The Valley Today

Janet Michael
  • 5.0 (9)
  • Documentary
  • Updated Daily

The Valley Today is a radio show and podcast dedicated to shining a light on the vibrant community leaders and local events that make the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia truly special. Insightful conversations, engaging stories, and event details connect listeners with the heart and soul of the valley, showcasing its unique culture, initiatives, and people. Guests are recorded (mostly) in advance in local coffee shops, at local businesses, and during local events. The radio program airs just a few minutes after noon every weekday on The River 95.3 and Sports Radio 1450.

  1. 2d ago

    Hot Dog Crawls and Civil War Relics

    The Dawg Days of Summer Hot Dog Crawl sold out its very first year — over 3,000 hot dogs, a live band, temporary (and a few permanent) tattoos, and fans who flew in from as far as Chicago. Janet Michael sits down in the Secret Garden behind the Espresso Bar with Brady Cloven, Executive Director of Friends of Old Town, for their monthly Old Town check-in, then welcomes Jack Owens, Director of Land Preservation for the Shenandoah Valley Battlefields Foundation, for the rest of the conversation. Brady recaps the hot dog crawl's surprise success and previews a packed September on the Old Town Walking Mall — First Friday, Fiddles & Fifths, Celebracion, and a helicopter-themed block party with the Shenandoah Valley Discovery Museum. Then Jack takes listeners inside the Shenandoah Valley Civil War Museum — the 1840s courthouse turned museum on the Loudoun Street Mall — with the story of how it came to be, what's new on display, and why it's about to get a whole lot bigger. LINKS & RESOURCES Friends of Old Town — friendsofoldtown.org (community events calendar) Friends of Old Town on Facebook and Instagram  Shenandoah Valley Battlefields Foundation — shenandoahatwar.org Shenandoah Valley Battlefields National Historic District on Facebook and Instagram Shenandoah Valley Civil War Museum, Old Courthouse, Loudoun Street Mall — $12/adult, free for ages 17 and under, free for Winchester and Frederick County residents with ID. Open Mon–Sat 10 AM–5 PM, Sun 1–5 PM. Winchester Tales book series by Mike Robinson THE VALLEY TODAY with Janet Michael — A decade of conversations. New podcast episodes drop weekdays at 11 AM. Catch the show on The River 95.3 and Fox Sports 1450 AM weekdays just after noon. Subscribe and listen at thevalleytodaypodcast.com — available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and wherever you get your podcasts. If you enjoy the show, please take a moment to leave a rating or review — it helps more listeners find us. Connect with us: Facebook — facebook.com/ValleyTodayFanPage Instagram — instagram.com/thevalleytoday

    Hot Dog Crawls and Civil War Relics

  2. 3d ago

    Kids, Cranes, and Helicopters

    There's a helicopter on its way to downtown Winchester right now — and it's landing on a rooftop. Janet sits down with Dawn Devine, Tammy Stevenson, and Taylor Wilmoth of the Shenandoah Valley Discovery Museum to talk about the museum's boldest exhibit yet: a real helicopter, craned onto the Sky Level rooftop, that kids will be able to climb into and "fly." From the four-year journey to get city approval, to the September 21st block party where the community can watch the helicopter get lifted into place, to the September 26th "Passport to Discovery" gala where grown-ups get the first look — this episode covers how a wild idea turned into a hands-on, ADA-accessible, community-funded exhibit built to give kids a perspective on flight most of them will never otherwise get. Plus: what else is happening on that rooftop, who's footing the bill, and why the helicopter isn't even leaving anytime soon. EVENT DETAILS Soar & Explore Block Party — Helicopter Rooftop Lift Date: Monday, September 21 Time: 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM Location: Loudoun Street walking mall area, downtown Winchester (museum and adjacent street closed) Cost: Free to attend (block party portion) Presented with: Friends of Old Town Highlights: Helicopter craned onto the rooftop (expected ~10:30–10:45 AM), vendors and kids' activities on the walking mall, guest speakers (crane company representative, an airport/aviation guest, a wildfire-response helicopter speaker), a Valley Health helicopter flyover, and a DJ-hosted dance party Note: The museum's exterior rooftop area is expected to remain closed to the public into October while ADA-accessibility and structural work is completed "Passport to Discovery" Gala Date: Saturday, September 26 Location: Shenandoah Valley Discovery Museum Dress: Encouraged "travel" attire — think favorite destination or dream trip Highlights: First opportunity to see the helicopter up close; food and drink stationed by floor; live band; silent/live auction (auction opens online September 12, ahead of the gala) Tickets & Auction: Available now at discoverymuseum.net THE VALLEY TODAY with Janet Michael — A decade of conversations. New podcast episodes drop weekdays at 11 AM. Catch the show on The River 95.3 and Fox Sports 1450 AM weekdays just after noon. Subscribe and listen at thevalleytodaypodcast.com — available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and wherever you get your podcasts. If you enjoy the show, please take a moment to leave a rating or review — it helps more listeners find us. Connect with us: Facebook — facebook.com/ValleyTodayFanPage Instagram — instagram.com/thevalleytoday

