DATEBOOK: Book sale at Okotoks Public Library this weekend

Arts & Culture, Books

The Western Wheel’s Datebook is a listing of upcoming events, activities and meetings taking place throughout the Foothills. If you would like to submit a non-commercial listing to be included in the Datebook, please email [email protected].             

              

The Okotoks Public Library has launched its Christmas colouring contests for kids and adults. Drop in to pick up your colouring page from one of the library’s service desks or print a copy from the website. okotokslibrary.ca   

        

The Utilities Consumer Advocate, in partnership with the Town of Okotoks, is hosting a free presentation to help residents and businesses navigate Alberta’s utility market. Utility 101: Make Informed Choices for Your Energy Needs will be held on Wednesday, Nov. 20 from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Environmental Education Centre. okotoks.ca  

  

Foothills Writers Group meets on the third Thursday of the month at the Okotoks Public Library from 6 to 8 p.m. The group is a community of local authors whose goal is to encourage and support writers during their creative journey. The group includes members new to the writing world and published authors. [email protected]                               

                               

A Memory Cafe will be held on the fourth Friday of the month from 1 to 2:30 p.m. at Griffiths Centre in Diamond Valley. It’s an opportunity for people with memory loss and their caregivers to meet for mutual support. Call 403-969-6040 for details.                         

                         

The Friends of the Okotoks Public Library are hosting a book sale at the library on Friday, Nov. 22 from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Saturday, Nov. 23 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. All books, DVDs and audiobooks are by donation. okotokslibrary.ca  

  

The final Sound Bath for 2024 is on Friday, Nov. 22 at 7 p.m. at Sheep River Library. Immerse yourself in the soothing session of a Himalayan healing sound bath. As you allow the sounds to wash over you, feel your stress melt away, leaving you revitalized, refreshed and renewed. Bring along a yoga mat, blanket and two pillows. Cost: $25. Call 403-933-3278 to register. 

   

Light Up Okotoks, a kick-off celebration to the holiday season featuring the lighting of the community Christmas tree, will be held on Friday, Nov. 22 from 5:30 to 9 p.m. There will be festivities throughout the downtown core, including wagon rides, fire pits, choir performances and more. okotoks.ca   

   

Weekly Jam Sessions at the Okotoks and District Seniors Club are held on Fridays from 7 to 9 p.m. Musicians and singers are welcome as well as those that want to listen, sing along or dance to the tunes. Entrance fee is $2.                    

                          

Pop-up art class with Trish Draper will be held at Sheep River Library on Saturday, Nov. 23 from 10 a.m. to noon. Come to this workshop and create all things with a bear theme. Cost: $40 per child. Call 403-933-3278 to register. 

  

Weekly 45-minute OM chanting sessions are held at the Okotoks Public Library to lift your energy and mood. Always free, open to drop-ins. Sessions are held on Saturdays at 10:30 a.m. sharp, so arrive early to get a seat. okotokslibrary.ca                 

                  

The Okotoks Legion will hold meat draws (nine) every Saturday at the Elks Hall. Doors open at noon for a perogie meal. Tickets are $1 and draws run from 1 to 3:30 p.m.                

                   

Buddhist meditation classes will be held at the Okotoks Public Library every Monday from 7 to 8:15 p.m. until Dec 9. There’s a drop-in fee of $15. www.MeditateInOkotoks.org     

     

Heebee-jeebees Christmas will be held at Old Church Theatre on Wednesday, Nov. 27 at 7:30 p.m. The Heebee-jeebees are an internationally acclaimed, award-winning, comic a cappella group born and raised in Calgary. Tickets are $35 in advance, $45 at the door. okotoks.ca  

  

Okotoks Elks will be hosting a Christmas charity garage sale on Saturday, Nov. 30 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Okotoks Elks Hall. All items are only $1. There will be all kinds of electronics, toys, household goods, winter coats, Christmas items and more. All proceeds go to the Okotoks Food Bank.  

