Beacon Dispatch

Howland Library recycles toner

Just a reminder that the Howland Public Library is participating in a recycling program for computer printer cartridges (inkjet and laser) and cell phones. Just bring your used cartridges or cell phones to the library and give them to the clerk at the circulation desk and the library will handle the rest!  Not only will you be helping the environment, but the library will receive a small rebate for each return.

'Beacon Bucks' to promote local businesses

Local activists, including Pete Seeger, are looking into printing a type of currency specifically to help promote local businesses. According to their press release, more than 50 small cities in USA and Canada have a “Local Currency.” In Ithaca, N.Y. now, many people shop and are paid, at least partly, in “Ithaca Hours”. About $50,000 worth are in circulation at any one time.

In Beacon the Riverpool Committee and the Incline Railway project on Mt. Beacon are considering printing pieces of paper slightly smaller than a dollar bill. On one side there may be a picture of the waterfront. On the other side a picture of Mt. Beacon. On both sides will be the words “Beautiful Beacon” and “This ticket will be good for riding in the Incline Railway when it is finished, and for swimming in the Riverpool At Beacon when it is built. The tickets will probably be known as “B—B’s”.

How much will they be worth in US dollars? This question will be decided at a conference in the Beacon Sioop Club on Tuesday, January 11th, at 5:30 PM. The conference will be attended by experts from Ithaca, and from the E.F.Schumacher society who can advise us on how to make the whole project succeed. If you want to attend the conference, call Offie Wortham at 831-2929, or Rene Vivo at 831—6756.

Fox News: Turn the Channel.

After watching Outfoxed: Rupert Murdoch's War on Journalism, I've made it a policy to change the channel whenever I walk into a room with a TV tuned to Fox News. The use of public airwaves to promote a political agenda (unbeknownst to most viewers), turns my stomach. Of course, I usually ask first, if someone is watching. But using this keychain remote control takes this concept one step further (thanks to Matt for the tip.) It gives anyone the power to "turn off most TVs - anywhere from airports to restaurants ... and it's selling at a faster clip than it would take most people to surf the channels on their boob tubes." Go ahead, change the channel. It's good for democracy...

Don't Forget Beacon Farmer's Market

Every Sunday from 10am - 2pm you'll find fresh fruits and vegetables, bread and baked goods, potted plants, fresh flowers, hand-made artisanal cheese, wine, meats, and other goodies from around the Hudson Valley at the Beacon Farmer's Market. You'll find the market at Veteran's Plaza, next to the Main Street Post Office, and parking is free of charge. The market is held come rain or shine, so come down and get a taste of the Hudson Valley's finest.

5 Minutes at the Beacon DMV

Anyone thinking of moving to Beacon should check out the local Department of Motor Vehicles. It might be the single best reason to move upstate. Today I went in to re-new my registration and change my address on my driver's license. I was prepared for the typical half-day ordeal I've encountered in every other DMV I've ever visited. As you can see below, when I got there, the office was virtually empty, and I was able to see a clerk right away. I was done in less than 5 minutes. Amazing. I love this town.

Forget the Yellow Pages, Try Google

Check this out. You can now use Google to search for local business and services in Beacon. Just put in your search term, and the address, city/state, or zip code, and you're in business. I've always wondered how long it would take for my neighbor's business, Penzetta's Plumbing, to be available online. So I went to Google, searched for "plumbers" in Beacon, NY, and up came a list of local plumbers, including Freddy Penzetta. Now all we need is someone to tell us which services are the best. Yellow pages with consumer ratings -- that would be a real improvement.

Endeavour to respond urgently...

So a few weeks ago I placed an ad in the the Beacon Free Press and Pennysaver to sell my Jeep. I've had two responses that are bizarrely similar, and I'm trying to figure out what the scam is. The first was from an allegedly deaf person, so the phone operator had to mediate, typing what I had to say and reading his responses. He wanted to send me a certified check for $5000 (I'm asking $2100), and asked me to cash the check and give the difference to a "handler" who would come and pick up the Jeep. The extra money would be used to ship my Jeep and several other vehicles to an undisclosed international location. I declined the offer. Then, I got this in my email box from Pennysaver.com:

Hello, I am Engr Slimgee from New zealand, i saw your advert while i was surfing on the internet so i come about your advert car forsale so i was intrested in buying it for my personal use so pls get back to me with your last price and let me know if you are willing to sell to sell it to New zealand cos i am willing to handle the shippment my self. Endeavour to respond urgently to let me know if it is still available for sale.Expecting your soonest reply with your last price and let me know if you are okay with a cashier's check. Thanks and regards, Engr Slimgee....

