Welcome to the Town Crier. An area of the site where viewers may post items of public notice or interest. If you have an item you wish to have posted then email:  Internet Graphics

Sponsored by

Quality Custom-Built Homes * Historic Restoration * Fire Restoration * Kitchen & Bath Remodeling * Repairs 304-283-5498

_______________________________________________________ Hagerstown Ford! Be careful when dealing with Hagerstown Ford. I received a coupon in the mail for an oil change for $9.95, plus any additional charges for additional oil. I went to their dealership service department for service and when they had finished they tacked on additional charges above and beyond the pricing indicated on their advertisement. I complained, but they stated they are just additional fees. It is like the old "come on ad" to get you into their service department at one price, but you wind up paying more than the advertised price. The people also were not very friendly and could care less about customer relations.

_______________________________________________________ Caring 4 Canines Personalized dog boarding in our home. 17 year combined experince in training & showing dogs. caring4canines.homestead.com

_______________________________________________________ Berkeley County Property Tax Assessment (Appeal your tax assessment) Look at your Tax Statement for the Tax Year 2009 that you just received in the mail. Have you noticed that Berkeley County Assessors Office has lowered the assessment on your property but they have increased the tax rate. Look closely people! The rate increased yet they will tell you that the assessed value was dropped.... and believe me this is not enough in most cases. Take a look at the article that was in the Journal about decreased property values in Berkeley County of almost 35%! Well I did the math and they did not lower the assessment of my property 35%, yet my value went down that much. (I have had property appraisals every other year since 2006 and with each appraisal my value dropped). For the 2008 Tax Year Berkeley County assessed a value of $259,160 and this year an assessed value of $241,820 (and remember they assess 60% of the property value). There are property owners' in Jefferson County that are appealing their assessed value, and property owners in Berkeley County better do the same. You have the right to appeal the assessment if you feel that you are being over assessed on your property value. Take yout tax bill and go to Berkeley County and request that the assessment be re-evaluated if you feel that you are being over-looked on what the actual value is worth. Keep in mind that assessment of property is 60% of what the county estimates is your appraised value. So bear in mind that the appraised value is a direct reflection on your assessed value. Here is the Journal article in case anyone missed it. Read the paragraph concerning the home values in our area. http://www.journal-news.net/page/content.detail/id/517295.html From February 2006 to February 2009, the average price of a home in Berkeley County decreased from $294,013 to $172,882 according to Metropolitan Regional Information Systems Inc., an agency that tracks real estate data. During that same period the average sales price in Jefferson County fell from $318,157 to $203,057. Go to, do not call, the Berkeley County Assessors Office and file an appeal between January 15 and January 22, 2010 to raise concern to these assessments. It is your money! DO IT NOW!

_______________________________________________________ Aspen Hall Inn Aspen Hall Inn Fully furnished Efficiency Apartment in historic Aspen Hall. Cable TV, wireless Internet access. Private entrance. Seven-acre park-like setting on the Tuscarora Creek. Month to month. $950. Bed & Breakfast - Elegant lodging. Hospitality meets history at Martinsburg's only bed & breakfast, Aspen Hall Inn, circa 1750. Four large beautifully furnished rooms with private baths. Cable TV, wireless Internet access. Continental breakfast (fresh fruit, great coffee, fresh local cider in season, pastries, cereals) served daily in breakfast room. Close to downtown restaurants, shops, historic sites, Apollo theatre, Roundhouse, train station. Nearby attractions include Golf courses, Charles Town Races, Harpers Ferry, Antietam National Battlefield, C&O Canal Historical Park, Shepherdstown, Berkeley Springs, Whitetail Ski Resort, Antique Malls, etc. Double occupancy rates from $115 to $170. 304-260-1750. Email for additional information or request reservations: AspenHallInn@wvdsl.net Web Site www.wvbnbs.com/inns/44.html Elegant Corporate Extended Stay Rooms in Aspen Hall. Large and tastefully furnished with private baths. Fresh coffee, juice, and pastries daily in common sitting room that has a microwave and refrigerator. Cable TV. DSL. Special long term rates: $950 with breakfast, $650 without. Walk to downtown restaurants, shops, and train station. One mile from Route 81. Located between Hagerstown, MD and Winchester VA in the northern Shenandoah Valley. Seven-acre park-like setting on a stocked trout stream.. 304-260-1750. Email for additional information or request reservations: AspenHallInn@wvdsl.net Web Site www.wvbnbs.com/inns/44.html

_______________________________________________________ Massage Therapist Massage Therapist accepting new clients at historic Aspen Hall. Licensed since 1999. Specializing in Swedish, deep tissue,and myofascial release. Competitive rates or trade for professional services such as dog grooming. 304-260-1750.

