Last year in the Fall, diners at restaurants were eating in the newfangled “parklets,” which were the borders of bright orange Jersey barriers outside of restaurants. These barriers created a safe-ish space for people to eat outside of restaurants in parking spaces, thereby adding seating to a restaurant and an opportunity for restaurants to earn more money during the COVID-19 pandemic, which is a virus passed primarily through the air, making outside spaces the safest. Last year, restaurants were getting crafty with what kind of heating units they were going to provide their patrons.
This year, Beacon’s City Administrator Chris White pulled the parklets in late September, citing scheduled milling and paving that was to be done on Main Street. Indeed, Beacon has been investing in infrastructure such as paved roads and seeking grants for new sidewalks for a number of years. Restaurant owners were already fearful of when the parklets were going to disappear, while some members of the community were bothered by the parklets for beauty reasons, and fear of car accidents, due to Beacon’s increasing reputation for speeding down Main Street, and any street around town.
Announced at the 11/1/2021 City Council Meeting, Main Street will indeed not get paved this year after all. City Administrator Chris stated: “The planned milling and paving of Main Street has been moved to next Spring. Because of all of the rain we have had recently, the contractors who are lined up to do the the milling and paving can't give us dates until late November, and then we run into the problem of getting into cold weather, in which the new striping won't set. Rather than rush it and not have the best job done, we will do April or early May.”
While the City Administrator said that the bump out project will be completed at South Avenue and Wolcott, it seems as though new cross-walk painting will not happen for the new location of bump-outs, which are the new side-walk extensions presumably for more accessible wheelchair use and pedestrian crossing. Currently, some of the new bump-out extensions do not match up with old cross-walks.
Some side-streets, such as South Chestnut Street, have been newly paved, with new bump-outs added. Several new bright yellow cross-walk signs have been added along Main Street as well, aiding in visual signals drivers get when zooming down the road.
Election results used to be like Christmas morning - you go to sleep after an exciting night of hoping, and then you wake up to the results reported on TV or published in a newspaper. Trouble is, some published projections were wrong, if they were printed prior to election results being finalized.
Results for local elections that took place during the 2020 presidential race were not as clear cut as one thought as results were being uploaded to the Dutchess County Board Of Elections Website. For instance, in the race for Dutchess County Court Judge, longtime Judge Peter Forman had a wide lead the night before, only to be surpassed by his challenger, Jessica Segal the next day. A legal battle initiated by Forman followed, and Jessica Segal emerged the winner and second woman elected to that bench.
The Dutchess County Board Of Elections posts results slowly throughout the evening and next day after the election. While it’s gratifying to find unofficial results right away, it could lead to disappointment as absentee ballots get counted and uploaded to the website’s Unofficial Results. Best to have patience and read analytical results in news media once the results are finalized.
To see the results for yourself as they are uploaded, visit the Dutchess County Board Of Election website. All of the races for Dutchess County are listed there, including Beacon, Poughkeepsie, Fishkill, and others.
The totals for the candidates are listed on their line. The breakdown is listed under their name. For instance:
Rachel Saunders (DEM, WOR) had votes from two parties: Democrat and Working Family. At the time of this screenshot (12:55pm on 11/3/2021), she had 27,855 votes. Of those, 24,872 were from the Democrat party, and 2,983 were from the Working Family party.
Denise W. Watson had votes from two parties: Republican and Conservative. At the time of this screenshot, she had 31,372 votes. Of those, 24,904 were from Republicans, and 6,468 were from the Conservative party.
The Write-In total doesn’t seem to be indicated for either candidate here.
On Election Night at 10:30pm, Rachel held the lead. By Wednesday morning, the lead shifted to Denise. For Beacon’s City Court Judge, challenger Gregory Johnston held the lead by a wide margin over current incumbent Timothy G. Pagones. By Wednesday morning, the lead remained, but shrunk. As of this publishing, these results are Unofficial.
As of November 1, 2021, the Fishkill Correctional Facility partially closed their part of Matteawan Road between the Beacon High School and Business Route 52, seemingly without defining their reason to either the City of Beacon or the Beacon City School District (BCSD), as indicated by Beacon’s City Administrator, Chris White, during the 10/25/2021 City Council Workshop Meeting when he stated that the City was not informed of the partial closure until October 18, 2021, and in the City of Beacon’s Resolution urging reconsideration of the partial closure until solutions are found. The story was first reported on here.
He also stated during the 11/1/2021 City Council Meeting that the City was not informed that the Beacon City School District buses succeeded in becoming exempt from the closure, and could continue their routes. Some in the community who are district families learned that news from the school district’s Superintendent Matt Landahl, as he robo-emailed/texted families to remind them of the new change in the partial road closure.
Over the course of this developing story, Beaconites of various ages have chimed in in social media to say that they remember the road being partially closed in years past by guards, who either restricted access, or asked for identifying information of drivers.
Pedestrians who walk, hike or jog through these grounds note the beauty - despite the fact that it is a correctional facility with personal struggles and achievements going on behind the tall walls and barbed wire. Pedestrians have usually been told to leave the property, sometimes much to their chagrin (or odd excitement…again…despite that the property is a correctional facility).
So that everyone can know or remember what the route looks and drives like, A Little Beacon Blog took a drive down the pass-through before it closed to the public. As Beacon’s City Administrator stated during a City Council Meeting and in Beacon’s Resolution, Matteawan Road is owned by 3 entities: DOCCS (New York State Department Of Corrections and Community Supervision), the City of Beacon, and the Town of Fishkill (where Matteawan Road intersects with Business Route 52 and is called Prospect Street.
The speed limit on this section of the road is 30 mph. The vehicle in this video is driving 20 mph, because anything higher felt too fast. Certainly a civilian car was tailing the vehicle for going under the speed limit, as people who drive in Beacon tend to be impatient.
The intersection where Matteawan Road becomes Prospect Street at Business Route 52 is a very tight turn right, and a Hope-I-Don’t-Die turn when turning left. Just a few weeks ago, there was an accident near that intersection. With so many parents and buses picking up and dropping off, in addition to a shift change for the Correctional Facility at around 3pm, chances for an accident increase no matter if public traffic is decreased on Prospect Street or not. The regular driving on Business Route 52 is too fast and consistent for that angle of a turn, as it is a business route. Turning in either direction is a risk, as it is not often that there is a break in traffic.
A red/green traffic light may help that intersection no matter if the road remains partially closed or not.
According to Administrator Chris, the City of Beacon was first informed on October 18, 2021 by the Superintendent of the Fishkill Correctional Facility that the part of Matteawan Road passing the facility would be closed to the public on November 1, 2021. In response, Administrator Chris prepared a resolution of the City’s urging of a reconsideration.
The proposed resolution to be signed during tonight’s public City Council Meeting can be found here. Today, November 1, 2021, which is the start of the partial road closure to the public, Beacon City School’s Superintendent Landahl sent a notice to district families that buses will continue running through Mattweawan Road near the Fishkill Correctional Facility, but reminded families that that part of the road is closed to the public. There has been no announcement to Beacon residents of the road block via robo-call, text, or website posting, other than the mention of it during last week’s City Council Meeting.
In providing context for Beacon’s position on the closure, Administrator Chris stated:
“Mattawean Road runs through the City of Beacon and the Town of Fishkill. It goes past the Fishkill Correctional Facility. The Town owns a piece of the road near Prospect Street that feeds in. Then the prison owns a large part of it, and then the City owns the rest of it.
“We had heard rumors from the School District that the Fishkill Correctional Facility was going to close that road as of November 1st. We only received a call on October 18th, which was the first official notification that the City was given, that the road was going to be closed permanently in less than 2 weeks.
“We have been in touch with Superintendent and our state representatives. I know that Assemblyman Jacobson's office is working diligently to try to exempt buses which would be severely disrupted if that closed. We thought we would support - I put this together because I thought it important to support our state delegation's effort to delay the implementation of this so we can do some planning, to exempt buses at the very least, and to begin a real dialogue between the Town of Fishkill, Beacon City School District, and the City of Beacon.
“There has been no planning or traffic modeling to look at what the impacts were. I would say this strongly recognizes their right and their necessity to secure their facility. Nobody is questing that. The way that we do it, though, is important. We think we can thread that needle so that it's not as disruptive to the traffic going into Rombout and the High School.”
Covered In The Proposed Resolution
Included in the City of Beacon’s Resolution, spearheaded by Administrator Chris, is the point that, for years, “Matteawan Road serves as a connection between the Town of Fishkill and the City of Beacon and is an important street access from Fishkill Avenue to the Beacon High School and Rombout Middle School.” In response ALBB’s article announcing this partial road closure last week, former City Councilperson Ali T. Muhammad, who grew up walking to Beacon school in that area, recalled when that part of the road was temporarily closed: “Grew up there, sounds awful. Last time it was shut down was due to 9/11. Good luck.”
The resolution points out that the closure to the public is “during the daytime.” The resolution makes sure to state the City of Beacon’s dissatisfaction with not being consulted by the Fishkill Correctional Facility prior to their decision: “City of Beacon recognizes the necessity and right of DOCCS and the Fishkill Correctional Facility to secure their grounds, including this section of road, the City is concerned that it and other major stakeholders, including the Beacon City School District, were not consulted on the closure and received insufficient notice to allow for traffic safety modifications and adjustment that might need to be implemented as a result of the change to traffic patterns in and around Matteawan Road.”
The City of Beacon cited concern for where traffic would increase due to the partial closure of Mattawean Road, stating that it “would create traffic and pedestrian safety issues at key intersections in the City of Beacon, including Verplanck Avenue and Matteawan Road, Wilkes Street and Matteawan Road, and at access roads through Memorial Park, which now may be used as a cut-through for motorists.”
The resolution pointed out the effort required to properly answer the partial road closure: “Any adjustments to the traffic control signage in the area will take the City a period of at least several months to assess needed modification and adopt revisions to the City Code for such modifications, which require a public hearing and adoption of a local law amending the City Code, and the City received less than two weeks’ notice of the impending partial road closure without any prior traffic safety planning by the Facility or coordination with the City.”
The City of Beacon is asking for a pausing of the partial road closure, and a commitment to work together on solutions moving forward “with a immediate establishment of a working committee to coordinate with Fishkill Correctional Facility on this matter, including the following key stakeholders: the City of Beacon, Town Town of Fishkill, and Beacon City School District in order to consider potential alternatives, and if necessary, properly plan for the impact that a partial closure of Matteawan Road would create.
Beacon’s resolution would then be sent to Governor Kathy Hochul, State Senator Sue Serino, Assemblymember Jonathan Jacobson, DOCCS Acting Commissioner Anthony Annucci, and Fishkill Correctional Facility Superintendent Edward Burnett.
