Hudson Valley Residents Have Spoken! Anchorages Proposal Put on Hold by U.S. Coast Guard

After receiving much feedback about the proposed anchorages on the Hudson River, Rear Adm. Steven Poulin, Commander of the First Coast Guard District, has suspended future rulemaking decisions and directed a formal risk identification and evaluation of the Hudson River, known as a Ports and Waterways Safety Assessment (PAWSA). This study is conducted to learn more about the safety and environmental risks associated with the myriad waterway uses of the Hudson River. At the moment, there is only one seasonal anchorage ground on the Hudson River between Yonkers and Kingston, New York.

More than 10,200 comments were received from waterway stakeholders during the Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (ANPRM) comment period that ended December 6, 2016. You can read a summary of the comments received here. According to Lieutenant Karen Love Kutkiewicz, Public Affairs Officer of the First Coast Guard District, the comments generally fell into one of the following three categories: 1. Those opposed to creating anchorage grounds (94%); 2. Those in support (3%); and 3. Those reflecting a neutral opinion (3%). 

Kutkiewicz also adds “The Hudson River is a beautiful national treasure. It also serves as a source of drinking water, recreation, tourism and economic prosperity. The river historically has been and will remain a vital corridor for maritime commerce. The Coast Guard’s role on the river includes protecting the environment and promoting navigational safety. These are complementary objectives, as safer navigation inherently improves environmental protection.”

In the fall, a group of waterway users and stakeholders will conduct a two-day structured workshop to meet these objectives and ensure the PAWSA process is a joint effort involving waterway users, stakeholders, and agencies to determine the safety of the waterway.

If members of the public wish to be considered for participation in the workshops, please email: HudsonRiverPAWSA@uscg.mil by July 21 with your name, contact information, connection to the waterway, experience, and related skills.

Lots of Synergy Happening Tonight at The Telephone Building

Congratulations to all of the Ribbon Cutting and joint meetings going on in The Telephone Building tonight! Beacon Chamber hosting a Ribbon Cutting for Aaron Verdile - Financial Advisor at Prudential - in his new office in the building. Aaron also serves as Treasurer for BeaconArts (BACA), and will later present on their budget. This building is also A Little Beacon Blog's headquarters, and we are in such good company, shepherded by one of the best landlords in Beacon, Deborah Bigelow. BeaconArts and the Chamber hold a joint member meeting tonight after the Ribbon Cutting.

Storm King Art Center Best-Kept Secret Membership for Beaconites (Sponsored)

Take a deep breath of relaxation, because we're about to discuss the inspiring, relaxing Storm King Art Center. More than just one of the best outdoor sculpture parks in the nation, Storm King Art Center is a community cultivator. The center offers a myriad of events for people of varied interests, in addition to dozens of artists displayed outside in their collection. Only 7 miles away from Beacon, this destination offers you unique things to do every week, from Moonlit Walking Tours to Summer Fridays with Music and Happy Hour, to outdoor yoga in the morning, to private viewing hours. All of which can happen with free admission through a membership to Storm King Art Center.

Free admission? Yes: Pay once, then don't worry about it again for 365 days. Storm King Art Center has made it very easy for you to come visit: Parking is free for all, and a very reasonable Family Membership for a total of six people (up to two adults and up to four children) costs only $125 for everyone. This year, the center has created a Beacon Discount, bringing the total to $110 for the whole family for a year! This is a deal you will not find at Splash Down or other attractions' member programs. Do check their membership page for more details, discounts, and how to sign up.

Member Perks

Summer Fridays
If you wanted to go to a Summer Friday Music Night with Happy Hour, you could just flash your membership card to get in while the general public paid an individual admissions price. There is one happening this Friday featuring Beacon favorite Decora, and you can dine from Storm King Art Center's Food Truck. The next Summer Friday is in July, and the theme is Sunset Music and Sketching. Sounds dreamy.

Moonlit Walking Tour
If you wanted to take a moonlit stroll of the expansive grounds, with ginormous skies and acres of trees, you could, included with your membership, while the general public pays an admission price.

Yoga Outside and Other Member Morning Themes
Come the weekend, Storm King Art Center is thinking of you. The center has early morning activities planned for Saturday and Sunday mornings from 9 to 10 am, followed by free coffee from 10 to 11 am. Plan for a mini concert by a string quartet, yoga, meditation, or a tour of a new exhibit.

If you go for the day and pay regular admission, and then decide "Hot dawg, this place is awesome, I simply must stay more attached with a membership," then walk yourself to the Visitors Center right away and sign up for the membership (mention you are a Beaconite for the extra savings!) and Storm King Art Center will deduct your admission paid from your new membership.

So go. It's not far off the Newburgh-Beacon Bridge. When you go, tag us in your Instagram photos and contribute to the conversation of people experiencing amazing things at Storm King Art Center.

A post shared by Storm King Art Center (@stormkingartcenter) on May 24, 2017 at 6:17am PDT

Editorial Note: This has been a sponsored article by Storm King Art Center that A Little Beacon Blog's editorial team approved of to write and research, as part of our Sponsor Spotlight series. To learn more about Storm King Art Center's programs, including their Summer Camp and Family Membership Programs, visit www.stormking.org as well as their Dedicated Sponsor Page here at A Little Beacon Blog that highlights their event dates and must-do programs.

Tonight's Workshop Meeting for City Council Postponed

Notification just went out that tonight's Workshop Meeting for City Council has been postponed due to lack of a quorum. As soon as the City of Beacon releases a new date, we will post it here and on our new "Workshop Meetings" page, which contains Agendas and Videos from meetings that have already been held.

WORKSHOP AGENDA ITEMS

1. Memorial Park Tennis Courts - Softball and Skateboarding
2. Acceptance of Dedication of a Portion of Judson Street
3. Kristy Drive Drainage Replacement
4. Chapter 191 Discussion
5. Milling and Paving Presentation
6. Award Recommendation for the Control and Telemetry Project for the Water Department

Happening This Weekend In and Around Beacon 6/22/2017

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Check out this lavender cocktail, a trunk show, a tiny food pantry, and what local businesses may be hiring.

Shopping ideas, restaurant cocktails, and more things to do this weekend are right here at your fingertips. Events included here are featured from A Little Beacon Blog's Things To Do In Beacon Guides, but more happenings are at the Guides themselves on the website, so be sure to check out these Guides throughout the week!

