It's Just A Tree Right?

February 2015

It’s Just a Tree right?

In 2011 myself and several other residents wanted to be more civically engaged and spoke to South Ward Councilman George Muschal and South Ward CPAC President Christine Donohue about Civic Associations in our area.  We attended TCCA-Trenton Council of Civic Associations meetings and began the process to create our own association.  This was done under the organizational model that neighbors who live closer together would have similar concerns and therefore be more united regarding a particular issue.

Later that year FPNEBA-Franklin Parks Northeast Block Association was formed and recognized by TCCA at it’s Annual Dinner.

FPNEBA members decided one of our areas of focus would be to address the cleanliness and maintenance of Franklin Park, making it more appealing and accessible to adults and children.  We contacted several people in the applicable City of Trenton departments and positions about our concerns and desires.  We were told the City had staffing issues and budget restrictions that would limit the ability to have our concerns addressed.  It was suggested that we could handle the maintenance ourselves. 

Shortly after as we began organizing, Supervisor James Mack and I met at Franklin Park and walked throughout.  I was specifically told what was and was not acceptable to do regarding our efforts.  One item specifically was to not remove any shrubbery, trees, plants or flowers from the root.  Trimming was allowed and encouraged however removal would violate City Law and responsible parties would be subject to disciplinary action.  It was also necessary to obtain a permit to clean the park.  

Since that time FPNEBA and several organizations like the Mercer County SLAP Program, CARETRENTON, Franklin Park Civic Association, Trenton Bicycle Modification Association and others have worked on a regular basis as volunteers to maintain the park.

After Hurricane Sandy in October 2012 several trees in Franklin Park were damaged and in need of trimming or removal if the tree was deemed unhealthy.  At least 4 trees were listed as damaged, unhealthy or dead and were trimmed to the point that they resemble “totem poles.”  I was told that the City does NOT have the ability to “grind stumps” therefore the “totem pole” look of the dead trees would have to stay.  As of December 2014 the “totem pole” trees were in the same state.

The ~35 foot evergreen tree was taken from Franklin Park not Villa Park.  Franklin Park is 1 of 2 parks in Trenton NJ designed by Fredrick Law Olmsted, arguably known as the founder of Landscape Architecture.  He also designed Prospect and Central Park’s in NYC, The Lawrenceville School and several others. 

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Pop Up Businesses and more

February 2015

Jacque Howard – Pop Up Store

“You may say I'm a dreamer

But I'm not the only one

I hope someday you will join us

And the world will be as one” John Lennon – Imagine Lyrics

I think pop-up Artisan Shops are exactly what Trenton needs.  Economically we have a lack of people who want to invest in the Capital City.  There are several reasons behind why Trenton lags behind in thriving businesses however this should not deter us from trying a variety of methods. 

We live in a global community and have more successful examples at our fingertips because of the progress in technology than at anytime in history.  Why not consider trying a new method?

In the past 18-24 months I have had several conversations with various people about the subject of abandoned commercial buildings in Trenton.  Because of my education and early professional experience I am always looking at the Art of Fashion.  Today “Fashion” is not just garments you wear but a complete market with the most famous designers/artists having hands in clothing, accessories, footwear, bedding, housewares, automobiles and much more. 

I like to use Ralph Lauren as an example.  He started his business selling ties and now he is the 155^th wealthiest person in the world according to Forbes.  Have a look at this from his wiki page.

In 1966, when he was 26, he was inspired to design a wide, European-style necktie he had seen Douglas Fairbanks Jr wearing, but the idea was rejected by the company he worked for as not being commercially viable. He left to establish his own company working out of a drawer in the Empire State Building, taking rags and turning them into ties. He sold the ties to small shops in New York, with a major turning point when he was approached by Neiman Marcus, who bought 1,200.^[10]

In 1967, with the financial backing of Manhattan clothing manufacturer Norman Hilton, Lauren opened a necktie store where he also sold ties of his own design, under the label "Polo."^[11] He later received the rights to use the trademark Polo from Brooks Brothers, however Brooks Brothers managed to retain its rights to the iconic "original polo button-down collar" shirt (still produced today), in spite of Lauren's Polo trademark. In 1971, he expanded his line and opened a Polo boutique on Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills.^[12]

Options or opportunities like this exist today and they will tomorrow as well.  The issue is will we see them, invest in them, support them or work harder for them to not exist or succeed.  Unfortunately I believe Trenton has more people with “power” working for things to not succeed.  Stay tuned for my post about “Power” in the near future.

Imagine pop-up Artisan Shops that could change monthly or within other short-term limits, here are a few suggestions:

Chocolates and other baked goods

            Happy Wanderer Bakery by Estelle Edwards Orr

            Vintage Sweets by Meaghan Callahan Singletary

            

Custom/Tailored clothing

            Men’s and Women’s fashions by Ray Vincente

            Custom Art Applied by Clifford Ward

            Functional Artwork

            Furniture by Megan Uhaze Wear

Or maybe a Butcher, Fromagere, Florist, Candlemaker Hot Sauce or a Barista!  Why not have your mobile device case turned into artwork like William Kasso did for me, or source products to other artists to create custom pieces like Anthony Fearron with his headwear and belts or hire a local DJ for your next event like DJ John Tangency or DJ Its Just Ahmad, maybe a mural in your home, office or as a gift by Robin Robinson, Kelly Ingram, Jonathan Conner aka Lank Williams Jr. or hire a food truck to cater your next event like Trenton locals Tim McRae of the “WTF-Where’s The Food Truk” or Adriano Redante of Braz BQ.

I can speak personally of the Trentonians listed in this piece and challenge you to find out yourself.  What team are you choosing to be a part of?  The inclusive one who seeks to edify or the one that sees or believes that nothing good can come out of or from Trenton?

Some people design, some construct, some coordinate, I come up with ideas and work to make them happen!  There is a place for everyone in the marketplace and the sooner we recognize and galvanize all of the pieces the better our community will be because of the evolution.