Spooky Hudson River Boat Tours On The "Solaris" From The Maritime Museum Throughout October

Hudson River Maritime Museum, located in Kingston on the Rondout Creek, is offering boat tours to hear local tales of legends and lore aboard Solaris on Friday and Saturday evenings throughout October. Passengers will explore the Hudson River and Rondout Creek by spooky searchlight and listen to legends and lore of the Hudson River from the pages of Washington Irving or straight from newspaper headlines of centuries past.

Guides will share stories including the tale of the serpent of the Hudson River, the terrible crime of William Salisbury, and Rondout's barge graveyard. Tickets range from $20-$25 and all proceeds support the museum’s educational programs. 

Solaris Is A 100% Solar-Powered Boat

Solaris is the museum's 100% solar-powered tour boat and floating classroom. The boat was built on campus at the Wooden Boat School and is the only solar-powered boat in operation on the Hudson River. This quiet vessel does not require any fossil fuels to operate. The lantern cruises are part of over a dozen themed tours happening this season, including visits to local shipwrecks, Indigenous history events, and trips to the Rondout Lighthouse. 

All boat tickets include general admission to the museum, open Thursday-Sunday, 11 am to 5 pm. This event is one of over a dozen themed boat tours happening on the Rondout Creek and Hudson River this season. Find details and a calendar at www.solarboattours.org or call 845-338-0071. 

About The Hudson River Maritime Museum

The Hudson River Maritime Museum is dedicated to the preservation and interpretation of the maritime history of the Hudson River, its tributaries, and related industries. In addition to extensive collections documenting maritime transportation, industry, recreation, and natural science, the museum offers classes and programs at its Wooden Boat School, Sailing and Rowing School, and aboard Solaris, the 100% solar-powered tour boat and floating classroom. The museum is located along the historic Rondout waterfront in downtown Kingston. Visit www.hrmm.org for more information.

Poof :: Beacon's Parklets Are Gone To Prepare For Repaving And Painting Of Main Street

Just as swiftly as they went up, the parklets that enabled additional outdoor dining opportunities for restaurants and patrons due to the COVID-19 pandemic have come down by September's end. The parklets are the orange barricades out front participating restaurants. The barricades were filled with water, making them very heavy for increased safety for those sitting on the other side of them. Restaurants often decorated them with flowers and in some cases built patios below them with coverings above them. They first appeared in Beacon in June 2020, but the concept has been in other cities for much longer.

The early take-down is a result of anticipated milling and paving of Main Street, as first announced by Beacon's City Administrator Chris White during the City Council's Meeting on 8/2/2021. He explained that a new surface coat will be going down, with epoxying using a high quality paint that will hold up for many years. He stated that all parking spaces, cross walks, and more will all be repainted. "We are in a state of flux right now," he expressed, "but hoping that by end of October, Main Street is tightened up."

Screenshot of the City of Beacon’s Schedule of Autumn Road Closure Schedule For Milling And Paving as of 9/29/2021.

City Administrator Chris announced again during the City Council Workshop Meeting on 9/27/2021 that the parklets would be pulled to begin milling and paving. On 9/29/2021, the City posted a brief Road Closure schedule through October 5, 2021, which includes some Main Street intersections, but are a fraction of the mile long Main Street that offers dining experiences from restaurants using parklets. It is unclear at this time if this is an incomplete list, or the full list of milling and paving. Additionally, it is unclear if milling and paving on Main Street will be conducted while Main Street is open, but traffic routed around into the other lane in order to avoid too many Main Street closures.

Throughout the summer, Beacon experienced the installation of "bump-outs," which are circular extensions of the sidewalk at corners. In theory, these are easier for people in wheelchairs (but if you're in a wheelchair, let us know in the Comments below if Beacon's installation is helpful to you!), and getting pedestrians more into the street at crosswalks to be seen by passing cars (deep breaths as you step out).

Construction of these bump-outs lasted throughout the summer, causing moving drive-arounds as different intersections on Main Street were worked on. Completed work to the bump-outs will happen once the street is milled and paved, to match the street paving to the end of the sidewalk for a smooth transition. Currently, there is an unfinished drop-off between the bump-out and the street.

The Barns Art Center to Host Harvest Festival

Hopewell Junction, New York – The newly opened Barns Art Center is pleased to announce Harvest Festival. Held from October 9-10, the convening will feature the premiere of LOST ARTS, a three-screen film experience, the groundbreaking ceremony for a large-scale installation with artist collective Futurefarmers, and a local market.

LOST ARTS Film Premiere – screening times 11:00am-3:00pm
The Barns Art Center will premiere LOST ARTS, a three screen, immersive film experience that explores the art and culture of agriculture in the Hudson Valley. Beyond being a tool for education and a response to our current social and ecological climate, the film is a sensory celebration of the bounty of the Hudson Valley and the profound wisdom that has been unearthed and cultivated here for thousands of years. By looking to the past for forgotten methods, techniques, and philosophies, today’s farmers have found more innovative, sustainable, and equitable ways forward.

The ten featured farmers include: Jack Algiere, Stone Barns Center for Food and Agriculture; Ben and Melany Dobson, Hudson Hemp; Ken Greene, Hudson Valley Seed Company; Anne Hall, Crespell; Don Lewis, Wild Hive Farm; John Michelotti, Catskill Fungi; Rick Osofsky, Ronnybrook Farm Dairy; David Rowe, Rowe’s Apiaries Jalal Sabur, Sweet Freedom Farm; Karen Washington, Garden of Happiness/La Familia Verde/Rise & Root. The film is produced with Kingston-based company Northguild.

In conjunction with the LOST ARTS premiere is a roster of farmer-led, daytime activities:

11:30am Sculpting with Flowers

Flower Arranging Workshop with Anne Hall, Crespell

12:30pm Looking Back – How did we get here?

A conversation with Don Lewis, Ken Greene, David Rowe, Rick Osofsky

1:30pm Spore Printing

Mushroom Walk and Printmaking Workshop with John Michelotti, Catskill Fungi

2:30pm Looking Forward – Farming for the Future – Where can we go?

A conversation with Jack Algiere, Ben and Melany Dobson, Jalal Sabur

BARNS ART CENTER | 736 SOUTH DRIVE, HOPEWELL JUNCTION, NY 12533 | BARNSARTCENTER.ORG

Futurefarmers Of Furrows & Lands in Harps Installation

Futurefarmers breaks ground on their first large-scale public artwork in the United

States. Drawing on the success of their 10-year project Flatbread Society for the city of

Oslo, Of Furrows & Lands in Harps will manifest as an extraordinary architectural

structure and a public program that unfolds over three-years time. The architectural

structure, designed by Belgian architect Lode Vranken, will feature three spaces: a

bakehouse, a meeting space and an extraordinary experimental instrument at the heart

of the work and building called Hum Stone. Hum Stone is made from a millstone and is

able to play other millstones. Drawing from the historical context of the site, once a farm,

then a microchip factory, now The Barns Art Center, this unique instrument points to the

past while invoking the future. Participating composers include Walter Kitundu,

Guillermo Galindo, Annea Lockwood.

A groundbreaking ceremony for Futurefarmers will be held from 3:00-6:00pm:

3:00 Place Stones with artist/choreographer, Elaine Buckholtz

A participatory action involving sound, movement, and the placing of three millstones.

4:00 Impressions from the Stone

A series of limited-edition prints made from rubbings of custom carved millstone by

Walter Kitundu.

Harvest Festival Market 11:00-3:00

The Festival Market will include River Valley Guild Artist and Artisan Market and a Cider

Week New York Tasting, including local food and beverage vendors such as Ronnybrook

Farm Dairy, Sloop Brewing Co., More Good, Fishkill Farms and Treasury Cider, and

more.

More about the The Barns Art Center

The Barns Art Center is a contemporary art initiative located up the Hudson River, 60 miles north of NYC, in East Fishkill at iPark 84. The Barns occupies a 3,200-square-foot museum quality gallery built adjacent a former IBM microchip plant. Aligning with the region’s rich agricultural tradition and history of environmental stewardship, The Barns champions art at the nexus of food, farming, ecology, and sustainability. Stimulating essential dialogue around innovation, conservation, and equity, we hope to cultivate new ways of thinking about the earth, the history we inherit, and the legacy we leave behind. Through its exhibition, education, and empowerment programs, The Barns Art Center strives to create community and catalyze creative expression. We are free, open to the public, and committed to fostering an accessible, interactive, and inclusive environment.

For additional information or materials regarding any of the above programs or events, contact: Tara Anne Dalbow, Gallery Director and Curator, tdalbow@barnsartcenter.org, c.970-376-8668

www.barnsartcenter.org / @barnsartcenter

Adrian "Butch" Anderson, Dutchess County Sheriff, Dies :: Kirk Imperati Named As Acting Sheriff

Well known leader, Dutchess County Sheriff Adrian "Butch" Anderson, has died, as reported by several local media outlets today. He was 73, and died at his home in the village of Pawling, the Sheriff's office said in a statement. He had served in that post for more than 20 years and spent more than 50 years with the Sheriff's Office, the Poughkeepsie Journal reported. He also served as Mayor of his hometown of Pawling in the late 1980s to early 1990s.

“Today we have lost an extraordinary public servant with the passing of Dutchess County Sheriff Adrian “Butch” Anderson,” said Dutchess County Executive Marcus Molinaro in a press release. “Butch devoted his entire life to protecting and serving the community he loved so dearly. Throughout his life, he was true leader - in law enforcement in elected office, and in service to community organizations.”

Anderson began his first term as Sheriff in January 2000 after being elected, and went on to win re-election every four years, running unopposed, according to the Poughkeepsie Journal. His last re-election was in 2019.

His acting replacement will be Undersheriff Kirk Imperati, who sated: "We are all deeply saddened by the passing of Sheriff Anderson," who described Anderson as "a second father to me," reported the Poughkeepsie Journal.

Molinaro continued: "His call to serve ensured the safety of our community for more than 50 years and made a measurable difference in the lives of countless children, families and residents. Our hearts are broken today and we send our deepest condolences to Sheriff Anderson’s family, including his wife Danielle and his four children – you are in our prayers and in our hearts."

Anderson's wife, Danielle, said in a statement that "it has been an honor" to be married to him. "He was a tremendous husband, father, and friend to all," she said. "Our family appreciates the outpouring of support from everyone as we grieve our loss."

Since first publishing the article at 10:30am, the Poughkeepsie Journal updated their article at 3:30pm to include quotes and photos from Lisa Reda.

Numerous regional leaders noted their condolences, including Poughkeepsie Mayor Rob Rolison, who started working with Anderson in 1980. Mayor Rolison told the Poughkeepsie Journal: "Butch in all capacities, was a dedicated and brave member of that department, but what always impressed me was his love of this county, the people who live here and his overwhelming commitment to the Hudson Valley."

The Poughkeepsie Journal reported that Anderson was a friend of former President Donald Trump and the Trump family. The paper reported that he was a member of Trump's reelection team, after serving in other roles when Trump first ran for president.

The chairman of the New York Republican State Committee, Nick Langworthy, said that he and Anderson bonded as Trump supporters, reported the Poughkeepsie Journal. Anderson "proudly had a direct line to the White House for four years," Langworthy said in a Facebook post.

State Senetor Sue Serino said in a statement: "Our community has lost a true hero."

What's Being Discussed At Tonight's City Council Workshop: Accessory Apartments; Good Cause Eviction; Highway Department Hire; Assessment Base Percentage; Zoning Board Appointment

Beacon's City Council will meet this evening 9/27/2021 at 7pm for a regularly scheduled Workshop meeting, which is when they discuss topics amongst themselves in public, but without opportunities for Public Comment. This type of meeting happens every other Monday.

On the agenda tonight are different topics, some of which were covered during last week's public City Council Meeting. When new information or public feedback emerges, sometimes these topics get put back onto the Workshop schedule for further discussion. Click here for the full agenda, plus links to supporting documents.

Tonight's Agenda Includes

Accessory Apartments

The City Council is perusing normalizing Accessory Apartments as a right for homeowners of single family homes in all R1, all RD and the T Zoning Districts to build and rent out without requiring a special use permit approval from the Planning Board. Mayor Kyriacou with the support of City Administrator Chris White is pursuing this in the name of renter and owner affordability during the current housing crisis throughout the nation. According to supporting documentation from the City's attorney: "The City Council is considering adopting amendments to the City Code to encourage the development of accessory apartments to promote renter and owner affordability in the City of Beacon."

This vision is led by Mayor Kyriacou and City Administrator Chris, who served on council together during the 1990s. Mayor Kyriacou is a property owner in Beacon who has renovated properties, and has served as a landlord for different properties.

Mayor Kyriacou is pursuing the right to build the Accessory Apartments bigger than they are now. City Administrator Chris is pursuing removing parking requirements for Accessory Apartments. Parking requirements can sometimes be used to stall a building project by those who disagree with a project.

For the past several years, Beacon has been unfavorable toward Accessory Apartments, even when someone wanted to build one for their parent-in-laws or caregivers required to care for an aging parent or person who required consistent medical care. This zoning edit would change that.

During tonight's meeting, the City Council will debate several changes to the existing code, including size of the unit, how any dwellings would be allowed per lot, the design scheme of the accessory apartment, increasing the maximum build, eliminating currently required inspections every two years, and removing the parking requirement.