Sponsored by Antalek & Moore for car insurance. Tiny Food Pantries Kickoff Party Day: Saturday, June 24, 2017 Time: Noon to 4 pm Location: Beacon Community Resource Center, 23 W. Center St., Beacon, NY Information > Hudson River Exchange Fifth Annual Summer Market Days: Friday and Saturday, June 23 and 24, 2017 Time: 4 to 9 pm (Friday); 11 am to 6 pm (Saturday) Location: Henry Hudson Riverfront Park, Hudson, NY Information > Live Concert: Mostly Other People Do The Killing Day: Saturday, June 24, 2017 Time: 8 pm Location: Howland Cultural Center, 477 Main St., Beacon, NY Information > Liberty Street Film Series: "Back To The Future" Day: Saturday, June 24, 2017 Time: 8:30 pm Location: Washington's Headquarters, 84 Liberty St., Newburgh, NY Information > Take Care Fair Day: Sunday, June 25, 2017 Time: 11 am to 4 pm Location: Hudson River Exchange, 514 Warren St., Hudson, NY Information > Hudson Valley Auctioneers' Next Preview & Auction Preview Day: Sunday, June 25, 2017 Preview Time: 1 to 5 pm Live Auction Day: Monday, June 26, 2017 Auction Time: 5 pm Location: 432 Main St., Beacon, NY The doors are opening again at Hudson Valley Auctioneers! Expect to see items from Louis Vuitton, Tiffany, Herman Miller, Vladimir Kagan, Ezra Pound, and others. Thank you Hudson Valley Auctioneers for sponsoring! Information (look at these neon signs!) > iPhoneography Workshop Day: Saturday, June 24, 2017 Time: 10 am to noon Location: River Winds Gallery, 172 Main St., Beacon, NY Information > Chalk Paint 101 Days: Sunday, June 25, 2017 Time: 9 am to noon Location: Knot Too Shabby, 155 Main St., Beacon, NY Information > For a full list of upcoming classes, visit our Adult Classes Guide. A Little Beacon Blog's Annual Summer Camp Guide has over 20 camps for all age-ranges and passion areas. Cross-reference ages, days, times and prices in our easy-to-use guide that is many parents' go-to source for summer planning. Broadway Jazz TUESDAY | Ballet WEDNESDAY | Modern Dance THURSDAY Ages: 12+ Tuesday, June 27: Broadway Jazz Wednesday, June 28: Ballet Thursday, June 29: Modern Dance with acclaimed Chelsea Acree (click here to learn more about Chelsea and her experience with Marjorie Mussman, Janet Panetta, the Mark Morris Dance Group (MMDG) and more). Time: 5:30 to 7 pm Price: $18 single class or $50 for three classes To Register: Call (845) 831-1870 or email info@balletartsstudio.com See All Camp Sessions from Ballet Arts Studio > Thank you Ballet Arts Studio for sponsoring our Summer Camp Guide! Tri-Arts Summer Workshop Starts Ages: 4 to 8 Days: Monday to Friday, June 26-30, 2017 Location: Compass Arts, 395 Main St., Beacon, NY Information > For a full list of upcoming classes, visit our Kids Classes Guide reMADE 133 Main Street OMG. Yes, this is a mirror, and yes, it needs to be on your wall. It has been handcrafted from reclaimed factory wood by C. Faroe. Do you see everything reflected in the mirror? Like the signature chandelier that defines the reMADE space? A lot of those home accents can be in your home too. Stop into reMADE soon to make a list. Special note: Our hearts are with owner Liz and her family as they've suffered a loss in their family. If the store's "Open" hours are off, that is why. Where is reMADE? Across from Tito Santana's, next to Bank Square. Bellus on Main 181 Main Street Watch out, Nicole Miller fans! She is in the house at Bellus on Main! No need to go to the mall or mess with online ordering to find this off-the-shoulder number. It's adorable with roomy shorts connected to a fitted yet stretchy top that yearns to be paired with a long gold necklace. Where is Bellus? Next door to Luxe Optique, up the road from Notions-n-Potions. Luxe Optique 183 Main Street Anne & Valentin Trunk Show This Weekend! Day: Saturday, June 24 Time: 3 to 7 pm Discount! Save $60 on frames purchased during the event. A photographic capture can't do justice to the Amazing with a capital A frames in the Anne & Valentin collection, which is going to be available in full at Luxe Optique in this weekend's trunk show. You need to stop in to see the variety of frames yourself. Pictured here is just a sampling of the styles available from these designers. Handmade in France, the frames are incredibly hard to find. But owner Laurie and her team have done it, and invite you in for drinks as you try them on to find the right fit. Where is Luxe Optique? Across the block from Beacon Bread Company, and across Main Street from Beacon Barkery. Style Storehouse 484 Main Street Do you love fashion? Do you love helping people? Style Storehouse is currently hiring a Sales Stylist. This job is perfect for someone who is responsible, fashionable, and personable. Stylist will be able to: dress the mannequins give input on the windows stock and arrange new clothes as they come in ship our online orders and more. Email stylestorehouse@gmail.com and/or come by the shop to inquire: 484 Main Street. Visit the website to get a feel for the clothes: www.stylestorehouse.com Where is Style Storehouse? On the East End, near Waddle-n-Swaddle, and across the street from the old Matteawan train station. Thank you to the following shops for sponsoring our Shopping Guide! reMADE, Bellus on Main, Luxe Optique, and Style Storehouse. Visit the Shopping Guide for a full list of shopping destinations up and down Main Street. Includes stores specializing in Vintage, Kitchen, Kids, and more. River Therapeutic Massage 612 Route 52 Beacon, NY (845) 379-1956 LAST CHANCE! The Margarita Massage won't be available for long, so book yours now. Here's what you'll get: Massage with organic coconut oil infused with essential oils of lime and orange Optional add-on: Salty Dog foot treatment, which is a massage with grapefruit scrub and body butter. Book yours now! Thank you, River Therapeutic Massage, for sponsoring the Beauty Guide! Visit our Beauty Guide for a complete list of beauty sources in Beacon, including hair, nails, barbers, and even lashes. The Vault 446 Main Street Lavender is in right now! And not just in your garden. Meet the Lady Lavender, made with Viskill Vodka, egg white, lavender syrup, lemon juice and Violette liqueur. Recommended Side Dish: Roasted Beets with Lavender Crème Fraîche, Goat Cheese and Basil Mint Agave Where is The Vault? Near Beacon Bath & Bubble, and across the street from the Howland Cultural Center. Thank you to The Vault and to BAJA for sponsoring the Restaurant Guide! Visit our Restaurant Guide for a complete list of eateries in Beacon. SPOTLIGHT SPONSOR HIGHLIGHTS Storm King Art Center See if you can find this the next time you visit Storm King Art Center: This piece of sculpture art by Isamu Noguchi, titled "Momo Taro," is available for the interaction of visitors, who are invited to touch, enter, sit, and fully blend with the work. Noguchi’s flat bench provides a welcome site for rest and contemplation. The “center” of the piece - the hollowed-out granite “peach pit” - serves as a peaceful retreat. Even on the hottest summer days, this interior remains cool. Noguchi expressed his wish that visitors, especially children, would not only climb into the cavity but also sing inside it and enjoy its special aural resonance. The reflective “mirror,” a highly polished surface, is angled to fully reflect the sun in summer. Beaconites get a Discount Deal on admission, so see here for details! Antalek & Moore Insurance Agency Do you run a business, and do you have business insurance? Whether you work from home or from a brick-and-mortar, there are different types of insurance for you to consider, including: General Liability, Product Liability, Professional Liability, and Employer Insurance if your business has employees. Your neighbors at Antalek & Moore can help you determine what is right for your business. Give them a call. Antalek & Moore is located at 340 Main St., near Beacon Natural Market, or they can be reached by phone: (845) 245-6292. BeaconArts Member Meeting Day: Wednesday, June 28 Time: 6:30 pm Are you marked as "Going!" to the joint BeaconArts Member MeetUp at the Telephone Building? We'll be celebrating a Ribbon Cutting for Aaron Verdile, for his financial business with Prudential. You will hear from the building's owner and art conservator Deborah Bigelow, as well as get a finances breakdown from Aaron for the BeaconArts budget and fiscal projects. Beacon Chamber of Commerce Ribbon Cutting Who: Aaron Verdile When: Wednesday, June 28 Time: 5:30 pm Join the Beacon Chamber of Commerce as they celebrate the official opening of Aaron Verdile, Financial Advisor with Prudential. This Ribbon Cutting will parlay into the Member Meeting for BeaconArts, to which BeaconArts has invited all Beacon Chamber members! This is sure to be be a smash hit of a night of business and artistic incubation. Tin Shingle During this TuneUp, which is filmed weekly in Beacon's Telephone Building, you'll receive tips you can easily use now for dusting off very powerful tools for the summer ahead, including: SEO: New habits that will feed Google more information as they rank your website. Newsletters: Yup, you're going to send more this year and we tell you how. Instagram: You'll get a homework assignment that will boost your Instagram following. PR: Back-door techniques to getting that press you covet! Stream it now > InHouse Design Media Big month for the Telephone Building. Coinciding with the completion of building owner Deborah's work to the top of the building this spring, she has launched her first website for the business that is her building, and InHouse Design Media is honored to have designed the first round of her website. More to come, but take a look at this new website designed by InHouse Design Media, made while inside the walls of this very building! A Little Beacon Space 291 Main Street A Little Beacon Blog's Space, located in the heart of Beacon's historic business district, is perfect for company meetings, gatherings, workshops, and other creations you have planned. We just got our second review! "Renting this space was perfect for our small, creative company retreat. We had everything we needed to have a productive day, and the expectations were clearly laid out ahead of time in a transparent way. There's great parking (not always a given in Beacon), and you're in the thick of things when it comes to walking around after your event is over. 5/5, will retreat there again." - Alex Panagiotopoulos, Kingston Creative Click here for details about booking The Space for your event. Click here for the schedule of upcoming happenings at The Space. NEWSLETTER SIGNUP We know what you're thinking... "I want my business featured here!" Pictures shown above are from our advertising partners in the Things To Do In Beacon Guides. We can include your most exciting news here too! Click here to learn about ways to advertise on A Little Beacon Blog. Until next week!

