Enjoy a virtual visit to local nature preserves from the comfort of your home and help Potomac Valley Audubon Society (PVAS) celebrate on the eve of the Spring Equinox with a virtual “Walk in the Woods with Wine.” Read the Full Story >>
2021 American Conservation Film Festival
The American Conservation Film Festival (ACFF), now in its eighteenth year, is presenting 48 contemporary films in an online festival format for 2021. Aside from the obvious shift away from in-person venues at the National Conservation Training Center (NCTC) and Shepherd University, the biggest change to this year’s format is the flexibility of watching any (or all) of the films at any time during the festival dates (March 24-28). Read the Full Story >>
Exhibit at Berkeley Art Works Celebrates Historic African-American Cemetery
Since 2017, a growing group of local residents has been working to restore the Green Hill Historic African-American Cemetery (GHHAAC) in Martinsburg. The idea for the show at Berkeley Art Works, Fresh Visions: An Exhibit to Celebrate the Green Hill Historic African-American Cemetery, was proposed by Berkeley Arts Council member and GHHAAC volunteer Charles Mortensen. Read the Full Story >>
Book Review: Pop
A novel that threads skillfully between humor and the stark realities of an impoverished rural community, Robert Gipe’s Pop is a compulsively readable story of a motley crew of feisty misfits and a modern day generational saga of a working class family. Read the Full Story >>
March 5 — Virtual Concert: A Celtic Celebration
The Shepherd University Wind Ensemble will perform “A Celtic Celebration” virtual livestream concert from the Frank Center Theater on Friday, March 5 at 7:30 pm. Read the Full Story >>
Feeling The Heartbeat Of Spring Emerging
During my sixty-odd years as a naturalist, I’ve learned spring actually starts long before the first of March. I write this in mid-February as it seems winter has yet to loosen its grip, until you listen and look closely. Read the Full Story >>
March 9 — Speak Stories Presents Chetter Galloway
Storyteller Chetter Galloway is the guest of the Speak Story Series on March 9 at 7:30 pm. The evening’s program is titled “A Storytelling Sampler of Traditional, Personal, and Queer Tales.” Read the Full Story >>
Take An Online Art Class This March At Berkeley Art Works
The Berkeley Arts Council is offering two virtual art classes in March. Pre-registration is required. For details & registration visit Berkeley Art Works website Read the Full Story >>
Connecting Solar In Jefferson County
The Observer spoke with several energy industry professionals with experience in the development and management of utility-scale energy projects to understand the general context for the types of large-scale solar projects being proposed for Jefferson County. We also researched the specific topography of the local power grid and land to understand both the potential and constraints for these types of solar projects in Jefferson County. Read the Full Story >>
A Look At Rural Zoning In Jefferson County
While it’s common to think of land designated with rural zoning as reserved for agriculture, it’s really a category with many allowed uses, not all directly related to agriculture. Read the Full Story >>
Inkwells Tavern Reopens in Charles Town
Inkwells Tavern has reopened at 200 W. Washington Street in Charles Town and is serving old favorites plus Bolivar Bread and Rations Coffee. Read the Full Story >>
Chesapeake & Ohio Canal Park Celebrates 50 Years
The National Park, the C&O Canal Trust, and the Canal Towns Partnership representing the ten nearby towns along its western path are organizing various events and activities to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the park in 2021. Read the Full Story >>
Feb 5 — Shepherd University Music Virtual Concert
The Shepherd University Music Salon Series presents a free virtual concert showcasing School of Music faculty. Read the Full Story >>
Feb 6-13 — Animal Welfare Society Valentine Virtual Action
The Animal Welfare Society of Jefferson County is hosting a Valentine Virtual online auction fundraiser from February 6th - 13th Read the Full Story >>
Feb 9 — Speak Stories Series Presents Jasmin Cardenas
Cardenas is a Colombian-American award winning bilingual storyteller, actress, educator and social activist. She enjoys exploring the uncomfortable truths found when you grow up between cultures. Jasmin has always lived between worlds being told she’s not fully American in the US and a gringa in South America. Cardenas was awarded a 2020-2022 LAB Fellowship from Read the Full Story >>