It is not indicated how the increase in number of Accessory Apartments would guarantee lower rental prices, since the free market and current supply and demand are not yielding to lower prices in Beacon.

The City Council will also review code regulations from the Town of Cortland, the Town of Newburgh, the Town of Pound Ridge, and the Town of Wappinger.

Proposed Local Law Regarding Good Cause Eviction

Councilmember Dan Aymar-Blair proposed that the City consider a law making it more difficult to evict tenants, called the Good Cause Eviction Law. The City will also look at Albany's Good Cause Eviction Law during tonight's Workshop. During last week's public City Council Meeting, a handful of people from the public called in demanding that the City put on Dan's proposed Good Cause Eviction Law onto the agenda. People told stories of people they knew who had their rents raised by several percentage points, making it difficult or impossible for them to remain in Beacon.

Last February 2020, Councilmember Terry Nelson pushed to have the Emergency Tenants Protection Act (ETPA) considered by the City. This law would legalize a rent cap, but has several requirements that the city must meet, including vacancy rate and the age of buildings. This was discussed by the Council, and Mayor Kyriacou presented reasons for not pursuing it.

Proposed Hire of Motor Equipment Operator

The Highway Department is recommending the hiring of Andi Driza for Motor Equipment Operator.

Abandonment of Paper Streets

The City of Beacon is pursuing abandoning specific, very tiny areas in Beacon that are undeveloped and slipped through the cracks of ownership decades ago, which could put them into the ownership of neighboring homeowners. During last week's Public Hearing on the topic, some of those neighboring homeowners came to speak on the issue, to say if they wanted or did not want the property that was about to be absorbed by them. The council indicated that they were not anticipating the feedback, and appreciated the input. The matter has moved back into Workshop, where the council will discuss it again.

"The Official Map of the City of Beacon contains several undeveloped paper streets identified as Ryans Avenue, BeVier Avenue, Morse Street and Levy Street. A paper street is a street established on a filed subdivision map and is included on the Official Map of the City of Beacon, but which was never subsequently developed or used as a public way."

Proposed Appointment of Montos Vakirtzis to the Zoning Board of Appeals

Montos Vakirtzis is being recommended by Joe Galbo to be on the Zoning Board of Appeals.

Proposed Resolution to Certify Base Percentages and Proportions for the 2021 Assessment Roll Pursuant to Article 19 of the Real Property Tax Law

"Pursuant to Article 19 of the Real Property Tax Law, the City Council hereby adopts and establishes the Adjusted Base Proportions for the 2021 City of Beacon Assessment Roll as 69.10766% for Homestead parcels and 30.89234% for Non-homestead parcels, which are to be used for real property tax purposes;"

Sunday Is A Big Day :: Retail Therapy Guide 9/24/2021

Sunday is Beacon's annual Spirit of Beacon Day! This 44 year old event, run entirely by dedicated volunteers (this is a City-blessed event, but not a City-sponsored/organized event), began in 1977 after racial tensions between Beacon students and the community escalated into days. In trying to come together to understand one another, this day was born. Normally celebrated as a grand parade with a route lined with information tables from organizations, faith-based organizations, non-profits, and food, the first year of the pandemic brought that public parade to a pause, and instead, the organizers re-routed a mini-parade throughout the city. This year, with businesses open, yet safety measures still in place with the Delta variant surge, the Spirit of Beacon Day Committee has coordinated opportunities for organizations and businesses to hold opportunities in their spaces. Get all of the details here at the Spirit of Beacon Day Website. Additionally, ALBB has also listed the events with a brief historic intro here. It should be noted, that while this day is celebratory, the housing situation in Beacon is not. Several of our families with children of all ages have had to move out, or stay in place in small apartments or houses in order to stay here. Renters of all ages have little protections, and are also being forced out due to rising prices. After being pressed by the community to develop a solution, this topic is being discussed at City Council. You can hear the latest public opinion on it during last week's City Council Meeting. This public comment was partially in response to the City's vision of having "poor people" ride e-scooters and public transportation everywhere, instead of needing or wanting cars, as the City recommends reducing parking requirements in order to build more housing. While the parking issue has pros and cons, it has sparked debate and brought renters' stories into the forefront.   THE EVENTS + RETAIL THERAPY GUIDE Edited and Written By Teslie Andrade and Katie Hellmuth Martin You can sponsor this Event Guide with your event, for extra promotion of it! If you'd like to guarantee to see your entertainment event listed here, book an Event Promotion Advertising spot here. Spirit of Beacon Day Day: Saturday + Sunday, September 25 + 26, 2021 Time: Times vary Location: So many. The official live event from the Spirit of Beacon Day Committee is the concert on Veterans Place. All around town, there will be other opportunities as well. Spirit of Beacon Day Community Concert Sunday, September 26, 2021 12:00 PM 5:00 PM Veterans Place Beacon, NY, 12508 United States Celebrate Spirit of Beacon Day on Veteran’s Place by the Post Office with live entertainment and music with performers from across our community! 12pm : GG and the Shades 12.30pm : Beacon Performing Arts 1pm : Speeches, Awards and Yanarella School of Dance 1.30pm : Bosco and the Storm 2.30pm : Judith Tulloch Band Other Opportunities Include: I Run Beacon Spirit of Beacon Flower Bouquets at Flora Good Times Stonykill Farm Tour : Visit the animals and enter the farm raffle! Drink Up! A Display of Bottles, Crocks, & Jugs from Main Street Beacon's Past Fundraiser for Land To Learn at Dirty Bacchus Glenham Elementary Collaborative Art Piece Hudson Hills Collaborative Art Piece Fall Fun at Forrestal, with JVF PTSO Live Music and a Donation at Be Bhakti Yoga Open Mic Night at Beacon Performing Arts Center Beacon Performing Arts Center Women’s Parish Club Pre-Christmas Fair Jewelry Bargains! Annual Home Made Cookie Sale at Christ Church, United Methodist Beacon Farmer's Market - Local Produce and Music Totally Fit with Dr Sara Beacon Historical Society at Hudson Beach Glass Beacon Performing Arts outdoor pop up concert Raven Rose gives back to Mid Hudson Animal Aid Chicken Yoga with Beacon Hood Chicken Berte supports Mutual Aid Beacon Beacon Music Factory Presents: Takes A Village - next to Ronz Guitar Gallery Support ARF at Solstad House Shop for Good at Beacon Mercantile Outdoor Art Show at Beacon Bread Company Spirit of Beacon Day Community Concert Free give-a-way Beacon Style! at Marion Royael Gallery Common Ground Farm + Hudson Valley Brewery Support a local non profit at KAIGHT New Covenant Outdoor Talent Show & Krispy Kreme Sale Sloop for Sloop - Support the Sloop Club at Dogwood Information >  Catskill Food Festival Day: Saturday, September 25, 2021 Time: 12pm - 6pm Location: 10 Main Street, Catskill, NY 12414 Food Trucks, Food Vendors, & Live Music! Information >  Barton Orchards Fall Festival Days: Saturday, September 25, 2021 & Sunday, September 26, 2021 Time: 10am - 6pm Location: Barton Orchards, 63 Apple Tree Ln, Poughquag, NY 12570 Information >  Fall Harvest Festivals Day: Now - October 31st! Location: Fishkill Farms, 9 Fishkill Farm Rd, Hopewell Junction, NY Information > Check our Calendar and Events Guide regularly for upcoming events throughout the week!                                    Submissions are coming in for the Second Saturday Art Gallery Guide. If you would like your exhibit or showcase featured here, please consider supporting A Little Beacon Blog with an Event Placement Sponsorship. Thank you!   TWO WAY BREWING COMPANY 18 West Main St. It’s going to be a beautiful weekend to sample some beers at Two Way! Their patio and taproom are open 12- 11 p.m.,  See beers on tap here > PS: Trivia is on Thursdays! PPS: Live Music on Fridays! King Dutch, September 17, 2021, from 7:30pm - 9:30pm Stay tuned for more! OPEN: Thursday 4:00pm - 10:00pm Friday 4:00pm - 11:00pm Saturday 12:00pm - 11:00pm Sunday 1:00pm - 8:00pm Two Way Brewing Company is a Sponsor, thank you!   EAT CHURCH 3091 U.S. 9, Cold Spring, NY Ditch the meal prep & pick up some Grilled Beef Banh Hoi made by Eat Church! Delicious & beautiful! Find Eat Church at: - Marbled Meat Shop in Coldspring (daily grab-n-go fridge!) - Industrial Arts Brewing from Thursday-Sunday (order online now!) - Beacon Farmers Market on Sundays! So many opportunities to get your hands on this deliciousness! Website > Eat Church is a Sponsor, thank you! BEACON BREAD COMPANY 193 Main St. BBC is hosting a Garden Gallery! Join them in celebrating the 44th ANNUAL Spirit of Beacon Day! The festival & parade may have been canceled this year, but satellite events are popping up over the entire city this month! The day will be filled with arts & music happening outside on the back patio! This Sunday the 26th, from 12-7 pm! Come out for a great time!  PS: BBC is open 8am - 5pm every day except Wednesday. PPS: if you need a special loaf or pastry for your holiday or event, BBC is more than happy to take custom orders! Give them a call today. Menu >  Order Pick Up or Delivery >  Beacon Bread Company is a Sponsor, thank you! MEYERS OLDE DUTCH 184 Main Street, Beacon, NY We tried this hot dog special, and it was SO GOOD. MOD doesn't do specials like this often, so know this: Follow their Instagram. Place your order early if you see a special flicker across your feed. You can place the order with a few taps from Instagram, and even set a time to pick it up, hours later! MOD doesn't mess around. You can order from a QR Code from their tables, without going inside. Pictured here was the Alpha Dog - filled with delicious kalamata olives, pickled peppers, onion relish, Romain, feta and dill aioli. YUM! Patio open, indoor dining open, take out available.  Open Sunday thru Thursday for Food 11:30am - 9pm; Bar until 10pm Friday and Saturday Food 11:30am - 11:00pm; Bar until midnight. Order Now > Meyers Olde Dutch is a Sponsor, thank you! TITO SANTANA TAQUERIA 142 Main St. Shrimp Burrito Bowls from Tito Santana! The shrimp is an add-on (along with many others) so you can really make your bowls however you want! Two Vegan options are available for burrito bowls & many other Vegan options available throughout the delicious menu. Check it out > PS: Dinner takeout special available Monday-Friday from 4pm - 9pm: 4 tacos, + 2 street corn, + 1 chip & salsa, + 1 rice & beans for only $24! PPS: Catering available! Menu >  Catering >  Tito Santana Taqueria is a Sponsor, thank you! HOMESPUN 232 Main Street, Beacon, NY Not only can you get delicious food from the All Day Menu at Homespun, but you can also get delicious drinks! Many different wines (red, white, orange, pink), craft beer featuring locals, cider, and much more! Homespun even has a Beer Store & Beer Subscription online! See more here > PS: Gift Cards are available in-store at Homespun!  PPS: Order cutoff for Farm Kits is every Tuesday at 5pm, and pick up is at Homespun every Friday, anytime between 10am-7pm. Find more Farm Kit Info Here > OPEN HOURS: Thursday - Monday, 10am - 7pm Order Food > Homespun is a Sponsor, thank you!  HUDSON VALLEY FOOD HALL 288 Main Street, Beacon, NY There's a new menu, new hours, and new staff from Barbs Fry Works located inside of the HV Food hall! Anddddd, the entire menu is gluten-free. So not only can you get loaded fries, but now you can get bar bites, salads, sides, and different sauces! Follow HV Food Hall's foodies: Miz Hattie's BBQ: Southern Style BBQ, from North Carolina. Order ahead via their Toast-app menu! Momo Valley: Himalayan Spiced Hand-Crafted MoMo & More Barb's Fry Works: Gourmet, small-batch-loaded fries. And salads. El Nica: Nicaraguan Food Roosevelt Bar: Cocktail Bar in a well-ventilated space with Outdoor Patio! Schmuck's Sweet Stuff: Local Ice Cream, Hot Waffles, and Other Sweet Stuff Hudson Valley Food Hall is a Sponsor, thank you! BAJA 328 328 Main Street, Beacon, NY It's Taco 'Tuesday' every day at Baja! Go on in and try their 13 different types of tacos! & don't forget to check out their specials menu! Baja has many starters, tacos, main plates, quesadillas, and sides. They also have a kid's menu! Something for all! PS: Happy Hour Tues-Fri 4-6pm Check out their specialty drinks >  Check out the specials > BAJA 328 is a Sponsor, thank you! ZIATUN 244 Main St. No better way to start your weekday/weekend mornings than with a cup of Arabic Coffee from Ziatun! Lightly sweetened, and just a pinch of freshly ground cardamom. So no, you don't only get delicious food from here, but you get delicious drinks like this special coffee! Stop in this weekend. Menu >  Order Online >  Ziatun is a Sponsor, thank you!   DIRTY BACCHUS 380 Main Street, Beacon Raphael Lyon / Enlightenment Wines Meadery / The Athanor - This is among Enlightenment’s driest meads and it is a new category for Raphael Lyon, Dirty Bacchus' favorite mead maker, who ferments caramelized local wildflower honey for several months before aging it for two years in used whiskey barrels. A complex mix of cooking spices, allspice, cedar and browned butter keep one’s nose busy in the glass unfolding layer after layer of olfactory excitement. On the palate, strong black coffee, caramel, rum and brown butter balance well with a fine acidity that lifts the whole experience and carries it to a very long finish. Stop in this weekend! Try something new. PS: Dirty Bacchus is hiring! HOURS: Mon-Wed: 12-6pm Thur- Sat: 11am-7pm Sun: 12-5pm Dirty Bacchus is a Sponsor, thank you! BINNACLE BOOKS 321 Main Street, Beacon Gayl Jones, “Palmares” available at Binnacle! “First discovered and edited by Toni Morrison, Gayl Jones has been described as one of the great literary writers of the 20th century. Now, for the first time in over 20 years, Jones is ready to publish again. ‘Palmares’ is the first of five new works by Gayl Jones to be published in the next two years, rewarding longtime fans and bringing her talent to a new generation of readers. Intricate and compelling, ‘Palmares’ recounts the journey of Almeyda, a Black slave girl who comes of age on Portuguese plantations and escapes to a fugitive slave settlement called Palmares. Following its destruction, Almeyda embarks on a journey across colonial Brazil to find her husband, lost in battle.  Combining the author’s mastery of language and voice with her unique brand of mythology and magical realism, Jones reimagines the historical novel. The result is a sweeping saga spanning a quarter century, with vibrant settings and unforgettable characters, steeped in the rich oral tradition of its world. Of Gayl Jones, the New Yorker noted, ‘[Her] great achievement is to reckon with both history and interiority, and to collapse the boundary between them.’ Like nothing else before it, ‘Palmares’ embodies this gift.” Binnacle is NOW *Open daily! Binnacle Books is a Sponsor, thank you! BRETT'S HARDWARE 18 West Main Street, Beacon It is not FALL! & Bretts Hardware has the most beautiful mums! These will go fast. Get your color now! Or a few - we love a good Mum collection along the front door or staggered on the steps! PS: The cold is coming! Get your winter mats & supplies! Stop in & check it all out. Brett's Hardware is a Sponsor, thank you! LUXE OPTIQUE 181-183 Main Street, Beacon Still looking for that perfect aviator? Look no further! Luxe Optique has ya covered!  Whether you want sunglasses or regular glasses, Unique Design Milano makes the perfect aviator frame you need in your eyewear collection! Stop in today and shop Luxe Optique's collections! HOURS: Monday: 10am–5pm Tues-Saturday:10am–6pm Sunday: 11am-4pm Shop Online > Luxe Optique is a Sponsor, thank you! LA MÉRE CLOTHING AND GOODS 470 Main Street, Beacon Your wardrobe called & it wants this **NEW** Quilted Pouch Handbag that is  available now online and in store from La Mere! Psst…it’s under $50!!!!! Saturday Store Hours 11-6pm *New Arrivals Weekly / Free Shipping Download their free app in the iTunes Store PS: Everything is under $100!! Shop Online > La Mere is a Sponsor, thank you! Yanarella Dance Studio 312 Main St., Beacon, NY Discover Dance This Fall at Yanarella! Unlike many other studios, Yanarella's year begins in December and runs all year until their recital in November. They offer classes in all levels and styles and now offer Zumba! They offer full-year classes as well as Fall Introductory Courses, Winter Camps, and Summer Camps. For each additional class, there is a multi-class/Family discount. Yanarella has three dance rooms, all adjacent to waiting rooms with half walls for observers, instead of observation windows. All rooms are equipped with state-of-the-art sound systems, mounted and standing ballet barres, and full-length mirrors. They also have a sprung wooden floor made specifically for dancers. Visit Yanarella Dance online.  Register for classes today!  Yanarella is a Sponsor, thank you! ANTALEK & MOORE INSURANCE AGENCY 340 Main Street, Beacon Antalek & Moore is honored to serve a community that values local businesses! Antalek & Moore provides world-class service to Beacon and beyond. They offer commercial and personal insurance solutions to customers in the Hudson Valley community, the New York region, and across the country. Give Antalek & Moore a call today: 845-831-4300 and visit their website. Latest Announcements > Antalek & Moore is a Sponsor. Thank you!   TIN SHINGLE You have a voice. You have a story to tell. Your guest(s) have stories to tell. You need to get it out there, and you’d thrive with a production partner to get it done. You could record your podcast yourself, but you want a team making it with you, keeping you on-point; suggesting ideas; recognizing opportunities. There are several components to producing your podcast and the Tin Shingle team wants to help you! Find out more > Tin Shingle is a Sponsor. Thank you!                           KATIE JAMES, INC. Redesign Alert! Katie James Inc. is the design team behind A Little Beacon Blog. The most recent branding project includes a redesign for the ALBB's sister podcast, “Wait, What Is That?” As the hosts grew into their voices, a new design emerged. Katie James Inc. is a sponsor. Thank you! HIRING: Social Media Lead At The Hyacinth Group Details > HIRING: Daycare Teacher & Assistant Wanted At Care 4 Me, Inc. Details > HIRING: Beacon City School District Food Service Department Is Looking For Substitute Food Service Helpers Details > HIRING: Sous-Chef Position At Homespun Foods Details > HIRING: Part-Time Production Assistant At SallyeAnder Details > HIRING: Brett's Hardware in New Windsor Details > HIRING: Meyers Olde Dutch Details > List your job in ALBB's Job Listings > BUSINESSES IN THE BUSINESS DIRECTORY BRANDING  >  MARKETING & PR Samantha Cuello Consulting Tin Shingle Katie James, Inc. CAMPING Malouf's Mountain CHILDBIRTH  >  CLASSES Juniper Birth CHILDBIRTH  >  DOULA Juniper Birth EDUCATION > MUSIC Maple Street Studio (guitar!) 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Beacon's Spirit Of Beacon Day 2021 Is "All Around Beacon" :: City-Wide Opportunities Sunday 9/26/2021

