Kids Color Blasted For South Avenue Elementary Fundraiser June 10th

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

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

So a couple of things: 

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

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

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

What Is a Color-A-Thon Fundraiser? 

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

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

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

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

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

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

How You Can Get Involved

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

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

Volunteer!

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

Register to Race!

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

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

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

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

Is Fundraising Still Going On?

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

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

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

Thank you!

2017 Summer Hours at the Beacon Pool & Vendor Opportunity

Photo Credit: City of Beacon Recreation 

Pool Hours

Monday - Friday: 2 pm to 8 pm
Saturday - Sunday: Noon to 7 pm
Sometimes things change based on usage by the people, so please keep an eye on the Beacon Pool Facebook Group for updates 

Tentative Open Date:
Monday, June 26

It's happening again... The Beacon Pool is opening for its third straight year (read here about the big re-opening), and it looks like floaties are allowed in the pool! Club pool-goers know that not all pools allow toys in it, but the fine folks of the Beacon Recreation Department are all about fun. In fact, watching pictures of swimmers having fun was where I first saw the actual swimmable Mermaid Tail...

Open Date and Hours

The projected opening date is Monday, June 26. We are told that if it can happen sooner, it will. For now, plan on hours being Monday to Friday, from 2 to 8 pm, and Saturday and Sunday, from noon to 7 pm. In the mornings, the pool accommodates campers from various camps in the region, including the Park and Recreation Department's own new camp, Camp @ The Camp. The pool is located at 742 Wolcott Ave., in the area known as The Settlement Camp.

Pool Passes On Sale Now

Any resident of the state of New York can join or buy day passes to swim in the pool, since it is on state-owned land. Day passes for adults are $4, and children and seniors are $3. The pool is divided into sections based on depth, and does not have a lap lane. The shallow end is 2 feet for waders, deepening to 8 feet for splashers and underwater swimmers.

Pool passes on are sale now, and have sold out in years past. Adult and kid passes are available year-round, so it's not like if you don't get a Family Pass now, you won't be able to go. However, having the Family Pass means that you won't have to scrounge for cash, not something you need to worry about as you're packing up snacks and towels for the pool.

Click here to buy the pass online, or you can visit the Recreation Department in person at 23 West Center St.

Call for Food Trucks and Snack Vendors 

Speaking of food, it has been the dream of Mark Price, the Director of the Parks and Recreation Department, to have food trucks and a snack table available to all at the Beacon Pool at the Settlement Camp. If you are such a person who wants to sell their wares, then email him directly at mprice@cityofbeacon.org. 

Any questions regarding pool passes can be directed to Mark Price at mprice@cityofbeacon.org. We are told that they are beginning to start the process of sending them out in the mail, so watch your mailbox!

Summer Work Opportunities

The City of Beacon Parks and Recreation Department are looking for lifeguards, camp counselors, and volunteers. For information about applying, contact Mark Price at mprice@cityofbeacon.org

Beacon Library Hosts Filmmaker Series for Middle Schoolers with Reel Life Film Club

Beacon, Cold Spring and Garrison libraries have teamed up for Reel Life Film Club, a new film series for middle school students. The Reel Life Film Club is an opportunity for middle school students to view award-winning documentary films and talk about them with the filmmakers.
 
The next screening will be in Beacon on June 2 at 6 pm at the Howland Library. The club will be viewing the documentary Racing Dreams (2009). The film follows three young racers as they compete in the World Karting Association's National Pavement Series. Writer and director Marshall Curry will be on hand to talk about his film with the kids. This movie has won Best Documentary at six film festivals.
 
The third film, Spellbound (2002), will be shown on July 7 at 6 pm at Desmond Fish Library in Garrison.
 
Pizza will be served at the events and registration is encouraged: For Racing Dreams, at Howland Library on June 2, call 845-831-1134; For Spellbound at Desmond-Fish on July 7, call 845-424-3020. Like the libraries’ Facebook pages for up-to-date information.
 
