Archive for the ‘Call to Action’ Category

If you need to register to vote or update your information, today is the last day to have your voter registration info postmarked.

You can print out the forms here and drop them off for pick up at your local Post Office — just make sure you get them in before the last pick up today!

Early voting begins October 20 and continues through the end of the month.

You can also choose to vote early by mail, but only if you will be outside your home county on Election Day and during early voting.

There are, however, some exceptions. You also qualify to vote by mail if you are:

• sick or disabled
• 65 years or older
• in jail but eligible to vote

Applications for a mail-in ballot must be received by Oct. 28.

The following story is from WFAA.com. Information on how to donate a bike is at the end of this story.

Tucked away in a warehouse in Arlington they gather. While the few dozen used bicycles may not look like much, to 13-year-old Dalton Hatch they symbolize the passion his mother had for the sport.

“It was really tough for me to lose her,” Hatch said of his mother, an avid cyclist who, along with her friend, was killed after police said a drunk driver struck them as they rode on Camp Wisdom Road last June.

After her death, Hatch got the idea to remember his mother by collecting bikes to give out to needy kids.

“It means a lot to me to remember my mom because I didn’t know what to do after she died,” he said.

The program has brought something good from the tragic death of Meredith Hatch, said Sherman Hatch, Dalton’s father.

“This is something positive we can bring from a horrible accident, providing something to children or families that might not otherwise have,” he said.

Family and friends have reached out to help Dalton’s program.

“I think these bikes were donated from families that knew my mom,” he said pointing out some of the bikes.

He has also placed signs at area businesses and schools asking for donations.

“Meredith would be so proud of him for doing this,” said Michelle Johnson, a family friend. “And he’s exactly like she was. She was compassionate, kind, had lots of strength and he takes after her.”

If you would like to donate a bike, the details are as follows:

1st Annual
Meredith’s Run for Bikes
September 27, 2008
Katherine Rose Park
8:00 A.M.

Join Meredith Hatch’s family and friends
as they collect bicycles for children.

Participants can run/walk in memory of Meredith Hatch at the Mansfield Pecan Festival 5K/1K Fun Run

Pick up registration forms at:
Mansfield Area Chamber of Commerce
114 N. Main St., Mansfield, TX 76063
or download the forms at www.mansfieldchamber.net

Bike drop dates and times:
September 20, 2008 (Saturday) 10am-2pm at Primrose*
September 26, 2008 (Friday) 5pm-7pm at Primrose
September 27, 2008 (Saturday) 8am-5pm at Mansfield Pecan Festival
October 4, 2008 (Saturday) 10am-2pm at Primrose

If you are unable to bring a bike, cash donations will be accepted at Frost Bank: Meredith Hatch Memorial Fund

*Primrose is located at 2201 Matlock Road, Mansfield, TX 76063

THIS IS A COMMENTARY. The views expressed here are solely those of the author and do not reflect those of the parent site. I honestly don’t know what the parent company’s views are but we do know that Dallas pulls in the most traffic of all the blogs so we must be doing something right.

For those that visit this blog, and for those two souls that continue to rant and rave at me via comments demanding that we bow down and cater to the whims of a skewed phone vote that only citizens in Little Mexico seemed to know was going on - you will recall that I am a very strong proponent of keeping Ross Avenue named Ross Avenue.

Well the City started hearing the rants today in official hearings and their own departments are starting to make their opinions known also. In spite of the 5 busloads of Latin activists, the powers that be within the City aren’t too anxious to rename Ross for Cesar Chavez.

Yeah…Cesar Chavez. A guy from Arizona. Never lived in Texas. Never lived in Dallas but he did come here once or twice to pontificate the rights of grapes. (yes, you read that correctly). Now, within the city of Dallas, we already have a park and a school named in honor of Chavez. This is SO much more than what most of our own founders have in terms of recognition.

For the longest time, I thought it was just me, that was riled up over the renaming, but gracious, after seeing some of the comments on WFAA and Dallas Morning News sites, I know that I am part of the 99% that are all thinking the same way. I confess to being surprised by the sheer level of anger and hostility by many of the posters whose comments include such notable missive as — and keep in mind, these are a sampling of the POLITE comments left:

After checking several sources, it turns out that actor Cheech Marin hosted the Dodge Ram National Tejano Music Festival in Dallas. This officially gives him a stronger tie to the city of Dallas than Cesar Chavez ever established. Clearly, we should be naming a street after him instead. It has also been established that there are over 50 Taco Bell restaurants in the Metroplex area. These restaurants were once represented by the Taco Bell Chihuahua. This also gives him a closer tie to Dallas than Cesar Chavez, thus making Taco Bell Dog Dr. a better choice of names.

I think that the true majority of citizens in Dallas would rather see Ross stay Ross. How do they get off claiming they’re the majority? What is really so bothersome about this group is that they are trying to be so forceful. There is no reason to rename this street. Cesar Chavez has nothing to do with Dallas. It should really be up to the people who own businesses on that street. This is stupid. And the fact that they’re being so belligerent about it just shows what idiots they are. I didn’t read one post about how anyone thinks the street should be renamed.

I am Mexican…. Leave Ross Ave alone! I dont agree with the “fight” to re-name Ross, and believe that if there has to be a street named after Chavez then let it be a NEW street that is built. Stop being such cry babies!

Alberto Ruiz is a puppet for Senor Domingo Garcia. Let try to stop all this racist, mean talk. Most Dallas born Latinos could care less about Cesar Chavez. Mr. Chavez was an American born, US military veteran who stood up for poor farm workers against the rich and powerful California grape growers. Senor Domingo Garcia speaks for himself, his wife and anyone else he pays. Please don’t lump all folks of Mexican heritage with illegal immigrants or this ill conceived name changing project.

