I've had somewhat of an obsession lately with the idea of drinking locally and have been scouring the internet in search of liquors and beers made in Chicago and neighboring states.

Why? Just like the carfree movement, the locavore movement seeks to reduce our society's addiction to an over-engineered transportation system that requires everyone and everything to travel vast distances for even simple needs. All that shipping and trucking is an unnecessary waste of resources, and the fuel we burn to move our goods contributes to global warming. By living closer to our daily needs and consuming goods (in this case, liquors and beers) produced closer to where we live, we can cut the waste and reduce our dependence on oil, while becoming more self-reliant and strengthening our local economy. I also love how local food and drink celebrate our unique local culture.

If you've ever wished there were an easier way to figure out which areas of the city are friendliest to those on foot, then you'll be excited about Walk Score's new walkability maps and neighborhood rankings. Walk Score today published rankings for the most walkable cities (Chicago is ranked fourth), as well as the most walkable neighborhoods in each city -- in Chicago: the Loop, Near North Side, Lincoln Park, Lakeview and Uptown. They also have wonderful color-coded walkability maps for each city illustrating which areas are most walkable.

Every summer I feel guilty for not going to enough shows at the Pritzker Pavilion in Millennium Park, and this year I'm determined to take better advantage of having such an incredible place so close to home and work. While many Chicagoans still flock to Ravinia for an outdoor concert and picnic experience, I think our own little gem downtown beats Ravinia hands-down. Not only is the Pritzker Pavilion almost always free, but it has an incredible sound system, a spectacular view and sense of place, and a convenient location easily accessible by transit and bike. In other words, going to a show at the Pritzker Pavilion doesn't have to be a special event -- it can be a regular after-work treat.