Happening This Weekend - 12/13/2019

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Vintage Chairs Revealed While Night Shopping During Beacon’s Hop and Shop

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Love these chairs! How about you? You only would have seen them if you were walking the streets of Beacon on Thursday night at 8:30 pm during Beacon’s second annual Hop and Shop, where participating stores stay open until 9 pm.

The shop pictured is The Archive Beacon, which arrived in Beacon during the spring. It is next door to The Vault and just up the block from The Underground Beacon. This vintage shop is a must-investigate if you are collecting pieces for your home.

Learn about this shop and others in A Little Beacon Blog’s Shopping Guide!

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Lambs Hill Bridal Boutique Expands

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We knew something was going on when we saw the hole in the wall at Lambs Hill Bridal Boutique right when King + Curated, the bridal boutique’s former neighbor, moved across the street to a larger location. Lambs Hill started as an experiment from realtor and artist Charlotte Guernsey a few years ago. Several storefront windows later in one of Beacon’s renovated factory buildings at 1 East Main Street, the venture has been a success.

“The space itself is what inspired me to design the boutique,” said Charlotte, whose real estate firm, Gate House Realty, represented the retail and commercial sales of 1 East Main Street after it was renovated.

Inside of Lambs Hill Bridal Boutique, which is always undergoing new design transformations. Photo Credit: Lambs Hill

Inside of Lambs Hill Bridal Boutique, which is always undergoing new design transformations.
Photo Credit: Lambs Hill

The local bridal shop expanded in order to fit more inventory into the store, and to make more room for their own office. The expansion allows Lambs Hill to fit another 150 dresses into the boutique, bringing the total to 300 dresses from 10 designers at any given time. They also converted a bathroom to add a new dressing room and full-length mirror for brides to try on the gowns, for a total of five mirrors in order to accommodate five bridal fitting appointments at one time.

“In order to carry a designer you have to purchase a certain amount each year,” Charlotte explained. “Therefore, a lot of product is coming in all the time. We are constantly unpacking new dresses.”

Lambs Hill has also dedicated more than one-fourth of the shop to plus-size dresses, ranging from sizes 16-30. Parts of the store have sample-sale dresses, or dresses that a bride can pull off the rack and take home that day. “These are great for last-minute weddings, second dresses, destination weddings. But mainly customers order dresses to their sizes.” Prices in the store range from $1,500-$2,500, while dresses from the popular designer, Haylee Paige, range from $3,000-$5,000.

Charlotte has done many of the renovations herself, including installing the herringbone wall on the new addition.

Main Street is never dull. Get out there and step into the experiences these shop owners have created for you. For more ideas on shopping in Beacon, visit A Little Beacon Blog’s Shopping Guide. Lambs Hill is a sponsor of that Guide, which allows us to show you even more of what is going on inside each week.

Hop And Shop Is On! Enjoy Beacon Shopping and Eating Until At Least 9 pm Thursday and Friday!

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It’s on!

Check out Beacon’s second Annual Hop & Shop, where participating shops stay open until 9 pm to make your holiday shopping easier - and more fun.

For a detailed guide on your Shopping experience, see A Little Beacon Blog’s Shopping Guide for write-ups of many of the boutiques in town, including some pictures for you to get a better idea of what you’ll find inside.

We could talk about the shopping for days, but the only way for you to truly know that Main Street is extremely shoppable with not only unique gifts, but truly awesome finds - is if you walk it. So get out there!

From the organizers:

 

Hi Beacon!
If you haven't already heard, this Thursday & Friday is Beacon's second annual HOP & SHOP!!

This community event is organized by your local Beacon businesses in an effort to give you an opportunity to shop, sip, hop and indulge in all the unique places we have here in this beautiful city.

From tacos to yoga, from antiques to olive oil, from beer to barre, and appetizers to apparel - there are over 60 businesses offering you discounts, specials and reasons to come out and celebrate the holidays and walk your gorgeous Main Street!

Open late until 9 pm 🎉🎉

 

Follow along on their Instagram stream to get an idea of all of the different products and services you will find on Main Street. Gems. All gems.

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New Stores And Hair Salon On Main Street - See Our Guides!

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This just in! We’ve got updates to our Shopping and Beauty Guides we wanted to let you know about: There are two new boutiques and a new hair salon worth checking out.

b. expressive, b. beautiful, b. you!

Back in October, Ryan Leoni opened b.Hair Studio at 323 Main Street, next to Binnacle Books, where Pink Optical used to be. Their mission is to provide a hair salon that is not only a friendly, judgment-free atmosphere, but has the highest quality of work as well.

One Of A Kind Hand Crafted Furniture

PTACEK Home/LLTO provides an exclusive source of artisan-built furniture and cabinetry as well as interior design through LLTO (Live Light Travel Often). They’re located behind Colorant at 146 Main Street; take a walk along the building to get to their entrance. They’re known throughout the Hudson Valley for their collaborative work in people’s homes. Now they are bringing their talents to Beacon!

For Love Of Fashion

Lucky Thirty One opened their doors in November 2019 where they offer carefully hand-picked collections to bring you classic pieces and the latest trends. Find them at 217 Main Street, where the Hudson Valley Marshmallow Co. used to be before they located to the other end of Main Street.

