Spirit of Beacon Day today! Marchers are lining up, and food vendors are getting into place. It's a beautiful day! Congratulations to the I Am Beacon 5K runners today!
UPDATE: Click here to see the floats from the Spirit of Beacon Day 2016.
Photo Credit: Google Maps
The City of Beacon is revisiting its Comprehensive Plan tonight at a special workshop from 7 to 9pm. It is open to the public, and if you can't attend, City Council Member Peggy Ross has provided an email address for those who live and work in Beacon to send suggestions: comprehensiveplan@cityofbeacon.org
The emphasis of tonight's workshop is on updating the city's Comprehensive Plan to reflect changes since the existing plan's adoption in 2007. The revamp will focus on recommendations for the waterfront and train station area. The meeting will be in the Memorial Building at 413 Main Street (Teller Avenue is the cross street).
People are encouraged to send an email with their suggestions to comprehensiveplan@cityofbeacon.org
UPDATE [9/24/16]: Some updates from the meeting were posted on its Facebook event page, and the video from the workshop has been posted.
Citizens and first responders gather to remember the heroism put forth by those who run into danger.
Photo Credit: Screenshot from the Beacon "9-11" Ceremony 2016.
On the morning of Sunday, September 11, 2016, Beacon residents gathered with first responders to remember the day 15 years ago when our country experienced one of the most devastating attacks on the people of our nation and those visiting from other countries.
The small gathering was held in front of a piece of steel beam from the World Trade Center towers, in the park across from the Beacon High School track, on the corners of Verplanck and N. Cedar Street (as it turns into Matteawan Road). Mayor Randy Casale spoke to remember the day, the lives lost, and the "ones who are still hurting, either on a personal level or with a sickness related to this incident." Fire trucks parked along Verplanck to frame the scene.
The Chief of the Beacon Fire Department spoke, recalling the "beautiful, sunny day" of that September 11th 15 years ago, and what happened that morning. He spoke to the safety that existed in our lives that day, and how that feeling of safety changed forever. "When the 911 dispatcher call goes out [to the responders], that is in the back of our minds. 'What is this incident going to be? Will it be a terrorist attack?'" The Chief concluded by remembering the heroes that were lost and made that day.
Photo Credit: Screenshot from the Beacon "9-11" Ceremony 2016.
The City of Beacon produced an 11-minute video of the ceremony, book-ended with images from the day, including symbols of wreckage that are stationed here in Beacon. Watch it during any moment of quiet in your day.
Many of Beacon's first responders in the fire department and ambulance corps are volunteers. You can donate at any time to them by responding to mailings to your home, or by calling them to see the best way to send a donation.
Donations to the Fire Department can be sent to:
City of Beacon Fire Department
Fire Department
13 South Avenue
Beacon, NY 12508
Radio Woodstock broadcasts from, well, Woodstock up in the Catskill Mountains, but they are coming down to Beacon to broadcast live from three different eateries on Thursday as part of their Road Tour of nine cities this summer: Bank Square, BAJA 328, and Max's on Main. The Radio Woodstock DJs have been interviewing business owners about the highlights of what is going on in each town. Set up in a format of 2 to 3 hourlong intervals of meet-and-greets, music will still be played throughout the day in between interviews.
You can listen to Radio Woodstock any time on the actual FM dial at 100.1 WDST or by clicking here to listen on the Internet. How modern!
As you're out and about, see if you notice the radio crew at any of these locations and times with the following organizations and businesses being interviewed. (We may update this list to include more, but this is the lineup information we received as of the publishing of this article):
Rick Brownell, current president of the Beacon Chamber of Commerce and owner of Freedom Ford at 420 Fishkill Ave. learned of the opportunity while he was recording one of his frequent radio commercials to air on independently owned Radio Woodstock, a media outlet he is passionate about supporting. "Sometimes when I'm done recording a commercial, the DJs will say to me 'Hey Rick, come up on the air with me and tell everyone what is going on in Beacon.'” Rick made a point to connect more businesses with this opportunity by working through Beacon's Chamber of Commerce.
