Co-op City Times 10/17/20 by Co-op City Times

Vol. 55 No. 42

Saturday, October 17, 2020

Early voting in New York begins next Saturday, Oct. 24, 2020 Eligible New York voters can begin to cast their ballots in the Nov. 3, 2020 general election – this year also a presidential election – on Saturday, October 24, 2020 through Sunday, Nov. 1, 2020. All polls are closed on Monday, November 2, for Election Day preparations. The early voting poll site for Co-op City shareholders is Truman HS located in Education Park, 750 Baychester Av- NY Fast Pass Tag is bar coded and enue, Bronx, NY 10475 (back entrance can be attached to your keyring for labeled, “Exit 21,” to the gymnasium). contactless voting. During early voting, polls will be open according to the following schedule: • Saturday, October 24, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. • Sunday, October 25, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. • Monday, October 26, 7 a.m. – 3 p.m. • Tuesday, October 27, 12 p.m. – 8 p.m. • Wednesday, October 28, 12 p.m. – 8 p.m. • Thursday, October 29, 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. • Friday, October 30, 7 a.m. – 3 p.m. • Saturday, October 31, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. • Sunday, November 1, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Voters must wear a face mask and observe social distancing while at the poll location. All registered voters are eligible to vote early. Voters who have received their “Fast Pass Tag” which is bar coded for contactless voting should bring it along when heading to the polls. BY ROZAAN BOONE

(Continued on page 4)

$1.25

2020 Count ends as a result of Supreme Court ruling BY TORIEA McCAUSELAND

A Supreme Court ruling on Tuesday, October 13, brought the Census count to an abrupt end, leaving workers in a last-minute scramble to collect as many responses as possible, with only two days to go. The Supreme Court greenlit requests from the Trump administration to stop the 2020 count ahead of the original October 31 deadline. According to a media release from the 2020 Census, “… The Supreme Court allowed President Trump to cut the 2020 Census count by two weeks, a move designed to depress responses among Black, Brown, and immigrant New Yorkers and rob New York City of billions for critical programs, as well as congressional representation and seats in the Electoral College for the next 10 years.” Immediately after the announcement, the Census focused its outreach on neighborhoods with low response rates. People who did not fill out the survey at that point were urged to postmark mailin responses by Thursday and complete the online form by 6 a.m. Eastern on Friday morning. (Continued on page 2)

Random COVID-19 testing in schools begins this month BY BRANDON ORTIZ

The New York City Department of Education announced that random COVID19 testing began earlier this month in public schools across all five boroughs and will continue throughout the school year. The initiative was organized by NYC Health + Hospitals, the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH), and the NYC Test & Trace Corps. According to the NYCDOE website, testers will visit different district schools every month and test a randomly selected group of staff and students from first grade through high-school. Additionally, the specific number of people tested each time will depend on the size of the school. (Continued on page 6)

Pedestrian islands being installed in Hutchinson River P’way school zone

New York City Department of Transportation has begun school safety improvements at Hutchinson River Parkway East, Palmer Avenue to Einstein Loop North, in the vicinity of the location of PS 160, P168X and Equality Charter Middle School in Co-op City, as part of the city’s Vision Zero program. To increase safety around the school loading zones and organize traffic, the DOT plans to shorten crosswalks and install pedestrian islands to improve visibility and improve crossing distances. Planned changes also include new parking markings and the loss of 11 parking spots, and restrictions on 16 parking spaces. Photos by John Alexander

Census

Co-op City Times / October 17, 2020 (Continued from page 1)

Jeff T. Behler, Regional Director of the U.S. Census Bureau, told the Co-op City Times: “The 2020 Census is almost complete. Over 99 percent of the nation has been counted. Census takers are following up with the remaining households.” Changes in the deadline began due to the COVID19 pandemic, leaving the Census Bureau to alter outreach operations. In August, with the deadline originally scheduled for October 31, then September 30, the Census lost a full month in garnering counts across the country and possibly left many households uncounted because of the court’s ruling. Mr. Behler previously told the Co-op City Times that although the survey was due sooner, the Census had more time than scheduled and was confident they could get the job done. He said: “Our self-response period should have been mid-March thru the end of July. We got two additional months as a result of COVID. We’re still collecting self-responses all through the end of September.” At that point, Census takers had eight weeks to knock on doors to collect as many responses as possible. A shortage in counts isn’t a big concern now as the Census has already beaten their current goal as of August. “We didn’t put any local, regional, or state goals out. We have one goal, a national goal. We had to estimate what the self-response rate would be once we start to knock on doors. Before we knew anything about COVID-19, we anticipated that we’d be at 60.5% self-response rate; so far, we’ve beaten that,” said Mr. Behler. Even though the Census could not bring people together via partnerships with community organizations and to have on-the-spot survey taking at events, New York is still in a good position. Mr. Behler said, “We canceled all of those plans due to COVID-19, but

New York is doing well given it was the epicenter of COVID-19 at the start of the Census.” The Census started their door-to-door operation where Census takers “visit every household that has not already responded to the 2020 Census to ensure a complete and accurate count,” in August until the October 15 cutoff. Residents who took the time to complete the 2020 Census have done their part to contribute to the success of their city, state, and local neighborhoods. “The biggest selling point for the importance of taking the Census is federal funding that comes into communities based upon formulas that use Census data – Medicare, Medicaid, SNAP, WIC, the infrastructure of communities, community grants, national school lunch and breakfast programs to supplies/size of classrooms, Pell grants, and so much more,” Mr. Behler said. With the second wave of COVID-19 looming over

EYE DOCTORS

the city, the pandemic has disrupted all healthcare system areas, leaving many without equipment, beds, and even medical professionals. Mr. Behler said: “We’ve seen our healthcare systems strain and struggle as a result of COVID-19. Let’s make sure they have the equipment and supplies that they need.” On Wednesday, October 14, the NYC Census 2020 reported historical progress made so far during this survey year despite COVID-19: ● A near matching of the 2010 initial return rate of 61.9%, despite COVID-19 outreach barriers. ● A closing self-response rate gap when compared to the nation (from approximately 14 percentage points in 2010 to about five percentage points in 2020). ● Significant improvements in self-response rates in Black communities across the city. ● NYC beat the U.S. Census Bureau’s pre-COVID estimate of 58% self-response by 3.4 percentage points. ● NYC’s self-response rate is ahead of Los Angeles, Chicago, Boston, Philadelphia, Houston, Dallas, Atlanta, Miami, Orlando, Baltimore, New Orleans, Detroit, and many others. As of Friday, October 16, New York City has a self-response rate of 61.5 %. The Bronx’s self-response rate percentage of households that have either went online, called, or mailed-in responses is 62%, while the state of NY is 64%. Mr. Behler previously told the Co-op City Times, “Keep in mind that the selfresponse rate doesn’t have anything to do with the number of people counted; it’s the percentage of households that have filled out their Census.”

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Co-op City Times / October 17, 2020

MTA offering free seasonal flu shots for all MTA employees BY BRANDON ORTIZ

Earlier this month, the MTA announced that all MTA employees will have access to a free seasonal flu shot as part of their campaign entitled, “Stop The Flu In Its Tracks.” The new initiative is a collaboration with Walgreens and Duane Reade and comes as the MTA gears up to protect its employees from what some health experts predict will be an especially tough flu season combined with the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. According to the MTA, all MTA employees can receive a free flu vaccination at any of the 50 worksite locations, at all MTA Medical Assessment Centers (MACs) or by presenting a voucher at any Walgreens or Duane Reade locations in the New York metropolitan area and beyond. Notably, MTA employees who plan on receiving their flu shot at an MTA facility should call the on-site contact listed in the promotional materials in advance in order to schedule an appointment to receive their shot. “The best way to stay healthy is to be proactive. Getting a flu shot minimizes the risk of getting sick not only for yourself but your family and coworkers,” said MTA Chief Safety Officer Pat Warren. “Last year, just five percent of our workforce took advantage of our free vaccination program. Given what’s at stake this year, we can and need to do better. We’re all in this together. Sign up and get your free flu shot today.” The MTA is hoping to combat this year’s flu season with a multi-faceted approach. In addition to free seasonal shots, the MTA is partnering with Northwell HealthGoHealth Urgent Care centers to offer free access to COVID-19 testing. Additionally, the press release mentions the MTA’s commitment to daily temperature checks administered by medically trained personnel at 22 locations across the city in an effort to help reduce the spread of illness. Specific task forces of MTA employees have also been deployed for the past few months to help distribute masks to customers, and the $50 fine is still in effect for riders who refuse to wear a mask. “It’s more important than ever to get vaccinated. The COVID-19 pandemic has caused shortages of hospital beds, ICU beds, and ventilators even outside of flu season,” according to a Harvard Medical School article published toward the end of last month. “During flu season, when both the flu and COVID-19 will be circulating, hospitals may again face shortages, limiting their ability to care for people who are seriously ill with the flu, COVID-19, or both.”

SAFE RIVERBAY

Traffic interruption in Section 2

Starting Wednesday, October 21, or Thursday, October 22, Con Ed will upgrade the underground gas lines along Carver Loop, Casals Place and Cooper Place in Section 2. In addition, work will continue along Co-op City Boulevard from Bellamy Loop North and proceed northbound along Co-op City Boulevard to Baychester Avenue. Work will take place Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 6 p.m., and on Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Residents, drivers, joggers and pedestrians should expect street and sidewalk closures, limited street parking, and loud noise while Con Ed performs the upgrade. Be advised that Con Ed is upgrading the underground gas lines throughout Co-op City. We will continue to provide shareholders with updates as we receive additional information. Thank you for your attention.

Scam calls

Be vigilant and alert when answering telephone calls. Remember that scammers can use available technology to make their calls appear as though they are coming from legitimate sources. If you are unsure about the identity of the caller, hang up and contact CCPD at (718) 671-3050 or the NYPD at 911. You can also contact the agency the call seemingly originated from using a phone number from your records. Under no circumstance should you return the call to the number on your Caller ID. In addition, never divulge personal banking or identification information or send money to anyone. Stay alert!

Social Security announces 1.3% benefit increase for 2021

Social Security Administration reported this week that Social Security and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits for approximately 70 million Americans will increase 1.3% in 2021. The 1.3% cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) will begin with benefits payable to more than 64 million Social Security beneficiaries in January 2021. Increased payments to more than 8 million SSI beneficiaries will begin on December 31, 2020. (Note: Some people receive both Social Security and SSI benefits). The Social Security Act ties the annual COLA to the increase in the Consumer Price Index as determined by the Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics. Some other adjustments that take effect in January of each year are based on the increase in average wages. Based on that increase, the maximum amount of earnings subject to the Social Security tax (taxable maximum) will increase to $142,800 from $137,700. Social Security and SSI beneficiaries are normally notified by mail starting in early December about their new benefit amount. Most individuals who receive Social Security payments will be able to view their COLA notice online through their personal my Social Security account. Recipients may create or access their my Social Security account online at www.socialsecurity.gov/myaccount. Information about Medicare changes for 2021, when announced, will be available at www.medicare.gov. For Social Security beneficiaries receiving Medicare, Social Security will not be able to compute their new benefit amount until after the Medicare premium amounts for 2021 are announced. Final 2021 benefit amounts will be communicated to beneficiaries in December through the mailed COLA notice and my Social Security’s Message Center.

Distribution of unsolicited advertisements in Co-op City Co-op City is private property and therefore prohibits distribution of unsolicited advertising material to shareholders’ homes and/or property, including cars parked in the development’s eight (8) garages. If you witness anyone depositing or distributing advertising material on Co-op City’s property, please call Public Safety at (718) 671-3050. Be prepared to give the location and description of the person(s) leaving the material. All unwanted, unsolicited advertising material should be disposed of properly and not thrown on the ground causing litter. Thank you for your cooperation.

Voting

Co-op City Times / October 17, 2020 (Continued from page 1)

New Yorkers, especially seniors, are urged to vote early to avoid crowds and help prevent community spread of coronavirus and also to ensure their votes are delivered in time to count in the election. In addition to in-person voting both during early voting and on Election Day, November 3, New York residents can also vote by Absentee Ballot. Because of COVID-19 concerns, Governor Andrew Cuomo has issued several executive orders to expand and improve absentee voting this year. These orders include a universal absentee ballot envelope and allowance for Absentee Ballots to be postmarked on November 3, 2020, the day of the election. The deadline to file an Absentee Ballot application is October 27, 2020. To apply for an Absentee Ballot, cut out and complete the application printed in the October 3, 2020 issue of the Co-op City Times and mail it to the Bronx Board of Elections, 1780 Grand Concourse, 5th Fl., Bronx, NY 10457; (718) 299-9017. The application is also available online at vote.nyc and can be returned by email (pdf) to Apply4Absentee@boenyc, or faxed to 212-487-5349. Those who have already applied for an Absentee Ballot can track the status of their application by visiting the NYC BOE website online at vote.nyc or nyabsentee.com. Absentee ballots can also be requested in-person up to November 2, 2020 by visiting or calling the Bronx BOE. After marking your choice of candidates on the Absentee Ballot, the ballot must be folded and placed in the smaller envelope included in your Absentee Ballot package that was mailed to your address. The back of the smaller envelope must be signed and dated, and the envelope sealed, and then placed into the larger envelope addressed to the Board of Elections. The completed Absentee Ballot can be mailed, in which case, it must be postmarked by November 3, 2020 and delivered to the Board of Elections by November 10 – no more than seven days after the election – in order to be counted. On the other hand, the Absentee Ballot envelope can be delivered in person to any early voting poll site, including Truman HS; to any Election Day poll site; or to any of the NYC Board of Elections seven borough and general/executive offices, which include the Bronx Board of Elections, where secure absentee ballot drop boxes are available 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. from now until Election Day for voters to deposit their completed ballots while avoiding crowds and delays. Additionally, the NYC BOE borough offices will offer extended hours for voters to access absentee ballot drop boxes on: Wednesday, Oct. 21, and Thursday, Oct. 22, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 24, and Saturday, Oct. 31, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 25, and Sunday, November 1, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 28, and Thursday, Oct. 29, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Voters should be aware, however, that not all early voting poll locations will accept absentee ballot drop off on Election Day, Nov. 3. Voters should confirm the nearest drop off location on Election Day by visiting vote.nyc. In Bronx County’s 78/82 Election/Assembly Districts, which encompasses Coop City, shareholders will select among candidates in the following contests: President and Vice President of the United States where voters will make one selection only; Representative in Congress (16th CD) where voters will select one candidate; State Senator (36 SD), one selection; Member of the State Assembly (82 AD) where voters will select one candidate only; and three Justices of the Supreme Court. You are required to fill in the oval above the names of the candidates of your choice. No extra marks should be made on the ballot or else it will be disqualified. (See page 6 for sample ballot.) While there is much emphasis this year on voting by mail because of health and safety concerns related to the pandemic, that option may not necessarily be a feasible one for many Americans especially those with language barriers, visual or physical challenges, who need help casting their ballots, according to Myrna Pérez, director of the voting rights and elections program at the Brennan Center for Justice. At a media briefing in early September held in concert with

health professionals from the Infectious Diseases Society of America’s (IDSA) global health committee, Ms. Perez pointed out, “In this time of crisis, we need to make sure that voters have options,” since in-person voting remains an important choice for Americans who may not be able to vote by mail. Dr. Krutika Kuppalli, vice chair of the IDSA’s global health committee and a biosecurity fellow at the Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security, stated, “As the pandemic continues to spread, it’s vital that we balance the right for citizens to vote along with the importance to maintain their health and safety in doing so.” She noted that the best chance of having a safe election is for all citizens to recognize that they play a role in helping to reduce community transmission, which means practicing good hand hygiene, wearing masks, maintaining a physical distance of at least six feet from others and abstaining from social gatherings. (See below for the IDSA’s poll safety guidelines.) As of press time yesterday, Oct. 16, according to the United States Elections Project, more than 21 million Americans have already voted by mail-in ballots or in-person early voting in their respective states, and an additional 80,905,924 voters have requested ballots.