Community Mercantile and General Store

Take a walk over the short bridge at Beacon Falls to East Main Street, and check out Solstad House, at 17 East Main Street. Also opened in November, this a great stop for gift ideas for the home, book lover, accessories, candles and more.

While our Events Guide is updated almost daily, our other guides get updated on a regular basis so keep checking back!

City Of Beacon's Budget Calls for Hiring 3 Firefighters, 1 Police Officer, and 1 HR Person

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The 2020 budget for the City of Beacon is making room to hire more first responders and personnel at City Hall, some of which is made possible by different federal grants.

3 Career Firefighters Would Be Hired By City Of Beacon

The budget reflects the addition of three career firefighters over a three-year period in the Fire Department budget. Earlier this year, the City of Beacon received a SAFER (Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response) Grant in the amount of $537,423.15 in federal funding. The grant pays for 75% in the first two years and 35% in the third year. The total number of career firefighters in Beacon is 16.

1 Police Officer Would Be Hired For Main Street Patrol

The hiring of one police officer is in the 2020 budget, bringing the total patrol division to 30 officers. The Department’s total personnel would be 37, including the Police Chief, Captain and the Detective Division. “The intent,” according to the budget report, “is that this officer would be a dedicated Main Street Patrol.”

1 Full-Time Human Resources (HR) Position And City Clerk

A full-time human resource (HR) position is in the City Administrator budget for $65,000. “The main responsibility of the HR person,” according to the budget report, “will be to recruit new employees, retain and develop the existing work force, maintain all personnel files, employee benefits and compensation guidance, administration of civil service, training in required local and state policies, and assist in preparing policies and procedures.”

The budget also reflects the inclusion of the part-time Deputy City Clerk as full-time in the City Clerk budget (1410) for $18,685.

Climate Smart Coordinator Position Would Continue

The City of Beacon is on a mission to be more climate-smart and climate-friendly. Financial incentives are attached to this path, which are measured by a wide-ranging point system. The Climate Smart Coordinator stays on top of those points and looks for opportunities to gain points. According to a report from the current Climate Smart Coordinator, Beacon has 174 out of 300 points. The higher the points, the more opportunities open up. Currently, the coordinator is working on greenhouse gas inventories and alternative fuel structures. She is hunting for more points, and is feeling optimistic, per her presentation at the 11/25/2019 City Council Meeting. The Climate Smart Coordinator position is in the City Council budget for $9,500.

Summer Work Experience Opportunities For Beacon Youth

Included in the overall budget is $20,000 in the Recreation budget to work with the Dutchess County Workforce Investment Board (DCWIB) to provide summer work experience opportunities for Beacon youth.

Beacon's 2020 Budget Breakdown At Large

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The copy of the City of Beacon’s 2020 Budget in the Beacon Public Library at the Reference Desk. You can request to read it, and you’ll find it at the Reference Desk, or download Beacon’s budget online as a PDF here. Photo Credit: Katie Hellmuth Mar…

The copy of the City of Beacon’s 2020 Budget in the Beacon Public Library at the Reference Desk. You can request to read it, and you’ll find it at the Reference Desk, or download Beacon’s budget online as a PDF here.
Photo Credit: Katie Hellmuth Martin

Budget season is here, and Beacon’s budget is about to get voted on in December, on the 9th (rescheduled from December 2 due to the winter storm); it must be done prior to December 31, 2019.

We are highlighting a few areas of spending in articles to come next, but wanted to shed light on the big base numbers, and how they have been going up or down over the past few years. This abstract is from the executive report submitted by the City Administrator, Anthony Ruggiero, MPA, who credits Susan K. Tucker, CPA and director of finance for the City of Beacon, for involvement with the production of the budget.

Much of this report is excerpted in quotes from the budget report itself, which you can find at the Beacon Public Library, or you can download Beacon’s budget online as a PDF here:

About The Tax Cap

“The tax cap law established a limit on growth of the annual property taxes levied to 2% or the rate of inflation, whichever is less. This year the tax cap is 2%. There are very limited adjustments that are factored in and only PILOT payments apply to the budget this year. The cap is on the tax levy, not the tax rate.”

For Beacon: “The allowable levy at cap is $11,455,743 for the 2020 budget, which is an allowable increase over 2019 budget of $491,562. This is a 4.48% increase from the 2019 Budget and is directly related to the Tax Base Growth Factor.”

Homestead and Non-Homestead Tax Rate Decrease

The homestead and non-homestead tax rates both saw a decrease. An override of the tax cap is not being recommended, according to the budget report: “The tax cap legislation provides for an override of the tax cap with a majority plus one vote in favor of it by the governing body. This is not being recommended.”

  • A homestead tax rate decrease of -6.7219%

  • A non-homestead tax rate decrease of – 2.9146%

Homestead Assessed Value Increased

Did you get the letter in the mail about your Assessed Value of your home? Did it increase? It did for a lot of people who moved here some years ago, which, according to Mayor Casale and the City Assessor, Kathy Martin, is an expected catch-up, as they explained during a City Council meeting about where the housing assessments should be.

