Christmas Lights! More Christmas Lights!

Driving around with kids in car seats during the holidays makes looking at holiday lights even more special. You thought you liked Christmas Lights as an adult? Well kids are enthralled by them and can't wait to see the next house. You could drive through a light festival, which would be amazing and you should check out Boscobel's), or you could drive around every night in Beacon to see the decorated houses of our enthusiastic citizens. Those who put on a show at Halloween often come through for Christmas as well.

Coming home after school has a new soundtrack now, and it sounds like this:

Kids (breathlessly): "MORE Christmas Lights!!! Backup, Mama, Backup! I see a light! The Santa is up!"

Here is a collection of Christmas Lights that you may recognize. Hats off to you folks for decorating! More photos will be added during this 2014 season.

You know this house - on Willow at the base of East and West
Willow. Much better in person, so drive the loop.

A house also on one of the Willow streets.

Again with Willow. Who is also a top trick-or-treating
destination! Not a surprise that they pull through for Xmas.

Yard art is a requirement in Beacon.
You can let your inner yard-art enthusiast out.

Beautiful.

The Firehouse on Main Street.

Beacon Falls at Fishkill Creek lit by The Roundhouse.

Look at These Great Brands - Key Food Shakes Off A Haunted Reputation

My family and I moved to Beacon in 2009 from Manhattan's "Upper Upper West Side" on Columbus Avenue. Grocery stores were all around us. Our apartment was above a Bravo, and we had several "markets" on Broadway. Not to mention vegetable stands, and an occasional honest to goodness bakery. Whole Foods had just opened up a few blocks down. Life was good food-wise.

So when we moved to Beacon, we had one requirement: to live within walking distance to a coffee shop so that we didn't experience too much of a culture shock from living in the City where we walked everywhere. This was one of the best requirements to have, because it meant we moved within walking distance to a big grocery store, Key Food.

In the last few years, I've noticed many changes at Key Food, as have others. From the classical music playing during the day, to the wide selection of organic and independent brands stocked on the shelves. So I took a meeting with two of the owners of Key Food - Junior and Mo - to give me the real scoop on what's been going on.

We met behind the big black doors near the produce section - the real behind the scenes of Key Food! Junior confirmed rumors I'd heard from shoppers who commute to Beacon from areas south of Newburgh, that this Key Food in particular was known for listening to shoppers. Junior says he takes many requests and finds the items to put on the shelves. I asked him if they felt as if they were living under the shadow of previous owners. Junior somberly nodded his head. Unknown to me was that the current owners of Key Food and my family moved here at the same time, so I didn't experience what longer Beaconites had encountered. From the day they bought the Beacon Key Food, his family, who also lives in Beacon, has been working to improve damaged relationships from everyone including customers and vendors.

As for pricing, well, I know that business owners do their best to deliver to their customers, and that the equation that makes a price is calculated based on what makes that business tick, from employees to benefits to group purchasing sales to warehouses. For instance, some grocery stores own their own warehouses to keep prices down, while other grocery stores can't take on owning a warehouse so they pay a warehouse to store their inventory, like Key Food does.

At the end of the day, has Key Food made a Beaconite's life easier? Yes. Several shoppers gave me their favorite items that they find weekly at Key Food, so lets walk the shelves in Key Food to see  what's in stock!

Mrs. Meyers is a fixture in our home, as is the $.99 dish soap!
Key Food gives you a selection here, to pay a few dollars more
for Mrs. Meyers, or $.99 for a generic brand. We actually use the
$.99 dish soap but buy the Mrs. Meyers counter spray and all
purpose liquid to refill.

Organic milk is a highly sought after item. New to me was the
price of Hudson Valley Fresh, a local brand that is delicious
and responsible. It's a fact that Stoneyfield milk is in the $5
range when it can be found at Hannaford for the $3 range,
but here sits Hudson Valley Fresh for $3.19!
An often over-looked and local choice.

Hello delicious cottage cheese.

Tas Kafe and Sumptown are favorites for a lot of people,
but so are illy and Starbucks for others. Lately, Starbucks
has been on sale for $7.99 or $8.99, which is on par with
Hannaford and other big stores.

Ghee has been growing in popularity by health enthusiasts
and butter lovers who want more from their butter, but less fat and
these health benefits.

