Ob...sessed With Beacon Open Studios - Which Studios We Are Visiting

Two of my favorite weekends in Beacon are

Beacon Open Studios,

and the

City Wide Yard Sale.

This is an opportunity to explore all of Beacon to find interesting things you have never seen before - and probably never will again. Beacon Open Studios has opened today through Sunday, May 21-22, 2016, so get your walking shoes on because you have a lot of exploring to do. If you're looking for a place to park all day, we made this

Free Public Parking Lot Guide

for you, with pictures and addresses of all of Beacon's free lots.

Beacon Open Studios is the reason why you're seeing the big red dot everywhere - from people's yards to galleries or storefronts. Artists of all kinds - painting, jewelry, sculpture, mixed media - open their homes or takeover a space to let you meet them and view their work. To find these studios, pick up a brochure from most any shop or restaurant in town, or the studio's headquarters,

2 Way Brewing Company

down on Beekman Street on the way to or from the Beacon train station.

Anna Bergin

is my current obsession. Pictured here in layers of color, Anna has popped up in a

PopUp Shop

this past winter with chocolate baker 5 Hens, which was a perfect match because Anna's paintings look like cupcake frosting that you could eat. The texture of the paint she mixes herself is thick and chalky - like sugar frosting. Painted with oil and ash in shades of pastel, these paintings are captivating. Hold on a minute - "Ash?" you ask? Yes, Anna mixes the paint with actual ash from her fireplace. Says Anna: "

I take the ash from my fireplace during winter and campfires during summer months. It's part of what I think is neat about it using what we burn." See her work now at 2 Way Brewing Company and Spire Studios. And be sure to

be on our newsletter

in case she pops up in another PopUp Shop.

Photo Credit: Katie Hellmuth Martin

Beth Weintraub, a printmaker, has eye-catching artwork on display. This piece on the left currently hangs in 2 Way Brewing Company right now as part of the Beacon Open Studios exhibit, and at Spire Studios.

Photo Credit: Katie Hellmuth Martin

There is usually at least one hands-on art event for the kids, and this year, one of them includes an

opportunity to play with clay

from Beacon Craft Workshop, another regular in our

Kids Classes Guide.

Find it on Saturday in the upstairs classroom at the Howland Cultural Center, 477 Main St, Beacon, NY.

Photo Credit:

Beacon Craft Workshop

This beautiful

wood scrap sale from Wickham

down at the very end of Main Street by The Hop is a not-to-be-missed sale. If you are a collector of wood to make anything - shelves, tables, surfaces of any kind - this is one wood workshop you need to stop into.

Photo Credit:

Wickham

Working in the studio, artist Joe Radoccia

gives you a taste

of what it's like to walk into one of these live-action studios.

Photo Credit:

Neg Kalfou

Breathtaking. David Swoop will be at 22 High Street. One can only look forward what else he has on display.

Photo Credit:

Beacon Open Studios

For all you romantics out there,

Anna West captures the moment.

She will also be at Spire Studios at 45 Beekman Street in Studio 2.

Photo Credit:

Beacon Open Studios

And for the jewelry collectors in the house, there are several in-home or jewelry studios open this weekend, a rare occasion indeed. This work space from

laiannaferruggia.

Photo Credit:

laiannaferruggia

Tag #beaconopenstudios in Instagram while you are  out and about so that we can see what you see!

Guide to Free and Easy Parking Lots in Beacon - There's a Spot in the Municipal Lots!

View fullsize

As of today, all parking in the City of Beacon is free (aside from any ticket you get from going beyond a two-hour parking limit). Street parking is free, and the City of Beacon owns and maintains several free parking lots throughout town. Other parking lots that you see, like the one behind Bank Square Coffee, belong to those buildings, and those buildings have a certain number of parking spots that they reserve for tenants living in apartments above, or for their own customers shopping temporarily.

This Parking Guide is Sponsored by Antalek and Moore Insurance Agency, located on Main Street Beacon who can save you money on car insurance.

There are several parking opportunities that do not involve risks of tickets or time limits, if you know where to go. In our instant-gratification mindset, it is easy to look for parking on Main Street directly in front of your destination, and slide into a spot via whichever parallel parking maneuver you have perfected. Main Street, however, is quite slim, making getting out of the car risky business. A passing truck may swipe your side-view mirror right off of your car. Or, if you folded in your mirror when you park, you may forget to look behind you and open your door - right into an oncoming car - causing you to lose a door and have to deal with damage on someone else's vehicle (and hopefully everyone is unharmed). You can imagine what it is like getting out of the car, and then opening the back door to reach into unfasten a child from a car seat. Nerve wracking. What about getting out a stroller in the space between your car and the car behind you? Or what if you were in a wheelchair, or needed a wide-open door and plenty of space to slowly get out of the car in a handicapped spot (there are only a few directly on Main Street)?

Depending on the time of day, hopping down Main Street to complete a collection of errands and finding different parallel parking spots to park in can be easy. But swinging into a big giant parking lot could be even easier and less stressful. May we present A Little Beacon Blog's Free and Easy Parking Lot Guide!

