Power problems again

Storms, power outages, dark intersections, power lines down across the metro rail tracks, it certainly has been an eventful week here in Silver Spring, MD.

Just when you thought it was safe to move through Silver Spring.... No, it isn't shark week (that's next week, but Chompie has been keeping an eye on things). Today's thunderstorm brought a few more power outages and sent another batch of traffic signals dark. The police had a handle on things here at Colesville Road and East-West Highway this evening. More troubling was how some power lines along Spring Street fell across the metro tracks and a train drove partway over them. No one was hurt but 41 people were stuck on the train. Above them, along Spring St, the police had closed the road, the fire trucks were there, and Pepco was trying to fix things.

Shark! Run!!

The first week in August is Shark Week on the Discovery Channel. To advertise this they have put a huge inflatable shark sticking through their headquarters in Silver Spring, MD. There are Four parts to it, the head on one end of the building, fins on two of the sides, and a huge tail on the other end of the building. You can see it from all around and it really makes an impression. You can see the head is three stories tall. It is held in place by ropes hanging down from the top of the building and ropes going to heavy jersey barriers sitting on the ground.

Transit center construction fire

Today around 5:30pm there was a very smoky fire at the transit center construction site next to Silver Spring Metro Station. The fire department was quickly on the scene and put it out. A couple of ambulances showed up, one left with its lights and sirens on, I saw them loading an empty stretcher back onto the other one so it looks to me like there was a single injury.

Have a blast in Silver Spring

Proof that the Silver Spring Transit Center is progressing: Beginning Monday, February 22 (weather permitting) and continuing for 4 to 6 weeks there will be blasting. This blasting will generally start around 11am and continue through nap time (2pm).

Those in the immediate vicinity of the site may hear a 30-second air horn five minutes before a blast occurs, and then three short horn tones five seconds before the blast explosion. Within about a minute of the blast, a 15-second all clear horn will blow once the Master Blaster verifies the completeness of the blast.

What a great job title "Master Blaster". You can read the full press release.

Mission: Earth - An Exhibition at NOAA

On February 6th through the 13th between 11 am and 4 pm (except Sunday Feb 7) the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration is hosting an exhibition about Earth observation science and technology. See some of the tools NOAA uses to study land, sea, and sky as well as hands-on exhibits, guest speakers, and video presentations.

Located in the NOAA Science Center at 1301 East-West Highway, Silver Spring, MD, admission is free. Public parking is available, near the Silver Spring Metro Station, photo ID required for adults. Visit their website for more information and a schedule of events.

Woodside Park renovation

Woodside Park's much needed renovation/overhaul/remodeling is in full swing. What was once a bunch of broken down playground equipment is on its way to being a shiny new play place.
This part of the playground has partially installed equipment and no surface yet.
One of the play areas is complete and open for use. Bundle up and see how a slide feels when it is below freezing.

It looks like they have only been working on the playground areas so far, not the rest of the park. They are planning on putting a small skateboard area in but haven't started that.

Woodside park is bounded by Georgia Ave, Spring St, and 1st Ave in Silver Spring, MD