NEW Events Added to ALBB's Event Calendar: Fun with Science Returns; and Women's Work

Fun with Science returns to Beacon's Main Street, and is seeking businesses with storefronts in Beacon to participate. Meanwhile at the Howland Cultural Center, catch "Women's Work: A Stitch in Time" with musical notables. These events and more can be found in A Little Beacon Blog's Event Calendar.

Women's Work: A Stitch in Time
Hosted by Lydia Adams Davis and featuring Lara Herscovitch, Amy Soucy, Colleen Kattau, Bev Grant, Goldee Greene, Lindsey Wilson and more!
Day: Sunday, April 15, 2018
Time: 3 pm
Location: Howland Cultural Center, 477 Main St., Beacon, NY

Fun with Science!
Day: Throughout April
Time: Stores' usual business hours
Location: Main Street, Beacon. Go inside stores to see their unique displays, and learn how science relates to their business!
Fun with Science is a super-science community event for all ages that will be held along Beacon's Main Street during April. Science is everywhere - artists, chefs, candy-makers, glass blowers, environmentalists, architects, etc. all use principals of science in their respective crafts. An itinerary of businesses and organizations that will be doing activities, programs, demos, and displays will be available inside the library. Businesses or organizations interested in participating can contact missvickiemusic@gmail.com.

Happening This Weekend 3/23/2018

Here is our suggestion for proceeding to leave your house this weekend: Just do it. Don't look at your weather app. Just go. Many stores in Beacon have stayed open while it is snowing, so go out and enjoy the weather, and reward those shops! Many seasonal activities are happening this weekend, from maple syrup fests to egg hunts that you don't want to miss... PS: Beacon Businesses who are along the path of people walking down Main Street for the sweet festival in May: Vendor booths have filled up. So start preparing for this year's event! Beacon storefronts within the Cupcake Festival boundaries are encouraged to put out tables on the sidewalk. Remember last year? Sponsored by Antalek & Moore for car insurance. Spring Break Pajama Party Ages: 5-12 Day: Friday, March 23, 2018 Time: 6 to 8:30 pm Location: Beacon Performing Arts Center, 327B Main St., Beacon, NY Information > Movies That Matter presents “Making a Killing: Guns, Greed and the NRA” Day: Friday, March 23, 2018 Time: 7 pm (doors), 7:30 pm (start time) Location: First Presbyterian Church of Beacon, 50 Liberty St. in McKinley Hall, Beacon, NY Information > Easter Egg-Stravaganza Day: Saturday, March 24, 2018 (rain date March 25) Time: 10 am to 4 pm Location: Fishkill Farms, 9 Fishkill Farm Road, Hopewell Junction, NY Information > Art+Feminism Wikipedia Edit-a-thon Day: Saturday, March 24, 2018 Time: 11 am to 3 pm Location: Howland Public Library, 313 Main St., Beacon, NY Information > Sugar Maple Celebration Day: Saturday, March 24, 2018 Time: 10 am to 4 pm Location: Sharpe Reservation Camp, Camp Hidden Valley, 436 Van Wyck Lake Road, Fishkill, NY Information > March For Our Lives - Hudson Valley Day: Saturday, March 24, 2018 Time: 11 am to 1 pm Location: Walkway Over the Hudson, 61 Parker Ave., Poughkeepsie, NY Information > Educational Presentation: Drug & Alcohol Prevention Day: Sunday, March 25, 2018 Time: 2 to 3 pm Location: Howland Public Library, 313 Main St., Beacon, NY Information > Carnival of the Animals Day: Sunday, March 25, 2018 Time: 4 pm Location: Howland Cultural Center, 477 Main St., Beacon, NY Information > Plan ahead and check out what's coming up this month in our Events Guide.     Thank you to Beacon Pilates for sponsoring the Classes for Adults Guide! Defensive Driving Course Day: Saturday, March 24, 2018 Time: 8:30 am to 3 pm Location: Antalek & Moore, 340 Main St., Beacon, NY Enrollment for this class is full, but sign up for the next one in April! Information > For a full list of upcoming classes and workshops of all kinds, visit our Adult Classes Guide.              Beacon Junior Baseball Registration Day: Registration is open now! Location: Games are held at Memorial Park Registration Information > Thank you, Beacon Junior Baseball, for sponsoring this Kids' Classes Guide! Sewing: Wrist Warmers Ages: 8+ Day: Sunday, March 25, 2018 Time: 2 to 3:30 pm Location Beetle & Fred, 171 Main St., Beacon, NY Information > For a full list of upcoming classes, visit our Kids' Classes Guide.   Hudson Valley Restaurant Week Days: March 12-25, 2018 Have you been meaning to try several restaurants in Beacon? Don't miss this great opportunity for a $32.95 dinner at these participating restaurants: Beacon Hotel and Restaurant, Cafe Amarcord, The Roundhouse, The Pandorica, and Kitchen Sink Food & Drink. Full list of HVRW restaurants > Thank you to BAJA for sponsoring the Restaurant Guide!     BOUTIQUES ON THE WEST END   Luxe Optique 183 Main Street www.luxeoptique.com DEAL ALERT Luxe Optique prides itself on providing the best eyewear - that includes frames as well as premium lenses. Luxe Optique is offering a special, called the Ultimate Lens Package, on their new state-of-the-art Varilux X lenses. These lenses have patented technology to perform with the greatest clarity, vision, and protection. Purchase an Ultimate Lens Package and get a second pair of qualifying lenses FREE (with unlimited options, including sunglass lenses) - a value of up to $1,000!   BOUTIQUES ON THE EAST END PARKING HINT: Park behind 1 East Main by the Hudson Valley Brewery and use the back walkway entrance! Lambs Hill Bridal Boutique 1 East Main Street, Retail #3 www.lambshillbridalboutique.com (near the dummy light) Add this to your wedding style list: the crepe jumpsuit with V-neck illusion lace bodice by Justin Alexander. The fabric is incredibly soft and comfortable! You can see it - and feel it! - now at Lambs Hill boutique. Thank you to the following shops for sponsoring our Shopping Guide!  Luxe Optique, Lambs Hill, and Wares! Where can you get your hair done in Beacon? Or have a beard trim? Find out in A Little Beacon Blog's Beauty Guide! TIP: Amy's Hair has moved a few blocks down! Find the salon near the car wash on Main Street. SPOTLIGHT SPONSOR HIGHLIGHTS Antalek & Moore Insurance Agency Susan's Defensive Driving Class fills up fast! The next one is in April. Want to improve your driving and lower your car insurance premium? You won't want to miss this class! Check the next date > Rhinebeck Bank Banking local can make you feel less like a number, and more like a valued community member, especially when you work with lenders who know the community. Watch this video that portrays a couple moving from an apartment to a house in Beacon. Call Rhinebeck Bank or come to the Beacon branch, near Dutchess Stadium (across from the Family Dollar), to speak with someone about your options. BeaconArts The Beacon All-Star Lip Sync Battle was an "amazing success," says Kelly Ellenwood, Ex-Officio of BeaconArts. Here is a link to the "highlight" reel if you want to see some real talent from some of your favorite people around the neighborhood! InHouse Design Media The photographers and designers with InHouse Design Media can help you take amazing pictures to beef up your Instagram feed. This four-week private workshop is like an amazing fitness class, but for your photos. Details > Tin Shingle Business and artist members of Tin Shingle will discuss their marketing and PR ideas at the next member meeting. It's held on the last Monday of the month (March 26, 2018) at noon in Tin Shingle's office in the Telephone Building, at 291 Main Street. Membership at the Community Level 1 is required. On the agenda: The Cupcake Festival is coming! Are you ready? We will be discussing business strategies. Facebook Marketing Backup Plan: Facebook's privacy profiteering may be coming to an end, which could change Facebook ads, as well as how often people are on Facebook. What's your backup plan for reaching people quickly? Beacon Chamber of Commerce The Beacon Chamber of Commerce is looking for a new Treasurer for 2018. Are you the right person for the job? Reach out to the Chamber with your credentials if interested. Email kate@katerabe.com. See all Board Members > A Little Beacon Space The time is right to host your workshop, now you just need a venue. A Little Beacon's Space, conveniently located in the heart of Beacon, is a perfect spot to fit your audience. NEWSLETTER SIGNUP Advertise in A Little Beacon Blog Pictures shown above are from our advertising partners in the Things To Do In Beacon Guides. We can include your most exciting news here too! Sponsors make the local media go round. Reach our readers and support our publication at the same time. Advertising with A Little Beacon Blog is effective because we design ways to make it work for you. See our Media Kit for ideas! Click here to learn about ways to advertise on A Little Beacon Blog. Until next week!

Happening This Weekend 3/16/2018

☀️☀️☀️ Hey, Sunshine! It's a great weekend to get out there - how many crocuses do you see popping up in people's yards? Take a picture and tag us in it on Instagram! Sponsored by Antalek & Moore for car insurance. Hula Hoop Party! Day: Friday, March 16, 2018 Time: 6:30 to 7:30 pm Location: Firefly Yoga, 992 Main St., Fishkill, NY Information > Reel Life Film Club presents  “First Position” Day: Friday, March 16, 2018 Time: 6 to 8 pm Location: Howland Public Library, 313 Main St., Beacon, NY Information > Wine & Irish Cheese Pairing Event Day: Saturday, March 17, 2018 Time: 1 pm and 3 pm Location: Millbrook Vineyards & Winery, 26 Wing Road, Millbrook, NY Information > Live Concert: Kofi & Sankofa Day: Saturday, March 17, 2018 Time: 7:30 pm Location: Howland Cultural Center, 477 Main St., Beacon, NY Information > Crown Maple Weekend Days: Saturday and Sunday, March 17 & 18, 24 & 25, 2018 Time: All day Location: The Crown Maple Estate, 47 McCourt Road, Dover Plains, NY Information > “Move It Baby, Move It” Family Dance Party Fundraiser Day: Sunday, March 18, 2018 Time: 3 to 6:30 pm Location: Quinn’s, 330 Main St., Beacon, NY Information > Howland Chamber Music Circle presents Jason Vieaux, Guitar Day: Sunday, March 18, 2018 Time: 4 pm Location: Howland Cultural Center, 477 Main St., Beacon, NY Information > Plan ahead and check out what's coming up this month in our Events Guide.     Thank you to Beacon Pilates for sponsoring the Classes for Adults Guide! Breastfeeding Essentials Day: Friday, March 16, 2018 Time: 6 to 8 pm Location: Waddle n Swaddle, 484 Main St., Beacon, NY Information > Birth Prep 101 Day: Saturday, March 17, 2018 Time: 12:30 to 6:30 pm Location: Waddle n Swaddle, 484 Main St., Beacon, NY Information > Hawaiian Appliqué Made Modern with Sheri Cifaldi-Morrill Day: Sunday, March 18, 2018 Time: 12 to 3 pm Location: Beetle & Fred, 171 Main St., Beacon, NY Information > For a full list of upcoming classes and workshops of all kinds, visit our Adult Classes Guide.              Beacon Junior Baseball Registration Open Day: Now! Location: Games are held at Memorial Park Registration Information > Thank you to Beacon Junior Baseball for sponsoring this Kids' Classes Guide! Art & Zine Club Meetup Day: Friday, March 16, 2018 Time: 3:30 to 5 pm Location: Howland Public Library, 313 Main St., Beacon, NY Information > For a full list of upcoming classes, visit our Kids Classes Guide.   Hudson Valley Restaurant Week Days: March 12-25, 2018 If you've been meaning to try several restaurants in Beacon, don't miss the limited opportunity for a $32.95 dinner at these participating restaurants: Beacon Hotel and Restaurant, Cafe Amarcord, The Roundhouse, The Pandorica, and Kitchen Sink Food & Drink. Full list of HVRW restaurants > Thank you to BAJA for sponsoring the Restaurant Guide!     BOUTIQUES ON THE WEST END   Luxe Optique 183 Main Street www.luxeoptique.com (across Cliff Street from Beacon Bread Company) Do these cat-eye sunglasses seem a touch rebellious to you? You're right - they are. These Christian Roth 'Kardo' specs feature lens-in-lens technology. They come in an assortment of finishes, including a metallic version. Made in Italy, but you don't have to travel far to pick up a pair - they're available at Luxe Optique right now. SCHEDULE ALERT: Luxe Optique is closed Sunday, March 18, to attend their Annual Vision Conference. Always getting smarter, they are!   BOUTIQUES ON THE EAST END PARKING HINT: Park behind 1 East Main by the Hudson Valley Brewery and use the back walkway entrance! Lambs Hill Bridal Boutique 1 East Main Street, Retail #3 www.lambshillbridalboutique.com (near the dummy light) SALE ALERT! Save the Date! Lambs Hill's first sample sale of the spring is Friday to Sunday, April 20-22! Gather your girls around, and come on down. Thank you to the following shops for sponsoring our Shopping Guide!  Luxe Optique, Lambs Hill, and Wares! Where can you get your hair done in Beacon? Or have a beard trim? Find out in A Little Beacon Blog's Beauty Guide! TIP: Amy's Hair has moved a few blocks down! These days, find the salon near the car wash on Main Street. SPOTLIGHT SPONSOR HIGHLIGHTS Antalek & Moore Insurance Agency Do you rent out your house as a short-term rental on Airbnb? Your homeowner's insurance coverage might not be as straightforward as you'd hope in that situation. Don't get stuck footing the bill for something unexpected. Call Antalek & Moore Insurance Agency today for a consultation, at (845) 831-4300. Rhinebeck Bank Banking local can make you feel less like a number, as you work with lenders who know the community. Watch this video that portrays a couple moving from an apartment to a house in Beacon. Recognize anyone in the community? Call Rhinebeck Bank or come to the Beacon branch near Dutchess Stadium (across from the Family Dollar on Route 9D) to speak with someone about your options, close to home. BeaconArts BeaconArts is connected to just about everything there is to do and know in Beacon. Have you joined their membership yet, to connect with other artists and promote your business? InHouse Design Media The photographers and designers of InHouse Design Media can help you take amazing pictures to pump up your Instagram profile. This four-week private workshop is like an amazing fitness class, but for your photos. Details > Tin Shingle Tin Shingle is an empowerment zone for business owners, artists and makers who need to survive and thrive. Join at our Community Level Membership to ask questions about marketing, PR, Google, and more in a safe space in our online groups, and in person at our meeting on the last Monday of every month. See Tin Shingle's owner and digital marketer, Katie, deliver a fun social media presentation to Hudson Valley Women in Business members. Beacon Chamber of Commerce The Beacon Chamber of Commerce is looking for a new treasurer for 2018. Is this you? Reach out to them with your credentials if interested. Email kate@katerabe.com. See all current board members > A Little Beacon Space The time is right to host your workshop, now you just need a venue. A Little Beacon's Space, conveniently right in the heart of Beacon, is a perfect location to fit your audience. NEWSLETTER SIGNUP Advertise in A Little Beacon Blog Pictures shown above are from our advertising partners in the Things To Do In Beacon Guides. We can include your most exciting news here too! Sponsors make the local media go round. Reach our readers and support our publication at the same time. Advertising with A Little Beacon Blog is effective because we design ways to make it work for you. See our Media Kit for ideas! Click here to learn about ways to advertise on A Little Beacon Blog. Until next week!