Radio Woodstock "is proud to be one of the remaining independently owned and locally operated radio stations in the country. Billboard Magazine has named Radio Woodstock 100.1 'Best Station' many times." The station is owned by Gary Chetkof, founder of Mountain Jam. "They are pretty cool people, fun people," Rick says. "Many who work there have kids and live in the area, so their lives are invested in the area."
We at A Little Beacon Blog have been included in the initial lineup of interviews, and will be at BAJA 328 during the 12 to 2pm slot! being that we are used to writing very deliberately and can hit delete buttons to edit run-on sentences, we have begun practicing what amazing points we will try to hit about Beacon (if we make the cut to get on the air!).
Yay, Beacon, and yay, radio!
Having said that, we must go investigate the internet radio lab The Ground, which broadcasts different community shows from the old Beacon High School. Oh man, even the #ClubDraw group has a radio show about "interesting people drawing and listening to dope music" that is broadcast from Quinn's the first Tuesday of the month.
Off to investigate!
Scenic Hudson, keepers of Long Dock Park, the manmade peninsula that "connects the river's power and majesty" with people, pets and wildlife, will be presenting plans to enhance Long Dock Park to Beacon's Planning Board on Tuesday, August 9, at 7pm, in the hopes of securing a site plan in order to move forward. Plans in the proposal include:
Designers of the park upgrades will be at the meeting should the public wish to meet them. This meeting is not open to public comment, but a future meeting may offer that opportunity. People who want this project to move forward are encouraged to attend the meeting to show support.
Long Dock Park was a critical 19th-century transportation link between New England and points west, and once contained a rail-ferry terminal, warehouses and other buildings. More recently, it was home to an oil terminal, a salt-storage facility and a junkyard. Scenic Hudson has been responsible for removing all traces of that land's commercial and industrial past, and designing the infrastructure used today, including a kayak pavilion and beach for launching boats, rehabilitated wetlands and meadows that attract wildlife, and the restored, historic Red Barn, now Scenic Hudson's River Center for arts and environmental-education activities.
If the new, official After School Program is anything like the successful re-launch of the years-long dry Beacon Pool, then Beacon residents and students in the Beacon City School District are in for a treat. The After School Program, developed by the City of Beacon Recreation Department, will serve students in grades K-5 from 3pm to 6pm in Beacon's three elementary schools: Sargent, South Avenue, and Forrestal. Glenham, the fourth elementary school that Beacon kids attend, already has an After School Program through the Fishkill School District. Kids will be able to select from programs ranging from art to baking to yoga to engineering to bird study (bird study!) in the After School Program, which has opened registration for enrollment.
The program is directed by Mark Price, the director of the Beacon Parks and Recreation Department, and Nate Smith, City of Beacon assistant recreation director, and takes place at each of the schools. When asked about why the program was launched, Mark replied: "Our community and feedback! I have had the joy and privilege of working for the City of Beacon for the last eight years. In that time we have watched some of the most important programming lapse, with the closing of the Beacon Community Center and Martin Luther King Cultural Center, their after school programs. Some of the most continual feedback I have heard from our community in that time has been the hope for the return of after school programming in the schools. Here we are! So with the support of both the City of Beacon and the Beacon City School District, we are going to give it a try and make Beacon just a little bit better."
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The After School program will incorporate the creative talent available from parents and other residents of Beacon. Tapping into the community in this way has long been a dream of many: Interim Superintendent Ann Marie Quartironi mentioned it to me during a parent meeting, and Mark Price himself, who had used private After School Programs in the area for his own children, was immediately on board. Says Nate about his role with the program: "I have been working in recreation programs with school-aged children my whole career. I was a summer camp director for several years and ran after school programs in Monticello for almost two years. I love working with school-aged children and giving them an opportunity to do some really fun and enriching stuff."
If the promotional Instagrams have indicated that this program is special and designed for residents who like variety and stability in their child's lives, then the actual curriculum will have you wishing you could sign yourself up. Says Nate about the new program: "I am excited to be a part of this project and bring this type of programming to my community. There are so many talented people in Beacon. I know that children, including my own, will benefit from exposure to the arts, nature and a variety of athletic activities that they might not have otherwise."
