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Jan 20, 2025 | 
wdiy.org | Margaret McConnell
On this episode, Margaret McConnell and co-host Samantha Shaak, Executive Director of the Leonard Parker Pool Institute for Health, kick off 2025 by introducing the show's new name and explaining why it better fits the show's focus. They explain what the vital conditions of health are and how focusing on those specific elements can improve overall community health.
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Jan 6, 2025 | 
wdiy.org | Margaret McConnell
On this episode, Margaret McConnell and co-hosts Becky Bradley and Matt Assad of the Lehigh Valley Planning Commission welcome the LVPC's Scott Greenly to take a look back at the many planning-related projects of 2024 and look ahead at what's to come in 2025 and beyond. They share their and other member's of the LVPC's projects they're most grateful for, from addressing climate change to Route 22 to storm water management.
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Nov 19, 2024 | 
wdiy.org | Margaret McConnell
On this episode, Margaret McConnell and co-host Samantha Shaak, Executive Director of the Leonard Parker Pool Institute for Health, welcome Nate Boateng and Veronica Gonzalez of Valley Health Partners to talk about what a federally qualified health center and FWHC look-alike is and what they do. They talk about the services Valley Health Partners offers, the idea that centers like these are formed out of specific community needs, and where they hope the organization goes from here.
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Nov 5, 2024 | 
wdiy.org | Margaret McConnell
On this episode, Margaret McConnell and co-hosts Becky Bradley and Matt Assad of the Lehigh Valley Planning Commission talk with Christian Martinez, Environmental Planner for the LVPC, about the Greater Lehigh Valley Greenhouse Gas Inventory. They explain how the results from this analysis will inform their Climate Action Plan. The group discusses the LVPC's collaboration with Carbon and Warren Counties and Christian talks about comparing our region's emissions to other regions'.
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Oct 30, 2024 | 
wdiy.org | Margaret McConnell
On this episode, Margaret McConnell sits down with Sandra Bieber, Manager of Operations and Community Development at Discover LV, and Genesis Ortega, Communications Manager for the City of Allentown, to talk about the Lehigh Valley Ambassadors program and its work to introduce both residents and visitors to new experiences in the area.
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Oct 22, 2024 | 
wdiy.org | Margaret McConnell
On this episode, Margaret McConnell and co-host Samantha Shaak, acting Executive Director of the Leonard Parker Pool Institute for Health, talk with Kim Shaeffer, Executive Director of Community Bike Works. They talk about the organization's mission of providing young people with their own bicycles, and how they encourage them to earn that independence. Kim explains CBW's month-long program that teaches youth about bike mechanics and safety while also providing them with valuable life skills.
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Oct 8, 2024 | 
wdiy.org | Margaret McConnell
On this episode, Margaret McConnell and co-hosts Becky Bradley and Matt Assad of the Lehigh Valley Planning Commission welcome local historian Frank Whelan to celebrate Route 22's 70th birthday. They celebrate its triumphs and address its many challenges. The group discusses the community push that led to the highway's installation, what people thought it would mean for the area then, and what it means for the area today.
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Sep 25, 2024 | 
wdiy.org | Margaret McConnell
On this episode, Margaret McConnell talks with Easton Mayor Sal Panto as he serves his fifth consecutive term. He highlights the importance of uplifting both neighborhoods and the downtown area in order to make a complete and vibrant city. He also shares his current priorities, which include diversifying the city, creating affordable housing, and streamlining traffic of all kinds.
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Sep 17, 2024 | 
wdiy.org | Margaret McConnell
On this episode, Margaret McConnell and co-host Samantha Shaak, acting Executive Director of the Leonard Parker Pool Institute for Health, welcome Trevor Tormann, Senior Planner at the City of Allentown, and Megan Briggs, Vice President of Community Investments for the Lehigh Valley Community Foundation. They discuss the $20 million is federal funding recently awarded to Allentown through the Recompete Program, which assists with workforce development.
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Sep 3, 2024 | 
wdiy.org | Margaret McConnell
On this episode, Margaret McConnell and co-hosts Becky Bradley and Matt Assad of the Lehigh Valley Planning Commission talk with Susan Myerov, the LVPC's Director of Environmental Planning, to talk about storm water management. They highlight the issue as one that nobody worries about until it becomes a big problem. Susan, Becky, and Matt explain why storm water management is a concern for every resident, what the LVPC and local counties are doing about it, and the basics of watersheds.
