Nancy Valen's "Friends" connection is that she played Lorraine in the first season episode "The One With The Candy Hearts":
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Lovely_Nancy_Valen

Which one was she? Ross's or Joey's date? I don't feel like looking it up.

Pretty sure she was Joey's date.....

I think this is the episode where Chandler is on the date as well and his date turns out to be Janice....

I'm also to lazy to look it up....
:)

Yes, it's the same episode.