Groups for Writers Proliferate in Beacon

It’s a good time to be a writer in Beacon! If you are an aspiring wordsmith, an accomplished author, or looking to find a supportive literary community to help you work though a current project, there are so many resources for you right now. Here’s a rundown of some of what’s currently on tap.

Get Lit Beacon

This fabulous new literary salon, started by talented local author Julie Chibbaro (National Jewish Book Award winner for Deadly, a Junior Library Guild Selection for Into the Dangerous World, and American Book Award winner for Redemption), meets on the second Sunday of each month at Oak Vino Wine Bar at 389 Main St. You can find out more on the group's Facebook Page, but the idea is that it’s a casual gathering where published and aspiring adult writers of any genre can hang out, have a glass of wine and share their work. Feeling like expressing yourself? There’s a sign-up sheet at the door if you want to read aloud. Chibbaro reveals the genesis of the group: “I started this event because I often hear about other writers in my town, but since I’m a homebody, I don’t get to meet them. This is a way for me to invite them out and hear their work.”

There have been two Get Lit salon events so far, and they were both inspiring and well-attended. The next one, scheduled for Sunday, March 11, will feature a reading by novelist and children’s book author Jennifer Castle.

High School Writing Lab & Zine Club

Are you a teen and a writer? Beacon has you covered, too. The Howland Library has a writing group for teens designed to provide support, assistance, and encouragement for students in grades 9-12 who are working on school or creative writing projects and college essays. There’s also a Zine Club for writers, artists, and photographers (the next meeting is Friday, March 16, from 3 to 5 pm). More info about this and other great library offerings for teens can be found here on the Howland Public LIbrary's website (the top says February but it is March's events). In the past, the library has offered help sessions for writers in high school.

Other Goings-On for Writers at the Howland Public Library

Also at the library is an ongoing Book Club, an upcoming book launch for Judith Filc (Thursday, April 12). The Howland Library just hosted (on Saturday, March 3) a memoir-writing workshop for adults with Donna Minkowitz, the author of two memoirs, Ferocious Romance (a Lambda Literary Award winner) and Growing Up Golem (a finalist for both a Lambda Literary Award and the Judy Grahn Nonfiction Award). Donna became known for her coverage of gay and lesbian politics and culture in The Village Voice from the late 1980s through the mid-1990s, for which she won a GLAAD Media Award. She is a former feature writer for the Village Voice, and has also written for New York magazine, Ms., The Collagist, The Advocate, and Newsday. She teaches with the New York Writers Workshop and independently - sometimes in Beacon!

The Artist’s Way – A Creative Cluster

For folks who want to reflect on their own creative process, or tap into something that needs unclogged, this Creative Cluster is an exciting and creative group that meets at A Little Beacon Space on Sundays. It loosely follows the classic book, The Artist's Way, created and written by Julia Cameron. The group is being “lightly led” by Katie Hellmuth Martin. According to the event page's description, this is a “gentle group, where people who are reading the book and going through their journey can share their thoughts and connect with others.” Artists, Non-Artists, Regular People, and People Who Want To Be An Artist But Think They Are Far From Being An Artist are welcome. This session runs from March to May and is full, but check back for info about the next session. Lots of answers to all of your questions about participating can be found here.

Classes, Readings and Book Clubs

Around town, several writing groups who would like to remain anonymous meet regularly at various watering holes and other locations. At their meetings, more active or professional writers workshop their projects and critique one another’s work. There's even a secret writers' group who won't reveal their details, but we can tell you that they meet inside of The Telephone Building, which is also the location of A Little Beacon Blog's office. They are so elusive and quiet as they hide behind their laptops, that we can only tell you that it’s for writers who have been published in national magazines and so forth.

If you are interested in small writers workshops or classes, poets Ruth Danon will soon be offering some in Beacon, while Jeffrey McDaniel offers workshops in Cold Spring. And Julie Chibbaro, of Get Lit Salon fame, also offers a writing workshop that is mostly for fiction and non-fiction writers.

On Facebook, there are a few Book Clubs, like The Beacon Book Club, and The Beacon Moms Book Club.

Finally, we can’t pass up a chance to big-up Binnacle Books at 321 Main St., Beacon, NY. They offer an impressive selection of books, a willingness to order anything we want as long as it’s available, and a number of great readings, events and book club meetings.

Plus, see here for the great lengths gone to by Beacon Reads, the little bookstore next to the Howland Public Library. Proceeds from their book sales (of donations and retired library books) go toward the Howland Public Library. In this photo below, a volunteer from Beacon Reads hand-delivered a copy of The Artist's Way to the first meeting of the creative cluster.

A volunteer from Beacon Reads (left) hand-delivered a copy of The Artist's Way to a study group participant, Martha P. Humphreys (right).
Photo Credit: Katie Hellmuth Martin

Happening This Weekend - 3/2/2018

❄️ ❄️ ❄️ ❄️ ❄️ Hope you had a safe and cozy snow day! At least the frozen flakes have Beacon's reservoirs filling up - the drought level has been lifted thanks to this season's rain and snowfall. Kick your cabin fever to the curb during these last days of winter by getting out there to take your favorite class (or the intriguing class you've never taken), get some retail therapy, and sit in on a cultural experience. Your highlights for the weekend and week ahead are below. Highlighted below are the events, classes, workshops and shopping that you need to factor into your weekend plans, as well as your out-and-abouts next week! Sponsored by Antalek & Moore for car insurance. CANCELED Reel Life Film Club presents “First Position” Day: Friday, March 2, 2018 Time: 6 pm Location: Howland Public Library, 477 Main St., Beacon, NY Due to the weather, the library is closed. Check back to see if this event will be rescheduled. Information > Dutchess Country St. Patrick’s Day Parade in Wappingers Falls Day: Saturday, March 3, 2018 Time: 1 pm Location: Village of Wappingers Falls, NY Information > Celebrating Women’s History Month - Opening Reception Day: Saturday, March 3, 2018 Time: 3 to 5 pm Location: Howland Cultural Center, 477 Main St., Beacon, NY Information > Howland Chamber Music Circle presents Inon Barnatan, Piano Day: Sunday, March 4, 2018 Time: 4 pm Location: Howland Cultural Center, 477 Main St., Beacon, NY Information > Plan ahead and check out what's coming up this month in our Events Guide.     The Artist's Way: A Creative Cluster Day: Sunday, March 4, 2018 (the beginning of a 12-week series) Time: 1:30 pm Location: A Little Beacon Blog's Space, 291 Main St., First Floor, First Door, Beacon, NY An Artist's Way group is being held at A Little Beacon Space on Sundays for the 12-week journey that Julia Cameron writes about and teaches via her classic book. This meeting time and space will be a gentle group, where people who are reading the book and going through their journey can share their thoughts and connect with others. The group serves as a connection point and hopes to foster creativity in all and nurture community. Drop-ins welcome if you can't make the entire series. Information > Thank you to Beacon Pilates for sponsoring the Classes for Adults Guide! For a full list of upcoming classes and workshops of all kinds, visit our Adult Classes Guide. Updates have started flying in for A Little Beacon Blog's Summer Camp Guide. Get the latest dates from All Sport, Beacon Art Studios Fashion Camp, Camp Robbins, Camp @ the Camp from Beacon Parks and Recreation, Beacon Performing Arts Center, and Common Ground Farm Day Camp. But that's just the beginning... More updates are coming, so check back often! For a full list of upcoming classes, visit our Kids Classes Guide.   Thank you to BAJA for sponsoring the Restaurant Guide!                              Flea Boutique Sale at CreateSpace Day: Saturday, March 3, 2018 Time: 9 am to 6 pm Location: CreateSpace, 145 Main St., Beacon, NY Blowout Sale! 50% off! PS: This is where this copy of The Artist's Way was found.     BOUTIQUES ON THE WEST END   Luxe Optique 183 Main Street www.luxeoptique.com (across Cliff Street from Beacon Bread Company) Have you seen these crystal-clear frames by Dita yet? They have gold-tone hardware on the sides. Go ahead - take a closer look at Luxe Optique. These specs will look even cooler on your face.   BOUTIQUES ON THE EAST END PARKING HINT: Park behind 1 East Main by the Hudson Valley Brewery and use the back walkway entrance! Style Storehouse 484 Main Street www.stylestorehouse.com (near Utensil) Dress up your spring style with sweet lace bralettes by free people and jewels by Five and Two, Yunis K and Wolf Circus. Are you following Style Storehouse's Instagram yet? You should, it's good... Lambs Hill Bridal Boutique 1 East Main, Retail #3 www.lambshillbridalboutique.com (near the dummy light) Lambs Hill has changed up their window for spring! The storefront windows of bridal stores are famous - forever leaving fanciful impressions in the minds of the young dreamers who pass them. Thank you to the following shops for sponsoring our Shopping Guide - Luxe Optique, Lambs Hill, and Style Storehouse! Where can you get your hair done in Beacon? Or a beard trim? Find out in A Little Beacon Blog's Beauty Guide! TIP: Up the hill from Lambs Hill Bridal is The Blushery, a makeup counter and laser hair removal boutique, all in one, serving men and women. SPOTLIGHT SPONSOR HIGHLIGHTS Antalek & Moore Insurance Agency Do you need to find your own health insurance? The agents at Antalek & Moore can help you navigate the journey, as there are a variety of moving parts associated with health insurance coverage. Call them at (845) 831-4300 to start your search. BeaconArts The Lip Sync Battle is a joint fundraiser, featuring an all-star cast of Beacon community leaders and other luminaries. They'll battle it out in support of BeaconArts and the Center for Creative Education. Hosted by the fabulous Pissi Myles. Date: Thursday, March 15, 2018 Tickets > InHouse Design Media The photographers and designers of InHouse Design Media can help you take amazing pictures for your business's Instagram. This four-week private workshop is like an amazing fitness class, but for your photos. Get fit! Details > Tin Shingle Do you ever see this sign hanging from the office door of Tin Shingle in Beacon's historic Telephone Building? If you've ever wanted to watch the webinar that is being produced, while Tin Shingle teaches easy techniques in PR, social media, SEO and more, you can see it right now, in the Replay section of Tin Shingle. Browse the Collection > Beacon Chamber of Commerce Meet and mingle with other businesses in Beacon and beyond at the Southern Duchess Country Club on Tuesday, March 6, as the Beacon Chamber of Commerce's membership expands to include other communities who want to work together. You don't have to be a member to attend this meeting, and you can bring a guest! Details > A Little Beacon Space The time is right to host your workshop, now you just need a venue. A Little Beacon's Space, conveniently located in the heart of Beacon, is a perfect spot for your audience. NEWSLETTER SIGNUP Advertise in A Little Beacon Blog Pictures shown above are from our advertising partners in the Things To Do In Beacon Guides. We can include your most exciting news here too! Sponsors make the local media go 'round. Reach our readers and support our publication at the same time. Advertising with A Little Beacon Blog is effective because we design ways to make it work for you. See our Media Kit for ideas! Click here to learn about ways to advertise on A Little Beacon Blog. Until next week!

