The Silver Spring Penguin

Here’s the good news: The Penguin intern has returned to our newsroom unscathed. The bad news: His absence is explained (not excused) only by his gig moonlighting as the host of a cable TV travel program.

Apparently, the furry little bastard spent the last few days filming on location in Oaxaca, Mexico, far from the Rock Creek Trail as his people originally reported. I’m not going to grudge our intern for taking the travel gig, especially since it pays. But a little notice would have been nice.

His next travel assignment: Shanghai, China, party central of the People’s Republic. Fucker. While our intern is globe trotting, check out what’s happening locally:

Monday

9:00 a.m. The county council’s public safety committee discusses a proposed $2.9 million appropriation towards expanding the county’s speed camera program. This free event takes place at the council’s office building (100 Maryland Ave, Rockville), seventh floor, and is open to the public.

9:00 a.m. The county council’s public safety committee also discusses whether to impose a fee for ambulance services. This free event takes place at the council’s office building (100 Maryland Ave, Rockville), seventh floor, and is open to the public.

Tuesday

10:00 a.m. The full county council votes on whether to impose a fee for ambulance services. This free event takes place at the council’s office building (100 Maryland Ave, Rockville), third floor, and is open to the public.

10:15 a.m. The full county council votes on a proposed $2.9 million appropriation towards expanding the county’s speed camera program. This free event takes place at the council’s office building (100 Maryland Ave, Rockville), third floor, and is open to the public.

1:30 p.m. The county council receives public testimony on whether Silver Spring’s urban-renewal plan should be amended to permit a pedestrian bridgebetween the Wayne Avenue garage and downtown’s new library. This free event takes place at the council’s office building (100 Maryland Ave, Rockville), third floor, and is open to the public.

2:15 p.m. The county council receives a briefing on how federal stimulus funds are being spent in Montgomery County. This free event takes place at the council’s office building (100 Maryland Ave, Rockville), third floor, and is open to the public.