in Co-op City are: it will provide a convenient one-seat ride

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rail access between Co-op City and Manhattan’s West Side, and introduce direct rail service to Co-op City employers from Westchester and Connecticut as well as from Co-op City to suburban employment centers in Westchester and Connecticut. At the 2012 meeting, as reported in the Sept. 29, 2012, Co-op City Times, Robert MacLagger, then vice president of planning for Metro-North, told Co-op City shareholders there is a plan to add shuttle buses to serve the new station that would run between the station and other sections of Co-op City. He said the shuttle would be timed with the train schedule. Mr. MacLagger was also asked by Co-op City residents about pricing for a Metro-North train ride from Co-op City to Penn Station. He said it would be the same as other stations serving the Bronx. According to the Co-op City Times report on the 2012 meeting, “…a single ride between Pelham, New York, immediately north of Co-op City, and Grand Central, the fare is $9.25 for a peak period ticket and $7 for an offpeak ticket.” Then, as now, both fares were well above the standard fare on a MTA express bus. New York City Comptroller Scott Stringer has consistently tackled the issue of fare equity, calling on the MTA and LIRR to lower fares to the cost of a MetroCard. Applauding the expansion of Metro-North service in the Bronx in April, the comptroller added: “…If we want to eliminate vast transit deserts in the Bronx and Queens, improve job access, and invest more thoughtfully in sustainable transit, then we need to reduce in-city commuter rail fares within the five boroughs to the price of a MetroCard, allow free transfers with the subway and bus, ensure that every station is ADA accessible, and dramatically increase service frequencies — especially on the weekends and weekday off-peak.” As the Penn Access Project moves forward, a number of logistical issues still have to be addressed as several trains share common tracks — not a simple or straightforward task considering delays and a myriad of other factors that could affect service of any of the trains using those tracks.

Next Build the Block Meeting On Thursday, Aug 29, join the 45 Precinct at 1 p.m. in room 1 of the Dreiser Community Center for a discussion on the public safety challenges in our neighborhood. Meet your Neighborhood Coordination Officers and the Steady Sector Officers who work with them to ensure a better quality of life for cooperators. The NYPD wants to hear your voices and concerns for our neighborhood. Refreshments will be served and the meeting starts at 1 p.m. For accommodations regarding any disability, please contact Police Officer Ivette Vargas at 718-822-5452 or at Ivette.Vargas@nypd.org at least 72 hours before the event.

The above chart indicates the proposed locations, Co-op City included, and tracks slated to be used for the Metro-North Penn Station Access Project. The multi-year, $1.5 billion project will, among other goals, connect the east Bronx to Penn Station on the west side of Manhattan.


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Co-op City Times / July 13, 2019

Tunes on Tuesdays Chico Alvarez and the Ran Kan Kan Band

Tuesday, July 9, kicked off the popular Tunes on Tuesdays series, which will run through the summer. This week’s featured performers were Chico Alvarez and the Ran Kan Kan Band. The crowd enjoyed the beautiful weather and lively Latin Jazz music. Chico Alvarez – Lead Vocals; Mauricio Smith Jr. – Flute and Saxophone; Ed Martinez – Congas; Chembo Corniel – Bongos; Brett Benteler – Bass; Ite Nasuda – Piano. Photos by Leandra Alexander-Peters

DR. LEWIS WOLSTEIN NOW ACCEPTING GHI!! NOW ACCEPTING AETNA!!

Podiatrist — Foot Specialist

• Practicing in Co-op City since 1975 • Board Certified in Foot Surgery • ALL conditions of the foot treated • We

accept most health insurance plans

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

Dr. Lewis Wolstein

Call:

“Se Habla Español”

718.671.7226 100 DeKruif Place

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


It’s

HAPPENING in Co-op City!

Co-op City Times / July 13, 2019

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Broadway in the Boros

Residents of Co-op City and neighboring areas came out Friday, July 12, for Broadway in the Boros, presented by the Mayor’s Office of Media and Entertainment. Guests enjoyed free performances as they listened to songs from hit Broadway musicals Beautiful: The Carole King Musical and Wicked. Photos by Toriea McCauseland


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Co-op City Times / July 13, 2019

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, to third parties. All letters must be signed by the writers • not – and include–their addresses and phone numbers, which will be kept • confidential, so that the editor can verify the authenticity of the author

Letter to the Editor

Leave our bus routes alone To the Editor: The MTA’s proposed plan to change and eliminate bus routes in Co-op City is unacceptable. With their plan, the Bx23 would be the only bus route going into Section 5. What that does is bring back the twofare zone to Co-op City. The Q50 bus would be gone in Co-op City and everyone going to Flushing would have to go to Pelham Bay train station and transfer to the Q50 there. If you have to go further into Queens, requiring another bus would mean another fare, thereby making Co-op City a two-fare zone. When Co-op City first opened in 1968, there was a proposal to extend the #6 train from Pelham Bay to Co-op City. That plan never happened. —Michael Schweiger

REMINDER Carrying Charge Increase Comment period ends Aug. 7

Co-op City shareholders have until Wednesday, Aug. 7, to mail comments to NYS Division of Homes & Community Renewal on the proposed 1.9 percent carrying charge increase to be implemented this year, followed by another 1.9 percent increase next year. HCR has also scheduled a carrying charge conference to hear from shareholders on Wednesday, Aug. 7, 6:30 p.m. in room 45 of the Einstein Center. Written comments mailed to HCR should be addressed to: George Simon NYS Division of Housing and Community Renewal Office of Integrated Housing Management 25 Beaver Street, 6th Fl. New York, NY 10004 Written comments must be postmarked on or before Aug. 7.

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

Jason Chirevas Managing Editor

Jennifer Piovanetti Operations Manager

Ralph Henriquez Production Manager The Co-op City Times welcomes issueoriented 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 signed 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 Corp. 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.

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.

Important Notice to Shareholders of Building 25 Building 25

Building 25 100 Benchley Place

Current Lease Expiration Date

Sept. 30, 2019

New 3 yr. Expiration Date

Sept. 30, 2022

If the Co-op City Times Was Not Delivered: Call 347-439-5632 on Saturdays only, 9 a.m. - 1 p.m.


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Co-op City Times / July 13, 2019

CCPD maintains a high quality of life in the community by enforcing laws The Co-op City Department of Public Safety works proactively to ensure a high quality of life in the Coop City community. This is accomplished by strictly enforcing New York City Penal Law and Administrative Laws. The most common laws enforced for this purpose are Public Consumption of Alcohol, Disorderly Conduct and Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance. A person can be charged accordingly when more than one of these violations is committed at the same time. Within Co-op City, these laws are enforced by both the Co-op City Department of Public Safety and the New York City Police Department. Enforcement of quality of life goes on all year long but the summer provides some additional concerns for the Co-op City Department of Public Safety. The purpose of this article is to insure that everyone stays safe and has fun without interfering with the high quality of life people have come to expect within the community. In some cases what may seem like just a group hanging out having a good time can lead to gang activity or other crimes. The New York City Administrative Code states it is illegal for anyone to consume alcohol in a public place within New York City. Enforcement of this law is essential to maintaining a high quality of life within Co-op City. Consumption of Alcohol is a violation of the administrative code and a universal summons may be issued by public safety officers when this violation is observed. According to the administrative code, no person shall drink or consume an alcoholic beverage or possess with intent to drink or consume an open container containing an alcoholic beverage in any public place. A public place is defined as a place to which the public has access including highways, streets, roads, sidewalk, parking area, shopping area, place of amusement, playground, park or beach located within the city. Premises licensed for sale and consumption of alcohol and their private property are excluded. Block parties or feasts with permits are also exceptions to this law. The New York State Penal law gives the officers of Co-op City Department of Public Safety the ability to make arrests for persons observed to be acting in a disorderly manner with intent to cause public inconvenience, annoyance or alarm. Arrests for Disorderly Conduct can be made when certain specified behaviors are observed by public safety officers. Disorderly Conduct is a violation of the law. A universal summons may be issued. The New York City Penal law states a person is guilty of disorderly conduct when they engage in fighting or in violent, tumultuous or threatening behavior. Universal Summonses for this type of Disorderly Conduct are often issued in the summer at dismissal hours. Parents need to make certain that children respond directly to and from summer school without engaging in fighting. During the summer we have had a problem with children leaving summer school and causing disturbances in the library and other commercial establishments. A person who makes unreasonable noise or uses abusive or obscene language, or makes an obscene gesture in a public place can be charged with Disorderly Conduct. Disturbing a lawful assembly or meeting of persons also constitutes Disorderly Conduct. Anyone who creates a hazardous or physically offensive condition by any act which serves no legitimate purpose is also guilty of disorderly conduct. Persons who obstruct vehicular or pedestrian traffic or who congregate with other persons in a public place and refuse to comply with a lawful order of the police to disperse are also guilty of Disorderly Conduct. By enforcing Disorderly Conduct around the buildings, malls and garages the public safety department eliminates loitering. Any contraband recovered in a search subsequent to arrest can result in additional criminal charges. By keeping the malls and buildings free BY LIEUTENANT PAM APOLLO

Public Safety Report

If You See Something, Say Something!

Working Together To Keep Co-op City Safe! • Report any unusual or suspicious persons or activity to CCPD. • Do not allow strangers access to your building by holding the door. • Be aware of work being done in your building and when contractors are allowed to be on the premises. • Never leave your car or apartment door unlocked. • Do not leave packages or electronics in your car where they are visible. • Remember: You can make anonymous calls to CCPD.

Emergency: 718-651-3050 Non-Emergency: 718-320-3330 www.ccpd.us • @CCPDnyc

Public Safety Blotter June 23, 2019 to July 6, 2019 07-02-2019 – 129 Dreiser Loop CCPD units responded to a vehicle accident. Upon arrival and during an investigation determined the accident was the result of a male driver being under the influence of alcohol and a narcotic. The male was arrested and booked by CCPD and his vehicle seized. 07-02-2019 – 149 Dreiser Loop A complainant reported his vehicle was broken into and various items removed. 07-04-2019 – 120 Carver Loop A cooperator reported finding a bullet fragment in their apartment. No injuries were reported. 100 Alcott Place A community complaint was issued to an apartment after officers observed fireworks being thrown from a window. 120 Debs Place One male was arrested for assault after punching a female. of loitering a high quality of life is maintained. The New York City Penal Law states is illegal for anyone to possess, use, sell or manufacture controlled substances within New York City. Enforcement of these laws is essential to maintaining a high quality of life within Co-op City. Controlled substance laws range from Criminal Possession of Marijuana, a violation to criminal sale of a controlled substance, an A-1 felony. The charges vary based on the type and weight of the drug. The issuance of a New York City Universal Summons is considered an arrest. A Co-op City Community Complaint is also issued for Anti-Social Conduct to residents for any arrests within the community. This fine starts out at $125.00. Fines double for each repeat violation. The fees can be automatically added to the monthly carrying charges. After numerous Community Complaints a family may face eviction. This is another tool which is utilized to maintain a high quality of life and a low crime rate within Co-op City. This explains why it is important for cooperators to call the department of public safety when they observe any suspicious activity. It is also important parents make certain children and guests refrain from loitering or engaging in disorderly conduct. Never operate a motor vehicle if you have consumed alcoholic beverages. Always buckle your seatbelt; it will save your life in a serious collision. Avoid distractions and excess speed when driving; these are the two leading causes of collisions within New York State. Summer school and camp are open, drive safely. Never pass a stopped school bus with its red lights flashing. Share the road safely with bicycles, skaters and pedestrians. Bicyclists should give pedestrians the same level of courtesy they expect from motorists. If you see anything suspicious, notify the proper authorities. Always remember, if you see something, say something. Call 911 and the department of public dafety at 718-671-3050. Callers may remain anonymous when giving information.


