Last week's building closure at Discovery headquarters is now over (Photo: Samuel Corum)

The massive police response this morning to a domestic shooting in Bethesda and the ensuing traffic jams and school alerts contrasted with the relative calm in Silver Spring as Discovery Communications employees headed back to work.

Employees slowly trickled back to their offices Thursday to retrieve car keys and other belongings they left behind during last week’s hostage situation. Many Discovery employees took off work on Friday and are just returning today. Another sign life at 1 Discovery Place has returned to normal? Augstine Cabrera, who has sold hotdogs from the building’s plaza for three years, was seen setting up his food cart stand this morning.