THE BROADCAST DIGITAL TRANSITION
By Sheila Cottringer
              
Our very own Elsie Garner, President and CEO of WTVI took some of us on a little trip down memory lane asking us to recall the first television on the block. It was a funny looking box with a black and white picture. With a good antenna, it served up two or three channels. Some could not remember black and white television, but did remember the first color television on the block. There were still only two or three channels. There was no remote control and a trip outside to turn the antenna was often needed in order to receive a good signal when the channel was changed.
 
Some more inexperienced Charlotte Rotary members do not remember ever living in a home without a television or a remote control and certainly not a home without cable television.
 
Elsie told the group there is a new revolution on the horizon. The Broadcast Digital revolution begins February 17, 2009. Congress has mandated it. After the transition, there will be more frequencies freed up for public safety communications.
 
Digital television is innovative technology that will bring movie-quality pictures and sound, more channels and high-definition television if you own a Digital television set. While this new technology is an improvement to television, it will not be without challenges.
 
But never fear. Elsie provided Charlotte Rotary members with a few pointers that will prepare members for the Digital revolution. With no preparation and the old analog television, you will see nothing at all on February 17, 2009 when you push the power button. There will not even be two or three channels on that set.
 
Digital technology is new technology that provides a clearer picture with better sound. It allows a programming provider to send out multicasts (several streams of programming) over the air.
 
To prepare for this transition, you will need to do one of the following:

• Bryan Adams and Jerry Walters were named in the Business North Carolina Magazine Legal Elite for Employment Law; Tom Hodges has been named city president for SunTrust Bank; Marilynn Bowler partied down at a 20-year reunion dinner for former staffers of the Charlotte Hornets; Tony Marciano is well pleased with the New Years Eve alcohol-free bash at the Big Chill that benefited Charlotte Rescue Mission; Lori Hurd says 14,000 of tomorrow's female leaders have hit the pavement for the start of the annual Girl Scout Cookie Sale; Luther Fincher's last day as Charlotte's Fire Chief was spent in the kitchen of Station No. 8, shaking hands and slapping the backs of people wishing him a happy retirement; Dan Rajkowski was highlighted as VP and general manager of the Charlotte Knights; Tom Barnhardt and great-grandson Tom L. Barnhardt gave insight to the fourth generation success story of Barnhardt Manufacturing Company; Mary Rinehart says love and respect as individuals is the key to working with family in-laws/out-laws in business; Alan Adler published an article in Pride Magazine on Floyd Davis and work done through Community Link; Meg McElwain will be in the August session of Leadership Charlotte.
 
• Well Wishes are extended to Doug Booth as he recovers from surgery for a torn ligament in his shoulder; Debbie Daniel's brother-in-law, Jeff Pendry, as he goes through chemo for advanced stages of esophagus cancer.
 
• Welcome new members: Byron Bullard had the pleasure of re-introducing Ervin Jackson. Ervin was a member of Charlotte Rotary for 53 years when he resigned in 2006. He's missed the club and couldn't wait to get back! Contact Ervin at erv@carolina.rr.com; Luther Fincher introduced Charlotte's new Fire Chief, Jon Hannan. John can be reached at jhannan@ci.charlotte.nc.us.
 
• Elsie Garner met with Dr. Cleo De La Pena, president of the Rotary Club in Tehuacan, Mexico over the holidays and the two exchanged Rotary club banners.

DISTRICT 7680 ANNUAL CONFERENCE
- 2008 Annual Conference will be held April 4-6 at the AAA 4-Diamond Marriott Resort & Spa at Grande Dunes located on the oceanfront of Myrtle Beach. The Conference begins with the District Assembly luncheon on Friday, April 4 at 12:00 Noon and concludes Sunday, April 6 at 11:00. Conference Registration: Rotarian $165; guest/spouse $110. Friday luncheon: $15 per person. Late fee $25 (after March 3rd). Room reservations are separate and can be made at 1-800-644-2881 or www.marriott.com/myrgd. $169 plus tax per night, registration code "RTDRTDA". Friday evening will be "Rotary Idol" and each club needs a talent entry.
 
- STOP HUNGER NOW is a program that provides food, medicine, and other life-saving aide to those with the greatest need around the country. Charlotte East Rotary Club is working to raise $20,000 in order to package and mail 100,000 meals to Haiti. Governor Graham has declared this effort a District-wide project and has announced a fundraiser to achieve this goal. Donations of $10 will be collected at Charlotte Rotary meetings through January 28th. Visit www.stophungernow.org. The food will be packaged at the District Conference.

Should you question the eligibility of any nominee, contact the Rotary office by January 14th.