12 minute read
Ask Cappie the Computer Cat
ASK CAPPIE THE COMPUTER CAT Tips on Taking a Photo
Sometimes I like to take photos with my iPhone camera when I see something that spontaniously interests me. The problem is, by the time I open my phone, type in the password or use face recognition, find the Camera App, click on the icon, find the Photo or Portrait Option, make the correct exposure adjustment, add a filter, change the depth setting, etc, I pretty much missed the shot I wanted. Any suggestions on how to simplify the process? Don from SCG
Dear Don, There are several ways to expedite taking quick shots with your iPhone and even more options to utilize the creative controls once you have set the appropriate settings and filters for the scene. Whether shooting with a single-lens reflex camera or with a tablet or cellular phone, prepare early to be ready for those “spontaneous” pictures. Assess the lighting and the most likely type of picture you will take. Will you need a flash? Will you need a fast shutter speed? Program those settings early, not at the instant you want the picture. To prepare for spontaneous pictures with an iPhone, assuming you have updated to the latest iOS Software Update, go to Settings>Camera> and scroll down the screen to Preserve Settings, where three options are available: n Camera Mode allows you to preserve the last mode you used, such as
Portrait or Video, rather than automatically having the app reset to
Photo each time you open the Camera. Do you spontaneously shoot more video or portraits than basic photos? If so, having the camera start with that setting will save time.
Remember, however, that if you do change the camera mode … then that setting will be the one that opens. n Creative Controls preserves the last used filter, aspect ratio, light, depth of field setting, etc. rather than have the app automatically reset to standard settings. Again, consider how many of these settings you want to remain the same, and which you prefer to reset for each photo. n Live Photo is automatically on unless you turn it off here in
Settings. (A side note is that live photos, with their few seconds of movement, are much larger files than stationary images, and take more storage space.) As for opening your Camera quickly, there are several ways to speed up taking a shot: n Ask Siri to open your
Camera app by saying:
“Hey Siri, open Camera app.” n If you do not already have your Camera app on the Dock at the bottom of the screen, tap and hold the Camera icon until all the icons begin to wriggle, then slide the Camera icon onto your Dock. This makes it easier to find the Camera icon, regardless of which screen you might be on, so you can take a photo more quickly. n You can get quickly to the iPhone’s Camera by hard pressing the Camera
app icon on the Lock screen. (This allows quick access to the camera only--not to your stored pictures. You can actually pick up anyone’s iPhone to take a quick photo … but you will not be allowed into that phone.) n If in auto-lock, tap the screen to wake your iPhone 10 or higher, and swipe your finger across the screen from right to left to automatically open the Camera app. n If you already unlocked your phone, tap and hold the Camera icon on the
Home screen, then tap the tool you need from the interactive menu.
These are the options: ❍ Take Selfie ❍ Record Video ❍ Take Portrait ❍ Take Portrait Selfie n You can easily open the
Camera (in the Control
Center) from within any other app by doing one of the following (depending on which iPhone you have): on older iPhones, flick up on your display to access the Control
Center, or swipe down from the top right of the display on an iPhone X or later, (or on other FaceID devices), and then tap the Camera icon in the Control Center. n If you have updated to iOS 14, you can press the volume up button while in the
Camera app to take Burst photos. Search regularly online for “taking digital pictures spontaneously” to get other hints for capturing the perfect picture quickly. New apps to improve your pictures are being developed constantly.
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 Mitch and Arlette, for sending Cappie their “Christmas in July” photo of their beautiful pups, Curly and Josie.
JUNE FAMILY ACTIVITIES
Here are a few activities to get you moving. Each month, we are proud to provide GrandKids Corner, a varied list of activity options for you, our Residents, and your families.
