SHEPHERDSTOWN PUBLIC LIBRARY

Saturday, Dec. 12:Children four and older are invited to a special “Animals in Winter” program with stories and activities, at 11 a.m. in the Library’s Children’s Department. No registration is needed for programs in this monthly “Outdoors in the Library” series, which is sponsored by the Potomac Valley Audubon Society (PVAS).

Saturday, Dec. 12: There will be a Special Election for the Jefferson County Board of Education’s Excess Levy. County residents who are registered to vote may do so from 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. For a sample ballot and frequently asked questions, go to boe.jeff.k12.wv.us/levy2015. For information on absentee ballots, early voting, and polling places, stop by the Library at 100 E. German Street, or call (304) 876-2783.

The Friends of the Shepherdstown Library (FOSL) Book Club will not meet in December.

CLOSED Thursday, Dec. 24 through Friday, Jan. 1: No fines will be charged for overdue items returned in our book drop while the Shepherdstown Library is closed! We will reopen on Friday, Jan. 2, at 10 a.m.

Borrow a Kindle Touch: There are three now available in the Children’s Department pre-loaded with Young Adult titles: classics, or new and popular books, or award-winners. There are nineteen Kindles you may borrow in the Adult Department. (Titles you select from our online catalog may be ‘delivered’ to your Kindle; please ask about our borrower requirements.)

ONGOING

Need to get your cat or dog spayed or neutered? Contact Spay Today, our area’s non-profit, reduced-price spay and neuter program. At the time of surgery, initial shots and tests can also be obtained at lower rates. Choose from MANY vets over a WIDE area! NEW vets added! Contact Spay Today: www.baacs.org or 304-728-8330.

Intermediate Bridge players are invited to join an informal group meeting every Wednesday, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Trinity Episcopal Chapel. All are welcome and walk-ins are encouraged. For more information, contact 304-876-6244.

The Shepherdstown Museum, at the corner of German and Princess streets, is open on weekends from April through October, on July 4, and during Christmas in Shepherdstown. Public hours are: Saturdays, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. and Sundays, 1 p.m.-4 p.m. Visits can be arranged at other times by calling 304-876-0910 on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.

The Bridge Gallery is opening a special Holiday Exhibit featuring new paintings by Seth Hill, a Clarksburg, West Virginia artist, and Rebecca Grace Jones from Shepherdstown. The exhibit runs from Dec. 5 until Jan. 3 with an opening reception for the artists on Saturday, Dec. 5 from 5- 7:30 p.m. Also on display will be work by gallery artists James Kline, Benita Keller, David Zimmerman and special guest Mary Jo Kennard along with ceramics by Sycamore Pottery and Joy Bridy. For additional information call 304-876-2300.

Today

Dec. 12

Ranson Parks and Recreation is joining forces with Pizza City and Harvest Pointe Church in hosting their annual Pizza Lunch with Santa on from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the Ranson Civic Center. A free event for those 10 and under, children can enjoy lunch with Santa, some craft and coloring stations and story times.

Dec. 17

The Apollo Jazz Orchestra under the direction of Jordan English will present their 1st Christmas Celebration Concert – “Swingin’ In The Holidays” at 7:30 p.m., at the Apollo Civic Theatre, 128 East Martin Street in Martinsburg. The orchestra will be performing Christmas standards for all the ages. Tickets are $12 at the door. They can also be purchased for just $10 online at www.apollo-theatre.org.

The Apollo is collecting non-perishable food items to be donated this holiday season to the Martinsburg Rescue Mission and Bethany House.

Dec. 18

Crystal Bowl Concert, 12-12:40 p.m. Ann Craig performs an extraordinary “sound meditation” using eight quartz crystal bowls that fill the Harmony studio with an energetic yet peaceful vibration that soothes and aligns mind, body and soul. Participants can sit in chairs or lie on mats. Donations gratefully accepted. Harmony, 211 E. New St.

Dec. 22

12-12:40 p.m. Ann Craig performs an extraordinary “sound meditation” using eight quartz crystal bowls that fill the Harmony studio with an energetic yet peaceful vibration that soothes and aligns mind, body and soul. Participants can sit in chairs or lie on mats. Donations gratefully accepted. Harmony, 211 E. New St.

Dec. 23

Renaissance Christmas Concert, 8 p.m. Tina Chancey (longtime director) of HESPERUS joins with Niccolo Seligmann and Brian Kay from DIVISIO, a Baltimore-based group mixing Early music and Early magic designed to drive the cold winter away. Together the three musicians play more than a dozen early and traditional instruments from oud to viol and kamenj to tar,combined in a program that ranges through 4 centuries in Europe and the Middle East, that will energize and delight you. At St. Peters Lutheran Church at 110 N. King St. in Shepherdstown. Admission is $22 adults, $20 seniors and $18 members and $10 for students. For more information call Joanie at (304) 263-2531 or email updf@earthlink.net. Advance tickets will be available from O’Hurleys General Store or by mail.

Jan. 3

A Bingo Bash will be held at the Jefferson County Community center as a benefit for the upcoming July 4 fireworks celebration. Doors open at 12:30 and bingo starts at 2 p.m. Cost is $30 per person. Door prizes, tips and concessions available.

Jan. 8-10

Upper Potomac Fiddle Retreat: Join some of our finest local fiddlers and special guests for a weekend featuring over 30 different workshops for fiddle, hammered dulcimer, mandolin, piano, and mixed instruments, and dance band classes in a variety of styles in historic Shepherdstown on the campus of Shepherd University. Weekend’s staff includes: Emerald Rae (Scottish, English), Mary Lea ( English), Pascal Gemme (French Canadian), David Kaynor (New England), Alan Jabbour ( Appalachian), Danny Knicely (bluegrass, swing, and old-time mandolin and fiddle), Peter Barnes (Dance Band, piano), Ken Kolodner (hammered dulcimer accompaniment) and Paul Oorts (mandolin and mixed-instrument band classes). Friday night features a showcase concert; Saturday night has a contra dance with the weekend’s open band led by our instructors as well as jam sessions nearby. For information see http://upperpotomacmusic.info/fiddleretreat or call Joanie Blanton (304) 263-2531 or email upperpotomac@gmail.com.