Friday, October 25, 2013

A Social, Cypher or a Meet and Greet?

Trenton365
A Social, Cypher or a Meet and Greet?


Social-
An informal social gathering, esp. one organized by the members of a particular club or group.

Cypher-
The process of tapping into your subconscious.  A state of mind where thoughts and actions flow from your mind rather than being instrumented. Clearly shown in freestyle/beatbox circles and breakdancing.

Meet and Greet
An organized event during which a celebrity, politician, or other well-known figure meets and talks to the public.


This post is about all of the above.  Trenton has long been know for it’s slogan ‘Trenton Makes The World Takes," shortened if you ask some folks and like many other post-industrial cities many will ask, what do we/they make now?

Many people will reply the usual negative items, drugs, gangs, corruption, a class of poor people and so on.  Well the Trenton365 will continue to work counter to the naysayers and general print media to showcase the positives.


Event #1
The Mill Hill section of Trenton held a "meet and greet" to introduce the new and “less new” neighbors to each other.  The event was held at the Trenton Social 


Peter Hobday & Councilwoman Marge Caldwell-Wilson


























Since it's opening "Social" has become a thriving bar, restaurant, venue, art gallery and meeting place. Being just a short stroll fromTrenton Mill Hill it only makes sense that Peter Hobday would choose this as the location.

 




Jacque Howard,
The Mill Hill Meet & Greet your neighbors was a huge success. It proves, people need a mid-week relaxing break in their hectic lives. Living in Mill Hill since 1985 and then purchasing my home in 1987 I have seen many changes in the neighborhood. Once vacant lots are now rows of grand multi level townhomes. Mill Hill has always prided itself on many levels but one of it's special traits is it's neighbor friendly reputation.
Neighbors talk and look out for one another in this neighborhood. The Mill Hill Meet & Greet is just another occasion to bring people together, a time to meet and greet your new neighbors.
Joe Fyz and I (Pete Hobday) would love to thank the neighbors who participated in this event and also a special thank you to TC Nelson the owner of Trenton Social for accommodating our group and providing a delicious assortment of food.  
Pete Hobday 















 
                             





Event #2
I was having a conversation with a friend "LTC" who asked what I knew about Cyphers. During the brief conversation we brainstormed several versions that would make her event EPIC!  A few weeks later at the Pretty Business Tuesdays networking event by founder Ericka Pressley, I was introduced to Neisha Kelly writer of the blog, Loverzquarrel   Many thanks to Will "Deshair" Foskey for the introduction.



At a later brainstorming session we organized a starter event where the subject would be relationships. During this cypher several topics were discussed, one of the attendees sent me this note.

TRENTON-- So, it's a Thursday night and I'm on Facebook running through the news feed that never seems to stop and I stumble across a relationship blog cipher happening at the Trenton Social in just 30 minutes. I hop in the car and head right over because I recognize that despite feeling like I have a firm grasp of what it is to be in a quality relationship, I understand that sometimes feeling like you know something doesn't necessarily mean you really do. Indeed, relationships at times can be hard work. I don't have to tell you this, we hear it all the time at the barber shop or at the hair salon, around the water cooler at work, at the church, in school, in the news, you name it, the issues surrounding relationships are all around us. But being a African American male, the issues in Black Relationships trouble me in particular. New York Daily News Columnist Ralph Richard Banks reported in 2011 that roughly 7 in 10 black children are born to unmarried partners. Conditions like this almost always lead to children being raised by one parent, which believe you me, can be a struggle and a strain on families. So, I said all that to say that the more we talk about these relationship issues, the more we can begin to address to them and not deny their existence. Indeed, that's a big reason I went to the Relationship Blog Cipher hosted by Neisha Kelly, a relationship blogger. I wanted to hear some thoughts and feedback on what's happening in our relationships. I wanted to receive some insight on some of the dysfunction plaguing our partnerships. And after going, I can definitely say my expectations were met. During the Cipher, we talked about a whole host of issues and topics. The subject matter ranged anywhere from whether it was necessary to have a 'checklist' of things you want from a relationship to whether relationships should be liberating or restrictive.  
The discussion was on the one hand refreshing because it truly felt like a sigh of relief to get some things out in the open and clear the air about relationship concerns yet at the same time our exchange was somewhat challenging to the extent it got me to give careful to my ways in relationships. The Relationship Blog Cipher is a conversation that needs to be continued and from speaking to the show's host Neisha Kelly, there is more yet to come...  


