How much is that kitty in the window?

Montclair Animal Shelter on Willow street in Montclair is offering an early Valentine’s Day gift for those looking for love: reduced adoption fees for one day only, on Saturday, February 4.

MTAS is once again partnering with Montclair Feed & Pet Supply to celebrate Valentine’s Day with reduced adoption fees on all dogs and cats during the in-store event. A number of the shelter’s adoptable pets will be on site at 191 Glenridge Avenue from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. with dog adoption fees reduced to $70 and cat fees to $50. The fee reductions will also apply to all adoptable pets at the shelter. The shelter will also open an hour earlier for the event on February 4, from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.

Station Square Building

I found online this old postcard of Bloomfield Ave (circa 1925) and thought it would be fun to compare then and now. The building with the turret is the Station Square Building in Montclair, standing across the street from the old Lackawanna Terminal building and having once anchored the center of downtown, before more of the action moved west up the hill in the background.
Built in 1892 with Queen Anne and Romanesque elements, the Station Square Building has housed a bank, a convenience store, a hip-hop jewelry store ("Mo' Better Jewelers" - really!), and a café, among other things. A gentleman named Jesse H. Lockwood is credited as the architect.

Perfect Day for a warm piece of bread . . .

Cold and rainy days are the perfect time for comfort food and Nicolo's Italian Bakery and Deli (www.nicolosbakery.com) is the place to indulge.  I don't remember a family occasion that hasn't included bread from Nick's - we place large orders for Christmas, Thanksgiving and Easter and treat ourselves to stuffed spinach bread on football Sundays.  From warm loaves of thick Italian bread to soups full of vegetables, Nicolo's has it all.  I am particularly partial to the small pizzas and to the fresh mozzarella, broccoli rabe and peppers.  Run by the Zecchino family since 1967, the small store is part of so many families' traditions.  Closed on Monday and only open until 1:30 on Sundays, they are worth the trip.  Just another of Montclair's little treasures.

Got class?

One of the amazing resources I've discovered locally is the Adult School of Montclair. Offering a broad range of classes at a great price it is hard to pass up.

So what classes have caught my eye? Introduction to Flamenco Dancing and Bollywood Dance top the list followed by Food and Wine Pairings and Artisan Bread Making. How's that for fun!

Registration for the spring 2012 classes starts Feb 1st.

Happy Chinese New Year!

This year Chinese New Year falls on January 23, 2012, when we'll be ringing in the Year of the Dragon.

In 2012, Chinese New Year's Day will be celebrated on January 23. The New Year festival will start from January 22 (Chinese New Year's Eve) and end on February 6 (Lantern Festival). 2012 marks the 4710th Chinese New Year, and this time it is the year of the dragon according to the Chinese zodiac calendar.

The dragon is the 5th sign of the Chinese zodiac and it is regarded as an auspicious symbol which stands for power, good luck, success, and happiness.

So how can you celebrate this year in Montclair? Grace Grund at Terra at the Isabel Rose Cafe at the Montclair Public Library, 50 South Fullerton Avenue, has loads of activities planned.

Monday, January 23, Chinese New Years Day
Lunch Specials will include "jiaozi" (dumplings) and "Niangao" (New Year's Cake)
Reservations recommended, 973-744-6600.

Sunday, January 29, 2 p.m. to 3 p.m.
Oolong Tea Tasting & Gong Fu Cha Demonstration
Cost: $5 per person. To reserve a spot, please call Terra, 973-744-6600.

Monday, February 6, 3:30 p.m. to 4:45 p.m.  
"LENG TENG" (Lanterns) AND DRAGONS
The 15th and final day of the New Year Celebrations, is Lantern Festival
Day. Join us for Lantern Making, story telling, tea & snacks.
Cost: $3 per person. To reserve a spot, please call Terra, 973-744-6600.

Giving things a new home - painlessly. . .

A new year always brings with it the desire to reorganize, clean out and repurpose parts of my home.  This year is no different.  A snowy Saturday provided the perfect opportunity to clean the basement and recreate it into a home office for two working adults who each need dedicated work space and a place to escape the chaos of "upstairs."  Sorting through the storage resulted in several items that no longer are needed in a household of teenagers - child's karaoke, train wallpaper borders, art supplies for the younger set and board games.  Then I remember one of Essex County's wonderful resources (nationwide really but ours seems to be very active) - Essex County Recycle and Reuse.  Just posting in this group's page brings you several people who are happy to take your gently used things and give them new life in their lives.  So the board games went to children in Montclair, the karaoke to a singing 4 year old and the wallpaper to a crafter who uses whatever she can to create.  Just another gem of our area. . .