The Spirit of Beacon Day is a defining day of celebration and commitment to unity in Beacon that was born out of racial tensions among Beacon’s youth in 1977 (one elder’s recollection is that it started in a bar over a romance). To find peace, leaders in the community from different factions came together to find a way to come together, and the Spirit of Beacon Day was born.

The day traditionally commenced as a parade starring the 6 public schools in Beacon, independent schools, faith-based organizations, and non-profits. During the parade, on either side of the road, were tables, booths and mini-concert stages set up for people to experience different cultures and groups.

At the height of the COVID-19 pandemic last year in 2020, the parade down Main Street diverted to a side route designed to go throughout the city, much in the spirit of drive-by birthday parties that were happening, in order to account for social distancing.

The volunteer organizers of the Spirit of Beacon Day have once again designed a thoughtful program that can be like sparklers of feelings throughout the city. Committee Members include Gwenno James, Karen James, and others. Together, they spend the year designing the program, presenting it to the City of Beacon for any permissions needed from the City, and then the committee sees the event through with fervor. See past news from them here.

There’s no parade, but there are plenty of ways to connect! Don’t feel shy. Go up to any of these organizations to introduce yourself and begin to get to know each other. These events are from the Spirit of Beacon Day Event Calendar.

The main live event from the Committee itself will be live music from Veterans Place (near the Post Office and Towne Crier). Other events are scheduled throughout the city.

Spirit of Beacon Day Community Concert

Sunday, September 26, 2021
12:00 PM 5:00 PM
Veterans Place Beacon, NY, 12508 United States
Celebrate Spirit of Beacon Day on Veteran’s Place by the Post Office with live entertainment and music with performers from across our community!
12pm : GG and the Shades
12.30pm : Beacon Performing Arts
1pm : Speeches, Awards and Yanarella School of Dance
1.30pm : Bosco and the Storm
2.30pm : Judith Tulloch Band

Spirit Of Beacon Day 2021 Schedule Of Events City-Wide

Some of these events are still running but started earlier.

I Run Beacon

Sun, Sep 19, 2021 9:00 AM Sun, Sep 26, 2021 6:00 PM
This is a Virtual Event. Choose your own location to run the 5K
WE INVITE YOU TO JOIN US AS WE CELEBRATE BEACON WHILE RAISING MONEY FOR OUR “MAKING A DIFFERENCE” SCHOLARSHIP AWARDED TO A GRADUATING BEACON SENIOR!
Register here : https://runsignup.com/Race/NY/NA/IRunBeacon5KRunWalk

Spirit of Beacon Flower Bouquets at Flora Good Times

Sun, Sep 19, 2021 12:00 PM Wed, Oct 6, 2021 6:00 PM
197 Main St Beacon NY
Flora Good Times will be donating $10 from the sale of each bouquet to various Beacon community organizations throughout the month of September!
During the month of September, Flora's classic $20 Donation Posey Bouquet is renamed Spirit of Beacon Bouquet!
Flora Good Times is open Thursdays-Mondays 11am-6pm, but we are open 24/7 for online orders
We love Beacon!

Stonykill Farm Tour : visit the animals and enter the farm raffle!

Saturday, September 25, 2021
11:00 AM 1:00 PM
79 Farmstead Lane Wappingers Falls, NY, 12590 United States (map)
Celebrate Spirit of Beacon Day by visiting historic Stony Kill Farm! The barn will be open for tours and visits with our livestock. Enter the farm raffle and win a basket of SKF goodies. Show the Love and make a donation to help support the farm!

Drink Up! A Display of Bottles, Crocks, & Jugs from Main Street Beacon's Past

Sat, Sep 25, 2021 11:00 AM - Sun, Sep 26, 2021 5:00 PM
458 Main Street Beacon, NY United States
Beacon Bath & Bubble is teaming up with the Beacon Historical Society to present a window display of vintage bottles, crocks, and jugs from Main Street Beacon's past. An additional display in the store will delight viewers with memorabilia from the Beacon's golden age of tourism, manufacturing, and fashion.

Fundraiser for Land To Learn at Dirty Bacchus

Sat, Sep 25, 2021 11:30 AM Sun, Sep 26, 2021 7:30 PM
380 Main Street beacon, ny
Dirty Bacchus will be promoting Land To Learn (read all about what they do here: https://landtolearn.org/), asking for donations and giving discounts on wine in return for donations of $10 or more.

Glenham Elementary Collaborative Art Piece

Sat, Sep 25, 2021 12:00 PM - Sun, Sep 26, 2021 6:00 PM
Glenham Elementary School will showcase a collaborative art piece made by the students which will be displayed at a local business - TBD.

Hudson Hills Collaborative Art Piece

Sat, Sep 25, 2021 12:00 PM - Sun, Sep 26, 2021 6:00 PM
A collaborative art piece created by the Hudson Hills Montessori school students will be displayed at a Main St location - TBD

Fall Fun at Forrestal, with JVF PTSO

Saturday, September 25, 2021
1:00 PM 4:00 PM
Join the JVF PTSO for "Fall Fun at Forrestal Day" on Saturday 9/25 from 1-4pm!
This free event will take place on the lower field at Forrestal and feature:
-Apple cider and donuts
-Lawn games
-A "Falcon Wing Feathers" collaborative crafting project
-Mums sale (pre-order)

Live Music and a Donation at Be Bhakti Yoga

Saturday, September 25, 2021
3:00 PM 5:00 PM
36 Catherine Street Beacon NY (map)
Music event at BeBhakti on Saturday Sept 25, 3pm-5pm
Live music and songs from folk, indie rock and mantras from Lauren and the Boys.
At BeBhakti Yoga Center

Open Mic Night at Beacon Performing Arts Center

Saturday, September 25, 2021
6:30 PM 8:00 PM
327B Main Street beacon NY
Beacon Performing Arts Center is celebrating BEACON by having an open mic night for all ages!
Perform a song, stand up comedy, poem, or other performance act! 5 minute maximum.Because of Covid, pre-registration to attend/perform is required, and each performer can bring up to 2 guests. Masks are required regardless of vaccination status.The event will be live-streamed on our Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/beaconperformingartscenter

Saturday, September 25

6:30 - 8:00pm
Beacon Performing Arts Center
327B Main Street
Because of Covid, pre-registration to attend/perform is required, and each performer can bring up to 2 guests. Masks are required regardless of vaccination status.
The event will be live-streamed on our Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/beaconperformingartscenter

Women’s Parish Club Pre-Christmas Fair Jewelry Bargains!

Sunday, September 26, 2021
10:00 AM 2:00 PM
35 Willow St, Beacon NY
St. Joachim/St. John the Evangelist Women’s Parish Club will be selling jewelry and other trinkets. Everything is priced to sell and all items are cleaned and bagged…ready to go!
We will also have baked goods and bottled water.
35 Willow St, Beacon (in front of the Church Rectory)

Annual Home Made Cookie Sale at Christ Church, United Methodist

Sunday, September 26, 2021
10:00 AM 3:00 PM
60 Union Street Beacon, NY United States
Come buy and enjoy our home made cookies. Christ Church has been participating in the Spirit of Beacon day since it began. Lots and Lots of cookies will be available for purchase!
10:00AM - UNTIL THE COOKIES ARE GONE

Beacon Farmer's Market - Local Produce and Music

Sunday, September 26, 2021
10:00 AM 2:00 PM
223 Main St Beacon, NY
Visit Beacon’s popular farmers’ market at 223 Main Street with tons of local produce, meats, cheeses and fresh caught seafood plus prepared food by Nana’s Homemade, Eat Church and Pat’s Kitchen! We’ve also got tons of choices for those with a sweet tooth as well as locally-made soaps and pottery! Other specialty items include pickles, pies, spices, fresh cut flowers, microgreens, honey, maple syrup, coffee, kombucha, jams and jellies, and an unbelievably diverse choice of garlic varieties!
Music in the afternoon and discounts all day!
The Beacon Farmers' Market mission is to feed and engage the Beacon Community, support local farms and businesses, and create a more just food system.

