We were on the screen today with Larry Weiss, Executive Director for the Community Foundation of Northern Shenandoah Valley. In April, they'll be opening up a round of grant applications for four different grants; so, we talked about the focus of those grants and the virtual training the organization is offering on March 9, 2022.

The four grants nonprofits will be able to apply for beginning April 4, 2022 are:

BOXLEY-FOX ENDOWMENT FUND

Robert and Genevieve Fox Boxley of Winchester generously established this fund to support cultural life in the region, promote preservation of history in the Valley, and encourage preservation of the environmental quality and natural beauty of the region. This fund supports a wide range of artistic endeavors from theater to architecture and sculpture to music, as well the acquisition of historic land and other real properties, furniture, papers and art for preservation and public display. Boxley- Fox Endowment grants generally range from $1,000 to $3,000.

CHAIN OF CHECKS

As a result of the sale of WINC-FM and Barry Lee's retirement, Chain of Checks is now an annual year-end grant program funded from the Chain of Checks campaign fund raising activities. Nonprofit organizations serving the City of Winchester, Clarke, Frederick and/or Warren Counties are eligible to apply.

COCHRAN FAMILY YOUTH FUND

The purpose of the grant is to improve the quality of life for children and the communities in which they live by providing financial assistance for educational, athletic, academic, social, civic and community-based activities that involve or support children. Grants generally range from $1,000 to $3,000.

PAUL AND MARTHA REES FUND The Paul and Martha Rees Fund is an unrestricted fund. Grants from this fund are designed to improve the quality of life for the community in which they live; and generally fall within the following categories: education, fine arts, social services, community development, recreation, natural resources, and health and wellness. Grants generally range from $1,000 to $3,000. Get more details about the training, the grant portal and how to set up your own grant or fund on their website: https://cfnsv.org/ At the end of our conversation, Larry introduced us to Nancy Silva. Nancy will be the new Executive Director for the CFNSV as Larry begins his retirement.

We were on the screen for a conversation with my "fun squad" from Frederick County Parks & Recreation. Joining me: Tony Baker, Marketing Manager and Andrew Keefauver, Superintendent of Recreation.

The pair gave me all the details for their running events that will kick off on April 2 with Trails 4 Miles Race for Autism, followed by the Apple Blossom Festival Races, and the Sherando Sprint Tri. Get details and registration information here: runatthetop.net

We also talked about summer camps, the Youth Trout Derby happening at Clear Brook Park, and the abundance of job opportunities available throughout the department.

Finally, we discussed the senior social clubs and the fun activities they have throughout the year.

Find more information about all the FCPRD programs on their website: fcprd.net

We were LIVE in the studio today for our monthly conversation with Lt. Warren Gosnell from the Frederick County Sheriffs Office.

Our topic centered around a few myths, misconceptions & pet peeves surrounding law enforcement officers. We talked about:

• LEO's love donuts (btw, I looked it up - here's a story about how it originated.)
• Speeding (with or without lights/sirens)
• Wearing seatbelts
• Wipers On = Headlights On

It was The Valley Business Today with Niki Foster from Front Royal/Warren County Chamber of Commerce and her guest, Mallory Deinert, owner of the newly opened Penny Lane Hair Co.

We recorded today's show in person at the chamber office to learn about Mallory's journey to entrepreneurship. We talked about her salon and all the services she offers and the uniue vibe she has going on that revolves around The Beatles. You can get more information and even book your appointment on their Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/pennylanehairco

Niki gave us a quick rundown of chamber events like: Business After Hours at Weichert Realtors, Strike Up Some Fun bowling event, and details for Wine & Craft Festival.

Our Tourism Tuesday conversation today was all about the celebration of Shenandoah County's 250th birthday. Kary Haun from Shenandoah County Tourism invited Amber Smoot, Town of New Market's Marketing & Events Coordinator to join us for the conversation. Amber & Kary along with 10-12 other community members are on the planning committee for events happening throughout the year.

The kickoff event is a Birthday Bash happening on Saturday, March 26 in New Market at the Virginia Museum of the Civil War from 6pm - 8pm. This is a free public event and no registration or RSVP is required. Amber gave us an overview of the different activities that will be happening that evening - including cake!

Kary filled us in on other events happening at the museum earlier in the day. She also explained how she comes up with her "Five Things Friday" content for the Facebook posts each week to encourage people to explore Shenandoah County.

