Happening This Weekend - 5/3/2019
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Several Sponsors Sign On To Support Rock Out 4 Mental Health Concert In Beacon In June
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The Roundhouse of Beacon has signed on as the Title Sponsor for the Rock Out 4 Mental Health summer concert, happening on Saturday, June 1, 2019. This show of support for the first year of this event is a big help to getting T-shirts made and helping to make this event possible. One of the first events of its kind, Rock Out 4 Mental Health aims to remove stigma around mental health needs by bringing people physically closer to the resources and services that are available to them in Dutchess County.
Thank you to the rest of the sponsors who have come on thus far, including Gold Level sponsor Key Foods, and Bronze Level Sponsors Aryeh Siegel, Architect; Bob's Auto Repair in Wingdale, N.Y.; HealthQuest; Mid-Hudson Valley Federal Credit Union; Premier Medical Group; People USA; and Tin Shingle.
Only five more Gold Level spots are available, and a handful of Silver Level sponsor spots if you want to get your business behind this event! Click here for details.
Wellness Providers As Vendors At Concert
Vendor spots for wellness providers are still available, and the concert attendees need to know about you! If you are a wellness provider, you can book your spot online here. Food vendors are also welcome! This is a great way to meet new people. There are limited spaces, so do it now.
So far, you’ll be able to interact with the following groups: Astor Services for Children & Families, CAPE, Children's Home of Poughkeepsie, CoveCare Center, Dutchess County Department of Behavioral & Community Health, Empire Concessions, I Am Beacon, Innate Chiropractic (Wappingers Falls), NAMI Mid-Hudson, and People USA.
Getting closer to the big day! It has been a pleasure being on the Planning Committee for this event, and we’re looking forward experiencing the day.
New Bathrooms On Bannerman Island - Civilized Circumstances At The Enchanting Castle
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Photo Credit: Olivia Abel
Part of the fun of visiting Bannerman Castle, the abandoned structure perched on an island in the middle of the Hudson River, has always been the feeling that you’ve left civilization behind. Sure, it’s only a 20-minute boat ride from the Beacon dock, and the mysterious edifice is visible every day to thousands of Metro-North commuters on the Hudson Line. Still, once you step foot on the craggy Pollepel Island (now commonly referred to as Bannerman Island), it is easy to get swept away in both the history and the mystery. But things are getting a lot more civilized this summer.
Photo Credit: Olivia Abel
State-Of-The-Art Restrooms Added & More Improvements
While activity on the island—lively historic tours, special events and performances—has been increasing each year, 2019 marks a major milestone. Not only is there a blockbuster lineup of music, theatre, and movie nights, but—wait for it —an actual state-of-the art, two-room permanent restroom has just been installed. No longer will visitors have to follow up Shakespeare or another show with a long trek down a steep staircase to access two portable toilets. In fact, we think the new handicapped-accessible restroom, designed and built by a team of 10 senior West Point engineering cadets, may now be one of the best public bathrooms in all of Beacon!
Photo Credit: Olivia Abel
The last couple of years have seen a host of major improvements to the island. In 2017 a new visitors center/museum opened in the round Bannerman residence building, perfectly situated on top of a hill with panoramic views. (Most eye-catching is a rusty bathtub used in the original house.) A cute “gift shop” area displays Bannerman Island paraphernalia: mugs, magnets, calendars, and more.
A proper gift shop at Bannerman Castle on Bannerman Island.
Photo Credit: Olivia Abel
Learn The History of Bannerman Island
Here, the history of the island is laid out with old photographs and memorabilia. We learn about Frank Bannerman IV, who built the main castle between 1901 to 1918 to store his collection of antique military equipment, and how his family continued to use the residence through the 1930s. We see how the property fell into ruin after 1957, when the last superintendent retired, and how the interior of the castle was destroyed by a devastating three-day fire in the summer of 1969. Luckily, Neil Caplan, a local real estate broker and theatre enthusiast fell in love with the island, organized a nonprofit aimed at restoring it to its former glory, and first started leading tours in 2004.