FOLLOW THE SIGNS

To start our tour of free parking lots in Beacon, NY, we need to get familiar with the signs. Unless you have just taken your driver's test, you may not remember what official free parking signs look like. They look like this:

A Free Parking sign is green with a giant P and an arrow pointing in the direction of the parking lot. It is posted near most free parking lots in Beacon, but not all, or not in both directions.

Take note of the other style of a sign that has the big "2" on it. This part of the sign also means free parking on the street itself, but the "2" stands for "2 hour parking" and the time limit of 9am - 5pm means that you are limited to 2hr parking basically during work hours. After 5pm, you can park on the street all night without risk of getting a ticket. If you park on the street for longer than 2 hours, you are at risk for getting a ticket.

We know that enforcement of this rule is a current hot topic among residents and business owners, as it is not usually enforced. When a recent debate about parking meters coming to Main Street was awakened this year, however, this rule has moved into the spotlight, so don't be surprised if you do start getting a ticket for parking longer than 2 hours on Main Street. Which is why ample parking in free, city owned parking lots comes in handy!

We begin our tour of free parking lots with the west end of town, near the Metro North Train Station, and will end it on the east side of town near the mountain.

View fullsize

The official map of free parking lots and 2hr parking areas from the City of Beacon.

1 MUNICIPAL PLAZA

A little known fact is that parking at 1 Municipal Plaza is available to the public from 5pm - 11pm, and on Saturdays and Sundays.

CROSS STREET & MAIN STREET

Next is the small parking lot behind Hudson Beacon Glass, on Cross Street right off of Main Street.

Parking behind Hudson Beach Glass, and across the street from the popup garden from One Nature and Green Teen.

A close-up of that paring lot on Cross Street.

PARKING LOT ON CLIFF STREET NEAR BEACON BREAD COMPANY

Easy parking for dining at Beacon Bread Company, dropping of a dog at Paw's and Mittens, picking up dog food at Beacon Barkery or wine Artisan Wine, or swinging by Poppy's for a burger.

Parking at Cliff and Main, entrance on Main Street.

The parking lot next to Beacon Bread Company. The Free Parking sign is shows on one side of the street only, so you may have missed it going the other way.

PARKING LOT NEAR PLEASANT RIDGE PIZZA & THE GAS STATION

One may think this lot is private, but it is free and open for you to use. And here's a hot tip: this gas station has some of the lowest priced gas in Beacon. #justsayin

Parking lot near Diamond Fuel gas station and Pleasant Ridge.

DMV PARKING LOT ACROSS FROM HOMESPUN & VOGEL PHARMACY

Across the street from this gas station, and near Homespun and AccuPrint, is a giant parking lot owned by the county, but free for you to park in - on the weekends only. You may not have noticed this because the sign telling you about it has been covered up with graffiti.

Understandable if you missed this memo.

The DMV parking lot is rarely used on the weekends, as you can see from this picture, and is convenient to use for learning how to ride your bike. Unless you all start parking there, of course.

CHURCH STREET AND N. CHESTNUT BEHIND RITE AID

Another huge parking lot that is convenient to get to thanks to a rare two-way side street giving you access, is the lot behind Rite Aid, Quinn's, BAJA 328 and Antalek & Moore. Although it seems like this parking lot is far away from a quick trip into Rite Aid, or lunch at BAJA, it's actually right around the corner. Quinn's also has an entry door from the back. Additionally, there are more on-street parking spots on the far edge of this parking lot, across from the residential houses. Skateboarders usually use these empty parking spots, but you can too!

Follow North Chestnut down toward Church Street, and you'll be able to pull into the large municipal lot.

Handicapped parking spots are in this parking lot, and on the street.

HENRY STREET BEHIND YANKEE CLIPPER DINER

Next we go to the Yankee Clipper Diner. If you frequent this diner for a weekend waffle or dinner with a milkshake, you'll know this parking lot well, as the Yankee Clipper has two entrances that include ramps for wheelchair access. The Towne Cryer is also located here, which is easy parking for attending dinner and a show.

Parking behind the Yankee Clipper Diner.

HENRY STREET BEHIND COMMUNITY MEDIAL CENTER & POST OFFICE

Next to the parking lot behind the Yankee Clipper Diner, and across the street from Veteran's Place (the cross street where you will find the Post Office and Towne Cryer), is this parking lot behind the Community Medical Center. On Sunday's, this parking lot becomes the location for the Beacon Flea.

Parking lot behind on Henry Street and Veteran's Place, behind the Community Medical Center.

Look! The Beacon Flea got an official sign about no parking on Sundays!

This parking lot is great for runs to the post office when on street parking is full.

VAN NYDECK AVENUE BY BROTHERS TRATTORIA

Picking up pizza can be tricky if street parking is full (and you cannot sneak into The Vault's parking lot because that is private), but you can take a right down Van Nydeck right next to Brother's Trattoria and park in that free parking lot.

This parking lot does have 3 handicapped parking spots adjacent to this building.

This view of the parking lot is stretched out in order to get the panned view, but it still offers several parking spots.

A more normal view of this parking lot behind Brother's.