Remember that time last year when Halloween was practically canceled, and people were Pinteresting "candy shoots" and other inventive ways to be COVID safe for Trick or Treating? And parents may have been secretly thinking: "Thank goodness for this year off from one of the most intense weekends of the year with all of the school parades, Trunk or Treats, and the big Halloween Night itself..."
Well...all of that pent up energy is flowing strong for this year's Halloween Weekend which culminates on Sunday. The weather is providing a perfect dose of blustery with a chill and a threat of rain. Rain or mist, most things seem to be still on.
Edited and Written By Teslie Andrade and Katie Hellmuth Martin
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Walkway at Night: Halloween Edition
Day: Friday, October 29, 2021 Time: 6pm - 7:30pm Location: Walkway Over the Hudson State Historic Park Information >
Newburgh Literary Festival
Day: Saturday, October 30, 2021: Safe Harbors Lobby at the Ritz & Sunday, October 31: Writing Workshops Safe Harbors Lobby at the Ritz Time: Featured Program: 11 a.m. - 4 p.m. Local Writer's Fair and Cocktail Reception: 4 - 6 p.m. Location: 107 Broadway, Newburgh (Virtual options, too) Information >
The Halloweenining Spooky Soundscapes In The Howland’s Courtyard
Day: Sunday, October 31, 2021 (weather permitting) Time: 5pm Location: Howland Cultural Center, Beacon NY
Spooky fun for the whole family! Wear a costume, bring a blanket and listen to unsettling sounds as the sun sets.
The Patty Pan All Hallow's Eve Get Down: Halloween at the Beacon Farmers Market
Day: Sunday, October 31, 2021 Time: 11am Location: 223 Main St., Beacon NY
This Hallow's Eve, come celebrate at the market! At 11am, there will have a costume parade for kids and adults alike plus trick or treating back through the market. Then, at 11:30, a mini-Dance Party will get those sugar highs in check, fun for kids but of course adults are always welcome to shake it! PLUS! A costume contest w a GRAND PRIZE for adults and first, second and third place for kids! Information >
Adults Take & Make Fall Greeting Card Craft
Day: Monday, November 1, 2021 Time: All day
Stop by the Library on November 1st to pick up a "Take and Make" craft bag. It will include supplies to make 3 beautiful Fall-themed greeting cards. Each with its own unique motif. Artist, Theresa Stufano, provides an instructional video link to go with her supplies, so you can create at your convenience. First come, first served. Information >
Do Good With Chipotle - Fundraiser For Sargent Elementary School Day: Tuesday, November 2, 2021 Time: 5pm - 9pm Location: 10 Westage Dr., Fishkill NY
So easy to donate money to kids at Sarget Elementary when you pick up dinner at Chipotle in Fishkill. If you have kids, vote early so that you can have this day as a full holiday.
Fall Harvest Festivals
Day: Now - October 31st! Location: Fishkill Farms, 9 Fishkill Farm Rd, Hopewell Junction, NY Information >
The Great Give Back Stichin' for the Kitchen
Days: October 1 - November 15 2021
Get out your hooks and needles. Stichin' for the Kitchen is back! As part of the Great Give Back, the Howland Public Library is collecting handmade hats and scarves to donate to Fareground and Beacon Community Kitchen. Crafters can donate a set or individual items. Donations should be placed in individual plastic-zip bags and dropped off in the Big Red Bin at the library. Drop off between October 1st and November 15th. For more information, contact Michelle at community@beaconlibrary.org.
TWO WAY BREWING COMPANY
18 West Main St.
Cheers to the weekend! Really good fall beers from Two Way! And a food menu with goods from The Flying Jib! Stop in this weekend for all the #fallfeels See beers on tap here > Check out Events at Two Way > PS: Trivia is on Thursdays! 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
Banana Fritters from Eat Church anyone? Sweet and spicy! Looks delicious! Eat Church is always adding new delicious items to their menu! You must try them all... they never disappoint! Eat Church is a favorite with gluten-free options!
Find Eat Church at more places:
Thursday-Sunday at industrial Arts Brewing
DAILY GrabnGo at Marbled Meat Shop
Sunday at Beacon Farmers Market
So many opportunities to get your hands on this deliciousness! Website >
Eat Church is a Sponsor, thank you!
BEACON BREAD COMPANY 193 Main St.
A cortado paired with a mini three-layer chocolate-peanut butter cake drizzled in ganache?! It must be the weekend, alright! Don’t forget to treat yourself this weekend! You deserve it & BBC has your back. 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 today. PPS: If the weekend is too busy for you, Beacon Bread is open 7 days. Be crazy, and go on a Monday! Menu > Order Pick Up or Delivery > Beacon Bread Company is a Sponsor, thank you!
MEYERS OLDE DUTCH
184 Main Street, Beacon, NY
It's the weekend & you deserve a double dutch from MOD to kick it off! Or... choose any protein and stack it any way you want with the BYOB (build your own burger) - either way, stop into Meyers for a bite of Beacon!
Take out, delivery, indoor/outdoor dining. Order online! Make Halloween Night easy on yourself by ordering MODs through their app! 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.
Celebrate the weekend with a CUBANO QUESADILLA!! Loaded with Swiss cheese, pulled pork, ham, pickles and mustard, it’s definitely a must-try on your visit this weekend! 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
Yogurt with Housemade Granola, Berries & Mint - MMMM! Looks fresh & delicious. Also, Homespun is hiring! They're looking for a lead server to join their growing team. Learn more here > PS: Homespun even has a Beer Store & Beer Subscription online! See more here > PPS: Gift Cards are available in-store at Homespun! PPPS: 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
How about some dumplings from MoMo Valley located inside of the HV Food Hall?! We heard they're amazing!!!! Stop in this weekend & give them a try.
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! Shmuck'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
Let's taco about the 13 different taco flavors from Baja - they're all delicious & made with fresh/real ingredients! Barbacoa, Cajun Chicken, Sweet & Sour Pork Belly, Pork Carnitas, Al Pastor, Gringo, Steak, Market Fish, Ahi Tuna, Scallop, Baja Shrimp, Buffalo Calamari, Chorizo, Short Rib, & Veggie! Mouth watering yet? 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's famous Futur Sampler is quite the weekend spread! Served with pita (or cucumber, for GF friends!), it’s a great starter to share or enjoy all to yourself! It is still the weekend after all. PS: Fall Season = Soup Season & Ziatun has you covered with delicious soups! PPS: You need to try the Za’atar fries with spicy tahini to fire up your lunchtime > Menu > Order Online > Ziatun is a Sponsor, thank you!
DIRTY BACCHUS
380 Main Street, Beacon
Skin Contact Amber Orange Heaven!!! And this is only part of the display, and there’s a separate display of Hungarian, Georgian, Slovenian, Croatian, Greek, Slovakian and Czech amber wines, and even a few in the $20 & Under section, and several others spread about the store… If you like this style of wine, Dirty Bacchus has you covered! 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 “Medicine for a Nightmare: Part Two”
This item is new in the shop and features an essay by @m_trecka about the Beacon Prison Books Project and the theoretical depths of organizing across prison walls! And much, much more! Super beautiful. Check it out!
“Conceptually, ‘Medicine for a Nightmare: Part Two’ is a collection of thoughts and expressions to be part of a larger conversation. It contains essays, poetry, short stories, photography, and other visual art from a unique selection of 60+ characters from many walks of life, age groups, and cultural backgrounds. It's presented in a perfect-bound paperback book that comes with a 90-minute long audio companion compilation consisting of exclusive instrumental music from 17 different artists. The core of this project is to embrace emotions and impermanence, with the focus on this volume being ‘what brings one to see another day.
Binnacle is NOW *Open daily!
Binnacle Books is a Sponsor, thank you!
BRETT'S HARDWARE 18 West Main Street, Beacon
Not only can you get your home goods needs at Bretts but you can get your pets some goodies too! New bowls, leashes, collars, etc. We mean it when we say Bretts has it all! PS: Get your winter mats & supplies earlier rather than later! Stay ahead of the game.
Stop in & check it all out. OPEN
Monday-Friday 7:30am - 7pm
Saturday 8am - 6pm
Sunday 9am - 5pm Brett's Hardware is a Sponsor, thank you!
LUXE OPTIQUE
181-183 Main Street, Beacon
The face you make when you find that perfect pair of glasses from Luxe! Have you stopped in yet?!Make an appt today... your glasses want an upgrade & you deserve it! PS: New arrivals are always arriving at Luxe! PPS *NEW HOURS
Monday 10 AM - 5 PM
Tuesday - Saturday 10 AM - 6 PM
Closed on Sundays! They've gone shopping! Shop Online > Luxe Optique is a Sponsor, thank you!
LA MÉRE CLOTHING AND GOODS
470 Main Street, Beacon
It is written in the stars! Zodiac necklaces are very popular & flying out of the door. Luckily, there is a restock so HURRY & snag one for you and maybe for holiday gifts?!
Saturday Store Hours 11-6pm
*New Arrivals Weekly / Free Shipping
Download their free app in the iTunes Store PS: Everything is under $100!! PPS: MENS clothing now available!
Did you sign up for the new sessions of Mommy and Me that started on 10/25?! It's a five week session on Monday's from 10am - 10:30am and Fridays from 3:00pm - 3:30pm starting 10/29. $40 for the full session or $10 per class. Drop ins are welcome!
ANTALEK & MOORE INSURANCE AGENCY
340 Main Street, Beacon
As a business owner, finding the best health insurance package for your employees and understanding their benefit options might seem like an intimidating task...but it doesn't have to be! Let Antalek & Moore help you find the right solution for your business, your employees, and their families. Give Antalek & Moore a call today: 845-831-4300 and visit their website. Latest Announcements > Antalek & Moore is a Sponsor. Thank you!
TIN SHINGLE
Connect with Tin Shingle's co-founder, Katie Hellmuth Martin for a Hourly Private Training Strategy Sessions. Through her role as leader of Tin Shingle's community, Katie has seen the inner workings of hundreds of businesses all over the country. As a publisher of a local online newspaper, A Little Beacon Blog, she has had the privilege of getting up close and personal with storefront-based businesses on Main Street to learn the intricacies of retail life. Find out more > Tin Shingle is a Sponsor. Thank you!
KATIE JAMES, INC.
The Do It Together Plan - Let’s make changes to your website and/or newsletter together. This is great for people who know they need something on the simpler side done, but don’t know how to do it. Benefits of this package include working side by side, together. Often during this time, ideas are exchanged and strategies developed that may not have even been a twinkle in your eye before this meeting. Find out more > Katie James Inc. is a sponsor. Thank you!
HIRING: Homespun Foods Is Looking For A Lead Server To Join Their Growing Team Details >
HIRING: Maintenance & Packaging Manager At Industrial Arts Brewing Details >
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 >
Beacon’s Conservation Advisory Committee is a busy committee whose mission is “advising the Planning Board and the City Council on matters affecting the preservation, development and use of the natural and man-made features in the City.” Currently, they are looking for public input on open green spaces, and the online survey ends on October 30, 2021.