THIS YEAR:

  • The homestead assessed value increased by 12.33% or $113,555,017.

  • The non-homestead assessed value increased over last year by 6.94% or $18,784,639.

Overall Assessed Values Seeing An Uptick Since 2010

According to the report: “This year represents the sixth year since 2010 that the overall assessed values increased, and did so by $132,339,656. For the first time in 10 years, the Homestead values are $11,457,133 more than it was in 2009.”

Assessed Values Increasing, But Still Lower Than 2008

The report points out that the assessed values are not where they were at the height of the real estate market in 2008: “Homestead values remain $15,586,532 less than it was in 2008. The non-homestead assessed value has fluctuated through the years, and while it increased $18,784,639 this year, it is only the 3nd year in a row that it has been more than in 2010.”

The Fund Balance

The future projection of the Fund Balance is as follows: “This budget utilizes a fund balance amount of $379,842. This is an increase of $26,271 from what we’ve utilized in the FY 2019 Budget from Fund Balance and Debt Reserve. Each year with the improving economy and new developments on the tax rolls, the budget and assessments continue to strengthen. The future non-reliance on fund balance appropriations to balance the annual operating budget will help to provide for a more reliable and sustainable fiscal condition and to better allow the City to adjust during difficult fiscal times.”

Actual Live Christmas Music Shows In Beacon - Featuring A Few Beaconites and Sloan Wainwright

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You know you’re listening to 92.1 FM now that it’s officially December, and hopefully you’re catching other holiday songs on other stations to get you out of that 20-song loop on the radio station dedicated to Christmas music since before Thanksgiving.

Amazing news for you: You can break out of the music in your car and step into the Towne Crier on Beacon’s Main Street for not one, but several Christmas music shows. One of them features Sloan Wainwright (aunt of Rufus Wainwright, who has several albums, or maybe you heard him on a Starbucks mix-tape album back when Starbucks was making those). Sloan and Rufus Wainwright are from a musical family, but Sloan has been dubbed “The Voice” (see below for why). Sloan’s Beacon show is the “20th Annual SLOAN WAINWRIGHT & FRIENDS Holiday Whiz-Bang Shin-Dig” on Saturday, December 14, 2019 at the Towne Crier, and comes packed with a Santa, a Muppet, and backup singers!

For the past 20 years, Sloan Wainwright has performed this show, which includes her merry posse of harmony-singing “Sloan Flakes” - some of whom are Beaconites you know, including Amy Soucy, a Beacon-based folk singer (Sloan Wainwright described her voice on her 2015 album “This River” as “enchanting,”) as well as Sharon Goldman (listen to her music here - if you like Sally Dworsky, you’ll like Sharon Goldman).

The show contains a mix of Christmas favorites (covers) like “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree,” “Run, Run, Rudolph,” and “Blue Christmas,” along with original songs from Sloan and some of the group. There are also special guest artists who do their own sets.

This year, the guest artists include The Empty Bottle Ramblers - who bring driving Cajun accordion two-steps and sweet twin-fiddle waltzes of southwest Louisiana. The multi-instrumentalist, Hubby Jenkins, formerly of the Carolina Chocolate Drops (OMG their fiddle and banjo sounds), will also be performing.

Buy tickets here for the Sloan Wainwright and Friends Holiday Whiz-Bang Shin-Dig. But also make note of these other Christmas shows this December!

INSIDER TIP: The Towne Crier has the big performance room for the music in the back, but their restaurant is pretty large too, and is kid-friendly and large-party friendly (they even have a separate bar room). If your friends are visiting you on a Saturday or Sunday afternoon, and there is just no room for you in any restaurant, you have a good chance of not only finding room at the Towne Crier for all of you, but you’ll find a pretty wide-ranging menu for your gluten-free and vegan friends, plus those who like dessert. Their grilled cheese, for instance, is spot-on good. You may or may not find yourself eating it off of a kid’s plate next to you. (It’s even more perfect with soup.) Next time, the Towne Crier may be the first on your list of go-to restaurants to hit.

If you want to hear Sloan Wainwright outside of holiday songs, listen to this rendition of “Walkin’ After Midnight.” No wonder she is called “The Voice” in her musical family!

Spotlight On The Beacon Volunteer Ambulance Corps - Beacon's Free Ambulance Service

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Through the hustle and bustle of busy Beacon traffic, the Beacon Volunteer Ambulance Corps (BVAC) is easy to spot among the cyclists and array of vehicles. Celebrating their 60th anniversary this year, Mayor Randy Casale praised the Beacon Volunteer Ambulance Corps during City Council meeting in May for their dedication and efficiency, with service at no cost to the City of Beacon. For #GivingTuesday, we wanted to extend his message by highlighting the service they provide to us, which is one that other cities pay for.

The Start Of The Beacon Ambulance Corps

BVAC was incorporated in 1959 by Walter Detwiller, a Beacon police officer and member of the Beacon Engine Company. Comprising both volunteer and career emergency services personnel, BVAC has drastically improved survival and recovery rates through their work to combat sudden injuries and illnesses. BVAC earned New York State Certification in 1990, and became Defibrillation-Certified in 1991. In October 1996, they began providing complete advanced life support by way of contract providers.

