Tuesday, November 16, 2021

Over The Air vs. Paying Cable vs Streaming

photo credit to shutterstock.com

Introduction 

This article will discuss the comparison between free over the air television vs getting cable/satellite television. The advantage and disadvantages of having to watch free over the air channels comparison to having to pay for watching cable/ satellite channels. 

Short History 

When television went from analog to HDTV by the United States government that all full power over the air stations to switch from analog to digital although not through necessary in high definition (HD) by February 17,2009. Eventually, they extended the deadline to June 12,2009. The low power had a different deadline to meet to switch over to digital. 

When the free over the air stations went digital also came advantage of adding more channels to add more different types of programming. These add channels is referred to as sub channels. Each station has an opportunity to add how many sub channels as they want. Each sub channel that they add means more advertising money that a station are able to get.

Advantage and Disadvantages of Over the Air

Photo image credit from Best Buy website 

The advantages of having over the air channels is that you don't have to pay for their stations because they rely on advertising money that they receive. 

Next is that Each stations can add different sub channels with different types of programs that allows to watch different shows that they can air. Each sub channel that the stations are able to get different networks in which contains of different array of different programs that they offer. Some of these outside networks that are offered are comedy, movies, crime shows, old syndication shows they have shown years ago. 

Some of the different networks can be from some of the major networks. Some of the different networks are: METV, Antenna TV, Laff, Create TV, True Crime Network, Buzzr (shows old game shows) to name a few. 

One of main disadvantage is that it doesn't have any of any of main channels like espn, CNN, Food Network plus others. Although the one thing though is that over the air channels does provide some substitute for that it lacks that to try to have some variety that would be capable to what cable does have. 

Another disadvantage is some places like the rural areas their variety of over the air channels might be limited to people. One the reasons that there might not be any television towers that would transmit signals to the television set to homes in the area. 

Third disadvantage is that for people who are sports fans is that over the air television doesn't have a lot of sports being shown. Most of the time they are shown on weekends, but there has been some sports that has been televised during the week. But the sports that would show teams that are not from your team in your local market.  There has been times where they would televise your local teams. 

Another thing is that people can't watch movie channels like TNT, HBO, Starzs, Hallmark and others. But there is an alternative to this is that people can rent movies for DVD/ Blue Ray for free. The only place that you can rent movies for free is from the local library. Most libraries has the new releases and some older movies. 

Advantage And Disadvantages Of Cable And Dish Companies 

photo credit: The Atlantic 

The advantages that some people would have lots of different channels with lots of different channels with different genres that would interest a lot of people with Cable and Dish companies. 

The companies offer different tiers of various channels with a number of channels a family would get. The higher tier that the people would choose means more variety of channels that they are able to receive. 

Next advantage is that more people from the rural area would have a chance to receive more channels to watch more programs on their television. 

Now for the disadvantages of having cable and satellite TV. The first thing is that you have to pay to subscribe for cable and satellite TV. The more the higher tier which offers more channels the price would increase. Which means more money that you have to pay when you subscribe to these companies. Getting pay per view and movie channels will cost more money as well. With all these channels that you pay, how many channels do you actually watch on regularly? We all don't like to pay for channels that we don't watch.  That is also a disadvantage of paying money to cable and satellite TV. Some cable and satellite bills can cost you up to and over hundreds of dollars that's before taxes and fees are included. Which means that you would pay over thousands of dollars every year. 

Streaming Apps 
photo credit: Gear Patrol 

If you don't want to pay for all of those channels there is an option for that. Some companies like Disney and Discovery plus others which are also cable channels brought out their own apps with three or more channels in one app or movie channels which has shows and movies. Another example is that movie companies like HBO, Paramount also brought out their own apps that are only one channel that will show only movies. As for sports like NBA, MLB and NFL and even college level like NCAA has apps to have people who loves sports can watch games. 

But the disadvantages of getting these apps also cost money as well. If you get a few of streaming services the cost might be reasonable priced but if you get a lot of them it can cost you a lot of money. 

Final Thoughts 

For me I like over the air channels. I know that it's free and and limited channels but I get about fifty channels and unlike cable and others where there is contains lots of different channels with different programs but I do have limited income to pay for cable or satellite. 

But for others like yourself that are able to afford cable and satellite can get purchase that if you wish. That depends on a person preference. 


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Thursday, November 4, 2021

History of the Mitchell Park Domes

Photo Credit: Clarence Schreiber 

Mitchell Park Domes are one of the most fantastic places to visit in Milwaukee with their unique bee hive shape domes.


