Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Sports.
SARATOGA SPRINGS — Coach Johns recently brought his Visible Project to a group of dancers who learn their skills at The Dance Factory, located in the Wilton Mall. Coach discussed the key words that are integrated in his Act With Respect Always program, and specifically shared his thoughts about kindness and positivity in one’s life. You can contact Coach Johns at www.actwithrespectalways.com or at his email, acejohns@aol.com.
Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Sports.
PUNTA CANA, DOMINICAN REPUBLIC – Athletes form the Glenville, NY based Jason Morris Judo Center performed exceptionally well at the Punta Cana World Cup in the Dominican Republic, capturing four total medals. Kell Berliner (26) took a gold in the 81kg division and jumped 20 slots on the world ranking list (WRL) to a career high #100. Nicole Stout (23) was also golden as she won the 70kg weight class and entered the WRL for the first time at 70kg at #117. Stout has recently moved down from 78kg where she is ranked #84. Melissa Myers (25) earned her first international medal taking a bronze at 70kg, losing only to JMJC teammate Stout in the semis. Myers enters the WRL for the first time and sits at #148. Max Alaynick (20) took his first international medal, winning a bronze at 81kg and enters the WRL at #236. Alex Alaynick (25) was 5th at 81kg, which puts him on the WRL for the first time as well, coming in at #260.
Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Sports.
If you’re anything like me, you’ve been itching to get your boat out on one of our local lakes. The water is finally warming up to the point where the fish are actively feeding and seeking forage. Despite not being able to actively target bass during the spring months in previous years, DEC now allows catch and release Largemouth Bass year round, as long as you are using artificial lures and not live bait. Certain bodies of water may have special regulations, so as a general guideline, always be sure to check them for your specific lake before you head out. The majority of bass fishermen tend to catch and release year round anyway, but being allowed to target Largemouth Bass in spring provides an angler with the chance to catch a true monster.
Like many fishermen, I always find the first few weeks of ice out to be a difficult, but rewarding time to target bass. I tend to start searching for Largemouth Bass in early spring around the same areas that I was catching them in the fall. In the fall they always seem to be schooled up in two different areas; these areas being deeper weed beds and drop offs. What I mean by deeper weed beds is weed clumps in 12-15’ of water, instead of the 3-8’ weed beds that fish can hold on in the summer. Most of us have a favorite lake that we fish, so we usually know all the specific details about it. In the lakes that I fish, like Saratoga Lake and Lake Lonely, I know which weed beds will die off in the winter and which weed beds remain and hold fish all year. Knowing where these healthy weeds are can make a huge difference in finding fish. Weed beds that stay healthy all winter will always hold baitfish, so there is a certain population of bass that never moves far away from those areas.
The bass will be lethargic from the cold water so I always do well on slow moving presentations. My top choices would be a deep crankbait, a deep suspending jerkbait, and sometimes a simple 3/8oz swimbait head with a 3” white swimbait. Deep diving crankbaits do well this time of year because you can reach the deeper fish and slow roll your presentation. Largemouth Bass will not want to expend much energy when feeding, but at the same time won’t turn down an easy meal. I will also tend to use a jerkbait designed to reach depths of more than 12 feet, which can target those fish feeding in the deeper weed beds and on drop offs. I always make sure that when I’m working my presentations this time of year, I give them extremely long pauses to make up for the lethargic nature of the fish. When fish are schooled up in fall, I tend to catch them on white swimbaits as they are feeding hard on baitfish before winter. So there are also times in early spring where I will go back to the same areas where fish were schooled up in fall, and catch them again on the same swimbaits.
As we begin to get some warmer weather days, temperature then plays a huge role as far as finding fish goes. When the water begins to reach the mid-forties, the spots that are a few degrees warmer than the rest of the lake will hold more fish. You want to target the shallower areas of the lake you’re fishing that have a darker colored bottom, because these are the areas that will warm up the fastest. The fish will begin moving into their pre-spawn patterns and will actively search out the warmest water. Largemouth Bass will eventually spawn at these spots when the water is warm enough; this usually happens around Mid to late May. Although not every fish tends to move into these areas immediately, this is where I consistently find the biggest and most active Largemouth Bass.
