Co-op City Times 12/03/16 by Co-op City Times

Co-op City’s official newspaper serving the world’s largest cooperative community. Vol. 51 No. 49

Saturday, December 3, 2016

25¢

Other Significant Co-op City-Related Questions Raised at Last Week’s Mayoral Town Hall The Bronx mayoral town hall meeting hosted by Councilman Andy King last Monday, November 21, resulted in several pertinent questions related to Co-op City being raised by concerned shareholders who were able to address Mayor Bill de Blasio directly. In addition to the issue raised by Riverbay Board President Linda Berk which was reported on in last week’s Co-op City Times related to the exorbitant asbestos abatement and air monitoring costs required by the city when flooring work is done in Co-op City apartments, along with other filing and permitting BY ROZAAN BOONE

Registration Begins Dec. 10 For Renaissance Youth Center’s Music 4 All Program In Co-op City Registration will be held next Saturday, Dec. 10 and the following Saturday, Dec. 17, for the Renaissance Youth Center’s Music 4 All program in Co-op City which will provide significantly discounted music lessons to young people who are shareholders of Co-op City. This program is made possible by the Riverbay Fund. Music 4 All will provide 8 weeks of music lessons for only $25 per child, a discount of more than 50% off the regular cost. “We are so happy to welcome Renaissance Music 4 All to Co-op City!” said Director Deborah Jenkins, President of the Riverbay Fund and Riverbay Board treasurer. “Mr. Bervin Harris’ reputation as a musician, teacher and mentor to young people is well-known throughout NYC. “As the leader of the Riverbay Fund, I feel that it’s very important for us to develop programs and outreach to our youth and community with great deliberation. To this end, we presented to the Fund’s Board (also the corporate Board) a plan to underwrite a portion of the instruction cost so that as many Co-op City youth as possible can take lessons without the cost being prohibitive to parents. The Board gave overwhelming approval and as a result, for 8 weeks of instruction, the cost to parents is only $25!” Registration will take place in room 18 of the Dreiser Center from 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 10 and again on Saturday, Dec. 17. For those who cannot make either of those registration sessions, applications will also be available from the Riverbay Administration Desk in the Bartow Center, as well as online at the Renaissance Youth Center’s website, renaissanceyouth.org. Bervin Harris, co-founder of the Renaissance Youth Center along with Darren Quinlan, said that he hopes to start the program off in Co-op City with at least 100-150 young people. “What’s amazing is the price,” said Mr. Harris. “Eight weeks for $25. I have been teaching music BY ROZAAN BOONE

(Continued on page 4)

fees, which result in an annual expenditure of more than $2M, questions were also posed to the mayor by two other Board members, first vice president of the Board, Bernard Cylich, and Director Leslie Peterson. Mr. Cylich’s question to Mayor de Blasio dealt with skyrocketing water and sewer charges. “After commending the mayor for his courageous stand with President-elect Donald Trump for expressing the conscience of our city and the country, I informed him that our annual water/sewer fees have increased from $6.6M in 2004 to $20M today,” reported First Vice President Cylich. “I reminded Mayor de Blasio that

when he ran for mayor, he characterized those fees as backdoor taxes.” Mr. Cylich went on to explain that for Riverbay, this expense represents twice the amount of what the community’s shelter rent tax is. “The mayor acknowledged that he had characterized those onerous fees as backdoor taxes on city residents, but informed us that the city is proposing to give small homeowners tax credit against their water bills,” First Vice President Cylich said. “However,

44-Year-Old Woman Found Fatally Stabbed Inside Her Building 16A Home (Continued on page 2)

Public Safety officers, called to the second floor of Building 16A on November 26th after a woman reported seeing a trail of blood in an apartment, made the grisly discovery of a 44-year old woman stabbed multiple times in the chest and unresponsive. According to the Public Safety report on the tragedy, officers responded to a frantic call for help from two women in the second floor hallway of the building. One of those women was the mother of the victim who, according to the report, told the officers that she saw a trail of blood in her apartment and ran out in the hallway calling for help. A neighbor came out to comfort her and help her alert Public Safety who responded immediately. The officers entered the apartment and discovered the victim, identified later as 44-year-old Sophia Holiday Tree Lighting ceremony Wednesday, Dec. 7, 7:30 p.m. Lamb—leaning against a couch and unresponsive. An Emergency Medical Service unit was called to Dreiser, Auditorium B the scene by the responding officers along with Free Photo with Santa – NYPD 45th Precinct Detectives and Detectives from 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. (See flyer on page 5 for list CCPD’s own unit. Responding EMT’s pronounced of performers) BY BILL STUTTIG

Reminder

Board approves extension of carpet voucher program while better alternatives are being explored (Continued on page 2)

The Riverbay Board of Directors, by a vote of 14 to 1, approved an eight-month extension of the community’s current Carpet Voucher Program while they and management continue to explore better alternatives in terms of pricing and the choice of products available to shareholders. Under the terms of the resolution passed by the Board at this Wednesday evening’s Board business meeting, the existing contract terms with Tri-State Interiors and the Mohawk Portico Program will remain in effect for another eight months. Riverbay’s Special Projects Manager Joe Boiko explained that under the existing program, new shareholder receive a voucher valued between $250 and $350 for bedroom carpeting or flooring produced by Mohawk Industries under its Portico Program from Tri-State Interiors at 2925 Westchester Avenue in the Bronx. Under the terms of this just-passed resolution, Riverbay’s relationship with Tri-State and Mohawk will remain the same for another eight months while other alternatives are jointly explored by the Board BY BILL STUTTIG

and management. One of those alternatives, Mr. Boiko explained, is the possible use of a new flooring material using LVT or Luxurious Vinyl Tiles which could possibly prove to be more cost effective than the community’s original wood flooring because it will better hold up in the common case of water damage caused by convector floods. In the coming weeks, the Board and management will also be looking into a greater array of alternatives when it comes to carpeting brands, styles and types. Under the current program, which will remain in place for another eight months, the Mohawk Portico Program offers two base carpets, a plush which comes in 36 colors that shareholders can choose from—and which is also a ‘green’ product—as well as a Berber, which has 6-8 different color choices. “From here, incoming shareholders can currently upgrade to 3-6 different styles in each category,” said Riverbay’s Director of Special Projects Joe Boiko. (Continued on page 11)

Townhall

Co-op City Times / December 3, 2016 (Continued from page 1)

big real estate interests are mounting a challenge to this proposal in the courts. If adopted, we don’t know how Riverbay will benefit from such a tax credit.” Mr. Cylich said when the mayor sets up the meeting with the Co-op City representatives, as he promised to do at the town hall meeting, this issue will be raised with him once again. The third Board director who had the opportunity to address the mayor was Director Leslie Peterson. She reminded Mayor de Blasio of the financial relief Co-op City taxpayers already provide to the city of New York by employing their own Public Safety force and operating the Peartree Garbage facility which centralizes garbage collection and cuts down on the amount of time city Sanitation workers have to spend collecting garbage from throughout the development. “I inquired if he would be willing to meet in an effort to negotiate a reciprocal benefit/incentive since we alleviate some of their responsibility,” said Director Peterson. “The 45th Precinct covers one of the largest areas and shareholders do not feel we get our fair share of coverage although we pay taxes for the service. I believe the capability of the CCPD offers a sense of comfort to the NYPD and helps to reduce crime statistics. In addition, the pick-up time spent in our community by the NYC Dept. of Sanitation is greatly reduced due to our compound at Peartree. This is especially beneficial to the Department of Sanitation during inclement weather in the winter months. Director Leslie said that a member of the mayor’s team asked for her contact information and she is hopeful that a meeting with the mayor to discuss these issues will materialize. Co-op City employs its own Public Safety Depart-

ment which, according to the Riverbay Finance Department, costs the Riverbay Corporation $12.4 million per year. The Peartree Garbage Facility costs the corporation $1.8 million per year to operate. Several other Co-op City shareholders attended the town hall meeting which was held in the gymnasium of the Academy for Scholarship and Entrepreneurship on East 228th Street in the Bronx. First Vice President Cylich said that another cooperator who is a member of the Co-op City Coalition Against the MTA Cuts, complained that the MTA had cut two-thirds of the community out of essential bus service provided by the Bx26 and Bx28 that ought to be restored. Director Cylich said this complaint was corroborated by Councilman King, the moderator of the town hall meeting, who pointed out to the mayor that because of this, many cooperators are forced to pay double fare and endure longer commute time which negatively impacts working people, students and seniors. Again,

Stabbing

First Vice President Cylich said the mayor promised to address this issue as well. “I stressed that it was important for the mayor to understand that Co-op City is a separate entity and that a cookie-cutter approach to providing transportation to the residents wouldn’t be practical,” said Councilman Andy King. “We need to restore the bus service in order for public transportation in Co-op City to function productively and benefit the people of Co-op City.” Councilman King also said that moving forward, he will work to help facilitate a meeting with the mayor to resolve the issues discussed at the town hall. “I’ve reached out to facilitate a meeting between Riverbay and the mayor’s office to resolve this and other city issues regarding Co-op City,” Councilman King said. “We are looking to have a meeting prior to the holidays. If it doesn’t occur before Dec. 24, we will meet in early January.”

(Continued from page 1)

the woman dead shortly before 2 p.m. and Public Safety officers and supervisors immediately established the home as a crime scene. Detectives from the 45th Precinct arrived at the crime scene a few moments later. A short time later, investigators identified Andre Curtis, Ms. Lamb’s husband, as “a person of interest.” Family members of Ms. Lamb told media outlets later that day that Ms. Lamb’s husband was told weeks earlier to leave the home, which he had shared with his wife and her parents since June. The victim’s mother told the New York Daily News

that Mr. Curtis did move out as requested, but returned to the home the night before seeking to speak to his wife. According to the media report, he was turned away. Responding media outlets reported that when news of the tragedy reached Ms. Lamb’s co-workers at the Westchester Hospital where she was employed, many rushed to the building in disbelief and mourned in horror along with her Co-op City neighbors, friends and relatives at the horrific, senseless tragedy that had occurred just hours before.

Co-op City Times / December 3, 2016

Co-op City Times 2 n d

Front Pa ge

Truman Mustangs playing in the PSAL Bowl Championship Game for second consecutive year Combing Co-op City Find out what’s going on in Co-op City here...

Tree Lighting this Wednesday, Dreiser Audit. B The annual Riverbay Tree Lighting Ceremony will take place this Wednesday, Dec. 7 at 7:30 p.m. in the Dreiser Auditorium B. Come early to take a free photo with Santa, 5:30-7:30 p.m. This year’s program will feature performances by the Learning Ladders Day Care Center, the Garvey School, Unconventional Dance, Inc., Newsong Church’s Kidsong program and the multi-talented Renaissance Youth Center’s Music With a Message. Come join the celebration as we usher in the holiday season. Enjoy the entertainment, hot chocolate and cookies. This event is sponsored by Newson Church and the Riverbay Fund.

Pre-Kwanzaa Celebration The Coalition of African American Churches & Community Organizations will host a Pre-Kwanzaa Celebration on Sunday, December 11, at 3 p.m., room 31, Bartow Center, featuring Dr. Daniel Black, Clark Atlanta University professor and author of “The Coming,” “They tell me of a Home.” There will be entertainment, Kuumba Dancers and Drummers, a Kwanzaa Ceremony, African Dancing and the Karamu Feast, vendors and games. Refreshments will be served. Admission is free and all are invited to attend.

Combating the Holiday Blues The Board’s Disabilities & Accommodations Committee will sponsor “Combating the Holiday Blues,” on Wednesday, Dec. 21, 1-4 p.m. in room 28 of the Bartow Center. The speaker will be Dr. Nathan Lovemore who will offer tips on mental wellness, feeling alone and suicide prevention for all age groups. Stay tuned for additional details as they become available.

Co-op City’s Truman Mustangs Football Team, the defending PSAL Bowl Conference Champions, have made it to the Bowl Championship Game again this year after defeating Bayside High School, 16 to 6, last Sunday afternoon at Truman’s home field in Co-op City. The Mustangs will travel to MCU Park in Coney Island, Brooklyn tonight to take on inter-borough rival Lehman High School for the championship. Lehman, which came on strong late in the year and made a surprising run of its own to the Championship Game, was the only team to defeat Truman this season in the last regular season game of the season. The Mustangs earned their shot at revenge and a second consecutive Bowl Division Championship by defeating a formidable team from Bayside, Queens in a battle of two great defenses. “Work ethic, purpose, focus and a return to the Championship was the mission,” said running back coach Brian Williams. “It started in spring practice. Head Coach John Shepherd was determined to coach up the team for a successful season and get back to championship.”

Coach Shepherd headed up a formidable staff of assistant coaches, each committed to guiding the players to this point. They are: Running Backs coach Brian Williams, Secondary Coach Kamau Woolard, Defensive Coordinator Lauringle Mitchell, Defensive Line Coach Kevin Lawes, and Assistant Coach Hector Luciano. The playoff win against Bayside began as Bayside kicked off to Truman and a back and forth battle between both defenses ensued, each determined to shut down the other team’s offense and for the entire first quarter, that was the case. As the second quarter began, Bayside put together a drive into the Mustangs red zone, but the Mustangs secondary put a stop to a possible touchdown with an end zone interception by Sadeeq Nathaniel for a touchback. On the ensuing possession, the Mustangs began moving the ball before they eventually were forced to punt. Bayside was stopped immediately after that and their punt was returned by Truman’s Imotep Cromer to Bayside’s three yard line. Outstanding running back Trevor Carson scored on the next

play and also converted the two points for an 8 -0 halftime lead. Bayside received the opening kickoff of the second half and put together an air and ground attack that resulted in touchdown, but the conversion attempt failed and the Mustangs retained the narrow lead, 8 to 6. On the ensuing Bayside kick off, Jabari Anderson caught the kick and returned it 70 yards for a touchdown. Trevor Carson again converted the two points and Truman led 16 to 6. The fourth quarter was a defensive struggle and a Truman stand late in the game at their goal line sealed the 16 to 6 victory. The championship game begins at 7 p.m. at MCU Park in Coney Island, the summer home of the Brooklyn Cyclones baseball team. “This season is the result of a coaching staff working together stressing academics first, good character, work ethic and finish what you start, “said Coach Williams. A bus for fans of the team will leave from in front of Truman High School at 5 p.m. tonight.

Velocity Track Club New York Velocity Track Club NewYork (VTC) closed out its cross country (XC) season on Saturday, November 26th at the Foot Locker Regional Championship. It was a good meet with most of the best XC teams from throughout the northeast region. The top 40 high school girls and 40 high school boys advanced to the 2016 Foot Locker National XC Championship on December 10th, in Balboa Park, San Diego, CA. VTC was able to muscle out eight medals, thanks to: In our 10 & under girls division, Aysya Brown (6th place), Tiarra Jackson (11th place) and Adonijah Washington (12th place). In our boys 10 & under division: Pierce Parker (7th place), Dillon Hampton (12th place). In our boys 11 & 12 division: Dontae Lindo (8th place), Jordon Ingram (12th place) and Julian Caldwell (22nd place). Congratulation to all, you had a great XC season! We (VTC) were planning to travel to Tallahassee, Florida for the AAU XC National Championship. However, the prices for airline flights were expensive after November 19th, which was the date of the national qualifier. We wanted to wait to see who would qualify before purchasing tickets. After the 19th, which was 3 weeks

VTC medalist from the Footlocker Regional Championship.

before the nationals, the price was just too expensive for us to go. Therefore, we will put more focus on the Indoor Season Track & Field meets! Our first indoor meet will be on Sunday, December 4th in Toms River, NJ. Our sprinters and field events athletes are anxious to test out their speed. They have been practicing hard since September and want to see the fruit of their

labor. Hopefully, we will have our new sweat suits by then. Velocity Track Club New York is a 501(c)3 not-for-profit. One hundred percent of your donation will go to help our children. For additional information, you can go to our website, Velocitytrack.org, or contact me, Coach Winston Dinkins, at 914-441-6196 or via email at watclt@ aol.com. —Winston Dinkins

See page 10 for update on use of Truman pool and facilities in Director Deborah Jenkins’ viewpoint.

Youth Center at a high level and coaching for about thirty years and this is a bargain.” Mr. Harris said the Music 4 All program is also open to adults since Renaissance’s goal is to meet the needs of the community as a whole. However, it should be stressed that the discounted price does not extend to adults. In addition, registration applications will be matched against income affidavits to ensure the youngsters signing up for the discounted program are indeed Co-op City shareholders. “We teach what we call recreational music, and to us, that means music made to be enjoyed…we give the youth the basics they need so they can make music right away,” said Mr. Harris. “Those who become seriously interested, can then come to our center where we have higher levels of instructions.” Mr. Harris is hopeful that the Co-op City program will grow in place over time and the location can become an extension of the center’s offerings. He also said that any shareholder interested in volunteering or teaching, should contact him at the Renaissance Youth Center, 718- 450-3466. Renaissance Youth Center is no stranger to Co-op City. Many Co-op City youth have been enrolled at the center throughout its 15-year existence. About five years ago, the center’s travelling performance group, “Music With a Message,” performed at the Section Five Community Fair at the invitation of Riverbay’s director of community relations, Michelle Sajous, after she saw the group’s performance at a Harlem, NY event and invited them to Co-op City. Director Leslie Peterson, one of the primary organizers of the Summer Fun Day event held in Co-op City annually, has also invited the young performers to that event in an effort to further expose the work of the young men and women who spread positivity through their lyrics and music to the community. Director Peterson said: “Both youth and parents were impressed with the writing, singing and instrumental performance they witnessed. The Section 5 organization president asked about them and I provided the contact information. At every turn, I mentioned them.” Director Peterson said that although it took some time for interest in the Renaissance program to grow, eventually several other Board directors also agreed that this would be a worthwhile program for the youth of Co-op City. She added: “Upon agreeing to meet, I coordinated a meeting with the CEO of Renaissance, Mr. Bervin Harris, and Directors Andrea Leslie, Evelyn Turner, Deborah Jenkins and Linda Berk. After the initial meeting, I invited Mr. Harris to address the entire Board at a Riverbay Fund meeting. From that point forward I was asked to continue the process of getting them to join the Co-op City community. With the help of our law firm Smith, Buss & Jacobs, a MOU (Memorandum of Understanding) was drawn up, amended, reviewed, discussed with the full board, and ultimately approved.” Director Jenkins said: “…in the end, we worked together to make this happen. I personally came to know about Renaissance through Community Relations Director Michelle Sajous several years ago when she had them perform at a Section 5 Community Fair. I was blown away by their youth and talent. This was before I joined the Board. Board President Linda Berk, Directors Andrea Leslie, Leslie Peterson and Evelyn Turner all have very interesting and fascinating first experiences with Renaissance themselves. Earlier this year, we all joined forces and determined that we had to work together to make bringing the opportunity for our youth to learn different instruments and to receive vocal instruction a reality. Mr. Harris presented three comprehensive plans specifically tailored to our community, we presented it to the full Board and as they say, the rest is history.” Renaissance’s Music With a Message, which has

Co-op City Times / December 3, 2016 (Continued from page 1)

performed at such impressive venues as Carnegie Hall and Yankee Stadium, in addition to Six Flags and other parks in New York City and around the country – to list but a very few of their performances – will return to Co-op City for this year’s Riverbay Tree Lighting Ceremony scheduled to take place this coming Wednesday, December 7 at 7:30 p.m. in Dreiser Auditorium B. “I am excited to be able to sponsor affordable music classes to the youth of the community,” said Ms. Sajous. Renaissance Youth Center is located on Third Avenue in the Bronx and Mr. Harris explained that the center has always been in the borough although it has moved around to find larger space to accommodate its ever increasing programs and number of participants. The center’s mission, as articulated on its website, is to empower “at-risk youth to become law abiding citizens contributing positivity to the world through teamwork, talent and creativity.” “When we first started the program, it was called EMS – Education, Music and Sports,” explained Mr. Harris, an accomplished musician and athlete who played professional basketball overseas. “Our mantra was ‘we hook ‘em and cook ‘em.’ We hook them with basketball and track because at that time, all the kids wanted to play basketball and run, then we said, ‘ok then, you have to go to school, you have to come to tutoring, you have to Maximize your Potential,” which, he said, is a mandatory course for the young people participating in Music With a Message and Friday Night Hoops, the center’s touring basketball league. This course centers on addressing the youngsters’ minds, body and spirit, according to Mr. Harris, and empowering them with a sense of purpose and social responsibility. Mr. Harris said the youth center serves 3,500 young people weekly in programs not only at the Third Avenue center, but also through after-school programs at 32 of the city’s public schools. “Many public schools don’t have performing arts anymore so we bring in the teachers to teach dance, music production, singing, music classes with instruction on instruments,” said Mr. Harris. In addition to Music With A Message, Friday Night

Hoops and Music on Wheels (music in schools program), Renaissance also offers academic tutoring where young people are prepared for the SAT/ACT and summer bridge tutoring to keep academics at the forefront during the summer break; Teens Live on Tape, a TV show for and by teens; an in-house band and other fun and educational offerings. Renaissance has also partnered with the New York City Police Department (NYPD) where the youth and officers engage regularly in positive activities. This collaboration also resulted in at least two youth representatives from the center attending every precinct council meeting in the Bronx, and a precinct band where the officers perform alongside the young people. Renaissance also has a science program which is open to students from kindergarten to the 4th grade. “It’s not just about the music,” Mr. Harris emphasized. “There is a lot of networking; we try to expose the young people to as much as possible. “Our kids become empowered, so for us, it’s never about the sports or music, but about the kids. We have a one hundred percent graduation rate and ninetyseven percent of them go on to college.” Mr. Harris said that after the registration period for Music 4 All in Co-op City has expired, he will assess the applications to see where interests lie and then a program will be designed for the Co-op City community based on those results. Riverbay board president Linda Berk said she is very excited that Co-op City families will now have access to a quality music program right here in the development without having to travel miles away for their children to learn and develop an appreciation for music. “Personally I am very excited about Renaissance bringing a music program here for our youth. Music is an incredible learning experience that we are losing in our schools,” Board President Berk observed. “So to be able to offer this enriching opportunity to the youth of this community is wonderful! I am encouraged to know that through Renaissance, Co-op City can begin to provide additional stimulating and educational programs to enhance the development and growth of our youth. Renaissance is a welcomed addition to this community that we have worked hard and long to bring to Co-op City.”

