But First, We Break For Cookies. To Refuel.

Cookies. Batches of cookies. And sermons. Then coffee… (maybe…but it’s too hot.) While we are blogging about police brutality, exposures of racism, and racial targeting of black people by the police, the Phase 2 Reopening is happening, which has business friends on Main Street very excited. Chocolate chip cookies are very important fuel for the Phase 2 Reopening Weekend.

A Little Beacon Blog has been updating our Restaurant Guide with new offerings and ways of working for the restaurants. In the works are more outside dining opportunities, that the City of Beacon and Dutchess County have been clearing red tape on to make it easier on restaurants to spread out more safely.

By the way: Kitchen Sink Provisions is live. They have products to help make your weekend meals more Kitchen Sink-y. They also have a number of prepared foods coming online later today (6/11), including their famous brisket grilled cheese.

Weekend meal planning has started.

A Protest, Happening This Weekend, And The Retail Therapy Guide - 6/5/2020

That's right folks...An old phrase has been added to our subject line: "Happening" Because things are Happening! This week was a big week. And it's not over yet. Last Saturday: A gentle protest was held in Beacon by Southern Dutchess Resist. Details > Monday: A large peaceful protest was organized by these young people: Xavier Mayo, Ciarda Hall, and Stefon Seward was held in Beacon. Police provided an escort by way of moving street closure for protection, and two of Beacon's highest ranking police officers were granted permission to join. A Little Beacon Blog was there and covered it. See this article to get a feel for the experience, watch 2 videos of chanting in the beginning, and 1 video of the entire march, from inside the march. This article includes responses from the Chief of Police Kevin Junjulas and Mayor Kyriacou to A Little Beacon Blog's questions. Get The Story > Tuesday: Tuesday turned into Blackout Tuesday. With many white people learning and unlearning themselves, and black people asking white people to speak, there was a lot of words and social media flying around. This became a day of silence and reflection. A Little Beacon Blog was honored to get a call by Terry Nelson, Beacon's City Councilmember for Ward 1. He was at the march, and we reached out to fact check his daughter's name for an article. We came away with an incredible interview with Terry's experience when a member of the NYPD  putting a gun to his face when he was 17, and how he lives as a black man in America today. Details > Wednesday: Wednesday turned into a day of heaviness. When the reflection started, and vital sharing continued, many black and brown friends released their personal experiences of growing up black in America, and they were very sad and tired. Tired because they have been living with this for all of their years as a normal part of their lives, and now, some white people, were finally beginning to hear and see it. You may have received business emails from black owned businesses who don't normally talk about race in their marketing material, but on this day, they did. Also on this day, Beacon's Patrolmans Benevolent Association issued a letter in response to George Floyd's killing. Signed by Officer Michael Confield, they referred to the death as an "unconscionable death." Thursday: By now, peaceful protests had happened in Newburgh and Poughkeepsie, where both police chiefs (Newburgh's has an Officer In Charge as they are in transition after their chief resigned last month after a riot was sparked after an armed black man was fatally shot by police) kneeled with protestors. Friday: That's today! See below for what's in store... PS: Yes, we have started a comprehensive list of black owned businesses in the Hudson Valley and we wanted to release it to you today, but it's still being formatted and linked up. Absentee Ballots Arrive - Vote Ballot box locations have been posted by the Beacon City School District. You only have until Tuesday, June 9pm at 5pm to get these in, and at their scheduled times. Learn where the ballot boxes are. Details Here > Beacon City School District Virtual Art Show Day: Happening Now Location: Beacon Public Library's website The show must go on! It's time for the Howland Library's annual Beacon City School District Art Show. Every year, students, teachers, and library staff look forward to seeing the colorful and vibrant art of our community's young artist. Starting June 1st, we'll be having a Virtual Exhibit celebrating these talented young people and their hardworking teachers! While we may not be able to see the work in person, we hope you will be able to experience the energy of their creativity through this virtual exhibit.  Information > Postcards From A Pandemic Day: Friday, June 5, 2020 Time: 7pm Location: Instagram Live Garrison Art Center is pleased to announce an ongoing worldwide exhibition of postcard art entitled Postcards From A Pandemic. This exhibition invites artists from near and far to mail a postcard to the Art Center that reflects their thoughts and creative expressions during this troubled time of social distancing and gallery closures due to COVID-19. Information > Black Lives Matter Protest - Pohill Park to Pete + Toshi Seeger Riverfront Park Day: Saturday, June 6, 2020 Time: 2:45pm Location: Pohill Park, Beacon, NY This protest is organized by Ciarda Hall, Stefon Seward and Xavier Mayo (Monday's protest), and is backed by the Southern Dutchess Resist, (organized Saturday's), I Am Beacon, and several other groups in Dutchess County. The Mayor of Beacon as well as other local government officials will be speaking. Story Screen Virtual Night Day: Saturday, June 6, 2020 Time: 7:30-10pm Location: ZOOM Story Screen Trivia returns for yet another series of movie related questions and categories, with your favorite brainy movie nerds: Bernadette Gorman-White and Mike Burdge. And now they're using satellites to ask questions! Information > Virtual Hudson Valley Pride Festival Day: Sunday, June 7, 2020 Time: 4-6pm Location: Facebook Live - https://www.facebook.com/hvlgbtqcenter/ Join the Hudson Valley LGBTQ Center on Facebook Live on Hudson Valley Pride Sunday for amazing performances by local performers Denise Parent, Nia & Ness, Ryan Cassata, and Salem Corwin! Information > The Animal Rescue Foundation (ARF) Virtual 5K Run & Walk Days: Now through June 17, 2020 Time: At Your Own Pace Location: Favorite trail, your neighborhood, the park, your treadmill! Complete a 5 Kilometer run and/or walk (5K kilometers = 3.1 miles) in the comfort of your own neighborhood or on a treadmill between May 17th  and June 17th, 2020. You choose the date, the time and location. Registration ends June 10th!  Information > Beacon's Police Chief Will Attend Monday Night City Council Meeting For Conversation (Meeting via Zoom/YouTube) On Monday night, June 8th, the City of Beacon Police Chief, Kevin Junjulas, will join the City Council for a conversation on best practices and training for the Beacon Police Department. If you wish to listen in on conversation, an invitation to the virtual meeting is below. Also please see this link to a video from June 1st of City Councilmembers commenting on the protests https://vimeo.com/425223009 YouTube: You can watch the meeting live on the City's YouTube channel. Zoom: You are invited to a Zoom webinar. When: Jun 8, 2020 07:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada) Topic: City Council Workshop Please click the link below to join the webinar: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82201559958?pwd=eHdHNjlNTXM1S0xueWRZYWRESmJyQT09 Password: 027050 Check our Calendar and Events Guide regularly for upcoming events throughout the week!   Visit A Little Beacon Blog's Restaurant Guide for updates on who is open, delivering, or has paused for now. INDUSTRIAL ARTS BREWING As we begin Pride Month 2020, this year’s design from Industrial Arts Brewing has added a brown stripe to show their solidarity with POC everywhere. These are now available in their web store and would make a nice addition to your beer order, but no other purchase is necessary. 100% of proceeds from the sale of these shirts will go to @rocklandcountypridecenter and @dutchesspride.  Information > EAT CHURCH This weekend special is going to hit the spot: It's the “Mission Style Burrito:” Black beans, yellow rice, queso, avocado, salsa, crema, hots. Old school vegetarian. $10. For those of you who have picky eaters, you will love the Bang Bang Spring Rolls. The easiest eatery to social distance in, as it is surrounded by parking lot, with a straight-on view of Mount Beacon. Order Now > Eat Church is a ALBB Sponsor! BAJA 328 ¡Salud! Baja 328 has made it to the final round of Hudson Valley Magazine's "Best Margarita"! There is still time to get your votes in! Visit this voting page to support your local canteen! Cast Your Vote! > Baja 328 is a ALBB Sponsor!   I AM BEACON To shop local has never been more important as it is today. The beauty of the Beacon community has many wonderful qualities - our small businesses being one of them! It is often said, charity begins at home- the pride of Beacon lies in our dedication and support of one another.  Pick up your I Am Beacon Strong T-shirt at Key Food to be entered in to win a $100 gift card to a local shop! Add this to your collection of other I Am Beacon t-shirts. Information > BINNACLE BOOKS Looking for literature related to Black History and educate yourself further on the issue of civil rights in this county? Binnacle Books has many titles to choose from such as:  - Jabari Asim, “We Can’t Breathe: On Black Lives, White Lies, and the Art of Survival” - Ibrahim X. Kendi, “How To Be An Antiracist” - “Chronicles of Black Protest” ed. Bradford Chambers If those concepts are new to you - or you've seen them before but didn't want to engage - engage now. Binnacle Books is a ALBB Sponsor, thank you! LUXE OPTIQUE It's getting too hot outside to wear your glasses and exercise at the same time. For those of you who are daily glasses wearers, you may need to open a new box of contacts! Luxe Optique is shipping contacts, and working on a new online ordering system. Deals: Get $25 off all year supplies of contacts + free shipping Get $10 off 6 month supplies + FREE SHIPPING FREE SHIPPING FOR ALL DIRECT SHIP CONTACT LENS ORDERS Your order might also be eligible for a manufactures rebate of up to $150!  Order: Text 845-838-2020 or email at info@luxeoptique.com Luxe Optique is a Sponsor, thank you! PTACEK HOME Your indoor plant collection has been growing, we get it, it's happening in our Managing Editor Marilyn's home as we speak! Look at these beautiful Sustain Planters with heart pine from PTACEK Home. Beautiful. OMG. Shop Now > PTACEK Home is a Sponsor, thank you! COLD FIT CRYOTHERAPY Cold Fit Cryotherapy is thrilled to announce that they will re-open on Wednesday, June 10th! "All NYS requirements for sanitation will be strictly followed!" they say. They look forward to “freezing” with you soon!    View more upcoming classes for in the Adult Classes Guide and Kids Classes Guide. ANTALEK & MOORE Scheduling a Zoom call with Antalek & Moore is a convenient, safe and easy way to talk to any of their agents. Contact your insurance representative or email them at info@antalek-moore.com to schedule your call today. They miss you! And did you see Terry's bike for National Bike Day? Antalek & Moore is a Sponsor, thank you! TIN SHINGLE Tin Shingle is a resource and empowerment platform for business owners, artists and makers to get the word out about their business. This is done through webinars (called "TuneUps") to be watched on replay any time; an online safe-space forum to ask questions and get answers and support; and in-person opportunities to bounce ideas off experts in a live video format. Learn More > KATIE JAMES, INC. Couture branding boutique, Katie James, Inc. designed the website for Beacon-based Knot Too Shabby in Shopify last year. Designed with the shop owner in mind, this website features various types of products, including paint, stencils, furniture, and classes. Katie James, Inc. can design your website too, or consult with you as you build it. We got a suggestion in from a reader, who wanted to know how to send A Little Beacon Blog financial support to help us continue to produce. Even just $5. First of all: THANK YOU to that reader for wanting to do this! Support Here > People Who Have Given Reading your comments of what ALBB means to your life has been humbling and keeps us going. Thank you. See Who Supported >

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The Retail Therapy Guide - 5/29/2020