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UPDATE! Hints 1 and 2: Contest! Where Is This Mystery Photo: Hint: Sign Or What?

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UPDATE! We have a winner! Tony has guessed correctly: This is an old advertisement painted onto a building across from The Vault! The reveal photo has been posted below.

This just in! A Little Beacon Blog has received four tickets to Opening Night of the Hudson Valley Renegades vs Staten Island Yankees baseball game TONIGHT! There will be fireworks after, courtesy of Beacon Dental! Therefore, a Mystery Photo Contest must ensue.

Deadline for the Winning Answer: ASAP. Gates open at the Dutchess Stadium at 5:30 pm, and the game starts at 7:05 pm.

Rules:

• You must enter your answer here at the blog in the comments.
• The winning answer must identify where this picture was taken and what it is of.
• Answers left at any social media outlets will not be counted.
• You can give away your prize to someone else if you cannot use it.
• You must be able to pick up the prize by 5 pm today. Details will be emailed to you. The winner can contact us via our Contact Us page and type in their email.

Hint #1:

Sign or What?

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Hint #2.5:

• The black that you see are chipping words that once said "DELICATESSEN"
• While there isn't a deli nearby, there certainly is food, and you could order vintage soda from just steps away from where this photo is located.

Summer Swim Lessons Posted for Beacon Pool Swim Academy at Settlement Camp

Photo Credit: Pool photo originally from Beacon Parks and Recreation.

Only a few (maybe two) short years ago, swimming lessons - and any opportunity to swim, really - were hard to come by in Beacon. You had to venture up and down 9D or across the Newburgh-Beacon Bridge to enroll in swimming lessons for kids or adults. So many people were searching for information, we made a Swimming Lessons Guide for it. It was actually the first Guide we ever made. Now, we have more options closer to home.

The Beacon Pool Swim Academy, the team behind the Beacon Parks and Recreation Department who operate The Beacon Pool, started offering swimming lessons in the Settlement Canp's outdoor pool last year. Times for the 2017 swimming lessons have been posted, and this year, lessons will be the same for swim-only students and campers at the city's new summer day camp, Camp @ The Camp (see A Little Beacon Blog's Summer Day Camp Guide for details).

Outdoor Beacon Pool Swimming Lesson Details

Instruction is $40 per session. Each session has four lessons, so it comes to $10 per lesson.

For children who are enrolled in Camp @ The Camp, these swimming lessons are included with their camp tuition. The swimming lesson programming will be the same for kids in camp as it is for kids in group swimming lessons that happen at times separate from Camp @ The Camp.

All classes are American Red Cross Learn to Swim Level I. Instructional swim will be approximately 30 minutes, followed by a few minutes for free swim and reinforcing the lessons of the day. Class size is limited. Classes are for participants new to swimming with an emphasis on gaining confidence and learning how to be safe around water. Parents of children ages 3 and older should plan on remaining present in the University Settlement pool picnic area for the duration of the lesson.

Schedule as posted at the City of Beacon's website.

Registration can be made by filling out the Beacon Pool Swim Academy's PDF which you can find and download here. Any questions can be directed to Nate Smith, nsmith@cityofbeacon.org.

Agenda for Regular City Council Meeting Tonight (Monday), and New Section

Tonight is a regular meeting of the City Council for the City of Beacon that begins at 7 pm. It is a public meeting, where anyone can attend. A Little Beacon Blog has begun keeping a dynamic section dedicated to City Council Meetings, Workshops, Zoning Board and Planning Board Meetings on our website to help make it easier for you to stay aware of what is being discussed at the City level. We keep links and past meeting videos in this new section, which you can see here.

On the Agenda for tonight:

Call to Order
Pledge of Allegiance
Roll Call
Public Comment
Each speaker may have one opportunity to speak for up to three minutes on any subject matter other than those which are the topic of a public hearing tonight. Please sign in at the podium. This segment will last no longer than thirty minutes, with speakers recognized in the order they appear on the sign-in sheet. A second public comment opportunity will be provided later in the meeting for those who do not get to speak during this first segment.

Community Segment

• Kids R Kids Feeding Program - Jackie Bucelot-Mills, Founder
• Rebuilding Together - Christina Boryk, Executive Director

Reports

• Council Member Ali Muhammad
• Council Member Omar Harper
• Council Member Lee Kyriacou
• Council Member George Mansfield
• Council Member Pam Wetherbee
• Council Member Peggy Ross
• City Administrator Anthony Ruggiero
• County Legislators
• Mayor Randy Casale

Local Laws and Resolutions

• Resolution to Appoint Jason Johnson to the Position of Detective Sergeant in the Beacon Police Department
• Resolution to Award the Bid for the Liquid Phase Product Odor Control System
• Resolution to Reject Bids Received for the South Interceptor Sewer Project

Second Opportunity for Public Comments
Each speaker may have one opportunity to speak for up to three minutes on any subject matter other than those which are the topic of a public hearing tonight. This segment will last no longer than thirty minutes. Those who spoke at the first public comment segment are not permitted to speak again.

Adjournment

---

A Little Beacon Blog has been tinkering with this new section, and we have a few new plans for it. Our aim is to help make it easier for you to find out what is being discussed and planned for Beacon. Most information has been pulled from the City's website and presented on A Little Beacon Blog in a way that we hope is easy for you to skim through and reference.

This new section will be Sponsor- and Citizen-supported, and is free for all to read and follow. After we roll out a few more details of this section, we will provide information on how you can support it if you so desire.

