North-Country Chapter, SCTE
1769 Lexington Ave. Box 324
Roseville, MN. 55113
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North-Country Chapter Events 2009
NORTH-COUNTRY CHAPTER SPRING VENDOR DAY from March 24th, (Tuesday) 2009
Hyatt Hotel, Nicollet Mall, Minneapolis
See the Arris presentation on the "Newsletter Page."
"The State of Convergence"
Jay Bestermann
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State News:
N.L. “Larry” Bentson dies at 87; Midcontinent Communications Chairman of the Board
Minneapolis, MN, April 13, 2009--- Larry Bentson, Midcontinent Communications Chairman of the Board passed away on Sunday evening, April 12 at the age of 87. While Mr. Bentson spent the past several weeks battling cancer, his positive attitude and passion for the business served as an inspiration for all its employees and countless numbers of friends.
Larry Bentson was regarded as a significant leader in the communications and entertainment industries. He started his long broadcast career as a 12-year old actor, continuing as a part-time radio engineer and announcer in the late ‘30s and early ‘40s. After graduating from the University of Minnesota and then serving in the Navy during World War II, he returned to the Twin Cities and built WMIN-TV, Channel 11. He became one of the founding partners of what ultimately became Midcontinent Media with Eddie Ruben and Joe L. Floyd, who owned theatres throughout Minnesota, South Dakota, North Dakota and Wisconsin. The Ruben, Floyd, and Bentson partnership went on to build television stations in South Dakota, Iowa, and Wisconsin, purchase and operate radio stations in the upper Midwest, build and acquire cable television systems in the Dakotas and Minnesota and upgrade them to provide customers with the latest voice, video and data services.
While Larry Bentson experienced extraordinary business success, he was most proud of the Bentson family leadership position in philanthropy for community and non-profit organizations, including the University of Minnesota, United Hospital of St. Paul, Mount Zion Temple, Walker Art Center, and the Pavek Museum of Broadcasting. The Bentson family established a chair for the Department of Pediatrics at the University of Minnesota Medical School along with numerous Fellowships, and in 2003 he and his late wife Nancy established a ten million dollar Endowment Fund awarding four-year scholarships to incoming freshmen to the University of Minnesota. The success of this program was recognized by the presentation of the 2007 University of Minnesota’s Regents Award. Other recent honors included the Ward L. Quall Broadcast Pioneer Award from the Broadcasters Foundation and the Cable Pioneers award at the National Cable and Telecommunications Association annual show.
With a career spanning 75 years, Larry Bentson left an indelible mark of excellence on all those he touched. He also made significant contributions and improved the lives of thousands more who will never know his name. His example of commitment, consideration, compassion and service will live on for generations, and we mourn his loss.
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June 16th, 2009
THIS IS AN SCTE CO-SPONSORED EVENT!! THINK ABOUT PARTICIPATION FOR THE "MINNESOTA FOOD SHELF" AND THE BROADBAND TECHNICAL SCHOOL IN WADENA.
Jimmy Schulz Memorial Golf Tournament. Hastings Country Club. For more information please contact Linda at the MCCA office in St. Paul, MN. (651) 641-0268. The SCTE Chapter will ask to become a co-sponsor this year. This is a wonderful Charitable event that was started to assist the family of Jimmy Schulz, one of the co-founders of the Chapter and employee with Rogers (became) Time-Warner. It has since become a significant contributor to many LOCAL Assistance Organizations.
Bill Davis - Chair
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Please see in the "Newsletter" the possible fate and concerns of the only Minnesota Broadband cirriculum under the Technical State University Sysstem in Wadena, MN.
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July 22nd, 2009:
Enhance your careers by attending a presentation given to you by, Rick Sullivan, Region 5 Director on the benefits of SCTE Technical and Engineering certification. This will be free to attend for all SCTE members and individuals who would like to sign up for SCTE membership as well as SCTE certification. This will be either at the Comcast University or the Sheraton Hotel on 35W and 36, Mpls.
SCTE CERTIFICATION
Broadband Premises Installer BPI
Broadband Premises Technician BPT
Broadband Premises Specialist BPS
Broadband Distribution Specialist BDS
Broadband Transport Specialist BTS
Broadband TelecomCenter Specialist BTSC
Broadband Communications Technician BCT
Broadband Communications Engineer BCE
Digital Video Engineering Professional DVEP
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September 9th & 10th, 2009:
North-Country Chapter Fall Vendor Day and Golf Outing at the Grand Casino Resort and Casino in Hinckley, MN. Exhibits, Technical Seminars, and the annual golf outing will all be features of this anticipated gathering of technical personnel in the Broadband industry of Minnesota and Western Wisconsin. Jeff Fischer and Jody Hall, Co-Chairs
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November 18th and 19th, 2009
SCTE Onsite Seminars:
A Benefit to Your Members and Your Chapter
SCTE Pd Onsite Seminars can provide members with a great opportunity to take part in up-to-date professional development opportunities in their own area, eliminating the need for extensive travel and time away from the field.
Onsite Seminars are an excellent way to provide value to current members and to reach out to prospective members, with minimal time and resources from your Chapter volunteers. By booking an Onsite Seminar, your chapter will receive:
o A comprehensive, vendor-neutral professional development presentation that incorporates industry best practices and the latest technologies
o An experienced, professional trainer
o All seminar materials, including a student manual for each participant
(Location TBD ) The SCTE certified education units Seminar
Ethernet Transport Length: 2 days
Ethernet Transport covers the basic functionality of Ethernet, as well as the standards, types of equipment, the provisioning process and various network architectures.
Knowledge of Ethernet and GigE will help broadband professionals better understand the components and implementations of Ethernet technology from 10BaseT through 10GigE, as well as the benefits of future enhancements. This course teaches operators how to quickly and easily build, deploy, manage and troubleshoot Ethernet networks. It also details network architectures, protocols, frame formats, configuration and provisioning parameters. In addition, participants will discover important operating requirements and troubleshooting techniques.
Audience: Technical operations managers, advanced technical support personnel that work in the NOC, headend and field services, mid- to senior-level data technicians and engineering managers
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December 15th, 2009:
North-Country Chapter Cable Games
Comcast University, 801 Plymouth Ave. North, Minneapolis, MN.
Win a chance to get a free trip to the 2010 SCTE EXPO in New Orleans!
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See Some Pictures from Cable Games, 2008 and the VoIP Seminar.
Go to Newsletter and review the action
Overall winner: Brian Oviat - Charter Comm. Paid (flight and hotel or, $1,000.00) expense trip to the SCTE EXPO in Denver - Oct. 27th - 30th, 2009
Team Winners: Gold medals
Charter Comm. Rosemount and Rochester
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