Today is Friday. At the time of this writing (9am) a black reporter and the production crew filming him has been arrested by 6am, and later released (CNN's Omar Jimenez). The president has been neutered on Twitter for glorifying violence with a "looting and shooting" part of the tweet that was hidden. Debates on censorship and safety for humans between person to person contact as fueled by race and racism are happening all at once and very quickly (to see how we really feel about censorship of privately held social media companies, visit ALBB's sister company, Tin Shingle). Safety is also being debated about (sad that the word "also" just slipped into there) about protecting one's self from a virus that you can't see. Writing about these different concepts happening at the same time is extremely difficult. As it is to live it - on a sunny day on the weekend - as we slide into the first weekend of the Phase 1 opening, where we are jubilant with hope of doing old "normal" things like seeing each other easily out on Main Street glimmers into our minds. Stay safe out there, as we learn the new normal as it gets developed.   Beacon Farmers Market Reopens - Slowly With a new setup and schedule-based shopping experience in place, the Beacon Farmers Market is opening their outdoor market this Sunday. Delivery remains available for quarantined and immune-compromised people. All others are encouraged to come to the market, but are cautioned: "This is not the usual social gathering space as we know it.” Photo Credit of greens: Maple View Farm Read More >   Poughkeepsie Farmers Market Accepting SNAP To address the extreme food need during the pandemic, the Poughkeepsie Farmers Market opened one month early to serve customers and bring their vendors access to selling their wares. The market is open on Mondays and serves people using SNAP benefits. Details about accessing the market can be found in this article. Photo Credit of greens: Poughkeepsie Farmers Market Read More >   The Animal Rescue Foundation (ARF) Virtual 5K Run & Walk Days: Sunday May 17-June 17, 2020 Time: At Your Own Pace Location: Favorite trail, your neighborhood, the park, your treadmill! Complete a 5 Kilometer run and/or walk (5K kilometers = 3.1 miles) in the comfort of your own neighborhood or on a treadmill between May 17th  and June 17th, 2020. You choose the date, the time and location. Registration ends June 10th!  Information > Beacon of Love Fundraiser for Fareground Days: Preview Friday, Fundraiser Saturday-Tuesday Location: Online! The virtual doors opened at 9am Friday Featuring works by 31 local artists and with prices tiered at $100, $150, and $250, this on-line fundraiser for Fareground runs Saturday through Tuesday June 2. The Fundraiser benefits Fareground, a Beacon-based nonprofit organization that is helping to feed local individuals and families who are experiencing food insecurity because of Covid-19. Funds raised will be split 50/50 between the artist and Fareground. They have coordinated so many free bags of groceries, made available during Beacon City School meal pickup. They also have been delivering to housing developments in Beacon, where leaving the house to get food to kids can be difficult. Artwork clockwise from top left: Andrea Moreau, Richard Bruce, Julia Whitney Barnes, James Case-Leal Information > Check our Calendar and Events Guide regularly for upcoming events throughout the week!   See Who's Brewing Coffee In Beacon and  Who is Brewing Beer And Selling Cans In/Near Beacon!  Visit A Little Beacon Blog's Restaurant Guide for updates on who is open, delivering, or has paused for now. HOMESPUN FOODS Homespun Foods is working with local farmer to offer their Farm Kits every Saturday, from 10am-2pm, for curb-side pick-up or delivery. Lots of new wines available, granola, carrot cake, vegan cookie dough and scone dough available, farm eggs, local milk. Each kit costs $30, and is stocked with beautiful local produce from organic farms in the area. Order online through their eStore on our website, homespunfoods.com/estore. Order by Monday for the following Saturday pickup. That gives their farmer time to harvest. If you order this weekend, you'll pick it up next weekend. GLAZED OVER DONUTS GIFT CARDS NOW AVAILABLE ONLINE!  And they are making the store safe for their customers and staff in an effort to open soon. In the meantime, you can order gift cards online on their website (www.glazedoverdonuts.com) so you can surprise your family and friends with a nice treat . Gift cards must be used in store. EAT CHURCH Do you know what Thursday means? Beacon’s freshest food truck up on the hill of Industrial Arts Brewing at 511 Fishkill Ave (just past Auto Zone) is open from 4-8pm all weekend. Their new online ordering system is so easy! You can even assign a time to when you want to pick up. Or order when you’re there. Social distancing is super easy there. First of all, there is tons of parking. You could tailgate! Second of all, “curbside” is possible, as they bring it to your car. Eat Church is a sponsor of A Little Beacon Blog’s Restaurant Guide, which has helped elevate everyone’s Open/Paused status and special ways of working. Thank you, Eat Church! Eat Church is a ALBB Sponsor! BAJA 328 $10 Frozen Margaritas! You have a choice of Mango or Strawberry - swing by and cool down with one of our DELICIOUS Margaritas for take out. Open 12 to 8 PM.  Baja 328 is a ALBB Sponsor!   LUXE OPTIQUE Stylists from Luxe Optique have been spotted inside of the shop during this Phase 1 time to prepare the store for the new shopping experience that will come in a later Phase. Pictured here is Teya who you have seen as a model on their website and as a stylist helping to pick out frames. Right now, you can call-in to pre-order your contacts, you can drop off frames to be adjusted, and you can pick up any orders. Browse their collections online and purchase if you're ready! This line of frames is on sale. Luxe Optique is a Sponsor, thank you! KNOT TOO SHABBY We are thrilled for businesses when things sell, and they are able to continue selling through closed doors. Said Knot Too Shabby to her followers in Instagram: "This Pretty Petite Hutch came out of quarantine today. She sold and is 100% essential! Thank you Karen Perrault! Enjoy!" Knot Too Shabby carries some of the best furniture paint in the world - yes, in the world. It's the Chalk Paint from Annie Sloan. Normally, store owner Karen hosts classes on how use the paint (but she stresses that the paint is so great, you don't even need classes). Furniture and stencils are also for sale in the store, available online. ALBB's media company, Katie James, Inc., designed Knot To Shabby's website last year.   BEACON BEE Just added to our growing Face Covering/Mask Maker Guide is Beacon Bee. Beacon Bee has added a handmade, 100% cotton, bee print face mask to their line of honeybee related products. The mask has two layers of fabric (backing fabric comes in dark or light blue), and a versatile loop strap. $10.00 each and 10% goes to Fareground Community Kitchen. Information > RAVEN ROSE As the weather gets warmer and we spend more time outside, it's still nice to bring a touch of the outside into our homes. New plants continue to be added to Raven Rose's online shop for sale- because you can't have too many plants, right? Some are in limited supply so don't delay! #plantsmakepeoplehappy Shop online > BINNACLE BOOKS Just a reminder that if you’re looking to order a NEW BOOK and have it shipped to your door, Binnacle Books have got you covered! It’s as simple as visiting their website and clicking SHOP ONLINE — or just go straight to binnaclebooks.indielite.org. From there you can search and browse, order and pay!  Oh and when we say “NEW BOOKS” we mean new as opposed to used. It doesn’t have to be recently published! Just as long as it’s in print, they will get it for you.  Binnacle Books is a ALBB Sponsor, thank you! PTACEK HOME Their Spring Sale ends Saturday, May 31st! You still have time to take advantage of these great deals from PTACEK HOME like picking up one of these Matrix Nine Planters - because succulents deserve a beautiful home too.  Shop Now > PTACEK Home is a Sponsor, thank you!   BEAUTY TIP Are you trimming your own bangs? Shaping your own beard? Plucking your own eyebrows? Massaging your own neck? If you miss your stylist for these things, go ahead and send them some cash when you're doing this beauty update to yourself. They will thank you, and it helps them see you on the other side. BALLET ART STUDIO Ballet Arts Studio has announed its Summer Dance Programs for June and July 2020!  Despite the impact of COVID-19, Ballet Arts continues to provide an experienced faculty and thoughtful curriculum online.  All classes have been redesigned to optimize the use of smaller spaces, and their knowledgeable faculty, while vigorously correcting students during the online classes, is also guiding dancers in developing the very useful and beneficial skill of self-correction.  These classes provide structure during a very unstructured time, normalcy in a positive and familiar context, and healthy  safe activity.  A full summer schedule of online classes in ballet, pre-ballet, modern, jazz, tap and theater dance for ages 3 to 18. Information >   View more upcoming classes for in the Adult Classes Guide and Kids Classes Guide. ANTALEK & MOORE The vestibule at Antalek & Moore is open during regular business hours to drop off payment or paperwork contact free. The office is now open for regular business hours, Monday through Friday, 9 AM to 5 PM.  Their staff will be split into 50% working in the office while 50% will continue to work remotely and this will rotate on a weekly basis.  Updates to our new office procedures can be found on their website. Antalek & Moore is a Sponsor, thank you! TIN SHINGLE Tin Shingle is a resource and empowerment platform for business owners, artists and makers to get the word out about their business. This is done through webinars (called "TuneUps") to be watched on replay any time; an online safe-space forum to ask questions and get answers and support; and in-person opportunities to bounce ideas off experts in a live video format. Learn More > KATIE JAMES, INC. Couture branding boutique, Katie James, Inc. designed the website for Beacon-based Knot Too Shabby in Shopify last year. Designed with the shop owner in mind, this website features various types of products, including paint, stencils, furniture, and classes. Katie James, Inc. can design your website too, or consult with you as you build it. We got a suggestion in from a reader, who wanted to know how to send A Little Beacon Blog financial support to help us continue to produce. Even just $5. First of all: THANK YOU to that reader for wanting to do this! Support Here > People Who Have Given Reading your comments of what ALBB means to your life has been humbling and keeps us going. Thank you. See Who Supported >

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The Retail Therapy Guide - 5/15/2020

It's Reopening Day today in New York State! That brings mixed feelings for different people, but we know this: you need a face covering when you venture out to that gardening center, golf course (already has been open, sans bathrooms or food), or drive-in movie theater. And you need more than one face covering. A Little Beacon Blog has started our list of local recommendations - who is sewing and making local. See our Face Mask Gift Guide here. If you are making and selling dynamite masks, we want to know about it. Please contact us with details on how to purchase. We know that there is an army of Makers who have been strictly making for the front lines. Now that the public is mandated to wear them when 6' social distancing is not possible, we want to help people feel proud and confident in their mask fashion. PS: See how Beacon's floral shops, who need to remain closed because they are Retail, are still getting flowers to you. Sloop Clearwater To Raise Sails and Spirits Amid Pandemic Day: Sunday, May 17, 2020 Time: 1-4pm Location: Facebook Live Information > Check our Calendar and Events Guide regularly for upcoming events throughout the week!   See Who's Brewing Coffee In Beacon and  Who is Brewing Beer And Selling Cans In/Near Beacon!  Visit A Little Beacon Blog's Restaurant Guide for updates on who is open, delivering, or has paused for now. BEACON NATURAL MARKET Beginning Friday May 15, Beacon Natural Market will open their doors to the public with these Safety Guidelines: -Only Five customers allowed in the store at a time. -Mask must be worn to enter the store. -Hand sanitizer will be provided at the front of the store and must be applied upon entering. -Please observe the six foot distance tapes marked on the floor. -Additionally, only one customer at a time will be allowed in the bulk section. - Gloves provided at the station must be used. Hours are 10am-6pm Monday-Saturday & 10am-5pm Sunday. Curbside pickup and delivery orders will still be available with a processing fee of 5% (Min $5.00 charge) View ordering instructions at www.beaconnaturalmarket.com Information > EAT CHURCH Thursday through Sunday you can grab a bite to eat from Eat Church. You can grab their daily special or pick from their menu. Visit their website to view current menu & place your orders for pickup or delivery or call (917) 364-0838. Online ordering is super easy! And the view of the mountain is spectacular. Eat Church food truck located on the hill at Industrial Arts at 511 Fishkill Avenue.  Plenty of parking in the swooping parking lots. Follow them on Instagram (@eatchurch) for daily specials only available at the truck. Eat Church is a ALBB Sponsor!   BARB'S BUTCHERY We are absolutely drooling over this bacon, egg, and cheese biscuit sandwich from Barb's Butchery. (Have we mentioned how happy to have you back??) They're also keeping their cases filled with lamb hotdogs, smoked kielbasa, smoked linguica, and a new smoked tomato sausage!  Give them a follow on Instagram @barbsbutchery or on Facebook.     LAST OUTPOST It's chilly outside, now it's almost 80, back to chilly - we can't keep track! One day we are sipping iced coffee, the next a hot scotch! Get yerself a cup that does both! Stainless steel tumblers available on LastOutpostStore.com (free local delivery with code LOCALDELIVERY). Information > COLORANT Check the new naturally-dyed cotton face masks by Colorant. Infused with Indigo & Cutch. Solid & Two-tone available. Made in partnership with @sigunikstudio to support the continuation of mask donations to the frontlines and community organizations in NY's Hudson Valley region. Information > BINNACLE BOOKS If you see a book on Binnacle Books's Instagram account that you’d like or if you can think of a book you’d like that they might have, please special order it here. Include your address in the notes! They will find that book for you, invoice you, and then they will bike it over to your home or ship it, depending of course on where you are. View Binnacle Book's Instagram Here > Binnacle Books is a ALBB Sponsor, thank you! PTACEK HOME The Spring Sale continues! Your food is local, but your table might not be! Chow down on PTACEK's Chow Table!  Order now with curbside pickup or front door delivery.  The Chow Table is now 30% off which means now it is $1,330. Visit their website for more information! Shop Now > PTACEK Home is a Sponsor, thank you! LUXE OPTIQUE Remember this guy? Ryon from Luxe Optique misses you too. Check out this photo shoot he did pre-pandemic. Photographers are looking at ways to safely photograph once again. Luxe Optique is looking to work with new people for photo shoots. "Bringing together talented people from all over the Hudson Valley is one of the reasons we enjoy our photo shoots so much." Let them know if you or someone you know is interested in modeling for them! No prior experience required. Luxe Optique is a Sponsor, thank you! CUTE STYLES FOR KIDS Put the scissors away!!  Check out these cute style for the little ones! They are quick and easy.  Send a DM to @audrinashair on Instagram for suggestions on styles and products.  Let her know A Little Beacon Blog sent you!   BEAUTY TIP Are you trimming your own bangs? Shaping your own beard? Plucking your own eyebrows? Massaging your own neck? If you miss your stylist for these things, go ahead and send them some cash when you're doing this beauty update to yourself. They will thank you, and it helps them see you on the other side. Online Philosophers Youth Café via Zoom Day: Wednesday, May 17, 2020 Time: 4pm Location: Howland Public Library via Zoom Dan Fisherman will be hosting a Youth Philosophers Cafe for young inquiring minds in grades 6-9. Dan will lead students in in a discussion that explores a philosophical, ethical, or socio-political issue. Information > Online Socrates Cafe via Zoom Day: Tuesday, May 19, 2020 Time: 4-5pm Location: Howland Public Library via Zoom join moderator and Beacon resident, Daniel Fisherman, online on as he leads a Socrates Café program. Email Adult Services Librarian, Alison Herrero, for the invitation link at adults@beaconlibrary.org. Information >   View more upcoming classes for in the Adult Classes Guide and Kids Classes Guide. ANTALEK & MOORE It's Foodie Friday at Antalek and Moore! They really want to know...What did you order tonight? Was it Brothers? Hattie's? Kitchen Sink? Eat Church? MOD's? The Beacon Hotel? The Beacon Daily? OMG, which one!?! Ok, ALBB will go first: Tonight we ordered a pizza from the wood burning oven of Ama. Last weekend Marilyn ordered from the Dutchessbier Cafe in Fishkill. Let Them Know! > Antalek & Moore is a Sponsor, thank you! TIN SHINGLE Are you trying to pitch the media, hoping to get PR about your company? Are you emailing a newspaper, blog or TV station to let them know about something interesting you have done with your business? There is a great way to do this, and an off-putting way to do this. Watch this video tip to learn the difference, and flip the switch on how you are communicating with the media! Watch This > We got a suggestion in from a reader, who wanted to know how to send A Little Beacon Blog financial support to help us continue to produce. Even just $5. First of all: THANK YOU to that reader for wanting to do this! Support Here > People Who Have Given Reading your comments of what ALBB means to your life has been humbling and keeps us going. Thank you. See Who Supported >

