Beacon Library Hosts Filmmaker Series for Middle Schoolers with Reel Life Film Club

Beacon, Cold Spring and Garrison libraries have teamed up for Reel Life Film Club, a new film series for middle school students. The Reel Life Film Club is an opportunity for middle school students to view award-winning documentary films and talk about them with the filmmakers.
 
The next screening will be in Beacon on June 2 at 6 pm at the Howland Library. The club will be viewing the documentary Racing Dreams (2009). The film follows three young racers as they compete in the World Karting Association's National Pavement Series. Writer and director Marshall Curry will be on hand to talk about his film with the kids. This movie has won Best Documentary at six film festivals.
 
The third film, Spellbound (2002), will be shown on July 7 at 6 pm at Desmond Fish Library in Garrison.
 
Pizza will be served at the events and registration is encouraged: For Racing Dreams, at Howland Library on June 2, call 845-831-1134; For Spellbound at Desmond-Fish on July 7, call 845-424-3020. Like the libraries’ Facebook pages for up-to-date information.
 
For more information, contact Michelle Rivas, Howland Library, community@beaconlibrary.org, or Karen Thompson, Desmond-Fish Library, kat@highlands.com, Maureen McGrath, Butterfield Library, jbl.libraryservices@gmail.com.

Beacon's First Time Hosting the Cupcake Festival - The Freakonomics Angle

The City of Beacon hosted the Cupcake Festival for the first time ever on May 6, 2017, making it possibly the biggest festival in the last few decades to be hosted in this city. So how was it for everyone? We collected feedback from various types of people to look at this from an economics point of view. It's an angle that may fit on the Freakonomics podcast, which studies the hidden side of everything.

Skin In The Game - Whose Skin, What Game?

When you're young and going to a spring or summertime festival, all you typically think about is who you're going with, when, where you're parking, and how much money you brought to spend on food, tickets, or games. When you're a little kid, you may think about what friends you're going with, but otherwise it's all about the sweets, face painting and bouncy houses. Your only skin in the game is to get sticky with different cupcake flavors.

Meanwhile, you're surrounded by businesses whose skin in the game is to create a shop, gallery or eatery that will delight you, and hopefully tempt you into buying something. Not to mention the vendors who secure permits and insurance to attend, then pack up their best selection to unpack and quickly display for you. This article looks at how those two goals work together, for the long run or more-immediate impacts, and how they intersected in Beacon on the day 10,000 people came to town looking to have a great time.

Kids decorating their own cupcakes.

Kids bouncy houst at Cupcake Festival

The Cupcake Festival Celebrates Its 6th Year With Move to Beacon

The Cupcake Festival just completed its sixth year of production by radio station K104.7, part of Pamal Broadcasting. Organizers went looking for a new location after presenting in Fishkill for years, and they wanted to keep a city feel with the party on a Main Street, in the middle of town. They approached the City of Beacon, and the Mayor said "yes" with the enthusiastic support of the Beacon Chamber of Commerce.

Style Storehouse was an official vendor in the thick of it, outside of their shop. All storefronts were permitted to have tables on the sidewalk at no cost to them.
Photo Credit: Digital Weddings

Was it a good choice? Says Chamber president Rick Brownell, and owner of Freedom Ford on Route 52: "The Cupcake Festival was a complete success. I took a few walks through the festival and found smiling faces, especially the children. Michele Williams (also on the Chamber board and owner of the boutique Style Storehouse) and I met with festival director Sam Favata of K104.7 a number of times, and he was very receptive to the requests we had. After the event, Mayor Casale told me that he didn't know a lot of people at the festival. That’s a good thing. That's our job at the Chamber - to drive new people to Beacon and let our business community do what they do best."

Sam from K104.7 explains the desire for the Main Street location: "As a live and local radio station, we have a strong sense of community and listener experience. We love the intimate setting that our Cupcake Festival has, as it not only showcases the best bakers and bakeries in the Hudson Valley, but the opportunity it creates to bring thousands of festivalgoers to Main Street in Beacon and its businesses. We are thrilled that we were able to showcase Main Street in Beacon and its storefronts as a destination in the Hudson Valley, and look forward to continuing to work with the City of Beacon on this event."

The Cupcake Festival was set up on Beacon's East End of town, which went against Beacon festival tradition. Usually, events are held on the West End, starting at Bank Square and ending somewhere in the middle, usually around the Yankee Clipper diner. In the case of the Halloween Parade, processions usually end at Echo, with families extending the parade themselves, around the corner past Beacon Falls Cafe to find more candy on the other side of that sharp turn in the road. Around the bend are shops, galleries and restaurants that many visitors have yet to stumble upon: Utensil, Waddle n Swaddle, Sukhothai Restaurant, BAU, Russell Cusick's gallery, Raddish, The Green Room, Abscission Barber Shop, and so many more. But do most people even know these storefronts exist, let alone frequent the businesses? Plus, did the storefronts want this kind of shutdown on Main Street in front of their stores? Sometimes businesses complain when festivals close Main Street.

Anne Perrone St. George, owner of The Chocolate Studio, has wanted events on the East End for years. "There have been no opportunities from events for us on the East End. Even the Spirit of Beacon Day Parade, which is held on the West End, doesn't allow for businesses to set up vendor tables. Only nonprofits can set up tables. That doesn't help us, and keeps the people [visiting] on that end of town for the day, leaving this end very dead. They do the Pumpkin Festival, the Corn and Strawberry Festivals, and beer events at Riverfront Park, and no one gets to the East End of Main Street and supports local businesses," she says.

Cupcakes: Not an Everyone Thing?

Days before the event, a man approached me to ask: "What is the deal with cupcakes? Are they a big deal?" Others who are either not fans of crowds, or not fans of cupcakes, also weighed in. Says Beacon resident Justin Riccobono: "I walked through the event and found it somewhat unappealing to me and very crowded. I'm not really that big a fan of cupcakes, but that's OK. It looked like many people enjoyed themselves."

The Curated Gift Shop, located in the new retail spaces at 1 East Main (down a little hill from Main Street), summed it up in this Instagram caption for the photo below: "I stamped this cuff [bracelet] before the @king_and_curated store was even open. Then I heard we were having the cupcake festival in Beacon this year. Goes to show you, if you build it... they will come."

Photo Credit: Posted at @thecuratedgiftshop, taken by @mrcvaughan.

Is The East End Of Beacon A Big Deal?

Yes. Over the 2016 holiday season, I received an email from a shop owner titled "The East End Is In Trouble." The email's author proceeded to ask for my advice, while sharing who they planned to connect with in hopes of increasing the number of people who actually walk down through the East End.

So many businesses on that strip are concerned. They have formed a coalition, called the Beacon East End Business Association, to connect and brainstorm ways to bring people down that way. After the abrupt closure of The Hop, foot traffic on the East End plummeted, which hurt several storefronts located on that end of town, according to several business owners.

Local artist Russell Cusick has been documenting what the East End looks like on different days. Although imagery of a rainy, quiet end of town is beautiful, it's hard on a business owner who is trying to bring exposure to their store. Pictured below are contrasting photos Russell has taken lately - both on rainy days (it also drizzled off and on, with a chill in the air, during the Cupcake Festival).

Photo Credit: Each photo was taken by artist Russell Cusick.

The artist Russell Cusick outside of his East End gallery, making one of his signature Beacon manhole covers.

Russell has been vocal about his support of increasing exposure to the East End of Main Street. He is a member of the Beacon East End Business Association. "Being on the East End of Main Street, a lot of people don’t even know that we’re here. So just to get those numbers of people on the street here is important. I feel that the East End is really a special part of Main Street, and a special part of Beacon. Once people experience this part of Beacon, they will be back. So I think that’s good for local businesses on the East End."

Parking, Trains, Walking - What Was It Like?

As with any large event happening in one's own town, there were some Grumpy Cats expressing doubts about the event, concerns over parking, and the big question: Would it be good for business? At the end of the day, 10,000 people came to Beacon by train, foot, and car, according to Sam from K104.7. Somehow the parking was absorbed. A lot of people hit A Little Beacon Blog's Free Parking Guide page before coming, and even wrote into us asking for walking directions. Recalls Sam after the big day: "I spoke with people from as far as Brooklyn and New Jersey to Monticello, Pennsylvania and Connecticut!"

Says Beacon resident Heidi Harrison, who lives in a wooded area down Churchill Street (the street between the Howland Center and the old Matteawan Train Station that currently houses the new Gino's Italian Ice shop): "I was out of town for the festival, but I watched it through people’s photos in social media. My neighbors told me that people found their way to our area and parked in front of our driveways!”

Liz Ferrera, owner of reMADE on the West End of town near Bank Square, reported that a large SUV parked in front of her store for longer than the allowed two hours, leaving her forlorn when the carload of people did not pop into her shop to take a look around before driving away. The two-hour parking rule is known to be - for the most part - unenforced in Beacon, and is a common complaint among business owners. Fellow business owners sometimes park in front of shops for hours on end, as do residential tenants who live above the storefronts and park all day and night. We discovered this trend during our survey of businesses on Main Street when the topic of parking meters bubbled up. Most wanted enforcement of the two-hour parking rule to happen first, before investing in and installing parking meters.

Main Street isn't alone in its parking woes. It's a part of life on residential side streets like where I live. Surrounded by three churches, every Sunday, cars fill the street to go to church. Cars don't block us in, but backing out of the driveway is hard, and if we're expecting company, we put out our orange cones to reserve parking. Back where I come from in Ohio, when a spring festival comes to town or Fourth of July parades are hosted, parking gets very creative, strategic, and for locals, often involves parking in friends' driveways as favors. Some owners of private parking lots charge for spaces for the weekend, making extra cash during the festival.

Hopeful visitors wrote into A Little Beacon Blog for directions on walking from the train station to the festival. Key Food set up their Kettle Korn tent to catch the walkers headed to the festival with the irresistible smell of popcorn, and reported that the stand "did very well." Businesses from sewing store Beetle and Fred to Alps Chocolate to Mr. V's all reported watching crowds of people whooshing down Main Street, hoofing it on foot to get to the cupcakes as quickly as they could. Says the Alps manager, "I don't know what the rush was. There were plenty of cupcakes, right?"

