A better turkey meal deal
Cooks can truly be frugal gourmets this Thanksgiving, as consumers enjoy lower food prices, at least for now. The Thanksgiving meal with turkey, stuffing, cranberries, pumpkin pie and all the trimmings will cost an average of $42.91, a decrease of $1.70, or 3.8 percent, from last year, according to the American Farm Bureau Federation.

Best day to buy a car? Black Friday

Thinking only of hitting the malls the day after Thanksgiving? It's also a good day to shop for a car, according to TrueCar, which tracks new-vehicle auto sales and compares price data.

A fond farewell
The clowns could've cried at Nick's Tavern recently. The venerable downtown Lemont bar -- sanctuary for Cubs fans, home to burgers the size of manhole covers and repository for a collection of clown figurines both eerie and charming -- changed hands.

Wedding trends spotlighted at JCC show
Fall weddings are popular these days, as are the colors brown and pink and food stations at the reception. These and other wedding trends will be spotlighted from noon to 4 p.m. Nov. 22 at a bridal show at the Joliet Junior College.

New theater sets gold standard for silver screen
The most luxurious -- and expensive -- movie theater in Will County will open Friday at the Promenade mall. Gold Class Cinemas mixes movies, dinner and a bar/lounge all in one opulent setting. The theater features a swanky hotellike lobby; incredibly plush, wide recliner chairs in the theaters; fancy food; an extensive beer, wine and drink menu; and an attentive wait staff. It even has popcorn and candy.

Is recession finally over? Possibly
The economy accelerated last quarter. But is it driving off a cliff? The car comparison is apt, because economists believe the third-quarter improvement in the nation's Gross Domestic Product depended heavily on the "cash for clunkers" program. The tax credit for first-time home buyers also had a role.

Bill Jacobs fights -- and wins
Bill Jacobs Jr. is back in the driver's seat for the city's only Cadillac dealership. Jacobs, together with his staff, his congresswoman and the local community, all worked together to successfully appeal GM's decision to eliminate the Cadillac dealership from Joliet.