Tip-off for the 2009-10 boys basketball season is next week. Meet your team's veteran stars and promising new talent as they begin their march toward postseason glory. Find team previews here.

From an undefeated powerhouse to a Cinderella playoff run, four area football teams are geared up for the charged environment of state semifinal football Saturday. Check at each team's prospects in our previews at FNL.MYSUBURBANLIFE.COM.

EDITORIAL
THE ISSUE
Officials remain timid about requesting — for the fourth time — an increase in the sales tax through a referendum.
OUR VIEW
The board must show it has done everything reasonable to cut costs and also demonstrate explicitly why a tax hike is needed.
SPEAK UP
Should the Village Board place a referendum on the ballot for a fourth time to raise the sales tax? Click here to tell us what you think of this. Or e-mail your comments here.

YOUR VIEW
In addition to more-frequent local editorials, our expanded opinions coverage features a forum seeking your take on a key issue being talked about around town. Here's the current topic:

Community Consolidated School District 181 has asked the Illinois Department of Transportation to declare two intersections ? 47th Street and County Line Road as well as Garfield Avenue and the BNSF crossing ? as hazardous. This would allow for partial funding of busing to students living in specific areas. Should the intersections of 47th Street and County Line Road as well as Garfield Avenue and the BNSF crossing be declared hazardous by IDOT as requested by SD181?

Click here to leave a comment. You can also e-mail your comment here. Or leave a message at (630) 368-8882.

Suburban Life is looking for the best and brightest outdoor holiday decorations. You send them in, and we will publish them the week of Christmas.

YOUR VIEW
In addition to more-frequent local editorials, our expanded opinions coverage features a forum seeking your take on a key issue being talked about around town. Here's the current topic:

Community Consolidated School District 181 has asked the Illinois Department of Transportation to declare two intersections ? 47th Street and County Line Road as well as Garfield Avenue and the BNSF crossing ? as hazardous. This would allow for partial funding of busing to students living in specific areas. Should the intersections of 47th Street and County Line Road as well as Garfield Avenue and the BNSF crossing be declared hazardous by IDOT as requested by SD181?

Click here to leave a comment. You can also e-mail your comment here. Or leave a message at (630) 368-8882.

Some school board members want answers before voting on an agreement that would allow four communications companies to access a water tower near Hinsdale Central High School.