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WLGA-TV Goes Digital

The nationwide conversion of analog television stations to all-digital stations took place Friday at midnight.The local station of WLGA-TV has shut down its Analog Channel 66 and Digital Channel 31, and now offers Digital Channel 47.WLGA-TV serves over 62,000 viewers in Columbus, Ga., Opelika, Ala., and surrounding areas.For viewers who do not have cable, a digital converter box or DTV tuner will be needed in order to receive the new all-digital channel.Some viewers will need to install an outdoor antenna in order to receive all local DTV stations with the strongest signal."There are a number of places to find them," said Bill Brooks, a WLGA-TV's general sales manager.Converter boxes and outdoor antennas can be found at most local electronic stores.The cost for each converter box ranges from $40 to $70."The one I bought for my home was about $50," Brooks said.The government is giving out two coupons worth $40 a piece per household.There is no cut-off date to buy a converter box, but consumers should check to make sure the coupons do not expire.Those viewers who have already purchased converter boxes will need to re-scan them in order to pick up the Digital Channel 47 any day after June 12.The re-scan is also needed for viewers to be able to receive all other local TV stations' DTV channels after June 13."I used to work for a cable company, so I knew I was DTV ready, I just made sure to re-scan," said Eli McCrory, a junior in building science.The conversion from analog to all-digital only affected the over-the-air and satellite TV viewers whose TV sets are analog."I am a satellite subscriber, so I just checked my TV's owners manual to make sure it was a digital television that would pick up the all-digital stations, because my TV is a few years old," said Channing Leger, a junior in landscape horticulture.The switch to digital from analog should have taken place automatically for current cable customers, Brooks said."If you wake up and see snow on Saturday, that should be a sign," Brooks said.WLGA-TV is prepared for customers who may not understand and do not know how to handle the all-digital switch."We are ready for that, and we encourage them to call us," Brooks said.In addition to over the phone customer service, there are also 150 walk-in clinics across the country.

Plainsman Archives

Auburn Volleyball Begins With 3rd Ranked Recruiting Class

Auburn volleyball anticipates a successful 2009 season with the talent of new recruits, returning players and coaching staff.The 2009 recruiting class ranks third in the Southeastern Conference and 26th in the nation on PrepVolleyball.com, according to the Auburn athletics Web site."With ten incoming players and no returning seniors, this season is going to be more about increasing SEC wins for 2009," said Wade Benson, head coach of two years.

Auburn Distance Learning to Expand Undergraduate Online Classes

By Andrew Sims/Online Editor | June 11

As education works to keep up with increasingly fast-paced technology, Auburn's Office of Distance Learning and Outreach Technology is working to make sure Auburn students and faculty stay caught up."Currently we are catering more to the graduate programs, which we currently have 20 of, and only a handful of undergraduate classes," said Monica DeTure, director of Distance Learning and Outreach Technology.

Andrea Wulf Shares Fresh Ideas With Local Planters

By Andrew Sims/Online Editor | June 11

Something was definitely growing in the minds of Auburn residents and students Friday when author Andrea Wulf planted seeds of knowledge while talking about her new book "The Brother Gardeners."Wulf is a journalist who has written two books about the history of gardens in England.Wulf said that many of her friends in Germany laugh at her for being interested in the history of gardening."They laugh because gardens in Germany are just a few flowers and mostly evenly cut hedges," Wulf said.She is also a trained design historian from the Royal College of Art in London.

The Auburn Plainsman

Music Lovers Weather Bonnaroo

By Allison Clark/News Editor | June 11

Full days in the scorching sun, a dinner of crackers and Vienna sausages, dingy portable potties and crowds of sweaty people sporting paint instead of clothes.Never before have I traveled to Bonnaroo, but from speaking with veterans, I know I will experience these things during my weekend in Manchester, Tenn.But if my friends can conquer 'the 'Roo,' then I can too.Yes, there are some unpleasant things about attending Bonnaroo, but as everyone says "it's just part of the experience," and so I keep telling myself that.All in all, I expect a trip that will blow my mind, whether it's because I will be rocking out, or simply standing in awe, in front of some incredibly inspiring bands.I will thrash wildly and maybe even forget who I am at The Mars Volta show.I plan to cry and blow kisses at the funky David Byrne.I'll probably jump and yell until I'm completely beat while the Yeah Yeah Yeahs rock out.I'll dance and groove to Snoop Dogg, but no doubt dart if he looks my way, for although Snoop is talented, he's super scary.This is just a sample of the amazing music that'll enter my ears and stay in my memory forever, and I can't entirely wrap my mind around the idea of hearing it all so live and raw.One thing I'm particularly excited about is getting to watch everyone else groove.Observing people, especially when they don't think anyone else is watching, has always been amusing to me.Some may think this is creepy, but I just excuse it as part of my career as a journalist to observe and describe.But back to my point: watching an audience during a concert is a whirlwind of fun, and I feel it proves the point that music is the greatest and most moving form of art.Picture a bundle of people at an art gallery bouncing up and down and screaming in front of a painting they find beautiful.That image is just silly.Picture a man swaying back and forth wearing the face of his favorite author on a T-shirt while reading poetry.A little extreme, huh?I'm not saying these art forms aren't moving, because they are, but there is just something about the sound of music that makes everyone forget the world for an hour, share an understanding and dance on common ground.So if you're heading to Bonnaroo this weekend maybe I'll see you there, but probably not.My message to my fellow concert goers is to be safe, don't get arrested and, please, don't die.