Co-op City Times / December 3, 2016

Building 13â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Thanksgiving Feast

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HAPPENING in Co-op City!

Chef Toni of Building 13 did not disappoint and everyone had a fun time at this yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Thanksgiving celebration held in the Building 13 association room. The food and all of the trimmings were delicious, and so were the desserts. We have a wonderful time celebrating with our neighbors, both those from our building and those who came from other buildings to join the festivities. Photos by Leslie Peterson, Gail Sharbaan, Nancy Santiago & Elena Moreno

MATTRESS DISPOSAL The City of New York requires all residents to fully cover all mattresses or box springs in a sealed plastic bag for garbage disposal and collection. This rule was intended to prevent an increase in bed bug activity. Under the rule, failure to place a mattress or box spring in a proper bag will result in a $100 fine imposed by the City. In addition, Co-op City residents who violate this rule may be subject to a Community Complaint with related fines and legal fees. (The City of New York and Riverbay do not provide mattress or box spring bags or covers.) Plastic bags to cover mattresses and box springs are available at department stores, home improvement centers and large moving companies. They can also be purchased online. Please follow this rule when disposing mattresses and/or box springs. These covered items are to be brought to the basement or placed on the dumpster pads for proper trash collection. Thank you for your attention and cooperation in this matter. â&#x20AC;&#x201D;CSO

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Co-op City Times / December 3, 2016

Letters to the Editor

Has the USPS forgotten about our mail boxes? To the Editor: I understand the need for new mail receptacles which are tamper-proof and the time needed to replace these receptacles.

However, several weeks have gone by and here at Erskine Place and Earhart Lane still no mail receptacle which has proven to be an inconvenience to those who depend on this box.

Have we at Erskine and Earhart Lane been forgotten? Maybe our mail receptacle will be returned to us by Christmas. —Michael Kaplan

Board of Directors’ Meeting - November 30, 2016

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

Rozaan Boone Editor-in-Chief

Bill Stuttig Associate Editor

Jim Roberts Business Manager

Jennifer Piovanetti Operations Manager

First Reading - Resolution #16-72 SUBMITTED BY: Linda Berk SECONDED BY: Leslie Peterson BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING, DATED: November 30th, 2016 WHEREAS, Contracts Administration was asked to bid for a new garage access system & revenue controls for all eight garages, and

Ralph Henriquez

WHEREAS, Nine bids packages were sent to vendors that sell and provide support for this type project; and WHEREAS, Five bids were received and sent to the project manager for review; and WHEREAS, the project manager reviewed all the bids and selected Amano McGann (Amano) as the most responsible bid as described in the attached memorandums dated October

28, 2016 and November 17, 2016. NOW THEREFORE, LET IT BE RESOLVED: that the proposed Contract P978 with Amano McGann in the amount of $633,656 be approved as submitted by Management in accordance with Board of Directors Resolution 85-16 and amended by Resolution 95-44 and the President is hereby authorized to execute the contract and Management is authorized to take all steps necessary to make this action effective.

First Reading - Resolution #16-73 SUBMITTED BY: Linda Berk SECONDED BY: Evelyn Turner BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING DATED: November 30th, 2016 WHEREAS, It is the Board’s duty to ensure that Co-op City procures sufficient insurance coverages at the most competitive prices; and WHEREAS, Insurance policy quotes are often negotiated up until the week of the insurance deadline which can produce significant premium savings for

Co-op City; and WHEREAS, the Board has previously prepared emergency resolutions to approve new insurance policies; and WHEREAS, Risk Management has now been tasked with providing the Board with an annual calendar of insurance policy deadlines for insurance policy renewals, as well as written periodic updates on upcoming individual insurance renewals; and WHEREAS, insurance approval resolutions should be voted on at the time of the first reading. NOW THEREFORE BE IT RE-

SOLVED, that notwithstanding any prior resolutions that the Board shall vote on insurance approval resolutions at the time of the first reading; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that Risk Management shall provide the Board with an annual calendar of insurance policy deadlines for insurance policy renewals, as well as written periodic updates on upcoming individual insurance renewals; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this Resolution shall take effect immediately.

First Reading - Resolution #16-74 SUBMITTED BY: Rod Saunders SECONDED BY: Andrea Leslie BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING DATED: November 30, 2016 WHEREAS, Co-op City, like all other organizations, must continually assess changing premise security requirements; and WHEREAS, Co-op City’s 340 acre campus with 15,372 apartments, three shopping centers, a power-plant and eight garages brings multiple contractors, vendors, repair technicians and commercial

visitors to the site on a daily basis; and WHEREAS, The Board believes that a uniform Commercial Visitor photo ID program where commercial visitors and contractors sign in and out when entering and leaving the property, would enable Co-op City to enhance premises security as well as monitor contractors personnel while on property. NOW THERFORE LET IT BE RESOLVED, That Management is directed to prepare and implement a Commercial Visitor Photo ID Program that includes, but is not limited to: 1) A central 24/7 location(s) for commercial visitors, contractors and vendors

to sign in when entering the property and sign out when leaving the property. 2) Requirements in contracts and purchase orders for contractors and vendors to sign in when entering the property and sign out when leaving the property and to wear a Riverbay issued photo ID at all times when on the property. BE IF FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Executive General Manager shall report to the Board at executive session within forty-five (45) days after the passage of this Resolution on all steps taken to comply with this Resolution. (See more resolutions on page 15)

Important Notice to Shareholders of Building 30 Article SIXTH of your Occupancy Agreement provides, in part, that your lease automatically renews for an additional three (3) year period. You need to do nothing if you want your lease to extend for another three (3) year period. If you will be moving out at the end of your lease, notify Riverbay, in writing, Attention: Sales Support Office, 2049 Bartow Avenue, Bronx, NY 10475, ninety (90) days prior to lease expiration.

Building 30

Current Lease Expiration Date

New 3 yr. Expiration Date

Building 30 4120 & 4100 Hutchinson River Parkway E

March 31, 2017

March 31, 2020

Production Manager

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

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

Co-op City Times / December 3, 2016

Public Safety Report

CCPD alerts residents of potential scams arriving via US Postal Service

The Co-op City Department of Public Safety receives updates from various agencies regarding trends in scams. Scam artists are a very clever group of people. They take their knowledge of human nature and combine it with current information in an attempt to find new victims. Recent studies have shown that certain types of scams increase every year. By being aware of potential scams, readers can reduce their chance of becoming a victim. This week, one of my loyal readers came into the Public Safety base with three postcards he received in his mailbox all of which were potential scams. Fortunately, my reader was not fooled by these too-good-tobe-true offers. Some of these mailed offers target different groups from mailing lists purchased from various sources. One of these postcards offered my reader a merchandise package containing jewelry valued at $297 for just a “shipping and handling” charge of $12.95. They wanted my reader to call their toll free number with a valid MasterCard or Visa credit card. No reputable merchant would give away $297 of merchandise for $12.95. The second card offered my reader a Back Support System covered by Medicare. My reader does not have any back issues so he knew immediately that this was not legitimate. The third card was for a class action suit for $175 million. Sometimes, there are class action suits where people can receive money, but it is always better if you reach out to the representing law firm. Remember, if it sounds too good to be true, it usually is. Another recent scam we have learned about involves the new transition to credit cards with imbedded chips. These chips are a great fraud prevention device. It is ironic that they could become part of a scam. Never give any information out to anybody contacting you and requesting it. Call the number on the back of your credit card or on the sticker on a new card to activate your card. The same precaution applies to emails that appear to come from your bank. Sometimes the address can be off by one letter and direct you to a fake website hosted by scammers. Scammers are hoping you have just received a new card and are eager to activate it. By being alert, you can avoid being a victim of this scam. Never give anyone personal information such as bank account numbers, PIN numbers, date of birth or Social Security number. Never wire money or send a Green Dot card to anyone you do not know or have only met through a dating website. Never send money for plane tickets, bail money, medicine for a sick family member or any other reason to anyone you do not know well. Be also leery of fake websites offering to give you something for nothing. Always be sure to enter a website address directly into your website; never click on a link from an email. Sometimes one letter off can take you to a fake website. Some people may read about these scams and wonder how anyone could possibly fall for them. Scam artists are very persistent; they blanket a large number of potential victims until they find their prey. The internet has made it extremely easy for scam artists to target millions of potential victims with a single touch of a button. Telephone or regular mail scam artists work a little harder, but do eventually find their victim. Bold scammers have even been known to approach their potential victim in person at their door or in a public place. Another scam I heard about and then actually

BY LT. PAM APOLLO

received myself is a Pay Pal scheme. The email states that you are almost finished completing your registration for Pay Pal. The email looks legitimate and it asks you to enter your Pay Pal username and password. It then prompts you to enter your bank account number. When you call the customer service number, it tells you to mail a Green Dot card to an address. A friend of mine did not realize there was a problem until that point. When I received the same email, I investigated the email right away as I was not trying to set up a Pay Pal account. Upon scrutiny, the email came from an email address at e.paypal.com, very close to the actual email address. In any case, when you are doing business with a legitimate company, enter the website into your browser yourself, do not use search engine results or click on a link from an email. Pay Pal is a legitimate company which offers an extra level of protection for online payments, but a scammer pretending to be Pay Pal can be a real threat to your financial identity. Another type of scam we have seen either calls or texts someone’s phone and tells them that a family member is in danger unless they wire money to specified person. In most cases, the scammer does not even know who the victim or their family members are. Many calls or texts are initiated until someone falls for the scam. Wiring money to someone you do not know is almost never a good idea. If something seems out of order notify authorities. Another type of scam is a “sweepstakes” based scam. In this case, the victim receives a real looking check. New technology makes it possible for this forged check to appear realistic. The quality of the forged check is so realistic that it can even fool banks or check cashing establishments. The problem comes in when the bank attempts to retrieve the funds associ-

Public Safety Blotter November 19 – 100 DeKruif Place CCPD officers responded to the rear of this location to investigate a group fighting. One male was arrested and charged with disorderly conduct and resisting arrest. November 19 – 99 Dreiser Loop A cooperator reported that someone had removed the fog lights from off their vehicle without permission or authority. November 21 – 2035 Bartow Ave. MTA Bus Stop A 15 year old teen was robbed by three unknown males. The three males then fled along Bartow Avenue. CCPD is investigating this matter with the NYPD. November 22 – 100 Co-op City Boulevard A male was found in the stairway roof landing of this location without permission or authority and placed under arrest. November 24 – 120 Benchley Place One male was arrested, issued a summons and released, after he was found loitering in a stairway on the 11th floor without permission or authority. November 25 – 2049 Bartow Avenue A domestic dispute resulted in a female forcibly removing property and utilizing a knife to slash the victim’s car tires. The individual was placed under arrest and was charged with possession of a weapon, criminal mischief and other charges. ated with the check and finds that there are none. By this time, the victim may have already wired money to (Continued on page 30)

OPPORTUNITIES AT CO-OP CITY For information on CONTRACT OPPORTUNITIES ONLY, please contact: Lenya Garcia at Lgarcia@riverbay corp.com; and Barbara Penn at Bpenn@riverbaycorp.com. Please note that emails should be sent to both parties. Please DO NOT email resumes for EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES to the aforementioned emails. For EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES, please see bottom of the employment listings for specific directions. CONTRACT SUMMARY

Contract #3058 – A/E Services for Buildings 6, 18, 23, & 25 Portico Floor – insurance required. New Date Bids Due: December 5, 2016 by the end of the business day. Insurance: Insurance will be required of the winning bidder. If interested in bidding, please contact dguzman @riverbaycorp.com

Contract 3092, Preventive maintenance of Sanitary and Storm Sewers Mandatory Pre Bid Meeting: Tuesday, December 6, 2016 at 98 Co-op City Blvd., Green Construction Trailers, 10 a.m.

Bids Due: Wednesday, December 28, 2016. Insurance: Winning bidder must provide insurance

Contract P1014, Distribution of the Co-op City Times (Rebid) Bids Due: Thursday, December 8, 2016 at 2 p.m. Insurance: Winning bidder will be required to provide insurance If interested, email request to bpenn@riverbaycorp.com.

Contract P1025, Exterminating Supplies Bids Due: Thursday, December 15, 2016 at 2 p.m. If interested, email request to bpenn@riverbaycorp.com.

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES There are no employment opportunities to list this week. Please check back again next week.

Co-op City Times / December 3, 2016

Director’s Viewpoint

Bernard Cylich First Vice President Several issues not previously reported were raised with Mayor Bill de Blasio at a Town Hall meeting November 21. Board member Leslie Peterson pointed out to the mayor that although Riverbay saves the city huge sums by employing a police force and a central garbage facility, we do not receive tax relief. The mayor did not dispute Peterson's claim and offered to meet with the Board. After commending de Blasio for courageous, constructive comments he made to President-elect Donald Trump, I informed the mayor that our annual water/sewer fees have increased from $6.6 million in 2004 to $20 million today. I reminded de Blasio that when he ran for mayor, he characterized those fees as backdoor taxes. He acknowledged my point and said he is proposing to give small homeowners tax credit against their water/sewer bills. However, real estate interests are mounting a legal challenge to this proposal. If City Hall can overcome that challenge, we will meet with the mayor again, to determine how Riverbay can benefit from a tax credit. Another issue was raised by a cooperator who is a member of the Coalition Against MTA Cuts. He told the mayor that the MTA had cut two-thirds of our community’s bus service formerly provided by Bx26 and Bx28. Yet all other bus services in the city had been restored. His complaint was echoed by Councilman Andy King, the host of the meeting, who said those cuts forced cooperators to pay double fares; increased commute times; and were most harmful to working people, students, the elderly, and those with disabilities. The mayor promised to look into the matter. We all look forward to meeting with the mayor again soon, to review these concerns with him. WORKS IN PROGRESS In previous viewpoints, I have reported on community projects that are either planned or in progress, as discussed at the October 27 meeting of the Board’s Construction/ Power Plant/Restoration Committee. Among the attendees

A Sequel To Meeting With Mayor at that meeting were Bob Klehammer, Riverbay’s Executive General Manger; Warren Mitchell, Assistant General Manager; Tony Ligato, Power Plant Asset Manager; Mark Warren, Assistant General Manager of Construction and Michael Sanders, Director of Maintenance. Part #2 Below is part #2 of last week’s initial report Mark Warren reported that a draft RFP (Request for Proposals) for installation of redesigned lobby doors in 19 chevron buildings was submitted to HCR for review and approval. An RFP for lobby doors for triple-core and tower buildings should be submitted to HCR by mid-December for their review and approval. Engineering designs for upgrading of the Dreiser auditorium and lobby are 70% completed, and should be ready early next year. Restoration of balconies in Building 10 is complete, and management is waiting for the project architect/engineer to approve the work. The engineering company restoring balconies in Buildings 20 and 26 was changed, and completion of the work has been delayed to spring 2017. Inspection of high-rise facades in Section 5 will be completed this year. Needed repairs will be done next spring. Bob Klehammer reported that he is preparing a fiveyear capital projects proposal that will include (1) relocating construction trailers north of the power plant and creating a warehouse that will also house offices; (2) upgrading lobbies in high-rise buildings. The Human Resource (HR) department intends to hire a certified site safety manager. According to Mark Warren, sidewalks and structural support repairs in Bartow Center should be completed, weather permitting, by end of the year. Similar repairs in the Dreiser Center are expected to be completed by March 2017 – again, weather permitted. Convector Leaks Un-repaired water-damaged wood-tile floors due to flooding since the summer season are a serious problem. As Warren Mitchell noted, a backlog of 500,000 square feet of damaged floors remains. Staff is replacing 15,000 square feet per month. Management hopes to hire a new flooring company; the previous company’s work was unacceptable.

To enable families not home during the day to allow Riverbay staff to replace their damaged floors, management has altered staff schedules. Work has been extended from noon to 8 p.m. on Wednesday through Sunday. Management is also exploring the replacement of damaged floors with vinyl water-resistant wood-veneer tiles. Doing so could significantly reduce the cost of replacement. Michael Sanders discussed another measure to reduce floor damage. His department plans to blitz-clean the convectors in second- and third-floor apartments before next summer where much of the leakage originates with vacuum rather than air guns. In addition, the department is examining a cooperator's suggestion to install under-convector water sensors that would send an alarm to cell phones when water overflow is detected. Upgrading Garage Access In compliance with Board Resolution 13-107 (2013), calling for upgrading automobile access into garages, Danielle O‘Connor, Director of Parking Facilities, noted that early next year, management would begin (1) affixing tags to windshields of cars renting space in the garages and (2) installing tag sensors. Parking fees from transient parkers will be accepted by credit cards only, and credit card machines will be installed in all garages. Increasing Parking Space In Section 5 The shortage of parking space in Section 5 is severe (300 cooperators are on a waiting list). Besides being a problem for cooperators, the situation negatively affects rental of Section 5 apartments. Management has been instructed to determine the cost of (1) doing a feasibility study and (2) constructing two floors on top of garages 7 and 8. Management is also considering providing rushhour shuttle service between garage 5 and Section 5. A new metro station being planned opposite Building 31 in Section 5, and New York City is reportedly inviting parking garage companies to build a facility and a pedestrian overpass over the tracks to accommodate passengers. Such a facility could help relieve Co-op City’s parking problem. I can be contacted by: mail at: Bernard Cylich, Riverbay Board of Directors, 2049 Bartow Ave., Bronx, NY 10475; e-mail at bcylich@riverbayboard.com; and by phone at 646-522-5498.

Co-op City Times / December 3, 2016

Thank you!

