The Valley Today

Episodios

• 
  Less Than Two Minutes 12.10.2026 27m

  If a fire started in your home tonight, you might have less than two minutes to get out, and Deb Fleming wants to make sure you spend those minutes getting out instead of grabbing your laptop. Janet Michael sat down with Deb, Executive Director of the Greater Shenandoah Valley Chapter of the American Red Cross, in the Secret Garden at the Espresso Bar on the Old Town Walking Mall to talk about home fire season, which runs from now through March as furnaces, space heaters, and fireplaces come back on. Deb shares simple, budget-friendly steps that save lives: working smoke alarms on every level and in every bedroom, sleeping with your bedroom door closed, and an escape plan with a meeting place that everyone in the house has practiced. She also explains how to plan for kids, pets, and family members with mobility needs, why yellowed smoke alarms need to go, and how to get free alarms installed by the Red Cross. Plus, a space heater story you won't forget and a pillowcase trick you'll want to try tonight. Listen, then take a walk through your own home. LINKS & RESOURCES American Red Cross: redcross.org Red Cross home fire safety tips: redcross.org/get-help/how-to-prepare-for-emergencies/types-of-emergencies/fire.html To request a free smoke alarm installation or home fire safety visit: call 1-800-RED-CROSS (1-800-733-2767) Deb's home fire safety tips (as promised on air): Install working smoke alarms on every level of your home and in every bedroom, near the kitchen but not in it. Test your alarms. Replace any alarm more than 10 years old (a yellowed alarm is a sign it's time). Sleep with your bedroom door closed. Make an escape plan with two ways out of every room, and make sure your windows open. Pick a meeting place outside and practice your plan with everyone in the home, including kids and anyone with mobility or sensory needs. Give kids a job: get out, wait for the firefighters, and tell them who or what is still inside. Know where your pets hide when the alarm sounds so you can tell the fire department. Don't go back in. If an alarm keeps going off and you can't find the cause, call your fire department's non-emergency number. Don't overload outlets or plug space heaters into power strips. Check for loose plugs and burn marks. Never leave candles burning unattended, and blow them out before bed. Don't smoke in bed. Put hot ashes and cigarette butts in a metal container away from the house. Clear clutter. It blocks your way out and fuels a fire. Keep important phone numbers written down somewhere other than your phone. Keep the things you'd grab in a pillowcase by the bed, and important papers in a fire safe. 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
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  Frederick County's School Tax Referendum 09.10.2026 19m

  Frederick County voters will see a school sales tax question on their ballot this November, and here's what it actually does. Janet Michael sits down with Frederick County Administrator Mike Bollhoefer and Frederick County Public Schools Superintendent Dr. George Hummer to walk through the up-to-1% sales tax referendum on the November 3 general election ballot (early voting is already underway). Mike explains what a "yes" vote would authorize, what the money can and can't be used for, and why your grocery bill won't be affected. Dr. Hummer breaks down the school division's capital improvement plan: crowded middle schools, high schools running above capacity, and two 1970s-era elementary schools still built around the old open-classroom design. They also cover revenue projections, what happens if the measure doesn't pass, and where to find the facts before you vote. If you live in Frederick County and want the nuts and bolts before you head to the polls, this one's for you. LINKS & RESOURCES Frederick County referendum information hub: fcva.us/referendum Frederick County Government: fcva.us Frederick County Public Schools Capital Improvements Plan (CIP): frederickcountyschoolsva.net/about/cip Frederick County Public Schools: frederickcountyschoolsva.net Dr. George Hummer, by email: [email protected] City of Winchester (for information on Winchester's separate school referendum): winchesterva.gov/Government/Budget-Financials/1-for-Schools
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  Your Backyard College Experience 08.10.2026 25m

