Two election graphics.

I spend way to much time looking at election statistics and graphics. I need to justify the time somehow, so I thought I'd post two that I thought particularly well constructed. Republicans had a good day on Tuesday, some readers are happy about that, some are not; this post is not an editorial on the election's outcome but on the reporting methods.

As a side note, this is the first election that Twitter was a big part of, and in some ways, the first election web-based advertising and reporting made itself almost indispensable. That is, print, television, and radio are being forced to incorporate Facebook, YouTube, and Twitter, etc. 

If you have any thoughts on the subject, please comment. I think this is an interesting trend.

Back to the graphics.

The first image is pulled from a group of ten depicting Republican and Democrat swings in House membership for the last 50 years. It was produced by the New York Times. The link is here: NYTimes Wave.

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The second takes statistics from Twitter use and highlights the number of posts related to candidates running for governor or the Senate. It also is a creation of the NYTimes. Click Here

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Ranger Fan? Read this.

Brandon Thibodeaux for The Wall Street Journal

Saturday, the Wall Street Journal ran a front page article on two Texas Rangers fans who have been believing in their team since day one, almost 40 years. The paragraph below is pulled from the article. To read the rest: Wall Street Journal article.

"When Tom Schieffer was president of the Rangers from 1991 to 1999, the nuns were never shy about giving him advice about how to run his team, he says, and which player "needed to pay attention to his personal life."
Sister Frances is no fan of former owner Tom Hicks, and was none too pleased when, in 2000, he signed Alex Rodriguez to a 10-year-deal worth $252 million. Hicks Sports Group was forced to sell the team in bankruptcy court this past summer.
"He didn't know beans from bull foot about baseball," Sister Frances says of Mr. Hicks."

Sisters Frances and Maggie attend every home game and they are still predicting the Rangers to win in seven.

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Halloween in Fort Worth. Food, entertainment, costumes and candy.

Here are a few of the Halloween-themed parties and events I have noticed this year. If you have one you particularly like, let me know. The indented quotes are from the respective websites.  Please confirm the dates and times.

Chipotle
Adults
October 31 / Halloween

"Come in after 6pm this Halloween dressed as a horrifying processed food product and we'll give you a burrito, bowl, salad, or an order of tacos filled with freshly cooked, naturally raised ingredients for only $2."

Central Market
Children -- Saturday, Oct. 30 – 2:30-5 p.m.
Adults -- Saturday Oct. 30 7:30 p.m.

"Bring your little ghosts and goblins down to Central Market Fort Worth for a cauldron-full of fun! Grab a scavenger hunt map and start out at the main entrance. You'll wind your way through the store, stopping at each Scavenger Hunt station to figure out a trick – and get a treat! Once you've visited all 7 stations, make your way out to the patio for our Bean Bag Toss, Cookie Decorating, Cake Walk and Costume Parade. We'll have treats galore and tons of fun for the kids at Central Market's annual Halloween Carnival.

Moms and Dads will want to hang around for our last night of live music on the patio of the 2010 season, featuring original rockin’ blues from Dave Millsap, 7-9:30 p.m."

Uncle Julio's
Adults and children
Oct. 22 - Oct. 31

"Uncle Julio's Fine Mexican Food has something for everyone this Halloween. Adults can enjoy limited-time Halloween Margaritas from Friday, October 22 through Sunday, October 31, while kids (12 and under) can compete in Uncle Julio's costume contest. The judging takes place at 5 p.m. on Halloween Day and the winner will take home a $100 Uncle Julio's gift card. In addition to showing off their scary outfits that day, kids in costume will receive a free kid's meal with purchase of a regular entrée after 4 p.m. Guests can also enjoy Uncle Julio’s famous pumpkin flan ($5.25), only available through Monday, November 29."

Fort Worth Zoo
Adults and Children
Oct. 25 - Oct 30

"Spiders won't be the only animals crawling around the Fort Worth Zoo. Bring the entire family out for some not-too-scary fun at Boo at the Zoo Thursday, October 25 through Tuesday October 30, from 6 to 8:30 p.m.

Children are welcome to wear Halloween costumes and enjoy of night of safe, fun-filled activities. This year's Boo at the Zoo features more than 10 treat stations, live animal presentations, a hay maze, live musical acts and much more!"

Sundance Square / Scat Jazz Lounge
Adults
Oct. 30

"Last year's 20's theme was a hit, so Scat Jazz Lounge is doing it again! And, they're upping the ante by bringing in the Sinapore Slingers Orchestra - THE band for this era! Costume contest, flapper girls, mobsters, and no prohibition. Scat becomes the Speakeasy it's really always been for this one-of-a-kind Halloween party. The fun gets underway at 9 p.m."

Artisan Baking -- In the baked goods category, Artisan Baking is baking Halloween cookies.

 ". . . we're keeping it simple with our all-natural decorated sugar cookies in holiday shapes like cats, bats, ghosts, pumpkins and leaves. They not only taste great, all the colors are naturally derived from vegetables, so no artificial colors or flavors are used."

To see the Artisan Baking October newsletter and for information on their Thanksgiving Day breads and desserts, go here: Artisan Newsletter

T.G.I. Friday's
Adults

October 29 - 31

Halloween is the perfect excuse for any adult to bring out their inner child. Donning a scary mask or flirty outfit is the new normal for adults of all ages. To kick off the Halloween weekend celebrations, customers can stop by their local T.G.I. Friday’s on 10/29 for a costume party and a free appetizer. To accompany the free food, special Halloween drinks like the Venom Crush  and the Red Bull Bite will be available for $5 and $6, respectively.

Steak-Out Char-Broiled Delivery / Buy One, Get One Free Halloween special

"Through November 1^st, to help treat families to an affordable and convenient meal, Steak-Out Char-Broiled Delivery of Fort Worth, located at 2209 W Berry St, is offering customers a free kids meal with the purchase of one dinner entrée."

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