Take a look at the initial schedule for Session 1, which runs from September 12 - November 11, 2016:
Please note that this schedule was taken from the City of Beacon's website on 8/2/16, and may have changed. Please see the website for Beacon's After School Program for the most up-to-date listing and details.
Different classes are run on different days at select schools. Instructors include those you know from local businesses, offering a wide range of classes. Five Hens, a local baker and specialist in dark chocolate, will help kids learn about measurements and adapting recipes, the science involved in baking as well as a general knowledge and an appreciation of food. Audubon New York’s For the Birds program teaches environmental awareness and appreciation of nature through the study of birds. Students learn about their local, natural environment through indoor and outdoor lessons as well as a conservation project designed to enhance a bird habitat. Junior Engineers is a hands-on program that will bring together a variety of engineering elements. Students will use robots, computer coding, mechanical advantage, LEGO blocks and motors to solve problems.
There are four sessions offered throughout the year:
Session 1: September 12 - November 11, 2016
Session 2: November 14, 2016 - January 20, 2017
Session 3: January 23 - April 7, 2017
Session 4: April 17 - June 15, 2017
Pricing is based on signing up for a consistent day of the week through an entire session, and is $125 for each type of day. For example, if you sign your child up for every Tuesday, the price is $125 to go on Tuesday for the entire session, with a slight discount available to those signing up for five days.
As you are planning after school activities, use A Little Beacon Blog's Kids Classes Guide to see how you want to balance all of the opportunities available. It includes free options from various programs, sports registrations, and other classes available in Beacon as well as Fishkill and neighboring towns.
Parents, start your calendars!
City of Beacon residents often have overflowing recycling cans. Hopefully that will be remedied by weekly recycling pickup, with more garbage going to the ReCommunity Beacon recycling rather than the landfill.
Back in March of 2016, we reported on a pilot recycling program launched by Royal Carting, the company who picks up recycling and garbage for Beacon. A lot of support was typed into comments on our article by people hoping that the 620 houses selected to participate in the pilot program would fill up their recycling cans enough each week to warrant weekly recycling pickup for the whole city. And they did, according to City Council Members and Royal Carting, who voted unanimously on it at a City Council Meeting on July 5, 2016, based on a presentation delivered by Royal Carting at a Workshop Meeting on June 27, 2016. About 62% of single-family and two-family houses used in the pilot program filled up their recycling cans every week.
Weekly recycling pickup will begin Monday, August 1, 2016. This increase in services from Royal Carting includes other pickups, including Monday-Friday pickup of cans on Main Street at no additional cost, an e-waste container for computers, TVs and other acceptable waste with once-per-month pickup at the Transfer Station, and an additional pickup of a can at The University Settlement Camp. According to Mayor Randy Casale, the cost of the service increase will initially come from money the city already has through a budget amendment. The program will initially run for 5 months, and be evaluated for the 2017 budget. Says Mayor Casale: "We figured if we do the program citywide starting August 1, we will have a better idea about how it works throughout the city. As we put our budget together, we will know if it adds value."
Turns out, Beaconites are minimizing what goes into the trash in a few ways. First, they've been putting more waste into recycling cans. How cool is that?! Also, Beaconites are using food waste composting systems, via bins at their homes and businesses as well as by paying a small fee to drop off food waste at collection buckets (aka the Zero Waste Station) at the Farmers Market from Zero to Go, instead of or in addition to Zero to Go's home service, thereby reducing the amount of garbage going to the landfill. That not only is an event worth jumping up and down about for the environment, but it is a reduction in fees that the City pays per ton for dumped trash. Royal Carting, as required by their contract with the City of Beacon, conducts four surveys per year to determine the amount of garbage collected to see what the fee paid by the City would be, and noticed that it had decreased significantly - by $2,200 per month. With a savings in the garbage per ton, Royal Carting proposed to conduct weekly recycling. Weekly pickup can result in the City being charged even less for garbage being disposed of, and more recycling to the ReCommunity Beacon recycling plant, who in turn pays the City of Beacon $15 per ton of recycling items delivered from Beacon by Royal Carting, according to Mayor Casale in an email to A Little Beacon Blog.
