Postal Service request for 2-cent stamp cost hike denied

In July, the Postal Service proposed raising first-class postage from 44 cents to 46 cents as part of a strategy for dealing with a worsening financial crisis. The Postal Service lost $3.8 billion last year, and the agency has been seeking other rate increases as well, including higher fees for periodicals, post cards and parcels. By: Associated Press,

 

 

WASHINGTON - The independent panel that oversees the U.S. Postal Service has denied the agency's request to increase the cost of mailing a letter by 2 cents - to 46 cents
 

The Postal Regulatory Commission announced its decision rejecting the requested price hike at a news conference today.
 
In July, the Postal Service proposed raising first-class postage from 44 cents to 46 cents as part of a strategy for dealing with a worsening financial crisis. The Postal Service lost $3.8 billion last year, and the agency has been seeking other rate increases as well, including higher fees for periodicals, post cards and parcels.
 
The new rates would have taken effect next Jan. 2.
 
Chairman Ruth Goldway told reporters at a news conference that the Postal Rate Commission's vote to deny the rate request was unanimous on the five-member commission.
 
She said that in her view, the requested rate adjustment was not due to recent recession, as indicated by Postal Service officials, but was, rather, an attempt to address longterm structural problems.
The decision was applauded by the Affordable Mail Alliance, a coalition of postal customers including consumer groups, small business, chairities, utilities, national retailers and banks.
 
"The PRC today has helped countless businesses stay competitive and saved tens of thousands of jobs," said Tony Conway, a spokesman for the alliance. "The commissioners recognized that imposing an additional tax on Postal Service customers is not the way to address its financial troubles. Our members look forward to working with the Postal Service on the long-term restructuring needed to restore the Postal Service to competitiveness."
 
 
Shelle Michaels 
ShelleMichaels@SoldiersAngels.org

Soldiers' Angels National Communication Officer
Vet Tix Board of Directors
Interservice Family Assistance Committee Communication Conduit
Bismarck Mandan Chamber of Commerce Military Affairs Chairperson
North Dakota National Guard Family Advisory Council Member
ND Employee Support for the Guard and Reserve Committee Member

"Ask for what you want, or take what you get!"
~ Shelle Michaels
 

www.Facebook.com/SoldiersAngelsOfficial
www.Facebook.com/ShelleMichaels
 
 
 
 
 

Fall 'Back' Into Safety!

 

 

Safe Kids North Dakota wants to help you keep children safe this fall! Share these safety tips with all parents and caregivers you know by downloading and printing the free Fall 'Back' Into Safety Tip Sheet!       Infants and toddlers are safest riding rear-facing until age 2 or until they reach the maximum weight/height limit of the car seat. Why? A car seat helps distribute crash forces over a wide area of the body and the back                  of a rear-facing car seat absorbs crash forces, protecting the infant's spine and neck                   from injuries. Children are safest riding in the back seat until they are 13 years old. Why? Head-on collisions are the most common and the airbag, dashboard and windshield are extremely dangerous for children. Children also have more of a tendency to lean forward in the front seat.   Children are safest using a booster seat until they are 80lbs and 4'9". Why? Seatbelts are designed for adults and a booster seat will allow the lap & shoulder belt to fit properly.   ND law states children must use a car seat or booster seat until at least the age of 7.     Download the Fall Back Into Safety Tip Sheet today and share it with everyone you know! If you have any questions, contact Serena Schmit at 701-873-2224.

 

 

=?utf-8?Q?Update: Twitter Apps and You=0A?=

Hi @ISFAC,

Over the coming weeks, we will be making two important updates that will impact how you interact with Twitter applications. We are sending this notice to all Twitter users to make sure you are aware of these changes.

What are applications?

There are over 250,000 applications built using the Twitter API. To use most applications, you first authorize the application to access your Twitter account, after which you can use it to read and post Tweets, discover new users and more. Applications come in many varieties, including desktop applications like TweetDeck, Seesmic, or EchoFon, websites such as TweetMeme, fflick, or Topsy, or mobile applications such as Twitter for iPhone, Twitter for Blackberry, or Foursquare.

Update 1: New authorization rules for applications

Starting August 31, all applications will be required to use "OAuth" to access your Twitter account.

