Oh, how I love technology. Today I read on Digits, a Wall Street Journal blog covering tech news, that the popular real estate Web site Zillow has created an index of the best neighborhoods in which to trick or treat. Oh happy day!
In reading a little further I learned that they only indexed Seattle and Los Angles … but maybe they will go even further next year. And if you are lucky enough to live in one of these locales, make the most of your Halloween by checking out these top neighborhoods.
Top 5 Seattle Neighborhoods to Trick-or-Treat
1.Wallingford
2. Queen Anne
3. Magnolia
4. University District
5. Capitol Hill
Top 5 Los Angeles Neighborhoods to Trick-or-Treat
1. Venice
2. Los Feliz
3. Westwood
4. Silver Lake
5. Beverly Hills
According to Zillow they used a fairly complex methodology to come up with these rankings, including analyzing home values, walk-ability and crime rates. If you don’t live in one of these two areas, you might be able to come up with similar stats for neighborhoods in your area by using the tools available on Zillow. At the very least you should get the walk score for your area.
Is there a well-known trick-or-treat neighborhood in your community? Do they give out full size candy bars there? If so, what time should the Candy Dish Blog writers show up?
Imagine it’s October 31. It’s been a busy Saturday. First you stopped by your local community center to let the kids bob for apples and show off their costumes, then you attended a party at your sister’s house in celebration of Halloween. Now the kids have eaten a sensible dinner and your spouse has taken them out to make the neighborhood rounds in search of candy. You expect that your own door bell will ring any second.
What’s the most important thing you need to do in preparation? According to a national poll NCA conducted last month, it’s stash away some candy for yourself. Our poll results showed that four in ten adults admit they purposely keep treats behind, instead of giving all the loot away to revelers. In fact, nearly one third of adults admit that they will pocket at least a handful of goodies from the treat bowl to savor for themselves.
It’s not that surprising, I suppose, since the same poll showed that people are most likely to stock their candy bowl with their own personal favorites. I bet Candy Scientist Laura will be handing out milky caramels. Carl will hand out circus peanuts, of course. Tori will choose something gummi, and Susan S. and I will be give out chocolate.
The majority of Americans (52 percent) report that they will be handing out chocolate on October 31. Hard candy and lollipops (30 percent), chewy or gummi candy (19 percent), chewing or bubble gum (16 percent) and caramel treats (14 percent) round out the top five candy bowl selections.
It wouldn’t be Halloween without trick-or-treating – that’s why43 percent of celebrants cite costumes as one of the most indispensable parts of the holiday; alongside candy as a critical must-have on Halloween night.
Let’s hope the skies are clear come October 31, though – 38 percent of the folks that took our survey admitted that rain on Halloween night would be too scary to bear since it would dampen Halloween spirits and trick-or-treating traditions!
You can read more results in NCA’s Halloween press release.
So – fess up. Do you take treats from the candy bowl for yourself? How do you decide what to buy?
Trick or Treatby PumpkinWayne
Everybody wants Halloween to be a fun time, so let’s review a few safety precautions. Safety, especially when it comes to children, is everyone’s responsibility. According to the National Safety Council, the biggest safety concern for Halloween is the risk of injury. Here are some tips to help ensure a safe Halloween for everyone:
- Review appropriate trick-or-treat safety precautions with your kids – including pedestrian and traffic safety rules.
- Dress in light-colored or reflective costumes and carry a lightweight flashlight.
- Stay on the sidewalks or curbside unless crossing the street; look both ways for vehicles.
- The family should know the children’s trick-or-treat route and kids should stick to it.
- Young children should trick-or-treat with an adult; older children should trick-or-treat with friends or in a group.
- Go only to houses that are familiar and never enter homes.
- Drivers should pay special attention to speed limits and be alert to children who may be difficult to see at night.
- Parents should inspect all treats their children bring home before any are consumed. Any treats in loose or open wrappers should be discarded.
- If your candy looks unusual, please refer to our Variations in Candy Guide
- If your child has a food allergy, pay special attention to food labels. Remove from the house any candy with allergens your child needs to avoid. Talk to your child about the importance of avoiding allergens and show your school-age children where to look on food labels for allergen information.
