Our daily column, 5 Things You Need to Know Today, will help you to get your day started and offer you some fodder for water cooler conversation.

1. Today is Small Business Saturday. Where do you plan to shop and visit today? If you are at a loss for ideas, check out our list compiled by suggestions from Framingham Patch readers.

2. Who went shopping on Black Friday? What was you best bargain?

3. Author Leo J. Maloney will be signing copies of his book Termination Orders at 11 a.m. at Barnes & Noble Booksellers in Shoppers World. This is a great holiday gift idea for the espionage fans in your household

4. Parents: Joanie Leeds is performing at The Center for The Arts (TCAN) in Natick at 11 a.m. Her album What A Zoo was awarded by both Parents magazine and NAPPA as one of the best children's CDs. From funk to blues to country and pop, with a little hip hop thrown in, her CD is an eclectic misx of music, with witty lyrics and is completely original. The whole family will enjoy the show. Tickets are $10 adults and $8 children.

5.  Catch Woody Sed: A Woody Guthrie Tribute In Song and Story by Thomas Jones on stage at Amazing Things Arts Center tonight at 8. Tickets still available.