Running injury prevention leaders from around the globe will gather in Shepherdstown for a three-day conference to discuss best evidence and best practices to prevent and treat running injury.

As part of the gathering the group desires to meet the local community and share stories, experience and knowledge.

Two Rivers Treads Center for Natural Running and Walking, the Bavarian Inn, and the Running Clinic Canada will host “The Re-Evolution of Running: Discover Pain Free Movement for Life” Jan. 28 from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Bavarian Inn.

Guest panelists include leading clinicians, researchers, teachers, writers, athletes and footwear experts from around the globe:

Danny Dreyer, founder of Chi Running and Chi Walking and internationally-acclaimed injury-prevention coach, ultramarathoner and best-selling author;

Dr. Craig Richards from Newcastle, Australia; general practice and sports medicine doctor and Runner as well as one of world’s lead researchers on running injuries and footwear;

Jay Dicharry, PT, director SPEED Clinic University of Virginia and international Authority on Gait Analysis and Running Injury;

Dr. Peter Larson, professor of biology St. Anshelm College New Hampshire, marathon runner and author/host of world’s most widely read website on running innovation;

Blaise Dubois, PT and Sean Cannon, PT from Quebec City, Canada; international leaders in running injuries and authors and instructors of over 40 international conferences

Jerry Lee from Boulder, Colo.; co-founder and CEO Newton Running and innovator in the first shoe company with primary mission of injury prevention as well as an Ironman competitor;

Ian Adamson, MS Sports Med/BS Biomechanical Engineering and director of Research & Education of Newton, ultramarathoner and seven-time world champ Adventure Racer;

Dr. Daniel Kulund of the U.S. Air Force; Chief Health Promotions Pentagon and physician, innovator of Running Medicine. Opened first true “Runners Clinic” in the 1970s;

Dr. Mark Cucuzzella of West Virginia University; Coach U.S.Air Force Running Team, National Level Masters Runner and national speaker/teacher of healthier running; sub 2:35 marathons in four decades;

Brian Metzler from Boulder, Colo.; editor of Running Times; and

Jeff Horowitz from Arlington, Va.; editor of Competitor Magazine.

Speakers will share their most important discoveries and then allow questions and conversation with the audience.

“This is an amazing privilege to have all of these leaders in one room together willing to share and converse with the public. Over 60 percent of runners are injured every year. If the CDC were to evaluate this data, they would shut running events down,” said Mark Cucuzzella, MD, in a press release. “We need to develop entirely new approaches to running injuries and staying healthy for life.”

The event is free to the public and geared toward walkers and runners of all abilities.

For more information contact, Two Rivers Treads Center for Natural Running and Walking at 304-876-1100.

Centers offer free senior tax credit assistance

If you are a senior citizen, age 65 or older, or a younger person with an established disability, and are approved for the West Virginia Homestead Exemption program, you may be eligible for this tax credit. If eligible for this tax credit, you should have recently received information from the State Tax Department. You must own your own home to qualify for this tax credit.

For more information regarding free assistance to receive this tax benefit, please call the West Virginia Aging and Disability Resource Center (ADRC). When calling ADRC, individuals should have available: senior tax credit letter from the State Tax Department, Social Security Award letter and verification of other sources of income.

For information and assistance, call 304-263-3943 or 800-296-5341. If you are a community organization or church, ADRC counselors are available to come to your location to assist seniors and persons with disabilities with the completion of their Senior Tax Credit return.

Valentine’s Day Purrfect benefit buffet to be held

CHARLES TOWN – The Animal Welfare Society of Jefferson County is selling tickets for a delicious buffet, fun silent auction and 50/50 raffles to benefit the society’s Capital Campaign and Shelter Renovation Fund.

The second annual Purrfect Valentine Buffet is being sponsored by the Hollywood Casino and Charles Town Races and will be held on Feb. 12 from 6 to 10 p.m. in their Skyline Ballroom.

Tickets are $35 per person and are available by calling 304-728-7922.

The Animal Welfare Society has been helping homeless animals since 1952 and has operated a shelter on Old Leetown Pike since 1985. For more information on this event, the society or to view pets needing homes, visit www.awsjc.org.

Pickin’ in the Panhandle preview set at the Apollo

MARTINSBURG – The Eastern Panhandle Bluegrass Association will present the Pickin’ Preview on March 5 at the Apollo Theatre, 128 E. Martin St. in downtown Martinsburg, featuring the musical talents of Circa Blue, Back Creek Valley Boys and Junior Sisk & Ramblers Choice.

