For Walmart and Target, however, this month marks not only cause for deep discounting but also the opportunity to give back to the community. Walmart and Target, in news statements this month, both detail new initiatives they have launched to continue to help local communities.

First, earlier this month, Walmart donated $9.5 million to help families across the country to increase consumption of healthy food. The funding is designed to help “nutrition education programs, provide classes focused on learning to cook and shop for healthier foods on a budget and provide live cooking demonstrations in communities nationwide” said Walmart in a recent news statement.

Walmart is committed to helping its customers make healthier decisions in food consumption. Andrea Thomas, senior vice president of sustainability at Walmart, said in a recent news statement “We want to help our customers make healthier decisions whether that’s through their in-store experience at Walmart or through taking a class focused on nutrition education”. She added “The grants we’re announcing today will give thousands of Americans access to nutrition education classes, cooking demonstrations and nutritional recipes—essential tools to living a healthier life.”

Target, in turn, pledged $5 million to fifty schools across the country to improve learning. Last month, Target told news about their initiative to improve learning among K-12 schools in thirty one states.

In a recent news statement, Laysha Ward, president of community relations for Target, said “We all have an important role to play when it comes to ensuring our children and future leaders are academically successful.” She added “Thanks to the thousands of viewers who nominated a school as a potential grant recipient, we are contributing a total of $5 million to schools and districts across the country in hopes of inspiring learning and putting more kids on the path to graduation, ready for college, a career and life.”

Today is no different. Annually, the USPS follows regulations and guidance set by the Office of Personal Management (OPM). OPM and USPS reminds news and customers that there is no mail delivery today. But OPM refers to today’s holiday as Washington’s Birthday.

“This holiday is designated as “Washington’s Birthday” in section 6103(a) of title 5 of the United States Code, which is the law that specifies holidays for Federal employees” OPM tells news. “Though other institutions such as state and local governments and private businesses may use other names, it is our policy to always refer to holidays by the names designated in the law.”

Until this fall, there are only two remaining federal holidays. They are Memorial Day on Monday May 28 and Independence Day on July 4. OPM and USPS reminds news that, when a holiday falls on a Friday, it will be observed on a Saturday. When it falls on a Sunday, it will be observed on the following Monday.

Such is the case this November for Veterans Day. In a news statement in January, OPM said “when a holiday falls on a nonworkday — Saturday or Sunday — the holiday usually is observed on Monday (if the holiday falls on Sunday) or Friday (if the holiday falls on Saturday).”

Banking institutions are closed as well today. Banks, credit unions, mortgage lenders, and other financial institutions will be closed today as well. Federal, state, and local offices, agencies, and departments are closed generally today as well.

Once Harbar was found, he alerted police to the role-playing. North Precinct Sgt. Willie Halliburton tells news that today’s case is the strangest thing he has since in his twenty-four years on the job. But Sgt Halliburton also tells news that he is a standup comic on the side. He says unfortunately he can’t use today’s arrest in his next comic routine.

But a year ago today, LALATE reported that the Poe Toaster failed to show up. Today marked the third consecutive year that the Toaster did not show. The last time that the Toaster was spotted was on Poe’s 200th anniversary, three years ago.

Last year, Jerome told news “I think we can safely say it’s not car trouble, and he’s not sick. This doesn’t look good.”

The first mention of the Poe Toaster was in 1949 by the Evening Sun of Baltimore newspaper. Jerome has watched the Poe Toaster arrive and disappear every year since 1978. Jerome would watch from inside the church while Poe fans would kept outside the cemetery gates.

Last year, Jerome told news that, if the admirer does not appear today, Jerome will assume the Toaster has passed. Today, the Toaster didn’t show.

It’s a hard job being a Poe Toaster. Jerome admits in recent years it’s been difficult for the “Poe Toaster” to get to the grave and not be noticed by others.

Jerome says he is disappointed, tired, and saddened by the end of a tradition. After waiting an entire additional year, he believes that the Poe Toaster tradition has ended. Other fans are not so sure. Many fans vow to keep the faith and watch again next year.

Daniel Eckert, vice president of Walmart Financial Services, told news that the company is dedicated to helping the underserved the next two weeks with its special program. “We believe Americans shouldn’t have to pay exorbitant prices on their everyday financial needs”. Eckert added “It’s their money and we want to make sure they can cash checks, pay bills and transfer money at a low price.”

Eckert said that from January 16 to 22, Walmart, through a partnership with Jackson Hewitt and H&R Block, will double its in-store tax kiosks and lower the cost for tax preparation. Jackson Hewitt will be providing Walmart shoppers free federal Form 1040EZ filings in specially designated Walmart kiosks throughout the tax season. H&R Block will in turn provide free federal Form 1040EZ until February 29 in Walmart stores. In total, H&R Block will provide 250 kiosks in Walmart stores, while Jackson Hewitt will offer two thousand eight hundred kiosks in Walmarts nationally.

“Customers need to make every dollar count in this tough economy, and that’s why we’re committed to helping customers pay less for their financial services during tax season and throughout the year,” Eckert told news. “With more than 3,000 tax preparation kiosks in Walmart stores across the U.S. and low flat-fee check cashing services, our customers can conveniently make their refund dollars stretch farther by simply taking care of their tax needs at Walmart.”