John Lewis' Graphic Novel (Comic Book) "March" In Beacon Library Giveaway For A Read & Respond Opportunity

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John Lewis was born in Troy, Alabama, and started working raising chickens on his family farm. He wanted to be a preacher, and began practicing in front of his chickens. He grew up to become the chairman of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC) from 1963 to 1966. He was one of the organizers of the 1963 March on Washington. Lewis led the first of three marches from Selma to Montgomery in 1965, and was part of the incident at Edmund Pettus Bridge known as Bloody Sunday. He was a believer in non-violence based advocacy. He was elected to Congress to serve in the United States House of Representatives of Georgia’s 5th congressional district from 1987 to 2020, when he died.

One of the ways he ensured his story and experience dismantling legalized segregation through Jim Crow laws was by co-writing a graphic comic novel, that he calls a comic book during this speech at a library when his book launched. The book is called “March,” and it comes in three parts.

In honor of Black History Month, the Howland Public Library is inviting Middle School and High School students to participate in a special Read and Respond project. The Beacon Public Library is giving away a limited number of copies beginning Monday, February 21, 2022 in hopes that students (and their adults) read it in this fun and engaging format, learn more about the Civil Rights movement through the eyes of Congressman John Lewis, and answer a question posed by the library. Answers may be featured here at A Little Beacon Blog!

Inspiration For The Comic Book “March”

When Lewis was a student, he was inspired by the 1958 comic book “Martin Luther King and the Montgomery Story.” Now, the March trilogy brings the history of the Civil Rights Movement to a whole new generation.

Extra Credit For Your Brain!

To learn more about John Lewis’ lifelong work for civil rights and social justice, students (and anyone with a library card) can also stream the documentary “Good Trouble” for free on Hoopla, the library’s free app that works with your Beacon library card number.

Read and Respond: Student’s Answers Featured At A Little Beacon Blog

After reading the book or watching the film, students are asked to write about what the concept of “good trouble” means to them. Lewis was always told to not get into trouble. Yet through his work with Dr. Martin Luther King and learning about Ghandi and Theroux, he said that he saw the need to get into good trouble and make some noise.

Their answers from students will be displayed at the library and may be featured here on A Little Beacon Blog. Responses are due by Friday, March 11th. Students who share their responses will also be entered in a drawing for a chance to win copies of Book Two & Three of the March Trilogy.

The books will be available on Monday, February 21st, for youth in grades 6 and up on a first come, first serve basis. One per household. “March: Book One” is also available as an eBook through the library’s app, Hoopla. For more information, contact Michelle Rivas, Young Adult Programs Coordinator, at community@beaconlibrary.org.

MLK Jr. Student Essay Winners Announced From Southern Dutchess Coalition and the Beacon Sloop Club For 2022

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Excerpts of the winning MLK Jr. essays were published in the Highlands Current.

Six essays submitted by students celebrating the life and mission of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. were announced for 2022. The essay contest was part of the annual programming from the Southern Dutchess Coalition and the Beacon Sloop Club, which includes a march in Beacon followed by a program, during which the essays are recognized. A prize of $50 is awarded to each winner by the essay sponsor, Rhinebeck Bank. The winning essays are selected by a committee of the Sloop Club members.

The march did not happen this year due to the pandemic, but the essays were recognized in published excerpts by the Highlands Current. The students needed to answer: “Are we keeping the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jur.’s dream alive?”

The students whose essays were selected were:

Nicholas Ferris Jr., Grade 2, JV Forrestal Elementary
Landon Soltish, Grade 5, Glenham Elementary
Andrew Caporale, Grade 5, Glenham Elementary
Manasvi Gupta, Grade 5, Glenham Elementary
Zaire West, Grade 5, Glenham Elementary
Weston Hetrick, Grade 5, Glenham Elementary

Read excerpts of their essays here.

The Resistance That Won't Go Away :: Palestinian Love Shines From Beacon & Beyond

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Pick a day, any day, and Beacon local Kamel Jamal, owner of more than one restaurant in town (Ziatun, Beacon Bread, WTF, creator of Tito Santana Taqueria, and Végétalien, both he since sold), wears his heart on his sleeve for his home country of Palestine.

Every day for him is a day of love he shows for a free Palestine. From the food he plates, the restaurants he decorates, the merch he makes, most centering back to somehow to empower those still living in Palestine.

In this podcast, Kamel discusses how his parents left Palestine when he was a toddler with some of his family thanks to a family friend who sponsored them.

Co-hosts Brandon Lillard and Katie Hellmuth Martin sat down with Kamel on A Little Beacon Blog's sister podcast, "Wait, What Is That?" for an at times emotional interview about his view of how the people of Palestine are living now. The time was May 2021 during the escalation of protesting by residents in Palestine in the neighborhood Sheikh Jarrah. Their homes were scheduled to be demolished, and Muslim neighbors in the Hudson Valley as well as the world were sounding alarms.

In this podcast, Kamel describes his Palestine. He discusses how his parents left Palestine when he was a toddler with some of his family thanks to a family friend who sponsored them. He describes why he continues advocating from America for Palestine's liberation, so that people can live without fear of their homes and businesses being demolished by occupiers. He discusses the lack to basic rights, like clean water, receiving mail, and having to pass through armed checkpoints to get to a job or part of town.

In 2021, a protest march in Newburgh was organized with Next Step Hudson Valley where the Palestinian community came out, consisting of people young and old, with roots in Palestine, Pakistan, and other communities. Speeches were held on the lawn of Representative Sean Maloney's Newburgh's office.

Beaconites normally quiet about their cultural origins brought pages of prepared speeches, to express to an engaged audience about how their parents, siblings, cousins and/or friends felt about the global response to this little neighborhood protest in Palestine that spring. A Little Beacon Blog covered that march, which you can read about here and listen to some speeches.

Kamel Jamal, speaking at the Free Palestine protest march in Newburgh on the steps of Representative Sean Maloney’s office. Several other speakers participated.
Photo Credit: Katie Hellmuth Martin

Khitam Jamal Nakhleh’s Starbucks order, where her name is “FreeGaza,” which results in the barista shouting the demand to the room. Khitam is Kamel’s sister.
Photo Credit: Khitam Jamal Nakhleh

Since then, a lot has happened. Kamel's sister, who many know as Kate, champions the Free Palestine movement with every step she takes. Recently, she declared she was going by her birth name: Khitam Jamal Nakhleh. She is known to use subtle tactics like ordering a Starbucks under the name of "Free Gaza" so that the demand has to be called out to the room full of customers.

Every now and then, something pro-Palestinian will make the news in the US, like when Emma Watson (Hermione Granger from Harry Potter), and a UN Women's Goodwill Ambassador, voiced her support for Palestine. Or the feature story in Vanity Fair's February 2022 issue, "Generation Gaza" by veteran war correspondent Janine di Giovanni who revisited Gaza "and found resilience and hope among its 2 million Palestinian residents, two thirds of whom are under the age of 25," according to the lead-in for the article.

Also according to the February Vanity Fair feature: "Gaza's 20 and 30 somethings, it so happens, tend to be highly educated, multilingual - and jobless. 64% of the youth labor force is unemployed, largely due to the occupation. Nonetheless, year after year, they have proved indefatigable." Running a business there is virtually impossible, due to actions taken against business owners. But some continue to try, as this designer does, which was featured in Vogue.

In May 2021, neighbors came out to show their support of Palestine by creating a chalk art message on the sidewalk outside of Beacon Bread, owned by Kamel.

Circling back to the first line of this article - pick a day, any day - in the publishing world, an article usually needs to be published in a timely way. Like, back in May or June 2021 after we recorded this podcast episode and covered protest march. In Palestine, their inability to live free lives is every day, with different demolitions of family homes scheduled, like this one at the end of January 2022 or this one where the family had to self-demolish their own home.

