Co-op City Times 12/24/2022

BY BRANDON ORTIZ

BY ROZAAN BOONE

Photos by Rozaan Boone

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lic hearing held in mid-January. No new hearing date was set. to an incorrect address provided by the city’s Housing Preservation & Development (HPD) and who subsequently received denial letters were advised to resubmit their applications to the correct address. Those who required assistance completing and mail-department to discuss plans to bring their accounts up-to-date.-holders were in arrears on their monthly maintenance payments and were encouraged15. This is an annual process and a city requirement that Riverbay must comply with.-

FEBRUARY-

settled by jury trial to determine compensatory damagesence” so it could be heard promptly.-

and all permits on the site where a giant monopole was erected to display electronic advertising that community residents were vehemently opposed to.

incurring surprise medical bills. The law protects individuals covered under group or--

residential buildings in Section 5.The Co-op City Times

COMBING

Co-op City Times

NYCDOE Announces Expansion in Preschool Special Education Services

BY BRANDON ORTIZ

Mayor Eric Adams and NYCDOE Chancellor David Banks announced an expansion in preschool special education services last week.

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

Baychester Library to Host Programs at Bay Plaza Mall

Baychester Library has partnered with Bay Plaza Mall to present several Adult (18+) and Chilof the mall in the back area of the

served. The dates are as follows: Children’s Storytime and Arts/ Crafts: Jan. 10 & 17, 11 a.m.-12 p.m.

Adult Book Discussion: Jan. 12, Nicholas Sparks’ “The Wish,” 1 p.m.-2:30 p.m.

Adult Resource Tabling: Jan. 12 & 19, 10:30 a.m.-12 p.m.

The library is closed for renovations and is expected to reopen early next year. To locate other NYPL branches, visit: nypl.org/locations.

Bartow Mall Parking Alert

Shareholders, guests and shoppers are reminded that there is a two-hour parking limit in the Bartow Mall. Parking is for the exclusive use of customers while shopping within the Bartow Mall, with a posted two-hour limit.

Vehicles will be towed at the owner’s expense.

Test & Treat Mobile Van in Co-op City

NYC Test & Treat Corps’ Mobile Test to Treat unit is available on a rotating schedule at the three shopping centers, 8 a.m.-6 p.m. as follows next week:

Tues.: 135 Einstein Loop

Wed./Thurs.: 2049 Bartow Ave.

Fri.: 177 Dreiser Loop.

The van will be non-operational on Mon., 12/26 in observance of the Christmas holiday, as well as Sat.Mon., 12/31/22 – 1/2/23 in observance of New Year’s Day.

Locations are approximate depending on parking availability.

Anyone who tests positive at the van can speak with an onsite clinician, and, if eligible, receive free Paxlovid anti-viral medication. The

RSV testing. The mobile van does not offer PCR testing.

Appointments not required. Bring ID and insurance card, if available. Insurance is not necessary; service is open to everyone.

vide an additional 400 seats to meet needs now and an additional 400 seats in the spring with the goal of providing a seat “for every child living with a disability by the spring of 2023”, as detailed in the city press release. More seats will be added in the future too as the city will commit additional money over the following two years.

Another key component of the investment focuses on pay equity for the teaching staff at special education programs. The plan will increase pay for the teaching staff at special education programs so that they are equal to educators in general 3K and pre-K.

was during a press conference for the announcement.

“For far too long, our young students living with disabilities have struggled in a system that hasn’t been fully able to meet them where they are,” Mayor Adams said to the media during the press conference. “Today, we’re changing that. This expansion ensures not only that our youngest are provided the resources they need to succeed, but that the educators and caretakers who serve them are paid fairly and at a rate worthy of the life shaping the work they do. This investment is long overdue, and I’m so grateful to everyone who has worked tirelessly to make this a reality.”

All improvements to special education programs will occur through “a citywide contract enhancement process,”

will commit $130 million over the next two years for early childhood special education programs.

Here is a quick list of other upgrades planned thanks to the contract enhancements:

- Increase the school day to six hours and 20 minutes, aligning it with general pre-K and 3K programs across the city.

- Provide after-school care and support for working parents and families.

- Improve professional development support for special education education providers.

Congratulations, Nurse Suazo!

Congratulations to Co-op City resident, Sonia Suazo, one of 24 clinical nurses recently honored by New York City Health & Hospitals for excellence in nursing. In all, 32 nurse professionals from several facilities and clinical service lines in the healthcare system were honored. Nurse Suazo was nominated by her colleagues; she was among 560 nominations.

“Nurses are the foundation of any hospital,” said NYC Health + Hospitals President and CEO Mitchell Katz, MD, at the awards ceremony held on Dec. 5, 2022. “Today, we celebrate some of the stars of our nursing team, and I want to thank them for their dedication and care to our patients.”

Ms. Suazo, a native of Honduras, is a Behavioral Health nurse serving at a local H+H hospital. She said that her 10-year nursing career has allowed her to develop personal strengths, including enthusiasm, compassion, optimism and empathy. She refers to herself as someone who “treats patients with dignity; a team player, unafraid to per-ing to go the extra mile to help anyone.”

Nurse Suazo added that her professional goal is to become a psychiatric nurse practitioner. “I intend to furI want to open a private practice,” she said. “I am currently enrolled in an interpreter’s course to interpret for the Spanish-speaking patient population.”

- Allow special education providers to offer Integrated Setting classrooms, which are learning environments that “include preschool children with and without Individualized Education Programs (IEPs)”, according to the NYCDOE.

- Increase efforts to recruit, train and retain teaching staff of early childhood special education programs.

the new support they will provide and the extended school day hours.

Chancellor Banks also spoke during the announcement and underlined why the investment in early childhood special education services was needed right now.

“For far too long, children with disabilities and their families have been overlooked by a system that was not built with them in mind. Our vision for early childhood education sees all children,” Chancellor Banks said. “My team has particularly been focused on young children living with disabilities. We are deeply committed to establishing early childhood education that works for all New York City families — a truly accessible, high-quality, and sustainable program that equitably serves our children living with disabilities.”

In NYC, young children living with disabilities often as explained in the city’s press release. The NYCDOE wants to change that by ensuring every young child with a disability has a seat in a program going forward.

Belated Thanks to our Co-op City Community

The family of Robert Gorden Hedgepeth wishes to thank you for all of your invaluable thoughtfulness, love and generosity.

We are truly touched and blessed to have such a kindly, supportive group of friends and neighbors.

We wish you all love and Godspeed.

––Joyce Hedgepeth, daughters Janet, Brenda, Dana and family

Canvassing Co-op:

Willa Edwards

BY P.M. CAMPBELL

On December 20, Willa Edwards prepared boxes of goods for immigrants with the Give Back Program along with her fellow volunteers before serving food to seniors in the JASA lunch room. She started volunteering “at least twenty-two” years ago, only a month after retiring from her job as a project man-

Giving back to the people around her, has continued to provide her happiness. “Most of my time here now is volunteering since my husband passed,” she says “[it] helps me get through the day, and being around people means a lot to me”. She not only volunteers with JASA, serving food at their dinners on Tuesdays through Fridays at 3 p.m., but she also tests Blood pressure for seniors, and assists at food distributions with Michelle Sajous. She has dedicated a large portion of her life to giving back, saying “once I leave here in the evening I get on the bus and go to Saint Pat‘s (Church).” JASA needs more people like Willa who make the decision to volunteer their time, and in the process meet new people and help their community. If you would like to volunteer, do not hesitate to come talk to Ann Moncrieffe, the JASA Program Director.

Sonia Suazo, BSN, RN

Photo courtesy of NYC Health + Hospitals

Willa Edwards

Photos by P.M. Campbell

the NYS Homeowners Assistance Fund (HAF) to avoid displacement from their pri-

sistance to homeowners facing default, foreclosure or displacement from their homes

Starting in late February, New Yorkers were able to take advantage of a new MTA pilot program aimed at saving everyday commuters more money. The new, fare-capmonths, according to the MTA.

Governor Hochul announced in mid-February that the indoor mask or vaccination plan, the state’s “Winter Toolkit,” as New York entered the next phase of the pandem-

Although the mask or vaccination requirement was being lifted statewide, the Governor said that enforcement of the guidance would be left up to the discretion of businesses, local governments and counties.

Then-Riverbay Board President Bernard Cylich called a meeting of the Riverbay the meeting, the Board also discussed a proposal to dedicate the Dreiser Auditorium. Riverbay Management reiterated to shareholders, guests, Riverbay staff and vendors that face masks, properly worn covering both nose and mouth, are required when in common areas of Riverbay property. These areas included hallways, stairways, elevators, laundry room and the lobby in residential buildings, as well as parking garages

Co-op City shareholders were informed they are all eligible for the New York State School Tax Relief (STAR) program, however, in order to receive the credit, it must tively new program would have guaranteed annual funding. The Fair Fares program

to eligible New Yorkers with incomes at or below the federal poverty level and who are not eligible for other transit subsidies. This program initially began as a resource panded eligibility requirements to include CUNY students, student veterans and NYCHA residents.

opportunities annually going forward to provide youth with work experience.

Changes to the Bronx’s local bus service were expected by summer as the MTA began implementing a new plan to speed up commuting time in the Bronx and enits new Bronx bus redesign plan focused primarily on Local, Limited and Select Bus Service. Some stops on certain routes were to be eliminated entirely to shorten commuter wait times.

lizing for preliminary work around the site where the Hutchinson River Parkway North Avenue roadway, to be followed by construction of the new ramp from the northbound HRP.

Riverbay Board Directors addressed a wide range of topics at the virtual Board tion to the Dreiser Auditorium which the community would be asked to participate in. ers are safe and provide protection against severe disease, especially the Delta and chiatric support for those in crisis. The investments contribute to the Governor’s overNew York City Schools Chancellor David C. Banks announced that beginning Febgrounds. Masks will, however, still be required for all students, staff and visitors while MARCH already congested streets, and safety and health concerns. Co-op City Times

of the pandemic battle centered around protecting individuals who were at high risk of severe disease. masking requirement for public schools, indoor business-

Co-op City’s outstanding senior volunteers were saluted by Councilmember Kevin Riley at his Black Hisat Bay Plaza for their unwavering sense of volunteerism and commitment to community service.

thorizing Riverbay Corporation to enter into a binding loan commitment, to lock in a

from Wells Fargo Bank, N.A.

Riverbay Management continued to petition the state supervisory agency, NYS Homes and Community Renewal (HCR), to allow Co-op City shareholders to contin-

of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), Riverbay Corporation moved swiftly to rates began to rising dramatically.

Then-Riverbay Board President Bernard Cylich wrote to both New York State Governor Kathy Hochul and Bronx Borough President Vanessa Gibson requesting their assistance to stop construction of the Hutchinson River Parkway north exit ramp into Co-op City’s Section 5 at Bartow Avenue.

and promote waterfront resiliency in Co-op City. in Co-op City. The Beacon Center provides enriching activities for the local commuputer literacy classes, summer school options for all grades, holiday break camps and fun family events.

taining long-term housing quality and affordability for the tens of thousands of Co-op City shareholders.

Board President Bernard Cylich encouraged Co-op City shareholders to travel to the Section Five Hutch North ramp.

Shareholders were invited to attend an in-person Gallery Session scheduled by the

The community was informed that a new state law passed at the end of last year would impact practices at Mitchell-Lama housing cooperatives, such as Riverbay Corporation going forward. Among the changes are how Riverbay conducts its annual Board election and the use of community rooms by shareholders.

APRIL

background BY meeting of the Board March 29, Resolution 22-10 approved, the Meeting of Shareholders p.m. Aswasthe

No. 14 April 2, 2022

shareholderswill in-person. addition, thewhich potentialdates signatures suspendedInstead, candidates

(Continued

Shareholders Turn Out for Gallery Session Held in Dreiser Auditorium

Wednesday’s Open featured shareholders opinions and Riverbay Board Management Riverbay Manager Bob on, Riverbayto the Board

on page 2)

See 2022 Riverbay Board Election Rules and Schedule on pgs. 19-22 Riverbay General Manager Klehammer gave shareholders report on budgetary challenges community at Wednesday’s Session.