Crayfish will also begin to emerge from their winter hibernation under the mud and provide easy meals for spring bass. A key factor about crayfish this time of year is their coloration and behavior. Once the water hits the upper-forties and low-fifties, the male crayfish emerge first and begin seeking out their mates. This makes them an easy target for hungry largemouth bass. They tend to turn reddish in the spring when they first begin molting. Molting occurs when a crayfish sheds its old shell in exchange for a larger new one, which happens a few times a year. This molted, soft shell crayfish, will have a reddish appearance until its shell darkens. Some people also believe they can obtain a red tint in the spring due to the clay environment they were burrowed in all winter. Both factors allow bass to actively seek out that bright red color in the springtime. Not every lake seems to have “bright red” crayfish, but I’ve still found the color red to be key in spring. The warmest water in the lake will most likely be murky, so the color red shows up well. To match the hatch I will throw red lures that imitate a fleeing crayfish. These include craw colored squarebills, lipless crankbaits, jigs, and chatterbaits. If red colored lures don’t end up producing for you, two other staple colors to throw are white and black/blue. Black and Blue produces year round for me and excels in the muddier waters around us. Then white is always a good color to imitate a baitfish and will work in all water conditions.
Although we can now target Largemouth Bass year round, it is still our job as sportsmen to be extremely careful when handling these fish this time of year.
They are pre-spawn and will soon be spawning in shallow water, so it is imperative that these fish are released healthy. This is also a great time of year for fishermen that do not have access to a boat, because the fish can be caught casting close to shore. If you do want to experience fishing from a boat, Lake Lonely Water Sports is a great, affordable solution, to get you and your family out on the water. They offer Jon boat and kayak rentals every day of the week on Lake Lonely. I always refer to Lake Lonely as the “hidden gem” of Saratoga, due to its phenomenal fishing and tranquil surroundings. I will also be booking fishing trips for Lake Lonely, Saratoga Lake, and Lake George for those who want a more guided fishing experience.
Drew Ziehnert of Ziehnert Guide Service can be contacted at Ziehnertguideservice@gmail.com or 518-390-0282 or visit Ziehnertguideservice.com.
Lake Lonely Watersports is located at 378 Crescent Ave, Saratoga Springs. For more information visit Lakelonelywatersports.com or call 518-584-1929
Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Entertainment.
SARATOGA SPRINGS —Film crews set up a series of shooting locations in the Spa City the past week – Railroad Place and Caroline Street among them – where segments for an independent movie titled “Paint” are being captured.
The film – directed by wBrit McAdams – features Owen Wilson, Michaela Watkins, Wendi McLendon-Covey, Ciara Renée, Lusia Strus, and Stephen Root. The script centers on “Carl Nagle” – a fictional character whom, in visual context anyway appears not unlike the late Bob Ross – best known as the host of the instructional PBS TV program in the 1980s and ‘90s, The Joy of Painting.
While not the most common occurrence, the Spa City has performed a number of times as a setting for the film industry.
“Saratoga” filmed in part at Saratoga Race Course, stars Clark Gable, Lionel Barrymore, and Jean Harlow – the latter in her final film. Harlow collapsed on set during the making of the film, and her unfinished scenes were completed by using a stand-in actress. A few years later, the racecourse made another appearance with the 1947 film “The Homestretch.” Here, a Boston socialite – portrayed by Maureen O’Hara, navigates across a landscape of various American racetracks and through one rocky marriage. The racecourse also was featured in the 1979 made-for-television drama film “My Old Man,” starring Kristy McNichol.
Perhaps the most prominent appearance of the racecourse, at least in the modern day, was in the adaptation of Laura Hillenbrand’s nonfiction bestseller, “Seabiscuit: An American Legend.” During a week-long shoot following the conclusion of the 2002 summer meet, a crew of more than 200 people settled into the Saratoga region transforming the racecourse into a circa-1920s and ‘30s setting. When the film was released the following year, locals scanned the silver screen for their own faces as film extras alongside actors such as Tobey Maguire and Jeff Bridges.
