Co-op City’s website includes a live chat feature that can connect shareholders directly to a Riverbay representative.
Shareholders can go online to coopcity.com and scroll to the bottom of the Home page to fnd the live chat feature.
“The live chat is a form of customer messaging software that allows customers to speak directly with a Riverbay representative,” said Lutitia Matthias, associate director of the Riverbay Call Center. “Live chat is a messaging system which works as a pop-up chat window within the Riverbay website. By offering an instant way of asking questions, we are meeting the shareholders’ needs and helping them to a better customer journey.”
After scrolling down on coopcity.com’s main page, shareholders will see an English and Spanish queue on the right hand side of the page that they can click on and begin typing in their questions into a small pop-up window.
Kitchen Cabinet Upgrade Showcase to be Held in Dreiser Auditorium Sept. 23
BY ROZAAN BOONE
Riverbay Management will be presenting a Kitchen Cabinet Upgrade Showcase in the Dreiser Auditorium on Monday, September 23, from noon to 8 p.m.
Cary Smith III, Riverbay’s Assistant Executive General Manager, has been spearheading the Riverbay “TurnKey” project which allows incoming shareholders to see a clean, completely renovated apartment when they apply for homeownership in Co-op City. Through the TurnKey program, Riverbay has been working with various contractors, some who will be the vendors also working with shareholders in the kitchen cabinet upgrade program.
First Vice President Leslie Peterson, chair of the Riverbay Residential Sales Committee, said: “The Sales Committee’s feld trip to a restored unit was eye opening and collectively prompted us to ask for those upgrades to be offered to the community. Kudos to Cary Smith who was instrumental in making this come to fruition.”
Management is now introducing the kitchen cabinet upgrade program for current shareholders who would like to update the look of their own apartments. This package includes the updated white Shaker cabinets with soft closing doors and brush nickel hardware, a beautiful
The pop-up window will be where shareholders can communicate directly with a Riverbay representative about any concerns or questions they might need answered.
Shareholders can access the live chat feature on any desktop, laptop, smartphone or tablet device.
The live chat feature is available Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. until 4 p.m.
Shareholders can also call the Riverbay Call Center at 718-320-3300 and select Option #2 to speak to a Riverbay representative who can assist with issuing work orders for apartments.
Specifcally, the Riverbay Call Center can assist shareholders with work orders related to maintenance, plastering, painting, fooring or tiling, as explained on the Shareholder page on the website under “Call Center.”
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Next Open Board Meeting
The next Open Board meeting with Gallery Session will be held on Wednesday, Sept. 25, in Dreiser Auditorium, starting at 7 p.m. Please save the date and check out next Saturday’s Co-op City Times for the meeting agenda and additional information.
MTA and NYPD Crack Down on Bus Fare Evasion
BY BRANDON ORTIZ
MTA and NYPD offcials began a campaign on August 27 to crack down on bus fare evasion citywide.
Members of the MTA’s EAGLE fare enforcement unit were joined by NYPD offcers at bus stops on routes across the city found to have the most egregious fare evasion. Riders caught not paying the fare were issued a summons in the range of $50 to $100 or, in some cases, arrested if they were wanted for prior criminal history.
MTA offcials are hoping the initiative sends a message to riders who do not pay and helps the agency recover lost bus fare revenue. MTA data from the frst three months of 2024 showed that roughly half or 48% of bus riders do not pay the fare.
During an MTA Board meeting in August, MTA CFO Kevin Willens explained how fare evasion is impacting the MTA’s budget and costing the agency an estimated $100 million in revenue. Willens cited bus fare evasion as a main reason the agency has had less than expected revenue since the Covid-19 pandemic. “If fare evasion had receded post-pandemic, then we wouldn’t be
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Public Safety Tip of the Week
It is important to check to make sure you remove loose change, EZPass, phone chargers and any other items, whether valuable or not, from plain sight when parking your vehicle. While this is especially true for vehicles parked on city streets and parking lots, it is valuable advice to follow at all times to reduce the risk of your vehicle being broken into. Further, if you see anyone peering into vehicles, walking by and trying to open car doors, report it! Contact NYPD at 911 and CCPD at (718) 671-3050 or online at www.ccpd.us.
The Co-op City Department of Public Safety thanks all those who have reported suspicious activity. Your vigilance helps keep the crime rate low and ensures a high quality of life in our community. Callers may remain anonymous when providing information.
quartz-look countertop and a stainless steel sink that is now the new Riverbay standard in apartments being offered for sale to new shareholders.
“We have received a number of requests from current shareholders who are also interested in having the new Riverbay standard kitchen options installed in their own apartments,” said Mr. Smith. “In some cases, these are original shareholders who have lived in their apartments for 20-30 years and during that time, not too much has been done to update the look of the space. In other cases, the requests are from younger shareholders who are looking for a more modern, appealing aesthetic.”
Mr. Smith explained that the goal is to utilize Riverbay Corporation’s signifcant buying power to negotiate reduced cost for these upgrade items and pass along the savings to shareholders who use one of the Riverbay approved vendors to do the kitchen cabinet upgrade work in their apartment at their cost.
“All Riverbay is doing is passing along the relationship between the shareholder and the vendors, who, in this case, have been vetted by Riverbay and we know that they have proper licensing and insurance to perform work in our buildings,” Mr. Smith said. “All agreements from that point forward is between the shareholder and the vendor.”
At the Sept. 23rd Showcase, shareholders will be able to see a sample of the new Riverbay standard kitchen cabinets and countertop, which will be on display. They will also be able to sign up for the program and receive the contact information for the approved vendors who perform work in Co-op City apartments.
“I hope that on September 23rd shareholders attend the event, and utilize this awesome opportunity,” said First Vice President Peterson. “Thank you again to the Sales Committee and to Cary Smith, our assistant executive general manager, for a job well done.”
Riverbay is developing a list of FAQs to be distributed through the Co-op City Times for those with questions about the program. This information will also be available in the coming weeks on the “Resources” page on the offcial Riverbay website, coopcity.com.
If your apartment door or the stairwell door on your foor does not selfclose, contact Maintenance immediately at 718-320-3300, select option 2, for an appointment to address this condition. Showcase
Crack
Down
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below budget,” Willens said during the August meeting.
Mayor Eric Adams also weighed in on bus fare evasion during a radio interview on August 28 with 94.7 The Block’s “Jonesy In The Morning.”
“What folks don’t realize is that when you have that large number of people not paying their fare, then it increases the fare of those who are and it’s just not right,” the Mayor said.
“So we are now putting in place an initiative where we’re going to crack down on this and send the right message that if you will pay your fare on the bus, you will pay your fares on the subway because it’s not fair to those New Yorkers who are doing it that they’re going to have to supplement and have an increase in fare because of the inability or unwillingness for others to pay their fare,” Mayor Adams went on to say.
Parents of NYC public school students who use public transit can take advantage of the new student OMNY cards, which were announced in July with expanded service.
Students can use their OMNY cards 24 hours a day, seven days a week and the card offers four free trips per day. Previously, student MetroCards were limited to three free rides per day between the hours of 5:30 a.m. and 8:30 p.m. only on days where a respective student’s school was open for classes.
As for service, student OMNY cards are valid in the subway, local buses, limited buses, select buses, the Staten Island Railway, the Roosevelt Island Tram and the Hudson Rail Link. Student OMNY cards will also allow for free transfers between the services listed above, leaving free ride totals for a single day unaffected. Unlike with student MetroCards, student OMNY cards will remain valid for an entire year including the summer.
Each individual public school was responsible for distributing the new student OMNY cards to their eligible students at the start of the academic year.
REMINDER – Roof Access Prohibited
Shareholders are reminded that the Occupancy Agreement prohibits shareholders and their guests from going onto the roofs of Co-op City residential buildings. Failure to adhere to this rule will result in a Community Complaint fne.
Co
COMBING
Find out what’s going on in Co-op City here...
NYPD Gospel Fest II
Come together with friends and family to celebrate the joy of gospel music. Stop by the Dreiser Community Center on Saturday, October 5, from 1-3 p.m., for an unforgettable experience and an afternoon flled with uplifting music and powerful performances. For more information and to register for free, visit https://bit.ly/4e1MOoa or email fred.washington@nypd.org.
Halloween Skate Party
The Riverbay Fund will host a Skate Party on Thursday, October 21, at the Bellamy Loop Basketball Courts from 4-8 p.m.
Please note that regular basketball court play will be unavailable from 3-8:30 p.m. Bring your own skates or borrow a pair (sizes 5-12 will be available to rent). Smaller sizes will also be available as well as skating lessons.
Co-op City’s Halloween Parade
Save the date: Saturday, October 26, 12 p.m., for the Co-op City Halloween Parade. Assemble at the Bartow Center, Room 31. Movie: “The Nightmare Before Christmas” at 2 p.m. For more information, contact community@riverbaycorp.com.
