Good morning,

We’re launching into a long weekend with a short newsletter today, starting with a refresher about what we call “The Hierarchy of Shopping.”

When making your buying decisions

• First: Shop at a local independent business.
• Second: Shop at a local chain
• Third: Shop online with a small retailer or brand.
• Fourth: Review steps one to three one final time.
• Fifth: Give in and buy from a major online site if you truly need it.

Memorial Day Weekend Events

• Newton:  The Memorial Day Parade steps off at 3 p.m. on Sunday, May 25, from Newton North High School to Coletti-Magni Park in Nonantum. Observance begins the following day, 10 a.m. on Monday, at Newton Cemetery with remarks from Mayor Ruthanne Fuller.
• Needham: Ceremonies begin at 8:15 a.m. on Monday at the Public Safety Complex and continue through the 11:45 a.m. ceremony at Memorial Park.
• Wellesley: The town held its Veterans Parade last Sunday. You can still see a fireworks show over Lake Waban Friday, May 23, at 9:30 p.m.
• Watertown: Memorial Day Parade kicks off at noon on Monday at the Free Library, followed by a ceremony at Victory Field.

Friday grab bag

• Boston Globe sports columnist Dan Shaughnessy and U.S. Rep. Jake Auchincloss are speaking at Newton Mayor’s Community Breakfast, next Weds. May 28, 7 a.m., on the UMass Amherst Mount Ida Campus.
• NBC10 Boston took a look this week at the controversy surrounding a possible Great Plain Ave road diet in Needham.
• Connect with fellow entrepreneurs and enjoy a morning of networking and recognition at  Eastern Bank Small Business Month Breakfast on Thurs. May 29, 8 to 10 a.m. at their Newton Centre location. RSVP.
• The Healey-Driscoll administrationwants to know how federal actions are impacting your business, nonprofit, city or town. Use this form  below to report your experience.
• “Deliver Me From Nowhere” author and musician (Del Fuegos) Warren Zanes will be speaking at the Needham Free Library  on June 8, 2p.m. RSVP
• Some 500 students screamed “their heads off” when astronaut Sunita Williams returned to her namesake elementary school in Needham. (Needham Observer)
• Watertown-based Lyra Therapeutics is moving forward with a 1-for-50 reverse stock split in an effort to raise its share price and Newton-based Courage Therapeutics just brought in a seed investment of up to $7.8 million. (BBJ)
• Ever dreamed of owning an ice cream shop? Wally's Ice Cream & Sweets in Auburndale is seeking a buyer. “If you, or someone you know, has ever dreamed of running a small local business, we would love to chat with you about this sweet opportunity,” reads an email to customers. Contact .
• Get Konnected!’s CEO C-Suite Speed Mentoring returns on Tues. May 27 (5:30–8:00 p.m.) at 200 Clarendon St., Boston, featuring small-group sessions with top executives, networking, and cocktails. Use promo code “GKPartner” for 50% off registration.
• Alumni volunteers from the Harvard Business and Kennedy Schools can assist your nonprofit with pro bono strategic and business planning, operational issues, financial planning and analysis, organizational development and more. View examples and apply by June 6.
• Here’s the Attorney General’s office Resources for Immigrants in Massachusetts webpage.
• Last week, Newton City Council President and mayoral candidate Marc Laredo spoke to our chamber’s Real Estate Committee. Watch him describe his leadership style and answer questions here.

Final thought

If the reason for imposing global tariffs is to spur domestic manufacturing and create U.S. jobs, how does bullying retailers into keeping prices low achieve that? 

And that’s what you need to know for today — World Crohn's and Colitis Day —

unless you need to know that in the early 1900s, the US Postal Service allowed you to mail a child.

Enjoy the weekend, friends!

Greg Reibman (he, him)

President & CEO

Charles River Regional Chamber

617.244.1688

I value your feedback

Max Woolf contributed to today’s newsletter.