Clients

A missing "project lifesaver" client was found in the Back Creek Valley area in Berkeley County, W.Va., after a brief search Thursday afternoon, the Berkeley County Sheriff's Office said. Project Lifesaver is a program that assists families and caregivers of individuals with Alzheimer's, autism, Down syndrome, traumatic brain injuries and other cognitive disabilities who tend to wander and become confused. The sheriff's office received a call about the missing person at about 12:36 p.m., when the person had been missing for about 45 minutes, according to a sheriff's office news release.

Name of business: Toni Sandridge State Farm Owner: Toni Sandridge Address: 917 Pennsylvania Ave. in Hagerstown, next to Spa Warehouse Opening date: Dec. 16, 2011 Products and services: Insurance and financial services Market area: Maryland How did you get into your business, or what motivated you to start it? I decided to become a State Farm agent because I saw an opportunity to not only become a business owner, but make an invaluable contribution to the community.

A federal judge found a Fulton County, Pa., man liable for violating securities law in a case that alleges he bilked investors out of hundreds of thousands of dollars. District Court Judge William W. Caldwell issued a ruling saying Warfordsburg, Pa., financial adviser Robert G. Bard and his firm, Vision Specialist Group LLC, are liable for $450,000 in a civil lawsuit filed by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. “Bard admits that he made false statements to 33 clients on 146 occasions over the course of two and a half years, misrepresenting the value of their accounts by an approximate total of $1,895,200,” the judge wrote in documents dated Nov. 10. The Herald-Mail reported previously one of the investments was a memorial fund for a local Marine killed in Iraq.

The Washington County Health Department will conduct a seasonal flu vaccination clinic for adults from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday, Nov. 1, at Washington County Agricultural Education Center, Multipurpose Building, 7313 Sharpsburg Pike, south of Hagerstown. This is a drive-thru clinic, clients will remain in their cars, and no appointment is necessary. Medicare is accepted. No other insurance will be billed. A donation of $20 is appreciated.

A Washington County attorney consented earlier this month to being disbarred following an investigation by the Attorney Grievance Commission of Maryland that determined he diverted clients' money for his personal use, including a proposed restaurant. At the time of scheduled oral arguments in September, Timothy S. Gordon informed the Court of Appeals of Maryland of “his intention to seek disbarment,” according to the court order signed Oct. 3. Gordon was admitted to the Maryland bar in 1987, and also was licensed to practice law in Pennsylvania, but is listed as retired on the website of the Disciplinary Board of the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania.

Name of business: Fast-Teks On-Site Computer Services, Central Mason-Dixon Region Owner: Mark R. Bierman Address: 8992 Grape Creek Road, Walkersville, Md. Opening date: April 1, 2011 Products and services: Fast-Teks is a national company offering on-site computer services for business and residential clients. The company services all major brands and types of computer equipment; provides software support, including email, security solutions and virus protection; offers networking installation and support (traditional and wireless)

Attorneys with Legal Aid of West Virginia will offer to prepare certain legal documents for powers of attorney, medical powers and living wills as part of the annual Day of Caring event on Sept. 13. The attorneys will be at the Martinsburg-Berkeley County Public Library in Martinsburg from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.., but appointments are required because eligibility and conflict checks must be determined before services can be provided, according to a news release on Wednesday. “We will be limiting these free services to powers of attorney, medical powers of attorney and living wills,” said project coordinator Melinda Dugas in the news release.

“Have patience with all things, but chiefly have patience with yourself. Do not lose courage in considering your own imperfections but instantly set about remedying them - every day begin the task anew.” - Saint Francis de Sales Ask me what I believe the difference between success and failure is, and I'd say it's the inability to accept defeat. Being stubborn isn't always a bad thing. I've found that my most successful clients are the ones who absolutely don't allow anything to get them off goal.

Name of business: Shepherdstown Pharmacy Owners: Kristine Knott and Luke Knott Address: 7670 Martinsburg Pike, suite 2, Shepherdstown, W.Va. Opening date: May 31, 2011 Products and services: We are a retail pharmacy that focuses on customer service and patient care. We also have a variety of over-the-counter products and medical supplies, such as wheelchairs, braces, compression hose and many foot-care items. Target market: Jefferson and Berkeley counties in West Virginia How did you get into your business, and what motivated you to start it?

Esthetician Carol Blessing decided to name her skin care business “Green Bamboo” because bamboo is like a person’s skin: it’s prolific, it regenerates and it’s flexible, pliable and strong.  In addition, her sister Patricia suggested the name because bamboo grows in the back yard of Carol’s home.  Carol’s sister Barbara does the art work for Carol’s business. “Family is important to me,” Carol said.  “My brother helped move me from my previous location and he also built the top for my work table,” she said.