Does Your Monday Need This? :: Business Directory Features 6/17/2024

It's Monday! For citizens of Beacon, that means City Council Meetings (the back to back meetings are tonight). For self-employed business people, that means Go Time! Main Street businesses may be taking a breather from the weekend (or it's an extra heavy day) and service businesses are back at it. However your Monday is going, you may need to play this song by Gloria Gaynor on repeat: "I Will Survive." Good Luck and you got this. Businesses can partner with A Little Beacon Blog on their promotion. Readers from New York City to all corners of the Hudson Valley read A Little Beacon blog. Subscribing as a promotional partner in our Business Directory guarantees your brand will be featured in our content. Just plan ahead, and let's share it! GET MORE INFO HUDSON VALLEY AUCTIONEERS Been wondering what the Free Things are that keep appearing outside of 432 Main Street down near the Beacon Movie Theater? It is the storefront of Hudson Valley Auctioneers, LLC as they get ready for a new live auction. Their latest auction was Monday afternoon, and they offered all sorts of rare finds. Keep your eye on A Little Beacon Blog for when their next auction is. Hudson Valley Auctioneers is a ALBB Business Directory member and you can find their listing in the Art category!   VISIT ANTIQUES THE LUMINOUS BRIDE The Luminous Bride is the makeup loft located inside of Lambs Hill Bridal Boutique in the historic factory building at 1 East Main. Soft looks with clean, natural makeup for those who love looking like themselves, enhanced by the enchanting lift makeup can give them. Established.in NYC, Jules (Owner) was a regular artist at NY Fashion Week, and continues styling celebrities for press, print, TV and the red carpet. Book for Weddings, Special Occasions, Trials or Makeup Lessons if you're interested in learning yourself! VISIT BEAUTY MAKEUP BY JENNY Celebrity Makeup Artist! Experience and Expertise = Consistently Beautiful Results! Specializing in Airbrush Makeup for TV, Film, Corporate Events, Print, Headshots, Editorial, Weddings & any occasion.