For more information, contact Michelle Rivas, Howland Library, community@beaconlibrary.org, or Karen Thompson, Desmond-Fish Library, kat@highlands.com, Maureen McGrath, Butterfield Library, jbl.libraryservices@gmail.com.

Library Budget Vote and Trustee Election - May 18th, 2017

The Howland Public Library will hold the annual budget vote and trustee election on Thursday, May 18, from noon to 8 pm in the library's community room. All registered voters in the Beacon City School District are eligible to vote. Absentee ballots are available at the library. Call Amy at (845) 831-1134, ext. 100, or email Amy at beaconlibrary dot org with any questions.

Board of Trustee Candidates running for Election 2017-2018

There are two seats available on the Library Board, one with a one-year term and one with a five-year term. The candidate receiving the most votes will win the longer term. Here's a bit about the candidates.

Stacy Christensen bought a house in Beacon 10 years ago after being introduced to the city by a friend, and falling in love with all that Beacon has to offer. One of the first things that she did upon moving here was to acquire a library card, and for a few years she volunteered in the evenings and shelved books. Stacy has lived in Putnam Valley, and once worked as clerk at the library there. The first book that she learned to read was "Green Eggs and Ham," and ever since, she has been an avid reader and supporter of all the programs that libraries have to offer. Stacy works as a bookkeeper, and has three grown children and one small granddaughter.

April Farley is a long-time resident, born and raised in the City of Beacon. As parent and community volunteer, she believes that the Howland Public Library has been one of the greatest resources for her family and community over the years and now. Her son has attended youth programs since he was young and as a teen had the opportunity to be part of the Spark Media Project. April says, "It would be a great honor to serve on the board and give back to the library and help the library to continue to bring diverse services to our community, youth and seniors."

Library Budget

If the budget passes, taxpayers will find that the increase in their library tax (appearing on the School Tax Bill) ranges from a low of $2.60 (property assessed at or below $150,000) to an average library tax increase between $4 and $6 for the year.

Click here for annual report to the community and library budget vote information.

Click here to see the "very visual" annual report to the community.

Beacon City Schools Budget Vote and Election of Board Seats May 16, 2017

The Voting Details

WHEN: Tuesday, May 16, 2017
TIME: 7am-9pm
WHERE: Beacon High School for all voters living in Beacon, or Glenham Elementary School for voters residing in the Town of Fishkill or the Town of Wappinger
DETAILS: Find more details about what is in the proposed budget here.

The School Budget Vote and Election will take place on Tuesday, May 16, 2017.  Polls are open from 7 am to 9 pm. Beacon City School District will have four propositions on the ballot. They are as follows in general form, as shared on the BCSD Facebook page and Budget newsletter for May 2017. All tax-paying citizens are eligible to vote.

1. The first proposition is the budget.
2. The second is the proposition to purchase school buses.
3. The third is to have a student board member hold a non-voting seat.
4. The fourth is to authorize the district to transfer money to a capital reserve. The money in a capital reserve would be used for future capital projects. The district is planning a capital project in the near future, and this reserve will be used to help keep the school taxes the same.

Details of what is in the proposed budget can be found here in a newsletter from the Beacon City School District.

There will also be a board election of four seats.
Three Board Members are for running for three-year terms running from July 1, 2017, through June 30, 2020. The candidate who receives the largest number of votes cast will also fill the remainder of a vacant term for six weeks, commencing May 16, 2017, and expiring June 30, 2018. Vote for up to four candidates.

Board Members up for re-election:
Anthony White
Kenya Gadsden
Craig Wolf
Kristan Flynn

Location & Eligibility
Voting takes place at two locations: 

• Beacon High School, for all registered voters who live in the City of Beacon, and
• Glenham Elementary School, for voters who reside in the Town of Fishkill or the Town of Wappinger. 

For help in determining your voting location, please call (845) 838-6900, ext. 2032.

Tax Assessment Grievance Day Is May 24, 2017 - Bring Your Comps!

