11 minute read
Ask Cappie the Computer Cat
ASK CAPPIE THE COMPUTER CAT DETERMINING WHICH STREAMING SERVICE IS BEST
Dear Cappie, Since discontinuing cable TV, I miss my weekly TV shows and HBO. I know there are streaming apps both for free and by subscription, but I want to pay for only one. My friends recommend Amazon Prime, Hulu, Netflix, or Disney. What do I do? Georgia from Grand
Dear Georgia, Your question is excellent, and a good follow up to Cappie’s October column about streaming. The best streaming app for YOU depends on what type of content you watch, where/how you watch that content, and how much you are willing to pay for that content. n Content. Make a list of the programs and channels you watch regularly. Then check the website www.cnet. com, a trusted resource for tech questions. Its October 12, 2022, article “Live TV
Streaming Services: A Look at the Top 100 Channels” provides a chart that compares six streaming services. It identifies which services provide which of the 100 most popular channels for free or as a subscription. Does any streaming service include enough of the channels you want to warrant its subscription? Do you really want only linear
TV (traditional networks) and HBO? [See endnote
A for the list of streaming services (that bundle apps.] n Devices. Most people today like to stream on multiple devices, not just on televisions but on mobile phones, tablets, desktops,
game consoles-- and in multiple locations. Most streaming services offer tiered plans with varying price levels. n Cost. What do YOU value? ✺ You miss weekly tv shows and HBO. You can buy a home antenna to pick up local tv stations for free and you can stream
HBO with your existing internet on a smart TV, phone, or computer. An antenna is a one-time purchase of under $50, and HBO Max is $15 a month. ✺ A streaming alternative to an antenna, if most of your favorite TV shows are on NBC and/or CBS would be Peacock and/ or Paramount+, each $5 per month. Like HBO, these apps give you the option to watch shows at any time and you can unsubscribe at any time. [See endnote B for descriptions.] ✺ However, when your friends talk about their favorite programs (e.g.,
“Rings of Power” or
“House of the Dragon”) or when streaming services create award-winning originals (e.g., “CODA” for Best Picture Oscar or “Ted Lasso for Best
Actor Emmy”), you may want to want to add apps like Netflix, STARS,
Showtime, Hallmark or platforms like
AmazonPrime or Apple+, if you did not choose a streaming service which includes them. ✺ Streaming is evenmore convoluted as media companies reorganize themselves to stay profitable. One example is professional football. Most Sunday and Saturday NFL and college football games are included in Sling,
YouTubeLive, and Hulu streaming services.
However, “NFL Red
Zone” is an additional subscription; the rights to “Thursday Night
Football” belong to
Amazon Prime, another subscription; and
“Sunday Ticket Football” is currently negotiating with AppleTV, which might be yet another subscription. ✺ Keep track of how you sign up for individual apps. Subscriptions are offered by streaming services, by cellphone carriers, in
View the digital version of “Ask Cappie” monthly column by going to www. grandinfo.com. Click on the More News>Grand Lifestyles Magazine> to choose the month you want to view. Special thanks to Barb for this lovely photo (taken by Gail Roberts) of Charlie, who came to live with Barb through Happy Tails Dachshund Recue. Charlie had been taken in by Surprise Animal Control in 2021. Although she had had some difficult times in her ten years, her tail is constantly wagging.
standalones. Subscriptions often offer free trials, sales, or promotions, perhaps dependent on continuation after the trial period. It is easy to lose track of total spending.
All of the above planning can be done before a person “cuts the cord,” i.e., drops cable, to compare costs. It really won’t matter if streaming saves you a lot of money, however, if you no longer have your favorite channels or if you struggle to find and play programs. Not everyone likes maintaining favorites or being able to stream a program at any time. Cappie strongly recommends that you try streaming for a month as a parallel system. Subscribe to the service or apps you think you want and start using them. Don’t use the cable … but don’t cancel it during the trial period while streaming. Finding the right streaming service can be overwhelming. The term streaming evolved in the early ‘90s, but it was only about fifteen years ago that smart TVs allowed users to “stream” music and videos. Your grandchildren have grown up with this technology while most of us have been golfing or learning how to play pickleball. Be kind to yourself and don’t try to learn everything from one Google search or Cappie column. Keep in mind that technology is never static. Endnote: Prices, streaming services, platforms, apps, availability change continually. Check the internet and individual websites for specific descriptions. Endnote A: YouTube TV, Disney’s Hulu+LiveTV and SlingTV (both Orange and Blue) are perhaps most well-known, BUT Philo, Fubo, DirecTV, AXS TV, Discovery Life, GSN and Universal HD are also streaming services. Endnote B: Peacock is owned and operated by the Television and Streaming division of NBCUniversal. Paramount+ content is drawn primarily from the libraries of CBS Networks and Paramount Pictures. Like Peacock, it also includes original series and films, live streaming sports coverage, and live streaming of local affiliate broadcast stations.
