The Halloween spirit abounds as we near that spooky date. There’s much to see and do in the area, before the candy-fest arrives next Saturday. Whether you want to step back in time to celebrate Halloween the way Long Islanders did over 120 years ago, stop by Cradle of Aviation museum for some “haunting” after hours, visit the grounds of Nassau County Museum of Art all dressed up in its Halloween finery, or find some scary thrills at one of the haunted houses in the area, there’s something for Halloween lovers of all ages. Here’s a round-up of where to go this weekend: more

In what is becoming an increasingly bitter, partisan battle, Nassau County Legislator Ed Mangano, a Republican, is challenging incumbent Democrat Thomas Suozzi for the county executive’s seat. The race appears to boil down to three key issues: property taxes, a recently imposed 2.5 percent energy tax and the county’s troubled property-tax assessment system. Mangano is challenging Suozzi’s handling of all three issues, while Suozzi fires back that the county has consistently balanced its budget while improving its bond rating, which reduces the interest the county must pay when it bonds money for any number of projects. more

The race in the 5th Legislative District pits incumbent Legislator Joe Scannell (D-Baldwin) against Republican and Conservative party candidate Chris Browne. more

While Nassau County residents are paying some of the highest taxes in the nation, Comptroller Howard Weitzman has done his part to ease the burden somewhat. During the past eight years Weitzman has shown that he is a competent financial watchdog, and has looked for savings in places no one before him ever tried. more

It’s the time of year to savor being outdoors in the crisp autumn air, as the leaves begin to change color. The weekends are chock full of festivals that celebrate the best of the season. You don’t have to go far this weekend to find something to enjoy, besides the pumpkin picking. more

John Ciotti and Nina Petraro Bastardi, who are facing off for Ciotti’s 3rd District seat in the county Legislature, agree that taxes are out of control in Nassau County. more

Too often, we hear the horror stories of DWI. A drunken driver rips apart a family, maiming or killing a father, a mother, a brother or sister. Since the outbreak of World War I in 1914, more Americans have died in drunken driving crashes than in both World Wars and the Vietnam War combined — 594,161 U.S. soldiers compared with 1.6 million DWI victims and counting, according to Mothers Against Drunk Driving. more

The nation’s crafts artists – including some of the best from our area – display their talents at the annual Craft As Art Festival at Nassau County Museum of Art this weekend. It’s more than an “arts and crafts” show, the artisans participating in this showcase demonstrates that, in their hands, crafts can be considered an art form. more

Some comic relief is at hand this weekend, courtesy of the Nassau Pops Symphony Orchestra. Joe Piscopo, of “Saturday Night Live” fame, brings his special talents to the Orchestra’s annual Gala Benefit for United Cerebral Palsy of Nassau on Sunday. more

George Maragos, CEO of a financial services business, is challenging two-term incumbent Howard Weitzman in the race for Nassau County comptroller. Maragos said that the county’s finances have been poorly managed for the past eight years, and he believes his experience can bring needed change. more