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Normally, according to Royal Carting's General Counsel Jim Constantino (who delivered the presentation of the proposal for weekly recycling pickup), participation in recycling in Beacon, as well as in the villages of Fishkill and Wappingers Falls, is 90%, versus the 62% that came in during the pilot program. While this initial figure from the pilot program is lower, Mr. Constanino suggested the reason for the lower percentage is related to the types of residential units selected for the pilot program.
"One important point was that the neighborhoods we selected were basically single-family, maybe two-family homes," said Mr. Constantino during the City Council's Workshop Meeting. "Where we think there would be a significant increase in recycling are the multifamily apartment-like structures in some of the commercial areas that you have throughout the city. Those neighborhoods were not in the pilot program. But we know that multifamily apartment units are looking for more recycling services. We think that they would generate a disproportionately greater amount of recycling." In a City Council meeting dated July 5, 2016, Mayor Casale echoed that sentiment, basing his opinion on feedback he had heard from local trash expert and educator, Sarah Womer, founder of Zero to Go, an education-based waste management company focused on composting and recycling.
When asked by A Little Beacon Blog to clarify why the apartments would generate more recycling, Mr. Constantino replied: "The apartment complexes have more residents per tax parcel, so we fully anticipate that the collection tonnage will be higher. We specifically excluded apartment complexes from the pilot because we were concerned that would have distorted recycling tonnage. We sought to design the pilot to generate an accurate — if not conservative — estimate of anticipated increased recycling tonnage."
Getting the word out about weekly recycling would also be important, and would hopefully catch on quickly. As it is now, neighbors often rely on each other, scoping out who has an orange-topped can on the curb to figure out if it's the week of recycling pickup. During the Workshop Meeting, Mr. Constantino agreed with Council Member Omar Harper (Ward Two), that education is important. Recycling cans with picture-based instructions laminated to the top of them were put out a year or two ago, according to Mr. Constantino, despite separation laws going into effect years before that. "When they passed the Sort Separation Law in Dutchess County in 1991, [it caused the] system [to] change dramatically. Now it's so simple. Just put everything in the one can and you’re done — no separation." Mr. Constantino said Royal Carting would be "happy" to participate in flyers and forums about what is recyclable, when asked by Council Member Ali T. Muhammad (Ward Four) about their involvement in educational outreach.
So what about the five-day a week pickup of the metal circular cans on Main Street, which is an increase from a three-day pickup? Council Member Peggy Ross (Ward One), observed: "I was pretty surprised to read that you would be able to add two pickups a week. How is that affordable? That’s a gift." According to Mr. Constantino during the Workshop Meeting, overflowing cans have been a "big issue for the City Manager, for the Mayor, and the Highway Department." He stated that more frequent pickup would help solve that issue. Mayor Casale had this to say when emailed for a comment about that issue for this article: "I believe this will help keep Main Street clean and attractive."
With more of the public being educated about the economics and commodities of garbage, the fact that Beacon is paid $15 per ton for recycling comes as a surprise to many, and a hopeful income-based side-note to the weekly pickup. Mr. Constantino reflected during the Workshop that years ago, recycling used to pay $60 per ton. During the July 5, 2016 City Council Meeting, Mayor Casale recalled when the City actually paid a fee to have their recycling disposed of. So things are always changing in this trash world.
Does Mayor Casale think this price increase for service will be offset by money taken in by the City by an increase in payments for recycling tonnage, thereby not leading to an increase in taxes? We asked him via email. "No, I do not believe that the price increase in service will be fully offset by recycling," he replied. "But if it does show increase in recycling and reduction in garbage even though it might cost more, it will be the right thing to do." Mayor Casale elaborated more during the July 5 City Council Meeting: "If we get the savings, it’s a plus. I learned a long time ago that garbage is an ever changing thing. A couple of years ago, we were getting $30 or $40 per ton for recyclables. And now we are getting $15 per ton. And I’m sure some day, we might get nothing. I remember years ago, we were paying $30 per ton to get rid of recyclables. So it’s always ever changing. When we talk about the cost, anything we save is a plus."
