On the September 11, 2025, edition of The Montclair Pod News, Mike and Farnoosh open with reflections on 9/11 and how it shaped their early journalism careers. Then it’s:

• A fast tour through first-week-of-school headaches (and why better district communication is an equity issue)
• A sneak peek inside the revived Bellevue Theater
• A tense car-theft chase on Porter Place
• Paper Plane Coffee’s expansion
• The quirks of World Cup ticketing
• A playful pitch for HBO to film The White Lotus in Upper Montclair.

In “The One Thing,” they spotlight a new Italian restaurant on the way, Bob Ross originals at Lackawanna, and the town-wide garage sale benefiting the Human Needs Food Pantry. Season 3 lands September 25 with a school-focused kickoff.

Links mentioned:

Farnoosh's 529 Deep-Dive on So Money

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In this episode of The Montclair Pod, Mike and Farnoosh dive into the first week of September in town, with plenty of local updates and a few personal confessions.

Highlights include:

• Back to School Drama – Montclair renews its $1.5M contract with food service provider Southwest Food Service Excellence. Will new “healthier” options and salad bars outweigh student complaints?
• Gas Below $3? – Prices hit five-year lows in Montclair, with one Valley Road station leading the way. Plus, what’s next for electric car buyers as the federal tax credit winds down?
• Dining Outdoors – Montclair ranks #102 on a national survey of best places for al fresco dining. Princeton and Cape May beat us out—but Farnoosh and Mike share their own dining adventures.
• Town Borrowing Plans – Montclair considers a $10 million bond for roads, pools, and even a new firetruck. Why can’t these be budgeted for in advance?
• Fleet Feet Returns – After a devastating fire and $600K in losses, the local running store reopens thanks to insurance.
• Real Estate Talk – A neighbor’s home hits the market at $2.375M—$700K above its 2016 purchase price. Will buyers bite? Taxes alone top $57K a year.
• Weekend Plans – From a Jets game at MetLife to Bard’s performance at the South End Business District Festival, Montclair’s social calendar is full.

All this plus: skipping to the bus stop, Uber Eats in the high school lunchroom, lobster rolls (or lack thereof), and Mike’s new fitness commitment.

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This week on The Montclair Pod News, we’re covering a packed lineup of local stories and some irresistible neighborhood gossip. Montclair High School slipped in the latest U.S. News & World Report rankings, falling from #55 to #95 in the state — sparking debates about test scores, funding, and what really defines success in our schools.

We also take a peek inside a jaw-dropping $7.5 million listing for a two-family home once tied to Kool & the Gang — is it worth the price tag? Over in Watchung Plaza, renovations are nearly complete, promising a safer and more welcoming space for the community.

And in the rumor mill: beloved sushi spot Daikichi might be making a comeback. Plus, we share the quirky story of how a New Jersey rest stop meant to honor Toni Morrison ended up bearing Bruce Willis’s name instead.

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This week on The Montclair Pod, Farnoosh, Mike, and political correspondent Terrence McDonald from the New Jersey Monitor break down the stories making waves in Montclair and beyond:

• Lead Pipe Replacements Coming: Homes built before 1940 may still have lead service lines. Montclair will begin replacing them in 2026 under a statewide mandate to eliminate all lead pipes by 2031. The Montclair Water Bureau has created an online inventory of all known service lines here.
• New Power Substation on Valley Road: PSE&G plans to replace the nearly 100-year-old facility to prevent failures and meet modern codes, though residents are raising questions about transparency and community input.
• Mail Heist in Montclair: A postal truck was smashed open, and two trays of mail were stolen, along with the carrier’s lunch. Authorities are treating it as a federal crime.
• School Budget Fallout: Former Montclair school business administrator Christina Hunt, tied to the district’s $11 million deficit, has landed a new role in the Penns Grove – Carnys Point Regional School District.
• Hate Crime Charges: A Montclair man faces serious charges for sending racist and antisemitic threats through a Fort Lee apartment building’s system.
• Car Theft Surge: Multiple vehicle thefts and break-ins across Montclair highlight the growing problem of brazen auto crimes.
• Statewide & National Headlines: From baby blood sample lawsuits to immigration controversies shaping New Jersey’s governor’s race, we connect the dots on issues with local impact.

Send us your ideas for season 3 at [email protected]

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Award-winning journalist Terrence McDonald, editor at the New Jersey Monitor, joins Mike and Farnoosh for a deep dive into state politics, local news, and Montclair's ever-evolving dining scene.

