Retail Therapy Guide :: 2/19/2022
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SAVE THE DATES: Poughkeepsie Day School Virtual Admissions
HUDSON VALLEY FOOD HALL
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February’s 2022 Column In Highlands Current: "The Power Of Self-Love"
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A Little Beacon Blog’s publisher, Katie Hellmuth Martin, has a monthly column in the Highlands Current. For February, the focus was on the Power of Self-Love, especially for parents of young-ish children, where one’s identity can easily get misplaced. These are suggestions on how to find you again, and fill your own cup. You can pick up this for one last day on newsstands! And then next week’s comes out. This column is also published online here. Here’s a little Gift Guide to go with these recommendations:
- Stretch/exercise by yourself (a mom asked if her kids should be with her. Go solo, and go to one of Beacon’s many parks. If you must bring the kids, go to South Avenue, Glenham or Sargent for a little BeastMaster Training simulation. Or find a gym with childcare if that’s a budget option, like All Sport in Fishkill.
- Wear perfume or cologne. A good way to remind you of you. Beacon Mercantile has several made in Beacon scents.
- Paint your nails. Rite Aid of course for Essie brand, and La Mere Clothing & Goods has special colors.
- Blow dry your hair. For real. The warm air makes for a warm brain and can pave the way for deep thoughts or revelations. For a blowout, try Campbell and Campbell
- Sit for extensions or a natural style. Enjoy a crochet style or treatment to nurture your natural look. Book a chair at Salon Dae near Dutchess Airport or Amy’s braids in Beacon in Mr. Bell’s salon.
-Sketch something for no reason. Enjoy the curve of a line or pressure of a pencil. Find art supplies at Supplies For Creative Living in Cold Spring.
- Buy yourself a ring. Don’t wait for someone to give you one! Hyperbole, MariePierre Collection, Hudson Beach Glass have amazing or simple selections from artists.
- Embrace your curves and buy yourself clothes. We’re all going to go to many stores for this - from the mall to Main Street. Whatever fits and feels right on you. If it’s $$ but quality, do it. You’ll keep it in your collection! And it helps keep a boutique open.
- Write your kids a love letter. Tell them what they have meant for you.
More in the article, but here’s the abbreviated version with shopping recommendations!
Healthcare Workers Demand Fair Contract With WMC/HealthAlliance; Hold Candlelight Vigil Thursday Evening
/What: Candlelight Vigil and Press Conference
When: Thursday, February 17, 2022 6p.m. – 8p.m.
Where: Health Alliance Hospital, Broadway Campus 396 Broadway, Kingston
Who: 1199SEIU Healthcare Workers, State and Local Elected Officials, Community Supporters
Special Guest Speaker: Pat Ryan, Ulster County Executive
A candlelight vigil will be held tonight Thursday, February 17, 2022, “to shine light on the risks to quality care caused by short staffing at HealthAlliance Hospital, as well as a lack of mental health beds in Ulster County,” according to a press release sent by Mindy Berman, a representative of the 1199SEIU United Healthcare Workers East union, a fast-growing healthcare union.
“Healthcare workers, members of 1199SEIU United Healthcare Workers East, elected officials and concerned citizens say that Westchester Medical Center must step up and provide the care and services that the residents of Kingston and surrounding communities need,” the press release said. Ultster County Executive Pat Ryan will be speaking at the vigil.
“Healthcare workers who are members of the 1199SEIU United Healthcare Workers East union have been trying to negotiate a fair first contract with WMC/HealthAlliance for more than a year, without success,” said Mindy. Union members have been holding different demonstrations throughout the year to raise awareness of their needs. “In the meantime,” the press release says, “the challenges and drama of the COVID pandemic persist, and dedicated healthcare workers are leaving their jobs under great stress.”
Says Lindsey Bradford, a Cardiac Care Monitor: “I work in health care and I can’t even afford health care. I’ve been working at this hospital for ten years and I work without a lunch break or bathroom breaks due to shortages on staff. We can’t get new people in the door because they can work for more money elsewhere. I work 12-hr. nights/four nights a week and I still can’t afford health care or braces for my kids. The hospital needs to stop stalling on this contract. Now.”
