🌱 Small Business Saturday + New Omicron Variant + Tree Farm List

Rise and shine, Denver! Let's get you started with everything you need to know going on today in town, including Small Business Saturday, an antibody treatment clinic, the new omicron variant and where to find a real Christmas tree in Denver.

First, today's weather:

You can expect sunshine and cooler weather, with a high of 52 and a low of 35.

Here are the top stories today in Denver:

1. Local businesses in Colorado hope to make the most of Small Business Saturday and other promotions as the coronavirus pandemic continues to redefine the holiday shopping season. Retailers and personal care businesses, such as barbers and hair salons, were among the businesses hardest hit by the pandemic, but have enjoyed a stronger recovery than other sectors, according to a new study. (Patch)
2. A monoclonal antibody treatment clinic continues today in Denver. The clinic aims to help those who are at high risk of developing severe symptoms after they test positive for COVID-19. The clinic is being held from 8 p.m. to 6 p.m. at the Tepeyac Community Health Center. (9News)
3. Humanity can't catch a break: The new omicron variant could be even more infectious than the delta variant, according to the World Health Organization. In response, the United States and Canada joined the European Union and several other countries in instituting travel restrictions on visitors from southern Africa, until the new variant is better understood. (AP via Patch)
4. Did you know that some 350 million Christmas trees are growing in all 50 U.S. states, and 25 million are cut and purchased each year? If a real Christmas tree is on your wish list in 2020, here is a selection of some of our favorite Christmas tree farms near Denver. (Denver Patch)
5. Another way to support Small Business Saturday: The Horseshoe Holiday Market will be held this Saturday and Sunday in Denver's Globeville neighborhood. The market will feature more than 100 small businesses, so it will be a great place to find gifts! (Denver Patch)

Today in metro Denver:

• Horseshoe Holiday Market in Globeville (10 a.m.)
• Mr. Majestyk's 8-Track Revival (8 p.m.)
• Midnight Mass: Secret Late Night Comedy in the Basement of a Church (10 p.m.)

Denver Patch Notebook

• VISIT DENVER: Be sure to shop small this holiday season! From the streets of Cherry Creek North, or Cherry Creek Shopping Center to the holiday markets of Christkindlmarket and Downtown Denver find the perfect trinket for everyone on your list. (Facebook)
• City and County of Denver Government: While COVID-19 vaccines are the best protection against severe illness, hospitalization, and death, public health experts are beginning to see reduced protection, likely due to waning immunity. Booster shots are proven to increase the immune responses of recipients. (Facebook)
• Denver Police Department: It takes seconds, not minutes, for a thief to break into your vehicle and take your valuables, police said. As you take advantage of all those Black Friday and holiday shopping deals, keep this in mind. And here's a few, simple tips. (Facebook)
• Denver Museum of Nature & Science: Plenty of museum deals to catch this weekend! Give the gift of membership and enjoy 10 percent off new memberships all weekend. (Facebook)

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Events:

• Horseshoe Holiday Market on Small Business Saturday Weekend! (Nov. 27)
• Mike Ippolito back LIVE at BOCO Cider! (Nov. 27)
• RiNo Beer and Vintage Holiday Market (Nov. 28)
• Taxes In Retirement Webinar (Dec. 6)
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That's it for today! I'll be back in your inbox tomorrow morning with another update. If you're loving these newsletters, consider inviting some of your friends and neighbors to follow along. You can send them this link to subscribe.

— Amber Fisher

About me: I'm a Patch editor covering news in Denver's metro area and Boulder. I've spent the past nine years working for various news outlets across North America, including Chicago Patch, Global News and WBEZ. I've covered high-profile court cases, civil rights abuses, mass shootings, natural disasters and major crimes — but also countless happy news stories about kindness, innovation and resilience. When I'm not writing articles, I can be found hiking, snowboarding, debating politics with my husband and attempting to be a sci-fi and astronomy geek.

Have a news tip or suggestion for an upcoming Denver Daily? I'm all ears. You can email me at amber.fisher@patch.com.