July 2014 Serving Washington Magazine Happy 4th of July Washington Strong July Calendar of Events See Inside A Community Publication Provided By MTCO Communications MTCO Communications 220 N. Menard Street Metamora, IL 61548
The Wonderful World of Washington Ever since the dial-up days of the Internet, MTCO has always received a warm welcome from the people of Washington. At last month s Good Neighbor Days, we had a booth set up in the merchant tent. One person after another stopped by to tell us they are happy that MTCO is bringing Fiber Optic service to the entire city. It s a big project to build a 100% digital state of the art fiber optic network from the ground up, but that is exactly what we are doing. The times have changed in technology and the world needs to change along with it. The need for fast dependable communications and entertainment is deserved in so many areas of this country, and Washington, Illinois is very fortunate to be receiving this great service. Yes, it will take us some time to complete the entire network in Washington, but rest assured that we are working diligently to get the service to your house or place of business. As we continue to build out our fiber optic network, you can keep informed about what MTCO is doing by reading this free community magazine. Our very first issue was mailed last month, and we appreciate the compliments we have received so far. Connected Magazine was created as a community service to the city of Washington, and to give the residents of Washington more insight to who we are and what we do. It s a great full color magazine that not only connects you with us, but really helps us to be connected with the entire community of Washington. As you will find out, we are not an ordinary telecommunications company. We ARE a part of the wonderful world of Washington. If you have an event or information to share with the people and businesses of Washington, please send them to us. Have a Happy 4th of July! For more information about our services, please visit www.mtco.com or scan this QR code with your smart phone. MTCO Communications 220 N. Menard Street Metamora, Illinois 61548 309-367-4197 connected@mtco.com President & CEO Glenn Rauh Vice President & CFO Ann Dickerson Wireless Operations Manager Editor - Connected Magazine Bob Becraft bbecraft@corp.mtco.com Marketing Manager Editor - Connected Magazine Kip DuBois kdubois@corp.mtco.com Connected Magazine is published monthly by MTCO Communications with corporate office located at 220 North Menard Street, Metamora, Illinois, 61548. The publication is intended for use of the residents of Metamora and Germantown Hills. No article in this issue or any part of this publication may be reproduced without the expressed written permission of the Publisher. For more information about this magazine, or for additional copies, contact Bob Becraft or Kip DuBois at 309-367-4197 or connected@mtco.com. If you have questions or concerns regarding your services, please contact our Customer Service Representatives at (309)367-4197 or 800-859-6826. Copyright 2014 MTCO Communications, Inc. All rights reserved. On The Cover An American Flag that was strapped to this tree stump shortly after the tornado on November 17, 2013. It has been flying there since that day watching over the progress Washington residents and volunteers from all over have done. 800-859-6826
Entertainment & Technology Apps Parents Should Know About (Final of a 3-part Series) It can be overwhelming to keep up with your kids and their online habits, so here are a few more apps to be aware of: Whisper - This is a meeting App that encourages users to post secrets anonymously, but the area you are posting from is displayed. You can also search for users posting within a mile from you. Relationships are forming on this App, but you never know who is behind the computer or phone. Omegle - You do not identify yourself through this service, however, you can connect Omegle to your Facebook account to find chat partners with similar interests. This App will receive your Facebook likes and try to match you with a stranger with similar likes. Jailbreak and Cydia - Jailbreaking a phone means hacking your own device to lift restrictions on allowable applications, meaning a user can then download sketchy third-party apps not sold in the App Store or Google Play. Cydia is a popular app for jailbroken phones used as a gateway to icon-hiding apps. digimax Channel Updates The FXX (ch. 313/474HD) and IFC (ch. 323/480HD) channels, which were in the EXPANDED digimax channel package, are now available to all customers who are subscribed to the SELECT package. In addition, Bio Channel will be rebranding to FYI Channel on July 8, 2014. FYI (ch. 93/526HD), which stands for For Your Inspiration, is a lifestyle content channel offering viewers an adventurous approach to their taste, space, social life, and look. digimax Adding More HD Channels! MTCO digimax TV is adding more HD channels to its lineup in July. With the additional twelve more HD channels, digimax will now offer more than 130 HD channels. That s 50 more HD channels than cable! The new HD channel additions are: American Heroes Ch. 527 BBC World News Ch. 576 Disney Jr. Ch. 594 Fusion Ch. 577 Great American Country (GAC) Ch. 496 Nick Jr. Ch. 595 Nicktoons Ch. 465 PBS Kids Sprout Ch. 466 Showtime Women Ch. 717 TMC Xtra Ch. 718 MovieMax East Ch. 735 OuterMAX Ch. 736 With the addition of the new Cinemax HD channels, all HD Cinemax channels now start at channel 730: Cinemax Ch. 730 5StarMAX Ch. 734 MoreMax Ch. 731 MovieMax Ch. 735 ThrillerMAX Ch. 732 OuterMAX Ch. 736 ActionMAX Ch. 733 Cool New Product The Keyport Slide 2.0 is the Swiss Armkey Knife of keychains. Closed, it looks like a matchbox or a box of Tic-Tacs. But inside it stores six different keys and/ or tools of your choice. To get started, it s outfitted with a few of our favorites: a USB Flash Drive (you choose 8GB or 32GB), a Mini Light, and a Bottle Opener. Keep up with Entertainment and Technology news. Add MTCO to your Facebook and Twitter groups and visit www.mtco.com and click on MTCO News on the right section of the webpage.