Did I leave anything out? What would you add to this list?
Ghosts by peasap.
NCA recently conducted a survey – one much more organized than the one I did a few weeks ago – and found the top ten places to go for Halloween.
Each top 10 city tempts trick-or-treaters’ taste-buds with a sweet trip they won’t soon forget:
- Hershey, Pa. – Living up to its nickname “The Sweetest Place on Earth,” Hershey, Pa. ranked number one with a 61 percent consumer rating. Trick-or-treaters of all ages can delight in free samples on a free tour ride at Hershey’s Chocolate World; dare to ride the more than 60 exhilarating rides at Hersheypark; and indulge in a chocolate treatment at The Spa At The Hotel Hershey. Both Hersheypark and Hershey’s Chocolate World will host trick-or-treaters the last two weekends in October.
- New York, N.Y. – Fifty-four (54) percent of Americans want a sweet bite of the Big Apple. Home to landmarks like the imaginative and interactive M&M’s World, 16-story tall Hershey’s Time Square store, Jacques Torres Chocolate café and Dylan’s Candy Bar, it doesn’t need to be Halloween in New York City to find treats on every corner!
- Orlando, Fla. – Ranking third, 53 percent of Americans agree that sunshine and sweets can’t be beat. This Halloween indulge in the sweet treats at Downtown Disney’s whimsical candy, ice-cream and soda shops, including a replica of San Francisco’s Ghirardelli Square!
- San Francisco, Calif. – Fifty-two (52) percent of Americans say they want to go to Frisco for main attractions including Ghirardelli Square and renowned Scharffen Berger chocolate factory. Also nearby, explore fruity and fun Jelly Belly factory or see the world’s largest Pez dispenser (yes, it really works!).
- Chicago, Ill. – Home to more than 100 premier candy manufacturers and attractions, Chi-town offers a taste for every trick-or-treater. Crack open a box of Cracker Jacks at landmark Wrigley Field, or take an evening stroll down Michigan Ave. for a glimpse of the illuminated Wrigley Building. For indulgent delights, visit one of five Ethel’s Chocolate Lounges and don’t miss the free treats on The Chicago Chocolate Tour.
- Los Angeles, Calif. – Nearly half (48 percent) of adults say they’d like to get the star treatment at Disneyland’s Candy Palace with an extensive assortment of retro candies. And trick-or-treaters won’t want to miss nearby Godiva Chocolatier, Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory and famous See’s Candies factory.
- Boston, Mass. – Forty-seven (47) percent ofAmericans want a taste of Bean town and its rich candy history. Crowned the 2006 U.S. Trick-or-Treat Capital, Boston is known for “Americanizing” Halloween by launching popular traditions like carving pumpkins, wearing costumes and trick-or-treating. Discover the treats of Halloween’s birthplace at they city’s popular Sugar Heaven candy shop or dip into The Chocolate Dipper for handmade chocolates packaged in unique Boston themed assortments like ‘lobster’ and ‘clam chowder.’
- New Orleans, La. – At Halloween everything goes down easy in the Big Easy, like the classic pralines of the French Quarter and confections from local favorites including Evans Creole Candy Factory, Laura’s Candy Shop and Aunt Sally’s Praline Shop.
- Las Vegas, Nev. – Cash in your chips and enjoy the sweet side of Vegas. Candy lovers can check out a replica of the M&M’s sponsored #38 NASCAR racecar and catch a 3-D movie at M&M’s World, or enjoy fondue for two at landmark Ethel’s Chocolate Lounge. This Halloween, treat yourself to Vegas Images’ chocolate poker chips as you learn the tricks of the poker trade.
- Kansas City , Mo. – Kansas City entices more than a third (34 percent) of Americans with Russell Stover headquarters and Andre’s (Andre’s Confiserie Suisse) elegant Rivaz Tearoom. Don’t miss the creative artisan chocolates costumed in hand crafted designs by world-famous confectionery chef Christopher Elbow this Halloween.
This all begs the question – where would you like to go for Halloween if you could go anywhere in the world?
Illustration Friday – Trick or Treat by creativeFlutter AKA MazerDesign
