S.A.G.E. Coalition : Beautifying Trenton

 As you enter Gallery 219 in Trenton, NJ, you are immediately surrounded by art. Whether it's a hanging piece on canvas, or the gallery walls themselves, the only thing lacking is the floorboards. These talented rising artists left no stone unturned when they took this building and went to work with the S.A.G.E. Coalition. Created in 2012, the S.A.G.E. Coalition is a non-profit based in Trenton, NJ dedicated to beautification projects, whose "goal is to remind those in economically depressed neighborhoods that unity and pride can thrive through creative problem solving and civic engagement." It promotes anything creative, whether it's murals, 3D work, or music. With Trenton being in such bad shape, they are working towards slowly bringing the city back to life.

Since its inception, the coalition has grown into a diverse group of visual artists, engineers, fabricators, musicians and teachers dedicated to the rebirth of Trenton and all other struggling urban zones. With Trenton experiencing challenging times, they are working towards slowly bringing the city back to life. Two of their signature projects are Windows of Soul and The Ghandi Garden.

Windows of Soul is a unique project aimed at bringing life to blighted urban neighborhoods. The yearly event features the installation of artwork in the windows of abandoned buildings in local neighborhoods. Boarded up windows along the side of a street are painted or pasted with art, beautifying the area.

The Ghandi Garden on East Hanover Street is mix between a garden, art gallery, venue, and public park filled with found object art. It is a place where locals can come to congregate.

Chelsea Perron, one of the featured artists of Gallery 219, painted not only a vast mural on the walls of the space but pieces of the hallway as well. Her work was featured on the flyer advertising Soul of The Message 2014, the annual exhibit that showcases work by the artists involved with S.A.G.E. Here is why she decided to work with them.

        

"I felt like I finally found a group that saw the potential in investing hard work and time into something really worth while. Here were just a couple of ordinary guys who had the same crazy passion for art that I do and saw that they could make a difference.

The state that Trenton is in makes most people want to look the other way. They choose to ignore it’s poor looking neighborhoods because it’s something that seems like it’s too late for help. In reality though, the neighborhood is more than ready to be taken over with love and art.

S.A.G.E. Coalition looks at it as an opportunity to prove ourselves. Sure, it’s going to take a while, but just in a day, like with the event Windows of the Soul, we were able to move beautifying Trenton forward; imagine what we could do with weeks and months. We have that spark to look over the fear that says Trenton is too late to fix or it’s too big of a project. We all just have to want it.

   

That’s one of the hardest parts about this movement. It’s difficult to get people who want to take just a little time out of their schedule to share some ideas and art with the group.

From my own personal experience, I can say in the short time I have been with S.A.G.E. Coalition, I feel like I’ve really made an impact. I didn’t even know that I had that power! You think what you share with them is small but it ends up really making a difference. That’s what happened to me."

Working with the S.A.G.E. Coalition is one that will give back as much as it is given. Just a little bit of time out or your weekend can help give this city back the vitality it was once known for. 

Check Out Their Events Here and learn how you can volunteer and support the movement. 

Bri D’Anton

Top Notch, and Super Fierce

Gadget Bags, Totes, and Voulalas are just a few of the many bag styles Ninotchka "Notch" Ruiz Johnson hand-creates for her business: Top Notch By Design. Starting as what she calls an "accident," she has worked night and day to turn her passion into a successful business. Originating right from her NJ home, she now runs a boutique from a self-renovated bus.

What is your favorite part of running Top Notch?

      It's not a planned journey. I never imagined owning my own business that revolved around a sewing machine. The first bag I sold was totally by accident. There are still days when I walk outside and am amazed that there is a bus parked there! It really has had a mind of its own since the beginning. The route changes every time I get a crazy idea. Every new step is a surprise and a really cool adventure! I am having the best time!

What is the most difficult aspect of running your own business and balancing your busy life?

       Most of my day is spent at a full time day job. My business has primarily been built between 6pm and 3am, weekdays and weekends. I can not wait until Top Notch is my "for real" job!

When feeling discouraged, what is something that brings you back saying "this is worth it," or helps you get back on the right track?

      I know I am doing exactly what I am supposed to be because I am driven by it. I am never bored and I am sitting at my machine every spare moment I have. I am in love with the entire process; except (for) the business paperwork! I do have moments that I question a design or panic about a lack of response on a particular day but I have an amazing support system. They point out when I am overreacting and have no problem telling me when I am being nuts! They are also the first to tell me I am a rock star! having a wonderful cheering section is worth its weight in gold!

Where do you plan on Top Notch being five years from now? (store boutique, online presence, etc.)

      I have no idea! (laughs) But that is the best part! I will continue to be spontaneous and leap when I am inspired! I am excited to see where I end up and encourage other artist(s) to follow their inspiration and leap. You never know where you will land; I landed in a bus!

