The following information was disseminated by the Travel Berkeley Springs office:

Berkeley Springs is closed this weekend for a private party -- April Fools! We're open as always and looking forward to your visit.

Friday beginning at 5pm is an Artwalk with a wine and cheese reception at Mountain Laurel Gallery on the square, a top 100 gallery for American fine arts and crafts. You may also want to stop at the Fairfax Coffee House for a latte and a look at the special exhibit of watercolorist Suzanne Bell. At 7:30pm, the art scene moves to the Ice House for the gala opening of Pictures and Pages, a special exhibit that hangs through April 26. You'll be amazed at the array of handmade paper and book art. The work of more than 40 artists from Japan and India to Texas and West Virginia is included. The Ice House Gallery is also open Saturday and Sunday from 11am to 5pm.

The hot music this weekend is on Thursday at Tari's Cafe when the always popular ( and genially raucous) New Moon plays their own brand of wild bluegrass.

Come to eat that night and enjoy the prime rib special or just nibble on Chef Devin's jam night appetizer menu. If you cannot wait until Thursday for live music, try Earth Dog Cafe on Wednesday night and enjoy open mic with Mike Clement at 7pm. This is another place to eat with your music -- they have outstanding barbecue PLUS breakfast all day.

Saturday night its dancing to the retro tunes of the Flashbacks at the American Legion starting at 8pm. Come early for a buffet dinner and live auction all to benefit Parks & Recreation. For a change of music pace, Sunday at 3pm, the Living Springs Chorale presents a concert of contemporary Lenten music titled "Love Which Transforms Fear" at the Berkeley Springs Presbyterian Church on the hill.

Friday, Saturday and Sunday at 8pm, the Star Theatre is showing Liam Neeson in the action/thriller, "Taken." Make sure you get some of the Star's world class popcorn -- with real butter.

We're not fooling when we talk about the magical vibrations that cluster in Berkeley Springs because of the healing waters. This weekend they are out in force. Portals, the new age store, has Carole Obley of Pittsburg in town. She worked with John Edwards and is doing a Psychic Reading Circle from 7 to 9pm on Saturday at the Ice House. Sunday, she's doing private readings at Portals from 1 to 3pm. At Panorama at the Peak on Sunday, the Arlington Institute is presenting noted author Penny Kelly at 2pm speaking about "After the Crash: How Will We Live."

The Country Inn throws itself into the Easter season with a new spring dinner menu featuring “Ramps & Lamb." If you have not tried the Inn lately, go for breakfast, lunch or dinner daily and be delighted with the masterful work of their new chef. Come to the Inn on Saturday from 10am to 2pm and you'll get to have fun coloring and making Easter eggs and cards.

When you are making your list of special spring activities to do at the Springs, make sure you include: dining at all the fine restaurants. Cleansing and restoring your body, face, hands and whatever else from winter's ravages at one of the several spa locations for which Berkeley Springs is famous. Enjoying a stroll through the historic town beginning at the Museum of the Berkeley Springs where you can learn all the fascinating history of the spa society -- on the second floor of the Roman Bath House in Berkeley Springs State Park and open Saturday and Sunday from 11am to 4pm. Let your strolling feet take you to more than 20 unique and individually owned shops offering everything from antiques to wine.

Before we move into more active strolling -- and touring the countryside -- a few more words about eating. Lot 12 chef and owner, Damien Heath, was once more listed among the best regional chefs by the James Beard Institute. Both Lot 12 and Panorama at the Peak are meccas for those wanting to eat locally produced food. Oasis Cafe has a very healthy vegetarian and vegan menu for lunch and Sunday brunch. For family style and other dining opportunities, check our entire listing.

The tree-covered mountains are just beginning to have a hint of new green growth so the time is right to hike and drive and explore the skeleton of the land before it is covered. You notice many magnificent rocks and rock formations -- Oriskany sandstone. Check out hiking trails in Cacapon State Park, along the C&O Canal towpath and along Sleepy Creek Mountain via the Tuscarora Trail. By car, you can follow the Washington Heritage Trail from George's bathtub and building lots in downtown Berkeley Springs to the Paw Paw Tunnel at the western entry to the trail.

When choosing a place to stay this fine weekend, ponder the specials available. Sunday through Thursday nights, Highlawn Inn teams up with Tari's Cafe and Atasia Spa for a special offer. The Country Inn has the hottest special in town offering a free Friday or Sunday night stay with any Saturday night. The package also includes breakfast one morning and a pedicure. There are plenty of other places to stay -- in town, in the woods, along the river, top of the mountain -- check out all our listings and select the ideal place for your spring fling in Berkeley Springs. And remember, we're closer than anyplace!