Things To Do In Beacon, NY 📅 06/13/2026
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Yemeni Coffee Shop Opens In Poughkeepsie - 1450 Mokha Drinks, Sweets & Atmosphere Are Transformative
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Interview with Ali Dabashi, one of the brothers behind the Creation of 1450 Mokha, and Ahmed, a family friend and partner.
Photo Credit: Katie Hellmuth
The signature drink, the 1450 Latte, made with white chocolate cardamom syrup and seasoned with a shake blend of cardamom, cinnamon and nutmeg blended in-house, rimmed with honey.
Photo Credit: Katie Hellmuth
Katie interviewed one of the 6 Dabashi Brothers, Ali, and their partner Ahmed on the second day of their soft opening of 1450 Mokha at in Poughkeepsie, located across from Marist University in the Job Lots / Home Depot shopping center at 3434 North Road. Many in Beacon have never seen Ali in this setting - relaxed and sitting in the deep red Yemeni style couches that he crafted and built. "Why aren't you in Key Food?" demanded Katie. "Did you get bored?" Ali smiled and shook his head.
"The Dabashi Brothers, along with our partner Ahmed, have opened 1450 Mokha. Our passion is coffee, and we love our culture so much. We wanted to bring something that we always drive an hour and half to every time we are off work - which is the taste of Yemen."
Writing this interview - which you must also watch in video here in this article - required savoring the signature iced drink of 1450 Mokha. The latte is gorgeous in the glass, and the baristas recommend stirring before sipping in order to swirl the flavors, which are traditional Middle Eastern spices composed of white chocolate cardamom syrup and seasoned with a shake blend of cardamom, cinnamon and nutmeg blended in-house, rimmed with honey. The creme at the top is a secret. This drink is transformative.
1450 Mokha is not just an ode to their ancestral home of Yemen, and is not just a coffee shop. It is their haven to stretch out their creative sides and flavor pallets to welcome all to enjoy and experience traditional Yemeni hospitality.
Located in the parking lot of Job Lots, Home Depot, with a Planet Fitness coming soon, this coffee shop is ideal for being in the center of things. "Home Depot is my home," said Ali during our interview, as he can be often be found envisioning new shelving and building it.
After our interview, a new customer walked through the door, drawn in by the Arabic music playing softly outside. The fact that he could hear the music from the parking lot, while avoiding numerous potholes that frequent most of those shopping market parking lots up Rte. 9, was impressive.
The new customer was beside himself with enthusiasm: "I could hear the music! Did you just open? Is this a new location for you? Do you have other shops? Didn't this used to be the acai bowl place? But they had no foot traffic? Congratulations!!"
This is 1450 Mokha’s first location. Foot traffic might not matter here, with the Arabic community driving up seeking these homegrown flavors and new customers from the medical and student communities becoming regulars. Located across the street from Marist University, and near the Culinary Institute, this little coffee shop will be a must-park-and-sit to study, talk, relax, and develop the next big ideas.
The Meaning Behind 1450 Mokha
The Tres LEche dessert at 1450 Mokha.
Photo Credit: Katie Hellmuth
The name 1450 Mokha is especially deep to Ali and his brothers. "Mokha" (also spelled Mocha) refers to the historic port city of Al Mokha on Yemen's Red Sea coast. For centuries, coffee grown in Yemen was exported through this port to the rest of the world, making Mokha one of the most important names in coffee history. The word "mocha" used around the world today traces its roots back to this historic city.
The number 1450 represents the year when coffee began gaining prominence in Yemen and the Arabian Peninsula. Yemen played a central role in cultivating, preparing and spreading coffee culture throughout the world.
Sweet treats can be found inside, which include traditional Yemeni sweets such as Honeycomb bread, Sabayah, authentic Yemeni sweets from Mocha Sweets in Detroit, Michigan (a region with a large Arab community), with many other pastries and desserts.
Desserts Available In The Case
Three pistacchio desserts avilable at 1450 MOkha.
Photo Credit: Katie Hellmuth
Sampled for this interview was the Festival (Gluten Free), featuring Vanilla Cream, Pistachio Cake and Almond. Next was the Pistachio Mouse, with a Chocolate Cake crust. And finally, the Layered Pistacchio Stack, with a soft but thick Chocolate on top, Pistachio layered with cream and a chocolate base buried underneath. Best eaten as the row with all flavors on the spoon together into your mouth.
The Origin Of The Coffee
The coffee and espresso is from Moka Origins, which is roasted locally in PA and includes beans from Uganda, Ethiopia, and other regions. Beacon locals have already been exposed to this line of coffee through Junior Zayad Dabashi who has been attached for some years.
The Hudson Valley local painter Mary Mechalakos (Murals by Mary) came up to paint the mural of the logo on the wall. She will be defining the culture and the history of their coffee on the longer wall opposite the barista station soon.
Coffee & Matcha
Many other drinks are available, including the Adeni Tea, which unlike the Red Tea, boils with evaporated milk. It is another Yemeni favorite and will be the next order for A Little Beacon Blog when we plop down into the ugly chair in the front that Ali says is his favorite: "The best, ugliest, most comfortable chair you can have."
Matcha is available as well. But not just any matcha. "I had no idea there were so many versions of matcha," Ali said. "This is ceremonial grade matcha - top of the line straight from Japan." During staff-training, which involved professional baristas from Michigan to train the 7 new staff members, 1450 Mokha gave away the coffee and matcha that they made during training. "Everyone wanted the matcha, and we ran out. I went everywhere to find more,” Ali recalled. “NYC. Walmart. Everywhere to find anything. Finding the ceremonial grade matcha is like a drug market." Matcha at 1450 Mokha is the right color green with no additives. Not sweetened or flavored.