CHURCHILL STREET  BY THE NEW HUDSON VALLEY BREWERY BY FISHKILL CREEK

Beacon's newest parking lot, still freshly graveled, is down near the Fishkill Creek right next to

Hudson Valley Brewery,

Beacon's latest factory renovation project that restored a building for use as a brewery and event space. This ample parking lot does require walking up a short hill to get back onto Main Street, so is not ideal for those who need handicap access. However, for large dinner parties and easy shopping parking, just turn down Churchill, park, and think no more about it!

The walk up Churchill to get back on Main Street. Vintage Beacon is waiting for you at the top of the hill.

MAIN STREET & VERPLANK NEAR THE GREEN ROOM

We are now almost to the end of Main Street. If you get your hair done at The Green Room, this parking lot is very convenient. However, it is often full. The front half is city-owned and free parking, but the back half is for tenants of the building you see in this picture on the left. Parking on the east end is difficult to find in part because of the amount of stores that have opened up there. I call this end "Boutique Row" (do check our

Shopping Guide

for a full listing). If you're looking at this parking lot for dining at The Hop, you should instead look across the street and parallel park along the Fishkill Creek side of Main Street, or down Churchill Street in the new, as yet unpaved parking lot.

On this bench, you may have noticed guitar players or others relaxing near the creek.

The Hop is in this building near this street sign and the free parking lot.

All of the free parking lots are owned and maintained by the City of Beacon, which makes doing anything in any part of Beacon's mile long strip of Main Street convenient.

This Guide is brought to you by the

Things To Do In Beacon Guides,

and by

Antalek & Moore,

your local source for car insurance with a variety of national carriers including Progressive and Travelers. We thank them for their support, which helps make articles like this get researched and produced! All photos for this article were taken by Katie Hellmuth Martin, and the design of the ad for

Antalek and Moore

done by

Leigh Baumann

from A Little Beacon Blog's design agency,

InHouse Design Media.

Latest Updates This Week In The Things To Do In Beacon Guides 5-8-16

Happy Mother's Day! Have you read our Mother's Day 2016 Guide yet? Here's a quick list of what we added to ALBB this week so you can plan ahead this Spring. As the weather gets warmer, there will be more and more fun things to do!

---

• Burger & Beer Bash: Held this year at Dutchess Stadium on Thursday, August 11th. Tickets on sale now!
• City-Wide Yard Sale: Taking place Saturday, June 11th, throughout Beacon
• Bija Beacon Homestead BBQ & Art Opening: A free event featuring art from R.A. McBride
• Howland Public Library Awards Ceremony: A benefit for the Howland Public Library Savoit Fund
• Howland Cultural Center Monthly Events: Including Open Mic Night, Bridge Club, Community Chorus, May Art Exhibit and more.

All of these dates are in the Events Guide, organized by month. Take a look for a big-picture view of your month ahead!

---

• Meditation Category: We've added a new category and this class at Howland Cultural Center on Thursdays, May 12-26, 2016. 
• All Sport Health & Fitness classes added for May 2016

Find direct links to each of of these items in our Adult Classes Guide.

---

• Babysitting Training Course: Added from Fishkill Recreation Center, held May 21, 2016
• Imagination's Playground Block Party: Added from Beacon Recreation Center, every Monday 10-11 am
• Beacon Craft Workshop: "Clay Feast" class dates for May and June

Find direct links to each of these items in our Kids Classes Guide.

---

• Compass Arts: More Summer workshops added, with August 2016 dates. 

Visit our Summer Camp Guide for more options available in the area.

---

• Barb's Butchery: Prepare your next slow-cooked meal or sausage breakfast for the week ahead, and save 20%! Visit Barb’s Butchery's Frozen Foods ‘fridge, where all frozen rib-eye and sausage are 20% off.
• Did you know we have a Best Brunches Guide? Yes, we do! Harry's Hot Sandwiches is the latest addition, and Kitchen Sink is now open for brunch. 

You can always check our Restaurant Guide for the latest openings and promotions!

---

• River Therapeutic Massage is offering 10% off Mini Spa Sessions (foot scrub, neck/shoulder, hand/foot). When you buy six sessions, you get two free gift certificates while supplies last. 
• Campbell & Campbell Hair Salon is our latest addition to the Beauty Guide. 

Find more ways to pamper yourself in our full Beauty Guide. 

---

Do you have a class or workshop you would like us to consider adding? Let us know on Twitter, Facebook, or via email at editorial@alittlebeacon.com. 

Mama Wants: The Shopping & Relaxation Gift Guide for Mother's Day 2016

Happy Mother's Day! Whether you are the mother of a child or of a pet or plant, it is because of your nurturing spirit that these things are growing, and you must be celebrated. While there are a flurry of brunch options around, let's be honest, a mother's work is never done if the kids are around, so she may need some Mommy and Me Time with Me Myself and I. Therefore, we present our Mother's Day Gift Guide for a Mama's Day Out: Shopping and Relaxation.

Brought to you by A Little Beacon Blog's Shopping Guide, a walk down Main Street from East to West is just what the day calls for.

SHOPPING SPREE!