Aly Cline
Council Member
Surprise bringing Library Services in-house
Libraries have always held a very special place in the Surprise community; so much more than just a place to check out books, Surprise libraries have been a spot to engage and get involved in our community, a place to learn, grow and innovate. After very careful consideration, the Surprise City Council and City staff decided that the next steps for our City’s growth is to bring our library services in-house mid-next year. The City has already been paying 100% of the operational cost of the libraries, so there will be no impact on the Fiscal Year 2023 budget as a result of this conversion. While this is an exciting time marked with new opportunities and ideas, many of the services you’ve grown to love will stay in place. If you have other questions or want to provide feedback, please visit surpriseaz. gov/library or email Kelsey Lamphier, Acting Director of the Arts, Culture & Library Department at Kelsey.Lamphier@ surpriseaz.gov. Free health services at Surprise Resource Center
The Adelante Healthcare Community Health Team is offering free health services at the Surprise Resource Center - 12425 W. Bell Rd. Every Tuesday, from 8 a.m. - 2 p.m., residents of all ages can take advantage of services like blood pressure and glucose screenings; health education; assistance applying for Medicaid and food assistance; and more! No appointment necessary. For questions regarding these services, please call 623.222.1600. To learn more about
News and Announcements
the Human Service Community Vitality Department, go to surpriseaz.gov/HSCV Fitch upgrades Surprise credit rating to ‘AAA’
Fitch Ratings, one of the “Big Three” nationally recognized credit rating agencies, has upgraded the City’s Excise Tax Revenue Obligations and Issuer Default Rating to ‘AAA’ from ‘AA+.’ A city’s credit rating is important due to its impact on interest rates in the bond market. A better rating means the City can sell bonds to finance capital projects and pay a lower interest rate to the buyer. Learn more: https://bit.ly/3Se3Xiz Surprise Founder’s Day Party
This year’s Surprise Party will pay tribute to one of our original festivals – Founder’s Day! Join us on Saturday, December 3 from 2 - 9 p.m. as we honor our history with a carnival, car show, photo opportunities with Santa in Santa’s Workshop, the traditional tree lighting ceremony, a drone light show and more! The carnival portion of the event is also available to enjoy on Sunday, December 4 from 12 - 5 p.m. For full event details, visit surpriseaz.gov/ surpriseparty. SciTech Festival
Join us on December 10 as we celebrate science, technology, engineering, art and mathematics efforts in the community! This FREE, fun-filled educational event features interactive demonstrations and exhibits. To get involved or for more information, go to surpriseaz.gov/ SciTech-Festival.
Welcome to Surprise
n Tuesday, October 18, Councilmember
Patrick Duffy and I joined Branch
Manager Mia Brooks and her team in celebrating the grand opening of their new WaFd Bank in Surprise. WaFd
Bank is located at 13641 N. Prasada
Councilmember Winters and I joined
General Manager Tommy Libed and his team in celebrating the grand opening of Visionworks in Surprise.
Visionworks is located at 13641 N.
Councilmember Chris Judd,
Councilmember Winters and I joined
Tap House Sports Grill for a ribbon cutting event! Sargis Gewargis, owner of Tap House Sports Grill, hosted the ceremony in honor of the opening of their restaurant, located at 13699 N.
