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Small Business Saturday, Hanukkah, college football: 5 things you need to know this weekend

Small Business Saturday, Hanukkah, college football: 5 things you need to know this weekend

Jewish community celebrates Hanukkah

Hanukkah, or the Festival of Lights, starts Sunday and ends on Dec. 6. The eight-day Jewish celebration commemorates the rededication of the Second Temple in Jerusalem during the second century B.C. The event occurred when Jews rose up against Greek-Syrian rulers in the Maccabean Revolt and drove them out of Jerusalem. To mark their victory, Jews wanted to reclaim the temple and light the menorah, but only found enough pure olive oil for one day. That one-day supply lasted eight and is considered a miracle. To mark the holiday, Jews light one candle each evening on a nine-branched menorah. Traditional dishes are often fried in oil: Latkes and sufganiyot (doughnuts) are among the most popular food items

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Ohio State-Michigan tops must-see college football games for Week 13

It's called Rivalry Week for a reason. Your favorite college football team is probably playing a school you really, really want to beat. And the headliner of must-see games for Week 13 is one of the sport’s most intense rivalries: Ohio State vs. Michigan (Saturday, noon ET, Fox). The Michigan Wolverines (10-1) are ranked No. 6 in the USA TODAY Sports AFCA Coaches Poll and No. 5 by the College Football Playoff committee. The Ohio State Buckeyes (10-1) are ranked No. 3 in the coaches poll and second in the playoff rankings. The winner claims a spot in the Big East title game. Here are three other must-see games: No. 2 Alabama at Auburn (3:30 p.m. ET, CBS), No. 9 Oklahoma at No. 7 Oklahoma State (7:30 p.m. ET, ABC), and Oregon State at No. 11 Oregon (3:30 p.m. ET, ESPN).

Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh walks on the field after an NCAA college football game against Maryland, Saturday, Nov. 20, 2021, in College Park, Md. Michigan won 59-18. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh walks on the field after an NCAA college football game against Maryland, Saturday, Nov. 20, 2021, in College Park, Md. Michigan won 59-18. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)

Small Business Saturday takes shopping focus to Main St.

Online sales have redefined holiday shopping, and Small Business Saturday no longer has to include a trip to an art fair or marketplace to find crafty gifts with a personalized touch. With the intent to encourage support of local businesses, platforms like Etsy are making shopping from independent craftspeople easy through smart phone applications and online. Amazon is also finding its footing in the handmade sales space with Amazon Handmade, a part of its platform meant for creators to sell their goods. There are plenty of ways to support small brands, without leaving your home.

Helen Mirren makes her debut in the Harry Potter world

Helen Mirren is oddly absent from the Harry Potter film franchise that proved close to a full-employment act for Britain’s acting greats. But she’s found her own path into its magical world. Dame Helen, as the Oscar, Emmy and Tony-winning actor is properly addressed, makes her debut as a quiz host with “Harry Potter: Hogwarts Tournament of Houses," a weekly, four-part series debuting Sunday. In episode one, contestants representing the Gryffindor and Hufflepuff houses field trivia questions about J.K. Rowling’s novels-turned-films in a bid to claim a championship trophy and prizes. Mirren's admiration for the Harry Potter series rings true though she has been open about her feelings about never being a part of the film franchise: "I never actually got to play in the 'Harry Potter' films. I don't know why," Mirren told Access Online earlier this week, jokingly adding, "I'm rather upset about it quite honestly."

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Walmart holds first shoppable livestream on Twitter

Walmart will kick off its “CyberWeek” sale with the first shoppable livestream on Twitter. It starts 7 p.m. ET Sunday with a 30-minute variety show hosted by musician Jason Derulo. “This will be the first time a brand in the U.S. has leveraged this capability on Twitter and I’m excited to bring customers incredible deals on a platform they already love during the most joyful shopping season of the year,” said William White, Walmart’s chief marketing officer. The world’s largest retailer said there will be discounts on toys, electronics, fashion, beauty and home products during the Cyber Monday sale. Deals will be available while supplies last.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Small Business Saturday, Hanukkah, college football