Beacon Falls Are Pretty Full!

Stay tuned as I try to upload video I took of the falls, but they are pretty swollen and moving fast! Coming out to see them is turning into quite an event. There's almost no parking left, and a taxi pulled up in front of me (but maybe it's a father/son team and not an eager passenger).

I'm off to drive home to test my video skills.

Juliana's Music Together - Great Mommy & Me Class

NOTICE: If you are looking for Mommy and Me Classes in Beacon for your baby or toddler, see our Kids Classes Guide here at A Little Beacon Blog! It has over 50 classes from Beacon to Poughkeepsie. The music teacher featured below is included in that lineup!

UPDATE: Juliana continues to offer Music Together, as well as her own program at Juliana's Music Box.

I was introduced to the Music Together program by my babysitter who had gone through the classes with another family she sat for in Boston, MA, and she loved it. I'd heard of moms taking music classes early on with their babies when I lived in Manhattan, so I was ready to sign up.

Music Together is a franchised music program for babies, toddlers and kids, that is a "research-based, developmentally appropriate early childhood music curriculum that strongly emphasizes and facilitates adult involvement," according to their description on their website. The teachers who teach it have invested in it as their business, and the one local to Beacon is Juliana's Music Together. Each class semester is based around one of the nine music collections Music Together has produced, and the only way that you can buy the CD is by taking a class. Each collection is based around a special instrument. With your registration, you get a CD of the collection, and a song book with notes in case you wanted to play on the piano or guitar. Juliana brings loads of instruments and other props to interact with each song, and there is never a dull moment.

After listening to the first CD we got (over and over and over), I can tell you that these songs are special. Ruby listens to them for breakfast, on road trips, and during emergency stroller meltdowns. She knows that they live in my iPhone, and now at 15months, will let me know she wants to listen to the songs by doing a version of singing "bababa" and pointing to the music-making phone. If we only sing the first "Hello..." from the first greeting song that is on every album, Ruby starts swaying her hips.

Juliana has classes all during the year, and they include all ages. Ruby started at 7 months, and was enthralled with the older kids, and with Julianna herself, as she is animated and expressionate during her teachings of rhythm to the parents, and while singing and dancing. It's really neat bringing Ruby as she grows, as she couldn't crawl at the beginning of her first semester, and by the end, was crawling. During the next set of classes, Ruby was going through the walking stage. When we sign up for this fall semester, Ruby is running, and I wonder how she will interact with the other kids, how she will get her own instruments, and how the scarf games will be different.

Elisa's on Rt 52 - Get this summertime smell

My favorite smell of the summer: fried food and milkshakes. Ok, so you can't smell a milkshake, but you can the fries, and where there are fries and bright colors, there are milkshakes.

Elisa's truly has one of the best milkshakes around. The chocolate milkshake is good and chalky, and the vanilla is as it should be. Strawberry is good too.

The menu offers a lot of chicken or eggplant parmesan, linguini dishes, grilled cheese, and more. No deli sandwiches, these folks prefer to cook.

So pull over while it's still summer! But they are open all winter, so you've got options.

Free Concert Tonight at Long Doc - Ska + Reggae

Commuters - catch the early train back from the City and have your significant others order food or make a picnic for the concert tonight at the Scenic Hudson's Long Dock Park. There are four concerts in this series, dubbed Rhythm on the Riverfront, and last week for the first concert, 200 people came out for a beautiful night of music, food and neighbors.  Last week featured The Wiyos,  this week will be reggae/ska sounds of GRASS—the Gowanus Reggae and Ska Society—on Thursday, Aug. 18, and a spoken word performance by ReadNex Poetry Squad on Thursday, Aug. 25.

There are vendors with popup tents that you can buy from along the way, like Crumb (my favorite chocolate chip cookie on Main Street), but come prepared with your own water and drinks. Not sure on if there is a beer policy. ;) If you walk down, go on the ramp that is how you would get to Dia. Don't go via the train station, or you will be doing an extra lot of walking. Walk past the red barn, and you'll see it! Just follow the music.