Co-op City Times / October 17, 2020

Planting of hedges in Section 5

Planting of hedges in Section 5 began last week and enhances the landscape after new trees were planted by the Riverbay Grounds staff. Grounds personnel did the planting on Thursday and Friday afternoon after completing their regular maintenance duties in the earlier part of the day to ensure upkeep of the grounds throughout the property. “Because of the hard working attitude the Grounds staff has demonstrated from the get-go of this project and the quick response and cooperation of the nursery when it comes to how we want our plant deliveries and the quality of plants we need, we are now about two weeks ahead of schedule with the project,” said Mike Ambo, director of the Grounds department. “Building 31 is 95 percent complete and Buildings 26 and 30 are 50 percent complete. Our goal is to complete Building 26 and 30 within the next three weeks with what we planned out for this year. Some more planting will be done around Buildings 26 and 30 next spring and that will be mostly hedges but the trees will be planted this year.”

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Schools

Co-op City Times / October 17, 2020 (Continued from page 1)

Notably, the NYCDOE website also mentions that it hopes to offer in-school testing later this year for students who are showing symptoms of COVID-19, or who are a confirmed close contact of someone in the school who had already tested positive. Parents should know that these tests are not the “long swab” one and are instead a small swab that goes just inside the nostril and takes approximately two minutes to complete. The NYCDOE hopes to have saliva tests available later this school year as well. In order for a child to be tested at all, they need their parent to sign a consent form, which can be accessed online at the New York City Schools portal at mystudent.nyc. Parents should also know that, according to the NYCDOE website, consenting to testing is not mandatory and should a selected child feel uncomfortable about being tested, they will not be forced to do so. Once a child has been selected, parents can expect information about the testing process to be sent home with the child, specifically, when and how they will receive the results. According to the NYCDOE, the majority of all testing results will be available within 48 hours. Should a child test positive for COVID-19, the testing provider will subsequently notify the parent with a phone call and the NYC Test & Trace

Corps will also call to provide parents with necessary resources and help them decide what to do next with their child’s diagnosis. Governor Cuomo explained what he hoped the testing protocols in public schools will offer in terms of safety and precaution during a phone call with reporters earlier this month. “As soon as the school district gets their testing report on a daily basis, they must send the state that information as well as whoever they send it to, the county, the local board of education, and that information will be posted online as soon as we get it so parents, teachers will know how many tests were conducted and what the results of those tests are,” Gov. Cuomo said. “I hope this will give teachers and parents confidensce.” Locally, students who attend Truman High School in Coop City’s Education Park can expect one random group each month to be tested, according to an announcement to parents. Teachers Union president, Michael Mulgrew, issued a statement last week on the additional testing in schools. “Testing is one of the keys to halting the spread of the virus,” said Mr. Mulgrew. “The governor’s plan for additional testing for schools will help us keep our students, educators and school communities safe.”

Sample Election Ballot

Co-op City Times Co-op City’s official newspaper serving the world’s largest cooperative community. (718) 320-3300, ext. 3375 cctimes@riverbaycorp.com

Rozaan Boone Editor-in-Chief

Toriea McCauseland Junior Associate Editor

Jennifer Piovanetti Operations Manager

Ralph Henriquez Production Manager

John Crow New Media Producer The Co-op City Times welcomes issueoriented letters to the editor to be considered for publication. All letters, in prose, not poetry, must be addressed to the editor, not to third parties. All letters must be signed by the writers and include their addresses and phone numbers, which will be kept confidential, so that the editor can verify the authenticity of the authors. Writers will be limited to one letter per topic. Anonymous or unsigned letters will not be accepted for publication. Letters cannot exceed 350 words. Ideally, they should be typed. All letters must be in the Co-op City Times office in Room 21, Bartow Community Center, by 3 p.m. Monday to be considered for publication in that week’s edition. Views and opinions expressed in letters and Directors’ Viewpoint are solely the writer’s, and not necessarily shared by the Co-op City Times or Riverbay Corp. Advertisements and classified advertisements in the Co-op City Times do not necessarily reflect an endorsement from Riverbay Corp. of goods and services, but present greater options to cooperators of products and services available. The Riverbay Corporation does not assume any responsibility nor is it a party to any contract or agreement between the cooperator and the vendor. All matter published herein is copyrighted by the Co-op City Times. Permission for reprints of advertising or editorial contents produced by the Co-op City Times must be obtained in writing from Riverbay Corporation, 2049 Bartow Ave., Bronx, New York 10475.

Please Note: Articles for Co-op City building associations, clubs, churches and organizations are due on Monday by 5 p.m. Email your articles to cctimes@riverbaycorp.com. If the Co-op City Times Was Not Delivered: Call 347-439-5632 on Saturdays only, 9 a.m. - 1 p.m.

Co-op City Times / October 17, 2020

CCPD offers robbery prevention tips for October — Crime Prevention Month BY LIEUTENANT PAM APOLLO October has been recognized as Crime Prevention Month since 1984. In recognition of this, the Public Safety Report will provide various crime prevention topics for the month of October. This week’s article will address the topic of robbery and other crimes against the person. This article will provide information which will help make you aware of these types of crimes and ways to help reduce your chance of becoming a victim. Last week’s article featured auto crime awareness and prevention. This week’s article addresses crimes against your person. When these crimes involve violence or physical force, they pose the risk of a victim sustaining injury because they involve property being taken directly from your person. By following these tips, you may be able to avoid becoming a victim or minimize injury if you do become a victim of a robbery. For more information about crime prevention, contact the National Crime Prevention Council at 1000 Connecticut Avenue, NW, 13th floor, Washington, DC 20036; (202) 466-6272, or on their website, www.ncpc.org. There are crime proofing activities for kids of various ages and crime prevention ideas for adults. Pickpocketing is a crime that tends to increase during the holiday season. Retailers don’t let us forget that the holidays are right around the corner. Christmas decorations are replacing Halloween decorations in many retail stores. The pickpocket is a criminal who would like to have his crime go undetected. Pickpockets often practice their skills and take pride in their ability to remove your property unnoticed. This can be disconcerting as they may be able to attempt to use credit and debit cards before you detect that your property has been taken. Pickpockets may work alone but more frequently work in groups or packs. One may serve as a lookout, while another serves as a decoy and a third grabs your property. While shopping in crowded stores, be alert to any person who jostles into you or enters your personal space comfort zone. Pickpocket teams can often include one or more women. Be aware of someone faking an injury or creating some other type of distraction. Always keep your guard up in crowded situations. When property is taken without force, that is a Larceny. When force is used to remove property, that is known as Robbery. When force is used to try to remove property but no property is removed, that is known as Attempted Robbery. When the force which is used causes an injury, that is known as Assault. There are varying degrees listing very specific conduct and outcomes involving each of these very serious crimes contained in the New York State Penal Law. Always be alert to any persons loitering near banks or cash machines. Be alert to persons who appear to follow you from a bank or cash machine. Avoid using cash machines at night. If you must use a cash machine at night, choose a well lit location which you are familiar with. Also use caution when using a drive up cash machine, be sure your car doors are locked. Consider doing banking errands with a friend or family member.

Public Safety Report

Before you enter your building, apartment or vehicle, be sure no one is lurking about. Be sure your apartment door is locked at all times whether you are in or out of your apartment. The same holds true for Co-op City’s townhouse apartments. Make certain the front and rear door of your townhouse remain locked at all times. If someone suspicious is observed near your apartment, townhouse or vehicle, do not enter, call 9-1-1 and the Department of Public Safety at (718) 671-3050. Do not permit strangers to enter your building behind you. Not holding the door may seem rude but can keep a person with criminal intent from entering your building. (Continued on page 26)

Public Safety Blotter October 4 – October 10, 2020 10-09-2020 – 100 Alcott Place CCPD found a male within this building having no authority or permission to be therein. He was arrested and issued a Criminal Court Summons for trespassing. 100 Darrow Place Numerous reports have been filed for stolen packages. Several complainants stated they received notification for the arrival of Amazon orders, but when they found their packages, the boxes were empty. 100 Alcott Place A male was found sleeping on a roof stairway landing. CCPD officers investigated his presence at location and determined he was there illegally. The male was arrested and issued a Criminal Court Summons for trespass. The male was also found to have an open Warrant and was returned to Criminal Court. 100 Darrow Place CCPD received yet another complaint of Amazon orders being delivered then stolen. It is advised that attempts are made to set up package deliveries requiring a signature or have them sent to an Amazon locker where shareholders can pick them up.

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 the end of the employment listings for specific directions.

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

Co-op City Times / October 17, 2020

What’s new?

Director’s Viewpoint

Mary Pearson Secretary Dreiser Auditorium There was an unveiling of sorts of the long-awaited, renovated Dreiser auditorium. I say “of sorts” because though the auditorium was unveiled, the spectators were not. Masked Board members, staff, and a few others got a sneak peek, look-see at the newly (almost) finished Dreiser auditorium on Wednesday, October 7. And it’s fabulous. Congregation restrictions will still apply until who-knows-when (thanks, Covid-19) but when the day comes, it’ll be a jewel to be proud of. Originally, I was skeptical about the practicality of marketing our auditorium as a rental space because of the lack of close-enough parking. But they’ve got a plan for that! Talk of valet parkers scooting back and forth in golf carts has made me a believer. One of my favorites of the attention-to-detail touches was the look of the community center from the outside. Above the staircase-revealing wall of glass had been a paint-chipped mess that no amount of holiday decorations could ever cover up. That mess was sandblasted away leaving a classy exposed brick look. And the bathrooms! OMG! Workers, department heads, Management: Well done, everybody! Some in-person Election Day poll site changes Most, but not all, of Co-op City’s poll sites remain in the same locations as they were for the June Democratic primary. But some lucky northern section cooperators, who voted in one of the Dreiser Center’s three smaller rooms or in the store front the last time around, will get a preview of the eye-popping auditorium this time around. Voters in Buildings 3 (A, B), 4C, 5A, 6, 7, 8, 9 (A, B), 10 (A, B, C), 11 (A,B,C), 12, 23, 25, and the Defoe, Debs and Cooper Place townhouses will all be voting in the Dreiser auditorium. That’s for in-person voting on Election Day, November 3, only. Triple check for yourself online at findmypollsite or

via Vote.NYC, but don’t try poll site locator as in years past. It looks like the NYC BOE (Board of Elections) let that domain name expire! Dontcha hate when that happens. Anyway, I’ve gone to the findmypollsite site quite a few times in the past month or so, in preparation to pull together voting info flyers for each of the lobbies, and each time, something’s changed. At this point though, a new last minute change is doubtful, now that the NYC voter information mailers have already gone out. Vote Safe NYC! Information mailer You’ve gotten your BOE voter information mailer? It’s hard to miss, what with the mask-wearing Statue of Liberty’s picture on the back. The mailer contains this year’s spiffy, new, three-segmented plastic voter information card. Your personal bar code is on it but unlike last year’s info card, the numbers are back. That is, the Election District numbers, of which we have 41, and the Assembly District number, that we all share, which is AD82. The Election District numbers on the info. cards were done away with when the BOE upgraded the bound paper poll books to E-poll books. Just scanning your voter card bar code or giving your name to any poll worker, got you a ballot, freshly printed for your specific ED (on Early Voting days), or one from a bulk pack of ballots (on Election Day). But this season, ED numbers are back on the voter info cards to help lead you to your specific poll site table. To speed things along on Election Day, you’ll either need to know your ED number and bring your Fast Pass Tag (that you’ve so cleverly attached to your key ring), or bring along the bigger, scannable barcode, info card. For some reason, Early Voting details are missing on the cards and tags. But that’s okay. We know where we early vote… unfortunately. Early, in-person voting at Truman High School All Co-op City voters will once again early vote in the almost-impossible-to-get-to poll site in the gym at the rear of Truman High. Excruciating details of how you can get there from here (no matter where your “here” is) by bus, foot, or small vehicle

will be coming to you next week via me in my viewpoint, and by many others, I’m sure, in the October 24 Co-op City Times issue, and once again in the following October 31 issue. Early Voting runs from Saturday, Oct. 24, to Sunday, Nov. 1. (Saturdays and Sundays, 10-4; Monday and Friday, 7-3; Tuesday and Wednesday, noon-8; Thursday, 10-6). If and when you do early vote, just use your mailer-enclosed Fast Pass Tag. It swipes just like a super market tag. NOTE: There’s no in-person voting anywhere on Monday, November 2. Last chance to vote absentee If you are voting absentee, hurry up and send your completed absentee ballot by mail or by using a BOE drop off spot. (866- VOTE-NYC/866-868-3692 or Vote.NYC for info). If you haven’t yet requested an absentee ballot or filled out an application online or had someone fill one out on your behalf, you have until October 27 to do so. But don’t delay because if you want your ballot counted, it must be postmarked by November 3. Post office hours have been unusually irregular lately so do not wait till the last minute! In–Person Voting, either Early or on Election Day. If you vote in-person, either by Early Voting in Truman High School or at your specific Election Day poll site, wear a well-fitted mask that hugs the sides of your face, keep your distance, vote, and scram. No dilly dallying allowed, especially now that the existence of lingering cooties in the air in enclosed spaces is once again being officially recognized. Our state’s infection rate is super low (1.1%) despite our hot spots, but it’s no time to get complacent. Be prepared to speed up the voting process by bringing your bar-coded voter info. card or Fast Pass Tag to swipe. Stay on your toes, wash your hands, cast your ballot. You can reach me at 718-219-2211 or mpearson@riverbayboard.com.

