Election News

Dallas gets free rides and drink discounts for voting in Presidential election

These are appealing to people who collect Presidential memorabilia.

Photo courtesy of Flying Saucer

From now until November 3, you can expect no shortage of information and aids to encourage a robust participation in the 2020 Presidential election.

Around Dallas-Fort Worth, incentives are already being offered, whether in the form of drink specials or free rides to the polls.

Here's the latest batch of election-related activities:

Candidate pint glasses
Craft beer chain Flying Saucer Draught Emporium has debuted its 2020 U.S. presidential candidate pint glasses, with two collector glasses each bearing a cartoon version of the two candidates.

This is a longtime tradition: Since 2004, Flying Saucer fans have correctly predicted the election outcome by purchasing the glass of their preferred candidate and created a must-have for Presidential memorabilia collectors.

The idea is that you buy a glass in the image of your preferred candidate and thereby participate in an unofficial pioneer poll to predict the next president. You can each glass for $15 at their locations, or $20 online, or you can buy the set of both in a collector's box for $25 at their locations or $35 online.

Nationwide shipping is available and included in online orders.

Vote and get $2 off
Another Round, the new indoor mini golf spot located adjacent to Sylvan Thirty featuring 12 miniature golf holes with a full bar, is helping to promote the vote with a special drink offer: They're offering $2 off any of their cocktails when guests 21+ wear their "I Voted" sticker, from Tuesday October 13 through Saturday November 7. That's generously four days after the election. Huzzah.

Reservations are required; go to anotherrounddallas/rsvp.

Trinity Metro free rides
Throughout early voting and on Tuesday, November 3, Tarrant County voters will be able to catch free rides to the polls on Trinity Metro and other transit providers. Riders can show their voter registration card or current Texas ID and ride for free during early voting October 13-30 and on Election Day November 3.

The Tarrant County Commissioners Court approved a partnership with transportation services in Tarrant County to pay for customer trips to voting locations, with an amount not to exceed $20,000.

Tarant County Judge Glen Whitley says in a statement that the goal is to give every eligible voter in Tarrant County the ability to vote.

Wayne Gensler, Trinity Metro VP, says that "voting is an important right and we want to do our part to help voters get to the polls. We appreciate the Tarrant County Commissioners Court for funding this initiative."

Transit services included in the program are Trinity Metro's bus routes, Near Southside ZIPZONE, Crowley ZIPZONE, Mercantile ZIPZONE, ACCESS paratransit, Tarrant County Transportation Services (TCTS), Northeast Transportation Services (NETS), and Arlington’s Via and Handitran. For ZIPZONE riders in Crowley and Near Southside, free rides will be determined by the pickup's or proximity to a voting location.

DART free rides
Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) is once again providing free trips to voting locations across the service area. Voters can ride at no charge on all DART bus, light rail, Dallas Streetcar, GoLink and Paratransit service, and on the Trinity Railway Express (TRE) between EBJ Union Station and CentrePort/DFW Airport Station.

DART will provide free rides to voters on the following days, all day:

Early voting on Saturday, October 17 and Saturday, October 24
Election Day, Tuesday, November 3

American Airlines Center (AAC) Election Super Center
Dallas County voters can ride DART Rail’s Green or Orange lines or the TRE right to Victory Station at the American Airlines Center, which is hosting a mega voting center on Election Day as part of the Election Super Center Project.

Alto free rides
Alto, the Dallas-based rideshare and delivery company, will also provide free rides to election polls throughout its coverage areas in Dallas-Fort Worth (and Houston) on Election Day, November 3. Voters with an Alto account can access two rides, up to $15 each, by entering promo code VOTE2020 into the Alto app.

Alto founder and CEO Will Coleman says in a statement that Alto is proud to mobilize voters on this important day.

"We hope that this small act of providing complimentary rides to local polling centers will encourage North Texans to get out and exercise their right to vote," Coleman says.

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Animal News

Dallas animal shelter invites residents to host a pet during holiday

DAS

Husky at Dallas Animal Services

Dallas Animal Services (DAS) is inviting the community to help bring pets “Home for the Holidays” by adopting or fostering during one of the shelter’s busiest times of the year.

DAS has achieved strong positive outcomes this quarter, including adoptions, foster-to-adopt placements, and underage foster placements, with 1,377 in October and 1,378 in November. The department is now working toward a December goal of 1,400 positive outcomes, with 588 completed so far this month.

“We are grateful for the support our community continues to show,” said Victoria Chittam Bennett, Assistant Director. “Every adoption opens a kennel for another pet in need, and the holidays are an especially meaningful time to welcome a new companion.”

This season, adopters will also have the chance to participate in the Friends of Dallas Animal Services (FODAS) 12 Days of Holiday Giveaways, fully funded and supported through donations from generous community supporters. For more information about this initiative, visit friendsofdas.org and watch out for announcements on social media.

Holiday staycations
Residents who may not be ready to adopt can still support DAS pets by participating in Silent Night Holiday Staycations, a short-term foster opportunity that gives dogs a relaxing break from the shelter during the holiday period.

Pickup dates are scheduled for December 20-21, with drop-off options on December 27-28 or January 3-4. Participants typically spend 1-3 hours at the shelter selecting a foster match, and contact with pets outside the home should be limited. Questions may be directed to DASFtA@dallas.gov.

“Holiday Staycations allow our dogs to decompress and show their personalities in a home environment,” said Amanda Earl, Assistant Director. “The insight we receive from these foster stays is invaluable in helping pets find permanent homes.”

DAS encourages the community to adopt, foster, volunteer, or share adoptable pets to help meet December’s lifesaving goals.
“Together, we can bring home the holidays for the pets relying on us,” said Director Paul Ramon.

For more information on adoptable pets, holiday programs, or ways to get involved, visit https://bedallas90.org/ or stop by the DAS Shelter at 1818 N. Westmoreland Rd.

animals