We were in the studio today with Officer Robbie Seal, Community Resource Officer for the Front Royal Police Department along with Front Royal Town Councilman Bill Sealock to talk about the pedestrian safety campaign. The campaign is targeted towards pedestrians, motorists and bicyclists and includes information about devices designed to enhance pedestrian safety; such as important points for use of crosswalks, pedestrian warning signs, pedestrian signal indications and reflective materials for nighttime visibility. The campaign focuses on three main areas: public education, infrastructure improvements and enforcement to provide a safe environment for all users of the road. The Town's goal is zero fatalities. For more information or to ask questions, the town is hosting a Business Forum at 6pm on May 10 in the Council Chambers of Town Hall on Main Street. The town manager & 2 councilmen will be available to answer questions.

We kicked off a new feature today called First Friday. Every first Friday throughout the summer we'll be talking with a local artist, musician, author, or some sort of artistic character. If you or someone you know would make a great guest, email host, Janet Michael at: [email protected] Today, we were in the studio with Suzanne Soliday; she's a local artist, paint party host and owner of Suzanne's Studio, a mobile art studio. We talked about her background, how she came to focus on her art full-time and the various events, classes, parties and fundraisers she offers. We talked about her teaching style and the over-riding goal of ensuring every participant has fun while they paint their masterpiece. For more details about her upcoming events, to book a paint party or discuss a commissioned piece, visit Suzanne's website: https://www.suzannes-studio.net/ or follow her on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

We were in the studio today with Mary Kay & Turner Kobayashi from Audley Farm & Geo Giordano from The Sanctuary talking about the Clarke County Farmer's Market that is slated to open for the season on Saturday, May 6 at 8am in Berryville at 100 S. Church Street. They told us about their vendors, live entertainment and gave us some history of the market. We also talked about the important role farmer's markets play in our community and the value of locally sourcing as much of our diets as possible. For more information about the market, visit their website: http://www.clarkecountyfarmersmarket.com/ and follow them on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ClarkeVAFarmersMarket/

Niki Cales from the Front Royal - Warren County Chamber of Commerce joined us in the studio today. She gave us an recap for the chamber's recent Annual Dinner & Awards Ceremony and talked about the local business owners & community members who were recognized during the event. She also filled us in on details for the Wine & Craft Festival happening on Saturday, May 20 from 10am - 6pm on Main Street in downtown Front Royal. Along with wine tastings, craft vendors, live musical entertainment and lots of food, they've added an escape room activity to this year's festival and a VIP admission. Get all the details, including ticket information by visiting their website: http://www.wineandcraftfestival.com/

We were in the studio today with Tim Smith, Front Royal Visitor Center Manager & Suzanne Silek from Warren Heritage Society to talk about the Front Royal Civil War Weekend happening Saturday & Sunday, May 6 & 7.

We were in the studio today with Jennifer Bell, Winchester's Downtown Manager talking about the post-Apple Blossom events that are happening in May. She gave us details about the Farmer's Market opening May 13 and continuing on Saturdays from 9am til 1pm; KidzFest on Saturday, May 20 from 11am til 5pm and about a few new businesses slated to open downtown in the coming weeks. Click here for their newsletter with all the May event happenings, or visit their website: http://www.enjoyotw.com/ for more information.

We were in the studio today with Elise with United Way of Northern Shenandoah Valley and her guest, Pam Murphy from Shenandoah Community Health Clinic. Elise filled us on a few of the details of their Community Assessment 2017-2010 that will be released on their website on Saturday, April 29, 2017. Pam gave us an overview of the services offered by Shenandoah Community Health Clinic such as medical services, dental services and affordable health care. Her organization is also the recipient of all profits from this month's Rubbermaid Sale happening on Saturday, April 29th in the Belk parking lot at Apple Blossom Mall from 8am - 12pm. For more details about Shenandoah Community Clinic, including their upcoming fundraiser, GLOW Festival (Gals Living Out Wellness), visit their website: http://shenclinic.org/ For more details about the United Way of Northern Shenandoah Valley, click here to visit their website: http://www.unitedwaynsv.org/

We were in the studio today with Celeste and Cooper from Randolph Macon Academy to get all the details for their 125th Anniversary Celebration that starts on Friday afternoon and runs through Sunday afternoon. Cooper filled us in on the history of R-MA in Front Royal over the past 125 years and Celeste told us about all the activities, entertainment and 5k run that's happening on their campus as part of the Community Celebration. For a complete list of events and schedule of activities, visit their website: http://www.rma.edu/founders-weekend-community-celebration

Every Wednesday our show has a "business theme" based on a partnership with the surrounding chambers of commerce. We chat with them and one of their member businesses about what's happening in their world. Today, we were in the studio with Emily Buhl, Marketing Director for the Top of Virginia Regional Chamber. She brought with her Marion Schottelkorb, Executive Director of WATTS (Winchester Area Temporary Thermal Shelter) who told us about their mission, their shelters and several upcoming fundraisers. For more details about WATTS, visit their website: http://wattsshelter.org/ or click here to like them on Facebook

We were joined in the studio for Tourism Tuesday - Winchester/Frederick County edition with co-host, Justin Kerns, our Winchester Tourism Guy and his guest, Becky Wisecarver, one of three co-chairs for the United Bank Bloomin' Wine Fest that kicks off the Apple Blossom festivities this Friday at 3pm on the downtown walking mall in Old Town Winchester. The two-day event is from 3 to 10 p.m. on Friday, April 28 (tasting will end at 9:30 p.m.) and from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday, April 29 (tasting will end at 5:30 p.m.). Becky gave us the details about ticket prices, participating vendors and the live music that will be offered throughout the event. For more details, visit their website: https://thebloom.com/bloomin-wine-fest/ Justin gave us an overview of just a couple of events happening through the month of May. For a complete list, visit their website: http://www.visitwinchesterva.com/