Setting the Stage for Barack Obama’s Inauguration Ceremony

Preparing for any celebration in Washington, DC is a major undertaking and Barack Obama’s inauguration ceremony is no different. As the capital of the world, it has it’s own set of problems to deal with in the setup stage. Traffic must be managed to protect VIP’s and the President-elect. Communication grids and backup equipment must be put in place to ensure that security forces  and public relations personnel can communicate effectively. An unprecedented move has been taken this year to ensure the continued functioning of the cellular grid. The major wireless carriers are beefing up their infrastructure to help prevent a communication blackout from occurring. Millions of people are expected to be in town on that day and because of the historical significance of this inauguration, even more will be communicating back and forth about their experiences on the inauguration.

The major transportation authority in the area (WMATA – (Metro)) advises people to take Metro to get around. Streets in the immediate and surrounding areas will be blocked off and it will be difficult to drive aound. Metro outlines their plans for Inauguration Day. Some stations will be closed due to security concerns.

For more updates, bookmark this page and check back often.

Yours in history and inauguration day festivities,

Joseph R. Mays

Digital Television – Coming Soon to the Airwaves Near You

Digital television signals will be a mandate starting February 16, 2009. All analog television broadcast signals will cease after February 16, 2009. All television stations must broadcast with digital signals.  Analog television sets will NOT be able to pick up the digital signals. Those sets must be fitted with a DAC (Digital-to-Analog Converter) device in order for digital television signals to be received by your analog television set. TV stations are going to the digital signal to match the advances in technology and to bring you, the customer, a better viewing experience.

The Federal Government has a program to make the conversion process a little easier on the wallet. If you have not already done so, you can get a coupon to help purchase a converter.

https://www.dtv2009.gov/

Yours in the digital age,

Joseph R. Mays

Indianapolis Colts Defeated; Philadelphia Eagles and San Diego Chargers Advance

Sunday was not a good day for Indianapolis Colts fans. It is not the way I wanted Tony Dungee to go out. However, he did accomplish his mission last year with a win over the New England Patriots. I had also picked them to be the AFC contender in Super Bowl LVIII. So much for that. We move on now to Saturday and Sunday with the final AFC and NFC Divisional match-ups on the NFL Road to Super Bowl LVIII.

Donovan McNabb and the Philadelphia Eagles defeated the Minnesota Vikings by a score of 26-14 to advance and play the New York Giants on Sunday at 1:00PM on Fox. Kurt Warner and the Arizona Cardinals defeated the Atlanta Falcons and advanced to play the Carolina Panthers on Saturday at 8:15 PM on Fox.  San Diego Chargers defeated the Indianapolis Colts by a score of 23-17. They advanced to play the Pittsburgh Steelers. That game starts on Sunday at 4:45PM ET on CBS.

Jeff Fisher’s  Tennessee Titans, the New York Giants, the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Carolina Panthers all had first round byes. The Tennesee Titans play the Baltimore Ravens on Saturday at 4:30PM on CBS. The Baltimore Ravens crushed the Miami Dolphins 27-9.

The Super Bowl will be held at Tampa, Florida this year. Super Bowl LVIII Pre-Game festivities start at 0:00PM. Kickoff for the Super Bowl LVIII is at 6:00PM on February 1, 2009.

Yours in NFL news,

Joseph R. Mays

PS. And yes, the Dallas Cowboys are sitting at home where they need to be.