After the sale of the building that housed Max’s on Main went through, rumors swirled faster than a Hudson Valley micro-burst that the new restaurant would be a steakhouse. “It’s going to be like Peter Lugars! What has Beacon become!?” lamented some Beacon people, as they shook their heads, convinced that the last of the old Beacon restaurant bars were gone.
The doors are down at Lyonshare, making way for the new double doors. Photo Credit: Katie Hellmuth
Joe’s Irish Pub was replaced by Momo Valley, which moved from its vendor stall in the Hudson Valley Food Hall, a spot known for being an incubator of food businesses who eventually leave the nest for bricks and mortars of their own.
The building that housed Antalek and Moore Insurance Agency was sold by a generations deep Beacon citizen to a new owner, which ended the location of longtime Roma Nova (but find Roma Nova on Route 52 (Fishkill Avenue)! where Roma Nova permanently popped back up!), the barber, Bratt’s Florist, and Dutchess Community Outreach, who also offered a food pantry, were also pushed out by price and landlord negotiations. Dutchess Community Outreach did pop back up around the corner on Eliza Street. These are recent examples of businesses clinging to Beacon as they secure new leases when buildings turn over.
“I Can Assure You It Will Not Be A SteakHouse” Says New Owner
Enter one of Beacon’s newest building owners, Bud Schmeling, who bought the former Max’s building at 246 Main Street. “I was the manager of Peter Luger Steak House. That’s probably why people thought this would be a steak house. I can assure you, it will not be a steak house,” Bud told A Little Beacon Blog, after he reached out to this publication to quell such rumors and give us the inside scoop on his vision.
This building was not the first that Bud considered. “I was looking at other places,” Bud told ALBB. “Dogwood was for sale. We talked to them.” Dogwood, co-founded by former City Councilmember and current artist/builder George Mansfield, ended up selling Dogwood to local multi-real estate property and business holder, Brendan McAlpine.
Bud continued: “I came across this [246 Main Street]. Richie and his brother wanted to retire. They were ready. They left on their own terms. I have a good relationship with Richie. He has been helpful in the transition. No one came in and ran him out.”
ALBB can attest that Richie and Harvey Kaplan were selling the building before Harvey’s unexpected passing. Years ago Richie even asked ALBB if we wanted the building, to turn it into a hotel! We can barely pay our own electric bill and countless Roblox dollars to our kids, let alone college savings accounts. So we passed on the opportunity.
Were there Residential tenants OF the building?
The building has apartments upstairs that were low income housing. They were not in the best shape, but at times, employees became tenants. In fact, one of the older employees who was facing eviction from his apartment above the former Joe’s Irish Pub after its new owners came. He wasn’t being evicted for not paying rent. Those landlords wanted to increase his rent, so mounted a legal campaign to evict him. He was considering one of Richie’s apartments as a place to land, but settled elsewhere in Beacon, knowing the move would be temporary with the pending building sale.
Bud explained to ALBB: “As far as the tenants go, there were only a few left. Some of them actually worked for Richie. He gave them many months notice that he was selling the building and it needed to be vacant. That was the stipulation of the sale. They all had ample time to look for new lodgings, and we permitted them to stay as long as needed until they were settled. No one was upset or surprised as they knew early in the year that Richie sold the building. There weren’t any evictions. It went very smoothly.”
246 Main Street To Be Renovated To Original Historic Look
A photo of 246 Main Street from decades ago. Photo Credit: Beacon Historical Society
Bud’s plans are to restore the building to its original look, based in part on a photo he found from the Beacon Historical Society. Did Bud know that the building had recently been designated historic, and that Richie and Harvey objected to the City of Beacon doing that? Fearing that it might hinder the sale of the building since any upgrades would need to fall within historic code which tends to be more expensive?
“No,” Bud told ALBB. “These are the plans I had for it anyway.”
Milk Washing Everything - Flipping The Look From Dark To Light
Former patrons will experience a total change from the outside to the inside of the building. According to a photo held by the Beacon Historic Society, the building was white washed with black windows.
“It is called milk washed,” But explained, “where you’ll see the original red brick under the white coating.” This aesthetic will be inside and out. The infamous dark wood bar is being replaced with a white quartz top. Regulars who were used to sitting in the warm wood might experience a pleasant surprise of fresh white quartz.
The tin ceilings will remain, but are being changed from black to antique white. The front door entrance will be grander, with double doors that are almost twice the height. The kitchen has been completely ripped out. “We need to keep it to code, so all of it is getting redone,” Bud confirmed. Outside the kitchen, where the service station used to be, will be the oyster bar. Bud showed this to ALBB by placing his body in the middle of the corner and spreading his long arms to approximate the size. His eyes lit up as he envisioned the events they could have around the oyster bar, with a similar bench layout of seating down the living room side of the restaurant.
The restaurant will be called Lyonshare.
Will It Be A Hotel Upstairs?
As Bud is renovating the building, ALBB asked him where he is staying. Did he buy something? Is he renting? “Rent is worse here in Beacon than it is in NYC. Finding someplace to rent has been difficult. I’m still searching.” Will he make himself an apartment upstairs? “The building is zoned as a hotel,” Bud told ALBB. “I think eventually it might be a hotel. Right now, we are just wanting to get the restaurant open. Maybe in 6 months we want to figure out what to do up there. Everyone I talked to thinks that would be a good idea.”
Bud says he is heartened by the sense of community in Beacon, and those in the restaurant business who want to help him. “All the other restaurant owners. People from Carter’s. The bar people. Everyone has been super helpful. They offered a list of vendors. I feel the sense of community. That has been very refreshing.”
Bud’s Entertainment, Music and Arts Background Will Bring More Things To Experience In Beacon
Bud opened Black Betty in Williamsburg, in 2000. Williamsburg at that time was undergoing a massive transformation, from blocks and blocks of garages - literal garage doors everywhere with bands playing behind them sometimes - to a neighborhood with baby strollers. “We were one of the first bar/restaurants in that first wave.” When they closed earlier than anticipated in 2009, one publication described Black Betty as “among the first of North Brooklyn’s early gentrifiers to be driven out of the neighborhood.”
In an article capturing what seemed to be a dramatic closing nine years later during a lease negotiation dual, Bud was quoted as saying: “‘We were definitely the first of a new breed of Williamsburg bars and performance places — and I don’t see something truly replacing Black Betty,’ said co-owner Bud Schmeling, whose intimate concert venue and attached Middle Eastern restaurant has drawn acts including Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings and Antibalas for free shows.” The food was also described as North African and Mediterranean.
Bud says he is digging into Beacon as his place of residence, plans to be at the restaurant every day, and intends to join the Elks Club. He was manager at Peter Luger for 14 years. After that, he was manager at Gage and Tollner. “It is there I met Adam Shepard,” Bud expands, “who was the executive chef and is designing our menu at Lyonshare.” Bud is also currently a senior writer at the award winning Victory Journal, a quarterly on sport and culture.
Are The People Of Beacon Satisfied?
Prior to this article publishing, ALBB described Bud’s stated plans to a focus group person who was committed to believing the rumor of the steakhouse concept. After a blink, the focus group person reflected: “Well, Beacon needs a steakhouse.” Proof that these Beacon people cannot be satisfied.
Based on Bud’s culinary and life experiences, seems like this renovation is going to bring another breath of fresh air to the block, which is flanked by Palestinian owned Ziatun, Isamu, Homespun, with Healthy In Color for carefully nutritionalized juices and salads across the street.
Not the Nail Bar! Bare shelves of ice-cream, deodorant, makeup in Beacon’s hot retail summer set off readers to inquire what was going on with Rite Aid on Main Street. While there was no impact on beer, snack drinks, and vitamin supplements, inventory on the shelves has been dwindling these past months. “We’re not going anywhere,” one employee assured A Little Beacon Blog. “We have too much foot traffic. They aren’t closing our store.” Welcome to the Bankruptcy of Rite Aid 2024 Edition.