As of June, 2019, was appointed Beacon’s Climate Smart Task Force by the City Council. This task force is headed by the City of Beacon’s Climate Smart Coordinator, Faye Leone. Initially, Eleanor Peck held the position. The task force keeps tabs on what Beacon is doing climate-wise, and from that data, goes to apply for grants that Beacon works to qualify for.
Public Input Wanted About Open Spaces And Usage Of Those Spaces
The committee is seeking the public’s input about current open spaces in Beacon, and how they are used. They are also seeking help to identify where those spaces area. In addition to well-known ones, like Memorial Park, you may be aware of a smaller space that is off the radar, but needs protection.
Among other things, the survey asks,
When you want to be outside, where do you go? What do you like to do?
What are the barriers keeping you from visiting Beacon’s parks and open spaces?
What might make Beacon’s open space more accessible, inclusive, or equitable?
How Is An Green And Open Space Defined For This Survey?
According to the survey: “Green and open space is land that is not developed for residential, commercial, industrial or institutional use. Green and open space may be publicly or privately-owned, can serve many purposes, and can range in size. Some examples of green and open spaces are parks, playgrounds, ball courts, community gardens, mountains, and forests.”
Who Is On The Conservation Advisory Committee?
As of now, the following people are on the Conservation Advisory Committee, with vacancy:
The Beacon City School District Superintendent Matt Landahl will present the Capital Improvement Project this evening (Tuesday, October 5, 2021) during a public meeting via Zoom at 7pm, where he will describe the physical improvements slated for each of Beacon’s 6 schools (4 elementary, 1 middle and 1 high school). Also at the meeting will be Deputy Superintendent Ann Marie Quartironi, BOE and Facilities Committee Chair Kristan Flynn, and Bill Wisbauer, architect.
The project is budgeted to cost $26 million, and will not result in a tax increase, Dr. Landahl has said. Building aid from New York State will reimburse 67% of the costs, while $600,000 will come from the General Fund Balance and $1 million will come from the district’s Capital Reserve.
Highlights From The Proposed Capital Project
Each school is slated to receive ventilation upgrades; outdoor learning spaces are planned; some cuts for new windows; and an upgrade to a TV studio are planned. See below for all of the plans. Many of the driveways and drop-offs are in poor condition, like at Glenham Elementary and Rombout Middle School, and are scheduled for paving. All elementary schools are getting new boilers to improve efficiency.
Glenham Elementary School
CONTINUED INSTALLATION OF CUBBIES IN CLASSROOMS REPAVE FRONT ENTRANCE DROP-OFF AND EXPAND PARKING REPLACEMENT OF THE AGING SEPTIC SYSTEM ADA UPGRADES TO TOILET ROOMS INSTALL ENERGY EFFICIENT LED LIGHTING IN CORRIDORS REPLACE OUTDATED EMERGENCY LIGHTING REPLACE BOILERS THAT HAVE EXCEEDED USEFUL LIFE WITH ENERGY EFFICIENT UNITS REPLACE CLASSROOM UNIT VENTILATORS IN 1956 AND 1987 THAT HAVE EXCEED USEFUL LIFE TO IMPROVE AIR QUALITY AND ENERGY EFFICIENCY UPGRADE VENTILATION TO LIBRARY AND SMALL INSTRUCTIONAL AREAS PROVIDE AN ENTRANCE VESTIBULE AT MAIN ENTRANCE TO IMPROVE SECURITY
TOTAL PROJECT COST: $4,895,000 CONSTRUCTION WORK TO BE PHASED OVER SUMMERS/FALL IN 2022 & 2023
JV Forrestal Elementary
REPLACE CORRIDOR CEILINGS INSTALL ENERGY EFFICIENT LED LIGHTING IN CORRIDORS INSTALL WINDOWS IN LOWER FLOOR HALLWAYREPLACE EXTERIOR RAMP WITH ADA COMPLIANT DESIGN REPLACE CONCRETE WALKS AT DROP OFF REPLACE OUTDATED EMERGENCY LIGHTING REPLACE BOILERS THAT HAVE EXCEEDED USEFUL LIFE WITH ENERGY EFFICIENT UNITS REPLACE CLASSROOM UNIT VENTILATORS IN 1975 THAT HAVE EXCEED USEFUL LIFE TO IMPROVE AIR QUALITY AND ENERGY EFFICIENCY UPGRADE VENTILATION TO NURSES AREA / SMALL INSTRUCTIONAL AREAS INSTALL EXTERIOR PLAY STRUCTURE REPLACE ASPHALT PAVING AT FRONT ENTRANCE DROP-OFF LOOP
TOTAL PROJECT COST: $2,733,000 CONSTRUCTION WORK TO BE PHASED OVER SUMMER/FALL IN 2022 & 2023
Sergeant Elementary
REPLACE CORRIDOR CEILINGS INSTALL ENERGY EFFICIENT LED LIGHTING IN CORRIDORS REPAVE WEST ACCESS DRIVE/LOOP REPLACE EXTERIOR RAMP WITH ADA COMPLIANT DESIGN REPLACE CONCRETE WALKS AT NORTHWEST ENTRANCE/BUS LOOP REPLACE OUTDATED EMERGENCY LIGHTING REPLACE BOILERS THAT HAVE EXCEEDED USEFUL LIFE WITH ENERGY EFFICIENT UNITS UPGRADE VENTILATION TO NURSES AREA RELOCATE LIBRARY TO MAIN FLOOR
TOTAL PROJECT COST $2,611,000 CONSTRUCTION WORK TO BE PHASED OVER SUMMER/FALL IN 2022 & 2023
South Avenue Elementary
INSTALL ENERGY EFFICIENT LED LIGHTING IN CORRIDORS REPAVE FRONT DRIVE/LOOP REPLACE EXTERIOR RAMP WITH ADA COMPLIANT DESIGN REPLACE OUTDATED EMERGENCY LIGHTING REPLACE BOILERS THAT HAVE EXCEEDED USEFUL LIFE WITH ENERGY EFFICIENT UNITS UPGRADE VENTILATION IN INTERIOR SPACES UPGRADE EXTERIOR PLAY AREA CREATE OUTDOOR LEARNING AREA IN FRONT
TOTAL PROJECT COST: $1,560,000 CONSTRUCTION WORK TO BE PHASED OVER SUMMER/FALL IN 2023
Proposed Science Room upgrade for collaborative and outdoor learning. Photo Credit: BCSD Presentation Slides
Rombout Middles School
REPLACE ROOFS ON VARIOUS LEVELS REPLACE CORRIDOR CEILING INSTALL ENERGY EFFICIENT LED LIGHTING IN CORRIDORS REPAVE PARENT AND BUS DROP OFF/LOOP REPLACE EXTERIOR RAMP WITH ADA COMPLIANT DESIGN REPLACE PRIMARY ELECTRIC SERVICE AND SWITCH GEAR THAT HAVE REACHED END OF USEFUL LIFE REPLACE OUTDATED EMERGENCY LIGHTING UPGRADE VENTILATION FIRST FLOOR CLASSROOMS IN A,B,C,D AND F WING UPGRADE RENOVATION OF (2) SCIENCE LABS & WITH OUTDOOR LEARNING UPGRADE RENOVATION OF (2) ART ROOMS & WITH OUTDOOR LEARNING
TOTAL PROJECT COST: $8,489,000 CONSTRUCTION WORK TO BE PHASED OVER SUMMER/FALL IN 2022 & 2023
Beacon High School
REPLACE ROOFS ON VARIOUS LEVELS UPGRADES TO EXTERIOR RAMP FOR ADA REPLACE OUTDATED EMERGENCY LIGHTING REPLACE THE FINISH IN THE POOL.REPLACE HOT WATER STORAGE TANK REPLACE KITCHEN GREASE INTERCEPTOR UPGRADES TO THE FITNESS CENTER UPGRADES TO THE TV STUDIO RENOVATIONS/ UPGRADES FOR 2 ADDITIONAL SCIENCE ROOMS
TOTAL PROJECT COST $3,961,500 CONSTRUCTION WORK TO BE PHASED OVER SUMMER/FALL IN 2022 & 2023
Bus Maintenance Facility
REPLACE THE BUS WASH SYSTEM WHICH HAS REACHED THE END OF USEFUL LIFE
TOTAL PROJECT COST: $683,500 CONSTRUCTION WORK TO BE PHASED OVER SUMMER/FALL IN 2023
Rosenmeier Field
REPLACE DELAMINATING RUNNING TRACK SURFACE REPLACE ALL FIELD EVENTS SURFACE REPLACE DISCUSS AND SHOTPUT EVENT REHABILITION OF THE NATURAL TURF FIELD
TOTAL PROJECT COST $1,067,000 CONSTRUCTION WORK TO BE PHASED OVER SUMMER/FALL IN 2023
The date to vote is Tuesday, October 26, 2021 from 6am - 9pm. Locations are the Beacon High School, and for those in certain addresses, Glenham Elementary.
In honor of Climate Solutions Week from October 17-24 held throughout the Hudson Valley to raise awareness and educate citizens on solutions to climate change everyone can support, we are bringing back an old article we did in 2020 called "The Recylcing Market That Crashed," which highlighted China's change in what they accepted as "clean" or "dirty" recycling from the world. Thanks to the change in their acceptance of what they would recycle, (ex: a dirty yogurt container or wet newspaper was rejected), lots of recycling was sitting around in trash piles.
The Beacon Green Coalition and the Climate Smart Beacon Committee of the City of Beacon took an initiative to educate the community on what recycling was good, and what ruined a "batch." In other words, what might contaminate an entire can of recylcing if you threw Capri Sun juice foils into it, or plastic bags from a store. Good news! Climate Smart Beacon sent their Fall newsletter, and reported that Beaconites have a 92% success rate of submitting good recycling items (that means you clean them, and don't put in wet items).
According to their newsletter: "The ReCommunity facility on Fishkill Ave in Beacon recently provided an inside look at how it sorts our recycling and prepares it for sale. Plastics are processed in the US – ReCommunity says plastic #1-7 are all recycled. Paper is exported, and glass is sent to Pennsylvania for recycling. ReCommunity had compliments for Beacon’s recycling habits – only 8% of collected items are rejected, which they said is “phenomenal.”
As for "filmy" plastic bags, like bread or english muffin sleeves: you can put those into a filmy sleeve collection bin at Hudson Valley Brewery and Rite Aid. You can bring batteries to Best Buy in Poughkeepsie.
