Hello Harrisonburg

Laura Toni-Holsinger is the Executive Director of the United Way of Harrisonburg and Rockingham County.  Hear Laura explain the process the local United Way goes through to make sure that approximately $1 Million of local support is directed at critical community needs. UWHR financially supports over 30 organizations that operate over 40 programs serving a broad array of needs in the Harrisonburg-Rockingham community.  The United Way has four Impact Areas: Early Childhood Readiness, Grade Level Reading and High School Graduation, Financial Stability, and Community Health and Wellness. Links and Resources United Way of Harrisonburg and Rockingham County See the list of supported organizations here. Sentara RMH Community Health Needs Assessment (2012) Healthy Community Council, Community Needs Assessment (2011) Harrisonburg-Rockingham Healthy Community Council Get Connected!  Register to be a Volunteer <-- Register! Listener Thank You Gift Listen to learn how to get a Live Uni

Harrisonburg social entrepreneurship is alive and well!  Kevin Gibson shares how he and his friend, Alan Maynard, combine their love of exercising, building community, and supporting great causes.  What started as an idea for one event turned into a hobby and is now its own business, VA Momentum.  Now, there are over 3,000 combined participants taking part in these unique events, including monthly Run Sweat & Beers, and annual Valley 4th Run and Rocktown Turkey Trot (see all the events). Kevin and Alan are also the first recipients of the I Love My Burg Harrisonburg Action Figure Award. VA Momentum puts together active events that build an audience for and support local businesses and charities, while building community and giving back 34% of revenues go back to support local charities. Links and Shout Outs Jeff Guinn at The Mark-It Frazier Quarry Scott Rogers Andy Vanhook at Appeal Productions Laura Toni-Holsinger (she's on the next Hello Harrisonburg episode!) Sham

Episode 39 with JMU Debate Coach Mike Davis previewed this episode with the visiting iDebate Rwanda team.  Our 5 Rwandan guests share their goals, personal realizations, and lessons for us about Rwanda, while also discussing the role of debate in difficult conversations in a post-genocide society.  All five share their insights into the utility of debate in healing wounds and educating the public, their surprises from being in the USA, and something they'd like the listeners to know about Rwanda.  The team is in Harrisonburg for 5 days, and is putting on two events: one this past Monday being a forum about stories in a post-genocide society, and the second on the evening this episode goes live: a debate with the JMU debate team about wether the USA should intervene in cases of genocide. See pictures and bios from all 5 guests: iDebateRwandaTeam.pdf http://www.debaterwanda.org/ Shameless Plug Public Debate at 7pm at Memorial Hall Thursday Oct 28. Listener Thank You Gift Attend the deba

Eddie Bumbaugh is finishing up 12 years of being the first Executive Director of the Harrisonburg Downtown Renaissance.  Hello Harrisonburg catches up with Eddie to hear his insight into how downtown revitalization got off the ground in the early 2000's, in an environment where many thought downtown Harrisonburg was a lost cause.  Tune in to hear part of the story of how downtown went from desolate to vibrant in a decade.  Under Eddie's leadership, and in partnership with hundreds of volunteers, board members, small business owners, investors, developers, event sponsors, and Friends, HDR has leveraged over 90,000 volunteer hours, $60M in private investment, and much more. Links and Resources 2014 Harrisonburg Receives the Great American Main Street Award National Main Street Virginia Main Street Future Harrisonburg Urban Park Project Upcoming Harrisonburg-JMU Hotel and Conference Center Shameless Plug Become a Friend of Downtown!  Put a little - or a lot of! - money into supporting the goo

Did you know JMU's debate team is ranked 10th in the county?!  Hear the coach, Dr. Mike Davis, discuss the success of the JMU Debate Team, with a special emphasis on his team's contribution to public debate.   Quality debate can be a collaborative exercise between the debaters who advocate positions for the benefit of the audience.  Hear thoughts on how people and political bodies discuss, and what gets in the way of rigorous exploration of ideas and positions.  And get a chance to craft your own public debate! (Make sure to check out the previous Episode 23 featuring Mike's wife, Alysia Davis). Links JMU Debate TeamThe Madison Cup at James Madison UniversityMadison Collaborative: Ethical Reasoning in ActionPolyface Farms Jon Stewart on Crossfire (also embedded below) Upcoming Events 7:30 Monday Oct 26th 2015 at Court Square TheaterExperience in a Post-Genocide Society, presented by the Rwandan Debate Team 7:00 Thursday Oct 29th 2015 at Memorial Hall Auditorium (former Harrisonbu

