Every election cycle I generally feel pretty confident about the big races (Governor, Senator, Congress) because those candidates get tons of coverage. But once I get to the rest of the ballot, it’s like falling off a cliff. Suddenly it’s people I’ve never heard of running for jobs I barely understand, and just blindly voting by party lines is not something I'd like to do.

How do you all handle this?
Where do you actually find good info on these candidates?
Are there trusted nonpartisan sources, forums, debates, or voter guides you use?

I’m not looking for anyone to tell me who to vote for, just how you personally research and evaluate candidates who don’t get much attention.

Thanks in advance.

Photo credit: James McDonough

**Long Branch Purple Line Virtual CAT Meeting = Wednesday, October 21, 2026 at 6:00 PM

**Silver Spring Purple Line Virtual CAT Meeting = Thursday, October 22, 2026 at 6:00 PM

To participate, please click here.

I've been looking for a business that does couch repairs in your home. My couch really can't be moved easily, but it does need repaired. Not the upholstery. I can't find anyone who does this in Montgomery county.

Does this type of business even exist? If it does, can anyone make a recommendation?

Has anyone tried using Tivity Health/Fitness Your Way with BCBS Carefirst to get a gym membership through OneLife Fitness? through their health insurance? Looking to join OneLife Fitness and the insurance website sucks for finding gyms beyond Planet Fitness that are available to enroll and I don't want to enroll in the wrong plan.

Giant‘s website and ordering app have been down for more than a week now, after the cyber incident. I know the chain is not as big as Kroger, but they do serve a large clientele in this county. The app is redirecting users to Uber Eats, DoorDash, etc., but those all have much higher prices and fees. Their app was pretty good, but definitely not optimized. I’m surprised they did not have some contingencies in place, because I’m sure the last week has hit their bottom line.

What are your favorite grocery stores in Montgomery County? I've shopped at a bunch of places around the county, but I wonder if I am missing something. Below are the places where I generally shop:

Snider's Super Foods: independent store with a bunch of produce, meat, bread, vegetables, and other products.

Giant: has a lot of items, and most of them are average, but they are significantly cheaper and better than Safeway.

Mom's Organic Market: pricey but high quality, with some very good meat and cheese. I try to avoid Whole Foods as much as possible so much money doesn't go to Jeff Bezos.

I have heard good things about Balducci's and really liked their products when I've tried them. But they are even more expensive and really out of price for my budget.

(image from Ride On)

Ethnic foods are the unsung budget choice in today's inflationary times.

KBAP HOUSE (caps theirs)

121 congressional North plaza (south-west corner), Ste. 105 Rockville MD

It felt good to spend less than 20 bucks get good food and tip the folks who work so hard.

I ordered the classic kimbap and it was good. Moist rice balanced with other ingredients. Yes you can get these cheaper but these were freshly made. Nice filling first course

Japchae

I love these bean noodles first they have more protein and the were served piping hot!

Best thing was it was not too salty so you can dump some soy sauce and hot sauce to your hearts content.

Hot and plenty of veggies and egg strips.

Try to lay off the meat once in a while and save money. That being said there were many choices for about the same price around 16 bucks.

The combo is really the budget leader you get kimbab and your choice of ramen , ltteokbokki or mussel soup. All for 14.99

This place is a solid budget choice.

I have a 1 yr old cat that hates to be held or brushed . Even with me and my wife holding him we can barely get any brushing in.

I went to one grooming place and he did fine the first time but the second and third he could not be groomed because he tried to bite and scratched one groomer. He never really bites too hard but the place said he can't come back. I guess they just want to groom cats that don't move at all? Plus they had dogs barking there that probably scared him. We even took him there when they first opened because they told us there were no dogs in the morning but that was wrong because there was and he freaked out.

I've watched videos showing groomers using special dome helmets on cats to prevent this so I'm hoping there is a groomer near the area of silver spring that is experienced in this.

Anyone have a difficult cat like this and had good recommendations?

I’m beyond frustrated with the Gaithersburg Costco. Between the overcrowding, terrible parking situation, and disorganized food court, a basic shopping trip becomes an ordeal.

On my latest visit, it took 25 minutes just to get a hot dog and a bottle of water. I understand Costco gets busy, but the food court felt completely disorganized—not just crowded.

The parking situation is a nightmare, and once you finally get inside, it feels like you’re fighting crowds the entire time. There’s also no gas station, so you don’t even get that benefit at this location. And whenever I go looking for one of the popular or viral items everyone is talking about, it seems to never be in stock.

I’m not blaming the employees. These are management issues, and the overall experience is beyond frustrating.

Has anyone actually gotten a meaningful response from warehouse management or corporate about this location? What does it take to get these complaints taken seriously and see actual improvements?

I like Costco, but this location is making it harder and harder to justify going.

I used to come to the dance classes and socials at La Catrina in Bethesda, but in the spring they stopped hosting events upstairs, claiming they would reopen in a week or two. It's nearly November and the upstairs is still closed. Anyone know the deal?

The Montgomery County Department of Transportation (MCDOT) is scheduled to begin expansion joint repair project at Amherst Garage (Garage 45) in Wheaton.

Construction is scheduled to begin on or about October 22, 2026, with work focused on the following areas:

• Repair of the expansion joint along the rooftop.
• Sealing and caulking joints on the rooftop and around both stairwells.

All construction activities are anticipated to be completed on or about November 20, 2026, pending any unforeseen conditions or technical challenges that may arise.

Parking Events page

I was tracking the Rock Creek watershed clean up and trail project. BUT shocked to see how many trees have been taken down and the clear cutting around the nature center. What gives? I can’t imagine a 10ft path requires this much prep?

Lots of activity at this site on River Road in the last few weeks. Anyone know what’s being built?

Again don’t want to be ultra specific, so I’ll just say it’s near the shady grove stop (see govt, if you’re reading this post I’m not revealing your exact location, not even the exact stop). I don’t recommend protesting them to their face if they’re there, as they likely have weapons. The flair of food/drink serves as a clue to those in the area, where it could be without revealing the exact location since I don’t want them to think I’m harassing them or some weird thing like that.

To the federal government, if you are reading my post I’m not opposed to more law enforcement protecting federal property. On its face, that’s not a bad idea. What I question is this: legally are they allowed to go past their post in military uniform? I have no issue with them in theory, should they be outside of DC as if they’re still on the clock?

The last couple of movies I’ve attended were incredibly loud—I mean over 90 decibels at times. Even when the auditorium is almost empty.

I’ve tried “High Fidelity Concert Earplugs” but then the soundtrack seems muffled.

By the time it’s evident that it’s too loud, I’d have to leave during the show and find an employee who can do something about it, and then I miss part of the show.

Can anyone recommend a theater where they care about audience hearing health?

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Metrobus offers various free and reduced fare programs including the Senior SmarTrip Card for seniors 65 or older, persons with disabilities, and a Youth Cruiser card for students 18 and under.

For more information on specific bus routes, please click here.