Way to go, you! And now, for your list of things to do:
Monira Foundation & The KuBe Art Center Present A Two-Day Exhibition of Contemporary Portraiture:
“Artist As Subject” Days: Saturday + Sunday, October 23 + 24, 2021 Time: 12-6pm RSVP: Free, but Online RSVP Is Required Location: KuBe, 211 Fishkill Avenue (The Old Beacon School), Beacon NY
You are in for a treat: the KuBe Art Center with Monira Foundation are open this weekend for a special exhibition. This gallery is located inside of the Old Beacon High School, that big brick building on the corner of Fishkill Avenue and Verplank. Here is what the exhibition is about: "How do we make sense of Yayoi Kusama, Aboudia, Ida Applebroog and Yigal Ozeri splayed together on one wall? By re-orienting the artist as the subject. By re-orienting the artist as a willing subject, we can draw a likeness to the origins of painting - specifically the myth of Narcissus. The artist is transfixed by--and transfixes us via--their own vision as it appears upon a flat surface. The KuBe Art Center and Monira Foundation invite the public to contemplate the notion of portraiture as a quasi-distorted reflection of reality, the canvas as a mirror, the subject as reified by the gaze of the artist. The exhibition spans several floors of the former public high school; however, it is on view for a very limited time."
Masks and Social Distancing will be respected. Information > Sponsored by the Ethan Cohen Gallery - Thank you!
Pop-Up Art Exhibit Of Muralist Super Happy Ghost Days: Saturday, October 23, 2021 Time: 1-4pm Locations: Hyperbole (484 Main Street) + Solstad House (488 Main Street) Beacon NY
If you have been inside of the world renowned Håkan Chocolatier on the east end of town, maker of the little chocolates of different colors and flavors that look like shiny marbles but are actually chocolate, then you have seen the mural of the monster in the back. It was painted by Elin Lundman, aka Super Happy Ghost. Elin creates wearable art for sale, like on shoes, upcycled leather art, monster jackets, skirts (all at Hyperbole) and coasters (at Solstad House). This weekend only, neighboring shops Hyperbole and Solstad House, are exhibiting Elin's work. It will feature wine, snacks and special sales. You may even get to meet the artist!
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.
Concert For Climate Solutions Day: Sunday, October 24, 2021 Time: 5pm - 9pm Location: Towne Crier Cafe, Beacon NY
This concert is part of Climate Solutions Week from Sustainable Hudson Valley, and includes music from Bruce Molsky, the Vanaver Caravan Dance and Music Company, and Scott Cook.
Tickets $20 advance/$25 at door. Special support tickets $75. Call 845-855-1300 Information >
SOON IS NOW: "Climate Change Theatre Action 2021"
Day: Saturday, October 23, 2021 Time: 1-4pm Location: Scenic Hudson's Long Dock Park, Beacon, NY
SOON IS NOW is an immersive climate theater experience paired with activism. As part of the Climate Solutions Week (October 17-24) sponsored by Sustainable Hudson Valley. Theatrical performers showing their activism through spoken word and movement, and many of your favorite climate justice and education groups have come together to present solutions in a theatrical way called Climate Change Theatre Action 2021. Information >
Fall Harvest Festivals
Day: Now - October 31st! Location: Fishkill Farms, 9 Fishkill Farm Rd, Hopewell Junction, NY Information >
TWO WAY BREWING COMPANY
18 West Main St.
Cheers to the weekend! Stop in Two Way Brewing for a pint, a flight, or some beer to go at their full service taproom open Thursday to Sunday! All beers are brewed at their in house brewery located right next to the taproom. They're also open for pool, darts, foosball, and more during taproom hours, it is also available for private parties - reach out! See beers on tap here > Check out Events at Two Way > PS: Trivia is on Thursdays! 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
You better get your hands on Eat Church's PORK BELLY BUNS and satisfy your craving now because… there is a new Fall menu in the works! We cannot wait to see the Fall menu... Eat Church is a favorite with gluten-free people.
Find Eat Church at more places:
Thursday-Sunday at industrial Arts Brewing
DAILY GrabnGo at Marbled Meat Shop
Sunday at Beacon Farmers Market
So many opportunities to get your hands on this deliciousness! Website >
Eat Church is a Sponsor, thank you!
BEACON BREAD COMPANY 193 Main St.
The bread shelf is overflowing with freshly baked loaves & the aroma of locally roasted coffee making BBC's bakery extra cozy! Open 8am - 5pm all weekend long to satisfy your breakfast, lunch, dinner, dessert, drink needs! 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 today. Menu > Order Pick Up or Delivery > Beacon Bread Company is a Sponsor, thank you!
MEYERS OLDE DUTCH
184 Main Street, Beacon, NY
Have your tried MOD's P&B BBQ burger? Berkshire pork and chopped bacon hand formed into a patty, topped with cheddar, grilled onions and MOD's house made chipotle bbq sauce. What are you waiting for?!
Take out, delivery, indoor/outdoor dining. Order online! 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.
What's your go-to order at Tito Santana?! We know... it's hard to choose when there are so many good options! Tacos, Burritos, Empanadas, Bowls & Salads, Sides, Nachos, Quesadillas, Tostadas, Chopped Cheese Sandwich, and Soups! Plus, Vegan options. How can you just choose one thing?! 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
Cider Donut Cider?!?! Um, yes please! And, you can get it to-go right at Homespun!
This dry hazy donut flavored apple cider from Hudson North Cider Co. is for sale by the 4-pack while Homespun has ‘em. RUN don't walk. PS: Homespun even has a Beer Store & Beer Subscription online! See more here > PPS: Gift Cards are available in-store at Homespun! PPPS: 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
Bundle up a lil bit & enjoy your HV Food Hall goods from under the pergola! Too beautiful to not enjoy your lunch out there!
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! Shmuck'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
Tacos, margs, whiskey wailers... what more can you ask for? Go hang at Baja this weekend for some amazing drinks, food and music! Baja never disappoints... also, reeaaeally good desserts. Treat yourself! 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 the freakin weekend, and you know what that means?! RICE BOWLS from Ziatun!! They're open all weekend serving up their favorite dishes, including this plant-based beauty that looks even more delicious to go as it does in-house! Stop in & stay a while or grab one to go. Regardless, you need this! PS: Fall Season = Soup Season & Ziatun has you covered with delicious soups! Menu > Order Online > Ziatun is a Sponsor, thank you!
DIRTY BACCHUS
380 Main Street, Beacon
Adriana Gonzáles / Lichtenberger-Gonzáles / 100% Welschriesling / Tres Cuartos 2018 / Burgenland, Austria from Dirty Bacchus - There were only 300 bottles of this amazing elixir, in total, ever produced! This wine is a convergence of the best of natural wine practices with the best of the Jura/Jerez traditions of exploitation of evaporation, oxidation, and aging under flor - or, in Jura terms, sous voile, under a veil of yeast. This was Adriana’s passion project, comprising a single neutral oak barrique of organic Welschriesling aged for two years without topping up - “Tres Cuartos” refers to the barrel being one-quarter evaporated at the end of the twenty-four month élevage - and bottled without fining or filtration and just a dusting of So2. The result is amazing - salty, nutty, bright and alive, with resonant acidity and gripping tannins, while still preserving the fluid fruitiness and aromatics of the grape. An astounding, exciting, deeply satisfying wine. Stop in! 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 “The Essential June Jordan,” ed. Jan Heller Levi and Christopher Keller - available at Binnacle Books!
“The Essential June Jordan honors the enduring legacy of a poet fiercely dedicated to building a better world. In this definitive volume, featuring an afterword by Pulitzer Prize-winner Jericho Brown, June Jordan’s generous body of poetry is distilled and curated to represent the very best of her works. Written over the span of several decades―from ‘Some Changes’ in 1971 to ‘Last Poems’ in 2001―Jordan’s poems are at once of their era and tragically current, with subject matter including racist police brutality, violence against women, and the opportunity for global solidarity amongst people who are marginalized or outside of the norm. In these poems of great immediacy and radical kindness, humor and embodied candor, readers will (re)discover a voice that has inspired generations of contemporary poets to write their truths. June Jordan is a powerful voice of the time-honored movement for justice, a poet for the ages.”
Binnacle is NOW *Open daily!
Binnacle Books is a Sponsor, thank you!
BRETT'S HARDWARE 18 West Main Street, Beacon
It's that time of year again and Bretts has you covered! Patio heater season are here! And Bretts has plenty in stock! Who says you need to be inside to stay warm?! PS: Get your winter mats & supplies earlier rather than later! Stay ahead of the game.
Stop in & check it all out. OPEN
Monday-Friday 7:30am - 7pm
Saturday 8am - 6pm
Sunday 9am - 5pm Brett's Hardware is a Sponsor, thank you!
LUXE OPTIQUE
181-183 Main Street, Beacon
Check out Allan in Luxe Optique's White Gold Corbusier Leisure Society Frame. Stunning, right?! We're excited to see more photos from Luxe's Fall/Winter photo shoot. We're obviously excited to see new arrivals too! Make an appt today... your glasses want an upgrade & you deserve it! PS *NEW HOURS
Monday 10 AM - 5 PM
Tuesday - Saturday 10 AM - 6 PM
Closed on Sundays! They've gone shopping! Shop Online > Luxe Optique is a Sponsor, thank you!
LA MÉRE CLOTHING AND GOODS
470 Main Street, Beacon
Go ahead. Live on the edge! This Menswear Plaid BF Shirt is available now! Works for him, her, they, anyone! That's why we love it.
Saturday Store Hours 11-6pm
*New Arrivals Weekly / Free Shipping
Download their free app in the iTunes Store PS: Everything is under $100!! PPS: MENS clothing now available!
New session of Mommy and Me starts on 10/25! It's a five week session on Monday's from 10am - 10:30am and Fridays from 3:00pm - 3:30pm starting 10/29. $40 for the full session or $10 per class. Drop ins are welcome!
TIN SHINGLE
Ready to make your Instagram Story Highlight Circles pretty and on brand?! We can help! We will explore your branding, design the circles to match it, and can upload (or show you how to upload) them to your Instagram account! We recommend no more than 6* Find out more > Tin Shingle is a Sponsor. Thank you!
KATIE JAMES, INC.
A specialty of Katie James, Inc. is to design solutions that work the way you need to work. Some people operate better by texting their big ideas, and letting us run with them. Other people text us their inventory on the go, while out making deliveries or servicing customers. Katie James, Inc. is a boutique design studio for one reason - and that is to be small enough to keep our eyes and thoughts on our clients in order to send them our big ideas, and make those big ideas happen. Find out more > Katie James Inc. is a sponsor. Thank you!
HIRING: Maintenance & Packaging Manager At Industrial Arts Brewing Details >
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 >
SOON IS NOW is an immersive climate theater experience paired with activism presented in Scenic Hudson's Long Dock Park Beacon, NY on Saturday afternoon October 23rd, as part of the Climate Solutions Week (October 17-24) sponsored by Sustainable Hudson Valley. Theatrical performers showing their activism through spoken word and movement, and many of your favorite climate justice and education groups have come together to present solutions in a theatrical way called Climate Change Theatre Action 2021.
