Local News and Events

🥗Catholic Charities - John Cunningham☀️For ALL of Your East Valley AZ Real Estate Needs📞Call or 🙋‍♂Text Brian at 480-773-2370📨Email BrianInspired by posts that I see from others, I wanted to begin a weekly series of resources for people in need who are in the East Valley.  Researching for this weekly series has helped me discover what is out there for those in need.Catholic Charities is committed to helping a community’s most vulnerable with solutions that permanently improve lives. They do this by serving and sheltering neighbors, strengthening children and families, and welcoming refugees and immigrants, and collaborating with the community. To learn more, click HERE.☀️For ALL of Your East Valley AZ Real Estate Needs📞Call or 🙋‍♂Text Brian at 480-773-2370📨Email Brian  ~  Search the MLS... 10/11/2026

October Events in GaithersburgHappy October! Spooky Season is here, and we’re ready with a festive lineup of Fall Harvest and Halloween fun for the whole family. From autumn traditions to ghoulish good times, there’s something for everyone!Explore the lineup: https://gburg.md/HalloweenHappeningsThis is a City of Gaithersburg, Maryland announcement. Chrysanthemums, Kentlands Photowalk,Gaithersburg, Maryland USA IMG 6220Canon PowerShot G11 CameraPhotograph by Roy KelleyRoy and Dolores Kelley Photographs 10/04/2026

GRASS VIRUS IN COLLIER COUNTY AND SPREADING GRASS VIRUS DETAIL https://www.gulfcoastnewsnow.com/article/grass-virus-necrosis-lawn-naples-florida/74001011  10/03/2026

Environmental Protection Community Listening Sessions Montgomery County is committed to ensuring that all residents can access and benefit from its programs to help clean our air and water, including Tree Montgomery, RainScapes, and Clean Water Montgomery Grants. To support this goal, the County is seeking community feedback on how to make these programs more accessible, inclusive, and effective. Take a brief survey or sign up to attend an upcoming Community Listening Session this fall. In-person attendees age 18 or older will receive a $20 gift card (one per person).  Community Listening Sessions are being held in person and virtually:  Monday, Oct. 12: In-person at Wheaton Community Recreation Center, 7–8 p.m.  Thursday, Oct. 15: Virtual, 7–8 p.m.  Tuesday, Oct. 20: In-person at Germa... 10/10/2026

Calling Student Creators: 2026 Fentanyl Awareness Video ContestThe State’s Attorney’s Office’s 4th annual Speak Up, Save a Life Student Video Contest is now open for entries. The contest challenges students to create an original video to promote awareness of the risks of drug misuse and the dangers of fentanyl and other synthetic compounds. The contest was created in partnership with Montgomery County Public Schools, the Montgomery County Department of Health and Human Services, Montgomery Goes Purple, MCC-PTA, and The Magnolia Companies. Click here to learn more.This is a Montgomery County, Maryland announcement. Stargazer Oriental Lily, Kentlands Photowalk,Gaithersburg, Maryland USA IMG 8540Canon PowerShot G11 CameraPhotograph by Roy KelleyRoy and Dolores Kelley Photographs 10/11/2026

Make MoCo Purple for Domestic Violence Awareness MonthThis October, the Montgomery County Family Justice Center Foundation, in partnership with the Montgomery County State’s Attorney’s Office, Montgomery County Family Justice Center, Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office, the Montgomery County Commission for Women and other community partners, is leading a countywide effort to Make MoCo Purple for Domestic Violence Awareness Month (DVAM). The goal is to raise awareness, share local resources, and show victims and families they are not alone.  The Make MoCo Purple for DVAM Community Kickoff is from 6–8 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 6, at the Ike Leggett Executive Office Building, located at 101 Monroe St., Rockville. Admission is free, but an RSVP is requested. More information about the event and ... 10/03/2026

Eric's ID Law Marks First Year in Effect in MarylandOne year after Eric's ID Law took effect, more than 30,000 Marylanders have added the law's butterfly designation to their Maryland driver's license or identification card. Effective Oct. 1, 2025, the law allows individuals with hidden or non-apparent disabilities to voluntarily add the butterfly symbol to their driver's license to help alert law enforcement and first responders that they may need additional understanding or accommodations during an interaction. The law was inspired by Maryland autism advocate Eric Carpenter-Grantham and enacted to improve communication and safety for individuals with hidden disabilities. As the law marks its first anniversary, Eric and his family are working to encourage other states to adopt similar ... 10/10/2026