How Many Cupcakes Sell At A Cupcake Festival?

Well... of the 70 vendors that participated in the festival, 18 of them were cupcake makers. K104.7 recommended that vendors bring at least 1,000 cupcakes, and to price them no less than $3, most likely as a way to create pricing fairness. As a cupcake festival vendor newbie, this recommendation was a bit unbelievable. After experiencing the festival, however, and the lines that did not quit, it was clear that cupcake lovers were there to get lots of what they wanted. Joe Condon, owner of Joe's Irish Pub, observed: "The woman who set up in front of my pub [must have] made a killing. She was sold out by 3:30 pm." The festival started at 1 pm and ended at 5 pm.

Jason Schuler, founder of Drink More Good, has made participating in markets all over the state his number one marketing strategy. He can do about eight markets a weekend with this team. Drink More Good's main storefront/kitchen is located closer to the middle of Main Street, not in the heart of the festival with all of the foot traffic, so how did they fare? "The Cupcake Festival was a huge success in my opinion. It brought an insane amount of people to Beacon, and I guarantee a good portion of those people will be back to explore the town at a later date. We saw an increase in new traffic that day, but also had a private event in the evening that we closed early for. The only thing I'll do different next year for the Cupcake Festival is to actually get a booth at the event and sell as a vendor!"

Was the Cupcake Festival a Milestone Day for Everyone?

While Beacon does have a milelong Main Street and nearby parks, hosting such an event in Beacon would have been unimaginable a decade or two ago. Joe Condon, a lifelong resident of Beacon and founder of Joe's Irish Pub, remembers how Beacon could not have held an event like this decades ago: "Eighteen years ago there was nothing down here. Nothing at all. Anything that brings customers into this town is great. I know the Mayor and the City Council are doing everything they can to improve things in this town, and I think it’s great. I hope they bring that back every year. I am in business to make money! Next year I may have live music outside of my pub.”

Lauren & Riley

Some business owners like Kim King of Lauren and Riley, preferred the festival to be in a field. “I picture a festival to be more in a grassy area, like Memorial Park, or the waterfront, or where the Beacon Flea is in the Henry Street parking lot. I feel like every time we have a festival, it never brings in extra business for me. If you’re not food. I’d want it a block over from my store. I would rather have foot traffic from people going to or leaving a festival, headed to their cars, not the people funneled down the middle of the street.”

Meanwhile, Kim's neighbor, Brenda Haight Murnane of Beacon Bath and Bubble, had been one of first vocal skeptics of the festival. After the big day, she declared: "I'll eat my words now!" Brenda saw sales like she gets the day before Christmas. Which is a pretty big deal on a random day in May - that was rainy. "People were pleasant and happy to be in Beacon, many here for the first time. The foot traffic in here was awesome. I was freaking out because my daughter couldn’t be in to help me that day. My husband stood in."

Would all businesses do well during this kind of festival? Brenda shares her thoughts: "I think it depends on what kind of store you have. A lot of soap went out the door - bath bombs - that sort of thing. And soda - we sell vintage sodas as well. I had lots of lookers. Not everyone bought but they got to see the store which was great. Hopefully the people will come back to shop Main Street.”

“So many people that stopped at my table or came in the shop were shocked to see what Beacon is now.”

— Stephany Carapola Jones, owner The Blushery

Diva, the Woodman's sidekick on K104.7's morning show and pictured below, couldn't help but enjoy the day, and had time to appreciate the setting while surrounded by a backdrop of trees and mid-renovation old factory buildings. "I'm so glad this event was in Beacon! Beacon gets no love, and it is so nice here!"

Diva, of K104.7 in the morning.
Photo Credit: Digital Weddings

Harry's Hot Sandwiches up the street also declared a great day: "Things were great for us. Without the festival I think it would have been a quiet day because of the cold and rainy weather." Others outside of his store observed that people walked into his eatery, looked around, walked back out to check out their sandwich options, and came back in to order up.

Further up the road at The Vault, owner Anthony DiSarro checked in the black: "The impact of the festival on business at The Vault was positive. We saw more families than usual, with parents eating and drinking, but children mostly 'cupcaked out.'" Later that night, The Vault would host an '80s and '90s Dance Party, so it was a full day of music for them. The vegetarian-friendly eatery, Raddish, which normally has quiet business as it's located in the blind spot of the turn, happily reported a very busy day.

During the Cupcake Festival, Anne of The Chocolate Studio put a table out on the sidewalk in front of her store to draw attention: " After a very long winter, I was happy to have a very good sales day during the Cupcake Festival. I was happy to have the Cupcake Festival on Main Street," she said.

Denise Gianna is the owner of Denise Gianna Designs, located next door to The Chocolate Studio, and sells repainted furniture and reclaimed designs, as well as her interior design services. How did she fare? “It was a typical touristy Saturday, I sold furniture and pillows on the day. I was happy the festival was here.”

Emily Burke, supplier of all your kitchen needs at Utensil, had a table outside on the sidewalk in front of her store, selling cupcake-making things. Her daughters had baked cupcakes the night before, and were handing them out. "My sales were just about the same as an average Saturday. That said, I do think many people 'discovered' the East End shops, though it's difficult to quantify if that actually turns into new customers. From a non-retailer perspective, the event was well-run, and people were respectful and having a good time."

PS: Pictured below are some tools to make cupcake-baking easy. Find them at Utensil: Sturdy paper cupcake holders that let you skip using a muffin tin! Just pop them on a baking sheet - standing alone - and then bake (I tried it). Finish up with icing-art by getting piping bags with different shaped tips for squiggle designs, dual colors, and more (these are like paint brushes for a baker).

Staphanie Carapola Jones, owner of The Blushery and a lifelong Beacon resident, chimed in from the services side of business. Stephanie runs a brow bar, offers laser hair removal, is a makeup artist, and sells the makeup in her store. "Everybody had to pass The Blushery to get to the festival, which started a few stores away from us, so it was great. I set up a table right outside my shop on the sidewalk and had a lot of people stop in to take my service menus [and] samples. I think the people had a destination in mind and it was for the cupcakes and a street fair, not necessarily shopping boutiques. But they got to see our little business district and will possibly make a future trip here to actually walk around and check out all the stores."

A fire-torched s'more cupcake from The Roundhouse.
Photo Credit: Stephanie Carapola Jones, owner of The Blushery.

Stephanie heard a lot of commentary about Beacon while she was in her store on festival day: "So many people that stopped at my table or came in the shop were shocked to see what Beacon is now. They couldn't believe how nice it was and all the stores we have. I think we all are going to gain some new customers from this and word will travel about their experience. I walked the whole thing towards the end, because my daughter wanted to go in the bouncy house. I would love to have it back every year.”

Did the festival inconvenience Stephanie's customers? "I made sure to inform my customers about the event and logistics before they came in for appointments. They got there fine. Nobody complained to me when coming in the shop."

What about the new strip of retail shops at 1 East Main? We asked one of the latest newcomers, The Curated Gift Shop. Did people come down the hill from Main Street? "No," says The Curated Gift Shop, "but I was stuffing my face with cupcakes, so it was probably for the best."

A Little Beacon Blog's vendor table was located across from 1 East Main and across from the Roundhouse's vendor table showing off their cupcake skills (see The Blushery's photo above for a sample). We offered face-painting, whose proceeds would go to the Kindergarten Teams of Beacon's Elementary Schools.

Normally we hold these events in our storefront office at 291 Main Street, and we're lucky if we raise $15 on the day because face-paints are only $1 and it can be tough to attract people inside. During this festival, we had a solid line that we had never experienced before, and I was the only face-painter. Normally, my kids and their friends enjoy helping, but it became very clear very quickly that this was the big leagues and parents new to our business model didn't know what to make of the little painters. When I had to go judge the cupcakes, I needed to leave the table, and did not warn the line or have an official backup painter (Eeeks! Sorry everyone!). My friend jumped in reluctantly and ended up enjoying it once she got into the rhythm, but we are already planning ahead with new systems for next year! We raised $70 that day, which we are matching to send $140 to Glenham Elementary. Thank you everyone!

Most Importantly, Who Won The Cupcake Contest?

The Bourbon Bacon Cupcake! Baked and presented by Daniela Haugland. She won the $1,000 courtesy of the Poughkeepsie Galleria.

Daniela Haugland won first prize for her Bourbon Bacon Cupcake. She won the $1,000 courtesy of the Poughkeepsie Galleria.
Photo Credit: Digital Weddings

The winning cupcake, Bourbon Bacon Cupcake, baked and presented by Daniela Haugland.
Photo Credit: Digital Weddings

Second Place went to Dara Lippert with her Coconut Dream Cupcake. The People's Choice Award went to Melissa Torres for her complex Bailey's Brownie Cheesecake Cupcake.

The People's Choice Award went to Melissa Torres for her complex Bailey's Brownie Cheesecake Cupcake.
Photo Credit: Digital Weddings

Contestants and their cupcakes included:

• Arleen Harkins: Sweet Potato Caramel Delight  
• Jamie Vislocky: Banana Cream Pie Cupcake  
• Sarah Robinson: Chocolate Covered Cannoli Cupcake  
• Kimberly Alford: Carrot Cheesecake Cinnamon Buttercream Cupcake  
• Dina Marra:  Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter Cup  
• Mark Avon: Chocolate Kumquat Strawberry Cupcake

Looking forward to next year!

Happening This Weekend 5/19/2017

These weekend events are featured from A Little Beacon Blog's Things To Do In Beacon Guides, so be sure to check them frequently to find more events happening mid-week!

