January 22, 2015

Wal-Mart hopes to spur sales by offering in-store tax refunds

Wal-Mart has introduced a service that allows customers to get their tax refund in cash in one of its stores, a move aimed at serving the “underbanked” and reverse declining traffic.

Wal-Mart Stores WMT 0.83% has found a new way to get more customers into its stores: getting their own hard-earned cash more quickly.

Starting on Tuesday, the retailer is allowing customers to cash out their tax refunds and receive up to $7,500 in cash at about 3,000 stores under a service it is calling “Direct2Cash,” its latest move to broaden the financial services it offers to its low-income customers and increase the number of visits customers pay to its stores. Customers could already use the tax preparation services in Wal-Mart stores and get their refund via direct deposit or check.

Last April, it launched a money transfer service that has challenged the dominance of Western Union Co. WU 1.17% and MoneyGram MGI 0.12% , and aimed squarely at its low-income customers, many of whom live paycheck to paycheck. Two weeks later, it started an insurance price comparison service.

http://fortune.com/2015/01/20/wal-mart-tax-refunds/

Comes across to me as just another indication that the Wal Mart business model of leaching off of government, it's workforce and society in general is showing more signs of failure.

January 22, 2015

Daily Holidays - January 22

National Blonde Brownie Day First known as "blonde brownies" and later just "blondies," chocolate-free butterscotch brownies were all the rage in the mid-1950s. Today, a "blondie" might be the classic butterscotch treat or many other cocoa-free bars.

Chocolate-Chunk Blondies
Pecan Blondie Caramel Cups
Cointreau Blondies
Cinnamon Zucchini Blondies
Blondies with White Chocolate Ganache
Better-Than-Twix Bars http://www.food.com/food-holidays/blonde-brownie-day-0122

Answer Your Cat's Questions Day Have you ever wondered what your cat is trying to tell you through certain behavior? For example, when your cat pees on your pillow, he’s not trying to get even with you for coming home late. When he scratches your new sofa, he’s not being bad. Because cats have different needs and desires than us and a completely different way of seeing the world, they communicate in ways which we don’t always understand or appreciate.

People often try to change their cats' “bad” behavior in ways that don’t work and may even make things worse. That's not good cat care. Some people learn to live with their cats' behavior, while others heartbrokenly surrender their cats to animal shelters. It doesn’t have to be that way. Most cat behavior issues are quite solvable once you know how cats think and why they are behaving as they are. http://www.catster.com/lifestyle/cat-behavior-care-tips-national-answer-your-cats-questions-day

Roe vs. Wade Day The Supreme Court decriminalizes abortion by handing down their decision in the case of Roe v. Wade. Despite opponents' characterization of the decision, it was not the first time that abortion became a legal procedure in the United States. In fact, for most of the country's first 100 years, abortion as we know it today was not only not a criminal offense, it was also not considered immoral.

In the 1700s and early 1800s, the word "abortion" referred only to the termination of a pregnancy after "quickening," the time when the fetus first began to make noticeable movements. The induced ending of a pregnancy before this point did not even have a name--but not because it was uncommon. Women in the 1700s often took drugs to end their unwanted pregnancies.

In 1827, though, Illinois passed a law that made the use of abortion drugs punishable by up to three years' imprisonment. Although other states followed the Illinois example, advertising for "Female Monthly Pills," as they were known, was still common through the middle of the 19th century.

Abortion itself only became a serious criminal offense in the period between 1860 and 1880. And the criminalization of abortion did not result from moral outrage. The roots of the new law came from the newly established physicians' trade organization, the American Medical Association. Doctors decided that abortion practitioners were unwanted competition and went about eliminating that competition. The Catholic Church, which had long accepted terminating pregnancies before quickening, joined the doctors in condemning the practice. http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/roe-v-wade

Data Innovation Day On January 22, 2015, join the Center for Data Innovation in celebrating the third annual Data Innovation Day. The purpose of Data Innovation Day is to raise awareness about the benefits and opportunities that have come from the data revolution. Participants around the world will participate in an online video discussion about the economic and social opportunities made possible by data-driven innovation. http://www.datainnovationday.org

Women’s Healthy Weight Day Healthy Weight Week is an educational event to help change public perception that weight determines health and that dieting is a viable health solution.

