Debbie Anderson, Manasota, FL
Congrats to Sharpy — the American Mammoth Jackstock donkey featured at the recent Heritage Breeds stamps dedication ceremony — for helping people understand donkeys are good-natured. […]
Shawn Selby
Posts by Shawn Selby
Caring custodian
Robert Brown, a custodian at the Youngstown, OH, Processing and Distribution Facility, was on duty recently when he grew concerned about a colleague who didn’t look well. Brown approached the man, who was in medical distress, and immediately rendered first aid while 911 was called. Emergency responders soon arrived to provide further assistance, and the […]
Dear Drew
Drew Barrymore is an actress, film producer and talk show host. She’s also a fan of the U.S. Mail. Barrymore recently posted a video on Instagram describing her excitement after receiving a letter from her daughter at sleepaway camp. “I’m the most proud parent right now. I got mail from my daughter and she’s at […]
That’s so Raven
On July 30, the Postal Service will release Raven Story, its latest Forever stamp. The character of Raven is important for many of the Indigenous peoples of North America, particularly those in the Pacific Northwest. Stories and myths about the trickster bird are legion. The new stamp references a Tlingit creation myth and shows Raven […]
Texas two-step
“News Quiz” is a weekly feature that lets you test your knowledge of recent Link stories. The correct answers appear at the end. 1. The USPS Connect Local pilot program recently launched in two Texas cities. What are they? a) Austin, Dallas b) Dallas, Houston c) Houston, San Antonio d) San Antonio, Waco 2. Which […]
National Update
The Postal Service has published National Update’s latest edition and mailed it to employees’ homes. The publication — a national edition of Area Update, the organization’s print newsletter for employees — was introduced last year. The latest edition features stories from across the nation, including Postmaster General Louis DeJoy’s visit to USPS facilities in Missouri […]
Handy reference
The Postal Service has installed software on ACE computers that permanently displays workstation specifications and other information on the desktop. The information will be particularly helpful to users seeking assistance from the IT Service Desk. Finding workstation specifications can be cumbersome for many users. Some information, such as serial and device identification numbers, can be […]
Out of this world
A stamp honoring visionary author Ursula K. Le Guin, the 33rd in the Postal Service’s Literary Arts series, will be released July 27. Le Guin wrote prolifically in several genres but was best known for such richly imagined science fiction as “The Left Hand of Darkness” and “The Lathe of Heaven.” She was a success […]
Face coverings
The Postal Service no longer requires employees and contractors who are fully vaccinated for COVID-19 to wear face coverings, except where required by federal, state, local, tribal or territorial laws, rules and regulations, including local business and workplace guidance. The updated face covering policy, announced July 16, aligns with new guidance from the Centers for […]
Ravine rescue
Harley Hensley, the Postmaster of Murphy, NC, was recently making a Priority Mail Express delivery when he spotted a woman walking aimlessly on curvy, rural stretch of highway. As Hensley stopped to check on the woman, he saw a wrecked car at the bottom of a ravine and heard a man — her husband — […]
To Sharpy, with love
Amy Gibbs knows a little customer appreciation goes a long way. The USPS strategic communications specialist picked up a cheery card at Grand Central Terminal Post Office in Manhattan, put heartfelt pen to paper, affixed a Forever stamp to the envelope and addressed it to a high-profile resident in her Connecticut District who’s a big […]
Ranch dressing
The Postal Service’s Western Wear stamps, an homage to cowboy couture, will be released July 23. The stamps come in booklets of 20 and depict four iconic garments and accessories: cowboy hat, boots, shirt and belt buckle. Cacti, stars and other symbols of the West dot the stamps’ backgrounds. Cowboy clothing often was inspired by […]
Mail dancers
“News Quiz” is a weekly feature that lets you test your knowledge of recent Link stories. The correct answers appear at the end. 1. Which of the following dancers did not participate in the dedication ceremony for the Tap Dance stamps? a) Ayodele Casel b) Savion Glover c) Michela Marino Lerman d) Max Pollak 2. […]
Same-day local delivery
The Postal Service has launched a USPS Connect Local pilot for small-business customers in Houston and Dallas to provide local-to-local same-day and regional next-day package delivery at affordable rates. USPS Connect Local is part of a broader USPS Connect program that will be piloted in stages to help businesses of all sizes meet growing consumer […]
Serving the nation
In his latest video message, Postmaster General Louis DeJoy praises employees for helping USPS deliver throughout the coronavirus pandemic. “The credit belongs to the women and men of the Postal Service for being dedicated to our mission in a time of crisis in every community in America. Thank you for your service to the nation,” […]