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Co-op City Times / July 13, 2019

Excited and ready for another term Director’s Viewpoint

Sonia Feliciano Treasurer Dear Fellow Shareholders, Thank you for electing me to another term as your Riverbay Board director. I was most humbled by the fact that I was the number-one vote getter and elected treasurer for another year. This is something I do not take lightly. Co-op City is an amazing community. Not only am I lucky enough to live here and raise children here but to serve on the Board with a fine group of people of different talents, skills and disciplines that will lend support to making our community better. The Board of Directors team will continue to work hard to meet the challenges ahead under President Linda Berk. We have many contracts currently in progress, such as the elevators, Local Law 11, lobby doors, building porticos, removal of the T-beams in the garages, washers and dryers and the installation of the boiler, which was on hold for some time. Now that the summer season is here, convector leaks have become a large focus of the ongoing con-

cerns, and many of us have been victims. Addressing this head-on must be a priority as the monies spent, and shareholder time spent waiting for the removal and installation of floors, can take a toll on all of us along with the enormous cost factor. While we have committed to an engineering study, Management is looking at other options to minimize the millions of dollars spent on asbestos abatement. We still have the Dreiser auditorium that is pending renovation by the selected contract company and hope we can expedite the process so we can start using the facility. My greatest pain point has been the lack of customer service when calling in to address a problem. The expectation of the new call center is taking shape. It will be located in Dreiser and will combine all CSO departments into one centralized area that will cover everything as a one-stop shop. We expect service level improvements will occur as we have the right personnel monitoring inbound and outbound calls, ensuring hold times are at a minimum along with the proper level of engagement from staff we deserve and expect. Having a centralized call center allows for the employees to engage in best practices that create realistic expectations. It creates transparency for improved communications so we can be provided with clear

Speedy recovery, Michelle!

We extend get well soon wishes to our colleague, Michelle Sajous, director of the Riverbay Community Relations department, as she recuperates following her recent hospital stay.

timelines. When those timelines cannot be met due to a roadblock/obstacle, we need to be kept informed and alternative solutions provided and follow-ups made. Ensuring management is giving the employees the tools and support to do their jobs will enable staff to handle any situation that comes their way. I will continue to increase my communications with the community, always working to be your voice and lend you my support. My hope in September is, as committees start to form, we will see more community involvement. We all have unique skills and knowledge we can provide. This type of involvement helps to foster inclusion and promotes community engagement. Volunteering for a committee gives us all the ability to provide insight into the needs of our community, thereby making a positive impact on each other’s day-to-day lives. I look forward to working with you and meeting with you during the rest of this year. We are shareholders first because we matter! Regards, Sonia Feliciano 2049 Bartow Avenue – Bronx, NY 10475 Sfeliciano@riverbayboard.com 917-992-7311

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Co-op City Times / July 13, 2019

Matthew Miller continues to shine at ISKA Martial Arts Tournament

Matthew Miller displays medals he earned at the prestigious US Open ISKA Martial Arts Tournament.

Last weekend, thousands traveled to Orlando, Fl. for the largest and most prestigious martial arts tournament in the country, the 2019 US Open ISKA Martial Arts Championships. This was a 3-day tournament with more than 3,000 competitors from all over the United States and around the world from places such as South Africa, Japan, Korea, Europe, Australia, the Middle East, South America, Mexico and the Caribbean. Co-op City’s young Kung-fu and Karate champion, Matthew Miller, went up against some very stiff competition. In the large Black Belt Weapons Division, Matthew took 2nd place after being edged out by a half point. Matthew also tied as a finalist in the Black Belt Forms division and then took 3rd Place in the Black Belt Sparring division. Those who won 1st place returned Saturday night for the ESPN taping. Matthew’s next stop is Maryland this Aug. for the US Capitol and China Classics, then two weeks later, on to Philadelphia to the Battle of the East Coast Champions. Matthew has a full schedule of events he will participate in for the rest of the year, all while maintaining high academic honors in high school. Anyone who would like to contribute to Matthew’s continued success may visit Gofundme.comMatthewMillerNational/InternationalTournaments.

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

Shareholders are urged to update contact info.

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.

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Co-op City Times / July 13, 2019

Buses, Trains and All That Jazz

The Department of City Planning has scheduled a walk-through, info-gathering, Bronx Metro-North Station Area Study event for a week from Tuesday. It sounds eerily like the MTA Bus Open House. Secretary I’m hoping they’ll have actual maps and visuals because even though I can see the general area out my Buses bedroom window, I still haven’t a clue as to what they When I first heard of the bus cuts and reconfiguraare planning, station and parking placement-wise. Sections, I instantly wrote to our state elected officials, tion 5 should be particularly interested since it’s planned Assemblyman Benedetto and Sen. Bailey, hollerin’ for our backyard. So do try to come out to Bartow “help.” Others in the community weren’t reacting Center, Room 31, on Tuesday, July 16, from 6 p.m. to quickly enough for my panicked taste, so in the very 8 p.m. Here’s the blurb: beginning, I seemed to be the only one not only hol“Co-op City Public Workshop. The Bronx Metrolering but also trying to come up with an acceptable North Station Area Study team will hold an interacPlan B in case the MTA’s plan was indeed written in tive public workshop at Co-op City to discuss comstone. Like the song says: “When an irresistible force ing Metro-North service. This interactive, self-paced such as you meets an old immovable object like me event will be an opportunity for the community to join … something’s gotta give.” city agencies in planning around future Metro-North Fast forward, pun intended, a month or so to find all the legislators, state and otherwise, backing the bus cut cause and the ad hoc bus committee in full swing, organized to holler as a group. An ad hoc committee means a temporary group formed to address a single problem destined to dissolve once the problem is resolved. If you read my viewpoints, you already know parts of my Plan B. 1.) Every effort should be made to bring the northern sections of Co-op City back from the twofare zone they’ve endured for nine years and the rest of us have been spared – so far. 2.) Losing even one of the proposed nine Bx23 bus stops would be one too many. 3.) Don’t reroute the Bx30 … and on and on. I do believe a combination of limited and unlimited runs of all of our one-seat rides balanced against frequency should be more thoroughly explored. I do believe the committee can arrive at some combination acceptable to both the MTA and our ridership but I do not believe that can be achieved without compromise. I say that because I’ve watched the MTA video that lays out its full intentions in under four minutes. The Bronx system is spelled out in 147 pages of data and maps, but the theory behind the entire network redesign? Not so detail oriented. Google MTA Bus Network Redesign, new.mta.info/system_modernization/bus_network. There you’ll find a three-minuteand-37-second video explaining the thinking behind the entire plan. While the committee is at it, I’m hoping my pet project — as well as the pet project of the Board — Senior Fair Fare, can be reintroduced at this time. I had been focused on getting only the city officials, not the state ones, to deal with Senior Fair Fare because of the link with the city’s attempts to implement low income Fair Fare on the regular buses and subway. My last attempt to grab a political ear regarding Senior Fair Fare was at the end of June, at Jumaane Williams’ birthday party fundraiser, but that was not the first he’d heard me complain about the discriminatory practice. I had added the question to the Public Advocate Forum in February. Ten candidates answered they had no idea it was even a thing — that the senior discount fare did not apply on Express buses at all times — and each agreed to change that restriction once he or she became public advocate. But now, since the state is undertaking the bus redesign, why not put it back in their laps and into the bargaining mix? There’s still time. The next roll out of the tweaked bus plan for the Bronx isn’t scheduled untill September. Though Staten Island underwent a reworking of their express buses, the Bronx is the first borough to have its full bus network tackled. Queens is where we were in the process last October. Then come Brooklyn and Manhattan and back to Staten Island. No plan will be implemented until the middle of next year, at the earliest, I was told. There’s still time to save the most important parts of our bus system currently on the chopping block, and maybe we can get that 24/7 senior express bus discount to boot! Trains First the bus redesign headache and now this.

Director’s Viewpoint

Mary Pearson

service.” You will also be able to interact with MTA officials and your neighbors, sharing your local expertise and ideas to make the upcoming Metro-North train service the best it can be. July Jazz Wicked Wednesdays starts this week in Section 5 on the Greenway on Wednesday, July 17, from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Bassist Mimi Jones is the featured artist. You’ve heard her play here once or twice as a member of the all-woman jazz group Sage but she first performed in Co-op City way back in 1997 as a teenager in an extravaganza of a show I put together called Generations of Jazz Women. Mimi says she’ll be calling me up to do a tune with her band. I better start practicing, Mimi. Mi mi mi mi mi mi mi, lol. You can reach me by voice or text at 718-219-2211 or by email at mpearson@riverbayboard.com


Co-op City Times / July 13, 2019

Laundry Rooms

(Continued from page 1)

shared experience of the laundry room, whether that consists of catching up with neighbors, sharing the latest gossip or commiseration over the number of broken or inadequate machines. It’s with this last shared experience in mind the Riverbay Board of Directors passed a resolution Jan. 16 to both improve the quality of Co-op City’s laundry equipment as well as increase revenues to the company for the concession. Although not everyone, including some Board members, was happy with the quality of machines or service provided by Plainview-based CSC ServiceWorks, the Board voted 9 to 5, with one director absent, to re-up with CSC after it came in with the best bid of the four Riverbay received to be Co-op City’s launderer. Under the new, eight-year agreement, CSC will pay Riverbay $302,250 monthly — $3.6 million annually — for the right to provide laundry room services in Co-op City. That is up $507,000 annually over CSC’s last Riverbay contract, which expired Dec. 28 of last year. In addition to paying the higher rate, CSC also agreed to give Riverbay a onetime $750,000 signing bonus to keep the concession. The new contract also calls for cooperators to pay 50 cents more per use of the machines but, as outlined in the contract, they won’t be the same old machines. As part of the agreement, CSC will modernize the laundry rooms with new washers and dryers starting Monday, July 15, with Tower 34. Each laundry room overhaul will take five business days, a Monday through a Friday, according to information obtained from Riverbay Management. The first day will be used to remove the old machines and equipment. The second day will be used to prep the room for the new stuff. The third day will be for painting. The fourth will see the new machines installed, and the fifth day will be for connecting the new technology for payment to the machines. With that schedule in mind, the work in the first building, Tower 34, will be complete Friday, July 19. All the work will be done by CSC personnel. After Tower Building 34 is done, Tower Building 24’s laundry room will be redone the next week — Monday, July 22, to Friday, July 26 — followed weekly by Triple Cores 28, and then 29, Chevron buildings 1 and then 2, and Tower Building 6. The remaining order of the laundry room modernizations was unavailable at press time. There will be a variance in what buildings receive in terms of number and type of machines in the new laundry rooms. The towers will each receive 11 Crossovers, which is a brand of heavy-duty washer with a 22-pound capacity, eight dryers, four 30-pound washers and three 40-pound washers. The Triple Cores will each receive 15 Crossovers, 10 dryers, five 30-pound washers and three 40-pound washers. Each Chevron is scheduled for 15 Crossovers, nine dryers, three 30-pound washers and three 40-pound washers. In order to offset the inconvenience to shareholders while their closest laundry room is under renovation, Riverbay Management said, the locks in the laundry rooms closest to the one undergoing work will be reset so cooperators will be able to access them. Also, Riverbay and CSC will have a welcome packet ready for each apartment that will include a new laundry room smartcard preloaded with $5 in credit. The smartcards can be used to operate the new machines — which Riverbay officials said will be larger and more energy efficient — but there will also be an app for smartphones and tablets shareholders can use to operate the new machines as well. The welcome packets will be available to the applicable shareholders for pickup in the CSO office at the beginning of each laundry room upgrade week. The project, Riverbay Management said, is designed to bring Co-op City’s laundry rooms “into the 21st Century.”