Dieting has led women astray by making their struggles with weight worse, negatively affecting their health, and keeping them from living the lives they want. Healthy Weight Week encourages women to improve health habits in lasting ways by eating well without dieting, living actively and feeling good about themselves and others. http://www.fitwoman.com/healthy-weight-week/

http://www.famousbirthdays.com/january22.html

January 21, 2015

Daily Holidays - January 21

New England Clam Chowder Day So, I realize that the name of this recipe isn’t very exciting. I wanted to name my creation “New England Chowder Chunk” because it isn’t as creamy smooth as some other clam chowders, but to describe a seafood soup as anything related to chunky just made me almost gag a little bit. National New England Clam Chowder Day, admittedly, wasn’t really something I was too excited about. Some of the other Clam Chowders that I’ve tried have been slightly off-putting, but I think I did a fair enough job! http://thefoodiepatootie.com/recipes/national-new-england-clam-chowder-day/

National Hugging Day Myriads of studies have shown that physical contact between humans — such as kissing, hugging, or simply touching — is essential for overall mental and emotional well-being. Hugging, in particular, can improve psychological development, boost your immune system, decrease levels of the stress hormone cortisol, and lower the risk of heart disease: all perfect reasons to take part in National Hug Day, which falls on January 21st.

National Hug Day first began in 1986, and was started by Reverend Kevin Zaborney in Caro, Michigan. Zaborney believed that Americans in particular live in a society where showing feelings in public is embarrassing, and he wanted to change that by putting hugs in the spotlight one day out of the year (it’s true, studies have shown that French couples are three times as affectionate in public than Americans). He chose January 21 because it fell in between Christmas/New Year’s and Valentine’s Day; it’s also in the dead of winter, a time period where most people’s spirits are low, so seemingly a perfect time. Though it’s not a national holiday, National Hug Day is officially recognized by the United States Patent and Trademark Office. The holiday has also since spread to other countries. http://www.medicaldaily.com/celebrate-national-hug-day-experiencing-health-benefits-warm-embrace-318320

Squirrel Appreciation Day SQUIRRELS! Whether you love them or loathe them, National Squirrel Appreciation Day, January 21st, is a great time to take a few moments and learn about these nutty animals. If you count flying squirrels we have 10 tree species in North America. We are constantly uncovering complexities around their survival tactics and social behavior. Squirrels are fascinating animals to watch and have been documented adopting orphaned young and stealing food. And let’s face it—squirrels are pretty difficult to outwit.
Humans actually introduced them to most of our major city parks in the 1850s and ’60s and feeding squirrels was common as a means to encourage kindness to all animals. People thought that by adding them to our parks in cities, we could bring pleasure to the people who couldn’t leave the city and enjoy nature.

So for this Squirrel Appreciation Day, we’re hoping to showcase the critters we essentially chose to keep us company in urban settings. So let’s celebrate their acrobatic ability, their role in connecting people to nature and how they can amuse us even when they frustrate us as neighbors. http://blog.nwf.org/2014/01/celebrate-squirrel-appreciation-day/



http://www.famousbirthdays.com/january21.html

January 20, 2015

Daily Holidays - January 20

National Buttercrunch Day Somewhere between caramel and toffee lies buttercrunch — and its name has become synonymous with cookies that also bear bits of its sweetness. Get a buttery crunch fix with one of these crowd-pleasers.
Buttercrunch Topping
Buttercrunch Cheesecake Bars
Buttercrunch Cookies
Blueberry Crunch Muffins
Apple Crunch
Praline Pecan Crunch Snack Mix
Coconut Crunch Pudding Parfait

http://www.food.com/food-holidays/buttercrunch-day-0120

National Cheese Lover’s Day http://www.usatoday.com/videos/news/nation/2015/01/19/21988373/

National Coffee Break Day For most, coffee is an essential part of the day. Instead of heading to the Keurig machine for that mid-morning or afternoon coffee break, we recommend you hit up these San Diego restaurants to get that coffee fix and celebrate National Coffee Break Day on January 20th. http://sandiegofoodfinds.com/national-coffee-break-day-2015/



Camcorder Day Camcorder Day is a tribute to videography of all varieties. Perhaps you’re a professional and enjoy shooting wildlife (with a lens, not a gun), or an extreme sports fan who attaches a GoPro to their helmet before jumping out of a plane. Or maybe you just like recording memories that can be cherished forevermore, from weddings and birthdays, to your son dancing like an Egyptian to the Addams Family movie’s end credits, for reasons that will never become evident. That last one may sound a little unbelievable but one of our web crew made a mistake when he was twelve, one that can’t be erased because he doesn’t know where his mum has hidden the tape.

