SACRAMENTO – Lions and tigers and bears (and sugar), oh my! Halloween to most children means candy, a lot of candy. With childhood obesity on the rise in the United States, what can families do to stay healthy amongst the candy corn, chocolate nougat bars and gummy bears? Healthy and Halloween aren’t usually two words that are seen together, but there are good and easy alternatives that will make Halloween a little less scary for your family’s health.  Here are a few recommendations from the American Heart Association: Think about a healthier version of treats to give out at your house: Mini boxes of raisins, 100% juice juice-boxes, snack-sized pretzels, pre-packaged trail mixes, pre-pac

Think the Halloween fun ended when the weekend did? Think again. Halloween on a Wednesday doesn’t deter the spooky fun in Sacramento. From nightlife to theatre, kids and family events to haunted houses, there’s plenty of Halloween events on the 31st. Take a look at our picks below, and see even more in Sacramento365.com’s Holiday Event section. Happy haunting! Fright-free Family Fun: Wee Halloween: Crocker Art Museum; Wed 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. Celebrate the "wee" in Halloween with this fright-free alternative to trick-or-treating. Families will start by decorating treat bags before being guided in small groups through the galleries. Boo at the Zoo: Sacramento Zoo; Tues & Wed 5 p.m. – 8 p.m.

photographs by Barry Wisdom / It's hard to comprehend in this information age that listeners to a regularly scheduled, commercial radio program – an entertainment program – would think that a radio play based on a well-known novel was a breaking news alert. But that's what occurred 74 years ago when Orson Welles' and his Mercury Theatre on the Air troupe performed a broadcast adaptation of H.G. Wells' "The War of the Worlds." Airing on the Columbia Broadcasting System radio network, the show made no attempt to "trick" listeners, and featured the very recognizable voices of the Mercury Players cast – including the distinctive baritone of Welles. Yet, people were tricked by this pre-Hal

Cloud Atlas Directed by Tom Tykwer, and Lana & Andy Wachowski There’s something inherently off-putting about attending a screening of a film at which the studio feels the need to warn the audience that it’s a difficult film to watch and one that demands patience. It’s also odd to watch the stars of a film on talk shows, seemingly attempting to explain in greater detail than one might normally expect, just what the film is about and how it’s structured. And I can’t help but assume that the filmmakers are concerned about whether audiences will “get” the film or care for what they’re getting. I haven’t read the book of the same name that the film is based on, but I have read about it, in t

Midtown Merchants are brewing up a bewitching good time for kiddos and pooches of all ages and sizes. The neighborhood’s Annual Trick-or-Treat and Pooch Parade are just a few days away on Saturday, October 29th 27th from 10am to 2pm. Enjoy an afternoon of Trick-or-Treating from over 50 participating Midtown businesses from 11am to 2pm. In addition to satisfying your childrens’ sweet tooth, you can bring the whole family down to Marshall Park for a variety of free family friendly activities presented by The Sutter District. Festivities and their presenters include: Chilled Apple Cider by Blue Cue, Face Painting by Barwest, Caramel Apple Decorating by Centro, Yappy Hour by Cafe Bernardo &

Friday will be one of the last chances to party at Townhouse Lounge, as the business is set to close around the end of the year, and The Haunted Forest event organizers are planning live DJs Shaun Slaughter and Adam J, adult trick-or-treating and a midnight costume contest. Townhouse Lounge is located at 1517 21st St. Doors open at 9 p.m., and there is a $5 cover charge.

MyFolsom.com and the Folsom Historic District Association are putting together their 4th Annual "Night of 1000 Pumpkins" on October 26 on Sutter Street in Historic Folsom, California. The annual event is expected to draw several thousand residents and visitors; Organizers are asking attendees to bring a carved jack-o-lantern to the event to display. All attendees who bring in a carved jack-o-lantern will be given a raffle ticket, where they can win a variety of prizes from local merchants. The evening will have lots of family-friendly entertainment, including: Trick-or-treating with the Sutter Street merchants Outdoor movies, with "It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown," and "Ghostbust

