Digital Television (DTV) is an advanced broadcasting technology that enables broadcasters to offer television with better picture and sound quality. It can also offer multiple programming choices, and interactive capabilities.

Congress has set June 12, 2009 as the final date that full-power television stations can broadcast in digital only.

On Feb. 17, some full-power broadcast television stations in the United States may stop broadcasting on analog airwaves and begin broadcasting only in digital. The remaining stations may stop broadcasting analog sometime between March 14 and June 12. June 12 is the final deadline for terminating analog broadcasts under legislation passed by Congress.

We called some of our local stations to find out when they are discontinuing their analog broadcast.

CBS 2 – February 17^th at 11:59pm

KWWL – February 17^th at 1:00pm

KCRG – June 12^th

Fox 28 – February 17^th at 11:59pm

Iowa Public Television – June 12th.

Why are we switching to DTV?

An important benefit of the switch to all-digital broadcasting is that it will free up parts of the valuable broadcast spectrum for public safety communications (such as police, fire departments, and rescue squads). Also, some of the spectrum will be auctioned to companies that will be able to provide consumers with more advanced wireless services (such as wireless broadband).

Consumers also benefit because digital broadcasting allows stations to offer improved picture and sound, and digital is much more efficient than analog. For example, while a station broadcasting in analog on channel 7 is only able to offer viewers one program, a station broadcasting in digital on channel 7 can offer viewers one digital program on channel 7-1, a second digital program on channel 7-2, a third digital program on channel 7-3, and so on. This means more programming choices for viewers.

What do I need to do?

NOTHING….unless you watch TV on an older set from an antenna.  If you watch TV via any other means (cable, satellite, etc) or have a digital TV…you don’t need to do a thing.

The only individuals are those, like me, who watch TV received from the traditional antenna on an older/non digital TV. 

The remedy…a digital converter.  Plug your antenna cord into the converter box….then plug converter into your TV and Valah!  You have (hopefully) a nice pristine signal and lot’s more channels.

Posted: February 17th, 2009 under Uncategorized.
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30 years ago, God brought two friends together.  Little did they know how much laughter and heartache they would share together.

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Posted: February 16th, 2009 under Friend for Life Winners.
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What is your funniest, quirkiest, or most romantic marriage proposal?  Share your story here.

Posted: February 13th, 2009 under Uncategorized.
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Just recently I (Julia) watched this show, just one episode it all I could stand.  It’s about mom’s who enter their children in pageants.  I saw a four year old dress up with make-up and hair done.  More makeup then I wear to go out.  It just didn’t seem right.  Some girls compete natural: without makeup or hair pieces. And still some girls compete at 5 and 6 with fake teeth. 

Out: This adorable little girl had fake teeth she looked like the old man from the second Poltergiest movie.

 Is this OK?  How do you feel about it?  What message does this send to our little girls?

Here are some takeaway points from our conversation. 

Most people can agree that Elizabeth Taylor was a beautiful woman in her prime.  Still some people can disagree and favor a different actress.  Yet who can look at the life that mother Teresa lived and not say she was beautiful.

Proverbs 31:       Beauty (though not wrong) lasts only a short time and it’s gone.  But a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.

1 Timothy 2:9:    Beauty is not found in what you wear.  A woman is adorned with good deeds.

1 Peter 3:3:         Beauty is not found in what you wear.  Beauty comes from the inside.

Nothing wrong with taking care of yourself or making yourself presentable even beautiful.  The questions is, what is my motivation?

Bottom line, my value and self worth is received from God alone.  Anytime I place my beauty or self worth in something else other than being received from God I’m setting myself up for less than what God has for me.

Posted: February 12th, 2009 under Encouragement.
Comments: 1

Our thanks to Brenda Simmons from Flowerama for joining us on the show today with tips for getting flowers.  Here are some of the websites she recommends…

www.floristdetective.com

 www.aboutflowers.com

 www.flowershopnetwork.com

 www.flowerpossibilities.com

 www.brownielocks.com

Posted: February 10th, 2009 under Uncategorized.
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