Busy Busy BVAC & Their Useful Vehicles

Beacon Volunteer Ambulance Corps rescuing a hiker from Mount Beacon on September 8, 2019. Photo Credit: BVAC

Beacon Volunteer Ambulance Corps rescuing a hiker from Mount Beacon on September 8, 2019.
Photo Credit: BVAC

Despite the humble connotation to the “volunteer” title, the Beacon Volunteer Ambulance Corps is one of the busiest volunteer services in the county. Approximately 2,500 calls are run per year, an average of six to seven calls per day.

They currently run a fleet of three modern, fully equipped, New York State-certified ambulances, a first-response vehicle, and a mass-casualty incident trailer. A utility terrain vehicle is also maintained for rescues within the mountainous terrain of Mount Beacon, and has been used this year to rescue lost and injured hikers from Mount Beacon. Most recently:

According to the Mayor, as he spoke during the City Council meeting, volunteer and paid providers are threatened by the lack of volunteer and workers in the emergency and medical field, due to the closure of local hospitals. There is a struggle to supply an ambulance across the country; workers in the emergency field are typically paid minimum wage, not enough to compensate for the efforts of the job.

As explained by Mayor Casale, the first 911 call is not what adds strain to emergency responders, it is the third and fourth call that puts pressure on both paid and volunteer services. It takes about two hours for an ambulance to be available after a call. Before the closure of local hospitals it only took an ambulance a half-hour to get back on the road for another call. BVAC alleviates this pressure while providing financial relief for the city.

What BVAC Means Financially To The City Of Beacon

Beacon Volunteer Ambulance Corps is completely free of charge to the City of Beacon. For the 60 years this service has been available, not once has BVAC used a single tax dollar, according to Mayor Casale. Other communities pay upwards of $300,000 for a single ambulance. The City certainly feels the efforts of BVAC. Outside of City Hall, Beacon residents are aware and appreciative of their service.

Personal Experience With The Beacon Volunteer Ambulance Corps

A Little Beacon Blog’s publisher Katie was helped by the Beacon Volunteer Ambulance Corps upon first moving to Beacon. “I was having what we later learned was unofficial chronic appendicitis. It hadn’t ruptured yet, but during our first backyard party, I had an episode where I was in pain and put myself to bed. My husband called 911 and the Ambulance Corps. came and could not have been nicer. Talk about embarrassing when they carried me down the stairs out of the house in front of our new neighbors! But I felt so safe.”

Volunteer & Donation Information

If you are interested in joining the Beacon Volunteer Ambulance Corps, you can click here to find out how to apply. Membership application forms are attached on that page.

Donations can be mailed to:
1 Arquilla Drive
PO Box 54
Beacon, NY 12508

Call (845) 831-4540 with questions.

See their Facebook page for updates on emergency calls, and fundraising opportunities.

BVAC’s #GivingTuesday Fundraiser is going on now! But you can donate at any time if you see this article later.

Sun Is Out In Beacon!

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As you probably know by now, if your eyes are open and you have gone outside or looked out your window, you will see that the sun is shining in Beacon again. For those of you reading from afar, wondering how the storm was playing out, it seems to be done, leaving us with a fast rise in temperature to melt that freshly dropped ice snow.

There’s heaps of slush to contend with, and you’ll most likely be wearing your warmest waterproof boots for days. But if you needed to dry-clean your winter coat because you didn’t get a chance to at the end of last season, this week would be a good time, with the temperatures in the high 30s.

Resilience On Main Street: Several Restaurants, Groceries and Shops Open During Snowstorm

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From left to right: Utensil, Pavonine Yoga, Max’s On Main, Beacon Barkery

From left to right: Utensil, Pavonine Yoga, Max’s On Main, Beacon Barkery

Once again, several of Beacon’s restaurants and shops opened during Beacon’s first snowstorm of 2019. Business owners really want to be the answers to your dreams, and if your dreams include roasted marshmallows, regular groceries, potato skins, or hot yoga, then you’re in luck: Several Beacon businesses rose to the occasion and dug their way out of the snow to open.

Not all businesses were open, as snow days mean different things to different people: Kids are home from school, some daycare centers closed, and roads were bad. Governor Cuomo declared a State of Emergency for seven counties (Albany, Columbia, Greene, Rensselaer, Schenectady, Saratoga and Ulster counties) with imposed low speed limit rules, as first responders responded to 740 storm-related crashes today, according to HV-NY.

The domino effect is real when it comes to snow days. Safety first. However, several businesses were quick to list their openings or closures on social media (namely Instagram - that’s who we check, at least!).

If you were wanting to cook up a steak or pork chop, Barb’s Butchery was open as usual. So were Max’s On Main and Isamu (sushi) if you wanted someone to cook the food for you. Utensil usually opens during snowstorms, because you might need a pizza stone right now as there’s high demand for comfort food during snow days. Key Foods and Beacon Natural Market had salt to melt the snow, and pink salt to flavor your home-cooked food.