The purpose of the vigil is to call attention to several critical issues, as outlined in the press release:
Contract Proposals: “First, the members’ contract proposals are more than reasonable—fair market wages and affordable benefits will attract and retain healthcare workers, thereby helping address severe short staffing issues. A fair contract must also give workers the resources to take care of their own families, so they can devote 100% to caring for others.”
Invested in the Community: “1199SEIU members at HealthAlliance don’t only work at the hospital—they are also part of the Ulster/ Dutchess community. With their own families living, working, and going to school in the area, their commitment to providing quality care at the hospital is personal.”
Mental Health Beds: “The members are also urging WMC to bring back to Kingston much-needed mental health beds.”
Says Gabriel "Gabe" Valles, a Clinical Tech, Psychiatric Emergency: “We’re holding this vigil because we can’t afford to visit the hospital we work at; our pay doesn’t allow us to work just one job or focus on our patients. Our staffing situation is a direct result of our pay. It’s reasonable to be able to care for our families and continue to care for our patients. We don’t want to make money – we want to make people healthy.“
About 1199SEIU United Healthcare Workers East
1199SEIU United Healthcare Workers East is the largest and fastest-growing healthcare union in America. They represent over 450,000 nurses and caregivers throughout Massachusetts, New York, New Jersey, Maryland, Washington, D.C. and Florida. Their mission is to achieve quality care and good jobs for all.
The Resistance That Won't Go Away :: Palestinian Love Shines From Beacon & Beyond
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Pick a day, any day, and Beacon local Kamel Jamal, owner of more than one restaurant in town (Ziatun, Beacon Bread, WTF, creator of Tito Santana Taqueria, and Végétalien, both he since sold), wears his heart on his sleeve for his home country of Palestine.
Every day for him is a day of love he shows for a free Palestine. From the food he plates, the restaurants he decorates, the merch he makes, most centering back to somehow to empower those still living in Palestine.
In this podcast, Kamel discusses how his parents left Palestine when he was a toddler with some of his family thanks to a family friend who sponsored them.
Co-hosts Brandon Lillard and Katie Hellmuth Martin sat down with Kamel on A Little Beacon Blog's sister podcast, "Wait, What Is That?" for an at times emotional interview about his view of how the people of Palestine are living now. The time was May 2021 during the escalation of protesting by residents in Palestine in the neighborhood Sheikh Jarrah. Their homes were scheduled to be demolished, and Muslim neighbors in the Hudson Valley as well as the world were sounding alarms.
In this podcast, Kamel describes his Palestine. He discusses how his parents left Palestine when he was a toddler with some of his family thanks to a family friend who sponsored them. He describes why he continues advocating from America for Palestine's liberation, so that people can live without fear of their homes and businesses being demolished by occupiers. He discusses the lack to basic rights, like clean water, receiving mail, and having to pass through armed checkpoints to get to a job or part of town.
In 2021, a protest march in Newburgh was organized with Next Step Hudson Valley where the Palestinian community came out, consisting of people young and old, with roots in Palestine, Pakistan, and other communities. Speeches were held on the lawn of Representative Sean Maloney's Newburgh's office.
Beaconites normally quiet about their cultural origins brought pages of prepared speeches, to express to an engaged audience about how their parents, siblings, cousins and/or friends felt about the global response to this little neighborhood protest in Palestine that spring. A Little Beacon Blog covered that march, which you can read about here and listen to some speeches.
Kamel Jamal, speaking at the Free Palestine protest march in Newburgh on the steps of Representative Sean Maloney’s office. Several other speakers participated.
Photo Credit: Katie Hellmuth Martin
Khitam Jamal Nakhleh’s Starbucks order, where her name is “FreeGaza,” which results in the barista shouting the demand to the room. Khitam is Kamel’s sister.
Photo Credit: Khitam Jamal Nakhleh
Since then, a lot has happened. Kamel's sister, who many know as Kate, champions the Free Palestine movement with every step she takes. Recently, she declared she was going by her birth name: Khitam Jamal Nakhleh. She is known to use subtle tactics like ordering a Starbucks under the name of "Free Gaza" so that the demand has to be called out to the room full of customers.
