Anne's Arts & Activities Blog

The University of Pittsburgh at Bradford Sustainability Committee will sponsor a series of free workshops on indoor gardening with master gardener Bob Harris during January and February. All three workshops will be held beginning at 10 a.m. in the Harriett B. Wick Chapel on campus. The series begins January 25 with terrariums. Participants can bring their own clear glass or plastic containers and purchase plants for the terrarium for $3 each at the workshop, which will also include learning the old art of terrarium sand painting. The second event will be Indoor Gardening for Your Health on Feb. 8. Learn how to use indoor plants to improve your indoor environment, health and well-being. On Feb. 22, Harris will teach another make-and-take workshop on Zen sand gardens. Participants can bring any favorite colored sand or rocks they may have. Harris is a certified master gardener through Penn State Cooperative Extension, the p...

While you're preparing for the "Frankenstorm," remember your trees! Master Gardner Bob Harris talked about that on today's season finale of "Around the Home." Listen here . The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

We saw this woolly bear caterpillar outside -- and inside -- our studios earlier this week. So, what do the stripes tells us about the impending winter season? Master Gardener Bob Harris has the answer: Listen here . If you'd like to ask Bob a question, give him a call today at 368-9372 during "Around the Home with Bob Harris" at 8:30 a.m. on 1490 WESB and at WESB.com . The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

By Kimberly Marcott Weinberg Assistant Director of Communications and Marketing Artists Monet, Van Gogh and Georgia O’Keeffe were inspired by flowers, but Bob Harris, facilities worker and gardener at the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford, is inspired by the artists. This year, Harris has designed the flower beds at Pitt-Bradford with an artistic influence in mind. Each major planting is inspired by the work of an artist: Monet, Van Gogh, Titian (he wanted to throw in a Renaissance painter), Georgia O’Keeffe and Picasso. It’s not the first year his beds have had a scholarly theme. They’ve been based on the colors of ancient Egypt (complete with plexiglass pyramid), mimicked Victorian carpet patterns and reproduced the Minotaur’s Labyrinth on the Greek island of Crete. This theme, he said, reflects his interest in and envy of painters. Plus, he’s got art in the family – a wife who loves art history and a daughter who’s a mixed media artist in New M...

Nick Distrola of Bradford sent us these pictures from his yard this morning. Regular listeners to 1490 WESB's "Around the Home" may remember the racoon family that raided Nick's plum tree this summer. In the middle of the picture is that very tree. By the way, if you missed any broadcasts of "Around the Home" you can still listen to any or all of them by going to http://wesb.com/bob/index.php

A caller to this morning's "Around the Home with Bob Harris" asked how to keep raccoons away from his plum tree. He sent us pictures of the cute critters, who may be a little surprised if Nick uses the cayenne peppper method to keep them away. If you missed today's "Around the Home," or any other show from this season, go here to listen on demand. Nick also sent us a picture of one of the bears that's been visiting his neighborhood.

Earlier this week we told you about the return of the giant hogweed plant. This morning on "Around the Home," Master Gardner Bob Harris talked more about the plant and also wanted to make sure people know that it can live for quite a long time before growing the large umbrella-sized leaves it's known for. Listen to Around the Home by clicking here , then clicking on the "Giant Hogweed" show. Photos provided by the New York Invasive Species Clearinghouse .

This Luna Moth was on the back door at WESB and The HERO this morning. Master Gardner Bob Harris says you don’t see them a whole lot but there are a few around here. He says it's called a "luna" moth -- as in lunar -- because it does most of its work in the evening -- going to flowers to collect nectar, and pollinating. If you'd like to listen to "Around the Home with Master Gardner Bob Harris -- today's show or any from this season -- go to http://wesb.com/bob/index.php