VISIT BEAUTY Add your business here > A Little Beacon Blog celebrates Black Lives Matter every day with our “Black Owned Businesses in the Hudson Valley Directory” — a directory of local companies to support which started in the racial re-awakening of the Black Lives Matter movement of 2020. To include as many businesses as possible, while keeping it easy for you to use, this directory is organized by region first, and then area of business. Listing in this Category is free for Black-owned or co-owned businesses. Email us to let us know about your business: editorial@alittlebeaconblog.com. *SPECIAL FEATURE* Accuprint Your go-to resource for packing, shipping, printing and business service needs of the residents and businesses of Beacon, NY.  VISIT BLACK-OWNED MARKETING KATIE JAMES, INC. The content artists at Katie James, Inc can enhance your Instagram with their visual and writing skills. With their reporting techniques, they can pull from you what is going on at your business that your readers and future customers want to see. Hire the experts at Katie James Inc. to breath more life into your Instagram. FEATURED CLIENT: Eggbert's Free Range Farm   VISIT BRANDING PUBLIC RELATIONS TIN SHINGLE Tin Shingle has over 270 TuneUp Webinars for you to stream anytime. Topics range from PR, Instagram, Facebook, Interviews with inspiring business owners, Newsletter strategy, and many other niche topics. ALL TRAINING TUNEUP ONLINE CLASS WEBINARS The best part of membership! Get education, inspiration, motivation, and fresh ideas for how to reach out to the media and boost your social media. Click here to see our entire collection. Click here to join and activate > VISIT PUBLIC RELATIONS Add your business here > There are many CSA options in the Hudson Valley where you can find local meats, fresh fruits and vegetables, and more. Check out Common Ground Farm, Fishkill Farms, Obercreek Farm, and more! Support your local farmers! GET MORE INFO Add your business here > BEACON DENTAL Beacon Dental is a group of friendly and experienced dentists and team that are dedicated to providing you with individual, high-quality care. Your health, smile and comfort are always their first priorities, and they will work with you to help you achieve and maintain excellent oral health and a beautiful smile. Teeth whitening available! Call to schedule an appointment with Dr. Hongli Wang and learn more about complete dentistry. VISIT DENTAL Add your business here > THE MAIN OFFICE The Main Office Space is a coworking and collaboration space located at 234 #1 Main Street, Beacon, NY, in the scenic Hudson Valley. A quick 70-minute train ride to NYC’s Grand Central Station, they are conveniently located for remote workers who still need access to all the City has to offer. Locals can rent desks weekly or monthly; visitors are welcome to rent space daily or for specific events. A Little Beacon Blog rents a desk there too! VISIT EVENT SPACES Add your business here > There are many opportunities to get your fitness on in Beacon & the Hudson Valley! From Crossfit, Yoga, and Barre, to your General Fitness Centers, Martial Arts, Cycle, and more. VISIT FITNESS Add your business here > RIVER THERAPEUTIC MASSAGE Karen Meyer, the owner of this practice, specializes in helping women manage stress, anxiety, muscular tension, and fatigue in a safe & nurturing environment. RTMBeacon is a Woman owned business, LGBTQ+ friendly, and a safe space for ALL. VISIT MASSAGES Add your business here > A Little Beacon Blog celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month yearly & supports Hispanic Owned Businesses in the Hudson Valley. This is a directory of local companies to support Hispanic Businesses & recognizing the contributions and influence of Hispanic Americans to the history, culture, and achievements. Listing in this Category is free for Hispanic-owned or co-owned businesses. Email us to let us know about your business: editorial@alittlebeaconblog.com. VISIT HISPANIC OWNED Miss Vicki's Music Miss Vickie is part of the heart and soul of Beacon. She has been volunteering in the community and teaching music in Beacon for years and years. Her patient disposition with people of all ages makes guitar lessons not intimidating for beginners and novices. Born left-handed, she speaks to both sides of the brain and teaches and plays right handed. Miss Vickie can make house-calls for private guitar lessons for kids and/or adults. Private Classes go by the half-hour or hour. VISIT MUSIC Add your business here > MEGAN & KENNETH Megan & Kenneth proudly and unequivocally stand with and support the LGBTQI+ community. Their team is honored to serve partnerships of all genders, cultures, traditions, and strive to showcase diverse love stories throughout New York state. They love you, just as you are. Book the photoshoot. Capture the special moments. VISIT PHOTOGRAPHY Add your business here > Add your business here. Rates start at $35/month with different pricing levels for budgets and exposure. Categories are included or created as businesses sponsor them. Gutters. Roofing. Automotive. Cycling. You name it. Let's get to know your business! PS: Businesses outside of Beacon are welcome to join. This Business Directory is open to all Hudson Valley businesses and services. GET STARTED

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Welcome The Luminous Bride To ALBB's Business Directory Guide!

Welcome The Luminous Bride to ALBB’s Business Directory!

A most discreet and lovely beauty secret destination in Beacon is The Luminous Bride, nestled in The Makeup Loft at 1 East Main, the historic factory building down by the famous Dummy Light. Owned by makeup artist Jules Waldoetter, whose signature style is a soft look with clean, natural makeup, Luminous Bride's team of hair and makeup professionals apply their palettes to clients who love looking like themselves, but seek the enchanting lift makeup can give them. Established in NYC, Jules was a regular artist at NY Fashion Week, and continues styling celebrities for press, print, TV and the red carpet. Luminous Bride can style people for events, portraits, branding, presentations, meetings, productions etc., and can do on site hair and makeup for weddings. Find them inside of Lambs Hill Bridal Boutique. Book with them on their website by filling out their form, checking their schedule, or sending them an email.

PS: Jules also offers one-on-one makeup lessons for those looking to learn how to increase their makeup knowledge and skills!

Are You In The Linup? Business Sponsorship Opportunities On A Little Beacon Blog

A Little Beacon Blog provides free listings of Things To Do to the community, but there are ways to elevate your business and personalize how ALBB’s audience is seeing and experiencing what your business offers. We do this in a unique way. Different than any magazine. More time consuming to produce than any magazine or newspaper does, but we do it because it works with our readers. Our job is to tell stories and build relationships. Here is how we do it, and how your business can partner up:

Shopping Guide

A Little Beacon Blog's Shopping Guide is one of the biggest draws to this publication. Every store is listed in it for the best experience for our readers. Google rewarded A Little Beacon Blog with a #1 ranking for "boutique shopping beacon ny."