Executive Klehammer Discusses Current and Future Challenges for Riverbay Corporation at Gallery Session Sessionheld DreiserAuditorium, ExecutiveGeneral Klehammerbrought to-date on issues Management are currently mortgage take was, up to rates, Riverbay

Begins Monday, April 4 work will daytime hours, to thru April DOT BenchleyPlacebetween Loop and (probably Benchley well Broun between Bellamy (probably Transportation Parking” notices hoursbefore Shareholderswho advised vehicles locations after the milling DOT workers to the locations streets. keep residents provides more Income Affidavit Assistancelast week and mailboxes must JASA Senior announced availability the following 9:00-10:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m.; April and 13, and 15 only. appointment. check with many offer depositors. coopcitynyc.com. Resources on scrolldown information was April carrying Also, coming is an electronic who prefer

Riverbay Board approves 2022 Election Rules & Schedule Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held Monday, May 2, 7:30 p.m. Board President Cylich Invites Cooperators to Lobby Gov. Hochul in Albany STOP Curve Exit Ramp cooperators lobby Albany on: 2022 at p.m.reserve New York of (NYSDOT) diagram Hutchinson River Ramp. been labeled Board as follows: Purple: I-95N split (blue) Entrance Ramp off Bartow Ave.,

Co-op City Times

MAY

Year in Review ––– (Continued from page 4) deadline and ballots to be election. year’squorum

BRANDON top legislators press conference 2022 to announce The move long- and affordabilRegional Director attendance Dreiser up improvements

Klehammer Report

Vol. Saturday, 2022 Upcoming Challenges to Operations Budget you have mortgage. mortgage infused $124M in funds for capital improvements, work on the facades, garage distribution system improvements our physical cannot be used expenses such natural gas, insurance, materials we purchase the housing services statements made created that will charge increases. far as charge increase include funds

See 2022 Riverbay Board Election Supplement on pgs. 25-34 2022 Riverbay Voting Period Ends on Friday, May 20 284 electronic ballots cast of Fri., May 6, 2022 First Virtual Candidates’ Forum BY candidates Riverbay Board candidates that all three “due to the candidate opening statement, question and statement. opening statements. here for almost that time committees I’m hoping me in the upcoming will preferred use statement as an opportunity since After completed school, and returned (Continued

maintenance and cal systems. fordable “basic human that here erful and that’s

NY Legislators Hold Presser in Co-op City to Announce Fed Closing of HUD Loan Refinance RuthAnne Visnauskas, NYS Division Community Renewal; NY Bailey; US Bailey; NYS Governor and Majority Alika Ampry- Samuel, HUD; and Riverbay Bernard Cylich. (Continued We wish our readers a... (Continued

shareholders attended participated Gallery Session Dreiser Board Brandon (Continued on page 6)

to make the quorum and avoid a second extension of the election.

It was reported that Co-op City would no longer be a part of Congressional District 16 due to the redistricting process, although the community remains in State Senate District 36 and Assembly sional, State Senate and State Assembly maps. State Judge Patrick cial master before releasing them on Saturday, May 28. According

On Saturday, May 21, at 10:30 p.m., acting on a tip from a shareholder about three suspicious males on motorcycles in Gawere unable to locate the individuals. However, due to an increase in auto-related crime in the community, the patrol sergeant directed a comprehensive survey of the remaining seven Co-op City garages, with particular attention to the motorcycle parking areas in each of them, and the suspects were located in Garage 8. Of the three, two escaped on a motorcycle they arrived on while the third managed to wedge his motorcycle between a Public Safety vehicle and a security pillar and was subsequently arrested after a brief foot pursuit.

The Riverbay Grounds department began its planting season in late May and workers were seen around the campus beautifying and tending to the gardens and landscape.

With warmer weather and summer activities beginning to take

Fire Code and Riverbay regulations that strictly prohibit outdoor barbecuing in Co-op City’s multi-family residential buildings and and propane grills. Section 307.5.3 of the Fire Code also prohibits storage or use of portable outdoor barbecue grills within 10 feet of any combustible waste, combustible material, or any combustible building surface, including combustible roofs and decks…, and since Co-op City balconies do not have the required 10’ clearance, grills are not allowed on balconies.

In Local Law 11 updates, work continued in Section 4 and was on track for completion by the end of June, along with Buildings 21 and 24. Buildings 22, 23 and 25 had already been completed. All bridging and fencing in Section 4 were to be removed by mid-summer. Meanwhile, Local Law work in Section 5’s Build-

Buildings 9-14 and reports were being compiled by the contractor will continue into next year in Sections 1 and 3. JUNE

The Riverbay Board of Directors took a consensus vote at the June 1, 2022 meeting to extend the 2022 Board election for an additional two weeks to 11:59 p.m. on Friday, June 17, as almost 800 more ballots were still needed to make the 2022 quorum of 5,022 ballots. This was the second extension to the 2022 Board election.

Public Safety Chief Joe Riley informed the community of several robberies in and around the Co-op community involving a group of three or four young males believed to be involved in at least three separate occurrences – two on property and one in close proximity.

Heastie, Assemblyman Michael Benedetto and City Councilman Kevin Riley held a press conference at Truman High School in Co-op City’s Education Park to announce $10M in funding for the

Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins and State Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie, reported they would be introducing ten bills aimed be introduced to the State Senate and State Assembly, sought to

trict; Male District Leaders, District 82, and Republican candidate for Governor. Primary election day was Tuesday, June 28, 2022.

the new maps and schedules for the Bronx Bus Redesign plan were available online at new.mta.info/ schedules/bus/bronx. The online resource described all of the new routes and bus schedules, in addition to a trip planning tool that shows commuters what mass transit options are available to help them reach their desti-

launched on June 26.

On Sunday, June 5, at about 9:45 a.m., acting on a complaint received through the Public Safety Emergency Dispatch System about a suspicious male observed walking along Asch Loop in the vicinity of Garage 5 pulling on car door handles, CCPD patrol units responded, an immediate inquiry was conducted and the suspect, unable to explain the items in his possession, was arrested.

supervisor responded to a gun shot at Asch Loop and Adler Place

vestigation.

By mid-June, the 2022 Riverbay Board of Directors election was extended for the third time as 132 more ballots remained outstanding to make the quorum of 5,022 ballots to validate the election. The new voting deadline was set at 11:59 p.m. on Friday, June 24, 2022.

Mayor Adams announced a plan to address housing affordability and reduce homelessness. It was reported that certain aspects of the plan could potentially impact and help affordable housing cooperatives like Co-op City through a $22 billion investment into affordable housing to access new lines of support that could help with infrastructure upgrades like transitioning from natural gas dependency to greener energy.

By the third voting extension deadline in the 2022 Riverbay Board of Directors election on Friday, June 24, at 11:59 p.m., the

to be extended three times to achieve quorum.

The June Primary election was scheduled to take place on Tuesday, June 28.

June 26 when the agency implemented new scheduling and route system designed to speed up commuting time and enhance bus service in the Bronx.

In the Co-op City community, the annual Section 2 Fun Day took place on Saturday, June 25. Harvest Home Farmers Market returned too on Wednesday, making fresh and locally grown produce available to shoppers.

cines for the youngest demographic in mid-June, opening the door for nearly 20 million children to be vaccinated against the virus.

Co-op City Times

gency doors are not self-closing properly.

The American Legion Post 1871 in Co-op City held a Memorial Day commemoration at Co-op City’s Harley J. Mosley Sr. Veterans’ Memorial Park. The ceremony was co-sponsored by the Riverbay Fund.

Friday, June 17, was announced as the new deadline to vote in the 2022 Riverbay Board of Directors election which, at that point, had already been extended twice since the initial deadline on May 20, 2022.

were up for election during this cycle, among them, (Democratic)

Discounted transient parking will be available in all Co-op City parking facilities for the 2022 Christmas and

tween 12 p.m. to 6 a.m. on the following holidays: Saturday, Dec. 24, from 12 p.m., through Christmas Day, Sunday, Dec. 25, at 6 a.m. Sunday, Dec. 25, from 12 p.m. through Monday, Dec. 26, at 6 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 31, from 12 p.m., through Sunday, Jan. 1, 2023, at 6 a.m.

Vehicles parked in the garages prior to 12 p.m. and after 6 a.m. on the days listed above are required to pay regular parking rates – $9 for up to 3 hours, $17 for up to 6 hours; $25 for up to 12 hours and $44 for up to 24 hours.

Visitors taking advantage of the reduced parking rate should take a parking ticket upon entering the garage. When leaving, cash, debit or credit card payments will be accepted at Pay Stations in the garages. Only credit and debit cards are accepted at the garage exit gate.

LETTERS TO

We welcome letters to the editor only from Co-op City shareholders at Letters should address issues of interest to the Co-op City community. Comments should be fact-based and responsible. Letters should not personally attack others and must be written in a respectful manner.

Co-op City Times

Submissions must include the writer’s address and phone number – which ity and residency of the writer can be

Thank you for your cooperation.

CCPD offers travel safety tips for the 2022 Holiday Travel Season

The Co-op City Department of Public Safety offers these travel safety tips if a trip is part of your seasonal vacation plans. By being aware of and preparing for travel restrictions, you can make your trip safe and as stress free as possible. Since April 1, 2021, New York State has eased travel restrictions within the 50 states and the territories of the United States. Some people may be considering travel for the first time since the pandemic began. Health safety now has become an integral part of everyday life and travel is no exception. The Department of Public Safety is sharing travel safety tips for those folks who will be traveling in the near future.

If you decide to travel, make sure you are familiar with the restrictions for your destination location as well as your return to the United States. These restrictions include travel by any means including by plane, boat, bus, train, motor vehicle, etc. Travel to other countries may require special quarantine requirements, especially for those who are not vaccinated. Please read the most current information available on the New York City Department of Health Website.

The following travel tips are always relevant if you are traveling. Travel safety begins when you pack. To help avoid becoming a target, do not dress in expensive looking clothing with expensive jewelry. These items identify you as an affluent tourist and a potential victim. It is better to dress low key and try to blend in with the general population of the area you are visiting. Also try to familiarize yourself with the local laws and customs of the areas you plan to visit.

It is always best to travel light. Some airlines even charge for carry-on luggage. Packing less is a benefit in more ways than one. You can move more quickly and will be more likely to have a free hand. A rolling bag with four wheels is an excellent option, especially if it is not too cumbersome. If you can carry all your bags you will not have to set a bag down and leave it unattended. When packing, pick a few favorite items especially suited for travel. Wrinkle resistant garments with zipper pockets, especially designed for travel will be your first choice to wear. Always leave behind anything you would hate to lose. On a side note, phone chargers are the most commonly left behind item in hotel rooms. Make sure you take yours with you when you check out or any other time you use it during your travels.

Check with your airline regarding the cost, weight and number of bags you can check or carry on. There have been recent changes to these policies on some airlines. Some airlines charge for every bag and some allow one checked bag free of charge. Space for carry-on bags is extremely limited on aircrafts and strict size

Public Safety Blotter

December 11 – December 17, 2022

December 11

2049 Bartow Avenue

A cooperator reported returning to his parked vehicle and observing that the front sensor to his vehicle was removed by an unknown individual. No other damage was reported.

December 12

120 Benchley Place

A cooperator reported that an unknown individual removed a Christmas tree and a Santa from the lobby of the building without permission; however, after an investigation it was determined they were removed by the rightful owner.

120 Alcott Place

A shareholder was issued a community complaint for excessive noise that was the result of a loud argument in the early morning.