1pm Activism & Art: Environmental groups present to provide actions & Beacon based artist Jean Brennan will share FRUIT&ROT, an imprint centered around art and ecology.
2:00pm Performance Walking Loops: Sign ups begin at 1:30pm for the 3 walking tours of micro-performances that will take you along the wooded paths, tall grasses, and beach areas of the park. Tours start at 2pm, 2:15pm, and 2:30pm and last approximately one hour. 20 ppl max each tour and first-come, first-served. These tours are not catered towards young children. We can provide masks. Wear comfortable shoes!
2:15pm Sitting/Standing Performances: performances by Hudson River Playback Theatre, Edwin Torres, and Twinkle Burke will take place around the perimeter of the green field next to the Long Dock. These 3 performances are open to all including young children! They will take place in a loop and last until approximately 3:30pm. Bring your folding chair!
Parking Recommendations
Parking in Long Dock is limited. Walking, carpooling and the Free Beacon Loop Bus are encouraged. The Loop Bus drops you at the train station, and you can walk over to Long Dock. The best place to park is in the train station on the side closest to the Hudson River, where all spots are free on the weekends!
About The Producers
This event is part of Hudson Valley Climate Solutions Week organized by Sustainable Hudson Valley. Produced by Eve Morgenstern, Brian Mendes and Connie Hall. Contact: Eve Morgenstern for more information, evemorgenstern@gmail.com.
Use of Long Dock Park for this event has been provided by Scenic Hudson (scenichudson.org). The leading environmental organization focused on the Hudson River Valley, it is dedicated to creating environmentally healthy communities, championing smart economic growth, protecting working farms, opening up riverfronts to the public and preserving the valley’s beauty and natural resources. Since its founding in 1963, Scenic Hudson has permanently protected 25,000 acres of irreplaceable landscapes and created or enhanced more than 40 parks.
Look For Signs
Several graphic designs have been created to represent this initiative. You may see crossovers of them in social media and in other news outlets. Keep your eyes out, and read the messages to learn more.
Matteawan Road at the end of Beacon High School near the entrance of the Fishkill Correctional Facility. Photo Credit: Katie Hellmuth Martin
Further impacting an already strained busing system, Beacon City School District Superintendent Matthew Landahl announced to district families yesterday that the Fishkill Correctional Facility will close to the public the part of Matteawan Road that runs through their facility. After Matteawan loops through the Fishkill Correctional Facility, it turns into Prospect Street Md (according to Google Map), which runs through a residential area. Prospect Street Md intersects with Route 52 (aka Business 52 aka Fishkill Avenue depending on what map you look at) diagonally across from Old Glenham Road. According to Dr. Landahl, the closure possibly starts with the guard stations on both ends of the Fishkill Correctional Facility.
It is unknown at this time if this closure is related to the car accident that happened on Route 52 near Old Glenham Road last week at around 3:30pm, which is a high traffic time for school and a shift change at the Fishkill Correctional Facility.
In an email dated 10/19/2021, Dr. Landahl stated:
The Fishkill Correctional Sign on Matteawan Road. Photo Credit: Katie Hellmuth Martin
“I am writing to inform you about the permanent closure of Matteawan Road by Fishkill Correctional Facility. We were informed yesterday that officials at the Fishkill Correctional Facility are permanently closing the part of Matteawan Road that runs past their facility. This closure will take effect on Monday, November 1, 2021.
“Many of our school busses use this road as well as parents and students driving to Beacon High School and Rombout Middle School. The closure will cause increased traffic congestion at arrival and dismissal time at Beacon High School and Rombout Middle School and will cause delays for many of our bus routes.
“We are currently analyzing all of our bus routes and we will update the community with revised pick-up and drop-off times for the impacted routes. The bridge construction on 84 has already caused delays this year for many of our routes, so I apologize for this in advance. We will also work with the City of Beacon to see if anything can be done to help alleviate traffic congestion on Matteawan Road heading to Verplank Avenue.
“We will update the community next week with more information about bus routes and this situation.”
On Matteawan Road: Rombout Middle School on the left, and Beacon High School on the right. Photo Credit: Katie Hellmuth Martin
Pedestrian and bike activity picks up significantly in Beacon at 3pm, which is when all 6 public schools dismiss. According to the police officer on the Traffic Commity during a May 2020 public meeting, the Fishkill Correctional Facility also has a shift change at 3pm, contributing to increased traffic on Matteawan, running past the Beacon High School, and in the other direction toward Route 52, which is across from Old Glenham Road, which leads to Glenham Elementary.
Both the Beacon High School and Rombout Middle School are located on Matteawan Road. Picking up kids Rombout Middle School is an already congested situation, both within the Rombout pickup loop, and at the intersection to exit in either direction out of Rombout.
An alternative to driving into Rombout, is to meet a child behind Rombout by their outdoor school basketball court, on Robert Cahill Drive (inside of Memorial Park), which is already a traffic area for after-school sports. Speed bumps used to exist on Robert Cahill Drive for safety, but have not been placed down for years.
Biking Home Is An Alternative To Driving, But Biking In Beacon Is Unsafe
Map of Matteawan Road and Robert Cahill Drive. Photo Credit: Google Maps
An alternative to car pickups is having kids walk or bike home. However, several drivers in Beacon are so impatient when driving, they often recklessly and illegally pass cars on the left, crossing a double yellow line, with no regard for why a car in front of them stopped. Twice, I personally have stopped for a pedestrian crossing the street, and a car, driven by a local Beaconite, has tried to drive around me, crossing the double yellow line, and would thereby hit the crossing walker or biker. I have also almost been hit when I was crossing the street when an impatient car crossed the double yellow line to pass the stopped car in front of it on the left.
Biking in Beacon is quite unsafe, with no sidewalks dedicated to bikers (it is illegal to ride a bike on the sidewalk), and only a small section of Main Street is indicated with biking encouragement painted lines. Yet biking on Main Street for children is not recommended and is unsafe. Kids bike on neighborhood roads mainly, so this focus is beyond Main Street. Bike safety and enforcement of crossing yellow lines and doing U-Turns should be enforced.
Years ago, Beacon’s Park and Recreation Department proposed a continuous bike loop through the public parks. It is unknown at this time what became of that drawing or proposal. Should anyone remember the date at which it was presented, please contact us.
Map that shows Rte 52 labeled as such, as well as Business 52, as well as Fishkill Avenue. Also along I-84, 52 runs. Photo Credit: Google Maps
Map that shows where Matteawan Road turns into Prospect Street Md after looping through the Fishkill Corrections Facility. Photo Credit: Google Maps
It's Homecoming Weekend in Beacon. If you saw or heard a beautiful display of fireworks on Thursday night, those were part of the Homecoming vibes, and were launched after the Varsity Boys Soccer game on the new field behind the Beacon High School. Friday evening is the Football game and the weather is fine. So fine that people are driving with a little too much enthusiasm. An accident occurred on Route 52 on Thursday near the Corrections driveway and Old Glenham Road. So be careful! Don't pass on the left, and don't do any U-Turns. There are sometimes a U-Turn a minute on Main Street (we've timed it). We know *you* wouldn't do that, so tell your friends!
PS: The weather is so unusual, thank goodness for the Beacon Green Coalition working hard to make and keep changes in Beacon. Check them out 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.
Beacon Fairy Walk Day: Friday, October 15, 2021 - Sunday, October 17, 2021 Location: Pohill Park (at the start of Main Street, near the Welcome Center, at South Avenue and Wolcott Avenue)
The Beacon Fairies will return to spread some magic in a reduced capacity the weekend of October 15th-17th, but they need your help! You will have the opportunity to come view some fairy houses created by local artists and the community at Polhill Park – at the beginning of Main St.! You are invited to create your own fairy house and trinkets and add it to the fairy village anytime on October 15th. Photo Credit: Erin Buckley
Barton Orchards Boos & Booze
Day: Saturday, October 15, 2021 Time: 5pm - 10pm Location: Barton Orchards,63 Apple Tree Ln, Poughquag, NY Information >
New York State Sheep and Wool Festival Day: Saturday, October 16, 2021 - Sunday, October 17, 2021 Location: Dutchess County Fairgrounds
The Northeast’s thriving sheep industry is showcased and celebrated each year in this famous festival that draws a multitude of visitors from across the country to the lovely village of Rhinebeck. Prepare for a slightly scaled-back, hybrid event this October. Vendors will be placed throughout the property, both in buildings and outside, leaving room for proper spacing and distancing. Your day will include fiber artists and crafts galore, amazing sheep herding demonstrations, frisbee dogs, and a petting zoo. Information >
Sloop Club's Pumpkin Festival Day: Sunday, October 17, 2021 Time: 12-5pm (Rain or Shine!) Location: Pete & Toshi Seeger Riverfront
The Beacon Sloop Club presents its annual Pumpkin Festival in a happy return since the pandemic was declared. Vaccination proof will be required, and Beacon Sloop Club volunteers will be masked and vaccinated. Free admission. Look forward to pumpkin pie slices, pumpkins of several sizes for purchase, apple cider, free sails on the Woody Guthrie, free kids activities, and music on two solar powered stages. Pictured here are pumpkin delights from the food truck, Number SEVEN Sandwich Hub, who will be open at the event. Founded by folk singer and activist, Pete Seeger, The Beacon Sloop Club is a 501-c3 volunteer organization dedicated to the preservation, protection and restoration of the Hudson River and surrounding waterways through advocacy, education and celebration. As part of its mission, they provide free river access through free sails and sail training on the ferry sloop Woody Guthrie, a replica of the 18th and 19th century sloops that once plied the Hudson River. Information >
7 Retirement Principles Day: Wednesday, October 20, 2021 Time: 6pm - 8pm Location: The Rooftop @The View 30 Beekman Street, Beacon, NY
Beacon is lucky to have Lena Rizkallah, JD, CRPC to educate and empower about financial planning! This is a free investing seminar on 7 retirement principles including how life expectancy affects planning for retirement, Social Security strategies, health care costs, and saving & investing for retirement. Lena encourages questions and conversation. In past seminars, there was a lot of engagement and lively discussions. Bring your questions! Light snacks and refreshments provided Information > Sponsored Listing. Thank you Lena for your support!
Fall Harvest Festivals
Day: Now - October 31st! Location: Fishkill Farms, 9 Fishkill Farm Rd, Hopewell Junction, NY Information >
TWO WAY BREWING COMPANY
18 West Main St.
Fall is off to a great start with Two Way's seasonal, Wanderer, now available in cans! Pop by for a 4-pack, or stay for pints, flights, and food. Something about a fresh Fall beer just hits different! Two Way does it right. See beers on tap here > Check out Events at Two Way > PS: Trivia is on Thursdays! 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
Why cook this weekend when you can pick up Vegetarian Phat Thai drop from Eat Church at Marbled Meat Shop!? Looks like easy delicious lunch/dinner options to us! Fresh & beautiful. Eat Church is a favorite with gluten-free people.
