Co-op City Times 09/07/2024 by Co-op City Times

Installation of Natural Gas Detectors Set to Begin in Early Fall

BY DANIELLE CRUZ

On Wednesday, August 28, the Riverbay Board of Directors approved the purchase of 15,707 natural gas detectors for Co-op City. This fall, Riverbay will begin installing these detectors throughout the community in compliance with Local Law 157, which requires the mandatory installation of natural gas detecting devices in residential buildings on or before May 1, 2025.

Local Law 157 was passed back in 2016, in response to a number of deadly gas explosions in New York City in 2014 and 2015. The mandate required the Department of Buildings (DOB) to create specifc regulations based on national standards. Those national standards weren’t fnalized until 2023, when the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) published NFPA 715, which set forth requirements for the installation of gas detectors.

The DOB used those standards to fnalize Local Law 157, which offcially went into effect on February 15, 2024. Under Local Law 157, gas detectors are required in every apartment and must be placed within 12 inches of the ceiling, at least 5 feet away from a cooking appliance, and at least 3 feet but no more than 10 feet away from gas appliances.

According to Riverbay Compliance Director Sean Barravecchio, due to the relatively new standards there are only a few devices on the market that meet the specifcations required under Local Law 157 and NFPA 715.

The device being installed in Co-op City is the Denoa Detect 10-Year Battery Operated Natural Gas Detector with voice alert. The detectors will cost Riverbay roughly $898,126. It should also be pointed out that Local Law 157

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Local Law 126 Grading Explained

BY BRANDON ORTIZ

In response to a garage collapse near the fnancial district of Manhattan on April 18, 2023, the New York City Department of Buildings (DOB) amended Local Law 126 last year. Under the new amendment, the New York City Department of Buildings (DOB) offcials set a deadline of August 1 for all parking garage owners to have an initial one-time inspection by a Qualifed Parking Structure Inspector (QPSI).

Before the amendment, Local Law 126 required all NYC parking garage owners to hire a QPSI “at least once every six years and fle a report with the Department of Buildings documenting the results of the inspection,” according to the legislation.

Complying with DOB’s amendment to Local Law 126, Riverbay hired the services of O&S Associates to inspect each garage. For initial inspections, there are three grades that garages are categorized by: Safe, SREM (Safe with repairs and/or Engineering Monitoring) and Unsafe.

For a garage to be considered safe, the inspector cannot fnd any hazards and the overall condition of the structure must be in quality shape. A SREM grade means that the garage is generally safe but will need repairs or subsequent monitoring by an engineer. An unsafe grade means either the whole garage or only certain parts of the structure could potentially cause danger or harm to an individual.

In a situation where only parts of a garage are deemed unsafe, it is the garage owner’s re-

Moving Ahead

President’s Report

In my frst President’s Report, I started off by congratulating the newly elected members of the Riverbay Board of Directors to their Executive Board positions, and then went on to congratulate three Board members who had been re-elected to the Board.

I want to further recognize the two former Board directors who chose not to run for re-election to the Board – former President Sonia Feliciano, and former First Vice President, Claudia Sampson, for their previous multiple terms of service on the Board, on behalf of Co-op City residents.

While having different Riverbay Board political allegiances, Sonia Feliciano is a friend. We always managed to agree on many more things that were good for Co-op City and our shareholders than we disagreed. We always had an excellent working relationship in speaking with each other, and we did so often. We almost always agreed on most of the important issues involving our community, and simply agreed to disagree on some as well.

Since frst being elected to the Riverbay Board of Directors in 2016, Sonia Feliciano served as Board treasurer, accepted the position as chair of the Buildings and Grounds Committee, and then presided as president of the Board for the past 2-years.

More often than not, political views have a way of interfering with otherwise very good personal friendships. For the most part, that didn’t happen, however, when it did, I understood.

Claudia Sampson was elected on the same slate with Sonia back in 2016. Claudia’s frst Executive Board position was as the second V.P., then became president of the Riverbay Corp.’s Riverbay Fund, Inc. Claudia Sampson served on multiple committees including the Board’s Committees on Committees, and once chaired, then co-chaired the 2018 & 2024 (respectively) Riverbay Board Election Committees.

sponsibility “to immediately secure any unsafe area for public safety by removing the unsafe condition or safeguarding the area and restricting public access,” as was explained in Riverbay Executive General Manager Marvin L. Walton’s Management Report in the August 31, 2024 issue of the Co-op City Times

Following the initial inspection by O&S Associates, Garages 1 and 2 received a SREM grade while Garages 3-8 were deemed unsafe. Notably, the grade for Garages 3-8 was due to “unsafe conditions identifed that are limited to certain areas in all levels of the parking structures,” as was also described in Mr.Walton’s report.

Riverbay Director of Construction Rik Jakaj provided further context to the Co-op City Times this week.

“Shareholders should be assured the entire structure is safe. The reason garages 3-8 were classifed ‘unsafe’ as part of the initial Local Law 126 report is that there are some areas that have unsafe conditions, typically small areas where concrete has spalled. For that reason, the entire parking structure is then fled unsafe,” Mr. Jakaj said.

“The engineer of record who performed the inspections and NYC DOB would require an immediate evacuation of the structure if the entire structure was determined to be unsafe. This is not the case,” Mr. Jakaj went on to say.

Riverbay has been addressing the spalled concrete conditions in Garages 3-8 and expects the process to be completed by the middle of September.

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Apartment Safety Tips

BY DANIELLE CRUZ

Cleaning materials help keep your home clean, and appliances make your life easier, but it’s important to read the labels on these products to make sure you are using them correctly and reduce the chances of injury.

Riverbay Safety Director Anthony Barzelatto sat down with the Co-op City Times to discuss some general safety tips shareholders should keep in mind.

Cleaning Materials

When using cleaning chemicals, like bleach, it is important to make sure you read and follow the instructions on the bottle, especially if you need to dilute the solution. Wearing protective equipment, for example, gloves, while cleaning is also advisable.

Cleaning chemicals should never be mixed together. Mixing them can cause a reaction and release vapors that are dangerous to breathe in.

“The thing you don’t ever want to do is mix and match,” Mr.

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SCHOOL IS OPEN!

Please exercise extra caution when driving, especially around school zones, and watch for children crossing the street. Always STOP for a school bus with its red lights flashing and its STOP sign displayed.

Rod Saunders

As I previously stated, Claudia left the Riverbay Board as the First V.P. During Board meetings, Claudia’s comments were usually brief, but salient. Again, the two of us were on different Riverbay Board paths and disagreed with each other, however, we were, and will remain very respectful to each other.

I want to extend my sincere gratitude for both of their service on the Board, and wish them well in their future endeavors.

Important Forthcoming Issues

Back on Aug. 24th, a Board Director sent out an email asking me two quesas to whether or not there could be a change in the State’s rules & regulations that require Mitchell-Lama cooperatives to obtain a 33% percent participation of shareholders for quorum in their Board of Directors voting. The second question asked whether or not our legislators were willing to raise the eligibility for SCRIE & DRIE from $50,000 to a higher income amount.

I responded by letting the Director know that following the announcement from the Board’s 2024 Election Committee that a quorum had been reached in this year’s Board of Director’s election, I spoke to Assemblyman Michael Benedetto regarding the downward trend of voting in NYC, and, in particular, the apathy of shareholders in many Mitchell-Lama’s when voting for Board Directors. I asked Assemblyman Benedetto if he would consider discussing with State Senator Brian Kavanagh, chair of the committee overseeing Housing, about either lowering the percentage of required voting in the development’s participant threshold to obtain a quorum, or having NY State provide Mitchell-Lama’s with voting machines (including poll watchers) in our building lobbies that the NYC Board of Elections puts up in our community centers. Assemblyman Benedetto agreed that a discussion would be in order, understanding that Co-op City is not the only Mitchell-Lama facing quorum issues, however, we are the only ones having to consistently meet a 5-thousand-plus voter turnout threshold.

I reached out to NYC Councilman Kevin Riley as well as Assemblyman Benedetto and State Senator Jamaal Bailey back in May asking if they were amenable to raising the income limit for SCRIE & DRIE from the current $50,000 threshold. My reason for doing so was prompted by HCR’s intentions on raising Co-op City’s carrying charges 8.1%. As it turned out, the NY City Council passed Resolution 0232-2024, calling on the NY State Legislature to pass, and have the Governor sign, bills S-2960/A-5741 to provide for annual adjustments of the maximum income threshold eligibility for SCRIE, DRIE, SCHE, and DHE. Within their bills, the NY State Assembly and Senate were pushing to increase

the income limits somewhere in the $60,000-$61,000 range.

A New and Different Approach

Management will be meeting with the Board to discuss the upcoming FY2025/2026 & 2026/2027 Riverbay Corp. Budget. This year, the Budget process will be somewhat more transparent than at any time in Co-op City’s history. works going forward.

What Cooperators Have Been Asking For

During the early months of the 2021/2022 Riverbay Board term, I sent out a Memo to the then-chair, co-chair, and president of the Board, addressing my concerns and recommendations relating to shareholders’/cooperators’ concerns with the Call Center, Maintenance, and Restoration. That memo was ignored by the Board president at that time.

During my participation in the Candidates’ Forums for both the 2018 & 2022 related to the Call Center/Maintenance/Restoration, subletting, Community Policing, convectors, and returning the garage attendants to our eight garages. Management has already begun to address the Maintenance/Restoration issue.

concerns, by putting them at or near the very top of this Board’s “to do” list.

As I alluded to in my last President’s Report, there are many other items/issues that I would like to tackle this year.

addressed. I’m certain that every Board Director has a list of his or her own as well. This Board will meet, reach an agreement on proceeding and go forward in having Management, or possibly even our elected representatives, help us achieve as many of those goals as possible.

Two ongoing quality of life concerns are not management issues, but NYC’s own enforcement issues. The illegal placement of the e-scooters & e-bikes which constantly proliferate Co-op City’s private property and our ten-foot sidewalks (contrary to the DOT’s own Rules & Regulations), and the unsightly and illegal parking (time limitations) of tractor trailers and RV’s from Tillotson Ave. under the New England Thruway over to Hollers Ave.

I promise you that we will be working harder this year than we have in a very long time to effectively change many aspects in both our quality of life here insibilities of our cooperative community!

Thank you for taking the time to read my President’s Report.

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LWV Promotes Voter Participation in 12th Council District

League of Women Voters of New York City will be celebrating Constitution Day/Voter Registration Day at 12 of the city’s lowest voter turnout City Council districts throughout NYC. On Saturday, Sept. 14, and on Constitution Day – to be commemorated on Tuesday, Sept. 17 – LWV representatives will be in the 12th Council District at either Amalgamated Bank in the Bartow Mall or at the New York Public Library Baychester branch at 2024 Asch Loop from 11 a.m.-2 p.m., where they will be distributing copies of the US Constitution (in various languages) and registering people to vote in order to encourage voter participation in the November 8th General Election.

Oct. 26 SAFE Disposal Event

The New York City Department of Sanitation will hold a SAFE (Solvents, Automotive, Flammables and Electronics) Disposal event at the Orchard Beach parking lot on Saturday, Oct. 26, rain or shine, from 10 a.m.-4 p.m., for residential waste only.

Acceptable items include household products such as pesticides, strong cleaners, mercury-containing devices, paints, automotive ﬂuids and medications. Electronics which are no longer being collected with trash and other recyclables due to a New York state law will also be accepted at the location. Syringes should be clearly labeled and packaged in a “sharps” container or other leak-proof, puncture-resistant container.

Collected material are either recycled, blended or fuel or sent to licensed hazardous waste treatment facilities for safe disposal.

For more information or a full list of accepted items, please visit nyc.gov/SafeEvents.

CO - OP CITY TIMES 2ND FRONT PAGE

City Announces Plan to Make Quality Child Care More Affordable

BY BRANDON ORTIZ

New York City announced a plan to make quality child care more affordable on August 29.

The 10-point plan aims to address early child care seat shortages, while supporting existing programs and connecting more families with affordable child care. In total, the plan will utilize over $3 billion in funding earmarked by the city with an additional $100 million in funding that was included in the latest FY25 city budget. Of the total $3 billion, $2 billion is designated for early childhood care for NYC children younger than ﬁve; plus $1 billion for preschool special education.

1,500 new 3-K seats opened for the upcoming school year, meaning 100% of families who applied on time last spring will have a 3-K seat for their child. Every school district in NYC has free 3-K programming now, a ﬁrst for the city.

Overall, the 10-point plan was a collaborative effort between the Mayor’s Ofﬁce and the New York City Council, overseen by Deputy Mayor for Strategic Initiatives Ana J. Almanzar and City Council Speaker Adrienne Adams.

Below are the ten parts of the Mayor and City Council’s 10-point plan, according to the Mayor’s Ofﬁce:

1.Expand 3-K Availability: Meet the needs of every family who applied for a 3-K spot with a seat in a 3-K program. This part of the plan was achieved for the upcoming school year with $20 million in funding to add an additional 1500 3-K seats.

2.Improve Family Outreach Efforts: Raise awareness about NYC’s 3-K and Pre-K programming in order to reach as many eligible families as possible. The city set aside $5 million for outreach efforts, which kicked off in July of this year in neighborhoods with low enrollment in Pre-K and 3-K programs. Additionally, part of the out-

reach efforts will focus on assisting families with the application process.

3.Increase the Number of Preschool Special Education Seats: With $122 million in total funding, the city will continue working to expand the number of preschool special education seats to 700 during the 2024-2025 school year.

