Local News and Events

March is National Quilting MonthMost people who know me know that I am obsessed with quilting. I sell real estate so I can afford my quilting obsession, not really, but it makes for a good story. March is National Quilting Month. If you think you aren't good enough to belong to a quilt guild, you are wrong. The groups I have belonged to over the years have taught me so much, and not just about quilting; the friendships I have developed are lasting. My bestie, Megan, says quilting has provided her with an entire professional network of realtors, accountants, attorneys, bankers, financial planners and so on and all because she quilts. I can't agree more.  We are a special breed of people. If you are a beginner quilter, or beyond beginner and looking for your tribe, check out your local gu... 03/08/2026

A Walk Through a Small Town DowntownThere is something special about walking through a small town downtown.The pace is different. People stop and speak to one another. Store owners know their customers by name. Historic buildings tell the story of generations that have lived and worked in the same place.In towns like Walhalla and the surrounding communities of Oconee County, the downtown areas reflect the region's character. Brick storefronts, the courthouse square, and locally owned shops give each street a sense of history and identity. A walk through downtown might include a stop at a local restaurant for lunch, browsing through a small shop, or simply enjoying the architecture that has stood for decades. Many of these buildings have served the community through different generations... 03/08/2026

Community Calendar: Local Events in Connecticut & Rhode Island (March 9 – March 22)One of the challenges many people face is simply keeping track of what’s happening locally. Between town websites, social media pages, chamber calendars, and event listings, it can be difficult to see everything in one place.To help solve that problem, we created the Community Calendar, a bi-weekly roundup of local events and activities taking place across Southeastern Connecticut and Coastal Rhode Island.Each edition highlights events people actually attend and enjoy, including: Live music Community celebrations Seasonal markets Arts and cultural events Family-friendly activities The newest issue covers March 9 through March 22 and includes events taking place across: New London County, Connecticut Middl... 03/08/2026

What’s the Value of my Encinitas Home? Encinitas Market Report for February 2026 Encinitas sellers and buyers must have current information about local market conditions, and understand the effect they have on buying and selling, in order to make informed decisions about Encinitas homes for sale. Here’s what happened in the February 2026 housing market in Encinitas, using data from the MLS (private sales are not included nor are manufactured, mobile, or multi-family homes). These statistics are believed reliable when this report was written but are not guaranteed. READ MORE: Encinitas – An Eclectic Seaside CommunityLeucadia- Surfers' Beach Community in Encinitas CA  (40 homes sold in Encinitas in February, versus 22 last month (up by 18%). Here’s the breakdown of the housing activity. S... 03/07/2026

Yesterday our community gathered to celebrate the life of Ryder Harrington, a 19-year-old Texas Tech student whose life was tragically cut short in the early morning hours of March 1, 2026, at Buford’s Backyard Beer Garden on Sixth Street. Ryder lived in a nearby neighborhood, and many of us knew his family. In the days following the tragedy, our streets quietly filled with red ribbons tied around the trees, a simple but powerful way to honor Ryder and show the Harrington family how deeply their loss is felt. Ryder was the youngest of four boys and had recently been home to celebrate his brother’s wedding just last month. My own granddaughter was home for that wedding in February and returned again this past week to attend Ryder’s Celebration of Life. She had worked at Buford’s during s... 03/07/2026

VICTORIA BC DAYLIGHT SAVING TIME STARTS SUNDAY at 2 AMRemember to move your clocks ahead one hour and Check and Change your Smoke Alarm BatteriesSpring Starts too in a few weeks March 8.Are you Setting your Clocks ahead before you go to bed ? Or maybe Sleep in and Lose and an hour after you get up, after all it'll be Sunday! 03/06/2026

National Dress Day👗: March 6th "A dress is a piece of ephemeral architecture, designed to enhance the proportions of the female body."... Christian Dior Oh gosh, I almost forgot... so just in case you still haven't gotten dressed today, it's National Dress Day 👗 ! I, of course, have been dressed for a while... so I might just need to don a dress in honor of National Dress Day tomorrow. Because really, any day is a good day to wear a dress! National Dress Day is a annual celebration on March 6th, dedicated to honoring the elegance, timeless charm, and versatility of dresses.   I love wearing dresses. There is something inherently fun about putting on a dress. Whether it’s a flowing sundress that sways with the breeze or a sleek evening gown that exudes sophistication, each dress has its ... 03/06/2026

