Podcasts about town talk

Clean, safe water doesn't just happen—it takes careful management and a dedicated team. In this episode, we sit down with Susan Brown from Orleans' award-winning Water Department to explore how our water is sourced, treated, and delivered straight to your tap. We dive into what it takes to maintain the town's water system, tackle infrastructure challenges, and ensure top-quality service year-round. Plus, Sue shares tips on conservation, reading your water bill, and what to do if you notice an issue.To view the Annual Water Report, download the Eye on Water tool, and learn about other Water Department issues and initiatives visit https://www.town.orleans.ma.us/457/Water-DepartmentTo report a leak or a break call 508.255.1200 or off-hours 508.255.0117Sign up for the Town Talk newsletter https://www.town.orleans.ma.us/948/News-and-Notifications and follow us on social @townoforleansma

Executive Director Ann Kloeckner talks about their work helping people with civil court cases.  Their 8 lawyers cover 17 counties, 51 courts.  She says there's 1 legal aid lawyer for every 7000 poor Virginians.   We focus on tenants rights and tenant's assertion.  legalaidworks.org

Anthony Nuccio (Judas) and Kevin Cleary (Jesus) join Patrick Ahearn to preview Jesus Christ Superstar at Riverside March 12-April 27.    riversidedt.com

Dave the Computer Guy talks about protecting your eyes while using a computer, how AI has changed the way we use PC's, and data centers coming to the region.   techsintheburg.com

What's going on this season with the FredNats?  General Manager Robbie Perry with a preview.

Erin Matuczinski, Veronica Gutierrez and Tiffany Kay.  It's easy...and needed.  Hands-Only CPR and AED training.  Also info on the Mom Prom fundraiser April 12th.   gwynethsgift.org

CEO Rich Dalton with an introduction/update on VRE.  We talk about--Expanding the service, what happens if there's an emergency and you need to come back early or work late,  the impact the Long Bridge will have to overall rail service, and the return of the Step-Up option.  

Erin Creighton (Assistant Branch Manager/Adult Services Dept. Head--Fredericksburg) and Darcie Caswell (Director of Youth Services) talk about the Fredericksburg Regional Spelling Bee, African American Read In, the 30th annual Johnny Johnson Teen Art Show and Self Sufficiency Skills.   librarypoint.org

Heidi DiEugenio and Nimali Fernando (Dr. Yum) with an update on the non-profit mission to help families and communities overcome the barriers to eating well.  Since COVID the Dr. Yum Project has gone from a local program to one that's in 40 states and leading national research.   But they're still involved in all kinds of local efforts.   dryum.org has lots of free resources in helping your kids eat healthy. And, there's a Casino Night fundraiser March 7th.

Special Olympics Virginia volunteer, coach, Area 11 Council committee member, Plunger and former intern Abby Farley talks about her commitment and how its changed her.   We talk about coaching needs and volunteer needs with the "Young Athletes" group.  State Basketball Championships this weekend in Henrico.   specialolympicsva.org

Michael Stebar and Elizabeth Johnson-Young talk about the six day slice of college coursework and campus life for high-schoolers July 13-19.   Open to rising high school sophomores, juniors and seniors.   Application deadline is March 21st. umw.edu/summer/sep

Anne Little--one of the founders of the Virginia Bluebird Society-- previews her Bluebird monitor training session on March 1 at the downtown library.   She talks about building the correct nestbox, the need for monitors, and resources: virginiabluebirds.org, NAbluebirdsociety.org, sialis.org

President Janel Donohue talks about Prosper Taxes, Prosper Mentoring and Prosper Students.   rappahannockunitedway.org

Dr. Daniel Carlson talks about programs available at Mary Washington Healthcare. We talk about A-fib, POTS, a good diet for heart health and exercise.   practices.mwhc.com

Providing all kinds of help to families and children with cancer or serious blood disorders.   ASK has been well-known over the years in the Richmond area.   ASK is now in the Fredericksburg area.  Executive Director Amy Gotkin and Dr. Christina Wiedl with Children's National and the Children's National clinic at Mary Washington.