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The Retail Therapy Guide - 5/82020

This Mother's Day Edition of the Retail Therapy Guide is dedicated to a mother, Wanda Cooper-Jones, who lost her son, Ahmaud Arbery, when he was shot and killed while out jogging. If you have not seen the now famous video that shows it, you can watch it here. Ahmaud was the baby of 3 children. He was an avid runner and football player. His birthday was today. Many runners today dedicated their runs to him using #irunwithmaud to further bring attention to the case. If you have not watched the video yet, you should reconsider and watch it. FUNDRAISERS - HELP IN THE TIME OF THE PANDEMIC At the request of one of our new reader supporters, A Little Beacon Blog complied an easy list of fundraisers to contribute to whenever you want to. Some of these are date driven. Those will be posted to the top of the list. This is a live guide, so refresh the page, and give when you can! Just an hour left on this neighborhood one that is spreading finance and hope to a lot of different people. Get This Guide > MOTHER'S DAY GIFT GUIDE Featured Gift: Beacon Bee If you’ve heard that local honey is the best, then you’re going to love these all-natural beeswax-based skin and hair products from Beacon Bee. The beeswax is taken from their own hives. The scents are delicious, and everything can be packaged into wedding favors as well. A perfect gift for a person who loves Beacon and beeswax based beauty. Shop Now > Facebook Live Event: Mother's Day Fundraising Concert In Memory of Toshi Seeger Day: Sunday, May 10, 2020 Time: 10am-10pm Location: Facebook Live Original, folk and grassroots activist musicians have been the heartbeat of Clearwater’s musical community; and over two dozen artists from around the country will be performing in a 12-hour Mother’s Day Tribute to Toshi Seeger on Sunday, May 10th from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. The event will be curated by a favorite Clearwater Festival performer, Fred Gillen Jr.  Read more about this event in our article. Check our Calendar and Events Guide regularly for upcoming events throughout the week!   Last Friday, we brought you Who's Brewing Coffee In Beacon. This week we're bringing you the BEER! Check out Who is Brewing Beer And Selling Cans In/Near Beacon!  Visit A Little Beacon Blog's Restaurant Guide for updates on who is open, delivering, or has paused for now. EAT CHURCH - THEY ARE BACK!!! Eat Church is back! The food truck up on the hill at Industrial Arts at 511 Fiskill Avenue. Pick up some cans at Industrial Arts, and some warm street food! The truck is naturally socially distanced. Plenty of parking in the swooping parking lots. WHEN: Thursday - Sunday, 4-8pm HOW: Call (917) 364-0838 to place your order. OR use Grubhub for delivery. OR place pickup order on their website www.eatchurch.com. They added ordering to their website! Follow them on Instagram (@eatchurch) for daily specials only available at the truck. Eat Church is a ALBB Sponsor! Information >   THE BEACON HOTEL RESTAURANT Newly open for take-out, The Beacon Hotel Restaurant's menu is perfect for a polar vortex during a pandemic. Fresh cheese ravioli with creamy tomato prosciutto sauce - sign us up! Call to place your order! 845-743-6527 Information >   MIZZ HATTIE'S BBQ Don't make your mother cook on Mother's Day. Let @mizhattiesbbq give your mother a meal she won't forget! $80 Mother's Day Meal includes: 8 pc Southern Friend Chicken 1 pint of pulled pork 1 Container baked beans Green or pasta salad Corn Bread Bread Pudding A half tray of Mac & Cheese And a bottle of wine (compliments of @therooseveltbar) Call 914-656-7325 to pre-order today! Located inside the Hudson Valley Food Hall. Information > BEACON NATURAL MARKET The Beacon Natural Market is looking for a couple good people to join their team. Email your enquiries to beacon348@mail.com. Include your name, phone number, and work experience. No phone calls at this time please. Information >   BARB'S BUTCHERY Barb’s Butchery is coming back starting Friday, May 8th! Open daily 8am-6pm. 40% off the freezers on Friday, 5/8/20. The grill will be on, take out only… The store front is open as usual, limited to three customers at a time and please wear a mask. We will start taking orders on Thursday morning. Give them a follow on Instagram @barbsbutchery or on Facebook.     BINNACLE BOOKS “Plagues and Peoples” by William H. McNeill, Carlo Caduff's “The Pandemic Perhaps: Dramatic Events in a Public Culture of Danger”, or maybe “Flu: The Story of the Great Influenza Pandemic of 1918 and the Search for the Virus that Caused It” by Gina Kolkata, yeah, it's a mood for sure, but these are some of the books for sale at binnaclebooks.com. “SHOP ONLINE” and search, browse suggested titles and new releases, and click to order. Follow their eye-catching Instagram account at @binnaclebooks to see what's in stock! They are still taking care of local delivery for in-store stock as well, so keep those requests and inquiries coming! Information > Binnacle Books is a ALBB Sponsor, thank you!   LUXE OPTIQUE Enjoy this throwback video from Luxe Optique's Spring Photo Shoot. These photoshoots is an opportunity to bring together talented people from all over the Hudson Valley. If you know someone that might be interested in collaborating on a shoot with Luxe Optique, reach out to them and let them know!  See full video here > Luxe Optique is a Sponsor, thank you! PTACEK Home PTACEK HOME has exactly what you need to say thanks to Mom. She'll love the gift, and you'll like the price because a Sale is going on now! Ordering is stress free with immediate front door delivery - giving you plenty of time to plan Sunday with Mom. See more furniture on their website. Visit ptacekhome.com for more information!  PTACEK Home is a Sponsor, thank you!   CUTE STYLES FOR KIDS Put the scissors away!!  Check out these cute style for the little ones! They are quick and easy.  Send a DM to @audrinashair on Instagram for suggestions on styles and products.  Let her know A Little Beacon Blog sent you!   BEAUTY TIP Are you trimming your own bangs? Shaping your own beard? Plucking your own eyebrows? Massaging your own neck? If you miss your stylist for these things, go ahead and send them some cash when you're doing this beauty update to yourself. They will thank you, and it helps them see you on the other side. BEBHAKTI YOGA CENTER beBhakti Yoga Center is celebrating Mother's Day and the moms in our lives--which is why they are offering "Bring Your Mom for Free" for this Sunday's class-- May 10th at 9:30am.  Give the gift of yoga to the one who gave you the gift of life. If your Mom can't make it on Sunday--gift her with one of our on-demand class offerings at the link below so she can practice anytime.    HOWLAND PUBLIC LIBRARY The library continues with their Helen Savoit Day Time Book Club. For this month, book club member - and all adults! - are welcome to answer the following four questions regarding "The Last Runaway" by Tracy Chevalier. Email your answers to Alison at adults@beaconlibrary.org by (and including) Tuesday, May 12th. Alison will then compile everyone's answers and email them back to everyone using first name only. The questions are: 1. What roles does silence play in this novel? 2. What friendships meant the most to Honor? Were they surprising? 3. How important is quilt-making to Honor and society at the time? Is a quilt just a quilt or much more? 4. Who, in this novel, is searching for freedom? In what way? Also at the Howland Public Library for grades 6-9 is their Online Philosophers Youth Café via Zoom this Wednesday, May 6th and 4pm. Dan Fisherman will be hosting a Youth Philosophers Cafe for young inquiring minds in grades 6-9. Dan will lead students in in a discussion that explores a philosophical, ethical, or socio-political issue.  This sessions will be held via Zoom.  Click here for more information. ANTALEK & MOORE Have you met Antalek & Moore's May Client Spotlight? If you are a member of the Beacon community, chances are you know of Dr. Norm Schofield, owner of Chiropractic Group of Hudson Valley. Dr. Schofield started his practice here in 1993.  He always knew he wanted to come back "home" as the 4th Schofield generation to grow up in Beacon and continue to invest in the local community. "Not only have we had the privilege to work with Chiropractic Group of Hudson Valley for the past 20 years, but agency founder Fred Antalek also partnered with Norm to create the Norm Schofield Golf Tournament and Scholarship Fund in honor of Norm's father," says Antalek and Moore in this video they produced.   Learn more about Dr. Schofield and Chiropractic Group of Hudson Valley in Antalek and Moore's Client Spotlight video. Antalek & Moore is a Sponsor, thank you! TIN SHINGLE Creative business types are always looking for inspiration on how to keep going - especially during a socially distanced shut-down. Tin Shingle's Teslie Andrade interviewed Albany based photographer Elario Photography, and was the subject of his new FaceTime-based photo shoot. While you're getting inspired on a new pivot your own business could mak during this time, check out this Beacon-based photographer who is also well-versed in the digital photo world (but does know the value and wonderful aroma of the darkroom), Ron Donofrio. Read This > We got a suggestion in from a reader, who wanted to know how to send A Little Beacon Blog financial support to help us continue to produce. Even just $5. First of all: THANK YOU to that reader for wanting to do this! Support Here > People Who Have Given Reading your comments of what ALBB means to your life has been humbling and keeps us going. Thank you. See Who Supported >

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The Retail Therapy Guide - 5/1/2020