4.Extended Hours for Early Childhood Education Programs: In an effort to support working parents and parents pursuing further education, the city earmarked $15 million to launch a pilot program in low-income communities that extends the day for 3-K and Pre-K programming later into the evening. The pilot will help an estimated 1,700 families.

5.Expand Promise NYC Program: Promise NYC is a program that helps undocumented children and parents ﬁnd access and afford child care. $25 million in funding from FY25 will go towards expanding Promise NYC, opening roughly 1000 seats.

6. Funding for Office of Child Care and Early Childhood Education: Commit a sustained $485,000 in funding for the Mayor’s Office of Child Care and Early Education and expanded staff by hiring three additional employees. This particular office is in charge of overseeing the implementation of the 10-point plan in addition to other childhood education efforts across the city.

7.Provide More Support for Child Care and Child Educations Programs: In an effort to create impactful policies going forward, the Mayor’s Ofﬁce of Child Care and Early Education“will create formal mechanisms for cross-agency collaboration and accountability, and convene agencies to tackle emerging cross-agency issues and plan long-term strategies for the child care sector.” Part of the Ofﬁce of Child Care and Early Education’s process

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Natural Gas Detectors –––

is an unfunded mandate.

(Continued from page 1)

Riverbay Safety Director Anthony Barzelatto said that they chose this device after careful consideration of the requirements, cost, and layout of the apartments in Co-op City.

“The law allows you three different types of detectors,” Mr. Barzelatto said. “One that is hardwired, one that gets plugged in, and one that runs on a standalone battery. We chose the standalone battery because outlets are a premium in shareholders’ apartments.”

The detectors will be placed on the wall, fve feet away from the stove and near the ceiling.

“Gas is light, lighter than air, so it will rise to the ceiling,” Mr. Barzelatto said. “That’s why the detector has to be installed at the highest point. So, when the gas goes up, once it reaches that point, the detector senses it and sets off the alarm. It is very similar to a smoke alarm. It will activate and this one gives you a verbal command, whereas a smoke detector only gives you a chirping sound.”

If the device detects gas, it will give out a voice alert in both English and Spanish. The alert is programed to say, “Danger. Gas and explosion risk. Evacuate, then call 911.” According to Mr. Barzelatto and Mr. Barravecchio, the voice alert was one of the reasons they chose this detector, as they didn’t want the alarm to sound similar to the smoke or carbon monoxide alarm.

“I didn’t want any confusion because right now, once we install these, you’re going to have three separate devices in a shareholder’s apartment,” Mr. Barzelatto said. “You’re gonna have the regular smoke detector, you’re gonna have a carbon monoxide smoke detector, and now a gas one. I don’t want there to be mixed signals.”

Mr. Barzelatto also said that during the installation, shareholders will receive written and verbal instructions on what to do if the alarm ever goes off and stressed the importance of shareholders evacuating as quickly as possible if the alarm ever goes off.

“When they’re instructed and given the info sheet, they’re going to be told that when that device goes off, they need to stop what they’re doing and get out of the apartment. No matter what,” Mr. Barzelatto said. “Because it’s sensitive, very sensitive, enough that even the smallest, minute amount of natural gas, it will detect. That’s one of the reasons why we chose this device, because of the sensitivity of it.”

Along with the devices being placed in residential apartment units, 35 of the devices will also be placed in the laundry rooms.

“One detector will be placed in every laundry room as a precaution,” Mr. Barzelatto said. “The mandate is to have it where gas is and we have gas appliances in the laundry room. So, we’re going to put one in there just as a precaution.”

Con Edison has also placed their own gas detector near their meters in the building, but that alert goes directly to the company and is not connected to Riverbay.

Three hundred additional spare devices are also being purchased. This is to make sure Riverbay has spare devices on hand in case a device malfunctions after installation.

“If we encounter units that are defective, I think the goal or the idea there is to collect them and then return them under the warranty so they can be re-

placed,” Mr. Barravecchio said. “This way, we don’t have to wait for the turnaround time to have the manufacturer send us replacement units.”

As for the installation, according to Executive General Manager Marvin L. Walton, Riverbay will start the frst phase of the project this October.

“We appreciate the Board’s recognition of the importance of the forthcoming Local Law 157 gas detector installation program as a critical, mandatory safety initiative here at Co-op City,” said Executive General Manager Walton. “We anticipate the frst phase of the project beginning in October. Additional information will be provided as we approach the start of the project in the fall.”

Mr. Barzelatto also said that now that the detectors have been approved, the rollout of the devices will be similar to what was done for the smoke detector project, except this time Riverbay won’t have help from Red Cross and the installation will only be done by teams of Riverbay staff.

The Maintenance department will also be trained to do the installation, so that when they go out to do jobs, they will be able to install gas detectors in shareholders’ apartments right then and there. The installer will also take a look at the front door of the apartment to make sure that it closes properly.

Once the detectors arrive, notices and robocalls will be sent to shareholders alerting them as to when Riverbay staff will be in their building installing the gas detectors. Shareholders will be able to schedule installation times during the day, evening and over the weekend to make sure the teams can accommodate and service every shareholder.

In addition to scheduling appointments, the teams may also randomly knock on doors while in the building to see if shareholders are home and if it is convenient for them to enter the apartment to get the work done.

Due to the gas detectors being required by law, shareholders must allow the installation team entry into the apartment. Riverbay will make various attempts to gain access to the apartment for installation, after which a forced entry might be carried out. Should this be necessary, the shareholder may receive a Community Complaint.

“This is for the shareholders’ safety,” Mr. Barravecchio said. “This is a requirement, it’s not voluntary. It’s a very minor inconvenience for a detector that’s going to last them 10 years. What shareholders can do to help us out is to just allow us access. Let us be in and out. We’re talking no more than 15 minutes.”

Apartment Safety –––

(Continued from page 1)

Barzelatto said. “So, if you run out of bleach, or you have a little bit of bleach left, and you think let me mix some ammonia with it, that’s a recipe for a disaster. Several things can happen. Number one, you will be overcome by the fumes. And sometimes, when you mix and match chemicals, the fumes can create such a hazard that with just a few breaths, you can become unconscious.”

When cleaning, shareholders should also make sure that they have proper ventilation and open their windows to help get the fumes out of the house and fresh air in.

“If you clean your bathroom, don’t shut the bathroom door and then begin to clean because all build up,” Mr. Barzelatto said. “You need ventilation, especially if you’re a senior. You want to limit the amount of times you’re breathing these chemicals in.”

The storage of cleaning chemicals is just as critical. They should be kept in a cool, dry space to avoid any reactions the chemicals may have to high temperatures or humidity. Cleaning chemicals should also be kept out of the reach of children. Mr. Barzelatto also encourages shareholders to be aware of the expiration date for their cleaning chemicals.

“You need to follow that expiration date because if you don’t, what will happen is the chemicals will start to break down and then it will start to break down the bottle,” Mr. Barzelatto said.

Preventing Falls

When you’re inside your apartment, you want to be aware of any potential hazards that might cause you to trip, slip and fall.

One thing that can cause you to slip is a wet

any accidental slips. If you have to go through a yourself, “how am I going to do that safely?”

Other factors that cause falls, especially in apartments, are carpets and throw rugs. If you do have a rug, make sure you have a non-slip underlayment to keep the rug from sliding as you walk over it. Also, if your carpet corners are lifted, try taping them down to avoid tripping as you walk around your apartment.

In the bathroom, Mr. Barzelatto encouraged shareholders to put down a slip resistant mat in the bathtub to avoid slips and slides. Even outside the bathtub, a mat with a rubber backing can prevent slips.

hazard, especially at nighttime when you can’t see as well and are walking around in the dark. So, try

you to trip, slip and fall. If you get up in the middle of the night, you should also have adequate lighting so you’re not fumbling around in the dark.

Light Bulbs

When changing out the light bulbs in your home, it is important to make sure that you have the correct size bulb and check the wattage rating

also be off and if the bulb is hot, let it cool down before changing it.

Appliance Safety

When using appliances, be sure to operate them safely. Operating appliances unsafely can not onlycording to FEMA, in 2021, an estimated 24,200

erty loss.

Major appliances, like a refrigerator, should always be plugged directly into a wall outlet. Small appliances should also be unplugged when they are not being used.

“Before I go to bed, I’m going to go around the house and I’m going to unplug everything, except for the bigger appliances like the microwave and refrigerator,” Mr. Barzelatto said. “But, if I’ve got a toaster, if I’ve got a coffee maker, I’m going to unplug it. People don’t realize that when you have your appliances plugged in, even though the toaster is switched to ‘off,’ electricity is still running from the plug and going into that unit or appliance.”es and apartments today is overloaded outlets.

“We tend to want to overload things, and we try to put as much as we can into an outlet,” said Mr. Barzelatto. “Or we’ll get those surge protector bars and we’ll plug multiple things into the surge protector, and then we’ll take another surge protector and plug it into that surge protector. So now you’ve got like 16 items plugged into that outlet.”

There are also different types of extension cords. It’s important to check the wattage rating of the appliance you plan to plug into the extension cord. When buying an extension cord, Mr. Barzelatto recommends buying the heaviest gauge extension cord.

“If you plug in something, and it’s not the right extension cord, you have to realize that the amount of electricity coming from that outlet is heating up that cord,” Mr. Barzelatto cautions.

Shareholders are also encouraged to make sure all cords are tucked into the edge of the walls and held in place with tape, so it doesn’t become a trip hazard. Cracked or damaged cords should also be replaced.

The Co-op City Times welcomes issue-oriented letters to the editor to be considered for publication. All letters, in prose, not poetry, must be addressed to the editor, not to third parties. All letters must be 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. 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

– • Letters to the Editor • –

Co-op Is Not a Rental

To the Editor:

This letter is an alarm to wake up and say something.

Shareholders of record are violating their lease agreements by renting their units and disrespecting all the shareholders. Riverbay can evict those shareholders of record for subleasing. For those of you who are renting, this is not a rental, and your residency is not legally authorized. For those shareholders who do not see how subleasing is lowering our quality of life, think about this.

The subletter did not fill out a single form, was not interviewed, no verification of their residence/ employment, no credit check, no housing court check, no criminal check, no identification of the people who reside in those units. Additionally, they did not pay the lump sum required to move in like we all had to do. They do not fill out an annual income affidavit, they do not pay surcharges. This is not right and it’s unfair to all the shareholders.

Do you know your neighbors? Are you aware of folks moving in and out during the day and night? If you want to live in a decent, quiet, clean, safe environment, everything that happens here is your business – that requires your input.

Our community is not as clean, neighbors are not accommodating/compromising/considerate? What happened? Why have attitudes changed and folks do not care about this community?

The good news is we can change things dramatically. Report any suspected subletter to your CSO ofﬁce for investigation. We are the eyes and ears and if we continue to stay silent, this community will decline faster than you think. This problem requires all of us to help. If you want to see a change in this community, in the words of Michele Obama, “Do Something.”

––Ruth Sharma

Rite Aid Store in Bartow Mall

To the Editor:

People walking into the Rite Aid store at 2063 Bartow Avenue have observed an ever-decreasing lack of inventory. Rite Aid has encountered harsh economic times and have closed many stores due to this. I was under perhaps the mistaken understanding that the Rite Aid in the Bartow Mall will remain open and are awaiting inventory.

Not seeing inventory replenished, I reached out to their customer services at their executive ofﬁce as well as a couple of executives in charge of the supply chain inquiring about the status of the Rite Aid. I explained that we are the biggest NORC in the country with over 50 thousand residents and if they are expecting inventory, they should put up signage informing customers that the store will remain open and that they are awaiting inventory.

I haven’t received a response or seen signage in the store. I also stated that Co-op City residents not knowing what is happening to the pharmacy that many have prescriptions in is an undue stressor especially to the many seniors who reside here.

—Ed Rudyk

Fire Alarm Activation

The 2022 national estimates for non-residential building fires and losses show that there were 129,500 fires; 140 deaths; 1,300 injuries. So, what does this all mean? Whenever a fire alarm activates in the building you work in, visit, or occupy, you MUST evacuate immediately. Fire doubles in size every 30 seconds and fires do not make appointments. If the alarm activates, please do not ask if it is a fire drill or if you really need to leave. Whether it is a fire drill or an active alarm, you MUST evacuate to the nearest unaffected exit. NO EXCEPTIONS!

Remember what’s important: YOU! We all want to go home to our families safe and alive. Stay Safe.

––Riverbay Safety Department

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

Danielle Cruz Managing Editor

Brandi Simpson Junior Associate Editor

Ralph Henriquez Production Manager

Jennifer Piovanetti

Operations Manager

John Crow New Media Producer

Sheldon Green Multi-Media Advertising Manager

Brandon Ortiz Media Assistant

P.M. Campbell

Media Assistant

Send Us Your Letters: The Co-op City Times welcomes issue-oriented letters to the editor to be considered for publication. All letters, in prose, not poetry, must be addressed to the editor, not to third parties. All letters must be signed by the writer and include their address and phone number, which will be kept conﬁdential, so that the editor can verify the authenticity of the author.

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 submitted to the Co-op City Times by 3 p.m. Monday to be considered for publication in that week’s edition. Email cctimes@riverbaycorp.com or mail to 2049 Bartow Ave., Room 21, Bronx, NY 10475. 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, NY 10475.

NYC Sidewalk Parking Rules for Mopeds and Scooters: A Guide from CCPD

Public Safety Report

To keep our streets safe and accessible for all, it’s important to follow these sidewalk parking regulations for mopeds and scooters. Below is a breakdown of what’s prohibited, permitted, and required when parking these vehicles in New York City.

