While County Executive Marc Elrich is on an economic mission trip to Asia this week, Chief Administrative Officer Rich Madaleno hosts the County Executive’s weekly video message highlighting Rep. Raskin’s healthcare roundtable at our Silver Spring Department of Health and Human Services office and Gov. Moore’s visit to the new Mobilize Montgomery Federal Workforce Career Center in Wheaton. Rich also shares the news of the County Executive’s nomination of Councilmember Gabe Albornoz to lead the Recreation Department and highlights a Silver Spring affordable housing development project. He also thanks Montgomery County residents for their strong support of the No Kings Day rallies and shares some safety reminders ahead of a busy Halloween week.
The Office of Emergency Management and Homeland Security is soliciting grant applications for the County’s Fiscal Year 2026 (FY26) Nonprofit Security Grant Program from qualified nonprofit or faith-based organizations located in Montgomery County. The County Council’s FY26 Approved Budget provides $1.2 million to nonprofit and faith-based organizations at a high risk of experiencing hate crimes. Funding of up to $15,000 per facility may be awarded to augment costs for security personnel, planning, training, or security cameras.
 Join Montgomery County’s RESJ advisory committee for a Racial Equity and Social Justice Town Hall on Saturday, Oct. 25, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Mid-County Regional Service Center in Wheaton. Hear from national speakers, engage in small-group discussions on key community issues, explore community group exhibits, and access free health screenings. All are welcome: advance registration encouraged!
Montgomery County leaders continue to host "Community Conversations" to seek input on the Fiscal Year 2027 (FY27) Operating Budget. The next conversation is focused on the Spanish-speaking community and will be held from 7 to 8:30 p.m. on Monday, Oct. 27, at Gaithersburg High School, located at 101 Education Blvd. The County is in the early stages of formulating the FY27 operating budget. The County’s Chief Administrative Officer, Rich Madaleno, will lead the discussion.
 Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich joined nonprofit housing developer Enterprise Community Development and other community leaders last week to celebrate the grand reopening of Park Montgomery and the opening of Park Montgomery West. Park Montgomery is a multifamily affordable housing development located on Piney Branch Road in the Long Branch neighborhood of Silver Spring, along the Purple Line corridor. The project features the preservation of 141 existing affordable housing units (Park Montgomery) and a new development that added an additional 76 affordable units (Park Montgomery West).
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Join the Wheaton Arts and Entertainment District for HalloWheaton, a festive fall celebration packed with family-friendly fun. The event will take place from 12 to 4 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 26 at Marian Fryer Town Plaza, 2424 Reedie Dr., with a costume contest for kids at 2 p.m. Enjoy free activities including s’mores roasting, pumpkin decorating, Halloween crafts, face-painting, photo ops, and more. On Saturday, Oct. 25, the festive fun is for adults 21 and up with the HalloWheaton Bar Hop from 2 to 5 p.m. starting at the town plaza.
The Silver Spring Zombie Walk lurches back to life this Saturday, Oct. 25. The evening kicks off with a pre-walk gathering at All Set Restaurant starting at 5 p.m. A zombie-themed stroll through Downtown Silver Spring usually follows, but this year, due to construction, the Silver Spring Zombie Walk is transforming into a Zombie Gathering & DJ Dance Party, starting at 7 p.m. Stick around for frightfully fun after-parties, including horror screenings at AFI Silver Theatre and specials at Quarry House Tavern and Third Hill Brewery.
 The Montgomery County Department of Transportation (MCDOT) will bring back Monster Flash, a haunted house-themed bus, for three Halloween events on Saturday, Oct. 25, and Sunday, Oct. 26. Residents can view the decorated Flash Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) bus and learn about the planned Flash Bus Rapid Transit Network at Twinbrook Library in Rockville from 10 a.m. to noon, the Germantown Library from 2 to 4 p.m. on Oct. 25, and at HalloWheaton in Wheaton from noon to 4 p.m. on Oct. 26. Flash buses currently operate along Colesville Road/Columbia Pike (U.S. 29) between the Silver Spring Transit Center and Briggs Chaney, and to Burtonsville during weekday rush hours, offering service every seven to 15 minutes on weekdays and every 30 minutes on weekends. MCDOT is expanding the Flash BRT network to provide faster, high-frequency service and improve pedestrian and bicycle safety. Utility relocation on the Veirs Mill Road corridor began recently, with service expected to start in 2028.
All monsters, goblins, witches, and more are invited to Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Service’s (MCFRS) Trunk or Treat Halloween from 4 to 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 29. The free event will be held at the Public Safety Headquarters, located at 100 Edison Park Drive in Gaithersburg.
Other public safety partners will decorate a trunk and plan on sharing safety tips and emergency preparedness messages along with candy. One goal for MCFRS is to reinforce Fire Prevention Month messages in a fun and festive way.
The Montgomery County Department of Transportation is encouraging residents to have a safe and fun Halloween ahead of a weekend that will bring increased pedestrian traffic to the streets.
The upcoming Halloween weekend is expected to bring increased pedestrian traffic to the roads on Friday, Oct. 31, as families celebrate with trick-or-treating. On Sunday, Nov. 2, Daylight Saving Time ends, with clocks moving back one hour.