But timing gets tricky. During the "Wait, What Is That?" episode, the silence of friends was discussed, acknowledging that talking openly about this topic can be difficult leading to unexpected responses. There is a moment where Kamel's emotions overcome him. You'll need to listen closely to the interview to hear where.

Peek Inside Ziatun

If you haven't been inside of Ziatun yet, here is a peek. Kamel admits this is one of his favorite places to be, and you can tell in the flavor of the food. The hummus is unlike any you have had, being extra smooth. There are plenty of warm soups to choose from, like the Addas soup. View the merch and buy a bag or two. Don't miss the watermelon t-shirt, designed to show resistance through food.

3 New Black Owned Businesses Added To ALBB's Business Directory During Black History Month

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Because it’s Black History Month every day, A Little Beacon Blog has added 3 new Black Owned Businesses to our Business Directory! Max’s Beacon Fade and Shave across from Key Food; the hyper to detail auto detailing service Speechless New York; and the paint event destination Zhane’s Palette currently mobile and in the Poughkeepsie Underwear Factory.

For a good dose of entrepreneurial history, read out the building featured in our Black Owned Businesses logo Perry Cross for Hyacinth Marketing Group . Enjoy!

Beacon Fade & Shave Barbershop

Owned by Max, this barbershop across from Keyfood is friendly for walk-ins for a fade or haircut for kids and adults. You may see Max’s young family in there with him as locals line the chairs, waiting their turn. Notice the art on the walls, as is part of Max’s collection. If you play the guitar, you may feel inclined to strum one in the corner.

Zhane’s Palette

“Join us as we continue to Celebrate everything with PAINT virtually and on location. We happily host Birthday Parties for (All Ages), Date Night, Girls Night, Company Events, Social Organizations, Sorority Events, Fundraisers or a private session just for YOU. At Zhane's Palette, its always your ART, your PARTY & your FUN!”

Speechless New York

“Speechless New York is a locally owned and operated business located in Dutchess County, NY. Like most entrepreneurs, they offer many things! Mainly, they are know the most for their impecable car detailing. With over 20 years in the business, working directly with the largest names in the auto industry. Our work is well known to many of the locals. We offer Auto Detailing & Restoration packages to fit ALL budgets.”

Beacon's First HR Director Resigns After 1.5 Years In Position: Instrumental In Bringing Firearm, Diversity, Etc. Policies

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Beacon’s first HR Director, Gina Basile, has resigned after one and a half years in the position. The position which started in July 2020 was originally shared between Fishkill and Beacon. Previously, she spent a number of years with the New York State Bridge Authority.

“I have heard employee concerns about discrimination, inequality, and growing tensions,” Gina stated in her printed presentation. “We need to address these issues head-on, and policies and procedures are only the beginning. We need a long-term plan on how to address these issues.””
— Gina Basile, then Beacon's HR Director

Then City Councilmembers including Terry Nelson expressed relief at hiring an HR Director to help with employment issues. Some issues include the ongoing employment issue the City is pursuing with Reuben Simmons in the Highway Department, which began with City Administrator Anthony Ruggiero, who has since resigned to work for Dutchess County. Anthony was replaced by current City Administrator Chris White.

During her first public presentation to the City Council on December 14, 2020, Gina mentioned “many discussions with our employees about how they feel about working for the City,” ALBB reported at the time. At that time, she also met with the community group Beacon4Black Lives.

After holding a Meet and Greet with all department heads individually, she scheduled a Meet and Greet with the Fire Department, which needed to be rescheduled due to COVID-19-related issues. Gina held a Meet and Greet with the Highway Department, which is where she began her focus to discover overall themes employees experience when working for the City.

According to Gina’s presentation, several themes emerged, including:

  • “Concerns surrounding diversity and equality.”

  • “Concerns regarding our Hiring Practices.”

  • “Growing Tensions in the Workplace.”

  • “Lack of clarity in intra-departmental policies and inconsistency.”

Gina confirmed: “I have heard employee concerns about discrimination, inequality, and growing tensions,” Gina stated in her printed presentation. “We need to address these issues head-on, and policies and procedures are only the beginning. We need a long-term plan on how to address these issues.”

A few of Gina’s next public steps were to introduce new policies that the City of Beacon had not had before, including a Firearms Policy, Domestic Violence Policy and Diversity and Inclusion Policy. While some City Councilmembers expressed surprise that anyone would bring a firearm to work, they assumed it occurred in the police department. However, there has been an unreported instance of an employee casually bringing a firearm to work in another department, during a time of increased employment tension.

Gina has accepted the position of Talent Acquisition Manager at the Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park. Gina had also served on the Zoning Board of Appeals for the Town of Hyde Park, according to her LinkedIn.

Beacon Paid $50,452 To Willing and Able Highway Department Employee To Not Work

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In 2021, the City of Beacon paid $50,452 of admin leave to Reuben Simmons, an employee with the Highway Department who is of mixed race and identifies as Black. ALBB has confirmed this amount with Reuben when we asked if he would make public his payments from the city for 2021. This is as per union rules as Reuben understands them, when an employee is presented with a discipline, the City can give up to 30 days suspension without pay, after which the employee is placed back on payroll while the process continues. Reuben has been served with 2 disciplines totaling 60 days over a course of at least 8 hearings with the City and their attorneys.

Reuben has worked for the City of Beacon in the Highway Department since 2002, where he started in the Summer Help position. He worked his way up to Laborer, then Maintenance Worker. During that time, he was appointed Union President for the City of Beacon CSEA Local 814 Unit 6662.

In 2017, Reuben was appointed Highway Superintendent, the lead position in that department, by then Mayor Randy Casale, with the support of then City Administrator, Anthony Ruggiero. In 2018, Dutchess County reached out to the City of Beacon to let the City know that the job title was incorrect, and that Superintendent of Streets was the proper title, but required a different Civil Service exam to qualify for the position. Fellow employee Michael “Micki” Manzi qualified for the test, and replaced Reuben as Superintendent of Streets. All of the people mentioned here except Reuben are white. To this day, the job title is stated on the City of Beacon’s website as Highway Superintendent.

During this transition under the management of then City Administrator Anthony Ruggiero, Reuben was not given the opportunity to take the required Civil Service exam in order to accept or maintain his job position of Highway Superintendent. Extending this opportunity to someone in an existing role is not unheard of in the City of Beacon. Listen to Reuben tell it in his own words on the “Wait, What Is That?” podcast.

For example: at the 5/17/2021 City Council Meeting, current City Administrator Chris White announced that longtime Water Department employee Ed Balicki, who is white, would become Superintendent of Water and Sewers. “We are moving Ed to the proper title,” explained City Administrator White to the City Council at that meeting. “Ed will have to take a Civil Service Exam…We don't think there will be any issue.” Ed passed the exam, and was re-titled.

In Reuben’s case, he was stripped of his title, and demoted back down to Maintenance Worker, then promoted to Working Supervisor, and demoted to Maintenance Worker within a 2 year period. During the first week of January 2021, he was placed on his first round of unpaid leave, and the order of City Administrator Chris, accompanied by a stack of charges against him signed by City Administrator Chris, which ALBB did see documentation of. These charges amounted to lists of generalities of what intersections Reuben was accused of not doing work, returning late from lunch, and an auto accident that Reuben reported to his supervisor Michael Manzi by way of announcing it on the Highway Department radio, and again in a later discussion, according to Reuben.

