Richmond is in the spotlight this week, hosting the world championships for road biking. As out of towners flock to the city, and spectators stroll the streets — community developers have seized the unique opportunity to do something new with old spaces.

On this final edition of  “Virginia Conversations,”  bringing together corporate and civic leaders to shape the state’s future.That’s the mission of the  program “LEAD Virginia”.   Host May-Lily Lee talks to its president to find out how it works, and hear from some of the leaders who have participated in the program.

On this edition of “Virginia Conversations,” the need for foster care in the state.  Host May-Lily Lee talks to representatives from the Virginia Department of Social Services and a foster care organization to find out how urgent the need is, and how you can help.

Resources Mentioned in the Program:

Lutheran Family Services of Virginia

Henrico County Department of Social Services

On this edition of Virginia Conversations, bringing Hollywood to the Old Dominion.   We catch up with Adriana Trigiani, who shares her experiences filming the movie version of her novel “Big Stone Gap” in that small coal-mining town.  And we talk with Sarah Elizabeth Timmins about the two new movies she’s working on: one set on the Chesapeake Bay, the other in Lynchburg.

On this edition of Virginia Conversations, choosing a candidate to run against Senator Mark Warner.  That’s at the top of the agenda as GOP leaders and followers gather this weekend in Roanoke for the Virginia Republican Convention. Four men are vying for the party’s nod to go against the popular Democrat.   Our panel of political reporters weighs in on their chances with host May-Lily Lee.

On this edition of Virginia Conversations, Senator Tim Kaine drops by for a visit.  Everything’s on the table for discussion – from international events, to the November elections, and the current fight in the Virginia General Assembly over Medicaid expansion.

On this edition of Virginia Conversations, we’re kicking off the unofficial start to summer with your road trip plans.  Host May-Lily Lee and guests look at some of the top vacation spots around the state, and find out what’s new at Virginia’s State Parks.

Resources from the program:

Virginia Tourism Corporation
(Including List of Events Around the Commonwealth)

Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation
(Including List of Virginia’s State Parks)

Virtual Tour of Virginia’s State Parks

Hampton History Museum

Roanoke Valley Information

Virginia’s Blue Ridge

Jobs for Virginia Graduates students participate in a class discussion with a guest speaker. Photo by Iva Quint.

On this edition of Virginia Conversations, making the transition from high school to the work force.
That’s the mission of “Jobs for Virginia Grads”.  This state-funded organization helps disadvantaged and at-risk teens graduate from high school, then find and keep quality jobs.

Additional Resource: Jobs Corps (Virginia Locations)

On this edition of the program,  helping veterans get jobs after serving in the military.   We’ll tell you about a program that’s helping vets by educating and training companies that might hire them.  It’s called “Virginia Values Veterans” – it helps business leaders see the value in hiring, training, and retaining men and women from the armed forces.
V3 (Virginia Values Veterans)
Virginia Employment Commission
Virginia Workforce Connection
OppInc (Opportunity Inc) Veteran Career Center, Hampton Roads
Virginia Transition Assistance Program (offered through V3)
Virginia Wounded Warrior Program

Ready for a  shot at co-starring in a new film?  The Virginia Historical Society is asking Virginians to shoot a short video, the best of which will be in a film capturing the spirit of The Old Dominion.  Host May-Lily Lee talks to the President of the Historical Society and the producer of the film – “Virginia Voices”.

For more information about the project, click here.

We’re celebrating Historic Garden Week in Virginia, as well as the flowers and vegetables growing in your backyard. We’ll tell you how this 8-day statewide event, billed as “America’s Largest Open House”, enriches gardens throughout Virginia.

Resources:

Historic Garden Week

Garden Club of Virginia

Virginia Cooperative Extension

The Cedar Hill Cemetery Project

Everyone has a similar reaction when told they have cancer… but not everyone has the same treatment anymore.

Personalized medicine is the high-tech cutting edge tool in the battle against cancer. We’ll tell you how researchers are tailoring the treatment to fit the patient, and hear from cancer survivors who are alive today because of it.

Resources From the Program:

For cancer research information, click here.

Cancer Action Coalition of Virginia

Blue Ridge Cancer Care

Or email Ann Duesing, Librarian, UVA Health Sciences Library at cad4n@eservices.virginia.edu

Lynchburg Grows Jubilee Farm Camp

On Virginia Conversations, we’re going to the farm without leaving the city….and closing the gap between farm and table.  We’ll talk with speakers from this year’s Urban Agriculture Summit to get their advice on using open spaces in our communities to grow fresh fruit and produce.

 Lynchburg Grows

Leap for Local Food

Virginia Cooperative Extension
Upcoming Events:

Urban Agriculture Summit in Lynchburg April 15th and 16th. Location: Holiday Inn

Seminar on holistic farm management in Goochland May 27th – 29th.