Event #3 
The First Friday Flamingo Social took place in the Hiltonia Association section.  Community Activist, Artist-Elise Mannella invited me to the event and shared the below image, more are available on the link for the Hiltonia Association. 





Friday, September 6, 2013

Crisis Ministry Hanover Street Garden



The finished mural by Will "Kasso" and "Luv1"



The Trenton365 Show is heard Monday's from 8-9pm on WIMG1300 AM and soon to be viewed as a web show at www.trenton365.com

The Trenton365 Show will profile people and organizations in the Trenton Region (Exit 7A off the NJ Turnpike) and share ways for you to connect with them.

The Trenton365 brand will offer lots of things including information, events and even a discount card!  Stay tuned and find us on facebook and twitter.

https://www.facebook.com/Trenton365Show
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In 2012 the BHOH Community Garden was created in partnership with the Urban Mission Cabinet Inc., The Crisis Ministry and Isles.  Many other others volunteered time, talent and treasures to make this a wonderful share garden.

The basis of the garden would be to share 50% of the produce with the neighborhood through the programs of the Crisis Ministry.





Fast forward Fall of 2012 the physical action steps to create the “Crisis Ministry Hanover Street Garden” begins. 

July 2013, the following are excerpts from the opening presented by Carolyn Biondi, Executive Director [ED] of the Crisis Ministry.





            We are pleased to have everyone here to share in the celebration of this wonderful effort to make our garden on Hanover Street a reality.  Jarrett Kerbel former ED, Mark Smith Hunger Prevention Director, landlord Rev. John Allen and Admin.  Maria Newman had dreamed for several years about a green space that would beautify our neighborhood and provide produce for our neighbors in need.

Several partners moved to make that dream a reality:
·      Christen Foell and Bobby Hackett from the Bonner Foundation who provided the funds and support the work of the Crisis Ministry.
·      Jacque Howard and the Rev. Karen Hernandez-Granzen from the Urban Mission Cabinet Inc. who partnered on the Bethany House of Hospitality Community Garden and brought inspired ideas and key partners to the effort on Hanover St.
·      Jim Simon, Marty Johnson and Isles Youth Build Institute students, who lent their expertise of urban agriculture, sweat equity and volunteer connections to the project.
·      Artists Will “Kasso” and Jim “Luv One” Kelewae from SAGE Coalition NJ who painted the Richie Havens inspired mural and Wils “Wheels” Kinsley for the bicycle wheeled market cart.
·      Heather McNeil-Nazareth of Mercer County for soil consulting.
·      Christine Thomas of Thomas’ English Gardens for design work.
·      Pineland Nursery for perennials.
·      Hlubik Farms for vegetables and herb plants.
·      SAGE Coalition’s Gandhi Garden for shrubbery and ground cover.
·      Princeton Theological Seminary, Princeton University Varsity Club, NRG-Energy, Grace-St. Paul’s Episcopol Church of Hamilton and Janssen Pharmaceuticals for volunteers.
·      Crisis Ministry Board Chair Fred Van Sickle and Boardmembers who provide leadership and vision for the Crisis Ministry in new efforts like this.

Websites of our partners'































Thursday, July 18, 2013

Trenton Board of Education Faith Based Summit



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Covering the FAITH BASED SUMMIT held today Thursday, July 18th 2013 from 9:00-11:00am.

Opening Remarks by Mr. Francisco Duran, Superintendent Trenton NJ Public Schools.

The summit had 3 goals,
1.     Establish a new partnership with the Faith Based Community
2.     Adopt a school program
3.     Create safe passages




During the open discussions several of 50+ in attendance spoke passionately about action steps.

After the event I spoke with 5 people from the diverse collection of participants committed to faith, community and action. 

