We’re not candied-out just yet — there are too many bat-shaped caramels and ghost-hued lollipops still haunting the store shelves — but we are beginning to think of the stove-warmed snacks of November, those rib-sticking foodstuffs that feel like a cool fall day was wrapped in a bready bun.

These savory stables of late fall do run the gamut, which means that asking any lover of heartier fare to alight on a single awesome eat that symbolizes the season can be a challenge.

But for many Porto’s-obsessed Southern Californians, Thanksgiving can’t truly begin with a golden plate of Turkey & Gravy Potato Balls.

These seasonal orbs of well-spiced deliciousness are a palate-pleasing play on the world-famous Potato Ball, a goodie that might just be the best-known menu item at Porto’s Cafe & Bakery. (We say “might” knowing that the Milk N’Berries Cake fans are also extremely dedicated to their favorite delicacy.)

But unlike the powerhouse Potato Ball, a year-round classic, the Turkey & Gravy Potato Ball is a seasonal offering, one you need to purchase in the days leading up to Thanksgiving.

Or even Halloween: A dozen Turkey & Gravy Potato Balls are now available on the Porto’s Bake at Home site, giving the biggest ball buffs a chance to enjoy their favorite fall treat in October, days ahead of Halloween.

You can also swing by your go-to Porto’s — there are six locations, including Buena Park and Burbank — and pick up a single Turkey & Gravy Potato Ball for $1.89, if you’re just seeking a quick and satisfying taste.

Of course, the Turkey & Gravy Potato Ball isn’t the only quirky spin on the superstar snack. There’s a Cheese & Spicy Pepper Potato Ball on the Porto’s line-up, and, in the springtime ahead of Easter, the Seafood Potato Ball makes a tangy return.

If your snoozing pup has suddenly awoken and gazed at you while a blanket partially draped their head, giving them the adorable appearance of a hound wearing some sort of makeshift hat, you were likely overcome, at least momentarily, by extreme cuteness.

It isn’t often we ask our shaggy besties to go the sartorial route, but when Halloween is in sight, we will bestow a few costume-y items upon our furry friend all to up their extreme cute-a-tude (which, honestly, is already pretty darn high).

And extreme cute-a-tude will be in the autumn air at Huntington Dog Beach, Belmont Shore in Long Beach, and Playhouse Village Park in Pasadena as canine costume events capture the fancies of Fido-loving Southern Californians in the days ahead.

The Corgi Beach Day, the huge Huntington Dog Beach happening, isn’t just about the costumes, though plenty of Corgis, and honorary Corgis, do arrive rocking shark costumes, beachwear, and spooky get-ups.

There are competitions — the Loudest Barking Corgi is a new offering this time around — as well as photo opportunities and playtime. The sandy celebration is raising an adorable ruckus Oct. 26.

Huntington Beach Oct 7

Spunky pups to compete for ‘Loudest Barking Corgi' at this beach bash

LA Zoo Oct 10

LA Zoo's ‘Beloved Pets Ofrenda' invites visitors to remember their furry friends

But the utter cute-a-tude will continue into Sunday, fear not.

Two Oct. 27 dogly to-dos are on the 2024 Rover round-up, including the long-running Haute Dog Howl’oween Parade in Long Beach, which will win hearts on the afternoon of Oct. 27 near the former Belmont Pool grassy area.

Over 450 pups in costumes are expected at this outsized affair, which features a red carpet and several clever team costumes involving both hounds and humans (think “The Wizard of Oz” and “The Addams Family,” for starters).

And at Playhouse Village Park a little earlier in the day?

Group costumes are also in the spotlight at the Oct. 27 dog festival — there’s an award for Best Group Costume, in fact — and other sweet sights, including treats for the four-footed guests, photo spots, and other Halloween-inspired activities.

It’s free, but do RSVP on this site.

The bags of miniature candy bars — well, most of them, anyway — are still sitting in the pantry, awaiting the trick-or-treaters of 2024.

The uncarved pumpkin is sitting in the middle of the kitchen table and votive candles? Those must be purchased.

And all of the nostalgic TV specials, the ones that make it really feel like the eerie season? We haven’t even really begun to watch those just yet, not with Oct. 31 still several days away.

And yet? Plans of a most whimsical and wicked variety are already bubbling in the 2025 cauldron, the cauldron that holds all of the amazing and eek-inducing events that creepily crop up around Southern California.

One of the biggest celebrations has just unveiled its 2025 dates, all to give ghoulies from our region, and well beyond, the opportunity to haunt hotel sites and book ahead.

It’s Midsummer Scream, the outsized expo that’s billed as “the world’s largest horror and Halloween convention.”

The huge three-day monster meet-up will once again land at the Long Beach Convention Center, though returning fans should note that Midsummer Scream will unfurl a few weeks later than in past years, with a mid-August engagement.

Call it a weekend that’s a little bit closer to the Halloween season, meaning the desire to roam pop-up mazes, shop horror-themed vendors, and learn about the big theme park haunts will only be more fervent. Nice: The Hall of Shadows will be back and the purrfectly adorable Black Cat Lounge, too.

Keep an eye on the Midsummer Scream social pages for ticket on-sale dates, chilling announcements, and how to stay in the scary center of all the action.

Something to enjoy sooner, though? The expo is behind the Spooky Swap Meet, a springtime marketplace that pops up at Heritage Square Museum right around Half-O-Ween (so late April/early May).

And even sooner than that?

The Midsummer Scream team is sending out a weekly email featuring things to do for Halloween 2024 around Southern California, from haunted houses to theater events to festivals made for family fun.

Eager for more information?

It’s right here, Halloweenies.

If you’re in the market for a little extra scare this fall, Travel + Leisure has revealed the top five haunted towns to visit in the U.S. while on TODAY Oct. 22.

The eerie destinations stretch across the country, from east to west, and provide a good fright with a dose of nostalgia.

Take a look at the most haunted destinations to visit across America, and some creepy activities to do while in town.

Newport, Rhode Island

Known for its rich history, old mansions and waterfront views, Newport, Rhode Island, is listed as a top getaway during Halloween season.

The coastal town has ties to the 2022 film “Hocus Pocus 2.” Though the sequel is set in Salem, Massachusetts, the filming took place in Rhode Island in various locations, including Newport’s Washington Square and The Newport Colony House.

Newport is also known for its historic mansions from the Gilded Age, and many host Halloween events throughout the season.

For those looking to combine history with paranormal activity, Fort Adams is the go-to stop. Investigators take groups through a four-hour experience that explores the site’s paranormal past.

Recommended stay: Hotel Viking

Eureka Springs, Arkansas

Situated in the Ozark Mountains in Arkansas, Eureka Springs is a town known for its Victorian architecture, with plenty of opportunities to participate in a good haunting.

The town has walking and hiking paths around the Ozarks year-round, but during this time of year, Eureka Springs holds a haunted trail walk and lantern-guided cemetery tours.

For any “The Walking Dead” fans out there, the town holds a Eureka Springs Zombie Crawl, complete with a zombie-filled parade. Visitors are invited to dress up, but they are also welcome to just experience the spectacle.

Known as one of the most haunted hotels in the U.S., Crescent Hotel & Spa offers ghost tours, and you can also participate in a midnight investigation with the Eureka Springs Paranormal Team.

Recommended stay: Crescent Hotel & Spa

Williamsburg, Virginia

The city of Williamsburg, Virginia, became the capital of the Virginia Colony in 1699, and has long been dubbed as haunted.

Colonial Williamsburg, the world’s largest living-history museum, offers a nighttime candlelit walking tour called “Haunted Williamsburg,” which takes visitors through its historic buildings.

The museum hosts a “Cry Witch” event, where the audience plays jury in a faux witchcraft trial. However, Colonial Williamsburg states that the event is not suitable for young children due to its “subject matter” and “intense emotion.”

For a more family-friendly celebration of spooky season, Busch Gardens Williamsburg amusement park offers Halloween-themed events, such as Howl-O-Scream nights.

Recommended stay: Williamsburg Lodge

Chicago, Illinois

Chicago provides a good Midwestern scare, and is notorious for its ghost tours that showcase the Iroquois Theater and the story of H.H. Holmes that embraces the city’s haunted history.

The Chicago Botanic Garden hosts the Night of 1,000 Jack-O-Lanterns each year, featuring carved pumpkins and spooky stories.

On Oct. 31, the Windy City also holds the Haunted Halsted Halloween Parade, bringing frightening costumes and performances to the Northalsted neighborhood.

The International Museum of Surgical Science and the Medieval Torture Museum both host walk-through experiences that incorporate the city’s chilling history.

Recommended stay: 21c Museum Hotel Chicago

Bisbee, Arizona

A historic mining town that’s chock-full of ghost tales, Bisbee, Arizona, is home to one of the best spots for a good scare on the West Coast.

At the Copper Queen Hotel, which was built in 1902, visitors can experience Victorian style architecture and take in its rich history.

Bisbee is not short on fascinating tours: The Copper Queen Mine Tour takes visitors 1,500 feet down on a mine train, and the Old Bisbee Ghost Tour guides visitors through the most haunted spots around the town.

Recommended stay: The Shady Dell

This story first appeared on TODAY.com. More from TODAY:

• Wendy’s new Boo! Bags aren’t just for kids. Here’s what’s inside
• The ‘Wicked’ Stanley Cups are so pop-u-lar, they nearly caused a brawl at Target
• Children of influencers are pushing back … and some lawmakers are on their side

Adorable, creative, imaginative, and fun: There are so many wonderful ways to describe the happy-making Halloween cards that appear on the Children’s Hospital Los Angeles site each fall.

But here’s another lovely word to add to that spunky list: local.

For while the 2024 Halloween card trio does feature some of the sweet and spooky staples of the holiday — pumpkins, ghosts, and witches — there are Southern California locales pictured as well: Griffith Observatory is on there, and the Pacific Wheel, and DTLA, too, as well as a few palm trees.

But here is the sweetest part of all: You can send a child at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles a card, right now, from your phone or pad or computer. And if you do so by Oct. 31, you may play a part in the fundraising effort behind the cards.

“Right now a generous donor will donate $1 to CHLA for every Halloween card sent to a child in the hospital by Oct. 31, up to $50,000 — so you can make a difference in more ways than one,” says the site with the cards and the fields for adding an uplifting note.

As for the messages suggested by CHLA? “To help keep the celebration upbeat and positive for kids, please focus on the spirit of Halloween rather than ‘get well’ notes,” is the hospital’s recommendation.

Something else that’s celebratory about this annual effort? These cards are for coloring, so once the child receives the card you create, they’ll be able to add their own fun flair to the front (oh yes, and the card will be delivered with a goodie bag, too).

For more on this amazing annual campaign, one that possesses both Halloween-y fun and heartwarming fundraising element, visit the CHLA Halloween card page now.

The coffee chain announced that, beginning Oct. 22, people in the United States, Canada and other select international locations can purchase two new drinks in partnership with the upcoming movie “Wicked.”

The limited-time drinks are inspired by the film’s main characters, Glinda (the Good Witch of the South) and Elphaba (the Wicked Witch of the West).

Glinda’s Pink Potion is “inspired by Glinda’s bright character and of course her iconic association with all things pink,” according to Starbucks beverage developer Natalia Vasquez, and features a Mango Dragonfruit Starbucks Refreshers Beverage shaken with coconut milk, ice and a scoop of freeze-dried dragonfruit, and topped with nondairy strawberry cold foam and colorful candy sprinkles.

Meanwhile, Elphaba’s Cold Brew is “inspired by Elphaba’s bold energy and stunning green skin,” according to Starbucks beverage developer Rosalyn Batingan, and features Starbucks Cold Brew sweetened with peppermint-flavored syrup, and topped with nondairy matcha cold foam and green candy sprinkles.

In addition, Starbucks will also sell “Wicked”-inspired gift cards. Beginning Nov. 7, fans can also purchase a variety of “Oz”-related tumblers, with options from the Glinda, Elphaba or Emerald City collections, in addition to other general “Wicked” choices and a trio of mugs from the “Wicked” Discovery Series Collection.