Last year, a new stage was installed outside the visitors center. Frank Marquette, who with his wife runs the traveling theatre company Theatre on the Road, had such success with his nighttime production of Dracula there last year —The New York Times cooed: “An exceptionally skillful version of the classic thriller, fascinating”—that he is bringing it back for two more days in September. The company is also producing the classic comedy Arsenic and Old Lace for four days in July. As an added bonus, the daughter of Boris Karloff, who starred in the 1962 movie, will be on the island for two of those days to talk about why this show meant so much to her father.
Photo Credit: Olivia Abel
Movie Lineup & Events This Summer
Six movies will be shown this year. The season kicks off with Ferris Bueller’s Day Off on May 31, and also includes The Wizard of Oz (July 5), Jurassic Park (August 2), House of Wax (September 6) and Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein (September 27). It’s no surprise that—given the sometimes eerie crumbling castle surroundings— the two showings of the cult classic Psycho are almost sold out (June 7 and 8).
Other special events include farm-fresh dinners and musical performances on the third Sunday of each month, from May through October.
No matter what brought you to the island—a show or one of the 1.5-hour guided walking tours— an ever-present added bonus is the natural beauty that surrounds you at every turn. A dedicated team of volunteers tend to the carefully-cultivated gardens, which are sponsored by Adams Fairacre Farms; that’s a good thing, as the island has been designated a monarch butterfly waystation. And of course there are the ever-present views. From Frank Marquette, “The Bannerman experience is completely unique. There is just nothing else like this,” says Marquette. “Of course, there are some challenges—there are mosquitos, there are trains going by—but people are willing to overlook these things because of the gorgeous, exotic setting. And, of course, those views.”
Hydrant Flushing Starts May 6 in Beacon - Here's The Schedule of That Brown Water
/With the start of spring comes… hydrant flushing. This is an annual practice by the City of Beacon for helping the water run optimally. Flushing usually stirs up iron and mineral deposits in the city’s waterworks, which can turn the water brown for a brief period. Wait to wash laundry until the water runs clear. It’s a good time to not run any laundry, as stains can happen. Perhaps fold the laundry instead?
If you have any questions, call the city’s Water Department at (845) 831-3136.
Beacon’s Hydrant Flushing Schedule
The City of Beacon Water Department will be flushing water mains throughout the City starting May 6 for a four-week period. The flushing will be conducted from 7 a.m. through 3 p.m. Monday through Friday.
Residents may experience periods of discolored water during this time and should refrain from doing laundry until the water runs clear.
Week 1 – May 6
Alice Street
Anderson Street
Annan Street
Birch Lane
DePuyster Avenue
East Main Street
Exeter Circle
Helen Court
Green Street
Jackson Street
Linden Drive
Louisa Street
Mountain Lane
Overlook Avenue
Petticoat Lane
Phillips Street
Roundtree Court
Robin Lane
Spring Valley Street
Spruce Street
Summit Street
Westley Avenue
William Street
Wilson Street
Vail Avenue
Week 2 – May 13
Barrett Place
Deerfield Place
Delevan Avenue
Dutchess Terrace
Fishkill Avenue
Franklin Avenue
Kent Street
Lincoln Avenue
Mackin Avenue
Memorial Park
Rt. 9D near VanNess
Townsend Street
Verplanck Avenue
Week 3 – May 20
Beskin Place
Coffey Avenue
Ellen Drive
Grandview Avenue
High Goal Lane
John Street
Miller Street
Newlin Mills Road
Paye Street
Rombout Avenue
Simmons Lane
Slocum Road
Sycamore Drive
Wodenethe Drive
Van Dyke Avenue
Victor Road
Week 4 – May 27
Bayview Avenue
Belleford Lane
Branch Street
Dennings Avenue
Fishkill Landing
Long Dock Road
Monell Place
Riverfront Park
Tompkins Avenue
West Main Street
Beacon Players’ Beauty and the Beast Was Over The Top Good - Here Are Some Pictures
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It is hard not to cover every performance from the Beacon Players, the Beacon High School Drama and Theater Arts organization that brings together students who share a passion for theater and performing arts. A Little Beacon Blog is a sponsor every year in their playbill, and every year we’re amazed with the quality of the production. Remember Peter Pan, when Peter and Wendy really did fly across the stage? Surely you saw the Chorus Line.