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. For more information or a full list of accepted items, please visit nyc.gov/SafeEvents.
Standardized Test Scores Shed Light on Reading and Math Profciency Citywide
New York City Public Schools (NYCPS) released the results of the 2024 Grades 3-8 Math and ELA tests on August 21, revealing the current status of student profciency citywide
Math profciency citywide was up 3.5% compared to 2023 and up by 11.3% when compared to the average profciency of 2018, 2019 and 2022. Overall, 53.4% of students citywide in grades 3-8 were considered profcient in math.
ELA test results, on the other hand, showed a decrease in profciency citywide, specifcally a decrease of 2.6% compared to 2023. In total, 49.1% of students citywide in grades 3-8 were considered profcient in ELA. 2024’s ELA test results were up 1.4% compared to the average profciency of 2018, 2019 and 2022.
New York State did not administer standardized tests in 2020 due to the Covid-19 pandemic and made the test optional in 2021, so data from those years was not included in NYCPS’ August report.
Both the Math and ELA tests were modifed in 2022 to align with the NYS Next Generation Learning Standards, which were adopted by the New York State Education Department (NYSED) in September of 2017.
NYSED categorized profciency in math and ELA into four performance levels, following the adoption of the NYS Next Generation Learning Standards. Level 1 means that a child is “below profcient in standards for their grade.” Level 2 means that a child demonstrated partial profciency but is “not yet profcient in Learning Standards” for their respective grade. Level 3 indicates that a child demonstrated suffcient profciency for their respective grade level. Level 4 means that a child is well above average and is “more than suffcient” for their respective grade level.
Below is a breakdown of math profciency by grade for NYC School District 11, which includes Co-op City, according to data provided by NYCPS:
As for ELA profciency levels in NYC School District 11, here is a breakdown on that data, also according to NYCPS:
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Test Scores ––– (Continued from page 3)
NYCPS also provided proficiency level breakdowns for each individual school too. Below is the data provided from P.S. 153 Helen Keller Elementary School and P.S. 160 Walt Disney STEAM School:
Parents can also take advantage of NYCPS’s online School Quality Snapshot tool, which provides a detailed breakdown of every NYCPS school. Each snapshot offers an evaluation of each school based on seven categories: student achievement, rigorous instruction, collaborative teachers, supportive environment, effective school leadership, strong family-community ties and trust. For each category, the school is given a grade between one and four, with one meaning “needs improvement” and 4 meaning “excellent”, as explained by the snapshot tool. The snapshot tool is available at tools.nycenet.edu/snapshot/2023.
BY DANIELLE CRUZ
How to Avoid Scams and Spot Fake Surveys
From scam phone calls and texts, to phishing and spam emails, scam artist are coming up with thousands of new scams each year. While anybody can be a victim of a scam, certain vulnerable populations, like seniors, are more likely to be targeted by scammers. A report from the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Internet Crime estimated that victims 60 years and older in the U.S. had lost an approximate $3.4 billion dollars to scams in 2023.
In a consumer alert sent out in August, New York State Offce for the Aging (NYSOFA) Director Greg Olsen warned against fnancial scams and giving out personal information, like your Social Security number. “All scams have one thing in common, they exploit your goodwill to obtain information that can be used to steal money, property, and other assets,” Mr. Olsen said in the alert. “If someone reaches out asking for money or personal information, always remember, close the link, hang up the phone, contact a trusted source instead.”
Fake Surveys
Have you ever received a link to a survey through a text or email? Before you click on the link, be aware that scammers often use fake surveys to gather personal information. Here are some tips from the Better Business Bureau on how to tell if the survey you received is real or fake.
• Look for a too-good-to-be-true reward. If a survey offers you a $100 gift card or a 90% discount for answering three quick questions, it’s probably a scam.
• The survey doesn’t state who is running it and what’s the purpose. Real surveys will be very direct about the brand involved, the type of information requested, and what it’s being used for. If this isn’t provided, don’t continue.
• Watch for typos, bad grammar and incorrect company logos. Scammers can easily copy a brand’s name, but awkward wording and poor grammar are typically a giveaway that the message is a scam. Other times, scammers might not use the right company logo.
• Hover over URLs to reveal their true destination. Typically, the hyperlinked text will say one thing, but the link will point somewhere else. Make sure the links actually lead to the business’s offcial website, not a variation of the domain name. Charity Scams
Scammers will also often pose as charities asking you for donations. If you’re sending money to a charity, make sure you check and verify that the organization is real. You can search for registered charities at https://ag.ny.gov/, or various national databases like Guidestar, American Institute of Philanthropy, and Charity Navigator. Below are some tips from the New York State Department of Consumer Protections on how avoid charity scams.
• Don’t disclose personal or fnancial information. Never give your Social Security number, credit card or debit card number or other personal identifying information in response to an unsolicited charitable request, especially over the phone.
• Beware of callers who want your money fast or use high-pressured tactics. When solicited by phone, always ask the caller to send you written materials about the charity. No legitimate organization will insist that you donate immediately. Watch out for solicitors who employ dramatic, emotional or heart-tugging stories. Ask for written information about the charity and how your money will be spent or distributed.
• Avoid giving cash. Make checks out to the charity, not to an individual. Give your contribution by check or credit card so that you have a record of the donation. If you choose to make a donation via a charity’s website, check to ensure that the website is secure and that your computer is equipped with the latest anti-virus protection. Don’t send contributions with a “runner,” by wire or overnight parcel pick-up.
• Guard against fake solicitations. Be wary of unsolicited mailings, phone calls and e-mails requesting donations. Unless you have signed up to receive e-mails from a charity of your choice, do not respond to e-mail solicitations. Don’t click on
any links contained in these e-mails, as you may be directed to a fake website made to look like a legitimate organization’s offcial site. Other e-mails ask for money to be sent to off-shore bank accounts.
Phone Scams
One of the most common ways scam artists contact unsuspecting individuals is phone calls. They will often call and try to act helpful or pretend to be a representative of a company. Other times, they might call and try to scare you into sending money by pretending to be from a government agency, like the IRS. The Federal Trade Commission had these tips to share on avoiding scam calls.
• You won’t be arrested. Scammers might pretend to be law enforcement or a federal agency. They might say you’ll be arrested, fned, or deported if you don’t pay taxes or some other debt right away. The goal is to scare you into paying. But real law enforcement and federal agencies won’t call and threaten you.
• Only scammers demand you pay certain ways. Scammers will often insist you pay in a way that makes it hard to get your money back — by wire transfer, gift card, cryptocurrency, or payment app. Anyone who insists that you can only pay that way is a scammer.
• Government agencies won’t call to confrm your sensitive information. No government agency is going to call you out of the blue and ask for sensitive information like your Social Security number. They’re lying if they say they’re with a government agency you know, like the Social Security Administration or IRS.
Remember to never give any sensitive personal information to anyone outside of your family or trusted advisors. If you are the victim of a scam, you can contact the New York State Department of Consumer Protection at www.dos.ny.gov, or the Attorney General’s Offce at www.ag.ny.gov to report it. You can also place your personal phone number on the Do Not Call Registry by calling 1-888-382-1222 or logging onto www.donotcall. gov to help flter out unwanted scam phone calls.
Helping Your Child Overcome Trauma and Thrive
(StatePoint) Life can be complicated and unpredictable. And while there is no such thing as a “perfect parent,” there are strategies that can help your child become better able to deal with diffcult circumstances as they arise.
Known in the pediatric community as Adverse Childhood Experiences, traumatic circumstances like death, divorce and poverty cause children stress, which over time, can become toxic, impacting a child’s health now, and potentially in the future. In fact, adults who’ve experienced one or more adverse experiences as a child or who are exposed to ongoing chronic social inequities over time are at higher risk of depression, cancer, heart disease, diabetes and other health conditions during their lifetime.
On the other hand, safe, stable, and nurturing relationships can act as a powerful, protective buffer against the biological harms of toxic stress on children and are key to building resilience, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP). When children feel connected and supported in the early years, says a newly updated AAP report, they are more likely to become healthy, competent and educated citizens later in life.
“One of the most important ways to strengthen a child’s resilience is to spark moments of connection. This may be through shared book reading, for example, or participating in family routines and
community traditions. Relational health is key to combating adversity, and promoting skills like collaboration, connection and communication that are
essential to help children develop resilience and thrive,” said Dr. Nerissa Bauer, a pediatrician who specializes in behavioral health.
After troubling events, the AAP says to remember the 3 Rs: reassure, return to routine and regulate:
1. Reassure. Remind your child that they are safe and loved, using words and touch and by creating safe spaces in the home.
2. Return to routine. Try to maintain regular daily routines and be sure to explain any changes in the schedule ahead of time. This can promote a sense of safety and normalcy for your child and let
them know what to expect.
3. Regulate. Help your child learn “self-regulation” skills to calm themselves and manage their emotions and behaviors. This may include belly breathing, stretching or taking breaks.
