Shoppers aren’t the only ones competing with sharp elbows on Black Friday. Retailers are jockeying to make big sales this weekend as holiday shopping ceremonially kicks off, because even if stores are crowded the day after Thanksgiving, projections for the rest of the season are dim.

Baker Memorial United Methodist Church will hold a meeting on the merits of video poker machines in bars, restaurants and fraternal organizations as part of a financing plan for an Illinois public works program.

Glenbard West and Wheaton Warrenville South are taking the battle for bragging rights to the big stage in Saturday's Class 7A state championship game. The seniors from both teams have a unique history against one another, but the rivalry goes back much further than that.

Also, quarterback Brandon Pechloff of Glen Ellyn leads Montini's Cinderella run to the Class 5A title game against Joliet Catholic.

Check out championship weekend coverage at FNL.MYSUBURBANLIFE.COM.

From prep sports to community events, SNAPSHOTS is the place to view and purchase pictures taken by the award-winning photographers at Suburban Life Publications. But it's also much more. SNAPSHOTS allows to you customize gift items featuring your photo, and it also has reprints of pages that were published in Suburban Life newspapers.

FOR A LIMITED TIME, TAKE 35% OFF ALL PHOTO REPRINT PURCHASES. ENTER CODE PHOTO35 AT CHECKOUT.

This special sale runs through Monday, Nov. 30.

The year's biggest travel period is underway. AAA says more people will be traveling this Thanksgiving compared to last year, and the majority of them will take to the roads. But with lingering economic worries, the number of drivers and flyers is still expected to be down from past years.

After the turkey is eaten and the dishes done, are you the kind of person who puts Christmas lights up right away? If so, snap a photo and send it to us. Suburban Life Publications is having a contest to see the best home holiday decorations.

E-mail your photos to bhudson@mysuburbanlife.com by Dec. 9 with “Holiday Lights” in the subject line. We'll publish the best photos during Christmas week.