In case you didn’t get to see the most recent show over the weekend, we are bringing to a wider audience these photos from the Beacon Players’ Instagram, that give you a glimpse of what the show was like, and the range of what students get to experience while putting on the show.
Music!
Usually people think of the actors when they think of aligning with a theater group, but there are other creative parts of the crew that they can be a part of. Like the Costume Department, and the Pit Orchestra. Pictured here are five members of the orchestra, who make the music happen.
Beacon Players Are All Ages
One might assume that all of the participants are in high school, but really, all ages are involved. Pictured here is the “younger company,” who rehearse alongside the big kids for their parts in the show.
How To Get Involved
If you’re a business or an individual, you can sponsor a show. Email beaconplayersad@gmail.com to be put on their list when they are reaching out for playbill ads. You can also sponsor a seat.
Watch this space for any summer camp or meetup opportunity the Beacon Players put on. Meanwhile, many summer opportunities are here in A Little Beacon Blog’s Summer Camp Guide.
Branding Made Easy :: Small Businesses Can Post Couture Branded Templates (Sponsored)
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A special message from our sponsor, Katie James, Inc.
Branding Made Easy :: Social Media Card Templates
The philosophy at Katie James, Inc. is to make clients’ lives easy, branded and beautiful. Katie James, Inc. is designing blank Social Media Cards for clients to use as they share announcements, like "Open Hours" or if they post a new workshop. This is especially important after a new website design, where the business wants social media posts to match their new website look. This way, followers in Instagram will quickly and easily see and get a feel for the brand as they thumb through Instagram.
These templates were designed for Knot Too Shabby, at 155 Main Street in Beacon, NY, where they sell Annie Sloan Home furniture paint, stencils, picture frames, soap, country-style signs, and other household decor. Now, the business owner Caryn can use whatever photo she wants for a new Make and Take Class, and put the official title on top of it, then upload it to her Shopify website, and voila! She is on-brand.
For example, if Caryn decided to host a new class where the signage is a personalized baseball, she can do this, and put the Make and Take title atop it without asking Katie James, Inc., her website design team, to do it for her. (Empowerment is everything!)
Katie James, Inc. is a Spotlight Sponsor of A Little Beacon Blog, and a sister design agency who has designed this website and sponsors’ ads. It is with the support of businesses that A Little Beacon Blog can bring you coverage of news, local happenings and events. Thank you for supporting businesses who support us! If you would like to become a Sponsor or Community Partner, please click here for more information.
2019 Career Fair at Beacon High School - Seeking Businesses To Participate
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The Beacon High School Career Fair is Thursday, May 23, from 10 am to 1:30 pm, and once again, the school is seeking businesses to participate so that students can see the huge range of careers that exist in the Hudson Valley, or that exist at all.
Types of Participating Businesses
Past participants have included illustrators, writers, bloggers, podcasters, engineers, drone operators, insurance agents, document storage companies, first responders, public servants, T-shirt making companies, peace organizations, law firms, and many more.
Don’t be shy or think your business is too big or too small or too unusual to participate. This is your time to show kids what they can do, what they can become. This is your time to let them look up to you and your business, and figure out what they can dream about becoming.
I have participated three years in a row, representing A Little Beacon Blog (online newspaper) and Tin Shingle (teaches businesses how to get the word out). This year I’ll also probably have my couture branding agency, Katie James, Inc. represent. Businesses are grouped with like businesses, so I’m usually in the Media or Communications section.
