Out of all the races that Chicagoans compete in, the Shamrock Shuffle is one of the most popular. (Could it be the beer that awaits at the finish line?) On March 29th there's an 8K run through downtown and a 5K Fitness Walk along the lakeshore and Museum Campus.

Registration is limited to 32,500 and this event sells out every year. Since it's the 30th anniversary it's bound to fill up even faster, so sign up quickly.

If you plan on riding the subway on January 10th, don't be surprised if you see a bunch of people without any pants on. You're not imagining things. It's "Improv Everywhere's 8th Annual No Pants! Subway Ride". The same group that brought you the MP3 Experiment is encouraging large people in Chicago, New York, and other major cities  to take public transportation in their drawers. Sound like fun?Read more

If someone had told me that I would spend the Saturday before Christmas at a shopping mall, I would have wondered what I did to deserve such a cruel fate. Yet I went, I shopped, and I actually had fun - a lot of fun. How did this miracle happen? Really great company, and a stay at a nearby hotel.

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.