Prohibited Parking

Deﬁnition of an Unusable Bicycle: A bike is deemed unusable if it exhibits two or more of the following conditions:

• Crushed or signiﬁcantly damaged.

• Parking mopeds or scooters on sidewalks, except in rare, designated “moped parking” areas.

• Parking in bike lanes, pedestrian paths, or crosswalks.

• Parking within 15 feet of a ﬁre hydrant or 50 feet of a crosswalk.

Permitted Parking

• Authorized parking spaces, parking lots, or designated areas on the street.

• Parking where signed permits allow.

Requirements for Mopeds/Scooters:

• Must be registered with a valid NYC parking permit.

• Must be parked in a single parking space without obstructing pedestrian trafﬁc.

• Vehicles must not block building entrances, exits, or access ramps.

• At least one wheel must touch the curb.

• Mopeds/scooters should take up only one parking space.

Enforcement: The NYPD, CCPD, and NYC Department of Sanitation enforce these regulations. Summonses or towing may occur for illegal parking, with ﬁnes ranging from $65 to $185. These rules may change, so always check ofﬁcial websites for the latest updates.

Bikes Chained to Public Property: What You Need to Know

The Department of Sanitation (DSNY) is authorized to remove and recycle bicycles that are chained to public property if they appear destroyed or unrideable. You may request the removal of such a bike through DSNY.

DSNY Will Not Remove:

• Usable bikes.

• Memorial “ghost bikes” placed in honor of a deceased individual.

• Bikes that are not chained to anything.

• Bikes chained to private property (including private bike racks).

• Bikes chained to trees.

Public Safety Blotter

August 25 – August 31, 2024

August 25, 2024

675 Co-op City Blvd. – A cooperator reported that his airbag had been stolen by an unknown individual.

August 26, 2024

120 Elgar Pl. – CCPD ofﬁcers responded to noise disturbing neighbors. Community Complaints were issued for an unauthorized dog.

August 27, 2024

2063 Bartow Ave. – Store employee reported an unknown male placed several items in a red tote bag and ﬂed from the store.

900 Co-op City Blvd. – A cooperator reported that her delivered package was stolen from in front of her apartment door.

900 Co-op City Blvd. – A cooperator reported items missing from her delivery.

100 Erskine Pl. – CCPD issued Community Complaints for an unauthorized dog.

100 Aldrich St. – CCPD ofﬁcers responded with CSO on poor housekeeping complaints. Upon entry into the apartment, the cooperator was found deceased.

August 28, 2024

120 Einstein Loop – A cooperator reported a package stolen from in front of the apartment door.

120 Benchley Place – CCPD

ofﬁcers issued Community Complaints for noise disturbing neighbors.

100 Bellamy Loop – CCPD ofﬁcers responded to a verbal dispute. One individual was escorted from the residence. Report prepared.

August 29, 2024

120 Carver Loop – CCPD and FDNY responded for a possible ﬁre. Upon arrival, smoke was observed in the hallway. Further investigation produced burnt food to be the source. A Community Complaint was issued.

August 30, 2024

Cooper Townhouse – A CCPD ofﬁcer responded to investigate noise disturbing the neighbors which resulted in a Community Complaint being issued.

100 Co-op City Blvd. – CCPD ESU responded to a cooperator in distress. Entry was made into the apartment and the cooperator was found on the ﬂoor in the living room. EMS removed the cooperator to the hospital for further evaluation.

August 31, 2024

120 Elgar Place – A CCPD ofﬁcer responded to investigate an unauthorized move which resulted in a Community Complaint being issued for moving without a valid moving permit.

• Missing essential parts (e.g., handlebars, pedals, rear wheel, or chain).

• Damaged handlebars, pedals, spokes, frames, or rims.

• 50% or more of the bike shows signiﬁcant rust.

Reporting Bikes Chained to Trees: Bicycles chained to street trees or trees in parks may cause permanent damage. You can report these to the Department of Parks and Recreation.

Electric Scooters in NYC

• E-scooters are legal in NYC, and they must adhere to speciﬁc rules:

• Maximum operating speed: 15 mph.

• May be ridden in bike lanes and on streets with speed limits of 30 mph or below.

• Riding on sidewalks is prohibited.

• Helmets are recommended for all riders, and required for those aged 16 and 17.

Types of Electric Bikes and Mopeds: Where you can ride and how you ride in NYC depends on the type of electric vehicle you own. Be sure to check local guidelines to determine the rules speciﬁc to your e-bike or moped.

For more information, visit the City of New York or the NYC Department of Transportation’s website.

Responsible Use of eScooters

If you rent an eScooter, be sure to leave it in a location that does not interfere with pedestrians’ access to sidewalks and walkways. Be considerate and responsible. Return eScooters to a docking area or place it off of sidewalks and walkways to ensure pedestrian safety.

OPPORTUNITIES AT CO-OP CITY

For information on CONTRACT OPPORTUNITIES ONLY, please contact: Lenya Garcia at Lgarcia@riverbaycorp.com; and Anatoliy Budnitskiy at abudnitskiy@riverbaycorp.com.

Please note: emails should be sent to both parties.

Please DO NOT email resumes for EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES to the aforementioned emails. For EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES, please see below for instructions.

CONTRACT OPPORTUNITIES

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

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES

For employment opportunities, please visit the following sites:

www.Indeed.com https://indeedhi.re/ 3SgTKEr

www.Glassdoor.com https://bit.ly/3SgI9Go

www.ZipRecruiter.com https://bit.ly/3Se8bdw

Candidates may review full position descriptions and apply at any site Current Riverbay employees should submit a transfer request and resumé directly to the HR department.

Thank you for your interest in working for Riverbay Corporation.

Director’s Viewpoint Mary Pearson, Assistant Secretary

I Want, I Want, I Want

I’ve been pushing for some quality-of-life items to be put into – or put back into – the budget for way too long. I’m hoping this ﬁscal year’s the year we can prioritize installing a Bartow elevator, renovating Einstein’s bathroom, and tackling Section 5’s Waterside Walkway.

Waterside Walkway: What’s Section 5’s main asset? It’s its location, location, location. Even more so than Sections 2 and 4, Section 5 is right on the water. Let’s clear away the view-blocking invasive brush and plop down half a dozen benches along the path so people can actually enjoy the Hutchinson River view in a season other than winter.

A couple of hundred Section 5 passersby approved the Waterside Walkway project shortly before Resolution #21-24 was passed unanimously by the Board on May 26, 2021. The plan got as far as the procurement process before it hit an indeﬁnite delay. In its place, we got the Waterview Park, and that little gem has been a most welcome stall tactic, but c’mon already. We can wait for super fancy, but why not make the most of our water view in the meantime?

A few rubble-clearing days of preparation during a winter warm-spell is all that’s needed to start. Our in-house staff did it before and they can do it again, and they can do it on the cheap.

Then come the goats. Goats? Fenced-in, look-butdon’t-touch, ready to nibble away our view-blocking weeds throughout the summer... goats.

Renovated Restroom: There have been hints that the Einstein Center’s 2nd ﬂoor bathroom renovation might make its way back into the budget. Yay!

There it was, #29 in the Medium Priority list of the 2021 5-Year Capital Plan – Renovate restrooms: 2 Dreiser; 4 Einstein. It came right after #28 – Renovate Bartow public bathrooms. Dreiser and Bartow’s bathrooms look great. Einstein’s? Coming soon?

Bartow Elevator: Is this the year we ﬁnally get that Bartow Community Center elevator that residents have requested since Day 1? Again, the resolution passed and all systems were “go” but the chosen bidder went broke before work could begin,

Child Care

from page 3)

will include gathering input and feedback from community childcare and childhood education programs and work to make the overall child care process easier for families.

1.Implementing a “Child Care Advisory Group”: Overseen by the Mayor’s Ofﬁce of Child Care and Early Education, the Child Care Advisory Group will be “comprised of providers, parents, key early childhood stakeholders, and city agencies that work in partnership with the administration to ultimately deliver accessible, high-quality child care across the city.” The advisory group will also “ensure alignment with provider and family priorities and needs, provide input on the design of new strategies, and support planning and implementation of key policies.”

2.Coordinate Bi-Weekly Meetings Between Mayor’s Office and City Council: To improve efficiency and coordination across city agencies, the bi-weekly meetings will provide a chance for city officials to closely monitor the child care and childhood education efforts and respond to emerging trends more promptly.

3. Ensure Staffing and Resources for NYC Early Childhood Education Infrastructure: Both the Mayor’s Office and various city agencies will coordinate efforts “to ensure adequate and sufficient staffing structures that are integral to the sustainability and growth of the city’s early childhood system.” Additionally, the collaborative effort will dedicate staffing for “subsidy applications

so back to the bidding and the drawing board.

Those are the three already-included-and-approved projects I’ve been championing for years that I personally would like to see put into action. Maybe you would too?

Budgeting: Of course, we have to wait to see how far we can stretch our several buckets of bucks: the Operations bucket, the Capital bucket, and the Riverbay Fund funds bucket.

We, cooperators, ﬁll up 97% of the Operations bucket which pays for day-to-day expenses like buying stuff and paying in-house staff and bills (mortgage, taxes, water, insurance, everything that makes our utilities function, and the like).

The Capital bucket is earmarked for mostly urgent and/or mandatory needs of the construction variety. Every buck in that bucket came from the May 2022 mortgage reﬁnance (which cleared us $114.5M) and the recent grant from Albany ($50M).

The third bucket is the Riverbay Fund. The Riverbay Corporation’s ability to tap into the Riverbay Fund’s bucket is, unfortunately, in question. Pity. The goats will have to go begging elsewhere.

So let’s just look at the Capital and Operations buckets. If we hadn’t reﬁnanced the mortgage and gotten the grant, there would be no multi-millions in the Capital bucket. That would have left it up to the Operations bucket to cover it all – the day-to-day expenses and the capital projects’ costs. And you do know what happens when the Operations bucket starts running on empty, don’t you? The reﬁll comes from our pockets.

You remember the money-in-money-out formula? For every two million dollars we need, that we do not have, our carrying charges must go up by 1%. By that formula, if there were no reﬁnance and no grant, then – sooner or later – everyone’s carrying charges would need to increase by 82.25%.

Now doesn’t that put the 8.1% and the previous 7.5% increases into perspective!

Improvements: There have been many improvements throughout the 30 years I’ve lived in Co-op City. In 2007, all of our windows were

determinations, enrollment into vacant child care seats, background checks, health and safety, and training and technical assistance support for early childhood programs.”

During the announcement of the additional $100 million in funding, Mayor Adams talked about the impact that money will have on the city’s early childhood education infrastructure and how the 10-point plan will improve economic mobility for New Yorkers. “Access to affordable child care is one of the largest drivers of economic mobility, especially for women. That’s why our administration has delivered an expanded and more equitable early childhood education program, and, with this plan, we are presenting our vision for how to strengthen it even further into the future. Despite early childhood applications more than tripling from ﬁve years ago, there has been a 350 percent increase in families receiving offers. This year alone, 100 percent of families that applied on time have received an early childhood offer. But we know there is work to be done,” the Mayor said.

“That’s why we have invested $100 million in this historic plan with the City Council to ﬁx lingering systemic problems and usher in a new and improved program,” Mayor Adams went on to say. “Our plan focuses on better allocating resources to meet needs, conducting robust family outreach, supporting providers, and expanding access for students with disabilities, as well as undocumented families.”

replaced. Some combination of Management and Board decided to prioritize the project. Should they have? Would you have?

Some Co-op City projects are discretionary and some are mandatory. Some are literally life-saving and some merely address quality of life needs. But if you’ve been here long enough to remember the before-and-after window situation, I ask you: How much do you not miss the street noise and the rattling?

Local Law 11: Not abiding by Local Law 11, the ordinance that addresses façade repair, isn’t really up to any of us. LL11 is just one in a long and never-ending list of unfunded mandates we must deal with.

What we shouldn’t need to deal with, however, is bickering over the uninformed or misinformed cost of necessary improvements.

Repairing the facades of our high-rise buildings was never expected to cost a million bucks each. According to the November 2021 5-Year Capital Plan, it was never expected to come in at $35M. Rumors!

It was initially guesstimated at $62.5M, but once details regarding the actual condition of the buildings were discovered, the estimate was adjusted upward to $82.3M which ended up being $4.1M overthe ﬁnal $71M ﬁnished price tag.

Numbers, numbers, projects, projects: Did you see the past two weeks’ CCTimes editions? Management and department heads began working on the new 2-year Operational budget in July, and now, shareholders, it’s time for our input. There will be management and community leadership meetings throughout September, but any of us can offer our two-cents right now via the Co-op City website at coopcity.com. Scroll to the bottom and click on Send Comments & Suggestions to tell ’em what you want.

Like maybe a lift, a spiffy john, and some visiting goats, perhaps?

P.S. Don’t miss: The Section 5 Community Fair today, Saturday, September 7, noon to 7 p.m., on the Section 5 Greenway.

Have a good week, everybody. MPearson@ RiverbayBoard.com/718-219-2211.

A booster that targets the COVID-19 variants? Bullseye.

All New Yorkers 5 years and older should get a new bivalent COVID-19 booster today.

Statepoint Crossword – Theme: Fall’s In The Air

ACROSS

1. Furry bamboo consumer

6. Cuban dance syllable

9. 100-meter race, e.g.

