Podcast
The Valley Today
Hosted by Janet Michael · EN
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.
122episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
The Hot Dog Episode
2w ago00:21:47Tap to summarizeBrady Cloven, executive director for Friends of Old Town, joins Janet Michael to unveil the details of Dawg Days of Summer — the Old Town Hot Dog Crawl — and yes, he's every bit as excited about hot dogs as you'd expect. Ten restaurants (and one food truck!), one-of-a-kind hot dogs, one very committed hot dog costume, and a golden trophy on the line: this episode has all the details on tickets, the participating restaurants' wildly creative creations, the live band with a surprising city-hall connection, and why the whole event is really about boosting Old Town's business community. Tune in before you plan your hot dog fast. Event Details Event: Dawg Days of Summer — Old Town Hot Dog Crawl Date: Saturday, August 22nd Time: 12:00 PM – 8:00 PM Home base: Taylor Pavilion Cost: $30 adult ticket (includes 10 hot dogs across participating restaurants + one free beer); ~$15 kids ticket Where to buy: Eventbrite link via Friends of Old Town's Facebook/Instagram bio; pre-orders also available at First Friday Extras: Live music from the Gully Jimson Quartet at Taylor Pavilion (~6:00 PM start), beer tent from Winchester Brew Works, "passport" voting system for a golden hot dog trophy winner Links & Resources Friends of Old Town — Facebook & Instagram (event page + Eventbrite ticket link pinned) 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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100 Years of Blandy
3w ago00:26:27Tap to summarizeBlandy Experimental Farm is turning 100 — and Janet Michael sits down with Anne Marie Chirieleison, director of the Foundation of the State Arboretum, to unpack a century of research, discovery, and community stewardship at the Virginia State Arboretum. From an 1835 enslaved-quarters building that once housed the first researchers to a mysterious pawpaw patch rediscovered decades later, Blandy's history is full of surprises. The conversation digs into how the Foundation actually operates (it's not just UVA money), what a "centennial endowment campaign" is and why unrestricted funds matter so much to nonprofits, and how listeners — at any dollar amount — can be part of Blandy's next 100 years. LINKS & RESOURCES Blandy Experimental Farm / Virginia State Arboretum centennial giving page — blandy.virginia.edu (Support tab) Blandy Experimental Farm 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
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Coffee to Cocktails
3w ago00:33:22Tap to summarizeVictoria Kidd Armstrong makes espresso martinis and community change with equal skill — and on this episode of The Valley Today, she tells Janet Michael how Hideaway Cafe, her "coffee to cocktails" spot on Winchester's Old Town Walking Mall, has quietly funneled nearly $75,000 in cash and in-kind donations back into the community over its 11 years in business. Janet and Victoria dig into how Hideaway's One Plate One Purpose bingo card turns customer dollars into real meals for people in need, how Declan's Shelter Pup Program (and current mascot Miso) helps get shelter dogs adopted, and how Victoria's 13-year-old daughter is already running her own mini philanthropic fundraisers. Along the way, Victoria shares practical advice for any small business owner who wants to build giving back into their day-to-day model — no big budget required. LINKS & RESOURCES Hideaway Cafe: hideawaycafeva.com Hideaway Cafe on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok — search "Hideaway Cafe VA" 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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Pencils, Pantries, and Partnerships
3w ago00:26:34Tap to summarizeBack-to-school season means one thing on The Valley Today: it's time to Stuff the Bus. Janet Michael welcomes back Elise Stine Dolinar, executive director of Bright Futures Frederick/Winchester, for a catch-up on the joint Frederick County/Winchester City Schools program that makes sure kids have what they need to learn — and a look ahead at this year's Stuff the Bus school supply drive. Elise shares record-breaking summer numbers, some of the families she works with, and exactly how you can help — from dropping supplies at one of three area Walmarts to shopping a virtual drive from your couch. Whether it's pencils, Expo markers, snacks for the new in-school food pantries, or a cash donation that goes further than you'd think, there's an easy way to pitch in before the first bell rings. Stuff the Bus Event Details Date: Saturday, August 1st Time: 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM Locations: Three Winchester-area Walmart locations — Pleasant Valley, Stephens City, and Route 50 What to bring: School supplies such as pencils, Expo markers, folders, construction paper, crayons, and markers (top needs this year: pencils and Expo markers) Alternate ways to give: Drop donations at Bright Futures' 24/7 donation shed in Winchester, or shop the virtual Stuff the Bus drive online Links & Resources Bright Futures Frederick/Winchester: brightfuturesfrederickcounty.org (shopping lists, printable PDFs, and the virtual Stuff the Bus drive) Bright Futures Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/brightfuturesfrederickcounty Bright Futures Amazon wishlist: https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/3W3LH65W1K4FE/ 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 Roundup
