August 2020 |
communitynews.org
downtowner
Trenton’s City Paper
. . . goes digital. Page 11. New leader for Trenton Water Works — again, page 4; City artists define Trenton style, 10.
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2Trenton Downtowner August 2020
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UP fRoNt To the editor: A statement from the Hiltonia Association Dear Trenton City Council and Office of the Mayor: The year 2020 has been challenging for our city and country. We’ve seen unprecedented violence in our streets following the death of George Floyd. Due to the state of emergency and current public health emergency, we’ve lived under quarantine conditions since March. In the midst of these challenges, we have watched our elected public officials engage in negative political gamesmanship when we need those officials to work together for the public good. Many residents of the West Ward, including those of us in Hiltonia, believed that Councilwoman Robin Vaughn would represent us professionally in addressing Trenton and West Ward issues. Vaughn, however, has chosen to alienate herself by using homophobic, hate, and vulgarity-filled speech against our mayor. And she directed other insults to elected officials and their family members. Although her public apologies are a small step in the right direction, Vaughn continues to fail to exhibit true leadership. Our young people organized a peaceful protest following the death of George Floyd, and when Vaughn was asked to speak, rather than using the opportunity to lead and guide through the crisis, she decided to attack elected and non-elected offi-
cials here in Trenton and in the county with unsubstantiated accusations and innuendo. This was a missed opportunity to impart wisdom and unity, rather than to sow discontent. It appears to residents that Trenton is in the grip of a local gang war; people of our city — even children — are being killed and injured on our streets. Rather than looking at ways to help find a solution and communicating those ideas with constituents, Vaughn continues to fight against and disrespect Trenton’s residents. Our mayor, including some of his staff, and other City Council members must also show greater discretion regarding their language and tone. In this time of division, violence, and a worldwide pandemic, we need leadership from all members of our local government. It is time for them to heal their political wounds and serve the people. We hoped that the various calls for Vaughn’s resignation would have encouraged her to step down from City Council. It has become clear that she has no interest in doing so, and her fellow council members will not sanction her for her language and hatred. We hope that for the remainder of her term she will reflect meaningfully upon past missteps and look to her heart to help lead Trenton and its residents through these dark days. We expect the following from Vaughn and the rest of our elected officials in Trenton: • Cooperation and respect for the offices that you hold and for one another. The office you hold is a privilege, not a right. • A long-lasting crackdown on the gang violence in our city, and help from the State to enforce it.
DOWNTOWNER Phone: (609) 396-1511 Fax: (609) 844-0180 Website: communitynews.org SENIOR EDITOR Dan Aubrey MANAGING EDITOR Sara Hastings SENIOR ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE Jennifer Steffen (Ext. 113) ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE Mark Nebbia
A publication of Community News Service, LLC © Copyright 2020 All rights reserved. CO-PUBLISHER Jamie Griswold
CO-PUBLISHER Tom Valeri
MANAGING EDITOR, METRO DIVISION Sara Hastings
ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER Thomas Fritts
MANAGING EDITOR, COMMUNITY DIVISION Rob Anthes
PRODUCTION MANAGER Stacey Micallef DIRECTOR OF DIGITAL INITIATIVES Joe Emanski
Community News Service 15 Princess Road, Suite K Lawrence, NJ 08648 Phone: (609) 396-1511 News & Letters: dan@princetoninfo.com Events: events@communitynews.org Website: communitynews.org Facebook: facebook.com/trentondowntowner Twitter: twitter.com/mercerspace 3,000 copies of the Trenton Downtowner are bulk distributed in Trenton 12 times a year.