13. S-shaped moldings

14. Excessively theatrical actor

15. Chap

16. Will alternative

17. Sailor’s affirmative

18. At full speed

19. *Cause for fall celebration

21. *Apple-related game

23. European Union, acr.

24. Hawaiian tuber

25. Pen on a farm

28. Color of a bruise

30. *Pumpkins and squash, e.g.

35. “Give me your tired, your ____....”

37. “____ Free,” movie about lions

39. Disdain

40. Caribbean color

41. Shiny suit

43. Spaghetti aglio and ____

44. Peevish

46. Half a round, in golf

47. ____-do-well

48. Battles royale

50. Change for a twenty

52. Banned insecticide, acr.

53. *Back-to-School event

55. Hermey the Dentist

57. *Apple sauce

61. *____ weather

65. Cell phone bill item

66. Bar association

68. Wombs

69. Begin, began, ____

70. Cut grass

71. Romanov rulers

72. Command with “at”

73. Stiff grass bristle

74. “Hobby” animal

DOWN

1. Beckham of “Spice Girls”

2. Turkish honorific

3. Not far

4. Look into

5. In the Land of Nod

6. Online conversation

7. *Cushion for certain seasonal ride

8. Naked protozoa

9. Obtuse, as in person

10. ____ bowl, frozen dish

11. Largest human organ

12. Precedes Kong

15. Hindi courtesy title, pl.

20. Modern-day aqua-lung, acr.

22. Domain

24. Wood-eating house hazard

25. Involuntary contraction

26. Chef’s headgear

27. Phil Collins’ “____ Be in My Heart”

29. *Maze plant

31. Upward and onto

32. Wide-____ notebook

33. *Like leaves in fall

34. Stall call

36. *Much-used fall garden tool

38. Not any

42. Extend subscription

45. Unquestioning ones

49. Fraternity house

51. Miss Marple, e.g.

54. “Is Your Mama a ____?”

56. Dom DeLuise in 1980 role

57. Rubik’s puzzle

58. Away from port

59. The state before riches?

60. Malaria symptom

61. Saw, sawed, ____

62. Drop of sorrow

63. Makes a mistake

64. Precedes shine

67. Gift topper

Director’s Viewpoint Daryl Johnson

Let’s Work Together to Improve Our Community

There are a lot of issues that our board must work on to improve our community. So, let’s review some of these issues.

Make It Happen

One of worst problems that we have here is our bloated budget. Currently, can you believe that a budget was created that indicated that we’re going to make about $275 million. Big money, right? Well, not necessarily. Our budget is ﬁlled with a tremendous amount of expenses that negatively impact this huge amount of revenue.

For instance, this budget shows that Riverbay has 25 departments. And, unfortunately, this budget shows that Riverbay can spend about $148 million just to operate them. So, in my opinion, we must strategically consolidate these departments and reduce the amount of money that they can spend.

Additionally, we will spend about $24 million on several insurance policies. Regardless, you can be sure that insurance rates in NYS will continue to rise at astronomical levels. Therefore, do you think that these high insurance rates will negatively impact the affordability concept of Mitchell-Lama housing developments? Absolutely!

However, NYS can solve these problems by reviewing the history of the NYS Insurance Fund. This fund was created in 1914 to “guarantee the availability of workers’ compensation and disability insurance with the lowest possible cost to NY employers while maintaining a solvent fund.” Solvent? Can you believe that this fund returned over $585 million in dividends and return-of-premium programs last year to employers?

So, do you think that we need to have a discussion with our politicians about creating an insurance program just for Mitchell-Lama affordable housing programs? Absolutely!

Furthermore, NYS and NYC officials are issuing outrageous fines to housing developments for not employing clean energy sources in their buildings. However, insufficient finances are a tremendous issue with housing developments that want to convert their buildings. So, our politicians need to step up big time

and help Mitchell-Lama developments with grants to bring in solar energy and other energy programs.

Also, Riverbay is going to pay $48 million for utilities and water during this year. How is this possible within a Mitchell-Lama housing development? So, can you see why we need to have a discussion with our politicians and educate them about these issues? Thereafter, they need to understand exactly what’s going on here.

A lot of folks have complained that they are not eligible to receive the protections from the Disability Rent Increase Exemption (DRIE) program, and the Senior Citizen Rent Increase Exemption (SCRIE) program. And, now, several politicians have created lengthy resolutions to overhaul these programs. Then, if approved, can you believe that it might be possible that their carrying charges will never increase as long as they’re eligible and enrolled in these programs? Yes, it’s true! So, please don’t give up.

Bottom line: Our expenses will always increase. However, our goal must be to strategically reduce our departmental budgets so that we can possibly limit or avoid issuing these horrible increases. Plus, we must always focus on increasing our revenue for our community.

Gas Alarm Vote

According to a new city law, we will have to install a gas alarm in all of our apartments by May 1, 2025. So, this matter was discussed during our board meeting on Wednesday, August 28, 2024. And, management introduced a resolution that called for the purchase of 16,042 gas alarms, DeNova Detect DD620NV, from Loews for $898,126.26 plus tax.

Now, I want you to consider the below-cited facts and think how you would have voted on this matter. To start, Lowes was not offering a warranty on these gas alarms. But, the manufacturer was offering a 10year warranty.

Good, right? Well, not so fast because I want you to slowly read the major portion of this warranty: “This warranty is void if the product has been damaged by accident, unreasonable use, neglect, tampering, improper maintenance or handling, storage, installation, testing, or use not in accordance with the

REMINDER – Carrying Charge Boxes

Shareholders are reminded that the carrying charge deposit boxes located in the community centers open on the morning of the ﬁrst business day of the month and close at midnight on the 10th of the month, which is the last day to pay your carrying charges before a late fee is accessed. If the 10th of the month falls on a weekend or holiday, the carrying charge boxes remain open through the next business day.

Riverbay Management

user guide, or other causes not arising from defects in materials or workmanship.”

Now, can you see that the manufacturer can easily void the warranty for all of our 16,042 gas alarms for a variety of reasons? Of course! But, hey, can Lowes legally intervene in this matter and enforce this 10year warranty? No! So, is there a possibility that we can lose over $900,000 if there are problems with these gas alarms? Absolutely!

Therefore, how would you have voted on this matter? Well, look, I told everyone that we should have tried to make a deal with the manufacturer to accept all of our returns. No deal? Let’s break up this order among different companies so that we can minimize our risk and ensure that we get the warranty that we want. Regardless, the majority of the board voted overwhelmingly to approve this resolution.

Bottom line: Would you have conducted business in this manner if you were part of a management team?

Close

During this aforementioned board meeting, several cooperators stated that they want to hold our board directors accountable for their actions. Good!!!

Contact Information

Please send a letter to: Board Director Daryl Johnson, Riverbay Corporation, 2049 Bartow Avenue, Bronx, NY 10475. Currently, here is my ONLY email account: djohnson@riverbayboard.com.

I will never ask for or accept money from anyone. Therefore, please do not respond to any message with my name on it that requests money, money transfers, gift cards, personal information, or anything from you. And, please do not ever send money or anything to anyone because you saw my name on a false message.

Also, please call me ONLY at 718-671-4544 if you would like to have a brief discussion with me. And, please hang up your phone immediately if someone calls you and says that they’re Daryl Johnson or is associated with me and asks you for money or anything else.

Okay, that’s it for now. So, please have a wonderful week. And, may God bless you and your family. Thank you.

Understand the Signs of Investment Scams

If you were offered the chance to triple an investment in two months, would you take it? It might be hard to say no, but it might really be too good to be true. Since 2020, the BBB has received more than 4,000 reports from consumers about investment scams, many of which involved cryptocurrency or a new take on romance fraud.

How This Scam Works Reports to BBB show that investment scams often take the form of long-term conﬁdence scams, where fraudsters pursue romantic and platonic relationships to gain the trust of their targets. That has caused losses to rise, with the median report increasing from $1,000 in 2021 to almost $6,000 this year.

An increasingly common tactic is revealed by an experience of a man from California who told BBB he was traveling through France when he matched on a dating app with a woman calling herself “Mei.” The two talked for months and even made video calls as they got to know one another. Eventually, she brought up cryptocurrency investing as a hobby

of hers and convinced him to join her.

The two continued to chat on the phone for months, and he invested nearly $1,000. One day, when the man went to check the application he used for investing, it appeared to be down. When he contacted Mei, she rebuffed him and disappeared.

In another example, one woman in Connecticut reported to BBB about a cryptocurrency scam she encountered on Social Media. Unbeknownst to her, a friend’s Social Media account was hacked.

The scammer, posing as the friend, said they ran an automated training bot – a program used to trade cryptocurrency automatically according to a user’s guidelines – with guaranteed returns. The account appeared to grow and grow, and eventually she wanted to withdraw some of it. The scammer, still posing as the friend, said they wanted a 20% commission, which the woman paid. Afterward, they disappeared, and she lost $84,000 in the process.

How To Avoid Investment Scams

Know the common warning signs and red ﬂags of cryptocurrency investment scams:

• Deals involving little-known cryptocurrencies

Building 22A & 22B Association

Welcome back from your summer vacations. Hope everyone had a very happy and healthy holiday. This fall, our association wants and needs volunteers to help with collections, decorations and ideas. We want our cooperators to have pride in where they live, that means we have to work together as a unit. All are welcome.

Pride in our building is important, please report anything that is not correct.

Compactor Room: Please continue to recycle.

Be a good neighbor, keep this room clean. Laundry Room Etiquette: Watch your timing on your machines, others are waiting.

This is everyone’s home, so be considerate of others.

Happy birthday to all this month. Prayers to all who lost loved ones. Please check on the sick and shut-ins. If you see something, say something. Thank you.

—Betty Leak

Building 6 Association

• Requests to share your cryptocurrency wallet with someone you don’t trust completely

• Strategies offering guaranteed returns

• An investment that takes little effort or time to pull off

• Someone offers their secret strategy or says not to research their claims

• Too-good-to-be-true claims

• A stranger suddenly wants to befriend you.

To help consumers and businesses understand investment scams, the BBB’s International Investigations Initiative (III) combed through thousands of reports toBBB Scam Tracker, talked with experts, and investigated the newest trends to compile the III’s newest study.

The study combines consumer stories and examines how scammers convince their targets to hand over thousands of dollars. It also shows how a rise in organized crime based in southeast Asia has helped perpetuate this global scam.

For More Information: If you experience an investment scam, report it to BBB Scam Tracker to warn others, bbb.org/ScamTracker.

The Broun Place Townhouse Association sadly announces that former longtime cooperator, Mrs. Carol Valentine has joined her husband, Peter, and daughter, Renee in death.

Happy Saturday, neighbors. I hope when you read this, it ﬁnds you in good standing. Happy Rosh Hashanah to all of the neighbors of the Hebrew faith. Renew your actions. Don’t read it as “ram’s horn,” shofar also means beautiﬁcation. Beautify your actions. That is, renew your actions like God does every day. As the Talmud says in Chagigah 12b, “God renews the creation of the world daily.” The children are back to school and cooler days are approaching. Time for apple orchards, beautiful foliage and pumpkin patches.

Neighbors, ﬂu season is here. I implore everyone to go get their updated vaccines so everyone can head into a healthy and happy holiday season. Our ﬁrst building association meeting will be Wednesday, October 3, in the Dreiser Center. Stay

tuned for more information in the weekly write ups and bulletin boards.

If you see something, say something. Call CCPD or 911.

If you’re feeling sad or depressed, you can call or text the Suicide hotline at 988.

As always, I pray for safety over all. God speed.

“I am human because you are human. My humanity is caught up in yours. And if you are dehumanized, I am dehumanized.”

—Bishop Tutu

—Lauren K. Lassiter

Carol began her life on July 19, 1941, and joined her husband and daughter on August 22, 2024.

The Valentine family began residing in Coop City in Building 3 and transferred to Broun Place in the 1990’s. Mr. Valentine was a funeral director, and Carol was a legal secretary for over 35 years. They had two daughters, Renee and Ellen. Ellen has a daughter, Emily. Renee predeceased her mother and passed due to illness in November 2021. Renee had one daughter, Kaitlin, who has a son, Jayden, great-grandson to Carol.

Broun Place Townhouse Association thanks Ms. Thea Colombo, cooperator and Kaitlin’s godmother, for sharing this information.

Carol was known for being very kind, loving and always generous. She will be very missed by her many friends and family.

––Eva Lazaar

Condolences ~ Mrs. Carol Valentine

Carol Valentine

Director

’s Viewpoint Michelle Marbury

Our Diversity is Our Power, Our Unity is Our Strength

Our Diversity is Our Power, Our Unity is Our Strength In today’s interconnected world, the phrases, “Our diversity is our power” and “Our unity is our strength,” resonate more than ever. These concepts are not just slogans; they are fundamental principles that can drive societal progress and cohesion. Understanding our structure and the importance of voting and involvement are crucial to harnessing these strengths.

The Power of Diversity

Diversity encompasses a wide range of human differences, including race, ethnicity, gender, age, religion, ability, and sexual orientation. This rich tapestry of experiences and perspectives fuels innovation and creativity. When diverse groups come together, they bring multiple viewpoints to the table, leading to more effective problem-solving and groundbreaking solutions. Research shows that organizations with diverse teams are more adaptable and better equipped to navigate global challenges.

Moreover, diversity fosters empathy and cultural understanding. Exposure to different customs and traditions helps break down barriers and build a more inclusive society. This inclusivity is essential for social cohesion, as it creates an environment where everyone feels valued and free to contribute positively.