Traditionally, you'd pick out a gift for Mom. But strolling down Main Street on a Saturday or Sunday is really fun. So give Mom the day off to shop with her friends or on her own - because even when on her own, she's bound to run into friends. But you know what makes shopping better? A stuffed money-clip. Let us begin!

First of all, when a Mom is shopping for Mother's Day, she may want to get dressed up and feel pretty. Really pretty. This rose pink dress is available at Lauren & Riley, on the East end of Main Street near the Beacon Bagel (also a good breakfast or early lunch location pre-shopping).

Next is makeup, specifically makeup brushes. Much to your surprise, these makeup brushes, which include brushes specifically angled for liners, shadows and blush, are available at Beacon Natural Market. For the last 10 years, the Natural Market has made itself the destination for healthy living and lifestyle, and that includes mineral-based makeup for a clean finish that is easy on your skin.

If her lashes could never have enough coats of mascara, there is now the Society of Lash, who can fix that! Step into this parlor (or ask for a gift certificate), and have individual eye lashes glued to each of Mama's lashes for a natural, yet full-bodied, look.

Next, she's going to want to pick up some of these adorable glass and metal frames just down the street at Reservoir and Wood. These are good for showing off pressed flowers, and pictures that she could get taken and printed at The Pfotoshop in the old Matteawan train station when she stops in the Pfotoshop's walk-in photo booth to take pictures with her kids.

And then yes, she'll need this wireless lacy underthing from Free People, hanging in one of Beacon's newest boutiques, Style Storehouse.

Which might need to be worn under this dress...also at Style Storehouse.

Fortunately for this Mama, there is a 30% off shelf at The Pfotoshop, right across the street from Style Storehouse! The Pfotoshop is the same place where Mom can duck into the photo booth for some quick pics with her girls - friends or kids, or even dogs.

REFUEL WITH A TREAT

Alright, good job, Mama! You've hit Boutique Row, as I call it, on the East end of town. Now you need to refuel, because you're only halfway done. You're going to head next to the West end for artsy gifts with a bit of a funky twist.

While the espresso pictured here is brewed with TasKafe beans down at Homespun's Dia:Beacon location near the train, Homespun's Main Street location in the middle of Main Street, near "Market Square" (think Key Food's location), is the perfect stop for coffee as you walk down Main Street in shopping mode. Also do get the chocolate mousse pie. Divine.

Good morning! We've got something new brewing at Dia next week! We're excited to add #taskafe to our menu at the Homespun Dia:Beacon cafe! Starting Friday 3/25 come get your cup of Tas! #taskafe #homespundiabeacon #homespunfoods #coffeetasting

A photo posted by Homespun Foods (@homespunfoods) on Mar 18, 2016 at 5:47am PDT

This happy little radio is a marvelous contraption that not only is a radio, but opens up like a lunch box to eat - I mean - store your phone, which can plug into the speakers and play your tunes. (Also: It's waterproof and sandproof! How cool is that?) Available at Dream in Plastic on the West end of town, or by ordering from their online store.

For artful inclinations, River Winds Gallery has a plethora of beautiful pieces, like this leaf dish with a single red berry, crafted by local artists.

Talk about limited time only... This artist, Karen Madden, is only at River Winds Gallery for a few more days, which includes an artist talk on Saturday from 4pm to 5:30pm. Her paintings are actually felted wool with metal.

---

Brought to you by A Little Beacon Blog's Beauty Guide, a gift certificate to any of these beauty services will go over well.

RELAX WITH MASSAGE PACKAGES

This is what Mama really wants - a massage. And these two massage providers are having a Mother's Day Special on massage services. These are services you want to stock up and cash in on, because they aren't offered often!

River Therapeutic Massage is offering two free gift certificates for a 30-minute session worth $50 and for a $25 enhancement add-on when you buy a series of six sessions (60, 75 or 90 minutes). Purchases can be made by calling/texting Karen at (845) 379-1956 or emailing her at rtmbeacon@gmail.com. Her studio is on Route 52, right next to the dentist and the Karen's Place hair salon.

A full-body massage in All Sport's zen massage room is $60 for 45 minutes when you purchase by Sunday by clicking here, and can be used 12 months from now. A total deal.

---

FAMILY FOREVER

Because precious moments can be captured with just the right lighting, and framed forever. Eva Deitch Photography, a local Beacon photographer, has a Kids package which offers a down-to-earth family session experience. Eva's work walks the line beween documentary and fine art, her sessions playing off the intimate connection of family love and the spontaneity of life.  Book a family session before Mother’s Day to receive a 10% discount on your session (valid until 8/1/2016) and a printable certificate to gift. Sessions are perfect for mothers, wives, sisters, and grandmas! Email Eva at eva@evadeitch.com.

Happy Mother's Day, everyone!

Latest Updates This Week In The Things To Do In Beacon Guides 4-24-16

Happy Sunday! Here's a quick list of what we added to ALBB this week so you can plan ahead this Spring.  As the weather gets warmer, there will be more and more fun things to do!

---

• The Howland Cultural Center: Many events have been added for the remainder of April and dates in May, such as their May exhibit celebrating National Asian-American Month and a playreading in July - Murder At Prisonwell Manor.
• Meet The Candidates: A Q&A session with the candidates running for the Beacon City School District.
• Constellation 2016 Sessions: Tours begin on May 7 with Melissa McGill. The land art project Constellation continues to light every night at sunset and launches its second season of sunset boat tours.

