City Club of Martinsburg, West Virginia

NEW WAYS TO KEEP UP WITH CITY CLUB EVENTS

2010-11-03T16:39:00.000-07:00

START FOLLOWING THE CITY CLUB ON
FACEBOOK, TWITTER, LINKEDIN OR ON THE CITY CLUB WEBSITE.

CLICK HERE FOR THE CITY CLUB WEBSITE: http://www.mrbcc.org/

POSTINGS TO THIS SITE WILL BE DISCONTINUED ON NOVEMBER 30, 2010

Monday, November 1, 2010

November City Club Meeting

The Martinsburg City Club is proud to announce the November meeting will be held on November 17, 2010 at the McFarland House in Martinsburg, WV.

Guest Speaker: J. Robert "Bob" Reeder, Program Director with Rural LISC.

Topic: "A Discussion of Sustainable Rural Development Strategies: A Rural LISC Perspective"

About LISC: LISC, and its relative, Rural LISC, are quasi-governmental corporations that administer federal programs, like the GNMA. Rural LISC works on economic development in rural areas.

Date: November 17, 2010, Noon
Location: McFarland House, 409 S. Queen St.
Cost: $11 if you RSVP by noon on Monday, November 15 or $13 after.

Speaker Bio: Bob Reeder

Bob Reeder currently serves as a Program Director for Rural LISC , providing a full range of services geared to the promotion of sustainable community development in rural areas of the country including financial underwriting, project feasibility analysis, organizational development and capacity building assistance and both predevelopment and construction guidance for housing, commercial development, and small business/job creation.

Bob has built a thirty year career devoted to social and economic justice, housing and community development, public policy, and legal and administrative advocacy.

Bob has worked for the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development, the Neighborhood Reinvestment Corporation (now NeighborWorks America), the Montgomery Housing Partnership and the South Carolina Legal Services Association.

He has served in various appointed and elected volunteer capacities in Montgomery County, MD, including the Department of Housing and Consumer Affairs, the Mid-County Citizens Advisory Board, President of the Forest Estates Civic Association, and as a member of the County’s Charter Review Commission.

Bob currently resides in Silver Spring, MD with his wife and four daughters. He earned a BA degree in Government from Wofford College in Spartanburg, SC and earned his JD degree from Vanderbilt University School of Law in Nashville, TN.

October Meeting Recap

On Wednesday, October 20th the Martinsburg City Club held the first meeting of the 2010-2011 season at The McFarland House. At the meeting, CoxHollidaPrice received the Distinguished Citizen Award. This award is given to an individual or business who has demonstrated a commitment to the downtown area.

Location: The Historic McFarland House

The Historic McFarland House, located at 409 South Queen Street, Martinsburg, West Virginia will host our October and November events.

The McFarland House offers reception style affairs and decadent dinners. McFarland House Events provide creative festivals, galas, fundraisers, corporate parties, holiday events, picnics, celebrations, family reunions, employee appreciation, tradeshow and convention entertainment. Check out the Historic McFarland House for your next event.

Next Meeting - New Website - New ways to follow City Club on-line

2010-10-04T09:18:00.000-07:00

New City Club website under construction

Click here to view the new site: http://mrbcc.org/

For the fall season, City Club has created Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn accounts to help keep the community informed of what the City Club is doing and has planned.

Twitter: @MRBCCorg
Facebook: The City Club
LinkedIn: The City Club Group

Save the Date: October City Club Meeting

The City Club returns with a lineup of great speakers and a spectacular new location. You won't want to miss the October meeting as we highlight our Distinguished Person of the Year.

Additionally, we will discuss the direction of the City Club and what we hope to accomplish in the upcoming season. We look forward to seeing you there.

Date: October 20, 2010, Noon
Location: McFarland House, 409 S. Queen St.
Cost: $11 in advance, $13 at the door.
Topic: Distinguished Person of the Year

New Location: The Historic McFarland House

The Historic McFarland House, located at 409 South Queen Street, Martinsburg, West Virginia will host our October and November events.

The McFarland House offers reception style affairs and decadent dinners. McFarland House Events provide creative festivals, galas, fundraisers, corporate parties, holiday events, picnics, celebrations, family reunions, employee appreciation, tradeshow and convention entertainment. Check out the Historic McFarland House for your next event.

Want to Help With City Club?

2010-07-28T13:50:00.000-07:00

July 18, 2010

Dear Friends,

As some of you know, I recently had to have open heart surgery. I am now in the recovery phase, and one part of every major event like this is the reassess your life. This is especially necessary for me as I have been told I have an aggressive form of heart disease.

One activity of my life that I have decided to discontinue is my leadership of the City Club. I truly believe that the City Club has been and can continue to positively benefit Martinsburg's historic downtown, but I will need to be at most a participant.

With that said, and here with several months before the usual fall return of the City Club monthly luncheons, I want to open up the idea of another party taking over the City Club. I would be happy to give advice. My stepping down is absolute, however, for reasons mentioned above. If you or someone you know is interested in taking over the leadership and operation of the City Club, please let me know so that City Club may continue after the summer break.

