On Friday May 20, 2016 I was asked to participate in the Creative NJ Statewide Call to Collaboration.

http://www.creativenj.org/

I was first introduced to CNJ through my affiliation with the I Am Trenton Community Foundation.

http://www.iamtrenton.org/wp/creative-trenton/

In 2014, several others and myself representing Trenton NJ hosted the Creative Trenton convening. 

CNJ is different than other gatherings of like minds because of the methods used to communicate, one of which is the signature “Open Space” model.

My mini presentation was based upon collaboration and my belief that relationships are critical to any collaborative effort. 

https://soundcloud.com/trenton365/creative-nj-mini-presentation

I used my latest project Library Boxes of Trenton NJ as a real world example.

https://www.facebook.com/TrentonNJLibraryBoxes/?fref=ts

As a young boy growing up in the 70’s and 80’s I found cartoons and superheroes fascinating, Batman is my favorite.

The natural transition is to comic books of which I am a fan as well.  I don’t know what happen to my collection but these 2 were rescued from my stash of items in Mom’s attic. 

Being a proud parent I want to share all of my childhood experiences with my 12 year old.  BTW she is also a fan of Batman and comics. 

This led to us attending the 2015 New Jersey Comic Expo in Edison NJ.  This was the first event by this promoter in New Jersey. 

The venue was a little difficult to find and located in middle of nowhere, however parking was easy and plentiful.  The amenities of the facility were fine, the attendees and vendors were very friendly and very interested in sharing with the Trenton 365 audience.

Have a listen my chats with some of the Artists.

Mark Adona  https://www.facebook.com/Marc-Adona-552070704933955/

https://soundcloud.com/trenton365/mark-adona-wandering-vagrants

John Bellotti  http://robo7.com/

https://soundcloud.com/trenton365/john-bellotti-jr-robo7-com

Fabrice Sapolsky  https://fabricesapolsky.wordpress.com/

https://soundcloud.com/trenton365/fabrice-sapolsky-writer-artist

Jason of Lethal Ware  https://www.facebook.com/LikeLethalWare

https://soundcloud.com/trenton365/jason-lethal-ware

Well done to the NJ Comic Expo team, see you next year!

3^rd Annual Latino Festival of Hightstown & East Windsor 

"Bringing our communities together through the arts!"

Rocky Brook Park, nestled in a quiet area of quaint Hightstown NJ near warehouses, historic homes and a few blocks from the Borough Center provided a nice location.  Bordered by a stream and small woods I could imagine walks to observe nature and other outdoor gatherings.

Literature distributed at the event lists several partners, sponsors, a 20+ person Festival Organizing Committee and several Exhibitors, have a look at some links.

RISE – Community Services

http://rise-community-services.org/

Wells Fargo Bank N.A.

www.wellsfargo.com

LCD Cleaning Services

www.lcdcleaningservices.com

Patel Brothers

www.patelbros.com

Twin Rivers Animal Hospital

www.twinriversanimalhospital.com

Asociacion Guatemalteca – Childrens’s Futures

http://www.childrensfutures.org/

and Karen Abad of Latin American Legal Defense and Education Fund, The Peddie School, Eclipse Total DJ, Yellow Taxi Cab, St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church and Latter Day Saints Mission.

With performances by artists from several countries including Belize, Ecudor, Peru, Spain, Guatemala, Costa Rica and the Dominican Republic there was plenty to see and hear during the 12-5pm event.

I had the pleasure to chat with Miss Teen Guatemala Isabel Avila, Hamilton Township Councilwoman Ileana Schirmer and Hightstown Councilman Conner Montferrat, have a listen via the Trenton 365 archives.

Isabel Avila

https://soundcloud.com/trenton365/miss-teen-guatemala-isabel

Ileana Schirmer

https://soundcloud.com/trenton365/hamilton-nj-councilwoman

Conner Montferrat

https://soundcloud.com/trenton365/hightstown-nj-councilman

My time at the 3^rd Annual Latino Festival of Hightstown & East Windsor NJ was delightful, with wonderful entertainment and a diverse mix of vendors and exhibitors.

I am encouraged by the continuous efforts of people who believe in making every attempt to assimilate all residents into the community to build a better community.  Kudos to all who are a part of the 3^rd Annual Latino festival of Hightstown & East Windsor.

Frequently I like to spend a few hours in a local library catching up on administrative items, researching or some quiet time reading.  The Lawrenceville NJ Branch of the Mercer County Library System is one of my favorites.

They have a decent Internet connection, the staff is very helpful, friendly and the location is usually on my route into or out of New Jersey’s capital city, Trenton.

On a recent trip my attention was captured by a piece of art.  While inspecting the sculpture I was approached by one of the staff members who explained that this piece of art was a part of the annual event, “TRASHED ART- A Contest for Creative Trash Transformation.”

The event coordinator Karen Serach was not available at the time but I was given information about the event, a tour of several pieces from previous events and asked to contact Karen with any other inquiries.  I did just that and was delighted to sit down with Karen Serach and to chat about her, and her efforts.  Have a listen to our conversation.

https://soundcloud.com/trenton365/karen-serach-reference

On the day of the reception I bumped into longtime Artworks Trenton supporter Glen Moore who entered a piece.  We chatted about the local art scene and of course Artworks before our recorded chat.  Have a listen to that conversation.

https://soundcloud.com/trenton365/thrashed-art-glen-moore-at

In addition to seeing Glen I met a new friend Marilyn Dombroski who was representing her Husband Gene Domborski and his submission.  We chatted for several minutes about mutual friends, aquaintances and of course artwork.  Have a listen to our chat.

 

https://soundcloud.com/trenton365/thrashed-art-exhibit-gene

Karen Serach is a very warm spirit who is passionate about the environment, art and sustainability.  I appreciate art in most forms and encourage the efforts of people who want to incorporate more art into the lives of the general public.

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

Not sure if the title will accurately cover what is happening here, but we will see.

I am glad to announce that "Trenton365 The Show" is official.

Each Thursday from 11am-12pm on WIMG 1300am I will be hosting a radio program that showcases individuals and organizations in the Trenton, NJ Region....stay tuned!

Jacque