It's all Halloween all the time here in New Jersey and the events are flying fast and furious (on brooms, even.) Here are a few more haunted houses, a haunted firehouse, a few haunted towns, a scary aquarium and even a frightening cake contest. I'm terrified. Especially of the baked goods.

Let’s see, what weird holidays can we celebrate in October, besides the one where you wear scary masks so people will give you sugary items? How about a holiday for grumps? This weekend not only sports National Grouch Day, but a Latino Heritage Day, a Basset Hound Day, and a few fun Harvest Days. Yep, we try to give you a few choices other than Halloween stuff. You’re welcome.

Not that we need another reason to love Turtle Back Zoo, but we were given one anyway. It’s called “The Treetop Adventure Course”, an awesomely challenging obstacle/ropes course set 35 feet above ground. This is serious exercise and serious fun for the whole family. You want to make a memory with your kids? Strap on a harness and climb through the trees together.

I know that for some people, mathematics is the supreme beauty of the universe; let me just say that I am not one of these people. However, the new carnival-themed “Math Midway” exhibit at Liberty Science Center came very close to making me a believer. Colorful, marvelously interactive and just plain fun, Math Midway will appeal to all ages, with different levels of appreciation and comprehension.

If you’re wondering why the word “carnage” is popping up on your happy family go-to site, it’s because this carnage is a very profound and very funny play about parenting. (Or lack thereof.) Tagged as “A Comedy of Bad Manners”, the Mile Square Theater and director Chris O’Connor do an excellent job of bringing to life two sets of parents who attempt to have a civil discussion about their children’s recent altercation. The result is disastrous, hilarious, and nearly as bloody as the title suggests.

Welcome to fall, NJ Moms and Dads. Hopefully by this weekend we will be able to put away our shorts and tank tops and pull out our jackets. Or at least a long-sleeved shirt. Octoberfests abound (plus one Catoberfest), festivals are everywhere, and there’s even some Native American celebrations to round out the fun. Oh, and most of it is free.  And “free” almost always equals fun, doesn’t it?

Yes, you read that right: surfing nuns. I know you're intrigued, so read on to find out about those ladies of the cloth and their saintly surfboards. If you'd prefer non-religious sports, try wending your way through the corn maze at Terhune Orchards on Apple Day. Or if you're looking for a good old fair, there are country fairs, folk fairs and a clown hoopla to choose from. And remember, the first official day of fall is next week, so enjoy your last weekend of summer!

I had the honor of being included in a preview and roundtable discussion of the CBS News/48 Hours special “Bullying: Words Can Kill” at CBS studios today. The special, to be broadcast Friday, September 16 at 8pm EST, bears its provocative title for a reason: the terrible statistic of more than 150 children in recent years having taken their own lives due to having been bullied. Despite this tragic number and the unsettling content of the show, the 48 Hours special is not gloom and doom—showcasing a Rhode Island middle school that has taken strong measures to address their bullying problem with a great deal of success.