Events like screening of the World Cup will be held in the outdoor seating with a beautiful view of the setting sun and Job Lots. This finely crafted coffee spot is a wondrous addition to Poughkeepsie.
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New York Pension Plans Tied To Israel Genocidal Bonds: 2 Democratic NY Comptroller Candidates Vow To Divest From And Block Israel Bonds
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Ahead of Democratic Primary, Candidates for New York State Comptroller Commit to Higher Ethical Standards
Challengers Goyle and Warshaw Agree on Critique of DiNapoli’s Investments in Israel
Press Release of Break the Bonds Comptroller Candidate Forum that took place June 8, 2026.
Video of the forum so you can hear how they will drop the Israeli bonds from New York State pension investments is published in this article below.
Just ahead of New York’s June 23 primary, tonight two candidates for New York State Comptroller committed to implement higher ethical standards if elected to the office, in a 90-minute candidate forum hosted by the Break the Bonds New York State Coalition and New York chapters of Jewish Voice for Peace and Democratic Socialists of America. Candidates Drew Warshaw and Raj Goyle fielded questions from voters and participants in the state pension plans managed by the Comptroller. Incumbent Tom DiNapoli did not respond to the invitation from forum sponsors.
“As of March 31, 2025, the New York State Common Retirement Fund is invested in $367.5M worth of Israel bonds. ”
“The winner of this election will have the opportunity to stop funding genocide, and the question is whether he will be committed to doing so,” said Arthur Camins, a Beacon-based member of the Hudson Valley chapter of Jewish Voice for Peace. “New York State is one of the largest US institutional investors in Israel bonds, an investment that is neither ethical nor financially sound. “
The two candidates joined a virtual forum of over 200 participants from the voting public, including public employees who participate in the $273 billion New York State Common Retirement Fund of which the Comptroller is sole fiduciary.
“We aren’t required just because we want a low cost index-like investment to invest in the stuff that is killing people, the planet and our pension fund”
Both Goyle and Warshaw committed to stop investing in Israel Bonds, if elected. Israel Bonds are loans from individuals and institutions to the Israeli treasury that provide critical financial support for the Israeli military and government–including the Israeli military’s genocidal war on Gaza as well as forced displacement of Palestinian families from their homes, and the Israeli government’s separate-and-unequal system of apartheid. As of March 31, 2025, the New York State Common Retirement Fund is invested in $367.5M worth of Israel bonds.
The two candidates answered questions from participants regarding their approach to investments, ethics in investments, the risks of political pressure to make bad investments, and conflicts of interest.
“We aren’t required just because we want a low cost index-like investment to invest in the stuff that is killing people, the planet and our pension fund” -Drew Warshaw
“Families everywhere just want to trust their leaders are working for them. This is about New Yorkers. This is about a moment when the opportunity to take power and money, and use it for the New Yorkers that don’t have those two things.” - Drew Warshaw
“Tom DiNapoli says you cannot have moral clarity with fiduciary duty. That is simply wrong, they are deeply intertwined. We can act on our values, and I will. We can invest in New York social infrastructure. We can protect the middle class and the pensioners.”
“Tom DiNapoli says you cannot have moral clarity with fiduciary duty. That is simply wrong, they are deeply intertwined. We can act on our values, and I will. We can invest in New York social infrastructure. We can protect the middle class and the pensioners.” - Raj Goyle
The following organizations sponsored the forum: Jewish Voice for Peace Syracuse, Jewish Voice for Peace Hudson Valley, Jewish Voice for Peace Albany, Capital District Democratic Socialists of America, Mid-Hudson Valley Democratic Socialists of America, Buffalo Democratic Socialists of America, Jewish Voice for Peace Buffalo and Jewish Voice for Peace NYC.
“The State Comptroller is such an important position to ensure that New Yorkers’ retirement funds are not invested in genocide, other human rights abuses, or unethical surveillance,” said Lisa Lindsley, Mid Hudson Valley DSA member and participant in the NY State & Local Retirement System. “It is critical that we all vote in the upcoming primary. New Yorkers deserve true leadership in our Comptroller.”
‘Project Beacon’ Proposed As Endbridge Pipeline For Peekskill; Residents Come Out To Reject And Call Out Congressman Mike Lawler For Supporting
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Lawmakers join the Peekskill community in rallying to reject pipeline expansion and calling out Congressman Lawler for putting the oil & gas industry before constituents
From a Press Release issued by New York Communities for Change.
Edits in [ ] made by A Little Beacon Blog.
Peekskill residents and elected officials gathered today to protest the latest “rebrand” of fossil fuel giant Enbridge’s proposed pipeline project, one that was resoundingly rejected by local communities last year for the skyrocketing utility costs and pollution it would bring to the region.
“Did the last pipeline to come through Peekskill lower our bills? No, it didn’t. ‘Project Beacon,’ aka ‘Project Maple,’ won’t either. Whatever you want to call it, we don’t need the disruption and pollution this pipeline expansion will cause for any reason. ”
Local elected officials including Assemblywoman Dana Levenberg, Tarrytown trustee Effie Phillips-Staley , and Rockland County legislator Beth Davidson rallied with the Peekskill community, calling out the rebranding and demanding an end to the development.
