Monday, March 30, 2015

Nordstrom Rack Princeton Grand Opening

March 2015
Nordstrom Rack Grand Opening




On Location for the Nordstrom Rack Princeton Grand Opening at the Mercer Mall in Lawrenceville NJ.

The potential of rain didn’t halt ~ 300 people mostly women, from lining up to enter the “upscale fashion” retailers outlet store, the first in Mercer County NJ.









Many shoppers in the Delaware Valley Region travel to the Cherry Hill NJ and Pennsylvania locations for the discounted offerings of brands such as Cole Hann, Original Penguin, Calvin Klein, Kate Spade, English Laundry, Michael Kors and many more.
















The Nordstrom Rack outlet store offers a little bit of everything fashion related including clothing in segments; casual, dress, semi-formal, sleep/lounge wear, accessories, beauty supply/toiletries for women, men and children as well as linens and other items for the home.








My personal experience was a good one.  The store was well presented and staffed with some employees having moved from as far away as Atlanta GA for this employment opportunity. 

Most of the customers I chatted with were very pleasant and looking forward to having a Nordstrom Rack in the area.  Depending on whom you talk to they may have several choices for upscale fashion in the Trenton NJ region.



Of course I made a new friend Anita, who asked me for some advice regarding men’s fashion, specifically shirts and ties for her conservative husband whom she is slowly introducing to the modern world of men’s fashion.  Stay tuned for more about Anita!







I am often asked of the method behind what I cover, what I do, what I endorse etc., well there is a method, a plan and in short it’s to build a better community through civic engagement.  If you are interested get in touch, I am always looking for partners, contributors and of course interesting things to cover!





Sunday, March 15, 2015

Garden Cities: Urban Ag in the Garden State Conference Information



March 2015

Urban Agriculture
Ag In The City Conference
Newark NJ

The sold out event included panel speakers:

Karen Washington of Let’s Get Farming

Have a listen to my conversation with Karen.


Mary Seton Corboy of Greensgrow Philly

Laura Lawson Professor and Chair of the Rutgers School of Environmental and Biological Sciences

The event was coordinated by the newly created Ag In The City non-profit located on State St. in Trenton NJ.


The importance of food is never under debate as it shouldn’t be, however there is a long history and a number of growing efforts to educate the populous about access to food. 

Urban areas are often called “food deserts” because they have limited access to foods such as fresh fruits and vegetables.  This debate will continue as many players voice opinions about the hierarchy of food not to mention the merchants and the economy of food.

The Isles organization with over 30 years of experience has a database of over 50 gardens in New Jersey’s capital city including school, share and community gardens.


In short Urban Agriculture is growing fruits, herbs and vegetables as well as raising animals in cities.  So much more information is available on the Internet have a look at these links.



New Jersey is called the Garden State and conferences like this are fine examples of the efforts of many from various backgrounds taking an active approach to address a fundamental need, FOOD.





Saturday, March 7, 2015

City-Wide Community/Police Dialogue




February 2015

Trenton 365 On Location
February 23, 2015
Community/Police Dialogue

City-Wide Community/Police Dialogue. Continuing our Local Conversation.

6:30-8:30pm, door open at 6pm.

This is a moderated dialogue and everyone has a voice.

Moderators: Rev. Karen Hernandez-Granzen and Patrick Hall 

Mayor Jackson and Police Director Parrey will be joining us for the dialogue.

Organized by the Trenton Citizens-Police Advisory Council and the Trenton Police Department.

FREE PARKING is available behind the building, on the street and in the State parking lots across the street and the other side of the War Memorial off Memorial Drive. There is also a paid parking garage next to the Wyndham Garden Hotel.

For more information on the dialogue: Maria Kelly (mariagkelly7777@gmail.com 609-273-3490) 

For more details see: www.CollaborationTrenton.com/Dialogue

Approximately 200 people were in attendance for this rescheduled event held at the Historic Masonic Temple, which proved to be a good location.

Moderators Rev. Karen Hernandez-Granzen and former Mayoral Candidate Patrick Hall did a fine job keeping the evening flowing along with coordinator Maria Kelly and the other members of the team.  The City of Trenton Administration was represented along with the TPD-Trenton Police Department and various organizations, business and community leaders.

This gathering of “who’s who” in Trenton Civic Engagement provided a first step to address concerns and the sharing of information between citizens and the police.  The panel included CPAC-Citizens Police Advisory Committee, TCCA-Trenton Council of Civic Associations members, residents and Police Director Ernest Parrey.

The audience was an adequate representation of citizens in Trenton including the 3 largest ethnic populations, African American or Black, Caucasian or White and Latino Hispanic however noticeably missing were the youth and the under 25 years old population.

Although much of the comments from the citizens were an opportunity to vent or get issues off ones chest, questions were asked regarding efforts to improve quality of life issues, traffic units, treatment of residents by law enforcement, newly acquired vehicles and more. 

This event was a good start to developing better relations between the police and residents of New Jersey’s Capital City however the fact remains we have work to do in several areas but not limited to the engagement of citizens in the process to make Trenton a better community, including and actively listening to the youth and young adult residents, addressing quality of life issues such as the enforcement of ordinances regarding noise control, cleanliness, traffic violations and many other items that are a staple to life in the surrounding communities of Ewing, Lawrence, Hamilton, Princeton and Bordentown.

Dan Fatton, former President of the I Am Trenton Foundation and a resident of the Mill Hill neighborhood, made suggestions regarding policing and offered to work with Director Parrey and any others in an effort to research the idea of decriminalizing marijuana in Trenton NJ. 

I find this subject very interesting considering the early success of the 23 + States that have some law on the books regarding the legalization/decriminalization or medical usage of the plant.

A lack of person power, attracting new business and funding are often brought up when it comes to the current status of Trenton NJ, would a progressive step like legalizing or decriminalizing marijuana turn Trenton around overnight?  Probably not but I haven’t heard many other suggestions that can/are either.  I believe we have a wonderful opportunity to think and act  aggressively/progressively/creatively and globally in an effort to improve Trenton NJ.
Remember “Trenton New Jersey is where George Washington became George Washington” and therefore where the United States of America was born!









Photo Clubs



March 2015

Photo Clubs

More than 50% of the US population has a camera as per Forbes.


Well the Trenton Region has several and recently I spent some time with let’s say 2+ of them. 

The 30 plus year old “Princeton Photography Club” is led by the Husband and Wife team Carl and Sheila Geisler. 

I met the Geisler’s at the “Subway to Gallery” opening held at the “Lakefront Art Gallery” located on the Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital in Hamilton Campus.  The event featured several familiar artist including Leon Rainbow, Andrew Wilkinson, Ricardo Barrios and Will “Kasso.”

 
The Princeton Photography Club has a long history and encourages people visit the website or a meeting and consider joining.


The Trenton Photo Club is lead by Chris Marinari; recently I joined him and some of the members for an event.  We met at the Trenton City Museum at Ellarslie. 


It was a sunny but chilly Saturday afternoon in the 1 of 2 Frederick Law Olmstead designed parks in Trenton.   Have a listen to the brief conversation we had.


Finally I had the pleasure to me Keith Swango from an Ewing NJ based Photo Club who recently connected with Chris and the Trenton Club.