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To: Ann Corrigan who wrote (31922)	1/23/1998 7:10:00 PM
From: Glenn D. Rudolph	Respond to of 61433

Live Internet Broadcast of Groundhog Day Planned by PA Gov. Ridge; Web Broadcast Will be Available to PA Schools via State Link-to-Learn Program PR Newswire - January 23, 1998 17:35 %MLM V%PRN P%PRN HARRISBURG, Pa., Jan. 23 /PRNewswire/ -- As part of Pennsylvania's 21 Days of Technology, Governor Tom Ridge announced plans today for a live Internet broadcast of "Punxsutawney Phil" on Groundhog Day, Feb. 2, via the Pennsylvania homepage's travel and tourism web site. "For the first time, the century-old tradition of Groundhog Day will be brought to the world through the state-of-the-art technology of the world-wide web," Ridge said. "Millions of people around the world will be able to log on to the Pennsylvania homepage's travel and tourism web site to see the world's foremost weather forecaster, Pennsylvania's own Punxsutawney Phil, make his annual winter prediction." Beginning today, web surfers can bookmark the site at www.state.pa.us/visit/groundhogday in preparation for the event. The live Internet broadcast will begin at 6:45 a.m. (EST) on Tuesday Feb. 2, and will culminate when Phil makes his annual weather prediction at approximately 7:25 a.m.(EST). Seizing upon the recommendations of the Tech 21 Report, Ridge commenced "21 Days of Technology" in Pennsylvania to showcase Pennsylvania's emerging technology leadership. The Tech 21 initiative was commissioned by Gov. Ridge to develop a comprehensive, industry-led strategy for making Pennsylvania even more of a research and technology leader. Ridge plans to watch the Groundhog Day broadcast with a group of school children in the Harrisburg area, utilizing the state's Link-to-Learn program that has brought Internet access to numerous Pennsylvania schools. "I'm excited to participate in this event with a group of students who -- like thousands of school children across the state -- are using the Internet as a learning tool to help prepare them to be part of the 21st Century workforce," Ridge said. The broadcast will be available for viewing throughout the day on Feb. 2 for those not able to view the event live. In addition to the live broadcast, the state Groundhog Day site includes a Weather Watch lesson plan for teachers that include a brief history of Groundhog Day, a listing of events and activities and a link to the state's Tech 21 web site. The Weather Watch lesson plan is one of more than 350 lesson plans available on Link-to-Learn's Professional Development website. Also available on CD-ROM, the website provides teachers with a comprehensive tool to enable them to better integrate technology into the classroom. "This event, combined with our new tourism web site, is a great way to let the world know that Pennsylvania is a leader when it comes to technology and tourism," Ridge said. "Not only do we have events that are fun for the whole family, but we are able to provide information and access to these events through state-of-the-art technology." The Governor unveiled the state's new tourism web site on Oct. 31 and the site has been an increasingly popular way for travelers and Pennsylvania residents to access information on attractions, lodging and special events throughout the state. "We have seen a substantial increase in the number of hits the new tourism site is getting each day," said Barbara Chaffee, Executive Director of The Pennsylvania Office of Travel, Tourism & Film Promotion. "We believe this live Groundhog Day broadcast will increase awareness of the new tourism site and bring more potential travelers to utilize the site for planning their trips to Pennsylvania." Travel is Pennsylvania's second largest industry next to agriculture. According to the U.S. Travel Data Center/Travel Association of America, travelers spent $20.5 billion in the state in 1995. Travel expenditures directly generated 376,100 jobs and $481.4 million in state tax revenues. In addition to travel and tourism services, the Pennsylvania Homepage offers information on economic development and state government services. Unveiled in October 1995, it is just one of the Ridge Administration's technology initiatives to harness the power of communications technologies to improve state government with user-friendly services. Yesterday, it marked a recent milestone of 10 million public visits. Link-to-Learn is Gov. Ridge's three-year $127 million initiative aimed at expanding the use of technology in the classroom, including new and upgraded computers for schools and training for teachers. Link-to-Learn also is developing a network of community-based networks called the Pennsylvania Education Network (PEN). Building on the Commonwealth's $33 million investment last year, Link-to-Learn's second year is bringing an additional $36 million in basic education grants to all Pennsylvania public schools. The funds will be used to acquire high-speed Internet connections and wide-area networks, and also may be used for computers, local area networks, teacher training and educational software. SOURCE Pennsylvania Office of the Governor /CONTACT: Stephen Miskin of the Commonwealth News Bureau, 717-783-1116, or Lauren Cotter of the Pennsylvania DCED, 717-783-1136/ /Web site: state.pa.us