The Early Bird

Correction: The planning board did not hear a progress report on the Silver Spring Transit Center on Thursday. It voted to approve the abandonment of Bonifant Street's west end, which sits within the transit center's footprint. The Daily Penguin regrets the error. (Nov. 15, 2006)

It's going to be a busy week in Silver Spring:

Tuesday: The negative ads and campaign speeches finally end when voters hit the polls for the midterm election. Every seat in the state is up for grabs, from the governorship to the guy who certifies wills. Polls open at 7:00 a.m. and close at 8:00 p.m.

Wednesday: County health officials administer flu shots (above) at the Dennis Avenue Health Center (at Georgia Avenue) from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Shots are reserved for people at high risk--kids up to age 2 years, pregnant women, people over age 65 or with chronic illnesses, and healthcare workers. Each shot costs $20. Low-risk people can get the nasal vaccine for free.

Thursday: The county planning board gets an update on the Purple Line light-rail project, as well as a progress report on the Silver Spring Transit Center. The meeting starts at 9:00 a.m. at the board's digs on Georgia Avenue at Spring Street.

Friday: The nation observes Veterans Day. People who work for banks, libraries, the postal service and the government get the day off. Buses run on a Saturday schedule and Metro train service ends at midnight. For everyone else--including public school students--it's business as usual.

Thanks to MSNBC for the photo.