What's OAuth?

• OAuth is a technology that enables applications to access Twitter on your behalf with your approval without asking you directly for your password.
• Desktop and mobile applications may still ask for your password once, but after that request, they are required to use OAuth in order to access your timeline or allow you to tweet.

What does this mean for me?

• Applications are no longer allowed to store your password.
• If you change your password, the applications will continue to work.
• Some applications you have been using may require you to reauthorize them or may stop functioning at the time of this change.
• All applications you have authorized will be listed at http://twitter.com/settings/connections.
• You can revoke access to any application at any time from the list.

Update 2: t.co URL wrapping

In the coming weeks, we will be expanding the roll-out of our link wrapping service t.co, which wraps links in Tweets with a new, simplified link. Wrapped links are displayed in a way that is easier to read, with the actual domain and part of the URL showing, so that you know what you are clicking on. When you click on a wrapped link, your request will pass through the Twitter service to check if the destination site is known to contain malware, and we then will forward you on to the destination URL. All of that should happen in an instant.

You will start seeing these links on certain accounts that have opted-in to the service; we expect to roll this out to all users by the end of the year. When this happens, all links shared on Twitter.com or third-party apps will be wrapped with a t.co URL.

What does this mean for me?

• A really long link such as http://www.amazon.com/Delivering-Happiness-Profits-Passion-Purpose/dp/0446563048 might be wrapped as http://t.co/DRo0trj for display on SMS, but it could be displayed to web or application users as amazon.com/Delivering- or as the whole URL or page title.
• You will start seeing links in a way that removes the obscurity of shortened links and lets you know where each link will take you.
• When you click on these links from Twitter.com or a Twitter application, Twitter will log that click. We hope to use this data to provide better and more relevant content to you over time.

Thanks for reading this important update. Come and check what's new at http://twitter.com.

Thanks,
The Twitter Team

If you received this message in error and did not sign up for a Twitter account, click not my account.

Soldiers’ Angels is CFC #25131 in the Combined Federal Campaign

The mission of the Combined Federal Campaign is to promote and support philanthropy through a program that is employee focused, cost-efficient, and effective in providing all federal employees the opportunity to improve the quality of life ...for all.
 
 

CFC is the world's largest and most successful annual workplace chari...ty campaign, with more than 300 CFC campaigns throughout the country and internationally to help to raise millions of dollars each year. Pledges made by Federal civilian, postal and military donors during the campaign season (September 1st to December 15th) support eligible non-profit organizations that provide health and human service benefits throughout the world. Soldiers' Angels is CFC #25131 in the Combined Federal Campaign

 
 
 
Shelle Michaels 
ShelleMichaels@SoldiersAngels.org

Soldiers' Angels National Communication Officer
Vet Tix Board of Directors
Interservice Family Assistance Committee Communication Conduit
Bismarck Mandan Chamber of Commerce Military Affairs Chairperson
North Dakota National Guard Family Advisory Council Member
ND Employee Support for the Guard and Reserve Committee Member

"Ask for what you want, or take what you get!"
~ Shelle Michaels
 

www.Facebook.com/SoldiersAngelsOfficial
www.Facebook.com/ShelleMichaels
 
 
 
 
 

http://www.nob1.xhealthx.com

Ranger Up: Remember the Fallen...

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Double Up on Troop Support!

 

Dear Angels,    This weekend, you can support the troops two ways at once!  A cup of coffee for a hero can also mean donations to help Soldiers' Angels continue to support that hero long past the last drop of delicious coffee...  The Cup of Joe project by Green Beans Coffee allows anyone, anywhere in the world, to say thanks to the troops through the simple act of buying a cup of coffee online and having it delivered along with their own personal note of encouragement into the hands of a deployed Soldier.   In honor of those who have served since 9-11-01, Green Beans is donating $1 for every dollar spent on "Cup of Joe for a Joe." It begins at midnight on Friday, and ends at midnight on Sunday.  To donate a Cup of Joe for a Joe… and help SA support more troops at the same time, go to www.greenbeanscoffee.com/coj.  Remember, it starts at midnight tonight. For details, click here.  On this weekend of remembrance, our hearts go out to all who lost someone in the attacks of 9-11-01, and all who have served and sacrificed since that day.  Wingtip-to-Wingtip,  Soldiers' Angels www.soldiersangels.org