    Kids, Cranes, and Helicopters

  3. 4d ago

    Hob Nob in the Valley

    Hob Nob in the Valley is back — and it's still the most refreshingly nonpartisan political event you'll attend all year. Host Janet Michael sits down with Cynthia Schneider (CEO) and Taylor Coumes (Director of Event Management) from the Top of Virginia Regional Chamber, along with Brandon Lorey, President and CEO of Bank of Clarke, the event's presenting sponsor, to preview this year's Hob Nob happening Thursday, September 10th at Chilly Hollow Brewing Company. They dig into the 20-plus-year history behind the event, why barbecue and beer make for better civic conversation than a podium ever could, what a ticket actually gets you, and how the Chamber's Public Policy Committee works to connect small businesses with the legislators shaping their future. Whether you're a candidate, a curious neighbor, or just someone who wants to meet your elected officials somewhere other than the grocery store, this episode has everything you need to know before you register. EVENT DETAILS Event: Hob Nob in the Valley, presented by Bank of Clarke Date: Thursday, September 10, 2026 Time: 5:30 PM – 8:30 PM Location: Chilly Hollow Brewing Company, Clarke County, VA Presenting Sponsor: Bank of Clarke Food: All-you-can-eat barbecue from beef raised on Chilly Hollow's own farm, plus custom salads; cash bar for beer/wine Pricing: Candidate / political party / government agency table: $35 (includes a 6-foot table, chair, and event admission) Exhibitor booth — Chamber members: $100 Exhibitor booth — non-members: $150 General admission — Chamber members: $50 General admission — non-members: $60  Registration: Top of Virginia Regional Chamber website → Signature Events → Hob Nob in the Valley → Register as a guest Open to all: Not a members-only event — nonprofits, government agencies, and community members are welcome; early registration requested for catering counts LINKS & RESOURCES Top of Virginia Regional Chamber — regionalchamber.biz Hob Nob in the Valley event page — regionalchamber.biz/hob-nob-in-the-valley Bank of Clarke — bankofclarke.bank THE VALLEY TODAY with Janet Michael — A decade of conversations. New podcast episodes drop weekdays at 11 AM. Catch the show on The River 95.3 and Fox Sports 1450 AM weekdays just after noon. Subscribe and listen at thevalleytodaypodcast.com — available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and wherever you get your podcasts. If you enjoy the show, please take a moment to leave a rating or review — it helps more listeners find us. Connect with us: Facebook — facebook.com/ValleyTodayFanPage Instagram — instagram.com/thevalleytoday

