Robot mailbox unveiled in Thousand Oaks
By Nancy Needham nancy@theacorn.com

INTO THE FUTURE--New astromech droid R2-D2 is ready to accept mail outside the Thousand Oaks post office. Hundreds of the friendly looking boxes have been installed at U.S. Postal Service outlets across the country. "Star Wars" fans can visit the website www.uspsjedimaster.com for more information.

At a post office not so far, far away stands an adorable mailbox that looks like a favorite "Star Wars" character.

Unwavering, like a little soldier, the R2-D2 mailbox waits to be useful. A young boy passes by, breaks away from his mother's grasp and hugs the familiar-looking metal box. A few moments later, an older boy in his teens pats the top of the mailbox as he walks by and enters the Thousand Oaks post office.

The little droid just inside the sliding glass door is not the only change the United States Postal Service is offering customers. Two automated machines are available indoors for those who would rather mail their packages using a robot than a living, breathing postal worker. The machines allow those with letters and packages to weigh their mail, buy the required postage and mail the items without talking to anyone. All that's necessary is some kind of payment card.

Stamps can also be purchased from the automated machines, one of which was added earlier this month.

"There were enough people interested in using the one machine, so we added another," said mail carrier Sharon Greffin.

There's another reason to visit the Thousand Oaks post office: It's now in the passport business. With new laws requiring that those traveling from the U.S. to Mexico and Canada have a passport, many people are standing in line for them. The Thousand Oaks post office doesn't offer appointments, so it's first come, first served.

"Passports are booming," said Greffin.

About 50 to 60 people line up at the post office from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on weekdays and even more on Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., she said. It's a one-stop shop. They even take passport photos for $15.

The cost of sending a 1-ounce letter has increased to 41 cents.

"But the second ounce used to be 24 cents, and now it's only 17 cents," Greffin said. "So, some things cost less and that's nice."