“Wicked,” starring Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo, opens Nov. 22, while “Wicked Part Two” is slated to open in theaters on Nov. 21, 2025. A promotional blitz for the highly anticipated movie is already underway. “Wicked” Stanley cups have already been causing chaos at Target, while Walmart seems to already be sold out of its microwaveable “Wicked” Mystery Color Macaroni and Cheese that comes with color-changing pink or green cheese.

This story first appeared on TODAY.com. More from TODAY:

• Wendy’s new Boo! Bags aren’t just for kids. Here’s what’s inside
• The ‘Wicked’ Stanley Cups are so pop-u-lar, they nearly caused a brawl at Target
• Children of influencers are pushing back … and some lawmakers are on their side

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We’re not sure if Santa Claus is a morning, afternoon, or a night person, but we’ll wager that the Jolly Old Elf stays pretty perky pretty much throughout the day.

After all, he has to set out on his overnight around-the-world journey each year, and completing it, in record time, is something he aces annually.

So we weren’t surprised to spy the North Pole denizen near dawn on Oct. 21 at the Citadel Outlets, which, yes, is a good way from his icy home base (he does have magical reindeer to zip him around, do remember).

Mr. Claus was on ho-ho-hand to welcome the shopping destination’s superstar shrubbery, a holiday staple that is billed as “The World’s Tallest Fresh-Cut Christmas Tree.”

The white fir, which stands at 115 feet, hails from California — specifically, the Mount Shasta region — and a grand tree lighting will take festive place Nov. 9.

The spirited ceremony is free to attend and, as always, there shall be merry musical performances and other jovial touches.

As for how many ornaments are needed to cover such a colossal Christmas tree?

There will be 10,000 in all — that number covers both bows and ornaments — and 18,000 lights.

And yes: The top of the tree, along with the destination’s huge red bow, another tradition, can be spied from far along the 5 Freeway throughout the holiday season.

Young trees have been planted in the place left empty by the Christmas tree in years gone by, another tradition surrounding what is surely one of the most sparkly symbols of the Southern California yuletide season.

Day-to-day chitchat in Southern California frequently turns to the topics of heat waves, June Gloom, the Santa Ana winds, and, yes, traffic.

But one of the more enduring topics that easily arise in regional conversations involves the critters we’ve spotted in our neighborhoods. It seems like every Southern Californian has a story or two, with people sharing raccoon or bobcat sightings from hikes, picnics, or even in their own front yards.

For this place we call home has some major urban wildlife energy, and you don’t even need to head into the hills or canyons to pick up on it: The vibrant and ever-present energy thrums throughout Los Angeles, day and night.

P-22, the beloved and oh-so-missed mountain lion, was a prominent ambassador of urban wildlife energy, and, with this in mind, we take time to pay tribute to him each fall at a special festival.

The P-22 Day Festival is trotting into its ninth outing in 2024, and, as in years gone by, the Griffith Park gathering will serve as a celebratory conclusion to Urban Wildlife Week.

Swing by the picturesque spot on Oct. 19 and enjoy activities, displays, and odes to P-22, as well as the countless other critters that live in and around us, around the clock and all year long.

Hollywood Oct 16

Muralist honors legendary mountain lion P-22 with artwork in Hollywood

Animals and Wildlife Oct 16

Raise a howl: Wolf Awareness Week trots into the Natural History Museum

It’s an educational event, too; conservation matters and living gently among the animals of our region is at the happening’s heart.

No RSVP is needed, just twitch a tail and pad into Shane’s Inspiration, if you’d like to bask in the beastie-inspired love.

You won’t be too far from the new P-22 mural by artist Corie Mattie in Hollywood, if you’d like to create a day out that’s fully devoted to all things P-22.

And if you drive under the new Wallis Annenberg Wildlife Crossing in Agoura Hills, a wildlife bridge that is expected to open in just over a year or so, give or take a couple of months?

Pay a kind thought to P-22, his legacy, the hardworking builders, and all of the wildlife advocates who are making this crossing a reality.

The Teal Pumpkin Project is a national effort to make Halloween safer and more inclusive for kids with food allergies and other medical conditions.

The project was first launched in 2012 by a local food allergy group in Tennessee before Food Allergy Research & Education (FARE) expanded it to all 50 states.

Halloween Oct 17

Jason McCourty shares how Teal Pumpkin Project helps kids with allergies on Halloween

Halloween Oct 16

Google Trends' ‘Frightgeist' lists the most popular Halloween costumes for 2024

Why are Teal Pumpkins important?

Many of the popular Halloween candies contain nuts, milk, egg, soy or wheat, which are among the most common food allergies. Unlike food intolerances, food allergies can cause potentially life-threatening reactions.

More than 65% of children with food allergies have had a negative Halloween experience because of their disease, according to research conducted by FARE. Food allergies are a disease, not a diet.

“FARE is bringing the magic back to Halloween for kids of all ages with its Teal Pumpkin Project which encourages homes, schools, and community events to include non-food treat options for Halloween,” FARE CEO Sung Poblete, said in a statement. “FARE’s partnership with CVS Pharmacy helps ensure that all who would like to participate in Teal Pumpkin Project can easily access its curated selection of non-food treats and spread the magic of Halloween.”

How can anyone participate?

Place a teal-colored pumpkin outside on your porch or doorstep to signify that you have non-food or allergen-free treats in addition to or in place of traditional candy.

If you’re offering both, make sure to place the candy in a separate container.

If your child has food allergies, get them a teal-colored treat bucket.

What’s different this year?

FARE is once again inviting families to add their house to the Teal Pumpkin Project neighborhood map to make it easy for those looking for non-food treats.

CVS Pharmacy is expanding its Teal Pumpkin Project line this Halloween, offering over 60 non-food goodies, including trick-or-treat buckets, light-up bracelets, glow sticks, pumpkin flashlights, and new bulk items like prefilled mini-teal pumpkins in over 9,000 stores nationwide.

FARE is also providing free downloadable Teal Pumpkin Project signs for those who want to participate. Just print out this PDF.

Where can I find non-food treats?

Head to CVS Pharmacy, the exclusive retail partner of the Teal Pumpkin Project for the third year in a row.

To further help shoppers identify allergy-friendly items, CVS will highlight Teal Pumpkin offerings with customers through in-store signage.

“Our hope is that by continuing to expand our in-store and online selections of Teal Pumpkin products, we’re making it easier for more families to celebrate this Halloween season,” says Brian Eason, Vice President of General Merchandise and Consumables, at CVS Health.

You can also find items at your local Dollar Tree, Target, party supply store or anywhere that sells low-cost toys and trinkets. For an extra festive touch, choose items that fit the Halloween theme or colors.

Here’s a list of ideas:

• Glow sticks
• Friendship bracelets
• Temporary tattoos
• Pencils, pens, crayons or markers
• Fun erasers or pencil toppers
• Bubbles
• Mini Slinkies
• Whistles, kazoos or noisemakers
• Bouncy balls
• Finger puppets
• Plastic spider rings
• Vampire fangs
• Monster fingers
• Mini notepads
• Playing cards
• Bookmarks
• Stickers
• Stencils
• Mini Play-Doh
• Mardi Gras beads
• Finger skateboard
• Slime or silly putty
• Cat ears
• Masks
• Stamps
• Novelty glasses
• Pop-Its

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Different movies, sometimes of totally opposite genres, often employed the very same props, costumes, and even sets.

There are, in fact, fan sites devoted to tracking where various pieces and props appear over the decades, creating a fascinating catalog for film fans. Call them real-world movie mysteries, with gumshoes revealing the sometimes surprising shared history of the films we adore.

But the storied setting of the acclaimed 1931 work “Spanish Dracula,” the “rediscovered classic film,” is a tantalizing twist on this idea.

“While Bela Lugosi was vamping it up in front of the cameras by day, a night crew shot an alternate version of ‘Dracula’ in Spanish — same sets, same story, new cast,” shares the LA Opera site.

“This second incarnation of the classic, starring Carlos Villarías, was largely forgotten until a recent renaissance, and many now hail it as the superior version.”

The opportunity to savor this cinematic gem in the United Theater on Broadway, that Spanish Gothic fantasia that regally rose during the same general era “Spanish Dracula” was made, is, quite simply, spectacular and rare.

The LA Opera team is taking that “spectacular and rare” spirit to heart with this presentation; live orchestral music, an accordionist, sound effects, and a Halloween after-party on one of the dates is enhancing the overall enchanted feel of this seasonal treat.

“Spanish Dracula” will screen with English subtitles on Oct. 25, 26, and 27 with Resident Conductor Lina González at the haunting helm.

Academy Award-winning Gustavo Santaolalla created the score, which was commissioned by the LA Opera, and the LA Opera Orchestra will play Mr. Santaolalla’s music live in a sure-to-be stirring staging.

Adding to the specialness of this powerful concert? The composer will “star as the featured guitar soloist.”

Accordionist Michael Ward-Bergeman will also appear, while Foley artists Leslie Bloome and Ryan Collison will add to the aural atmosphere.

If you attend the screening on Oct. 26, a Halloween party will follow with DJ Phyzed providing the tunes. The celebration? It’s included with your ticket.

Tickets for both of the evening events — look to Oct. 25 and 26 — as well as the Oct. 27 matinee are available on the LA Opera site.

Whether you’re attending Delicious Little Tokyo in the springtime, admiring colorful tanabata during Nisei Week, or chatting with Shogun Santa in December, you’re soaking up the cultural cool that is synonymous with the DTLA destination.

It’s a gem of a neighborhood that always honors the major milestones in a major way, and those ebullient observances always include the Halloween season.

How devoted is Little Tokyo to the October revelries? This devoted: There are actually a few festivities and events to enjoy during the Haunted Little Tokyo celebrations, including an outdoor bash that is just for the grown-ups.

That’s Little Tokyo’s vibrant Block Party, and it will shimmer on the final Saturday of the month. If you’d like to don your quirkiest costume and make for Little Tokyo on Oct. 26, you should be 21 or older and, most definitely, you’ll want to RSVP to find out more about “the secret location.”

It’s free to attend but letting organizers know you’ll be there is a must. Be sure to reserve your spot by Oct. 24 at 9 in the evening; reservations will be closed after that time.

Earlier in the day is also something free, but this one has an all-ages vibe: It’s the Haunted Little Tokyo Scavenger Hunt, which is all about collecting stamps around the area.

At the conclusion of the go-here-go-there adventure? Oh yum: There shall be a “special treat” to enjoy.

Again, that’s also Oct. 26, but a few hours ahead of the Block Party. And, yay: Costumes are encouraged.

But before the scavenger hunt and nighttime celebrating, there is fun of a phantom-esque variety to savor: A Ghost Tour is setting out on the evening of Sunday, Oct. 20 at 6 o’clock.

Only a few spots are available, so be sure to haunt this helpful page if you’d like a ticket.

Admission to the ethereal and historical walk-around is $20.

A representative for PepsiCo, the makers of chips that include Tostitos and Ruffles, confirmed to TODAY.com that the company will soon add 20% more chips to “bonus” bags of Ruffles and Tostitos for the same retail price.

The company’s decision comes as consumers online are complaining of widespread “shrinkflation,” that is, paying the same retail price — or more — for a product that’s now smaller.

In 2021, the Consumer World website reported that a bag of Tostitos’ “Hint of Guacamole” chips had shrunk in size from 12 ounces to 11 ounces. The site, which was launched by consumer protection lawyer Edgar Dworsky, also found that a bag of Tostitos “Hint of Lime” chips had dropped from 13 ounces down to 11.

A quick search for #shrinkflation content on X and TikTok shows shoppers annoyed by the skimpier content sizes of everything from Chef Bombay frozen dinners to Glad kitchen garbage bags to the now “comically small” McDonald’s Filet-O-Fish.

One TikTok user filmed himself opening a snack-size bag of Doritos only to find five chips inside. “Five chips!” the user yells in frustration while holding up five fingers.

The video garnered more than 670 comments from equally irritated shoppers, one of whom wrote, “I can’t even bring myself to buy chips anymore. To get two handfuls in a $6 bag is maddening!”