Finally, the City Club has from the beginning been a product of several wonderful partners including my wife, Susan, (who has recently opened the Washington Street Gallery and Gift in Charles Town), Steve Gyurisin of Advanced Planning Associates, and Robert Glenn of Jackson and Kelly. I want to thank them for their help, commitment and counsel.

Sincerely,

Paul
Paul Pritchard
pritchardp@aol.com
304-433-4455

Summer Vacation

2010-06-30T05:02:00.000-07:00

City Club
is on Summer Vacation
for July and August - enjoy your summer.

A Theme for Martinsburg...

2010-05-14T14:49:00.000-07:00

CITY CLUB

May 19,2010(Wednesday) - 12:00 Noon

Boydville Historic Mansion

601 South Queen Street, Martinsburg, West Virginia.

A Theme for Martinsburg???

Martinsburg is railroading, civil war, pre-colonial America, George Washington, Washington family and friends, manufacturing, and many many more themes. This heritage is part of our wealth yet little of it is truly celebrated in one town. And few towns in our region are as capable of presenting it as is Martinsburg. For example, Washington and New York are filled with incredible museums but few are about their city’s unique history. Martinsburg also has a number of empty buildings that could be used for large and small museums, drawing visitors, related businesses and educational facilities to our community.

This month we will look at what Hagerstown has found with its very fine museum. Rebecca Massie Lane, Executive Director, will join us. Like the Winchester’s Museum of the Shenandoah Valley, Hagerstown has a highly regarded museum. Museums bring visitors, jobs, and pride.

The City Club is a forum of residents, businesses and property owners who meet monthly to learn about ways to support the vitality and preserve the historic quality of Martinsburg. The luncheon cost is $10 for those who email a reservation. We can only provide luncheon for those who make an advance reservation by noon, May 17th. Please confirm your reservation via e-mail with your name, phone number and the number in your party to: CityClubWV@aol.com

Click our blog: http://cityclubofmartinsuburgwestvirginia.blogspot.com/

Click on this link for the City Club Website: http://sites.google.com/site/cityclubsite/ Join us. Thank you.

Learn all about Boydville by clicking on this link: http://www.boydville.com/

Directions and Parking: Historical Boydville is located at 601 South Queen Street, Martinsburg, West Virginia. Arriving via route I-81, you may take the King Street exit (exit 13). Follow King Street to downtown Martinsburg (traveling eastward on King Street) and turn right at the 6th traffic light at Queen Street, which runs North and South. (The Berkeley County Library will be on the right-hand corner of the King and Queen Streets intersection and the County Courthouse will be on the left-hand side). Boydville is located approximately three blocks South, on the right-hand side of Queen Street. Drive up to the mansion and park on the grounds on the left side of the mansion.

Mark your calendar

2010-05-11T19:11:00.000-07:00

Please keep the date of May 19, 2010 open for the next City Club program. Noon at the library. Details to follow soon.

Latest City Club Meeting

2010-04-26T11:43:00.000-07:00

Click on this link to read about the latest City Club meeting:

http://www.journal-news.net/page/content.detail/id/535415.html?nav=5006

Images from Boydville City Club Meeting - April 2010

2010-04-26T11:01:00.000-07:00

Our Last Meeting - Next Meeting May 19th, 2010 - Watch for updates

2010-04-26T10:59:00.000-07:00

CITY CLUB

April 21,2010 - 12:00 Noon

Boydville Historic Mansion

Historical Boydville is located at 601 South Queen Street, Martinsburg, West Virginia.

The City Club of Martinsburg is pleased to announce that Dennis Adkins, Executive Director of West Virginia Public Broadcasting (WVPB)( http://www.wvpubcast.org/) will speak on the coverage of our region by our state’s public broadcasting system. The meeting will be held at the historic Boydville Mansion in the solarium meeting room. Mr. Adkins will be joined by staff of WVPB and board members and local public officials and Governor Manchin’s representative, Mary Jo Brown.

West Virginia Public Broadcasting is represented by one highly regarded reporter in the Eastern Panhandle who is headquartered at Shepherd University. WV public radio in the Panhandle and public television are difficult to receive. The opportunity for news items about this region that is providing economic and demographic growth for the state is an important challenge for WVPB.

Please join County Commissioners Lyn Widmyer and Bill Stubblefield, Shepherd University President Suzanne Shipley, WVPB Board Member Pearl Reardan, Susan Pritchard, Washington Street Gallery, Robert Glenn, Jackson Kelly PLLC, Stephen Gyurisin, Advance Planning Associates, LC, Dennis Cates, SuperMedia, Charles S. Connolly, Aspen Hall, Brian Romine, CoxHollidaPrice LLP, Carolyn Snyder, Snyder, Bailey and Associates Inc. and Paul Pritchard, Chair of the City Club of Martinsburg for this very important presentation.

The City Club is a forum of residents, businesses and property owners who meet monthly to learn about ways to support the vitality and preserve the historic quality of Martinsburg. The luncheon cost is $10 for those who email a reservation. We can only provide luncheon for those who make an advance reservation by noon, April 19th. Please confirm your reservation via e-mail with your name, phone number and the number in your party to: CityClubWV@aol.com Join us. Thank you.

