Co-op City Times 12/30/17 by Co-op City Times

Happy Kwanzaa and Happy New Year 2018!

Co-op City’s Official Newspaper Serving The World’s Largest Cooperative Community. Vol. 52 No. 52

HCR Requiring Certain Shareholders To Verify Income

Saturday, December 30, 2017

Hundreds Of Shareholders Attend Workshops On Surviving An Active Shooter Scenario workshops held in room 31 of the Bartow Community Center on December 20th, Mr. Barzelatto apologized to the gathering of more than 100 shareholders for having the serious subject presented so close to the holidays but added that there is no good time Riverbay Safety Director Anthony Barzelatto for people not to be teaches shareholders how to increase their chances of survival should they become involved aware, especially durin an active shooter scenario. Photo by Bill Stuttig ing the holiday season when many people Earlier this month, Riverbay Safety tend to let their guard down. Director Anthony Barzelatto led a Using actual footage from infaseries of three workshops for Co-op mous active shooter situations, specCity residents advising them on how ifically the attack on the shopping to increase their chances of survival mall in Nairobi, Kenya in 2013 and if they are ever caught in a location the attack on Columbine High School where an active shooter is present. in Colorado in 2001, Mr. Barzelatto At the final of the three similar pointed out (Continued on page 2) BY BILL STUTTIG

The state agency that oversees the Mitchell-Lama program has directed that Riverbay send out letters to shareholders whose income affidavit information was not verified by their state tax return. Riverbay mailed out the letters to approximately 5,000 shareholders who were identified by NYS Homes and Community Renewal (HCR) through a computer match with their 2012 income affidavits filed with Riverbay. Failure to provide the documenta-

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tion required by the state will be assumed to indicate unreported excess income and will result in a retroactive maximum surcharge of 50 percent for the period from July 1, 2013 through June 30, 2014, plus an administrative fee of $150, as required by state statute. The letters were mailed by Riverbay during the last week of December and will explain how to complete the necessary form. The Riverbay Finance Department thanks you in advance for your cooperation.

Bringing The Holiday Spirit

Happy New Year from the President

This New Year’s holiday my only wish is for everyone in Co-op City to have a Happy, Healthy and Safe weekend and for 2018 to be a productive year for each shareholder and the community-at-large. —Linda Berk

Co-op City neighbors gather in the lobby of Building 21 before heading out to spread some holiday spirit by Christmas caroling throughout the community on the evening of December 22nd. The community and holiday spirit was organized through the Section 4 Partnership under the leadership of Michelle Marbury, and co-sponsored by Altice/Optimum. (See page 14 for more photos)

~ ~ ~ 2017 Year In Review: January to June ~ ~ ~ In early January, Riverbay management and board directors sat down with NYC Transportation Commissioner Polly Trottenberg and other DOT executives The following is an account of the major events occurring in or affect- to discuss needed changes to the streets in and around Co-op City to ease congesing Co-op City during the first six months of 2017 as reported by the Co-op tion particularly as it relates to the ever expanding Bay Plaza shopping complex City Times. Next week’s issue will feature an account of the last half of 2017. and its effect on Co-op City. In mid-January, Riverbay made Sterling National Bank an approved lender for JANUARY: new and transferring shareholders. The new lender offered shareholders who With many in the community and the nation still financed through Riverbay’s deferred equity program a chance to refinance the reeling from the election of Donald Trump, in early loans at a much more affordable rate. Co-op City’s Department of Public Safety continued its effort to expand their January, Co-op City, under the direction of Board President Linda Berk, began organizing a bus trip to Emergency Services Unit, training two new officers as Emergency Medical Techthe Women’s March on Washington scheduled for nicians to join the existing ESU team providing around the clock emergency January 21 to protest the new administration and medical service to the community. Gunfire in Section 5 heard on the morning of January 22nd sparked commuits policies and attitudes towards women. The bus trip was preceded by a community-wide rally to nity wide concern and a call for information from the community as to exactly drum up support for the bus trip and rally. In the who and what caused the gunfire that hit no one but rattled everyone. Lance Bronstein, chief engineer for the Power Plant retired after 37 years of end, more than 250 Co-op City residents made the all-day trip, joining with millions of others who service to Co-op City in late January. Also in January, one of Co-op City’s first took part in the march and rally, not only in Wash- employees, Filberto Coreano, retired after serving the community for nearly 47 ington D.C., but in cities throughout the nation years as a Building Porter. He began his career here in April of 1970. and the world. Co-op City community leader Leah Richardson said in the days At the end of January, the Riverbay Board of Directors by a vote of 12 to 2 following, “The effects of our action have yet to be seen but regardless of what approved a three-year contract to have North American Energy Services manage happens next, nearly five million people committed themselves to fighting on. I the operations and maintenance of the Power Plant. NAES manages more than intend to keep doing the important work. I need to and expect all five million of 250 plants through the United States. these people to join me.” (Continued on page 3) BY BILL STUTTIG

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(center) began as a Filiberto Coreano Co-op City working for in April of 1970, Buildings Porter most of the frankly before built. On New community was called it a career Year’s Eve, he years of service 47 after nearly That day, he to the community.thanked and his was personally an award for honored with to the commulong-term service Executive nity by Riverbay’s Bob KlehamGeneral Manager g in the of mer. Also participatin and were Director Peter Merola presentation (HR) Inelle Director of Finance supervisor Rosalind Pierce, Buildings and Grounds called him Human Resources HR Generalist and Luna. Cooper, Senior ive Assistant Josephine more than 46 years ago the people of HR Administratbroke in with Mr. Coreano and dedicated porter for leaving Riverwill be his Peter Miranda and great, dependable though Mr. Coreano he will spend a great colleague to five decades. Even in the years to come as close of Co-op City where he lives with his wife. by Bill Stuttig Co-op City for part a t Photo remain bay, he will here in the developmen retirement years

, President Berk the tions of the community repeatedly that disagrees stating will be bringing to issues the marchers 21st, the day after the the forefront on inauguration, have al the Presidenti what Co-op City and in the much to do with likely be facing its residents will and years. to coming months Ms. Berk said Earlier this week, “I am proud of Times: the Co-op City made to supporters. ’s organizacommunity has In my the effort this disSome of the community voices are heard. up tickets to be make sure our that we let Washtions have bought interested in paropinion, it is criticalwe are concerned pensed to its members individual resithat many and ington know own for ticipating, but in policy, funding our tickets on their about changes dents are buying negatively affect March. rights that may stated that buses for the historic President Linda . a director incorrectly the community Riverbay Board Co-op City Times, ent for documented expenses organizers development under“we of edition of the the principal “As a housing present, a number to the received reimbursem In last week’s Berk, one of she continued, members had in which for the buses from 1991 to the control of HUD,” and focused on the only two Board Board resolution. In fact, for documented situations and promoters n, said that addimust stay vigilantcost this community 7 reimbursement pursuant to a 1991 March on Washingto directors. III, have received be on sale between issues that could largest NORC (Nat’s By-Laws (Article Board members income while serving as volunteer in Bartional tickets will the the corporation been narrowly interMonday evening Resdearly. We are Retirement Commuthey actually lost which is consistent with form and 8 p.m. on State law, has 31. The resolution, Regulations, and governing to receive a salary or any other y Center’s room urally Occurring Medicare that tow Communit must protect make it during the Section 11), HCR are not allowed or permitted nity) and we in addition to a volunteer idents who can’t White at 347-913is it Individuals that Security preted. remember and Social to and us as a HUD houshour can call Sharan Board should on an incorrect of compensation. The bus trip to serve on the election based under the conpolicies that impactRiverbay has histori4224 for tickets. D.C. and to be part of ment Individuals wishingnot be encouraged to seek development. n, not. Reimburse salary, wages or is ing services It should and g Washingto and position. from ed of lost the rights position has contingent participatin it is a compensat is limited to the recovery cally protected y from JASA, to the that provision more the Co-op City assumption that and By-Law place of employment. As noted, expected to attract of this communit houses of worship. on trolling resolution in the march, regular and that youth nation’s capital days director’s the the the and to for disabled, only income from than a million broadly. and I am humbled a st, costs $25 per seat. Buses Taylor was reimbursed and appear at Court It is who we are never been interpreted City that I represent January 21 case, Director Cleve t to prepare for case in which the all three Co-op In the most recentleave his place of employmen honored to know corporation.” court 5 officer will leave from to related to a pending at approximately undertook as an he was required socially responsible First Vice President . Those depositions for actions he week to his volunteer community centers and their return is ordered depositions Riverbay Board a main supporter y named as a defendant many hours a lost pera.m. that morning tely 11 p.m. is also director devotedent for income he may have director was individuall Bernie Cylich involve. Although that have . expected at approxima of Riverbay’s of the corporation sought or obtained reimbursem the community and promoter officer of the corporation While some in Riverbay’s direct Mr. Cylich said position, he never as a director and ment in the March. Douglas taught us his volunteer duties General Counsel publicly criticized March of Washingforming “Frederick Riverbay the Thursday: —Jeffrey Buss, participation in little to do with issues page 2) (Continued on has operaton because it the day-to-day City residents. directly affecting from the City dreds of Co-op n ew Co-op City received its MultifamR ive r b a y ’s That same week, part of a n a g e r, approval to be pay property m Co-op City to of New York final savProgram allowing nt, began its ily Conservation water and sewer charges, thus Property Manageme the year. its Douglas Elliman July 1, even thoughman$1.2 million a a fixed cost for community on approximately general the new service to the ing the community new executive events th Board Business meeting, r had oral BY BILL STUTTIGan account of the major At the July 13 r gave his first ager Bob Klehammeweeks last is held Bob Klehamme onsite City during the The following executive GM been regularly several meetings two affecting Co-op meetdetailing Co-op City the by Board, occurring in or attending in the first report to the beforehand, 2016 as reported an account of the department directorsimprove services up to speed six months of with Riverbay’s issue featured ings and getting immediately issues Times. Last week’s in an attempt to many ongoing the weeks on 2016. that would first half of Center was the and reduce costs. in the community under his th, Dreiser Community On July 14 the crime of Human now be coming conference on with the popular July: the fastest growsite of an all-day it always does charge. Trafficking is LauJuly began as the commun on the Greenway On July 9th, Trafficking. “Human in the world,” claimed Day Celebratio display. and and civic leadIndependence icking Policy r fireworks ing criminal enterprise nity’s religious a Anti-Traff spectacula of a host subsiding, to featuring fireworks were ren Hersch, Director for Families. ers came together together And just as thosejust beginning to heat up as bring Board voted Advocacy at Sanctuary prayer rally to were week, the Riverbay the Marion Scott the community legal fireworks During the same allocate up to $150,000 to managing agent, the police and of of y to Riverbay’s former sued Riverbay for payment horrific shootings overwhelmingly establish a Youth and Communit from the most recent in American cities to Real Estate, Inc., in the wake of after being suspended counRiverbay Fund page 3) merican men offi(Continued on fees it said it deserved 2014. Riverbay, in turn, unarmed African-Aand the killing of five police agent the job in November the former managing the previous week wake of these shootings. Leaders ein the with huntersued for revenues due to alleged mismanag to cers in Dallas attended along Bronx Riverbay court the cost the by allegedly from throughout sides were ordered ment. The two mediation. work it out through

BY BILL STUTTIGof the several buses SatTickets for one Co-op City on for the that will be leaving January 21st, urday morning, on Washington, D.C. Women’s March as more and more are selling briskly ns and elected and community organizatio on as sponsors officials are signing

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Co-op City Times / December 30, 2017

Workshop

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mistakes made by victims that possibly cost them their lives and actions taken by others that possibly saved their lives. He also pointed to the vicious, cold-blooded actions of the shooters as they went about causing as much carnage as possible. As the grimness of the videos spoke to the serious nature of the subject matter presented, Mr. Barzelatto then used most of the remaining time focusing on the three options available to anyone caught in an active shooter situation. They are: run, hide or fight. The run option, as Mr. Barzelatto explained throughout the workshop, including the last half hour when he spoke about fire safety as well, hinges on knowing where the exits are in all places and situations and having a plan in your head with several options as to where to go in case an emergency occurs. Mr. Barzelatto also stressed the importance of fast action, of leaving the premises as soon as you think you hear gun shots – not stopping to collect belongings. He explained that even the act of putting on a coat can take the few seconds that can cost you your life. In one video shown at the workshops, a dramatization was acted out where people reacted quickly to the sound of gun shots and safely evacuated the building within seconds of the gun shots being heard. The second option, in case running and exiting the building is not possible, is to hide, Mr. Barzelatto explained, preferably in a room or behind objects which bullets cannot penetrate. If that is not possible, doing the best you can to keep out of sight of the gunmen is the next best option and in this case silence in imperative. Mr. Barzelatto stressed that cell phones must be silenced or turned off, including taking them out of the vibrate mode which can be heard by a gunman or men looking for possible victims. The safety director also stressed staying calm as being vital to your survival in those situations, pointing to the video from the Columbine shooting which showed a young girl being shot because she was screaming during the ordeal. Another part of the hide option is to stay in place but lock the door if at all possible and if not, barricade the door with furniture and other large items. Mr. Barzelatto stressed that an active shooter looking for random victims will typically try doors and not typically stay too long at a door that is either locked or jammed shut but will move on looking of potential opportunities of carnage in the limited time they have before police start to arrive. The safety director explained that the third and last resort, if the other two options are not possible, is to fight. He said that when trapped in that situation you must commit to your actions and use whatever you can to disable or disarm the shooter such as large heavy items, pieces of furniture or using other items in your immediate surroundings such as using sharp or heavy items as weapons. One video dramatization that was shown during the workshop involved a group of trapped people who worked as a team to take down and disarm the shooter by simultaneously attacking him with large items. He stressed that most active shooting situation will last between two and five minutes, but if you are caught in that situation, it will seem like a year. He stressed the importance of cooperating with police when they arrive, listening to and obeying their commands, especially at the outset of their arrival on the scene when they do not yet know who or where they active shooter is. He said that the first priority of law enforcement is to stop the carnage by taking out the shooter. It is only after that is completed that the victims can then be attended to by medical personnel. The best option, Mr. Barzelatto explained, is to do whatever is possible to prevent the attack before it occurs, explaining that more than half of active shooters broadcast their intentions in the days, weeks and even months leading up to the attack. Tell-tale signs, he explained, are sudden changes in personality, odd behavior, troubling statements, and a depressed or changed mood in someone. The shooter, he explained, often plans and practices his scenarios, including target practice in the weeks leading up to the attack and those actions can be easily detected and should be reported. He said that most important aspect of preventing a deadly attack before it occurs is to be aware, be suspicious, and report whatever suspicions you have to the proper authorities without confronting the situation on your own and endangering yourself. Mr. Barzelatto spent the last portion of the workshop on the importance of being aware of your surroundings in all situations. He stressed that active shooting situations can occur in all places and situations, not just at large public gatherings, and to always be prepared for any scenario, not just shootings but fires as well.

Happy 100th Birthday, Mom!

Happy 100th Birthday to my mom, Providencia, a 38 year resident of Co-op City, who will be celebrating her birthday on January 2, 2018. Mom, you are the best mother in the world! I love you so very much. Your loving daughter, —Miriam Rios

Sharing his own experience, he stressed that he personally takes a few moments each time he enters a new place, whether it be a theater, restaurant, hotel or any other place, to take note of where the exits are and to know his options for quickly leaving a premises in case of a sudden emergency. The last part of the workshop featured actual footage from a night club in Rhode Island where fire suddenly broke out. The video illustrated how, because most patrons of that nightclub were not aware of the multiple exit options they had, all headed for the same exit, which stalled the evacuation process, and possibly led to more than 100 people losing their lives in that fire in 2003. Mr. Barzelatto, stressed to the residents in attendance that, not matter where they are, whenever they see an exit blocked or locked to report it to the management of the premises immediately and if they refuse to remedy the situation quickly, leave the premises and then report that establishment to the authorities overseeing public safety in that community, town or municipality. Mr. Barzelatto concluded by saying that he would be presenting additional workshops in the community in the coming year and invited community organizations to request that his department make similar presentations to their members in the months to come.

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

(718) 671-2233 DR. LOUIS JACOBS, DIRECTOR ALL FOOT CONDITIONS TREATED The in-office surgical correction of BUNIONS • HAMMERTOES • INGROWN TOENAILS PAINFUL CORNS and CALLOUSES The treatment of traumatic foot injuries, heel spurs, bursitis and arthritis of the joints of the feet, toenail and skin infections, as well as other conditions.

Most Union and Insurance Plans Accepted. HIP CMO (Montefiore) Health Plan Accepted.

RIVERBAY HOLIDAY SCHEDULE

We participate in Postal Workers, Mail Handlers, Letter Carriers, Verizon Workers, 1199, GHI, Blue Shield, Empire Plan, Medicare, Travelers, United Health Care and many other union and major medical plans.

Riverbay offices will be closed on Monday, January 1st.

Se Habla Español

Emergency service will be available throughout the weekend.

Public Safety: 718-671-3050 Maintenance: 718-320-3300, Option 3

MEDICARE ACCEPTED • HOUSE CALLS BY APPOINTMENT

Diabetic Patients with Medicare may be eligible for shoes.