Dr. Bauer also recommends turning to your pediatrician when parenthood gets challenging. Pediatricians are trained to not only monitor your child’s physical growth, but also their social-emotional health. They can help your family build a support system―whether a child is relatively healthy, has ongoing developmental or behavioral concerns, or if your family is going through hard times.
Pediatricians also want to know how parents and household members are doing and if they feel supported. At appointments, your pediatrician may invite you to share stories about your family life and the daily stresses and struggles of parenting, as well as ask about your own childhood experiences and current living circumstances. So, bring your questions and concerns.
The American Academy of Pediatrics provides tips and guidance on improving relational health, and helping children build resilience and cope with trauma. To learn more, visit healthychildren.org.
“We want to ensure all children and their families have the resources and skills needed to thrive,” Dr. Bauer said. “Pediatricians will always be ready to listen, without judgment and with compassion.”
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
– • Letter to the Editor • –
Marijuana Smoking Legal But With Conditions
Co-op City Times
To the Editor:
It is not legal for people to smoke marijuana wherever they please. That is not the law. You must be over 21 to possess, share or use it. It is not legal in NYC to smoke marijuana in a park, buildings, or while operating a vehicle or if the vehicle is parked, that includes the passengers. Our garages and green spaces should be protected, the tot lots, basketball/handball courts, benches are our parks. These should be areas in our community where marijuana use should be prohibited.
The Clean Air Health Act prohibits smoking within 100 feet of a school entrance/exit/grounds. If there is a daycare facility located in a building, why is it permissible for marijuana use under the portico of that building? Does any reasonable person think small children should be exposed/inhale second-hand smoke from marijuana, while entering/exiting the building/facility located on a lower level or within range of the smokers?
In some cases, the individuals hanging out under our porticos may not reside here, they may be a guest of a sharehold-
er; identifying these individuals should not pose a problem on our private property. This behavior is negatively impacting our quality of life. This hands-off approach will only breed more problems, not solve anything. How can that be the answer? In our private community, do we not have options? Of course we do. We must have the will to hold those accountable for trying to drag our quality-of-life down. The Community Complaint is an effective tool; too many may lead to an eviction action for being a nuisance shareholder. Public Safety should address marijuana complaints based upon the facts, not the generalized response, “Marijuana is legal.” Marijuana is legal, with conditions. Let’s not ignore the “conditions” when reports are called in. Such a misinformed response deters action, demoralizes shareholders, and discourages shareholders from reporting any intelligence – that cannot benefit our community. Law enforcement cannot thrive without intelligence and communities will suffer; this policy is a losing proposition for our community. Facts matter.
—Ruth Sharma
911 Emergency Calls.
What Can I Do?
NYPD emergency operators are trained to handle a wide range of calls and incidents. To support a rapid police response, here are helpful guidelines a 911 caller should keep in mind:
The location of the emergency is the first and most important thing operators need. Give An Address
Answer Questions
Remain Calm
The calmer you are, the clearer you can be, and the better operators can record information.
NYPD emergency operators will ask you for information. You may be asked to repeat some information to EMS or Fire Department personnel.
Follow us on X at @ coopcitytimes for up-to-theminute news and alerts relevant to Co-op City. Keep up with community news at home or on the go!
Describe The Emergency
Are you or is someone else hurt? How? Whether you need medical attention, police response, or other emergency assistance.
Keep Phones Open
Tell operators the number from which you are calling. Use a landline when possible, and if calling from a cell phone, do your best to leave it on.
Foreign Language Assistance
Foreign language assistance is available, and in more than 140 different languages.
Describe The Perpetrators
If you have witnessed a crime or been victimized, get to safety first. As soon as you can, call 911. Describe the suspect or suspects, whether weapons are involved, are they in a vehicle, what make/model or color? Even partial descriptions can be helpful.
Be sure to subscribe to the official Co-op City YouTube channel, https://bit.ly/3h6CrF7. Stay informed!
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.
Co-op City Department of Public Safety Offers Illness Prevention Tips for Flu Season
Although it might seem early, now is the perfect time to take steps to prevent the flu. Flu symptoms can sometimes mimic those of Covid-19, making the experience of having both illnesses simultaneously especially undesirable. By following a few simple precautions, you can significantly reduce your risk of exposure to the flu, and many of these measures are also effective against Covid-19. The Department of Public Safety provides the following tips to keep you safe during the cold and flu season. If you haven’t received a flu shot before, this might be a good year to start. Maintaining good health benefits everyone.
Awareness of disease has increased significantly during the Covid-19 pandemic. The flu is now receiving more media attention than it has since the 2009 “Swine Flu” epidemic. Every year, scientists predict the flu strains and develop a vaccination. While we cannot guarantee that this year’s vaccine will be 100% effective against all flu strains, it’s crucial to get vaccinated before supplies run low or you catch the flu.
Don’t delay in getting your flu vaccine. Once you have the flu, it’s too late for vaccination. If you’ve experienced the flu before, you know it’s not something you want to go through again. Thankfully, high vaccination rates and increased public awareness may help slow the spread of the flu and other illnesses.
The symptoms and severity of both the flu and Covid-19 can vary widely among individuals. Some may experience severe illness while others have only mild symptoms. Your overall health and other risk factors will affect how any illness impacts you. Those with underlying health conditions are at higher risk for serious complications from either the flu or Covid-19. High-risk groups in-
Public Safety Blotter
September 1 – September 7, 2024
September 01, 2024
140 Debs Place – A cooperator reported leaving their sport wagon with clothing unattended in front of the elevator in the basement. Upon returning, the cooperator observed the sport wagon missing but it was returned by another cooperator who found the missing wagon.
September 02, 2024
2440 Hunter Avenue – A cooperator reported that a confirmed delivered package was removed from the mailbox area in the lobby by an unknown individual without her permission.
650 Baychester Avenue – A cooperator reported returning to his parked vehicle and observing the rear passenger window broken and damage to the interior. NYPD was also notified.
1000 Baychester Avenue – A cooperator reported returning to her parked vehicle and observing that the rear passenger window was broken, and her property scattered about in the rear of the vehicle with missing property. NYPD was notified and present on scene.
September 03, 2024
99 Darrow Place – A cooperator returned to her parked vehicle and observed that the front and rear passenger windows were broken with assorted coins missing from the cup holder. CCPD conducted a search of the area for the suspect with negative results.
September 04, 2024
2440 Hunter Avenue – A cooperator reported that a confirmed delivered package was removed from
the lobby area by an unknown individual without her permission.
September 05, 2024
140 Donizetti Place – A cooperator reported returning to the area where he last parked his vehicle and observing that it was not in the parking space. An unknown individual removed his vehicle without the cooperator’s permission. NYPD was also notified.
140 Carver Loop – A cooperator reported returning to his parked vehicle and observing that an unknown individual had removed the vehicle’s passenger side mirror without his permission.
100 Casals Place – CCPD responded to the above location for a smoke condition with FDNY. Upon arrival, FDNY conducted a forced entry to the apartment to extinguish burnt food that was left unattended on the stove. The cooperator was issued a Community Complaint for Abuse of Premise.
September 06, 2024
4100 Hutchinson River Parkway – A cooperator reported that a confirmed delivered package was removed from in front of her apartment door without her permission. The removal of the package was captured on the cooperator’s Ring camera.
September 07, 2024
99 Earhart Lane – CCPD was advised by a cooperator of two ballistic spent shell casings on the roof of Garage 8. Upon investigation, two ballistic spent shell casings were found. NYPD was notified and responded, vouchering the two ballistic spent shell casings.
clude the elderly, young children, pregnant women, individuals with obesity, diabetes, asthma, or weakened immune systems. Those at high risk should consult their doctor about vaccination. Vaccination has proven to be highly effective in preventing flu infection, and your doctor is your best source of information on flu vaccinations and other preventative measures.
The most effective way to prevent contracting the flu, or other illnesses is through frequent and thorough hand washing. This is especially important for school-aged children, who may come into contact with germs on various surfaces. Frequent hand washing with warm water and soap reduces this risk. If soap and water are unavailable, hand sanitizer can be used. Small, portable hand sanitizer containers are available and can be easily carried in a pocket, purse, or attached to a backpack or lunch bag.
If you or a family member show symptoms of the flu, stay home from work or school, get plenty of rest, and increase fluid intake. These steps are crucial for preventing the spread of illness and aiding in a swift recovery. For information on school closings or outbreaks in New York City, visit www.nyc.gov/flu
Notify your child’s school if they become ill, and follow your doctor’s advice on when it’s safe for them to return.