All of these dates are in the Events Guide, organized by Month. Take a look for a big-picture view of your month ahead!

---

• Come & Paint: Fundraising for the Seniors program at The Salvation Army on Main Street on April 30, May 21, and June 18.

Check our Adult Classes Guide for more updates.

---

• Get Frosted Cupcakery: Get Frosted Cupcakery has Sparkling Strawberry cupcakes that have...sparkles!
• Barb's Butchery: Now has two new chicken sausages: a Chicken Sun-Dried Tomato Basil Sausage, and a new Chicken Curry Sausage.

You can always check our Restaurant Guide for the latest openings and promotions!

---

Do you have a class or workshop you would like us to consider adding? Let us know on Twitter, Facebook, or via email at editorial@alittlebeacon.com. 

Summer Day Camp Options for 2016 for Beacon Families in the Hudson Valley

 

It's here! A Little Beacon Blog's Summer Day Camp Guide! The choices are amazing, and the decisions are not easy. You will need to get out a few calendars for this - your calendar, the grandparent's calendar or anyone who is helping to shepherd the kids around during different weeks of camp locations and times. Our guide is organized by Age, Times, Dates, Prices, Early/Late Options, and everything you need in one place to see what you want to do.

Maybe your phone has already been blowing up with texts from friends: "What weeks are you doing????" Camp with friends can make things easier, yet making new friends does eventually happen, despite that first day of "Who will play with me?" terror.

So, start your calendars, because we've got LEGO Star Wars, Farm Camps (two different ones!), Art Camps, Fashion Camp, High Activity Camp, Field Trip Camps, Gymnastics Camp, Film Camp, and Theater Camp. This Guide is updated every year. Like all of our Guides, it's live-action, meaning, it never gets old. We update it constantly.

Good Luck!

Click here for the full Summer Day Camp Guide >

Latest Updates This Week In The Things To Do In Beacon Guides

Happy Sunday! Here's a quick list of what we added to ALBB this week so you can plan ahead this Spring.  As the weather gets warmer, there will be more and more fun things to do!

---

• Kingston Food Truck Festival: Friday, April 22
• Earth Day Clean Up: Friday, April 22 at Long Dock Park in Beacon
• Newburgh Urban Farming Fair: Saturday, April 30 at Safe Harbors of the Hudson in Newburgh
• Beacon Independent Film Festival: September 16-18
• Beacon Tree & Menorah Lighting: Two separate dates this year, December 10th & 24th respectively
• Artist Members Of The Howland: Latest art exhibit at The Howland Cultural Center going on now through April 29th

All of these dates are in the Events Guide, organized by Month. Take a look for a big-picture view of your month ahead!

---

• Kids Brunch: Learn how to make pancakes with John Cummings at The Beacon Pantry on Sunday, June 12.

Check our Kids Classes Guide regularly for more updates.

---

• Sailing Class: New "Sailing" section added, with a class offered by the Beacon Sloop Club.
• The Beacon Pantry: More classes added all through June, including Classic French Sauces, Too Hot To Cook, and Allergy Friendly Fiesta.

Check our Adult Classes Guide for more updates.

---

• Get Frosted Cupcakery: Brought back their white chocolate baguette on Fridays only!

You can always check our Restaurant Guide for the latest openings and promotions!

---

Do you have a class or workshop you would like us to consider adding? Let us know on Twitter, Facebook, or via email at editorial@alittlebeacon.com. 

Latest Updates This Week In The Things To Do In Beacon Guides

Happy Sunday! Here's a quick list of what we added to ALBB this week so you can plan ahead this Spring.  As the weather gets warmer, there will be more and more fun things to do!

---

• Scenic Hudson Kayak Storage: Lottery for storage is open until April 22nd 
• The Loom Record Release Party: Saturday April 23rd at The Howland Cultural Center
• K104's 5th Annual Cupcake Festival: Sunday May 8th at Main Street in Fishkill

All of these dates are in the Events Guide, organized by Month. Take a look for a big picture view of your month ahead!

---

• All Sport Health & Fitness:  Camp Fit program dates, School's Out Daycare Program

Check our Kids Glasses Guide regularly for more updates.

---

• The Beacon Pantry: more classes added such as Beginning Butchery, Cooking For The Week, and A Taste Of The Beacon Pantry
• All Sport Health & Fitness: April is "Buddy Month", plus Comedy Night, Health & Nutrition workshops and more April events.

Check our Adult Classes Guide for more updates.

---

• COLORANT Re-Opening: Hours are 11 am to 6 pm, Friday through Sunday. 

You can always check our Shopping Guide for the latest openings and promotions!

---

• Barb's Butchery: Beginner class at The Beacon Pantry, "Beginner Butchery With Barb - Chicken" on April 26th. 
• Royal Crepes:  Now open at 303 Main Street in Beacon

You can always check our Restaurant Guide for the latest openings and promotions!