Adam Shifflett founded Brothers Craft Brewing in 2012 with his brothers Jason and Tyler.  Hear him talk about the world-renowned beers they brew right here in Harrisonburg, and how they support charities and their staff.  Get a preview of the mid-November Resolute Release, and an overview of the many regional and national awards they have won since their first production brews in 2012.  Of course, you will also get a sense of what makes Harrisonburg the "Best Beer Town of the Blue Ridge" - and beyond. BrothersCraftBrewing.com Brothers Craft Brewing on Facebook     FULL SHOW NOTES AT  www.HELLOHARRISONBURG.rocks/ADAMSHIFFLETT

Ramsey McDirtbag is the coach of Harrisonburg's roller derby team, the Rocktown Rollers.  Hear her explain the sport and give some behind the scenes on what makes the team tick (roll?). Rocktown Rollers https://www.facebook.com/rocktownrollers  Women's Flat Track Derby Association Funky's Skate Center Wonder Skate Shop Artful Dodger  Shameless Plug: Join! Email join [at] rocktownrollers.com 2015 Home Bouts: Doors at 4:30, Bout at 5:30 October 18th  AND  November 8th Resource Hell On Wheels Roller Derby Documentary

Hugh Stoll of Harrisonburg talks about three ways he focuses on sustainability in Harrisonburg: his new net zero home in Harrisonburg, his ownership of hydroelectric dams, and his contribution to EMU’s pioneering solar installation.  Tune in and learn how finding a huge troll on Facebook can lead to a free cocktail. Links and Resources: The Mother Ann Lee HydroElectric Plant Secure Futures Blog Link to study mentioned in show “The system is also providing value to HEC, through avoided energy and demand charges. As a municipal, non-generating, utility company, HEC purchases wholesale energy from Dominion Virginia Power, selling that energy at retail to its Harrisonburg customers. In partnership with HEC senior management the study concludes that the average net benefit to HEC per kilowatt of installed solar capacity is $22.78/kW. “ L’Arche October 3-4, 2015 Solar Open House Tour SVREA.org Sazerac

Did you know Snoop Dogg's concert sign language interpreter calls Harrisonburg home?  And she makes oils and supports artisans.  Melissa Black Nguyen is a blogger, natural food-ist, mom, artisan, foodie, sign language interpreter and more.  Listen to the show to hear about the OlivesnHoney.com blog, the Shenandoah Valley Handmade and Homegrown Artisans Coop Facebook Group, The Foodie Experimint, Rock-a-Sign, and more. OlivesnHoney.com Shenandoah Valley Handmade and Homegrown Artisans Coop Facebook Group Broadway Farmers Market Harrisonburg Farmers Market Pure and Simple Farms Honey Mashita Food Truck Friendly City Food Coop Joshua Wilton House Woods Edge Farmers' Market Harrisonburg Playgroup Harrisonburg Tourism Office Book & FilmNatural Healing Wisdom & Know How: Useful Practices, Recipes, and Formulas for a Lifetime of Health Food, Inc Film      

Jim Hershberger, Director of the Harrisonburg Immigration and Refugee Program of the Church World Service, gives insight into the circumstances, processes, realities, and possibilities that face the many refugees that find their way to Harrisonburg.  In 2014, the office resettled about 200 over the whole year - and just in September 2015, the office is resettling 60 people.  Learn what the local Church World Service is required to provide incoming refugees. Resources and Links Church World Service - Global U.S. Refugee Admissions FAQs New Bridges Immigrant Resource Center Skyline Literacy Shameless Plug Donate time, resources, and funds to the local Church World Service office! Listener Thank You Gift Find the Church World Service and Bridgewater Church of the Brethren Tent at the Harrisonburg International Festival, mention the Hello Harrisonburg Podcast, and get some free balloons! Attend the November First Friday's Art Exhibit (5-9p Nov 6th in the hallway by Capital Ale House and Court Square T