A Christmas Décor Swap will be held on Saturday, Nov. 30 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Environmental Education Centre. Donate holiday decorations or pick up new ones. okotoks.ca  

  

The Cederstrand Foundation’s second annual sledge hockey tournament will be held on Saturday, Nov. 30 from 2:45 to 5:45 p.m. at Viking Rentals Centre. Watch the fun or try a roller sled. All proceeds will be used to purchase adaptive sporting equipment. cederstrandfoundation.com 

 

The next show in the Beneath the Arch concert series will feature the Andrew Collins Trio on Saturday, Nov. 30 at 7 p.m. at the Flare N Derrick Community Hall in Diamond Valley. beneaththearch.ca  

  

United Church in the Valley hosts two performances of Christmas with The Travelling Mabels on Tuesday, Dec. 3 at 7 p.m. and Wednesday, Dec. 4 at 6 p.m. thetravellingmabels.com  

  

Foothills Brass Christmas concert at Old Church Theatre on Wednesday, Dec. 4 at 7:30 p.m. The quintet’s repertoire ranges from Renaissance to ragtime, Bach to the Beatles, with a healthy dose of jazz, Dixieland, blues and even country. okotoks.ca  

  

The Okotoks Public Library hosts Bedtime Stories with Santa on Thursday, Dec. 5 from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Wear your jammies and snuggle up with your loved ones in this free, all-ages event as Santa shares Christmas stories. okotokslibrary.ca 

 A new season of Social Nights at DeWinton Hall continues on Friday, Dec. 6. Learn a fun 15-minute line dance, followed by an hour-long Double Shuffle lesson and a social evening until 10 p.m. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. and lessons begin at 7 p.m. sharp. Tickets are $27 per person, and available by calling 403-938-2525 or email [email protected]. Complimentary snacks and free parking.   

   

If you scrapbook or make your own cards, join the Foothills Scrapbookers on Saturday, Dec. 7 at the Best Western Plus Okotoks Inn & Suites for a full day of paper crafting. RSVP by texting Mel at 403-651-1780. 

 

Light-Up Diamond Valley 2024 will be held on Saturday, Dec. 7 from 5 to 9 p.m. The area around Government Road and Centre Avenue in Black Diamond will come alive with holiday lights, treats and surprises from local businesses. diamondvalley.town/Light-Up  

The Okotoks Festive Film Festival will take place at Okotoks Cinemas on Saturday, Dec. 14 from 5 to 9:30 p.m. One of a handful of dedicated Christmas film festivals, it will show short films from around the world and is screening the new feature film Nochebuena. showpass.com/okotoks-festive-film-festival  

  

Christmas Storytime with Mayor Thorn will be held at the Okotoks Public Library on Saturday, Dec. 21 from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. okotokslibrary.ca 

 

Are you new to Okotoks and area, looking to meet new people and learn about the community? If so, consider attending a Women’s Newcomers meeting. They are held on the first Tuesday of each month at 7 p.m. at Holy Cross Lutheran Church, 20 Banister Gate, Okotoks. For more information, call Verna Schneider at 1-306-961-2364.       

       

The Solace Grief Support Society offers free individual/group grief counselling with 6 p.m. start times on the following dates: Zoom group: third Thursday; in-person group: first Wednesday at Okotoks Public Library, third Thursday at Jacks Place in High River; men’s group: second Tuesday at Okotoks Public Library, fourth Tuesday at High River Library. Register at 403-601-3312 or [email protected].     

     

The Sheep River parkrun, a free weekly five-kilometre run/walk, is held every Saturday at 9 a.m. The loop begins and ends at the picnic shelter in Sheep River Park, and is suitable for all ages and fitness levels. sheepriverparkrun.ca                           

                            You can record, edit and upload your own podcasts at the Sheep River Library in Diamond Valley in its soundproofed recording space. Equipment and training are provided so you can get your podcasts out into the world. Call 403-933-3278 to book a time or get more information.                      

                      

All songwriters and poets are invited to join a new songwriting club, Foothills Song Writers Troupe, with meetings on the first Sunday of every month at 2 p.m. Group is for encouragement, growth and sharing love of writing. Ask to join the private Facebook group (Foothills Song Writers Troupe).  