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• Ensuring effective communication regarding COVID-19 testing to groups gathering in Trenton to protest. • Working with the community, particularly African American males, to address gun violence, gang violence, and police brutality. • Praising those police officers in our community who are protecting and serving our residents effectively. • An increased show of compassion for those who are suffering from COVID-19. • A renewed focus on entrepreneurship and bringing jobs to Trenton. • Ensuring that our water supply is clean and safe. A positive aspect of this challenging year is that we are at the precipice of a new birth of freedom. It will require leadership from all of us and particularly from our elected officials. As former President Barack Obama recently articulated: “We’re going to get through these difficult times … then
we’re going to have to do it together.” Abraham Lincoln put it this way when he spoke about the role of the government following the great battle at Gettysburg: “. . .that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth.” As our councilwoman, Vaughn represents us, the people of the West Ward. The Hiltonia Association believes that all residents deserve peace, safety, and responsible government. If Vaughn is unable to fulfill her duties without tearing people down with her words and conduct and sowing division and hatred, we urge her to please step down immediately. If she remains, we implore her to lead, keep her hatred to herself, and govern professionally. The Association will share this statement with allied civic associations as well as with local media as it deems appropriate. The Hiltonia Association
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www.gregorygjohnsonlaw.com August 2020 | Trenton Downtowner3
the state of the CITY Trenton Police Director Coley hits the air
T
renton Police Director Sheilah A. Coley, a 30-year law enforcement veteran, has launched a weekly call-in radio show on WBCB 1490 AM called “Police and Community with Trenton Police Director Sheilah Coley.” Jeannine LaRue, creator of the popular Facebook blog LaRuelist Cafe, hosts the Tuesday evening show launched on July 21 and continuing August 4, 11, 19, and 25, and September 1 at 5 p.m. “This is an important opportunity for Trenton PD to connect with residents,” Coley said. The program allows community members to ask questions and share concerns. “Now more than ever we need to strengthen police-community communications and deepen our connections with residents and community leaders.” The call-in number is 215-949-3232. While the show is broadcast live, listeners can also download the TuneIn app on their smartphones or stream the broadcast through the radio station’s website at wbcb1490.com. The program is sponsored in part by Greater Trenton and Case’s Pork Roll.
$1 million pool project making splash in city
M
ayor W. Reed Gusciora recently held a groundbreaking ceremony to commemorate the next phase of the Hetzel Pool restoration project, which will demolish and rebuild the parking lot at 190 North Olden Avenue over the next 90 days. “Trenton residents deserve fun and safe recreation spots like Hetzel Pool that they can be proud of,” Gusciora said. “That’s why the city and its partners worked so hard to restore this gem for the community, which will be even easier access and enjoy.” This new phase of construction continues previous efforts to restore the pool and nearby facilities. In addition to making the pool easier to access, the parking lot will include a new entrance with decorative fencing, enhanced pool house lighting, a rain garden in the center of the parking lot, and shade trees to replace the existing invasive vegetation along both sides of the lot. This project will also include a landscaped plaza entryway into the pool house with benches and decorative trees. The multi-million dollar Hetzel Pool restoration project began in Septem-
Left, Police Director Sheilah Coley and radio host Jeannine LaRue. Right, interim Trenton Water Works director Mark Lavenberg. ber, 2018. The parking lot project makes up approximately $1 million of the project. Partial funding for the project came from the state Department of Environmental Protection’s Green Acres Program and a Hazardous Discharge Site Remediation Fund grant, which is jointly administered by NJDEP and the N.J. Economic Development Authority. The Hetzel Pool and related projects are being managed by BRS Inc., which is also handling repairs and improvements for Gusciora’s plan to refurbish dozens of parks across all four Trenton wards.
Trenton Water Works hires acting director
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Enjoy Enj n oy a summer playlist we can all roll down nj the windows and sing-along to. Listen daily On-Air @107.7 FM Online: @1077TheBronc.com On App: @WRRC on Google Play and the Apple App store 4Trenton Downtowner August 2020
or the fourth time in less than a year, Trenton Water Works has a new person in charge. The City of Trenton announced July 8 that Mark Lavenberg has been appointed acting director of the city’s Department of Water and Sewer, which operates TWW. A search committee formed to review potential candidates selected Lavenberg, who will start his new role on August 3. Lavenberg, 57, has 32 years of experience in the water industry. He most recently served as TWW’s licensed operator, in 2019, as part of a contract the city had with Operations Services. TWW’s new acting director began his career mostly in South Jersey, working for water and sewer facilities in Bridgeton, Palmyra, Moorestown, Wrightstown, Pemberton, and Mount Holly. In June, 2015, the City of New Brunswick hired Lavenberg to provide stability to its own troubled water department. Prior to Lavenberg’s hiring, New Brunswick’s water utility had gone through three directors in a year — including one demoted for using a racial slur — and was dealing with a scandal after being caught falsifying water quality records, according to New Brunswick Today. Lavenberg served in New Brunswick for three years before leaving to take a job at the City of Newark’s