MTA

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would come from the Board. We agreed … [Ms. Berk] should sign [the op-ed]. I’d rather it that way because it reinforces our strength as a whole.” If the MTA’s proposal in enacted as proposed, the Bx23 would be the only bus covering the whole of Co-op City, and would lose nine of its existing stops in favor of faster service between those remaining. The Bx23 would begin and end its route at the Pelham Bay Park subway station. Anyone wishing to go elsewhere from Co-op City would have to take the Bx23 to either the Asch or Dreiser loops and transfer to another bus. This proposal, Co-op City officials and residents have said, would be streamlining to the point of restriction, adding inconvenience, and some say even danger, to residents’ lives as shareholders returning to Co-op City late at night via the Dreiser and Asch loops would have to wait to transfer to the Bx23. Mr. Byford’s tenuous status at the MTA has proven to be another wrinkle in the ad hoc committee’s plans. Published reports have suggested Gov. Andrew Cuomo will use the results of a third-party efficiency study he ordered in April to remove Mr. Byford from control of the city’s buses and leave him in charge of only the subways — but not subway construction projects. The results of the study are expected July 31. Reports suggest the governor does not like the credit Mr. Byford has received for improving the city’s subways despite being hired for expressly that purpose, by Gov. Cuomo, early last year. At the ad hoc’s July 8 meeting, Liff encouraged the proposal subcommittee to try to get its work into Mr. Byford’s hands as soon as possible, minimally to get the counter proposal under MTA’s roof so it could then be presented to Mr. Byford’s potential successor as soon as he or she was seated. Although nothing is official as yet, the committee’s — and the community’s — stated desire has been to not only stop the MTA’s current bus route redesigns from happening, but to try to get routes and schedules previously cut reinstated. In both his meeting with Riverbay officials and appearance before shareholders, Mr. Byford said full the restoration of previous routes as the community’s lone demand is likely a budgetary nonstarter, but he is willing to discuss compromise. With the outcome far from determined, Ms. Johns said her fellow committee members are up to the challenge. “It’s not easy but this committee has the confidence to win what our community desires,” she said. “I see they are in it to the end. I know I am.” The ad hoc committee will meet again July 15.


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Co-op City Times / July 13, 2019

Let’s Work Together on Our Bus Service Director’s Viewpoint

Daryl Johnson Did you read in last week’s edition of the Co-op City Times how the ad hoc committee that is supposed to help get our buses back is having internal disagreements on how they should organize their group? How is this possible? Why would they allow this matter to be published in any newspaper that can be read by the MTA, elected officials, and everyone else? Anyway, let’s go over a few things to see if we can make this matter of fixing our bus service nice and easy for everyone. MTA Bus Presentation During our community meeting in Bartow on Thursday, June 27, 2019, NYC Transit President Andy Byford seemed very attentive to our discussion on our bus service. So, I asked him if he would be willing to work with us if we would deliver some plans to him. And, he said that he would work with us if there could be some compromises between their plans and our plans. Thereafter, he walked outside and saw that our courtyard was packed out with no-nonsense cooperators. Then, he saw that our cooperators were on the steps to this courtyard. And, when he looked up, he saw that our cooperators were on the street level of this courtyard. Moreover, he saw lots of cooperators with large signs denouncing his bus plans for our community. So, he knew that we were ready to peacefully take care of business. Nevertheless, he graciously stated his willingness to work with us to develop a reasonable plan, with compromises, for our bus service. But, before we do anything, there must be an agreement that the Bx23 bus will not be the only bus to go around Co-op City. Also, we should try to see if we can get MetroCards to be sold in more locations throughout our community. Can we get electronic machines in our community centers? I’m bringing this point up because I recently saw several transit officers on Pelham Parkway writing summonses for several riders that allegedly did not pay their fare on the Bx12 Select Bus. Plus, the MTA recently installed signs that said: “Hey, there,

pay your fare.” Additionally, 500 additional law enforcement officers were recently brought in to help the MTA crack down on people who refuse to pay their fare. So, some of these people will probably get a $100 fine for not paying their fare. Therefore, we need to make sure that our cooperators can conveniently purchase a MetroCard before they can get on a bus. Now, with these two matters out of the way, let’s move forward. Personally, I think that we need to get back all of our buses. Therefore, the Bx38 cannot get shut down. And, the Q50 must be able to travel to Co-op City. Additionally, all of our buses should travel around Co-op City. Like everyone else in NYC, our cooperators buy MetroCards for convenient bus service. So, how is it that the MTA can tell our cooperators that their buses cannot travel into our sections of Co-op City? Why should our cooperators have to transfer to another bus as soon as they arrive in Co-op City? Allowing buses to travel around Co-op City can be great for all of the businesses here. Therefore, additional taxes can be generated to help our economy. Compromise? There were talks about spacing out the bus stops. So, can we have a reasonable discussion on our bus stop locations? Absolutely! Also, although the Bx7 express bus travels within a bus lane in Manhattan, it can still take a long time to arrive in Co-op City. And, part of the reason for this slow travel time is that other vehicles enter this bus lane to make turns. So, our buses have to wait a long time just to go from one block to another block. But, if you really think about this matter, you might come to the conclusion that bus lanes should only be for buses. So, my proposal is that only buses can travel in a bus lane. And, other vehicles should not be allowed to enter a bus lane to make a turn. For instance, can you imagine how fast our express buses will be able to travel along Madison Avenue if they did not

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have to wait for other vehicles that entered this bus lane to make a right turn? Therefore, my proposal is to have these other vehicles make left turns and go around the block so that they can go to the East side. Complaints? Drivers that don’t like this proposal should simply use another way to go to the East side. Bottom line: To raise additional money and to fill up their seats, the MTA should consider offering discounts during the slower hours on our express buses. So, the price could be, say, $3 from 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. and after 9 p.m. every day. The math, for full buses, is definitely on the MTA’s side. Balcony Safety How would you feel if allegations were to surface that someone in your apartment was throwing objects off of a balcony or out of a window? Throwing objects off of a balcony or out of a window can result in an eviction, criminal actions, and civil actions. So, please make sure that objects are not thrown from your apartment. Thank you. Close Do you have an idea to improve our bus service? If yes, then please consider writing a letter to the Co-op City Times. The instructions can be found near the beginning of this newspaper. Thank you. Questions or comments? Please send a letter to: Daryl H. Johnson, Riverbay Board Director, c/o Riverbay Corporation, 2049 Bartow Avenue, Bronx, NY 10475. Also, please call me ONLY at 718-671-4544 if you would like to have a brief discussion with me. 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 / July 13, 2019

Co-op City Youth Have Turkey Hill Ice Cream Experience

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Spider-Man: Far From Home BY ANATOLIY BUDNITSKIY

Spider-Man: Far From Home was a rollercoaster of emotions! It was a pretty much incredible Marvel film all-around. I would even say it is a top 10 Marvel movie surely. The level of impact this film had from Avengers: Endgame is pretty much perfect. A really good screenplay to add such repercussions from previous film. The ending to Endgame was a pretty big deal, Far From Home piggybacked on that and just done so beautifully. Tom Holland is such a damn good actor, and he is really coming to his own as Spider-Man/Peter Parker. Pretty much solidifying he is truly the best one out of them all. His comedic timing and dramatic bits are amazing and truly great for the character. Jake Gyllenhaal, man, oh man, I mean damn this dude is good. There really isn’t much else to say that hasn’t been said already. This dude just extraordinary. All spoilers aside, Mysterio was freaking incredible and I loved every second of it. One scene in particular had me on the edge of my seat and I think is one of my favorite Marvel scenes of all time. It was so ingeniously done. In IMAX it was eye-popping! I loved all of the extra things the side-characters got. Ned is awesome! Jacob Batalon was very funny in this. Zendaya is great too. I really love her on Euphoria — which, for sure, will get her some nominations soon — but in Far From Home, her MJ is a really complex character and I love it. Sam Jackson’s Nick Fury was pivotal in this too as was Jon Favreau’s Happy Hogan. Endgame was a big deal to Happy’s character too and you see how hurt he was in Far From Home too. Aunt May helps him with that. Marisa Tomei was amazing and yeah she is still so beautiful. She ages well, absolutely. The action was absolutely spectacular, the most intense Spider-man set pieces for sure. At least three were so thrilling. This really is an amazing end to the Infinity Saga and to Phase 3 of the Marvel Cinematic Universe and judging by the two credits scene, it is going to get heavy! A true insane cliffhanger that is guarantee to mess the die-hard fans up. I knew it did for my crew, soul left our bodies for sure. Complete and utter insanity! Guarantee to completely shift the next MCU films in a huge way. Spider-Man: Far From Home is fantastic and, at times, breathtaking in its most important scenes. Loved this one like crazy. 9/10 PG-13, 129 Minutes, 2019 Jon Watts – Director Tom Holland – Peter Parker/Spider-Man Samuel L. Jackson – Nick Fury Jake Gyllenhaal – Mysterio/Quentin Beck Marisa Tomei – May Parker Jon Favreau – Happy Hogan Zendaya – MJ

On a beautiful Saturday last week there was excitement in the air as the youth and parents prepared to board the bus for the second Turkey Hill trip, back by popular demand. Thank you to Akeisha Neely, who agreed to be the group leader for the day. Shareholder Leslie Peterson was there to make sure there was a smooth departure and return. The trip included lunch at the Golden Corral and shopping at the Tanger Outlet. Moms and dads had a great time with their families. As suggested by Ms. Peterson and sponsored by the Riverbay Fund, participants made some delicious treats and lasting memories. Photos by Leslie Peterson and Akeisha Neely

Falcon in Co-op City

A peregrine falcon lands on the balcony of a Building 22 apartment after catching its prey. Shareholders say the falcon frequently hunts in the area. Photo by Betty Leak


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Co-op City Times / July 13, 2019

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Co-op City Times / July 13, 2019

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Co-op City Times / July 13, 2019

Greetings, Building 9 family. No one does the Independence Day celebration like Co-Op City. The music, the pyrotechnics and the sea of people were incredible. A fabulous and memorable time was had by all. Garage 2 did experience a severe backup of vehicles attempting to exit the garage from about 10:45 p.m. to 11:45 p.m. on July 3. Thankfully, CCPD was on hand to help move vehicles along. Remember, after 11 p.m., visitors from the other garages must pay. As part of the lobby modernization project, the building 9B interior rear door was replaced. The 9A side interior rear door will be replaced as well. The Building 9 Executive Board is planning to have a summer game night and a movie night for members. Stay tuned. The Building 9 Association Executive Board is working with the grounds department to obtain additional plantings for our front green spaces. Please come out for Green Way 1 Tunes on Tuesdays again this year. Our Building 9 group grew each week last summer. Let’s do it again this year. Last week, Vivian Burrus and I harvested Serrano peppers from the Rivers Run Community Garden and delivered them to the Bronx Botanical Garden. The fourth-grade students from P.S. 153 who helped us plant the Serrano peppers during the spring wrote letters and made drawings in appreciation of their time spent with us in the garden. Da Bronx Hot Sauce will be available at La Bomba y Plana. Make sure you come out to enjoy your community garden. Please join me in sending a warm word of gratitude to Ms. Anna Lucas and the Black Forum Emergency Food Pantry staff for working so diligently to provide quality emergency food to the residents of Co-Op City. The pantry operates on Tuesdays and Thursdays in Building 1B rear. Visitors are treated with dignity. Bring your ID indicating you reside in the 10475 area. Please do not slam your apartment door. It is disturbing to other shareholders. Please ensure your trash clears the chute after you place it in the chute. Take your bulk items to the ash cart area of the basement. Do not use your foot on the plate to activate the ADA compliant doors. It is unsanitary and unnecessary. Please curb and clean up after your dog. Those in violation will be issued community complaints. “Knowledge is power. Information is liberating. Education is the premise of progress, in every society, in every family.” -Kofi Annan “To educate a man in mind and not in morals is to educate a menace to society.” -Theodore Roosevelt. —Linda Collins

Building 9 Association

Building 22A & B Association

The celebration for the Pioneer Day was and honor for me and all 500 attendees. When we first moved into Co-op City, there was not bus service going to Section 5, no supermarkets, we were pioneers. The difficulties make the community work; the ups and downs, the rent strike, importance of sharing. Our fireworks July 3 were fantastic. I was ecstatic to witness our community come out to meeting their fellow shareholders. Your responsibility doesn’t end when you close your apartment door. The hall, laundry room, incinerator room, sidewalks are your home too. Pick up trash and put in the trash can, walking across grass when the sign says, “no walking” don’t let other people come to your home which is Co-op. Have pride in your community. Say no, not in my home. Happy birthday to all, prayers to all who lost loved ones. Get well to all the shut-in. If you see something, say something. Thank you. —Betty Leak