Litchfield Rd. Acknowledgments
n Friday, October 28, Mayor Hall and I had the pleasure of serving lunch at the fall senior services membership BBQ at the
Surprise Senior Center. It was a great time with a great turnout! n Monday, October 31, Mayor Hall and I presented a check to the Natural Hope non-profit. Natural Hope’s mission is to empower cancer patients with helpful and hopeful information about how foods can battle the side effects that can occur during treatment. Community Meetings
My monthly Community Meeting will be at 6 p.m. on December 27 at Sun City Grand in the Pima Room, 19781 N. Remington Dr. I look forward to discussing the latest City news and answering any questions you have. City Council Meetings
The next regularly scheduled Council meetings will be December 6 & 20 at 6 p.m. in the Council Chambers. You can also watch live on surpriseaz.gov/ surprisetv, the Surprise City Gov Facebook page at facebook.com/cityofsurprise or on Cox channel 11.
DECEMBER FAMILY ACTIVITIES
Please visit the various websites for face mask and safety guidelines.
Each month, we are proud to provide GrandKids Corner, a varied list of activity options for you, our Residents, and your families.
RUDOLPH THE RED-NOSED REINDEER AT THE HERBERGER
The Herberger Theater Center 222 E. Monroe St., Phoenix
n 602) 252-8497 n Saturdays 1 & 4pm n Sundays 1pm Weekdays n Herberger Theater Center - Stage West n Tickets Starting at $13 n herbergertheater.org/events/rudolph the-red-nosed-reindeer-2/ The holiday classic soars off the screen in this musical adaptation of the beloved television special. Filled with holiday hits like “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer” and “Holly Jolly Christmas,” Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer™ features all of your favorite characters including Santa and Mrs. Claus, Hermey the Elf, Bumble the Abominable Snow Monster, Clarice, Yukon Cornelius and, of course, Rudolph. It’s an adventure that teaches us that what makes you different can be what makes you special. Because of his shiny nose, Rudolph doesn’t feel like he belongs in Christmastown and sets off to find a place that accepts him. Along his journey, he encounters fellow misfits, only to realize that home is where he has belonged the whole time. When a storm threatens to keep Santa’s sleigh from taking flight, what makes Rudolph different turns out to be what helps him save Christmas!
CIRQUE DU SOLEIL ‘TWAS THE NIGHT BEFORE…
Arizona Financial Theatre 400 W. Washington St. Phoenix
n 14 showings | December 16-24 n https://livemu.sc/3SzKx8b “‘Twas the Night Before…” is an exhilarating spin on the beloved Christmas classic as only Cirque du Soleil can imagine. This festive show is a flurry of love, Christmas cheer, thrilling acrobatics and hugely lovable characters that is fast becoming a new tradition for families to cherish. Come discover what happens beforeSanta drops in! Join Isabella, a teenage girl, jaded by the craze surrounding Christmas, as she is whisked away to an upside-down, insideout world of this iconic poem where she meets colorful characters.
BREAKFAST WITH SANTA
Litchfield’s Restaurant 300 E Wigwam Blvd, Litchfield-Park
n December 3-24, 2022 n 9-11 a.m. n $35++ for adults $20++ for children ages 4-12 n (623) 935-3811 Celebrate the holidays with our served holiday breakfast buffet in Litchfield's & crafts for the kid's to enjoy at the table or to take home! Santa himself will be joining us for pictures during breakfast. Reservations required.
VRBO FIESTA BOWL PARADE PRESENTED BY LERNER & ROWE
Central Phoenix
n Dec 17, 2022 n Free n Premium and reserved seating now available for sale at $30 A statewide crown jewel since its first production in the early 1970s, the Vrbo Fiesta Bowl Parade celebrates its 50th edition this season. The Parade honors the legacy of the Fiesta Bowl Organization as it takes its traditional two-mile march through Central Phoenix. This year’s parade theme is “Legends Made Here,” honoring Arizona public figures who share the Fiesta Bowl’s commitment to making a positive impact on communities across the state.
THE DESERT FARM LIGHTS EXPERIENCE….
n $17 for adults - ages 13+ and $13 for kids - ages 2-12 *military/veteran & senior discounts available n https://christmaslightdecorators.com/ West Valley’s Largest WALK-THRU Christmas Experience! The experience is a half-of-a-million-dollar grassroots project with a passion behind the idea that West Valley families deserve incredible Christmas experiences too! There is nothing like the Desert Farm Lights Experience for over 40 miles in any direction.