Looking for something ghoulishly unique to do this Halloween?  For a spirited good time, check out the third annual “The Haunted Fort” at Sutter’s Fort State Historic Park (SHP) two night only this Friday, October 26 & Saturday, October 27 from 6:30 to 9 p.m.  Continuing a popular annual tradition, the historic site will offer a special Halloween program based in fact but with a decidedly creepy twist.  Amid the glow of campfire, daring visitors will go on guided tours through the darkened rooms and hear unusual and intriguing tales of how some of California’s early pioneers perished throughout history.   Some even  believe many of the rooms at the Fort are still haunted by the spirits of

If you’re looking for fun, family-friendly alternatives to trick-or-treating this Halloween, consider visiting the Governor’s Mansion State Historic Park (SHP) for two evenings only -- Friday, October 26 & Saturday, October 27 from 6 to 9 p.m.   Special “Mansion After Dark” activities -- coordinated by the Governor’s Mansion docents -- will take place upstairs in the historic Mansion that offer a spooky good time with scary music to set the mood, dim lighting, fortune tellers, darkened rooms and even “coffin corners.”  Proceeds go to the California State Historic Governor’s Mansion Foundation in support of the Governor’s Mansion SHP.  For more information about this family-friendly Hallowe

On Wednesday, October 31, THE STUDIO Martial Arts & Fitness will host a fun yet educational Halloween “Kick or Treat” event for kids and their parents. This free event will be held from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. at THE STUDIO Martial Arts & Fitness, 4130 Douglas Blvd., Suite 405, in Granite Bay. At the event, martial arts instructors will provide safety tips and instruction to both children and adults. Safety presentations will begin at 4:00, 5:00, and 6:00 p.m. While supplies last, parents will also receive a free Child Identification Kit so they may record their child’s medical, personal, and physical information, along with a photograph, strands of hair for a DNA sample, and fingerprints (an

Those prepared for a fright this Halloween season should look no further than “The Haunt at Wright Hall,” a performance-based haunted house and costume dance put on by the students and faculty of the UC Davis Department of Theatre and Dance. “The Haunt at Wright Hall” marks the commencement of the department’s 2012-13 season, and takes place Thursday-Sunday, October 25-28, and Tuesday-Wednesday, October 30-31. The haunted house, with its theme of A Twisted Fairy Tale: The Handless Maiden, offers viewings every half hour from 7:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m., and the dance runs from 7:30 p.m. to midnight. Not for the faint of heart, the production is rated PG-13. Tickets are $15 or $10 for the danc

Dogs in costume and their people companions are invited to a Howl’o’ween event presented by the Citrus Heights Community Marching Band. The Oct. 27 event will feature a pet fair and a canine costume contest with prizes for the cutest, funniest, scariest, ugliest and most original dog costumes. Prizes include a Spoiled Spa Package (for dogs) from Trends-n-Treats and free dog physical exams from Summer Hills and Hazel Ridge veterinarians. The Citrus Heights K9 team will be on paw to demonstrate their police skills, and the marching band will give a free musical performance. Award-winning Citrus Heights Community Marching Band has 70 performing members, from kids to seniors. Members volunt

Although Halloween may still be a bit away, Sacramento is already in the holiday spirit. This weekend spooky events abound for the young and the young-at-heart. See our selection here, and tune into Sacramento365.com’s Holiday event section for even more possibilities. Family haunts: Monster Bash: 6 - 8:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 19, at Sacramento Children’s Museum Get those costumes ready for Halloween with a night of music, dancing, refreshments, and museum play at the Sacramento Children’s Museum’s Monster Bash. It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown: 7 p.m. Fridays, 12 p.m., 2 p.m, and 4 p.m. Saturdays, 3 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 21 only, through Oct. 27 at Free Fall Stage at Victory Life Church

Beginning on Thursday, October 18th, the Fusion International Art Center will host the youth-oriented play, Blood Kiss, which over the last several years has developed a cult following. The genre of this play has been described as "B Horror Movie, meets live stage!" This play is the perfect lead-in to the Halloween season. Blood Kiss brings the audience up close and personal to chills, thrills and comedy way beyond your usual haunted house excursion. The Fusion International Art Center is located at 501 Arden Way, Sacramento.  The play runs from Thursday, October 18th, showtime at 8:00 pm; through Wednesday, October 31st, showtimes at 8:00 pm and 11:00 pm.  Blood Kiss was written by Tyler