There is more parking around town than you think! We've got pictures. Sponsored by Antalek and Moore for car insurance. François Chaignaud & Cecilia Bengolea Dance Days: Friday to Sunday, May 19 to 21, 2017 Time: 3 pm Location: Dia: Beacon, 3 Beekman St., Beacon, NY Information > Markie Baylash Reception: Portraits of Strong Women Day: Saturday, May 20, 2017 Time: 5 to 7 pm Location: Howland Public Library, 313 Main St., Beacon, NY Information > How Can Acupuncture Help Me? Free Intro From Heart Body Mind Acupuncture Day: Saturday, May 20, 2017 Time: 3 to 8 pm Location: A Little Beacon Space, 291 Main St., Beacon, NY Cleanup at the Camp Day: Saturday, May 20, 2017 Time: 2 to 6 pm Location: Settlement Camp House, 724 Wolcott Ave., Beacon, NY Information > Hudson Valley Auctioneers Preview Day: Sunday, May 21, 2017 Preview Time: 1 to 5 pm Preview Day: Monday, May 22, 2017 Preview Time: 2 pm Live Auction Day: Monday, May 22, 2017 Auction Time: 5 pm Location: 432 Main St., Beacon, NY Hudson Valley Auctioneers opens their doors to the public first on Sunday for a preview, and then on Monday, May 22 at 5 pm for a live auction of fabulous finds from several estates, including a long-held storage unit of a well-known collector/dealer to be sold unreserved. Look for furniture from Hans Wegner, George Nelson, Herman Miller and more. Look for a red 2010 Camaro, standard with 3,700 miles, as well as fine jewelry, paintings, assorted sterling silver, and more. Information > An Evening of Flamenco Jazz with Andreas Arnold & Mario Rincon Day: Saturday, May 20, 2017 Time: 8 pm Location: Howland Cultural Center, 477 Main St., Beacon, NY Information > Storm King Art Center's Children and Families Program: Ladybug Release Day: Sunday, May 21, 2017 Time: 1 to 3 pm Location: Storm King Art Center, 1 Museum Road, New Windsor, NY Information > Howland Chamber Music Circle presents The Walden Chamber Players Day: Sunday, May 21, 2017 Time: 4 pm Location: Howland Cultural Center, 477 Main St., Beacon, NY Information > Story Screen Presents “Inside I’m Dancing” Day: Sunday, May 21, 2017 Time: 7:30 pm doors, 8 pm movie Location: More Good, 383 Main St., Beacon, NY Information > SAVE THE DATE Ballet Arts Studio Presents "The Wonderful Dances of OZ" Day: Saturday, June 3, 2017 Times: 2 pm and 6:30 pm Location: Bardavon 1869 Opera House, 35 Market St., Poughkeepsie, NY The young dancers have been rehearsing and are ready for the performance. For tickets, call Bardavon's box office directly at (845) 473-2072 or online for tickets to either performance. Tickets > Thank you to our sponsor Hudson Valley Auctioneers for sponsoring the Upcoming Events Guide! 5K Run/Walk With The Dogs Day: Sunday, May 21, 2017 Time: 9 am Location: Memorial Park, Beacon, NY Information >   Camp at Storm King Art Center Kids can enjoy time outdoors observing art and nature, making art, and exploring creative writing during Storm King's weeklong day camps on their 500-acre landscape of fields, hills, and woodlands, providing the setting for a collection of more than 100 carefully sited sculptures created by some of the most acclaimed artists of our time. Space is limited and sessions will be filled on a first-come, first-served basis. Scholarships are available. Camp programs include: Storm King Young Explorers Ages: 7 to 9 Project Write: Becoming Authors and Artists Ages: 10 to 14 The Art of Scientific Observation: From Microecology to Monumental Sculpture Age: High school students Details & Registration > For a full list of camps open for registration now (they are filling up!), visit our Summer Camp Guide. Thank you to our sponsors Ballet Arts Studio and Storm King Art Center for sponsoring the Summer Camp Guide!   Zine Meetup @ Z!ne Club Ages: 10 to 14 Days: Friday, May 19, 2017 (Third Friday every month) Time: 3 to 5 pm Location: Howland Public Library, 313 Main St., Beacon, NY Information > Saturday Morning Makers - Rubber Stamp Making Day: Saturday, May 20, 2017 Time: 11 am to noon Location: Howland Public Library, 313 Main St., Beacon, NY Information > Sensory Art for Children with Special Needs Day: Saturday, May 20, 2017 Time: 12:30 pm to 1:30 pm Location:  Eat, Paint, Love Studio, 331 Main St., Beacon, NY Information > Children's Museum's Family Free Night Day: Saturday, May 20, 2017 Time: 5 to 8 pm Location: Mid-Hudson Children's Museum, 75 North Water St., Poughkeepsie, NY Information > For a full list of upcoming classes, visit our Kids Classes Guide.   Two Trees Yoga Summer Membership - Unlimited Classes! The Summer Membership from Two Trees Yoga is here! Subscribe to this monthly membership and get unlimited classes, and the ability to bring a friend for free once per month. This membership is especially great for teachers or others with a summer break. There are many classes and yoga styles to select from. If you've never been, come to a Community Class, held on Sundays from noon to 1:15 pm, for a pay-your-choice class. Information > YOU'RE INVITED: "How Can Acupuncture Help Me?" Day: Saturday, May 20, 2017   Time: 3 to 10 pm Location: A Little Beacon Space, 291 Main St., Beacon, NY Join Maryam Mehrjui, LAc, RN, founder of Heart Body Mind Acupuncture in Beacon for a free Intro to Acupuncture at A Little Beacon Space! Find out: What conditions acupuncture treats What is a session like Pressure points for pains and aches Seasonal lifestyle and nutritional tips How to prevent spring/summer allergies Catch a half-hour intro at 3:30 pm and again at 6:30 pm. Walk in any time for a 20-minute auricular acupuncture (NADA), which is great for relaxation and detox as space and time allows. Enjoy live music from Michiko Takani's meditative music: sounds of water and objects with Asian singing. Maryam will also be offering discount packages for acupuncture, facial rejuvenation, herbal consultations and polarity therapy. Information > Thank you Two Trees Yoga and Heart Body Mind Acupuncture for sponsoring the Adult Classes Guide!     reMade 133 Main Street Get yourself a nice cold six-pack of the Coney Island Mermaid Pilsner (actually available at Rite Aid, or check the new Craft Beer Shoppe next to Key Food) and put it into this handcrafted mermaid bag by Michelle of 'BomChelle Bags available at reMADE right now. This isn't the only style, as in this collection you'll find a little of the sweet side, and a little of the rock-n-roll side, but they are all limited edition. Can't wait to see who is sporting this mermaid style! A Classic Couture Fashion Boutique 178 Main Street The Goddess look... Where can you get this much pleated organdy in a couture dress with this much flounce? At A Classic Couture Fashion Boutique, that's where, right near Artisan Wine Shop. This Marchesa dress could be worn for a summer evening out, or even as a wedding dress for those who are going short this year. You must try it on, at least... Bellus on Main 181 Main Street Ingenious Alert at Bellus on Main. Not only does Bellus have high fashion on their racks, but they look for really smart products to keep your life easy. Introducing the "droplet": a tiny blue ball that can fit on your keychain, and out pops a "dry bag" that can hold your wet bathing suit, used tissues, PB&J sandwiches, little kid snacks, and everything else that might wreck the super cute lining of your bag. Because - let's be real: Sometimes we buy bags just for the lining, and this dry bag will protect that. Luxe Optique 183 Main Street When we first saw the announcement from Luxe Optique that the new line of Anne et Valentine came in, we didn't realize what a big deal this handcrafted line was, a frame many agree "opens the eyes and provides definition." Upon seeing them in person, one could take pictures of these glasses for days and days. There are so many different looks and personalities inside each frame. The designers of the frames imagine very carefully the personality and energy of the wearer, and translate that into a sketch on the studio drawing board, matched with the right kind of metal and color. The two frames pictured here hooked our attention, with their cartoon-elegance look. But this isn't the only look you'll find in this collection right now at Luxe. Style Storehouse 484 Main Street Spring is indeed in the air at Style Storehouse, an oasis of soft fabrics that will surprise you when you try them on. Not to mention their easy pick-me-up jewelry to punch up any outfit. After your brunch or mid-afternoon lunch at Beacon Falls Cafe or Harry's, keep going past the restaurants to duck into Style Storehouse, and treat yourself to something fancy yet comfy. Thank you reMADE, A Classic Couture Fashion Boutique, Bellus on Main, Luxe Optique, Style Storehouse, and SallyeAnder for sponsoring the Shopping Guide! River Therapeutic Massage 612 Rt. 52 Beacon, NY 845-379-1956 www.river-therapeutic-massage.com Now that your spring workouts have started up again, you get to relax those muscles under the healing hands of Karen at River Therapeutic Massage. An easy choice is a 60-minute massage that can include a variety of therapeutic massage techniques, such as Swedish, deep tissue, acupressure, and others. To really kick it in, add a mini-hot stone treatment onto your massage, but let Karen know beforehand so that she can warm the stones. Book it now, and enjoy! Thank you River Therapeutic Massage for sponsoring our Beauty Guide! Visit our Beauty Guide for a complete list of beauty sources in Beacon, including hair, nails, barbers, and even lashes. Thank you The Vault and BAJA 328 for sponsoring our Restaurant Guide! Visit our Restaurant Guide for a complete list of eateries in Beacon. SPOTLIGHT SPONSOR HIGHLIGHTS Antalek & Moore As lemonade stand season starts, Antalek & Moore know a thing or two about the insurance you'll need to protect that lemonade stand or get you set up as a vendor at markets and fairs. Watch Antalek & Moore's Business Insurance video, staring local child star Addy Pagones (daughter of partner Susan Pagones), and company partner Pat Moore. Do you have all you need for your business should an accident or the unexpected happen? What is the unexpected, anyway? Watch the adorable video, then call Antalek & Moore: (845) 245-6292 or visit them at 340 Main St. in the heart of Beacon. BeaconArts This month, the BeaconArts Member Meeting is at Oak Vino Wine Bar, also known as the home of the Beacon Open Studios 2017 Group Show. This particular meeting will be more of a Beacon Open Studios post-mortem, and most of the time will be reserved to reflect on this year's Open Studios, and what can be done to improve the event for next year. As always, there will be updates on BeaconArts projects and other member news. Must be a member to attend, and you can join right here. Beacon Chamber of Commerce The next Member Meeting for the Beacon Chamber of Commerce is Tuesday, June 6. Put it in your calendar and meet other businesses in Beacon! Join today, online.                                  Tin Shingle Trying to get the word out about your business? Wishing you could get newspapers and magazines to feature your business, but you don't know how? They do want to share your story, but there are good ways to pitch them, and ineffective ways to pitch them. Tin Shingle is a national organization that is based in Beacon. Every last Monday of the month, they have a Local Member Meeting. The next one is Monday, May 29, at 10 am. Discover Tin Shingle's Community Level of Membership (starts at $45/month), and come over! InHouse Design Media Squarespace, Social Media, MailChimp, Marketing In General - these are all areas that InHouse Design Media can work with you on - one-on-one, at your own speed, and in language you understand. Also in the InHouse wheelhouse: private training and strategy building for social media, websites, digital marketing and revenue stream building. Contact them today to start a conversation about what you need. A Little Beacon Space 291 Main Street Meetings, workshops, gatherings of all kinds: They can all be booked and hosted by you at A Little Beacon Space at 291 Main Street, in the heart of Beacon. THIS SATURDAY! How Can Acupuncture Help Me? Free intro from Heart Body Mind Acupuncture from 3 to 10 pm. See what upcoming events are being hosted in A Little Beacon Space. Want to host your event here? Click here for more details and to book online. NEWSLETTER SIGNUP We know what you're thinking: "I want my business featured here!" 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 when you consider that promotion package! If you have an event to promote, and you want the flyer listed here and on our website, please see the Event Promotion package. Click here to learn about ways to advertise on A Little Beacon Blog. Until next week!