Rite Aid filed for bankruptcy in October 2023, where it sought to address its debt, close stores it deemed under-performing, sell off non-core business, and sell its pharmacy benefit company, Elixir, as reported by Reuters. “Before it filed for bankruptcy, Rite Aid faced over 1,600 lawsuits alleging that pharmacy chain ignored red flags and illegally filled prescriptions for addictive opioid medication.” According to Reuters, Rite Aid was being sued by the Department of Justice, and several local governments in opioid lawsuits for “filling suspicious prescriptions for addictive opioid pain drugs.”
According to a Beacon employee right here on Main Street, some vendors were skeptical of not getting paid, so have not been accepting re-orders on product. Or, said the employee, the system to make a re-order gets glitchy to use. “But it should be better by the end of summer. The bankruptcy is finished,” they told ALBB. On June 28, 2024, a U.S. bankruptcy judge approved Rite Aid's restructuring plan, “allowing the pharmacy chain to cut its debt by $2 billion and turn over control to a group of lenders,” Reuters reported, which it said saved 28,000 jobs. As for opioid related lawsuit payouts, 22,000 people stood to receive $250-$500 each, according to the article. Rite Aid reached settlements with 16 of the 17 states in which it operates in.
One ALBB reader and Rite Aid employee told ALBB via Instagram: “Beacon store is safe! Rite Aid is officially out of bankruptcy. Just a waiting game on getting the store fully stocked again 😅 As for the ice cream: the freezer is busted 😂🤣”
Berte is closing after 6 years, and everything is on sale, even the fixtures. But the sale is not the news. It's the loss of the high aesthetic design store and of store owner Aimée deSimone herself out there on Main Street. Fellow shop comrades chimed in to Aimée's announcement:
Vintage shop Blackbird Attic commented: "So sorry to hear of this news, I know how difficult the decision must have been 😞. I’ve always envied your shop, perfectly curated, you will be missed on Main! ♥️"
Fellow collaborator on local events, Hyperbole, also felt the loss: "We love being your neighbors and friends. Everything you’ve built and accomplished is so inspiring. We will miss you, Berte — but on to the next big project ❤️"
The jeweler King and Curated saw the positive: "What a great chapter it was! Glad it brought us together. Excited for you mama. All is well that ends well. You’ll be missed on Main. ❤️"
Your Bizarre Day: A Comedy Show Day: Friday, July 19, 2024 Time: 7-8:30pm Location: Beacon Music Factory, 333 Fishkill Ave. Beacon, NY Information >
Beacon Open Studios Day: Friday-Sunday, July 19-21, 2024 Time: Artist Studios open from 12-6pm Time: Events scheduled throughout the weekend. Location: See Beacon Arts Website
One of Beacon's most highly anticipated events, Beacon Open Studios, where you get to go inside of the studios of several artists. Get your walking shoes on, and check the Restaurant Guide for where you want to eat when you finally collapse. Information >
Cool Kids Club: Bee Happy
Day: Saturday, July 20, 2024
Time: 10am-11am Location: Vincent's Eat-Paint-Love Studio, 331 Main Street, Beacon, NY
Talented, fun and friendly artist will walk your child through step by step to create their painting! Information >
Local Teen Plays Cello To Raise Money For Subway Fare To Music College Day: Saturday, July 20, 2024 Time: 10:30am Location: Bank Square
An ALBB Citizen Reporter submitted this tip that encouragement had occurred in Facebook when a parent posted this: "I want to send a sincere thank you to an anonymous someone. My son plays cello on Main St a couple of hours a week. He’s saving money to pay subway fare to attend the Manhattan School of Music Summer Program. He doesn’t come home with a whole lot ($20-$30 for a couple of hours) but it’s been helpful. Yesterday he only made about $5 and was cleaning his stuff up to leave when a woman ran over and dropped a $20 in his cello case.This meant a lot to my child and I’m really grateful to you."
Hudson Valley Renegades Vs. Rome Emperors Day: Saturday, July 20, 2024 Time: 5:05pm Location: Heritage Financial Park, Fishkill, NY Information >
Great Newburgh To Beacon Swim Day: Saturday, July 27, 2024 Information >
Kevin Hart: Acting My Age Day: Saturday, July 20, 2024 Time: 7:45pm Location: MJ Nesheiwat Convention Center, Poughkeepsie, NY Information >
Cold Spring Farmer's Market Saturdays @ Boscobell from 8:30am - 2pm
Beacon Farmer's Market! Sundays from 10am-3pm at 223 Main Street
Beacon Flea Market! Every Fair Weather Sunday from 8am-3pm at Henry Street (behind the Post Office).
BAGEL-ISH
226 Main Street, Beacon, NY
When Bagel-ish owner Beth George, who recently opened in her new spot in the new-ish apartment building in the middle of Main Street, sees a bagel in your hand, she can tell by the inside that isn’t hers. That’s because Beth pays such close attention to each batch of many flavors of her bagels, that she will even adjust her dough prep based on the humidity outside. Bagel-ish bagels have this unique texture softness combo that leave you wanting another bite, and also wondering how it feels like you lowered your head onto the softest pillow, but you’re eating a salty bagel.
A Little Beacon Blog welcomes Bagelish as a new sponsor of ALBB’s Things To Do In Beacon for our Restaurant Guide! With that, Beth wants to announce the newest thing for you to do on Thursdays: go to Bagelish for Locals 10% off Thursday! Read More > Beacon Bread Company is a Sponsor, thank you!
HUDSON VALLEY FOOD HALL 288 Main Street, Beacon, NY Website >
Nothing brings you back to the delicious days of our youth like a combination Creamsicle and Vanilla ice cream on a hot summer afternoon 🍊 Stop into Five Pennies Creamery for homemade delicious ice cream located inside the HV Food Hall! Follow HV Food Hall's foodies:
CARTERS RESTAURANT & LOUNGE 424 Main St.
We get excited every time Carters releases their new updated drink specials because they're always unique, refreshing, and so good. Plus, any can be made into a mocktail so there is really something for every body! PS: Happy Hour is from Monday-Friday PPS: You can book the Carter's Restaurant space for a private party and enjoy delicious spreads made by the Carter's Crew! Book ahead. Follow Carter's on Instagram > Carters Restaurant & Lounge is a Sponsor, thank you!
BEACON BREAD COMPANY
193-195 Main Street, Beacon, NY
French-style bread is made fresh by hand every morning, exclusively using organic King Arthur Flour to ensure superior quality and flavor. In addition, BBC's bakery team focuses on using seasonal, responsibly-sourced ingredients for various breakfast pastries and desserts, including croissants with imported French butter, financiers, canelés, and much more! Get in there early while it's super fresh out the oven! PS! OPEN MIC IS BACK! Every Tuesday weather permitting. In the back patio! PPS: BBC is open everyday 7 days/week! PPPS: Wholesale, special orders, and events/catering available. Follow BBC on Instagram > Beacon Bread Company is a Sponsor, thank you!
ZIATUN 244 Main Street, Beacon, NY
Stop into Ziatun for authentic middle eastern cuisine using the freshest & finest ingredients made with love. The Watermelon Feta Mint salad is BACK and it is SO good... A super refreshing and delicious salad to enjoy during this time of the year! Support your local Palestinian Restaurant PPS: Ziatun is open everyday.
Monday-Saturday: 11:00 AM - 9:00 PM
Sunday: 11:00 AM - 8:00 PM Follow Ziatun on Instagram > Ziatun is a Sponsor, thank you!
