The Montclair Pod

It's 90 degrees in May, NJ Transit has heard from Montclair, and this Sunday there's a townwide yard sale (not to be confused with a garage sale). We've got the story behind the two tag-sales, a packed NJ Transit survey, and a Montclair coffee truck that could keep you up at night for two reasons. Plus: a farewell to a neighbor who’s repped Montclair to the world honorably and hilariously… and is not allowed to leave (at least not entirely).

The Townwide Yard Sale

We talked with Valentin Guerin, the Montclair dad who organized this Sunday's town-wide yard sale in partnership with Downtown Montclair—weather permitting!

The Original Garage Sale

Longtime resident and realtor Penny Patnaude, who started Montclair's town-wide garage sale in 2023 as a fundraiser for the Human Needs Food Pantry, shares why she ultimately decided to sit this year out—and what she's seen change in 30 years in town.

Possessed by Coffee

We got a tour inside the orange coffee truck that launched on Halloween and has been turning up at Walnut Street Station, Brookdale Park, and Montclair High School ever since.

NJ Transit: The Survey Results

Nick Giglia, founder of ROUTE (Restore Our Transit in Essex), breaks down what more than 2,300 respondents said—over 80% want more weekend trains—and what it could mean for service on the Montclair-Boonton line, the World Cup, and beyond.

Local News: Car crashes into chinese restaurant T.S. Ma on Bellevue; Dodge Durango stolen from a Bloomfield Avenue car wash; Belleville elects a 24-year-old mayor; Stephen Colbert's Late Show finale; and Montclair Pride is June 13th.

Resources & Mentions

• Subscribe: The Montclair Pod on YouTube
• Follow the Townwide Yard Sale on Instagram for updates — Sunday, May 31, 9 a.m.–5 p.m… weather permitting.
• ROUTE (Restore Our Transit in Essex): EssexRoute.org
• ROUTE on Instagram/Threads: @EssexRoute
• Human Needs Food Pantry
• NJ Transit World Cup travel information
• Stephen Colbert on Instagram

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Happening on October 21.

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• Subscribe: The Montclair Pod on YouTube.
• Official Documents: 2026-27 User Friendly Budget and Sullivan's April 29 Presentation Deck.
• History Center: Archives & Farm Camp.
• Read the Montclair Pod’s Complete Guide to Day Camps Within 5 Miles of Montclair.
• Support MESH: wearemesh.org.
• Athletics Fundraising: montclereblueandwhite.org.
• New Pods: Check out the Glenfield Pod and the MPACT Pod on Spotify and read their report, Budget Process 101.

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Happening on October 21.

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This week, we are celebrating Montclair as a “Creative Island.” We sit down with legendary drummer Kevin March (Guided by Voices, The Dambuilders) to discuss his journey from Brooklyn to the heart of the Montclair music scene and his mission to help the next generation find their “Honest Noise.” We also explore the high-stakes world of fashion with former Vogue editor and author Caroline Palmer, whose debut novel Workhorse is taking the literary world by storm.

But it’s not all rock stars and fashion icons—we have some heavy lifting to do in the local news department. We investigate the “toxic garbage snow” and break down the staggering $179.8 million school budget proposal that includes a massive tax hike and deep cuts to student programs.

Kevin March has played with everyone from The Breeders to Jeff Buckley, but his journey to Montclair is one of “kismet.”

Former Vogue and Amazon Fashion editor Caroline Palmer joins us to talk about the “spell” of the fashion industry and the discipline required to transition into the writing life.

It started with February’s 19-inch blizzard. We investigate why the town dumped massive piles of salt, chemicals, and road debris in Essex and Erie Parks.

The Board of Education held its vote on the 2026–27 spending plan, and the numbers are staggering.

This Saturday, May 9th, The Bellevue Theatre is throwing itself a birthday party from 10 AM to 2 PM.

• Guest: Follow Kevin March and Rocking for Inclusion at rockingforinclusion.org.
• Guest: Buy Workhorse by Caroline Palmer at Watchung Booksellers.
• Book Review: Read the New York Times review of Workhorse.
• Music: Look out for the new GBV record, Crawl Space of the Pantheon (Out May 29).

• Official Document: Township Recovery Plan for Local Parks
• Official FAQ: Erie & Essex Parks Snow Masses FAQ
• NJ.com: Will this trash-covered pile of snow ever disappear?
• NJ.com: Officials scramble to clean up trash-filled swamp in NJ park
• News 12: Trash-filled snowbanks remain in Montclair parks
• Patch: Montclair’s remediation plan for local parks

• School Budget: Full breakdown of the $851 tax increase and planned cuts.
• Budget Docs: Review the 2026-27 User Friendly Budget on the Montclair Schools website.

• Watch the Show: Subscribe to our YouTube Channel.
• Join our weekly newsletter and stay in the know
• Follow us on Instagram

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Happening on October 21.