water utility. Newark, at the time, had been in the midst of its own crisis, making national headlines for having dangerously high levels of lead in its drinking water. Another challenge awaits him. Lavenberg joins TWW at a turbulent time in the 151-year-old water utility’s history, with the state Department of Environmental Protection having filed suit against TWW in June for “a pattern of inaction” within Trenton’s government and three of the towns in TWW’s suburban service area filing a motion in July to join the suit. As part of the motion, the lawyers for Ewing, Hamilton, and Lawrence requested control of TWW be taken away from the City of Trenton — with either the state, a private entity, or even the townships themselves stepping in. TWW recently launched a six-year, $405 million capital improvement plan for its system, a plan that is comprehensive but requires Trenton council’s cooperation in order to get funding. Trenton council approved the needed funds to deal with TWW’s own lead pipe problem but has battled with Mayor Reed Gusciora and his administration on other spending measures. TWW has not had a permanent director since September, 2019. Former West Windsor Mayor Shing-Fu Hsueh, a former DEP director, served in the role from July, 2018, until September, 2019. He quit suddenly last year, allegedly out of frustration with a lack of support from Trenton’s council. Steve Picco replaced Hsueh that same month as interim director, picking up where his predecessor left off. Picco formulated the ambitious capital improvement plan and increased staffing levels at TWW, another chronic issue at the utility that had drawn DEP’s attention. Council forced Picco out of the job after just three months, refusing to reappoint him. TWW chief engineer David Smith took Picco’s place, serving as interim director. Starting in August, it’s Lavenberg’s turn. — Rob Anthes
HEALTH @capitalhealthnj
AUGUST 2020
HEADLINES
B I - M O N T H LY N E W S F R O M C A P I TA L H E A LT H
KEEPING YOU SAFE to Get the Care You Need
Wondering if the time is right to reschedule that doctor’s appointment, lab or imaging test or hospital procedure? Capital Health is ready to see you again. All of our hospital and outpatient care locations are open and ready to accept appointments or reschedule any visits you may have canceled or postponed over the past few months. If you suspect you are having a medical emergency like a heart attack or stroke, call 9-1-1 immediately.
HERE ARE SOME OF THE STEPS WE ARE TAKING TO KEEP EVERYONE SAFE DURING THESE UNCERTAIN TIMES: Everyone must wear a mask when inside our locations. Everyone must maintain appropriate social distancing. Signage has been placed at all locations to help guide this. Public seating areas have been rearranged. Only four people are permitted per elevator, spaced out to the corners. Staff regularly clean common areas and high-touch surfaces with hospital-approved disinfectant cleansers. Patient care areas are cleaned between patients using disinfectant cleansers and portable ultraviolet lights. All COVID-19 positive inpatients are cared for in one area. Non-positive inpatients are cared for in completely separate areas and are never in the same units as COVID-19 positive inpatients.
Everyone entering our locations is required to have their temperature taken. Some locations use zero contact thermal monitors that take your temperature from a greater distance than the standard temporal thermometer. Anyone with a temperature equal to or greater than 100° F is not allowed to enter. Visitors are currently restricted. Only one visitor at a time is allowed for each patient in the facility. Multiple visitors may not enter and gather in lobby or waiting areas. The visitor must wear a mask and clean hands when entering and exiting the patient room. Visitors are strongly encouraged to remain in the room and not travel throughout the facility. Visitors are not permitted in the designated COVID-19 units at Capital Health Regional Medical Center (video visits with these patients can be arranged through our patient advocates).
FOR A FULL LIST OF WAYS WE ARE KEEPING PATIENTS SAFE, VISIT CAPITALHEALTH.ORG. When you’re ready to get back to health, rest assured that Capital Health is ready for you. Health Headlines by Capital Health | Trenton Downtowner 5
NEW LOCATION FOR CAPITAL HEALTH PRIMARY CARE – BORDENTOWN Capital Health Primary Care – Bordentown, part of Capital Health Medical Group and a trusted provider of pediatric, adult, and geriatric care in Burlington County, New Jersey, has moved to a new location at 100 K Johnson Boulevard N., Suite 101, Bordentown, New Jersey 08505 (on the northbound side of Route 130, across from the Team 85 Fitness & Wellness Center). Although the office is new, patients receive care from the same board certified physicians they know and trust, including Drs. Jamie Flynn, Janey Hughes, Maria Lugo, Joshua Mleczko, and Natalie Redziniak, as well as nurse practitioner Stephanie Shapiro. They are all available for appointments to provide check-ups, sick visits and preventive care for children and adults (including care that’s specific for women and older adults). “Now more than ever, finding a health care provider that inspires confidence and trust is important for anyone who needs care,” said DR. MARIA LUGO, lead physician at Capital Health Primary Care – Bordentown. “We take our role in the community very seriously, and while it’s exciting to be in a brand new building, it’s important for our patients
and anyone looking for a primary care provider to know that the move reaffirms our commitment to safe, convenient care.” Capital Health Primary Care offices have put into place safety measures to make in-person office visits safer. All individuals are required to wear face masks at our facilities and must have their temperatures taken prior to entering the facility. If they have been exposed to COVID-19 in the last 14 days or have a temperature equal or greater to 100° F, they will not be permitted in the office and will instead be asked to schedule a video visit. Our offices are cleaned with hospital-approved disinfectant on a regular basis, and seating areas have been rearranged to support social distancing. Patients are also encouraged to enter the facilities by themselves whenever feasible or schedule video visit appointments over secure connections on their computers or mobile devices from home. Office hours at the new Capital Health Primary Care – Bordentown location are Monday and Tuesday ( 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.) and Wednesday, Thursday, Friday (8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.). To make an appointment, call 609.298.2005 or learn more by visiting capitalhealth.org/bordentown.
