Celebrate 10 Years of Going Red By Wearing Red on Friday, Feb 1

On Friday, February 1, North Florida District, Occupational Health Nurse, Carl Mader is asking all non-uniformed employees to wear red on Friday. Let’s help support a great cause.

Since its inception, the American Heart Association (AHA) has lead efforts in research, prevention and treatment of heart disease, providing knowledge-based solutions for people of all ages. And every year, the AHA works together with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the National Institutes of Health and other government agencies to compile the most comprehensive and up-to-date statistics on heart disease, stroke and other vascular diseases.

These statistics are used by health researchers, clinicians, healthcare policy makers, media professionals and consumers, serving as a major source for monitoring the cardiovascular health of the wider population. Here are some of the latest findings.

General statistics

• Heart disease is the No. 1 killer of women, and is more deadly than all forms of cancer combined.
• Heart disease causes 1 in 3 women’s deaths each year, killing approximately one woman every minute.
• An estimated 43 million women in the U.S. are affected by heart disease.
• Ninety percent of women have one or more risk factors for developing heart disease.
• Since 1984, more women than men have died each year from heart disease.
• The symptoms of heart disease can be different in women and men, and are often misunderstood.
• While 1 in 31 American women dies from breast cancer each year, 1 in 3 dies of heart disease.
• Only 1 in 5 American women believe that heart disease is her greatest health threat.
• Women comprise only 24 percent of participants in all heart-related studies.

Hispanic women

• Hispanic women are likely to develop heart disease 10 years earlier than Caucasian women.
• Only 1 in 3 Hispanic women are aware that heart disease is their No. 1 killer.
• Only 3 in 10 Hispanic women say they have been informed that they are at a higher risk.
• Only 1 in 4 Hispanic women is aware of treatment options.
• Hispanic women are more likely to take preventive actions for their family when it comes to heart health.

African American women

• Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death for African American women.
• Of African American women ages 20 and older, 46.9 percent have cardiovascular disease
• Only 1 in 5 African American women thinks she is personally at risk.
• Nearly 50 percent of African American women are aware of the signs and symptoms of a heart attack.
• Only 43 percent of African American know that heart disease is their greatest health risk.

These statistics represent only a fraction of the 2012 report featured in Circulation. To view the full findings, download a copy of the Heart Disease and Stroke 2012 Statistical Update.

Building Business with New Products & Services

Changes are coming to requirements for Parcel Select Nonpresort prices.

Currently, mailpieces claiming Parcel Select Nonpresort prices must be part of a mailing of at least 50 Parcel Select pieces, except when postage is paid through a USPS-approved PC Postage system.

Effective Jan. 27, 2013, mailpieces are eligible under any one of the following conditions:

•    When part of a mailing of at least 50 pieces or 50 pounds of mailpieces claiming Parcel Select Nonpresort prices.
•    With no minimum volume when part of a mailing of at least 50 Parcel Select pieces.
•    With no minimum volume when postage is paid through a USPS-approved PC Postage system.
•    With no minimum volume when part of a combined parcel mailing that already meets the minimum volume eligibility standards for each mail class within each applicable mailing program within DMM 705.

The revisions will be incorporated into the January update of the Domestic Mail Manual.

Lake City and Gainesville Post Offices honor veterans, Native Americans

The organizer of the Flags and Feathers Ceremony was Archer FL Rural Carrier, Janet Mitchell-Silverhawk along with Cassandra Mitchell (A/SCS, Lake City, FL) and Teressa Hill (Secretary – Gainesville, FL).

Recently , the Native American Special Emphasis Program Committee held its annual Flags and Feathers Ceremony at the VA Hospital in Lake City, Florida. 

All VA employees and veterans were brought together to honor all veterans and to celebrate Native American Heritage Month.

The Lake City and Gainesville FL Post Offices  had representatives in attendance to speak on the many  Native American subjects on United States postage stamps.

Native American Heritage Month is a celebration of the unique culture of the first Americans and their rich contributions to our society.  

With an unbending respect for the land and all creatures great and small, Native Americans continue to teach us the importance of balance between humans and the natural resources of the earth.

This year’s celebration included a presentation by the Native Nations Museum which included traditional dancing and prayers.  