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• The Good News: IEP and 504 services are federally mandated and cannot be cut.
• The Reality: The Montclair Counseling Services (MCS) program is being eliminated due to budget constraints.
• Accountability: The district committed to fixing "unintelligible" numeric-coded progress reports for the 2026-27 school year.

• Oddfellows Ice Cream: Coming to 450 Bloomfield Ave. Get ready for 500+ flavors, including Miso Cherry and Chorizo Salted Caramel.
• Oggi Gelato: Opening at 40 Church St. This creates a "Gelato War" with the longtime staple Benvenuti just steps away.
• Ju-Ichi Japanese: Expanding their Morristown success to 512 Bloomfield Ave with their signature 24-hour pork bone ramen broth.
• Montclair Literary Festival: (May 2-11). 60+ authors including Colm Tóibín and Joyce Carol Oates. Most events are free! Full Schedule Here.
• Walnut Street Fair: (Sunday, May 3, 11am-4pm). 250 vendors, food trucks, and Touch-a-Truck.
• Mike’s Gigs: Catch Bard at Cricket Hill Brewery on Friday night, or see Mike and Jamie sit in with Workingman's Jed on Saturday.
• Watch and subscribe to The Montclair Pod on Youtube
• Join our weekly newsletter and stay in the know

Register now for the NJ Small Business Sumit at Montclair State University.

Happening on October 21.

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This week, we’re clearing the air on the school budget "heist" rumors and diving into the incredible backstories of two women with ties to Montclair. We sit down with Jennifer Tripucka, the founder of The Local Girl Media Group (and our own The Montclair Girl), to talk about building a local media empire in a shifting landscape. Then, we hear a story that sounds like a movie: Nikki Mammano joins us to discuss her memoir, Breaking Good, which follows her journey from the criminal underworld in Hawaii to finding a new life in Montclair. Plus, we investigate that unfinished eyesore on Church Street and celebrate a major national win for our favorite local bookstore, Watchung Booksellers.

Following our "Supper with the Super" session with Ruth B. Turner, Mike and Farnoosh address the persistent rumors that the school district's $20 million deficit was a "heist." We break down why the "credit card analogy" is the most accurate way to describe years of overspending, uncollected bills, and structural math problems that date back to previous administrations.

You’ve seen it—the five-story building near Park Street that’s been sitting half-finished for years. We dig into the 35-year history of development limbo at the old Hahne’s parking lot, from the failed hotel plans to the recent foreclosure. We look at where the building stands now.

How do you build a hyperlocal news empire with 4 million readers and no outside investors? Jennifer Tripucka shares her journey from being a school counselor in Bloomfield to running six regional outlets. We discuss the demise of traditional print media like the Jersey Journal and why the demand for local information is actually higher than ever.

Standing in line at the Montclair supermarket, you’d never guess Nikki Mammano’s history. She joins us to discuss her raw and inspiring memoir, Breaking Good, detailing her past as a cocaine dealer on Hawaii army bases, her time in prison, and her ultimate redemption as a Montclair mom.

• Bookstore of the Year: A massive congrats to Watchung Booksellers for being named Publishers Weekly’s 2026 Bookstore of the Year! We discuss the legacy of Margot Sage-El and Maddie Ciliotta-Young.
• NJ-11 Results: Analilia Mejia soundly defeated Joe Hathaway in the special election to fill Mikie Sherrill’s seat. We discuss what this progressive victory says about the current political climate in the suburbs.

• The College Women's Club of Montclair Semi-Annual Book Sale (April 24-26). With 100,000 items and most books under $3, it's a treasure hunter's dream that has funded over $1.5 million in local scholarships. Meet Mike at 26 Park Street!

• Guest: Follow Jen Tripucka and the team at The Montclair Girl. Learn more about their courses and coaching here.
• Guest: Buy Nikki Mammano’s memoir, Breaking Good.
• Book Sale: Get the details for the College Women's Club Book Sale.
• School Budget: Read Andrew Rice's deep dive into the math at My Montclair Education.
• Watch and subscribe to The Montclair Pod on Youtube
• Join our weekly newsletter and stay in the know

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Happening on October 21.

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In this second installment of Supper with the Super, Montclair Public Schools Superintendent Ruth B. Turner joins us for a candid, wide-ranging conversation—this time over Ethiopian comfort food at Mesob, a beloved local institution on Bloomfield Avenue.

We dig into the realities behind the district’s budget crisis, the difficult decisions shaping the next school year, and what it will take to rebuild trust with families. Turner speaks openly about the pressure of the role, why transparency matters more than ever, and how she’s approaching leadership in one of Montclair’s most challenging moments.