Dr. Carlos Aleman, JMU Associate Professor of Communications Studies, joins us during Hispanic Heritage Month to share about the Scholars Latino Initiative Shenandoah Valley chapter here in Harrisonburg.  SLI was created to provide leadership, mentorship, and support for local Hispanic youth in an effort to prepare them for college. Resources and Links Scholars Latino Initiative - University of Chapel Hill Eastern Mennonite University Virginia Organizing Harrisonburg/Rockingham Chapter Harrisonburg International Festival Bridgewater College Virginia Latino Higher Education Network Hispanic College Institute JMU Centennial Scholars Program NEXUS Scholarship Blue Ridge Scholars Program of Blue Ridge Community College NewBridges Immigrant Resource Center   Shameless Plug Donate to the Scholars Latino Initiative Shenandoah Valley! Listener Thank You Gifts Free arts and crafts at the SLI booth at the Harrisonburg International Festival - and a big cheer from

Joy Loving was the coordinator of the successful Solarize Harrisonburg solar cooperative that brought together 68 residential home owners in 2014 who banded together put solar panels on their property. By working together and bidding the work to one LOCAL solar company, Sigora Solar, they achieved a significant price break.   A second cooperative, the Massanutten Regional Solar Coop, is currently forming and there is time to get involved. Links and Resources Massanutten Regional Solar Coop Web Facebook Solarize Harrisonburg Virginia Sun Climate Action Alliance of the Valley October 3-4, 2015 Solar Open House Tour SVREA.org Sierra Club Shenandoah Chapter Harrisonburg Cohousing Solar Renewable Energy Credits (SRECs) Book Recommendation  Virginia Climate Fever: How Global Warming Will Transform Our Cities, Shorelines, and ForestsBy Stephen Nash  

Boris Ozuna is the executive director of the Harrisonburg International Festival, and joins to promote the September 26th Noon-6p event at Hillendale Park.  The HIF is one of the highest attended events in Harrisonburg each year.  Don't miss it!   All information available at www.harrisonburg-international-festival.org. Listen for a great Hello Harrisonburg Listener Thank You Gift available if you see Boris at the festival! Boris Ozuna, Executive Director of the Harrisonburg International Festival Links Mentioned FairField Center Harrisonubrg Refugee Resettlement Office - Church World Service Harrisonburg Interfaith Association Harrisonburg-Rockingham Chamber of Commerce Diversity Council JMU Community Service-Learning Office

Hear an exciting announcement about a brand new opportunity to get tuition and books paid for 6-week to 6-month certifications that have well-paying jobs with benefits waiting on the other side.  Tish Harris is the Program Director at Blue Ridge Community College's Continuing Education office joins for this broadcast. http://www.brcc.edu/continuinged Financial Assistance Virginia Community College System Noncredit Financial Aid Blue Ridge Community College has funding to provide financial assistance to students enrolled in certain noncredit programs leading to industry-recognized credentials.  Awards are based on financial need, with eligible annual household incomes ranging from below $23,540 for one person, up to $81,780 for a family of eight.  BRCC will award available funds on a first-come, first-served basis. Minimum requirements for financial assistance US citizen or eligible noncitizen. Minimum 18 years of age; OR completed high school graduation requirements. Virginia resident for at l

Ryan Zale is the Executive Chef at both the Local Chop and Grill House and, since only recently, the Joshua Wilton House.  Hear how he connects the local community and farms with his meals, and about his next role at nearby Zynodoa (up the valley in Staunton). Shout Outs and Recommendations Autumn Olive Farms J & L Green Farm Wayside Farm Season's Bounty Farm Radical Roots Farm Glen Echo Farms Oak Hill Cidery Albermarle Cidery Works FoodBarFood Harrisonburg Farmers' Market Jimmy Madison's Pale Fire Brewery Bella Luna Cuban Burger Bella Gelato Billy Jacks Wing and Draft Jack Wonder Skateshop Clementine Cafe The Golden Pony Harrisonburg Downtown Culinary District Book  Root to Leaf: A Southern Chef Cooks Through the Seasons