Those who love nuts are loving the dedicated
nut section that has been living near the meat department.

The gluten free pasta selection has increased, as well as pasta
alternatives like rice pasta.

An entire freezer of healthy food! From frozen Indian food
to frozen Annies to Ezekiel bread.

And look! Ezekiel bread in cereal form!
Or you can get a strawberry PopTart. Options!

Annie's chocolate chip bars!

Some people really love seaweed snacks. Here is Annie Chun's
brand of Korean seaweed, and it's not the only brand here.

For the babies, HappyBaby and HappyTot. Pick up one as
you shop to help getting through the isles easier.

Hot dogs aren't the healthiest things, but if you like them,
the Boar's Head beef brand has been a favorite.

Alright - I'm no meat specialist, but early adopters of grass fed
beef like Poppy's has helped bring responsible meat to Beacon.
Beaconites actually have several options to get great meat that has
been raised  responsibly, but if you're in Key Food getting
other things and can't make another the meat section
does offer a wider selection now.

Northerers don't know how lucky they are to have Sticky Fingers
BBQ sauce in a bottle. I know this first hand because I
lived in Charleston, SC and frequently went to Sticky Fingers
restaurant before they bottled their sauces. Finger lickin' good.

Beacon Shopping Guide - Store Hours, Days and Ideas in Beacon!

Shopping! So fun, yet so strategic. With so many options to shop on Main Street, we compiled a Shopping Guide for your shopping and bookmarking pleasure! Save this in Pinterest or on your phone to refer back to as you shop! Before we get started, here are the tough questions we asked ourselves before compiling the Shopping Guide.

Things you should know about this guide:

• Open and Closed Hours are posted, but we know that small business owners need to make sudden changes based on personal situations, so keep that in mind as you shop and always call a store first.
• Special Message For Businesses: If you are a business wanting more information about being featured in this Guide, or if your business has been featured in this Guide and you want to enhance your listing with an advertising package, click here for more details.

Mountain Tops

144 Main Street
(845) 831-1997
PrAna, Patagonia, Keen and many other of your favorite (or soon to be favorite) brands are in this small but packed shop. Find boots, walking shoes and hiking shoes, and the socks to match. And find boots and socks for wee ones as well. As always, socks are buy 4 get the 5th free!
HOURS
Open Daily:11am-6pm
Sunday: 11am-5pm


COLORANT
145 Main Street
Colorant is a high-end fashion boutique that Beaconites first knew as a pop-up shop, and has rooted its concept store here permanently. Inside the store, you will find silks, cotton, cashmere, and wool garments that were hand-dyed by COLORANT using colors from naturally derived ingredients such as indigo, weld and madder root. They delight in the unpredictable nature of a color, depending on where and how the material was grown. Select from COLORANT's own designer label, as well as others designers carried in the store.
HOURS
A weekend shop.
Friday - Sunday: 11am-6pm

Nella Bellas Boutique

155 Main St.
(845) 838-3833
Nella Bella's Boutique is a women's and teen's boutique. The boutique is filled with of unique finds hand picked by the owner herself and has friendly prices for great fashion.
HOURS
Wednesday-Sunday: 11am - 5pm
Closed Mondays and Tuesdays

Lorraine Tyne
161 Main Street Beacon, NY 12508
845-418-5LTS
The easiest bling you'll ever buy. From huge statement necklaces to tiny wrist bracelets. There is usually a sale or special deal going on at Lorraine Tyne, so stop in to see what you can piece together.

River Winds Gallery
172 Main St, Beacon
(845) 838-2880
River Winds Gallery is the brightly lit gallery you see as you first drive or walk into Beacon. Always festive, their window is twinkling each night with lighting and wearable art found within. Oh yes, you will find large or small canvas paintings here, but you will also find jewelry from sought after designers from metalsmiths to glasswork.
HOURS
Wednesday - Monday: Noon-6pm
Closed Tuesdays

NFP

457 Main St.

(646) 823-3274

For those who like the cozy, sexy, sleek sweater look, this is a must-shop. Super cool, unique and high fashion sweaters and knitwear are designed by Gail Travis.

