Tuesday, June 28, 2011

Working from Bank Square is Cool

Literally, cool as I sit under one of the window air conditioners in the back. My home office is sunny and beautiful, but so far un-airconditioned. But being a working squatter in Bank Square Coffee House is really pleasant, especially on a day like today when it's threatening to storm, and about five of us laptop workers are quietly and respectfully working. Feels like we're in a study hall or something. Eventually, I suppose I'll have to upgrade to the BeaHive, but I've always loved working from coffee shops. Not just for the freshly ground coffee aroma, or the quick access to iced vanilla lattes, but the fast movement, the "ching!" of the door as a new customer walks in.

Saturday, June 25, 2011

Beacon Riverfest 2011: Gato Loco on Stage and Others

Reporting in from Beacon Riverfest 2011, where the weather finally broke and the grass is dry to laying on and listening to Gato Loco Coconino! Except that there is no lounging during these crazy cats, with their funk and ska sound.

Bands that played earlier to our arrival were Rock Band Boot Camp (love that name!), Milton and Jack Grace Band. To follow Gato is Readnex Poetry Squad, and Tao Seeger Band.

Vendor tents in attendance are all of the delicious usual suspects: Poppy's (with their sloppy Joe and pulled pork), Crumb (with their signature lemonade, cookies, and sandwiches), a talapia stand, jumbo pretzels, Tas Cafe, WFUV, The Coffee Shop, and lots of others.

I have to find out how the Art Guitars did...

Fun!

Sunday, June 19, 2011

NY Daily News Highlights Beacon as Day Trip to Escape City

My partner at 'PRENEUR just sent me a picture of this article in the New York Daily News, which recommends Beacon as a scenic, easy destination to breath fresh mountain air in a cool artsy town. Destination? Dia:Beacon via the Metro North, with a stroll up Main Street to hit a few galleries.

So if you're going to do this, I recommend that you pack a picnic and enjoy it on the lawn of Dia (if you're allowed...I've done it, but not sure if it was acceptable or not). If you're driving, pick up your picnic at Homespun or Crumb. Each will give you a delicious selection of sandwiches, quiche, and soup. Homespun also offers a peppy selection of cheeses.

If you want to go simple but good deli sandwiches, stop at Suppa's Deli for friendly, fast service and drinks and chips. If you need picnic food, just up a few blocks is Key Foods which pretty much has everything you might need.

Then...after your walk through Dia:Beacon, come back to Main St and browse the shops! Pick up a trinket at Dreams in Plastic, shop a collection of Etsy designers at Clay Wood and Cotton, browse designers of jewelry and home goods at Global, get a cute yoga top from Mountain Tops, and this is just the beginning. There are more shops on thus end of town, and then more on the East end, near the mountain. Be sure to hit Echo (boutique and toy store), and her neighbor, a hat shop.

This is one day trip. Looks like you'll have more day trips up here to Beacon that will all be different!

Wednesday, June 8, 2011

Summer S'Mores Without a Campfire

This is a delicious S'mores recipe - without lifting or burning a finger. It's the no-work s'more that even a small kid could make.

Ingredients:
- 1 graham cracker
- chocolate chips
- sun on an 85 degree day

Take out your graham cracker. Sprinkle the desired amount of chocolate chips on it in a position in which they can melt. Unless you have central air conditioning, chances are your chips are already soft, unless you keep them in the fridge.

Place loaded graham cracker in direct sunlight outside on a porch or other surface, and wait. Check on the chips after 5 minutes. They may not look melted, but try to spread it. Once the chips are soft and warm, you have a nice little s'more waiting to be eaten!

Pairs well with a chilled glass of Pinot Gris. :)

Sunday, June 5, 2011

My Favorite Art Guitar So Far: Randall Martin at Tas Kafe

All of the Art Guitars in Beacon are pretty cool. It's like Electric Windows, but with guitars, and in shop windows. This guitar looks to be a rifle, and is in the storefront of Tas Kafe, which looks like a hang out for expats in Cuba during Hemmingway's time. Well placed.

Thursday, June 2, 2011

Workin' from Crumb's Back Patio

It's a welcome relief from yesterday's heat wave! In doing my coffee shop hop for my mobile working, the Crumb guys suggested I try the back patio when I mentioned wanting to work from their chairs out front. Now I'm really going to be a squatter for even longer!! Good thing they have so many yummy things to eat, plus delicious coffee. Today's order: almond chicken sandwich and a trusty chocolate chip cookie.

I know I've been quiet on the blogging front and the Where Is This? contest! We've been relaunching our company's website and brand, so I've gone dark while that happens in order to stay focused on producing those designs, collateral, and emails that need attending! Please come visit us: www.preneur.net. We are hooked on small business, all the more reason I love working from shops here on Main Street!!