Municipal dump to be transformed into green library

The Shepherdstown Public Library secured $12,000 to begin the redevelopment of the old Shepherdstown municipal dump into a new green library complex.

The Foundations for Overcoming Challenges and Utilizing Strengths, or FOCUS, funds were given by the Northern West Virginia Brownfields Assistance Center through funding from the Claude Worthington Benedum Foundation. The grants allow communities to develop and implement a vision for brownfield properties of strategic community interest.

The SPL will use the money to begin preliminary development for The Library Project. The dump was donated by the town and will be the site of a new combined library and learning center, incorporating green construction and operating principles.

For more information, visit www.wvbrownfields.org.

preliminary development for The Library Project. The dump was donated by the town and will be the site of a new combined library and learning center, incorporating green construction and operating principles.

For more information, visit www.wvbrownfields. org.

$200K homebuyer funds available

CHARLES TOWN – The Eastern Panhandle HOME Consortium of West Virginia has over $199,000 in Homebuyer Assistance Program (HAP) funds available for first time homebuyers in Jefferson County.

HAP provides income-eligible first-time buyers with a deferred no-interest loan for down payment and closing costs. The loan is forgiven if the buyer remains in the home for the term of the loan. The amount of the HAP loan depends on the buyer’s need for assistance. HAP provides the gap funding to make the loan affordable to the buyer. The first mortgage payment is not more than 30 percent of monthly household income.

Terms are five years for loans under $15,000 and 10 years for loans of $15,000 to $20,000. The property must pass a code inspection prior to closing.

In cooperation with the HOME Consortium, the Partnership for Affordable Housing (PAH) is providing HAP intake for homebuyers in Jefferson County. PAH is also assisting applicants in obtaining first-time homebuyer education, as required by HAP.

To obtain a HAP application and program guidelines, interested people should contact PAH at 304-725-6189, on the web at www.pahwv.org or by email at haffordable@frontier.com.

PAH offices are located at 238 W Washington St., Charles Town.

Holiday bazaar and bake sale on tap

KEARNEYSVILLE – Country Day School will hold a holiday bazaar and bake sale on Dec. 4.

The event will feature many local businesses and craft persons selling a variety of items, including baby capes, Tupperware, Pampered Chef, premier jewelry designs and more. Students of the school will be on hand selling baked goods.

Admission is free. Vendors can contact Suzi Crowder at 301-367-0914.

All proceeds will go to the Parent Teacher Council (PTC). This is a group of volunteers who support the school by organizing events.

The sale will run from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the school, located at 449 Rose Hill Drive in Kearneysville.

Adopted dogs to be in Christmas parade

CHARLES TOWN – The Animal Welfare Society of Jefferson County will participate in the Charles Town Christmas Parade on Dec. 4. The AWS walking unit will be comprised of dogs that have been adopted from shelters or rescue groups, AWS dogs that are in need of homes or your own canine companions.

If you and your special dog(s) would like to help represent the Animal Welfare Society in the parade, please call 304-725-5972 to register.

You and your dog must be able to walk the mile parade route. Children must be accompanied by an adult.

Enjoy the parade from a new perspective. Your canine pal will have a great time. If you don’t have a dog and would like to participate, you can walk a shelter dog or carry the banner. Line up is at 1:30 p.m.

Green grant to help fund efforts in area

RANSON – The National Audubon Society awarded the Potomac Valley Audubon Society and the Ranson Parks and Recreation Commission a $25,384 “TogetherGreen” Innovation Grant.

The “TogetherGreen” program is designed to fund innovation conservation efforts, support leadership and offer volunteer opportunities that benefit the environment and reach new audiences.

The city of Ranson acquired the once neglected headwaters of Flowing Springs Run, and since early 2009 has been working with the PVAS to turn the area into a “natural public park,” according to a press release. Parks and Rec and the PVAS have been innovative in protecting the water quality as well as getting community members behind the effort.

The grant will allow the groups to partner with the Conservation Fund’s Freshwater Institute; the West Virginia Division of Forestry; the West Virginia Conservation Agency and area teachers, students and residents to solidify plans for the park as well as future ideas for sustaining it.

Club to host vendors for holiday event

The Shepherdstown Men’s Club (SMC) will open its doors at noon today to launch the holiday season.

For this first weekend the vendors will fill only the lower floor, but on the first three Saturdays in December they will fill both levels of the Men’s Club and make use of the kitchen as well to provide festive holiday food and drink.

Judy Shepherd, known by many as Mrs. Clause, will orchestrate the more than 30 vendors as they arrange attractive display of their offerings. The bazaar will operate until 8 p.m. on this first day and from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. on succeeding days. There is no admission charge.

Mike Austin, SMC president, said that the club was delighted with the enthusiastic response of area artisans and craftsmen.

“We hope people will take the time to come in, relax, visit with the vendors and each other and simply enjoy getting into the holiday spirit,” Austin said in a release. “While the vendors are selling their products, making money often isn’t the sole purpose. Their work is an avocation their individual need to be creative and to share the results with pride. It is often something inside of you that simply has to get out. If you come and take a look, I think you will be mpressed.”