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Show Volume XV Issue VIII The Ogden Valley news Page April 1, 2008 According to Survey, 74% of Consumers Who Know About Digital TV Transition Still Have Misconceptions There is major confusion among consumers about the looming transition to digital television (DTV), according to a new survey from Consumer Reports National Research Center. Seventy-four percent of respondents who said they were aware of the upcoming transition had serious misconceptions of its impact. The survey also found over one-third (36%) of Americans living in households with TVs are entirely unaware of the government-mandated transition to digital broadcasting slated for February 2009. “Confusion about the digital television transition will cost consumers a lot of money for equipment they may not want or need,” said Joel Kelsey, policy analyst for Consumers Union, the non-profit publisher of Consumer Reports. “Based on these survey results, it is now clear that the government and every media company that profits from people watching television must do whatever it takes to make sure consumers will keep getting broadcast TV without paying a dime more than necessary.” The federal government has allocated $5 million in public education funding to the National Telecommunications and Information Association (NTIA), and the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has requested $1.5 million for the same purpose. This is in contrast to the $400 million the United Kingdom plans to spend on its public education campaign. Even among those who are aware of the switch to digital broadcasts, there is widespread confusion about what it will require of consumers. Among those consumers who are aware of the transition, over half (58%) believe all TVs will need a digital converter box to function, 48% believe that only digital televisions will work after 2009, and nearly one quarter (24%) believe they will need to throw away all of their analog television sets; none of which is true. If you have an analog TV, you will just have to attach an external device that contains a digital ATSC tuner—a converter box. On February 17, 2009, television broadcasters will end “analog” broadcasts and begin sending television signals in a “digital” format. The DTV transition will affect millions of consumers who use analog television sets to view free over-the-air programming. Analog televisions will either need to be connected to a digital converter box, attached to cable or satellite service, or replaced with a digital TV by February 17, 2009. Millions of Consumers to be Affected by the Transition Based on the Consumer Reports survey, 99% of adults live in a household with at least one television, and many have two or more. According to the survey, 15% of Americans live in households that rely exclusively on over-the-air programming. If these consumers do not take some action before February 2009—such as buying a converter box—over three quarters (78%) will have no televisions capable of receiving over-theair broadcasting. That is 11% of American adults, or approximately 23 million people, who would be unable to watch TV. Among paid television subscribers using analog TVs to receive their services: April is National Donate Month April is National Donate Life Month, a time to increase efforts to increase organ/ tissue donor awareness. Did you know that being a registered organ/tissue donor is one of the easiest ways to become a hero? Many Utah companies, over 360, participate in the Workplace Partnership for Life program, which has led to real strides both locally and nationally. • 40% of paid television subscribers would have no working televisions if they choose to cancel their subscription, or if there is a service disruption; • 6% of paid television subscribers have at •In 2007, Utah received 20,821 new online least one analog TV on which they currently registrations. This does not include mail in watch over-the-air programming; registrations. • 46% of paid television subscribers indicated •In Utah, over 1.1 million people are registhey would be concerned if they were not tered as donors, making our state one of the able to receive an over-the-air signal in an most giving and gracious states in America. emergency service outage. •Nationally, 28,352 people received a life saving transplant—281 transplants were perConsumers Unaware of Transition, formed in Utah last year. Don’t Know What to Do Consumer Reports found a staggering While this is encouraging, today there lack of awareness and confusion among are still over 97,000 people waiting for a consumers about the DTV transition: life-saving transplant. • Of those who will have at least one TV affected, nearly two-thirds (61%) incorrectly believe they are not affected, do not know WASHINGTON, March that they are affected, or are completely unaware of the transition. 19, 2008—U.S. Agriculture • One-third (33%) of Americans in houseSecretary Ed Schafer holds that will have no functioning televiannounced a sign-up for the sion after February 17, 2009 were com- Conservation Security Program (CSP) that pletely unaware the transition is happening. will be available, starting April 18, to approxi- • In 2007 over 6,000 people died waiting. • 18 to 20 people will continue to die each day waiting in 2008 •Every 12 minutes another name is added to the national wait list. Since April is National Donate Life Month, we are asking efforts to increase donor awareness and help change this national epidemic. By sharing the information attached on your website, newsletters, or email blasts, we can help educate those who may still have questions regarding donation. I invite you to contact me if your organization would like a presentation to be made to employees, would like posters and registration forms for your lunchrooms, or if you’re interested in setting up a registration drive. For more information, call Workplace Partnership for Life Coordinator Kathie Roman at 801-540-6854. Schafer Announces Conservation Security Program Sign-Up The confusion doesn’t end there. mately 64,000 potentially eligible farms and Consumers may rush out to upgrade equip- ranches in 51 watersheds covering more than ment, even though they may not need to: 23.7 million acres across the United States, • One-third (33%) of consumers completely including Utah. unaffected by the transition plan to buy a “As President Bush has said, those who converter box and 31% plan to purchase depend on the land to make a living are the best a new digital television set with a built in stewards of the land,” said Schafer. “Since the digital tuner. • Although purchasing a converter box is by first sign-up in 2004, CSP has offered payfar the most popular action planned by those ments for enhancing natural resources, rewardaware of the transition, a staggering 73% are ing those farmers and ranchers who are