SPECIAL OLYMPICS. On Feb. 13, USPS will issue a new commemorative stamp honoring the spirit of the Special Olympics. The first-day ceremony will take place at the Chicago, IL, Main post Office. The 80-cent commemorative meets the international rate for letters up to one ounce mailed beyond North America. It honors the competitors, coaches and volunteers associated with Special Olympics, which offers year-round sports training and athletic competitions for people with mental retardation.

The first Special Olympics World Games were held in 1968 in Chicago, featuring 1,000 athletes from the U.S. and Canada. Later this year, more than 7,000 athletes from 150 countries will compete in Dublin, Ireland, for the first Special Olympics World Summer Games held outside the United States. "The Postal Service has a long tradition of issuing stamps that support and encourage social awareness issues," said USPS Board of Governors Vice Chairman John Walsh, who will dedicate the stamp. Additional details and an image of the stamp can be found at www.usps.com.

SUPER SAN DIEGO. The USPS's Pacific Area began moving its operations from San Francisco to San Diego, CA, effective Jan. 1. The new address for the area office - specifically Al Iniguez, VP Area Operations - is 11255 Rancho Carmel Drive, San Diego, CA 92197-0100. The telephone number is (858) 674-3100, and the fax number is (858) 674-3101.

Other area managers who can be reached at the new address include Kerry Wolny, Operations Support, ZIP 92197-1000, telephone (858) 674-3110; and Annette Goetz, Finance, ZIP 92197-4300, telephone (858) 674-3150.

CONTRACT EXTENDED. PMG Jack Potter and American Postal Workers Union President Bill Burrus recently signed an agreement extending by two years the contract covering APWU employees. The contract extension was approved overwhelmingly in December and affects about 312,000 employees. The contract now extends through Nov. 20, 2005.

ARTIST DIES. U.S. stamp designer and entertainment industry caricaturist Al Hirschfeld died this past weekend at age 99. His Comedians stamps in 1991 featured the rare inclusion of his name as artist on the booklet cover, and he also designed the 1994 Silent Screen Stars stamps.