Some medical sources suggest that doctor-recommended drugs can significantly reduce the severity of the flu if taken within 24 to 48 hours of exposure. Consult your doctor, especially if you have underlying health conditions. Keep in mind that antibiotics are not always necessary and can contribute to antibiotic resistance. It is important to rule out illnesses such as strep or flu, but avoid overuse of antibiotics.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) now recommends antiviral medication only for individuals who show flu-like symptoms, not for those who have been exposed but are asymptomatic. For more information, visit www.cdc.gov/flu. Do not let media coverage create unnecessary panic about the flu. This year’s flu strain is not more serious than those of previous years. By taking appropriate precautions, you can effectively minimize your risk of exposure and maintain your health and well-being.
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.Glassdoor.com
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
Priorities
The Riverbay Board and Management were scheduled to get together Thursday to do some preliminary prioritizing for the next two-year budget. I listed my top three wish list items in last week’s 9/7/24 edition of the Co-op City Times. My long-awaited wish items were: installing a Bartow elevator, doing some more work along Section 5’s Waterside Walkway, and renovating Einstein’s bathroom. I’ll let you know next week if any of them made the cut.
But in all fairness, one thing should not be cut... again.
Necessities vs. Niceties: The Einstein 2nd floor bathroom renovation had been dropped from the budget due to lack of funds. Not Dreiser’s and not Bartow’s. Just Einstein’s. In the meantime – thanks to Danielle O’Connor and Hector Algarin checking the couch cushions – Section 5 good-spiritedly made do with taller toilets, grab bars, coat hooks, and locks. We should not be made to wait much longer for the job to be finished.
And the 2nd floor floors! Who’s asking for Italian marble? Some serviceable linoleum-like product, the kind we have in our high-rise back lobbies, would be a huge improvement both for Einstein’s second floor and for Dreiser’s.
Resolution to Action: In my five years as a Board director, I’ve written just two resolutions.
I had submitted the resolution for the Bartow elevator early in 2020. It got lumped in, somehow, with my other suggestion for a Garage 9, an idea that did not sit at all well with several Section 5 leaders at the time.
Though the combination exploratory resolution was approved by ten Directors, the Garage 9 idea was pushed off to the twelfth-of-never due to Section 5’s NIMBY and YOYO reaction (literally Not In My Backyard and I’ve-got-mine-so You’re On Your Own).
The more popular Bartow elevator idea saw some planning action, but no follow-through. And it might have come to be by now but for the bid-winning con-
New Riverbay Bookkeeping Hours
Effective Monday, August 5, the Riverbay Bookkeeping hours will be as follows:
From 2 p.m.-5 p.m., shareholders can come in to the Riverbay administrative office and make an appointment to see a bookkeeper for the following day.
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
tractor’s bankruptcy. Which leads to another generic want of mine.
Bidding: I didn’t mention it in last week’s article but I did mention it during one of the Board election forums. I want our corporation’s definition of “lowest responsible and qualified bidder” re-examined.
The way I look at it, a union business is, by definition, more reliable than a non-union shop and union workers are more qualified than pickup day laborers. And that, in my opinion, deserves a hefty bump in the bidding process. Do it once, do it right. And if it’s not done right, the union company will fix it, not slink off into the night or into bankruptcy court.
The Other Resolution: I submitted the Waterside Walkway improvement resolution – goats and all – in May of 2021. Aside from a few invasive-vegetation-eating goats to entertain the kids throughout the summer and some well-placed, in-house-constructed benches, the plan doesn’t require much at all. First some debris needs to be removed in early spring before the weeds go wild. That makes way for the fencing that the goat rental people put up to protect the kids and the kids from each other. Then comes the running of the goats with all the appropriate hoopla: raffling off the naming rights; choosing the year’s G.O.A.T. goat.
This year, the weed-eating darlings of Manhattan’s upper-westside are servicing Riverside Park for the fifth year in a row, and this year the press release mentions some major brands that footed the festivity’s extras. Hmm.
Speaking of extras: That’s something else I mentioned during one of the election forums. Once mandatory expenses and unfunded mandates are placed on the High Priority list, we still have to determine what makes the Medium or Low Priority lists; what’s a necessity and what is not or at least not yet, not now. That is no small feat. But once accomplished, I believe all non-essential extras should be put to the entire community in the form of referendums.
Referendums
There’s no need to wait for the next election cycle. We can canvass ourselves on an ongoing basis.
We can vote on luxury line-items suggested in open Board meetings, displayed in our lobbies, distributed in our carrying charge statements. Those statement inserts, by the way, are one of the most cost effective forms of communication we use, and I believe we should employ them monthly. Instead of afterthe-fact complaining about how the money’s spent, participate in the process. But be prepared to foot the bill.
Personally, I’d rather have a summer of goats and a cleared-away, year-round water-viewable and comfortable Waterside Walkway than, say, one night of fireworks. Maybe that’s just me.
Correction: I’m not sure who even noticed, but less-than-accurate wording and one wrong number floated into my account and calculation of our highrise building’s façade repair cost. (Source: November 2021 5-Year Capital Plan.)
Corrected, it should have read: The Local Law 11 project was initially budgeted at $62.5M, but once details regarding the actual condition of the buildings were discovered, the reforecast was adjusted upward to $82.3M. The final $71M finished price tag came in $8.5M over the initial Budgeted Total Project Cost but $11.3M under the Total Reforecast Project Cost.
The rumor that floated around about the over-cost of the LL11 project was way off. The project never came close to being $36M over-budget.
Looking back, could giving union companies a bidding edge wind up being beneficial in the long run? Since the next LL11 go-round starts up in early 2025 perhaps we should ponder that question sooner than later.
Register to Vote
Gather the kids and the grands and get the ones turning 18 by November 5th registered the fun way, at the Rock the Vote event TODAY, Saturday, September 14, on the Section 1 Greenway by the concrete stage. Where’s that? Follow the music!
Have a good week, everybody, and feel free to contact me, MPearson@RiverbayBoard.com/718219-2211.
Building 22A&B Association
Fall and winter is coming so let us get started with ideas for our next meeting on Monday, September 23, at 7 p.m., in the Association room on the “B” side. All are welcomed.
Compactor Room: Please continue to honor yourself and your neighbors by keeping the room clean.
Laundry Room Etiquette: Please remove your clothes from the machines on time as others are waiting and their time is as important as yours. Do not put dirty clothes in the laundry carts.
Happy birthday to all. Our prayers to all who lost loved ones. Please check on the sick and shut-ins. If you see something, say something. Have a blessed week. Thank you.
––Betty Leak
Building 9 Association
Greetings, Building 9 Association family and friends. Welcome back!
On Saturday, September 7, we held our 2024 Shirley Wells Back-to-School Zoom
Alaina, Sumayah, Stephen, Carlos, Juanita, Michelle, Chloe, Malia, Camille, Justus-John, Elise, and Ryan. We will have our traditional photo shoot and the 9A portico. Thank you to all participants. Congratulations to all winners!
Our next Building Association general membership meeting is scheduled for Thursday, September 26, at 7 p.m. We will meet in our association meeting room located in Building 9B lobby rear.
Please monitor our lobby bulletin boards for the exact date and time.
We are calling all Building 9 Diamonds/volunteers for our upcoming pre-Halloween lobby decorating and our Halloween evening candy distribution. Please sign the volunteer roster at our September meeting.
Local and national election season is upon us. Elections matter. Your vote matters. Know the issues. Know the candidates. VOTE.
“For while we have our eyes on the future, history has its eye on us.” –Amanda Gorman
—Linda Collins
Building 10 Association
Greetings, fellow cooperators.
New Cooperators – Welcome, all new cooperators. We look forward to seeing you at the next General Membership meeting.
Calling All Bakers – Back by popular demand, our annual Bake Sale will be held on Saturday, September 28. We are asking for donations of fresh baked or store-bought goods (cakes, cookies, cupcakes etc.) For additional information, please contact Lenise at 917-701-0059 or Lisa at 646-220-0802. We are looking forward to some tasty treats.
Tropicana Casino Atlantic City – Only a few seats left. The Building 10 Association will be having a bus trip to Tropicana Casino in Atlantic City on October 19. The bus will depart from 140 Debs Place at 10 a.m. sharp. The cost of the trip is $65 per person (non-refundable). There is a $10 slot play per guest aged 21 and over and the Tanger Outlets are nearby. Reserve your seat today. For additional information, please contact Lisa at 646-220-0802.
If You See Something, Say Something – For emergencies, call Co-op City Public Safety at 718-671-3050 and NYPD at 911. For non-emergencies, call 311. You can also contact CCPD at their anonymous tips hotline: 718-879-6311.
Suicide Prevention – If you or someone you know is contemplating suicide or in emotional distress, the number to call for help is 988. You can call or text. Someone is available 24 hours a day.
Questions, Comments and Suggestions – You can contact the Building 10 Association via email at Building10Assoc@gmail.com or drop a note in the suggestion box in the laundry. We are also on Facebook, “Building 10 around Building 10.
We would like to wish all who are born this month an incredibly happy birthday. Celebrating an anniversary this month? Happy anniversary!