Co-op City Times / October 17, 2020

Youth Committee Report

The Youth Café

BY MICHELLE MARBURY

Chair, Riverbay Youth Committee Giving voice to the next leaders: Re-Introducing “The Youth Café” Hello from the Youth Committee of Co-op City. Before the pandemic, the Board’s Youth Committee put into motion ideas for a collaboration of the Youth Committee in the form of a monthly column. The committee is made up of Co-op City residents between the ages of 8 and 18 years and their parents or guardians as well as Riverbay Board members. This article was to appear here in the Co-op City Times once a month. The committee has come up with great ideas for youngsters and elders as well. Some of the ideas are: a Youth Café in the Youth Center once it is built; an arcade with a cyber game room in the youth center; special invitational events where all residents will be able to join in and share the fun; a homework help program and an entrepreneur club. Wow, we had a lot of work scheduled to do and a lot of fun to have while doing it. Then Covid-19 hit us all. The plans fell dormant, but we are rallying the troops. Look for monthly installments in the weeks to come giving a much needed voice to the next leaders of our community. In the photo below are committee members at our holiday committee meeting celebration last year, exposing our youth to what it feels like to sit in the Riverbay Board Room where decisions are made that directly affect our community. That’s it for now from the Youth Committee! Our co-chairperson is Cheryl Jenkins. Our guests on this day were members of the Riverbay Board of Directors and the Girls Scouts Troop of Co-op City. We leave you with this quote from an eternally youthful person. “There are three ways to ultimate success: The first way is to be kind. The second way is to be kind. The third way is to be kind.” – Fred Rodgers Each one of us divided by all of us equals a force for good.

Co-op City Democratic Club

The CCDC continues to urge all who can vote to vote. If you missed the CCDC article in last week Co-op City Times, please refer to page #9. Therein listed are the dates and times that you may take advantage of Early Voting in Truman H.S. If you still choose to vote by Absentee Ballot, (it is a little late now) but you can still call the Board of Election at 718-960-0730 and request the application. That means you will have to mail your ballot back as soon as you receive it. Currently, I urge everyone to plan to vote in person at your regular poll site. Dreiser auditorium voters – To all who live in the Dreiser area and the surrounding buildings (1-14 including townhouses) and always voted in the Dreiser auditorium, you will be receiving a notice from the Board of Election to return to the Dreiser auditorium to vote. You will be directed at the door to your poll site. There are many “polls” being taken to try and predict who our next President will be. You cannot always believe them because the polls are used for various reasons. I encourage everyone who can vote to do so. Take nothing for granted. We will never see another election like this one. Vote. Our democracy depends on it. Our future depends on it. Look a little further ahead. Even if you do not like a candidate, love your family and friends enough to vote them a safe future. Give them the opportunity to make choices. Our parents and grandparents did it for us. Some shed their blood and even died so that we can benefit by voting. It is our birth right. Now, because of the country’s leaders, we might lose some medical benefits while living in a pandemic. We might even lose some of our Social Security benefits. Look how long the free food lines are all over the country. Unemployment lines are extraordinarily long, people cannot afford to eat or pay rent and yes, some live in Co-op City as well. Spread the love. Please call five of your friends or family members and encourage them to vote and ask them to call five of their friends and form a voting chain. Encourage young people to vote. Every vote counts. We must work this together. Our lives, future and democracy depend on this election, so VOTE. —Shirley J. Saunders

Text COVID to 692-692 for real-time updates or visit nyc.gov/coronavirus.

Building 13 Association

Next Saturday, October 24, Early Voting begins at Truman High School located at 750 Baychester Avenue. Early Voting ends on Sunday, November 1, 2020 and Election Day is Tuesday, November 3, from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. You should have received Vote Safe NYC in the mail. Inside, is a card that will help you vote faster. If you look closely, you will see the tag can be separated and put on your key ring. To confirm the hours, visit VOTE.NYC or call 866-VOTE NYC. During these past few months, we have new cooperators who have become members of the Building 13 family. We welcome you and ask that you join our meetings currently being held by Zoom. If you would prefer, you can join us by telephone. Joining gives you the opportunity to meet and talk with the management team responsible for the upkeep of the property and following HCR Mitchell-Lama regulations. If you have questions, concerns or compliments, you can speak one-on-one with those who help maintain our quality of life. Our next building association virtual Zoom Meeting will be held on Thursday, October 22, at 7:00 p.m. with a special guest. Our last meeting went well so save the date and join us. Your invite will be sent to your e-mail address the week of the meeting. If you have not done so yet, please make sure you send your e-mail address so you can receive the invitation. The invitation information will not be placed on the meeting flyer. The invitation

will also include the telephone number if you prefer to join the meeting by phone. You may have noticed the new COVID guideline signs that are posted in the elevator. I am pleased to see more cooperators wearing their mask and following the socially distance guidelines. As predicted earlier this year, some communities are experiencing an uptick in reported cases. We do not want to be a statistic so let’s be vigilant and follow the safety measures prescribed—wear a mask, socially distance and wash your hands often. Although there is fencing around the building, that is not a license to not take your pet to the curb. It is important that you follow city laws and pick up after your dog. I have received reports that people have seen dogs off of their leash when walking throughout Co-op City. Please continue to report this to CCPD. While you are home: Complete the 2020 Census my2020census.gov or call 1-844-330-2020. The date to complete the Census has been extended to October 31st. “One of the lessons that I grew up with was to always stay true to yourself and never let what somebody else says distract you from your goals.” –Michelle Obama Contacts: Leslie Peterson at 718320-1370, president, at daddpeterson @aol.com or Gail Sharbaan, treasurer, at 718-671-3801. Our website is www. bldg13assoc.com or e-mail us at building13assoc@yahoo.com. Thanks for supporting our team. –Leslie Peterson

Co-op City Times / October 17, 2020

We Have to Make Some Improvements Here Daryl Johnson Unfortunately, some of our cooperators have displayed some disturbing behaviors here. Thereafter, Public Safety received a lot of calls for noise, disputes, harassments, etc. Let’s Do Better During July 2020, our Public Safety Department received a lot of calls about some cooperators that were acting up. So, what happened? Did some of our cooperators get annoyed from having to stay home? Was the weather too hot? Let’s focus on some of the calls that were made to our Public Safety Department just in July. Public Safety received 317 calls about excessive noise in some apartments. Plus, they received the following calls: Disputes, 50 calls; harassment, 29 calls; disorderly conduct, 26 calls; and unauthorized roof access, 5 calls. Additionally, they received a lot of other calls. However, again, let’s just focus on these calls. Now, it’s understandable that children are home. However, there are too many complaints that they’re making way too much noise in their apartment. So, our officers are visiting these apartments and encouraging cooperators to keep the noise down. Nevertheless, our cooperators need to try to get along with each other in a better manner. Can we angrily go to someone’s door to confront and harass them? No. Do you think that there might be a problem if we start yelling at someone because they’re not doing something right in the laundry room, the elevator, or in any area of our building? Absolutely. So, please call Public Safety at 718-671-3050 to avoid these types of confrontations. Why are cooperators going onto the roof of our buildings? Yes, the view looks really nice from the top of our buildings. However, there are signs that clearly say: Stay off the roof. So, why are these signs being avoided? Look, please don’t go to the roof. Bottom line: Co-op City is one of the best and most affordable communities in NYC. However, we have to work together, do what’s right, and try to be peace-

ful with one another. Therefore, please do your best temperature of each section of the auditorium can be to be a better neighbor. Thank you. adjusted. This one upgrade can be a good marketing Dreiser Auditorium Renovated tool for people that are looking to rent out this place for The auditorium in Dreiser is almost finished and their events. it is very nice. Although the price came in around $6 Our contractor, Structure Craft Contracting, LLC, million, management made sure that this auditorium started this project in November 2019. Then, they had was upgraded with a lot of new features. to take a 3-month break because of the coronavirus Starting from the hallway, there are massive 86- shutdown of all non-essential construction work. And, inch televisions mounted on the wall. These televi- now, they’re almost finished with our auditorium. sions can be used for advertising events or displaying Thereafter, at some point, the auditorium will reopen the action inside of the auditorium. Example, let’s say when NYS grants permission for large-scale events. that a powerful speech or a big event is going on inside Then, at some point, management will probably get of the auditorium. Well, people can catch all of the someone to work as an event coordinator to handle the action from the hallway. anticipated events. So, let’s wait and see what happens. New porcelain tiles were installed on the hallway Special Election for Andy King’s Former walls. Additionally, new signage with large lettering City Council Position was installed throughout the hallway ceiling. So, withMayor Bill de Blasio recently announced that a out a doubt, people will know exactly how to find special election will be held for former Councilman their room. The polished floor even looks different Andy King’s position. This special election will be than before. Then, new exit doors, that lead into the held on Tuesday, December 22, 2020. auditorium, were installed. Andy King was recently removed from his City Now, if you’re familiar with the worn-out look of Council position by a 48-2 vote over serious allegaour old auditorium, then you’ll probably be amazed tions that were previously reported in the Co-op City when you see how this new renovation was done. Sim- Times. And, according to a published report, these ilar to before, the partitions are still in place. How- allegations might now take a turn for the worse because ever, they were upgraded with bright new colors. Also, they were referred to other officials. Close the motors on the partitions were fixed. So, the partitions can now open and close with the push of a butAre we going to allow our community to go down? ton. Thereafter, the partitions can separate the audi- Are we going to fight with our neighbors? Look, the torium into three sections—left, center, and right. answers must be no. Therefore, let’s see if we can do Large projection screens were installed on the left what is right and treat each other in a better manner. and right sections of the auditorium. So, now, the Thank you. action on the stage can easily be seen on all sides of Contact Information the auditorium and, again, even in the hallway. Also, Please do not send a letter to me at this time. Howthe action on the stage can now be highlighted with ever, you can send an email to me at: djohnson@rivernew multi-colored lighting that was installed on the bayboard.com. Also, please call me ONLY at 718-671-4544 if you ceiling. Additionally, new panels were installed on the would like to have a brief discussion with me. Okay, beautifully designed ceiling. A new stage along with new curtains were also part that’s it for now. So, please have a wonderful week. of this upgrade. Also, the wood flooring was sanded, And, may God bless you and your family. Thank you. coated, and made to look a lot nicer than before. Then, new temperature controls were placed into Our Promiise to New each partitioned section of the auditorium. So, the & Curren nt Clients

Building 21 Association

Look for your donation envelopes Hello, 21’ers! Look for your donation envelope from the Building 21 Association. The association needs funds in order to continue our efforts towards a better quality of living in our building. Our focus will be on future endeavors for the 21 Association. Next Zoom Meeting: Thursday, October 22, 2020. Please pay attention to the flyers posted with more info on how to log-on to the Zoom meetings. Make sure you are on our mailing list by sending us an email. It is the only way you are assured to receive the credentials for future Zoom meetings. Your participation is necessary for us to continue moving forward productively in spite of this pandemic. We are a resilient community. You must contact us at least two weeks before each meeting (our contact information is below). The 2020 General Election… What you need to know… You can call the Board of Elections at 718-299-9017. The phone number for the Absentee department is 718-960-0730. Those of you who filled out an application to receive your Official Ballot in the mail, have probably received your ballots; check your mail carefully. Remember, once you receive your Official Ballot, place your VOTE by filling it out. Place it in the envelopes provided. You can take your completed ballot by hand to the Bronx Board of Elections, located at 1780 Grand Concourse. Take the elevator down to L4, or deliver your completed ballot to your polling site during the early voting period. You can also mail in your vote. Election 2020 facts General Election – November 3, 2020 Early Voting Period – October 24, 2020 - November 1 2020 Absentee Ballot Applications accepted no later than October 27, 2020 Note: Absentee Ballots were mailed out on or about September 18, 2020 Bronx Board of Elections – 718-299-9017 21 Association contact information…Phone us at: 347-504-1821 or email us at: 21association@gmail.com. Each one of us, multiplied by all of us, equals a force for good. Stay safe and well. —Michelle Marbury

As We e Navig N ate Coron navirus

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Paul F. Oliveri, i Esq. Esq E Wishing good health for you and your loved ones

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Director’s Viewpoint

National Council of Negro Women

Co-op City Times / October 17, 2020

Adopt a Nurse – On Saturday, October 17, at 8 a.m., members will be delivering two baskets of flowers and goodies to nurse Stacie at Albert Einstein Hospital. One basket is for her and the other basket is to share with the other nurses working in her unit. This is a project that we started a couple of months ago to express appreciation to health care workers in our community who are putting their lives in danger as they minister to us, our friends and families. Breast Cancer Awareness Month – October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, which is an annual campaign to increase awareness of the disease. Here are just a few ways we can help women in need this month: 1) Screening, access & treatment, 2) Education, 3) Support and 4) Hope. We, at NCNW Co-op City Section, are asking you to donate to research and treatment of this disease that affects more than 250,000 women in the US each year. Also remember that one out of every 100 breast cancers are diagnosed in men. Breast cancer rates are about the same between Black and White women but Black women die from breast cancer at a higher rate. As an organization of predominantly Black women, we are asking support from all our members and friends to fight this disease. Please make a donation to MakingStrides.acsevents.org and look for our team name: “Friends of NCNW Co-op City Section.” Economic, Education & Professional Development – On Sunday, October 25, 2020, NCNW will be hosting a free virtual discussion on important issues affecting our education and justice systems. We are all navigating uncharted territory together, governments, citizens and school systems alike. The education discussion will examine the state of racial diversity in the educator workforce. Angela Kessler, M.Ed., will discuss education as a profession, how we can help educators develop skills and what public policy changes would assist the workforce. The United States Dept. of Education has found that having just one Black teacher in elementary school significantly increases the chances that low-income Black students graduate high school and consider attending college, and decreases the risk of dropping out. Acting Supreme Court Justice J. Machelle Sweeting will discuss the challenges that the family court system is facing during this pandemic. The ability of the courts to deal with all aspects of family-related matters has been severely impacted by current restrictions and lockdown. The Covid-19 pandemic has brought unprecedented challenges to families everywhere. It seems that we all have been facing a “new normal” in just about every aspect of our lives. Join our virtual meeting from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. The Zoom Meeting ID: 814 7505 9032, Password: EEPD, Mobile: 646 518-9805. Social Media – Remember, you can find us on Facebook: NCNWCoopcityBethune; Twitter: @NCNWCoop City; Instagram: NCNW Co-op City and email: www.ncnwco.opcity@gmail.com. –Joyce Howard