Picnic options for you could be this:

• Vintage Cafe: this little known but very delicious cafe is on the East End of Main Street, and they not only have regular menu items, but want to prepare you an entire dinner, from salad to dessert (pie, peanut butter cookies, etc). Especially popular is their lobster macaroni and cheese. Order early and pack it up!
• BJs: Our soul food favorite for fried chicken and macaroni and cheese.
• Chicken salad of your own making, with maybe a side of corn bread? Not sure. This is what I might make if I don't do BJs

See you there!

Sewing Camp for Kids - with Runway Show at Homespun

Holy Guacamole! How did I miss this? Must read the Events section more often at Beaconcitizen. Sewing camp for kids from Needle Arts Guild of Historical Hudson Valley, organized by Mary Ann Kronk (here is her direct blog). It's already started, but she's offering additional end of summer sessions. From the event posting:

"This summer camp is like no other camp being offered this summer!  You will learn to take proper measurements to determine your size/alter a pattern to fit you/read and understand a pattern/lay out a dress, jacket or shirt and put it all together. "

And, they are taking breaks for swimming. Perfect!

Shopping Party in Brooklyn for Business Owners

A little short notice, but I'm notorious for promoting other things rather than my own. ;) We at 'PRENEUR, the showcase and resource for independent brands, small business and entrepreneurs, are hosting our first shopping/networking party in Brooklyn's Goldy & Mac boutique. And you are invited! Even if you're in Beacon, if you have friends in Brooklyn, pass the word! It's tonight from 6-8pm, and you'll enjoy wine, a raffle for a $100 gift certificate, and if you're a member of 'PRENEUR, 20% off the entire store all night.

Please come if you're a business owner who wants to mingle with others, exchange ideas and talk shop. See you there!

Details and RSVP:

http://www.preneur.net/preneur-party-shopping-and-networking-event

Mama and Baby Kitchenaids Courtesy Trendy Tots Take Two

Ruby and I went "walking into town" today as my neighbor calls it (we practically live in Beacon Barkery's back yard) to accompany my neighbor and her daughter on a shoe purchasing expedition at Trendy Tots Take Two, located midway down Main Street.

I tried to exhibit restraint, as I don't have particular clothing needs in mind, and I'm on a hunt for a toy with buckles on it (Ruby's quite into understanding her stroller and carseat buckles and how to clip them). But then I saw this teal wooden mixer from Honeybake and just...couldn't not apply some consignment credit to it! Maybe I got it more for me, but I did test it on her, and she carried it around for a minute before returning to the popcorn walker thing. For $14.99, how could you not have a matching set? It compliments Ruby's pink wooden stove, also from Trendy Tots. The mixing bowl was not included, and is the small bowl in a set of Martha Stewart stainless steel flat bottom mixing bowls.

I also randomly got Ruby a black and pink baseball glove because...it is black and pink, was $4.99, and is left handed. I'm manifesting this hand upon her...

View from The Roundhouse at Beacon Falls on the Patio

We late-lunched with our Cold Spring friends yesterday at The Roundhouse patio at Beacon Falls, and yes, the view is that great, and the sound of the waterfall transports you to yet another side of Beacon. Don't let those empty tables in the picture fool you - it was quite packed while we were eating, and our party and those around us have finished and aren't sitting there anymore.

Yesterday was a most ideal Saturday: started at Crumb for an early chicken sandwich lunch on their back garden patio while I did a little mom-preneur work while my husband watched Ruby. Then moseyed on down to Bank Square for a lovely iced vanilla latte to cruise through the rest of my work, then received a text from hubby that we were all meeting at The Roundhouse and that he was already in the parking lot to pick me up, followed by a quick stop at Vintage Cafe for a delicious grilled cheese and fruit cup for young Ruby whose daddy thought she could order off the sophisticated menu at The Roundhouse, followed by a trip back to Vintage for pie because it looked so good when I was picking up the grilled cheese.