[ALBB Edit: Effie Phillips-Staley appeared in our recent article highlighting campaign money Congressman Mike Lawler AIPAC (American Israel Public Affairs Committee) accepted from AIPAC as someone running against Mike Lawler. Per her website: “Effie Phillips-Staley is a Tarrytown Trustee and nonprofit executive who has dedicated her life to social justice and public service. Raised in a union household by a public school educator from El Salvador and a blue-collar U.S. military veteran, Effie learned early the values of hard work, dignity, and community. She is running for Congress because this moment demands transformational change, not politics as usual that serve corporations and the ultra-rich while working families fall behind. In Congress, Effie will put people first by fighting for Medicare for All, universal childcare, building five million new homes across America, abolishing ICE and “Block the Bombs” legislation, a proposed Act of Congress introduced in 2025 to prohibit the President of the United States from "selling, transferring, or exporting certain defense articles or services to Israel, except in specified circumstances." She will never take money from corporate PACs or AIPAC.”
‘Project Beacon’? What Is This Oil Company Trying To Sneak In?
Less than three years ago, Enbridge introduced the “Project Maple” pipeline expansion, which residents and elected officials spent years fighting and soundly defeated in 2025. Now, Enbridge is attempting to resurrect the project under a new name, “Project Beacon.” Hudson Valley residents know this will only cause the spread of dirty, fracked gas to the region and will raise already-high utility bills.
Community members called out Congressman Mike Lawler, a former fossil fuel lobbyist who has previously supported dirty, expensive fossil fuel projects, noting the vast donations Lawler has accepted from oil and gas giants to fund his campaign. Advocates have called on elected officials at all levels to put their constituents first and oppose the project.
“Let’s call ‘Project Beacon’ exactly what it is: a corporate rebrand of the same dirty ‘Project Maple’ pipeline expansion that over 200 local and state elected officials already fought and defeated. It is unconscionable to spend taxpayer money on fossil fuel infrastructure that will worsen climate change against the will of the people of NY17. It’s time to put toxic energy behind us and direct our resources toward clean, renewable sources of the future.”
"Did the last pipeline to come through Peekskill lower our bills? No, it didn't. ‘Project Beacon,’ aka ‘Project Maple,’ won't either. Whatever you want to call it, we don't need the disruption and pollution this pipeline expansion will cause for any reason,” said Assemblywoman Dana Levenberg. “I remain firmly opposed to this project, because locally-developed clean energy is what we need for lower bills and healthy homes.”
“Let’s call 'Project Beacon' exactly what it is: a corporate rebrand of the same dirty 'Project Maple' pipeline expansion that over 200 local and state elected officials already fought and defeated. It is unconscionable to spend taxpayer money on fossil fuel infrastructure that will worsen climate change against the will of the people of NY17. It’s time to put toxic energy behind us and direct our resources toward clean, renewable sources of the future,” said Tarrytown trustee Effie Phillips-Staley.
“I’m proud to have worked alongside environmental advocates to pass the first countywide resolution in New York State to oppose Project Maple, and I’ll work just as tirelessly to stop Project Beacon,” said Rockland County Legislator Beth Davidson. “We’ve sent Albany and Washington a strong message: no more dirty and dangerous pipeline expansions in our communities.”
Photo Credit: New York Community For Change
“Costs are already skyrocketing all over the state, and folks like me just can’t afford another dirty, expensive pipeline. Enbridge CEO Greg Ebel makes nearly $25 million a year. The Con Ed CEO makes $20 million – how is that right when the rest of us can barely get by?” said Jessica Martinez, Peekskill resident and member at New York Communities for Change. “Elected officials at every level up to Governor Hochul and Congressman Lawler must oppose and stop Enbridge's ‘Project Beacon,’ which would raise our bills and add tons of pollution.”
“Rep. Mike Lawler, who represents the parts of Rockland, Westchester, and Putnam county that the existing Enbridge pipeline runs through has not yet spoken out against this expansion and the hardship it would cause his constituents. Why not?”
“We are disappointed and angry that we have to have this fight. People are paying higher and higher prices for dirty energy, all while fossil fuel CEOs earn millions,” said Shokoofeh Rajabzadeh of Climate Families Westchester. “We are hopeful that after seeing our resilience and determination in the last round, our leaders – including Hochul – will step up and stop ‘Project Beacon’ or any other dirty fossil fuel project that comes our way.”
“There are three large interstate pipelines running through the Indian Point nuclear plant, including the 42-inch AIM pipeline that was added beginning in 2015. Based on New York State’s own independent safety analysis, the Homeland Security department wrote to FERC in 2018 expressing the view that any increase in capacity would be unacceptable and that Enbridge might need to ‘temporarily cease gas operations during the decommissioning activities,’” said Nancy Vann, President of Safe Energy Rights Group. “It makes no sense to increase the risks to our community by any expansion like ‘Project Beacon’ now or for the foreseeable future.”
What Else Has Congressman Mike Lawler Voted For?
"Rep. Mike Lawler, who represents the parts of Rockland, Westchester, and Putnam county that the existing Enbridge pipeline runs through has not yet spoken out against this expansion and the hardship it would cause his constituents. Why not?" said Melissa Hoffmann, organizer with Food & Water Watch. "Maybe it's because he voted for legislation that would fast track pipeline approvals and drastically limit state’s rights to have a say in fossil fuel projects. Maybe it’s because he also voted for legislation that would limit the ability of local communities that will be most affected by fossil fuel projects to speak out. If Lawler wants to do right by his constituents, he must end his record of prioritizing corporate polluters over the health and economic well-being of his constituents and oppose the Enbridge pipeline expansion."
Background On “Project Beacon” Pipeline
While Enbridge has yet to disclose full details of their proposed “Project Beacon,” it is nearly identical to the “Project Maple” pipeline expansion they proposed in 2023, which was eventually blocked by citizens and elected leaders concerned with the pollution and utility bill increases the pipeline would bring.