Gerald Truehart who is on the Trenton School Board spoke encouragingly about Superintendent Duran and agreed that this needs to be followed with action!  When I asked, “what specifically are you planning on accomplishing before the end of 2013?” Mr. Truehart shared that one of his focuses will be to continue the  programming of the Trenton Pop Warner Football league and it’s sister organization of cheerleaders.  He made a point to share, “this is not just about athletics, we have a strong focus on education and the scholar athelete.”

http://www.leaguelineup.com/welcome.asp?url=capitalfootball

Aaron Richter, Pastor of St. Bartholomew Lutheran Church in the Franklin Park section of Trenton was stern in saying “it’s about partnerships with several others!”  Aaron went on to say he would be connecting with the local elementary school, Franklin Park and the 2 local civic associations, Franklin Park Civic Association and the Franklin Park NE Block Association regarding creative ways to make Trenton better by being action driven.


Reverend Dr. Robert C. Wade, the Presiding Elder of the First Episcopal District based out of Florence NJ was in attendance with his wife Prudence.  We chatted about the action steps that would take this from a summit/meeting to making a real difference.  Dr. Wade who leads ~24 AME Churches from Trenton NJ to Camden NJ thought a City like Newark has some successes that other City’s like Trenton could learn from. 


Jeanne L. Rodriguez, Assistant Director of Field Education at Princeton Theological Seminary thought of the summit as “hope for change” and engagement from PTS.  She found the amount of participants edifying to her spirit, this combined with the vision of new President, M. Craig Barnes brings her excitement.  We can expect to see more of Jeanne in the Trenton Region as PTS builds on its relationship with congregations like Westminster Presbyterian Church located on Greenwood Ave.


My interviews concluded chatting with Darren “Freedom” Green.  Freedom is an active member of the Trenton Region with a focus on education and self-development.  The current President of TCCA-Trenton Council of Civic Associations is open about his vision of Trenton being better in many ways but today’s conversation focused on some action steps he would like to see.  Those steps included a commitment from the faith-based community to do more.  He brought up several interesting ideas including churches being part of a safe passage program for schools, opening doors not to prosleseltise but to be a place where people can share neighborhood cares, thoughts and concerns.  Maybe even having a crisis counselor available for the immediate community. 

In closing the consensus was simple we need to take action!

Tune into the WIMG 1300am on Monday’s from 8-9pm for the radio interview of the Trenton365 Show.

The Trenton365 Show profiles people and organizations in the Trenton Region.

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Friday, June 28, 2013

Tamara Ramos-Prisonera

Trenton 350

Tam Ramos




On Thursday June 27, 2013 I had the pleasure to interview "Tam" Ramos on the Trenton 365 Show.  Filmmaker Husband Kell came along as well.

Tam is an artist with several different irons in the fire.  Therefore you know I find her intriguing.  We share several mutual friends, believe art can and will be a major part in the revitalization of Trenton and believe in doing something about issues.

Tam has taken her personal experiences and morphed them into a form of expression that in my opinion provides therapy.






























For now, Tamara expresses herself as a photographer, painter and fashion designer.









Bubi is her venture into fashion/garment industry with a planned release in September 2013










On the Trenton365 Show Tam shared a bit of her story, in short she was born in Trenton, lived in some of the more challenged areas, relational issues within her community/family etc.  Those life experiences that have become all to familiar and accepted have helped her to grow into the present day force that she is.  Force is not a strong word considering she has been recognized for her achievements internationally with trips to London and Milan.






Tam has and will not let experiences seemingly good or bad slow her down or prevent her from being a vessel that is filled and overflowing so others can benefit.  


Tam and Kell Ramos have several things planned for the rest of 2013 such as the release of the documentary "Misty Dawn", fashion launch and continuous creating but you should seek them out personally for some face time.

https://www.facebook.com/MistyDawnDocumentary




On Saturday June 29th, Tam will have an event in New York called Prisonera, see below.






http://www.couragenetwork.com/Photos::tamara_ramos.html
http://www.examiner.com/article/tamara-ramos-showcases-her-powerful-artwork-a-solo-exhibition-on-june-29
https://www.facebook.com/MistyDawnDocumentary
http://www.tamararamosphotography.com/#!tumblr-feed/cr36