December 13

120 Co-op City Blvd.

A cooperator reported a confirmed delivered package removed from in front of her apartment door by an unknown individual and was captured on her Ring camera.

2085 Bartow Avenue

An emotionally disturbed person was acting in an irrational manner and causing public alarm. The in-

dividual required evaluation, medical attention and was transported to Jacobi Hospital.

December 14

100 Darrow Place

CCPD responded to the 13th floor stairwell for youths loitering. Upon CCPD’s arrival, eight youths were observed on the stairwell without permission or authority to be there. The resident cooperator received eight Community Complaints for her granddaughter and her guests loitering in the stairwell.

100 Benchley Place

A vehicle was observed obstructing the dumpster pad/ driveway. The vehicle was issued a NYC parking summons and towed by Five J’s Automotive Tow Company.

140 Benchley Place

A cooperator reported a confirmed delivered package by Amazon removed from in front of her apartment door by an unknown individual.

December 16

120 Co-op City Blvd.

A cooperator reported a confirmed delivery by Axlehire that was left by the mailboxes in the lobby removed by an unknown individual without permission.

BLOTTER BONUS: As we enter the holiday season that celebrates many cultures and religions, let’s use this time to remember to treat one another with dignity, respect and tolerance. Use this special time as an opportunity to make someone’s day by exercising an act of kindness. Be courteous to one another whether it be holding the elevator door, letting someone in front of you at the check-out counter, keeping noise reasonable, or just a friendly nod. So now that you are in the know...do not forget to say hello.

limits are in place. A carry-on bag that is too big for the airline’s bins may need to be checked for a fee. In most cases any bag heavier than 50 pounds or larger than a certain size may incur a costly surcharge. Traveling light is good for your safety and good for your budget.

Dress appropriately for the airport. Screening techniques require that you remove your shoes as well as any metal objects. All of this is done while your carry-on baggage is being x-rayed. It is a good idea to wear shoes which can easily be slipped on and off. Limit the amount of jewelry you wear, as all of this needs to be removed, placed in a basket and then put back on. This activity makes your items vulnerable to thieves. When traveling alone, you need to be extra vigilant about the whereabouts of your property.

Wearing practical shoes or sneakers is especially important while traveling. Proper footwear makes it easier to speed up at the first sign of danger. While traveling, it is especially important to walk with a purpose and remain aware of your surroundings at all times. Speaking on a cell phone, text messaging or wearing headphones with the volume turned up high makes it difficult for you to stay in touch with your surroundings.

Be aware of all regulations for required documents needed for the trip you plan to take. Leaving or reentering the country by plane in all cases requires a valid passport. Travel by auto, train or ship to certain destinations in Canada, Mexico and some Islands allows the use of the enhanced driver’s license. Problems can arise if a change to your itinerary requires a flight added due to unforeseen circumstances. Check with the state department before making travel plans to be sure your destination is safe for travel. Various conditions may cause recommendations to avoid travel to certain countries at certain times. Safety should always be a priority.

Make two photocopies of your passport identification page, airline tickets, driver’s license and the credit cards you plan to bring. Carry one copy with you separate from the originals and leave one set home with a trusted friend or family member. Having these copies will be extremely helpful if your original documents are lost or stolen. Also leave a complete itinerary at home with friends or family. Keep them informed if you change your plans.

Airline regulations allow liquid health and beauty products three-ounces or smaller to be allowed in carry-on baggage. Each passenger is allowed to carry on only one quart-sized Ziploc bag containing these individual liquid containers. Many of these travel products are available in drug stores or discount stores. By being aware of these restrictions, you can save yourself inconvenience at the gate and avoid having to discard your items. Expensive lotions and perfumes are not exempt and are regularly confiscated and discarded at airport screening checkpoints. Anything you are not sure about should be packed in checked baggage. Carry empty three-ounce containers with you in your carry-on in case someone in your group makes a packing error. In response to Covid-19, TSA is allowing one liquid hand sanitizer container, up to 12 ounces per passenger, in carry-on bags. Passengers are required to remove the hand sanitizer from the carry-on bag before being submitted for X-ray screening.

Be sure to keep all prescription medications in their original bottles with the label containing your name intact. It is also a good idea to carry an extra paper copy of essential prescriptions. Avoid the temptation to purchase or use any types of drugs while traveling abroad. Drug charges are responsible for more than one third of the United States citizens incarcerated abroad. Some countries have very

Director’s Viewpoint – Daryl Johnson

Board Meeting Review,

We had a rough board meeting on Wednesday, December 14, 2022. So, let’s review a few matters from that meeting.

Let’s See What Will Probably Be

back the space in Bartow that was developed into an Arby’s restaurant. And, now, that space will probably be leased out to a business that specializes in chicken wings. So, if everything works out, then let’s look for a possible opening date in February 2023.

Have you ever noticed that yellow building on Baychester Avenue as you were traveling near I-95 north? Well, Riverbay leased that space out to The Garvey School. Then, at some point, there were some take back that space at some time in July 2023.

In Dreiser, the legal issues between that former fact, Riverbay won an eviction case against that beauty store on Monday, December 12, 2022. So, now, Riverbay has possession of that space. Therefore, let’s see what happens.

We approved a 2-year lease for room #3 in the Dreiser mall for Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. She will use this room for her Congres-

stroyed the Townhouse Restaurant in Dreiser Loop. So, that space remained vacant for a very long time. And, now, the board approved a resolution for a new business named Ranch Restaurant American and Caribbean Cuisine, LLC to take over that space.

According to the resolution, this restaurant will serve breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Drinks? Yes, this restaurant will serve wine and liquor. Late dining? Yes, the resolution states that this restaurant will be open on Fridays and Saturdays “as late as 12 midnight.” And, according to our discussion, this restaurant will have tables set up for indoor dining and, surprisingly, outdoor dining.

Okay, the above-cited resolutions did not cause a lot of controversy during our meeting. So, we were able to move forward on them. But, this next resolution was about Riverbay and Workers’ Compensation Insurance. So, with the exception of one director, the entire board voted to approve this resolution. However, I was the one director that voted no on this resolution. But, I want to make it very clear that I wanted Riverbay to purchase Workers’ Compensation Insurance.

Now, let’s review this matter. Thereafter, you can be the judge in reference to my vote. First, let’s review

a few online mandates about Workers’ Compensation Insurance:

Workers’ compensation insurance is mandatory for most employers of one or more employees. It protects employers from liability for on-the-job injuries or illness and provides the following: 1. Legal representation for the employer by the insurance carrier. 2. Protection for the employer against most lawsuits for on-the-job injuries/illnesses. 3. Payment of medical services needed to treat the job injury or illness. 4. Temporary payments to the employee to help replace lost wages. 5. Payments to the employee to compensate for permanent effects of the injury. 6. A death a fatal injury

Compensation Insurance? Absolutely! Therefore, from my perspective, Riverbay can easily purchase

called the NYS Insurance Fund, NYSIF. And, guess what? The NYS Insurance Fund will not charge a service fee of $82,500 to purchase this insurance.

a brief moment.)

Now, let’s examine this resolution. To start, can you believe that Riverbay uses an insurance broker to purchase Workers’ Compensation Insurance? That’s

agency our broker chose for Riverbay to purchase Workers Compensation Insurance. That’s right, the broker told Riverbay to buy our Workers’ Compensation Insurance policy from the NYS Insurance Fund. Thereafter, our annual premium will be $3,011,015.

Now, let’s go for some extra points on this complicated matter. Ready? Take a guess how much money Riverbay paid the broker for making this recommendation and to administer our Workers’ Compensation claims. Well, can you believe that the broker made $82,500 as a service fee for this brilliant recommendation?

Don’t Drink and Drive

Just a few years ago, on Christmas Eve, a mother and her 6-yearold daughter in Colorado were driving to an

Home Invasions on the Rise

With the holiday season amongst us, criminals are using this time to commit crimes. One of the crimes that criminals are committing this holiday season are called home invasions. These individuals dress up as if they are from a commonly known commercial delivery company and display a fraudulent package as if they are going to deliver it to you. Once you open up the door the delivery impersonator, along with other hidden individuals, push their way inside of your home. They are known to use zip-ties to restrain their victims then remove any valuable items inside your home. There haven’t been any reported incidents in Co-op City but CCPD wants all shareholders to be vigilant when a company is attempting to deliver a package to you.

There has been a recent home invasion in the Bronx and another in Queens.

It is always a wise decision to keep balcony and all other doors locked. Have a light on a timer to give the impression that someone is home. You can also consider keeping a radio or television set on even if it’s just for an hour while you run a quick errand.

Door knob turners are also another version of a perpetrator attempting to commit a home invasion. Remind all members of your household not to open the door for strangers and if you suspect criminal activity please call 911 and CCPD.

BLOTTER BONUS SPECIAL ALERT: Nowadays, anybody can obtain a delivery company uniform as well produce a bogus ID; to be on the safe side have the person that is attempting to deliver a package to you

If you suspect any suspicious activity immediately notify 911 and/or CCPD

appointment. Then, the father and his two sons waited anxiously for them to return home. Next, the father received a call from a hospital that his daughter was admitted and that his “wife did not make it.”

Shortly afterward, he found out that a 62-yearold lady with an alleged blood alcohol level of .203 was allegedly involved in this crash. So, she also died. Then, it was alleged that this was her 5th DUI incident.

Bottom line: Tonight, Saturday, December 24, 2022, some folks will be throwing some extravagant

don’t be surprised if you see some folks go overboard with the alcohol and get stretched all the way out. Then, of course, some folks might drink a lot of liquor and think that they can operate a vehicle. But, that’s when they can cause a monstrous accident and severely hurt or kill some people. Thereafter, they can get arrested and go to prison for a long time. So, please think before you drink.

Close

I hope that everyone will have a wonderful Holiday weekend. And, again, please do not drink and drive a vehicle.

Thank you.

Contact Information

Please send a letter to: Board Director Daryl Johnson, Riverbay Corporation, 2049 Bartow Avenue, Bronx, NY 10475. Or, you can send an email to me at: djohnson@riverbayboard.com

Also, please call me ONLY at 718-671-4544 if you would like to have a brief discussion with me. Okay, that’s it for now. So, please have a wonderful week and a wonderful holiday season. And, may God bless you and your family. Thank you.

Public Safety

–– (Cont’d. from p. 7)

severe sentences even for possession of a small amount of marijuana or cocaine. If you have any questions regarding foreign drug laws, check with the U.S. embassy or consulate.

It is best to check with The Department of State’s Country Specific Information before you book a trip to any foreign country at www.travel.state.gov. They describe entry requirements, currency regulations, unusual health conditions, crime and security situations and other information so that travels can make informed decisions about their trips. Certain countries may have a Travel Warning issued. It is best to know this information before you plan your trip.

When traveling, be sure to familiarize yourself with local numbers for emergency services. 9-1-1 is not always the number for emergencies. It is also a good idea to familiarize yourself with locations of local hospitals and police precincts in case of an emergency.

To minimize the impact of all crimes involving theft of property from your person, keep your keys, money, identification and cell phone in your front pocket, separate from your non-valuables. Also consider an inside the clothing travel type wallet for your personal items and valuables. A pocket with a zipper, button or Velcro is ideal for this purpose. If carrying valuables and personal documents in your purse, place them inside of a plastic or metal container such as a mint case, which does not look like a wallet. Keep less important items with a token amount of cash in your decoy wallet, this way the criminal will think he scored big. A purse that zips also adds an additional level of security.