BARBIE TRUCK TOTALLY THROWBACK TOUR
San Tan Village 2218 E. Williams Field Road Gilbert, AZ
n June 5, 2021 n 10:00 AM to 7:00 PM n facebook.com/events/272616874485223/
Barbie is hitting the road with the Barbie Truck Totally Throwback Tour, celebrating over 60-years of Barbie’s iconic heritage and the fans who love her. Come check out limited edition retro-inspired Barbie merch only available at the truck. We encourage everyone to practice social distancing! CAMP INNOVATION SUMMER 2021
Arizona Science Center 600 E. Washington St., Phoenix, AZ
n June 7, 2021 to July 30, 2021, Recurring daily n (602) 716-2000 n 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM n Limited In-Person Camps: $260 for Members; $295 for Non-Members
Two Week #GIRLSINSTEM $450 Members | $500 Non-members
Virtual Camps: $150 Members; $175 Non-Members n www.azscience.org/camp
Calling all campers! CAMP INNOVATION is back for Summer 2021. Let your imagination run wild in our series of 5-day camp sessions that spark curiosity in science through hands-on interactive programs that incorporate learning through highenergy challenges, building, and design. CAMP INNOVATION is sure to inspire, educate and engage your curious mind through hands-on science. Register today at azscience.org/camp. FLASHLIGHT NIGHTS
Desert Botanical Garden 1201 N. Galvin Parkway Phoenix, AZ
n June 5, 2021 to September 4, 2021 n Recurring weekly on Saturday n Time: 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM n Included with General Admission: $14.95 adults, $9.95 children n dbg.org/events/flashlight-nights-2021/2021-06-05/
Flashlight Nights are nighttime self-guided adventures through Desert Botanical Garden. Nocturnal explorers can bring their own flashlights to shine along the trails to capture the nightblooming plants and animals that appear in the desert after dark. Each evening of Flashlight Nights includes socially-distanced activities for all ages.
Please bring your own flashlight from home.
A bar is available at Ottosen Entry Garden and will accept only credit and debit payment. Patio Café will be open until 8 p.m. with a variety of cool treats, drinks and snacks. The Garden Shop will be open until 8pm.
Online reservations are required and are limited to 50 guests every 30 minutes. Last admission is 8:30 p.m.
We want you to enjoy the Garden and be safe, please remember: n The Garden has a face mask policy day and night, in all indoor and outdoor spaces. Face masks are required for guests 2 and older upon entry and in all areas of the Garden. Anyone not wearing a face mask will be asked to leave. n The Garden has implemented a one-way entry and exit route, which is designed to promote social distancing guidelines. n You are required to maintain a physical distance of 6 feet from visitors not in your party at all times. n Hand sanitizer stations are located throughout the
Garden.
Please visit the various websites for any updates and safety guidelines. FATHER'S DAY RIDE SPECIAL
Koli Equestrian Center 6940 W. Broken Ear Road Chandler, AZ
n June 20, 2021 n (602) 796-3495 n 7:00 AM n Special Discounted Price of $100 for the two riders on a 60 minute Group Ride at 7am & 9am. n koliequestrian.com/
Enjoy the day with a morning or afternoon ride for Father's Day. Two riders get to enjoy a pleasant trail ride through the Sonoran Desert with great views of the mountains (South Mountain to our north and Estrella to the west).
Please reserve your horse online at https:// fareharbor.com/embeds/book/koliequestrian/ items/50298/?full-items=yes&flow=5604 to get the special pricing.
HELLO, TO MY FRIENDS IN SUN CITY GRAND!
Welcome to June. I hope you are enjoying our long days of sunshine and beautiful sunsets! In this month’s message, I wanted to share with you some new and returning services the City has to offer, along with some helpful safety services provided by our Fire-Medical Team and Surprise Police Department.
NEED A PASSPORT?
Summer is almost upon us, and if you are planning a summer trip, the City of Surprise can help you apply for a passport. Passport Services are back at Surprise City Hall after being closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The City’s friendly and helpful staff can help with applications for first-time passport books, passport cards and help review paperwork for passport renewals. Passport services are by appointment only, Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., and you must have your passport photo when you arrive as the City of Surprise does not offer passport photos. You can schedule an appointment online at surpriseaz.gov/passport or by calling the City Clerk’s office at 623.222.1200.
MILITARY SERVICES
I am so thrilled to share with you another important service we just welcomed to Surprise. The new West Valley Military and Veteran Success Center, located at 12425 W. Bell Road in the Surprise Resource Center, provides veterans, service members, and their families a new place to access resources, support, and assistance in the West Valley. This center was made possible by a partnership with Arizona Coalition for Military Families, Arizona Department of Veteran’s Services, Northern Arizona University, Maricopa Community Colleges Foundation, and Rio Salado Community College. If you or anyone you know could benefit from these resources, please reach out by calling 623.222.1658 or visit surpriseaz. gov/veterans. Also, don’t hesitate to reach out to me by calling 623.222.1322 or by email at aly.cline@surpriseaz.gov.
