AMBER Alert Update. The child was possibly last seen with Ebavardo Gutierrez Reyes on or about 5/16/18. Please contact the below phone numbers with any information.
The WAYNE COUNTY SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT has activated the New York State AMBER Alert and is investigating a child abduction that occurred on JOY ROAD, in SODUS NEW YORK at about 9:48 AM on 5/16/2018.
The CHILD, OWEN HIDALGO-CALDERON is a Hispanic male, approximately 1 year 2 months old with short, brown hair and brown eyes. He is approximately 2 feet and weighs about 30 pounds. OWEN is known to need ASTHMA MEDICATION and was last seen wearing UNKNOWN.
The CHILD WAS TAKEN UNDER CIRCUMSTANCES THAT LEAD POLICE TO BELIEVE THAT THEY ARE IN IMMINENT DANGER OF SERIOUS PHYSICAL HARM AND OR DEATH. Anyone with any information on this abduction is asked to call the WAYNE COUNTY SHERIFFS DEPARTMENT at (866) N Y S-AMBER or dial 911 to provide information on a report or sighting.
If you have information, contact: The Wayne County Sheriff's Department Call: 866-697-2623
Happy Memorial Day Weekend! Main Street is open the whole way through, now that recent construction on the east end is finished, so you can drive through as you always have. But do pull over or simply walk to your favorite shopping destinations. Just follow A Little Beacon Blog's Shopping Guide! There are lots of new stores for you to discover.
Take a moment to give thanks to veterans on Monday during the Memorial Day Ceremony put on by the American Legion - Beacon Post, in the Memorial Building (same place where the indoor Farmers Market and bingo are held, near the Yankee Clipper Diner).
The 5th Annual Beacon Peace Awards Ceremony
Day: Sunday, May 27, 2018 Time: 3 to 5 pm Location: Howland Cultural Center, 477 Main St., Beacon, NY Information >
Hudson Valley Shakespeare Festival Season Kickoff
Day: Monday, May 28, 2018 Time: 10:30 am to 2:30 pm Location: HVSF Theater Tent at Boscobel House and Gardens, 1601 Route NY-9D, Garrison, NY Information >
Memorial Day Ceremony
Day: Monday, May 28, 2018 Time: 11 am Location: American Legion - Beacon Post, Memorial Building, 413 Main St., Beacon, NY
Plan ahead and check out what's coming up this month in our Events Guide.
Chalk Paint 101 - The Annie Sloan Method
Day: Saturday, May 26, 2018 Time: 8 to 11 am Location: Knot Too Shabby, 155 Main St., Beacon, NY Information >
For a full list of upcoming classes and workshops of all kinds, visit our Adult Classes Guide.
Ballet Arts Studio - Summer Camp!
The famed Ballet Arts Studio in Beacon has released their Summer Camp Programming, and registration is open! Find classes in Ballet, Modern, Jazz and Theater Dance Technique; Beginning Tap; Pre-Ballet; and others. Ages start as early as 3 into teenage years. Information > Thank you Ballet Arts Studio for sponsoring the Kids Classes Guide!
Anime & Manga Club Day: Friday, May 25, 2018 Time: 3 to 5 pm Location: Howland Public Library, 313 Main St., Beacon, NY Information >
Luxe Optique 183 Main Street www.luxeoptique.com (across Cliff Street from Beacon Bread Company)
These ladies in the photograph (taken by Ryon, the store's eyewear stylist who also is a professional fashion photographer) are wearing Sabine Be, one of the most respected and innovative glasses designers in the industry. Go in and try them on.
Have you seen the "Equestrian Suite" available at the Lambs Hill bridal venue? You'll see more of it soon, as Hudson Valley Style Magazine reached out to Lambs Hill to feature the suite in the upcoming Summer 2018 issue. Look for it!
The next big update is happening to the Beauty Guide!
There are new barbers in town, and we're catching up on all of it. Stay tuned! Check out A Little Beacon Blog's Beauty Guide!
Antalek & Moore Insurance Agency
Antalek & Moore is all about giving about giving back to the community that they work in. They are one of the presenters at the Career Fair at Beacon High School taking place today! They will talk about what they do as insurance agents, and how to get into the industry. It's not all business, though: Rumor has it they even have a life-sized Jenga game to play!
Rhinebeck Bank
Did you know that Rhinebeck Bank's Beacon branch is right around the corner from Dutchess Stadium? When you go to get ice cream at Toppings, you can swing by the branch to inquire about business or home loans, or other financial questions you might have. Call them today at (845) 831-0300 or stop by 1476 NY-9D, Wappingers Falls, NY. www.rhinebeckbank.com
Katie James, Inc.
A huge part of getting the word out about your business is through digital media like blogs, Facebook, Instagram and your newsletter. Katie James Inc., a couture branding agency, can be your Content Planning Partner to help you plan what content to create and promote.
Book your next private or public event or workshop at A Little Beacon Space! Located in the middle of Main Street in Beacon. The space features giant storefront windows with inspiring lighting inside. Learn more here.
Tin Shingle
It's Career Fair time again at Beacon High School! This is Tin Shingle and A Little Beacon Blog's third year in a row participating. What an honor and a joy to present about Marketing and Blogging, which involve skills in writing, designing and managing people and business issues. See photos from past years >
BeaconArts
Looking to immerse yourself in the arts with other creatives? If you are an artist, writer, business owner, work-from-homer, a membership with BeaconArts is for you if you want to connect with others and stay in the know with Beacon. Join today >
Beacon Chamber of Commerce
Do you want to gain exposure for your storefront location or office? Host a Chamber of Commerce meeting! Details on how to submit are here.
