---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Pham, Christine <Christine.P...@mail.house.gov>
Date: Thu, May 1, 2008 at 11:34 AM
Subject: [baapals-comm91] Digital Television Transition workshop in San
Francisco on May 22
To: baapals@googlegroups.com, baapals-community@googlegroups.com

  *From:* Hong Chang
*Sent:* Wednesday, April 30, 2008 12:42 PM
*To:* Hong Chang
*Subject:* Digital Television Transition workshop in San Francisco on May 22

Dear Community Friends,

Earlier this month, I sent out an email alerting you of a workshop the
California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) and the Federal Communications
Commission (FCC) will put together in San Francisco on May 22 to discuss an
important consumer issue – Digital Television (DTV) transition in 2009. This
follow-up email provides more details about this important workshop and I
would encourage your participation.

Please see the attachment.

Best!

Hong

*Hong Chang*

*Office of Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger*

*Deputy Director, San Francisco Regional Office*

*455 Golden Gate Avenue, Suite 14000*

*San Francisco**, CA 94102*

*tel: (415) 703-1280 fax: (415) 703-2803*

*email:* *hong.ch...@gov.ca.gov* <hong.ch...@gov.ca.gov>

*      *******    ACTION REQUIRED   ******* *

*IMPORTANT WORKSHOP ABOUT YOUR TELEVISION AND CHANGES THAT ARE COMING IN
FEBRUARY 2009 THAT **WILL** AFFECT YOU!!*

After February 17, 2009, analog televisions that are not hooked up to cable,
satellite or other subscription services will* **NOT* work unless a consumer
takes action.  Come and learn at a free training session so you can train
your community on this important event.

The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) will partner with the
Federal Communications Commission (FCC) for* **three free training
sessions* for
community leaders and Community-Based Organizations (CBO's) to assist their
communities especially the limited English proficient and the non-English
speaking communities to learn about and prepare for Digital Television
(DTV) transition.

*Dates/Times/Locations: *

*May 21, 2008, 10:00 am-Noon*

Nick W. Blom Salida Regional Library

4835 Sisk Road

Salida, CA

*May 22, 2008, 10:30 am-12:30 * (presented by KTSF TV)* *

California Public Utilities Commission

Auditorium, Ground Floor

505 Van Ness Avenue

San Francisco, CA

*May 23, 2008, 10:00 am-Noon*

City of Commerce

2535 Commerce Way – Council Chambers

Commerce, CA

*RSVP by 5/15/08 and click on the following link:* *
http://docs.cpuc.ca.gov/digi/* <http://docs.cpuc.ca.gov/digi/>* **and **
indicate:*

·       The date of the workshop you will attend

·       The names and number of attendees from your organization who are
coming

·       E-mail address

·       If special accommodations are required (also call the CPUC's Public
Advisor's Office 3 – 5 business days prior to the workshop at
1.866.849.8390)

·       If you do not have access to e-mail, RSVP by phone to Mary Lou
Tousey at 415/ 703.1180

*Your Assistance is Greatly Appreciated: *

We are asking you to assist by attending this very important workshop so you
can become familiar with the DTV transition changes and how they will affect
your constituents.  The workshop will provide information regarding:

·       what DTV transition means

·       digital TV vs. analog

·       what is a converter box and why it is needed

·       how to and where to purchase a converter box

·       how to receive two $40 coupons per household from the US Government to
help  pay for the converter box

·      * **most importantly:*  hands on  instructions on how to fill
out the applications
for the converter box coupons

Once you receive this training, you will be able to educate and advise your
constituents including the limited English proficient and the non-English
speaking consumers in your area about DTV transition.  This will assist them
in understanding the changes that are coming, why this is happening, and
what they can do to prepare.

This is an invitation-only event for community leaders and CBO's to learn
what their organizations can do to help their constituents to continue to
receive over-the-air television.  Attendees will have the unique opportunity
of hearing from and speaking to the officials who are at the center of the
national effort to educate consumers about this transition.

*More Information to Assist You:   *

The workshop will be conducted in English, however, if you need translators
you can request them by indicating on your RSVP that you require this
"special accommodation" and by also calling the CPUC's Public Advisor's
Office at 1.866.849.8390.   Translators will be made available.  Attendees
will be provided with in-language materials that will be available in 14
different languages to take back to their constituents.  The material will
be advisories that will direct you to websites and call centers where
questions about the transition can be answered in-language.  There will also
be a demonstration of the digital converter box which will show attendees
the higher quality of the television signals and how easy it is to
install.

*Why **is This Happening: *

The FCC is switching to digital for improved public safety for everyone.
The transition to digital will help police, fire, and other public safety
departments to communicate more easily with each other during emergencies.
For consumers, digital TV offers better picture and sound quality, as well
as more channels and programming choices.

On February 17, 2009, television will undergo its biggest transformation
since the introduction of color in the 1950's.  On that day, all full power
television stations in the United Stares will switch from the analog format
to digital.  If you watch TV, you will see significantly higher quality and
new programming choices with the digital transmission format.  Many
households could be at risk of losing their over-the-air signal on that
day.  The households most affected are those who receive television
over-the-air on one or more sets at their home.

Affected households have options available to them in order to continue
receiving their programs on February 17, 2009.  The government organizations
heading up the digital television education program have identified people
who do not speak English as a primary language as being "at risk" of losing
their television reception February 2009.  While many people are now aware
that a transition will occur, misconceptions remain about what steps are
needed to prepare for this change.  We believe these workshops will be a
tremendous asset in preparing communities for the Digital Television
transition. * **We urge you to attend.*   * *

*        *

--
Bao Thien Ngo
Executive Committee Member - Administration
United Vietnamese Student Associations of Northern California
bao.thien....@norcaluvsa.org | mobile (408) 712-7796