_______________________________________________________ Start-up Fire Department in Berkeley County Looking for information on where to begin. Interetsed in starting a new fire dept and rescue squad in Berkeley County. From the ground up. please contact convex20899@yahoo.com

_______________________________________________________ Calendar of Events for Martinsburg as provided by Martinsburg-Berkeley County Convention & Visitors Bureau October-December Events October 3 Chili Cookoff and First Saturday Main Street Martinsburg (304) 262-4200 October 3 Genealogy Fair by Berkeley County Historical Society 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. October 3-4 Roundhouse Rail Days (304) 260-4141 www.martinsburgroundhouse.com Railroad exhibits and fun at the historic, one-of-a-kind Martinsburg Roundhouse! October 14 Main Street Mixer Main Street Martinsburg (304) 262-4200 www.mainstreetmartinsburg.com October 15-18 Mountain State Apple Harvest Festival (304) 263-2500 www.msahf.com 29 years of family fall fun in the Eastern Panhandle! Parade, crafts, and the MSAHF Apple Queen. October 24 & 25 General Adam Stephen House and Triple Brick Museum Harvest Festival For more information call: 304-267-4434 November 11 Main Street Mixer Main Street Martinsburg (304) 262-4200 www.mainstreetmartinsburg.com November 20 Snowflake Tree Lighting Art Berkeley www.artberkeley.org October 24 Dinner with Dracula Dine if you Dare, a fundraiser for Ryan Film Institute Audience-interactive dinner theatre and Silent Auction 7 p.m. 304.283.8878 www.RyanFilmInstitute.org November 28 Christmas at the Belle Boyd House Berkeley County Historical Society www.bchs.org December 5 Christmas Parade and Snowflake Market Main Street Martinsburg (304) 262-4200 www.mainstreetmartinsburg.com December 5 Christmas at the Belle Boyd House Berkeley County Historical Society www.bchs.org December 6 Snowflake Market Main Street Martinsburg (304) 262-4200 www.mainstreetmartinsburg.com December 12 Christmas at Belle Boyd House Berkeley County Historical Society www.bchs.org December 12 & 13 General Adam Stephen House and Triple Brick Museum Christmas Open House For more information call: 304-2674434

_______________________________________________________ Fur Baby Sitting presents: Petsitting, Mid-day dog walks, Pet Taxi, and even just waiting for the repair man. Berkeley and Jefferson county. Great Rates! Reliable Service. Visit www.furbabysitting.weebly.com or call Jill at 304-919-1681

_______________________________________________________ Local Charity Seeks Volunteers and Community Support Friends in Action of the Eastern Panhandle (FIAEP) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization whose mission is to strengthen families and build community by providing peer mentorship, free education, and using the power of critical friendship to bring about positive change in the lives of low income families. Founded in October 2004, Friends in Action managed to created a local network of volunteers from all faiths and ethnic backgrounds whose common interest is providing caring outreach to families in need in the Jefferson and Berkeley county areas of West Virginia. We are based in Shepherdstown, WV and are seeking able volunteers to become peer-mentors to local, low-income parents to help them help themselves to get out of poverty and better the well-being of their family. Please spread the word of this local organization. I you would like to learn more please visit our website at www.fiaep.org Dashiell Feiler, AmeriCorps VISTA Friends in Action of the Eastern Panhandle PO Box 1720 Shepherdstown, WV 25443 304-876-8500

_______________________________________________________ 2005 Ford Explorer $14,500.00 Ford Explorer Eddie Bauer Sport Utility 4D V-8 with 60k miles in Excellent Condition. KBB Private Party Value $15,835. Has Dual Front Air Bags,Parking Sensors,Multi Compact Disc,Cruise Control, Tilt Steering Wheel, Power Steering, Power Door Locks, Power Windows, A/C, ABS 4 Wheel, Leather, Dual Power Seats, Roof Rack, Privacy Glass, Running Boards, Sun Roof, and more. Well maintained car. Below Dealer Cost! Mileage about 22 mpg highway. Phone 304-262-2388 after 6:00 PM Or email to set a time to view Ford Explorer