READER SUPPORT A Little Beacon Blog would not be here if it weren't for YOU, our dear readers.  And we wish to share our heartfelt thanks and acknowledge you for your continued support. If you've been following us on Instagram (@alittlebeacon), we've been sharing messages from readers who have contributed through our Readers Support page.  FUNDRAISERS - HELP IN THE TIME OF THE PANDEMIC At the request of one of our new reader supporters, A Little Beacon Blog complied an easy list of fundraisers to contribute to whenever you want to. Some of these are date driven. Those will be posted to the top of the list. This is a live guide, so refresh the page, and give when you can! Start Here > MEET THE ARF ALL STARS Now more than ever ARF Beacon need your support and have launched for #givingtuesday Meet The ARF All Stars!  Due to the COVID-19 Pandemic, they are not able to maintain operations as normal.  The main source of funds for ARF come through fundraising events & food/supply drives which have all been postponed indefinitely. They have many animals that have been here a long time that may never be adopted through no fault of their own, "but we love them all," says ARF.  Your donation for one will help continue to provide the care needed for that pet and all of the ARF dogs and cats until they find their forever homes or no longer need ARF. But some pets come back, like Max, who came to ARF as a 3-month pup when a high-kill shelter wanted to put him and his siblings to sleep. He's back after his adopter needed to move and surrendered him. You can select the pet you want to donate to, as well as other animals in ARF's care, as needed. To see the individual animals you can donate to, click here.  The shelter will be closed to the public until further notice. This campaign is only a week long, and there are only 6 days left! Please contact ARF at www.arfbeacon.org if you are considering adoption. FIREFLY YOGA FUNDRAISER Yoga is a passion for our Managing Editor, Marilyn Perez. She practices yoga, completed her teacher training, and currently teaches at Firefly Yoga in Fishkill.  They just set up a GoFundMe page in order to help with rent and utilities, continue to provide free morning meditations, free classes on Wednesdays, as well as a full digital class schedule. Check out Firefly Yoga GoFundMe Page to learn more about this community and to donate. BEACON HIGH SCHOOL SENIORS The Governor announced today that both grade schools and colleges were officially closed for the remainder of the school year. In his message to the community sent via robo-call, Beacon's Superintendent Matthew Landahl gave a moment of consideration for the Senior class. A fundraiser has been started for them, by way of yard signs. Buy a sign for $20 and show your support in your yard. Donate Now >   Howland Public Library presents "Finger Fables For Families!" Facebook Live Day: Sunday, May 3, 2020 Time: 11am Location: Facebook Live - https://www.facebook.com/beaconlibrary/ Got some squiggly squirming children? Get them engaged with "hands-on" storytelling! Join local storyteller Jonathan Kruk, live on Facebook Sunday 11am-12pm. Guided by a master tale-teller, children turn their hands into fabulous characters. Information > The CINEHUB Virtual Coffee Hour Day: Wednesday May 6, 2020 Time: 1pm Location: The CINEHUB via Zoom RSVP via Facebook or send them an email! Staying connected with peers is a part of staying positive and being ready for work when it returns.  Join them at the next virtual coffee event! Information > Stony Kill Spring Plant Sale Days: May 7-9, 2020 Time: See below Location: Stony Kill Foundation, 79 Farmstead Lane, Wappingers Falls, NY Stony Kill is pleased to bring you their annual Plant Sale to help generate much-needed funds for the Farm. With the recent announcement that NYS remains on pause till May 15, their plan for pick up of your plants at the farm will no longer be an option, so they are delivering your plant order to your home. This is an important fundraiser for Stony Kill right now. Orders due by Tuesday, May 5th. Information > Digital Theater with Story Screen Days: Every Day Time: Any Time Location: Your Couch Have you checked out any of the digital movie offerings from Story Screen you can watch from your home? Movies are curated by Story Screen. You can even buy a gift card for the movie lover in your life!  Make tonight a movie night!  Information >   Has your coffee routine changed in the last two months? We put together a list of where you can still get your hot (or iced) cup in Beacon - Coffee Is Essential! Who Is Roasting And Pouring Coffee In Beacon? Visit A Little Beacon Blog's Restaurant Guide for updates on who is open, delivering, or has paused for now. THE BEACON HOTEL RESTAURANT The Beacon Hotel Restaurant is re-opening! The restaurant will be opening their doors for delivery and takeout/curbside pick up starting next Wednesday, May 6th. They will be introducing an exclusive express menu and operating with limited hours for the time being. "To do our part to support the local community, we will be providing all meals at reduced prices!" New hours starting next Wednesday are: Wed, Thurs & Fri 2-8pm Saturday 12-8pm Sunday 12-5pm They will also be donating 10% of all sales each week to various local “non-essential” small businesses. We are all in this together! Information > KITCHEN SINK Rejoice! We are so excited to learn that Kitchen Sink is launching STUFF’d!  The KS team will be bringing you a fun take-out pop up for the next few weekends. "Over the past 5 years we have loved making all different types of “dumplings” from the kreplach we served on opening night, potstickers, raviolis, empandas and more," says Kitchen Sink via Instagram. This weekend’s menu is now live their website (http://www.kitchensinkny.com/). Order online or via phone starting  take-out this weekend 4-8pm. Hungry yet? Information > YANKEE CLIPPER DINER Nothing says mouth watering like a diner breakfast right?  The Yankee Clipper Diner is once again OPEN for take out, curbside pickup, delivery, and pick up in vestibule. Hours are 9:00am - 8:00pm 7 days a week - classic diner-style. Due to increased precautions and government mandates, they are not allowed to have multiple customers in the diner at once. "If you would like to place your order in person, come in and place your order at the register and please wait for your order too be ready outside or in the vestibule," they instruct. Information > MEYER'S OLDE DUTCH FOOD & SUCH Make your own with Meyer's Olde's Dutch Sangria kits - everything you need to make your own sangria for $30.  Kits contain: 1 bottle Teira Sauvignon blanc 1 container MOD pink mix - Gifford pamplemousse, Beefeater gin, Campari and Grapefruit juice 1 container sliced grapefruit Meyer’s Olde Dutch is going take out only for now. We encourage you to order online at www.meyersoldedutch.com. Hours are currently 11:30am until 8pm Sunday through Thursday; Friday and Saturday 11:30am until 9pm. Scheduled orders for pickup only. Information > BARB'S BUTCHERY This was exciting to see in our Instagram feed! Barb's Butchery is coming back! Beginning with a freezer sale next Friday, May 8th, and opening shop "somehow" Saturday, May 9th.  Stay tuned and give them a follow on Instagram @barbsbutchery or on Facebook. BAJA 328 It's gonna warm up this weekend, stay cool with a Baja 328's Signature Margaritas! Baja 328 is still offering pick-up and delivery orders, including go-to drinks. This includes one of their signature margaritas!  Information > Baja 328 is a Sponsor, thank you!     MOTHERS DAY GIFT GUIDE ALERT Yes, A Little Beacon Blog is having a Mothers Day Gift Guide this year! Can include food or shopping. From time to time, we curate a gift guide for something special, like Candles for a moment of thanks to those who have passed during the pandemic, to great Easter ideas for those egg hunts. For those types of gift guides, we open it up far and wide for submissions at no charge. For traditional Gift Guides, like a Mothers Day, we can do this, but in order to help us continue to run this publication, we need to charge for placement in this type of traditional gift guide. PRICING: Current Advertisers: Free Level 2 Treatment - the works! Level 1: $50 (listing in Gift Guide) Level 2: $100 (listing in Gift Guide + Instagram feature) If interested, please email us and we'll send you the link to purchase/support, and we'll get your promotion set up! BINNACLE BOOKS Forget Amazon! Order Binnacle! Support Main Street for your literary needs.  Visit binnaclebooks.com and select “SHOP ONLINE” and search, browse suggested titles and new releases, and click to order. What's your next book order? Ours is Chronicles of Narnia for the kids, and maybe this one by Kelly O'Connor McNees, "Undiscovered Country," a novel inspired by the lives of Eleanor Roosevelt and Lorena Hickok. Follow their eye-catching Instagram account at @binnaclebooks to see what's in stock! They are still taking care of local delivery for in-store stock as well, so keep those requests and inquiries coming! Information > Binnacle Books is a Sponsor, thank you!   LUXE OPTIQUE The Beacon Community misses you too Luxe Optique! Don't forget to check out their store online at https://www.luxeoptique.com where you can get $25 off a year supply of contact lenses and free shipping!  Look With Your Eyes > Luxe Optique is a Sponsor, thank you! PTACEK Home Take a nap on some Hudson Valley wood! PTACEK's Sprawl Day Bed is now 30% off, along with the rest of the Chunk Line and Trim Line, throughout May! Purchasing safe and easy - they offer curbside pickup or front door delivery.  Visit ptacekhome.com for more information!  PTACEK Home is a Sponsor, thank you! LLTO (LIVE LIGHT TRAVEL OFTEN) These sweet hand carved paddle trays bring warmth to any surface. It’s nice to bring the forest inside. Use while snacking, or change up your desk with a new shape made from a natural element to place your pencils on. Each board is rich with its own unique teak root pattern. Sustainably harvested in Bali. Shop Now > LLTO is a Sponsor, thank you! THE CRAFTY HAMMER One of the first things The Crafty Hammer did upon moving to Beacon was to advertise with A Little Beacon Blog. We will never forget their support and generosity, and are doubly sad to report that they are pulling up the pins and leaving Beacon. The husband and wife team both have lung diseases that make dealing with the virus too risky. Everything in the shop is for sale (most everything). Find pieces of decor, shelving, bins, and more. See their Facebook page for pictures, and contact Joely Polokoff joely@thecraftyhammer.com with questions and interest. Start Browsing > BEAUTY TIP Are you trimming your own bangs? Shaping your own beard? Plucking your own eyebrows? Massaging your own neck? If you miss your stylist for these things, go ahead and send them some cash when you're doing this beauty update to yourself. They will thank you, and it helps them see you on the other side.   BEACON PERFORMING ARTS CENTER The Beacon Performing Arts Center has released a bunch of brand new online classes for the month of May!  Classes for as young as 2 years all through college.  Each class is 4 weeks only. Plus, register your child for one class, and they can register for a second age-appropriate class for half price! Register two or more siblings and they receive 20% off. "We understand this is a difficult time financially for many families. We have many scholarships available for Hudson Valley area children." Please email Info@BeaconPerformingArtsCenter.com! Classes include Broadway Babes, Musical Theater Dance, and Nailing Your Audition! You can see the full list of classes and register by clicking here.  Please note: Each class much have a minimum of 5 participants to run. COMPASS ARTS Compass Arts classes are in the middle of their Spring session. Many of their classes have moved online on Zoom.   You can find their current and upcoming sessions online.  The next session begins the first week of May and lasts through the first week of June.  Check their schedule for specific dates depending on the class.  Information > HOWLAND PUBLIC LIBRARY The library continues with their Helen Savoit Day Time Book Club. For this month, book club member - and all adults! - are welcome to answer the following four questions regarding "The Last Runaway" by Tracy Chevalier. Email your answers to Alison at adults@beaconlibrary.org by (and including) Tuesday, May 12th. Alison will then compile everyone's answers and email them back to everyone using first name only. The questions are: 1. What roles does silence play in this novel? 2. What friendships meant the most to Honor? Were they surprising? 3. How important is quilt-making to Honor and society at the time? Is a quilt just a quilt or much more? 4. Who, in this novel, is searching for freedom? In what way? Also at the Howland Public Library for grades 6-9 is their Online Philosophers Youth Café via Zoom this Wednesday, May 6th and 4pm. Dan Fisherman will be hosting a Youth Philosophers Cafe for young inquiring minds in grades 6-9. Dan will lead students in in a discussion that explores a philosophical, ethical, or socio-political issue.  This sessions will be held via Zoom.  Click here for more information. ANTALEK & MOORE Defensive Driving is back! Now you can do the online version of the Defensive Driving Class. Antalek and Moore highly recommends that you take this class in order to qualify for these benefits: • May reduce up to 4 points on your driving record • Save up to 10% off on a vehicle liability, PIP (Personal Injury Protection) and collision premium for up to 3 years off Principal Operator • No formal tests! From the comfort of your home, only $29.95 per person with PROMO CODE: 501 Sign Up Now > Antalek & Moore is a Sponsor, thank you! TIN SHINGLE Late night TV is back. No studios. No Audiences. In the days since the coronavirus pandemic forced hiatus, the late-night comedy shows are gradually coming back. Many of them returned to their familiar broadcast time slots, but in completely different forms. Tin Shingle has researched these shows to include names of producers and assistants to contact, for brands who are getting the word out about their business, and feel that the audiences of these shows would resonate with your message. Learn More > We got a suggestion in from a reader, who wanted to know how to send A Little Beacon Blog financial support to help us continue to produce. Even just $5. First of all: THANK YOU to that reader for wanting to do this! If you are feeling like you want to send ALBB anything as a reader then visit the new link in the ABOUT tab, called: “I Want To Support ALBB!” Different amounts are available, starting at $5. Click here  or the graphic above to learn more on how you can help! Support Here > People Who Have Given Reading your comments of what ALBB means to your life has been humbling and keeps us going. Thank you. See Who Supported >

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The Retail Therapy Guide - 4/24/2020