Coalition of African American Churches & Community Organizations The Coalition of African-American Churches & Community Organizations of Co-op City, Inc.’s next general membership meeting will be on Tuesday, December 6, at 12 p.m., 177 Dreiser Community Center, room 15. The coalition will be hosting its PRE- Kwanzaa Celebration on Sunday, December 11, at 3 p.m. in room 31, 2049 Bartow Ave., Bronx, NY, featuring Dr. Daniel Black, Clark Atlanta University professor and author of “The Coming,” “They tell me of a Home.” There will be entertainment, Kuumber Dancers and Drummers, a Kwanzaa Ceremony, African Dancing and the Karamu Feast, vendors and games. Refreshments will be served. This event is free for the community. The coalition members attending the Kwanzaa Celebration are requested to bring an offering of a large, main dish of food (no pork, please) or dessert, etc. to share with others. Please call (718) 320-1861 or (718) 379-5555 to advise what food offering you will bring. Please inform the coalition of any suggestions that you may have. Ms. Virginia Stewart is the president of the coalition. Phone number: (718) 671-4506. The coalition is a non-profit organization dedicated to maintaining and improving the quality of life of cooperators

while providing educational and culturally enriching programs for the community. We also act as one voice for all coalition members where there are issues of common concern and human rights. We also sponsor Friends & Family Day and Kwanzaa Celebrations, free for the community. Members of the coalition include the following: African-American Association; Co-op City Baptist Church; Retirees of Dreiser Loop; Harriet Tubman Independent Democratic Club; NAACP, Co-op City Branch; St. Joseph’s Episcopal Church and Zodiacs Track Club. Please support our efforts by sending us a tax deductible contribution made payable to Coalition of African-American Churches and Community Organization of Co-op City, Inc., P.O. Box 619, Bronx, NY 10475. Churches and organizations that desire to join the coalition may apply for membership by either writing or calling (718) 671-4506 or (718) 671-5957 for a membership application, which should be returned with a letter on your church/organization’s letterhead and signed by the minister/president. Read the coalition’s weekly column for information about events and issues. Remember the coalition’s motto is, “Coming together is the Beginning, Keeping together is Progress and Working together is Success.” —Harman T. Leacock

Thank you to everyone who sent me cards, called or stopped to speak with my husband, Dave, and inquire about my health. Special thanks included to our Councilman Andy King, our General Manager Noel Ellison, Dorothea Castle, the Broun Place Townhouse Association, and so many friends and neighbors. Over the summer, July 25, to be exact, the eyesight in my upper left eye was lost. I ended up with a retina specialist who confirmed that particles had been caught in the tiny retina arteries. With that diagnosis, I was referred to the cardiologist who identified a tumor on the mitral heart valve which threatened to break off and cause a stroke and is likely the source of the retina problem. This information is being shared because one thing I learned from all this is to pay attention to your body. If something unusual happens, don't let it go...follow-up, your life could be at stake. Thanks again to everyone, —Eva Lazaar

Building 32 Association Fundraiser Flea Market- Today is the day! Our Flea Market is open between the hours of noon to 4 p.m. The location is the association room in Building 32B, (4160 Hutchinson River Pkwy. E) first floor rear. The items being sold, but not limited to, include hand-crotched sweaters and hats for babies and children, gorgeous jewelry from the company, "For the Love of Jewelry," material for the sewers among us, new women's clothing, money trees, custom made body creams, body butters, and scrubs, educational playing cards, gently used men's and women's

attire, small kitchen electrics and assorted kitchen goods, greeting cards and numerous additional items. You can easily complete your holiday shopping without having to fight the crowds and most items are brand new. Trip – African-American Museum In Washington, D.C. - Date: Saturday, March 18, 2017. Price of $110 (children under 12, $90) includes round-trip transportation, all-you-can eat luncheon buffet at the Golden Corral with taxes and meal gratuities included, and, of course, guaranteed admission to the museum. We will be picking

up at all three shopping centers, and making the same stops on the return. Payment plan available: first payment of $30 due no later than December 15. All monies are nonrefundable after December 15. Second payment of $40 is due by January 5, 2017 with the final payment of $40 due no later than February 10. Checks and money orders made payable to Building 32 Association and can be sent to: Ms. Dolores Rankin, 4160 Hutchinson River Pkwy., Apt. 10E, Bronx, NY 10475; Tel. #: 718-379-0910. —Lorna Smith

Co-op City Times / December 3, 2016

The Riverbay Fund and Truman High School, Score!

Director’s Viewpoint

(the planetarium, media center, gyms, football field, weight room, etc.). By the way, I'm happy to share with Nick L. that there is a band in Truman! Ms. Alfano is actually planning to Treasurer expand to include a marching band soon. Obviously, this is all great and what our next steps will be is to speak with Since becoming president of the Riverbay Fund, I've legal, consult management/risk management in regards listened closely to the community, community-organizato insurance concerns and to develop a structured protions approved by Riverbay, parents, students, made pergram that will be beneficial to the community. sonal observations, and surprisingly, many of us are on I was personally impressed with their academic prothe same page. We love our community and are grateful They have a Pre-Engineering Program and a grams! for the resources available to us and those that we'd love to have available to us. Having said that, always high on Robotics Club which competes nationally. Truman is one the list has been regaining access to the swimming pool of the city's few high schools with a licensed librarian who collaborates with teachers and students to enrich the in Truman High School. So I set as one of the goals for this one-year tenure to learning experience. Their graduation rate is around 66%, meet with Mrs. Alfano, Truman's principal, and discuss but after hearing the mayor last week say that our 10-year the possibility of such an arrangement. I'm pleased to goal is to have a 77% graduation rate, 66% doesn't seem report that we spoke before the Thanksgiving break and so dismal. Truman has a 90% attendance rate, which, in have since met and I believe I can share with great excite- and of itself, is impressive. It's an indication that both parment that even as the Truman Mustangs play for the ents and students value quality education. Unfortunately, less than 20% of the enrolled students championship on Saturday, both the community and Trureside in Co-op City. I believe that as we all begin to interman scored! act more with the school, we may just discovered a gem in Ms. Alfano and her staff gave me an exhaustive tour of our own backyard. I'm excited and hope you are too! the school (actually there was more to see, but after two Labor Relations Committee hours, I had to leave), beginning with the swimming pool. I had the monthly Labor Relations Committee meetAfter being closed for many years, the Department of ing with the Human Resources director just prior to the Education did a wonderful restoration job and the pool is lovely. What may come as a surprise to some is that there Thanksgiving holiday. We discussed two issues that were are actually 2 pools. Unfortunately, the training pool has actually follow-up from the previous month's meeting. never been restored. The full-sized pool goes up to One issue is not yet resolved and therefore, I cannot share approximately 11 feet, while the training pool goes up to until a resolution is reached. However, the second issue, which will continue to be monitored, is the conversion 5 feet. Mr. Klein (APO) believes that many cooperators may rate of temporary employees to full-time equivalent have learned in the training pool. In any event, Ms. (FTE). We want to ensure that we are able to retain those Alfano welcomes the Co-op City community to use the employees who have over-performed and have added pool, but not only the pool, their many other resources value to the corporation. The policies and procedures

Deborah Jenkins

Building 30A&B Association Thanks to all those who helped put up holiday decorations in our lobbies. Our holiday party will be on Saturday, December 17th in the association room in the lobby of Building 30B at 7 p.m. We will be collecting for our porters and lobby attendance on Wednesday and Thursday, December 7th and 8th, in the lobbies of Buildings 30A and B from 5 to 7 p.m. Our next PoKeno game is Friday, December 9th, and our last meeting for the year will be on Wednesday, December 14th in the association room with the door opening at 7 p.m. and events starting at 7:30. For those celebrating birthdays, anniversaries and new additions, congratulations. Those under the weather, get well soon; those who suffered a recent loss, our condolences. —Linda Werner

Congratulations, Mr. & Mrs. Pinales Jacqueline Quinones of the Riverbay Restorations Department and Miguel Pinales, a Co-op City resident, exchanged wedding vows on November 13 at Whitby Castle, Rye, NY. Miguel has lived in Co-op City since 2006 and he and the lovely Jacqueline began dating in April, 2007. “We saw love in each other’s eyes and decided to conquer it eternally with wedding bliss,” said Jackie. “Like that very first song he dedicated to me by Jhonny Rivera, ‘Voy A Conquistar Tu Amor,’ I’m the happiest woman alive.” We wish the couple much happiness and the very best in their new life together.

around this are still being developed. Contracts and Compliance Committee In both October and November, we met to discuss the development of policies and procedures around the Purchase Order function within the Procurement Department, our current bid system and whether it is providing the corporation with the best bid system. Subsequent to the October meeting, the executive general manager, chair of the audit committee, director of internal audit and I joined the director of procurement and several of his staff in a walkthrough presentation by the company which provides our vendor bidding software. Though thorough, we continue to have concerns as to whether this software provides a corporation of this size with exactly what we need to make the process less labor intensive. The committee has asked the department to do additional research and report back at our next meeting. The committee, along with the Audit Committee, will be reviewing three of our major contracts to determine if they have been compliant with all the benchmarks in the contracts. We will plan to share our findings in January 2017. Youth Committee We convened our first meeting of the fall. We discussed final plans for the upcoming completely-filled Double-Dutch event at the Apollo Theatre, our excitement about the Renaissance Youth Program performing at next week's Tree Lighting and the upcoming registration for the music classes we anticipate beginning in January 2017. We are working on two additional initiatives that we are eager to share after we gather additional information. Thanking you for all your suggestions and supportive and encouraging emails. Please don't stop sharing, because it is in sharing that we all grow. I can be reached at (718) 644-0951 or by email at djenkins@riverbayboard.com.

Building 18 Association Hi, neighbors. Thank you all who attended our general meeting on Tuesday, November 22nd; the turnout was pleasing. Our guest speakers of Bronx CERT 10 Team, Brenda Francis, Deputy Chief of Operation; Julius Harrison, Community Liaison and Gertie Brown, Secretary, put forth a Ready NY presentation that entailed a video and a Go-Bag display. Many questions were asked. What is (CERT)? Community Emergency Response Teams are groups of community-based volunteers trained in disaster preparedness and emergency response. There are three basic steps to being prepared for any emergency: 1. Make a plan; 2. Gather supplies and 3. Get informed. By reading this guide, it will help you to create a Go-Bag for each member in your household according to their needs and you will learn how to evacuate your home in a timely fashion during an emergency. This essential package was handed out to each member present. In case there is an emergency, BE INFORMED, BE PREPARED. Thanks to the Bronx CERT 10 Team. Congrats to Brenda Robinson, winner of a free Go-Bag. We will be collecting monetary gifts for the porters and lobby attendant on December 7, 8, 9 and 10; please watch the bulletin board for times. We will be putting up Holiday decorations soon. Please watch the bulletin board for date/ time. We need your help; thanks. Please continue to send your news articles to our e-mail address, BLDG18newsletter@aol.com. We love hearing from you. We will have our Annual New Year’s Eve Party on December 31. Further details will follow, please check the bulletin board. Happy birthday to all with that special day this month; this is the season to be jolly and merry and to have fun so enjoy and be safe. To the sick and homebound, we wish you a speedy recovery and to the bereaved families, we give you our deepest sympathies. Please stay alert: If you SEE something, SAY something! —Gertie Brown

Please be respectful of your neighbors and clean up after your dog.

Co-op City Times / December 3, 2016

Carpet voucher

(Continued from page 1)

“Should they choose to upgrade, the value of the voucher that Riverbay gives them will be used towards the upgrade and they just merely pay the difference.” New shareholders who choose not to carpet can use their vouchers towards other style floors, such as Pergo floors, vinyl flooring, vinyl wood look style flooring, ceramic tiles and the Riverbay 9x9 developed specifically for Riverbay by Mohawk, as well as a whole host of other choices, Boiko said. On the other hand, current shareholders who would like to put down carpeting/flooring, redecorate or change their existing carpeting or flooring, can also make their purchases through the new Portico program, which also includes the Mohawk wood floors that Riverbay uses in the apartments. “All current cooperators who choose to redecorate or upgrade their carpeting or flooring can go to Tri-State Interiors and tell them that they live in Co-op City and would like to look at the carpeting or flooring available through the Portico program,” Boiko said. “From there, they can choose whatever they like from low end – which is excellent carpet – to a very high end carpet and purchase from the company directly who will also install the carpeting for them.” Mohawk’s Portico Program is designed for homeowners, but because of the size of Co-op City, the company agreed many years ago to extend the program to the Riverbay Corporation.

Deepest Sympathy It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Mrs. Bess Rosenberg of Building 35 on Monday, November 28, 2016. Mrs. Rosenberg was a long-time shareholder of Co-op City and had many friends here who remember her as a kind, caring and selfless individual who always looked out for others and would oftentimes put others ahead of herself. She was a loving mother and grandmother, and a conscientious member of the community. She will be sorely missed. May her family know no more sorrow. Please join us in keeping the family of Mrs. Bess Rosenberg in your prayers as they mourn the loss of their loved one.

DR. LEWIS WOLSTEIN Podiatrist — Foot Specialist • Practicing in Co-op City since 1975 • Board Certified in Foot Surgery • ALL conditions of the foot treated • We

accept most health insurance plans

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

Dr. Lewis Wolstein

Call:

“Se Habla Español”

718.671.7226 100 DeKruif Place

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

Donizetti Building Four Association Hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving. We have so much to be thankful for. At our November meeting, our guest speaker, Mr. John Lowe, associate director of risk management, was unable to attend, but he plans on being present at our next meeting. The next meeting is scheduled for December 8th at 7:30 p.m. in our meeting room located in rear of Bldg. 4B. So, come down and ask your questions and also make inquiries regarding your insurance and other issues. Fundraiser Thanks to all who participated in the Thanksgiving fundraiser. The winners were as follows: 1st prize winner was L. Stanfield, 2nd prize was Y. Burrus, 3rd prize was D. McNair. Also, know that there were 3 consolidation prize winners, too. Building Decorations Thank you to all the volunteers who helped decorate the lobbies in 4A, 4B and 4C. Special thanks are sent to the men who participated this year. The buildings are showing holiday spirits for all to see. Bring In The New Year We are planning a holiday gathering on December 31, for paid members only. So, if you have not paid your ($5 per household) annual building membership dues for 2016, it’s not too late. If you would like to do so, it must be paid by 12/30. If you would like to bring a dish or make any other contribution to the gathering, feel free to do so. December In December, we will be collecting for our building support staff, porters and lobby attendants. Volunteers needed to help collect. Thank you! Annual 2017 Membership Dues **Our annual building membership dues for 2017 will be collected from February – March. Annual dues are still $5 per household. Be cautious when entering your building. Do not allow strangers to enter your building with you and do not open doors for people you do not know. Stay alert of your surroundings and to who you get on an elevator with. Congratulations to all those who celebrated or will be celebrating a birthday or other occasion in December. Get well wishes are extended to the sick and shut-in. We send our condolences to those who have lost a loved one. Remember, this is our home. “If you see something, say something.” —Yvonne Burrus (DW)

Co-op City Times / December 3, 2016

Director’s Viewpoint

Kevin Lambright May this viewpoint find you well and encourage you to be vigilant and forever resilient towards your goals. I recently asked that you help keep me focused so that I may accomplish the things I set out to complete. Many of you have kept me to task and I thank you for your encouragement and trust. We are moving swiftly, but strategically, to correct some imperfections that hinder our community on the back end. These are things that residually affect our bottom line. I, along with my fellow committee members, will be presenting our Board of Directors with strategic plans and suggestions to improve our quality of life. That includes money saving tactics. Being a Board member myself, you already

Goals know where my vote goes; as always, for the betterment of our community as a whole. No one individual is greater than the group. I lived by that rule throughout my life and will continue it throughout the rest of my life. Power in numbers We keep hearing how big we are in numbers and the power we harness. But we have not been able to harness power because people outside of us don’t see the unity and power yet. It’s time we changed that. It’s time we show our power. It’s time we show our unity. We start by attending our building association meetings. We start by joining Riverbay committees. After all, you are Riverbay collectively. You have no landlord, so get used to it and start bossing up. I ask you, if I stand up, will you back me up? Will you stand beside me or will you leave me to fight the battles for all of us? I need you. The Board needs you and the community needs you. Your part is easy. Just follow the instructions above and we all win together.

Commitment There are still some committees in need of your input. You won’t know unless you inquire. Don’t be afraid to get involved with your community. Those of you who are retired and have an expertise to share are welcome to explore the possibilities. If not a committee, then maybe try an organization of your choice. The possibilities are endless. Be Safe The holidays are approaching rapidly. These are times when we need to keep an eye on our family, friends and neighbors. There are people who want what we have and look for opportunities to take it. We must protect and defend one another and our property. Remember, this all belongs to us. If you see something that seems suspicious, do not hesitate to call Public Safety. I look forward to your correspondence and feedback. I can be reached at klambright@riverbayboard.com or by phone at 646-721-8185.

Building 17 Association Fighting for Quality of Life Issues The executive board would like to thank all for your enthusiasm on giving food and toys for the less than fortunate. We also are requesting no clothing or

garbage to be placed in the barrels. Hoping everyone’s Thanksgiving was fruitful. It’s that time again for elections for

American Legion Post 1871 In celebrating this year’s Veterans Remembrance Day, the American Legion of Co-op City paid a courtesy visit to the veterans at Regeis Care Center on November 10th to fellowship with those who are committed to the facility. During the ceremony that lasted for more than an hour, Commander TOBA extended appreciation to the veterans during his speech while Chaplain Thomas expounded to the friends and family present about the importance of the DD-214 and the need for family members to be aware of it in case their loved ones pass on. Chaplain Thomas also spoke of how to get the DD-214 if it’s missing and the readiness of Post 1871 to assist anyone in need of getting the military discharge form. Our newest member, Juice Richardson, spoke about her time in service, and what it meant as one of the handful of women serving alongside men in those days. She expressed her satisfaction with the way many women are serving today.

the executive board officers for Building 17 Association. All positions are open for nominations from president, vice president, treasurer, assistant treasurer, secretary, correspondent secretary, sergeant-at-arms, and all other committees. Our next meeting is December 12th at 7:30 p.m. Nominations will be taken then. Elections will take place at meet-

ing on January 2017. All times and dates will be posted. Please remember the date: December 9th. Join the Decoration Committee for the lobby decoration. Refreshments will be served. Prayers for the sick and shut-ins. Remember, if everyone did a little, no one has to do a lot! —James Payne

CO-OP CITY FOOT CARE CENTER SECTION 5 • BUILDING 29C 4240 HUTCHINSON RIVER PARKWAY EAST

(718) 671-2233 DR. LOUIS JACOBS, DIRECTOR ALL FOOT CONDITIONS TREATED The in-office surgical correction of BUNIONS • HAMMERTOES • INGROWN TOENAILS PAINFUL CORNS and CALLOUSES

Members of American Legion Post 1871 visited veterans at the Regeis Care Center for Veterans’ Day.

During the ceremony, the National Anthem was played, and God Bless America. The Commander honored the veterans by awarding them with Certificate of Participation in appreciation of their service to the nation. Throughout the event, the bag pipe music was played for a room full to capacity. Unfortunately, it was noted that two of the veterans submitted to the post the past week had already passed on. They couldn’t be part of the ceremony, and a moment of silence was observed in their respect. The HR director later took the visiting veterans and their friends to a special corner in the building that is tagged “Hall of Heroes.” It’s a place of honor decorated for veterans. I enjoin every member to pay a visit to the facility and take a tour of the Hall of Heroes. You will just love it. The ceremony ended with one of the awardees deciding to join the post. I would like to thank the Chaplain and comrade Richardson for making themselves available for this noble occasion. —Lsjc Adeyemi LaCrown O’toba, MSA

The treatment of traumatic foot injuries, heel spurs, bursitis and arthritis of the joints of the feet, toenail and skin infections, as well as other conditions.

Most Union and Insurance Plans Accepted. HIP CMO (Montefiore) Health Plan Accepted. We participate in Postal Workers, Mail Handlers, Letter Carriers, Verizon Workers, 1199, GHI, Blue Shield, Empire Plan, Medicare, Travelers, United Health Care and many other union and major medical plans. Se Habla Español MEDICARE ACCEPTED • HOUSE CALLS BY APPOINTMENT

Diabetic Patients with Medicare may be eligible for shoes.