Every now and then, something pro-Palestinian will make the news in the US, like when Emma Watson (Hermione Granger from Harry Potter), and a UN Women's Goodwill Ambassador, voiced her support for Palestine. Or the feature story in Vanity Fair's February 2022 issue, "Generation Gaza" by veteran war correspondent Janine di Giovanni who revisited Gaza "and found resilience and hope among its 2 million Palestinian residents, two thirds of whom are under the age of 25," according to the lead-in for the article.
Also according to the February Vanity Fair feature: "Gaza's 20 and 30 somethings, it so happens, tend to be highly educated, multilingual - and jobless. 64% of the youth labor force is unemployed, largely due to the occupation. Nonetheless, year after year, they have proved indefatigable." Running a business there is virtually impossible, due to actions taken against business owners. But some continue to try, as this designer does, which was featured in Vogue.
In May 2021, neighbors came out to show their support of Palestine by creating a chalk art message on the sidewalk outside of Beacon Bread, owned by Kamel.
Circling back to the first line of this article - pick a day, any day - in the publishing world, an article usually needs to be published in a timely way. Like, back in May or June 2021 after we recorded this podcast episode and covered protest march. In Palestine, their inability to live free lives is every day, with different demolitions of family homes scheduled, like this one at the end of January 2022 or this one where the family had to self-demolish their own home.
But timing gets tricky. During the "Wait, What Is That?" episode, the silence of friends was discussed, acknowledging that talking openly about this topic can be difficult leading to unexpected responses. There is a moment where Kamel's emotions overcome him. You'll need to listen closely to the interview to hear where.
Peek Inside Ziatun
If you haven't been inside of Ziatun yet, here is a peek. Kamel admits this is one of his favorite places to be, and you can tell in the flavor of the food. The hummus is unlike any you have had, being extra smooth. There are plenty of warm soups to choose from, like the Addas soup. View the merch and buy a bag or two. Don't miss the watermelon t-shirt, designed to show resistance through food.
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SAVE THE DATES: Poughkeepsie Day School Virtual Admissions
HUDSON VALLEY FOOD HALL
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Valentine's Day Gift Guide: Boutiques On Beacon's East End Near The Mountain
/It's here! A Little Beacon Blog's first Gift Guide in quite some time. For Valentine's Day, this one focuses on some shops on Beacon's East End near the mountain. There is some very serious shopping down there, from high end to vintage, to world famous chocolate to marshmallows to even rentable fashion.
Shop Hyperbole
484 Main Street
These shiny bags are silky scrunchie bags. They are shoulder bags with a lot of elastic. Moments before this photo was taken, there were 3 bags. Popular.
Solstad House
488 Main Street
Cutest! Tea cups with a tea bag holder off the side. Or however you want to use it.
Chocolate Studio
494 Main Street
These sprinkled chocolate drops will delight your person! Lots of other goodies to be found in this shop.
Shop Berte
500 Main Street
A tightly curated collection, Shop Berte has all independent designers in her shop, and can tell you the story behind each of them. From jewelry to wine decanters.
The Snookie Shop
508 Main Street
Inside of The Snookie Shop are lots of sexy dresses, sporty sweats, and tops. But what is flying off the shelf is the Snookie makeup bag put together for Valentine’s Day! Red pom-pom hat not included, but you can add it!
Hudson Valley Marshmallow Co.
510 Main Street
Of course you must go to a marshmallow shop for Valentine’s Day! The S’Mores Baskets are put together and ready to go for you. Plus these squish ‘mallows!
Kaight Shop Beacon
512 Main Street
No matter what you find in Kaight, the piece is very special. A story behind every brand that is selected to display on the shelves, these styles won’t last long. People travel far to shop from Kaight’s collection.
The Village Jerk
494 Main Street
…but did you know that there are leather-goods in The Village Jerk, the beef jerky shop next to the Chocolate Studio? Oh yes…check out their bracelets and gold painted wallets.
Refill.Restore.Beacon
480 Main Street
The razor you’ve been dreaming of! Replace the blades, keep the body. You can stop throwing away plastic ones now. Comes in other colors including a rainbow hombre.
Vintage Beacon
478 Main Street
A stylist-edited vintage and designer consignment boutique curated with love. Always changing it up inside, this shoe shelf offers a variety of styles.
Raven Rose
474 Main Street
Always here for your love, Raven Rose has the Valentine’s table ready for you. Make your own dried flower arrangement while you’re in. Makes a great little gift.