Montclair at night

Recently after having a great sushi dinner in upper montclair with a friend I was surprised to find out that  what used to be the upstairs portion of the sushi restaurant had been transformed into a swank nyc style restaurant offering new american cuisine and a full bar. In talking with the owner they said they haven't advertised the restaurant at all and just let business come through word of mouth. I haven't eaten there myself yet but it's on my list...
Check out Upstairs

Walkability a plus . . .

Jen hit the nail right on the head when she decided to write about the Montclair area.   Full of beautiful neighborhoods, shopping, excellent restaurants and tons of entertainment - this section of Essex County has a lot to offer.  But for my money, the sheer value is in the walkability of the area.  An example - I work from home about 80% of the time and sometimes just need to take a break and step away from the computer screen. So, the other day I decided to run some errands. Armed with just a tote bag and my iphone,  I managed to get Italian bread for dinner, pick up two prescriptions, buy a dog toy, have a chai tea and browse in the bookstore.  I walked home through Brookdale Park and made a final stop at a surprisingly well stocked Brookdale Liquors to round out my work "break".  The added bonus - 10000 steps of daily fitness without even noticing.  Sometimes the best things about our neighborhood are those that we simply take for granted.

One sugar or two?

Walking down Bloomfield Ave one evening this past week I was surprised to see that Cafe Eclectic had closed down. As many in the Montclair area know Cafe Eclectic was the long standing art cafe hangout. Upon first moving to Montclair about a year ago I had visions of spending leisurely sunday mornings there sipping lattes and reading the paper or catching up with friends. Now of course this was not to be.
My disappointment however only lasted a brief minute as I spied just down the street an open doorway with people crowding inside. Wandering inside I found that the newish coffee shop in town, Trend Coffee was having an open mic night. I ordered a tea and the waitress sat me and my friend right in front of the area being used as an impromptu stage. There was a great atmosphere watching the performers as everyone there was very enthusiastic and supportive. I felt like I had walked into Glee or High School the musical. All in all for the price of a cup of tea it was great entertainment. Maybe soon I'll have a latte there on sunday.

Are you a Cat person or a Dog person?

My guest bloggers are one of each.  By way of introduction, my friend Melissa Secondino who, like Dr. Cameron, a veterinarian of epic proportions whose father started Cameron Animal Hospital at the turn of the last century, is a great rescuer of feral cats.  From her Facebook page ...

How to put a former feral cat into a cat box:
Lure cat into small room with treats, trap cat in room with box. Chase cat around room for a half hour while comically deploying the use of chair pillows to guide cat into box. Realize cats are really good at jumping vertically when needed. Remove cat box from small room and place in living room where other non feral cat will then voluntarily climb into box to hang out while former feral cat runs around box playfully batting at toys. Leave.

More High Wire Days ...

So not *in* Montclair but, the beauty of living so close to the City is that there are so many amazing places nearby to see and hear music.  Picked up tickets tonight to see the Psychedelic Furs at Maxwell's in Hoboken on March 24th.  Also upcoming, School of Seven Bells at Mercury Lounge February 28th and March 1st (new record drops on the 28th), Arctic Monkeys with the Black Keys at Madison Square Garden March 12th, and the Ting Tings in April at Webster Hall.
After all, we can't all fly out to Coachella now, can we?

Celebrating 3 years ago --> Montclair to Siem Reap

Three years ago, I visited a project in Cambodia with drawings done by Montclair and Bloomfield elementary school students. Since then, I've watched with absolute awe as two women, one Cambodian, one American, turned a fledging non-profit education organization in Siem Reap near Angkor Wat into a force for change for young people in Cambodia. Ponheary Ly, who survived the Khmer Rouge to become an advocate for education in rural communities without electricity and running water a mere stone's throw from the burgeoning tourist hotels of Siem Reap, and Lori Carlson, a Texan with the heart and determination of a tiger, are showing what action, not just protest, can do to change lives. 

Lori just posted a video project created by a 17 year old Soy Sen about water wells in his village. When you follow this link, realize this project exists where three years ago the Ponheary Ly Foundation was just starting a project to install solar panels so that some of the schools could have power.  The idea that any of these schools could have computers, let alone a computer program, where children could learn to shoot and edit videos was almost inconceivable. That Soy and his classmates have made such an articulate vehicle speaks volumes.

Whither to NYC, my Sweet?