Designed to elevate your store from the rest, this advertising campaign is integrated with our Instagram. Show your storefront in the listing, share new arrivals and products, discounts and promos, upcoming events, and more! Get your business a permanent weekly feature in A Little Beacon Blog's Retail Therapy Newsletter sent on Fridays (see examples here), as well as weekly Instagram features. We do the work for you.

Restaurant Guide

This subscription package is designed specifically for restaurants to be found in the “Restaurant Guide” & more. A Little Beacon Blog’s Guides are strong on the Internet. When people are Googling, these Guides are what come up first, and is often how people discover their favorite restaurants. Let your restaurant or eatery stand out in this guide with your logo, a photo gallery of your mouth-watering eats, rotating specials, upcoming events, and more! Sponsoring this guide allows you to feature something special every week on our Instagram and be included in our weekly newsletter. Don’t worry if you don’t have the time to send us the special stuff, we can dig deep and do this all for you.

Beauty Guide

This Beauty Guide subscription package is designed for anything beauty located on Main Street in Beacon! From hair & nail salons to laser hair removal and makeup application. You name it! Feature your beauty salon, your favorite beauty products, beauty services, hours, events, specials, and more! This will all be featured weekly in our Instagram and in our weekly newsletter of 2,700 subscribers.

Kids Classes Guide

Kids Classes are popular in Beacon and the Hudson Valley. Especially during this time of year when parents are scrambling to find Summer Camps and Kids Programs for their kids. Our Kids Classes Guide as been developed with Beacon families in mind; it's for people who attend classes in town as well as anyone who drives to neighboring areas for popular programs. Advertising in this guide allows you do feature a storefront photo and/or logo, a photo gallery, event/class listings including days and times, newsletter weekend features & weekly Instagram features.

Want to share your Summer Camp Program in our Summer Camp Guide too? We can do both and offer a 25% discount on our Summer Camp Guide Pricing! A win-win.

Business Directory

Readers love A Little Beacon Blog for its comprehensive coverage and listings. Readers come here looking for the best resources, and your business needs to be one of those. Levels of sponsorship in the Business Directory include basic listings for a budget-friendly option, as well as more integrated options with our editorial and social media. Advertising and sponsorship is subscription based, and can be upgraded or downgraded at any time.

Some categories include Accounting, Catering, Event Spaces, Floral, Health & Wellness, Home Improvement, Photography, Real Estate and so much more! Best part about this…? If you don’t see a category that fits your business, we can create one just for you and your business!

The Business Directory includes businesses not only in Beacon but around the Hudson Valley area.

Branded Content

Our highest and most integrated form of marketing… Branded Content. This package is great for businesses, artists, or organizations who want to show and tell to our readers by using many photos to color the story that we will write for you.

Branded Content includes 1 Article designed specifically for you, an extensive Instagram + Facebook feature, and a special newsletter featuring YOU to our 2,700 subscribers. Up to 5 photos are included. Our photographer can come to your place of business if in Beacon to take photos. Or, we can use photos you already have. However, if we feel that the photos are not adequate, we will want to send out our photographer, which may involve an additional fee if outside of Beacon.

Business Directory Update: Personal Shopper - Abijah Spence

Abijah Spence is a self employed gig worker who reached out to A Little Beacon Blog about being included in ALBB’s Black Owned Business Directory for his Personal Shopping & Delivery service. That’s the kind of hustle it takes to start and run your own business. After years of working in the Gig Economy, and experiencing the pros and cons of several delivery apps, Abijah’s favorite delivery app to use is the Dumpling app. “This is the only app that lets me set my own price for delivery charges, doesn’t take my tips like other big delivery companies have tried to do to me, and gives me control over how I grow my business,” Abija told A Little Beacon Blog.

Abijah is a Personal Shopper who can get things for you from stores that are synced with the app like Key Food Beacon , Aldis, Hannaford, CVS, Home Depot, and more. But the app also allows for you to type in your own store not in the list. We tried it with Brett’s Hardware for leaf/lawn bags that we have been needing for weeks but keep forgetting to pick up and need them now but can’t get to the store. Abijah will be on his way! Schedule him now.

“Honestly, the Dumpling app is very easy,” Abijah told us. “Anywhere you want me to go, you type in the store if it’s not already in the list, and type in what you want. The app stores your credit card, and when I go in to pick up your things, the store charges your card that’s on file with the app. I don’t see your card - only Dumpling holds that info. I bring you the receipt of exactly what you purchased, if it was on sale, etc.”