Capital Health Medical Center – Hopewell Receives THIRD CONSECUTIVE CHEST PAIN CENTER ACCREDITATION When you or someone you know is having a heart attack, getting the appropriate treatment in a timely manner greatly increases the likelihood of a better outcome. Through its commitment to an evidence-based, protocoldriven approach to care that can reduce the time to treatment during the critical early stages of a heart attack, Capital Health Medical Center – Hopewell has earned accreditation as a Chest Pain Center with PCI (Percutaneous Coronary Intervention) from the American College of Cardiology (ACC) for the third consecutive time.
care and improve heart health by ensuring that participating health care organizations like Capital Health meet systemic quality-of-care measures and implement necessary protocols, processes, and systems in order to earn accreditation.
“Now, more than ever, it’s important for the community we serve to know that when they need us most, we are here and ready to provide care safely and efficiently,” said Al Maghazehe, president and CEO of Capital Health. “In addition to reaffirming our role as a leader in providing state-of-the-art care for cardiac emergencies, this shows our community that we remain up to date with the latest best practices for managing heart attacks with increased speed and efficiency, as well as providing education about the early signs of heart attack, all of which leads to better outcomes for our patients.” The goal of the ACC and its Chest Pain Center Accreditation program is to transform cardiovascular
If you think you or someone you know is having a heart attack, calling 9-1-1 should be your first step to talk with a trained dispatcher and have an ambulance sent to your location as quickly as possible. Treatment can begin on site when the ambulance arrives, which saves valuable time when every second counts toward a better outcome.
6Trenton Downtowner | Health Headlines by Capital Health
“Earning a third consecutive accreditation from the ACC is a great accomplishment and a testament to the unwavering dedication of our entire team,” said Dr. Lara Samson, medical director of Capital Health’s Chest Pain Center. “Implementing rigorous ACC guidelines to provide our patients with the highest quality emergency cardiac care requires a concerted effort and is only possible thanks to the hard work of our experienced doctors, nurses, and other dedicated professionals.”
To learn more about Capital Health’s Chest Pain Center, visit capitalchestpain.org. Call 9-1-1 immediately if you or someone you know is experiencing the signs and symptoms of a heart attack.
CAPITAL HEALTH OPENS NEW PRIMARY CARE OFFICE IN HAMILTON Capital Health Medical Group, Capital Health’s network of more than 400 physicians and other providers who offer primary and specialty care, has opened Capital Health Primary Care – Nottingham, a new primary care office conveniently located at 1700 Nottingham Way, Hamilton, New Jersey 08619. The new office features three board certified doctors who are available for appointments to provide check-ups, sick visits and preventive care for children and adults (including care that’s specific for women and older adults). This office accepts most insurances and was previously located at 1235 WhitehorseMercerville Road in Hamilton. “If you don’t already have a primary care doctor, our office offers daytime and evening appointment hours for routine check-ups and follow-up visits, as well as sick visits for when you’re not feeling well,” said DR. NAILA WASTI, a board certified internist and lead physician at Capital Health Primary Care – Nottingham. Dr. Wasti is
joined by Dr. Rubina Raza, a board certified internist, and Dr. Catherine Cicco, a board certified family medicine physician with experience in providing care for adolescents and adults, including women’s health, men’s health, and geriatric health. In July, Nurse Practitioners Kathleen Bornhoeft and Neida Hernandez-Lewis joined the practice. Like all Capital Health Medical Group primary care offices, Capital Health Primary Care – Nottingham offers video visits, in addition to office visits, to safely and conveniently provide patients with the most appropriate care. Office hours are Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday (8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.) and Wednesday (11 a.m. to 7 p.m.). To make an appointment at Capital Health Primary Care – Nottingham, call 609.303.4870 or learn more by visiting capitalhealth.org/nottingham.
