PATRIOTIC PROMOTION. This morning from 10 a.m. to noon, the show car displaying the Heroes of 2001 stamp - a replica of the race car scheduled to compete July 5 at Daytona International Speedway - will be unveiled by driver Jamie McMurray at the Downtown Charlotte, NC, Post Office. The No. 27 car prominently displays the Heroes of 2001 semi-postal stamp on its hood and the Postal Service corporate signature on its rear quarter panels.

The race car will run in the inaugural NASCAR Busch Series event in Daytona Beach, FL. The replica show car will also appear from 10 a.m. to noon tomorrow at the Daytona Beach Post Office, (along with McMurray), and from 2-4 p.m. at the South Daytona Beach Post Office. On race day, the show car and McMurray will be at the Port Orange, FL, Post Office from 9:45-10:45 a.m.

"The Postal Service is pleased that Williams TravelCenters and Brewco Motorsports chose the Heroes of 2001 stamp to symbolize the patriotic spirit Americans share during this important holiday week," said Azeezaly Jaffer, USPS VP of Public Affairs and Communications. Philip Wright, president and CEO of Williams' energy services unit, said, "Through this unique promotion with the Postal Service, Williams is proud to help honor those heroes whose actions (have) defined the American spirit."

  MAKING MAGIC. Tomorrow, magic will happen in New York City, when a commemorative stamp honoring Harry Houdini, the great magician and escape artist, will be dedicated during the 2002 Centennial Convention of the Society of American Magicians (SAM). David Copperfield, called "the greatest illusionist of our time," will join New York Metro Area VP David Solomon for the ceremony at the Hilton New York. While the SAM convention requires registration, the ceremony is free and open to the public.

The issuance of the stamp coincides with the 100th anniversary of SAM. Houdini served as its president from 1917 until his death in 1926. "Harry Houdini is considered one of the greatest magicians of our time," said actor Tony Curtis - who portrayed Houdini on the screen - when he unveiled the stamp design last year.

  LOCATION. LOCATION. LOCATION. New postage rates took effect yesterday. It's never been easier or more convenient to get the stamps you need. Postage stamps are available online from The Postal Store at usps.com or by calling toll free 1-800-STAMP-24.

You also can get stamps at thousands of ATMs, supermarkets, convenience stores and other retail outlets. Of course, you can get them at your local Post Office through lobby vending machines or at the counter. In addition to individual stamps, The Postal Store is offering "Rate Change Kits" containing rate change stamps in various formats (coils, panes and booklets), along with a handy, wallet-size rate card.