To get Abijah, visit ALBB’s Business Directory where we link directly to him. You’ll need to download the Dumpling app. Easy.

Thank you to all of the business who list their services as sponsors of ALBB. If you want to list your business and become a sponsor of ALBB’s Business Directory, you can find out more information here! >

Business Directory Feature: Juniper Birth’s Single Parent By Choice Classes

Businesses are sponsoring A Little Beacon Blog’s Business Directory because they value you - our readers - and want to reach you! This is a great way to find out about businesses you know you need, but didn’t know how to find - like doula services and evidence based care childbirth classes from Juniper Birth!

Jennifer Polk is a Birth RN, Doula, Certified Lactation Counselor and Evidence Based Birth Instructor. That’s an empowering combo! She also has experience in and offers Single Parent By Choice classes. Recommend her to your friends today!

Find out more about our Business Directory here! >

3 New Black Owned Businesses Added To ALBB's Business Directory During Black History Month

Because it’s Black History Month every day, A Little Beacon Blog has added 3 new Black Owned Businesses to our Business Directory! Max’s Beacon Fade and Shave across from Key Food; the hyper to detail auto detailing service Speechless New York; and the paint event destination Zhane’s Palette currently mobile and in the Poughkeepsie Underwear Factory.

For a good dose of entrepreneurial history, read out the building featured in our Black Owned Businesses logo Perry Cross for Hyacinth Marketing Group . Enjoy!

Beacon Fade & Shave Barbershop

Owned by Max, this barbershop across from Keyfood is friendly for walk-ins for a fade or haircut for kids and adults. You may see Max’s young family in there with him as locals line the chairs, waiting their turn. Notice the art on the walls, as is part of Max’s collection. If you play the guitar, you may feel inclined to strum one in the corner.

Zhane’s Palette

“Join us as we continue to Celebrate everything with PAINT virtually and on location. We happily host Birthday Parties for (All Ages), Date Night, Girls Night, Company Events, Social Organizations, Sorority Events, Fundraisers or a private session just for YOU. At Zhane's Palette, its always your ART, your PARTY & your FUN!”

Speechless New York

“Speechless New York is a locally owned and operated business located in Dutchess County, NY. Like most entrepreneurs, they offer many things! Mainly, they are know the most for their impecable car detailing. With over 20 years in the business, working directly with the largest names in the auto industry. Our work is well known to many of the locals. We offer Auto Detailing & Restoration packages to fit ALL budgets.”

Is Second Saturday Still Happening In Beacon? Post-Pandemic, Where Are We?

I know…in the olden days, those dark days during the height of the pandemic in New York (thank you everyone for being so respectful so that we could crush the curve!) days lost their meanings. Second Saturdays used to be one of the heaviest days in Beacon. Art galleries would launch their new exhibits, shops would do discounts, restaurants may offer live music, and A Little Beacon Blog used to open pop-up shops in the space that we occupied back then on Main Street (we had sadly vacated just before the pandemic hit).

To be honest, from a marketing standpoint, Second Saturday was quite a crowded day. We wondered if launching events on other Saturdays might be the way to go. We tried convincing our pop-up shop rental clients of this approach, but they would not be deterred. People wanted their Second Saturdays!

When events and shopping halted, so did the art exhibits. And so did A Little Beacon Blog’s monthly hunting for art exhibit openings that our editor, Catherine Sweet, a veteran Beaconite who moved back to her home state of CA but could not release the Art Gallery in her heart, would write up dutifully every month. However, A Little Beacon Blog’s sales decreased as our event income disappeared, and some advertisers paused (but not all! thank you advertisers!!).

Yet, there were no events, and Catherine is a mother of a young child, and she, like all parents, was drowning in no childcare, which was life back then when everything shut down and parents who worked from home could barely function. I’m not sure if we are even functioning now, come to think of it, in summer and in between camp drop-offs, college visits, and vacays.

Fast Forward To Today’s Saturday

Fast forward to today, and Beacon is bustling! Safely because you all wear your masks (you who refuse or are lying about your vaccinations…we’ll just put you to the side). And safely because businesses are able to make their own rules now, and good customers respect them (unlike those of you who are unruly, and you can just keep yourself on the train and get off at a different stop).

Art galleries seem to be inclined to have Second Saturday’s. We have not checked with the official leaders of this movement, BeaconArts, as this article went up too quickly, but they most likely have an opinion.