Co-op City Times / December 30, 2017

Co-op City Times 2 n d 2017 Year in Review

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

Drammeh Center presents Kwanzaa Open House From 1 to 6 p.m. today, the Drammeh Center will present an Open House on Kwanzaa’s 9th day of Nia, which means “purpose.” Come share your ideas and show support for the Drammeh Center’s exciting mission in the coming year. Listen to soulful old-school music, delight your eyes and senses with unique jewelry by TalismaniX and meditation. This is a day of music, refreshments and networking with a purpose. Join us at the Drammeh Center, 140 DrKruif Place, ground floor. Admission is free; refreshments will be served.

Kindergarten Open House At PS 153 PS 153 The Helen Keller School will be holding an Open House for Kindergarten students in Co-op City’s Sections 3 & 4 on January 4, 2018. Two time slots will be available: 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. This is an informational session. Come prepared with your questions. For additional information, please contact the school at (718) 904-5550.

FREE UPK Pre-registration Co-op City parents, if you still need placement for Pre-K for January 2018, Sprinkle Stars Twinkle, located on the ground floor of Building 31A, 100 Erskine Place, still has Free UPK seats available. Call today or visit at their location. Applicants must have never enrolled in NYC Public School to qualify. This program is for 3 & 4 year olds only. 3-year old classroom subsidies accepted (call or apply in person); before and after school programs are available, as well as a summer program. Children will receive instructional experiences in science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics through the program’s creative curriculum. For additional information, you may contact Sprinkle Stars Twinkle at (347) 346-9366 or (914) 4131041.

FEBRUARY: In early February, Riverbay launched a new system which allows visually impaired residents to receive notices about building and community-wide repairs and related service shut downs and programs through either their cell phone or home phone. The new service helps residents receive vital messages regarding their community that were previously only available through emails or posted notices. An older man was arrested for brandishing a gun in the lobby of Building 5B on February 2nd after detectives reviewed surveillance footage from an altercation he had with a younger man. Ironically, the older man was the one who first filed a complaint against the younger man and when Public Safety reviewed the surveillance, it was determined that the complainant was also guilty of pulling out the gun in a public area. In early February, City Harvest picked up more than 3,200 pounds of non-perishable food items donated by Co-op City residents as part of the Public Safety Department’s annual food drive for New York City’s needy. Ongoing capital improvement projects, long-term financial projections and the improvement of community involvement were all prevalent topics at a town hall meeting hosted by the Riverbay Board on February 8th in Bartow Community Center. By February, it was revealed that more than 3,000 shareholders had begun paying their carrying charges online through PayLease on the Riverbay Corporation website. On February 9th, Co-op City got hit by the first major snowstorm of the winter season as more than a foot of wind-driven snow blanketed the community but not for long. Riverbay staff stayed for 16 hours to make sure all pathways were clear by early evening. On February 11th, elected leaders serving Co-op City including Congressman Eliot Engel, State Assemblyman Mike Benedetto, State Senator Jamaal Bailey and City Councilman Andy King, took part in a round the table discussion with the Board Directors and management on the issues facing the community, including issues specific to Co-op City like asbestos abatement, rising water costs and funding for needed elevator upgrades. In mid-February, Assemblyman Mike Benedetto announced that he has been appointed to the MTA Capi-

Front Pa ge

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tal Program Review Board, a four member panel that has veto power over capital budgets brought forth by the MTA and its Board of Directors. The legal battles between Riverbay and its previous managing agent, Marion Scott Real Estate Inc. (MSI) continued in late February as Riverbay filed papers in state Supreme Court demanding that the state Department of Homes and Community Renewal carry out its oversight responsibilities and make a final ruling to uphold the board’s termination of MSI for cause. In late February, Riverbay Board President Linda Berk and top Riverbay management officials, including Executive General Manager Bob Klehammer, met with Mayor Bill de Blasio, his deputy mayors and agency heads to seek relief from some of the exorbitant charges that the city places on Riverbay. The meeting, and others after it, led to a promise of a waterfront park developed by New York City on undeveloped Riverbay-owned land. The proposal became a source of debate over the next several months. The Bartow Swingers celebrated African-American History month with several skits and songs depicting and celebrating the contributions of African Americans over the past two centuries. MARCH: Riverbay introduced a new safety director for the community, Anthony Barzelatto, in early March. Mr. Barzelatto came to Co-op City with more than 30 years of experience in the profession, first as a fire inspector for the state of New Jersey and then as safety director for the huge United Nations complex in midtown Manhattan. In the wake of several bomb threats and acts of vandalism against synagogues and Jewish organizations nationwide, Public Safety Chief Frank Apollo announced new enhanced security procedures for the community’s synagogues. The new 110-ton boiler at Co-op City’s Power Plant was placed into position and moved into the plant on March 6th. The Department of Public Safety fully implemented its body camera program on March 13th, meaning that each Public Safety officer on patrol in

Co-op City is now equipped with a body camera to record specific actions taken during their shift. The full implementation of a body camera program made the Co-op City Public Safety Department one of the first police departments in the tri-state area to institute department wide use of cameras, even before the NYPD. In mid-March, the 45th Precinct was assigned a new commander, Captain Carlos Ghonz. In a good sign for the community, Captain Ghonz began his tenure by visiting with several Co-op City organizations including Co-op City’s Public Safety Department. Just as the thoughts of residents were turning to crocuses and daffodils, Mother Nature slammed Co-op City and the rest of the tri-state area with nearly a foot of snow and ice. Original projections called for 18 inches of snow, but slightly warmer than expected temperatures caused sleet to follow the initial snowfall, making for a difficult clean-up that took 200 workers more than 30 hours to complete. One veteran Riverbay supervisor called it the most difficult storm ever tackled by his department. The following evening, with the clean-up complete, Riverbay Board Directors made it to the Board business meeting to pass a new two-year budget for Co-op City which called for a 1.9% carrying charge increase for 2017 and 2018. A week prior to this, the board rejected a budget which called for a 3.7% increase in the first year and no increase in the second year. Routine maintenance on a steam turbine generator at the Power Plant caused a circuit breaker to inadvertently trip leadi n g to a brief power outage affecting buildings in Section 3, 4, and 5 on the afternoon of March 21st. Power was restored to most buildings within an hour, a little longer for the buildings which had breakers that had to be individually reset. Petitions for prospective candidates for the Riverbay Board of Directors became available on March 20th. During that first week, seven picked up petitions, including four incumbent directors, and that became the number of candidates who ran for the board later that spring, the first election in the history of the community to include an option for electronic voting. (Continued on page 4)

Co-op City Times / December 30, 2017

2017 Year in Review APRIL: Riverbay’s top management officials, including Executive General Manager Bob Klehammer met in Co-op City with top New York. City officials including Iris RodriquezRosa, the Bronx Parks Commissioner to discuss the possibility of the city developing a waterfront park in Co-op City on Riverbay-owned land. The issue would continue to be a source of debate amongst residents in the community for the rest of the year. At a town hall meeting in the Einstein Community Center, Riverbay Board Directors and management promised shareholders improved operations and efficiency throughout Co-op City. At the meeting on April 5th, President Linda Berk said, “Together with management, we will provide, at an affordable cost to you, our cooperators, affordable living. We should never allow our property to fall back into the disrepair it was in 15 years ago.” The Department of Public Safety held the first in a series of meeting with the community’s young people in Building 9 on April 13th. The event, which was called “Pizza with a Cop” attracted more than 30 youth who had one-on-one discussions with the officers charged with protecting their community. The idea for “Pizza with a Cop” is a spin-off of the successful “Coffee with a Cop” program which invites the community’s adult residents to meet with officers on a seasonal basis. “Pizza with a Cop” for the youth continued in other buildings throughout the year. Riverbay’s new Safety Director Anthony Barzelatto began a series of inspections of Riverbay offices and other facilities in April and corrected several hazardous conditions such as overloaded outlets, the use of unsafe appliances and potential tripping hazards. Residents were urged to pay attention to the hazards the new safety director was warning employees about because the same hazards commonly exist in most homes. An Australian Public Television crew visited the Bartow Senior Center in mid-April to film a segment on the social programs offered to seniors here in Coop City. The segment was later aired as part of a documentary examining affordable housing options from around the world. More than 800 young men from around the city converged on this community to be part of a mentoring event where they were introduced to a variety of career options by professionals who, like them, were raised in the city and struggled but eventually found success in a rewarding field. The idea of the event was to let young men know of the various options available to them and how to succeed in one of them. The first of three elections forums, through which the seven candidates for the board discuss and debate issues facing the community that the shareholders bring up, was held on April 24 in the Bartow Community Center, and discourse was intelligent and civil throughout the evening. Only 50 shareholders attended the forum which was also broadcast into each Co-op City home. In a test of the new electronic voting procedure, 4,667 shareholders responded to an electronic, preelection survey. The results gave the Rivebay Election Committee confidence that the new electronic voting system would work well when real voting commenced in May.

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MAY: In early May, Public Safety detectives ended a disturbing pattern of behavior by a resident who was reported to have been ringing the doorbells of several homes in the middle of the night. The incidents took place in several buildings and some of the residents affected posted online photos of the suspect standing in front of their apartment doors. The images helped detectives narrow in on the suspect and after questioning he was charged with criminal trespassing. The behavior stopped after that. It was revealed by the Department of Education that a high percentage of schools throughout New York City, including all of Co-op City’s schools, tested positive for elevated levels of lead in drinking water found at certain faucets. The Department of Education explained to parents the steps being taken to remedy the contamination including the closing of the affected faucets until the conditions can be remediated. Riverbay Board Director Rod Saunders, who alerted the Co-op City Times to the problem after finding a letter sent home to parents in his granddaughter’s book bag, said that he takes exception to the fact that the testing was done in December but parents were not notified until late April. Riverbay Community Relations Director Michele Sajous was honored by the 45th Precinct Community Council at its annual breakfast on May 10th for her tireless work in bringing a wide array of social, educational and cultural programs to the people of Co-op City. Ms. Sajous was one of several community leaders throughout the 45th Precinct service area honored for their inspired, selfless community work. Co-op City’s popular Rivers Run Community Garden was back in full swing by mid-May and education programs were offered there that taught school children about participating in environmentally responsible behavior such as composting and recycling. The Public Safety Department also used the community garden’s beautiful natural riverfront setting to teach young children about anti-bullying strategies. These were just two of numerous educational and cultural programs hosted by the volunteer garden project throughout the spring, summer and early autumn. Mayor Bill de Blasio came to Co-op City on May 25th to hold a press conference announcing a preliminary agreement between Riverbay and the City of New York to develop a public riverfront park on undeveloped land owned by Co-op City. The preliminary agreement, which was negotiated over several months earlier in the year, did not sit well with some residents who objected to the community giving up their land for a public park and the board promised to gauge the consensus opinions of the entire community before approving a final agreement to have the city develop the land. The annual Riverbay Board election was due to be completed on May 24th but because mail-in ballots were allowed to be counted if they were postmarked by that last day of the voting period, a final count could not be provided until May 31st. When all the ballots finally arrived and were counted, it turned out that the community was 221 votes short of the number needed for the election to be official. Voting was extended into early June to allow to community to

reach its required quorum. The extension delayed the seating of the new directors until mid-June. Co-op City’s American Legion Post 1871 held its annual Memorial Day commemoration ceremonies at Harley Mosely Veterans Memorial Park on May 28th. The festivities this year included special honors for long-time Ladies Auxiliary post member Olive Glasgow.

JUNE: At the beginning on June, the New York State Department of Homes and Community Renewal (DHCR) established a deadline of June 27th for residents to send in comments to DHCR, C o - o p C i t y ’s supervisory agency, regarding the proposed 1.9% carrying charge increase tentatively due to take effect on August 1. Residents were also invited to give their comments in person at a hearing held on June 19th in Dreiser Center. DHCR takes into account comments made by shareholders before giving final approval to the carrying charge increases. Co-op City brightest graduates from all six of its schools were honored by Riverbay and Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. at the community’s second annual Best and Brightest Awards ceremony on June 11 in Dreiser auditorium. In all, 31 students from grades 5, 8 and 12 were honored for maintaining a 90% or a 4.0 grade average the entire school year. More than 200 parents, family and friends of the scholars attended the ceremonies presided over by Riverbay’s Youth Committee chair Rod Saunders. More than a week into June, the community had yet to reach a quorum in the 2017 Board Election. The quorum was reached in the second week and certification of the results took place on June 14th. After that certification, the winners of the 2017 Riverbay Board election were, in order of finish; Leah Richardson, Daryl Johnson, Linda Berk, Jerome Rice and Kevin Lambright. Ms. Richardson and Mr. Rice were new to the board while Ms. Berk, Mr. Johnson and Mr. Lambright won reelection. Each were seated and began a new three-year term on June 21st. Also on June 21st, after the newly elected directors were seated, the new board reelected Linda Berk as Riverbay President for the 2017-18 meeting year. Bernard Cylich was reelected as first vice-president and Claudia Sampson was elected as second vicepresident. On June 24th, Co-op City’s youth were treated to a day of basketball clinics and tournaments at two different locations. The community’s Newsong Church organized tournaments for two different age groups, 12 to 14 and 15 to 17 years old. More than 80 young men and women participated with the help of volunteers from the community including firefighters from the local firehouse across the street from the Section 2 courts where the tournament was staged. At the same time, on the Section 1 courts on Darrow Place, GameOver NYC, in collaboration with the Brooklyn Nets, held a basketball clinic and conditioning session for young players in the community. More than 100 participated. GameOver NYC was founded by two former Co-op City residents to help inner city youth by bringing sports programming into communities. The organization has been instrumental in helping to refurbish this community’s basketball courts over the past few years.

Co-op City Times / December 30, 2017

Discounted Parking Available for New Year’s Eve Discounted transient parking will be available on New Year’s Eve, Sunday, December 31, in all Co-op City parking facilities for only $8 between the hours of 12 p.m. to 6 a.m. Discounted holiday parking will only be in effect between the hours of 12 p.m. to 6 a.m. on Dec. 31. Vehicles parked in the garages prior to 12 p.m. and after 6 a.m. are required to pay regular parking rates – $8 for up to 3 hours, $15 for up to 6 hours; $23 for up to 12 hours and $40 for up to 24 hours. Visitors taking advantage of the reduced parking rate will pay the garage attendants in cash and receive the stub of a two-part, numbered transient parking ticket with the time, make, model and license plate number of their vehicle recorded. The ticket will be marked with a sticker, and in the event the visitor loses their parking ticket and cannot produce it upon departure, the attendant will be able to trace their vehicle by the license plate number. Visitors will be directed to park on the roof of the garage. BY ROZAAN BOONE

Happy Retirement Mr. Leslie!

The very popular, elegant, and genteel Ancell Leslie called it a career yesterday after more than 12 years as a porter for Riverbay. Most of those years were spent working in the Bartow Community Center where he became popular with workers and residents alike. Assistant General Manager Warren Mitchell, before presenting him with a plaque upon his retirement called Mr. Leslie, “a very special person to everyone at Riverbay.” Mr. Leslie said, “Working for Riverbay has been one of the best things to happen to me in my lifetime.” He said in his retirement he plans to continue to live in Co-op City and rest while I watch the Mets, and the Jets and the Knicks.” Before coming to Riverbay, Mr. Leslie spent more than three decades in the printing business. Photos by Bill Stuttig

Important Notice The New York City Department of Transportation Division of Bridges will preform lane closures on the Hutchinson River Parkway. These double-lane closures will take place in both the Northbound and southbound directions, and will be inn effect from the E. Tremont exit to the Pelham Parkway on ramp to the Southbound Hutchinson River Parkway, with one-lane of traffic maintained. The closures are necessary to alloow access for bridge repairs. One travel lane will remain oppen at all times in each direction. Southbound

Northbound

@ Double-Lane Closure

Northbound and Southbound Hutchinson River Parkway Thursday January 4th , until Thursday February 2nd Excluding weekennds 12:00 a.m. 5:00 aa.m. One travel lane will remain open at all times in each direction. Raúl Fernández is available to provide information about this project at 917.692.1463 or WesttchesterAveRehab2016@gmail.com. For all NYC non-emergency services, es including inquiries regarding NYCDOT construction projects, dial 311. Be prepared to give your name, the borough of the project, and a return phone number.

In Memoriam – Kenny Hunter

Kenny Hunter, a long-time business owner and former resident of Co-op City, passed away suddenly on Dec. 27. He was 48 years old. Born in Newport News, Virginia, he resided in Bloomingburg, New York. Hunter is survived by sons Kenneth and Daiquan, daughter Dionna, granddaughter Aliya, his mother Edna and five older sisters, one older brother and several nieces, nephews and grand-nieces. Hunter lived in Co-op City for six years and was the owner and operator of several businesses in Co-op City for more than two decades including Kenny’s Barbershop in Dreiser, Co-op City Video and Communications, Kenny II in Bartow, and a tuxedo rental business in Dreiser. Hunter also ran an after-school program for children in Co-op City as well as computer courses. He brought his farm animals down from upstate to summer community fairs so city children could experience the country right here in Co-op City. Kenny’s nephew Ramel Cooper, who worked as a barber with his uncle for 23 years, said Kenny was a fixture in Co-op City. “He gave a lot of people opportunities, tried to do the right thing and always be a positive role model in the community. He was an outstanding guy who always was there for people who needed help. He tried to do everything he could for the community here in Co-op City.” Cooper said the family intends to keep the barber shop open. “I am deeply saddened by the passing of not only a dear friend but one of Riverbay’s long-time commercial tenants,” said Kim Engrassia, Riverbay’s lease administrator, Commercial Leasing. “Mr. Hunter was a pillar of the Co-op City community in addition to being an awesome father and friend. He will be truly missed by many.” Hunter was well-known and admired as a business leader in Co-op City and a devoted member of the community here. His sudden passing leaves a void in Co-op City. Condolences are sent to his family and friends from all in Co-op City who knew and admired Kenny.