If your pets were stalking you for food, Beacon Barkery was open. Hudson Beach Glass was firing it up inside, so you could shop or watch them make the glass ornaments. Hudson Valley Marshmallow was firing up the blowtorch in their “mallow shack.” Pavonine Yoga was open, as were other fitness studios on Main Street (even if they had a later opening). The movie theater in town - Story Screen - was showing movies. (They also serve beer and popcorn!) The Telephone Building dug out and is always open for Beahive members and soon-to-be Tin Shingle members to come out of the house and work work work! Some might call the cozy atmosphere a #workation.

Several others were open on Main Street, so know this for future snowstorm needs: Assume nothing. Just because your car is buried in the driveway doesn’t mean everyone’s car is still buried there. If you need something, just walk to Main Street!

See your options in A Little Beacon Blog’s Restaurant Guide and Shopping Guide.

Continued Snowfall Prompts Beacon's City Hall to Close and City Council Meeting To Be Rescheduled

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Photo Credit: Brianne McDowell while commuting to her job in NYC at 4:26am.

Photo Credit: Brianne McDowell while commuting to her job in NYC at 4:26am.

In a statement issued via the City of Beacon’s Emergency Alert System, City Hall will be closed today, and tonight’s City Council Meeting and scheduled Public Hearings have been rescheduled to next Monday, December 9.

”Due to inclement weather, City Hall will be closed today and will reopen at 8 am on Tuesday, December 3. The City Council meeting and associated public hearings scheduled for tonight have been adjourned to Monday, December 9 at 7 pm.”

You can sign up for the Alert System by visiting the City’s website, or scrolling down this website (A Little Beacon Blog) to find the link in the right-side column. You can select how you want to receive the alerts: phone, text, or email. All of the above, or one or two of the above.

First Winter Storm Forces City Hall To Open On A 2-Hour Delay - Beacon City Schools Close

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Beacon is being pelted with ice rain as the temperatures have been in the 20s this Sunday post-Thanksgiving, with more precipitation predicted for Monday, prompting delays to be announced early.

According to an email sent out by the City of Beacon’s City Administrator, Anthony Ruggiero, City Hall will be opening on a two-hour delay on Monday, December 2, 2019, “for non-essential employees,” he says. It will open at 10 am, pending no additional developments.

Beacon City Schools called for the Monday closure of schools and administrative buildings on Sunday night by 6 pm, a call that most people had predicted, with the double days of snow or ice rain forecasted.

Having just returned from driving through Pennsylvania after the Thanksgiving holiday, we can confirm that the roads are bad, cars have slid off the highway, and some trucks have given up and pulled over - but salt and plow trucks are out on the highways on, what is for some, their first run.

Be safe! Drive slow.

Baby, it's gray outside, but it's bright inside the shops who are staying open late for your holiday shopping! Pictured here is a photo from a person who used to live in New York, Rachel Calvelli, and loves coming back to visit, especially Beacon. She says: "One of my favorite little towns upstate. I love how much it's grown since I moved. And I especially love how the community supports the small businesses."

Tonight (Friday) is the last night of Hop & Shop, where participating stores are staying open until 9 pm. Will stores stay open later during the rest of the season? Perhaps... Only you will know when you drive or walk down - don't let Googling hours fool you! Get your answers IRL.

It's Second Saturday this weekend! Here is a peek at the opening or closing exhibits you don't want to miss.
 


SPONSORED BY: 
No. 3 Reading Room & Photo Book Works
WRITTEN BY: Catherine Sweet


 
TOP LEFT: Clutter, 7th annual Gift-Wrapped show with small-scale pieces from dozens of artists. Pictured here: a piece from artist Little Lazies.

TOP RIGHT: RiverWinds Gallery has its 16th annual big group holiday exhibition, with work from artists around the Hudson Valley in everything from jewelry to paintings to prints. Special for this year is their highlighting of usable art, with a spotlight on a huge collection of ceramic mugs, like this one by Lynn Isaacson.

BOTTOM LEFT: Maria Lago, whose Studio 502 is one of the longest-running galleries on Beacon's East End, returns with new paintings in Ideograph Materica. 

BOTTOM RIGHT: The Beacon Historical Society is displaying its collection of vintage holiday ephemera, with cards and trinkets from Beacon's past.

Find addresses and location details in A Little Beacon Blog's Second Saturday Art Guide.
SECOND SATURDAY GUIDE
Sponsored by Antalek & Moore for car insurance.

Got an event? Submit your event here for consideration.

 

Christmas Trees For Sale by Firefighters
Days/Time: Wednesday to Friday, 5 to 8 pm
Days/Time: Saturday and Sunday, 10 am to 6 pm
Location: Parking Lot at 60 East Main Street (across from Dogwood and the Beacon Engine Fire Company)
This year, according to the Beacon Free Press, the firefighters are donating their Christmas tree sales to a fund that provides Christmas gifts to families. A separate agency selects the families.