Here at A Little Beacon Blog, we want to continue promoting the art exhibits as best we can. In order to do that, we need to open up our advertising platform to art galleries - the same one that shops and restaurants have access to. It is a discounted subscription model that can allow for the listing of an event or marketing message each week in A Little Beacon Blog’s weekend newsletter. We want to pay Catherine the money she deserves! And we need a little extra to pay ourselves (Teslie and Katie both work here each day, and we have student loans, childcare, car payments, rent, mortgage, utility bills all the things).

As an art gallery, if you want to list your events or exciting anythings each week, you can do that in our Art Gallery Sponsor program here. If you are a business or individual who is not an artist, but wants to support each month, you can do so as well here.

If you are a location like a barber shop, who once a month or once in a blue moon hosts an artist, then please submit your event to us. A Little Beacon Blog always has a soft spot for true pop-ups. A “true” pop-up is something that pops up in a very unusual, unrelated location. Like an artist in a barber shop. Or a clothing shop in a barber shop. Both of which have happened!

Thank you so much for your consideration.

Want To Know How To Get PR Right Now? Tin Shingle Tells You How - Streaming Free This Weekend Only

Hi, Everyone!

This TuneUp webinar from ALBB’s sister media education and empowerment company, Tin Shingle, is about what to pitch to the media right now in July. No matter what you do, some power is in your hands to compel the media to write about what you hope they will cover.

This TuneUp episode is chock-full of ideas on what to do. Including how to pitch 4th of July Independence Day in a different way - as in - introduce some more forefathers and foremothers ancestors to the usual lineup. This is how to connect Juneteenth with July 4th - both Independence Days. It’s an educational opportunity on many levels.

For this weekend only, Tin Shingle has opened up this TuneUp for Hudson Valley friends to stream free. Normally all TuneUps are free for members of Tin Shingle or are sold separately. www.TinShingle.com/tuneup.

NEW Businesses Added To ALBB's Business Directory!

ALBB's Business Directory is a Deep Dive List of services you need right now in Beacon and the Hudson Valley. There is a lot of talent here in the 12508 and beyond and we want to highlight all of them. Check out the Business Directory HERE.

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Businesses in the Business Directory

Rizzi Home Inspection Services, Inc.

Rizzi performs thorough Pre-purchase buyer home Inspections, pre-listing seller home inspections, annual home maintenance inspections, multi-family / investment property inspections. Find out more HERE.

Samantha Cuello Consulting

Samantha Cuello Consulting is a full-service marketing and communications firm with 10 years of experience in the high-end home space—working with interior designers, D2C retail brands, B2B trade brands, and media companies. Find out more HERE.

Juniper Empowered Birth

“Hi! I’m Jennifer Polk (she/her) and I’m a Labor & Delivery RN, Certified Lactation Consultant, and Evidence-Based Birth® Instructor. An Evidence-Based Birth® Instructor is a birth professional specially trained in how to help families get evidence-based care." Find out more HERE.

Heads Up Learning

Heads Up Learning is a tutoring service run by Laura Head, a former public school teacher in NYC for Grads 3rd and 4th, who recently moved to Beacon to open a virtual tutoring service. Laura knows the public school curricula and how units tie together. She specializes in courses in French literacy, English literacy, and offers academic support for Grades 1-9. Says Laura: “Students learn best when given the opportunity to make discoveries, find patterns, and think critically about new ideas, which is why their curriculum is built on student-centered pedagogies, and themes of citizenship, activism, and environmentalism.” Find out how Laura can help your child in reading, math and more HERE.

Want to join but don't see a category/sub-category that fits your biz? Not a problem! We can add it just for you!

Featured Businesses In ALBB's Black Owned Business Directory

Maggie and Ease

“We at MAGGIE & EASE are committed to preparing great food and providing a remarkable and enriching experience through bold flavor and savory delights made generously with love.” Try their desserts at Dia: Beacon art museum & Homespun Foods on Main. St.

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Sound Asleep Media

Sound Asleep Media is a production company in Beacon, NY offering photography & videography services including parties, portraits, family photos, and events.

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Salon Dae

A charming and cozy salon studio with a good energy and vibe. A rustic/chic boutique decor. It’s not just a hair appointment, it’s an experience!