INTRODUCING CAPITAL HEALTHY LIVING A New Idea in Senior Living If home is where the heart is, then home is where independent seniors would rather be. Capital Healthy Living is a new program starting August 10 designed to provide the services that empower seniors to stay independent and in their own homes, for longer. From transportation to scheduling assistance with Capital Health primary and specialty care providers including video visits, engagement and coaching, Capital Healthy Living is available every step of the way. “Certainly with the COVID-19 crisis, one thing it has taught us is how important it is to have a highly qualified health care team around you, whether for routine care or more acute needs,” said David Dafilou, vice president and chief administrative officer of Clinically Integrated Network at Capital Health. “With two, top-rated health care facilities in our community, more than 40 outpatient locations and more than 400 primary and specialty care physicians, Capital Health has all of the resources to provide seniors with the health care support they need, right here where they live.” CAPITAL HEALTHY LIVING OFFERS: … EASIER ACCESS TO CARE Including a dedicated life care manager (LCM) who assists in scheduling all Capital Health Medical Group physician appointments and helps develop a customized healthy living plan tailored to meet individual needs and goals. … TELEHEALTH SUPPORT AND SCHEDULING Guidance and assistance in scheduling secure telehealth video visits to safely and conveniently provide you with the care you need from home. … TRANSPORTATION Scheduled via UBER Health or Capital Livery through your LCM, the program includes costs for transportation to all Capital Health Medical Group appointments and Capital Health hospital services, as well as two non-medical roundtrips per month (within 15 miles of your residence) and up to four roundtrips per month to a Capital Health hosted social event or wellness class.
… ENGAGEMENT AND COACHING One-on-one discussions with your LCM on your medical care, including: • Help with chronic disease management • LCM-shared updates with your primary care physician for more coordinated care • Post-discharge and Emergency Room follow up with your LCM to better understand your plan of care and next steps • Availability of LCM to family members or caregivers (upon your approval) … SOCIAL AND WELLNESS OPPORTUNITIES • Capital Health hosted social event or wellness/exercise class (four per month) • Free training session with a Capital Health trainer at the Capital Health Wellness Center to develop a customized exercise regimen (one per year) • Linkage to community events • Social media and newsletter • Emotional and cognitive support Capital Healthy Living is a new program, with plans to provide non-medical offerings and additional services specifically selected to help make living at home easier and more convenient. All customized, individualized and coordinated by a dedicated Capital Health Life Care Manager. Capital Healthy Living is currently being offered as a pilot program for just $50 a month. For a limited time, a free two-month trial period is being offered to allow seniors to try this program risk-free. To learn more, call 609.537.7087, email healthyliving@capitalhealth.org or visit www.capitalhealth.org/capitalhealthyliving.
Health Headlines by Capital Health | Trenton Downtowner 7
HAMILTON STUDENT EDUCATES TEACHERS ABOUT CONCUSSIONS
that I had recovered nicely and could return to school and sports without restrictions.” Helping children return to play as athletes is important, but their success in school is Dr. Matarese’s top priority. He provides workshops for teachers and other school staff so they can gain a better understanding of concussions and make accommodations that allow students to return to learn. Dr. Matarese was so impressed by Joseph’s commitment to recovery that he invited his young patient to help with a program for faculty and staff at a Mercer County school. “This was the first time that I had a middle school student assist me with a presentation for teachers, and Joseph was very motivated to teach others about the need to prevent repeat injuries and permanent brain damage,” said Dr. Matarese. “Learning about concussion from a student’s perspective was particularly powerful, and we were fortunate to have Joseph share his experience.” To learn more about Capital Health’s Concussion Program, part of the Capital Institute for Neurosciences, visit capitalneuro.org. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Matarese, call 609.537.7300.
Joseph DiClaudio assists Dr. Emil Matarese at a concussion presentation for teachers prior to COVID-19 school closures.
