TODAY

The Bavarian Inn presents a Mardi Gras party from 7 to 11 p.m. There will be a Cajun-inspired buffet, dancing, two complimentary Hurricanes and a full cash bar. Elegant party attire and masks are encouraged. Cost is $65 per person with $15 from each ticket sale going to Shepherdstown Visitors Center and Shepherdstown Business Association Advertising Committee. To make reservations, call 304-876-2551.

The Shepherdstown Film Society in partnership with the Shepherd University Scarborough Society presents “And God Created Woman” at Reynolds Hall at 7 p.m. Admission is free. For more info go to “http://www.shepherdstownfilmsociety.org”>www.shepherdstownfilmsociety.org. See you at the movies!

Canterbury Center will be hosting a Schwan’s Truck Load Sale at 80 Maddex Drive in Shepherdstown. All proceeds will be donated to the WV Alzheimer’s Association.

MARCH 12

Shepherdstown Elementary School Longaberger Basket Bingo will take place at the Shepherdstown Fire Hall. Doors will open at 3:30 p.m. Games begin at 5 p.m. Tickets are $20 in advance and $25 at the door. For tickets call 304-876-6270 or 304-876-3275.

The New Street United Methodist Church, on the corner of New and Church Streets, will host an all-you-can-eat Pancake Breakfast and Brunch in its lower level dining hall from 8 a.m. until 1 p.m. Admission is $7 for adults and $4 for children 3 to 12. Carry out is available.

Free: Essential Oils Workshop, 11 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. – Brenda Robinette and Sheri Garner will introduce therapeutic high-frequency essential oils to aid in self care and promote cleaner, more harmonious surroundings. Discover how to drop a fever, quell a cough, relieve a toothache, banish colds, extinguish burns, prevent scarring, ease a headache, heal a sprain, and many more applications from these life enhancing oils. Join this class to be uplifted by this pure, natural and restorative gift. Event takes place at Harmony Healing Arts Center, 207 E. New St., Shepherdstown. No registration necessary. More info at www.ssyoga.org or call 304-283-6188.

ONE NIGHT ONLY. The Full Circle Theater Company presents: “The Pipes are Calling: An Evening of Irish Celebration” at 8 p.m. The evening begins at 6:30 p.m. with a traditional Irish dinner in the foyer of the theater, followed by the show which celebrates Irish music, drama and comedy. Dinner just $10 and entrance to the show just an additional $10. The night is sure to offer St. Patrick’s Day fun for all. For reservations please call 304-268-7798 or 304-707-5020.

MARCH 15

Trinity Episcopal Church on the corner of Church and German streets will offer the monthly Community Women’s Healing Service in the church’s Fellowship Hall at 7:30 p.m. The service of prayer, song and Eucharist offers hope and healing for body, mind and spirit. For more information call the church at 304-876-6990 or Susan MacDonald at 304-876-3681.

MARCH 16

The premier of Episode 31 of Virginia PBS’s series, “Road Trip to History: Battle of Shepherdstown,” will be hosted by the Shepherdstown Men’s Club at the War Memorial Building (102 E. German St.). Civil War historian and SBPA Board member Thomas Clemens will introduce the program. Cocktails start at 6:30 p.m., dinner at 7 p.m. and the program will be shown at approximately 8 p.m. For those who wish to attend the cocktails and dinner portion of the evening, please call SMC at 304-876-3323 and press option 2 to make a reservation or email rsvp@smc25443.org. Reservations must be made by 12 p.m. March 14. The dinner costs $15 per person.

MARCH 17

RANSON – Jefferson County Council on Aging will participate in the national 2011 March for Meals campaign. JCCOA’s March for Meals event will include a Pancake Breakfast held from 7 to 9 a.m. The cost for the event is $3 for those 60 years and up; $4 for those 59 and under. Carryout will be available. All proceeds will go to support JCCOA’s Nutrition Program. For information or to purchase tickets in advance, call or stop by Jefferson County Council on Aging (103 W. 5th Avenue, Ranson; 304 725-4045).