Library Budget Vote and Trustee Election - May 18th, 2017

The Howland Public Library will hold the annual budget vote and trustee election on Thursday, May 18, from noon to 8 pm in the library's community room. All registered voters in the Beacon City School District are eligible to vote. Absentee ballots are available at the library. Call Amy at (845) 831-1134, ext. 100, or email Amy at beaconlibrary dot org with any questions.

Board of Trustee Candidates running for Election 2017-2018

There are two seats available on the Library Board, one with a one-year term and one with a five-year term. The candidate receiving the most votes will win the longer term. Here's a bit about the candidates.

Stacy Christensen bought a house in Beacon 10 years ago after being introduced to the city by a friend, and falling in love with all that Beacon has to offer. One of the first things that she did upon moving here was to acquire a library card, and for a few years she volunteered in the evenings and shelved books. Stacy has lived in Putnam Valley, and once worked as clerk at the library there. The first book that she learned to read was "Green Eggs and Ham," and ever since, she has been an avid reader and supporter of all the programs that libraries have to offer. Stacy works as a bookkeeper, and has three grown children and one small granddaughter.

April Farley is a long-time resident, born and raised in the City of Beacon. As parent and community volunteer, she believes that the Howland Public Library has been one of the greatest resources for her family and community over the years and now. Her son has attended youth programs since he was young and as a teen had the opportunity to be part of the Spark Media Project. April says, "It would be a great honor to serve on the board and give back to the library and help the library to continue to bring diverse services to our community, youth and seniors."

Library Budget

If the budget passes, taxpayers will find that the increase in their library tax (appearing on the School Tax Bill) ranges from a low of $2.60 (property assessed at or below $150,000) to an average library tax increase between $4 and $6 for the year.

Click here for annual report to the community and library budget vote information.

Click here to see the "very visual" annual report to the community.

Beacon City Schools Budget Vote and Election of Board Seats May 16, 2017

The Voting Details

WHEN: Tuesday, May 16, 2017
TIME: 7am-9pm
WHERE: Beacon High School for all voters living in Beacon, or Glenham Elementary School for voters residing in the Town of Fishkill or the Town of Wappinger
DETAILS: Find more details about what is in the proposed budget here.

The School Budget Vote and Election will take place on Tuesday, May 16, 2017.  Polls are open from 7 am to 9 pm. Beacon City School District will have four propositions on the ballot. They are as follows in general form, as shared on the BCSD Facebook page and Budget newsletter for May 2017. All tax-paying citizens are eligible to vote.

1. The first proposition is the budget.
2. The second is the proposition to purchase school buses.
3. The third is to have a student board member hold a non-voting seat.
4. The fourth is to authorize the district to transfer money to a capital reserve. The money in a capital reserve would be used for future capital projects. The district is planning a capital project in the near future, and this reserve will be used to help keep the school taxes the same.

Details of what is in the proposed budget can be found here in a newsletter from the Beacon City School District.

There will also be a board election of four seats.
Three Board Members are for running for three-year terms running from July 1, 2017, through June 30, 2020. The candidate who receives the largest number of votes cast will also fill the remainder of a vacant term for six weeks, commencing May 16, 2017, and expiring June 30, 2018. Vote for up to four candidates.

Board Members up for re-election:
Anthony White
Kenya Gadsden
Craig Wolf
Kristan Flynn

Location & Eligibility
Voting takes place at two locations: 

• Beacon High School, for all registered voters who live in the City of Beacon, and
• Glenham Elementary School, for voters who reside in the Town of Fishkill or the Town of Wappinger. 

For help in determining your voting location, please call (845) 838-6900, ext. 2032.

Beacon Open Studios 2017: Pirates, Paintings, Treasure

Beacon Open Studios (BOS) is a signature, citywide event in Beacon. For some, including myself and this year's new director, Samantha Palmeri, the discovery of this citywide art show happened quite by accident while meandering outside. Every year, dozens of Beacon artists clean up their studios, organize their brushes, and put out their best tools and works of art. Through this project, the public is invited in to directly access artists and their productions. Beacon Open Studios is going on now, on May 13 and 14 from noon to 6 pm. The kickoff party was Friday evening at Oak Vino.

How to Experience Beacon Open Studios

Open studios are identified by a large red dot in the yard of the artist's home studio, or on the studio door of an artist's space in a building. There is an official map that you should pick up or visit on the BOS website, but there is something quite special about stumbling upon a red dot and following your curiosity inside. This wonderment continues to be my favorite way to experience Open Studios.

However, the more one learns about each artist, the longer the list of which artists to visit. Some participants are longtime artists who dropped "practicing artist" for a few years and are returning anew, while others are artists who make commissions for private clients or advertising agencies, while others still are artists who produce fantastic work yet only display during times like these.

Who Is Participating In Beacon Open Studios This Year?

Over 50 artists are taking part this year. Several of them are emerging artists and some are simply to to the event. The physical map, which you can pick up at Hudson Beach Glass or at many restaurants or shops, is organized by artist, but also groups artists by location. For instance, if there are six artists showing in one location, you can search by geography as well, if you wanted to see a bunch at once. 

Let's take a peek!

Artist: Chris Sanders, "Treasures of the Hudson Highlands"
Photo Credit: Treasures of the Hudson Highlands

"Treasures of the Hudson Highlands"

Chris Sanders is a storyboard artist for the film and television industry. Pirate lore of the Hudson River and Valley captivated her, and she began creating graphic novels inspired by pirates who did travel up and down the Hudson River years ago, in search of treasure, or hiding their own. Her first book, a historical fantasy, was published in November. You can meet the artist and see the original pages during Beacon Open Studios. The best part? She's full of Hudson Highlands pirate knowledge, so best ye get thee there.

Location: 45 Beekman Street, one of the artists in Spire Studios

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Artist: Stan Lindwasser
Photo Credit: Stan Lindwasser

Stan Lindwasser

Stan Lindwasser is new to Beacon, but not to the art scene. Stan has been a professional painter for decades, and has designed installations that were shown at the Brooklyn Museum and the Brooklyn Public Library in Brooklyn, NY, and the Bertha Urdang Gallery in New York City. An excerpt from his artist statement includes: "I question the place and role of color: on lines, as lines, or replacing lines. The works I have been doing reflect my careerlong interest in the details of line and color, the creation of shapes and the placement of these on paper, or in space. These paintings reflect my thinking about direction and how changes in density of paint or use of water define and subtly change the composition."

Full disclosure, the design services extension of A Little Beacon Blog works with Stan on his website, so we are familiar with several years of his work, and appreciate his fascination with color.

Location: 35 Monell Place

Rosemary Braghieri Rednour

Photo Credits for above photos: Rosemary Braghieri Rednour

Rosemary makes "jewelry and sculpture from a different perspective," as she puts it. She's opened up her studio for visitors to see how she does it all.

Location: 17 East Main Street

Here's a sampling in video of what the Open Studios experience is like:

The New Director at Beacon Open Studios

This year marked the event's transition to a new director, Samantha Palmeri. She too discovered Beacon Open Studios while meandering around town, and for her, it made a life-altering impact! We interviewed her for this article:

What is your background?

I'm from Staten Island originally. I've lived in Beacon 2 1/2 years now. This will be my third year as a participating artist in BOS. I graduated from the School of Visual Arts with a major in painting, and since graduating I've held practically every job in the art world, including teaching, directing, curating, art handling etc. I've owned and directed two separate art galleries, one in Staten Island and one in New Jersey. And I've been a practicing artist for the last 20 years.

Why did the directorship appeal to you?

Open Studios' Director Samantha Palmeri's artwork, on display at 11 Creek Road.
Photo Credit: Samantha Palmeri

When I moved to Beacon I was very content to just be in my studio working. We moved here because we liked that there was already an art community happening. I wanted to join something that was already established and not have to start from scratch. When I heard that BOS was in need of a director and it might not happen this year, I didn't even hesitate to find out how I could volunteer.

First of all, it's one of my favorite events of the year in Beacon, plus it was good timing for me, and again, it was already an established community event that had its own footprint and identity. I felt especially as a participant myself I had enough ideas and experience to be able to add to what was already a great event.

What was your favorite thing about Beacon Open Studios the first time you experienced it?

There are a lot of artists in Beacon! There's a lot to see and experience. The overall quality and diversity of the artwork is great, and it's special to this town because a lot of events like this [in other locales] tend to all look the same with the majority of artists all making similar looking things.

The first BOS I went to was before I lived here. We had sold our house and were coming up here expecting to get confirmation on a place to rent. That place fell through and we were wandering around BOS a little depressed because we didn't know if we could find a place to live. We happened to start up a conversation with one of the participating artists and she said, "Oh, I know another artist in town who has a place for rent." We ended up calling her that day and finding the house we rented for the next 2 years. So, I suppose BOS will always be extra-special to me and my family because of that! It just was a perfect example of how welcoming and awesome this art community really is!