East End Rising - Newest Retail Pioneers at 1 East Main

The East End of Beacon is rising, so prepare your mind to create a new route for how you get around Beacon, and what shops you frequent (A Little Beacon Blog's Shopping Guide will help you big time). One of the unique features that defines the Beacon experience is our milelong Main Street. That's because it was actually two towns that merged into one in the early 1900s. So if you don't go to the East or West End very often, or don't know what shops we talk about a lot here at A Little Beacon Blog, you really should be out exploring the other half of your town. A friend who lives in the lofts at the Roundhouse commented that they stay on the East End quite a bit, and don't venture out. When they headed over to the West End one weekend to eat at Kitchen Sink, their eyes were opened and they declared that perhaps they should get a summer home on the West End.

Ribbon cutting for Lambs Hill Boutique

Several empty storefronts have sat either boarded up or under renovation on the East End, and they are starting to bloom, starting with 1 East Main. First to open was Lambs Hill, opened by visionary Charlotte Guernsey of Gatehouse Realty and Lambs Hill - the equestrian-inspired wedding venue up on Mount Beacon. Charlotte is also a painter and a new mother, who doesn't seem to be contained by boundaries of any of these undertakings when she opened the bridal boutique version of Lambs Hill at 1 East Main.

Showroom inside of Lambs Hill Bridal Boutique.

View from the inside of Lambs Hill boutique, looking up past the train tracks at Main Street in Beacon, NY.

Next came King and Curated, the combo store featuring Alicia King Photography and The Curated Gift Shop. When you step inside, you get to see the photos (which maybe you've already seen on Pop Sugar or The Knot), as well as shop the handcrafted jewelry, from stamped to bridal.

King and Curated, the combo wedding photography store and handcrafted jewelry store.

Hand-stamped necklaces in King and Curated.

This weekend, soapmaker SallyeAnder has been celebrating with multiple events, kicking it off with an industry party Friday night, followed by a Grand Opening and Ribbon Cutting on Saturday with live music from The Brothers Miller. SallyeAnder isn't new to being in business or having a brick and mortar location, but they are new to having a retail shop that traditionally relies on foot traffic for customers. SallyeAnder had been in the wholesale business, wholesaling soap to stores and selling their own soap online. This line of marketing requires constant outreach, social media and marketing, which would be absolutely essential for anyone with a storefront off the beaten path or in an area with low foot traffic.

SallyeAnder's kick-off event to their grand opening weekend.
Photo Credit: Russell Cusick

Photo Credit: Katie Hellmuth Martin for A Little Beacon Blog

Inside of SallyeAnder's new flagship location.
Photo Credit: Leigh Baumann for A Little Beacon Blog

Foot Traffic - Is This A Thing?

Every shop that has opened on the East End has been a serious pioneer because there is minimal foot traffic down there. Even more so at 1 East Main, as the building is located down a hill with two ways to get there:

• Walk past the entire building before turning right down the entrance path, or
• Park in the free municipal lot near Hudson Valley Brewery and walk behind the building, up the path, and to the shops.

Personally, I've never been a believer that heavy foot traffic is a requirement for having a successful business. When I looked for the office space for A Little Beacon Blog's Space, I knew I wanted it to be a destination for pop-up shops and workshops, and my landlord warned me several times that foot traffic was low. Located across from Key Food and next to a car wash and smoke shop, I wasn't afraid. I knew that the kind of events held in this space required aggressive marketing anyway, and was up for the challenge. So far, all of the pop-up shops hosted here have had very good turnouts for the three days they are here.

Here's another example: The Hop. That restaurant originally opened in 2010 on the early East End of town, across from the Howland Cultural Center, where higher foot traffic on the weekend and in late afternoons or during the week is to expected. But then The Hop moved allllllllll the way around the bend, down at the very end of Main Street, across from the Fishkill Creek waterfall.

They did this because they outgrew their original space. The result? Constantly packed. People drove or walked to The Hop to dine or drink. No natural foot traffic exists at the end of Main Street. Until The Hop came. It created the foot traffic as it became a destination. Then The Hop abruptly closed, and the foot traffic it created ceased. Dogwood is another case in point. Located over the Fishkill Creek, Dogwood is almost always busy, and almost always cranking out events to keep people excited about coming (did you go to their Prom?). Yet another case in point is Stock Up located on Teller Avenue, definitely off the beaten path, yet it has steady customers and busy brunches. Stock Up is the second location for Cold Spring-based business owners who own Marbled Meat Shop, which itself is in rural Cold Spring on Route 9 - not at all within walking distance of Main Street.

Of course, retail stores are not restaurants, with beer and good food luring customers. This is why these shops are pioneers. And pioneers have to work hard for survival. Anyone who sits inside, simply waiting for customers won't get them. One must go outside with physical lures (signs, music, bubbles, aromas, actual people) and shiny objects. Newsletters must spring to life. Postcards. Social media. All of it. Ideas to bring the people will only make the entire area as a whole more fun. Maybe there will be live music each weekend. Maybe there will be workshops and trunk shows. Maybe ... Who knows?

But you know what I know? I know that you, dear reader, are going to start shifting your mind, and heading down to the far East End for makeup and pampering (The Blushery, Greenroom, and Salon Arje), natural remedies for itchy skin or weird things (Heart and Soul with her garden-grown and imported herbs...get the Wonder Salve, it's amazing for itches and eczema), art galleries (BAU, Maria Lago, Russell Cusick and others...check out all of the galleries here). And the strip of shops, from mama/baby at the famed Waddle n Swaddle to newcomers Style Storehouse and Kaight. See all of them in A Little Beacon Blog's Shopping Guide.

So. Much. Enjoy :)

Happening This Weekend - June 15, 2017

Shopping ideas, restaurant cocktails, and more things to do this weekend - right here at your fingertips. Events here are featured from A Little Beacon Blog's Things To Do In Beacon Guides, but more dates throughout the week are at the Guides themselves on the website, so be sure to check out these Guides during the week!

