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Giving Tuesday a chance to give back

We’ve made it through Thanksgiving, Black Friday, Small Business Saturday and Cyber Monday. Maybe we even managed to get the decorations up and catch a little football. What’s next? Giving Tuesday. In what’s been billed as a global generosity movement since 2012, today is a chance to take a deep breath and reflect on how we can make a difference for others — then take action. According to Giving Tuesday Data Commons, an estimated $3.1 billion was donated during last year’s event. Since its establishment 12 years ago, the event has brought in more than $13 billion. ...

Don’t let a fire ruin the holidays

Winter is the peak season for home fires, according to the National Fire Protection Association, the U.S. Fire Administration and the American Red Cross. Cooking and home heating are the leading causes of fire during the winter months. Candles, decorations and Christmas trees are among other cause of fires during the last two months of the year. The joy of the holidays can quickly turn to tragedy if simple safety precautions aren’t taken with decorations. Overall, the American Red Cross reports that 47,000 fires will occur during the winter holidays. They will claim more than 500 ...

Play it safe when you are shopping

The rush for holiday shopping has officially begun. It is a shorter shopping season this year for those who have waited until after Thanksgiving to begin their gift buying. The constant running that surrounds the holiday season means shoppers need to practice common sense and have an awareness of their surroundings in order to make sure they have a safe experience, whether they are at a store or shopping online. Thieves look for the opportunities the season brings. They know store security and police are busy keeping track of people who might be trying to shoplift or work some ...

Be patient and enjoy shopping

Traditional activities celebrated with family and friends always have made the holiday season special. That includes the time-honored shopping sprees of Black Friday, the day after Thanksgiving. At one time it was said to be a day that could make or break the holiday season for merchants, as well as shoppers who were eager to snag a particular gift at a very special price. It involved weeks of planning, getting out of bed before the crack of dawn and waiting outside a store until the doors were finally open. It’s a model that is changing, however, as evolving technology has led ...

Remember spirit of Thanksgiving

Thursday is Thanksgiving Day. That it comes a little more than three weeks after an election that has, in some ways, made divisions in our country only worse does not mean the day should not occur. That it comes as a day when shoppers already have turned their focus on Christmas, causing some people to be more concerned about savvy shopping than about giving thanks does not mean the day is not special. It is a holiday whose name requires no definition beyond the words that make up its very name: Thanks. Giving. Are we approaching the holiday in an attitude of thankfulness? ...

Parades bring season to life

Communities throughout the Tri-State Area will have a little extra sparkle during the next couple of weeks as parades help to celebrate the Christmas season. Parades offer an opportunity for families and friends to gather and celebrate the season, while giving communities a chance to show off the good things they each have to offer. Floats, marching bands, dancing schools, homecoming queens and members of local service organizations will be joined by vehicles representing police and fire departments and other first responders. The highlight of each parade is the arrival of Santa ...