  Think you have to go away to a four-year university to get the "real" college experience? Think again. On this Laurel Ridge Community College episode, Janet Michael and Director of Marketing Guy Curtis are joined by John Owens, coordinator of Student Life & Engagement, and student ambassadors Adam Gagnon and Alyssah Rodgers to bust one of the biggest myths about community college. Adam shares how he went from a homeschooled kid who thought he was an introvert to a student leader who loves talking with people, and Alyssah explains how the Student Leadership Series and her work-study job are preparing her for a future in theater. John walks through how anyone can start a club with five friends and a sponsor, and how the new humanities club is pooling its fundraising for a trip to New York City. He also gives an early heads-up on this spring's Follies. Plus, the mystery bus, Phi Theta Kappa, and the Fall Open House at the Middletown campus. If you're a student, a parent, or thinking about going back to school, this one shows you what's waiting right in your own backyard. LINKS & RESOURCES Laurel Ridge Student Life & Engagement — laurelridge.edu/studentlife Email Student Life — [email protected] Laurel Ridge Fall Open House — laurelridge.edu/openhouse Laurel Ridge Community College — laurelridge.edu 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
• 
  Buzzing About Business 07.10.2026 27m

  What if the tasks keeping you up at night could just… take care of themselves? On this Valley Business Today, recorded in the lobby of the Front Royal Warren County Chamber of Commerce, Janet Michael and Chamber President Niki Foster sit down with Joe Peters, owner of Buzzy Work Pro, a Front Royal company built to handle the "anything admin" work small business owners never seem to get to. Joe explains how his team helps local businesses with automation, websites, marketing, and SEO without the cost of a full-time hire. He also shares the story of the flip phone they automated, and why a small local business shouldn't want to go viral. Niki gives a sneak peek at the Chamber's upcoming rebrand and runs down what's ahead this fall, from Business After Hours and Hometown Halloween to the Strike Up Some Fun bowling night and the Christmas parade. If you've ever thought "there has to be an easier way," this one's for you. LINKS & RESOURCES Buzzy Work Pro — buzzyworkpro.com Front Royal Warren County Chamber of Commerce — frontroyalchamber.com (LeadShare, Business After Hours, Strike Up Some Fun registration, Christmas parade applications) 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
• 
  The Tourism–Economy Connection 06.10.2026 27m

  Small business is economic development, and Frederick County's new economic development director is ready to plant her flag on that hill. For Tourism Tuesday, Winchester-Frederick County edition, Janet Michael and Justin Kerns sit out back at the Visitor Center with Amanda Killen, the new Director of the Frederick County Economic Development Authority, just four weeks into the job. Amanda shares her path from serial entrepreneur and Main Street director in Tazewell (on a $25,000 budget that included her own salary) to consulting for communities across the country. She explains why the county's 2,000-plus existing businesses deserve as much support as the big employers, and what's coming next: listening sessions, an incentive package, and a new Small Business Development Center satellite office at the EDA. Justin tells the story of a big employer lost to bad customer service, shares what tourism is worth to every local household, and announces a new agritourism leadership and advisory group. And yes, FredCo Eats lives on. If you own a business, work at one, or just love where you live, this one's for you. LINKS & RESOURCES Winchester-Frederick County Convention & Visitors Bureau (events calendar under the Events tab): visitwinchesterva.com Frederick County Economic Development Authority: yesfrederickva.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
• 
  Bringing Dolly's Books to Clarke County 05.10.2026 24m

  Imagine a preschooler racing to the mailbox every month, shouting, "It's my book day!" Janet Michael sits down with Beth Williams, Executive Director of the Clarke County Education Foundation, to talk about the foundation's push to bring Dolly Parton's Imagination Library back to every child from birth to age five in Clarke County. Beth shares how a September "Dolly Day" kickoff and two generous gifts put the foundation within reach of its $50,000 goal, what it costs to send a child a free book every month, and why she's set on making the program last for years. She also explains how the foundation has quietly backed Clarke County Public Schools for 35 years, from scholarships to same-week grants that keep teachers from paying out of their own pockets, and shares how you can get involved, from this Friday's golf scramble to next spring's gala. If you love books, kids, or a good small-town success story, this one's for you. LINKS & RESOURCES Clarke County Education Foundation website: ccefinc.org Email Beth Williams: [email protected] Clarke County Education Foundation on Facebook: facebook.com/ClarkeCountyEducationFoundation Dolly Parton's Imagination Library: imaginationlibrary.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
• 
  Parks, Programs, and Progress 02.10.2026 42m