Sponsored by Antalek & Moore for car insurance. SallyeAnder Grand Opening Celebration Day: Saturday, June 17, 2017 Time: Noon to 6 pm Location: 1 East Main St., Beacon, NY Read more about SallyeAnder and their opening on our blog.  Clearwater’s Great Hudson River Revival Days: Saturday & Sunday, June 17 & 18, 2017 Time: 9 am to 9 pm Location: Croton Point Park, 1A Croton Point Ave., Croton-on-Hudson, NY Information > Historic Postcard Walking Tour Days: Saturday & Sunday, June 17 & 18, 2017 Hours: 1 to 3 pm tours (approximately 50 minutes) Location: Starting at Howland Cultural Center, 477 Main St., Beacon NY Information > 2017 Hudson Valley Family Fest Pet Expo Day: Saturday, June 17, 2017 Time: 11 am to 3 pm Location: Dutchess Stadium, 1500 Route 9D, Wappingers Falls, NY Information > SAVE THE DATE! Hudson Valley Auctioneers Next Preview & Auction Preview Day: Sunday, June 25, 2017 Preview Time: 1 pm to 5 pm Live Auction Day: Monday, June 26, 2017 Auction Time: 5 pm Location: 432 Main St., Beacon, NY The doors are opening again at Hudson Valley Auctioneers! Information >       Chalk Paint 102 Days: Saturday, June 17, 2017 Time: 8 am to 11 am Location: Knot Too Shabby, 155 Main St., Beacon, NY For a full list of upcoming classes, visit our Adult Classes Guide.   A Little Beacon Blog's Annual Summer Camp Guide has over 20 camps for all age ranges and passion areas. Cross-reference ages, days, times and prices in our easy-to-use guide that is many parents' go-to source for summer planning. These Two Camp Series Start Soon! Register Now! Ballet Arts Studio Summer Camp Beginning Tap Ages: 5+ Day: Wednesdays Time: 10:30 to 11:30am Starts: Wednesdays, June 28 - July 19, 2017 Ballet Arts Studio Summer Camp Pre-Ballet & Lower School I Ballet Ages: 3-6 Day: Wednesday mornings Time: 9:30 to 10:30 am Starts: Wednesdays, June 28 - July 19, 2017 Price: $60 for the four-class session To Register: Call (845) 831-1870 or email info@balletartsstudio.com See All Camp Sessions from Ballet Arts Studio > Thank you Ballet Arts Studio for sponsoring our Summer Camp Guide! Zine Meetup @ Z!ne Club Ages: 10 to 14 Days: Friday, June 16, 2017 (Third Friday every month) Time: 3 to 5 pm Location: Howland Public Library, 313 Main St., Beacon, NY Information > For a full list of upcoming classes, visit our Kids Classes Guide.     reMADE 133 Main Street Beard Oil is back in stock at reMADE, and it's not just any beard oil. This vegan and animal-friendly solution is made by Roosevelt Grooming Co. Handmade in small batches with natural ingredients found in New York, it makes a great Father's Day gift, or just a gift to say "I love you and your good-looking beard - let's keep it well-groomed!" this weekend. Where is reMADE? Across from Tito Santana's, next to Bank Square Coffee. Bellus on Main 181 Main Street Pineda Covalin ties are available in two patterns and lots of colors at Bellus on Main! Designs are inspired by the biodiversity, history and traditions of Mexico. They make an easy gift for Father's Day, but owner Ricardo keeps ties in stock daily, so if you need a tie in a pinch on any given Sunday, Bellus on Main has what you need. Where is Bellus? Next door to Luxe Optique, up the road from Notions-n-Potions. Luxe Optique 183 Main Street  Anne & Valentin frames are made in France and hard to find! It's rare to be able to see the entire collection (take a peek here on their website to get a preview). These frames are high quality, high fashion and handmade to last. Try on a pair to see what fits your face, and your personality, best. For the men out there, this is your weekend to treat yourself. Where is Luxe Optique? Across the block from Beacon Bread Company, and across Main Street from Beacon Barkery. Style Storehouse 484 Main Street SALE ALERT! 25% - 60% OFF! Proprietress Michele of Style Storehouse has stuffed her sale rack! She has a habit of doing this, and her sales are events you want to be around for. Do yourself a favor, and come in. Brands include Free People, Black Swan, BB Dakota, LNA and more! Where is Style Storehouse? Near Waddle-n-Swaddle, and across the street from the old Matteawan Train Station. Thank you to the following shops for sponsoring our Shopping Guide! reMADE, Bellus on Main, Luxe Optique, Style Storehouse, and Lambs Hill. Visit the Shopping Guide for a full list of shopping destinations up and down Main Street. Includes stores specializing in Vintage, Kitchen, Kids, and more. River Therapeutic Massage 612 Route 52 Beacon, NY (845) 379-1956 Didn't Dad do a great job on the yard the other day? Or by setting up the air conditioning for this heat wave? Give him a big old thanks with a Gift Certificate for a massage from River Therapeutic Massage. Book one for Dad now! 💪🏼👊🏼 Thank you River Therapeutic Massage for sponsoring the Beauty Guide! Visit our Beauty Guide for a complete list of beauty sources in Beacon, including hair, nails, barbers, and even lashes.   The Vault 446 Main Street Have you relaxed on the back patio of The Vault yet? With one of these Mt. Beacon Blaze cool cocktails in your hand? There's actually nothing cool about it - the Mt. Beacon Blaze is made with reposado tequila, ancho chile liqueur, orange juice, lime and sour mix with a sea salt and a smoked paprika rim. Wowza!!! Recommended side dish: Corn and Parmesan Fritters Where is The Vault? Near Beacon Bath & Bubble, and across the street from the Howland Cultural Center. Thank you to The Vault and to BAJA for sponsoring the Restaurant Guide! Visit our Restaurant Guide for a complete list of eateries in Beacon. SPOTLIGHT SPONSOR HIGHLIGHTS Storm King Art Center Now it's even easier to head over to Storm King Art Center across the Newburgh-Beacon bridge, because they have made a special rate available just for Beaconites: Save $15 on the Family Membership, which is a great deal for up to two adults and up to four children. For Beaconites, the season pass is $110 (regularly $125) for the whole family. Yeah, that's right. Plus they offer free parking! Mention A Little Beacon Blog when you join, and save! Get the details on their Sponsor Spotlight page at A Little Beacon Blog. Antalek & Moore Insurance Agency Everyone has a website these days, some more robust than others. Depending on what you offer at your website, you may want to consider Cyber Liability Insurance, which is in addition to your business insurance. Antalek & Moore can research this for you and provide you with a quote. Visit them or call to discuss your needs. Antalek & Moore is located at 340 Main St., near Beacon Natural Market, or can be reached by phone: (845) 245-6292. BeaconArts Windows on Main is back for 2017, and the registration period for artists to create exhibits and businesses to host those exhibits in their storefront windows is now. Registering is super-easy (we tried it!! hope we get picked!!), so head on over to volunteer your storefront windows for exposure, or to enter yourself as an artist. Beacon Chamber of Commerce Join the Beacon Chamber of Commerce as they celebrate the opening of SallyeAnder's Flagship store at their Grand Opening and Ribbon Cutting. The event will run all day, with SallyeAnder's ribbon cutting at 2 pm. Tin Shingle Empower yourself by making or changing your Squarespace website. You can do a really good job! Knowing which design buttons to push or drag around is half the battle. Stream Tin Shingle's webinar Training TuneUp called "Squarespace Intro: Tips & Tricks" anytime. Watch it from your computer, tablet or phone. Tin Shingle's owner, Katie, will take you behind the scenes of Squarespace websites to see how to use their tools to create the website you want. InHouse Design Media The flexibility that comes from a Squarespace website is really incredible. On this website design pictured above, the client was a pottery studio selling classes using Squarespace's Occasion scheduling platform. InHouse Design Media wanted to present the class options in a very design-friendly way for the potential customer before they clicked into Occasion's own design interface. The result? Happy customers who clearly saw what classes were offered and when, and then bought a class. There's lots InHouse can do for you. See their portfolio for ideas and reach out to see how they can help. A Little Beacon Space 291 Main Street At last... We have a projector! It even comes with all of the cords that you might need. Macs, PCs, whichever your preferred platform, bring it to A Little Beacon Space to host your event or company meeting! Click here for the schedule of upcoming happenings at The Space. Click here for details about booking The Space for your event. NEWSLETTER SIGNUP We know what you're thinking... "I want my business featured here!" Pictures shown above are from our advertising partners in the Things To Do In Beacon Guides. We can include your most exciting news here too! Click here to learn about ways to advertise on A Little Beacon Blog. Until next week!

