I completely forgot to contact that hotel in Mission Valley. You know the one that has “Joy” spelled out with the lights on, in various rooms? I was going to suggest they write “Boo” for October. And with the stories that keep coming out about hotels not doing well in this economy, I’m sure they’d have the rooms available to do that.

I heard that the White House was letting 2,600 kids trick-or-treat there. I’m not sure how they came up with that number. Did the Obama’s have that many Butterfingers or something?

Oh wait, I did hear that they gave away baggies holding White House M&Ms and a sugar cookie in the shape of the White House. And they were made with something all kids would love – dried apricots, apples, and papayas. Geez, Mr. President…I’m guessing your house is going to be covered with “white” toilet paper very soon.

Which makes me wonder…does the Secret Service do some kind of check? I mean, you’ve got children coming up with bags. And the President and Michelle opening the door to greet them.

Apparently, they had orange lights and cobwebs and a giant black spider, set up for decorations. I’m guessing they could’ve had a George Bush scarecrow set up or something. That would’ve scared some people. Maybe a Cheney dummy holding a hunting rifle.

I had always heard about the Easter egg hunts the White House hosted, but never a Halloween event. It turns out the Nixons did something for underprivileged kids, and the Fords and Carters welcomed trick-or-treaters.

On a much more negative Halloween note, I read in the Union-Tribune that authorities were checking up on sex offenders.

Probation officers only made one arrest in San Diego, after various sweeps visiting sex offenders who aren’t allowed to have contact with children during Halloween.

They staked out houses to see if the door was answered when trick-or-treaters showed up. None did.

They also checked out a few carnivals, to make sure no offenders were there.

Apparently, they aren’t allowed to even put up decorations, and the ones that have roommates, are told they have to go to the back of the house and not participate.

It’s nice to know the police are on top of these things.

Now, if I can just see a Dateline, with Chris Hanson showing up in a Halloween costume and asking one of the sex offenders “Is there a reason you’re opening door and giving out candy? Can I come in and talk to you about this?”

The perv would respond with, “I was just opening the door because I thought it was my brother showing up.”

Hanson: “Then why are you holding candy in your hands? Now here, I brought some cookies. Let’s sit down and discuss this…”