Co-op City Times / December 30, 2017

Letters to the Editor

Think Twice About USPS Parcel Lockers In Our Lobbies To the Editor: Read with interest the recent view point columns of two directors, who write that the USPS wants to install parcel lockers for undeliverable parcels in the lobby of certain buildings, without cost. I have been to the Conner St. Post Office on the weekend, and believe you me it is forbidden territory. If you have to pick up a package, come with plenty of time to spare. Rather than have our lobbies used as a unsightly locker storage area for the USPS, we should demand that the Conner St. Post Office be adequately staffed to maintain a

level of efficiency that is required to deal with the volume of parcels being picked up. However, if it is not too late, this decision should be left for the cooperators to decide. They are the ones who use the lobbies on a daily basis. How many lockers would be needed to store parcels for say 32 cooperators. That's one parcel per floor of a tower building. Not to mention that everyone does not remove their mail every day. Then what? As "the eyes are the window to your soul," our lobbies are the entrance to our homes. —Dock Harvey

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

Rozaan Boone Editor-in-Chief

Bill Stuttig Associate Editor

Jim Roberts Business Manager

Jennifer Piovanetti Operations Manager

Ralph Henriquez Production Manager

Respectful Parking To the Editor: Every morning I pass the curb cut for the handicapped at the northwest corner of Aldrich St. and Asch Loop and 95% of the time a car is parked there. Never has a car been ticketed. A bigger problem our seniors have is in our circles where on any given day you will see numerous placards, vests, etc being displayed. Complaining to the 45th Precinct and absentee Councilman King has proven to be a big zero. Its holiday time and

there’s enough scams going on trying to rip off seniors so I say, “Have a heart and give the gift of the space to those who the laws are designed for.” There are more photocopied police placards than there are police in the 45th and 49th combined here. The signs should be changed to read “Handicapped Only”. Happy holiday to all seniors and handicapped individuals and write to the DOT to have the laws enforced...it’s happening in Manhattan finally...why not here? —Nick Liberati

Elevator Emergencies On New Year’s Day Monday, January 1, 2018

On New Year’s Day, Monday, January 1, 2018 UNITEC mechanics will be on stand-by call back which means they will respond within one hour of a call. They will only respond to true elevator emergencies, such as entrapment, no elevators service in a building, elevator stuck with door open, burning smell, scraping sounds, excessive vibrations and water flooding in elevator car or pit. Emergency calls will be dispatched by the Riverbay emergency desk. For key or other retrieval on New Year’s Day, the holiday rate of $325 will be in effect. If you can wait until after the holiday, the charge will be a nominal $25 fee. —Riverbay Management

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

SAFETY NEWS ALERT COLD WEATHER

When your body cannot warm itself, or when exposed skin freezes, serious cold-related injuries and illnesses may occur. These injuries could include permanent tissue damage or even DEATH. Two of the most common cold related illnesses and injuries are Frostbite and Hypothermia. HYPOTHERMIA: • Causes uncontrolled shivering, fatigue/drowsiness • Causes skin to become bluish and cool to touch • Can cause slurred speech, clumsy movements, or confused behavior FROSTBITE: • Causes a pale, waxy-white skin color • Causes skin to become hard and numb • Usually affects fingers, hands, toes, feet, ears and nose PREVENTION: 1. Learn to recognize weather conditions which are hazardous 2. Know the signs and symptoms of cold-related illnesses and how to help yourself and others 3. Dress in LAYERS on cold, wet, or windy days 4. Use the buddy system, so that one person can check on the other. —SAFETY DEPARTMENT

Important Notice to Shareholders of Building 7 Building 7

Current Lease Expiration Date

New 3 yr. Expiration Date

Building 7 120 DeKruif Place

March 31, 2018

March 31, 2021

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

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

Co-op City Times / December 30, 2017

Public Safety Report

CCPD Welcomes A Safe New Year 2018 BY LIEUTENANT PAM APOLLO

As we welcome the New Year 2018 the Co-op City Department of Public Safety would like to take this opportunity to wish everyone and safe and healthy New Year. It is also a good opportunity to make readers aware of the goals this “Public Safety Report” within the Co-op City Times strives to achieve. The Public Safety Report has been written by Lieutenant Pam (Ruiz) Apollo since April of 2007. Many of my avid fans have taken time to send a letter, an e-mail or let us know in person or by phone that they like the articles. Continued feedback on what you would like to see in future articles is always welcomed. As the Co-op City Department of Public Safety encourages residents to call if they see something suspicious, an open dialog for relevant topics is also welcomed. Many of the topics have been suggested by readers who feel their neighbors can benefit by being made aware of situations which can become problematic. The articles address potential hazards and give information about how to recognize a threat and how to take steps to protect themselves against that threat. I am always happy to hear from my readers who have recognized a potential scam instead of falling victim to it. The “Public Safety Report” tries to focus on safety and well-being for the residents of Co-op City. Articles attempt to focus on events that have occurred, information relative to the time of year or incidents in the media. Certain topics are repeated with an updated focus. Criminals may think they are getting smarter, but the public has become even smarter and more observant. Any criminal that repeatedly commits similar crimes in the community will get caught. The many windows of Co-op City serve as the eyes and ears of the community. The readership of the Public Safety Report article within the Co-op City Times is as diverse as the population of Co-op City itself. The ages of many of my avid readers range from elementary school students, friends I attended school with in Co-op City to parents and grandparents of my friends. I would also like to wish all retired members of our Riverbay family good health for the coming year. A special hello to my youngest reader, a young man who is very knowledgeable in all areas of law enforcement; he plans to pursue a career in law enforcement. The articles are written to appeal to persons of all ages. The articles try to take into account the diverse population of the community. By recognizing, respecting and celebrating our differences we become even better than the sum of our parts. Co-op City strives to be a community where neighbors care about one another. Looking out for your neighbor or just smiling and saying “hello” creates a neighborhood with strong sense of community. A strong sense of community deters crime and creates a positive environment. Have a safe, healthy and HAPPY NEW YEAR 2018. Also be sure to buckle your seatbelt and avoid distractions when driving. If you plan to consume alcoholic beverages be sure to designate a driver who will not drink or call a taxi. “Drunk Driving” and “Buzzed Driving” enforcement is heightened in December and January every year. Penalties for Drunk Driving are very high and can affect your insurance premiums and ability to obtain insurance for years. Leave your car at home and utilize public transportation, cab service or a designated driver for parties or celebrations where you plan to drink even one alcoholic drink. There is no amount of alcohol which is safe or legal when you are operating a

motor vehicle. This year the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration is using the phrases “DRIVE SOBER OR GET PULLED OVER,” “THEY’LL SEE YOU BEFORE YOU SEE THEM,” “YOU CAN’T HIDE IT; IF YOU DRIVE DRUNK, THEY WILL CATCH YOU” and “BUZZED DRIVING IS DRUNK DRIVING.” To learn more go www. nhtsa.gov/drivesober. On this website you can learn how you can help to eliminate drunk driving and

prevent unnecessary deaths. Always remember, if you see something, say something. Call 911 and the Department of Public Safety at (718) 671-3050 or online at www.ccpd.us. Callers may remain anonymous when giving information. The Co-op City Department of Public Safety would like to thank all persons who have called in suspicious activity. It is by your actions that the crime rate remains low and a high quality of life is maintained.

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

CONTRACT OPPORTUNITIES

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

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES

(Continued on page 26)

Co-op City Times / December 30, 2017

Director’s Viewpoint

Sonia Feliciano Treasurer

Dear Fellow Shareholders, It seems hard to believe that 2017 is quickly coming to a close. During this year we have had many challenges that we have overcome as we continue to work towards repairing our aging infrastructure. Some of the things we have been able to improve upon is our computer system to bring us out of the dark ages into the 21st century. We approved a contract for our power plant operations to ensure we increase our efficiencies. We continue to spruce up our buildings with the painting of hallways, stairwells, and laundry rooms and so much more discussed during the year. What I would like to see is our community working towards 100% recycling where we would not only benefit from the revenue, but becoming a community that recycles. We are not there yet, but we will continue to send the message. Our janitorial/maintenance director has ordered several thousand signs for the compactor rooms addressing the process of recycling so that we can better manage this initiative. Shortly, we will be closing the Dreiser auditorium for about a year so that we can renovate the facilities. How many concerts and events have we had in a place that looks like a dump? Imagine a newly renovated auditorium with fine acoustics, improved lighting, seating, state of the art stage, teleconferencing events and more. This is something to be proud of and you are making this happen. We will be able to rent for the different venues that will generate revenue for us. I have asked for added funds and man-

Overcoming Challenges

agement has agreed to renovate the bathroom closer handling all calls, it will not only strengthen custo Room 31 in Bartow which many have complained tomer service, but create efficiencies that will decrease hold times, and improve customer interacneeds a full upgrade. In December, 2018 we will be commemorating 50 tion and strategy. We want to see the level of years in Co-op City. Those who are original share- employee to customer engagement grow in a positive holders can remember the days of its infancy and way. We are shareholders and we will be treated as what it has grown to be, a beautiful community, “a shareholders. I thank the many shareholders that city within a city.” There will be more to follow on have either text me, written to me or called me with the planning for the festivities that will take place and their concerns. I am honored to serve you to the best will be looking for your input. of my ability and will continue to do so, so please As chairperson of the Buildings and Grounds continue to send me your concerns. I am truly excited about 2018. As we look forward committee, I want to thank the committees of Building Presidents and representatives who not only to the New Year it is inspiring to see what we have come to the meetings extremely engaged but are accomplished together. Please remember to look in or call your neighbor, committed in helping keep our buildings safe, and well maintained. This is not only for the inside, but friend or relative that may be alone or far away. A the outside. They are a feisty group, never backing cheerful voice is sometimes all they need to make down from a challenge all for the benefit of our com- their day. munity. We also have dedicated management workMay the blessings of the New Year bring you ing with us to resolve the concerns that are brought much happiness, good tidings and a joyful spirit. You can write to me at 2049 Bartow Avenue, for resolution. We will continue to work on those Bronx, NY 10475 or you call me on 917-992-7311. problems as the eyes and ears of the community. In 2018, we should be starting the modernization Thank you. Shareholders First “we matter” of our 160+ elevators over a 5-year period prioritizing the most urgent ones first. I will continue to focus on maintaining t r a n s p a r e n c y a n d improving customer service. I am Shareholders, beginning in January 2018, you will be receiving the still getting shareholder notice depicted below which is being posted in your building lobby complaints about hold this coming week for informational purposes. The January mailing will include the fire safety plan and the annual window guard form times and poor cuswhich has to be filled out following the directions which will be tomer service. Manageincluded in the mailing and returned to Riverbay management or ment is working to have phoned in, faxed or emailed as per directions included in your packa one-stop shop. By age. You will receive more information as the date of the mailing having one department

Marricka Scott-McFadden Named Deputy Bronx BP

Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. has announced that Marricka Scott-McFadden will serve as the new Deputy Bronx Borough President, beginning in January 2018. “Marricka Scott-McFadden has decades of experience in both the public and private sector, and I am thrilled to welcome her voice to my administration,” said Bronx Borough President Diaz Jr. “My staff and I look forward to working with Ms. Scott-McFadden as we continue to advance a positive transformative agenda for The Bronx.” “I love The Bronx, and I am thrilled to serve it in this new capacity,” said Deputy Bronx Borough President Scott-McFadden. “I thank Borough President Diaz for this tremendous opportunity, and I look forward to working with stakeholders across the borough, city and state as we continue to implement a positive agenda for the betterment of the more than 1.4 million people who, like me, are proud to call this borough their home.” Ms. Scott-McFadden has spent nearly 20 years in politics and public service. She served as chief of staff for more than a decade to the current New York State Assembly Speaker, Carl E. Heastie. In this role she oversaw day-to-day operations of Mr. Heastie’s office and managed his legislative and policy units. Most recently, Ms. Scott-McFadden served as a vice-president in the New York City and Albany offices of the nationally recognized consulting firm Mercury Public Affairs. Ms. Scott-McFadden received her bachelor’s degree from CUNY’s Herbert H. Lehman College and her master’s degree in Public Affairs and Administration from Metropolitan College of New York. In 2009, she was named one of City Hall News’s “40 Under 40 Rising Stars” in Politics. She has also earned a spot on City & State’s 2016 list of the Bronx Most Influential Persons. Ms. Scott-McFadden is a proud resident of the Northeast Bronx and enjoys serving her beloved community. She replaces Hon. Aurelia Greene, who retired as Deputy Bronx Borough President in December.

Be On The Look-Out…

approaches, however, for now, please familiarize yourself with the notice by reading the poster in your building lobby.

Co-op City Times / December 30, 2017

Building 21 Association

Caroling Caroling through CO-OP!!! We caroled through the neighborhood and brought the spirit of the season! Representatives from each section of CO-OP City joined the Section 4 Partnership’s 1st Annual Christmas Caroling Event to usher in peace, love, friendship and unity in our community. We hope you will join us next year and make this a warm and fun tradition. Guess the theme, win a prize… The B-Section of Building 21 does a different Holiday Decorating Theme, every year. In past years we’ve done Holiday Cards, Christmas Stockings, etc. Last year the theme was “Angels.” If you can guess the theme we did this year, and you show up for our Egg Nog Toast to the New Year (every year after the decorations come down), we’ll have a special prize just for you. “Everyone” will be allowed to guess one time. Write your answer on a piece of paper. We will read them all and award the winner on January 8th, Cooperators organized through the Section 4 Partnership sang Christmas Carols to their neighbors last Friday evening after the decorations come down, starting at 7 p.m. in “The Gathering Room” located in the rear of the B-Secstored. All are welcomed. tion. You must be present to win. 21 Association General Session Meeting FYI, all monies collected are turned in to our treasurer and installed in the (Note: 4th Thursday – EACH Month…) association’s bank account. Monies collected for the Association are used expressly for 21 Association gatherings… Holiday Gift collections (i.e., Porters, • Thursday, January 25th - 7 p.m. (Guest: Amer Ishaq of Altice/OPTILobby Attendants etc.) are the responsibility of each floor individually and MUM) should be handled by the Floor Captains… Do you have questions regarding The 21 Association? You have 3 ways of Please be informed of the following dates: gaining information. Email: 21association@gmail.com. Call: 347.504.1821. Think Tank - Fridays - 8:30 p.m. in The Gathering Room Attend the monthly general meetings in “The Gathering Room”, in the rear of the • Friday, January 5th, OPEN B-section at 7pm. Everyone from all buildings plan to come and join us at BuildHoliday Decorations will be left up to enjoy through Saturday, January ing 21 sometime. Bring a friend. “Each one of us, multiplied by all of us, equals 6th (The Epiphany/ Little Christmas) “A FORCE FOR GOOD…” Decorations come down Monday, January 8th - 5 p.m. See you around the neighborhood! • Annual Toast to the New Year! January 8th after the Decorations are —Michelle Marbury

DR. LEWIS WOLSTEIN NOW ACCEPTING AETNA!!

Podiatrist — Foot Specialist

• Practicing in Co-op City since 1975 • Board Certified in Foot Surgery • ALL conditions of the foot treated • We

accept most health insurance plans

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

Dr. Lewis Wolstein

Call:

“Se Habla Español”

718.671.7226 100 DeKruif Place

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

Co-op City Times / December 30, 2017

Director’s Viewpoint

Francine Reva Jones Assistant Secretary

The Section 4 Partnership launched its first Holiday Caroling event on Dec. 22nd. The group met in the Building 21 Gathering Room where about 50 cooperators assembled for hot cider, cocoa and cookies, provided by the co-sponsors, Altice/Optimum. After taking group photos, we proceeded out to Benchley Place and sang three songs, then to the Broun Place Townhouses, followed by the Adler Place Townhouses and ending up behind Asch Loop, Bellamy Loop and Co-op City Blvd. (Buildings 20, 21 and 22). We sang a total of twelve songs, some of which included Away in the Manger, Jingle Bells, We Three Kings of Orient Are, The First Noel, Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, Frosty The Snowman, Silent Night, and We Wish you a Merry Christmas. Cooperators returning home from work stopped and join with us. It was fun and something that the S4P will plan for next year. Thanks to all participants and especially the Section 4 Partnership President Michelle Marbury who planned and led the event. Working Families Party It was at the Working Families Party meeting on December 19th that I learned that Governor Cuomo vetoed the Transfer Bill #A-3439. This means that some cooperators must continue to pay a double fare, if they need to transfer twice as a result of the MTA re-routing the buses in our community. Cooperators should remember this when Gov. Cuomo runs for reelection.

