It's a wrap, holiday markets, events and a little outrage 🌟

Shop Local, shop local & then shop local

You're busy, AND click-through shopping is easier than ever, but our neighborhood shops depend on us more in December, than any other time of the year.

Do you like gift buying lists? I'm a fan of Marni Elyse Katz (@StyleCarrot),since her guides pay attention to brick & mortar stores. Here's a recent list which also includes an adorable Henry Bears Park item.

Get out and attend some local events this week and weekend! There's a few mentioned below.

This holiday season, be sure to share the Local First ethic with your friends and family. Share this email, as a step in that direction!

-Lucas

Upcoming Events

Thursday Dec. 14th. The Garment District hosts Boston Hassle's "Confront Your Issues" party and art pop-up! DJ's and Artists come together from 6-9 pm
SBN, the Sustainable Business Network is holding their Winter Gala at the Somerville Armory on Thursday the 14th from 7 - 10pm.
Thursday Dec. 14th from 4-7 pm, Oona's in Harvard Square is having a shopping party / Trunk Show featuring Artemis Design Co. They'll be set up through the weekend. Drop in and meet new Oona's owner Marianna!
Sunday Dec. 17th from 11 - 5. Gather Here's Holiday Market kicks off again. It's spilling out to neighboring Inman businesses this year. Word is, Miriam Buchelli will be selling her hard to find "Amazing Cambridge" coloring books!

Member News

Are you interested in the mixed use "urban destinations" which are popping up all over? They're a specialty of Inman Square's Prellwitz Chillinky & Assoc (PCA)... Read more here!
Do you know a funny kid? Boston Improv (famous for adult classes) also offers a bunch of Laughter Classes for kids only. They include Saturday's & Tuesday After-School!
Deep respect to Naveo Credit Union. They're always raising money for worthy causes! Most recently they raised enough to buy FOUR beds for homeless children through the A Bed for Every Child program. It encapsulates WHY friends make friends - BANK LOCAL.

National items we're watching

Last month we shared here, that the Small Business Association started down the path of buying bad research. Now the SBA wants feedback on how to best "revamp" their agency. Here's a link to their own survey. Why not tell the SBA to actually focus on Small Businesses, not the highest bidders and rhetoric.

AMAZON WATCH

Congress has written language into a bill (known as the "Amazon Amendment") which promotes online purchasing for the Department of Defense's "off the shelf" procurement. Coincidentally (sic) the division "Amazon Business" has been ramping up capacity & positioning itself to usurp the lions-share of that $53 Billion in annual spending.

How perverse was the Amazon HQ2 bidding? Numerous proposals have invited Amazon to establish roots within our municipal governments. Do you think it couldn't happen here? Think again, the Massachusetts Amazon HQ2 proposal includes an offer of an "Amazon Task Force" in which City of Boston employees will work on Amazon's behalf.

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