With school back in session, Berkeley Springs' pleasures are more important than ever as an ideal getaway.

Two local businesses are celebrating birthdays this week -- and doing it in style. Black Cat Music is partying on the main street all weekend long to mark their third year. Guitar raffle, specials and live music including a Saturday performance from BlackCat School of Rock. Panorama at the Peak is marking their sixth year with a birthday party on Friday. Presents for everyone! Each table will get a discount coupon worth 6 - 66%. Larry Bish provides music and Chef Scott goes all out to showcase tasty local and regional foods.

There's music Saturday evening at the Fairfax Coffee House where Chelsea McBee and Bob Keel perform acoustic folk and Americana starting at 8pm. Live action entertainment is found at the Star Theatre with 8pm showings Thursday through Sunday of "Captain America" accompanied by the best popcorn in four states.

Shopping for art takes on a whole new action component in this nationally recognized art town on Saturday from 2-4pm when Mark Schwenk stages a hot blacksmith demonstration at Frog Valley Artisans. He fires and forges hot metal bending and twisting it into art while you watch. There's plenty of other fun art shopping at Frog Valley with everything from fused glass and pottery to Miz Tari's jewelry creations. In town, art shopping is focused on the Ice House Co-Op Gallery featuring the highest quality work from more than two dozen local and regional artists as well as a special gallery show of the West Virginia Water Color Society. Mountain Laurel Crafts has a pleasing array of national artists and craftspeople including some dazzling clocks and jewelry. Heath Studio Galleries showcases the award-w inning paintings and prints of its two owners: Jonathan and Jan Heath. Their work is well-worth the stroll to the north end of town. You can also check out the local art that graces the walls of Tari's Cafe as well as finding special contemporary art treasures tucked away in unlikely places like the Old Factory Antique Mall.

Alluring West Virginia gifts can be found at the Museum of the Berkeley Springs 11am to 4pm Friday through Monday. You will not need to wonder where it is -- an impressive new sign announces its location in Berkeley Springs State Park. Along with shopping, you can also learn the amazing story of the country's first spa as well as meeting the fire demon that has threatened downtown over the centuries.

There are other shopping opportunities as well plus the bonus of walking the charming streets of the Historic District. If you are a teacher, stop in at Nature Niche, tell them a "teachable moment" story and get a 25% discount on any single item which can include amazing outdoor wind chimes. Wilkes Street Wine Shop has free wine tastings all Saturday afternoon so you can pick a good vintage to take home; Temptations Too! bakery has wine also as well as a cupcake of the day. Other shops offer unique products ranging from crystals, home decor items and books to authentic Himalayan artifacts. Vintage items include clothing, 50's memorabilia, kitchen items and two antique malls plus a couple small shops. Both state parks have gift shops as well. The ultimate shopping opportunity is the Berkeley Springs Farmers Market now overflowing with local produce Sunday from 10am to 2pm. Take home those tree-ripened peaches and fresh picked tomatoes that put mass produced fruit and vegetables to shame.

Berkeley Springs' major attraction over the centuries has been its warm mineral waters. For the past quarter century or more, it has also boasted one of the finest arrays of spa services anywhere. Berkeley Springs is truly a spa town where you can sample full service spas at Atasia and the Country Inn. Atasia just launched a dazzling new website where you can find their excellent midweek specials on services as well as mini introductory packages for teens. Spa services of all types are also available on Fairfax St. at the Bath House Day Spa, Awakenings Health Center and Berkeley Springs Acupuncture. Just down the block is Able Body Wellness where you need to act quickly to get an appointment with the ever-popular Michael Pushkin. Grandaddy of all the spas is Berkeley Springs State Park where you can select from the Roman Bath House offering soaks since 1815 or the newly renovated main bathhouse with sauna, massage and several types of baths all using waters direct from the springs.

Dining may be the greatest pleasure enjoyed by the most people who come to visit. You would need far more than a weekend to sample everything tasty in town so check out the dining list and make your choices for breakfast, lunch and dinner. You can eat fresh, chef-prepared items at Tari's Cafe, Lot 12 and Panorama. Temptations has a hugely popular Fresh Fish Frenzy on Friday night as well as being a favorite breakfast spot. Ribs and barbecue are available at Angus and Ale and Earth Dog Cafe while crabs are found on the outdoor deck of Ambrae House. We could continue the list: Mexican food at Mi Ranch ito, Italian-American at Maria's Garden, family-friendly meals at Cacapon State Park and Mountainside, great sandwiches and grillable meats and seafood from Tony's Butcher Block -- but we leave it to you to find your way around great eating in Berkeley Springs. And don't forget coffee at the Fairfax and ice cream at Creekside.

For all this fun, you need a great place to stay and rest between shopping, eating and bathing not to mention hiking, biking, motorcycling .....Berkeley Springs has an impressive array of places to stay from Tari's Cafe with a GREAT deal on two night, two lunches and two dinners to Best Western's Berkeley Springs Inn with another great one-night special that has meals attached. There are B&Bs, cabins, lodges, inns, vacation homes, farmhouses in all kinds of places with all kinds of amenities. So check the full list and make your choice but act quickly. Things fill up fast on these summer weekends. Draw your 100 -mile circle and Berkeley Springs is in the middle of it. Hop in your car now!

 (Information courtesy of Travel Berkeley Springs)