Clearly this is a scam. But of what kind? Would I be helping some gangster launder money via the certified check? Would they show up at my door demanding all the money, but not take the car? I'm certainly not going to give them the keys to the car until I have cash in hand. What's the deal here?

New Outdoor Outfitter Opens in Beacon

In case you haven't noticed, the old costume warehouse on the corner of 9D & Beekman Ave is now home to Hudson Valley Pack & Paddle. Yesterday I visited the store and spent a few minutes looking around. They have a huge selection of paddling and hiking gear, though I wish they had more hiking boots to choose from (they're only stocking 2 models of Asolos right now.) But this is a really good alternative to EMS, and it's right in your back yard! They're still weighing the options as far as renting out cayaks to individuals, but they do plenty of organized tours. Reason #47 to look forward to Spring...

O, Christmas Tree (how do I get rid of thee?)

If you're like me, you've waited until this weekend to take down your Christmas tree. In case you're wondering how to get rid of that 8 ft Douglas Fir, here's some info from the City of Beacon Web site: "Christmas Trees are picked up at curbside after the holiday (note: my tree was removed on Tuesday morning during regular trash pick-up.) The City offers to chip brush left at curbside by appointment." So if you want to mulch your tree instead of leaving it out on your sidewalk, call 838-5000.

Best of Beacon: 2003

Yes, we still need a Dim Sum, Indian, or Thai restaurant. And it would be nice if we didn't have to drive to see a movie, but you have to admit, there's a lot more to do in Beacon than there was just a year ago. Below are some of the best of what our city has to offer, in alphabetical order, from readers of the "Dispatch" and my own experience. What did we miss? Let us know in the Comments area below the post, or by emailing me. Happy New Year!

Best Art Gallery Over 200,000 Sq. Ft.
Dia: Beacon
3 Beekman St.
845.440.0100
Winter Hours: Fri – Mon, 11am – 4pm

Ok , there’s not much competition here. But the Dia deserves a category of its own. I swear there’s something alive inside Richard Serra’s “Torque Ellipses.” Every time I get to the center of these sculptures I feel the air pressure change, like a remnant of the artist is still there. I’ve never felt anything like it, and I’ve never seen anything like the Dia: Beacon. It’s a truly mind-expanding experience.

Best Art Gallery Under 200,000 Sq. Ft.
Van Brunt Gallery
460 Main St.
Hours: Th – Mon, 11a – 6pm (or by appointment)
845.838.2995

I’m never disappointed when I walk into the Van Brunt. The talent may be lesser known (for now), but the variety and quality of the artwork is consistently good.

Best Auction
Cold Spring Galleries & Auction
324 Main St.
845.831.6800

I still haven’t done anything with the box of old slides, cameras, projector, and screen I bought at auction for $50. But the fun was in the bidding, right? People come to the Cold Spring Auction from all over the Hudson Valley and beyond to find bargains on furniture, oriental carpets, and other bric-a-brac. One of my favorite pieces was a box of personal letters and photographs from an old widow’s estate. You simply never know what you’ll find. Auctions are held every other Sunday.

Best Bar
Miro Bar & Restaurant

Pool table, cheap drinks, Engelbert Humperdink on the jukebox, and good bar conversation. Overheard one Saturday night: “In the 50’s I used to dance topless with Goldie Hawn down in Boca.” Priceless.

Best Book Store
World’s End Books & Music
532 Main St.
845.831.1760
Hours: Wed - Mon, 11-6 (closed Tuesdays)

There’s nowhere else you’ll find such a choice selection of used fiction, essays, poetry, LP’s, and CD’s. If I didn’t live in Beacon, this shop alone would make it a destination for me.

Best Breakfast
Yankee Clipper
397 Main St.
845.440.0021

Every town needs a local diner, and in 2003, Beacon finally got one of its own in the Yankee Clipper. If you want a breakfast that sticks to your ribs – we’re talkin’ ham & eggs, pancakes, omelets, French toast, the works – this is the place to go. It’s clean, the food is good, and the service is always friendly. Grab a booth, sip your bottomless cup of coffee, and try and spot the tourists.

Best Cafe / Coffee Shop
cTHONIC CLASH
418 Main St.
845.831.0359
http://www.cthonicclash.com
Hours: M-Th, 6am – 10pm; Fri 6am – 12am; Sat 8am – 12am; Sun 8am – 6pm

You can get coffee at any number of places in town. But the Cthonic Clash is the only one with a name I can’t spell or pronounce. That’s ballsy. It’s also one of the most comfortable places to relax and have a coffee I’ve ever been to. They host an open mic on the 2nd and 4th Wednesdays of each month, and local musicians play most Fridays. You can sign up for email updates on their Web site.