Despite the skimpier packaging sizes, the prices of salty snacks have continued to rise in recent years. In September 2020, the average price of a 16-ounce bag of potato chips was $5.02, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. By September 2024, the price had jumped to $6.46.

Everyday consumers aren’t the only ones riled up about “shrinkflation.” Lawmakers are also getting involved.

Earlier this month, Sen. Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts and Rep. Madeleine Dean of Pennsylvania called out PepsiCo, General Mills and Coca-Cola for using shrinkflation tactics as a means to boost their bottom line.

The two lawmakers sent individual letters to each of the companies’ CEOs, pointing out how they have reduced product sizes while charging the same or a higher retail price.

General Mills, for example, reduced the sizes of many of its cereal boxes in 2021, “including decreasing ‘Family Size’ Cocoa Puffs from 19.3 ounces to 18.1 ounces while charging the same price,” read their letter to General Mills Chairman and CEO Jeff Harmening.

“Then, from mid-2021 to mid-2022, General Mills hiked prices five times, and in 2023, your Group President of North American Retail bragged that the company was ‘getting smart about how we look at pricing,'” it added.

The lawmakers’ letters also accused each of the companies of “dodging taxes” as part of their “pattern of profiteering.”

“People have noticed that their box of Cheerios and bag of Doritos are smaller, but prices are higher — and at the same time these giant corporations are paying lower tax rates than the average American,” Warren said in a statement to NBC News.

“We can’t let them get away with this price gouging and tax dodging. It’s just plain wrong, and we’re fighting back.”

This story first appeared on TODAY.com. More from Today:

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Cirque du Soleil’s “KOOZA”: Hearing the words “under the big top” can stir any magic-seeking soul, but the knowledge that a joyful journey is ahead only stirs the imagination further. The lauded troupe is inviting audience members to join The Innocent on an adventure, one that involves clowning, acrobatics, the Wheel of Death, tightrope feats, and poetic thrills. Tickets are on sale for the ethereal experience, which will call Santa Monica Pier home — or, rather, the gigantic striped structure next to it — through early January 2025.

Boo at the LA Zoo: Trick-or-treating is a happy outing for a youngster, as is a trip to a wonderland that’s full of learning, animals, and fresh-air’d fun. This annual event, which will flower over the last two weekends of October, has both animal joy — several beasties will enjoy pumpkins to munch upon — and trick-or-treating, as well as festive photo spots and storytime sessions. The “Boo”-tiful event is included with zoo admission or membership.

Wolf Awareness Week: We’re sounding a big “awoooo” over a special event at the Natural History Museum on Sunday, Oct. 20. Join a kick-off to Wolf Awareness Week, one that will feature the photography of National Geographic photographer Ronan Donovan as well as other educational offerings. Your museum admission or membership covers your entry. More wolf-inspired happenings are ahead in SoCal, including a Big Bear event awoooo-ing Oct. 26.

Fall Festival: The Original Farmers Market has been hosting free autumn-fun celebrations for decades — the Third & Fairfax gem turned 90 in July — and the tradition adorably continues Oct. 19 and 20. A petting zoo, wholesome activities, and live music will fill out the weekend schedule (yep, banjos and washboards occasionally cameo at this homespun affair). Stay and have lunch if you’re feeling it; barbecue, caramel apples, and other fall-y foods are for sale.

ArtNight Pasadena: The cute complimentary fest at the Original Farmers Market is not the only pay-nothing delight in the days ahead. This huge art crawl, one that covers a few Crown City museums and a bouquet of galleries, is back, all to give art lovers lots to see for free. There are free shuttles, too, if you want to make your way around Old Pas and beyond without a car. The date? Be there Friday night, Oct. 18, beginning at 6 o’clock.

On Oct. 17, pasta fans have an extra reason to indulge in their favorite meal: National Pasta Day. To celebrate the foodie holiday, many restaurants and brands are cooking up tempting discounts. These are a few of our favorites.

Bellita Pasta

Bellita, a brand selling handmade and naturally sun-dried pasta, is offering TODAY.com readers 15% off its website on National Pasta Day using the code BELLITA15.

Bertucci’s Brick Oven Pizza & Pasta 

To celebrate National Pasta Day, Bertucci’s Brick Oven Pizza & Pasta customers can take advantage of a fall value meal deal that runs through the end of the month. The three-course meal is available Monday through Friday and starts at $16.99. It comes with customers’ choice of meal (pasta, specialty pasta or chicken Parmesan) along with salad and a cannoli.

Bravo! Italian Kitchen

Bravo! Italian Kitchen has a fall value meal deal running throughout National Pasta Month (October).

As part of the offer, customers can get a three-course, classic meal starting at $16.99 Monday through Friday. The prix fixe meal comes with a soup or salad, a pasta dish and a dessert (cannoli or creme brulee). Customers can select a pasta meal, specialty pasta meal or a specialty entree meal.

Additionally, the restaurant is offering 50% off any pasta through Oct. 17 for customers who dine in. The offer excludes dishes with shrimp and lobster.

Brio Italian Grille

Through Oct. 17, Brio Italian Grille is offering 50% off any pasta — except those that include lobster or shrimp —when customers dine in.

Daily Harvest

Between Oct. 17 — 20, new Daily Harvest subscribers can save 15% on packages of multi-serve pasta using the code PASTA15, and 15% on the brand’s Pasta Party bundle with the code PASTABUNDLE. The best part? The brand’s pastas are gluten-free!

Fazoli’s

At participating Fazoli’s locations, customers can order two entrees (choose between spaghetti with marinara or meat sauce, and fettuccine Alfredo) and two small drinks for $10. To score the deal, mention the promotion or use the code Pasta24.

Goodles 

Goodles, a brand of dried pas

ta, is offering TODAY.com readers 20% off sitewide on National Pasta Day with the code TODAY20.

Gopuff

Through Oct. 20, Gopuff is slashing the price of Rao’s Homemade products by 25%. On Oct. 17, the online retailer is also offering 25% off Goodles Loopdy-Loos dried pasta.

GourmetGiftBaskets.com

GourmetGiftBaskets.com is offering TODAY.com readers 25% off Italian gifts with the code PASTATODAY through Nov. 8.

Maggiano’s

Maggiano’s customers can enjoy $0 delivery throughout the month of October.

Olive Garden

Olive Garden’s Never Ending Pasta Bowl is back for a limited time and is available on National Pasta Day. The promotion, which starts at $13.99, lets customers eat all the pasta they want plus unlimited breadsticks and soup or salad. For $4.99, customers can also add never-ending toppings.

Sfoglini

From Oct. 17 — 18, Sfoglini will offer 25% off all purchases of $35 or more. 

Additionally, the brand is slashing the price of its limited-edition Sporkful Cookbook & Pasta Trio box by 20% through Oct. 18. The set comes with three boxes of Sporkful pasta and a signed copy of “ANYTHING’S PASTABLE: 81 Inventive Pasta Recipes For Saucy People,” a cookbook by Dan Pashman, host of the Sporkful podcast.

Wildgrain

Wildgrain, a brand of slow fermented sourdough breads, fresh pastas and artisan pastries, is offering TODAY.com an exclusive discount for National Pasta Day. Readers can save $10 o their Wildgrain order using the code TODAY10.

This story first appeared on TODAY.com. More from TODAY:

• 57 things to do this Halloween that are frightfully fun
• 84 Halloween trivia questions and answers that are a real treat
• What are ‘boo baskets’? Parents debate this love-or-hate Halloween tradition

Trick-or-treating isn’t something that ocean denizens participate in, nor do the fishies have a need to shop for costumes.

After all, the shimmery scales that aquatic animals often rock are pretty darn costume-y, all throughout the year. And holding a trick-or-treat bucket in one wet fin isn’t the easiest of tasks, we imagine.

But celebrating the spookiest season is something that the Aquarium of the Pacific, which is home to oodles of spectacular swimmers, pauses to do each fall.

And while the watery residents stay costume-free, humans are invited to wear their cutest Halloween outfits for an evening party.

That celebration, which is delightfully dubbed Scarium Family Night, will roam the Long Beach institution Oct. 18.

Trick-or-treat stations are part of the fish-tastic fun, as are appearances by the cute Pacific Pals. There’s a vampire magician, too, and other diversions that add to the not-too-eerie educational experience.

Plus, it is just way, way cool — that’s right, two “ways” are required here — to roam the aquarium at night.

You’ll want to read up on costume rules and all the need-to-know stuff.

Here’s hoping that some guests arrive in their best axolotl attire, as an homage to the “Frogs”-themed exhibit now on display at the aquarium.

To celebrate the release of its limited-edition menu featuring items inspired by “The Addams Family,” the fast-food chain is running a buy-one, get-one-free deal on Whoppers for one day only.

More specifically, rewards members can get a free Wednesday Whopper, aka a classic Whopper served on a purple bun.

Here’s everything you need to know to score the spooky deal.

The deal is only valid on Oct. 17, just in time for the October supermoon

Participating U.S. Burger King locations will offer a “BOGO Wednesday’s Whopper” deal to rewards members on Thursday, Oct. 17, which just happens to be the day when an October supermoon will reach peak fullness.

The offer, aptly marketed as Uncle Fester’s Full Moon Feast, is valid while supplies last, and purple buns aren’t guaranteed.

You have to buy one full-priced Whopper to score the deal

Rewards members who purchase one Wednesday’s Whopper at regular price on Oct. 17 will get another for free. The limited-edition menu item is basically a traditional Whopper, but served on a purple bun that gets its color from purple potatoes.

Certain exclusions apply

The BOGO deal is only valid on the Burger King app and website for order ahead or dine-in. Rewards members can use the six-digit “My Code” located in their rewards account (where available) and activate the offer in the “Offers” tab to score the deal.

As always, price and participation can vary and upsizes/modifications can cost extra.

Rewards members are limited to one offer per account and the deal can’t be combined with other coupons or offers.

Lastly, the offer isn’t valid in Alaska, Hawaii and U.S. territories, and it isn’t available during breakfast hours.

The new Addams Family menu features four items

Each of the items in the limited-edition menu are inspired by the animated film “The Addams Family.”

• Wednesday’s Whopper: A Whopper with Swiss cheese, tomatoes, lettuce, mayonnaise, ketchup, pickles and onions on a purple bun.
• Thing’s Rings: Crispy onion rings with themed packaging.
• Gomez’s Churro Fries: Crispy, fried churros covered in cinnamon sugar and served with chocolate dipping sauce.
• Morticia’s Kooky Chocolate Shake: A shake made with soft serve, chocolate cake batter fudge, and black and purple cookie pieces.

Burger King also has a limited-edition collection of King Jr. Meal toys to celebrate the new menu.

This story first appeared on TODAY.com. More from TODAY:

• 57 things to do this Halloween that are frightfully fun
• 84 Halloween trivia questions and answers that are a real treat
• What are ‘boo baskets’? Parents debate this love-or-hate Halloween tradition

This story uses functionality that may not work in our app. Click here to open the story in your web browser.

Butterball just introduced its Cook from Frozen Premium Whole Turkey, which customers can simply remove from the freezer and pop into the oven on the big day. The company says there’s “no thawing, no mess and no stress” involved in the preparation of its new product.

“From frozen to fantastic,” reads Butterball’s product page. “No more need for planning days in advance to thaw, dealing with messy necks, giblets, or touching raw meat. Forget about basting or brining. That means more precious moments spent with loved ones and less time on kitchen stress.”

Butterball tells TODAY.com that its cook-from-frozen turkeys are prepared with a specially-formulated brine (with water, sodium phosphate, spices and natural flavors, according to its website) that will keep the bird moist throughout roasting and that the neck and giblets aren’t included to make it easier to prepare. (Sorry to your gravy.)

Here’s how it works:

1. Remove the outer packaging and run the inner packaging under cold water while massaging it.
2. Remove the turkey from the inner bag by gripping and tearing it.
3. Place turkey on a rack in a 3-inch-deep roasting panbreast-side up.
4. Brush or spray turkey with oil.
5. This turkey doesn’t need to be basted, brined or seasoned, but if you’d like to add your own personal twist to it, you would sprinkle on your favorite flavorings at this point.
6. Pop it into a (recommended) 325-350 F oven. How long you cook it depends on its size, but Butterball recommends you start checking its temperature after 4 hours, until breast and thigh reach 170 F. The average cook time is about 5 hours, but ovens may vary.