Happening This Weekend - 2/23/2018 (plus a Main Street Challenge!)

You've got lots to brighten your day out here on the streets of Beacon and in the surrounding Hudson Valley. If you've not been to Beacon's Main Street and surrounding side streets lately - and that includes you Beacon locals! - then accept this challenge: Drive or walk down Main Street and pull over to walk into one store you've never been to before. Then tell us about it here in the comments! Highlighted below are the events, classes, workshops and shopping events that you need to factor into your weekend plans, as well as your to-do's next week! Sponsored by Antalek & Moore for car insurance. Movies That Matter Film Screening: "I Am Not Your Negro" Day: Friday, February 23, 2018 Time: 7 to 10 pm Location: First Presbyterian Church, 50 Liberty St., Beacon, NY This documentary journeys into black history and connects the past of the Civil Rights movement to the present of Black Lives Matter. The film, based on the writings of James Baldwin, questions black representation in Hollywood and beyond. And, ultimately, by confronting the deeper connections between the lives and assassination of three leaders, Raoul Peck has directed a work that challenges the very definition of what America stands for. Information > Garrison Art Center's School Invitational Theme Exhibition; Inside the Outsiders and Mentor Program Show Day: Saturday, February 24, 2018 Time: Opening reception 3 to 5 pm Location: 23 Garrison’s Landing, Garrison, NY This exhibition includes work by students from Beacon High School as well as artists residing in Beacon, serving as mentors. Information > Soup4Greens Fundraiser Day: Sunday, February 25, 2018 Time: 10 am to 2 pm Location: Beacon Farmers' Market, 413 Main St., Beacon, NY Information > Beacon SURJ and Story Time Film Screening: "Whose Streets?" Day: Tuesday, February 27, 2018 Time: 7 pm Location: Beacon Hebrew Alliance, 331 Verplanck Ave., Beacon, NY The film takes a close-up look at the civil unrest that erupted after a shocking act of violence in Ferguson, Missouri - and the decades of simmering tension leading up to it. Discussion to follow screening. Information > NEW WEEKLY EVENT: Swing Dancing at the Elks Club Day: Every Thursday Time: 7pm Location: Elks Lodge, 900 Wolcott Ave., Beacon, NY Events like this are tracked in A Little Beacon Blog's Repeating Event Guide. NEW MONTHLY EVENT: Southern Dutchess NAACP Member Meeting Day: Every third Thursday of the month Time: 7 to 10 pm Location: Springfield Baptist Church, 8 Maddie Cooper Square, Beacon, NY Events like this are tracked in A Little Beacon Blog's Repeating Event Guide. Plan ahead and check out what's coming up this month in our Events Guide. Easy Peazy Pajama Pants with Katy Hope Level: Confident Beginner Day: Sunday, February 25, 2018 Time: 1 to 5 pm Location: Beetle & Fred, 171 Main St., Beacon, NY Information > Learn To Love Your Machine with Hilary Oak Level: Absolute Beginners Day: Saturday, February 24, or Monday, February 26, 2018 Time: 6 to 9 pm Location: Beetle & Fred, 171 Main St., Beacon, NY Information > Essential Oils 101 Day: Sunday, February 25, 2018 Time: 1 to 2:30 pm Location: BeBhakti Yoga Center, 89 Dewindt St., Beacon, NY Hair & Makeup Techniques for Film Day: Monday, February 26, 2018 Time: 6 to 8:30 pm Location: The CineHub LLC, 20 W. Main St., Suite 4, Beacon, NY Information > Thank you to Beacon Pilates for sponsoring the Classes for Adults Guide! For a full list of upcoming classes and workshops of all kinds, visit our Adult Classes Guide. Harlem Wizards vs. Beacon City School Staff All Stars (Public School Fundraiser) Day: Friday, February 23, 2018 Time: Doors open at 6 pm, game starts at 7 pm Location: Beacon High School, 101 Matteawan Road, Beacon, NY The Wizards are coming! The trick team will play/perform on Friday, February 23, at 7 pm at the Beacon High School gym. Watch teachers and community members play against the Harlem Wizards! At a Wizards game, fans will witness amazing basketball talent combined with hilarious comedy. It's two hours of family time where parents, grandparents, and kids can all laugh together. This fundraising event is hosted by the Rombout Middle School PTO, Beacon High School PTSO, and the National Honor Society. Buy tickets here > Information > Events like this are tracked in A Little Beacon Blog's Public School Fundraising Guide. Anime & Manga Club Day: Friday, February 23, 2018 Time: 3 to 5 pm Location:How land Public Library, 313 Main St., Beacon, NY Information > How to Make Cake Balls Ages: Tweens, Teens, Cake Hobbyist Day: Saturday, February 24, 2018 Time: 2 to 4 pm Location: The Cupcakery, 1004 Main St., Fishkill, NY Information > 2018 Bulldog Baseball Winter Camp Day: Saturday, February 24, 2018 Time: 10 am to noon Location: Beacon High School, 101 Matteawan Road, Beacon, NY Information > Kids &smp; Canvas: “Happy Birthday Dr. Seuss” Day: Sunday, February 25, 2018 Time: 11 am Location: Eat Paint Love, 331 Main St., Beacon, NY Information > For a full list of upcoming classes, visit our Kids Classes Guide. Thank you to BAJA for sponsoring the Restaurant Guide! BOUTIQUES ON THE WEST END Luxe Optique 183 Main Street www.luxeoptique.com (across Cliff Street from Beacon Bread Company) Go ahead... try these on. There are lots more styles like these beauties by Anne & Valentin in Luxe Optique now. Not sure about your prescription? No problem. The doctor is in! Get an eye exam for $45, or $25 if you buy glasses within seven days of the exam. BOUTIQUES ON THE EAST END PARKING HINT: Park behind 1 East Main, by the Hudson Valley Brewery, and use the back walkway entrance to come up to Main Street! Style Storehouse 484 Main Street www.stylestorehouse.com (near Utensil) BOOT SALE!! That's right, ladies. Don't let that one day of 70 degree temps trick you. You still have plenty of time to wear boots this season, and have a great pair for next year. Don't miss this sale! Lambs Hill Bridal Boutique 1 East Main, Retail #3 www.lambshillbridalboutique.com (near the dummy light) Did you know that capes are a huge trend this year? Even (especially?) if the cape is transparent with fabric flowers falling from it? See new samples and accessories in the Lambs Hill Bridal Boutique, like this tulle cape from the Justin Alexander Signature line. Thank you to the following shops for sponsoring our Shopping Guide! Luxe Optique, Lambs Hill, and Style Storehouse. Where can you have your hair done in Beacon? Or get a beard trim? Find out in A Little Beacon Blog's Beauty Guide! SPOTLIGHT SPONSOR HIGHLIGHTS Antalek & Moore Insurance Agency Do you know if your jewelry is covered under your homeowners insurance policy? What about your laptop? What if a tree falls on your house, what is covered then? The agents at Antalek and Moore can answer all of these questions for you. Call them at (845) 831-4300. Rhinebeck Bank If you haven't already taken your mid-winter break, now is the time to escape to Emerson Resort & Spa in Ulster County. Michelle from Rhinebeck Bank visits the resort to learn about their recent multimillion dollar renovation, which included work to the spa. Learn more about it here in this episode of Wake Up With Rhinebeck Bank! InHouse Design Media The photographers and designers at InHouse Design Media can help you take amazing pictures to perk up your Instagram presence. Katie Hellmuth Martin and Leigh Baumann from A Little Beacon Blog are also designers at InHouse Design Media. They can train you, too! This four-week private workshop is like an amazing fitness class, but to get your photo skills in shape. Available to businesses and artists within a 10-mile radius of Beacon. Learn more here > Tin Shingle - Open House FREE MEETING FOR BUSINESSES, ARTISTS, NONPROFITS (This month only!) This Monday! Join Tin Shingle for the monthly member meeting. Bring your PR Homework, which consists of stacks of magazines and newspaper sections you want PR in. We will brainstorm how you are going to make that happen. Normally this meeting is for Tin Shingle's Community Level Members only, but for the month of Love (February), it's open to all. Day: Monday, February 26, 2018 Time: Noon to 1 pm Location: 291 Main St., Beacon, NY, First Floor, First Door Beacon Chamber of Commerce Vendor applications are now being accepted for the Cupcake Festival. Get the application here > BeaconArts BeaconArts has announced a new slate of leaders to kick off 2018 and usher in a new era of service and art sponsorship. The new president of BeaconArts is artist Rick Rogers, whose gallery across from The Roundhouse overlooks Fishkill Creek. The Vice President is Theresa Goodman; Aaron Verdile continues as Treasurer; and the Secretary is Linda Pratt Kimmel. Board Members-at-Large are Hanny Ahern, Karlyn Benson, Christina Jensen, Meghan Goria, and Terry Nelson. A Little Beacon Space The time is right to host your workshop, now you just need a venue. A Little Beacon's Space, convienently located in the heart of Beacon, is the perfect spot to host your audience. NEWSLETTER SIGNUP Advertise in A Little Beacon Blog Pictures shown above are from our advertising partners in the Things To Do In Beacon Guides. We can include your most exciting news here too! Sponsors make the local media go round. Reach our readers and support our publication at the same time. Advertising with A Little Beacon Blog is effective because we design ways to make it work for you. See our Media Kit for ideas! Click here to learn about ways to advertise on A Little Beacon Blog. Until next week!

