S P E C I A L A D V E R T I S I N G F E A T U R E

A New Day,A BetterPicture

BROUGHT TO YOU BY CHARTER COMMUNICATIONS

2 S P E C I A L A D V E R T I S I N G F E A T U R E

FFor part of each work day, Charles Franklin’s role shifts subtly between salesman and educator. His job on the showroom fl oor now includes correcting public misconceptions and debunking misinformation.

“There’s a lot of confusion on the part of customers themselves,” says Franklin, sales manager of the local Tweeter home entertainment store.

The source of the confusion is a federal mandate calling for conversion to digital television broadcasting – the deadline for which was recently pushed back to June 12. However, some local stations may be going forward with the transition on Feb. 17th.

The good news for Charter Communications customers is they don’t need to do a thing. The deadline will come and go seamlessly, without them having to lift a fi nger or spend a dime extra.

“This is all going to really happen backstage to our customers,” says Jim Corrin, Charter’s director of government relations.

That’s because Charter long ago made the investment in digital technology that will pay even greater

dividends starting in February. Existing customers won’t have to buy new televisions or worry about disruption of their service.

The format change is the result

of a law passed by Congress in the 1990s requiring full-power television broadcast stations to convert from analog to digital signals by 2009. Most are already broadcasting both.

The goal is to free up part of the available broadcast spectrum for use by public safety services, such as police, fi re and ambulance. Pat Hayes, Charter’s regional director of technical operations, says the existing system’s vulnerability was revealed when emergency teams responding to the 9/11 terrorist attacks in New York weren’t able to communicate with one another.

But the mandate will also allow the Federal Communications Commission to auction off some of the spectrum to companies that wish to offer new digital services. That decision is likely to give consumers more programming choices.

The conversion is certain to revolutionize television viewing habits. The sharper images, improved sound quality and greater capacity of today’s digital technology have become the industry gold standard

for home entertainment.But that doesn’t necessarily mean

Americans are keeping up with the learning curve.

Franklin reports his customers often have diffi culty distinguishing among the various types of television technology. He’s taken to comparing it to the three grades of gas sold at service stations, with analog being the least powerful at 87 octane, digital at 89 and HD at 93. (The law is forcing retailers to phase out analog TV sales so they won’t be an option much longer.)

Franklin says the technological complexity has made customers more cautious. Where decisions were once made in a single visit, now they tend to come and go several times before buy-ing a television.

When they do fi nally reach for their wallets, the average person is spending $1,000 for a 42-inch digital screen. Franklin says the same set would have cost $8,000-$9,000 fi ve years ago.

But confusion is also being caused by some retailers, who either by deceit or honest error have persuaded customers they must buy a new digital television. And that’s simply not true.

COUNTDOWNto digitalCharter customers can expect no disruption

with upcoming broadcast conversion

2009 Charter Communications. Redeemable at any Charter walk-in location. Not valid on events, specials, or adult titles. Void where prohibited by law. Any other use constitutes fraud. Only valid to current customers with accounts in good standing. Cash values $.01. Not redeemable for cash. Residential customers only. Customer will pay all sales taxes. One coupon per household, per month. Non-transferable. Photocopies not accepted. Digital receiver may be required. Other restrictions may apply.

Max value $4.99

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888.GET.CHARTER

S P E C I A L A D V E R T I S I N G F E A T U R E 3

Charter’s HD LineupEnjoy true high-definition programming

on Charter – unlike with satellite providers who claim to offer as many as 100 HD channels – when there aren’t 100

true HD channels currently available!

A&E HD**

Animal Planet HD**

Charter Braves HD**

Cinemax HDTV-East**

Discovery HD**

ESPN HD**

ESPN2 HD**

Food HD**

Fox Sports Net South – HD**

Fox Weather HD*

FX HD**

Golf HD**

HBO HDTV-East**

HDNet**

HDNet Movies**

HD Theater**

HDPPV**

HGTV HD**

History Channel HD**

National Geographic HD**

NHL PPV**

Palladia**

SportSouth HD**

Showtime HDTV-East**

Starz HDTV-East**

TBS HD**

TLC HD**

TNT – HD**

The Weather Channel HD**

Universal HD**

WLOS-DT ABC*

WYFF-DT NBC*

WHNS-DT Fox*

WSPA-DT CBS*

WNTV-DT PBS*

*HD equipment required**Charter HD equipment is required

© 2009 Charter Communications. All services and networks may not be available in all areas; lineups subject to change.

