Lost in Jersey

We're taking Earth Month by storm with an insightful chat with Annette Batson, exploring the plant-based movement that's gaining ground in Montclair's local dining scene. Throughout April, our "Plant-Based for The Planet" initiative introduces you to Montclair's culinary gems dishing out eco-friendly eats.

This episode highlights the importance of plant-based eating for Earth Month, emphasizing that small changes like choosing plant-based meals can make a big impact on the environment. Find Montclair's participating restaurants as they compete for the most ordered dish! Participating restaurants include Basil, Cafe Mosso, De Novo, Faubourg, Marcel, Mercado, Porta, Samba, Tinga,  Tino's, and Zeugma.

Follow Planted Society's Instagram!

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Meet Chalvar Monteiro and Christopher Taylor, two incredible New Jersey born dancers with Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater.

Chalvar Monteiro, a seasoned member of the Alvin Ailey company, shares his journey from Montclair to the global stage. Growing up, Chalvar's dance aspirations were nurtured through church activities and the liturgical dance ministry. His pivotal moment came when he witnessed an Alvin Ailey performance, which solidified his decision to pursue dance professionally. He was supported by his mother and his mentors in Montclair to make his dreams come true.

Christopher Taylor's tale began in Newark, where his grandmother's unwavering support and exposure to house music festivals ignited his love for dance. His introduction to the Alvin Ailey organization came through educational programs in his school, leading to his participation in AileyCamp and eventually earning scholarships to the Alvin Ailey School in Manhattan.

Both Chalvar and Christopher embody the spirit of Alvin Ailey's vision, using dance as a medium to express their unique voices and experiences. Their stories are a reminder of the hard work, dedication, and passion required to excel in the world of professional dance. As we look forward to the NJPAC Mother's Day show, we celebrate the beauty and resilience of these two incredible artists from New Jersey.

Don't forget to grab your tickets for the NJPAC show and witness the magic of Alvin Ailey for yourself.

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Explore the fascinating journey of Maria Afsharian, an award-winning journalist whose life took an unexpected turn when she had to return to her father's homeland, Iran. From her roots in Tehran and Texas to her current role as a big-hearted realtor for Christie's in New Jersey, Maria's story is one of resilience, purpose, and unwavering dedication to helping others succeed. Join us as we delve into her impactful trip to Iran, her passion for aiding children, and her thriving career in journalism and real estate.

Maria is cohost Janette Afsharian's sister, a VIP!
 
Contact Maria at Christie's Realtors
 
New Jersey Persian Restaurant Episode Shoutouts from Maria:
Zaffron Bloom with Chef Shahin in Hasbrouck Heights, NJ
Kebab on the Cliff in  Rutherford, NJ
Gandom Bakery in Patterson, NJ for Persian 

Keywords:
Journalistic  Career,  Cultural Transitions,  Humanitarian Work, Personal Growth, Dateline, Lubbock Texas, Tehran, Iran, Shiraz, Montclair, Dateline, Christies, Real Estate

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Janette and Rachel share their monthly recommendations, including

 Stream
Deadlock on Amazon Prime
Constellation on Apple
American Conspiracy: The Octopus Murders on Netflix
The Gentleman on Netflix
Shogun on FX
Palm Royal on Apple TV
The New Look on Apple

Maybe Skip
The Regime on HBO
True Detective: Night Country on HBO

Movies
Revolution on Canvas on HBO

Podcast
The Sound: Mystery of Havana Syndrome Podcast

We've turned commenting on the site, so go comment!

Check out more show recommendations on website.

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Anthony Frasier's journey as a podcast superstar is a testament to his creativity, resilience, and commitment to making a positive impact through his content. His innovative approach to podcasting and dedication to creating meaningful content for children set him apart in the industry.  "I had to change my mindset." 

Discussing the hurdles faced by young black creators, Anthony opens up about the personal and professional growth it takes to tackle the biases within venture capital circles. Anthony's narrative doesn't just inspire—it arms listeners with the mindset needed to turn barriers into stepping stones toward success.