Pictured above are the writer Sarah Crow, who at the time was a regular contributor to publications like GQ, Bridal Guide, and MTV. Currently she is a Senior Editor at Galvanized, where she does all sorts of things like manage freelance writers and run the social media account for the brand, as well as research for the Eat This, Not That! podcast. Also pictured here is Tom Cerchiara, founder of TEC Land Surveying.
Interacting With The Kids During The High School Career Fair
Each time, kids approach my table shyly (you have to gently encourage them to come up to your table - unless you’re Twins Barber Shop, who give haircuts at their table, or Antalek & Moore, who brought the giant Jenga game last year), and quietly tell me about their secret blogs. Correction. Their friends usually tell me about a kid’s secret fashion blogs while elbowing their blogger friend to go on and tell me about it.
One young man had a secret passion for sketching, and didn’t want to be that open about it at home. I told him about the Sketch Book Open Studio meeting at the Beacon Public Library every Wednesday (on my radar from its spot in A Little Beacon Blog’s Kids Classes Guide), and encouraged him to go check it out.
How To Participate
To participate, email the School Counselor, Michele R. Polhamus, at polhamus.m@beaconk12.org. She would love to hear from you. Participating is really easy. Tables and chairs are set up for you, with access to power if you need it, though you need to coordinate with Michele in advance.
Deadline: Friday, May 3, 2019! But if you’re seeing this slightly after that deadline, go ahead and give it a try just in case.
Sunday Real Estate Feature: Cute Storefront Space on Main Street - Formerly A Kids Consignment Shop
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Here's a little secret - this little yellow storefront is what hooked my hubby and myself into Beacon. Back when we were only thinking of making the move up from the city, we had dreams of filling it with a boutique, and doing something spectacular with the raw warehouse space behind it (also available for rent right now). What will you do with it?
From Gate House Realty: “Beautifully maintained storefront in Central Main Street zoned business district of Beacon. High visibility with double window displays, open floor plan with incredible natural light, hardwood floors and half bath. Available immediately. Call listing agent to schedule a viewing.”
RENT: $2,000/month
Real Estate Agent: Gate House Realty, (845) 831-9550
Details + Pictures >
Firefly Yoga Hosts Partner Yoga Workshop Fundraiser This Sunday With Irene Auma From Peace Within Prison Yoga
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This Sunday, April 28, Firefly Yoga and Juice Bar in Fishkill, NY, will be hosting a special two-hour Partner Yoga workshop hosted by guest instructor Irene Auma, from Peace Within Prison Yoga in Kenya. Irene has been touring the United States, teaching special classes and workshops to raise money for the nonprofit she started, Peace Within Prison Yoga.
About Irene Auma
Irene became a certified yoga instructor through the Africa Yoga Project and is also a Baptiste Yoga certified instructor. Her inspiration to become a yoga teacher comes from wanting to “improve the lives of thousands of inmates who are in dark places and bring humanity, compassion, strength and humor to their lives. I stand as hope and may they have hope.” Hence her founding Peace Within Prison Yoga.
About Peace Within Prison Yoga
Peace Within Prison Yoga seeks to promote peace and reconciliation among citizens of Kenya by encouraging self-awareness and acceptance of individuals. The mission is to create a peaceful environment through yoga and meditation that transforms the lives of those within the criminal justice system. A majority of the persons in prison have low levels of education. For any offender, their status quo in society automatically changes once they get imprisoned. They are considered outcasts or outlaws. The reality after release is that life is much harder than it was before imprisonment.
Their goal is to bring yoga to prisons in Kenya, where Irene is from. She shares, “My team and I volunteer to teach to yoga in prison from one location to another, at Athi River Men’s Prison to Machakos Women's Prison once a week, and Lang'ata Women's Maximum Security Prison three times a week with each of these classes reaching 40 to 60 students per class! My goal is to continue to expand by adding prison yoga programs to all 147 prisons.”