Like many children his age, 12-year-old Joseph DiClaudio of Hamilton, New Jersey enjoys the competition that comes with sports, especially when he’s representing his school on the basketball court. Joseph thrives when he’s part of a team, but after being injured during a game on January 27, 2019, he feared that his season would be cut short. “The first symptoms that I had were all over head pain and some vision problems,” said Joseph. “I was taken to the ER at Capital Health Medical Center – Hopewell, where they diagnosed me with having a concussion and referred me to Dr. Matarese for follow up.” Bruises and scrapes are easy to spot, but concussions are unseen injuries that require special care and management to avoid potential long-term consequences. Getting an accurate diagnosis as soon as possible is a crucial first step on the road to recovery. Fortunately for Joseph, Dr. Emil Matarese would be guiding him the rest of the way. Dr. Matarese is director of the Concussion Program at Capital Health’s Capital Institute for Neurosciences and a regional leader in treating concussions and other traumatic brain injuries. According to Joseph, Dr. Matarese helped everyone understand what they were dealing with the day after his injury. “Dr. Matarese is very knowledgeable and caring,” said Joseph. “He did a great job explaining my symptoms, like the change in my eye movement and my headaches. My grandfather, who went to the office with me and my mother, was very impressed!” Impaired eye movement is common after concussions and makes reading or focusing on a computer screen for extended periods of time difficult for the patient. Rest for the body and the brain is the best course of action for recovery. To many adults, keeping all activity to a minimum may sound like a nice break, but brain rest (which includes no texting, no computers or video games, and minimal TV) can be a real challenge for today’s constantly connected young people. “Not resting can make matters worse and extend the time it takes to recover from the concussion,” Dr. Matarese warns. “Dr. Matarese gave me a note for school excusing me from class work, tests, homework, and gym class,” said Joseph. “Along with resting my eyes as much as possible to allow my brain to heal, he gave my mother massage exercises to do on my neck to help relieve my headaches. At my appointment the next week, he said 8Trenton Downtowner | Health Headlines by Capital Health
CONCUSSION FACTS What is a CONCUSSION? A concussion is an injury to the brain. A concussion can be from a direct hit to the head or from getting checked or tackled. Symptoms of a concussion may appear immediately or may not appear for several hours or even days. It’s important not to hide the fact that you are experiencing symptoms of a concussion, and to tell your coach immediately.
SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS of a Concussion SIGNS ARE THINGS OTHERS SEE:
… Appears confused or dazed … Can’t recall things prior to being injured … Can’t recall things after being injured … Loss of balance or coordination … Loss of consciousness — no matter how long … Seems irritable or other personality changes … Forgets routine plays or position on the field
SYMPTOMS ARE THINGS YOU FEEL: … Headache … Dizziness … Sick to your stomach and/or vomiting … Feeling foggy or confused
… Sensitivity to light or noise … Feeling sluggish or tired … Problems concentrating … Feeling “off” or “don’t feel right”
HAVING ONLY ONE SYMPTOM MAY INDICATE YOU HAVE A CONCUSSION FOR EMERGENCY CARE, Capital Health offers a dedicated Pediatric Emergency Department at Capital Health Medical Center – Hopewell. Neurology and neuropsychology experts from the Capital Institute for Neurosciences can provide thorough evaluation, follow-up, and treatment for teens and adults at our Hopewell and Langhorne locations.
TDA Brings
Art Joy
to Trenton!
O
nce again, one of Trenton’s most celebrated graffiti artists, Leon “Rain” Rainbow, will be bringing together an amazing group of artists to repaint panels on Front and Broad Streets. This annual event, called “Murals on Front Street,” will run from July to September, with new murals from 12 artists starting every Thursday. Although there will be no live Levitt AMP
Trenton Music Series concerts this year, the mural paintings will go on, thanks to funding from the New Jersey Council on the Arts. The first two murals will be created from July 30 to August 2 by Dean “RAS” Innocenzi and R Fab. RAS, who picked up a can of spray paint in 2007 and never looked back, is best known for his signature style of semi-realism. R Fab is an experienced self-taught artist who
works primarily in aerosols, acrylics and tattooing, but has experience with a wide variety of mediums. Be sure to stroll down Front Street to watch the creativity explode!
Murals on Front Street is a project of TDA and the New Jersey Council on the Arts.
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*Our coworking spaces are temporarily closed due to COVID-19, but we expect to reopen soon.
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Polish and repair shoes, handbags and other leather goods, as well as fix zippers and shorten belts.
Since the Capital City Farmers’ Market is closed this summer, we wanted you to know where you can find all your favorite vendors – and the most refreshing beverages!
