The Valley Today

Janet Michael
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  • DOCUMENTARY
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The Valley Today

Each weekday, host Janet Michael hosts thirty minutes of conversation on topics such as tourism, business, events, healthcare, education, law enforcement, history, local government and more. Guests are recorded (mostly) in advance, some via computer and some in person. The conversations happen in local coffee shops, at local businesses, during local events. Local people making things happen in their community. The program airs just a few minutes after noon every weekday on The River 95.3 and Sports Radio 1450.

  1. Extension Master Gardeners Class of 2025

    22 HR. AGO

    Extension Master Gardeners Class of 2025

    In this episode of the Valley Today, host Janet Michael welcomes Joanne Royalty, an Extension Master Gardener and Program Associate with Frederick County Extension Office, along with Susan Matyuf and Brigette Grimm, both Extension Master Gardeners from the class of 2022. They gather to discuss the 2025 Master Gardener class and the impact it will have on the community. Susan talks about her journey of becoming a Master Gardener and why she decided to take on the mantle of organizing the upcoming class. Despite being relatively new, she felt confident due to her background in education and love for the gardening community in the Northern Shenandoah region. Brigette joins in to share how having a co-lead makes organizing the class easier. She mentions that Susan did most of the legwork, but the support from fellow gardeners and volunteers makes them confident about the success of the upcoming class. Joanne highlights the importance of rotating the Master Gardener classes across different localities for inclusivity. She reassures potential applicants that they don't need to know everything about gardening right away as the learning process is ongoing and community-oriented. Susan provides logistic details of the 2025 class, stating it will start on February 11th and run through May 8th, with meetings every Tuesday and Thursday evening. She emphasizes the hands-on nature of the program, including Saturday labs and various activities with experts. The conversation then moves to the application process. Brigette reminds listeners that although the 2025 class will be in Warren County, it's open to residents from surrounding counties. She also mentions that the application is due by January 10th and gives details about the class schedule and location. Janet and Susan discuss the in-depth application process, which includes background checks due to the public nature of their volunteer work. They also talk about the passion for gardening and volunteering as key motivations for joining the program. Brigette highlights the variety of volunteer activities available, from community events to maintaining gardens. Susan describes how the program has taught her correct gardening techniques and helped her become a better gardener. The episode wraps up with a discussion about the extensive resources available to Master Gardeners for research and the importance of educating the community about gardening practices and invasive species. Click here to learn more: https://nsvmga.org/join/

    24 min
  2. Community Health: Valley Health's EmPATH Unit

    1 DAY AGO

    Community Health: Valley Health's EmPATH Unit

    As part of a community health partnership with Valley Health, in this episode of the Valley Today, Janet Michael welcomes Karen Dorr, Senior Director of Behavioral Health at Valley Health, and Amanda Dondero, a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and Child and Adolescent Outpatient Behavioral Health Supervisor. The group discuss the new Valley Health Emergency Psychiatric Assessment, Treatment, and Healing (EmPATH) Unit at Winchester Medical Center.  The conversation centers around the purpose and function of the EmPATH unit, emphasizing its role in providing immediate care for individuals experiencing mental health crises in a therapeutic environment, rather than the general Emergency Department (ED). The discussion highlights how this new unit addresses the urgent mental health needs of patients by offering a calm and specialized space with therapists, psychiatrists, and nurses experienced in psychiatric care. Key points include the problematic nature of the ED for handling mental health crises, the legislative and financial support behind the inception of the EmPATH unit, and the significant shift of patients from the ED to the new unit. They also discuss the logistics of how patients access the EmPATH unit, the types of assessments conducted, and the coordination between inpatient and outpatient care. Karen and Janet delve into the broader community context, addressing the stigma of mental health treatment and advocating for proactive mental health care. Amanda adds insights on dealing with mental health issues in children and adolescents, underscoring the importance of early intervention and outpatient support.

