Guitar Concert, Beauty Pageant, Whither Market Hall?

Who said spooky, creepy crawliness is better left for the month of October? Irish author Bram Stoker didn’t. Back in 1897, this week, Stoker released his infamous piece of horror fiction—Dracula. The novel sparked the ideas for many a book, spoof and movie to come. Dracula, which is made up of a series of letters and journal entries by its protagonists, can even be blamed for…I mean… credited for the more recent surge in teen vampire dramas (you win some, you loose some).

In honor of Dracula week, I think we should all sleep upside down at least once, and/or buy a pet bat.

Inversion tables and tetanus shots for this 5 Things…

1) STILL ON. If you’ve been curious about the state of , you’re not alone. Unfortunately, I can’t tell you what the deal is with the shut down mini-marketplace these days. Although, you might find some answers at Monday night's Planning Commission meeting, when Market Hall developer Red Barn will send a representative to apply to extend operations of the lot.

2) Now, if you’ve been curious about the state of the city’s finances, you are also not alone, but you do have opportunities to hear city staff talk about Hercules' newest financial developments, (sometimes for close to a full work day). Next up, the Finance Subcommittee and the Ad Hoc Citizens' Finance Committee meet Tuesday at 6 p.m. in the Council Chambers.

3) After much planning, primping and parading, the pageant is finally here. This city’s own group of will compete for the crown on Saturday from 6 to 9 p.m. at the Performing Arts Theater of El Cerrito High School, 540 Ashbury Ave., El Cerrito. Tickets are $25. Full disclosure: Your , who has never owned a gown, will be a volunteer presenter at the pageant.

4) The popular put on by Professor Ron Galen’s students from Contra Costa and Laney colleges is back at the . The group will perform at the library on Saturday at 3p.m.

5) Finally, if you ran in Sunday’s wild and wacky race in San Francisco, send us or upload your pictures. We’d love to see our local athletes in action.

Have a great week, Herculeans!