Visitors pet a bluebird at the Beautiful Bluebird program Ashlea Draa/Photo Editor

Graduate Student Hosts Bluebird Program

By Courtney Johnson/Staff Writer | June 11

The Louise Kreher Forest Ecology Preserve was the host of Rusty Ligon's program called Beautiful Bluebird Saturday, which focused on the Eastern Bluebird, native to Alabama.A crowd of families came, armed with binoculars and note pads."Bluebirds and happiness correlate," said Jennifer Lolley, administrator of the Ecology Preserve.In his program, Ligon, a grad student in omithology discussed bluebird behavior, characteristics and tips to attract them to the home.He also gave instructive information for people interested in putting a bluebird box in their backyard."They are cavity-nesters, meaning birds that have to nest in a hole," Ligon said.Bluebirds today typically use human-made boxes to nest in."They don't have a bill to make their own hole," Ligon said.

Austin Nelson/Associate Photo Editor

Apple Announces New iPhone

By Allison Clark/News Editor | June 11

A compass, a search engine, a GPS system, a camera, a video recorder, a voice recorder and a phone.Wrap them all up in a sleek and shiny rectangle and you've got the new iPhone 3G S, which Apple declares is their "fastest, most powerful iPhone ever."The new iPhone was introduced Monday at the Apple Worldwide Developers Conference in San Francisco, and will be in stores on Friday, June 19."It will be available in retail locations on the 19th," said Joe Chandler with AT&T Corporate Communications.

Pace Industries Closes End of July Leaving 157 Jobless

By Virginia Anderson/Staff Writer | June 11

Pace Industries, a die-casting facility, announced May 21 it will close its doors by July 20, leaving 157 employees jobless.Michael Bakaric, the vice president of operation at the Auburn division, said the state of the economy was the main factor behind the decision to close the plant."I knew that Pace, as a complete corporation, got forced into a corner like many, many other major corporations did," he said.

Cancer Summit Advocates Frequent Screenings

By Callie Garrett/Staff Writer | June 4

The state of Alabama is ranked in the top 10 for cancer deaths, and authorities are brainstorming ways to cut them down."The number one reason why we are in the top 10 for cancer deaths is because we are not getting the screenings like we should," said Paul DeMarco, state representative of Homewood.If people can get their regular screenings, doctors can catch cancer early on, which could lead to a higher survival rate in the state."We discussed at the Cancer Summit ways to pull us out of the top 10", said DeMarco.

The Auburn Plainsman

Bradley Byrne Announces Candidacy For Governor

By Holly Hereth/Staff Writer | June 2

Bradley Byrne, who recently stepped down as Chancellor of Alabama Department of Postsecondary Education, announced his candidacy for governor of Alabama last Wednesday and was present at the Lee County GOP dinner in Opelika on Saturday.Byrne, a native of Mobile, served as chief executive officer of Alabama's two-year college system for two years before stepping down May 18.

The Auburn Plainsman

PACT Board Guarantees Tuition Through Spring 2010

By Amy Bley/Staff Writer | June 1

The PACT Board voted May 20 to pay fall and spring tuition for program participants and adopted a resolution to conduct a financial study.This decision affects the 48,000 participants in the PACT Program.The program has lost over half of its worth in the stock market, but still has enough to cover the 58 to 68 million dollars required to pay tuition for the next year and to reimburse the initial investment of all participants.The Retirement Systems of Alabama is conducting a study to determine a source for future funding.This study will be presented to Gov.

The Auburn Plainsman

Summer Art Club at Jule Collins Smith Museum

By Sarah Craft/Associate Copy Editor | June 1

The image that usually comes to mind when thinking of an art museum is one of somber patrons quietly contemplating serious pieces of professional artwork.However, any person who believes that type of entertainment is all that an art museum has to offer needs to visit the Jule Collins Smith Museum at 10 a.m.

The Auburn Plainsman

The Market at Ag Heritage Park Opened May 21

By Andrew Sims/Online Editor | May 21

Despite the rain, vendors at the opening day of The Market at Ag Heritage Park Friday said it was a success.With booths ranging from fresh tomatoes and cucumbers to homemade grits and goat cheese, there were plenty of choices for those who braved the weather to support local Alabama farmers.Tommy Aplin, of Aplin Farms in Slocomb, was hard at work with his two children, Chesnee Grace, 4, and Graison, 11."We have been coming here since the market opened five years ago," Aplin said as he handed green tomatoes for his son to give to a customer.

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