Happening This Weekend - 2/16/2018

Happy long weekend! Some of you regular readers are away from Beacon, and some of you are away from your home to visit Beacon! Welcome :) Maybe you came here because you read about Beacon in Vogue, who recently featured The Inn and Spa at Beacon during a Hudson Valley highlight article, or on Expedia, who named Beacon as one of their Most Artistic Towns. Also it turns out, people on layovers from Stewart Airport are coming over for lunch or dinner, according to the owner of Liberty Bistro in Newburgh, in the Rhinebeck Bank video below. Highlighted below are the events, classes, workshops and shopping deals that you need to factor into your weekend plans, as well as your week next week! Sponsored by Antalek & Moore for car insurance. “Share The Love” Fitness Event Day: Saturday & Sunday, February 17-18, 2018 Time: All day Location: Zoned Fitness, 490 Main St., Beacon, NY Information > Live Concert: Kofi & Sankofa Day: POSTPONED DUE TO SNOW Time: 7:30 pm Location: Howland Cultural Center, 477 Main St., Beacon, NY Information > Plan ahead and check out what's coming up this month in our Events Guide.     Beacon Pilates 18 West Main Street, Suite 3 www.beaconpilates.com (near the train station) Have you been inside the new space yet? The best way to start at Beacon Pilates is with their Intro Offer of two private lessons and one Trio class. Pretty soon, you'll be like the owner Juliette's daughter, climbing and hanging from the equipment. Don't you want to do this? Cooking & Pairing Class Day: Monday, February 19, 2018 Time: 6 to 8 pm Location: Olive U, 896 Main St., Fishkill, NY Information > For a full list of upcoming classes, visit our Adult Classes Guide.   Art & Zine Club Meetup - Button Making Day: Friday, February 16, 2018 Time: 3:30 to 5 pm Location: Howland Public Library, 313 Main St., Beacon, NY Information > Try Ice Skating Free Day: Sunday, February 18, 2018 Time: 10:45 to 11:45 am Location: Ice Time Sports, 21 Lakeside Road, Newburgh, NY Information > Holiday Vacation Camp Ages: 5 to 12 Day: Monday, February 19, 2018 Time: 8 am to 5 pm Location: All Sport Health & Fitness, 17 Old Main St., Fishkill, NY Information > For a full list of upcoming classes, visit our Kids Classes Guide.     Thank you to BAJA for sponsoring the Restaurant Guide!     BOUTIQUES ON THE WEST END   Luxe Optique 183 Main Street www.luxeoptique.com (across Cliff Street from Beacon Bread Company) Cutie patootie little cases, aren't they? That's right! These are glasses cases for one of the lines in the store, the frames of which are outrageous. Head into Luxe Optique and ask which frames come with these little cases, and take a set home.   BOUTIQUES ON THE EAST END PARKING HINT: Park behind 1 East Main, by the Hudson Valley Brewery, and use the back walkway entrance to come up to Main Street! Style Storehouse 484 Main Street www.stylestorehouse.com (near Utensil) SALE ALERT! Joggers, sweats, loungewear - these comfy pieces go by many names and come in many shapes. In stock at Style Storehouse, they are all super soft and super cozy and 50% off right now! Lambs Hill Bridal Boutique 1 East Main, Retail #3 www.lambshillbridalboutique.com (near the dummy light) New samples from Justin Alexander are in store now! Walk in to see them during Lambs Hill's regular hours, and make an appointment to try them on. Email lambshillbridalboutique@gmail.com, or call (845) 765-2900. Thank you to the following shops for sponsoring our Shopping Guide! Luxe Optique, Lambs Hill, and Style Storehouse. Where can you get your hair done in Beacon? Or a beard trim? Find out in A Little Beacon Blog's Beauty Guide! SPOTLIGHT SPONSOR HIGHLIGHTS Antalek & Moore Insurance Agency Yeah, yeah, we know how easy it is to not invest in renters insurance. You're just renting, right? But your belongings are valuable. "Renters insurance is a comprehensive way to protect all of your belongings in the event of theft or damage, and often protects these belongings both inside and outside the home," says Antalek & Moore. Call them at (845) 831-1400 to learn more. Rhinebeck Bank Michelle from Rhinebeck Bank visits Newburgh, NY, to check out Liberty Street Bistro with owner and chef Michael Kelly. Learn how this restaurant, located in Newburgh's recently designated Creative Neighborhood, came to be and what types of cuisine they offer. Watch the video to find out how Rhinebeck Bank has impacted this restaurant and helped their business develop! Also learn about Kelly's upcoming projects, including a bakery opening late this year in the Creative Neighborhood! PS: Rhinebeck Bank has a Creative Neighborhood Loan Fund! Learn more about it here. InHouse Design Media The photographers and designers at Beacon-based InHouse Design Media can help you take amazing pictures for your Instagram. How do we know how great they are? Because they are the same people behind A Little Beacon Blog - Katie Hellmuth Martin and Leigh Baumann! We can train you. It's like an amazing fitness class, but for your photos. Let us have an intervention with your Instagram feed in this four-session class. Tin Shingle - Open House FREE MEETING FOR BUSINESSES, ARTISTS, NONPROFIT GROUPS (this month only!) Do you hate marketing? Does social media overwhelm you? Do you see other businesses or projects in the newspaper, and think: "Dang - I wish that were my business/project featured there!" Then this meeting is for you. Tin Shingle is an empowerment center for businesses, artists, makers and nonprofits who are trying to get the word out about their work. Tin Shingle is run by Katie, who also runs A Little Beacon Blog. It's a nationwide, member-based resource center that has just opened up the ability to have in-person member meetings in the Hudson Valley at 291 Main Street in Beacon's Telephone Building. We're calling it The Kick A** Member Meeting, because it's there to help you kick butt in your business. Normally it's a meeting for Tin Shingle's Community Level Members only, but this month, it's open to all. Day: Monday, February 26, 2018 Time: Noon to 1 pm Location: 291 Main Street, First Floor, First Door, Beacon, NY Beacon Chamber of Commerce Psst...The Cupcake Festival is coming back to Beacon! Day: Saturday, May 5, 2018 (rain date the next day) Time: 1 to 5 pm Location: Beacon's East End Details >   BeaconArts : Beacon Open Studios This citywide art happening, Beacon Open Studios, is in motion! BeaconArts is the event's fiscal sponsor, so all signups and sponsorships go through them. Here's what you need to know: Sponsorships Available Now: Your business can place an ad in the brochure that is seen by pretty much everyone, as it includes a map of where to find each of the artists. Details > Volunteer Positions: Hurry to sign up for special volunteer jobs! Spots are filling up fast. Details > Artist Registration: Get on the map! Sign up now to be included in the official brochure and opening exhibition! Details > Opening Night: Party! Details > Open Studios Weekend: Walk or drive to visit artists on your list. Collect new art along the way! Details > A Little Beacon Space The time is right to host your workshop, now you just need a venue. A Little Beacon's Space, conveniently located right in the heart of Beacon, is a perfect spot to fit your audience. NEWSLETTER SIGNUP Advertise in A Little Beacon Blog Pictures shown above are from our advertising partners in the Things To Do In Beacon Guides. We can include your most exciting news here too! Sponsors make the local media go round. Reach our readers and support our publication at the same time. Advertising with A Little Beacon Blog is effective because we design ways to make it work for you. See our Media Kit for ideas! Click here to learn about ways to advertise on A Little Beacon Blog. Until next week!

Happening This Weekend - 2/9/2018

Happy Valentine's Weekend! As you're out and about treating someone you love to something special, the Art Galleries are freshly celebrating Second Saturday, so keep A Little Beacon Blog's full Second Saturday Guide open on your phone so that you can see what's exhibiting inside of each gallery! PS: For any Galentine on your list, duck into Howling at the Edge of Chaos near The Beacon Hotel for some female rage-tastic quote things, jewelry or just a panda pillow. Highlighted below are the events, classes, workshops and shopping deals that you need to factor into your weekend plans, as well as your to-do's next week! Sponsored by Antalek & Moore for car insurance. South Avenue Elementary's Small Tall Ball - Valentine's Dance Day: Friday, February 9, 2018 Time: 6 to 8 pm Location: South Avenue PTA, 60 South Ave., Beacon, NY Information > Stony Kill Farm's Winter on the Farm Day: Saturday, February 10, 2018; if no snow on 2/10, make-up date February 24, 2018 Time: 11 am to 2 pm Location: Stony Kill Farm, 79 Farmstead Lane, Wappingers Falls, NY Information > Special Screening: Beacon Independent Film Festival ARTSGO Artists in Residence Day: Saturday, February 10, 2018 Time: 6 pm Location: Gallery at Beacon Institute for Rivers and Estuaries/Clarkson University, 199 Main St., Beacon, NY Information > “BOHEMIANS In Love and In Life” Day: Saturday & Sunday, February 10 & 11, 2018 Time: Saturday, 7:30 pm; Sunday, 4 pm Location: Beacon Hebrew Alliance, 31 Verplanck Ave., Beacon, NY Information > Howland Cultural Center's Valentine’s Day Dance Party Day: Saturday, February 10, 2018 Time: 8 pm Location: Howland Cultural Center, 477 Main St., Beacon, NY Use the hashtag #atthehowland if you go! We want to see you, lovebirds! Information > Hairdressers Ball Charity Hair Show Day: Sunday, February 11, 2018 Time: 6 pm Location: Safe Harbors Lobby at the Ritz, 107 Broadway, Newburgh, NY Information > Howland Chamber Music Circle presents Charlie Albright, Piano Day: Sunday, February 11, 2018 Time: 4 pm Location: Howland Cultural Center, 477 Main St., Beacon, NY Information > Plan ahead and check out what's coming up this month in our Events Guide.   Made & Given Valentine's Day Pop-Up Shop Day: Saturday & Sunday, February 10 & 11, 2018 Time: Saturday, 1 to 9 pm; Sunday, noon to 6 pm Location: 17 E. Main St., Beacon, NY Information >   Beacon Pilates Grand Re-Opening Party! Day: Saturday, February 10, 2018 Time: 5 to 8 pm Location: 18 W. Main St., Suite 3 (near the train station) It's finally here! The big, grand re-opening party you have been waiting for! Go see Beacon Pilates' new studio in what is soon to be a very hopping area, with the new hardware store going in, and new apartment building going up. See our interview here with Beacon Pilates' founder, Juliet Harvey. Details here > Beacon of Light Wellness Center Grand Opening Celebration Day: Saturday, February 10, 2018 Time: 1 to 10 pm Location: Beacon of Light Wellness Center, 4 S. Chestnut St., Beacon, NY Information > Monthly Literary Salon with Julie Chibbaro Day: Sunday, February 11, 2018 Time: 5 to 8 pm Location: Oak Vino Wine Bar, 389 Main St., Beacon, NY Information > For a full list of upcoming classes, visit our Adult Classes Guide. Valentine-Making at CreateSpace Beacon Ages: All ages Day: Saturday, February 10, 2018 Time: 9 am to 6 pm Location: CreateSpace Beacon, 145 Main St., Beacon, NY Information > Troll Cake - Princess Poppy Class Ages: All ages, 8+ preferred, younger must be accompanied by adult Day: Saturday, February 10, 2018 Time: 2 to 4 pm Location: The Cupcakery, 1004 Main St., Fishkill, NY Information > For a full list of upcoming classes, visit our Kids Classes Guide.   Thank you to The Vault and to BAJA for sponsoring the Restaurant Guide!     BOUTIQUES ON THE WEST END   Luxe Optique 183 Main Street (across Cliff Street from Beacon Bread Company) Peep these outrageous frames by Lafont Paris: These are a U.S. special edition called "Thirty," created for Lafont Paris' 30th anniversary in North America. "Thirty" is part of a 400-piece limited edition run, and represents an iconic design with an exciting decorative concept. The asymmetrical black and ivory carved acetate sunglass is embellished with cut-outs of the Statue of Liberty on one temple, and the Eiffel Tower on the other. We could go on, but you should probably just go see them in person at Luxe Optique.   BOUTIQUES ON THE EAST END PARKING HINT: Park behind 1 East Main by the Hudson Valley Brewery and use the back walkway entrance to Main Street! Style Storehouse 484 Main Street (near Utensil) How lovely are these glass pearl hoops by Yunis K, now in at Style Storehouse? This brand blends old world and new wave Bohemian into one look, perfect for special occasions or for adding personal flair to everyday wear. Lambs Hill Bridal Boutique 1 East Main, Retail #3 (near the historic dummy light) Now offering after-hours private events at the boutique for brides and their intimate groups of up to 10 people! Email lambshillbridalboutique@gmail.com, or call (845) 765-2900. Lambs Hill also offers online booking of private events, so check with your girls then book by clicking here! Thank you to the following shops for sponsoring our Shopping Guide!  Luxe Optique, Lambs Hill, and Style Storehouse. Where can you get your hair done in Beacon? Or have a beard trim? Find out in A Little Beacon Blog's Beauty Guide! SPOTLIGHT SPONSOR HIGHLIGHTS Antalek & Moore Insurance Agency 'Tis the weekend for wedding proposals! Or just getting closer to that moment. When it's time, Antalek & Moore provides Special Event Insurance for your big day. Whether it's a fundraiser, wedding, renewal of vows, or other special occasion, Antalek & Moore can give you peace of mind on the big day. Rhinebeck Bank The Hudson Valley is lucky to have Rhinebeck Bank supporting so many arts initiatives. Currently, Rhinebeck Bank produces a video series that spotlights arts programs, nonprofit groups, and businesses. In this video, they highlight a group that gives kids access many aspects of filmmaking. The Art Effect, formerly known as Spark Media Project, is revealed in this interview series. InHouse Design Media Want to learn how to take amazing photos for your social media, with equally compelling captions? It's an art form, but you can learn how to do it for your business or brand. InHouse Design Media designed an immersive set of training sessions to up your photo game by producing really effective graphics - that don't require a designer! But as designers, we can train you in our ways... Let us have an intervention with your Instagram feed. Tin Shingle Special for the month of Valentine's Day, Tin Shingle's February Member Meeting will be an Open House, open to all business owners, artists and makers who want to come work on their PR and promotion strategies, and get to know Tin Shingle better. Bring the magazines you want to be featured in - we're going to plan ahead! Tin Shingle's Membership is a DIY PR platform for business owners who are getting the word out. Day: Monday, February 26, 2018 Time: Noon to 1 pm Beacon Chamber of Commerce Join the Beacon Chamber of Commerce in celebrating the opening of Big Mouth Coffee Roasters on Main Street in Beacon. Day: Friday, February 9, 2018 Time: 2 to 3 pm Location: 387 Main St., Beacon, NY Details >   BeaconArts You must go see the BeaconArts exhibit up now in the Gallery at the Beacon Institute for Rivers and Estuaries. See the many photos and news clippings capturing the ways that BeaconArts has contributed to the culture that has shaped Beacon over the past decade and a half. Special Film Screening: The Beacon Independent Film Festival and their ARTSGO Artists in Residence documentaries from 2015, 2016, and 2017 are playing on Saturday at 6pm. Day/Time: Saturday, February 10, 6 pm Showing: “Material” – Dan Dowd. Director: Michael Arginsky “Cascade” – Margot Kingon. Director: Kate Phelan “Ambi Artist” – Donna Mikkelsen. Director: Rob Featherstone Details > A Little Beacon Space The time is right to host your workshop, now you just need a venue. A Little Beacon's Space, conveniently located in the heart of Beacon, is the perfect fit for your audience. NEWSLETTER SIGNUP Advertise in A Little Beacon Blog Pictures shown above are from our advertising partners in the Things To Do In Beacon Guides. We can include your most exciting news here too! Sponsors make the local media go round. Reach our readers and support our publication at the same time. Advertising with A Little Beacon Blog is effective because we design ways to make it work for you. See our Media Kit for ideas! Click here to learn about ways to advertise on A Little Beacon Blog. Until next week!