STARTING MARCH 17

Join the Shepherdstown Lutheran Parish each Thursday evening, March 17 through April 14, at 6 p.m. at St. James’ Lutheran Church at the corner of Uvilla Road and Route 230. Each session begins with a light meal of homemade soup and bread, followed by a one-hour program about Jesus’ “Sermon on the Mount” (Book of Matthew, Chapters 5 to 7). The class is open to members of the community and is offered at no charge. This Bible Study and Discussion class is led by The Rev. Dr. Fred Soltow. Dinner starts at 6 and class begins at 6:45. For more information, please contact Shepherdstown Lutheran Parish at 304-876-6771 or Luthern@citlink.net.

STARTING MARCH 18

CHARLES TOWN – Announcing a Photography Exhibit by Ellen Hardesty and Frank Robbins in the Jean Heiler Gallery at the Old Opera House, 240 N. George St. Twenty prints will be exhibited. March 18 6-7:30 p.m. is the opening reception; March 19, 25 and 26, 6:30 – 7:30 p.m.; March 20 and 27 1-2 p.m.

MARCH 19

The Potomac Valley Audubon Society is sponsoring a “Wildlife Signs” walk at the Cacapon State Park in Morgan County. The event is free, and participants should meet at 10 a.m. at the park’s Nature Center. The walk will be led by park naturalist Kelly Smith. Pre-registration is recommended but not required; to pre-register contact Kelly Heldreth at kheldreth@hotmail.com or 304-229-6229 or 540-931-5945.

MARCH 21

The Jefferson County Historical Society, the Shepherdstown Men’s Club and the Historic Shepherdstown Commission are pleased to announce that the first event in the 2011 Historic Speaker Series will take place at the Men’s Club. The program entitled “Lantern in a Poet’s Garden” will be open to the public and will begin with a reception at 6 p.m. followed by a live performance by Terry Tucker and ensemble at 7 p.m. It will celebrate the poems of Shepherdstown historian and author Caroline “Danske” Bedinger Dandridge and her cousin Daniel Bedinger Lucas. Tucker plays the piano and sings throughout the performance, joined by a talented group of musicians: Ardyth Gilbertson, vocalist; cello player and bassist Ralph Gordon; flutist Betty Jo Rockwell; guitarist Todd Coyle; Brian Ellsworth on the French horn; Anders Henricksson playing trumpet, and Bill McCullen on the trombone.

THROUGH MARCH 25

The Shepherd University Department of Contemporary Art and Theater will present a solo exhibition by photographer and faculty member Rick Bruner in the Frank Center Gallery. Bruner’s exhibit titled “Sabbatical Exhibition” chronicles his year-long trip around the world and includes images of Cambodia, Thailand, Jordan, and Egypt. For more information about the Shepherd Department of Contemporary Art and Theater, programs and faculty, visit www.shepherd.edu/artweb/.

MARCH 26

The Potomac Valley Audubon Society is sponsoring a birding trip to the Shannondale Springs Wildlife Management Area in Jefferson County. There is no fee and anyone is welcome to participate. Participants will meet at 8 a.m. in the parking lot in front of the Martin’s Supermarket in the Jefferson Crossroads shopping Center off Route 340 just east of Charles Town. For more information, contact trip leader Sandy Sagalkin at 240-291-6465 or monsansagalkin@myactv.net. In case of inclement weather, contact him to see if the trip is still on, trip details could change depending on weather and recent bird sightings.

The Potomac Valley Audubon Society is sponsoring a tour of the Ridge State Fish Hatchery in Morgan County. The tour is free, and anyone is welcome to join in. The hatchery is a state-run facility that is currently used to raise trout to be stocked in state waters and some private waters that are open to the public. Participants should plan to meet at 1 p.m. at the hatchery building. The hatchery is located south of Berkeley Springs off Route 522, about 2 miles north of the Virginia state line. The address is 12051 Valley Road. Pre-registration is recommended but not required; to pre-register contact Kelly Heldreth at kheldreth@hotmail.com or 304-229-6229 or 540-931-5945.

MARCH 30

The American Red Cross will be at Shepherd University, 301 King St., from 10 a.m. Until 4 p.m. for a blood drive. To be eligible to donate, you must be 17 years of age (Note that 16-year-olds may donate in some states with parental permission-check with the Red Cross), at least 110 pounds, and be in reasonably good health. A person can give every 56 days. All blood types are needed, but O negative and O positive.