News Channel 7 Interviewing a spokesperson about the Algonquin Gas Transmission line.
Photo Credit: New York Community For Change
The expansion would drastically increase the gas flow from the Algonquin Gas Transmission line, transporting fracked gas into New York, Connecticut, Rhode Island, and Massachusetts. Enbridge is currently in the “open season” phase, meaning the company has announced the proposal and is soliciting bids from gas and power companies to gauge interest in buying the gas the expansion would bring. The company will then need to secure financing and permitting.
Residents of the areas affected by the pipeline expansion say it’s vital to stop this project before it gets any further along in the development process, as they managed to do with Project Maple. They note that the pipeline would be expensive to build, raise already sky-high utility bills, pollute the communities through which it runs, and further our dependence on dirty energy sources rather than investing in clean energy solutions.
ALBB's FOIL Request For Any Complaints Made Against Chris White Are Delayed Till July 11th, If Granted
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On May 11th, 2026, A Little Beacon Blog submitted a FOIL request for any complaints made against Chris White, age 56, Beacon’s former City Administrator who recently and unexpectedly retired in March 2026, his last day to be in June 2026. No reason was given, but during a following City Council meeting, Chris stated he wanted to make a Zoom cameo appearance on a City Council Meeting while hiking on the Appellation Trail to warn people of their 15 second mark during speeches made during Public Comment, which is when they get cut off.
Deputy City Administrator, Ben Swanson, was promoted to City Administrator upon Chris’ absence. The Deputy position was created out of thin air during Chris’s time as City Administrator. One month after his retirement announcement, the City announced that Chris was taking a leave of absence in April. Chris made no more appearances at City Council Meetings after that.
On June 8th, the City of Beacon’s Clerk, Amanda C. Caputo, responded to ALBB’s FOIL request stating that the request may or may not be granted: "Please be advised, the City requires additional time to complete your FOIL request due to the time it takes to locate and retrieve responsive records, the number of FOIL requests recently received, the breadth of the request, and the need to review certain responsive records to determine whether such records are subject to an exemption, in part of full, under FOIL.
“As such, the City anticipates you will be contacted on or about Wednesday, July 22, 2026 (i.e. thirty (30) business days) regarding the extent of which your request is granted or denied. We will notify you in writing if the City requires additional time to locate, assemble, and review records.”
Select other FOILs that ALBB has requested have also not been answered, which include:
How much money did the City of Beacon Get per year for the MTA Newburgh Beacon Bridge License?
Was there any disciplinary action of the Beacon Police Officer Edison "Eddie" Irizzary between his hiring in 2004 and retirement in 2021?
”Retired Beacon Cop Who Killed Roommate Does Not Appear In Court For 2nd Hearing - Attorney Cites Ongoing Mental Health Evaluation”Receipts from any scrap metal earnings to the City of Beacon around the time of March - July 2023. If money was received to the City of Beacon in exchange for any scrap metal from any company in New York or the tri-state area during that time, please submit receipts for which company, and for how many dollars were received per exchange. Thank you.
The percentage of Beacon’s sales tax that Beacon receives back from Dutchess County that Mayor Kyriacou negotiated, as well as the full contract that this sales tax percentage is discussed.
Please send video or link to video for City Council Meeting from August 6, 2017. This was the meeting where Michael Manzi was appointed to Superintendent of Streets, thereby dissolving and replacing Rueben Simmon's department head position of Highway Superintendent. Then City Councilmember Jodi Mcredo turned to the audience and asked if they were happy now. She was met with cheers of hoots and hollers. Then Mayor Randy Casale shushed them and told them this was not a football game. Then Councilmember Lee Kyriacou responded by saying he may have preferred watching a football game to this. This video of this City Council Meeting It used to be in Vimeo and re-cast on A Little Beacon Blog, but the video has since been removed. The video was removed under former City Administrator Chris White’s tenure.
That video of that meeting is public record, and we need it back.
Police Department Of The Village of Fishkill Concludes Review Of Nazi Salute Made By Daniel Mandia
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Commissioner Glenn R. Scofield Jr. of the Village of Fishkill Police Department responded to A Little Beacon Blog’s inquiry on the response of law enforcement based on the actions of Daniel Mandia, sole owner of Mandia Construction and Sons, where he stepped into the TikTok video being made by two girls of color, performed a Nazi salute, stepped out of the camera. He then allegedly asked the girls if they knew what the salute meant, and allegedly encouraged them to post it to the Internet.
Commissioner Scofield Jr. said: “The Village of Fishkill Police Department has completed its review of the video circulating on social media. Following investigation & consultation with members of the District Attorney’s office, it has been determined that the individual's actions, while deeply offensive and disruptive to community values, constitute speech protected under the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution. Because the behavior did not include a direct, credible threat of violence or physical harm, it does not meet the statutory requirements for criminal prosecution. Our agency remains committed to ensuring the safety of all community members within the boundaries of the law.”
UPDATE 6/8/2026: A Little Beacon Blog wrote to the Village of Fishkill Police with the following question, and received the following response:
Dear Commissioner Scofield:
One of our readers suggested the Endangerment of a Child Law 260.10.
Can you speak to why this law does not refer to Daniel Mandia’s actions? How he gave a salute that is known to be extremely divisive and inciting, and then allegedly made sure the girls did not know what the salute meant, and encouraged them to post it online. Which has resulted in a region-wide disruptive reaction.