Feature your business each week in A Little Beacon Blog's Newsletter, Blog pages, and Instagram. People often use this newsletter to tell their friends where to go, and get ideas for themselves on what to order. This is a very hungry guide to put together each week. Learn More & Start Now >
Eggbert’s Free Range Farm @ Cold Spring Farmer's Market Saturday's Website > Instagram >
Just in case you get a hankering for chili during one of the blitz summer downpours, Eggbert’s has your choice of ground meats! Ground turkey, chicken, pork and of course, beef. At the Beacon Farmers Market on Sundays, and online ordering every day! FARMERS MARKETS: Saturdays: Cold Spring Farmer's Market 8:30am-1pm Sundays:Beacon Farmer's Market 8:30am - 2pm DELIVERY: 🚚 Delivering to Cold Spring, Cornwall, New Windsor, Newburgh, Beacon, Fishkill, and Wappingers Falls. Eggbert's Free Range Farm is a Sponsor, thank you!
BINNACLE BOOKS
321 Main Street, Beacon
Stop into Binnacle Books for all new and used books that you'll want to get your hands on. They move fast! Ask for recommendations & find your next pool/beach read. Grab a tote while you're at it to keep all of your books in! PS have you heard about the Beacon Prison Books Project? See more here > Follow Binnacle on Instagram to keep up with their new reads and to get them right away! Learn More about Binnacle Books >
THE STATION
463 Main Street, Beacon
The Station is a local cannabis shop situated in a renovated police station in Beacon, NY. Stay tuned to what they will offer with their updates in the shop and for events/opening date by following The Station on Instagram. Follow The Station on Instagram > The Station is a Sponsor, thank you!
Feature your business each week in A Little Beacon Blog's Newsletter, Blog pages, and Instagram. Readers love seen the magazine-like spread of what to buy inside of your shops, or if you have special classes or events going on. Learn More & Start Now >
Beginner Skateboarding with Andrew Singh- The Summer Session Days: 1 week evening session from July 15 to July 19 Time: 6pm – 7pm Location: RAMPS @ Memorial Park
Ages 6-12 Information >
Summer Tennis Clinic 2024 Two Sessions: August 8/5 – 8/9 and August 8/12 – 8/16 Times: High School Clinic 8:30am to 10:30am & Junior clinic 10:30am to 12:30pm Location: BCSD Highschool Tennis Courts Information >
Multi Sport Clinic 2024 One More One Week Session: August 5th to August 9th Time: 8am-12:30pm Location: Memorial Park & Rombout Middle School depending on weather Information >
Beacon's Lifeguard Certification Course Date: August 19 - August 23 Time: 9am - 1:30pm Location: University Settlement Camp Pool 5 Camp Loop Road, Beacon, NY 12508 Information >
Garden Time with Land to Learn Days: Every Wednesday Time: 10:30am-11:30am Location: Green Teen Garden at the Rec Center Information >
Aqua Zumba At The Beacon Pool Days: Saturdays 7/20, 7/27, 8/3, 8/10, 8/17, 8/24 Time: 9:45 am – 10:45 am Location: The Beacon Pool, Beacon, NY
Seniors Chair Yoga
Stretch, move and strengthen your body! Gain physical awareness and balance! Reduce stress and have fun. Location: Beacon Recreation Center 25 West Center Street, Beacon, NY When: Mondays and Fridays Time: 9-9:45am Price: FREE
Dutchess County Office for the Aging Exercise Class
The Dutchess County Senior Exercise Program offers workout sessions for senior citizens in an effort to retain balance as well as bone density. Through strength training, seniors can shape their body and lose unwanted inches. Classes are conducted in a circle of 15-20 people using a chair for support and free weights. Location: Beacon Recreation Center 25 West Center Street, Beacon, NY When: Tuesday and Thursday Time: 10am
Pre-Registration is Required. Call 845-486-2555
Tai Chi and Qigong
Beginner and Advanced levels available. Gentle movements to cultivate your mind and body. Tai Chi and Qigong are easy vitalizing exercises you can learn to restore and maintain your health. You can practice them regardless of your age or health. The postures and movements are natural, balanced and simple. Location: Beacon Recreation Center 25 West Center Street, Beacon, NY Times:
Sunday Beginners 9-10:30am
Sunday Advanced 10-30-12pm
Thursday Push Hands 9-10:30am More Info >
Beacon has a growing number of beauty salons and professional pampering to take advantage of - you can even book a transforming appointment at a lash bar! Be it a totally new hair style, makeup lessons, or a facial, you have options in Beacon. Check out ALBB's Beauty Guide here >
Special Message For Businesses:Click here to advertise in ALBB's Beauty Guide with a picture, logo and weekly promotions that will be featured here and on our Instagram.
BEACON DENTAL
1020 Wolcott Avenue, Beacon, NY
(845) 838-3666
At Beacon Dental, they are dedicated to providing you and your family with quality dental care tailored to your individual needs. They welcome patients aged 4 and older and provide a full range of dental services to help you achieve and maintain excellent oral health throughout your life. When you visit their dentists and team, you can be certain that your health, comfort and smile are always their highest priorities. Beacon Dental is also happy to announce that they now accept Medicare health insurance! Call them for a free cleaning & check-up and refer your family & friends! Explore all services > Beacon Dental is a Sponsor. Thank you!
KATIE JAMES, INC.
Stop worrying about what you're going to post on Instagram and when... Katie James, Inc. will go deep and get into the zone of your business month to month. Using our experience as one of the top local media outlets in the Hudson Valley, we can apply our gift of finding story ideas that people love, to your business. Your customers need to know what is going on in your creative business and/or inside of your storefront doors and we cannot wait to tell/show them with you! Reach Out to tell us about your goals!
TIN SHINGLE
Tin Shingle a training platform and community for businesses, artists and makers who are getting the word out about their business. Tin Shingle teaches PR, social media and content marketing tactics to regular people to help make their pitching and brand story telling smarter, engaging and more appropriate for the media to consider for article features. Tin Shingle produces weekly webinars called Training TuneUps, which offer free access to niche classes, as well as one-on-one training opportunities. Tin Shingle is a Sponsor. Thank you!
AVAILABLE GUIDES TO SPONSOR: These Guides really need the ongoing support from businesses or individuals in order for us to continue them! This sponsorship is intended for businesses who are not in the Guides mentioned above.
When Bagel-ish owner Beth George, who recently opened in her new spot in the new-ish apartment building in the middle of Main Street, sees a bagel in your hand, she can tell by the inside that isn’t hers. That’s because Beth pays such close attention to each batch of many flavors of her bagels, that she will even adjust her dough prep based on the humidity outside. Bagel-ish bagels have this unique texture softness combo that leave you wanting another bite, and also wondering how it feels like you lowered your head onto the softest pillow, but you’re eating a salty bagel.
Thursday’s At Bagel-ish Are Locals Discount
A Little Beacon Blog welcomes Bagelish as a new sponsor of ALBB’s Things To Do In Beacon for our Restaurant Guide! With that, Beth wants to announce the newest thing for you to do on Thursdays: go to Bagelish for Locals 10% off Thursday! This local discount is good Hudson Valley wide. Their bagels are so good that they sell out fast. Gluten Free people can stop in also to discuss their dietary needs.
Owner Beth George is a world renown bagelist. She has trained people from over 15 countries and uses Mondays and Tuesdays to train other aspiring bagel makers.
Thursdays - Sundays are your days to go to Bagel-ish in Beacon. Hours do change often - which is on brand for the “ish” in Bagel-ish. Mark mid-morning as your time. Stock up on bagels if you need one super early. They freeze well and heat nicely in the morning.
Founded in 2018 by Aimée deSimone, Berte is a curated home decor and gift shop, specializing in handcrafted goods and modern design that bring joy and fun to your day to day. It is a boutique curated with products - "the kind you can actually live with, not just admire" Aimée aimed to make her shop "a haven of warm aesthetics and approachable design."
Coming to Beacon from the TV and Film industry, Aimée "harnessed my love of research, passion for storytelling, and discerning eye to craft a brand that places human beings at its very core. Inspired by my own travels and admiration for local shops, it's been a dream to see Berte become a must-visit destination for design-minded customers looking for inspiration and joy."
