Town Talk

Juanita Shanks with FailSafe-ERA talks about the Holiday Shoppe in December, where families can shop for Christmas gifts for children with an incarcerated parent. Donations and volunteers are needed. She also talks about the effort to build a new playground at Old Greenwich, the site of a deadly shooting last year, and previews a January 9th conversation about youth violence in the community. Lear...

Doug Jackson, Erin Creighton and John Blankenship (not pictured) talk about genealogy and legal resources at the library.  The Virginiana Collection is downstairs in the Caroline Street branch and helps people go beyond basic database searches.  We also talk about legal information and public programs at the library. librarypoint.org

Stephanie Cordner and Karen Brace talk about the wonders and benefits of spiders.   Karen, from Possum-Bilities on William Street in Fredericksburg also brought in Chilean rose haired tarantula named Big Mama.

Patrick A'Hearn, CEO and Producing Artistic Director of the Riverside Center for the Performing Arts, joins us to talk about the response to Sweeney Todd, which closes October 25, and why good script writing matters. Next up is A Christmas Carol, running November 11 through January 3.   Riverside is now nonprofit.  We talk about how the community can help keep the stage lights on.   More info at r...

Dana and Mark Brown talk about the Zoe Freedom Center and their work helping people break free from substance abuse. The faith based center offers free counseling, peer support groups and family support, plus Narcan training and a mobile harm reduction unit.  Zoe has also opened a restorative care home for women recovering from addiction and trafficking. zoefreedomcenter.org for more info.

Three keepers of Fredericksburg's past are in studio with us: Billy Withers, Florence Barnick and Roy McAfee of the Central Rappahannock Heritage Center, housed in the gym of the old Maury School on Barton Street. Hear what they've preserved, what's still rolling in the door, and how you can get involved as a volunteer or member. crhcarchives.org

Fredericksburg At-Large Councilman Will Mackintosh talks about the ongoing effort to lessen motor vehicle noise downtown, with another push planned in the General Assembly next year. We also talk about whether the city should convert some downtown one-way streets to two-way, and we get into data centers.

  Andrea Chum, Kathleen Daley-Becker and Von Young talk about two upcoming events: the Subaru Spooktacular Trunk-or-Treat and Adoption Event on Oct. 17 and the Animal Rescue Festival on Nov. 7. They also explain why the SPCA needs volunteers and foster homes and how the community can help animals in need. More info at fredspca.org

Katerina Vollten, Zack Carter, Doug Gately, and Joel Young preview this year's Jazz4Justice concert, at Dodd Auditorium on the UMW campus on Saturday, November 7 at 7:30 p.m. The UMW Jazz Ensemble, directed by Gately, takes the stage for the annual benefit, with net proceeds split between Legal Aid Works and jazz scholarships for University of Mary Washington students. General admission is $10, $5...

Ricky and Esther Jones discussed their work with immigrant families in the region. Their nonprofit, the Fredericksburg Immigration Justice Fund (fxbgimmigration.org), seeks to remove financial barriers to quality immigration legal representation and provides practical support to families navigating immigration crises. The faith-based nonprofit serves people of all faiths and backgrounds.  

Director of First Year Admissions Sarah Lindberg and Dean of Admissions and Associate Vice-President Melissa Yakabouski with dates and info prospective University of Mary Washington students need. There are information sessions, tours and  upcoming Virginia College Application Week(s).  We talk about scholarship and aid opportunities.    admissions.umw.edu

Full steam ahead as building continues in Ladysmith on three more Habitat homes, with more about to begin.   Jason Tickle is holding virtual information sessions each Friday at noon this month and every first Saturday.   Volunteers are needed.  Future homeowners are being sought.   crrhfh.org

Aimee Hardy previews the Josh Hardy Superhero Celebration each year in memory of Josh, who loved superheroes and inspired many during his battle with cancer. The event, happening this year on October 17th at Strangeways Brewing on Lansdowne Road, celebrates Josh’s legacy. It’s also a fundraiser for the Fairy Godmother Project, a nonprofit that supports families facing pediatric cancer.