New Waterfront Market at the Mid-Hudson Children's Museum in Poughkeepsie

If you happen to pay a visit to the Mid-Hudson Children's Museum on a Monday, or you're getting off the Metro-North train after work, you'll notice that there is a new Farmer's Market at the Pavilion. The new Poughkeepsie Waterfront Market will showcase farm-fresh foods from local Hudson Valley farms, including vegetables, fruits, meats, eggs, poultry, baked goods, honey, and more! The market will be open every Monday from June through October 23, 2017, from 4 to 7:30 pm with free on-site parking. Stay up to date with this new market on their Facebook page. 

Beacon's 2017 City-Wide Yard Sale Open Under Blue Skies With Tempting Yards

Wahoo, it's here! Beacon's City-Wide Yard Sale is the second biggest marker of spring/summer/delightful weather after Beacon Open Studios kicks off. The first year of our arrival as citizens in Beacon, the great day was on my birthday, and oh, what a gift. Before any birthday festivities, we tootled around, all packed into one car, hopping from yard to yard to see what we could find.

Homeowners wait all year to bring their treasures (or junk? only you can decide) up from the basement, down from the attic, or out from the shed or garage to spread it all out on the lawn, hopeful for customers.

Now that online community selling pages exist on Facebook, with Beacon's Buy Sell Group being particularly action-packed and filled with great deals and things you never knew you needed (until you saw it at midnight or on a weekend morning), I wonder if that has made a dent in anyone's inventory. Chances are that it hasn't, as yard sale inventory is ever-present. Plus, half the fun of buying from the online Buy Sell page is meeting new people in the neighborhood. This once-a-year live community event is another chance to get out for a spontaneous bike ride or walk around different neighborhoods within Beacon to see what can be hunted and gathered.

Have fun! Post pictures of your finds and tag us on Instagram or Twitter @alittlebeacon or Facebook @alittlebeaconblog. My first purchase was a $5 table saw. What's yours?

Happening This Weekend - 6/9/2017

Happy Second Saturday! This here newsletter is a list of things to do in every category, but our official Second Saturday Guide is right here and you don't want to miss it. It features the gallery openings and artistic things you can do on Saturday. Weekend dates are featured from A Little Beacon Blog's Things To Do In Beacon Guides, but more events throughout the week are at the Guides themselves on the website, so be sure to check them during the week.