International Film Night: “Crazy Rich Asians”
Day: Friday, December 13, 2019
Time: 7 pm
Location: Howland Public Library, 313 Main St., Beacon, NY
Information >

Moon, Serpent and Bone Oddities and Curiosities Night Market
Day: Friday, December 13, 2019
Time: 6 pm to midnight
Location: HYATT House Fishkill, 100 Westage Business Center Drive, Fishkill, NY
Information >

Holiday Party at Hudson Valley Food Hall
Days: Saturday, December 14 & 21, 2019
Time: 1 to 6 pm; 1 to 3 pm Gingerbread Cookie Decorating; 3 to 6 pm Photos with Santa
Location: 288 Main St., Beacon, NY
Celebrate the holidays at the Hudson Valley Food Hall. There will be free photos with Santa, cookie decorating, food samples, and a raffle.
Information >

Mighty Girl CD Release
Day: Saturday, December 14, 2019
Time: 8 pm
Location: Howland Cultural Center, 477 Main St., Beacon, NY
Information >

The 20th Annual Musical Holiday with Sloan Wainwright & Friends
Day: Saturday, December 14, 2019
Time: 8:30 pm
Location: Towne Crier, 379 Main St., Beacon, NY
Information >

Santa at Bank Square Coffeehouse
Day: Sunday, December 15, 2019
Time: 10 am to 12 pm
Location: Bank Square Coffeehouse, 129 Main St., Beacon, NY
Information >

"Jingle All The Way" to Cafe Sizzle!
Day: Sunday, December 15, 2019
Time: 6 pm
Location: Howland Cultural Center, 477 Main St., Beacon, NY
Information >

Plan ahead and check out what's coming up this month in our Events Guide.

                
 

CreateSpace Beacon’s Holiday Pop-Up
Day: Thursday to Sunday, December 12-15, 2019
Time: 6 pm
Location: CreateSpace Beacon, 145 Main St., Beacon, NY
Information >

Reservoir's Holiday Makers Pop-UP Market
Days: Saturday & Sunday, December 14-15, 2019
Time: Store hours
Location: Reservoir, 460 Main St., Beacon, NY
Information >

Sleepwalker Textiles
Days: Ongoing through December 31, 2019
Time: n/a
Location: 438 Main St., Beacon, NY (next to the Beacon Hotel)
Read more about this pop-up in this article.

Vintage Pop-Up at Zora Dora's 
Days: Daily
Time: n/a
Location: Zora Dora's, 201 Main St., Beacon, NY

 


BOUTIQUES ON THE WEST END
 

PTACEK Home/LLTO
146 #2 Main Street
www.ptacekhome.com
www.livelighttraveloften.com
This wall planter is sure to catch the eye of anyone walking into your home - or office! The designer, Thomas Ptacek, crafts each piece of furniture and the wall pieces available in PTACEK Home/LLTO from reclaimed materials. This piece is made of boards from construction, and then darkened using various methods. The succulents planted in each box make for a great contrast. Even better? PTACEK Home can build to your specs. If you have a spot in your home or office and want a smaller one, they can most likely accommodate. Go inside to ask!
Pro tip: This shop is located down the new path just before the kayak station at Mountain Tops.
 
Darryl's Women's Clothing Boutique
155 Main Street
www.darrylsny.com
Your summer festival wardrobe days are not over! Throw that coat to the side and let this knitwear from Aldo Martins of Barcelona change up your outfit this weekend - and any day of the week. Just grab mittens and a scarf and go! Oh, and did you see the ballcaps with the pompom at Darryl's? See our InstaStories in the Sponsor Highlight. They are adorable and available now inside. Open late for Hop & Shop!
SALE: Look for offers of up to 50% off already reduced pricing! 







Luxe Optique
183 Main Street
www.luxeoptique.com
Look at these frames at Luxe Optique from French Collection. Are you seeing cross-eye? Are you seeing cat-eye? You are seeing the latest breakout designs from French Collection in a stunning example of what more you can expect from your frames from designers who love eyewear. Go in and try these on, but see which other pairs you ultimately fall in luxe - we mean love - with!
SALE: Select frames are on sale for 50% off. Find out which ones!

BOUTIQUES ON THE EAST END

Lambs Hill Bridal Boutique
1 East Main Street, Retail #3
www.lambshillbridalboutique.com
(near the dummy light)
TRUNK SHOW!
This weekend only is the @madisonjamesbridal Trunk Show! Book your Trunk Show appointment while they still have some availability! 

Call (845) 765-2900 or book your appointment online through their website! 

 

 


 
Thank you to Barb's Butchery, Eat Church, and BAJA 328 for sponsoring the Restaurant Guide!
 

Musical Theater Workshop with Joshua Burrage
Day: Sunday, December 15, 2019
Time: 2 to 4 pm
Location: Ballet Arts Studio, 107 Teller Ave., 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.
 
 
                             
 

A Little Beacon Blog's
Summer Camp Guide Advertising
EARLY BIRD SPECIAL
Sale Details + Pricing >

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.


 
REAL ESTATE LISTINGS
1 East Main Street, Unit 301, Beacon, NY
3 Bedroom, 2 Bathroom
From Gate House Realty: "One of a kind, spacious, SoHo-style luxury loft in the heart of Beacon. Stunning mountain views, light-filled open floor plan, exposed brick, wide-plank oak floors and original historic beams highlight the architecture in this industrial space."
Price: $1,150,000
Real Estate Agent: Gate House Realty, (845) 831-9550
Details + Pictures >
VIEW THIS LISTING
VIEW ALL LISTINGS
JOB LISTINGS
HIRING
HEADLINE NEWS FROM OUR SPONSORS

 
Antalek & Moore Insurance Agency
A friendly reminder from Antalek & Moore: As you are checking off items on your holiday shopping list this year, they wanted to share a few tips to make it a safe and enjoyable time. 🎄Watch out for porch pirates. It is becoming pretty common to order a present or two online these days and many times your packages are delivered during the day while you are not at home. Take advantage of real-time delivery alerts to help ensure your items are received. 
       