Open Saturdays 11am-5pm or by appointment only

Reservoir and Wood

460 Main St.

Reservoir & Wood is lifestyle boutique of the modern, mid-century, rustic and inspired. The clothing is high-end design and is pretty dope. Find fashions for women, men, baby, and some household.
HOURS
Monday: 11am-6pm
Thursday-Friday: 11am-6pm
Saturday: 11am-7pm
Sunday: 11am-6pm
Closed Tuesday & Wednesday

Lauren & Riley

462 Main Street

(845) 831-3862

A hip little shop to find bling, dresses, and sometimes tops and sweaters. You'll find perfumes and lotions and girly things, yet for those who love the skull and crossbones, you'll also find some punk designs as well. Also find an assortment of tea and honey, wallets, and other unexpected adornments like cuff links and jewelry.

HOURS
Monday: 11am-5pm
Closed Tuesdays 
Wednesday-Friday: 11am-5pm
Saturday: 11am-6pm 
Sunday: 11am-5pm

Echo Beacon

470 Main St.

(845) 440-0047

Women can find complete outfits in Echo. From skinny pencil skirt/dresses, to stretchy tops, to slouchy sweaters. Also find a line of shoes from Fly London and other brands. Oh, and there's the lip gloss, purses, nail polish, and more.
HOURS
Mon-Sat: 10am-7pm
Sun: 10am-6pm

The Bra Fit Expert
470 Main St. (inside of Echo Beacon, in the back near the fitting rooms)
Women's wardrobes are complete with a variety of bras to choose from, including stretch lace, under-wire, strapless, and more. This popup bra shop was opened by Christina Faraj, a professional bra fitter. Thought you needed a fitting room in Victoria's Secret to get measured? Not anymore.
HOURS
Thursday, Friday, Saturday

Gwenno James

17 E Main St.
(845) 202-3224
Gwenno James signature designs incorporate hand dyed and hand printed fabrics which are crafted at her studio and boutique in Beacon, New York. Using traditional textile techniques such as silk screening, marbling and blueprinting, Gwenno considers each fabric piece as a fluid canvas onto which an original surface design emerges...one color, one brushstroke, one imprint at a time.
HOURS
Tuesday-Wednesday: 11am - 6pm
Friday-Sunday: 11am - 6pm

Closed Monday and Thursdays
 

Mountain Tops
144 Main Street
(845) 831-1997
Easily find a gift for the man in your life. Camping gear usually mean gadgets that men love, like propane, head lights (lights you put on your head), manly slippers, sunglasses, hats, and much more.  As always, socks are buy 4 get the 5th free!
HOURS
Open Daily: 11am - 6pm
Sunday: 11am - 5pm

Reservoir and Wood

460 Main St.

The jackets for men that you will find in Reservoir and Wood will give your man a unique look. This is the store for the stylish but rugged man.
HOURS
Monday: 11am - 6pm
Thursday-Friday: 11am - 6pm
Saturday: 11am - 7pm
Sunday: 11am - 6pm
Closed Tuesday & Wednesday 

Echo Beacon

470 Main St.

(845) 440-0047

New to Echo is a men's line of coats and heavy duty gloves, as well as scarves and hats.
HOURS
Mon-Sat: 10am-7pm
Sun: 10am-6pm

Clay Wood & Cotton

133 Main Street
(845) 481-0149

Delightful little store for hand made pottery, jewelry, stationery, wood based designs, and many other things. Has an entire room devoted to knitting.

HOURS
Thursday-Monday 11am - 6:30pm


 

Hudson Beach Glass

162 Main Street, Beacon
(845) 440-0068

Beautiful. Anything you find in Hudson Beacon Glass is special. From ornaments to wind chimes to large platters. Like with many of the galleries in Beacon, the art you find here may be acclaimed world wide. Their studio glass blowers include those who have created major architectural installations and have crewed with Dale Chihuly. Stop in to find blown glass objects of all kinds, from lights to bowls to wind chimes and ornaments. Do investigate their extensive jewelry case for jewelry from local designers. Special for the Holidays are the glass blown ornaments where you or your child can blow into an ornament and preserve the breath forever.
HOURS
Monday - Saturday: 10am-6pm
Sunday: 11am-6pm

Notions-N-Potions

175 Main Street

(845) 765-2410

Where the motorcycle enthusiast and the spiritualist come together!  Notions-N-Potions makes products that are handcrafted using only the finest herbs, essential oils and fragrance oils, and are made in the store. Find apparel, books, candles, helmets, herbs, pocketbooks, incense, tarot cards, and more.

