PUMPKIN PIE POP TARTS REVIEW (VIDEO) - HALLOWEEN COUNTDOWN

Happy Halloween to all of my readers! Halloween night is almost here, and it's time to review another Halloween-themed snack. Pop Tarts has two limited-edition flavors for Halloween, and the most promising variety is Frosted Pumpkin Pie. Can you really replicate a slice of pumpkin pie with whipped cream in a Pop Tart? You're about to find out, because I tested it out in this video review. The Halloween Countdown continues on the Robert Dyer Channel.

GET READY FOR HALLOWEEN AT BETHESDA ROW & BRUCE VARIETY TODAY (PHOTOS)

Bethesda Row is offering you "retail scare-apy" today from 5-7 PM all around the Row. Bring your trick-or-treat bag to Bethesda Row shops and restaurants and see what you'll get - like candy and 20% off at Bonobos on Bethesda Avenue, for example.

Stop by the green tent on Bethesda Lane near bluemercury first, to get your free trick-or-treat bag.

How about Roosters Men's Grooming Center on Arlington Road? During Trick-or-Treating, adults can receive a $10 gift card to use on any service for a first time visit, and a hot lather add-on for a shave (you don't need to get the shave tonight, though!). Kids will get candy and light refreshments.

Speaking of bluemercury, ladies, you will want to stop by during the event to try their M-61 Glow Express treatment for free.

For families in costume, Le Creuset will have free candy (even if you're not in costume), and a free cookie cutter for the first 30 costumed clans.

You can get free candy too at Jaleo, but adults might want to try a free sample of gazpacho.

Creative types can create their own Lilly print with crayons at the Pink Palm's drawing competition.

Equinox will have guest passes and temporary tattoos for kids.

And those are just a few of the treats in store tonight.

Be sure to enjoy a free live performance by local violinist Daisy Castro.

Not quite ready for Halloween yet?

Stop by Bruce Variety at 8011 Woodmont Avenue for costumes and decorations that will make you, and your house or apartment, stand out this Friday night.

HALLOWEEN BASHES AT UNION JACK'S, HARP & FIDDLE IN BETHESDA

Two downtown Bethesda bars are among those hoping partiers will choose to haunt their buildings this Halloween. 

Flanagan's Harp & Fiddle is promising a High Score Halloween, with a live (as opposed to undead) DJ, light show, and an ominously vague-sounding "Special Visual Presentation." Admission is free, and you can win cash prizes in their costume contest. There will also be drink specials, as you can see in the photo at top.

Flanagan's Harp & Fiddle

4844 Cordell Avenue

Meanwhile, the annual Nightmare on St. Elmo Street (actually Avenue, for GPS purposes) Halloween bash returns to Union Jack's Bethesda. The costume contest there has a travel grand prize, with a winner's choice of destinations: Las Vegas, New Orleans or New York City. There will also be other cash and prizes at stake for costume-sporting patrons. Halloween is this Friday, so start making plans now.

Union Jack's Bethesda

4915 St. Elmo Avenue

HALLOWEEN LUNCHABLES 2014 REVIEW: DIRT CAKE, S'MORES DIPPERS (VIDEO)

The Halloween Countdown is underway on the Robert Dyer Channel, and the latest video is a review of the Halloween Lunchables of 2014. This year, dessert seems to be the theme, with an Oreo-based Dirt Cake, and S'mores Dippers. I tried out both, and here is my review. Both have great Halloween themed packaging, but let's find out if the actual product is as good.

HALLOWEEN AT MUSSEL BAR BETHESDA ROW

Halloween is coming a few days early to Mussel Bar at Bethesda Row. A Halloween Mystery Beer Dinner, with a "spooky" menu will shock and surprise you at 6:00 PM on October 29. To make reservations for the dinner, please call (301) 215-7817.

Mussel Bar

7262 Woodmont Avenue

TRICK OR TREAT AT CHEVY CHASE CENTER OCTOBER 18

Halloween is coming early to Chevy Chase Center in Friendship Heights. Next Saturday, October 18, from 12:30 to 3:00 PM, the shopping center will be giving away free pumpkins (while they last), and promises a "spooky train ride." Kids can Trick or Treat at the center's stores, jump in a Haunted Moon Bounce, and stop by the face painters for a temporary Halloween makeover.

There will also be live music, and Sweet Teensy Bakery's free Spooky Cupcakes (while they last).

Chevy Chase Center

5463 Wisconsin Avenue

Chevy Chase, Maryland

SHEETZ PUMPKIN PIE LATTE REVIEW (VIDEO) - HALLOWEEN COUNTDOWN

The Halloween Countdown continues on the Robert Dyer Channel. Pumpkin Spice Lattes are a dime-a-dozen these fall days (except for McDonald's odd decision to not bring theirs back this year), but I stumbled across an alternative to the ubiquitous beverage while on the road this weekend.

Sheetz has a different concept - a Pumpkin Pie Latte, rather than Pumpkin Spice. The ordering process is unique as well at Sheetz. The convenience store and mega gas station eliminates the need to use Starbucks lingo at the counter (and the often misspelled name on your cup) by letting you place the order on a touchscreen. Pick exactly what you want added to your coffee on the screen (including an extra shot of pumpkin pie flavor or an espresso shot), pay at the cashier counter, and wait for your number to be called to pick up your Pumpkin Pie Latte.

Was it worth the (short) wait? Watch my review to find out. Sheetz is in several nearby states, including Maryland (of course), Virginia, West Virginia, and its home base of Pennsylvania.

GEORGETOWN CUPCAKE HALLOWEEN CUPCAKE REVIEW (VIDEO + PHOTOS)

Georgetown Cupcake added two pumpkin Halloween flavors for the month of October yesterday at Bethesda Row. I stopped by and picked up one Pumpkin Spice and one Pumpkin Cheesecake. They look very similar, down to their edible leaf decoration, but are actually very different types of cupcakes. Should you stop by yourself and try them? Watch my video review to find out!