Today in Columbia: Retail Encroachment on Thanksgiving Angers Many

The Weather:

"Rain likely, mainly before 10 a.m. Cloudy, with a high near 55. Northeast wind between 7 and 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70 percent. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible. Monday Night: A chance of rain, mainly after 1 a.m. Cloudy, with a low around 46. East wind between 3 and 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50 percent. New rainfall amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible." — The National Weather Service

Black Friday:

A recent poll here at Columbia Patch asked you if you would be willing to give up family time on Thanksgiving Day to go shopping, since many retailers are opening late on Thursday and earlier than usual on Friday morning for the annual frenzy that officially kicks off the holiday shopping season.

The poll garnered many comments, and most of you seem incensed that stores are chipping away at valuable family time — to say nothing of disrupting the holiday of employees.

Retailers say they are opening on Thursday in response to consumer demand, but I haven't come across any of those demanding consumers.

Have you?

Final Plea:

Here's one last chance for you to share with me — and subsequently all of Columbia — your special Thanksgiving memories and traditions.

I'm thankful for those who have already either picked up the phone or sent an email to share their stories.

There's always room for one more story — send an email to marge.neal@patch.com.

And this is the last time I'll bug you — at least about Thanksgiving.

Headlines You May Have Missed Over the Weekend:

Turkeys, Sweet Potatoes and Apples — From the Farm

Thanksgiving: It's for Slackers, Too

You Said It: 'That's Just Great. Now They Need to Have 2 Hours a Day for Fat People'

Ellicott City House Fire Planned for Today

Poll: Will You Trade Thanksgiving Family Time for Holiday Deals

Websites and Recipes to Help You Plan Thanksgiving

Town Homes for Sale in Columbia

Reaction to Penn State: It's Happened Here. It Needs to Stop, Howard County Official Says

Police Say Roving Youth Who Menaced School Bus are North Laurel Locals