According to ancient legend, it is in late afternoon on the day before Halloween, as the pale sunlight begins to fail, that the villagers will begin to hear music -- eerie pedal steel, shrieking guitar, a bone-rattling washboard.  The village folk will begin to gather, cowering together in their public houses to await the dreaded arrival they all fear is nigh.  Then they hear it -- at first distant, then closer, then terrifyingly near -- the unmistakable, terrible and blood-curdling bray of . . . the Ware-Mules!  The gypsy soothsayers have consulted their tea leaves and Tarot decks.  All signs foretell that this year the horrid beasts' appearance will occur in the village of Novato at the inn that bears the sign of "Rickey's."  Do not be seduced by the sensuous swampy tonk sounds, do not be lured into wild dances in the shadowed corners of the crowded inn, for the Ware-Mule's magic is powerful.  Once you are under the spell of their hypnotic voices and throbbing rhythms you will never again be free from . . .  the Curse of the Ware-Mules!

Rickey's is at 250 Entrada Drive in Novato.  Come all -- if ye dare!