National Council of Negro Women

Christmas Party – Our longawaited Christmas Party took place last Sunday, December 18, at the Eastwood Manor from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. A great time was had by all! The theme, “The Good, the Bad, and the Festive Ugly Sweater Holiday Party” was delightfully carried out by more than half of the attendees who wore sweaters with lights, tinsel, holiday designs and pictures each funnier than the other. Such unbelievable creativity! In addition to the traditional balloon decorations, on each table there were “ugly sweater” decorations and a large photo area with a colorfully designed “ugly sweater” back drop. Our excellent DJ kept us dancing on the floor except when we were raffling off holiday baskets and gift surprises. There were fun games including one in which Christmas wrapping paper was used in a competition to drape a fashion model in only four minutes! Then the audience applause chose the best “fashion designer” who, of course, won a prize! Vendors were available for last minute holiday shopping for jewelry, tree decorations, holiday sweets and skin care products. The food service that began with hors d’oeuvres as you first sat down, continued with a delicious meal later in the afternoon.

We were especially thankful for the presence of our sole Charter Member, Olive Glasgow, who was one of our first members 51 years ago when Co-op City Section was first installed by Dr. Dorothy I. Height. Members from our sister sections, Manhattan, East Bronx, North Bronx, Staten Island, Brooklyn and Queens County were also present to support us

Remember, property can always be replaced; your safety is the most important thing. If someone does try to rob you despite your precautions; do not resist, especially if the person is armed with a weapon of any type. Try to remember as many details of the crime as well as a description of the perpetrator. Notify police immediately if you have been the victim of a crime. If you are the victim of a crime in another country, contact the U.S. Embassy for assistance.

For more information about crime prevention, contact the National Crime Prevention Council at 1000 Connecticut Avenue, NW, 13th floor, Washington, DC 20036 202-466-6267 or on their website www.ncpc.org

If consuming alcoholic beverages is part of your plans, be sure to designate a driver who will not drink.Phone a friend who did not drink or call a ride share service if necessary. Never operate a motor vehicle if you have consumed alcoholic beverages. This is especially important while traveling.Penalties vary by jurisdiction. The consequences of drunk driving in other countries are extremely severe. 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. Call 911 and the Department of Public Safety at 718-671-3050. Callers may remain anonymous when giving information. Enjoy a safe and healthy holiday season. For those of you traveling, have a safe trip. 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.

Co-op City is a diverse community with people of all ages, abilities and characteristics. Remember to respect each other and embrace our differences. Say hello to your neighbors when you pass each other in the hallway or in the street, while maintaining social distance. Co-op City strives to accommodate all persons. It is important to remember that not all disabilities are visible. Someone who appears to be healthy may have a physical or developmental disability. Be a good cooperator and be Co-op City Strong.

as well as NAACP members from the Williamsbridge Branch. Justice Patsy Gouldborne, Bronx Supreme Court, Justice Kim Adair Wilson, Bronx Civil Court, Judge Taisha Chambers, Bronx Civil Court and Gladys Keller, NCNW BethuneHeight Recognition Program National Co-Chair celebrated the holiday fun with us.

December is National Safe Toys and Gifts Month – Safety tips to keep in mind this holiday season: 1) Balloons: children can choke or suffocate on deflated or broken balloons. Keep deflated balloons away from children less than eight years old. 2) Avoid small balls and other toys with small parts from children younger than age three. 3) Scooters and other riding toys go fast and falls could be deadly. Helmets and safety gear should be worn properly at all times. 4) Magnets, part of high-powered magnet sets are dangerous and should be kept away from children. Whether marketed for children or adults, building and play sets with small magnets should be kept away from small children. 5) Immediately discard plastic wrapping or packaging before they become dangerous playthings. 6) Battery charging should be supervised by adults. Chargers and adapters can pose burn hazards to young children.

Holidays 2022 – We at Co-op City Section, National Council of Negro Women, Inc. wish all our friends and neighbors joy and happiness, comfort and peace during this Christmas and Hanukkah season.

––Joyce Howard

Subway –––– (Continued from page 1)

Increased scheduled trips on weekends: G Train J Train M Train

Additional early morning rush hour service: A Train (express and local) C Train (express and local)

Manhattan-bound A trains will have one additional early morning rush hour trip added to their schedule. C train service will also have an additional early morning rush hour trip to align with the A line’s earlier scheduled start.

The MTA cited decreased ridership on Mondays and Fridays as the reason for a “strategic reduction” in service for the 6 train and the other six lines listed.

New York City Transit President Richard Davey explained the reasoning behind the adjustments in a statement included with the department press release.

“We continually analyze ridership patterns to better serve riders,” NYC covery on the weekends, and lower relative ridership on Mondays and Fridays in the post-Covid hybrid work era. As riders continue to return to mass transit and patterns change, New York City Transit will adapt service accordingly as we strive to provide faster, cleaner and safer rides.”

Subway ridership has generally hovered around 60%-65% of its pre-pandemic levels with weekends seeing the most spikes in ridership. This past Tuesday saw an estimated 3.5 million subway riders, which is 62.9% of its pre-pandemic levels.

Local and select bus ridership has been similar to subway trends with levels also generally in the 60%-65% range of pre-pandemic levels.

NCNW Christmas Party 2022

Top: NCNW Co-op City Members

Bottom: Sister NCNW Sections

Senior Gospel Luncheon

BY P.M. CAMPBELL

On Tuesday, December 13, Bronx Borough President Vanessa Gibson held a Senior Gospel Luncheon in the Dreiser Auditorium. The event started with a prayer, after which each of the thirty tables enjoyed a delicious lunch.

The event was hosted by Elder Nitisha Moore who thanked Larcenia Walton, and the leadership of Co-op City, before introducing the Borough President. Borough President Gibson reflected on the January 9th Twin Parks fire which claimed the lives of seventeen residents, as well as the Covid-19 pandemic. Discussing the trauma that both left in the community, she said “we turn pain into purpose…We trust and know that God uses us, because if God brings you to it, he will see you through it.” Introducing Council Member Kevin Riley, Borough President Gibson said that “he is everything that we want to see in our young men of color, because when they create those pathways to mass incarceration, it is our Councilmember (who is) giving our young people access and opportunity.”

Looking at the people from Eastchester to Edenwald in the Bronx gathered in the room, Councilmember Riley went on to recognize “the amount of support and recognition” that the Borough President has given the North East Bronx and Co-op City. Discussing the prison system, he said, “I didn’t end up there because of my community… because my community believed in me, and I’m going to continue to fight and advocate for my community.”

Chase Plaskett, a young man impersonating Michael Jackson, gave the first performance, followed by Raul A-Salaam & The 4 Gospel Band, Almayda Martinez, Iris Bell, Bria McDaniel-Plaskett, and Ramah Johnson-Blizell.

The day was full of prayer, dance, music, and comedy and was yet another festive addition to the holiday season.

Photos by P.M. Campbell

Riverbay Volunteers Receive Holiday “Thank You” Gifts

BY P.M. CAMPBELL

Most of Michelle Sajous’ food giveaways in Co-op City go like this: volunteers organize goods on the tables, manage the lines, distribute food and clean up. But on December 16, it was the reverse. For this holiday giveaway, Sajous, Director of Community Relations, asked her volunteers to line up and distributed food, goods and treats to each of them. Most of these volunteers are seniors themselves and have given their time almost weekly since 2020. They attend every event from

thanked them for “showing up on time” to events and “stepping up”

people who make a lot of the events organized by Co-op function; they

should be appreciated as such. The next time you see a volunteer, whether it be at a

weekly pantries to holiday giveaways and are a key part of the community. Sajous

to support their neighbors, calling them family. She handed out gift

demonstrate what it means to give yourself to a community and

food pantry or event, remember to say thank you.

Photos by P.M. Campbell

Building 13 Association

Loving our Lobby- Building 13 Association Inc. wishes the Co-op City Community of family and friends a safe holiday season with love, peace, happiness and good health throughout the coming years. Seasons greetings and happy Kwanzaa.

Join us this coming Friday for our Holiday Party: December 30 at 7:00 p.m. Dance to the music of DJ Val and enjoy some catered refreshments as we begin to celebrate the New Year 2023. Check out the signs posted in our bulletin board in the lobby. Have you been naughty or nice?

FDNY mobile CPR Training Unit: On Saturday, January 21, 2023 from 10:00 a.m. to noon CPR classes will be held in the Bldg. 13 Association Room. This a free course provided by the FDNY mobile CPR Training Unit. They will teach the skills required to act in the event of a cardiac arrest. The course generEMT/Paramedics that will teach basic instructions on how to use an Automatednequins and “watch-while-practice” DVD instruction for the general public.

Limited Spaces Available. To attend, RSVP: 917-515-0264 or send to an e-mail to lisaarodriguez0411@gmail.com include your name, telephone number, address and apartment number.

Reminder:

Every year the City mandates the window guard form must be completed. Look for the sign posted in your lobby by Riverbay or check the Co-op City Times for information. Documents will be coming soon in your mailbox.

Please make sure your apartment entrance door is self-closing. If you have requested repair and have not heard from anyone, please let us know.

Those who have not received their fob should contact the Parking Facilities and Commercial Leasing Department.

Visit our Facebook Page at: Building 13 Association Inc.–Co-op City. Our website is http://www.bldg13assoc.com, or e-mail us at building13assoc@ yahoo.com. Contacts: Leslie Peterson at 718-320-1370, president, or Wendell Mattison, V. P. at 917-330-1380. Thank you for supporting our team.

––Leslie Peterson

Building 17 Association

Building 17‘s Association is active and working together. We hold our monthly meetings on the third Tuesday each month from 7 p.m.- 8 p.m.

Welcome, to the new Cooperators that have recently moved into our building. Our Cooperators are our eyes and ears in this building. They participated in the activities of the building by contributing to the porter’s collection, contributing Halloween candy when we sit in the lobby and distribute candy to the children of the community, and participated in past charity collections before Covid-19.

The association wants to give thanks to all our neighbors in our building. Thanks to those who give constructive criticism, those who give us thanks for what they see we try to do to maintain a good quality of life in this building and last but not least, those who pitch in to help out, come to the monthly meeting and bring new ideas. Thanks to Ms. Betty Thomas, Eunice Johnson, and Chandra Best for Halloween; Ms. Chandra Best and her daughter Qua-Asia, and Ms. Marlene Reynolds for helping with our beautiful holiday decorations; Ms. Mae Singleton, June Grimes, Elizabeth Roach, Annette Myrick and Mr. James Payne for the porter’s collection.

We were invited to Building 19 Association’s meeting to hear Chief Riley’s presentation. Thank you.

On Tuesday, December 20, we had a lobby celebration for the cooperators of Building 17 for the holidays. Happy Hanukah, Christmas and Kwanzaa. Last and foremost, Christ’s Birthday is the celebration of the year. Love one another.

We are looking for all our cooperators to come out to our monthly meeting and share some new ideas shared experiences. “Remember today is the beginning of the rest of your life.”

––Barbara A. Johnson

Broun Place Townhouse Association

Happy Holidays to all! We celebrate them all because we respect all the different faiths and beliefs surviving and thriving here in Co-op City. Decem-son commenced. Congratulations to us, here is to many more years. Channukah is underway and the bright lights of the menorah are shining. Their miracle is joy for us all. Have a Happy Channukah. Co-op City Times delivery today highlights Christmas Eve, tomorrow is Christmas Day and the 26th begins the stories in Kwanzaa.

Broun Place has donated a shopping cart full of toys and goods, socks, books, candy and even masks for the CCPD Toy Drive. As of December 20, our annual grounds person collection was completed. Thank you to the generous residents who donated. Donations were received by Association President, Eva Lazaar, and gifted to our grounds person before the holiday.

Glad to learn Ann is back in Broun Place. Keep up your recovery and rehabilitation. We send you and all recovering from illness or surgery, a healthy, successful outcome.

Once again Ruth Sharma wrote an important letter. She is right, one needs to participate to make change. Do you attend meetings and read what is going on?

We enjoyed participating in an interview focusing on aging in Co-op City. Live in our NORC community and live longer. Statistics support you can expect to live longer here. Could that be because we have shopping, medical services, socialization opportunities and exercise options within walking distance?