Adored by the media. Berte was featured in Glamour, HGTV, InStyle, ApartmentTherapy, Food& Wine, Chronogram, Hudson Valley Magazine, and other publications.
Neighboring businesses expressed sadness at the announcement. Vintage shop Blackbird Attic commented: "So sorry to hear of this news, I know how difficult the decision must have been 😞. I’ve always envied your shop, perfectly curated, you will be missed on Main! ♥️"
Fellow collaborator on local events, Hyperbole, also felt the loss: "We love being your neighbors and friends. Everything you’ve built and accomplished is so inspiring. We will miss you, Berte — but on to the next big project ❤️"
The jeweler King and Curated saw the positive: "What a great chapter it was! Glad it brought us together. Excited for you mama. All is well that ends well. You’ll be missed on Main. ❤️"
“After six inspiring years, Berte will be closing its doors at the end of the summer.
“This has been a very difficult decision to make, but we are simply at a point where it is no longer sustainable to continue on with the business. I am deeply grateful for the support and love you have shown us over the years, and would like to celebrate our time together with a special closing sale.
“Thank you from the bottom of my heart for being a part of the Berte community. I truly feel like the luckiest person in the world to have worked on my dream shop for so long...something I never could have done without your support.”
Everything On Sale
The sale continues in a schedule of markdowns. Do visit the shop to get the latest.
July 8-17 - 30% off Full Price Inventory, 10% off Sale July 18-24 - 40% off Full Price Inventory, 15% off Sale July 25-31 - 50% off full price inventory, 20% off Sale
According to the City of Beacon’s Highway Department staff, speed bumps go down around Memorial Park on Robert Cahill Drive in the spring, and are removed in the fall for the convenience of the snow plows.
However, when ALBB first asked this question of this missing speed bumps in 2021, the answer provided was that the speed bumps are always down.
But they aren’t always down. It is almost August in 2024, and the speed bumps have not been screwed into the holes in the pavement, as pictured here.
Holes in the pavement by the baseball fields at Memorial Park. The speed bumps are inserted here seasonally.
Speed bumps can also be experienced on Wilkes Street. However, from some in the Highway Department, there has been a history of resistance to the speed bumps. This could be heard by former mayor Randy Casale, a former longtime Highway Superintendent for Beacon years ago when he would push back on citizens’ requests for speed bumps in their neighborhoods.
Highway Department trucks and other city vehicles pass through the area frequently, between the dirt and equipment holding area at the Dog Park, providing lawn maintenance, patrolling, and other reasons to rude around the Memorial Park loop.
While there have been no verbal requests for speed bumps this year at City Council Meetings, the annual speed bumps are not there.
This Friday, on July 19th at 11am est, SUNY BDS will be hosting an international panel with participants around the globe to discuss the student movement in support of Palestine. Since the beginning of israel’s genocide, we have seen that complicit rulers and capitalists stand on the side of israel while peoples of the world and students continue to stand up for Palestine. It is time we bring together all our movements for a stronger and more coherent resistance against Zionism and imperialism internationally!
Following the massacres committed by the Zionist entity upon innocent men, women, and children, students across the world have joined forces to take an unconditional stance in solidarity with Palestine. The unconscionable human rights violations committed with our taxpayer money– with our complicity –demands that we fight and do our part for the Palestinian liberation movement.
Just as SUNY BDS strives to bring together the 64 SUNY schools in New York state, we are hosting this panel to bring this effort to a global audience. We witnessed in the past 9 months how student organizers become more empowered and successful when allowed to organize in spheres with like-minded comrades. This panel will be a first step to truly Globalizing the Intifada.
Our panel will include students who organize and fight for Palestine on 4 continents:
SUNY BDS (New York)
Columbia University (New York)
Özgür Üniversite Hareketi (Türkiye)
Swaziland National Union of Students (SNUS)
Students for Palestine (Netherlands)
American University of Beirut (AUB) SJP Lebanon
University of Tokyo Komaba Campus Encampment
Glasgow University Ghassan for Rector, Scotland, UK
Students will be sharing their experiences from their respective countries, discuss the state of the Palestine solidarity movement across the world, and think about ways to develop our coordination as the struggle continues. We invite everyone to join the conversation in a spirit of international solidarity that we will advance going forward!
Appointing Thomas Durkin to the Position of Police Detective Sergeant
Appointing Kelvin Grey to the Position of Police Sergeant
Referring an Amended Concept Plan for 248 Tioronda Avenue to the Planning Board
Setting a Public Hearing for Proposed Local Law No. 5 of 2024 Concerning Prohibition of Eviction Without Good Cause
Referring Proposed Local Law No. 6 of 2024 Concerning Soil Stabilization to the City of Beacon and Dutchess County Planning Boards
Referring Proposed Local Law No. 7 of 2024 Concerning Dimensional Regulations for the Transitional District to the City of Beacon and Dutchess County Planning Boards
Last week we featured ALBB's newest sponsor and one of Beacon's most valued taxi services - from Luther Lopez of AQ Services - and it turns out you'd like a ride to the airport! For your convenience, his phone number has been added to ALBB's Business Directory in the Automotive section, which you can find here.
ALBB's Things To Do In Beacon Guides were recently featured in Upstate House, and are a favorite with locals and tourists alike. If your business is on Main Street, or is a school, you qualify for sponsorship (rate is $150/month for full weekly treatment)!
As always,
Free Palestine :)
THE EVENTS + RETAIL THERAPY GUIDE
Lyra Young Artist Concert Day: Saturday, July 13, 2024 Time: 2-4pm Location: Howland Cultural Center, 477 Main St, Beacon, NY
An afternoon of chamber music performed by the young artists of the Lyra Music Young Artist Performance Program. Lyra young artists are pre-professional string players and pianists. Classical music’s next generation! Information >
Elks Lounge Dance Night Day: Saturday, July 13, 2024 Time: 7-10:30pm Location: Elks Lodge, 900 Wolcott Ave. (Rt. 9D), Beacon, NY
A vibrant mix of R&B, Latin, Soul, Funk, Reggae, Rock, Disco, Hip-Hop & more is played by DJ Rhoda. Song requests welcome. Information >
SAVE THE DATE:
Beacon Open Studios Day: Friday-Sunday, July 19-21, 2024 Time: Artist Studios open from 12-6pm Time: Events scheduled throughout the weekend. Location: See Beacon Arts Website
One of Beacon's most highly anticipated events, Beacon Open Studios, where you get to go inside of the studios of several artists. Get your walking shoes on, and check the Restaurant Guide for where you want to eat when you finally collapse. Information >
Cold Spring Farmer's Market Saturdays @ Boscobell from 8:30am - 2pm
Beacon Farmer's Market! Sundays from 10am-3pm at 223 Main Street
Beacon Flea Market! Every Fair Weather Sunday from 8am-3pm at Henry Street (behind the Post Office).
CARTERS RESTAURANT & LOUNGE 424 Main St.
“Red Stripe! It’s beer! Hooray Beer!” Come on down for your favorite Jamaican beer and a lobster roll. Carters has their brunch menu on Sundays and their regular menu available all day! PS: Happy Hour is from Monday-Friday PPS: You can book the Carters Restaurant space for a private party and enjoy delicious spreads made by the Carters Crew! Book ahead. Follow Carter's on Instagram > Carters Restaurant & Lounge is a Sponsor, thank you!
BEACON BREAD COMPANY
193-195 Main Street, Beacon, NY
Waffles, griddle pancakes, french toast... lots of good sweet options at Beacon Bread! Choose fresh berries, bananas, ricotta, chocolate chips, and more! Vegan pancakes available too! PS! OPEN MIC IS BACK! Every Tuesday weather permitting. In the back patio! PPS: BBC is open everyday 7 days/week! PPPS: Wholesale, special orders, and events/catering available. Follow BBC on Instagram > Beacon Bread Company is a Sponsor, thank you!