History of the Mitchell Park Domes 

The current Domes replaced the original Conservatory which was built in 1898. The original conservatory exhibited flowers in a “greenhouse” setting and served the public until 1955. Because it was determined to be unsafe and impractical to repair, the conservatory was demolished.

A design competition, won by a local architect, produced the plans for the new conservatory. Donald Grieb’s winning entry called for three beehive-shaped (not geodesic) glass domes, 140 feet in diameter at the base and 85 feet high, offering 15,000 square feet of growing space for plant display. Each dome would have a distinct climate and exhibit plants in a naturalistic setting. These are the Desert, Tropical, and Floral Show domes.

Construction began in 1959 and proceeded in stages. This allowed for the building to be paid in yearly appropriations, thus avoiding the cost of bonding. The total cost was $4.5 million when it was completed in 1967.


Desert Dome 

Photo of the Desert Dome 

Photo credit: Clarence Schreiber 

The Desert Dome’s fine collection of succulents (plants that can store water) and water-conserving trees, shrubs, and bulbs are grouped by geographic regions. Your tour will take you from Madagascar to southern and eastern Africa, the Canary Islands, South America, and finally North America.

Each area is characterized by unique plant species able to survive drought and intense hot sun. Although many of these plants look like cacti, cacti are native only to North, Central, and South America. Regional signs as well as individual plant labels will help you recognize these extraordinary plants.


Tropical Dome 

Photo of the Tropical Dome 

Photo credit: Clarence Schreiber 

In our microcosm of the rainforest, you’ll encounter over 1,200 species of tropical plants as well as some tropical birds. Rainforest products you’ll see in the Tropical Dome include so much more than our favorite houseplants!

Perhaps the most familiar plants of the rainforest are those we have incorporated into our homes and offices for decorating — plants such as philodendrons, peperomias, bromeliads, orchids, ferns, marantas, and calatheas. Other flowering plants that provide vibrant color to the tropical exhibit include amaryllis, hibiscus, anthurium, calliandra, clerodendron, crinum, and heliconia.

Unusual tropical life forms are also apparent. A rainforest ecosystem develops vertically as well as horizontally. Our favorite houseplants are often found growing as ground covers in the tropics; their adaptation to low light enables them to survive in our homes. A wide array of epiphytes (plants that use other plants for physical support) such as orchids, bromeliads, and ferns are growing overhead on tree branches. Indeed, it is in the forest canopy, along tree branches that much of the plant productivity and diversity occur. Vining plants that scramble up trees to gain more light include vanilla, passiflora, quisqualis, and aristolochia. The tallest trees of the rainforest are called “emergents” because their canopies rise above all others. Here in the Tropical Dome, our emergent is the kapok (Ceiba pentandra), reaching 85′ tall. Look at its base and you will discover an important adaptation to the shallow tropical soils – buttressed roots that afford additional support for the tree.


Floral Show Dome 

Photo of the Show Dome 

Photo credit: Clarence Schreiber 

Each show has a specific theme, generally categorized as historical, cultural, or fantasy, and chosen at least a year in advance. We select plants specifically for a particular floral exhibit and grow them at our Horticulture Division’s Greenhouse Center. Once in place, a show must last from six to fourteen weeks. We change potted flowers as needed. For a long-running Summer Show, there can be 3-4 complete changes of plantings.

It takes many talents to make these themes realities. A landscape architect, horticulturists, arborists, artists, carpenters, electricians, plumbers, and welders work together to create each show. The actual process can take 8-10 working days. Props are modular and thus, versatile; they can be modified and reused. One building could be an Italian villa and then be transformed into a Spanish hacienda, Williamsburg mansion, or southern plantation home in future shows.

The Floral Show Dome provides serene settings to be captured by artists and photographers, duplicated by visitors in their gardens, and used by students learning about flowering plants. Simply put, the Floral Show Dome offers beauty and inspiration for all.


Education Center 

As a cultural and educational facility of the Milwaukee County Park System, “The Domes” offers programming for school groups from grade K-5 through college, scouts, and adult clubs or groups.

  • Programs for School Groups, K-5–College, youth groups, and summer school groups
  • Programs for Scout & Youth Groups
  • Now your class or group can Adopt-an-Animal in the Domes
  • Programs for adult clubs or groups
  • Programs for School Groups

Students will focus on rainforest and desert ecology, and plant and animal adaptations. Discussions will be appropriate for the grade level. To help you prepare for the program, a Teacher Information Packet/Worksheets are available. Each discussion/hands-on session will last 30–45 minutes. Afterward, students will complete worksheets during their exploration of the domes. Allow a minimum of 1-1/2 hours for this program. Programs meet state DPI standards and MPS standards for science content. One adult chaperone is required for every 8 students.