Co-op City Times / December 3, 2016

Director’s Viewpoint

Daryl Johnson There have been protests all across the country about raising the minimum wage. And, now, our board has passed a resolution to increase the minimum wage to $15 an hour. Looking Out For Our Employees All across America, workers have protested to increase the minimum wage to $15 an hour. In NYC, workers from all of the major fast-food restaurants walked off of their jobs, partly, because they wanted to earn a living wage of $15 an hour. In other states, thousands of workers marched in the streets to protest their low wages. During some of these marches, some protesters engaged in acts of civil disobedience, such as sit-ins. When questioned, some low-wage workers discussed their living conditions. One lady recalled how she was living off of $8 an hour. Then, at the end of the month, she was still short on her bills. Other workers told stories about how they had to sign up for public assistance to make ends meet. In Co-op City, we have lots of workers that live here. And, they receive a decent salary plus outstanding union benefits. So, it's possible that they can make ends meet here because our carrying charges are relatively low. But, once a worker with low wages steps outside of Co-op City, they're in big trouble. First of all, according to a popular website, the average rent throughout NYC has skyrocketed to $3,208 a month. So, there's no way that a family on a minimum wage can move into most areas of this city. Nevertheless, the median rental prices for even a 1-bedroom are still high in most areas of this city. Here are a few examples. Central Harlem? The median rent is $2,100. West Harlem? The median rent is $2,175. Now, you're going

We take care of our workers to be amazed to learn that the median rent in East Harlem is $2,300. Plus, you're going to be shocked to learn that the rents in East Harlem are going up faster than most of the other rents in all of Manhattan. Now, let's go to the Bronx. The median price for a 1-bedroom apartment in Concourse Village is $1,610. The median price for a 1-bedroom in Melrose is $1,250. I care about all of our workers and all of our cooperators here. So, I want to make sure that we set an example for being a good employer. Committees A lot of cooperators have asked me: "How come your name is not on a committee list?" My response is that I like to get things done within a reasonable timeframe. So, if there's a problem, I want to immediately deal with that problem without dragging anything out. Therefore, being on some committees that meet on a monthly basis for years and years will not work for me. For instance, the construction committee has been meeting on a monthly basis for several years. But, do you think that I would volunteer to go their extended meetings on a monthly basis for several years so that we fix our construction projects? Never! Again, one look at our construction projects should answer this question. Now, yes, I know that committees are supposed to only make recommendations to the board. But, if I'm on a committee, some serious questions will have to be raised if I see that my recommendations are not being followed. Bottom line: My main reasons for being on this board are to help our cooperators make lots of good improvements here, and to keep Co-op City affordable. So, I don't need to be appointed by anyone to be on a committee to accomplish these goals. On the other hand, I will gladly work with any committee on a short-term basis or anyone to develop good solutions to the problems that we have here. Drinking and Driving The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration points out that: "There was an alcohol-impaired

Building 13 Association Kudos to Chef Toni of Building 13 for the absolutely delicious food with all the trimmings. Thank you to all who donated dishes, cakes and pies and those who came from throughout the community to share their day with us. We want to give special acknowledgement to our community store, STOP and SHOP, for their extremely generous donation allowing us to offer this fantastic Thanksgiving meal. Kudos to Valerie, Yazmin, Lelia, Elena and Denise for transforming our room into a beautiful autumn scene and decorating the tables providing a welcoming touch. Chef Toni Chef Toni also wants to send a very heartfelt thanks to all our wonderful friends, neighbors and family. You guys are the best. Building 13 is preparing for the upcoming holiday. We will be accepting donations for our building staff on Thursday-Saturday, December 1, 2, 3 and 8, 9 & 10. If you are available to assist, please contact our point person, Vivian Campbell, at 718-671-3012. See the bulletin board for times. Our Holiday Party will be held on Friday, December 30, beginning at 7:00 p.m. We are anxious to taste food from the fantastic cooks we have in our building so please contact us and let us know what you will be donating. Join us and party with DJ Val. Rivers Run Community Garden – Meet Greet and Celebrate party will be held on December 15 at 7:00 p.m. in the Dreiser Center, room 4. Join us, bring a dish. Be Prompt! December 4, for the Holiday Double Dutch Classic at the Apollo. This free trip is being sponsored by the Riverbay Fund/Youth Department/Youth Committee. REMINDER: The bus will leave at 11:15 a.m. from Dreiser Loop and 11:30 a.m. from Einstein Loop. Show doors open at noon. Performing at the tree lighting ceremony this year will be The Renaissance Youth Group “Music With A Message.” Make sure to attend; it will be a treat for the youth to see their peers perform. If they would like to join, recruiting will take place on December 10th and 17th in the Dreiser Community Center, room 18, from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. If your youth likes to write music, sing or is interested in playing an instrument, don’t miss this opportunity. The program is scheduled to begin in January 2017 at the Dreiser Center. Checks for Building 13 events should be made payable to Building 13 Assoc. Inc. and mailed to 100 Casals Place #32K, Bronx, NY 10475. For information, contact Gail Sharbaan, Treasurer, at 718-671-3801 or Leslie Peterson at 718-320-1370. Our website is http://www.bldg13assoc.com or e-mail us at bthirteen.assoc@yahoo.com. As always, thanks for making our team work. —Leslie Peterson

traffic fatality every 51 minutes in 2015." So, I want to encourage everyone to please do not drink alcoholic beverages and drive a vehicle. Yes, the big holiday parties will be starting soon. However, before going to your parties, please consider making plans to use public transportation, a taxi service, or a designated driver to get home. Currently, there are some good apps, for free, that will let you know the location of the bus that you want. Thereafter, and you can track the location of that bus as it progresses to your stop. So, when you're ready to leave the party, you can follow these simple steps: 1. Type in your bus number on the app, 2. Look at the current location of the bus on the app, 3. Leave your party and walk towards your bus stop as you're tracking the progression of the bus, 4. Meet the bus just before it arrives, and 5. Go home. Then, of course, there are apps that will allow you to order a cab. So, you order your cab, pay the charge, and you arrive at your destination. You don't have to wait outside and fight with other people over a cab. You don't have to worry about whether the driver wants to go to the Bronx. And, you can relax as you're going to your destination. Close I want everyone to please have a wonderful, joyous, and a safe holiday season. Thank you. Questions or comments? Please send a letter to: Daryl Johnson, Riverbay Board Director, c/o Riverbay Corporation, 2049 Bartow Avenue, Bronx, NY 10475. Or, please send a message to me at darylhjohnson @optonline.net (There are absolutely no problems with this email address. So, please double-check the spelling of this address if your message bounces back to you.) Also, please call me at 718-671-4544 if you don't receive a response from your message. You can also join me on Facebook by typing in: Daryl H. Johnson. Okay, that’s it for now. So, please have a wonderful week. And, may God bless you and your family. Thank you.

Building 9 Association Greetings. I hope you all enjoyed your Thanksgiving holiday week. Special thank you to our Thanksgiving holiday lobby decorating committee. Our final Building 9 Association general membership meeting for calendar year 2016 was held Wednesday, November 16th. Our honored guest speaker was our long-time neighbor, our fellow association member, and our recently-elected Riverbay Corporation Board of Directors president, Linda Berk. Our RBC Board President Linda Berk updated the members on the Cooper Place underground pipe leak solution progress. Also discussed was Ms. Berk's expectation for enhancements to the current level of service to shareholders, as well as reduced response times from RBC service departments, ongoing community construction and related risk management concerns, among other topics. Ms. Berk shared her contact information with those in attendance. If you have a concern and you have followed the proper channels without your desired result, you may contact Board President Linda Berk. Also, Ms. Berk addressed the individual concerns expressed by members. Thank you, Linda Berk, president, Board of Directors, Riverbay Corporation, for keeping us near and dear. The Building 9 Association will begin holiday solicitations for Building 9 staff according to the following schedule: Week 1: Tuesday, December 6th; Wednesday, December 7th and Thursday, December 8th between 5 p.m. and 8 p.m. Week 2: Wednesday, December 14th; Thursday, December 15th and Friday,

December 16th between 5 p.m. and 8 p.m. The Building 9 Association of shareholders will host the 1st Annual MembersOnly Year-end Celebration on Saturday, December 10th, in the association room from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. The event will honor various facets of our multi-cultural building association membership and our community. On another note, as pedestrians, we know that we should cross at the corner, not in the middle of the block when entering and exiting the garage. However, drivers must come to a full stop, then proceed with caution, when exiting the garage (before someone is hurt or killed). I have been in contact with the Garage Department concerning possible enhanced safety measures for the garage entrance/exit areas. Please do your part to keep your building and your community clean and safe. Do not litter. Do not deface the elevators or walls. Do not permit access to your building to strangers. Noise nuisances that should be reported to the CSO 1, include constant door slamming at all hours, as well as loud music and TVs at any hour. There have been several reports of subletters and/or other illegal occupants in Building 9. Document the activities and people by gathering as any facts as possible. Report the information, in writing, to the CSO for investigation. Shareholders are held accountable for the conduct of their visitors and non-shareholder occupants of their residential units. If you see something, say something. United, we stand. Until next time, be well and live in peace. —Linda Collins

Co-op City Times / December 3, 2016

Second Reading - Resolution #16-64 SUBMITTED BY: Bernie Cylich SECONDED BY: Rod Saunders BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING, DATED: November 30th, 2016 WHEREAS, Safe Tech USA is doing work under contract (3022, Replace Alarm System at Bartow Shopping Center); to replace the alarm system in Bartow Community Center: and WHEREAS, Management is requesting that the Board approve Change Order One (1) to add two items to the contract; and WHEREAS, item one was mandated by the New York State Division of Housing and community Renewal (HM23 form attached) for the contractor to provide 100%

Second Reading - Resolution #16-66 SUBMITTED BY: Kevin Lambright SECONDED BY: Francine Reva Jones BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING DATED: November 30th, 2016 WHEREAS, On October 7, 1998 the Board approved Emergency Resolution #98-72 which provided a commercial office space in Building 16 to the Building 16 Youth Program on a rent free basis; and WHEREAS, In the Board’s judgment this Building 16 office space should be made available for rental and Resolution # 98-72 should be rescinded; THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that Resolution #98-72 is hereby rescinded and that the Building 16 Youth Program shall have sixty days after the passage of this Resolution to either rent or vacate this space; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That Management should provide nonfinancial assistance to the Building 16 Youth Program if they elect not to rent this space and instead choose to locate to an alternate space; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That the Executive General Manager should establish a uniform procedure, for the Board’s approval, for the rental of commercial space to not-for-profit organizations for less than market value that balances enhancements to the quality of life of cooperators with the most economical operation of Co-op City. TABLED

Payment and Performance bonds (invoice attached); and WHEREAS, item two is to install at the request of the New York Public Library, an upgrade fire alarm in the Library (invoice attached) the cost of which the NYPL will repay Riverbay over a 12 twelve month period; and WHEREAS, the Project Manager is in agreement with the requested Change Order as indicated in the attached memorandum dated October 21, 2016. NOW THEREFORE, LET IT BE RESOLVED: that the proposed Change Order One (1) to Contract 3022 with Safe Tech USA as described in the attached October 21, 2016 memorandum be approved as submitted by Management in accordance with Board of Directors Resolution #85-16 and amended by Board of Directors Resolution #95-44 and the President is hereby authorized to execute the contract and Management is authorized to take all steps necessary to make this action effective. YES: Berk, Cylich, Feliciano, Graham, Jenkins, Johnson, Jones, Lambright, Leslie, Sampson, Saunders, Turner, Williams NO: Smith ABSTAIN: Peterson PASSED

Second Reading - Resolution #16-69 SUBMITTED BY: Andrea Leslie SECONDED BY: Kevin Lambright

BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING, DATED: November 30th, 2016

WHEREAS, TriState Interiors is the current vendor for Contract #2598, Carpet Voucher Program; and WHEREAS, management is requesting that the Board approve Change Order #2 to include an extension of time for 8 months and additional monies; and WHEREAS, we started the contract process under the Mohawk’s Portico Program, which now will be rebid with a generic specification; and WHEREAS, the generic specification should allow for better pricing and better participation than we received; and WHEREAS, the change order is being requested until we can enter into a new contract using the generic specification; and WHEREAS, the project manager is in agreement with the requested change order as indicated in the attached memorandum dated November 9, 2016. NOW THEREFORE, LET IT BE RESOLVED: that the proposed Change Order #2 to Contract 2598 with TriState Interiors be approved as submitted by Management in accordance with Board of Directors Resolution #85-16 and amended by Board of Directors Resolution #95-44 and the President is hereby authorized to execute the contract and Management is authorized to take all steps necessary to make this action effective. YES: Berk, Cylich, Feliciano, Graham, Jenkins, Jones, Lambright, Leslie, Peterson, Sampson, Smith, Saunders, Turner, Williams NO: Johnson PASSED

Second Reading - Resolution #16-70 SUBMITTED BY: Evelyn Turner SECONDED BY: Rev. Deborah Jenkins BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING DATED: November 30, 2016 WHEREAS, Rimisac Family Health NP, PC has requested a new lease from Riverbay Corporation for the premises at 120 Benchley Place (1,213 sq. ft.) Bronx, New York, to be used as a Doctor Office of Nursing Practice in Family Health and Physical Therapy; and WHEREAS, the term of the lease is five years with a 4 month rent concession and one five year renewal option and annual rental rates are within the provisions of Resolution #85-16 as amended by Resolution #95-44; and NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the lease agreement for the premises at 120 Benchley Place, Bronx, New York, by and between Riverbay Corporation, Owner, and Rimisac Family Health NP, PC, Tenant, containing the terms as negotiated by Riverbay Corporation’s management is hereby approved as submitted by management in accordance with Resolution #85-16 as amended by Resolution #95-44; and be it FURTHER RESOLVED, that the President of the Corporation is authorized to sign the lease agreement and related documents on behalf of Riverbay Corporation. YES: Berk, Cylich, Feliciano, Graham, Jenkins, Johnson, Jones, Lambright, Leslie, Peterson, Sampson, Smith, Saunders, Turner, Williams PASSED

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Throwing garbage/objects from apartment windows is UNLAWFUL, DANGEROUS and could cause you to receive a community complaint and fine.

Co-op City Times / December 3, 2016

In Deepest Sympathy Twice Director’s Viewpoint

Evelyn Turner First to the family, loved ones and neighbors of the young lady on Co-op City Blvd. whose life was taken too soon, you have my deepest sympathy. What a traumatic experience to see on Bronx News 12 and receive a call from Public Safety of such a tragedy/trauma. All I could think of is why? What happened that her life had to be taken? To all who experienced this tragedy, it seems there’s very little anyone can say or do to ease the loss of one who meant so very much to you. But may you all find some comfort in the sorrow that you bear, just knowing there are many hearts in Co-op City that care. Secondly, while still feeling sad about such a loss in our community, I receive a call the next day about another death. This time, it’s someone I knew and have the utmost respect for: Dr. Debra Sanders-White, Chancellor, North Carolina Central University. She passed away on November 26, 2016, at age 59, after a heroic battle with cancer. She made history as the first-permanent female chancellor on February 8, 2013. She quickly established and carried out her vision of “Eagle Excellence” that made delivering excellence in the classrooms, excellence throughout the campus and excellence in service to the community a focus during her administration. Under her leadership, Chancellor Saunders-White led NCCU through transformation years where the university recorded significant increases in critical performance indicator areas, including retention and graduation rates and positioning two research institutes on campus. In 2016, NCCU was recognized as the 2016 HBCU of the Year by HBCU Digest. In a letter to me she stated:

“Thank you for your investment in North Carolina Central University… “We remain grateful to you for your commitment to our number one priority: student success.” In closing, she stated, “thank you, for investing in our future leaders. In Truth and Service.” We lost a valued cooperator and a great leader who gave her all to higher education. Again, to the families and neighbors, may the light of love and friendship comfort you. Reflection Is A Powerful Tool As cooperators, reflecting on the past helps us gain perspective and insight on our priorities and goals for the future. Equally, it’s important for organizations and faith-based organizations to take the time to reflect on history – their original mission, purpose, objectives – and evaluate if these continue to be at the heart of the organization and faith-based institution today. We must prepare for the aftermath of the 2016 elections and government leaders’ proposals. We must not allow certain freedoms to be restricted. As Board members, we must be prepared to actively engage our elected officials for funds for elevators repairs and other services without another carrying charge increase in 2017. We must support recommendations from our internal auditor and management company. We must improve efficiency of our committees. We must continue our effort to meet cooperators’ needs conveniently, efficiently and with a high level of service. We are aware of enhancements to be made and must get it done. Haters As you read the exchange between two Board members in particular, this director is reminded of something Maya Angelou penned. “A hater is someone that is jealous and envious and spends all their time trying to make you look small so they can look tall.” When you have

Broun Place Townhouse Association A note from our association president, Eva Lazaar: Thank you to everyone for all of your cards, well wishes and prayers for me while I have been recuperating from surgery. It is good to be back home and I would like to again salute the Apollos on their efforts to keep Broun Place beautiful. Please send your well wishes and prayers for our neighbors, Gwen Roberts and Carolyn Nathaniel, who are going in for surgery. Finally, I want to extend a huge thank you to Vivian for her fantastic writings during the last few weeks. More from the last “Coffee With A Cop” Session: In my conversation with Lieutenant Pam Apollo, we also discussed the dog ownership policies. Together, we reviewed the concerns that have been expressed at our association meetings and she confirmed the policies that are in place to address them. I did learn about the importance of promptly informing management if you believe that a dog is being housed in an apartment without the proper approvals. New York City's Pet Laws clearly state that a landlord cannot take action against a tenant for having an unauthorized pet if the pet was kept openly and the landlord knew about the pet for at least three months. This emphasizes the importance of reporting incidences of unauthorized dog ownership so they can be investigated and addressed as soon as possible. As reported last week, for Public Safety to use the security cameras in our cluster most effectively, it is important to also promptly report any criminal or nuisance incidents to them. This ensures that the most recent camera footage can be checked and continued monitoring can be scheduled until the investigation of the incident has been completed. Unfortunately, we will not be able to get additional cameras installed in the cluster unless we experience persistent security issues, something we definitely don't want to see happen. It was great to have the opportunity to sit down and talk with our Public Safety officers and commanders. Let's hope they are able to schedule more “Coffee With A Cop” sessions in the future so we all get a chance share our views and concerns and support our Public Safety force. Our next Broun Townhouse Association Meeting is scheduled for December 15, the last one for 2016. We hope to have a representative from the Lock Shop for our guest speaker and to discuss the issues with our doors and entryways. Please put the date on your calendar and plan to attend. —Vivian Burrus

Be a good neighbor. Clean up after your dog.

Board members who chair or co-chair committees and make their mark, haters will be attracted. Congratulations to all committee chairs & co-chairs. Cooperators are welcome to volunteer. Change Is Coming My ancestors had front row seats through the perilous wars and times in this country. Every day, we must be reminded of the many injustices we, citizens of color, face as this is truly the home of the forgetful. For example, the late Jesse Helms, senator from N.C., never changed on civil rights opposition and the conservative movement. That said, we must all pay close attention to those conservatives who are being appointed by our President-elect. Reportedly, hate crimes are up for many ethnic groups and religions. What will happen if the federal government did not intervene in state matters? How will our federal taxes be spent? A law on the books since 1787 establishes an African-American vote as being 3/5 of a White person’s vote. However, legislation has been introduced by our City Councilman to remove this clause from the constitution. Health Tips Rethink your drink and cut the sugar. 4 Grams of Sugars = 1 Teaspoon! The amount of sugar you put in your blood each day is important. You always need to know if you have too much or too little sugar in your blood. Check out the back of containers for the number of grams and divide by 4. Foods to help lower Blood Pressure: Celery, Vegetables, High Potassium Foods, Garlic, Olive Oil, Fruits, High Calcium Foods & Onions. Frederick Douglas published the abolitionist paper North Star first issues on this date in 1847. I may be reached at: Evelyn M. Turner-917-3241033 or evelyntinez@aol.com or Riverbay Corporation, 2049 Bartow Avenue, Bronx, N.Y. 10475.