So get out there and get filming, then upload it to YouTube or Vimeo and share it with the rest of the planet! https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/camcorder-day/

Penguin Awareness Day Penguin Awareness Day was created to celebrate everybody’s favourite zoo animal! Find out more about penguins, explore what others have to say about penguins, why not visit your local zoo to share the penguin love! You don’t have to wait until Penguin Awareness Day, because penguins can be loved all year long! https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/penguin-awareness-day/

National Disc Jockey Day Everyone knows a DJ; thousands claim that they are one (even if they only mix it up in their bedrooms). Disc Jockey Day is all about celebrating the hard working entertainers that have brought energy to dance floors across the globe. Respect needs to be paid to Disc Jockeys of all levels from velvet suited wedding crooners to international superstars – if you’ve made people dance by playing back to back music, today is the day to hail your talents. https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/disc-jockey-day/

Rid The World of Fad Diets and Gimmicks Day http://betterafter50.com/2015/01/healthy-weight-network-fights-diet-fraud/

http://www.famousbirthdays.com/january20.html

January 19, 2015

Daily Holidays - January 19

National Popcorn Day National Popcorn Day is celebrated at the end of January, although its exact date is a matter of debate. Various sources report it as January 19; others claim it takes place on whatever day the Super Bowl falls on. The Popcorn Board is often asked about the origins of this day; unfortunately, we do not know how or when this celebration began. Some other individual or organization (with obvious good taste) began this tradition. http://www.popcorn.org/AboutUs/Media/NationalPopcornDay/tabid/115/Default.aspx

Martin Luther King Day The Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday celebrates the life and legacy of a man who brought hope and healing to America. We commemorate as well the timeless values he taught us through his example — the values of courage, truth, justice, compassion, dignity, humility and service that so radiantly defined Dr. King’s character and empowered his leadership. On this holiday, we commemorate the universal, unconditional love, forgiveness and nonviolence that empowered his revolutionary spirit.

We commemorate Dr. King’s inspiring words, because his voice and his vision filled a great void in our nation, and answered our collective longing to become a country that truly lived by its noblest principles. Yet, Dr. King knew that it wasn’t enough just to talk the talk, that he had to walk the walk for his words to be credible. And so we commemorate on this holiday the man of action, who put his life on the line for freedom and justice every day, the man who braved threats and jail and beatings and who ultimately paid the highest price to make democracy a reality for all Americans.

The King Holiday honors the life and contributions of America’s greatest champion of racial justice and equality, the leader who not only dreamed of a color-blind society, but who also lead a movement that achieved historic reforms to help make it a reality.

On this day we commemorate Dr. King’s great dream of a vibrant, multiracial nation united in justice, peace and reconciliation; a nation that has a place at the table for children of every race and room at the inn for every needy child. We are called on this holiday, not merely to honor, but to celebrate the values of equality, tolerance and interracial sister and brotherhood he so compellingly expressed in his great dream for America.

- See more at: http://www.thekingcenter.org/meaning-king-holiday#sthash.OKs0hu9Z.dpuf

Tin Can Day

It might seem a little silly to have a day in praise of the tin can, but look at how it’s increased our ability to preserve foods and where would a University student be without a tin of baked beans in their kitchen cupboard? http://myzerowaste.com/2011/01/tin-can-day/

World Day of Migrants and Refugees MESSAGE OF HIS HOLINESS POPE FRANCIS
FOR THE 101st WORLD DAY OF MIGRANTS AND REFUGEES (2015)

Church without frontiers, Mother to all

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

Jesus is “the evangelizer par excellence and the Gospel in person” (Evangelii Gaudium, 209). His solicitude, particularly for the most vulnerable and marginalized, invites all of us to care for the frailest and to recognize his suffering countenance, especially in the victims of new forms of poverty and slavery. The Lord says: “I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me” (Mt 25:35-36). The mission of the Church, herself a pilgrim in the world and the Mother of all, is thus to love Jesus Christ, to adore and love him, particularly in the poorest and most abandoned; among these are certainly migrants and refugees, who are trying to escape difficult living conditions and dangers of every kind. For this reason, the theme for this year’s World Day of Migrants and Refugees is: Church without frontiers, Mother to all. http://w2.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/messages/migration/documents/papa-francesco_20140903_world-migrants-day-2015.html

National Day of Service On MLK Day, Americans across the country come together for a day of service, picking up the baton handed to us by past generations and carrying forward their efforts. As one people, we show that when ordinary citizens come together to participate in the democracy we love, justice will not be denied. http://www.nationalservice.gov/mlkday2015


http://www.famousbirthdays.com/january19.html

January 18, 2015

The Cast of 'The West Wing' Just Reunited — And It Was Absolutely Amazing

That highly anticipated West Wing reunion wasn't a mirage — it was for the White House.