To the Cesar Chavez task force-Leave Ross Avenue alone. Go back to Mexico and change that cesspool if you have to change something. This is America- do not attempt to change OUR history and culture. Contribute something to this country rather than agitate and seek concessions.

i can’t believe it is even being considered to the change the name of such a historic street. it’s not even a matter of what the new name is going to be, but whom you dishonoring by changing the name at all. of all the hundred’s, if not thousands of streets in dallas, why does chavez deserve to have his name on a street that is already named for someone else far more important in dallas history?

Who will pay for all the name change costs that accrue to corporations and business currently using Ross as their address. Letterheads, invoices, etc. Not those rallying that is for sure.

I think if Alberto Ruiz will pull his head out those that count don’t want a thing changed. He & his group of illegals are about to piss of those who have founded this area and have (and will) maintain control….if he wants a battle he’ll get a battle. There is probably a street in Mexico City just right for Chavez…..don’t let the door hit you and your amigos in the butt.

my people! why are we fighting for a name! For heavens sake, get a grip and fight for other things that matter! Cesar Chavez doesn’t mean a thing to most latinos in the US of A! Get off your high horse and go back to work to what really matters! and stop embarrasing the latino community!

Soooo….there you have it boys and girls, a sampling of the POLITE comments left on the local news sites.

The North Texas Food Bank has committed to building and transporting 4,000 family food boxes to the Houston and Beaumont Food Banks for distribution to families as they come back to the area and we need your help. They are now seeking food donations. Items needed are:

1. Fruit Juices
2. Canned Meats
3. Beef Stew
4. Chunk Light Tuna in Water
5. Pork and Beans
6. Canned Soup
7. Canned Vegetables
8. Canned Fruit
9. Spaghetti in Tomato Sauce
10. Dried Beans
11. Dried Rice
* No glass containers please.

You can purchase these items in pre-packaged bags at your neighborhood Kroger, Tom Thumb and Albertsons. Customers can simply leave their bags at the store and they will be donated to the NTFB.

You can also drop off donations at the NTFB located at 4500 S. Cockrell Hill Rd., Dallas, 75236

Call 214-330-1396 if you want to schedule a food or fund drive. Or donate online at ntfb.org.

The North Texas Food Bank is working in a strategic partnership with the American Red Cross, Salvation Army and the Volunteer Center of North Texas to assist with mass evacuation as a result of Hurricane Ike. So far the NTFB has distributed over 80,000 pounds of water and snacks to shelters. Here’s how the organizations are coordinating the response:

• The North Texas Food Bank is currently providing water, juices and snacks and will provide food for meal preparation when needed. Monetary donations are needed too.
• The Salvation Army is providing meals at all mass shelter locations.
• The American Red Cross is managing and overseeing shelter operations.
• The Volunteer Center of North Texas is coordinating volunteer placement for the relief effort.

More than 100 dogs and cats sheltered in Beaumont after Hurricane Ike will be available for adoption at the SPCA of Texas.

The SPCA late Monday announced 75 dogs and 33 cats were being transported to the group’s animal care center in McKinney, about 30 miles north of Dallas.

The animals were at a shelter in Beaumont, and available for adoption. The transfer will allow Beaumont Animal Control to respond to animals in need along the Texas coast.

The SPCA continues its adoption discount on large dogs and adult cats to make room for animals evacuated from the hurricane until further notice.

Admitting departments at both the Dallas and McKinney SPCA locations are closed until further notice to Ike transfers, but adoptions and spay-neuter clinics remain open.

With the most recent track change for Hurricane Ike, North Texas area counties have learned that there are 288 bus loads of people in the storm’s path are being sent to North Texas. The Counties are working with area cities, school districts and universities to find additional shelter sites for the increased number of people expected to arrive this evening.

The City of Dallas is reconfiguring its main shelter location at the Dallas Convention Center to accommodate an additional 450 guests. The Dallas Convention Center will be able to accommodate 1,450 people.

DONATIONS
Dallas residents should NOT drop donations at the Dallas Convention Center shelter location nor should they come to the Dallas Convention Center shelter location to offer volunteer assistance. Donations and volunteering should be routed through the North Texas Food Bank, the Salvation Army, the Volunteer Center of North Texas, or by contacting your favorite local charity.

FOOD
Donations to help purchase food can be made to the North Texas Food Bank through their Web site: www.ntfb.org

OTHER ESSENTIALS
Donations to help purchase other essentials can be made to the Salvation Army through their Web site: www.salvationarmydfw.org

VOLUNTEERS
May register for assignments with the Volunteer Center of North Texas through their Web site: www.volunteernorthtexas.org or by calling 1-866-797-8268.

CASH DONATIONS
To help provide other assistance can be made to the American Red Cross by calling 1-800-RED-CROSS or at www.redcross.org.

Galveston Island, as of Friday morning, should be a ghost town. State officials are concerned that storm surges up to 20′ could hit the low lying coastal areas and ordered mandatory evacuations of the entire island. Island officials have shut off electricity and water services ahead of the storm. Galveston was the scene of the nation’s deadliest hurricane in the 1900 when approximately 6,000 people were killed.

>>>>> To keep track of Hurricane Ike’s approach, click here.<<<<<

Ike is currently a Category 2 storm with 105-mph winds and likely will come ashore late on Friday or early on Saturday as a potentially dangerous Category 3 storm on the five-step intensity scale with winds of more than 111 mph, according to the U.S. National Hurricane Center .

The State of Texas has issued this map showing the Gulf Coast escape route with areas noted that might be implemented with contraflow. I-45 between Houston & Dallas could have all lanes northbound as far north as Ennis (which is just 20 miles south of downtown Dallas).