The Strength of Unity

While diversity is our power, unity is our strength. Unity generates collective strength, support, and a shared will to confront challenges and achieve common goals. By embracing diversity and fostering a sense of belonging, our community can unleash its full potential. Unity does not mean uniformity; it means working together towards a

common purpose while respecting and valuing our differences.

Knowing Our Structure

Understanding the structure of our society and institutions and, in this case, our own community, is vital for effective participation. This includes knowing how our government operates, the roles of different branches, and how policies are made and implemented; and the same knowing of our own corporation (i.e., Riverbay, and its policies and how decisions are made). After all, Riverbay Corporation, remember, is you and me, all of us shareholders as a collective. An informed citizenry is better equipped to advocate for change and hold leaders accountable. Knowledge of our structure empowers individuals to navigate the system effectively and make their voices heard. Sounds kinda’ like our country, huh?

The Importance of Voting and Involvement

Voting is one of the most powerful tools we have to inﬂuence change. It is a fundamental right and responsibility in a democracy. By voting, we choose leaders who represent our values and interests. However, voting is just one aspect of civic engagement. Active involvement in community organizations, attending town hall meetings, and participating in public discussions are equally important. These actions help build a vibrant, engaged community that can address local issues and contribute to broader societal progress. Sounds like what Co-op City could be, huh?

Your power, Our power; Your Opportunities, Our Opportunities Look at this astounding property and ask yourself these questions… What if, more people showed up at the Building Association gatherings? That’s

Broun Place Townhouse Association

Good day, neighbors. We hope your Labor Day holiday was happily productive. Our association hopes everyone received their issue of the Co-op City Times. If not, call the following number to report non-delivery, 407-666-8317, Saturdays only, from 9 a.m.-1 p.m.

Just to clarify and remind us, Labor Day is observed on the ﬁrst Monday in September. Labor Day is an annual celebration of the social and economic achievements of American workers. It has also become a huge shopping weekend. Schools are reopening this week. Channel 12 stopped by to report on our recent Section 5 event to close out this summer’s performances and special events. It was great to see and hear the music, entertainment, dancing, visitors and cooperators enjoying it.

Read the Co-op City Times and keep a calendar of community activities. This is very helpful. Some community organizations also supply a calendar of events. Hope to see you at some activities.

Board meetings should be broadcast over Zoom. This is so important to homebound and partially disabled people.

We look forward to the new Board of Directors and Executive Board members; we hope they will be attending the meetings regularly. Kudos to Sonia Feliciano and good luck to new President Rod Saunders, longtime community activist, in his term as president.

Broun Place thanks cooperator Thea Columbo for reporting suspicious signs indicating an emergency was imminent in our ConEd vent and gas line system. Thank you to the repair team, led by Supervisor Theodore Jefferson, for identifying the problem and repairing it. They worked till after dark.

Once again, walk the path to Adler Place and Asch Loop. It has been enhanced and the pathway beautifully paved. Also don’t forget to patronize Dreiser stores. There are several new stores and a few old stores that look forward to your patronage. Just take the time to look at the gifts of Co-op City.

Please don’t dump house garbage in the pedestrian cans on the brickwork. If you get caught, it results in a ﬁne/community complaint.

Please remember to recycle your gently worn things into the bins by the garages, in our case, Garage 6. Regarding dogs, barking and aggressive behavior isn’t permitted. Please keep your dogs controlled and quiet. Plus, leashing is required. Dog owners must clean up behind their dogs. To report a problem, CCPD’s phone number is 718-671-3050.

A few wise lines bear repeating, “Luxury is not in expensive watches and bracelets. Luxury is in laughter and friends, rain on your face; luxury is in big kisses, luxury is being respected,” by Clint Eastwood. Also, “May you be so fortunate to be surrounded by people who will help you get untangled from the things that are binding you,” a story about whales. Oscar Wilde wrote this one, “There is only one thing in the world worse than being talked about and that is not being talked about.”

Sadly, we announce the death of Mrs. Carol Valentine, a former cooperator from Building 3 and the Broun Place townhouse cluster.

—Eva Kindaichi-Lazaar

called community involvement… What if, we all were informed, because we encouraged our new neighbors and existing Shareholders to simply read the Co-op City Times once a week? That’s called interest… What if you took the little time it takes to pick up the Co-op City Times, and placed them by your neighbor’s doors? That’s called encouragement… What if you picked up your phone and dialed your CSO Ofﬁce or Co-op Security when you see or hear ANYTHING that you know is not quite right? That’s called caring… What if you did just a little something more than what you are currently doing for “your” community? Now multiply that by every shareholder… That’s called power. What if you showed up, so that this community can show off, just – how – special – it really is? That would be our strength, if only we will unify.

Conclusion

“Our diversity is our power, and our unity is our strength.” These principles remind us that by embracing our differences and working together, we can create a more inclusive, innovative, and resilient community and society. Understanding our structure and actively participating in the democratic process (i.e., in the country and in Co-op City) are essential steps in harnessing these strengths. Together, we can build a future marked by cooperation, empathy, and shared prosperity.

I’ve given you my view – What are your thoughts on these ideas?

Do you feel inspired to get more involved in your community? Thank you for reading my viewpoint; I can be reached at mmarbury@riverbayboard.com.

“Our Diversity is Our Power, Our Unity is Our Strength” – a quote by Kamala Harris

School Supply Giveaway

Be sure to subscribe to the offcial Co-op City YouTube channel, https://bit.ly/3h6CrF7

Riverbay’s Ofcial YouTube Channel is Full of Useful Videos for Shareholders!

Stay informed! Tune in Today!

Te following videos are available now:

• Riverbay Convector Water Sensors

• Convector Cleaning (English & Spanish)

• How To Clean Windows in Co-op City

• Introducing the CSCPay Mobile App

• Proper Use of Automated Lobby Doors

• Riverbay Fire Safety Outside Apartment

• Riverbay Noise Complaints

• Co-op City Call Centers

• Riverbay Power Plant Operations

CIOR’s Viva la Sound Environmental Festival

When: Saturday, September 21, from 10am to 3pm Where: Ambrosini Field, 200 City Island Avenue

City Island Oyster Reef invites families and friends of the environment to join us at P.S. 175/Ambrosini Field for a free, fun-filled day of educational activities!

• Free food from local restaraunts

• Live music

• Mural painting

• Meet our partner organizations

• Children’s book reading

• Hands-on touch tanks

• Face painting station

• Scuba diving demonstration

• Fun & games, and more!

To learn more visit our eventbrite or email us at cioysterreef.eventbrite.com info@cioysterreef.org

The African-American Association of Co-op City, in cooperation with The Section 4 Partnership of Co-op City, presented a Back-to-School event last week, distributing school supplies to Co-op City students.

Photos by Michelle Marbury

Bronx Summer Concert Series

Series Grand Finale

BY P.M. CAMPBELL

Bronx Borough President Vanessa Gibson hosted the grand finale of her Summer Concert Series in Co-op City on Sunday, Sept. 12.

This year, the celebration was a collaboration among the BP’s office, Bronx Night Market, and Riverbay Corporation and it was held on the Section 5 Greenway from 2-8 p.m. During the event, Co-op City shareholders and people from all over New York enjoyed a diverse set of performances and vendors.

It’s HAPPENING in Co-op City!

“It is our responsibility to work with you to make the Bronx the best; the best place to live and work and raise our families,” said Borough President Gibson. “And here in Co-op City, hard working residents, owners who make a difference that are investing… I want to say thank you.”

The borough president thanked the event’s more than 30 sponsors, including the National Jazz Museum in Harlem, BronxNet, and ConEdison. Vendors sold meals unique to the Bronx, as well as Asian, Spanish and Caribbean food. Some even sold jewelry, soaps and oils. DJ Ralphie Mercado introduced the Gentlemen’s Group band and performers such as the Dowe Twins, Bianca Espinal, Michael Stuart and Husain “Mello Deas” Williams.

“It’s great to be out for the last time in your summer clothes before the fall season starts, before school gets back in, and everybody starts going to work,” said Williams, whose music combines R&B, soul, and gospel.

Photos by P.M. Campbell

Building 13 Association

Back to School Giveaway:

Don’t Miss Rock The Vote:

do something, do something, too.

Coming Soon

• Today! Co-op City Section 5 Community Fair

• Today! Summer Sounds, Councilman Riley Block Party –

• Amish Bus Trip –

• Section 2 and Community Relations Murder Mystery Party –-

Visit our Facebook Page at: “Building 13 Association Inc.–Co-op City” -

Bronx County Chorus

BY EVA KINDAICHI-LAZAAR

Rock The Vote do something

Now Is the Time! –-

September 15th African American Day Parade

The NAACP Branch Elections

Our General Membership Meeting

Save the Date! NAACP New York State Conference Facebook

NAACP

—Brenda Brown

—Leslie Peterson Puzzle Answer Key ––– (Continued from page 9)

Black Forum

Emergency Food Pantry: 920 Baychester Ave., Bldg. 1A (opposite basketball court). The pantry is open on Thursday and Friday from 11 a.m.-12:45 p.m. for grocery distribution. Guests are eligible to pick up food once a month. All guests must present a pantry card, at least four-six clean shopping bags with handles, and a shopping cart to receive food. Section 5 guests should visit the Co-op City United Methodist Church at 2350 Palmer Avenue to pick up groceries. This distribution site is open Thursdays from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. The groceries are

Masks are a must!

Note: Because of budget limitations, only guests living in zip codes 10475 and 10465 will receive service, although 10465 guests can only get a one-shot package of groceries.

from 12 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. Guests must be 18 years or older to apply or recer-

Section Five Association

were accomplished. Section 5 Association is still on hiatus until September. Summer is here, talk of a few heatwaves, make sure to drink plenty of water and avoid the sun as much as possible.

– Our new president of the Board, Mr. Rod Saunders, will now have open Board meetings with gallery sessions. We hope the share-

sessions with angry outbursts but offer suggestions. Remember, we are all in this together, our home, our community. We also have executive management, Mr. Walton and Cary Smith, who walked these grounds and meet with the

Elevators

elevator is closed for repair installation. They look very nice.

Community Relations – Presenting the Section 5 Co-op City Community Fair on September 7, 120 Erskine Place, 12-7 p.m. Vendors, food, Avon, art, music and more. Vendors, email info to community@riverbaycorp.com

The vice president of SFA, Ms. Carol Arthur, is available for information

shareholders are eligible for the STAR Program, but you must register.

bers need to have the same 10475 address. The intake forms will only include the number of household members who are able to show up in person at the Baychester Avenue location. Those living in Section 5 will register or recertify at the 2350 Palmer Avenue location on September 12 during regular business hours. Farmers Market Coupons:

delicious creations and healthy recipes. We want to celebrate the amazing things

together. Email your pictures to coopcityblackforum@gmail.com or text them to 929 464-5520. Let us know what name you would like attributed to the picture(s). Fundraising Trip: Saturday, October 19th – Black Eyed Sally & MGM Casino - Waitlist only.

—D. Illis

We offer our sympathies and condolences to all families who lost a loved one.

Section5association10@ gmail.com or at 914-709-5395.

All great communities have at least one thing in common – they talk to their members, ask questions, listen to what they have to say, and take action.

H. Overman

Building 33 Association

Good day, shareholders. The Building 33 Association hopes this message

of the month. This meeting will not feature a guest speaker; instead, it will provide an opportunity for us to discuss our goals, dues, bylaws, voting for positions, how to obtain 501(c) status, potential activities, and which guests we would like to invite to future meetings. The building meetings are important, property, and we must start to act like it.

We congratulate the newly elected members of the Board and look forward to collaborating with you. Co-op City faces several important issues, and it is our hope that you will address them with the serious consideration they deserve.

Trudi Bynoe, a long-time shareholder and dear friend, you are in our and eagerly anticipate seeing you back home soon, walking around with your

We wish all our September babies a very happy birthday!

Lastly, shareholders, we urge you to be considerate of your neighbors. Please keep the lobby, laundry room, hallways, and compactor rooms clean. Remember to break down your boxes or take them to the basement. Rinse all recyclable containers before leaving them in the compactor room. When we post notices near the elevator or in the compactor room regarding inappropriate behavior, it is to make you aware that you are not being a good neighbor. The way you maintain your apartment and the rest of the building affects us all, and we should strive to keep Co-op City beautiful.

When you are outside, please dispose of your litter, cigarette butts, and marijuana remnants in the garbage bins. Clean up after your dog and refrain from allowing them to urinate on the pillars under the buildings, as it creates an unwork together to ensure that this development remains a desirable place to live.

Enjoy your week and walk good.

—Andrea D. Mayo

New Riverbay Bookkeeping Hours

Effective Monday, August 5, the Riverbay Bookkeeping hours will be as follows: Mondays – Thursdays: 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. (For in-person service) From 2 p.m.-5 p.m., shareholders can come in to the Riverbay administra-

If your matter is urgent, bookkeepers are available by phone or send an email to RiverbayFinance@riverbaycorp.com Fridays: 9 a.m.-1 p.m. (For in-person service) These hours will be in effect until further notice. ––Riverbay Finance Department

New Cooperators –Calling All Bakers –

Building 10 Association

Tropicana Casino Atlantic City –

Laundry Room Etiquette –

If You See Something, Say Something –

Suicide Prevention – ,

Questions, Comments and Suggestions –Facebook

—Jewel Crawford-Duncan

The Section 4 Partnership of Co-op City

Annual Back to School Supply Giveaway:

Building 24 Association

—Bruce Silberman

Francine Reva Jones, Merville Chambers, S4P Treasurer Laverne Hugine, S4P Member Theron Marbury, S4P President Michelle Marbury.