A digital-to-analog converter box – a device that makes DTV signals viewable on an analog set – is a one-time purchase; expect to pay from $40-$70 at select consumer electronics retailers. To help defray the cost, the Federal Government is offering U.S. households up to two $40 coupons to be used toward the purchase of certifi ed converter boxes.

For information or to request your coupons, call 1-888-DTV-2009 (1-888-388-2009); visit online at www.DTV2009.gov; apply by mail at PO Box 2000, Portland OR 97208; or fax

1-877-DTV-4ME2 (1-877-388-4632). Deaf or hearing-impaired callers may dial 1-877-530-

2634 (TTY).Coupons are free, but the supply is

limited. Applications will be accepted on a fi rst-come, fi rst-served basis through

July 31, 2009.The coupons expire 90 days after

they are issued – and cannot be re-

issued – so it’s important to review your information packet as soon as it comes in the mail.

Still, there’s an easier – and more entertaining – way to navigate the digital conversion. “The simplest way to take care of matters is to become a Charter customer,” says Corrin.

With Charter, you’ll be able to access the cable provider’s all-star line up of television and movie channels as well as its premium pay-per-view and on-demand movies and sports programming.

Franklin recommends consumers use the existing conversion equipment as a buffer to insulate them from impulsive purchases. “You don’t have to rush and go out and buy a TV,” he says. “Do your due diligence.”

On February 17, some full-power broadcast television stations in the United States may stop broadcasting on analog airwaves and begin broadcasting only in digital. The remaining stations may stop broadcasting analog sometime between March 14 and June 12 – the fi nal deadline for terminating analog broadcasts under legislation passed by Congress and expected to be signed by President Obama.

Note: Congress has delayed the fi nal transition until June 12, 2009. However, some local stations will be transitioning earlier, so it is wise to prepare now.

CONVERTER BOX COUPON PROGRAMUntil July 31, 2009, all U.S. households will be

eligible to request up to two coupons, worth $40 each, to be used toward the purchase of up to two, digital-to-analog converter boxes. The National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) has responsibility for administering the coupon program. (Please note that these coupons will expire 90 days after mailing). More information can be found at www.DTV2009.gov.

Gary Hyndman is a writer living in Greenville, SC.

…DIGITAL UPDATE…

4 S P E C I A L A D V E R T I S I N G F E A T U R E

TThere’s more to clutter than meets the eye – even if it’s hidden in the attic or shoved under the bed.

Whether piled, stuffed, boxed or scattered, clutter creates chaos. And that chaos, many believe, extends beyond our physical space to negatively infl uence the fl ow of events in our lives.

Disordered accumulation is nothing new – indeed, stuff’s been piling up for thousands of years – but there’s a resurgence in the idea that clearing clutter changes more than our immediate surroundings, according to local feng shui practitioners. An ancient Chinese practice that directs placement and arrangement of space to achieve harmony, feng shui – which is pronounced “fung shway” and literally means “wind and water” – has enjoyed a renaissance of late as people struggle to fi nd balance in their 21st century lives.

Feng shui is all about “chi” – that’s the universal energy permeating everything around us, including our own bodies – and clutter is the antithesis of chi. Good feng shui encourages the fl ow of fresh, vibrant chi into and throughout our homes, which in turn nourishes a positive fl ow of chi in our bodies. Clutter inhibits, or sometimes completely blocks, this vital energy.

“The more clutter there is, and the longer it stays, the more negative energy it collects,” says Michele Senac, a certifi ed feng shui practitioner and interior redesigner in Taylors, who recommends re-organizing every closet, every drawer, every room, even – especially – the garage. “It’s essential that clutter be addressed.”

Touch every item and ask yourself: Do I need it? Do I use it? Does it work? Does it fi t? If the answer is no, then let it go.

“It’s hard for people to let go of clutter,” says Senac. Most of the time, there’s an emotional component to over-accumulation, so clearing it out is a process that’s somewhat akin to therapy.

“You have to look at everything and release anything that is not serving you well,” Senac says. “You’re also symbolically letting go of anything useless in your life.”

GET GOINGClearing clutter is fairly simple – but

that doesn’t mean it’s easy, says Carol Hamilton, a certifi ed feng shui consultant and trainer in Greenville. Here are a few of her recommendations to get the process going:

DO set an intention. Visualize all the positive benefi ts of getting – and staying – organized.

DON’T judge yourself. Having clutter doesn’t make you a “bad” person (though it does inhibit the fl ow of good energy).

DO bring something joyful to the process. Open a window to let in fresh air and sunshine; turn on beautiful music; wear wonderful, c o m f o r t a b l e clothes.