  A rooftop tennis complex on top of a free parking garage at Jim Barnett Park? It's a real proposal, and Winchester Parks Director Chris Konyar is here to walk through the facts. Janet Michael sits down with Chris at Jim Barnett Park for their regular check-in on everything happening at Winchester's parks this fall and holiday season. Chris shares what's ahead on the calendar: Spooky Fun on October 16, the Holiday Parade application deadline, and a Veterans Appreciation ceremony at the park's war memorials. He also covers youth basketball, the indoor golf simulator, swim lessons, and the results of the city's aquatics feasibility study. Then he explains Shenandoah University's proposal to build a 300-space parking garage with tennis courts on the roof: who pays, who manages it, and what happens next. If you've heard the rumors, listen to get the facts straight from the parks director. EVENT DETAILS Native Plant Festival: Saturday, October 3, 10 AM–2 PM, Audubon Arboretum, Jim Barnett Park. Free. Native plants for sale, educational booths, kids' activities, and food from Chick-fil-A. Spooky Fun: Friday, October 16, 5:30–8 PM, Jim Barnett Park (War Memorial Building and grounds). Free admission. Costume contest with prizes, trick-or-treating, touch-a-truck, inflatables, crafts, and food trucks. Boo Bundles (s'mores at the fire pits) are $5 if you pre-register and more at the door, while supplies last. Halloween Cookie Decorating Class: Wednesday, October 28. Holiday Parade application deadline: Monday, November 2. Applications are on the Parks & Recreation website, with a small registration fee. Veterans Appreciation: Friday, November 6, 11 AM ceremony at the war memorials in Jim Barnett Park, followed by lunch for veterans in the social hall. Winchester Holiday Parade: Monday, November 30 (the Monday after Thanksgiving), downtown Winchester, ending with the Christmas tree lighting in Old Town. LINKS & RESOURCES Winchester Parks & Recreation: winchesterva.gov/Parks-Recreation Park events calendar: winchesterva.gov/Parks-Recreation/Park-Events Native Plant Festival: winchesterva.gov/News-Happenings/Events/Native-Plant-Festival Park Advisory Board agendas (including the SU Parking Garage/Tennis Court Proposal in the September 28 packet): winchesterva.gov, under Public Meetings 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
• 
  E-Bikes on the Roadway 01.10.2026 29m

  That new e-bike in the driveway can hit 20 miles an hour, and Captain Warren Gosnell wants parents to think hard about what that means on a road shared with 6,000-pound SUVs. It's Public Safety Thursday, and Janet Michael is live in the studio with Captain Gosnell of the Frederick County Sheriff's Office for his monthly visit, starting with stories from his 15th-anniversary trip to Las Vegas and a driver who tried to pass him twice on the way in. Then they get into e-bikes, e-cycles, scooters, and other electric rides. Captain Gosnell explains what Virginia law says, why the rules can be hard to enforce, and why Frederick County is working on a local ordinance. He also walks through a simple example of reaction time and speed that shows how fast things go wrong at an intersection. Along the way you'll learn the difference between an "unposted" road and an "unmarked" one. If you have a child on an e-bike, or you're thinking about buying one, this conversation is worth your 30 minutes. LINKS & RESOURCES Frederick County Sheriff's Office: fcva.us/departments/sheriff-s-office Code of Virginia § 46.2-100 (definitions of electric power-assisted bicycles, mopeds, and motorcycles): law.lis.virginia.gov/vacode/title46.2/chapter1/section46.2-100/ Code of Virginia, Title 46.2, Chapter 8, Article 12 (bicycles and e-bikes on the road): law.lis.virginia.gov/vacodefull/title46.2/chapter8/article12/ 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
• 
  Out of the Darkness 30.09.2026 29m

