Rain, Rain, Rain; 'Stand Up and Laugh,' Essex UMC Flea Market

Just how many umbrellas have you worn out this summer? I know I've had enough wet weather to last a lifetime—how about you?

Here's some news to get your week in Essex started:

1. The Weather: This week will see several more days of rain, according to the National Weather Service. There are chances of rain on Monday and Monday night and again on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. The good news? Saturday and Sunday are projected to be mostly sunny.

Today, isolated showers are expected before 2 p.m. and again after 3 p.m. It will be mostly cloudy with a high of about 80 degrees.

Tonight, there's a chance of scattered showers or thunderstorms between 7 and 9 p.m. The overnight low is expected to be about 67.

2. From history.com's This Day in History: "On this day in 1909, the first race is held at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, now the home of the world's most famous motor racing competition, the Indianapolis 500.

"Built on 328 acres of farmland five miles northwest of Indianapolis, Indiana, the speedway was started by local businessmen as a testing facility for Indiana's growing automobile industry. The idea was that occasional races at the track would pit cars from different manufacturers against each other. After seeing what these cars could do, spectators would presumably head down to the showroom of their choice to get a closer look."

Also on this day, President Bill Clinton was born (1946) and the Beatles kicked off their first U.S. tour at San Francisco's Cow Palace (1964).

3. Teachers head back to school today in Baltimore County, while students will no doubt try to pack as much fun and late nights as they can into the last few days of summer as Baltimore County Public Schools defines it.

4. If you're already looking for something to do at the end of the work week, how about an evening of comedy? Baltimore County resident Michele "Wojo" Wojciechowski is starring in "Stand Up and Laugh" at 8:30 p.m. Friday at Sully's Comedy Cellar at Bowman's Restaurant on Harford Road in Parkville.

Tickets cost $15 and reservations are highly recommended. For more information, call 410-665-8600, or visit the comedy club's website.

5. Essex United Methodist Church, 524 Maryland Ave., will hold a flea market beginning at 7 a.m. Saturday. All proceeds benefit the church's women's group.

For more information, call 410-687-2548.