4w ago00:24:55Tap to summarizeIt's VDOT Day on The Valley Today, and Ken Slack, communications specialist for VDOT's Staunton District, is back with a full slate of road project updates for the Northern Shenandoah Valley. From the widening of I-81 at Strasburg to a soon-to-triple-in-size park and ride, this episode covers a lot of ground — literally. Janet and Ken dig into the I-81/Strasburg bridge work, the Oranda Park & Ride expansion, the Redbud Road relocation that kicks off years of major work in Winchester (including a new diverging diamond interchange at Exit 317), the Millwood Pike bridge replacement, and a heartfelt reminder about slowing down and staying alert in work zones. If you drive anywhere in the Valley, this one's worth a listen. 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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Small Business B(AI)sics
4w ago00:23:23Tap to summarizeCurious how AI could actually help your small business — but not sure where to start? The Top of Virginia Regional Chamber has a free, hands-on answer, and it's launching this month. Janet Michael sits down with Missy Spielman, the Chamber's Director of Programs, and Taylor Coumes, the Chamber's brand-new Director of Events, for the Chamber's monthly segment. Missy previews Small Business B(AI)sics, a grant-funded national training initiative — backed by the US Chamber Foundation, the US Chamber of Commerce, and Google — designed to help local business owners figure out what AI can actually do for them, at no cost. Along the way, Janet and Missy reflect on this year's Arising Leadership Program graduates, Taylor introduces herself and her new role, and the two look ahead to Hob Nob in the Valley, Wings and Wheels, and the Chamber's upcoming international travel program. Tune in for the details on how to register — and why "you don't know what you don't know" when it comes to AI. LINKS & RESOURCES Top of Virginia Regional Chamber — regionalchamber.biz Small Business B(AI)sics training — Click here 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 Again
4w ago00:22:54Tap to summarizeThere's a new thrift shop in Winchester, but it's not selling clothes — it's stocked with fabric, yarn, wine corks, carpet samples, and just about anything else you could turn into art. Janet Michael sits down with Misty Weaver, owner of the brand-new Art Again Thrift Shop, just 24 hours after opening its doors on Valley Avenue. Misty walks through how the creative-reuse shop works, from the "Fill-a-Basket" bulk system to tiered memberships, tool rentals, and a members-only craft room. They dig into what inspired the idea — including the closure of JOANN Fabrics — how donations and community partnerships with local arts nonprofits will work, and why crafters (and their basements) may never be the same. Tune in for a peek behind the doors of one of the Valley's most unexpected new small businesses. Links & Resources Website: artagainthrift.com Social media: Search "Art Again Thrift" on your platform of choice 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 & Vine Transport
4w ago00:20:37Tap to summarizeEver wished someone else would just plan your whole wine country day for you? On this episode, Janet sits down with Gina Hilliard, president of the Luray-Page Chamber of Commerce, and Chris Snow, owner of the brand-new Valley & Vine Transport, a private curated tour and transport service built around the Shenandoah Valley's craft beverage scene. Chris walks through how it works — guests fill out a short form, his team builds a fully custom itinerary around wineries, breweries, distilleries, and more, and then he handles door-to-door pickup and drop-off in his 10-passenger van. Gina explains why this kind of service is such a win for tourism in Page County, and Chris shares the surprisingly flexible ways people are already using it — from bachelorette-style girls' days to wedding shuttles to keeping overstaying holiday relatives entertained. Plus, Gina previews the chamber's upcoming Women in Business social at Wisteria Farm & Vineyard. LINKS & RESOURCES Valley & Vine Transport: valleyvinetransport.com Valley & Vine Transport phone: 540-227-0609 Luray-Page Chamber of Commerce phone: 540-743-3915 Luray-Page Chamber of Commerce email: info@luraypage.com or events@luraypage.com Women in Business event: Wisteria Farm & Vineyard, Thursday, July 23rd, 5:30–7:00 PM, $20 for chamber members 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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Building the Bends