  A hula lesson, a string of honor beads, and a moment where you realize you are not alone — the Out of the Darkness Community Walk packs all of that into a single Saturday morning at Sherando Park. Janet Michael sits down at the Espresso Bar on the Old Town Walking Mall with returning guests Patricia Brewer and Mandy Foxley, co-chairs of the Stephens City walk, to talk about this year's event on October 10 and the community that has grown up around it. Mandy shares her own story of making it through to the other side and finding the walk through, of all things, a Facebook ad. Patricia and Mandy explain the bead colors and sand ceremony, the memorial photos along the walking path, and why nobody has to finish the walk (or even start it) to belong there. They also cover what the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention funds, this year's $85,000 goal, a tattoo-shop fundraiser, the traveling HOPE sign, and a brand-new AFSP Virginia license plate that needs 400 sign-ups. If suicide has touched your life in any way, this conversation is a reminder that there's a place for you. EVENT DETAILS Out of the Darkness Community Walk – Stephens City, presented by the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) Date: Saturday, October 10, 2026 Location: Sherando High School and Sherando Park, Stephens City, VA Registration/check-in: 9 AM Opening ceremony: 10 AM, followed by the walk (a little over a mile) and closing ceremony; usually wraps up by noon Cost: Free to register, online in advance or on walk day Fundraising: Optional but encouraged; raise or donate $150 to earn a walk T-shirt, with more incentive tiers at $250 and $500. Fundraising stays open through the end of the year. All ages welcome: kids' area, the Glimmer Station, community resource tables, and hula lessons before the walk. You don't have to walk to take part. Website: afsp.org/stephenscity LINKS & RESOURCES Stephens City Out of the Darkness Walk (register, donate, contact the co-chairs): afsp.org/stephenscity Find an Out of the Darkness walk elsewhere in Virginia: afsp.org/virginia American Foundation for Suicide Prevention: afsp.org Facebook: Stephens City Out of the Darkness AFSP Virginia license plate: details and sign-up on the walk's Facebook page or at the walk 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: call or text 988, available 24/7 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 Camping 29.09.2026 26m

  A haunted trail, campsites decked out for Halloween, and Yogi Bear himself — fall at Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park in Luray is a lot more than pitching a tent. On this Luray-Page County edition of Tourism Tuesday, Janet Michael and Gina Hilliard of the Luray-Page County Chamber of Commerce welcome general manager Bryan Fykes — better known around the park as "Ranger Bryan" — to talk about one of Page County's most popular places to stay and play. Ranger Bryan walks through every way to visit, from day passes and pup tents to deluxe cabins and a five-bedroom house that families book for Thanksgiving. He shares the park's history, how it's coming back stronger after a fire this summer, and how locals can join in on the haunted trail this October. Gina looks back on her first job at the park as a teenager, and wraps up with the chamber's fall calendar — Women in Business trivia, a Golf Classic that funds local scholarships, and a 2027 trip to Croatia. Stick around for the bear puns alone. LINKS & RESOURCES Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park, Luray: campluray.com Jellystone Park (all locations nationwide): campjellystone.com Jellystone Park Luray on Facebook: facebook.com/JellystoneLuray Luray-Page County Chamber of Commerce: luraypagechamber.com Also mentioned — Luray-Page County Chamber events: Women in Business Trivia Night — Wednesday, September 30, Coal Ridge Brewery, Stanley  4th Annual Chamber Golf Classic — Wednesday, October 14, Caverns Country Club, Luray; benefits scholarships for Luray High School and Page County High School seniors attending Laurel Ridge Community College Chamber Trip to Croatia — departs March 11, 2027; contact the chamber office for details 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
• 
  Unstuck 28.09.2026 30m