Auto accidents are not uncommon in the Highway Department, or other departments within the City of Beacon where vehicles are driving by city employees. What is not disclosed by the City of Beacon is when these auto accidents happen, and if they are reported. For example, the public is not informed of when the new Highway Garage gets a dent in a garage door,, for instance, or if an employee did get into a fender bender, and if that incident got reported or not. Additionally, the public is not regularly informed when an employee resigns or is fired, but the public is informed of each new hire when that employee is presented to the City Council the night of a vote to hire them.

Recently, two employees of the administration resigned, which were announced during City Council Meetings: Beacon’s first HR Director, Gina Basile, who left after a year and seven months on the job, according to her LinkedIn, and the Mayor’s Assistant, Collin Milone.

Gina was tasked with reviewing the Highway Department’s work atmosphere, and found it to be troubled: “Beacon’s New HR Director Hears From City Employees About Discrimination, Inequality, Growing Tensions; Suggests Solutions; Begins With Highway Department.”

Shortly thereafter, a Diversity and Inclusions Statement was presented and passed in the City of Beacon, when then City Councilmember Air Nonken Rhodes stated: “This isn’t lip service.”

The City of Beacon has hosted at least 8 hearings against Reuben in 2021, which involve the city’s labor attorney and an arbitrator. During the 8th meeting, the City of Beacon actively closed the meeting to the media, by requesting that ALBB leave the call (ALBB was sent an invite to the hearing via Zoom by the arbitrator at Reuben’s request). The city attorney stated that the meeting was closed, and that Reuben had wanted it closed. Reuben denied that, stating that he wanted the hearings open to the public from the beginning, and then stated it again in an article on ALBB.

During this time, In 2021 alone, the City of Beacon under the direction of City Administrator Chris has made two transfers to cover unplanned costs from unrelated areas of the budget to another area of the budget called “Employee Discipline,” bringing that unbudgeted total to over $110,000.

Reuben was put on unpaid leave in January 2021 for a 30 day period, followed by a second 30 day unpaid leave period for disciplinary reasons. The City of Beacon has not made public what those disciplinary reasons are (though ALBB has seen the first stack of the vague charges), or why they have spent so much money for a willing and able Highway Department employee to not work for over a year, during a national labor shortage. During the summer of 2021, the City of Beacon could not completely fill the 6 Summer Jobs it seasonally fills to fill its department.

Movie Marathon Recommendations :: Retail Therapy 1/14/2022

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While the Southern Dutchess Coalition canceled their 44th Annual MLK Birthday Celebration in Beacon, as well as the Dr. King Parade, they encourage you to keep the motivation and knowledge wheels turning by experiencing social media and movies.

We have you covered for your weekend movie marathon! Brandon Lillard, the co-host of ALBB's podcast, "Wait, What Is That?" has given his MLK movie recommendations. We have also provided you with some must-listen podcasts, and local Hudson Valley Instagrammers you should start reading and following now if you haven't already.

Get the MLK movie/podcast/Instagram recommendations here!

Have a great weekend!

THE EVENTS + RETAIL THERAPY GUIDE
Book an Event Promotion Advertising spot here.
You can sponsor this Event Guide with your event, for extra promotion of it! If you'd like to guarantee to see your entertainment event listed here,
Edited and Written By Teslie Andrade and Katie Hellmuth Martin
 

Thanks to the Dr. Martin Luther King Day Listings at the Desmond-Fish Library published by the Highlands Current in their weekly calendar!


Mediation in Our Divided Society
DAY: Sunday January 16, 2022
TIME: 4 p.m. Via Crowdcast
LINK: bit.ly/mlkjan16
In honor of Martin Luther King Jr., Tajaé Gaynor, author of On Mediation: Creating Bonds of Tranquility in a World That Often Thrives on Calamity, will discuss mediation as a path to peaceful resolutions and civil rights. The event is being hosted by the Desmond-Fish Public Library, and trustee Erik Brown will lead the discussion. Register online.

Documentary Discussion
DAY: Monday, January 17, 2022
TIME: 7 p.m. Via Zoom
LINK: butterfieldlibrary.org/calendar
This discussion will center on Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.: A Historical Perspective, which can be streamed free at kanopy.com by entering your Butterfield or Desmond-Fish library card number. Register onlin

Family Concert
DAY: Monday, January 17, 2022
TIME: 7 p.m. Via Crowdcast
LINK: bit.ly/mlkconcertJan17
Goldee Greene and Tom McCoy will perform songs of harmony, strife and spirit by Stevie Wonder, Bessie Smith, Eubie Blake, George Frederick Handel and others in this celebration of Dr. Kinghosted by the Desmond-Fish Public Library. Register online

 

The Discovery of a Masterpiece Virtual Program
Day: January 19, 2022
Time: 3-4pm
Location: Virtual - Howland Public Library
Join the Curator of Collections for the Hartley Dodge Foundation, Ms. Mallory Mortillaro, as she describes discovering one of the biggest art finds in recent history. Lost to the art world since the 1930s, Ms. Mortillaro discovered an official work by Auguste Rodin. She will share her fascinating story! Ms. Mortillaro's story has been covered by such esteemed publications as the New York Times and Smithsonian Magazine. Email Adult Services Librarian, Alison Herrero, at adults@beaconlibrary.org to receive the link information to this Google Meet virtual program.

The Bannerman Island Gallery Fine Art Holiday Exhibition
Day: Now - Sunday, January 30, 2022
Time: 4pm - 6pm
Location: Bannerman Island Gallery, 150 Main St., Beacon, NY 12508
Paintings, watercolors, prints, photographs, and hanging mixed media works will decorate the walls - while ceramics, sculpture and other artistic gift items will fill out the gallery.  Many of the works will be Hudson River Valley themed. Visitors to the gallery can expect to see representational landscapes, florals, interiors and still-life works -  as well as other works from the imagination.  Functional and whimsical ceramics and other gift items will also be featured. All works will be for sale and all proceeds from sales will benefit on-going restoration work on historic Bannerman’s Island.  Gallery hours are Saturdays and Sundays from 12:00 noon – 5:00pm and most weekday afternoons and early evenings by chance or appointment by calling 845-416-8342. 

SAVE THE DATES! Poughkeepsie Day School Virtual Admissions 
Days: January 22 & January 25
To register or express interest, visit poughkeepsieday.org and click inquire.
Poughkeepsie Day School is an independent school that has been a valued part of the Hudson Valley educational landscape since its founding in 1934. The school teaches an unparalleled inquiry-based curriculum that strives to create compassionate citizens.
Poughkeepsie Day School is a Sponsor, thank you!

Check our Calendar and Events Guide regularly for upcoming events throughout the week!
 
 
Shake away the Monday blues! We created a list of restaurants in Beacon that are open on Mondays. See it here >


TWO WAY BREWING COMPANY
18 West Main St.
What's oyour go-to 4-pack from Two Way?! Two Way is serving pints, flights & beer to-go! Stop in this weekend for a refreshing drink & delicious food from The Flying Jib (see their foodie pictures here!). Games too! Interested in hosting a private event? See more info here >
See beers on tap here >
PS: TMcCann Band will be performing every second Sunday of the month at the brewery from 4-7pm.
OPEN:
Thursday 4:00pm - 10:00pm
Friday 4:00pm - 11:00pm
Saturday 12:00pm - 11:00pm
Sunday 1:00pm - 8:00pm
Two Way Brewing Company is a Sponsor, thank you!
 
EAT CHURCH
3091 U.S. 9, Cold Spring, NY
Baby, it's cold outside! Warm up with delicious comforting soup from Eat Church! Soothing and made with fresh ingredients always. Eat Church has a rotating menu so everything is super fresh and you don't wanna miss out! You can also visit their website for Weekly Menu/Specials >
Find Eat Church at more places:
Fridays 3pm - 9pm & Saturdays 12pm - 9pm at Industrial Arts Brewing
DAILY GrabnGo at Marbled Meat Shop in Coldspring
Website >
Eat Church is a Sponsor, thank you!


