Boo to you

Get the candy: Halloween is still a month away, but the Cincinnati Museum Center at Union Terminal wants to start celebrating early: The annual BooFest starts Oct. 2.

After a stroll through the Enchanted Village, where favorite childhood characters live (and hand out goodies!) visitors can play carnival games, have their photo taken and ride a train - a haunted one called the Eerie Express.

BooFest, which is designed for children ages 4 and under, runs until Oct. 26. It's open 4-8 p.m. Thursday and Friday; 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Sunday. Admission: $6.75 for adults, $5.75 for seniors, $4.75 for children 3-12 and $3.75 for children under 2. Details, 287-7000.

Pasta tales

Mangia: Your kids can bring on the pasta - and a slew of cash - if their entries are winners in the Olive Garden restaurants' eighth annual Pasta Tales writing contest. Just have kids ages 7-16 tell the Italian food chain, in 250 words or less, "What is your favorite holiday meal with your family and what makes it special?"

Grand prize is a trip to New York, dinner at Olive Garden in Times Square and a $1,000 U.S. Savings Bond. Winners in each age category will get a $250 bond and dinner at Olive Garden.

You have some time to help correct grammar; the contest runs Oct. 6-Dec. 8. Entry forms will be available at Olive Garden locations, or by logging on to www.olivegarden.com.

Get crafty

Support the arts: St. Vivian FANS, a parent booster organization that supports music and art programs for students, will have a Fall Craft Show 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday at the school, 7600 Winton Road in Finneytown. Admission is free, and the work of more than 40 crafters will be up for grabs. Details: 931-2293.

Retro fun

Long live the '80s: Can't get enough of Miami Vice, Wham! and armloads of colorful bangle bracelets? You're stuck in the '80s, which makes you a shoo-in to win the 80s Game, a new board game that celebrates the decade through 3,000 pop culture trivia questions.

It's $32.95. Look for it at Target, Dillard's, Borders Books, and other locations, or see www.the80sgame.com for more details.

Take charge

Spirit guides: Want to explore the nature of your own power? The folks at Future Life Now of College Hill will sponsor a program the weekend of Oct. 3 at Spiritual Life Center in Northern Kentucky to help you reach the goal through movement lessons, creative explorations and story. Cost is $175 if you commute; $265 to stay at the Center. Register at Web site or call 541-5720.