OWLS THAT FOR safety?
Letter carriers on alert for squidgetty Harry Potter fans
Squidgetty. What else would you call the droves of young readers who will be squiggling on their front doorsteps and fidgeting by their windows tomorrow as they wait for delivery of the newest Harry Potter adventure, Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince?
Snowy white owls, like Harry’s Hedwig, are the preferred way of sending messages in the Harry Potter novels.
While readers might be anxiously awaiting their mail, letter carriers — as always — will be on the lookout for children approaching their vehicles. Because of the expected increase in foot traffic around delivery vehicles tomorrow, a standup talk has been issued to letter carriers reminding them to watch for children in front of, behind and on both sides of their delivery vehicles.
We can’t say for sure, but fans might see a carrier or two dressed as one their favorite characters. There could even be one or two dressed as Hogwarts Headmaster Albus Dumbledore or even an owl — the preferred method of message delivery at Hogwarts — maybe even Harry Potter’s own owl, Hedwig!
Whether they’re in full uniform or taking a few liberties tomorrow, that safety message, “Watch for children around your vehicle,” is worth repeating.
Friday, July 15, 2005
USPS: Weather Related Service Updates
Weather Related Service Updates
North Florida District - The Pensacola Processing and Distribution Center (ZIP Code 325) and Panama City Processing and Distribution Center (ZIP Code 324) are operational and drop shipment appointments are being accepted. There is limited delivery services in Gulf Breeze (Pensacola Beach) and Navarre (Santa Rosa Island) due to hurricane damage. In these locations temporary delivery is being established for approximately 1400 residents. The St. Marks Post Office (32355) is flooded and it will be several months before it can be restored. Customers can obtain postal services at the nearby Woodville Post Office until that time.
South Florida District - All suspensions and closures have been lifted and operations are back to normal.
Alabama District - The Montgomery Processing and Distribution Center (ZIP Codes 360-361, 368 and 367) and the Mobile Processing and Distribution Center are operational and accepting drop shipment appointments. All Post Offices now have power and are fully operational.
Mississippi District - All services have been restored and the Mississippi District is fully operational.
North Florida District - The Pensacola Processing and Distribution Center (ZIP Code 325) and Panama City Processing and Distribution Center (ZIP Code 324) are operational and drop shipment appointments are being accepted. There is limited delivery services in Gulf Breeze (Pensacola Beach) and Navarre (Santa Rosa Island) due to hurricane damage. In these locations temporary delivery is being established for approximately 1400 residents. The St. Marks Post Office (32355) is flooded and it will be several months before it can be restored. Customers can obtain postal services at the nearby Woodville Post Office until that time.
South Florida District - All suspensions and closures have been lifted and operations are back to normal.
Alabama District - The Montgomery Processing and Distribution Center (ZIP Codes 360-361, 368 and 367) and the Mobile Processing and Distribution Center are operational and accepting drop shipment appointments. All Post Offices now have power and are fully operational.
Mississippi District - All services have been restored and the Mississippi District is fully operational.
Thursday, July 14, 2005
USPS set to deliver more than 1 million Harry Potter books
This Saturday, more than one million readers are going to be extremely happy to see their letter carriers. That’s the day USPS is scheduled to deliver the newest Harry Potter novel, Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince. Amazon.com and Barnes and Noble have a combined total of more than 1 million advance orders for author J.K. Rowling’s sixth installment in her popular series — and they’ve teamed with the Postal Service to deliver them on the first date of availability.
“We’re delighted to have a role in helping young people discover the joy of reading,” said USPS Chief Marketing Officer Anita Bizzotto. “Our employees will make sure that hundreds of thousands of excited fans can enjoy the new book on the day it is released.”
In much the same way students at Hogwarts turn to Professor Dumbledore for advice, USPS employees will receive a standup talk to help answer questions on how to handle this massive magical mailing. Top of the list? No deliveries before July 16. The standup talk also lists how to handle packages of the books received from UPS at destination delivery units, many of which will be receiving this type of shipment for the first time.
And while USPS may not have access to Harry’s magical powers, we’re sure that faster than you can say “Deliverus importantum,” our employees will do more than just muggle through — they’ll show customers we can work a little delivery magic of our own.