On this edition of the program a discussion on the state budget battle that boiled over into a special session of the General Assembly. We  also take a look at both sides of the Medicaid expansion debate in Virginia and how it’s affecting the state’s spending plan for the next two years.

On this edition of the program, a discussion of the state budget battle that boiled over into a special session of the General Assembly.

We’ll take a look at both sides of the Medicaid expansion debate in Virginia and how it’s affecting the state’s spending plan for the next two years.

There’s a new kind of bank out there these days.  One where members invest time and talent instead of money. It’s called “time banking”… where services ranging from home repairs to pet-sitting, tutoring and more are exchanged.  On this edition of Virginia Conversations, we hear  from two Virginia Time Banks to find out how it works, and how you can get involved.

Listener Resources

Charlottesville area Timebank

Shenandoah Valley area Timebank

Roanoke Valley Time Exchange

National directory of Timebanks

Go to Facebook and search “Hour Economy” for Shenandoah Valley area Timebanks, including Harrisonburg and Staunton

Open enrollment for new Heath Insurance Marketplace ends on March 31, and if you don’t have health insurance in 2014 you could face a tax penalty. This week on Virginia Conversations we’ve gathered a panel of experts trained to help people enroll in the new federal program.

Listener Resouces:

Affordable Care Act Federal Contact Information:
www.healthcare.gov  
800-318-2596

State Level Navigators in Virginia:
www.enroll-virginia.com  
888-392-5132

State Call Center for General Healthcare Questions
www.coverva.org  
855-242-8282

On this edition of Virginia Conversations, the results of this year’s session of the General Assembly. We’ll look at some of the bills sent to the Governor, as well as those that didn’t make the cut.

Charles Steger, Virginia Tech’s 15th President

We hear from out-going President Charles Steger, who wraps up more than 14 years at the helm in June.  And host May-Lily Lee talks with Tech’s new President, Doctor Timothy Sands of Purdue University, about his road to Blacksburg and where he sees the school heading over the coming years.

Timothy Sands, Virginia Tech’s 16th President

On this edition of Virginia Conversations,  gearing up for tax time. It’s our annual income tax preparation program with a panel of experts to tackle your questions. Our guests join host May-Lily Lee to explain what’s new this year on both the Federal and State income tax forms.

Listener Resources:

Va Society of CPA’s

Virginia Dept. of Taxation

On this edition of Virginia Conversations, reforming the state’s Standards of Learning tests.  Educators, lawmakers, and parents often have a love-hate relationship with the S-O-Ls, but there seems to be bipartisan agreement in the General Assembly that the exams need to be re-worked.

On this edition “Virginia Conversations” we commemorate Black History Month with a taste of how southern cuisine was influenced by the slave trade.  Host May-Lily Lee’s guests include  afro-culinary historian  Micheal Twitty and Lara Templin, an interpreter from the Jamestown-Yorktown Foundation.  How the slaves from African changed our diet here in Virginia… and throughout the South.

For more information about the guests and information featured in the program:

Visit Michael Twitty’s website here.

Visit “From Africa to Virginia” – the theme of interpretive programs throughout February at Jamestown Settlement and Yorktown Victory Center history museums.

Visit the website of Andi Cumbo-Floyd, author “The Slaves Have Names” here.

Selfie. Obamacare. Twerk.

In this edition of the program, a  word or two about the new words of our lexicon. Host May-Lily Lee talks with Virginia lexicographer Anne Soukhanov.

It’s been a big week at the State Capitol, from the federal  indictments against Governor McDonnell and his wife…. to Attorney General Mark Herring’s announcement that he will not defend Virginia’s ban on gay marriage. In this episode, host May-Lily Lee talks with James Madison University Professor Robert Roberts and Jeff Shapiro with the Richmond Times Dispatch.  They also discuss the top issues facing the Virginia General Assembly.

On today’s Virginia Conversations, imagine taking a college course in geography and your instructor’s half-way around the world.
One Virginia Tech teacher did it, and he’s back home to share his adventure. John Boyer, better known as “The Plaid Avenger”, explains how he juggled teaching on a “Semester at Sea” voyage without missing a beat back home on campus.  Host May-Lily Lee also talks with Kathy Thornton, UVA mechanical aerospace engineering professor, about the Semester at Sea program.

View John Boyer’s Semester at Sea YouTube videos here.

More information is available at www.semesteratsea.org

After the attack on State Senator Creigh Deeds, administrators and lawmakers are taking a close look at how to improve the response to mental health cases.   Host May-Lily Lee talks with Mira Signer with the National Alliance on Mental Illness and Delegate Joseph Yost, who has introduced legislation to improve the mental health system in Virginia.