Your tax assessment letter may have just come in the mail, letting you know how the City of Beacon values your property, and if that value went up or down. Maybe it's higher than Zillow's estimate, maybe it's lower. Whatever it is, if you disagree with it, you can dispute it on Beacon's Tax Assessment Grievance Day on May 24, 2017 at 1 Municipal Plaza (City Hall - Lower Level) at 2 pm (oh joy). The City advises that you bring your "comps" in order to aid in your argument. What are comps, you ask? They're the recent sales prices of homes similar (comparable) to your house in the same area.

This real-life Monopoly card could be a real bummer, or nothing at all. "Be aware that if you put the property on the market via MLS, the tax assessor will value the property at what you value it, namely the sales price that you've put on the property. They actually check MLS!" advises local realtor, Daniel Aubry. "I had that happen to me. I put a highly optimistic price on a house that I owned to test the market. The assessor used that price for the following year's assessment, significantly raising my taxes. I've been stuck with that price ever since!"

Can a high assessment ever be useful? "Any savvy buyer knows that the assessment bears very little relationship with the actual market value. So it can't be counted on for establishing a realistic valuation," says Daniel.

[EDITED 5/21/17] From this writer's limited real estate experience, if the bank appraisal value comes in low when you're ready to sell the home to a buyer who wants to pay more than the appraised price (a different valuation than the City's assessment), the bank will only loan as much as the appraised number, putting the responsibility on your buyer to come up with more cash - or for you to lower the house price.

Hydrant Flushing Starting in Beacon April 24, 2017: Watch For Brown Water

From the Mayor's Desk:

The City of Beacon Water Department will be flushing water mains throughout the City starting April 24, 2017 for a four-week period. The flushing will be conducted from 7 am to 3 pm, Monday through Friday.

Residents may experience periods of discolored water during this time and should refrain from doing laundry until the water runs clear. If your water is discolored, run the cold water taps until the water runs clear. If you have any questions, call the Water Department at (845) 831-3136.

Week 1 – April 24, 2017

Alice Street
Anderson Street
Annan Street
Birch Lane
DePuyster Avenue
East Main Street
Exeter Circle
Helen Court
Green Street
Jackson Street
Linden Drive
Louisa Street
Mountain Lane

Week 2 – May 1, 2017

Barrett Place
Deerfield Place
Delevan Avenue
Dutchess Terrace
Overlook Avenue
Petticoat Lane
Phillips Street
Roundtree Court
Robin Lane
Spring Valley Street
Spruce Street
Summit Street
Westley Avenue
William Street
Wilson Street
Vail Avenue
Fishkill Avenue
Franklin Avenue
Kent Street
Lincoln Avenue
Mackin Avenue
Memorial Park

Week 3 – May 8, 2017

Beskin Place
Coffey Avenue
Ellen Drive
Grandview Avenue
High Goal Lane
John Street
Miller Street
Newlin Mills Road

Week 4 – May 15, 2017

Bayview Avenue
Belleford Lane
Branch Street
Dennings Avenue
Fishkill Landing
Rt. 9D near VanNess Townsend Street
Verplanck Avenue
Paye Street
Rombout Avenue
Simmons Lane
Slocum Road
Sycamore Drive
Wodenethe Drive
Van Dyke Avenue
Victor Road
Long Dock Road
Monell Place
Riverfront Park
Tompkins Avenue
West Main Street

Ree-Play Sale Is On - You Get Deals on Kids Gear, Beacon Gets New Park Equipment and Other Help

Turnout at the 2017 opening day for the Ree-Play sale.

Yesterday was the opening day for the annual Ree-Play sale, a fundraiser for three public parks in Beacon put on by the Wee Play Community Project at the University Settlement Camp at 668 Wolcott Ave.. It's held from Friday to Sunday, 9 am to 1 pm each day. Despite my best intentions to get this article written prior to the sale (yay to those of you who saw this article, which let you know about the opportunity to donate your stuff), I was shopping the sale bright and early Friday morning to score a simple (yet normally pricy) high chair for a deep deal. This is what you can do too, today and tomorrow. Saturday will feature a balloon man to entertain the kids while parents and grandparents shop, and on Sunday, the goods will be half-price. Oh yeah.

