October 24, 2005

WOOOO— It’s spooky, it’s fun!

It’s Halloween at East Valley Family YMCA

It’s that time of year—the time for some spooky, silly fun.

“Parents can rest assured that at the East Valley Family YMCA on Saturday, Oct. 29, from 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., Halloween will be a safe and imaginative experience, for little goblins and their families alike,” says Jennifer Hurwitz, youth and family director of East Valley Family YMCA.

East Valley Family YMCA kindergartners enjoy picking out their very own pumpkin to decorate at the Halloween Family Event.

“The whole family is welcome at ‘Halloween Spooktacular at the YMCA’ where there will be fun for kids of all ages. For 11 years in a row, the East Valley Family YMCA has hosted a variety of organized activities. This year includes costume parades, ghoulish games, rock climbing, haunted houses and pumpkin-carving, all in a safe, supervised environment,” says Hurwitz.

“Halloween means bags of treats, but it’s also a day for kids to use their imaginations in the costumes that they dream up and wear. Halloween can be a creative and social experience for all,” says Hurwitz, “And families want to know that their children are being looked after and, at the same time, engaged in enjoyable, worthwhile activities on Halloween night. Our YMCA is not just a safe, exciting place for kids but a cool destination for little kids, teens and grownups.”

“Again this year, Halloween at the East Valley Family YMCA will deliver all the treats and spooky fun that will delight children of every age, in the safe and caring, family atmosphere that characterizes our Y,” says Hurwitz. “So come to Halloween at the East Valley Family YMCA—where there’s not a ghost of a chance that you’ll be disappointed!”

For more information about “Halloween Spook-tacular at the East Valley Family YMCA” festivities at the East Valley Family YMCA, contact Hurwitz at (408) 715-6519 or go to www.scvymca.org/eastvalley.

Evergreen Valley Church

You’re invited to ‘Trunks & Treats’ Festival

Come join Evergreen Valley Church members on Monday, Oct. 31, from 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. for a “Trunks and Treats” Festival. Car trunks will be open and loaded with candy for children to do “Trick or Treating” at a fun and safe event. Plenty of games and a bounce house will also be available. Evergreen Valley Church is located at 2750 Yerba Buena Road, San Jose, Calif., 95121. For more information, call (408) 274-7422.

Goblins, ghosts, glittering princesses:

KYLD-FM Wild 94.9’s morning show personalities, Lady Fay and Strawberry, will judge Eastridge’s Halloween Costume Contest on Oct. 30.

All compete for prizes at Eastridge’s Halloween costume contest

A little extra fake blood or a longer artificial nose might seal the deal at Eastridge’s Halloween Costume Contest on Sunday, Oct. 30, from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.

KYLD-FM Wild 94.9’s morning show personalities, Strawberry and Lady Fay, will judge the best costumes for children, teens and adults. Exciting prizes will be awarded to winners in each group. The event is free and open to the public.
All shoppers will receive a shopping guide filled with the best store offers for the weekend.

Eastridge is located at One Eastridge in San Jose. From Highway 101, take Tully Road East and turn into the mall before Capitol Expressway. For more information, go to www.eastridgecenter.com, or call the management office at (408) 238-3600.

Follow these tips for safe trick-or-treating in your neighborhood

The East Valley Family YMCA also suggests considering these precautions before heading to the Y or trick-or-treating in the neighborhood:

- Wear light-colored, flame retardant costumes

- Wear shorter costumes to prevent tripping and add nighttime reflectors

- Use face makeup—no hoods or masks that obscure the face and vision

- Take younger children door-to-door in daylight hours

- Trick-or-treat within your own neighborhood; only go to homes you know

- Ensure young children are escorted by adults or a responsible older sibling

- Carry a working flashlight

- Be alert to auto traffic, cross streets safely, according to rules

- Have parents or other adults inspect treats

- Remind children to not accept rides from strangers

This year, celebrate Hallo-ween as enjoyable, quality time for the whole family.