The Valley Today

By Janet Michael

The Valley Today is a radio show and podcast dedicated to shining a light on the vibrant community leaders and local events that make the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia truly special. Insightful conver... more

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FAQs about The Valley Today:

How many episodes does The Valley Today have?

The podcast currently has 2,578 episodes available.

The Valley Today episodes:

November 14, 2019 LFCC Workforce Solutions: Corporate Training
We were in the studio today with Guy Curtis, Director of Marketing, Business & Industry Training with LFCC Workforce Solutions and his guest, Carlene Hurdle, Workforce Director at the Fauquier Campus. Our conversation focused on their corporate training options available to local companies and organizations; the issues businesses are facing today like keeping a skilled and talented workforce, an aging workforce retiring quickly - known as the silver tsunami, as well as a workforce being forced into supervisory roles without the proper training. We talked about the advantages of utilizing their programs that bring the experts to your business (or their campus) on a variety of topics on your timetable to effectively identify and design training programs specific to your needs. For more information about their corporate training programs, click here to visit their website.
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29min
November 13, 2019 Rappahannock Electric Coop: United We Light – Project Bolivia
We were in the studio for a conversation with John Medved, Director of Safety & Compliance and Ryan White, Digital Media Specialist with Rappahannock Electric Cooperative to talk about their recent experiences participating in United We Light: Project Bolivia. On September 4, 2019, seventeen Cooperative employees from eight different co-ops boarded a plane bound for Bolivia with the goal of establishing electricity to five remote villages. John & Ryan were among the group from REC who made the trip. They told me about the 36-hour journey to reach the village; what was involved with pulling line and getting connected without the use of bucket trucks and many of the modern conveniences they use here; and we talked about their experiences with the villagers, the food and the new relationships they've created. You can see images & videos in the Facebook group they've created: https://www.facebook.com/groups/UnitedWeLight/ During the show we referenced the We Are REC podcast - you can find all those episodes here: https://theriver953.com/wearerec/ and listen to the conversation prior to they're leaving with linemen, Cody Lockhart & Jake Michael here: https://theriver953.com/podcast/preparing-for-bolivia-project-united-we-light/
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24min
November 12, 2019 Tourism Tuesday: Holiday Events for All Ages
We were in the studio for Tourism Tuesday - Front Royal/Warren County edition - with Felicia Hart, Director of Tourism & Community Development for the Town of Front Royal. Her guests were: Arline Link from Explore Art & Clay and Teresa Henry from Strokes of Creativity. Our conversation included discussion of upcoming events, holiday markets, workshops and maker-classes for both businesses above as well as The Studio for Learning located on Main Street in Front Royal. Felicia also told us about a few other upcoming events - all of which you can find on their website: https://www.discoverfrontroyal.com/
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26min
November 11, 2019 Traffic Safety Thursday … on a Monday
We were in the studio today for our regular monthly segment - Traffic Safety Thursday - with Lt. Warren Gosnell from the Frederick County Sheriff's Office. Normally "Goz" visits us on the 4th Thursday of each month, but that particular date in November falls on Thanksgiving so we brought him in a bit early. We talked about his experience(s) on the drive to the station today from Winchester - the 2 incidents he encountered - as well as the multiple deer carcasses that he saw along 522. We discussed the importance of being extra aware now that it's getting dark earlier and the season for deer on the roadside.
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28min
November 08, 2019 Jon Bridgan's Focus on the Valley Photography
We were in the studio for a conversation with Jon Bridgan, owner of Focus on the Valley Photography about how he got started as a professional photographer and learned about the special offer he's extending throughout the month of November for those on a tight budget. You can get more details on his Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/FocusOnTheValley/
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26min
November 07, 2019 Tourism Thursday: The Valley Cork
We recorded a special episode of "Tourism Thursday" at The Valley Cork in Luray with Edie Emmons from Luray/Page County Chamber of Commerce & Chris Jenkins, owner of The Valley Cork. We talked about how Chris & his wife Lindy decided to open the wine bar, their existing winery/vineyard: Faithbrooke Farm & Vineyard and several events happening in both locations. For more details, visit their website(s): https://www.thevalleycork.com/ and https://www.faithbrooke.com/
