SAFTEY TIP: With spring here already, it is easy to get caught up in the atmosphere of warm sunny days. We let the kids out, the pets run and everyone is out planting, walking, playing, and driving about. Along with all these good things can come some dangers if precautions are not taken. For example, pets and children need to be watched and prevented from straying into the street where motorists, includiing postal delivery vehicles, are traveling. If landscaping, please remove tools and other obstacles from our regular travel path, so there is no chance of us tripping or falling. If you have large holes in your yard where the carrier walks, please fill them in. This will prevent carriers from ankle sprains or more severe injuries.

F.Y.I: The National Association of Letter Carriers will be having it's annual food drive on Saturday May 10, 2008. Our customers are encouraged to participate by donating non- perishable food items. We do not recommend items in glass containers for safety reasons. Simply leave your items in bags by yoiur mail box and your friendly postal carrier will collect the food. Even a single item makes a difference to a hungry family. The food collected helps fill local food banks. With the threat of food banks closing due to lack of donations, we need your help. You are also more then welcome to come by, say hi, and drop food off at the post office.

INCREASE! INCREASE! INCREASE! Will it ever end? Probably not. As most of you already know, the price of postage will increase by one cent on May 12, 2008. Unfortunately as costs such as gasoline go up, so does our cost of stamps. When gas prices increase by one penny, it costs the post office as a whole close to a million dollars or more company- wide. On a positive note, check with your local post office and inquire if they have any "forever" stamps left for sale. They are still .41 cents and will always be considered first class postage no matter what future price increases come our way.

WANTED: If there are any local groups that would like to volunteer to help with our local food drive, please contact us as soon as possible. Call (216)-226-9691 and ask for Carmen or Pat.

As always we welcome any comments or suggestions.

Your Postal Safety Committee