Good morning, Portland.

Portland-based nonprofit After Party, led by former wedding videographer Nora McCormack-Bowen, collects event florals (rearranged by volunteers) to donate to hospitals and care centers and reduce waste.

The service spreads cheer and supports community members across the city.

A 12-hour Radiothon airs Thursday, Oct.

15 on WGAN to support Veterans Forward after Governor Mills declared it Veterans Forward Day. A Hot Rods and Heroes car show is Sunday, Oct. 18 at Bill Dodge Auto Group in Westbrook, featuring live music, food + awards.

Shalom House, a local mental health provider, planted 250 yellow tulip bulbs on its Clark Street property during Mental Illness Awareness Week to bring hope to residents; the organization plans to plant more gardens at its other sites.

Multiple local events are underway through Oct.

25, including performances at Portland Stage and Footlights Theatre, a monster truck show in Portland, a final Biddeford Art Walk, and special events at the Maine Jewish Museum and Saco River Theatre + the Northeast Sports Card Expo awaits collectors in Portland.

Portland's State Theatre will host the drag Grateful Dead tribute band Bertha: Grateful Drag (a Nashville-based act) at 8 p.m. Saturday, offering lively renditions of classic Dead tunes in flashy outfits.

Historical photos from the 1930s to the ’50s show Mainers carving and selling pumpkins — courtesy of the Public Library archives — as part of a long-standing Halloween tradition.

With the holiday near, residents may be inspired to pick out their own pumpkin and join in this cultural rite.

Local and national comedians will perform in a series of upcoming comedy shows across Portland and nearby towns from Friday into next year.

Shows feature Marc Maron, Leslie Jones + Jo Koy at venues like Empire, State Theatre and Merrill Auditorium, with ticket prices ranging from $20 to $125.

Friends of Casco Bay said red tide is still killing soft-shell clams as the algae bloom fades slightly in Casco Bay.

Maine officials say fish and shellfish remain safe to eat, although some areas stay closed for harvesting.

Julie Taft, South Portland’s sustainability program manager, offers seven eco-friendly Halloween tips on thrifting costumes, reusing decorations, responsibly disposing candy wrappers, and composting pumpkins to reduce waste, with local Go-Go Refill hosting a candy wrapper collection box + Terracycle partnership for recycling support.

The U.S. Department of War determined that Bath Iron Works in Bath will build a second guided-missile destroyer for fiscal year 2027 if Congress provides funding.

The shipyard showed key operational improvements and continues to support local jobs.

Health experts report that Maine is experiencing an early rise in flu cases this season and may see a peak in November.

Residents are urged to get their flu shot soon to guard against the virus.

Local land trusts recommend top fall color spots in the Lakes Region now that leaves are peaking; visitors can enjoy trails at preserves in Gray, North Yarmouth, Westbrook, and Bridgton (with the Universal Access Trail at 189 Falmouth Road opening Oct.

17).