Happening This Weekend - 2/2/2018

Take that, first month of the year! February is up next, and it’s time to dream of Valentine's Day love and Super Bowl sides. Need some instant spring in your home? Beacon D'Lights "over-shopped" their spring floral picks and put them all at 40 percent off. Time to freshen up! Meanwhile ... get out there! You'll find Seussical The Musical and others, an art opening for National African-American History Month, and more. Sponsored by Antalek & Moore for car insurance. Seussical The Musical Days: Thursday to Saturday, February 1 to 3, 2018 Time: Thursday and Friday, 7 pm; Saturday, 1 and 3 pm Location: The Theater at Beacon High School, 101 Matteawan Road, Beacon, NY Information > Dia:Beacon Staff Show Opening Reception Day: Friday, February 2, 2018 Time: Noon to 9 pm Location: Dia:Beacon pop-up satellite, 1 East Main St., Beacon, NY Information > Reel Life Film Club presents “Waste Land” Day: Friday, February 2, 2018 Time: 6 pm Location: Desmond-Fish Library, 472 Route 403, Garrison, NY Information > Art Opening Reception: National African-American History Month Day: Saturday, February 3, 2018 (reception); February 3-25, 2018 (exhibit) Time: 2:30 to 4:30pm Location: Howland Cultural Center, 477 Main St., Beacon, NY Information > Live Concert: Last Minute Soulmates Day: Saturday, February 3, 2018 Time: 7 pm Location: Howland Cultural Center, 477 Main St., Beacon, NY Information > Plan ahead and check out what's coming up this month in our Events Guide.   Flea Boutique Encore Sale Day: Saturday, February 3, 2018 Time: 9 am to 5 pm Location: CreateSpace, 145 Main St., Beacon, NY Information >     Beacon Pilates 18 West Main Street, Suite 3 (near the train station) Beacon Pilates' new studio is gorgeous and filled with natural light. If you have core work to do - tightening that tummy or your entire body - then the group classes or semi-private sessions at Beacon Pilates are for you. Mat classes start at $15 and are discounted when purchased in packages. Don't wait for their re-opening party that is next weekend to come in - these strength moves are going on now. Free Yoga! Grand Opening Day: Saturday, February 3, 2018 Time: All day Location: Beacon Yoga Center, 464 Main St., Beacon, NY Information > Soulful Flow Day: Sunday, February 4, 2018 Time: 10 to 11:30 am Location: Firefly Yoga, 992 Main St., Fishkill, NY Information > Thank you, Beacon Pilates, for sponsoring the Classes for Adults Guide! For a full list of upcoming classes, visit our Adult Classes Guide. Card & Board Games Club Day: Friday, February 2, 2018 Time: 3 to 5 pm Location: Howland Cultural Center, 477 Main St., Beacon, NY Information > Mozzarella Cheese making with Stacey Lynch Adnams Ages: 7-12 Day: Saturday, February 3, 2018 Time: 11 am to noon Location: Stony Kill Farm, 79 Farmstead Lane, Wappingers Falls, NY Information > For a full list of upcoming classes, visit our Kids Classes Guide.   NEW GUIDE!  The Public School Fundraising Guide Parents, teachers and students are hard at work coming up with creative ways to raise money for Beacon's Public Schools. Some of those ways involve events. A Little Beacon Blog has dedicated an editor to tracking these and updating this new Guide! Below are upcoming opportunities: GLENHAM ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Matt Stevens Alakazam MAGIC SHOW! Day: Friday, February 9, 2018 Time: 6 to 8 pm Location: Glenham School, 20 Chase Drive, Beacon, NY Information >   Thank you to BAJA 328 for sponsoring the Restaurant Guide!     BOUTIQUES ON THE WEST END   Luxe Optique 183 Main Street (near Beacon Bread Company) Take a peek at the new luxury line by Jacques Marie Mage, in at Luxe Optique. Each frame is handmade and comes only in super limited quantities (see these behind-the-scenes photos), making them very rare and collectible. Each case is made specifically for the frame that it holds. You'll want to see this.     BOUTIQUES ON THE EAST END PARKING HINT: Park behind 1 East Main by the Hudson Valley Brewery, and use the back walkway to come up to Main Street! Style Storehouse 484 Main Street (near Utensil) Perfect for this time of year, Style Storehouse is stocking Andrea's Alchemy - nourishing wellness and skincare concoctions to nourish the body and soul. The line includes facial oils, body oils, essential oils and hand sanitizer. Throw a bottle in your purse and go. Lambs Hill Bridal Boutique 1 East Main, Retail #3 (near the dummy light) This is the busiest time of year for engagements and wedding planning, with Valentine's Day right around the corner. Even if you're not planning a wedding, be sure to go in to see Lambs Hill Bridal Boutique's own line of wedding gowns, so you can recommend them to your friends. Thank you to the following shops for sponsoring our Shopping Guide! Luxe Optique, Lambs Hill Bridal Boutique, and Style Storehouse. Where can you get your hair done in Beacon? Or a beard trim? Or eyelash extensions? Find out in A Little Beacon Blog's Beauty Guide! SPOTLIGHT SPONSOR HIGHLIGHTS Antalek & Moore Insurance Agency Susan Pagones' next Defensive Driving course is on for Saturday, March 24, from 8:30 am to 3 pm. This is your opportunity to increase your chances of saving money on your car insurance, and decrease your chances of getting a ticket or into an accident. Lunch is included, so save your seat now. Call Thomasine to reserve your spot: (845) 245-6292. Rhinebeck Bank This week's episode of Wake Up With Rhinebeck Bank features the Franklin Delano Roosevelt Home and Museum in Hyde Park, NY. The museum's curator, Herman Eberhardt, speaks with Michelle Barone-Lepore about the new permanent exhibit, which offers more audio and interactive technology to create an immersive experience. “It’s a completely redone museum,” says Herman, promising that anyone who hasn't been since 2013 will be in for a new experience. Opening on April 21 is an exhibit of World War II posters, from the museum's own large collection. Visitors can also easily see Eleanor Roosevelt's home, Val-Kill, for an experience completely focused on her. Watch this episode of Wake Up With Rhinebeck Bank for peeks inside everything mentioned here! Beacon Chamber of Commerce Meet and mingle with other businesses in Beacon and beyond, as the Beacon Chamber's membership expands for the February meeting, to include other communities who want to work together. The Dutchess County Regional Chamber of Commerce will be in attendance to showcase the benefits of joint membership. Stephanie Carapola Jones, owner of The Blushery on Main Street, will give a tour of everything amazing that happens in her boutique and beauty bar! Membership is not required for this meeting, and you're encouraged to bring a guest! Learn more here.   BeaconArts BeaconArts congratulates new Board Members: Hanny Ahern Karlyn Benson Meghan Goria Linda Pratt Kimmel Officers will be chosen at the next Board Meeting, currently scheduled for February 14. If you are new to Beacon, here's a quick reminder of the mission driving BeaconArts: "BeaconArts' mission is to foster and encourage the advancement of the City of Beacon as a center for arts and culture. We work to enable resident artists of all disciplines to live and thrive in Beacon by widely promoting their projects and events, as well as to develop and facilitate inspiring creative experiences and programs that promote a vibrant community and enrich the lives of our local citizens." Tin Shingle : Member Meeting The first Member Meeting at Tin Shingle went very well! We got to meet a new member, the eco-baby clothes maker Lucky Bug Clothing. All of their goods are sewn in Newburgh or Brooklyn. The next member meeting is the last Monday of the month, February 26, at noon, and it's an Open House! We want to meet and empower as many business owners, artists and makers as we can, so membership is not required for the next meeting. It's our Business Valentine to you! See you then, or sooner! InHouse Design Media Let InHouse Design Media work with you and your iPhone (or other smartphone) to take some amazing pictures for your business' Instagram, Facebook, Facebook Events, your (possibly future) blog, and so much more. Anyone can press a button to take a photo, but it takes practice and experience to take the photo from the right angle, using the right lighting, cropping out the right stuff. You want to remain in control when making flyers, and restrain yourself from using every color or font just because you can. Let InHouse Design Media save you. Check out the new Social Media Photo Training for Clients package. A Little Beacon Space The time is right to host your workshop, now you just need a venue. A Little Beacon's Space is conveniently located in the heart of Beacon, and a perfect spot for your audience. NEWSLETTER SIGNUP Advertise in A Little Beacon Blog Pictures shown above are from our advertising partners in the Things To Do In Beacon Guides. We can include your most exciting news here too! Be a part of this publication - be the support that makes it happen! Reach our readers, align with the community, and get your message out. See our Media Kit for ideas! Click here to learn about ways to advertise on A Little Beacon Blog. Until next week!

Latest from the Beacon City School Fundraising Guide: Rombout at Chipotle

Happening tonight - the Chipotle Challenge! Just kidding, it's not called that, but it is Rombout Middle School's turn at 50% of Chipotle's profits, when you buy dinner from 5 to 9 pm. Several of Beacon's public schools have been taking advantage of this corporate donation opportunity, and this is an easy way to indirectly donate to Rombout Middle School.

Take a look at what else is on the horizon in A Little Beacon Blog's Beacon City Schools' Fundraising Guide by clicking here. You'll note that the Wizards (basketball) are coming, and you'll find more easy ways to support the schools while meeting your entertainment and feel-good goals as well!

Insider Pro Tip: These school fundraiser nights are getting popular! So go early to get a seat, or plan to take that big burrito to go.

Rombout's Fundraising Goals:

Four to six tables to go outside the cafeteria doors, so students can earn the privilege of eating outside.
The Rombout PTO would also like to raise money for benches to be put in front of the building, in the bus drop-off area.
You can also donate directly to their GoFundMe campaign >

Update From Sargent's Fundraising Trivia Stars Night

Trivia Night was held at Hudson Valley Brewery with food cooked by Barb's Butchery and a slew of amazing raffle prizes from local businesses, including a growler from Obercreek Brewery, artwork, and other wins. According to the fundraiser's organizer, Erin Giunta, the night raised $2,700 for Sargent Elementary, whose fundraising goals include improving the Recess Experience, field trips, and a beautification project for the school's auditorium.

Love This Guide?

So do we! Want to get behind it as a Guide Sponsor at A Little Beacon Blog? When we promote the Guide, we'll mention your business as a supporting sponsor in the blog post and in social media shares. Please contact us for details.