Gift Shop 

The gift shop is inside the Domes and is open during regular hours of Domes and during special events that they held a few times of the year. The gift shop is a place to buy plants, post cards, books, figurines plus other things. 


Weddings At The Domes 

The Domes are available for rental for weddings. No matter what the time of year, you’ll be surrounded by the beauty of live plants and flowers when you select the Mitchell Park Horticultural Conservatory for your wedding site.

  • Floral Show Dome – Themes of shows are subject to change 
  • Tropical Dome – A lush environment, complete with a waterfall 
  • Desert Dome – A light-filled landscape with the sculptural forms of succulents 

During normal operating hours, none of these sites is completely private, because the domes are open to the public. 

Private after-hour rentals are available. 

The plant areas of the domes are not air-conditioned and can get very warm in summer.

Available year-round during normal operating hours except on days when special events are scheduled. Private after-hour rentals are also available.


Greenhouses 

The greenhouses were built for growing plants for the show Dome when they have different floral shows. They also have built an extra greenhouse (which it's called the anex) for the use of different events that can be held there.


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Wednesday, November 3, 2021

Different Programming on Create TV Channel


 Introduction 

Create TV is a PBS run television channel that runs different types of programs from cooking, travel, gardening, home improvements, arts and crafts. It started to over the air on January 9,2006 over the air as one of their sub channels and also on cable. Check out the channel on your local listing to find this station. 

Travel 

There a ray of travel shows for the people who enjoy traveling and for those who are interested in the different parts of the world. 

Some of the shows that you would be interested in are: Travels with Darley,  Burt Wolf: Travels and Tradition, Rick Sevens' Europe, Field Trips with Curtis Stone to name few they would gives you ideas on what to expect and some tips along the way. 


Cooking 

Who doesn't like cooking and looking for ideas, tips and more from some of the great people that Create has. Here are so.e of the shows that you might and enjoy in this group of shows: Cook's Country, Lydia's Kitchen, America's Test Kitchen from Cook's Illustrated, Chef's Life, Christopher Kimball 's Milk Street, Simply Ming plus a lot of great shows that they offer. 


Arts and Crafts 

If you enjoy painting pictures and different types of crafts to make Create TV offers some good shows to get inspired from. Some of these shows includes: Art of a Cowboy,  Best of Sewing by Nancy, Best of the Joy of Painting, Craft In America, Fresh Quilting plus other types of shows that you would be interested in and start of a new hobby. 


Fitness 

If to want to get in shape or to improve your health some of these shows might be of interest to you: Classical Stretch: By Essentrics, Happy Yoga with Sarah Starr, Step It Up with Steph, Yoga In Practice are the shows that can expect and for a peace of mind. 


Home and Gardening 

The joy of home and improvement and gardening is always a great thing to improve the look by landscaping and improving the look of your home. There are some great tip improve the look from the outside and inside the home. Here are some of the shows that would give you ideas from these shows: P. Allen Smith's Garden Home, P. Allen Smith's Garden to Table, Growing A Greener World, Garden Smart, For Your Home, Classic Woodworking,  Ask This Old House, A Growing Passion (Create), plus a whole lot more. 


Finally 

Create TV is one my favorite channels to watch in enjoy. It's fascinating that one channel with multiple types of programs that cover many different types of subjects. If you have never watched Create TV I highly recommend catching this channel out. You might be surprised the different shows that you would enjoy. 


The Create TV logo was borrowed from Create TV's website. Please check out their website for the list of more of their shows, recipes plus you can also shop from their shop.


*Picture taken from Create TV website. 

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Friday, October 29, 2021

My Hobbies Over The Years

Introduction 

Over the years I have collected some interesting things. The things that I have collected are the things that I have enjoy collecting. This article will show some of the things that I have collected over the years. These are my personal hobby that I enjoy doing over the years.

Sports Trading Cards


The first thing that I collect are sports trading cards. I been collecting cards since 1978. Some of collection dates back to 1970. I also have some reprints of of older cards like the 1953 Milwaukee Braves and Johnson Cookie Factory promotional Milwaukee Braves. My collection mainly from sports teams from Milwaukee, like the Brewers, Bucks and Milwaukee Admirals (minor league hockey). In my collection, I own about 4,000 to 5,000 cards mostly baseball and mainly team sets. The most treasured card which I have is the Robin Yount rookie card.