We kick off with a look at the New Jersey governor’s race and why polls might not tell the whole story. Terrence breaks down the latest political flashpoints, including the tragic Lakewood DUI case that’s become a national talking point, the Trump administration’s investment in the state race, and how bail reform and sanctuary status are entering the conversation.

From there, we pivot to home turf: Montclair’s proposed shuttle bus service. Will it solve transportation woes or create more questions than answers? We also celebrate a fundraising victory for Clary Anderson Arena, discuss the school district’s $11 million budget gap, and what it might mean if the state steps in.

On the lighter side, we taste-test the town’s culinary news: a veggie-forward restaurant coming to Bloomfield Avenue, thoughts on Ani Ramen’s wing prices, a taco tour, and the arrival of Pendragon's Smokehouse. Plus: a quirky rest stop closure mystery, Cory Booker’s Senate floor theatrics, and why one U.S. Attorney appointment is turning into a political chess match.

Highlights:

• Governor’s race breakdown: The stakes, the polls, and the political strategies at play.
• Lakewood DUI case: How one tragedy is fueling a statewide political debate.
• Shuttle bus proposal: Will Montclair residents hop on board? Take the survey: Montclair Shuttle Bus Survey
• Dining buzz: From the veggie-forward Sam's Table to The Saint Clair on Church Street to smoked brisket dreams at Pendragon's Smokehouse
• Clary Anderson comeback: How the rink hit its fundraising goal.
• Political side stories: Cory Booker’s filibuster, Trump’s U.S. Attorney pick under fire, and the Connie Chung rest stop saga.
• What's going on at the Connie Chung service area?

**Subscribe, leave a review below, and please follow on Instagram. Send us a story idea or tip: [email protected].

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As summer winds down and Montclair empties out, The Montclair Pod is here with a jam-packed Season 2 finale to help you make the most of August, whether you’re staying put or sneaking in one last getaway.

Co-hosts Farnoosh and Mike share their personal plans (pork shoulder rotisserie, anyone?), surprising listener hotspots, and clever ways to spend your August locally, including music, comedy, beaches, workouts at Brain and Body Method, and yes…MedievalFest.

Plus:

• A fire closes two Bloomfield Ave. businesses—how to help
• Montclair Public Schools’ $11M budget shortfall (check out the Reddit Thread)
• Updates on QuickChek's replacement
• Montclair’s own spy scandal and true crime lore
• A very sweaty trip to the astronaut-inspired fitness studio, Brain & Body Method
• Live music picks from Forest Hills to Iridium Jazz Club
• Montclair’s pool drama—and whether you can crash Glen Ridge or Maplewood

• Montclair Art Museum's Wine & Wheel
• Montclair Jazz Festival Soundcheck Series
• Montclair Comedy Festival
• Aziz Ansari at the Wellmont Theater
• Lady Gaga at Madison Square Garden
• MedievalFest

• Brain & Body Method – Mention The Montclair Pod for 3 Free Sessions

• The FunPlex Waterpark
• Montclair Public Pools Info

• Forest Hills Stadium
• Headhunters Jazz Band
• Iridium NYC

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In this episode, Farnoosh and Mike explore sustainability with a Montclair lens. What does it really mean to “live green” in our town—and is it affordable, practical, or even possible?

You’ll hear:

• A solar reality check from Montclair local Ivy Sheibar, who breaks down the truth behind “free” solar panels, what the upcoming federal tax credit deadline means for homeowners, and how to decide if solar is worth it for your house. Plus, she’s offering a free guide for listeners.
• A trip to American Royal Hardware with longtime staffer Cliff Proven, who shares the top energy-saving tips he's learned from over 30 years on the job, including one easy trick that could save you hundreds.
• A new take on secondhand shopping with Lacey Triplett Thistle, founder of Middle Child, an online kids’ consignment boutique based in Montclair. She explains how her circular economy model is helping families save money and reduce waste, while keeping kids dressed in style.
• A crash course in beekeeping from Verona-based Jim Feeney, who shares why bees love Montclair, and how bees might be the original sustainability ambassadors.

Plus:

• A local QuickChek closes, and the town holds an impromptu vigil.
• MM by Morimoto officially opens, and the crew gets a sneak peek—with Iron Chef Morimoto himself.
• Our weekend event roundup, featuring Montclair Flea: Tales & Treasures Edition and the grand opening of the Montclair Creative Reuse Project

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Back by demand: It’s our second deep dive into the world of Montclair arts: bigger, bolder, and possibly haunted.  