“We’re delighted to have a role in helping young people discover the joy of reading,” said USPS Chief Marketing Officer Anita Bizzotto. “Our employees will make sure that hundreds of thousands of excited fans can enjoy the new book on the day it is released.”
In much the same way students at Hogwarts turn to Professor Dumbledore for advice, USPS employees will receive a standup talk to help answer questions on how to handle this massive magical mailing. Top of the list? No deliveries before July 16. The standup talk also lists how to handle packages of the books received from UPS at destination delivery units, many of which will be receiving this type of shipment for the first time.
And while USPS may not have access to Harry’s magical powers, we’re sure that faster than you can say “Deliverus importantum,” our employees will do more than just muggle through — they’ll show customers we can work a little delivery magic of our own.
NEW YORK POST OFFICES POST LONGER HOURS
NEW YORK OFFICES POST LONGER HOURS. New York customers are happy with extended hours at Post Offices in two Queens neighborhoods. New York Daily News reports that “there’s no longer any need to sprint to the Post Office after work,” since the offices at Kew Gardens and Bay Terrace extended weekday hours to 7 p.m. and Saturday to 4 p.m. The Flushing Main and JFK Airport Station also have extended hours — Flushing until 8 p.m. weekdays and JFK until midnight, making it easier and more convenient for busy people to do their postal business.
Wednesday, July 13, 2005
Future Billionaires Courted By UPS Contest Judges
Small Businesses Compete for $10,000, HP Computer, Consulting Services
ATLANTA, July 12, 2005 – Hula Hoops, personal computers, buying books online – all creative ideas that were developed by small businesses.
UPS has assembled a blue ribbon panel of judges under a special nationwide contest to look for similar creative ideas being pursued by today's small businesses. The winner of the UPS Best "Out-of-the-Box" Small Business Contest will receive cash and other prizes worth $15,000 plus a new HP computer and printer.
The judges include:
Norm Brodsky, Inc. magazine columnist and owner of Citistorage in Brooklyn, N.Y.
Benn R. Konsynski, Ph.D., George S. Craft Professor of Business Administration at the Emory University's Goizueta Business School in Atlanta.
Ed Baker, publisher of the Atlanta Business Chronicle.
Kevin Gilroy, senior vice president and general manager, Worldwide Small and Medium Business, HP.
Deli Passi, president, Medalia Communications.
Jordan Colletta, vice president, Customer Technology Marketing, UPS.
U.S. small businesses with annual revenues in 2004 of at least $500,000 but not exceeding $10 million can enter the contest by simply submitting a 500-word essay online at www.ups.com/outofthebox that explains how the business is innovative. First-, second- and third-place prizes will be awarded. The first-place prize package contains: $10,000 in cash or $10,000 worth of free UPS package delivery services; a personal computer and printer provided by HP and equipped with UPS OnLine Tools, and 10 hours of UPS consulting services (a $5,000 value).
Entries may be submitted online at www.ups.com/outofthebox through Aug. 1, 2005. All entries must be completed by an employee or owner of an eligible business on behalf of that business, with a limit of one entry per business.
USPS: Weather Related Service Updates
USPS: Weather Related Service Updates
North Florida District - The Pensacola Processing and Distribution Center (ZIP Code 325) and Panama City Processing and Distribution Center (ZIP Code 324) are operational and drop shipment appointments are being accepted as of Wednesday, July 13. All Pensacola stations are back to full operation, although Easthill Station (32503) remains without power. Other ZIP Code area 325 Post Offices without power are: Bagdad (32530); Baker (32531); Gulf Breeze Main Office (32561); McDavid (32568); Milton Pace Annex (32570); and Molino (32577). There are limited delivery services in Gulf Breeze (Pensacola Beach) and Navarre (Santa Rosa Island) due to hurricane damage. In these locations temporary delivery is being established for approximately 1400 residents. The St. Marks Post Office (32355) is flooded and it will be several months before it can be restored. Customers can obtain postal services at the nearby Woodville Post Office until that time.