BEACON BREAD COMPANY
193 Main St.
What a perfect way to reopen! With a chocolate layer cake and heartfelt cappuccino. Beacon Bread's coffee bar has everything you need/want with organic espresso and perfectly textured steamed milk. The coffee is roasted in Cold Spring by a woman-owned business. This coffee is not messing around. Also available to spruce up this drink are flavored syrups made in house to make your latte a little extra special. Need an espresso martini to pick you up? They have that too next door at WTF!
Menu > 
Order Pick Up or Delivery > 
Beacon Bread Company is a Sponsor, thank you!

MEYERS OLDE DUTCH
184 Main Street, Beacon, NY
If there's something we can munch on alllll day long (don't judge) it's fries from MOD! Crispy & full of flavor in every single bite. Pair that with a crispy chicken sandwich & oh baby! You've got yourself a damn good meal.
Open Sunday thru Thursday for Food 11:30am - 9pm; Bar until 10pm
Friday and Saturday Food 11:30am - 11:00pm; Bar until midnight.
Order Now >
Meyers Olde Dutch is a Sponsor, thank you!

HOMESPUN
232 Main Street, Beacon, NY
Homespun is taking one more week for their kitchen renovation! We heard everything went really well! Homespun will reopen next Friday, January 21st. In case you missed it last week - The new equipment is going to give their team a chance to do something special, they are adding a larger hood in the kitchen, which will allow them to work with a grill and a deep fryer at Homespun for the first time. Look for new menu items coming soon after reopening, follow @homespunfoods for updates! Read the latest blog post with Hudson Valley Brewery here >
OPEN HOURS:
Thursday - Monday, 10am - 7pm
Order Food >
Homespun is a Sponsor, thank you! 

HUDSON VALLEY FOOD HALL
288 Main Street, Beacon, NY
Hudson Shawarma has you covered with delicious chicken bowls! Get a little taste of the mediterranean (located inside the HV Food Hall). Stop in & check out the amazing foodies!
Follow HV Food Hall's foodies:
Miz Hattie's BBQ: Southern Style BBQ, from North Carolina. Order ahead via their Toast-app menu!
El Nica: Nicaraguan Food
Roosevelt Bar: Cocktail Bar in a well-ventilated space with Outdoor Patio!
Shmuck's Sweet Stuff: Local Ice Cream, Hot Waffles, and Other Sweet Stuff
Hudson Shawarma: Falafels, shawarma, baklava, and platters 
Hudson Valley Food Hall is a Sponsor, thank you!

BAJA 328
328 Main Street, Beacon, NY
Can you ever go wrong with tacos? If the answer is yes, then you haven't tried tacos from Baja! If the answer is no, right?!?! Baja has 15 different taco flavors all made with fresh ingredients. All options can be served as street tacos too! If tacos aren't your thing, quesadillas & main plates are available as well as amazing appetizers!
PS: Order for pick-up! 
PPS: Happy Hour Tues-Fri 4-6pm
Check out their specialty drinks > 
Check out the specials >
BAJA 328 is a Sponsor, thank you!

ZIATUN
244 Main St.
We're not sure what's better than soup during the cold seasons. Especially when it's from Ziatun! Pair that with delicious za’atar bread and now you're feeling real warm! Ziatun is a few different soup options that are all gluten-free and an option that is vegan! Hearty & soothing. Available for dine-in and take-out and delivery via our website. 
Menu > 
Order Online > 
HOURS
Monday + Thursday-Saturday 11 am-9pm
Tuesday + Wednesday 11 am-4pm
Sunday 11am-8pm
Ziatun is a Sponsor, thank you!
 

BINNACLE BOOKS
321 Main Street, Beacon
“We Owe You Nothing: ‘Punk Planet,’ The Collected Interviews” ed. Daniel Sinker available at Binnacle Books.
“The first compilation of the riveting and provocative interviews of ‘Punk Planet’ magazine, which was founded in 1994 and charged unbowed into the new millennium. Never lapsing into hapless nostalgia, these conversations with figures as diverse as Jello Biafra, Kathleen Hanna, Noam Chomsky, Henry Rollins, Sleater-Kinney, Ian MacKaye, and many more provide a unique perspective into American punk rock and all it has inspired (and confounded). Not limited to conversations with musicians, the book includes vital interviews with political organizers, punk entrepreneurs, designers, filmmakers, writers, illustrators, and artists of many different media.”
The best reads are available at Binnacle!
Binnacle is *Open daily!
Binnacle Books is a Sponsor, thank you!

BRETT'S HARDWARE
18 West Main Street, Beacon
Here they are...the Heat Holder Gloves! Perfect for a weekend of single digit temperatures. Did you know that it's going to be 3° on Saturday morning? Obviously you want some heat, and in bright colors so that cars can see you...as you wave to them to stop at the crosswalk!
OPEN
Monday-Friday 7:30am - 7pm
Saturday 8am - 6pm
Sunday 9am - 5pm
Brett's Hardware is a Sponsor, thank you!


LUXE OPTIQUE
181-183 Main Street, Beacon
It's time to grab your coats & make an appt at Luxe! Schedule an appt with an optometrist to find the best glasses for you and treat yourself to the most amazing winter sunglasses like these >.  Luxe makes your vision and the overall health of your eyes their number one priority.
PS: New arrivals are always arriving at Luxe! Stop in & check em out. Appts required for exams.
PPS *NEW HOURS
Monday 10 AM - 5 PM
Tuesday - Saturday 10 AM - 6 PM
Closed on Sundays! They've gone shopping!
Shop Online >
Luxe Optique is a Sponsor, thank you!

LA MÉRE CLOTHING AND GOODS
470 Main Street, Beacon
So many fun, fresh pieces to keep you perky and cute all winter long from La Mere!
Feeling blue? Snag a sweet sweater!
Feeling tired? Grab a handmade soap!
Feeling cold? La Mere has your back with cute socks too!
All the clothing + accessories you want/need here!
*New Arrivals Weekly / Free Shipping
Download their free app in the iTunes Store
PS: Everything is under $100!!
PPS: MENS clothing now available!
Shop Online >
La Mere is a Sponsor, thank you!
Yanarella Dance Studio
312 Main St., Beacon, NY
New Website Alert!
It's not too late to join Yanarella for their 65th year! Registering for Kids and Adult Dance classes at Yanarella also just got easier! From registration to payment, visit Yanarella's new website to easily check out their class offerings by age and day of the week.

Reach out to find out more today! Danceyanarella@gmail.com

Visit Yanarella Dance online. 
Register for classes today! 
Yanarella is a Sponsor, thank you!

             
 

ANTALEK & MOORE INSURANCE AGENCY
340 Main Street, Beacon
We have already seen some snow showers here in Dutchess County, and we can only prepare for more to come. On top of practicing safe driving, it's crucial to winterize your car for the snowy and icy conditions with these tips from Antalek & Moore!
- Have your car serviced to check its battery, cooling system, and brakes
- Install winter tires and wipers
- Regularly check tire pressure
- Keep your washer fluid and gas tank full
Give Antalek & Moore a call today: 845-831-4300 and visit their website.
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Antalek & Moore is a Sponsor. Thank you!
 


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Over $111,000 Unplanned City of Beacon Dollars Spent On "Employee Discipline" Matter(s) - What's Going On?

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According to locals living in Beacon for decades, the City of Beacon is not known for firing city employees. When the you, you might find out by clicking refresh on the latest FOILs that were published by the City of Beacon. You certainly will hear about new hires and promotions by the City of Beacon during their weekly City Council Meetings, where City Councilmembers usually need to vote on a hire or promotion.