Some of the many volunteers lending a helping hand on June 6, 2014, while the Chicago Bears were in town.
29 30 1 2 3 4 5 Summer Concert Series The Original Skazz Band Rotary Shelter 6pm 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 City Council Meeting Five Points 6:30pm City Planning Commission Five Points 6:30pm Liberty Ride American Legion at Noon JFL Sign Ups 9am - 12pm Washington High School 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 Summer Concert Series Frank Windell & The Country Gold Express Rotary Shelter 6pm Washington High School Board Meeting 7pm 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 City Council Meeting Five Points 6:30pm Zoning Board of Appeals Five Points 6:30pm Historic Preservation Comm. City Hall 6:30pm 27 28 29 30 31 1 2 Local weather, all the time...not just on the 8 s! Local forecast and current temps every 30 seconds. National, midwest and local radar, and more. Instant weather at your fingertips on digimax channel 401/411HD
In Our Community Farmer s Market Now Open Every Saturday morning from 8:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m., the Washington Farmer s Market will be open. It will run through September on the Historic W a s h i n g t o n Square. You will find a great mix of quality, locally produced and made products. Route 66: The Ultimate Road Trip Join author Dave Clark at the Washington Main Library on July 22, 2014 at 6:30 p.m., as he takes us on a journey along this historic 2448-mile-long highway stretching from Los Angeles to Chicago, often called the Main Street of America. Are You Ready For Some JFL? Sign-up dates for the 2014 JFL football season have been posted. The dates and times for registrations are July 12th and 26th at the Washington Panther Plex from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. The cost for registration is Tackle: $100; Flag: $50; Cheer: $50 Any questions, contact: Lonnie Anderson, Washington JFL Director at 309-696-4480. 4th Annual Liberty Ride The American Legion Riders from Post 1115 in Spring Bay will be having their 4th Annual Liberty Ride on July 5, 2014. The ride begins at the American Legion Post 100 in Washington, with sign up from 10:00 a.m. to Noon. All vehicles are welcome to ride in this fundraiser that benefits the American Legion programs. Washington Park District News Full Day Pre-K Sign-ups We have a few openings for our Full Day Pre-K program for the 2014-2015 school year. We hold class Monday-Thursday from 9:00 a.m - 2:00 p.m. Before and after care is available along with full day Friday care through our REACH program. We have a certified teacher in Early Childhood Education and generally follow the Central District 51 school calendar. Please contact us today to visit the room or to speak with the teacher. Fall Soccer Fall Soccer will have divisions for U5, U6, U8 and U10 boys and girls. All participants will receive a soccer uniform shirt and need to have shinguards and athletic shoes. Included in the fees are six soccer academy sessions and games. Practices are scheduled by each coach individually and games occur on one weeknight and also on Saturdays from September 1st through October 13th. Signups end on August 1st. You can signup online at www.washingtonparkdistrict.com or in person at 105 S. Spruce St during our normal business hours.