To the homebound and sick, we wish you a speedy recovery. To all who have lost a loved one recently, we offer our deepest condolences.
Check on your neighbors. Have a great week.
––Jewel Crawford-Duncan
REMINDER – Carrying Charge Boxes
Shareholders are reminded that the carrying charge deposit boxes located in the community centers open on the morning of the 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
Building 32 Association
Greetings, shareholders.
I hope everyone had a great summer full of sun and fun, and I hope your Labor Day weekend was positively relaxing. I know mine was.
meeting after the summer break for September 17, at 7 p.m. We have a special guest: Ms. Tanysha Farley, Junior Property Manager of Riverbay Corporation’s CSO 3 of Section Five. She will be on hand to give us an overview of what she does for us and Riverbay, and how she can aid us with our concerns. If there are any questions you would like to ask Ms. Farley, please attend and ask, or send them to building32association@gmail.com by September 16. I hope you all attend. It is really worthwhile and will be informative.
informed, let your concerns be known and join the fun. You might get lucky!
––Ezekiel Springer Jr.
Co-op City Times Photo Submissions
When submitting club articles with pictures to the Co-op City Times, please DO NOT EMBED picture/s in your Word document or your email text. Rather, send the picture/s as a HIGH RESOLUTION - 300 DPI ATTACHMENT for proper print reproduction. All submissions must be emailed to: cctimes@riverbaycorp.com. Thank you.
Director’s Viewpoint Daryl Johnson Let’s Improve Our Business Practices
There are lots of good things that we can do to improve our business practices. However, we need for our management and our board to work together in a better manner.
Everything Does Not Start With Management
Some shareholders will do everything possible to get on our board. So, you’ll see them in advertisements and on television declaring how they’ll work for our community: “I’m going to improve everything in our community.”
Then, they might get seated on our board. Thereafter, they’ll only make an appearance at our board meetings. Published viewpoints? “Um, I’m too busy for that.” And, even if they do write a viewpoint, you have to ask yourself: “What does their vague viewpoint do for our community? What issue in this community did their viewpoint address?”
Some board members used to vote for everything that management used to put on paper. Board resolutions? I’m going to vote with management because they’re the professionals. Nonsense! That type of logic only enabled management to do whatever they wanted to do with our finances on many occasions.
Part of this problem is that there are very few requirements to become a board member. According to our bylaws, here are the only two requirements: “All directors elected by the shareholders must be resident shareholders. No person shall serve as a director unless he or she is fully current as to carrying charges and is not otherwise indebted to the corporation.” That’s it!
Now, some folks might then think that shareholders should have advanced degrees to become board members. However, there are some people with an advanced degree that is supposed to indicate that they’re very knowledgeable. But, can they express themselves in a professional manner on paper? A cover letter or a resume? No! Can they bring some wisdom into a business discussion? Impossible!
So, is there a huge difference between knowledge and wisdom? Absolutely! For instance, did you ever hear about an illustration about making a fruit salad? Now, knowledge might say that all fruits should be placed in a fruit salad. But, um, is a tomato a fruit? Yes! Therefore, should wisdom step in and reevaluate that fruit salad? Absolutely!
Similarly, board members should follow this same example when they’re representing our community in board meetings. For instance, board members should learn to think primarily about our community when they’re voting on resolutions. Now, sure, some knowledgeable management officials might bring forth resolutions that they think are good for our community. But, board members
need to stop accepting what they say and try to reevaluate those resolutions from a different perspective.
For instance, look at that recent resolution to spend $900,000 plus tax on 16,042 gas alarms for our community. Sure, knowledge said to purchase those gas alarms at a low price from a large chain store. However, only the manufacturer offered a 10-year warranty. And, that’s when wisdom should have prevailed in this matter.
Therefore, based on their incredibly strict warranty, could the manufacturer decline the return of all of our gas alarms for the smallest reasons ever? Absolutely! Therefore, can you see that we might lose out on our $900,000 if there are problems with these gas alarms? Additionally, we have to consider the huge labor charges that we will incur to install these gas alarms in our apartments. Big problem? Of course!
Bottom line: From my perspective, our business practices clearly indicate that we’ve been going in the wrong direction for a very long time. Therefore, our board needs to meet and discuss some good objectives that can clearly improve our finances and other aspects of our community. Then, we need to tell management how they will conduct their business in accordance with our objectives.
Accountability? A so-called management report was recently published in the Co-op Times. Why? Why would anyone publish their own horrible budget in a newspaper? For instance, did you see that management is spending almost $150 million to run 25 departments? Did you see that the budget contained a $4.2 million deficit? Why weren’t some sensible cuts taken to avoid this deficit?
Now, yes, this budget was prepared before our recent 8.1 percent increase. But, everyone needs to understand that our cooperators are now paying for this deficit and for the items on this horrible budget. So, our board must overhaul the way that business is conducted here. Then, we must hold management accountable for the way that they conduct business here.
DRIE and SCRIE Programs
Our politicians will possibly be making some big changes to the Disability Rent
Increase Exemption (DRIE) program and the Senior Citizen Rent Increase (SCRIE) program? So, if you’re eligible, your carrying charges will not increase if you remain in either of these programs. Therefore, please make sure that you read this newspaper every week for updates on these matters. Thanks.
Close
With cooperation, I am 100 percent sure that our board can improve almost every aspect of our community. Therefore, I hope that our board can meet very soon to discuss the future direction of our community.
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.
Back to School Giveaway at Building 13
Building 13 Association thanks all the parents who came with their youth to receive school supplies. We hope they will help your children have a productive school year. Thanks to Lisa Rodriguez, Wendell Mattison, Elena Marrero, Councilman Kevin Riley and Jahmal Yapp.
Photos provided by Leslie Peterson
African American Association of Co-op City
“Open Mic” Event Today at 4 p.m.!
Can you sing? Are you funny? Are you a dancer, a poet, novelist or painter? This platform (this mic) is for you! Come, show your talents and have some fun. Adults only please and language must be kept respectable. This open mic is a fundraiser from 4 p.m.-8 p.m. to support the African-American Association of Coop City. Come to the Dreiser Community Center, Rm. 15, on the second floor. See you later today at 4 p.m.! Door prizes for the first three participants to show up on time!
Free Online Tutoring Is Still Available: from “Learn to Be”
This is truly the gift that keeps on giving. Last week, we offered school supplies and free online tutoring services through our partnership with Learn to Be, a non-profit bringing free one-on-one online tutoring to students across the United States. Established in 2008, 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 precalculus. For more info, go tolearntobe.org.
Special Message to the Children: It’s Back to School Month
We do not 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. Last week, we gave out beautiful backpacks and loads of supplies. We have given you a push, even provided tutoring free of charge. Now it is your turn. Get to work. We believe in you!
AAACC Meetings & Events
September 14 – Open Mic/Fundraiser, 4 p.m.-8 p.m., Dreiser, Rm. 15
September 15 – General Meeting, 3 p.m., Dreiser, Rm. 15
October 12 – Open Mic/Fundraiser, 4 p.m.-8 p.m., Dreiser, Rm. 15
October 20 – General Meeting, 3 p.m., Dreiser, Rm. 15
November 17 – General Meeting, 3 p.m., Dreiser, Rm. 15
December 7 – Open Mic/Fundraiser, 4 p.m.-8 p.m., Dreiser, Rm. 15
December 14 – Pre-Kwanzaa Celebration
If you wish to join the AAACC – $25/year for a single membership and $35/year for a family/household. Zelle us your payment using our email address. Email: aaaccpower@gmail.com. Call: 646-883-9095. Mailing Address: The African-American Association of Co-op City, P.O. Box 702, Co-op City Station, Bronx, NY 10475. AAACC Programs
Belly Dance Classes: Contact Xonia Wilson at 646-301-9438.
Evening Line Dance Classes: Contact Cynthia Dixon at 917-903-7073
Yoga & Pilates Classes: Contact Meena Sharpe-Hicks at 917-863-1507
Co-op City Baptist Church “Gospel Line Dancers”: Contact Joyce Smith at 718-320-0714.
“Each one of us multiplied by all of us equals a force for good.”
––Michelle Marbury
Building 12 Association
Welcome September! I hope everyone had an enjoyable summer. Building 12 is back and ready to have another fantastic year!
First on our agenda was our very successful school supply giveaway. The students of our building were very pleased with the items they received. We wish each of them a positive and productive school year.
Annual dues are being collected during the entire month of September. We will be collecting in our lobby and via CashApp (signs are posted throughout the building with instructions). Our annual dues are used for association supplies, meeting refreshments, holiday decoration, activity supplies and building giveaways.
We will have our Executive Board election on September 19, at 7p.m., in our meeting room. All positions are open, please see your lobby postings for instructions. We will also offer absentee voting online for those who cannot attend the meeting. Online voting will be available from September 13 through September 19, or you may vote in person on the 19th.