But if anyone is being fired, you will not hear about it. Such decisions are made in private during something called “Executive Session” which is a private meeting with the City Council that the public has no access to.

To seek information, just ask several people who know people who have worked for the City of Beacon over the past few decades. In these stories, you may hear stories of a white employee(s) testing positive for marijuana before it was legal to smoke in public or banned in Beacon’s public parks. You may hear stories of a vehicle accident that was never reported. Or of a gun casually being brought into a department destination before Beacon banned personal guns from being brought onto city property during work hours last year. You might see bent metal on the garage door of new Highway Garage, indicating that a vehicle backed or rammed into it, but that a collision report never made it into the books. On background, ALBB has seen a few photos, and heard from people with knowledge of such examples.

During the 12/13/2021 Monday Night Workshop Meeting, the City Administrator Chris White put forth to the City Council an approval to move $45,900 more dollars from an unrelated area of the budget - a real estate area of the budget - into a legal section of the budget to cover “associated employee discipline beyond the budget to date,” as noted in the proposal included in the Agenda packet for the City Council to review for the record.

This is not the first transfer of thousands of unplanned dollars for “Employee Discipline” during the pandemic, which has resulted in a nation-wide labor shortage and highlight of poor working conditions that may include emotional abuse in several industries. The first noted transfer of unplanned dollars was $66,418 to “Employee Discipline” from “CSEA Union Matters/FIRE IAFF Union Matters,” which ALBB wrote about here. This brings the total of unplanned spending on “Employee Discipline” to over $111,000 by the City of Beacon for 2021 alone.

The second noted proposed transfer tonight of $45,900 to “Employee Discipline” is being transferred from “In REM Sale of Property.”

What is an REM Sale of Property? An “REM Sale of Property” means, as City Administrator Chris White explained during the meeting, that when the City of Beacon takes control of a property in Beacon usually due to inability to pay, the City of Beacon can then resell that property and keep the profit. In 2020, there was a handful of those properties. In 2021, Chris noted, there was one such property. Therefore, they had real estate cash sitting that apparently had not been earmarked yet.

Who Or What Is The Employee Discipline Of Over $111,000 In 2021 For?

Reuben Simmons, former Highway Superintendent and current employee of the City of Beacon in the Highway Department.
Photo Credit: LinkedIn

The City of Beacon will not answer this question if ALBB were to ask, as they have a blanket policy of not answering to “personnel matters.” However, there is at least one employee who has had at least 8 Employee Discipline Hearings this year, and has been on forced paid and unpaid leave for the entirety of 2021: Reuben Simmons. ALBB sat in on at least one of those hearings.

Reuben Simmons, longtime employee in the Highway Department since 2002, and a Beaconite who is an involved member of the community, was Beacon’s former Highway Superintendent (ie lead position in that department, listen to ALBB’s podcast about it here) and has been the subject of Employee Discipline for quite some time. Starting in 2018, his case has taken unusual twists and turns. Including the dissolving of his job as Highway Superintendent based on a Civil Service technicality of the incorrect job title.

Beacon’s current head of the Highway Department, Superintendent of Streets Michael “Mickey” Manzi, who used to serve under Reuben as a staff member, replaced Reuben as head of the department after Reuben’s job title dissolved. According to documents that ALBB has seen, Michael “Mickey” Manzi continues to find fault in Reuben’s past work performance, and writes him up on charges that the City Administrator Chris White justifies for Reuben’s paid or unpaid leave status.

Those charges resulted in at least two 30-day periods of unpaid leave in 2021. Otherwise, Reuben has been kept on paid leave, but according to a letter sent to him by City Administrator Chris White, cannot come to public spaces in Beacon or talk to fellow employees within the working hours of the work day, until his disciplinary hearings are done. ALBB has attended one such hearing at the invitation of Reuben and received the Zoom link from the mediation attorney Jay Siegel, Esq., but was asked to leave when the City of Beacon objected to any reporters or members of the public attending.

What Are These “Charges” Justifying Unpaid Leave, Paid Leave, and Over $111,000 In Unplanned “Employee Discipline” Money?

Labor Attorney for the City of Beacon, Lance Klein, who is going against city employee Reuben Simmons.
Photo Credit: Keane and Beane

ALBB has seen the documentation of charges sent to Reuben, attempting to justify the “discipline,” which ALBB has learned amounts to accusations of things like talking to people for too long outside while on the job, or taking too long of a lunch.

Lunch for the Highway Department employees, ALBB is told, is 30 minutes. Which really just gives enough time to order and go from Mr. V’s and eat it in a Highway Department truck.

Witnesses have been called to at least 8 hearings deliberating Reuben’s case, where the City’s attorney Lance Klein of Keane and Beane questions those people included in the charges. Some of those witnesses have denied the charges and length of time that Reuben has spoken to them while outside on the job, or the logistics of a long lunch time that deserves penalty.

Current Beacon Superintendent of Streets, Michael “Mickey” Manzi. Writes up charges against Reuben resulting in new Unpaid Leave statuses for Reuben as Reuben’s hearings to defend himself progress.
Photo Credit: City of Beacon

One example of a disputed charge against Reuben is allegedly talking to a member of the public in Memorial Park (which is also the location of a Highway Department shed) for 2 hours. The witness for this charge allegedly denied it during the hearing when questioned by Lance the attorney.

If Reuben and this member of the public did speak for any number of moments, then a policy of any Highway Department employee speaking to any member of the public while out on public city streets, sidewalks, or parks would be in violation of some policy in the City of Beacon, would seem odd, counter-intuitive of an inclusive community and unproductive. Members of the public are not allowed to speak to city employees while on the job? Or risk getting written up if on the wrong side of a supervisor? Those supervisors being Michael “Mickey” Manzi and David Way.

In addition to speaking to members of the public in public, Reuben has also been accused of taking an extended lunch break. Lunch breaks for the City of Beacon are 30 minutes. Any moment after that due to long lunch lines or traffic could qualify as a violation equal to this treatment.

Members Of The Public Begin Speaking Out

City of Beacon Employee for the Highway Department, Reuben Simmons, speaks out about his communication with the City of Beacon. Reuben is currently on a rotation of forced unpaid and paid leave by the City of Beacon as they hold “Employee Discipline” hearings against him. There have been at last 8 Employee Discpline hearings so far, and a total of $111,000 of unplanned city budget money transfered in the City of Beacon budget to cover unplanned “Employee Discipline” legal expenses.

After years of silence, Reuben spoke out at a recent City Council meeting, addressing the elephant in the room - himself. He spoke directly and was well spoken in his thoughts, as he was when presenting city street status updates to the public and City Council during his time as Highway Superintendent from 2017-2018.

The City Council often meets in private Executive Sessions discussing “Personnel” and “Litigation” and have the legal protection of not disclosing who or what they are talking about.

Reuben - who is Black and is one of the few Black employees in the public works departments - has also been accused of speaking loudly to his supervisor Michael “Mickey” Manzi while voluntarily reporting an accident Reuben had in a City vehicle. According to multiple sources, Mickey, the Highway Department’s Superintendent of Streets who used to be Reuben’s employee years ago, found Reuben’s tone uncomfortable. Therefore, Mickey added the tone to the charges justifying unpaid leave.

This issue with “tone” is despite rumors from multiple people - in a generational age range - that several in the Beacon public works departments speak gruffly to each other on a regular basis, possibly even using racial slurs. Those direct mentions have not yet come to light yet in any public confessions.

It is notable that when Reuben was first placed on unpaid leave in January 2021 for the pursuit of these charges, the City of Beacon unveiled it’s Diversity Statement months prior in October 2020, where Beacon’s newly hired HR Director, Gina Basile, noted there was tension in the Highway Department.

