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The Franklin County Democratic Committee will host a forum for the candidates running for Judge of the Court of Common Pleas on Thursday, May 9, from 7 to 9 p.m. in the Shady Grove Community Center, 2700 Buchanan Trail East. The candidates are Jeff Evans, Jerrold Sulcove and Jeremiah Zook. All three are registered Republicans and have cross-filed, meaning they will appear on the Democratic and Republican ballots in the May 21 primary election. The judge of the Court of Common Pleas serves Franklin and Fulton counties.

Franklin County's career and technology center will showcase the school's $14 million renovation and expansion during a day-long open house Saturday. The open house at the newly named CareerTech is scheduled from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the school's campus on Loop Road. A full day of activities is on tap including tours of the school at 10 a.m., 11 a.m. and noon. “I'm hoping that the public sees the value in what they have invested in in order to upgrade (our facilities) and move this school forward for the future,” said Keith Yohn, administrative director of CareerTech.

Hagerstown Fairgrounds Park will play host to hundreds of BMX enthusiasts this weekend when Hagerstown BMX holds Dirt Dreams Series and “Race For Life” events on its redesigned course. All USA BMX members can participate in the event, which includes races for all ages and skill levels. Saturday will feature triple-points qualifying races for the Redline Cup, a regional competition to be held in Winston-Salem, N.C., from Oct. 11-13. Signups for the races will be held from 10 a.m. to noon, with races beginning shortly after.

On April 9, Maryland builders Advantage Homes hosted a Realtor luncheon at Brunswick (Md.) Crossing. Fifty Realtors toured town-home and single-family home models offered by Advantage Homes. The Realtors also entered drawings for prizes. Guests toured three of Advantage's models: The Essex neotraditional single-family home, The Asbury traditional single-family home and The Eaton town home. Brunswick restaurant Beans in the Belfry provided finger foods. The following Realtors won door prizes:  Laura S. Donohoe, buyer agent at The Ahearn Team of Real Estate Teams: iPad Mini  Deb Bargeski, Hall of Fame Realtor at RE/MAX Plus: $100 Dutch's Daughter gift card  Thea Dec, sales associate at RE/MAX Plus: $25 Visa gift card  Stephen S. “Buzz” Macintosh, associate broker/owner of Mackintosh Realtors: $25 Visa gift card  Cynthia Zonneveld, buyer specialist at Jay Day & The Day Home Team of Keller Williams Realty: $25 Visa gift card  Emery Csulak, associate broker at Long & Foster Real Estate: $25 Visa gift card  

There's no guarantee of a love connection, but women who plunk down some cash for a date with an available bachelor Friday night are helping keep children safe. Friends of Safe Place's second annual Charity Bachelor Auction will take place at the BPO Elks Lodge No. 378. The doors open at 6 p.m. First bachelor will be on the block by 7 p.m. Admission is $5. There will be 11 bachelors this year ranging in age from 20s to 50s. Hors d'oeuvres will be served and a cash bar will be open during bidding.

Candidates' signs are popping up around Jefferson County as four of its five municipalities are getting ready for their biennial elections in May and June to reseat or replace mayors and council members, according to city hall records. The four town are Charles Town, Ranson, Harpers Ferry and Bolivar. Residents in the county's fifth municipality, Shepherdstown, vote next year.   CHARLES TOWN: Mayor Peggy Smith is unopposed May 23 in her bid for another four-year term. Two of the four council incumbents running for re-election are unopposed - Chet Hines and Sandra Slusher McDonald - while Rich Bringewatt and Donald Clendenning have challengers.

 The Potomac Valley Audubon Society will offer a bird walk for families with young children from 7 to 10 a.m. Saturday, May 11, at Yankauer Nature Preserve in Berkeley County, W.Va. The event is called "Bagels and Birds. " It will help youngsters and their parents learn about the birds that live and breed in the area and give them an opportunity to hear their morning songs. Bagels and juice will be provided. Advance registration is required. To register or for more information, go to the PVAS website at www .potomacaudubon.org; or contact Ellen Murphy by calling 304-676-8739 or an email to ellen@potomacaudubon.org.

Area residents interested in mastering the practice of composting may register for the Eastern Panhandle's first-ever Master Composter Training Seminar, which is set to be held next week. The certification program will be taught at the Berkeley County administration office building at 400 W. Stephen St. in Martinsburg by Larry Wilhelm of the Organic Recycling Institute, according to the Berkeley County Solid Waste Authority. Class size is limited for the three-day seminar and reservations must be made by Wednesday.

Township police to take part in take-back day BLUE RIDGE SUMMIT, Pa. - The Washington Township (Pa.) Police Department will be joining a host of other law enforcement agencies in participating in National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day this Saturday. Washington Township police will be accepting expired, unused or unwanted medications from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Blue Ride Fire Hall at 13063 Monterey Lane in Blue Ridge Summit. A complete list of Franklin County and Eastern Panhandle agencies hosting similar events was published in Wednesday's paper.

The Greater Waynesboro Chamber of Commerce will host a mixer Thursday, April 25, from 5 to 7 p.m. at Elite Window Fashions' new location, 2102 E. Main St. in Waynesboro. The deadline to RSVP is Tuesday, April 23. To RSVP, call 717-762-7123 or send an email to admin@waynesboro.org .