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.

Margate's LaFleur Saves the Day! Alert Carrier Helped Foil Burglary

To Whom It May Concern:

I am writing this letter to recognize one of your Margate postal carriers, Christine LaFleur.

My wife and I own a small business, and one thing that we have noticed is that people are always quick to complain, but when something good happens, they never speak up. We have adopted a policy that those who deserve recognition get the attention they deserve.

On Saturday, September 12, Christine was instrumental in stopping a burglary to my neighbor's house and helped apprehend the two criminals. She was our hero!

I was in the kitchen when the doorbell rang. My older son said "It's Chris , the mail person." So I went to the door. Chris handed me a letter and said that "I think some guys are breaking into your neighbor's house. Call the police." I grabbed our portable phone and walked outside with Chris to peek around the corner. As we did, we saw two individuals with backpacks look in our direction and then start to hurry away from my neighbor's house. I started to dial the police when another neighbor from across the street came out and said she also was calling the police.

The two individuals started to walk faster. I was worried that they would disappear before the police got there so I ran inside while Chris stayed with her mail truck, got my cell phone, and grabbed my bike out of the garage and started to follow them at a distance. I made sure they could see that I was on my cell phone. I got yelled at later by everyone because what if they had a gun, but I didn't think of that, I was just worried that they might get away.

I stayed on the phone and told my neighbors where they were, and where they were going so they could relay it to the police. They started running into Coral Bay, a community next to ours. I was concerned that once they got in the community, they could take off and disappear.

I have to say I was also impressed with the Margate Police Department because right about then two officers came racing in and stopped the two individuals in their tracks before they could disappear. I rode over to the officers and told them that these were the two individuals that I had followed.

When I got back to my neighbor's house, there were now several police officers there. Christine and my other neighbors were giving statements as to what they had observed. It turns out that these two individuals had already gotten my neighbors front door open! They were about to go into the house and clean it out when Christine saved the day. My neighbors were away in Pennsylvania for a couple of weeks visiting their kids. They wouldn't have known they were robbed until they returned home.

Christine LaFleur went above and beyond what was required and we hope she gets the recognition that she deserves. You see enough bad stories on the news these days. It's really nice to see something good happen for a change.

Our thanks go out to Christine for taking the time to care.

Sincerely,

Bruce and Juli Van Der Meulen and family, and all our neighbors!

(James Lafaman, Manager, Customer Services, Margate, is proud of his employee. Thanks for sharing this customer commendatory.)

October 14: Fort Lauderdale Main PO to Host 'Breast Cancer Awareness Day'

The Fort Lauderdale Main Post Office at 1900 West Oakland Park Blvd will host "Breast Cancer Awareness Day" from 9 am to 1 pm on Wednesday, October 14. Learn about breast cancer prevention and receive information on free mammograms. Free bone density screenings will be available onsite.

Few things reach as many Americans each day as the U.S. Mail so postage stamps provide an opportunity to raise money and awareness in support of important social issues. The 55-cent Breast Cancer Research semi-postal stamp covers First-Class Mail postage plus generates funds for this important cause. The first semi-postal stamp in U.S. history, the Breast Cancer Research stamp was issued at the White House on July 29, 1998 and features artwork of a mythical "goddess of the hunt." To date, the stamp has raised more than $67 million for breast cancer research. By law, 70 percent of the net amount raised goes to the National Institutes of Health and 30 percent goes to the Medical Research Program at the Department of Defense.

(Special thanks to Fort Lauderdale Customer Relations Coordinator Tashia Romano-Kravitz who provided this information.)

'Justice' Served for New Stamp Issue

(L to R): Dr. Joe Leonard, Jr., Dr. Jose A. Vicente, and Miami Postmaster David Boardman unveil the Justices of the Supreme Court stamps.

Over half a million Miami-Dade County students and residents were able to catch a glimpse of the new Justices of the Supreme Court stamps via live broadcast on Friday, September 18. The unveiling of the pane of four stamps was broadcast live to students on MDCTV and available on seven local cable channels.

The unveiling was part of a special educational presentation at Miami-Dade College and the prelude to the tenth National Hispanic American Read-In, which brings literary awareness nationwide. Miami Postmaster David Boardman was joined by Dr. Jose A. Vicente, President, Miami-Dade College, North Campus and Dr. Joe Leonard, Jr., Assistant Secretary of Civil Rights, USDA to assist in unveiling the stamps. The event also was part of National Hispanic Heritage Month festivities at the campus. The historic appointment of Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor was recognized as the first Hispanic to serve on the highest court in the nation.

The event was streamed live online at: www.mdc.edu/north/live

(Special thanks to Miami Customer Relations Coordinator Rose Castro for submitting story and photo.)

FREE Admission to Museums and Zoos Sept. 26

The Smithsonian is promoting free general admission to select museums and zoos across the United States on Saturday, September 26. South Florida participants include the Ah-Tah-Thi-Ki Museum (Hollywood), Art and Culture Center of Hollywood, Bass Museum of Art (Miami), Boca Raton Museum of Art, Cason Cottage Historic House Museum (Delray Beach), Coral Springs Museum of Art, Harry S Truman Little White House (Key West), Historical Museum of Southern Florida (Miami), International Swimming Hall of Fame Museum (Fort Lauderdale), Jupiter Inlet Lighthouse and Museum (Jupiter), Lowe Art Museum (Coral Gables), Miami Art Museum, Miami Metrozoo, National Navy SEAL Museum (Fort Pierce), Norton Museum of Art (West Palm Beach), Seminole Ah-Tah-Thi-Ki Museum (Clewiston), Florida Keys History of Diving Museum (Islamorada), Frost Art Museum (Miami), and The Wolfsonian-FIU (Miami Beach).

For a free admission pass good for two persons, visit
http://microsite.smithsonianmag.com/museumday/admission.html

(Special thanks to Barry Stein of the Business Service Network for sharing this information.)

It's a Bird! It's a Plane! No, It's 'Super' Media Man!

Hispanic Programs Specialist Jacinto Acebal is doing some "super" work to generate revenue in the South Florida District. In just 24 hours, "Ace" has added 18 media hits to his credit! He was interviewed by television hosts and reporters at several Hispanic media outlets including Gen TV Channel 8, TeleMiami TV Channel 12, Univision Channel 23, AmericaTeVe Channel 41, and Telemundo Channel 51. His mission: To promote the great work of our employees, as well as the great value of postal products and services, particularly shipping packages to Cuba. One show was broadcast in Chicago, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, and New York City markets. Ace also made the news in Puerto Rico! Ace, thanks for a great job and all the free publicity! Ace plans to continue his media blitz with Hispanic print, television, and radio throughout the district.