The Valley Today

We pre-recorded today's conversation with longtime listener and Virginia Master Naturalist, Mitzi Fox to learn how and why one would become a Master Naturalist. Mitzi explained the program and the similarities between this and the master gardeners program. We talked about why it's important to know, understand and support native plants and animals in our area. The Shenandoah Chapter of Virginia Ma...

We pre-recorded today's conversation for Tourism Tuesday - Shenandoah County edition - with Kary Haun from Shenandoah County Tourism and her guest Elaine Specht, President of Northern Shenandoah Valley Master Gardeners Association . We recorded today's show from Elaine's front porch to talk about the Gardening in the Valley Tour that will happen on Saturday, June 26, 2021 from 9am - 5pm across She...

We pre-recorded today's conversation for Extension Office Friday with Mark Sutphin , from Virginia Cooperative Extension. Mark works out of the VCE-Frederick County office but also serves Clarke, Page, Shenandoah, and Warren Counties and is the lead agent working with Extension Master Gardener volunteers in the Northern Shenandoah Valley. Joining him today was Elaine Specht, President of the North...

We were live in the studio for Traffic Safety Thursday with Lt. Warren Gosnell from the Frederick County Sheriff's Office. We talked about traffic safety checkpoints, in particular the recent Click It or Ticket Checkpoint. Lt. Gosnell explained how they work and why they're important. He also reminded listeners that while they cannot be pulled over for certain infractions, they can be cited during...

We pre-recorded today's conversation for The Valley Business Today with Top of Virginia Regional Chamber to chat about their Community Leadership Program. Joining us for the conversation was Danita Roble - Director of Event Management for Top of Virginia Regional Chamber; Sierra Collins from Sierra Learnership Collaborative ; Matt Martz from The Management Group ; and Ellie Williams Tahmaseb from...

We pre-recorded today's conversation with Justin Kerns from Winchester/Frederick County Convention & Visitors Bureau and his guest, Daniel Kelly, II owner of the new Flat 9 Jazz Club. In the first segment, Justin & I talked about post-pandemic tourism and how their new ad campaign is going. In the second segment we met Daniel to told us about his pop-up jazz club - The Flat 9 - located inside the...

We pre-recorded today's conversation with the fun squad from Frederick County Parks & Recreation: Tony Baker, Chris Konyar, & Sarah Young for an update on programs, the pool opening and events. Sarah gave us an update on aquatic programs that are starting back up within the park system. She told us when the pool will open for the season (Saturday, May 29, 2021) and gave us details for swimming les...

We pre-recorded today's conversation for United Way Day with Elise from United Way of Northern Shenandoah Valley and her guest, Beth Ogle, Executive Director for Response, Inc. Response, Inc. is a Shenandoah County community organization dedicated to preventing and helping people overcome the problems of sexual and domestic violence and other forms of abuse through outreach, advocacy, education an...

We pre-recorded today's conversation with Becky Myers - Director of Acute Care, and Delores Gehr - Clinical Manager for Warren Memorial Hospital to learn exactly what's involved with moving an entire hospital to a new location. This is part of our ongoing Community Health series in partnership with Valley Health . You can hear all of the conversations in this series here: https://theriver953.com/v...

We pre-recorded today's conversation with Cindy Musick, Director of Vegetation Management with Rappahannock Electric Cooperative to talk about REC's efforts to protect the power lines and provide reliability through sustainable and environmentally conscious means of vegetation management. This conversation is part of an ongoing podcast series in partnership with Rappahannock Electric Cooperative....

We pre-recorded today's conversation for Tourism Tuesday - Luray/Page County edition - with Edie Emmons from Luray/Page County Chamber of Commerce and her guest, Jim Turner. Jim is one of the owners at Hawksbill Brewing Company. Jim gave us a quick history of how the brewery came into existence, talked about their beers and their shift to "We Brew Community" message. For more information about Haw...

We pre-recorded today's conversation with Dr. Jeff Feit, Vice President of Population & Community Health for Valley Health to get an update on vaccine distribution, its efficacy and the availability of the vaccine across the Shenandoah Valley. Dr. Feit talked about the status of vaccinations in our area and talked about the addition of children ages 12-17 who are now eligible for the Pfizer vaccin...

