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

Berkeley Springs is pausing to take a breath, pausing between the rush and fun of summer and the more serene yet still active autumn. Even the activities of this weekend seem aimed at enhancing your calm. Put yourself in our hands and feel safe -- Berkeley Springs has been a haven for soothing healing since the 1740s -- even earlier if we count pre-recorded history. Before we introduce you to the pleasures of the waters and spas, as well as the joys of wine and food, let's talk about some special weekend fun.

Fortunately for our theme of serenity, the art activities of the weekend are all about peace. On Friday at 7pm, the Ice House hosts a Peace Jamboree complete with a long roster of local musicians, poets, dancers and drummers as well as lovely food. While there, visit "bringing peace home," a special gallery exhibit at the Ice House. It can also been seen Friday, Saturday and Sunday 11am to 5pm. Saturday night at 7:30pm, peace gets a bit more hi-tech and raucous with a brilliantly original performance art piece -- Rattle to Rifle -- by Scooter Scudieri. Built around nearly 20 songs, the performance also includes giant puppets, visual art and lights. Tickets are available at the door or by calling the Ice House at 304-258-2300.

There's more live music happening this weekend including The Flashbacks performing at Earth Dog Cafe on Friday at 8:30pm. Flashbacks are a local group playing rock and country of the 50s. Come early and you can indulge in several days of local music. Earth Dog Cafe has open mic on Wednesday and karaoke on Thursday along with their tasty barbecue and barroom with pool table. Tari's Cafe continues the most durable jam nite in the region on Thursday at 8pm, this week hosted by Jonathan McBee. The accompanying food at Tari's that night is Chef Devin's special jam nite appetizers and a prime rib special.

Food is also part of the entertainment this week with the hit film, "Julie and Julia" showing at the Star Theatre, Friday, Saturday and Sunday night at 8pm. Meryl Streep is so delightful as Julia Childs, she'll make you want to run out and buy the cookbook or at least start cooking with butter. The Star can provide the butter -- on your world class popcorn.

We've already highlighted a couple local eateries -- Tari's Cafe, art-filled and much-praised for its outstanding lunch and dinner menu -- and Earth Dog Cafe, THE place to enjoy breakfast...all day, everyday. There are at least a half dozen more places you MUST eat meaning you better have three meals a day and stay a couple days to sample them all and that doesn't include the specialty taste treats like Creekside Creamery's ice cream and the Fairfax Coffee House. For dining worthy of five stars, try Lot 12 for dinner Thursday through Sunday. Owner/chef Damien Heath is West Virginia's only rated James Beard chef. Panorama at the Peak also has a star chef to go along with their stupendous view and a menu dedicated to bringing you fresh and local, even in the meats. Try Panorama for lunch and dinner on weekends. The Country Inn features three meals a day plus late night dining in their Tavern. The list of dining treats goes on from there including sushi at Rose's Cafe and hearty ribs and steaks at Angus and Ale and their sister restaurant Corner Steak and Sea. . Family-friendly dining is the emphasis at Cacapon State Park and Maria's Garden, both offering three meals a day. The kids will love the food at Mi Ranchito Mexican restaurant. For wine and the fine nibbles that go with it, try Ambrae House and La Luna Wine Bar and Cafe open all weekend. Take out wine by the bottle can be found at the Wilkes St. Wine Shop. Check our dining page for all the details about days and times open.

Let's get back to serenity and how to find it easily -- and almost everywhere -- in Berkeley Springs. It is all thanks to the famous warm mineral springs waiting for you to come dip in a toe or two in Berkeley Springs State Park in the center of town. From the history of folks visiting to be healed by "taking the waters," Berkeley Springs has evolved into a cutting edge, 21st century spa town. For acupuncture, call Tamme Marggraf or visit Dr. Lin at Awakenings Health Center. While at Awakenings you can experience massage reflexology and more. Atasia Spa has the widest array of offerings with a variety of massage, baths, rubs, scrubs, steams and wraps as well as manicures and pedicures. The Country Inn's Five Senses Spa also has a full array of bodywork treatments including alluring whirlpool tubs in a glass tower overlooking the town. Speaking of tubs -- Berkeley Springs State Park gets the prize for most relaxing bath with the historic Roman Baths that are a mini-swimming pool filled with heated water in your own private room. The park also has massage. The Bath House Day Spa is across from the park and features massage as well as skin treatments, manicures and pedicures plus a shop where you can buy all the products they use. Let there be no doubt -- indulge in Berkeley Springs, the country's first spa, and you will return back to daily life refreshed and restored, grateful for the pause in fast paced life.

Top off your search for bliss in Berkeley Springs by choosing the perfect place to stay -- an easy task given all the choices you have. There are cabins and vacation homes in the woods where nothing but nature noises intrude. In town, get peaceful at an elegant B&B or an historic inn or a house of your own. Check the lodging list for all the places you can rest your head.