From the law:
"He or she knowingly acts in a manner likely to be injurious to the
physical, mental or moral welfare of a child less than seventeen years
old or directs or authorizes such child to engage in an occupation
involving a substantial risk of danger to his or her life or health”
It certainly seems like Daniel intentionally was "injurious to the physical, mental or moral welfare” of the girls, which can lead to "substantial risk of danger to his or her life or health” of the girls.
Thank you.
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Birthday Gift Wish During Permit Driving Session TO School
Nearly $1.5 Million Raised by Representatives Pat Ryan and Mike Lawler from Pro-Israel Lobby
/by Arvind Dilawar
Arvind Dilawar is an independent journalist. His articles, essays and interviews have appeared in The New York Times, Time Magazine, The Daily Beast and elsewhere. Find him online at: adilawar.com
The members of the House of Representatives, whose districts include Dutchess County, voted to send $4.4 billion to Israel, as well as to punish United States citizens for criticism of its government.
House of Representative members Pat Ryan and Mike Lawler together received nearly $1.5 million in campaign contributions from pro-Israel lobbyists, according to the most recent campaign finance data filed with the Federal Election Commission. Ryan received nearly $380,000 from the American Israel Political Action Committee, better known as AIPAC, and Lawler received more than $1 million. Ryan, a Democrat, also received $5,000 from Democratic Majority for Israel, and Lawler, a Republican, received $20,000 from the Republican Jewish Coalition.
Although AIPAC, DMFI and RJC target different segments of the political spectrum, they function identically: funneling campaign financing to politicians who commit to sending billions in US tax dollars to Israel, as well as deploying US military assets to fend off challenges to Israel’s ongoing genocide in the Gaza Strip, occupation of Palestinian territory in the West Bank and East Jerusalem, and aggression against Lebanon, Syria and Iran. Politicians backed by the lobby have also attempted to legislate against growing criticism of Israel in the United States and abroad.
In 2024, Ryan and Lawler voted in favor of House Resolution 8034, which approved sending $4.4 billion to Israel. Lawler also introduced — and Ryan voted for — House Resolution 6090, which advocated for criticism of Israel to be punishable under the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Additionally, Ryan and Lawler signed onto a letter encouraging the State Department to undermine South Africa's case against Israel at the International Court of Justice for committing genocide in Gaza.
Both Ryan and Lawler represent portions of Dutchess County and are currently up for re-election. According to FEC data, Ryan's re-election committee received nearly $140,000 from AIPAC during the current election cycle, and Lawler's committee received more than $630,000. The two incumbents are running unopposed for their respective parties' nominations in the primaries, for which early voting will begin June 13 at sites designated by the Dutchess County Board of Elections. Effie Phillips-Staley stands out as one of Lawler's potential Democratic opponents who has explicitly rejected funding from AIPAC.
(Both Ryan's and Lawler's re-election campaigns failed to respond to requests for comment from A Little Beacon Blog.)
"Homeland Security" Bill Enables Israel To Agree To A Ceasefire That Burns Palestinians Alive: Why Some Lawmakers Reject Section 224
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“Something needs to be done. It’s good to see at the local level someone speaking out on these issues. Please continue to raise awareness. It took a single action from one individual to open this dialogue ☮️”
The regular morning local news coverage of the advancement of the merging of the Israeli and U.S. military sounded like this: “A Homeland Security Bill was passed.” But what does that mean? What does “Homeland Security” really mean anymore? With all of these ICE kidnappings, increasing number of suicides inside of U.S. ICE detention centers, censorship of criticism of Israel, and the United States protecting war criminals like Netanyahu, as well as blind eyes turned to current and past Presidents of the United States also being war criminals with constant bombardment and attacks on countries in the Middle East - what does “Homeland Security” really mean?
According to New Policy, “Section 224 of the Chairman’s Mark of the NDAA establishes a new U.S. Israel Defense Technology Cooperation Initiative aimed at accelerating joint research, development, and integration of Israeli origin and jointly developed defense technologies into U.S. military systems and programs of record. It directs the Secretary of Defense to designate an executive formalize deeper cooperation and integration across emerging and existing domains, including counter-drone systems, missile and air defense, quantum computing, AI and autonomous systems, cyber and electronic warfare, directed energy, and defense industrial base co-production, while facilitating pathways from R&D into procurement. This section requires regular reporting to Congress on progress and technology transitions, and emphasizes rapid adoption of Israeli defense innovations to strengthen U.S. military capabilities and technological supremacy.”
We are so tired of watching Israel burn people alive. So tired of Zionist people saying anything to local Palestinians about terrorist sh*t. Said Gerry Giordano on ALBB’s Facebook posting of these videos: “Something needs to be done. It’s good to see at the local level someone speaking out on these issues. Please continue to raise awareness. It took a single action from one individual to open this dialogue ☮️”
At least this week’s Nazi salute article brought out more people speaking openly against Zionist Israeli military regime (see the many, many comments at Facebook and Instagram posts), murder and world domination. Everything is just coming out more and more and more into the open. This is what happens when zero accountability is held for a person or people who do wrong.
None of us are safe in silence.
Video 1: @dropsitenews
“Section 224 of the 2027 NDAA would deepen the integration of the U.S. and Israeli militaries — linking weapons production, cybersecurity, and biometric technology without requiring Israel to pass human rights tests.
“On Thursday, Rep. Ro Khanna’s amendment to strike it was voted down by the House Armed Services Committee, with only Khanna and Rep. Sarah Jacobs speaking in its favor.
“Drop Site’s Julian Andreone spoke to House members on the day of the vote, including Rep. Thomas Massie, who has called Section 224 “the worst kind of NATO arrangement ever” and has committed to introducing a new amendment to strike it when the bill reaches the floor.
