I walked down to the pier today for the annual Manhattan Beach Pumpkin Races. One of the things that I love about living here is that despite being part of greater Los Angeles, there are events like this that feel decidedly small-town. The pumpkin races are exactly that: Pumpkins with wheels, decorated in some pretty extravagant ways, racing against each other down the hill in multiple heats until they reach a final champion. Nearby businesses were having trick-or-treating, so lots of kids were also in costume. Just another day at the beach.