Michelle Marbury with Mari- sol Soto. Photos courtesy of Michelle Marbury

Caregiver’s Outreach Mentorship Empowerment

Facing Life Challenges

National Council of Negro Women

NCNW Co-op City Section – Tomorrow, Sunday, September 8, we will

NCNW Youth Section

NCNW National

September is National Suicide Prevention Month

2023-2024 School Year Information

—Joyce Howard

—Diane Cooper

Building 21 Association

mer with family and friends!

Students, please do well in school this coming school year. There is free tutoring at learntobe.org/enroll/bronx,

A reminder that this is your community. We must stay informed and engaged!

Your Building Association is where you can start to be engaged in your community.

As a reminder, there are rules we must follow. Please do not throw garbage out the window and discard large items down to the basement.

To all members of Building 21: If you have any decorations stored in the will be disposed of. We are cleaning house to make our room more clutter free. your stuff.

Questions, comments, and suggestions are always welcome. You can place dues and or suggestions in our lockbox located in the laundry room (next to the

Our regular monthly meeting is every fourth Thursday of each month. You may contact us at our email,

Stay safe and well!

—Jarasia Wilson

African-American Association of Co-op City

Back to School Supply Giveaway!

The members of the African-American Association wish to thank Jonathan Soto for his gracious gesture in donating backpacks, free online tutoring, and loads of supplies for our annual Back to School Giveaway. Lots of children came through the site of this year’s event, which was held at the Section 4 Partnership

Free Online Tutoring Is Still Available: from “Learn to Be”

This is truly the gift that keeps on giving. Not only did we offer school supplies, we offered “free” online tutoring services through our partnership

across the United States. Their volunteer tutors have helped students from low-income households and foster organizations excel in subjects ranging from basic math and reading comprehension to chemistry and pre-calculus. Want more info? Go to www.learntobe.org.

Special Message to the Children

We don’t believe in tuition when there are scholarships available for each one of you. All you have to do is bring home the A’s! Think about that. Okay, we’ve given you a push and even provided tutoring free of charge. Now it’s your turn. Get to work. We believe in you! Pictured right: Community Activist Jonathan Soto, AAACC Assistant Treasurer Merville Chambers, and AAACC

The Realization of God

BY FRANK MAYES

Most of us would answer yes, he is our supreme being.

Let’s explore more; we are endowed with forces equal to move the mountains of Gilbralter so vast and powerful that it involves all that is related to our existence, these are the forces that prepare and unite all that is.

have been endowed with all that is needed to survive and progress in the kingdom of the universe.

Study carefully all situations, before praying. Prayers should not be your only source of redemption. You should realize that a cloudy sky may have lots of rain but only allows the amount that is needed, God is no different. When will we be able to see or touch God?

Have you ever sat down in your easy chair on a rainy afternoon and listened to the slowly falling rain as it plays across your window seal? of tranquility as you nearly fall to sleep.

Have you stood at the bed of an ocean’s shore, not able to see the horizon of the other side, and you realize how minute but vital you are in the vastness of the universe.

How fortunate we are to observe a rainbow that announces the end of a terrible storm and says all is well, be aware that a heavy snowfall not only allows its picture of beauty but hides the density of the earth.

No beauty outdoes the arriving of an early sunrise that accompanies the lure of a soft breeze that sweeps away the bitterness of yesterday and promises the joys of tomorrow. What are we looking for??

Yes, the eyes and the heart sees God in many ways.

President Michelle Marbury. Photo provided by Michelle Marbury AAACC Meetings & Events

September 7 – Co-op City Fair, Section 5 Greenway. Drop by and pay us a visit today!

September 14 – Open Mic/Fundraiser

September 15 – General Meeting, 3 p.m., October 12 – Open Mic/Fundraiser 4 p.m.-8

October 20 – General Meeting, 3 p.m., Dreiser, November 17 – General Meeting, 3 p.m., Drei-

December 7 – Open Mic/Fundraiser 4 p.m.-8

December 14 – Pre-Kwanzaa Celebration

If you wish to join the AAACC

family/ household. Zelle us your payment using our email address. Email: aaaccpower@gmail. com. Call: 646-883-9095, The African-American

AAACC Programs

Belly Dance Classes, contact Xonia Wilson at Evening Line Dance Classes, contact Cynthia Yoga & Pilates Classes, contact Meena SharpeCo-op City Baptist Church “Gospel Line Dancers.” Contact Joyce Smith

“Each one of us, multiplied by all of us, equals A FORCE FOR GOOD.”

—Michelle Marbury

Goose Island Seniors

We are sad to announce the passing of our member and good friend Pearl Crichlow. Our condolences to her family.

Attention: Goose Island buses will no longer be stopping at Asch Loop by the library. First stop, Einstein Loop; second stop, Dreiser Loop near hardware store. Asch Loop passengers must go to Einstein or Dreiser Loop.

Resorts Casino A.C. – Tue., Sept. 10. Waitlist only. Price: $65, $10 slot play. Balance due. Bus pick-ups: Einstein Loop, 7:45 a.m.; Dreiser Loop, 8:15 a.m.

Wind Creek Casino – Thu., Sept. 12. Price: $65, $25 slot play. Call: 646-5791701.

Latin Day at Brownstone – Thu., Sept. 26, Canceled. Refunds available. Goose Island Fall Party – Fri., Sept. 27 at 1 p.m. in our club Room 39. Covered dish. Bring something or pay $20 at door.

Resort World Casino – In Montecello, NY. Thu., Oct. 24. Price: $70. Bonus $25 slot play, $15 for food. Bus pick-ups: Einstein Loop at 8:45 a.m., and Dreiser Loop at 9:15 a.m.

Motown Shop – At Paramount Theater in Peekskill, NY. Sat., November 2. Price: $125, includes dinner and show. Call: 646-579-1701.

Motown Holiday Party – Windows on the Lake, Long Island. Thu., Dec. 12. Waitlist only. Price: $145; $50 deposit. Balance due Wed., Nov. 13.

Notary – With Yvonne Menefee. Mon.-Fri., 10 a.m.-5 p.m., 135 Einstein Loop, Rm. 39. Call: 718-379-9613.

Bingo – Mon., Wed. and Fri., 1 p.m.-3:30 p.m. Members only. Admission: $5 for three cards; $0.25 each additional card; 12 games and jackpot. Refreshments served.

Game Day – Tue. and Thu., 1 p.m.-5 p.m. Dominoes, Bid Whist, movies, socializing and more. Refreshments.

To all members: Happy birthday to our members who celebrate their birthday in the month of September: Veronica Mack, Rodney McFarlane, Mary Smith, Patricia Harris, Ivelisse Santiago, John Turjak, Alma Alequin, Janice Brown, Rosa Rodriguez, Gloria M. Bobyn, Pamela Rumph, Ola Waymmann, Carlton Lawrence, Elizabeth Anderson and Marjorie Yellon. Birthday cake celebration will be at fall party on Sept. 27.

Sick and Shut-in – Mary Pilla, our former president, sends her love to everyone. Call her at (718) 753-1816.

Our Club is at 135 Einstein Loop, Rm. 39, Bronx, NY 10475, the Section 5 Community Center, (718) 379-9613, Stephen cell: (347) 847-1941. Our email address is goose.island@optonline.net. $StephenCarlSr. Good health to all.

––Stephen Roberts Sr.

AARP Chapter #4997

Welcome to the fall season and goodbye to the summer heat!! Activities are back to the “real” schedule for students, parents, grandparents, and all who were lucky enough to have the summer to relax. This is an election year, and we know there is much work for all of us to do.

p.m., Monday-Thursday, 177 Dreiser Loop, Room “0,” 718-320-1946; email we will get back to you on our next business day.

will come to hear about the changes and activities that are planned for next year. All committees will be making reports and answering questions about the shared information. Our Tour Committee is preparing to leave for their Hawaiian Cruise, and we wish them all a safe and happy journey making, memories and new friends as they travel.

The election this year is a pivotal one for the rights that we have secured and want to keep. Voting is not something to take lightly. It is the responsibility of all people to vote for the candidate of their choice, but vote you must. Theenway, near the bandstand, on September 14 at 12 p.m. Hopefully, this will be well attended, and many will be registered. Co-op City has the largest voting population in the Bronx, and we should show up to prove how committed and powerful we are as a community.

Fun fact: 80% of voters in the Bronx are over 65 years old. Can you imagine the strength of our community?

Contact Mrs. Wilson, Health and Wellness, who can be reached at 718-6715493 with any information you would like to see in this article. Ms. Baker, Membership, 718-379-2088, to renew/join our chapter. You may also stop into Ms. Wright, 718-379-3370, or Ms. Brown, 718-379-7962, are available. Ms. Polite, General Manager, 718-320-4278 can be reached for any general update. As a matter of health, we are following and abiding by any rules for masks that become policy in Co-op City. Now masks are needed on all inside proper-

consult your medical professionals.

Be cautious, aware, alert, and safe as you navigate the world around you. Safety is important. Sending prayers for healing to all who may be under some form of stress or illness.

We are here to serve – not to be served. Ann Purnell

The Church of St. Thomas The Apostle

Greetings, in the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. The congregation and clergy of St. Thomas invite you to worship with us. Jesus said, “For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.” –Matthew 18:20

This Sunday is Reunion Sunday. After enjoying the activities of the summer months, we look forward to seeing everyone back together again for our regular services. Thank you to all who participated in the summer services. They were a blessing for all who attended.

This Sunday, we begin a seven-week series of sermons on the “I am” statements of Jesus. We thank our Rev. Brewer for organizing this study of our topic will be: “I am the bread of life.” –John 6:35

The Fifteenth Sunday after Trinity, September 8, 2024

• 11:00 a.m. – Communion Service.

• Fellowship with light refreshments following the service.

Scripture Lessons:

• II Corinthians 4:14-18

• Luke 10:25-37

Prayer Intent: The reality of things eternal; devotion to The Holy Spirit

O HOLY Spirit, the Comforter of all that trust in Thee, without whom nothing is strong, nothing is holy; increase and multiply within us Thy heavenly wisdom; that, Thou being our Ruler and Guide, we may so pass through things temporal as never to lose sight of the things eternal, and may ever live in the service of Christ our holy Lord, who with Thee and the Almighty Father liveth and reigneth one God for evermore. Amen.

—Rev. Dorian Miceli

Retirees of Dreiser Loop

Greetings, retirees and friends. We hope everyone had a wonderful Labor Day holiday weekend. Enjoy the next couple of weeks of summer before we Hunterdon Hills Playhouse – Saturday, October 19. Tickets are $155 and include a tribute to Tina Turner show and lunch. Balance payments are due on or before September 12. The bus will pick up in front of H&R Block and will leave promptly at 9:00 a.m. The estimated time of return is 6:00 p.m. with drop offs at Einstein, Asch, and Dreiser Loops. Serita can be reached at (347) 5645722 for information regarding this trip.

Happy Birthday – We wish all our September celebrants an incredibly happy birthday and continued peace and happiness throughout the year.

Condolences – We are deeply saddened to inform you of the recent passing of our beloved long-time member, Pearl Crichlow. We extend our deepest sympathy to her family. Please keep the Crichlow family in your thoughts and prayers as they mourn her loss. Also, please continue to keep Patricia Cobb and her family in your prayers as they continue to grieve the loss of her twin-sister, Penelope Jackson.

Good and Welfare – Please notify Lorraine Parker at (718) 671-6403 of any member illnesses or deaths.

Membership Committee – Annual membership dues are $25. Personal checks payable to the “Retirees of Dreiser Loop,” can be mailed to: Retirees of Dreiser Loop, 177 Dreiser Loop, Room 19, Bronx, NY 10475. Questions may be addressed to Mary at (718) 655-9170.

General Meeting – Many thanks to you for attending our general memberfollowing our summer hiatus and it was wonderful to see your smiling faces. Our next meeting will be held on Wednesday, October 2, at 1 p.m. in the Dreiser Center Auditorium C.

Georgianna Rodriguez

Co-op City NORC Program Invites You for These In-Person & Virtual Activities

Bartow OAC Trips – All trips are $6 & pickup is at 10 a.m., except Wegman’s which is $12 & pick-up is at 9:15 a.m. Wegman’s – Wed., 9/17; Stew Leonard’s – Thurs., 9/18; Amazing Savings/Shoprite – Fri., 9/20; Costco – Fri., 9/27. All trips must be paid for at the Bartow Center only. Bartow OAC is closed on Mondays.

Acupuncture w/Dr. Flora Lyando – Wed., Sept. 18. Call JASA NORC for an appointment, 718-3202066, 11 a.m.-12 p.m.

Common Pantry is scheduled for Tues., Sept. 24, 9 a.m.-12 p.m. For new applicants, contact JGrimes @JASA.org, or call 929-399-1371 on Tues. & Thurs.

JASA NORC will be offering computer classes to our seniors beginning Wed., Sept. 11, in the Bartow NORC office, 4-5 p.m., 2049 Bartow Ave.

BARTOW CENTER CLOSED

(NORC) Line Dancing w/ Bartow Swingers (ONLY) 12-1 pm., Every Monday

Walk w/Odessa 9:30-10:30 a.m.

Blood Pressure, 12-1 p.m. (1st & 3rd Tues.)

Health & Wellness w/Ann 11 a.m.-12 p.m.

Adult Coloring, 12-1 p.m.