Building 10 Association

Greetings fellow cooperators. New cooperators Welcome all new cooperators. We look forward to seeing you at the next general membership meeting. Free indoor healthy BBQ Today, Saturday, July 13, 2019, from noon until 4 p.m. at Raymour & Flanigan, located at 2264 Bartow Ave., our very own Chef Lenise Streeter from Building 10C, in conjunction with BCA Global will present a free, indoor, healthy BBQ. Stop by for some healthy food samples. MTA proposed bus changes The MTA has proposed changes to the Co-op City bus routes. Let your voice be heard on the proposed bus route changes. Go to the MTA website, new.mta.info/BronxBusRedesign, and take the survey. We must fight these changes. Laundry room etiquette Please remember to remove your laundry from both the washers and dryers promptly upon completion of the cycle. Please pick up dryer sheets from the floor, they are very slippery. Association dues Collection of building association dues has begun for the year 2019. Building association dues are $10 per apartment. If you missed the dues collections in your building, you can bring it to the association meeting or please see any executive board member. We would like to wish all July babies, a very happy birthday. To the homebound and sick, we wish you a speedy recovery. To all who have lost a loved one recently, we give our deepest condolences. Have a great week. —Jewel Crawford-Duncan

Building 27 Association

Hello neighbors, summer is here, enjoy and stay safe. Would you believe our groundkeeper still uses the old fashion lawn mower from time to time? Some people just enjoy their job and we believe he does. Good people, we don’t ever want them to leave us. A board of director acknowledged some complaints as to the shareholders lack of interest in voting. She has pledged to look into what can be done to inspire the people to do their due diligence in voting in the future. MTA Co-op City rally Thursday, June 27, 2019, cooperators filled the courtyard of the Bartow Center with another crowd of 600 or more people in attendance. The message of the rally was We Say Nay To The MTA. Let’s keep the momentum going until we are respected and people’s traveling needs are met and the buses are restored. The ad hoc committee that has been created will stay involved. Mr. Andy Byford, president of New York City transit buses and subway, was here in Co-op City to hear the concerns of the people via a meeting with board and elected officials. He promised to take another look at the requested proposals put before him and said the redesigned MTA plan is not set in stone at the present. Convectors Executive General Manager of Riverbay Mr. Klehammer informed the community via Co-op Times Management will seek bids from mechanical engineering firms for a study of our convector system to determine if an upgrade or replacement of the system is needed. Mr.Klehammer said the convector issue is an important task and will be a huge construction challenge to tackle the persistent leaks that have impacted the quality of life for residents over and over, but it is vital to the future of Co-op City. Thank you, Mr. Klehammer, for recognizing the depth of this ongoing problem. Take note Effective July 11, 2019, New York City speed camera law goes into effect from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m., Monday through Friday, year round in 750 school speed zones. This notice came in the mail. Did you receive it? Perhaps posting this information via the bulletin boards or near the elevator to make sure your neighbors are aware. Our hearts goes out to the family of Joan Rosa of Building 27B. We offer our deepest sympathy and condolences to the family. Happy birthday to all in this month. The best of health to all. Contact Lydia Rondon at 718-583-3040 to share news of an illness, or the death of a neighbor. Pray for peace among the world leaders, now more than ever. Leaders and leadership choices and decisions affect our very daily lives. At the end of the day, be nice, respectful and offer kindness to your neighbor; life is too short. “The three great essentials to achieve anything worthwhile are hard work, second, stick-to-itiveness and third, common sense.” —Thomas A. Edison. —H. Overman

MTA Real-Time Service Updates

The most up-to-date information on MTA service status is always available at www.mta.info. For immediate notice of service changes, sign up for email or text alerts at www.mymtaalerts.com. For weekend subway service changes, visit web.mta.info/weekender.


Co-op City Times / July 13, 2019

Co-op City Working Families Party

Summer break WF/Indivisible meetings have taken a break until the fall but trouble never sleeps, so who ya gonna call? Here are the big four elected officials you might want to reach out to. They’re always happy to hear from their constituents. The state legislators stay local for the rest of the year and our councilman and the public advocate never leave town. NYC District 12 Councilmember Andy L. King; Andy.King@council.nyc.gov; 135 Einstein Loop, Room 44, Bronx, N.Y. 10475; 718-684-5509 Jumaane Williams at the Office of the Public Advocate; GetHelp@pubadvocate .nyc.gov; 1 Centre Street, 15 Floor North, New York, N.Y. 10007; 212-669-7250. State Assemblyman Michael Benedetto, benedettom@nyassembly.gov;177 Dreiser Loop, room 12 Bronx, N.Y. 10475; 718-320-2220, 718-892-2235, 518-455-5296. State Sen. Jamaal Bailey, bailey@nysenate.gov; 959 East 233rd St., Bronx, N.Y. 104663207; 718-547-8854. The Co-op City Working Families mission As progressives, Co-op City Working Families members work to elect the most progressive candidates possible who will stand in the way of all regressive legislation. As a civic action group, Co-op City Indivisible — an aspiring Co-op City certified community organization — promotes progressive causes. As Co-op City WF/Indivisible members, we do both. We embrace progressive values by modeling inclusion, respect and fairness in all of our actions; we work to make Co-op City a stronger community; and we insist our representatives serve as our voice in Co-op City, in the Bronx, in Albany and in Washington, D.C. In these divisive times, it is of the greatest importance to maintain a progressive point of view. In essence, the mission of Working Families/Indivisible Co-op City is to promote tolerance and end second-class citizenship. Become a warrior for justice and equality. That’s what this group stands for. Stand with this group. Next meeting/See you in September Next season, the Co-op City Working Families/Indivisible group will be changing time slots. We will meet on the third Tuesday of each month, starting with Sept. 17. As usual, meetings will be held in Einstein room 35 at 7 p.m. But before that, come by and say hello at the Section 5 Community Fair on Sept. 7. Remember, you don’t have to have a family or a job to join us, you can be single or retired and still join the Co-op City Working Families Party. All progressives are welcome. Feel free to text 718-219-2211 or email mpjazz@optonline.net anytime at all. Happy summer everyone. —Mary Pearson

Community Protestant Church

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Broun Place Townhouse Association

Co-op City really knows how to do celebrations! Although the show, non-fireworks portion, ran a little long, it was so much fun, wasn’t it? We thought the fireworks portion was magnificent. We believe Co-op City is the best development for community entertainment. The program was impressive and a work of art. Thank you to Michelle Sajous and her department for bringing it right within walking distance and all for free. Let’s hope our community is also free from grief and we all enjoyed the Fourth of July, 2019. Time for special summer advice. Neighbors, it is important to have a good neighbor to leave your key with and use that neighbor as your confident and “go to” in case of emergency. Please give this a try, trust a neighbor, bond and always let them know if you are going away. Ask them to please bring in the mail and newspapers. Congratulations to the Section 4 Partnership, led by Ms. Michelle Marbury, for Hoops and Beats. The day was a real success and something we may want to do annually. We will be watching the ad hoc committee work to represent the majority wishes and compromises for our MTA needs. Chairman Andy Byford’s words, the published, proposed plans are not “set in stone.” We support workshops to result in compromise and look at choices. For example, do we want routes with many stops or few, transfers or direct? Do we want the toll machines accepting dollar bills? Neighbors, read the Co-op City Times for complete coverage. All eyes be alert, we must determine who is turning our domed pedestrian waste can lid upside down and leaving it on the ground. Also, a mattress was dumped minus a cover and left in the dumpster pad. Mattresses must have a plastic cover to be allowed disposal on a dumpster pad. This is a sanitary measure and protects everyone. Now, please go around to dump your garbage, throwing it over the fence does not reflect your agility. And please pick up pedestrian garbage. The domed cans are not for house garbage and you will be reported if it is reported this is where you are disposing of your kitchen garbage. Neighbors, now that summer is here, please remember the rules of terrace care and for cooking out. Only electric grills are allowed. You may not cover your terrace floors with carpeting of any kind. Our Broun Place Executive Committee wishes those recovering from illness and hardships a speedy, complete recovery and many good days ahead. We especially send prayers to the Roberts family for John, who is recovering at a rehabilitation facility. Cooperators is what we are, not tenants. We want to recommend the tried and true vendors doing their work here for 50 years. Think about it, what vendors have been doing business for that long and are still here? Keep dancing and guarantee happy days ahead! —Eva Kindaichi-Lazaar

On behalf of our pastor, the 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, N.Y. 10469, telephone 718-862-9172. Summer church schedule (dress-down attire July 7 to Sept. 1) Adult Sunday school - 9 a.m. Worship service - 10 a.m. Communion service - Every first and third Sundays The following program is at the Church’s Annex: 2053 Asch Loop North: Neighborhood Bible Study Thursday at 1 p.m. Worship service begins at 10 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. We will be delighted to blend our spirits with yours as we bend both body and soul before our Heavenly Father. Family Owned and Operated We encourage you to spend time with God, and if it be His will, with us at Community Protestant. • Large Chapel • Pre-need counseling Other scheduled events on premises Sunday 28, 10 a.m. A very special service. It is Fam• Out of town services • Ample Parking ily and Friends Day Service at Community Protestant on premises Church. All are welcome. A dignified funeral every family can afford. • Cremations • Casket Showroom Glorify His Name All areas are handicapped accessible on premises Are your pathways all uncharted? Let God’s wisdom be imparted. Personalized & Professional Care • 53 Years Serving Our Community Let Him change with love divine, making all your lives sublime. Worldwide Shipping including Caribbean, Africa & South America He will hear your supplication, He will answer every prayer. Let Him walk beside you, He will guide you never fear. God’s comfort and peace assure us not to murmur or complain. Serving all Let us rest upon His promises, Let us glorify His Call name. cultures 24 —Sister Georgiana Moses NOW WEBCASTING TO FAMILY AND FRIENDS ABROAD & faiths Hours The doors of Community Protestant Church are open to all to worship and fellowship with Christian www.mccalls.net • director@mccalls.net believers of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. You are cordially 4035 Bronxwood Avenue, Bronx, N.Y. invited to come in, join in and receive your blessing. —Evan G. Mitchell

718-231-7647 Fax: 718-231-7665


18

Co-op City Times / July 13, 2019

Building 21 Association

Were you there? Were you in the number? The Fireworks display and 50th Anniversary Celebration on July 3 was nothing short of fantastic. Kudos to President Linda Berk, the Riverbay Fund team — including Leandra Peters and Tamara King who did a great job in the absence of Michelle Sajous. The Section 4 Partnership was out in full force helping out and assisting. You may have seen the fabulous commemorative t-shirts worn by volunteers from the S4P in beautiful navy with the 50th Anniversary gold logo on the front and the S4P logo on the back. Great talent and lots of deserving salutations by notable celebrities and elected officials. All in all, it was a great moment in time and in our history. The Building 21 Association wishes to extend its sincere wishes for a speedy recovery to fellow 21er Michelle Sajous. Here’s hoping you feel better and better every day in every way. If you have any questions regarding the 21 Association, you have three ways of gaining information. Email: 21association@gmail.com. Call 347-504-1821. Or you can attend the monthly meetings, which are held every fourth Thursday in the Gathering Room in the rear of the B section, 120 Bellamy Loop at 7 p.m. Floor captains: An important tool for every building Thanks to the cooperators of Building 21 who have stepped up to the plate and volunteered to be floor captain You know who you are, and we truly appreciate you. All we ask of anyone kind enough to be a floor captain is as follows: Contact numbers: For your floor only. List all emergency contact numbers and distribute to each neighbor. Co-op City Times: Place them at each apartment door, delivered on Saturdays. Elevator notices: Read them and talk to your neighbors about them. Promote meetings, clubs and gatherings. Encourage your neighbors to: Vote – vote – vote! in the Riverbay elections Make calls to the Riverbay offices: Security 718-671-3050 • CSO 718-320-3300 We are dedicated to the self-development and empowerment of every shareholder in Co-op City. We are passionate about our community. Don’t you share this positive energy and passion? Come join us at Building 21 sometime. Bring a friend. Bring a skeptical friend. Bring a young friend. Come, let’s begin again! Each one of us, divided by all of us, equals a force for good. See you around the neighborhood! —Michelle Marbury