Fredericksburg Main Street Executive Director Chris Allen previews Quacktoberfest, a new fall celebration coming to Riverfront Park on October 17 from 2 to 6 p.m. The free, family-friendly afternoon will feature carnival rides and games, live music, food, vendors and the return of the Rubber Ducky Derby at 3 p.m. Chris Allen also talks about Treats in the Streets, giving families another reason to...

Mary Washington Healthcare Surgical Oncologist Dr. Rod Flynn during Breast Cancer Awareness Month.  Dr. Flynn encourages the community to be proactive.   Knowing what is normal for your body, paying attention to changes, understanding your personal and family history, and having routine conversations with your doctor can help you make informed decisions about your care.    breastcare.mwhc.com

Kathi Austin and Scott Walker talk about the weekend event focusing on Hunter's Iron Works and American Independence October 10-11 at Pratt Park.  Learn about Hunter's Forge and it's role in the forming of America.   The weekend event is free but advanced registration requested at freedomforgefoundation.org/revolution-on-the-rappahannock

Cathy Walker and Lisa Durham preview PorchFest on Oct. 17, bringing local artists, music and community together along Marye and Littlepage streets. The event runs from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. and is designed as a day to showcase local talent while giving neighbors a chance to gather and celebrate the community. Admission is $10 for adults and $5 for ages 11-17, with children 10 and under admitted free. ...

Justice Services Director Susan Sigmon and Executive Director Kathy Anderson talk about the domestic violence services offered by Empowerhouse. Susan says it's important to label the topic as domestic violence. She says it's not a an argument or a couple's issue. It's not a difficult time.   People are being hurt, she says. Their 24-hour hotline number is 540-373-9373 or empowerhouseva.org 

Spotsylvania Schools Social Workers Michelle Patton Swisher (wearing a shirt from the very first Rock Out Knock Out!) and Lisa Dolan are helping organize the 15th annual drive to collect more supplies for Treasure House, which provides needed items to homeless families and students. The community can help by picking up items from the donation lists provided at Southpointe Walmart or bringing new s...

Elizabeth McNally previews Save Jane, coming October 23 to a new location at Riverfront Park in downtown Fredericksburg. From noon to 10 p.m., more than 11,000 names and ages will be read aloud as Jane Doe or John Doe, representing child abuse cases from the past year in communities served by Safe Harbor.  Readers are needed for the event. Safe Harbor brings together the professionals involved in...

Editor-in-Chief Joey LoMonaco and board member Mitzi Brown discussed updates at the Fredericksburg Free Press, including a new sports page and “Forces for Good,” which highlights local nonprofits and their work in the community. They also discussed the “Find the Facts” series, designed to help readers navigate misinformation and social media. The conversation focused on the Free Press’s efforts to...

Tracy McPeck and Joy O'Toole with the Central Rappahannock Regional Library preview the Rappahannock Writers’ Conference. It's a free, two-day event for creators of all experience levels on November 13 and 14. Friday features workshops on topics like editing, marketing, writers' block and dialogue at the Howell Branch Library.  Saturday at Germanna Community College's Fredericksburg campus include...

Christina Jenkins, Trevor Sherwin and Cait Woodward preview the Battle of the Burgers, a fundraiser for Loisann’s Hope House set for Oct. 18 at Riverfront Park in Fredericksburg. The event, scheduled from noon to 3 p.m., will feature slider samples from six downtown restaurants: Eats, Cheeky’s, Harry’s Alehouse, Mason Dixon Café, Rebellion and Sammy T’s. Attendees also will receive two drink ticke...

Anthony Salgado and Erin Perkins with the Rappahannock Health District talk about what it really means to be prepared when an emergency happens. Having food, water and essential supplies on hand is important—but true preparedness also means knowing where to get reliable information, having a plan for your household, understanding your community’s resources, preparing for health and medical needs,...

The Women’s Neurology Clinic at Mary Washington Neurology provides specialized neurological care with attention to conditions that can affect women throughout different stages of life. Dr. Bobbie Decker works with patients experiencing neurological conditions, including epilepsy. Epilepsy can affect people differently, making individualized evaluation and treatment an important part of care. The c...