CSA listings are LIVE in A Little Beacon Blog's Business Directory! A Little Beacon Blog is waiving the listing fee for New York CSAs for those farms with fresh produce who are trying to reach consumers seeking fresh produce, and for those people who are trying to find variation on where they are finding fresh food, and want to support local farms who have lost restaurant clients and other wholesale orders. If you don't see your farm listed, contact us and include your CSA name, website URL, Facebook, Instagram, and a one-sentence description of the type of food you offer. Read more about this new service here.  beBhakti Yoga Center in Beacon started a GoFundMe page to keep operations going in their studio. Funds from this campaign will: Help pay rent/mortgage, utilities, insurance and other studio operating costs. Help pay their dedicated staff of teachers. Help keep their classes running, community outreach programs going, and the studio thriving as a destination (you can learn about their community outreach initiatives and philanthropic endeavors on their GoFundMe page).  Beacon fitness centers have made the quick switch to conducting classes online and providing wellness support that people loved connecting with. A Little Beacon Blog has also included Fitness Centers in Beacon in our Business Directory and waived the listing fee. All other businesses are encouraged to list, and we have reduced the listing rates. Activate now, and you'll be locked in once we're on the other side of this pandemic. If you're a reader in NYC and long for Beacon - joining a fitness class is a great way to step into the Beacon community! Hop into these classes! Friday Night Cheer & Candlelight Days:  Friday, April 24, 2020 Times: 7 pm Cheer for Healthcare Workers; Essential Workers; Businesses Who Have Closed And Hope Beyond Hope To Return Times: 8 pm Candlelight for Those Who Have Passed Location: Your Front Porch/Yard/Window Join with the rest of the world as we salute the people helping us, and those who are hoping to return to their businesses. After dark, we want to light a candle for a moment of peace for those who have passed. Need a candle? We made a Gift Guide for you! The Candles Made Or Sold In Beacon. Send us pictures! Get Your Candle Now > Details About The Cheer/Candle > Yesterday's Firehouse Siren Salute For Dutchess County Maybe you heard it - the firehouse siren to honor those fighting COVID-19. A reader recorded it in East Fishkill and posted it to A Little Beacon Blog in the Comments. ALBB recorded it in Beacon, and posted it at Instagram. Oh, so many ways to access sound online. Details > Listen To Beacon's Siren > Online Offstage Chamber Music Festival Days:  Saturday, April 25, 2020 Times: 11 am and 3 pm (see below) Location: https://www.windsync.org/ Originally scheduled to perform at The Howland Cultural Center as part of their Spring Concert series, this performance has moved online.  11 am: Meet the Instrument Live: Andrew Staupe and the piano 3 pm: Virtual concert: Chamber Music from Texas - a streaming concert featuring our favorite artists and collaborators.  Presented in partnership with Kinetic, Invoke, Ivan Trevino, Apollo Chamber Players, and our guest artist, Andrew Staupe. Information > What are you going to order tonight? Steak? Or vegetarian? You've got options...Visit A Little Beacon Blog's Restaurant Guide for updates on who is open, who's delivering, or who has paused for now. DONATIONS: The Yankee Clipper and Chill Wine Bar are raising money to keep business operations warm while they are closed. THE BEACON DAILY We are drooling over The Beacon Daily's Falafel Wrap special!  Try out this wrap with housemade chickpea falafel, white sauce, lettuce, pickled onions, fresh cilantro, cucumber, in a spinach wrap.  Your friends at The Beacon Daily actually EXTENDED their hours into the evening to give you a break from cooking. Their curbside pickup and delivery hours are: Monday to Thursday: 10 am to 6 pm  Friday to Sunday: 8 am to 6 pm Information > HUDSON VALLEY EATS Hudson Valley Eats launched their business as a dining club that gives back to nonprofits who aid in fighting food insecurity. And then the pandemic happened, and put all that on hold. Now, Hudson Valley Eats has devoted all of their time to promoting restaurants and nonprofits in need. Their Facebook Group for Restaurants and Diners has lots of takeout ideas for consumers and resources for restaurant owners. Their Facebook Group for Food Insecurity is rich with volunteer information and giving-back opportunities. They recently published a list of organizations who are helping get food to people in need right now, who could use donations. Information > EAT CHURCH (Powered Down For Now) Doing a little Mark of Eat Church Throwback! A Little Beacon Blog really appreciates Eat Church's support during this time. Mark's wife Donna Belej is deeply involved with ARF, and has an exciting announcement about ARF's annual 5K: It's happening! But as a virtual 5K. They are building a website now for people to fundraise. ALBB will be solo-running somewhere locally, and maybe you will too! Details to come. Eat Church is a Sponsor, thank you! BAJA 328 Baja 328 is still offering pick-up and delivery orders, including to-go drinks! This includes their signature margaritas!  Information > Baja 328 is a Sponsor, thank you! BEACON NATURAL MARKET Running low on cookies?? Reach out to Beacon Natural Market and arrange a shopping appointment with one of their in-store shoppers. Visit their website to find out how to order. Their Instagram, @beaconnatural, is updated regularly with what's available in their store. Delivery and pickup options are available. They just hosted their first virtual tour the other day, and hopefully there will be more!    FLORA GOOD TIMES Flora Good Times has a special Curbside Pickup website to order flowers, plants, planters, and seeds for your home. You can pick up at the shop, or have it delivered. Our Managing Editor, Marilyn Perez, ordered a Sansevieria Trifasciata (pictured here in her home) and it was delivered to her doorstep the following day! Depending on the time you order, you may even have it delivered in a few hours! And if flowers are more your thing, check out their flower bouquet subscription options! Need help with your plants? Or you want a plant but not sure what to get? Arrange a 30-minute virtual consultation. Follow them on Instagram @floragoodtimes for their latest updates and live InstaStories. BINNACLE BOOKS Did you know that it is as easy to order books online from Binnacle Books as it is from Amazon? Take out the giant middle man and support Main Street for your literary needs. Just visit binnaclebooks.com and select “SHOP ONLINE” and search, browse suggested titles and new releases, and click to order. Of course they are still taking care of local delivery for in-store stock as well, so keep those requests and inquiries coming! Information > Binnacle Books is a Sponsor, thank you! LUXE OPTIQUE Luxe Optique is selling online! And there is a SALE going on for Hoffmann Natural Eyewear. Those who collect this line are going to love the sale tag they see in the online shop. Look With Your Eyes > Luxe Optique is a Sponsor, thank you! PTACEK Home PTACEK Home custom-makes furniture, as well as sells finished pieces from their Beacon storefront. The table pictured here was made from reclaimed beams from the client's demolished barn! Watch this video to see how the adjustable table works. It usually requires only one person to adjust. Watch How Easy > PTACEK Home is a Sponsor, thank you! LLTO (LIVE LIGHT TRAVEL OFTEN) We love these natural lines! Handmade by a husband and wife team in Massachusetts from upcycled wood, these black walnut bowls and salad tossers bring beauty to getting in your greens. Visit them online to learn more and see their additional color options. LLTO is offering free shipping on orders of $50 or more! Shop Now > LLTO is a Sponsor, thank you! A LUCKY CUT T-SHIRTS The T-shirts are in stock! But going quickly. If you miss your Lucky Longo, you can buy a T-shirt from her to keep her hopes alive of returning to her barbershop to cut hair. Go down memory lane when A Little Beacon Blog featured this lady barber last year. Check 'Em Out >   HOWLAND PUBLIC LIBRARY Have you checked out Howland Public Library's new "Howland at Home" blog?  You can find links to all of their online programming in one place: beaconpubliclibrary.weebly.com. Your library card gives you access right now to dozens of free resources like eBooks, audio books, streaming movies and music, digital magazines, newspapers, and continuing education. This week, home access to Ancestry Library Edition has been added courtesy of ProQuest. For easy access to the free online services, go to their website, www.beaconlibrary.org. There you will find links to services on their home page. Mid-Hudson Library System has also added quick links to library resources from the main catalog page for easy access.   THE UNDERGROUND BEACON Do you need your collectible and card game fix? The Underground Beacon wants everyone to know that their Magic The Gathering sessions are still happening twice a week - Fridays at 7 pm and Sundays at 2 pm via Zoom. Click here for more information. Information > FIREFLY YOGA Firefly Yoga is offering FREE 20-minute guided meditations 7 am Monday to Saturday. All sessions are live via Zoom.  Sign up on their website or on MINDBODY like you would a yoga class.  No experience necessary.  You can also still practice Slow Flow Yoga with A Little Beacon Blog's Managing Editor, Marilyn Perez, Fridays at 11:30 am also via Zoom. Open to all levels (beginners welcome)! Drop in rate is $10. It's a nice mid-day practice to end your week. Information > ANTALEK & MOORE Antalek & Moore is loving the Howland Public Library, and gave a shout-out to them on National Library Workers Day. What do you love about your library? Chime In > Antalek & Moore is a Sponsor, thank you! TIN SHINGLE Is your internet flaky? Are more people home to use it? Is your router maybe 10 years old? Tin Shingle produces Work From Home Tips every now and then, and this week's was a feature on why replacing your router might solve your Internet problem. Watch It > We got a suggestion in from a reader, who wanted to know how to send A Little Beacon Blog financial support, even just $5, to help us continue to produce. First of all: THANK YOU to that reader for wanting to do this! If you are feeling like you want to send ALBB anything as a reader, then visit the new link in the ABOUT tab, called: “I Want To Support ALBB!” Different amounts are available, starting at $5. Click here or the graphic above to learn more on how you can help! Support Here > People Who Have Given Reading your comments about what ALBB means to your life has been humbling and keeps us going. Thank you. See Who Supported >

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The Retail Therapy Guide - 4/17/2020

Binnacle Books has teamed up with @fareground, converting their dollar book shelves into a TINY FOOD PANTRY for the time being. Take what you need, leave what you can. If you have food or funds to spare, please help Binnacle Books keep this pantry stocked for anyone who is in need. Please note, if you’re adding to the shelves please make sure the food is nonperishable, super well-sealed, and is not expired!  Safe Haven Thrift Shop & Pet Food Pantry is a nonprofit organization that has been running a pet food pantry for 8.5 years, helping Dutchess County residents feed their pets. They are also involved with the Beacon Barks Parade. Normally, the residents they assist have to meet an income requirement. However, many people right now are out of work due to the virus, and the pantry wants to temporarily help them. Pet food is available for pickup on Saturdays. Location: New address is 1545 Route 52, Suite 8, Fishkill Day: Saturdays only from 10 am to 1 pm How It Works: Come on Saturday and fill out a form and receive pet food. You can return in 3 to 4 weeks for more, depending on how much food is given. How To Donate: 1. Drop off bags of cat or dog food during the pickup hours listed here. 2. Write a check to Safe Haven Animal Shelter, P.O. Box 596, Hopewell Junction, NY 12533 The Poughkeepsie Waterfront Market will open its 2020 season one month early on Monday, May 4, to increase access for City residents to fresh, healthy food during the continuing COVID-19 pandemic. The Market will run weekly on Monday afternoons from 3 pm to 6:30 pm in the Pavilion at the Mid-Hudson Children’s Museum, 75 North Water St. in Poughkeepsie. Though the main museum is closed to visitors at this time as part of “New York on Pause,” the Mid-Hudson Children’s Museum is in a unique position among museums across the nation in that part of its core program – a public farmers market – has been deemed an essential business. Beacon of Light Virtual Cabaret! Day: Saturday, April 18, 2020 Time: 6:30 pm Location: Facebook Live! Join Beacon Performing Arts Center for a night of musical theater by joining together as a community to celebrate the arts. Featuring kids throughout the Hudson Valley, ages 3 through college! Information > The CINEHUB Virtual Coffee Hour Day: Tuesday, April 21, 2020 Time: 7 pm Location: The CINEHUB via Zoom RSVP via Facebook or send them an email! Staying connected with peers is a part of staying positive and being ready for work when it returns. So, please join them at the next virtual coffee event! Information > What are you going to order tonight? Steak? Or vegetarian? You've got options... Visit A Little Beacon Blog's Restaurant Guide for updates on who is open, who's delivering, or who's remaining paused for now. DONATIONS: The Yankee Clipper and Chill Wine Bar are raising money to stay warm while they are closed. BARB'S BUTCHERY While Barb's Butchery remains closed, you can still show your support by ordering a special “tip jar” T-shirt! Barb's Butchery is selling fun joke shirts with phrases such as "Butcher's jokes are the wurst!" and "A butcher's error is a missed-steak!" See more in their Instagram post and pre-order at info@barbsbutchery.com Information > EAT CHURCH (Powered Down For Now) Pickling Brine Recipe: 1 cup hot tap water 1/2 cup rice wine vinegar 10 tablespoons sugar 3 teaspoons salt - Cover cut vegetables with brine and seal tightly in jar or other airtight container. - Even though they're ready to eat within a couple of hours, the pickles will get more flavorful with added days. - Use for carrots, cucumber, daikon, etc. - Tell us what you think and share the results! - Stay safe, everyone. Follow Along > Eat Church is a Sponsor, thank you! BAJA 328 Baja 328 is still offering pick-up and delivery orders, including to-go drinks! This includes one of their signature margaritas!  Information > Baja 328 is a Sponsor, thank you! BEACON FARMERS MARKET OPEN Beacon's farmers market opens for pre-online ordering (Friday afternoon order deadline) and Sunday pickup. Normally, pre-ordering ends on Fridays for Sunday pickup, but you could maybe still try! Now also offering delivery. The vendors are not on the property. All orders are pre-packaged into bags for those picking up (see this picture). The usual social aspect of this farmers market isn't here anymore, for now, but the delicious food remains. Details Here > LAST OUTPOST STORE Every purchase made online will come with a free western bandana to help keep your inner bandit safe. Online now at www.LastOutpostStore.com. Free local delivery with coupon code LOCALDELIVERY.  PS - meet Chris and Allison's new shop puppy, Leloo!  Well, you can't meet her in person yet, but you will soon!  Information > BEETLE & FRED With the executive order requiring all New Yorkers to wear masks in public when they cannot socially distance beginning today (4/17), mask makers are going through their fabric supplies quick! If you need fabric for mask-making, Beetle & Fred have fabric available in their online shop (bonus, many come in fun designs!) for $5 shipping and free local delivery. Start Browsing >   KAIGHT  The worker bees at Kaight have been busy while the brick-and-mortar store has been closed, getting the space spruced up for their reopening. Please continue to visit them on Instagram/social media @kaightshopbeacon for updates. Free shipping on domestic orders above $75! Shop online >  BINNACLE BOOKS Binnacle Books continues to be stocked with signed, rare, and first editions. Order anything through https://www.binnaclebooks.com/order-books, or reach out via their Instagram DM with any questions! Information > Binnacle Books is a Sponsor, thank you! LUXE OPTIQUE Luxe Optique is selling online! Look at these Francis Klein frames. Designed and handcrafted in Paris, the plain frames are handmade in a French factory and the accents are designed by their team and handcrafted by talented artists. The skills of the artists include hand-engraving, laser drawing, rhinestone, 3D elements or haute couture jewelry placement. Look With Your Eyes > Luxe Optique is a Sponsor, thank you! PTACEK Home Featured in last week's comical Shouts & Murmurs section in the New Yorker magazine titled "Fear Of Missing Out" is the act of moving around a desk to make things feel different in a room you are in every day. Further - the new act of watching other people move around their desks to make their days feel different. Can you imagine if this (pictured here) was your desk ? It could be. Made by PTACEK Home, who has a store right here in Beacon. They can provide the look that will change your space. Start Dreaming > PTACEK Home is a Sponsor, thank you! LLTO (LIVE LIGHT TRAVEL OFTEN) It might be a little bit chilly this weekend. Take a look at LLTO's new Cozy All Season Throw, available in different colors. This reversible double-weave throw looks good on any surface, feels good on you and is made by a company whose quality and sustainability we can get behind. Visit them online to learn more and see their additional color options. LLTO is offering free shipping on orders of $50 or more! LLTO is a Sponsor, thank you! KNOT TOO SHABBY Knot Too Shabby's owner, Karen, was in her shop today, fulfilling orders. "I am at my happy place checking in shipments and filling customer orders today. If you are looking to do a project and need supplies you can order online at knottooshabbyny.com or call the shop at (845) 440-8001. Curbside delivery and shipping available." Knot Too Shabby sells some of the best furniture and wall paint - Annie Sloan Home - which is only available in select boutiques like this. She also sells paintbrushes (the right ones make all the difference - trust us) and stencils. A perfect project for the weekend or any day. SALON DAE with DANIELLE Got transitioning hair? Are you a new curly girl? Not sure how to shampoo and condition? Danielle's got you, over at virtual Salon Dae. In this video, she treated one side of her hair with conditioner, then she shares tips for the other side. Watch the video. People have been craving schedule and routines in their lives. Some activity centers have been providing that. Here are a few: HOWLAND PUBLIC LIBRARY The Howland Public Library has created a Howland at Home blog so you can find links to all of their online programming in one place: beaconpubliclibrary.weebly.com. Your library card gives you access right now to dozens of free resources like eBooks, audio books, streaming movies and music, digital magazines, newspapers, and continuing education. This week, home access to Ancestry Library Edition has been added courtesy of ProQuest. For easy access to the free online services, go to their website, www.beaconlibrary.org. There you will find links to services on their home page. Mid-Hudson Library System has also added quick links to library resources from the main catalog page for easy access.   THE UNDERGROUND BEACON Do you need your collectible and card game fix? The Underground Beacon wants everyone to know that their Magic The Gathering sessions are still happening twice a week - Fridays at 7 pm and Sundays at 2 pm via Zoom. Click here for more information. Information > FIREFLY YOGA Digital yoga classes are also available through Firefly Yoga in Fishkill. Our Managing Editor, Marilyn Perez, teaches Slow Flow (Gentle) class Fridays at 11:30 am via Zoom. Open to all levels! Drop-in rate is $10. Sign up through the MINDBODY app at least an hour beforehand so you can receive the meeting room link. It's a nice mid-day practice to end your week. Information > ANTALEK & MOORE Antalek & Moore is celebrating Foodie Friday every Friday, and wants to know who you are ordering from!? Show some love to Beacon's local restaurants, and chime in on Antalek & Moore's Instagram! Chime In > Antalek & Moore is a Sponsor, thank you! TIN SHINGLE How was your week? If you had a lot you wanted to get done; if you are a creator who had a lot of ideas; if you are an employee who had a lot of requests from a boss; if you are a teacher who is designing a never-before-had distance learning program; if you are a person who had to apply for a lot of financial relief, remember this: "one thing at a time." Pick one thing and move forward with it, and quiet those other requests that threaten to distract you. Read More > FREE CSA LISTINGS It's CSA season right now. That means you can sign up with a local farm in the Hudson Valley to have fresh produce reserved for you. A Little Beacon Blog is making available to all CSAs in New York the ability to list themselves in our Business Directory. People are searching our website right now looking for a list. Fill it! Details Here > We got a suggestion in from a reader, who wanted to know how to send A Little Beacon Blog financial support, even just $5, to help us continue to produce. First of all: THANK YOU to that reader for wanting to do this! If you are feeling inclined to send ALBB anything as a reader, then visit the new link in the ABOUT tab, called: “I Want To Support ALBB!” Different amounts are available, starting at $5. Click here or on the graphic above to learn more about how you can help! Support Here > People Who Have Given Reading your comments about what ALBB means to your life has been humbling and keeps us going. Thank you. See Who Supported >