ZIATUN 244 Main Street, Beacon, NY
Stop into Ziatun for authentic middle eastern cuisine using the freshest & finest ingredients made with love. PS! The Watermelon Feta Mint salad is BACK ICYMI... A super refreshing and delicious salad to enjoy during this time of the year! Support your local Palestinian Restaurant PPS: Ziatun is open everyday.
Monday-Saturday: 11:00 AM - 9:00 PM
Sunday: 11:00 AM - 8:00 PM Follow Ziatun on Instagram > Ziatun is a Sponsor, thank you!
Feature your business each week in A Little Beacon Blog's Newsletter, Blog pages, and Instagram. People often use this newsletter to tell their friends where to go, and get ideas for themselves on what to order. This is a very hungry guide to put together each week. Learn More & Start Now >
Eggbert’s Free Range Farm @ Cold Spring Farmer's Market Saturday's Website > Instagram >
Order up! Deliciously fat cuts of boneless pork, box-o-sausages... including country, maple, chorizo, beef sweet Italian, etc., beef, eggs, chicken, and more! All free range and antibiotic free! FARMERS MARKETS: Saturdays: Cold Spring Farmer's Market 8:30am-1pm Sundays:Beacon Farmer's Market 8:30am - 2pm DELIVERY: Delivering to Cold Spring, Cornwall, New Windsor, Newburgh, Beacon, Fishkill, and Wappingers Falls. Eggbert's Free Range Farm is a Sponsor, thank you!
BINNACLE BOOKS
321 Main Street, Beacon
Women writers in science fiction, fantasy, and the outskirts of literature... Binnacle Books has all of the new and used books that you'll want to get your hands on. They move fast! Ask for recommendations & find your next pool/beach read. PS have you heard about the Beacon Prison Books Project? See more here > Follow Binnacle on Instagram to keep up with their new reads and to get them right away! Learn More about Binnacle Books >
THE STATION
463 Main Street, Beacon
The Station is a local cannabis shop situated in a renovated police station in Beacon, NY. Stay tuned to what they will offer with their updates in the shop and for events/opening date by following The Station on Instagram. Follow The Station on Instagram > The Station is a Sponsor, thank you!
Feature your business each week in A Little Beacon Blog's Newsletter, Blog pages, and Instagram. Readers love seen the magazine-like spread of what to buy inside of your shops, or if you have special classes or events going on. Learn More & Start Now >
Beginner Skateboarding with Andrew Singh- The Summer Session Days: 1 week evening session from July 15 to July 19 Time: 6pm – 7pm Location: RAMPS @ Memorial Park
Ages 6-12 Information >
Summer Tennis Clinic 2024 Two Sessions: August 8/5 – 8/9 and August 8/12 – 8/16 Times: High School Clinic 8:30am to 10:30am & Junior clinic 10:30am to 12:30pm Location: BCSD Highschool Tennis Courts Information >
Multi Sport Clinic 2024 One More One Week Session: August 5th to August 9th Time: 8am-12:30pm Location: Memorial Park & Rombout Middle School depending on weather Information >
Garden Time with Land to Learn Days: Every Wednesday Time: 10:30am-11:30am Location: Green Teen Garden at the Rec Center Information >
Aqua Zumba At The Beacon Pool Days: Saturdays 7/20, 7/27, 8/3, 8/10, 8/17, 8/24 Time: 9:45 am – 10:45 am Location: The Beacon Pool, Beacon, NY
Seniors Chair Yoga
Stretch, move and strengthen your body! Gain physical awareness and balance! Reduce stress and have fun. Location: Beacon Recreation Center 25 West Center Street, Beacon, NY When: Mondays and Fridays Time: 9-9:45am Price: FREE
Dutchess County Office for the Aging Exercise Class
The Dutchess County Senior Exercise Program offers workout sessions for senior citizens in an effort to retain balance as well as bone density. Through strength training, seniors can shape their body and lose unwanted inches. Classes are conducted in a circle of 15-20 people using a chair for support and free weights. Location: Beacon Recreation Center 25 West Center Street, Beacon, NY When: Tuesday and Thursday Time: 10am
Pre-Registration is Required. Call 845-486-2555
Tai Chi and Qigong
Beginner and Advanced levels available. Gentle movements to cultivate your mind and body. Tai Chi and Qigong are easy vitalizing exercises you can learn to restore and maintain your health. You can practice them regardless of your age or health. The postures and movements are natural, balanced and simple. Location: Beacon Recreation Center 25 West Center Street, Beacon, NY Times:
Sunday Beginners 9-10:30am
Sunday Advanced 10-30-12pm
Thursday Push Hands 9-10:30am More Info >
Beacon has a growing number of beauty salons and professional pampering to take advantage of - you can even book a transforming appointment at a lash bar! Be it a totally new hair style, makeup lessons, or a facial, you have options in Beacon. Check out ALBB's Beauty Guide here >
Special Message For Businesses:Click here to advertise in ALBB's Beauty Guide with a picture, logo and weekly promotions that will be featured here and on our Instagram.
BEACON DENTAL
1020 Wolcott Avenue, Beacon, NY
(845) 838-3666
At Beacon Dental, they are dedicated to providing you and your family with quality dental care tailored to your individual needs. They welcome patients aged 4 and older and provide a full range of dental services to help you achieve and maintain excellent oral health throughout your life. When you visit their dentists and team, you can be certain that your health, comfort and smile are always their highest priorities. Beacon Dental is also happy to announce that they now accept Medicare health insurance! Call them for a free cleaning & check-up and refer your family & friends! Explore all services > Beacon Dental is a Sponsor. Thank you!
KATIE JAMES, INC.
Stop worrying about what you're going to post on Instagram and when... Katie James, Inc. will go deep and get into the zone of your business month to month. Using our experience as one of the top local media outlets in the Hudson Valley, we can apply our gift of finding story ideas that people love, to your business. Your customers need to know what is going on in your creative business and/or inside of your storefront doors and we cannot wait to tell/show them with you! Reach Out to tell us about your goals!
TIN SHINGLE
Tin Shingle a training platform and community for businesses, artists and makers who are getting the word out about their business. Tin Shingle teaches PR, social media and content marketing tactics to regular people to help make their pitching and brand story telling smarter, engaging and more appropriate for the media to consider for article features. Tin Shingle produces weekly webinars called Training TuneUps, which offer free access to niche classes, as well as one-on-one training opportunities. Tin Shingle is a Sponsor. Thank you!
AVAILABLE GUIDES TO SPONSOR: These Guides really need the ongoing support from businesses or individuals in order for us to continue them! This sponsorship is intended for businesses who are not in the Guides mentioned above.
Years ago when Katie first started the blog, and later pursued advertisers, she landed her first car dealership client. But before they said yes to investing their money into an advertising campaign, the manager asked Katie: “What happens if you get hit by a bus?” Bloggers are thought to be solo-workers, but one can’t run this blog alone. Needs a team, and I had one. While I am replaceable ;) I am not alone, I told him. I have team members. Fast forward to today, I’ve upgraded our “contract workers” status to employee. ALBB employs 2 people (Katie and Teslie) on payroll, as this is our full time job.
And then it happened. I disappeared.
The night of the 4th of July, Katie went to the hospital with stomach pain of 13 (between 1-10). A piercing side cramp with a side of mystery menstrual behavior made for a perfect storm of a surprise attack of Diverticulitis, as diagnosed by Peekskill’s NY Presbyterian (the best). After several blasts of 3 different antibiotics during an overnight hospital stay, Katie was released and went to the wonderful Women’s Center at Sun River Health, where she was told that the two were linked: a brewing intestinal infection can trigger menstrual movement and get everything out of whack. For months prior!
While on the ER bed, Katie texted her ALBB Co-pilot, Teslie, to hold it down. Katie also did some thinking. Things need to change. It’s been horrifying watching the trauma. Absorbing it, knowing that Israel’s treatment of Palestine has been going on for over 76 without most people (including Katie) saying anything. Watching the lies. Watching people turn their heads.
