U.S. Postal Service...to drop one day of mail service! Cost-cutting measures...

Officials are recommending that the U.S. Postal Service drop one day of mail delivery during the course of the week from the current six days to five as a cost-cutting measure.

Chief Financial officer - Joseph Corbett - noted that the entity (which currently functions as a corporation) may suffer losses up to $7 billionin 2010  if overhead-reducing actions aren't taken soon.

Dropping one day of mail delivery may conceivably save the letter carrier service approximately $30 billion a year.

In the work arena, the Post Office would be able to reduce man hours by ninety-three million a year, according to analysts.

If the Internet could fathom a way to deliver packages over the world wide web, just imagine the reduction of costs (and nasty street traffic) that could be eliminated as well!

I'll put on my thinking cap!

http://www.julianayrs.com

Gary Cooper...commemorative stamp unveiled @ Gene Autry Museum! September 10th...

Gary Cooper was larger-than-life - a dazzling screen idol - and adored by many.

Now, it has been announced that a U.S. commemorative stamp in his honor, will be uveiled next month at the Gene Autry Museum in Los Angeles (September 10th).

The Postmaster General is making a big ta-do about it, too.

Leonard Maltin will be on hand to act as the Master of Ceremonies.

At press time, it was announced there will be a tribute to the cowboy hero and follow-up speeches by Maria Cooper Janis (the handsome actor's daughter), Alan C. Kessler (Board of Governors; U.S. Postal Service), and scholarship receipient (Sonya Oberly).

The general public is invited to participate in the festivities (free) and take a gander at  Gary Cooper's Oscar (High Noon/1952)  which will be on exhibit in the Gene Autry Imagination Gallery.

In addition, a poster for the Classic Western will be on display alongside a Norman Rockwell portrait of Cooper, which was commissioned for an "Along Came Jones" ad campaign many moons ago.

John Gray (President & CEO of the Autry National Center) sang the screen idol's praises.

“Gary Cooper projected an image of honesty and sincerity that resonated with the average American."

"His long and distinguished career deserves continued recognition, and the Autry is proud to help preserve his legacy for future generations," Gray added.

Gary Cooper appeared in more than 100 films during his acting career.

Film historians have noted over the years that  Cooper's quiet understated acting style was particularly well suited to the stoic Western heroes he often portrayed.

Critics raved about his portrayal of Marshal Will Kane in "High Noon" which was a big box office hit, for instance.

Cooper's first all-talking feature was "The Virginian" shot in 1929.

On the heels of that breakthrough role, Cooper went on to flesh out the character of  "Wild Bill Hickok" in The Plainsman (1936), which was directed by the infamous Cecil B. DeMille.

"Along Came Jones" and "High Noon"  (Cooper's best-known film)  followed.

The Autry National Center is an intercultural history center dedicated to exploring the experiences and perceptions of the diverse peoples of the American West.

The Autry celebrates the cultures of the American West through three institutions on two Los Angeles campuses: the Southwest Museum of the American Indian in Mt. Washington; the Museum of the American West in Griffith Park; and the Institute for the Study for the American West, which comprises the Braun Research Library and the Autry Library and is headquartered in Griffith Park.

Admission to the U.S. Postal Service event is free.

Gene Autry Museum / Hours
Tuesday through Friday, 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Museum Store / Hours
Tuesday through Friday
(10:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.)
Saturday and Sunday
(11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.)
Thursdays from July 1 to August 31
(10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.)
(Closed on Mondays)

Info: http://www.autrynationalcenter.org/

 

http://www.julianayrs.com

Race...relations in LA LA Land! Telling it like it is...

'Ya know you're in Los Angeles if you spy African Americans chauffeuring city dwellers around on the Metro Bus line and delivering up the morning mail, Latinos manning service counters and drive-thru windows at fast-food take-outs, and Asian bakers rustling up doughnuts with sprinkles on 'em for rush-hour commuters to munch on during the hectic trek across town.

And, what about the white folks?

Well, they're sipping on hot java in comfy leather easy-chairs at Starbucks, complaining about it to anyone within earshot.

It's a rat race out here on the West Coast, alright!

http://www.julianayrs.com

Oscar...ballots in hands of carriers & being delivered today!

Just as I turned the key in my mailbox and swung the little door open to check for mail, a few feet away - inside the sorting room - I overheard a reassuring announcement from a Supervisor at the West Hollywood Post Office.

"Listen up! For security reasons, I shall be personally turning over these Oscar Ballots in my hand to carriers who have recipients on their route . Please ensure that the envelopes are delivered today, if possible."

Ah, one of the benefits of renting a post office box.

If a box-holder is alert - and keen on eavesdropping - occasionally there is a bit of worthwhile scuttlebutt to lap up.

So, Academy Members, in the event you were in the dark about the ballots - take note that the precious little suckers are not only secure - but are being hand-delivered today for your immediate up-close perusal (provided you're at home to hear the knock on the door).

Will Milk get an Oscar nod or two?

The Envelope please!