Black Forum

Emergency Food Pantry – 920 Baychester Ave., Bld. 1A (entrance faces the basketball court). The pantry opens Tuesday, Thursday and Friday from 11 a.m. 12:45 p.m. for grocery distribution. Guests who registered and re-certified in 2020 are eligible to pick up food once a month during regular distribution hours. Please look at the last date on your pantry card to determine when you can pick up your monthly package again. You would pick up one month or more from your last pick up. It is a 30- to 31-day rotation. We will still text if additional items become available outside of normal business hours. All guests must present a pantry card to receive food. Remember to bring sturdy and clean shopping bags and a shopping cart. Wearing a mask/face covering is required. We also ask that all guests use the markers on the ground to help practice physical distancing. Registration for new pantry guests is currently closed at this location. New registration dates will post when available. Black Forum guests living in Section 5 should visit Co-op City United Methodist Church at 2350 Palmer Avenue to pick up groceries. They open on Thursdays from 11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. This is only a distribution point. Guests do not have to be affiliated with a church or religion to pick up food at this location. Registration is open at this location for Section 5 residents. Grab-N-Go – We are distributing prepackaged boxes containing dairy, eggs, meat and other goods on Tuesday, October 20. The pantry opens at 11 a.m. Anyone can attend. Guests do not have to be registered with the pantry to participate. Pantry cards are not required. Please bring a sturdy shopping cart and clean shopping bags. Masks/face coverings and physical distancing are required. Senior Farmers Market Coupons – Senior Farmers Market coupons are distributed on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays during normal business hours while supplies last. The distribution occurs at the 920 Baychester location. The coupons are worth $20 and are valid towards the purchase of fruits, vegetables, and fresh herbs at participating farmers markets in the five boroughs. Recipients of the coupons must be 60 years of age or older. Please bring proof of age (i.e. ID NYC card or a non- or driver’s license). Recipients who already received coupons this year cannot receive additional ones. The NYS Department of Agriculture and Markets crosschecks submitted applications. Applying more than once could prevent a recipient from receiving coupons in the future. Defensive Driving Class – The first defensive driving class for this season occurs on Saturday, November 14. The date of the class is tentative and subject to change. The cost is $35/person. Students can lower their liability insurance cost by 10% and remove up to 4 points from their driver’s license. We will confirm the date as soon as we can. We thank you for your continued patience. Contact Us – We look forward to hearing from you at coopcityblackforum @gmail.com. Please stay safe. —D. Illis

Building 8 Association

Empathy: We just want to extend our deepest condolences to our neighbors who have lost a friend or a loved one. Facebook: Building 8 Association is on Facebook! The page is Building 8 members. Get involved, information on what’s happening in and around Building 8. Give and take the information. Laundry Room Etiquette: Please don’t discard plastic gloves and paper on the floor and inside the laundry baskets. Please stop leaving your clothes in the laundry baskets for days for those who can help it. Please watch your children in the laundry room, especially when the parent is not present. Free Exterminator: Cooperators are complaining about roaches in the hallways and apartments. Riverbay provides free extermination for roaches and mice. If your next door neighbor exterminates, you should also avoid the roaches coming to your apartment. Covid-19: Dr. Fauci, the nation’s top pandemic doctor, is running out of patience with people who aren’t taking the pandemic seriously. Dr. Fauci stated it’s unacceptable not to realize that we are heading into a risk period and to act accordingly. Dr. Fauci lashed out at Americans who refuse to wear a mask and observe social distancing despite a mountain of evidence that those measures can limit the spread and save lives. Please wear your mask to protect yourself and others on the elevator and in the laundry room. Halloween: Building 8 Association will be disturbing candy to the children at 3:00 p.m. on October 31, 2020, in the lobby. Membership dues: We are still collecting membership dues of $10.00 per household. Christmas Tree: We would like to purchase a new tree; donation are welcome. —Azzie Mitchell

Building 25 Association

Neighbors, the Building 25 Association is trying to put together a plan to meet out on the greenway to catch up and provide information on current events, and eventually, we will conduct virtual meetings. This is the time to update your email address on our association email, building25ca@gmail.com so when we are ready to put our plan into motion, everyone will have access to current information. We wish all neighbors born in October a happy birthday, and for those who have been under the weather, we hope you get better soon. Due to COVID-19, Riverbay has not given the official go ahead to resume building meetings. We will give updates as we receive them. In the meanwhile, wear face masks and continue to practice safe distancing. During this shut down, should you have any comments or concerns, you can log onto our building email address at building25ca@gmail.com and address your comments or concern to anyone or all members of Building 25 Association. Carol Eilets, treasurer, continues to postpone the collection of our building association annual dues until further notice. Closing with the following word of the week, “INDIGENOUS.” Pronounce: (in-ˈdi-jə-nəs). Meaning: produced, growing, living, or occurring natively or naturally in a particular region or environment. Sentence: Unlike France, Italy relies on dozens of indigenous regional grape varieties for its prodigious range of wines. —Wanda Bailey

Co-op City Times / October 17, 2020

Community policing

Director’s Viewpoint

Leah Richardson Greetings, There is a large population of civil servant residents in Co-op City, should I feel safe? Although our crime rate is rather low compared to other communities, we are still one of the largest communities in the country. In my opinion, I believe that for us to stay safe and maintain a good quality of life, we have to have a police department in our community that is visible, respectful, and understands the culture of the community. What is community policing? Often, community policing is misidentified simply as a community relations effort. Rather, community policing is a belief or a philosophy concerning an approach to law enforcement that often employs nontraditional methods of problem-solving. Co-op City police must be accessible to and interact with members of the community regularly. Accountability is a cornerstone of this component. They must identify the problem areas in our community and then form a partnership and formulate problem-solving strategies by utilizing both traditional and non-traditional law enforcement methods. I would like to see the Co-op City police department hold monthly community meetings where they hear concerns and issues from the residents. Community policing involves the citizens in the effort to improve the quality of life and reduce crime in the communities. We must bring the community and police together because often they are not on the same page. These meetings help build a successful relationship and understanding of each other. Another important element of community policing is a firm belief in the “Broken Window Theory.” If the little problems aren’t taken care of, then larger problems will follow. If streets and buildings are not maintained, then they feel that residents there do not care enough for their neighborhood and that the risk of them being caught practicing illegal activity is less. On the contrary, a well-maintained neighborhood with concerned citizens provides a naturally riskier envi-

ronment for those engaged in criminal activity. Community policing means that law enforcement helps to identify these issues and mutually agrees with communities about how to deal with them. Community policing does not abandon the traditional approach and often takes enforcement action when needed. Keep our neighborhood clean and green Our Grounds department does a great job of trying to keep up with the garbage that is continuously plaguing our community. I walk the greenway every day and as much as the Grounds department removes the litter off the grassy areas, the garbage still seems to pile up on our grounds, especially in the areas where there is less lighting, like around Bldg. #10C. Besides being an eyesore, litter can disrupt the ecosystem of your environment because it can attract many different insects and rodents, and can carry diseases. This can become harmful to animals or children, who might pick up dirty trash, step on it, or even ingest it. This trash, especially cigarette butts and flammable materials, can also start fires. Please dispose of your trash in the receptacles. Food waste can pollute area waterways and harm wildlife as well as make our water unsafe to drink. Prevention is an important step, so set a litter-free example for your family, friends, co-workers, and neighbors to help keep your community. It is disheartening to see that influential communities have better sanitation resources even during the pandemic while other communities are affected by the budget crises. The rate of global warming is increasing rapidly and we must slow it down before it is too late. Track your Absentee Ballot This website can be used to check the status of your Absentee Ballot Application and to track your ballot, only after you have submitted an application, https://nycabsentee.com/tracking. Absentee Ballots on behalf of seniors As a caregiver, you can also request an absentee ballot on behalf of a senior, but you will have to provide some additional information to do so. You will need to include your loved one’s identifying information as well as your own to complete the application. Keep in mind that you are not casting a vote for your loved one; you’re just asking to have a blank absentee ballot sent to them.

Building 22A&B Association

Hello to my Building 22A&B neighbors. I want to thank you all for your help in keeping the building up to the standards we’re used to. I report any and all problem to building area departments. I want you to report lobby doors and elevator problems to Public Safety, and compactor rooms to CSO. Continue to wear your mask when entering the building, elevators and laundry room, and your own problems to Maintenance. Absentee Ballots – must be mailed by November 3, 2020. Early Voting – at Truman High School. Dates and times are: Oct. 24, 25, 31, Nov. 1, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Oct. 26, 30, 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Oct. 27, 28, 12 p.m. to 8 p.m. Oct. 29, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Election Day is November 3, 2020. Polls are open from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. Use your Pass Tag that’s mailed to you. If you don’t get it, call 866-868-3692. Census 2020 – Deadline extended to Oct. 31, 2020. If you haven’t responded, call 1-844-330-2020 or go online to my2020cencus.gov. Riverbay hasn’t allowed us to resume our meetings yet. We’ll keep you updated. Laundry Room Etiquette – Please remember to return in time to remove your clothes promptly. Follow the signs on how to dispose of recyclables. Please check on the elderly. Our sympathies to all the families who lost loved ones. Happy birthday to all celebrating during this month. Pray for all the sick and shut-ins. If you see something, say something. –Betty Leak

Time off to vote According to sources, NY Election Law allows a maximum of up to 2 hours of paid time off to employees ONLY IF employees do not have sufficient time to vote, meaning your work schedule does not allow 4 consecutive hours either before or after your work shift. Please check with your employer for further details. You may take the time off at the beginning or end of your working shift, or as otherwise mutually agreed. PPE tips Wear a mask to protect others Wear a mask that covers your nose and mouth to help protect others in case you’re infected with COVID-19 but don’t have symptoms Wear a mask in public settings when around people who don’t live in your household, especially when it may be difficult for you to stay six feet apart Wear a mask correctly for maximum protection Don’t put the mask around your neck or up on your forehead Don’t touch the mask, and, if you do, wash your hands or use hand sanitizer to disinfect CDC does not recommend the use of masks or cloth masks for source control if they have an exhalation valve or vent How to carefully remove your mask Untie the strings behind your head or stretch the ear loops Handle only by the ear loops or ties Fold outside corners together Place mask in the washing machine Be careful not to touch your eyes, nose, and mouth when removing and wash hands immediately after removing Follow everyday health habits Stay at least 6 feet away from others Avoid contact with people who are sick Wash your hands often, with soap and water, for at least 20 seconds each time Use hand sanitizer if soap and water are not available Closing Your VOTE counts; your VOTE matters. Thank you for reading my viewpoint. I can be reached at lrichardson@riverbayboard.com or 917495-0585.

Building 6 Association

I hope everyone is wearing their mask and staying safe. I don’t know when our lobby attendant will be back in the building working at this time. Please continue to clean up after your dog. It was great seeing Andy Soto, Building 6 lobby attendant, at the Coop City Little League game this past Saturday. Thank you for coming out and supporting and rooting the teams on. —Jeffrey Schwartz

Cooperators United

I would like to thank all of the building presidents for participating in the September Cooperators United meeting. It was nice to see each one of you and I look forward to the time when we will be able to greet each other face-to-face. We had a very productive meeting. A lively discussion took place. It was decided at that meeting, we would invite representatives who could accurately respond to the concerns you raised. Your questions will be addressed at our next meeting. Assistant General Manager Warren Mitchell and Call Center Director Lutitia Matthias will be attending our next ZOOM virtual meeting scheduled for Tuesday, October 27, 2020 at 7:00 p.m. Please ensure we have your or your designees updated contact information by October 23, 2020. Send to MLSAH@aol.com. You will receive your invitation to participate prior to the scheduled date. If you prefer to join the meeting by telephone, please contact me and I will give you the required information. Stay safe and have a great week. –Sonja Maxwell

Co-op City Times / October 17, 2020

Building 9 Association

Salutations, Building 9 family. Wear a mask always. Wash your hands often. Social distance whenever possible. The CDC recommends flu shots, unless counter indicated. Please take good care of yourself. The Black Forum Emergency Food Pantry is scheduled to distribute pre-packaged food boxes to the community on Tuesday, October 20, beginning at 11:00 a.m. at 920 Baychester Avenue (Building 1A rear). The Local Law 11 faĂ§ade project continues. Saturday faĂ§ade work has been approved through end of year. The drilling has been maddening at times. Please do not go out onto your terrace for any reason until the door bracing is removed by the contractor. The elevator motor upgrade and cab modernization project is scheduled to begin in Building 9 A-side by November. Letâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s try to map out our activities and our elevator use to promote the safest and most expedient use of elevator service. With the move ins/outs, upcoming holiday season, celebrations, shopping, visitors, deliveries, the Coronavirus mask, and social distancing requirements still in effect, it will be challenging for all. Cooler heads will prevail.

