due to json encoding/decoding the parameter 'clRegionName' may be converted to unicode. Use 'str(clRedionName)' to make sure it is converted back to ascii before adding to the network.
Merge branch 'master' of git://github.com/numenta/nupic
Merge pull request #120 from lscheinkman/clRegionName_ascii

'clRegionName' parameter cannot be unicode