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THE EARLY BRIEF -- Green Beret to Get Posthumous Medal of Honor

 

Green Beret to Get Posthumous Medal of Honor President Obama will posthumously honor Army Staff Sgt. Robert Miller with the Medal of Honor in a White House ceremony next month, making him the third servicemember to receive the award for actions in Afghanistan. The Green Beret was killed by small-arms fire on Jan. 25, 2008, sacrificing his life to protect his teammates. Full Story

Help make October 26- the 5th Annual Day of the Deployed a national day of honor.

Bulletin from the cause: Soldiers' Angels (OFFICIAL) Go to Cause Posted By: Shelle Michaels To: Members in Soldiers' Angels (OFFICIAL) Help make October 26- the 5th Annual Day of the Deployed a national day of honor. On October 26, 2010, Americans are encouraged to reaffirm their patriotism and allegiance to our flag and country, and to honor our brave men and women in uniform who are selflessly putting their lives on the line to protect and preserve our way of life. How? Think big, think small, but just…think and then do. The first step is simply to sign the Day of the Deployed proclamation here: http://www.gopetition.com/petition/38876.html Then, put those thinking muscles in motion and do something on October 26 in honor of America's service members. Join us in celebrating our deployed heroes and their families. You can download a Soldiers' Angels Day of the Deployed proclamation and other information here: http://soldiersangels#org/index#php?mact=News,cntnt01,detail,0&cntnt01articleid=649&cntnt01returnid=15/ Proclamation Day of the Deployed October 26 WHEREAS, this nation is kept strong and free by the loyal citizens who preserve our precious heritage through their positives declaration and actions; and WHEREAS, our deployed service members have courageously answered their nation's call to service by defending our freedoms on foreign lands; and WHEREAS, Americans are encouraged to reaffirm their patriotism and allegiance to our flag and country, and honor the brave men and women currently deployed to protect and preserve our way of life; and WHEREAS, since 2006 Soldiers' Angels has honored our deployed heroes with a day set aside in recognition of their hard work, dedication and commitment to the United States of America; and NOW, THEREFORE, Soldiers' Angels hereby proclaim October 26 as DAY OF THE DEPLOYED throughout the United States of America and where ever our service members are serving. Patti Patton-Bader, Founder Shelle Michaels, National Communication Officer Call to Action Support the cause. Be counted: I Read This

Causes Privacy Policy | Causes Address: 2105 Martin Luther King Jr Way, Berkeley, CA 94704 United States

Commemorate September 11 through Volunteering with Soldiers' Angels

 

In 2009, President Barack Obama formally recognized September 11th as a National Day of Service and Remembrance. As this day approaches, we encourage individuals and families to support charitable causes, volunteer, and engage in other service activities in observance of the anniversary of the 9/11 tragedy...and rekindle the spirit of hope and community that followed the terrorist attacks.     Did you know?* 2,819 people were killed in the attacks 343 of them were firefighters and paramedics 20% of Americans knew someone hurt or killed in the attacks Independent research conducted in 2010 by MyGoodDeed found that more than 60 percent of Americans today—and 84 percent of those between ages 18-35—are ready to commemorate 9/11 through acts of charitable service or volunteerism.     Are you one of them?   VOLUNTEER FOR SOLDIERS' ANGELS   For those interested in commemorating 9/11 through service and volunteerism, visit 911dayofservice.org, the official site of the 9/11 National Day of Service initiative. The site allows you to explore and support charitable causes of interest, find volunteer opportunities, and post personal good deeds.     Powered by GuideStar's search technology, it's easy to find causes that match your interests and the nonprofit information you find is recognized by the IRS and up-to-date.     *Facts pulled from New York Magazine, '9/11 by the Numbers' http://nymag.com/news/articles/wtc/1year/numbers.htm    1730 Pennsylvania Ave., NW, Washington DC 20006

Angel Gear

 

Soldiers' Angels Gear
	Last Chance! Take Advantage Of The Special Soldiers' Angels Limited Edition Water Bottle $14.99/ea While Supplies Last Get Yours Now!
21 Oz. Insulated Water Bottle BPA-free inner liner and durable PC outer wall with flip up sipping lid.