Happening This Weekend - 1/26/2018

Whoosh - this has been a fast and blustery January! The month is ending with a few notable business membership meetings, so if you aren't hooked into the organizations already, make sure you check them out now! Scroll to the bottom to look for member meeting notices from BeaconArts, the Beacon Chamber of Commerce, and Tin Shingle. BeaconArts and the Beacon Chamber of Commerce have board member elections happening very soon, so don't miss out. Sponsored by Antalek & Moore for car insurance.   Beacon Film Society Presents: “Walking Out” Day: Friday, January 26, 2018 Time: 7 pm (6:30 pm doors) Location: BEAHIVE Beacon, 291 Main St., Beacon, NY Information > International Film Night: "Tanna" Day: Friday, January 26, 2018 Time: 7 pm Location: Howland Public Library, 313 Main St., Beacon, NY Information > Beacon Open Studios' Roaring Twenties Costume Ball & Fundraiser Day: Friday, January 26, 2018 Time: 8 pm to midnight Location: Denning’s Point Distillery, 10 N. Chestnut St., Beacon, NY Information > Hudson Valley Wingfest 11 Day: Saturday, January 27, 2018 Time: 5 to 9 pm Location: Mid-Hudson Civic Center, 14 Civic Center Plaza, Poughkeepsie, NY Information > Kirtan Music Album Release Day: Saturday, January 27, 2018 Time: 7 to 9 pm Location: beBhakti Yoga Center, 89 Dewindt St., Beacon, NY Information > Howland Chamber Music Circle presents Roman Rabinovitch, Piano Day: Sunday, January 28, 2018 Time: 4 pm Location: Howland Cultural Center, 477 Main St., Beacon, NY Information > Plan ahead and check out what's coming up this month in our Events Guide.     Beacon Pilates 18 W. Main St., Suite 3 (near the train station) SAVE THE DATE! Beacon Pilates Grand Re-Opening Party Day: Saturday, February 10, 2018 Time: 5 to 8 pm The Grand Re-Opening celebration will kick off “Goods for Good,” a weeklong sporting goods drive for The Children’s Home of Poughkeepsie, which is dedicated to providing a safe and nurturing environment to improve the lives of and empower at-risk children and families in the Hudson Valley and surrounding communities. Donations of newly purchased indoor or outdoor sporting goods can be brought to Beacon Pilates on (Second) Saturday, February 10, or dropped off during business hours the following week. Equipment needed includes basketballs, volleyballs, soccer balls, skateboards, roller skates, safety equipment like helmets and pads, lawn games, double-dutch jump ropes, wooden baseball bats, and tennis balls. Information > Beginning Painting Workshop Day: Saturday, January 27, 2018 Time: 10 am to noon Location: River Winds Gallery, 172 Main St., Beacon, NY Information > Knitting 102 - Beanie Workshop Day: Sunday, January 28, 2018 Time: 10:30 am to 12:30 pm Location: Loopy Mango, 500 Main St., Beacon, NY Information > Business Strategies for Freelancers Day: Tuesday, January 30, 2018 Time: 6 to 8:30 pm Location: The CINEHUB, 20 W. Main St., Suite 4, Beacon, NY Information > Knitting Studio w/ Kit Burke-Smith (four sessions) Level: Beginner-Intermediate Days: Mondays, January 28 to February 18, 2018 Time: 1 to 3pm Location: Beetle & Fred, 171 Main St., Beacon, NY Information > Taking Excellent Measurements w/ Hilary Oak Level: Open Day: Saturday, January 27, 2018 Time: 2 to 4 pm Location: Beetle & Fred, 171 Main St., Beacon, NY Information > Thank you, Beacon Pilates, for sponsoring the Classes for Adults Guide! For a full list of upcoming classes, visit our Adult Classes Guide. Anime & Manga Club Day: Friday, January 26, 2018 Time: 3 to 5 pm Location: Howland Public Library, 313 Main St., Beacon, NY Information > Little Buds, for Babies 6 Weeks to 12 Months and a Caregiver, with Sarah Schulman Day: Wednesday, January 31, 2018 (free trial class) Time: 2 to 2:45 pm Location: Compass Arts, 313 Main St., Beacon, NY Information > For a full list of upcoming classes, visit our Kids Classes Guide.   NEW GUIDE! The Public School Fundraising Guide Parents, teachers and students are hard at work producing creative ways to raise money for Beacon's public schools. Some of those ways involve events. A Little Beacon Blog has dedicated an editor to tracking these and updating this new Guide! Below are upcoming opportunities. See the full Guide for great events to look out for, like the Wizards coming to the Beacon High School, or the Matt Stevens Magic Show coming to Glenham Elementary. ROMBOUT MIDDLE SCHOOL Dinner at Chipotle Day: Monday, January 29, 2018 Time: 5 to 9 pm Location: 10 Westage Drive, Fishkill, NY When you get your dinner at Chipotle on Monday night, tell them to put your purchase towards Rombout Middle School PTO, and Chipotle will donate 50% of proceeds to Rombout's PTO - which goes back to students, teachers and the building! Information > J.V. FORRESTAL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Vote Now! JV Forrestal School is a finalist in the latest Project Fit Grant Contest. Help JVF students win new playground fitness equipment and Physical Education equipment for their school! Vote once per day, per email right here (super easy).     Thank you to BAJA 328 for sponsoring the Restaurant Guide!     BOUTIQUES ON THE WEST END   Luxe Optique 183 Main Street (near Beacon Bread Company) Look at this trio! What dreamy eyewear to round out your wardrobe. There are subtle differences in each style, from the location of the bridge to the precise shape of the circles. Come into the store and try them on. From the top: Dita, JF Rey, Oliver Peoples.     BOUTIQUES ON THE EAST END PARKING HINT: Park behind 1 East Main, near the Hudson Valley Brewery, and use the back walkway to head up to Main Street! Style Storehouse 484 Main Street (near Utensil) This is your intro to spring! Soft, fun and versatile tops are in the shop, and this one by Free People with flared sleeves and playful tie bottom is just the beginning... Lambs Hill Bridal Boutique 1 East Main Street, Retail #3 (near the dummy light) If you've ever wanted to wear a wedding gown designed exclusively for a Beacon boutique, now is your chance. This Sweetheart mermaid gown was designed and made exclusively for Lambs Hill, featuring luxurious faux fur throughout. Thank you to the following shops for sponsoring our Shopping Guide! Luxe Optique, Lambs Hill Bridal Boutique, and Style Storehouse. Where can you get your hair done in Beacon? Or find a beard trim? Or even eyelash extensions? Find out in A Little Beacon Blog's Beauty Guide! SPOTLIGHT SPONSOR HIGHLIGHTS Antalek & Moore Insurance Agency And now, for your moment of zen, Antalek & Moore's Instagram account is up and running! Warning: You will see more puppy photos representing Antalek & Moore's ability to connect you with a New York Pet Insurance Policy. Connect with Antalek & Moore on Instagram. Rhinebeck Bank Do you know the history of the Vassar Brothers? Did you know that one of the brothers died in a fire in Vassar’s Brewery, which stood on the same spot where the Vassar Institute (now known as Cunneen-Hackett Arts Center) was built? During this episode of Wake Up With Rhinebeck Bank, Michelle interviews Executive Director Andrew Bergreen to learn about the art center. Rhinebeck Bank has been a longtime sponsor of the art programs here. Increase your Hudson Valley and Poughkeepsie trivia by getting some Vassar family history during this episode of Wake Up with Rhinebeck Bank. Watch it here! Beacon Chamber of Commerce The Beacon Chamber of Commerce's Annual Meeting is Monday, January 29, at 5:30 pm at the Elks Club, 900 Wolcott Ave. The names listed below will be submitted for election by the members in attendance. There is one vote per member. This process also allows for nominations from the floor. The Chamber encourages your participation. Not a member yet? Join the Chamber today online here! Nominees President, Rick Brownell of Freedom Ford Vice President, Carl Oken of Beacon Elks Club Treasurer - Open Corresponding Secretary, Teresa Williams of Antalek & Moore Insurance Director, Sheryl Glickman of Notions ‘N Potions Recording Secretary, Kathy Sandford of Antalek & Moore Insurance Director, John Gilvey of Hudson Beach Glass Director Annemarie Sipilief of CIA Security   BeaconArts: Membership The Annual Meeting and Board Elections will be held this Wednesday, January 31, 2018, at 6:30 pm at The Beacon Institute for Rivers and Estuaries/Clarkson University Gallery, 199 Main St., Beacon. Current board members are listed below, as well as candidates. You must be a current member of BeaconArts to attend. You can join online here! Board Members continuing through 2018: Theresa Goodman (current Vice President), 1st term, 2nd year Christina Jensen (former Board member; appointed by Board in January to fulfill Sommer Hixson’s remaining year), 1st term, 2nd year Terry Nelson, 1st term, 2nd year Rick Rogers, 1st term, 2nd year Aaron Verdile (current Treasurer), 1st term, 2nd year Candidates are: Hanny Ahern (2 years, 1st term) Karlyn Benson (2 years, 1st term) Angelique Devlin (2 years, 1st term) Meghan Goria (2 years, 1st term) Linda Pratt Kimmel (2 years, 1st term) Tin Shingle: Member Meeting Tin Shingle is an empowerment zone for artists, makers, and business owners who want to get the word out about their projects, initiatives and businesses. Every last Monday of the month, at noon, Tin Shingle hosts an opportunity to connect, to share ideas and get support in Tin Shingle's office at 291 Main St. Membership at the entry level is required to attend, and you can learn more about that here. Join us! InHouse Design Media Now available: glamour shots! For businesses who are looking to jazz up their social media accounts with professionally taken photos. Have InHouse Design Media's photographer, Leigh Baumann, take a bunch of photos for you - of your office, gallery, shop, products and/or staff - and use the photos whenever and however you like. Leigh takes the photos you see here for A Little Beacon Blog's advertisers. See more photos here! A Little Beacon Space The time is right to host your workshop, now you just need a venue. A Little Beacon's Space is a perfect location, conveniently right in the heart of Beacon, to fit your audience. NEWSLETTER SIGNUP Advertise in A Little Beacon Blog Pictures shown above are from our advertising partners in the Things To Do In Beacon Guides. We can include your most exciting news here too! Be a part of this publication - be the support that makes it happen! Reach our readers, align with the community, and get your message out. See our Media Kit for ideas! Click here to learn about ways to advertise on A Little Beacon Blog. Until next week!