  

A Memory Cafe will be held on the first Wednesday of the month from 1 to 2:30 p.m. at the Okotoks Seniors Club. It’s an opportunity for people with memory loss and their caregivers to meet for mutual support. Call 403-969-6040 for details.                               

                                

The Rotary Club of Okotoks meets on the first and third Wednesdays of every month at 6 p.m. at the Crystal Ridge Golf Club. okotoksrotary.ca                               

                               

An ELL (English Language Learning) class is held every Thursday from 6:15 to 7:30 p.m. at the Okotoks Public Library. Learn vocabulary that will help you in everyday situations in classes facilitated by YMCA LINC instructor Deb Payne. Classes are free and drop-in. okotokslibrary.ca                               

                               

The Okotoks Chess Club meets every Wednesday from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at the Okotoks Public Library. The free club aims to improve chess play and maintains a friendly environment where learning takes priority over winning. Chess sets and clocks are available. All ages welcome, drop in. [email protected]                            

                            

The LEGO Club meets every Wednesday from 3:30 to 4:45 p.m. at the Okotoks Public Library. Kids aged six to 12 can enjoy playing with LEGO and meeting new friends in the free, drop-in activity. okotokslibrary.ca 

Cape Breton publisher donating proceeds from Christmas book

Arts & Culture, Books

SYDNEY — Breton Books is once again donating $1,000 worth of sales from its 11th annual Cape Breton’s Christmas collection.
The book, edited and compiled by Ron Caplan, features stories from Cape Breton’s about Christmases past.
Through the summer, Caplan approached people randomly to ask if they had a Christmas story to share.
Those who did were asked to write it down and submit it for the 11th edition of Cape Breton’s Christmas.
There are 50 stories in this year’s collection including the tale of the girl who was trapped under a Christmas tree and the story of a hitchhike home for the holidays.
As in past years, proceeds from sales of the book are being donated to help make the Christmas season brighter for people in need.
“People see this as a win-win-win project,” said Caplan in a press release.
“It gets people writing, it saves hundreds of stories we rarely share, and it continues to make a substantial donation to Feed Nova Scotia.”
The launch of this year’s Cape Breton Christmas is Dec. 3 at the McConnell Library in Sydney at 6 p.m.
Cape Breton’s Christmas is available in stores around Cape Breton and across Canada and sells for $21.95.
It can

TikTok owner ByteDance to publish print books

Arts & Culture, Books

ByteDance, the company that owns TikTok, will begin publishing print books in February.The company already publishes ebooks through its imprint 8th Note Press, but will begin selling physical copies in book shops early next year.The imprint will primarily publish genres that are popular on BookTok – the buzzy corner of TikTok where users share book recommendations. These include romance, contemporary fiction, young adult and romantasy – a blend of “romance” and “fantasy”.Books will be published in partnership with Zando, an independent publishing company.8th Note Press’s first print title, On Screen & Off Again by Caitlin Cross, will be published on 4 February. Billed as a “romantic will-they-won’t-they debut with a Hollywood twist”, the novel follows childhood sweethearts Wilhelmina Chase and Daxon Avery, once the stars of a hit kids TV show, as they reconnect in their twenties.The imprint’s second print title, released on 18 March, will be The Last Man in Paradise by Syed M Masood, which is about a young Muslim American man reconciling with his estranged family.To Have and Have More, by Sanibel, will arrive on 15 April. “Told through the eyes of a Korean girl adopted into a wealthy white family, this darkly funny debut explores casual racism, privilege and the complexities of friendship,” says the imprint.8th Note Press will be trend-led. “We’re thinking first: what do people like reading, who is reading these books, how are people talking about these books, how are these conversations happening online, and where?” Jacob Bronstein, head of editorial and marketing at ByteDance, told the New York Times last month. “Genre comes second.”skip past newsletter promotionafter newsletter promotionTikTok has had a major impact on the publishing industry and bestseller charts in the last few years. For authors such as Colleen Hoover and Sarah J Maas, BookTok clout has translated to massive sales.In May, the imprint will publish Learning to Fall by Peach Morris, which the publisher describes as a YA debut “about found family and queer awakening, set in the lively world of roller derby, perfect for fans of Whip It and Heartstopper”.Other forthcoming print titles from 8th Note Press include Marina Adair’s Love to Hate You, described as a “modern twist on You’ve Got Mail”, and time travel romance The Lost Saint by Rachael Craw, both coming in June.Since launching in August 2023, 8th Note Press has published ebook versions of a handful of titles including Gator Queen and Swamp Princess by Tara Lush, which are mystery romances, and Bespoke & Bespelled by Karen Healey, described as a “witchy” romance.