Building 9 students

Con Edison has begun work on gas lines on Co-op City Boulevard from Bellamy Loop to Dreiser Loop. The work is being performed six days a week, Monday, September 28, through December 31. Pay attention to the altered traffic patterns on Co-op City Boulevard. For anyone who may be new to Garage 2 parking, please do not park in the fire zones. Please park within the lines so that others may also park comfortably. No more than five shareholders should be using the laundry room at a time. Please wear a mask while in the laundry room. You matter. Your voice matters. Your vote matters. Vote early: October 24 through November 1. Vote Election Day, Tuesday, November 3. Complete the 2020 Census at my2020census.gov or call (844) 330-2020. Please participate. Be counted. Continue to be interrupters of injustice; march, kneel, stand up, speak out, sit in, for justice, equality, fairness, respect and decency. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Freedom speaks not merely in terms of political and religious liberties, but also in terms of economic and social progress.â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x201C;Robert F. Kennedy Godspeed. â&#x20AC;&#x201C;Linda Collins

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Yoga on the Greenway returns

The African-American Association once again presents Yoga on the Greenway stage led by Ms. Meena Sharpe-Hicks. All are welcome to take part in this free 8:00 a.m. Saturday morning class while the weather permits. Photo by Alan Hicks

Co-op City Times / October 17, 2020

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Co-op City Times / October 17, 2020

Early Voting begins next Saturday, Oct. 24

voting hours, visit VOTE.NYC or call 866-VOTE NYC. Throughout the country, many have teamed up with Vote.org for information. I applied for my absentee ballot online from that site. Vote.org provides early voting dates, times, location as well and your November 3rd voting site. It’s important for us to vote but Election Day is approaching. The last day to regis- you should encourage family and friends in other states ter to vote was last Friday. Have you prepared a plan to do the same. If your family has questions, you can on how you will cast your vote? The final date to apply find answers for all states on this site. However you for an Absentee Ballot Application is October 27, 2020. plan on accomplishing this task…VOTE! Remember, once you complete the application, it must It was a pleasure to take a tour of the newly renobe processed and then your actual ballot will be sent vated Dreiser auditorium. I look forward to the Covidto you. When you mail your application in, there is no 19 guideline phase that will allow us to have a proper guarantee the postal deliveries will be timely. You can unveiling. We now have state-of-the-art equipment always apply in person at the Board of Election Office that will provide revenue generating opportunities. The by November 2nd but that is cutting it too close, in my classy look of the space, the upgrades to the sound, opinion. That’s one plan. lighting and screen viewing is to be commended. As My plan is to vote early. Next Saturday, October part of the upgrade, the bathrooms were redone with 24, 2020 Early Voting begins at Truman High School sanitizing safety measures included. Our Management located at 750 Baychester Avenue. Early Voting ends department did an excellent job, again KUDOS. Many organizations are anxiously awaiting word on Sunday, November 1, 2020 and Election Day is Tuesday, November 3, 2020, 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. You from Management on when they will be able to return should have received a pamphlet, VOTE SAFE NYC! to their spaces. They have not had access since near the in the mail. Inside, is a card they call a Fast Pass Tag end of March and this has been a strain. Our organizafor contactless check-in when at the polls. The card has tions have been very creative in trying to keep their your election district and assembly district. It also members informed and active during this unprecedented advises you of your voting location on November 3, time. Hopefully, they will soon receive communication 2020. If you look closely, you will see a tag at the end from Management letting them know what the plans of the card that can be separated and put on your key are for organizations going forward. Please keep in mind ring (similar to supermarket tags). To confirm the early that at all times we must, at a minimum, follow the state-

Director’s Viewpoint

Leslie Peterson

NAACP Co-op City Branch #2210

Promoting voter registration in the community Civic Engagement chair, Alfred Lynch, Jr., and branch members held a successful community outreach voter registration information table from 10 a.m. – 1 p.m., Oct. 7, at Dreiser Mall, and Oct. 8, at Einstein Mall. Thank you, Senator Jamaal Bailey and Sal for the masks and sanitizer supplies that were distributed. Thank you to all volunteers. Early voting begins Saturday, Oct. 24 - Sunday, Nov. 1. Co-op City’s Early Voting location is Truman High School, 750 Baychester Ave. The voting days and times are: Saturday, Oct. 24 & Sunday, Oct. 25, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.; Monday, Oct. 26, 7 a.m. - 3 p.m.; Tuesday, Oct. 27 & Wednesday, Oct. 28, Noon - 8 p.m.; Thursday, Oct. 29, 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.; Friday, Oct. 30, 7 a.m. - 3 p.m.; Saturday, Oct. 31 & Sunday, Nov. 1, 10 a.m. 4 p.m. Pictures by Al Lynch Jr “We are all complicit when we tolerate injustice. It is not enough to say it will get better by and by. Each of us has a moral obligation to stand up, speak up and speak out. When you see something that is not right, you must say something. You must do something. Democracy is not a state. It is an act, and each generation must do its part to help build what we call the beloved community, a nation and world society at peace with itself.” –Dr. Martin Luther King “Ordinary people with extraordinary vision can redeem the soul of America by getting in what I call good trouble, necessary trouble. Voting and participating in the democratic process are key. The vote is the most powerful nonviolent change agent you have in a democratic society. You must use it because it is not guaranteed. You can lose it. Now it is your turn to let freedom ring.” –Congressman John Lewis –Brenda Brown

We are shareholders, not tenants! Become involved in your building association!

mandated opening guidelines and can incorporate additional precautions to safeguard the community. The Census: The deadline to complete the census count was extended to October 31, 2020. Remember, there is no question on the form that inquire about your status here in the country so please do not let this keep you from completing the form. Your failure to complete the census will have an effect on all of our lives for the next ten (10) years. Complete the 2020 Census at my2020census.gov or call 1-844-330-2020. Failure to complete the census will result in an undercount and a loss of representation and finances. Do it today! Become a Poll Worker – In need of extra funds? Because of COVID-19, New York is experiencing a critical shortage of poll workers. To apply online: nyc.electiondayworker.com or call the Bronx office at 718-299-9017 for additional information. MASKS: You must wear your mask when entering the premises, elevators and laundry rooms and remember to socially distance. These are steps you can take to protect yourself and your loved ones. Please comply with these reminders and remember “we are in this together.” “If you see something that is not right, not fair, not just, you have a moral obligation to do something about it.” –Congressman John Lewis I am pleased to be of service to the community. I am interested in hearing your thoughts. I can be reached by e-mail at lpeterson@riverbayboard.com or by telephone at 718-320-1370.

Coalition of African American Churches & Community Organizations

Dear Coalition members & friends, We hope that this message finds everyone safe and healthy. We extend warm wishes to those who are ill and heartfelt condolences to all who have lost loved ones. Our prayers and wishes are offered to our founding member, George Crouch, for a full recovery from his illness. The CoVid-19 has prevented our organization from conducting regular meetings and events. Regrettably, we will have to cancel our Annual Kwanzaa Celebration in December. We will also suspend the annual dues usually collected in October, until further notice. At this time, we would like to officially welcome two community organizations to the Coalition. They are the American Legion Post 1871 and Faith at Work Christian Church. We cordially invite all Co-op City community organizations to join with us in our mission to address common issues of concern in our community and to enhance our quality of life. We also sponsor family-oriented educational and entertaining programs. Please contact Virginia Stewart at 718-671-4506 for a Membership Application. The Coalition organization also includes the following: African American Association, Co-op City Baptist Church, NAACP #2210; Retirees of Dreiser Loop and St. Joseph’s Episcopal Church. We are anxiously awaiting the time when we are able to come together again. In the meantime, continue to wear your masks, wash your hands and socially distance so that we can all continue to be safe and healthy. Also, remember to vote. –Harman Leacock

Broun Place Townhouse Association

Building 30 A and B Association

Co-op City Times / October 17, 2020

Good day, fellow cooperators, how are you and we hope Columbus Day, although wet, was good. Please remember to wear your masks when you are out and about. A cooperator, while asking a pedestrian to please wear your mask was told, “It is in my pocket and besides I am in the street!” That was it as the conversation ended there and the cooperator decided not to say more. All the statistics show the increase in those infected, yet if you look in our basketball court, those not playing are not wearing masks. Thank you to the Power Plant crew that repaired the problem on Oct. 7th. The problem was big enough for a community wide robo-call. We send a hardy thank you to those workers. A warm welcome to new residents of Broun Place. Our executive board members are Vivian Burrus, Rev. Grace Emanuel, Lillian Richardson and myself, Eva Lazaar. Thank you, Co-op City Times, for all the critically important information in the Co-op City Times including the important information on applying for “Absentee Ballot,” getting your CoVid-19 test in the community and important new information the CDC is releasing on CoVid-19. The CoVid-19 numbers in several NYC neighborhoods are on the rise. Wear your mask, we can’t say it enough. Thank you to local officials for bringing educational/sports events to us that also provide distribution of masks, water, food and safety information. Wearing a face mask, washing hands, keeping six feet apart are our most protective options to fight CoVid-19. A $50 fine can be served by the MTA, if you are caught without a face mask. The basketball court sign says, mask required! Did you know, the best masks to use are N 95’s and the light blue variety with pliable nose guards? Free CoVid-19 tests are available in Bay Plaza or in Dreiser Loop’s testing center. Keeping six feet apart is better than being six feet under! Let’s remind our readers that Co-op City’s location makes it perfect to access highways to apple and pumpkin picking locations in Westchester and on Long Island. Take advantage of this and if you don’t drive, take a bus to the Botanical Gardens or Bronx Zoo. Both have autumn events going on. The Broun Place Townhouse Association needs your membership every year. Dues are just $12 annually. When tragedy strikes, dues are used to show a gesture of generosity. VOTE, it is every citizen’s job to vote. The “absentee ballot/early voting” is secure. Reference the instructions in the Co-op City Times. Trust using “absentee/ mail-in” ballots; it has been used safely for years without substantiated fraud. You can trust this system. Get on the “Do Not Call List.” Most scam calls don’t get through when you join the “Do Not Call List.” Keep dancing and better days are ahead! Wakanda forever! —Eva Kindaichi-Lazaar

Building 27 Association

Hello, neighbors. We continue to wish you all to be safe and healthy. Trust we all are complying with the guidelines to wear our mask, to be aware of social distancing at all times. Now that schools are open, let’s hope all goes well and the children, students, teachers and staff will remain safe and healthy. Headlights – There will be signage to put your headlights on low beam when entering the garages. This is to alert drivers that a car is approaching. Absentee Ballots – It is important to understand if a mistake is made on the ballot, it will not be counted. You may confirm this by calling the BOE at 718299-9017 or 212-886-2100. The advantage of voting in person? You are entitled to two more ballots upon any mistakes. Have you seen the many boxes of ballots mailed in? We are talking millions of ballots. We most likely will not receive the results the same night as we are accustomed to. We will have nine days of early voting beginning next Saturday, Oct. 24, to Nov. 1, 2020. Plan to drop off your absentee ballot at the local polls. With the uncertainty around this matter, personally, I would encourage voting at the local polls to lock your vote into the system. Early Voting – Everyone should have received their Voter Registration card with bar code. This bar code will be scanned, thereby allowing a faster time to vote. Please bring the card with you to vote. Read the pamphlet, location and the nine days early voting hours are listed. Location will be at Truman High School on Baychester Ave. Nine days to vote early and at Truman. Social distancing is in place. Remember, this is a presidential and important election. Proper Disposals – For some reason, tissues, used masks, gloves are being discarded on the garage floors, elevators floors and grounds; it looks disgusting. Please let us all act responsibly. Let us all keep our buildings and property clean. Please bend down and pick up what you dropped. Census – If we, as New Yorkers, fail to fill out the census, this means we could lose half of our funding. We could lose representatives in government. Call your family members, neighbors, friends, church fellowship, upstate, downstate and mid-state, remind them the funding is essential and is to last for 10 years once NY State receives the allocation of funds. So please fill out the census right away, online, if possible; it takes less than 10 minutes. Deadline: Oct. 31. Happy birthday to those celebrating this month. Condolences to our Co-op City families who lost a loved one. We continue to pray for one another. Contact Lydia Rondon at 718-583-3040 to share information of illness, someone deceased or in a nursing home. Pray for the world, for the passing of this pandemic. Be prayerful, kind, thoughtful and thankful. “Do what you can, with what you have, where you are.” –Theodore Roosevelt. –H. Overman

Hello, all my fellow cooperators. Hoping that all are well! Thanks to everyone who attended our last association meeting in September. At this meeting, we decided that we will bag Halloween goodies, Wednesday, the 21 of Oct., in the association room at 2 p.m. We will have hand sanitizers and masks when we bag the candy. We will hand out the goodies on Halloween, Saturday, Oct. 31, at 5 p.m., COVID-19 permitting. At the last association meeting, it was decided that we will not have a holiday party this year. We will put up our holiday decorations on the Saturday after Thanksgiving, Nov. 28. To all those celebrating birthdays, anniversaries and new additions, our congratulations. To anyone who suffered a recent loss, our condolences. Those under the weather, get well soon. –Linda Werner

African-American Association

The next AAACC Power Meeting: Zoom-in Sunday, October 25 at 3 p.m. Remember: Membership is only $15/year for a single membership and $25/year for your household. Email: aaaccpower@gmail.com or call us at: 929-430-3255. The African American Association of Co-op City, P.O. Box 702, Co-op City Station, Bronx, NY 10475. BLACK SOLIDARITY DAY A Day of Absence!!! MONDAY, NOVEMBER 2, 2020. NO WORK! NO SCHOOL! NO SHOPPING! The African-American Association of Co-op City in support of the Black Solidarity Day Committee asks you to join us in a Day of Absence. Mark your calendars. We look forward to your support. Need information? Email: aaaccpower@gmail.com or call: 929-430-3255. Absentee Ballots: Need information? Those of you who filled out an application to receive your Official Ballot in the mail, have probably received your ballots; check your mail carefully. Remember, once you receive your Official Ballot, place your VOTE by filling it out. Place it in the envelopes provided. You can take your completed ballot by hand to the Bronx Board of Elections, located at 1780 Grand Concourse. Take the elevator down to L4, or deliver your completed ballot to your polling site during the early voting period. You can call the Board Elections at 718-299-9017. The phone number for the Absentee department is 718-960-0730. You can also mail in your vote. Election 2020 facts General Election – November 3, 2020 Early Voting Period – October 24, 2020 - November 1 2020 Absentee Ballot Applications accepted no later than October 27, 2020 Note: Absentee Ballots were mailed out on or about September 18, 2020 Bronx Board of Elections – 718-299-9017 The African-American Association sponsors the following programs: Belly Dance Classes with Xonia Wilson – Contact Xonia, 646-301-9438 Evening Line Dance Classes with Cynthia Dixon – Contact Cynthia, 917-9037073. Salsa Class with Keith Witherspoon – Contact Keith, 917-561-6211. Yoga & Pilates Classes with Meena Sharpe-Hicks – Contact Meena at 917863-1507. Healing Drum Circle – Contact Ms. Jones at 718-671-5957 Each one of us divided by all of us equals a force for good. –Michelle Marbury

Co-op City Times / October 17, 2020

We “ALL” must take “all of this” seriously… Director’s Viewpoint

Michelle Marbury The new Dreiser Center – Up and ready! The long awaited, newly designed, newly refurbished Dreiser Center will be one of the Poll Site locations for the General Election, November 3, 2020. Everything about the “new” Dreiser Center was needed and is state-of-the-art. It does not disappoint. The 2020 General Election… What you need to know… • You must postmark, apply online, email or fax a completed application for the general Absentee Ballot by October 27. • You may apply in-person by November 2, 2020. • Returned ballots must be postmarked by Election Day, November 3, 2020 and received by the Board of Elections no more than seven days after Election Day to be counted, under the law. • You may drop off your ballot in a secured ballot box at any NYC BOE, Early Voting Site, or Election Day Poll Site no later than 9 p.m. on Election Day. • Don’t forget to sign your ballot before you return it. • You can call the Board of Elections at 718-2999017 • The phone number for the Absentee department

is 718-960-0730. You can take your completed ballot by hand to the Bronx Board of Elections, located at 1780 Grand Concourse. Take the elevator down to L4, or deliver your completed ballot to your polling site during the early voting period. You can also mail in your vote. Elevator etiquette, for your life… As I pen this viewpoint to you, I see people coming into the building, MASK-LESS! Who can account for that person’s whereabouts? Maybe that person is absolutely fine, and we hope that is the case. But because we don’t know, because we cannot account for everyone’s comings and goings, don’t you think we should err towards caution, rather than risk your life and the lives of others who must share common spaces? This Covid-19 monster is airborne. Do you think because an elevator is empty there aren’t germs and molecules in there that can infect you? Please think again. When you enter the building elevators, make sure you and your children are wearing masks. Too many people at all hours of the day and night are entering and leaving the elevators unmasked. One or two in an elevator without masks is too many; can affect and infect many… Even if you are alone, molecules are airborne for you or someone else to breathe. Put on your masks properly. People are entering stores and other venues with their noses showing. Cover it up! During this pandemic, no one wants to see your nose. With love I say, when your children sit in and leave the basketball courts be sure they remember to put on their masks. Please… There is still