Tickets are $10 in advance and can be purchased online at or at 115 N. Queen St. in Martinsburg. All funds raised will benefit the EPBA and the Apollo Theatre.

Almost Heaven dinner to host Carte Goodwin

The Jefferson County Organization of Democratic Women (JCODW) will host the Honorable Carte Goodwin at the upcoming Almost Heaven dinner on 6 p.m. Jan. 22 at the Clarion in Shepherdstown.

Goodwin was appointed to the U.S. Senate in July 2010 to fill the vacancy after the death of Robert C. Byrd. He served until Nov. 15, 2010 when Gov. Joe Manchin, chosen in a special election, assumed the office.

Almost Heaven is an annual fundraising event sponsored by the JCODW. The JCODW supports Democratic candidates, sponsors informational meetings on topics of local and national concern and helps promote issues of importance to the Democratic Party.

Agency seeks proposals to help fund projects

CHARLES TOWN – The Arts and Humanities Alliance of Jefferson County requests proposals from groups and individuals in Jefferson County for grants to fund projects in the arts or humanities that are intended to preserve or enhance the county’s cultural heritage.

Proposals must be mailed and postmarked by Feb. 15. Applications and guidelines for submissions can be found on the AHA website at www.ahajc.org.

Applicants are urged to contact AHA Community Grants Committee Chairman Ron Widmyer at 304-725-4326 prior to submission of a grant application for further guidance.

After applications are reviewed by a panel, the awards are made by the AHA Board of Directors.

Applicants must be residents of or operate from facilities within Jefferson County and meet all other criteria of the guidelines. Projects must demonstrate positive community impact and practicality for completion.

AHA’s Community Grants have upper financing limits of $2,000 for organizations and $800 for individuals. Projects may be funded at lower levels.

AHA requests proposals for community grants three times a year. Applicants may request more then one grant award per year, but first priority will be given to organizations and individuals seeking their first award in any one year.

The mission of AHA, a volunteer, non-profit organization, is to preserve the rich history and culture of Jefferson County and to encourage creative opportunity for all its citizens.

Fundraiser, celebration for painter to be held

CHARLES TOWN – Washington Street Gallery & Gift will celebrate the birthday of French painter Paul Cezanne Jan. 22 with a fundraiser for the Arts & Humanities Alliance of Jefferson County.

Born in France in 1839, Cezanne was a Post-Impressionist painter well-known for his still-life and landscape paintings. He has inspired artists for generations, including many of those at the gallery.

“This all-day event is a wonderful opportunity to support the arts right here in your own backyard,” says gallery owner Susan Ford Pritchard in a press release. “Paul Cezanne was born 172 years ago, and just for fun, anyone can come in that day and add a candle to his birthday cake by making a $1 donation to AHA. And, have a piece of cake while you’re there. We even provide candles.”

The gallery also is donating 15 percent of the day’s sales to AHA.

From 5 to 8 p.m., the event will also include a silent auction of pieces donated by the artists, artisans and authors at Washington Street gallery.

This event is designed to increase awareness of local arts, to build awareness and membership of AHA and to feature the work of the gallery’s 17 painters.

Washington Street Gallery & Gift, 235 W. Washington St. in Charles Town, is the only all-local gallery in the Eastern Panhandle and features the work of 50 artists, artisans and authors from Jefferson and Berkeley County. The gallery is open from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Jan. 22. for more information, visit www.WStreetGallery.com or call 304-724-2090.

‘Firefighter 1’ course to be held at department

RESA 8 will offer a “Firefighter 1” class at Back Creek Valley Volunteer Fire Department beginning Feb. 12.

The 120-hour course will meet from 6 to 10 p.m. on selected weekday evenings and 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on selected weekend dates until the hours are completed. The instructor is Davey Pappas.

David Plume, public service training coordinator of the Regional Education Service Agency that serves Berkeley, Grant, Hampshire, Hardy, Jefferson, Mineral, Morgan and Pendleton counties, said the course will meet NFPA requirements for FF1 Standard, plus HazMat Awareness/Operations and First Aid/CPR.

The course fee is $25, and books are $65. CPR fees may apply.

The full schedule includes Feb. 12, 13, 16, 18, 21 and 23; March 1, 3, 8, 10, 15, 17, 22, 24, 29 and 31; and April 4, 6, 9, 11, 13, 16, 17, 18.

For more information contact Plume at 304-267-3595, ext. 112, or e-mail dplume@access.k12.wv. us.

To learn more about RESA 8’s educational programs in Berkeley, Grant, Hampshire, Hardy, Jefferson, Mineral, Morgan and Pendleton counties, call 304-267-3595 or visit resa8.k12.wv.us.