What can we expect this year from Beacon Open Studios?

Because it's my first year directing, I really didn't want to make too many drastic changes. We ended up picking the second weekend of May for the date. That's the first thing, the fact that it will fall on Second Saturday this year. I thought it would only bring more visitors so it's a win-win. It happens to also fall on Mother's Day but again, I think the town will be hopping that whole weekend! We're also revising the color catalog. The more sponsors and registered artists we get, the bigger the budget we'll have to work with. We'd like to make a fold-out map this year so it's easier for visitors to find artist studios and figure out how to spend their day in Beacon. There will be musicians playing at certain venues and there are a few new locations to visit this year, including the Shambhala Yoga Center and the Creekside Lofts behind the Howland Cultural Center.

Does this kind of event run in other cities? If so, where? Is it all connected? Or a general concept that gets picked up?

There are open studio events all over the place. They're not connected in any way. It's a boost to any community to be considered a cultural destination. Not every town or city has a substantial community of artists like Beacon does. And even places that do, don't necessarily have open studio events. It takes a lot of dedication and hard work. BeaconArts and BOS is run completely by volunteers, and believe, me these people work hard!!

***

Beacon Open Studios is made possible with funds from the Decentralization Program, a re-grant program of the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of Governor Andrew Cuomo and the New York State Legislature and administered by Arts Mid-Hudson.

Beacon Open Studios is a sponsored project of BeaconArts, a 501(c)(3) organization supported through grants and donations and run entirely by volunteers.

Chime in here with where you were able to visit, and tell us your favorite parts!

OPEN! LulaRoe Pop-Up Shop with Erin and Leigh at A Little Beacon Space - This Weekend Only!

There is a cult of women who love LuLaRoe, and members of that cult can now come into A Little Beacon Blog's Space this weekend only - Friday to Sunday - to shop from Erin and Leigh, two moms who were born and raised in Beacon. They've been popping up in people's homes to hold these sales, and now they are popping up in A Little Beacon Space at 291 Main Street, in the Telephone Building across from Key Food. Come into the building. We are on the first floor, in the first door.

If you're aren't familiar with LuLaRoe, here's a primer: It's a brand of clothing designed by a woman who wanted to build a business around her children and family life (pretty much the best goal ever). It quickly grew via its house-party sales model, where the products are not sold in stores, and can only be found at house parties. It's unusual for the brand to be in a location like this, open to the public, but not so unusual for the dynamic duo of Erin and Leigh, who reach people via their Facebook page using videos and pictures galore.

If you're walking by our space with kids in tow, bring them in. There are kids-sized leggings, tops and dresses. Sizing is pretty easy, so you should have plenty of options and several pieces should work.

In addition to the stretchy LuLaRoe fits you may be used to, there are a few pleated styles as well. They've set up a popup changing room behind the curtain, so you can try items on to make sure things fit you just right.

Leggings...there will be leggings. The sizing is unique yet consistently flattering. Pictured here is a batch of size TC, or "Tall and Curvy". Leigh tells me that the TC would fit a pregnant belly nicely. We shall see when the truth is revealed in the popup dressing room, but it's nice to have that sizing label! I will take it!

Hours

Friday: 3 to 7 pm (5/12/17)
Saturday: 10 am to 8 pm (5/13/17)
Sunday: 10 am to 5 pm (5/14/17...Happy Mother's Day...#treatyoself!)

291 Main Street
A Little Beacon Space - First Floor and Door
Across from Key Food

Rain? What Rain?

It's supposed to rain Saturday and Sunday. People came on Friday because they were walking by or made early plans to come over quick. Good choice. This popup is happening rain or shine. Wear your galoshes! Because you don't want to miss this chance to add pretty and comfort to your wardrobe. We know you'll be out this weekend because there are just too many one-time-only events going on. So dash into here while you're out!

Happening This Weekend 5/12/2017

Step out of your house this weekend, and you are surrounded by choices of where to go. This is the weekend to steep yourself in art and in Motherly Love. It's all at your fingertips. Read on to get bookmark-worthy ideas for all of the things you want to make sure you do. Rain Tips: No excuses! Your favorite galleries, shops and eateries get so sad when they don't see you if it rains. So get cute rain boots from Echo, upside-down umbrellas from Bellus, and maybe a couture rain coat from Classic Couture. Lots of weekend events included here are featured from A Little Beacon Blog's Things To Do In Beacon Guides, so be sure to check them during the week. Second Saturday Alert! It's that time again! Our Second Saturday Guide Editor is updating the Guide as we speak, as some art galleries release their themes just days or hours before opening for the big art-inspired weekend. You can always find the current Second Saturday Guide at A Little Beacon Blog here at this link. Just hit refresh every time!