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Blacc Vanilla

A Coffee Lounge located in Newburgh, NY with an experience that serves old-world passion evoking a strong sense of community. “Blacc Vanilla may not be an industry leader in the café business, but they have consistently been very active within the city community: hosting community and political events, providing relief for folks during disasters, and creating a business, as well as a community partnership.”

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APG Pilates

“Whether you’re new to Pilates or at an advanced level, at APG Pilates we work with each person individually and in small groups to help you achieve your personal goals. Pilates is designed to improve physical strength, flexibility, and posture, and enhance mental awareness.” Located in Newburgh, NY, APR Pilates is designed to improve physical strength, flexibility, and posture, and enhance mental awareness.

Are you in the Black community and run a business in the Hudson Valley? Let us know about you! Listings in the Black Owned Business category are free. All other categories can sign on as sponsors for a listing.

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Inspiration Behind ALBB's Black Owned Business Directory - Property Ownership Matters

Back when the pandemic was declared a pandemic, Ahmaud Arbery was killed - shot - hunted down - by two white men in a pickup truck near Brunswick, GA. I watched the video on Twitter. Unfiltered. Un-”Graphic Warning.” I followed the local GA news for legal developments. Events happened to other Black people that did not make it to social media, but then George Floyd was killed by police in Minneapolis. Also video taped by many people as it happened. Everyone video taping stayed in their corners as events played out. That’s what we are used to - staying in our places in our corners. Thankfully these images made it to our newsfeeds, so that we could experience how Black people are seen, not seen.

Most people watching the social revolution/re-awakening of 2020 experienced deep feelings, and some people who are not Black wanted to do something. Black people started shouting: “Silence is Violence, Speak!” mainly to the white people in the room who have been bred to be mainly silent. To stay safe. To keep the place. The ground started shaking, and white people wanted to speak. White people wanted to support. But how?

The designer of ALBB’s Black Owned Business Directory logo, Perry Crosson (right), of the Hyacinth Group, a digital design firm founded and directed by Lauren Johnson (left).

Media across the country started making Black Owned Business Directories. Readers were writing in to ALBB: “Where can we support? Who can we support? What Black owned businesses can we support?” Here at A Little Beacon Blog, our fingers started typing. Writer Izdihar DaBashi feverishly emailed: “Are you making a Black Owned Business Directory? I want to make one - can we make one?” Designer Allie Bopp heard this, and said: “It needs a logo - I can make a logo!”

So we started on this Black Owned Business Directory. Right before I emailed Allie to brainstorm the logo, I realized: “Wait. We need to talk to someone who is Black, who experiences being an artist and business owner as a Black person. They are going to feel this, and this logo needs to be theirs. We need to find them to design the logo. Sadly, it has just occurred to me that I don’t know any Black graphic designers in Beacon, and I’m sure there are quire a few.”

ALBB Put Out The Call For A Logo Designer From The Black Community

And thank gosh we did. Because that’s how we met the architectural designer, Perry Crosson, and Lauren Johnson, a digital brander and founder of The Hyacinth Group (@thehyacinthgroup). We did the same for a Juneteenth logo for 2020. Did a call for artists, and met Nickeya Allen who answered the call on behalf of her children, which has blossomed into a beautiful friendship.

To Be Seen

Black owned businesses are here, they just aren’t always seen. Stereotypes could get in the way, blocking the vision of what is true. When I spoke to Perry to give him direction for the logo, my only direction was: “It could include many shades of color, to show different racial identities, but whatever strikes you. Take it and own it.”

Perry ruminated in it. As he developed it, his mother asked him what he was working on, and he told her. She suggested that he use the Alsdorf building in Newburgh as inspiration. It was a no-brainer for her. The building was built in 1915 as the Alsdorf School of Music and Dancing, a business started started in 1849 by Professor Dubois Alsdorf, formerly a slave in Ulster County who (acquired, gained, earned, was granted….what is the word here?) manumission. Manumission is something that frees a person from slavery. According to NewburghNY.org, George Alsdorf and his wife Caroline headed to Newburgh “within 20 years of his manumission) at 260-262 Washington Street.

Perry’s curiosity was piqued. He pursued it, dove into the research, looked into the rights of the building to make sure he could use it as a logo, and delivered. Perry’s background is in architecture, so this subject matter was even more up his ally.