Advertise in A Little Beacon Blog
Our readers bring 19,500 views per month to A Little Beacon Blog, with over 3,100 followers at Facebook and 2,700 at Instagram, and 1,100 newsletter subscribers. The support from every advertiser of A Little Beacon Blog helps make local news get produced. You can be part of making it happen, and get your business in front of the community. We have designed the most integrated advertising packages in the Hudson Valley to work for your business.
Please Note: This article was originally written in April after the Public Hearing on Short-Term Rentals on April 2, 2018, but had not been published yet. It is being published now to be used as reference for an upcoming article after Beacon's City Council voted on May 21, 2018, against creating legislation to officially legalize Short-Term Rentals, thus leaving them illegal by default.
Attending the Public Hearing on Short-Term Rentals was an enlightening experience to hear the inner workings of how renting out one's home - or a room in one's home - works on Airbnb. The meeting was not specific to Airbnb, but most everyone who voiced their feedback for the proposed legislation was using Airbnb and referred to it in their experience. There was not a common thread to identify a single type of person who would use Airbnb. They were men, women, single men, single women, people with young children, people who cleaned the Airbnb homes, renters or homeowners who lived below or next to a property listed on Airbnb.
What Is Available in Beacon on Airbnb?
Before we get into what the public said, let's take a look at what is available on Airbnb in Beacon, and how people approach it here. The photo above includes a picture of penguins that hangs in a room available on a short-term basis. That is the "Antarctica Room" that you can rent from Aga and David, who may be in the house with you during your stay in this private room, or they can leave you in private. According to the listing, "the room currently displays an exhibition of Antarctica by your host." It comes with a hair dryer, option of a bassinet, and "the queen-size bamboo mattress is the right blend of firmness, softness and all around comfiness with lux linen bedsheets." This listing has 85 all-star reviews, and does not allow smoking, pets, or parties. What did one guest think?
"We really enjoyed our stay in Beacon at Aga and David's place! Our visit was brief, but it was nice to get to meet David. The room is charming, the private bathroom is so nice, and we loved their taste in decor. And the bed was very comfortable. :)
Submitted to the public hearing was a petition with 70 signatures. Elaine Ciaccio, a neighbor of the Orchard Street house, asked for specific regulations:
We call on the City of Beacon to regulate short-term rentals in single-family residential neighborhoods. In the last four years the number of short-term rentals have more than doubled. This destabilizes our neighborhoods, effects quality of life and has a negative impact on the rental market.
Ban non-owner occupied whole home short-term rentals.
Require registration and establish regulations that maintain the zoned character of our residential neighborhoods.
Also submitted, but not read aloud, was a letter from Airbnb written by Andrew Kalloch (click here to get the letter titled "Airbnb testimony" who works with Airbnb's Public Policy. According Airbnb's letter, the listing service "has brought over 300 million guests in 4.5 million listings in 81,000 cities in nearly every country across the globe." In Beacon in 2017, according to the letter, there were 110 "active hosts" who served 9,100 guests.
Who Attended the Public Hearing on Short-Term Rentals?
Over 30 Beacon residents spoke at the podium to voice their opinions and experiences. A majority of those citizens were Airbnb short-term rental landlords who rented out all or part of their primary residence. At least two of the speakers were homeowners who had purchased at least one other home for the sole purpose of Airbnb-ing it: David Allis on Orchard Place, and the owner of Play, the kids' toy store on Main Street.
The owner of Play stated: "I consider it a public service. I love Airbnb. Have been using it for 12 years myself. I go every summer with my dog and my family and usually another family, and we share a place. I offer that to people coming to Beacon. It’s a dog-friendly place, it’s a fenced yard. People love it."
Some people speaking were not short-term landlords, but attended to voice favor for the practice; among them was one woman who is employed by short-term landlords to clean their homes in preparation for guests. No hotel owners or bed-and-breakfast owners voiced their opinion at this public hearing.
Short-Term Rentals and Airbnb's Self-Governing System of Safety
While the meeting's purpose was to hear feedback on the experience of providing a short-term rental from one's home in general, all of the people in attendance who offered short-term rentals were doing so using Airbnb (which is not the only site to offer that service). Their feedback about renting in the short-term was interwoven with descriptions of how short-term landlords/homeowners must interact with Airbnb's rules.
Several homeowners spoke about how guests are screened, and more than one attendant had children. One homeowner, theater producer Jessica Jelliffe, lives in her 100-year-old home with her husband, 5-year-old son, and a legal long-term tenant which she says covers their mortgage. When they needed extra income, she made her job to be managing the short-term rental side with Airbnb.
Guests have to go through a three-step verification process that the host sets the limits for, that ensures that [the guests] are who they say they are. The star rating and the review process after the guest has stayed with us ensures that the location is what it says it is. And if anything isn’t fit or isn’t how it was described or is unsafe in any way, shape, or form, they let other potential guests know by giving a lower number of stars and/or giving public feedback or private feedback, which I always pay close attention to because it directly effects my business. As a traditional landlord. I know more about my Airbnb guests than I do about my own tenant.