A number of Victorian-era homes on and around North Broadway provided the setting for the 1981 film “Ghost Story,” that showcased performances by John Houseman, Douglas Fairbanks Jr. and Fred Astaire, and multiple scenes across the Saratoga County region were used alongside additional settings in Montana and California in the 1998 movie “The Horse Whisperer.” Robert Redford directed and starred in the film, which garnered praise and attention for a 13-year-old relatively unknown Scarlett Johansson, portraying a teenager traumatized by a riding accident.
In the fall of 1990, 3,000 area hopefuls tried out as extras for the filming of “Billy Bathgate.” Approximately one-third were chosen for the three-week shoot at Saratoga Race Course, the Hall of Springs and at the Gideon Putnam Hotel. Film fans snooped around the region for the film’s stars Dustin Hoffman, Bruce Willis, Nicole Kidman and then-boyfriend Tom Cruise. Kidman was filmed dancing in the Hall of Springs in the Saratoga Spa State Park.
Historically incorporating portions of the Saratoga story is “12 Years a Slave” (the Solomon Northup story) – released in 2013, and “Saratoga Trunk,” released in 1945 with Gary Cooper and Ingrid Bergman.
In 2005, the city provided a setting for the films “Aftermath” – which featured Anthony Michael Hall, Tony Danza and Chris Penn – and the dramatic thriller “The Skeptic” – with a cast that included Tom Arnold and Tim Daly.
Saratoga Springs native Chris Millis debuted the local premiere of his film “Small Apartments” – starring Billy Crystal and James Caan – in a sold out event at Saratoga Music Hall in 2013, and local resident and filmmaker and photojournalist Charlie Samuels released his award-winning and critically acclaimed documentary “Virgin Blacktop: A New York Skate Odyssey,” last year.
Some of the rest: “Virgin Alexander” – a 2011 comedy depicts a young man who attempts to stave off eviction turns his Saratoga house into a brothel, and “Isabelle,” is a horror-filled 2018 film that showcases the life of Matt and Larissa, a young couple who move into their dream home in Saratoga Springs.
Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Entertainment.
LAKE GEORGE — A decade ago, The Peoples Pixel Project was created to provide live audience exposure to professional and emerging videographers, and to foster local interest and growth in the medium. The Lake George Arts Project is relaunching the Peoples Pixel Project, knowing it is important more than ever for film makers to have a platform to show their work.
This year, artists from all over New York State were invited to submit their work in one of 6 categories; Tunes (video where primary focus is music), Get Reel: Documentary, Animated (stop-action, table-top animation, computer-generated, hand-drawn, etc…), 2020 Rewind (work that reflects, or was inspired by, the crazy year that was 2020), Narrative, and “Other” or work that is not defined by those categories. The Peoples Pixel Project jury were then tasked with selecting the top 21 works from a record number of submissions.
The Lake George Arts Project would like to congratulate all of the artists who had work selected for this year’s program: Zach Appio & Frank Appio, Christopher Brown, Frank Cavone, Bobby Chase, Kimberly Deonarine, Ru Devine, Anne Francey, Laura Frare & Mary Kathryn Jablonski, Maleek Green, Jonathan Lee, Marilyn McCabe, Rachel Rehm, Jenna Rothwein , Daniel Somoza, Mark Spitzer, Super Dark Collective, Owen White, Ned Van Woert.
The public is invited to view the top 21 selections at the Arts Project website: https://www.lakegeorgearts.org/2021-selections/ and vote for their favorites to win our 2021 Peoples’ Choice Award. This year’s Peoples’ Choice Award will also be featured at this year’s Adirondack Film Festival.
The Peoples Pixel Project is made possible by The Town of Lake George, The Village of Lake George and an anonymous donor.
Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Entertainment.
LAKE GEORGE — After a long year of quarantine concerts, a virtual series, a drive-in concert series, the Lake George Music Festival will announce their 2021 season and begin selling season passes on May 1.