“Others, like Rep. Nancy Mace (R-SC), defended the provision, arguing that the U.S. has much to gain from Israeli defense technology, which is tested in its assaults on Palestine and Lebanon.”
Video 2: @novaramedia
“They signed a ceasefire with Hamas, not with children in tents that they continue to burn alive.”
“Journalist @jeremyscahill, co-founder of @dropsitenews, has highlighted how Israel uses bogus ceasefire agreements as cover while it continues to slaughter civilians on a near-daily basis.
“It’s something Iran’s government is all too aware of as it deals with the US and Israel, he told Sky News.
“In the early hours of Thursday morning local time, Israel bombed residential buildings in Gaza City, killing at least nine as an entire sleeping family of five was burned to death, Drop Site reported.
“There have been numerous cases of Israel burning civilians to death. In December last year a family of three, including two children, burned to death in their tent in the al-Mawasi displacement camp in southern Gaza.”
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Fishkill Rocked By HV Local, Daniel Mandia, Throwing Nazi Salute In Teenager Tik Tok He Video Bombed; Law Enforcement Reviewing
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UPDATE 6/5/2026: Police Department Of The Village of Fishkill Concludes Review Of Nazi Salute Made By Daniel Mandia”
The Village of Fishkill Block Party was Saturday, May 30th 2026. It is an event that many locals in the Hudson Valley including Beacon look forward to experiencing. The exposure is good for businesses - both retail and restaurants - and the block party nature is good for the community to keep people together.
At the bouncy houses this year, two female teenagers of color (one African American and one Asian) were filming a Tik Tok dance video. They had their dance moves choreographed, and looked cheerful. As they danced, a taller white man in a white shirt and black sunglasses walked into the frame and gave a solid, strong, pointed Nazi salute, and exited the frame. The girls did not skip a beat. They finished their choreography.
According to a person familiar with the situation at the bouncy house, the man approached the girls after he gave the Nazi salute, and asked them if they knew what it meant. He then encouraged them to post the video he bombed to Tik Tok. The girls then moved from that section of the party, and inquired later what the salute meant.
The Internet was quick to identify the man as Daniel Mandia, who owns Mandia & Sons Construction, though acquaintances say he has no sons of his own, and does not work with his father. It is unknown at this time who the “Sons” refers to. Acquaintances say he goes by Danny. Multiple acquaintances say that his family does not condone his behavior. A Little Beacon Blog emailed and called the construction company for explanation of the salute, but no one has responded.
ALBB has received multiple confirmations from people both intimately and professionally familiar with Daniel that he is the man in the video making the Nazi salute. People have also forwarded a Twitter account “Captain Tyin’ Knots” @1_1savedbygrace which multiple people say is his.
The profile of this Twitter account reads: “AMERICA ONLY/Child of God/Husband/Father/Entrepreneur/GC/ 🇺🇸 ONLY /NY’r/ owner of Construction LLC ✊🏼 🇺🇸 🙏🏻 🛠️ 🧰 ⚒️”
People familiar with this account also screenshot a message that they viewed as an admission to throwing the Nazi salute at the Fishkill Block Party. In this message, the account asked: “If you throw up a Roman Salute does it automatically mean you hate all blacks, all browns and all Jews?”
This Tweet and other Tweets made this year may have since been deleted. But screenshots of them were saved by community members and are circulating on the Internet.
In past tweets, the Twitter account makes anti-Jewish remarks, including a remark about the the recent announcement that the United States Military is merging with the Israeli Army. In response to a Tweet by The General that says: “BREAKING: Congress is attempting to fuse the U.S. military with Israel’s as Section 224 of the 2027 National Defense Authorization Act ‘would all but fuse American and Israeli armed forces together.” Captain Tyin’ Knots responded: “J’s helping J’s as the Goy scrape by.”
While humanitarians supporting a free world from Zionists agree that this military merging is a bad idea, one would point out that it is Zionists, not Jews, that are making this public merger come true. Zionism is harmful and itself is antisemetic to Judaism.
One of his most telling alleged Tweets was one that set the stage for the setup of the kids he video-bombed. The Tweet may have since been deleted, but screenshots remain. It read: “Teenagers of today are so stupid, they think that it’s illegal to throw up a Roman in America.”
What Is A “Roman Salute”?
In today’s era, “A Roman” is a white supremacist reference to the Nazi salute. It is interpreted to be racist to Black and Brown communities, the Jewish community, the LGBTQ community, and others.
However, white supremacists veil it by labeling it “a Roman.” The historian of Roman history, Dr Samuel Agbamu, Lecturer in Classics, took a moment to study the difference between a Roman and fascist salute and found that there is no evidence from Rome that there even is a Roman salute. “Those of us who research and teach Roman antiquity, as I do,” he said, “will tell you there is no evidence that there was ever such a thing as a ‘Roman salute’ in antiquity.”
Where Is The Video To Watch?
The video has been republished here in this article. Scroll down where you will see a video that contains both Mayor Kathy Martin’s remarks during a meeting, followed by the incident.
Community Groups at Facebook’s Response To The Nazi Salute
Many people in the community were quick to publicly identify Daniel and his business in comment threads on various posts. The video was first posted on Inside Scoop Fishkill, a group on Facebook moderated by James Kearney, but then it was deleted. Another Fishkill group, Keep Fishkill Beautiful moderated by Karen Finnegan, then published an edited version, where the teens were blurred out.