Micah's Jill Clare and Meghann Cotter preview the Coldest Night of the Year fundraiser/walk on February 22nd.  cnoy.com/fredericksburg

Dave Muraca (Vice President, Museum Content) and Allison Ellis (Director of Education) preview George Washington's birthday celebration on February 17th from 10-3.  kenmore.org

Scott Hine (Union Home and Mortgage/Fredericksburg Area Builders Association Immediate Past President), Lauren Tate (Long and Foster Managing Broker/2025 FAAR President) and Kim McClellan (Fredericksburg Area Association of Builders) review 2024 market resale/new build, what 2025 will look like and the future of interest rates.

Taylor Sutton with Tiger Fuel, Melanie Johnson and Von Young with the SPCA.   Taylor talks about Tiger acquiring Anderson Propane and their continued support of the Fred SPCA.   We talk about keeping animals warm in winter and talk about Winter-Wag-a-Thon and how you can participate.  fredspca.org

Fredericksburg City Councilman Will Mackintosh (At-Large) talks about Data Centers.   We discuss a Technology Overlay District and the financial impact.

Intern Ethan Sweeny, UMW Geography Professor Steve Hanna and Sue Henderson with Discover Stafford preview the opening of the Stafford African American Trail.   31 stories at 23 sites.  You can explore history at home or by driving.  discoverstafford.org

Director of Adult Services Tracy McPeck and Director of Collection and Customer Services Samantha Thomason talk about the Adult Winter Reading Challenge, expanding the Library of Things and LEGO Building Labs.  librarypoint.org

Dean of Admissions and Associate Vice President Melissa Yakabouski and Director of First Year Admissions Sarah Lindberg talk about decisions facing students and parents.   What should seniors be doing right now to prepare for their upcoming college careers, the UMW Summer Enrichment Program, FAFSA, and what type of classes high school students should be taking.

Leashes of Valor Head Trainer Karen Meadows and foster families Lisa Palmer and Lisa Dunnivan talk about the fostering program. Leashes of Valor provides everything you need, including food, supplies, and veterinary care.  You're helping train dogs for veterans.    Spotsylvania-based  Leashes of Valor provides highly-trained service dogs to post-9/11 veterans to help with symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), traumatic brain injury (TBI), and other “unseen wounds” of military service. leashesofvalor.org

Parent Shane Sears and Special Olympics Virginia President David Thomason preview the Virginia Beach Polar Plunge on February 7-8.   Go For the Cold!  We talk about fundraising tips, what to expect and the impact of Special Olympics on the athletes and their families.   polarplunge.com

Executive Director Dan Maher and Volunteer Coordinator Dominique Thomas talk about getting involved thru volunteering.  The importance of giving your time and finances.  fredfood.org

Heartbreak Hotel at the Riverside Center for the Performing Arts thru March 2nd.  Joining Patrick Ahearn,   (youngest to oldest)- Grayson, Luke and Elliot play different parts of the life of Elvis.  riversidedt.com

Great Lives Director Scott Harris previews the 2025 William B. Crawley Lecture Series. Most Tuesdays and Thursdays Jan. 21 thru March 20th at Dodd Auditorium.   It's free.

Spotsylvania Board of Supervisors Chairman Chris Yakabouski (Battlefield) talks about transportation, changes at the Chancellor Convenience Center, the county and school budget and growth.   He also announced he's running for re-election in the fall.

Northern Neck Tourism Coordinator Lisa Hull and Gordon Blaine Steffey with Stratford Hall preview upcoming programs and events.   Have you listened to Stratford Mail--it's a historically-based podcast.   stratfordhall.org  nnk250.us

Jill Clare and Meghann  Cotter with Micah Ecumenical Ministries talks about the Coldest Night of the Year Walk in downtown Fredericksburg on February 22nd.   Sign up to walk and donate to the work Micah does for the homeless at cnoy.com/fredericksburg.

Matt Kelly and Rick Pullen talk about Mary's Landing the data centers.

Megan Samples and Sam Shoukas with the Fredericksburg Regional Continuum of Care preview the Point in Time Count. It's a homeless census.   Volunteers are needed.   Details at fredericksburgcoc.org

Executive Director Kathy Anderson and potter Ana Brugos preview The Empty Bowl on February 2nd at the Elks Lodge on Tidewater Trail. It's a timed entry afternoon event.  Details at empowerhouseva.org

Spotsylvania Schools Social Worker Michelle Patton Swisher and Michelle Trampe with the Central Virginia Justice Initiative preview a Human Trafficking Awareness Discussion at Courtland High School on January 29th. It's about protecting children and connecting with community partners.