But not saying anything is worse. Personal life and professional. A person can only absorb so much without speaking. Or, when speaking, getting insulted, lied to, stalkers who sabotage, etc.
Donation Campaigns: ALBB will be having regular donation drives for ourselves (click here to donate online). This money goes to the business of ALBB. It’s why Teslie is here. It’s how Katie is here. We need your help all the time. Support independent media. Keep our voices free. Not free from charging you. Free from being held back from speaking.
Palestinian content: Will adapt again. To be turned into articles to tie locally when possible. We won’t let it disappear from our platform while big media is complicit in this genocide. But we need your help.
Beacon Local: Reporting locally is actually harder than Palestine. Because it’s small town living. But Palestine has cured Katie of this fear. Expect more hard news stories. But they require childcare! They take hours and days to research and write. And childcare costs.
Donate online or in person. Katie can meet you for a check, mail it, or you can donate here >
The Zoning Board of Appeals will meet on Tuesday, July 16, 2024, at 7:00 PM, in the Municipal Center courtroom, located at One Municipal Plaza, Beacon, New York.
Approval of the June 18, 2024, minutes.
Regular Meeting
Review and hold a public hearing for the application submitted by Robert Martin, 907 Wolcott Avenue, Tax Grid No. 30-5954-52-967609-00, in the R1-10 Zoning District, to allow the addition of a second floor to the existing single-family home, which requires relief from the following: Â Section 223-17 D. to allow for a 5 ft side yard setback (east yard) (15 ft required)
Review and public hearing for the application submitted by John and Gina Canen, 41 Verplanck Avenue, Tax Grid No. 30-5955-83-844052-00, in the R1-5 Zoning District, to legalize the additions (new parking spaces) to the existing driveway of the home, where said additions (new parking spaces) have been constructed in the required front yard of the home, which requires relief from the following:
Do you need to drive to the airport? Not sure who to call? ALBB welcomes local driver Luther Lopez, owner of AQ Services in Beacon to ALBB's Business Directory! AQ Services offer luxury airport transportation to all the major airports (LGA, JFK, EWR, HPN etc). They specialize in late night / early morning flights! Have them on speed dial. More details below in the Business Directory section under Transportation and Black-Owned Business.
THE EVENTS + RETAIL THERAPY GUIDE
Lit Lit Day: Friday, July 5, 2024 Time: 7-9pm (arrive by 6:30pm) Location: Howland Cultural Center, 477 Main St., Beacon, NY
The Howland requests a suggested donation of $5, more if you can/less if you can't. Soft drinks, wine, beer, and snacks will also be available by donation.
Folks are also welcome to just come and listen. Writers can read their own writing of any genre, for a maximum of five minutes each.
Mutual Aid Fundraiser: From Here To Palestine & Congo Day: Wednesday, July 10, 2024 Time: 5-10pm Location: The Castle On The Delaware, 139 Stockton Ave, Walton, NY
All you can eat middle eastern buffet, karaoke & musical performances, books, zines, prints, patches & more. Benefiting Palestine and Congo. Information >
“Shadows of the San Joaquin" Hosted By Binnacle Books Day: Wednesday, July 10, 2024 Time: 6:30pm Location: Binnacle Books, 321 Main St, Beacon, NY
Details below!
Cold Spring Farmer's Market Saturdays @ Boscobell from 8:30am - 2pm
Beacon Farmer's Market! Sundays from 10am-3pm at 223 Main Street
Beacon Flea Market! Every Fair Weather Sunday from 8am-3pm at Henry Street (behind the Post Office).
HUDSON VALLEY FOOD HALL 288 Main Street, Beacon, NY Website >
Dive into a Full English Breakfast at the HV Food Hall by visiting the one and only Moreish! British classics are cooked fresh! Wed - Sat. If you haven't tried it yet... this is your sign. Thank us later. Follow HV Food Hall's foodies:
CARTERS RESTAURANT & LOUNGE 424 Main St.
Ever reminisce about your favorite French Onion soup? Guilty! Lucky for you... Carter's sure has a good one! PS: Happy Hour is from Monday-Friday PPS: You can book the Carters Restaurant space for a private party and enjoy delicious spreads made by the Carters Crew! Book ahead. Follow Carter's on Instagram > Carters Restaurant & Lounge is a Sponsor, thank you!
BEACON BREAD COMPANY
193-195 Main Street, Beacon, NY
Let's not forget what Beacon Bread does best around here! Serving fresh baked bread from 8-5 all weekend long! PS! OPEN MIC IS BACK! Every Tuesday weather permitting. In the back patio! PPS: BBC is open everyday 7 days/week! PPPS: Wholesale, special orders, and events/catering available. Follow BBC on Instagram > Beacon Bread Company is a Sponsor, thank you!
ZIATUN 244 Main Street, Beacon, NY
Stop into Ziatun for authentic middle eastern cuisine using the freshest & finest ingredients made with love. PS! The Watermelon Feta Mint salad is BACK ICYMI... A super refreshing and delicious salad to enjoy during this time of the year! Support your local Palestinian Restaurant PPS: Ziatun is open everyday.
Monday-Saturday: 11:00 AM - 9:00 PM
Sunday: 11:00 AM - 8:00 PM Follow Ziatun on Instagram > Ziatun is a Sponsor, thank you!
Feature your business each week in A Little Beacon Blog's Newsletter, Blog pages, and Instagram. People often use this newsletter to tell their friends where to go, and get ideas for themselves on what to order. This is a very hungry guide to put together each week. Learn More & Start Now >
Eggbert’s Free Range Farm @ Cold Spring Farmer's Market Saturday's Website > Instagram >
Order up! The 100% natural beef hot dogs are heating up for your snacking pleasure. Look at these deliciously fat cuts of boneless pork. And the box-o-sausages. Country, maple, chorizo, beef sweet Italian, all available to you. FARMERS MARKETS: Saturdays: Cold Spring Farmer's Market 8:30am-1pm Sundays:Beacon Farmer's Market 8:30am - 2pm DELIVERY: Delivering to Cold Spring, Cornwall, New Windsor, Newburgh, Beacon, Fishkill, and Wappingers Falls. Eggbert's Free Range Farm is a Sponsor, thank you!
BINNACLE BOOKS
321 Main Street, Beacon
Join local author, artist, and activist Parisa Karami to talk about her new illustrated memoir “Shadows of the San Joaquin” published by @nwreview in conversation with Lena Rizkallah. Parisa Karami is an artist living in the Hudson Valley with her family. Lena Rizkallah is a local Palestinian activist, financial advisor, recovering attorney, national speaker and story-teller. Information > PS have you heard about the Beacon Prison Books Project? See more here > Follow Binnacle on Instagram to keep up with their new reads and to get them right away! Learn More about Binnacle Books >
THE STATION
463 Main Street, Beacon
The Station is a local cannabis shop situated in a renovated police station in Beacon, NY. Stay tuned to what they will offer with their updates in the shop and for events/opening date by following The Station on Instagram. Follow The Station on Instagram > The Station is a Sponsor, thank you!