FIRE-MEDICAL AND POLICE
I am so proud of the many programs the City offers to help our residents stay safe. Here are a few that are offered by Surprise Fire-Medical and the Surprise Police Department! The Surprise Fire-Medical Department provides a Lock Box Program that allows first responders to have quick and safe access to your home in the event of an emergency. By placing a lockbox on the exterior of your home, the fire department can use a unique key to open the lockbox and access your house key. Having a lockbox can add precious lifesaving minutes during an emergency and also saves on property damage. To find out more about this program, please visit surpriseaz.gov/fire or call 623.222.5000.
In addition, if you stop by our Surprise Fire Medical Administration office, located at 14250 W. Statler Plaza, Suite 101, you can pick up a Vial of Life. The Vial of Life contains a medical emergency information form that should be filled out, put back in the vial, and stored in your refrigerator for safekeeping. The vial also comes with a sticker that can be placed on your refrigerator to alert first responders that you have this information available. The Vial of Life program is designed to provide important medical and emergency information to first responders when you cannot. While visiting fire administration offices, you can also pick up a Pet Finder window
sticker that informs first responders about the pets in your home!
COLLECTION OF UNUSED MEDICATIONS
I often receive questions regarding how residents can safely dispose of unused prescription medications. The Surprise Police Department has a Prescription Drug collection bin located in their lobby, 14250 W. Statler Plaza, Suite 103. Anyone can dispose of unwanted, unused, or expired prescription drugs in the prescription collection bin – and it’s accessible 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The purpose of this program is to reduce the likelihood of these medications falling into the hands of children and The Surprise Police Department also offers the We Care Program, an automated system designed to call a senior or homebound person once a day to check on their welfare. If the daily call is not answered, an automatic alert is sent, and personnel from Surprise Police or Citizens Patrol will be sent to the home to check on the individual. If you or someone you know could benefit from this program, you can submit an online application at surpriseaz.gov/ wecare, and the Surprise Citizen Patrol will contact you to schedule a required home visit and interview. These are just a few of the many services that our City offers, but I hope that you find them helpful. Additional information on these services and many others can always be found on the City of Surprise website at surpriseaz.gov. If I can answer any questions for you, please feel free to reach out anytime. The best way to reach me is by calling 623.222.1322 or by email at aly.cline@ surpriseaz.gov. I also hope to see you at my next Meet and Greet on June 28 at 6 p.m. at Sun City Grand Café. I will also be hosting a virtual Meet and Greet via WebEx on June 9 at 10 a.m. Please visit my webpage at d2.surpriseaz.gov for the meeting link. I wish you all an excellent June!
The Association provides this publication for informational purposes only. SCG Community Association, its Board, its employees and all other entities within SCG do not guarantee, endorse, nor promote any of the products, services or individuals advertised herein and assume no responsibility or liability for the veracity of the statements made in this publication. Information regarding advertising rates can be obtained on our website at www.suncitygrand.com/Communications/Grand-Lifestylesmagazine, scroll down to Grand Lifestyles Advertising or by coming to the Sonoran Plaza and visiting the Activities Office. The deadline for commercial ads is the 10th of the month prior to placement.
Faucet Doctor Plumbing & HVAC Services, LLC 623-214-7161
Complete Plumbing & HVAC Service Company
Water Heaters, Water Softeners, Main Water Line Repair or Replacement, Slab Leaks, Toilets, Faucets, Circulating Pumps, Disposals, Bathroom Remodels, Sewer Inspection, Repair and Replacement, All Irrigation Services, Air Conditioning New Install, Service and Repair
ROC License # 320540 ROC License # 320541 Greg Singletary
Licensed-Bonded-Insured PORA-SCHOA-BBB Listed
CELEBRATING EMPLOYEE MILESTONES Thank you for your dedication and commitment to our SCG community. June 2021
10 YEARS
Virgilio Buenaflor
Housekeeping 5 YEARS
Shelly Samms Brandon Martinez
Fitness Association Patrol Refugio Santellano Carlos Gaitan
Desert Springs Housekeeping Golf Maintenance
