Plattsburgh, NY, Aug 20, 2012 — One of the largest and brightest spiders found in and around gardens in the North Country is the garden spider, also known as the black-and-yellow spider. They're big and kind of intimidating, but horticulturist Amy Ivy says they are harmless to humans and helpful to gardeners. She spoke with Todd Moe about garden variety spiders.  Go to full article

Warrensburg, NY, Aug 17, 2012 — John Warren, of the Adirondack Almanack, joins us Friday mornings with information about local outdoor and back-country conditions.  Go to full article

Saranac Lake, NY, Aug 14, 2012 — Many Adirondack artists will tell you that our region offers nearly all the elements a landscape painter looks for - mountains, trees, waterways and ever-changing hues of green, gray and blue. You'll find dozens of artists outdoors this week in the Adirondacks painting "plein air" during Saranac Lake's Fourth Annual Plein Air Festival, part of the "Great Adirondack Days" celebration.

It's a time-honored tradition, particularly by artists who want to convey a sense of immediacy. They'll find a spot with a great view of a mountain or along a stream, prop up an easel and paint just as they see it. Most works are completed within hours on the spot. Spontaneity is key. Bugs, rain and fleeting sunlight are challenges.

Last summer, Todd Moe tagged along when Lake Placid artist Jackie Altman returned to a favorite spot with views of some of the High Peaks.  Go to full article

Plattsburgh, NY, Aug 13, 2012 — Cornell Cooperative Extension horticulturist Amy Ivy confesses a passion for beneficial insects in her weekly conversation with Martha Foley. In fact, she says some of the creepiest looking insects are among the best. They talk about ladybug larva and other alligator-like young, spined soldier bugs, hover flies, and more.  Go to full article

Warrensburg, NY, Aug 10, 2012 — John Warren, of the Adirondack Almanack, joins us Friday mornings with information about local outdoor and back-country conditions.  Go to full article

Lake Placid, NY, Aug 08, 2012 — The last decade or so, the North Country has seen a rebirth of its small-town movie theaters. Screens from Tupper Lake to Indian Lake to Ausable Forks have reopened. From Canton to Old Forge, small cinemas are often a big part of the local nightlife, offering a spark of light and glitz.

But the movie industry is changing, shifting fast from old-fashioned film projectors to new, high-tech digital systems. As Natasha Haverty reports, the price tag for that conversion is high and some North Country theater owners worry they might not survive the transition.  Go to full article

Lake Placid, NY, Aug 08, 2012 — Adirondack native Kirk Sullivan will premiere his latest short film at the Lake Placid Center for the Arts this evening.

Sullivan's father, Fred, was also a filmmaker, known for The Beer Drinker's Guide to Fitness and Filmmaking and Cold River. He passed away unexpectedly in 1996. Kirk Sullivan, now 30, was born and raised in Saranac Lake and now lives in Los Angeles.

Tonight's film, The Come Up is a 10-minute short that Kirk Sullivan describes as a fun action-comedy. He wrapped up work on the film at the end of July. As Chris Morris reports, it takes place on the set of a major Hollywood producer, a familiar environment for filmmaker.  Go to full article

Plattsburgh, NY, Aug 06, 2012 — Continuing hot, dry weather can lead to a range of challenges in the yard and garden. It's perfect weather for tomato troubles, including blossom end rot, early blight and septoria. Cornell Cooperative Extension horticulturist Amy Ivy tells Martha Foley proper watering is the key to ending blossom end rot. She's also got a warning about stinging insects this time of year.  Go to full article

Warrensburg, NY, Aug 03, 2012 — John Warren, of the Adirondack Almanack, joins us Friday mornings with information about local outdoor and back-country conditions.  Go to full article

Lake George, NY, Aug 02, 2012 — There's more bad news about an invasive species threatening the North Country's waterways.
With concern mounting over how to keep the spiny water flea from infesting Lake Champlain, New York environmental officials confirmed yesterday that the non-native organism has been confirmed in Lake George.

The tiny crustacean is known to edge out native species, while also fouling fishing gear. In a statement, DEC commissioner Joe Martens said "the discovery of spiny water flea in Lake George is not welcome news."  Go to full article