Speaking of long-term tenants, experiences with those were vocalized as well. Daniel Aubry, a realtor, commented that he has rented to long-term and short-term tenants, and it was his long-term tenant who caused him the most problems. "My poor neighbors had to suffer his rantings. It took me three months to get him out." Mike Diago, a social worker and father of a young son, owns the self-proclaimed "most famous Airbnb in town - an intimidating 13-foot turquoise camper" with his wife. He commented on his good neighbor policy: "I checked with all my neighbors. Triple checked. 'No problem at all, Mike.' One guest asked [my neighbor] for sugar, and I was mortified."
Short-Term vs Long-Term Tenants
According to Airbnb's statistics, the typical host earned about $8,800 last year by renting their space for about four nights a month, reinforcing the fact that most hosts are not full-time “commercial” operators. 70 percent of Beacon hosts are women, and the average age of hosts is 46, with 15 percent of hosts over the age of 60. Supplemental income from short-term rentals (STR) is particularly important to this population, which often struggles to “age in place” on fixed incomes.
Yes, there was a 4-3 "No" vote on Short-Term Rentals in Beacon, and yes we are compiling an article for it. The vote Monday evening and its results took many by surprise. It's not a straightforward issue, so we are gathering information and quotes to present it as clearly as we can. Even the headline is tricky to write! Because if we write it one way, it looks like Beacon's City Council isn't supportive of short-term rentals, when in fact they did show support for them, and had all been crafting legislation to make short-term rentals legal. But four of the people on the City Council voted against the legislation they had been working on. That results in short-term rentals remaining prohibited by default because they are not on the list called Schedule of Use Regulations. That list is part of the Beacon Zoning Ordinance, which, according to City Attorney Nick Ward-Willis, states: "Any use not specifically listed shall be deemed to be prohibited."
VOTING RESULTS Terry Nelson No George Mansfield No John Rembert No Amber Grant No Jodi McCredo Yes Lee Kyriacou Yes Mayor Randy Casale Yes
Tonight, the publisher of A Little Beacon Blog (ALBB), Katie Hellmuth Martin, delivers a Digital Marketing Presentation in partnership with SCORE Mentors Dutchess County and Tin Shingle, ALBB's sister company. Tin Shingle is a training platform for business owners and artists who are doing their own PR and marketing.
Happening at the East Fishkill Public Library, this Tin Shingle Training TuneUp is hitting the road. Road trip! During this free seminar, Katie will cover:
The landscape of Digital Marketing as it is now.
Ideas you can share as a service provider, retail shop, artist, nonprofit, and other entities.
Identification of what is holding you back - and how to break through it.
A sneak peek of Tin Shingle's upcoming article: “8 Things I Learned About Marketing After Deleting the Facebook App From My Phone.”
When: Tuesday, May 22, from 6:30 to 8 pm Where: East Fishkill Library, 348 NY-376, Hopewell Junction, NY, 12533 How Much: Free Details: Learn quick and easy techniques that your business can use today to help more people find out about your business via this complimentary seminar. Designed for business owners who run a storefront, sell a product, or provide a service direct to customers, this workshop will get you comfortable with strategies in Facebook, Instagram and blogging, and knowing what to do with your newsletter.
Katie Hellmuth Martin is the publisher of A Little Beacon Blog and runs Tin Shingle, an online training and resource platform for small businesses and marketers. Having helped hundreds of businesses resolve myriad issues preventing them from promoting effectively, Katie is well-equipped to help you promote your business.
This has been a partner message from our sponsor, Tin Shingle. A Little Beacon Blog can continue to report the news and things to do with support from businesses and friends like you! Click here to learn about ways to sponsor.
The fire in this picture is on 9D, near Stony Kill Farm. A transformer exploded on the road. Photo Credit: A Little Beacon Blog - photos taken from various sources, noted below.
Turns out that a sick day, with three kids in quarantine after a diagnosis of strep throat, was a blessing in disguise. A major storm hit Beacon (and the Hudson Highlands, NYC, CT, PA, and NJ) at around 4 pm on Tuesday, May 15. Weather watchers were expecting rain, but when warnings of hail and high winds came across the TV, severe-weather veterans took to their yards to bring in potted plants and lower the basketball hoops. My neighbor is such a veteran weather watcher that he warned me of imminent hail before I embarked on a family walk to Key Food to fill up the fridge after my little ones ate through everything. An hour after returning, my phone vibrated its insistent SOS call, which we usually only hear for Amber Alerts. Only this time, it said "Tornado in your area. Take shelter."
"This was the storm rolling in! Hudson Valley Weather called this photo a gust front!" Photo Credit: Sheila Lassen, Mountainville, NY (Part of Cornwall)
I gathered my brood, and we went straight to the basement. Thank goodness that for Mother's Day I treated myself to a bunch of new flashlights and lanterns. After a brief power outage from our winter blizzards, I realized I had no working flashlights anymore. Normally at this time of day, my husband would be working in New York City, but on Tuesday, he was headed home early (he'd been recovering from his own bout with strep) and was on 9D when the rains, macrobursts and tornadoes hit. The winds flattened trees around him and literally ripped through other trees.
