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.

If you’ve ever wanted to take a closer look at the Gold Jerusalem stone, 4,000-pound grand entrance doors to the home at 6501 County Line Road, Burr Ridge, all you need is a ticket.

The polling firm Gallup reported this year that 39 percent of Americans accept the truth of evolution, that 36 percent have no opinion on it, and that 25 said they don’t believe it. With such apathy toward the natural world, it’s no wonder children from other nations have surpassed American students in science and technology.

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:

Some of Santa's helpers are concerned that children are spreading germs to the Man in Red when they visit him. This has prompted some to advocate offering the vaccine for swine flu to those who portray Santa. Should shopping mall Santas be given a priority in receiving the H1N1 vaccine?

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

Baby squirrels may have been a reason for last year’s split between the Forest Preserve District of DuPage County and a charitable group that raises money to fund the rehabilitation of wild animals.

The Forest Preserve has filed suit against the DuPage Wildlife Foundation, claiming the organization is holding on to charity money that should belong to the district’s Willowbrook Wildlife Center.

Check out police and fire reports for Hinsdale and Darien.

An Amber Alert issued out of Lemont Township has been canceled, according to the Cook County Sheriff’s Office.

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.

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.

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.

In debating whether we should abolish capital punishment, it’s important to decide which aspect of this story dominates — the psychopath who deserves the ultimate punishment or the wrongful conviction of two men. Is it better for us to enhance public safety by eliminating society’s most serious threats or to protect civil liberties by making sure innocent people are never put to death?

A lapse in financial bookkeeping has left the DuPage Water Commission millions of dollars short, and leaders are considering increasing water utility rates, among other fundraising options, to cover the hole.

The DuPage Health Dept. is hoping to get its H1N1 flu vaccines to more of those who need it most with a pair of appointment-only clinics next month in Glen Ellyn and Downers Grove. The first session will be Saturday, Dec. 12 at Building K of the College of DuPage, and the second will be Sunday, Dec. 13 at Downers Grove South High School.

Three Elmhurst men arrested and charged Nov. 13 with taking part in a spree of 40 burglaries to vehicles in DuPage County communities will be arraigned in December.

Check out police and fire reports for Hinsdale and Darien.