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The Retail Therapy Guide - 4/10/2020

Hey hey! Happy Passover, Easter, and Ramadan around the corner. If you're still looking for Spring Egg Hunt gifts, you will find them in A Little Beacon Blog's Hunt Gift Guide - right here in Beacon! No shopping required. Porchside delivery and curbside pickup available! Check it out to see what you can find. We found all kinds of goodies! Glad we weren't the only ones to notice New York Governor Andrew Cuomo's style! Vanity Fair has done a roundup of bomber jackets he would probably approve of.   Second Saturday Arts Guide Sponsored By No. 3 Reading Room & Photo Book Works. For those of you social distancing on solo walks on Main Street, there are virtual experiences open in some art galleries. Second Saturday Guide Editor Catherine Sweet has compiled them all for you in A Little Beacon Blog's Second Saturday Guide here! "Some venues are taking their exhibitions global - like, to the World. Wide. Web," Catherine says. "Get the details on any online exhibitions we’re coming across." Bau Gallery 506 Main St. ONLINE for Second Saturday: In the 183rd consecutive exhibition at Bau Gallery, the Main Room will have Roots, a group show from Bau members, whose work here is in response to the word “roots.” In this show, “our artists have the chance to create one-off works of art outside of our regular everyday practice. ... We do have a show up in the windows and the front gallery for passersby to enjoy through the window."   SECOND SATURDAY ART GALLERY GUIDE Beacon Virtual CSA Fair Day: Saturday, April 11, 2020 Time: 12 pm Location: hudsonvalleycsa.org/csa-fair Discover what your local vegetable, meat, and flower farmers have to offer at the Hudson Valley CSA Coalition’s first-ever Virtual CSA Fair on Saturday, April 11, 11 am to 2 pm. Beacon area residents should tune in at 12 pm to meet the farmers serving this area with Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) programs.  Information >   What are you going to order tonight? Steak? Or vegetarian? You've got options... DONATIONS: The Yankee Clipper and Chill Wine Bar are raising money to keep their staffs warm while their doors are closed. VÉGÉTALIEN After a successful weekend, Végétalien is continuing with DoorDash/curbside pick-up/takeout. You can call to order at (845) 765-1943, send a message on their Instagram, order through DoorDash, or email at vegetalienbeacon@gmail.com. They will only be accepting cards or exact cash. If this weekend goes well, their takeout hours will be extended. Follow their Instagram for updates. Information > BARB'S BUTCHERY While Barb's Butchery remains closed, you can still show your support by ordering a special “tip jar” T-shirt! Barb's Butchery is selling fun joke shirts with phrases such as "Butcher's jokes are the wurst!" and "A butcher's error is a missed-steak!" See more in their Instagram post and pre-order at info@barbsbutchery.com Information > EAT CHURCH (Powered Down For Now) Pickling Brine recipe: 1 cup hot tap water 1/2 cup rice wine vinegar 10 tablespoons sugar 3 teaspoons salt - Cover cut vegetables with brine and seal tightly in jar or other airtight container. - Ready to eat within a couple of hours, will get more flavorful with added days. (Store in fridge.) - Use for carrots, cucumber, daikon, etc. - Tell us what you think and share the results! - Stay safe, everyone! Follow Along > Eat Church is a Sponsor - thank you! THE PANDORICA The tea-room turned Doctor Who–themed restaurant is riding out the pandemic with owner Shirley's English-style cooking. The weekend special: Shrimp Po'Boy with a spicy Cajun tartar sauce on toasted hoagie bun. Chicken corn chowder (has bacon). Open Thursday to Sunday, 4 to 8 pm Menu > BAJA 328 Details Here > BEACON FARMERS MARKET OPEN Beacon's farmers market opens for online pre-ordering (Friday afternoon order deadline) for Sunday pickup. Normally, pre-ordering ends on Fridays for Sunday pickup, but you could maybe still try! Now also offering delivery. Details Here > ACCUPRINT 'N' SHIP The folks at Accuprint 'N' Ship would like everyone to know that they are OPEN and trying out different ways to serve the community, like curbside pickups and drop-offs, limiting the amount of people in the store, limiting time spent in the store, and constant cleaning of their surroundings. Follow on Instagram for updates! Information > MOUNTAIN TOPS OUTFITTERS Mountain Tops Outfitters is having a “Keeping The Lights On” SALE all of April on their website. You can get 30% off all items with special discount code SUPPORTLOCAL - free shipping included. They have new Spring/Summer items up for grabs from brands like Patagonia, Prana, and Oboz. Information >   BLACKBIRD ATTIC Items can be purchased through message on Instagram, Facebook, via email info@blackbirdattic.com or call (845) 418-4840. Free local delivery available or use curbside pickup at 442 Main St. Some items are shippable. Follow their Instagram for updates and videos instagram.com/BlackbirdAttic. Information > LUXE OPTIQUE Who doesn't love a giveaway?? Right now, Luxe Optique is giving away $25 gift cards to five winners! Find the details and information on how to enter on their Instagram.  Information > Luxe Optique is a Sponsor - thank you! BINNACLE BOOKS Binnacle Books is keeping their Instagram updated with books you can purchase online, and they're delivering stock from the store directly to local customers or special-ordering new books from their distributors, which are shipped directly to your mailbox, whether you’re local or not. Order anything through https://www.binnaclebooks.com/order-books, reach out via their Instagram and DM with any questions! Get Details > Binnacle Books is a Sponsor - thank you! PTACEK Home Known for their fresh feel from the cube design that is used in several designs from PTACEK Home. They have pieces ready to go now that could ship to you, or you can send pictures of your home space for a custom build. Start Dreaming > PTACEK Home is a Sponsor - thank you! LLTO (LIVE LIGHT TRAVEL OFTEN) This sleek, ecofriendly air purifier is made from activated charcoal and all-natural materials. The Chikuno Cube is engineered into a microhoneycomb structure that optimizes the total surface area of the charcoal and amplifies its effectiveness in absorbing odors and moisture in enclosed spaces of up to 17 square feet. Made in Kyoto, Japan. Materials: Bamboo, activated charcoal, clay Dimensions: Height: 1½”, width: 1½”, length: 1½” . Care instructions: Refresh cubes by exposing to direct sunlight for at least six hours each month. This helps to release trapped odors and extends the cube's lifespan. Buy Online > LLTO is a Sponsor - thank you! SALON DAE with DANIELLE Got transitioning hair? Are you a new curly girl? Not sure how to shampoo and condition? Danielle's got your back, over at virtual Salon Dae. In this video, she treated one side of her hair with conditioner and she shares tips for the other side. Watch the video. People have been craving schedule, routine in their lives. Fitness centers have been providing that. Here are a few: THE UNDERGROUND BEACON Do you need your collectible and card game fix? The Underground Beacon wants everyone to know that their Magic The Gathering sessions are still happening twice a week - Fridays at 7 pm and Sundays at 2 pm via Zoom. Click here for more information. Information > FIREFLY YOGA Digital yoga classes are also available through Firefly Yoga in Fishkill. Our Managing Editor, Marilyn Perez, teaches Slow Flow (Gentle) class Fridays at 11:30 am via Zoom. Open to all levels! Drop-in rate is $10. Sign up through the MINDBODY app at least an hour beforehand so you can receive the meeting room link. It's a nice mid-day practice to end your week. Information > ANTALEK & MOORE Antalek & Moore is together even when apart! Using this Brady Bunch-inspired picture to show you how: "Alice, turn your video on. No, it's the button on the bottom. Not that one, over to your left. FFS. Jan, you're on mute. UNMUTE YOURSELF!" But seriously, keep up with small business issues they are researching on their Facebook page - such as a recent SBA Webinar on YouTube about Economic Injury Disaster Loan Basics. Be sure to follow them also on Instagram! Antalek & Moore is a Sponsor - thank you! TIN SHINGLE Tin Shingle teaches businesses, artists and makers how to get the word out about their business. Part of that package is to provide Media Contact names, social handles, and sometimes email addresses. Now during the time of the pandemic, Tin Shingle recognizes that Fox News programming is harming the world. This is not new information, but Tin Shingle is taking a stand by removing this programming from the Media Contact Database. Tin Shingle advises our small business community to not pitch any show on Fox News, despite demographic numbers. #WatchYouDisappear We got a suggestion in from a reader, who wanted to know how to send A Little Beacon Blog financial support to help us continue to produce - even just $5. First of all: THANK YOU to that reader for wanting to do this! If you are feeling like you want to contribute to ALBB as a reader, then visit the new link in the ABOUT tab, called “I Want To Support ALBB!” Different amounts are available, starting at $5. Click here or on the graphic above to learn more about how you can help! Support Here > People Who Have Given Reading your comments about what ALBB means to your life has been humbling and keeps us going. Thank you. See Who Has Supported >

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Takeout Is Trending As Beaconites Stay Home and Self-Quarantine

Published Date: Sunday, March 15, 2020

Photo Credit: Governor Cuomo’s Twitter

Take out before a hike outside.
Photo Credit: Lisa Marie Martinez

We love our small businesses here in Beacon. LOVE THEM. We love free enterprise, and the ability for businesses to make decisions without regulation strangling them. But we are in a pandemic here, and the numbers all around Beacon keep. going. up. All of us have had to work very hard to keep our blood pressure down, and make calm, smart choices.

Please remember that as you read this article. It is asking you to do take out. Have a picnic in your car of the lovely open faced croissant sandwich that Beacon Pantry made for you. Get that burger and fries from Barb’s and take a hike (in town, I don’t mean leave - just walk down the old train tracks or the Fishkill Creek or something and eat the burger there).