Tea-for-All serves tea to go, as well as a large selection of delicious packaged teas, at its Tea Bar at the Trenton Farmers’ Market on Wednesday – Saturday, 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., and Sundays by appointment. 247 East Front Street, Trenton, NJ
115 South Warren Street, Trenton, NJ
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Monday – Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
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You’ll also find Tea-for-All at these seasonal markets: Burlington County Farmers’ Market – Saturdays Bordentown City Farmers’ Market – Sundays
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August 2020 | Trenton Downtowner9
Something in the water: City artists define ‘Trenton style’ By Dan Aubrey
‘M
ust be something in the water,” Crossroads Theater producer Ricardo Khan told me after the 1985 world premiere of Trenton playwright William Mastrosimone’s “Tamer of Horse” — which I was reviewing for the Times of Trenton. Khan was talking metaphorically, but he was emphatic that something was going on in Trenton that was making an artistic difference. After all, in addition to Mastrosimone — who had written the hot New York play “Extremities” — there was a list that included the internationally known playwright and poet Ntozake Shange, Pulitzer Prize winner Michael Cristofer, and nationally known playwright Don Evans who inspired the creation of Crossroads and developed the Players Company in Trenton (and is also the father of internationally known Trenton-born jazz pianist Orrin Evans). But it wasn’t just the stage. There was world famous pianist-composer George Antheil who became a sensation when he took Trenton to Paris and collaborated with poets James Joyce and William Butler Yeats. Filmmaker Amy Robinson put Trenton on the screen with “Baby It’s You” and Zalman King heated it up with “Two Moon Junction” and “Wild Orchards.” And innovative television pioneer Ernie Kovacs brought Trenton humor to the world. So what about these artistic waters? Several artists readily dove in when asked about it. One is the late internationally known Trenton alto sax jazz performer Richie Cole, who created the soulful and playful big band composition called “Trenton Style.” When asked to explain the idea of a Trenton style, Cole told me Trenton style has “a certain sound. When you hear it, you know it. It is the sound of Trenton, New Jersey. It’s a mood thing. When you hear it, you can picture Trenton. It’s a mellow, sexy sound between Philadelphia and New York. When you hear it, you say ‘that
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the poet continued to share his sounds like Trenton.’” Pulitzer Prize-winning poet and thoughts on his adopted city. “TrenTrenton resident Yusef Komunyakaa, ton is interesting. There is something. who was born in Louisiana and came The history of the place fascinates to Trenton after he joined the faculty me. The culture and the great potenat Princeton University in 1997 (he tial fascinate me even more. I think now teaches at New York University), there’s a little enclave that people are has his own personal riff on the capital waiting to discover. One of the collections that I’m city. writing is called “Trenton be‘The Country came an anchor ‘I hear an element Across the River,’ of the past for and I think it’s me,” he told me of the blues, this about Trenton. a few years ago. yearning for what is I’m slowly discov“It seemed that ering what the esthere’s a southto become as well as sence of that is. I ern enclave here. for what was there. think it’s going I think a lot has to take me a little to do with the It’s that beckoning,’ while to write that rituals and how collection. people interact Komunyakaa says. “I think what with one another. ‘The foundation exists, happens is that I started thinking we internalize a about the great but also the dreaming. landscape, and migration — and that’s how we I felt slightly at That’s what it is all the rest of home. The other about. I call it ‘extended view the world, emoreason that I tionally, psychoended up here possibility.’ It’s great logically, spiriin Trenton was when artists begin to tually. There’s that (novelist and something that Princeton Unisee it.’ seems as if I have versity faculty been here before. member) Russell I lived in a small Banks told me that he wished he had purchased a town, and that’s one appeal. I wish I place in Trenton instead of Princeton. had I had known what (Trenton) was I think that says something of the art- like earlier. “There’s also an element of the ist in him. Here there are down-toblues here. I hear it. I don’t know earth-people — which is the blues.” From his West State Street home, why, because the Delaware is not the Mississippi. I hear an element of the blues, this yearning for what is to beAdvertise for $49 a month. For more information, call 609-396-1511 ext. 110. come as well as for what was there. It’s that beckoning. The foundation exists, but also the dreaming. That’s what it is all about. I call it ‘extended possibility.’ It’s great when artists begin to see it.” Nationally known visual artist Mel Leipzig said recently that moving from his native New York City to Trenton “was one of the best things I did. There was nothing to do here. Just paint. I could just do my own thing. It is so tREE REmoval, tRimming comfortable to paint here because you and stump gRinding. do anything you want to do.” FREE EstimatEs! 609-203-7821 Leipzig, whose work is in major
10Trenton Downtowner August 2020
