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.

Whitney walks us through how the vaccination clinics began at LFCC in partnership with Rotz Pharmacy and talks about the logistic of putting them together and how smoothly they ran as their last one wrapped up on Wednesday, May 12, 2021. She also explains the different steps the college is taking to ensure the safety of students, faculty and the general public when they visit the school.

Brandy gives us the details for both commencement ceremonies. The Fauquier campus will host their commencement on Friday, May 14, 2021. The Middletown campus will host their commencement on Saturday, May 15, 2021. Both ceremonies will be live-streamed and feature a drive-thru style diploma walk. You can get more details here: lfcc.edu/commencement.

She also reminds us about registration for both summer and fall classes. Get more of those details here: lfcc.edu/enroll. Plus, we learn about a new program: G3 which offers flexible and stackable educational opportunities with expanded financial aid. Get those details here: lfcc.edu/g3

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 about the lessons the SBA learned from previous programs about the application process. We discussed funding amounts, what the funds can be used for and the special priority groups the programs target.

For details about the Restaurant Revitalization Fund, visit their website: sba.gov/restaurants.

For details about the Shuttered Venue Operators Grant, visit their website: sba.gov/svog.

You can also reach out to other groups such as SCORE and Lord Fairfax Small Business Development Center for help with the application process.

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 projects including the Selah Youth Summer Theatre Camps.

Jessica Arnold (Annelle) and Joanne Thompson (M'Lynn) talked about their roles, how they prepare and their favorite thing about the character they will portray.

Purchase your tickets for any of the 6 shows here: https://www.selahtheatreproject.org/magnolias

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.facebook.com/TheRiver953/videos/2908229266117701) as they hosted a Mother's Day Market.

For the show, we chatted with Allyson Thomas, Strasburg Farmer's Market manager about how the market has grown, the types of vendors and products you can find during your visit as well as special events they host. Get updates about the market by following them on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Strasburgfarmersmarket

In the second segment we talked with Adam from Adam's Apples & Herbs - a local farmer based in Woodstock and cornerstone vendor of the market each week. Follow him on Facebook to learn more about his farm & products: https://www.facebook.com/adamsapplesandherbs

We also talked to RavenHawk Crafts about the different offerings they bring to the market each week and the benefit of connecting with the community at this event. For more information (or to place a custom order) follow RavenHawk Crafts on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ravenhawkcrafts

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 bit of the history for Grafton and busted a few myths about what it used to be versus the Grafton of today. We talked about the range of job opportunities they have available and all the different types of services they offer not just to our local community but worldwide.

For more information about Virginia Career Works, visit their website: https://vcwvalley.com/ and follow them on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/vcwvalley.

Registration and details for the virtual job event can be found here: https://vcwvalley.com/event/virtual-jo-event/

For more information about Grafton Integrated Health Network, visit their website: https://www.grafton.org/ and follow them on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GraftonNetwork

To learn more about Ukeru, visit their website: https://www.ukerusystems.com/ and follow them on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ukerusystems

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 the webinar, to access their resources, to volunteer or donate to the Alzheimer's Association, visit their website: https://www.alz.org/ or call their helpline: 800-272-3900. The helpline is available 24/7 365 days/year.

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 & Warren County - not just chamber members. The funding for this new program comes from the CARES Act.

Herb explained the different resources and guidance he can provide to local businesses from start-ups to start-overs as well as long time existing businesses who are looking to boost their business. He will provide a wide range of assistance from business planning, marketing, financial planning and human resource assistance.

For more information about the program, or reach Herb directly, send an email to [email protected] or visit the chamber's website: https://www.frontroyalchamber.com/

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 managed through the pandemic and what re-opening looks like. Randy explained how the climate is great for growing grapes in Shenandoah County. For more information about Cave Ridge Vineyard, visit their website: https://www.caveridge.com/ and follow them on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/caveridgevineyard and on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/caveridgevineyard/

In the second segment we chatted with Wendy DeMello from Third Hill Winery at DeMello Vineyard about her winery and the experiences she provides to her guests. She told us about building the winery and the work that goes into growing grapes in Shenandoah County. We talked about the different wine options she offers and she explained her transition during and coming out of COVID. For more information about Third Hill Winery at DeMello Vineyard, visit their website: https://www.demellovineyardsthirdhillwinery.com/ follow them on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/demellovineyards and on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/demellovineyards/

Finally, Kary gave us the details for National Travel & Tourism Week and offered a list of businesses who are giving discounts to Shenandoah County residents. She also told us about their "Faces of Tourism" campaign. You can get more information about both of these on their website: https://visitshenandoahcounty.com/

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 offering wholesale has played in her success.

She told us about several of her products such as greeting cards for most occasions, as well as mugs, tea towels and more. Rachel also told us where you can find her products for purchase in Winchester, in Strasburg, in Woodstock, and online.

For more information about Fable & Sage, visit their website: https://fableandsage.com/ and follow then on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fableandsage/

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 she gave me a quick overview of some of the products people can expect to see from farmers and makers alike.

For a complete list of vendors, or to sign up for their weekly newsletter, visit their website: http://www.clarkecountyfarmersmarket.com/ and follow them on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ClarkeVAFarmersMarket