Find Eat Church at more places:
Thursday-Sunday at industrial Arts Brewing
DAILY GrabnGo at Marbled Meat Shop
Sunday at Beacon Farmers Market
So many opportunities to get your hands on this deliciousness! Website >
Eat Church is a Sponsor, thank you!
BEACON BREAD COMPANY 193 Main St.
Chicken Cutlet BLT on a fresh-from-the-oven brioche bun to elevate your sandwich experience! Pro tip: ask for a fried egg!
BBC is open all week 8am - 5pm for all things brunchy, including a full menu, breads, espresso bar & MORE! 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 today. Menu > Order Pick Up or Delivery > Beacon Bread Company is a Sponsor, thank you!
MEYERS OLDE DUTCH
184 Main Street, Beacon, NY
You need to go checkout this new special from MOD! The Nutty Pig - pork patty, hazelnut spread, savory apple butter, jalapeño relish, grilled onions and cheddar. Yes it sounds a little Nutty but Chef Adam never disappoints with the creations!
Take out, delivery, indoor/outdoor dining. Order online! 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.
Tacos are great, but sometimes you need a salad! Tito Santana has your back & they are there for both!! Try their Chipotle Chicken Salad, with roasted, shredded chipotle chicken, tortillas, cojita & sweet crema- its a salad that reminds you of a taco! 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
When you can't just choose one, you choose two! The Brioche French Toast with peach, blueberry & maple compote topped with vanilla cream and the egg sandwich - Two Eggs, Cheddar on Challah Roll
w/ Choice of Bacon or Roasted Tomatoes. PS: Homespun even has a Beer Store & Beer Subscription online! See more here > PPS: Gift Cards are available in-store at Homespun! PPPS: 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
The new menu boards from Miz Hatties BBQ are looking good inside of the HV Food Hall (next door to Subway). Pulled pork. Mac n Cheese. Beef. Chicken. Fish. Desserts. Soda. Sparkling water. Go see them! The food is AMAZING! Open Mondays and every day (except Tuesdays). Order ahead online! Sign design by Katie James, Inc.
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! Shmuck'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
You don't have to just eat tacos on Tuesday... we swear they're just as delicious on a Friday! Especially from Baja. Fresh ingredients, amazing appetizers and drinks, plus really good desserts. Treat yourself! 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.
We know what you need this weekend... FALAFEL BURGERS from Ziatun! It's a housemade falafel patty loaded with tahini, lettuce, tomato & pickled turnips on a Beacon Bread Company vegan brioche bun! AND it's served with za’atar fries! Open all weekend for you to try this goodness. PS: Fall Season = Soup Season & Ziatun has you covered with delicious soups! Menu > Order Online > Ziatun is a Sponsor, thank you!
DIRTY BACCHUS
380 Main Street, Beacon
Frédéric Simon & Catherine Bélanger / Pinard et Filles / Frangine Québec White 2020 / 100% Le Crescent / Québec, Canada from Dirty Bacchus! Anyone who knows Steve or is familiar with Dirty Bacchus knows how much he loves the wines - the very idea - of Frédéric Simon & Catherine Bélanger and their Quixotic winemaking adventure in frigid Québec. Fermented naturally and spending three months on the skins, the organic Le Crescent (a hybrid grape introduced to the agricultural industry in 2002 that is also used by La Garagista, Jason Herr, and many others) is gently pressed, aged in neutral barriques and bottled without fining or filtration and with a light dusting of So2. "The result is a mouth-filling, energetic cornucopia with prominent, fresh flavors of apricot, mango and peach, stony minerality and strong but purposeful acidity that wraps the whole thing up like a perfect plot, punctuated by active but very gentle tannins." Stop in! Try something new this weekend! 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 Vanessa Veselka, “The Great Offshore Grounds” available at Binnacle Books.
*Longlisted for the National Book Award!*
“Awildly original, cross-country novel that subverts a long tradition of family narratives and casts new light on the mythologies—national, individual, and collective—that drive and define us. On the day of their estranged father’s wedding, half sisters Cheyenne and Livy set off to claim their inheritance. It’s been years since the two have seen each other. Cheyenne is newly back in Seattle, crashing with Livy after a failed marriage and a series of personal and professional dead ends. Livy works refinishing boats, her resentment against her freeloading sister growing as she tamps down dreams of fishing off the coast of Alaska. But the promise of a shot at financial security brings the two together to claim what’s theirs. Except, instead of money, what their father gives them is information—a name—which forces them to come to grips with a long-held family secret. In the face of their new reality, the sisters and their adopted brother each set out on journeys that will test their faith in one another, as well as their definitions of freedom. Moving from Seattle’s underground to the docks of the Far North, from the hideaways of the southern swamps to the storied reaches of the Great Offshore Grounds, Vanessa Veselka spins a tale with boundless verve, linguistic vitality, and undeniable tenderness.”
Binnacle is NOW *Open daily!
Binnacle Books is a Sponsor, thank you!
BRETT'S HARDWARE 18 West Main Street, Beacon
We've been hinting at home upgrades for a little while now & wondering if you started or not?! We weren't kidding when we said Bretts has everything you need. Not just paint... but new toilet seats! Seems like a good idea to change these every once in a while. PS: The cold is coming! Get your winter mats & supplies! Stay ahead of the game.
Stop in & check it all out. OPEN
Monday-Friday 7:30am - 7pm
Saturday 8am - 6pm
Sunday 9am - 5pm Brett's Hardware is a Sponsor, thank you!
LUXE OPTIQUE
181-183 Main Street, Beacon
New Arrivals from Luxe Optique makes us feel like a little kid in a candy store! They're always SO GOOD. Stop in this weekend and shop their Emmanuelle Khanh Collection! You won’t want to miss this!
New Sunglasses, New Glasses, New Chains PS *NEW HOURS
Monday 10 AM - 5 PM
Tuesday - Saturday 10 AM - 6 PM
Closed on Sundays! Shop Online > Luxe Optique is a Sponsor, thank you!
LA MÉRE CLOTHING AND GOODS
470 Main Street, Beacon
Endless Fall vibes from La Mere are we are here for it! We are in love with every single one of these styles! Hard to choose one... so maybe need all? What do you think? It's the weekend - treat yo'self.
Saturday Store Hours 11-6pm
*New Arrivals Weekly / Free Shipping
Download their free app in the iTunes Store PS: Everything is under $100!! PPS: MENS clothing now available!
Yanarella Dance Studio 312 Main St., Beacon, NY
Unlike many other studios, Yanarella Dance 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 Dance 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.
Sign up for a class or 2 or 3 today! Kids classes, teen classes, and adult classes.
TIN SHINGLE
Tin Shingle a training platform and community for businesses, artists and makers who are getting the word out about their business. Tin Shingle teaches PR, social media and content marketing tactics to regular people to help make their pitching and brand story telling smarter, engaging and more appropriate for the media to consider for article features. Tin Shingle produces weekly webinars called Training TuneUps, which offer free access to niche classes, as well as one-on-one training opportunities. 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. 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 >
The pandemic has kicked social economics into gear, such as removing income and demographic requirements from qualifying for food assistance. For example: while Beacon once qualified for a free Summer Meals Program, a meal prep service many children in Beacon relied upon when school was out for summer, Beacon lost qualification for that in 2019 due to the changing demographics with new people moving in who have higher incomes.
Statistics were not provided on if the same number of children still needed the food, but were outnumbered by higher income earners also calling Beacon home. Back then, a Beacon business owner, Wendy Savastano, who previously owned Beacon Bagel, wanted to continue feeding children over the summer, and reached out to this blog, as well as to the Beacon Superintendent, Dr. Matt Landahl, to figure out how to make that happen. Dr. Landahl organized a meeting with several leaders in Beacon’s food access community who were boots-on-the-ground feeding people, to try to coordinate efforts.
Consensus was: the same amount of children are still here, but Beacon lost qualification. Attendees included Captain Leilani Rodríguez-Alarcón, Corps Commanding Officer / Pastor for The Salvation Army Beacon Citadel Corps (located on Main Street). She had been cooking and delivering food to children in housing communities like Tompkins Terrace. She often ran low on food to prepare. Meanwhile, she was sitting next to a representative from Dutchess Outreach who had access to a food pantry right down the street, and had food to provide.
Other attendees included Beacon’s Parks and Recreation Director Mark Price, who had direct experience with receiving the free meals and setting up distribution of them at the Beacon Recreation Center, located near the Beacon Housing Authority, where many kids could walk to pick up the meals. Losing that location when the Free Meal qualification was lost was detrimental to how the kids would access the food.
Delivery Of Free Meals During Pandemic
When the pandemic hit - or was declared - and all students had to stay home, the federal government made free meals available to everyone, regardless of income. No one needed to apply, or fill out forms, or prove how much money they earned or lost.
On October 14th, elementary students will be served pasta with NYS beef meat sauce, tossed salad with Common Ground Farm greens, local cucumbers, and NYS apples and pears!
Middle and high school students will be served loaded baked potatoes with school made NYS chili, NYS potatoes, tossed salad with Common Ground Farm greens, local cucumbers, and NYS apples and pears!
More About The Partnership Between Common Ground, Land To Learn, and The Beacon City School District
According to Sember Weinman, Executive Director of Common Ground Farm, told A Little Beacon Blog that they started working with the Beacon City School District leading Farm to School education programs in 2012 and began developing a relationship with food services director, Karen. They started a Vegetable of the Month taste test that allowed Common Ground and partner organization Land to Learn (was Hudson Valley Seed at the time) to encourage students to try fresh seasonal vegetables while the cafeteria expanded their veggie side dish menu options.
In 2016 Common Ground gave Karen a U-Pick membership that helped her to understand farm operations. They began donating lettuce and other greens to the schools in spring of 2016, and in 2017 worked on a micro purchase agreement to sell to the schools and participate in the bid process. Karen conducted a site visit and made several food safety recommendations, which Common Ground implemented.
Common Ground Farm focuses on lettuce because it has a short grow time and is very popular with students, but also sells smaller amounts of items that can be showcased through the Vegetable of the Month program like cucumbers, kale, carrots and tomatoes.
Common Ground Farm thinks that nutritious food is a right regardless of economic background. They see public school as a way to reach a diverse cross section of the community. They were already leading education programs in the schools so it seemed like a really natural fit to begin working with the schools as a distribution point as well.
The Beacon Bears building located across from the grassy field for the young football players. When there are no vehicles parked in the lot, a car could drive all the way around this building, in a circle. During busy game days, the left side of the building is usually blocked off for protection of people sitting in bleachers right across from the building, and for people using the building when it is open as a snack shop.