The Obama administration announced its "Big Block of Cheese" day, a weirdly titled government tradition where the White House answers Americans' questions on various issues, is returning Wednesday. For the second time, it's using the beloved characters from the hit NBC drama, which originally introduced the unusual tradition to the American public, to get people amped for the big day.

http://mic.com/articles/108630/the-cast-of-the-west-wing-reunited-in-the-best-possible-way

January 18, 2015

Daily Holidays - January 18

Peking Duck Day
While you're frying up some eggs and bacon, we're cooking up something else: a way to celebrate today's food holiday.

Lucky ducks! January 18 is National Peking Duck Day.

Few dishes can claim to be loved by figures as opposite as Henry Kissinger and Fidel Castro. Peking duck has even inspired poems and songs about its crispy skin and succulent flesh.

Roast duck has been a Chinese specialty since before the year 600. It wasn’t until the mid 1300s that what we now know as Peking duck gained its full popularity. http://eatocracy.cnn.com/2013/01/18/national-peking-duck-day/


Winnie The Pooh Day Winnie-the-Pooh, also called Pooh Bear, is a fictional anthropomorphic teddy bear created by A. A. Milne. The first collection of stories about the character was the book Winnie-the-Pooh (1926), and this was followed by The House at Pooh Corner (1928). Milne also included a poem about the bear in the children's verse book When We Were Very Young (1924) and many more in Now We Are Six (1927). All four volumes were illustrated by E. H. Shepard. Hyphens in the character's name were dropped by Disney when the company adapted the Pooh stories into a series of features that became one of its most successful franchises. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Winnie-the-Pooh


Thesaurus Day Peter Mark Roget FRS (/roʊˈʒeɪ/; 18 January 1779 – 12 September 1869) was a British physician, natural theologian and lexicographer. He is best known for publishing, in 1852, the Thesaurus of English Words and Phrases (Roget's Thesaurus), a classified collection of related words. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peter_Mark_Roget

January 17, 2015

Daily Holidays - January 17

Hot Buttered Rum Day This cocktail was born when American colonists began adding molasses and butter to their hot toddies. Today, brown sugar often fills in for the molasses.

Hot Buttered Rum
Hot Buttered Bourbon (with Nutmeg Butter)
Nee's Hot Buttered Rum Cake
Hot Buttered Rum Crescents
Tropical Hot Buttered Rum Sauce
Celebration Cake with Hot Buttered Whiskey Glaze
http://www.food.com/food-holidays/hot-buttered-rum-day-0117


Cable Car Day On this very date in 1871, the first cable car railway patent was bestowed upon Andrew Smith Hallidie. Legend has it that Hallidie invented the cable car after he saw a horse-drawn streetcar slip and fall on San Francisco’s steep roadways (unfortunately resulting in the death of 5 horses). http://gondolaproject.com/2012/01/17/happy-cable-car-day/

Hot Heads Chili Days Hot Head’s Chili Day’s (17-18) – I searched everywhere, and other than finding the name of this day on the list of bizarre holidays, I don’t know why, when it started or what the originator intended. But I do know that it sounds like it could be a great day for testing the stamina of your taste buds and trying out some hot chili’s! I can handle some hot stuff, but I’m a bit of a heat wimp when it comes to the big time heat. I have a jar of salsa with ghost peppers in it hanging out in the pantry. I’m afraid . . . very afraid. What’s the hottest pepper YOU can handle? http://www.celebrateeverydayblog.com/?p=547

Kid Inventors' Day Those of us who have children, or have ever spent any time around them, know that kids are doggone smart. What many of us might NOT know is that some of our most common and everyday household items were invented by kids! I know! I was surprised too! Today is a day to recognize the accomplishments of these amazing kids – and appreciate the cool stuff they have created for us.

* At the age of 15, Louis Braille invented Braille, an alphabet for the blind that uses a system of raised dots.

* 15-year-old Chester Greenwood invented the earmuffs in 1873 to keep his ears warm while ice skating.

