We were in the studio for our last First Friday of the season with Robb Foster, local musician, author and vocalist with the Piedmont Symphony Orchestra Rock Band. We talked about his musical journey and he even played us one of his original tunes during the show. He also announced at the beginning of the show PSO's "Rock 4 Relief" to benefit Hurricane Harvey victims. To download the flyer for the concert, click here: ROCK 4 RELIEF POSTER. You can get more details about the concert in our News section here: http://theriver953.com/news/pso-benefit-hurricane-harvey/

We were in the studio today with Warren County Fire Marshal Gerry Maiatico and Rick Ferrell, Deputy Emergency Manager to talk about things local citizens can do to be prepared in case of any type of emergency. Rick gave us an overview of Smart911 and the benefits for every resident to register their information on the website: http://smart911.com More information can be found for emergency preparation on their website: http://www.warrencountyfire.com/

We were in the studio for The Valley Business Today with Sally Michaels, Existing Business Coordinator with the Frederick County Economic Development Authority. She brought with her Jane Baker, Warren County Public School's Director of Career & Technical Education and Principal of Blue Ridge Technical Center along with Stacy Barrett with Barrett Machine. We talked about the upcoming Worlds of Work (WoW) expo happening on October 23 & 24th at Body Renew Fitness & Family Sports Center on Commonwealth Drive in Winchester. Worlds of Work Expo is a career exploration event managed by Lord Fairfax Community College Career Pathways Consortium, in partnership with Barrett Machine, Inc., Northern Shenandoah Valley Regional Commission, Frederick County Economic Development Authority, Winchester Economic Development Authority, and Winchester Wealth Management. Over a two day period, WoW! hosts nearly 3,000 seventh grade students from the region, which includes the counties of Clarke, Frederick, Page, Rappahannock, Shenandoah, Warren, and the City of Winchester. More than 65 businesses showcase equipment, vehicles, and machinery that students climb into, fix, and manipulate. There are also animals students can touch and care for as well as life-like mannequins they might splint and stitch. Sponsorships are needed to fund this great educational opportunity for local students. For more information about sponsorship levels, click here to download the flyer: Wow!ExhibitorReserveSponsorLevels2017

We were in the studio for Tourism Tuesday - Clarke County edition with Len Capelli, Economic Development & Tourism Director. We talked about the important relationship between economic development & tourism in a county as unique as Clarke. Len also filled us in on some events happening in and around Berryville/Clarke County in the coming weeks. For more information, visit their website: http://clarketourism.com/

We were joined in the studio today by Trudy Burgess, owner of Still River Days Antiques on Congress Street in New Market, VA and her guest, Joni Runzo, Development Manager with the Alzheimer's Association's Central & Western Virginia Chapter. We talked about the 10 warning signs of the disease, and the resources available to those who suffer from it (and their families.) Trudy told us about her stepfather who is in the advanced stages of the disease and about an upcoming fundraiser at her store to raise awareness and funds for an upcoming Alzheimer's Walk in Harrisonburg on October 21. For more information, follow Still River Days on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/stillriverdays1004/ You can also find local walks by typing in your zip code here: http://www.alz.org/walk For more information about the Alzheimer's Association and to find resources, visit their website http://www.alz.org/ or call their 24-hour phone number at 800-272-3900.

We were in the studio today with co-host Elise from United Way of the Northern Shenandoah Valley and her guest, Matt Peterson from Habitat for Humanity. Matt gave us an overview of the services provided by Habitat along with an update on the new Habitat ReStore location on Battaile Drive in Winchester. We talked about UWNSV's upcoming Day of Caring and the scope of projects/volunteers including those for Habitat for Humanity. Elise also reminded us of their Rubbermaid Sale happening on Saturday morning at 8am in the Belk parking lot at Apple Blossom Mall. This month's recipient is Salvation Army.

We were in the studio today talking traffic safety with Lt. Warren Gosnell, Traffic Division Commander with Frederick County Sheriff's Office. We talked about school bus safety/laws, how to handle a traffic stop if you are carrying a licensed concealed weapon, and proper pull-over procedures during a traffic stop.

Every Wednesday we take a business theme for the show and partner with one of the surrounding chambers of commerce to chat with them and/or one of their member businesses about what's happening in their world. Today, we were in the studio with co-host, Emily Buhl, Marketing Director for the Top of Virginia Regional Chamber along with her guest, John Fox. He's the chair of the committee planning this year's Hob Nob in the Valley event happening on Friday, September 8 from 5:30pm - 8pm at The Corron Center on the Middletown campus of Lord Fairfax Community College. Candidates from the statewide gubernatorial campaigns, state delegates, and candidates for all local offices in Winchester, Clarke and Frederick Counties have been invited to attend this all-American political rally that celebrates the electoral process in a fun, informal, multi-partisan setting. Enjoy a barbecue dinner, straw poll voting and meet and mingle with local business leaders, elected officials, candidates and constituents. Confirmed candidates include:

• Cliff Hyra, Governor, Libertarian Party Delegate Chris Collins Delegate Randy Minchew Delegate Dave LaRock Kevin Callanan, FC Board of Supervisors Shannon Trout, FC Board of Supervisors Jay Foreman, FC School Board D.B. Dody Stottlemyer, FC School Board Ann Burkholder, Commissioner of the Revenue, Winchester Addie Lingle, Commissioner of the Revenue, Winchester Marc Abrams, Commonwealth's Attorney, Winchester Greg Lambert, Winchester City Sheriff Les Taylor, Winchester City Sheriff Jeff Barbour, Treasurer, Winchester
• Blaine Dunn, candidate for the FC Board of Supervisors

Tickets are $25 per person (in advance - $35 at the door) and includes BBQ dinner, bluegrass band, straw poll voting, networking and hob-nobbing with the candidates. Click here to pre-purchase your tickets. For more information about other chamber events, meetings and groups, visit their website: https://www.regionalchamber.biz/

We were in the studio for this week's edition of Tourism Tuesday with co-host, Justin Kerns (and his intern Lauren) from the Winchester-Frederick County Convention & Visitors Bureau. His guest was Nat from Stephens Jazz Cafe.

We were in the studio today getting an update on all things Warren County with Doug Stanley, Warren County Administrator.