Jul 1700:26:35Tap to summarizeThere's a brand-new trail at Seven Bends State Park — and it took a decade, a federal grant, and a whole lot of volunteer sweat to build it. Janet Michael is joined by Kary Haun (Shenandoah County Tourism) for a bonus conversation with Kyle Lawrence of the Shenandoah Valley Bicycle Coalition about the new shared-use trail connecting the park to the George Washington National Forest. Kyle breaks down what actually goes into planning and building a sustainable mountain trail, why hikers and trail runners will likely outnumber bikers on this one, and how e-bikes are opening the sport up to more people. They also talk phase-two plans, trail-use data and heat maps, and where to go if you're just getting started. Plus, a quick rundown of what's happening around the valley this weekend. Links & Resources Shenandoah Valley Bicycle Coalition — svbcoalition.org Shenandoah County Tourism — 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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Community Health: Vein Care Demystified
Jul 1600:18:21Tap to summarize"Spider veins" was a scary name for a little girl who was afraid of spiders. As it turns out, it's a scary name for a lot of grown-ups too — and one of the biggest reasons people put off getting evaluated. On this Community Health edition of The Valley Today, host Janet Michael welcomes Dr. Emily Reardon, board-certified vascular surgeon with Valley Health Vascular Surgeons, for a genuinely reassuring conversation about vein health — what varicose veins and spider veins actually are, why they happen, when they're cosmetic and when they're medically significant, and just how minimally invasive today's treatments really are. Dr. Reardon walks through the diagnostic starting point (an in-office ultrasound to check for any deeper reflux), the treatment ladder for both spider veins (sclerotherapy — small injections, no anesthesia, no downtime) and varicose veins (in-office endovascular ablations plus, when needed, small micro-phlebectomy incisions to remove the visible larger veins), and the everyday, non-medical steps that help genuinely: regular walking, compression stockings for long sitting or standing days, healthy weight, healthy diet. She also clears up the single biggest patient misconception — that vein disease is a circulation emergency threatening amputation. It isn't. Varicose veins are a drainage issue in the superficial venous system, not an artery blockage. Plus: what's covered by insurance (spoiler: much more than most people think), the recurrence rate (~10%), why vascular surgery is embracing "less than minimally invasive" techniques, and the open-door policy at Dr. Reardon's Winchester and Front Royal offices — no ultrasound needed for the first consultation. WHAT DR. REARDON WANTS YOU TO KNOW VEIN DISEASE ≠ CIRCULATION EMERGENCY- The single biggest misconception Dr. Reardon hears is that varicose or spider veins mean blockages, poor circulation, or amputation risk. They don't. The arteries in the legs — which carry vital blood flow to the feet and muscles — are a completely different system. Vein disease is about DRAINAGE, not supply. Even severe cases progress to skin problems and slow-healing wounds — treatable, not catastrophic. TREATMENTS HAVE CHANGED DRAMATICALLY - Modern vein care is far less invasive than it was even a decade ago. Most procedures are done in-office with injections or through IV-based techniques. The old "stripping" surgeries have been largely replaced by endovascular ablation and micro-phlebectomies (small incisions to remove larger surface veins). Recovery is fast, downtime is minimal, and most patients don't need to take time off work. TREATMENT PATH AT A GLANCE SPIDER VEINS (small superficial veins) Treatment: Sclerotherapy — a liquid detergent injected via small needles • Anesthesia: None needed • Downtime: None • Insurance: Usually out-of-pocket (unless deeper reflux is found) • Sessions: Typically multiple, to reach full result VARICOSE VEINS (larger, often with deeper feeder veins) Treatment: Ultrasound to check for deeper reflux, then a combination of: Endovascular ablation of the deeper vein (through an IV) and/or Micro-phlebectomy for the visible larger veins (small incisions) • Anesthesia: Minimal (typically local) • Downtime: Minimal • Insurance: Typically covered • Sessions: Usually one treatment per leg EVERYDAY STEPS TO PROTECT YOUR VEIN HEALTH • Walk regularly — even short intervals help • Avoid long stretches of sitting OR standing without moving • Wear compression stockings on long-sit or long-stand days • Maintain a healthy weight • Get evaluated when things look or feel different — a consultation is the fastest way to know if it's cosmetic or medically significant WHO'S A GOOD CANDIDATE Because vein treatments are low-risk, most people are candidates regardless of age or coexisting health issues. There is no minimum severity required to book a consultation — Dr. Reardon has an open door for new patients and often meets first for a conversation before recommending any testing. WHERE TO GO Valley Health Vascular Surgeons offer vein consultations and treatments at two locations: • Winchester Medical Center (main office) • Warren Memorial Hospital (Front Royal — a couple of days per month) LINKS & RESOURCES • Valley Health: valleyhealthlink.com • Community Health archive: thevalleytodaypodcast.com — "Community Health" • Valley Health Vascular Surgeons: https://www.valleyhealthlink.com/our-locations/profile/valley-health-vascular-surgeons/ 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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