The Alsdorf Building As Part Of The Logo

In preparation for the IG Live I did with Lauren and Perry on Wednesday (2/24/2021) about Black businesses locally and in general, I took a pause to reflect on why I loved the logo. Of course brick and mortar buildings are often used when representing businesses. But…

Black people owning property is a big deal. They were written out of property ownership - and voting rights - in the United States Constitution and had to work themselves into the Bill of Rights over many years. Undocumented practices that excluded Black people from property ownership (vague deterrences, suggestions to take education classes before owning property, things that white people do not usually get recommended to do) may not have been written into laws, were conducted that simply made it hard for Black people to acquire the title to property. A recent example: maybe the date of a contract to close on the home was 30 days, but suddenly move to 20 days (just happened to my Black friend in December 2020). Nothing that can be proven as racist, but something that keeps a friend who is Black out of almost owning her home in Poughkeepsie. When she appealed to the homeowner to have patience with the all of the documents they needed to file, his response was “It’s not me! It’s the bank!” And the hot potato hops around the room. Thankfully, she closed on the house.

The concept of “Generational Wealth” - is a term that is new to me, but is one that is common in my white community as “old money.” People in the Black community tend to speak of “Generational Wealth” as the goal of what needs acquired in order to help their children’s paths to security be more…secure.

“Old money” takes less effort, is usually something stepped into, is sometimes squandered, and is possibly not understood, if finances are not discussed in the open within families.

Hence, the selection of the building for this logo by the designer Perry takes even more meaning. Thank you for reading this far, and please do go visit and explore the businesses listed in the Black Owned Businesses section of ALBB’s business directory. There are other sections, but none that serve the purpose of elevating people otherwise not seen. Or not seen at their core for what they offer or make.

A Little Beacon Blog is always eager to hear from Black Owned Businesses to add to this directory - in any capacity - from construction to baking - so tell us about yourself. Other sections of the Business Directory are paid (we really appreciate and rely on the support!) but the Black Owned section is not.

Local Fundraisers Going On Now - Help In The Time Of The COVID-19 Pandemic

At the request of one of our reader supporters, A Little Beacon Blog complied this easy list of fundraisers to contribute to whenever you want to. Some of these are date driven. Those will be posted to the top. This is a live guide, so refresh the page, and give when you can!

GOING ON NOW - LIMITED TIME

• We don’t know of any super fast, limited time fundraisers going on at the moment, but if we missed yours, let us know about it here!

FIRST RESPONDERS

First Responders Fund

The fund will assist COVID-19 healthcare workers and first responders with expenses and costs, including child care. Donations can be made electronically at www.healthresearch.org/donation-form/ or by check, mailed to "Health Research, Inc., 150 Broadway, Suite 560, Menands, NY 12204." (For checks, the donor should specify the donation is for "COVID-19 NYS Emergency Response.")

Rombout Middle School PTO - Food For Local Front Line Workers

The Beacon High School Softball Program and the Rombout Middle School PTO organizations are organizing this. They are raising money to provide food to local medical workers. As a community, we want to thank them and make them smile! Additionally, 100% of the money raised goes directly to local families while supporting Beacon restaurants.
Donate Here >

LIFE IN GENERAL

Beacon Mutual Aid

A group started by Beaconites, for Beaconites, to help with any need anyone has. If people are in quarantine and cannot get food or to the pharmacy, this group can help. People can email, text or call with their requests, and the problem or request gets figured out. Beacon Mutual Aid is also involved with getting people in need free groceries. Donations go towards these causes.
There is no ask that is too big, and no one will ever be shamed for asking for what they need.
Ways To Donate: Email beaconmutualaid@gmail.com, call 845-288-2559 or venmo: mutualaidbeacon
Learn More (English) > or Learn More (Spanish) >

FOOD SECURITY

Beacon Farmer’s Market via Common Ground Farms

Beacon’s Farmer’s Market is managed by Common Ground Farms, and reaches a lot of people who want fresh food, and who live in economic hardship. They have accepted forms of payment from economic benefits programs including SNAP, and WIC and FMNP checks. During this time of COVID-19, two main setbacks have happened: 1. the open-air market closed and moved to an online ordering system, with delivery and pickup, and 2. the market is unable to take SNAP payments but is using a workaround to make that happen which you can read about here if you need to use SNAP. Donations made to the Beacon Farmer’s Market will help them continue making these leaps in technological advancements (they have already built 2 websites to take online orders), deliver to people in need, and give SNAP users money to use. You can also buy a load of produce for a family in need with allocation of your donation.
Donate Here >