About Partner Yoga
Partner Yoga invites openness, patience, communication, trust and balance into your yoga practice and relationships. You and your partner will help each other to relax physical, mental, and emotional tensions. When you are physically supported, not only do you experience a yoga posture differently, but you also begin to allow yourself to trust someone else. No previous yoga experience or partner is necessary; bring
a friend, a loved one, a sibling, a neighbor, or simply yourself.
The workshop will be Sunday, April 28 from 1 to 3 pm at Firefly Yoga and Juice Bar, 992 Main St., Fishkill, NY. You can visit their website at www.fireflyfishkill.com to sign up and get more information.
Firefly Yoga and Juice Bar is a sponsor of our Adult Classes Guide. It is with the support of businesses like theirs that A Little Beacon Blog can bring you coverage of news, local happenings and events. Thank you for supporting businesses who support us! If you would like to become a Sponsor or Community Partner, please click here for more information.
Happy Independent Bookstore Day, Binnacle Books! Last Chance On Their Original Tote Bag
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Happy Independent Bookstore Day Binnacle Books! It’s risky for any retail shop to open a brick-and-mortar store, but perhaps even more so for an indie bookstore! Many cheers to Binnacle Books for doing that in Beacon, and for connecting all of us with the printed page and for readings and other book 📖 based events.
It’s also really easy to order any book you want from Binnacle - just tell them what you want over the counter or the phone, they click up some magic, and 💥 BAM, you can pick it up in the store!
Binnacle Books has helped promote other indie bookstores by making available the Hudson Valley Book Trail Map, debuting today in their shop. Plus, this is your last chance to get one of their original tote bags - perfect timing for the plastic bag ban!
Says their newsletter: “Stop by to browse some fantastic recent releases, revisit old favorites, or get a recommendation for something new. If you spend $75 or more with us today, we'll throw in one of our original blue totes with your order. If you ever wanted one, now's your chance: after this run sells out, we aren't printing them again.”
A Little Beacon Blog is honored to partner with all of our sponsors, but especially so when Binnacle approached us, wanting to sponsor our Shopping Guide. Thank you for having faith in us! Binnacle Books is a Sponsor, but this is not a sponsored post. It’s a “Celebrate Indie Bookstores!” post.
Go give Binnacle some love! Binnacle Books is at 321 Main St., Beacon, NY.
Pop-Up Shop Season Has Started! Pop-Up In A Little Beacon Space
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Pop-Up Shop Season Has Started!
Want a venue to showcase your talent? Pop Up in A Little Beacon Space! People are always asking us, "What's coming in next?" Maybe it’s you!
We make your setup and promotion really easy! We have two black tables with smooth surfaces, which can get shorter or longer, depending on who is setting up in the room. We have the perfect nook for trying on clothing or just relaxing while others shop. Pop-up events at A Little Beacon Space are always fun and lively. A lovely surprise on your weekend stroll through Beacon!
Coming soon… new shelving we ordered, to give you more retail display options. Watch our Instagram for when it arrives and we set it up!
Click here for details >
Happening This Weekend - 4/26/2019
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Phone Chargers, Cases and Screens on Main Street!
/This store, Veritech Wireless, has been here for a while, occasionally changing hands, but it’s usually been a phone store of some kind. Now that my household is down to one good phone charger and another with exposed wire, I made the sharp left turn into the shop on my way to my weekly pickup of raw frozen cat food at Beacon Barkery.
I did not realize how easy it would be to purchase phone chargers in Beacon! Skip the drive to Best Buy (I tend to not do Amazon... I like walking and looking).
The shop is under new ownership now, and there are all kinds of techie things you can do there. Screen repair, device cases, iPhones, battery swap out on iPads etc, phone wall chargers that might be better for not overheating, Verizon services, etc. Pictured here is this unsuspecting customer who was arm-twisted into the photo, but was happy to support his friend... and with a little baby candy to boot! Veritech Wireless is the place, and it’s at 188 Main St., next door to Beacon Barkery and across from Luxe Optique.