At least three fatalities were blamed on the winds, which brought trees down, right onto people in cars (see details in this Highlands Current article). Three tornadoes went through Connecticut, and at least four hit New York (including one in Newburgh) bringing winds between 75 and 100 mph, spanning paths of several miles (see a photo here from Central Hudson). Some of the worst damage was caused by macrobursts that ripped through Dutchess County and other counties. Macrobursts possess wind speeds of 100 mph or more, and travel in straight lines for miles, unlike tornadoes, which have rotating, swirling, damaging winds. Central Hudson also confirmed that 1,000 lightning strikes happened per hour: “Storm with winds up to 78 MPH + 1,000 lightning strikes per hour has interrupted service to more than 72,000 customers.” Dutchess County Executive Marcus Molinaro declared a State of Emergency, and Governor Andrew Cuomo declared a State of Emergency and deployed 125 National Guard members to help with the storm's effects.
On Wednesday, Central Hudson stated that many workers were on duty to clear trees (from street scenes like these) and restore power: “Approximately 185 line workers together with nearly 180 tree personnel are clearing roads and restoring power in our service territory today. Additionally, more than 270 mutual aid line workers are anticipated to arrive throughout the day.” See Central Hudson's trucks here restoring power.
By Thursday, that number grew: “A field force more than 1,000 strong is at work today clearing roads, responding to emergencies and restoring electric service.” They noted: “Mutual aid crews from as far as Niagara Falls, Michigan and Vermont have arrived.”
The Stony Kill wagon, a reliable sight on route 9D promoting the Open Barn, was turned over. Amazing that it did not get torn to smithereens! The wagon has since been righted back up. Photo Credit: Katie Hellmuth Martin
In Wallkill, my assistant was working on a project with me via email, and the next minute she was MIA, as the wind had ripped open a tree in her yard, and it tore apart a newly completed shed at her neighbor's house.
Castle Point, which is located along the Hudson River just north of Beacon, is the home of many families as well as the VA Hudson Valley Health Care system. Macrobursts ripped through the area. My friend's wife works at the VA hospital, and he was waiting for her to come home, as it's a 10-minute drive. She did not get home for several hours, after being stuck in Castle Point as it dealt with trees and debris that had been tossed around by wind.
Beacon school teacher Brian Antalek, who lives in Castle Point, was quoted in the Poughkeepsie Journal as having to park his car at neighboring Stony Kill Foundation and walk two miles to his home in Castle Point. One man who I encountered at the grocery store told me about the huge oak tree in his yard that blew into the next yard. Shingles and pieces of housing landed in his yard, and he could only surmise that they were from Newburgh, as they didn't match anything nearby.
A map of a tornado path in Saugerties shows a tornado traveling across the Hudson River. Photo Credit: National Weather Service via Hudson Valley Weather.
Newburgh received extensive damage, and is still recovering and still has areas without power. According to Eastern Dutchess Fire and Rescue: "Electrical substations which supplied power to the City of Newburgh sustained heavy damage requiring extensive repair. It is very possible that vast areas of the City may experience many days without electricity." Residents are boiling their water and those with gym memberships were using the facilities to shower. I got a call from a sales person living in Newburgh on Friday trying to set up a meeting, which she couldn't quite commit to, saying "I can't see anyone like this, I have to wait until the power comes back on."
Stony Kill Farm and Common Ground Farm in Fishkill suffered many trees down. A fire erupted on 9D near the farm (in the picture below with red bathroom barn). A transformer had exploded and caught fire on 9D. Stacey from Stony Kill Foundation reports that all of the farm's animals were unharmed and OK.
We had been to Stony Kill and Common Ground a week prior, on school field trips to see Common Ground Farm's pride and glory, the thriving tomatoes under the tarp greenhouses they built - which were destroyed by the winds.
An electrical fire blazing on 9D, in front of Stony Kill Farm. This view is of their bathroom facing 9D. The fire was not in any of Stony Kill's buildings and all of their farm animals are OK. Photo Credit: Common Ground Farm
The greenhouse that protects the fledgling tomatoes at Common Ground Farm. Photo Credit: Common Ground Farm
In Dutchess Junction, a tree fell on a power line. That caused an electrical fire for about 45 minutes until Central Hudson came and turned off the power, according to Maria Garcia Mojica, who submitted the picture below.
An electrical fire in Dutchess Junction. Photo Credit: Maria Garcia Mojica
The interior designer Ryan Samuelson experienced severe damage to his home on Washington Avenue in Beacon while he was in the basement. "I was just coincidentally down in the basement grabbing something. I didn’t even know about the storm warnings. Then I felt and heard a loud crunch and knew something pretty serious just happened."
Ryan Samuelson's home on Washington Avenue in Beacon. Photo Credit: Ryan Samuelson
In Fishkill, Route 52 was brought to a standstill, contributing to the traffic blockade that delayed people for hours trying to get into or out of Beacon. The CVS pictured below is the one on Route 52 near Love Nails. These photos were submitted by Kathy Harrison.
Many construction projects are in progress here in Beacon. The most recent are those on 9D which cleared parcels of trees to prepare for the construction of new apartment buildings. One of two trees left on one property blew over (doesn't seem to be dead yet, however). Fencing blocking the other construction project blew away. A reproduction of the children's book, The Lorax, which is about preserving trees, had been posted on the fence in a statement about the removal of the trees. That portion of the fence remained through the wind blast. The fencing destroyed in the storm has since been replaced.