Daylight Saving Time... Because Who Needs Sleep Anyway? "Daylight saving time—why are they saving it, and where do they keep it?"... Anonymous So I’ve been seeing all the cheerful announcements here in the Rain and apparently everywhere else too that Daylight Saving Time arrives this Sunday. This is not news that makes me leap out of my chair with joy! As I’ve written every single year, I hate Daylight Saving Time. Not "mildly dislike." Not “it’s inconvenient.” I mean I really, really hate it. In fact, I’m already mentally preparing for (and dreading) the two weeks it will takes my body to figure out what in the world just happened to the clock. One minute it’s breakfast time, the next minute your brain thinks it’s the middle of the night and your coffee thinks it’s lunch. Harry Truman ... 03/07/2026

If you live in Berea or nearby communities in Madison County, this past week brought several developments that highlight both the challenges and strengths of our local community.Local police addressed a few safety concerns, including a traffic stop that led to two drug-related arrests and a reminder for residents to stay vigilant after a prowling incident. Situations like these show the importance of community awareness and the role local law enforcement plays in keeping neighborhoods safe.But there were also some encouraging stories.A nonprofit organization is working to build a therapeutic foster home in Berea designed specifically for teen girls who have survived human trafficking. Projects like this demonstrate the compassion and support systems that make small communities truly mea... 03/06/2026

Help High School Students Shine at PromMontgomery County Recreation is collecting new and gently used dresses, suits, dry-cleaned shirts, shoes, ties, and accessories for its annual Prom Couture Closet giveaway event. Donations are being accepted through Saturday, March 21, at the Marilyn J. Praisner Community Recreation Center, located at 14906 Old Columbia Pike in Burtonsville. Drop off your donation during the center’s regular operating hours:  Monday–Thursday: 9 a.m. – 9 p.m.   Friday: 9 a.m. – 6 p.m.   Saturday: 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.  Special collection dates will also take place at the Germantown Community Recreation Center, located at 18905 Kingsview Road in Germantown, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, March 7, and at the Jane E. Lawton Community Recreation Center, located at 4301 ... 03/08/2026

That familiar plastic E-ZPass mounted on your windshield may soon be a thing of the past.Massachusetts state transportation officials have confirmed they are transitioning away from traditional hard-case E-ZPass transponders and replacing them with low-cost windshield sticker tags — a move expected to save millions of dollars annually.The Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) has begun issuing RFID (Radio Frequency ID) sticker tags to new customers and for replacements starting March 2026.  The sticker attaches directly to the inside of a vehicle's windshield, functioning like the plastic device for toll reading.MassDOT Highway Administrator Jonathan Gulliver told WBUR the stickers cost about 55 cents each, compared to roughly $6 to $7 per traditional plastic transponder ... 03/07/2026

Student Contests to Promote Alcohol-Free CelebrationsMontgomery County Alcohol Beverage Services (ABS), in partnership with the Keeping It Safe (KIS) Coalition, is sponsoring two student contests to raise awareness about the risks of underage drinking and promote safe, alcohol-free celebrations during prom season. Winners will be recognized at a spring awards reception hosted by the KIS Coalition. The Sober Vibes Essay Contest and the Keeping It Safe Student Video Contest are open to Montgomery County public and private school students. The deadline to submit entries is March 31. Contest guidelines and submission information are available on the KIS Coalition website.This is a Montgomery County, Maryland announcement. Cattleya skinneri Orchids, Longwood Gardens,Kennett Square, Pennsylva... 03/07/2026

Cooking Up History: 250 Years of Recipes, Stories & FlavorsMarch 7, 1:30 to 3:30 p.m.Casey Community CenterCelebrate 250 years of culinary history in this unique class that blends captivating storytelling, historic cookbooks, and delicious tastings. Explore how American cooking has evolved through live chef demonstrations, engaging discussion, and samples inspired by recipes from centuries past. Click here to learn more and register.This is a City of Gaithersburg, Maryland announcement. Chrysanthemums, Longwood Gardens,Kennett Square, Pennsylvania USA IMG 6793Canon PowerShot G11 CameraPhotograph by Roy KelleyRoy and Dolores Kelley Photographs 03/06/2026