Karen told ALBB: “Inside Scoop Fishkill, with over 10k members, ended up pulling the video and issued this statement. Keep Fishkill Beautiful has no problem at all publishing the video. There are ways to control discussions on groups like this while also standing on the right side of history. Our group with just 3k followers put it up - safely, monitoring comments, and not only that - brought it to the attention of both the Town and the Board, which is why Mayor Martin made her statement. Regular people need to be doing this daily. Keep Fishkill Beautiful is trying to be seen as a nonpartisan group that also isn’t OK with literal Nazis here.”
ALBB reached out to Inside Scoop Fishkill for comment, and received this statement from James: “The decision to remove the post was not made to protect or excuse his actions. We do not condone what happened in the video whatsoever.
“The post was removed because the comments escalated into people sharing personal information, including addresses, threats toward immediate family members, and photos of children. Once it became a safety concern involving a child and people not directly involved, we had a responsibility to remove it.
“There is a difference between holding someone accountable and putting uninvolved family members, children, or private individuals at risk. We do not own or defend his actions, but we are responsible for keeping this page from becoming a place where personal information, threats, or photos of children are shared.
“We appreciate your understanding as we try to balance open discussion, accountability, privacy, and safety for the entire community.”
Keep Fishkill Beautiful is continuing its advocacy at the Town Meeting, and provided this statement to ALBB: “The normalization of expressions of hate and oppression has increased exponentially in our country.
“What would have been unheard of ten years ago has become a regular occurrence. The only thing that we as regular citizens can do - is to pressure our elected officials to take these heinous acts seriously and govern FOR THE PEOPLE.
“I’ve asked the Town of Fishkill to do something beyond issuing a statement. Form a committee, issue a proclamation, revoke his business license…anything to let everyone in the community know that there is no place for hate in our community.”
Village of Fishkill Police Commissioner Glenn R. Scofield Jr. has not yet released if any enforcement will be taken, such as harassment of teens.
Friends Responses To The Nazi Salute
“The Fishkill Nazi is 100% without a doubt Daniel Mandia,” one person told ALBB. “I have known him for over 40 years. He grew up in Beacon. He is the oldest of 11 siblings, all of which are decent people along with his parents who are good people.”
One acquaintance confirmed that Daniel enjoyed being a rapper under the pseudonym "D-tox." “But when that didn't work out, he chose white supremacy,” the friend concluded.
An acquaintance also confirmed that Daniel is the same Daniel who caused the death of a motorcyclist, Nicole Pepe, age 26, in 2014, as reported in the Poughkeepsie Journal. From the article: “Police reported the crash occurred about 11:18 p.m. Aug. 16. Pepe was a passenger on a Harley Davidson Motorcycle that collided with a car near the intersection of Baxtertown Road and Jackson Street.”
The acquaintance continued to ALBB: “That incident happened at the Fishkill Block Party 2014. I have personal knowledge that he was drinking all night before the accident.” It is unknown at this time if the investigation into the car crashing into the motorcycle involved a breathalyzer test.
Law Enforcement’s Response To The Nazi Salute
ALBB reached out to Village of Fishkill Police Commissioner Glenn R. Scofield Jr. to confirm a police report made about the incident and inquire as to what action was being taken by law enforcement. Commissioner Glenn R. Scofield Jr. responded: “The department is actively following up on this matter. However, we do not comment on open or pending investigations. Consequently, we cannot provide statement or confirmation regarding the incident details or the social media account mentioned at this time. As far as the position of the Village of Fishkill Police Department, I refer you to the statement provided by Mayor Martin at the June 1, 2026, meeting of the Village Board of Trustees.”
Mayor Kathy Martin’s Response To The Nazi Salute
Mayor Kathy Martin is the Mayor of the Village of Fishkill. But she is also the tax assessor for the City of Beacon (see previous coverage of assessment review board here). And had been a board member of the Board of Ethics Board of Dutchess County, but does not appear to be on that board anymore (ALBB highlighted her board position an article when Beacon City Council questioned Mayor Kyriacou about how to submit ethics complaints about Beacon board members). Many roads had lead to Kathy Martin.
Mayor Martin’s statement was strong and swift. Beacon usually sees her in a service capacity, explaining how tax assessments work every year, encouraging people to come to her if they have any questions. But in her role as Mayor of East Fishkill, she took a much different tone in condemning the action. Her quote in full is below, and the video of the incident and her statement is below:
“We had our Block Party this past weekend and it was a really, really great night. However, it's been brought to my attention that there was a posting on social media that was completely unacceptable. I want to state very clearly that the Village of Fishkill, and I as Mayor, do not condone acts of hate, prejudice, antisemitism, or racism. I apologize to all of the people who are upset by this, but please know that we are upset as well. There is no place for hate here in the Village of Fishkill.
"I also wanted to read a full statement of this: The village of Fishkill stands firmly against antisemitism, bigotry, hatred and discrimination in all of their forms. Acts of prejudice and intolerance have no place in our community. Our strength comes from the diversity of our residents, and from the shared values of respect, dignity and inclusion that unite us.
"We condemn any acts or actions or rhetoric that targets individuals because of their faith, ethnicity, race, national origin, or background. Antisemitismm, like all forms of hate, undermines the very principles of community and democracy that we hold dear.
"As Mayor, I remain committed to fostering a Village where every person feels safe, valued and welcomed. We must continue to stand together and speak out against hatred and support one another in building a community rooted in understanding, compassion and mutual respect. The Village of Fishkill is strongest when we stand united.
"We had so many compliments and good feelings at this event, that I really am saddened that this person took it upon themselves to blemish the event. We won't accept that kind of hatred here in the Village of Fishkill."