Take 10 on 10/10Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Service is kicking off Fire Prevention Month and urging all residents to “Take 10” on Oct. 10 to test smoke alarms, practice a home fire drill, and update your Family Emergency Kit. A few minutes of planning can make all the difference in an emergency. Smoke Alarms Expire Like any electronic device, smoke alarms wear out over time and need to be replaced. The life expectancy of smoke alarms is 10 years. Smoke alarms work by sensing smoke particles and after 10 years, the smoke sensors lose their sensitivity. The test button only confirms that the battery, electronics, and alert system are working; not that the smoke sensor is working. Replace ALL smoke alarms older than 10 years. A Home Fire Drill Can Save Your Life Less than a quarter o... 10/08/2026

October Is Adopt A Shelter Dog MonthFour Paws Could Change Everything 🐶 Go Ahead. Meet A Few Dogs. See What Happens. "Rescued is my favorite breed."... Unknown You may walk into a shelter thinking you're just going to meet a few dogs. Then one comes over, gives you that look and suddenly your carefully thought-out plan isn't looking quite so carefully thought out anymore. That has certainly happened to me more than once.October is Adopt A Shelter Dog Month and if you've been thinking about adding a dog to your family, this is a pretty good reason to go meet a few candidates.Big dogs. Little dogs. Puppies. Seniors. High-energy walking companions. Laid-back types. Goofballs. Serious souls. Dogs who can detect a treat from three rooms away and dogs who somehow know you're reaching for the ... 10/03/2026

Move to Auburn: Championship Defense or Heisman Quarterback? Move to Auburn and sooner or later somebody is going to ask you an important football question.Okay.Maybe it's not actually important.But around here, we're going to treat it like it is. 🏈Here we go:Would you rather have a championship-caliber defense or a Heisman-caliber quarterback?You only get one.No cheating.Don't tell me you need both.Of course you want both.That's not the game.Pick one.Give me that championship defenseThere is something beautiful about a defense that just refuses to let the other team do anything.Third-and-two?Stuffed.Third-and-eight?Quarterback is running for his life.Fourth quarter?Need one stop?Everybody in the stadium knows what's coming.And the defense gets off the field.That's football.A champions... 10/03/2026

20 Things to Do in Southern California This OctoberOctober in Southern California brings pumpkin patches, Halloween thrills, mountain getaways, and plenty of reasons to spend a day by the ocean. Our October 2026 flyer features 20 ideas to help you make the most of the month.For seasonal fun, visit Disneyland’s Halloween Time, running through October 31, or get your adrenaline pumping at Knott’s Scary Farm and Universal Studios Hollywood’s Halloween Horror Nights on select evenings. Families looking for pumpkins and fall photo opportunities can head to Irvine Park Railroad in Orange or Tanaka Farms in Irvine.Make room for a cultural night out at the Newport Beach Film Festival, October 15–22. For German-inspired food, music, and a festive evening with friends, Fairplex Oktoberfest in Pom... 10/02/2026

41 Years Strong: What's New at Santa Cruz County Open Studios 2026 🏖️ This October, more than 350 artists will be opening their studios throughout Santa Cruz County for this years 3 weekend Open Studios Event, allowing visitors to get a glimpse into the spaces where paintings, woodwork, glasswork, and all different varieties of art come to fruition.The Lineup: Three Weekends, Three Regions 🗺️ Weekend 1 (Oct 3–4): South County, 143 studios. Weekend 2 (Oct 10–11): North County, 211 studios. Weekend 3 (Oct 17–18): All-county finale, 250+ artists. Hours: 11 a.m.–5 p.m. daily, rain or shine.New Appearances in the Studios 🧑‍🎨This year, close to 70 new artists will be among the lineup, adding new practices to a tour lasting since the mid 1980s to today. The mediums of their art include ceramic... 10/02/2026

Updated October 2026 | Last reviewed October 2026Here is the piece that gets muddled when someone asks what Fullerton means: this is a surname, not a translation. The California city was named in 1887 for George H. Fullerton, a railroad land executive. It is not a Spanish word; it is not a Tongva or Gabrielino term rendered into English, and the cited local records do not treat it as one. The honest answer points to a person and a date.What is the straight answer agents can give clients?Fullerton means the town named for George H. Fullerton. He ran the Pacific Land and Improvement Company, a land-development arm tied to the Santa Fe Railroad, and the settlement took his family name because he helped route the railroad through the townsite. Both the City of Fullerton and the Advisory Cou... 10/02/2026

One of the things I enjoy most about working in real estate in Madison County is getting to see the community from a perspective that goes beyond homes and transactions.Real estate is local.Really local.And sometimes the best way to understand a community is to pay attention to what is happening outside the housing market.This week offered several good examples in Berea and throughout Madison County.Berea Has a New Voice at the State LevelBerea Mayor Bruce Fraley has begun his term as the 2026–27 president of the Kentucky League of Cities.The organization works with Kentucky cities on advocacy, education, resources, and issues affecting municipal government. Fraley's new role gives Berea a seat at the table in statewide conversations while he continues serving as mayor.For a Realtor, th... 10/03/2026