And no, you cannot and should not stuff this turkey, as it would pose a food-safety risk. Your stuffing must be prepared and cooked separately, making it more of a dressing.

The 70-year-old company says it doesn’t set prices at retailers, but the suggested retail price for its cook-from-frozen turkeys is $2.49 to $2.99 per pound. These turkeys will run 10 to 14 pounds, with an average of 12 pounds.

The new product is now available at Harris Teeter, Lowes Foods and Publix stores, and can also be purchased at select Walmart locations and select Kroger and Kroger banner stores like Fred Meyer, Fry’s and Ralph’s. Customers can use Butterball’s store locator to find their closest retailer that sells it.

Butterball’s new turkey is meant to simplify your holiday cooking schedule, but just so you’re aware, the FDA says it’s safe to cook a turkey directly from the freezer — it’s just going to take longer to hit your Thanksgiving table.

“A solidly frozen turkey will take at least 50 percent longer to cook than a thawed turkey,” the FDA says on its website, adding that if a turkey is only partially frozen, it still will take longer to cook.

Butterball’s cooking calculator estimates that a turkey can take anywhere from 2 hours to more than 6 to cook. So, unless you pop your 30-pound frozen turkey in the oven at least 12 hours before dinner, you might want to remember to thaw it.

Nicole Johnson, director of the Butterball Turkey Talk-Line told TODAY.com that the ratio for thawing a turkey in your refrigerator is 24 hours for every four pounds of turkey meat.

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• Kristen Bell brings to light NSFW line in ‘Frozen’ song: ‘We slid it under the radar’
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What would the movies be without monsters?

The thought of a flickering flick that is lacking in a strange, supernatural, and misunderstood superstar is scarier than any monster we can think up.

For these frightful and always fantastical figures form the backbone of so much of the film industry, or, if you prefer to stay on theme, the industry’s sturdy skeleton.

Like us, the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures adores the vampires, werewolves, and ghouls that give the silver scream, er, screen so much of its fearsome flair.

And to celebrate those fabulous, often furry, and sometimes straight-from-the-grave greats? There is a merry Monster Mash, which will shamble, cinematically, into the mid-city institution Oct. 26.

Nope, this isn’t a dance party, as the timeless song might suggest, but it is a day of seasonal and cinematic activities at the Miracle Mile museum.

And some of those events are free, like the chance to take a spooky snapshot with some of the iconic Universal Monsters. The Bride of Frankenstein will be there, and Frankenstein’s monster, too, and Dracula will forgo his “never go out in the daytime” policy to swing by as well.

Or “caper” by, if you prefer. (It’s hard to pass up a cape reference when discussing the Drac man.)

Other chilling and charming goings-on including a make-up and special effects demonstration and the chance to help create a Community Monster Mural.

You will need to purchase museum admission for a few of the Monster Mash-inspired activities and presentations, like the Magic Lantern Show; you’ll also want to get a museum ticket if you’d like to take part in the Monsters and Heroes Encounters Tour.

And lest you think that the spooky stuff only haunts the Academy Museum in October, be feared, er, cheered: The museum screens great works of horror throughout the calendar, while its permanent exhibits include nods to some of the enduring monsters and haunting screenplays of the last century.

Still, if you’re a movie lover and a monster maven, you’ll want to moan-and-groan your way to Wilshire Boulevard and Fairfax Avenue, Frankenstein-style, on the final Saturday of October.

(Indeed, we know he is Frankenstein’s monster, but given how busy he is as Halloween grows near, we think calling him simply “Frankenstein” is the quicker and catchier way to go.)

Vant to know more, vampires, ghosties, and children of the night? Scream, er, screen all the info now at the Academy Museum site.

Wide receiver Davante Adams was traded this week from the Las Vegas Raiders to the New York Jets, where he will be reunited with quarterback Aaron Rodgers, with whom he played on the Green Bay Packers from 2014 until 2021.

That move leaves a hole not just in the Raiders’ offense, but also in the real estate market in Las Vegas that Taco Bell is determined to fix. That’s because Adams has appeared in an ad campaign for the chain, in which he has a Taco Bell restaurant in his house.

https://t.co/fF0ZHz9U2x pic.twitter.com/xinazMxwDf

— Taco Bell (@tacobell) October 15, 2024

“The most underrated storyline surrounding a potential Davante Adams trade is that there could be a house with a Taco Bell coming available on the market soon,” read a post on X before the trade was finalized.

Taco Bell had some fun with the idea that Adams has left behind a home outfitted with one of its restaurants. On Oct. 15, it posted a mock ad for the house from online real estate company Opendoor, while noting the residence was in an “undisclosed” location in Las Vegas.

“Imagine waking up to the smell of crunchwraps, every single morning,” the listing begins. “Welcome to your new dream home, cause guess what — you finally do have taco bell at home.”

The ad then revealed some of the amenities that any die-hard Taco Bell fan would find as irresistible as a 5-Layer Burrito.

“This property boasts a luxurious 8 bed 10 bath and a fully functioning Taco Bell, fire sauce packets will come in every drawer.

“The house comes equipped with a full time employee, Todd who will tend to your every Taco Bell need. Come home, come hungry.”

Adams also got in on the joke that his home in Sin City has a Taco Bell when he joined Rodgers for an interview on “The Pat McAfee Show” on Oct. 15. When asked if he’d shack up with Rodgers and bring in a Taco Bell now that they’re teammates again, Adams said he’d have to pass on the option while noting his home came with two Taco Bells.

“No, we’re going to travel. I got two in my Vegas crib, so we’ll just keep those over there,” he said.

“Love the commercials,” Rodgers joked.

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As you put the finishing touches on this year’s Halloween decorations, you might be looking around and wondering why so many of them are black and orange.

It’s a good question given that much like red and green are traditional Christmas colors, black and orange are popular hues often associated with Halloween.

But what is the meaning of these Halloween colors and how did they come to represent the spooky holiday?

It’s not just black and orange, either — green and purple have both been added to the mix in recent years. In fact, it’s hard to go anywhere this time of year and not see the hues on just about everything including Halloween treats, decorations, costumes, crafts, string lights and displays of every kind.

To better understand the origin and history of Halloween’s famous colors, TODAY.com spoke to experts who help break down the meaning and reasons why we associate them with October 31.

Halloween colors and their meaning

Orange and black

While it might seem that black and orange have been around forever as the “official” colors of Halloween, that’s not the case, according to Lisa Morton, author of “Trick or Treat: A History of Halloween.”

“In the first few years of the 20th century, there were party guides being published that called yellow and brown Halloween’s colors, thanks to the holiday’s association with the fall harvest,” Morton tells TODAY.com, adding that yellow was for corn or maize and brown was for hay and dried husks.

However, through the years orange has come to dominate the holiday color scheme give its relationship to Halloween’s unofficial mascot: the pumpkin.

According to Morton, carving jack-o’-lanterns became integrated into U.S. culture around 1910, when pumpkins quickly became the “undisputed king of Halloween” due of their prominence on postcards and in advertising.

As for black? Morton believes it’s evolved from some of the common Halloween associations many people already have, including bats and black cats.

Purple and green

Purple and green have crept into the Halloween palette over later decades. Morton believes the introduction of green may have been inspired by the emerald complexions of witches in film — notably, Margaret Hamilton’s turn as the Wicked Witch of the West in the 1939 classic film “The Wizard of Oz.”

“Before that, witches were typically shown with just human skin tones and dressed in red,” explains Morton.

Color expert Kate Smith wrote about the significance of purple on her website: “Purple has long been associated with wealth and royalty, as purple dye was precious and expensive. If green is the color of spring, then purple conjures up autumn, fading light, and shorter days.” 

Smith also noted that the rich color is “associated with an escape from reality and magical images.”

According to Amber Dunford, style director at Bed Bath & Beyond, purple evokes mystery and spirituality, which complements our modern interpretation of Halloween. Green is at the opposite end of the color wheel, making it a nice contrast to purple.

“These cooler color additions balance out the warmth of the orange, harmonizing the two color temperatures nicely,” Dunford tells TODAY.com.

The psychology of color

People often react to color before they even respond to an object’s shape, texture or scale. “This tendency makes color a very powerful tool in marketing and one that becomes difficult to look past once it becomes ingrained in our psyche,” Dunford says.

“Color is the first thing we assess when viewing an object, making it one of the most powerful and memorable design aspects from a psychological perspective,” she adds.

According to the Mental Health America website, the colors you surround yourself with can also have a impact on your overall sense of wellbeing.

Looking at each individual hue, Mental Health America says that the color orange can evoke feelings of excitement, pleasure and abundance. Green may be associated with feelings of balance, joy and serenity. Purple can inspire imagination, calmness and relaxation.

As for black, the hue may inspire feelings of strength, seriousness and negativity.

Whatever emotions these Halloween colors evoke in you, one thing is certain — when you see these popular hues, you know that it’s officially the spooky season.

This story first appeared on TODAY.com. More from TODAY:

• 57 things to do this Halloween that are frightfully fun
• 84 Halloween trivia questions and answers that are a real treat
• What are ‘boo baskets’? Parents debate this love-or-hate Halloween tradition

On Oct. 16, Aldi announced its lowest-priced Thanksgiving basket in five years, offering 10 people a full meal for less than $47. The chain cites a NielsenIQ study published in the Wall Street Journal earlier this year that found grocery prices are up 50% on hundreds of items since 2019, so, Aldi decided to make the meal cheaper than it cost back then.

Aldi said the less-than-$4.70-per-person meal forgoes all the “sales, coupons, minimum purchase requirements, loyalty cards and other hoops required to save at traditional grocers,” coming instead in a simple grab-and-go form.

Aldi’s Thanksgiving basket includes a Butterball turkey (assumed to be 16 pounds) with spices, gravy, rolls, mac and cheese, and stuffing. It also includes the ingredients to make cranberry sauce, mashed potatoes, sweet potato casserole, green bean casserole and pumpkin pie.

“Every day at ALDI, we are focused on finding ways to deliver the lowest possible prices for our customers — and this Thanksgiving is no different,” Aldi’s CEO Jason Hartsaid in a press release, adding that 25% of U.S households now shop at the chain. “We worked hard this Thanksgiving to deliver the best value and quality products so everyone can enjoy a traditional meal with family and friends without having to scale back.”

For folks going to a Friendsgiving potluck or keeping things a bit more casual on the big day, Aldi also is selling three Thanksgiving bundles for under $10. Each bundle includes a bottle of the Aldi-exclusive California Heritage Pinot Noir along with one of the following:

• Emporium Selection Aged Reserve White Cheddar and Specially Selected Scalloped Crackers 
• Park Street Deli Truffle or Red Pepper Dips and Savoritz Entertainment Crackers 
• Bake Shop Pumpkin Pie

There are a couple of caveats to Aldi’s Thanksgiving basket: Its availability may vary by store location and is subject to change. Pricing on the basket is valid from Oct. 16 until Nov. 27 (the day before Thanksgiving).

The news comes as the grocer was involved in a recall of chicken and turkey products made by pre-cooked meat producer BrucePac for potentially due possible listeria contamination.

Many of the recalled products are ready-made salad, rice or pasta bowls that include potentially contaminated chicken or turkey and were sold at major retailers nationwide like Trader Joe’s, HEB, Walmart and Aldi. See the full list of products included in the recall and photos of the product labels here.

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Nature constantly burbles over with surprising and enriching gifts, those ethereal and uplifting moments you can’t plan for but instantly recognize as something rather magical.

Such a memorable moment might be as sweet as a falling maple leaf landing in your hand or finding a clear stream in a forest thicket.

And hearing the call of a wolf far in the distance while visiting a national park or area where wolves pass through?

Mark it down: It’s something you’ll talk about, even howl about, happily, for the rest of your life.

Wolf Awareness Week also raises a happy howl each year, all to give humans a deeper look at the complex and fascinating world of wolves.