Smart Phone & Tablet Class w/Julesa, 1:45-2:45 p.m.

Dinner Hour: 3-4:30 p.m.

Stay Well Exercise w/Odessa 10-11 a.m.

Bereavement Hour w/Dorine 1st Wed./month, 12-1 p.m.

Line Dancing w/Cynthia Wed. & Fri., 12:30-1:45 p.m.

Dominoes w/José 1 p.m.-2:30 p.m.

Dinner Hour: 3 p.m.-4:30 p.m.

Arthritis Exercise w/Damion 10 a.m.-11:15 a.m.

Visual Arts w/Laura (On break until Sept. 15)

Knitting/Crocheting with Lynne and Betty 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m.

Card Games with Frankie 1 p.m.-2 p.m.

Massage Therapy

10 a.m.-12 p.m.

Manicure, 10:30 a.m-12 p.m.

Line Dance with Cynthia 12:30 p.m.-1:45 p.m.

Drama Club w/Dazee Windley 2-4:30 p.m., back of the JASA NORC office

Dinner Hour, 3 p.m.-4:30 p.m.

Intergenerational Arts & Crafts w/Denise, 10 a.m.12 p.m.

Salsa with Rasheed 10 a.m.-11 a.m.

Word Games

10:30 a.m.-11:30 a.m.

Bingo on Saturdays

1:30 p.m.-3:30 p.m., in the back of JASA NORC of fce

Classes will be every Wed. Space is limited, so register soon. Call 718-320-2066.

JASA Bartow OAC Annual Health & Wellness Fair. Saturday, Oct. 19, 11 a.m.-3 p.m., Dreiser Auditorium B, 177 Dreiser Loop, 2nd flr. Free Admission! Vendors, music, food, giveaways and fun. Bartow OAC Holiday Bash @ the Brownstone w/Live Band & DJ. Delicious family style luncheon, Mon., Dec. 9. Cost: $150 (Two payments accepted). Caringkind: The Heart of Alzheimer’s Caregiving rep. will be in the Bartow main office every 3rd Mon. of the month, 10 a.m.-1 p.m. for Alzheimer & Dementia Consultation/Health Care Proxy & Power of Attorney Consultation & other services. Please call 646-744-2921 for an appointment.

Steel Drum Classes – JASA NORC Office on

Mindful Mornings Tai Chi 9-10 a.m.

Line Dance w/Sassy 10:30-11:30 a.m.

Book Club, 11 am.-12 pm.

Ageless Facials & Self Care 1-3 p.m., Rm. 35. Appt. only.

Never Too Old to Learn Spanish 10 a.m.-11 a.m., Rm. 35

Bridge to Care Arthritis Exercise 11 a.m.-12 p.m., Rm. 45

Creative Arts & Painting 1-2 p.m., Rm. 35

Go Easy on us Computers 2:30-3:30 p.m., Rm. 40

Walk Club, 8:30-9:30 a.m.

Hair Care 4U, 9 a.m.-11 a.m.

Appointments only

Spring in Your Step Stretch & Tone w/Ola 10 a.m.-11 a.m., Rm. 45

Action Bodies In Motion 11 a.m.-12 p.m., Rm. 45

Prize Bingo & Board Games 1 p.m.-2 p.m., Rm. 49A

Visual Arts, 10 a.m.-12 p.m.

Salsa Dancing, 11 a.m.-12 p.m.

Walk With Ease, 1 p.m.-2 p.m.

Chit Chat, 1 p.m.-2 p.m.

Coloring for Calmness 9:30 p.m.-10:30 a.m

Chess Club, 10 a.m.-12 p.m.

Blood Pressure Screening 10:30 a.m.-12 p.m.

Let’s Get It On Zumba 1 p.m.-2 p.m.

Wed., 1-3 p.m.

Technology Class – Thurs., 6:30-7:30 p.m. Dial in number: 929-205-6099, Meeting ID: 862 5043 9695, Passcode: 896989.

Line Dance w/Bartow Swingers – Wed. & Fri., 12-1 p.m., Dreiser Loop Aud. A. Notary – JASA NORC office, Weds. & Thurs., 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Call 718-320-2066 for an appointment. Dreiser OAC, Weds., 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Call 718-320-1345 for an appt., Rm. 7. Einstein OAC, Schedule appt.’s in Rm. 48, Thurs., 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Call 718-671-5161. Please call Einstein OAC for: Hair Styling, 1st & 3rd Wed. of the month, 9-11 a.m.: Braids, haircuts, shape-up, twist, ponytails, curls and more. Facials & Manicure, every Mon., 1-3 p.m. Call 718671-5161 for appointments.

LUNCH & DINNER MENUS

Alternate Kosher Meals are available

Chair Yoga Class w/Charles (Virtual) Meeting ID: 863 1492 4183; Passcode: Dreiser23, 10-11 a.m.

Piano Sing Along Class 11 a.m.-12 p.m., Rm. 2

Smartphone & Tablet Literacy class w/Julesa,1:15-2:15 p.m.

Game Time: Jenga, 9-10 a.m.

Leisure TV Time, 10 a.m.-11 p.m.

Art w/Lovie, 11 a.m.-12 p.m. (Twice a month)

Cardio w/Gail, 11 a.m.-12 p.m., Rm. 2

Zumba w/Ola, 1-2 p.m., Aud. A Leisure Games w/Clara, 1-3:30 p.m.

Tai Chi w/Jimmy, 2-3 p.m., Rm. 2 Computer & Tablet Class w/Ralph 6:30-7:30 p.m. Dial-in number: 347-893-2966; Meeting ID: 854 2963 5300; Passcode: Dreiser23

Walmart, 10 a.m.-3:30 p.m.

Game Time: Jenga, 9 a.m.-10 a.m.

Arthritis Exercise w/Damion 11 a.m.-12 p.m., Auditorium A

Movie Afternoon 1:15-3 p.m., Rm. 4

Game Time: Checkers, 9-10 a.m.

Current Events, 10-11 a.m.

Spanish Class w/Angelica 1-2 p.m.

Manicure Services, 1:30-3:30 p.m. (Twice a month)

Body in Motion w/Ola 1 p.m.-2 p.m., Auditorium C

Amazing Savings, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Leisure TV Time, 9 a.m.-12 p.m.

Knitting & Crocheting w/Loretta 10 a.m.-12 p.m.

Line Dance w/Sassy, 11 a.m.-12 p.m., Aud. A Bingo w/Gay Brown 1:20 p.m.-2:50 p.m., Rm. 4

Menu Fee for lunch is $2 & $5 for guests. All meals served w/margarine and fresh milk. Menu subject to change without notice.

For information, please call: (718) 320-2066. Schedule subject to change without notice.

Payments for trips can be made where noted Mon.– Fri., 9 a.m.-12 p.m., and 2-4 p.m. only. Funded by: The NYC Department for the Aging, the NYS Office for the Aging and Riverbay Corporation. Must be 60 or older to become a JASA participant.

Menu Fee for lunch is $2 & $5 for guest. All meals served with margarine & fresh milk. Menu subject to change without notice.

LUNCH: KOSHER: Cumin Spiced Rainbow Bean Salad, Carrot Apple Raisin Salad. NON KOSHER: Caribbean Style BBQ Chicken. Roasted Potatoes, Sautéed Spinach

NO DINNER SERVED

LUNCH: KOSHER: Beef Pot Roast, Cous Cous, Roasted Eggplant. NON-KOSHER: Spanish Style Roast Pork, Blacked Beans & Rice, Steamed Collard Greens

DINNER: BARTOW ONLY

KOSHER: Breaded Fish, Classic Macaroni Salad, Beet & Baby Carrots w/Dill, Orange NON-KOSHER: BBQ Chicken, Roasted Potatoes, Sautéed Spinach, Apple

LUNCH: KOSHER: Baked Breaded Fish, Classic Macaroni Salad, Beets & Baby Carrots NON-KOSHER: Curried Chicken Legs, Pasta, Baby Carrots & Parsley

DINNER: BARTOW ONLY

KOSHER: Falafel w/Hummus, Plain Pita Bread, Israeli Salad, Apple. NON-KOSHER: Spanish Style Roast Pork, Black Bean & Rice, Steamed Collard Greens, Orange

LUNCH: KOSHER: Pepper Flank Steak, Yellow Rice, Steamed Green Beans NON-KOSHER: Chickpea & Vegetable Curry w/ Quinoa, Steamed Broccoli

DINNER: BARTOW ONLY

KOSHER: Salmon Burger, Yellow Rice, Steamed Green Beans, Canned Apricot NON-KOSHER: Curried Chicken Legs, Pasta, Baby Carrots w/Parsley, Fruit Cocktail

LUNCH: KOSHER: BBQ Chicken Leg Quarters, Orzo, California Blend Vegetables NON-KOSHER: Fish w/Mushrooms, Peppers & Tomatoes, Coconut Rice & Pigeon Peas, Normandy Blend Vegetables

DINNER: BARTOW ONLY

KOSHER: BBQ Chicken Legs, Orzo, California Blend Vegs., Kiwi, 10 Grab & Go. NON-KOSHER: Chickpea & Vegetables, Curry Quinoa, Steamed Broccoli, Banana

Saturday: Lunch served at 12:30 p.m. : BARTOW ONLY

KOSHER: Roasted Turkey Breast, Cous Cous, Roasted Eggplant, Banana NON-KOSHER: Fish w/Mushroom, Peppers &Tomatoes, Rice & Peas, Normandy Blend Vegetables, Apple Sauce

Co-op City Baptist Church

Rev. Dr. Sheldon E. Williams and the Co-op City Baptist Church family invite you to join us for Worship Service tomorrow, and for the rest of the summer months, at 9 a.m., in person and on Zoom. Our regular 8 a.m. in-person only service, and our 11 a.m. in-person and Zoom service will resume on Sunday, September 15. There will be no Sunday School during the summer months. Sunday School classes will resume for all ages on Sunday, September 15, at 9:30 a.m. The attire during the summer will be casual dress. We are located at 135 Einstein Loop, Rm. 50 (lower level), Bronx, NY 10475. Telephone: 718-320-3774. Email: ccbc135@optimum.net or coopcitybc@gmail. com. Website:www.coopcitybaptistchurch.org. Masks are required.

The 9 a.m. service is also available on Zoom at https://us04web.zoom. us/j/9623430102 or Zoom Telephone Conference Line, 646-568-7788, Meeting ID: 962 343 0102#, Password: 788175#. You can also go to YouTube, search for “Co-op City Baptist Church,” and watch us there.

The church’s free conference call line dial-in number is 857-357-0254, Access Code is 660065#.

Rev. Williams asks everyone who calls into the Sunday Worship service to use Zoom through your computer or dial-in using the Zoom information shown above.

Tomorrow, Sunday, September 8, at the 9 a.m. service, we will celebrate Family and Friends Day, along with Grandparents Day. The theme is “Friends That Become Family” (Psalm 133:1). We invite everyone to join us on this special occasion.

This Week’s Events

Wednesday: Bible Study Classes at1 p.m. and 5 p.m., via Zoom

Thursday: Prayer Warriors Prayer Service at 12 p.m., on the church conference call line.

The Circle of Grace Knit and Crochet Group will meet at 2 p.m. at the Church, Rm. 51.

Friday: Mid-morning Prayer Service at 10 a.m. and Friday evening Prayer Service at 7:30 p.m. are on the church conference call line.

The next CCBC Food Giveaway Ministry’s food distribution will be on Fri-

St. Joseph’s Episcopal Anglican Church

St. Joseph’s is located at 155 Dreiser Loop, lower level, Co-op City, Bronx, NY 10475. Email: stjosephe@aol.com. Church phone number: 718-320-0844. Priest-in-charge: Fr. Simeon Johnson; cell phone: 917-227-4303.

Greetings! As we continue to make the necessary repairs to our space at St. Joseph’s Church, we thank you for your patience and understanding. We are almost back to normal with our schedule of services and activities and look forward to early completion of the repairs. We are now working on the ﬂoors.

In-person worship service for the Sixteenth Sunday after Pentecost will be conducted by Father Simeon Johnson at the church on Sunday, September 8, at 9 a.m., as well as via teleconference. Please also remember to tune in for the usual teleconference weekday prayers at noon. To participate by teleconference, dial 1-425-436-6344, Access Code: 508-898, followed by the # sign.

We hope you all enjoyed your summer break, feel refreshed and ready to go as we resume our normal activities.

If you have not yet completed your pledge cards, kindly do so as soon as possible. These cards reﬂect our ﬁnancial pledge and are used to update our proposed budget as well as our offer to volunteer our time and talent where and when possible.

Fundraising Activities:

1. Our annual Dinner Sale will take place on Saturday, September 28, at the church from 12 p.m., until sold out. Our usual home style dinners consisting of BBQ, fried and curried chicken, oxtails and spare ribs together with a variety of popular side dishes will be available for sale and reasonably priced at $20 and $25. If you have any questions, please contact Valrie at 347-200-5850.

2. Atlantic City bus trip on November 30 to Caesar’s Casino, encompassing a day of fun, games, shopping and relaxation on the boardwalk. Deluxe motor coach leaving from Dreiser Loop (front of Rehab Center) at 8:45 a.m. Donation of $65 payable in two installments. The ﬁrst payment of $35 is due now and the balance of $30 by October 30. To make payments in the absence of June, please see (Jan) Janicia in church on Sundays or on Wednesdays between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. No refunds after October 30. If you have any questions, please contact June at 347-457-8249.

Condolences: Our thoughts and prayers go out to all our members, families and friends who have recently lost loved ones.