* In 1930, 16-year-old George Nissen, a member of his high school gymnastics and diving teams, invented the trampoline in his parent’s garage. http://www.celebrateeverydayblog.com/?p=547

Popeye Day On this day in 1929, Popeye, the Sailor Man, renowned comic-strip character, first appeared in print. The Victoria Advocate is credited as the first newspaper in the nation to run Elzie Crisler Segar's comic strip, originally called "Thimble Theatre," which starred the spinach-eating hero. Segar (1894-1938) was born in Chester, Illinois, and worked as a moving-picture machine operator, a house painter, and a photographer before his first cartoon effort was rejected by a St. Louis paper. Segar became a popular cartoonist in the 1920s. Popeye was probably inspired by Frank "Rocky" Feigle of Segar's hometown. By 1932 Popeye was the undisputed star of "Thimble Theatre," as evidenced in fan mail, toys, games, novelties, and jokes. Segar himself called the Victoria Advocate Popeye's "hometown." In gratitude he contributed a special cartoon for the Advocate's historic 1934 anniversary issue. Speaking to the newspaper's editor through Popeye, Segar wrote, "Please assept me hearties bes' wishes an' felitcitations on account of yer paper's 88th Anniversity....Victoria is me ol' home town on account of tha's where I got born'd at." Crystal City, Texas, also claims a special relationship to Popeye. The spinach industry credited Popeye and Segar with the 33 percent increase in spinach consumption from 1931 to 1936, and in 1937 Crystal City, the "Spinach Capital of the World," erected a statue to honor Segar and his sailor. http://www.tshaonline.org/day-by-day/30992

http://www.famousbirthdays.com/january17.html

January 16, 2015

Daily Holidays - January 16

National Fig Newton Day Newtons are a Nabisco trademarked version of the fig roll, a pastry filled with fig paste. Their distinctive shape is a characteristic that has been adopted by many competitors including generic fig bars sold in many markets. They are produced by an extrusion process. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Newtons_(cookie)

International Hot &
 Spicy Food Day Just about every day is National Some-Kind-of-Yummy-Food Day, and most of them we kind of shrug at. (Plum Pudding Day on February 12? Eh.) But today is International Hot and Spicy Food Day, and that’s a concept we can get behind. Not that you need a special reason to eat a big helping of passage-clearing, eye-watering, fire-breathing, chile-laced grub, but this is great belly-warming food to battle against the cold (and, well, your cold). We’ve rounded up 15 of our hottest recipes, from spicy pineapple to Sichuan favorite Mapo Tofu. Just make sure you grab a beer to quell the spice–you don’t want your mouth to be on fire for too long. http://www.bonappetit.com/recipes/article/15-hot-recipes-for-international-hot-and-spicy-food-day

Appreciate A Dragon Day https://www.facebook.com/events/252228084817744/

Nothing Day Nothing Day is an "un-event" proposed in 1972 by columnist Harold Pullman Coffin and observed annually on January 16 since 1973, when it was added to Chase's Calendar of Events. It is not actually a "National Holiday," as that requires an act of Congress. [1] [2] [3] Its purpose is:
to provide Americans with one National day when they can just sit without celebrating, observing or honoring anything. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Nothing_Day

Religious Freedom Day Religious Freedom Day
Each year, the President declares January 16th to be Religious Freedom Day, and calls upon Americans to "observe this day through appropriate events and activities in homes, schools, and places of worship." The day is the anniversary of the passage, in 1786, of the Virginia Statute of Religious Freedom. We encourage schools to recognize Religious Freedom Day during the school week leading up to January 16. http://religiousfreedomday.com

January 15, 2015

Teamsters Union announces agreement to end US oversight

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Teamsters Union and the Justice Department announced Wednesday they have reached an agreement to end the government's 25-year anti-corruption oversight of the 1.4-million member union.

Preet Bharara, the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York, joined with the Teamsters in asking a federal judge to terminate the consent order that had been in place since March 1989.

Teamsters President James P. Hoffa called it "a historic day" for the union. He said the union could "finally say that corrupt elements have been driven from the Teamsters" and that government oversight could come to an end.

Bharara said in a statement from New York City that the proposed agreement recognizes "the significant progress that has been made in ridding the International Brotherhood of Teamsters of the influence of organized crime and corruption."

http://bigstory.ap.org/article/b599ae7a32ec4d11b459077fa0f87538/teamsters-union-announces-agreement-end-us-oversight