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Showing posts with the label Saratoga Springs

Clarinets for Conservation in Saratoga Springs April 19

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Last year at Saranac Lake's BluSeed Studios, my daughter and I went to see a concert that blended beautiful music with the origin of the clarinet. Since my daughter is just learning to play the clarinet, it seemed like the perfect way to strength her love of playing. It did so much more, for both of us. With world-wide trading at our fingertips, eBay and auction houses, it feels like we have lost touch with the beginning of things. We have certainly lost sight of our food source and we've also lost sight of our resources. An organization based out of East Berne, NY has been working to preserve the wood source of the clarinet, piano keys, bag pipes and more. Since 2010 Clarinets for Conservation  has run a program in Moshi working with school children and teaching music, conservation and tree planting.  Clarinets are made from the Mpingo Tree, commonly referred to as African Ebony or Blackwood tree, also the National Tree of Tanzania. It takes 80 years for a Mpingo to gr

"Romeo and Juliet" Launches Adirondack Shakespeare Company Spring Season

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This spring the Adirondack Shakespeare Company is launching its first Adirondack spring tour with the tragedy Romeo and Juliet . The play will open at North Creek's Tannery Pond Community Center for one night only. This professional theatre troupe will be hosting shows from Saratoga Springs to Upper Jay, NY. According to ADK Shakes Artistic Director  Tara Bradway  the company has been producing its summer festival season in the Adirondacks since 2010 and an autumn season since 2013. Now they are expanding their Adirondack season to bring Shakespeare in springtime as well.  "We did a spring season in the past but it was always based in New York City," says Bradway. "Now we've been here [Adirondack] full time for the past year. We feel there is a demand for  'off-season' programming. We wanted to transplant that spring season from New York City to the Adirondacks."  "We chose these plays because the tragedy and comedy are so nicely balan

Saratoga PLAN: (Land and Nature) Trail Network

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Being active is an important part of family time. Sometimes all it takes is a walk around the block after dinner to unwind from a stressful work and school day. It doesn't take a huge event to turn off the television, go for a walk and really listen to what is happening with your family.  There are many places to go around Saratoga Springs. Saratoga PLAN (Preserving Land and Nature) has been working over time to provide a variety of wilderness locations to allow everyone to get out and enjoy nature.  In summer 2012 the 63-acres Coldbrook Preserve was added to the Saratoga PLAN list.  In addition to wildlife protection, the preserve will provide opportunities for walking, hiking, snowshoeing and cross-country skiing for area residents and connects land owned by The Nature Conservancy, Saratoga County Forest, and Wilton Wildlife Preserve. Look for Blanding's turtle, a New York State threatened species. This preserve will provide critic space for its wetland habitat. 

Nature Detective: Blanding's Turtle

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Did you know the Blanding turtle is named for a  19th century naturalist William Blanding of Pennsylvania?  Di you know the  Blanding Turtle can live up to 80 years!  Blanding's Turtle is medium in size!  It has an  average shell length of about  7 - 9"  usually not reaching any larger than 10"   Distinguishing feature?   A bright yellow chin and throat.  What is the upper shell called?   The carapace, which is domed but slightly flat along the midline but looks oblong when viewed from above. The upper shell (Carapace) is flecked with   numerous yellow  specks  What is the lower shell called ?  The  plastron  is yellow with dark blotches symmetrically arranged.  The head and legs are dark, and usually speckled or mottled with yellow.  I s it a box turtle?   No, Blanding's turtle is called a semi-box" turtle because the plastral lobes do not shut tightly like a box turtle, but the plastron are hinged.

Saratoga Springs School Holiday April Art Camp

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SCHOOL BREAK CAMP - APRIL BREAK When regional schools are on break, Saratoga Arts offers full-week programs in both theater and visual arts for children ages 5-14. Our visual arts campers will learn about famous art and artists while creating their own masterpieces inspired by them; our theater campers will learn the basics of theater like character development and set design and will conclude their program with a performance in our Dee Sarno Theater. Saratoga Arts’ faculty know and understand how children learn about and create art and work with students to ensure they are reaching their full artistic potential. Saratoga Arts offers three different programs during April Break: Monday - Friday: April 1 - April 5 April Break (ages 5-7) Our 1/2 day visual arts camp for the little ones. The program runs Monday - Friday, 9am - 12pm. $130 for members / $140 for non-members April Break (ages 8-14)   only 5 spots left! Our full day visual arts camp. The program runs Monday - F

8th Annual Saratoga Restaurant Week

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Saratoga Restaurant Week,  November 30- December 6, 2012 3 Course Menus For Just $10, $20 Or $30  Lunch For $5 Or $10! Participating local restaurants offer 3-course dinner specials during the Saratoga County Restaurant Week. Start off with your choice of an appetizer or salad, then choose from a menu of sumptuous entrees, and top it off with a decadent dessert! Plus some participating restaurants are offering  lunch specials for just $5 or $10 . Saratoga Restaurant Week is the perfect time to get out and try new restaurants in the Spa City! 2012 Restaurant Week presented by American Express:

Easy Family-Friendly Winter Adventures Lecture at Winter Expo Saratoga Springs

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Are you going to the Adirondack Sports and Fitness Winter Sports and Healthy Living Expo ? Held at the Saratoga Springs City Center on Broadway from November 19, 10:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. and November 20, 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.  There will be plenty of opportunities to meet vendors that make winter sports fun and easy! Here is a list of exhibitors.    If you want to learn some easy snowshoeing or XC skiing trails, stop by our seminar on November 19, 4:00 p.m. - 4:45 p.m. and we will go through some easy trails to access in the High Peaks, based on the 1st Adirondack Family Time Book: Tri-Lakes and High Peaks.  November 19, 4-4:45pm    Easy Family-Friendly Adirondack Adventures with Diane Chase ▪ Seminar Room Join us as we present a "slideshow" of short snowshoe walks and cross-country ski trails throughout the High Peaks region. Learn how to venture off the groomed paths while being comfortable and safe. Learn some fun activities to keep your kids engaged on the trails. 

What to do with kids in the Adirondacks: First Night Saratoga and Saranac Lake

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By Diane Chase First Night   celebrations offer  families visiting or living in the Adironacks an opportunity to ring in the New Year in a healthy fashion. Just ten minutes from Lake Placid, Saranac Lake will ring in the New Year with its fifth First Night® celebration.  Originating in Boston over 35 years ago, First Night originators wanted to provide non-alcohol related New Year’s Eve festivities. The arts centered event grew from a small community celebration to what now showcases Boston’s diverse culture and art. There are now 200 similarly modeled celebrations worldwide. In our part of the world,   Saratoga Springs   and   Saranac Lake   are two such sanctioned events. Read More