  "I was stuck. You guys unstuck me." That's what one participant told Winchester CCAP Executive Director Andrea Cosans, and it's the heart of THRIVE, a new two-year program helping local families move from constant crisis to real self-sufficiency. Janet sits down at CCAP with Andrea and Jordan Hurley, Executive Assistant at Connected Communities, to talk about how four local nonprofits are joining forces to offer therapy, mentoring, case management, and job training all in one place. You'll hear how THRIVE grew from a $1,000 pilot into a full partnership, why therapy comes first, and the stories of past participants who now have steady jobs, their own businesses, and rebuilt family relationships. Andrea and Jordan also explain who's a good fit, how referrals work, and why helping one parent can change things for a whole family. If you know someone who's ready for a hand up, this is the episode to share. LINKS & RESOURCES Winchester CCAP — ccapwinchester.org Connected Communities — cciwinchester.com | Facebook, Instagram & TikTok: @cciwinchester I'm Just Me Movement — imjustmemovement.org Horizon Goodwill Industries — horizongoodwill.org United Way of the Northern Shenandoah Valley — unitedwaynsv.org  To ask about a THRIVE referral, contact any of the partners, your current case worker, or Dept of Social Services. 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
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  Adventures in Cheese 25.09.2026 33m

  There's a cheese shop on the Old Town Walking Mall where you can taste anything in the case before you buy it, and yes, they make grown-up Lunchables. Janet Michael and Brady Cloven of Friends of Old Town pull up a chair at Fleur de Lis Cheese Shop with owner Terri Boyd, two years after she first joined the show just after opening. Terri explains what "fancy cheese" really means (hint: it's not as scary as it sounds), why an English cheddar tastes different from a New York one, why some cheeses are seasonal, and why your charcuterie board doesn't have to be pretty to taste great. She also shares news about new grazing tables for events and a job opening with a creative twist. Then Brady runs through a busy October downtown, from Oktoberfest and the last First Friday of the season to Hallo-Winchester trick-or-treating, plus a call for a 30-foot Christmas tree. Stick around for the moment Brady found out how one of his cheeses is made. LINKS & RESOURCES Fleur de Lis Cheese Shop website: cheesegoddess.com Fleur de Lis Cheese Shop on Facebook (Cheese School Monday, job posting): facebook.com/15FairfaxSt Visit: Fleur de Lis Cheese Shop, 17 S. Loudoun Street, Winchester, VA (Old Town Walking Mall, a few doors down from Wilkins Shoe Center). Open daily, 11 AM to 4 PM. Friends of Old Town (community calendar for downtown events): friendsofoldtown.org Friends of Old Town on Facebook  Main Street Masterpieces: friendsofoldtown.org/main-street-masterpieces Old Town Christmas tree: [email protected] Robby D's Lil Greens: robbydslilgreens.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
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  Hidden Hunger 24.09.2026 22m

  For some kids in our area, Friday's school lunch is the last meal they can count on until Monday's breakfast. Janet Michael checks back in with Elise Stine-Dolinar of Bright Futures Frederick/Winchester to talk about the hidden hunger in our local schools, and how neighbors across Winchester and Frederick County are helping more than 1,200 students get fed every week. Elise walks through what goes into a weekend food pack, why fewer kids take the bags home as they get older, and how discreet school food pantries (one uses a clickable "hall pass") are reaching middle and high schoolers who'd rather go hungry than be seen. She also explains why allergy-friendly food matters, which donations are "gold" (and which to keep at home, like pickled beets), and how you can drop off food, shop the wish list, or give a few dollars that go further than you'd think. If you've ever wondered how to help a local kid in need, this conversation is a great place to start. LINKS & RESOURCES Bright Futures Frederick/Winchester website (see the needs lists under "Get Involved"): sites.google.com/fcpsk12.net/brightfuturesfrederickcounty/home Bright Futures Frederick/Winchester on Facebook: facebook.com/brightfuturesfrederickcounty Donation drop-off (donation shed by the first garage door): Bright Futures Distribution Center, 178 Indian Hollow Road, Winchester, VA 22603 Bright Futures phone: 540-667-2490 Bright Futures Amazon wish list: linked from the Bright Futures website and social pages 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
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  Road Work Ahead 23.09.2026 24m