Building 13 Association

Congratulations to Building 13 Association and Rivers Run Community Garden for winning the 2019 Citizen’s Committee for New York City Neighborhood Grants. This will allow us to continue providing exciting workshops and shared information to our community. Co-op City was treated to a fantastic fireworks and artist performance show on July 3, 2019, as a culmination to the 50th Anniversary of Co-op City. Special thanks to Michelle Sajous for her efforts year after year and prayers for her speedy recovery. Scheduled to begin this week are Tunes on Tuesday and Wicked Wednesday and a host of other events, sponsored predominantly by Councilman King. On that same evening, July 3, our building and two others experienced loss of water due to a broken pipe. Kudos to management for attending to this emergency while everything was going on and restoring services swiftly. We are currently having our high-rise elevators renovated. We appreciate the patience you have all shown during this time. In an effort to minimize your inconvenience, the Co-op City Times newspaper can be picked up from the lobby. This allows for uninterrupted service of the one elevator available or use on the highrise side. Please make sure to read all bulletins posted in the lobby. The MTA ad hoc committee against the current proposed bus route changes is currently meeting to determine various plans we will put in to place to continue voicing our displeasure at the draft plan. We understand some changes are being made as the MTA reorganizes but that does not hinder us from moving forward. There is strength in numbers and that means you. We can only succeed if you are part of the process. Stay informed as we continue the battle. Do your part when we ask for your participation. This draft plan is not set in stone. Redesigning a bus network should be a collaborative process. They need to hear from us. Go to the MTA site and review each of the route changes and how they affect you? Save the date: Bomba by the River at Rivers Run Community Garden on Sunday, July 21, 2019 — rain date July 28, 2019 — at 3 p.m. Share a dish, I you wish. Building 13 is working on activities, workshops and trips so stay tuned. Games, karaoke, painting, Women Keeping it Real, Knowing Your Roots and Button Biz and other fun events. Checks for Building 13 events should be made payable to Building 13 Assoc. Inc. and mailed to 100 Casals Place #32K, Bronx, N.Y. 10475. Contacts: Gail Sharbaan, treasurer, at 718-671-3801, Vivian Campbell 718-671-3012 or Leslie Peterson at 718-320-1370 or daddpeterson@aol.com. You can also email the association at building13assoc@yahoo.com. Thanks for making our team work. —Leslie Peterson

Section 5 Association

The Section 5 Association annual Family Fun Day will be Saturday, Aug. 17, from noon to 6 p.m. with a rain date of Aug. 24, on the Section 5 greenway. Buildings 26 through 35 and the Earhart Lane townhouses will be celebrating with families, neighbors and friends. Join us for positive fun and free hot dogs, popcorn, icies, cotton candy, face painting, balloons by Vegas, DJ Smooth’s music, the bounce house, Voncelli and the Dancing Gents, Ellie Minor and the Marvelous Minors, Velocity track team, Section 5 Teen Center basketball tournament and more. Stay tuned. Wanted Master griller for the hot dogs. Volunteers Please contact your building association to confirm your availability to serve. If you need a t-shirt, contact Robert Hedgpeth at 718-320-2656. Thank you all in advance. If there are any questions regarding the Family Fun Day, please contact chairman Ms. Linda Werner at 718-862-3295, cell 718-490-3431 or Mr. Robert Hedgpeth, president of the Section 5 Association, at 718-320-2656. MTA meeting A brief MTA meeting took place June 27 with elected officials, Management and the Board of Directors. While the courtyard of Bartow center was filled with cooperators saying nay to the MTA. Sen. Bailey, Assemblyman Bendetteo and Councilman Andy King spoke to the people in opposing the bus cuts in a twofare zone and the impact it will have on the entire community of cooperators, working people, students, disabled, etc. Mr. Andy Byford, president of New York City Transit, spoke assuring the community he sees the crowd, hears the nay to the MTA and listened to the concerns at the meeting. Mr. Byford promised to review the proposals, comments and take another look at what can be worked out that will be a feasible plan to restore the buses that would work for the entire community. —H. Overman

ANONYMOUS WHISTLEBLOWER HOTLINE

If you have knowledge or a concern of possible violations of law, accounting irregularities, or other suspected wrongdoing affecting Riverbay, you are encouraged to report it to law enforcement, or you may report it through an anonymous hotline by the following methods: Go to an independent website, www.lighthouse-services/riverbaycorp, to complete an online disclosure form; Call the following independent third party whistleblower hotline at 1-833-290-0009 (English); or 1-800-216-1288 (Spanish); Send an e-mail to: reports@lighthouse-services.com (the email must include “Riverbay” in the subject); or Send a fax to (215) 689-3885 (the fax must include “Riverbay” in the subject of the report).


19

Co-op City Times / July 13, 2019

Co-op City Student Spotlight Well done, Prince-Vaughn!

Congratulations, Akiko!

Congratulations Prince-Vaughn on your recent graduation from St. Barnabas. He is the recipient of the Val Santavicca Memorial Scholarship, a community award. He also received a perfect attendance certificate for the 20182019 school year. Much success at Mount Saint Michael. Continue to make yourself proud. Smile. Love, your family in New York, Rhode Island and Florida. —Margaret M. La Cassa

Happy graduation, Jalen

We are extraordinarily blessed and pleased to share additional great news, “hot off the press,” concerning our granddaughter Akiko Niepa. She has been selected through her college, Frostburg University, to the National Society of Leadership and Success, starting in the fall 2019 semester. The National Society of Leadership and Success, Sigma Alpha Pi, is the largest collegiate leadership honor society in the U.S., with more than 600 chapters and more than one million members. Fellow cooperators, may we strive to be positive examples for our young people, encouraging and inspiring them to be the best they can be. They are not made of glass, but they do to a large extent reflect the environment they live in. Happily submitted, —Charles and Novella Thomas

Congratulations Jalen Reed on your graduation, and for receiving the Office of the Attorney General Triple “C” Award. We are so proud of you! Love, —Dad (Andre), L. A., Audrey, Felicia, Sharella, and Ketirah

It’s Graduation Time! Shareholders, if you

have a graduate or a student who excelled this past school year, let us know so their accomplishments can be shared with your neighbors. Send your submissions to cctimes@riverbaycorp.com or call us at 718-320-3300, x3375/6.

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Co-op City Times / July 13, 2019

Goose Island Seniors

On Your Feet Thursday, July 25, at the Westchester Broadway Theatre in Elmsford. Price: $89. Bus leaving 9 a.m., Einstein; 9:10 a.m., Asch Loop, and 9:20 a.m., Dreiser. This is the story of Emilio and Gloria Estefan. Her voice. His Vision. Their story. From their humble beginnings in Cuba, they came to America and broke through all barriers to become a crossover sensation at the very top of the pop music world. But just when they thought they had it all, they almost lost everything. In the face of adversity, they found a way to end up on their feet. Menu: Broiled fillet of Sole (white fish w/baked potato), Pernil (roast pork w/rice & black beans), Cheese Ravioli w/ meatballs, Chicken Marsala, Fillet of Sole Florentine (white fish stuffed with spinach), Eggplant Parmigiana. Vegetables served with some orders. Menu subject to change. Bus is full, waiting list only. Money is due by Saturday, July 13. Mohegan Sun Casino Thursday, Aug. 8, in Uncasville, Connecticut. Price: $40. Rebate: $30. That’s $15 for food and $15 for table bet. Bus leaving our three usual bus stops: Starting 8:30 a.m., Einstein Loop. Bus is full. Waiting list only. Money is due by July 27. Mambo Italiano Thursday, Sept. 5, at the Westchester Broadway Theatre, Elmsford. Price: $89. Bus leaving from our three usual bus stops: Starting at 9 a.m. with Einstein Loop. Follow the dominating but lovable matriarch, Maria Barbieri, as she and her devoted husband Gino struggle to keep the family restaurant afloat while adjusting to the newly found independence of their New Jersey born adult grandchildren who they have raised since birth. Laugh-out-loud funny. Money due by Aug. 21. Bingo Every Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Time: 1:15 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. Members only, in our club room 39. Admission, $5 for 3 cards, 12 games and Jackpot. Extra cards are 25¢ each. Karaoke Tuesdays and Thursdays from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. with Stephen in room 45. All are welcome. To all members Happy Birthday to our members who celebrate their birthday in the month of July: Carmen Ponce, Jonathan Felix, Iris Delgado, Florence Barnes — who died June 15 — Regina S. Usher, Miriam Kravitz, Ann Perez, Thomas Gordon, Audrey Chambers, Rosa Copeland and Richardine Sullivan. Note Call Ann or Stephen at Goose Island Seniors 718-379-9613 or visit us at 135 Einstein Loop, room 39, Bronx, N.Y. 10475. Office hours: Monday to Friday 10 a.m. to noon. Monday, Wednesday and Friday, noon to 8 p.m., and Tuesday and Thursday evenings, 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. Stephen cell: 347847-1941. Good health to all. —Stephen Roberts Sr.

Rivers Run Community Garden

I am already looking for a makeshift drum and layers of material for a skirt because Bomba is back on July 21. Bring a dish and let’s celebrate life. In addition, on July 27 we will be upcycling to magnificent again, using hammers and imagination. Please continue to check back for these free events sponsored by Councilman Andy King and Citizens Committee for New York City. Please tell your friends and family about this amazing place in which we not only grow fruits and vegetables, we grow knowledge and friendships. Rivers Run Community Garden is a movement toward improved mental and physical health. We provide all types of workshops including nutrition, meditation, edible and medicinal wilds identification, planting, building and crafting. We are the outdoor classroom for the local schools, daycares, residents and neighbors. We are a place of beauty and peace. Visit. Stay. Experience us. Event Dates (All are welcome): Saturday, July 20: 1 p.m. meeting Sunday, July 21 (Rain date July 28) – Bomba! Details to follow Saturday, July 27: Building with Pallets at 2 p.m. Beginning May 1, 2019, Rivers Run is open: Tuesday: 4 p.m. to dusk Wednesdays and Fridays: 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays: 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Membership requirements: $20 per year fee and 20 hours of work. There is a waiting list for beds. Members who are actively fulfilling the 20 hours of volunteer work requirement are moved up on the waiting list. Volunteers are welcome. If you’d like to reach out to us, please email us at Rivers_run@yahoo.com or call Denise Shelley at 917-232-2982 or me at 718-671-3801. —Gail Sharbaan

Retirees of Dreiser Loop

The Dreiser Club room 19 will continue to be open during July and August, after 1 p.m. for your daily pleasure, except Wednesdays. Come relax and join in the fun by playing cards — game of choice — and a variety of board games, or just come in to socialize, sit and watch one of your favorite TV shows with others. Travel events: Price includes coach bus located on Dreiser Loop, front of H&R Block. Sept. 16 to 19, Monday to Thursday, Niagra Falls, Canada. Price: Double: $589/single: $709. Final payment due now. Passport required. Meet and greet upon arrival, guided tours, three breakfasts/three dinners, and Niagara Falls cruise. Contact: Serita Grayson, 347-564-5722. Theatre Committee: Price includes van transport from Dreiser Loop, front of Rehab Center. July 31, Wednesday, “Ain’t Too Proud: The Life and Times of the Temptations” Imperial Theatre. Showtime: 2 p.m. Sold out! Contact: Dorothy Lindo, 718-379-0314. Sept. 11, Wednesday, “Mambo Italiano” Westchester Broadway Theatre. Showtime: 11 a.m. Price: $75. Deposit $40. Balance due $35, Aug. 9. Contact: Marie GreenRyan, 718-671-4949. Nov. 15, Friday, “Radio City Christmas Spectacular” Showtime: 2 p.m. Price: $80. Down payment $40 ASAP. Balance due Wednesday, Oct. 2. Contact: Eleanor Barlow, 917-952-0861. We accept checks only, payable to Retirees of Dreiser Loop, along with your name and telephone number. Committee members will be available in the Dreiser clubroom 19, 718-379-0377, on Mondays and/or Thursdays, 2:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. Good and Welfare Our heartfelt condolences go out to the daughter and family of Sandra Y. Hardison, our editor of The Loop, who passed away on Wednesday, July 3. Our hearts go out to you in your time of sorrow. To members and friends on the mend, we hope that each new day bring you renewed strength. Call Josephine Flowers, 718-320-0539 regarding illnesses and bereavements. Mark your calendar, our next Jazz Up Your Health With a Senior Spa Day will be in September, date to be determined. Call Claudette D. 718-379-4784 or Hattie L. 718-671-8449 if interested in joining us. Best wishes to all for a safe, fun-filled summer! —Claudette Davis

National Council of Negro Women, Inc.