Sponsored by Antalek & Moore for car insurance. Moonlit Walking Tour Day: Friday, June 9, 2017 Time: 8:30 to 10:30 pm Location: Storm King Art Center, 1 Museum Road, New Windsor, NY Information > Beacon Music Factory Presents Karaoke Dance Party Day: Friday, June 9, 2017 Time: 6:30 to 9 pm Location: Beacon Music Factory, 333 Fishkill Ave., Beacon, NY Ages: 7-12 Information > Beacon's City-Wide Yard Sale Day: Saturday, June 10, 2017 Time: 9 am to 3 pm Location: All over Beacon, NY! Information > South Avenue School Color-A-Thon Fundraiser Day: Saturday, June 10, 2017 Registration Time: 8 am Race (Walk or Jog) Time: 9 am to noon Location: South Avenue School, Beacon, NY Read more about this event in our recent article on ALBB. The Lower Hudson Chapter of the New York Civil Liberties Union (NYCLU) presents "Tickling Giants" Day: Saturday, June 10, 2017 Time: 7 pm drinks & snacks, 8 pm movie Location: Howland Cultural Center, 477 Main St., Beacon, NY Information > Knit at the Farm Day Day: Saturday, June 10, 2017 Time: 10 am to 1 pm Location: Lilymoore Alpaca Farm, 21 Moore Road, Pleasant Valley, NY Information > 3rd Annual Local Cider Market & Tasting Day: Saturday, June 10, 2017 Time: Noon to 4 pm Location: Deyo House Lawn (across from DuBois Fort) - 81 Huguenot St., New Paltz, NY Information > Here on Planet Earth  Day: Saturday, June 10, 2017 Time: 5 to 7 pm Location: Howland Public Library, 313 Main St., Beacon, NY Information > The Market at Hasbrouck House Day: Saturday & Sunday, June 10 & 11, 2017 Time: Saturday, 11 am to 6 pm; Sunday, 11 am to 5 pm Location: Hasbrouck House, 3805 Main St., Stone Ridge, NY Information > Flag Day - State Holiday Ceremony at the Elks Club Day: Sunday, June 11, 2017 Time: 2 pm Location: 900 Wolcott Ave., Beacon, NY The Beacon Elks will celebrate Flag Day by conducting the Elks Ritual on the history of our nation's flag. A coalition will be held immediately following the event. The Boy Scout Troop 41 and the Newburgh Free Academyhigh school Air Force ROTC will present the colors. A Little Beacon Blog dove into Flag Day's history in this article. Information > Mommy & Me Tea Day: Sunday, June 11, 2017 Time: 2:30 pm Location: Faith Temple Church, 22 N. Cedar St., Beacon, NY Information > Strawberry Jammin' Festival Day: Sunday, June 11, 2017 Time: 10 am to 4 pm Location: Fishkill Farms, 9 Fishkill Farm Road, Hopewell Junction, NY Information > Beacon Sloop Club Annual Strawberry Festival Day: Sunday, June 11, 2017 Time: Noon to 5 pm Location: Long Dock Park, Beacon, NY Information >     South Avenue Color-A-Thon Day: Saturday, June 10, 2017 Registration: 8 am, $30 Race time: 9 am to noon Location: South Avenue Elementary School Fundraiser for one of Beacon's schools to get new playground equipment - a pavilion to serve as an outdoor classroom! Get A Little Beacon Blog's scoop on it! Only hours left to donate online! > Think Differently Dash Day: Saturday, June 10, 2017 Time: 10 am Location: Walkway Over The Hudson, Poughkeepsie, NY Information > Walkway 5K, Half-Marathon, and Marathon Day: Sunday, June 11, 2017 Time: 7 am (5K, Half & Full) Location: Walkway Over The Hudson, Poughkeepsie, NY Information >       Chalk Paint 101® - The Annie Sloan Method Days: Sunday, June 11, 2017 Time: 9 am to noon Location: Knot Too Shabby, 155 Main St., Beacon, NY Japanese Shibori Demonstration with Katrin Reifeiss Day: Saturday, June 10, 2017 Time: 5 to 8 pm Location: Kaight, 512 Main St., Beacon, NY For a full list of upcoming classes, visit our Adult Classes Guide.   A Little Beacon Blog's Annual Summer Camp Guide has over 20 camps for all age-ranges and passion areas. Cross-reference ages, days, times and prices in our easy-to-use guide that is many parents' go-to source for summer planning.   FEATURED SPONSOR OF SUMMER CAMPS GUIDE: Ballet Arts Studio Summer Camp This Series Starts Next Week! Ballet, Modern and Jazz Technique This is one of several camp programs for all ages (kids and adults) at Ballet Arts Studio, and is a great one if you have never taken classes at Ballet Arts Studio before. Says Katie Bissinger, Associate Artistic Director for Ballet Arts Studio: “This series is an excellent time for students to try out different dance disciplines and get to know Ballet Arts Studio if they haven’t danced with us in the past!” The faculty of Ballet Arts Studio will teach technique classes in a different discipline each day: jazz on Tuesdays, ballet on Wednesdays, and modern on Thursdays. Ages: 12+ Dates: June 13-15, 20-22 and 27-29, and August 22-24, 2017 Time: 5:30 to 7:30 pm Price: $18 per single class or $50 for three classes To Register: Call (845) 831-1870 or email info@balletartsstudio.com See All Camp Sessions from Ballet Arts Studio >     Free Trial Classes with Tinkergarten Day: Saturday, June 10, 2017 Time: 10 to 11:15 am Location: Memorial Park, Beacon, NY Information > For a full list of upcoming classes, visit our Kids Classes Guide     reMADE 133 Main Street Fans of Hudson Valley Brewery will love this newest, one-of-a-kind console from the studio of Keith Decent, available now in reMADE. Keith used reclaimed wood from the subfloor of Hudson Valley Brewery while they were renovating. The wood with slats is from a house renovation. There is only ONE of this console. Who is going to get it? Tag us in your photo when you buy or arrange it at home! Where is reMADE? Across from Tito Santana's, next to Bank Square. Bellus on Main 181 Main Street Always there for the classy look, Bellus on Main is particularly excited about this leatherette and mesh jacket from the Joseph Ribkoff Spring 2017 collection. It has a flattering hemline and collarless style that is waiting for a piece of statement jewelry from your collection to polish that stunning look. Where is Bellus? Next door to Luxe Optique, up the road from Notions-n-Potions. Luxe Optique 183 Main Street TRUNK SHOW! It's finally here! The Dita & Thorn Browne trunk show that everyone has been waiting for at Luxe Optique this Second Saturday from 3 to 7 pm (wine and cheese available)! This means that all styles and colors from the collection will be available, with a discount if purchased the day of. Dita frames are handmade in Japan. If you know Dita, you'll be racing over. If you're new to this concept of high-end frames that are mostly made by hand and not in factories for super-high profits, you will find the pricing in line with more traditional designer labels, but you're getting very high quality and special styles. Go in and check it out. Where is Luxe Optique? Across the block from Beacon Bread Company, and across Main Street from Beacon Barkery. Style Storehouse 484 Main Street If you were to only rely on newsletters in your inbox for all of your styling tips, you might have noticed that your fashion sources are writing about white, lace and boho being in right now.  Style Storehouse is on it. This Black Swan Jolene Tank is handcrafted with white lace and gorgeous detailing on the front and back. Where is Style Storehouse? Near Waddle-n-Swaddle, and across the street from the old Matteawan Station that now holds Gino's Italian Ice. SallyeAnder 1 East Main Street The bugs are brutal already at any time of the day. Mama SallyeAnder insists that you get their famous No-Bite-Me cream, and that you have a jar stashed in the bathroom, in the car, in your pool bag, everywhere, so that you don't forget it anywhere. Available now around town in different shops, and at SallyeAnder's new retail store next to Lambs Hill. SAVE THE DATE!: SallyeAnder is having their Grand Opening Ribbon Cutting of their Flagship Store! Read all about it at A Little Beacon Blog. Where is SallyeAnder? Just down the hill from the dummy light, in the Electric Windows building. River Therapeutic Massage 612 Rte. 52 Beacon, NY 845-379-1956 Karen from River Therapeutic Massage just returned from an intensive training workshop in Thai massage. She has already implemented it on clients. Here's what she said after a recent session: "Incredible work. My client tonight loved it. Commented that he felt loose and limber, more so than when he has 'regular' massage. And his knee pain was gone! 💪🏼👊🏼🙏🏼" Book yours now > PS: Did you see our new "Lashes" and "Laser Hair Removal" Guide sections? Yes, all in Beacon! Visit our Beauty Guide for a complete list of beauty sources in Beacon, including hair, nails, barbers, and even lashes.   The Vault 446 Main Street When you order The Vault's Black Thorn Cocktail - from their new cocktail menu - this is what happens behind the bar. Made with Beacon whiskey, muddled blackberries, lemon juice and rosemary simple syrup. Toast and enjoy. PS: There are more cocktails where that came from. And plenty of craft beer on tap, too. Come in! Will you relax inside or on the outside patio? Where is The Vault? Near Beacon Bath & Bubble, and across the street from the Howland Cultural Center. Visit our Restaurant Guide for a complete list of eateries in Beacon. SPOTLIGHT SPONSOR HIGHLIGHTS Storm King Art Center Time to visit Storm King Art Center again, because they have new exhibits for you to not only look at, but to explore. This one, The Oracle of Lacuna (just featured in W Magazine), is a bright red house that appears to be largely sunk underground. The roof is so low, that you can walk up it, or enter the attic by a window. You won't want to miss the audio looping inside. GUESS WHAT? Storm King Art Center made a special deal available just to Beaconites: The Family Membership, which is a great deal for up to two adults and up to four children, is discounted to $110 (regularly $125). So mention A Little Beacon Blog when you join, and save! Parking is free for everyone. Get the details on their Sponsor Spotlight page at A Little Beacon Blog. Antalek & Moore Insurance Agency The agents at Antalek & Moore will go the extra mile for you when it comes to insurance and community service. Tired of dealing with random agents and big, faceless insurance companies? Antalek & Moore offers insurance policies with a lot of those companies, like Travelers, but Antalek & Moore does the homework for you of finding the best policy to fit your needs. Visit them or call. Antalek and Moore is located at 340 Main St., near Beacon Natural Market, or can be reached by phone: (845) 245-6292. BeaconArts Enjoy free live music every Second Saturday of the month, from 5 to 7 pm from BeaconArts, presented by the Beacon Music Factory and performed at the Beacon Visitors Center. This weekend, catch the world-class a cappella vocal ensemble LADY PARTS at 5 pm, and the BMF Jazz Improv Ensemble at 6 pm. Beacon Chamber of Commerce The Chamber's latest Member Meeting was held on the back patio of Beacon Pantry, where members got to hear first-hand from proprietress Stacey Penlon about her plans of expansion for the future. Check out the photos of members and of the Pantry, including Ryon delivering a message from Luxe Optique, and join the Chamber today if you haven't yet.                                  Tin Shingle Dynamite Squarespace websites have become incredibly easy to create. Easy, that is, if you know which buttons to push or drag around. Now streaming for your on-demand listening is the Training TuneUp from Tin Shingle called "Squarespace Intro: Tips & Tricks." Watch it from your computer, tablet or phone. Go behind-the-scenes of Squarespace websites to see how to use their tools to make the website you want. InHouse Design Media InHouse Design Media, the media services extension of A Little Beacon Blog, has recently launched the websites of a few business you may recognize. InHouse Design Media's goal is to liberate and empower businesses to own your website, designed in Squarespace, and access it easily to make changes. There's lots we can do for you. See our portfolio for ideas and reach out to see how we can help. A Little Beacon Space 291 Main Street Meetings, workshops, gatherings - they can all be booked and hosted by you in A Little Beacon Space, at 291 Main St., in the heart of Beacon. Click here for the schedule of upcoming happenings at The Space. Click here for details about booking The Space for your event. NEWSLETTER SIGNUP We know what you're thinking... "I want my business featured here!" Pictures shown above are from our advertising partners in the Things To Do In Beacon Guides. We can include your most exciting news here too! Click here to learn about ways to advertise on A Little Beacon Blog. Until next week!

Flag Day Celebrated in Beacon at Elks Lodge Second Sunday at 2pm

Poster commemorating the 140th Flag Day on June 14, 1917.
Photo Credit: Wikipedia Page for Flag Day.

