Page Alliance for Community Action and Northwestern Community Services Board are partnering to host New York Times Best Selling Author Sam Quinones on February 23rd at Luray High School from 6:30pm until 8pm, 243 Bulldog Drive, Luray, VA 22835. This event is free and open to the public and those who attend will have the opportunity to have a book signed following the presentation.

Sam's book "The Least of Us" shows the hardships families who have dealt with addiction have suffered but also how we can work together and create a community of healing.

Shannon Urum Coordinator of Northwestern Community Services Board Prevention and Wellness Services joined us in the first segment with Megan Gordon, Program Director for Page Alliance for Community Action (PACA) to talk about Sam's message and why it was important to bring him to Luray High School for this talk. We discussed who should attend, what people can expect and the hope for our community this talk will provide.

In the second segment, we spoke with Sam Quinones about his books; the impact he saw first-hand of the opiod epidemic on families across the country; and, he explained why/how community building is part of the solution.

To register for this in-person event please visit the Eventbrite page at: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/a-conversation-with-best-selling-author-sam-quinones-tickets-211930438647

The Prevention Department at Northwestern Community Services Board has a mission to prevent substance misuse and suicide and to promote mental wellness in the Lord Fairfax Planning District. The Department utilizes evidence-based programs, practices, and strategies targeting concerns identified by needs assessments and using the Strategic Prevention Framework as its guide. An emphasis is placed on community collaboration and mobilization, enabling groups to be brought together for the benefit of the community. Find more information at http://www.nwcsb.com/prevention.php

Page Alliance for Community Action (or PACA) is a non-profit coalition of agencies, parents, youth, and concerned citizens. Our main goal is to promote healthy life choices for the youth and families in Page County. We work to provide a healthy, drug-free environment for those in our community. With the volunteers in our coalition the funding from federal, state, and foundation grants, we have focused our attention on preventing substance misuse among our youth and combating childhood obesity with physical activities and nutritional education. Find more information at www.pagecoalition.org

Here are links to things we discussed during the conversation(s).

• https://www.facebook.com/LordFairfaxYRA
• https://www.facebook.com/Pageallianceforcommunityaction
• Awareness2Action podcast (Apple): https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/s2-e9-sam-quinones-on-addiction-community-and-finding/id1546020026?i=1000551139010
• Awareness2Action podcast (Google): https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkLnBvZGJlYW4uY29tL2F3YXJlbmVzczJhY3Rpb24vZmVlZC54bWw/episode/YXdhcmVuZXNzMmFjdGlvbi5wb2RiZWFuLmNvbS8xNGFiNzBkNy02NTdmLTM0YWYtYjNkZS1jZjhjYTlmMWQxM2E

Our conversation today was about one of my favorite events hosted by the Northern Shenandoah Valley Master Gardener Association: Gardening in the Valley Symposium. Joining me to share the details of the event were Master Gardeners: Bob Gail & Helen Lake, two of the event co-chairs.

This year's theme is "Gardening With a Purpose." Proceeds from the symposium benefit the NSVMGA Memorial Scholarship Fund. Download the flyer.

The pair explained the fundraiser behind this event and shared that ag-related teachers in Frederick County & Loudoun County can attend at no charge thanks to each of their school systems.

Helen gave us some background on each of the speakers and told us how they choose them each year.

You can purchase your tickets on their website: http://nsvmga.org/events/symposium/

When: March 12, 2022, 8am to 4pm (providing 8 hours of continuing education credit for Extension Master Gardeners)

Where: Shenandoah University

Cost: $55 for NSVMGA Members; $65 for Non-Members, including lunch and breaks

February is American Heart Month so we pulled up the mics to chat with Dr. Ernesto Jimenez as part of our community health partnership with Valley Health. Dr. Jimenez is a board certified cardiothoracic surgeon specializing in minimally invasive valve surgery, mitral valve repair and coronary artery revascularization with arterial conduits. He's part of Valley Health Cardiothoracic Surgeons and the advanced valve program team at Winchester Medical Center's Heart & Vascular Center.

