The Big H
Topic: COMMUNITY INTEREST

 

 

 

 

The Big H

 

 

 

 By Tammy Duffy 

 

"They don't speak about Hamilton Township like they did two years ago. It's 'the Big H.," said. Mayor Kelly Yaede

 

The street name for the drug  Heroin is, “The Big H.” The Mayor of Hamilton Township , Kelly Yaede, wants to nickname the town, “The Big H.”   She evidently is completely unaware of the street name for Heroin (The Big H). Yet, she is the Director of Public Safety as well as the Mayor of the town. 

 

The three largest killers of people in the state of NJ are stroke, heart disease and cancer. (Source: NJ Chronic Disease report 2014). However, when I met up with a lobbyist from the NJ Medical Society and asked her what her biggest focuses were on Capital Hill for 2014 and beyond, her response was, “DRUG , DRUGS, DRUGS.”  The Drug problem in NJ has become an epidemic.. It should be a focus for politicians to rectify in their towns. It should  not be taken lightly by wanting to rename a town, The Big H. (aka Heroin)

 

There are over 520 cities in the state of New Jersey. Hamilton Township, Mercer county, ranks 26^th in the state  for residents admitted to drug treatment during for heroin and other opiates.  (Source: NJ Dept of Human Services, 121 Hamilton residents were admitted in 2013)

 

 

 

Since 2012, the numbers have increased over 116% . In 2013, there were 741 deaths in NJ from “The Big H”.  There have been deaths from the Big H in Hamilton, NJ, Mercer County as well. A member of the Hamilton Council lost their son in 2009 due to a Big H overdose.  

 

But along with the rise in heroin use has been a rise in overdoses.   The Big H (aka Heroin) has become an “equal opportunity offender,” no longer dismissed as an urban drug by suburban parents.  Kids are dying in their bedrooms and bathrooms in the suburbs. This should not be taken lightly by any anyone.

 

According to the Mercer County medical examiner’s office, 35 heroin or opioid overdoses were reported in 2013, up from 32 in 2012. There have been significant increases in heroin or opioid overdose deaths across the state. Ocean County saw the worst increase, from 52 deaths in 2012 to 112 in 2013.

 

Many prescription drug addicts, especially those using “synthetic heroin” oxycodone, find themselves addicted to heroin, which is cheaper and more powerful than the prescription drugs.   It starts in the medicine cabinet with Vicodin, Percocets and OxyContin.

 

When it comes to overdoses, advocates are still waiting for widespread adoption of Narcan, an aerosol form of naloxone hydrochloride that is administered as a nasal spray to counteract the effects of a heroin overdose.  This is making a positive impact, but more must be done.

 

There is no silver bullet for this addiction. What we need to do is look at where the system is failing and it's failing in many ways.  Parents and communities need to be vigilant. 

ebay and Sotheby's: A New Partnership
Topic: ART NEWS

 

 

 

ebay and Sotheby's: A New Partnership 

 

 

 

eBay is launching a live auction page for Sotheby’s on its site. The collaboration is the next stage of ebay live auction technology.

 

The auctions themselves happen in the “real” world, in a Sotheby’s location, but with real-time integration with the eBay-Sotheby’s site.

EBay and Sotheby’s first announced their partnership last summer. The collaboration is designed to give Sotheby’s more access to a younger, digitally savvy clientele, while eBay gets an opportunity to expand its high end inventory. Where Sotheby’s and other auction houses have rare, highly valuable inventory, eBay has a decade’s worth of auction technology, making its platform an easy bridge out of the stodgy (and some would argue arcane) world of live auctions.

“We’re seeing appetite  for high purchase points across the site,” says Megan Ford, director of eBay’s live auctions. “We went into the bullion category at this high price point and we went into the vehicles category, and every time we move up market our buyers come with us,” she says.

Sotheby’s and eBay’s love child is a sleekly designed interface that features upcoming auctions alongside artist interviews, articles, and other content created by Sotheby’s editorial team.

It displays auction previews on a page that mimics the look and feel of a gallery space, with artworks set against a minimalist white backdrop alongside artwork title, artist name, and materials. High resolution pictures allow bidders to zoom in for brush-stroke detail. A picture of the item hung on a wall let’ them imagine how it would look in their home.

The idea is to recreate the experience of a live auction in the digital realm.

Bidders will be able to view a running feed of bids as they come in and place their own bids. They’ll also be able to flip through the auction catalog within the live auction screen.