DON’T “binge clean.” Things didn’t get messy in one day, so don’t expect to get organized in a single day, either. Take it one room at a time – or, if necessary, one box or one drawer at a time.

DO have a system. Have boxes or bags marked “discard” and “donate” for no-longer-useful items that are leaving your house.

DON’T be afraid to ask for help. Bring in a non-judgmental friend or relative – someone who has no emotional attachment to the clutter. Better yet, if money allows, hire a certifi ed professional organizer or feng shui consultant.

BEHIND CLOSED DOORS“Storage is an interesting area,” says

Hamilton, emphasizing it’s not enough to

simply hide the clutter. Out of sight does NOT mean out of mind, according to feng shui principles, because any jam-packed space – whether under a bed, in a drawer or cabinet, even in the attic – inhibits the positive fl ow of chi.

“Energetically, it is still there,” Hamilton says. “It doesn’t feel better because you aren’t hiding it from yourself.”

Closets can be especially troublesome, crammed as they often are with clothes we no longer wear, sports equipment we no longer use, musical instruments we no longer play … the list goes on.

“Sometimes we keep things because we’re holding onto an old identity,” Ham-ilton says, but refusing to release the past blocks the fullness of the future. This may be distressingly true when it comes to clothes. “You are the size you are – accept yourself, and don’t hang onto clothes that don’t fi t.”

Feng shui is full of symbolism – the attic symbolizes the brain, for example, so a well-organized attic represents well-ordered thoughts while a scattered, trash-

strewn attic represents… well, you get the picture; clutter in certain parts of the house corresponds to chaos or confusion in certain aspects of your life.

But even without symbolism, feng shui makes sense. “If you’re tripping over clutter in the entryway, you’re going to be angry as soon as you walk in the door,”

Hamilton says. “If you see chaos every time you pull into the garage, it’s going to create negative feelings.”

Once clutter is addressed, feng shui principles – some simple, some complex – can be used for placing furniture, choosing colors and accessories, and adjusting spaces according to the “bagua,” an octagonal-shaped map that allows you to enhance any living or working area to bring positive chi into specifi c aspects of your life such as career, relationships, family, health, creativity and children.

In your bedroom, for example, place the bed – with a nightstand on either side – so that it’s approachable from both sides (a single nightstand or space to climb in on only one side of the bed is symbolic of solitude). Be sure to have the headboard against a solid wall, as this generates a feeling of safety and security, and don’t place the bed in a direct line with the door. Hang artwork that makes you feel joyous – place your favorite piece opposite your bed – but save family photographs for other rooms. Choose soft, natural colors overall to enhance tranquility or consider rich earth and skin tones for coziness,

then add in just a few accent pieces in “passion colors” such as red or pink

to spark romantic energy. “Feng shui works – it defi nitely works,” says Senac.

The name is strange, the concepts seem far out,

but if people give it a chance they’re usually amazed at the results. “Feng shui will enhance your home, and it will enhance your life, too!”

RECOMMENDED READING

Interested in learning more about feng shui? Pick up one of the

following books:• “Move Your Stuff,

Change Your Life: How to Use Feng Shui to Get Love,

Money, Respect and Happiness” by Karen Rauch Carter

• “Does This Clutter Make My Butt Look Fat?: An Easy Plan for Losing Weight and Living More” by Peter Walsh

• “Clear Your Clutter With Feng Shui” by Karen Kingston

• “Creating Sacred Space With Feng Shui: Learn the Art of Space Clearing and Bring New Energy into Your Life” by Karen Kingston

• “Interior Design with Feng Shui” by Sarah Rossbach and Lin Yun

positive benefi ts of getting – and staying

DON’T judge yourself. Having clutter doesn’t make you a “bad” person (though it does inhibit the fl ow of

DO bring something joyful to the process. Open a window to let in fresh air and sunshine; turn on beautiful music; wear wonderful, c o m f o r t a b l e

DON’T “binge clean.” Things didn’t get messy in one day, so don’t expect to get organized in a single day, either. Take it one room at a time – or, if necessary, one box or one drawer at a

DO have a system. Have boxes or bags marked “discard” and “donate” for no-longer-useful items that are leaving

DON’T be afraid to ask for help. Bring in a non-judgmental friend or relative –

ordered thoughts while a scattered, trash- other rooms. Choose soft, natural colors overall to enhance tranquility or consider rich earth and skin tones for coziness,

then add in just a few accent pieces in “passion colors” such as red or pink

to spark romantic energy. “Feng shui works – it defi nitely works,” says Senac.

