Walnut Creek Patch will help you with your Black Friday strategic shopping.

Most of the stores at Broadway Plaza and Sunvalley Shopping Center are due to open at 8 a.m. Friday.

At Broadway Plaza, Nordstrom's plans to open an hour earlier. Macy's and Banana Republic are going commando with midnight openings.

Black Friday is also the beginning of a couple charitable presences at Broadway Plaza that will extend through the holiday shopping period.

There's a One Warm Coat drive at the Broadway Plaza concierge near Macy's. It is operated by the St. Vincent de Paul Society.

If you want to discuss pet adoptions, the mobile van for Tony LaRussa's Animal Rescue Foundation will be at Broadway Plaza, near the Macy's courtyard.

Black Friday also launches a charitable effort at Sleep Train, 1245 S. Main St.

Sleep Train has its Secret Santa Toy Drive for foster children. Customers can bring in a toy donation or purchase an item Sleep Train has on hand from its wish list compiled from foster organization partners.

The toy drive continues through Dec. 11.

Parking will be a bit gnarly on Black Friday. Here are locations of city parking garages.