Click on this link for the City Club Blog: http://cityclubofmartinsuburgwestvirginia.blogspot.com/

Click on this link for the City Club Website: http://sites.google.com/site/cityclubsite/

From the Boydville Webpage - Learn all about Boydville by clicking on this link: http://www.boydville.com/ Directions and Parking: Historical Boydville is located at 601 South Queen Street, Martinsburg, West Virginia.

Arriving via route I-81, you may take the King Street exit (exit 13). Follow King Street to downtown Martinsburg (traveling eastward on King Street) and turn right at the 6th traffic light at Queen Street, which runs North and South. (The Berkeley County Library will be on the right-hand corner of the King and Queen Streets intersection and the County Courthouse will be on the left-hand side). Boydville is located approximately three blocks South, on the right-hand side of Queen Street. Drive up to the mansion and park on the grounds on the left side of the mansion.

Recent City Club Highlights

2010-03-23T16:38:00.000-07:00

Julie Armel from The Museum of the Shenandoah Valley engages City Club participants by discussing the benifits of a museum to the community.

City Club founder, Paul Pritchard, introduces the guest speaker, Julie Armel and outlines a new year of City Club activities designed to inspire ways to engage creative community thinking.

The next City Club meeting will be April 21, 2010 at noon the location will be at historic Boydville. Please mark the date and watch for detailed announcements for that important City Club date.

March 17, 2010 City Club Meeting

2010-03-07T14:15:00.000-08:00

CITY CLUB

March 17 at 12 Noon
The Martinsburg Room of the Main Library

King and Queen Streets, Martinsburg (Parking behind BB&T Bank)

March 17 St. Patrick’s Day and the Virginians are coming. Actually, Museum of the Shenandoah Valley’s Julie Armel will show us how the Museum has contributed to Winchester and the Top of Virginia Region, just as a museum could do for Martinsburg.

The City of Martinsburg brands itself as the "Northern Gateway to the Shenandoah Valley" - what better way to focus on the history and culture of our Valley region.

The City Club is a forum of residents, businesses and property owners who meet monthly to learn about ways to support the vitality and preserve the historic quality of Martinsburg.

The luncheon cost is $10 for those who email a reservation. We can only provide luncheon for those who make an advance reservation by noon, February 15th. Please confirm your reservation via e-mail with your name, phone number and the number in your party to: CityClubWV@aol.com

Join us. AND Thank you.

http://cityclubofmartinsuburgwestvirginia.blogspot.com/

http://sites.google.com/site/cityclubsite/

No January 2010 City Club Meeting

2010-01-10T12:50:00.000-08:00

We were recently informed that the Epicenter is not available for City Club meetings for the near future because of changing business needs for the space. We have considered several other places and found that either because of construct or cost of meals, no other suitable location is available downtown for our January gathering.

The January meeting is postponed while we look for alternative meeting locations.

If you know of a site, please inform us and we will look into it.

In the meantime, please keep working for the future of historic downtown Martinsburg. And watch your email as we look forward to February.

This Old House - The Best Place to Buy an Old House

2009-11-22T11:23:00.000-08:00

Simply click here to view great images of Martinsburg, WV:

http://www.inthepanhandle.com/local/n/5816

Distinguished Person of the Year Award - Mr. Don Wood - Local Historian

2009-11-19T04:52:00.000-08:00

Click here to read about the latest City Club: http://www.inthepanhandle.com/local/n/5813

November City Club Luncheon, topic “The Real Character of Martinsburg”
Author: ITP News Desk Published: 11/18/2009 12 Views Short URL: http://www.inthepanhandle.com/local/n/5813 Martinsburg, WV -

Speaker / Topic: Don Wood has served as the head of the Berkeley County Historical Society, the Historic Preservation Review Commission, and the Historic Landmarks Commission for many years. He has been the author/editor-in-chief for countless publications including annual Historical Society Journals, Architectural Surveys, and newspaper columns...Lunch by Nolz’s Convenience and Subs....The City Club Distinguished Person of the Year Award was presented to Don Wood.

2009-11-15T14:11:00.000-08:00

SIGN UP TO ATTEND AND HAVE LUNCH NOW!

City Club meeting this Wednesday, November 18, 2010 - Noon

The luncheon cost is $10 for those who email us by noon, November 16, the Monday before the event. We can only provide food for those who make an advance reservation. Please confirm your reservation via e-mail TOMORROW with your name, phone number and the number in your party to: JStanley@coxhollidaprice.com.

Don't Miss This

2009-11-05T16:24:00.000-08:00

City Club Meeting November 18, 2009 - Noon

Epicenter

Historian Don Wood on The Real Character of Martinsburg

November 18, 2009 Noon

Eastern Panhandle Innovation Center (Epicenter) - 224 W. King St., Martinsburg WV

Don Wood has served as the head of the Berkeley County Historical Society, the Historic Preservation Review Commission, and the Historic Landmarks Commission for many years. He has been the author/editor-in-chief for countless publications including annual Historical Society Journals, Architectural Surveys, and newspaper columns. He knows the real Martinsburg. This will be an unforgettable presentation.

The City Club is a forum of residents, businesses and property owners who meet monthly to learn about ways to support the vitality and preserve the historic quality of Martinsburg.

The luncheon cost is $10 for those who email us by noon, November 16, the Monday before the event. We can only provide food for those who make an advance reservation. Please confirm your reservation via e-mail with your name, phone number and the number in your party to: JStanley@coxhollidaprice.com.