Our first meeting for the year will feature a special guest from Riverbay who will be available to discuss the recent concerns regarding the leaks in the F and G lines as well as mold and mildew throughout our apartments. Please submit your questions and concerns to me regarding these issues so that we can make sure all your questions are addressed, and the meeting moves smoothly.
Building 12 is a building that is known for taking action and we want you to know that we are here to help. Please feel free to follow us on FB: “Building 12 Association - Co-Op City,” on Instagram: “@bldg12association_coopcity” and we can be reached by email: “Building12Board@gmail.com.”
—Tanya Clark-Ingram
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
Harvest Home Farmer’s Market
Stop by the Harvest Home Farmers Market in Co-op City every Wednesday and Saturday, from 7 a.m.-3 p.m., in the park between Asch Loop and Aldrich Avenue (adjacent to the firehouse).
Shareholders are encouraged to patronize local farmers who provide fresh, organic produce and goods. Hostetler’s Produce from Pennsylvania, Grandpa Farm from Chester, NY and Healthy Meals with Angie of the Bronx, NY have been onsite with fresh fruits, vegetables, homebaked goods and products, juices, and healthy meal demonstrations by Harvest Home associates utilizing fresh produce from the farmers which shoppers can then sample.
Photos by Brandi Simpson
BBB Scam Alert: When Booking a Rental Car, Watch Out for Phony Deals
Need to rent a car? When reaching out to rental car companies to book a rental, take extra steps to be sure you’re talking with the right person. BBB Scam Tracker is receiving reports of con artists impersonating rental car company representatives. They claim to be able to get you a deal on your rental, but it’s really a way to trick you into paying hundreds of dollars for a car that doesn’t exist.
How This Scam Works
You search for a rental car company online and dial the phone number that appears at the top of the results. A “customer service representative” answers and explains that you are in luck! The company is offering a special promotion. If you pay for your rental upfront using a gift card or prepaid debit card, you can get a significant discount.
It seems odd, but the representative insists that the “deal” is a partnership with the gift or prepaid debit card provider. You purchase the cards and share the PIN with the representative. In several reports, the scammer insists that the money didn’t transfer, and you need to purchase another card. But no matter how many cards you buy, the outcome will be the same. The “special offer” is a scam, and the rental car doesn’t even exist.
One consumer shared their recent experience with a rental car booking scam on BBB Scam Tracker, “I called [company name redacted] to rent a car and was told I needed to choose one of the stores they use to buy a Visa card and send it to them to get the vehicle. I was given the impression that this was the only [way] to reserve a discount...I then found out they wanted another $250. I asked for a refund and was told I would lose $100 for breaking a contract.” This consumer reported losing $325.
How to Avoid Similar Scams
• Never make payments with prepaid debit cards or gift cards. Scammers prefer these payment methods because there is nothing you can do to get your money back. Remember, legitimate companies almost always accept credit cards as the primary means of payment. If you’re being asked to pay with a gift card, a wire transfer, or a digital wallet app, consider these red flags for a scam.
• Use contact information listed directly on the business’s website instead of relying on an internet search for customer support phone numbers (double check the URL).
• Beware of sponsored links. Fake websites sometimes pop up in your web browser’s sponsored ad section and appear at the top of the search results. Be careful when clicking! Hover over the URL to be sure it’s the right one.
• When in doubt, verify special deals directly with the company. If you are unsure about a promotional offer, get the customer service number from the company’s official website. Call the company directly to make sure the deal is real.
Co-op City Creatives – Michael Colón
BY P.M. CAMPBELL
Michael Colón, 33, is an interdisciplinary writer from Co-op City. His writing – including articles on religion, short essays on consciousness, and polemics on lifestyle – appears in both local and digital publications. Looking at one of his older poems and his new book, however, it is clear that his literary skills are best displayed in his poetry.
His poem, “Ecstasy and Solace in Rhythm,” (at right) challenges the idea that sports are thoughtless recreational activities. Rather, he feels that they can be as therapeutic as writing a book, for example. To Colón, who grew up playing in Section 5, basketball is both physically and intellectually cathartic.
The poem effectively transforms the court into a classroom, and the practicing player into a student of an historical and musical tradition. His use of repetition reminds the reader that while practice may not make perfect, a student must “try again. Fail again. Fail better,” in the words of writer Samuel Beckett. Therefore, the lessons of the poem’s basketball court are to practice optimism and intentionality.
Michael Colón published his frst book, “My Life’s Muse in Dark and Light Moods,” on Sept. 2, 2024 (pictured above). While this poem is not included, it shows how the poet wrestles with themes of crisis and triumph in that work. Like “Ecstasy and Solace in Rhythm,” the book is based on his lived experiences in Co-op, where he went to elementary, middle, and high school.
“It’s home,” Colón said, describing why Co-op City appears in the book’s cover. “Co-op City is always home no matter where life takes me.”
He started work on this book about six months ago, and after drafting, revising, and sequencing his poems, he decided to self-publish. Colón, who is now working on three fction manuscripts, hopes his work can serve as a blueprint for other writers. In writing this book, he refects the player in his poem; he said, “I’m throwing it out there to the world and putting my creativity into it.”
Submit Your Art to Co-op City Creatives!
Ecstasy and Solace in Rhythm
All worries fade away on the paradise of asphalt.
The sun will always rise and set through the elevated goal.
In this sport, our indifference comes to a halt.
Elegant moves and explosive power in a game of constant thought.
The heartbeat of a game through wins and losses, stories are told.
All worries fade away on the paradise of asphalt.
Dreams and memories are preserved through sweating salt.
Jumpshots jump start the playground’s soul.
In this sport, our indifference comes to a halt.
Aerial acrobatics to the basket as an aggressive artistic assault.
Sitting on my round paint brush with the painted lines, a beauty to behold.
All worries fade away on the paradise of asphalt
An empty court where so many lessons are taught.
Emptying all of me here makes me whole.
All worries fade away on the paradise of asphalt.
In this sport, our indifference comes to a halt.
With thousands of residents from all across the globe, Co-op City is home to artists of all kinds. Shareholders have written books, performed poetry, directed flms, created murals, and they all deserve a spotlight. The column, “Co-op City Creatives,” serves not only to showcase shareholders’ art from Sections 1-5, but to also take a deep dive on what makes that artist unique. If you consider yourself an artist, regardless of age, medium, or education, send your work to cctimes@riverbaycorp. com with the subject “Coop Creatives” and include your phone number so you’ll have the chance to be interviewed and your work displayed in the Coop City Times.
Section 4 Partnership
Free Online Tutoring is Still Available from “Learn to Be”
This is truly the gift that keeps on giving. We are extending our offer of “free” online tutoring services through our partnerin 2008, their volunteer tutors have helped students from low-inmath and reading comprehension to chemistry and precalculus. For more in-
S4P Mission Statement
The Section 4 Partnership’s purpose is to promote a community of more
Building Associations and Committees
Zoom or Webex or other modes of
and make and make a silent pledge to get involved. Anytime Gift Idea! – 50thAnniversary T-Shirts!
emailing: section4partnership@gmail.com, or phone: 347-915-4939.
––Michelle Marbury
Co-op City Toastmasters
Where communication is not an option
Hello, America, greetings from the you read this, the 2024 Presidential De-tory. However, we hope you did see the see? Did it “speak” to you? For Ameri-is, who will run our country for the next four years. Ultimately, you will make thecation is not an option. That is why we ask these
Fellow citizens, do you want to learn/improve and wonderful storytelling? While it is up to you the right place, if you come to Toastmasters and give us a chance, we could help to achieve those
staircase.
three thousand were in attendance. Lucky for all the potential Toastmasters
Co-op City TM Networking meets every Thursday at 6:30 p.m. (unless Toastmasters meeting every Thursday at 7:30 p.m. Follow us on LinkedIn : ––L. Jaysura
Above: (L) Pres. Rajiv Jadhav and Networking Team Below: Guest winner Marilyn Walker, winner of Table Topics, with VPE Kim Sudderth.
National Council of Negro Women
NCNW Co-op City Section –Zoom at 9 a.m. on the greenway. We will be walking together for a shared
Building 6 Association
way to reclaim that spirit of unity that followed 9/11.
be our special guest speaker. The workshop is inside the Association room. Limited
cious. Neighbors, please discard your garbage and recyclables correctly. Take big bulk –Arch-
bishop Desmond Tutu
—Lauren K. Lassiter
Building 20 Association
of the second Sunday of the month.
NCNW Youth Section –September is National Suicide Prevention Month (con’t) – This millions worldwide who struggled with suicidal ideation, and to stand cide. Depression, stress, loneliness, and substance abuse are contribu communities across the country, raising awareness and funds that go
Social Media – www. ncnwcoopcitysection.com Instagram ncnwco.opcity@gmail.com
—Joyce Howard
Welcome back! I hope that the Building 20 residents got plenty of rest and relaxation during July and August. The Building 20 Association’s fall meetings will begin on Thursday, September 19, at 7 p.m., in the Association room in Building 20B, 120 Asch Board committees.