    30 min
  3. Small Business Administration: Peter Bullough Foundation

    2 DAYS AGO

    Small Business Administration: Peter Bullough Foundation

    In this episode of The Valley Today, host Janet Michael sits down with co-host Carl Knoblock, Virginia District Director for the Small Business Administration, and guest Katie Mooney Buzby, Executive Director of The Peter Bullough Foundation to discuss a variety of topics related to the foundation's mission, programs, and impact. Katie shares the history and mission of the Peter Bullough Foundation, detailing its inception and Dr. Bullough's vision for saving civilization through the arts. She explains the foundation's activities, including preserving Dr. Bullough's extensive collection and hosting artist residencies that support both visiting and local artists. Carl highlights the importance of nonprofits operating with a business mindset to sustain their missions. He delves into the challenges nonprofits face, including the complexities of securing and managing grants, and stresses the need for long-term planning and community value. Katie discusses the foundation's evolution, including its various partnerships with local organizations and its focus on community engagement through workshops and events. She emphasizes the foundation's commitment to supporting emerging artists and educating them on the business aspects of their craft. The conversation also touches on the impact of art on the community, the importance of supporting living artists, and the role of art in education. Carl and Janet both highlight the necessity of marketing and scalability for artists to succeed, and Katie shares anecdotes about the foundation's success stories and collaborations. In closing, the guests discuss ways the community can support the Peter Bullough Foundation, whether through donations, attending workshops and events, or simply spreading the word. Katie provides the foundation's web address and social media information for those interested in learning more or getting involved.

    39 min
  4. Holiday Lights Guide, Christmas Wishes, & Events

    3 DAYS AGO

    Holiday Lights Guide, Christmas Wishes, & Events

    In this episode of The Valley Today, host Janet Michael welcomes Justin Kerns from the Winchester Frederick County Convention and Visitors Bureau to discuss holiday events and activities in Winchester.  Justin shares details about the success of Winchester Winter Village, highlighting clear weather, high turnout, and popular attractions like horse-and-carriage rides and seasonal shopping. They discuss the touching and sometimes humorous wishes left on the Wishing Tree, a community project that allows locals to write and pin their wishes on Christmas trees. They also talk about other festive activities, focusing primarily on holiday lights tours. Justin describes his family's tradition of mapping out the best holiday lights in the area, which he then shares in a blog (complete with a Google map) on the Visitor Center website. They mention the trolley tours, which have become increasingly popular, and other ongoing events like Belle Grove's holiday decorations and last-minute gift shopping opportunities at local gift shops. As the conversation progresses, Janet and Justin touch on New Year's Eve plans, including the Apple Blossom Festival's "Apple Drop" and the Shenandoah Valley Discovery Museum's "Noon Year's Eve" celebration for children. Towards the end, Janet emphasizes the importance of community support and kindness during the holiday season. The episode concludes with Justin expressing gratitude to all the volunteers and organizers who made the holiday events possible. Janet signs off with a note about upcoming episodes and a plug for voting for Olivia Hilton as Shenandoah County's Young Professional of the Year. Click here to vote.

    28 min
  5. The Caboose, SnowBusters, and Being Engaged in City Government

    4 DAYS AGO

    The Caboose, SnowBusters, and Being Engaged in City Government

    In this episode of The Valley Today, host Janet Michael welcomes Kit Redmer, the Communications Director for the City of Winchester. The discussion spans various topics, the positive feedback about the city's transportation initiative, WinReady. They acknowledge the collaborative effort of the Winchester team and celebrate the increase in ridership and mobility, highlighting the success and ongoing tweaks to the program. Transitioning to a unique subject, they discuss the relocation of a historical caboose to downtown Winchester, thanks to collaboration with the National Historical Railway Society. Kit elaborates on the logistics of the caboose's public opening and the city's encouragement of the society to open it frequently, reflecting the public's interest in the historical exhibit. The segment further delves into the city's collaborative efforts in organizing community events. Janet brings up the Apple Drop event on New Year’s Eve, in partnership with multiple organizations like the Apple Blossom Festival and local museums, aimed at making New Year's celebrations inclusive and exciting for all. Shifting focus, they discuss the SnowBusters program, a community volunteer initiative to help clear snow for residents who cannot do it themselves. Kit praises volunteers' efforts and shares the process for signing up, emphasizing the program's efficiency and community support. In the final segment, they explore various ways residents can actively participate and stay informed about city initiatives, from serving on committees and commissions to engaging with the city’s Civic Leadership Academy. Kit underscores the importance of community involvement and provides information on accessing resources and staying updated with city news. Learn more here: https://www.winchesterva.gov/Government/Departments/Communications

