Baltimore Washington Parkway

Wild art -- Pauxent Research Refuge's National Wildlife Visitor Center will show photographs of wildlife and other subjects (some photographed in the Patuxent Research Refuge) by Jim O'Connor from Tuesday through Jan. 31. A "Meet the Artist" event is planned from noon to 3 p.m. Jan. 21. The visitor center is off Powder Mill Road, between the Baltimore-Washington Parkway and Route 197, south of Laurel. Hours are 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., except New Year's Day. 301-497-5763.

The Patuxent Research Refuge is celebrating National Hunting and Fishing Day from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. today at the refuge's North Tract. Guided hikes, fly-tying practice, guided tours of habitats, watching dogs retrieve for hunters and archery demonstrations are planned. Information about hunter safety and accessible hunting and fishing will be available. Exhibitors and participants include the Meade Natural Heritage Association, Wheelin' Sportsmen, and the Wild Turkey Federation. The event celebrates wildlife conservation efforts and the efforts of hunters and anglers to conserve natural habitats and wildlife resources.

Patuxent Research Refuge has scheduled a series of programs at the North Tract: An "Exploring Nature Hike" for ages 11 to 13 will be held from 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. tomorrow. A naturalist will lead the hike. "Butterflies: Nature's Festival of Colors," a program for ages 10 and older about the role of butterflies in the ecosystem, will be held from 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. July 8. Field guides are recommended for the 2 1/2 -mile guided hike. Take water and dress for the outdoors. A "Wildflower Wander" for ages 16 and older is scheduled from 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. July 9. A field guide, water and magnifying glass are recommended.

A 27-year-old Lansdowne man has been charged with rape in an attack last month of a woman on a path leading to a footbridge over the Baltimore-Washington Parkway, police said yesterday. Michael Roland Hitchens of the 800 block of Rambo Court was arrested Thursday at the Baltimore County Detention Center, where he was being held on an unrelated charge, police said. He is charged with first-degree rape, armed robbery and false imprisonment in the Nov. 2 attack of a woman who was grabbed while approaching the footbridge near the 300 block of Freeway in Lansdowne, forced into a wooded area and raped, police said.

The Savage Volunteer Fire Company will sponsor "Breakfast with Santa" from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. Saturday at the fire company's social hall, 8925 Lincoln St., Savage. Eggs, pancakes, sausage, coffee, orange juice and milk will be served. The cost is $6 for adults; $3 for children to age 10. Information: 301-725-6409 or 301-725-5180. Patuxent refuge sets new hours The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's Patuxent Research Refuge is changing its public hours and visitor service programs. The North Tract entrance will be open daily from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. The National Wildlife Visitor Center will be open from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. daily, this month through February.

A lane of southbound traffic was closed briefly on the Baltimore-Washington Parkway in Anne Arundel County last night after metal chains dangling from the Baltimore Beltway overpass shattered windshields on several buses and trucks, state police reported. A police spokesman said the chains - for construction work on the Beltway - apparently came loose and dangled far enough below to strike the windshields of high vehicles, such as trucks and buses, on the parkway. Southbound traffic was diverted to one lane while a state roads crew retrieved and secured the chains.

The rainy remnants of Tropical Storm Cindy gave way to blue skies over Maryland yesterday, but not before being implicated in two deaths, a smattering of power outages and several traffic mishaps - including a large sinkhole that closed a portion of the Baltimore-Washington Parkway yesterday. Among several traffic accidents that occurred during the storm, state police said Chris Coffelt, 44, and Matthew Coffelt, 8, both of Round Hill, Va., were killed about 11 p.m. Thursday when the pickup truck they were riding in struck a guard rail and overturned in Frederick.

ALL SORTS of construction activity is going on along Route 198. When will it all be done? The State Highway Administration is devoting much attention to various points along Route 198 in Anne Arundel County. If crews aren't working on the bridges that cross the Little Patuxent River, then they are resurfacing the road near Laurel Park. For the next few months along a four-mile stretch of this state road that connects Fort Meade with Laurel, be prepared for the sight of orange and periodic delays.