At our June meeting, the Building 20 Association elections were held. Again, we that you will attend this important meeting for an opportunity to learn more about the
nance department, or wish to mention other community issues, you are welcome to do of our neighbors.
nual dues of $10 will be collected at this time. Kindly bring the exact amount. Dona
7 p.m. We look forward to seeing you on Thursday, September 19.
––Francine Jones
Section Five Association
Hello, neighbors. We trust your summer was good and all you wanted to do was accomplished. Section 5 Association members, we are approaching the and all? We wish all children a wonderful and safe learning environment. Board of Directors – Our new president of the Board is Mr. Rod Saunders. If you have not read his report in the Co-op City Times from the September 7 issue, please do. I felt Sonia Feliciano did a good job during her tenure. Mr. Saunders has expressed he will work on the issues and on what cooperators have been asking for. We agree wholeheartedly. We have had concerns about the same issues over and over and Mr. Saunders’ intention is to address the issues on his to-do list. We believe him, because minor matters such as directional signs for 100, 120 and 140 Erdman Pl. have not been addressed nor completed since the request in the year 2018. So, perhaps we really will get things done as the Board works along with Management. We wish the Board and Management the best of luck. When shareholders’ concerns are addressed, this should encourage them to vote in our annual Riverbay Board Elections. People always remember who helped them and have a tendency to vote or let you know they appreciated your help. Remember, this is our home, our community, we also have new Management, Mr. Walton and Cary Smith, who walk these grounds and meet with the shareholders. Let us keep that in mind and be thankful.
Elevators – In Garage 7, the new elevator was installed in the front. Now, the rear elevator is closed for repair installation until further notice. There are also areas of the garage closed for repairs due to Local Law 126. The notices are much clearer.
The vice president of SFA, Ms. Carol Arthur, is available for information able to offer assistance.
We offer our sympathies and condolences to all families who lost a loved one. We wish all the best of good health. Happy birthday wishes. One may reach Nelson Sweeting, president, at Section5association10@gmail.com or 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
Good day, neighbors. This week we remembered, and we hope reviewed, what happened on September 11, 2001. Please do not forget the lessons we learned from this attack or any aggressive behavior – think before you act. The doers achieved nothing positive by their heinous crime.
Our Association hopes everyone received their issue of the Co-op City Times. Call the following number to report non-delivery, 1-407-666-8317, Saturdays only, between 9 a.m.-1 p.m.
Two major concerns of mine appeared in the “President’s Report” of September 7. Both have been around for over a year. We mentioned both in past
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 to 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.-1 p.m. Grocer-
required. 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.
Farmers Market Coupons: Show us your farmers’ market magic! Did you use your Senior Farmer Market coupons or Health Bucks this year? Share your delicious creations and healthy recipes. We want to celebrate the amazing things our community is doing with fresh, local food. Your photos could
farmers’ markets 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 19 (waitlist only) – Join us for a delicious southern feast at Black Eyed Sally’s and an exciting day at MGM Casino! $120 total cost for transportation and dining. Final payment ($60) is due by September 20. Boarding times: 920 Baychester Avenue stop boards 8:40 a.m. and leaves at 9 a.m. (sharp); Asch Loop stop boards at 9:05 a.m. and leaves at 9:15 a.m. (sharp); Einstein Community Center stop boards at 9:30 a.m. and leaves at 9:45 a.m. (sharp). Please be early and remember your assigned seat to ensure a quick departure. We look forward to seeing you!
Contact Us: coopcityblackforum@gmail.com
—D. Illis
Co-op City Department of Public Safety (718) 671-3050 • www.ccpd.us • @CCPDnyc If you SEE something, SAY something!
club articles. One is the leaving of e-bikes all over Co-op City. We struggle walking around abandoned bikes left on random paths. The other issue is the parking of tractor trailers on Tillotson and Conner Street, going north out of Sections 1 & 2. These are critical, and if left unsolved, they cause safety issues. Happy to see Open Board Meetings broadcast over Zoom. This is so important to homebound and partially disabled people. We want to know what is going on. We look forward to the new Board of Directors and Executive Board Members, and we hope they will be attending the meetings regularly. Again, kudos to Sonia Feliciano and good luck to new President Rod Saunders, a longtime community activist, in his term as president. It does nothing to criticize the past, just do better going forward. Once again, we can walk the path to Adler Place and Asch Loop. It has been enhanced and the pathway beautifully paved. Also, do not forget to patronize Dreiser and Bartow stores. There are several new ones and a few old ones. They look forward to your patronage. Just take the time to look at them as you walk around.
Please do not dump house garbage in the pedestrian cans on the brickwork. If you get caught, it
Recycling bins are at the garages. Recycle your gently used things into the bins by them. For Broun Place, it is Garage 6.
Regarding dogs, barking and aggressive behavior is not allowed. Please keep your dogs controlled and quiet. Plus, leashing is required. Dog owners must clean up behind their dogs. To report a problem, the CCPD phone number is 1-718-671-3050.
Wise words for this week, “Life’s tragedy – We get old too soon and wise too late” –Benjamin Franklin “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,” –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,” from 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.”
We thank the Co-op City Times for publishing the obituary for Mrs. Carol Valentine.
––Eva Kindaichi-Lazaar
Retirees of Dreiser Loop
Greetings, retirees and friends.
We hope that you and your loved ones are doing well. The cooler fall weather is already in the air. We hope you are all enjoying this sweater and jacket weather.
Hunterdon Hills Playhouse – Saturday, October 19. Tickets are $155 and include a tribute to Tina Turner show and lunch. Final payments are due now. The bus will pick up in front of H&R Block and will leave promptly at 9 a.m. The estimated time of return is 6 p.m., with drop-offs at Einstein, Asch and Dreiser Loop. Serita can be reached at 347-564-5722 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 – Please continue to keep Pearl Crichlow’s family in your thoughts and prayers as they continue to mourn her loss.
Good and Welfare – George Crouch was recently hospitalized, so we ask that you please keep him in your thoughts and healing prayers. 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, Rm. 19, Bronx, NY 10475. Questions may be addressed to Mary at 718-655-9170.
General Meeting – Our next general membership meeting will be held on Wednesday, October 2, at 1 p.m., in the Dreiser Center Auditorium C. We look forward to seeing you there.
––Georgianna Rodriguez
Goose Island Seniors
Goose Island Fall Party – Fri., Sept. 27 at 1 p.m. in our club, Rm. 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 in 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., 1-3:30 p.m. Members only. Admission: $5 for three cards; $0.25 each additional card; 12 games and jackpot. Refreshments.
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 September 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.
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 at 8 a.m., in-person only, and at 11 a.m., in-person and on Zoom. Sunday School classes for all ages will be held at 9:30 a.m. 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 11 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 their computer or dial-in using the Zoom information shown above.
This week’s events: Wednesday Bible Study Classes at 1 p.m. and 5 p.m. on Zoom. Prayer Warriors Prayer Service on Thursday at 12 p.m., on the church conference call line. On Thursday at 2 p.m., the Circle of Grace Knit and Crochet Group will meet at the church, in Rm. 51. Friday Mid-Morning Prayer Service at 10 a.m. and 7:30 p.m., on the church conference call line.
The next CCBC Food Giveaway Ministry’s food distribution will be on Friday, 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
Please Refrain From Littering. Keep Co-op City Clean! Thank You!
Co-op
City NORC Program Invites You for These In-Person & Virtual Activities
Bartow OAC Trips – All trips are $6 and pick up is 10 a.m., except for Wegman’s which is $12 and pick up is 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 Bartow OAC Annual Health & Well-
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.
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
ness Fair, Saturday, Oct. 19, 11 a.m.-3 p.m., Dreiser Auditorium B, 177 Dreiser Loop, 2nd floor. Free admission! Vendors, music, food, giveaways & fun. Bartow OAC – Holiday Bash at 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.
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.
NON-KOSHER: Baked Fish in Black Bean Sauce, Pasta, Normandy Blend Vegetables, Watermelon
Community Protestant Church
Rev. Dr. Calvin E. Owens and the Community Protestant Church family welcome you to worship with us. We are located at 1659 East Gun Hill Road, Bronx, NY 10469. You may contact us by phone: 718-862-9172, fax: 718-6714416 or email: Administration@thecpcchurch.org.
Every Wednesday – “Hour of Power Noon Day Prayer,” 12 p.m., on the Conference Call Line: 712-432-3900. Access Code: 343284#.
Every Wednesday – 7 p.m., Bible Study online via Zoom. Log in on Zoom. com or dial One-Tap-Mobile: 646-931-3860 or 929-205-6099, Meeting ID: 837 7258 6522.