Holiday Cheer

We also discussed the Tax Bill that passed in the House and what it meant to middle class and poor Americans. There are eight Democrats that vote with the Republicans, called the Independent Democratic Conference and we should remember them when they are up for re-election, including Jeff Klein, David J. Valesky, David Carlucci, Jose R. Peralta, Jesse Hamilton, Diane Savino, Tony Avella and Marisol Alcantara. Are these fake Democrats, or what?! Congratulations The book signing event of “Walking Through the Raindrops,” by Rev. Dr. Robert A. Smith, Jr., took place on December 23rd, hosted the Iman Drammeh of The Drammeh Institute. Several cooperators attended as Dr. Smith discussed various segments of the book and responded to our questions. All wished Dr. Smith much success in having his literary work reach the masses of people. Several cooperators were recognized by State Senator Jamaal Bailey for their contributions to improve the quality of life in Co-op City. Congratulations to Ms. Virginia Stewart, President of the Coalition of African-American Churches & Community Organizations of Co-op City, Inc. and former President of the Retirees of Dreiser Loop. The other recipients were Bishop Nancy Rosario and Pastor Deborah Jenkins. They deserve this recognition and I trust that they will continue their efforts to enhance our community. Riverbay Holiday Party An enjoyable evening was had by everyone that attended the Riverbay annual holiday party at the Eastwood Manor on December 19th. There was good food, good music and good cheer. Riverbay Manage-

Broun Place Townhouse Association

From Broun Place Townhouse Association: Bundle up neighbors, it is cold outside. Broun Place Town House Association wishes everyone a very happy new year. Our next subject this week is caroling around Co-op City. Friday the 22nd of December, it was beautiful to see the rather large group of carolers come into Broun Place and stand by our community bulletin board, with flashlights and music. Congratulations to the Section 4 Partnership for sponsoring and leading the membership to accomplish this fun event. Michelle Marbury, you are a shining star in community affairs. About twenty families donated to make our grounds keeper’s Christmas more delightful and merry. Our association has not been that successful in collecting a gift for our grounds person but to those that did donate, Martin sincerely appreciated the generous gifts. Broun Place has turned on the festivities and designs in decorations of the season. How lovely it all looked after the snow on Christmas Eve. Although it was very light it was lovely. Don’t miss events like the Bronx Botanical Gardens Train Show. We thoroughly enjoyed our Co-op City’s tree lighting ceremony evening event. The dancers, singers and violinists were truly fun to watch. The highlight soloist was Brandon the 10year-old drummer, a star is born for sure. Our Santa was portrayed perfectly. Thank you to Michele Sajous, Leandra Peters, Santa and the volunteers for making life brighter here. Regarding the Ad Hoc planning board meeting that had encouraged building association chair people to attend: Nancy Rosario was appointed Chair of the Committee. January 8, 2018 is the next meeting of the Ad Hoc Committee but the emphasis will be with houses of worship. A list of requests for repaving will be submitted and considered. A section of Broun Place is included. Although we attempted to get the full list, it wasn’t available. Our Board Secretary asked for a STOP sign at the corner of Bellamy and Broun be considered. Other issues included: the timing of crosswalk signals to be extended, problems with 311, new signage on Bartow and Baychester and etc. Sincere Thanks to Executive Committee members, Vivian Burrus, Grace Emanuel and Lillian Richardson for attending. Neighbors, get your garbage into the proper bins. The signs are up. Throwing the bag over the back fence doesn’t make it. If you are reported disposing of your garbage incorrectly you may receive a “Community Complaint.” If you see a bottle or newspaper etc. pick it up and dispose of it in the correct bin. We need patio lights on, especially facing the cull de sac. Please replace them or call Maintenance or Cooperator Services to do it. We are on the “Do Not Call” registry but scam calls occasionally get through. A sample of a scam: “You qualify for a reduction in your credit card interest rate, press #2 to speak to a rep.” Don’t do it! Also, Happy Birthday greetings to Tamara Roebuck Hodges —Eva Lazaar

ment did a terrific job in planning the affair. Kwanzaa There are three more days of Kwanzaa that can be observed. On December 30, the fifth principle of The Nguzo Saba is Nia, meaning Purpose, in the African language of Kiswahili. Description: To make our collective vocation the building and developing of our community in order to restore our people to their traditional greatness. On December 31, the sixth principle is Kuumba, meaning Creativity. Description: To do always as much as we can, in the way that we can, in order to leave our community more beautiful and beneficial than we inherited it. On January 1, the seventh principle is Imani, which means Faith. Description: To believe with all our heart in our struggle, our parents, or teachers, our leaders, and the righteousness and victory of our people. The other principles are: Umoja/Unity, observed on December 26th; Kujichagulia/Self-determination, observed on December 27th; Ujima/Collective Work and Responsibility, observed on December 28th; Ujamaa/Cooperative Economics, observed on December 29th. Please review these meaningful principles with your family and friends and incorporate them into your live throughout the year. NYC Councilman Andy King will present his Third Annual Ball on January 1st at Eastwood Manor. Many New Yorkers are looking forward to attending. All are welcome. Contact You may write to: Riverbay Board of Directors, 2049 Bartow Avenue, Bronx, NY 10475 or email: fjones@riverbayboard.com. Be safe as you bring in the New Year.

Holiday Safety Alert Thousands of deaths are caused by fires, burns and other firerelated injuries every year, and 12% of home candle fires occur in December, the National Fire Protection Association reports. Increased use of candles and fireplaces, combined with an increase in the amount of combustible, seasonal decorations present in many homes means more risk for fire. •Keep candles out of reach of children. •Make sure candles are on stable surfaces. •Don't burn candles near trees, curtains or any other flammable items. •Don't burn trees, wreaths or wrapping paper in the fireplace. •Check and clean the chimney and fireplace area at least once a year. •Water live Christmas trees daily, keep trees away from heat sources and check lights for excessive wear. •Make sure artificial trees are labeled "fire resistant." •Use LED candles. •Use no more than three lights sets per extension cord. •NEVER leave a burning candle unattended (This includes falling asleep! Blow that candle out if you're getting sleepy). •NEVER leave the house or go to sleep with the Christmas tree lights on. •Poinsettias are poisonous to man and beast; keep them far from children and pets. —SAFETY DEPARTMENT

Co-op City Times / December 30, 2017

Director’s Viewpoint

This Is Us...It Is What It Is

in this nation, so has the Board endured. I have not published a Viewpoint in quite a while because it's important to me that what I shared is actually my Viewpoint. I must commend my neighbors and fellow volTo my fellow cooperators, I pray that the New unteers who for 2 1/2 years comprised the Contracts Year is filled with great advancements for you and and Compliance Committee: Vivian Burris, Joe your families! Like this year as citizens of the Casese, Hattie Overman and Harry Fleishman. The United States has been nothing short of an eye- Committee worked as a team and I believe made a opening reality, so has being a member of this difference. The work we did couldn't have been Board, for me. Conversely, just as we're all still here, achieved without the professional collaboration we

Deborah Jenkins

Happy Holidays and Happy New Year to everyone in Building 6. Santa Claus once again came to Building 6 this year and all the kids and adults had an awesome time, Everyone loved taking photos with Santa. Thank you everyone who came to the Building 6 holiday party , Glad to see the cooperators from Building 6 and Building 4 who came to our holiday party this year, making our holiday party a big success. I am glad a lot of people love all the Christmas lights in the building and outside of our building. Thanks a lot to my friend Marvin L for helping me plan our holiday party and helping me put up the lights in the lobby and outside Building 6 too. We are going to have our first building meeting for 2018 soon. We are looking for people to join our Building 6 Association board. We are going to restart our Building 6 game night It will be on the 1st and 3rd Friday of every month. —Jeffrey Schwartz

Building 6 Association

Smoke Detector User Guide Working Smoke Detectors Save Lives

1. Test your smoke detector weekly using the test button 2. Keep your smoke detector clean. Use a damp cloth to wipe the outside of the alarm. Do not use chemicals to clean your smoke detector. Keep cobwebs away. Vacuum the smoke detector every six months. 3. Never paint your smoke detectors or attach stickers or decorations 4. Low battery: The alarm is equipped with a low battery monitor which will produce a single "chirp" approximately every 60 seconds and the red LED light will blink every 30 seconds for a minimum of 7 days should the battery become low. Contact the Maintenance Department when this occurs. 5. Warning: Do not attempt to open the alarm for any reason. 6. End of unit life indicator (10 years): Ten years after installation, the detector will "chirp" twice every 30 seconds and the LED light will blink twice every 30 seconds to indicate it is time to replace the unit. 7. Smoke detectors with 9-volt batteries must be replaced by the cooperator every six months if they choose to keep it. (Remember: Change clock– change batteries). The unit is located outside the bedroom. If the alarm chirps warning that the battery is low, replace the 9-volt battery immediately. 8. Do not install smoke detectors outside kitchen, bathroom or near convectors or windows. Follow manufacturer’s installation guidelines. 9. Nuisance alarms: The smoke alarm is designed to minimize nuisance alarms. Smoke from cooking will activate the alarm. Steam from the shower will also activate the alarm. Using the fan on the range hood and keeping the shower door closed will help avoid those nuisance alarms. 10. Smoke detector activation: If your smoke alarm activates, leave the apartment immediately using either fire stairwell. Every second counts. Call 9-1-1 from inside the exit stairwell. 11. Call Maintenance if the alarm is continuously beeping for no reason – it will be replaced.

forged with the Procurement Department, under the leadership of Jose Mendez and his excellent staff: Lenya, Marsha, Barbara (retired), Dahlia and Anatoli. This is not a swan song but simply an acknowledgment of how great this corporation and Board can be when professionalism and integrity lead. I have high hopes for our community in 2018! Whether I write a Viewpoint or not, I still invite you to contact me via email at djenkins@riverbayboard.com or by 718-644-0951.

Co-op City Times / December 30, 2017

Building 22 A&B Association

Hi, Christmas is over. Hope everyone was surprised with their wishes: get ready for the new year, please be safe. The contribution to the staff and lobby attendant was very generous. The staff thank you very much, they will convey their pleasure later. We will post the totals we collected on the bulletin board. Our next association meeting will be the last Monday in January at 7 p.m. on the “B” side association room. Collection for the building association dues is $5 per apartment. Times and dates will be posted in the lobby and bulletin board. Prayers to all who lost loved ones, get well greetings to the sick and shut-ins. If you see something, say something. Happy New Year. Thank you, —Betty Leak

Building 12 Cooperators Civic Association

Wishing all of you a Healthy, Safe and Happy New Year. As we celebrate the beginning of a New Year, politically, 2018 is shaping up to be an important election year. Together we can make a difference. On Monday, January 15, 2018 we celebrate Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. RESERVE YOUR SEAT AT SIGHT AND SOUND TO SEE “JESUS.” Our trip is scheduled for Saturday, May 12, 2018, leaving at 7 a.m. from Building 12. Adults $165 per person, each child under the age of 11, $140. Adult 1st deposit of $55 is due January 30th, 2nd deposit of $55 is due February 28th, final payment of $55 is due March 30th. Child 1st deposit of $40 due is January 30th, 2nd deposit of $40 is due February 28th, final payment of $40 is due March 30th. Please make checks payable to Building 12 Cooperators Civic Association, 120 Casals Pl., 26L, Bronx, NY 10475. Contact Sonja 718379-7841 or Sonia at 718-379-8305 or Donald 917-848-0122. At our last meeting we handed out gifts to our Floor Captains. If you did not receive your gift, call Donald 917-848-0122. Our next general membership meeting is Monday, January 22, 2018, 7 p.m. in the Activity Room. Come on down and support your building association. A hearty welcome to our new neighbors. Reminder to please dispose of large bulk items by taking them to the basement and not the compactor rooms. “Straight Outta Co-op City” shirt purchases can be made by contacting President of Building 11, Deborah Henry 718-379-6312. Sizes are: Children (small-xl $10), Adults (small-xl $12), Adults (2x-3x $15). Money orders to be made payable to Summer Fun Day, mail to Deborah Henry, 140 Carver Loop, 24F, Bronx, NY 10475 or if you wish in cash. Please be extra careful when you are out and about. Best wishes to all who are celebrating a special event this month. Our thoughts and prayers go out to everyone who has suffered a loss or is sick and shut-in. If you see something, say something. To contact CCPD (Public Safety) call 718-671-3050. We can be reached at MLSAH@aol.com or 718-379-7841. —Sonja Maxwell

Oops. A slight correction is necessary with regard to the December 23rd article. When a shareholder deserves kudos for something they have unselfishly done – the least we can do is spell their name correctly. Well, the typo was that Ms. Sousa is known by Christina, Christine or even Tina but never Christian Sousa. The acknowledgement of her contribution of time and energy toward the holiday lobby decorating is still on the table and still much-appreciated as well as that of the rest of the special crew previously mentioned. A speedy recovery is wished to Mr. Rashid Latif from the residents of 100 Aldrich Street. Watch for the flyer announcing the January 2018 Association meeting as it may be scheduled a little later than expected. May the New Year bring happiness and health and prosperity to one and all! —Dorothea Castle

Building 15A Shareholders Association

Building 10 Association

Happy Saturday and Happy Holidays to all. I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas, Hanukkah or Kwanza celebration. HOLIDAY GIFT COLLECTION FOR BUILDING 10 WORKERS - Your Building Association Board would like to extend its sincerest thanks to everyone who graciously contributed to this year's holiday gift collection for our Building 10 work staff. We also thank those who generously gave of their time and energy in support of this effort. Once again, thank you. HOLIDAY SHELTER TOY/GIFT DRIVE - Our call for toy/gift donations for children in a Bronx shelter was met with astounding results ensuring that every child received a present. The excitement and smile on each child's face was priceless. A big thank you to all who helped to make this another successful year of giving to those children less fortunate than our own. HOLIDAY PARTY - Save The Date. Our New Year's holiday celebration will be held on Saturday, January 13th. There will be lots of food, drink, music and plenty of good fun for all to enjoy. Please watch for flyers detailing the specifics of this event. BUILDING 10 ASSOCIATION MISSION STATEMENT - The overall goal of the Building 10 Association is to continually seek improvements in the quality of life for Building 10 cooperators and their families. The mission of the Building 10 Association Board is to be advocates for the Riverbay Corporation and for Building 10 cooperators and families. We will seek opportunities to source information that will be useful to its members and plan for activities that will enhance the life and well-being of all. We wish each and every resident a happy, healthy and peaceful New Year. We look forward to serving you and the needs of the Building 10 community in the coming year. —Carol Campbell

Co-op City Times / December 30, 2017

Deck the Halls in Co-op City Building 17

Section 4 Association Caroling

Co-op City carolers enjoyed a warming snack of hot cider, cocoa and cookies in the lobby of Building 21 before venturing out to fill Co-op City with holiday spirit! The community event was organized through the Section 4 Partnership under the leadership of Michelle Marbury, and cosponsored by Altice/Optimum.

Greetings neighbors, hope all enjoyed Christmas and the holidays. Hope you got all you wanted for Christmas. THEASSOCIATION WISHES EVERYONEAHEALTHY, SAFEAND PROPERSOUS NEW YEAR. Remember to designate a driver if one is going to drink. After all this is the season to be jolly and enjoy family and friends, so be careful and stay safe. CHRISTMAS TREE/BOXES, ETC.DISPOSALS- please help our porters and dispose of these items properly. There is an arrow located in front of the elevator in the basement directing you where to take your excess items to be thrown away. Please do not leave the items right in front of the elevator/basement. We again express our gratitude to our neighbors who helped in any way during the holidays. On the behalf of Building 27, the association will share with you at our next general meeting of the contribution gifts made to our building staffing. MEET AND GREET PARTY-The association will have our annual holiday party to greet our neighbors in the New Year on Saturday, January 6, 2018 at 7 p.m. Meet us in the Association Room in Bldg 27C Rear Lobby. Fliers will be posted. So mark your calendar and see you there. Happy birthday to all in this month. Remember those that are in bereavement, Contact Lydia Rondon at (718) 583-3030 to share of any sickness or if a neighbor has deceased. Please continue to pray for our board members to make the best decisions for our homes and community. Pray for peace amongst the nations leaders. â&#x20AC;&#x201D;H. Overman

Building 27 Association

The residents of Building 17 beautifully decorated for the holidays both the lobby and many of the upper floors. Some of the creative shareholders included Building Association President James Payne, Barbara Johnson, Elizabeth Roach, Betty Thomas, Nicholas Battista, Eloise Bailey, Imogene Fowler, Lisa Payne, and Leonard Battista. Photos by Bill Stuttig

Co-op City Times / December 30, 2017

Councilman Andy King’s Annual Toy Giveaway!

City Councilman Andy King, in partnership with the Bronx Youth Empowerment Program (YEP) and Riverbay Corporation, hosted a holiday party for more than 800 youngsters from the northeast Bronx and their families on Christmas Eve afternoon in Dreiser Center Auditorium. The 12th annual “Sharing is Caring” holiday event included games, a magic show, a yo-yo performance, face painting, Mr. Met (the NY Mets mascot), food, and of course Santa Claus giving out toys with the help of the Councilman and his staff.