We look forward to having you join us.

Thank you.

To keep up with City Club progress follow:

http://cityclubofmartinsuburgwestvirginia.blogspot.com/ - Sign up to follow and comment

http://sites.google.com/site/cityclubsite/

Mark Your Calendars for the Next City Club Meeting

2009-10-31T12:39:00.000-07:00

Next City Club Meeting:

November 18th, 2009 at 12:00 Noon.

Save the date.

2009-10-10T13:02:00.000-07:00

CITY CLUB Meeting Announcement

October 21st @ Noon
Eastern Panhandle Innovation Center (Epicenter)
224 W. King St., Martinsburg WV

RSVP by October 19th at Noon to: jstanley@chpllp.com

The Future of Economic Development in Martinsburg.

Kathy Mason at the Berkeley County Development Authority (BCDA) will join us to discuss the work of the BCDA and its impact on the historic core. The BCDA is the economic generator for the entire county and works with the City of Martinsburg and Downtown Martinsburg to bring business to the downtown area.
Kathy serves at the BCDA as the Business Programs Manager. As the nation recovers from the "Great Recession," businesses small and large will seek new opportunities........

The City Club is a forum of residents, businesses and property owners who meet monthly in Martinsburg to learn about ways of supporting the vitality and preservation of historic downtown Martinsburg.

The luncheon cost is $10.

Lunch will be available only for those who have made an advance reservation by October 19th. Please confirm your reservation for lunch via e-mail with your name and phone number and the number in your party to: jstanley@chpllp.com

City Club

2009-09-08T18:21:00.000-07:00

CITY CLUB Meeting Announcement
RSVP by September 13th at Noon to: : jstanley@chpllp.com

September 16, 2009 – 12 NoonEastern Panhandle Innovation Center (Epicenter) - 224 W. King St., Martinsburg WV

“Creating An Arts Network in Martinsburg”

Cooperation and communication help stimulate economic and cultural gains in other communities – why not Martinsburg? City Club presentations have pointed out how other cities in the region are developing their arts community. Now it’s Martinsburg’s turn.

Two local "arts activists", Rip Smith and Malinda Shaver, started the Berkeley Arts Bulletin in an effort to create a new level of communication for all of the great art related activities with the cooperation of the area’s many art organizations. With communication and cooperation as their theme, Rip and Malinda leveraged the collective-body of arts energy into the Berkeley Arts Council. Come hear about this new organization.

Rip and Malinda will kick off the 2009-10 season of City Club luncheons with their presentation of how the Berkeley Arts Council will help bring together the many diverse creative people in Martinsburg and the surrounding Berkeley County area. Their goal is help create a stronger connection between the arts and our community.

We will be hosted by Epicenter, a mixed-use active arts, professional services and high-tech incubator in the renovated, historic former mansion –YMCA-city hall building. The Epicenter is founded on the idea that business excellence requires an integrated and balanced program of leadership, technology, community, physical health, emotional resilience and mental well-being. Come to City Club and visit this wonderful building.

The City Club is a forum of residents, businesses and property owners who meet monthly in Martinsburg to learn about ways of supporting the vitality and preservation of historic Martinsburg. The luncheon cost is $10 for those who respond to us by email before noon, September 13, the Monday before the event.

Because of limited seating and because so many are interested in our featured program speakers, lunch will be available for only those who have made an advance reservation by September 13th.

Please confirm your reservation for lunch via e-mail with your name and phone number and the number in your party to: jstanley@chpllp.com

We look forward to having you join us.

Thank you.

Look for us on the web:
http://cityclubofmartinsuburgwestvirginia.blogspot.com/

http://sites.google.com/site/cityclubsite/

CITY CLUB NEEDS YOUR OPINION

2009-05-28T15:50:00.000-07:00

June 1, 2009

Over the past three years, the City Club speakers and programs have allowed business and property owners as well as others interested in the well being of Downtown Martinsburg the opportunity to share ideas in an open, non-membership forum. The City Club format is successful because it allows busy people the chance to relax, have a bite to eat and share ideas.

City Club is not a drain on governmental resources, does not require membership dues and is open to all. City Club understands that although people are busy, they have an interest in sharing ideas and learning about what other downtowns are doing. People are talking. Ideas are being shared. After each meeting, participants spend time talking over issues and sharing business stories about Downtown Martinsburg.

The City Club social network of citizens has helped provide a relief valve for many – just by talking and listening to others. By learning and sharing, City Club helps build a stronger downtown with the most important resource available – people, people who want Downtown Martinsburg to be the place of choice to live, work, play and learn.

As the City Club traditional summer break approaches, we will visit other communities and view first hand how these communities and downtowns compare.

City Club is examining a private sector approach to allow City Club to expand and continue on the World Wide Web as a social networking and shared learning center for Downtown Martinsburg. This effort is a natural extension of the past two year progress and success of the City Club. We need your input on some important questions:

A. Is it important to have monthly meetings? Yes___ No_____.
PLEASE EXPLAIN __________________________________________

B. If you answered Yes to “a”, would you help organize a luncheon?
Yes____ No____

C. Would you be willing to attend if the cost of the luncheon was $12 for
reservations and $15 for non-reserved attendees?