Association rooms are open. The one we borrow in Building 21 is being re-

A monthly newsletter for Broun Place residents is in the works, but I was hoping for news bites from ‘you’. We welcome your news, anything of importance from you is important to me.

Reviewing garbage procedures: the white bin is for paper, while green and blue are for all other house garbage. Bag old mattresses. It is a cooperator of-

continue to pick up gutter garbage littered by locals between Broun Place and Garage 6, do you? Clothes for recycling should be brought to Garage 6, front or rear. Brand new blue bins are at the doors/gates of Garage 6.

Riverbay “RUOK” emergency contact programs. This is critical for those living alone or with a chronic sickness. Seniors get involved with JASA. Do not waste water, prepare full washing machine loads and full dish loads too.

stunning effects. Keep dancing and better days are ahead! Wakanda forever!

––Eva Kindaichi-Lazaar

Building 9 Association

Season’s Greetings, Building 9 family and friends.

Happy Hanukkah, Merry Christmas, Happy Kwanzaa and Happyverse cultural observations of our neighbors. We remain happy, grateful and blessed to share in this blended community.

It has been our great honor and pleasure to see and to serve our neighbors while we collected for staff and decorated in our lobbies. Thank you to all who supported our efforts and stopped to chat and catch up.

Our most gracious appreciation to our lobby decorating committee: Linda Collins, Barbara Cloud, Rosemary Bailey, Linda Holley, Evelyn Mavins, Dinora Tirado, Shirley McCann, Janet Yarrell, Shirley Johnson and Denita Cox.

Also, our 2022 staff collection committee deserves acknowledgement: Rosemary Bailey, Barbara Cloud, Shirley McCann, Janet Yarrell, Shirley Johnson, Theresa Gorden, Evelyn Mavins, Rosemary Bailey, Dinora Tirado, Darlene Walker, Denita Cox, Gabriella Concepcion (and Camryn) and Linda Collins.

Our Building 9 Association Room was neglected for quite some

We extended our gratitude to Riverbay Corporation supervisors Miguel Baez, Brandon Rosario and Luis Lopez for their professionalism, commitment, and follow up. They assessed the work that was required, then ensured the work was done. We thank them and their staffs for a job well done.wald, infection rates are as high as 19.33% of those tested. Masks may help slow the spread of the virus. Updated vaccines and booster shots may serve as preventive measures. Monoclonal antibodies treatments well. Young children are especially susceptible to RSV and Strep A. Carefully monitor your sick children for signs of worsening symptoms. Please note, there appears be a shortage of baby and child OTC cold medications. Medical professionals do not recommend giving children half-doses of adult strength medications.

For months, many of our neighbors have expressed concern about the legitimacy of a ‘weed van’ do-tion tool that will make it easier to identify legal cannabis retail sale dispensaries that are licensed by New must be prominently displayed in the windows of all legal retail sale marijuana dispensary locations. Dispensaries must post the three universal symbols to show it is licensed by the State and that its products meet State standards. Also, cannabis product packaging must include the three universal symbols to show the product meets State standards. New York State licensed marijuana dispensaries are scheduled to open before the end of this month.

“The best gifts of the season are family and friends.”

––Linda Collins

Building 19 Association

Hello, Building 19 family. On behalf of the executive board of the Association, I want to wish everyone a belated Happy Hanukkah this week and Merry Christmas

Happy Kwanzaa next week.

Building 33 Association

Happy Holidays, Neighbors, The building association would like to thank everyone who donated towards a gift for the porters. Your donation was much appreciated. We would also like to wish you all a very Merry Christmas and remind you to stay safe during this festive time.

Warmest Wishes, ––Andrea D. Mayo

Building 12 Association

Happy Holidays to all. Congratulations to the winners of our holiday gifts.

Shout out to the elves who decorated our lobby.

Best wishes to everyone celebrating a special day this month. Get well wishes to all who are sick and shut-in.

––Sonja Maxwell

Building 4 Holiday Lobby Decorations

JASA Pre-Christmas Dinner

nery,

9-B Lobby Decorators: Barbara Cloud, Linda Holley, Shirley Johnson and Janet Yarrell.

Broun Place’s festive holiday decor, and donation to CCPD toy drive.

Photos courtesy Eva Lazaar

Families, visitors, delivery persons and everyone cannot help from feeling the holiday spirit as they enter our Lobbies of 4A, 4B and 4C. ENJOY!

Diane Windley

The Servers (L to R) Odessa P. Jones, Margaret Chin-

Helen Atkins, Blanca Alvarez, Carolin Robinson,

Photos by John Crow

Lovely poinsettia-themed table settings arranged by Riverbay porters (L-R) Hipolito Lino & Indira Santana

and

––Leon Tulton

Building 8 Association

Wishing everyone a Happy Holiday Season! We would also like to welcome our new neighbors to Co-op City!

The association would like to thank Mr. Ruben Telemaco and Mr. Michael McDavid for taking their time out to help reach our goal in collecting monies for the porters and putting up the Christmas tree!

We would also like to thank our porters for a job well done during this year.

FYI:

the January 1, 2023 carrying charges increase. Invites will go out to members for our holiday lunch/dinner! Enjoy, be kind, and safe!

––Azalea McDavid

Building 20 Association

Thanks to all the Building 20 residents that attended last Thursday’s meeting. Congratulations to Mr. Gerald Rollins (pictured second from left), the winner of the $25 holiday gift card. All the other residents in attendance received a holiday scratch-to-cash card. Good luck to them. In the holiday spirit, some Executive Board members generously donated holiday refreshments and all enjoyed the festivities.

For those that were unable to attend the meeting, the following is a brief summary: the bylaws will alternate between Wednesdays and Thursdays. The Wednesday meetings

Also, the following committees are now in effect: decorating committee; recreation; sick and shut-in; special projects; fund raising; and clean-up committee. Thanks to those who have already joined a committee. We look forward to others getting involved.

Our meeting room was beautifully decorated for the holidays by the decorating committee and it looked very festive. The recreation committee will meet to develop activities that the residents might enjoy in our room now that winter is here. The sick and shut-in committee offers comforting prayers to sick residents or to families of those who have passed away. The clean-up committee will clean up the room before leaving. Our special projects committee will assist resi-

Residents may also follow up with our Area Manager, Mr. Victor Dickson. The sick and shut-in committee announced the passing of Mr. Herbert H. Smith of Section 20A. Compassionate sentiments were sent to his family.

The next general membership meeting is Thursday, January 19 at 7:00 p.m. in the Building 20 Association meeting room, Section 20B. Please remind your neighbors to attend. ––Francine Jones

Building 27 Association

Hello, neighbors. Happy holidays. We hope all have traveled and arrived at their destination. Please enjoy, celebrate, be thankful and grateful and keep each other safe by wearing your masks in gatherings. The viruses are not comThere are booster shots available in different areas if you need to take whatever is needed to keep you and those around you safe.

In Appreciation – We thank our cooperators who participated in decorating the lobby and collection for our porters. Thank you Bldg. A: Ardele, Nelson, Dawn, Wanda, Aaron. Bldg. B: Thalia, Sharon, Mamie, Lydia, Joann, Fred, Yolanda, Aaron, Hattie, Alvin (Porter). Bldg. C: Margie, Evelyn, Violetta, Joann, Beverly, Shirley, Thalia. Some names you have seen more than once, they helped wherever was needed. Give yourself a big hand and we commend you all. One thing we can say, our three buildings represent very well in our association meetings as well just in case you have not recognized this.

Key Fobs- We appreciate the explanations regarding the key fobs in the Co-op City Times. It should now be clear about the process and progress of the key Fob program. Unfortunately, the wind was blowing hard last week and the ADA doors remained open. How will this situation be resolved? In all fairness, this may have not been the best and wise choice of doors for our buildings, particularly in the long-term. Let us not have another convector-like problem on our hands for the long-term.

Shareholders will still be able to use the old key to gain access to the stairway door in the lobby and the bathroom inside the laundry room.

Happy birthday to those celebrating this month. We continue to offer our sincere sympathy and condolences to the families that have lost loved ones. We wish all the best of health and safety. Contact Lydia Rondon at 718-583-3040 and she will gladly acknowledge your birthday by sending you a card; she is excellent in sharing good will. Also notify her of any illness, or if a neighbor has deceased and if anyone is in a nursing home.

“The greatness of a community is most accurately measured by the compassionate actions of its members.” – Coretta Scott King. ––H. Overman

According

Building 22A & B Association

Happy holiday season to all. The lobby looks great and we thank all our volunteers. We welcome all our new neighbors in the building and look forward to seeing them at our meetings in the new year. We thank everyone for their generous response to the Christmas Collection for the building staff.

Key Fobs: Make sure you have your key fob. If not, contact the Riverbay Parking and Leasing Department. Once the cylinders are removed, the building will be accessible by key fob only.

Association Room: We will post on the bulletin board.

Christmas Decorations: The lobby looks great. We wish to thank all the volunteers for their holiday spirit.

Compactor Rooms: Continue to follow instruction for recycling.

Laundry Room: Please remove your clothes on time since this is a busy season and others are waiting.

Hallways: Riverbay does not authorize door mats, welcome mats, or other obstructions in front of your door.

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

Thank you.

––Betty

Leak

NAACP

Mission Statement: Our mission is to secure the political, educational, social, and economic equality of rights in order to eliminate race-based discrimination and ensure the health and well-being of all persons. Known as the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), it profoundly affected the struggle for civil rights and the course of 20th Century American History.

The Co-op City Branch 50th Anniversary Commemorative Pin will be available January 2023 for $20 each. To order, send payment to address below. More information to follow regarding our 50th Anniversary Celebration Events.

Save the Dates: NYS Conference 1st Quarterly Meet and Training Session will be Saturday, January 14, 2023 at 10:00 a.m., UFT Building at 52 Broadway. If you would like to attend, RSVP Secretary Brenda Brown.

NAACP Co-op City Branch in collaboration with the NYC Department of Education and Riverbay Corporation will host a Townhall Meeting – Meet NYC DOE Chancellor David Banks, Thursday, January 12, 2023, from 6:007:00 p.m. at Bartow Community Center, Room 31. RSVP at naacpcoopbb@ yahoo.com.

Season’s greetings to all and a happy, healthy New Year.

Follow us on Facebook: Co-op City NAACP. Become a member or gift a membership: Adults: $30, youths: $10, make checks/money orders payable to: NAACP Co-op City #2210, and mail to: N.A.A.C.P Co-op City Einstein Station, P.O. Box 75-3111 Bronx, N.Y. 10475.

––Brenda Brown

Spanish-American Community Club

Please join us on the second Thursday of every month at our new time: 7:00 p.m. Our next general membership meeting is scheduled for January 19 in Room 16 of the Dreiser Community Center at 7:00 p.m. Everyone is welcome!

January’s ‘Social Saturday’ will take place on the 28th at 7:00 p.m. Donations of $5 at the door for members and $10 for non-members will be requested.

The Cultural Committee will be hosting ‘Recordar Es Vivir’ on February 4 in the club room, Room 16. Please join us at 7:00 p.m. We will ask for a $5 donation at the door. Food and beverages will be available for a donation, similar to Social Saturday.

Tony Mondesire Scholarship Applications are available. Applications are being distributed to member households with students of higher education. The forms will be available in room 16 of Dreiser Loop Center. Applicants must be at least 18 years of age and residents of the Bronx. Students must carry a minimum of 12 credits per semester at an accredited institution for at least one year. Applications must be returned by May 11, either by mail, or to a member of the Scholarship Board of Trustees.

Annual membership renewal dues are expected by February 28. The deadline has been extended to accommodate the increase in dues this year. Dues are now $35 per household.

Our President, Rosaura, and our Board of Directors warmly wish you and your families a very Merry Christmas and a Happy and Healthy New Year!