 Celebrate the season at the Barks & Brews Fall Festival, a free event packed with food, music and Halloween fun from 4 to 10 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 25. Dress up your dog—and yourself—for the Costume Parade and Contest, with prizes awarded for the best looks. Enjoy Venezuelan arepas from Arepateca and smoky pit-style favorites from Hardy’s BBQ. Sip local craft beer from 7 Locks Brewing or Maryland-grown wine from Mazzaroth Vineyard. Families can enjoy a moon bounce, lawn games, and treats for pups, all in support of Hero Dogs, a nonprofit that provides service dogs to veterans and first responders at no cost. Live entertainment includes soulful R&B and jazz from Cecily Bumbray and high-energy Latin beats from DJ Victor of All Out Danza. As night falls, bring a blanket and settle in for a screening of the Halloween favorite Hotel Transylvania.
 Montgomery County’s Alcohol Beverage Services (ABS) received two best practices awards from the national trade magazine StateWays. The magazine recognized the “Spirited Discussions” podcast as its “Best Consumer Education Program” and the Safe Bars bystander intervention training as its “Best On-Premises Partnership.” The “Spirited Discussions” podcast educates listeners about alcohol products, trends, and policies in Montgomery County. The Safe Bars bystander intervention training offers tools to identify and prevent sexual violence in bars and restaurants.
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Maryland State Sen. Cory McCray, author of the debut book "The Apprenticeship That Saved My Life," will lead a discussion on building stronger pathways for the next generation. The event, moderated by Maryland Del. Jheanelle Wilkins, will take place from 6 to 8 p.m. on Monday, Oct. 27, at the Rockville Memorial Library. It will include a conversation, audience Q&A, and reflections on community impact. Copies of the book will be available for purchase at the event through Friends of the Library, Montgomery County, or online.
The Mobilize Montgomery Federal Workforce Career Center (FWCC) is now open for business. Funded by the Montgomery County Government, the FWCC is the first-of-its-kind center in the United States dedicated to supporting displaced federal workers through personalized services and programs. Located within the Wheaton American Job Center at 11510 Georgia Avenue in Wheaton, this space will welcome displaced federal workers, contractors, and others navigating career transitions due to the ongoing federal workforce reductions. Montgomery County residents can benefit from federal resume and job placement assistance, career and entrepreneurial coaching, and professional development programs.
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Montgomery County officials will host a project update on the planned "Diversion Center" at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 29, in the Leggett Executive Office Building (LEOB) auditorium in Rockville. The meeting will also be accessible virtually via Microsoft TEAMS at Diversion Center Project Update. The center, which will be located on Seven Locks Road in Rockville, will treat individuals experiencing a mental health or substance use crisis. The LEOB is located at 101 Monroe St. in Rockville. The auditorium is on the lobby level of the building.
There is still time to nominate a deserving Unsung Hero of our local sports scene. The award honors individuals who have made a meaningful impact in expanding athletic opportunities for County residents. Organizations are also eligible for the award. The Montgomery County Sports Advisory Committee is accepting nominations through Friday, Oct. 31. In May, the inaugural call for unsung heroes resulted in three winners who were honored during the Montgomery County Sports Hall of Fame induction ceremony.
The Sports Advisory Committee is committed to encouraging greater sports participation within the community. The award also seeks to honor those who help increase access or improve sports programming for under-resourced, underserved, or underrepresented communities. Coaching, officiating, team management, field maintenance, player transportation, and training all contribute to a healthy sports scene, making all categories eligible for the Unsung Hero award.
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The Montgomery County Office of Procurement will host its annual Procurement Fair from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 5, at the Silver Spring Civic Building, located at 1 Veterans Place in Silver Spring. This year’s event will feature a new workshop highlighting eligibility requirements and the benefits of certification for veteran-owned businesses. It will also feature assistance to minority, female, and disabled-owned businesses looking for certifications to do business with the County. The event is free, but registration is encouraged.
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The Montgomery County History Conference will take place on Saturday, Nov. 8, at Montgomery College’s Germantown Campus. Hosted by Montgomery History, this year’s event celebrates 250 years of Montgomery County’s history with a keynote by local historian Ralph Buglass, breakout sessions, and a closing panel, Montgomery County at 250: Looking Back to Move Forward.
Breakout sessions will explore topics including student activism during the Vietnam era, the creation of the Moderately Priced Dwelling Unit program, the fair housing and conservation movements, elected women of color in County leadership, and the early slave trade in Montgomery County.
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Tickets are now available for Brookside Gardens’ annual Garden of Lights, returning Nov. 21 through Jan. 4, 2026. The beloved winter tradition transforms the 50-acre Wheaton gardens into a glowing wonderland with more than one million twinkling lights along a half-mile outdoor trail. The Brookside Gardens Gift Shop will be open for seasonal finds, and Catalyst Hot Dogs will serve food onsite throughout the season. Timed-entry tickets are required for guests ages five and older. The event is rain or shine, so bundle up and enjoy the magic!
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