  New lanes on I-81, a brand-new bridge at Exit 313, and longer turn lanes on the roads you drive every day: VDOT's Ken Slack is back with the latest on the road work around the Northern Shenandoah Valley. Janet Michael checks in with Ken, communications specialist for VDOT's Staunton District, on the big highway projects that make headlines and the smaller fixes that change your daily drive. Ken explains the traffic shifts coming to the I-81 widening at Strasburg this October and November, and what drivers should expect as the Millwood Pike/Millwood Avenue project gets underway this fall. He also covers turn-lane work on Route 340, safety upgrades on Route 55, and the maintenance crews who keep the valley's roads, bridges, and ditches in shape all year. If you drive through Winchester, Strasburg, or Front Royal, listen for what's changing on your route and how to get around the work zones. (There's even talk of a "Janet lane.") LINKS & RESOURCES VDOT Staunton District projects: vdot.virginia.gov/projects/staunton-district Interstate 81 Strasburg-area widening (mile markers 295.4 to 299.6): vdot.virginia.gov/projects/staunton-district/interstate-81-strasburg-area-widening-mile-markers-2954-to-2996 Frederick County – Route 17/50/522 (Millwood Pike) bridge over Interstate 81: vdot.virginia.gov/projects/staunton-district/frederick-county--route-1750522-millwood-pike-bridge-over-interstate-81 City of Winchester – Millwood Avenue (Route 17/50/522): vdot.virginia.gov/projects/staunton-district/city-of-winchester---millwood-avenue-route-1750522 Town of Front Royal – South Street Improvements: vdot.virginia.gov/projects/staunton-district/town-of-front-royal---south-street-improvements Improve 81 (I-81 Corridor Improvement Program): improve81.vdot.virginia.gov VDOT Customer Service Center (report potholes and road concerns): my.vdot.virginia.gov or 800-FOR-ROAD (800-367-7623) 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
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  Medieval in the Mountains 22.09.2026 25m

  North Mountain Vineyard & Winery's first Ravenwood Faire is almost here — and owner Jill Edlich says getting a 90-vendor medieval festival ready on a working vineyard has been its own kind of harvest season. Janet Michael and Kary Haun catch up with Jill for Shenandoah County Tourism Tuesday, checking in on everything that's changed since February: a new accessible walkway, a horse arena, and a vineyard now just months from hosting its biggest event yet. Jill talks through surviving an April frost scare, why Ravenwood Faire leans medieval instead of Renaissance, and what two full weekends (October 16–18 and 23–25) of jousting, vaulting, turkey legs, and handmade crafts will look like at its new home. She also opens up about the Ravenwood Foundation, the nonprofit behind it all that sends kids to camp and keeps them off their screens. Then Kary runs down everything else happening around Shenandoah County this fall — from Autumn Fest to a 50th-anniversary toast at one of Virginia's oldest wineries. EVENT DETAILS - Ravenwood Faire — presented by the Ravenwood Foundation Dates: October 16–18 and October 23–25, 2026 Hours: Fridays 3–9 PM, Saturdays 10 AM–7 PM, Sundays 10 AM–5 PM Location: North Mountain Vineyard & Winery, Maurertown, VA Tickets: Online presale (currently $5 off), tickets also available at the door; children 7 and under free; 2-day, 3-day, and 6-day (season) passes available Website: ravenwoodfaire.us LINKS & RESOURCES North Mountain Vineyard & Winery: northmountainvineyard.com Ravenwood Foundation: ravenwoodfoundation.org Shenandoah County Tourism (events calendar): visitshenandoahcounty.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
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  Valley Venture Scavenger Hunt 21.09.2026 24m