model unaware of the government coupon program conservationists, and providing incentives for created to offset the cost of purchasing one other producers to achieve those same high of these boxes. To get a government cou- standards of conservation in agriculture.” pon that can be used toward the purchase The CSP sign-up is open in the 51 watersheds of a digital converter box, call toll-free 1- from April 18 to May 16. The sign-up announce888-388-2009 and provide your name and ment and specific program requirements are address. Every household in America is being published in the Federal Register. eligible, regardless of income. CSP is a voluntary conservation program Converter Boxes that supports ongoing stewardship of priConverter boxes currently run between $40 vate, agricultural working lands, and rewards and $70. The government-offered coupons those producers who are meeting the highest now available, two per household, our worth standards of conservation and environmental $40 each. Converter boxes purchased with management on their operations. the coupon must be government approved, Payments can include three components: and coupons must be requested before March 1) an annual stewardship component for the 31, 2009. Coupons will be available as long base level of conservation treatment; 2) an as supplies last, available on a first-come, first- annual component for maintenance of existing supplied basis. Retail chains already certified conservation practices; and 3) an enhancement to participate in the coupon program include component for exceptional conservation effort. Best Buy, Circuit City, Kmart, RadioShack, Enhancement activities could include limited Sam’s Club, Sears, Target, and Wal-Mart. pesticide applications, renewable energy genFor more information To find unbiased information on what their available options are, consumers should visit http://www.hearusnow.org/tvradio/12 and <www.consumerreports.org/dtv> Consumer Reports® is published by Consumers Union, an expert, independent nonprofit organization whose mission is to work for a fair, just, and safe marketplace for all consumers and to empower consumers to protect themselves. To achieve this mission, we test, inform and protect. To maintain our independence and impartiality, CU accepts no outside advertising, no free test samples, and has no agenda other than the interests of consumers. CU supports itself through the sale of our information products and services, individual contributions, and a few noncommercial grants. 801-745-4000 2555 WOLF CREEK DR. EDEN eration, and widening existing riparian forest buffers for restoring critical stream habitat. To apply for CSP, the Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) asks potential participants to complete a CSP self-assessment workbook—available on the Web or from local NRCS offices—to find out if their operation meets the requirements of the program and qualifies for program participation. The self-assessment process is completed using a self-screening questionnaire for each land use to be enrolled. When this process is completed, the producer submits the CSP workbook to the local NRCS office during the sign-up period and meets with NRCS personnel to go over any additional needed documentation. NRCS will then determine if eligibility requirements are met and provide options for the producer’s decision on enrollment category placement. NRCS held the first CSP sign-up in 2004. Today’s announcement brings the number of watersheds enrolled to 331 across the nation, covering 247.7 million acres that have been eligible for the program. CSP is offered on a rotational basis in as many watersheds as funding allows. For more information, residents from Weber County can contact NRCS by calling 629-0575 or visiting their office located in the U.S. Department of Agriculture building at 2871 Commerce Way, Ogden. Additional information on CSP, including eligible watersheds and a CSP selfassessment workbook is available at <http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/programs/csp> MLS 770964 Trapper’s Ridge Cloud Creek $649,000 5 BD 5 BA Trapper’s Ridge home ready to move in. 3-car garage large enough for your toys. Amazing master suite w/ phenomenol views. If you have a large family, a lot of friends or just enjoy your space, this home is perfect for you. MLS 763213 Superior craftsmanship in The Preserve $575,000. 4 BD 4 BA mountain style home w/everything you’d expect in a luxury home. 3850 sq. ft. incl. 2 full kitchens, 4 FR. 4 high efficiency gas fireplaces. Solid Hickory cabinetry. Master suite fit for a queen. MLS 769337 Comfortable Liberty Ranch home. $250,000 Over 2000 sq. ft. 4 bedroom, 2 bath. Seller Motivated! Heavily wooded 1 acre with access to the North Fork River. Beautiful 360 degree views. Don’t miss this opportunity. MLS 696398 Great cabin on one beautiful acre. $285,000 3 BD, 2 BA. Over 1800 sq. ft. Quiet street, only 10 minutes to North Ogden. Great floor plan with room to grow in the full basement. 2 wonderful decks. Master suite w/breathtaking views. Priced to Sell!! MLS 769338 UNDER CONTRACT $279,000 Super Clean home in Patio Springs. Energy efficient construction saves on utilities. Great yard w/ common area directly behind. Master Suite w/ jetted tub, double sinks and walk-in closet. Price $90,000 below comparable properties. MLS 763205 N. Ogden Beauty! Owner/Agent $239,000 5 BD 3 BA east bench home. This home has been completely refinished. New hardwood floors/ 3 new bathrooms/ new kitchen, new lighting, new concrete.NEW, NEW, NEW! Only 10 minutes from Liberty. MLS 694428 Beautiful building lot in the Final Phase of Durfee Creek 1.38 acre lot backs to Forest Service so the only neighbors you’ll have behind you are the deer, elk, and moose. Gorgeous views all around. Secluded culde-sac full of trees. Great deal for an exceptional lot. $375,000 MLS STORE HOURS: MON. - SAT. 7 AM - 10 PM SUNDAY 7 AM - 9 PM Any Large Veggie Tray in the Produce Dept. $1.00 OFF with coupon Expires 4/15/08 1/2 Gal Square Blue Bunny Ice Cream 50 c OFF with coupon Expires 4/15/08 Don Julio Tortilla Chips 25 c OFF with coupon Expires 4/15/08 Any Rotisserie Chicken in the Service Deli 50 c OFF with coupon Expires 4/15/08 Any Loaf Garlic Bread in the Bakery 25 c OFF with coupon Expires 4/15/08 710890 Seller MLS 622610 $108,000 Heavily Motivated. $165,000 Easy wooded, downward sloped lot build lot with South facing frontage. Beautiful 360 degree views. Private community park with walking trails, ball field and pavilion. **Value Package included with purchase worth thousands of dollars* perfect for walkout daylight basement. Seasonal creek. Great Views to the west and south. Sits high on a hill for lake, valley and unobstructed mountain views. 1/3 acre with common ground and all utilities stubbed to the lot. Nichole Kester Associate Broker, GRI (801) 710-3074 www.nicholeshomes.com |