Feature your business each week in A Little Beacon Blog's Newsletter, Blog pages, and Instagram. Readers love seen the magazine-like spread of what to buy inside of your shops, or if you have special classes or events going on. Learn More & Start Now >
JUST ADDED! Beginner Skateboarding with Andrew Singh- The Summer Session Days: 1 week evening session from July 15 to July 19 Time: 6pm – 7pm Location: RAMPS @ Memorial Park
Ages 6-12 Information >
Summer Basketball League 2024
Developmental and Instructional Summer Youth Basketball League for youth ages 6 to 18. Information >
Summer Tennis Clinic 2024 Two Sessions: August 8/5 – 8/9 and August 8/12 – 8/16 Times: High School Clinic 8:30am to 10:30am & Junior clinic 10:30am to 12:30pm Location: BCSD Highschool Tennis Courts Information >
Multi Sport Clinic 2024 One More One Week Session: August 5th to August 9th Time: 8am-12:30pm Location: Memorial Park & Rombout Middle School depending on weather Information >
JUST ADDED! Garden Time with Land to Learn Days: Every Wednesday Time: 10:30am-11:30am Location: Green Teen Garden at the Rec Center Information >
JUST ADDED! Aqua Zumba At The Beacon Pool Days: Saturdays 7/20, 7/27, 8/3, 8/10, 8/17, 8/24 Time: 9:45 am – 10:45 am Location: The Beacon Pool, Beacon, NY
Seniors Chair Yoga
Stretch, move and strengthen your body! Gain physical awareness and balance! Reduce stress and have fun. Location: Beacon Recreation Center 25 West Center Street, Beacon, NY When: Mondays and Fridays Time: 9-9:45am Price: FREE
Dutchess County Office for the Aging Exercise Class
The Dutchess County Senior Exercise Program offers workout sessions for senior citizens in an effort to retain balance as well as bone density. Through strength training, seniors can shape their body and lose unwanted inches. Classes are conducted in a circle of 15-20 people using a chair for support and free weights. Location: Beacon Recreation Center 25 West Center Street, Beacon, NY When: Tuesday and Thursday Time: 10am
Pre-Registration is Required. Call 845-486-2555
Tai Chi and Qigong
Beginner and Advanced levels available. Gentle movements to cultivate your mind and body. Tai Chi and Qigong are easy vitalizing exercises you can learn to restore and maintain your health. You can practice them regardless of your age or health. The postures and movements are natural, balanced and simple. Location: Beacon Recreation Center 25 West Center Street, Beacon, NY Times:
Sunday Beginners 9-10:30am
Sunday Advanced 10-30-12pm
Thursday Push Hands 9-10:30am More Info >
Beacon has a growing number of beauty salons and professional pampering to take advantage of - you can even book a transforming appointment at a lash bar! Be it a totally new hair style, makeup lessons, or a facial, you have options in Beacon. Check out ALBB's Beauty Guide here >
Special Message For Businesses:Click here to advertise in ALBB's Beauty Guide with a picture, logo and weekly promotions that will be featured here and on our Instagram.
BEACON DENTAL
1020 Wolcott Avenue, Beacon, NY
(845) 838-3666
At Beacon Dental, they are dedicated to providing you and your family with quality dental care tailored to your individual needs. They welcome patients aged 4 and older and provide a full range of dental services to help you achieve and maintain excellent oral health throughout your life. When you visit their dentists and team, you can be certain that your health, comfort and smile are always their highest priorities. Beacon Dental is also happy to announce that they now accept Medicare health insurance! Call them for a free cleaning & check-up and refer your family & friends! Explore all services > Beacon Dental is a Sponsor. Thank you!
KATIE JAMES, INC.
Stop worrying about what you're going to post on Instagram and when... Katie James, Inc. will go deep and get into the zone of your business month to month. Using our experience as one of the top local media outlets in the Hudson Valley, we can apply our gift of finding story ideas that people love, to your business. Your customers need to know what is going on in your creative business and/or inside of your storefront doors and we cannot wait to tell/show them with you! Reach Out to tell us about your goals!
TIN SHINGLE
Tin Shingle a training platform and community for businesses, artists and makers who are getting the word out about their business. Tin Shingle teaches PR, social media and content marketing tactics to regular people to help make their pitching and brand story telling smarter, engaging and more appropriate for the media to consider for article features. Tin Shingle produces weekly webinars called Training TuneUps, which offer free access to niche classes, as well as one-on-one training opportunities. The Research Team is constantly updating our easy-to-use Media Contact Library and Editorial Calendar Collection, which serve as an inspiration center when discovering story angles and best people to connect with about where to pitch about your business. Start with free articles and classes by subscribing to our newsletter. Next, dig in to go bigger with your outreach with our Membership Program that gives you Media Contacts, Editorial Calendars, Templates for emailing the media as well as plotting out your PR and Marketing plan. Tin Shingle is your support system as you're getting the word out about your business. Tin Shingle is a Sponsor. Thank you!
AVAILABLE GUIDES TO SPONSOR: These Guides really need the ongoing support from businesses or individuals in order for us to continue them! This sponsorship is intended for businesses who are not in the Guides mentioned above.
Being that I missed my opportunity to share the announcement that the awards opened up for applications because we were in the throws of the genocide of Israel murdering Palestinians in February - we were trying to still publish Beacon content via 14 Days of Valentine’s Day Gift Guide - while publishing awareness pieces of the genocide.
In trying to find something easy and positive to publish, the Community Investment Grant seemed a no-brainer. But during the City Council Meeting announcing the awards, strange things happened. City Administrator Chris White began the presentation by throwing the Parks and Recreation Director Mark Price under the bus when Mark was not in attendance (Mark is normally a very punctual, well-spoken person). Chris announced: “I think Mark forgot.” Then, Chris definitively told us: “About half the Committee really was not interested in this task,” referring to vetting and recommending grant applicants.
Then, after Chris announced the winners - which he named by organization only - one Councilmember, Paloma Wake, asked him to describe on of the winners - The Sports Bra Project - because, she said: “It's not totally clear to me what the program does. Probably helpful for the community to hear how they can access this if it applies to them.”
Councilperson Amber Grant quickly flew in to vouch for the organization, saying she had Googled it, and it came up in an article at the local newspaper the Highlands Current that was published 2 months before the opening of the grant applications, of which one of the committee members Heidi Kitlas is married to a reporter there (Jeff Simms, but he did not write that article). Heidi had voted on the Sports Bra Project, but its founder Sarah, did not vote at all.
Amber encouraged viewers of the City Council meeting, and writers of the titillating Meeting Minutes, to also Google the article. Mayor Lee then also vouched for the organization, saying “I know it's a Beacon-specific organization.” I didn’t think about it until later, but neither of them, nor Chris, mentioned the name of the founder of the organization.
Ok. So all seemed legit, right? City Administrator Chris impatiently hurried this part of the meeting to close so that the City Council could vote on, it, which they did. Done. Money allocated.
But…that part about the Recreation Committee not being “interested” stuck. Who was on the Recreation Committee? Who are these people who are not interested in awarding money to community groups, when they are tasked with helping the City of Beacon serve people through recreational activities? It didn’t make sense. Thankfully, I had childcare for the evening. So I was able to continue on with research. Otherwise, I would have disappeared into Kid Land and forgotten all about it.
Off to Google I went. Found the Recreation Committee member names. Great. Next: Google the article about the Sports Bra Project like Amber told us to. Check. Name of Sara Dwyer-Shick was in the article. Went to the Sports Bra Project website. There were no names there. But exciting PR about them being featured in Australia! Then I read about their deliveries to Namibia. Great concept!
My article shifted to become about City Administrator Chris White’s quote that threw Mark Price and the entire Recreation Committee under the bus. Usually this happens in the basement of Town Hall in the meeting rooms, where people in different departments just rip each other apart. I witnessed it when I was Chair of the Spirit of Beacon Day. Being accustomed to cis white man patriarchal banter, I knew that people were just surviving down there around the meeting table and in the hallways. But when it makes its way up to the courtroom during City Council Meetings, it’s like…gross.
But whatever. Is is what it is. I went to copy/paste the names of the Recreation Committee into the article, and that’s when I recognized Sarah Dwyer-Shick’s name, as being the founder of the Sports Bra Project and a Recreation Committee Member.
I did a double-take. I basically did a quadruple take. I wanted to call someone to confirm, but who is there to call. Chris White has everyone on lock-down from answering questions to ALBB. I was on my own. I deep dove, and published the article.
The next night at a sports event, I heard from people who read the article. They said that their friends asked them about the findings in the article: “Is it true?” I said to the reader: “Even I (ALBB) had to ask myself 5 times if it was true! I couldn’t believe it!” I got more questions from people, asking what the Conflict of Interest Policy was for the Beacon Recreation Committee. I didn’t know!
