Items tagged with 'summer'
The long past, leaky present, and uncertain future of the Lincoln Park Pool
Albany's Lincoln Park Pool will close out its current season on Labor Day. It's the 86th season the pool has been open as a place for people from the city and beyond to splash around, learn to swim, cool off, and relax on a summer day.
It's a landmark space. And it's near the end of its current life.
The pool first opened in 1931 and all those years are showing. It has cracked surfaces, operates below its designed capacity, and doesn't measure up to modern codes. Most notably, the pool simply struggles to hold water, leaking as much as 500,000 gallons a day.
That condition prompted a consultant hired by the city to conclude last fall that the Lincoln Park Pool has reached the end of its useful life and should be completely replaced.
The price tag for that? Maybe as much as $12 million.
All the current Stewart's seasonal summer ice cream flavors, ranked
We're already into mid August and that raises a very important fact: Summer ice cream eating season will soon be gone.*
But fear not! To help guide your end-of-season ice cream eating -- which is serious business -- we recently took on the task of trying each of the limited-time seasonal summer flavors at Stewart's. Then we ranked 'em, so you can make the most of this ice cream prime time.
Let's dig in...
It's outdoor movie season
The ESP outdoor movie series is now in West Capitol Park. (This is an old file photo from 2012.)
Well, presumably, all of summer should probably be considered outdoor movie season, but for whatever reason movie-outside events tend to happen in greater numbers around here in August. And so it is again.
A handful that are popping up, starting up, or continuing -- including three this week...
Summertime outdoor theater venues or series?
Ahead of a Park Playhouse production this summer.
Sean asks via email:
My family LOVES going to see shows at the Park Playhouse each summer. It has become a staple of our summertime routine these last couple of years. We recently got to wondering if there are any other seasonal theater venues like it in the region (Saratoga, Hudson, Western Mass, etc). We'd more than gladly travel out as far as places like Tanglewood if there were similarly attractive musical theater performances. Thanks!
It's starting to get a little late in the season for these sorts of events, but 1) we bet there are still a handful happening and 2) they're often annual, so they could be something to look forward to for next summer.
Got a suggestion for Sean and his family? Please share!
Where to see fireworks around the Capital Region this Fourth of July week
"We hold these truths to be self-evident: That all men are created equal; that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights; that among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness."
Wednesday is the Fourth of July -- the day when we celebrate our independence and contemplate what it means to be an American.
There will be picnics, fairs, music, and, of course, fireworks displays around the Capital Region this week.
We pulled together some info on a few places you can ooh and ahhh over colorful fireworks displays this season. Checking out the displays somewhere else? Tell us where in the comments.
And have a safe and happy 4th!
Pick-your-own strawberry season 2018
Strawberry season is here! A few farms opened their pick-your-own strawberry fields this past week, and a bunch of others will be doing so this week or next.
It seems like this year's season is more or less on schedule, though a few farms have noted that some cold and wet weather earlier this year delayed things a little bit.
A typical strawberry season at many farms in this area only lasts a few weeks, though some farms have strawberries for longer stretches -- even most of the summer -- because their fields include a range of varieties that produce at different times. When you're at the farm stand, ask about the varieties the farms are growing. In our experience people are happy to talk about what's available, for how long, and why. It's also a good idea to call ahead or check the website before heading out.
Here are a handful of places in the greater Capital Region that you can pick your own strawberries. Know of a good place not on this list? Please share!
Capital Region swimming pools 2018
Albany's Lincoln Park
Updated
June has arrived, along with (mostly) warm weather. That means it's pool season.
Some of the Capital Region's municipal pools, beaches, and spray pads have already opened, and many more will be opening this month.
Here's a list of town/city swimming pools, spray pads, and state beaches around the Capital Region with info about when they open, hours, and admission fees.
A checklist for summer
The summer solstice -- with the longest daylight of the year -- has arrived. You know how in winter you dream of doing all those summer things? Get out there and do them! That time is now!
So we've put together a checklist of summer stuff to do...
Capital Region swimming pools 2017
Pool days.
Swimming pool season is here.
Some of the Capital Region's municipal pools, beaches, and spray pads have already opened, and many more will be opening soon.
After the jump, a list of town/city swimming pools, spray pads, and state beaches around the Capital Region with info about when they open, hours, and cost.
Capital Region swimming pools 2016
(splash)
Swimming pool season has arrived.
