SHEPHERDSTOWN PUBLIC LIBRARY

Monday, Dec. 15 through Tuesday, Dec. 23: The Library is offering amnesty for all preexisting overdue fines! Just call 304-876-2783 or visit us at 100 E. German St. from the 15th through the 23rd.

CLOSED Wednesday, Dec/ 24 through Thursday, Jan. 1: No fines will be charged for overdue items returned while the Shepherdstown Library is closed! We will reopen on Friday, Jan. 2.

The Friends of the Shepherdstown Library (FOSL) Book Club will not meet in December. The group will discuss We Are All Completely Beside Ourselves by Karen Joy Fowler on Friday, Jan. 30 at 4 p.m.

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

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. 16

Holiday Concert with Irish Christmas in America. The hugely popular Irish Christmas in America show, now in its 10th season, features top Irish music, song and dance in an engaging performance rich in history, humour and boundless energy. Produced by Oisn Mac Diarmada of award-winning lrish group Tada, the 2014 tour includes a 7-piece all-star band. Take a memorable glimpse into the enchanting spirit of Christmas, as the finest traditional artists from Ireland bring you on a fun-filled start to the holiday season of 2014. At Shepherd University’s Reynolds Hall, on the corner of King and German Streets in Shepherdstown. Advance tickets are $20 adults, $18 seniors, $15 SMD members, $10 students, tickets at the door are $25 adults, $22 seniors, $20 SMaD members and $10 students. Tickets on sale online at: irishchristmasinamerica.com. For information see smad.us or call Joanie Blanton (304) 263-2531 or email updf@earthlink.net .

Dec. 17

The Potomac Valley Audubon Society will sponsor an early winter bird walk in Harpers Ferry. There is no fee and anyone with an interest is welcome to come along, regardless of their birding skills. Children will be welcome. For more information, or to check on possible weather cancellation, contact trip leader Deb Hale at debhale72@gmail.com or 304-535-2346.

Members of the community are invited to join friends and neighbors at 10:30 a.m. to learn more about our “Village” Shepherdstown Area Independent Living (SAIL). These sessions are held at a member’s home to offer updates about SAIL, a Non-profit member-supported organization whose mission is to enable its members to remain active, connected, independent and in their homes and community as long as possible. Current members are encouraged to attend as well and to bring a guest.

Those nterested in becoming a member or just attending for more information, please contact the SAIL office at 304-870-7245. Be sure to visit the website at www.shepherdstownSAIL.org.

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.

Dec. 21

Special Winter Solstice Crystal Bowl Concert, noon-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. Location: Harmony, 211 E. New St.

Jan. 2

Fiddle Summit Showcase at 8 p.m.at Shepherdstown Presbyterian Church. This annual concert presents some of the finest fiddlers from a variety of traditions, including Scandinavian, Klezmer, Irish, Scottish, New England and Appalachian into a showcase concert with some extraordinary accompaniment.

Jan. 17

Squeeze the Bag! Annual Bagpipe Showcase Concert at 8 p.m. in Reynold’s Hall. Four kinds of bagpipes will be featured: the Scottish smallpipe, the quieter cousin of the great highland pipes, the Irish uilleann (or Union) pipes, Northumbrian smallpipes and the Border pipes which are played in the border region between Scotland and England. Co-sponsored with the Upper Potomac Pipers Weekend. Classes available in many kinds of bellows blown bagpipes, flute, whistle and mixed-instruments. More information is on the web page. http://upperpotomacmusic.info/squeezethebag/ Admission: $18 adults, $15 seniors, $12 SMD members, $8 students. For more information call the Upper Potomac office at 304.263.2531 or email updf@earthlink.net. Come on out and watch these pipers Squeeze the Bag.