The federal government is still closed, but this week you can still talk about how climate change affects your health, get updates on the Purple Line, explore the changing character of Brookland, and help to make Florida Avenue safer at events across the region.

Update on the Purple Line: Tomorrow, the Action Committee for Transit hosts Mike Madden of the Maryland Transit Administration for the latest news on the Purple Line at its monthly meeting. Governor Martin O’Malley recently announced that the state will seek a public-private partnership to build and operate the line, which could start construction as early as 2015 if it gets federal approval this fall.

The meeting will be at 7:30pm on Tuesday, October 8 at the Silver Spring Civic Building, located at the corner of Ellsworth Drive and Fenton Street, just a few blocks from the Silver Spring Metro. For more info, visit ACT’s website.

Brookland: Old and New Again: Join CSG for a walking tour to learn about the changes happening around DC’s Brookland neighborhood this Saturday, October 12th, starting at 10am outside the Brookland-CUA Metro station. Learn about the impact that new construction and renovation of vacant buildings is having on residents and visitors, and what other changes are coming soon. To stretch your legs and learn more about this evolving neighborhood, RSVP for the tour here.

It’s finally Florida Avenue’s time: The District Department of Transportation will hold the second of three meetings on the Florida Avenue Multimodal Transportation Study next Thursday from 7 to 9pm at the Jordan Student Academic Center at Gallaudet University, 800 Florida Avenue NE. The purpose of the study and plan is to ensure the corridor is safe for all users including people who walk, bicycle, drive, and use transit. For more information, visit DDOT’s website.

Climate change and your health: Join award-winning science and health journalist Linda Marsa and Bob Deans, Director of Communications at the Natural Resources Defense Council, for a conversation about the public health implications of climate change. Marsa will discuss her new book, Fevered: Why a Hotter Planet Will Hurt Our Health - And How We Can Save Ourselves, along with topics including green infrastructure and setting limits on pollution.

The event will take place at 6:30pm tonight at Busboys and Poets, 1025 5th Street NW in Mount Vernon Square. For more information, visit the event’s website.