In Beacon, many trees came down. This yellow house on Verplanck is a known abandoned house, which is rumored to be lost in bank foreclosure paperwork. Just who will haul away this tree may not be straightforward.
Abandoned house on Verplanck. Photo Credit: Katie Hellmuth Martin
A tree blown down on Willow Street by the storm blocked this alternate backroads artery for two days after the storm. With 9D already limited by planned construction to finish NYSDOT ADA curb-cut ramps between Main Street and I-84, side streets like Willow, Orchard Place, Dutchess Terrace and others become back-road alternates. This made getting into or out of Beacon even more difficult. This tree below was cleared swiftly on Friday.
This Tree, down and blocking Willow Street, was Cleared away two days after the storm. Photo Credit: Dana Devine O'Malley
The macrobursts took out bits and pieces of structures in their path, making some of the destruction seem random. A brick wall and bush were taken out at this house on Rombout Avenue.
A house on Rombout Avenue. Photo Credit: Katie Hellmuth Martin
The small Fanny Fay Girl Scout House, at the end of Rombout Avenue, is surrounded by trees. We headed over to check out if any had fallen. This one did, but fell away from the house, further into the woods.
This Tree uprooted at the end of rombout avenue, at the Fanny Fay Girl Scout House. Photo Credit: Katie Hellmuth Martin
Please note that most businesses in Beacon are now open! Several opened soon after the storm. Some parts of Main Street were without power, while others retained it. Main Street Beacon is back in business.
Statistics on a Few Tornadoes in New York
While the macrobursts, with winds of 100 mph and higher, caused major widespread damage, here are some statistics on the recorded tornadoes.
Ulster County Saugerties, NY Rating: EF1 Estimated Peak Winds: 90 mph Path Length: 5 miles Path Width: 528 feet (0.1 mile) Start Time: 2:29 pm Location: The tornado path started along Route 212 between Woodstock and Saugerties and moved east through the western and southern part of Saugerties before crossing the Hudson River and ending in Tivoli, NY, just south of Clermont State Historic Site.
Orange County Newburgh, NY Rating: EF0 Estimated Peak Winds: 75 mph Path Length: 0.62 miles Path Width: 50 yards Start Time: 4:16 pm Location: Originated near Albany Post Road, south of Bennett Road. The tornado lifted near the Hudson River behind Susan Drive.
Putnam County, NY Tornadoes Kent, NY Rating: EF2 Estimated Peak Winds: 115 mph Path Length: 100 yards Path Width: 1.14 miles Start Time: 4:29 pm Location: Originated near apartments on Route 52, continuing along Route 52 before lifting near Town Road
Patterson, NY Rating: EF1 Estimated Peak Winds: 100 mph Path Length: 75 yards Path Width: 2.89 miles Start Time: 4:32 pm Location: Originated along Route 22 north of Haviland Hollow Road, lifting near the intersection of East Branch Road and Fairfield Drive.
What was your story during the storm? Please share it in the comments below.
This needn't totally deter you from heading out. Getting gas on Thursday was easy, grocery shopping was fruitful, and reports are coming in that Route 52 is better today than yesterday.
Coincidentally this week, there are several safety workshops being offered you'll want to check out! We've been promoting a few over the past couple of months, and just in time. This week while taking shelter in the basement, memories of that Citizen Preparedness Training workshop came to mind, where organizers focused on what to do in flash flood situations. Normally these workshops aren't very popular, but with increased rates of severe weather, put them on your calendar!
Community Safety Day - FREE EVENT
Day: Saturday, May 19, 2018 Time: Noon to 4 pm Location: The Elks Lodge, 900 Wolcott Ave., Beacon, NY Information >
Smoke Alarms Save Lives!
Day: Saturday, May 19, 2018 Time: 9:30 am to 4:30 pm Location: Beacon Fire Dept., 13 South Ave., Beacon, NY Information >
Live Music: Broken Shadows Jazz Quartet
Day: Saturday, May 19, 2018 Time: 8 pm Location: Atlas Studios, 11 Spring St., Newburgh, NY Information > *Please check with Atlas to confirm they are open post-tornado
Howland Chamber Music Circle presents Calldore String Quartet Day: Sunday, May 20, 2018 Time: 4 pm Location: Howland Cultural Center, 477 Main St, Beacon, NY Information >
Open Auditions for “#QueenE The Musical”
Days: Monday & Tuesday, May 21-22, 2018 Time: 5 to 8 pm Location: Howland Cultural Center, 477 Main St., Beacon, NY Read more about this production and how to get involved in this article.
Plan ahead and check out what's coming up this month in ourEvents Guide.
Breastfeeding Essentials Day: Friday, May 18, 2018 Time: 12:30 to 2:30 pm Location: Waddle n Swaddle, 484 Main St., Beacon, NY Information >
Hat Making Intro Class for Beginners
Day: Saturdays, May 19 through June 16, 2018 Time: 11 am to 12:30 pm Location: Howland Cultural Center, 477 Main St., Beacon, NY Information >
Fab the Cab! Transforming your Kitchen Cabinets with Chalk Paint® by Annie Sloan
Day: Saturday, May 19,2 2018 Time: 8 to 11 am Location: Knot Too Shabby, 155 Main St., Beacon, NY Information >
Edit Like A Pro
Day: Saturday, May 19, 2018 Time: 10 am to 12:30 pm Location: The Cinehub, LLC, 20 W. Main St., Suite 4, Beacon, NY Information >
Color, Form, and Magic Workshop
Day: Saturday, May 19, 2018 Time: 1 to 3:30 pm Location: Wares, 2 Tioronda Ave., Beacon, NY Information > Thank you Wares for sponsoring A Little Beacon Blog's Shopping Guide!
