Hagerstown

Virginia Avenue Church of God will hold its annual Easter drama Saturday, March 16, Sunday, March 17, and Friday, March 22, Saturday, March 23, and Sunday, March 24.    Doors open at 6 p.m. and the presentation starts at 7 p.m.  The church is at 17306 Virginia Ave. in Hagerstown. For more information, call 301-582-2243.

The City of Hagerstown will flush hydrants in the Halfway and Hagerstown areas through Friday. Hydrants will be flushed in areas along Virginia Avenue bordered on the north by Halfway Boulevard from Valley Mall to Downsville Pike, including such areas as Halfway Manor, Marbern Road, York Road and Rench Road. City officials caution water customers in those areas, particularly those using automatic washing machines, to check their water supply for discolored water that might occur because of this work.

City officials said hydrant flushing in Hagerstown that began on Tuesday, May 8, is being extended through Tuesday, June 5 in the following area: Both sides of Dual Highway from Cleveland Avenue to All Star Court including Medical Campus, Beverly Drive, Brightwood, Hampton of Brightwoods, Greenwich Park, Youngstown and Londontown. Water customers in those areas, especially those using automatic washing machines, are cautioned to frequently check their water supply for discolored water.

Hagerstown police said they are searching for three men who assaulted and robbed a man Thursday morning in an alley at the rear of 42 Broadway. The victim told police that three men pushed him to the ground at about 4:55 a.m. Thursday, then kicked and punched him before taking his backpack, according to a police department news release. Police said the backpack contained clothing, electronics and  medication. Anyone with information may call police at 301-790-3700, ext. 234.

A book-signing  for “Destiny Of An Artist - The Artistic Journey of George Petridis” was held April 15 at Contemporary School of the Arts & Gallery Inc. in Hagerstown. Gallery Director Ron Lytle hosted the event. George Petridis is the subject of the book. Dr. Nicholas Orfan, a local resident, helped edit the book and was its co-author. Hancock Town Councilman Nigel Dardar introduced Petridis at the gallery. Refreshments were provided by Desert Rose Café. For more information, call 301-791-6191, send an email to ronlytle3@netzero.net or go to www.csagi.org .

Hagerstown residents can discover the opportunities and services available to them by attending City College. City College is an eight-week course that introduces each department of local government to give citizens a better understanding of what's happening in their community. The class meets every Monday, beginning April 2, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. On the first evening, attendees will meet the mayor and city administrator, who will discuss the history of Hagerstown and give the class an overview of how local government runs.

Hagerstown police are investigating an armed robbery Sunday night at the CVS pharmacy at 10 E. Wilson Blvd. The robbery was reported at 8:19 p.m., according to a police news release. A store employee told police that a man carrying a handgun walked into the store and demanded cash, the release said. After taking an undisclosed amount of money, the man left the store and fled in an unknown direction, police said. The man was wearing a gray sweat shirt with a bandana on his face, according to the release.

The Women’s National Duckpin Association and the Duckpin Profession Bowler’s Association opened their 2011 tournament seasons with the World Classic in Hagerstown. The DPBA will be offering a top prize of $10,000 in the men’s tournament at Turner’s Southside Bowl on Virginia Avenue, while the WNDA will award $3,000 for first place in the women’s competition at Turner’s Dual Lanes on Dual Highway. Action began Friday evening and will continue through Sunday afternoon.

The Hagerstown Beautification Advisory Committee (HBAC) will recognize residents and businesses that have contributed extra time and care in boosting the curb appeal of their properties. Nominations for the annual Highlight Hagerstown Awards are being accepted now through Friday, July 27.  The HBAC is looking for various beautification projects, but all the improvements must be visible from public streets. For example, upgrades to landscaping and trees, window boxes, flower beds and gardens, additional fencing and façade improvements would all be considered changes that would boost a property's curb appeal.

A weather system that was expected to produce up to an inch of snow and a few hundredths of an inch of ice Friday morning missed the Hagerstown area. No measurable precipitation had fallen in Hagerstown as of 10 a.m., according to local weather observer Greg Keefer's website, i4weather.net . Tri-State area schools opened on time, with the execption of Heritage Academy west of Hagerstown, and Jefferson County (W.Va.) schools, which were on two-hour delay. A winter weather advisory issued by the National Weather Service was no longer in effect in Washington County by 9:40 a.m. Friday.