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:

July 09, 2019 Tourism Tuesday: Backroom Brewery
We were in the studio today for Tourism Tuesday - Front Royal/Warren County edition - with Felicia Hart, Director of Community Development & Tourism for the Town of Front Royal and her guest, Billie Clifton, owner of Backroom Brewery. Our conversation included some history of how and why Billie started Backroom Brewery in 2012 and a quick lesson about hops. Billie told us about the new Amish pole barn recently constructed on her property that will serve as their new events center. The space is substantially larger than her current pub and will allow for any number of private events including weddings and corporate events. They will be hosting a Grand Opening celebration August 3, 2019 from 11am - 9pm with a ribbon cutting, live music, food trucks and more. They will also unveil a new beer at the event. Get more information on their Facebook event page: https://www.facebook.com/events/2400147043366122/ We also talked about the recent award given to their Oatmeal Stout at the 2019 Virginia Craft Beer Cup. Several of their beers have won gold, silver and bronze medals since 2016. For more information about Backroom Brewery, visit their website: https://www.backroombreweryva.com/ and follow them on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BackroomBrewery/ To listen to the Shenandoah Valley BeerPod series that features Backroom Brewery, click here: https://theriver953.com/shenandoahvalleybeerpod/
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27min
July 08, 2019 Theatre Shenandoah: Next to Normal
We recorded today's show (and after the show podcast) last week live, on-site at Theatre Shenandoah where we had a conversation with Lori Staley, Artistic Director for Theatre Shenandoah and most of her cast & crew. Our conversation included the history of the theatre in Edinburg, how shows are chosen, the obstacles and perks to being a small community theatre, plus all the details for their upcoming performance of Next to Normal that opens on Friday, July 12, 2019. For more details including to purchase tickets, visit their website: https://www.theatreshenandoah.org/ and follow them on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheatreShenandoah/ We continued talking after the show with most of the cast & crew about their roles, their future and a few of their favorite parts.
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1h 9min
July 05, 2019 WCFR: Rivermont Fire Station and New Training Facility
We were in the studio for an in-depth conversation with Warren County Fire & Rescue's Chief Mabie, Asst. Chief of Rivermont Volunteer Fire & Rescue, Joe Woodall, and Warren County Fire Marshal, Gerry Maiatico. We talked with Joe about the current physical state of the Rivermont's building including all the issues that make most of it unsafe to utilize. We also talked about the new building; the impact that the airport location will have on response times; and the many times he's reached out to community members to answer their questions & address their concerns with no response. We spoke with Gerry about the new training facility recently approved by the Warren County Board of Supervisors, the cost of developing the site and where that money will come from; the training schedule they will use as well as the types of training that will be offered there. We also discussed the issues surrounding their current use of Shenandoah County's fire training facility. Finally, Chief Mabie weighed in on both topics and talked about the long-term planning that went into both projects and compared budget amounts for both. After the show finished on the air, we continued our conversation in more detail about these topics as well as my concerns over Chief's off-hand statement about retirement. You can listen to the entire conversation here. For more information, visit Warren County Fire & Rescue's website: http://www.warrencountyfire.com/ and follow them on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/warrencountyfire/ For more information or to reach out to Joe Woodall, click here follow Rivermont Volunteer Fire & Rescue on Facebook
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1h
July 03, 2019 The Valley Business Today: Engaged Communities are Successful Communities
We were in the studio for The Valley Business Today with Niki Cales, President of Front Royal/Warren County Chamber of Commerce for a serious conversation about community. We talked about the importance of being engaged and involved in your community; of not sitting on the sidelines & complaining without seeking solutions; about volunteering with non-profits; about leadership; and more. Niki told us about the recent Leadership Program graduates and how to get information about the new class that will begin in October. You can send her an email for more information: [email protected] We also chatted for a few minutes about the grand opening of Backroom Brewery's new event center happening on August 3, 2019 from 11am - 9pm. Get more information on their Facebook event page: https://www.facebook.com/events/2400147043366122/ and we talked about the name change for Brew & Blues to River & Blues. Click here to follow them on Facebook for updates on the festival happening on September 21, 2019.