Flag Day Event at Elks Lodge
Location: 900 Wolcott Ave.
Time: 2 pm
Questions? Call the Elks Lodge: (845) 831-9746

In New York State, the Second Sunday in June has strong patriotic significance: It is the state-recognized holiday of Flag Day. Locally, it is one of the most important days for the Elks Lodge, as one of its most famed members, Harry S. Truman, was the president when National Flag Day was established by an Act of Congress. The Elks Lodge at 900 Wolcott Ave. is commemorating the day by conducting the Elks Ritual on the history of the nation's flag. A coalition will be held immediately following the event. The Boy Scout Troop #41 and the Newburgh Free Academy high school Air Force ROTC will present the colors.

History of Flag Day

The flag was initially adopted on June 14, 1777, by a resolution of the Second Continental Congress. Woodrow Wilson issued a proclamation that officially established June 14 as Flag Day, followed by the Act of Congress during Truman's presidency. While the day is not a federal holiday, New York State did designate it as a state holiday to be recognized on the Second Sunday of June.

Carl Oken, District Deputy Grand Exalted Ruler of the Mid Hudson Elks Club, is looking forward to the event and says: "It's an event you should not miss, and is a great education for our children."

Kids Color Blasted For South Avenue Elementary Fundraiser June 10th

Sitting in a PTA meeting at 8 pm in the elementary school cafeteria, hearing from a representative from the kids' library that their budget is about to get cut - again - (did you see what's been going on down there?), you don't feel like there's the brightest of forecasts. Another bummer: hearing at a City Council meeting that the Board of Education is fighting for hundreds of thousands, if not over a million, dollars of unpaid funds that was designated for the Beacon School District from the state, but didn't make it down here to Beacon.

Here in the office of A Little Beacon Blog, we get pitched from time to time about fundraisers that are happening for different schools. From roller rink nights, to this most recent Color-A-Thon from the South Avenue Elementary PTA, parents community-wide are trying to get untraditional with their fundraisers, to go "beyond the bake sale." Often they seem fun, yet we hear about them at the last minute - if we hear about them at all.

So a couple of things: 

• We're going to dedicate a Guide to Beacon City School Fundraisers, to capture these opportunities, and try to illustrate where the money is going. Because that's the exciting part. You get to be a part of long-lasting, sometimes permanent change within the walls of one of the six school buildings in Beacon's school district. If you are such a person who runs a campaign, please email editorial@alittlebeaconblog.com as far in advance as you can, and spread the word to others to email in their dates and where raised funds will go.
• There is a fundraiser going on RIGHT NOW that you can participate in! You get to sponsor little racers who are going to get blasted with colorful powder as they run, and you could even BE a color blaster! This is to raise money for park equipment, landscaping and classroom supplies (like replacing super old books, or upgrading smart boards).

It can be hard knowing what is going on inside the walls of the kids' schools, even if the teachers, administrators and PTA are doing very well with internal promotion of flyers and Morning News Shows inside the walls. But if you hardly go inside the school, you won't see any of it. That's why we at A Little Beacon Blog are trying to bring that from the inside of the schools, out to you.

South Avenue Color-A-Thon Walk/Jog Run
Registration Starts: 9 am (new walkers/runners welcome, $30 Registration)
Race Starts: 10 am
Ends: Noon
Race Route: On neighborhood streets surrounding South Avenue School
Enjoy! Food, music, games!

What Is a Color-A-Thon Fundraiser? 

You may have seen the puffs of color - neon pinks and blues and yellows - rising in the distance through the trees and behind some houses for a cause you vaguely heard about. It's the rising trend of color-a-thons, marathons accompanied by color powder, similar to the holiday Holi celebrated in India. Known as the "festival of colors," it signifies the arrival of spring and the victory of good over evil. Groups are embracing it as a fundraising method to make a big difference in a cause at hand. The Beacon High School just had one, as did the Newburgh Illuminated festival.

The South Avenue Color-A-Thon is a new thing the South Avenue PTA is trying out. They get together with an official Color-A-Thon race program, who then manages the registration bags of running T-shirts, color blaster powder, and prizes. It's important to me that my kids know what they are fundraising for, and aren't just fundraising to get prizes for each dollar level. So with this fundraiser - I knew exactly what we were fundraising for, and it has been a great teachable moment for my kids, as they could see exactly where their fundraising efforts would go - to the park! To the classrooms!

This time, with my awareness of the rising trend in color-a-thons that I know of from A Little Beacon Blog's 5K Race Guide, I knew this could be a highly engaging fundraising effort. Yet for the first year, how many people will turn out? There may be a few sitter-outers who watch the pictures in social media the day of the event, vowing to come next year. Don't be that person! You can make a difference to change that right now.

Fundraising for a New Gazebo on the Playground, With Extra Going to Equipment and Classrooms

South Avenue has a great playground that kids would play on all day long if they had their choice. Over the years, the PTA fundraised for and got a new basketball hoop, swings, and a Buddy Bench. This year, they are aiming for a gazebo or pavilion, a covered structure that has seating on the inside. The kids will be able to take their learning experience in the class outside by going to this pavilion, and also play on it during recess and after school. 

The color bag "blast pack" the racers get includes a t-shirt, bottle of powdered color blast, rainbow wig, and ... a weird emoji thing. 

How You Can Get Involved

Donate to a little racer: So far, I know of the sponsor links for two little racers, and one general South Avenue account if you want to donate at-large and not to one child specifically. YOU can donate to any of these little people. And if you want to add your link for last minute donations, add your link in the comments below and we will put it on this list!

• Little Racer Ruby: http://shop.schoolathon.org/index.asp?PID=377219
• Little Racer Fiona: http://shop.schoolathon.org/index.asp?PID=377070
• All The Little Racers - South Avenue's General Racer: http://shop.schoolathon.org/index.asp?PID=377664

Volunteer!

• Color Thrower: There are spots open for color throwers (you'll get to throw color at the runners!!)
• Games: People are needed to run some games
• Registration table/food table
• Set up/clean up (set up 8 to 9 am and clean up noon to 1 pm)
• And more!! Everyone is welcome to come and help.

Register to Race!

• Kids can register at the event to be racers. Registration starts at 9 am and is $30. Our inside sources says that they may not get an event t-shirt, because almost all of the t-shirts have gone to pre-registered racers, so have your kid wear a white t-shirt, prepared to get blasted with color.

To volunteer, contact Erica Way at way.erica@gmail.com or Cara Heaton at cara_heaton@yahoo.com.

The wig and sunglasses might have come as prizes with our color registration bag. 

Some of the prizes that just showed up include colored shoes - a reminder to get excited about running or walking in this race!

Is Fundraising Still Going On?

Heck yes! With these online donations, you can give money up to event day! If you are a parent whose child is in the race, here are some ideas to meet or surpass your donation goal:

• Take pictures of your child in racing gear (aka tennis shoes and any T-shirt), and add a note from your child about how excited they are.
• Share a link on your Facebook page, asking long-distance friends and family for support.
• Have your child call a donor and thank them personally.
• Email your own people with updates and if you've almost reached your goal.
• Include the link to your child's donation page so that people can easily donate online.

And remember, if you don't know of a child to sponsor, you can sponsor the whole school using the general link above. And know this: This isn't the last you'll hear of color-a-thons. I Am Beacon is having one, and there are more and more for adults. So watch our 5K Races Guide, as well as our future Beacon City School District Fundraising Opportunities Guide. 

Thank you!