Game Over Summer Basketball Camp Opens

BY LAURETTA J. JAYSURA

The 2023 season of the Riverbay Fund and GameOver Basketball Camp in Co-op City opened on Thursday, July 13th, on the renovated courts on Bellamy Loop, which was the place to be last week for this exciting youth program that serves boys and girls, ages 6-17.

CEO and GameOver President Eric A. Hicks said: “We have their attention. It’s not enough that we teach kids how to play basketball – we teach them the skills to live life to its fullest. Game Over!”

Riverbay Board Director and president of the Riverbay Fund, Claudia Sampson, was also on hand to welcome moms and dads and thank them for their participation in this very different approach to having fun while learning, a program that includes writing, reading and coding! She was obviously proud as she smiled approvingly while watching her young grandson practice his ball handling skills on the court.

Opening day was one of excitement and fun to see each group of kids proudly wearing their respective “Game Over” tee shirt. Proud parents and grandparents were occupying the benches, or brought their own chairs, as they clapped for their kids running up and down the basketball court. Is there an NBA star perhaps on that court?

Then, on Saturday, July 15, it was time for various basketball ‘buckets and bytes’ training exercises. “Buckets and Bytes” is a unique approach to combining basketball and computer (coding) skills to broaden the young players’ horizons. A separate area was set up for a group of young technology gurus who will work in small groups and introduce the ‘Bytes’ component of the summer program.

One mom, Ms. CherryAnn, who was also there with her mom, said: “I love this; I wish it were longer. My girls love it and it is not easy for girls. I also love that that they have a full-time nurse and the children listen to the coaches.”

The Riverbay Fund’s GameOver summer basketball camp in Co-op City will run until July 29th. Be sure to come out and support these young scholar athletes.

BY LAURETTA J. JAYSURA

The Gentlemen of Soul ushered in one of Co-op City’s main outdoor Summer events, “Wicked Wednesdays” on July 12th in Section 5. Sponsored by Council Member Kevin C. Riley and Riverbay Corporation, everyone is welcome to come out and enjoy Wicked Wednesdays.

in a name, you ask? Impeccably dressed, with soulful voices to match, these

The Section 5 turnout was not as hoped for. Expressing her disappointment, Michelle Sajous, director of Riverbay Community Relations department, urged residents to come out, bring family and friends to show support for the Summer events that she and her team work hard to plan solely for the enjoyment of the community. “Please read the Co-op City Times, watch the Riverbay Crawler and the Building posts for our summer schedule. It’s all there,” she said.

For those who did come out, the “Gentlemen of Soul” did not disappoint. In the sweltering heat, they sang, they danced – on stage and down with the crowd – making everyone forget that they were sweating and just enjoy the soulful tunes being sung by the “Gentlemen of Soul” as only they can do, including past and present favorites.

“I’m having a wonderful time,” said long-time resident and former JASA dance instructor, Ms. Ellie Minor. “It’s so good to see everyone enjoying and dancing.” Ms. Minor currently uses a walker but that didn't seem to hamper her style as friends made certain they greeted her.

The “Gentlemen of Soul” did not lose their cool on this hot summer day and were thoroughly enjoyed by all.

Don’t miss next week’s concerts, “Tunes on Tuesdays,” (July 25) “Su Orquesta Cani, on the stage across from the Little League; and “Wicked Wednesdays,” (July 26) “Carlos Jiminez,” on the stage in front of Building 31. In case of inclement weather, these concerts will be moved indoors, either to Dreiser Auditorium (Tunes on Tuesdays) or Room 45 in the Einstein Center (Wicked Wednesdays).

