Town Talk

CEO Rich Dalton with an introduction/update on VRE.  We talk about--Expanding the service, what happens if there's an emergency and you need to come back early or work late,  the impact the Long Bridge will have to overall rail service, and the return of the Step-Up option.

Erin Creighton (Assistant Branch Manager/Adult Services Dept. Head--Fredericksburg) and Darcie Caswell (Director of Youth Services) talk about the Fredericksburg Regional Spelling Bee, African American Read In, the 30th annual Johnny Johnson Teen Art Show and Self Sufficiency Skills.   librarypoint.org

Heidi DiEugenio and Nimali Fernando (Dr. Yum) with an update on the non-profit mission to help families and communities overcome the barriers to eating well.  Since COVID the Dr. Yum Project has gone from a local program to one that's in 40 states and leading national research.   But they're still involved in all kinds of local efforts.   dryum.org has lots of free resources in helping your kids eat healthy. And, there's a Casino Night fundraiser March 7th.

Special Olympics Virginia volunteer, coach, Area 11 Council committee member, Plunger and former intern Abby Farley talks about her commitment and how its changed her.   We talk about coaching needs and volunteer needs with the "Young Athletes" group.  State Basketball Championships this weekend in Henrico.   specialolympicsva.org

Michael Stebar and Elizabeth Johnson-Young talk about the six day slice of college coursework and campus life for high-schoolers July 13-19.   Open to rising high school sophomores, juniors and seniors.   Application deadline is March 21st. umw.edu/summer/sep

The Weather Channel's Richard Lewelling tells us why we likely won't see a big blizzard from this latest storm.  And, he says, it's possible we've seen the last of winter storms this season.   Snow long!

Anne Little--one of the founders of the Virginia Bluebird Society-- previews her Bluebird monitor training session on March 1 at the downtown library.   She talks about building the correct nestbox, the need for monitors, and resources: virginiabluebirds.org, NAbluebirdsociety.org, sialis.org

Dave Muraca and Allison Ellis talk about Presidents' Day at George Washington's boyhood home:  10-3.   Free parking on-site.   $5 for adults.  Kids 17 and under free.  kenmore.org

Executive Director Elizabeth McNally and Board President Troy Skebo talk about the impact Safe Harbor has on the region.  It's often referred to as a place and a process that gives a voice and healing to children victims of child abuse.  safeharborva.org

Gran and Gracie are grandmother and granddaughter.   They've written one book--with another being planned.   We talk with Gran--Theresa Payne of Spotsylvania. There's a book signing February 16th from noon to 4 at R & R Antiques at 1001 Caroline Street, downtown Fredericksburg. Gran and Gracie's Amazing Adventures can be purchased on Amazon and Barnes and Noble. Photo:  Johnny Leach