Be sure to watch their Facebook page for sneak-peek looks into what is available.

First-Day Success

My own bounty. A simple high chair was high on my list, after living through two hugely bulky high chairs.

Despite the rain, people turned out and filled all parking available in the upper field at the University Settlement Camp, down below at the Beacon Pool, and on the road leading up from the pool to the camp casino building. The line was long, but shoppers stayed focused and it moved fast.

Ringing up their first day, the Wee Play Community Project reported earnings of $6,000 - so far. This is great news for Beacon parks; the last major donation that Wee Play made was three umbrella shade structures. If you are a regular user of the jungle gyms at the parks, you will notice new equipment here and there to spice things up a bit. Go ahead and thank Wee Play for those, too. Maintained entirely by different volunteers each year, this park system is a huge benefit to living in Beacon. The parks can be found down at the water at Riverfront Park, near the mountain at Green Street Park, and the Tot Park at Memorial Park (also near the mountain, but on the river side of Fishkill Creek. You know. By Ron's!) 

Keep Your Eyes Open for Sorted Stuff

There is a. lot. in here, but it is sorted, even down to balls of socks. You'll need to walk slowly, head down, eyes like hawks, to find what you need.

Food and Coffee - Yes.

You need coffee and snacks. And Wee Play has you covered. The people who contribute to the exquisite local, but not your run-of-the-mill bake sales, also bake for this one. You can choose from Confetti Lemon Bars, Small Banana Raisin Bread, Monster Cookies, and more. Warm coffee is also available, as are cheese sticks, juice and yogurt for little protein seekers. 

Good luck in your hunting and gathering!

Calico Ball Now Accepting Ad Sponsorships for Dance Brochure

The Calico Ball, started by the late, great, local legend Pete Seeger 28 years ago, is a dance residency for all third-grade students across the Beacon School District, led by the Vanaver Caravan dancers. Students learn about different cultures around the world and perform in a global dance festival. For the past eight years, BAEF (Beacon Arts and Education Foundation) has sponsored this event, providing joy, amazement and education to hundreds of children. Spaces are open now for business or individual sponsorships to advertise in the dance program. The deadline is May 26, 2017.

Art Programming in Public Schools Diminishing

In order for artistic enrichment to be provided in the Beacon City School District, funding from outside sources is required as state and federal funding have decreased. According to the BAEF website, "In recent years, the amount of state aid has decreased dramatically. Consequently, it has become increasingly difficult to fund innovative educational programs that provide a richness to the educational experience of students."

BAEF’s goal is to support programs and activities that would not otherwise be achievable through available public funds, as well as to encourage the educational development of BCSD students and staff. Their mission is to foster community involvement and partnerships in the public education process. The Calico Ball is paid for with funds that BAEF raises. That money comes from annual fundraisers like the brochure ads and donations from the PTO/PTAs, as well as a grant that Vanaver Caravan researched and applied for, according Anna Bergin, a co-chair of BAEF this year.

Since BAEF's inception in 2004, they have provided over $100,000 to bolster arts education programming in the BCSD. Financial support has paid for:

• new sound equipment in the high school auditorium
• a new kiln for the high school ceramics studio
• teaching artist residencies in the schools, including the I’m Tired Project at Rombout Middle School
• musical instruments
• arts supplies

Business and Individual Sponsorships In The 2017 Calico Ball Program

Businesses and individuals can buy an ad in the Calico Ball program by clicking on this form to find ad sizes and prices, and then making your ad purchase/donation directly through BeaconArts by clicking this link or by sending in a check, which is a fiscal sponsor for BAEF and this project. Support from the community helps the Calico Ball continue year after year, and contribute to the experience that is living in Beacon, NY. The ad deadline is May 26, 2017, so get on it!