DIY Backyard Design Workshop with Blair Patterson
Day: Saturday, May 19, 2018 Time: 10 to 11:30 am Location: One Nature Garden Center, 321 Main St., Beacon, NY Information >
Birth Prep 101 Day: Saturday, May 19, 2018 Time: 12:30 to 6:30 pm Location: Waddle n Swaddle, 484 Main St., Beacon, NY Information >
Infant/Child CPR and Emergencies Day: Sunday, May 20, 2018 Time: 1:30 pm Location: Waddle n Swaddle, 484 Main St., Beacon, NY Information >
Digital Marketing Techniques, a SCORE Workshop with Tin Shingle's Katie Hellmuth Martin Day: Tuesday, May 22, 2018 Time: 6:30 to 8 pm Location: East Fishkill Community Library - Alley Room
348 Route 376, Hopewell Junction, NY, 12533
Learn quick and easy techniques that your business can use today to help more people find out about your business. Designed for business owners who run a storefront, sell a product or provide a service direct to customers, this workshop will get you comfortable with marketing strategies using Facebook, Instagram, blogging and knowing what to do with your newsletter. Information >
The Greater Hudson Valley Young Professionals Summit, from Hudson Valley Pattern for Progress Day: Tuesday, May 22, 2018 Time: 4 to 9 pm Location: Newburgh Brewing Company, 88 S. Colden St., Newburgh, NY
An evening of programming, professional development, and networking. Information >
For a full list of upcoming classes and workshops of all kinds, visit our Adult Classes Guide.
Ballet Arts Studio - Spring Concert Save The Date! Saturday, June 2, 2018 Time: 2 pm and 6:30 pm Location: Bardavon 1869 Opera House, 35 Market St., Poughkeepsie, NY Information > Thank you Ballet Arts Studio for sponsoring the Kids Classes Guide!
Art & Zine Club Meetup Day: Friday, May 18, 2018 Time: 3:30 to 5 pm Location: Howland Public Library, 313 Main St., Beacon, NY Information >
Luxe Optique 183 Main Street www.luxeoptique.com (across Cliff Street from Beacon Bread Company)
Mama wants. For those who have gone strictly glasses now, and need to graduate to prescription sunglasses, these frames from Christian Roth will do perfectly.
The Royal Wedding is just about upon us... If you're playing dress-up for the occasion, travel down to Lambs Hill Bridal Boutique to pick up these rhinestone combs, then stop at Trax for a cup of coffee.
The next big update is happening to the Beauty Guide!
There are new barbers in town, and we're catching up on all of it. A Little Beacon Blog's Beauty Guide!
Antalek & Moore Insurance Agency
A home is still a home, whether you rent or buy. It’s where you house your family and your valuables, and where you rest your head at night. When accident or disaster happens to your home or apartment that you rent, you might be faced with some major financial challenges. Call Antalek & Moore at (845) 831-4300, an independent insurance agency that shops the best rate for you and can be your advocate when making claims. Or stop in and see them at 340 Main St., Beacon, NY.
Rhinebeck Bank
Rhinebeck Bank is accepting donations at their Beacon, Fishkill and Goshen branches in support of United Way of the Dutchess-Orange Region, to provide relief from Tuesday's tornado. Click here for a full list of what's needed by the community. Feel free to stop by during business hours. Thank you in advance for your help!
Katie James, Inc.
A huge part of getting the word out about your business is through digital media like blogs, Facebook, Instagram and your newsletter. Katie James Inc., a couture branding agency, can be your Content Planning Partner to help you plan what content to create and promote.
Book your next private or public event or workshop at A Little Beacon Space! Located in the middle of Main Street in Beacon. Storefront windows with inspiring lighting inside. Learn more here.
Tin Shingle
You opened your business. You hung your store shingle outside your door. Now what? How are you getting the people to walk through that door? Tin Shingle is a trusted resource, training center and community for businesses getting the word out. Get ideas, training videos, an online community, and contacts for who to reach out to. Join now for instant access >
BeaconArts
Windows on Main Street is one of Beacon's best public art displays to sponsor and/or participate in as a storefront business, artist, or sponsor business. Sponsor Opportunities going on now >
Beacon Chamber of Commerce
The Beacon Chamber of Commerce welcomed the new location of Lucky Cut barber shop this week in a Ribbon Cutting. Check them out!
SPONSOR OPPORTUNITY
Sponsor A Little Beacon Blog's Second Saturday Guide, the most comprehensive guide of all of the art galleries. Your logo will be at the top of the Guide for that month and be seen by people browsing past months and searching for artists.
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Advertise in A Little Beacon Blog
A Little Beacon Blog gets 19,500 views per month, with over 3,100 followers on Facebook and 2,700 at Instagram, and 1,100 newsletter subscribers. The support from every advertiser of A Little Beacon Blog helps make local news get produced. You can be part of making it happen, and get your business in front of the community. We have designed the most integrated advertising packages in the Hudson Valley to work for your business.
