October 1997 RETURN TO HOME PAGE FEEDBACK

The little boys and ghouls of Noe Valley will be frightfully busy on Halloween, Friday, Oct. 31, making the rounds of the neighborhood haunts.

Kids who attend Marilyn Anne Lucas' Haunted House -- a 17-year tradition in Noe Valley -- will be magically transported to Babylonia. Says the Haunted House Lady cryptically, "This year we will travel to a time long ago and a place far away: the ancient land of Egypt, where we will visit the tomb of the Egyptian Cat Mummy, learn the stories and secrets of the ancient Egyptians, and find out how and why they made mummies."

The unveiling will take place at Lucas' secret cottage on Hoffman Avenue between 24th and Elizabeth streets. Just look for the house with the most decorated windows.

The first 350 kids who stop by between 5 and 8 p.m. will receive a bag of treats, Lucas says. Volunteers are also welcome. Give her a call at Lucas Realty, 285-6265, if you can help.

At Real Food Company, kids 12 and under are invited to dress up for the second annual Costume Contest. They can come by the store at 3939 24th St. (near Sanchez) any time on Halloween and have their photo taken. A panel of judges will award prizes to the winners in several categories, including scariest, most original, and cutest. The photos will be posted in the window and the winners will be announced Nov. 1. All trick-or-treaters will be awarded a heathy snack.

Kids of all ages can participate in Real Food's Pumpkin Carving Contest. Leave your work of art at the store on Halloween. Judges will award a $25 store gift certificate to the most original.

The winner will also be announced on Saturday, Nov. 1. Beth Saunders, Real Food's manager, says that Noe Valley residents should keep an eye out for the ValPak coupons that arrive in the mail; they will contain an offer of a free pumpkin from Real Food.

Upper Noe Recreation Center at Day and Sanchez streets will be the site of a free Halloween Carnival from 3:30 until 6 p.m. Kids ages 5 to 14 can enjoy the games, costume contest, candy, and prizes that recreation director Chris Borg is planning.

Over at the One Stop Party Shop at 1600 Church St., a witch will be casting spells on trick-or-treaters as she stirs her bubbling cauldron. Those brave enough to face her can stop by the store to receive candy starting at 11 a.m. (The shop will stay open until the stroke of midnight.)

Meanwhile, Carol Yenne, of Small Frys on 24th Street, says her store and those of many other merchants in Downtown Noe Valley will be eagerly awaiting visits from the neighborhood's prin-cesses, pirates, and toads. Bring a big bag for all the treats!