Last Days To Donate Kids' Toys, Clothes, Books, Other Stuff to Ree-Play Sale Before Shopping It

These are your last days to donate to the Ree-Play Sale, the biggest annual fundraiser produced by the Wee Play Community Project, set for April 21 to April 23, 2017. The nonprofit organization raises money for children's programs at the Beacon Library, BAEF (Beacon Arts and Education Foundation), and maintains the public parks you see and play in around Beacon, including Memorial Park, Riverfront Park, and Green Street Park.

The success of any great sale is rooted primarily in what it sells. And the Ree-Play Sale gets its gems from locals in the community who are no longer using toys, books, gear, bikes, even some furniture. This week is the final week that Ree-Play is accepting donations from your attic or children's rooms, so clean it out now, load up the car, and head over to the Settlement Camp on Wolcott during the time slots that the Ree-Play volunteers post to their public Facebook Group. Posted hours as of today are:

 Spring break sorting/donation hours:

Monday
12:30-2:30

Tuesday
9-12

Wednesday
10-4

Thursday
9-11

Friday - last day for accepting donations
9-12

Saturday - none posted

Sunday - none posted/Easter

Any questions, including pickup requests, can be directed to Kristen Checkalski VanCott at cactus232@hotmail.com.

Hint: If you bring a lot, do them a favor and sort it when you get there, as in, place the toys in the toy section, boots in the boot section, and clothes in the boxes that are marked with age or size ranges. But if you need to drop-and-dash, you can do that too!

Here's another hint: You may want to bring your kids on this errand, as they will be able to run around the new used toys, gear and clothes, and beg you to walk in the woods, among the frisbee golfers. Currently, there is a  little battery powered jeep just waiting for a lucky new owner, and that's the hardest item to keep curious children from who want to ride it everywhere.

Your Donation of Gently Used Stuff Helps Beacon

Some people save up all year for this sale, keeping their kid's retired clothes, shoes and toys in special boxes in the attic. If you consign, there maybe be some items you save from the consignment store and give instead to the Ree-Play sale as a donation. This fundraiser has raised tens of thousands of dollars for kids in Beacon, as we explored last year.  

Shopping The Ree-Play Sale Helps Beacon Kids and Families

Your one and only chance to shop this big sale is from Friday, April 21st to Sunday, April 23rd from 9am-1pm daily at the University Settlement Camp Theater (Beacon Pool entrance/9D, Beacon). Credit cards are accepted. Clothing deals include a $15 fill-a-bag for the clothing tables. As is every year, a delicious bake sale will be held daily, with fresh baked goods from local parents (have you heard of the #BeaconDessertMafia? OMG). Half-Price Day is Sunday, with a special treat of Balloon Animals form 11am-1pm on Sunday, too!

While we haven't confirmed that these particular oatmeal chocolate chip squares - which sometimes have coconut - will be in the bake sale lineup, you can bet that something will be from this baker, Tessa Dean, a #beacondessertmafia contributor.

Cupcake Festival In Beacon For 2017 From K104.7 - May 6th

View fullsize

RAIN UPDATE 5/5/2017 1:45pm: We are getting a lot of reader questions about rain plans. K104.7 is the producer of this event, so if we hear from them that there has been a change in plan, we will publish an article here to A Little Beacon Blog. As of this time, as far as we know, it's on! So bring your raincoats - or buy one on Main Street. We saw some at Lauren & Riley yesterday. Check our Shopping Guide of all Beacon shops to plot out which shops you want to hit up.

CUPCAKE FESTIVAL DETAILS

• WHEN: Saturday, May 6, 2017
• TIME: 1pm-5pm
• WHERE: East End of Main Street, Between Fishkill Ave. and at the Dummy Light
• JUDGING: Stage located across the street from The Chocolate Studio. Judging starts at 3pm

After years of being in Fishkill, next month the Cupcake Festival from K104.7 comes to Beacon's East End of town. On Saturday, May 6, from 1 to 5 pm, the tasty treats will take over between Rt. 52/Fishkill Avenue and the dummy light at East Main Street. The event has attracted 4,000 people to Fishkill in the past, and Beacon is getting ready for the influx of pastry-seeking visitors. Says Mayor Randy Casale about this new event in Beacon: "We believe it will bring a lot of people to our Main Street business district and because of its location, we believe it will help to promote the East End of our business district. That being said, we also know that when we have big events, it does cause some problems, such as [with] traffic patterns and parking, but overall, we believe this adds value to our community where our residents, tourists and businesses will benefit."