This just in from Anthony J. Ruggiero, MPA, Beacon's City Administrator:
"Please be aware that Global Restoration for the City is 10 pm tonight, and any remainders will be 2 pm on Friday. Global means the majority of the city. "
Beacon, you rock! Recognize these Open signs? Meyer's Olde Dutch and Artisan Wine Shop. Across the street from those two, Notions-N-Potions and Luxe Optique are welcoming customers too. More signs like this are popping up! Hard work continues to restore power and cable, and clear trees, etc. 🙏🏻 Thank you to everyone who continues to help bring us a safe community and modern conveniences! You are all beacons of light.
As if inspired by the mantra of Thomas the Train and Friends, whose goal is to always be useful, the Beacon Parks and Recreation Department has posted the following message to their Facebook page. This has been updated in A Little Beacon Blog's Kids Classes Guide:
SPRING STORM UPDATE:
From the Beacon Parks and Recreation Department:
Wednesday, May 16: "We are open, with running water, three bathrooms, power, wi-fi... and coffee! Community hours until 2 pm. Need to charge your phone? Need to get out of the house? The Rec Center at 23 West Center Street has power, wi-fi and big blue blocks/playground for the kids. We'll be open until 2 pm"
From the Office of the City Administrator, Anthony Ruggiero
The Beacon Youth Police Academy is pleased to announce our 4th annual summer program, July 16 to 20, 2018. This free weeklong program, for students in the Beacon community entering grades 9-12, will provide an introduction to law enforcement, interactions with officers and field trips. A variety of locations will be used to host the program, including Beacon High School. Trips will include visits to local training centers, police academy, court and correctional facility. The goal of the academy is to help participating youth understand the role police officers play in the community, job duties performed and the requirements of becoming a police officer.
This program was organized by Joe and Christine Galbo in cooperation with the Beacon Police Department, Beacon Recreation Department, Beacon Mayor's Office, City of Beacon, Beacon PBA and Beacon School District. Our Youth Academy is funded solely by donations from the community. We greatly appreciate the generosity of our local businesses, community organizations and residents for their continued support.
An online application can be found here or by emailing beaconyouthpa@gmail.com.
With the huge success of last year's Beacon High School Career Fair, the school is currently seeking presenters for the 2018 Career Fair. It is a great opportunity to network with other businesses and share your knowledge with the students. The event will be held on Friday, May 25, from 10 am to 3 pm at the Beacon High School gymnasium. Presenters are asked to set up at the high school at 9 am.
The fair will be set up in the gymnasium, where each presenter will have their own table to display information and items that represents the person’s career/profession that can serve as talking pieces with visitors. Students are invited to walk around and speak to the different presenters of their choice.
The career fair is seeking people who work in the following professions:
Crime Scene Investigator
Forensic Scientist
Professional Athlete
Professional Actor/Actress
Fashion Designer/Model
Sports Management
Surgeon
Music producer
Nurse
Professional Photographer
Film Director
TV/Film Camera man
Interior Designer
Stock Broker/Hedge fund
Psychiatrist
Social Worker
Video Game Designer
YouTuber
If you are interested in participating, feel free to contact Michele Polhamus, School Counselor, by email at polhamus.m@beaconk12.org or by phone at (845) 838-6900.
You know where to find ‘em... Mother’s Day cards, gifts and flowers on Main Street. There are so many options! The most unique, easy-to-get flowers, cards, jewelry, bras! Anything. Find ideas and pictures in A Little Beacon Blog’s Shopping Guide!
Find a last-minute present for your motherly friends and family at Common Ground's plant sale or the Etsy pop-up, or consider gifting some art! By our count, there are about three dozen places around town to purchase art. Today, you'll see work by prolific Beacon artist Erica Hauser at three of those locations! Check our Art Guide for more on Erica and all the other artists you can see.
Loads of gift ideas await you on the streets of Beacon, so do visit our Shopping Guide for a full list of shops organized by category (think Kids, Foodies, Men, Women, etc.)
NEW SHOP! Artifact Beacon
Opening Day: Saturday, May 12, 2018 Location: 17 East Main St., Beacon, NY (near Dogwood)
Remember that Pop-Up Shop that was in A Little Beacon Space last fall? The one with the cool copper rings, pottery and paintings? They loved their retail experience so much that they opened a permanent shop in Beacon in the former Gwenno James storefront (near Dogwood) featuring jewelry, pottery and paintings from the original trio! Featured in the Highlands Current, you must stop in to their new store at 17 East Main St. to see the copper rings, which have been fused to rocks in a process called electroforming. Watch their big reveal of the window signage (looks a little bit like a ghost...) Thanks Artifact for advertising your Opening Day in A Little Beacon Blog! Information >
25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee
Day: Thursday to Monday, May 10-13, 2018 Time: 7:30 pm Location: Beacon Performing Arts Center Studio Theatre, 327B Main St., Beacon, NY Information >
Psychic Fair
Day: Saturday, May 12, 2018 Time: Noon to 6 pm Location: Chill Wine Bar, 173 Main St., Beacon, NY Information >
Rootstock - Local Craft Beer & Farm Fresh Fare
Day: Saturday, May 12, 2018 Time: Noon to 6 pm Location: The Red Barn at Long Dock, 8 Long Dock Road, Beacon, NY Information >
An Afternoon of Music with John DeRosalia
Day: Saturday, May 12, 2018 Time: 1 to 2 pm Location: Howland Public Library, 313 Main St., Beacon, NY Information >
Common Ground Farm Spring Plant Sale
Day: Saturday, May 12, 2018 Time: Noon to 3 pm Location: Tito Santana Taqueria, 142 Main St., Beacon, NY Information >
Rootstock Farm Fest
Day: Saturday, May 12, 2018 Time: Noon to 6 pm Location: The Red Barn at Long Dock Park, 23 Long Dock Road, Beacon, NY Information >
Garden Party and Botanical Drawing with Artist Erica Hauser
Day: Saturday, May 12, 2018 Time: 5 to 7 pm Location: One Nature Garden Center, 321 Main St., Beacon, NY Information >
Lady Killers: Deadly Women Throughout History
Day: Saturday, May 12, 2018 Time: 7 to 8 pm Location: Binnacle Books, 321 Main St., Beacon, NY Information >
Plan ahead and check out what's coming up this month in ourEvents Guide.