We also get specific about what parents and students can expect - from middle school consolidation and cuts to sports and clubs, to changes in language offerings, transportation, and more. Plus, we bring your questions directly to the table, covering everything from “Where’s the money?” to the forensic audit timeline, the search for a new business administrator, and whether a state monitor could still step in.

Beyond the numbers, we talk about the human side of this story: the students advocating for their schools, the parents stepping up in meaningful ways, and the superintendent’s own commitment to seeing this through.

Plus in this episode:

• A closer look at how budget cuts will impact elementary, middle, and high school students
• Why the “missing money” narrative persists—and what’s actually true
• Updates on the forensic audit and key district hires
• The debate over Lackawanna Plaza PILOT funds and school funding
• Whether another school tax vote could happen
• Local news, including the NJ-11 election and Renaissance Middle School deadlines
• A deep dive into Montclair’s oldest restaurants
• And a classic Montclair “One Big Thing,” from pizza debates to weekend plans

Watch and subscribe to The Montclair Pod on Youtube

Join our weekly newsletter and stay in the know

Register now for the NJ Small Business Sumit at Montclair State University.

Happening on October 21.

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Spring break is over and we have stories.

In this episode of The Montclair Pod, Farnoosh and Mike recap their very different getaways. From delayed flights and unforgettable meals in Los Angeles to a low-key beach escape in Miami, it is a tale of two trips and a reminder that sometimes the best part of traveling is coming home.

Then, we shift gears and head into town for a spring shopping adventure with The Montclairnista, Wendy Tiburcio. We explore local boutiques, standout finds, and what makes Montclair’s retail scene feel so personal.

Plus, we go inside the booming resale economy with the founders of Jersey Girl Thrift, a sold-out clothing swap that is turning secondhand shopping into a full-on community experience.

And in local news, Mikie Sherrill is officially leaving Montclair for the governor’s residence at Drumthwacket. What it means, what comes next, and what voters need to know ahead of the upcoming special election.

Spring Break Recap

Farnoosh shares highlights from a family trip to Los Angeles, including standout meals, theme park takeaways, and the reality of navigating LA traffic.

Mike breaks down his Miami Beach escape, from the Fontainebleau experience to great food and a much-needed reset.

Shopping Montclair with The Montclairnista

A walk through downtown Montclair with Wendy Tiburcio, aka The Montclairnista, spotlighting local shops, spring trends, and why shopping small still delivers a different kind of joy.

The Rise of Thrifting

Inside Jersey Girl Thrift, a fast-growing clothing swap redefining how people shop, save, and connect.

Why resale is booming and what it says about how people want to spend today.

Ask an Agent

Sponsored by Karin Diana of Compass Real Estate.

What real estate agents actually do day to day and how Montclair’s housing market compares to national trends.

Local News

• Mikie Sherrill prepares to move to Drumthwacket in Princeton
• Special election for New Jersey’s 11th Congressional District is underway, with early voting now open
• A proposed World Cup sales tax hike could impact dining, hotels, and transportation across the state

One Big Thing

Farnoosh and Mike preview their next Supper with the Superintendent featuring Montclair Schools leader Ruth B. Turner at Mesob Ethiopian restaurant.

• Download our free guide to shopping small in Montclair
• Learn more about Jersey Girl Thrift and upcoming events
• Follow The Montclairnista on Instagram
• Connect with sponsor and real estate agent Karin Diana of Compass  
• Early voting details for NJ’s 11th Congressional District election 
• Watch and subscribe to The Montclair Pod on Youtube
• Join our weekly newsletter and stay in the know

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Happening on October 21.

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Happy Spring Break, Montclair. While Mike and Farnoosh are away, we are opening the archives to revisit two significant segments that explore the unique history and the evolving economy of our town.

This special compilation includes a deep dive into the Magnet School Explainer and an update on the local cannabis industry with Genuine Grow.

Montclair’s school system is unique and often misunderstood by those outside the district. Born from a landmark 1970s desegregation plan, the magnet system avoided the "forced busing" conflicts seen in other cities by offering specialized themes—from STEM and the arts to global studies—to incentivize voluntary integration across the township. In this comprehensive package, we break down the history of this educational model and explore the current fiscal crossroads, examining how a structural $20 million deficit and the controversial shift toward universal Pre-K are forcing the community to rethink the future of its schools.

Listen to the original full episode: The History of the Magnet System

We first interviewed Andrew Marshall of Genuine Grow when the local cannabis industry was in its early regulatory stages. Now that his products are officially available in local dispensaries, we are re-airing his original interview regarding his vision for craft cultivation in Montclair and its impact on the local economy.

Listen to the original full episode: The Genuine Grow Interview

On the News Front: Montclair’s Town Council has approved a 30-year PILOT agreement for the Lackawanna Plaza redevelopment, a major milestone that moves the project—featuring 300+ apartments, a grocery store, and expanded retail—closer to final approvals and construction. Meanwhile, Oso Felipe has closed after just over a year, marking the second recent shutdown tied to chef Damon Wise, as rising costs and declining alcohol sales continue to challenge local restaurants.