A Little Beacon Space
Book A Little Beacon Space for your next board meeting or business retreat. Perfect for small fundraiser functions, or a business cocktail party! Located in the heart of Beacon, the room is designed for easy and inspiring conversations.
Pricing & Availability >
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.
NEWSLETTER SIGNUP

Until next week!
This is it! 3... 2... 1... Shop! The best part is, you live local, and you live among some pretty amazing shops with some pretty amazing clothes, earrings, paintings, sweaters, gloves, toys, hair color, nail polish, air plants, kitchen gadgets that solve your life's problems, tattoos, and more. Yeah - Beacon! One mile of retail solutions that you can feel good about because the shops are owned by your friends and neighbors.
PS: Speaking of air plants, there is a new furniture design store in town where you can find such holders, tables, shelves and more...

Even if those friends/business owners live in Poughkeepsie or Hopewell Junction and commute to Beacon each week to serve you up with a delightful shopping experience, you are helping them. And helping yourself because you bought something awesome.

Embrace the season, but safely: Turn on that Christmas carol station. Let it snow. Drive safe. Pump the brakes. Don't pass on the left if a car has stopped in front of you to turn left (biggest pet peeve about Beacon drivers especially in the snow).

Let's help ourselves out and hit up this Black Friday and beyond! Some deals await you in this issue of The Things To Do In Beacon Guides:
Sponsored by Antalek & Moore for car insurance.
Events Guide sponsored by The Crafty Hammer


 

City of Beacon Tree Lighting
Day: Saturday, November 30, 2019
Time: 4 to 6 pm
Location: Welcome Center, Main Street & 9D, Beacon, NY
Make an ornament, enjoy hot drinks and cookies, enjoy carols sung by Scouts and welcome Santa Claus. The tree will be lit at dusk.
Information >

Spring Street Reading Series
Day: Saturday, November 30, 2019
Time: 7 pm
Location: Atlas Studios, 11 Spring St., Newburgh, NY
Writers will explore their relationship to food in this month’s event. The evening includes Beacon residents Emily and Matt Clifton, authors of Cork and Knife: Build Complex Flavors with Bourbon, Wine, Beer, and More!
Information >

Plan ahead and check out what's coming up this month in our Events Guide.
 
 


Reklaimed on Main with Kat
Days: Friday to Sunday, November 29-December 1, 2019
Times: Friday, 11 am to 7 pm; Saturday, 10 am to 7 pm; Sunday 11 am to 5 pm
Location: CreateSpace Beacon, 145 Main St., Beacon, NY
Information >
 



2019 Thanksgiving-Calorie Burn 5K Fun Run/Walk
Day: Sunday, December 1, 2019
Time: 10 am to 2 pm
Location: 1568 NY-9D Wappingers Falls, NY
Looking for an affordable, family-friendly way to burn off those extra Thanksgiving calories? Then register for the 2019 Thanksgiving-Calorie Burn 5K Family Fun Run/Walk. $10/Adults (14+), Children/$5 and Adult Groups of 3+ members $7/person. All proceeds go to help local families in need.
Information >

Pete Sanfilippo Holiday Run
Day: Saturday, December 7, 2019
Time: 9:30 am & 10:15 am
Location: Knights of Columbus, Village of Wappingers, NY
Information >
 
 


BOUTIQUES ON THE WEST END
 
Darryl's Women's Clothing Boutique
155 Main Street
www.darrylsny.com
Everyone: Meet Cammy, one of the stylists working in Darryl's. She's ready to style you in your next outfit! She's pictured here outside of The Inn & Spa at Beacon, neighbor of Darryl's Clothing Boutique. She styled an outfit just for this issue of ALBB: the jacket with bell sleeves, and black-on-black velvet polka dot pants.
BLACK FRIDAY DEALS:
 - 20% off all full-price fall/winter fashions
 - An additional 20% off all already-reduced fashions, for savings up to 60% off original prices, excluding accessories. 


Luxe Optique
183 Main Street
www.luxeoptique.com
BLACK FRIDAY DEALS:
 - Buy a $100 gift card and get $20 bonus, plus free eye exam!
 - If you buy a $300 gift card, you get a $50 bonus and free eye exam.
 - 30-50% off select brands like Christian Roth, Lafont, and Christopher Cloos.
TIP: Buy a gift certificate for yourself! This is a great time to save on frames you need.

BOUTIQUES ON THE EAST END

Lambs Hill Bridal Boutique
1 East Main Street, Retail #3
www.lambshillbridalboutique.com
(near the dummy light)
Covering multiple storefronts, Lambs Hill Bridal Boutique's windows showcase a Winter Wonderland at night, at 1 East Main Street. Stop in at Trax next door to warm up with a hot chocolate or coffee.
 

