Happening Today 3/20/2020 Edition - COVID-19 + Shopping + Restaurant Edition

Hi, This week was a little rough. It was the first Learn From Home Week for parents, the Internet got glitchy, and last night, California did go on a "Don't Leave Your House This Evening" drill (they've already been living in a Stay At Home state). That was the first time most of us saw something like that happen. At least lately, LOL. The national media has woken up to coronavirus, possibly in part because their offices have been shut down for COVID-19 prevention, and their coverage has gone wild. It is helpful to have the information, but it's a lot all at once. This morning while outside, a long siren sounded. ALBB has gotten questions about it in the past, but we never pursued it. So today, we pursued it. People walking around, who might normally be at work in New York City but are housebound now, might have been little spooked to hear that old-fashioned sound. Turns out, it's just a regular old fire announcement siren from across the river that traveled here especially loudly because of the humid, foggy day, according to Beacon's fire chief. The sirens are used to alert volunteer firefighters to the call of duty. Beacon does not have sirens, says the chief, because the fire department uses other technology to mobilize their force. Awesome to know this bit of Beacon trivia. Beacon businesses have been preparing for a 100% closure of non-essential businesses all week. In one week, we saw statewide mandates for bars to close, movie theaters, gyms, casinos, and others. The mandate to close barber shops and salons came next, and shortly after that, the 100% just-close-everything-that-is-non-essential. Gov. Andrew Cuomo has been stressing the importance of regional cooperation, so that states next to us don't get flooded with people seeking what they need. Therefore, Connecticut and New Jersey are working together to make the same policies as New York. Ohio is also a few days ahead of us in policies that New York eventually makes. So policies are spreading and catching on. Just like Social Distancing. Gov. Cuomo has been reassuring to listen to during this crisis, mind-bending as it is. But we need a leader. A general. As he describes it, we are in a war fighting this pandemic. In one week, we are at war mentality. One of the best things he has done is providing context to his announcements. He leads us down the path of what he needs (ventilators, ICU beds, buildings to put those beds in, etc.), and then delivers a dramatic mandate to help slow the spread in order to give him time to get this preparation work done. A Little Beacon Blog is going to take that cause-based approach in our article production as we cover coronavirus. Headlines alone can be shocking. We need to know the why behind the headline, and why now. We are going to do our best to deliver to you timely information. But we are only publishing articles after we listen to a press conference, grab a significant amount of quotes, and present what just happened. HOW A LITTLE BEACON BLOG IS DOING Good. Katie will always tell you "good," but ALBB will provide preparation-type articles that may sometimes be uncomfortable to face. TEAM: A Little Beacon Blog is paying our people in place. That is a little wobbly, because our business is based on advertisers, many of whose businesses have just been cut. In this time, Team ALBB has never been more at-the-ready to jump in and make something happen. Team ALBB will get paid as long as we can hold out! One of our revenue streams is website production, and we did have a client pull out from the VC medical device world, but we are getting requests for other projects, so we shall see. We are stretching everything we can to bring on more writers to bring you developments in a more timely fashion. You may hear something on national news, but it can be a lot to take in at once. We are going to cover it with an angle on how it impacts Beaconites. Katie's spouse works in the film industry, and they are completely shut down for at least two months, but are not going down without a fight. As you may have seen, Savannah Guthrie of the TODAY Show has COVID-19 symptoms, and filmed from her home basement, and Conan O'Brien announced he will record his show on his iPhone while his crew works from home. Love this resilience. ADVERTISERS & SPONSORS: As we are seeing, businesses are responding in new ways to still get their product to their clients and customers. Business people are some of the most resilient and creative people we've met. A Little Beacon Blog is super-focused on their needs, and will help promote whatever they are doing when they need it. If now is the time you want to get a permanent spot in our promotion, do it. We're ecstatic to have you, and to get your message to the people eager to help you and buy from you. HELPING BEACON BUSINESSES A Little Beacon Blog has further enhanced our Restaurant and Shopping Guides. Both Guides rank No. 1 in Google when people search for where to shop or eat in Beacon, so repurposing these into a Coronavirus Cheat Sheet is the most efficient way we can show people how to reach our Main Street businesses right now. This includes updates for ALL of the Restaurants and Shops on Main Street. We look through their social media, and take insider tips as well. The basic update is done at no cost to the business. The support from our current advertisers of A Little Beacon Blog (see below) are how we make this happen, and we are able to show you more of what our sponsors are doing through their regular placements. If you would like to show more of what you offer, you can look into that here for Restaurants, and here for Shopping. Other types of businesses (fitness, beauty, etc) can look into our Business Directory. EAT CHURCH (Closed For Now) While the food truck has powered down for now, they are posting recipes! This one is for the Pumpkin Chutney. It is called the ISOLATION RECIPE. Get the details here > BARB'S BUTCHERY Thank gosh for essential businesses. Meat