The Silver Spring Penguin

It’s freakin’ cold outside — time to pack on the winter blubber. And what better way to do that than with a fat assload of mini Elvis burgers!

On Wednesday, The Silver Spring Penguin holds its annual holiday party at Jackie’s Restaurant (8081 Georgia Ave) starting at 6:00 p.m. You might also know this gig as the launch party for Silver Spring’s “Buy Local” guide, as well as the monthly mixer for the South Silver Spring Neighborhood Association. Whatever.

There’s no cover, and the bar’s doling out cheap booze, so be there. Trust me, you’ll need a drink to get through this week:

Monday

3:00 p.m. The county council’s planning, housing and economic development committee reviews a report from the affordable housing task force. This free event takes place at the council’s office building (100 Maryland Ave, Rockville) and is open to the public.

6:30 p.m. The county’s planning board receives an update on public testimony collected during recent meetings on the Purple Line mass-transit project. This free event takes place at the board’s auditorium (8787 Georgia Ave) and is open to the public.

7:00 p.m. Silver Spring’s citizens advisory board holds its monthly meeting at the Gwendolyn Coffield Community Center (2450 Lyttonsville Rd). This event is free and open to the public.

7:00 p.m. The county’s state delegates hold public hearings to discuss several bills affecting Montgomery and Prince George’s Counties. One bill would allow Montgomery County’s planning board to appoint a special prosecutor. Another would require public development projects to improve pedestrian and bicycle access, and to supply bicycle parking.

These free events take place at the county executive’s office building (101 Monroe St, Rockville) and are open to the public. Click here to testify.

7:30 p.m. The county’s planning board reviews its development program for Silver Place, a mixed-use development proposed for Georgia Avenue at Spring Street. This free event takes place at the board’s auditorium (8787 Georgia Ave) and is open to the public.

Tuesday

11:30 a.m. The county council hears public testimony on a $14.5 million appropriation to construct a parking garage at Montgomery College’s Takoma Park/Silver Spring campus. This event takes place at the county council office building (100 Maryland Ave) and is open to the public. Call (240) 777-7931 to testify.

11:35 a.m. The county council hears public testimony on bill 35-08, which would use red-light and speed camera fines to pay for ambulance services. This event takes place at the county council office building (100 Maryland Ave) and is open to the public. Call (240) 777-7931 to testify.

7:30 p.m. Richard Palmieri, from Siemens Transportation Systems, discusses the latest developments in light-rail technology. This free event takes place at the Silver Spring Center (8818 Georgia Ave) and is open to the public.

Wednesday

6:00 p.m. The Latino Economic Development Corp. celebrates the launch of its guide to Silver Spring’s locally owned retailers. This event takes place at Jackie’s Restaurant (8081 Georgia Ave) and is open to the public.

6:00 p.m. Richard Spinrad, with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s oceanic and atmospheric research office, discusses how oceanography “ended the Cold War, helps cure cancer and fuels our economy.” This event takes place at the Blair Mansion Inn restaurant (7711 Eastern Ave) and is open to the public.

Thursday

9:30 a.m. The county council’s health and human services committee discusses plans for the county’s hospitals. This free event takes place at the council’s office building (100 Maryland Ave, Rockville) and is open to the public.

7:00 p.m. The county’s state delegates hold public hearings on several bills, including one that would funnel some of the state’s gas tax revenues to maintain state roads in Montgomery County; one that prevents private red-light and speed camera contractors to base fees on the number of citations issued; and one that prevents landlords from evicting tenants without “just cause”.

These free events take place at the county executive’s office building (101 Monroe St, Rockville) and are open to the public. Click here to testify.

Photo courtesy of Flickr user Rougenair.