During the City Council Meeting on December 6, 2021, longtime hawk of city government and regular participant in Public Comment, Theresa Kraft, spoke up. Not naming names, she made allusions: “Beacon is a strong, supportive community. It always has been, and always will be. We watch out for our neighbors. But enforcement is key [referencing to the spike in unlawful driving in Beacon and the recent death on Main Street and Teller Avenue]. I question how much the city wasted on litigation of an employee who took too long of a lunch break. I see at the end of tonight's agenda there is an executive Session for Personal and Litigation. Perhaps that alone could have paid to ease the food insecurity throughout Beacon for a few years. Holding a grudge is holding all Beacon residents hostage.” You can listen to her full speech here.

Background On Reuben’s Unpaid/Paid Leave - An Additional Expense To The City Of Beacon

Beacon’s City Administrator, Chris White, who authorized Reuben’s first round of 30-days of paid leave on Chris’ first week on the job.
Photo Credit: City of Beacon

Starting in January 2021, Reuben was placed on unpaid leave for more than one session of a 30-day unpaid leave status by City Administrator Chris White. Unpaid leave is difficult at any time, but for a Highway Department employee, January is the gravy month. It is the month they make overtime pay in plowing days during blizzards.

When not on unpaid leave, Reuben remains on paid leave. Unless new charges are filed against him, and he gets a new letter from City Administrator Chris White stating that he is on unpaid leave again.

The Union protecting and advocating for Highway Department Employees is CSEA. In January, Beacon’s representative and president was Paula Becker, who works as an employee in the Finance Department for the City of Beacon with Susan Tucker, Beacon’s Finance Director who signs off on these budget recommendations. Paula recently received a promotion and raise from the City of Beacon.

When ALBB called Paula to confirm Reuben’s unpaid status back when it started in January 2021, City Administrator Chris White emailed ALBB to say that ALBB should not contact any staff with questions, and to only address him. After publishing an article on this matter, City Administrator Chris White declined to answer any more questions from ALBB on any matter.

Listen to Reuben explain the start of his employment situation on ALBB’s podcast recorded in July 2020 here. His employment disputes started in 2018.

PODCAST DROP! Beacon Bread Company, Ziatun and Tito's Restaurateur Kamel Jamal On Palestine's Future Liberation

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Way back in warmer times in Beacon (June 2021), we sat down with Kamel Jamal to talk about Palestine on ALBB’s sister podcast station, “Wait, What Is That?”

Even though I have known about Kamel for 10 years, I had not made moments to speak with him. Really speak with him. I knew his politics. I knew he fought back in social media. I knew he answered back to outlandish reviews. I knew he didn’t like the empanada guy at the Beacon Farmers Market. I knew he was a Palestinian refugee. I knew his wife Lena was lovely and quietly fierce, and that his sister Kate (who now goes by her Palestinian name, Khitam) was raw fierce and lovely.

And that’s it.

However. When 2020 happened, I started to come out of my shell. On all of my platforms. In different ways (different platforms have different audiences in different moods). I started reporting on Black Lives Matter protests in Beacon. I started researching questionable employment and disciplinary actions by the City of Beacon that might not be able to prove discrimination on paper, but continuously result in decisions that don’t add up. And who knew that writing about COVID safety and vaccination recommendations during a world-wide pandemic would be so gutsy.

Kamel and I started circling each other. Then residents in a neighborhood in Palestine called Sheikh Jarrah in East Jerusalem protested the scheduled take-over or demolishing of their homes by Israeli forces in May 2021, resulting in a lop-sided exchange of bombs that resulted in dozens of Palestinians being killed (including children), as well as some Israeli citizens. Anyone dead is too many. Especially when defending their home. This, after decades of recently lived histories of horrific murders and attacks on both sides of the Israeli checkpoints, resulting in friends and family members lost from the entire region.

Brandon Lillard and I reached out to Kamel to see if he would be willing to speak to us on our podcast, where we could ask him all of our big and small questions. Kamel said yes. We also reached out to Rabbi Brent of the Beacon Hebrew Alliance to see if we could talk to him as well. He considered it, knowing it is delicate territory, and in the meantime, wrote this blog post. Soon after, Next Step Hudson Valley organized a Free Palestine march in Newburgh, which ALBB covered and wrote about here with videos.

Right around that time, Kamel reached out to me, as he wanted to be a sponsor of A Little Beacon Blog for 3 of his restaurants: Beacon Bread Company, Ziatun, and Tito Santana’s (WTF is the alter-ego of Beacon Bread, and serves as the cool friend next door who you sometimes see when they’re in the mood). This part was a coincidence, but did create the first time for Kamel and I to really talk over coffee. We were very honest with each other, which was as refreshing as the mint he uses in his watermelon salad.

Take a listen of this podcast episode. There was a moment where he was overcome with emotion, but you’ll probably not be able to find it. Both Brandon and I were very grateful to be sitting with Kamel, with him so accepting of our questions, as he earned to speak about his Palestine.

The Artists Behind The "Greetings From Beacon" Mural At Beacon Bread Company

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Many people in Beacon double as something else. The owner of Beacon Bread Company, Kamel Jamal, happens to be an extremely creative person, both visually and with phrases. He not only doubles the number of restaurants he creates, but enables others to share their talent as well.

It was no surprise when he commissioned one of his Beacon Bread staff, Shannon J. Ramos, to cover the side of the building he leases with an inviting and celebratory “Greetings From Beacon!” mural. Shannon is a muralist and tattoo artist from Poughkeepsie, who developed this design with her boyfriend and fellow artist, Sean who is from Wappingers Falls.

“We met through art,” said Sean. “She’d go to my art shows, and I’d go to her art shows. I love her art. I was in a grumpy mood this morning, but this changed me today. Being able to paint with her is so much fun.”

After 2 months of working for Beacon Bread as a server, Shannon and Sean began researching the design, and after looking at tons of postcards, went with this rainbow connection that “brings happiness,” Shannon said. Painting on the brick wasn’t so much of a challenge, she felt. Shannon used house paint for the hand/detail work, and Sean’s medium is spray painting.

“Murals are a lot of work” Shannon explained. “So it’s fun to have someone to balance off and bring different aspects of art to it. He’s good at spray paint. I’m good at hand-paint. It’s fun to play off each other.” Sean points out that they enjoy the interactive process of having passer-byers walk past to watch them paint. The flowers were left un-colored so that BEACON could stand out. The entire mural took about one day to complete.

Shannon is a full time restaurant server and artist. She has remained at Beacon Bread after starting there in the Spring of 2021, and was surprised to experience the creatively supportive vibe she got from the management. “I got the job, and then…you know…you want to be as available as possible for hours, but then I could only work certain days, and they were totally cool with that and wanted to make it work. It’s cool about them, as they are cool about flexible schedules, and having me do this mural and highlighting what I like to do.”

Follow Shannon at her Instagram.

Beacon Farmers Market To Stay Open Outside All Year - Bring Your Mittens, Kittens!

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Featured here: Happy Belly, at the Beacon Farmers Market.

The Beacon Farmers Market was one of the first to pivot hard when the business shutdown happened when COVID-19 was first discovered and declared a global pandemic. They quickly built a extremely robust but temporary well-serving website to connect devoted customers to vendors, and opened outside, withstanding the deep snowfall Beacon experienced last year.

This year, vendors agreed that they prefer to stick it out outside in the DMV parking lot, where there is more space, possibly better internet, and that small-scale live music that helps keep the market moving.

Managed by Common Ground Farm, the organization approached the City of Beacon to seek permission to operate outside year round. The parking lot is owned by Dutchess County, and leased by the City of Beacon. The City Council approved the extended occupation of the DMV parking lot in early November. Expect to shop the market outdoors all year!