HOURS
Monday: Noon-6 pm
Thursday: Noon - 6pm
Friday: Noon - 7pm
Saturday: 10am - 7pm

Sunday: Noon - 4pm
Closed Tuesday & Wednesday

Dream in Plastic

177 Main St

(845) 632-3383

An addictive shop for items you never realized you needed until you wanted everything. Full of whimsical items like over-sized cupcake pillows, mugs, whimsical to-do list pads, and more. And socks. Lots of really cool socks. You can find something for anyone on your holiday list.
HOURS
Monday: 12p -5pm
Thursday: 12p -7pm
Friday: 12pm-7pm
Saturday: 11am-7pm
Sunday: 12pm-6pm
Closed Tuesday and Wednesday
 

Beacon Bath & Bubble

458 Main St

(845) 440-6782

Bubbles and soaps of all shapes, sizes and colors.

HOURS
Wednesday-Saturday: 11-6pm
Sunday: 12-4pm
Closed Mondays and Tuesdays

Utensil

480 Main St.

(845) 202-7181

Utensil is the home chef's go to store for anything you need in the kitchen, from honey to french presses, to wooden pizza peels (aka giant spatula).

HOURS
Monday: 11am-6pm
Wednesday-Saturday: 11am-6pm
Sunday: 11am-5pm

Closed Tuesdays

After the Barn
508 Main St
(845) 202-7146
Live the reclaimed life in After the Barn, where you can find beautiful tables, chairs and other pieces of furniture made from dismantled old barns. But that's if you didn't want to make it yourself. Owner Bob Staab brings back collectibles like printer's keys with different fonts, wooden crates, lights, and more. After the Barn brings new life to old barns by painstakingly dismantling barns and turning them into fine furniture, flooring, cabinets, even birdhouses.
HOURS
Wednesday-Saturday: 10am - 6pm
Sun: Noon - 5pm
Closed Monday-Tuesday

FABHAUS
512 Main St
(845) 440-7090
FABHAUS Beacon is a creative store that sells meticulously designed products and offers Hudson Valley residents an opportunity to make their own ideas a reality. With the FABHAUS in-store laser cutter, customers can have objects fabricated from a wide variety of materials, or customize their existing gear by laser engraving. Great place for a custom-made holiday ornament!
HOURS
Thursday-Saturday: 11am - 7pm
Sunday: 11am - 5pm

Closed Monday-Wednesday

Trendy Tots Take Two

296 Main Street


(845) 838-2200
This unique infants & children's consignment boutique sells new and gently used children's apparel and gear for your little ones.
 Very friendly pricing and a source for big and little ticket items from pac-n-plays to mittens.

HOURS
Tues-Sat: 10am-6pm
Thurs 10am-7pm 
Closed Sunday-Monday

Play

167 Main St.
(845) 838-2134
Don't be fooled by the name - Play is for adults and kids. Play is a toy store that has something fun for everyone, of all ages. Retro toys like slime balls and metal lunch boxes, fun books like Regretsy (and some books with titles we can't publish here!), a wide selection of wall art, hanging beads for doorways, jewelry, games, books, artwork, rare candy, tricks & novelties galore. Be sure to check out their darkroom in the back for electricity balls and other glowing things. If you have a creative girl on your list, there are many design books available for her to draw in.

HOURS
Open Daily: 11-6
Sunday: 11-5 
2nd Saturday of each month: Beacon Open House til 9

Beacon Bath & Bubble

458 Main St

(845) 440-6782

Bubbles and soaps of all shapes, sizes and colors. An easy stocking stuffer!
HOURS

Wednesday - Saturday: 11am - 6pm
Sunday: Noon-4pm 
Closed Mondays and Tuesdays 

Echo Beacon

470 Main St.

(845) 440-0047

Ho Ho Ho, so many choices. Echo specializes in toys from Calico Critters and Melissa & Doug, as well as retro Fisher Price favorites from your childhood. Train sets galore, and if you're into educational toys, owner Karen has selected some of the best games.
HOURS
Monday-Saturday: 10am - 7pm
Sunday: 10am-6pm

Lauren & Riley

462 Main Street

(845) 831-3862

The perfect spot for a holiday dress for a little girl. Owner Kim also has a daughter, so the wardrobe she makes available for your toddler is one you want to pick up and show off in pictures.