We pre-recorded today's conversation with Perry Mathewes, Director of Museum Operations and Director of Gardens at the Museum of the Shenandoah Valley to learn details about their upcoming Heritage Plant Sale happening on May 21-22, 2021 from 9am - 5pm. Perry explains how the sale will work this year - it's back to an in-person event - and where you can find a complete catalog of the plants you ca...

We pre-recorded today's conversation at Lord Fairfax Community College shortly after I received my second Moderna vaccine (see the video here: https://www.facebook.com/TheRiver953/videos/1121995378280721 .) Joining me for the conversation is Whitney Miller, Director of Facility Planning & Auxiliary Services and Brandy Boies, Director of Marketing and Outreach for Lord Fairfax Community College. Wh...

We pre-recorded today's conversation with Carl Knoblock , District Director for Virginia with the Small Business Administration to learn the details for the American Rescue Plan's Restaurant Revitalization Fund & Shuttered Venue Operators Grant. Carl explained each of the two programs including who they're meant to help, how to apply and where. We talked about the process for each program and abou...

We pre-recorded our conversation today with LaTasha Do'zia, Artistic Director at Selah Theatre Project and two cast members from the upcoming production of Steel Magnolias. LaTasha explained the impact the pandemic had on the theatre, it's students and actors. We talked about the relief of being able to do a live show though the audience will be virtual. She also told us about several upcoming pro...

We pre-recorded today's conversation on Saturday at Strasburg's Farmer's Market/Mother's Day Market for our regular monthly segment - Strolling Strasburg - with Olivia Hilton, Interim (soon to be permanent I hope!) Director of Community Development for the Town of Strasburg. We walked around the special edition of the Strasburg Farmer's Market (see the Facebook Live video here: https://www.faceboo...

We pre-recorded our conversation today with Bonnie Zampino from Virginia Career Works and Kim Sanders, COO of Grafton Integrated Health Network & President of Ukeru to talk about an upcoming virtual job event happening on Wednesday, May 12, 2021 at 3pm. Bonnie explained how these job events work and their focus on the company culture as well as job opportunities that are available. Kim told us a b...

We pre-recorded today's conversation with Dan Cronin, Programs & Services Manager with the Alzheimer's Association National Capital Area Chapter to talk about their organization, bust a few myths, and talk about the education & support resources they offer. Dan told us about an upcoming webinar "Ten Warning Signs of Alzheimer's" that will be held virtually on May 11 at 2pm. For more details about...

We pre-recorded today's conversation of The Valley Business Today with Niki Cales from Front Royal/Warren County Chamber of Commerce and her guest Herb Melrath, local business consultant to chat about the new FREE business support services the chamber is offering to businesses. Niki explained the consulting services are offered at no charge and are available to all businesses in Front Royal & Warr...

We pre-recorded today's conversation for Tourism Tuesday with Kary Haun from Shenandoah County Tourism featuring Cave Ridge Vineyard and Third Hill Winery at DeMello Vineyard to talk about their wineries and how growing grapes in Shenandoah County has also grown their businesses. Father & daughter team Randy & Megan Phillips joined us from Cave Ridge Vineyard to tell us about their wines, how they...

We pre-recorded our conversation today with Rachel Lofton, owner of Fable & Sage as part of our ongoing "Meet the Maker" series. Fable & Sage is a paper & accessories company creating unique cards and gifts for pet parents. Rachel told us how she came to start the business and told us about her creative process. We discussed the challenges of turning a hobby into an actual business and what role o...

We pre-recorded our conversation for Farmer's Market Friday with Karie Griffin, Market Manager for Clarke County Farmer's Market which opens on Saturday, May 1, 2021 from 8am - 12pm at 317 W. Main Street in Berryville. Karie gave us a rundown of opening day events that include a presentation from the Town of Berryville and a petting zoo. We talked about COVID precautions that will be in place and...

We pre-recorded today's conversation with Tim Farmer, Public Relations Coordinator for the State Arboretum of Virginia at Blandy Experimental Farm to talk about Garden Fair and why the location changed this year to Clarke County Fairgrounds . Tim explained the UVA guidelines and how moving the event this year to the Clarke County Fairgrounds made more sense from a safety perspective. He told us th...

We pre-recorded today's conversation with Top of Virginia Regional Chamber CEO Cynthia Schneider and her board Chairman, John Fox to discuss a few chamber programs and learn more about the chamber's mission to be the voice of business. We talked about the chamber's Public Policy Committee and their new initiative to increase Government procurement from local vendors whenever possible. Read the pre...