D. Are there topics you would like to have covered at the luncheon?
If Yes, please tell us: ____________________________________

E. Have you checked out the blog/website listed below? Yes ___ No___

Send your responses to: cityclubwv@aol.com
Thanks.

To keep up with City Club progress follow:

http://cityclubofmartinsuburgwestvirginia.blogspot.com/

http://sites.google.com/site/cityclubsite/

Summer Break...

2009-05-26T07:52:00.000-07:00

Enjoy your summer vacation.

"Take rest; a field that has rested gives a bountiful crop." Ovid, Roman poet (43 BC - 17 AD)

City Club is on summer break.

Recent City Club Speaker

2009-05-21T19:12:00.000-07:00

City Club speaker touts tourism, economy link
By John McVey / Journal staff writer
May 21, 2009

MARTINSBURG - Allegany County, Md., took a new approach to tourism a few years ago - the county eliminated its convention and visitors bureau....

http://www.journal-news.net/page/content.detail/id/519854.html

MEETING PROGRAM ANNOUNCED

2009-05-06T03:33:00.000-07:00

CITY CLUB
May 20, 2009 – 12:00 Noon
Eastern Panhandle Innovation Center (Epicenter)
224 W. King St, Martinsburg, West Virginia

Tourism as a Self-sufficient Business united with Economic Development

Barb Buehl, President of Rivers Edge Business Associates (REBA) and Jonathan Hutcherson, President/CEO of Exclamation Lab, have a formula for making tourism profitable.

Barb was recently awarded a two-year contract to manage tourism for Allegany County, Maryland. Prior to returning to independent consulting Barb was president/executive director of Allegany County Chamber of Commerce and was responsible for tourism and in four year period doubled the hotel motel tax receipts. Barb spent 31 years with AT&T as vice-president of emerging markets and technology for government markets.

Jonathan started Exclamation Labs in 1996. The company manages creative design and development of many enterprise level web sites and has a client list of Fortune 500 companies.

We will be hosted by Epicenter, a mixed-use, active-arts, professional services and high-tech incubator in the historic mansion/YMCA/city hall building in downtown Martinsburg. The Epicenter was founded on the idea that business excellence requires an integrated and balanced program of leadership development, technology innovation, community involvement, physical health, emotional resilience and mental well-being. We welcome the former Ed’s Sicilian on Queen Street as our caterer.

The City Club is a forum of residents, businesses and property owners who meet monthly to learn about ways of supporting the vitality and preservation of historic Martinsburg. The luncheon cost is $10 for those who email us by noon, May 18, the Monday before the event. Those who join us without making a reservation will pay $13at the door.

Please confirm your reservation via e-mail by noon, May 18, 2009 with your name and phone number and the number in your party to: CityClubWV@aol.com

We look forward to having you join us.

Thank you.

A copy of this posting can be found by clicking on the following link:

http://cityclubofmartinsuburgwestvirginia.blogspot.com/

2009-04-28T19:30:00.000-07:00

Mark your calendars and save the date:

Next City Club program:

Wednesday, May 20, 2009 - Noon

The City Club is a forum of residents, businesses and property owners who meet monthly to learn about ways of supporting the vitality and preservation of historic downtown Martinsburg.

Meeting location:

EPICENTER - 224 WEST KING STREET, MARTINSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA

Martinsburg City Issues Survey

2009-04-16T15:08:00.000-07:00

MARTINSBURG CITY CLUB
ISSUES SURVEY APRIL 09

These issues have been raised by individuals during a planning session of the City Club in 2007. They are grouped by topic area with no order of priority. Please rank each one as follows:

A = high priority
B = medium priority
C = low priority

Please add and rank any issue we have not included. Space (Number 18, 19, 20) has been provided for three more items but add more or less if there are issues not included. The results will be announced at the upcoming City Club and on our website and blog.
Thank you.

Law Enforcement Issues
__1. Violent crime in the downtown area
__2. Public alcohol use
__3. Presence of possible drug users
__4. Inadequate police presence
__5. Loud car stereos/mufflers, yield to pedestrians, speeding, etc

Parking & Traffic Issues
__ 6. Lack of adequate parking
__ 7. Need for the Raleigh Street extension

Government Assistance Issues
__8. Tax and other incentives to encourage retail, offices and housing
__9. Tax and other incentives to encourage historic building restoration
__10. Need for emergency health care facilities in the downtown area

Design Issues
__11. Absence of trees, shrubs, flowers, etc
__12. Too much traffic noise on streets
__13. Need for historic features (street lights, brick walks, buried utility lines, etc)
__14. Need for more road signage to the historic downtown
__15. Need for more open space including trees and benches
__16. Open a covered year-around farmer’s market that is open daily
__17. Need for architectural standard enforcement for private and public buildings in the historic district.

__18. Other___________________
__19. Other ___________________
__20. Other___________________

Email or mail your completed survey to City Club, 123 W. Burke Street, Martinsburg, WV 25401.

SAVE THE DATE...

2009-03-24T09:59:00.000-07:00

Mark your calendars and save the date:

Next City Club program:

Wednesday, April 15, 2009 - Noon

The City Club is a forum of residents, businesses and property owners who meet monthly to learn about ways of supporting the vitality and preservation of historic Martinsburg.