has been flying out of Barb's Butchery. Watch her Instagram for food announcements and reserve your order ahead for curbside pickup. The grill has powered down for menu items; the shop is taking meat orders only. Get details > LUXE OPTIQUE Don't think the Luxe Optique team isn't here for you. If you need something for your frames or eyes, you can contact them to make a special arrangement. Help them now by voting Best Of Hudson Valley! LAMBS HILL BRIDAL BOUTIQUE The gorgeous boutique is closed for now, but the staff is ready to help with online viewing and ordering! Browse dresses > BINNACLE BOOKS Jenny Odell's “How to Do Nothing: Resisting the Attention Economy” - well, if that isn't more fitting for these times... Order via Binnacle's super easy order form! Pickup or Delivery. Get Details > PTACEK Home When not in the store, PTACEK Home is in their happy place building and designing furniture from reclaimed wood. They could even design you a bathroom vanity and have it delivered... Get Details > LLTO (LIVE LIGHT TRAVEL OFTEN) The WiFi Pillow. An essential for any person right now connecting with others online. Block-printed indigo by hand and perfectly designed, understated modern beauty. Buy Online! > COLD FIT CRYOTHERAPY The essential treatment for pain, and even a little weight loss. We have heard from some of you who've tried it, and you're hooked. Buy A Gift Certificate Online! > BUSINESS DIRECTORY FEATURES ANTALEK & MOORE Ever the planners, Antalek & Moore is telling you to plan ahead. In this case, it's a short budget exercise. Do It > TIN SHINGLE Katie from ALBB also runs Tin Shingle, an empowerment and education platform for businesses to get the word out. She has started daily Morning Messages as we walk through this time together. They are short, like two minutes. Watch and learn! Find On Instagram > COVID-19 FINANCIAL GOV. CUOMO ISSUES DIRECTIVE TO NEW YORK STATE MORTGAGE COMPANIES TO PAUSE BILLING FOR 90 DAYS ALBB was chasing this story all week. Emailing local banks. We were getting receptive answers, but nothing concrete. And then Gov. Cuomo made that choice for them. Those of us still using Big Banks still need to fend for ourselves. Maybe the Fed will issue something... Get The Article > ANTALEK & MOORE CONFIRMS PROGRESSIVE INSURANCE IS OPEN TO FLEXIBILITY Another crack in the world of big bills. Will this work more broadly? Who knows! But it's nice to know that options are opening. Get The Article > COVID-19 LOCAL BEACON'S CITY COUNCIL MET FOR FIRST TIME - SOCIALLY DISTANCED Calling in to ask your questions during the City Council meetings is possible, and the phone number will be available soon. Meanwhile, this article gives a brief recap of the CoronaCoverage during the meeting. Get The Article > COVID-19 LIFESTYLE THE INTERNET IS GETTING OVERLOADED - NETFLIX LIMITS BANDWIDTH IN EUROPE With all of our kids learning online (OK, that's a theory, and let's face it, they are all just having digital playdates at this point), and fitness centers doing their routines via Zoom, the Internet is getting a workout. Get The Article > KEY FOOD ONE OF FIRST GROCERY STORES TO RESERVE 7-8AM FOR SENIORS-ONLY SHOPPING This article talks about the trend in custom shopping, and includes tips for helping your older neighbors keep themselves safe. Get The Article > LIST OF LINKS ALBB USES FOR ARTICLES ALBB made this List of Links to easily reference major websites, as you follow health changes and legislative updates. We update our list as new resources become available. Get The List > COVID-19 ART A MESSAGE FROM HOWLAND CULTURAL CENTER Art In The Time Of Coronavirus Get The Article > EVEN MORE HEADLINES AT ALBB We're telling you, we were busy this week!! Hopefully we will send you shorter emails as we get into the groove of CoronaCoverage. Coronavirus and Stigma: Learn The Facts - Infographic Clearwater's Community Response To COVID-19 Stay Connected - Sign Up For Beacon's Emergency Alert Phone/Email System Gov. Cuomo Aggressively Pushes Trump For Army Corps of Engineers To Build Hospitals For NY Dutchess County and Chamber of Commerce Initiating A Communication Channel For Businesses NY, CT, NJ Close Gyms, Movie Theaters, Casinos. Bars/Restaurants Takeout Only OK. Regional Cooperation Stressed UPDATE! Residential and Commercial Evictions Are Banned Statewide Until Further Notice Parents: Avoid Each Other At Lesson Pickup. Resist Bringing Kids (I Know - Hard!) Or Keep Them And You In The Car NYC Schools Close Until April 20 - Possibly Longer - And NYC Isn't Alone Takeout Is Trending As Beaconites Stay Home And Self-Quarantine Dutchess Country Sheriff's Office Suspends Enforcement Of Evictions For 2 Weeks Beacon Cancels Or Postpones Easter At Memorial Park, Beacon Barks Parade, Easter Sunrise Service, And Good Friday Procession City Of Beacon's Message To Residents Regarding Coronavirus Procedures And Upcoming Plans Food Pantry At Beacon Recreation Remains Open On Saturdays - Precautions Being Taken SPONSOR SPOTLIGHT We got a suggestion from a reader, who wanted to know how to send A Little Beacon Blog financial support to help us continue to produce. Even just $5. First of all: THANK YOU to that reader for wanting to do this! If you are feeling like you want to send ALBB anything as a reader (different from advertising programs, we do have those!) then visit the new link in the ABOUT tab, called: “I Want To Support ALBB!” Different amounts are available, starting at $5. Click here or the graphic above to learn more on how you can help! Support Here! > READERS WHO SUPPORTED THIS WEEK: Ellen Verdibello - “Thanks for all you do to keep Beacon informed!” Marissa Howlett Deborah Bigelow - "@gildedtwig thanks Katie and the entire ALBB team for continuing to publish informative posts, as well as personal and business updates on Instagram. Your work is supporting readers - even in far-flung burbs like Somers, NY - to find community and a bit of humor in this hard time. Thank you!!!" THANK YOU, Readers!

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