Psychedelic Sunset Vintage Pop-Up
Day: Saturday, May 12, 2018 Time: 10 am to 7 pm Location: Echo, 470 Main St., Beacon, NY Information >
Mid Hudson Etsy Makers Pop Up Market
Day: Saturday, May 12, 2018 Time: 1 to 8 pm Location: Howland Cultural Center, 477 Main St., Beacon, NY Information >
Sewing - Absolute Beginners with Toni Maeck
Day: Saturday, May 12, 2018, or Monday, May 14, 2018 Time: Saturday, 10 am to 1 pm; Monday, 6 to 9 pm Location: Beetle & Fred, 171 Main St., Beacon, NY Information >
For a full list of upcoming classes and workshops of all kinds, visit our Adult Classes Guide.
Rhinebeck Hudson Valley Full & Half Marathon Day: Saturday, May 12, 2018 Time: 6 am start for the full marathon; 8:30 am for the half Location: Dutchess County Fairgrounds, 6550 Springbrook Ave., Rhinebeck, NY Information >
Luxe Optique 183 Main Street www.luxeoptique.com (across Cliff Street from Beacon Bread Company)
Clarity comes from the clearest lenses, and that is what you will get from Luxe Optique. In addition to creating the high quality lens inside the frame, the team at Luxe Optique can adjust your glasses so that even those with the trickiest astigmatism can see straight. Go see them today and ask them what it means to adjust your glasses perfectly.
This Grecian goddess you see here at Lambs Hill Bridal Boutique is wearing an Allure Bridals bridesmaids gown in Azure Blue. It looks stunning on this model, and because it can be converted into several different styles, it'll look great on you too. Also: It's amazing with gold. Go in and see it!
The next big update is happening to our Beauty Guide!
There are new barbers in town, and we're catching up on all of it. A Little Beacon Blog's Beauty Guide!
Antalek & Moore Insurance Agency
There are only four spots left in this Defensive Driving class with Susan Pagones! This is your chance to possibly reduce points on your driving record, thereby lowering your car insurance payments. This two-session class is only $30. Call them to reserve your spot at (845) 831-4300.
Days: Monday and Wednesday, May 14 and 16 Time: 5:30 to 8:45 pm Location: Antalek & Moore office, 340 Main St., Beacon, NY
Katie James, Inc.
Private Training and Group Classes are available for:
MailChimp Newsletters
Squarespace Websites (training in both design and writing copy to help your Google visibility and help get customers to do what you want on your website)
Tin Shingle
Starting a new business? Maybe you're rebranding. You'll need to pick a business name and website name that match, are memorable, and are different from your competition. Tin Shingle has four tested tips for you to get started. Get the full article here >
BeaconArts
Windows on Main Street is one of the best public art displays to sponsor and/or participate in as a storefront business, artist, or sponsor business. Details here on how you can sponsor or participate >
Beacon Chamber of Commerce
Beacon Chamber of Commerce and local officials join Wyld Womyn, 378 Main St. Suite C, for a Ribbon Cutting! Ribbon Cutting: Friday, May 11, at 2 pm Grand Opening Celebration: Saturday, May 12, from noon to 8 pm
SPONSOR OPPORTUNITY
Reach the readers of A Little Beacon Blog, who are the most interested in art, culture, and exploring cities and towns to find art. Our Second Saturday Guide has openings for lead sponsors of this Guide.
Advertise in A Little Beacon Blog
A Little Beacon Blog receives over 14,500 views per month, with over 3,100 followers at Facebook, 2,700 at Instagram, and 1,100 newsletter subscribers. The support from every advertiser of A Little Beacon Blog helps make local news get produced. You can be part of making it happen, and get your business in front of the community. We have designed the most integrated advertising packages in the Hudson Valley to work for your business.
Support for this publication comes in part from these businesses. We have highlighted what makes them special on their own dedicated pages. Want your business listed here? See the "Sponsor Spotlight" or "Event Promotion" option in our Advertising Page.
A podcast from A Little Beacon Blog. Your hosts: Katie Hellmuth martin & Brandon Lillard.
The City of Beacon entered into a contract with Legal Services of the Hudson Valley to provide increased access to Beacon tenants facing eviction. They may also be able to help with sources of rent arrears assistance. Call the paralegal, Steven Mihalik at 845-253-6953 to inquire.
Dutchess County Helpline. Open 24/7 to take your calls, listen, and give you resources.
Color, Form, and Magic Workshop