ALBB reached out to the Town Supervisor of East Fishkill, Nick D’Alessandro, for comment, who responded: "There is zero tolerance for hate of any kind, period."
The Town of Fishkill published this statement on their Facebook.
Dutchess County Executive Sue Serino said, as reported by Hudson Valley Post: “I roundly condemn this conduct and it has no place in Dutchess County. I am proud to see so many members of our community speaking out against this hateful act.”
Legislator Yvette Valdes Smith has made a statement: “Family, unity, and respect. These are Fishkill values, and why I love our community so much. I’m horrified by the hateful, anti-Semitic action of one individual at the Fishkill Block Party. I condemn this person’s behavior in the strongest way and applaud everyone who has spoken out against it. I am proud to stand with my Fishkill neighbors in unity against hate. As Americans, it is our privilege and our responsibility to call out hate and injustice. I am proud to represent our diverse, welcoming, and inclusive community.”
Mike Schade for Dutchess County Legislature tweeted: "Hate and antisemitism have no place in our community. This man's action is despicable."
A reader of the Hudson Valley Post article, Steve Greenfield, commented: “He didn't do it randomly, or even at a group of Jews, or a synagogue, making it stupid, and hateful, but not illegal.
“The situation was two adolescent girls were filming themselves doing some TikTok dance thing, and a middle aged man sneaked up behind them to do that. If I were the father of either of them, that guy, who is easily identifiable, would have had a visit he'd remember for the rest of his life.
“He should be arrested for harassment of children as a warning. He did not do it to offend Jews. He did it to mess with children, children who most likely are not Jewish, albeit what's visible is not absolute evidence of that. Just most likely. That's the issue.”
Last BHS Spring Concert For Ms. Fisher (Formerly Wright) June 2nd
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The last Beacon High School Spring Concert for Ms. Susan Fisher (formerly Wright) will be June 2, 2026 at 7pm. The BHS Chorus Alumni are invited to sing the Sea Lullaby with the performers, according to the BHS Chorus Instagram.
The concert was originally scheduled for May, but due to the HVAC replacement project that was planned in the district’s Capital Project, the concert was rescheduled to June 2.
Also at the high school will be the College Athletics Signing Ceremony for graduating seniors who are committed to playing college athletics, according to Dr. Dwyer, the school’s principal.
Overflow parking located across the street at Rombout Middle School. Come early.
What In The AI Sidewalk Sign? A Real Back Patio at Royal Crêpes Featuring Turkish Coffee In The Copper Pot, Crepes, and Eastern European Groceries
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What in the AI sidewalk sign? Their bold newly designed sign is catching eyes for their beautiful, real, back patio at Royal Crêpes & European Market! That’s their real patio and furniture, not imaginary ones. .
Everything in the photo is real. That copper Turkish coffee pot is real from inside of Royal Crêpes, as is that chocolate crepe. The owner is Albanian from Kosovo, and the food is Eastern Europe Balkan.
UPDATE: After this article published, the designer of the sign, SingleandHungryClub chimed in to let ALBB readers know that he designed the sign: “I made the sign. It’s not AI. It’s from an actual photo. I then overlayed typography, logo, etc.” #MadeInBeaconNY.
The European Market tucked away inside offers groceries from Coatia, Macedonia, Albania, Serbia and Bulgaria. Find chocolate Turkish Delight, Mocca, Napolitanke, Stixishot, Kreker pepper sauces for dipping or spreads, strawberry jam, olives, and other goodies.
Drinks include refreshing San Pellegrino in Aranciata, Ciliegia & Limone, and other flavors. Open the fridge to grab feta, goat cheese, and bread sausages.
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Pride Flag To Be Raised By City Of Beacon In Ceremony Monday June 1; Short Speeches Given Prior To Council Meeting
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The City of Beacon first raised its Pride flag in 2022. At that time, Mayor Kyriacou made a point to mention that he purchased the flag himself. This year, the City of Beacon will raise the flag again with a short ceremony at 6:30pm before the City Council Meeting, during which Mayor Kyriacou will read an annual City of Beacon proclamation of June as Pride Month.
kk Naimool (kay-kay, all pronouns) will also deliver a short speech. kk is a Founding Partner at Collective Justice, and is the former Human Rights Commissioner for the City of Beacon’s Human Rights Commission before the commission was dissolved by the City of Beacon.
Read speeches given by KK and Donna Minkowitz at that time.
Beauty Guide Update: Sullivan & Main Moves to Middle Main Street Around Corner From Lore’s Cafe
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Sullivan & Main, the hair salon from Ryan Sullivan, has moved from the east end of town to the middle of Main Street, located around the corner from Lore’s Cafe, the destination for the Beacon-famous Dubai croissant.
Ryan became known for her signature vibrant coloring, and has cut hair since 1999. “I 1,0000% love what I do!” she says on her website. After being diagnosed with breast cancer pre-Covid, Ryan became even more committed to a “healthy, environmentally responsible, and safe salon.”
She carries the Arete products and hair color, which are cruelty-free, (mostly) gluten-free, and in post-consumer plastic. The color line is PPD, which is ammonia-free. Holistic Hair Tribe is also carried there to bring you a choice of organic, sustainable, and fair-trade non-toxic products.
“I’m so grateful to be cancer-free and be able to share this space, these products, and spend time making people feel beautiful on the outside as well as healthy on the inside!”
To reach the salon, follow the black Sullivan and Main sign hanging near the Lore’s Cafe sign, and turn the corner down the sidewalk path. There, you will see another little sign for the salon. This is a by-appointment only salon. Book appointments on Sullivan & Main’s website.
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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.
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