School graduations NCNW Co-op City Section always supports the students in our educational park. This year, we awarded certificates to outstanding students from PS 160, PS 153, MS 180, MS 181, PS 178, Truman HS and Equality Charter School. Our First VP, Camille Worrell, presented an academic award to Taheara Spence and one for community service to Sheldon Yawson, graduates of Truman High School, at their Senior Awards Ceremony May 29. Alma Walther presented certificates for academic achievement to Sanaii Wilks and Michelle Kofi of PS 160 at their Senior Awards Ceremony June 10. Lisa Wade-Stewart awarded a certificate for academic achievement to Nevaeh Binn and for community service to Tiffany Whyte of MS 180 June 21 at their graduation ceremony. Deborah Fifa awarded a certificate for academic achievement to Melody Dwamena and for community service to Milanya Lamar of MS 181 on June 21 at their graduation ceremony. Denise Gerald presented a certificate for academics and community service to Anahla Gordon of PS 153 June 19 at her graduation ceremony. Akeisha Neely awarded a certificate to Joshua Williams for “Endeavored to Make the Grades and Succeeded” at the graduation ceremony for PS 178 on June 20. Shantae Hamilton and Dajania Graham each received certificates for academics and community service at the ceremony for the Equality Charter School June 27. Congratulations to our youth, who are building a strong foundation for successful lives. Miracle of Christmas Join Co-op City Section NCNW on Saturday, Nov. 16, 2019, as we travel to Lancaster, Pennsylvania, to Sight & Sound Theatres to see “Miracle of Christmas.” Our price is $170 per adult and $120 per child under 12 years of age. The ticket price includes admission to Sight & Sound, roundtrip motor coach transportation and lunch at Golden Corral. The payment schedule is $50 deposit due by July 13, $50 due by Aug. 24 and the balance is due by Sept. 30. Non-refundable checks payable to NCNW Co-op City Section may be mailed to P.O. Box 93, Bronx, N.Y. 10475. Our bus will depart from 177 Dreiser Loop at 9 a.m. sharp. For more information, contact 718379-3788, 646-270-1985 or 917-399-2643. Save the date Mark Sept. 28, 2019, on your calendars now. On that date, NCNW will have our community health fair in room 31, Bartow Community Center from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. We will have health information, blood pressure screening, prizes, exercise and more. Book club Looking for a few good books to read this summer? Join NCNW Co-op City’s Book Club. Our book discussions will resume in October. Meanwhile, we are all reading “The Sun Does Shine” by Anthony Ray Hinton. This Oprah’s Book Club Summer 2018 selection will be the first book we will discuss in October. For updates on our book club, contact: NCNWcoopcitysocial@gmail.com. Social media Remember, you can find us on Facebook: NCNWCoopcity Bethune Twitter: @NCNWCoopCity; Instagram: NCNW Co-op City and email: ncnwco.opcity@gmail.com —Joyce Howard


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Co-op City Times / July 13, 2019

Velocity Track Club

Velocity Track Club competed in the USATF Outdoor National Championship held June 25 to June 30 in Durham, North Carolina, for the title Best in the Country. Teams from across the USA attended this meet. Medals were given to the top eight in each event/division and gender. The temperature was well over 90 degrees all week long. The sweltering weather didn’t stop our children from excelling in their races and taking a spot on the podium. We had 11 athletes who competed in this meet. Altogether they were blessed with 23 medals — one gold, five silver, five bronze, two fourth-place medals, five sixth-place medals, one seventh-place medal and four eighth-place medals. Prior to the meet, they posted a performance list of all the athletes competing. After reviewing that list, we were in a good position to win approximately seven medals. From our coaches’ outstanding training regimen and all the hard work our children put in, they then were able to break their personal record multiple times in their races. By performing their personal best, it helped to catapult them to the podium. Out of the 11 athletes, seven established personal records.

Co-op City Sports

Velocity Track Club athletes practicing at Duke University.

The following athletes medaled: Cameron Joseph, gold medalist and National Champion in the Girls 8 and under long jump, and bronze medalist in the 100- and 200-meter races. Justyce Moore took sixth place in the 200- & 400-meters and eighth place in the 800-meters in the boys 8 and under division. In the girls 9 and 10 age division, Shyenne Blake won a silver medal in the long jump and the 4x100 meter relay. Also on that relay were Kaylin Strachin, Hannah Deflorimonte and Ryann Joseph. Hannah also took eighth place in the long jump and Ryann won a bronze medal in the 800-meter race. In boys 9 and 10 age division, Adeyemi Senior won bronze medals in the 800and 1500-meter races and fourth place in the 400-meters. In the girls 11 and 12 age division, Talia Dixon took sixth place in the long jump and eighth place in the 200-meters. In the boys 11 and 12 age division, Sachin Ramharak competed in the Pentathlon — five events: hurdles, long jump, 1500-meters, shot put and high jump — and took sixth place. Plus, he took fourth place in the long jump and seventh in the high jump. In the boys 13 and 14 age division, Matthiaus Love-Anderson took sixth place in the javelin and eighth place in the shot put. Congratulations to all participants, you’re all winners! Our next meet will be the International Youth Championship July 12 to 14 at the Prince George Learning complex in Landover, Maryland. Please put us in your prayers that we have a safe journey. Velocity Track Club New York is a 501C3 not-for profit. One hundred percent of your donation will go toward helping our children. Support your youth, so they can continue to do great things! For additional information, you can go to our website, Velocitytrack.org, or contact me, Coach Winston Dinkins at 914-441-6196 or email watclt@aol.com. — Coach Winston Dinkins

Baptist Church

Rev. Dr. Sheldon E. Williams and the Co-op City Baptist Church family, invites you to join us tomorrow at 8 a.m. and 11a.m. for worship service. Sunday school for children and adults is suspended for the summer and will resume on Sunday, Sept. 15 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, lower level, room 50. Our telephone number is 718-320-377 Visit us on the web at coopcitybaptist church.org. Wednesday noon-day service and all Bible classes are on hiatus for the summer and will return in September. All Prayer services are also on hiatus for the summer and will return in September. Tomorrow, Sunday, July 14, at the 11 a.m. service we will have Christian Education Day. The guest speaker will be Min. Patrice Shelby, associate minister, Thessalonia Worship Center, Bronx, NY. All are invited to join us. Next Sunday, July 21, we will celebrate the Lay Sheherd Pastoral Care 9th Anniversary at the 11:00 a.m. service. Please join us. 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

Black Forum of Co-op City

Emergency food pantry reopening The emergency food pantry is now open. It is located at 920 Baychester Ave., Bronx N.Y. Its entrance at the back of the building faces the yellow schoolhouse and basketball court. The pantry distributes food Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays, 10 a.m. to noon and Thursdays 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. Guests who preregistered before July 9 will receive food packages before those who did not. Pantry guests do not have to be affiliated with a church or place of worship to receive food support. Please note this location will adapt an appointment based system in the near future. More details to follow. Please bring an up-to-date photo ID when registering as a guest or picking up food for the first time. The only accepted IDs are the driver’s and non-driver’s licenses, or the ID New York City card. Bring two clean shopping bags and a shopping cart, if available. Guests will be issued a card that must be shown on every visit in order to pick up food. The emergency food pantry distributes canned goods, fresh fruits and vegetables, breads, household goods and products for babies/children. Some items may be more readily available than others. Black Forum asks for your patience as we navigate through the reopening process. Animals cannot enter the pantry because of health and safety reasons. Reasonable accommodations will be made for guests with animals to pick up food. Defensive Driving Thank you to everyone who joined us for the defensive driving classes this year. The next class will be Saturday, Sept. 14, 2019, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., 177 Dreiser Loop, room 1, top floor, $35 per person. We look forward to meeting you! Nordic Lodge & Mohegan Sun Casino Trip The bus pickup times and locations are as follows: 7 a.m. at 920 Baychester Ave., 7:30 a.m. at Asch Loop, behind library, 7:45 a.m. in front of Section 5 community center. Kindly be on time and please remember your assigned seat number. Contact We look forward to hearing from you at coopcityblackforum@gmail.com. —D. Illis


22

Einstein

Dreiser

MENU

Room 49 unless otherwise noted

Room 7 unless otherwise noted

Alternate Kosher Meals are also available

Mon., July 15

Word Games 9:30 a.m. - 11 a.m. Library 9:30 a.m. - 1 p.m. Health & Wellness Support Group - 10 a.m. – 11 a.m. YOGA w/Peggy 11 a.m. - 12 p.m. JASA main office Arthritis Exercises 11 a.m. - noon Card Games 2-4 p.m. Dominos 2:30 p.m.

Library 9:30 a.m. - 1 p.m. Dominos 10 a.m., rm. 45 Line Dancing 10-11 a.m., rm. 45 Around The Lunch Table 11:30 a.m. Word Search 11 a.m. - 12 p.m. Bingo 1 p.m. - 3 p.m., rm. 35 Diabetes Support Group 2nd Monday, 1 p.m. Computer Class for Beg., 9:30 a.m., Int., 10:30 a.m. & Adv., 11:30 a.m.

Crochet & Knitting 10 a.m. - 12 p.m. Library, Exercise Bike, Chat Session 9:30 a.m. - 10:30 a.m. Stay Well Exercise will return Sept. 9 Basic Cell Phone & iPad training 11 a.m. Mind Teasers 12 p.m. - 1 p.m., rm. 4 Diabetes Support Group 1 p.m. – Last Monday of the month Bereavement Counseling 1 p.m., rm. 8 Gentle Yoga 1:15 p.m. - 2 p.m., rm. 2 Intermediate Yoga 2 p.m. - 3 p.m.

Word Games 9:30-11:30 a.m. Walking Club 10:30 a.m. Caregiver Support Group 1:30 p.m., 1st & 3rd Tues. Card Games 2 p.m. - 4 p.m. Meditation w/Damion JASA main office 11 a.m. - 12 p.m.

Fri., July 19

Thu., July 18

Wed., July 17

Bartow Room 31 unless otherwise noted

Tues., July 16

Co-op City Times / July 13, 2019

Blood Pressure Every 1st & 3rd Wed., 9 a.m. - 10 a.m. Games 9:30 a.m. - 11 a.m. Stay Well Exercise 10 a.m. – 11 a.m. Line Dancing 11 a.m. - 12 p.m. Card Games 2 p.m. - 4 p.m. Dominoes 2:30 p.m. NORC Computer Class Bartow main office 11:15 a.m. -12:15 p.m. Smartphone Class Beginner 12:30 p.m. – 1:30 p.m.; Intermediate 1:30 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.; Bartow main office Library 9 a.m. - 1 p.m. Word Games 9:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. Crochet & Knitting 10 a.m. - 11 a.m. Spanish Class 11 a.m. - 12 p.m., JASA Main Office Dancercise w/Damion 1 - 2 p.m., JASA Main Office Card Games 2 p.m. - 4 p.m.