Pete Seeger Centennial Celebration - Honoring A Legend
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There is a special event happening Friday, May 3, 2019 to celebrate what would have been Pete Seeger's 100th birthday. The event is FREE for the public to attend, but donations to Clearwater are recommended.
The following is the press release issued by Towne Crier Public Relations in full:
Please join us on Friday, May 3 - the centennial of Pete Seeger's birth - for a spectacular evening of songs and stories honoring the Beacon songwriter, musician and activist. The Pete Seeger Centennial Celebration starts at 7 pm and will feature many local, regional and national performers paying tribute to Pete's music and life. The roster so far includes The Costellos, Carla Springer, Jerry Kitzrow, co-hosts Thom Joyce and David Bernz, singer-songwriters extraordinaire David Massengill, Christine Lavin and Don White - and the list keeps growing!
Admission is free, but donations are suggested to support Clearwater, the organization Pete founded and loved so well.
Born May 3, 1919, Pete Seeger was a legendary folksinger, musician and activist who called Beacon his home. He was a perennial supporter of the Towne Crier, too, having been one of our first performers when we started out in Beekman, and also played one of his last shows here at our Beacon location in November 2013, just a couple of months before he passed. He was a frequent visitor who also gave us our first food review in Beacon.
Days after his passing on January 27, 2014, we held a special Open Door tribute for Pete and drew the largest attendance in our history! So many wanted to share songs and stories of Pete; it was an overwhelming and emotional response to a beloved icon. He drew together diverse communities in the arts, environmental and activist circles, as well as the broader Beacon community.
Learn more about this event at The Towne Crier’s website.
New Job Listings from Luxe Optique: Licensed Optician And An Optometrist
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Luxe Optique has two positions available at their Main Street boutique - a Licensed Optician and Optometrist. As a member of the Luxe Optique team, you will have the opportunity to work with curated handcrafted eyewear collections from around the world, as well as sophisticated affordable lines. Luxe Optique’s mission is to provide all of their clients with the best eyewear experience possible, so a passion for providing the absolute best customer service is a must!
Licensed Optician
Luxe Optique is searching for a full/part time licensed optician to join our growing team and recently expanded store. We are a well-established full-service optical store in Beacon, NY, providing the best eyewear experience to our flourishing clientele.
REQUIREMENTS:
New York state licensed optician
Must have a passion for providing excellent customer service
Available to work weekends
Eyewear sales experience is a must
Knowledge of dispensing and adjusting frames
Reliable and excellent work ethic
Great sense of style
Must work well under pressure in a fast-paced environment
Experience working with high-end eyewear is preferred
Must be organized and pay extreme attention to detail
Optometrist
Luxe Optique is searching for an Optometrist to join our growing team and recently expanded practice. We are a well-established full-service optical practice in Beacon, NY, providing the best eyewear and eyecare experience to our flourishing clientele.
BASIC RESPONSIBILITIES:
Perform routine comprehensive eye exams and vision care procedures
Provide extreme attention to detail and thorough examinations
Administer special testing as needed
Customize patient treatment based on individual needs in order to improve or correct vision
Assess the need for a third-party referral
Contact lens evaluation/insertion and removal
Tend to eye emergencies as needed
Coordinate patient care with in-house providers and opticians
Strictly comply with HIPAA standards and regulations in handling patient information
Effectively perform a variety of other projects as may be required
QUALIFICATIONS:
License to practice optometry in New York State
Must have a passion for providing excellent patient care
Knowledge and confidence working with pediatric and adult patients
Must have excellent interpersonal communication skills
Experience with Electronic Medical Records software is helpful
Both positions are available immediately. People interested in either position can contact and send their resumes to info@luxeoptique.com.
