-- CANDACE ANDREWS, Prosser

Thoughts on Black Friday (and Cyber Monday)? Three words: Small Business Saturday.

Being the owner of a new retail shop, I admittedly have a vested interest in encouraging people to spend their dollars at small, local businesses. Whether that means in Prosser or Waitsburg or the Tri-Cities, dollars spent by shopping "small" support local individuals, not multi-national companies, and help small businesses survive and thrive!

Purchases at small shops help our friends and neighbors to be successful, and they in turn help invigorate our local economy. Dollars spent locally also help support local government and local schools.

If you missed the Nov. 24 nationwide Small Business Saturday, no worries -- the owners of your local stores will love to have you shop at their businesses any day of the year!