Sick and Shut-in: We extend our well wishes and prayers for a speedy recovery. If possible, please visit them, call them on the phone or send them a card.

Birthday Greetings: Best wishes to everyone who is celebrating a birthday this month.

We at St. Joseph’s are collecting food (cans and dry goods) for the pantry at Grace Episcopal Church, West Farms. If you can, please contribute for those in need.

Grace and Peace!

—Merville Chambers

day, September 13, from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m., at 135 Einstein Loop. Please remember to bring your own bag and perhaps a cart. Some products can be heavy.

The church has a free app available on your app store by putting in “Co op CBC.” This app is open to all.

“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” Psalm 46:1

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.

Marilyn C. Williams

Traditional Synagogue of Co-op City

120 Erdman Place, (back of 27B lobby) Bronx, NY 10475

High Holidays Schedule 5785 (2024)

The Rosh Hashanah Services will be conducted by:

• Rabbi Avraham Parks

• Cantor Joseph Ringel

Erev Rosh Hashanah, Wednesday, October 2

Light candles – 6:17 p.m.

Evening Services: Mincha – 6:30 p.m.

First Day of Rosh Hashanah, Thursday, October 3

Morning services at 9:30 a.m., Shofar at 11 a.m.

Luncheon after services by paid reservation only

Tashlich near the water at 5:45 p.m., Mincha at 6:30 p.m.

Candle lighting at 7:14 p.m.

Second day of Rosh Hashanah, Friday, October 4

Morning services at 9:30 a.m., Shofar at 11 a.m.

Candle lighting at 6:14 p.m.

Shabbat services, Saturday, October 5

Shabbat services – 10 a.m.

Shabbat ends – 7:10 p.m.

Yom Kippur Services

Yom Kippur, Friday, October 11

Candle lighting and fast begins – 6:02 p.m.

Evening Services Kol Nidre – 6:20 p.m.

Yom Kippur Day, Saturday, October 12

Shabbat Morning services – 10 a.m., Yiskor at 11:30 a.m., Mincha – 5 p.m., Neila – 6 p.m.

Shabbat ends, fast ends – 6:59 p.m., Maariv – 7 p.m.

Please make sure you are current with your membership and High Holiday seat donations.

We always welcome new members. For further information, contact Daniel at 646-285-1206.

The synagogue would appreciate donations to keep our shul open. Whatever amount you can donate, big or small, would help. To donate, go to www.Gofundme.com/Traditional-Synagogue-of-Co-op-City, or mail to the Traditional Synagogue, located in Section 5, 120 Erdman Place, in the rear lobby of 27B.

The synagogue has services on Saturday morning starting at 10 a.m. After service, we serve a hot/cold kiddush meal.

General Information: The Traditional Synagogue is located in Section 5, 120 Erdman Place, in the rear lobby of 27B, on the ground floor. It is handicap accessible, there are no steps. Phone # 718-379-6920. Office hours are Thursday and Sunday, 12-2 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 a Facebook page, “Traditional Synagogue.”

The synagogue needs men to help make a minyan. There are a lot of Jewish men who live in Co-op City who do not come to services. Please come by 10 a.m., so we can take out the Torah.

The Traditional Synagogue is the only synagogue in Co-op City.

Sabbath ends on Saturday,Sept. 7, at 8:10 p.m.

Candle lighting for Friday,Sept. 13, at 6:47 p.m.

Good and Welfare: The congregation welcomes donations in honor or in memory of a loved one. Any amount is greatly appreciated. For information about the congregation and its services, please call 646-285-1206.

To all Members: Happy birthday to all our members celebrating their birthday in September. Please send me your name and I will add it to the list.

Fun and Games: After services and kiddush, members play games.

Your support for the Traditional Synagogue is greatly appreciated. Wishing all our members and friends peace and good health.

—Bruce Gitelson

Community Protestant Church

Worship Schedule

John 3:16-19

Tomorrow –Every Wednesday –“

Every Wednesday Zoom Zoom com Save The Date

Sunday, October 27 Saturday, November 2 Sunday, November 3

Galatians 3:28

Schedule: 147 Dreiser Loop

Sunday: Tuesday: Wed./Thurs.: Thursday: Friday: Saturday:

—Pastor Luis F. Ramos Jr.

Philippians 4:6 Lexa M. Mingo

Co-op City United Methodist Church IEMU de Co-op City

Open Doors, Open Hearts, and Open Minds Come and Visit Us – We are a multi-ethnic and bilingual, Bible-centered

Zoom (904 4685745) or Facebook live –Pastor, Rev. Sara Girón-Ortiz.Proverbs 1:7 NIV

Proverbs 8:11 tells us that nothing we desire can compare with wisdom and

Tuesday: Thursday:

Come and Receive a Blessing: All are Welcome!

Upcoming Events – Save The Dates.

• Sunday, September 8: – (New Time) at

• Flea Market

• 50th Anniversary of the Church/Thanksgiving Celebration at Pine

—Grace Abadia

Church of the New Vision

Greetings, in the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. The Church of the New Vision and Pastors Kenneth and Deborah Hodge welcome you to worship with us at 115 Einstein Loop North, Bronx, NY 10475. Church phone: 718-671-8746 and Pastor’s phone: 914-522-5039.

Our scripture verse for 2024 is: Hebrews 12:2 NIV “Let us ﬁx our eyes on Jesus, the Author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before Him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the Throne of God.”

Sunday service at 11 a.m. All are welcome. Masks are required, and temperature will be taken.

Noon Day Prayer Line is now open 12-12:30 p.m., Monday-Friday. Wednesday Night Prayer Service and Bible Study, 7-8 p.m. The Conference Line Number: 646-769-9900; Access Code: 3099388#. Please mute your phone.

September 1, Worship Service Theme: “You Were Created for This”

Scripture:Jermiah 1:10 “See, I have this day, set you over the nations and over the kingdoms, To root out and to pull down, to destroy and to throw down, to build and to plant.”

Save the Dates

Sunday, September 22: Senior, Family, and Friends Day during the 11 a.m. service; lunch served immediately after. Enjoy an afternoon of praise, worship, and fellowship.

Saturday, November 2: Building Fund Banquet at Eastwood Manor, 1-6 p.m. Adult, $100/Youth, $50. Deposit of $50 due by October 6 to reserve your seat. Make check or money order payable to: Church of the New Vision. Contact Sadie James at 718-652-8943 or Loretta Scott at 718-671-2623. If you are unable to attend, you may bless the event with a love offering of $50.

August 6-13, 2025: Celebrity Beyond, eightday/seven-night-cruise leaving from Miami. Ports of Call: Nassau, Bahamas, St. Thomas, and St. Maarten. Inside Stateroom, $2656 per person; Ocean View, $2847 per person, Inﬁnite Veranda $2785 per person. Please make a deposit of $500 per stateroom to reserve your room by October 13. Includes: cruise, air*, taxes, fee transfers, Wi-Fi, drink package, and gratuities. (*Air rates may differ based on your departing airport). Contact: Hermena Smith at info@churchnewvisionbx.org to request a payment link or call 718-708-5035.

We continue to pray for speedy recovery for the sick and shut-in and offer condolences to families who lost loved ones and good health and wellness for all.

Your contributions, tithes, and offerings can be mailed to Church of New Vision, P.O. Box 753037, Einstein Station, Bronx, New York 10475. Thank you.

Brenda Brown

Follow the Co-op City Times on X

You can also read the Co-op City Times online at issuu.com/ cctimes, and on the Riverbay official website at coopcity. com.

Keep up with community news at home or on the go!

Iglesia Cristiana Marcos 16:15

135 Einstein Loop, Rm. 33, Bronx, NY 10475.

Paz de Dios sea con ustedes.

Iglesia Cristiana Marcos 16:15 les hace una cordial invitación a la comunidad hispana a congregarse con nosotros.

Somos una congregación pequeña, pero nuestra hospitalidad y amor superan nuestro tamaño. Estamos buscando nuevos miembros que vengan y se unan a nosotros. Hoy en día muchos se sienten cómodos viendo los servicios de adoración en línea, lo cual está bien, pero experimentar el poderoso movimiento del Espíritu Santo mientras uno está en la iglesia es una experiencia hermosa que no se puede comparar. A través del poder del Espíritu Santo, los creyentes son salvos, llenos, sellados y santiﬁcados.

Salmo 118:26, “Bendito el que viene en el nombre de Jehová; Desde la casa de Jehová os bendecimos.”

Únase a nosotros mientras alabamos, oramos y celebramos el amor de nuestro Señor y Salvador. Nuestra iglesia se encuentra en el centro comunitario de 135 Einstein Loop, Segundo piso, Salón #33. Servicios Ofrecidos

Lunes – Servicio de Oración por teléfono, 9 p.m. (564-888-5521; codigo: 696248)

Martes – Estudio Bíblico por Zoom, 8 p.m. (3447367643; codigo: 3jEJ2W)

Jueves – Servicio de Oración por teléfono, 9 p.m. (564-888-5521; codigo: 696248)

Viernes – Estudio Bíblico por Zoom, 8 p.m. (3447367643; codigo: 3jEJ2W)

Domingos – Culto de Adoración, 11 a.m.

La Santa Cena es el 1er Domingo del mes. Que Dios le bendiga y recuerda que Cristo te ama. Peace of the Lord be with you.

Iglesia Cristiana Marcos 16:15 cordially invites the Hispanic community to come gather and worship with us.

We are a small congregation, but our hospitality and love surpass our size. We are looking for new members to come and join us. Today, many are comfortable watching worship services online, which is fine, but to experience the powerful movement of the Holy Spirit while in church is a beautiful experience that cannot be compared. Through the power of the Holy Spirit, believers are saved, filled, sealed, and sanctified.

Psalm 118:26, “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. From the house of the Lord, we bless you.”

Come join us as we praise, pray and celebrate the love of our Lord and Savior. Our church is located at 135 Einstein Loop Community Center, second ﬂoor, Rm. #33.

Services Offered

Monday – Prayer Service by phone, 9 p.m. (564-888-5521; code: 696248)

Tuesday – Zoom Bible Study, 8 p.m. (3447367643; code: 3jEJ2W)

Thursday – Prayer Service by phone, 9 p.m. (564-888-5521; code: 696248)

Friday – Zoom Bible Study, 8 p.m. (3447367643; code: 3jEJ2W)

Sundays – Worship Service, 11:30a.m.

Holy Communion is the 1st Sunday of the month. God bless you and remember, Jesus loves you.

––B. Santana

Newsong Church

In the Fire

“In the third year of the reign of Jehoiakim king of Judah, Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came to Jerusalem and besieged it.” Daniel 1:1 (NIV) History reveals that the nation of Babylon was once a world superpower. It was prosperous, it was inﬂuential, it was ruthless, and it was demonic. Babylon wasn’t just an ancient city in what is now modern-day Iraq. Babylon is a spirit that is still at work behind the scenes, inﬂuencing politics, entertainment, education, and sexuality. There is an ongoing battle in the spiritual realms between the Kingdom of God and the kingdom of Babylon. Babylon has standards that it wants to conform us to. As Christians, how do we navigate through this dark world and still honor God?

Over the next few weeks, we will be diving into the Book of Daniel. Daniel was a man who found himself a prisoner living in Babylon, yet he honored God and inﬂuenced the world! Join us this Sunday as we kick off our new series “In the Fire.”

About Us: Newsong Church is a life-giving church right here in Co-op City! We believe that every person can know God, ﬁnd freedom, discover their purpose, and make a difference in this world! No matter what you’ve been through or where you come from, you are welcome here. Join us for Sunday worship and see why God’s family is no ordinary family. Check us out, we’re located at 135 Einstein Loop!

Sunday Worship Experience

Our Sunday worship experience starts with celebration. We make music to please God and to build others up. Colossians 3:16 says, “Sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs to God with thankful hearts.” We sing to bring glory and honor to God and celebrate who He is and what He’s doing in our church! Our worship experience starts every Sunday morning at 11 a.m.

Newsong Deaf Church, Rm. 35: Our deaf worship experience is in ASL so that our deaf and hearing impaired can worship and fellowship in their own language!

Kidsong, Rm. 49:We’ve created a place where children can have fun and learn about Jesus on their own level!

Against The Flow: ATF is Newsong’s student ministry. Today’s middle and high school students will lead the next generation of the church and change the world. At ATF, our goal is to graduate students into a lifetime of following Jesus. ATF meets every Friday evening at 6:30 p.m., in Rm. 42.

So, what are you waiting for? There’s a God in heaven who loves you and has a purpose and plan for your life! Do you live outside of Section 5? Remember, a church alive is worth the drive! Come and find hope. Come and find healing. Come and find freedom.

Mailing Address: 135 Einstein Loop, Rm. 42; Phone: 917-342-2559; Email:CentralTeam@ newsongchurchnyc.org; Prayer Request Line: Text “Prayer” to 877-899-7323; Website:www. newsongchurchnyc.org

Social Media: Facebook: @newsongchurchbx; Instagram: @newsongchurchbx; Twitter: @newsongchurchbx; YouTube: Newsong Church NYC —Pastor Mike Tolone

Involved in YOUR Community!

Co-op City is your home. If you have talents, knowledge and expertise that can be helpful and improve the quality of life in Co-op City, share your ideas at coopcity.com. Join your Building Association, contact Riverbay Management or pen a letter to the editor.

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.com/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); Email: reports@ lighthouse-services.com; or Send a fax to (215) 689-3885 (the email or fax must include “Riverbay” in the subject of the report).