The name is strange, the concepts seem far out,

but if people give it a chance they’re usually amazed at the results. “Feng shui will enhance your home, and it will enhance your life, too!”

RECOMMENDED READING

Interested in learning more about feng shui? Pick up one of the

following books:• “Move Your Stuff,

Change Your Life: How to Use Feng Shui to Get Love,

Money, Respect and Happinesby Karen Rauch Carter

Does This Clutter Make My Butt Look Fat?: An Easy Plan for Losing Weight and Living More” by Peter Walsh

DON’T judge yourself. Having clutter doesn’t make you a “bad” person (though it does inhibit the fl ow of

DO bring something joyful to the process. Open a window to let

or one drawer at a

DO have a system. Have boxes or bags marked “discard” and “donate” for no-longer-useful items that are leaving

DON’T be afraid to ask for help. Bring in a non-judgmental friend or relative –

overall to enhance tranquility or consider rich earth and skin tones for coziness,

then add in just a few accent pieces in “passion colors” such as red or pink

to spark romantic energy. “Feng shui works – it defi nitely works,” says Senac.

The name is strange, the concepts seem far out,

following books:• “

Change Your Life: How to Use Feng Shui to Get Love,

Money, Respect and Happinesby Karen Rauch Carter

• “Does This Clutter Make My Butt Look Fat?: An Easy Plan for Losing Weight and Living More” by Peter Walsh

Wea

lth &

Pro

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South-

East

Green

Small

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Sun

Recognition & Fame

South

Red

Fire

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Marriage & Rom

antic Happiness

South-West

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Child

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North-W

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Men

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Career Prospects

Clutter creates chaos in your physical space AND your psyche

eyeMore than meets the

S P E C I A L A D V E R T I S I N G F E A T U R E 5

Agency: Davis AdvertisingClient: Charter NCSCVAW.S.# 35321File Name: CHA_NCSVA_35321Program: inddLocation: Server 5Quarter: Q1_09Artist: TBAE/AC: DW/TM

Media: Journal SupplementSize: 10”x11”Color: 4CDate: 2/20/09 or 2/27/09 TBD

Photo: chartertool.comOther:

Switch and Save Today!Call 866-980-3069 Visit charter.com/save Ready for the Digital Transition?

With Charter, you are.

© 2009 Charter Communications. *Offer good through 2/28/09. Offer valid to new residential customers who have not subscribed to applicable service within the previous 30 days and have no outstand-ing obligation to Charter. Standard rates apply after promotional period ends. Certain equipment may be required at installation and charges may apply. A small population of viewers may have an analog non-cable ready television. These TVs may require additional equipment, charges may apply. Charter’s carriage of specifi c broadcast signals, and continued analog delivery, is subject to change. Services not available in all areas. Installation, taxes, fees and surcharges are extra. Programming line-up may vary. Charter reserves the right to determine the level of service to which this offer applies. Valid service address required. Credit approval, prepayment or major credit card may be required. All services provided are subject to the subscriber agreement which is subject to change. Charter’s carriage of specifi c broadcast signals, and continued analog delivery, is subject to change. Other restrictions may apply. Call for full details.

Count on Charterfor Savings!

$999/ month12 months*

Get Charter Cable TV®

Ask about ways to lock in your rate until 2011!

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put

in W

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6 S P E C I A L A D V E R T I S I N G F E A T U R E

IT BEGAN WITH A PROMISE… AND BECAME GLOBAL INSPIRATION. Passion, focus and dedication to a world without breast cancer.

These are the traits the Upstate South Carolina Affi liate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure recognized in Milestone Custom Homes and Greenville Journal

when it pledged its support for the construction of the Inspiration Home.

o u r v i s i o na world without breast cancer

INSPIRATION HOMEThe Upstate’s Premier Product Showcase Tour

Open Weekends April 17 through May 10

Participating Media:

Builder: Community:

For ticket information visit www.IHomeSC.com

Benefi tting:

Today’s Lite Rock

S P E C I A L A D V E R T I S I N G F E A T U R E 7

HOMEThe house of tomorrow … today!

Come discover all you’ve dreamed of – and so much more

– at The Inspiration Home. Marrying old-world craftsmanship with innovative design, this brick-and-stone beauty goes beyond simple aesthetics to showcase an array of progressive building processes, materials and technology.

“Everything you’ll fi nd in the Inspiration Home is affordable and repeatable,” says Jerry Fay of Milestone Custom Builders. “We’re showcasing real possibilities for today’s home buyers.”