"May No Soldier Go Unloved"

Soldiers' Angels
1792 E Washington Blvd
Pasadena, CA 91104

 

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North Dakota Matters - September 2010

	9/7/2010 Share North Dakota Matters In two short months, the number of people receiving North Dakota Matters has jumped from 4,500 to over 4,800! Let's see if we can hit 5,000 by next month. Keep sharing North Dakota Matters with your family and friends, invite them to sign up to receive North Dakota Matters just like you! Here's an easy way to do it: 1. Follow this link, 2. Create a North Dakota login or login if you already have one, and 3. Check the North Dakota Matters box! North Dakota in the News Everyone likes attention and North Dakota is no exception! Here's a few of our favorite stories from the last month. 10 States With Ridiculously Low Unemployment North Dakota sits at #1, again. 10 States with Ridiculously Low Unemployment - Yahoo!Finance The Little Economic Engine That Could While North Dakota hasn't escaped the national recession completely unscathed, in the big picture it has posted top-of-the-class numbers in unemployment, income growth and other enviable economic categories. FedGazette calls ND: The Little Economic Engine That Could - minneapolisfed.org Hungry For Oil: Feeding America's Expensive Habit Out on the rolling prairies of North Dakota - and just about everywhere else - oil doesn't bubble up out of the ground anymore. You have to go in and force it out. Hungry For Oil: Feeding America's Expensive Habit - npr.org Maintenance Training for Unmanned Aircraft Systems Grand Forks, ND, and surrounding areas of the United States has been rapidly developing into a hub of UAS activity. One of the area's leading organizations for UAS activity is the University of North Dakota John D. Odegard School of Aerospace Sciences. Maintenance Training for Unmanned Aircraft Systems - amtonline.com Thoughts from an Ambassador - A Few Good Guest Bloggers There are so many people in our state who have a great perspective on promoting North Dakota. We're looking for a few good "guest bloggers" for both our Thoughts from an Ambassador blog and the Tourism Division's Travel Legendary North Dakota blog. So, if you have an interest in writing and want to talk positively about North Dakota once or even multiple times, (whether it be about travel, vacations, business, fond memories, hunting, relocating to the state, outdoor recreation or just about any North Dakota topic) please email Sandy McMerty and let her know "I'd like to guest blog for North Dakota!" If you already have a topic in mind, put it into the body of the email, or give us an idea about your interests and we can suggest a topic for you. All potential "guest bloggers" who express interest will be contacted by our staff in the near future to discuss details. Follow the Thoughts from an Ambassador blog. Youth Council Report Provides Recommendations for Policy Makers Lt. Governor Jack Dalrymple announced the release of the final report of the North Dakota Youth Council in Fargo. The Council's report includes recommendations in the four categories of: job opportunities; education; recreation/entertainment; and health/wellness and safety. Some of the report's top ideas include: - Sustaining the ACT ND scholarship program, which provides students with up to $1,500 per academic year to attend a North Dakota college, - Creating a virtual high school for scholars, which will provide additional online classes for high school students, - Improving academic advising in both high school and college, and - Creating one central website for internships, scholarships and other resources for young people. New Youth Council Report Provides Recommendations for Policy Makers www.YouthForward.com Find Youth Forward on Facebook Innovate ND Entering Fifth Year Innovate ND will kick-off its fifth year on Sept. 27-28 at Marketplace of Ideas in Fargo. Innovate ND is a a statewide initiative designed to help entrepreneurs turn innovative concepts into viable new North Dakota business ventures. Since 2006, nearly 700 participants and 350 teams have participated in the program. Anyone who has an idea for a business venture, or currently has an existing business venture, can enroll in Innovate ND 2011 beginning on Sept. 27 by visiting InnovateND.com. Enrollment deadline is Oct. 12. For more information, please contact Brandi Schoenberg, program manager, at 701-328-5373 or InnovateND@nd.gov. Tourism Tid-bits Legendary Ways to Enjoy the Harvest in North Dakota Harvest is a special time of year in North Dakota. It's also a time of celebration in many small towns where farming is the lifeblood of the community. You, too, can celebrate the