5 Things You Need to Know Today: Sept. 23, 2011

Happy Friday, Silver Spring! Here are five things to know today, to help you keep up-to-date about what’s going on in the community:

1. Scattered showers and thunderstorms are expected today, according to the National Weather Service. Temperatures may rise near 75 degrees. Into the evening, showers are likely to continue, with temperatures dropping to about 64.

2. Visit the first exhibition of the 2011-12 season at the Tate Gallery inside the just inside the Beltway. You'll get a chance to see work by Silver Spring photographers Coriolana Simon and Douglas Wolters, who share a passion for extreme close-up photography.

3. If you missed it, you can still register for the Montgomery County Commuter Challenge. For the first time, the county-wide challenge is expanding into the business district of Silver Spring and Friendship Heights. Walking and riding public transportation to work can pay off during this three-week challenge.

4. Opponents and advocates of same-sex marriage are starting to gear up their fight for the 2012 legislative session. Gov. Martin O'Malley is expected to sponsor a bill to push for legalizing same-sex marriage.

5. Looking forward to the weekend? Come back for our "Get Out: Weekend Activities" feature to give you some ideas.