SHEPHERDSTOWN PUBLIC LIBRARY

Friday, Nov. 28 The Library will be open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., with lots of books on Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, and the Solstice for children to borrow.

Dec. 5: New members are always welcome at the FOSL (Friends of the Shepherdstown Library) Book Club. The group usually meets the last Friday of each month at 4:00 in the Shepherdstown Library, but will not do so in November. They plan to discuss The Language of Flowers by Vanessa Diffenbaugh on Dec. 5. Visit 100 E. German Street or call (304) 876-2783 to find out how you can borrow a copy of this “mesmerizing, moving, and elegantly written” novel.

ONGOING

Need to get the cat or dog spayed or neutered? Contact Spay Today — our area’s non-profit, reduced-fee spay and neuter program. Many vets to choose from covering a wide area. New vets added. At the time of surgery, initial shots and tests can also be obtained at lower rates. 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.

Ricco Gallery announces a timely exhibit of photos of daily life in Syria before the war, featuring the work of Shepherdstown photographer Hyang Suk Oh. The works in the show depict everyday life in Damascus, based on Oh’s month-long visit there in 2009. Subjects of the photos range from children playing or eating ice cream cones, to vendors of spices and food in the bazaars. For more information, call 304-870-4175 or email: ricco@riccogallery.com. Exhibit will run through Dec. 24.

Today

Tonight kicks off Christmas in Shepherdstown with celebrations including the lighting of the town tree and visits from Santa. It all happens from 5 to 8 p.m. downtown. Come be part of the festivities.

Dec. 5

Crystal Bowl Concert, 6-6:40 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. Location: Harmony, 211 E. New St.

More than 100 Shepherd University art students, faculty, and alumni are offering the public the opportunity to purchase original, handmade art during the second annual Art Market, from 3-7 p.m. in the ground floor studios of the Center for Contemporary Arts I, rooms 112-115. The Art Market will include one-of-a-kind drawings, paintings, printmaking, mixed media, sculpture, handmade jewelry, knitted scarves, silk screened T-shirts, photography, and books. There will also be various graphic design products, such as note cards, postcards, posters, and stickers. This year’s featured artist is former graphic design faculty member, Melissa Scotton, founder of Design Equals Love.

Dec. 6

Contra Dance: Nils Friedland calls lively contra dances at our annual holiday dance to the fine music of Elke Baker on fiddle, Paul Oorts on guitar, mandolin, accordion, and more and Marc Glickman on piano at the Shepherdstown War Memorial Building. Beginners workshop at 7:30 p.m., dance starts at 8 p.m. All levels welcome, no partners needed. Please wear clean, soft-soled shoes to protect the floor. Admission is $10 adults, $7 SMD members, $4 dancers under 12 years old. Community Potluck supper at 6 p.m. For information contact Becky at 876-2169 or see the web page at www.smad.us.

Breakfast with Santa will be served at Independent Fire Station, 200 W. 2nd Ave., Ranson, from 7 to 11 a.m. Suggested donation is $6 for adults; $3 12 and under. Photos with Santa will be available.

Dec. 7

The Potomac Valley Audubon Society will sponsor a birding trip to its Stauffer’s Marsh Nature Preserve in Berkeley County beginning at 8 a.m. It will be led by local birding expert Jim Farley. The event is free and open to anyone with an interest. Children will be welcome. Pre-registration is strongly encouraged but not required. Easy registration is available on the Society’s website at www.potomacaudubon.org. For more information go to the PVAS website or contact Krista Hawley at 703-303-1026 or adultprograms@potomacaudubon.org.

Dec. 9

Welcome winter & the holiday season with a special dinner menu for the occasion consisting of prime rib, scalloped potatoes, asparagus, salad, and dessert ($15 all inclusive). Then enjoy the music of the Village Brass quintet Shepherdstown area musicians Keith Alexander (tuba, professor of history at Shepherd U), Anders Henrikson (trumpet, history department Chairman at Shepherd U), Amanda Licea (trumpet, teaches music at Shepherdstown Elementary School), Brian Ellsworth (horn, operates Ellsworth Music in Ranson), and Scott Hippensteel (trombone, Director of Instrumental Studies at Shepherd U.). Dinner starts at 6:30 and ends at 9 in the War Memorial Building, German & King streets. RSVP preferred so we have a dinner count, by email to Toni Milbourne ttpams@comcast.net, or by phone 304-702-3026.

Dec. 12

Movie night at Jefferson County Parks and Rec offers ‘Elf’ on the big screen at the Sam Michael’s Community Center. For only $1, come enjoy this holiday show from 7:30-9:30 p.m. Bring blankets or chairs to be comfortable in front of the inflatable screen. Refreshments available for additional fee.

Dec. 13

Dharma Yoga. noon-1:30 p.m. Harmony yoga instructor Gena Rockwell will offer donation-based Dharma Yoga (levels 2 and 3) classes at the Harmony, located at 211 E. New St., on Saturdays, beginning Dec. 13. Some prior yoga experience is recommended for the Saturday Dharma Yoga offering: Level 2 is suitable for intermediate students, or those with some yoga experience and in good physical condition. Held: Dec. 20, Jan. 3, Jan. 17, Feb. 7, Feb. 21, Mar.7, Mar. 21. Level 3 is suitable for intermediate and advanced students, at least one year of yoga experience. No prior Dharma Yoga experience is necessary. Level 3 classes held: Dec. 13, Jan. 10, Jan. 24, Feb. 14, Feb. 28, Mar. 14. For more information, please contact Gena at 304-582-4830.

Dec. 20

Get into the Christmas spirit and come have lunch with Santa at Sam Michael’s Community Center. Enjoy a fun craft and have a photo taken with the jolly old elf. All paid participants will receive a lunch, craft, photo and ornament. Concessions for adults will also be available. Cost is $12 per child.