Keeping Posted Website for Retirees

Did you know that in the last five years, 185,000 employees have retired from the Postal Service? Many haven't lost interest in what’s happening in our organization.

The Postal Service has a website dedicated to our retirees -- http://www.keepingposted.org/.
The site features plenty of news and items of interest --- and also features accomplishments of retired employees.

Send your favorite retiree's stuff to keepingposted@usps.gov. All nominations for the "Keeping Posted Spotlight" must include the following:
· Contact information for nominee including an email address and telephone number
· Photo (head shot) of the nominee in a jpeg format
· Photo of the nominee while performing a hobby, community service, or volunteer work
· Narrative about what the employee is doing after retirement
· Any publication that features the retiree
· Position held with the Postal Service before retirement.

(Note: This article was borrowed from Your Postal Blog.)

A Star is Born!

Broadway Star Drew Shuler

A star is born.

Drew Shuler, son of Fort Lauderdale employees Jo Ann Benton Golden (SSA trainer) and Larry Shuler (ET), is making his broadway debut in The Color Purple.

The classic Pulitzer Prize-winning novel by Alice Walker and film by Steven Spielberg is a story of hope, a testament to the healing power of love and a celebration of life. And now Oprah Winfrey has taken it to the stage.

Drew grew up in Fort Lauderdale and received his training at the University of South Florida and the Alvin Ailey School. He has appeared in the production of Nefertiti (Deeply Rooted Productions) and on the international tour of Aida (Big League Productions).

October 27 through November 1, Drew will appear in the ensemble of The Color Purple at the Ziff Ballet Opera House in Miami. For additional information, visit http://www.colorpurple.com/.

Safety is No Accident in Boca Raton

Boca Raton Postmaster David Kolp (center) congratulates Joseph Cutolo (L) and Anthony Chioffe (R) on their outstanding safe driving record. The Postmaster also praised George Walker who was unavailable for this photo opportunity. Photo: Charlie Francesco


Safety is no accident at the Boca Downtown Station. Letter Carriers Anthony Chioffe, Joseph Cutolo, and George Walker recently were inducted into the Million Mile Safe Driver Awards Program sponsored by the National Safety Council. Boca Raton Postmaster David Kolp presented employees with a plaque from the National Safety Council and membership into the "Million Mile Club."

The Million Mile Award is earned by employees who have accumulated one million miles or 30 years of driving without being involved in a preventable motor vehicle accident.

"I am very proud of Tony, Joe, and George for their successful safe driving history that spans over three decades. They are a great example of what all our drivers should be striving to accomplish," said Kolp. "I'd also like to thank VOMA Charlie Francesco for ordering the awards and taking the picture."

Congratulations to Anthony, Joseph, and George!

National PCC Day: South Florida Businesses Attend Intelligent Mail University

The South Florida business community learned more about the Intelligent Mail barcode, or IMb, on National Postal Customer Council (PCC) Day, the premier Fall event for the mailing industry. Postal officials and mailing industry representatives attended "Intelligent Mail University" in the auditorium of the United Auto Insurance Group in Miami Gardens.

Pritha Mehra, Vice President, Business Mail Entry and Payment Technologies, delivered a presentation on the IMb, the Postal Service’s tracking system that uses standardized intelligent barcodes, continuous mail tracking, and real-time feedback on mailpieces. Participants also viewed Postmaster General John E. Potter’s keynote address via satellite broadcast.

Throughout the year, the PCC provides a forum for mailers to discuss and resolve mailing issues with their local Postmaster and also serves as an avenue for its members to exchange ideas and suggestions on new postal products and services.

(Special thanks to Miami Customer Relations Coordinator Rose Castro for covering this event. Rose also serves on the Board of Directors for the Miami-Dade County Postal Customer Council.)

"Tail' of Two Kitties" Has Near Purrrrrfect Ending!

Vehicle trouble? Hardly. See photo below.

Palms West Carrier Linda Hamm was delivering mail when she heard a squeaking noise from under the hood of her LLV. Worried something was wrong, she parked her LLV. Even after turning off the vehicle, she still heard a noise coming from the front grill.

Linda investigated and noticed two little kitten faces peering at her. Not wanting to injure the kittens, she called the Palms West Branch for suggestions. Palms West Clerk Cindy Langdon was going to lunch when she heard the news and went to the scene.

A Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Officer stopped to find out if assistance was needed. The officer did not have the proper tools to assist and called Palm Beach County Fire Rescue. Fire Rescue arrived with tools to undo the front grill and pulled out two exhausted & extremely warm eight-week old kittens.

This story continues with a happy ending. Palms West Retail Associate Debbie Petrone mentioned the rescue to a customer who was more than happy to take the kittens to foster until placed in a permanent home.

(Thanks to West Palm Beach Customer Relations Coordinator JoAnn Goodrich for sharing story and to Palms West Letter Carrier Linda Hamm for the photos.)

Palms West Clerk Cindy Langdon (right) comforts two kittens in a makeshift pet carrier.

October 17: "Race for the Cure"

Join the USPS Express Connection and be part of a winning team to help fight breast cancer!

Race for the Cure
Saturday, October 17, 2009
Miami Bayfront Park, 301 North Biscayne Boulevard in downtown Miami

Register online at http://www.komenmiaftl.org/.

For more information contact Marguerite Goulet at 954-436-4422 or Damaris Agrait at 305-470-0881

September 25: Don't Miss This Deadline If You're Eligible for the 2009 One-Time Incentive Offer!

If you want to leave under the 2009 One-Time Incentive Offer by taking optional retirement, or the VER early out, or a voluntary separation, September 25 is your last day to submit your election—you must apply by this date. VER-eligible employees “opt in” by signing and mailing the irrevocability statement.

The incentive is available to eligible employees represented by APWU and NPMHU who are optionally eligible for retirement; who are eligible for voluntary early retirement (VER), or those who want to voluntarily separate from the Postal Service as of Oct. 31, 2009. With a few exceptions, the offer extends to full-time, part-time regular and part-time flexible employees from the APWU and NPMHU.

The $15,000 incentive for full-time employees will be paid in two installments, depending on retirement or separation date. Most employees will receive $10,000 in November 2009 and $5,000 approximately a year later. The incentive for part-time employees will be prorated based on an agreed upon payment plan that factors in the number of hours an employee has worked.