Happening This Weekend - 1/19/2018

If you've had cabin fever this month, upcoming days hold the cure! You have a lot of great options right now in the Classes department, from fitness to iPhones. Several other goings-on are scheduled, so get your boots on, get some fresh air, and enjoy the weekend! Sponsored by Antalek & Moore for car insurance.   Thom Joyce’s Open Mic Night Day: Friday, January 19, 2018 Time: 8 pm Location: Howland Cultural Center, 477 Main St., Beacon, NY Information > Live Concert: Shapiro/Kerr Duo Day: Saturday, January 20, 2018 Time: 8 pm Location: Howland Cultural Center, 477 Main St., Beacon, NY Information > Plan ahead and check out what's coming up this month in our Events Guide.     Beacon Pilates : We Moved! Thirteen years ago, Beacon Pilates set up equipment in Beacon, and at the end of last year, they moved to their new home, near the train station! Now located in the same building that houses 2 Way Brewing Co. and BCAP, at 18 West Main St., Suite 3, Beacon Pilates is on the side of the building that has beautifully renovated interiors with plenty of parking. SAVE THE DATE! Day: Saturday, February 10, 2018 Time: 5 to 8 pm Beacon Pilates is having a Grand Re-Opening Party at their new space, and you're invited! Owner Juliet Harvey says: "Come celebrate 13 years of Beacon Pilates in our newly designed, light-filled studio! Anyone is welcome, even if you've never been to the studio before." Information > AcroYoga Fundamentals Workshop Day: Friday, January 19, 2018 Time: 7 to 9 pm Location: Shambhala Wellness Center, 4 S. Chestnut St., Beacon, NY Information > Stretch Your Soul Workshop Day: Friday, January 19, 2018 Time: 7 to 8:30 pm Location: Firefly Yoga, 992 Main St., Fishkill, NY Information > iPhoneography Workshop Day: Saturday, January 20, 2018 Time: 10 am to noon Location: River Winds Gallery, 172 Main St., Beacon, NY Information > Quilting 101 w/ Katy Hope (four sessions) Level: Confident Beginner Day: Saturdays, January 20, 27, February 3 and 10, 2018 Time: 10 am to 1 pm Location: Beetle & Fred, 171 Main St., Beacon, NY Information > Knitting 101 - Big Blanket Workshop Day: Sunday, January 21, 2018 Time: 10:30 am to 12:30 pm Location: Loopy Mango, 500 Main St., Beacon, NY Information > Knitting Studio with Kit Burke-Smith (four sessions) Level: Beginner-Intermediate Days: Mondays, January 22 to February 12, 2018 Time: 7 to 9 pm Location: Beetle & Fred, 171 Main St., Beacon, NY Information > Thank you, Beacon Pilates, for sponsoring the Classes for Adults Guide! For a full list of upcoming classes, visit our Adult Classes Guide. Hudson Hills Montessori Open House Day: Sunday, January 21, 2018 Time: 11 am to 1 pm Location: Hudson Hills Montessori, 12 Hanna Lane, Beacon, NY Information > Art & Zine Club Meetup Day: Friday, January 19, 2018 Time: 3:30 to 5 pm Location: Howland Public Library, 313 Main St., Beacon, NY Information > Learn Beat Boxing & Body Percussion Day: Saturday, January 20, 2018 Time: 11 am Location: Beacon Music Factory, 333 Fishkill Ave., Beacon, NY Information > For a full list of upcoming classes, visit our Kids Classes Guide.   Thank you to BAJA 328 for sponsoring the Restaurant Guide!     BOUTIQUES ON THE WEST END   Luxe Optique 183 Main Street SALE ALERT! Get your shades out, it's sunny! What's that? You have boring sunglasses, or you finally lost your old trusties? You're in luck then, because all Oliver Peoples sunglasses are $100 off at Luxe Optique right now! Get them with or without prescription lenses. Where is Luxe Optique? Across Cliff Street from Beacon Bread Company.     BOUTIQUES ON THE EAST END PARKING PRO TIP: Park behind 1 East Main, by the Hudson Valley Brewery, and use the back walkway to come up to Main Street! Style Storehouse 484 Main Street Just look at this sweet stack of threads. Your closet is in need of some fresh denim, and Style Storehouse is where you will find plenty of styles, sizes and stretchy fabric. There are lots of sales currently going on now at Style Storehouse, including this denim deal for 25% off!  Where is Style Storehouse? A few stores down from Utensil, as you round the bend. Lambs Hill Bridal Boutique 1 East Main, Retail #3 Featured in the most recent issue of Chronogram as part of their curated Wedding Venue Guide, Lambs Hill is the destination for a wedding in a beautiful mountaintop setting. The Lambs Hill Bridal Boutique enhances the bridal experience with a showroom of wedding gowns at the base of Mount Beacon, in the newly renovated 1 East Main building. New styles are in store now, with more to come! Find a wide range of sizes from brand names like Lillian West and Justin Alexander. Where Is Lambs Hill? In the renovated factory building near the dummy light. Thank you to the following shops for sponsoring our Shopping Guide!  Luxe Optique, Lambs Hill, and Style Storehouse. Where can you get your hair done in Beacon? Or find a beard trim? Or even fluttery eyelash extensions? Find out in A Little Beacon Blog's Beauty Guide! SPOTLIGHT SPONSOR HIGHLIGHTS Antalek & Moore Insurance Agency CONGRATULATIONS! Were you driving down Main Street on Thursday afternoon and saw the exuberant gathering outside the normally-quiet row of storefronts across from the post office? In case you were wondering, that was the crowd that showed up to support one of Beacon's longest-running businesses, Antalek & Moore. A torch was being passed to the new Executive Partners, Susan Antalek Pagones and Vince Lemma. Read more about it! Rhinebeck Bank Rhinebeck Bank has enabled several Hudson Valley bussiness to grow, including Crunch Fitness. In this episode of "Wake Up With Rhinebeck Bank," Michelle Barone-Lepore interviews Tom Van Pelt to learn about 2018's fitness trends, which include Small Group Training, HIT (High Intensity Training), and Wearables. Want to learn more? Watch it here! Beacon Chamber of Commerce The Beacon Chamber of Commerce's Annual Meeting will be Monday, January 29, at 5:30 pm at the Elks Club, 900 Wolcott Ave., Beacon, NY. On the agenda: voting for new Board Members. Mark your calendar, and Join the Chamber today! BeaconArts : Open Studios LAST CHANCE! Tickets are on sale for only a little bit longer for the Beacon Open Studios fundraiser. Day: Friday, January 26, 2018 Time: 8 pm to midnight Location: Denning's Point Distillery Enjoy live jazz, dancing, a VIP gaming room, and special raffle prizes! Celebrate and support Beacon's vibrant arts community in one fancy party. Tickets > Tin Shingle Workshop : Start Your Website With Markers! This workshop went well, so Tin Shingle is offering another round! Look for a new website from Evey Amaris, who is launching her long-awaited business in creating sacred space for homes and businesses. This workshop takes you through the process of thinking out how your website will be presented to, and received by, your customers. Sign up for the next one! Price: $185 Day: Tuesday, February 6, 2018 Time: 2 to 4 pm Tickets > A Little Beacon Space The time is right to host your workshop, now you just need a venue. A Little Beacon's Space is the perfect location, conveniently located in the heart of Beacon, to accomodate your audience. InHouse Design Media InHouse Design Media can produce pretty, compelling pictures for your social media stream that will make your brand extremely attractive to prospective clients and customers. Flyers, invitations, business cards, and more stationery can also be designed for you as needed. InHouse Design Media is the design arm of A Little Beacon Blog, and can be hired by you for marketing services. Reach out to see how they can help you. NEWSLETTER SIGNUP Advertise in A Little Beacon Blog Pictures shown above are from our advertising partners in the Things To Do In Beacon Guides. We can include your most exciting news here too! Sponsors make the local media go 'round. Reach our readers and support our publication at the same time. Advertising with A Little Beacon Blog is effective because we design ways to make it work for you. See our Media Kit for ideas! Click here to learn about ways to advertise on A Little Beacon Blog. Until next week!

Happening This Weekend - 1/12/2018

This weekend is Second Saturday! You have plenty of time to see many of the art exhibits going on now, including the exhibit from all four Beacon Elementary Schools at the Howland Public Library. The galleries are so diverse, offering you different experiences on your way up and down Main Street - or on other streets as well. We have the full Second Saturday Guide for you here. (It's still being updated as usual because it's a live guide!) Highlighted below are the events, classes, workshops and shopping that you need to factor into your weekend plans, as well as your week next week! Sponsored by Antalek & Moore for car insurance. “Art Is Elementary” Reception Day: Saturday, January 13, 2018 Time: 2 to 4 pm Location: Howland Public Library, 313 Main St., Beacon, NY Information > Ribbon Cutting Ceremony at The Studio @ Beacon Day: Saturday, January 13, 2018 Time: 2 pm Location: The Studio @ Beacon, 301 Main St., Beacon, NY Information > Howland Chamber Music Circle presents Anna Polonsky/Orion Weiss, Duo Piano Day: Sunday, January 14, 2018 Time: 4 pm Location: Howland Cultural Center, 477 Main St., Beacon, NY Information > 5th Annual Dr. Martin Luther King Day Celebration Day: Monday, January 15, 2018 Time: See below for schedule, starting at 8 am Location: Springfield Baptist Church, 8 Church St. aka 8 Mattie Cooper Square, Beacon, NY Theme: "If I Can Help Somebody, Then My Living Will Not Be In Vain" 8 am: Free continental breakfast, provided by The Southern Dutchess Coalition 9:30 am: 5th Annual Dr. King Community Parade Lineup. Participants are encouraged to bring American flags, posters and banners. 10:45 am: Annual SDC/MLK Essay Contest award presentation to young writers, mainly Beacon High School students, according to the Beacon Free Press, for a cash prize of $50. Rhinebeck Bank has sponsored this prize since the contest's inception. 11 am: Annual youth/adult talent presentation 11:50 am: Annual youth, choir members and seniors celebration lunch 12 pm: Annual adult celebration lunch 1 pm: Annual celebration service Details > Plan ahead and check out what's coming up this month in our Events Guide.     Chaturanga, Up Dog, Down Dog! Day: Saturday, January 13, 2018 Time: 1 to 3 pm Location: Firefly Yoga, 992 Main St., Fishkill, NY Information > Coloring Books for Adults Day: Beginning Sunday, January 14, 2018 Time: Sunday, 4 to 7 pm; Tuesday, 1 to 4 pm Location: Howland Public Library, 313 Main St., Beacon, NY Information > Tin Shingle's Workshop: Start Your Website With Markers! Day: Thursday January 18, 2018 Time: 2 to 4 pm Location: 291 Main St., First Floor, First Door, Beacon, NY Information > For a full list of upcoming classes, visit our Adult Classes Guide. Lightning Bugs Kids Yoga Camp Day: Week of January 15, 2018 Time: 9:15 to 11:45 am Information > For a full list of upcoming classes, visit our Kids Classes Guide.   Thank you to The Vault and to BAJA for sponsoring the Restaurant Guide!     BOUTIQUES ON THE WEST END   Luxe Optique 183 Main Street Stylish yet classic Dalziel sunglasses are handmade by Barton Perreira using unsurpassed craftsmanship and ingenious design. A style like this is often sold out at the limited number of shops it's carried in, but you'll find it available now at Beacon's own Luxe Optique. Barton Perreira’s approach to fashion redefines style and elegance. Patty Perreira’s language of inspired design focuses on the evolution process and continues to challenge the industry by unveiling the next new thing. Where is Luxe Optique? Across Cliff Street from Beacon Bread Company.   BOUTIQUES ON THE EAST END PARKING HINT: Park behind 1 East Main, by the Hudson Valley Brewery, and use the back walkway to come up to Main Street! Style Storehouse 484 Main Street Meet the Queen of Leggings (and denim) on Main Street: Michele Williams, owner of Style Storehouse, keeps her collection of leggings fresh and in stock for many sizes and shapes of ladies. Pictured here are super soft rainbow leggings by Hard Tail, 100 percent lycra with a mesh detail. Where is Style Storehouse? Near Waddle n Swaddle. Lambs Hill Bridal Boutique 1 East Main, Retail #3 This Lillian West gown, featuring "power mesh" lining at the waist and hip, is hanging at Lambs Hill Bridal Boutique right now. It has a unique scalloped hem and soft Venice lace throughout. This style also comes with an optional slit. Clearly, mesh is a thing right now, fits the curviest of body types, and can drape quite well while ensuring comfort. Where Is Lambs Hill? In the renovated factory building near the dummy light. Thank you to the following shops for sponsoring our Shopping Guide! Luxe Optique, Lambs Hill, and Style Storehouse. Where can you get your hair done in Beacon? Or a beard trim? Find out in A Little Beacon Blog's Beauty Guide! SPOTLIGHT SPONSOR HIGHLIGHTS Antalek & Moore Insurance Agency SAVE THE DATE! This Thursday, January 18, from 4 to 5 pm, meet Vince Lemma and welcome him to his new role as partner at Antalek & Moore Insurance Agency. Read our article about him here, and drop by their offices on your way home from work or play on Thursday to toast him. Rhinebeck Bank Big things are happening at the Underwear Factory in Poughkeepsie! The Art Effect - the collaboration and merger with Mill Street Loft and Spark Media Project - is based in the serious spot with the funny name, and has all sorts of creativity going on for young kids! Michelle Barone-Lepore interviews Executive Director Nicole Fenichel-Hewitt and Gaye Mallet, Board President, to learn more about the program and show you behind-the-scenes tidbits of kids making films, graphic designing and more. One of the student-produced films has even traveled through several film festivals including the Tribeca Film Festival. Learn more about it here in this short episode! Beacon Chamber of Commerce Are you a new business in Beacon? Joining the Chamber of Commerce shows your support for the business community in Beacon, and connects you with others during monthly member meetings. Join today online! BeaconArts: Membership A big meeting is coming up for BeaconArts! It's the annual meeting and board elections. Current board members are listed below, as well as candidates. You must be a current member of BeaconArts to attend and vote. Join online here. Board members continuing through 2018: Theresa Goodman (current Vice President), 1st term, 2nd year Christina Jensen (former Board member, appointed by Board in January to fulfill remainder of Sommer Hixson's term), 1st term, 2nd year Terry Nelson, 1st term, 2nd year Rick Rogers, 1st term, 2nd year Aaron Verdile (current Treasurer), 1st term, 2nd year Candidates are: Matthew Agoglia Hanny Ahern (2 yrs, 1st term) Karlyn Benson (2 yrs, 1st term) Angelique Devlin (2 yrs, 1st term) Meghan Goria (2 yrs, 1st term) Linda Pratt Kimmel (2 yrs, 1st term) More details about the candidates, including their bios, are here. Tin Shingle Workshop: Start Your Website With Markers! This class is this Thursday! In this workshop, Katie Hellmuth Martin will lead you through the organization process of starting your website, in order to help you decide what you're going to put on your website. What kind of pages and pictures will be there? What is the point of it? You will use markers, the dry erase board, and plenty of paper to help you map this out visually with your hands, before diving into the digital version on the computer. Price: $185 Day: Thursday, January 18, 2018 Time: 2 to 4 pm Buy ticket here A Little Beacon Space The time is right to host your workshop, now you just need a site. A Little Beacon's Space is a perfect location, conveniently located in the heart of Beacon, to fit your audience. InHouse Design Media InHouse Design Media can produce pretty pictures for your social media stream in order to make your brand extremely attractive to prospective clients and customers. Flyers, invitations, business cards, and more stationery can also be designed for you as needed. InHouse Design Media is the design arm of A Little Beacon Blog and can be hired by you for marketing services. Reach out to see how they can help you. NEWSLETTER SIGNUP Advertise in A Little Beacon Blog Pictures shown above are from our advertising partners in the Things To Do In Beacon Guides. We can include your most exciting news here too! Sponsors make the local media go 'round. Reach our readers and support our publication at the same time. Advertising with A Little Beacon Blog is effective because we design ways to make it work for you. See our Media Kit for ideas! Click here to learn about ways to advertise on A Little Beacon Blog. Until next week!

