The Local Tourist has gotten bigger, and better...and slower. There's little more frustrating than visiting a site and waiting forever for it to load, so we're fixing that. TLT's being moved right now to a bigger and better and faster server. The transfer should be completed today. In the meantime, no new content can be added.

Thanks for your patience. Soon as we're all moved into our shiny new home we'll be adding more stuff faster than you can say "refresh".

Trying to find a Christmas Tree lot in Chicago has meant driving around and coming upon one, or through word of mouth. The Local Tourist aims to develop a list to make it a little easier to find that fresh evergreen without having to drive to the suburbs. If you know where a lot is, please leave a comment. Thanks!

Lakeview/Lincoln Park

Parking in Chicago is almost always an exercise in frustration, and winter in Chicago is enough to make a hermit out of the most adventurous. Combine the two and it's a wonder any of us ever leave the house.

You Should: Stay Away
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You Should: Stay Away
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December's Chef's Table will get you in the spirit of the holidays. Join us at D.O.C. Wine Bar as Chef Andrew Easterday and Manager and Wine Director Adam Moore introduce us to a variety of the wines and cuisine that make it such a popular destination.

Once again, it's only $25 and is limited to 30 people, so RSVP right away!

Where:	D.O.C. Wine Bar, 2602 N Clark St
When:	December 17, 6:30pm
RSVP:	$25 (limit 30 people)

Chicago, it's on. The cold weather gear is out and we're all ready to roll. Or, you took a look at the bin of winter items and decided it might be time for an upgrade, especially when it comes to cold weather workout clothes and accessories. Well, if you're like me, the ideal winter weather items are ones that can serve as both casual wear and workout gear and are not only warm but gadget friendly, too. Sound impossible? Fret not and read on.

You know when you've been waiting for the new CD from one of your favorite bands, and then you get it and it's everything you hoped for, and you play it over and over and over until you can hear it even when your stereo and your computer and your iPod are turned off? That's how I feel about the new Janus CD.

Sharks are some of the most feared creatures on the planet, but that didn't stop Anna Davlantes from getting into the tank with them.