The Shred Foundation, a skateboarding organization serving under-served youth which is Black founded, at the Beacon Farmers Market.

Diana Mae Flowers, a Beacon Farmers Market staple for creative bouquets.

Cooperstown Cheese Company at the Beacon Farmers Market.

Trax, a Beacon local coffee roasters with 3 locations in Beacon, also likes to serve it up at the Beacon Farmers Market.

Eggberts Free Range Farm, another Beacon Farmers Market staple and wonderful source for eggs, beef, lamb and pork.

Advocates for free New York Health Insurance, which would in theory be funded by a payroll tax on New Yorkers. Anna Brady Nuse started a Change.org petition for the cause, and has been pursuing Beacon’s Mayor Lee Kyriacou to show support for free New York Health Insurance by putting it on Beacon’s City Council Agenda, where the council can create and vote on a Resolution supporting it. So far the Mayor has not put it on the agenda.

Winners Of ALBB's 2021 Juneteenth Art Showcase: Rachel Lewis (Poetry) and Vintage Messiah (Illustration)

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A Call For Juneteenth Art logo by Vintage Messiah.

A Call For Juneteenth Art logo by Dom (Dominesha) Garth.

A Little Beacon Blog is celebrating its 2nd Annual Juneteenth Art Showcase! On June 19th, we put a call out for art produced by people identifying with the Black community. We also put a call out for sponsors to contribute any amount, and 100% of the contributions would go to the artists featured here. We also put a call out for logo designers, and accepted and commissioned 2 logos (shown above)! One from Vintage Messiah (left) and Dom (Dominisha) Garth (right). Thank you to everyone who participated!

Being that Juneteenth can run from June 19th until July 4th, as both are independence days, we are announcing the artists selected for ALBB’s Juneteenth Art Showcase on July 4th weekend!

Thank you to our two sponsors for this: an anonymous reader, and Moraya Seeger DeGeare, founder of the To My Old Racist Earth movement. Thanks to your contributions, we were able to award two artists this year: Rachel Lewis for poetry and Vintage Messiah for Illustration. Their expressions are below!

Rachel Lewis - Poetry

Rachel Lewis (@xstarb0rn) has been published in the following publications: Honeyfire Literary magazine Issue 05, Most Girls, the online magazine The Cranberry, Celebrate 845’s zines Social Unity: Volume 1 Issue 2 and “…And All Was Illuminated.” Follow Dom on Instagram at @upstate.creative

In the submissions, we asked the artists two questions:

ALBB: What would you like to tell the United States and the rest of the world?

Rachel: “I would like to tell the United States, and the rest of the world, that we see through the performative activism veil and are requiring more than what we’ve been given in the past.

ALBB: What would you like to tell the community where you live?

Rachel: “I would also like to tell Newburgh, NY (which is located in the beautiful and diverse Hudson Valley) that your neighbors, coworkers, friends, and even strangers that you pass on the street, are tired of suffering so that others can remain in their comfort. Last year was an incredible time for human rights across the board. Let’s keep that energy flowing. Every piece of poetry I’ve selected represents the pain I’ve experienced because of racial inequality and recent enlightenment.”

Rachel’s poems submitted for 2021 Juneteenth are below:

Breonna Taylor

To date a black woman
Is to date her magnificence, her beauty.
To date a black woman is to look at her, to truly see.
You see her marching
For aunts, uncles, and cousins she doesn’t know;
Because their culture was ripped from them, centuries ago.
So when you want to date a black woman,
Be mindful of your prudence.
Only then will you gain access to her beauty,
To her magnificence.

In The Beginning

I believe that we all started from,
All sprouted from
The “Eve Gene;”
Carried by nothing less than magnificent beings.
Strong enough to carry the weight of the entire human race,
Us carriers are resilient
And consistently great.
Without us, life was not created.
Without us, the world’s driving force is emaciated.
And yet we still hunger for the respect that we deserve.
We could be demanding so much more
Instead of what others are so freely given.
But here we are,
Still fighting for respect and acknowledgement
And especially from our own men.
But do I believe we will regain ours?
Yes, because as much as history
Has tried to deny us our rights,
We are still magnificent beings.
We flourish
And we grow
And reap the greatness
Our ancestors have sown.

Creation

I was not born.
I was created.
I was created to stir, poke, and prod.
I was created to speak for those who cannot.
I am here to learn.
And I am here to teach.
I am here for those who are still asleep.
The lies and stories woven will no longer serve as our reality.
We demand justice.
We demand peace;
And furthermore, we demand equality.

This is America

The walls shook
But the foundation bore the weight.
In the center stood
Resiliency,
Righteousness,
And a call to reclaim power.
We are done fulfilling your need
With our humility.
We are firmly planted and united
And will continue to be.
Do not underestimate
Our strength
Because of our compassion.
We are not asking.
We are demanding
Our right to
Life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness;
And anything and everything
Y’all have been trying to deny us.

Vintage Messiah - Illustration

Vintage Messiah is the type of determined person who amazes you with what they create on old phones, some of which can’t even make a call, or can barely get online. Vintage is multi-talented, as he is not only an illustrator, but he is a recording artists and producer of beats using various instruments and sounds.

As an illustrator, Vintage works with paper and digital as he passes his projects through various stages. Follow him at @vintagemessiah and @vintagemessiahart

ALBB: What would you like to tell the United States and the rest of the world?

Vintage Messiah: "I want the United States to put down the guns of tyranny and stop fighting against ourselves. We breathe , eat and bleed the same why , so why can't we all fight for what's right at the big dinner table of change, sharing a meal and sharing hearts as one, rather than clawing through separation. We don't need a holiday to accept our differences and move on"

ALBB: What would you like to tell the community where you live?

Vintage Messiah: "Putnam County should acknowledge and accept the fact that we all came up here to enjoy the scenery, tropical weather, and peaceful times just as much as they do. We don't want to offend you by being ourselves, and you should feel the same. When my family bought a home in the outskirts of towns, the neighbors were open and welcoming. My one wish to unite the same way they did, with loving arms and a burning curiosity on how we can learn more about each other and be friends"

ALBB: How did you make the logo and these submitted works of art?

Vintage: I made it on paper, scanned it into my computer , then colored over it with digital software. Mixed Media for me is combining multiple different art forms and creating a piece out of it. I've made animated music videos before, which in itself requires video editing, audio engineering, vocal recording and drawing on paper and scanning it in, frame by frame (or with computer automated animation), and mixing it together for the final project. This has always been my process , as I create so much stuff, I couldn't stick to one label, so I made my own and explain it like I did here. For this drawing , it was just a sketch, scan and color!!! I could also animate it as well.

Artist: Vintage Messiah. Contact him to commission your own piece.

Artist: Vintage Messiah. Contact him to commission your own piece.

Business Grant Available For Those Impacted By COVID-19; Priority Given To Minority and Women-Owned Businesses, Veteran, etc.

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The Dutchess Business Notification Network has issued another reminder that grant money is available from the Empire State Development, which has announced the New York State COVID-19 Pandemic Small Business Recovery Grant Program. This program was created to provide flexible grant assistance to currently viable small businesses, micro-businesses, and for-profit independent arts and cultural organizations in the State of New York that have experienced economic hardship due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Interested businesses are urged to submit applications as soon as possible, due to limited funding. This is not a “first come, first serve” program. Instead, applications will be evaluated based on business attributes set by the legislature, and priority will be given to socially and economically disadvantaged business owners including, but not limited to, minority and women-owned business enterprises, service-disabled veteran-owned businesses, and veteran-owned businesses, or businesses located in communities that were economically distressed prior to March 1, 2020.