Building 19 Association

Hello, Building 19 family! First, I want to thank everyone for the kind words and get well wishes that I received last month when I was recovering from a back injury. I definitely appreciate it. I also want to thank association Vice President Saja Mobley for running our virtual general meeting on September 25th in my absence. For those who attended our monthly committee meeting last Wednesday, I want to thank you for joining us. There were three main items discussed. First, the association will be doing a third no-contact face mask and hand sanitizer distribution in our building on Saturday, Nov. 14. Like the last one, the pandemic go-bags (each bag will have two face masks and one 2-ounce hand sanitizer bottle) will be hung on the apartment doors the same day. Any bags not picked up will be retrieved by the association the next day. Second, the association will be doing its annual Halloween lobby decoration and candy distribution this month. The decorations will be put up on Saturday, Oct. 24, at 12 noon. Regarding candy distribution, it will be different this year due to COVID-19. Candy bags will be distributed on Oct. 31 via contactless delivery to apartment doors instead of kids getting them in the lobby. A registration form will be distributed by next week for households to sign up to indicate that they want Halloween candy dropped off (each apartment limited to two bags). Finally, the last item discussed is the annual breast cancer walk that the association participates in at Orchard Beach. Although the fundraising walk at the

no approved vaccine to combat Covid-19. We must think of others, to protect ourselves and each other. BLACK SOLIDARITY DAY A Day of Absence!!! MONDAY, NOVEMBER 2, 2020 NO WORK! NO SCHOOL! NO SHOPPING! The African-American Association of Co-op City in support of the Black Solidarity Day Committee asks you to join us in a Day of Absence. Mark your calendars. We look forward to your support. Need information? Email: aaaccpower@gmail.com or call: 929-430-3255. In Memoriam, Prayer and Well Wishes To those who have lost loved ones, we give pause to their memory and pray for the strength of each family as you carry on for those who remain. Those who are lonely, please know that you are not alone. This is why we wear masks…so that one day, we lose no more souls to Covid-19. Whatever you can do, do it Co-op City community, shareholder, resident, it has never been more important to be involved in this community. Join a club; attend your building association gatherings, Zoom Meetings, etc. Volunteer to be your floor’s Floor Captain. Wear masks and gloves. A tiny bit from each of us can save a community. Thank you for reading my viewpoint. I can be reached at mmarbury@riverbayboard.com. Let’s all do our part! Each one of us divided by all of us equals a force for good.

beach has been cancelled due to the pandemic, the association will be holding its own version of the breast cancer walk on Sunday, Oct. 18. The three-mile walk will take place at 10 a.m. by the greenway. The walk team will meet in front of our building at 9:30 a.m. We are asking participants in the team to make a donation to the American Cancer Society (ACS) by visiting the association’s donation page at this link: http://main.acsevents.org/goto/coopbldg19. Those who do not wish to donate online can bring their donation to the walk tomorrow where your name and contact information will be recorded on an ACS donation form (if paying with check, please make donation payable to “American Cancer Society” and write “Co-op City-Building 19 Association” in the memo section). Whatever you can donate, every dollar counts. Let us, as an association, do our part to help fund the research to some day make cancer a thing of the past. We need volunteers to help with the following: put up Halloween lobby decorations; assemble Halloween candy go-bags and do contactless delivery to apartments; and assemble the pandemic go-bags and do contactless delivery to apartments. To volunteer, please contact me at either leontulton@yahoo.com or 917442-9526. The next association virtual committee and general meetings will be on Monday, Nov. 9, at 7:30 p.m. and Friday, Nov. 20, at 7 p.m., respectively. Hope to see you at our breast cancer walk tomorrow. —Leon Tulton

Co-op City Times / October 17, 2020

Caregivers Outreach Mentorship Empowerment

The gift of caring We are all given gifts, talents, and abilities to be a blessing to others. Some may have a gift of charisma, gift of speaking, gift of creating projects, gift of working with their hands and others, the gift of caring. Family caregivers are individuals who embody the gift of caring. The question that is most often asked from someone looking at a caregiver is “how are you able to keep up with the daily challenges of being a caregiver?” It forces the person looking at a caregiver in action to question their ability to take on the role of a family caregiver. For a person who has never undertaken the role of a family caregiver, it is often expressed as a sigh of relief, “thank goodness.” The gift of caring is expressed long before someone takes on the role of a family caregiver. It can be seen in that child who always wants to help with a task, “mommy’s little helper.” That child who sees another child crying and asks, “Are you ok?” The gift of caring can be seen on a professional level in an occupation that provides caring services to another, for example, home health aide, doctor, nurse, social worker or teacher. It was through the COVID pandemic that essential and frontline workers demonstrated the gift of caring in their unwavering efforts to care even if it meant jeopardizing the lives of their family and self. The gift of caring can be seen in individuals who are walking in their purpose. It is a natural inborn ability to care about the well-being of another. It is the abil-

ity to care and continue to care. Family caregivers who are walking in their purpose realize that they are not walking alone. They realize that their strength, energy, and endurance are not related to the present circumstance, but something much greater. Family caregivers may not have the loudest voice in a room filled with people. They may not be seen as assertive, popular or the center of attention. They may not win an election or seek fame. Family caregivers are humble, giving, caring and will set aside self for the benefit of another. They are tenacious and have endurance, faith, and hope. They quietly go forth touching the lives of all in need of service. They are the gifts that God has placed on this earth to be constant reminders that “the greatest among us is that of a servant,” Mathew 23:11. Look out for COME’s monthly Zoom “Let’s Talk” informational caregivers’ session that will begin in January 2021. Do you know a family caregiver, adult or youth, who has been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic? Nominate them for the Leon David Simmons Caregivers Award in recognition of National Family Caregivers Month. Visit the website for more information, www.comeoutreach.org, call 718-379-3159 or Fax 718-379-3160. Our free 14th Annual Family Caregivers Recognition Gala will be via Zoom this year. For more information, please give us a call. –Diane Cooper

Building 20 Association

Hello to my fellow Building 20 cooperators. It’s been almost a year since the building association elections. First, I want to apologize for not reaching out sooner, but the pandemic has affected all our lives in many ways, my family and I included. I hope that by the time you read this message, you and your family are managing well during these difficult times. When I accepted the position as president of the building association, I decided to be fully committed to my responsibilities. The executive board and I are ready to put in place plans that we wish to not only share with you, but welcome your suggestions as well. We want to ensure that as a community, we make our homes a better place to live and welcome those who have the same goals in mind. What is to come… Mission statement and bylaws A top priority is to revise the association’s mission statement and by-laws to reflect our current goals and needs. My executive board and I will be reviewing the current by-laws to determine what needs to be updated. When a draft is devised, I will schedule a general meeting to review and vote on the final version before it becomes official. 2020 Halloween Although we are experiencing difficult times and must exercise caution and

safety, we want our children to feel and know that we cannot forget the little things that make them happy. As we did last year, we will have a table set up in the lobby of Building C on Saturday, October 31, that will be manned by residents giving out goodies to our children. A flyer will be posted in the next week providing residents with the specific hours of operation so stay tuned! Thanksgiving Another idea that was discussed is to have a raffle to raise money for the association. The prize will be a basket filled with various items. Flyer will be posted in the next week providing residents with the specific hours of operation so stay tuned! Christmas and other recognized religious holidays in December We would like to celebrate these holidays in our community room. General Meetings It’s always a good idea to have meetings when there is something significant to share with members of the association. We will discuss the frequency of meetings later. I will provide you with more updates as ideas and events come up. I hope that you all get involved because changes cannot happen without your participation and support. I welcome your comments and suggestions and I thank you for your attention and support. God bless you and your families and be well! –Darlene A. Keesley

Building 10 Association

Greetings, fellow cooperators. New Cooperators – Welcome, all new cooperators. We look forward to seeing you at the next general membership meeting. Domestic Violence Awareness Month – October is National Domestic Violence Awareness Month. “In NYC no one should suffer in silence.” If you or someone you know needs help, call 911 in an emergency, or call NYC’s DV Hotline at 1-800-621-HOPE (4673). For more information or to connect to services, call 1-212-788-3156 and ask for NYC Family Justice Centers. Halloween Candy Collection – We will be accepting candy donations for Halloween from 6 p.m. – 8 p.m. in the Building 10 Association room (located in the rear of Building 10B) on the following dates: Wed., Oct. 21, and Wed., Oct. 28. Halloween Candy Giveaway – The Halloween candy giveaway will be held on Saturday, October 31, beginning at 6 p.m. in the Building 10 Association room. 2020 Census – The deadline for the 2020 Census has been extended until October 31. If you have not participated in the 2020 Census, there is still time. Participation in the 2020 Census is critical to our community receiving our fair share of resources. You can respond through the mail, online at my2020census.gov or by phone at 844-330-2020. Vote – We have an especially important election on November 3. You may request an absentee ballot at https://vote.nyc/page/absentee-voting or you can call 1-866-VOTE-NYC (1-866-868-3692). Early, in-person voting, will begin on October 24. Visit https://vote.nyc for more information on your early voting location. Covid-19 – COVID-19 is still spreading in our community. Remember, when you wear a face mask, you protect others. When I wear a face mask, I protect you. We must work together to combat this virus in our community. Laundry room etiquette – Please remove your laundry from the washers and dryers promptly at the completion of the cycle. Keep our laundry clean. You can report broken machines at www.cscsw.com or call 877-264-6622. Reminders – Remember to turn on your car headlights when driving in the garage and please follow all directional signs. Please discard used face masks and gloves in trash receptacles. Please wipe up spills in hallways, elevators, and lobby floors.

Facebook – The Building 10 Association is on Facebook! The page is “Building 10 “ABC” Association.” Like our page and get notified of all the happenings in and around Building 10. Email Address – The Building 10 Association’s email address is Building10Assoc@ gmail.com. Please use the email or Facebook to contact the building association with your concerns and suggestions. We would like to wish all October “babies” an incredibly happy birthday. To the homebound and sick, we wish you a speedy recovery. To all who have lost a loved one recently, we give our deepest condolences. Have a great week. –Jewel Crawford-Duncan

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Co-op City Times / October 17, 2020

Section 4 Partnership

Election 2020 facts General Election – November 3, 2020 Early Voting Period – Oct. 24, 2020 – Nov. 1, 2020 Absentee Ballot Applications accepted no later than October 27, 2020 Note: Absentee Ballots were mailed out on or about Sept. 18, 2020 Bronx Board of Elections – 718-299-9017. Absentee Ballots Many of you have received your Official Ballot in the mail. Remember, once you receive your ballot, place your VOTE by filling it out. Place it in the envelopes provided. You can take your completed ballot by hand to the Bronx Board of Elections, located at 1780 Grand Concourse. Take the elevator down to L4, or deliver your completed ballot to your polling site during the early voting period (i.e., October 24 - November 1). You can call the Board of Elections at 718-299-9017. The phone number for the Absentee department is 718-960-0730. You can also mail in your vote, postage free.

The next gathering of the Section 4 Partnership of Co-op City will be Sunday, November 1, via Zoom at 3 p.m. Join us… Get involved… Email: section4partnerships@gmail.com. Phone: 347-915-4939… Let’s show up! Virtually! Let’s get it done! Help us continue this positive effort and reap the benefits of a united community. Section 4 Partnership Mission Statement The Section 4 Partnership’s purpose is to promote a community of more than just neighbors, but as one family of many cultures, that proactively embraces greatness, and promotes neighborhood interaction. The goal of the organization is to offer solutions that will educate, elevate, inspire, and mobilize our community in unity, to sustain affordability and growth in order to remain environmentally sound and vibrant for generations to come. Each one of us divided by all of us equals a force for good. –Michelle Marbury

Church of New Vision

Pastors Kenneth and Debbie Hodge and the New Vision congregation greet you in the precious name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ; always giving thanks for His goodness and mercy that He has given unto us as we stand in faith by His grace in this time and season that we are living in. We thank God for meeting the very needs of our lives and we pray that we continue to walk by faith and not by sight, and that all things will work together for our good, according to His word. Let’s stay prayerful as we watch and wait for our change to come. We welcome you with the love of the Lord to join us on Sunday as we share the Word of God at 11:00 a.m. on YouTube, type in Kenneth Hodge. Wednesday prayer service 7:00 p.m. via telephone conference line by calling 1-646-769-9900, then enter access number 3099388. Once prayer has begun, please MUTE your phone so all can hear with clarity. Sunday, October 11, Worship Service theme: “Jehovah Be Praised” Scripture: Psalm 145:3 “Great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised; and his greatness is unsearchable.” Amen (Psalm 34:1, 65:1, 63:4, 57:7, 104:33, 145:10. 150:2; Isaiah 40:18) Our heartfelt sympathies go out to all the bereaved families. May the love of God embrace, heal, strengthen, comfort and give you peace. (Psalm 23) Announcements: Early voting begins Saturday, October 24 – Sunday, No-

vember 1. Plan to vote, prepare before you go in the booth and cast your VOTE! Co-op City Houses of Worship present “A Spiritual Community Reawakening,” 12 Noon – 4:00 p.m., Saturday, October 25, Section 1 Greenway and Saturday, November 1, Section 5 Greenway. Come join us in strengthening & building our community through the Power of Prayer, Praise & Worship. Saturday, November 7, 10 a.m. - 12 p.m. – Join us for a free virtual “Morning of Hope and Healing.” We all have experienced the loss of a loved one or needed to lift the spirits of a grieving family member or friend; or perhaps endured loneliness or sickness of your own. This presentation will help guide us through bereavement recovery and life changes due to the pandemic. Join us as we discuss and share how to weather the tough times. To register for this FREE virtual or phone discussion, RSVP no later than Wednesday, November 4, at: https://www.churchnewvisionbx.org (scroll to Upcoming Events). In receipt of your registration, you will be sent a link via email and/or telephone number to join the meeting. Continue to practice social distancing, wash hands, wear a mask and stay safe! Thanks for your contributions, Malachi 3:10. Mailing address: Church of New Vision, P.O. Box 75-3037, Einstein Station, Bronx, NY 10475. –Brenda Brown