The bright orange Jersey barriers, previously known as “parklets” when they protected diners outside of restaurants who were eating in parking spots, are now protecting families with young children who play flag football, known as the Beacon Bears, from adult road rage. The games are played in a grassy field adjacent to a volunteer-run Beacon Bears building in the middle of a parking lot at Memorial Park, which houses a snack bar and is a destination for kids to sit in front of and go to the bathroom at a porta-potty outside of the building during games and practice. For years, parking on the left side of the building has been blocked off during games and practices to protect players and fans.
Adults from other sporting events such as adult baseball and softball games scheduled at the same time at Memorial Park have reportedly been annoyed at the blocked off parking in front of the building, and have been storming the cones that are placed there by Beacon Bears coaches and parents, people who have been attending the young football games for years say.
Last weekend, a white woman participating in the softball game who wanted to drive through the cones but could not, was so incensed, that she yelled at other parents protecting the blocked parking area.
Shortly after the woman’s outrage, a white mini-SUV was seen by several people to be driving through the middle of Memorial Park at high speed. The vehicle’s path was through the grass, in between additional baseball diamonds where people usually set up volleyball nets, and slightly to the right of the tot park where children play on the playground.
Some Background
Three weeks ago, a white man in a black 4-door pickup truck drove himself and his child through the blocked off area in front of the Beacon Bears building. This was while 15 flag football fans sat on the ground of the parking lot in the shade of the front of the building while the snack bar was open. The afternoon sun was very hot, and the blocked off area outside of the snack shack was the only available shade.
The man removed the cones, and drove his large truck through. At first, everyone sitting on the ground, just inches away from his wheels, thought he was in a position of authority. Spectators later learned that he was not of any authority, and was simply a person used to moving parking blockades at his own digression at that parking lot.
What Happened With The Softball Game
Last weekend, during a double header of flag football, which consists of kids ages 7-14 and the family members who come to cheer them on, including younger siblings, were rivaled by an adult women’s softball team on a nearby baseball diamond. The team consisted of mainly white women and their men-folk during what some at the event said was a Breast Cancer Awareness themed game. A tent was set up at the softball diamond, and many of the female players wore hot pink tube socks.
Parking was tight, as it usually is on the weekend during games. Cars were parked all down the base of Memorial Park hill, which is normal for a day of Saturday games. If there are several cars, any seasoned Beaconite knows not to park deep into the parking lot near the field, as many cars pile up and make their own parking choices, sometimes blocking each other in. The driveway is gravel and not marked with parking spots.
At the end of the softball game, and at the height of the kids flag football game, the softball players and fans wanted to exit. They stated that the open lane of the parking lot was blocked by a double-parked car. They wanted to drive through the official parking blockade on the opposite (left) side of the Beacon Bears building where the spectators and children stand.
Earlier, they had taken to driving over traffic cones, according to people who saw them do it. A Beacon Bears parent then moved his car to replace the cones, so that softball cars could not drive through, flattening the cones. Some female softball players were upset, and began yelling at the flag football parents who set up the car blockade. One woman yelled: “Everything was fine until the football people showed up!” Which sounded sureal and straight out of a 1970’s kids coming-of-age movie.
According to people at the scene, the softball players called the Beacon police, who arrived to asses the situation. This was after an ambulance had been called by the softball people earlier to answer someone in need. At that time, a car had double-parked in the open lane on the opposite side of the Beacon Bears building.
The police officer determined that the Beacon Bears were within their right to block the section of the driveway to protect the players and families, which had been common practice over the years. He said that the driveway opening on the other side of the building was sufficient to be used as an exit. Unless that side had a double-parked car, which would need to be moved by the people who parked it.
According to people at the scene, the police officer wrote down the license plate of the car being used as a blockade, so that he could let the rest of the police force know that if police were called for this incident again, that the car was a known vehicle, and was there to protect from aggressive adults driving through where children are playing.
The Police Decision Did Not Stop The Adult Softball Players
After the police officer left, a woman who was initially screaming about the parking situation continued to scream at the parent who owned the car being used as a protective block. Another flag football parent, Tracy Way, who is well known to the South Avenue Elementary community as the Keeper Of The Lobby at South Avenue, stepped in to answer to the screaming softball woman and to keep the parking blockade strong.
Tracy and the owner of the protective car were by themselves confronting the angry team, until the softball woman got into her vehicle. Shortly after, a white mini-SUV could be seen speeding across the grass of Memorial Park, toward Route 52 where there are even more children playing.
From Left: The owner of the car used as an approved blockade against adults wanting to drive through parking blocks, who remained seated on the car during verbal altercations; the daughter of Tracy Way who supported her mother; and Tracy Way, who dealt with the women and men who shouted at her about the parking setup.
After the angry woman left, the softball crowd was not done. A man confronted Tracy. Towering over her small frame, the man told Tracy that her communication style was all wrong, and this never would have happened if she had said things differently. Tracy, meanwhile, had moved a metal trash can to be closer to the protective car, since a softball participant wanted to squeeze through the protective car and the bleachers - where people were sitting watching flag football.
The trash can was filled with White Claw beer cans and Twisted Tea bottles. Every now and then, as the man berated Tracy, different softball players came to put newly empty cans into the trash can.
A child reported that softball players were smoking during soccer practice days prior. This past summer, Beacon’s City Administrator Chris White proposed a smoking ban of tobacco, vape and cannabis in all city parks, to “give people more teeth” to ask neighbors stop smoking during soccer games. Beacon’s City Council voted to approve the smoking ban weeks ago. While smoking anything during soccer games had not previously been noticed as even happening, it appears that smoking tobacco does on other fields. The smoking ban was inspired by the legalization of cannabis. But it looks like tobacco is the culprit in this case.
While the man told Tracy that she was the only one putting up a fight about the parking situation, Tracy tried telling the man that the flag football coaches supported her decision, but were busy on the field coaching a game. Other women including her teenage daughter stood behind her to show support.
When the man shouted at her: “Do you own this field?” and “Why do you let children play in this parking lot anyway?” (answer: the snack shop and bleachers are right there), Tracy calmly told him that the police officer stated that the parking could be arranged this way. A second man joined the first, and tried lecturing Tracy. When she retorted to him: “Let me ask you a question…” the second man shouted: “NO!” The women around Tracy continued to support her and spoke up to let the men know that the parking block was necessary.
The first man then encouraged the second man to walk away, and the tension receded. The rest of the softball team who who was still there broke down their tent, and lingered in the parking lot, drinking from various cans and making trips to the porta-potty. One woman, upon walking to her car, shouted an obscenity against Beacon, and then spit on the parking lot.
What Happens Next?
The leaders of the Beacon Bears wrote to Beacon’s Parks and Recreation Department Director, Mark Price, who accepts scheduling for these fields. He told the Beacon Bears directors that the softball team would not be allowed to book the field again, but this remains to be seen if they are to show up again.
According to the Beacon Bears, Mark had the orange barriers sent down to be placed on either side of the building, creating safe passage for children and adults to walk between the porta-potties, snack shop, and bleachers. Cars can exit through the other lane on the other side of the building. The entire parking lot is gravel, so there are no marked spaces. The entrance of the parking lot is paved, and is completely crumbling with potholes.
In order for the orange barriers to be effective, they need to be filled with water. Otherwise, they are light orange plastic blockades that wobble. When the restaurants had them, Beacon’s Highway Department dropped them off filled with water. Restaurant owners were unable to move them very easily, as they were so heavy. It remains to be seen if the Highway Department will fill these barriers up with water to make them more difficult to move at will.
Cuddly weather is getting closer! The mornings are misty and the evenings are cool, while the afternoons still tease us with the balmy 72 degrees for a bit longer. The darker mornings and evenings mean one thing: reading under a blanket just got easier. Ever at your service, ALBB's author of our Writerly Happenings series, Phoebe Zinman, has collected many places you can find literary inspirations in the Hudson Valley this October.
As New York City and now LA require proof of vaccination at restaurants, bars and gyms, some Beacon restaurants are voluntarily wanting proof of vaccination. The Roundhouse announced their proof policy last week for people dining.
Shortly after announcing their pausing, Quinn's has announced that they are indeed reopening with live performances, but with a few differences this time: there will be a required cash admission price (versus the donation-based method used prior) and a proof of vaccination with masks.
A reminder to happy customers: restaurants often get hammered by bad online reviews for a variety of reasons. If you love an establishment, go ahead and leave a review. While most detest Yelp, it still holds weight in the media and with some readers. During coffee or tea one morning, do the rounds for someone on Google, Yelp, FB, and others to offset any grumpycats.
These Second Saturday Highlights are made possible by the sponsorship of No. 3 Reading Room & Photo Book Works.
(top) Mariam Aziza Stephan
at No. 3 Reading Room & Photo Book Works
469 Main Street, Beacon, NY 12508
On view are four works-on-paper selected from the larger body of this work from Mariam Aziza Stephan. The originals are small, intimate 6 x 18″ India ink drawings on paper that has been cut open and reassembled with additions and deletions, like the sacrifice zones they represent. Details >
(bottom left) Teron Wright & Flu Season
at Twins Barbershop
349 Main Street, Beacon, NY 12508
Teron Wright returns with his friend, Flu Season, for more mixed media work from the two Beacon natives. Teron's art is centered around portraits with an abstract twist or feel. Teron likes to recreate all kinds of portraits or famous events that contain a message or powerful statement. The colors used represent the message or mood of the subject he's creating; the colors give the painting an abstract vibe. Flu Season's pieces consist of dark comedy, iconic cartoon characters/celebrities, politics, current events and such. His mediums are copic markers, inks, colored pencils, acrylic, oil on paper or canvas. Details >
(bottom right) Fruma Shrensel
at The Lofts at Beacon
18 Front Street, Beacon, NY 12508
Fruma Shrensel's work examines our human selves as they exists in a world of form. Fruma says: "Our Being is an indefinable essence that expresses itself in countless ways. These works offer visual interpretations of only a few parts of Being. There are so many more. Come and share. What does Being mean to you?" Details >
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.