Facebook (look for ‘spanamcccc’) and check our website: www.spanamcccc.synthasite.com.

––Carmen Rodriguez

Baychester Library is temporarily closed for renovations to make improvements to the branch.

to Library staff, holds can be picked up at the Eastchester Library, 1385 E. Gun Hill Rd., Bronx, NY.

St. Joseph’s Episcopal Anglican Church

St. Joseph’s is located at 155 Dreiser Loop, lower level, Co-op City, Bronx, NY 10475.

Greetings! Due to the ongoing pandemic and related repairs to our space, St. Joseph’s Church has made some adjustments to our schedule of services until further notice. Please stay tuned for any information regarding in-person worship.

Good news! If the weather permits, there will be an in-person Christmas Day Service in the church tomorrow at 9:00 a.m.

Otherwise, Father Simeon Johnson will conduct the service via teleconference tomorrow at 9 a.m. and the usual prayers on weekdays at noon.

To participate by teleconference, please dial 1-425-436-6344, Access Code: 509 898, followed by the # sign.

Grace, Peace and Happy Holidays!

Traditional Synagogue

––M. Chambers

The synagogue would appreciate donations to keep our shul open. If you would like to help, go to www.Gofundme.com/Traditional-Synagogue-of-Co-op-City to donate.

The synagogue will be serving a hot Kiddush meal after Sabbath morning services. Saturday morning services will start at 10 a.m.

General Information

The Traditional Synagogue is located in Section 5, 120 Erdman Place in the -

The synagogue has services on Saturday morning starting at 10 a.m. After services, we always have a kiddush.

The synagogue has a Facebook page: Traditional Synagogue.

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

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

Sabbath ends on Saturday, December 24, at 5:25 p.m.

Candle lighting for Friday, December 30, at 4:17 p.m.

Good and Welfare

$15 per tree (if you want to buy a tree, call 347 449-5005). Mazel Tov, to all having simchas. If you are ill, we wish you good health. If you asked the Rabbi to say prayers for a sick person, you should make your donation to the synagogue.

To All Members

Happy birthday to all our members celebrating their birthday or anniversary in December. Please send me your names and I will add them to the list.

Fun and Games

After services and Kiddush, members play games. Your support for the Traditional Synagogue is greatly appreciated. Wishing all our members and friends peace and good health.

––Bruce Gitelson

month.

MetroCard Bus

Building 10 Association

Happy Holidays to all.

Greetings, fellow cooperators.

New Cooperators – Welcome, all new cooperators. We look forward to seeing you at the next general membership meeting.

General Membership Meeting - Our next meeting will be held on Thursday, January 12 at 7 p.m. (doors open at 6:45 p.m.) in the Building 10 Association room (rear lobby of Bldg. 10B). Our guest speaker will be Ms. Nichola Ferguson, Licensed Insurance Agent from the Allstate Insurance Company. Face masks are preferred. We are looking forward to seeing everyone. Light refreshments will be served.

Karaoke Night / Game Night - Karaoke night / game night will be held on Saturday, January 14 in the Building 10 association room from 7 p.m. – 11 p.m. A night of music, games and fun. Warm up your vocal cords, bring your favorite game and be prepared to have a great time. All are welcome. Refreshments

If You See Something, Say Something - For emergencies, call the Co-op City Public Safety department at 718-671-3050 and NYPD at 911. For non-emergencies, call 311. You can also contact CCPD at their anonymous tips hotline: 718-879-6311.

Suicide Prevention - If you or someone you know is contemplating suicide or in emotional distress, the number to call for help in NYC is 1-888-NYC-WELL (1-888-692-9355) or text “WELL” to 65173. The National Suicide and Crisis Lifeline number is 988, you can call or text. Someone is available 24 hours a day.

Questions, Comments and Suggestions - You can contact the Building 10 Association via email at Building10Assoc@gmail.com. We are also on Facebook the happenings in and around Building 10.

We would like to wish all who are born in December, an incredibly happy birthday. To the homebound and sick, we wish you a speedy recovery. To all who have lost a loved one recently, we offer our deepest condolences.

Have a great week.

––Jewel Crawford-Duncan

Building 31 A/B Association

The Building 31 A/B Association held their close-out meeting for 2022 on Tuesday, December 13. I wish to thank everyone who took time out of their busy schedules to attend. I wish to thank the Association team for all their support. The following items were covered:

Lobby Key Fob – The key cylinder on both the front and rear door will be removed soon. The key will still be used to access the front stairway and the bathroom in the laundry room. If you have not picked up a key fob, please get in touch with the Parking & Leasing department as soon as possible. Do not get locked out.

Animal Care Center – The New York City Department of Buildings has approved the application for the Bronx Animal Care Center and Vet Clinic. It will be located at 2060 Bartow Ave. Construction is expected to begin soon.

Questions Concerning Dogs – What are the most up-to-date requirements for having a dog? Is there a size/weight restriction? How many dogs may a cooperator have? I will have to reach out to the Board of Directors for current answers.

Cleaning up after your Pets – The never-ending question, why do some dog owners feel it’s okay not to pick up their pet’s poop?

Donations to our Building and Grounds staff – Thank you for making it possible to give them all a nice Christmas/Holiday gift for all they do for us.

Compactor Room – We are still having concerns with boxes and recyclables that are not cleaned out. Raw garbage goes down the chute.

Laundry Room – Please be aware of the time it takes for your washer and dryer to stop. Be courteous, others are waiting.

Ruth Sharma – Thank you, Ruth, for your “Community Participation is Vital” message. Each of us can do something.

Looking Forward to 2023 –Tuesday, January 10, at 7 p.m. We will serve refreshments in celebration of December birthdays. We will plan for the collection of association dues.

Enjoy a safe and healthy Christmas and an awesome New Year.

—Sharon Clarke

Retirees of Dreiser Loop

a very Merry Christmas, Happy Hannukah and Hapwith love and your lives with laughter.

Membership be paid through the end of December and we are also collecting the dues for the 2023 calendar year. The annual dues are $25, please make your check payable to the “Retirees of Dreiser Loop” and write “2022 and/or 2023 membership dues” in the memo section of your check and mail it to: Retirees of Dreiser Loop, 177 Dreiser Loop, Room 19, Bronx, NY 10475. Questions may be addressed to Mary at 718-655-9170.

Members who are 80-plus years of age and have been members of the RoDL for 10 years and are in good standing with their membership dues (dues paid for the past two consecutive years) are eligible to apply for “honorary membership”. If you would like to apply, please submit your letter of request to Dorothy Chambers- Byrd, president of the RoDL.

Trip Committee – Our trip committee members will be giving a trip to the Resorts World Casino in the Catskills on Wednesday, June 28, 2023. This trip will include “A Musical Tribute to Motown” show, lunch and $25 in slot play. The cost per ticket is $140. To reserve a seat for this trip, a deposit of $50 is required by the end of January. Please contact Serita at 347-564-5722.

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

Condolences – We extend our heartfelt condolences to our member Evelyn Watson on the recent passing of her son, Vallie Watson. Our condolences also go out to the Ford family on the recent passing of our member Elvin “Butch” Ford. Butch was the brother of our recently departed member Harriet Pena. Please

Goose Island Seniors

To all our members and friends, we wish you a Merry Christmas and a happy New Year. The club room will be closed on Friday, December 30 and Monday, January 2, 2023, and New Year’s weekend. Become a member of the Senior Citizens Social Club of Goose Island for $25 per year. All members must pay their dues by January 1 to join in any activities in 2023. Thank you for being a part of the Goose Island family.

Resort World Casino – Thursday, December 29, 2022 in Monticello, NY. Price: $45. Bonus: $25 slot play plus $15 meal voucher. Few seats available. Buses leaving our three usual bus stops. Pickups: Einstein Loop, 8:15 a.m.; Asch Loop, 8:45 a.m.; and Dreiser Loop, 9 a. m. Money due. Make checks to Goose Island Seniors. Bring or mail checks to 135 Einstein Loop, Room 39. Bronx, NY 10475. You may also Zelle to 347-847-1941 or cash app to $StephenCarlSr. Proof of vaccination and mask required on bus and in casino.

Wind Creek Casino and the Outlets – Friday, January 6, 2023. Price: $50, bonus: $25 play. Continental breakfast on bus. Bus leaving 135 Einstein Loop at 8:45 a.m. Returning bus making stops at Dreiser Loop, Carver Loop, Asch Loop and Einstein Loop. For more information, call: 646-579-1701.

Cape Cod, Martha’s Vineyard – Friday, May 19 – Monday, May 21, 2023. Three days. For more information, call 646-579-1701.

Carnival Cruise 2023 – Departing from NY. July 5–13, 2023. For more information, call 646-579-1701.

Notary – Yvonne Menefee is on vacation. There is no notary until further notice.

Bingo – Every Monday, Wednesday and Friday, 1:15 p.m. Members only. Admission $5 for three cards, 12 games and jackpot. Extra cards are $0.25 each. Refreshments. Proof of vaccination. Temperature taken at entrance.

Game Day – Every Tuesday and Thursday at 1 p.m. Come play dominos, watch movies, read a book and socialize with other members. Members only.

To all members: Happy birthday to our members who celebrate their birthday in the month of December: Nellie Rivera, Paquita Myke, Janie Williams, Barbara Hines, Jose Lopez, Brenda Brown, Janet Coles, Louise (Cookie) Hernandez, Mary (Pat) Randolph, Bobbi Chin, Barbara Owens, Gladys Baez and Jesus Christ. It was wonderful sharing your birthday with you. May this be your best year ever.

Sick and Shut-in – Mary-Pat Randolph, Lucila Correa, Barbara Owens, Zoraida Garcia and Maria Mendez, we are praying for a speedy recovery. Get well soon; we miss you. Ella Thorne misses everyone. She is in Workmen’s Circle. Mary Pilla, former Goose Island president, sends her love to all. You can call her at 718-753-1816.

Our Club is located at 135 Einstein Loop, Rm. 39, Bronx, NY 10475 at Section 5 Center, phone number: 718-379-9613. You may call (mornings) Mon. – Fri. 9 a.m. - 12 p.m. (evenings) Mon., Wed. and Fri. 6 p.m. – 9 p.m., Tue. and Thu. 1 p.m. – 9 p.m., or call/text or Zelle Stephen, 347-847-1941. Cash app to $StephenCarlSr. Our email address is goose. island@optonline.net.

––Stephen Roberts Sr.

keep these families in your thoughts and prayers along with all others who have recently lost loved ones.

Good and Welfare – We extend get well wishes to Ida Morton and to all of those who are sick and shut-in. We pray that they will all soon see brighter days ahead. Please contact Lorraine at 718-671-6403 or Gay at 718-320-0979 to notify them of members who are hospitalized, in nursing/rehabilitation facilities or recently deceased.

General Meeting – Our next meeting will be held on January 4, 2023; meeting location to be announced.

––Georgianna Rodriguez

AARP Chapter #4997

Please be safe and healthy. During this holiday season, we have been privileged to share so many wonderful and festive events with friends, neighbors and family. We missed these gatherings for over two years and now we seem to be going into overload. AARP and other community organizations want you to enjoy yourself, but the health department is painting a very dim picture ofough President Gibson, State Senator Bailey, Councilman Riley, Assemblyman Heastie, Attorney General James and all who held or participated in the festivities for Co-op City.

Happy Hanukkah, Merry Christmas, Happy Kwanzaa and Three Kings Day and any other event that I may have missed. These are the festive occasions that we have waited for all year. It would be a shame for us to slip back into restricthe infection rate is up in our area and climbing. Masks are “suggested” but not

on the past and ask yourself: “Do I really hate my mask enough to risk going back?” Talk to your personal medical professional about your personal issues and make an educated decision.

do not have adequate gun safety laws in place to prevent the next sad event. tell them the time has come to make some important changes and stop the carnage in the schools. In 2022 there were 48 deadly school shootings, 10 years ago there were 12! This work is for the local and the National Organization so make some calls, please.

