Doc,
Thank you for your reply - I really appreciate it.
I didn't want to solder anything directly to the LCD yet so I was pushing longer bare jumper wires through the holes in the LCD into a breadboard (to keep the LCD from moving). I guess you are right in that something moved or shorted. I'll redo everything.
I'm sorry for not knowing this but what are the gold strips called? (where I'd solder the wires to)? Leads?
Best,
LT