Good morning, Rockville.

Until Sunday, 17 restaurants across Montgomery County including Ayse in Rockville are offering dining specials for Maryland Restaurant Week – check local listings for deals and flavors in your community.

Montgomery County nonprofit An Empowered Girl, founded by Jyoti Mehta, delivered kits with reusable menstrual pads to over 220 girls in Mohéli in August and trained local moms to sew pads.

The group now is expanding its volunteer network in the D.C. area to help girls stay in school.

Girls on the Run of Montgomery County brings back its GOTR Pickle-Fest on Oct.

17 at Dill Dinkers in North Bethesda — a pickleball event with lessons and tournaments that supports its Scholarship Fund.

A survey from the Greater Washington Community Foundation found about half of the region's residents are thriving, with 52% in Montgomery County reporting positive experiences, while many struggle with rising housing and living costs.

The study suggests local government efforts & affordable options may help improve quality of life.

Annual Pumpkin Festival at Butler’s Orchard is underway in Germantown, offering hayrides, corn mazes, giant slides, live music — featuring pony rides and face painting and fall treats.

The event runs through Nov. 1 and is open Wed-Sun until 6 p.m. with varied tickets and free entry for young children.

Golden Globe-winning actor Brian Cox stars as Johann Sebastian Bach in 'The Score' at Shakespeare Theatre Company through Oct.

25; the play, set in 1747, blends art with a power struggle that mirrors challenges faced by leaders today.

The Montgomery County Education Association called school district proposals unacceptable during collective bargaining in a session held Thursday evening + union leaders said they needed meaningful proposals like cost-of-living raises and improved benefits for educators and students.

During contract negotiations, the teachers’ union (MCEA) said Montgomery County Public Schools’ proposals were unacceptable as the parties must exchange more meaningful offers, according to President David Stein on Thursday.

American Diversity Group has opened a free medical clinic at 12850 Middlebrook Road, Suite 400 in Germantown.

The clinic offers free flu shots and consultations for adults this Friday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and is close to the Germantown Transit Center to ease transportation issues.