Our chapter is continuing to collect for our Niagara Falls trip in June 2023. We also have a trip on August 8, 2023, to the Vynecrest Winery for $119. The one-day trip includes the winery, casino, taxes and meal gratuities. We are planning a seven-night cruise from September 12-24, 2024 to Hawaii. Information is available by contacting Ms. Wright, 718-379-3370, or Ms. Brown, 718-379-

From Mrs. Wilson, Good and Welfare contact, we hear that all our sick and shut-in are on the road to recovery and improvement. Think about your neighbors and those who live alone, stop by, say hello or give them a call over the holidays.

Be Happy-Be Safe-Be Healthy-Be Focused ––Ann Purnell

MENU

Alternate Kosher Meals are available Kosher Non-Kosher

ALL JASA OFFICES CLOSED IN OBSERVANCE OF CHRISTMAS DAY

Walk w/Odessa, 9:30 a.m.-10:30 a.m. Meet: Asch Loop by Library

Blood Pressure w/Willa, 10 a.m.-11 a.m. (1st and 3rd Tues.)

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

Smartphone and Tablet Class w/Julesa, 2-3 p.m.

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

Stay Well Exercise w/Odessa, 10 a.m.-11:15 a.m.

Bereavement Hour w/Dorine, 1st & 3rd Wed., 12-1 p.m.

Line Dancing w/Cynthia, 12:30 a.m.-1:45 p.m.

Weight Mgt. Support Group w/ Gigi, 2nd Wed., in rear of JASA main office, 1 p.m.-2 p.m.

Dominoes w/José, 1 p.m.-2:30 p.m.

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

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

Arts w/Laura via Zoom 10 a.m.-12 p.m.

Beginners Crochet and Knitting w/Lynne, 11:30 a.m.12:30 p.m.

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

Massage Therapy, 10 a.m.-12 p.m.

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

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

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

ALL JASA OFFICES

CLOSED IN OBSERVANCE OF CHRISTMAS

DAY

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

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

Creative Arts & Painting, 1-3 p.m., Rm. 35

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

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

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

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

Sultry Salsa Dancing, 10-11 a.m., Rm. 45

Smart Phones & Tablets 11 a.m.-12 p.m., Rm. 49

Indoor Walk Club 1 p.m.-2 p.m., Rm. 35

Open Mic Singing and Poetry, 11 a.m.-12 p.m.

Let’s Get It On Zumba, 1-2 p.m., Room 45

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

Payments for trips at the Bartow office can be made Monday – Friday: 9 a.m. - 12 p.m., & 2 p.m. - 4 p.m. only Funded by: The NYC Department for the Aging, The NYS Office for the Aging and Riverbay Corporation.

ALL JASA OFFICES CLOSED IN OBSERVANCE OF CHRISTMAS DAY

Zumba w/Ola, 1-2 p.m., Rm. 2. Computer Learning w/Ralph, Zoom only: 6:30-7:30 p.m. Dial-in #: 347893-2966, Meeting ID: 936 8132 9040, Passcode: 259554.

Blood Pressure, 1st & 3rd Tues., 10 a.m.-12 p.m., Rm. 2 Art, In-person, 11 a.m.-12 p.m. Tai-Chi, In-person, 2-3 p.m., Rm. 2

Game Time 10 a.m.-11 a.m.

Drama Class/Club, In-person, 1:30 p.m.-3:30 p.m. Rm. 4

Arthritis Exercise, In-person, 11 a.m.-12 p.m., Rm. 2

Tablet Time, In-person, 1 p.m.-2 p.m.

Self Defense Class, In-person, 2 p.m., Rm. 2

Line Dancing w/Ellie, 11 a.m.-12 p.m.

Spanish Class, In-person, 1 p.m.-2 p.m.

Manicure, 2:00-3:30 p.m.

Alert and Alive, 10-11 a.m., Rm. 4 Knitting & Crochet, 10 a.m.-12 p.m. Art Class w/Dmitry, Virtual, 1-3 p.m. Massage Therapy, 1st & 3rd Friday, 1:30 p.m.-3:30 p.m., In-person Bingo, 1:15-2:30 p.m., Rm. 4, In-person

ALL JASA OFFICES CLOSED IN OBSERVANCE OF CHRISTMAS DAY

Baked Breaded Chicken Cutlet Egg Barley w/ Mushrooms Roasted Peppers Whole Wheat Bread Fruited Jello and Juice

Vegetable Cutlet

Baked Sweet Potato Normandy Blend Whole Wheat Bread Fruited Jello and Juice

Apricot Glazed Salmon Wild Rice California Blend Vegetables Whole Wheat Bread Fresh Fruit and Juice

Sweet and Sour Chicken Thighs Spinach Noodle Kugel, Capri Blend Vegetables Challah Bread Fresh Fruit and Juice

ALL JASA OFFICES CLOSED IN OBSERVANCE

OF CHRISTMAS DAY

Lentil Stew w/ Carrots and Turnips Yellow Rice Sauteed Spinach

Smothered Pork Chops Mashed Potato Vegetable Mix

Curry Chicken White Rice Cooked Cabbage w/Shredded Carrots

Lemon Pepper Fish Pasta Steamed Broccoli

Fee for lunch is $2.00 & $5.00 for guest ALL meals served w/margarine and fresh milk Menu subject to change without notice.

Bartow Center (929) 399-1394 Dreiser Center (718) 320-1345 Einstein Center (718) 671-5161

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

Monday, Dec. 26 – ALL JASA OFFICES

CLOSED in observance of Christmas Day.

African American Heritage Tour of Philadelphia – Thurs., Feb 16, 2023. $124. Deluxe motor coach transportation. Spend time at the African American Museum. Lunch included at the Golden Corral restaurant. Pickups: Bartow, 7:30 a.m.; Dreiser, 7:45 a.m.; and Einstein, 8:00 a.m.

Westchester Mall, White Plains, NY – Wed., January 18, 2023 - FREE - Deluxe motor coach transportation. Pickups: Bartow, 9:30 a.m.; Dreiser, 9:45 a.m.; and Einstein, 10:00 a.m.

Medicare Information – w/Alex Wu from the Dept. of the Aging, every Thursday 9:00 a.m.-12:00

Shoprite and BJ’s – Wed., Dec 28. $6. Pickups: Bartow, 10 a.m., Einstein, 10:15 a.m. and Dreiser 10:30 a.m. Only 10 seats available. Participants must be registered with JASA.

Costco – Friday, December 30. $6. Pickups: Bartow, 10 a.m.; Dreiser, 10:15 a.m. and Einstein, 10:30

a.m. Only 10 seats available. Participants must be registered with JASA.

Are you interested in learning (virtually) how to tailor your own clothes? Would you like to attend virtual crochet classes? Please register at 718-320-2066.

Would you like to be part of a vocal program that will culminate in a concert for the community? is in a collaboration with Riverbay and the Onaje Allan Gums and Sandra Gumbs Community Jazz Arts Foundation.

Concerts in Motion – Mondays from 1 p.m.-2:30 p.m. Call-in number: 646-558-8656, Meeting ID: 527-067-8391.

Bereavement Support Group w/Dr. Smith –Mon. at 1 p.m. Dial-in Number: 929-205-6099, Meeting ID: 839 6918 9974, Passcode: 520396.

Painting Class w/Dmitriy - Mondays from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Dial-in number: 929-205-6099, Meeting ID: 846 0511 1606, Passcode: 585936.

Crochet Class w/Sandra Ramirez – In rear of

Virtual Activities

p.m. to 2 p.m. Please call 718-320-2066 to register.

Notary – Appointment only. Call 718-320-2066. Available at : Tues., 9 a.m.-10:30 a.m.; Weds. and Thurs., 10 a.m.-1:00 p.m. Einstein Center Room 34: Thurs. 10 a.m.-12 p.m.

Painting Classes – Every Wed. from 9-11 a.m. Zoom meeting. Dial-in number: 929-205-6099, Meeting ID: 920 9563 1147, Passcode: 024057.

Meditation Class – GPC (Grand Parents) from 11 a.m.-12 p.m. every third Thursday of every month. Dial-in number: 929-205-6099, Meeting ID: 991 1390 5105, Passcode: 170462.

Technology class w/Ralph Lucenti – Smart devices and computer. Thurs. from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Dial-in number: 929-205-6099, Meeting ID: 862 5043 9695, Passcode: 896989.

Line Dancing with Bartow Swingers – Mon. from 12 p.m.–1 p.m. at the Bartow Center, Room 31; Wed. and Fri., 12 p.m.–1 p.m. in Dreiser Center Room 2.

Pentecostal Tabernacle

Pentecostal Tabernacle: 100 Co-op City Blvd., Building 22 A Bronx, N.Y. 10475.

You are invited to join in worship service online on the following days: Sundays worship service is from 11 a.m. -2 p.m. Wednesdays Prayer and fasting service is from 11 a.m. -12:30 p.m. Bible study and prayer meeting will be held at 7:30 p.m. Friday worship service starts at 7:30 p.m. To join, call 720740-9746, Access Code: 8876631.

May the rich blessings of God be with you throughout this Christmas season, and may you all keep your mind stayed on the Lord and savior Jesus Christ.

Focus: Hearing the Humble

A humble spirit touches the heart of God and causes him to reward the seeker.

“And she answered and said unto him, Yes, Lord: yet the dogs under the table eat of the children’s crumbs.” (St. Mark 7:28)

Humility is an attitude of submission and meekness, it is a quality that demonstrates modesty, mildness, lowliness of mind and freedom from pride. It is the very cornerstone of character, therefore if a man lacks humility, all other quali-

that will depose the spiritual nature endowed by the Holy Ghost.

God requires every one of us to maintain a humble spirit.

Man is born with a nature that is predisposed to sin, so we must strive to humble ourselves before God.

Only by submitting our will to the will of God may help us to walk in righteousness and true humility.

(James 4:5-7) states: “Do you think that the scripture saith in vain, The spirit that dwelleth in us lusteth to envy? But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisted the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble. Submit your-

Since humility is contrary to the fallen nature of man, we should strive to cultivate an attitude of brokenness before God. (Psalm 34:18) “The Lord is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit.”

(St. Mark 7) “The Syrophenician woman who has a daughter with an unclean spirit, heard of Jesus, came and fell at his feet, besought him that he would cast

In Humility she answered and said unto him, Yes, Lord, yet the dogs under the table eat of the children’s crumbs. And he said unto her, for this saying go thy way; the devil is gone out of thy daughter. Let us therefore be joined together in humility that we might know the blessings of God.”

(Proverbs 22:4) “By humility and the fear of the Lord are riches, and honour and life.”

––Rev. R. Sibblies

Church of God’s Children

Blessings to Co-op City residents and the surrounding neighbors. May the peace of our Lord be with you. We are located at 127 Dreiser Loop – patio level, Pastors Angelo and Nancy Rosario. We welcome you to join us or any of the Houses of Worship within the community. Be comfortable praising our Lord wherever you are. We are a Word teaching church, come as you are and enjoy your day with the families that gather here.

We offer in-person Sunday Service in English and Spanish at 10 a.m. Tuesday night Spiritual warfare classes on Zoom and Facebook Live at 7 p.m. Youth/ young adult bible studies via Zoom on Fridays at 8 p.m. Thursday night Intercessory prayer group by phone at 7:30 p.m. We will have Christmas Eve Service on Saturday, December 24 at 7 p.m., followed by a delicious stew, come with your family and friends and enjoy singing Christmas carols. Bring in the New Year 2023 at our Candlelight Service on December 31 at 10 p.m., followed by appetizers and dessert.

Jesus was born and the angels rejoiced: “Glory to God in the highest, and on -

Church of the New Vision

“For unto us a child is born, unto us a Son is given and the government will be upon His shoulder, and His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” (Isaiah 9:6)

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

Holiday Schedule: Christmas Day In-Person Service, Sunday, December 25 at 10:00 a.m.