Co-op City Times / December 3, 2016

Building 12 Cooperators Civic Association Greetings and Happy Holidays. We hope all of you enjoyed your Thanksgiving. On behalf of the Executive Board, we extend our best wishes to all of you this holiday season. Let us all take a moment to stop and be thankful. Our next general membership meeting is Monday, December 12, 7:30 p.m. As we have done in the past at our December meeting, we will hand out prizes, thank our floor captains and wish each other a happy New Year. By now, you should have received

your Building 2016 Annual Dues envelopes. They are due by December 9th. If you have not received an envelope, call me at 718-379-7841. We are in the process of decorating our lobby for the holidays. As a reminder, please be careful when you are out and about. Make sure, ladies, that your handbags are secure and for both guys and gals, do not display sums of cash. Just in case you cannot get out and about, check to make sure that you have batteries, flashlights, fully charged cell

phone, water and other supplies. Be aware of your surroundings and by all means do not buzz anyone into the lobby or open your door unless you know who it is. Also, although you have a car key to lock your car doors, physically check to ensure that the doors are locked. Questions as to whether or not you may be eligible for the NYS BASIC STAR OR ENHANCED STAR PROGRAM which is based upon your age and income, call 518-457-2036, Monday thru

Friday, between the hours of 8:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. To avoid the rush, we suggest that you call before the end of this year. Best wishes to all who are celebrating a special event this month. Our thoughts and prayers go out to everyone who has suffered a loss or is sick and shut-in. If you see something, say something. To contact CCPD (Public Safety), call 718-671-3050. We can be reached at MLSAH@ aol.com or 718-379-7841. —Sonja Maxwell

Building 27 Association Greetings, neighbors, welcome to the fall. Also, stay aware and alert of your surroundings. The association’s general meeting was held Tuesday, November 22, at 7 p.m. Mr. Errol Alton was our speaker; he is the coordinator of the Equality Adult Programming School. Mr. Errol gave a presentation to inform Section 5 and the community of the Free Adult Education programs. There will be zumba classes every Thursday, 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. Also, all other free classes will be held at P.S. 160 in Section 5. To register or for more information, contact 718-459-9597, ext. 1112. Mr. Alton is asking that we support the programs in order to make it a success for our community. Quality of Life Issues – There has been ongoing complaints and now a flyer from Riverbay posted concerning, soiled diapers, etc. being thrown out of the windows of Building 27. If one sees anything out of the ordinary, by all means, contact your (CSO) cooperator services office by calling 718-320-3300, follow the prompts. Do not just complain, do something. Corrections – During the Christmas holidays,

representatives from the building association will be accepting monetary donations to show our appreciation to our porters, lobby attendant, postal clerk for their daily work. We really are family because we get to greet one another on a daily basis. The Christmas decorations of lobbies of building A, B and C will began at approximately 11 a.m. on Thursday, December 8th. NOTE: The annual collection of monetary donations will be accepted 4 to 8 p.m. on both December 8th and the 9th. Volunteers are needed for each building. We thank each cooperator in advance who gives so willingly year after year. Thank you. We Are Having A Party – Our annual party will be (WELCOME TO THE NEW YEAR) meet and greet with our neighbors on Saturday, January 7, 2017 at 7 p.m. Building 27 Association is open for nomination of officers: president, vice president, secretary, assist. secretary, correspondence secretary, treasurer, assit. Treasurer, sergeant-at-arms. Election of officers will take place January 2017.

Building 10 Association Please join us for our next Building 10 Association General Membership meeting. The meeting will take place on Tuesday, December 6. This meeting will begin promptly at 7 p.m. in the Building 10 association room, located behind the elevators in Building 10B. The guest speaker for our next meeting is Ms. Lois English, Manager of the Dreiser Cooperator Service Office. We are looking forward to your participation in this informative meeting. Please encourage your Building 10 neighbors to attend by bringing one of them to the meeting with you. Our Annual Christmas Toy Collection for children living in a Bronx shelter has begun. Please donate a toy for a child to bring a smile to a young face during this holiday season. Bring joy to someone who can benefit from your generosity. The toys you donate should be wrapped and labeled as a toy designated for either a boy, girl or both and the age range of the child the toy is best suited for. You can make your donation every Tuesday and Thursday from 6 p.m. - 8 p.m. beginning November 29. The last day to drop off toys will be December 15. Please let us know if you can volunteer to help with this toy drive at our next meeting on Dec. 6th. Once again to give thanks to those who keep our environment tidy, we will begin to collect your generous donations starting soon after Thanksgiving. These donations are our way, as Building 10 residents, of saying thank you to those who provide services to us all. Association board members will be available to receive your donations between 11 a.m. - 2 p.m. and 5 p.m. - 8 p.m. on the following days. • Building 10A, Dec. 13 • Building 10B, Dec. 8 • Building 10C, Dec. 9 Always check the CO-OP Times for information on our upcoming events and plans. Thank you for your continued support! We believe each individual Building 10 Association member is the strength of our association. So, join us at our next meeting! —Ron Campbell

The Thanksgiving Raffles: Kudos to winners: 1st prize, a bottle of wine, Lillian Sumpter of 27C; 2nd prize, 2lb., box of cookies, Roberta McGee of 27C and 3rd prize, the Grand Ole turkey, Hattie Overman of 27B. The winners picked the prize of their choice, more exciting that way. Raffle 50/50 winner, yours truly Hattie Overman, what a great night!!! We have our coffee, refreshments, conversate and finally go home. Happy birthday to all in this month. Please share with the Sunshine Committee, Ms. Lydia Rondon, by calling her at (718) 583-3040. If a neighbor in our building is ill, homebound, celebrating birthdays, or experiencing bereavement, Ms. Rondon will respond on behalf of the association. Please keep our board of directors in prayer that they will be granted wisdom and harmony to continue moving forward to make the right decisions in protecting our interest and keeping our homes affordable. Please pray for all leaders for PEACE for there is unrest everywhere. —H. Overman

Debs Place Townhouse Association The Debs Place Townhouse Association will hold its December meeting on Thursday, December 8, at 7 p.m. in room 1 of the Dreiser Center. We hope to have a guest speaker from the Sales Department who will answer our members’ questions related to moving in and moving out that may have come up due to having read recent Directors’ viewpoints. The meeting is scheduled to begin with the business portion and it is expected that the membership will remark on conditions in our Debs Place Court. Our guest speaker has been invited to begin at about 7:30. The Executive Committee wishes to remind everyone that there will be no meeting in January. We will resume our regular schedule in February with a meeting on February 9th. We wish to remind our members that we meet on the 2nd Thursday evening of each month in room 1 of the Dreiser Center. We also would like to extend our wishes for a happy and healthy holiday. —Nels Grumer

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Co-op City Times / December 3, 2016

Building 31 Association

Building 24 Association

Thanks to Chief Apollo of our Department of Public Safety for speaking to our association on 11/21. We call on him to listen to our concerns and he responds to them. He again shared with us the programs in our community, such as the R.U.O.K program and information on dangerous drugs being sold to our children we should be aware of and speak to our children about, such drugs as K2. He also addressed the complaints regarding his officers and he stated if you should have any complaints to contact him. All officers wear a name tag and a shield with a number; please be able to give that information when you’re making your complaint. If found that the officer involved needs additional training, then that will happen. The lobby attendant issue will be addressed with the supervisor as this is an ongoing problem and needs to be resolved to continue our safety in our building. We are celebrating Christmas, Hanukah, Kwanzaa and Three Kings, shortly, and we need to prepare for them. Celebration with all of you joining in with us in getting this preparation underway would be fabulous, according to the following association schedule below and to participate in any festivities we have. Your association sponsors most activities in our building and we ask that you join us on this adventure. Please volunteer some of your time and become part of what makes our buildings beautiful. Lobby Decorating: Meet in the lobby, A-side, Marilyn, 718-320-2631. B-side: Robert, 718-320-2656. Dec. 8th, Thursday; Dec. 9th, Friday, both nights at 5 p.m. – 8 p.m.; Dec. 10th, Saturday, at 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Collection for Porters and Lobby Attendant: Starting @ 4 p.m. each night ‘til 8 p.m., Dec. 14th, Wednesday; Dec. 15th, Thursday; Dec. 16th, Friday. Family Holiday Party: Saturday, Dec. 19th at 7:30 p.m. in meeting room. Everyone brings a dish or donation to gain entrance to the party. To prevent duplicates, call Sharon Julius, coordinator, at 646-645-4246. 50/50 was won by Frank Rogers & door prize won by Klaus Walters, both from B-side. Congratulations! —Marilyn McDaniel

Flies in the laundry room. Could that be symptomatic of a bigger problem? Our porters have been hanging flypaper, which has had some effect, but the flies haven't been vanquished. In fact, one just flew over to see what I am writing. We’re making progress, but the porters here say that the fact that the garbage dumpsters come back to the building smelling of garbage with garbage residue still in the containers is what is attracting the flies. They say they have asked the Peartree garbage collection department to use the powder they had been using to eliminate the smell of garbage. One dumpster that was showed to me had a thick layer of encrusted garbage. In addition, the wheels on many dumpsters are not operational making it very difficult to move them from one area to another. The fly paper I saw in a compactor room was covered with flies and it's only a short flight from there to the laundry room, which undermines the porter's efforts to keep it clean. In an effective corporation, departments must respect each other's concerns. The dumpsters should be cleaned properly, hosed and scraped clean of built up garbage at the Peartree facility and also properly mechanically maintained. At our last meeting, our guest speaker, recently retired Board President Cleve Taylor, was our guest speaker. He went over the many accomplishments the Board, under his leadership has made, such as the change in management, the hiring of an auditor and the improvement of our financial position, creating operating funds which will allow us to work on capital projects, such as the replacement of our elevator motors which need to be done. We thanked Cleve for his successful effort in turning the good ship Co-op City in the right direction. We then updated everyone on the maintenance work we have requested in the building and on the grounds. Some of the grounds work, such as re-seeding and pruning, has been done and will continue in the Spring. Work has also been done in the lobby and the laundry room. We'll start our annual collection for our porters in December. We hope everyone will be able to contribute. We want to show our appreciation for their great work throughout the year. Our next meeting is scheduled for December 15th. We'll post notices. Best wishes to all for happy holidays. —Bruce Silberman

Building 21 Association This is why EVERY FLOOR of EVERY BUILDING should have a Floor Captain: One of the diligent Building 21 lobby attendants informed us of an incident that happened in the B-Section recently. First responders (Police and Fire Department) were sent to the wrong apartment this past week. Their orders were to knock down the door and enter the dwelling. This particular shareholder was out of town at the time. The only reason this shareholder did not have to endure having to have the front door replaced and to have broken walls repaired was because the neighbors of this floor were prepared. They all have each other’s contact numbers in the event of this kind of emergency circumstance. Kudos to the floor captain who took the time to record the contact numbers for each apartment and make a copy of said record for each dwelling of that floor. This is very simple to do, folks. Now ask yourself, what YOU have done for your floor and, in turn, for your community, to help make it better from January until now? If the answer is “not enough,” then you still have time to change that before some unforeseen, avoidable situation befalls your floor. It is never too late to change. We offer this as an example and hope you will heed these suggestions as to how WE ALL can help make this a better, richer, more caring, safer CO-OP City. “THINK TANK at Building 21” is in session every Friday, 8:30-10 p.m., except Christmas and New Year’s Day. We are located in the rear of 21B and ALL are welcomed. This is where the self-development and empowerment of each CO-Operator is our intention. Your ideas are welcomed and needed, for the progression of this important neighborhood project. Our next 21 Association gathering will be December 21st, 7 p.m. Everyone from all buildings, plan to attend. If you have questions regarding the 21 Association, you

have 3 ways of gaining information. Email your building association at 21association@gmail.com; call 347.504.1821, and attend the monthly meetings held every 4th Wednesday in the gathering room in rear of the B-section at 7 p.m. Floor Captains are an ABSOLUTE NECESSITY IN EVERY BUILDING. Thanks to the cooperators of Building 21 who have stepped up to the plate and volunteered to be floor captain for their floor. You are truly appreciated. All we ask of anyone kind enough to be a Floor Captain is as follows: 1. CONTACT NUMBERS (FOR YOUR FLOOR ONLY) • LIST ALL EMERGENCY CONTACT NUMBERS AND DISTRIBUTE TO EACH NEIGHBOR 2. CO-OP CITY TIMES • PLACE THEM AT EACH APARTMENT DOOR (Delivered on Saturdays) 3. ELEVATOR NOTICES • READ THEM AND TALK TO YOUR NEIGHBORS ABOUT THEM 4. PROMOTE: • MEETINGS, CLUBS AND GATHERINGS 5. ENCOURAGE • YOUR NEIGHBORS TO: VOTE – VOTE – VOTE! IN THE RIVERBAY ELECTION • MAKE CALLS TO THE RIVERBAY OFFICES SECURITY - 718-671-3050 CSO OFFICES - 718-320-3300 Join us at Building 21; bring a friend. Each one of us, multiplied by all of us, —Michelle Marbury equals A FORCE FOR GOOD.

Co-op City Times / December 3, 2016

African-American Association Our next general meeting will be Tuesday, December 13. Yes, it’s true, the holidays are upon us. These are the times when you are distracted the most. You will notice that certain laws get passed around the holidays that you would not likely approve of if you were paying attention. They will be in small print in your major newspapers. So I ask you to pay attention. I ask you to stay awake. Especially since we have already acknowledged that we are a sleeping giant. So let’s play possum, but organize, educate and activate. Activation is simple once you have done the first two. You already have the means, use it. You have organizations, building associations and Town Hall meetings. What are you doing? Whatever it is will be a reflection of your character and will define who you really are. We had a great general meeting. Xonia gave a great presentation on the benefits and origins of belly dancing. Our vice president, Deborah C. Nelson, is

putting together a committee to discuss a fashion show. Please contact us at the number below if you are interested in organizing with us. The association sponsors the following ongoing programs and encourages your participation. Acting Classes – Children’s and adult classes are available. Contact: Meca Talent; for more information, call us at: 646-373-4122. Belly Dance Classes – Wednesdays, 7:00 p.m., Dreiser Center, room #2. For a nominal fee, you will have fun and stay in shape. For more information, call Xonia, 646-301-9438. Children’s Programs – For information about the early morning school drop-off program and the after school programs, call 718-379-5555. Evening Line Dance Classes – Dance to Soul, Latin, and Gospel music on Thursdays, 7:00 p.m. in Dreiser Center, room #2. Call Cynthia, 917-9037073. Music, Rhythm & Dance – Most Fridays, 7:30

p.m., Dreiser Center, rm. 15; most Saturdays, 10 a.m., Dreiser Center, room #2. Call Keith, 917-561-6211. Yoga & Pilates Mat Classes – Classes on Tuesday, 7:15 p.m., Dreiser Center, rm. 2. Lose weight, tone and strengthen your muscles with exercises that reduce stress through breathing techniques. For more information, call 718-671-8364. General Membership Meeting – The next meeting will be Tuesday, December 13, at 7:00 p.m. in Dreiser Community Center, room #15. If you are unable to attend the meeting, please read our weekly column for updates. Also, if you wish to join or update your membership, please send a check or money order (DO NOT MAIL CASH) of $15 for a single membership or $25 for families to: African-American Association of Co-op City, P.O. Box 702, Co-op City Station, Bronx, NY 10475. Donations are welcomed. Like us on Facebook: CoopcityAfricanamericanassoc/email us at: aaaccpower@gmail.com. —Kevin Lambright

National Council of Negro Women Mary McLeod Bethune always said, “My people should have a strong presence in the nation’s capital.” Her wish has been fully realized with the acquisition of NCNW’s national headquarters, located at 633 Pennsylvania Avenue, a place of honor, prestige and influence on America’s “Main” street, seated comfortably between the White House and the U.S. Capitol. Our headquarters represents “our women” at the national table and the continued presence of our issues on the national agenda. A spirit of social and civic activism and a devotion to the betterment of the African American community fills this building to which every African American can point with pride.

Rivers Run Community Garden The gate to Rivers Run Community Garden is closed for the winter, however, folks can still see the hard work and love put into the space. And although, there is still so much to learn and do, we can take a moment to inhale and be grateful for how far we’ve come. Residents of Co-op City and its surrounding communities came together to convert the virgin space into a community garden that not only grows fruits, flowers, herbs and vegetables, but grows friendship and knowledge. Rivers Run nurtures its supporters by providing additional meaning and purpose in their lives and opens folks to new experiences. In addition, Rivers Run is an outdoor classroom for the local schools and daycares. Rivers Run Community Garden attracts folks with memories of “back home” and “in the day” and comingles it with the “what ifs” and “how about we try” forward thinkers. We look hopeful to the future with plans on having more than the year before. Stop by at a meeting if you are interested in contributing knowledge, service and friendship. Important dates (All are welcome): • Dec. 15th – Holiday Party, 7 p.m., Dreiser, rm. 4. 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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Slave traders legally operated the “Center Slave Market” on Pennsylvania Avenue at the corner of Seventh Street Northwest. In 1848 near this site, 76 slaves, including Emily and Mary Edmondson, two teenage girls who followed their four brothers, boarded the schooner, the Pearl, and attempted to escape to the Underground Railroad. The story of the slave girls provided the plot and inspiration for Harriet Beecher Stowe’s Uncle Tom’s Cabin. No other single event had a greater impact on the abolitionist movement and congressional debate on slavery. As Dr. Dorothy I. Height noted, “it seems providential that we stand today on the shoulders of our ancestors with an opportunity to claim this site and sustain a strong presence for freedom and justice. As we, in Co-op City Section, begin the Christmas holiday season, we reach out our hands of friendship and support to our neighbors. We are beginning our 12th Annual Holiday Drive for the children/teens at Phipps Neighborhood shelter. We will be collecting new hats, scarves, socks, gloves, toys (no weapons), in addition to Pampers. This collection is sponsored by our Youth Committee which is why we are collecting

for youth. We appreciate the support of the entire Co-op City community in this effort and so we will be available to accept your gifts for the children. Our drop off dates for room 14 in Dreiser Community Center will be Wednesday, December 14 and Thursday, December 15 from 1:00 p.m. until 4:00 p.m.; also on Saturday, December 17 from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Members, of course, may also bring their gifts to our December meeting. Our December membership meeting will be on Sunday, December 11th at 3:00 p.m. in room 11. Our meeting will be followed by our Christmas Party (be sure to bring your $10 for the party if you did not pay at November’s meeting). Please contact Vivian Wescott in advance at (718) 547-4586 to alert her that you will be coming to the party if you did not tell her before. If you would also like to take part in the “Grab Bag” during the party, please contact Dorcas Lay, (718) 671-6910, in advance and remember that grab bag gifts should cost about $20. Happy birthday to all our members with birthdays in December. —Joyce Howard