A business representative from the newly established East End Business District Association, Michele Williams, owner of Style Storehouse, says about the event: "The East End has been waiting a long time to host an event, and we couldn't more appreciative to The Mayor, The Beacon Chamber of Commerce, and K104 for thinking of us." 

What To Expect

On this day of sugar, cupcake makers from all over the Hudson Valley will be on Main Street displaying their wares, mixed in with other vendors. Tables and booths in years past have included chair massages, homemade dog biscuits, hot dog stands, kids crafts, a bouncy house, alternative energy resellers, and all types of businesses and organizations hoping to connect with people.

Photo Credit: Digital Weddings

Photo Credit: Digital Weddings

Cupcake Wars - Judging of the Cupcakes

Mid-way through the festival, at 3 pm, judging for the Cupcake Wars will commence and cupcake designers will compete for the top prize of $1,000. Anyone can enter their cupcake here. The judging stage will be located across the street from The Chocolate Studio. You will be surrounded by heaven and goodness. Look for tables of cupcake enteries, decorated and dressed up to look and taste their best.

What kind of creations will come out of the day? In a pre-judging, on-air segment in the K104.7 studios, I'm going to get a sneak peak as cupcakes are judged during the 9 o'clock hour this Friday morning, March 31, 2017. Be sure to listen from your car, computer or app (or gosh - actual radio in your home!), and I'll bring fresh coffee to go with cupcake samples! Follow A Little Beacon Blog's Instagram and Twitter for studio photos.

Photo Credit: Digital Weddings

Photo Credit: Digital Weddings

Photo Credit: Digital Weddings

Vendor Opportunities

Vendors of all types can set up tables, even if you don't sell cupcakes. The vendor form can be found here. According to the Beacon Chamber of Commerce, there is a discount for Beacon businesses to have a table on the street: "We want all Beacon businesses to benefit from this event, so K104 is slashing the vendor fee in half for any Beacon business! You will receive your business name on the flyer and a 10 x 10 spot on the street." Vendor applications can be submitted here, and/or contact Sam Favata: sfavata@pamal.com.

UPDATE 5/1/17: Vendor spots are full.

You may see a table for A Little Beacon Blog, where we'll be back at it doing facepainting as a fundraiser for the elementary schools in Beacon. We already donated to the South Avenue kindergarten teacher team for their impressive use of craft supplies for so many children, and now are raising money for the other three kindergarten teams at Sargent, J.V. Forrestal, and Glenham schools. PS: We are looking for two volunteers to help face paint! If interested, please contact us. 

How To Get To The Cupcake Festival in Beacon for 2017

Getting to the festival is easy. It is on the east end of Beacon's mile long Main Street. According the iPhone map, if coming from the Beacon Train Station, It is approximately 1.3 miles. If walking, it should take you 30mins to walk. And it's a great walk! Allow extra time to stop into shops on your way down, and get coffee or snacks on your way. A Little Beacon Blog has a full Shopping Guide that lists all of the shopping options in Beacon, so definitely check it out so that you know that to find in Beacon. For food in Beacon, see our Restaurant Guide for cafe and dining ideas. From outfitter stores to men's and women's clothing boutiques to home decor and flowers to bubbles and soap, you will find something special. Then, to see what else is going on in Beacon, see our Event Guide because there are other special events going on around you.

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If driving from the train station or thereabouts, it's 7 minutes. You can find parking in a large free parking lot on that end of town, the address and pictures of which are here in A Little Beacon Blog's Free Parking Guide. This is in addition to several other parking lots, like DMV lot in the middle of Main Street There are also neighboring side streets that you can park at.