“Creating Genuine Community from Leavenworth to Kosovo
How Martinsburg can Transform, Grow and Perform by Leading from the Heart”

Bill Thatcher, Executive Director of Heartstream Education, has more than twenty-five years of executive level experience with regional, national and international companies and governmental institutions, including both federal and state corrections institution staff and inmates with particular emphasis on long-range, participatory communication and management planning strategies, program design and evaluation, transition planning and implementation, community/team building and adult education.

In addition to his consulting work, Bill is an inspirational public speaker in local, national and international forums. He connects well across a table or an auditorium. He is author of numerous published articles and co-author of the 1997 book, The Power of Acceptance: Building Meaningful Relationships in a Judgmental World, Newcastle Publishing, Van Nuys, California.

We will be hosted by Epicenter, a mixed-use active arts, professional services and high-tech incubator in the historic mansion/YMCA/city hall. The Epicenter was founded on the idea that business excellence requires an integrated and balanced program of leadership development, technology innovation, community involvement, physical health, emotional resilience and mental well-being. We welcome back Good Natured to cater the luncheon.

The City Club is a forum of residents, businesses and property owners who meet monthly to learn about ways of supporting the vitality and preservation of historic Martinsburg. The luncheon cost is $10 for those who email us by noon, April 13, the Monday before the event. Those who join us without making a reservation will pay $13 at the door.

Please confirm your reservation via e-mail with your name and phone number and the number in your party to: CityClubWV@aol.com

We look forward to having you join us. Thank you.

A copy of this posting can be found by clicking on the following link:

http://cityclubofmartinsuburgwestvirginia.blogspot.com/

It's never too late to become a college town...

2009-03-22T18:29:00.000-07:00

The tale of two cities

NJ town with college tries to become college town
By GEOFF MULVIHILL
GLASSBORO, N.J. (AP) — Rowan University has already transformed itself from a little-known southern New Jersey commuter college into a top-tier university where students are looking to move onto campus.
Now, its hometown is trying to transform itself, too — into a traditional college town

http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5iSTdZaZRko2URFAA9mHs_W2yrnvgD972H4R00

Colleges shown to economically benefit towns

Speaker says they are helpful in many ways
By John McVey / Journal staff writer POSTED: March 19, 2009

MARTINSBURG - No one, apparently, told Frank McCluskey that Blue Ridge Community and Technical College is moving out of Martinsburg..."I'm surprised (Blue Ridge CTC) is moving out of town," he said. "Why wouldn't they want to leave a footprint in town?"McCluskey is the provost and executive vice president of American Public University System...

http://www.journal-news.net/page/content.detail/id/517165.html?nav=5006

From our recent meeting - Town and Gown...

2009-03-19T17:23:00.000-07:00

Colleges shown to economically benefit towns

Speaker says they are helpful in many ways

By John McVey / Journal staff writer POSTED: March 19, 2009
MARTINSBURG - No one, apparently, told Frank McCluskey that Blue Ridge Community and Technical College is moving out of Martinsburg...

"I'm surprised (Blue Ridge CTC) is moving out of town," he said. "Why wouldn't they want to leave a footprint in town?"

McCluskey is the provost and executive vice president of American Public University System...

http://www.journal-news.net/page/content.detail/id/517165.html?nav=5006

Speak up - now is the chance - DOT Public Meeting

2009-03-17T03:38:00.000-07:00

West Virginia residents can have a say in the development of a long range transportation plan for the state.

The Department of Transportation said Friday that it will hold public meetings across the state to gather input and answer questions.

The Statewide Multi-Modal Long Range Transportation Plan will address all types of transportation.

A public meeting is planned by WVDOT in Martinsburg on Tuesday, March 24. A location and time has not been announced.

Public meetings are scheduled March 23 in Wheeling, March 24 in Martinsburg, March 26 in Huntington, March 31 in Elkins, April 1 in Charleston, April 2 in Williamson, April 6 in Parkersburg, April 7 in Morgantown and April 13 in Princeton.

Transportation is a key element in our modern lifestyle that impacts the way we live, work and play in Martinsburg, the region and West Virginia. I-81, Route 9, Route 11, Martinsburg's local city connector road, Martinsburg airport improvements, rail passenger train service and freight service rail improvements and a walkable downtown are topics that are all in the news. Your participation is important for good planning to occur. Speak up - now is your chance.

Berkeley Arts Bulletin Premieres

2009-03-12T17:56:00.000-07:00

To help boost awareness and participation in arts activities, the Berkeley Arts Bulletin is making its debut this week. It has twin goals: to bring more area residents to events that feature the creative work of local artists and performers, and to develop more opportunities for those artists.

The Bulletin will focus on events that are primarily arts-related and occur in Berkeley County within about five weeks of publication, planned for the last week of each month. Auditions, classes and calls for artist submissions to exhibits will also be listed. We hope that a bulletin distributed regularly by email directly to the attention of potential audiences (and participants) will bring these opportunities to the forefront.

