Feelings of sadness and depression are common during the holidays, but not inevitable.

Experts offer a variety of practical tips to keep the blues away during the dark chill of winter. Quick fixes like yoga, meditation, music, art appreciation and talking with friends come to mind. 

Flamenco, a dance style associated with the Roma or Gypsies of Spain, is the dance of the disposessed; the song of the 99%.  See the most stunning flamenco in the Bay Area at Peralta Hacienda Historical Park on December 1st, and your ticket will support programs for low-income youth and families in Oakland.

Not surprisingly there are a lot of Halloween and Day of the Dead events coming up. Many neighborhoods and churches are putting on kid-friendly Halloween parades and events. But the end of October also brings about the conclusion of the city walking tours for 2011.

Lots of different stuff to do coming up in Oakland. It's a First Friday this week, so Uptown and Downtown will be hopping. The current forecast has the rains stopping by then -- let's hope the forecasters are right!