Christmas is four weeks away and next weekend shopping locally is promoted with Small Business Saturday. One week from today is the day to frequent small businesses. Sarah Grunewaldt, director of Main Street Washington, says for every dollar spent locally 72 cents stays in the community, which helps fund public projects like building roads and public entities like fire departments and schools. For each dollar spent out of town or online, only about 30 cents comes back to the local community.

Also, next Saturday, November 26th, Santa Claus will make his seasonal debut in downtown Washington and he’s excited. He’ll first be at Breakfast with Santa and then at his workshop on the north side of the square at 110 West Main Street from 1 to 4 p.m. Santa will also be in the square at 7 p.m. for the annual lighting ceremony and the holiday lighted parade.