The Valley Today

The conversation today is part of an ongoing partnership with the US Small Business Administration highlighting small businesses in the Shenandoah Valley as well as offering advice and resources to all small businesses. In this episode, host Janet Michael and co-host Carl Knoblock , Virginia District Director for the SBA dive into the inspiring story of Amber Koehler, who has successfully run a se...

In this episode, host Janet Michael chats with Brady Cloven, the director of the newly formed Winchester Main Street Organization, during a segment of Tourism Tuesday. Brady discusses his unexpected but welcome introduction to the role, the transition of the Winchester Main Street program from city management to becoming a non-profit organization, and the important distinctions and benefits that c...

In this episode, host Janet Michael speaks with Gina Hilliard, President of the Luray/Page Chamber of Commerce , Megan Gordon, Program Director for the Page Alliance for Community Action (PACA), and Jen Jenkins, Superintendent of Luray Parks/Rec . They discuss the upcoming fifth annual Page Valley Sunflower Festival , which takes place on Saturday, August 31, 2024, with additional sunflower clippi...

In this Extension Office Friday episode, host Janet Michael is joined by Carol Nansel , a Shenandoah County Extension agent, and several 4-H youth representatives. They discuss the upcoming Shenandoah County 4-H and FFA Livestock Show and Sale, taking place on August 31st as part of Fair Week . Carol explains the preparations required for the event, including bringing in animals on August 24th, a...

As part of a community health partnership with Valley Health , host Janet Michael welcomes Dr. Ernesto Jimenez from Valley Health's Structural Heart Program team at the Advanced Valve Center on the campus of Winchester Medical Center . They discuss the essentials of the Structural Heart Program, the various heart conditions it addresses, and the innovative procedures now available. Dr. Jimenez pro...

In this episode, host Janet Michael speaks with Sandy Long, co-founder of Cars Changing Lives, and Barbara Way, the executive director of the organization. Cars Changing Lives is a non-profit that provides free, safe, and reliable vehicles to people in need. The organization started in 2018 with Sandy's husband Bill's vision of giving away a car at Easter. Since then, they have given away 53 cars...

In this episode, host Janet Michael welcomes Melanie Mullinax, Communications and Event Manager for the State Arboretum of Virginia at Blandy Experimental Farm. They discuss various activities, events, and developments at Blandy, including everyday visits, special events, and the recent inauguration of a new information center. Melanie shares details about the Info Center's soft opening in April a...

In this episode, host Janet Michael introduces the upcoming discussion about the Community Connect & Serve event . Her guests are Shannon Ganoe, Andrea Cosans, and Bishop BJ Custer, all of whom are involved in organizing and participating in the event. Shannon Ganoe, a Community Health Paramedic from Winchester and a key organizer of the event, explains the origins and goals of the Community Conne...

In this episode, host Janet Michael welcomed Chris Konyar, Director of Winchester City Parks , to discuss various activities and updates in Jim Barnett Park . The episode covered a multitude of topics, starting with the busy pool season and how pool hours will change once school starts. Chris spoke about the variety of swim lessons being offered, including popular adult swim classes. The conversat...

In this episode, host Janet Michael speaks with  Guy Curtis , Director of Marketing, and Caroline Wood , Associate Vice President of Support Services and Academic Support at Laurel Ridge Community College . They discuss the wide range of opportunities and support services available to both traditional students and adult learners at Laurel Ridge. Guy Curtis expresses his gratitude for co-host Brand...

In this episode, host Janet Michael chats with Niki Foster from the Front Royal Warren County Chamber of Commerce , along with Joe Petty, the new Executive Director of the Warren Heritage Society. The conversation covers a variety of topics related to local business and heritage preservation. Nikki and Janet discuss how the recording took place at the Warren Heritage Society rather than the usual...

In this episode, host Janet Michael sits down with Kary Haun at Nancy's Coffee Bar to dive into the excitement of upcoming events in Shenandoah County throughout August. They kick off the conversation discussing the popular Route 11 Yard Crawl, set to occur on August 10th, where over 43 miles of yard sales stretch from Stephens City to New Market. Janet and Carrie share details on what to expect,...

In this episode, host Janet Michael visits the Evans Home for Children and has an in-depth conversation with their executive director, Amy Rice. They delve into the long history and mission of the Evans Home, which has provided a safe haven for children in need for nearly 75 years. Amy Rice explains how the home started, its founders, and the specific services it offers to children aged 5 to 17. J...