Totally Fit with Dr Sara

Sunday, September 26, 2021
10:00 AM 10:45 AM
Grass between Hudson Beach Glass and Ronz Guitar Gallery
Join us at this pop up total body 45 minute fitness class with physical therapist, Dr Sara Mikulsky - on the grass between Hudson Beach Glass and Ronz Guitar Gallery on Main St. Help us raise money for I am Beacon. Bring your donation to join the class and receive a free exercise band! Bring your yoga mat and water. Dr Sara will answer your health and fitness questions after class!

Beacon Historical Society at Hudson Beach Glass

Sunday, September 26, 2021
11:00 AM 4:00 PM
162 Main St Beacon, NY
Please come to support the Beacon Historical Socety at Hudson Beach Glass on Spirit of Beacon Day!

Beacon Performing Arts outdoor pop up concert

Sunday, September 26, 2021
11:00 AM 11:30 AM
172 Main St Beacon, NY
Beacon Performing Arts students will perform their songs on the grass between Hudson Beach Glass and Ronz Guitar Gallery on Main St, 11am -11.30am on Spirit of Beacon Day.
Later in the afternoon they can also be seen at the Main Stage on Veterans Place

Raven Rose gives back to Mid Hudson Animal Aid

Sunday, September 26, 2021
11:00 AM 5:00 PM
474 Main St Beacon, NY United States
Raven Rose plans to give 10% of sales from the day, and also will match all customer donations in the store!
We have a donation jar from Mid Hudson Animal Aid and plan to empty it at the start of Spirit of Beacon Day, and anything donated that day we will match.
http://www.midhudsonanimalaid.org/

Chicken Yoga with Beacon Hood Chicken

Sunday, September 26, 2021
11:00 AM 11:45 AM
Long Dock Park
Chickens and Yoga are made for each other…..Join Beacon Hood Chicken for a unique yoga event at Long Dock Park.

Berte supports Mutual Aid Beacon

Sunday, September 26, 2021
11:00 AM 6:00 PM
500 Main Street Beacon, NY, 12508 United States
Berte will be donating 10% of sales on Sunday 9/26 to Mutual Aid Beacon - http://www.beaconmutualaid.com/. We love their mission of showing up for our Beacon community, and reminding people that they are not alone.

Beacon Music Factory Presents: Takes A Village - next to Ronz Guitar Gallery

Sunday, September 26, 2021
12:00 PM 5:00 PM
Grass by Ronz World Guitar Gallery
We hope you will spend some time at the Beacon Music Factory stage where we will present a range of kids and adults performing, including:
- BMF instructor, Brad Hubbard, baritone saxophone
- Various kids
- a revisited Steely Dan rock camp
- Plus a tribute to Jimmy Giles
- this schedule will continue to fill up throughout the month of September
You can also click on EVENTS on our website to find out more as we get closer to the date.

Support ARF at Solstad House

Sunday, September 26, 2021
12:00 PM 6:00 PM
488 Main Street Beacon NY
Support ARF, our local Animal Rescue Foundation at Solstad House on Spirit of Beacon Day

Shop for good at Beacon Mercantile

Sunday, September 26, 2021
12:00 PM 6:00 PM
493 Main Street Beacon NY United States
10% from every purchase made at Beacon Mercantile during Spirit of Beacon Day will be donated to Beacon Community Kitchen.

Outdoor Art Show at Beacon Bread Co.

Sunday, September 26, 2021
12:00 PM 6:00 PM
193 Main St Beacon, NY
Outdoor art show on Beacon Bread’s backyard patio. featuring a DJ spinning live music, artists painting live art & artists showing work.

Spirit of Beacon Day Community Concert

Sunday, September 26, 2021
12:00 PM 5:00 PM
Veterans Place Beacon, NY, 12508 United States
Celebrate Spirit of Beacon Day on Veteran’s Place by the Post Office with live entertainment and music with performers from across our community!
12pm : GG and the Shades
12.30pm : Beacon Performing Arts
1pm : Speeches, Awards and Yanarella School of Dance
1.30pm : Bosco and the Storm
2.30pm : Judith Tulloch Band

Free give-a-way Beacon style! at Marion Royael Gallery

Sunday, September 26, 2021
12:00 PM 4:00 PM
152 Main St Beacon, NY
Free give-a-way Beacon style!
Outside Marion Royael Gallery on 152 Main St. Come visit on Spirit of Beacon Day!

Common Ground Farm + Hudson Valley Brewery

Sunday, September 26, 2021
12:00 PM 4:00 PM
7 East Main Street Beacon, NY
In honor of Spirit of Beacon Day, Hudson Valley Brewery will be donating 15% of draft sales on Sunday, September 26 to Common Ground Farm. Join us at the Brewery on Sunday, September 26 to support Common Ground and all of the work that they do to grow a more just local food system through their education programs, their food donation work, and their accessible markets in Beacon and Newburgh. Educators from the farm will be leading a fun seed saving and coloring activity from 12 to 4pm. Learn more about Common Ground Farm: commongroundfarm.org

Support a local non profit at KAIGHT

Sunday, September 26, 2021
12:00 PM 6:00 PM
512 Main Street Beacon NY
KAIGHT will partner with a local non-profit to donate of portion of the days sales.

New Covenant Outdoor Talent Show & Krispy Kreme Sale

Sunday, September 26, 2021
1:00 PM 3:00 PM
95 Catherine Street Beacon NY United States
Come to watch the Outdoor Talent Show at New Covenant Learning Center on Catherine St and enjoy some Krispy Kremes!

Sloop for Sloop - support the Sloop Club at Dogwood

Sunday, September 26, 2021
2:00 PM 11:00 PM
47 East Main Street Beacon, NY
To help support the Beacon Sloop club, Dogwood bar will donate $1.00 for every Sloop Brewery beer served on Spirit of Beacon Day.
Dogwood will also be hosting an evening of Blues featuring Dimitri Archip and friends beginning at 7:00pm

$66,418 "Employee Discipline" Money Is Transferred In Beacon's Budget On Same Day As Highway Dept. Employee "Hearing"

Weeks before Labor Day, on Monday, August 16, 2021, the City of Beacon’s City Council approved of an amendment to the 2021 City of Beacon General Fund, which authorized a transfer of $66,418 to “Employee Discipline” area of the budget “to provide for costs associated employee discipline beyond the budget to date,” according to the resolution document.

Also on that day, Monday, August 16, 2021, longtime City of Beacon employee with the Highway Department, Reuben Simmons, had just completed his 9th Employee Disciplinary hearing held on Zoom between the City of Beacon, versus himself. On the call were the City of Beacon’s labor attorney, Lance H. Klein with Keane & Beane, P.C. who has represented the City of Beacon on the employment status of Reuben for several years, Attorney Carina Zupa also from Keane & Beane, P.C., as well as Reuben’s attorney William (Bill) Burke of O’Neil and Burke, LLP. The arbitrator and mediator ruling on the call and on this case is Jay Siegel, Esq.. Beacon’s Highway Superintendent, Michael (Micki) Manzi was also on the call, as well as a local witness that Reuben’s side was presenting for a short testimony.

The $66,418 was transferred to the “Employee Discipline” area of the budget from two other areas: “CSEA Union Matters” ($24,418) and “Fire/IAFF Union Matters” ($42,000), according to supporting documents for Resolutions for the meeting. Beacon’s Director of Finance, Susan K. Tucker, CPA, did not return a call to ALBB to expand upon how the funds were being spent, and to which person(s) or entity they were being paid. City Administrator Chris White did not return an email asking for clarification.

Employment Background On Employee Disciplinary Action For This Case

As a brief background, Reuben, has been employed by the City of Beacon since 2002. In that time, he worked his way up to being the CSEA Union President for Beacon from 2009-2017. In 2017, he was appointed to Highway Superintendent under Mayor Randy Casale and recommended for the promotion by Beacon’s previous City Administrator, Anthony Ruggiero. Anthony resigned last year for a job with Dutchess County Department Of Behavioral & Community Health.

Subsequently, the Highway Department’s head job title that Reuben was appointed into (Highway Superintendent) became a topic of employment dispute in 2018. Rueben told ALBB: “The position (Highway Superintendent) was always Superintendent of Streets even when Mayor Casale was there. What I found out after being appointed was that Dutchess County would not let me take the Civil Service test (Superintendent of Streets) because I ‘never held a supervisors title,’ was their reason. What also came to light was the job duties had evolved over time but the title for the position remained the same. Superintendent of Streets appeared to be an out dated title and not consistent with the job duties I was asked to perform in my interview, nor were they in line with the duties I actually performed during my time as head of the Highway department.”

During a employment battle at City Hall in 2018, Reuben was demoted back down to Maintenance Worker, and then up to Working Supervisor. During that time, Randy Casale was Mayor. After a podcast recording with ALBB, Randy called losing that battle to save Reuben’s job the biggest regret of his Mayoral career.

What also factors into being eligible for a Civil Service job like this is a “list,” where eligible people who have taken and passed the test are listed on the list. Michael Manzi, Beacon’s current Highway Superintendent/Superintendent of Streets, was on that list. After Reuben’s demotion, Michael became Reuben’s supervisor (which had just been the other way around), and was behind a 7 month surveillance-style investigation of Reuben’s work, along with Beacon’s new HR Director, Gina Basile, according to Reuben. Gina was previously the Manager of Human Resources for the New York State Bridge Authority.

The findings of that investigation have resulted in the pursual of Reuben’s termination, as signed off on by City Administrator Chris. To this day, Reuben alternates between being on Unpaid and Paid Leave, if City Administrator Chris files new charges against him, until a decision is reached in Reuben’s employment hearing. Details are outlined below.

In January 2021, during one of Beacon’s heaviest snowfall seasons, during the height of the snow plowing season, during the economic crush of the pandemic, Reuben was placed on unpaid leave by Beacon’s new City Administrator, Chris White. Prior to this cut in pay and ability to complete job duties, Reuben, who is mixed-race and identifies as Black, began speaking out about his employment experience with the City of Beacon in 2020, during a Speak Out Open Mic Session after one of the first racial awareness peaceful protests in Beacon. Months later, his pay was cut, his seasonal overtime earnings opportunity missed, and his Employee Discipline hearings began.

ALBB saw the charges against Reuben made by the City of Beacon to justify their alternating Unpaid and Paid Leave statuses, and read the employment letter written by City Administrator Chris, instructing Reuben that he could choose between 3 options:

• voluntarily resign on his own

• sign a last chance agreement with with a pre-signed resignation

• go through the hearing process

Reuben opted for the hearing process. City Administrator Chris instructed Reuben not to communicate with any city employees or go onto any city-owned property during work day hours. The charges were numerous and included items like: “At the corner of X and Y, Reuben did not do his work.” The worst of the charges, that ALBB has seen, is a vehicle collision at the Transfer Station, where Reuben hit a vehicle. While informing his supervisor, Michael Manzi, of the accident, curse words ensued. Using curse words, ALBB is told by Reuben, is a common linguistic form of communication in the department, and was not unusual. ALBB intends to submit a FOIL to the City of Beacon to see if other collisions have happened, either to cars, or to City-owned buildings like the new Highway Garage, and if those employees were treated the same way. It is unconfirmed at this time if collisions happen by employees, and are ever encouraged not to report a collision of any kind for any reason.

The letter placing Reuben on unpaid leave stated that it was for 30 days. At that point, paid-leave would resume, and it did. Then in June 2021, around the time of Juneteenth, another act of unpaid leave was enacted. Reuben continues to be on paid leave, unless new charges from the past are delivered to him, and then another period of unpaid leave is enacted. Meanwhile, he opted not to resign and defends himself in disciplinary hearings pursued by the City of Beacon.

Reuben grew up in Beacon, was a coach for the Beacon Bears, is the founder of I Am Beacon, and has been involved in numerous other volunteer and leadership positions in the community.

ALBB Attended Employee Disciplinary Hearing As An Observer

A Little Beacon Blog had been invited into the Employee Disciplinary Hearing by Reuben weeks prior, and was sent the Zoom invitation by the Arbitrator Jay shortly thereafter. The intent was to attend as an observer. The observation was for a short time, but some information was learned about the hearing process. Before being asked to leave the call at the City of Beacon’s objection, each attorney debated about whether or not the case was open to the public or not. Ultimately, the City of Beacon said that they wanted no reporters or bloggers attending the hearing. Additionally, no transcripts or recordings were created for the 9 hearings so far in this case.