The home-building industry’s hottest trends are on display here, proving it’s possible to blend quality and beauty with responsible sustainability; indeed, “green” has never looked so good. The exterior, for example, is constructed of all-natural thin-stone veneer, a green product boasting attractive color, feel and texture along with innate durability (read: less maintenance over the life of the home). The driveway features water-pervious pavers that allow rain to return to the soil, rather than create run-off.

Inside, the Inspiration Home is filled with innovations promoting health and wellness.

“‘Clean living’ is a growing concern for homeowners,” Fay says,

pointing to iHome features such as a reverse-osmosis water system – think bottled water straight from the kitchen faucet. Other appealing products include indoor air quality enhancers such as an anti-microbial spray applied on all surfaces and a natural purifying system that pumps oxygen and peroxide molecules throughout the house to attack bacteria on contact.

Long-term economy begins with advanced insulation to reduce energy consumption and extends to a full complement of high-effi ciency appliances making for more convenience and less expense.

But it’s not all about saving money – indeed, the iHome features an in-tuitive fl oorplan that makes it delight-fully easy for families to spend time together. Spread across 8,400 square feet on three levels, it comprises fi ve bedrooms, seven baths and an abundance of fl exible living space. A family command center is designed for household activities ranging from meals to homework. Other communal spaces were created to encourage fam-ily interaction as well – just imagine the potential family night fun in the iHome’s rec room, billiards area and home gym! There’s also a cutting-edge home theater and media room fi lled

with the latest technology from Char-ter Communications.

For those who love to entertain, the iHome features a spacious grand room and a formal dining room that easily accommodate parties of all sizes; while cooking in the kitchen, you can still be part of the festivities by encouraging guests to mingle in the adjacent hearth room. For al fresco affairs, there’s a screened entertainment porch overlooking a resort-style swimming pool.

Alone time matters, too, so the iHome fl oorplan includes privately situated bedrooms; children can enjoy their own loft, while parents luxuriate in an incredible master retreat complete with sitting room and spa bath.

So come take a look! The Inspiration Home, located at 112 Putney Bridge Lane in Cobblestone, is open for weekend tours April 17-19, April 24-24, May 1-3 and May 8-10. Hours are noon-7PM on Fridays; 10AM-7PM on Saturdays; and 1-6PM on Sundays.

Tickets are $12 in advance ($10 per person for parties of 10 or more), $15 at the door and $5 for ages 6-16; children 5 and under are admitted free. All proceeds benefi t the Upstate South Carolina Affi liate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure. For details, visit www.ihomesc.com.

Cobblestone showplaceexhibits inspiring array of possibilities

The clearest, true HDTV pictures. DVR

and OnDemand programming that let

you watch what you want, whenever you

want. High-speed Internet connections

that download even the biggest fi les in a

fl ash. And home telephone service with

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All of the Charter cable services

you could dream of will be integrated

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Charter Digital Cable® with Charter

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You’ll see how easy it is to start, stop,

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premium channels like HBO, Starz and

Showtime.

Charter HDTV® may just take your

breath away – with picture clarity up

to fi ve times sharper than standard TV.

The difference is clear in every room at

iHome: a Charter HD receiver and HD

programming on Charter Digital Cable®

is the best way to experience today’s HD

television sets – 10 in all at iHome!

See how Charter DVR® (Digital Video

Recording) ends family confl ict over what

to watch. Record one program while

watching another. Pause and rewind live

TV. Charter DVR is easy to use with just

a few clicks of the remote.

Charter High-SpeedTM Internet 20Meg

(BRAND NEW IN THE UPSTATE!) will be

the star of iHome’s family command

center – where work and play can be

done at lightning speed. Upload photos in

seconds; download music and movies in

a fraction of the time that DSL requires.

And be sure to check out how Charter

Wireless Home Networking allows family

members to get on-line from any room

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spaces – with up to fi ve computers on-

line at the same time.

See the latest and greatest Charter

products and services at iHome

The future comesThe future comes

Get Charter. Save a tree.

With Charter, enjoy the simplicity of three incredible services on one low bill. Go green, save some green.

Call 888.GET.CHARTER

TelephoneCable Internet

Agency: Davis AdvertisingClient: Charter NCSCVAW.S.# 35323File Name: CHA_NCSCVA_35323Program: inddLocation: Server 5Quarter: Q1_09Artist: MCAE/AC: DW/TM

Media: Journal for 8-pg supplementSize: 10”x11”Color: 4cDate: TBDPhoto: Shutterstock

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Revisions: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13.