October 31, 2011
Halloween Safety Tips

Do you know that Halloween is the 2nd largest retail holiday event after Christmas? Crazy!? Let's not overlook safety during this popular night of community events and activities. Here are a few safety tips to start Halloween night off spooktacularly:

• Try to Trick-or-Treat when there is still light outside.
• Wear a costume that makes it easier for you to walk, see and be seen.
• If you must go at night, make sure that your costume is light in color.
• Carry a flashlight with you, so you can see and be seen easily.
• Use retro-reflective tape on your costume to be seen easily.
• A mask may keep you from seeing well. Take off your mask before crossing the street.
• Use makeup instead of a mask.
• Ask your parents, older brother or sister to Trick-or-Treat with you the younger children.
• Trick-or-Treat in a group if someone older cannot go with you.
• Plan your Trick-or-Treat route ahead of time and pick well-light streets.
• Cross ONLY at corners. NEVER cross between parked cars or mid-block.
• Tell your family on which streets you will be Trick-or-Treating.
• If there are no sidewalks, ALWAYS walk facing traffic.
• Wait until you get home to sort, check and eat your treats.

For a full list of Halloween events and fall harvest activities, please visit the Holiday section in our Events Calendar.
Have a fun and a safe Halloween! Parmalee

Fundraising for the Arts

Nature First, the foundation for music and the arts, has a "mission to help school children appreciate and enjoy the benefits that come from working in the arts and music. In addition, we spend our nonprofit time and effort introducing children to the value of promoting an eco-friendly environment and the wealth of life that persists all around us in nature."

As you know, our schools have taken a real hit around budgeting for all their normal needs. But these times aren't normal (or maybe this is the new normal) and now, unless we're willing to sacrifice that which brought us the world's great musicians and artists, we may find our children dealing with only the most mundane tasks. The three r's do not a whole person make. We have the ability to grow greatness - why not?

Each year in the fall, Nature First hosts Kids 'n Trees to benefit the art and music departments of Main Street School in Soquel. Kids from all over come for the wall climbing, nature hikes, bounce house and face painting. There's lots of delicious food and home-baked goods as well as raffles for everything under the sun. Hold your calendar open for this October - it's going to be a blast. Admission is affordable, especially for families.

Kids'ntrees       

Friends of Main Street School      

Kennolyn Camps