During the beginning of the call, while everyone was arriving, turning on screens and muting or un-muting, the Arbitrator Jay and Reuben’s Attorney Bill engaged in small-talk, using the meeting to catch up. They discussed whether either of them had received a transcript for an unrelated case yet, to which, they said had not. After everyone was situated, the hearing began.

Arbitrator Jay told everyone that witness who were there to testify would be excluded from the room until they were called as a witness.

Reuben’s Attorney Bill stated that Reuben had wanted certain people to view the proceedings, stating “Mr. Simmons had wanted certain people who wanted to view the proceeding…He had made an application of certain members of the public to view his disciplinary matter.”

Arbitrator Jay, who emailed the Zoom invitation to attend the meeting, stated that he would like to know who the observers were, and asked if the City knew, and if the City had objection. Reuben responded: “The only one who I see on is Katie, a blogger who follows a lot going on in the city.”

The arbitrator noted that everyone else in the hearing had been present prior. The City’s attorney Lance mentioned Executive Session, and then continued, saying: “If this was an open hearing, it needed to be an open hearing from the beginning. Not when Mr. Simmons wanted it to be. You have ruled on that already. I don't see a need to go back to that. The City made its case. No reporters, bloggers, etc. If Mr. Simmons wanted it open to the public, his lawyer knows that...After 9 days of hearing....9 days worth of testimony....9 days worth of testimony that people have not been able to hear. He does not have that opportunity to do that now.”

Reuben’s attorney Bill responded: “That is not my recollection of the first day of proceeding. My recollection is that Rueben had indicated a desire for this to be an open hearing… I remember we did bring this up at the beginning of the proceedings.”

The City of Beacon’s attorney Lance responded: “People have been excluded because Mr. Simmons did not want it open to everyone. You've already excluded several individuals open to everyone. Mr. Simmons didn't want it open to everyone. This is nothing new.”

Arbitrator Jay intervened: “Obviously we don't have the benefit of the transcript [to] parse my words on the record. While we may not have a way to address this,” he continued, and then mentioned “clearing a transcript” that was never produced. He continued that he had concerns opening the hearing in a public way. “We have had 8 hearing days...It is prejudicial and problematic to suddenly open this up. When 2/3rds of the case has been completed.” He closed by asking Ms. Hellmuth (me) “to go off of this meeting.”

After leaving the hearing, I emailed Arbitrator Jay to ask him if it was unusual for the entire hearing - all 9 days of argument and testimony - not to have been recorded or to have had transcripts provided to capture the written word by a stenographer. He answered: "It is not my practice to ever comment on anything about cases I’m in the middle of or have decided so I cannot answer any of your questions about this case. I will only generally address your question about transcripts and/or recordings for labor arbitration proceedings. While parties sometimes spend the money for stenographers and transcripts, a great majority of the labor arbitration cases I’ve conducted over my 16 years serving as a labor arbitrator have not been recorded in any manner. Parties typically take their own notes to record what witnesses are saying and the arbitrator takes his or her own notes to utilize during deliberations."

In following up with Reuben to ask if he did request for the hearing to be open, he responded: “I have asked to make it public from the beginning. I was in favor of everybody and anybody wanting to observe from the start. That’s what ‘open to the public’ means.”

Music :: Beer :: Chai :: Pumpkins :: Retail Therapy Guide 9/18/2021

Hello and good Yom Kippur (Thursday) to those who practice! G'mar Chatima Tovah. Yom Kippur is the most solemn religious fast of the Jewish year, the last of the 10 days of penitence (showing repentance) that begins with Rosh Hashanah (the Jewish New Year). We asked a local reader and columnist, Bruce Apar (TapInto and River Journal), about what Yom Kippur means to him: "Yom Kippur is a very solemn holy day for the Jewish faith, but it is the only day on which we fast. What’s little known outside the faith is that the Sabbath (Saturday) is considered the most holy day," he said. "In Hebrew (and in theory), to great someone for Yom Kippur, it’s G’mar Chatima Tova, which means “may you be sealed for good” because the belief is that our fate for the coming year is written on Rosh Hashanah (Jewish New Year) and sealed on Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement, where we ask to be absolved of our sins from the past year). In practice, on Yom Kippur, most Jews tend to greet each other saying, “Easy fast” and “Have a sweet year.” With Sukkot right around the corner, most visibly celebrated in Beacon by the Beacon Hebrew Alliance at Pohill Park on Main Street and Wolcott, the setup in that park will not happen again this year as they wish to respect safety measures during the pandemic, and are instead having something different, a little bit like blind dating. Today (Saturday) is the 100th celebration of Slaterpalooza, the music event fundraiser for the Slater Chemical Fire Company, the firehouse in Glenham. Learn all about it here. Meanwhile, Quinn's, the jazz music venue featuring Japanese comfort food, has announced their temporary closure starting last week. Read all about that here.   THE EVENTS + RETAIL THERAPY GUIDE Edited and Written By Teslie Andrade and Katie Hellmuth Martin You can sponsor this Event Guide with your event, for extra promotion of it! If you'd like to guarantee to see your entertainment event listed here, book an Event Promotion Advertising spot here. J.J. and Chris Grabenstein Outside Day: Saturday, September 18, 2021 Time: 2pm Location: 472 NY-403, Garrison, NY 10524 Rockstar authors J.J. and Chris Grabenstein join us outside at Desmond-Fish Public Library for the paperback launch of SHINE featuring a talk and a book signing. Best for kids ages 8-12! This event is free but you must reserve your spot via the link provided. Books are available for sale in store starting September 14th and will be available at the event as well. Information > Hudson River Craft Beer Festival Day: Saturday, September 18, 2021 Time: 1:30-5:30pm (12:30 VIP) Location: 2 Red Flynn Dr, Beacon, NY 12508 (Beacon Metro North train station) Wine isn’t the only thing the Hudson Valley is known for! The 8th annual Hudson River Craft Beer Festival returns to Beacon this September. Follow the river to Riverfront Park to sample over 180 craft beers from over 90 of America’s best craft breweries while enjoying live music, local vendors and delicious food. There will be VIP and general admission sampling sessions available so you can sip the day away while enjoying the scenic Hudson River views. Information > Slaterpalooza ‘21 Day: Saturday, September 18, 2021 Time: Doors open at 1pm. Entertainment from 2:30pm - 9:30pm Location: 76 Old Glenham Rd, Glenham NY 12527 A full day of fun & music! Bring your kids, lawn chairs and dancing’ shoes. Food truck, raffles, 50/50. Coolers are permitted - with a designated driver. No pets allowed. Suggested minimum donation of $10 per adult ($5 with current Hospital ID, Free for Active Military). All proceeds go to Slater Chemical volunteer fire company and local first responders in need. The 9th Annual Catoberfest Day: Thursday, September 23, 2021 Time: 6pm - 9pm Location: Hudson Valley Brewery, 7 E Main Street, Beacon, NY 12508 The 9th Annual Catoberfest will take place on Thursday, Sept 23. 2021 at the Hudson Valley Brewery (7 E Main Street, Beacon, NY 12508) from 6 to 9 pm. Come enjoy the fall feline celebration of foods, refreshments, and music to help support Mid Hudson Animal Aid (MHAA), a no-kill, free-range cat sanctuary in Beacon, NY. The Hudson Valley Brewery will be serving its great selection of crafted beers and beverages and Groundlingnation Pizza will be serving up its menu of tasty specialty pizzas. Both the Hudson Valley Brewery and Groundlingnation Pizza, will be providing a donation for each beer or pizza sold during Catoberfest. Musical guests will include the Judith Tulloch Band. the Black Coffee Blues Ensemble, and Mark Westin. Furry friends, Millie the Therapy Cat and The Mayor will be onsite for a pet meet and greet. There will also be raffle prizes and Catoberfest merchandise for sale. Proceeds from Catoberfest will benefit Mid Hudson Animal Aid (MHAA). Admission to Catoberfest is FREE! Catoberfest will held outside providing a social distancing friendly space. Please visit their website for latest updates for COVID restrictions. Information > Fall Harvest Festivals Day: Now - October 31st! Location: Fishkill Farms, 9 Fishkill Farm Rd, Hopewell Junction, NY Information > Check our Calendar and Events Guide regularly for upcoming events throughout the week!   TWO WAY BREWING COMPANY 18 West Main St. Our favorite part about the fall? Fall BEERS from Two Way Brewing! Wanderer is an Oktoberfest lager, that features a medium body with delicate flavors of toasted malts followed by a classic, clean lager finish.  See beers on tap here > PS: Trivia is on Thursdays! PPS: Live Music on Fridays! King Dutch, September 17, 2021, from 7:30pm - 9:30pm Stay tuned for more! OPEN: Thursday 4:00pm - 9:00pm Friday 4:00pm - 10:00pm Saturday 12:00pm - 9:00pm Sunday 1:00pm - 8:00pm Two Way Brewing Company is a Sponsor, thank you!   EAT CHURCH 3091 U.S. 9, Cold Spring, NY Pork, coconut, tamarind, egg drop curry w/wheat noods - “Mee Katee”. We don't know about you guys, but we want to try this ASAP! Find Eat Church at: - Marbled Meat Shop in Coldspring (daily grab-n-go fridge!) - Industrial Arts Brewing from Thursday-Sunday (order online now!) - Beacon Farmers Market on Sundays! So many opportunities to get your hands on this deliciousness! Website > Eat Church is a Sponsor, thank you! BEACON BREAD COMPANY 193 Main St. Beacon Bread Company not only makes fresh bread & pastries daily but they also make their masala chai recipe fresh with the best aromatic spices found right in the bakery! And, our favorite part about BBC, breakfast is served all day! Who wouldn't want the ultimate bagel sandwich for dinner? Open 8am - 5pm every day except Wednesday. PS if you need a special loaf or pastry for your holiday or event, BBC is more than happy to take custom orders! Give them a call t Menu >  Order Pick Up or Delivery >  Beacon Bread Company is a Sponsor, thank you! MEYERS OLDE DUTCH 184 Main Street, Beacon, NY Who's ready for some delicious burgers this weekend?! When they look this good, how could you not be?! PS we heard there may be some Sunday night football specials coming your way… keep an eye out! Patio open, indoor dining open, take out available.  Open Sunday thru Thursday for Food 11:30am - 9pm; Bar until 10pm Friday and Saturday Food 11:30am - 11:00pm; Bar until midnight. Order Now > Meyers Olde Dutch is a Sponsor, thank you! TITO SANTANA TAQUERIA 142 Main St. Whatever the question, burritos are always the answer! Options including the Basic Burrito, Vegan Burrito Press, Kale & Sweet Potato, Strawberry Chipotle & Pork, and Falafel Press. Can't forget about the add-ons! Roasted chicken, pulled pork, chorizo, tofu, peppers & onions, guacamole, avocado, catfish, grilled steak, smoked brisket, tilapia, and shrimp! PS: Dinner takeout special available Monday-Friday from 4pm - 9pm: 4 tacos, + 2 street corn, + 1 chip & salsa, + 1 rice & beans for only $24! PPS: Catering available! Menu >  Catering >  Tito Santana Taqueria is a Sponsor, thank you! HOMESPUN 232 Main Street, Beacon, NY From an offsite catering event! Crostini with Grilled Peaches, Delice de Bourgogne Triple Crème Cheese, and Candied Pistachio - YUM! Let Homespun cater your next event! Email info@homespunfoods.com, or simply call us the restaurant at 845.831.5096 during business hours. PS: Gift Cards are available in-store at Homespun!  PPS: Order cutoff for Farm Kits is every Tuesday at 5pm, and pick up is at Homespun every Friday, anytime between 10am-7pm. Find more Farm Kit Info Here > OPEN HOURS: Thursday - Monday, 10am - 7pm Order Food > Homespun is a Sponsor, thank you!  HUDSON VALLEY FOOD HALL 288 Main Street, Beacon, NY Pasture-raised Chicken MoMo- Handcrafted, locally sourced thoughtfully sourced from Momo Valley located inside of the HV Food Hall. Head on in and try 'em out! Follow HV Food Hall's foodies: Miz Hattie's BBQ: Southern Style BBQ, from North Carolina. Order ahead via their Toast-app menu! Momo Valley: Himalayan Spiced Hand-Crafted MoMo & More Barb's Fry Works: Gourmet, small-batch-loaded fries. And salads. El Nica: Nicaraguan Food Roosevelt Bar: Cocktail Bar in a well-ventilated space with Outdoor Patio! Schmuck's Sweet Stuff: Local Ice Cream, Hot Waffles, and Other Sweet Stuff Hudson Valley Food Hall is a Sponsor, thank you! BAJA 328 328 Main Street, Beacon, NY Baja 328 has so many delicious options and is always offering specials! Check out the many starters, tacos, main plates, quesadillas, and sides. They also have a kid's menu! Don't feel like cooking? Treat yourself & order delicious take-out from here! PS: Happy Hour Tues-Fri 4-6pm Check out their specialty drinks >  Check out the specials > BAJA 328 is a Sponsor, thank you! ZIATUN 244 Main St. It’s true! Ziatun’s Instagram was compromised, and they had to get a new one Follow *this* account to stay connected to Ziatun @ziatun.beacon. Sadly, Ziatun is not the only business in Beacon this has happened to. Instagram and FB are notoriously unhelpful at recovering accounts :(…. Thank you for supporting our business friends!  Menu >  Order Online >  Ziatun is a Sponsor, thank you!   DIRTY BACCHUS 380 Main Street, Beacon Gregoire & Judicaëlle Perron / La Combe aux Reves / La grenadine c'est (pas que) pour les gamines / VDF 2020 - Unfined, unfiltered, no added So2, organically/biodynamically farmed fruit, 50% Gamay, 25% Pinot Noir, 25% Chardonnay, lightly effervescent, fulsomely flavored, a nice touch of residual sugar perfectly balanced by playful tannins and a level of fine grained acidity that is ideal to the rest of the package here, this mouthwatering wine, while not being all that serious, is one of the standout gustatory pleasures of the year - exactly what it is and perfectly what it is! sing happy heaven in a glass! s came from all over the 14-acre state! PS: Dirty Bacchus is hiring! HOURS: Mon-Wed: 12-6pm Thur- Sat: 11am-7pm Sun: 12-5pm Dirty Bacchus is a Sponsor, thank you! BINNACLE BOOKS 321 Main Street, Beacon Kaveh Akbar, “Pilgrim Bell” available here! Along with many more hidden gems. “With formal virtuosity and ruthless precision, Kaveh Akbar’s second collection takes its readers on a spiritual journey of disavowal, fiercely attendant to the presence of divinity where artifacts of self and belonging have been shed. How does one recover from addiction without destroying the self-as-addict? And if living justly in a nation that would see them erased is, too, a kind of self-destruction, what does one do with the body’s question, ‘what now shall I repair?’ Here, Akbar responds with prayer as an act of devotion to dissonance—the infinite void of a loved one’s absence, the indulgence of austerity, making a living as a Muslim in an Islamophobic nation—teasing the sacred out of silence and stillness. Richly crafted and generous, ‘Pilgrim Bell’s linguistic rigor is tuned to the register of this moment and any moment. As the swinging soul crashes into its limits, against the atrocities of the American empire, and through a profoundly human capacity for cruelty and grace, these brilliant poems dare to exist in the empty space where song lives—resonant, revelatory, and holy. Binnacle is NOW *Open daily! Binnacle Books is a Sponsor, thank you!   BRETT'S HARDWARE 18 West Main Street, Beacon Fall is right around this corner & soon enough, you can get all of your fall needs/decor right from Bretts Hardware! Who's excited about pumpkin season?! We sure are. PS: The cold is coming! Get your winter mats & supplies! Stop in & check it all out. Brett's Hardware is a Sponsor, thank you! LUXE OPTIQUE 181-183 Main Street, Beacon Sometimes it’s the little details that matter & Luxe Optique does it right! This FANTAN Eyevan Frame has a three-dimensional engraved bridge with patterns on the upper surface, front and back, all made by Sabae’s only craftsman! This beautifully crafted hexagon frame is focused on comfort and weight balance, perfect for everyday wear! Stop in today and shop Luxe Optique's collections! HOURS: Monday: 10am–5pm Tues-Saturday:10am–6pm Sunday: 11am-4pm Shop Online > Luxe Optique is a Sponsor, thank you! LA MÉRE CLOTHING AND GOODS 470 Main Street, Beacon La Mere is ready for Fall and so are we! Especially when they have new fresh retail like the **NEW** Love Sweater + Colorblock Sneakers that are available now! New Arrivals Weekly / Free Shipping Download their free app in the iTunes Store PS: Everything is under $100!! Shop Online > La Mere is a Sponsor, thank you! Yanarella Dance Studio 312 Main St., Beacon, NY Back to School x Bring a Friend! Nothing is more fun than dancing with your friend! Sign up for one of Yanarella's 10-week classes with a sibling or friend and receive a special gift! Plus save $20 total on registration. Time is running out! Back to school = back to dance. Don't wait to register! And don't miss out on the fun! Visit Yanarella Dance online.  Register for classes today!  Yanarella is a Sponsor, thank you! ANTALEK & MOORE INSURANCE AGENCY 340 Main Street, Beacon When a hurricane is approaching your area, it's important to do what you can to ensure the safety of yourself, your family, and your possessions. @antalekmoore shares some ways that you can prepare for a severe weather event throughout the hurricane season. Give Antalek & Moore a call today: 845-831-4300 and visit their website. Latest Announcements > Antalek & Moore is a Sponsor. Thank you!   TIN SHINGLE The Research Team is constantly updating their easy-to-use Media Contact Library and Editorial Calendar Collection, which serve as an inspiration center when discovering story angles and best people to connect with about where to pitch about your business.  Start with their free articles and classes by subscribing to our newsletter. Next, dig in to go bigger with your outreach with the Membership Program that gives you Media Contacts, Editorial Calendars, Templates for emailing the media as well as plotting out your PR and Marketing plan. Tin Shingle is your support system as you're getting the word out about your business.Find out more > Tin Shingle is a Sponsor. Thank you!                           KATIE JAMES, INC. Your website is your most solid footprint for people to know what you do and how to buy from you. Social media accounts offer an emotional connection to your brand, and your website needs to reflect that energy. The designers and lead producer, Katie Hellmuth Martin, can guide you through this process and design you a website that both looks stunning, and works well to help people do what you need them to at your website. Don't forget, from time to time, your website needs a refresh too! See our latest work below! Homespun Foods In Beacon > Sparenberger Studio > Barb's Butchery In Beacon >  Find out more > Katie James Inc. is a sponsor. Thank you! HIRING: Social Media Lead At The Hyacinth Group Details > HIRING: Daycare Teacher & Assistant Wanted At Care 4 Me, Inc. Details > HIRING: Beacon City School District Food Service Department Is Looking For Substitute Food Service Helpers Details > HIRING: Sous-Chef Position At Homespun Foods Details > HIRING: Part-Time Production Assistant At SallyeAnder Details > HIRING: Brett's Hardware in New Windsor Details > HIRING: Meyers Olde Dutch Details > List your job in ALBB's Job Listings > BUSINESSES IN THE BUSINESS DIRECTORY BRANDING  >  MARKETING & PR Samantha Cuello Consulting Tin Shingle Katie James, Inc. CAMPING Malouf's Mountain CHILDBIRTH  >  CLASSES Juniper Birth CHILDBIRTH  >  DOULA Juniper Birth EDUCATION > MUSIC Maple Street Studio (guitar!) EDUCATION > TUTORING Heads Up Learning HEALTH & WELLNESS > MASSAGE Focus On Massage Therapy HOME IMPROVEMENT > INTERIOR DESIGN Jacklyn Faust Interiors HOME IMPROVEMENT > LAWN SERVICES Blue Green Lawns INSURANCE > BUSINESS, HEALTH, LIFE, HOME Antalek & Moore Insurance Agency REAL ESTATE > HOUSE INSPECTIONS Rizzi Home Inspection Services, Inc. List Your Business In The Business Directory >

