There is no shortage of good food to be had up here in the Hill and JJ's has certainly added to our choices! Great baked goods, Counter Culture coffee and giving back to folks in need in our community make JJ's Makery an outstanding addition to Church Hill. Sisters Jessie Williams and Jackie Holsinger (and everyone that I've met who works there) have talent and passion for what they do. Plus, they're just some of the nicest folks you'll meet. Bakeries and restaurants are tough businesses to start and keep going particularly in the middle of a pandemic. I had an opportunity to sit down with Jessie Williams to talk about their passion for baking, the challenges they've faced and plans for the future. Give a listen. Better yet- head to JJ's and grab some tasty baked goods, a cup of coffee and chat with them yourselves. Good folks with wonderful food!!

Art therapy and expressive writing have been shown to be effective in the treatment of a variety of conditions including Irritable Bowel Syndrome, eating disorders, anxiety, depression, grief and the psychological stress associated with a variety of medical conditions. Janet Scagnelli was a successful commercial illustrator who, after retiring, began to paint. Her early efforts focused on still life paintings as she acquired an entirely new skill set. Unfortunately, she experienced a profound personal loss and major life upheaval (not counting political and social unrest and the pandemic!). Her art moved in an entirely different direction and became a powerful and effective tool for her to process her grief and the impact of these events on the lives of both her and her family. Janet is here today to share her story and her powerful art with us. Art therapy (and expressive writing) is effective for anyone willing to use these tools to express what they are feeling. This isn't about being a "great artist" or "great writer." It's about expressing your feelings and concerns. And that expression has been shown to be highly therapeutic.

***If you'd like to listen to this podcast and see the art that's being discussed, click on this link for the video: https://youtu.be/RZAOsoU0qpI

I'm joined this week by Parker Agelasto, the executive director of the Capital Region Land Conservancy. He's here to discuss the recent acquisition of a large piece of land by Shiplock Park on the James River. This was a collaborative effort involving Capital Region Land Conservancy, The Conservation Fund, James River Association and the City of Richmond. It protects the riverfront land, allows for a creation of the James River Center which provides access and education about the James River and allows the Capital Trail to move away from the road in that area. It was huge undertaking that benefits folks who love the river and its views. We also discuss other Capital Region Land Conservancy projects including Malvern Hill preservation, easements to protect Virginia's finishing farmland and forests, along with preserving the rich history of Richmond and the surrounding area. Give this a listen- it was fun and informative. These folks do good things for our community. And don't forget to click on the subscribe button below!