For more information about the 250th celebration and it's upcoming events this year, visit their website: https://sc250.org/ and follow them on Facebook.

For more information about the other events and happenings around Shenandoah County, check out the events page on the tourism website here: https://visitshenandoahcounty.com/events/

Our conversation with Tyler Hinkle, Shenandoah County's Planner is part of an ongoing series following the work on Shenandoah 2045 - Shenandoah County's comprehensive plan. Joining us to talk about Chapter Eight: Transportation, was Jon Bennett. Jon is a member of the CAC (Citizen's Advisory Committee) in District Three that has been charged with working on this portion of the plan.

We talked about what the chapter for transportation includes and why it's an important part of Shenandoah County's future planning. We discussed the what the types of issues currently exist, projects that will be starting soon to address a few of those, as well as what types of things the committee might need a technology crystal ball to forecast.

As always, we discussed all the ways that residents of Shenandoah County can (and should) participate in the planning process. Feedback is vitally important and everyone involved in developing the plan is anxious for input from county citizens.

Get more information, take the survey and make contact on their website: https://shenandoahcountyva.us/future/ and on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/shenandoah2045

It was quite an eye-opening conversation today with Elise from United Way of Northern Shenandoah Valley and her guest, Katrina McClure, Director at Sinclair Health Clinic.

We talked about the medical, pharmaceutical & mental health services they provide for little to no cost to people in our community.

Elise gave us a quick update on the air mattress drive currently underway. You can get more details and make a donation here: https://www.unitedwaynsv.org/mattress

If you'd like to help spread the word about the good works being done at Sinclair Health Clinic, follow and share their Facebook posts, and visit their website for more information: https://sinclairhealthclinic.org/

We recorded our conversation today on location at Handley Regional Library with John Huddy, Library System Director to get details about several upcoming events.

It's always a blast to chat with John and today was no exception. He gave me information about their "Spring to the Library" event happening on March 19, 2022. There will be fun things happening at all three library locations for kids and adults. Tours will be given at Handley Regional Library, and they're offering an Adulting 101 workshop. At Bowman Library, an author will speak about her book, Storytime with Puppets will be happening as well as Paws for Reading.

We also talked about a new program "Push Your Shelf" which will kick off in March and encourages patrons to play Bingo by reading different books, magazines, etc. to fill their squares on the bingo card to win an iPad mini.

John also hopes the library will return to full in-person activities in the coming weeks. Watch their Facebook page for details about when that might happen.

He reminded us the value of a library card and told us about the wide range of books, audio books, movies, wifi, video games, and reference materials that are available through the Handley Regional Library system.

Get more details about events at all three locations on their website: https://www.handleyregional.org/ and follow them on Facebook.

Our conversation for the Valley Business Today with Kory Campbell, Director of Marketing & Communications for the Top of Virginia Regional Chamber centered around local tourism - hyper local, actually. Joining us for the conversation was Felicia Pallett, Director of Sales for George Washington Wyndham Grand Hotel.

Kory told us about his honeymoon trip where he & his wife stayed at GWWG and spent some time wandering around as if they were tourists. We talked about how the tweak in perspective gave Kory a new appreciation for businesses, buildings, and even tourists.

Felicia filled us in on all the great things about GWWG from their spa to their restaurant. She told us about the renovations and the people who stay with them both locals and visitors to the area.

In the second segment we talked events: weddings, receptions, and corporate events. Felicia told us about the various spaces that are available and the amenities that come with them.

We wrapped up the show getting details from Kory for the chamber's Greater Good Awards that are happening on March 24, 2022 at Shenandoah Valley Golf Club.

For our Tourism Tuesday conversation today, Justin Kerns from Winchester/Frederick County Convention & Visitors Bureau joined me (from the road) with his guest, Jeff Carroll, one of the owners of Vibrissa Beer.

Jeff gave us a bit of background about his brewery that currently operates (and brews) from their location at Front Royal Brewing Company on Main Street in Front Royal. He explained their plans to grow their production with the opening of a new production facility in the former Winchester Star building at 2 N. Kent Street in Old Town Winchester. The new location will house a traditional taproom offering food and outdoor dining and possibly even a rooftop deck.

Jeff told us about their decision to rebrand the business and how that helps them grow their distribution to other parts of the state and throughout the east coast.

For more information about Vibrissa Beer, follow them on Facebook and check their website: http://vibrissabeer.com/ when it goes live in the coming weeks.