The Valley Today Janet Michael

Our conversation today features Andrew Shearer, President of Royal Broadcasting to talk about the significance of AM radio, its role in emergency management, and the potential threat of it being phased out from cars. Andrew passionately defends the importance of AM radio for emergency alerts, community service, and information dissemination. He also gives a bit of history for how and why AM radio stations exist. 
We discuss the challenges faced by AM stations, the essence of local community service in radio, and the impact of FM radio vs. AM. Andrew explains the legislative support for AM radio and the public's role in advocating for its preservation.
Click here to send an email to your legislator in support of AM radio. Learn more about AM radio: https://www.wearebroadcasters.com/dependonam/ 

Our conversation for Traffic Safety Thursday with Lt. Warren Gosnell from Frederick County Sheriff's Office gives some insight into the fallout from a crash like the one that happened on Interstate 81 this week. 

Lt. Gosnell talks about the difficult conversation family members should consider having with their elderly loved ones when it comes to their driving privileges. He also sympathizes with the bystanders/travelers who were caught up in the overflow traffic when diversion from I-81 began.
Lt. Gosnell also shares his frustration with "electronic rubberneckers" who held up traffic while trying to snap photos and take video of the accident and backups. He cautions against such acts particularly when they're posted on social media out of respect for families. Additionally, he reminds listeners that slow moving traffic is still moving, therefore you CANNOT have your phone in your hands.

Our conversation for The Valley Business Today - Front Royal/Warren County edition - with Niki Foster from Front Royal/Warren County Chamber of Commerce gives all the details for the 36th Annual Virginia Wine & Craft Festival happening in downtown Front Royal on Saturday, May 18, 2024 from 11am - 6pm.
We talk about the logistics, preparations, and experiences related to organizing the festival including the history of the event, volunteer involvement, the admission process, vendor experiences, and the importance of supporting local businesses. Niki also highlights the music lineup, kids' activities, VIP ticket benefits, and the overall community impact.
Learn more (and purchase tickets) about the 36th Annual Virginia Wine & Craft Festival on their website: http://www.wineandcraftfestival.com 

Our conversation today featured Sara Beth Hayes, Market Manager for the Clarke County Farmer's Market and Turner Kobayashi from Audley Farm to discuss the opening of the Clark County Farmer's Market on May 4, 2024.
Sara Beth & Turner talk about the market's history, vendors, new additions, activities, sponsorships, and community involvement. They highlight the variety of vendors, local support, flexible vendor options, and community events planned for the market season. There is a focus on family-friendly activities, live music, pet-friendly atmosphere, and engagement with the local community.
The Clarke County Farmer's Market is open every Saturday from 8am - 12pm at 317 W. Main Street in Berryville from May through October.
Learn more on their website: http://www.clarkecountyfarmersmarket.com/ and follow them on Facebook.
 

Our conversation today with Tyler Hinkle, Shenandoah County's Planner is part of an ongoing series following the work on Shenandoah 2045 - Shenandoah County's comprehensive plan. The planning process will unfold over the course of four years with the majority of the community collaboration occurring from 2020-2022, with input in 2023-2024.
Joining Tyler today was McKenzie Allen, an associate planner with Shenandoah County. The pair discuss various aspects of the planning process, including updates on the plan, public engagement, citizen involvement, challenges faced, exciting aspects of the plan, education on easements, community preservation, future implementation steps, and timelines for finalizing the plan. Tyler and McKenzie share insights and experiences regarding the planning process, the importance of community engagement, and the balance between development and preserving the rural character of Shenandoah County.
They highlight the efforts to create a plan that aligns with the community's vision while addressing concerns and incorporating feedback from various stakeholders. Tyler also emphasizes the need for active participation from the community, provides information on accessing the draft plan on the county's website, and encourages individuals to engage in the public hearing process to express their opinions and support for the plan.
You can view the entire plan in various forms, and learn more about the planning process, on their website: https://shenandoahcountyva.us/future and follow them on Facebook.
You can listen to previous conversations with Tyler about Shenandoah 2045 by clicking here.

Our conversation today featured author, Peter Malone Elliott to discuss his debut novel, "Blue Ridge," and his journey as a writer.
Peter explains various aspects of the book, including character development, plot twists, research process, and inspiration behind the story. He shares insights into his writing process, experiences, and upcoming projects. The discussion touches on themes like family influence, storytelling, and the art of writing fiction. It concludes with details about an upcoming book signing event at Winchester Book Gallery on Saturday, May 4, 2024, between 2pm - 4pm, and Peter's future plans for writing.
Learn more about Peter on his website: https://www.pmelliott.com/ and follow him on Instagram. You can pick up his book now at Winchester Book Gallery or order it from them online by clicking here.