Halloween is for families

It's almost October so people must be making Halloween plans. Updates:

An event planned for Parking Lot A, an open space south of Market near the Ballpark, will take place on Friday, October 31 focusing on Halloween's original partiers: kids. Plans include a family-friendly celebration from 4pm 'til 8pm, complete with costume and pie-eating contests, followed by entertainment featuring local musicians and performers beginning at 8pm. Admission is free and open to the public.

We're compiling information from around the Bay Area on other neighborhood and community events -- and expect more. So, now is the time to go www.homeforhalloween.com and tell us about your event!

As was the case last year, there will be NO official party, entertainment or street closures in the Castro. Bars and restaurants will be open, and we hope they do a booming business. But, a note: there will be very healthy and obvious presence of public safety, peace and alcohol control officerss in the Castro -- so let's keep this October 31 safe, sane and violence free. Gone are the days of 100,000 revelers overflowing Castro Street into the surrounding residential areas.

Next up: in a few days, this year's TV Public Service Announcements will begin airing, and this year's "Home for Halloween Video Contest" will be launch. Stay tuned.

More anon,