Food Bank Needs Help | Firefighters Save Kitten: Saturday Smiles

The chilly mornings we have recently enjoyed in the Bay Area reminds us that Halloween is here and October is a wrap. If you are seeking some lighter news, safe Halloween activities and maybe a new recipe or two for your weekend, you have come to the right place.

We have more than a dozen stories guaranteed to make you smile.

Firefighters Save Kitten From Fire Caused By Lit Candle: SRFD

• All tenants of a Santa Rosa fourplex were displaced by the blaze, fire officials said.

Dealerships Donate $100K To Salvation Army For Disaster Relief

• The gift from Price Simms Family Dealerships will help support The Salvation Army of Napa and The Suisun City Salvation Army Kroc Center.

Coast Guard Rescues Man, Dog From Sailboat Near Hercules

• The boater contacted the Coast Guard using his VHF radio when the motor on his sailboat stopped working.

Los Gatos Group Donates Meals To Firefighters: Report

• Plant-Based Advocates donated meals to firefighters at the Winchester Fire Station earlier this month.

Hawk Rescued From Netting On Gas Station Roof

• The hawk was taken to a local veterinary hospital for a clean bill of health before being released.

3 Pleasanton Spots Included On New Tri-Valley Beer Trail

• Grab brews at 17 breweries, taprooms and restaurants along the Tri-Valley Beer Trail and get a T-shirt or gold-rimmed pint glass.

South Bay Food Bank Seeks Volunteers: Report

• Second Harvest CEO Leslie Bacho said her group needs more volunteers to help meet the growing demand.

Food Pantry For Diablo Valley College Students

• East Bay students who are food insecure may pick up food three days a week.

Halloween Fun:

Peninsula Mall Hosting ‘Jinxed Joyride’ Halloween Event

• Visitors are invited to decorate their cars for Halloween.

Pleasanton Haunted House Offers Movie Screenings, Spooky Sights

• The nine-year-old mastermind behind Porter's Scream House in downtown Pleasanton has expanded the enterprise.

Livermore Haunted House Takes The Spooky Fun Outdoors

• Don't miss the "Haunted 'I Spy' Game" at this Halloween display, which is open now through the holiday.

Winchester Mystery House Spooky But History Behind It Is Suspect

• A South Bay historian who authored the first full-length biography of Sarah Winchester questions Winchester Mystery House's lore.

10 Bay Area Haunts To Visit This October

• Take a socially distanced walk around some of these famed Bay Area haunted houses, parks and landmarks this spooky season.

Want To Meet A Presidential Ghost? Book This Hotel Room

• San Francisco’s storied Palace Hotel has hosted presidents and movie stars. Some, it’s said, never checked out.

Pumpkin Pancakes Recipe: Cooking With Courtney

• These delicious pumpkin pancakes are kissed with pumpkin pie spice, and made extra rich and fluffy thanks to a secret ingredient.

Pumpkin Toffee Delight: Reader Recipe Of The Week

• Walnut Creek Patch reader June shared a simple pumpkin toffee recipe that's been handed down for many years.

Where To Eat Free On Halloween 2020: Restaurant Steals & Deals

• California eateries are rolling out scary good treats - minus the tricks - with freebies, BOGOs & special menus for the spooky season.

If you have an idea for a nice news story in your town, let us know. Email your story tips to autumn.johnson@patch.com.