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26min
November 06, 2019 The Valley Business Today: Turnmeyer Galleries
We were in the studio for The Valley Business Today - Front Royal/Warren County edition - with co-host Niki Cales, President of Front Royal/Warren County Chamber of Commerce and her guest, Scott Turnmeyer, professional photographer & owner of the newly opened Turnmeyer Galleries. Scott told us how & why he opened a gallery, and about the unique assortment of art, photography and artisan gifts that are featured in his shop. We talked about his photography business, his workshops and classes & his commitment to the community. For more information about the gallery, visit their website: https://www.turnmeyergalleries.com/ and follow them on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/turnmeyergalleries/ Niki gave us the details about a few upcoming chamber events including the Christmas parade happening on Saturday, December 4, 2019. You can get more of those details on their Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/events/371331817085450/
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32min
November 05, 2019 Tourism Tuesday: Star in the Valley Winery
We were in the studio for Tourism Tuesday - Shenandoah County edition - with Kary Haun from Shenandoah County Tourism and her guests, Shane Waller & Cara Mroczek from Star in the Valley Estate Winery. We talked about how their vineyard got started, the often-forgotten farming that's behind growing grapes as well as several events they host each year in their tasting room. We also learned why they chose Shenandoah County as the home for their vineyard and how they chose their name. You can get more details about the winery on their website: https://www.starinthevalley.com/ and follow them on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/starinthevalley/ & Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/starinthevalley/ Kary also gave us the details for Shenandoah Uncorked & an upcoming performance at Rouss Center for the Arts.
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28min
November 04, 2019ALICE Awareness Week: Janet gives up orange AND espresso!
We were in the studio for a conversation with Jennifer Hall from Valley Assistance Network (VAN), a program of United Way of Northern Shenandoah Valley. We talked about ALICE (Asset Limited Income Constrained Employed) Awareness week that kicks off on Monday, November 4, 2019 and how the community can get involved from an educational perspective as well as donating to the cause. Jennifer told us about various ALICE challenges and I agreed to also participate. You can see the details on my Facebook fundraiser page here: https://www.facebook.com/donate/3267458366630127/ We also talked about the services and successes of Valley Assistance Network and the upcoming Poverty Simulation happening on Friday, November 8, 2019. You can download that flyer here: Poverty Simulation Flyer 2019 or get more information here: https://www.unitedwaynsv.org/povertysim All of the money raised during ALICE Awareness Week helps United Way to reach campaign goal, but also goes to support emergency ALICE programs through Valley Assistance Network. What kind of support? Doing things like getting families out of their cars during the coldest months of the year, helping a breadwinner get to work with gas cards, and getting a family into their own home. All of these amazing things take money to make happen.

Register for a challenge here https://www.unitedwaynsv.org/alice-awareness-week-challenges

Set a goal and tell me what your goal is - I'll give you an on-air shoutout!

Start fundraising on the week of November 4th-8th Set up a fundraising page on Facebook or start strategizing your donation stories on Instagram using a donate sticker when you post
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31min
November 01, 2019 Front Royal Thermal Shelter
We were in the studio today for a conversation about the Front Royal Thermal Shelter with Michelle Smeltzer. While Michelle's full-time job is with Warren County Department of Social Services, she explained that neither the county nor the town provide any kind of funding for the thermal shelter. They hope to open the temporary thermal shelter on December 14, 2019 and remain open for 14 consecutive weeks. This is directly dependent on support from many local churches as well as the community at-large. For more information about the thermal shelter, visit their website: https://thermalshelteroffrontroyal.com/ follow them on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thermalshelterfrontroyal/ and join their Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/622818811221703/
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28min

FAQs about The Valley Today:

How many episodes does The Valley Today have?

The podcast currently has 2,578 episodes available.