The Potomac Valley Audubon Society’s eleventh annual “This Race is for the Birds!” will be held April 21. The event will feature professionally timed 7.7- and 4.9-races that will follow trails through the forests and fields of the beautiful, 538-acre campus of the National Conservation Training Center near historic Shepherdstown, WV. There will be awards for winners and runners up, Grand Masters, Masters, and other age groups. There will also be a 2-mile jog/walk for families and a 1-mile fun run for children. The timed races start at 9:00 a.m. The Children’s fun run is at 10:45 a.m. Fees range from $15 for the jog/walk to $25 for the 7.7-mile run; add $2 after April 2. The children’s fun run is free. This is a nonprofit event, and all fees will be tax deductible. All proceeds will be used to support the Society’s programs for children and adults in its service area, which includes the eastern panhandle of West Virginia and Washington County, Maryland. Get full details on the race website at http://www.raceforthebirds.org or contact race directors James and Suzy Munnis at 304-876-6784 or jmunnis@earthlink.net. Online registration is available on the website through an Active.com link.

The National Conservation Training Center is 3.3 miles north of Shepherdstown on Shepherd Grade Road.

Hansel and Gretel are in real trouble. Their Uncle Rocko, who hates kids, wants to sell them to the circus and a prety-ugly witch wants to use Hansel for her new pizza topping while forcing Gretel to work in her lousey pizza shop. But all ends well for all in this funny story, even for the witch.
Tee, hee, hee…

Wonderment Puppet Theater
412 W. King Street, Martinsburg WV

This Zumbathon will help the Students of Shepherdstown to raise funds for the Shepherd University Alternative Spring Break trip. Students apply to go on the ASB trip to help build houses and work with Habitat for Humanity instead of a typical vacation. By raising funds they cover the cost of the trip so that they do not have to pay out of pocket. I hope you guys can help them help others. Thank you

Shepherstown Men’s Club
102 E. German Streeet
Shepherdstown, WV 25443

The current exhibit at the AHA! Fire Hall Gallery, Charles Town WV, puts the spotlight on the theme of conservation. Artworks created by Shepherd University graphic design, photography and studio art majors provide a provocative and exciting visual experience.

Shepherd University design students were challenged to create a work of art that promoted ideas of conservation. Professor Rhonda J. Smith, Chair, Department of SU Contemporary Art and Theater, said the American Conservation Film Festival (ACFF) held in Shepherdstown WV in November 2011 inspired the assignment.

The students were enrolled in Visual Thinking Skills I, a freshman course where students begin to understand the nature of contemporary art. They learn how concepts and ideas are conveyed through the language of visual information.

Smith explains, “Imagery has the power to inform and inspire.” The challenge to the students was to create an image that will promote conversation and awareness of conservation.  They were to select a theme related to advocacy, respect, protection, defense, reporting, awareness or some other related theme that supports the ACFF idea of the power of imagery to inform and inspire.

Professor Sonya Evanisko organized the exhibit. She said that the artwork had specific guidelines. No people could be used as subjects, yet the image was to bring greater understanding and awareness to others about conservation, how it may be fostered, or how to be an advocate for action.

The solution had to incorporate images that provoke rather than document. “Your goal,” Evanisko told them, “is to stimulate the imagination of the viewer while conveying your conservation message.”  She said, “Our students are go-getters. Our faculty inspires innovation and we get results.”

Artists are Christine Soares, Richard McClung, Jake Lichtman, Sara Brister, Austin Bridge, Trenton Meiron, Samantha Jones, Kaitlyn Jones, Mariah Donavan, Kyla Johnson, Ana Lopez, Emma Frank, Brittany Bates, and Evan Barke. 

The art works were previously exhibited in the Scarborough Library at SU during November and December.

The AHA! Fire Hall Gallery is located at 108 N. George Street in Charles Town WV, within the Charles Town Visitors Center. Open daily from 10:00 am-5:00 pm.

Fire Hall Gallery, 108 N. George St. Charles Town WV

Our kick-Off is this Saturday, January 7th at 9:00am in front of Newberry Executive Center (142 N. Queen Street). If you or your school would like to participate and help hang your snowman, please be downtown at 9:00am Saturday….. Cookies and Hot Chocolate will be served…

The downtown will be decorated with your snowman from January till March. The Snowman Spectacular auction will be on the South Lawn of our New town Square on Sunday, March 11th @ 3:00pm. If it rains, auction will be in the Arts Centre (300 West King Street) that same day and time…

142 N. Queen Street
Martinsburg, WV

Ring out the old year and usher in 2012 with Historic McFarland House and our New Year’s Grand Fête. This will be a splendid evening with a delicious holiday dinner, ballroom dancing, live entertainment and a decadent, post-midnight dessert buffet. Reservations a must! Admission $100 per person.

Dec. 31, 2011 - 6PM - 1AM

409 South Queen Street
Martinsburg, West Virginia 25401

Christmas Eve Program – 6:00 p.m. – all invited for an evening to celebrate our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ

Cedar Grove Christian Church
Sulphur Springs Road
Inwood, WV 25428

The South Jefferson Public Library is pleased to announce the twelfth in its series of free concerts.  At 2:00 p.m. on Sunday, December 18, 2011, Rick Garland, noted Civil War reenactor and musician, will celebrate the Christmas Season with a very special Song & Stories Sing-A-Long Show to tell you how and where many of our favorite Christmas customs and traditions came from.

Everyone will be entertained and at least a little bit educated as we all sing songs and hear true stories about Christmas traditions through the ages, with an emphasis on how our modern Christmas celebrations have been formed from the past.

Most people are unaware of the very large and influential role that the American Civil War had in our modern Christmas celebrations, including giving us all the Santa Claus that we all know and love today. Rick’s “O’ Be JoyFull’s” Christmas Customs and Traditions Show will let you in on the hows and why of this little known fact about our modern Santa Claus. The show will be done in the style of a 19th Century Sing-A-Long with the songs’ lyrics provided so that everyone is able to participate in the number one entertainment pastime of America’s 19th Century and the “Romantic” and “Victorian” Eras.

As always, Rick wears historically correct clothing for the show. Children and adults of all ages won’t want to miss Rick’s powerful voice, colorful costume, and rousing piano as he creates an unforgettable fun-filled Christmas holiday experience.

Funding in part has been provided through a grant from the Arts and Humanities Alliance of Jefferson County. Come early and view Charles Town artist Peter Shor’s colorful and exciting exhibition of fine abstract paintings on display in the meeting room.  For additional information, visit either Rick’s web site, http://www.obejoyfull.com/Christmas_Show.html or contact Curt Mason, art and music program coordinator, at cmasonwhf@aol.com.

South Jefferson Public Library
49 Church Street
Summit Point WV

The Harmony Along the Potomac Chapter of Sweet Adelines, International will present “A Very Merry Christmas” show in 4-part, a cappella harmony, barbershop style.

Trinity Episcopal Church
200 W. King Street
Martinsburg, WV

Parade begins on N. Mildred St. in Ranson and continues west on Washington Street through downtown Charles Town

Parade begins on N. Mildred St. in Ranson, WV
Continues west on Washington Street through downtown Charles Town