Listen to ABF Creative's wonderful podcasts:

🎙 African Folktales with Miss Jo Jo
🎙 Charm Words: Daily Affirmations for Kids
🎙 5 Minute Mysteries with Kiddy Casey

Buy Anthony's book!
📘 A Young Entrepreneur's Guide to Thinking and Being Great

Enjoy listening to Anthony, learning about starting a business, and get ready to be inspired.

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Margot is the owner of one of the most successful local bookstores just outside of NYC  for the last 28 years. She tells us how she's keeping it thriving and how staying close to her family values has a lot to do with its success.

Stepping through the doors of Watchung Booksellers, you're immediately embraced by that unmistakable scent of paper and ink, mingling with the laughter and chatter of a community that's found its haven. Margot Sage-El and her daughter Maddie Ciliotta-Young join us to recount their extraordinary tale of transforming a mail-order catalog into a bustling local landmark.

We learn about the growth that Margot heralded.  Now with Maddie taking over there are new initiatives like "Friday Favorites" and 'The Kids Room' a few doors down.  It's not just a book lovers' paradise, but also a place to be social and meet up with your fellow New Jerseyans.

Buy Books Now at Watchung Booksellers

Partnerships in Town

• Open Book Open Mind Series with Montclair Public Library
• Montclair Literary Festival
• Montclair Film Festival

Shout Outs
Businesses started by friends of Maddie

• Clear Mountain Acupuncture
• Keycuts Barbershop
• Geyer Family YMCA 

Margot's Nature Walks

• Brookdale Park
• Anderson Park
• Mills Reservation

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Dive into a lively discussion with Liz Vaccarello, the editor-in-chief of Women's World and First for Women magazines. They explore Liz's fascinating career journey, from interviewing rock stars in Cleveland to leading two weekly magazines for women in New York. The conversation touches on topics like magazine publishing, journalism, and the challenges of navigating the ever-evolving media landscape. With a mix of personal anecdotes and industry insights, this episode offers a warm and relatable look into the world of magazine publishing. Tune in for an engaging and informative conversation that sheds light on the dynamic world of women's magazines.

First for Women Magazine
Women's World Magazin

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We used to drop our episodes early Monday mornings....We are trying something wild and crazy and dropping our episodes on Tuesday mornings instead! Don't miss tomorrow's episode with the one and only Liz Vaccariello, Editor in Chief and Publishing Powerhouse!
Find ya tomorrow, Lost in Jersey :-)
xo,
Rachel & Janette

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Need help deciding what to binge next on Netflix or which book to crack open? Fear not!  We've got you covered from animated series to murder mysteries. From bestsellers to airport book buys. 

Our picks for 2024 Best Books and Best Shows ... at the moment! 

Not just that, we're letting you in on a little secret: how to download your Netflix viewing history and face the eye-opening reality of your viewing habits! 

Whether you're seeking profound insights or a heartfelt laugh, our lineup promises fiction and non-fiction that entertain........at least they entertained us. 

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Meet two chefs who found themselves working in the top restaurants in NYC, bumped into each other, and started a chocolate factory that everyone loves! Move over Willy Wonky.  

Tune in to hear Julia and Roger's journey to this sweet dream job of starting a chocolate business.

They discuss their background as pastry chefs, Roger's unique expertise as both a chocolate maker and chocolatier and their commitment to using high-quality, craft chocolate in their confections. 

They also talk about their approach to creating delicious treats like bonbons, cookies, and brownies, and their success in gaining recognition from media outlets like Martha Stewart and Oprah. Listeners will be captivated by their passion for chocolate and their dedication to creating exceptional products.

Press play and learn why Vesta Chocolate is much more than a sweet treat!

Shout Outs

• Patsy's Tavern 
• Artie's 
• Brick & Dough 
• Erie Coffee Shop & Bakery 
• Le French Dad 

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