Building 26 Associ-spiring display of unity and collective spirit, the residents have reinstated election day took place where 43 individuals from different generations cast their vote to elect a new challenges caused by the Covid-19 pandemic and the passing of the former president, the determined residents are working to-

Building 26 Association Board Members (L-R):

The newly established board comprises a dynamic blend of leadership, combining young and enthusiastic volunteers with experienced members from the

History: The African-American Association of Co-op City’s name emerged in 1989 from former incarnations, called the Afro-American Club of Co-op City, the African-American Caucus

Mission Statement: The intention of the African-American Association of Co-op City is to elevate the inhabitants of the community to

To provide cultural awareness, training classes, programs, educational schol-als to the next level by creating a smart community, and taking advantage of technological advances that will allow the next generations to compete in an Join the African-American Association of Co-op City

Remember: Membership is only $15/year for a single membership and You can Zelle us your payment to become Call us

ing ideas, suggestions, and feedback from all residents ensures that everyone’slyze relationships, foster connections, and restore a vibrant sense of communi-

Mission Statement:sive community by uniting and utilizing our resources to enhance the quality of

––Jasmine Taby-Jones

Rivers Run Community Garden is pleased to announce its journal writing Cultural Affairs in partnership with the City Council and the Bronx Council Rivers Run Community Garden is a place where we grow fruits, vegetables,an outdoor classroom for the local schools, daycares and residents of different Upcoming Events at the Garden:

Rivers Run is open:

Membership requirements:

August 26 :

September 17:

October 15:

November 19:

December 9: -

The AAACC sponsors the following programs for your participation: Belly Dance Classes with Xonia Wilson

Evening Line Dance Classes with Cynthia Dixon – Contact: Cynthia, Yoga & Pilates Classes with Meena Sharpe-Hicks – Contact: Meena, “Each one of us multiplied by all of us equals a force for good.”

––Michelle Marbury

We are in the process of scheduling a Building 9 walk-through with Man-

––Gail Sharbaan

Adult Center meet and greet brunch held for

The food was very tasty, and we were well entertained by the Line spoke about his vision for changing the culture of Riverbay Corporation Management and staff as it relates to shareholder

“For while our eyes are on the future, history has its eye on us.” –Amanda Gorman ––Linda Collins

Dear, neighbors. How are you doing this week? First, is that matter of how you are doing. Please pay attention to the heat advisories and how to protect yourself. This means carry the water bottle, dress for comfort, shade yourself, wear a cap with a brim and protect your nose.

us, which is studying the Occupancy Agreement with the goal to modify it, we had hoped to at least suggest wording that would be entered into Board minutes, but this was not to be. I was asked not to confront but wait as the powers study the issue, that there is some merit to our position. We still hope for the opportunity to speak at a Board meeting regarding amending the Occupancy Agreement.

The issue is the choice that townhouse cooperators have to insulate their terraces from outside noise and interference in their personal activities or not to. The promised release of an engineering has not been forthcoming, nor has the letter from the original Occupancy Agreement throughout the

Riverbay Corporation claimed webbings have been installed against the Occupancy Agreement and without permission and must be removed by installed twenty or thirty years ago, for the most part, and for privacy and noise insulation. Management says the Occupancy Agreement only allows pieces that are not permanent. Our Occupancy Agreement is uniform for high-rise apartments and townhomes, yet the environment of both is very different. We say that noise, garbage and other random intrusions cannot be timed. Putting up and taking down is not an option.

Third, this week, the increasing number of athy that could destroy our Co-op City. We should be able to debate, discuss, oversee, compromise, vote and recognize as shareholders that voting in the Board Elections is our duty chi-Lazaar, president; Vivian Burrus, vice president; and Lillian Richardson, treasurer. Broun Place Townhouse Association committee is seeking Broun Place residents to serve on our executive board. The secretary’s position and member-atlarge are open.

Please do not leave bags of clothes on dumpster pads or next to recycling bins. Things for recycling belong in the blue or pink bins in the front and rear follows: the white bin is for paper, while green and blue are for all other house garbage. Disposal of mattresses requires covering them. Please use pedestrian sidewalk bins for masks. Please do not litter!

Please check on your neighbors! We look forward to hearing from you. Thank you, Michelle

Read the Co-op City Times!

––Eva Kindaichi-Lazaar