So guess what? No more asking your neighbors if it's recycling pickup this week, and you're less likely to put it out on the wrong week. And hopefully, we'll have fewer overflowing cans and blowing trash when the cans do overflow.
PS: If you look real close at the picture illustrating this article, you'll see plastic bags from the grocery store containing some of the recycling in this can. That is to prevent the recycling from falling out of the can that overflows each week. Trash enthusiasts know that plastic bags have no value, and generally cannot be recycled with curbside pickup. (Don't forget, you can always take bags to Key Food, where there's a bin near the front dedicated just to them! Other stores like Target have similar plastic bag collection bins.) A recent article published by the Poughkeepsie Journal based on a field trip to ReCommunity Beacon outlines how plastic bags really mess up the system when a bag gets into the cogs and sprockets. Now with weekly recycling, the use of plastic bags to contain loose recyclables may decrease.
The Beacon Pool Season Pass that arrived by mail. One card per family.
It came! The Season Pass to the Beacon Pool. One doesn't need a season pass (and they are sold out by now), but they sure are handy when dashing to the pool without thinking of day pass dollars to scrounge up. You can always pay at the gate the day you go to the pool.
Here's what you will find handy to pack, aside from sunscreen:
Mark your calendar for every Wednesday night, as there is a communal Pot Luck that happens at the Beacon Pool. A Little Beacon Blog keeps track of this in our Ongoing Guide, that tracks regular events that happen every certain day of the week, or every 4th or 2nd or whatever day of the week or month.
Have fun!
UPDATE: For Pumpkins and Parades for 2016, click here
The tree leaves are turning, there's a crisp note in the air, and every now and then, we catch a whiff of wood smoke. All signs point to fall. But our autumn wouldn't be complete without some family-friendly Halloween celebrations!
The Hudson Valley has a wealth of spooky fall fun. (Maybe you've heard of a little place called Sleepy Hollow?) Here are some of our favorite events and pumpkin-picking spots, all a little closer to our Beacon home.
Need pumpkin decoratin
g ideas after you collect all of these pumpkins? Consider a couple of our favorites -
, or
using a power drill to make beaded designs
.
Saturday, October 10, 2015
10 am
Location:
Pavilion at Beacon Memorial Park
Kids 15 and younger can compete for Top Carver in two age divisions (13 to 15, and 12 and under). Parents should supervise children at all times! Supplies will be provided, but are limited. Sign up ahead of time at City Hall. Organizers insist, no professionals, please.
Saturday, October 17, 2015
10 am to 6 pm
Location:
Meiser Park, Wappingers Falls
The second annual festival, in the heart of the village just up Route 9D, will feature a parade, festive food, face-painting, music (an Alice Cooper tribute band, in fact) and a pumpkin patch, among other activities for the whole family.
Sunday, October 18, 2015
Noon to 5 pm
Location:
Pe
te and Toshi Seeger Riverfront Park
Volunteers from the Beacon Sloop Club will serve chili, while pumpkin pie and a host of other treats will be available from vendors. Farm-fresh pumpkins will be for sale, too! And, keeping with the spirit of the late, longtime Sloop Club member Pete Seeger, tunes from several local musicians, a
ll set to the backdrop of the mighty Hudson
.
Friday, October 23rd, 2015
Locations:
7pm Parade Lineup at Chase Bank
7:30pm Parade begins at Chase Bank, and then ends at The Falls
Enjoy this spooky dark party! Costumes and lights are encouraged, including flashlights or other creative lights that may come with your costume, like a light saber or glowing staff! Being that it's dark and late, this is for adults only. Parade ends at The Hop. Get dinner ideas here in A Little Beacon Blog's Restaurant Guide, and consider making reservations first at any restaurant, as you'll be with several other hungry people.
Saturday, October 24th, 2015
12pm to 5pm
Location:
Chill Wine Bar
Treat yourself to tarot and other types of readings from 8 to 10 readers from Notions & Potions. Readings are $25 for 20 minutes of indulgence in your future - if you dare! This event is for adults only.