When I started my collection back in 1978 I used to buy packs of baseball cards and at times traded with some of my friends. I tried to collect complete sets of that year's cards, but I soon found out that it was hard to do and to concentrate on collecting my favorite local teams in each sport. As the years went by I went to sports cards shows where I have traded some of my cards that I didn't need for the ones that I did need to add to my collection. I have also went to card shops to obtain team sets that I have needed.

Lapel Pins


The second thing that I enjoy collecting are lapel pins. I have started collected lapel pins when I used to work for McDonald's back in the late 1980's early 1990's. Some of the things that I have in this collection are sports, McDonald's, Wisconsin State Fair pins, service pins from work. Some of the pins that I received was from work and from some people who saw me wearing my pins and asked me if I collect them and I told them that yes I do collect them, so the next time that I saw them they gave me a pin or two. There are some of them like half of my Wisconsin State Fair pins that I have actually bought out of my own money.

Peanuts Collection 


The third thing that collect is anything that is related to Peanuts. Ever since I was a kid I enjoyed watching the holiday specials that was on television. But some of the things that I have in this collection are books, glassware, stuff Snoopy toys, DVDs to name a few.


Taking up a Hobby 

These are examples of things that you do. You can also take up hobbies as well. You have collect thing similar to this but there are other types of things you can do like playing a musical instrument, playing board games, fishing plus other things. 

I hope that you take up some kind of hobby to fill some of your time to keep you busy. Have fun and happy hobby.


*Pictures are from I have taken. 

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Carrot Cake




Carrot Cake

I love carrot cake and is one of my recipes for carrot cake that use and the best recipe that I ever use. I hope that you use the recipe and enjoy it when it's done. 


Cake Recipe

2 cups flour
1-1/2 cups vegetable oil
2 cups sugar
3 cups shredded carrots
4 eggs
1/2 cup chopped walnuts
2 teaspoons baking soda
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon vanilla

Cake Directions

1. Preheat oven at 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
2. Mix oil, sugar and eggs.
3. Add vanilla.
4. Blend in all dry ingredients.
5. Stir in carrots and walnuts.
6. Pour batter into a glass 9x13 inch pan.
7. Bake in the preheated oven for one hour.

Frosting Recipe And Directions

Frosting Recipe

1/2 cup butter
8 ounces cream cheese
2-1/2 cups powder sugar
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
1/2 teaspoon milk
1/2 cup chopped walnuts

Frosting Directions

1. Blend butter and cream cheese.
2. Add vanilla and powder sugar.
3. Mix well.
4. Add milk if frosting seems too thick.
5. Frost cake and sprinkle with walnuts.

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Peanut Butter Dog Treats

Do you like making homemade treats for your dog or dogs? This recipe is to make peanut butter cookie treats for your dog. This is an easy recipe to make. I hope that you enjoy making them for your four legged friend and the dog will love them.

The Ingredients You Will Need








Peanut butter cookies for dogs

These are the ingredients that you need for making the cookies.

1 cup of creamy peanut butter
1 cup of low fat milk
1 table spoon of baking powder
2 cups of flour

Directions

Pre heat oven to 375 degrees.

Mix all the above ingredents in a mixing bowl. Roll out the cookie dough out and you use any cookie cutter of your choice.

After that place them on a greased cookie sheet. For easier clean up you may placed them on parchment paper on the cookie sheet.

Then place the cookie sheet with cookies in oven for 20- 25 minutes or until golden brown. After they are cooled placed them in a air tight container. 

*I've taken this picture. 

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Wisconsin State Fair


Wisconsin State Fair Park

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Usinger’s Sausage

Usinger

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Visit West Allis Farmers Market In West Allis

The History Of the West Allis Farmers Market

The West Allis Farmers Market was established around 1919 and it has been an outstanding source of excellent products for the different generations of families that lives in the area. The families have come to shop at one of the largest, and possibly one of the oldest, established Farmers Markets in southeastern Wisconsin. One of the main reasons that this farmers market is one of the best markets is that the farmers that come here grown all of their products they have to sell. People in the area always said if you want the best products always shop at the West Allis Farmers Market.