State Senator Tara Durant (27th District) previews the 2025 Virginia General Assembly.  We talk about some of her bills--including one on protecting your privacy when in your car.   We talk about eliminating the tax on tips and eliminating the car tax.   Because of the Richmond water crisis, the Assembly begins Monday in Richmond.

Xavier Richardson and Anne Little talk about the local work of the Fredericksburg NAACP and preview the sold-out MLK Prayer Breakfast on January 20th at the Fredericksburg Convention Center.

Alexis Innis talks about the growing need for blood. Only 3% of those eligible give.   January is National Blood Donor Month.   redcrossblood.org

Executive Director Cait Woodward looks at needs in the coming years--opportunities to donate/volunteer.   We also talk about their homeless prevention program.

April and Keith Peterson talk about the upcoming move of River Rock Outfitter to two locations--January 10th to 708 Caroline Street and April 1st to Central Park.

Meghann Cotter talks about City Council's upcoming votes on the Jeremiah Community.  We also talk about The Coldest Night of the Year walk on February 22nd...and end of the year financial giving.

Chris Bowers and Jason Haag talk about a matching gift up to $100,000 that expires at the end of the year.   We discuss ways local businesses and the community can get involved with providing trained dogs with veterans.

Dr. Gaila Sims, Vice-President of Programs and Interpretation, talks about the importance of donors to the FAM. We talk about a book she's writing in 2025 and the exhibit she's working on that opens in the spring--and the timeline for the auction block memorial at the corner of William and Charles Streets.

Dave the Computer Guy talks about avoiding fake websites, passkeys or passwords and passwords and password managers.

In this episode of Orleans Behind the Scenes, we dive into the Town of Orleans' phased sewer project—a vital effort to protect our environment, support sustainable growth, and ensure the long-term health of our community. Co-host Mike Solitro (Special Projects Coordinator), alongside guests Scott Walker (Treasurer/Collector), and Alex Fitch (Health and Human Services Director) join us to explain the why, how, and what's next of the project. Mike Solitro discusses the environmental and economic benefits of the sewer system, where the project currently stands, and what to expect in the next phases. Scott Walker breaks down sewer betterments and how they will appear on your tax bill, making it clear and manageable for residents. Alex Fitch shares details about the Sewer Connection Grant Program and other funding opportunities, including the 0% financing offered through Cape Cod AquiFund. We'll also highlight why this investment is not just good for residents but also for businesses and Orleans' long-term growth. Tune in to learn how to stay informed and connected as the project evolves. Stay up to date: Visit the Town of Orleans website, sign up for Town Talk, and follow us on social media for the latest updates. Comprehensive information on the Wastewater Infrastructure: www.town.orleans.ma.us/171/Wastewater-Infrastructure Water/Sewer Program Coordinator: https://www.town.orleans.ma.us/formcenter/Health-Department-29/Contact-John-Nelson-150 Pay tax bills online: https://www.town.orleans.ma.us/913/Online-Bill-Pay Cape Cod AquiFund: https://www.capecod.gov/departments/health-environment/programs-services/water-and-wastewater/community-septic-management-loan-program-csmlp/ MA Title 5 Tax Credit: https://www.town.orleans.ma.us/1651/Title-5-Credit-for-Mandated-Septic-Syste Sign up for town alerts and newsletters: https://www.town.orleans.ma.us/List.aspx Follow us on social media at @townoforleansma

Rappahannock United Way President Janel Donohue talks about Prosper Mentoring and Prosper Tax Services.                                             +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

CEO and Producing Artistic Director Patrick A'Hearn looks back and ahead.  Riverside is now a non-profit.  What's that mean in 2025 and beyond.  Also a look at the people at Riverside you may not know.    

Executive Director Mike Hubbard talks about partnerships with Naval Surface Warfare Center Dahlgren Division, area schools, businesses, etc.  We also talk about the annual Innovation Challenges.

Mac Williams and Jason Tickle.  The name is about to change to Central Rappahannock River Habitat for Humanity.   Talk about no step entry, the need for volunteers and year-end giving.

TaMara Banks, Claudia Becker, and  Jennifer Falknor talk about mobility and transportation programs and the Senior Cafe.