Beacon Businesses Are Doing Takeout

If you are from NYC and you have come to Beacon to get away from the pandemic that is filling ICU hospital beds needed for ventilators (Governor Cuomo’s words), please stay home. We do need your business, eventually. But all of us, probably in the whole country at this point, need to stay home and focus on our own health, eating well, taking breaks from coronavirus updates, and not standing near each other. In a bar. In a coffee shop. In a restaurant.

When A Little Beacon Blog asked Mayor Kyriacou about social distancing and the community, he sad:

“All the experts say that the most important thing that we can do is slow the transmission of COVID-19 ("flatten the curve"), so that our emergency services are not inundated. What that means in practice is canceling large crowd events, and practicing "social distancing." It does not mean shutting everything down.

”For example, the City of Beacon is shifting our board meetings to the much larger public space at the Tompkins Hose Firehouse across Route 9D from City Hall, spacing out our seating, monitoring for size of crowd, creating the option of teleconferencing, and giving board members the option of making individual personal decisions as to whether to attend in person or by teleconference.”

Beacon business in retail have been contemplating closing all weekend. Here are examples:

Temporary Beacon Business Closures:

In light of both the 50 percent occupancy reduction mandate by Governor Cuomo, many restaurants have taken measures to reduce tables. Fitness studios have limited number of guests. Whether this is being enforced is another question. Locally, on St. Patrick’s Day, bars were packed as Spain and France completely shut down their countries, and mandated that bars close, and that restaurants could do take-out. Grocery stores and petrol stations and other essential stores could stay open.

Obama’s Medicare boss issued a most dire warning.

The Bagel Shoppe in Fishkill. Patrons can eat inside, but curbside service is now a thing for them.
Photo Credit: Brianne McDowell

Echo Beacon will close to follow the school schedule and idea of social distancing. Business was busy this weekend as people got wind of the last chance to stock up. Maybe she will do pickup, however, and do something creative to shop for people while from inside.

Hudson Beach Glass was going to have their Second Saturday gallery opening, but postponed at the last minute, and temporarily closed its doors for two weeks to the public.

Binnacle Books: Has temporarily closed their Main Street doors to the public, but are still taking special orders (we order all of our books through them, no matter who the author). Their online order form is so. easy. You can also get a yearly membership for 10 percent off every purchase.

King + Curated, the custom jewelry shop that allows customers in to handle and buy jewelry, closed for two weeks and is taking custom orders via FaceTime for client meetings. Online ordering remains possible, and they plan to run sales!

Beetle and Fred canceled most of their classes, and may make other adjustments. Curbside delivery is now available for people to pick up their fabric if they want to - if they don’t want to come in.

Beacon Pantry: Same thing. To-go items are being prepped, and the pantry side of the store may start making deliveries. The eatery remains open. They do have a back parking lot to make quick, easy pickup of to-go orders.

Yankee Clipper Diner is making curbside pickup available, in addition to being open.

Beacon Bread and Tito Santana Taqueria have limited their total number of people to 20 at once, and have outside tables.

River Therapeutic Massage closed for now and canceled all massage appointments.

Barb’s Butchery is open for walk-in meat orders, but is doing take-out only for the meals. You can always call ahead.

Some restaurants are wishing that Hudson Valley Restaurant Week had been postponed, since participating in the event is a financial investment that they made.

The galleries were the first to close, with almost all of them postponing shows. The Howland Cultural Center has had almost every event cancel.

Even New York Times writer Charlie Warzel told his New Yorkers to not go to brunch right now. He got slammed in his Twitter and with emails from angry bar owners. But please. Governor Cuomo is pleading for hospital beds and for retired medical professionals to come out of retirement as he prepares for an unprecedented impact on the hospital system that the number of people needing care at the same time will have.

A Little Beacon Blog is going to be doing a big edit to our Shopping and Restaurant Guides to make it easy for you to see how to alternatively shop and eat.

Please. New Yorkers: Stay in NYC. Just stay inside of your apartments. Open the windows. Get fresh air.

Beaconites: Order takeout. Buy gift cards. Ask a store owner to bring you that package of pens that you need (I need some new pens from Zakka Joy! She is open). Beacon Barkery will deliver cat food to your porch. He did it to mine today.

The (Not) Happening This Weekend Guide - 3/13/2020

Published Date: Friday, March 13, 2020

Hiya... Whatcha doin'? Yesterday (Thursday) was a big day. The past couple weeks have actually been big weeks in terms of coronavirus takeover, as industry standard across the United States has become the cancellation of trade shows (Architectural Digest's AD Show), medical device companies swamped in backorders and canceling trade shows until October, movie companies halting international premieres until Christmas, talent agencies (such as CAA) mandating that their client meetings happen remotely. So when a reader wrote in on Wednesday to ask to ask if Beacon's St. Patrick's Day Parade was going to be canceled, we pursued the question but didn't believe that it would actually happen. The answer was that the City of Beacon and the Parade Committee had been meeting about it, and would announce on Thursday morning. This is when our brain broke. What does that mean for businesses? If gathering in a large group outside is being avoided, what does that mean for art gallery openings? This is Second Saturday! Fortunately, it is also Summer Camp Planning Season, so Wednesday night distracted us back to normal as we dove into organizational upgrades to that guide, so that parents would have an easy time searching camp options by week and age range. Thursday happened. By now A Little Beacon Blog was ready. ALBB published that the parade was canceled. Managing Editor Marilyn Perez began fielding the cancellation emails for other events. Second Saturday Guide Editor Catherine Sweet began thinking about how to address the semi-self-quarantine vibe that was taking over Beacon and the Hudson Valley. Governor Cuomo gave a press conference and recommended (OK, mandated) that gatherings of 500 and more were banned in all of New York State, and gatherings of less than 500 could happen, but the venue's legal capacity of the room should be reduced by 50 percent in the name of reducing density to stop the spread of the virus, in the name of not overloading hospitals. Dutchess County held a press conference, and State Senator Sue Serino then issued an email suggesting that groups limit themselves to 20 people. One reader response was: "That's family dinner." Right. That's probably the point. The virus is so contagious, and we have seen with others, like with the New Rochelle family, that carriers can be asymptomatic. So, if you feel fine, and go out because you aren't sniffling or sneezing, you still might pass it to someone, and that someone might have a minor lung issue, or a weak heart. And those people are the most at risk. Care for serious patients exists in the hospitals, but not if there are a lot of cases at once. We have the Second Saturday Guide for you below. We have a few coronavirus articles for you as well. How you balance your social life is up to you - because seeing others is important. Laughing, dancing, supporting businesses who are open - all of these things are very important. Fortunately, we are in a use-your-best-judgment zone at the moment (unlike Italy). An Insightful Letter From CEO of Cleveland Clinic - His And Other Healthcare CEOs' Requests To President Trump Beacon City Schools Will Continue Free Breakfast/Lunch Program For All Children During 2-Week Closure Beacon's Teachers Spent Professional Learning Day Creating At Home Learning Tools For 2-Week School Closure Beacon City School District Closes Schools For 2 Weeks - Why This Is Good (Words From A Doctor In Italy) Dutchess County Resident Tests Positive For Coronavirus; Gatherings Limited To 20 Gatherings of 500+ In New York State Are Not Permitted Starting Friday 5 pm - 500 or Less Reduced By 50% - How These Businesses Are Preparing Beacon City School District Superintendent Matthew Landahl Updates Community After Governor Cuomo's Message On March 9, 2020. How To Disinfect An iPhone - A Beaconite Tech Guru Provides The Answer   SPONSORED BY:  No. 3 Reading Room & Photo Book Works WRITTEN BY: Catherine Sweet Beacon art venues with postponed or closed notices as of 3/13 (check the individual venue for specifics): Dia Beacon: Closed until further notice. Clutter Gallery: Closed for the Kaiju Kanibal opening; online-only exhibition will happen. Gallery at Beacon Institute for Rivers and Estuaries (Clarkson University): Closed until further notice. Howland Public Library: We Persist! CoMFY show reception is canceled, but the library remains open. You could still see the art. No. 3 Reading Room and PhotoBookWorks: Closed for now, until this passes. Mother Gallery: March 21 Jenny Morgan opening canceled; gallery closed until further notice.   Special Note From Catherine Sweet, Second Saturday Guide Editor: Hey, Beaconites and any people thinking of visiting town for this month’s Second Saturday! We’re hearing about event postponements and gallery closures as they come in, and we’ll try to keep everything here updated. Please have patience with us, with gallery owners, and with one another if you’re out and about - we’re all just trying to do our best. In light of Gov. Cuomo’s statements on limiting public contact, and Dutchess County’s strong recommendations to avoid gatherings of more than 20 people (post from county legislator Nick Page on Facebook), there’s a good chance that many more Second Saturday activities will be postponed and canceled. But the art will still be there when we’re on the other side of this virus. If you do decide to go out, please be conscientious about your habits and consider the people around you. If a venue looks like it’s more than half-full, look through the window and scope it out for next time, then saunter on down to the next gallery. Remember, too, that historically, lots of art gets created when people are facing challenging conditions. GET THE ENTIRE SECOND SATURDAY GUIDE Sponsored by Antalek & Moore for car insurance. Got an event? Submit your event here for consideration.   Parade of Green - POSTPONED Information > Maple Fest at Randolph School - POSTPONED Information > Beacon Farmers Market - CLOSED THIS WEEKEND This weekend only. Check their Facebook for next weekend. Information > Howland Cultural Center - POSTPONED EVENTS This weekend and next weekend. Howland Chamber Music Circle - POSTPONED EVENTS Information > Atlas Studios - POSTPONED EVENTS Information > Mid-Hudson Children's Museum Closed For One Week - Temporary Information > Plan ahead and check out what's coming up this month in our Events Guide.   BOUTIQUES ON THE WEST END     Luxe Optique 183 Main Street www.luxeoptique.com Now is the perfect time to get your frames adjusted! Are they ready for a tighter fit? Luxe Optique can do it in-store for you! Don't you want to feel this confident in your frames?   BOUTIQUES ON THE EAST END Lambs Hill Bridal Boutique 1 East Main Street, Retail #3 www.lambshillbridalboutique.com (near the dummy light) If you are a bride on a budget, or have a short time frame, be sure to check out this weekend's sample sale at Lambs Hill Bridal Boutique! Don't forget to vote for Lambs Hill Bridal Boutique for #bestofhudsonvalley2020! Visit www.hvmag.com and vote for best Bridal shop (#7) Type in "Lambs Hill Bridal Boutique," in the town of Beacon. ⠀ Call (845) 765-2900, or book your appointment online through their website!  Be sure to check A Little Beacon Blog's Shopping Guide for all of our sponsors! You don't want to miss great discoveries like PTACEK Home and LLTO (Live Light Travel Often).   Thank you to Barb's Butchery, Eat Church, and BAJA 328 for sponsoring the Restaurant Guide!   For a full list of upcoming classes, visit A Little Beacon Blog's Adult Classes Guide. Submission Guidelines for classes you'd like us to consider adding to these guides can be found here. For a full list of upcoming classes, visit A Little Beacon Blog's Kids Classes Guide. Submission Guidelines for classes you'd like us to consider adding to these guides can be found here.   HEADLINE NEWS FROM OUR SPONSORS   Antalek & Moore Insurance Agency Buying a car online might seem like an easy way to get a new vehicle, but the truth is, it's even more complicated than buying a new TV. Consult with Antalek & Moore to find the right auto insurance for your car. Tin Shingle Beacon local Patti Devine is a Guest Expert on this Tin Shingle TuneUp, speaking about how to use the confusing world of Facebook Ads, should you want to. This TuneUp webinar is available for you to watch for free for a limited time. Simply visit the page and press play! Learn More >     Katie James, Inc. Offering couture branding for businesses, crafting of social media strategy, website designs, and newsletter plans to keep your customer base engaged. Learn More > Beacon Chamber of Commerce Business Directory Is your business in the Business Directory of the Beacon Chamber of Commerce yet? It should be. Join here today. Learn More > MASTHEAD Producers of this newsletter include: Katie Hellmuth Martin, Publisher, Writer, Designer, Photographer Marilyn Perez, Managing Editor Catherine Sweet, Editor of the Second Saturday Guide Advertise With A Little Beacon Blog The support from every advertiser of A Little Beacon Blog helps make local news get produced. You can be part of making it happen, and get your business in front of the community in a meaningful way. Learn More > NEWSLETTER SIGNUP Until next week!