Grant awards will be calculated based on a business's annual gross receipts for 2019:

Annual gross receipts = $25,000-$49,999: $5,000/business;
Annual gross receipts = $50,000-$99,999: $10,000/business; and
Annual gross receipts = $100,000-$500,000: 10% of gross receipts (max grant is $50,000).

An informational webinar is being hosted on June 25, 11am - 12noon, presented by Huey-Min Chuang, Senior Director of Business and Economic Development at Empire State Development. The webinar is sponsored by KeyBank and SDG Law.

About the Small Business Recovery Grant Program + Webinar

The NYS COVID-19 Pandemic Small Business Recovery Grant Program was created to provide flexible grant assistance to currently viable small businesses, micro-businesses and for-profit independent arts and cultural organizations who have experienced economic hardship due the COVID-19 pandemic.

What will be covered in the webinar:

  • What is the grant program?

  • Who is eligible to apply?

  • How do you apply?

  • What amounts will be awarded if eligible?

  • What is the required documentation?

  • Use of funds?

  • How can you get assistance if you need help with the application?

  • Next steps.

Register For Webinar: Click here

Program Details And Application: Click here

The application portal for the $800 million New York State COVID-19 Pandemic Small Business Recovery Grant Program is now open and accepting applications. More information and the application process can be found HERE.

This aid could be used to help employers finance operating expenses incurred during the pandemic between March 1, 2020 and April 1, 2021 and can be used to cover:

  • Payroll costs,

  • Commercial rent or mortgage payments for NYS-based property,

  • Payment of local property or school taxes,

  • Insurance costs,

  • Utility costs,

  • Costs of personal protection equipment (PPE) necessary to protect worker and consumer health and safety,

  • Heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) costs,

  • Other machinery or equipment costs, and

  • Supplies and materials necessary for compliance with COVID-19 health and safety protocols

Eligible small businesses are defined as:

  • Those with 100 or fewer employees,

  • Organized under the laws of New York State,

  • Is independently owned and operated, and not dominant in its field.

  • Eligible “for-profit independent arts and cultural organizations” are independently operated live-performance venues, promoters, production companies, or performance-related businesses located in New York State with 100 or fewer employees, excluding seasonal employees.

Eligibility requirements include:

  • Entities must have begun operation on or before March 1, 2019 and continue to be in operation as of the date of application (maybe shuttered due to COVID restrictions),

  • Have to show a reduction in gross receipts of at least 25% from 2019 to 2020 as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic or compliance with COVID-19 health and safety protocols which resulted in business modifications, interruptions, or closures.

  • Show gross receipts between $25,000 and $500,000 for 2019 and 2020, and

  • A positive net profit for 2019.

  • They must not have qualified for assistance programs under the federal American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 or other available federal COVID-19 economic recovery or business assistance grant programs above certain thresholds (received more than $100,000 of a PPP grant or loan).

Grant amounts range from $5,000 to $50,000 based on the entity’s annual gross receipts.

Apply for this grant here.

Art Call For Juneteenth Inspired Art - All Types - Paper, Print, Spoken, Sung, Mixed

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Logo design by Dom (@upstate.creative)

Logo design by Dom (@upstate.creative)

Hello!

For the second year in a row (see our first year!), A Little Beacon Blog is holding a Juneteenth art contest. The aim is to reserve space for the African American community to show their voices and visions during Juneteenth.

WHAT IS JUNETEENTH?

Juneteenth is a holiday of independence celebrated on June 19th by the Black community commemorating the liberation of the enslavement of Africans taken from their homes in other countries, separated from their families, and brought to North America so that white Americans could have their own Independence Day from Great Britain on July 4th. Some Native American tribes in Oklahoma kept African slaves as well, as was a recent focus during the Tulsa Race Massacre in Greenwood.

Juneteenth has been celebrated for over 150 years by African Americans, but not all knew about it, as it wasn’t taught regularly in schools. Last year, during the social reckoning of 2020, Juneteenth got elevated, paid attention to, and respected by the white community and other races. On June 17th, 2021, President Joe Biden signed Juneteenth into law as a national holiday, where the government workforce and schools will observe the holiday.

HOW THIS WORKS

Submit your work for consideration to be published on A Little Beacon Blog.

  • Any age is welcome.

  • People from the African American community, of any mix or origen.

  • African Americans living in the Hudson Valley of New York.

  • Any medium is welcome. If you recorded a song, send it via Spotify or something we can embed. Actually, we can embed an mp3 on our own website! Artwork that is painted, pixelized, collaged, quilted, etc.

  • Please answer these 2 questions with your submission:

    • What do you want to tell the United States about what you want changed?

    • What do you want to tell _______ your town in the Hudson Valley about what you want changed? Any wish. What is your greatest wish?

  • A Description of your artwork.

  • Selected submissions will be published on A Little Beacon Blog, along with your answers. You can elect to skip giving an answer.

  • Selected submissions will win grant money if we get sponsors. Of the sponsorship dollars, 100% will be divided among the artists.

  • Email art file to katie@alittlebeaconblog.com

  • Deadline: June 23rd. Publish Date: June 26th

100% Of SPONSORSHIP GOES TO PRIZES/GRANTS

We can offer prizes if we have sponsorships. Depending on how many submissions we get, we could award grant money to several people. Therefore, 100% of sponsor dollars will go towards these grants.

To sponsor:

  1. Visit our Reader Support page and select a dollar amount.

  2. In the Comments, please indicate if this is to sponsor this initiative, and we will set it aside. Please also indicate if you want your name or business name listed with the final publishing of all artwork.

Once all sponsorships are in, the dollar amount will be divided evenly among the selected submissions.

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PS: Love this logo design? It was designed by Dom (@upstate.creative) for a A Little Beacon Blog.

Beacon City Schools Celebrate Juneteenth 2021 With Letter To Community And Acknowledgement Of 2022 School Holiday

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These 2 cuties were the winners of A Little Beacon Blog’s 1st Juneteenth Art Contest last year. They have since left the district and are enjoying homeschool with their mama, Millenial Matriarch, creator of Village Homeschool.

These 2 cuties were the winners of A Little Beacon Blog’s 1st Juneteenth Art Contest last year. They have since left the district and are enjoying homeschool with their mama, Millenial Matriarch, creator of Village Homeschool.

One day before President Biden signed Juneteenth as a federal holiday - a holiday marking independence and liberation from slavery that has been celebrated by the African American community for over 150 years but generally not taught in public or private schools for the white community to know about or be encouraged to celebrate - Beacon City School District Superintendent Dr. Matthew Landahl sent an email to district families wishing everyone a Happy Juneteenth.

“Next year we are very excited that Juneteenth will be an official BCSD school holiday on our calendar,” he stated. The Beacon City School District has been working on equity and diversity work over the year, despite the shutdown, and he let families know that the work continues this summer.

“The Beacon City School District is partnering with Dutchess BOCES to have our entire administrative team participate in Undoing Racism workshops this summer. Some of our teachers will be participants in professional development workshops on developing a more equitable curriculum in our district. There are other professional development programs that we are putting together as well.”

Dr. Landahl is known to be a communicative leader, as he ended the note with an indication that the district would be kept updated as to developments to that professional work for teachers and administration.

In true educator fashion, Dr. Landahl included resources for people to learn more about Juneteenth, which are included below:

From the Smithsonian National Museum of African-American History and Culture
https://nmaahc.si.edu/blog-post/historical-legacy-juneteenth

Watch this local news link from Houston, TX about Juneteenth:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bz2ke1a-WiM

An article from National Geographic about Juneteenth:
https://www.nationalgeographic.com/culture/article/juneteenth

An article from the History Channel:
https://www.history.com/news/what-is-juneteenth