It’s a new year of conversations with host May-Lily Lee.  On this edition we’re talking about early childhood education, with guests Lisa Howard, President of E3, Elevate Early Education. Also, Northern Virginia Delegate Rob Krupicka joins us for the discussion.

Frank Tavares

You may know him as one of the History Guys on the program “Back Story”, or as the President of the University of Richmond… we’ll talk with Ed Ayers.  As well as hear from a mystery man – a voice you’ve probably heard thousands of times… one that will even make you say, “have we met before?” 

Photo: Virginia Tourism Corporation

‘Twas just days before Christmas and all through Virginia, there were holiday happenings by the gazillions.

On this edition of Virginia Conversations, we’re sharing some of the many Christmas and New Year celebrations going on around the state.   Join host May-Lily Lee with Caroline Gibson with the Virginia Tourism Corporation.

Resources:

Virginia Tourism Corporation

Jefferson Heritage Trail

First Night Williamsburg

Visit Virginia Blue Ridge

Visit Roanoke VA

Visit Hampton VA

Virginia Coastal Living

Sound Works Chorus

On this edition of “Virginia Conversations,” taking the stress out of the holidays.  Our panel of health care providers will share the symptoms, causes, and treatments for the holiday blues.  From those little irritations that might ruin the day… to the overwhelming feelings that threaten take the spirit out of the season.

Resources:

National Suicide Prevention Hotline: 800-273-8255

Richmond Behavioral Health Authority Crisis Line: 804-819-4100, www.rbha.org

Carilion CONNECT: 540-981-8181

Focusing on life, as we face death.  An open and frank discussion of the comfort and dignity hospice care gives the dying.  Host May-Lily Lee talks with the Director of Edmarc Hospice for Children, as well as the Clinical Director at Thomas Palliative Care Service at the VCU Medical Center.

Resources:

Virginia Association for Hospices & Palliative Care :  http://www.virginiahospices.org/, 804-740-1344

Get Palliative Care:  http://www.getpalliativecare.org/

Virginia Cancer Pain Hotline: 866-990-4878

VCU Massey Cancer Center:  http://www.massey.vcu.edu/palliative-care.htm

Edmarc Hospice for Children: http://www.edmarc.org/

On this edition of Virginia Conversations, we’re talking turkey with all the fixings.  Our guest chefs are cookbook author Kendra Bailey Morris and Patrick Ehemann who’s the Executive Banquet Chef of Richmond’s historic Jefferson Hotel.  Join host May-Lily Lee as they share Thanksgiving recipes and cooking tips.

On this edition of “Virginia Conversations” —  the risks and rewards of being a whistleblower. Host May-Lily Lee talks with a former NASA employee who helped expose cover-ups in the investigation of the Space Shuttle Challenger disaster.  How his decision changed his life…

Plus, hear from the State Inspector General on laws now in place in Virginia to protect and compensate whistleblowers.

The ads have stopped running and the votes have been counted… join us to sort out this year’s election returns on this edition of Virginia Conversations.
Political analysts Robert Roberts from James Madison University and Craig Brians from Virginia Tech join host May-Lily Lee to discuss both the winners and the losers of the election, as well as the tone of the campaign season itself.

We’re approaching election day here in Virginia and on this edition of Virginia Conversations, our political roundtable wraps up the campaigns for Governor, Lieutenant Governor, and State Attorney General.  You’ll hear predictions, comments, opinions and lots of questions from our listeners, and host May-Lily Lee.

On this edition of Virginia Conversations, we check in on the race for Governor.  How did Republican Ken Cuccinelli and Democrat Terry McAuliffe fare in their last debate of the campaign?  We’ll hear from two journalists covering the candidates to get their take on how they did… as well as give Libertarian candidate Robert Sarvis an opportunity to respond to few of the debate questions.  Join the political round table with host May-Lily Lee.

On this edition of the program we have a  sneak preview of this year’s Virginia Film Festival.  One of the highlights is a special 50th anniversary screening of Alfred Hitchcock’s “The Birds”… followed by a discussion of the film with its star,  Tippi Hedren.  Take a listen as we hear from some Virginia film-makers whose works are featured in this year’s Festival.

For more information on the Virginia Film Festival, click here.

On this edition of the program,  enrollment in the so-called “Obamacare” program has begun… and so has the confusion and questions.  Our guests are representatives from two organizations charged with explaining the new health care program to Virginians.  They join host May-Lily Lee to help  sort out the Affordable Care Act.