harvest. We challenge you to take advantage of the picking, stomping, threshing, canning and exploring that accompanies the legendary harvest season in North Dakota. Share your experiences with us at RULegendary.com. Two from ND Tourism Attend National Conference Sara Otte Coleman, Tourism director, and Heather LeMoine, marketing director, attended the U.S. Travel Association's Education for State Tourism Organizations (ESTO) annual conference in Savannah, Ga., Aug. 8-10. Otte Coleman also took part in the meeting of the National Council of State Tourism Directors. "Both the ESTO and our director meetings gave us valuable insight into the national tourism landscape, and excellent perspective on the work we do for North Dakota." For more information, go to NDtourism.com or phone 701-328-2525 or 800-435-5663. WebFairND: Not Your Ordinary Job Fair The North Dakota Department of Commerce is organizing another round of WebFairND, a virtual career and internship fair that highlights internships and jobs from companies in North Dakota. WebFairND is free to job seekers and students and will run from October 1-31 at WebFairND.com WebFairND will: Connect individuals who live in North Dakota or want to move here with companies with full time opportunities, Connect North Dakota students with paid North Dakota internships, and Connect North Dakota businesses with qualified interns and employees. Businesses interested in participating in WebFairND should contact Sarah Johnson, Talent Marketing Coordinator, by Sept. 24. Workforce Development Division Hosts Workforce Planning Retreat The Workforce Development Division of the North Dakota Department of Commerce hosted over 40 individuals at a strategic workforce planning retreat in Medora in August. The purpose of the retreat was to seek input and update private sector business representatives, partners, stakeholders and policy makers on the progress in addressing workforce challenges confronting business and industry in the state since adopting the North Dakota Talent Strategy in 2006. Jim Hirsch, director of the Workforce Development Division, updated attendees on the progress of the North Dakota Talent Strategy while Shane Goettle, Commerce commissioner, provided an overview of the North Dakota Economic Development strategic plan. For more information contact Larry Anderson at ladanderson@nd.gov or 701-328-7280. North Dakota Workforce Development and Training Strategic Plan Read full article on the Workforce Planning Retreat. Upcoming Events Norsk Hostfest Sept. 28 - Oct. 2 Minot, ND North America's largest Scandinavian festival brings food, culture and entertainment of Scandinavia to Minot. This year's entertainment lineup includes Alan Jackson, Vince Gill and The Temptations. New Professionals Day Nov. 26, 2010 - 8:15 a.m. - 3 p.m. (includes lunch) North Dakota Department of Commerce, Bismarck The New Professional's Day is an opportunity for local economic development professionals, community leaders involved in economic development, new Commerce employees and others to learn more about the Department of Commerce. The Commerce leadership team and program managers meet with attendees to discuss their needs and interests, and how Commerce programs and services may help their efforts. Contact Brandi Schoenberg at 701-328-5373 or bschoenberg@nd.gov to register or for more details. Economic Development Roundtable Discussion Nov. 22, 2010 - 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. North Dakota Department of Commerce, Bismarck The bi-annual Economic Development Roundtable provides those keenly interested in economic development issues with an opportunity to submit agenda topics, and then Commerce staff work to bring leaders on these topics to the conversation. Commerce Commissioner Shane Goettle hosts the Roundtable which includes a block of time for all attendees to discuss the successes and challenges in their respective communities or regions. Contact Brandi Schoenberg at 701-328-5373 or bschoenberg@nd.gov for more details. Governor's Choice Awards for Economic Development Dec. 7, 2010 Seven Seas Hotel in Mandan, ND Nominate an outstanding economic development leader now!. The nomination deadline is Oct. 18. Awards will be presented during the Governor's Choice for Economic Development Awards Banquet held the evening of Tuesday, Dec. 7, 2010 in conjunction with the Economic Development Association of North Dakota's fall meeting at the Seven Seas Hotel in Mandan. For more information, contact Brandi Schoenberg at 701-328-5373 or bschoenberg@nd.gov.

	North Dakota Department of Commerce 1600 E. Century Ave., Suite 2 Bismarck, ND 58503 | 701.328.5300 copyright 2010 North Dakota Department of Commerce