The majority of events will feature a new venue: the Carriage House on the grounds of Fort William Henry. Popular as a venue years ago, its resurgence into the spotlight recently has been part of a broader effort between the music festival, the Village of Lake George, and small group of community minded individuals who wish to see Lake George become a cultural tourism destination; one that showcases this revitalized year-round indoor performance space.
More information about the festival’s 2021 season at the Carriage House can be found at www.lakegeorgemusicfestival.com beginning May 1.
Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Entertainment.
BALLSTON SPA — Saratoga Springs Youth Ballet will be holding a Young Children’s Summer Program for students ages 4 to 7 years old. The program will run two weeks July 12-16, and July 19- 23r, from 10am- noon. Each day will follow a different ballet theme and it will include a ballet lesson, crafts, stories, and related activities.
The Young Children’s Summer Program is i- person and class size is limited. All CDC, state and local Covid-19 prevention guidelines will be followed. Cost: $200 for a week, $380 for two weeks.
Saratoga Springs Youth Ballet is located at 418 Geyser Rd Suite 5 Ballston Spa. For more information and registration please visit www.saratogaspringsyouthballet.org
Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Entertainment.
GLENVILLE — Perpetual Vibes, LLC announced this week the launch of a new digital and traditional talent marketing and management company led by Kariann Morris and Michelle Moyer.
Perpetual Vibes Marketing and Management is focused on engaging fans virtually and planning for the live music industry to make a comeback. Over the past year, the rise of social influencers and musicians has grown considerably and with the latest technology, musicians can now play together virtually with a global audience.
The company focuses on all aspects of brand creation/collaboration, talent marketing and campaigns, web design & development, merchandising, search engine optimization, social networking integration and promotion, digital press releases and more.
Kariann Morris has over 20 years of digital marketing experience and has personally launched three web-based digital marketing companies throughout her career.
Michelle Moyer has had over 25 years of sales and marketing experience in the music industry working at the EMI Music, Capitol Records and Caroline Distribution, where she also worked closely with developing artists on an independent level.
For more information, go to: perpetualvibes.us.
Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Entertainment.
SARATOGA SPRINGS — Home Made Theater announces open auditions for their June production of Nunsense, book, music, and lyrics by Dan Goggin and directed by Dawn Oesch. Auditions will be held through Zoom on Tuesday, May 4 and Wednesday, May 5 from 6:30-9 p.m. All roles are open to actors of all ethnicities and gender identifications.
Nunsense begins when the Little Sisters of Hoboken discover that their cook has accidentally poisoned 52 of the sisters, and they are in dire need of funds for the burials. The sisters decide that the best way to raise the money is to put on a variety show . The entertainment that they present includes solo star turns, madcap dance routines, and an audience quiz.
Production dates are June 11-12, 18-19 (two shows on Saturdays) at The Mansion Inn in Rock City Falls. Rehearsals will start on Monday, May 10 and will generally run Monday through Thursday evenings (with an occasional Sunday).
Appointments for the Zoom auditions will be required. Please prepare 16 bars of up-beat music. Auditioners are encouraged to provide their own accompaniment, or be prepared to perform a cappella and scales. An audition monologue will be provided upon sign up for a time slot. For a detailed flyer with character descriptions, or to sign up for an audition time, visit Home Made Theater’s website, www.HomeMadeTheater.org. For questions call 518-587-4427.
Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Entertainment.
SARATOGA SPRINGS — Calling all artists living with or caring for someone living with a chronic illness, rare disease, or disability: Saratoga-based nonprofit, Beyond My Battle, is holding its third annual “Art with Heart & Hope” showcasing and sharing the ways art can help manage the many stressors of living with, or caring for someone living with, illness or disability.
The deadline to submit artwork is Wednesday, June 30. All art must be ready and able to hang on a wall or easel. Artists must either live with or care(d) for someone living with a chronic illness, disease, or disability. Artists must be at least 18 years old. Furthermore, artists have the option to price their artwork for sale. To submit, artists should visit JotForm.com/BeyondMyBattle/Art2021
“Art with Heart & Hope” is an annual pop-up exhibition celebrating the healing power of art for those living with life-altering medical conditions and caregivers. Email: Art@BeyondMyBattle.org with questions.