Today my friend Nicolette Salerno, who'll be guest blogging for me later this month, mentioned in a Facebook post that she was truly proud of driving by herself in NYC -- to quote "sometimes, it's the little things."  I can relate.  The how to of reaching and moving about in that shining cultural magnet on the horizon is often fraught with choice, none of which seem perfect.
I'm not a fan of driving in the city myself.  Did it when I lived there and owned a Karmann Ghia convertible (seat belts? heck, I sat on a big red cushion as I've never been that tall in the torso) those were earlier times.  You could still find a place to park on the street in the Village.  Imagine.
All of which reminded me (furtherance of "it's the little things") that we now have train service into Manhattan on the weekends in Montclair.  True the train doesn't run its full route, starting at Bay Street but here's a little known fact -- there is a ton of long-limit metered parking near the Bloomfield train station, a quicker and cheaper trip.
If you do choose to drive, check out Icon Parking for discount parking coupons.  Offered all over the city, you can often park for as little as $15 -- perfect for those late night events.

Understanding the Montclair Reassessment

So, getting serious for a second, here's an update for all Montclair property owners. The company that conducted the reassessment is starting to post data to their web site.  One of the more intriguing pieces of information is a list of real estate sales from 2011 (which seems a little incomplete, but perhaps short sales didn't make the list?) with actual sale prices and assessments as of 2011.  The new reassessments mailed in the past few weeks aren't certified yet, so that information is not public knowledge -- but it should be as soon any informal hearings requested by homeowners are completed and the town certifies the 2012 assessments.  Suffice it to say, assessments are coming down, but the tax rate will have to go up.  The goal?  Put a lid on all the tax appeals, which were costing the town a fortune and making it very difficult to figure out a yearly budget, as the last reassessment was conducted at the height of the market in 2006.
Confused yet?  Just be glad you're not moving here from a state like California -- it would make even less sense!  I'd be happy to shed some light on this one on one; I attended a seminar Steve Rubinstein from Realty Appraisal Company held last December.  And you thought I was just going to blog about rock shows!  Hah!

Getting ready for another year at the Wellmont ...

Last year there was a great deal of amazing music at the Wellmont Theatre, the kind of music that makes you think you've somehow teleported to the Lower East side and Bowery Ballroom, or taken a time machine back to your misspent (well, mine was) youth.  One week in particular completely rocked.  Elvis Costello brought his spinning songbook wheel, Bryan Ferry brought his dancing girls, and the Psychedelic Furs and Tom Tom Club brought High Wire Days and Talking Heads songs I hadn't heard live since the 80's.  Next for me? Jane's Addiction on March 6th. Tickets officially go on sale Saturday, but if you've got an Amex account, you can get them in a presale now, just proving there is an advantage to being an older rocker. I definitely didn't have an American Express card in the 80's!
Other upcoming acts include Levon Helm, Pat Benatar, and Chicago.  If that all sounds a bit old fogey for you, don't despair. The shows are booked by the people who run The Bowery Presents (Mercury Lounge, Terminal 5, etc.) so something edgier.

Montclair Underdog Festival

What did I say 8 days ago?  "Every time I think I've got a definitive list (of what I like best about Montclair) ... great new things start to happen."  Let me amend that -- I also get smacked upside the head with great things of which I wasn't previously aware.  Take the Underdog Film Festival, which has for several years showcased Oscar nominated short films at Montclair State University.  The Academy announces nominations on January 24th, so I would keep a watch on the Underdog web site for updates.
Most people don't think of Montclair as a college town, so a trip to the campus north of Normal Avenue can come as quite a surprise.  The university's Alexander Kasser Theatre is a gorgeous venue (where the screening for Pray the Devil Back to Hell took place last fall).  Want to scope out the space before then?  Try a night of dance with Bill T. Jones/Arnie Zane Dance Company on January 21st, part of the university's Peak Performances series.

Montclair Film Festival is Open for Entries

Before real estate, I worked as a script supervisor, primarily on television commercials shot in and around NYC. Montclair was a convenient choice for location shoots, and home to quite a few people in the "business". It very much still is.

Now, Montclair is going to host its first film festival.  Judging by the screenings and fundraisers launched in the past few months to prime the pumps (screenings of two notable 2011 documentaries: Page One: Inside the New York Times and Pray the Devil Back to Hell) and the considerable talent behind the event, including recently hired film festival mavens Thom Powers and Raphaela Neihausen, there is going to be nothing suburban about this endeavor. Slated for May 2 - 6th, the festival has just posted their call for entries. I'm personally hoping Rachel Cook will have her documentary on Women and Micro-lending ready for submission.  

I thought you'd never ask ...

So, you have to be wondering, if I'm a real estate agent, why in heaven's name am I not talking about real estate?  So here you go, in the form of a scavenger hunt, where would you find this painting?  Clues?


1. You can find the answer on the web
2.  It exists in Montclair
Post your answers here.

60's in January?