Dominoes 10 a.m., rm. 45 Health & Wellness Support Group 10 a.m. – 11 a.m. Karaoke by Steven 1 p.m., rm. 45

Dominoes 10 a.m., rm. 45 Spelling Bee 10 a.m. Body in Motion w/Ola 10 a.m.–11 a.m. Spanish Practice Class 10:30 a.m., Computer Lab Zumba 11 a.m. - 12 p.m., rm. 4 Arts w/Becky 10 a.m. – 12 p.m.

Dominoes 10 a.m., rm. 45 Grandparent Connection Meeting & Exercise class 1st Thurs., rm. 40, 11 a.m. - 1 p.m. Arthritis Exercise 11 a.m., rm. 45 Spelling Bee 11 a.m. Word Search 11 a.m. - 12 p.m. Karaoke by Steven 1 p.m., rm. 45 Arts w/Becky 10 a.m.-12 p.m., rm. 49 Men’s Line Dancing 9 a.m. - 10 a.m. Dominoes 10 a.m., rm. 45 Word Games 9:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. Art 10 a.m., rm. 45 Bingo 1 p.m. – 2 p.m. Women’s Line Dancing 10 a.m. Pokeno 2-4 p.m., rm. 35 11:30 a.m. Blood Pressure 2nd & 4th Fri., 10 Chat Session 10 a.m. a.m. - 11:30 a.m., rm. 45 Piano Sing-along 11 a.m. - 12 p.m. Free Oil Painting Classes 10 a.m. – Card Games 2 p.m. - 4 p.m. 11:30 a.m., rm. 38

For information, please call: (718) 320-2066 (Schedule subject to change without notice) Payments for trips @ the Bartow office can be made Monday – Friday: 9 a.m. – 12 p.m., & 2 p.m. – 4 p.m. only Funded by: The NYC Department for the Aging, The NYS Office for the Aging and Riverbay Corporation. JASA WELCOMES EVERYONE AGE 60 AND OLDER! Payments for trips can be made at all three centers. Trip registration policy: There will be no refunds for all trips. All trips include roundtrip transportation! All trips must be paid in advance. JASA will not accept checks under $5. In order to participate in any JASA Senior Activities or go on any Senior trips you must be a member of JASA. You may pick up an application in the main office of at any of the three senior centers. (FREE) LiveOn NY SCRIE/SNAP (food stamps) Assistance – Fri., July 26; Aug 9 & 23, 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. JASA main office, 2049 Bartow Ave. No appointments! Walk-ins! First come! First served! Please make copies of your documents before coming to the office. JASA TimeBank – A free intergenerational volunteer service exchange program. Members bank their time providing and receiving services, such as doing errands, tutoring, English/Spanish lessons, alterations, assisting neighborhood organizations & much more. For additional information or to become a volunteer contact Helen Atkins 929-399-1388 St. Mary’s Pool – $3; Mon., July 15 & Fri., July 26. Pool aerobics for seniors, 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. Bartow - 8:30; Einstein - 8:45; Dreiser - 9 a.m. Empire Casino – Tues., July 16, $5. Bartow - 9; Einstein - 9:15; Dreiser - 9:30 a.m.

Library, Exercise Bike, Chat Session 9:30 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. Alert & Alive will return Sept. 10 Cultural Dance 10:30 – 11:30 a.m., Aud. B

Computer Class 11 a.m.–12 p.m. Mind Teasers 12 p.m. -1 p.m., rm. 4 Zumba 1 p.m. - 2 p.m., Aud. A Matinee 1 p.m.

Kosher

Non-Kosher

Apple Juice Sliced Deli Turkey Basic Pasta Salad Lettuce and Tomato Whole wheat dinner roll Fresh Fruit Alt: Tuna

BBQ Chicken Leg Quarters Baked Macaroni and Cheese Braised Collard Greens

Orange Juice Sesame Chicken Pasta Oriental Blend Whole wheat bread Fresh fruit Alt: Baked Breaded Fish

Baked Tilapia Rice Pilaf Broccoli and Red Peppers

Orange Juice Stuff Cabbage with Beef Instant Mashed Potatoes Steamed Carrots Whole wheat bread Fresh fruit Alt: Egg Salad Apple Juice Library, Exercise Bike, Chat Session, Moroccan Style 9:30 a.m. - 10:30 a.m. Sauce, Cous Cous Blood Pressure 10 a.m. - 11:30 a.m., Steamed Green 1st & 3rd, rm. 8 Beans Line Dancing, 10 a.m. - 11 a.m., Aud. A Whole Wheat bread Piano Sing Along 11 a.m. - 12 p.m. Fresh Fruit Drama Class will resume Thurs., Sept 12. Alt: Egg salad Crochet & Knitting 10 a.m. - 12 p.m. Orange Juice Library, Exercise Bike, Chat Session Honey-Apricot 9:30 a.m. - 10 a.m., 11 a.m. - 12 p.m. Glazed Chicken Meditative Moments will return Sept. 13 Broccoli Soufflé Purple Life Trail Fitness – 11 a.m. Greenway Challah bread Pokeno 3rd Fri., 1 p.m. - 2:30 p.m. Fresh fruit Bingo rm. 7, 1 p.m. - 3 p.m. Yoga w/Peggy 11 a.m. - 12 p.m., rm. 2 Alt: Gefilte Fish Library, Exercise Bike, Chat Session 9:30 a.m. - 10:30 a.m. Sewing 9:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. (New) Tai Chi 1:30 p.m. – 2:30 p.m., rm. 10, until Aug. 28 Art Class 1 p.m. - 3 p.m. Yoga 2 p.m. - 3 p.m., rm. 2

Stewed Pork Chops Green Bean Sautee Instant Mashed Potatoes

Spanish Style Baked Chicken Yellow Rice Carrots

Cod Fillet O’Fish Sandwich Roasted Sweet Potato Fries Baby Spinach Salad

Fee for lunch is $2.00 & $5.00 for guest

ALL meals served w/margarine and fresh milk *Menu subject to change without notice. Alternate Kosher Meals are also available Bartow Center (929) 399-1394 Dreiser Center (718) 320-1345 • Einstein Center (718) 671-5161

Upcoming Events/Trips

(FREE) Paint & Sip – Starting August 29, JASA main office, on the first & last Thurs. of the month from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Space is limited, only 12 participants. Join us for this painting class, have fun while you paint on canvas. No experience necessary. Refreshments will be served. Register at 718.320.2066. Central Ave – Christmas Tree Store, Trader Joe’s & Amazing Savings. Wed., July 17, $13. Bartow 8:30; Einstein - 8:45; Dreiser - 9 a.m. Wal-Mart – Wed., July 17, $15. Bartow - 8:30; Einstein - 8:45; Dreiser 9 a.m. Red Cross Emergency Preparedness Presentation – Wed., July 17, 10:30 a.m. at Dreiser Senior Center, 177 Dreiser Loop, room # 4. Palisades Center Mall in Nanuet – Thurs., July 18, $12. Bartow - 9:30; Einstein - 9:45; Dreiser - 10 a.m. Target, Throggsneck Mall – Mon., July 22, $3. Bartow - 9:30; Einstein - 9:45; Dreiser - 10 a.m. Jersey Gardens Outlet Mall (The Mills) – Wed., July 24, $15. Bartow - 8:30; Einstein - 8:45; Dreiser 9 a.m. Empire Casino – Tues., July 30. $5. Bartow - 9 a.m.; Einstein - 9:15 a.m.; Dreiser - 9:30 a.m. Bartow & Einstein Sr. Ctr. Advisory Council 2nd Annual Bake Sale – Sat., Aug. 3, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. across from the Dollar Tree store in the Bartow Mall. Free face painting for children, Prizes and

surprises. They will be accepting donations of cakes or cash to purchase cakes for this event. Donations must be dropped off by 3 p.m. Fri., Aug. 2, in the Bartow main office. Foxwoods – Sat., Sept. 14. 52 seats. $35 per person. Pick up: Bartow - 8 a.m.; Einstein - 8:15 a.m.; Dreiser - 8:30 a.m. Lunch will be served on the trip. Payment due no later than August 30. The Essex Steam Train and Riverboat – Thurs., Oct. 10. 49 seats. $100. Bartow - 7:45 a.m.; Einstein - 8 a.m.; Dreiser 8:15 a.m.


23

Co-op City Times / July 13, 2019

Newsong Church

Open Door Ministries

Power of the Blood of Jesus When life gets hard, Part 4 5 (Full sermon at Open Door Ministries YouTube) If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, Charles Spurgeon spoke these comforting words: of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself who gives generously to all without finding fault, and 6 it will be given to you. But when you ask, you must “I know what the devil will say to you. He will say to unblemished to God, cleanse our consciences from believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts you, ‘You are a sinner!’ Tell him you know you are, acts that lead to death, so that we may serve the living is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the but that for all that you are justified. He will tell you God! The blood of Christ cleans us from sin. 1 John wind. 7 That person should not expect to receive anyof the greatness of your sin. Tell him of the greatness thing from the Lord. 8 Such a person is doubleof Christ’s righteousness. He will tell you of all your 1:7: But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we minded and unstable in all they do. –James 1:5-8 mishaps and your backslidings, of your offences and have fellowship with one another, and the blood of (NIV) your wanderings. Tell him, and tell your own conscience, Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin. The blood of Christ allows us to get near to God. that you know all that, but that Jesus Christ came to James gives us a blueprint for what to do when save sinners, and that, although your sin be great, Christ Ephesians 2:13: But now in Christ Jesus you who we’re going through a trial in life. once were far away have been brought near through is quite able to put it all away.” Ask God for wisdom. The blood of Jesus provides forgiveness of our the blood of Christ. Trust that He’s going to give it to us. The blood of Jesus enables us to overcome the sins. Hebrews 9:22: The law requires that nearly everySeek the wisdom He gives. thing be cleansed with blood, and without the shedding devil and his works. Revelation 12:11: And they overThe question then becomes where do I find wiscame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word dom? Where do I begin to look for it? Remember, of blood there is no forgiveness. The blood of Christ rescues us. 1 Peter 1:18-19: of their testimony. there’s a difference between knowledge and wisdom. The blood of Jesus gives us life. John 6:53: Then For you know that it was not with perishable things Knowledge isn’t bad, but it’s not enough. Knowledge such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from Jesus said to them, most assuredly, I say to you, unless is knowing the truth, wisdom is knowing what to do the empty way of life handed down to you from your you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink His blood, with it! You can find wisdom from teachers, or even forefathers, but with the precious blood of Christ, a you have no life in you. from your life experiences. Here are three ways you Sunday services are at 11 a.m. in Bartow Community lamb without blemish or defect. can seek and find the wisdom you need, when you The blood of Jesus gives us boldness to approach Center, room 28 need it! Open Door Ministries’ Therapeutic Mentoring ProGod. Hebrews 10:19: Therefore, brethren, having The Bible boldness to enter the Holiest by the blood of Jesus…” gram offers free counseling. Contact Pastor Luis by If you want wisdom, open the word of God and The blood of Christ cleans our conscience. text 917-334-4407 or email opendoorministries.net. read it. You can even listen to it on your smartphone Newsong Life Hebrews 9:14: How much more, then, will the blood —Blessings in Christ, Pastor Luis now! Read it, meditate on it get into a Group and talk about it. The fool closes the Bible, the wise open it, read it and apply its truth to their life! Prayer Asking God for something is prayer! Pray Lord  help! I need wisdom! You’ve got a great Father in  Heaven, who loves you and wants to help you …  don’t be afraid to ask Him for it! The Holy Spirit     The Apostle Paul calls the Holy Spirit “The Spirit    of wisdom.” He is our teacher, He will never lead us     in the wrong direction! It was the Holy Spirit who gave Jesus wisdom when He needed it. (Luke 2:42)    Pray Holy Spirit please give me wisdom just like You    gave it to Jesus during His trial. Teach me to be like        Jesus through this storm!     We invite you to join us as we continue our teaching    series “The Book of James: A Blueprint for Making    Faith Work.” Join us this Sunday. Newsong Church is located     at 135 Einstein Loop in Room 45. Discounted parking     is available in parking garages 7 and 8.     While you’re enjoying our worship experience, your children will be enjoying Kidsong. At Kidsong,      children from nursery to sixth grade will learn about Jesus in fun, interactive ways!     We also have a youth ministry called Against the Flow. At ATF, teens from 12 to 18 years old enjoy     Christ-centered discussion groups, cafe nights and  other outings. ATF meets every Friday night at 7 p.m.  at 2049 Bartow Ave., room 28!     If you have any questions you can contact us: Church office: 718-708-8385     Website: newsongchurchnyc.org  Facebook: facebook.com/newsongchurchbx  Twitter: @newsongchurchBX     IG: @newsongchurchBX @againsttheflow.nyc Our Newsong Family is here for you! Join us this     Sunday and experience the difference!  —Pastor Mike Tolone

Scheduling Activities Calendar

Be a RESPONSIBLE dog owner.