Angela Carter shares her discovery of and success with poetry as a way to cope and inspire hope amidst depression and past abuse.  The friendliness of The Friendly City plus a bite of mac and cheese from Golden Corral put Angela Carter and her family in Harrisonburg.  Angela is on a "vendetta" against the associated stigmas.   She is not only a poet, but published author, writer, motivational speaker, organizer, and much more.  Definitely tune in to hear her read her spoken word poem! www.AngelaCarterPoetry.com Shout Outs and Resources Bridgewater International Poetry Festival Furious Flower Poetry Center Forbes Center JMU Edith Carrier Arboretum The Collins Center Horizons Center Counseling RMH Behavorial Health Downtown Books Martha Woodroof, Harrisonburg Author David Nahm, Harrisonburg Author Listener Thank You Gift Listen to her reading of a poem and come out to the September 15th Poetry Reading at the Artful Dodger for a chance at a free copy for her book! Attend Poetic Justice

Shari Scofield creates space at JMU and in Harrisonburg for community member to experience the benefits of meditation and mindfulness. Trained in Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction and certified in Koru Mindfulness, Shari shares the story behind Madison Meditates, a growing on campus program that has helped participants deal with the pressure of everyday life, reduce anxiety, and tune in to their own selves.  Shari encourages anyone interested to reach out to growing community of entrepreneurs, trainers, and coaching offering services related to wellness. Shameless Plug Gina Bondurant & Healing Touch Virginia Cedar Stone Massage ICE House Studios ALL Game Hike in the Shenandoah Valley and experience nature Mariza Dovis' stone massages at the Downtown Healing Arts Center Hot Yoga Harrisonburg Listener Thank You Gift Shari will give a free workshop to your group introducing mindfulness practice - just reach out to her!Email "Shari [dot] Scofield [at] gmail.com" Books by Jon Kabat-

Have you ever wondered about the statue in front of the Harrisonburg Court House?  It was recently restored, and today's interview is with the local artist who brought "Girl Feeding Bird" back to life.  Tom Thomas is a Harrisonburg-based artisan specializing in restoration and original art.  Definitely tune in to this engaging and informative interview. Hear the story of how community members got together to restore the statue in front of the Courthouse after a few acts of vandalism, as well as its connection to Ligonier, Pennsylvania.   Also, hear Tom's experience helping restore historic The Ingles Ferry Tavern and Mitchells Presbyterian Church. Tom Thomas' Shameless Plug Keep Tom Thomas in mind for restoration, original art, and preserving your face forever!  See Tom's work at FineLineArchDetail.com. Listener Thank You Gift Get a drink - and your face cast!  Listen to learn how. Shout Outs and Recommendations Elliot Downs, amazing Harrisonburg artist

Chloë Rain is the Founder & Creator of the Explore Deeply Movement™ and The Human Experience Artist.  Born in Fulks Run and a Broadway High School graduate, Chloë lived out of the area for 20 years before recently returning.  She is an entrepreneur, innovating around coaching people on navigating and guiding them through internal belief systems that might be getting in the way of them achieving their goals.  Hear a little about her journey - including being open about experiencing depression, even considering suicide - and get some insight into how her passion manifests in her business. Shameless Plug Connect with www.ExploreDeeply.com Sign up for the Newsletter! Listener Thank You Gift Get a FREE (normally $197!) eCourse as a thanks for listening! 21 Days to Love 21 Days to Debt Release Here's how to use the code Click one of the course links above Enter your email address on the first screen On the payment screen, type HelloHarrisonburg in the Co

This episode is short and sweet! I cover three topics: 1. We reached 5,000 downloads of the first 25 episodes of Hello Harrisonburg! "Thank yous" are due all around: the guests, the listeners, the sponsors, and many others are coming together to create this podcast. Listen to the show for more examples of people contributing. 2. Give your feedback and Nominate Guests! Answer these 3 questions to let me know what you think about the show and who you'd like to hear: www.HelloHarrisonburg.rocks/Feedback 3. Announcing a New Show Format The show is switching to new episodes being launched every Monday and Thursday.  Subscribe on iTunes, Stitcher, Soundcloud, etc!