    26 min
  6. Local Author & FIlmmaker, Kerri Lane Mariano

    DEC 13

    Local Author & FIlmmaker, Kerri Lane Mariano

    In this episode of The Valley Today, host Janet Michael welcomes her guest, local author, artist, and film producer Kerri Lane Mariano. Kerri is the founder of the Mariano Art and Film Foundation. The conversation begins with Janet’s introduction of Kerri and a brief history of their long-standing acquaintance. Kerri shares her journey from her beginnings at Shenandoah University to becoming a filmmaker and author. She highlights her experience working on various projects, including the film "Santa Girl" and her latest (first) book, "The Gingerbread Games." Kerri discusses her inspirations and the process of turning her screenplay into her book, enriched with local settings and characters inspired by real people and personal experiences. They delve into the differences between scriptwriting and authoring a book, focusing on the depth and detail a book allows compared to a screenplay. Kerri shares some quirky family holiday traditions that influenced her writings and mentions her use of local landmarks and businesses in her stories to give them authenticity. They also touch upon Kerri's recent entry into various film and commercial contests, including one for Doritos, and her efforts to promote her book through local book signings. Kerri hints at her upcoming projects, including a romantic comedy and a thriller. Visit https://marianoaff.com/ for more information and follow her on Facebook to stay updated on future projects.

    23 min
  7. Dual Enrollment at Laurel Ridge Community College

    DEC 12

    Dual Enrollment at Laurel Ridge Community College

    In this episode of The Valley Today, host Janet Michael, welcomes Guy Curtis, Director of Marketing at Laurel Ridge Community College, and his guest Heather Burton, Interim Dean of Early College and High School Partnerships. The discussion centers around dual enrollment opportunities offered by Laurel Ridge Community College, which allow high school students to take college-level courses and earn college credits before graduating. Janet introduces the topic and her guests, who elaborate on dual enrollment, its benefits, and the various programs offered. Heather explains that the college has 154 dual enrollment instructors who help over 2,500 students across the service region. She shares her personal experience with dual enrollment and emphasizes its benefits, including saving time and money and achieving academic credentials early. The discussion also touches on the role of career coaches, who provide free services to help students plan their futures, explore careers, and prepare for college. Heather underscores the importance of working with career coaches and the various resources available, including free textbooks for dual enrollees at their high schools. Guy Curtis shares his perspective as a parent of two high school students, highlighting how dual enrollment helps in college readiness, cost savings, and academic planning. He underscores the importance of early planning and communication with career coaches and school counselors. Heather and Guy provide practical advice for parents and students on navigating dual enrollment, including the timeline for signing up for courses, the role of DE specialists, and the advantages of taking dual enrollment classes at high schools. The episode wraps up with information on how parents and students can access these resources and the upcoming informational sessions. Learn more: https://laurelridge.edu/dual-enrollment/

    26 min
  8. Top of Virginia Regional Chamber: Membership Has Its Benefits

    DEC 11

    Top of Virginia Regional Chamber: Membership Has Its Benefits

    In this episode of the Valley Today, host Janet Michael sits down with representatives from the Top of Virginia Regional Chamber to discuss various topics related to the chamber's activities and events. Janet is joined by Cynthia Schneider, CEO of the chamber, and Danita Roble, the Director of Membership. The discussion highlights various benefits of chamber membership, including diverse networking opportunities, marketing advantages, and the importance of building relationships within the business community. Programs mentioned include business after hours mixers, chamber community networking groups, and events like Chamber Day at the Capitol, all aimed at fostering connections and advocating for the region. Danita and Cynthia emphasize the chamber's non-partisan approach and its focus on educating members about legislative processes, advocating for regional needs, and encouraging civic engagement. Towards the end, they encourage listeners to nominate candidates for the Greater Good Awards, with the application process open until January 31, 2025. They provide insights into the selection process, ensuring it’s not a popularity contest but rather a thorough evaluation by past board members. Finally, Cynthia and Danita tease new events for 2025, such as the revival of the golf tournament to support a foundation scholarship fund and the re-introduction of the 'Wings and Wheels' event at the airport.  Learn more about Top of Virginia Regional Chamber membership benefits here: https://www.regionalchamber.biz/membership-benefits/

    31 min
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5
out of 5
8 Ratings

About

Each weekday, host Janet Michael hosts thirty minutes of conversation on topics such as tourism, business, events, healthcare, education, law enforcement, history, local government and more. Guests are recorded (mostly) in advance, some via computer and some in person. The conversations happen in local coffee shops, at local businesses, during local events. Local people making things happen in their community. The 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 - 2024
  • Episodes
    2K
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2023 The Valley Today
  • Show Website
    The Valley Today

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