• Local Business: Learn more about Genuine Grow at genuine-grow.com.
• Lackawanna Plaza: The Latest on the Redevelopment and Tax Deal & Listen to our recent interview with David Placek of BDP Holdings
• Throwback! (Sponsored): Farnoosh and Mike Eat Food: Oso Felipe 
• Watch the Show: Subscribe to our YouTube Channel.
• Newsletter: Sign up for the Montclair Pod Weekly.

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Happening on October 21.

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Are you feeling "squeezed"? This week, we’re tackling the "Sandwich Generation"—that unique, often exhausting stage of life where you’re simultaneously caring for aging parents and raising young children. We’re joined by Senator Andrew Kim, who shares his firsthand experience navigating his father’s Alzheimer’s diagnosis while parenting two young boys.

We also bring in the experts: Elder Law attorney Laurie Hauptman gives us the "Sandwich Generation" survival guide for estate planning, and psychotherapist Maris

Pasquale Doran teaches us how to regulate our nervous systems when the world feels like it’s on fire. Finally, we sit down with Lynda Hollander, President of Aging in Montclair, to discuss how our town is (and isn't) supporting its seniors.

Senator Kim opens up about the "catastrophic" financial reality of elder care. He discusses the emotional weight of moving his father out of his home and why he’s fighting for policy changes that support the millions of families currently being squeezed by the healthcare system.

Mike shares the deeply personal story of his father, the "Granddude." Ten years ago, a fainting spell led to a decade-long medical journey involving brain bleeds, multiple surgeries, and the staggering expense of long-term care. It's a raw look at how these life-changing events never happen on your own schedule.

• Laurie Hauptman: Why you shouldn't wait for a crisis to start elder care planning. She breaks down VA benefits and the five things every family needs to do now.
• Maris Pasquale Doran: How to handle the "fight or flight" response when a parent is in decline. Plus, her advice on having the "Being Mortal" conversation with your parents before it's too late.

• The Results are (Finally) In: After weeks of legal challenges and manual recounts, the March 10th school referendum results are officially certified. We break down the final tally and what this means for the district's borrowing power.
• Renaissance Closes: We recap the emotional "meltdown" at the last Board of Education meeting where the vote to close Renaissance Middle School was finalized.
• Lackawanna Delay: Why the tax deal for the Lackawanna Plaza redevelopment is stalled again—and the potential for PILOT money to be diverted to our schools.
• Porchfest 2026: Mark your calendars for May 16th!

• Guest: Learn more about Senator Andy Kim at kim.senate.gov.
• Legal Help: Find resources and free articles at HauptmanLaw.com.
• Wellness: Connect with Maris Pasquale Doran at marispasqualedoran.com.
• Senior Support: Join the conversation at AgingInMontclair.org.
• Lifelong Montclair: Access Township senior services, the Do-Drop-In schedule, and the Senior Bus at MontclairNJUSA.org/Senior-Services.
• The MILL: High-level classes for adults 55+ at PartnersFDN.org.
• BOE Coverage: Read the full story about the reaction to the Renaissance closure at TAPinto Montclair.
• Read: My Mother’s Money by Beth Pinsker, CFP
• Watch the Show: Subscribe to our YouTube Channel.
• Newsletter: Sign up for the Montclair Pod Weekly.

Register now for the NJ Small Business Sumit at Montclair State University.

Happening on October 21.

Use code MONTCLAIRPOD when you register here for $10 off.

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In a candid sit-down interview, Montclair Public Schools Superintendent Ruth B. Turner joins us for the first installment of a new series we’re calling “Supper with the Super.” Over pizza and pasta at Italiana by Zod, we talk about the controversial school referendum, the district’s financial challenges, a potential school “reinvestment”, and what comes next for families, students, and taxpayers.

We also share Part Two of our interview with U.S. Senator Cory Booker, where the conversation expands beyond Montclair schools to the cost of living, immigration policy, healthcare costs, political fundraising, and the future of independent media.

Plus in this episode:

• Why some Montclair voters supported the “Yes–No” referendum outcome
• The district’s plan to convert Renaissance Middle School into a Pre-K center
• A student walkout at Montclair High School protesting ICE policies
• A visit to a local wellness business, Mend, for our sponsored series, “Farnoosh & Mike Get Healthy”
• A very Montclair “One Big Thing” featuring comics, retro sci-fi, and a hometown artist

• Watch the Show: Subscribe to The Montclair Pod on YouTube
• Subscribe to our weekly newsletter (no spam, just the good stuff.)

Register now for the NJ Small Business Sumit at Montclair State University.

Happening on October 21.

Use code MONTCLAIRPOD when you register here for $10 off.

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