---

Do you have a class or workshop you would like us to consider adding? Let us know on Twitter, Facebook, or via email at editorial@alittlebeacon.com. 

Latest Updates This Week In The Things To Do In Beacon Guides

Happy Sunday! Here's a quick list of what we added to ALBB this week so you can plan ahead this Spring.  As the weather gets warmer, there will be more and more fun things to do!

---

• Common Ground Farm Plant Sale:   Saturday May 7th, at Tito Santanas Taqueria.
• Come on Beacon, let's dance!: Saturday April 22nd, 8pm at The Howland Cultural Center. 
• Hudson Valley Mac n Cheese Festival: Saturday, April 30th in Washingtonville, NY. Those who were lucky enough to score tickets (it sold out!) look for Barb's Butchery cooking up a batch of special mac and cheese! Wonder what her twist on the recipe will be!

All of these dates are in the Events Guide, organized by Month. Take a look for a big picture view of your month ahead!

---

• Boys & Girls Soccer: Fishkill Recreation, 4th to 6th Grade, registration required
• Just Dance: SkyBaby Yoga & Pilates, 1st Sunday of the month (kids & adults)
• Clay Garden: Beacon Craft Workshop, ages 5-8 and 8-12 starting this week

Check our Kids Glasses Guide regularly for more updates.

---

• Cheese & Wine Pairing Class: Friday April 8th at The Beacon Pantry
• Kayaking: How To Get Started: Thursday, April 7th at The Howland Public Library (new category)
• Overcome The Overwhelm. Make Time. Make Money: Thursday, April 7th at Oak Vino Wine Bar

Check our Adult Classes Guide for more updates.

---

• OPEN HOUSE: Camp Fit at All Sport Health & Fitness in Fishkill, NY
• Fishkill Recreation Programs: The Artist Corner, Mad Science, Snapology, Sports Camp, Junior & Senior Day Camps

Check Summer Camp Guide for ages, rates, and registration details.

---

• "The Naked & The Lens" Launch Party & Book Signing: at The Pfotoshop Saturday, April 9th (Second Saturday!)

You can always check our Shopping Guide for the latest openings and promotions!

---

Saturday, April 30th, Barb’s Butchery will be cooking up the best of the best mac and cheese for a Hudson Valley Mac and Cheese Festival in Washingtonville. Kids 10 and under eat free. VIP TICKETS ONLY LEFT!

You can always check our Restaurant Guide for the latest openings and promotions!

---

Do you have a class or workshop you would like us to consider adding? Let us know on Twitter, Facebook, or via email at editorial@alittlebeacon.com. 

Latest Updates This Week In The Things To Do In Beacon Guides

Happy Easter!  Here's a quick list of what we added to ALBB this week so you can plan your weeks and months ahead.  As the weather gets warmer, there will be more and more fun things to do!

---

• Coffee House at The Howland Cultural Center: Saturday April 2nd
• Record Store Day: Saturday April 16th
• Ree-Play Sale: April 29 through May 1st
• Hudson Valley Hullabaloo & Craft Brew Bugaloo: Saturday May 21st

All of these dates are in the Events Guide, organized by Month. Take a look for a big picture view of your month ahead!

---

• Barb's Butchery: Wide selection of fresh cuts of grass or grain angus beef.  Closed Easter Sunday.

You can always check our Restaurant Guide for the latest openings and promotions!

---

• Beacon Craft Workshop: Ages 4-10, at Ilana’s home in Beacon, right near Sargent School.

Check out our Summer Camp Guide for a full list of great options.

---

• New categories added: Cheerleading, Football, Softball.
• Building and Drawing En Espanol: From Beacon Craft Workshop - Ages 4-7, a fusion of Spanish language and 3-D and 2-D art making.
• Art, Yoga, Music, & Language: From Compass Arts

Check our Kids Glasses Guide regularly for more updates.

---

• Knit, Slip & Beyond: April dates added from Beacon Arts Studio
• Sea Lion Talk: Saturday April 2nd at The Howland Public Library 
• Author Talk With Shadei Williams: Thursday March 31st at The Howland Public Library 
• Spoon Carving Class: With Keith Decent at Spire Studios

Check our Adult Classes Guide for more updates.

---

Do you have a class or workshop you would like us to consider adding? Let us know on Twitter, Facebook, or via email at editorial@alittlebeacon.com. 

Pool Passes Available for Beacon Public Pool for 2016! Registration Open for Family and Adults!

The Beacon Pool is coming back this year in June and it is time to register for your passes! Don't delay because last year the season passes sold out quickly! Pool season passes are $75 for adults, $50 for children/seniors, and $150 for the family, with day passes available for $4 for adults and $3 for children and seniors. The registration form is here for download, but you can also register directly through their website right here without sending in a form. According to Mark Price, Recreation Director for the City of Beacon, anyone who lives in the state of New York can get a pool pass, since the pool is on state-owned land. If your billing address is in New York, then you do not need to provide proof of residency.