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Last Call At Quinn's - For Now - The Restaurant And Music Venue Pauses To Reassess

One month after the announcement of an aggressive and celebratory live music lineup, Quinn’s has announced they will be closing temporarily to reassess how to move forward in a COVID-19 era with the current variant, Delta, circulating.

As posted on their FB page on September 10, 2021: “Quinn’s will be taking a big ol’ breather as we assess how best to venture forward. We adore this community and are hopeful to return. That being said, stop by tonight for a drink (or several) as we all say “see you later.” We will be closed tomorrow and onward. Stay tuned for updates”

First indicated on September 2, 2021, the venue announced that their music lineup would be postponed for September, but the restaurant would remain open.

Just over half of Dutchess County is vaccinated. Vaccinations have proven to decrease the severity of illness for those who do get infected. Non-vaccinated people’s bodies are contributing to the mutation of variants, which is keeping the pandemic alive and dangerous.

Slaterpalooza '21 Celebrates 100th Year :: Outdoor Music Fundraiser In Glenham Features 7 Bands

Slaterpalooza, the all-day music festival booming from the Slater Chemical Fire Company in Glenham, celebrates is 100th year on Saturday, September 18, 2021 with a lineup of 7 bands for an outdoor concert. “To date, we have disbursed more than $30,000 to members of 32 First Responder companies,” organizer Kevin McGarry told the Beacon Free Press. “This year is the 100th anniversary of the Slater Chemical Fire Company, so we really want to make this the biggest and best so far! We also have a United for the Troops setup, a booth for donation and merchandise sales.”

About The Event

Doors open at 1pm, and the entertainment runs from from 2:30pm-9:30pm. The event is kid-friendly, but not dog-friendly. Lawn chairs and dancing shoes are recommended. There will be a food truck, raffles, 50/50, and coolers are permitted with a designated driver.

As for COVID-19 safety measures, McGarry told the Beacon Free Press: “The entire event is outdoors, Masks are optional.”

Suggested minimum donation is $10/adult, and $5 with current Hospital ID. Free for Active Military. All proceeds go to Slater Chemical Volunteer Fire Company and local First Responders in need.

The Slater Chemical Fire Company is at 76 Old Glenham Rd., Glenham, NY 12527. Take Route 52 past the Healy car dealership, and take a right at the gas station after Industrial Arts.

Featuring 7 bands, get ready to experience: Raw Honey * Times Square * Heavy Gauge * Last Minute Soulmates * NO 149 * Boomkat * Circle 65

About Glenham

As a refresher or introduction about Glenham, see A Little Beacon Blog’s past article here. The firehouse was named for Private Jesse E. Slater, the only Glenham resident killed in World War I. “Chemical” was added to the name after Texaco donated a Ford Model T fire engine that used chemical foam.

Summary of the 9/13/2021 Beacon City Council Workshop Meeting :: Housing, Meeting Time Off, Etc.lea

The September 13, 2021 City Council Workshop agenda and video recording of the meeting have been added to A Little Beacon Blog’s Easy Access City Government section.

In short, a brief summary of some of the items discussed on the agenda is below. Click here for links to the agenda items for any digital resources linked to the topics discussed, as well as the video recording of the meeting.

Housing Initiative Prioritization + Parking

The City Council discussed Mayor Kyriacou’s Affordable Housing Proposals, lingering on the Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) component. The Mayor, who is a landlord who has owned several properties in Beacon, wants to see the right to have an Accessory Dwelling Unit be approved as of right for homeowners to build and rent out. An Accessory Dwelling Unit is like a giant garage/studio, that is a stand-alone structure built next to someone’s home, that can have water and electricity flowing to it. There are restrictions as to how far it needs to be from the house, and how large it can be.

***

Editorial Note 9/20/2021: The paragraph above originally included a line stating that Mayor Kyriacou “is married to a realtor,” which has since been deleted. Mayor Kyriacou submitted what can be taken as a correction during the City Council Meeting on 9/20/2021. While he did not email or phone in with this correction, as is standard with most publications, he included it after his public service announcements, leading with sarcasm: “I've been made aware that I am a bigamist, which I find interesting. My spouse of 30-some years is a professional and spent most of the last dozen years in higher education as a marketing and communication executive. The last 6 years at West Point, but before that at Fordham and at RPI. But apparently I have a second spouse who is a realtor. So, unbeknownst to me, I've been married twice. And I wanted to say, whoever you are out there, come say ‘Hi,’ and I'll learn a lot more. I could at least have some fun, right? Oh, and I learned that online, by the way.”

***

Currently, Beacon’s zoning laws make building Accessory Dwelling Units difficult. In general, ADUs have not been popular with the public - rather - the public who is motivated enough to attend public meetings to speak out against them. Including when homeowners want to build an ADU for in-laws or caregivers. The fear by some of the public is that the ADU will be used by developers and homeowners as rentals. Which seems to be the goal of affordable housing.

The Mayor’s proposal encourages small residential units and more cluster housing. City Administrator Chris White projected his vision of who Accessory Dwelling Units was intended for: couples and single people moving from New York City who do not need large homes, he said, and move to Beacon without cars. He referred to this concept for the ADUs as “workforce units,” and stated that he did not think homeowners would build luxury Accessory Dwelling Units, similar to the expensive apartments on Main Street. He assumed homeowners would use low or moderate grade materials to keep costs down. Which does not indicate what the homeowner may then charge for that unit.

Perhaps he has not seen the adorable tear-down renovation of the tired house with studio garage on Cross Street.

Parking Requirements Possibly Waved For Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs)

Parking requirements for Accessory Dwelling Units is also under consideration to be waved. Parking requirements are the number of parking spaces a property owner must make available to tenants. Often, these requirements are used to stall a building project if street parking cannot be found.

Councilmember George Mansfield suggested that people are moving to Beacon without cars. City Administrator Chris stated his belief that generally, people moving to Beacon do not have cars, and therefore do not need parking spaces. Councilperson Air Nonken Rhodes suggested that people do buy cars after moving to Beacon in order to leave the bubble of Beacon for necessities, jobs and enjoyment.

City Administrator Chris stated that with people moving from New York City without cars, there is less of a need for parking. He stated that he feels that assuming someone would want to buy a car after moving to Beacon, and to park that car in one of the property’s parking spots that the building owner is required to offer, is a “social justice” issue, concluding that poor people do not want to own cars and absorb the burden of incurred expenses from car ownership, and instead can rely on existing public transportation as a better idea.

