Of course, The Penguin’s last week of business would be chock full of stuff to report, leaving me with little time to slack off. It’s just Montgomery County’s way of squeezing every last drop of life out of me.
It’s also the county’s first week back from the winter holidays, and the county council and exec are hitting the ground running. Committee meetings, public forums, blah blah blah. I’m just grateful the planning board is focused on the county’s agricultural hinterlands this week.
Soak up these last few moments of tranquility, then brace yourself for this week:
Monday
9:30 a.m. The county council’s planning and economic development committee discusses how to fund redevelopment at the county planning board’s current Georgia Avenue site. This free event takes place at the council’s office building (100 Maryland Ave), seventh floor, and is open to the public.
7:00 p.m. Silver Spring’s citizens advisory board holds its monthly meeting at the Long Branch Community Center (8700 Piney Branch Rd). This free event is open to the public.
7:30 p.m. County executive Ike Leggett holds a forum in Germantown on the fiscal year 2011 operating budget. This event can be watched live on County Cable Six and its website.
Residents can phone or text questions to (301) 525-2229, or email them to publicinformation@montgomerycountymd.gov. Emails must be received before 5:00 p.m.
Tuesday
2:30 p.m. The county council’s transportation committee discusses the county’s snow removal operations. This free event takes place at the council’s office building (100 Maryland Ave), seventh floor, and is open to the public.
Wednesday
Catch my breath, and maybe grab something to eat.
Thursday
10:15 a.m. The county council’s public safety committee evaluates the county’s red-light and speed camera program. This free event takes place at the council’s office building (100 Maryland Ave), seventh floor, and is open to the public.
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What the hell are they building now? Learn more from 
Boxed wines and rosés are back in vogue. Just ask The Penguin's sommeliers.
Any chance we can get a Hook and Ladder update before you leave us? Your departure seriously leaves a massive hole in Silver Spring news. Good luck with everything you do in the future.
Editor’s note: No guarantees, but I’ll see what I can do. — JD (Jan 11, 2010)
Action Committee for Transit meets Tues night at 7:30 pm at SS Regional Center (diagonal from MNCPPC) on Georgia Ave – free/open to all – Program: Bill Lind, author of the new book “Moving Minds” will speak on the Topic of Conservatives and Public Transit See http://www.actfortransit.org/
Thanks for all of your hard working keeping us up to date on what’s happening in SS. We’ll miss you –
I will miss you. I travel most of the month and keep up by following the penguin.
Are you quitting entirely? You have made my move here 18 mos ago much more informed. I have learned so much about the neighborhood from you!
Jennifer, you will be missed. Thank you for running the Penguin for so long.
I know you must be busy because you’re moving and all, but is there any way that in the last week of glorious penguin-ness we have, you could leave us with a list of where to report/complain to in SS (similar to the “Winter Worries” sidebar you already have, but for more general concerns).
I have two and I have no idea where to send them. Both are on E/W highway by the Giant, which I drive pretty much every day – the giant pile of ice/snow blocking the right turn lane into the shopping plaza, and the way that the apartment complex just down the road from that is taking up a whole lane with traffic barrels without actually closing lane, making driving up EW both deceiving and dangerous (especially in rush hour!).
You’ve done so much great work, I’m going to miss your investigation and your quirky writing style. I wish you the best, but know that there will be a gap left when you are gone.
Even if I’ve disliked your tone at times, I think you provided a valuble service to our community and I thank you for that. You will be missed.
Best of luck to you and your husband.