South Florida District - All suspensions and closures have been lifted and operations are back to normal.
Alabama District - The Montgomery (ZIP Codes 360-361, 368 and 367) and the Mobile Processing and Distribution Center are operational and accepting drop shipment appointments. Only the Atmore, AL, Post Office is using generators for power.
Mississippi District - All services have been restored and the Mississippi District is fully operational. There are no reports of major highway closures.
North Florida District - The Pensacola Processing and Distribution Center (ZIP Code 325) and Panama City Processing and Distribution Center (ZIP Code 324) are operational and drop shipment appointments are being accepted as of Wednesday, July 13. All Pensacola stations are back to full operation, although Easthill Station (32503) remains without power. Other ZIP Code area 325 Post Offices without power are: Bagdad (32530); Baker (32531); Gulf Breeze Main Office (32561); McDavid (32568); Milton Pace Annex (32570); and Molino (32577). There are limited delivery services in Gulf Breeze (Pensacola Beach) and Navarre (Santa Rosa Island) due to hurricane damage. In these locations temporary delivery is being established for approximately 1400 residents. The St. Marks Post Office (32355) is flooded and it will be several months before it can be restored. Customers can obtain postal services at the nearby Woodville Post Office until that time.
South Florida District - All suspensions and closures have been lifted and operations are back to normal.
Alabama District - The Montgomery (ZIP Codes 360-361, 368 and 367) and the Mobile Processing and Distribution Center are operational and accepting drop shipment appointments. Only the Atmore, AL, Post Office is using generators for power.
Mississippi District - All services have been restored and the Mississippi District is fully operational. There are no reports of major highway closures.
Tuesday, July 12, 2005
USPS: Tropical Depression Dennis Update 7/12 5pm
Tropical Depression Dennis Update
Hurricane Dennis has now been downgraded to a tropical depression.
Here is the service update for Tuesday, July 12, 5 p.m. ET
North Florida District - The Pensacola Processing and Distribution Center (ZIP Code 325) and Panama City Processing and Distribution Center (ZIP Code 324) are operational and drop shipment appointments will resume Wednesday, July 13. Three offices in Pensacola are without power and are offering limited retail services: Nobles (32504); Myrtle Grove (32506) and Easthill Station (32503). Ten other cities have post offices without power and are also offering limited retail services: Bagdad (32530); Baker (32531); Destin/Miramar Branch (32550); Ft. Walton Beach (32548); Gonzales (32560); Gulf Breeze (32561); Navarre (32566); McDavid (32568); Milton Pace Annex (32571); and Molino (32577). The St. Marks Post Office (32355) is flooded and it will be several months before it can be restored. Customers can obtain postal services at the nearby Woodville Post Office until that time.
South Florida District - All suspensions and closures have been lifted and operations are back to normal.
Alabama District - The Montgomery Plant (ZIP Codes 360-361, 368 and 367) is operational and will begin accepting drop shipment appointments on Tuesday, July 12, at 8:00 a.m. The Mobile Plant (ZIP Codes 363-366) is operational and will begin accepting drop shipment appointments on Wednesday, July 13, at 8:00 a.m. Only eight post offices remain on power provided by generators allowing them to be fully operational.
Mississippi District - All services have been restored and the Mississippi District is fully operational. There are no reports of major highway closures as of Tuesday, July 12.
Hurricane Dennis has now been downgraded to a tropical depression.
Here is the service update for Tuesday, July 12, 5 p.m. ET
North Florida District - The Pensacola Processing and Distribution Center (ZIP Code 325) and Panama City Processing and Distribution Center (ZIP Code 324) are operational and drop shipment appointments will resume Wednesday, July 13. Three offices in Pensacola are without power and are offering limited retail services: Nobles (32504); Myrtle Grove (32506) and Easthill Station (32503). Ten other cities have post offices without power and are also offering limited retail services: Bagdad (32530); Baker (32531); Destin/Miramar Branch (32550); Ft. Walton Beach (32548); Gonzales (32560); Gulf Breeze (32561); Navarre (32566); McDavid (32568); Milton Pace Annex (32571); and Molino (32577). The St. Marks Post Office (32355) is flooded and it will be several months before it can be restored. Customers can obtain postal services at the nearby Woodville Post Office until that time.