La Mere Clothing and Goods
470 Main Street
Valentines essentials. Don’t wait for anyone to buy these for you. Treat yourself! Many treats to choose from if you’re buying a gift, and new inventory is always arriving. Don’t hit snooze. Enjoy!
Tibet Tree Of Life
460 Main Street
Crystals, rocks, everything you need to channel the right energy. Blankets, tops, candles, so many things that will make a home happy.
Violet Reserve
468 Main Street
Have you been inside of this antique/vintage shop yet? Lots of special things. And do enjoy the mural on the back wall! Located near La Mere and Tibet Tree Of Life.
Hakan Chocolatier
462 Main Street
So shiny! Just look at this world famous chocolate, located right here in Beacon, NY. The delicacies are delicious. Pick more than one.
Wanderlux Style
473 Main Street
Beacon’s first (and only?) rentable fashion. That’s right. You can rent a dress, jacket, shoe, etc. Normally available online, Beaconties have access to this shop in-person and online. Located behind the architect’s office near the Howland Cultural Center.
Find these shops and more in A Little Beacon Blog’s Shopping Guide!
Beacon Warms To Outdoor Events As "Beacon Spring Celebration Of Light" Is First Sidewalk Walk
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In the blink of a pandemic minute, as Beacon was brimming over with parades and outdoor events, all them went poof and ended, starting with the St. Paddy’s Day Parade 2020. Last year, 2021, during the first “mask down” transition, before the Delta variant take-over, there were hopes of outdoor events, but Delta dictated caution. Beacon’s City Council at the time was hesitant to approve even an outdoor market at Pete and Toshi Seeger Riverfront Park, which they ultimately approved. Later in September, the Spirit of Beacon Day committee made the tough decision to not congregate tables of nonprofit, artistic and community groups for a second year.
Now in 2022, during this week’s City Council Meeting, a Beacon resident, Dennis Pavlov, approached the podium during Public Comment to encourage a reboot of outdoor events and parades. A first event was then promoted by Councilmember Dan Aymar-Blair during his Community Report, describing a lantern event celebrating with lights for the coming spring. Like most events in Beacon, this one is volunteer based, organized by the people of Beacon Spring. The parade will be on Saturday, February 19th, “for an evening walk celebrating the coming spring, lunar new year, light, hope, warmth, renewal and kids! Everyone is welcome!” according to the event’s press release.
Beacon Spring went on to explain: “So many cultures around the world celebrate the end of winter with light! Thousands of lanterns are released in the sky during Pingxi Sky Lantern Festival, fires and candles lit in honor of fertility goddess Brigid in Ireland, bonfires in Switzerland and Germany for Walpurgis Night, lighting candles for Passover, a 5 day fire fiesta in Valencia Spain to name a few. We want to make our own big town/small city festival to celebrate light in Hudson Valley. “
LANTERN MAKING: 2/13/2022
Prior to the lantern walk, there will be a lantern-making event on Sunday, February 13, 2022 from 10am-2pm at the Beacon Farmers Market, 223 Main Street Beacon NY. Materials will be provided.
PARADE AGENDA: 2/19/2022
Rain date 2/20/2022
5:30pm - Gather at Polhill Park - Main Street & South Ave. Bring lanterns, illuminate our light, line up and kick off the walk.
6:00pm - Parade Starts up the sidewalks of Main Street, bringing light, music and cheer.
6:30pm - Celebrate at The Yard, the building at 4 Hanna Lane. Display our lanterns. Drink tea and eat tasty morsels around the fire. Dress warm but be ready to dance to the music!
Business Directory Feature: Juniper Birth’s Single Parent By Choice Classes
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Businesses are sponsoring A Little Beacon Blog’s Business Directory because they value you - our readers - and want to reach you! This is a great way to find out about businesses you know you need, but didn’t know how to find - like doula services and evidence based care childbirth classes from Juniper Birth!
Jennifer Polk is a Birth RN, Doula, Certified Lactation Counselor and Evidence Based Birth Instructor. That’s an empowering combo! She also has experience in and offers Single Parent By Choice classes. Recommend her to your friends today!
