We were joined in the studio today by Joe Woodall, Production Manager for The River 95.3 and VA State Certified Fire Fighter to talk about the Citizen's Fire Academy, being a volunteer in fire & rescue services along with the new podcast series on our website to promote the Citizen's Fire Academy. To hear Citizen's Fire Academy podcasts, click here. For more information about Warren County Fire & Rescue, visit their website: http://www.warrencountyfire.com/

A chance meeting can turn an entire show around and lead to inspiration. That's what happened for today's episode of The Valley Business Today as we broadcast live from the Byrd School of Business on the campus of Shenandoah University with Dr. Miles Davis, Dean of the Byrd School of Business and Professor of Management at Shenandoah University. We met Regina Mullins with Thistle Farms who was setting up a display in the lobby of the 2nd floor of the Halpin-Harrison Hall. Her story was more than inspirational. It was also an eye-opener for everyone who has ever tried to change their life for the better and make good on past mistakes. Thistle Farms is a sanctuary for healing for women survivors of abuse, addiction, trafficking and prostitution. In 1997, Episcopal priest Becca Stevens opened one home for four women survivors of trafficking, addiction, and prostitution under the name Magdalene. Today the residential program of Thistle Farms provides housing for up to 32 women and serves hundreds more with advocacy and referral services. The residential program offers housing, medical care, therapy, education and job training for two years, without charging women or receiving government funding. Thistle Farms' social enterprises employs residents and graduates of the residential program; operating a natural bath and body product line, the Thistle Stop Cafe, the Studios Workshop and Thistle Farms Global Marketplace. Housed in an 11,000 sq. ft. facility in Nashville, Thistle Farms is a supportive workplace where women acquire the skills they need to earn a living wage. By hand, the women of Thistle Farms make natural bath and body products that are good for the earth and for the body using premium, natural ingredients. Thistle Farms products are available online as well as over 450 stores across the country.

We were joined in the studio for Municipal Monday on The Valley Today by Warren County Administrator Doug Stanley. Doug gave us an update on all the projects happening in Warren County including: construction on the second middle school & Ressie Jeffries Elementary School, Eastham Trail/Phase III, along with VDOT updates for the South Fork Bridge, Myers Drive Recreational Access project & the Shenandoah Farms boat landing. Doug also gave us information about a new I-66 commuter bus service provided by Northern Shenandoah Valley Regional Commission coming to the Front Royal and Linden park-and-rides. We also got an overview of the Development Review Committee, how it works and why it's beneficial to anyone looking to open a business in Front Royal/Warren County. For more details, visit the county's website at: http://www.warrencountyva.net/

We were joined in the studio for The Valley Business Today by co-host Cheri Wright, Executive Director for the Shenandoah County Chamber of Commerce and her guest, Brittany Clem, board member and Event Marketing Director for the Town of New Market. We talked about the upcoming workshops offered by the chamber including retail/marketing, identity theft and the new overtime laws. We also discussed the events happening in Shenandoah County in the coming weeks including Summers End Pup Pool Party & New Market Heritage Days along with Hops & Hooves, Wine & Trotter Festival and the Seafood Festival happening at Shenandoah Downs along with harness racing. For more details about the upcoming workshops and seminars, visit the chamber's website: http://www.shenandoahcountychamber.com/ For more details about workshops and events in New Market, visit their website: http://www.newmarketvirginia.com/

We were joined for our LIVE broadcast of Tourism Tuesday at Bowling Green Country Club by Kary Haun from Shenandoah County Tourism. We talked about the Edinburg Ole Time Festival happening this weekend, September 16-18, 2016. This is a real home-town event bringing 7,000 to 10,000 people each year. There will be food, arts. crafts, music and entertainment. Enjoy the "March Thru Town Parade;" enter the Fun Run/Walk or take a hay wagon ride. It's all taking place in Edinburg on US11, at I-81 Exit 279. Sponsored by The Town of Edinburg and The Edinburg Heritage Foundation. Download the full schedule of events by clicking here: 2016-otf-schedule-list-change-5. Find the on Facebook by clicking here. We also talked about the new Shenandoah Spirits Trail, a regional wine, beer and spirits trail. The trail is part of a collaborative effort of Winchester-Frederick County, Shenandoah County, Harrisonburg City, and Rockingham County to help drive tourism to these areas.