But I digress, as you want to read about The Roundhouse! Very Manhattan and minimalist - so far. The views are amazing. No matter what side of the table you're sitting on, you will gaze at something pleasing. Either the Beacon Falls, or the bar which is a dark brown wood (very modern and clean looking), or the sloping side of Main Street since the restaurant is nestled into the river bed, or the rugged construction look of work being done to round out the old building structure for the real future restaurant.

The waitress was apologetic while setting our table with paper and plastic dining tools, explaining that they aren't the real deal yet, with their "makeshift" kitchen in the back, you can see as you walk down the steps descending onto the patio. It might be the best makeshift kitchen around, as it churns out scallops with a touch of bacon in a cream sauce, fried pig (this had a fancier name I cannot remember). I get the feeling from their Facebook page, that the menu changes weekly, or at least from time to time with fresh, seasonal specials. They offer craft beers and artisanal cocktails, yet we went with an easy bottle of Sauvignon Blanc. I didn't get to gaze at the drink menu, as I was arms full with Ruby.

So far, The Roundhouse is kid friendly (although you'd want to go there to relax and enjoy the view) in that Ruby could run up and down the steps, yet wanted desperately into that kitchen. I saw two mom-friends, with kids, meeting friends and family. Menu-wise, it's pretty sophisticated (or, the version at 2:30pm is). Even the fries had an upscale cheese squiggle on them, and were delicious. There is a cheeseburger, but we haven't tried it yet. I had the scallops, and my friend the tuna ceviche and fresh tomatoes.

Our takeaway was that The Roundhouse was definitely going to be an "it" place to be, where you'll need reservations. They don't take reservations yet and are very accommodating. Their Facebook page already has 1200 fans who are very involved with the page. Another good sign. This is absolutely a place you want to come to relax and enjoy a cold drink or bottle of wine with friends in serenity.

Second Saturday Tonight - Gallery Openings and Windows

Lots going on tonight for Beacon's Second Saturday:

• Gallery opening at Hudson Valley Beach Glass
• Gallery opening at Beacon Artist Union on 161 Main St featuring Perfectly Imperfect
• Windows on Main Street - start at Chill Wine Bar for the opening reception, and cruise down Main Street to window shop and admire the different artists on display in each storefront's window.

Have fun! I may be attending, juggling two babies.

Where Is This? Hint: it's vintage

Hey Beaconites and Hudson Valley enthusiasts! This week's contest prize is brought to you by Blackbird Attic, one of Beacons coolest consignment shops for mens and women's fashion (and jeans...lots of jeans). You win 20% off your purchase on already great savings, good for one month. The prize in and of itself correlates with the hint of where is picture is and what it's taken of.
This location is not in Beacon, but is a short day trip away. I have more hints lined up just in case this is an extra hard one. But one of you may get it in an instant! Put your answer in the comments below!

Where Is This? Pink and Yellow

Where is this, Beaconites? Where have you seen these colors, and what are they? This entry is possibly very easy for most of you, so it's off to the races!

This week's prize is a 20% discount from echo boutique, to be used one week from the moment you win the contest! Start guessing...

The "Where Is This in Beacon" Contest is Back!

Put your thinking caps on, Beaconites! The "Where is This in Beacon" contest is back for Wednesday afternoons! The pictures are going to get trickier because the prize bag just grew. That's what I was doing - making a proper logo page for those Beacon businesses who are providing prizes. The prizes are great, and the visual challenges even better, as I see how long I can stump you with an obscure picture of something you look at all the time here in Beacon - or around the Hudson Valley where you may have day tripped. So get your RSS feeds ready! First correct answer in the comments section of each picture wins the prize for that week.

I'm debating which picture I'm going to put up next - a Beacon one, or one from a day trip. Trying to decide how hard I want to make the first one for you... :)