Newburgh Armory Unity Center Saturday Enrichment Program Spring Session Registration Opens
/The Newburgh Armory Unity Center’s heralded Saturday Enrichment Program’s winter session ends February 19th, 2022. Now’s the time to spring into action; the next session starts soon! Classes like Scholars in Scrubs, Money Masters, and Drones at NAUC are some student favorites; space is limited, and these classes fill up quickly. NAUC recently upgraded its dance studio and offers two different classes to choose from: Cultural Dance Explorers and Music and Movement, along with other large capacity classes, like Basketball and Soccer Skills and Lego Space. Family programs include a Pilates Mat Class and Play, Learn, and Grow for preschoolers and kindergarteners. The Spring session commences Saturday, the 26th of February, 2022.
Newburgh Armory Unity Center Founder and Chairman of the Board William Kaplan said, “I’m looking forward to seeing new and returning students taking classes that they know will help them grow. We have a great group of committed instructors and volunteers! We welcome new volunteers and ideas for classes that positively impact the lives of our students.”
Registration opens Saturday 2/12/22 at 8 am. Visit newburgharmory.org or call or email Diana Bernal, dbernal@newburgharmory.org, 845-245-4035, x112, Newburgh Armory Unity Center Saturday Enrichment Program Registrar, to set up an appointment or for more information.
The Newburgh Armory Unity Center (NAUC) has been changing young lives since 2010. Using the concept of learning through play, the NAUC provides free educational programming from literacy classes to career path exploration, all aimed at ending poverty and eliminating the need for educational remediation. During the Unity Center’s signature Saturday Morning Enrichment Program, children in pre-k through sixth grade participate in reading, writing, math, engineering, natural science, computer science, and the arts with the goal of developing scholastic ability, life skills, and emotional intelligence. After school programs offer additional opportunities for education enrichment. The NAUC also offers sports programming to provide skills and increase development, as well as to introduce leadership skills and team building. NAUC operates 52 weeks per year, to ensure that children and their families always have a place to learn, enjoy themselves, and be a part of a community.
Beaconite Runs From CA To NY To Promote Human Rights - Fundraiser At District Social
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Party 4 Human Rights | Come Out to Support Tara’s Mission Cross-Country
On Saturday, February 19th, Tara Simmons, a Beaconite who has been running cross-country to raise awareness of issues of importance to her, will be hosting a fundraising event at District Social Beacon in support of Human Rights. In August 2020, Tara completed a 100 mile run from Albany to Beacon, with her sights set on Death Valley, CA for Summer 2022.
A fundraiser to help get her there is happening Saturday, February 19, 2022 at District Social (up where Industrial Arts is, with a fantastic view of Mount Beacon). Tickets are $40 and include 2 drink tickets, a game card, and 1 raffle ticket.
Born and raised in Beacon, Tara is a mother, teacher and athlete. She is on a mission to spread love through awareness and education of Human Rights. Tara's Mission is centered on folks knowing their Human Rights - and understanding that they are inherent, not earned. She tells A Little Beacon Blog:
"My hope is to reach those sitting in pain and fear to let them know that they are inherently deserving of love, respect and care. It is their Human Right. Everyone has the right to life, freedom, and safety but it is up to us to know our Human Rights so that we can protect ourselves and each other."
Tara went on to observe: "I see a lot of blaming and shaming around issues such as workplace discrimination, affordable housing or food security, but when we look to our Human Rights we must recognize a common understanding of dignity and equality for all. We must start from the premise of Human Rights to address the issues impacting our lives and those around us."
This Summer, Tara will bike and run more than 2,600 miles from Death Valley, CA to Beacon, NY. She will also take time to speak out on the importance of knowing our Human Rights and how each of us can play a role in empowering ourselves and other to protect its core values such as fairness, dignity, equality and respect.
About FlipIt4Life
Tara launched her initiative, Flipit4Life. The mission of FL!P IT 4 LIFE is to increase love and to conquer fear. Through engaging others, Tara works to bring the community along the journey of knowing, modeling and protecting our Human Rights.