New York Judge Cancels Sentencing for Trump in Business Records Case

Business News

Sentencing delays raise questions about the future of the Manhattan District Attorney’s case against President-elect Donald Trump.
By yourNEWS Media Newsroom
New York Supreme Court Justice Juan Merchan has canceled the sentencing of President-elect Donald Trump in the Manhattan business records case, sparking speculation about the case’s trajectory. Sentencing, originally scheduled for July and postponed to Nov. 26, was adjourned indefinitely following a Nov. 22 order from Merchan.
The decision comes after Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg’s office and Trump’s legal team jointly requested the delay. The case, stemming from allegations of falsified business records, now faces new deadlines for legal motions and responses.
Key Developments

Nov. 22 Order: Justice Merchan granted the adjournment and set a Dec. 2 deadline for Trump’s attorneys to file a motion to dismiss the case, with a response from Bragg’s office required by Dec. 9.
Post-Election Changes: Following Trump’s victory in the presidential election earlier this month, the court had already stayed case deadlines until Nov. 19.

A letter from Trump’s attorneys submitted on Nov. 19 argued for dismissal of the case, while Bragg’s office signaled no objection to postponing the sentencing date.
Implications for the Case
The delays have raised questions about the future of the prosecution, with Trump’s legal team expected to argue for the case’s dismissal. The Manhattan District Attorney’s office, led by Alvin Bragg, will face the challenge of justifying the continuation of proceedings against the incoming president.
Legal experts have suggested that the shifting timelines and Trump’s electoral victory could complicate the case. “The decision to adjourn sentencing reflects the evolving dynamics of this high-profile case, particularly given the unique circumstances of Trump’s presidency,” one analyst commented.
Looking Ahead
As the Dec. 2 deadline for Trump’s dismissal motion approaches, all eyes are on the Manhattan District Attorney’s office to see how it will respond. The case’s outcome could have significant implications for Trump’s legal battles as he prepares to assume the presidency in January.

yourNEWS.com is a premier news dissemination platform operating at local, state, and national levels. Our unwavering commitment lies in the restoration of journalistic integrity. We envision news delivery in its purest form: untainted by bias and firmly grounded in truth. Embracing transparency, we refrain from censorship. By circumventing the gatekeepers of misinformation and government narratives, we empower ‘the people’ with the rightful control over the press. yourNEWS is on the cusp of reshaping the media landscape, cultivating the largest news platform globally. We are not just forecasting change—we’re creating it. The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not reflect the official position of yourNEWS. (Note: Articles may not be original content. Reference byline for original source.)

This cosy London cafe has been ‘ruined’ by tourists — and locals are furious 

Travel

It’s no longer a hidden gem after appearing on TikTok (Picture: @qwcafe/@lauracolciago)
There’s nothing more heartbreaking than watching your favourite local spot change from a hidden gem to a tourist-filled nightmare, as more people catch onto its charm. 
In the age of social media, this can happen seemingly overnight, thanks to recommendations spreading like wildfire on TikTok and Instagram 
A recent victim of this trend is Queen’s Wood Cafe community cafe nestled in Highgate, north London.
Once a quiet place to relax amid the woodlands, the small wooden hut has seen hundreds of social media recommendations over the past few weeks. 
TikTokers have declared it ‘London’s most magical cafe’, with some claiming it’s ‘like stepping back in time’. 
However, the quiet spot is now very much on the radar, with locals complaining it’s been ‘ruined’ and is no longer a hidden gem.
Laura Colciago recently shared her visit on TikTok, revealing a queue that extends well beyond the cafe’s porch and snakes its way into the forest.
In the caption of the video, the TikTok user wrote: ‘Once a hidden gem, now just another Instagram-fuelled queue. The charming Highgate cafe is now just another social media hotspot – such a shame.’
The short clip has received over 690,000 views and hundreds of comments, with locals equally frustrated. 
One user, lomakesmagic, wrote: ‘Crying because this is down the street from me and was always dead. Please let north London have something.’ 
‘I’m furious,’ said another. ‘This was my happy place, like my most sacred little corner of the earth for years.’
A third, fernbs1, added: ‘Thank you so much for highlighting this. This is my local cafe where I walk the dog and now I can’t use it because it is always full. It never used to be like this.’