TIP 1:

If you do register online, here's a hint to make it easier: There is a little tiny box in which you're going to need to type in the name of each person you are registering for, and include their gender and date of birth. Type this up in Word or your favorite Text Edit program and copy/paste it into the text field. #easypeasy

TIP 2:

The checkout is through PayPal. You'll see a login screen for PayPal, but don't worry, you don't need a PayPal account to do this. You can click the link below that, which says: "Pay online with a bank account or credit card." Just before you check out, it will ask you if you want to create a PayPal account. Just hit the "No Thanks" button, and you're clickity-split that much closer to summer fun.

The Beacon Pool is located at the Park at University Settlement Camp, 724 Wolcott Avenue. The pool itself is 140 feet by 50 feet and progresses in depth from 2 feet to 8 feet deep, making it perfect for swimmers and water lovers of all ages. There will not be a lap lane, just a "have fun pool." See ourwrite-up of it last year

when the pool received funding to open for the first time. During that first year, they were hopeful for the successful sales of season and day passes to help keep the pool open, and it looks like that dream came true. They even created a The Beacon Pool group on Facebook that is helpful for posting lost and found items, pool closures due to weather, and over capacity moments when you need to wait in line to enter the pool area. In your pool plans, don't forget about the River Pool  at Riverfront Park which is a historic concept of a floating pool in the Hudson River practiced in the early 1900's and was brought back up here to the Hudson Valley by volunteers. The River Pool is made possible by a board of volunteers and donations, and is free for all to dip into at any time.

UPDATE: Lifeguards wanted!  Applications are available online at cityofbeacon.org

. 

Latest Updates This Week In The Things To Do In Beacon Guides

This week we are coming to you a day early because we have so much happening in Beacon TODAY that we don’t want you miss it! Not only is it Second Saturday, but today is also the Inaugural Parade of Green on Main Street.

---

This Weekend...

This is the first year Beacon will celebrate St. Patrick's Day with a Parade of Green! We cannot wait to celebrate this new annual tradition.  You remember the pub crawl in Beacon right? How can you not? It may have prompted Mayor Casale to issue a stern reminder during the March 7th City Council Meeting that all Quality of Life Laws will be strictly enforced on the day. #nowhearthis

This year, local businesses and volunteers got together to bring the Irish back to Main Street, namely Joe Condon (Joe's Irish Pub), Justin Riccobono (Hudson Valley Hops, Beacon Jazz Fest, Republican Committee), Rich Kaplan (Max's on Main), Rich Brownell (Freedom Ford), and Kimberlee Markarian (Berkshire Hathaway). The inaugural Grand Marshal is Beacon resident Pat Kerr, known for his masonry work and for bringing youth soccer to Beacon in the 1970s. Corn beef sandwiches will be available from the Elk's Lodge, and expect to floats, marches from Girl Scout Troops, and  music. See the full article in this week's Beacon Free Press for more about the creation of this parade.

Enjoy responsibly! And look for deals in stores for those who are wearing green (see below for a hot tip to the tune of 20% off from Style Storehouse!), including the stores beyond the parade's end, on the east end of Main Street. Just turn that corner to experience more shops, galleries and eateries like the veggie favorite Raddish. Keep A Little Beacon Blog's Restaurant Guide open on your phone because it is arranged in order of street address, so you can find out what is around you from any point in town.

---

Don't miss our Second Saturday updates sharing all of the new art openings happening today in Beacon.   If you're not ready to go home after the parade, stay out a little longer and enjoy our galleries which will be open later.

---

If you can't wait until Record Store Day next month to add to your vinyl collection, the folks at the Sound Shack and Vinyl Savage Co are getting together to host a Pop-Up Shop March 19 & 20 from 10 am to 7 pm at 145 Main Street (that's on the west end of town, near Bank Square).

Also, here's a hot tip for you: 5 Hens will have a popup stand inside of Dennings Point Distillery on the corner of Rite Aid in the middle of town. Just listen for the live blues music coming from their warehouse space... 

---

To reward those wearing green, one of Beacon's newest boutiques selling designer denim and and the comfy/sexy look, Style Storehouse will give 20% off to shoppers wearing green! For all of the ladies in the house, this is your big incentive to round that corner after the parade ends on the east end of town near the mountain to investigate the shops down there - who may even be pouring a cocktail or two in Second Saturday spirit.  Style Storehouse is also one of our new Shopping Guide sponsors so stop by and check them out! 

To further sweeten your Irish spirit for St. Patrick's Day, stop into Get Frosted Cupcakery, our new "Foodie" Shopping Guide Sponsor!  For limited time only, Get Frosted Cupcakery has Guinness cupcakes with Baileys icing. But only for adults over 21 (there is a faux flavor available for kids, so you'll need to specify which one you want). These cupcakes are a must-have for your St. Patrick's Day gathering, so plan ahead and place your order soon!

---

#TreatYoSelf! Beacon's Main Street, side streets and neighboring Rt. 52 have many options for you to improve your life, from the inside out or outside in! We organize them all for you in our Beauty Guide.

Test your Luck of the Irish! River Therapeutic Massage has put 2 tickets to Sunday's performance of Peter Pan at the Beacon High School into her pot of gold. Anyone who books a massage now through March 18th will be entered to win. New and current clients can enter this contest just by booking an upcoming service. The winner will be drawn on March 18th.
Click here to book now!