Tiny Food Pantries in Beacon via Fareground

A Tiny Food Pantry is a 24/7 open air food pantry with a “give what you can, take what you need model.” Donate food to it by placing the food directly onto the shelves. Donate money to Fareground, who has these locations in their rotation of food security caretaking.
Locations: Binnacle Books 321 Main Street; Beacon Recreation Center 23 West Center Street
Donate Here >

Fareground

Fareground, Inc., a charitable 501(c)(3), is a women-run food justice, anti-hunger organization, dedicated to nourishing the community by increasing access to healthy and affordable food by supporting and creating opportunities for delicious meals, education, and volunteer opportunities. They currently are part of the coordination and financial effort in making Free To Go Dinner Bags available for pickup on Mondays mornings at Beacon High School and South Avenue. These are bags of groceries designed to feed a family of 4. Fareground also delivers these To Go Dinner Bags to people who live in housing communities in Beacon. This is key, because families in housing communities sometimes cannot get out to food distribution sites if both parents are at work, or a single parent is raising the family, for examples.
Donate Here >

Hudson Valley Eats

Hudson Valley Eats was started by restaurateur Janet Irizarry, who is committed to making sure everybody eats. She is an expert in food waste and tries to connect people with food. She lists many donation ideas as they come.

PETS

Safe Haven Thrift Shop & Pet Food Pantry

A nonprofit organization that has been running a pet food pantry for 8.5 years helping Dutchess County residents feed their pets. They are also involved with the Beacon Barks Parade. Normally, the residents they assist have to meet an income requirement. However, many people right now are out of work due to the virus, and they want to temporarily help them. Pet food is available for pickup on Saturdays.
Location: New address is: 1545 Route 52, Suite 8, Fishkill
Day: Saturdays only from 10AM – 1PM
How To Donate:
1. Drop off bags of cat or dog food during the pick-up hours listed above.
2. Write a check to Safe Haven Animal Shelter, P.O. Box 596, Hopewell Junction, NY 12533

SCHOOLS

Beacon High School Seniors

You can show your support for Beacon’s senior class with a yard sign. The proceeds go directly to the Senior class. Buy a sign for $20 and show it in your yard.
Donate Now >

FARMING

Common Ground Farms

LOCAL BUSINESS

A Little Beacon Blog keeps track of fundraisers launched by businesses in our Restaurant Guide, Shopping Guide, and Business Directory. Please browse there, and the link for the fundraiser will be listed with the corresponding business.

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES

Dutchess Responds
Mutual Aid Plan For Dutchess

CSA Listings Are LIVE In A Little Beacon Blog's Business Directory! Don't See Your Farm Listed? Find Out How To Apply Below!

A Little Beacon Blog is waiving the listing fee for New York CSAs for those farms who are trying to reach consumers with fresh produce, and for those people who are looking for variation on where they are finding fresh food, and want to support local farms who have lost restaurant clients and other wholesale orders.

We did some deep digging and found a few Hudson Valley CSA farms and listed them HERE. Don’t see your farm listed? Find out how to APPLY below.

HOW TO APPLY: If you are a CSA who wants to be listed, please reach out to us via our Contact Us form. Please include your CSA name, website URL, Facebook, Instagram, and a one-sentence description of the type of food you offer.

Normally, ALBB’s Business Listing program is a monthly subscription model. Level 1 is currently free for CSAs. Those who want to upgrade and show pictures can do so for the price of Level 1.

FREE CSA Listing In A Little Beacon Blog's Business Directory! Apply Now

A Little Beacon Blog is waiving the listing fee for New York CSAs for those farms who are trying to reach consumers with fresh produce, and for those people who are trying to vary where they purchase fresh food, and who want to support local farms that have lost restaurant clients and other wholesale orders.

HOW TO APPLY: If you are a CSA who wants to be listed, please reach out to us via our Contact Us form. Please include your CSA name, Website URL, Facebook, Instagram, and 1 sentence description of the type of food you offer.

Normally, ALBB’s Business Listing program runs on a monthly subscription model. Level 1 is currently free for CSAs. Those who want to upgrade and show pictures can do so for the price of Level 1.