It seems that every January, we get blessed with silly spring weather. Just when you've surrendered to being nippy for the next few months, a balmy day rolls in.  This first Saturday in January was all that, top down, wind in your hair, I don't need a jacket sunny happy Saturday.  Everyone felt a bit lighter.
As planned, we met friends at Bohemia, in the new restaurant row on Broad Street in Bloomfield, home to Asian themed Pandan, sublimely French Mes Reves, and my favorite area spa secret (to be discussed another time!) We tucked into mounds of fresh mussel, shrimp, fish and calamari ceviche, slightly spicy with a great lime zest, baked tilapia and spiced skirt steak.  Written up several years ago in the NY Times, Bohemia is still a bit of a secret, though reservations on a Saturday are a good idea. Can you find the Nazca line drawings?  Let me know!

Ok, so Day 4 and 5 I was a bad blogger ...

I am in new found awe of the Julia Child's blogger immortalized in Julie & Julia. She really did all that cooking and wrote about it too? No wonder her relationship was goofy for awhile. But I digress. The 4th and 5th were busy days. Montclair reassessments went out last week, and I had a variety of customers to counsel on the possible effects. Last night? Smash Burger (those rosemary-flavored smash fries are pretty tasty). My husband misses, for sheer burgerness, Five Guys, which mysteriously disappeared one night in Upper Montclair.

Which brings us to the 6th, and plans for a busy weekend. Looking forward to dinner at Bohemia, the Peruvian restaurant on Broad Street. However, have just learned of Costanera, which has gotten rave reviews and seems to have a great raw bar and ceviche menu, with lots of papas dishes. As we already have reservations for Bohemia, I'll have to report on that another time.

The Cold Moves In ...

It's 12 degrees outside, according to weather.com, -1 with the wind chill. Darn Canadian jet stream, dipping into the North East, making me happy a sunny vaca is waiting around the corner.

Got a chance to break out my new Rick Owen's boiled cashmere shorts -- you have to love a man whose designs make you feel sexy and like the high fashion cousin of an oompah loompah at the same time. Otherwise, today was a quiet day, with a stop at King's on the way home for Saint Angel cheese and Balthazar's French bread. Curled up with the Steve Job's biography and gave the cat some love.

Ah, Peas ...

After a strange day trying to figure out the vagaries of Apple TV, wireless speakers, and Bose sound systems, I needed some sustenance. The Mezze Luna (1/2 pizza, have calzone) pie at Ah' Pizz, that warmly-lit brick building you might have spied just off Bloomfield Avenue on North Willow, definitely hit the spot. Absolutely yummy, with a thin crust, crumbled sausage in the calzone half and soft, chewy buffala (is that a female buffalo?) mozzarella and olives on the pizza part. I also saw them doing something that looked absolutely sinful with Nutella, a pizza crust and powdered sugar. Will have to try that next time.

With their own brick oven to keep things toasty warm, and creative specials to jazz up what already looks like an interesting spin on Neapolitan pizza, I know I'll be back. The baby arugula salad with fig-infused goat cheese and balsamic vinegarette did not hurt the cause either -- all fresh, fresh, fresh. And open on Mondays, when my other pizza places are not. Brava!

Day one of 366 Days in Montclair

You should always start a new endeavor on the 1st of the year, right? But usually you''re too tired, or too unfocused, just not ready, not sure how to pull together an effort that will sustain you and reward people who choose to stop by and check out what you have to say.

I'm truly in love with Montclair, and all the crazy parts of it that make it home for me. Every time I think I've got a definitive list of all those parts, great new things start to happen.

So, I'm committing to be hear now, 1 day at a time, to share the best of my home town. Shops, shows, restaurants, events and I'm happy to take suggestions, too. Gal can't know everything!

So -- how to sum up Day 1, January 1, 2012? Warm out. Late breakfast at, of course, Raymonds. Thank you for hiring a real-life latte maker with foam that can step up and take a bow.

Then later, the quintessential New Year's Day decision, what new film to see. Decided on Rooney Mara in Girl with the Dragon Tattoo -- Mr. Fincher at his best, though what the oil coated lead-in credits really have to do with the story, I'm not so sure. Ok, it's the only misstep. Loved all 2 1/2 hours of it. Can already so the fashion ripple effect -- girls cutting their bangs flat and short short short. Oh to be so fierce and so young.

'Nough said. Turns out Stephen Webster designed most of Rooney's jewelry but a quick look through his website shows stuff with a lot more frou frou than what I liked in the film. That's ok, I'm off to the John Hardy Workshop in Bali later this month. Need to keep my neck and wrists a little hungry in anticipation.