Many of the Capital Region's municipal pools, beaches and spray pads have already opened, or will be opening soon.
After the jump, a list of town/city swimming pools, spray pads, and state beaches around the Capital Region with info about when they open, hours, and cost.
A stolen summer day: outside
Sometimes the best places to get away are a little out of the way.
If you're lucky enough get a summer day all to yourself -- no work, no commitments, no rush -- you've gotta spend it outside, right?
Because as cold and harsh a winter's day here can be, we also get some of the most beautiful summer days -- bright blue skies with puffy white clouds, warm sun, and the occasional cooling breeze.
So we asked a handful of people who love spending time outdoors how they'd spend a stolen summer day...
A stolen summer day: eating
"Happy Camper" ice cream from Stewart's got a mention.
Seasonal foods are one of summer's pleasures. Fresh berries, salads, corn on the cob, and ice cream from a favorite seasonal stand are the stuff of many summer memories.
So if you could have your favorite summer treat from anywhere in the Capital Region, what would it be?
Deanna Fox asked a few local food lovers that question.
A stolen summer day: wandering
One of the stolen day destinations mentioned. / photo: Tony Iadicicco
Summer comes and goes so quickly upstate. And there's that constant tension between accomplishing all of the everyday tasks that are necessary to complete in our daily lives and diving into summer's pleasures.
During winter we get the occasional surprise snow day in which to curl up with a good book and a hot chocolate, or make a snowman. So what about summer?
We asked a handful of people what they would do with a stolen summer day...
Favorite lakes, rivers, streams, ponds, and other bodies of water
Grafton Lakes got a mention.
It is currently time to do all the summer things. And "all the summer things" often includes finding a lake, river, stream, some body of water to take in the view, relax by, dine next to, kayak in.
A few weeks back as part of the River Week drawing, we asked you about your favorite bodies of water around the Capital Region. There were a bunch of good suggestions. So, as with the neighborhood highlights, we combined all the suggestions into a clickable map and listing.
Have a look...
Capital Region Swimming Pools 2015
The Victoria Pool at Saratoga Spa State Park is opening daily starting Saturday, June 27.
Pool season has arrived. Many municipal pools around the Capital Region have already opened, or will very soon.
After the jump, a list of town/city swimming pools (and state beaches) around the Capital Region with info about when they open, hours, and cost.
Pick your own strawberry season 2015
So very June.
Strawberry season is here! Many local farms have recently opened for pick-your-own strawberries, or will be very shortly.
It seems like there's a fair amount of variability across farms this year -- some have gotten an early jump and others are still waiting for their berries. If we get a few sunny days following this rain, things could move along quickly.
A typical strawberry season at many farms in this area only lasts a few weeks, though some farms have strawberries for longer stretches -- even most of the summer -- because their fields include a range of varieties that produce at different times. When you're at the farm stand, ask about the varieties the farms are growing. In our experience people are happy to talk about what's available, for how long, and why. (It's also a good idea to call ahead or check the website before heading out.)
Here are a handful of places in the greater Capital Region that you can pick your own strawberries. Know of a good place not on this list? Please share!
Summer suggestions for a young adult visiting from out of town?
-S emails:
My (French) sister is 18 and she is flying to visit me for a month in August. I'm very excited to have her.
Her English is pretty good for a French kid her age. I would love to involve her in local activities -- she wants to get to know the American culture badly. (And she really wants to speak as much English as possible.) I don't know what an 18 year old does in the summer around here, though.
So far I've filled a volunteering form at the Albany Public Library, they might keep her busy for a few hours a week. I feel the service industry would be a bit too brutal for her first trip here. She loves volleyball, I'm sure she could play in the park this summer, but a youth league would be even better, if such a thing exists.
Maybe this is something people reading AOA would know about (or be interested to share)?
As a young adult, -S's sister will no doubt be able to find her own way to a large extent. But -S is trying to get her visit here off to a good start.
So, got a suggestion for -S's sister this summer? Please share!
Beach trips from the Capital Region
Sometimes nothing short of the ocean will do.
August is here and it's time to get out there and do all of those summer activities on your list. One of my favorites is a trip to the beach. And while Grafton Lakes or Lake George are nice, they don't really compare to the Atlantic Ocean.
The good news is that the Capital Region is close to some wonderful destinations for a day trip or overnight getaway to the beach.