Whether you need a cute clutch for a night out with friends, or a stylish tote for running errands with the kids, Top Notch has a bag for virtually any occasion, (even cons!). Whether you're making a purchase, or just checking out the goods, you can be assured a lot of love and hard work went into every hand-made creation. 

Like Top Notch on Facebook!

Wearables and Why They're Going to Destroy Us

Wearables: when tech and everyday laziness meets fashion. Being in the tech field, I feel as if I am betraying my own kind when I say, "I loathe the idea of wearables," which, in all honesty, I say quite often. But just what are these wearables? Wearables are high-tech accessories like Google Glass or any of the new smartwatches flooding the market. While there are both pros and cons for these devices, I foresee more cons.

Wearables can prove to be fantastic for certain things, such as healthcare. Google Glass ca be used in nursing for patient monitoring, or image-assisted surgeries. It could prove to be most beneficial in the medical field when doctors and nurses often need their hands free to work with a patient. Wearable tech could also change the way students are educated. Students could have access to other resources to aid alongside what is taught in the classroom as well as effective reinforcement of learning material. 

Although I stand by these positives I have found a plethora of negatives; wearables are not meant for the everyday average user. For one, they are much less versatile than phones. Sure, our bracelet may light up to show we have been sent a message, but it will not allow us to read it or respond to it. No one will want to send an e-mail or file on a watch.

Despite built-in cooling systems, wearable tech will eventually become uncomfortable to wear. If it is the middle of summer, somewhere around 97 degrees, no one is going to want an almost equally hot, metal hunk of tech on their wrist or head. 

They also can't guarantee security. While the power levels are low, wearables can still be victim to hacks if left unattended. These pieces will be exposed to everyone the wearer comes into contact with. If the device is connected to a company's server to enable easier communication between employees, unattended or unsecure, information can be stolen. 

Wearables are being seen as the way of the future. There is a lot of hype and excitement around the possibilities they bring. While technology can help us accomplish great things, we must also remain fearful of it. When things become too convenient, we become too spoiled and lose our sense of ambition. Why write a letter when you can send an e-mail? Why call when you can text? Why cook for ourselves and food shop when we can have fully cooked meals delivered to our front door? When we begin to rely too much on technology, we begin to lose both ourselves and our independence in the process.  

http://www.zdnet.com/wearables-for-business-a-tool-not-a-nice-to-have-7000028262/

http://www.mediapost.com/publications/article/223270/wearables-should-fit-apple-like-a-glove.html

http://www.zdnet.com/wearable-tech-shipments-to-pass-100-million-by-2018-says-idc-7000028296/

http://www.slashgear.com/wearables-market-booming-ease-of-use-leads-the-way-10324723/

http://www.wearable-technologies.com/2012/06/271/

http://www.ehow.com/info_8649060_disadvantages-wearable-computers.html#ixzz2yX83hiOX

Twitter Ban Lifted

Turkey Lifts Its Twitter Ban

Although YouTube remains blocked, Turkey's telecoms authority has decided to restore access to Twitter only a day after the court ruling against the ban. The Constitutional Court ruled that blocking the site was a "violation of the right to free expression." Originally blocked on March 21 in response to leaked wiretapped recordings of senior officials, Prime Minister Erdogan's critics saw this ban as another authoritarian measure masking another corruption scandal which he dismissed as fabrications. Twitter itself responded via tweet that it welcomed the ruling. Within minutes of the ban lifting, the site flooded with messages from users welcoming the country back.  

Just how powerful is social media becoming that we actually ban it from an entire country? With the abundance of these sites created and evolving into this constant part of our lives addicting us to the point where we can't put our phones down, we become more and more eager to post every detail of our day online. Such things as: 

               The vending machine was out of Coke....so I had to drink Diet Coke. Sad face.

      #DayRuined #Gross #LifeSucks #WhyDoIBother #NotFair #Hashtag #HashtagsEverywhere

are the new social norms. When sites for silly outlets like this become so powerful that a country has to go forth and actually block it from its entire populace, there lies a problem. 

If these recordings were not leaked on Twitter, they would have been posted to the next biggest site. Whether its an embarrassing moment, a cat gif, or pornographic content, once someone decides they want it on the internet, it is almost guaranteed to end up on the internet.

It is ludicrous to think that a country's leaders will go so far to try and save their tarnished reputations that they would actually ban an entire communications website. If these were really fabrications like Erdogan claims, then why even bother blocking the site hosting them? They could have simply been deleted from the site and strictly monitored on the internet via a Turkish government office. These are clearly the panicked reactions of a guilty conscience. 

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/04/030turkey-twitter-ban_n_50844338.html