To purchase a ticket please visit: https://runsignup.com/TicketEvent/PartyforHumanRightsTarasMission
For more information please visit the website tarasmission.com or check out www.facebook.com/tarasmission
2 Car Collision On Beacon's Fishkill Ave. Results In 1 Fatality and 2nd Accident Injuring Police Officer
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At approximately 9:51pm on Saturday, February 5, 2022, two cars collided on Fishkill Avenue (aka Rte. 52) near Industrial Arts and the John Deere tractor lot. One driver was killed almost instantly, and the other driver suffered body pain and was transported to a hospital. After the accident, police closed the road and remained there to reconstruct the scene.
Fishkill Avenue moments after the car accident when emergency responders had arrived.
Hours later, a Beacon Police Officer was assigned to the road closure detail and was sitting in his car with his emergency lights activated when a third car driving from Beacon to Fishkill rear-ended him, kept on driving, and then collided into an unoccupied tow truck, upon which it came to a stop. That driver was arrested for DWI, resisting a breath test, and issued various other traffic violations, according to the press release issued by Beacon’s Police Department the day after. The Police Officer was taken to the hospital where he was evaluated and released.
Said one Beaconite who lives near the scene of the accident:I had just been driving past there 10 minutes before. We had space heaters on in the house that muffles the street noise, so we didn’t hear it. I went outside to grab something from my car and saw all the lights. This stretch of Fishkill Avenue is terrifying. So many near accidents happen outside of our house. I’ve written the Fishkill Town Board about it multiple times. I love my house and neighbors, but living here comes at a price!”
This story was reported earlier by the Highlands Current and MidHudson News. The press release is below in full:
### Press Release From The City Of Beacon Police Department ###
On 2/5/22 at approximately 2151hrs (9:51pm), the City of Beacon Police responded to the area of 511 Fishkill Avenue for a two car head on motor vehicle accident involving a Subaru Outback and a Jeep Grand Cherokee. The male driver, and sole occupant of the red Subaru, was later identified as Derron E. Holmes, a 49-year-old Beacon resident. Holmes was not breathing and did not have a pulse; therefore, he was removed from the vehicle and resuscitation efforts were administered. Holmes was transported to St. Luke's Hospital via Ambulanz where he was later pronounced deceased.
The second operator, and single male occupant of the Jeep, suffered from pain in multiple areas of his body. He was transported to Vassar Brothers Medical Center by Beacon Volunteer Ambulance and later released. The roadway was closed for traffic in order to reconstruct the accident which was being completed by the New York State Police Accident Reconstruction Team.
At approximately 0113hrs (1:13am) on 2/6/2022, a City of Beacon Police Officer assigned to the road closure was seated in the driver seat of his marked patrol vehicle with the emergency lights activated when he was rear ended by a Ford Bronco. The Bronco continued traveling North on Fishkill Avenue and struck the rear of an unoccupied tow truck where it finally came to rest. The lone occupant of the Bronco was identified as 49-year-old Joseph M. Jarossy of Glenham. Jarossy declined medical attention and was arrested by the New York State Police where he was charged with Driving While Intoxicated, refusal to submit to a breath test, as well as miscellaneous vehicle and traffic citations related to the accident. He is scheduled to appear in the City of Beacon Court at a future date.
The Beacon Police Officer was transported to St. Luke's Hospital by Ambulanz where he was evaluated and released. The fatal accident is still under investigation and no further details are available at this time.
- Detective Sergeant Jason Johnson #315
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"Masks Down" For Now In Certain Indoor Areas; Beacon's Mayor Kyriacou Robo-Called To Say Respect Business' Decisions
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New York’s Governor Kathy Hochul announced today Wednesday that effective tomorrow, Thursday, February 10, 2022, the temporary indoor mask-or-vaccine mandate she enacted two months ago on December 10th, 2021 would be lifted, thanks to the pandemic trending in a good direction, thanks to adults getting vaccinated and boosted, and children beginning to get vaccinated. The Omicron variant seemed to have infected most everyone this winter, with the unvaccinated suffering the most, according to hospital stats in Dutchess County and around the country.
Counties, cities and businesses will be able to opt-in to the mask-or-vaccine requirement if they so choose. Schools will be assessed in March, though Superintendents in the Lower Hudson Council of School Superintendents sent a jointly signed a letter on 1/13/2022 to New York’s Health Commissioner Dr. Mary Bassett urging the state to develop metrics for dropping the indoor masks, increase mental health services for students, and using PCR tests for the weekly testing of staff and students, as reported by LoHud.