Co-op City Times / December 3, 2016

Retirees of Dreiser Loop Don’t miss out on a great time. The RDL Annual HOLIDAY Luncheon will be held on Thursday, December 15th at the beautiful Marina Del Rey, with recognition of our nine decades plus (90 year old+) members worthy of celebration. Carol/DAD Productions will be featured. Donation: $75. A few tickets still available. Contacts: Beverly Waller or Daisy Young-Anderson, 718-379-0377. Travel Events: (price includes transportation/Coach Bus, Dreiser Loop, opposite H&R Block) • Jan. 11&12, 2017 (Wed. & Thurs.) to FOXWOODS RESORT CASINO, CT. Price: double/$130 (deposit: $65) & single/$175 (deposit: $90). Full payment/balance ($65 & $85) due no later than Monday, December 5. Contact: Serita G., 347-564-5722. • Tues., March 14, 2017 to Hunterdon Hills Playhouse, NJ. Enjoy Luncheon cuisine, full service cocktail bar, on-site lobby bake shop and gift boutique. Price: $75 (deposit: $35/full payment/balance $40 due Mon., Feb. 6, 2017). Contacts: Serita G., 347-5645722/Barbara W., 718- 320-0500. • Sept. 9-16, 2017 (8 day/7 night) Canada & New England cruise on the beautiful Carnival “Sunshine.” $250 deposit per person due immediately to hold reservation. NYC departure/return. NOTE: Preferred Cabin/Category selection goes to earliest bookings. Cabin/Category prices from $929 to $1399 which include your cabin, meals, port charges and taxes. Final payment due by May 19, 2017. Travel insurance (additional cost) encouraged. Contact: Serita G., 347-5645722. Theatre Committee: (price includes transportation via 20 passenger van): • Sat., Dec. 10th. Showtime: 2:00 p.m. Alvin Ailey American Dance The-

atre. Performances are: OPEN DOOR, THE WINTER IN LISBON (new), and REVELATIONS. Price: $52.50. Contact: Marie Green-Ryan, 718-379-0377. Members and friends, we do require your deposit, along with your name and telephone number, when signing up for trips and/or shows. First fully paid, confirmed seating. Committee members in Dreiser clubroom #19 (718-379-0377) on Mondays and/or Thursdays, 2:305:00 p.m. Good and Welfare: Our deepest condolences to the family and friends of Marie Thompson who recently passed away. Best wishes for a speedy recovery to James Hess. “To members and friends, as you rest and heal know that you are thought of warmly and wished a quick recovery.” Call Josephine Flowers, 718-320-0539 regarding illnesses and bereavements. Consider joining us at the next January 2017 SPA Day – date to be determined. Call 718-379-4784 – leave your name and phone number to be placed on wait list. ATTENTION! The RETIREES need ASAP experienced part-time freelance drivers with a CDL license with at least 3 years’ experience and a clean driving record. This volunteer position requires transporting members and friends safely to and from special events within the Bronx, as well as to outer boroughs. Stipend can be expected for each trip. Please call the RETIREES office, 718379-0377, and leave your name and telephone number. “Today I will do something just for the fun of it. I will find something to do that’s just for me, and I won’t worry about what I should be doing. I will learn how to make myself feel good and enjoy life to the fullest.” –Author unknown —Claudette Davis

NAACP Co-op City Branch #2210 National Association for the Advancement of Colored People. Mailing Address: P.O. Box 75-3111, Einstein Station, Bronx, NY 10475 President: Jerome Rice Office telephone: (718) 320-3210 Address: 135 Einstein Community Center, room 36 Office hours: Monday – Wednesday – Friday, 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Theme: Our Lives Matter – Our Votes Count. Founded in 1909, the NAACP is the nation’s oldest and largest nonpartisan civil rights organization. Its members throughout the United States and the world are the premier advocates for civil rights in their communities. NAACP Statement on PresidentElect Trump’s selections for top advisors by Cornell William Brooks, President and CEO of the NAACP, can be accessed online: http://www.naacp.org/ latest/ naacp-statement-president-elect-trumpselections-top-advisors/. Note: Election Supervisory Chair, Leah Richardson, announces the elected Executive Committee Officers serving a 2-year term effective January 1, 2017 thru December 31, 2018 are: Jerome L. Rice, President; William Gordon, Vice-President; Brenda Brown, Secretary; Carole Haque, Asst. Secretary; Diane Rodriguez, Treasurer; vacancy, Asst. Treasurer and Joyce Wilson, Member-at-Large. Thanks to committee members T. Gavin, L.

Woodley, F. Hill and A. Lynch Jr. Membership Campaign: Lifeblood of the association. Your membership dollars help lead the fight for freedom, justice and equality. The community at large is invited to join the Co-op City Branch #2210. Become a new member, renew, recruit, gift or sponsor an annual membership for self or another. Adult regular membership is $30 and Youth membership is $10. We have some exciting and challenging projects planned and we need your help. We look forward to working with you to go forward and meet the mandates of the NAACP. Voter Registration Is An Ongoing Activity, registration forms available in office. Be prepared to VOTE! If you don’t vote, don’t complain. Save the Date December 1 – 45th Precinct Council Meeting December 10 – McCall’s 50th Anniversary Gala at $125 December 11— COAAC & CO Kwanzaa - Free December 15 – Dreiser Retirees Holiday party @$75 December 18 – End of year Membership Meeting & Celebration at 3 p.m. January 2017 – Jubilee (work in progress) February 2017 – Black History Month Essay Contest (P.S. 160 work in progress) —Jerome L. Rice

Black Forum Next Defensive Driving Class The Black Forum defensive driving course will be on Sat., December 10, 8:50 a.m.–3 p.m., Dreiser Center, rm. 1. Lower your liability insurance cost by 10% and remove up to 4 points from your driver’s license. Please make your check in the amount of $35, payable to “the Black Forum of Co-op City,” and mail to P.O. Box 563, Bronx, N.Y. 10475 at least 1½ weeks before the class, or you can walk in on the day of the class, but you must have $35 in cash to pay for the course. Please also bring your current driver’s license and a pen. Call (718) 320-8035. Monthly meetings We will be holding monthly meetings. Come and express your opinions and concerns on issues pertinent to the community. Stay tuned for the dates. Black Forum Aerobics and Zumba It’s time to get in shape, get healthy and feel healthy. Body by Andrea’s aerobics classes are held Mondays and Wednesdays, and Zumba on Thursday. Classes are in the Dreiser Aud., 7:30 p.m. To register, please call (718) 3208035. Nominal fee for each class. Food distribution sites On Thursdays, residents of Buildings 27, 28, 29, 32 and 33 must pick up food at the New Vision Church, 115 Einstein Loop, 11 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. Likewise, residents of Building 26, 30, 31, 34 and 35 must go to the Evangelical Church, 2350 Palmer Avenue, 11 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. on Thursdays to pick up food. For information, please call (718) 320-8035. Emergency Food Program We are open on Tuesdays, Wednes-

days, Thursdays and Fridays, 11 a.m. to 12:45 p.m., rm. 20 in Dreiser Center. Also, due to budget constraints and shortage of available food, you must live within zip code 10475 to participate in this program. You must also have your card with you and bring two clean plastic shopping bags. Please also have your current photo ID, such as a non- or driver’s license or any photo ID card with proof of address. You will then be issued a card in order to pick up food in the future. Thanksgiving Dinner Many thanks to Community Protestant Church, Rev. Dr. Calvin E. Owens, pastor; and the Hospitality Committee, chaired by Ms. Daisy Young, and members for the spectacular Thanksgiving dinner they sponsored on Thursday, Nov. 17. They left no stone unturned to make sure it was a resounding success. The food was excellent and the turn-out was outstanding. Community Protestant has been sponsoring this free dinner for many years and it is open to the community. It was also an opportunity to meet up with many old friends. Make sure not to miss it next year. We Need You - Join Us Today Membership is $5 per year/person. Call (718) 320-8035 or write to Black Forum, P.O. Box 563, Bronx, NY 10475; email: coopcityblackforum@gmail.com or tonyshome10475@gmail.com. Help us keep independent community organizations alive in Co-op City. Everyone is encouraged to join. Call or visit us, room 20 in the Dreiser Community Center. —Tony Illis

Co-op City Times / December 3, 2016

Faith In God Church & Bible Institute

St. Joseph’s Episcopal Anglican Church

Rev. Dr. Gladys R. Little, Apostle, and Pastor & Evangelist Vernon Little greet everyone in the name of Jesus, that name which is above every name. We want you to know that you are welcome in this house of the Lord! It is His house by ownership: it is our house by stewardship: and it can be your house by membership; so come on in and join with us. May God bless you in this house! I read where Will Durant said, “The mind is formed by what it takes in.” Research shows that what we see can stay in our minds for a long time and influence our behavior. It has a “clingy effect,” sticking to us like that stubborn fat we find so hard to lose. Let’s look at scripture for encouragement. Phillipians 4:4-9 says: 4 Rejoice in the Lord always. Again, I will say, rejoice! 5 Let your gentleness be known to all men. The Lord is at hand. 6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. 8 Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things. 9 The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you. Invitations 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. Every 3rd Sunday following the morning worship, we serve Holy Communion. If you’re into gospel rap/holy hip-hop, go to www.reverbnation.com/vernon little and download music from Vernon Little free of charge. He also has videos on YouTube. You will be blessed, encouraged, and inspired. We are located at 171 Dreiser Loop in Section 1. Our phone # is (347) 276-4925. Jesus loves you, and so do we! —Apostle Gladys R. Little

The congregation of St. Joseph’s cordially invites you and your family to worship in Co-op City at 155 Dreiser Loop, lower level. All are welcome. Weekly Schedule: Sunday service with Holy Communion and Sunday School are both at 9 a.m. Every 4th Sunday, our children participate in the reading of the lessons and every 5th Sunday, our young adults assist in the service. Choir rehearsal is on Thursdays at 7 p.m. The (ECW) Episcopal Church Women meet immediately after service on the first Sunday of each month. Membership is open to all women of the church. The men hold their meeting after service on the second Sunday of each month. We look forward to welcoming everyone to service at 9:00 a.m. on Sunday, December 4, when we will celebrate the Second Sunday of Advent. Our Supply Priest, Father Simeon Johnson, will be the preacher and celebrant. Fundraising Event: Many thanks to all those who supported our bus trip last Saturday. We hope you had a good time. Outreach Program: We continue to collect non-perishable food for the feeding program at Grace Episcopal Church in West Farms. Please remember to donate. For additional information on all of the above, please call the church at 718320-0844, or visit our website: http://www.stjosephsepcbronx.org. “Blessed be the Lord God, the God of Israel, * who alone does wondrous deeds!” Psalm: 72:18 —M. Chambers

Faith @ Work Christian Church 120 DeKruif Place (street level). Praise and Worship begins at 9:30 a.m. Church telephone: (347) 346-5790; email: fatwcc@aol.com Weekly Worship Experiences: Tuesday Prayer Service, 6:30 p.m. Wednesday Bible Study, 6:30 p.m. Sunday Morning Worship, 9:30 a.m. Teen Church, 10:00 a.m., 2nd Sundays; Children’s Church, 3rd Sundays (K-3); Older Children’s Church, 4th Sundays (4th-7th). Church Motto: “We are Christ-centered, family-focused with power and authority.” Church Mission: To empower, educate and motivate men, women, boys and girls to reach their full potential and live abundant lives through preaching and teaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Come worship with us – where we honor tradition, but are not bound by it! All are welcome to join us any and every Sunday because our goal is to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ, in LOVE, through teaching and preaching the Word of God from the Bible. Bible Study is under way and we’re excited! Join us for a Mid-Day Study, 12 p.m. to 1 p.m., as well as our regular 6:30 p.m. Wednesday Night Bible Study. Please join us as we journey through the book of Revelation. Christmas Eve Prayer Gathering: Join Faith @ Work Christian Church and other faith-leaders for a 1hour prayer on the Section 1 Greenway at 2 p.m. Nothing would be better than to celebrate the birth of our Savior in Prayer. If I can get 50 co-organizers to join with me, I would really appreciate it and there is a blessing in it for each of you. Please call Pastor Jenkins at (718) 644-0951 if you’d like to be a coorganizer. Christmas Day Worship will take place at 10 a.m. and will be a Litany Service as Christmas is on Sunday this year. New Year’s Eve Worship and Praise Service: Please join us for our annual New Year’s Eve worship at 9 p.m. where we praise, pray and believe God for the new year to come. New Year Day Worship will take place at 10 a.m. Remember, it’s never about us, but always about the goodness of the Lord. —Pastor Deborah D. Jenkins

Cooperators United of Co-op City Happy Holidays to all of you and our best wishes for a happy, healthy and safe New Year. If you would like to join us at one of our meetings, welcome. At your building/townhouse meetings, please remind all about the NYS Basic STAR or Enhanced STAR Program, which is based upon their age and income. They can obtain information by calling 518-457-2036, Monday thru Friday, between the hours of 8:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. This is the holiday season. Please be careful and do not open your door or buzz anyone into the lobby unless you know who it is. Make sure to check that your car doors are locked. Be aware of your surroundings. Also, do not display cash. Make sure that you have water, flashlight, batteries and your cell phone fully charged at all times. More importantly, please use battery operated candles. If you See Something, Say Something. Congratulations to all who are celebrating a special day this month. Our thoughts and prayers to everyone who is sick and shut-in. We can be reached at MLSAH@aol.com, 718-379-7841. —Sonja Maxwell

A Message from C.S.O. Dept. Hammering after 6 p.m., vacuuming after 9 p.m., music or TVs played very loudly at any hour, doors slamming constantly at all hours...these are just a few examples of what can disturb the peace of fellow cooperators. Please, let’s work together to make Co-op City a peaceful community.

Co-op City Times / December 3, 2016

Church of the New Vision

Community Protestant Church

Pastor Kenneth Hodge and the congregation of Church of the New Vision extend a warm and friendly invitation to join us for worship service every Sunday at 8:00 a.m. or 11:00 a.m. We are a church where inspirational messages from the Word of God, the Bible, is delivered. The church is designed to meet the spiritual need of our community by offering anointed singing and preaching in an atmosphere of Christian love and friendly hospitality. All are welcome. We also invite our community’s youth on Sunday morning for Youth Church and Sunday School which is designed to meet the special needs of our young people. Parents, please send your children to learn of the Lord Jesus Christ. Prayer service takes place on Wednesday evening 7:00-8:00 p.m., followed by Bible teachings, 8:00-9:00 p.m. Join us to learn from the Word of God. Midday Bible study is held every Tuesday at 12:00 p.m. Christmas Day and New Year’s Day, there will be one service at 10:00 a.m. Upcoming Events Save the Date!! Please join us on our trip to Orlando, Florida, July 17, 2017 to July 20, 2017, going to The Holy Land Experience and Walt Disney World Magic Kingdom via non-stop Delta flight, 3 night accommodations at the Holiday Inn Resort. Prices for adults range from $740-$855 per person, youth stay free at the resort through age 19 with double adult occupancy. Youths $400-$500, prices include air and park ticket, payment plan available. For additional information, please contact the church at (718) 671-8746, Sis. Sadie James at (718) 652-8943 or Sis. Hermena Smith, travel agent, at (718) 708-5035. Church of the New Vision is located at 115 Einstein Loop, Bronx, NY 10475. Telephone, (718) 671-8746, or (203) 374-3020. Mailing address: P.O. Box 753037, Bronx, NY 10475. Please visit us on Facebook: Church of the New Vision for upcoming events or trips. —Sis. Carole Haque

On behalf of our pastor, Reverend Dr. Calvin E. Owens, and our church family, welcome to Community Protestant Church, a church of love and understanding, located at 1659 East Gun Hill Road, Bronx, NY 10469; telephone: (718) 862-9172. Church Schedule Sunday School - 9:00 a.m. (begins Sunday, September 18th. Registration on September 11th.) Worship Service—11:00 a.m. Communion Service—Every first and third Sundays Prayer Meeting and Bible Study – Wednesday at 7:00 p.m. The following programs are at the Church’s Annex: 2053 Asch Loop North (Co-op City) Morning Prayer Services – Tuesday, 6:00 a.m. – 8:00 a.m. and 9:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. Neighborhood Bible Study — Thursday at 10:00 a.m. Extension of Prayer and Worship Service – Every first, second and third Fridays at 7:00 p.m. Other Scheduled Events The Willing Workers Annual Holiday Pecan Sale will be held after service. Stop by their table and pick up a great holiday gift of pecans and pecan clusters. Saturday, December 17th, 3:00-8:00 p.m. – Come celebrate the Holiday Season with our Community Protestant Church family at our Annual Christmas Party sponsored by the North Carolina Team, Bartow Community Center, room 31, Co-op City. Music by DJ Samuel. Donation: Adults - $15; children under 16 years of age free (must be accompanied by parent or guardian). For tickets, call (718) 994-3751 or (718) 379-4237. September 12–15, 2017 – The Missionary Ministry sponsors a trip to The Holy Land Experience in Orlando, Florida, the only entertainment park that celebrates the Biblical Word of the Christian Faith. Package includes: Round trip airfare; round trip airport transportation from Bartow Ave. (Co-op City, Bronx); 4 days/3 nights hotel accommodation; 3 buffet breakfasts; 1 group dinner, 2 day admissions to the Holy Land Experience; Lunch-To-Go at the Holy Land Experience; transportation from the hotel to the Holy Land and travel insurance. $1,013 per person double occupancy; $961 per person triple; $1,253 single. $113 deposit due December 3, 2016 (non-refundable after 5/17/17). For reservation and/or additional information, call (718) 671-0425 or (718) 379-8514. The doors of Community Protestant Church are open to all to worship and fellowship with Christian believers of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. You are cordially invited to come in, join in and receive your blessing. —Evan G. Mitchell

Circle of Christ Church The Circle of Christ Church family extends a warm welcome to you and your family and invites you to come and worship with us at 147 Dreiser Loop, patio level (located in the Dreiser Community Center). La familia de la Iglesia Circulo de Cristo les extiende una cálida invitación a usted y su familia para que vengan a alabar a Dios junto con nosotros. Nos encontramos en el 147 de Dreiser Loop, al nivel del patio (localizado en el centro Comunal de Dreiser). We are a multicultural church that embraces God’s love for all. Family unity is very important to us. We have a wonderful children ministry focused on learning God’s word. Our youth ministry is very active and dynamic. The youth are involved in music, retreats, concerts, debates, conferences, drama, counseling among many other activities. We also have a food pantry for those in need in our community. Our phone number is 347-945-1992.

Somos una Iglesia multicultural que recibe y da del amor the Dios para todos. La unidad de la familia es muy importante para nosotros. Suplimos comida a aquellos en nuestra comunidad que lo necesitan. Nuestro teléfono es 347-945-1992. Thought for the week Jesus, 4 rose from supper and laid aside His garments, took a towel and girded Himself. 5 After that, He poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet, and to wipe them with the towel with which He was girded. 6 Christ showed his love to them by washing their feet. Jesus is an example of humility. If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. 15 For I have given you an example, that you should do as I have done to you. 16 Reflexion para la semana 4 así que se levantó de la mesa, se quitó el manto y se ató una toalla a la cintura. 5 Luego echó agua en un recipiente y comenzó a lavarles los pies a sus

CO-OP CITY BAPTIST CHURCH 135 EINSTEIN LOOP (Section 5) • Rooms 50-51 Rev. Dr. Sheldon E. Williams, Pastor

discípulos y a secárselos con la toalla que llevaba a la cintura. Jesus demostro su amor al lavarles los pies.El es un ejemplo de humildad. English services Wednesday, 7:00 to 9:00 p.m., Prayer & Bible Study. Friday, 7:00 to 9:00 p.m., Youth Night Sunday, 11:00 a.m., Worship and the Word Children Church, 5 years old to 12 years old Little lamb nursery. Tuesday and Thursday, 9 a.m. prayer and the Word Thursday, 5:00 p.m., Boys and Girls

Club Horario de Servicios en Español Domingo, 9:00 a 10:30 a.m., Alabanzas y Predicación Jueves, 12:00 p.m., Oración y Estudio Bíblico Special Events/Eventos Especiales Christmas Party/ Angel Tree – food, fun, fellowship, music – Friday, December 16, at 6:30 p.m. Christmas Cantata – Friday, December 23 at 7:00 p.m. New Year’s Eve Candlelight Service – Saturday, December 31, at 6 p.m. All are welcome. —Rev. Sam Colon

COMMUNITY PROTESTANT CHURCH OF CO-OP CITY

1659 EAST GUN HILL ROAD BRONX, NY 10469 REV., DR. CALVIN E. OWENS, PASTOR

(718) 320-3774 • Sunday School – 9:15 a.m. • Sunday Worship Services – 8:00 & 11:00 a.m. • Midweek Worship – Wednesday @ 12 Noon • Bible Class – Wednesday @ 1:00 & 7:30 p.m. • Prayer Service – Friday @ Noon & 7:30 p.m. COMMUNION SERVICE EVERY FIRST SUNDAY. YOUTH DAY EVERY FOURTH SUNDAY. ALL ARE WELCOME TO WORSHIP WITH US.