City Administrator Chris stated: “Where is the evidence that you need that level of parking that we require in our code? I felt like, as a planner, a lot of this was made up. 'You have this size unit, you need 2 cars or 3 cars.' There is no evidence that you necessarily need that. Also, just be aware that we have new technology and common solutions that we could implement. The new technologies...George rode here on an electric bike. We see the proliferation of micro-mobility through scooters. If you watch people whipping up Beekman from the train station, you'll see a lot of people are looking at these things as much cheaper than maintaining a car with insurance and repairs. Again, a social justice issue is that we shouldn't have to require every poor person to own a car to get around. The other part is the societal thing which is moving toward that micro-management where there is on-demand transit. The County seems to be moving in that direction, and I've talked to them about piloting something like that in Beacon. Because again, you have 5 square miles. It's a walkable, compact community. Particularly with the new e-bikes. It really makes it accessible to someone who never would have been able to ride a bike."

Councilmember Air reiterated: "The issue is getting out of town."

It should be noted that there is no requirement of a person living in a building or house to own a car, even if they have access to a parking spot from the building owner.

Additionally, for couples who move into these units, who start families and stay in these small dwellings because they cannot afford to buy larger homes, may eventually have kids old enough to go to soccer or ice-hockey practice. Getting the family to soccer practice in Beacon on an e-bike would be impossible, and getting the family to ice-hockey practice in Poughkeepsie would be very difficult on public transit.

No Discussion Of Families With Children

There was no discussion of families - parents with children - who have moved out of Beacon because they grew out of their small apartment or rental in a duplex, and cannot afford to buy a house in Beacon with a yard. Nor was it discussed how many families are living in cramped quarters in their current small apartments because they do not want to move out of Beacon, or move out of the Beacon City School District.

City Administrator Chris stated: “Now you see more people moving in who are single adults, empty nesters, younger people who maybe have a different...or are single or are just 2 people. We are building houses for these huge families...and I know I look a lot of the housing as someone who is single, and it doesn't fit. It would never fit. I don't need that much house. I think a lot of people think that way."

Several families have also left Beacon because they could not find a house to buy with several bedrooms with a yard in their price range.

Also not discussed was how many people of high and low incomes do buy cars after moving to Beacon from New York City. Leaving the bubble of New York City for any community outside of that island usually involves leaving the municipality for doctor appointments, different grocery shopping experiences, dining out in new locations, visiting family, going to the Dutchess County Fairgrounds, etc.

Some people who do not have cars hire taxis to get their children to school, to the public pool, to Girl Scouts. Some take the bus, however, getting children onto public transportation is work.

Recreation Needs Assessment Scoping

Parks and Recreation Director Mark Price was called to the meeting by City Administrator Chris to present Mark’s early vision of what the Recreation Study could look like. Now that the Recreation Department is done with the Kids Camp Program and the Public Pool Program, the City Administrator said that he felt that Recreation Director Mark had time to think about preparing the study.

In last year’s budget planning, where there was a groundswell of demands from the public for more money to be placed into the Recreation Department, which Recreation Director Mark voluntarily decreased. Mayor Kyriacou earmarked at least $50,000 for a Recreation Study to discover what people needed.

During this City Council Workshop, Councilmember Dan Aymar-Blair pointed out that he wanted to see the building of a new and larger Recreation Community Center be part of that study, and recalled that the budget earmarked two studies for $50,000, totalling $100,000: one for programs, and one for a building. He did not want to see the building left out.

Mayor Kyriacou and City Administrator Chris responded that they wanted to see programs first in order to see what kind of building to build. For instance, City Administrator Chris suggested that a theater program could happen in the Memorial Building, which has a stage and according to him, sits empty most of the time, he said.

It should be noted that the Memorial Building was dedicated to the Veterans, where Veterans are regularly requesting maintenance to it as it is in disrepair.

Councilperson Air Nonken Rhodes stressed their desire to see a space for “hanging out,” that is not structured with programming, but just is a place for kids to come hang out, in addition to programming going on around the space.

Hiring and Promoting City of Beacon Employees

In the hiring and promoting of City Employees, the Council has requested more information before they make hires, which they do by voting at public meetings. Spearheaded by Councilperson Jodi McCredo, who wants to see more information before the Council votes to hire people, she has made a suggestion to City Administrator Chris to see resumes before being presented with a candidate at public meetings. In past workshops, City Administrator Chris has responded to that concept that he did not want to “waste their time” with sending resumes, but could consider obliging.

It should be noted that the public is not regularly informed when city employees are terminated or quit, unless the position is in the the public eye, such as the City Administrator position last year, Police Chief, etc. Terminations or resignations of employees of Police Officers, Highway Department, Water Department, etc. are not regularly shared in public meetings or in Resolution documents that are uploaded to the internet. One usually needs to find out by submitting a FOIL request.

Proposed Amendment to 2021 City Council Meeting Schedule

Mayor Kyriacou would like to have less City Council meetings, similar to what was tried during the summer of 2021 when public City Council meetings were paired with Workshops where the public is not allowed to speak. The lighter summer schedule left some Monday nights open with no meetings scheduled.

Mayor Kyriacou consistently tells his constituents that he is a “part time” mayor while he is out chatting in the community, or even during his most recent testimony against the Damskammer plant, as reported by the Beacon Free Press.

City Administrator Chris referred to the preparation for weekly meetings as a “hamster wheel” that was a lot of work. Mayor Kyriacou positioned the proposed change of reduced meetings as not necessarily a reduction of meetings, but as a way to favor seasonally crowded meeting agendas, such as October’s budget season.

Councilperson Dan disagreed with the proposal, and cited that he saw this as a reduction in meeting times. Though he figured his kids would like to see him on Monday nights, Councilperson Dan felt it right to continue with the weekly meetings. Councilperson George Mansfield noted that while he has been attending the weekly meetings for 12 years, and would appreciate an open Monday, he also wanted to continue with regular meetings for consistency for the public.

The Council was not aligned with the Mayor’s vision of a reduction in meetings, so the Mayor suggested hiring an additional support person for the City Administrator, to which the Council agreed was a good idea.

Community Facilities Grant Applications

Movement has been made on the awarding of unused grant money that can be used to improve buildings owned or leased by non-profits or by building owners whose buildings have been designated historic, or are in the Historic District. The monies need to be used for permanent structures that cannot be removed. The first entities who look the most promising are the Beacon Historical Society for an accessible ramp, and the Howland Cultural Center for facade improvements.

The River Pool of Beacon did apply for money to help with this temporary pool that it sets up in the Hudson River each year, but the City Administrator said that the grant rules state that the structure needs to be permanent, but that he was happy to see them apply and had not considered an entity like that. Applications are still open for this financial opportunity.

Executive Session Items

Personnel and Contract Negotiations

Details on what is talked about during the Executive Session portion of the meeting are never revealed. Only the City Council members, Mayor, City Administrator, Attorney, and if anyone else was in the meeting have access to this knowledge.

9/11 Remembrance Services In Beacon, Fishkill, Wappingers

As reported in the Beacon Free Press by Kristine Coulter, different Remembrance Services are happening on Saturday, September 11, 2021. Those are listed below. In 2016, WPDH reported on 19 places in the Hudson Valley that have steel beams from the World Trade Center.

BEACON

Elks Lodge 1493 in Conjunction With The City of Beacon
Location: 900 Wolcott Avenue
Date: Saturday, September 11, 2021
Time: 11am
A remembrance service will take place at the lodge. A portion of a steel beam from the World Trade Center is outside of the Elks Lodge 1493, on Wolcott Avenue headed toward Mount Beacon. The dedication of a memorial took place in 2018.

There is a portion of steel beam from the World Trade Center at the small park bench area on the corner of Mattaewan and Verplank (near the High School Track).

WAPPINGERS FALLS

Sergeant Mark C. Palmateer 9/11 Memorial Park
Location: Corner of Route 9, Old Hopewell Road and Sgt. Palmateer Way.
Date: Saturday, September 11, 2021
Time: 8:30am
The Sgt. Mark C. Palmateer 9/11 Memorial Park services as a memorial for Sgt. Mark C. Palmateer, from the Town of Wappinger, who was the first Dutchess County soldier killed in Afghanistan on June 26, 2008, according to the Beacon Free Press. The park is also a memorial for all of the service members and first responders who lost their lives on and since September 11, 2001.

Mesier Park, by the Village of Wappingers Falls
Location: The Village of Wappingers
Date: Saturday, September 11, 2021
Time: 7-8pm

The American Legion, American Legion Reserved, 7 Spring Street
Location: Unclear
Date: Saturday, September 11, 2021
Time: 7:30pm-9pm

New Hackensack Fire District/Company Memorial
Location: 217 Myers Corners Road
Date: Saturday, September 11, 2021
Time: 6pm

FISHKILL

Village of Fishkill
Location: The steps of Van Wyck Hall, 1095 Main Street, Fishkill, NY
Date: Saturday, September 11, 2021
Time: 8:30am
Village of Fishkill Mayor Kathleen Martin and the Trustees of Village of Fishkill are hosting a public Memorial Service

Town of Fishkill
Location: 9/11 Memorial outside of the Police Station, 801 Route 52
Date: Saturday, September 11, 2021
Time: 10am

Town of East Fishkill
Location: East Fishkill Recreation near Davis House
Date: Saturday, September 11, 2021
Time: 5pm with a Prelude at 5:45pm
Attendees should bring chairs and blankets.

First Reformed Church of Fishkill
Location: 1153 Main Street in the Village of Fishkill
Date: Saturday, September 11, 2021
Time: 3pm
As reported in the Beacon Free Press: ”It will be time to memorialize those who died and remember those who are still living with the pain of the day,”