HOURS
Monday: 11am-5pm
Wednesday-Friday: 11am-5pm
Saturday: 11am-6pm 
Sunday: 11am-5pm
Closed Tuesdays

Reservoir and Wood

460 Main St.

A high-end boutique with adorable pajamas, leggings and other clothes for a new baby or funky toddler. The baby clothes and leggings you'll find here are a perfect gift for the most perfect parent on your list. You'll also find belly cincher secrets for the pregnancy stage.
HOURS
Monday: 11am-6pm
Thursday-Friday: 11am-6pm
Saturday: 11am-7pm
Sunday: 11am-6pm
Closed Tuesday & Wednesday

Waddle n Swaddle 
484 Main St
(845) 831-5952
Waddle n Swaddle is a natural parenting store and wellness boutique, focusing on the essential needs of mama, child and the “naturally modern family”.  They hand-pick eco-friendly toys, maternity/nursing bras and clothing, baby carriers, feeding supplies, potties, cloth diapers, swaddles, gear and more.
HOURS
Monday-Wednesday: 10am-5pm
Thursday: 10am-6pm
Friday-Saturday: 10am-7pm
Sunday: 11am-5pm

American Gypsy Vintage
263 Main St
(845) 440-3670
A little bit country, a little bit rock & roll. From bohemian to bike, this boutique sells a well-edited assortment of vintage and contemporary designers. In addition to running the shop, owner Nicole Alyse is also a sought after personal style blogger who does photo shoots in Beacon and NYC. For inspiration or fashion envy find her on twitter and instagram.
HOURS
Thursday-Monday: 1pm - 7pm
Closed Tuesday and Wednesday 

Blackbird Attic

442 Main St

(845) 418-4840

Michelle Caves' consignment boutique is an orderly, well-curated mix of reasonably priced modern, vintage, and designer clothing & furniture/decor pieces.

HOURS
Sunday-Monday: Noon - 5pm
Thursday-Saturday: Noon - 6pm (or later)
Closed Tuesdays and Wednesdays

Vintage:Beacon

478 Main St.
(845) 202-7172
A stylist edited consignment and resale boutique, specializing in women's vintage and designer fashion. It's a cozy space that owner Angela Hasting stocks full of amazing finds.
HOURS
Mon: Noon - 6:30pm
Thurs-Fri: Noon - 6:30pm
Sat-Sun: 11:30am - 6:30pm
Closed Tuesday and Wednesday

Mountain Tops
144 Main Street
(845) 831-1997
Kayaks, canteens, non-electric coffee makers, hats, river shoes, Frisbee golf, you name it. If you want to climb a mountain or go camping, this is your store. As always, socks are buy 4 get the 5th free!
HOURS
Open Daily: 11am - 6pm
Sunday: 11am - 5pm

Peoples Bicycle
430 Main St
(845) 765-2487
An old school bike shop with new-school style. Find a wide range of bikes from custom-built heavy-duty cargo bikes to kids’ tricycles. Visit the beautiful new Main Street storefront meet all the dudes who make and maintain these beautiful bikes!
HOURS
Open Daily
Monday-Friday: 12pm-7pm
Saturday-Sunday: 8am-7pm

Beacon Natural Market
348 Main Street
Beacon, NY 12508
(845) 838-1288
Though you will find organic produce here, you will also find heavy duty men's and women's jackets and shirts here as well. If the sturdy hemp material is what your favorite person likes, then this is a good place to swing by to choose from a carefully selected stock of outdoor-wear.
HOURS
Monday-Saturday: 9am - 7pm
Sunday: 10am - 5pm