Saturday, October 24th, 2015
DJ: 7 to 10pm; movie: 10pm to midnight
Location:
St. Rocco's, 26 South Chestnut Street
Boo-gie the night away to a rockin' DJ at St. Rocco's! It's the brick building up the hill on South Chestnut. (You've passed it many times as you drove behind the parking lot for the Yankee Clipper diner or Beacon Flea.) In keeping with The Rocky Horror Picture Show tradition, you should probably dress up! Tickets are $25 at the door and a cash bar is available.
S
unday, October 25, 2015
11
:30
a
m
Registration at Beacon Barkery, 192 Main Street
12:
0
0pm:
Contest
begins
Location:
Cross Street and Main Stre
et, Beacon (near River Winds Gallery)
Dress up your fur-friend in the cutest costume ever!
Prizes
are award
ed for:
Look Ali
ke
Cutest
Scariest
Most Original
S
unday, October 25, 2015
12:30 pm
Parade Lineup at the Visitor's Center & Peace Park
(South Avenue/9D and Main Street)
1pm: Parade begins
Location:
Main Stre
et, Beacon
Cost
umed kids start lining up at Peace Park (South Avenue/9D and Main Street) near the Visitor's Center at 12:30 for a parade down Main Street at 1pm. Trick-or-treating at businesses follows the stroll. Don't forget to check in at the
behind the Post Office, too! They'll have some treats for the little goblins.
Carving: Tuesday, October 27 to Friday, October 30, 2015, 3 pm to 6 pm
Lighting: Friday, October 30, 2015, 6 pm to 8 pm
Location:
Long Dock Park, Beacon waterfront
On afternoons Tuesday to Friday, visit Long Dock Park to put your carving skills to use on pumpkins provided by Scenic Hudson. Stick around Friday evening, when the jack o'lanterns will be set aglow and displayed throughout the park.
Sa
turday, October 31, 2015
2 pm to 5 pm
Lo
cati
on:
Dutchess Stadium, 1500 Route 9D, Wappingers Falls
This free family event, hosted by the
baseball team, will have tons of entertainment and activities, including inflatable amusements, trick-or-treating from vendors' tables, and pumpkin painting. For more information, call (845) 838-0094.
Select your perfect pumpkin from patches at these farms. It's always a good idea to call before you go, to confirm hours, prices and availability.
has pumpkins in their Pick-Your-Own patch set on the 20-acre farm. Fall Harvest Fest weekends include hayrides, fo
od and music. Open daily, 9 am to 6 pm, rain or shine ($5 per car admission on weekends and holidays).
CROWD ALERT!
There are
many, many people at Fishkill Farms
during this season.
in Newburgh has pumpkins in their Pick-Your-Own patch, as well as at their farm stand. You'll also find apples and other seasonal produce, as well as a hay bale maze and a mini-village for kids to play. Lawerence Farms is on many, many acres of beautiful Hudson Vall
ey land, so you have plenty o
f space to run and pla
y
despite
the number o
f people
who are there.
Open daily, 9 am to 4 pm.
AFTERNOON CLOSING ALERT
!
Lawrence Farms closes at 4pm, so
get th
ere
during the first part of your day.
, also in New
burgh, promises "no razz a ma tazz" at their fourth-generation farm stand and Pick-Your-Own area. Open daily except Tuesdays, 8 am to 6 pm.
In a pinch? These markets usually have an easy grab-and-go selection of pumpkins and other colorful winter squash, often locally grown!
, 268 Main St., Beacon
, 160 Old Post Road (Route 9), Wappingers Falls
, 1490 Route 9, Wappingers Falls
Sponsored by Antalek and Moore Insurance Agency.
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The City of Beacon entered into a contract with Legal Services of the Hudson Valley to provide increased access to Beacon tenants facing eviction. They may also be able to help with sources of rent arrears assistance. Call the paralegal, Steven Mihalik at 845-253-6953 to inquire.
Dutchess County Helpline. Open 24/7 to take your calls, listen, and give you resources.
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