Save the Date
Sunday, October 27 – Missionary and Nurses Anniversary Saturday, November 2 – Details to follow
Sunday, November 3, 11 a.m. – 48th Pastoral Anniversary
It was good to have our favorite bass guitarist, Minister Troy Murray, among us again. We have missed hearing him play and sing as a vibrant member of the Praise Team. Up from North Carolina, he rejoined us on Sunday this time as our guest preacher. Minister Murray gave us “Standing on God’s Word” taken from (1 Kings 22:1-19). You can turn your life around, just give it all to the Lord. He will take care of you.
We extend our heartfelt condolences to all who are mourning the loss of a loved one. To our sick and shut-in members, please know that we are praying mightily for you and for your speedy recovery. We wish everyone who celebrates their birthday this month a very happy birthday!
“Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him and he will do this.” (Psalm 37:5)
––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 spiritual growth, fellowship, and service to God and our community. Services are held in person at 2350 Palmer Avenue across from Building 30. Parking is available. You can also participate with us via Zoom (904 4685745) or Facebook live (UMC Coop City). –Pastor, Rev. Sara Girón-Ortiz.
“If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to James 1:5 NIV
As Christians, we know that we will experience trials and tribulations in our life. However, as humans, in the midst of trials, we may feel overwhelmed and defeated. We may even have questions such as “why is this happening to me?” and/or “what should I do?”
In the context of the verse above, James is referring to seasons of trials when we don’t understand the reason and we don’t know what to do. Prior to this consider trials as an opportunity for great joy. Due to the fact that this is easier said than done, in verses 3-4, James then tells us that such moments are opportunities to grow our faith in God. From God’s perspective, it is important for trials as we strive for maturity in our faith.
Newsong Church
God Rules Over Those Who Rule
The king said to Daniel, “Surely your God is the God of gods and the Lord of kings and a revealer of mysteries, for you were able to reveal this mystery.” Daniel 2:47 (NIV)
We live in troubling times but we serve the God who knows, rules and reigns over the future. He also reveals divine truth and direction to his children as we walk with Him. We can take comfort that for God, everything is the history channel, and nothing is ever “breaking news.”
Over the next few weeks, we will continue diving into the book of Daniel. Daniel was a man who found himself a prisoner living in Babylon, yet he our series “In the Fire.”
About us: Newsong Church is a life-giving church right here in Co-op 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 11a.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?
Contact Us
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
wisdom during our trials. However, we must make the decision to ask and believe without any doubt. Through faith, perseverance, and the hope that we possess through Jesus Christ, in time of weakness, we can approach God’s to assist us in our times of need.
May God give us the wisdom to understand our trials from His perspective and the strength to endure them for His honor and glory!
Come and Receive a Blessing: All are Welcome!
Tuesday: English Bible Study. New date TBA
Thursday: Bilingual Prayer Service at 10 a.m.
Food Pantry: 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Upcoming Events – Save the Dates.
Sunday, September 15: – (New Time)
English service at 11:15 a.m.; Spanish service at 12:30 p.m.
• Sunday, October 6: Bilingual service, communion, and celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month. Servicio bilingüe, comunión, y celebración del mes de la herencia hispana.
• 50th Anniversary of the Church/Thanksgiving Celebration at Pine Restaurant (Bronxdale Ave.), Saturday, Nov. 23, from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. Fee applies. See Karen or Jennie for more info.
—Grace Abadia
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 other areas. In-person worship service for the Seventeenth Sunday after Pentecost will be conducted by Father Simeon Johnson at the church on Sunday, September 15, 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 look forward to welcoming you back to church in-person as the weeks go by.
If you have not yet completed your pledge cards, kindly do so as soon as 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 of $35 now and the balance of $30 by October 30. To make payments in the absence of June, please see Janicia (Jan) 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 in West Farms. If you can, please contribute for those in need.
Grace and Peace!
––Merville Chambers
Pentecostal Tabernacle
100 Co-op City Blvd., Building 22A, Bronx, NY 10475.
You are welcome to join in worship service on the following days:
• Sunday classes start at 10:30 a.m. Worship service starts at 11:45 a.m.- 2 p.m.
• Wednesday Prayer and fasting service, 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
Bible Study and prayer meeting, Wednesday evening, 7:30 p.m.
• Friday Worship service will start at 7:30 p.m.
All night services will be held on Zoom until further noticed. To join, call 646-931-3860; ID 85748454513; Passcode 850684#.
Focus: Right Living
Micah 6: 1-9, “Hear ye now what the Lord saith; Arise, contend thou before the mountains; and let the hills hear thy voice. Hear ye, O mountains, the Lord’s controversy and ye strong foundations of the earth; for the Lord hath a controversy with his people, and he will plead with Israel. O my people, what have I done unto thee? And wherein have I wearied thee? Testify against me. For I brought thee up out of the land of Egypt and redeemed out of the house of servants; and I sent before thee Moses, Aaron, and Miriam.
O my people, remember now what Balak king of Moab consulted, and what Balaam the son of Beor answered him from Shittim unto Gilgal; that ye may know the righteousness of the Lord, Wherewith, shall I come before the Lord, and bow myself before the high God? Shall I come before him with
burnt offerings, with calves of a year old?
Will the Lord be pleased with thousands of rams, or with ten thousand rivers the sin of my soul? He hath shown thee O man, what is good; and what doeth the Lord require of thee but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God? The Lord’s voice crieth unto the city, and the man of wisdom shall see thy name; hear he the rod, and who hath appointed it.”
What God requires of us is to do justly, to follow his order. Christ himself was obedient to death, even death on the cross. Therefore, we should remember that obedience is an essential part of the Christian faith, and we should walk humbly before God, obeying his words every day, desiring to do good to everyone and being constant in prayer. Pray without ceasing.
1 Thessalonians 5:22-24, “Abstain from all appearance of evil, And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly, and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, Faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it.”
1 John 4:7-8;19, “Beloved let us love one another, for love is of God, and everyone that loveth is born of God. And knoweth God. He that loveth not
—Rev. R. Sibblies
Church of the New Vision
Greetings, in the name of our Lord and Saviour 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 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 welcomed. Masks are required.
Noon Day Prayer Line is open 12-12:30 p.m., Monday-Friday. Wednesday Night Prayer Service and Bible Study, 7-8 p.m. Conference Line Number: 646769-9900, Access Code: 3099388# Please mute your phone.
September 8 Worship Service Theme: “The Foe, The Fight and the Flight” Scripture: James 4:5-10 NLT, “Do you think the Scriptures have no meaning? They say that God is passionate that the spirit he has placed within us should be faithful to him. And he gives grace generously. As the Scriptures say, ‘God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.’ So, humble yourGod and God will come close to you. Wash your hands, you sinners; purify your hearts, for your loyalty is divided between God and the world. Let there be tears for what you have done. Let thee be sorrow and deep grief. Let there be sadness instead of laughter, and gloom instead of joy. Humble yourselves
before the Lord, and he will lift you up in honor.”
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, an eight-day/seven-night-cruise leaving from Miami. Ports of Call: Nassau, Bahamas, St. Thomas and St. $2785pp. Please make deposit of $500 per stateroom to reserve your room, and gratuities. (*Air rates may differ based on departing airport.) Contact: Hermena Smith at info@churchnewvisionbx.org to request 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 75-3037, Einstein Station, Bronx, NY 10475. Thank you.
—Brenda Brown
Traditional Synagogue of Co-op City
120 Erdman Place (back of 27B lobby), Bronx, NY 10475
High Holidays Schedule 5785 (2024)
ROSH HASHANAH Services will be conducted by: Rabbi Avraham Parks; Cantor: Joseph Ringel
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 at 7:10 p.m.
Yom Kippur Services
Yom Kippur – Friday, October 11
Candle lighting and fast begins at 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 welcome new members. For 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. If you would like 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.
General Information
The synagogue has Services on Saturday morning starting at 10 a.m. After serving, we serve hot/cold kiddush meal.
The Traditional Synagogue is located in Section 5, 120 Erdman Place in Entrance to our synagogue for Saturday services is on the side door.
Phone #:
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, September 14, at 7:58 p.m.
Candle lighting for Friday, September 20, at 6:35 p.m. Good and Welfare
The congregation welcomes donations in honor or memory of a loved one. For information about the congregation and its services, please call 646-285-1206. To all Members: Happy birthday to all our members who will be 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
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The deadline for submission of editorial content to the Co-op City Times is MONDAYS by 3 p.m. Articles received after this deadline are
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In an effort to better accommodate all the organizations, groups and religious institutions that submit articles for inclusion in the Co-op City Times, weekly submissions MUST NOT exceed 500 words Submission may be sent to cctimes@riverbaycorp.com; faxed to (718) 320-2595 or hand delivered to Rm. 21 in the Bartow Center. Thank you for your cooperation.
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No Condemnation What nation do you come from? We usually align ourselves with our birthcondemnation!
and Dan-one condemned you?
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