Clean Up After Your Dog...

IT’S THE LAW!

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 

 

 

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

 

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

 







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24

Co-op City Times / July 13, 2019

Traditional Synagogue of Co-op City

General information The Traditional Synagogue is located in Section 5, 120 Erdman Place in the rear Lobby of 27B. It is on the ground floor of Building 27B and is handicap accessible, no steps. Phone: 718-379-6920. Office hours are Thursday and Sunday from noon to 2 p.m. Please call the office before you attempt to come over. If no one is in the Office, please leave a message. The Synagogue has services on Saturday morning starting at 9 a.m. After services, we always have a kiddush. The synagogue has a Facebook page: Traditional Synagogue. The synagogue needs donations. Whatever amount you can donate, big or small, would help the synagogue’s finances. The synagogue needs men, to help make a minyan. There are a lot of Jewish men who live in Co-op City who don’t come to services. Please come by 9:30 a.m. so we can take out the Torah. The Traditional Synagogue is the only synagogue in Co-op City. Sabbath ends on Saturday July 13, 2019, at 9:19 p.m. Candle lighting for Friday, July 19, 2019, 8:03 p.m. Good Welfare We sell tree certificates in honor or memory of a loved one. The cost is only $15 per tree. Mazel Tov, to all having Simchas. If you’re ill, wishing all good health. If you asked the rabbi to say prayers for a sick person you should make your donation to the synagogue. To all members Happy birthday to all members who will celebrate their birthday in July. For those members celebrating their birthday/anniversary in July, please send me your names and I will add them to the list. Fun and games After services and kiddush, some men and women play Rummikube. Your support of the Traditional Synagogue is greatly appreciated. Wishing all our members, and friends, peace, and good health. —Bruce Gitelson

Circle of Christ Church

147 Dreiser Loop, Bronx, N.Y. 10475, lower level. Come as you are… I was glad when they said to me, “Let us go to the house of the Lord.” –Psalm 122:1 If you are looking for a place of worship in the local area aimed at teaching the transforming word of God, Circle of Christ Church invites you to fellowship with us. We are a non-denominational, multicultural and loving church that accepts you just the way you are. Our senior pastor, Elisamuel Colón, and the body of Christ are committed to love people into a life changingliberating relationship with God. Our Sunday services are in Spanish and English. We have an anointed worship team and dance ministry that minister regularly. The English service has a Bible-centered nursery program and children’s church, where children are ministered to from the cradle to 12 years of age. Please see our schedule below and followed us on Facebook and our website circleofchristchurch.com. Circle of Christ Church responds to Isaiah 68:10 says: Feed the hungry, and help those in trouble. Then your light will shine out from the darkness, and the darkness around you will be as bright as noon. We have a food pantry that serves the community, and we offer family counseling based on need. If you are interested, please contact us at 347-945-1992 or on Facebook at Circle of Christ Church. English Services Tuesday Prayer 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. Wednesday 7 a.m. to 9 a.m. PM Prayer/Bible Study Thursday 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. Friday 7 a.m. to 8:30 p.m., Operation Grace Youth Service 7 p.m. Saturday 7 a.m. to 9 p.m., Young adults Sunday Service 11 a.m. Servicios en Español Salmos 122:1 Yo me alegré con los que me decían, “a la casa de Jehova iremos”. Nuestros servicios dominicales son en español e inglés. Tenemos un equipo de adoración ungido y un ministerio de danza que ministran regularmente. El servicio de inglés tiene una iglesia infantil centrada en la biblia y un programa de guardería donde se atiende a los niños desde la cuna hasta los 12 años de edad. Tenemos ministerios para todas las edades. Consulte nuestro programa a continuación y síganos en Facebook y en nuestro sitio web circleofchristchurch.com. Distribuimos alimentos y ofrecemos asesoramiento familiar según las necesidades. Si está interesado, contáctenos al 347-945-1992 o en Facebook Circle of Christ Church. Domingo:Culto de Adoración de 9 a.m. a 10:30 a.m. Jueves Oración y Estudio Bíblico de mediodía a 2 p.m. —Pastor Sam Colón


25

Co-op City Times / July 13, 2019

St. Joseph’s Episcopal Anglican Church

Open doors, open hearts and open minds

Evangelical UM Church of Co-op City

Come visit us The congregation of St. Joseph’s cordially invites You’re always welcome in God’s House, your you and your family to worship with us in Co-op City House. We are a Bible centered congregation with at 155 Dreiser Loop, lower level. All are welcome. spirit-filled worship, offering a variety of opportunities Weekly schedule for spiritual growth, fellowship and service to God Sunday service with Holy Communion and Sunday and our community. We are a multi-ethnic, multi-culschool are both at 9 a.m. Every fourth Sunday, our tural and bilingual congregation; all are welcome. Servchildren participate in the reading of the lessons and ices are held at 2350 Palmer Ave., across from Building every fifth Sunday, our young adults assist in the serv30. Parking is available. Our Pastor is Rev. Arnaldo Sánchez-Orta. ice. Telephone number: 718-320-3795 We look forward to welcoming you to church tomorrow, Sunday, July 14, at 9 a.m. when we will Email: coopcityevangelicalumc@gmail.com celebrate the fifth Sunday after Pentecost. Father Schedule for Sundays Simeon Johnson, our supply priest, will be the preacher Come and receive a blessing: English service: 9:30 and celebrant. a.m. to 11 a.m., Spanish Service: 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., Please join us on Wednesdays for an uplifting midBilingual service: First Sunday of each month 10 a.m. day service starting promptly at noon. to noon. Children Sunday School: 9:45 a.m., bring On Thursdays, Father Johnson will be available your children, they will have a great time while learning God’s word. Adult Sunday Bible study: English, 8:45 for telephone calls and visitations, interactive discusa.m., Spanish, 10 a.m. sions on various topics in the bible from 11 a.m. to noon, followed by a short noon-day service. Weekly schedule Choir rehearsal is on Thursdays at 7 p.m. We are English prayer/Bible study night and Spanish always looking for new members. prayer/Bible study afternoon: The Lord said: “For Group activities where two or three gather in my name, there am I with The Episcopal Church Women meet immediately them.” Matthew 18:20 (NIV) Monday evening Bible after service on the first Sunday of each month. All study: 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., Tuesday Spanish women in the church are invited to attend and parprayer/bible study: 12:30 p.m. to 2 p.m., Tuesday Engticipate in planning the activities of the church. The lish prayer service: 7 p.m. to 8 p.m., Young adults meeting after service on the second Bible study: Tuesday 8 p.m. to 9 p.m. Come, let’s pray men hold their Sunday of each month. together. “Lord my God, give attention to your servant’s Upcoming fundraising events prayer and his plea for mercy. Hear the cry and the Our next bus trip is planned for Saturday, Sept. 7, prayer that your servant is praying in your presence.” to the Pennsylvania Dutch Country. Trip includes: 2 Chronicles 6:19 (NIV) Penn. Dutch sampler luncheon at Good & Plenty, tour Friday night is Fun Night for the youth, ages 13 to of Amish farmlands, time at farmer’s market, and shopping at Tanger Outlets with discount booklets. The cost is $100 p.p. and a deposit of $25 will hold your seat. Please make your reservation early. The bus leaves from Dreiser Loop in front of the Rehab Center at 7:30 a.m. Stay tuned for other upcoming events. General information To those celebrating birthdays during the month of July, we wish you all a happy birthday and best wishes for many more. To the sick and shut-in, we have you in our prayers and wish you a speedy recovery. There is still time to submit your 2019 pledge cards and you are encouraged to complete and submit them as soon as possible. Outreach program Our church supports the feeding program at Grace Episcopal Church in West Farms. This program is in desperate need of food. At St. Joseph’s, we collect nonperishable food items on an ongoing basis. Please remember to donate. For additional information on all of the above, please call the church at 718320-0844, or visit our website: st.josephsepcbronx.org for more information relating to St. Joseph’s Episcopal Anglican Church, Co-op City, Bronx, New York. “All the paths of the Lord are love and faithfulness * to those who keep his covenant and his testimonies.” -Psalm 25:9. —Merville Chambers

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21, 7:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. This is a great time for the youth of our community to learn God’s word, enjoy each other’s company and make new friends. There will also be many activities. Exciting things are happening... Food pantry update Food pantry distribution center at our church is now open. We are registering and distributing on Thursdays, noon to 2 p.m. Those registering must present one of the following government issued, up-to-date IDs showing a 10475 zip code: Driver, Non-Driver, or NYC ID. Anyone 18+ of age can register. Only one participant per household may register. Health fair On Saturday, July 27, there will be a health fair on Boller Avenue from 11:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. There will be health/insurance information and children activities. Come out with your family and join us for an informative, fun-filled day! Vacation Bible school “Splash Canyon-God’s Promise on Life’s Wild Ride” Monday, July 29 to Friday, Aug. 2, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. for children ages 4 to 12. Come by the church to register your child/children and let your family/friends know of this great opportunity for children to fellowship together during a fun-filled week of activities! To register today, text: 347-675-2469 “Jesus called the children to him and said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.” Luke 18:16 (NIV) Blessings, —Marilyn Mendez-Gonzalez


26

Co-op City Times / July 13, 2019

Co-op City Pentecostal Tabernacle

100 Co-op City Blvd., Building 22A, Bronx, N.Y. 10475; 718-324-0334. We invite everyone to worship service on the following days: Sunday school for all age groups begins at 10:30 a.m. Worship service begins at 11:45 a.m. Prayer and fasting service will be held every Wednesday morning at 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Regular prayer meeting and Bible study will also be held at 7:30 p.m. Bible study will be held every Friday evening at 7:30 p.m. FOCUS The power of the incorruptible Word of God is able to lead souls to a new experience and the eternal life. Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which, according to his abundant mercy, hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you, Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last times. (1Peter 1:3-5) For as, much as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot; Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you. Who by him do believe in God, that raised him up from the dead, and gave him glory, that your faith and hope might might be in God. Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently. (1Peter 1:18-22) A new commandment I give unto you that ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have loved one to another. (John 13:34-35) In St. John chapter 13, Jesus speaks of love while experiencing betrayal, which would lead him to the cross, where he sufferers pain and insult from the ones he loved the most. Abandonment from his close disciples while his enemies closing in on him yet he was teaching them love and forgiveness. One great example is 1John 3:16 Hereby perceive we the love of God because he laid down His life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren. Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God. Therefore, the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not. Beloved, now we are the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; shall see him as he is. (1John 3:1-2) For further information call 718-324-0334. —Rev R. Sibblies

If your Co-op City Times was not delivered... Call 347-439-5632 on Saturday from 9 a.m. - 2 p.m.


27

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28

Co-op City Times / July 13, 2019


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