For Information & Assistance:

Health Insurance Marketplace, Affordable Care Act: www.healthcare.gov, 1-800-318-2596

www,enroll-virginia,com, 1- 888-392-5132

Tidewater Area Assistance: 804-212-1416

Small Business Resources: 1-800-706-7893

This edition of the program features prose and poetry from four Virginia authors.  Biographer and essayist Phyllis Theroux, Virginia’s Poet Laureate Sofia Starnes, and poet and Director of Creative Writing at VCU Gregory Donovan discuss their new publications.  And we talk to retired UVA Professor Charles Wright about winning this year’s Bollingen Prize for American Poetry.   May-Lily Lee hosts.

Robert Sarvis, Libertarian Candidate for Governor

On this edition of  “Virginia Conversations”….

We’ve already brought you extended interviews with Republican Ken Cuccinelli and Democrat Terry McAuliffe… and now it’s Robert Sarvis’ turn.  Sarvis is the Libertarian candidate running for Governor in Virginia.  Learn more about where he stands on the issues, and what he believes sets him apart from the front-runners… plus our political pundits and callers  weigh in on the race for Governor.  Join host May-Lily Lee.

On this edition of the program, we’re exploring the issue addiction.  Host May-Lily Lee talks with two addiction experts from the Virginia Tech Carilion Research Institute, Dr. Pearl Chiu and Dr. Warren Bickel.

For information about the International Quit and Recovery  Registry sponsored by the Virginia Tech Carilion Research Institute  click  here.

As Governor Bob McDonnell continues to come under fire for accepting gifts from businessman Jonnie Williams, there are more calls to strengthen Virginia’s ethic laws.  That, plus how McDonnell’s woes might affect the race for Governor… as well as his own legacy.  Host May-Lily Lee talks with Dr. Robert Roberts, Professor of Political Science at James Madison University, he’s also written and co-authored several books and articles on politics and ethics.  We’re also joined by Dr. Bob Holsworth, with Decide Smart.  He’s also the Founding Director of the Center for Public Policy and the L. Douglas Wilder School of Government and Public Affairs at Virginia Commonwealth University.

On this edition of “Virginia Conversations” , we’re heading into the classroom for a lesson on “E-3”. That stands for “Elevate Early Education”.  The organization was started last year by a group of business, civic, and philanthropic leaders, with the goal of making early education a top priority for state leaders. So, how’s E-3 working so far? Find out with guests Gary McCollum and Lisa Howard as they talk with Virginia Conversations host May-Lily Lee.

Fast Facts from E3

On this edition of  “Virginia Conversations” we’re talking about the race to get into the Governor’s Mansion.  We’ll hear from Democrat Terry McAuliffe, Republican Ken Cuccinelli, and Libertarian Robert Sarvis, all sharing their vision for Virginia.  They discuss education, transportation, ethics reform laws, and the latest from the campaign trail. May-Lily Lee hosts.

On this edition of Virginia Conversations, you may know him as one of the History Guys on “Back Story” heard on public radio, or as the President of the University of Richmond… but Ed Ayers is making a little history of his own with a recent visit to the White House.  We’ll tell you why.  Plus Williamsburg’s Chef K shares some fat-reducing recipe tips with host May-Lily Lee.

Chef K (left)

Photo Credit: WHYY

Before Terry Gross takes the stage at the Paramount Theater in Charlottesville September  26th, Virginia Conversations host May-Lily Lee turns the table on the award-winning interviewer by asking Terry the questions.

Join us for a lively hour on this edition of Virginia Conversations.

For more information about her Paramount Theater appearance, click here .

Virginia Conversations Host May-Lily Lee

All the rain this summer may have put a damper on your backyard garden, but it’s not too late for another round of planting.  Our panel of horticulturalists share their advice on late summer gardens.  May-Lily Lee hosts.

Sheila Johnson

Rowena Fullinwider
Photo: File, Tom Slusser, University of Deleware

On this edition of Virginia Conversations, we meet Sheila Johnson, co-founder of the Black Entertainment Television network.  We also have a memorial to Rowena Fullinwider, who grew a small Norfolk bakery into a brand known worldwide.  She recently passed away.

May-Lily Lee talks with both women.

There’s still time to squeeze in a summer vacation… and in Virginia you don’t have to drive far or even stay overnight.  From Fairy Stones, to a foam Stonehenge… to the best place to gather shark teeth, there are lots of hidden vacation spots around the state.  Let’s hit the open road with host May-Lily Lee.

Are you fed up with trash along our roads and waterways? If so, the folks at “Keep Virginia Beautiful” have a challenge for you that’s part of the organization’s 60^th anniversary celebration this year. Executive Director Mike Baum is among our guests explaining how you can help reduce litter, increase recycling, and keep Virginia beautiful.  Join May-Lily Lee for Virginia Conversations.