The Natural History Museum is pay tribute to this annual observance, which trots each year during the third week of October, with an educational event.

Welcome Day: Wolves will spotlight the incredible images of Ronan Donovan, a National Geographic photographer who has ventured into the far reaches of the wilderness — think the Arctic and Yellowstone — to photograph packs as they roam, play, and live.

The four-hour event, which is included with museum admission, will also feature activities as well as the intriguing opportunity to “… view rarely seen Museum collections of ancient and modern canids.”

Gather your pack and make for the Exposition Park-based museum Oct. 20.

Other wolfly happenings will be roaming throughout the territory in late October, including Wolf Awareness Day at the Big Bear Alpine Zoo.

The furry festivity will coincide with the animal rehabilitation center’s Boo at the Zoo party, which will summon the spirit of Howl-oween on Saturday, Oct. 26.

There seem to be two kinds of pumpkinists in this world: The person carving a pumpkin and the person who is advising the person carving the pumpkin on how to best achieve their ghoulish goals.

(We’d add a third pumpkin-obsessed person to the mix: The munch ‘n crunch maven. This is the person who waits by the oven for the nicely spiced pumpkin seeds to finish baking.)

But what if you’re the sort of pumpkin enthusiast who cherishes a creatively carved pumpkin but doesn’t feel especially inspired to complete the task or up to wielding the necessary tools?

The pumpkin-loving pros at Mr. Jack O’Lanterns Pumpkin Patch can handily assist with this seasonal task.

In addition to offering an assortment of autumnal activities, the patches offer carving services, too, a welcome feature in this overscheduled time of year.

Of course, you can always whisk the gourd you purchase home should you want to do your own thing. But knowing that a practiced carver can deftly add a wide grin and that classic triangle nose to the famous fall fruit for you is, well, frightfully nice.

But many people call upon the pop-up patches — they’re located in Brea, Torrance, and West LA — not just for pumpkin purchasing, nor creative carving, but to enjoy the attractions’ nostalgic offerings.

Pumpkin Putting, Candy Corn Hole, a Spooky Maze, and other sweet diversions created for little ones are part of each patch.

We’re entering the Hallozone, the final two weeks before the holiday, so visit your closest Mr. Jack O’Lanterns soon to inquire about carving schedules and prices.

Or simply browse the on-site stores at the patches, seasonal shops that feature fall gewgaws, decorating kits, and the autumn-y items that up our at-home Halloween vibe.

We’re not candied-out just yet — there are too many bat-shaped caramels and ghost-hued lollipops still haunting the store shelves — but we are beginning to think of the stove-warmed snacks of November, those rib-sticking foodstuffs that feel like a cool fall day was wrapped in a bready bun.

These savory stables of late fall do run the gamut, which means that asking any lover of heartier fare to alight on a single awesome eat that symbolizes the season can be a challenge.

But for many Porto’s-obsessed Southern Californians, Thanksgiving can’t truly begin with a golden plate of Turkey & Gravy Potato Balls.

These seasonal orbs of well-spiced deliciousness are a palate-pleasing play on the world-famous Potato Ball, a goodie that might just be the best-known menu item at Porto’s Cafe & Bakery. (We say “might” knowing that the Milk N’Berries Cake fans are also extremely dedicated to their favorite delicacy.)

But unlike the powerhouse Potato Ball, a year-round classic, the Turkey & Gravy Potato Ball is a seasonal offering, one you need to purchase in the days leading up to Thanksgiving.

Or even Halloween: A dozen Turkey & Gravy Potato Balls are now available on the Porto’s Bake at Home site, giving the biggest ball buffs a chance to enjoy their favorite fall treat in October, days ahead of Halloween.

You can also swing by your go-to Porto’s — there are six locations, including Buena Park and Burbank — and pick up a single Turkey & Gravy Potato Ball for $1.89, if you’re just seeking a quick and satisfying taste.

Of course, the Turkey & Gravy Potato Ball isn’t the only quirky spin on the superstar snack. There’s a Cheese & Spicy Pepper Potato Ball on the Porto’s line-up, and, in the springtime ahead of Easter, the Seafood Potato Ball makes a tangy return.

Halloween-related household spending is expected to hit a record $11.6 billion dollars, with $3.5 billion of that spent just on candy, according to the National Retail Federation.

Figuring out exactly how much candy to buy can be tricky. You don’t want to face disappointed trick-or-treaters if you run out, but also want to avoid piles of leftover fun-size chocolate bars.

The good news is there’s a way to calculate the right amount of treats you need to purchase based on a few factors.

Omni Calculator has an easy tool that helps estimate the number of candy pieces needed based on the approximate number of kids in the neighborhood, how extensive your decorations are and what the expected weather conditions will be on the holiday. You can also input the number of candies per pack to estimate how many packages you’ll need to buy.

To calculate your Halloween candy haul, click here.

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What is the most popular Halloween candy in 2024?

According to Google trends of the most searched candy in each state, candy corn topped the list in 34 states. It’s followed by M&Ms, which ranked No. 1 in eight states (Indiana, Maine, Minnesota, Missouri, New York, Ohio, South Carolina and Virginia) and Kit Kat reigned supreme in three states ( Hawaii, Maryland and North Dakota).

However, according to Candy Store, an online retailer that ships bulk candy nationwide, M&Ms has dethroned Reese’s Cups as the most popular Halloween candy.

In third place is Sour Patch Kids, followed by Skittles, Starburst, Hot Tamales, Candy Corn, Hershey Kisses, Hershey Mini Bars and Butterfingers.

Candy Store surveyed 10,000 customers from their website to formulate the ranking.

What is the least popular Halloween candy in 2024?

The people of America have spoken and they hate Circus Peanuts — the oddly orange marshmallow treats that oftentimes remain at the bottom of kids’ candy buckets, according to Candy Store. 

Also on Candy Store’s worst list is candy corn at No. 3, which conversely is No. 1 on the most searched candy of 2024. Necco Wafers came in at No. 4 and Mary Janes was ranked 5th worst.

We Explore Earth, a nonprofit organization based in Southern California, marries founder William Vazquez’s love for nature and community as his wish to provide an outlet for the public to connect with the natural world and others.

Vazquez, who grew up in San Gabriel, said his upbringing is what inspired him to create the group.

“I’ve always loved the outdoors, but I’ve always seen that there’s a lack of provisions for bridging and exposing the outdoors, brands and outlets to people of color,” he said. “My parents are both Mexicans and I’m first-generation. I thought that if I haven’t been really exposed to the outdoors and all these brands and outlets, I’m sure I’m not alone in this, so I felt that was a calling.”

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Planting the seed

Vazquez’ experience as a production assistant for Jimmy Kimmel Live and then an event producer for Dim Mak Records has served him well with his nonprofit.

Using that experience for his organization, he, along with other leaders and active members of We Explore Earth, host a variety of events that range from hiking adventures, environmental cleanups, movies in the park and more.

“Finally, had felt like I got what I needed to do to produce events and make my vision come to life,” Vazquez said. “I always wanted to produce events and festivals and grow my own organization where I can cultivate and create these projects with fellow like-minded individuals.”

That cultivation came in the form of local cleanups and outings that swelled into a larger movement that’s fostered a sense of community with other nature lovers in Southern California. The group emphasizes respect for the environment and acceptance for all individuals from different walks of life.

“The outdoors and nature as a whole, anywhere out in the wild, in the city, in the mountains, is meant for everyone to explore, thrive in and protect as an individual, but also as a collective,” Vazquez said.

It takes a village

In hosting smaller events early during We Explore Earth’s beginning, Vazquez quickly met like-minded individuals who shared his passion for the outdoors and community. The nonprofit has since has garnered thousands of followers on its Instagram, and it’s the result of volunteers and leading members sharing the word.

“We always reference it as a plant and a lot of us individuals who are people of color are the roots of it. We’re just nurturing it, and a new root is growing here and there,” Vazquez said.

Among the leaders of the nonprofit who help Vazquez with the organization are co-leader Armando Rodriguez and workshop leader Michel Gonzales. Both became heavily involved with the group about four years ago and since have shared their unique expertise with other members.

“I felt that we gravitated towards the same goals of exploring, going out on adventures and at the same time, taking care of the trails that we so much enjoy,” said Armando Rodriguez whose focus lies in wilderness awareness and photography.

Gonzales said her quest for a sense of community blossomed into her becoming a leading participant of the organization who leads empowerment and healing-focused workshops

“I started getting involved with them because of how heart-centered this organization is,” Gonzales said. “At We Explore Earth, we always say we love you because this community loves you and loves, loves the outdoors, as well.”

A welcoming environment

The nonprofit’s emphasis on welcoming newcomers has typically garnered new faces during nearly each one of its events. Although the group hosts outings with activities that may seem more intermediate to expert-level, its leaders are always ready to offer guidance to not only make new participants feel included, but also to navigate them safely.

“It’ definitely a safe space to explore the outdoors and going on hikes,” Rodriguez said. “You know, going solo has its risks in getting lost, getting injured and maybe not being able to know what to do in those scenarios. Going in with a group of people gives you the confidence of trusting your limitations and learning from others.”

In addition to knowledge learned at the organization’s events, participants have been known to leave with a new sense of community and connections.

“(Newcomers) start connecting and they start coming to these events together,” Gonzales said. “So, you build a community. You build friendships, and you build a safe net around this community.”

One thing We Explore Earth’s founder wishes participants walk away from after experiencing their events is the certainty that they have a place of belonging.

“I hope that they take home with them that this for them,” Vazquez said of those who join his organization’s events. “It’s for everyone, it doesn’t matter the color, their size, anything. It’s meant for everybody.”

To learn more about We Explore Earth and to keep up with its scheduled events, click here.

It’s no longer triple-digit-ing around Southern California, which means we clearly need to start rocking our muffler and mittens and all of the fuzzy toasty cozy things, all at once.

Well, maybe not yet; warmer temperatures are still lingering at the edges of these fall-like fall days, so we’re stowing the sweaters for now.

But not for long: Ice at Santa Monica, the bustling, mitten-up fun-porium that pops up at Fifth Street and Arizona Avenue over several autumn and winter weeks, is less than a month away.

The outdoor ice rink opens Nov. 8, with the plan to pirouette through the holidays and into late-ish January 2025 (the final date is Jan. 20).

Themed happenings are ahead — fans can celebrate Taylor Swift’s birthday with a Taylor-tastic music night Dec. 13 — and a New Year’s Eve celebration created for families.

And KUSC Classical Sundays will fulfill your dreams of dreamily performing figure eights to a stirring selection of strings and horns.

Of course, there will be plenty of chances to simply skate to DJ-selected tunes throughout the season. The cost is $22 for 60 minutes, and, you bet, that includes your skate rental. Sweet.

The attraction is just a short skate, er, stroll away from Third Street Promenade, where a tree lighting and all sorts of convivial holiday sights will be shimmering.

Want to skate for free?

Complimentary skate sessions will be available during the seasonal Grand Opening on the evening of Nov. 8, but, for sure, this will be a first come, first served sort of deal.

Spying Andy Anaheim, the merry mascot of the Anaheim Fall Festival and Parade, or Mr. Pumpkin Head, another popular character, can thrill any youngster in the days before Halloween.

Hold up one second: Absolutely everyone who loves this venerable and bright celebration adores the cheerful icons of the parade, those fanciful figures that have helped make this enduring October event something special.

Now a new t-shirt with a design by Anaheim artist Gustavo Jaimes is paying stylish tribute to Andy, Mr. Pumpkin Head, and other hallmarks of the festival and parade, which has festooned the city for a century.

We’re pausing here for to wow-out about that: Any Halloween event that’s been around for a decade or two is impressive, but 100 years feels almost mythic.

Andy Anaheim, that ant-tastic cutie, is rocking a mummy look on the fundraising t-shirt, which also features Día de los Muertos imagery and a nod to the event’s glowful Halloween Tree.

Mr. Jaimes donated the design to the event’s organizers, so every tee sold will help the popular parade keep on keepin’ on, along with the daytime festival that takes place just ahead of the procession’s sparkly start.

