We were joined in the studio for The Valley Today by past participants of our Alcohol Lab. Lt. Warren Gosnell, Traffic Division Commander from the Frederick County Sheriff's Department along with staff from The River 95.3: Joe Woodall, Production Manager; Lonnie Hill, Operations Manager; Alex Hinton, News Department; Nikki Lucas, former account executive; & host of The Valley Today, Janet Michael, talked about their experiences participating in the labs this year, what they learned and the long-term effects from their participation. The recording continued after we went off the air so we could talk in more detail about our individual experience(s) and Lt. Gosnell talked about statistics in the area for alcohol & drug related incidents. Watch the show (includes conversations during the commercial breaks) below or on our YouTube channel.

We were joined in the studio for The Valley Business Today by Sally Michaels, Existing Business Coordinator with Frederick County Economic Development Authority. We talked about the work their task force has been doing since the Business & Education Summit, upcoming Educator Tours and the WoW! expo coming up on October 12 & 13th. If you're interested in becoming a sponsor for this event, click here for more details. For more details about all the things the Frederick County Economic Development has in the works, visit their website: http://www.yesfrederickva.com

We were joined at Bowling Green Country Club for our live broadcast of Tourism Tuesday by Kary Haun from Shenandoah County Tourism and her guest Raymond Powell for the Veterans Appreciation Day at Shenandoah County Fair. We talked about all the activities, presentations and acknowledgements planned for the event on Thursday, September 1 at the Shenandoah County Fair. The tribute begins at 11am and ALL veterans receive FREE admission until 6pm that day. There will be booths and displays set up from all areas of military service.

We were joined in the studio for The Valley Today by Sandy & Steve Schwalb from the VA German Shepherd Rescue. We talked about the important role the VA German Shepherd Rescue and their fosters play in the continued health and "re-homing" of German Shepherds not just in our area but throughout the country. We discussed their upcoming fundraiser, a golf tournament coming up on October 7 at Blue Ridge Shadows Golf Course and the ongoing need for hole sponsors and donations for their silent auction. For more details about participating as a golfer, you can email [email protected] or to become a sponsor, send an email to [email protected]. Details for the event can be found on their website by clicking here. Be sure to also LIKE them on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/VAGSR

We were joined in the studio for The Valley Today by Nadine Pottinga, President/CEO of United Way of Northern Shenandoah Valley to talk about their upcoming Day of Caring on September 14, their 2016 Campaign and the Rubbermaid Sale that happens tomorrow (and the last Saturday of every month) in the Belk parking lot at Apple Blossom Mall. We had a great conversation about the impact volunteers, sponsors and donors can make in our community - no matter how small the donation. Since 1946 the United Way of Northern Shenandoah Valley has worked to impact the community human care needs that matter most to the people of Clarke, Frederick, Shenandoah Counties and the City of Winchester. Through programs and community partnerships, they bring the community together to respond to local needs. Thanks to the support of local employees, corporations and individuals, they are able to provide grants in the critical need areas of Education, Income, and Health which are the building blocks for a good life. Your support helps United Way impact critical community needs.

• Local Department of Social Services, Salvation Army and other emergency assistance providers report that many young families, affected by economic conditions, are requesting food, shelter and utility assistance for the first time. In addition to grant support, United Way is working with local providers and the community to collect personal care items, diapers and informational material to help local families cope.
• Helping young people make positive choices is important. Many local agencies have had to reduce staff while facing continued demand for needed programs. United Way is working to facilitate collaborative efforts to allow agencies to work together to share programs and resources in order to meet the needs of our youth.
• Day Care for children, seniors and the disabled helps caregivers retain jobs and continue their educations…local daycare centers report that many working families have experiences salary and benefit reductions which has made it difficult to continue to afford day care service. United Way support helps subsidize the cost of needed day care service.
• Free Clinics provide health care and prescription programs to help families unable to afford needed health care. Local programs have experienced a 45% increase in demand for care. United Way is partnering with community groups to help secure trained volunteers to meet the need.
• Economic difficulties can result in domestic violence. It has been reported that the number of domestic violence court cases has increased dramatically and involves many first time offenders. United Way grant funding helps provide shelter and support for families in crisis.

We were joined in the studio for The Valley Today by Karen Helm to talk about the Patsy Cline Historic House and upcoming Patsy Cline Music Festival happening on Saturday, September 3rd. The event will kick off with a Block Party from 10am - 2pm at the historic house located at 608 S Kent Street in Winchester. Tours of the house during the block party will only be $5. The Saturday Night Shindig will kick off at 5pm with live music from Viva la Muerte, food vendors, wine & beer. The event takes place at Grove's Winchester Harley-Davidson, 140 Independence Drive in Winchester. For more details, visit the event wall on their Facebook page. For details about the Patsy Cline Historic House, visit their website: http://celebratingpatsycline.org/

We were joined in the studio for The Valley Business Today by Emily Buhl, Top of Virginia Regional Chamber & Steve Shafran, Chelsea Hutchison Foundation. We talked about the upcoming fundraiser, STOMP out Epilepsy & SUDEP on behalf of the Chelsea Hutchison Foundation. The event takes place on September 25th at Museum of the Shenandoah Valley. We also discussed the history of the non-profit, the effects of Epilepsy and SUDEP as well as how Steve's involvement in the chamber has helped to build his network to promote this worthy cause. For more details about the event, visit: http://www.chelseasstomp.org/

We were joined in the studio today by Tom Eshelman to talk about the 99th Annual Shenandoah County Fair that begins on Friday, August 26 and runs through Saturday, September 3. We talked about all the fun thing to do at the fair during it's 9-day run including Virginia's largest greased pig contest, Truck & Tractor Pull, 2 nights of Demolition Derby and harness racing. There are several new activities and attractions added this year: Vader Motorsports presents the Monster Truck Show and there's a diesel pick-up truck drag race on Sunday, August 28. Live entertainment happens every night with 2 headline acts: Scotty McCreery & Brothers Osborne. For more details, ticket information and a full schedule, visit their website: http://www.shencofair.com/

We were joined in the studio today by Shenandoah County Extension Agent, Carol Nansel and a few Shenandoah County 4-H competitors: Jake Coffey, Jacob French & Sarah Grace Schechtel. We talked about their upcoming competitions for the 4-H Livestock portion of the Shenandoah County Fair. They explained to us what's involved in raising, training and showing their animals in the fair competition as well as tips and tricks to placing well with the judges. The mission of the 4-H and FFA Show and Sale is to assist youth with premier leadership, personal growth, and career successes through encouraging improvement in the production, processing, and marketing of agriculture products while developing personal commitment and responsibility. In order to participate in this program, which culminates with 4-H/FFA Livestock Shows and a Sale at the Shenandoah County Fair, participants must be Shenandoah County residents who are enrolled in either 4-H or FFA by February 1 of the current year, and be at least 9 years old as of September 30, of the current year, but must not have reached their 19th birthday as of January 1, of the current year. There are some other very specific rules for participation. For more information about the 4-H portion of the Shenandoah County Fair, click here.

We were joined in the studio for The Valley Business Today by Dr. Miles Davis, Dean of the Harry F Byrd, Jr. School of Business and Professor of Management at Shenandoah University. He recently spent some time with his daughter on a kayak trip down the Shenandoah River and we discussed how life mirrors the river in it's navigation, ups and downs and offers guidance for how to persevere when all you really want to do is get out of the boat. It was a fun conversation with lots of insight.