Scarborough Fare

257 Main St.
(845) 831-7247
Scarborough Fare has a large selection of gourmet olive oils and vinegars and their shelves are stocked with local and imported goods. Want to impress the foodie on your list with flavorful olive oil or vinegar? You pour the oil into a bottle that you can bring home and back for a refill. Try their Pumpkin Spice Vinegar to transform your baking, and see our recipe for using in to bake banana bread. While visiting enjoy a tasting of their enormous collection of pastas, sea salts and spices.
HOURS 
Monday-Friday: 11am - 7pm
Saturday: 10am - 7pm
Sunday: 11am - 6pm

Beacon Pantry
382 Main Street, Beacon
(845) 440-8923
Known for carrying French and Italian delectables, Beacon Pantry is a great idea source for eclectic gift baskets for the foodie in your life. They have wonderful gift boxes for every type: pasta lover, Francophile, tea drinker, chocolate lover, cheese lover and more.
HOURS
Monday-Friday: 7am - 8pm
Saturday: 8am - 8pm
Sunday: 8am - 6pm

Drink More Good
383 Main Street, Beacon
(845) 797-1838

Drink More Good produces small batch soda syrups, tisane concentrates, and cocktail bitters that are thoughtfully handcrafted using organic ingredients. Their ginger syrup is also a great addition to veggie juices and smoothies!

HOURS: Daily 10am-8pm, and Tuesdays 10am-3pm

Alps Sweet Shop
269 Main St
(888) 442-2577
Chocolate made in small batches, fresh ingredients, attention to detail and respect to tradition, Alps Sweet Shop hand makes over 100 different confections.
HOURS
Monday-Saturday: 9am - 5pm
Sunday: 11am - 5pm

The Beacon Barkery

192 Main St

(845) 440-7652

It’s unique place to find the coolest gourmet cookies and treats in the Hudson Valley-for your beloved furry ones! Favorite treats include “Cannolis”, “Peanut Butter Puppies”, and “Tail Bangers” for dogs and “Bonita Flakes” and seafood treats for cats. Also find leashes, collars and clothes.

HOURS 
Monday-Friday: Noon - 6pm 
Saturday: 10am - 6pm 
Sunday: 12:30pm - 5pm

 

Jake's Main Street Music

393 Main St

(845) 765-8548

A music store and stringed instrument shop featuring quality new, used, vintage and consigned stringed instruments as well as music lessons.They also carry a wide variety of strings and accessories, art, gifts, CDs and vintage vinyl recordings. It's a relaxed, low-pressure shop where visitors are encouraged to stay a while and try things.

HOURS
Wed: Noon-8pm
Thur-Sat: Noon-7pm
Sun: 1pm-6pm


Beacon Music Factory
629 Route 52, Beacon
(845) 765-0472
As the name suggests, this is a music factory where kids and adults can learn, be in rock bands, and can listen to music. Do check out their Rock Band Boot Camp for upcoming camps and performance dates.
HOURS:
Hours vary; contact business.

2 Way Brewing Company

18 West Main St Beacon, NY
(this is down the hill from Main Street proper, near the train)

(845) 202-7334

On your way up from the train station, either on foot or by car, Beacon's own brewery is a must-stop. Check out the artists on display as well!
HOURS:
Thurs: 5pm-11pm
Fri: 3pm-11pm
Sat: 3pm-11pm
Sun: noon-5pm

Denning's Point Distillery
10 N. Chestnut Street, Beacon
This spot isn't technically under the "Beer" category, but it shouldn't be overlooked. Denning’s Point Distillery in Beacon, NY crafts the finest artisanal spirits available including Viskill Vodka, Beacon American Whiskey & Denning's White Rye Whiskey. They use high quality grains from New York state farms and strive to create classic spirits of unique character and depth. Denning's Point Distillery works from a unique, urban production space and offers impromptu tours and tastings.
HOURS:
Fri: 2pm-8pm
Sat: 2pm-8pm
Sun: 2pm-6pm

The Hop
554 Main Street, Beacon
(845) 440-8676
The Hop is not just a delicious restaurant with artisanal fare. Its beer store boasts an amazing selection of craft beers. Perfect place to pop-in for a unique 6-pack!
HOURS:
Mon, Wed, Thurs & Sun: noon-10pm
Fri-Sat: Noon- Midnight

Santa is Coming to Town! Where and When to Find Him

Santa is coming to town! Have breakfast with Santa, coffee, or spot him while you're out shopping. You never know where he'll show up, but here are a few places we know he will be! If you know of more, please email editorial@alittlebeaconblog.com with your inside info.