Watch Night Zoom Service, Saturday, December 31 at 10:30 p.m. Meeting ID: 710 493 0171, Passcode: 373966, Dial-In: 646-558-8656.

New Year’s Day In-Person Service, Sunday, January 1, 2023 at 11:00 a.m.

Masks are required and temperatures will be taken.

Wednesday Night Prayer Service and Bible Study starts at 7:00 p.m. The Conference Line Number: 646-769-9900; Access Code: 3099388. Once prayer has begun, please mute your phone so all can hear with clarity.

Our verse for 2022 is: (Isaiah 54:17) “No weapon formed against you shall prosper, and every tongue which rises against you in judgement you shall condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, and their righteousness is from, Me, say the Lord.”

Sunday, December 18, 2022 Worship Service: “The Generous Gift of the Lord” Scripture: (2 Corinthians 8:9) “For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich.”

Save the Date: Church of the New Vision and Amen Ministries, Inc. presents “Blueprint for Wellness” a free health event on Saturday, January 28, 2023, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the church 115 Einstein Loop North. Please note that registration is required. To register, scan the QR code to the right or contact Church of the New Vision at info@churchnewvisionbx.org, or amenministriesrev314@ gmail.com or contact L. Scott at 718-671-2623.

Choose Healthy Life, Quest Diagnostics and United Way of NYC will provide a clinical set of laboratory tests and measurements that are completed to give individuals aprint for Wellness screenings are not a replacement for routine examinations with a primary care provider, they are a convenient way for individuals to keep an eye on their health risks. We look forward to you registering and attending. This is a free health screening for our community.

Your contributions, tithes and offerings can be mailed to Church of New Vision, P.O. Box 75-3037, Einstein Station, Bronx, New York 10475. Thank you.

––Brenda Brown

bance. If we remove disturbance, peace is the result. How can we have peace on earth? First and foremost, your faith will guide you to all truth. Through Jesus you will have peace within your heart in spite of all the chaos around you. You can also be a part of the solution by supporting peace initiatives, standing for social justice, advocating for human rights, promoting equality and community service. A peace process takes a lot of time. And the process starts when you look at your own behavior, the way you treat others, the way you talk to everyone in your country and outside your country. We always say that other people did this or that, but we are never responsible for what happens to ourselves. And if we can change our attitude towards our lives, I think a lot of things will change. But God takes the initiative to make peace with us: “While we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:8) When Christ was born, the angels sang, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.” Christ is the “Prince of Peace” (Isaiah 9:6). It is a wonder to have peace with God.

Merry Christmas, Happy Chanukah, Joyous Kwanzaa, ––Bishop Nancy Rosario

Greater Love Refuge Ministries, Inc.

“While we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal.” (2 Corinthians 4:18)

Spiritual Food for Thought: To those who feel abandoned, alone and lonely: you are not alone. You have our Savior, Jesus - Immanuel; “God with us.” He will never leave you nor forsake you. Rise above what appears to be true in the natural realm and access spiritual truth. Everything in the world will pass away, but all things in spirit will be forever. Set your heart on that which is eternal.

Bishop Boyce Landrum, Overseer and Sr. Pastor of Greater Love Refuge Ministries, Pastor Carol Landrum and the Greater Love Christian church family invite you to in-person Worship on Sunday morning at 11:30 a.m., preceded by a continental breakfast at 9:30 a.m. and Sunday School (Youth and Adult) at 10:30 a.m. We are a non-denominational, multi-generational, teaching, preaching, faith and Bible-way church conveniently located at 900 Co-op City Blvd. (Bldg. 2A), on the ground level, Bronx, NY 10475; enter by way of the main entrance. Our telephone number is 347-920-5607.

Tomorrow, Christmas morning, we will be open for morning worship from 11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.; join us as we Worship Jesus Christ our Savior, who is the reason for the season.

Save the Date: Our annual New Year’s Eve “Crossover Service” will begin on Saturday, Dec. 31st at 9:00 p.m. All are invited to join us as we praise God for his Manifold Grace and thank him in advance for all that

Sunday of the New Year. Light refreshments will be provided afterward. Greater Love Church will be closed on New Year’s Day.

Remember, there are so many details that surround the celebration of Christmas that it is easy to miss the meaning. Christmas is not about the parties, the presents or the poinsettias. It is not about the food, the festivities, or even about family. It is not the greenery or the garland; not the Christmas cards, credit cards, or carols; not about tinsel or traditions.

That fact is this: Christmas is solely about God. Christmas is about God

in Jesus. And if Jesus is not in Christmas, then Christmas is nothing at all! Merry Christmas, happy Hanukkah and joyous Kwanzaa! Wishing you all peace, love, and joy during the holidays and in to the New Year!

Grace and Peace, ––Bishop B. Landrum and Pastor Carol

Shareholders, not tenants! Take pride in your home and community!

Newsong Church

God with Us

“The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel.” (which means “God with us”)- (Matthew 1:23) (NIV)

On the mountain. In the valley. In the crowded streets, or the empty desert. In our hope and in our waiting. We are never alone…God is with us!

Join us this morning at 11 a.m. as we celebrate the birth of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Christmas at Newsong

Christmas Eve Family Service on Saturday, December 24th at 11 a.m.

New Year’s Eve Family Service on Saturday, December 31st 9 p.m.- midnight.

Questions & Answers

Where is Newsong Church located? 135 Einstein Loop (upstairs). To seehurchnyc.org.

Where is Newsong Deaf Church? Our adult worship experience for the deaf and hearing impaired is located in room 38. What time does everything start? 11 a.m.

Do I have to wear a mask? Masks are no longer required in the community center where we meet. If you feel more comfortable wearing one, we encourage you to do so!

What should I wear? Most people dress casually, but you are welcome to wear whatever makes you comfortable.

Can my kids join me in the service? In Kidsong, we teach kids about Jesus on their level in a safe and fun environment, but if you would prefer for your child to join your family in the service, they are welcome to do so.

How long is the service? About 90 minutes.

Can I attend if I’m ______________________? Fill in the blank with whatever fear you have about not being accepted: divorced, a single parent, broke, an addict, a skeptic, etc. Everyone is welcome at Newsong!

Contact Us: Phone: 917-342-2559; Mailing Address: P.O. Box 100, BX, NY 10475; Email: CentralTeam@newsongchurchnyc.org; Website: www.newsongchurchnyc.org.

Social Media: Instagram: @newsongchurchbx; Facebook: @newsongchurchbx; Twitter: @newsongchurchbx; YouTube: Newsong Church NYC.

––Pastor Mike Tolone

Co-op City Baptist Church

Rev. Dr. Sheldon E. Williams and the Co-op City Baptist Church family invites you to join us for Worship Service tomorrow in-person at 8:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. We are located at 135 Einstein Loop Room 50 (lower level). Masks are required. The 11:00 a.m. service is also available on Zoom at https://us04web. zoom.us/j/9623430102 or Zoom Telephone Conference Line 646-568-7788 or Conference ID: 962 343 0102, Password: 788175#.

Rev. Williams asks everyone to call into the Sunday Worship service or Wednesday Bible class using Zoom through your computer or dialing in using the Zoom information shown above.

On Saturday, December 31 at 10:30 p.m., we will hold Watch Night Service. All are invited to join us on the Zoom information as we welcome the new year.

The Scholarship Ministry invites all to join them on a trip on June 26, 2023

Smoky Mountain National Park and much more. The cost of the trip is $765 per person based on double occupancy. A $100 deposit is due by January 28, 2023. Final payment is due March 5, 2023. To make a reservation or for additional information, call Sis. Brenda Robinson at 718-671-1271 or Sister Claudette Cutler Day at 718-379-0541.

Adult Sunday School classes are held on Sundays at 9:15 a.m. in-person. Classes are also available on The Free Call Conference.com Line dial-in number:

Circle of Christ ChurchIglesia Circulo de Cristo

147 Dreiser Loop, Bronx, NY 10475 (lower level)

Come as you are… “I was glad when they said to me, Let us go to the house of the Lord.” (Psalm 122:1)

If you are looking for a place of worship in the local area aimed at teaching the transforming word of God, Circle of Christ Church invites you to fellowship with us. We are a non-denominational, multicultural, and loving church that accepts you just the way you are. Our Senior Pastor Elisamuel Colón and the body of Christ are committed to loving people into a life-changing-liberating relationship with God. The English service has a Bible-centered children’s church for ages 5 to 12. We have a food pantry that serves the community; moreover, we offer family counseling based on need. If interested, please contact us at 347-945-1992 or on Facebook: @Circle of Christ Church. See the schedule below and follow us on Facebook, YouTube, and on our website: circleofchristchurch.com.

Monday-Friday: Devotionals on Facebook Live at 11 a.m.

Tuesday: Bible Study on Facebook Live from 7:00-8:30 p.m.

Thursday: Women Prayer Group (in-person) at 10:00-11:30 a.m.

Spanish Bible Study on Facebook Live from 1:00-2:30 p.m.

Friday: Youth Service (Operation Grace) 7:00-8:30 p.m.

Saturday: Women’s Fellowship, every second Sat. of the month from 12 p.m.-2 p.m.

Young Adults, every third Saturday of the month from 12:00-2:00 p.m.

Men’s Fellowship, every other month

Couples Fellowship, every other month

Sunday Services: Spanish 9 a.m.-10:30 a.m. and English Service 11:15 a.m.1:30 p.m. Please arrive 15 minutes earlier for screening at the door.

To register for the English Services, call or text 929-599-5488.

Servicios en Español

Servicios: en persona, en YouTube y Facebook Live

Servicios dominicales: Español 9:00-10:30 a.m. and Servicio en Inglés 11:15 a.m.-1:30 p.m.

Devocionales de Lunes a Viernes en Inglés en Facebook Live a las 11:00 a.m.

Martes: Estudio Bíblico en Facebook Live 7:00-8:30 p.m.

Jueves Grupo de oración de mujeres (en persona) de 10:00-11:30 a.m.

Jueves Estudio Bíblico en Español en Facebook Live a la 1:00-2:30 p.m.

Viernes Operation Grace Youth Service 7:00-9:00 p.m. (en persona)

Cada primer sábado del mes: Ministerio de mujeres12:00-2:00 p.m.

Cada segundo sábado del mes: F.A.I.T.H. Alcance para las personas sin hogar.

Cada tercer sábado del mes: Adultos jóvenes 12:00-2:00 p.m. (en persona)

Para registrarse para los servicios en español, comuníquese al 347-773-2809.

––Pastor Elisamuel Colon

857-357-0254, Access Code is 660065#.

Young Teens Sunday School is held at 9:30 a.m., call-in number 701-8025240, Access Code: 2528913. Teens Class is held at 9:30 a.m. Call-in number 702-843-2644, Access Code: 2676710 and Juniors Sunday School is held at 9:30 a.m. Call-in number: 737-774-8306, Access Code: Juniors.

Mid-Week Bible Study will be on hiatus until Wednesday, January 4 at 1:00 p.m. and 5 p.m.

Prayer Warriors Prayer service is held on Thursdays at noon. Prayer Service is also held on Fridays at 10 a.m.

Friday Evening Prayer service will be held at 7:30 p.m.

Happy Hanukkah, Merry Christmas, Happy Kwanzaa and Happy New Year to all.

Please keep each other in prayer and be wise in your decisions. Please continue to mask-up, practice social distancing and stay safe!

“God will strengthen us as we continue to travel through this storm. God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” (Psalm 46:1)

The Co-op City Baptist Church exists to glorify God and to establish a living community of people who follow the teachings of Jesus the Christ through worship, prayer, Bible study and fellowship. We seek to meet the spiritual and physical needs of the church through ministry. ––Hattie L. Lucas