Beacon City School District’s Superintendent Landhal told A Little Beacon Blog in January that the district is part of that group, but that he was not involved with writing the letter, saying he has been too busy. Dr. Landhal focuses on communicating directly with the community via regular robo-calls and emails about the changing requirements as they happen, to manage everyone’s expectations.
Masks Are Not Totally Done
In a nutshell, masks are not totally done, and the pandemic is not over. There is the BA.2 subvariant being watched in Denmark, India, South Africa, and other countries including the United States and Europe, as reported by several national news outlets. Doctors continue to urge people to get vaccinated and boosted.
Governor Hochul stated that masks will still be required In hospitals, nursing homes, shelters, transportation and other related entities.
Businesses, Counties and Cities are able to decide for themselves on what they want to do. Beacon’s Mayor Kyriacou robo-called the community with Governor Hochul’s announcement the day she made it, and encouraged Beaconites to respect the decisions of businesses, should they choose to continue masking up. He did not indicate a community-wide policy for Beacon. The last time he robo-called was to announce the arrival and location of a 3rd distribution of COVID-19 test kits. No call came for the 1st and 2nd distributions.
Dutchess County Executive Molinaro has been advocating for the indoor mask requirement to be lifted, and today issued a statement prior to Governor Hochul’s announcement, stating: “As Governor Hochul ponders lifting the mask mandate in New York, as so many other states have already announced, it must be done across the board, including in our schools and daycares. We know there is harm to our youngest learners, particularly those with disabilities, when forced to mask all day. As we move forward, rather than continued restrictions, we must aggressively open access to treatment and interventions to help those who do contract COVID recover quickly and fully.”
While the Governor maintained the indoor mandate for kids in school, she said it would be reevaluated in early march, after Mid-Winter break, based on public health data. As children as young as 4 have been conditioned to wear the mask, and feel comfortable in it, an effort of unconditioning their mindset in the current low-case environment would be needed for some who feel comfortable and safe wearing it, rather than ripping it off like a bandaid (though some kids would probably toss it in the air like a graduation cap).
According to Governor Hochul’s February 9, 2022 COVID Update, only 38% of kids aged 5-11 have been vaccinated with one dose. Thanks to volunteers, the Beacon City School District continues to hold vaccination clinics at its buildings. New York State is actively preparing for the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine to come online for children under 5 years old, according to Governor Hochul’s press release.
Vaccinations Continue To Be The #1 Way To Fight The Virus And Keep It At Bay
Governor Hochul announced today a “Winter Toolkit” that will focus on continuing to fight the virus. Included in it are 5 core areas:
Protecting the most vulnerable New Yorkers.
Increasing vaccinations and boosters.
Strengthening our health care system.
Empowering local leaders.
Supporting individuals facing the long-term effects of COVID.
According to New York State’s press release: “New York State's mass vaccination and testing sites will remain open to ensure all eligible New Yorkers can access first, second, and third doses for themselves and their children.
“The State's #VaxForKids pop-up programming continues to expand with 63 new sites established today and 193 sites established to date. This effort brings the vaccine directly to parents, guardians, and their children at local schools, community centers, and destinations like farmer's markets to make getting vaccinated convenient and accessible for families.”
The COVID Numbers Are Trending Down In New York
According to Governor Hochul’s report, the 7 day average % positivity is going down. As of 2/8/2022, it was 3.67%. During the height of Omicron, it was 23.2% and nearly breaking the Dutchess County Dashboard. Today, the number of Active Cases in Dutchess County is 394, which is a lot lower than the 6,000+ it was during January 2022. In Beacon, the Active Case count is 16, also a relatively good number, as Beacon broke 100 in January. However, the Percent Positive for every 100,000 in Dutchess County is 22.47% which is high. In the Beacon City School District, case numbers have been much lower than the 20+ per day of positive students or staff we saw in January, and are down to the single digits.
For Now.
Like with the first time the mask mandate came down, all of this is dependent upon people getting vaccinated, surviving their case of COVID-19, and evolving with the virus. Protests like the truck situation in Ottawa Canada that has shut down an economy supply chain route is hurting people and the economy further.
You’ll need to continue bringing your mask with you on errands, as you respect (and not throw shade on) the decisions of individual businesses.