Happening This Weekend - 1/5/2018

The temp won't go above 18 degrees this weekend. Stay warm!  Despite this - it's time to get out of the house, and because you took our advice last year and got the most amazing Dig Out Winter Boots at Mountain Tops, you are ready for anything! The sidewalks are shoveled, the sun is shining (for now). If you're battling the cold or flu that gripped everyone during the Winter Break, we have brewed up a tea for sick folks. Pick up the simple ingredients from a shops in a three-store radius. And now, onto the things going on this weekend or starting mid-week...

Sponsored by Antalek & Moore for car insurance “Cloth & Memory” Opening Reception Day: Sunday, January 7, 2018 Time: 3 to 5 pm Location: Howland Cultural Center, 477 Main St., Beacon, NY Information > Open Mic Invitationals Day: Sunday, January 7, 2017 Time: 7 to 10 pm Location: Towne Crier, 379 Main St., Beacon, NY Information > Plan ahead and check out what's coming up this month in our Events Guide.     Natural Dye Workshop Day: Saturday, January 6, 2018 Time: Noon to 3 pm Location: Textile Lab, 146 Main St., Beacon, NY Information > Workshop: Strong Core & Open Hips with Charles Matkin Day: Sunday, January 7, 2018 Time: 2 to 4 pm Location: Shambhala Wellness Center, 4 South Chestnut St., Beacon, NY Information > For a full list of upcoming classes, visit our Adult Classes Guide. Card & Board Games Club Day: Friday, January 5, 2018 Time: 3 to 5 pm Location: Howland Public Library, 313 Main St., Beacon, NY Information > High School Writing Lab Day: Thursdays, starting January 11, 2018 Time: 2:30 to 4 pm Location: Howland Cultural Center, 477 Main St., Beacon, NY Information > Sew Cool Tuesdays Ages: 5-11 Days: Tuesdays, starting January 9, 2018 Time: 4 to 5:30 pm Location: Beacon Art Adventures @ Howland Cultural Center, 477 Main St., Beacon, NY Information > For a full list of upcoming classes, visit our Kids Classes Guide.   Thank you to The Vault and to BAJA for sponsoring the Restaurant Guide!     BOUTIQUES ON THE WEST END   Luxe Optique 183 Main Street SALE ALERT! Can you stand it? So much plaid around your eyes, and in a square/circle combo? These frames are incredible, and are part of the Winter Sale going on now at Luxe Optique. $100 off JF Rey (pictured), Boz, Volte Face and Nao Ned frames! Where is Luxe Optique? Across Cliff Street from Beacon Bread Company.   BOUTIQUES ON THE EAST END PARKING HINT: Park behind 1 East Main, by the Hudson Valley Brewery, and use the back walkway to come up to Main Street! Style Storehouse 484 Main Street SALE ALERT! Awesome sales going on now! We especially have our eye on the 50% off (!!) vegan leather legging by Free People. Do go in, and see what Michelle has put on sale - and how low she has gone on these discounts. As you can see - they're clearly marked! Where is Style Storehouse? Near Waddle n Swaddle. Lambs Hill Bridal Boutique 1 East Main, Retail #3 Visit Lambs Hill Bridal Boutique down on Beacon's east end of town, for three floors of gowns, veils, accessories and a private dressing area with room for your best shopping gals. Brides and their entourages get VIP treatment in the beautifully adorned shop with a rustic touch. Where Is Lambs Hill? In the renovated factory building near the historic dummy light. Thank you to the following shops for sponsoring our Shopping Guide!  Luxe Optique, Lambs Hill, and Style Storehouse. Where can you get your hair done in Beacon? Or tidy up with a beard trim? Find out in A Little Beacon Blog's Beauty Guide! SPOTLIGHT SPONSOR HIGHLIGHTS Antalek & Moore Insurance Agency Big things are happening at Antalek & Moore Insurance Agency in the new year. Keep your eyes on A Little Beacon Blog for an upcoming announcement and celebration. Meanwhile, look into your home and business insurance needs. Take a look here to learn about your options, then call Antalek & Moore today for more information, at (845)245-6292. Rhinebeck Bank Season 3 of Wake Up With Rhinebeck Bank has started! Host Michelle Barone interviews local businesses, nonprofit organizations, and public figures of the Hudson Valley. See firsthand how Rhinebeck Bank helps businesses grow and impacts the community! See the latest from Rhinebeck Bank. Beacon Chamber of Commerce Are you an expert in your field, looking for ways to get in front of Beacon's business community? Suggest yourself as a speaker for an upcoming Beacon Chamber of Commerce Member meeting. Details here on their website. BeaconArts The 2018 Annual Meeting and Board Elections will be Wednesday, January 3. It starts at 6:30 pm with networking; at 7, the meeting starts, running until 8. The election is the only item on the agenda, though attendees will be given updates on the status of BeaconArts projects and a brief Annual Report. You must be a current member of BeaconArts to vote. The meeting will be held at the Beacon Institute for Rivers and Estuaries on Main Street, where the BeaconArts Retrospective:15 exhibit is currently on view. This is a great opportunity to take in the exhibit, and renew your support of BeaconArts. Tin Shingle In this class, hosted at 291 Main Street in the Telephone Building, you will go through the process to get started on your website. Begin with a blank slate, finish the day knowing what pages will be on your website. We will use blank pieces of paper, colorful markers, dry erase boards, and other easy ways to break you free of your fear of creating a website. Get the details here! Class size is limited, so reserve your spot. A Little Beacon Space The time is right to host your workshop, now you just need a location. A Little Beacon's Space is the perfect spot, conveniently located in the heart of Beacon, to fit your audience. InHouse Design Media Need someone to take over your social media, or to guide you in what you are already doing? InHouse Design Media can feed you ideas that will make customers take action. Pick one of our Digital Marketing Retainers.   NEWSLETTER SIGNUP Advertise in A Little Beacon Blog Pictures shown above are from our advertising partners in the Things To Do In Beacon Guides. We can include your most exciting news here too! Sponsors make the local media go round. Reach our readers and support our publication at the same time. Advertising with A Little Beacon Blog is effective because we design ways to make it work for you. See our Media Kit for ideas! Click here to learn about ways to advertise on A Little Beacon Blog. Until next week!

Happening This Weekend - 12/29/2017

Enjoy this quiet week, and take advantage of the moments of reflection on the New You in the New Year. When you make your way out of the house, we have some ideas for where you might go!

Sponsored by Antalek & Moore for car insurance. Coffee and Cookies at Catalyst Day: Saturday, December 30, 2017 Time: 10 am to noon Location: Catalyst Gallery, 137 Main St., Beacon, NY Information > New Year’s Eve Dinner at The Vault Day: Sunday, December 31, 2017 Time: Dinner Location: 446 Main St., Beacon NY Call (845) 202-7735 to make a reservation! New Year’s Eve Bash at Dogwood with BeaconArts Ball Lighting Day: Sunday, December 31, 2017 Time: 8 pm to 1 am Location: Dogwood, 47 E. Main St., Beacon NY Information > Plan ahead and check out what's coming up this month in our Events Guide.     Scrabble for Cabin Fever at the Howland Public Library Day: Tuesday to Saturday, December 26 to 30, 2017 Time: During library hours Location: 313 Main St., Beacon NY Information > For a full list of upcoming classes, visit our Adult Classes Guide. For a full list of upcoming classes, visit our Kids Classes Guide.   The Vault 446 Main Street New cocktail on the menu: Winter Mule, mixed with Tito's Vodka, fresh cranberries, rosemary syrup, lime and ginger beer.   Where is The Vault? Near Beacon Bath & Bubble. Thank you to The Vault and to BAJA for sponsoring the Restaurant Guide!     BOUTIQUES ON THE WEST END   Luxe Optique 183 Main Street CREATIVE SPENDING IDEA: Luxe Optique accepts Care Credit, flex spending accounts, health savings accounts, and vision insurance! Remember that line of Care Credit you got for your cat's operation? If you've paid it off already, you can use the same account for your favorite frames at Luxe Optique! Where is Luxe Optique? Across Cliff Street from Beacon Bread Company.   BOUTIQUES ON THE EAST END PARKING HINT: Park behind 1 East Main, by the Hudson Valley Brewery, and use the back walkway to come up to Main Street! Style Storehouse 484 Main Street Distressed fishnet jeans by Free People. Yes, fishnet! Free People has gotten creative with the neo-traditional pre-fab holes in jeans. Versatile and perfect for all seasons!  Where is Style Storehouse? Near Waddle n Swaddle. Lambs Hill Bridal Boutique 1 East Main, Retail #3 The fit of this Lillian West gown is just stunning, with a unique embroidered lace and illusion neckline, sleeves and back. Where is Lambs Hill Bridal? In the renovated factory building near the historic dummy light. Thank you to the following shops for sponsoring our Shopping Guide! Luxe Optique, Lambs Hill, and Style Storehouse. Where can you get your hair done in Beacon? Or a beard trim? Find out in A Little Beacon Blog's Beauty Guide! SPOTLIGHT SPONSOR HIGHLIGHTS Antalek & Moore Insurance Agency Are you setting up shop in Beacon? Or anywhere in New York? You'll likely want to buy business insurance, and the agents at Antalek & Moore can advise you on what types of insurance you need, and research the best rate. Click here to learn about your options, then call Antalek & Moore today for more information: (845) 245-6292. Rhinebeck Bank Do you need new (or used) equipment for your business? Do you need it right now? Rhinebeck Bank offers an Express Business Loan, with a credit decision made within one business day on loan amounts up to $250,000. Visit their website for more information or inquire at a branch! Beacon Chamber of Commerce Join the Beacon Chamber of Commerce to connect with other businesses and show your support for the community. Want to get people in the door of your establishment? Host a Chamber Meeting! Details here on their website. BeaconArts : Beacon OPEN Studios Registration dates for Beacon Open Studios begins soon! Early Registration: January 1-15.....$40 Standard Registration: January 27-March 3.....$55 Beacon Open Studios Weekend Saturday and Sunday, April 28 and 29, 2018, noon to 6 pm Email director@beaconopenstudios.org for more information. Meanwhile, get your tickets online for BeaconArts' upcoming Roaring Twenties Costume Ball and Fundraiser. Tin Shingle In this class, hosted at 291 Main Street in Beacon's historic Telephone Building, we will go through the process together to get you started on your website. Start with a blank slate, and end with knowing what pages will be on your website. We will use blank pieces of paper, colorful markers, dry erase boards, and other easy ways to help you break free of your fears of creating a website. Get details here! Class size is limited, so reserve your spot. A Little Beacon Space The time is right to host your workshop, now you just need a location. A Little Beacon Space is a perfect location to fit your audience, conveniently located in the heart of Beacon. InHouse Design Media Need someone to take over managing your social media, or to guide you to improve what you are already doing? InHouse Design Media can feed you ideas that will make customers take action. Pick one of our Digital Marketing Retainers.   NEWSLETTER SIGNUP Advertise in A Little Beacon Blog Pictures shown above are from our advertising partners in the Things To Do In Beacon Guides. We can include your most exciting news here too! Sponsors make the local media go 'round. Reach our readers and support our publication at the same time. Advertising with A Little Beacon Blog is effective because we design ways to make it work for you. See our Media Kit for ideas! Click here to learn about ways to advertise on A Little Beacon Blog. Until next week!