_______________________________________________________ Amazing Trash To Treasure In Wv This group is open to anyone no matter where you are located. Feel free to post OFFERS, WANTEDS, NEEDING INFORMATION, OFFERING PETS, FEEL FREE TO POST AWAY. NO BASHING IS ALLOWED ON THE BOARD ABOUT THIS GROUP, ANOTHER GROUP, NOR ABOUT ANY MEMBER, WHETHER THEY ARE FROM THIS GROUP OR ANOTHER GROUP. Everyone is welcome here. For more visit the website at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/AmazingTrashToTreasureInWv/?yguid=196638810

_______________________________________________________ Parenting Education Classes I offer parenting education classes in the winchester virginia area. I am a certified parent coach and have additional certification to teach the co-parenting class that is generally court- mandated. The cirriculum is based upon the supreme court model. Co parenting- {divorce-seperation} Course is offered 2 x's a month for 4.5 hours cost is $50. Connection parenting is offered 1x month cost is $70. course . This course is generally 6.5-7 hours in length. For more information please contact Lelia Williams certified parent coach. 540-955-2786 Email for additional information.lelia@leliawilliams.net Or Visit the web site at www.leliawilliams.net

_______________________________________________________ Karaoke for hire! Call us for your next party or picnic! Sweet Dreams Karaoke Robert and Penny 304-263-1978 Shane and Amber 717-597-7356

_______________________________________________________ Volunteer Advocates for Children Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) are trained community volunteers appointed by district court Judges to speak for the best interests of children who are brought before the court for reasons of abuse or neglect. He or she is an official part of judicial proceedings, working alongside attorneys and social workers. By handling only two or three cases at a time, the volunteer has time to thoroughly explore the history of each assigned case. He or she talks with the child, parents, family members, neighbors, school officials, doctors and others involved in the child's background who might have facts about the case. The volunteer reviews all court facts about the case and all court documents pertaining to the case. He or she then is expected to submit formal reports to the Judge at every scheduled hearing or review. The volunteer advocate continues to monitor the case to assure that the judicial and child welfare systems are moving ahead to secure a safe, permanent home for the child and that court-ordered services are provided to the child and family. The CASA can be an invaluable resource for the attorney for the child and the social worker in reaching their goals for permanency. Please contact us at info@casaep.org or 304-263-5100 for more information. For the Children, Kelly Myers Volunteer Coordinator CASA of the Eastern Panhandle, Inc. 229 E Martin St. Suite 100 Martinsburg, WV 25401 304-263-5100 CASA of the Eastern Panhandle, a non-profit organization, advocates for the best interests of abused and neglected children within the court system to secure a safe and permanent home for each child.

_______________________________________________________ VA Today VA Today offers administrative, technical and travel services to fulfill your needs. Our administrative services include, but are not limited to: word processing, desktop publishing, and information services. Our technical services include, but are not limited to: consulting, network analysis, software mentoring programs, and technical support (onsite technical support available in the DC metro area only). We offer complete travel services including, but not limited to: airfare, car rentals, cruises, honeymoon packages, hotels, and vacation packages. For more detailed information or for a quote specific to your needs, please email us at: admin@vatodayservices.com. You may also visit our website at: vatodayservices.com We look forward to servicing you.

_______________________________________________________ Volunteers to work with children EastRidge Health Systems is looking for volunteers to work with children ages 7-17 in their new mentoring program. This opportunity requires about 2 hours of time per week. All activities are fully reimbursed, if the mentor and child go to a movie or out to eat all expenses will be reimbursed. If you are interested in working with a child in the local area, please call Brooke Kerbs at EastRidge (304-263-8954 ext. 129).

_______________________________________________________ WV Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP). Shenandoah Valley Medical Center houses an Insurance Benefits Coordinator for the WV Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP). CHIP covers a number of things, such as doctors visits, hospital visits, prescription coverage, vision services, and dental services. This program is available to qualifying families living in WV. Insured families paying high premiums may qualify, as well. There is never a premium, and there is no cost to apply. To find out if your child may qualify for free health insurance - call Mindy Bond at 263-4999 or email mindy_4wvchip@hotmail.com

_____________________________________________________________________ St. Lukes United Methodist Church We need help in collecting tabs off of aluminum cans. A local Church's youth group is collecting the tabs for the Ronald Mcdonald House. These tabs will become money and services for the Ronald Mcdonald House. Please send all tabs to: Ryan Noll 902 New York Ave. Martinsburg WV 25401 If you do not wish to mail them put them in an envelope and take them to the church office labeled: Tabs for the UMYF. For additional information email ryan432@hotmail.com

©1997-2009 Joseph P. LeMere . All Rights Reserved