Our conversation centered around healthy valves and what happens when they start to break down. Dr. Jimenez explained how valves work, what happens to them over time and talked about symptoms we might experience when they begin to fail.

He walked us through a few treatment options and talked about the advancements in minimally invasive surgery for valve repair/replacement since the 1950's.

For more information about Valley Health's Heart & Vascular Center, visit their website HERE.

Our conversation today with Monica Colunga, Outreach and Education Coordinator for the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) Washington Field Office was pretty informational. She explained that her job involves working and forming partnerships with employers and communities to inform them of the services the EEOC provides.

The EEOC is a federal agency with 53 offices nationwide. Monica's office has jurisdiction over DC and Northern Virginia. The agency is responsible for investigating cases of workplace discrimination based on national origin, race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, gender identity, and sexual orientation), age (40 or older), disability or genetic information.

She explained many of the issues that employers face:

• It is also unlawful for an employer to retaliate against an employee who complains about workplace discrimination or participates in an investigation related to a charge of discrimination.
• Most employers with at least 15 employees are covered by EEOC laws (20 employees in age discrimination cases.) Most labor unions and employment agencies are also covered.
• The laws apply to all types of work situations, including hiring, firing, promotions, harassment, training, wages, and benefits.

She encouraged listeners to check out their "What You Should Know" document on their website HERE.

We discussed and Monica answered a wide range of questions such as:

• What is discrimination? She also provided some examples.
• How does the EEOC support small business and explained what type of information is found on the small business resource page.
• What can you/can't you ask during a job interview and/or when calling for or giving a reference?
• What guidance does EEOC provide regarding COVID 19?

You can find a wealth of information on the EEOC website: https://www.eeoc.gov/ or reach out to Monica: 202-921-2803

For our "Tourism Tuesday" episode today, it was Luray/Page County's turn at the mic so we were joined on the screen by Edison Emmons from Luray/Page County Chamber of Commerce and his guest, Bonnie Anthony from Performing Arts Luray.

Bonnie told us about all the upcoming performances that will be returning in the coming weeks for the all-volunteer non-profit. She talked about COVID's impact and how the community came together to support them throughout the pandemic.

For more information about upcoming shows and performances, visit their website: https://performingartsluray.org/ and follow them on Facebook.

We talked today with Jennifer Hall, Senior Director of Community Investments for United Way of Northern Shenandoah Valley and Yolanda Gibson, Chair of UWNSV Women United Leadership Council & Vice President for Student Affairs at Shenandoah University.

Jennifer gave us a quick refresher about Valley Assistance Network (a program of UWNSV) and the great work it does for those in need in our community.

Yolanda explained the Women United Leadership Council's mission, international reach, and the local impact it will have on single moms and families in our area.

We talked about the air mattress drive Women United is currently hosting. Jennifer explained the need and we discussed what types of donations are being requested, where you can drop off your donations and how they will be distributed.

Donations can be made in two ways: through an Amazon Wish List where donations will be sent directly to the United Way. You can also make a monetary donation at United Way's website here - please put "air mattress drive" in the memo line for your donation support this initiative. You can also donate in person at one of the following collection sites:

• United Way NSV office
• First Bank branches
• The Winchester Group
• Shenandoah University (Wilkins 235)
• Pioneer Bank

Donations will be given to local organizations which work directly with those in need throughout Winchester City, Frederick County, Clarke County, Shenandoah County and Page County.

• Bright Futures Frederick/Winchester
• Page One
• Clarke County Educational Foundation
• Family Promise of Shenandoah County

The drive kicked off February 7 and wraps up on February 28, 2022. The goal is to collect new air mattresses and accessories (new sheet sets and pillows) to serve at least 150 families.

