The latest installment of our Baristanet Profile series, where we get to know the people in our neighborhood:
Name: Marlene Bartos
Where do you live? Montclair.
When did you move there? I’ve been in my current home since 2008.
Where did you grow up? I grew up about two miles from where I live now. I couldn’t wait to leave home to live in the city and left for NYU’s film school as soon as I could. Then I couldn’t wait to move back here after years of living in the city.
How do you make a living? I work in advertising. After a long career as a producer of TV commercials and other content, I put away the suitcase, switched gears and moved to the music side of the industry. I’m the executive producer and managing director of a company that creates music for advertising, themed entertainment, installations and a variety of media.
Coffee, tea or … ? Coffee in the morning. Wine in the evening. Tea in the middle of the day in the middle of winter.
What’s your idea of a perfect Saturday? Staying local. No NJT. No DeCamp. No Clever Commute alerts. An early morning hike in Mills with my funny little dog – please, no commentary on the leash situation. Riding my bike or walking around Upper Montclair or downtown around Church Street followed by dinner at one of the great places to eat in town.
What’s your favorite local restaurant? There are so many good choices here I can’t say I have a favorite. Ani Ramen, Villalobos, Raymond’s, Brick Lane, and I’m often at Toro or Dai Kichi because both are good and short walk from my home. I’m looking forward to trying MishMish next and Turtle + the Wolf when that opens.
What’s on your nightstand? My alarm clock and a lamp. My husband has a matching nightstand. No distractions.
What are you listening to? Sirius Garage Band or Spectrum in the car, and at home it’s FIP, an eclectic radio station from Paris that my husband discovered. Fortunately, I get listen to music every day for work and that includes everything from contemporary artists and movie scores to some really obscure and interesting references.
What are your current addictions? Scandinavian crime fiction. Very cooling on a hot summer day. And hair raising.
Talent you would most like to have. I’d love to be able to sing without having someone ask me to stop, please.
What’s the worst-kept secret about Montclair? There are no secrets in a town with so many outspoken residents. But the Montclair Film Festival is an outstanding event that will hopefully continue to draw more and more people outside of our immediate area to Montclair.
What do you hope they say about you at your funeral? “She did it her way”. And no funeral please, just a big party.
Cute!
Hi Marlene,
I’m a native Montclairite as well. I couldn’t wait to leave New Jersey and move, and I did move away several times. I’ve come back, and when I have, I’ve always been grateful that it’s been Montclair, I truly believe it’s the best town in New Jersey. We are so close to the city, and out town is so diverse, with so much culture, including the great film festival you mentioned! I can ‘t wait for the Wellmont to re-open and be able to walk to hear some fantastic music!