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Co-op City Times / December 30, 2017

Director’s Viewpoint

Daryl Johnson

Riverbay struggled in so many areas during 2017. So, now, I hope that we can make some progress on our projects and bring in some new businesses to this community during 2018. Lobby Doors Here is a project that has been dragged out for an incredibly long time. And, unfortunately, lots of residents with disabilities and other conditions cannot open up our lobby doors. So, we need to make the replacement of our lobby doors a priority on our list of projects. A few door designs have been tested. And, now it's time to move this project forward. Dreiser Auditorium Renovation The auditorium in Dreiser looks horrible. Therefore, we need to make some big changes to this auditorium if we want to put on some nice shows and if we want to make some good money. Yes, the renovations will cost some money. But, I believe that some good renovations will bring in a lot of good organizations and people to this community. The auditorium in Dreiser can hold 1,000 people. So, we should consider hiring a good event company to help us put on some really nice and professional shows, parties, receptions, and business meetings. Also, we want to produce some really good advertisements so that a lot of people will consider holding their events here. We should also consider renovating our kitchen so that we can think about providing additional services for the events that we produce. And, if everything works out, then Dreiser can be the main place to go in the Bronx for really nice events. Bottom line: Similar to other really nice places, we should try to turn Dreiser around so that we can make some good money. U.S.P.S. - Lockers in the Lobbies As mentioned in my article from last week, the U.S.P.S. wants to install parcel lockers in our lobbies.

Happy New Year!!!

But, they want our mail carriers to make an attempt to reach our residents so that their packages can get delivered to them. If the residents are not home, then the package can probably be placed into a parcel locker. But, the word probably is accurate because each lobby is only going to receive one 6' x 3' cabinet that's going to contain eight lockers. So, the big question is: Will eight lockers be sufficient to handle our large hi-rise buildings? Realistically, that might be a stretch because residents that don't get a locker will still have to go to the post office and get on a long line to get their packages. So, essentially, we're back to square one on this project. One solution to this problem can be for the post office to spend some money and get outdoor lockers. Similar to the outdoor lockers from UPS, the postal service can work with us and get outdoor lockers with cameras so that residents can retrieve their packages right from centralized locations. So, there will be less people going to the post office. And, as mentioned before, people will probably want to order more products if they know that they can get them delivered without a lot of problems. Apartment Theft Unfortunately, thieves are still going into apartments here and stealing items. So, please make sure that you lock your door when you leave your apartment. And, please remember that some of these thefts might be from people that live in your building. As mentioned before, one guy allegedly tried to rob a lady that lived below him. So, she had no problem recognizing him when the police showed up. Amazing, huh? Garage Theft A very nice family recently bought a luxury vehicle and parked it into one of our garages. And, now, thieves are stealing items off of their vehicle. This type of crime is very bad. Therefore, cooperators are encouraged to call our Public Safety department at 718-671-3050 and fill out an official report if something is stolen from your vehicle. We need for these crimes to get reported, investigated, and then for these criminals to get locked up.

Building 9 Association

Greetings: Happy New Year! I trust your holidays have been filled with family, fun, food and love. Chanukah and Christmas have already been celebrated. We are in the midst of celebrating Kwanzaa, and El dia de los Reyes (Three Kings Day) will be celebrated January 6th. Somos unidos! The building staff collection fund was equally disbursed among the eight building and grounds staff this past week. In gratitude, we celebrate our member volunteers, without whom we could not have accomplished our goals: Linda Collins, Shirley Wells, Gwen Anderson, Eloise Coleman, Catherine Lemon, Mitzi Cleare, Wanda Rodriguez, Barbara Cloud, Janice Rosario, Helen Blakes, Shirley Johnson, Gabriella Concepcion, Wanda Randall and Daisy McCoy. Let us not forget our lobby tree trimmers and lobby decorators: Linda Collins, Shirley Wells, Gwen Anderson, Wanda Rodriguez, Irma and Antonio. Our lobbies are "looking good" for our children, neighbors and friends. The holiday decorating helps to put us in the holiday frame of mind. December has been a great end to a great year for the Building 9 Association executive board and members. There was party planning, party hosting and party going, lobby tree trimming and lobby decorating, scheduling of lobby sitting for staff collections, staff holiday funds disbursement, whew! All done with good cheer and passion. We are a 'working' executive board. It is our pleasure to serve you. Let's keep it going. As was mentioned during our November meeting, our bi-annual Building Association Executive Board Election is scheduled to be held in January 2018. As per our bylaws, this Annual Meeting will be for the purpose of holding the election of Building 9 Association officers. The Executive Board offices open for nomination to two-year terms are: President, 1st Vice President, 2nd Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, Assistant Secretary, Assistant Treasurer, and Sergeant at Arms. Officers and duties will be posted on the lobby bulletin boards. Nominations and elections will take place that same evening. Executive Board officers must work in the best interests of the members and in the spirit of cooperation and congeniality with others. Officers must attend, and be on time for, all meetings of the executive board and the general membership. Voting membership: only members current in their dues, and who have attended (at least) three meetings in each calendar year, are eligible to be nominated and/or to vote. One vote per apartment; no person under 21 years old shall be entitled to vote unless such person is a shareholder of record. "When we know the goal of a person, we know approximately what will follow." –Alfred Adler —Linda Collins

New Opportunities? Currently, there are three big-name stores that will be opening up in 2018. As mentioned before, Arby's will be opening up in Bartow. Then, a mini-mall with a 7-11, and other stores will be opening up on Bartow and Baychester. Thereafter, Starbucks is building a very nice store near Staples. So, I hope that our residents will seek out these stores for employment opportunities. Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over The governor recently stated that the police will be looking for impaired drivers during this holiday season. So, expect to see sobriety checkpoints if you're on the road. Also, according to an official statement from NYS, the police will be "watching out for distracted drivers, vehicle occupants who are not properly buckled up, and drivers violating the 'Move Over Law,' which requires motorists to exercise caution passing emergency vehicles that are stopped in or on the side of the road. State Police will also conduct underage drinker enforcement details statewide." This New Year's Eve is going to be really nice. So, please make some plans to have a nice time. Then, please make some plans that will not involve drinking and driving a vehicle. Close Our cooperators did an amazing job of enhancing this community with their holiday light shows, building displays, decorations, joyful smiles, and cheerful greetings. In fact, a lot of our cooperators showed some amazing talents with the way that they fixed up their place. So, I hope that everyone will have a wonderful, blessed, prosperous, joyful, peaceful, and a Happy New Year. Thank you. Questions or comments? Please send a letter to: Daryl H. Johnson, Riverbay Board Director, c/o Riverbay Corporation, 2049 Bartow Avenue, Bronx, NY 10475. Also, please call me at 718-671-4544 if you would like to have a discussion with me. Okay, that’s it for now. So, please have a wonderful week. And, may God bless you and your family. Thank you.

Building 13 Association

Building 13 wishes everyone a Happy NEW YEAR!!!! JOIN US TODAY-HOLIDAY FUN – Celebrate with us as we prepare to say goodbye to 2017. December 30, 2017 from 7:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. (adults) in the Association room. Please bring your favorite dish, eat, dance and be merry. Our next Building meeting will be held on Thursday, January 4, 2018 at 7:00 p.m. Assemblyman Benedetto is scheduled to be our special guest so save the date and attend. Hungry for some lobster, shrimp, chicken, ribs, and all types of deliciousness? Then join us Saturday, July 14, 2018 for our 2nd All You Can Eat bonanza LOBSTERFEAST at the NORDIC LODGE, and 4 hour Casino stay at Foxwoods with outlet shopping at Tangers. We will leave from 100 Casals Place at 7:30 a.m., depart our destination for home at 6:30 p.m. The cost is $165.00 per person (includes taxes and gratuities). The deposit of $55 is due by December 31, 2017, 2nd payment of $55 is due on February 28, 2018 and final payment of $55 due April 30, 2018. Please be prompt with your deposit or pay in full. Checks for Building 13 events should be made payable to Building 13 Assoc. Inc. and mailed to 100 Casals Place #32K, Bronx, NY 10475. Contacts: Sherrie Hernandez at 914-837-5970, Gail Sharbaan, Treasurer at 718-671-3801 or Leslie Peterson at 718-320-1370 (daddpeterson@aol.com). Our website is http://www.bldg13assoc.com or e-mail us at bthirteen.assoc@yahoo.com. Again, Thanks for making our Team work. —Leslie Peterson

Building 29 Association

Co-op City Times / December 30, 2017

This month the Building 29 Association held a Holiday Party instead of our monthly meeting. We had an excellent attendance and plenty of delicious food, brought by the cooperators--including Valerie's legendary potato salad!

But the highlight was a dance performance by the Soul Latin Line Dancers, led by Cynthia Dixon. They were terrific. (see photo above) Cynthia also led us in some fun line dances. To note: Cynthia teaches line dances in Co-op City, including in our own Einstein Loop. Look on her website www.soullatinlinedance.org for more information on classes. Coming up next month, we hope to have our Board President Linda Berk at our meeting. Be sure not to miss this important opportunity to hear Ms. Berk and to ask any questions. Also, in the near future, we hope to offer a trial class (or classes) of exercise for seniors, right in Building 29B. More information to be posted in the future. Finally, a very Happy New Year to all! —Katharine Wood

Building 30 A and B Association

Happy New Year Wishing everyone a happy and healthy New Year. Thanks to everyone who attended our holiday party. Next year we will probably hold our party between Christmas and New Year. We will be taking down our holiday decorations on Saturday, January 6th at 1 p.m. Crochet class will start on Wednesday January 3rd from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. The first building meeting will take place on Wednesday the 10th of January with the door opening at 7 p.m. and the meeting starting at 7:30 p.m. The first Po Keno game night will be on Friday, the 12th of January. Family Owned and Operated For those who are celebrating birthdays, anniver• Large Chapel • Pre-need counseling saries, and new arrivals congratulations. For those on premises who suffered a recent loss, our condolences. Those • Out of town services under the weather, get well soon. • Ample Parking on premises —Linda Werner

Building 32 Association

Meeting The first general membership meeting of 2018 will take place on January 24, 2018 at 7:30 p.m. in our association room in Building 32 B, first floor rear. Our special guest will be announced prior to the meeting. Everyone is welcome; we would like to see some of our newer cooperators. Dues Collection - Our dues collection for the building association will start in February. Our dues remains at $5.00 per family per year. Trip - We will start collecting in February for our trip to the Dinner Theatre in May to see "Sister Act." The cost of $80.00 includes round-trip transportation, your meal, taxes, and gratuities. —Lorna Smith

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Co-op City Times / December 30, 2017

Director’s Viewpoint

Evelyn Turner

If you are in a certain age group you remember the song by the late James Brown that says “It’s a Man’s World” and it would not be nothing without a woman or a girl. That said, all praises go to women who are calling out men that have allegedly abused their power at work and other venues in a sexual way. This is indeed a great consciousness-raising moment in our history today. If you know or work with women who have been sexually abused or harassed sexually in some way, you understand why they have not come forward. Many women will continue to suffer in silence. There are tremendous costs for being assertive, however, women are coming forward and sharing like never before. I am certain that Riverbay Corporation will continue to practice a “zero-tolerance policy” when it comes to sexual harassment. In the court of public opinion it will be hard for community leaders to come back after an allegation is made regardless of “due process.” In my opinion, we must not celebrate too quickly as we have both women and men who may say “she must have been asking for it.” Also, we must be careful with those who are vindictive and use sexual harassment claims to get even. Women still have a long way to go as there are still more men in power and making more money than women. My prediction is that in 2018 sexual harassment will dominate the conversations around the country. More businesses and institutions of higher learning will be speaking out about moral, ethical and social issues. Additionally, privileges afforded simply because of gender are being challenged like never before. WHAT ABOUT THE CHILDREN? At the last College Fair young girls and boys met and talked with Cooperator Sophia Brewster. They

It’s A Man’s World

also received free copies of her book, Profess Your Strength, A Youths Guide to Releasing Your Conqueror. As a survivor of sexual abuse, Cooperator Brewster will be assisted in arranging workshops with youth in need of healing. We have young girls and boys who have survived sexual misconduct and are suffering in silence. Unlike adults who are going public, youth tend to act out in silence. Plans are to also provide survival tools for young girls in particular leaving home for college for the first time. It’s a difficult world for young people leaving the security of their parents and wanting to “fit” in. This will be a great 2018 initiative this Director will cause to happen for our youth. According to Sophia, the Author, “Not everyone heals the same; what might help you might not help me. When I got abused I chose not to go to the police because I didn’t want to be known as the girl who got abused.” Stay tuned. PARKING CHAIRMAN COMMITTEE UPDATE Coming in 2018 are three significant changes. The first one will be a new system where parking stickers will be fixed to the windows of your vehicle. No longer will Access Cards be required, or drivers loaning their Card to others. Before the change over there will be meeting and new forms to be filled out. It’s important that correct information is on file for all vehicles. We will see different equipment from what’s in place. Another change that is coming is High Reflective Signage in all Garages. At the meeting on December 17, 2017 we looked at the different signs. However, we did not have a sample of a “Do Not Enter” reflective sign. Members shared how they have experienced cars coming towards them in the wrong direction. Rental for Storage space for Shareholders is an issue. Apparently, Riverbay-approved organizations are paying different rates for the same square footage. Under our present Management and Leadership of the Department, this will cease in 2018. A plan is being developed where everyone will pay the same amount, no exceptions. Please know that Commercial storage rates will be different.

National Council Of Negro Women, Inc.

As we come to the end of 2017 and welcome in a New Year, 2018, our Section President, Lori Melton, thanks all the members whose volunteer efforts brought so much to our Co-op City community in the past year. We also thank our friends who donated to our Holiday Drive and other times throughout the year when we focus on sharing with our neighbors in the Phipps Residence. In two days, a new year begins and we have a continued opportunity to bring to our community the legacy of our founder, Mary McLeod Bethune. Membership – Our first membership meeting of the New Year will be on Sunday, January 14, 2018 in room 11, Dreiser Community Center at 3 p.m. Please come with ideas of services we can bring to the Co-op City community and ready to roll up your sleeves and get to work! If you can’t come to our meeting, remember you can contact us at Facebook.com/ncnwco-op or ncnwco.opcity@gmail.com or at P.O. Box 93, Bronx, NY 10475. Activities & Events for 2018 – We are looking forward to 2018 and the various activities and events that we will bring to the Co-op City community. Our first event of the New Year will be our annual Black History Pro-

gram, co-sponsored with the Riverbay Fund, on Saturday, February 24, 2018. This program gives the youth of the northeast Bronx an opportunity to showcase their talents including singing, spoken word, stepping, praise dancing and instrumental performances. Developing and showcasing these creative talents enrich the lives of the performers as well as the viewers. On April 21, 2018, we will be celebrating our Women’s Day Program. We are so fortunate to have a creative artist in our membership, Camille Worrell, to develop this program around the theme of “Self Love” in the service of praising the place of women in our society. Our Pre-Mother’s Day Gospel Luncheon Cruise was so popular in May 2017 that we will be repeating this fun cruise in New York Harbor on Saturday, May 12, 2018. This will be a chance to once again treat our moms, grandmothers, aunts and sisters to a luncheon buffet with a gospel choir as entertainment. Mark your calendars now! More details in the next few weeks. Members of the Co-op City Section of National Council of Negro Women, Inc. wish all our families, friends and neighbors a New Year filled with love, peace, joy and prosperity. —Joyce Howard

Thanks to all members and staff for working with this Director on the Parking/Garage Committee in 2018. COMMUNITY RELATIONS COMMITTEE We did not have a meeting in December 2017 but will resume in January 2018. We have some great ideas and need to crystalize our plans and present to the Board for follow-up. Call the Board Secretary if you would like to work with this Committee in 2018 @ (347-913-4225). ASKING MORE FROM ELECTED OFFICIALS A suggestion from a Shareholder is that we all ask more of our elected officials and I agree. For example, we need to ask that when important Bills are pending in Albany, have a Town Hall Meeting in time for Shareholders’ to send letters. Case in point, how long was the MTA Metro Cards Bill pending before the Vote? Did our Albany elected officials have time to come to Co-op City for a Town Hall Meeting? The same concern about “some” elected official in Washington, DC and the lack of information sharing with Shareholders “before’ the vote. Now that we have a new tax bill, will a Town Hall Meeting be arranged to help Shareholders understand how we will be impacted? You may want to call the local offices and let your voices be heard. WINTER WELLNESS A holiday is a day set aside by custom or by law, on which normal activities are suspended or reduced. Individuals celebrate or commemorate an event or tradition of cultural or religious significance. Winter and holiday memories can affect how we feel and what we do or may not do. It is a good idea to think of self-care practices to help you feel and be well. Consider visiting a museum, opt for water and be active. HAPPY NEW YEAR! HAPPY KWANZAA! Thanks and Gratitude to all for your support throughout the past year. May the work I’ve done in 2017 speak for me. Thank you. Yours In Truth & Service: Contact, Evelyn M. Turner, LCSW – eturner@riverbayboard.com – 917-324-1033.

NCNW Holiday Drive

NCNW member Vivian Wescott (left) with the Director and Recreation Coordinators for Phipps Neighborhood Residence Home. On behalf of the members of the NCNW Co-op City Section, we would like to thank everyone who was able to contribute to the NCNW's Annual Holiday Drive. Your generous donations of new winter coats, hats, scarves, gloves, socks, toys, books and baby supplies were greatly appreciated. The items were donated to the children at the Phipps Neighborhood Residence Home. NCNW members Alma Walther and Vivian Wescott who distributed the items expressed the excitement of the children receiving the toys but more so the appreciation of the parents who were able to pick out a new warm coat, hat, or scarf, for their child/children in addition to school supplies. Phipps Neighborhood is also where NCNW donates school supplies with the help and support of the Co-op City community. Once again the members of NCNW thank you for your support as we support the needs of others.