Community Protestant Church

The effectual fervent prayer of the righteous availeth much. During this dark season, Reverend Dr. Calvin E. Owens and the Community Protestant Church family continue to lift up in prayer our community, city, state, nation and the world, especially all those affected by the Coronavirus (COVID-19). Our regular church schedule has been cancelled due to the outbreak of the virus. However, our members and friends are invited to join us via the Telephone Conference Call Line at (712) 432-3900; at the prompt, enter access code 343284, followed by the # sign. Church Schedule Sunday School is now in session via Conference Call Line every Sunday at 9:00 a.m. For Youth Sunday School, call (712) 452-3900, access code 953697, followed by the # sign. For Adult Sunday School, call (712) 432-3900, access code 343284, followed by the # sign Sunday Worship Service begins at 11:00 a.m. via conference call at (712) 4323900, access code 343284, #. Everyone is invited to call in and be a part of this special moment set aside each Sunday to be in the presence of God. Noon Day Prayer at CPC... On Wednesdays at 12 noon, you are cordially invited to call in for Noon Day Prayer at CPC, an hour of Power, Prayer, Praise and Testimony. Bible Study on Wednesdays at 7:00 p.m. Please join us via the Conference Call number above. Celebrating the Missionaries and Hospitality Anniversary last Sunday, Pastor

Owens thanked the members for their continued faithful, devoted service to our church. The topic for his sermonette was “Somebody Cares.” His text came from Psalm 142:1-5. “I cried unto the Lord with my voice… I poured out my complaint before Him; I shewed before Him my trouble. …I said Thou art my refuge and my portion in the land of the living.” He stated that on this journey of life we are not immune from trouble, feeling like nobody cares. When these times come, there is one who always cares, Jesus Christ, the Son of the Living God. To show that Jesus really cares we should read Mark 2; Mark 3; Mark 5 and Mark 6. It does not matter your situation, Jesus cares and He will care for us through this pandemic. Reminders Complete and mail in your Census form. The Census count is extended to October 31. Vote. General Election: November 3. Early Voting: October 24 - November 1. Flu vaccine now available. Be safe from Covid-19. Remember to practice social distancing and wear your mask when you go out. Our prayers go out for peace and justice in this time of racial tension and protests all over our city and our country. Until we meet again, Pastor Owens and our church family pray that God will be merciful unto us, and bless us; and cause His face to shine upon us; that His way may be known upon earth, and His saving health among all nations. –Evan G. Mitchell

Chavurah Temple Beth El of Co-op City

5781: We are in the New Year. We stood at the gates, and they were open and we asked to be written in the Book of Life for a New Year. We got together for Rosh Hashanah and also on Yom Kippur. We prayed this year in a different way. ZOOM. We asked for forgiveness and our names were sealed in the Book of Life. Zoom was different, as I did not know who would be there. Many of you were. Some were on Zoom for the very first time. At the morning service on Yom Kippur, we had our Yiskor – Memorial Service and read the names of our dearly departed. You can send me names to be included in future Yiskor services. You can also send your High Holiday pledge/donation to our chavurah, temple. Contact me at RabbiDennisTobin@aol.com or 973-7693915 for mailing information. You are able to reach me at anytime. May you be inscribed in the Book of Life. Have a happy and healthy New Year. —Rabbi Dennis Tobin

Co-op City Times / October 17, 2020

Co-op City Baptist Church

Rev. Dr. Sheldon E. Williams and the Co-op City Baptist Church family invite you to join us tomorrow at 11:00 a.m. for worship service on Zoom. You can join us by Zoom Video, https://us04web.zoom.us /j/9623430102, or Zoom Telephone Conference Line, (646) 568-7788; Conference ID: 962 343 0102, Password: 788175#. Wednesday Bible Study is held at 1:00 p.m. Use the Zoom information shown above to join us. Thursday Prayer Warriors is held at 12 noon. You can join using the Conference Call Line, 563- 9992090, PIN #: 660065. Friday Noon Prayer is held at 12 noon. You can join us using the Conference Call Line shown above. Friday Evening Prayer Service is held at 7:30 p.m. You can join us using the Conference Call Line shown above. Please note: Friday Evening Prayer service is not held on the first Friday of the month. Sunday School for adults is held at 9:00 a.m. Use Conference Call Line shown above to join in. Sunday School for children and youth are held as follows: Primaries, (6-8 years old), 2:30 p.m., FCC: (701) 802-5451, PIN/ACCESS: 2788906 Juniors (9-11years old), 3:30 p.m., ZOOM: (516) 259-9274 (no access code required) Young Teens (12-17 years old), 9:30 a.m., FCC: (701) 802-5230, PIN/ACCESS: 3559529

If you did not submit your response to the Census, it is not too late. Everyone needs to be counted. The number of responses determines the amount of federal refunding received for the next ten years. If you did not respond, please do so ASAP. You can respond online at My2020census.gov. The deadline has been extended to October 31. Flu season is coming, don’t forget to get your flu shot. If you have not had Shingles, you should also consider getting the Shingles vaccine. Election Day is November 3. This is a very important election, everyone needs to vote. Early Voting in NY begins next Saturday, October 24, and will end on Sunday, November 1. Our Early Voting site is Truman HS. You should consider voting early to avoid crowds. Please keep each other in your prayers and be wise in your decisions. Don’t forget to wear a mask, practice social distancing and stay safe! GOD will strengthen us as we travel through this storm. 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. –Hattie L. Lucas

Open Door Ministries “No Worries” (Full sermon at opendoorministries.net)

Psalm 37:4 Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart. No worries means that we side with God and His Word taking it as full truth and acknowledging that He will accomplish all He says. We stop believing the lies of the devil and society and begin to breathe in God’s truth. We partner with God and agree to listen only to His voice. If he says, we are blessed, we accept it and live like we are blessed. “The children are dressed and ready for school. But there is no food for them to eat,” the housemother of the orphanage informed George Mueller. George asked her to take the 300 children into the dining room and have them sit at the tables. He thanked God for the food and waited. He knew God would provide food for them as he always did. Within minutes, a baker knocked on the door. “Mr. Mueller,” he said, “last night I could not sleep. Somehow I knew that you would need bread this morning. I got up and baked three batches for you. I will bring it in.” Soon, there was another knock at the door. It was the milkman. His cart had broken down in front of the orphanage. The milk would spoil by the time the wheel was fixed. He asked George if he could use some free milk. George smiled as the milkman brought in ten large cans of milk. It was just enough for the 300 thirsty children. –Christianity.com Matthew 6:24 No one can serve two masters. For you will hate one and love the other; you will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and be enslaved to money. 6:25 That is why I tell you not to worry about everyday life, whether you have enough food and drink, or enough clothes to wear. Isn’t life more than food, and your body more than clothing? 26 Look at the birds. They don’t plant or harvest or store food in barns, for your heavenly Father feeds them. And aren’t you far more valuable to him than they are? 27 Can all your worries add a single moment to your life? 30 God cares so wonderfully for wildflowers that are here today and thrown into the fire tomorrow, he will certainly care for you. Why do you have so little faith? 31 Don’t worry

about these things, saying, ‘What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear?’ 32 These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows your needs. 33 Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need. 34 Don’t worry about tomorrow, tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today’s trouble is enough for today. Contact Open Door Ministries by text 917-3344407 or email opendoorministries.net. Blessings in Christ, —Pastor Luis Ramos

Retirees of Dreiser Loop

Vote! – If you applied for a mail-in ballot, mail it. If you plan to vote early – vote early! Get the time schedule and follow it. If you plan to vote in-person, vote! Reminder – We are in the process of updating our membership roster. If you have a change of address or new telephone or cell phone number, please send it to Retirees of Dreiser Loop, 177 Dreiser Loop, room 19, Bronx, NY 10475; Attention: Delores Debnam. Or, you can email us at dreiserretirees@verizon.net. Down the road, we are planning to be in touch via email. Get-well wishes to Mary Ponton. Call Josephine Flowers, 718 320-0539, regarding illnesses and bereavements. Attention! The Retirees need experienced part-time, freelance drivers with a CDL license with Passenger endorsement with at least 3-years’ experience and a clean driving record. A stipend can be expected for each trip. This position requires transporting members and friends to and from special events within the Bronx as well as to outer boroughs. Please call Dorothy Byrd, 646-842-2458, and leave your name, telephone number and a brief message. –Delores Debnam

Rivers Run Community Garden

We are proud to say that Rivers Run Community Garden has received a Certificate of Merit from the Bronx Borough President, Ruben Diaz Jr. for participating in the Bronx Food Farm program. The ceremony is today from 1011:30 a.m. We will bring a computer to the garden for viewing, weather permitting. Important dates (All are welcome): Members’ Meeting (outdoors) – Today at 1:00 p.m. Last day of gardening for this season – October 31. Rivers Run hours for October (weather permitting): Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays, 10 a.m. - 1 p.m. Saturdays/Sundays, 12 p.m. - 4 p.m. (shortening hours) If you’d like to take advantage of the opportunities to get your hands dirty and make your heart happy, there is always something that needs doing. Membership requirements: $20 per year fee and 20 hours of work. There is a waiting list for beds. Members who are actively fulfilling the 20 hours of volunteer work requirement are moved up on the waiting list. Volunteers are welcome If you’d like to reach out to us, please email us at Rivers_run@yahoo.com or call Denise Shelley at 917232-2982 or me at 718-671-3801. –Gail Sharbaan

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Co-op City Times / October 17 2020

Bartow

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Dreiser

(929) 399-1394

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(718) 320-1345

Body in Motion 11 a.m. - 12 p.m. (exercise class) (via Zoom or phone) Must call or email to register: 929-399-1387

Chair Yoga w/ Charles Tyler Time: 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. Zoom Meeting https://zoom.us/j/99565341173 1-646-876-9923 US (New York) Meeting ID: 948 6880 5136

No Activities

Damion Arthritis Exercise class, every Tues., 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. Zoom Meeting: https://zoom.us/j/9828183332 5?pwd=bERyOXIrZXlENWR4V2 RKU0NmdzAwdz09 Meeting ID: 982 8183 3325 Passcode: 582148 Mobile +1-929-205-6099

Wed., Oct. 21

Health and Wellness, 10 a.m. -11 a.m., via Zoom or phone Zumba with Ola, 1 p.m. 2 p.m., via Zoom or phone Bereavement Hour, 2 p.m. 3 p.m., via phone only: 929-299-1045, Code: 1387 Must call or email to register for all other activities: 929-399-1387

Arts with Laura, 10 a.m. - 12 p.m. via Zoom and phone Must call or email to register: 929-399-1387

Music Therapy, 11 a.m.- 12 p.m. Zoom call-in number: 1-646-876-9923 Meeting ID: 935-5178-1563 “Zumba w/Ola,” 1:00 – 2:00 p.m. Zoom Meeting https://zoom.us/j/99231696108 Meeting ID: 992 3169 6108 Passcode: 503637 One tap mobile: 1-929-205-6099

“Creative Hour with Sister Grace,” 5:30 – 6:30 p.m. on how to make Floral Arrangements. Dial-in: 929-205-6099 Meeting code: 915-3777-954. Email Ann for Zoom link, amoncrieffe@jasa.org

Weight Management Support Group w/Gigi 2nd Wed. of the month, 1 p.m. - 2 p.m. Conference call: 929-299-1045, Code: 1386

Computer learning Zoom Meeting w/Ralph, 1 p.m. - 2 p.m. https://zoom.usj/2959552471 ?pwd=aFl4Y1N5dlpyNy80V3pJN 0hUVnVFZz09 Meeting ID: 295955247; Pass code: 259554; Dial in number: 1-929-205-6609

Game Day – Every Wed., 1-2 p.m. in collaboration with Ms. Margaret Kempe and a group of her fellow students (Pay it Forward Engineers) at Scarsdale High School. Virtual GAME DAY, where different types of games will be played each week including Bingo. Please call 718-320-1345 to register for the class and to receive Zoom information

Fri., Oct. 23

Thu., Oct. 22

Arts with Laura 10 a.m. -12 p.m., via Zoom and phone Fall Prevention w/Terry Webb Health and Wellness 11:30 a.m. Must call or email 10 a.m. - 11 a.m. to register: 929-399-1387 via Zoom or phone Smartphone/Tablet Class Must call or email to register: w/Ralph until Nov. 5, 1–2 p.m. Call main office, 718-320- 929-399-1387 2066 to register. Please give your phone # & email address

Stretch and Tone with Ola 1 p.m. -2 p.m. via Zoom or phone

No activities are available

Must call or email to register: 929-399-1387

Meditation w/ Charles Tyler 10 a.m. - 11 a.m. To join the Zoom meeting, go to: https://zoom.us/j/94868805136 +1-646-876-9923 US (New York) Meeting ID: 948 6880 5136

Concerts in Motion 1 p.m. - 2 p.m. To join the Zoom meeting, go to: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/8290688 1632 Dial in by phone: 646.558.8656 Meeting ID: 829-0688-1632

For information, please call: (718) 320-2066 (Schedule subject to change without notice) Funded by: The NYC Department for the Aging, the NYS Office for the Aging and Riverbay Corporation.