TOWNE CRIER  CAFE WITH MISS VICKIE
12/5/15
Saturday Breakfast with Santa
10am Doors Open, 11am Breakfast Starts
This is the 8th year "Tinsel" (Miss Vickie) has hosted Breakfast With Santa in Beacon, and it is more popular every year! Tinsel, Little Santa and Elf Bob hand out craft ornaments for children to work on as they are finishing their buffet breakfast from the Towne Crier kitchen, and enjoying their Christmas coloring books (all included). Santa stops at each table to talk with children and give out candy canes while parents take pictures. Reservations are strongly encouraged.

Lunch With Santa Pre-Christmas Carol Play (Beacon Players)
December 5th and 6th 2015
Saturday and Sunday
12noon
Come and have a great lunch before the show with Santa and some very special guests! At 12:00 noon we will be serving a lunch (with a special Holiday dessert), a photo and a personal visit with Santa, lots of fun and Holiday games, but you need to make a reservation! The cost is $8.00 per person and seating is very limited to 50 guests each day. You will need to make a reservation by sending an email to beaconsantalunch@gmail.com.
Information >

All Sport Health & Fitness
12/8/15
Tuesday Evening
5pm - 7pm
Cookies, Crafts & Santa, Oh My! Free holiday fun for kids, All Sport is hosting a Santa night that is free for everyone, including non-members. Kids will have fun decorating cookies and making holiday gift crafts in the community room, with plenty to do while parents work-out. Santa will be in the Grand Lobby, so bring your camera! Santa cares about animals too and is taking donations for dogs and cats, so please bring a donation of pet food for the SAFEHAVEN Pet Food Pantry. Cat food is especially needed. 
Details >
All Sport is a main sponsor of A Little Beacon Blog, and we thank them for their support!

City of Beacon + BeaconArts + Beacon Hebrew Alliance Annual Tree and Menorah Lighting
12/12/15
Second Saturday
3:30pm-6pm
This 4th Annual Tree Lighting is free to the public and this year it will be held at Pohill Park (next to Beacon Visitor’s Center, Main Street & Route 9D). Small children's craft, music and dance will kick-off the celebrations at 3pm. Santa will arrive via pedi-cab to officially welcome the spirit of the holidays to Beacon at around 4:30 pm.
Details>

BANK SQUARE
12/13/15
Sunday 
10am-12noon Santa Arrives
Coffee with Santa! Santa is scheduled to visit Bank Square and their famous Christmas Tree. Sitting with Santa is free, so bring the kids and enjoy some coffee, tea or hot chocolate!
Details >

Kringles Christmas House
By Surprise
Santa stops by this Christmas Shop sometimes on the weekend, so if you're out and about, peek your head in here! Also pick up Christmas decorations.

Holiday Giving in Our Local Back Yards

This article was planned to be published a few days from now, but with the newly created #GivingTuesday, we put a rush on it. It's time to address that collection of suggested donation sources that you file in the back of your bills folder, and write the checks for end of the year donations because they make a big difference. Beacon is steeped in volunteer organizations that provide vital services that many come to depend on, whether it be for enjoyment or a life threatening emergency. Here are a few ideas for you to donate to this Holiday Season.

BEACON VOLUNTEER AMBULANCE CORP.

When I got the letter in the mail to donate to the Beacon Volunteer Ambulance Corp (BVAC), I almost overlooked the word "Volunteer". When my husband called 911 for me a year after we'd moved here, while we were hosting a spring BBQ, I was having a then undiscovered bout of appendicitis which left me blue and shaking in my bed while my guests ate potato chips (I felt extremely embarrassed to be so unsocial). An ambulance and medical people showed up (even more embarrassing as our new neighbors viewed the scene from their front porches), because that is what happens when you call 911. What amazes me to this day is that the ambulance service is volunteer based, and has been since its inception. It is also the "busiest volunteer service in the country" with 2200 calls per year, according to their website.