Best City Council Member
Lee Kyriacou
City Council meeting are held every Monday night at 7:30 at City Hall

Anyone who reads the “Beacon Free Press” on a regular basis knows Councilman Kyriacou from his letters to the editor. There he’s waged a one-man battle against financial mismanagement at the Beacon Police Department. He’s also a regular at the Howard Dean Meetups. Word has it he gave up his commute to work full-time in the Beacon area. Can anyone say, “Kyriacou for Mayor” in 2007?

Best Fast Food
Planet Wings
294 Main St.
845.838.2000

It ain’t much for ambience, but the wings are damn good. And who doesn’t have a weak spot for a basket of wings? And, yes, they deliver.

Best Grocery Store
Key Foods

This is a tough one, but I’m going to stick to my guns. You can complain all you want about the lack of selection, or questionable hygiene, but there’s only one place to go for groceries here in Beacon, and that’s Key Foods. The store just opened a deli counter, so who knows what the future holds? (I’m a glass half full kinda’ guy.) Of course, if you want to drive across the river, there’s always Adam’s in Newburgh. Now that’s what Beacon really needs – a good selection of quality fruits and vegetables.

Best Hardware Store
Nichol’s Hardware
396 Main St.
845.838.9741
Hours: M-F 8-6; Sat 8-3; Closed Sunday

The weekend hours are lousy, but the service couldn’t be friendlier. If you’re like me, and you get agoraphobic when you walk into a Lowe’s or Home Depot, Nichol’s is the perfect alternative. They have everything you need for basic home improvements, and Bruce will help answer any question you have, no matter how silly. Though it’s a bit more expensive than the mega-store competition, you don’t have to fight traffic on Route 9 for a few screws. Nuf’ said.

Best Health Food Joint
Juicy

This one comes highly recommended. I have to admit I’ve never been, but it’s the first place I’ll go for a little wheat grass, when I figure out what that is.

Best Local Journalist
Tyese Levers

When I first moved to Beacon in summer of 2002, I would pick up the “Beacon Free Press” just to see the latest article by Tyese Levers. Her style was unique, often waiting until the 4th of 5th paragraph to share the point of the story. But this was local reporting at its best. Lately it seems her writing has benefited from an editor's eye, and she’s started to break real stories, like public concern over the plans for apartment development at Main & E.Main, and the re-introduction of the local cable news channel. Keep it up Tyese, this town needs more citizen journalists like you.

Best Mechanic
Pine’s Service Station
133 Verplanck Ave.
845.831.9225

If you need an oil change or tune-up, take your car to Pine’s. They can do more if you need it, but that’s the mark of an honest mechanic – if you don’t need the work, they won’t say you do.

Fishkill Tire

This one’s not in Beacon, but I have to recommend it anyway. To make a long story short, I got a $1500 quote from Healey Brother for some work on my ’91 Jeep Cherokee. Fishkill Tire did it for less than $400. I liked them so much I got a new set of tires too. Honest, dependable, and fast. You just can’t get any better than that.

Best Park / Playground
Riverfront Park
Next to the Metro North train station

Former city councilman Steve Gold recently recommended in a letter to the “Beacon Free Press” that Riverfront Park be re-named “Friends of Pete Seeger Park.” Considering this was once a landfill that was set on fire every Saturday to dispose of Beacon’s garbage, it’s a crime not to name this beautiful park after the man responsible for making it happen. The views are wonderful, the breeze coming off the river is bracing, and the playgrounds are great for kids.

Best Sit Down Restaurant
The Piggy Bank
448 Main St.
845.838.0028

Let’s hope that next year, this isn’t such an obvious choice. When friends or family are in town, the Piggy Bank is a good place to show them they haven’t left civilization altogether. Frankly, I’ve found the ribs to be inconsistent, and the prices are more like Manhattan, but the southern style barbeque is generally pretty tasty. And the ambience is one of a kind. How many other restaurants do you know that use an old bank vault as a wine closet?

Best Wine / Liquor / Beer Store
Beacon Wine Shoppe & Liquor
335 Main Street
845.831.1020
Hours: M - S, 9-7

Another pleasant surprise here in Beacon is the wine selection at Beacon Wine Shoppe & Liquor. Whether you’re looking for a red wine from Australia, Spain, or France, chances are they’ll have what you need. The service is also great – how can I say otherwise when I owe Skip $2.38 from my last purchase? I came up short when buying wine for my mother-in-law, and he spotted me the difference on the spot. Class act.