Fresh Produce And Floral Plants At The West Allis Farmers Market

When the West Allis Farmers open for the season, which runs from the first Saturday in May through the Saturday after Thanksgiving, the first things to arrive there are the floral plants for the people who enjoy planting floral gardens at their homes. There a few people that will bring some produce and bake goods for sale. There is a wide range of variety of different types of products that comes to the farmers market throughout the year when the farmers market is open. Some of the things that come to the market are floral bedding plants, radishes, asparagus, and rhubarb. The produce that comes into the farmers market in June is Strawberries and raspberries for the fruit and also coming in are zucchini, squash, peas, snap beans for the vegetables. Some of the produces that come in about a week after the Fourth Of July is corn, along with many other squashes and herb plants. Some of the things that come late season are the fresh apples and cider. Chickens and fresh eggs are always available along with other fresh meats. 

The main reason that the West Allis Farmers Market open later in the day is to allow farmers to bring the freshest produce that they have picked that morning and bring those to the market for the people to purchase. And when the farmers are sold out of their products they are allowed to leave the market early. 

Food Vendors At The Farmers Market

During the days the West Allis Farmers Market is open you also can find food vendors on the side street by the farmers market. The vendors are from the local area businesses and they serve hot sandwiches, bakery, drinks, and other yummy things. There are a variety of different things for everyone to enjoy. Some of the food vendors are very popular at the farmers market and they offer some best products that they serve, especially those that are from the local area.

My Personal Experience Of The Farmers Market

My wife and I enjoy going to the West Allis Farmers Market. We try to get to this as much as we can when we are available to go there. Seeing the different farmers with their variety of different products that they offer. The food vendors outsides the market are great. So if you are in the area and would like to visit this farmers market I urge you to go and check it out. Your experience of this market would be awesome.

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My Life As A Volunteer


My Life As A Volunteer Of Clarence Schreiber 



Epikos Church 

I started to volunteer at my local chuch in July of 2014 as part of the connection team. I have done different things while volunteering here. A few of things that I've done has been greet people as they come into church, handing out bulletins which contains announcements, connections cards so they can fill out to let the church now that the people who had visited and if they have any prayer requests that they may have. And a envelope in case if they would like to donate money to the church.

Mitchell Park Domes 

And since then I also volunteer for the Mitchell Park Domes in which I have been helping out for a few years now. When I started for the Domes it was the time when I went on disability from my work due to my arthritis in both of my feet and my left ankle and also other health issues. Both places has been very accomodating because of my feet and I have been fun doing them both.

I always wanted to wanted to volunteer for the Domes for awhile. Shortly after going on disablity from due to my arthritis in both of my feet and my left ankle, I filled out an appication to voluntering at the Domes. My first time that was to volunteer for them was at a luncheon on September 24, 2015 and other dates. So, I decided to agree to volunteer for that date as well as other dates that they had offered. I have told them about my feet and they were able to accomadate by doing things that either sitting or very little standing involved. At the lunchon that I have helped out at I filled swag bags and manning the information table about the Domes. I was happy to hear that the luncheon was for the Menomonee Valley Parters and for some of the bussisnesses from the Menomonee Valley

Shepard Express 

I started to volunteer for the events sponsored by the Shepherd Express. The Shepherd Express a weekly news paper. My first volunteering job that I did for them was for the Stein and Dine event at the information table. There I helped out with helping guests where they need to go and help selling t-shirts for the event. This was a sit down job in which I was very grateful for. I also have done other events like Street Eats which was fun. I was given out promotional frisbees for them when they buy tickets to purchase food at the different vendors, I handout frisbees that acts like a plate for their food from the food trucks. This event was was held at a park in the Third Ward.


Wisconsin State Fair 

 I've been volunteering for the State Fair for about five years. When I started for them it was under the House of Moo, but for the last couple of years they have changed the name to Dairy Lane. I have learned what the dairy industry was all about in turned a teach fair goers about the industry as well and also about the different cows there was and the different types of feed that eat. I'm grateful that they given me free tickets to enter the fair and a coupon for a free grill cheese sandwich in the Dairy Provillion across the cow barn. 

My View On Volunteering

Grant you we all like to get paid for the work that we all do, but there will be a time that we will be face that many things that we will get satisfaction from won't be the work that we get paid for all the time, but the satisfaction for some of the things we don't get paid for. I know that I like to get paid as well, but I do enjoy volunteering for the places thatI do. With the volunteer jobs that I have, I am able to interact with lots of people that I incounter, because I am more of a people person.


Don't get me wrong I did enjoy my job at the grocery store and was getting paid fairly for the job that I was doing as a bagger. But when I became disabled and unable to do the work that I was doing I've found another way to enjoy a different types of other work.

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