Sponsored by Antalek and Moore for car insurance. LuLaRoe With Erin and Leigh LIVE in a Pop-Up Shop Day: Friday to Sunday, May 12-14, 2017 Time: Friday, 3 to 8 pm; Saturday, 10 am to 8 pm; Sunday, 10 am to 4 pm Location: A Little Beacon Space, 291 Main St., Beacon, NY Information > Beacon Open Studios Kickoff Party Day: Friday, May 12, 2017 Time: 6 to 9 pm Location: Oak Vino Wine Bar, 389 Main St., Beacon, NY Information > Beacon Open Studios Days: Saturday and Sunday, May 13-14, 2017 Time: Noon to 6 pm Location: Residences, galleries and studios all over Beacon. Look for the brochure that has a map and details for all participating artists, or click here to read about the artists to figure out where you want to go. Information > 2017 Hudson Valley Family Fest Pet Expo Day: RESCHEDULED! It's set for June 17th now. Information > Ribbon Cutting Ceremony - Lambs Hill Bridal Boutique Day: Saturday, May 13, 2017 Time: 1 to 2 pm Location: Lambs Hill Bridal Boutique, 1 East Main St., Beacon, NY Information > Common Ground Farm Spring Plant Sale MOVED to Rain Location! Day: Saturday, May 13, 2017 Time: Noon to 3 pm Location: 327B Main St. (next to Beacon D'Lites, across the street from All You Knead bakery) Information > The Louie Tunes Band Day: Saturday, May 13, 2017 Time: 8 pm Location: Howland Cultural Center, 477 Main St., Beacon, NY Information > Women's Work - Benefit Concert for The Sloop Woody Guthrie Day: Sunday, May 14, 2017 Time: 3 pm Location: Howland Cultural Center, 477 Main St., Beacon, NY Information > Story Screen presents “Tarnation” Day: Sunday, May 14, 2017 Time: 7:30 pm doors, 8 pm movie Location: More Good, 383 Main St., Beacon, NY Information >   Rhinebeck Hudson Valley Full & Half Marathon Rain or Shine Day: Saturday, May 13, 2017 Time: 6 am (full); 8:30 am (half) Location: Dutchess County Fairgrounds, Rhinebeck, NY Information >   LuLaRoe With Erin and Leigh LIVE in a Pop-Up Shop Day: Friday to Sunday, May 12-14, 2017 Time: Friday 3 to 8 pm, Saturday 10 am to 8 pm, Sunday 10 am to 4 pm Location: A Little Beacon Space, 291 Main St., Beacon, NY You’ve heard of the leggings and funky patterns everyone is talking about. Now is your chance to touch and feel them in person - and probably walk away with a few pairs. Erin and Leigh are bringing in their entire collection of inventory, which includes skirts, tops, coverups, all in many sizes to fit any body. Hurry in! Opens Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Then poof, gone! Information > Mid-Hudson Etsy Makers Pop-Up Day: Saturday, May 13, 2017 Time: 10 am to 4 pm Location: Howland Cultural Center, 477 Main St., Beacon, NY   A Little Beacon Blog's Annual Summer Camp Guide has over 20 camps for all age ranges and passion areas. Cross-reference ages, days, times and prices in our easy-to-use guide that is many parents' go-to source for summer planning. FEATURED SUMMER CAMP SPONSOR: Ballet Arts Studio Summer Camp Several programs are available this summer at Ballet Arts for little ones and for teenagers. Consider this early-evening program for ages 12 and up: Ballet, Modern and Jazz Technique The faculty of Ballet Arts Studio will teach technique classes in a different discipline each day: jazz on Tuesdays, ballet on Wednesdays and modern on Thursdays. Ages: 12+ Dates: June 13-15, 20-22 and 27-29, and August 22-24, 2017 Time: 5:30 to 7 pm Price: $18 single class or $50 for three classes To Register: Call (845) 831-1870 or email info@balletartsstudio.com See All Camp Sessions from Ballet Arts Studio >   For a full list of upcoming classes, visit our Kids Classes Guide. Cheese and Wine Tasting - Great Women Cheesemakers Day: Friday, May 12, 2017  Time: 7 pm Location: Beacon Pantry, 382 Main St., Beacon, NY Information >   Classified Ad: SallyeAnder is Hiring a Manager for New Main Street Location Get Job Details >   This weekend's Shopping Guide issue is dedicated to showing you the storefronts of our sponsor stores, to help you have the "aha!" moment of knowing whose shop it is when you pass it! Niche Spring Factory Sale Dates: Saturday and Sunday, May 13-14, 2017 Times: Saturday, 10 am to 6 pm; Sunday, 11 am to 4 pm Location: Niche Studio, 310 Fishkill Ave., Unit 11, Beacon, NY Information > reMADE 133 Main Street This double-wide storefront, reMADE, is owned by Liz Ferrara and features lots of little but carefully crafted pieces of jewelry, items for the home, as well as larger pieces of furniture to outfit your space. Where is it? Across from Tito Santana's, next to Bank Square. Mother's Day Gift Idea: These adorably sweet magnets for your fridge or office. Such an easy gift for little hands to grab and give. Handcrafted by Beacon native Susan DiGilio, owner of DiGilio Designs. These cheerful magnets are made with jewelry-quality glass domes backed with a metal base and a rare earth magnet. Bellus on Main 181 Main Street Bellus on Main is one of the newer boutiques on the block in Beacon's West End, and if you haven't been in yet, you really need to change that. Lots of jewelry and home decor is from South America, and many of the accessories are hand-picked from different artisans that the owners discover. Where is it? Next door to Luxe Optique, up the road from Notions-n-Potions. Mother's Day Gift Idea: Necklaces like this beaded blossom design at Bellus on Main are uniquely made, and your love will wear it as her own style, with maybe no one else having the exact same necklace. Luxe Optique 183 Main Street Luxe Optique moved to town not too long ago, and immediately began changing how people saw glasses. Pun intended. From holding parties to celebrate when new handcrafted lines arrive in the store, to custom fittings to their top-notch eye doctor seeing patients, Luxe Optique has brought the excitement and hand-craftmanship back to eye-wear. Where is it? Across the block from Beacon Bread Company, and across the street from Beacon Barkery. Mother's Day Gift Idea: These bad boys right here. Need we say more? Other sunglasses are available if your lady goes for less pizzazz, but really, why? Get these. Style Storehouse 484 Main Street Style Storehouse opened in Beacon one year ago. Owner Michele Williams lives in Poughkeepsie with her three sons and husband, and is constantly on the road between the shop and family. Her special gift is style, and making you feel very comfortable in styles you might not have considered for yourself. Come into the shop this weekend, let her pick out a few things for you, and then trust her opinion. Where is it? Near Waddle n Swaddle, and across the street from the old Matteawan train station that now holds Gino's Italian Ice. Mother's Day Gift Idea: Easy breezy dresses to wear to brunch or to work or on a playdate. Because they're all washable. Find a lot of Free People and Hard Tail in the store, which means soft fabrics with stretchy fits. SallyeAnder 1 East Main Street SallyeAnder is the newest shop on the block on the East End! Though their neighbor Lambs Hill is hosting their Ribbon-Cutting on Saturday, SallyeAnder has opened their second location in Beacon. The first is near the train station and is their soap-making and shipping factory. Where is it? Just down the hill from the dummy light in the building that housed Electric Windows. Mother's Day Gift Idea: Every hour on the hour from 11 am to 6 pm on Saturday and Sunday, join a demonstration of how to make lip balm. SallyeAnder is teaching you their secrets! The aroma of soap is instantly relaxing once you walk into the peaceful store, so do drop in and find a sweet-smelling soap gift for Mother's Day!   River Therapeutic Massage Every woman should indulge in a #treatyoself session this weekend. Book with Karen at River Therapeutic Massage and always check to see if she has a special going on. You can tack on foot rubs, facial scrubs, and more. Gift certificates are available for Mother's Day, graduation gifts, Bridal Party gifts and more! Peruse River Therapeutic Massage's services, and pick one now. PS: Did you see our Guide's new "Lashes" and "Laser Hair Removal" sections? Yes, all in Beacon! Visit our Beauty Guide for a complete list of beauty sources in Beacon, including hair, nails, barbers, and even lashes.   The Vault 446 Main Street The Vault wishes you a Happy Mother's Day, and is ready for your family for Sunday brunch. There's plenty of room inside or outside (weather permitting). On Friday night, The Vault is closed for a private party, as wedding season has started and a couple wanted to celebrate with friends and family at The Vault. Where is it? Located at 446 Main St., down the street from Ella's Bellas and across the street from Terreson: Beacon. Mother's Day Idea: Reservations are recommended but not required. Walk-ins are welcome. Call (845) 202-7735. Visit our Restaurant Guide for a complete list of eateries in Beacon. SPOTLIGHT SPONSOR HIGHLIGHTS Antalek & Moore So you just bought a totally rad RV and now you need to insure it. Walk on down to Antalek & Moore and let them research the lowest RV insurance rate for you! Or call them - from your RV while you're dusting it off! Antalek and Moore is located at 340 Main St., near Beacon Natural Market, or can be reached by phone at (845) 245-6292. BeaconArts Fiscal Project: Beacon Open Studios Beacon Open Studios is finally here! It's a city-wide art show, and it happens rain or shine inside of artists' studios. That could be in a gallery location or inside of their homes. Beacon Open Studios weekend is one of the biggest group productions in the Hudson Valley, and is a defining annual event for today's Beacon. Artists range from painters to sculptures to jewelers. The kick-off party is tonight (Friday, May 12) at Oak Vino. Be there! Be everywhere! Pick up one of these brochures to be your map. Beacon Chamber of Commerce The Beacon Chamber of Commerce congratulates Lambs Hill Bridal Boutique on their grand opening at 1 East Main St., and is hosting a Ribbon-Cutting this Saturday from 1 to 2 pm. Lambs Hill is an equestrian-themed bridal boutique, opened by Main Street real estate veteran Charlotte Guernsey. Join the shindig! And book your own Ribbon-Cutting when you're ready!                                  Tin Shingle Tin Shingle is all about empowering business owners, but they are also about saving, spending or donating the money you bring in from all of the buzz-building that Tin Shingle teaches you how to do. For entrepreneurs, Mondays can often be full of action and optimism, compared with the back-to-the-grind dread felt by some. Tin Shingle dedicates some Mondays to be Money Monday, and shares how to save, earn, spend or donate. Read Tin Shingle's founder's creative way of saving $200/month on the mortgage (fired the PMI!) and applying it instead to the loan principal each month. You can do this too! InHouse Design Media Are you afraid of social media? Do you have a business but dread putting anything out there? It just isn't your style? Your business needs that presence, and there are ways to craft it gracefully. Book a Private Training Session with us to come up with a plan. A Little Beacon Space 291 Main Street Meetings, workshops, gatherings - they can all be booked and hosted by you at A Little Beacon Space at the historic Telephone Building at 291 Main St., in the heart of Beacon. THIS WEEKEND! The LuLaRoe Show with Erin and Leigh! Racks and racks of clothing have arrived inside of our space, and are ready for you to start shopping today, Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Find leggings, tops, dresses, and more. See what upcoming events are being hosted in A Little Beacon Space, and click here for more details and to book online. NEWSLETTER SIGNUP We know what you're thinking... "I want my business featured here!" Pictures shown above are from our Guide advertising partners in the Things To Do In Beacon Guides. We can include your most exciting news here too! Click here to learn about ways to advertise on A Little Beacon Blog. Until next week!

Classified Ad: SallyeAnder is Hiring Manager for New Main Street Location

SallyeAnder has sold handmade skincare products since 1982 - the company's customers rely on them to keep their skincare pure, and safe from common allergens. The business is family-owned and -operated, crafting products in New York State for the past 30 years. SallyeAnder has been dedicated to the practice of fair-trade sourcing, and using functional ingredients. They produce hypoallergenic products in small batches using the highest quality ingredients.

SallyeAnder is looking to fill their Retail Sales Manager position at their new brick and mortar store at 1 East Main Street in Beacon, NY. As a manager you will bring SallyeAnder’s Leadership practices into all elements of the shop: Transparency, Leading Honestly, Adapting and Developing, Nurturing Talents, and Living with Purpose. You will take initiative to drive your own development and improve your practice of leadership and management to grow into your future role of Sales Manager across SallyeAnder. Hours will be Monday to Saturday, 11 am to 6 pm, and Sunday, noon to 5 pm.

SallyeAnder offers:

• A modern honest store atmosphere where individualism is encouraged
• A 50% discount off all our products
• An unconventional retail structure to support your entrepreneurial spirit
• The opportunity for growth within our brand

Responsibilities:

• Customer service: Ensure a unique customer experience that makes every visitor feel welcome, meets their needs, and makes their day
• Building the Brand: Educate our customers on our brand values, handmade, ingredient knowledge. 
• Driving sales: Demonstrate strong business insight and understand business metrics and reports and how to impact them through behaviors on the floor.
• Stock and Inventory: Keep note of fresh standards and rotation rules, manage ordering the correct products and amounts.

Required:

• Managing sales and merchandising in a retail environment (2-3 years)
• Ability to manage reporting systems, Microsoft Excel and MS word
• Can lift 30 pounds. Reasonable accommodations will be made for any employee when necessary
• Ability to work flexible hours to meet the needs of the shop

Preferred:

• Experience with customer service
• Ability to train and develop staff through positive coaching and feedback
• Strong time-management and planning practices
• Experience working with skincare or cosmetics
• Experience with fresh product, ordering and rotation

At SallyeAnder, we believe when we continue to foster a culture of inclusion and respect within a diverse workforce, we are doing our part in building a world where there is equal opportunity for all. We are looking for employees through a variety of agencies, community groups, nonprofits, and online social job sites, and in our business practices, we strive to leverage the gift that diversity brings. 

SallyeAnder unequivocally supports equal opportunity employment for all applications regardless of religion, race, color, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, ancestry, adverse mental health and other characteristics both defined, protected, and enforced by the law under federal or state jurisdiction. 

Interested? Please send your resume and cover letter to: support@sallyeander.com No calls or walk-ins please.

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Tax Assessment Grievance Day Is May 24, 2017 - Bring Your Comps!

Your tax assessment letter may have just come in the mail, letting you know how the City of Beacon values your property, and if that value went up or down. Maybe it's higher than Zillow's estimate, maybe it's lower. Whatever it is, if you disagree with it, you can dispute it on Beacon's Tax Assessment Grievance Day on May 24, 2017 at 1 Municipal Plaza (City Hall - Lower Level) at 2 pm (oh joy). The City advises that you bring your "comps" in order to aid in your argument. What are comps, you ask? They're the recent sales prices of homes similar (comparable) to your house in the same area.

This real-life Monopoly card could be a real bummer, or nothing at all. "Be aware that if you put the property on the market via MLS, the tax assessor will value the property at what you value it, namely the sales price that you've put on the property. They actually check MLS!" advises local realtor, Daniel Aubry. "I had that happen to me. I put a highly optimistic price on a house that I owned to test the market. The assessor used that price for the following year's assessment, significantly raising my taxes. I've been stuck with that price ever since!"

Can a high assessment ever be useful? "Any savvy buyer knows that the assessment bears very little relationship with the actual market value. So it can't be counted on for establishing a realistic valuation," says Daniel.

[EDITED 5/21/17] From this writer's limited real estate experience, if the bank appraisal value comes in low when you're ready to sell the home to a buyer who wants to pay more than the appraised price (a different valuation than the City's assessment), the bank will only loan as much as the appraised number, putting the responsibility on your buyer to come up with more cash - or for you to lower the house price.