A large and diverse group gathered for the Flags and Feathers Ceremony with a unified message—honor our veterans who have kept us safe.  Native Americans representing LaKotas, Lumbees, and Metis and African
Americans have but two simple words for the veterans:  Thank you!

Spicebush Swallowtail Butterfly Stamps Take Flight Today

A high-resolution image of the stamp is available for
media use only by emailing mark.r.saunders@usps.gov.

PINE MOUNTAIN, GA — Beautiful butterfly stamps begin fluttering across the nation’s mail stream today now that the Postal Service has issued the two-ounce Spicebush Swallowtail Butterfly First-Class stamps with the 66 cent 2 ounce rates.

Customers may purchase the stamps at usps.com/stamps, by phone at 800-STAMP24 (800-782-6724) and at Post Offices nationwide to prepare for the 1-cent price change that goes into effect Jan. 27.

The new stamp is designed to be used with cards that have an irregular shape and require additional postage. The Butterfly stamp introduced in 2010, when participating greeting card manufacturers began printing a silhouette image of a butterfly on their envelopes so customers would understand that the new butterfly stamp or equivalent postage is required to mail the card.

Nationally acclaimed artist Tom Engeman of Frederick, MD, working under the direction of Derry Noyes of Washington, DC, created the design on a computer using images of preserved butterflies as a starting point. The result is a highly stylized, simplified image of a spicebush swallowtail rather than an exact replica.

Both as caterpillars and butterflies, spicebush swallowtails hide from their predators in plain sight. They do this by mimicking other creatures or their surroundings. The caterpillar later morphs into what looks like a small green snake, with yellow and black markings that resemble a snake's eyes and a false forked tongue. The butterfly’s chrysalis mimics a dried brown leaf, complete with veins.

Customers may view the Spicebush Swallowtail Butterfly stamp, as well as many of this year’s other stamps on Facebook at facebook.com/USPSStamps, on Twitter @USPSstamps or on the website Beyond the Perf at beyondtheperf.com/2013-preview. Beyond the Perf is the Postal Service’s online site for information on upcoming stamp subjects, first-day-of-issue events and other philatelic news.

Ordering First-Day-of-Issue Postmarks
Customers have 60 days to obtain the first-day-of-issue postmark by mail. They may purchase new stamps at their local Post Office, at usps.com/stamps, or by calling 800-STAMP-24. They should affix the stamps to envelopes of their choice, address the envelopes to themselves or others, and place them in a larger envelope addressed to:

Spicebush Swallowtail (Butterfly) Stamp
158 N. McDougald Ave.
Pine Mountain, GA  31822-9998

After applying the first day of issue postmark, the Postal Service will return the envelopes through the mail. There is no charge for the postmark. All orders must be postmarked by March 23, 2013.

Ordering First-Day Covers
The Postal Service also offers first-day covers for new stamp issues and Postal Service stationery items postmarked with the official first-day-of-issue cancellation. Each item has an individual catalog number and is offered in the quarterly USA Philatelic catalog, online at usps.com/shop or by calling 800-782-6724. Customers may request a free catalog by calling 800-782-6724 or writing to:

U.S. Postal Service
Catalog Request
PO Box 219014
Kansas City, MO  64121-9014

Philatelic Products
There are seven philatelic products available for this stamp issue:

•    115906, Press Sheet with die cuts, $132 (Print Quantity of 2,500).
•    115908, Press Sheet without die cuts, $132 (Print Quantity of 2,500).
•    115910, Keepsake (Pane & Digital Postmark Set), $15.95.
•    115916, First Day Cover, $1.10.
•    115921, Digital Color Postmark, $1.81.
•    115931, Stamp Deck Card, $0.95.
•    115932, Stamp Deck Card with/Digital Color Postmark, $2.16.

The Postal Service receives no tax dollars for operating expenses and relies on the sale of postage, products and services to fund its operations.

Thomson GA employees welcome back co-worker who served in Afghanistan

The staff of the Thomson GA Post Office is proud to have one of their Postal family members, Rural Carrier Associate Willie Sanders, safely home after serving a 10-month term in Afghanistan. 

Willie and his wife Mary were both deployed to Afghanistan.  They stated they met while serving in the military and no doubt they are definitely a perfect match of a couple.

