The Silver Spring Penguin

Today, we honor explorer Christopher Columbus, who discovered the New World so that (some of) us may have the day off.

Here’s what’s kicking this week:

Monday

Throughout the day. Metro trains run on a holiday schedule. However, Metro and Ride-On buses roll as usual. Public libraries are closed for in-house training.

7:00 p.m. Silver Spring’s citizens advisory board gets the full scoop on the future Fillmore music hall, and on a zoning change that could give National Public Radio the headroom it needs to move into the Ripley district. The deal goes down at the Long Branch Community Center (8700 Piney Branch Rd) and is open to the public.

7:00 p.m. Mike Madden, of the state transit administration, outlines possible Purple Line light-rail routes through downtown Silver Spring. Though the Silver Spring Public Library (8901 Colesville Rd) shuts down for the day, it opens its doors for this gig.

Wednesday

6:00 p.m. Area politicians and other big wigs rub elbows at a fundraiser for the Purple Line Now advocacy group. The shindig rocks Montgomery College’s Student Services Building (7625 Fenton St), with suggested donations starting at $50.

Thursday

8:00 a.m. Silver Spring’s transportation-management district advisory committee gets an update on interim operations at the future transit center. The morning show at Discovery Communications (1 Discovery Pl) is open to the public.

7:00 p.m. John Norquist, of the Congress for the New Urbanism, talks about development and long-term value for Montgomery County. The free shpiel goes down at planning board HQ (8787 Georgia Ave).