Find the $25 t-shirt for sale at both the festival and parade on Saturday, Oct. 26.

The festival “will have a larger footprint on Center Street” in 2024, share the organizers, due in large part to the huge attendance in recent years (some 50,000 people in 2023).

The 2024 party will mark “the second half of its centennial celebration with new floats, entertainment, and more!”

Talk about a heartfelt, super-dedicated effort: Over 100 volunteers help to stage the spectacular, an upbeat extravaganza that is known for its nostalgic notes, retro flair, and community-supporting spirit.

Other regional artists have given their talents and oomph to the event, while businesses such as Ruby’s Diner help to bolster the bash through fundraising efforts.

It’s a real homegrown, homespun affair, with locals lending a hand, their time, and their vision, all to help the festival’s continued vibrancy and that playful powerhouse of a parade.

Want to volunteer? Here’s where you start, ardent Anaheim aficionados and lovers of Orange County-fied cool things.

Fall + Friday + fabulous fun can be fairly easy to achieve, depending on where you decide to happily head around Southern California.

But adding that oh-so-lovely final F — that would be “free,” of course — can be rather trickier.

It would be nice, in this busy season, to simply bask in some beauty while beholding big ideas, the sort of interesting notions that can be found in the realm of art, and do so while saving all your bucks.

The Cultural Affairs Division of the City of Pasadena gets where we’re coming from here, as do several other joyful, complex, and intriguing art destinations around the Crown City.

These spots, along with Cultural Affairs, will merrily band together for another popular ArtNight Pasadena, the pay-nothing gallery/museum super-crawl that returns, with delightful clockwork, each spring and fall.

The fall engagement is rolling out Oct. 18, and several locations will participate in the four-hour festivity.

The Jackie Robinson Community Center, The Gamble House, and the Armory Center for the Arts are all taking part in the upcoming event, along with other galleries, museums, and Pasadena City Hall, which will feature “music and seasonal art activities.”

No RSVP is needed, simply land at the participating place you’d like to experience first.

Planning your night, of course, is advisable, for while four hours is a solid stretch of time, you might find yourself lingering in the first or second gallery you swing by. Then, tick tock: ArtNight is over.

Food trucks also make delightful cameos around town: Kogi BBQ is stopping by the Pasadena Museum of History while Dina’s Dumplings will call upon City Hall.

And, of course, many of the restaurants of Old Pasadena, and beyond, will be open and humming during the evening experience.

Where to go? What to do? And how exactly does one “ArtNight”? Answers of the most uplifting variety are enthusiastically offered on this helpful page.

More than five years after the “Game of Thrones” finale, thousands of bidders contributed to a Heritage Auctions event in which series props, including the Iron Throne, were up for grabs.

The sold-out event ran from Oct. 10-12 and ultimately reeled in $21,115,718 from more than 900 lots and 4,500 bidders. The “Game of Thrones” haul makes it the second-highest entertainment auction in Heritage’s history, trailing only the $22.8 million Debbie Reynolds event held in 2011.

“From the moment we launched the Game of Thrones auction in September, it was clear this was going to resonate with everyone,” Heritage Auctions executive vice president Joe Maddalena said.

“These are extraordinary treasures made by Emmy-winning costume designers and prop makers, who worked tirelessly to adapt George R.R. Martin’s wonderful novels. People wanted a piece of that Game of Thrones magic, and we are honored to have been part of what designer Michele Clapton calls these costumes and props’ afterlives. Everyone at Heritage thanks HBO for the opportunity to ride along.”

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Just like the show itself, the Iron Throne was the prized possession of the “Game of Thrones” auction. The original touring throne molded from the original, screen-used model was sold for $1.49 million after a nearly six-minute-long back-and-forth between bidders.

Thirty-two props earned six-figure price tags from “Game of Thrones” fans. Among the priciest props include Jon Snow’s Valyrian steel sword, Longclaw ($400,000), Jon Snow’s Night’s Watch ensemble ($337,500) and a set of Jaime Lannister’s armor ($270,000).

Starting bids were between $500 and $20,000, but the lots consistently sold for thousands of dollars more with people wanting a piece of Westerosi history.

“We are so pleased with the result of this auction for some of the most iconic Game of Thrones memorabilia,” Janet Graham Borba, HBO executive vice president of production Janet Graham said. “These fans continue to be passionate collectors, and we are grateful to them and our partners at Heritage for making this a giant success.”

An evening in October is such an ensorcelled occasion that poets regularly pay homage to it, artists enthuse about its magical qualities, and pretty much everyone makes a push to be out and about, all to soak up the night’s many pleasures.

And the fact that it has cooled down, and become rather more fall-like, in Southern California? We mean, at least compared to recent weeks?

Yes: We’re definitely seeking something special, celebratory, and full of flair over the next few Saturdays. And if food can be involved? Things grow more magical, indeed.

Taste of Santa Ana is a longtime fall foodie festivity, a party that returns, with appetizing on-the-dot-ness, each October.

And come Oct. 12, the snack-around soirée will call upon MainPlace Mall for a night of great tastes, lively libations, and more than a bit of “Día de los Muertos” merriment.

Guests will pay tribute to “… the rich cultural heritage of Orange County’s diverse community through food, music, and art” at the festival, which is marking its ninth outing in 2024.

The choices will be piquant and plentiful, with “… over 30 of the area’s top restaurants, food trucks, cafes, and breweries” in appetizing attendance.

Adding to the atmosphere? Altars, sugar skulls, and other seasonal details will be on display, the sorts of touchstones that reveal the veil between worlds will soon be lifting.

Find out about tickets, including the VIP option, and more on the Taste of Santa Ana site.

It’s true that Pollinator Week buzzes into our nature-loving worlds each June, but paying fuzzy homage to the noble bee, and all that the industrious earthling brings to our world, can be done at any point of the calendar.

The Hammer Museum gets this important concept, and after “combing” — or perhaps we mean “honeycombing” — its schedule, the Westwood art institution is giving a bee-autiful spotlight to the essential insects over eight informative October days.

These days, grouped together under the header “Bee Week,” will include a fascinating host of free events, including a screening of “Microcosmos” Oct. 13 and a Community Science Workshop devoted to macro photography, also buzzing Oct. 13.

Beekeeper Joe O’Brien will stop by over a few days to talk beekeeping, too, if you’ve had “maybe start beekeeping” on your bucket list. (After all, you can’t spell “bucket” with a B.)

And as for the museum’s intriguing Bee Cam? This live look at bees at work has a quirky and creative setting: artist Garnett Puett’s sculpture “Untitled.”

The piece, which is “coated” in “thick layers of beeswax,” is sitting inside a bee habitat, which is, of course, not a traditional placement for a work of art.

The colony inside the habitat, which includes the queen, is busily changing the artwork, “elaborating the structure with honeycomb” while also procuring pollen.

To read more about this innovative, art-in-action, bees-at-work whimsy, visit the Bee Cam page now.

Southern California’s impressive variety of Halloween-inspired and autumn-hued events is, well, huge.

There are so many monstrously entertaining adventures around Los Angeles in October that finding your frightful fit can be, well, terrifyingly trying.

Do you want super-scary, a little merry, or somewhere in the macabre middle?

Our region even boasts marketplaces that have a light Halloween overlay, the sort of not-too-spooky shopping events that have handmade items, food trucks, and a scintillating stroll-around scene.

A new Fright Night Market, presented by the Valley Vibes crew, will “haunt” the grounds of the Autry Museum of the American West on the final Friday of October.

Entry is free for the evening affair — the “Night” in the name isn’t just for show, it is actually taking place from 5 to 11 p.m. — and parking is free, too. If you’d like to visit the on-site beer garden, the price to enter is $23.

Shop “over 50 horror-themed vendors” at the market, and enjoy a few October-ish photo spots, the kind that invite you to strike your best vampiric and/or werewolfian pose.

Costume contests, thematic music, food trucks, desserts for sale, a trick-or-treat element, and other in-the-season offerings will crop up during the six-hour revelry. Oh yes: Your on-leash pup is invited, too.

Fly like a bat by this site to find out more on this lighthearted, shop-ready approach to autumn fun, one that has a bit of horror love in its heart but an easygoing, come-eat-a-taco-and-shop spirit.

No one, even in this age of “get your camera out, quick!” proclamations, would bat a single eyelash if you were to saunter into the Original Farmers Market decked out in full-on, head-to-boots gingham.

You could even carry a little basket, and rock a barn jacket, if you were feeling it, and people would continue to pass on by, with only a few curious types daring to cast a glance.

For the Original Farmers Market has “Farmers” in its name and a farmer-focused story, making it, in our mind, the ultimate LA-based break-out-your-gingham go-to.

So when a homespun Fall Festival dosey-does into the famous public market, the kind of festival you might actually find out on a farm and not in the busy mid-city, again, no eyelashes shall be batted.

For the Fall Festival is a sweet seasonal staple at the landmark, one that returns, with charming punctuality, every October.

It’ll be back for its annual hoedown Oct. 19 and 20, and, you betcha, admission is free, as always.

The line-up of twang-tastic live music is always a draw — The Storytellers, June Clivas & The Ditty Boys, and Dave Stuckey & The Five Hoot Owls are all on the roster — as is the petting zoo, a cute place for the littles to adorably interact with alpacas, goats, and other critters.

Crafts, games, and “Slimy Fun” sessions with Sloomoo Institute LA will also add to the event’s authentic quaint-a-tude.

The Fall Festival offers enduring evidence that the homespun hallmarks of October can flower even in the go-go-go city.

Give gratitude to the Original Farmers Market for that festive fact.

After all, the clocktower’d gem began as a gathering spot for farmers to sell their fresh-from-the-fields goodies 90 years ago, and it has held fast, ever since, to that farm-forward spirit.

The popular footwear brand announced Wednesday that it’s releasing Pet Crocs, a version of its clogs for dogs, along with matching Classic Lined Clogs for humans later this month.

The dog booties, made in partnership with dog-centric company BARK, feature breathable EVA foam and an adjustable strap. They come in three different sizes — small, medium and large — and are designed for dogs weighing up to 80 pounds.

There are two glow-in-the-dark colorway options for the Pet Crocs and matching Classic Lined Clogs — Green Slime and Pink Dragon Fruit.

Dog owners will also be able to decorate their clogs with exclusive dog Jibbitz charms.

Both the Pet Crocs and matching clogs will be available for a limited time on Crocs.com and in select retail stores starting Oct. 23, which also happens to be Croc Day.

The Pet Crocs are listed for $50 on Crocs.com, while the matching Classic Lined Clogs cost $65.

You’re dearly (dearly dearly) missed dog? He was sassy and full of vim and when you moved in the direction of the couch he’d jump up and nestle into his cuddle spot, the cozy place next to your usual cushion.

You surely have countless recollections about your incredible cat, too, and all of the critters you knew, cared for, and loved once upon a not-so-long-ago time.

The Los Angeles Zoo shines a special spotlight on the much-adored pets we’ve lost over the years through its colorful Beloved Pets Ofrenda, a sizable seasonal altar presented in partnership with Plaza de la Raza Cultural Center.

The 2024 ofrenda is now on view at the animal park each weekend day through Nov. 3 as well as Oct. 14 in honor of Indigenous Peoples’ Day.

Entry to the area? It’s included with your zoo admission or membership.

Printing photographs or illustrating your “cherished animal companion” is part of the poignant tradition; you’ll find drawing materials at a table near the altar.

“Over these last several years, the Zoo has been able to share the riche Hispanic heritage of Los Angeles with its guests by co-creating this special ofrenda with our friends from Plaza de le Raza,” said Coral Barreiro, LA Zoo manager of community programs.

“No matter your background, grief surrounding the loss of a pet is a universal feeling, and I am proud that we get to share these deep experiences with our community and provide our guests with the space to honor their pets and learn more about the culture that makes up this amazing City.”

Find out more now about hours, admission, prices, and more at the LA Zoo site.

Castle Green has been merrily marking its quasquicentennial for a little while now, but there’s more merriment ahead.

For any anniversary that involves 125 memorable years makes for a grand occasion, which means that more than a few events will shimmer on the landmark’s schedule.