Thomson Postmaster Paula Fuller said, “They are an amazing couple and their attitudes reflect everything we as Americans would want in our military as well as what we look for in our Postal employees.  Willie is a phenomenal employee – always dependable, caring, conscientious, and proficient and Mary is just an added bonus.”

USPS to change rates Jan. 27

The new First-Class Mail Global Forever
stamp will allow customers to mail letters up
to two ounces to Canada and up to one ounce
anywhere else in the world for a set price of $1.10.

The new First-Class Mail Global Forever stamp will allow customers to mail letters up to two ounces to Canada and up to one ounce anywhere else in the world for a set price of $1.10.

Effective Jan. 27, new prices will go into effect for some USPS products and services.

The new prices for First-Class Mail and service pricing include:

• First-Class Mail, one ounce: 46 cents
• First-Class Mail postcard: 33 cents
• Stamped postcards: 37 cents
• Electronic Return Receipt: $1.25.
• Certificate of mailing: $1.20

New domestic retail pricing for Priority Mail Flat Rate products:

• Small box: $5.80
• Medium box: $12.35
• Large box: $16.85
• Large APO/FPO box: $14.85
• Regular envelope: $5.60
• Legal envelope: $5.75
• Padded envelope: $5.95

Other changes include a new offering — a First-Class Mail Global Forever stamp that will allow customers to mail letters up to two ounces to Canada and up to one ounce anywhere else in the world for a set price of $1.10.

Customers can obtain lower prices for Priority Mail and other types of expedited products when purchasing them online.

A complete list of new prices with additional information is available here.

Acting Jacksonville manager publishes his second novel

After the success of his first book, Cocoamo, Jacksonville Acting Manager Customer Service, Greg Norman has begun his second book entitled, I’m Catching Hell. 

Cocoamo, which was released in March 2012, details a young man’s life’s journey and how important it is to stay true to one’s self. 

While Greg enjoys being a Station Manager, he is excited about his career as a writer. “Writing is very therapeutic and it allows me to use my imagination,” says Norman.

This next book, while it is nothing like his first, will certainly keep the attention of his readers, as promised by the writer himself! 

Since beginning his second book, Greg really understands the essence of being a writer.  Greg has been with the Postal Service for almost 20 years.

“Take 3” Actions to Fight the Flu

 Flu is a serious contagious disease that can lead to hospitalization and even death. CDC urges you to take the following actions to protect yourself and others from influenza (the flu):
    
1. TAKE TIME TO GET A FLU VACCINE.     (FLU VACCINE FINDER)

• CDC recommends a yearly flu vaccine as the first and most important step in protecting against flu viruses.
• While there are many different flu viruses, a flu vaccine protects against the three viruses that research suggests will be most common.
• Everyone 6 months of age and older should get a flu vaccine.
• Vaccination of high risk persons is especially important to decrease their risk of severe flu illness.
• People at high risk of serious flu complications include young children, pregnant women, people with chronic health conditions like asthma, diabetes or heart and lung disease and people 65 years and older.
• Vaccination also is important for health care workers, and other people who live with or care for high risk people to keep from spreading flu to high risk people.
• Children younger than 6 months are at high risk of serious flu illness, but are too young to be vaccinated. People who care for them should be vaccinated instead.

    
2. TAKE EVERYDAY PREVENTIVE ACTIONS TO STOP THE SPREAD OF GERMS.

• Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water.
• If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand rub.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth. Germs spread this way.
• Try to avoid close contact with sick people.
• If you are sick with flu-like illness, CDC recommends that you stay home for at least 24 hours after your fever is gone except to get medical care or for other necessities. (Your fever should be gone without the use of a fever-reducing medicine.)
• While sick, limit contact with others as much as possible to keep from infecting them.
• See Everyday Preventive Actions and Nonpharmaceutical Interventions (NPIs) for more information about actions, apart from getting vaccinated and taking medicine, that people and communities can take to help slow the spread of illnesses like influenza (flu).