For more information about the air mattress drive, visit: https://www.unitedwaynsv.org/mattress

For more information about Women United Leadership Council, visit: https://www.unitedwaynsv.org/women-united

We chatted today with Olivia Hilton, Director of Community Development & Tourism for the Town of Strasburg. Joining us were four of the 30 vendors who will be participating in Cupid's Market on Friday, February 11, 2022.

Mandy Robinson from Sassy Snacks told us what she'd have available at the market.

Lauren Valentine told us how and why she started Alma Apothecary.

Amy Lewis from Bottom of the Bottle Candles explained how she makes her candles from the bottoms of wine & liquor bottles.

Brittany Artone from The Freezeland Magnolia told us about her slow made, small batch, handmade polymer clay earring shop.

Today's conversation with Guy Curtis, Director of Marketing for Lord Fairfax Community College (becoming Laurel Ridge Community College) and Carlene Hurdle, Director of Corporate Training for LFCC Workforce Solutions centered around an upcoming webinar: Pivot Strategies for the Great Resignation.

We talked about how our workforce has changed on a national AND local level and the importance of recognizing and implementing change to stay relevant for today's workers.

Carlene gave us some statistics and explained how the webinar will work. It will be an interactive community conversation with a panel of local business owners sharing their creative ideas for attracting and keeping new employees.

There is no cost to attend the webinar that will be held on March 15, 2022 at 10am. You can register and get more details here: https://lfccworkforce.com/webinar

Small business loans & resources, consumer loans, affordable housing ... the list goes on for programs and services People Inc. offers to our community. Today, we had a conversation with new President/CEO Bryan Phipps about all those things and more. Bryan was Edison's guest for The Valley "Business" Today with Luray/Page County Chamber of Commerce.

Bryan told us how People Inc. got their start and their strong commitment to following their mission to provide opportunities for economically disadvantaged people to reach their goals in order to enhance their lives, their families, and their communities.

He explained several of their programs that help small businesses and startups secure funding and training to operate a successful business. He also told us about the different consumer loans they offer that enable people to get out of debt, make home improvements, and build a better life for their families.

We also talked about Luray Meadows Apartments, a 52-unit, affordable rental housing property complex that's currently under construction in Page County and he gave us some background on how projects like that get started through local feedback and local partnerships.

For more information about People Inc., visit their website: https://www.peopleinc.net/ and follow them on Facebook.

We took a quick trip across state lines for our tourism segment today to chat with Lynn Pechuekonis. Lynn and her husband are the owners of Rockhaven Bed & Breakfast in historic Harper's Ferry. Lynn is also the Vice Chair of Harper's Ferry/Bolivar Historic Town Foundation and serves on the Harpers Ferry – Bolivar Tourism Association board.

She told us how she & her husband turned a visit to Harper's Ferry into their new home and business venture. We talked about the history of Harper's Ferry/Bolivar and she gave us a rundown on things to do while visiting the area.

The Harper's Ferry/Bolivar Historic Town Foundation was formed in 1999 to bring together a group of citizens who wanted to preserve and protect the local history of Harpers Ferry and Bolivar beyond the restricted scope of the National Historical Park and the Harpers Ferry Park Association. In March 2017, the Foundation purchased First Zion Baptist Church with the goal of preserving the building and establishing a community cultural arts center.

Lynn explained that most interpretive histories of Harpers Ferry focus on the John Brown Raid, the Federal Armory, and the Civil War. Lesser known, are the important legacies of the African American community, the Niagara Movement and Storer College. They have created the Harper's Ferry Black Heritage Walking Tour which focuses on the working class and emerging middle-class African Americans who lived in the upper town of Harpers Ferry — and connects them and their significance with the Harpers Ferry of today. Get more details about that by clicking here.

We talked about the outdoor activities available to visitors who want to enjoy the hiking, biking and the river. She also told us about a few local shops, restaurants and breweries to try in the area.

For more information about Harper's Ferry/Bolivar, visit: https://experienceharpersferry.com/