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26min
July 02, 2019 Tourism Tuesday: 2019 Shenandoah Valley Music Festival
We were in the studio for a conversation with Dennis Lynch, Executive Director of Shenandoah Valley Music Festival about this year's concert series that kicks off on Friday, July 19, 2019. We talked about the history of the event, it's association with Shrine Mont, the concert schedule and some special additions to this year's lineup. For more details including ticket information and purchase, visit their website: https://musicfest.org/
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26min
July 01, 2019 Misty Mountain Meadworks
We were in the studio for a conversation about mead with Rick Copeland, MeadMeister at Misty Mountain Meadworks. We talked about the history of mead; his journey to become a mead-maker; and the important role bees play in his mead-making business. Our conversation continued after the show finished on-air and I had the privilege of sampling several of his mead selections.
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42min
June 28, 2019 United Way NSV: Literacy Volunteers Winchester Area
Our conversation for today's show took place in the computer lab located on the Our Health campus. It was United Way Day so were were chatting with Elise from United Way Northern Shenandoah Valley and Mark Sieffert, Executive Director of Literacy Volunteers Winchester Area, also located on the Our Health campus. Literacy Volunteers Winchester Area is a nonprofit 501(c)3 organization working to improve the community by advancing essential literacy skills for adults through education and advocacy in the City of Winchester, Frederick County, and Clarke County. Mark told us about the services his organization offers including adult basic education (reading, writing & math); basic computer training; English Language Learners; as well as citizenship & immigration services. For more information about Literacy Volunteers, visit their website: https://www.lvwa.org/ and follow them on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LitVol/
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26min
June 27, 2019 Little Red & Ryding Hood
We were in the studio for a conversation with Todd Strader about his upcoming art exhibit at George Washington Hotel. It's a fundraiser to help finish his children's book - Little Red & Ryding Hood - a fractured fairy tale. Proceeds from the book will help fund the effort to save the red wolves. You can learn more about that here: https://www.redwolfreview.info/ You can get details about the event, his book project and how to support the cause here: https://www.facebook.com/LittleRedandRydingHood/ https://fundraising.fracturedatlas.org/little-red-and-ryding-hood
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27min
June 26, 2019 The Valley Business Today: Top of VA Regional Chamber CEO, Cynthia Schneider
We were in the studio for The Valley Business Today to have a conversation with new Top of Virginia Regional Chamber CEO, Cynthia Schneider. We talked about her business background and the edge it gives her in her new position as chamber CEO. We discussed the chamber's strategic plan; the opportunities chamber membership provides to businesses of all shapes and sizes; and the benefits for members & the community as a whole when their chamber is successful. Cynthia also told us about a few new programs and events: TVRC Hispanic Coalition Gathering; Peer 2 Peer Education - Non-profit CRA Session; Community Leadership Program; Young Professionals Group; Chamber Night at the Ballfield
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26min
June 25, 2019 Tourism Tuesday: Cedar Creek & Belle Grove National Historical Park
We were in the studio today for Tourism Tuesday - Winchester/Frederick County edition - with Justin Kerns from Winchester-Frederick County Convention & Visitors Bureau and his guest, Eric Campbell, Park Ranger at Cedar Creek & Belle Grove National Historical Park. During our conversation, Eric explained the relationship the National Park Service has with the various organizations and associations affiliated with the "partnership park," plus, he filled us in on a few of their upcoming programs including: History at Sunset: Biscoe Brothers and Beyond: Historic Images of the Cedar Creek Battlefield happening this Friday, June 28, 2019. For a full list of their events and more information about the park and programs, visit their website: https://www.nps.gov/cebe/ Justin told us about a new event the Visitor's Center is hosting for new residents of the area. We'll update this post with details from the press release he promised during the show. Meanwhile, you can find a full list of local events on their website: https://visitwinchesterva.com/events/
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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.