Final Construction at Long Dock Park Has Begun - Here's What's Happening

Residents of Beacon are familiar with the ongoing (over a decade now) development happening at Long Dock Park along the Hudson River. Last month, the final phase of construction at Long Dock got under way. After all the feedback that was received during public hearings with Scenic Hudson, the additional parkland will include space for food trucks, a shaded plaza for informal dining, shade pavilions, lawns and a native-plant meadow, as well as a boardwalk and river overlook deck.

While the park will remain open during the eight-month completion, visitors can look forward to exploring an additional four acres of land that were previously closed to the public.

Overseeing this expansive project are Scenic Hudson Senior Park Planner Meg Rasmussen and Parks Project Manager Joseph Kiernan.

The riverfront land used to be an oil storage facility and junkyard before it was purchased by Scenic Hudson in 1996. Now, Long Dock includes rehabilitated wetlands, kayak/canoe beach and storage, trails, picnic areas and a fishing pier. Recently, the historic red barn has been restored to host the Scenic Hudson’s River Center and American Center for Folk Music. “Scenic Hudson looks forward to expanding Long Dock Park for Beacon residents and visitors to connect," says Scenic Hudson Senior Vice President Steve Rosenberg. "We appreciate all the public input and support we received while designing this last phase of park development. This will ensure the new public space is fun and engaging for everyone in the community. We also are exploring new ways to educate people about the Hudson River and the need for citizens to be involved in creating healthy, vibrant riverfronts."

Happening This Weekend in Beacon 5/5/2017

The Cupcake Festival is coming this weekend...

Happy Cinco de Mayo! Although Beaconites could be forgiven for overlooking the day (unless one was at Baja 328 or Tito Santana’s) because it's overshadowed by The Cupcake Festival, coming to Beacon this weekend for the first time. Despite Friday's rain, K104.7 says their Weather Team gave them the thumbs-up for Saturday, and the station even gave us a sneak peek at the Vendor table map - color-coded to help you find cupcakes, in addition to tables from all sorts of other vendors. They'll join your favorite Main Street storefronts, who are prepping for the big day and look forward to seeing you and new people inside! But that’s not all. A new makers market has popped up at the University Settlement Camp, and there is a major river cleanup on schedule. Once this weekend passes, however, it’s not over! Next weekend is Mother’s Day and Second Saturday. Summer in the Hudson Valley is just getting started… These weekend events are featured from A Little Beacon Blog's Things To Do In Beacon Guides, so be sure to check them during the week.

There is more parking around town than you think! We've got pictures. Sponsored by Antalek and Moore for car insurance. Beacon Flea is the Community Sponsor of this Upcoming Events Guide. The flea market is open - visit them every fair-weather Sunday! Anne Truitt Opening Day: Friday, May 5, 2017 Time: 11 am to 6 pm Location: Dia: Beacon, 3 Beekman St., Beacon, NY Information > What Do We Mean By Conservation? Day: Friday, May 5, 2017 Time: 7:30 pm Location: Howland Cultural Center, 477 Main St., Beacon, NY Information > Self Made Market Day: Saturday, May 6, 2017 Time: 10 am to 6pm Location: University Settlement Camp at the base of Mount Beacon, Beacon, NY Information > *Read more about Self Made - The Makers Collective here. K104.7 Cupcake Festival Day: Saturday, May 6, 2017 Time: 1 to 5 pm Location: Main Street, Beacon, NY (between Route 52/Fishkill Avenue & East Main Street) Information > *Read more about the Cupcake Festival coming to Beacon here. Riverkeeper Sweep Day: Saturday, May 6, 2017 Time: 9 am to noon Location: Various locations in Dutchess County Information > Destination Unknown: Watchdogs & Wildflowers - The Music Force & The Minds Eye Day: Saturday, May 6, 2017 Time: 8 pm Location: Howland Cultural Center, 477 Main St., Beacon, NY Information > Hudson Valley Comic Con Day: Saturday & Sunday, May 6-7, 2017 Time: 10 am to 7 pm (Saturday), 10 am to 6 pm (Sunday) Location: Gold's Gym, 258 Titusville Road, Poughkeepsie, NY Information > Units of Love: Beacon Community Blood Drive Day: Sunday, May 7, 2017 Time: 11 am to 5 pm Location: Lewis Tompkins Hose, 13 South Ave., Beacon, NY Information > Serenade of the Soul Day: Sunday, May 7, 2017 Time: 3 pm Location: Howland Cultural Center, 477 Main St., Beacon, NY Information > Apple Blossom Festival Day: Sunday, May 7, 2017 Time: 10 am to 3 pm Location: Fishkill Farms, 9 Fishkill Farm Road, Hopewell Junction, NY Information > Story Screen Presents: The Secret Life of the Manic Depressive Day: Sunday, May 7, 2017 Time: 7:30 doors, 8 pm movie Location: More Good, 383 Main St., Beacon, NY Information > Spring Sprint 5K Trail Run Day: Sunday, May 7, 2017 Time: 10 am to noon (Registration 9 to 10 am; race begins 10:30 am) Location: Shaupeneak Ridge's Upper Lot, 143 Popletown Road, Esopus, NY Information > Sponsor Feature! Camp at Storm King Art Center Art Camp at Storm King puts kids in the center of the art. The center offers programs for kids and teens. Says one parent: "I think my daughter realized that her art and her journal were incredibly impressive and it wasn't about how it compared to the other participants. Sadie really expanded her feelings about art and found that she liked it. I wanted to let you know that it had a powerful impact on her, perhaps life-changing in some way." Details & Registration > For a full list of camps open for registration now (they are filling up!), visit our Summer Camp Guide. Kids Classes Guide Sponsored By: Kids Brunch Day: Sunday, May 7, 2017 Time: 11 am Location: Beacon Pantry, 382 Main St., Beacon, NY Information > Kitchen Cuts (Kids Haircuts & Face Painting) Join us at A Little Beacon office as we bring in a real hair chair (that pumps up) to give your little ones haircuts for $16, courtesy of the ladies of Your Presence Salon. Face painting is $1. Proceeds from the face painting are dedicated to going to the Kindergarten Teams of the Beacon City School District. We have already donated $130 to the Kindergarten Team at South Avenue, and we are trying to match that for the other Kindergarten Teams. Day: Sunday, May 7, 2017 Time: 10 am to 4 pm Location: A Little Beacon Space, 291 Main St., Beacon, NY Information > For a full list of upcoming classes, visit our Kids Classes Guide. Nourished Yoga: Spring Cleaning with Chef Rena Unger Day: Saturday, May 6, 2017 Time: 1 to 4 pm Location: beBhakti Yoga Center, 89 Dewindt St., Beacon, NY Information > Chalk Paint 101® - The Annie Sloan Method Day: Sunday, May 7, 2017 Time: 9 am to noon Location: Knot Too Shabby, 155 Main St., Beacon, NY Information > Two Trees Yoga Gift Cards! Gift cards from Two Trees Yoga are a wonderful way to support someone you love in developing their yoga practice. You can purchase a one-class, five-class, or ten-class card, or a gift card in any amount. Gift cards can be used for classes or workshops at Two Trees Yoga. This is a perfect and easy Mother's Day Gift, and a wonderful way to show your family and friends that you appreciate their efforts by encouraging them to make time for self-care. Information > NEW CLASS at Two Trees Yoga: Yin Yoga with Jen Days: Every Sunday Time: 6 pm to 7:15 pm Location: Two Trees Yoga at Sacred Space, 436 Main St., Beacon, NY Heart Body Mind Acupuncture Musical Opportunity: Heart Body Mind Acupuncture is now accepting new patients in Beacon. Sessions will help patients go through lifestyle changes and set weekly times and contributions towards their healing journey. Maryam has 10 years of experience as a nurse and more than 7 years of study and practice of Chinese Medicine. Here is what her patients are saying: "Maryam is a natural healer, she has a calming voice and presence that allowed me to be supported in the treatments, she is kind, thoughtful, thorough and in-depth... She takes time and genuinely cares about my issues.” Information > reMADE 133 Main Street This marble candle holder currently in the window of reMADE is by John Murnane, husband of chief bubble maker at Beacon Bath and Bubble. John is a retired engineer and retired military member. He makes all sorts of things out of found materials mostly, and you're lucky to find them at reMADE before they are gone. A Classic Couture Fashion Boutique 178 Main Street Graduation parties and fundraisers on the lawn along the Hudson River are right around the corner. What are you wearing? This little strapless navy dress from Victor Costa is a classic and no one will have the same one, because it was personally collected by A Classic Couture Fashion Boutique's owner, Leah Clifford. It's a size 4, and the only one of its kind in the store. Bellus on Main 181 Main Street Welcome! Say hi to your new floral rug at Bellus on Main. It's one of the latest in their Spring, Fair Trade collection. The rug is printed, light, and can work in many rooms with different color palettes. You may need two of them, to be on the safe side. Luxe Optique 183 Main Street Luxe Optique has a dedicated eye exam room in the store, so if it's an appointment you need, an appointment for glasses or contacts you can get at Luxe Optique. Right now, they are running free eye exams for kids or adults, so book that appointment and start seeing straight! After you get checked out, browse the frames. If you're used to getting contacts through 1-800-Contacts, Luxe will beat their price and get your boxes in the same amount of time. Style Storehouse 484 Main Street The Curated Gift Shop is one of the newest fashion boutiques on the East End of town, and while you can browse their entire store, you can also shop them inside of Style Storehouse, who is supporting their neighbor by carrying these customizable stamped bracelets. Don't you need a little self-affirmation on your arm? Styles come in Brass, Silver and Gold-Rose Gold. A great gift idea for the Mama in your life, daughter or friend. River Therapeutic Massage For Mother's Day, River Therapeutic Massage and The Blushery joined forces to make the ultimate gift for you to give the special lady (or ladies) in your life! Special Combo Deal: Purchase a gift certificate for a 60-minute or longer therapeutic massage from River Therapeutic Massage and get a coupon for The Blushery, offering $50 savings off laser hair removal. Special Combo Deal: Purchase a gift certificate for $80 or more from The Blushery, and receive a coupon for a free Enhancement with your next massage service at River Therapeutic Massage. This offer is good until Mother's Day. Coupons expire June 30, 2017. More details on our website. Visit our Beauty Guide for a complete list of beauty sources in Beacon, including hair, nails, barbers, and even lashes. Visit our Restaurant Guide for a complete list of eateries in Beacon. SPOTLIGHT SPONSOR HIGHLIGHTS Antalek & Moore As lemonade stand season starts, we are revisiting Antalek & Moore's Business Insurance video, starting child star Addy Pagones, and company partner Pat Moore. Do you have all you need for your business should an accident or the unexpected happen? And just what is the unexpected, anyway? Call Antalek & Moore - they know: (845) 245-6292 or visit them at 340 Main St. BeaconArts BeaconArts produced this video, "Welcome to Beacon, NY" that is playing at the Visitors Center right now. Stop into the Visitors Center on Wolcott and Main Street to check out all of the brochures showing off the things to do in and around Beacon. Beacon Chamber of Commerce Speaking of the Visitors Center, the Beacon Chamber of Commerce held its monthly member meeting outside at the center. Members enjoyed an update from Dutchess Country Tourism, ice cream from Beacon Creamery, and coffee from Mountain Tops. If you own a business in or around Beacon and want to align with the Chamber, you can join today online. Tin Shingle Trying to get the word out about your business? Wishing you could get the media to feature your business, but you don't know how? They do want to, but there are good ways to pitch them, and ineffective ways to pitch them. Tin Shingle is a national organization, and is based in Beacon. Every last Monday of the month, they have a Local Member Meeting. This Monday they are opening it up to all businesses and artists at 10 am. Join us! Details are here. InHouse Design Media The media services extension of A Little Beacon Blog, InHouse Design Media, is working on a brand makeover for a crew at TEC Land Surveyors who roam all over the states of New York and Connecticut with their cameras and drones getting precise measurements for building requirements. Stay tuned to InHouse Design Media's blog for more project updates and their soon-to-be-released website redesign... A Little Beacon Space 291 Main Street Meetings, workshops, gatherings, they can all be booked and hosted by you at A Little Beacon Space at 291 Main St., in the heart of Beacon. THIS SUNDAY! Kitchen Cuts is back! Sunday, May 7, witness the return of the shears. Join us for kids' haircuts from 10 am to 4 pm. See what upcoming events are being hosted in A Little Beacon Space. Want to host your event here? Click here for more details and to book online. NEWSLETTER SIGNUP We know what you're thinking: "I want my business featured here!" Pictures shown above are from our Guide advertising partners in the Things To Do In Beacon Guides. We can include your most exciting news here, too! Click here to learn about ways to advertise on A Little Beacon Blog. Until next week!

