5 Things You Need to Know This Week: New City Council, Typewriters and Library Hours

Love it or hate it, what’s typed up and published has the power to persuade, promulgate and tick people off. Those who have been following Hercules Patch at just about any point since its inception nine months ago probably know that by now. And about 150 years ago this week, a landmark in history paved the road for all those who fancy themselves purveyors of the written word. That notable mark in time happened in late June, 1868, when the typewriter was patented by a fellow named Christopher Latham Sholes. Although laptops and detached keyboards have replaced it, the romantic and dated typewriter remains in the hearts of poets, novelists and muckrakers forevermore.

Cheers to typewriters and all devices that have become obsolete in the face of technology…and on to 5 Things You Need To Know This Week!

1) Even though it’s not the most important, the first thing you should know is that your editor is back from a weeklong vacation in L.A., where she visited family and—for mental health reasons—refrained from reading the many tantalizing comments on this site (not sure why I’m writing in third person). Well, I’m back and on track, sifting through comments and emails. If you’ve got news tips, or just want to say “hi,” feel free to send me an email.

2) By Tuesday, the City of Hercules will have a new city council. councilmen—Gerard Boulanger, Dan Romero and William Wilkins—are scheduled to be sworn Tuesday at 6 p.m., at the start of a special city council meeting. The ceremony is open to the public and will be held at the City Hall Council Chambers.

3) Shortly after the new council members take their seats, the city will hold a budget workshop. That’s right, Herculeans will get closer to knowing what’s in store for their city and its once abundant public services at 7 p.m. Tuesday in the Council Chambers. Fingers crossed, people.

4) I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but if you don’t know by now, you probably should—the is being threatened by the city’s budget crunch. Parks and Recreation may need to pull the ten hours of funding it provides (through the city’s general fund) to keep the library’s permanent staff and programs. The funding also goes to keeping the library open 35 instead of 25 hours per week. A to raise the money needed to keep some of those hours and hold on to the library’s permanent staff, but the future of the library and its many services is still very much unknown. All the more reason to take full advantage of the library’s many offerings this week and for as long as possible. Rumor has it, there’s an awesome folk music concert at the concert Monday at 4 p.m. It’s not too late to catch it.

5) Lastly, in case you’re missing our weekly furry feature, hold tight until next week, when Hercules Patch’s talented photographer for , Charles Gomez (a recent Hercules High graduate!), will be back in action.