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From left, poet Yusef Konumyakaa, artist Mel Leipzig, and the late playwright Ntozake Shange. collections and who has interacted with some of the major artists of the 20th century, said, “There were so many artists in New York, and you were friends with so many people and hear all their opinions — there were so many influences that have nothing to do with you. In New York (artists) are so intense in dragging you into their way of thinking. Here I was able to work at my own rate and do what I wanted to do.” Yet Trenton’s proximity to other cities and the art world in general was a benefit. “Because I was near New York I could go in and see shows and I could go into Philadelphia — they have good shows. But I could do things that expressed me, what I was interested in doing.” A retired professor of art at Mercer County Community College who lives in Trenton’s Glen Afton neighborhood, Leipzig said, “A lot of things I ended up painting had to do with this city. And because I was so obsessive I ended up painting my students, the teachers, and people at my college — I’m the only person who painted the cafeteria.” About his art he added, “I don’t consider myself an imaginative painter. I find reality unbelievably fascinating. I think I have a unique approach — I’m not a realist.” After saying, “I must paint people,” Leipzig added that “besides the subject matter, it’s the way I approach painting. I approach figure painting in a way that the background is important. That excites me. The way, they interact with their backgrounds.” “I love Trenton,” he continued. “I think it gave me the freedom to go into myself. There is a precedent. In order to become a great painter Cezanne left Paris and went to the south of France to develop his style.” After accessing some of the city’s characteristics and thinking about the history of art, Leipzig said, “It is between being a country town and a
Art All Night goes digital
COVID closes BSB Gallery
A
rtworks Trenton presents its 2020 virtual Art All Night festival starting on the afternoon of August 15 and running 24 hours through August 16. The highly visible and popular festival was postponed from its regular mid-June schedule to the current August virtual format in response to the pandemic affecting the state and nation. “We realized it was prudent to make other plans, and the more we explored the idea of a virtual event, the more we realized how exciting the possibilities were,” said Artworks Executive Director Lauren Otis. Coordinators say programming of the art open art exhibition, live music and demonstrations, film festival, and workshops and activities led by and involving Trenton region artists will be consistent. However, individuals participating in the open exhibition need to enter their work online. Another change is the volunteer donation stations that provided support for the event. With a goal of raising $24,000 over the 24 hours of the event, Artworks is asking that people contribute online
city town — it is also the state capital. And it really has as many people as did (ancient) Athens — you can only have culture in a city. Thinking about his recent art — where he readily replaces soft blue skies for bold oranges and reds — he said, “I was influenced by (Trenton’s) graffiti artists. As I was painting them, everything started changing. And I would not have known the graffiti artists if I was in New York. I really respect them tremendously.” One of those artists, Leon Rainbow, has his own thoughts on the subject. “Being between being New York and Philadelphia has been good. We have brought people from both places to Trenton and learned. Trenton is a great blend of New York and Philadelphia and New Jersey. It’s like a melting pot in that aspect.” Rainbow said one of the factors that helped him was that “Trenton was real open — partially because of the issues it has. We were able to have a lot of freedom. We would get permission to paint and people seemed to like it. The politicians liked it. The city has always been accepting of us.” He summed it up by saying that one of the things that has worked for him is “people really being open to allow you to be creative.” That includes fellow artists. “There was also some healthy competition. (Artist Will) Kasso would do a great wall, then I’d want to do a great wall. Then there were some competitions and projects, Art All Night, and the Punk Rock Flea Markets.” He said the desire to find “our own
‘I
or purchase t-shirts. “Art All Night is going to be different this year, but a lot is different around the country and around the world. We’re stoked to be able to present a virtual Art All Night to our audience, enabling us all to connect and interact happily as we celebrate our large, diverse, and creative community in the midst of these unsettling times,” said festival manager Joseph Kuzemka. Art All Night starts at 3 p.m., Saturday, August 15, and continues to 3 p.m., Sunday, August 16. For more information and ways to support Art All Night, visit www.artworkstrenton.org.
am a believer that the arts are an important economic driver and that we will be back,” said Trenton Downtown Association Executive Director Tom Gilmour in an announcement saying that the TDA-operated BSB Gallery would close on August 1. The gallery was established in 2018. The closing is connected to TDA’s COVID-19 hampered projects that generate income that support the downtown nonprofit’s various programs, including the gallery and its free programming. BSB co-curators Christy O’Connor and Áine Mickey responded to the state’s social distancing-related closings by continuing gallery programming online and presenting virtual exhibitions, tours, and workshops. The final exhibition was “Free Enterprise,” an examination of capitalism and its effects on the American Dream. “We are sincerely grateful to everyone who participated and supported the BSB Gallery, from its patrons to its dedicated staff and beneficiaries. Together we created a platform that promoted and recognized the extraor-
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The Punk Rock Flea Market returns Saturday and Sunday, August 1 and 2, in the CURE Insurance Arena parking lot. dinary arts and artists in Trenton, a city whose affordable studio and living space, along with its communityfocused entrepreneurial spirit, continues to attract more and more creative talent,” said Gilmour.
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Graffiti artist Leon Rainbow. style” was important. “New York and Philadelphia have their own things — and everyone pisses on New Jersey. But at the same time it gives us that chip on the shoulder that makes us what to prove something. And that is good.” Asked to explain the style, Rainbow said, “There is something that is indescribable. There is a lot of positivity and negativity we struggle through. But greatness comes through struggle, and that’s part of it. You have a lot creative people who are doing stuff and people. You get a wide range of emotions that you get to pull from, and I pull from both negative and positive experience. I definitely feel like there’s some sort of special sauce.” One that includes that metaphorical Trenton water.
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12Trenton Downtowner August 2020