Printer
TextNews to Use Podcast Transcript: Nov. 18, 2008
Hello and welcome to the Fairfax County News to Use podcast for November 18, 2008. Coming up, find out how to get ready for the digital television switch, learn about an event that can help you make your home more comfortable and accessible, and get the good news from the 2008 Fairfax County Youth Survey.
Are you ready to make the switch? The federal government has mandated that all major television stations cease broadcasting their programming in analog format on February 17th, 2009. All major stations will broadcast their programming exclusively in digital beginning February 18th, 2009. If you are using an over-the-air antenna to receive television signals, you will need a digital-to-analog converter, digital television, or cable or satellite service to continue receiving television signals after February 17th of next year. If you receive television broadcasts in analog, you may be eligible for up to two $40 federal coupons, to purchase digital-to-analog converters.
There are several benefits to digital television over traditional analog television technology. Transmitting television signals in a digital format will free up airwaves to provide wireless spectrum for public safety communications, such as police, fire, and emergency rescue. This portion of the broadcast spectrum is particularly useful for public safety as the signals can easily penetrate walls.
Using digital technology to broadcast television signals also enables
TV stations to provide dramatically clearer pictures and better sound
quality. For more information or to apply for a coupon, go to www.dtv2009.gov.
Have you ever asked yourself how you might make changes to your home to: Enjoy it now and as you grow older; bring your parents to live with you; return home after an injury or accident; live comfortably with a disability; or invite all of your friends over, including those who use wheelchairs? Curb appeal may be a reason to buy, but a home’s design will help to determine how comfortable you'll be and how long you’ll live there as you get older. It also determines whether family and friends who have difficulty climbing stairs or other challenges can visit.
Spend the morning learning how to incorporateuniversal design concepts into everyday household upgrades to make your home more comfortable and adaptable. The free event takes place on Saturday, November 22nd from 8 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the Fairfax County Government Center, 12000 Government Center Parkway, Fairfax, Virginia. To register (required) and/or request reasonable ADA reasonable accommodations call 703-324-7746 or go to www.fairfaxcounty.gov/aaa. The event is sponsored by the Department of Family Services’ Fairfax Area Agency on Aging, the Building for All Committee and AARP.
The results are in…The 2008 Fairfax County Youth Survey, a collaborative effort of the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors, Public Schools, Community Services Board and Fairfax Partnership for Youth, looks at behaviors, experiences and other factors that influence the health and well-being of the county’s youth. The anonymous, voluntary survey was administered in February 2008 to 22,251 randomly selected Fairfax County, and a number of encouraging outcomes were identified. Fairfax County youth reported many opportunities to get involved in positive in-school and extracurricular activities. More than two-thirds of students had not used any drugs or alcohol in the previous 30 days, continuing a downward trend for substance use since 2001. And nearly a quarter of Fairfax County youth are physically active for at least 60 minutes every day. More information on the 2008 Youth Survey Report, along with the reports from 2001, 2003 and 2005, is available online at www.fairfaxcounty.gov/aboutfairfax.
For more information about the youth survey, contact Fairfax County Prevention Coordinator Denise Raybon at 703-324-7124.
That’s all for this News to Use podcast. Thanks for listening. For more information about the topics in this podcast and for continuous news updates, visit www.fairfaxcounty.gov/news. You may also call 703-FAIRFAX, that’s 703-324-7329, weekdays between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. News to Use is produced by the Fairfax County, Virginia, government.
**Survey: Provide Feedback About the Web Site, Including This Page**