Cherry Bomb, Beacon's Most Awesome Holiday Pop-Up Shop is Back!

Walking to BJ's to pick up a lunch of fried chicken, Mac and cheese and cake, I passed Zora Dora's, which had its shop door open. Now, in the Fall this unusual because Zora Dora's sells popsicles and is usually closed. But if its door is open that means only one thing...Cherry Bomb! (and here is their Facebook page) The holiday pop-up shop of awesome is going to be open this year to offer shoppers unique and beautifully made artisanal gifts from local designers. And this year, bakers too.

What you see here is the requirement sheet for selling your stuff in this pop-up shop. I'll be posting it on the site later, but get ready. Shopping is coming...

Beacon Halloween Festivities 2013

Being a newbie in Beacon, I was unaware of all of the festivities that go on here the weekend before Halloween. That's how last year found us at the The Roundhouse eating a kid-friendly lunch with friends, while every kid but my own were dressed in costume and trick-or-treating at stores on Main Street, just days before the actual night of real trick-or-treating.

When those friends asked me this year "What is going on this weekend in Beacon for Halloween?" I stared at the computer screen blankly. I didn't know! But I do now. A quick grocery run at Keyfoods exposed me to a full schedule printed on the front page of the Beacon Free Press! Hurrah! So for any of you looking online for 2013, here's what's in store, courtesy of the tireless organizers of the official movement, "A Very Beacon Halloween" (go see their Facebook page).


NOTE: As for the actual night of Halloween Trick or Treating, I'm seeking confirmation on those hours, but in the past, little kids have started at 5pm, and older kids come out until about 8pm.


FRIDAY, October 25, 2013
4:00pm
Pumpkin Hunt along Main Street at designated participating stores (free)
Starts at the Beacon Creamery 445 Main Street maps available there that day

7:00pm
Pumpkin Glow with a performance by the Rivertown Kids
Carved Pumpkin Contest winners ceremony near the Visitors Center on 9D and Main Street

8:00pm
Dinema Theatre (dinner and free movie) at the Cup and Saucer Restaurant 165 Main Street

SATURDAY, October 26, 2013
2:00pm
Children's Story time and music at Echo 380 Main Street

4:00pm
Ghost and Cemetery Walks on Main Street (free)

6:00pm
Halloween Movies at the Beacon Theater 445 Main Street

7:00pm
Guess who's Coming to Dinner/ Group Reading at the Cup and Saucer Restaurant 165 Main Street

8:00pm
Howland Cultural Center an Evening with Edgar Allen Poe

9:00pm
Max's on Main Annual Halloween Costume Party 246 Main

10:00pm
Rocky Horror Picture Show Beacon Theater 445 Main St

SUNDAY, October 27, 2013
12:30pm
Line up for Hocus Pocus Parade at The Visitor's Center on 9D and Main St.

1:00pm
Hocus Pocus Parade down Main Street from 9D to the Roundhouse (free)
followed by trick or treating at designated participating stores displaying orange and black balloons.

2:00pm line up for the 8th Annual Howl-a-Ween Costume Contest for dogs
Registration $8- free treat bag for all registered dogs

Ongoing:
Backroom Gallery antique handmade Halloween gift wrapping exhibit (free)
475 Main Street

THURSDAY, October 31, 2013
Trick or Treat! Still waiting on word and a website update from City Hall as to official Trick or Treating hours, but generally, 5-8pm is a safe bet.

Car Show Today in Beacon 2013

A glorious autumn day for Beacon's car show which once again delivered an amazing collection of classic, modern and muscle cars. We're out and about this Sunday, indulging in Beacon's Main Street. It's finally a sunny AND crisp fall day! After a confusing summers end weather-wise, the cars have brought in true Fall.

Kids and Toddler Craft Classes at Howland Public Library

This summer, the kids classes at the Howland Public Library have been so great! We took a mini break from daycare, so I wanted to keep somewhat of a schedule, and involve a craft or project at least once a week (I'd love to say once a day, but lets be realistic here, Katie...we have laundry to fold, grass seed to sow, and work to squeeze in).

On Monday morning of my first week without daycare, we did meet some other shell shocked parents at the library whose kids were usually in school, and now needed an activity. That's where we heard about the Infant class on Tuesdays. Then on Wednesdays we did have on the calendar to attend the Toddler class, which involves a craft, like this blue rainbow fish you see here. The craft matches the story that the amazingly crafty librarian, Ginny Figlia, reads to us. Then on Fridays, there is the Dive Into Reading class that also involves a series of themed books, dancing, and a project in the big back room! This week it was ants.

And then of course, are the free DVD rentals after the class that we can quickly browse, that help get me through a newsletter production, website analysis, article outline, or other worky work.

So as a great childcare alternative or enhancement (for those of you with sitters who can take the kids in your place), the library has been a dependable hit this summer.

Calamari (and bacon rolled scallops) Have Arrived in Beacon at Culture Cafe Bar

For those NYCers who are used to a fresh, crispy, Asian flared calamari, your wish has come true in Beacon. Culture, on Main Street's West End, is serving calamari on its menu with two sauces: a sweet and spicy yet creamy red sauce, or a bold and jolting ginger sauce. Omg, the calamari hit the spot on a hot, muggy Tuesday evening with a glass of dry yet crisp white wine.

And the scallops. Usually these are a gamble on the menu because they leave you wanting more of them. This night, we had three jumbo scallops wrapped in bacon, drenched in some kind of wonderful something sauce with blue cheese, raisins and fennel, and oh my goodness was it good. Be sure to ask for a side of bread to dip into the scallop sauce because you won't want to waste one drip.

Not pictured here is the cold glass of crisp white wine I enjoyed, while my friend enjoyed a Dogfish beer.  All enjoyed on Culture's back patio. Perfection.

In Case You Were a Ball-er...(Basketball Player)

The Universe just sealed the deal on me entering this 2 on 2 basketball tournament in Memorial Park August 17th to benefit cancer.

I'd just been wishing to myself that there was an intermural basketball league in Beacon (I suppose I could play with people at All Sports courts). So I think that I'm going to enter this basketball event with my husband, and I have no idea what will happen next. I haven't played in over a decade! Time to practice in the driveway...

Nutella Banana Pancakes at Culture

Watch out West End of Main Street...there's a new coffee house in town, with a full breakfast menu. And lunch menu, and dinner menu. But I'm here for my morning coffee (which I just upgraded to a vanilla latte), to which I added an order of banana Nutella pancakes, because I'm working on a class plan for tomorrow's SEO class I'm teaching for Tin Shingle, and I'm worth it.

To tempt you with lunch consider this:

Camarone Press:
Grilled shrimp...mango...roasted Poblano peppers...avocado...queso...fresco cream cheese...red onion...tomato

To tempt you with dinner:
Roasted Scottish Salmon...Brown sugar peppered bacon Gorgonzola gratinee...Celery root herbed goat cheese purée.

And to tempt you with my latte...it just arrived to my seat in their quite back patio garden, and the latte smells heavenly and I feel like I'm back in Tuscany.