---

Swimming lessons are back and registration is happening now at All Sport, so call to book your spot because these sessions do book up! New to the Swimming Guide at readers' requests is the Sportsplex in New Windsor, which has an indoor and outdoor pool so you can enjoy lessons all year long.

---

Do you have a class or workshop you would like us to consider adding? Let us know on Twitter, Facebook, or via email at editorial@alittlebeacon.com. 

Latest Updates This Week In The Things To Do In Beacon Guides

Happy Sunday everyone! We have so many goodies to share with you this week, so get your calendars ready!

---

This week is the start of Hudson Valley Restaurant Week. Some of the participating restaurants are right here in Beacon, including The Vault, Cafe Amarcord, Kitchen Sink Food & Drink, and Baja 328.

BAJA 328 is a Featured Business in ALBB's Restaurant Guide.

---

In the Events Guide, we are excited to hear that the Second Beacon Jazz Fest has announced its 2016 date - June 25th. Will we see you there?

After you let the kids have fun at the Easter celebrations at Memorial Park, get your dancing shoes on and head on over to The Howland Cultural Center for their next dance, "Come on Beacon! Let's Dance!" We popped our heads inside during the last dance, and it looked like a lot of fun!

Last week we shared the Maple Fest going on in Fishkill this month. If that is not enough, a second fest has been added for March 12th at Randolph School in Wappingers Falls.

All of these dates are in the Events Guide, organized by Month. Take a look for a big picture view of your month ahead!

---

Spring Break is almost here and the kids will be home. Do you have stuff planned to keep them busy but still learning? Scenic Hudson is having a special Spring Break series March 22-25, with different activities (such as Basic Fishing, Bird Watching and more) scheduled for each day.

Late last week we shared an update of all the awesome classes and events going on with our friends at All Sport Health & Fitness. Some of the special classes they have going on this month include Cycle/Yoga Fusion, Irish Ride (Spinning), Motown Ride (Spinning) and more.

Do you have a class or workshop you would like us to consider adding? Let us know on Twitter, Facebook, or via email at editorial@alittlebeacon.com. 

New This Week in the Things To Do In Beacon Guides At A Little Beacon Blog!

We've made so many updates to our classes and guides this week, we want to make sure you do not miss a thing!

We just found out this week that the 10th Annual Beacon Barks Parade has been postponed until the last Sunday of April 2017. In the meantime, please continue to support the Dutchess County SPCA and Beacon Barkery.

A Little Beacon Blog is happy to be a sponsor of "Turning Passion Into Profit" at Beahive on March 16th. The event is hosted by HV Women In Business, and the topic will be about how to become successful by doing what you love.

Great guide. Can't believe I missed out on the start of the Beginner Spanish class! https://t.co/FB48lv0IcA

— CTPassat (@CTPassat) February 21, 2016

Don't worry, "CTPassat," we have added more language classes (including Spanish!) from the Fishkill Recreation Center.

Has your kid expressed an interest in Babysitting? Make sure they are trained the right way.  We added a new Babysitting category to our Kids Classes, featuring workshops that aspiring caregivers can sign up for.

Has the craft bug bitten you? Take a road trip down to Pelham in Westchester County to learn the craft of Wet Felting, where you learn to transform delicate wool fibers and into strong cloth with beautiful texture.

And don't forget to keep moving! We added more Zumba! and Tai Chi classes at the Veterans Memorial Building and Beacon Recreation Center.

March is jam-packed with upcoming events to check out! Easter is early this year, so bring the kids to Memorial Park for their annual Easter Egg hunt. More new events include a magic show with illusionist Ryan Dutcher, a special "Coffee House" night at the Howland Cultural Center (check out the "Women Artists Of The Hudson Valley" exhibit while you're there), and the inaugural Parade Of Green for St. Patrick's Day!

Plan ahead for April by supporting The Beacon Players with their rendition of Peter Pan at Beacon High School.

Do you have a class or workshop you would like us to consider adding? Let us know on Twitter, Facebook, or via email at editorial@alittlebeacon.com. 

New This Week in the Things To Do In Beacon Guides At A Little Beacon Blog!

Our Classes Guides, which are part of the Things to Do in Beacon Guides, continue to grow this week!  The Beacon Pantry has more classes coming this month if you want to up your cheese-and-wine pairing game. We also added more classes for moms-to-be or brand new moms, with classes from Waddle n Swaddle. Our friends at the updated Howland Public Library have a new kids class starting this weekend, Kids Explore: Sea+Space.

We have added more categories to both Kids and Adults Classes to help your searching and get you exposure to more business classes and workshops: 

Baby/Infant (Kids)

Business (Adults)

Cooking (Adults)

Food/Tasting (Adults)

Open Houses (Kids)

Pre-Natal (Adults)

We appreciate everyone sharing their classes and workshops with us on Twitter, Facebook, and via email at editorial@alittlebeacon.com, so keep them coming!

More Annual Events are being added too! Next month, visit the Sharpe Reservation in Fishkill for their FREE 13th Annual Sugar Maple Celebration, co-sponsored by The Fresh Air Fund and New York State Outdoor Education Association.