As you prepare for Halloween trick-or-treaters, it's a thoughtful gesture to keep some nonfood treats on hand for children who may be allergic to certain ingredients, or who maybe have enough sugary items in their goodie bags. Victoria Groce, who wrote the Food Allergies Guide for About.com, suggests these: stickers, pens and pencils, Halloween-themed plastic ring, practical joke gear (fake blood, slime), activity/coloring books, art supplies, small puzzles or toys. As the evening wears on, offer kids a choice.

— Wanda Adams

PALMYRA PROJECT

About a dozen scientists at a time work at a research station on Palmyra Atoll, which has never had an indigenous population — that fact, plus the island group's isolation make Palmyra an ideal place to understand the systems that make up our natural world. Owned by The Nature Conservancy since 2000, Palmyra Atoll is the focus of a four-part National Public Radio series. Learn about shark tracking, climate change research and football-size coconut crabs. You can hear the program and see video of Palmyra at www.npr.org (do a keyword search for "Palmyra"), or download the program for free at iTunes.

— Advertiser Staff

FINAL WORD

"Where in the world is this place where there are no black people? I want ... people who have been ignored by Hollywood for years to get great entertainment that they can share with their families."

Tyler Perry | whose film, "Why Did I Get Married?" ruled the box office this month, in Entertainment Weekly