In this episode, host Janet Michael is joined by Dawn Devine, Executive Director at the Shenandoah Valley Discovery Museum, and Tammy Stevenson, the museum's Director of Development and Marketing. The trio discuss various upcoming events and projects at the museum. The conversation kicks off with information about the busy summer and the museum's Sunset Series, featuring events on August 22nd and...

The conversation for Traffic Safety Thursday with Lt. Warren Gosnell from Frederick County Sheriff's Office was live in the studio today as Goz and Janet delve into various aspects of traffic enforcement and safety, with a mix of both humorous and serious tones. Janet shares her experience sitting in on a traffic court session, highlighting the educational aspects and the behaviors she observed. T...

Our conversation for The Valley Business Today with Shayla Rickard, Business Retention Manager for Frederick County Economic Development Authority to discuss the upcoming Worlds of Work (WOW) Expo. This event, happening on October 11, 2024, at the Wilkins Athletic and Event Center at Shenandoah University, is an eighth-grade career exploration program. Originally for seventh graders, the event now...

Our conversation for Tourism Tuesday welcomes Joy Dovel, the gift shop manager and coordinator for the weekly farmer's market in the courtyard at Winchester Medical Center .  The farmer's market is a relatively new initiative at Winchester Medical Center , running every Wednesday from May through October, from 11 AM to 3 PM. Joy explains that the idea was conceived by Dan Cornish from the nutritio...

Our conversation today with Tyler Hinkle, Shenandoah County's Planner is part of an ongoing series following the work on Shenandoah 2045 - Shenandoah County's comprehensive plan. Today we are joined by Jill Jefferson, Director of Planning for the Town of Woodstock , and Michael Stapor, a consultant with Summit Design and Engineering Services to get an update on Woodstock's comprehensive planning p...

The conversation today features Elise Stine Dolinar from Bright Futures Frederick Winchester to discuss the organization's ongoing support for students in need and upcoming events. Janet and Elise cover a variety of topics, including the constant need for school supplies, the upcoming Stuff the Bus event, and a safety fair scheduled for September. Elise highlights the critical role Bright Futures...

The conversation today spans a variety of topics, including the mission of the Civil Air Patrol, its educational programs, and the personal experiences of its members. Joining host Janet Michael is Major Jacob Bixler, leader of the Winchester Squadron, who explains that CAP is an all-volunteer auxiliary of the United States Air Force. Bixler sheds light on the three primary missions of CAP: cadet...

Our conversation for The Valley Business Today - Top of Virginia Regional Chamber edition - included Jenny Stover, the Director of Marketing and Communications, Kaleigh Fincham, Director of Programs & Events, and intern Jordyn Hansbrough, a sophomore at JMU.  Jordyn shares her delightful experience interning at the Chamber. She enthusiastically explains how she transitioned from a Marketing major...

Our conversation for Tourism Tuesday - Winchester/Frederick County edition - included Renee Bayliss from the Winchester/Frederick County Convention & Visitor Bureau to discuss the Hungry for History food event happening August 24, 2024 - September 2, 2024. Renee explains that the event features local historical sites where attendees can sample foods and learn about history. The event spans Winches...

Our conversation today welcomes Sara Jenkins and Mandy Underwood from the AIDS Response Effort (ARE) . Our discussion sheds light on the organization's mission, services, and the ongoing battle against HIV and STIs in the Lord Fairfax Community Health District. AIDS Response Effort, Inc. (ARE for short) is a local grassroots nonprofit that has been serving the Northern Shenandoah Valley for more t...

Our conversation today welcomes back Karen Poff , Senior Extension Agent, Family & Consumer Science, Virginia Cooperative Extension office to discuss ten essential tips for financial wellness. Karen is based in the Warren County office , but serves all five surrounding counties. She also manages the Northern Shenandoah Valley Financial Education Program . Our conversation covers various aspects of...

As part of our community health partnership with Valley Health , this month we discuss when you should visit an Urgent Care, an Urgent Care Express , or the Emergency Room. Our conversation with Dr. Vanessa Banks, Medical Director for the Southern Region for Valley Health Urgent Care systems, and Kristy Shannon, Senior Director of Urgent Care for Valley Health focuses on differentiating between wh...