SHEPHERDSTOWN PUBLIC LIBRARY

A large display of holiday books to borrow, including lots of brand-new ones, will be available in the Library’s Children’s Department from Dec. 1 through 22.

Too busy to return your overdue library books on our fine-free Fridays? The Shepherdstown Library will be CLOSED from Sunday, Dec. 23 through Tuesday, Jan. 1, but the public is invited to take advantage of this annual fine-free period.

Registration for the Library’s spring programs for infants through age twelve will run from Jan. 7 through 12, and programs will resume the week of January 14. (Children who have attended our fall programs will not need to reregister.)

The Library Board is seeking suggestions about future uses to be made of our present building at German and King Streets. If you are interested in this Market House Re-Use Committee or in the Safe Access Committee (which will study safety along Route 480 at Lowe Drive, which may become the entrance driveway to the new library) please call the Library at (304) 876-2783.

Learn 60 languages for free if you have a Shepherdstown Library card and an email address! Just click on the “Pronunciator” link on our homepage at www.lib.shepherdstown.wv.us/. Free downloads of over 1500 Audiobooks and over 1100 eBooks are also available for library patrons from the adjacent link, “AudioBook & eBook downloads,” on our homepage.

ONGOING

Does your cat or dog need to be spayed or neutered? Reduced rates available through non-profit Spay Today! NEW vets! MANY vets participating in a WIDE area!! For more info and a list of vet clinics: 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.

Come to the Clarion Fitness Center in Shepherdstown for SALGA YO, a new class with Jeanne Fisher which incorporates the gentle stretching of yoga before and after 30 minutes of Salsa and other Latin-based dance cardio will be held at the Clarion Fitness Center on Wednesdays at 9:10 a.m. Call for more information at 304-870-7011.

TODAY

Free holiday showing of “It’s a Wonderful Life” at the Shepherdstown Opera House at 7 p.m.

Dec. 22

TUBAChristmas is coming to Shepherdstown on the steps of McMurran Hall beginning at 1 p.m. Visit www.tubachristmas.com for more information.

Dec. 22 & 23

Film at the Opera House: The Fitzgerald Family Christmas: The adult siblings of the Fitzgerald family prepare for their estranged father to return home for Christmas for the first time since he walked out on his family 20 years ago. Saturday, 3 p.m.; Sunday 5 p.m.

Dec. 23

Holiday Concert with Trio Gallilei at 4 p.m. Rekindling a passion for Early music, this trio melds the elegance of chamber music with the excitement of traditional music. With founding members of the five piece national touring ensemble Carolyn Surrick on viola da gamba, and harpist Sue Richards joined by 1997 Scottish fiddle champion Hanneke Cassel on violin; this holiday concert is sure to please all of your family members and be a highlight of this year’s celebration. The concert will be held in the Shepherdstown Presbyterian Church. Tickets are $18 for adults, $15 for seniors, $12 for SMaD members and $8 for children and students, for more info call 304) 263-2531, email Joanie at updf@earthlink.net, or see the web page at smad.us.

Dec. 30

A benefit is planned for Dan Tokar, a local blacksmith whose shop, located just behind the old Southern States building, burned last week. Many of you have seen Dan walking quietly from his home to his shop without realizing the talent this man has. He is a kind, gentle soul. He can use our help. 5 p.m.-midnigt at the Train Station with a $10 minimum donation

Jan. 5

The circle for the Jan. 5 bird count, the Inwood count, is centered near Shanghai in Berkeley County and includes the west side of Martinsburg and Inwood to the east and the Stotler’s Crossroads/Greenwood section of Morgan County to the west. Both experienced and novice birders are welcome to join in this season’s counts. Novice volunteers will be teamed with those who have more experience. All those who participate must register beforehand with PVAS. To register and/or to obtain more information, contact Bob Dean at 304-754-3042 or bobdean52@gmail.com. Full information is available on the PVAS website at www.potomacaudubon.org.

Jan. 5-26

“A Photographic Impression of Jefferson County”: An invitation to come and see what Jefferson County looked like in the late 1970s and early 1980s will be exhibited at the AHA! Fire Hall Gallery, 108 North George St., Charles Town from Jan. 5-26. The exhibit features the photography of Hali Taylor.