AARP Chapter #4997

From President Mickens: AARP.org/near you, highlighting the Bronx, states that “we have cancelled all in-person activities through December 31st. However, we want to stay connected and help you to do the same. There are online offerings via Zoom available throughout the month.” Check them out… Stay safe...Continue to wash your hands and wear your face mask including in the elevator and on public transportation. FYI: We are updating our mailing list. If you have a change of address, home phone number or cell phone

number, please contact Jean: 718-379-3742; Deborah: 718-379-6312 or Frances: 718-671-5493. Please contact our Good and Welfare coordinator, Frances Wilson, 718-671-5493, if you have a family member who has passed or one of our members who is sick, in the hospital or in a nursing home. Reminder: Our Monthly Membership meeting, scheduled on the second Monday of each month, is cancelled until further notice. No word from Riverbay re the community center opening. –Delores Debnam

Upcoming Events JASA Co-op City NORC Program invites you for the Upcoming Virtual Activities – October/November 2020

Zoom Yoga Class w/Sierra available every Tues. until Dec. 29, 9:15-10:15 a.m. Meeting: https://zoom.us/j/98404647097?pwd=RXg2WCtq NzlEa0JLVWtWN3VWa1JPZz09 Dial in by phone: 1-929-205-6099, Meeting ID: 984 0464 7097, Pass Code: 952022. Tai Chi classes – Every Wed., 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. Zoom Meeting: https://zoom.us/j/95267447198?pwd=MDhCa1U 5d24rMkdpNWZnMXVHejl2dz09. Mobile: 929.205.6099, Meeting ID: 952 6744 7198, Password: 455576. Tues. Zoom Meetings: https://zoom.us/j/97716014126?pwd=KzhyNm5o eWVjanVxbDhOdEg3QVlOdz09 Meeting ID: 977 1601 4126, Passcode: 889698; Mobile: 929.205.6099 October 13: Wound Care, 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. October 20: Anxiety, 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. October 27: Falls Prevention, 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. November 3: How to prepare for doctors’ visits, 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. Thurs. Zoom Meetings: https://zoom.us/j/92318123299?pwd=TzQ3MlZP N2hNUTRWc1RONDVDUmV0QT09 Meeting ID: 923 1812 3299, Passcode: 477180; Mobile: 929.205.6099 October 15: 11 a.m. to 12 p.m., Breast Cancer Oct. 22: 11 a.m. to 12 p.m., Psoriasis Signs and Symptoms October 29: 11 a.m. to 12 p.m., What is Eczema? November 12: 11 a.m. to 12 p.m., Lung Cancer November 19: 11 a.m. to 12 p.m., Bladder Health What’s New w/Medicare w/ Dorette Brown, MPH, Tues., Oct. 20, 3-4 p.m. Dial-in #: 929-2056099, Meeting ID: 948-1670-9645. For Zoom link, please email Ann Moncrieffe at amoncrieffe @jasa.org. Breast Cancer Awareness Event, Thurs., Oct. 22, 1:00-3:00 p.m. Special Guest: Dr. A. Maodel. Dial-in number: 929-205-6099, Meeting ID: 9605585-1036. For Zoom link, please email Ann Moncrieffe at amoncrieffe@jasa.org. “Caring for your Eyes, It is Important,” w/ Dr. Sherry Bass – Fri., Oct. 23, 11:00 a.m., https:// zoom.us/j/94408430435?pwd=V280REdrZVNBMF BSczEwMkhJZDlGUT09; Dial-in number: 929205-6099, Meeting ID: 994-0843-0435. Zumba Classes on Sat. – Starting Sat., Oct. 24, 1:00 – 2:00 p.m. Co-op City Zoom is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting: https://zoom.us/j/92928109097?pwd=Z1lwMHF NcDNRSGZZZ20vTmlZSmtLQT09 Meeting ID: 929 2810 9097, Pass Code: 374977, Mobile: 929.205.6099. “The Journey to be Recognized,” an LGBT presentation w/Steven Wilkinson of SAGE, Oct. 26, 1:00-2:00 p.m. Meeting ID: 974 8157 9916, Password: 870118. Light Housekeeping services available w/Kris Agency. Housekeeping service is available for 4 hours at $15 an hour. If you are interested in receiving this service, please call the JASA main office, 718320-2066. Music w/DJ Woody starting Thurs., Oct. 29, 11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. https://zoom.us/j/94721808282?pwd=T3E5ZUJS WWNHeTdOc2F1 Meeting ID: 947 2180 8282, Pass Code: 720990, Mobile: 929.205-6099. Farmers Market Coupons: If you did NOT receive your Farmers Market coupons, call 718-3202066 by October 23rd for registration. We have limited amount.

Co-op City Times / October 17, 2020

Faith in God Church & Bible Institute

Co-op City Times / October 17, 2020

Pastor and Evangelist Vernon Little greets everyone in the name of Jesus, that name which is above every name. We want you to know that you are welcome in this house of the Lord! It is His house by ownership: it is our house by stewardship: and it can be your house by membership; so come on in and join with us. May God bless you in this house! Those of us who have accepted Jesus as our Lord and Saviour are encouraged by Him to share the good news of His gospel with others. We see this in the gospel according to Matthew 5:13 - 16. It says: 13 You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot. 14 You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven. Invitation: Sweet Hour of Prayer is today at 3 p.m. Sunday school is tomorrow at 10 a.m. Our Sunday Morning Worship Service is at 11 a.m. We have clothing items available that were donated to the church. If interested in picking some up, stop by the church in the 11 o’clock hour on Sunday. Every 3rd Sunday following the morning worship, we serve Holy Communion. We are located at 171 Dreiser Loop in Section 1. Our phone # is (347) 2764925. Jesus loves you, and so do we! –Evangelist Vernon Little

Pentecostal Tabernacle

Pentecostal Tabernacle invites everyone to worship service every Sunday morning at 100 Co-op City Blvd., Building 22A, Bronx, NY. Tel. 718-3240334 or 646-345-6707. All services are now held online until further notice. To join, please feel free to call 978-990-5475, Access Code: 8548095. Sunday service starts at 11 a.m. Wednesday morning fasting and prayer service will be held from 11 a.m. 12:30 p.m. Regular prayer meeting & Bible Study will also be held every Wednesday evening at 7:30 p.m. Prayer meeting will be held every Friday evening at 7:30 p.m. Focus: The new, spirit-filled believers set a daily pattern of truth, unity, fellowship, praise, and prayer. Knowing the truth is vital to believers, but knowledge without application or practice is of little, if any, value. Practice is what gives value to Apostolic doctrine. To know what is right but fail to do what is right is sin. James 4;17 states: Therefore, to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin As we consider the things that brought unity to the early church, we will be observing the same thing that bring unity to the church today. Truth never changes, and these core principles establish unity among believers as we, like the disciples of the first century, commit ourselves to live by them. It is important that we maintain fellowship with one another, (1John1:7) states: But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his son cleanseth us from all sin. We should not forsake the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is, but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching. Hebrews10:25 As we continue to praise God and maintain a prayerful life, we will be able to grow stronger in God. Prayer will help us to overcome temptation. Jesus said that men ought always to pray and not to faint. It is important for believers to pray together and worship together. Doing so builds strong bodies of unit, enhances and furthers the corporate work of the church and strengthens every believer. The newly baptized believers at Pentecost went forth spreading the life changing gospel of Jesus Christ everywhere. Acts 2:38-40 states: Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call. And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this untoward generation. May the truth and blessings of the church ever continue through the mercy of Jesus Christ who purchased our redemption with his own blood. –Rev. R. Sibblies

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

Iglesia Evangelica MU de Co-op City

Co-op City United Methodist Church

Open Doors, Open Hearts and Open Minds “If you say, “The Lord is my refuge,” and you make the Most High your dwelling, no harm will overtake you, no disaster will come near your tent. For He will command His angels concerning you, to guard you in all your ways.” –Psalm 91:9-1.1 UMCC is a Bible-centered congregation with spirit-filled worship and we offer a variety of opportunities for spiritual growth, fellowship and service to God and our community. We are a multi-ethnic, multicultural and bilingual congregation – all are welcome! We are changing with the times and now offer online service. We are located at 2350 Palmer Avenue, across from Building 30 (entrance on Boller Ave.) Parking is available on Palmer Ave. Our pastor is Rev. Arnaldo Sánchez-Orta. For more information about our services, please contact our administrative secretary, Marta Medina, by phone: 917-740-0256 or by email: coopcityevangelicalumc@gmail.com. Remote Schedule for Sundays – Come and receive a blessing: We would love for you to join us on Sundays. We are currently sharing our services online through our Facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/UMCofCoopCity/. We are also holding services via Zoom. For more information, visit our website at www.coopcityumc.com. Our Remote Services via Zoom: Sunday at 11 a.m. (Bilingual Service) Remote Schedule for our weekly services – Come and receive a blessing via Zoom Tuesday, 12 p.m. (Spanish) and 7 p.m. (English), Pray and Reflection Service Thursday, 7 p.m. (English), small group Bible Study with Pastor Jackie Friday, 8 p.m. (English), 4.12 Youth Services Sunday School, 8 a.m. (English) Reopening will take place on October 4th at 11 a.m. For more information, please call the church. Food Pantry: The Food Pantry distribution center at our church serves Section 5. Ongoing registration and distribution of food is on Thursdays from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Those registering must present one of the following government issued up-to-date ID’s showing a 10475 zip code: Driver, Non-Driver, or NYC ID. Anyone 18+ of age can register. Only one participant per household may register. Blessings, —Marta Medina

Greater Love Refuge Ministries

“Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” Hebrews 11:1 Spiritual Food for Thought: This season of change will require your flexibility, and dependence on the wisdom and direction that only God can give. Your most valuable asset is relationship with God and the ability to quiet your soul and listen for His voice. Do not overreact to events that surround you, but rather maintain a sense of calm stability. Faith is a vital component of moving from chaos to peace. Bishop-elect Landrum, co-Pastor Carol Landrum, and the Greater Love Christian Church family invite you to worship with us virtually on GoToMeeting.com each Sunday morning. The morning’s schedule is as follows: New Millennial Life Application Bible Study (ages 18-35): 9:45 a.m. – 11 a.m.** Adult Bible Study: 9:45 a.m. – 10:45 a.m. with Walking Deacon Alecia Benjamin Children’s Sunday School: 10:45 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. with Chairman Richard States & Ama States Lesson for Sunday, October 18: “Loving Your Neighbor” Scripture Reference: Luke 10:25 -36 Sunday Morning Worship: 11:30 a.m. Join the classes and morning worship from your computer, tablet or smartphone: https://www.gotomeet.me/GreaterLoveChurch You can also dial-in using your phone: United States: +1 (786) 535-3211, Access Code: 463-256-381. ** New Millennial Class meets on Zoom: Mtg. # 5906971593, no pswrd. needed Morning Worship with the Seasoned Saints Ministry: All are invited to join tomorrow’s morning Virtual Worship Service at 11:30 a.m. hosted by the Seasoned Saints Ministry. Reverend Beatrice M. Cowans of East Mt. Olive Baptist Church in Harlem is the guest preacher. Greater Love’s Prayer Line is held each Wednesday afternoon from 1:30 – 2:00 p.m. and on Thursday evenings from 9 p.m. – 9:30 p.m. The Dial-In number is 351999-3024. Food Drive: Our annual Thanksgiving family gift bag giveaway is slowly approaching. Each year, our Two Fish & Five Loaves Ministry blesses families in need with food items to prepare a complete meal. Won’t you join us in this effort by contributing non-perishable items that will help to feed a family? Drop-off times are on Thursday between 1 p.m. - 3 p.m., & Friday evening from 5:30 p.m. - 8 p.m.; simply ring the church button and leave items off in the designated box outside the door. We will be present to extend a warm greeting, keeping in mind safe protocols. Although we do not hold worship services in our church space in the same capacity prior to the Covid 19 pandemic, our virtual meetings will afford you the opportunity to experience fellowship and the love of Christ in a new way. If you have questions or concerns, kindly leave a message on the church phone at 347-920-5607. —Pastor Carol Landrum

Co-op City Times / October 17, 2020

Goose Island Seniors

Words from the Goose Island President – The Senior Citizens Social Club of Goose Island, Inc. is still temporarily closed. We will remain closed for the rest of 2020 and until it is safe to reopen. The purpose of our club is to bring together the seniors of Co-op City through socialization and recreation. I have scheduled a date to socialize with the membership this month on Zoom. You will need internet on a cellphone, tablet or computer to listen and view each other. You have to download the Zoom app. It’s free from the internet or App Store. If you want to join in the Zoom social meeting, please text, message or email me so I can send you the link needed to join in. Please call 347-847-1941 or send email to goose.island@optonline.net. Zoom Social Meeting The Goose Island Seniors Zoom social meeting is scheduled for Monday, October 26, at 5 p.m. Please contact me for the link you need to connect to meeting. To all members Happy Birthday to our members who celebrate their birthday in the month of October: Joan Macafity, Marilyn Sherman, Bess Manger, Felicia Curia, Sandy Roque, Edward Delgado, Eleanor Alberti and Edith Rosado. Sick or Shut-in Mary Hunt had a fall. She is in rehab recovering. She should be back home soon. Mary Pilla (former Goose Island president), is well and doing fine. She sends her love to all. Mary is in the Paramount at Somers Nursing Center. She will love to hear from you. You may call her at (718) 753-1816. Our club is at 135 Einstein Loop, rm. 39, Bronx, NY 10475, the Section 5 community center; phone number: (718) 379-9613. Our office is presently closed. You may call or text Stephen’s cell at (347) 847-1941. Our email address is goose.island@optonline.net. These are unusual times. All our lives are altered. Let’s pray this will end soon. On behalf of my officers and myself, try to stay safe. –Stephen Roberts, Sr.

Public Safety

Turn On Your Headlights

when driving in the parking garages

If you witness anyone tagging or spraying graffiti on Co-op City property, notify Public Safety immediately at 718-671-3050. If your cell phone is handy, snap a photo and send it to Public Safety.

Alert: Graffiti vandalism

(Continued from page 7)

To minimize the impact of crimes involving theft of property from your person, keep your keys, money, identification and cell phone in your front pocket, separate from your non-valuables. Also consider an inside the clothing traveltype wallet for your personal items and valuables. A pocket with a zipper or button is ideal for this purpose. Remember, property can always be replaced; your safety and well-being is the most important thing. If someone does try to rob you despite your precautions, do not resist, especially if the person is armed with a weapon of any type. Try to remember as many details of the crime as well as a description of the perpetrator. Notify police immediately if you have been the victim of a crime Always remember, if you see something, say something. If you see suspicious persons in the garage or lurking near parked vehicles on the street, an auto crime could be taking place, an auto crime could be ready to happen, notify the authorities. Call 911 and the Department of Public Safety at (718) 671-3050 or online at www.ccpd.us. Callers may remain anonymous when giving information. The Co-op City Department of Public Safety would like to thank all persons who have called in suspicious activity or sent information via our website. We also give a special shout out to those persons who call up with feedback about these articles. The Co-op City Department of Public Safety is asking cooperators to always practice social distance and wear masks or face coverings in public. It is important to wear a face mask or face covering any time you leave your apartment. People should avoid gathering in large groups. Hand washing, the use of hand sanitizer and not touching your face are other strategies to help prevent spread of Covid-19 and other illnesses. Please follow the latest guidance provided by the CDC and the New York City Department of Health.

If You See Something, Say Something!

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

Emergency: 718-671-3050 or 9-1-1 • Non-Emergency: 718-320-3330 www.ccpd.us • @CCPDnyc

Co-op City Times / October 17, 2020

CLASSIFIEDS

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10/31

PAINTING

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RIVERBAY ANONYMOUS WHISTLEBLOWER HOTLINE

If you have knowledge or a concern of possible violations of law, accounting irregularities, or other suspected wrongdoing affecting Riverbay, you are encouraged to report it to law enforcement, or you may report it through an anonymous hotline by the following methods:

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Go to an independent website, www.lighthouse-services/riverbaycorp, to complete an online disclosure form; Call the following independent third party whistleblower hotline at 1-833-290-0009 (English); or 1-800-216-1288 (Spanish); Send an e-mail to reports@lighthouse-services.com (the email must include “Riverbay” in the subject); or Send a fax to (215) 689-3885 (the fax must include “Riverbay” in the subject of the report).

10/31

Co-op City Times / October 17, 2020