Co-op City Times / December 30, 2017

Co-op City Sports

Co-op City Little League Sets Free Clinic/ Registration Dates

If you missed the Co-op City Little League Winter Registration dates, do not worry!!! We have confirmed our free baseball clinic dates to be held at Truman High School beginning in January. The free baseball clinics are open to all children from ages 4-16 and will be held at Truman H.S. gym 750 Baychester Ave. (rear entrance). You can also register your child for the upcoming 2018 Little League season at any of these clinics. The dates and times are as follows: January 7th, 21st, 28th; February 4th and 18th and March 11th. Times for children ages 9-16 years old are from 9 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. and for children ages 4-8 years old are from 11:30 a.m. - 1 p.m. Please note that registration will only be held on the dates of the clinics. Should you need another time to register, please reach us at coopcityll@ yahoo.com. Also, please like us on Facebook! —Joe Roman

Co-op City Toastmasters

It is not unusual to make plans and goals at the start of a new year. Is becoming a better speaker or leader one of your goals for 2018? If you answered yes, joining Co-op City Toastmasters (CCTM) is one way to set that goal in motion. Come to one of our bi- weekly membership meetings and see how CCTM can help you in achieving your goal or goals. Ask member Joyce Wright about setting goals. Joyce has just received her Competent Communicator Award after completing all 10 speeches in the Toastmasters Competent Communicator Manual. In just a few more sessions Joyce will also achieve the Competent Leader Award, which is the second educational track afforded in the TM public speaking program. “Toastmasters really helps and encourages you to overcome your fears of speaking in public,” says Joyce. What is your goal for the new Joyce Wright (l) receiving year? A first step is to join Co-op City Toast- Competent Communicator Ribbon from VPPR Marietta masters. Phoenix. Our program is self-paced. Members actively participate in meetings. You will learn a variety of presentation skills. Bring a friend with you and sit in on a meeting. We meet on the first and third Thursday of the month in Room 28, lower level of Bartow Mall. All are welcome to come. The first meetings in the New Year are scheduled for January 4 and January 18 at 7:30 pm. Sharp. All the best in 2018. Congratulations to TM Joyce Wright on her achievements and remember your goals for 2018. Start now. Mark your calendar for January 4th and January 18th. —Marietta Phoenix

Association of Building 14 Cooperators

As 2017 draws to a close, and we look to welcome in the New Year, a warm and gracious “thank you” goes out to all of the cooperators that have supported the Association of Building 14 Cooperators. Our sincere appreciation to cooperators, who throughout the year have given of their time to attend meetings, sit in the lobby for special activities, serve and/or make good eats for parties, and decorate for the holidays. A personal “couldn’t do it without you” to the team the Association officers- Sandy McMichael, Peter Garcia and Darlene Dove as well as those cooperators who have stepped up time after time! We invite all cooperators to join us in making this place we call home a place of pride and community. Here are a couple of the Save the Date events happening early in 2018: • Saturday, January 20th Games & Grub Night: An adults-only social gathering with games, “smack” talk about sports and other hot topics, and great appetizers; • Wednesday, January 24th: First Association meeting for 2018: I am still seeking a Social Media guru to conduct a mini workshop to educate non-techies on the various Social Media websites, apps, streaming, etc. • Friday-Sunday, February 9th – 11th “Show Some Love” Valentine’s Day Fundraiser: We plaster the lobby walls with $1 heart shapes filled with sentimental words of love and friendship; and, • Weekend in mid-March – Building Dues Collection: $5 per household. No matter how you celebrate the New Year, please be safe, and may the coming year bring you and yours peace and prosperity in all of its forms! —Josie Ferguson

African American Association

The association sponsors the following ongoing programs and encourages your participation. Acting Classes – Children’s and Adult classes are available. Contact: Meca Talent. For more information, call us at: 646-373-4122. Belly Dance Classes – Wednesdays, 7:00 p.m., Dreiser Center, room #2. For a nominal fee, you will have fun and stay in shape. For more information, call Xonia, 646-301-9438. Children’s Programs – For information about the after school program, call 718-379-5555. Evening Line Dance Classes – Dance to Soul, Latin, and Gospel music on Thursdays, 7:00 p.m. in Dreiser Center, room #2. Also 1st and 3rd Tuesdays in Einstein, Section #5. Call Cynthia, 917-903-7073. Institute of Youth/Adult Study Group – Meets every 2nd and 4th Monday, Dreiser Center, room #15, 7 p.m. Contact Haru Maat, harumaat@msn.com. Music, Rhythm & Dance – Most Fridays, 7:30 p.m., Dreiser Center, rm. 15; most Saturdays, 10:00 a.m., Dreiser Center, room #2. Call Keith, 917-5616211. Yoga & Pilates Mat Classes – Classes on Tuesday, 7:15 p.m., Dreiser Center, rm. 2. Lose weight, tone and strengthen your muscles with exercises that reduce stress through breathing techniques. For more information, call 718671-8364. Yoga And Zumba – Classes on Saturday start at 9:30 in Dreiser Center, room #2. General Membership Meeting – The next meeting will be Tuesday, January 9th. If you are unable to attend the meeting, please read our weekly column for updates. Also, if you wish to join or update your membership, please send a check or money order (DO NOT MAIL CASH) of $15 for a single membership or $25 for families to: African-American Association of Co-op City, P.O. Box 702, Co-op City Station, Bronx, NY 10475. Donations are welcomed. Like us on Facebook: CoopcityAfricanamericanassoc/email us at: aaaccpower@gmail.com. —Kevin Lambright

Coalition of African American Churches & Community Organizations of Co-op City, Inc.

The Coalition of African-American Churches & Community Organizations of Co-op City, Inc. thank everyone for coming out and supporting our 21st annual Kwanzaa Celebration. We appreciate you for sharing your time and energy to attend, assist, and entertain. The next general meeting scheduled for Tuesday January 2, at noon, 177 Dreiser Loop, Room 15. Please inform Coalition of any suggestions that you may have. Ms. Virgina Stewart is the President of the Coalition. Phone number (718) 671-4506. The Coalition is a non-profit organization dedicating to maintaining and improving the quality of life of cooperators while providing educational and culturally enriching programs for the community. We also act as one voice for all Coalition members where there are issues of common concern and human rights. We also sponsor Friends & Family Day Celebrations, and Kwanzaa free for the community. Members of the Coalition include the following: African-American Association; Co-op City Baptist Church; Retirees of Dreiser Loop; Harriet Tubman Independent Democratic Club; NAACP. Co-op City Branch; and St. Joseph’s Episcopal Church. Churches and Organizations that desire to join the Coalition may apply for membership by calling (718) 671-4506 or (718) 671-9610 for a membership application, which should be returned with a letter on your Church/Organization’s letterhead and signed by the Minister/President. Read Coalition’s weekly column for information about events and issues. The Coalition wishes everyone Happy Kwanzaa, and a Prosperous New Year. Remember the Coalition’s Motto is, “Coming Together is the Beginning, Keeping Together is Progress and Working Together is Success.. —Harman T. Leacock

Please curb your dog.

Co-op City Times / December 30, 2017

American Legion Post 1871

This is the last article for the calendar year 2017, but halfway towards my tenure that will round up in June 2018. I have enjoyed a good and wonderful experience of the board members as well as the general membership. Thus, I just want to say thank you for the support you’ve given me, while serving as the commander of this noble organization. This year’s Christmas celebration was the very first day of this week and for the last time this year, I want to say Merry Christmas to all those that celebrated it while I am sending warm holiday wishes to all those men and women serving abroad today, and to all those who have served, but now veterans. The holiday season can be difficult sometimes for many, and problems can feel magnified than it usually is. I want to reiterate the fact that as long as I am still the commander, veterans should endeavor to always feel free to let us be part of the situation that they are facing. Oftentimes, it might just be an issue of making calls to the right quarter that will get the problem solved. So, I want to make sure we employ the services of our agencies— NYC Department of Veterans’ Services and the Department of Veterans’ Affairs to look into our cases. So, I want to appeal to our comrades that if you or a veteran or family member you know needs help, please contact the Post and we will be able to connect you with the resources necessary. ORATORICAL CONTEST: The Bronx Oratorical Speech Contest took place here in Co-op City on Friday, December 29, 2017 at the American Legion Post 1871 in Section Five. There were contestants that came from far and wide, but only one contestant from Coop City. Successful contestants will be going forward to represent the Bronx at the District level on January 9, 2018 and the eventual winners will go to Albany to represent New York City in Albany. Even though students from grade 9 through 12 are eligible to participate in the contest, they can as well be homeschooled WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW Post 1871 veterans, amongst several veterans have been invited to the IONA College Basketball game in celebration of their MILITARY APPRECIATION NIGHT on Thursday, January 11, 2018 by 7 p.m. at Hynes Center on their campus in New Rochelle. All tickets are free for military veterans and current military members and their families. I want to appeal to our veterans to try and enjoy this free ride for the recognition of their services to the nation. The Commander will be attending the event. So, anyone who will be going can call the post for traveling arrangement. This year Mid-Winter Conference is from January 19 – 21 at the Desmond Hotel in Albany. The Commander will like to encourage Post 1871 comrades to attend this conference where important issues affecting the veterans are discussed, So, kindly call the office for details —Lsjc Adeyemi LaCrown O’toba, MSA

Spanish American Community Club

Please join us on the 2nd Thursday of every month at 8 p.m. Everyone is welcome! Our next meeting will take place next year on January 11th in room 16 of the Dreiser Community Center. Our Christmas Party, held Saturday, December 16th, was a huge success! The 2 live bands -world famous Orquesta Broadway and Charlie Donato y Son Ideal - provided fantastic music all night long. The dance floor was never empty. The club raffled off a Smart TV, won by Richard Viera, and a toaster oven, won by Lillian Mercado. Other assorted gifts were also raffled off. Congratulations to all the winners! We would like to thank Corona Beer for their donation. We are especially grateful to Public Safety, for ensuring a stress-free night, and to the staff of the Dreiser Garage, for taking such good care of our guests. Upcoming events: New Year’s Eve Party: Hector Jr. y Su Orquesta Cani will be providing the live entertainment this year. Tickets are $20 for adults, $10 for children under 12 years of age. Festivities start at 8:00 p.m. Please see the flyer on our website and on our Facebook page. Join us as we welcome in 2018. Our traditional ‘Tres Reyes Magos’ party will take place on Saturday, January 6th in Room 4 of the Dreiser Center. The flyer on our website and on our Facebook page has all the details. Welcome to our newest members: Carmen & Jose DeFrank and Richard Velez. Membership renewals for the coming year are now due. Dues are $30 per household. Additional information for all of our upcoming club events, as well as details concerning the club in general, can be found on our website: http://spanamcccc.synthasite.com. You may also contact the club at (718) 379-7017, email us at SpanAmCCCC@gmail.com or find us on Facebook (search for ‘spanamcccc’). —Carmen Rodriguez

Black Forum Defensive Driving Course Next course: January 13, 2018, 8:50 a.m. - 3 p.m. Dreiser Center Room 1. Lower your liability insurance cost by 10% and remove up to 4 points from your driver’s license. Please make checks of $35, payable to ‘Black Forum of CO-OP City’, and mail to 177 Dreiser Loop, Room 20, Bronx, NY 10475 at least 1½ weeks before class. Walk-ins are welcomed but only a $35 cash payment will be accepted the day of the class - no checks. Call by noon Friday to register and assure seating. Please bring your current driver’s license and a pen. (718) 320-8035. Nordic Lodge & Foxwoods Casino Trip Join us Saturday, August 18, 2018, for an amazing dining experience at the award winning Nordic Lodge, in Charlestown, Rhode Island. Enjoy two hours of an All You Can Eat seafood-plus buffet with lobster, prime rib, specialty desserts and more! The excitement continues at Foxwoods Casino. $165 includes dining, shopping, & round-trip coach transportation. 3 payments of $55 due 1/26/18, 2/16/18 and 3/16/18. Please make checks, payable to ‘Black Forum of Co-op City’ and mail to 177 Dreiser Loop, Room 20, Bronx, NY 10475. NO REFUNDS. Pick-up and drop-off at Dreiser, Asch Loop and Section 5. Please call 917-209-5334 or 718-320-0033 if you have questions. Emergency Food Program (10475 residents only) Please bring a current photo ID to register. ONLY accepted IDs are driver’s and non-driver’s licenses, and the ID NYC card. Bring four clean shopping bags and cart (if you have one). You’ll be issued a card that must be shown on every visit in order to pick up food. Buildings 27, 28, 29, 32 and 33 must pick up food on Thursdays at the New Vision Church, 115 Einstein Loop, 11 a.m.- 12:45 p.m. Buildings 26, 30, 31, 34 and 35 must go to the Evangelical Church, 2350 Palmer Avenue, 11 a.m. 12:45 p.m. also on Thursdays. Other buildings and townhouses must pick-up at Dreiser Room 20. Dreiser food distribution hours are Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays, 11 a.m. - 12:45 p.m. Room 20. PILOT PROGRAM: Dreiser hours extended Tuesdays, 5 p.m. - 6:30 p.m. Added Dreiser hours on the following Saturdays: January 13, 2018, February 10, March 10, April 14, May 12 and June 9. All hours are subject to change based on demand. New and currently registered guests are welcomed to participate in extended hours. ATTENTION: All participants are required in January 2018 to show a current photo with address ID card for re-certification. This confirms residence in 10475. Guests who lost their pantry card can reapply to the program in January 2018. Re-certification is during the regular business hours of your assigned week: Section 1 (Bldgs, 1-8), week of Jan. 1, 2018; Section 2 (Bldgs, 9-14), week of Jan. 8; Section 3 (Bldgs, 15-20), week of Jan. 15; Section 4 (Bldgs, 21-25), week of Jan. 22. Contact: Reach out to us if you have questions, (718) 320-8035 or coopcityblackforum@gmail.com. —Tony Illis

Drammeh Center

TODAY, join the Drammeh Center at our Day of Nia: Kwanzaa Open House from 1:00 p.m. -6:00 p.m. (Nia is the 9th day of Kwanzaa which also means purpose). Share your ideas with us and show your support for our exciting mission in the coming year which includes, social media internships during our next UN women’s conference “From African Soil to the Cotton Fields of Mississippi,” and a historic cruise. Come out and listen to soulful old-school music, delight your eyes and senses with unique jewelry by TalismaniX and meditation candles by NS on sale. Refreshments served. Last Saturday, the Drammeh Center hosted a book release signing event with Reverend Dr. Robert A. Smith Jr. for his new book titled “Walking Through the Raindrops,” which examines the negative impact of words on a person’s self-image. Once again we congratulate Rev. Smith for leading us in a thoughtful discussion. CELEBRATE WITH US OUR 25TH ANNIVERSARY next July 7 – 12, 2018 on a 5- night cruise through the North Atlantic Ocean corridor, with activists, supporters, artists, entrepreneurs, healers, interfaith and cultural workers to honor those lost in the Middle Passage. Join us for a libation at sunrise and memorial at sea – 400 nautical miles off the coast of Bermuda to say “Thank You” to our ancestors. Note: Prices are subject to change without notice. We encourage you to RESERVE AS EARLY AS POSSIBLE, as costs will increase according to availability. For information about securing your deposit call Sophia Facey: 917-754-0081 or email: LUTT2018@gmail.com LIKE US on our Facebook page, facebook.com/Drammeh Institute. P.O. Box 558, Co-op City Station, Bronx, NY 10475.