    Hob Nob in the Valley

  4. 5d ago

    Exploring New Market

    New Market is having a moment — a new gelato shop is moving in, a grab-and-go cafe is on the way, and a furniture store is still going strong after 37 years. It's Shenandoah County Tourism Tuesday, and host Janet Michael catches up with Kary Haun from Shenandoah County Tourism, Savannah Smith from the Town of New Market, and Karla Kokkonen from The Home Store. From the soon-to-open Battlefield Gelato Shop to the Home Store's decades of family history and New Market's packed fall festival calendar, this episode is full of reasons to plan a trip. Grab your walking shoes — and maybe save room for gelato. Links & Resources Shenandoah County Tourism — visitshenandoahcounty.com Town of New Market — https://www.newmarketvirginia.com/  The Home Store — rhomestore.com  THE VALLEY TODAY with Janet Michael — A decade of conversations. New podcast episodes drop weekdays at 11 AM. Catch the show on The River 95.3 and Fox Sports 1450 AM weekdays just after noon. Subscribe and listen at thevalleytodaypodcast.com — available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and wherever you get your podcasts. If you enjoy the show, please take a moment to leave a rating or review — it helps more listeners find us. Connect with us: Facebook — facebook.com/ValleyTodayFanPage Instagram — instagram.com/thevalleytoday

    Exploring New Market

  5. 6d ago

    Keeping Seniors Independent

    When Juli Ferrell's own mother could no longer drive herself to doctor's appointments, a low-cost transportation service called WellTran became a lifeline — now, just three weeks into her new role as Executive Director of Seniors First, Juli is bringing that same personal understanding to an organization that serves thousands of seniors across the Northern Shenandoah Valley. Janet sits down with Juli at the Seniors First offices in Front Royal to unpack everything the organization does — Meals on Wheels, WellTran transportation, senior centers, Medicare counseling, and scam prevention — across six jurisdictions. They talk food insecurity, an aging-population wave headed for Virginia by 2030, and how the upcoming Valley Venture Scavenger Hunt fundraiser could help shrink Meals on Wheels wait lists. Whether you or a loved one might need these services someday, or you're just looking for a new way to give back locally, this is a great primer on a nonprofit quietly doing a lot of heavy lifting. LINKS & RESOURCES Seniors First: seniorsfirst.info Seniors First on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn (search "Seniors First") Valley Venture Scavenger Hunt — Saturday, October 17; $30/person, teams of two or more, all six jurisdictions; ends with a barbecue and basket auction in Warren County THE VALLEY TODAY with Janet Michael — A decade of conversations. New podcast episodes drop weekdays at 11 AM. Catch the show on The River 95.3 and Fox Sports 1450 AM weekdays just after noon. Subscribe and listen at thevalleytodaypodcast.com — available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and wherever you get your podcasts. If you enjoy the show, please take a moment to leave a rating or review — it helps more listeners find us. Connect with us: Facebook — facebook.com/ValleyTodayFanPage Instagram — instagram.com/thevalleytoday

    Keeping Seniors Independent

  6. Aug 21

    More Than a Meal

    NW Works is throwing its 11th annual Farm to Table dinner on September 12th — and for the first time in years, tickets to the general admission event are still available. Janet talks with communications coordinator Morgan McIntosh and CFO Todd Devine about what makes this Middletown street dinner one of the valley's most beloved fundraisers, from the locally sourced menu to the neighbors-turned-business-partners sitting elbow to elbow at the table. Beyond the wine, live music, and farm-fresh food, Morgan and Todd dig into the real mission behind the event: NW Works' employment services for people with disabilities. They explain how the nonprofit works alongside employers and employees alike to build lasting, successful job placements — plus a new way to sponsor a seat at the table for one of their own team members. Listen in for ticket details, event logistics, and a closer look at why this dinner means so much more than a meal. EVENT DETAILS Event: 11th Annual Farm to Table, hosted by NW Works Date: Saturday, September 12 Time: 4:00 PM – 6:30 PM Location: Church Street, Middletown, VA Cost: $100 for general admission Tickets: Available at nwworks.com (VIP reception is sold out; general admission still available) THE VALLEY TODAY with Janet Michael — A decade of conversations. New podcast episodes drop weekdays at 11 AM. Catch the show on The River 95.3 and Fox Sports 1450 AM weekdays just after noon. Subscribe and listen at thevalleytodaypodcast.com — available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and wherever you get your podcasts. If you enjoy the show, please take a moment to leave a rating or review — it helps more listeners find us. Connect with us: Facebook — facebook.com/ValleyTodayFanPage Instagram — instagram.com/thevalleytoday