• Dance phenom Sharron Miller takes us from flat feet to Broadway, and back to Montclair where she’s mentored generations of dancers at her namesake academy. 
• The Montclair Dance Festival has arrived. Hear from founder Donna Scro Samori about its community roots and big dreams.
• Step into Ria Frame Shop x Art Gallery, where frames meet fine art. Owner Ria Mulvey shares how her dual business helps emerging artists and protects pieces from $5 to $500,000.
• We visit Tiny Gallery, a network of mini exhibitions that’s turning heads and stopping dog-walkers in their tracks.
• Co-host Alex Pavljuk of the Montclair Art Museum and host of Maybe, Actually, Museums Are For Me, joins us again with stories from inside the museum—including a new ghost sighting, summer discounts, and fall preview of Tom Nussbaum: But Wait, There’s More.

Plus, in the news:

– Bellevue Theatre gets a second act

– Farewell to Colbert on CBS

– QuickChek closes, Milk & Mayhem opens

– And Mike’s birthday gets wrecked by a rogue tow truck

Listen now, and check out more at montclairpod.com

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Montclair is facing a growing crisis: homelessness. As of the latest count, there are 93 homeless people (sheltered and unsheltered) in Montclair, according to a study by Monarch Housing. That's the fourth highest number in Essex County. And while the need for help has never been more urgent, the community’s response has never felt more complicated.

In this episode, co-hosts Farnoosh and Mike take listeners deep into the story behind MESH (Montclair Emergency Services for Hope), a local nonprofit operating out of a former restaurant on Bloomfield Avenue. MESH provides meals, shelter, and vital services six days a week. But its presence in Montclair’s Bloomfield Avenue has become a flashpoint, sparking praise, concern, and a larger reckoning with how the town addresses visible poverty and mental health on its streets.

You’ll hear from:

• Joe Granger, MESH’s Executive Director, who shares stories of struggle, hope, and the hard choices he and his team face daily.
• Letrice and Tammy, two guests of MESH, who open up about losing stability and what dignity and community look like now.
• Local business owners, Eddie Peralta of Powerhouse Tattoo and Matt Jenkins of Smoke and Mirrors, who say they’re sympathetic but feel unsupported as public disturbances increase near their storefronts.
• Montclair Mayor Renee Baskerville and Deputy Mayor Susan Shin Andersen, who speak to the town’s efforts to balance compassion with public safety.
• Lt. Tyrone Williams Jr. of the Montclair Police Department, on their role in addressing street-level crises, and why enforcement alone isn’t the answer.

More: 10 Things You Probably Didn't Know About Montclair's 2025 Budget

Events:

• Montclair Flea 
• Dazed and Confused
• Bard Band at Ironbound Farm
• FIT FRIDAYS at Lackawanna

**Subscribe, leave a review below, and please share your thoughts by leaving a voicemail at MontclairPod.com. Follow on Instagram and send us a tip: [email protected].

**Download our free guide to shopping local here.

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This week's show highlights some of the nonprofits doing critical, often unsung work to support our community. With over 210 registered nonprofits in town, we hear from some of the most impactful organizations responding to food insecurity, domestic violence, and urgent financial crises. Guest co-host is Tom Hall, Artistic Director/Co-Head of Montclair Film, who also provides insights into how the arts fit into the nonprofit landscape.

Guests include:

• Ray Graj, co-founder of Montclair Helps, on how his group delivers emergency financial aid within 48 hours via a unique partnership model.
• Kristin Wald of SOFIA (Start Out Fresh Intervention Advocates), on how her organization supports survivors of domestic violence with autonomy and access to trusted resources.
• Mike Bruno of the Human Needs Food Pantry, who explains how rising demand and budget cuts are straining vital services.

We also dig into Montclair’s profound legacy of giving, from the Shumans and Van Vlecks to modern grassroots efforts.

Upcoming events:

• Montclair’s First-Ever French Shopping Day
• Natsu Pop Con at Montclair Public Library
• Montclair Film Summer Screenings
• SOFIA's 15th Annual Walk Against Domestic Violence

**Subscribe, leave a review below, and please share your thoughts by leaving a voicemail at MontclairPod.com. Follow on Instagram and send us a tip: [email protected].

**Download our free guide to shopping local here.

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