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

Co-op City Times / December 30, 2017

NAACP CO-OP City Branch #2210

Community Protestant Church

“Civil Rights Never Sleep”

Making America Hate Again The NAACP is outraged at reports that in a June meeting with then-Secretary of Homeland Security, John Kelly, Domestic Policy Adviser, Stephen Miller, and other administration officials, President Trump said of Haitian immigrants that they “all have AIDS,” and that Nigerian immigrants would never “go back to their huts” in Africa. “If these reports are true, it is utterly disgraceful that the President holds these views,” said Derrick Johnson, NAACP President and CEO. “There is nothing correct about these foolish and uninformed perspectives about Haitians and Nigerians – and by extension, all peoples of African descent. The practice of inclusion is essential to our democracy. Yet, again and again, President Trump and his administration have shown a lack of understanding of the entrepreneurial, economic, and cultural contributions of immigrants of color.” “From ending the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) protections to the suspension of the Temporary Protected Status program for nearly 59,000 Haitian immigrants, it is evident that the President’s sole focus is to further demonize non-white immigrants. “The blatant racism and general disregard for the civil rights and liberties of people of color have not gone unnoticed. By instituting policies that marginalize poor and working immigrants of color, the administration’s aim to architect an America that is Protestant, white, male and wealthy is clear, and we will not let this stand.” 2018 VOTE We stand on the verge of midterm elections that will determine 36 governors, 33 senators, and all 435 members of the House of Representatives. Our ability to mobilize in 2018 will define the political landscape for years to come. We saw in Alabama the power and potential of our impact when we mobilize. —Jerome L. Rice

Retirees of Dreiser Loop

Best wishes to members and friends to have a Healthy, Prosperous, and a very Happy New Year! Please note – the first Wednesday in January (03) 2018, the Retirees’ General membership meeting will be held in room “9” until further notice. See you there. TRAVEL EVENTS: (price includes transportation via Coach Bus - located at Dreiser Loop, in front of H&R Block) • Jan. 10-11, 2018 (Wed-Thurs) “FOXWOODS RESORT CASINO” MEET/DEPART: 11:30am/11:45am. SOLD OUT! Contact: Serita G. (347) 564-5722 /Barbara W. (718) 320-0500. • March 13, 2018 (Tues) “SANDS CASINO RESORT” Price: $40.00. Payment Due Date: Mon. Feb. 5, 2018. Contact: Serita G. (347) 564-5722 /Barbara W. (718) 320-0500. • May 11, 2018 (Fri) “Hunterdon Hills Playhouse Theatre,” NJ. Showtime: 11:00 am. Price: $75. Deposit: $40 - Balance $35 due Mon., April 19, 2018. Contact: Serita G. (347) 564-5722 /Barbara W. (718) 320-0500. REMEMBER – Your deposit, along with your name and telephone number, is required to reserve your trip &/or theatre seat. No cash. A check or money order only payable to RETIREES OF DREISER LOOP will be accepted. Committee members will be available in the Dreiser clubroom 19 (718)-379-0377 on Mondays and/or Thursdays, 3:00-5:00 pm. GOOD AND WELFARE: Those of you still under the weather, know that you are thought of warmly and wished brighter days. Call Josephine Flowers, (718) 320-0539, regarding illnesses and bereavements. Our next JAZZ UP YOUR HEALTH WITH A SENIOR SPA DAY, will be in January 2018 - Wednesday date to be determined at the January 3rd meeting. Call Claudette D, (718) 379-4784/Hattie L, (718) 671-8449 and leave your name and phone number if interested in pampering your body and joining us in January. “…..the New Year is only a stone’s throw away, may the Joy that comes with ending this year stay with you throughout the New Year. Have a Blessed new month and year 2018.”

On behalf of our pastor, Reverend Dr. Calvin E. Owens, and our church family, welcome to Community Protestant Church, a church of love and understanding, located at 1659 East Gun Hill Road, Bronx, NY 10469; telephone: (718) 862-9172. Regular Church Schedule Sunday School – 9:00 a.m. Worship Service – 11:00 a.m. Communion Service – Every first and third Sundays Noon Day Prayer – Hour of Power – Wednesday at noon Prayer Meeting and Bible Study – Wednesday at 7:00 p.m. The following program is at the Church’s Annex: 2053 Asch Loop North (Co-op City) Neighborhood Bible Study – Thursday at 10:00 a.m. Sunday School Is Now In Session Every Sunday At 9:00 a.m. Sunday School is really a part of our history and because someone cared and was concerned enough, many of us benefitted and know its value. In Sunday School, in a nurturing Christian education environment, an opportunity is provided for children to learn about the Bible, to grow in grace, to show love and respect for one another and to live more abundant lives. Jesus came that we might have life and have it more abundantly (John 10:10). We encourage you to bring your child, children or grandchildren to Sunday School and we look forward to seeing you. Other Scheduled Events On Wednesdays at noon, please join Pastor Owens for NOON DAY PRAYER AT CPC, an hour of Power, Prayer, Praise and Testimony. Refreshments will be served. RSVP: (718) 862-9172. Tomorrow, Sunday, December 24th at the 11:00 a.m. Service, the Sunday School will present its Christmas Program, which will include a performance by our Angels in Christ Liturgical Dance Ministry. Please come out and support our children and enjoy a wonderful holiday program. Please Note Special Services At Community Protestant Monday, December 25 – Christmas Day Service will begin at 9:00 a.m. Sunday, December 31 – Year’s End Service/Candlelight service will begin at 6:30 p.m. In this glorious season of the year, Community Protestant wishes you a blessed Christmas and bids a warm welcome to all to worship with us as we remember … When Love Came Down “The world was blessed at Christmas with a miracle of love … A guiding star and angel choir rejoicing from above. They pointed to a tiny babe within a cattle stall – A Saviour bringing peace on earth – the greatest gift of all. Celebrating the humble birth of our glorious Saviour and wishing you a season full of overflowing joy and peace.” The doors of Community Protestant Church are open to all to worship and fellowship with Christian believers of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. You are cordially invited to come in, join in and receive your blessing. —Evan G. Mitchell

Building 26 Association

Happy New Year to all of our Co-op City families, friends, merchants, and especially our new residents. May all of you be blessed with good health and prosperity for the 2018 incoming year. Congratulations to everyone celebrating birthdays, wedding anniversaries, new births, and other celebrated events during the month of January. Well wishes for a speedy recovery to those of you who are sick, hospitalized, and/or homebound. Our sincere condolences to those of you who experienced an unfortunate loss of a beloved one. May you be blessed with strength during your difficult time of bereavement. We ask that you properly dispose of live Christmas trees or wreaths, large boxes, and large bags of trash by taking them downstairs to your basement. Compactor rooms are not to be used for such items. It’s cold but get outside for a leisurely walk throughout our beautiful community. Take advantage of the after holidays sales by shopping at Bay Plaza. A walk throughout the mall is beneficial to your health. And you can obtain some excellent sales. Let’s keep our community beautiful by proper disposing your garbage into the trash receptacles. If you see something, say something by calling 9-1-1 for emergencies and 3-1-1 for all non-emergencies. Thank you. —YuVonne Lewis

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“COURTEOUS AND PROMPT SERVICE AT AN AFFORDABLE FEE”

633 Lydig Ave • Bronx, NY 1 block from Pelham Parkway & White Plains Road Accessible by #2 & #5 trains • #12, #22 & #39 buses

DAVID BRODMAN,Esq.

718.239.7110

Co-op City Times / December 30, 2017

Dreiser

Room 7 unless otherwise noted

Alternate Kosher Meals are also available

HAPPY NEW YEAR JASA CLOSED

Word Games: 9:30-11:30 a.m. Walking Club: 10:30 a.m. Bingo: 12:30-2:00 p.m. Caregiver Support Group: 1:00 p.m., 1st and 3rd Tues. Card Games: 2-4 p.m. Dominoes: 2:30 p.m.

Fri., Jan. 5

Thu., Jan. 4

Wed., Jan. 3

Mon., Jan. 1

Einstein Room 49 unless otherwise noted

Tues., Jan. 2

Bartow Room 31 unless otherwise noted

Blood Pressure: Every 1st and 3rd Wednesday 9-10 a.m. Games 9:30-11 a.m. Stay Well Exercise 10 a.m. - 11 a.m. Line Dancing 11 a.m. - 12 p.m. Bingo 1-2 p.m. Card Games 2-4 p.m. Dominoes 2:30 p.m. Smartphone Class Bartow Main office Beginner – 12:30 – 1:30 p.m. Intermediate 1:30 – 2:30 p.m. Library 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Word Games 9:30 a.m.-11:30 a.m. Crochet & Knitting 10 a.m. - 11 a.m. Spanish Class 11 a.m.-12 p.m., Bartow Main Office Chat Session 9:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Bingo 1-2 p.m. Card Games 2-4 p.m. Dominos 2:30 p.m. Men’s Line Dancing 9-10 a.m. Word Games 9:30 a.m.-11:30 a.m. Women’s Line Dancing 10-11:30 a.m. Chat Session 10 a.m. Piano Sing-along 11 a.m.-12 p.m. Bingo 1-2 p.m. Card Games 2-4 p.m. Dominoes 2:30 p.m.

HAPPY NEW YEAR JASA CLOSED

Dominoes 10 a.m. Matinee Movie 10 a.m., Rm. 45 Karaoke by Steven 1-2 p.m., Rm. 45

Walk Group 9:30 a.m., Rm. 40 Dominoes 10 a.m., Rm. 45 Spelling Bee 10 a.m. Spanish Practice Class 10:30 a.m., Computer Lab Zumba 11 a.m.-12 p.m., Rm. 45 Dominos 10 a.m., Rm. 45 Grandparent Connection 1st Thurs., Rm. 35 10:30am Arthritis Exercise 11 a.m., Rm. 45 Spelling Bee 11 a.m. Word Search 11 a.m.-12 p.m. Karaoke by Steven 1 p.m., Rm. 45 Dominoes 10 a.m., Rm. 45 Art 10 a.m., Rm. 45 Bingo 1 p.m. – 2 p.m. Card Games 2-4 p.m. Pokeno 2-4 p.m., Rm. 35 Blood Pressure 2nd & 4th Fri. 10-11:30 a.m., Rm. 45 (New) Free Oil Painting Classes Rm. 38 10:00 -11:30 a.m.

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

(Schedule subject to change without notice) Payments for trips @ 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.

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

HAPPY NEW YEAR JASA CLOSED Library, Exercise Bike, Chat Session 9:30-10:30 a.m. Alert & Alive On Vac. Until Jan. 9, 2018 Cultural Dance 10:30 a.m.–11:30 a.m., Aud. B Mind Teasers 12-1 p.m., Rm. 4 Zumba 1-2 p.m., Aud. A Afternoon Movie 1 p.m. Computer Class – Rm. 13; Beginner 1011 a.m.; Intermediate – 11 a.m. - 12 p.m. Only 6 seats available. Library, Exercise Bike, Chat Session 9:30-10:30 a.m. Sewing On vacation til Jan. 17, 2018 Tai Chi 11 a.m. - 12 p.m. Mind Teasers 12 p.m.-1 p.m., Rm. 4 African Brazilian Dance 1 p.m., Rm. 2 Art Class 1-3 p.m. Yoga 2 p.m.-3 p.m., Rm. 2

Kosher

Non-Kosher

HAPPY NEW YEAR

JASA CLOSED

Orange juice Beef Brisket Sweet & sour turkey w/tomatoes & meatballs onions Rice w/corn Broccoli & red pepGreen beans pers Whole wheat bread Homemade mashed Fresh Fruit potatoes Alt: Veggie liver Orange Pineapple Juice Beef Moussaka Garden salad Whole wheat bread Fresh fruit Alt: Tuna salad

Grilled chicken breast Rice w/vegetables Steamed green beans

Library, Exercise Bike, Chat Session 9:30-10:30 a.m. Blood Pressure 10-11:30 a.m. 1st & 3rd, Rm. 8 Line Dancing 10-11 a.m., Aud. A Piano Sing Along 11 a.m.-12 p.m. Drama Club 1:30-4:00 p.m.

Orange juice, Salmon cakes, Kasha Varnishkes, Winter blend vegetables, Healthy strawberry & applesauce, Whole wheat bread, Alt: Grilled chicken breast

Baked ziti w/beef meatballs Mixed vegetables Tossed salad w/dressing

Crochet & Knitting 10 a.m.-12 p.m. Library, Exercise Bike, Chat Session 9:30-10, 11 a.m.-12 p.m. Meditative Moments 11 a.m.–12 p.m., Rm. 8 Pokeno 3rd Fri., 1-2:30 p.m. Bingo 1-3 p.m. Card Games, Dominoes 2-4 p.m.

Apple juice Roasted chicken Potato Kugel Carrot Tzimmes Challah bread Alt: Gefilte Fish

Baked whiting fish fillet Baked macaroni & cheese Cucumber tomato salad

Fee for lunch is $2.00 & $5.00 for guest

ALL meals served w/margarine and fresh milk *Menu subject to change without notice. Alternate Kosher Meals are also available Bartow Center (929) 399-1394 Dreiser Center (718) 320-1345 • Einstein Center (718) 671-5161 SELMA. Light refreshments served. JASA is Closed Monday, Jan. 15, in observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Birthday. St. Mary’s Pool – Fri., Jan. 12; Fri., Jan. 26 & Mon., Jan. 29, $3. Pool aerobics for seniors, 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. Bartow - 8:30, Einstein - 8:45 & Dreiser 9 a.m. There is a $25 yearly fee to use the facility. Aldi – Tues., Jan. 16, $2. Bartow - 9:30; Einstein - 9:45 & Dreiser - 10 a.m. Fairway – Thurs., Jan. 18, $3. Bartow - 9:30; Einstein - 9:45 & Dreiser - 10 a.m. Target – Fri., Jan. 19, $2. Bartow - 9:30; Einstein - 9:45 & Dreiser - 10 a.m. Shoprite – Mon., Jan. 22, $3. Bartow - 9:30; Einstein - 9:45 & Dreiser - 10 a.m. Empire – Tues., Jan. 23, $5. Bartow - 9:30; Einstein - 9:45 & Dreiser - 10 a.m. Ridgehill – Wed., Jan. 24, $7. Bartow - 9:30; Einstein - 9:45 & Dreiser - 10 a.m. NEW Computer Class at Dreiser – Starting January 9, every Tuesday there will be a computer course for beginners, 11 a.m. -12 p.m., 177 Dreiser Loop, room 13. To sign-up for the class please call the Dreiser office at 718-320-1345. Only 6 seats are available. Notary Change for 2018 in Dreiser Loop – Jeannette Graves will be available every Thursday at 177 Dreiser Loop, room 13, for the months of January, February & March, 11 a.m. – 2 p.m.

Upcoming Events/Trips

JASA WELCOMES EVERYONE AGE 60 AND OLDER! Payments for trips can be made at all three centers. Trip registration policy: There will be no refunds for all trips. All trips include roundtrip transportation! All trips must be paid in advance – JASA will not accept checks under $5 (FREE) LiveOn NY – SCRIE/SNAP (Food Stamps) Assistance – Fri., Jan 12th, 26th, Feb 9th, 23rd, 9 a.m. – 2 p.m., JASA Main Office, 2049 Bartow Ave. No appointments. Walk-ins! First come! First served! Please make copies of your documents before coming to the office. Coat Drive – Dreiser Senior Center, 177 Dreiser Loop, Room 7, now thru January 3, 2018. Drop off 8 a.m. – 4 p.m. JASA is Closed New Years Day, January 1, 2018 - Happy New Year! Stew Leonard’s – Mon., Jan. 8, $5. Bartow 9:30; Einstein - 9:45 & Dreiser - 10 a.m. Empire – Tues., Jan. 9, $5. Bartow-9:30; Einstein-9:45; Dreiser-10 a.m. Wal-Mart – Wed., Jan. 10, $15. Bartow – 8:30; Einstein – 8:45 & Dreiser 9 a.m. Central Avenue – Christmas Tree Store, Traders Joe’s & Amazing Savings – Thursday, Jan 11, $13. Bartow - 9:30; Einstein - 9:45 & Dreiser - 10 a.m. Thursday at the Movies – January 11, 2 p.m. in back of the Bartow main office. Feature Film is

Co-op City Times / December 30, 2017

AARP Chapter #4997

Scheduling Activities Calendar

HAPPY NEW YEAR to All! The first meeting of 2018 is scheduled for Monday, January 8th at 1 p.m. in Dreiser Center Room 9 (Auditorium being renovated). Get-well Wishes to Stella Baker. GOOD & WELFARE: Please contact our Good & Welfare Coordinator, Frances Wilson – (718) 671-5493, if you have a family member who has passed or one of our members who is sick, in the hospital or in a nursing home. 2018 TOUR ACTIVITIES February 8, 2018: WarmDaddys & Sugar House Casino (Philadelphia, PA) – Motorcoach trip; enjoy downhome culture & live Blues & Jazz music; Southern style delicious dinner; 5 hours at Sugar House Casino w/bonus, $125. Contact Hannah – (718) 379-7962. April 10-11, 2018: Sight & Sound Theatre & Sands Casino – Motorcoach trip to Sands Casino with casino bonus and shopping; next day (after breakfast) to Sight & Sound spectacular production of “Jesus” to experience the greatest rescue story of all time (reserved seating); dinner & breakfast coupons, $309/person Double; $395/ person Single; $295/person Triple. $50/per person Deposit; optional Travel Protection $34/per person due a.s.a.p.; Final payment due February 23, 2018. Contact Judith – (718) 379-3370. May 14- 19, 2018: Windsor, Ontario (Canada) – CANCELLED…contact Judith – (718) 379-3370 ATTENTION: When signing up for the above trips, please give your Name, Phone Number and a deposit. Checks/Money Orders made payable to AARP Chapter 4997 with the name of the trip in the memo section of your check/money order. Room O (Dreiser Community Center) is opened Monday or Thursday, noon – 3 p.m. for checks to be dropped off (in an envelope w/Group/Trip Leader name). They may be mailed to the Group/Trip Leader. —Delores Debnam

Goose Island Seniors

Einstein Cancer Fund

We are sorry the swearing-in did not take place Wednesday, December 27. Michael Benedetto was not able to attend. He has rescheduled the appointment to January 10, 2018. We do apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused you. Swearing-In - Wednesday, January 10, 2018 at 1:30 p.m.-4:00 p.m., in our club room 39. Refreshments will be served. Come party with us. Movie Day- Tuesday, January 23. Feature movie: “Temple Grandin” a brilliant young Autistic woman. 2 hrs. ($1 is collected for refreshments and snacks). Resorts Casino - Thursday, February 15th, 2018, in Atlantic City, NJ. Price is $35. Passengers will stay inside your center hallway to keep warm, until called to board bus. If bus company cancels, a full refund, to another Casino trip will be given. See Ann or Stephen. 2018 - Things to look forward to. Introducing Dominos, and Spades along with Kalooki and Mahjong from 10 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., (certain days of the week), 1:30 p.m. Movie Night one day a month, one-hour Cell Phone and Computer, Questions and Answers, 4 p.m. after Bingo on Wednesdays, WiFi and more, so come and join us for $15 per year. We need volunteers to help out anywhere you can. Sister Act - Friday, June 15, 2018, at the Westchester Broadway Theatre, Elmsford, NY. Come and enjoy a delicious lunch and a terrific show. Price $79. See Ann or Stephen. Bingo - Wednesday, January 3rd, 1:30 p.m., with Stephen, in our club room 39. Members only.