On your smartphone map, if you put in Beacon Station as the start point, and Howland Cultural Center as your destination end point, then you should get directions.

Sponsored by TEG Federal Credit Union, Poughkeepsie Galleria, Beacon's own Antalek & Moore, and the Family Dental Group, this should be a great day! Parking will get creative, but you can find all of Beacon's free municipal lots here in our Free Parking Lot Guide.

Photo Credit: Digital Weddings

Photo Credit: K104.7

K104's Cupcake Festival from DW Films 845.765.2328 on Vimeo.

Homeowners Courted With Financing For Energy Improvements From Energize NY/Beacon

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Beacon's Conservation Advisory Committee (CAC) is charged with advising the Planning Board and the City Council of Beacon, NY, on matters affecting the preservation, development and use of the natural and manmade features in the City. This week, the CAC is co-sponsoring an event from Energize Beacon,  a program to help homeowners make intelligent decisions about home improvements that increase comfort and reduce energy waste, while saving money on utility and heating (fuel oil or propane) bills.

The event is Tuesday, March 28, at 6:30 pm at Scenic Hudson's River Center (aka the Red Barn) next to Long Dock Park, just south of the Metro-North train station. Energize Beacon is funded by a New York State grant and a broader program, Energize NY, which was created in 2011 and recently launched coverage in Beacon. Its purpose is to reduce the carbon footprint of homes and businesses and save people money at the same time. The Energize programs accomplish this by sending Independent Energy Coaches to homes for free assessments of ways to improve the homes' retention of heat and cool air during the appropriate seasons.

To qualify for financing, "savings [from recommended improvements] must outweigh the cost of the energy upgrade work proposed," says Alice Quinn, Energize NY's Residential Director for the Hudson Valley. "Homeowners get a free/reduced-cost comprehensive home energy assessment done by a BPI-certified contractor, who will run a blower door test and check your home for leaks and inefficiencies in your insulation, air sealing, mechanics (like boilers) and health and safety issues. The contractor will provide the homeowner with a report that outlines all of their findings from the assessment and how much it will cost."

From there, says Quinn, financing options may be available through On-Bill Recovery or a Smart Energy Loan. Windows seem to be the first changes to come to people's minds, according to Tom Bregman, a senior consultant with Energize NY, quoted in a Highlands Current article, but windows aren't usually the most efficient replacement - at least to qualify with this program. Quinn agrees: "Windows are tricky; they are expensive to replace and not the best 'bang for your buck' because the R-value of brand new, super 'efficient' windows is still so low that the savings you would get from insulating your attic, for example, is way higher than what you would get from replacing windows." Seems hard to imagine, especially if you live in one of Beacon's 95-year-old homes. (A familiar scene: sitting in front of a window that lets gusts of cold air blow down your neck as you try to relax on the couch.) It might be the right time to take advantage of the true assessments that Energize Beacon is offering, and really find out where your home could be efficiently improved.

If you're ready to make the move on financing, then Energize NY has a list of "home performance contractors" that you can choose from. "We at Energize took that a step further and vetted those who do Home Performance work in the region of the communities we work in and created a list called our Energize Comfort Corps," offers Quinn.

You can learn more about the Energize Beacon program here.

Easter Egg Hunt in Beacon Set for 2017 - 7,000 Chocolate Eggs

Easter Weekend in Beacon, as in most places, means church mornings in pretty dresses. Here, we also have the Easter Egg Hunt in Memorial Park. This year, Beacon's Easter celebration in Memorial Park is slated for Saturday, April 15 from 11 am to 2 pm, with chocolates provided by Alps Sweet Shop, Beacon's local chocolatier. 

Attendance at this event at Memorial Park has grown over the years. It's usually the first official community-planned outing after a long winter, where neighbors don't see neighbors too often (aside from snow-shoveling sessions) because they are huddled up inside. Entertainment has grown to include a bouncy-something (slide, house, etc.), with a traditional visit from the Easter Bunny, raffles for a bike and baskets, petting zoo, face painting, live music, Dutchess Dog House food truck, and the annual presentation of the Mayor's Egg.