Field + Supply Fall MRKT Days: Friday, October 8, 2021, Saturday, October 9, 2021, & Sunday, October 10, 2021 Time: 10am - 6pm Location: Hutton Brickyards, Kingston NY
From October 8th - 10th, the bi-annual fair will make its highly anticipated return to the Hudson Valley for the first time post-pandemic. Hosted on the scenic grounds of Hutton Brickyards in Kingston, NY, Field + Supply convenes over 175 makers across a range of disciplines to present shoppers with a thoughtfully curated selection of handcrafted, one-of-a-kind goods. Paired with live music, food and beverage vendors, and live demonstrations from select makers, the weekend is a celebratory event not to be missed. Tickets are required for entry at a starting price of $15.00, and guests are encouraged to purchase tickets in advance as a limited number will be available for purchase on-site. Information >
Market Day Crafts Fair at the Van Wyck Homestead Museum
Day: Saturday, October 9, 2021 (Rain Date: Sunday, October 10, 2021) Time: 10am - 5pm Location: 504 Route 9, Fishkill NY 12524
Celebrate local craftspeople as they offer their masterfully hand-crafted wares on the grounds of the Historic Van Wyck Homestead Museum. Crafters will arouse your senses with colorful pottery, soft knit items, stunning stained-glass gifts and aromatic skin care products and more. The Fishkill Historical Society will provide a concession of culinary delights like made-to-order Dutch apple fritters, soups, chili, hot dogs and wonderful baked goods. Enjoy a tour of the museum during your visit and hear about how craftspeople of the past kept Fishkill humming while it served as a supply depot in the Revolutionary War.
Harvest Festival at The Barns Art Center
Days: Saturday, October 9, 2021 & Sunday, October 10, 2021 Time: Screening Times 11am - 3pm, A Groundbreaking Ceremony for Futerfarmers will be held from 3pm - 6pm Location: The Barns Art Center, 736 South Drive, Hopewell Junction, NY
Celebrate both the premiere of three-screen, immersive film experience, paying homage to the stewards of the Hudson Valley, LOST ARTS, as well as the groundbuilding/breaking ceremony of a large-scale public installation with world-renowned artist collective Futurefarmers.
Hudson Valley Day of Art with Women of Culture
Day: Saturday, October 9, 2021 Time: 10am - 7pm Location: Ann Street Studios
Join art-based networking community Women of Culture for a full day trip to the beautiful Hudson Valley, featuring artist studio visits & a private guided tour at Dia: Beacon, on Saturday, October 9th. Fall is one of the most beautiful times of year in the Hudson Valley, and our Art-full day trip combines the natural beauty of the area with two special art experiences. Some attendees will be traveling together from NYC but Hudson Valley locals are also encouraged to join for the non-transportation option (those not traveling to the area in the rental car will also need to provide their own transport in between Newburgh and Beacon). We will start our day by visiting the studios of three female artists (Theresa Gooby, Kirsten Kucek & Jackie Skrzynski) located in Newburgh, just across the Hudson from Beacon, NY. We will have the chance to learn about each artist’s process and inspirations, seeing works in progress as we go. We will then have a delicious lunch at Ms. Fairfax in Newburgh, followed by a private guided tour of Dia: Beacon. Take time to explore the galleries on your own after the tour, or take a walk along the Riverfront Trail. Information >
Fall Harvest Festivals
Day: Now - October 31st! Location: Fishkill Farms, 9 Fishkill Farm Rd, Hopewell Junction, NY Information >
TWO WAY BREWING COMPANY
18 West Main St.
Grab a pint and some dinner from Two Way! What better way to spend a fall weekend?! Not sure what you're in the mood for? Try a flight at their full service taproom! Two Way brews all of their beers at our in house brewery located right next to the taproom. They are also location for pool, darts, foosball, and private events! See beers on tap here > PS: Trivia is on Thursdays! 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
BANH HOI. Rice noodle bundles w/ herb salad, pickled veg, and Nuoc Cham & Grilled beef from Eat Church! Visit their website for Weekly Menu/Specials!
Find Eat Church:
Thur-Sun at industrial Arts Brewing
DAILY GrabnGo at Marbled Meat Shop
Sunday at Beacon Farmers Market
So many opportunities to get your hands on this deliciousness! Website >
Eat Church is a Sponsor, thank you!
BEACON BREAD COMPANY 193 Main St.
There really is nothing quite like fresh sourdough toast smothered in butter & BBC's house blueberry compote to start off the weekend! Especially when it is all fresh & made in house! Drooooooling. 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
MOD uses only the finest ingredients including local food purveyors such as beef from the Hudson Valley, cheese from NY state and produce from local farmers – together with their family micro farm in Hyde Park. Their full-service bar features a large selection of NY craft beer, locally produced wine and house-crafted cocktails. In addition to beef burgers, the menu offers chicken, hot dogs and vegan options with multiple toppings and house-made signature sauces, plus hand-cut fries, salads and daily specials. Stop in! You will NOT regret! 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.
Taco's are better with cocktails! Tito Santana is now featuring QNSY CANNED COCKTAILS!! They sold out of the Lovely Rita (can you guess why??) but more will be in this weekend! These are real cocktails made with real ingredients by real people in Queens and they look SO GOOD! Enjoy a refreshing Mojito or Cosmo with their delicious tacos (that are only $3 on Tuesdays!) 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
Have you tried Farm Kits from Common Ground Farm available at Homespun yet?! Common Ground is a non-profit organization with a mission to serve our community as a model for food justice and education for people of all ages and incomes. Each week, for the remainder of the growing season, Homespun Foods will offer a 'Farm Kit' full of local, seasonal produce grown right here in Beacon. Each week will be a little different, and this is a wonderful way to truly eat with the seasons. Local organic produce, harvested fresh and ready for pick up each Friday at Homespun Foods. Farm Kits > PS: Homespun even has a Beer Store & Beer Subscription online! See more here > PPS: Gift Cards are available in-store at Homespun! PPPS: 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
Shmuck's Sweet Stuff chocolate chip cookies loaded with chocolate and baked fresh, these cookies are waiting to be filled with for your favorite flavor ice-cream Which ice-cream are you choosing?!
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! Shmuck'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
Head on down to Baja and try these delicious fajitas! They won’t disappoint! Try the Chicken, Steak, Shrimp, or Tex Mex!!! So many options! 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.
Rice bowls loaded with grilled vegetables for your weekend plans! Stop by this weekend for all the deliciousness packed into one plant-based dish. From falafel to kebabs, there are so many options to enjoy a rice bowl your favorite way PS: Fall Season = Soup Season & Ziatun has you covered with delicious soups! Menu > Order Online > Ziatun is a Sponsor, thank you!
DIRTY BACCHUS
380 Main Street, Beacon
Eve’s Cidery / Sparkling Perry 2020
Matt Moser-Miller, a former intern at Eve’s Cidery, foraged wild pears throughout the 2020 growing season in the Finger Lakes region for his former employer. This perry is made entirely of those wild foraged pears, which were wild yeast fermented and aged in both stainless and neutral oak, then tiraged to induce a secondary fermentation in bottle. Steve shares "the result is stunning, smelling of lilacs and beach grass and birch beer and stone, tasting of blanched almonds and unripe peaches. The mousse is full and luscious, giving body, while soft tannins and fully integrated acidity offer shape and a pleasing, flavorful finish that lingers. Good stuff!" 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 Binnacle is open DAILY! A wonderful place to buy & sell your books! The bookstore is a collaborative endeavor by four partners, who have collectively been writers, editors, musicians, producers, organizers, teachers, filmmakers, and booksellers. If you love books, they welcome you. If you don't, they'll do their best to convince you otherwise. Donate to the Beacon Prison Books Project postage and shipping fund.🏼 www.paypal.com/paypalme/prisonbooksproject
Binnacle is NOW *Open daily!
Binnacle Books is a Sponsor, thank you!
BRETT'S HARDWARE 18 West Main Street, Beacon
Have you decided on how you're going to update your home/give it a refresh? Bretts has what you need! Don't forget to stop in for seasonal decor! PS: The cold is coming! Get your winter mats & supplies! Stay ahead of the game.
Stop in & check it all out. OPEN
Monday-Friday 7:30am - 7pm
Saturday 8am - 6pm
Sunday 9am - 5pm Brett's Hardware is a Sponsor, thank you!
LUXE OPTIQUE
181-183 Main Street, Beacon
What better way to make a statement with your eyewear than to have your frame literally POP right off your face. Luxe Optique does it again! Stop in! These are insanely perfect! PS *NEW HOURS
Monday 10 AM - 5 PM
Tuesday - Saturday 10 AM - 6 PM
Closed on Sundays! Shop Online > Luxe Optique is a Sponsor, thank you!
LA MÉRE CLOTHING AND GOODS
470 Main Street, Beacon
Fall arrivals are flying out the door at La Mere! New arrivals do not last long! Give your closet an upgrade... We're stopping in this weekend! You?!
Saturday Store Hours 11-6pm
*New Arrivals Weekly / Free Shipping
Download their free app in the iTunes Store PS: Everything is under $100!! PPS: MENS clothing now available!
Yanarella Dance Studio 312 Main St., Beacon, NY
More dance costume photos from Yanarella! Really into these dark navy vibes! Join in on the fun & find a Fall class that best suits you! OR step out of your comfort zone and try something new.
Yanarella performs and participates at various functions in Beacon and the surrounding areas throughout the year. Celebrate 4 years of excellence with them!
ANTALEK & MOORE INSURANCE AGENCY
340 Main Street, Beacon
With a combined 45 years experience, Antalek & Moore's agents take the time to get to know your family and what makes your life special. Let them provide you with peace of mind knowing that everything you love is protected by selecting the right personal insurance coverage for you! Give Antalek & Moore a call today: 845-831-4300 and visit their website. Latest Announcements > Antalek & Moore is a Sponsor. Thank you!
TIN SHINGLE
Connecting is one of the most important ways of learning, growing and succeeding as you seek exposure in social, digital and print media. Tin Shingle’s TuneUps are live broadcasts of a webinar that takes a deep dive into a trending topic or a big picture strategy. The TuneUp will either be open to the public to watch (then are published to Tin Shingle’s archives for members to stream anytime), or for Tin Shingle Members only to participate in. Find out more > Tin Shingle is a Sponsor. Thank you!
KATIE JAMES, INC.
It's a new season and time for your website to get an upgrade! People use your website all the time and keeping it up to date is so important! People learn about your business through the energy that the website gives off. 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. 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 >
Support for this publication comes in part from these businesses. We have highlighted what makes them special on their own dedicated pages. Want your business listed here? See the "Sponsor Spotlight" or "Event Promotion" option in our Advertising Page.
A podcast from A Little Beacon Blog. Your hosts: Katie Hellmuth martin & Brandon Lillard.
The City of Beacon entered into a contract with Legal Services of the Hudson Valley to provide increased access to Beacon tenants facing eviction. They may also be able to help with sources of rent arrears assistance. Call the paralegal, Steven Mihalik at 845-253-6953 to inquire.
Dutchess County Helpline. Open 24/7 to take your calls, listen, and give you resources.
Do Good With Chipotle - Fundraiser For Sargent Elementary School 
HUDSON VALLEY FOOD HALL
HUDSON VALLEY FOOD HALL
HUDSON VALLEY FOOD HALL
s New York City and now LA require proof of vaccination at restaurants, bars and gyms, some Beacon restaurants are voluntarily wanting proof of vaccination. The Roundhouse announced their proof policy last week for people dining.
HUDSON VALLEY FOOD HALL