South Florida District - All suspensions and closures have been lifted and operations are back to normal.
Alabama District - The Montgomery Plant (ZIP Codes 360-361, 368 and 367) is operational and will begin accepting drop shipment appointments on Tuesday, July 12, at 8:00 a.m. The Mobile Plant (ZIP Codes 363-366) is operational and will begin accepting drop shipment appointments on Wednesday, July 13, at 8:00 a.m. Only eight post offices remain on power provided by generators allowing them to be fully operational.
Mississippi District - All services have been restored and the Mississippi District is fully operational. There are no reports of major highway closures as of Tuesday, July 12.
Post Offices clean up after storm
DISSIPATING DENNIS
Post Offices clean up after storm
Tropical Depression Dennis is dumping rain throughout the Ohio River Valley today as Florida, Alabama and Mississippi Post Offices clean up from the deluge Dennis brought their way.
Flooded by Hurricane Dennis, the St. Marks, FL, Post Office will be closed for repairs for four months.
The Tallahassee Democrat reported that the Postal Service is working to make sure people in Pensacola and Wakulla County affected by the hurricane get their mail. One of the hardest hit offices was tiny St. Marks, FL, Post Office — flooded by the torrential downpours that accompanied Dennis.
It will take four months to repair the building, which housed only Post Office boxes and did not handle home delivery. Until St. Marks Post Office reopens, the 357 box holders can pick up their mail at the Woodville office.
Farther west in the Panhandle, many Post Offices are without power. Generators, fans and lights will be moved into the still-operable offices and service will continue. The Pensacola Post Office is open, but surrounding offices have limited retail. Because of the lack of power and the large number of employees that left the state to escape Dennis, carriers are delivering only 35% of the mail.
Home delivery today is expected to increase to 60% and be up to 100% in most places in Pensacola by Thursday.
USPS: Tropical Depression Dennis Update
Tropical Depression Dennis Update
Hurricane Dennis has now been downgraded to a tropical depression.
Here is the service update for Tuesday, July 12, 1:30 p.m. ET
North Florida District - The Pensacola Processing and Distribution Center (ZIP Code 325) has had its power restored. Drop shipments to this facility are currently suspended and conditions are being evaluated to determine when the suspension can be lifted.
Power outages continue to be a problem for many of the post offices and stations in the 325 ZIP Code area. Until power can be restored, Post Office Box, delivery and retail services are either suspended or very limited. In the 325 area, Niceville, 32578; Shalimar, 32579; Crestview, 32536, Valparaiso, 32580, and Pensacola's Warrington Station, 32507 have full power and are offering full retail and Post Office Box services. The Pensacola General Mail Facility is offering limited retail services but cannot accept Debit/Credit until telephone communication lines are restored.
Three offices in Pensacola have no power but are providing limited retail services — Nobles, 32504; Myrtle Grove, 32506 and Easthill Station, 32503. Ten associate offices have no power but are providing limited retail services — Bagdad, 32530;Baker, 32531; Destin/Miramar Branch 32550; Ft. Walton Beach,32548; Gonzales, 32560; Gulf Breeze, 32561; Navarre, 32566; McDavid, 32568; Milton Pace Annex, 32571 and Molino, 32577.
The Panama City Processing and Distribution Center is ramping up operations and will begin accepting drop shipment appointments Wednesday, July 13. The St. Marks Post Office, 32355, is flooded and customers can obtain retail services at the nearby Woodville Post Office, 32362.
South Florida District - All suspensions and closures have been lifted and operations are back to normal.
Alabama District - The Montgomery Processing and Distribution Center (ZIP Codes 360-361, 368 and 367) is operational and accepting drop shipment appointments. The Mobile Processing and Distribution Center (ZIP Codes 363-366) is operational and will begin accepting drop shipment appointments Wednesday, July 13, at 8:00 a.m. Only eight post offices are still using generator power.
Mississippi District - All services have been restored and the Mississippi District is fully operational. There are no reports of major highway closures as of Tuesday, July 12.
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