We were joined in the studio today by Superintendent, Bill Wilson with the RSW Regional Jail. We talked about his facility, the number of inmates he houses, their average length of stay, and what a typical day for them looks like. We also discussed his need to hire 23 new correctional officers. Details and application can by found by clicking here. For more information about his facility, visit their website: http://www.rswregionaljail.com/

We were joined in the studio today by Kelli Hart & Morgan Morrison from Barns of Rose Hill to talk about their upcoming 5-year anniversary celebration. Barns of Rose Hill is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit performing arts venue and community center in historic Berryville, Virginia. Housed in two early 20th century dairy barns that were fully restored in 2011, their mission is to enrich lives through programs in the performing, visual, and literary arts. In 2015, they offered more than 70 diverse programs that touched the lives of more than 4,500 people from all over the Shenandoah Valley and surrounding areas. Come out to celebrate their Five-Year Anniversary on Sunday, September 11 from 2pm - 9pm. All Events Are Free! Schedule of Events: 3:30 PM: Open Mic (Music, Poetry, Performance) 5:00 PM: Caleb Nei Concert 6:15 PM: Ver Azul Concert 7:30 PM: The Plank Stompers Concert For more details about upcoming events, making a donation or becoming a sponsor, visit their website: http://barnsofrosehill.org/ Follow them on social media: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram

We were joined in the studio today by Guy Curtis, Director of Marketing & Bill Pence, Director of Operations & Registration for LFCC's Workforce Solutions Department. We talked about all the different areas of study and programs offered by Workforce Solutions such as HVAC, electrical, plumbing, clinical medical assistant and many more. We also highlighted their very successful CDL certification program. The "academic route" isn't for everyone, and there are so many good jobs available in the trades. Employers often struggle to find enough people with the skills and credentials for these jobs – positions that require more than a high school diploma but less than a bachelor's degree. We talked about their new financial assistance opportunities including the Workforce Credential Grant which allows for a 2/3 reduction in tuition for many of their Fast Track Career Programs. These programs are developed to meet the current training needs of the local economy. For more details about the program, registration and financial assistance, visit their website: https://lfccworkforce.com/ Make plans to attend their Career Pathways Open House at Stonewall Jackson High School in Quicksburg (Shenandoah County) from 5:30pm - 8pm on September 13 to learn about local employment opportunities and needs, and discover training and degree opportunities available through Lord Fairfax Community College. Click here to RSVP.

We were joined in the studio for The Valley Business Today by Niki Cales from Front Royal - Warren County Chamber of Commerce & her guest, Darryl Haley, former NFL football player, cookie baker, B&B owner and community steward. We talked about Darryl's cookie business that donates all the proceeds to assist female veterans and the wives of veterans. The cookies are made (half a dozen at a time) by Darryl personally and shipped or in some cases, delivered by Darryl. For details about Darryl Haley's Bed and Breakfast in Luray, VA or his cookie business, click here to visit his website: www.darrylhaleybnb.net or LIKE him on Facebook. Another project that Darryl is involved in is Music at the Monument (#MusicMon) - a musical jam session at the Sylvan Theatre on the National Monument Grounds. These events offer an opportunity to address goals and facilitate change through instrumental, vocal and songwriting. The featured performers are veterans, local and federal government employees, and youth; and represent various programs that use music as a form of relaxation, communication, youth development and the treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder. The Sylvan Theatre concerts take place twice a month, beginning in May. The Carter Barron Amphitheater concerts will be held every week, beginning July 30th. The concerts highlight veterans, youth musicians and other artist. Performances include Jazz, R&B, Country, Pop, U.S. military veterans and military Orchestra. The Carter Barron Amphitheater concerts will be held every week, beginning July 30th. ROCK THE CITY benefit concerts support the Carter Barron Amphitheatre and Rock Creek Park trails and help celebrate the National Park Service's 100th birthday.

We were joined in the studio for the Tourism Tuesday edition of The Valley Today by Justin Kerns from Winchester-Frederick County Tourism & Visitors Center and Brian Patrick with Skyline Indie Film Festival. We talked about the history of the festival, the important role independent films play in our society and discussed some of the local filmmakers, the schedule for the festival and how to purchase tickets. For more details, visit their website: http://www.skylineindiefilmfest.org/ Follow their social media networks: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram. For more details about all the great events happening in and around Winchester/Frederick County, check out the Visitor's Center website: http://www.visitwinchesterva.com/ and follow their social media networks: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram.