The images are awful. All over the big ‘ole area that is Los Angeles, California h
omes, businesses, schools, banks, libraries, places of worship and more, are wiped out in a matter of minutes.
When the winds calm down the fight goes on in the skies. This real life horror movie is still going on a week after it started.
And what about the children who may not have a house anymore – or a school?
They are horrified like everyone else following the daily updates. What can they do?
“We may be a long ways away from the west coast but by golly there’s something we can do to help.”
Zulah and Scoop are out covering another story, but when they they get the call from mayor, they hurry over to City Hall.
As Scoop packs up his camera gear, Zulah has a thought. “I’m glad the mayor is focusing on children. 
The need is so great out there in L.A. We wouldn’t know where to start.”
Scoop tosses his bag into the white news van and throws Zulah the keys. 
I’ll go ask Rita Malena to come to our meeting at the mayor’s office. As the Director of the Community Center she can help us.”
And dear readers, that’s what Shady Pines Story Town is all about. Even when our world seems dark or discouraging, we allow kindness and caring to guide our way. It’s how we try to bring a little light where and when it’s needed most!
By golly, fall is burstin’ out all over Shady Pines. You can feel it in the the cooler, crisper air. Not only that, bute the leaves on the trees are turning all sorts of red, orange and yellow.
So, I asked some folks what they do to get ready for this delicious activity. Here’s what I found out:
Okay. This is where I had to really hunt for advice since I’ve never picked an apple in my life. You’ll know that an apple is ripe when the stem of the apple is easily removed from the spur of the branch. You do this with a gentle twist-and-pull motion.
STORING
Now, here’s the kicker. Everyone I spoke to told me the beauty of apple picking really lies in tradition. The apple picking tradition is important because these are memories you share together. It inclues everything we’ve discussed. It’s about deciding where to go and whether you go to the same spot each year.
Their job was much harder and more dangerous than the chores kids do today, like cleaning their room and taking out the trash.
demanded better pay, fewer hours, and safer working conditions.
Thousands of union workers participated in the 2018 Labor Day Parade. New York City’s biggest labor unions came flooded the Midtown Manhattan street as a reminder of the hard-fought rights won by the nation’s labor unions and, according to the prevalent chant of the day, that “New York City is a Union Town.”
Some people say the September date was chosen because it falls between the 4th of July and Thanksgiving.
Just so you aren’t disappointed, Monday night’s moon won’t actually look pink, though.“The moon will be its usual golden color near the horizon and fade to a bright white as it glides overhead,” the Almanac said.
Halloween & COVID-19: Have Fun While Staying Safe
Halloween is such a blast. You get to come up with a costume, decorate pumpkins and go trick or treating with your friends. Hi everyone. Scoop the Cub Reporter here from The Shady Pines Gazette news.
My editor, Zulah Talmadge, gave me this assignment becuase she knows I think this holiday is really cool.
So here’s the first thing I found out when I talked to an infectious disease doctor from nearby River City. Dr. Kelly Claiborne told me that you should keep doing what you have been doing: avoid large gatherings, keep a distance of six feet from others, wearing cloth face coverings (think superhero!), and wash your hands often.
Virtual costume parties & parades
Here’s something else the good doctor told me. We’re all using video to talk to one another these days. So, why not use video chats for an online party with friends and family and show off costumes? You can play games, too. 
Have fun with it! Outdoor costume parades are another way to go. You just have to remember to stay at least 6 feet apart and wear cloth face coverings. There are a lot of new Halloween masks out there that cover your nose and moth.
Spooky Movie Night
You could do what my friends and I did last year. We made Halloween into spooky movie night and we dressed up like our favorite characters. Dr. Claiborne says you can do this, too, as a family at home. Or, your child can watch with their friends while video chatting. Just make sure everyone starts the movie at the same time. To make it easier for you I looked up tips on finding age-appropriate movies for your child. Read more here.
Decorating pumpkins
This is one Halloween tradition that’s as safe and fun as ever.
You just have to be careful. My buddy, Tommy, cut his finger a couple of years back. He was OK, but it was kinda scary at first. Dr. Claiborne says if you have young kids you can always have them draw a face with markers. Then parents can do the cutting. And, just to be on the safe side, try using a battery-operated light rather than an open-flame candle inside the pumkin when you finish.
Halloween-themed treats
My mom is always coming up with great Halloween treats. One year we decorated a pizza with toppings in the shape of a jack-o’-lantern. She also made some killer cupckes that looked like ghosts. Those were pretty cool. We’ve even done popcorn with red peper and parsley flakes for color and “doughnuts of doom.” I’m sending you the recipe for those and some treats you might want to make for yourselves. GO HERE
Outdoor community events
Here’s something else to do. You can look for events in your community that are focused on safe ways to have fun. Check out your local parks, arboretum, zoo or other outdoor venues to see what they might be doing this year.
One thing all the experts agree on is that you should avoid indoor events like haunted houses. 
In Shady Pines we’re going to have a haunted pumpkin patch near this really big old house. It’s close to Stonewall Park. We’re working on making the lighting super spooky! Everyone will have to wear a mask and we’ll have a one-way path through the area.
If your kids will be outside, mark their costumes with reflective tape. Oh, and make sure to tell them to be careful around cars. Drivers may not see them. Make sure shoes fit well and that their costumes are short enough they won’t trip on them.
Trick-or-treating in your community
Mayor Beauregard Fibbs is discouraging Trick-or-treating in Shady Pines. If it’s still on in your neighborhood, experts want you to avoid large groups or gahtering at doorsteps.
If you’re the one handing out treats, consider sitting outside if you can. Get everyone to line up individually. I’m finding out it’s really best to have prepacked treat bags for the kids. Don’t forget to wear your own mask!
How much touching objects spreads the COVID-19 virus isn’t clear.
If your kids collect treats from a few, socially distanced neighbors, you may want to wipe the packages when you get home. And, yeah, washing your hands or using hand sanitizer before and after trick-or-treating is always a good idea.
Remember
Hey, here’s the deal. Halloween during the COVID-19 pandemic is another reminder we live in challenging times. It means everyone is coming up with new twists on favorite family traditions. We’re having to be really creative. Even our Halloween costumes and the way we dish up candy is being re-thought. None of this is a bad thing.
We’re lucky to live here. Shady Pines is a place where we come together to solve problems. We respect other people’s points of view. But we have to fight this vius any way we know how.
I guess what I’m learning from experts is this. Holiday or no holiday, when adults are being positive and doing the right thing it’s a good thing for kids to see. They’ll start making good choices, too. So, this Halloween, let’s all have some scary good fun and think about the safety of others at the same time!
-Scoop out