The March issue of the Berkeley Arts Bulletin is available here:

http://www.artsroundtable.net/bab/Berkeley_Arts_Bulletin_March09.pdf

Your assistance in developing sources of information will be appreciated. Let us know (by email to berkeleyartswv@gmail.com) if there is an arts activity we should include.

And most importantly, we ask you to help out by distributing the Berkeley Arts Bulletin to other community-minded email contacts.

The Berkeley Arts Bulletin is an independent production. You can reach us through berkeleyartswv@gmail.com.
We hope you enjoy the Bulletin -- and take advantage of the arts in our County!

CITY CLUB - Town and Gown by Dr. Frank McCluskey

2009-03-08T11:18:00.000-07:00

CITY CLUB Meeting - Please RSVP
March 18, 2009 – 12 Noon
Eastern Panhandle Innovation Center (Epicenter)
224 W. King St.
Martinsburg, West Virginia

“Town and Gown”

Dr. Frank McCluskey is the Provost and Senior Vice President of American Public University System. From the arrival of APUS in Charles Town, his team made a commitment to be in the town and to utilize and restore historic buildings. “Town and Gown” is the title of his comments of the values of a center of higher education on a community.

Dr. McCluskey graduated from Bloomfield College in New Jersey with a B.A. in Philosophy, a M.A. in Philosophy and Ph.D. in German Philosophy from New School for Social Research and a post-doctoral fellowship in philosophy at Yale University. Prior to joining APUS, Dr. McCluskey served as the Dean of Online Learning at Mercy College in Dobbs Ferry, NY where he helped create and develop the distance learning program beginning in 1990 with a grant from IBM.

We will be hosted by Epicenter, a mixed-use active arts, professional services and high-tech incubator in the historic mansion/YMCA/city hall. The Epicenter was founded on the idea that business excellence requires an integrated and balanced program of leadership development, technology innovation, community involvement, physical health, emotional resilience and mental well-being. We welcome back Good Natured to cater the luncheon.

The City Club is a forum of residents, businesses and property owners who meet monthly to learn about ways of supporting the vitality and preservation of historic Martinsburg.

The luncheon cost is $10 for those who email us by noon, March 16, the Monday before the event. Those who join us without making a reservation will pay $13 at the door. Please confirm your reservation via e-mail with your name and phone number and the number in your party to: CityClubWV@aol.com

We look forward to having you join us. Thank you.

A copy of this posting can be found by clicking on the following link:

http://cityclubofmartinsuburgwestvirginia.blogspot.com/

Let Rip and Malinda know of an arts activitiy...

2009-03-05T03:26:00.000-08:00

...by sending information to: berkeleyartswv@gmail.com

The benefits of a lively arts scene will increase the appeal of Martinsburg and Berkeley County not only to local residents but to visitors and businesses.

Yet the variety and richness of arts in ourarea is often overlooked. To help boost awareness and participation in arts activities, the Berkeley Arts Bulletin is making its debut this week. It has twin goals: to bring more area residents to events that feature the creativework of local artists and performers, and to develop more opportunities for those artists.

The Bulletin will focus on events that are primarily arts-related and occur in Berkeley County within about five weeks of publication, plannedfor the last week of each month. Auditions, classes and calls forartist submissions to exhibits will also be listed. We hope that abulletin distributed regularly by email directly to the attention of potential audiences (and participants) will bring these opportunities to the forefront. Your assistance in developing sources of information will beappreciated. Let us know (by email to: berkeleyartswv@gmail.com ) if there is an arts activity we should include.

Most importantly, we ask you to help out by distributing theBerkeley Arts Bulletin to other community-minded email contacts. The Berkeley Arts Bulletin is an independent production developed byMalinda Shaver and Rip Smith. You can reach at berkeleyartswv@gmail.com.

We hope you enjoy the Bulletin -- and take advantage of the arts in our County!

Rip Smith & Malinda Shaver at berkeleyartswv@gmail.com contributed this article.

March 8 Two Rivers Concert...

2009-02-23T17:50:00.000-08:00

Two Rivers Chamber Orchestra is Back by Popular Demand

The orchestra, conducted by Dr. Mark McCoy, chairman of the Shepherd University Department of Music, will be in concert March 8th at 3:00 PM at Martinsburg High School. The concert’s stunning selections include Mozart's Concerto for Flute and Harp in C Major, featuring Anne Munro on flute and Caroline Gregg on harp; Mark O'Connor's Appalachia Waltz; Strauss's Die Fledermaus; and Mendelssohn's Symphony #3 in A Minor, "Scottish."

For tickets and concert information visit www.sufom.org, or call the Friends of Music office at 304-876-5765. Folks can get a special rate of $30 for a pair of tickets if they mention the promotional rate. Also, students are free.

Next Meeting...

2009-02-23T05:46:00.001-08:00

Keep this date open for your next City Club event.
_______________

March 18, 2009 - Noon

City Club in the news...

2009-02-21T19:39:00.000-08:00

Some City Club news events - "click" the links below:

http://www.createwv.com/blog/martinsburg/eastern-panhandle-innovation-center-epicenter-opens-martinsburg

http://www.herald-mail.com/?module=displaystory&story_id=162688&format=html

http://www.journal-news.net/page/content.detail/id/515967.html

http://www.journal-news.net/page/content.detail/id/511350.html?nav=5006

Do you have a City Club news item? Send it to us so that we can post it for all to read.

