And how was your weekend? 

Thanksgiving happened, as did Plaid Friday and Oakland in the Black, and now we're galloping toward Christmas, aren't we? At Oakland Local we're all about shopping locally, working with local merchants to build local sales and helping to promote small businesses in our town - the best place to spend money for gifts, goods and food. 

Our top stories this week reflect that interest in local shopping and business - both on our side and on yours. Here's the roundup of top stories this week - make sure to check out everything you missed, especially Bilen Mesfin Packwood and Damon Packwood's first two stories in the Real Oak Folks series (#realoakfolks), which tell the tale of Oakland's African-American leaders, especially Effie Tesfahun, lead organizer of Oakland In the Black.

Beauty's Bagel Shop brings handmade foods, great lunch spot to Oakland - http://bit.ly/ThtmYy

Start-up launches 'Explore Oakland' loyalty card campaign for local restaurants - http://bit.ly/Un60AD

Keeping Oakland in the Black (Community Voices) - http://bit.ly/Thoxyz

Oaktown’s Untold Story (Community Voices) - http://bit.ly/PSw7yB

Port of Oakland shutdown brings union, port officials to bargaining table - http://bit.ly/YhZePI

Dimond district's Paws & Claws offers green supplies, more for Oakland pets - http://bit.ly/R2aEos

The New Parkway Theatre set to open in November - http://bit.ly/QPdIC9

Can Oakland public schools get over the academic hump? - http://bit.ly/S68ra1

'Workshop Weekends' offer all ages a chance to learn science the fun way (Review) - http://bit.ly/QFMYpO

Thanksgiving 2012: Let's remember that spirit of abundance - and support local economy - http://bit.ly/UV7Y83

Local arts, DIY crafts at Patchwork Indie Arts & Crafts Festival - Sunday, Nov. 18 - http://bit.ly/S153vl

Endless Canvas opens a Sistine Chapel of graffiti art (Community Voices) - http://bit.ly/QCZgwo

COME PARTY WITH US - AND SUPPORT OUR WORK IN 2013

Oakland Local is going into our fourth year as the independent news and community site for Oakland and we really need your support. In the coming weeks we'll be sharing some of the successes we've had in the past year as well as what we'd like to in the near and longer term.

Meanwhile, we'd like to invite you to the Oakland Local holiday party on Dec. 13 at Tamarindo in Old Oakland, from 6 to 9 p.m. Marqeta, the developers of the Explore Oakland gift and restaurant card, are sponsoring our party and we'll have drinks, small plates of delicious food, music and fascinating company.

We're also recognizing three Oakland community members and leaders with the first Oakland Voices Awards; we will share more about who those folks are soon. Come out and help honor folks who are making positive change in Oakland, and support Oakland Local at the same time.

You can RSVP for the party right here, and we'd love to see you.