  Grab a team, grab a driver, and get ready to venture across the Northern Shenandoah Valley — for a good cause. Janet is back on the Zooms with Gina Hilliard, president of the Luray-Page Chamber of Commerce, and Greg Stockton, development director for Seniors First, to talk about the Valley Venture Scavenger Hunt, an app-based fundraiser happening October 17th across six counties. Greg walks through how the app-based hunt works, why it's flexible enough for competitive teams and casual friend groups alike, and where the money raised goes to support homebound seniors across the Valley. Gina also shares what's coming up on the Luray-Page Chamber's own event calendar this fall. Tune in for all the details on how to register, what to expect on event day, and why this might be the most fun way yet to explore your own backyard. EVENT DETAILS Valley Venture Scavenger Hunt Date: Saturday, October 17 Time: App-based challenges open 10:00 AM–5:00 PM; celebration dinner at 6:00 PM Location: Teams can start anywhere across the six-county footprint (Page, Clarke, Frederick/Winchester, Warren, and Shenandoah counties); closing celebration is at the Warren Senior Center in Front Royal Format: Teams of two or more (must include a licensed adult driver), using the Eventzee app; teams choose their own challenges and order  Cost/Fundraising: Register free with a peer-to-peer fundraising commitment, or pay a flat per-person registration fee  Evening celebration: Barbecue dinner, a live auction (donations accepted through event day), and highlights from the day's team videos and photos Registration: bit.ly/valley-venture, or via the Givebutter fundraising link at seniorsfirst.info LINKS & RESOURCES Seniors First: seniorsfirst.info Seniors First — Donate: seniorsfirst.info/donate Luray-Page Chamber of Commerce: luraypagechamber.com/   Eventzee app: eventzeeapp.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
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  Planting Seeds, Harvesting Change 18.09.2026 24m

  The Northern Shenandoah Valley Master Gardener Association is bringing back its fall symposium after a pandemic-era hiatus — and this year it comes with a theme, a full slate of local experts, and a challenge for every gardener in the room. Janet talks with Candace DeLong, Frederick County's Virginia Cooperative Extension agent, and Chris Jorgensen, president of the NSV Master Gardener Association, about what's in store on November 14 at Laurel Ridge Community College. This year's theme, "Planting Seeds, Harvesting Change," has speakers covering everything from gardening for birds to backyard meadows to the bugs in your beds — and each one is sending attendees home with a concrete action item. Janet, Candace, and Chris also dig into what the symposium's ticket sales actually fund, from seed lending libraries to children's garden programs, and preview the 2027 Master Gardener training class for anyone thinking about getting more involved. It's equal parts education and pep talk for anyone who's ever wondered why their garden isn't quite working yet. Event Details Fall Gardening Symposium — "Planting Seeds, Harvesting Change" Date: Saturday, November 14 Location: Laurel Ridge Community College, Middletown campus — Corron Community Development Center Doors: 8:00 AM (breakfast items available) | Sessions: 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM Cost: $65 per ticket, includes breakfast, snacks, and a pre-orderable boxed lunch (Panera; gluten-free/vegan options available) Incentive: Free coffee mug for the first 50 registrants Registration: nsvmga.org, or via NSVMGA's Facebook page (search "Northern Shenandoah Valley Master Gardener Association") 2027 Extension Master Gardener Class Info session: Tuesday, October 12, 6:00 PM, Shenandoah County Extension office (Woodstock) Class runs Feb. 15 – May 12, Monday and Wednesday nights, 6:00–9:00 PM, at the Shenandoah County Extension office Space limited to about 20 people; registration open now at nsvmga.org ("Join Us" tab) 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
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  Community Health: Mobile Mammograms 17.09.2026 22m

  A brand-new, 36-foot pink mobile mammography unit just rolled into the Shenandoah Valley — and Janet Michael is sitting right next to it on the Winchester Medical Center campus to find out what it means for local women's health. On this Community Health episode, Janet talks with Jenny Grooms, Executive Director of Valley Health Foundations and Jason Craig, Senior Director of Community Health about the new unit that will bring full-quality 3D mammograms directly to workplaces, churches, schools, and community spaces across the region. They dig into who made the unit possible, why transportation and time off work are two of the biggest barriers to getting screened, and how the van — donated through Valley Health Foundations' Stronger Together campaign — will target the Valley's most rural corners first. Jason also shares the rollout timeline, what a screening day looks like, and how local employers, faith communities, and schools can request a stop. It's a fun, heartfelt conversation with a serious payoff: more women getting screened, closer to home. Links & Resources Valley Health: valleyhealthlink.com Give to Valley Health Foundations: valleyhealthlink.com/giving Stronger Together campaign: valleyhealthlink.com/stronger 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
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  Planes, Cars, and Community 16.09.2026 22m