You are invited to join us....

2009-02-05T18:44:00.000-08:00

CITY CLUB MEETING...

February 18, 2009 – 12 Noon
Eastern Panhandle Innovation Center (Epicenter)
224 W. King St. Martinsburg, WV

Andy Vick has been the Executive Director of the Allegany Arts Council since April of 2003. He and his wife were full-time artists when they relocated to Western Maryland in 1998. Prior to his career in the arts, Andy was employed as a Marketing Director and as a Manager of Human Resources for businesses in the Washington, DC area.

In addition to his role as Executive Director of the Allegany Arts Council, Andy is the Chairman of the Canal Place Preservation and Development Authority. He also serves on the Maryland Tourism Development Board, the Allegany County Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, and is the Past-President of the Rotary Club of Cumberland. Andy is also the Coordinator for the City of Cumberland’s Arts & Entertainment District, a member the City of Cumberland’s Downtown Development Commission, a member of The Greater Cumberland Committee, and serves on the statewide Advisory Board for Maryland Life magazine.

We will be hosted by Epicenter a mixed-use, active arts, professional services and high-tech incubator in the historic mansion/YMCA/city hall. The Epicenter was founded on the idea that business excellence requires an integrated and balanced program of leadership development, technology innovation, community involvement, physical health, emotional resilience and mental well-being. Lunch will be catered by Habanero.

The City Club is a forum of residents, businesses and property owners who meet monthly to learn about ways of supporting the vitality and preservation of historic Martinsburg.

The luncheon cost is $10 for those who email us by noon, February 16, the Monday before the event. Those who join us without making a reservation will pay $13 at the door.

Please confirm your reservation via e-mail with your name and phone number and the number in your party to: CityClubWV@aol.com

We look forward to having you join us.

Thank you.

City Club and Change

2009-01-29T19:11:00.000-08:00

Dear Friends:

The City Club is committed to change, in Martinsburg and within. Our first meeting was a great success and our new location at the Epicenter provides a wonderful setting.

Our first action is to make sure you want to be on the mailing list. Of course, no addresses are distributed for any purpose other than announcements of upcoming events affecting the historic Martinsburg.

If you wish to receive these announcements, please email cityclubwv@aol.com and place the word, "subscribe" in the Subject box. All others will be deleted. No need to reply.

Second, Randy Lewis announced at the City Club the upcoming meeting on Monday, January 26 at the Council Chambers originally billed as a "Merchant Meeting." Today, an email announcement included residents and property owners. Join us to discuss the needs of the downtown.

Finally, Shepherd University's Keith Alexander a very important speaker on the Economics of Historic Preservation, a timely and important topic for Martinsburg. As the Mall and other commercial single purpose facilities falter, the historic downtown remains the best opportunity for the future for a vibrant and healthy city. A brief of this announcement follows.

Thanks for your support of the City Club. Our next speaker will be on February 18 when Andy Vick, the Executive Director of the Allegany Arts Council, will speak on the successful effort bringing arts to Western Maryland and Cumberland.

Best regards,
Paul Pritchard
cityclubwv@aol.com

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 1/13/09
CONTACT: Dr. Keith Alexander, 304-876-5143, kalexand@shepherd.edu

Expert on the Economics of Historic Preservation to Speak at Shepherd University February 12

Donovan Rypkema, president of Heritage Strategies International and an expert on the economics of historic preservation, will present a talk entitled "Historic Preservation in Times of Economic Chaos" at 7:30 PM on Thursday, February 12. The talk, which will be free and open to the public, will be held in the auditorium of the Robert C. Byrd Center for Legislative Studies on the campus of Shepherd University.

Meeting Notice

2009-01-29T19:05:00.000-08:00

CITY CLUB
Wednesday, January 21, 2009 – 12 Noon

Eastern Panhandle Innovation Center (Epicenter)
224 W. King St. Martinsburg, WV

Maria Lorensen will be our guest, a person who needs no introduction in the Eastern Panhandle. Lorensen has been a public servant in a number of capacities, from journalist to congressional staffer to county school spokesperson and now to her new role in Hospice of the Panhandle. Her knowledge gained over a decade of serving as the Editor of The Journal gives her unique understanding of the personalities and elements that make our community what it is. She will share her insight into the future of the region and the role of the historic city.

We will be hosted by Epicenter, a mixed-use active arts, professional services and high-tech incubator in the historic mansion/YMCA/city hall. The Epicenter was founded on the idea that business excellence requires an integrated and balanced program of leadership development, technology innovation, community involvement, physical health, emotional resilience and mental well-being. The Epicenter provides a nurturing environment to a wide variety of member organizations in a beautiful, functional and state-of-the-art facility.

The City Club is a forum of residents, businesses and property owners who meet monthly to learn about ways of supporting the vitality and preservation of historic Martinsburg.

Lunch will be served by Good Natured, a downtown green general store, a CD/record shop, music venue and organic cafe. The luncheon cost is $10 for those who email us by noon on January 19, the Monday before the event. Those who join us without making a reservation will pay $13 at the door. Please confirm your reservation via e-mail with your name and phone number and the number in your party to: CityClubWV@aol.com We look forward to having you join us. Thank you.