 

 


 
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.
 
 
                             

The Crafty Hammer
4 South Chestnut Street, Beacon, NY
(845) 834-9665 (WOOD)
@thecraftyhammerllc

Black Friday Fun Day For Kids
Day: Friday, November 29, 2019
Time: 10 am to 2 pm, 2 pm to 6 pm
Location: The Crafty Hammer, 4 S. Chestnut St., Beacon, NY
Do you want to do a little shopping without the kids? The Crafty Hammer is having a drop-off makers workshop today on Black Friday with two different sessions! Children bring lunch or dinner and Crafty Hammer supplies the snacks and beverages. Kids will make a holiday wood project and watch a holiday movie. Come in anyway to see The Crafty Hammer in action!
Information >


A Little Beacon Blog's
Summer Camp Guide Advertising
EARLY-BIRD SPECIAL
One of ALBB's most anticipated seasonal guides is having an Early-Bird Black Friday sale. Camp programs in the Hudson Valley can have featured listings in this guide with logo, pictures, enhanced description, and prominent placement. The Summer Camp Guide ranks #1 in Google for summer camps in Beacon, NY! Even if you don't know your program and date details now, buy now to lock in your savings.
Sale Details + Pricing >

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.


Cold Fit Cryotherapy
473 Main Street, Suite 4
Beacon, NY
BLACK FRIDAY DEALS:⠀
 - Buy a 10-Pack Whole Body Cryotherapy and get two sessions FREE ($70 value)⠀
 - Buy a 5-Pack Firm and Tone and get one session FREE ($300 value)⠀
Now is the perfect time to take advantage of these savings and give the gift of cryo to your loved ones (or yourself)! Specials are valid through Monday, 12/2. Call (845) 842-8085 or visit us at www.coldfitcryotherapy.com to book.
REAL ESTATE LISTINGS
33 Davis Street, Beacon, NY
3 Bedrooms, 3 Bathroom
From Gate House Realty: "A stunning classic brick beauty in the heart of Beacon. An open palette for your design and restorative touch."
Price: $399,900
Real Estate Agent: Gate House Realty, (845) 831-9550
Details + Pictures >
VIEW THIS LISTING
VIEW ALL LISTINGS
JOB LISTINGS
HIRING
HEADLINE NEWS FROM OUR SPONSORS

 
Antalek & Moore Insurance Agency
Price matters in insurance, but so does having someone local in your corner.
Learn More
       
A Little Beacon Space :: Black Friday Deal!
35% off any package! That includes a Full Day Retreat Meeting, Pop-Up Shop, Small Day/Night Meeting, Business Cocktail Party, etc. Buy today, use any time. You'll book it on a certain date, but we can let you change your date if you need to.
Coupon Code: BLACKFRIDAY (offer valid Black Friday and Small Business Saturday only)
Check Pricing & Availability >
Beacon Chamber of Commerce :: Business Directory
Is your business in the Business Directory of the Beacon Chamber of Commerce yet? No? Why not? It really 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.
NEWSLETTER SIGNUP

Until next week!

New Furniture and Interior Design Store On Beacon's Main Street: PTACEK Home and LLTO

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PTACEK-Home-MAIN.png

Beacon’s furniture design enthusiasts felt the loss when the design cooperative ReMade closed its doors on the west end of town near the train. (The space is currently filled by the equally impressive jewelry designer and maker Lewis and Pine.) Now, across the street, a new design team is in town: PTACEK Home and LLTO (aka Live Light Travel Often) located just steps off Main Street at 146 Main Street #2 in a setback just off the sidewalk (near Colorant, the shop that is painted a deep navy blue, formerly Miss Vickie’s, near Mountain Tops).

PTACEK Home and LLTO is a collaborative retail store that offers a combination of one-of-a-kind handcrafted furniture pieces designed and built by Thomas Ptacek of PTACEK Home, and travel-inspired home goods curated by Tamara Reynolds of LLTO. Ptacek and Reynolds met in 2014 and immediately discovered their mutual love for simple design and dedication to the relationship between form and function. Over the past five years, they have collaborated on many residential projects in the Hudson Valley.

PTACEK HOME was founded by master homebuilder and furniture designer Thomas Ptacek and co-owner Melissa Ptacek in the lower Hudson Valley. Tom’s use of local materials combined with his commitment to simple, modern lines, traditional joinery, and hand-applied finishes results in extraordinary handcrafted furniture. The newly introduced Chunk Line, made from salvaged Hudson Valley trees, will be among the lines showcased at the new Beacon store. PTACEK Home believes in sourcing materials sustainably and selling locally. Their furniture is made to last a lifetime.

LLTO, Live Light Travel Often, launched by fashion and interior designer Tamara Reynolds, focuses on home and travel essentials that enrich life with beauty and daily inspiration. Each piece tells a story of masterful craftsmanship, many of which embody centuries-old technique. In her belief that everything in the home should have both purpose and beauty, she curates a joyful and radiant collection of items and gifts for the bathroom, kitchen, living room, and bedroom. In addition to the Beacon location, LLTO's online shop will launch next month.