Next day, I heard from more people. More than one person said: “I miss Randy. I voted for Lee, but I miss Randy.” Former Mayor Randy Casale was a gruff but firm person. Many were rubbed the wrong way with him. He got voted out to Lee. But. He usually duked it out with whoever to arrive at the answer that seemed correct. I liked that about him. I voted for him each time he ran.
Back to the article research. I went looking for the office on Henry Street of the Sports Bra Project that was pictured in the article, and I still haven’t found it. Maybe it’s being sublet from someone else in the only office building on Henry Street. Maybe it’s in a cute house or apartment there.
Picking one or three or eight local organizations in a small city town to receive grant money will always be hard. Scrutiny will exist no matter what the choice. Jealousy will be around every corner. But the awarding of Beacon’s 2024 Community Investment Grant was just odd. Brazen, in fact. Of the $20,000 Community Investment Grant, $2,450 was left un-awarded. Saving the money for a rainy day? Two applicants were farmers. Farmers can use rain.
Let’s take a look at the five other organizations who applied for the City of Beacon’s $20,000 Community Investment Grant, but were denied. But first…
The following five Beacon local organizations applied for and were denied funding for this hyper local grant. The three organizations who were awarded funding by the City Council at the recommendation of the Parks and Recreation Committee either share an office with the Recreation Department, or are on the Recreation Committee itself who made the award recommendation.
Beacon’s City Administrator Chris White said half of the Recreation Committee members were not “interested in this task” of vetting and recommending organizations for awards. Yet, they recommended Recreation Committee Member Sarah Dwyer-Shick to get $7,550 for her organization The Sports Bra Project that a newspaper article says has an office in Beacon, but mainly ships sports bras to people all over the world. Sarah’s name was nowhere on the Application Log, nor on her organization’s website, nor brought up during the City Council Meeting, despite City Administrator Chris, Mayor Lee Kyriacou and Councilperson Amber Grant vouching that this was a Beacon-specific organization. The Sports Bra Project’s impact to adults and children living in Beacon, or how it exceeds the other applicants, has yet to be determined.
City Administrator Chris agreed with Beacon’s attorneys at Keane and Beane that Common Ground’s application, on behalf of its markets, which include the Beacon Farmer’s Market by way of the food benefits program Green4Green, which gives people with low income money to shop farm fresh produced and baked goods, would serve people outside of Beacon. It is not clear how the Sports Bra Project, which seems to ship product manufactured elsewhere to people primarily in other countries, is not not serving people “outside” of Beacon. If it is because the organization’s founder might live in Beacon (not confirmed), then it should be noted that the other leaders of the organizations who applied also live in Beacon, so this qualification does not seem dominant.
After City Administrator White pushed to close this part of the meeting so that it could move to a legislative vote, he mentioned that the Recreation Department needed to get back to bigger projects, like South Avenue (by Loopers basketball and tennis courts) and Wee Play (the tot park at Memorial Park that received City investment for upgrades). Of the applicants, both Land to Learn and Compass Arts work with kids and teachers at South Avenue Elementary in their programming. The financial diversity Parks and Recreation Director Mark Price speaks of doesn’t seem to be represented here, when published in his 2024 CIG Application Memo: “We have selected three applicants that we would recommend awarding funding to in 2024. This recommendation, I believe, allows for a diversity of funding across several initiatives.”
Organizations On The Recreation Department Cutting Room Floor
Bannerman Castle Trust The Trust is dedicated to bringing together resources and funding to stabilize the buildings on Pollepel Island. The Trust raises awareness and educates the public and government organizations on the value and history of the island. The Trust raises funds for repairing the island, and creating a master plan and eventually stabilizing the structures. Contact: Kelly Ellenwood Purpose: 30th Anniversary Community Cruise to Bannerman Castle Proposed Use Of Funds: Community Outreach, Flyers, Postcards, Bulk Mailing, Community Outreach, Programming Tour guide Requested Amount: $2,000
Common Ground Farm Common Ground Farm supports and engages the community by fostering access and connection to fresh food and local agriculture through farming, education, and farmers’ markets. Common Ground runs the Beacon Farmer’s Market, located on Main Street in Beacon. Contact: Sember Weinman Purpose: Common Greens Partnership From Common Ground’s website: “Greens4Greens is a food benefit incentive program, started in 2016, that creates greater food access for shoppers at the Beacon Farmers’ Market, the Newburgh Farmers’ Market, and the Common Greens Mobile Market. Eligible state funded food benefits are matched dollar for dollar through Greens4Greens, making the farmers’ market more accessible to a wider base of consumers. The program has been completely community funded through contributions made by local businesses as well as the annual 'Soup4Greens' event. Our 2024 Soup4Greens event raised over $8000 thanks to the generous soup and pottery donations.” Proposed Use Of Funds: Greens4Greens coupons to be redeemed across our markets, doubling the purchasing power of many people who use benefits Requested Amount: $6,400
Compass Arts The mission of Compass Arts is to create healthy, just, equitable, and resilient communities through arts based classes, performances, and events rooted in exploration, collaboration, creation, and play. Contact: Gina Samaridge Purpose: Free Community Arts Activities Table Program Requested Amount: $6,500
Land To Learn Land to Learn is growing a movement for food justice and community wellness through garden-based education. Land to Learn’s in-school program brings garden-based education to 2,000 k-2 students in 10 public elementary schools throughout New York’s Hudson Valley region. Contact: Stefan Purpose: SproutED Program for Beacon Schools Proposed Use Of Funds: South Avenue Garden Revitalization Spring/Summer 2024 Requested Amount: $5,000
Roll Out FBS (Assuming this is Foundation For Beacon Schools (FBS), but it’s not indicated on the Applicant Log) Foundation For Beacon Schools (FBS) vision is for Beacon’s public schools to be at the leading edge in creating a learning environment in which all students are able to find and cultivate their talents, live purposeful, fulfilling, and vibrant lives, and carry their gifts into the future. Contact: Lauren Adelman Purpose: Community Art Event Proposed Use Of Funds: School workshops, community workshops, public event, teaching artists, supplies Requested Amount: $3,500
Grant Winners
Sports Bra Project The Sports Bra Project increases access to sports for women and girls by removing barriers to participation. They provide sports bras to athletes who don’t have access to such a basic piece of equipment. Contact: The contact on this was an email for the generic admin@thesportsbraproject. But we we now know is Recreation Committee Member Sarah Dwyer-Shick, thanks to a newspaper article mentioned by Councilperson Amber Grant. However, Councilperson Amber did not mention Sarah’s name when she referred to the article. No one spoke Sarah’s name during the meeting. Purpose: Sports Bra Bank Proposed Use Of Funds: Storage bins, bras, support and outreach materials Awarded Amount: $7,550
Beacon Repair Café (Located inside of the Recreation Department Office) The Repair Café idea was born in Amsterdam in 2009 and was brought to New Paltz by volunteer organizer John Wackman in 2013. His dedication, enthusiasm and success inspired others to launch Repair Café events in their communities. Contact: fromer@sustainhv.org (Repair Café’s fiscal sponsor is Sustainable Hudson Valley) Purpose: Repair Café Proposed Use Of Funds: Materials and Supplies, lunch for volunteers, outreach Awarded Amount: $1,000
Cornell Cooperative Extension of Dutchess County (aka Green Teen, located inside of the Recreation Department Office, but nowhere in the Applicant Log does it specify Green Teen…This was only stated in the City Council Meeting…So it is not confirmed if this is going to Beacon’s Green Teen, or Cornell Cooperative Extension’s Positive Youth Development Program at large) Contact: jr825@cornell.edu Purpose: Positive Youth Development Program Proposed Use Of Funds: Youth wages, Staff wages Awarded Amount: $9,000
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.
Palestine & Congo