3 inches high and weighing 4 pounds, forms, documents, and letters were sent to the IRS as part of an Offer-In-Compromise.  Now we wait for the IRS to approve of deny the application.  It can take up to a year to get the answer.Well, let me tell you.When dealing with the IRS, I must present the IRS agent with all the information I know and think they will need.  I don't want to have a bunch of back-and-forths between the agent and me because they need more information.  This just causes the process to drag out even longer than it already does.I also want to present the information in a way that the IRS can clearly see that this taxpayer qualifies for an offer in compromise.  The following is a list of some of the documentation that was sent in: Form 656 (OIC) Form 433-B (OIC) Cover Lett... 10/01/2026

Last Saturday we stumbled onto/into the annual Minot Kite Festival. It is held just down the street from our home. It's actually up the street because it's up hill (yet down hill because it is South of our home) I digress.There were kites as large as our house all the way down to cute ground kites. Of course I took a lot of pictures.The kite above was huge.The cute little ones above fly themselves.This big fellow also seemed to be on his own.Pooh Bears playing soccor.Lots of "Merch" for sale. (a new term to me used by today's yuppies like my daughter)This was a nice little unexpected  diversion in our busy Saturday afternoon. Timmothy, Carol and I all brought our cameras along. 10/02/2026

The last day of September turned out to be a beautiful day to explore the Patapsco River.I’m so fortunate to have friends who have access to a boat club located at Port Covington in the Baltimore Peninsula, and we couldn’t have asked for a more perfect day—warm temperatures, blue skies, and beautiful views of Baltimore.As we cruised along the river, we passed the location of the Key Bridge, more than two years after that tragic day when it collapsed. We also passed Fort McHenry, a place so deeply woven into Maryland and our nation’s history.Fort McHenry was the site of the Battle of Baltimore during the War of 1812, and it was from aboard the British ship HMS Tonnant that Francis Scott Key witnessed the battle and was inspired to write the words that became our national anthem, The Star... 10/01/2026

FUN THINGS TO DO AROUND WESTPORT, MA Home Tips, Apple & Pumpkin Picking, Festivals & More! Oct. 2026* Westport, MA • Dartmouth, MA • Fall River, MA * Tiverton and Little Compton, RIShare this Events Around Westport with Friends & Family HereThe South Coast Festival is Oct, 2-4 th   at the Westport Fairgrounds (200 Pine Hill Road)- Features professional garden landscape displays, an artisan marketplace, local food vendors, and live music and shows. Last year I attended during the day on a Friday to avoid the crowds. This year is the Paul Bunyon Lumberjack Show, The Local Crafts and food was good too. I highly recommend this family friendly eventFriday, 3pm-8pm  Saturday, , 10am-8pm   Sunday,, 10am-6pmTickets are $10 for adults, $5 for kids 5-12, and FREE for children under 5.        FUN ... 10/01/2026

One of the things I appreciate about being a Realtor in Madison County, Kentucky is getting to see the community beyond the real estate side of things.Because buying a home isn't just about the four walls.It’s about where you spend your Saturdays. Where you meet people. Where your kids play. Where you grab dinner after an event. Where you find your people.And this weekend, there are plenty of opportunities to get out and enjoy Berea and Richmond.Saturday in BereaThe Silver Creek SPRINT Enduro gets the weekend started Saturday, October 3, from 8:30 AM to 5 PM.If you're into outdoor activities and something a little different, this one is worth checking out.Then at 2 PM, Berea’s women’s volleyball team takes on Bluffton University. And Saturday night brings live music with The Rough Custo... 10/02/2026

COMMUNITY · DMV / NORTHERN VIRGINIA · DIWALI 2026Free Diwali Vendor Guide: Shining a Light on Local DMV BusinessesDiwali celebrations bring people together — and so do the local businesses that help make them happen. Here’s how to get featured, for free.By Ritu Desai, Associate Broker · Samson PropertiesWatch the full Short on YouTube: youtube.com/shorts/266GedjrXoA📖 Prefer the full write-up? Read the full blog on my website →Every Diwali in the DMV lights up because a local business made it happen — the DJ who kept the dance floor full, the mehndi artist who stayed an extra hour, the caterer who made your mother-in-law finally approve. This year, I want to shine a light back on them. #1  What’s the Diwali Vendor Guide? A free, curated guide I’m putting together for the Northern Virgini... 10/01/2026