To bring together the offline auction with its online counterpart, each online bidder is paired with a representative on the auction floor to place bids on the online client’s behalf.

 

EBay teamed up with live auction site Invaluable in May of last year to build a live auction platform. So far, eBay has hosted a mix of auctions through Swann Auction Galleries, Heritage Auctions, and others, and already live auction bidders are proving to be return customers, says Ford. Since launching in the fall, she says, live auction bidders have purchased an average of four items.

 

Ford also says that eBay has no problem selling high-end items. An acetate record of Elvis singing live, for example, recently sold for $300,000. According to the company’s numbers, every day 3,500 auctions on eBay close above $5,000. But by working with Sotheby’s, which has exclusive access to high value items, eBay is hoping to increase the number of large daily sales.

Art and collectibles accounts for $8 billion of gross merchandise volume for the company, and that category hosts 37 million active buyers, says eBay. Live auctions were a natural way for the company to grow this section of the market and its blossoming relationship with Sotheby’s is just the beginning.

“We believe that eBay live auctions is a billion-dollar-plus business at scale, so we’re going to be investing in this business for the long term,” says Ford.

With eBay splitting from PayPal later this year, there’s been a lot of pressure on the auction site to develop a plan for revenue growth post spin-off. Today’s launch is the company’s first big reveal in terms of a forward looking strategy.

And while building out auction platforms for others is an obvious use of eBay’s technology, rather than the development of something shiny and new, connecting high art with a wider audience could ultimately be a winning bid.

 

ELF MAKE-UP’S BEST KEPT SECRET
Topic: FASHION NEWS

 

 

 

ELF MAKE-UP’S BEST KEPT SECRET

 

By Tammy Duffy

 

 

As an entrepeneur one always looks for ways to get the most out of your money.  Being frugal is a way of life and a recipe for success.  During one of my trips to Wegman's market, I came across a brand of cosmetics called, e.l.f.

 

e.l.f is a brand that fits the needs of all women. There are a multitude of products available in the line. Many of the products are below $3. The first products I purchased were:lip primer & plumper, wrinkle refiner, eyeliner and shadow stick, make-up mist and set, cream eyelier, waterproof lengthening and volumizing mascara and some flawless eyeshadow. I loved all of the products. The mist allows your make-up to last all day. I finally found a mascara that does not flake or run and it only cost $3.

Now, mind you, like any brand of cosmetics, you will find something you might not like. However, this is few and far between.  When you do find something you do not like, you do not feel so bad, because you are only out a few dollars, not $20 or even hundreds of dollars.

Their web site demonstrates their full line. Its quite extensive.  Other products I have tried and really like are: the flawless foundation, clear brow & lash mascara, perfect blend concealer, golden bronzer and their smugpots. Their brushes are to die for as well and they are priced from $2 to $6.

 

 http://www.eyeslipsface.com/makeup/new

 

e.l.f. Cosmetics was founded by Joseph Shamah and Scott Vincent Borba in  2004. Shamah and Borba met at a party in 2002.  Shamah was a 23-year-old NYU business student. Borba was a 31-year-old LA beauty-industry veteran, responsible for previously launching brands such as Hard Candy cosmetics. Both were enthusiastic about an inexpensive, high-quality cosmetics line for women, and decided to form a company together. A few days after the party they sat down to brainstorm, and a business plan was created within months. Borba claims the idea originated from seeing women with expensive cars such as BMW's and Mercedes Benz’s buying bargain-price cosmetics at 99-cent stores in Los Angeles.

 

e.l.f.(short for Eyes Lips Face) Cosmetics was officially launched in NYC in June 2004, also with the assistance of Shamah's father Alan. They continue to sell high-quality cosmetics at $1, $3, and $6 price points.

 

 

 

 

The company started with only 13 makeup products, but has since developed more than 300 products that include bath products, skin-care products, mineral-based makeup, professional tools, eyeliners, lipsticks, glosses, blushes, bronzers, brushes and mascara, and more. Most items cost $3. The variety of e.l.f. products allows the company to target a demographic with a broad age range, from teenagers to women in their 40s and 50.