CHURCH

(718) 862-9172 OFFICE (718) 862-9179

An interdenominational Church of love and understanding, consisting of people of many faiths, races and cultural backgrounds, seeking to live the spirit of Christ with relevance. CHURCH SCHEDULE WEEKLY: CHURCH SCHOOL - SUNDAY, 9:00 a.m. WORSHIP SERVICE: SUNDAY, 11:00 a.m. BIBLE CLASS & PRAYER MEETING - WEDNESDAY, 7:30 p.m.

MONTHLY: COMMUNION - 1ST AND 3RD SUNDAYS

ALL ARE WELCOME!

Mon., Dec. 5

Co-op City Times / December 3, 2016

Bartow

Einstein

Dreiser

Activities in Room 31 unless otherwise noted

Activities in Room 49 unless otherwise noted

Activities in Room 7 unless otherwise noted

Word Games 9:30-11 a.m.

Library 9:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Dominoes 10 a.m., Rm. 45 Line Dancing

Crochet & Knitting 10 a.m.12 p.m. Library, Exercise Bike, Chat Session 9:30-10:30 a.m. Stay Well Exercise 10-11 a.m., Rm. 2 Adult Coloring Book 11 a.m., Rm. 4 Mind Teasers 12-1 p.m., Rm. 4 Diabetes Support Group 1:00 p.m. – Last Monday of the month Bereavement Counseling Rm. 13, 1:00 p.m. Gentle Yoga 1:15-2 p.m., Rm. 2 Basic Cell Phone & iPad training 12:30-1:30 p.m., Rm. 7 Intermediate Yoga 2-3 p.m.

Library 9:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Weight Management Bartow Center – 10 a.m.

Arthritis Exercises 11 a.m.-noon

10-11 a.m., Rm. 45

Around The Lunch Table 11:30 a.m. Word Search 11 a.m. -12 p.m. Bingo 1-3 p.m., Rm. 35

Bingo 1-2 p.m.

Diabetes Support Group

Card Games 2-4 p.m. Dominoes 2:30 p.m.

2nd Monday - 1:00 p.m. Pokeno 3:00-4:00 p.m.. Rm.3

Library, Exercise Bike, Chat Session

Word Games

Tues., Dec. 6

9:30-11:30am

9:30-10:30am

Walking Club

Dominoes 10am

10:30-11:30am

Tai Chi 11am, Rm. 45

10:30-11:30am

Alert & Alive

Bingo 12:30-2:00pm

Matinee Movie

Cultural Dance

Caregiver Support Group 1:00pm, 1st & 3rd

10am, Rm. 45

Tues.

Karaoke by Steven

10:30 – 11:30am, Aud. B Mind Teasers 12-1pm, Rm. 4 Zumba 1-2pm, Aud. A

1:00pm-2:00pm, Rm. 45

Card Games 2-4pm

Afternoon Movie Dominoes 2:30pm

Wed., Dec. 7

9:30-11:30 a.m.

Walk Group 9:30 a.m.,

Library, Exercise Bike, Chat Session

Stay Well Exercise

Rm. 40

9:30-10:30 a.m.

10:00 - 11:00 a.m.

Dominoes 10 a.m., Rm. 45 Line Dancing 11am-12pm

Kosher

Sewing 9:30 -11:30 a.m.

Card Games 2-4 p.m.

Spanish Practice Class

Dominoes 2:30 p.m.

10:30 a.m., Computer Lab

Smartphone Class

Zumba 11 a.m.-12 p.m.,

Mind Teasers 12-1 p.m., Rm. 4

African Brazilian Dance 1:00, Rm. 2

Yoga 2 p.m.-3 p.m., Rm. 2 Dominoes 10 a.m.,

9:30 a.m - 11:30 a.m. Chat Session 9:30 a.m. -1 p.m. Bingo 1 - 2 p.m. Card Games 2-4 p.m. Dominoes 2:30 p.m.

Art Class 1-3 p.m.

Rm. 45

Library 9 a.m. - 1 p.m. Word Games

Non-Kosher

Mon., Dec. 5

Orange juice, chicken meatballs, mashed sweet potatoes, steamed red or green cabbage, whole wheat bread and apple sauce Alt: Egg salad

Beef stew (Spanish Style) White rice Steamed green beans

Tues, Dec. 6

Apple juice, veggie burger patty, chickpea salad, pita halves, garden salad and fresh fruit Alt: Chicken salad

BBQ pork chops Braised collard greens Sweet baked yams

Wed., Dec. 7

Orange pineapple juice, sheppard’s pie w/beef and turkey, steamed peas and carrots, whole wheat bread and fruit cocktail Alt: Tuna salad

Hawaiian chicken Rice pilaf Italian blend vegetables

Thurs., Dec. 8

Orange juice breaded Sole fish fillet, yellow rice, California blend vegetables, whole wheat bread and fresh fruit Alt: Salisbury Steak w/mushroom gravy

Baked Flounder Baby carrots w/parsley Baked potatoes

Fri., Dec. 9

Apple juice, roasted chicken, spinach noodle pudding, green beans, challah bread and fresh fruit Gefilte fish

Arroz con pollo (Chicken and rice) Baby spinach salad

Tai Chi 11 a.m.- 12 p.m. Spelling Bee 10 a.m.

Bingo 1 p.m.-2 p.m.

Beginner – 12:30 – 1:30 p.m. Intermediate – 1:30–2:30 p.m. Bartow Main office

Thurs., Dec. 8

Date:

1:00 w/popcorn

Games

Library, Exercise Bike, Chat Session 9:30-10:30 a.m.

Grandparent Connection

Blood Pressure

1st Thursday, Rm. 35, 10:30 a.m.

10-11:30 a.m., 1st & 3rd Rm. 8 Line Dancing 10-11 a.m., Aud. A Piano Sing Along 11 a.m. 12 p.m. Mind Teasers 12 - 1 p.m., Rm. 4 Drama Club 1:30 - 4:00 p.m.

Arthritis Exercise 11 a.m., Rm. 45 Spelling Bee 11 a.m. Word search 11 a.m. 12 p.m.

Karaoke by Steven 1:00 p.m., Rm. 45

Fri., Dec. 9

Alternate Kosher Meals are also available

Purple Life Trail Fitness Instruction 1 p.m. - 2 p.m.

Crochet & Knitting

Men’s Line Dancing

Dominoes 10 a.m.,

9 - 10 a.m.

10 a.m. - 12 p.m.

Rm. 45

Library, Exercise Bike, Chat Session

Word Games 9:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.

Art 10 a.m., Rm. 45

Women’s Line Dancing

Bingo 1 p.m. – 2 p.m.

10 - 11:30 a.m.

Chat Session 10 a.m. Bingo 1 - 2 p.m. Piano Sing-along

Card Games 2 - 4 p.m.

11 a.m. -12 p.m. Card Games 2 - 4 p.m. Dominoes 2:30 p.m.

Blood Pressure 2nd & 4th Friday 10 a.m. -11:30

Pokeno 2-4 p.m., Rm. 35

a.m., Rm. 45

9:30-10 a.m., 11 a.m. - 12 p.m. Meditative Moments 11 a.m. – 12 p.m., Rm. 8 Mind Teasers 12 - 1 p.m., Rm. 4 Bingo – Rm. 7, 1-3 p.m. Card Games, Dominoes 2 p.m. - 4 p.m.

(Schedule subject to change without notice)

Fee for lunch is $2.00 & $5.00 for guest

ALL meals served w/margarine and fresh milk *Menu subject to change without notice. Alternate Kosher Meals are also available

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

Bartow Center (718) 320-2066, Ext. 2010 Dreiser Center (718) 320-1345 • Einstein Center (718) 671-5161 New Payment Schedule - Payments for trips @ the Bartow office can be made

Monday – Friday: 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. & 2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. (Only) Funded by: The NYC Department for the Aging,

The NYS Office for the Aging and Riverbay Corporation.

Upcoming Events/Trips JASA WELCOMES EVERYONE AGE 60 AND OLDER! Trip registration policy: No refunds for all trips. All trips include roundtrip transportation! All trips must be paid in advance – No exceptions! Payments for trips can be made at all 3 centers. You can register for all trips starting the Monday after it has been published in the newspaper: JASA will not accept checks under $5. (FREE) LiveOn NY-SCRIE Application Assistance SNAP (food stamps) – Friday, Dec. 9th & 23rd, 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. First come, first served! JASA Main Office, 2049 Bartow Ave JASA Coat Drive – Nov. 28th-Jan. 2nd, Dreiser Senior Center, 177 Dreiser Loop, rm. 7; 8:30 a.m.-4 p.m.; Bartow Senior Center, 2049 Bartow Ave., rm. 31, 9 a.m.-2 p.m. and Einstein Senior Center, 135 Einstein Loop, rm. 49, 9 a.m. – 2 p.m., Mon. thru Fri. Jingle Mingle (A Senior Mixer) – $25, Wed., Dec. 7th, 5 p.m.-7 p.m., Olive Garden Bay Plaza. Bring a friend or a date, meet new people in our community. Dinner, trivia and cash bar. No pick-ups. Call 718-320-2066 to register. Minimum of 20 and the maximum of 40 people. Shoprite – Thurs., Dec. 8th, $3. Bartow, 9:30 a.m.; Einstein, 9:45 a.m. & Dreiser, 10 a.m. IKEA, Christmas Tree Store, Bed Bath & Beyond, Paramus, NJ – Thurs., Dec. 8th, $15. Bartow, 9:30 a.m.; Einstein, 9:45 a.m. & Dreiser, 10 a.m. Wait list Christmas Party – Fri., Dec. 9th, $5 in advance and $7 at door. Pick-ups: Einstein, 9:30 a.m. & Dreiser, 9:30 a.m. Menu: pastelitos, chicken soup, chicken apple walnut salad, roasted pork shoulder (pernil), wild rice and brown rice w/vegetables, chicken piccata, virgin pina colado, dessert. Music by DJ WOODY! St. Mary’s Recreation Center Pool – Mon., Dec. 12th, $3. Pool aerobics for seniors, 10 a.m.-12 p.m. Pick-ups: Bartow, 8:30 a.m.; Einstein, 8:45 a.m. & Dreiser, 9 a.m. (14 seats) Empire Casino – Mon., Dec. 12th, $5. Bartow, 9:30 a.m.; Einstein, 9:45 a.m. & Dreiser, 10 a.m.

JASA Dreiser Sr. Center Open House – Tues., Dec. 13th, 177 Dreiser Loop, rm. 7, 10 a.m.- 12 p.m. Refreshments served. Foxwoods Casino – Tues., Dec. 13th, $60. Package includes Deluxe Coach Bus. Enjoy 6 hour casino stay. See the Legends in Concert tribute artist performing as Kings of Rock & Roll and Pop, Elvis Presley, Michael Jackson. Returning is Whitney Houston & Prince & for the first time at Foxwoods will be Taylor Swift Rockin’ band & Dazzling Dancers. Show starts at 2 p.m. Enjoy an all you can eat lunch buffet, $10 slot play bonus, discount shopping at Tanger Outlets in Foxwoods. All taxes & meal gratuities. Bus departs, pick-ups: Dreiser, 8:15 a.m.; Bartow, 8:30 a.m. & Einstein, 8:45 a.m. Bus departs casino at 5:30 p.m. (No refunds) Deadline for payment is December 2nd. Radio City Christmas Spectacular – Wed., Dec. 14th, $60. Show starts at 11 a.m. Bartow, 9 a.m.; Einstein, 9:15 a.m. & Dreiser, 9:30 a.m. Seats are on the 2nd Mezzanine (No refunds). Deadline for payment is Dec. 9th. Wait list. Wal-Mart – Thurs., Dec. 15th. $15. Pick-ups: Bartow, 8:30 a.m.; Einstein, 8:45 a.m. and Dreiser, 9 a.m. Radio City Christmas Spectacular – Fri., Dec. 16th; $60. WAIT LIST. Show starts at 11 a.m. Bartow, 9 a.m.; Einstein, 9:15 a.m. & Dreiser, 9:30 a.m. Seats are on the 2nd Mezzanine (No refunds). Deadline for payment is Dec. 9th. Dreiser Sr. Center – Christmas Toy Drive, Tues., Nov. 22nd – Mon., Dec. 19th, 177 Dreiser Loop, rm. 7. Drop-offs between 9 a.m.-4 p.m. American Museum of Natural History – $23, Mon., Dec. 19th. Bartow, 9 a.m.; Einstein, 9:15 a.m.; Dreiser, 9:30 a.m. Jersey Gardens – $15; Tues., Dec. 20th. Bartow, 8:30 a.m.; Dreiser, 8:45 a.m. and Einstein, 9 a.m. Central Avenue – 2-hours Christmas Tree Store, 1 hour Amazing Savings, 2 hours Burlington Coat Factory. Thurs., Dec. 29th, $13. Bartow, 9:30 a.m.; Einstein, 9:45 a.m. & Dreiser, 10 a.m.

Co-op City Times / December 3, 2016

Scheduling Activities Calendar

AARP Chapter #4997 FYI: This is the last week to get your tickets for the Holiday party. The Holiday Party is scheduled for Monday, December 12, 1 p.m. in Dreiser Auditorium “C,” $45/person. This will be in lieu of the December meeting. Payments may be made in AARP Room “O” in Dreiser Center on Thursdays or Fridays. Checks/money orders should be made payable to AARP – 4997. Contact Jean, (718) 379-3742, or the office, (718) 379-1946. Please be in touch with members who may not know about the party – they may want to attend. Please contact our Good & Welfare Coordinator, Frances Wilson, 718-671-5493, about any of our members we have not heard from or seen in a few months. We want them to know that they are in our thoughts and prayers. Also, if you have a family member who has passed, please contact Frances. 2016 Tour Activities Friday, December 30 – January 1, 2017 – New Year’s Weekend Celebration at the Desmond Hotel; dinner/show the evening we arrive; breakfast buffet; Valley Forge Tour or Casino Excursion or shopping at the King of Prussia Mall; New Year’s Eve Party and New Year’s Day Brunch and show before leaving for home. Contact Jean, 718-379-3742. 2017 Tour Activities March 17 – 24, 2017: 7-night Cruise to Cuba. SOLD OUT (wait list available). Fly to Montego Bay, Jamaica; board Celestyal Cruise Ship to Santiago de Cuba; Havana, Mariola Gorde, Cienfuigo...roundtrip airfare, tours, food, drinks, taxes and port fees all included. Contact Judith, 718-379-3370. —Delores Debnam

Einstein Cancer Fund

Goose Island Seniors Thank you all for coming to our trip to Foxwoods. Looking forward to riding with you in 2017. Keep reading our article for up and coming trips. Sunday’s Bingo was so much fun. Congratulations to all the winners. Stephen Roberts will be taking a much-needed vacation for the month of December. He will be back in January. Jeanne Delmonico will be filling in until he returns. Please give her all the support she needs to continue the fun. Happy birthday and happy anniversary to all our members who celebrate their day in the month of December: Clarese Roberts, Jerry Rubin, Shirley Sisco, Beatrice Wilson, Adele Lawrence, Janet Coles, Harriet Williams, Josephine Ganuza, Gwen Anderson, and Barbara Owens. Bingo—Wednesday, December 7th at 1:30 p.m., with Jeanne, in our club room 39. Members only. Admission is $1.25 for 3 cards and .25¢ each game. 12 games will be played. Win up to $7 each game and the full card is $15 or more. Refreshments and snacks will be served. There will be no Sunday Bingo this month because of the holidays. December 7th is also a day to remember Pearl Harbor 1941. Trips for 2017 “Mama Mia”—Wednesday, June 7, 2017 at Westchester Broadway Theatre, Elmsford, NY. Come

and join us. You will have a wonderful time. Price is $79, includes a show, luncheon, and transportation. A small deposit will hold your seat at the theatre. You can pay a little at a time so by June you’ll be all paid up. See Ann, or Mary. “Come Blow Your Horn”—Thursday, October 12, 2017 at the Hunterdon Hills Playhouse, NJ. It’s a very funny play by Neil Simon. Also you will enjoy a scrumptious lunch and the desserts are de-li-cious. Price is $79 for show, lunch and transportation. Movie will be shown on the way home. A deposit will hold your reservation. See Ann or Mary. We still have items from our Garage Sale for a very good price. Come and browse around. We are open Monday—Thursday from 10:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. To all members: Soon, it will be time to pay our yearly dues, $15 per year. See Ann or Mary. Our Lounge—Come sit and relax, read or rent a book from our large library, play cards every Tuesday and Thursday from 12:30 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. Members only. Join our club for just $15 per year. Note: To contact us, call Goose Island Seniors at 718-379-9613 or visit us Monday-Thursday, 10 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. at 135 Einstein Loop, rm. 39. You can also call Mary at 718-379-4899 and she will return your call. Leave a message and your phone number. —Mary Pilla Good health to all.

We hope everyone had a happy and healthy Thanksgiving. There will be no members’ meeting on Tuesday, Dec. 6. Instead, we are going to the Resort Casino due to the festive preparation of the upcoming holidays. The cost per person is $35, casino slot play $25. Please bring your casino card and valid photo ID. Time of pick-up is 8 a.m. at Einstein, followed by Asch Loop and Dreiser. “Born Yesterday” at Hunterdon Hills Playhouse, April 26, 2017. Cost per person is $79, which can be paid off by April 1st, 2017. A small deposit of $5 or more will hold your reservation. You will be issued receipts for your deposits. “Born Yesterday” was a huge comedy hit on film which featured Judy Holiday. You will enjoy this show as well as those who saw the movie. For all of the above luncheon shows and all of the agendas listed above, please call Lydia at 718-6713005 or Annie Eutsey at 718-320-1874 for dues and donations. As always, remember to give a call to the homebounds and those in nursing homes. Your calls will cheer them up and they will know they are always in your thoughts and prayers. —Lydia Ruas

Co-op City Times / December 3, 2016

Baychester Visual Arts Association

Traditional Synagogue of Co-op City

Our 2016-2017 season portends to be one of the most exciting in our history â&#x20AC;&#x201C; with art classes, art shows, lecture/demonstrations and workshops, free and open to the public. BVAâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s next class sessions began on Tuesday, November 22nd in room 5, Dreiser Community Center. You can choose from the 2 class schedules which are 1:00 p.m. â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 3:00 p.m. or 3:30 p.m. â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 5:30 p.m. The fees are as follows: Annual membership is $35 a year and a session of 10 classes is $60. The next session of classes began on Tuesday, November 22nd and continues to Jan. 31st. This is the best bargain in the Bronx â&#x20AC;&#x201C; maybe even the city â&#x20AC;&#x201C; given the quality of instruction offered. Mr. Moses Groves, BVAâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s own art instructor, will be the artistic guide for these classes. Mr. Groves is an accomplished artist who has studied at the Art Students League and NYU. He has exhibited work in the New York and New Jersey area and has won awards for his artwork. You can call M. Groves at 201-862-0847 or S. Lochansky at 718-379-1049 for more information. You can register in room 5 on Tuesdays at the Dreiser Community Center or by mail indicating the class time desired. Tuition can be sent to Baychester Visual Arts, P. O. Box 678, Co-op City Station, Bronx, NY 10475. Our winter show will be at the Baychester library in the Bartow shopping mall. We will have our artwork on display for the month of December. Stop by and see some beautiful paintings done by the students of BVA. BVA is a non-profit, self-supporting organization that needs your support to continue offering high level art instruction at these bargain prices. So come join BVA on this fabulous artistic trek, take a class, make a tax deductible donation, and feel the satisfaction of being a creator and/or patron of the arts. All checks should be made out as indicated above. Science is for the body and art is for the soul. â&#x20AC;&#x201D;Sylvia Lochansky

The Traditional Synagogue is located in Section 5, 120 Erdman Place in the rear lobby of Building 27B. Phone #: 718-379-6920. Note: Office hours are Thursday and Sunday from noon to 2 p.m. If no one is in the office, leave a message and we will get back as soon as possible. Shabbat ends today December 3rd, at 5:18 p.m. Candle lighting for Friday, December 9, at 4:10 p.m. The synagogue has Services Saturday morning at 9 a.m. After services, we always have a kiddush. We need few Jewish men, if you can give 2 hours Saturday between 10 a.m. and noon, we need your help to make a minyan. Sometimes, we are short one or two men. On Saturday, December 3rd, Cantor Daniel Sayani will conduct the services. Good Welfare: We sell tree certificates in honor or memory of a loved one. The cost is only $15 per tree. Mazol Tov to all having Simchas. If youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re ill, wishing all a speedy recovery. Get well to Mr. Jerry Berlofsky. Menâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Club News: The Menâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Club wants to thank everyone who attended our trip to the Tropicana Casino to see the Holiday Jubilee Show on Monday, November 21st. The show was excellent, and in addition, there was a tree lighting ceremony with the cast of the show singing holiday favorites. I want to thank all who helped with the trip. It was a lovely day. Look in the newspapers for future trips. Your support of the Traditional Synagogue and Menâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Club is greatly appreciated. Wishing all our members and friends peace, good health and an enjoyable holiday season. â&#x20AC;&#x201D;Gary Schwartz

Shareholders, not renters! Take care of your community!!