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HUDSON VALLEY FOOD HALL
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Ice Storm Pelts Dutchess County - Covers Beacon In Sheet Of Ice
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Those who have school-age children and enjoy making predictions on when there will be a snow day closure may have taken particular satisfaction in this Friday Snow Day (two weeks ago Thursday was a snow day as well). Yesterday (Thursday) was predicted to rain all day, with temperatures dropping overnight, leading to pelting freezing rain for the entire Friday. The Beacon City School District (BCSD) called the snow day Thursday evening, with a reminder Friday morning.
Horrors! Ice froze trash cans shut. Parked cars were sealed in a shell of ice.
Beacon was covered in ice. No school bus would be out in it. Dutchess County public transportation was running, and Beacon’s Post Office workers were once again out in their snow gear delivering the mail by hand. All Sport in Fishkill announced a delayed opening, and then an early closure. The Family Justice Center in Newburgh announced a delayed opening for 11am, and then gave up and told employees to work remote.
Anyone who didn’t get their piles of snow from the street or corners saw it frozen back into place as the sleet covered it in freeze mode. Central Hudson kept customers informed by email, Twitter and Instagram, showing footage of iced-over trees completely falling over under the weight of the ice, snapping power lines as they went.
Central Hudson posted photos of fallen trees. Here is a video of trees falling.
Photo Credit: Central Hudson
According to Central Hudson: “Locally, as of 8:30 a.m. on Friday, approximately 31,000 Central Hudson customers were without power with the majority of outages located in Ulster County. With sleet, freezing rain and wintry weather are expected to continue into the afternoon, additional outages are expected to occur during the day. Restoration activities are expected to extend into Saturday and possibly Sunday.”
This number rose to 50,550 homes without power by the afternoon. ALBB’s own Program Manager, Teslie Andrade, was without power in Newburgh until 4:30pm. Mutual aid was requested from Indiana, northern Pennsylvania and upstate New York to arrive to assist, with more possibly on the way. In total, Central Hudson expects to have a field force of more than 400 line and tree professionals.
With freezing conditions, pipes in homes are bound to freeze and then could burst, causing a big, expensive mess. People are encouraged to drip their faucets if they lose power, run out of oil to heat their homes, or generally risk an area being too cold to insulate the pipes.
Central Hudson tweeted tips today on how to prevent freezing pipes.
3 New Black Owned Businesses Added To ALBB's Business Directory During Black History Month
/Because it’s Black History Month every day, A Little Beacon Blog has added 3 new Black Owned Businesses to our Business Directory! Max’s Beacon Fade and Shave across from Key Food; the hyper to detail auto detailing service Speechless New York; and the paint event destination Zhane’s Palette currently mobile and in the Poughkeepsie Underwear Factory.
For a good dose of entrepreneurial history, read out the building featured in our Black Owned Businesses logo Perry Cross for Hyacinth Marketing Group . Enjoy!
Beacon Fade & Shave Barbershop
Owned by Max, this barbershop across from Keyfood is friendly for walk-ins for a fade or haircut for kids and adults. You may see Max’s young family in there with him as locals line the chairs, waiting their turn. Notice the art on the walls, as is part of Max’s collection. If you play the guitar, you may feel inclined to strum one in the corner.
Zhane’s Palette
“Join us as we continue to Celebrate everything with PAINT virtually and on location. We happily host Birthday Parties for (All Ages), Date Night, Girls Night, Company Events, Social Organizations, Sorority Events, Fundraisers or a private session just for YOU. At Zhane's Palette, its always your ART, your PARTY & your FUN!”
Speechless New York
“Speechless New York is a locally owned and operated business located in Dutchess County, NY. Like most entrepreneurs, they offer many things! Mainly, they are know the most for their impecable car detailing. With over 20 years in the business, working directly with the largest names in the auto industry. Our work is well known to many of the locals. We offer Auto Detailing & Restoration packages to fit ALL budgets.”
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The City of Beacon entered into a contract with Legal Services of the Hudson Valley to provide increased access to Beacon tenants facing eviction. They may also be able to help with sources of rent arrears assistance. Call the paralegal, Steven Mihalik at 845-253-6953 to inquire.
Dutchess County Helpline. Open 24/7 to take your calls, listen, and give you resources.