    More Than a Meal

  7. Aug 20

    Top 15 in the Nation

    It's Community Health Day, and Janet sat down with Dr. Nick Restrepo, Valley Health's Chief Quality and Patient Safety Officer, to unpack some huge news: Valley Health has just been named one of the nation's top 15 health systems by Modern Healthcare and Premier Inc. Dr. Restrepo breaks down what the award actually measures, why it took five years of data (not a lucky year) to earn it, and why he insists the real winners are the people at the bedside — not the administration. Along the way, they talk about new facilities on the way, a remarkable jump in employee engagement, and the sobering reality of violence against healthcare workers. It's a conversation about what "top 15 in the country" really means for the patients walking through Valley Health's doors right here in the Shenandoah Valley. THE VALLEY TODAY with Janet Michael — A decade of conversations. New podcast episodes drop weekdays at 11 AM. Catch the show on The River 95.3 and Fox Sports 1450 AM weekdays just after noon. Subscribe and listen at thevalleytodaypodcast.com — available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and wherever you get your podcasts. If you enjoy the show, please take a moment to leave a rating or review — it helps more listeners find us. Connect with us: Facebook — facebook.com/ValleyTodayFanPage Instagram — instagram.com/thevalleytoday

    Top 15 in the Nation

  8. Aug 19

    Feeding Our Elders

    With National Senior Citizens Day landing this Friday, Janet sits down with Les Sinclair, Communications and PR Manager for the Blue Ridge Area Food Bank, to talk about a group that's too often overlooked in the conversation about hunger: our senior citizens. About one in five people the food bank serves are seniors living on fixed incomes that just can't keep pace with rising gas, housing, and grocery prices — and in a rural region like the Shenandoah Valley, that's compounded by isolation, limited public transportation, and a shortage of nearby grocery stores. Les breaks down the numbers behind the need — including a record-setting year for the food bank — and walks through the specific programs built for seniors, from Reach Boxes to the USDA's Commodity Supplemental Food Program. He also digs into why so many eligible seniors never apply for SNAP benefits, the added strain on grandparents raising grandchildren, and how the "Food is Medicine" approach helps people manage chronic illness through better nutrition. It's a conversation full of practical ways to help, whether that's your time, your dollars, or your voice. LINKS & RESOURCES Blue Ridge Area Food Bank — brafb.org Advocacy resources — brafb.org/act-now Blue Ridge Area Food Bank on Facebook and Instagram  THE VALLEY TODAY with Janet Michael — A decade of conversations. New podcast episodes drop weekdays at 11 AM. Catch the show on The River 95.3 and Fox Sports 1450 AM weekdays just after noon. Subscribe and listen at thevalleytodaypodcast.com — available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and wherever you get your podcasts. If you enjoy the show, please take a moment to leave a rating or review — it helps more listeners find us. Connect with us: Facebook — facebook.com/ValleyTodayFanPage Instagram — instagram.com/thevalleytoday

    Feeding Our Elders
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5
out of 5
9 Ratings

About

The Valley Today is a radio show and podcast dedicated to shining a light on the vibrant community leaders and local events that make the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia truly special. Insightful conversations, engaging stories, and event details connect listeners with the heart and soul of the valley, showcasing its unique culture, initiatives, and people. Guests are recorded (mostly) in advance in local coffee shops, at local businesses, and during local events. The radio program airs just a few minutes after noon every weekday on The River 95.3 and Sports Radio 1450.

Information

  • Creator
    Janet Michael
  • Years Active
    2018 - 2026
  • Episodes
    2.1K
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2025 The Valley Today
  • Show Website
    The Valley Today