Pentecostal Tabernacle Pentecostal Tabernacle is located at 100 Co-op City Blvd., Building 22A, Bronx, NY 10475. You are invited to attend services on the following days. Sunday School for all age group begins at 10:30 a.m. Worship Service starts at 12 mid-day. Wednesdays: Prayer and fasting service will be held at 11 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. Bible study and prayer meeting will be held Wednesday evening at 7:30 p.m. Fridays: Youth service starts at 7:30 p.m. Focus: A Transformed life. The believerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s life is transformed by the power of God to a conquering life style through Christ Jesus. Romans 12:1-2 &10-18 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy acceptable unto

God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world; but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable and perfect will of God. (10-18) Be kindly affection one to another with brotherly love, in honoring preferring one another. Not slothful in business, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord. Rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing instant in prayer. Distributing to the necessity of saints; given to hospitality. Bless them which persecute you, bless and curse not. Rejoice with them that do rejoice and weep with them that weep. Be of the same mind one toward another, mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate. Be not wise in your own conceits. Recompense to no man evil for evil, provide things honest in the sight of all

men. If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men. The plan of God for salvation of mankind spans all of time, bears the price tag of the blood of Jesus, and offers all people a brand new start. Paul expounded on these marvelous truths in the Book of Romans. We have read of the hopeless plight of sinful mankind, of the miracle of deliverance and of the joyous promise of restoration. In Romans, chapter 12, Paul gave some very practical direction about the application of this truth to our daily lives. It is essential that we have an understanding of foundational doctrines such as faith, justification, and divine guidance. But the Scriptures do not leave us to live our lives in the realm of the theoretical. This life changing gospel calls us to a place of commitment that will affect the way we live and how we interact with other people. It is important that we study the Bible every day and mediate on the word we will find grace, strength, joy, peace to overcome the trials of life. Godâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s grace is sufficient to keep us every day. Our duty is to remain faithful to God in whatever, area. He has called us to work. For further information, call Rev. R. Sibblies, 718-324-0334 or 718-320-4218. â&#x20AC;&#x201D;Rev. R. Sibblies

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

Shalom Jewish Funeral Home, Inc. George Farr - Funeral Director

(718) 828-1700 / 914-654-1700

1528 Castle Hill Avenue Bronx, NY 10462 www.shalomjewish.com Services from Our Chapel, Graveside or Synagogue Parking Facilities â&#x20AC;˘ Pre-Arrangements We honor pre-plan arrangements from other funeral homes.

Co-op City Times / December 3, 2016

Open Door Ministries

Newsong Church

Jesus: Lord of all or not Lord at all (Sermon excerpt from an article by Kristen Wetherell) Believers should not be duped into believing they can be the church through podcasting sermons and listening to Christian radio, while privately meditating in their pajamas. Here are some objections regarding local churches, and the lies that fuel them. I don’t need to attend church to be a growing Christian – While it may be true that a person can trust in Jesus Christ for salvation apart from attending a local church, it is much harder to see how they can take up their cross, follow Christ, and grow in spiritual maturity apart from engaging with and committing to the Bride he so values and loves. Church is only for Christians – If you believe the lie that church is only for Christians you have come up against two other roadblocks that need removal. One, you’ve not yet grasped the purpose and power of the Word, as proclaimed through worship services, to convict and transform rebellious sinners’ hearts. Two, you’re missing an enormous opportunity to be the hands and feet of Christ by inviting others into his house! If I don’t feel comfortable the first time, that means it’s not the right church for me – The point of meeting together in the local church is ultimately to meet with Jesus Christ. The best question to ask ourselves after a service is, “Did I meet with Jesus today?” If you can honestly say that the Word of Christ was proclaimed truthfully then reconsider your other objections. The measure of a good church service is how much I enjoyed it – Church is not about your enjoyment of the service but your enjoyment of Jesus Christ. The local church meets to express its affection for Christ our Lord. If this affection is lacking, then we are missing the point. Love for Jesus Christ is the measure of our worship. Authenticity and vulnerability in people means I’ve found the right church – While openness and authenticity are important relational hallmarks within the body of believers they are often placed on a pedestal, to the neglect of more primary hallmarks of a healthy church body. But if they are present at the absence of the Word of Christ dwelling richly, then the foundation for such relationships is missing. To meet with Jesus is the highest good and goal of the church; and through that filter, the lies we are tempted to believe will dissipate. Open Door Ministries’ Therapeutic Mentoring/Counseling Program meets every Monday at 6:30 p.m. in Dreiser Loop, room 9. Our regular Sunday services are at 11 a.m. in the Bartow Community Center, room 28. Thursdays in December will focus on strategies on helping parents navigate the special needs of children at 6:30 p.m. in Dreiser Loop, room 9. You can contact Pastor Luis through opendoorministries.net or text, 917-334-4407. Blessings in Christ. —Pastor Luis Ramos

“It’s the most wonderful time of the year” (in my Andy Williams voice). It’s Christmas time! All the hustle and bustle, decorating, and gift giving, it is a special time to share our traditions with family and friends. However, long before we started “hanging our stockings by the chimney with care,” there was a miraculous story about a child born in a manger. The birth of this Child changed the world forever! One of Jesus’ friends named Matthew tells us his side of the story... “After Jesus was born in Bethlehem village, Judah territory – this was during Herod’s kingship – a band of scholars arrived in Jerusalem from the East. They asked around, “Where can we find and pay homage to the newborn King of the Jews? We observed a star in the eastern sky that signaled his birth. We’re on pilgrimage to worship him”— Matthew 2:1-2 MSG These scholars were astronomers called “Magi,” wise men, who were into astrology, dreams and magic. Although they were probably not “church goers” like their distant Jewish relatives, they did understand the ancient scriptures, particularly those that spoke of a great man or “Messiah” coming from Judea. These Magi saw the new star in the sky and even though they must have had more questions than answers, they knew that the only way to find what they were looking for was to see for themselves. Friend, you and I are a lot like those wise men. Even though it’s December 2016 we have questions, don’t we? Why are we here? What’s our purpose? Is there a God? If there isn’t a God, then how do you explain the meaning of life? If there is a God, then how do I know He loves me? Just like the wise men, we look for our answers through things like higher learning, philosophy, and when we’re desperate, horoscopes. Maybe just like the wise men, you’re not religious, but you know there’s something more. I challenge you to do what the wise men did. Allow your questions to move you to search for the answers. Matthew tells us that the wise men eventually found the answers they were looking for, a child named Jesus... Jesus is God’s gift to us. He really lived and He really died for our sin. He was really raised to life on the third day, and He really wants to give you eternal life! He is the answer you are looking for. Come and worship Him with us this Sunday! Our Worship Experience is located at 177 Dreiser Loop, Auditorium B. Our service starts at 11 a.m. Deaf interpretation is available during our adult worship experience. We have a well-staffed nursery and a children’s church called “Kidsong.” If you have any questions you can contact us: Church office: 140 Alcott Place, Bldg.19. Office hours: Tuesday-Friday, 10 a.m. -4 p.m. Phone: 718-708-8385. More informaton: website: www.newsongchurchnyc.org Email: info@newsongchurchnyc.org Facebook: www.facebook.com/newsongchurchbx Twitter: @newsongchurchBX Instagram: @newsongchurchBX. Our Newsong family is here for you, stop by this Sunday and experience the difference! —Pastor Mike Tolone

Co-op City Baptist Church Rev. Dr. Sheldon E. Williams and the Co-op City Baptist Church invite you to join us tomorrow at 8:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. for worship service. Sunday School for children and adults is held at 9:15 a.m. We invite you to worship, study and pray with us. The Co-op City Baptist Church is located at 135 Einstein Loop, room 50. Our telephone number is 718-320-3774. Join us for a mid-week spiritual pick-up at our mid-week worship service which is held on Wednesdays at 12 p.m. Bible study is held on Wednesdays at 1:00 and 7:30 p.m. Bible study will also be held on Wednesday, November 9 at 5:00 p.m. Prayer Service is held on Fridays at noon and 7:30 p.m. On Saturday, December 10, the Co-op City Baptist Church, in conjunction with Gallman Dance Theatre, will be presenting “THE NUTCRACKER: A Soulful Christmas 2016.” The performance will be held at Dreiser Community Center, Auditorium B, at 3 p.m., 177 Dreiser Loop, Bronx, NY. All tickets are $20. For information or tickets, call the church at 718-320-3774 or email: ccbc135@ optimum.net. On Sunday, December 11, the Missionaries will celebrate their 44th Anniversary at our 11 a.m. service. Their theme will be “…whosoever is kind to the needy honors God.” Proverbs 14:31. The guest speaker will be Rev. Jacqueline Crawford, Associate Minister and First Lady of Dayspring Baptist Church, Harlem, NY. We invite all to join us. Save the Date!!! On March 12 to 20, 2018, the church will be going to the Holy Land Pilgrimage (Israel). Join us and worship sailing on the Sea of Galilee, be baptized in the Jordan River; share in communion in the Garden Tomb. All where Jesus walked!! For additional information, call the church at 718-320-3774. 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

Cooperators, not renters! Become involved in your community!!

Public Safety Report

Co-op City Times / December 3, 2016 (Continued from page 7)

another state or country attempting to receive an even larger sum of money. Unfortunately, the victim may be responsible for the funds received from the fraudulent check. Remember a legitimate contest or sweepstakes will never make you pay money to receive your prize. Another scam involves a person claiming to be from a government agency and having unclaimed funds belonging to the intended victim. For a fee, the “government employee” can help you obtain these funds. While there are legitimate means of obtaining unclaimed funds, the government does not send employees out to solicit the owners of these fees. If you believe that you are entitled to unclaimed fees, seek out the New York State Attorney General’s office and find out how to proceed. Never pay anyone to help you to obtain these funds. The appropriate agency will provide assistance in this matter free of charge. The mere mention of fraud somehow makes potential victims more likely to believe the scam artist. It is not impossible that a bank could call you in the event of fraud, but a legitimate bank employee would not ask you for your account number, Personal Identification Number or other personal data. If you receive a request like this, call your financial institution using a number you are sure belongs to your bank or inquire in person. Banks and other financial institutions are happy if their customers do not readily give out their banking information. In order to protect yourself from these and other scams, realize that legitimate persons will never ask you for upfront fees to obtain a loan or receive a prize. Be leery of a lender who is not concerned with your credit history. Hang up on any caller making a loan offer. Check a lender’s legitimacy with the New York State Department of Banking or the Better Business Bureau. There are reputable lenders that can help you to consolidate your debt in order to make payments more manageable. Those of you wishing to make donations to assist in the event of a legitimate emergency make sure that the agency to which you donate is legitimate. In the past, scammers posing as charities attempted to solicit donations for disasters. It is unfortunate, but this is unfortunately, a fact of life. In some cases, it may be better to donate funds locally at your church, synagogue or religious institution. Be certain the charitable organization you select is in fact using the funds for the intended purpose. It is unfortunate that scammers will take advantage of a tragic situation. If you fall victim to a scam notify the New York State Attorney General at 1 (800) 771-7755 or www.oag.state.ny.us/ and the Federal Trade Commission at 1-877-3824357 or www.ftc.gov/. The Federal Bureau of Investigation has set up an Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) specifically for the purpose of reporting internet crimes. Their website if www.ic3.gov/. School is open, DRIVE CAREFULLY. Never pass a stopped school bus with a STOP sign displayed or its red lights flashing. This means children are loading or unloading. Be aware of pedestrians and bike riders when operating a motor vehicle. Bike riders must refrain from riding bicycles near buildings and shopping centers. Bicycle riders must give pedestrians the same level of respect that they expect from motor vehicles. Everyone needs to share the road safely. If your Winter Holiday celebration includes consuming alcoholic beverages do not operate a motor vehicle. ‘Tis the Season of holiday parties, but getting stopped at a DWI checkpoint can take the fun away real quick. Enforcement of drunk driving has increased nationwide in an attempt to reduce Drunk Driving deaths and injuries. Never operate a motor vehicle if you have consumed alcoholic beverages. Always buckle your seatbelt; it will save your life in a serious collision. Avoid distractions and excess speed when driving; these are the two leading causes of collisions within New York State. 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 or be ready to happen, notify the authorities. Call 9-1-1 and the Department of Public Safety at (718) 671-3050 or online at www.ccpd.us. Callers may remain anonymous when giving information. The Co-op City Department of Public Safety would like to thank all persons who have called in suspicious activity or sent information via our website. It is by your actions that the crime rate remains low and a high quality of life is maintained. Co-op City is a diverse community with people of all ages, abilities and characteristics. All persons should remember to respect each other and embrace their differences. Don’t forget to say hello to your neighbors when you pass each other in the hallway or in the street. Co-op City strives to accommodate all persons. As Stevie Wonder said at the Grammys, “We need to make every single thing accessible to every person with a disability.” It is also important to remember that not all disabilities are visible. Someone who appears to be healthy may have a physical or developmental disability. December is known as AIDS Awareness Month. December 3rd is known as International Day of Persons with Disabilities. This is a good opportunity to learn about disabilities or conditions that may affect your friends, family members or neighbors. It is also a good opportunity to schedule a full physical examination with screening tests recommended by your physician. Knowledge is power, the more you learn the stronger you become.

Don’t Drink and Drive!

First Reading - Resolution #16-71 SUBMITTED BY: Rev. Deborah Jenkins SECONDED BY: Evelyn Turner BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING DATED: November 30th, 2016 WHEREAS, Dr. Benjamin Katayev has requested a new lease from Riverbay Corporation for the premises at 140 DeKruif Place, Unit A (931 sq. ft.) Bronx, New York, to be used for all aspects of Dentistry; and WHEREAS, the term of the lease is five years with a four month rent concession and a five year renewal option and annual rental rates are within the provisions of Resolution #85-16 as amended by Resolution #95-44; and NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the lease agreement for the premises at 140 DeKruif Place, Unit A Bronx, New York, by and between Riverbay Corporation, Owner, and Dr. Benjamin Katayev, Tenant, containing the terms as negotiated by Riverbay Corporation’s management is hereby approved as submitted by management in accordance with Resolution #85-16 as amended by Resolution #95-44; and be it FURTHER RESOLVED, that the President of the Corporation is authorized to sign the lease agreement and related documents on behalf of Riverbay Corporation. YES: Berk, Cylich, Feliciano, Graham, Jenkins, Johnson, Jones, Lambright, Leslie, Peterson, Sampson, Smith, Saunders, Turner, Williams PASSED

Reminder – Feeding animals Shareholders are reminded that it is a violation of your lease to place food out for animals to eat. A Community Complaint may be issued for littering to anyone who puts food out for any reason. Well intentioned cooperators may think they are putting food out for stray cats or birds, but the food ends up attracting rats, raccoons, skunks, coyotes or other animals which can be a threat to residents. Feeding wildlife, such as geese, also tends to change the migration pattern of these animals as they end up not flying south for the winter. This was the case last winter in the New York area where many geese were found starved to death when they did not fly south for the winter and their normal food source was covered by deep snow. Food placed out for animals is often lacking in the nutrition needed by the animals and serves to upset their ecological balance. Please resist the urge to place food out for animals in Co-op City or elsewhere. Thank you for your cooperation.

Be an informed cooperator — Pick up and read your Co-op City Times Do not rely on rumors and misinformation Residents are reminded that the Co-op City Times is the official newspaper of the Riverbay Corporation. It is the vehicle through which your Board of Directors and management, and the state supervisory agency, the New York State Division of Homes and Community Renewal (HCR), communicate with you, the shareholder. It is very important that you pick up and read your Co-op City Times to receive accurate information, and to ensure you are informed about what is going on in the community – and more importantly – what your Board and management are doing to ensure efficient delivery of services and proper upkeep of the development. The Co-op City Times is distributed each Saturday to each townhouse door, at the elevators in the high rise buildings, and in the three (3) community centers. When you are informed, you can be prepared to discuss issues that are pertinent to you and your household at the open community meetings held by the Board of Directors. Be an informed cooperator. The Co-op City Times can also be read and followed online at www. issuu.com/cctimes.

Co-op City Times / December 3, 2016

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www.co-opsales.info

(except vacuums)

Custom Craftsmen - 40 yrs. experience. Sofas & Chairs upholstered; Slipcovers-Fabric & Plastic; Kitchen Chairs $8.99 & up. Caning; Venetian Blinds; Drapes - Custom made Refinishing, Touch up & Polishing of Furniture

Elim in Bugsate

CO-OP SALES BLINDS!

Family Owned & Operated Since 1954 NYC License #1233497 10% DISCOUNT

12/31

Home Improvement

Breathe Easy

â&#x20AC;˘ ALL MAKES & MODELS â&#x20AC;˘ Stoves â&#x20AC;˘ Washers â&#x20AC;˘ Dryers â&#x20AC;˘Lamps â&#x20AC;˘ Dishwashers â&#x20AC;˘ Refrigerators â&#x20AC;˘ Bags â&#x20AC;˘ Hoses â&#x20AC;˘ Belts â&#x20AC;˘ Vacuum Cleaners

YOUR AD HERE! Call for rates!

Call for rates!

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! ! ! ! â&#x20AC;&#x201D;Riverbay Safety Department

The MetroCard Bus On the first and third Thursday of each month, the MetroCard bus will be at the Bartow Mall on Co-op City Blvd. (in front of the Bingo Hall and the eyecare center), from 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.; at Dreiser Loop (Park on Debs Place) from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and at Einstein Loop (Elgar Place) from 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. enabling customers to sign up for or refill their Reduced-Fare MetroCard, purchase or add money to an existing MetroCard, and purchase E-Z Pass On the Go tags. The MetroCard Bus does not operate on the following holidays: New Yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving and Christmas.

Co-op City Times / December 3, 2016

Freshen Up for the Holidays! 1-800-479-2667 • www.co-opsales.info PROTECT YOUR FLOORS FROM LEAKS! Ask us about our Waterproof Laminate Flooring at the Lowest Prices! Reface Your Kitchen BEST PRICES !

with New Counters, Sink & Faucet!

1999

• All Wood Doors • Choice of Hardware (Nickel, Stainless, Bronze) • Hundreds of Counter Options • Granite Available

BEST ! ITY L A U Q

Short Closet Doors? Get your full height closet doors back! You don’t have to overpay for elegance! OTHER SERVICES: • • • • •

TRY OUR OUR PAINT SERVICE! Flooring (Tiles, Laminate, Wood) • Blinds Bath Cabinets/Sinks • Appliances Grout/Carpet Cleaning • Range Hoods Shower Doors • Light Fixtures • Tub Liners

— We Beat ALL Competitor Pricing! — JasonLash@Co-opSales.com • Se Habla Español Licensed & Insured #1188270, NYC Better Business Bureau, NYC Dept. of Consumer Affairs