When they started, the Beacon Volunteer Ambulance Corp made calls out of a 1948 refurbished Cadillac ambulance. The "dispatch system" was 3 volunteer members setting up a phone in their house. Then 7 volunteer members set up phones in their houses. Then they got pagers. And now the Dutchess County Bureau of Fire dispatch system is their system.

If you want to make sure these guys stick around, consider donating to the Beacon Volunteer Ambulance Corps. They have a membership PDF, but consider just sending a check to the address on their website.

DONATION DETAILS >

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CITY OF BEACON FIRE DEPARTMENT

A combination paid and volunteer organization, the City of Beacon Fire Department has been protecting Beacon since 1913. It has 13 paid firefighters, 3 support staff, and a volunteer organization of 60. That's a lot, and possibly how they fill 3 fire stations and have been designated with the fastest response time in Dutchess County, according to the City's website. Currently, their entire website has been under construction since early November, so when they are out fighting fires, perhaps your donation can help them make the updates they need. Or buy new equipment and maintain trucks ;)

Send your donation to:

City of Beacon Fire Department

Fire Department

13 South Avenue

Beacon, NY 12508

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COMMON GROUND FARM

Common Ground Farms is hosting their Annual Benefit Auction this Saturday, December 6th at the Scenic Hudson River Center Red Barn, 8 Long Dock Road, Beacon for food, drink, and live music from Tall County.

All proceeds go to support the Farm's nonprofit farm-to-school programs in which local Beacon school kids visit the Farm, and which allows the farmer to visit Beacon classrooms. In 2014 every third, fourth, and fifth grade class from J.V. Forrestal Elementary School (which is one of four elementary schools in Beacon) visited Common Ground Farm to learn about worms, bees, compost, organic farming, and local vegetables. Common Ground Farm also provides Chefs in the Classroom that conduct taste tests of local veggies and who prepare healthy food and recipes, which are then served in the school cafeteria. Common Ground Farms' goal is to increase funding so that they can work with their partners, including Hudson Valley Seed, to expand programming to additional schools.

BUY TICKETS HERE >

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BEACON DOG PARK

After a year of fundraising, the Beacon Dog Park finally hosted a ribbon cutting to officially open its gates in March of 2013. Right next to Memorial Park for Kids, where dogs are not allowed, the Beacon Dog Park has made socializing dogs and humans easier and more attainable. Your membership as a dog owner is donation enough, but if you wanted to donate a little extra, it does help to buy new benches, fix any fencing, etc.

DONATE NOW >

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GIANNETTA SALON & SPA

Near and dear to Giannetta Salon & Spa's heart for the Children's Tumor Foundation, which has made great strides in developing cures for cancer, tumors, bone disorders, and learning difficulties. Right now, Giannetta's is hosting a raffle for a basket of wine, as well as 3 Kerastase Chroma Thermique system products. This is sort of major because if you've ever tried Kerastase, you'll know it's the most luxurious shampoo lather you've ever experienced, and really does make a big difference in your hair. A donation box for the Children's Tumor Foundation is available as well. You can stop into the salon to enter the raffle.

MORE ABOUT GIANNETTA >

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MID-HUDSON CHILDREN'S MUSEUM

Any city is so lucky to have a Children's Museum, and if you're not already a member or a regular attendee of this museum, you should know that Mid-Hudson Children's Museum, located on the Hudson River in Poughkeepsie almost under the Walkway Over the Hudson, is a special place for kids. They celebrate childhood and are proud to offer exhibits that get kids moving, exploring, building, pretending, collaborating, creating and discovering. Their exhibits focus on nature, science, literacy, art, music and community and allow children the opportunity to develop foundational learning skills. The museum also builds a lot of their own exhibits.

BECOME A MEMBER or JUST DONATE >

Remember, these are only a few ideas. Let's see how creative you can be in your Holiday Giving!

Well Lookie Here! New Crosswalks in Neighborhood Streets!

City workers spray new crosswalks in
residential neighborhoods in Beacon.

As I geared up to walk my dog this chilly morning, the smell of paint fumes was unmistakable. I assumed it was coming from a house down the street that is getting a total renovation and was getting an exterior coat of paint sprayed onto it, but no...the fumes were from white spray cans of brand new crosswalks on a street that never had them before yet is highly populated with church and school pedestrians. This must be from the federal grant that the Mayor spoke of earlier this month!