And the one that’s coming up Dec. 8 will quite literally shimmer, thanks to the occasion: It’s the Pasadena building’s annual Holiday Tour, a sure-to-sell-out treat that, quite obviously, only comes around once a year, in December.

The festive look-around — it’s self-guided — will include access to the elegantly attired ground floor, which has been seen in movies like “The Sting” and “The Prestige,” as well as several condominiums, over 20 in all.

Indeed, the former Hotel Green, which opened in 1898, is now the handsome home to permanent residents, not the trunk-hauling travelers of long ago, and many of those residents generously open their homes during the Holiday Tour.

Stepping inside the Castle Green Penthouse is also a hard-to-come-by pleasure for many visitors, as is the opportunity to call upon the Bridge.

True, the building-fronting Bridge no longer extends over Raymond Avenue as it did many decades ago, but the unusual feature still intrigues those who gaze up to admire it from the street or the well-tended grounds below.

Other convivial touches during the four-hour festivity will include carolers, a DJ, decorations, and “bite-sized holiday snacks and refreshments (as supplies last).”

Architect Frederick I. Roehrig designed this whimsical and sizable structure, a one-of-a-kind building that includes “Moorish, Spanish, and Victorian influences.”

Anybody who has beheld this castle would likely add “fairy tale” to that impressive list. For while Castle Green may lack dragons and a moat, it definitely has an allure that feels otherworldly, or at least other-our-worldly.

Making it an ideal spot for holiday cheer and a bit of classic Christmas fantasy.

Hoping to join this joyful event, which has a way of making all architecture lovers feel royal for an hour or two?

Ho, ho, ho: Go to this site now before every ticket is gone, much like sugar cookies have a way of disappearing off a still-warm cookie sheet.

Astro Family Restaurant, a 24-hour diner that’s been a staple in Silver Lake, sits at the corner of Fletcher Drive and Glendale Boulevard. The eatery has greeted its customers with a neon star atop the building and a menu full of American comfort foods. Since its inception, the diner has been serving classic breakfast items and hearty dinner fare. Now, it’s cooking up a historic designation marker.

Maria Siafaris’s dad, Harry, bought it in the early 1980s. The dramatic, sloping roof, which dates back more than 60 years, is one of the first things people notice, she said.

“Characterized as a ‘landmark building’ now? Yeah – he would have loved that,” Maria said of her father. He died two years ago but his establishment continues to be run by his loved ones.

The city’s application for monument status cited the enduring legacy of the two LA-based architects who designed the building, Louis Armet and Eldon Davis. The Los Angeles Conservancy’s website contains a profile of the pair, calling them pioneers of “Googie” architecture, named after “Googie’s” diner on Sunset – demolished decades ago.

The motif is characterized by enormous rooftops that celebrated the dawn of the Space Age in America, as well as design features that favored diners on the go – a nod to LA’s growing car culture of the 1950s and ‘60s.

The Los Angeles Conservancy said that kind of design was once criticized by architects, leading to the demolition of several LA buildings that had that style. Now, preservationists are trying to change that.

Other Googie designs include Norm’s on La Cienega, Pann’s and the original Bob’s Big Boy restaurants.

Harry Siafaris was careful to preserve the Astro’s interior, as well. It looks very similar to what customers saw when it was built, 65 years ago.

Dennis Fauson visits every single morning for breakfast. He moved to LA from Michigan in 1978, and remembers how Spage Age diners once dotted the city landscape. He’s pleased that the city is preserving his favorite eatery.

“I don’t like to go to new places,” he said, “I like places where (I can be) very old school,” he said.

“Customers come up daily,” said Maria, chuckling, “and just say how happy they are that we’re still around!”

Astro Family Restaurant’s historic-cultural monument status protects it from immediate demolition if such a thing were ever to occur.

To learn more about Astro Family Restaurant, click here.

Making your way to the very tippy-top of DTLA’s storied Oviatt Building, the beautiful Olive Street building that will mark its centennial in 2028, isn’t the easiest of feats.

After all, the well-preserved penthouse of former owner James Oviatt is reserved for special events, making the opportunities to admire its Art Deco splendor from an up-close vantage point quite rare.

But something haunting is brewing at the penthouse, and the merry and marvelous witches stirring the cauldron? These ensorcelled and architecture-loving beings belong to the Art Deco Society of Los Angeles, a group known for thematic gatherings and tours, like the upcoming Hollywood Forever Cemetery Living History Tour on Oct. 13.

Come Oct. 20, the Oviatt Penthouse will become a portal of sorts, giving guests the chance to celebrate an old-fashioned and not-too-eerie Halloween.

Or “Hallowe’en,” if you please: The event is called A Vintage Hallowe’en Revelry at the Oviatt Penthouse and tickets are on sale now, both to society members and the general public.

Experience-creating outfit Olive & Grand and Paper Moon Vintage are partnering with ADSLA on the afternoon-into-evening party, which will offer timed tickets beginning at 3 in the afternoon (there are a trio of slots to choose from).

However, don’t be fooled by that big ol’ sun in the sky: Things will be pretty atmospheric and night-like inside the pretty penthouse, with close-up magic, spooky tales told, and a séance with the Cosmic Romantics.

And yes: The chilling stories will involve the very place you’re enjoying, the possibly-maybe-haunted Oviatt Building.

Historian Marc Chevalier will share the spirited yarns, so count on learning more than a bit about one of our city’s classic and handsome high-rises (and, yes, it was a high-rise in 1928).

Costumes are recommended, with clowns, witches, and cats on the suggestion list. Come in your stylish best, whatever you choose to wear, but think ye olde autumn-inspired thoughts as you comb through your closet.

For more information about the atmospheric event, including the intriguing Vintage Wheel of Fate Game and other charming delights, spin by this site now.

Oktoberfest celebrations can take place in a cozy, pub-like setting or a vast and airy hall, the sort of space with long, wooden tables and a grand stage built for oompah magic.

They can also move outdoors, too, into the picturesque town squares and leafy, lake-close spots that feel especially fall-ish.

But arriving with your pup? That usually isn’t a given. The stein-and-lederhosen scene is usually devoted to people pleasures, meaning hounds are often not around.

There is, however, an Oktoberfest-inspired happening in Southern California that is very much about sipping something sudsy while our pooches strut at our side: Dogtoberfest.

The fluffy festivities are trotting each weekend in October at South Coast Botanic Garden in Palos Verdes Peninsula, so you still have a few opportunities to stop by, soak in the sun and cooler temperatures, and enjoy a brew alongside your four-footed bestie.

The garden shared a few photographs from the first weekend of Dogtoberfest 2024; take a look now and get to work sewing your dog’s adorable dirndl, the one that matches your own festive ensemble.

The simple life? More like the suite life.

Paris Hilton and the Beverly Hilton hotel in Beverly Hills have teamed up to transform two hotel suites to celebrate the icon’s new album, “Infinite Icon.” 

Now through Nov. 1, guests can book their “Stay Like an Infinite Icon” experience. Here’s what it’s like to sliv like Paris.

Check-in at the Beverly Hilton

Upon entering the hotel, stacks of pink luggage on a pink bellman’s cart greet guests. 

Head up to the 8th floor, pass the Circa 55 rooftop restaurant and lounge, and you can’t miss the pink, glittery suite doors emblazoned with the words “Stay Like an Infinite Icon.” The room keys even have Paris’ face on them. 

Inside the one-of-a-kind suites

Paris and her media company 11:11 Media collaborated with the Beverly Hilton to “capture the essence of Paris’s iconic lifestyle.” The 980 sq. ft. suite with pink and metallic accents features a bedroom, spa-like bathroom and a private terrace overlooking Wilshire Boulevard.

health & wellness Oct 1

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“The rooms are complete with a touch of glamour, fun, and, of course, lots of pink,” Hilton said in a news release. 

From rotating columns that contain Paris’ favorite DVDs to a pink karaoke machine to a hidden snack drawer stocked with candy and popcorn, the suites were carefully curated to contain Paris’ favorite things. 

Upon entry, you’ll see futuristic furniture inside a pink living room along with a dining room and vanity area. Framed pictures of Paris, a pink vintage record player playing her tunes and replica rugs like the ones Paris has in her own home make the suite feel homey.  

The suite contains 26 different shades of pink, according to Shan Lui, Vice President, Partnerships & Experiential Marketing, Hilton.

The bedroom contains a nod to the “Infinite Icon” album artwork, a pink mini fridge and, of course, a dog bed and rhinestoned dog bowl for your pampered pooch. 

The bathroom includes one of Paris’ inspirational quotes: “Never pass a mirror without looking in it.” Quotes like this are scattered throughout the suite. Drop some pink bath salts in the bath tub and take in a view of Beverly Hills while soaking.  

Thirsty? In-room offerings even include a visit from a bartender during “Sliving Happy Hour.” 

The ‘Stay Like an Infinite Icon’ experience

Guests can start their day with a Simple Life breakfast at 11:11 a.m. and end it with a turndown service, complete with a wellness shot and a surprise treat. 

Should you need anything else to sliv your best life, a 24-hour concierge is at your service. 

Hotel-check out

Don’t forget to sign your autograph in the bedazzled “For the Stay” guestbook. To complete your stay, a bellman will arrive at 12:30 p.m. to bring your luggage downstairs and see you off.

The limited-time experience is available to book now through Nov. 1. 

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Gaze into the distance and you’ll likely detect bright orange pumpkins and candy-hued high jinks, the sort of vibrant swirls that add sorcery to Halloween.

But just beyond those ensorcelled elements?

Why there is a famous fellow who is green and furry and full of quips, and we’re fairly sure he has a bestie named Max as well as cute, Claus-like clothes.

It’s the Grinch, of course, the spirited and ceremonial host of “Grinchmas,” one of the grandest and most gleeful parts of the holiday season at Universal Studios Hollywood.

The glad-making green scene whimsically weaves through the heart of the Universal City theme park over a few fall and wintry weeks, giving Grinchies — those would be the devoted fans of the dapper Dr. Seuss icon — plenty to savor, from live singing to wholesome Who cameos to photo-fun moments by the straight-from-a-storybook tree.

But there’s more fantastical sights and sounds afoot, and when we say “afoot” we do, of course, mean “a-webbed-foot.” The adorable Frog Choir will return to The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, where “The Magic of Christmas at Hogwarts” will shimmer most boldly.

And we do, indeed and quite, mean “boldly,” for “a mesmerizing light projection show” will play across Hogwarts, giving onlookers a taste of yuletide-inspired enchantment.

Enchanting visuals will also reign inside Super Nintendo World, which will also be adorned with holiday baubles. Super Star will top a picture-ready tree, while “for the first time ever” seasonal merchandise will be available for purchase at stores around the colorful land.

Soaking in the Grinchy, frog-tastic, and starry splendor of the season? It’s included with admission to the theme park, though you’ll want some funds for shopping and snacking.

Tickets? Find yours here, as well as more details about what’s afoot — a-webbed-foot — at the famous theme park.

Universal Studios Aug 29

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Universal Studios and NBC-owned TV stations operate under the same parent company NBCUniversal.

The band made a surprise appearance at the New York City record store Rough Trade on Tuesday morning, stopping in to perform a song for the customers shopping inside.

Chris Martin and the seven-time Grammy winning band — who released their newest album “Moon Music” on Friday — performed an acoustic version of their latest single “feelslikeimfallinginlove.” 

“They kind of wanted it to be something where there were customers just shopping and, all of a sudden, they walk in and start playing,” said George Flanagan, the store manager at Rough Trade. “Which is kind of exactly what happened.”

Coldplay had just finished performing on the “TODAY” show in Rockefeller Plaza, a short walk down the block from the record store. But they came back out for an encore, at least for the few who happened to be searching the shelves for vinyl at the time.

With the band on the makeshift stage, other fans who were taking photos in front of the store were also invited in by an employee, giving them free admission to a one-song Coldplay concert. 

“How you doing?” Martin said as they entered. “Welcome to Rough Trade.”