 

In June 2007, e.l.f. launched Ask Achell, a beauty blog and advice column that touts products (not only e.l.f.) and talks about celebrity sightings. Since then, the length of customer visits to the website has tripled. All product pages on the site host a "chat now" button that lets customers connect directly with one of the company's in-house professional makeup artists. The site hosts a "virtual makeover lab", where customers can digitally test products on models or their own photos.  Customers can create a personal profile, publish and comment on blogs, converse with other customers, and access a beauty encyclopedia.  They can also create a "beauty profile", and are recommended e.l.f. products according to their skin type, hair and eye colors, and typical beauty regimen. Also included is the option to create a wish-list that connects to Facebook, or view educational web videos on makeup techniques and styles.  The website currently includes over two million members.

 

e.l.f. frequently hosts online events, and since 2010 has asked customers of all ages and ethnicities to submit to a casting resource to select a yearly model-representative for the brand. Four selected individuals are brought to New York City to receive makeovers from Achelle Dunaway, e.l.f.'s Creative Director and lead makeup artist, as well as participate in a photo shoot. There are various cash prizes for nominees, and the winner is dubbed "face of e.l.f.

 

They are great products at great prices. You can find them at many stores. In my local area they are sold at Wegman's and CVS among others.  

 

The link below gets you to their online shop.

 

http://www.eyeslipsface.com/makeup/new

 

Great Tasting and World Changing

 

 

Great Tasting and World Changing

 

By Tammy Duffy

 

As Americans we are obsessed with flavor and fresh breath. There is not a day that goes by that I do not see someone voraciously chewing gum.  At times we chew as if we are competing for the gold in the Jaw Olympics.

 

There are hundreds of brands of chewing gum in the USA.  There are 22 leading chewing gum brands in the United States. Some names we know are Trident, Orbit and Wrigley's Extra.  These are among U.S. consumers' favorite gum brands. Trident was the top-selling brand, with generated sales of about 657.3 million U.S. dollars. The gum industry is a several billion dollar industry annually. 

 

Tyler Merrick, CEO of Project 7 has spent his life as a successful entrepreneur and benefactor for good across multiple platforms and organizations.  In 2008, Tyler found himself at a professional crossroads wanting to help more people through his business endeavors and be a catalyst for change in a continually inward consumer centric culture.

The answer was simple... "products for good!"

 

"If people are going to buy things, lots of things. Then let's use those things they purchase to help change the world around us. Let's make everyday products for everyday people to solve everyday problems around the globe".

 

In 2008, Tyler Merrick became a Social Entrepreneur and Project 7 was born; a company dedicated to making 'Products for Good" Each gum flavor focuses on one of the companies philanthropic initiatives. There are 7 flavors to choose from. Each package when purchased will go to help an amazing global initiative. I will personally never buy another type of gum again. I will only buy Project 7 gum. Gum that makes a difference, I am in! I have tasted two of the flavors an really like the gums.

 

 

Save the Earth: Fresh and Breezy Flavor gum

Plant trees back into the earth, heal the damage of deforestation and help Save the Earth. More than an acre of rainforest is lost every second. From global warming to the extinction of plant and animal species, the consequences of deforestation are far reaching. However, healing can begin with your small purchases.

 

House the Homeless: Coconut Lime Flavor Gum

You can help House the Homeless and give basic care for “emergency relief” shelters for those have lost a home as a result of natural disasters.

Provide shelter for people in need with simple purchases of their gum and mints.

 

Feed the Hungry: Peppermint Vanilla mints

Make a difference and help Feed the Hungry in your own backyard. Hunger isn't only an international problem. More then one in ten U.S. households experience poverty-related hunger.

Provide meals in U.S. communities with simple purchases of their gum and mints.

 

Quench the Thirsty: Mint Julep Flavor Gum

More then one billion people worldwide lack a basic supply of clean drinking water. We can help bring water to those who need it .

 

Heal the Sick

You can help Heal the Sick and deliver life-saving malaria medications to someone in need. Though easily preventable, malaria is responsible for at least one million deaths every year.

Help deliver the medications the world needs with simple purchases of their gum and mints.

 

Teach Them Well: Front Porch Lemonade Gum Flavor and Sour Carmel Apple Flavor

Make an impact. We want to give all children in developing nations a chance at a proper daily school education and brighten their futures.

 

Hope for Peace: Birthday Cake Gum Flavor

Put a stop to bullying in U.S. schools. Anti-bullying programs lead to a major increase in the number of students who feel that their school is safer and who are willing to stop bullying when they see it.

Simple purchases of their gum and mints can help your schools be a safer place.