Latest London news

To get the latest news from the capital visit Metro.co.uk’s London news hub.

Some questioned the ‘point’ of standing in such a long queue, while z.2148 claimed: ‘TikTok has ruined London food culture.’
‘The whole charm of this was that it was a cosy spot,’ lou_d, wrote. ‘Even if you get a seat, it won’t be relaxing having queued all that time.’

One local wrote: ‘I’m furious. This was my happy place’ (Picture: @qwcafe/instagram)
Yet there were some users who were happier others had discovered the spot, including JustLou who wrote: ‘It’s a beautiful place to visit, I’m pleased others have found this little piece of happiness in amongst the stress of life.’

‘Sorry locals but doesn’t everyone else deserve to enjoy a nice spot?’ questioned ooshkaaa, along with those who claimed the traction might bring ‘great business’ for the owners.
Queen’s Wood Cafe was set up as a community hub over 20 years ago, according to its website.
It boasts a ‘range of wholesome homemade food and pastries baked fresh daily, as well as events, therapy sessions and a tranquil place to hang out.’

Metro has contacted the cafe for comment.
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Get in touch by emailing [email protected].
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Netflix’s Christmas Movies Are Dominating—Here’s What’s Following ‘Hot Frosty’

Arts & Culture, Film & TV

ToplineTwo of Netflix’s newest Christmas films are already dominating the streamer’s most-watched charts—and more are on the way—as holiday movies starring early 2000s stars and Hallmark’s “Queen of Christmas” capture audiences.

Key Facts

“Meet Me Next Christmas,” a romantic comedy starring Christina Milian and Devale Ellis, released Nov. 6 to become the most-watched movie of the week with 18.1 million views in its first five days.

It stayed high on the streamer’s most-watched list in its second week, from Nov. 11 to Nov. 17, but fell to second place with 11.8 million views behind “Hot Frosty,” which was watched 16 million times in its first five days.

“Hot Frosty,” which sees a magical snowman comes to life and court a widow, made waves on social media after its release for its recognizable cast that includes the so-called “Queen of Christmas” Lacey Chabert (she’s featured in dozens of holiday films for the channel), Dustin Milligan (“Schitt’s Creek”) and Craig Robinson (“The Office”).

The film’s out-there premise (also a “Mean Girls” reference) has been called “unhinged” and “over-the-top cringe” but also “perfect” and something “everybody needs to go watch.”

“One Tree Hill” actor Chad Michael Murray stars in Netflix’s third holiday release, “The Merry Gentlemen,” which released Wednesday and quickly dethroned “Hot Frosty” in Netflix’s top 10 list.

Get Forbes Breaking News Text Alerts: We’re launching text message alerts so you’ll always know the biggest stories shaping the day’s headlines. Text “Alerts” to (201) 335-0739 or sign up here: joinsubtext.com/forbes.Lacey Chabert as Kathy Barrett and Dustin Milligan as Jack Snowman in “Hot Frosty.” Petr Maur / Netflix © 2024

Crucial Quote
“I just watched the movie Netflix made about the sexy snowman that turns into Ted from ‘Schitt’s Creek,’ gets arrested by Daryl from ‘The Office’ and falls in love with Gretchen Weiners from ‘Mean Girls,’ and I cannot express how worth the hour and a half it was to watch this,” TikTok musician Emhahee said in a video that now has more than 3 million views. “Art isn’t dead.”
Big Number
82%. That’s the Rotten Tomatoes score for “Hot Frosty,” among the top of Netflix original movies so far this year, despite reviews that call it “immensely dumb” and “generically saccharine.” “Meet Me Next Christmas” has a 69%.
When To Watch All Of Netflix’s 2024 Original Holiday Movies
“Meet Me Next Christmas” (Nov. 6) — Layla (Milian), a hopeless romantic, races around New York City to score a ticket to the holiday season’s most in-demand concert in hopes of impressing the man of her dreams, but becomes smitten with a helpful concierge (Ellis) along the way.

