Do you have any Columbus Day weekend traditions? Yes, we said Columbus Day. This three-day weekend isn't like Memorial Day or Labor Day, with those family cookouts, but it IS the first holiday weekend after school starts, and it DOES take place during October. 

So why not take advantage?! Here are some events taking place that weekend that may inspire you for your own mini vacation.

Amusement Park Mayhem. Many amusement parks start their Halloween events in early October. Fright Fest presented by SNICKERS® will transform Six Flags into a “scream park” starting October 1st. Discount tickets will be available, so check sites like Skipadoo or purchase early on the Six Flags website. 

A Taste of Germany. Search online for “Oktoberfest October 8 2016” and you’ll find celebrations all over the country. The Nashville festivities look very promising, with events for the whole family, including a dog parade and dachshund races.

Splash in the Ocean. The beaches are less crowded during October, and the weather is still nice enough to play in the sand. Check out beach getaways on Groupon.

Fly High. Hot air balloon festivals take place around the country on Columbus Day weekend; New Mexico, South Carolina, and Illinois to name a few. Whether you find a local event or travel across the country, you'll feel like a kid again watching the balloons.

Ride the Rails. Why not take a trip through time? There are fall foliage excursions available in many states including New York, Michigan, and New Hampshire.

However you decide to spend Columbus Day weekend, remember to take lots of photos, enjoy yourself and each other!

The first Monday in October is Child Health Day. Below are some issues that adults rate as the biggest health concerns for children, along with some resources addressing them.

Childhood obesity. Here are key steps parents can take to promote healthier eating and an active lifestyle at home.

Bullying. Read about the effects of bullying, how to assess bullying in your child's school and find steps to promote awareness in your community.

Internet safety. Learn how to monitor your child's computer usage with these tips.

Drug abuse. Are you up to date on the current slang terms for drugs? Read about other warning signs of drug use and more on the National Institute on Drug Abuse site.

Child abuse and neglect. Find some expert tips on protecting your children.

Sexting. It might be time to have THE TALK with your kids—and it's probably not one your parents ever had with you. Learn what you should discuss with this tip sheet. 

School violence. Preventing any kind of harm to our children is every parent's concern. Check out some ways you can help.

While it's a relief that diseases like polio and tuberculosis no longer top the list of parents' concerns for their children's health, modern medicine can only do so much. The first step for a healthy child is great parenting. 

Hope you’re up for the challenge!

You may not realize that rather than celebrate Columbus Day each year, California and South Dakota have the public holiday Native Americans Day instead. The holiday's purpose is to explore, support and share in the traditions and cultural background of Native Americans. In California it is observed the fourth Friday of September (9/23 this year), and on the second Monday in October (10/10) in South Dakota. Indigenous People's Day is similarly observed instead of Columbus Day in Berkeley, CA, as well as in Minnesota and Washington State.

One way you can observe Native Americans Day this year is by trying out some of the ways the tribes traditionally promoted good health.

Play some games!Both indigenous men and women played a wide variety of active sports, often with the goal of ensuring a good harvest or healing the sick. Although many tribes claim to be the inventors of lacrosse, it was definitely a game that was played in the hopes that their tribe would prosper. Here are some games you and your family might try. 

Dance, baby!  Whether it was for healing or prayer, initiation or storytelling, there are, and were, many reasons for the indigenous peoples to dance. Join them! For inspiration, watch some Native American dances on YouTube.

Eat Well.  The introduction of European foods changed the indigenous peoples' diet—mostly for the worse. Many Native Americans have Type 2 diabetes. Try a recipe or two with the traditional, healthier ingredients.

Observe Native Americans Day like a healthy American!

Are you one of those “leaf freaks”— those devoted admirers of autumn and its vivid hues of gold, orange, red, bronze, and purple? Are you ready to make the pilgrimage into the countryside and see the lovely palette nature has to offer?

When planning your fall foliage tour, the first thing to do find out when and where the colors are changing. This map gives The Weather Channel's best guesses, but generally the leaves begin changing color in mid-September in Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont, and gradually move southward through the warmer climates through the end of October. Color usually peaks around Columbus weekend, depending on the temperature and rainfall.

Here are some areas you might want to explore in New England this fall:

• Take in the clean, crisp air and be inspired as Thoreau was at Walden Pond. Nature lovers and history buffs alike can find plenty of activities nearby while admiring the view.
• Speaking of authors, Stephen King fans can visit “mecca” while admiring the lovely shades of fall in Bangor, Maine. The state has a helpful website to help plan your foliage adventures.
• “Magical” and “wonderful” were among the adjectives reviewers on Trip Advisor used to describe Quincy Bog Natural Area in Rumney, New Hampshire. Home to many varieties of plants, this area is also a favorite with birdwatchers. The nearby Polar Caves are a popular destination as well.
• A car isn’t the only way to enjoy great color. Why not see nature's annual display from a steam train or a riverboat?

No matter your individual tastes, there is a foliage route for you!

Patriot Day, also known as The National Day of Service, is a day for honoring those who lost their lives on September 11th, 2001, by doing at least one good deed. Even if you’re new to the area, or community service has never really been “your thing”, there are plenty of ways to get involved.

Look on websites like eventful.com and eventbrite.com (search for “volunteer”) for places and events in your area that appeal to you. Contact the venues and inquire if there is anything that you can do to help out.

Think about your normal activities and interests and see if they don't naturally suggest a way you can help someone out.

• Good at woodworking? Build flower boxes or bird houses for the local park, homeless shelter, Habitat for Humanity, etc.
• Social media is your expertise? Think of all the collection drives you could do for your area by reaching out to the people in your network—food, blankets, coats, shoes, baby clothing, sporting equipment, school supplies, books, board games, old phones, unused cosmetics, pet food and more.
• Do you have a special skill? Offer to demonstrate at a local women's shelter, at a PTA meeting, a fundraising event, the library, the museum, or a nursing home.

Young people can find volunteer campaigns to “make the world suck less” at DoSomething.org. There are also opportunities for scholarships.

Spend a little while today finding some way to help others in need, and do it! It's a great way to remember the fallen, and it's a wonderful gift.

Labor Day weekend doesn't seem complete without getting out the grill, does it? Having friends and family over for a barbecue is what the holiday is all about—as well as some good eating!

Safety first, though! Many injuries occur during grilling season, so take care that you are following the instructions provided with your grill and using a little common sense:

• Only use your grill outdoors—not in the house, camper, or tent.
• Use long-handled tools and potholders.
• Trim the fat from meats to prevent flare-ups.
• Never add charcoal starter fluid after coals have been ignited.
• Have a box of baking soda handy in case of fire, and a fire extinguisher or hose.

Now, on to the recipes!

You may have your tried-and-true recipes that you're known for, but if you're ready to take it up a notch and experiment with some truly decadent dishes, the BBQ Pit Boys have you covered. They'll show you how to select the right cuts of meat for the smoker or grill, along with tips and tricks on cooking some great recipes. Watch their Peanut Butter & Jelly Ribs recipe video and see if your mouth doesn't start watering!

What about beer and chicken? Find out here. There's a lot of controversy about whether the beer (or other liquid) in the can actually provides any flavor or moisture to the chicken, but cooking a chicken vertically means you have more room on your grill for other goodies.  What’s not to like?

Happy grilling!