What s Playing July 1st God Bless America - A Patriotic Gospelfest Five Points Washington - Theater Tickets: $15/adults Free/High School students or under Doors open: 6:15 p.m. - Concert: 7:00 p.m. July 6th Washington Park District Summer Concert Series The Original Skazz Band - Rotary Shelter in Washington Park. Free to attend. Ice cream is served. Please remember to bring your lawn chairs. July 11th The Best of the Best - Peoria Pops Orchestra Five Points Washington - Theater Tickets: $12/adults $10/seniors $8/students Doors open: 6:30 p.m. - Concert: 7:00 p.m. July 20th Washington Park District Summer Concert Series Frank Windell & The Country Gold Express- Rotary Shelter in Washington Park. Free to attend. Ice cream is served. Please remember to bring your lawn chairs. Special Dinner To Help Girl Scouts Madison s on the Square will be hosting a special dinner on Friday July 18, 2014 to benefit the Girl Scouts of Central Illinois. Seating options are available at 4:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. and reservations are required. The cost is $25 per person with 25% of the proceeds going to the Girl Scouts. RSVP by July 14, 2014 to Ashley Taylor at ataylor@girlscouts-gsci.org or 309-282-0809. Building a New Home or Remodeling? A new home served by digimax requires some specific cabling in order to fully utilize the benefits of this service. Here are a few of the requirements that you should consider when building or remodeling your home: All wiring should be CAT5e or CAT6 data cabling. Cable and satellite services still use coax cabling, while digimax services are all IP based data network services. All wiring must be home-run to a central point in the basement near an electrical outlet. Voice and Internet/Data outlets require a single CAT5e/6 line per outlet. TV jacks: Smart TVs may require 2 Cat5e/6 wires per location. One for the TV service, plus an internet connection for streaming services. Many TVs can use wireless, but the best solution during construction is always two wires to each TV location. Call MTCO at 800-859-6826 to schedule a final inspection before insulation is installed. Michael s 5K Run for Life The 1st Annual Michael s 5K Run for Life will be held on Friday, July 25, 2014 in Germantown Hills. Join us for a fantastic night of running, food, drinks and music! Packet pick up is at 5:00 p.m., race begins at 7:00 p.m., followed by an awards ceremony at 7:45 p.m. Food Stands will be open from 6:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. Listen to the live music of local favorite The Joe Stamm Band from 8:00 p.m. -11:00 p.m. Entry fee is $25 per 5k Racer and $30 per 1 Mile Walker. Fee includes a race t-shirt, one free drink ticket, and complimentary entry to the concert. All proceeds will be donated to the Michael P. Brown Colon Cancer Foundation to raise awareness and research funds for Signet Ring Colon Cancer. More details at www.run4michael.com. Do you have some community news to share with the residents of Washington? Send it to connected@mtco.com, or mail it to us at 220 N. Menard St., Metamora, IL 61548 Attn: Connected Magazine.
Connecting You to 100% FIBER OPTICS! Clarity. Power. Reliability. Internet 20/5Mbps Fiber Optics add $5000 to the value of your home! Need More Speed? - Add 5Mbps of download speed for $5/mo. all the way up to 200Mbps! - Need more upload speed? Add 5Mbps for $10/mo. FREE Install to one computer* Speed for Your Life. TV FREE HD to first TV* Internet at the SPEED OF LIGHT! Connect with friends and family on social media Seamlessly Stream HD movies, play games, work from home Connect multiple devices: Smart phones, tablets, laptops, desktops 134 Channels FREE Install up to 4 TV s* Single TV & Whole-Home DVR. Manage your DVR Recordings when away from home! in Crystal-Clear HD Exclusive Local Channels - Weather, all the time...not just on the 8 s! Better Picture. Better Sound. Voice 50 more HD channels than cable! FREE UNLIMITED Long Distance* FREE Calling Feature Package* REAL phone service delivering sound quality and reliability Manage your Voice Mail online, automatically deliver to your e-mail, and access from any phone 911 call goes directly to your local dispatcher in an emergency FREE CallerID on your TV* - Message identification on your TV with who is calling before the phone rings! Ultra-Clear Conversations. SAVE with Bundled Pricing! SELECT Triple Play starting at $117/mo.* Locally owned since 1945 MTCO Communications 220 N Menard St., IL 61548 309.367.4197 800.859.MTCO(6826) www.mtco.com *Limited time offer. 1-yr. agreement required for all discounts. Not available in all areas. Monthly rates are standard, non-promotional rates. Free installation up to 4 TV s, $60 per TV after first 4. More complex installs may require additional fees. A high-definition TV is required to view HDTV signals. All free and leased installed MTCO equipment (set top boxes, adapters, etc.) remain property of MTCO and must be returned at cancellation or unreturned equipment fee will apply. Location may determine max number of TV s allowed. Unlimited long distance calling for residential service and continental U.S. only. Cannot be used for business purposes such as telemarketing, broadcast faxes, etc. MTCO may restrict or cancel service if inconsistent with residential voice usage. Actual speeds may vary. Federal, state and local taxes, governmental regulatory fees and surcharges, if any, are additional. Other charges, conditions, requirements and restrictions may apply. Offer may not be combined with any other offer and is non-transferrable.