Happening This Weekend - 3/6/2020

Might this be the last weekend we need mittens? Maybe! Which is perfect because this weekend is the Dutchess County St. Patrick's Parade in Wappingers Falls. (Admit it, you're going to miss cute winter accessories!) There is a reason this year's daylong festival is such a big deal: Wappingers Falls has been recovering from its second major fire within a decade which happened last week. The multi-alarm fire ruined the homes of and displaced 32 (number had increased since previous reports) people and wiped out four businesses. This day will be especially important as a community comes together. There are at least two big raffles, a race, Irish coffee and hot toddies, and more fun. A Little Beacon Blog has the scoop here.   Sponsored by Antalek & Moore for car insurance. Got an event? Submit your event here for consideration.   Dutchess County's St. Patrick's Day Parade in Wappingers Falls Day: Saturday, March 7, 2020 Time: 12:30pm Information > Not-So-Silent Auction For The Quiet Man Pub Sign at County Fare Day: Saturday, March 7, 2020 Time: Ends in the evening - but don't wait until then. Location: 2652 E. Main St., Wappingers Falls, NY The owner of County Fare had the sign of the pub prior, and a lot of people wanted it. After last week's devastating fire in Wappingers Falls, he is auctioning it off to the highest bidder. The bidding continues until Saturday evening! Latest bid is $2,100. Get The Full Scoop > ARF Beacon - Penny Social Day: Saturday, March 7, 2020 Time: 1 to 3 pm Location: VFW Hall, 413 Main Street, Beacon, NY Penny Social to benefit the Animal Rescue Foundation. All dollars raised benefit a good cause and will touch the lives of every animal at ARF Beacon. Information > Creative Works by Fifty Awesome Hudson Valley Women, Opening Reception Day: Saturday, March 7, 2020 Time: 2:30 to 4:30 pm Location: Howland Cultural Center, 477 Main St., Beacon, NY Information > Live Concert: Matthew Shipp (solo piano) Day: Saturday, March 7, 2020 Time: 8 pm Location: Howland Cultural Center, 477 Main St., Beacon, NY Information > Climate Action Film Festival Days: Saturday & Sunday, March 7-8, 2020 Time: Saturday, 7 to 9 pm; Sunday, 6 to 8 pm Location: Story Screen Beacon Theater, 445 Main St., Beacon, NY Information > Plan ahead and check out what's coming up this month in our Events Guide.   BOUTIQUES ON THE WEST END     Luxe Optique 183 Main Street www.luxeoptique.com The Haffmans & Neumeister line of eyewear is one of the most sophisticated in Luxe Optique right now. Just look at any one of the frames here, and go into the store to experience them in person. Going into the store is an opportunity that many do not have, since lines like this are only carried exclusively in select stores who value the craftmanship of the frame, like Luxe Optique.   BOUTIQUES ON THE EAST END Lambs Hill Bridal Boutique 1 East Main Street, Retail #3 www.lambshillbridalboutique.com (near the dummy light) THIS WEEKEND! Madison James Trunk Show, coming up Friday and Saturday, March 6 and 7. The Madison James collection blurs the lines between modern and vintage, appealing to a sense of whimsy and romance. Shop their latest collection at the boutique for one weekend only.⠀ Don't forget to vote for Lambs Hill Bridal Boutique for #bestofhudsonvalley2020! Visit www.hvmag.com and vote for best bridal shop (#7) Type in "Lambs Hill Bridal Boutique" in the town of Beacon. ⠀ Call (845) 765-2900 or book your appointment online through their website!  Be sure to check A Little Beacon Blog's Shopping Guide for all of our sponsors! You don't want to miss great discoveries like PTACEK Home and LLTO (Live Light Travel Often).   Thank you to Barb's Butchery, Eat Church, and BAJA 328 for sponsoring the Restaurant Guide!     If You Build It: 3-D Shapes Day: Saturdays, March 7 and 21, 2020 Times: 12 to 4 pm Location: Hudson Valley MOCA - 1701 Main St., Peekskill, NY Information > For a full list of upcoming classes, visit A Little Beacon Blog's Adult Classes Guide. Submission Guidelines for classes you'd like us to consider adding to these guides can be found here.                                   For a full list of upcoming classes, visit A Little Beacon Blog's Kids Classes Guide. Submission Guidelines for classes you'd like us to consider adding to these guides can be found here.   Visit our Beauty Guide to find a new source for your hair, nails, massage, beautification and more!  HEADLINE NEWS FROM OUR SPONSORS   Antalek & Moore Insurance Agency Antalek & Moore is sharing their #employeeappreciation day love. "We couldn’t be more grateful for our Antalek & Moore family that make their office a fabulous place to work today and everyday! Thank you to each and every one of our employees. We couldn’t do what we do without you." Beacon Chamber of Commerce Now on Instagram! Do you follow @beaconchamber on Instagram? They have some new pictures flowing! Stay up to date with the Beacon Chamber of Commerce promoting businesses and events, and giving recognition to those who make Beacon so great. Is your business in the Business Directory of the Beacon Chamber of Commerce yet? It should be. Join today. Learn More > Katie James, Inc. Offering couture branding for businesses. Crafting of social media plans, website designs, and newsletter plans to keep your customer base engaged. Learn More > MASTHEAD Producers of this newsletter include: Katie Hellmuth Martin, Publisher, Writer, Designer, Photographer Marilyn Perez, Managing Editor Catherine Sweet, Editor of the Second Saturday Guide Advertise With A Little Beacon Blog The support from every advertiser of A Little Beacon Blog helps make local news get produced. You can be part of making it happen, and get your business in front of the community in a meaningful way. Learn More > NEWSLETTER SIGNUP Until next week!

Happening This Weekend - 2/21/2020

It's a grand weekend in Beacon, with the sun predicted to shine. Keep A Little Beacon Blog's guides open on your phone at all times: Restaurant Guide and Shopping Guide if you're out walking. We update them with changes, new photos, etc., so all you need to do is hit refresh! Coming Soon: ALBB's Business Directory - for all businesses who want to reach our readers with their amazing services. It's live now actually, waiting for your listing. Fill it up! Sponsored by Antalek & Moore for car insurance. Got an event? Submit your event here for consideration.   The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane Day: Saturday & Sunday, February 22-23, 2020 Time: 3 pm Location: Howland Cultural Center, 477 Main St., Beacon, NY Information > Beacon Open Studios Fundraiser! "Back To The Twenties" Day: Saturday, February 22, 2020 Time: 6 to 9 pm Location: St. Rocco's Society, 26 N. Chestnut St. Beacon, NY Information > Get your dancing shoes ready, it’s a Roaring '20s Costume and Fundraiser Ball for Beacon Open Studios. Tickets are $35 online, and increase the day of at the door. Read more about it on our blog by clicking here!  Intro To Beekeeping Class at Stony Kill Farm Day: Saturday, February 22, 2020 Time: 10 am to 3 pm Location: 78 Farmstead Lane, Wappingers Falls, NY (just outside of Beacon, along Route 9D) Tickets are $45/student ages 12 and older. Email foundation@stonykill.org to register. Information > Soup4Greens 2020 Fundraiser Day: Sunday, February 23, 2020 Time: 10 am to 2 pm Location: Beacon Farmers Market, Veterans Place, Beacon, NY This event is in support of Greens4Greens - a food benefit incentive program that creates greater food access for shoppers at the Beacon Farmers Market. Read more about it in our article.  Information > By God's Grace Ministries On Main Street Celebrates 23 Years and Black History Month Celebration Day: Sunday, February 23, 2020 Time: 11:15 am Location: 230 Main St., Beacon, NY As first reported by the Beacon Free Press, By God's Grace Ministries, the church in a storefront on Main Street near Mr. Alvin Bell's Barber Shop, is celebrating 23 years in Beacon. Senior Pastor Dr. Audrey E. Giles will celebrate during the service. African attire will be worn as part of the celebration. Read More > Plan ahead and check out what's coming up this month in our Events Guide.   BOUTIQUES ON THE WEST END     Luxe Optique 183 Main Street www.luxeoptique.com It's time we feature Leisure Society, the stately line of frames in Luxe Optique. Leisure Society is dedicated to heirloom design; creating an object once with the intention of having it last forever. The collection is made with only the most luxurious of components: titanium frames, 12, 18, and 24k gold plating, and diamonds.   BOUTIQUES ON THE EAST END Lambs Hill Bridal Boutique 1 East Main Street, Retail #3 www.lambshillbridalboutique.com (near the dummy light) THIS WEEKEND!  Check out the Allure Couture Trunk Show to shop their entire Summer Spring 2020 collection in our boutique for one weekend only. Friday to Sunday, February 21 to 23! Don't forget to vote for Lambs Hill Bridal Boutique for #bestofhudsonvalley2020! Visit www.hvmag.com and vote for best bridal shop (#7) Type in "Lambs Hill Bridal Boutique" in the town of Beacon. ⠀ Call (845) 765-2900 or book your appointment online through their website!  Be sure to check A Little Beacon Blog's Shopping Guide for all of our sponsors! You don't want to miss great discoveries like PTACEK Home and LLTO (Live Light Travel Often).   This just in: New owners of Ella's Bellas announce new name and branding. Read all about here in A Little Beacon Blog's latest article. Thank you to Barb's Butchery, Eat Church, and BAJA 328 for sponsoring the Restaurant Guide!     Defensive Driving Course Day: Saturday, February 22, 2020 Time: 8:30 am to 3 pm Location: Antalek & Moore, 340 Main St., Beacon, NY Information > For a full list of upcoming classes, visit A Little Beacon Blog's Adult Classes Guide. Submission Guidelines for classes you'd like us to consider adding to these guides can be found here.                                   Defensive Driving Course Day: Saturday, February 22, 2020 Time: 8:30 am to 3 pm Location: Antalek & Moore, 340 Main St., Beacon, NY Information > For a full list of upcoming classes, visit A Little Beacon Blog's Kids Classes Guide. Submission Guidelines for classes you'd like us to consider adding to these guides can be found here. Visit our Beauty Guide to find new pros for hair, nails, massage, beautification and more!  HEADLINE NEWS FROM OUR SPONSORS   Antalek & Moore Insurance Agency How can you donate a dollar on a ❤️ heart to the American ❤️ Heart Association at Antalek & Moore? It's easy! Susan and Vince show you how in this video. Beacon Chamber of Commerce Now on Instagram! Do you follow @beaconchamber on Instagram? They have some new pictures flowing! Stay up to date with the Beacon Chamber of Commerce promoting businesses and events, and giving recognition to those who make Beacon so great. Is your business in the Business Directory of the Beacon Chamber of Commerce yet? It should be. Join today. Learn More > Katie James, Inc. Couture branding for businesses. Crafting of social media strategies, website designs, and newsletter plans to keep your customer base engaged. Learn More > MASTHEAD Producers of this newsletter include: Katie Hellmuth Martin, Publisher, Writer, Designer, Photographer Marilyn Perez, Managing Editor Catherine Sweet, Editor of the Second Saturday Guide Advertise With A Little Beacon Blog The support from every advertiser of A Little Beacon Blog helps make local news get produced. You can be part of making it happen, and get your business in front of the community in a meaningful way. Learn More > NEWSLETTER SIGNUP Until next week!

Beacon Farmer's Market To Host Soup4Greens 2020 This Sunday!

This Sunday, February 23, from 10 am to 2 pm, the Beacon Farmers Market is hosting Soup4Greens, where 100% of the proceeds goes toward their Greens4Greens initiative. 

Come purchase bowls of soup donated by local restaurants or perhaps made by your neighbor during one of their Community Cooking Sessions! Bonus points if you get your soup in one of the gorgeous handmade bowls crafted by local artisans.

It will be a day celebrating fun, food, and community! If you are on Facebook, you can RSVP to their event here. The Beacon Farmers Market is located at Veterans Place on Main Street in Beacon, NY.

What Is Greens4Greens?

Greens4Greens is a unique food access program jointly run by Common Ground Farm and the Green Teen Program of Cornell Cooperative Extension, Dutchess County. Greens4Greens is a food benefit incentive program that creates greater food access for shoppers at the Beacon Farmers’ Market, the Newburgh Farmers’ Market, and the Common Greens Mobile Market.

Since 2016, eligible state-funded food benefits are matched dollar for dollar through $4 Greens4Greens coupons, making fresh fruits and vegetables more accessible to a wider base of consumers. For every EBT/SNAP purchase, and/or $4 that a family spends using federal assistance programs, such as the Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program, they receive a Greens4Greens coupon for $4 that can be used to purchase more fruits and vegetables, doubling their buying power! 

Artists And Their Studios Wanted: Registration For Beacon Open Studios 2020 Going On Now

Registration for Beacon Open Studios (BOS) 2020 is now open and you can sign up as an artist for this year. BOS 2020 will take place the weekend of May 15-17, 2020, which is not Second Saturday weekend, for those keeping track. This gives the city-wide art exploration event its own space to stretch without competing with the prior weekend’s schedule. This event is open to everyone. Some participating artists are professionals in other fields who commute to other cities and towns during the week, and only show off their passionate works in their studios here in Beacon.

In other words, this could be your only chance all year to see the work of these artists. And see behind the curtain. Registration closes April 8, 2020. A Little Beacon Blog is a proud sponsor once again of this event.

What Is Beacon Open Studios?

Once a year, artists of Beacon, New York, open their art studios to the public. This free, city-wide, weekend-long event has become one of the largest of its kind in the Hudson Valley. This year marks their 12th Anniversary! This event is an opportunity for the public to see how local artists’ art gets made.

In the past, spaces have included garages, sheds, apartments, offices, and other nontraditional venues of viewing art. It’s a fun way to get connected with your community and learn more about local artists, some of whom are famous nation- or even worldwide. You can pick up a map at various locations. Identify an open studio by a large red dot on a yard sign out in the lawn.

Register As An Artist

If you are interested in participating this year, register by clicking the link here.

Become A Sponsor

Not an artist but still want to get involved and show support? You can become a sponsor too by clicking here! A Little Beacon Blog has been a sponsor for this popular annual event for the last few years and is glad to be back again this year.