Admission $5 for 3 cards, 12 games and Jackpot. Extra cards are 25¢ each. Refreshments and snacks will be served. There is no Sunday Bingo this month. Next Sunday Bingo is January 28, 2018. To all members: Happy Birthday and Happy Anniversary to all members that celebrate their day in the month of January: Joan Brown, Phyliss Grossman, Edythe Rosenberg, Linda Drax-Werner, Sylvia Greenbaum, and Toby Landau. We are still collecting $15 for your 2018 dues. Starting the 1st of January anyone who has not paid their dues will not participate in any club activities until all money is paid. No exceptions. See Ann or Stephen. Our Lounge - Come sit and relax, read a book from our large library, play Dominoes or Cards every Tuesday and Thursday from 2:30 p.m.- 4:30 p.m. ($1 is collected for refreshments and snacks). Play Bingo every Wednesday and last Sunday of each month for only $15 per year. Also, come with us on wonderful trips. Membership dues are for indoor club room activities only, except Sunday Bingo. Note: Call Ann or Stephen at Goose Island Seniors 718-379-9613 or visit Ann Monday - Thursday 10 a.m.- 4:30 p.m., at 135 Einstein Loop, Rm. 39. Visit Stephen in Room 39, every Mon. & Fri. from 6 p.m. – 8 p.m., Tue. & Thu. 4 p.m.- 6 p.m. and Wed. 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. or 4 p.m. – 6 p.m. Call Stephen at 347-84 7-1941. GOOD HEALTH TO ALL. —Mary Pilla

I’d like to thank everyone for their support of Einstein Cancer Fund these past 14 years that I have served as the finance secretary. I pray that the members and officers will keep on supporting the organization. They are Annie Eutsy who is the vice president, and Marlene Gantward, as well as all the members of the organization. I pray that they will be able to sustain this valuable organization, Einstein Cancer Fund. It has been a pleasure and an honor to have been one of the officers of the Fund, bringing it to fruition. Thank you all. Have a healthy New Year and many more to come. This is my last article to you. As always, good health and healing are wished to all. Remember to give a call to those who are home-bound or in nursing homes. Your calls will cheer them up and they will know that they are in your thoughts and prayers. —Lydia Ruas

A Message from C.S.O.

Using felt pads under your furniture will reduce the noise created from dragging them on the floor.

Felt pads can also protect your floors from being damaged or scratched.

The C.S.O Dept. suggests all cooperators use felt pads under their furniture.

Co-op City Times / December 30, 2017

St. Joseph’s Episcopal Anglican Church

The congregation of St. Joseph’s cordially invites you and your family to worship in Co-op City at 155 Dreiser Loop, lower level. All are welcome. Weekly Schedule: Sunday service with Holy Communion and Sunday School are both at 9 a.m. Every 4th Sunday, our children participate in the reading of the lessons and every 5th Sunday, our young adults assist in the service. On Wednesdays, there is a very short midday service starting promptly at noon. Choir rehearsal is on Thursdays at 7 p.m. The (ECW) Episcopal Church Women meet immediately after service on the 1st Sunday of each month. Our next meeting will be on Sunday, January 7, 2018. Membership is open to all women of the church. The men hold their meeting after service on the 2nd Sunday of each month. We look forward to welcoming everyone to service at 9:00 a.m. on Sunday, December 31, when we will celebrate The First Sunday after Christmas Day and look forward to the New Year. Our supply priest, Father Simeon Johnson, will be the preacher and celebrant. Please note that there will be no service on New Year’s Day. Members are reminded to complete and submit their Pledge Cards for 2018. These are now due in preparation of the budget for the upcoming Annual Meeting. Fundraising Events: 1) Raffle tickets are now available for distribution. Please collect your batch of tickets. 2) Save the date for St. Joseph’s Day Luncheon at Eastwood Manor on Saturday, May 26, 2018. We take this opportunity to thank all our members and friends who supported our fundraising activities throughout the year and look forward to your continued support in the New Year. Our best wishes to you all for a happy, healthy and blessed New Year. Outreach Program: Collection of non-perishable food for the feeding program at Grace Episcopal Church in West Farms is ongoing. Please remember to donate. For additional information on all of the above, please call the church at 718320-0844, or visit our website: http://www.stjosephsepcbronx.org “Hallelujah! How good it is to sing praises to our God! *how pleasant it is to honor him with praise!” - Psalm 147:1 —Merville Chambers

Open Door Ministries For centuries God’s people waited. They watched as kings and kingdoms rose and fell. Often it seemed that God had forgotten them. But a faithful remnant remembered the prophesies. They remembered the promise that a child would be born who would rule the world with peace, joy, and love. Despite the way things appeared, despite the evidence of their eyes that things were going from bad to worse, they believed in what they could not yet see – the promised rescue of the world. Then, at just the right time, all was ready for the arrival. Notwithstanding the mother’s pain, the father’s worry, the animals’ bewilderment, and the fear of the shepherds, the Light of the world began to shine. And the darkness has not overcome it. This Advent season, we remember the waiting. But we also remember the arrival – the baby who grew to be our King and Savior. We remember the promises fulfilled and the promise of another Advent – the final setting things right. We wait, but not without hope. God is with us. The light still shines in the darkness. As you reflect on the Christmas story this day, take a moment to remember that love wins, light wins, and God has not forgotten you and yours. Barbara Miller Juliani - New Growth Press. Galatians 4:4 But when the set time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, Matthew 8:29 “What do you want with us, Son of God?” they shouted. “Have you come here to torture us before the appointed time?” Acts 17:26 From one man he made all the nations, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he marked out their appointed times in history and the boundaries of their lands. Hebrews 9:27 And just as it is appointed for all men once to die, and after that certain judgment, 28 Even so it is that Christ, having been offered to take upon Himself and bear as a burden the sins of many once and once for all, will appear a second time…to bring to full salvation those who are patiently waiting for and expecting Him. 1. Jesus came in the perfect time and divided history 2. God is in control of all our days 3. God has set boundaries for people and nations 4. No person will sin forever, they will eventually be cut off 5. A set time of judgment is coming – where all will account for their deeds 6. Even the spirits are aware and tremble – they all believe 7. We are awaiting full salvation – which is closer today than yesterday Sunday Services are at 11 a.m. in Bartow Community Center, room 28. We will not be meeting on Sunday December 31st – Regular Services will continue Sunday January 7th. Open Door Ministries’ Therapeutic Mentoring Program offers free Counseling. Contact Pastor Luis by text 917-334-4407 or email opendoorministries.net. Blessings in Christ, —Pastor Luis

You Have an Appointment

Traditional Synagogue

GENERAL INFORMATION: The Traditional Synagogue is located in Section 5, 120 Erdman Place in the rear lobby of Building 27B. Phone # 718379-6920. Office hours are Thursday and Sunday from noon to 2 p.m. Please call the office before you attempt to come over. If no one is in the office please leave a message. The Synagogue has Services Saturday morning at 9 a.m. We need a few EXTRA JEWISH MEN to give two hours Saturday Morning between 10 a.m. and noon, we need your help to made a Minyan so we can take out the Torah. Sometimes we are short one or two men. Everyone try your best to come to Services during the Winter Months. With the death of two members, it’s been difficult for a Minyan. After Services we always have a nice kiddush. All men and women are invited. Come to Services and pray and then have a nosh. Our Services are open to all Jewish men and women in Co-op City. The Synagogue has a Facebook page: Traditional Synagogue. Rabbi Kronengold will be conducting Services. On Saturday January 6th we are planning a Deli Luncheon, everyone is welcome. SABBATHS ENDS on SATURDAY December 30, 2017 at 5:24 p.m. CANDLE LIGHTING for FRIDAY January 5, 2018 at 4:24 p.m. GOOD WELFARE: We sell TREE CERTIFICATES, in Honor or Memory of a loved one. The cost is only $15.00 per Tree. Mazel Tov, to all having Simchas. If you’re ill, wishing all good health. If you asked the Rabbi to say prays for a sick person you should make a donation to the synagogue. The Traditional Synagogue wants to remember the Members who passed on this year 2017, Mrs. Anita Abel, Eli Kalman and Sol Silber. Your support of the Traditional Synagogue, and Men’s Club is greatly appreciated. Wishing all our members, and friends, peace and good health, and a happy holiday season. Thanks, —Gary Schwartz

Church of New Vision

Pastors Kenneth Hodge and Deborah Hodge and the New Vision congregation invite you and your family to come and worship the Lord with us. Church of the New Vision is designed to meet the spiritual needs of God’s people. Serving the community for over 45 years, we offer a warm, friendly, spirit-filled atmosphere of Christian love…All are welcome. Order of Services: Sunday Worship Service: 8:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. Adult and Youth Sunday school: 9:45 a.m. – 10:45 a.m. Mid-day Bible Study: Tuesdays 12:00 – 1:30 p.m. Wednesday Night Prayer and Bible Study: 7:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. Youth Ministry: Fridays 6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. Upcoming Events • Wednesday evening Bible study will resume on January 10, 2018. • Women’s Bible Study: held on the second Saturday of each month at 11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m., will resume on January 13, 2018. • Sunday, December 31st there will be one service at 10:00 a.m. • Watch Night Service, December 31st at 10:00 p.m., doors open at 9:30 p.m. • Cruise with us in 2018, July 20th to July 27th on Royal Caribbean’s Adventure of the Sea. Going to Port Canaveral, Fl., Cococay, Bahamas, and Nassau, Bahamas. Interior $1,025 - Ocean View $1,175 - Balcony $1,320. NOTE: $500 for all state rooms are due January 21, 2018. Balance due by April 1, 2018 (price Includes taxes, fees, port charges and transportation to/from cruise ship in NJ). Gratuities not included, can be charged to your stateroom upon check-in. No refunds after January 21, 2018. For additional information, please contact Sadie James at 718-652-8943 or Hermena Smith at 917-974-9282 • Sunday, January 28th the Youth Ministry is sponsoring a Breakfast Sale 9:45 a.m. to 10:45 a.m. Donation $10. Wishing Everyone a Blessed New Year! Church of the New Vision is located at 115 Einstein Loop, Bronx, NY 10475. Telephone: (718) 671-8746 or (203) 374-3020. Mailing address: P.O. Box 75303, Bronx, NY 10475. Visit our Facebook page: Church of the New Vision concerning upcoming events and trips, or call the church. —Sis. Carol Haque

No Standing/Parking In Dumpster Pads Shareholders are reminded that there is no standing or parking in the dumpster pads. These areas are strictly for the use of Riverbay Corporation vehicles. All unauthorized vehicles will be towed at vehicle owners’ expense. Thank you for your cooperation.

Co-op City Times / December 30, 2017

Co-op City Baptist Church

Rev. Dr. Sheldon E. Williams and the Co-op City Baptist Church family invites you to join us tomorrow at 8:00 a.m. and 11 a.m. for worship service. Sunday school for children and adults is held at 9:15 a.m. We invite you to worship, study, and pray with us. The Co-op City Baptist Church is located at 135 Einstein Loop Lower Level, Room 50. Our telephone number is 718-320-3774. And, be sure to extend your worship with us today and every Saturday, 4 p.m. – 5 p.m. on Principle Centered Living Radio, redeemradiofm.com. Also, learn more about our Pastor and the principles of our church, while enjoying a laugh or two on Facebook (Principle Centered Living with Rev. Sheldon Williams). Please “Like” the page and share the posts. Only those who “LIKE” the page will qualify for upcoming contests and rewards. Midweek worship service and all Bible study classes will be suspended due to the Christmas holidays. Wednesday Worship service and Bible study classes will resume on Wednesday, January 3, 2018. Friday Prayer Service will also be suspended for the Christmas holidays. Friday Prayer Service will resume on Friday, January 5th. You are invited to join us tomorrow, New Year’s Eve, Sunday, December 31 at 10:30 p.m.; we will have Watch Night service. All are invited to come join us as we start 2018 in the house of the Lord. The Co-op City Baptist Church family extends wishes for a Happy Kwanzaa and a Happy, Healthy and Blessed New Year to all. 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

Co-op City Seventh-day Adventist Church What is your New Year tradition? Very few of us approach the new year without great anticipation of throwing off the old and expecting new beginning for the future. In the Southern US, eating black-eyed peas is considered good fortune for the upcoming year. I remember in times past, friends and I would eat apples dipped in honey for Rosh Hashanah (Jewish New Year) tradition for a sweet new year. Growing up in rural Jamaica, the dream of many was to travel to far away lands. The tradition was to rise at dawn on the first day of the year, crack an egg into a glass of water, being careful not to break the yolk, and check to see if travel was in your future. It was a sight to behold - everyone in their front yards holding a glass to the sky hoping to find even the slightest outline of a ship. The Koreans have a curious New Year’s custom to forget the unpleasant things of the past and make a fresh start. Each person determines what bad habits they would like to eliminate and what past deeds they want forgiven, then these evils are written on a kite and flown high in the air. When it is almost out of sight he cuts the string. As the “paper bird” take a nosedive and disappears from the sight, thoughts of all faults and previous transgressions forever removed. Past behind, a spotless future ahead. The Baptist evangelist John R. Rice is said to have commented that, “No matter what a man’s past may have been, his future is spotless.” This is not some wishful thinking. This is the promise found in Micah 7:19, “Once again you will have compassion on us. You will trample our sins under your feet and throw them into the depths of the ocean!” The apostle Paul urges us to, “remove your dark deeds like dirty clothes, and put on the shining armor of right living. . . we must live decent lives for all to see. Don’t participate in the darkness of wild parties and drunkenness, or in sexual promiscuity and immoral living, or in quarreling and jealousy. Instead, clothe yourself with the presence of the Lord Jesus Christ.” (Romans 14:1114) This is a good time to pray the prayer of David in Psalm 51 in all its nineteen verses, with special emphasis on verse ten, “Create in me a clean heart, O God. Renew a loyal spirit within me.” What better way to begin the New Year! Trust God with your life today. Services and Community Outreach Wednesdays— Midafternoon Prayer Service 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Wednesday —Food Pantry every 1st and 3rd 4:30 p.m. – 6 p.m. Wednesday—Prayer meeting 7:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. Saturday —Sabbath School 9:15 a.m. Saturday— Divine Worship 11:00 a.m. Saturday— Adventist Youth Program 2:30 p.m. Saturday—Bible Study 4:30 pm The Co-op City Seventh-day Adventist church is located at 1010 Baychester Avenue, Bronx, NY 10475 (Next to the Ramada Hotel) http://coopcity22.adventistchurchconnect.org/

Evangelical Church of Co-op City – UMC Open Doors, Open Hearts and Open Minds

Come & Visit Us – we welcome you to God’s House – Your House – One Family in Christ. We are a congregation with spirit-filled worship, offering a variety of opportunities for spiritual growth, fellowship and service to God and our community. We are a multi-ethnic, multi-cultural and bilingual congregation and all are welcome. Services are at the church at 2350 Palmer Avenue, across the street from Building 30. Parking is available. Our phone number is (718) 320-3795, and leave a message if there is no answer. New Year’s Eve Services: Our New Year’s Eve service will be on Sunday, December 31st at 10 a.m. and will be a bilingual service. We will also have a New Year’s Eve Celebration starting at 10 p.m. to ring in the new year at 12 a.m. It will be a spirit filled time and a great way to bring in 2018. We wish everyone in our community a very Happy & Healthy New Year. May the Lord’s blessings be received by all. “Jesus” in Lancaster Pa.: Come join us on March 30, 2018 to see “Jesus” at Sight & Sound Theater (their newest show), Shopping at Bird in Hand Farmers Market and dinner at Miller’s Smorgasbord. Cost is $175/person and $120/child 12 and under. If you are interested in going call Barbara at (347) 603-7473, if no answer leave a message and someone will get back to you. Hurry to reserve your spot; we don’t have many seats left. Sunday Services - Come and Receive a Blessing The first Sunday of the month is a bilingual service with communion at 10 a.m. Each Sunday the English Service is at 10 a.m. and the Spanish Service is at 12:30 p.m. Children: Sunday School time will be at 10:30 a.m. Bring your children, they will have a great time while learning God’s word. Sunday morning Bible Study for adults at 8:45 a.m. Prayer Night (English) & Prayer/Bible Study Afternoon (Spanish): The Lord said: “Whenever two or more are gathered in my name I am in the midst of them.” Matthew 18:20. Wednesday evenings at 7:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.; Thursday mornings at noon to 1 p.m. Come and bring your prayer needs so we can pray together. Remember that prayer brings many blessings, which God has promised to all his children that have a personal relationship with Him. Friday Family Night: starts at 7:30 p.m., come and enjoy the different groups for parents, young adults, teens and children. Learn the Bible and also other activities. It’s a fun time for all. God Bless, —Barbara Penn

Opportunities

Co-op City Times / December 30, 2017 (Continued from page 7)

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Co-op City Times / December 30, 2017

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Co-op City Times / December 30, 2017