   
3. TAKE FLU ANTIVIRAL DRUGS IF YOUR DOCTOR PRESCRIBES THEM

• If you get the flu, antiviral drugs can treat your illness. 
• Antiviral drugs are different from antibiotics. They are prescription medicines (pills, liquid or an inhaled powder) and are not available over-the-counter. 
• Antiviral drugs can make illness milder and shorten the time you are sick. They may also prevent serious flu complications. For people with high risk factors, treatment with an antiviral drug can mean the difference between having a milder illness versus a very serious illness that could result in a hospital stay. 
• Studies show that flu antiviral drugs work best for treatment when they are started within 2 days of getting sick, but starting them later can still be helpful, especially if the sick person has a high-risk health or is very sick from the flu. Follow your doctor’s instructions for taking this drug. 
• Flu-like symptoms include fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue. Some people also may have vomiting and diarrhea. People may be infected with the flu, and have respiratory symptoms without a fever.

Jacksonville employee praised by customer for extra effort

 
Postal Employees do more than just deliver the mail and sort packages or sale a stamp. They look out for their communities, co-workers and customers.

This is the case for Jacqueline Slatter, Supervisor Customer Service at the Baymeadows office. This past holiday, Jacqueline had the opportunity to assist a customer with a very important piece of holiday mail. Our customer mailed holiday gifts to her son here in Jacksonville, FL. This is the first Christmas she and her son have been apart. 

Unfortunately, only one package arrived during the estimated delivery period. The customer contacted the Baymeadows office and was assisted by Jacqueline.  Ms. Slatter was able to use her training from the Customer Contact Concierge (CCC) program to better assist with completing all necessary actions for locating this package.

Thankfully, the customer had purchased a delivery confirmation which allowed Jacqueline to better search for the item and she was able to locate the package and it was delivered on Christmas Eve.

The customer was so impressed with the service she received that she was compelled to write a letter to a local news magazine. “We come to work every day prepared to assist a customer or employee, your day only gets better when you feel as though you have achieved what you set out to do!”, says Jacqueline.

Here is an excerpt from the customers message published on Jacksonville.com:

I’m from Chesapeake, Va., and this is the first year my son and I have been separated for Christmas. I sent his Christmas gifts through the mail, but the main one didn’t make it. I called the post office there in Jacksonville, and a woman named Jacqueline tracked it all the way to California and got it to my son [on] Christmas Eve. I just wanted to say I know the U.S. Postal Service gets a bad rap sometimes, but this woman went out of her way to help me. She was absolutely wonderful, and I just think this was a great thing. Maybe if you print this somewhere, she’ll see it and know that she was very much appreciated.

Rincon GA Postmaster delivers Polar Express Mail

Santa Claus recently asked Rincon GA Postmaster Larry Billeiter to show up at Blandford Elementary School in Rincon to deliver a package from the North Pole to Jennifer Rahn's kindergarten class. 

The students were having a Polar Express Day and the package contained jingle bells like the one from the movie. 

Billeiter said "The bells had been placed in the freezer so they would be cold when I delivered the package."

Savannah P&DC honored for best 3-day performance

The Savannah P&DC recently celebrated its designation as Best Service Performance for 3Day for fiscal year 2012 in the North Florida District.

Great job by the Savannah team (left to right): SDO Allan Grippe, SDO Heather Pennyfeatherm, Plant Manager Lisa A. Syse, SDO Ardis Pickett, and A/SDO David Popp.

Postal Service issues Emancipation Proclamation stamp

 
The Postal Service honors the Emancipation Proclamation on the 150th anniversary of its signing by President Lincoln with a limited edition Forever Stamp.

USPS dedicated the stamp Jan. 1 at the National Archives in Washington, DC, which houses the historic document.

“Stamps often tap into our culture and help us remember the events and people who have had an impact on American history,” said DPMG Ron Stroman. “The Emancipation Proclamation was a powerful symbol of President Lincoln’s determination to end the war, to end slavery and to reconstruct the economy of the country without slave labor.”

The stamp is first in a series of three civil rights stamps to be released in 2013. The remaining stamps will feature Rosa Parks and the March on Washington.

The Emancipation Proclamation Forever stamp goes on sale Jan. 2 at Post Offices nationwide, and can be purchased online at www.usps.com/stampsor by phone at 800-Stamp24.

Santa and Mrs. Claus helped By Evans GA Post Office

 

Santa and Mrs. Claus needed help this year, so they visited the Evans GA Post Office.

SSA Gloria Williams assisted them with their mailings.