 

Project 7 is making a difference in the world with their gum. They are a specialty gum and mint brand dedicated to bringing great flavor back into your day while at the same time giving back to 7 areas of need. All of their products are made in America. They have partnered with non profits making impacts both here in America and abroad. 

 

Little purchases when added up, can pull many people together and make life changing impacts every day of the week.  Project 7 is thankful  to their non profits, suppliers, distributors, retailers, brokers and end-customers who make this equation and story possible. 

 

Below is a link to the online store for Project 7. It is also available in a multitude of stores as well. Look for it at Wegmans and Target in our area.

 

http://project7.com/collections/all

 

 

 

Above The Law
Topic: COMMUNITY INTEREST

 

 

 

Above the Law

 

By Tammy Duffy

 

 

 

 

What happens when people ignore the laws of our state?  What happens when public officials feel they are above the law? Nothing good comes out of these two things. People can get hurt, sick or a business can collapse due to bad press.

 

In the state of NJ there are guidelines that all retail food establishments must follow. There is no deviation allowed.  The laws are for everyone. They were established by the NJ Department of Health & Senior Services Consumer & Environmental Health Services Food & Drug Safety Program. These laws keep our communities safe.

 

This past week a new restaurant, Wit or Witout on Sloan Rd, in Hamilton, N.J., received a visit from local mayor, Kelly Yaede. Below is the story about her visit that was written by Trenton Times staff writer, Rich Caccaggna.

 

http://www.nj.com/mercer-community/index.ssf/2015/03/wit_or_witout_opens_in_hamilto.html

 

 

I could not even read the story because I was stunned by the photo that coincided with the column. The local mayor who has very long blonde hair (as seen in photo) was in the kitchen with no hair restraint. Not even a ponytail.

 

In CHAPTER 24 (N.J.A.C. 8:24) Sanitation in Retail Food Establishments and

Food and Beverage Vending Machines, it is clearly stated…

 

“Food workers shall wear clean clothing and wear hair restraints in the form of a cover that will prevent hair from falling into the food. (8:24-2.3k/2.4c1)”

 

One may ask, why is the mayor of the town in the kitchen, clearly cooking without any type of hair restraint?  This is a very basic law. Everyone knows this law. Yet, the mayor was cooking in an establishment ignoring this law. Is she above the law?

 

One would think after all the drama that unfolded this past year in the town, people would be more careful. There were several hepatitis cases in Hamilton that were potentially caused by unsafe food handling. The last thing the town should want is a photo demonstrating the mayor in a retail restaurant’s kitchen, ignoring the laws.

 

So, who gets in trouble for this? The  restaurant?  Will the Hamilton Township Department of Health issue the restaurant a citation for this? They should, if they follow the law.  The manager at the restaurant should have never allowed this to happen. 

Did the NJ Department of Health create their standards for everyone, except when a mayor comes into the kitchen? I do not see this clause in the regulations. The laws are for everyone, mayors are not exempt.

Local Salons Raise Money for “Free Wigs” Program Care Couture Hair Art Show
Topic: COMMUNITY INTEREST

 

Local Salons Raise Money for “Free Wigs” Program

Care Couture Hair Art Show  

 

 

 

 

ART BOOK SWAP
Topic: ART NEWS

 

 

 

 Saturday, March 28, 2015 

12-5pm

 

Cullman Education and Research Building 

Enter at 4 West 54th Street (between 5th and 6th Avenue)

 

Art Book Swap New York is a free event organized by the New Art Dealers Alliance and Lauren Wittels in collaboration with the Museum of Modern Art Library.

St Patrick's Day Extravaganza!
Topic: COMMUNITY INTEREST

 

 

CELEBRATE WOMAN'S DAY

 

 

Celebrate Woman's Day

 

To me, Women’s Day is about two things – recognition and celebration. Despite all the progress that has been made in achieving equality for women, things are moving too slowly. There are still too few women in leadership positions; way too many women are still being abused in their domestic homes; too many women are being paid less at work; and definitely way too many women make up the statistics when we talk about poverty. I feel that Women’s Day is a good way to bring all these to the forefronts of people’s minds, both men and women. Sometimes in the humdrum of daily life, we forget what women the world over are going through. This day, we remember.

I hope that as we remember this day in years to come, we will remember more and more, until we never forget. But at the same time, it is necessary that we use this day to celebrate the success stories that women have had and encourage us to do even more to achieve our goal of equality for all.

Trenton a City for Athletes in Training
Topic: COMMUNITY INTEREST