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Sneak Peek of Vendor Map for the Cupcake Festival

Official Vendor Map of the 2017 Cupcake Festival from K104.7

We've been hearing from you... People are wondering about this rain and if the Cupcake Festival is really happening or not. Well, we checked with the folks at K104.7 and they said they got the "thumbs up" from their Weather Team, so they're packing the trucks with the Cupcake Wars stage and coming down to Beacon, NY, tomorrow (Saturday) from 1 to 5 pm. We're still watching the skies and our inbox to see if we get a weather alert from them, but so far, it's on!

Meanwhile, here's a sneak peek of their official Vendor Map. Take a look at who is participating so that you can plot out which vendors you'll visit. Vendors' tables will be nestled between Main Street and the bustling sidewalk of our storefronts and restaurants. Everyone is looking forward to seeing you, so visit A Little Beacon Blog's Shopping Guide and Restaurant Guide so that you can plan which stores and restaurants you want to hit up while you're here!

Towne Crier Hosts Dinner and a Movie to Benefit Clearwater

Most Beaconites have spent a balmy afternoon or two down by the river, marveling at the billowing sails of the Clearwater or Woody Guthrie when the boats are docked here between trips on the Hudson. Some people have had the chance to tour the river during an educational trip.

But even if you’re unfamiliar with those vessels and the organization behind them, you know Clearwater’s work. The river wasn’t always safe to splash in: Clearwater played a pivotal role in getting it cleaned up. Next Thursday, May 11, Towne Crier Cafe will host a screening to raise funds for Clearwater’s next sail to Washington. Doors open at 6 pm, and tickets include a buffet dinner, music, speakers, and a screening of “Clearwater: Hope on the Hudson.” Tickets are available through the Towne Crier Cafe.

The trailer for Oceans 8 Film's Hudson River at Risk series, Part 3: Hope On The Hudson, featuring stories on the Sloop Clearwater. The film will be screened at the Towne Crier Café on Thursday, May 11.

For centuries, the Hudson River provided food and recreation opportunities for nearby residents. As industrial development grew in the Northeast, factories and manufacturing plants looked to streams as an easy way to dispose of business waste products, which often included toxic heavy metals and debris. The streams carried the waste down to the Hudson River, where plants and animals bore the brunt of the pollution.

Starting in the mid-1960s, in conjunction with activism on many other fronts, people in communities along the Hudson River started agitating for its health. Pete Seeger, legendary banjo player, environmental cheerleader, and longtime Beacon resident, helped found the Hudson River Sloop Clearwater organization to provide a literal flagship for the movement. Seeger sailed the sloop to Washington, D.C., in 1970 to draw attention to the importance of clean waterways, not just in the Hudson River watershed, but everywhere. 

Court battles over the past 40 years compelled the industrial giants to stop dumping chemicals, to clean up their messes, or make other types of environmental reparations. Much of that would not have been possible without the Clean Water Act of 1973, and it’s believed that Seeger’s 1970 sail helped that act become law.

Even Seeger acknowledged that individual actions can only go so far. Of the Clearwater’s 1970 visit to the U.S. capitol, he said: “Now we’re going to Washington because the problems of the American rivers can’t be solved by people like me who live on them. Only the Federal Government has the power to enact and enforce the laws that are needed.”

Since the Clean Water Act’s adoption and a cultural shift in environmental values over the past few decades, the Hudson River has been largely restored. It may not be pristine, but species that had taken a dive, like native mussels, are mounting a comeback. Mercury and PCB levels in some fish remain concerning but have fallen precipitously - definitely a step in the right direction! Boating, kayaking, and even bathing have become big recreational draws.

So, Clearwater’s fight continues. The sloop will again travel to Washington, D.C., to call attention to the importance of environmental regulations; they plan to set sail in June. Head out to Towne Crier next Thursday to catch up on the group’s legacy, hear from present-day movers and shakers, and support the future. Visit Clearwater for more information.

Who Is Behind The New Makers Collective, Self Made?

Beacon is known for its thriving creative outlets and is home to many artisans and makers. As popular handmade markets, including Hudson Valley Hullabaloo and the Hudson River Exchange, pop up across the region, a new unique shopping opportunity is coming to Beacon. On May 6, welcome Self Made - A Makers Collective. Self Made is a modern-day marketplace where the top craftspeople of the Hudson Valley and beyond will gather to showcase their work. It will be held at the University Settlement Camp -  a unique location which provides a scenic backdrop surrounded by the beauty of Mount Beacon, but isn't too far from Main Street.

Yes, this is the same day as the first Cupcake Festival in Beacon, but Self Made will be open longer, so you can swing by both events. This Self Made - A Makers Collective will definitely be an oasis of bustling yet peaceful creative browsing and inspiration, compared to the intense jam session vibe of the Cupcake Festival. That festival will feature some of the Hudson Valley's most creative cupcakes, set alongside the top shopping opportunities at Beacon's storefronts, who are eagerly planning for the big day.

University Settlement Camp

So What Is This Self Made Makers Collective?

Bringing their collective 10-plus years experience and creativity to this inaugural event, Self Made is the creation of Holly J. Coley and Christina Silvestris. Christina is the maker behind local skincare brand Hudson Naturals, and Holly is a fashion writer for Organic Hudson Valley Magazine and blogger at The Mighty Mite. They have been working on this event for a year! They were both excited to see how much initiative creative people were taking to turn their talent into businesses, and wanted to encourage more of that in the Hudson Valley by providing a showcase opportunity like this. “If you were creatively inclined, you might just make it a hobby or perhaps take your skill to the city. But what the handmade/Made in America movement has shown is that if you have the drive and know-how, you can create something sustainable.”  

Coffee mugs by Virginia Piazza

Why Beacon For The First Year of the Self Made Makers Collective?

According to the founders, they wanted to make an impression with local shoppers in the first year, and they figured that Beacon would be the ideal place for Self Made to kick off. “Beacon is an area that supports creativity, entrepreneurship and small business, which is what our show is about. In many ways, Beacon embodies the spirit of the event,” says Holly. Both Holly and Christina grew up in the Hudson Valley and have seen a big evolution of the area, especially Beacon, over the last 10 years. Self Made's curators have hunted all over to include something for everyone regardless of age, budget, or interest.

Weird Beard Candle Co.

For vinyl collectors, Sound Shack Beacon will be there; if you’re into fashion, there will be several fashion vendors for men and women. If you’re a foodie, enjoy the food vendors including Beacon’s Glazed Over Donuts and craft beer from Catskill Brewery and food trucks parked on the grounds. You may also see some familiar names like Virginia Piazza Pottery and Weird Beard Candle Co. who sell at Remade, and Tess & James whose work is also carried in Beacon shops.

The Trickle Down Effect of Supporting Independent Designers In Multiple Locations

Supporting independent designers can have a trickle down effect, as makers like to order supplies from other small businesses, which helps those businesses thrive. “In the long run, it helps grow local economy and creates an environment like the one Beacon has,” says Holly. By shopping at Self Made, you can expect to have a good time and find some amazing, unique gifts, but the larger goal is for customers to also walk away with a better appreciation of what is being made in the community, and feel inspired to explore more local shops and discover new brands as the emerging designers create new wholesale accounts with stores.

Check out Self Made: A Makers Collective on Saturday, May 6, from 10 am to 6 pm at the University Settlement Camp on Wolcott Avenue in Beacon. Follow the collective on Facebook and Instagram for vendor updates!