Hilton program offers Lauderdale for less

You can go on a mock archaeological dig, take a ghost tour or take the family on a scavenger hunt. But even better, if you’re staying in a Hilton hotel in Fort Lauderdale, you can get get a discount on these experiences and more.

The Riverwalk Arts and Entertainment District has teamed up with Hilton to offer guests of the hotel chain in Fort Lauderdale seven original activities. All people have to do is show their Hilton keycard or digital key on their smartphones upon arrival.

“This partnership formed when Hilton approached me about a potential collaboration for visitors to experience more than just the property,” Carmen Ackerman, Riverwalk Arts and Entertainment District’s project manager, writes in an email. “I am always looking for opportunities to market the arts to visitors, so once we connected and started chatting, we began working with Riverwalk Arts and Entertainment partners to create special offers for Hilton guests.”

Travelers can book their Hilton stay at Travel.Hilton.com/FortLauderdale. Reservations for the curated experiences can be made

ask customers with unruly animals to leave.

Publix’s policy on service animals had not changed, but the new signs are being posted to raise awareness and understanding about service animals, according to company spokeswoman Nicole Krauss. Legally, Publix can ask customers only two questions regarding animals in a store: Is the animal a service animal? If the answer is yes, then what task does the animal perform?

“Managers must decide what to do based on responses received,” Krause says. “There are potential civil penalties under the ADA if Publix wrongfully excludes a true service animal, but service animals will not be permitted to ride in our shopping carts due to food safety and sanitation concerns.”

After the yogurt incident, I complained to a Trader Joe’s manger. He told me the chain was reviewing its policy because so many unruly dogs were coming into its stores. Stay tuned.

True service dogs are not pets. They are highly trained animals that can cost up to $50,000. Amazingly, these talented dogs can dial 911, bring medicine, open doors and even move laundry from the washer to the dryer.

The majority of animals in stores and restaurants are just pets owned by people who are gaming the system. Anyone can apply online to get a doctor’s note and register a pet in the service and support animal registry for $80.

Enough already. Leave your doggone pet at home.