Good morning, Gaithersburg.

Montgomery Village’s Fall Festival will return Saturday, Oct.

3 from 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at North Creek Community Center (20215 Arrowhead Road). The annual event will feature food, games and a Great Pumpkin Race where racers convert pumpkins into race cars to compete in single-elimination heats.

Whip Clean holds its grand opening on Sunday, Sept.

27 at 391 Muddy Branch Road in the Festival at Muddy Branch shopping center. The event offers 50% off all washes, free donuts from Donut King, and face painting from 1 to 4 p.m.

The DMV Chocolate & Coffee Festival will take place November 7 and 8 at Adventist HealthCare Fieldhouse in Germantown, featuring tastings, seminars, shopping, and a chocolate sculpture of George Washington on horseback.

Families can also enjoy free craft tables for kids under 12 + a 10% discount using code MOCO10.

Seneca Valley High School in Germantown opened its new facility in 2021 and is now the largest public high school in Maryland by square footage, featuring a four-story academic wing, two-story public wing (with a 900-seat auditorium, athletic facilities and technical education areas).

MCEA and MCPS clash over wage and healthcare proposals during ongoing contract negotiations for the next collective bargaining agreement.

MCEA invites roughly 14,000 educators to an open bargaining session at 45 W Gude Dr. at 5:30 p.m.—MCPS denies any threats and focuses on student needs amid fiscal concerns.

On Sept. 24, the Montgomery County Board of Education approved three administrative appointments in Gaithersburg; Aaron K.

Shin, who served at Parkland Middle School, now leads Springbrook High School, while Travis Bryant and Shauna-Kay J. Jorandby became directors of Special Education Compliance and School Leadership and Improvement.

CSX will temporarily close four railroad crossings in Gaithersburg in October for rail replacement on northbound tracks (Railroad Street: Oct.

5-8; Chestnut Street: Oct. 6-9; Metropolitan Grove Road: Oct. 10-11; Summit Avenue: Oct. 12-15). The city advises drivers, bicyclists and pedestrians to use alternate routes amid heavy traffic.

Gaithersburg officials renamed Olde Towne Plaza as Sidney A.

Katz Plaza on Friday, Sept. 18 to honor the former mayor and Montgomery County Council Member for nearly five decades of service. The dedication featured remarks from Mayor Jud Ashman and family members as a new plaza sign was unveiled.

Montgomery County high school football teams ended Week 4 with notable wins as Quince Orchard dominated its Virginia matchup and Sherwood, Churchill, and others prepare for tougher tests — setting up key rivalries for upcoming contests.