Travel planning
The Postal Service is reminding employees to recommend the USPS Hold Mail service to customers who plan to travel away from home this summer. The service allows the organization to hold customers’ mail at a postal facility for a minimum of three days up to a maximum of 30 days. After that, the customers’ regular […]
Preparing for change
The Human Resources leadership team will hold a virtual job fair from July 20-22. These will be interactive sessions where employees can ask questions about the various positions available. The fair will allow Postal Service employees to explore career opportunities in the department as USPS realigns itself to achieve the goals of the new Delivering […]
Daniel Palomera, Moreno Valley, CA
The USPS ride-on vehicle for children will be a fun toy for my disabled son. He loves to see me in my postal vehicle. I’m positive he’ll love it when it arrives at our house. […]
‘I can’t die’
Letter Carrier Richard Henderson was delivering mail last winter in Canton, OH, when he thought he heard a car backfire. Henderson turned around and saw a vehicle speeding off as a man ran toward him. “Please call 911!” he yelled. “I’ve been shot!” The Postal Service employee immediately took off his sweater as the man […]
Little wheels
“News Quiz” is a weekly feature that lets you test your knowledge of recent Link stories. The correct answers appear at the end. 1. What is the suggested retail price for the new USPS delivery vehicle ride-on toy for kids? a) $269 b) $279 c) $289 d) $299 2. True or false: USPS employees who […]
Mark your calendars
The Postal Service will soon move eTravel from eAccess to ARIS, the organization’s new platform for accessing USPS digital resources. Requests for access to eTravel will no longer be accepted through eAccess after Tuesday, July 20, at 9 a.m. EDT. Beginning Monday, July 26, at 9 a.m. EDT, employees can make new requests for eTravel […]
Broadway rhythm
The Postal Service dedicated its Tap Dance stamps July 10 during a ceremony in New York City’s famed Times Square. “Today, we are celebrating the American art form of tap dance with these vibrant stamps in the heart of Times Square as the Postal Service recognizes one of our nation’s greatest contributions to the world […]
Don’t wait
The Postal Service wants employees to know that when a suspicious cybersecurity incident occurs, time is of the essence. Cybersecurity incidents — which include phishing emails, hacked devices and lost or stolen equipment — compromise USPS information resources. Before the situation spirals out of control, the CyberSafe at USPS team advises employees to do the […]
I spy
The Postal Service will release Mystery Message, new stamps designed to put customers’ sleuthing skills to the test, on July 14. The 20-stamp pane features bright colors and interesting shapes that spell out a difficult-to-discern message. While the colorful patterns on the stamps appear seemingly random, they were carefully placed to spell out a message […]
Hands on
Postal Service employees can participate in an upcoming webinar to learn about the anatomy of the hand and arm, including information about carpal tunnel syndrome and its causes, prevention and treatment. The session, “Ergonomics for a Healthier You,” will be held Tuesday, July 20, at noon EDT. Representatives from Blue Cross Blue Shield and the […]
Mild goose chase
Geese used to congregate around the Cincinnati Network Distribution Center the way crows congregated around Tippi Hedren in “The Birds.” Besides dive-bombing workers entering or exiting, the geese were leaving calling cards everywhere, requiring 200-plus hours of pressure-washing at a cost of more than $10,000 a year in overtime and chemical repellents. John Pittl, a […]
Austin takes action
Wallkill, NY, Rural Carrier Austin Heller was recently delivering mail when he witnessed a collision that left a vehicle in flames. While 911 was called, Heller — who is also a volunteer firefighter — stopped and rushed to aid the victims in the car on fire. The Postal Service employee rescued two children buckled in […]
H2Know
“News Quiz” is a weekly feature that lets you test your knowledge of recent Link stories. The correct answers appear at the end. 1. According to research, how much water should you drink every 20 minutes to protect yourself in hot weather? a) 4 ounces b) 6 ounces c) 8 ounces d) 10 ounces 2. […]
Ask Ben
The Postal Service has launched Ask Ben, an automated bot that can help employees troubleshoot issues with USPS-issued devices and online accounts. Named after Benjamin Franklin, the first Postmaster General, Ask Ben appears as a purple-colored chat bubble in the bottom right corner of the IT Self Help welcome page. When employees click on the […]
Keep on truckin’
Gene Robbins loves being on the road. “You’re on your own most of the time and need to make decisions on your own,” he said. Robbins, who works out of Madison, is one of several Wisconsin-based USPS tractor-trailer operators (TTOs). TTOs drive 18-wheel, semitractor-trailers and other trucks to haul mail, equipment and other materials between […]