At the Homer City Council meeting on Monday, council member and super mom Rachel Lord urged people to slow down on these dark days, especially on Halloween. She mentioned one time making her way through downtown and worrying about kids in black costumes darting out into traffic.

“I was afraid I was going to hit a horde of goblin children,” she said.

Yep, it’s that time of year again. Watch out for people at crosswalks. Uh, yeah, you in that silver pickup truck. You’re supposed to stop for people in the zebra lines, which is why it’s a good idea to glance left at Pioneer Avenue before you take a right onto Lake Street. In Canada feisty old ladies with umbrellas will put a dent in your bonnet if you don’t yield to pedestrians.

Bicyclists and walkers, don’t assume that because you can see big hunks of steel with headlights that they can see you. Wear headlamps. Put on reflectors. Light up yourself or your bike like an alien UFO landing at the White House. Cross at intersections. Don’t zip into traffic.

We’ll get some snow someday, maybe, possibly, who knows? Meanwhile, with rain and ice, maybe, and just all-around nasty driving and walking conditions, it pays to be cautious. Look out for each other. Don’t trust that someone will see you. Make eye contact. Smile. Come Wednesday there will be hundreds of children afoot, zooming on a candy high, so creep along like their lives depend on it, because they do.

And while you’re waiting for the big day, get ready for fun with these Best Bets:

BEST SCARY STUFF BET: The one, the only, the absolute best scariest darn boat in the bay returns. That’s right, it’s the Haunted Hickory. Nobody does this better than the Coasties stationed here in Homer. The greatest fright night on the planet has two shows at 4 and 6 p.m. Friday at the Pioneer Dock. The early show is lights on for the easily rattled. The later show is for those who like their goosebumps. Admission is two nonperishable food items for the Homer Community Food Pantry. Dress warmly, of course.

BEST BRAINS BET: You’d better put on your running shoes if you take a stroll at Bishop’s Beach on Saturday morning because they’re might be zombies. These aren’t the shuffling kind, but elite, fit zombies who might actually catch you even if you can run a 5K under 30 minutes. That’s right: it’s the Homer Zombie Run 2018. Dress up like a zombie or a zombie hunter and help support the AK to DC program. Registration starts at 11 a.m. Saturday at Bishop’s Beach, with the race at noon.

BEST YOUR CALL BET: You know you’re going to eat tons of high-calorie candy over the next week, so why not burn off some pounds now? What better way to do that than the monthly Square and Contra Dance, starting at 7:30 p.m. Saturday at West Homer Elementary School. Dave Stutzer calls to the music of The China Pooters. Wear clean, soft soled shoes. Beginners are welcome. Admission is $10 adults, $8 students; free under 16.

Tyler Partin pretends to eviscerate fellow crew member Ben Bergeron during this year’s Haunted Hickory aboard the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Hickory on Thursday, Oct. 26, 2017 in Homer, Alaska. Hundreds of residents young and old line up to have the living daylights scared out of them by the Hickory crew and their families, who spend nearly two full days decking out the ship. (Photo by Megan Pacer/Homer News)

The Haunted Hickory features ghouls, goblins and monsters from the USCGC Hickory. Haunted Hickory welcomes the easily-scared from 4-5 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 26. The hardcore, you-can’t-scare-me crowd can can test the ship’s fear factor from 6-9 p.m. (Homer News file photo)