“Hot Frosty” (Nov. 13) — Two years after the death of her husband, Kathy (Chabert) accidentally brings a snowman (Milligan) to life who helps her rediscover the magic of Christmas.
“The Merry Gentlemen” (Nov. 20) — A professional dancer (Britt Robertson) decides to host an all-male revue in her hometown to save her parent’s failing bar, and recruits handyman Luke (Murray) to help.Chad Michael Murray as Luke and Hector David Jr. as Ricky in “The Merry Gentlemen.” Katrina Marcinowski/Netflix © 2024
“Our Little Secret” (Nov. 27) — Two exes (Lindsay Lohan and Ian Harding) discover they’re dating siblings and are forced to spend Christmas together.
“That Christmas” (Dec. 4) — A trilogy of children’s books is brought to life in this animated Christmas comedy with a cast including Brian Cox (“Succession”), Jodie Whittaker (“Doctor Who”) and Bill Nighy (“Love Actually”).
“Carry-On” (Dec. 13) — A TSA agent (Taron Egerton) is blackmailed into letting a dangerous package onto a plane in a Christmas-themed thriller.Taron Egerton as Ethan Kopek in “Carry-On.” Sam Lothridge/Netflix © 2024.
Surprising Fact
Netflix is also releasing holiday-centric TV shows and one musical special. “A Nonsense Christmas with Sabrina Carpenter” is a holiday special featuring surprise musical guests and performances from Carpenter’s holiday EP “Fruitcake.” It debuts at 9 p.m. Friday, Dec. 6. Two seasonal baking shows — “Is It Cake? Holiday” (Nov. 28) and “The Great British Baking Show: Holidays” (Dec. 9)—are releasing on the streamer, and iconic holiday actress Keira Knightley (“Love Actually”) stars in thriller series called “Black Doves” set against the backdrop of London at Christmas. The show’s first season releases Dec. 5.
Tangent
The Hallmark Channel has been making its way up the cable charts since news holiday films started debuting in October. In the week of Nov. 11 to 17, the latest Nielsen data available, Hallmark rose to be the third most-popular channel in primetime and total-day viewership, beating out both MSNBC and CNN. Fifteen films have been released so far, and “Santa Tell Me” is the most-watched to date with 2.7 million total viewers.

Further Reading

Small Business Saturday Is Going Strong After 15 Years And Generating $201 Billion

Business News

Small Business Saturday (SBS), the day set aside by American Express for shopping small after consumers shop big on Black Friday, is expected to draw 64.4 million shoppers this year, according to the National Retail Federation.

While SMS will draw only about half the shoppers as Black Friday when 132 million people are expected, some 8% more shoppers are anticipated this year than on Small Business Saturday in 2019. And this year’s traffic boost is set against a backdrop where brick-and-mortar retail foot traffic is down some 3% from last year, according to Joe Shasteen of RetailNext.

Small businesses have an added psychological advantage on their shopping day as compared with big retailers on Black Friday. Consumers can see and feel the good they are doing with every purchase when patronizing small businesses.

Giving Back
Yes, big retailers employ consumers’ neighbors, but small businesses are embedded in the very fabric of their communities. A dollar spent at a neighborhood small business is a virtual gift to the community with some 68 cents recycled back into the local economy.

Plus this year, Small Business Saturday shoppers will have an opportunity to give back to the recovery of small businesses in communities impacted by Hurricanes Helene and Milton.
For every purchase made on an eligible American Express card at qualifying businesses, American Express will donate $1 to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation. This is in addition to the $5 million that American Express has committed to help 1,000 small businesses in their hurricane recovery.

