Nancy DownerDirectorThe Reading CenterI think it''s absolutely a fabulous idea, because I think most people get a big kick out of it. It makes me laugh. My only problem is that I''m pretty unimaginative. But my office is very appropriate for it, because I work with children - young kids, junior high age, and high schoolers. Dressing up around Halloween really fits into the spirit of what we''re trying to offer here. And kids appreciate it, they can see that we like to have a good time, too. So we usually do something silly, dress up the office and ourselves, and the kids of course come in wearing all kinds of array. As someone who does physical security consulting for a living, all I can say is this: Enjoy the frivolity and partying, but be sure the company checks who''s behind those masks and costumes when employees leave, so no laptops leave with the revelers. Company computer thieves usually slip in unnoticed behind an employee with a passkey, and on Halloween it would be even easier. In the confusion and the party atmosphere, miserables security can get lax.

What do you think of people who wear Halloween costumes to work?Matt StoneSenior EditorMotor Trend MagazineAbsolutely. Why not? It''s funny, and it''s a uniquely American holiday. We don''t do that here, but every corporate culture is different. Back about three lifetimes ago I was a department manager at a commercial property management company, and my department made it our policy to win best costume on costume and ideas Halloween. I found it was a great team-building exercise. We won three years out of five, and we all went out to eat on the prize money.

But not everyone expected the recent tragedy to change the look of Halloween this year."I don''t think it''s going to have much impact on the costumes," said Payman Shaffa of Hollywood Toys & Costumes Inc. ROBINSON, Fay. Halloween: Costumes and Treats on All Hallows'' Eve. 48p. (Finding Out about Holidays Series). illus. photos. reprods. further reading. glossary. index. Web sites. CIP. Enslow. 2001. PLB $18.95. ISBN 0-7660-1632-3. LC 004)10909.Gr 3-5--Robinson opens with a lengthy history of Halloween and its ghostly beginnings. The next section explains the different symbols and traditions. The final chapter relates information about our modern celebrations, miserables safely issues for children, and costume and decorating ideas. Full-color, archival photos appear on almost every costume page. Directions for making ideas mini-ghosts are included but not illustrated, which may frustrate children. An additional purchase where more material on the history of the holiday is needed.--Wendy S. Carroll, Montclair Cooperative School, NJ It''s that time of year again: On Friday, there will be the usual assortment of receptionists in clown costumes and salesmen dressed as spacemen. So the Business Journal asks:

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