Things will be looking Grimm at Fairytale Town for this year's Safe and Super Halloween. The fairytales of Wilhelm and Jacob Grimm will come to life for three nights of family fun on October 26, 27 and 28 from 5 to 9 p.m. Families will enjoy visiting Sleeping Beauty’s castle, walking through Little Red Riding Hood’s forest, and sneaking a peek at the Evil Queen’s Lair. Seventeen candy stations will be scattered throughout the park for trick-or-treaters to visit. The evening also features hands-on activities and a costume parade. Puppet Art Theater Company will perform “Goldilocks and the Three Sharks” in the Children’s Theater at 6, 7 and 8 p.m. Through the magic of blacklight, the audie

All aboard for some Halloween fun Old Sacramento style!  The California State Railroad Museum is proud to offer diesel-powered “Spookomotive” train rides aboard a whimsically decorated train crawling with spiders, cobwebs and cornstalks while staffed with an entertaining “skeleton crew.” Family-favorite “Spookomotive” train rides are offered for the next three weekends on October 13, 14, 20, 21, 27 & 28.  For more information about “Spookomotive” train rides or other events and activities provided by the California State Railroad Museum, call 916-445-6645 or visit www.californiastaterailroadmuseum.org.   

As part of a returning Living History “Ghost Tours” program offered by the Historic Old Sacramento Foundation, Old Sacramento guests can journey back in time to hear ghostly tales and spooky stories as they walk through the history-rich streets and re-live 19th century lore.  On Friday and Saturday evenings for the next three weekends, always-popular "Ghost Tours" depart from the Sacramento History Museum every 30 minutes from 6:30 to 9 p.m.  Entertaining yet knowledgeable tour guides will take daring and inquisitive guests through Old Sacramento’s infamous locales to experience a bit of the dark side of California’s history.  Don’t miss the special Living History “Ghost Tours” on Octobe

In addition to its fascinating Gold Rush past, the Sacramento area is rich with an amazing array of state-of-the-art museums and historic sites that offer visitors the chance to explore California’s fine art, history, science, and wildlife treasures all year long.  In October, many of the 30 members of Sacramento Association of Museums (SAM) are offering fun Halloween and harvest-related events and activities sure to get guests in a festive spirit, including: Spookomotive Train Rides at the Railroad Museum -- October 13, 14, 20, 21, 27 & 28 All aboard for some Halloween fun Old Sacramento style!  The California State Railroad Museum is proud to offer diesel-powered “Spookomotive” train ri

Old Sacramento will be invaded by a horde of undead on Saturday – but these zombies will be seeking fun and drinks, not victims. The Invasion Old Sacramento zombie walk meets at 7 p.m. Saturday at Shenanigans, 705 J St. At 8 p.m., the zombies will head through Downtown Plaza to Old Sacramento for a pub crawl and musical entertainment provided by local band Alive & Burning performing “Zombie Apocalypse.” All participants The pre-party at Shenanigans is open to all ages, and there will be activities such as Tarot card reading. After the pub crawl and the Old Sacramento invasion, the zombies will return to Shenanigans for the “horror, sex & zombies” after-party – an homage to 1980s horror

I know. I'm a psychic and a writer of the paranormal so why pray-tell am I interviewing wrestlers? Paul Dale Roberts of HPI Paranormal told me he had a hot lead on a fantastic wrestling team and asked me to do the story. What girl would pass up that chance? I certainly wasn't going too. It's Halloween night and it feels like the perfect time to interview men and women in costume. My assistant Tamreen Crockett joins me to take extra notes. He caught all the details I didn't. His notes became a valuable tool in this article. Our meeting place is at their practice in Sacramento, California. The place "Supreme Pro Wrestling Training Academy," where they teach pro wrestling. At the moment I ha