Here are my top picks for ocean beach spots nearby...
Capital Region county fairs 2014
Sure, the county fair means rides, games, and food on a stick. But it's also an opportunity for some kids to compete for a ribbon (and have some fun while doing so).
County fair season in the Capital Region starts this week with the opening of the Saratoga County Fair in Ballston Spa. And there will be a county fair pretty much each week through Labor Day.
Here's a rundown of county fairs around the region.
Remember: drink plenty of water -- and eat many foods on a stick.
Pick-your-own blueberry season 2014
Blueberry season has started around the Capital Region, and we'll soon be right in the prime part of the season. Blueberries are are one of our favorite fruits to pick because:
1) The bushes grow about waist or chest high, so there's not a lot of bending or reaching.
2) The berries tend to be cheap -- usually between $2-$3 dollars per pound.
3) They freeze beautifully, meaning we can load up on berries during the summer and enjoy them months later.
There are a handful of farms around the Capital Region that offer pick-your-own blueberries. Here's a list with some info. And, of course, if you know of a place that should be on the list, please share.
Capital Region Swimming Pools 2014
The Victoria Pool is currently open weekends -- it opens daily starting June 28.
Updated June 27
Summer has officially started and that means pool season is here. Many public pools around the Capital Region have opened, or will very soon.
After the jump, a list of swimming pools around the Capital Region with info about when they open, hours, and cost.
Pick your own strawberry season 2014
Always a happy sight.
Strawberry season in the greater Capital Region has arrived! Many local pick-your-own farms are now open for the season.
Many farms just opened PYO during the last week or so. The cold spring and some of the rainy weather of late has apparently held back -- or sort of paused -- many of the strawberry fields. But the recent run of sunny, warm weather has things picking up, and this coming weekend is looking like prime berry picking.
A typical strawberry season at many farms in this area only lasts a few weeks, though some farms have strawberries for longer stretches because their fields include a range of varieties. (It's always a good idea to call ahead or check the website before heading out.)
Here are a handful of places in the greater Capital Region that you can pick your own strawberries. Know of a good place not on this list? Please share!
Pizza at Kay's Pizza
It is said that the pizza you grow up with is the pizza by which all other pizza will ever be judged -- regardless of how good or bad that childhood pizza was. As a result, pizzas of many types -- and a range of relative merits -- have a special place in the hearts of people.
Sure, that very poofy crust/exceptionally thin crust/sweet sauced/tangy sauced/underbaked/overbaked/whatever pizza might have its flaws, but it's your pizza. And eating it evokes memories.
No matter what type of pizza holds that place in your heart -- and no matter how good (or bad) that pizza is -- there is little doubt the pizza from Kay's will stand up to it favorably.
Free summer concert series schedule 2014
Living Colour opens the At the Plaza series this Wednesday, June 4.
The free summer concert series season starts this week with the At the Plaza series at Empire State Plaza on Wednesday. There are a handful of these series around the Capital Region, so we figured we'd make it easier to keep track of them by pouring them all into one schedule one page.
And here is that page...
Drawing: ValleyCats championship tickets (+ballpark food)
The ValleyCats take on the State College Spikes at The Joe in the NY-Penn League Championships tomorrow.
The Tri-City ValleyCats have reached the New York-Penn league Championships, and on Tuesday night, win or lose, they'll play their last home game of the 2013 season (games 2 and, if necessary, 3 will be played at State College PA.)
We have a four-pack of tickets for the tomorrow's game, that include food vouchers -- and we're giving them away, maybe to you.
To enter, please answer this question in the comments:
The end of the ValleyCats season is reminder that another summer has come and -- nearly-- gone. What's your favorite memory of the summer of 2013?
We'll pick one winner at random. That person will get a package that includes four tickets to Tuesday's game, plus vouchers for each person to get:
+ 1 beer or soda
+ 1 hot dog
+ 1 bag of chips
+ 1 ice cream sundae
Tuesday's game starts at 7 pm. Tickets to the game are still available and start at $5.50 online or $6.50 on game day.
Important: All comments must be submitted by 11:55 pm Monday, September 9, 2013 to be entered in the drawing. You must answer the question to be part of the drawing. One entry per person, please. You must enter a valid email address (that you check regularly) with your comment. The winner will be notified via email by 10 am on Tuesday, September 10 and must respond by noon that day.
... said KGB about Drawing: What's something that brought you joy this year?