  Wings & Wheels is coming back to the Winchester Regional Airport on Saturday, October 3rd, and it's free to get in the gate. Janet sits down with Taylor Coumes of the Top of Virginia Regional Chamber and Pete Warren of United Bank to talk about how this beloved community event — think warbirds, classic cars, Air Force simulators, and food trucks — has grown to draw more than 3,000 people a year, and why United Bank stepped up as the presenting sponsor to keep it free for everybody. From shuttle logistics (don't park at the airport!) to a surprise plan to finally get Taylor on an airplane for the first time, this conversation covers everything you need to know before the big day, plus a look at how financial literacy, community partnership, and pure family fun all come together at 491 Airport Rd. Tune in for the full rundown before registration closes. EVENT DETAILS Event: Wings & Wheels 2026, presented by United Bank Date: Saturday, October 3, 2026, 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM Rain date: Sunday, October 4, 2026 Location: Winchester Regional Airport, 491 Airport Rd., Winchester, VA 22602 Cost: Free admission Parking: No public parking at the airport. Park at Navy Federal Credit Union; free shuttle service runs 9:45 AM–3:30 PM (Frederick County Public Schools providing shuttles; handicap-accessible shuttle available) Registration: Car and aircraft registration closes Friday, September 25, 2026 — no day-of registration. A few vendor (not food) spots remain; apply online or by email. LINKS & RESOURCES Event info & registration: regionalchamber.biz/wings-and-wheels Top of Virginia Regional Chamber on Facebook Vendor/registration questions: Taylor Coumes — [email protected] United Bank: bankwithunited.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
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  Art, History, and Horses 15.09.2026 17m

  It's Tourism Tuesday, Berryville/Clarke County edition, and that means one thing every September: Art at the Mill is back. Janet Michael is joined by Nathan Stalvey, Executive Director of the Clarke County Historical Association, for a full rundown of what's new this fall — from the juried art show's opening weekend to a brand-new exhibit exploring the little-known history of Black horsemen in Clarke County's equine legacy. Nathan and Janet cover the details on Art at the Mill (including the online gallery), the CCHA's newest exhibit on art, memory, and history, the return of the Haunted Historic Berryville tours, and the county's biggest history event of the year, Heritage Day. Tune in for all the dates, hours, and ticket details you need to plan your fall around Clarke County history. EVENT DETAILS Art at the Mill (Fall Show) Dates: Saturday, September 19 – Sunday, October 4 Location: Burwell-Morgan Mill, 15 Tannery Lane, Millwood, VA Hours: Sunday–Friday, 12:00–5:00 PM; Saturdays (3 dates), 10:00 AM–5:00 PM Admission: $5 adults, $3 seniors, free for kids and students Online gallery goes live September 19 at clarkehistory.org Exhibit Opening: "William and Byron: Art, Memory, and the Black Horsemen of Clarke County" Opening talk: Thursday, September 24, 6:00 PM Location: CCHA Museum, 32 East Main Street, Berryville, VA Free and open to the public; light refreshments; talk by curator Dana Getka On display through the end of the year Haunted Historic Berryville Tours Dates: Friday, October 23 & Saturday, October 24 Tour times: first tour 6:30 PM, last tour 8:00 PM (approx. 45 min–1 hour, walking tour) Tickets available at clarkehistory.org (Events tab) Heritage Day Date: Saturday, November 7, 11:00 AM–4:00 PM Free admission; historic re-enactors, working mill and cider press, family-friendly activities LINKS & RESOURCES Clarke County Historical Association: clarkehistory.org 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