Small Business Saturday got its start in 2010 as the economy was coming out of the pandemic. It was an immediate success and has continued to grow over the last 15 years with Amex estimating that it has contributed $201 billion to local economies in that time.

“What we have continued to do every year is to reinforce a movement to shop small,” said Jessica Ling, executive vice president of global brand advertising for American Express where she overseas the Shop Small brand platform. “We are committed to rallying consumers around the power of shopping small.”

Answering The Call
Shoppers are responding to the rallying cry. Some 75% of the 1,000 American adults surveyed by Amex in October believe small businesses are essential to their communities and 63% feel a personal connection to their community when shopping small.
And an overwhelming 85% say they are committed to shopping small throughout the holiday shopping season with Millennials and GenZ (88%) even more devoted to the shop small movement.
Small businesses are counting on shoppers to support them this holiday season. Over 80% of the 500 small businesses surveyed said that Small Business Saturday will be more important than ever, up from 48% in 2023 and 87% expect their holiday sales to be stronger than last year, despite the impact of inflation and the stepped up promotional activity of major retailers.
Conscientious Consumers Shop Small
Another psychological advantage small businesses have this year is the growing trend toward conscientious consumerism and so-called “slow shopping,” which is the very definition of leisurely strolling along Main Street and intentionally shopping small.
Conscientious consumers think twice about making purchases, prioritizing needs over desires and looking to support brands and retailers that are good environmental stewards and conduct business ethically.
While big retailers and brands make a lot of noise around their environmental, social and governance (ESG) policies, consumers see the good works from those policies in action when they patronize small businesses in their local communities. Seeing is believing.
Championing Small Business
For the past 15 years, small businesses are grateful to American Express for championing their contributions to local communities.
And in Jessica Ling, American Express has found someone uniquely qualified to champion their cause. She grew up in a small business family that owned a string of Chinese restaurants in New Jersey.
“My first job in high school was working the takeout counter,” she shared with me. “I know exactly what it is like to come from a family of entrepreneurs where you don’t get the weekend or holidays off.
“So I grew up with a lot of heart and passion for small business. It’s been an absolute pleasure to join American Express in this opportunity to work for and with small businesses.”
See Also:

Help Tony raise funds for St John’s Hospice in Lancaster by donating money for his third book

Arts & Culture, Books

Watch more of our videos on ShotsTV.com and on Freeview 262 or Freely 565Visit Shots! nowA supporter of St John’s Hospice in Lancaster wants to raise money for the charity by donations for a third book he has written.In 2022 Tony Kadelbach, 93, of Bare, decided to dedicate his time and write his second book ‘That Strikes a Chord – Reflections on a Lifetime of Music’ in aid of St John’s Hospice.He kindly decided that all proceeds from the sales of the book will go towards funding the vital care provided in the community.He also reprinted his first book ‘One More Step Along The Road’ to raise further funds for the Hospice.Author Tony Kadelbach with a member of the fundraising team at St John’s Hospice holding one of his books.Now he has written a third book about his trips to Canada with his wife to see family living over there.Tony said: “This summer I thought I would write a book about Canada. Over 20 years my late wife Iris and I went to Canada. In 1995 some of my family emigrated to Canada and we said over 20 years we would go and visit and the book is based on our adventures over that period.”We went to various places off the beaten track and the book is based on notes and diaries over the years.”It’s a travelogue of discovery! This is the third book I have done and is the most ambitious one I have done so far.”It will be quite interesting for people to read and would make an ideal Christmas present.”With his first two books, Tony raised over £2,900 for Cancer Research, the Alzheimer’s Society and St John’s Hospice.His first book was called ‘One More Step Along The Road’ and his second book was called ‘That Strikes a Chord – Reflections on a Lifetime of Music’. Tony said: “For my new book I’m asking for a minimum donation of £10 to St John’s Hospice. So far I have raised £300 for the hospice.”The book is available at the hospice charity shops and will be featured at the St John’s Hospice Christmas Fair on November 30 and also at Bare Fest.”The hospice is such a worthy cause and it does so much, they need every penny they can get, it all has to be paid for.”The care people receive has to be funded as well.”The books can be purchased at the St John’s Hospice reception and charity shops in the area.Continue Reading