Remember that resolution to eat healthier and lose weight? Well, throw that out the window. A new cupcake shop has opened in the Loop.

It may be a bit cold to start thinking of picnics, but if you're planning on having a big one once the weather warms up you'll need to get your ducks in a row this weekend. Monday the Cook County Forest Preserve is opening up Picnic Permit registration. There are various rules, regulations and fees depending on the size of your picnic and what kinds of activities you want to offer.Read more

Straight from the "ewww" department - Weiner Circle was shut down by the health department because there's no hot running water. Apparently the greasy joint's as foul as the language.

The inspectors stopped by the restaurant after a customer complained of seeing rodents. No rats were found, but I've been subject to the employees' trademark rudeness and I found it so offensive I wouldn't be surprised if the complainant was just giving a little back. Unfortunately for Weiner Circle, despite the lack of rodents their establishment didn't pass the test.

Bad timing: Last night I was turning left onto Belmont from Kedzie. I was sitting in the intersection, and as the light turned red a white station wagon barreled through. As I turned I saw the camera flash, catching both their, and my, license plates. I wondered - will I get an automatic ticket?

Chicago's restaurant scene is always up and down, and this week is no exception:

Closed:

• copperblue, 580 E Illinois St
• Mantou Noodle Bar, 1633 N Milwaukee

Open:

• Shiso, Japanese, BYOB, 449 W North Ave
• UFood Grill, Healthy fast food, 823 S State St
• Garrett Popcorn Holiday Express, 625 N Michigan Ave (entrance on Ontario)

Closing, then opening:

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

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.

If every time you've gotten into a cab you've been disgruntled by that surcharge, even though it just went down to $0.50 two weeks ago, it's time to do a little jig. As of Midnight tonight it goes away.

One of the holiday season's most popular activities is ice skating in Millennium Park. The rink was orginally supposed to open yesterday, but this "fall" has been so unseasonably warm in Chicago they've had to push it back a week. It's tentatively schedule to open next Wednesday, November 19. Once open it will remain open until March 15 of 2009. Skating's free and the rental is $10.

Equality of the sexes has come a long way, but one area in particular that still needs attention is women's health issues. Frankly, our parts are different, and since research has overwhelmingly been conducted on men's physiology the results often don't translate.