Last week, we shared 6 local turkey trots all taking place bright and early tomorrow. And hey, it’s not too late to register for most of them. See them all here →

Remember when shopping online was fun and exciting? Now, it just feels like another dollar to daddy Bezos — and daddy has enough. So go local.

This year, Piedmont Ave. neighborhood association is pulling out all the stops with an Small Business Saturday featuring dozens of local retailers and vendors.

Deals like:

• 20% off your purchase at Mars Records

• Donate a toy and take 15% off at Maple Denim

• Spend $100 get $10 back at Head or Tails vintage

• And practically every store is pouring free bevies.

Drink, stroll, and keep your dollars in the neighborhood. Win, win, winning.

Holidays are coming in hot. Blink and it’s a new year.

Our advice: get some festivals on the cal. Like yesterday. Good thing you’re here.

Here’s a look at upcoming Holiday festivals in Oakland.

• Joy to the Town | Dec. 5-7 | Full lineup of bar hops, markets, and festivals.

• Piedmont Ave Holiday Tree Lighting | Sunday, Dec. 7 | 4-6:30pm

• Santa Stroll in Laurel | Sunday, Dec. 7 | 1-4pm

• Montclair Holiday Stroll | Thursday, Dec. 11 | 4-8pm

We’ll be sharing more events in the coming issues. Reply if you have any suggestions.

Nov. 28-30

Your East Bay Event Lineup

Our curated list of events for families, couples, and everyone in-between. Got an event you’d like to promote? Send us a reply.

Friday

The 4th Annual BlackOut Holiday Market

Theme of this issue: Keep your dollars in the community. Blackout, the holiday market featuring Black-owned businesses and Black creatives exclusively, is back for a 4th installment Friday and Saturday. Tickets required. | Friday to Saturday, Nov. 28 - 29, 11am-5pm. Oakstop, 2323 Broadway. See Details →

Saturday

Annual Holiday Tree Lighting in Jack London

If you haven’t been to Jack London during the holiday, know this: They’ve got a mighty good tree. See it light up Saturday with live performances and not one, but two laser shows. No specifics given on when the tree lighting is happening, but recommended to arrive early. | Saturday, 5:45-8pm. Jack London Square. See Details →

Sunday

Mochi Factory Tour at Third Culture Bakery

Label this as: “that cool event you heard about in some newsletter.” Sunday the founders of Third Culture Bakery are giving a behind the scenes look at the manufacturing of their famous mochi muffins. Two tours available, the 9am tour was still available at the time of sending this. | Sunday, 9am tour. Third Culture Bakery HQ, 1621 5th Street Berkeley. See Details →

Stories from The Bay

Did a Kentucky Judge just save Oakland millions? — Some good news: A federal judge in Kentucky recently ruled an earlier bankruptcy court’s judgement improper. The case in question: a ruling that would have awarded a coal company hundreds of million paid by, yours truly, City of Oakland.

Arthur Mac’s Oakland location in danger of closing — It’s getting too common these days. Another week, another restaurant IG post asking the community for help. This week, Arthur Mac’s Oakland location. No details given beyond that.

Caltrans considering letting semis on 580  — TIL: For over 74 years, semi trucks have been banned on the 580 stretch between Grand Ave. and San Leandro. But a new proposal may change that — and the reason for or against are complicated. Worth a read.

Town Pet of The Week

Meet Beau, The Golden Retriever

That’s a wrap. Thanks for reading.

Enjoy the holiday, tomorrow. Grateful for you sticking around and subscribing 🙏

And as always, share this with your friends and tell me what you think with a quick reply. Love it. Hate it. It’s all helpful.

-Kolby
Oaktown Weekly

P.S. We’re posting more frequently on IG. Give us a follow and drop a like.