If you are coming with children, prepare yourself for chocolate-chasing chaos. As the crowds have grown, so has the grassy area covered for this Easter egg hunt. While the surrounding activities are manageable, the mad dashes for chocolate have seen an increase in coordination. Perhaps this year, the announcers of the chocolate races might use a larger speaker system, instead of the megaphone the event has outgrown, to direct the waves of kids lined up in different age groups. Hopefully the recent rainfall has started to melt the giant mound of snow that currently sits in the Memorial Park parking lot, where a lot of collected snow was dumped after the March Blizzard of 2017.

Welcome to Spring!

Beacon's Parade Of Green 2017 On A Chilly Main Street in March

Madeleine Ouellette of King Family Chiropractic helps the Beacon Chamber of Commerce sell green headbands.
Photo Credit: Beacon Chamber of Commerce and Kate Rabe

It was a chilly day in Beacon last Saturday, March 22, 2017, for the 2nd Annual Parade of Green, but that did not stop the floats from promenading down Main Street. Over thirty organizations participated (several can be seen here). Although the turnout to cheer them on was a little lighter than last year, there were still many members of the community who did bundle up and come out to watch.  

The marching was kicked off by the Parade of Green committee, who greeted all of us with a smile and a wave. Without the committee, none of this wonderful new tradition would be possible. They were followed by various groups from our community, including kids from the Boy Scouts of America, Beacon’s Pop Warner teams, Yanarella School of Dance, the Beacon Volunteer Ambulance Corps, various fire departments from the area and even an impressive float from the McElduff Family.  

Stinson's Hub, a pub on Fishkill Avenue, was out with flying colors.
Photo Credit: Beacon Chamber of Commerce and Kate Rabe

Businesses along Main Street participated as well, coming out onto the sidewalks to hand out some St. Paddy’s Day goodies. Bank Square kicked off the day with a great Keg & Eggs event, making over five dozen eggs! Antalek & Moore had a popcorn machine running throughout the morning to hand out treats to spectators and the marchers. 

The parade took a new route this year, ending at the East of Main near the dummy light. But the day's festivities did not stop there. Multiple bars and restaurants - from Joe’s Irish Pub to The Elks Club to Max’s - opened their doors to welcome everyone with a St. Patrick’s Day theme. Even The Vault was dressed up for the occasion, renamed “McVaulty’s Irish Pub." Stinson’s Hub also featured Irish step dancers and a pipe and drum band.

The Vault turned into McVaulty's Irish Pub for two weeks to celebrate St. Patrick's Day.
Photo Credit: The Vault

Although we missed the warm sunshine that graced the parade last year, it was still a memorable event that brought Beacon together. We're all looking forward to celebrating the 3rd annual parade next year!

Photo Credit: Beacon Chamber of Commerce and Kate Rabe

About This Citizen Blogger: Kate Rabe was born and raised in Beacon, NY. Her mother works for Antalek & Moore, and Kate holds a newly elected position as a Director with the Beacon Chamber of Commerce. Kate is a certified business coach, helping corporations and small businesses navigate and implement their HR needs.  

Beacon Lifts State of Emergency Order

As emailed from the Mayor's Office moments ago, Mayor Randy Casale has lifted the State of Emergency Order for Beacon, NY.

From his desk:

WITHDRAWAL OF EMERGENCY ORDER

"A state of emergency was declared in the City of Beacon effective at 12:00 a.m., midnight on March 14, 2017.  This state of emergency was declared due to the forecasted blizzard that occurred all day on March 14, 2017 and threatened public safety. 

"I, Randy Casale, Mayor of the City of Beacon, hereby rescind the State of Emergency issued effective 12:00 a.m. on March 14, 2017 and all emergency orders issued thereunder effective immediately."

Dated: March 17, 2017

Click here to read the full order >

To see the state of Beacon in pictures, see A Little Beacon's article "National Guard and Bulldozers Are Booked For Beacon's #Digout 2017"