Added Flanagan: “The reaction was like, ‘Oh my God! How did we just walk into this?!’ And Chris Martin was like ‘Welcome!’ in the midst of the song.”

One fan wearing a hat in celebration of her 70th birthday was invited on stage by Martin while the band performed. She danced alongside him, with Martin giving her a kiss on the head. 

“That was just a very sweet moment,” Flanagan said. “Kind of serenaded her.”

Coldplay didn’t inform Rough Trade they’d be serenading their customers until the night before when the store received a phone call.

“Their team reached out yesterday, very last minute,” Flanagan said. “They were doing the ‘TODAY’ show appearance and thought it’d be fun to throw in a little pop-up record store show.”

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The store is well known for hosting signings and performances by prominent artists, but the occasions typically come with advance notice and some publicity — although Sabrina Carpenter also unexpectedly stopped in recently.

This performance was to be a well-kept secret, even as Coldplay fans surrounded the area. 

“Because their fan base was already going to be in attendance for the ‘TODAY’ show, to put it out there would mean — we’re a very small store — so, I mean, it could be like a mob scene,” Flanagan said.

“At the end of the day, we want to make sure it’s safe for the artist and enjoyable for the fans. In a perfect world, there’s usually some planning involved, but of course you’re not gonna say no when a band like Coldplay calls up and offers to do something like that.”     

The four-man band quietly entered through the back door. They squeezed into the store’s photo booth to take a picture — reproductions of which will now be included with copies of the band’s new album purchased in-store at Rough Trade beginning Thursday. They picked up their guitars and a band that sells out stadiums began their impromptu performance in front of a handful of fans, which Martin joked reminded him of when they first started playing shows.

“We were prepared for word to spread, and I think if they did maybe a few songs, the crowd would have magnified,” Flanagan said. “But I think because it was the one song, in and out, it ended up being this amazing, intimate performance.”

It was para-para-paradise.

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Stars in Southern California? They aren’t solely found along Hollywood Boulevard.

Our storied region is home to more than a few timeless venues that have enduring fandoms, those devoted followings that effortlessly span the generations.

And when those venues regularly appear on the silver screen, as The Smoke House Restaurant often does?

Yep, you’re in the presence of Hollywood greatness.

Or, in the case of The Smoke House Restaurant — or just the Smoke House, if you prefer its snazzier shorthand — “Burbank bigness.”

The red-booth’d charmer, which opened in 1946, has long held court on Lakeside Drive, though if you think of the eatery’s street as West Olive Avenue, we get that: One side of the restaurant fronts the busy thoroughfare, and, just across the street, Warner Bros. Studio.

The Smoke House has long been the off-lot meeting place for studio luminaries, and we do mean “long been,” for the restaurant is marking its 78th anniversary throughout much of October 2024.

And to honor the milestone? Guests can look forward to various deals priced at $19.46, a nod to the eatery’s founding year.

The Smoke House has celebrated with anniversary deals before. Past $19.46 deals have included Brochette of Beef as well as the Pork Chop, two savory stalwarts from a menu brimming with stick-to-the-ribs favorites.

The kick-off night, Oct. 8, will also include a raffle for those guests who can count 1946 as their birth year (of course, they’ll be asked to show identification).

Even if you can’t swing by the Smoke House during its anniversary celebration — and the always-varied anniversary menu will be available through Oct. 31, giving you some time to make a date — you can always visit it on the big screen.

It was seen in “La La Land” in 2016 and “Argo” from 2012.

Of course, admiring the destination’s low-lit allure in a movie doesn’t put a basket of that obsessed-over World Famous Garlic Cheese Bread in front of you.

So perhaps the best plan is this: Stop by the Smoke House, order that basket of this decadent bliss and enjoy every warm and cheesy bite, then return home to admire the icon on-screen.

We’re positively glowing over the festive fact that some of Southern California’s sparkliest celebrations, the nighttime affairs that brim with incandescent enchantment, are just a few whimsical weeks away.

One of the largest and light-iest of the merry bunch is “LA Zoo Lights: Animals Aglow,” an illuminated experience that offers dazzling nature-inspired displays, pretty picture spots, and opportunities to sip tummy-warming drinks while you stroll the destination by the light of the moon (something of a rarity).

The bundle-up fun returns in mid-November for a multi-week engagement. And while most of the nights will offer oodles of “Aglow”-style enticements, there are some special nights, and themed offerings, coming up over the 2024-2025 season.

Peek at some past photos now and learn more about what’s ahead, including the all-new Holiday Pajama Night, a weekend-long celebration that will kick off December is flannel-snuggly style. Sweet: Tickets are on sale now, if you want to get your holiday season adventures sorted on the early side.

The restaurant chain announced it will once again offer its Boorito deal — for its 24th year — in honor of Halloween.

Chipotle Rewards members who come into an eatery dressed in costume this Halloween (Oct. 31) can get a $6 entrée from 3 p.m. until closing time throughout the United States. That price will be 7 Canadian dollars in Canada, while a £6/€7 entrée will be offered in locations in the United Kingdom and France.

In addition, 53 Chipotle locations in college towns across the U.S. will remain open until midnight on Halloween.

“As an annual Halloween tradition for our fans, we are always looking for ways to level up our celebration,” Chipotle chief brand officer Chris Brandt said in a statement. “By extending hours on college campuses and expanding the festivities across two continents for the first time, Boorito will be bigger than ever.”

This year marks the first time Chipotle’s European locations will get in on the promotion. The Boorito was initially sold in 2000 in the U.S. before expanding to Canada in 2009.

The return of the Boorito comes on the heels of Chipotle announcing in September that it has teamed up with Spirit Halloween to create a line of real Halloween costumes based on a trend in which people make fake costumes that are sold in the familiar Spirit Halloween packaging.

Some of the outfits you can purchase include Chipotle Fork, Chipotle Napkin, Chipotle Water Cup, Chipotle Burrito and Chipotle To-Go Bag. The costumes are available at select Spirit Halloween brick and mortar stores, as well as on its website.

This story first appeared on TODAY.com. More from TODAY:

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With the unseasonably toasty temperatures on the run for now — sort-of-ish — we’re seeking gleeful and spirited outdoor outings that don’t cost a bundle.

Or even part of a bundle, if we’re honest: We’d love something free and breezy as we dance into the middle of the month, especially as late October’s budget can involve the procurement of costumes and candy.

There are some pay-nothing delights flowering around town, including a merry revelry that is set to flower at a structure that boasts a beautiful botanical name: the Hollyhock House.

The hilltop gem, iconic architect Frank Lloyd Wright’s “first Los Angeles commission,” will be the setting for a spritely scene on Saturday morning, Oct. 12.

Well, a lawn near the Hollyhock House, we should add: “Puppets in the Park” has “park” in the name, a strong indication that you’ll be enjoying the upbeat offering outdoors, with the gorgeous abode as a nearby backdrop.

The Bob Baker Marionette Theater, which is really just a hop and a skip from the landmark’s East Hollywood location, will visit the home’s grounds for a half hour of happiness, theatricality, and out-and-out spunk-a-tude.

After the puppet performance wraps — that’s happening from 10 to 10:30 a.m. — kids and grown-ups are invited to stay and make crafts.

This is, again, free, and no reservation is needed (yes, even free events sometimes ask for a ticket, it is true).

Just roll up the hill like Jack and Jill — only in reverse — and jump into a fall Saturday whimsy that is meant to uplift, bring joy, and encourage creativity.

SoCal Corgi Beach Day, that seriously sweet and sizable gathering of short-legged lovebugs, is packed with cute and quirky competitions.

Past tournaments have included costume showdowns, limbo-themed larks, and contests devoted to the fluffy posterior portion of the Corgi.

Now a new competitive spectacular is coming up at the fall 2024 event, a competition that is all about finding the ultimate “L.B.C.” among attendees.

That stands for “Loudest Barking Corgi,” and you can bet that judges will be ready to hear your pumpkin’s “sassy yip” or a “howl that turns heads.” (“Deci-barks” will be scientifically employed to measure Corgi’s vocal output.)

Corgis are known for their loyal and protective qualities, which means that alerting their people via a pronounced bark is something they excel at.

And, yes, Corgis are also famous for their unabashed ability to proclaim their opinions at an impressive volume level.

Contest preregistration will happen a few weeks before the Huntington Dog Beach gathering — it’s romping Oct. 26 — and previous slots have filled up faster than a Corgi leaps for a bacon-flavored bubble.

Enter your pup for the “Loudest Barking Corgi” starting at 10 a.m. Oct. 9; sign-ups for the “Fetch Fanatic” contest open Oct. 10 and the “Bobbin’ for Halloweenies Eating Contest” welcomes potential entrants Oct. 11.

The Oct. 26 celebration will indeed have a Halloween theme, so feel free to dress your furry one in their best dino or monster ensemble.

Want to attend but currently find yourself Corgi-free?

You are welcome, as are non-Corgi dogs, too. Find out more about this huge twice-a-year event, which welcomes hundreds of pups for a day of sandy high jinks and salty kisses.

Atmospheric autumn-themed outings created for families do exist, even in Southern California.

True, it may stay a bit toasty through much of the tenth month, and the seasonal staples that we think of as classically “fall” aren’t easy to come by, at least around our sunny, light-on-foliage region.

But they do exist, and they exist for free, at least over two winsome weekends at Heritage Hill Historical Park.

That’s where Fall-O-Ween, a fall-centered revelry presented by the OC Parks team, takes place each year. And the 2024 dates are coming up faster than a pumpkin rolls: Oct. 11-13 and again from Oct. 18-20.

The picturesque park is decorated in its pumpkin-fun finery for the event, which includes “a scavenger hunt for ghoulish goodies” and “a bewitching straw maze.”

And, of course, spots for sweet snapshots, the kind of pictures you might use for next year’s Halloween-themed holiday cards, abound.

Sweet: Pets are welcome, if you’d like them to be in the photo with you (because of course), but do make sure that leashes are six feet or less.

“We’re looking forward to another fantastic year of Fall-O-Ween at Heritage Hill Historical Park,” said Chairman Donald P. Wagner, Orange County Board of Supervisors.

“Join us for two fun-filled weekends complete with picture-perfect photo backdrops and seasonal activities for the whole family in a charming historic setting.”

Note that this is an afternoon-into-evening treat, one that opens at 4 o’clock. That’s perfectly timed for autumn outing: It’s a little cooler during this time of day.

And, of course, an October evening possesses more than a little twilight twinkle. Find out more about this popular free event at the OC Parks site.

We’re not candied-out just yet — there are too many bat-shaped caramels and ghost-hued lollipops still haunting the store shelves — but we are beginning to think of the stove-warmed snacks of November, those rib-sticking foodstuffs that feel like a cool fall day was wrapped in a bready bun.

These savory stables of late fall do run the gamut, which means that asking any lover of heartier fare to alight on a single awesome eat that symbolizes the season can be a challenge.

But for many Porto’s-obsessed Southern Californians, Thanksgiving can’t truly begin with a golden plate of Turkey & Gravy Potato Balls.

These seasonal orbs of well-spiced deliciousness are a palate-pleasing play on the world-famous Potato Ball, a goodie that might just be the best-known menu item at Porto’s Cafe & Bakery. (We say “might” knowing that the Milk N’Berries Cake fans are also extremely dedicated to their favorite delicacy.)

But unlike the powerhouse Potato Ball, a year-round classic, the Turkey & Gravy Potato Ball is a seasonal offering, one you need to purchase in the days leading up to Thanksgiving.

Or even Halloween: A dozen Turkey & Gravy Potato Balls are now available on the Porto’s Bake at Home site, giving the biggest ball buffs a chance to enjoy their favorite fall treat in October, days ahead of Halloween.

You can also swing by your go-to Porto’s — there are six locations, including Buena Park and Burbank — and pick up a single Turkey & Gravy Potato Ball for $1.89, if you’re just seeking a quick and satisfying taste.

Of course, the Turkey & Gravy Potato Ball isn’t the only quirky spin on the superstar snack. There’s a Cheese & Spicy Pepper Potato Ball on the Porto’s line-up, and, in the springtime ahead of Easter, the Seafood Potato Ball makes a tangy return.