Remembering and Seeking :: The Retail Therapy Guide 9/10/2021

Tomorrow (Saturday) is 9/11, the culmination of September days leading up to this moment, mixed with first day of school excitement and raw emotions that come with that for parents, kids, educators and staff. Happy Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year that happened this week, and Happy Muḥarram, the Islamic New Year that happened in August. This year is the 20th Anniversary of 9/11, and circumstances are very different. Americans and the world watched the departure of American troops from Afghanistan, and have been learning about the varied emotions that is bringing to veterans and people who have been investing in Afghanistan to be part of building infrastructure and societal systems in Afghanistan. American women watching Afghan women protest the Taliban is opening a new chapter in this "war on terror." Does the war on terror include all skin colors, including those on January 6th at the U.S. Capitol? Seeking a perspective from other people this year might be something to consider when deeply reflecting on the loss that occurred that day. Consider reading this article on Deadline from the makers of "Ramy," a show on Hulu starring Ramy Youssef (winner of a Golden Globe and Peabody Award) and producer Maytha Albassen: "‘Ramy’ Star & Producer On 9/11 Aftermath, Arab American Muslims & A Real Bite Into “Strawberries”" Local Beaconite author Olivia Abel has been working at Guidposts, and just published a story on the Fireboat McKean that saved hundreds of people that day, has the strangest history of always being in the right place at the right time, despite being decommissioned. The fireboat is being turned into a floating museum. Maybe we'll see it up here in Beacon? Olivia starts the article out with: "I heard lots of stories on 9/11. I was a reporter at People magazine in New York City then; that day we scrapped the weekly issue that was slated to close that night and put out a special commemorative 9/11 issue instead. I reported on the phone, hearing harrowing tales of regular people on hijacked planes calling to say goodbye to their loved ones. I reported from the streets in midtown Manhattan, where dazed New Yorkers milled about telling me about narrow escapes, missing loved ones and amazing stories of strangers taking people into their cars and their homes. By the time I left the office at 5:30 a.m. the following day, the sun was dawning on a city—and a world—that would never be the same. My mind was full of incredible stories of unimaginable tragedy, as well as unimaginable heroics. "But until recently, I had never heard a story about an amazing boat that rescued hundreds of people on that fateful day." The firefighters on boat rescued people in the darkness of the fallen towers, and was able to pump water from the Hudson River when water main pipes had broken. It could pump the equivalent of 18-20 fire engine trucks. Read her article on the Fireboat here.   THE EVENTS + RETAIL THERAPY GUIDE Edited and Written By Teslie Andrade and Katie Hellmuth Martin You can sponsor this Event Guide with your event, for extra promotion of it! If you'd like to guarantee to see your entertainment event listed here, book an Event Promotion Advertising spot here. 9/11 Remembrance Services in Beacon, Fishkill and Wappingers Get the list of Remembrance services here, as reported by the Beacon Free Press. Information > 20th Annual Hudson Valley Wine & Food Festival Days: Saturday, September 11, 2021, & Sunday, September 12, 2021 Time: Saturday: 11am – 6pm Sunday: 11am – 5pm Location: Dutchess County Fairgrounds, 6636 Rt 9, Rhinebeck, NY The Hudson Valley Wine & Food Fest celebrates the bounty of wine, food, and fun in the Hudson Valley at the Dutchess County Fairgrounds. Enjoy wines from Hudson Valley wineries, cideries,  distilleries, craft beers, food trucks, and gourmet foods. Information >   Howland Cultural Center’s Classics for Kids: Concert in the Park Day: Sunday, September 12, 2021 (rain date, Sept 26, 11:30 AM to 12:30 PM) Time: 11:30am - 12:30pm Location: Seeger River Front Park, 2 Red Flynn Dr, Beacon, NY Howland Cultural Center’s Classics for Kids series returns with a Concert in the Park - A walking Concert. We're so pleased to be able to bring you another outdoor concert in Beacon's Pete and Toshi Seeger Riverfront Park (map). As you stroll along the pathway you'll be greeted along the way by small musical ensembles bringing you music in a variety of styles. With the mighty Hudson River as the backdrop, it's a splendid way to spend the day. Feel free to bring a picnic and enjoy the afternoon. Family-friendly, and FREE! Start times are staggered every 5 minutes, beginning at 11:30 AM, so we ask that you please register in advance here > Check our Calendar and Events Guide regularly for upcoming events throughout the week!   TWO WAY BREWING COMPANY 18 West Main St. This Sunday, Two Way Brewing turns 7 years old!  To celebrate, they will be releasing their fall beer (our favorite!), the oktoberfest, that is called, Wanderer. An Oktoberfest is a malty amber lager with notes of toast and caramel - YUM! Two Way will also be having a little get-together with live music by the TMcCann band. Join them on Sunday, September 12 at 4pm! See beers on tap here > PS: Trivia is on Thursdays! PPS: Live Music on Fridays! Matt Cross, September 10, 2021, from 7:30pm - 9:30pm King Dutch, September 17, 2021, from 7:30pm - 9:30pm OPEN: Thursday 4:00pm - 9:00pm Friday 4:00pm - 10:00pm Saturday 12:00pm - 9:00pm Sunday 1:00pm - 8:00pm Two Way Brewing Company is a Sponsor, thank you!   EAT CHURCH 3091 U.S. 9, Cold Spring, NY The Beef Short Rib Tacos from Eat Church has us dreaming about it for days. Just imagine sinking your teeth into those short ribs. Find Eat Church at: - Marbled Meat Shop in Coldspring (daily grab-n-go fridge!) - Industrial Arts Brewing from Thursday-Sunday (order online now!) - Beacon Farmers Market on Sundays! So many opportunities to get your hands on this deliciousness! Website > Eat Church is a Sponsor, thank you! BEACON BREAD COMPANY 193 Main St. Fried chicken sandwich loaded with arugula & house-made kimchi to fill your weekend with lots of joy! If you love kimchi as much as BBC does, you can purchase at the counter! Open 8am - 5pm every day except Wednesday. PS pair this with a Blueberry Basil Margarita! Made with house blueberry compote, basil from the garden, fresh squeezed lime & tequila!! Menu >  Order Pick Up or Delivery >  Beacon Bread Company is a Sponsor, thank you! MEYERS OLDE DUTCH 184 Main Street, Beacon, NY Fried pickles from MOD! House kosher dill spears served with chipotle Dijon dip. These are only available for a limited time and our guess? Don't miss out. We'll take this, a Double Dutch, and dirty fries, please! Open Sunday thru Thursday for Food 11:30am - 9pm; Bar until 10pm Friday and Saturday Food 11:30am - 11:00pm; Bar until midnight. Order Now > Meyers Olde Dutch is a Sponsor, thank you! TITO SANTANA TAQUERIA 142 Main St. We don't know about you, but we could eat chips, guacamole, and salsa, from Tito Santana Taqueria every day! Only $6 and the best snack or appetizer! PS: Vegan options available (tacos, bowls, salads, & soups. PPS: Dinner takeout special available Monday-Friday from 4pm - 9pm: 4 tacos, + 2 street corn, + 1 chip & salsa, + 1 rice & beans for only $24! PPPS: Catering available! Menu >  Catering >  Tito Santana Taqueria is a Sponsor, thank you! HOMESPUN 232 Main Street, Beacon, NY Brioche French Toast with peach, blueberry & maple compote topped with vanilla cream. And a little something in the back (we see it!). Breakfast & lunch at Homespun? Why not?! The All-Day Menu will make you wanna do that! PS: Gift Cards are available in-store at Homespun!  PPS: Order cutoff for Farm Kits is every Tuesday at 5pm, and pick up is at Homespun every Friday, anytime between 10am-7pm. Find more Farm Kit Info Here > OPEN HOURS: Thursday - Monday, 10am - 7pm Order Food > Homespun is a Sponsor, thank you!  HUDSON VALLEY FOOD HALL 288 Main Street, Beacon, NY A sneak peek of the deliciousness from Miz Hatties BBQ. Inside the HV Food Hall! Delicious Southern Style BBQ! Take Out, Dine-In, Catering Available. Open 6 Days (closed Tuesdays). Stop in this weekend! Follow HV Food Hall's foodies: Miz Hattie's BBQ: Southern Style BBQ, from North Carolina. Order ahead via their Toast-app menu! Momo Valley: Himalayan Spiced Hand-Crafted MoMo & More Barb's Fry Works: Gourmet, small-batch-loaded fries. And salads. El Nica: Nicaraguan Food Roosevelt Bar: Cocktail Bar in a well-ventilated space with Outdoor Patio! Schmuck's Sweet Stuff: Local Ice Cream, Hot Waffles, and Other Sweet Stuff Hudson Valley Food Hall is a Sponsor, thank you! BAJA 328 328 Main Street, Beacon, NY Buffalo Chicken Chimichangas from Baja?! Yes, please!!! Stop in! Happy Hour is from 4-6 Tuesday-Friday and it's going to be a beautiful weekend! Sit outdoors. Don't feel like cooking? Treat yourself & order delicious take-out from here! PS: Happy Hour Tues-Fri 4-6pm Check out their specialty drinks >  Check out the specials > BAJA 328 is a Sponsor, thank you! ZIATUN 244 Main St. Ziatun offers Palestinian-Arabic-Middle Eastern foods that are locally sourced, vegan friendly, and incredibly delicious! Appetizers like Futur Medley, Soups & Salads including options like a Tahini Salad & Addas (red lentil & carrot soup with crispy onions), Mezze options including falafels, hummus  & kibbeh, so many Entrees, & so many Flat Bread Wraps! Stop in this weekend! Menu >  Order Online >  Ziatun is a Sponsor, thank you!   DIRTY BACCHUS 380 Main Street, Beacon Andrew and Annedria Beckham / Beckham Estate Vineyards / 2017 Estate Pinot Noir / Chehalem Mountains AVA, Oregon. Steve (owner of DB) shares that it starts with aromas of zesty fruits, cherries maybe but with a strong layer of plump red currants. There were also wafts of fresh rhubarb in a cedar box where green herbs and cooking spices had been stored. The grapes used, organic and dry-farmed on volcanic Jory and Saum soils came from all over the 14-acre state! PS: Dirty Bacchus is hiring! HOURS: Mon-Wed: 12-6pm Thur- Sat: 11am-7pm Sun: 12-5pm Dirty Bacchus is a Sponsor, thank you! BINNACLE BOOKS 321 Main Street, Beacon Did you know that Binnacle Books has a dollar rack?! It is kept flush with fascination — for the community. We heard that the Julian Barnes book (located on the bottom right in the photo), is a beautiful retelling(s) of flood legends. (The half chapter is particularly lovely.) Seems like the dollar rack has a lot of gems! Stop in & snag! Binnalce is NOW *Open daily! Binnacle Books is a Sponsor, thank you!   BRETT'S HARDWARE 18 West Main Street, Beacon Get your paintbrushes from Bretts! A great time to freshen up your rooms! All the supplies you need here and more! PS: The cold is coming! Get your winter mats & supplies! Stop in & check it all out. Brett's Hardware is a Sponsor, thank you! LUXE OPTIQUE 181-183 Main Street, Beacon The Leisure Society Lassen Frame masters that simple yet elegant look you’ve been searching for. Upgrade your accessory wardrobe! It's time & you deserve it. Stop in today and shop Luxe Optique's collections! HOURS: Monday: 10am–5pm Tues-Saturday:10am–6pm Sunday: 11am-4pm Shop Online > Luxe Optique is a Sponsor, thank you! LA MÉRE CLOTHING AND GOODS 470 Main Street, Beacon Fall flannels have entered the game. La Mere's NEW Flannel Shirt has knit sleeves and a removable hood!! But seriously, who doesn't love a flannel?! Available in store now.  Store Hours Friday 11-6pm New Arrivals Weekly / Free Shipping Download their free app in the iTunes Store PS: Everything is under $100!! Shop Online > La Mere is a Sponsor, thank you! Yanarella Dance Studio 312 Main St., Beacon, NY There’s still time to get in on the 10-week courses starting 9/13! Mommy & Me, Intro and Combo classes for kids of all ages plus adult courses!  Don't wait to register! And don't miss out on the fun! Visit Yanarella Dance online.  Register for classes today!  Yanarella is a Sponsor, thank you! ANTALEK & MOORE INSURANCE AGENCY 340 Main Street, Beacon Has severe weather impacted your home? Let A&M know how they can help by calling 845-831-4300 or email your inquiry to info@antalek-moore.com. One of their agents will answer your email as soon as possible and is beyond happy to help. Antalek & Moore is a full-service insurance and risk-management agency located right on Main St in Beacon! They offer commercial and personal insurance solutions to customers in the Hudson Valley community, the New York region, and across the country. Give Antalek & Moore a call today: 845-831-4300 and visit their website. Latest Announcements > Antalek & Moore is a Sponsor. Thank you!   TIN SHINGLE How does a Media Kit Membership work? Tin Shingle is designed for all brands to benefit from, including artists, authors, makers, experts, service providers, communications and marketing directors, and PR agencies. We provide the PR resources you want at your fingertips - Media Contacts, Editorial Calendars, and Hashtag Cheat Sheets - as well as the education to know what to do with it all. Find out more > Tin Shingle is a Sponsor. Thank you!                           KATIE JAMES, INC. Pairing great writing, content, and design for an experience that means something to people. From the reporting and design team that produces A Little Beacon Blog, a local online newspaper covering Beacon, NY, as well as the media training team that is behind Tin Shingle, an education and empowerment zone for small businesses, Katie James, Inc. is the uniquely positioned design studio that knows how to align with businesses and artists of all kinds with different needs, to get them the online tools they need to keep selling to their customers and clients. See some of the projects we did below!  Homespun Foods In Beacon > Sparenberger Studio > Barb's Butchery In Beacon >  Find out more > Katie James Inc. is a sponsor. Thank you! HIRING: Social Media Lead At The Hyacinth Group Details > HIRING: Daycare Teacher & Assistant Wanted At Care 4 Me, Inc. Details > HIRING: Beacon City School District Food Service Department Is Looking For Substitute Food Service Helpers Details > HIRING: Sous-Chef Position At Homespun Foods Details > HIRING: Part-Time Production Assistant At SallyeAnder Details > HIRING: Brett's Hardware in New Windsor Details > HIRING: Meyers Olde Dutch Details > List your job in ALBB's Job Listings > BUSINESSES IN THE BUSINESS DIRECTORY BRANDING  >  MARKETING & PR Samantha Cuello Consulting Tin Shingle Katie James, Inc. CAMPING Malouf's Mountain CHILDBIRTH  >  CLASSES Juniper Birth CHILDBIRTH  >  DOULA Juniper Birth EDUCATION > MUSIC Maple Street Studio (guitar!) EDUCATION > TUTORING Heads Up Learning HEALTH & WELLNESS > MASSAGE Focus On Massage Therapy HOME IMPROVEMENT > INTERIOR DESIGN Jacklyn Faust Interiors HOME IMPROVEMENT > LAWN SERVICES Blue Green Lawns INSURANCE > BUSINESS, HEALTH, LIFE, HOME Antalek & Moore Insurance Agency REAL ESTATE > HOUSE INSPECTIONS Rizzi Home Inspection Services, Inc. List Your Business In The Business Directory >

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The 'Library Of Things' Collection Is Available Now From The Howland Public Library

The Howland Public Library has been working hard on its debut collection of things other than books, movies and magazines: the “Library of Things” collection, which is comprised of physical items for loan like binoculars, a ukulele or a Nintendo Switch.

”This collection was developed to meet the needs of our diverse and growing community,” said its curator, Kristen Salierno, who is the Director of the library. “There are three main accomplishments this collection will achieve. The first is that it will support a sharing economy that fosters sustainability efforts. With patrons sharing items, that means less waste. The collection also offers an opportunity to ‘try before you buy,’ to save money, and to test out something they might not have had access to otherwise. Finally, it supports the goal of providing equity to all members of our community. Those who might not be able to afford these items can still experience them through borrowing.“

The collection supports the library's mission to "provide free and equal access to information, education, enrichment, and personal growth experiences." The library's goal with this collection is to support lifelong learning and provide community members with opportunities to learn through the collection’s themes of Explore, Play, Create, and Connect. Explore the world with museum passes or STEAM discovery kits. Play videogames, a round of tennis, or a game of chess. Create a masterpiece with our Arts and Crafts kits. Connect to the world with WiFi hotspots or a camera.

The Library of Things collection was funded through a generous grant from the Mentmore Fund of the Common Counsel Foundation. The Friends of Howland Public Library also support the ongoing maintenance of this collection. For now, donations of "things" to the Library of Things collection are not being accepted.  

Any community member who is 18 years or older, a resident of the Beacon City School District, and has a library card in good standing can borrow from the Library of Things. To view the full collection, visit their website at beaconlibrary.org.