Marriage at the Mansion Bridal ShowcaseMarch 7, Noon to 4 p.m.Kentlands MansionPlanning your dream wedding and don’t know where to start? Discover one-of-a-kind ideas at Marriage at the Mansion. At this one-stop wedding shop, you’ll experience the elegance and charm of Kentlands Mansion while meeting one-on-one with wedding vendors who can help make your day a dream come true. Door prizes will be awarded throughout the day. Tickets are $5 per person.Click here to purchase tickets.This is a City of Gaithersburg, Maryland announcement.  03/06/2026

Girl Power ContestThe Montgomery County Commission for Women, in partnership with Montgomery County Recreation and Montgomery County Public Libraries, is excited to announce that entries for the annual Girl Power Contest will be accepted March 1–31. Open to Montgomery County girls ages 5 and older, this year’s theme asks: Women past and present have shown incredible, real-life superpowers. Who inspires you—whether a historical figure, family member, neighbor, or advocate—and how did she use her powers to make a difference? Submissions can include short stories, drawings, songs, or any other creative outlet. Participants are encouraged to think big, get creative, and celebrate the strength and impact of women and girls. Winners will be invited to a special celebration in June. Contest Ru... 03/07/2026

There are many things I like about winter BUT as it goes on and on, Spring fever sets in. We have had a warm February (for North Dakota) but not so warm that it made me think "Ah, Spring has sprung". I know full well that Spring will not arrive here until late April.This past Thursday, March 5th, we had a beautiful, light snowfall with no wind. Here are a couple of pics I just had to take and share.At the age of 72 I no longer "hope" for an early Spring, it will get here when it get's here and even once it arrives Winter weather will slap it around once or twice. 03/06/2026

Maryland Contractor Summit Set for Friday, March 6Join the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of Montgomery County (HCCMC) for the 2026 Maryland Contractor Summit. It is aimed at helping contractors, subcontractors, suppliers, architects, and engineers navigate challenges and accelerate growth. This year's theme is Building Resilience, Fueling Growth: Strategies for Thriving in Challenging Times.  If you're interested in learning more and purchasing tickets for the one-day event on Friday, March 6, at the Bethesda North Marriott Hotel and Conference Center, visit the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Montgomery County website.  Click here to register.This is a Montgomery County, Maryland announcement.  Coleus, Longwood Gardens, Kennett Square, Pennsylvania USA IMG 5959Canon PowerShot G11 Camera, f... 03/05/2026

One of the things I enjoy most about living and working in Madison County, Kentucky is how active and engaged the community is. Every week there are events happening throughout Berea and Richmond that bring neighbors together and highlight what makes this area such a special place to live.This weekend offers a great mix of activities for families, outdoor enthusiasts, and anyone looking to connect with the community.Saturday morning starts with the Warehouse Sale at Chenault Vineyards from 9 AM to 4 PM. The vineyard is already one of the most scenic spots in the county, and events like this are a fun reason to stop by, browse deals, and enjoy the surroundings.Families can head over to Kids Mall Madness from 11 AM to 1 PM, which is a great activity for children with games and entertainme... 03/05/2026

Occasionally when looking for interesting things to write about in The Villages, Florida, and surrounding area I find something that hits me!  I started out thinking about sharing a parade and ended up researching, talking to board members and interviewing folks from My Special Place.  This parade has led me to two articles and videos and I am sure more updates as more events I can help getting the word out.About the parade, it is happening Thursday, March 12th at 5:00 pm at Lake Sumter Landing.  Want to get involved it’s easy, Amazon has more than 50 Inflatable Costumes with delivery in a few days, order one.  Next show up at Barnes and Noble parking lot at 4:15 to be inflated.  A $10 donation to register for the parade payable when you show up.  Standing along the parade route which i... 03/05/2026

Women in Leadership • Central Oregon Real Estate Four Women. 120 Years of Experience. One Brokerage Redefining What Leadership Looks Like. Bend Premier Real Estate expands its all-woman management team and raises the bar for agent support, client service, and brokerage culture in Central Oregon. Real estate is powered by women. Nationally, women make up the majority of working agents, yet leadership in the industry has historically told a very different story. At Bend Premier Real Estate, that story is being rewritten. The proudly independent, family-owned brokerage founded in 2011 has expanded its management team to include four accomplished women who collectively bring more than 120 years of real estate experience to the table. In doing so, Bend Premier has built something rare in th... 03/04/2026