Many places closed for New Year's Eve. The Tribune reported on Laurel's speech — only 20,000 attended. Page 1 says only a few can wine, dine and dance tonight, but there is one consolation for all: "they are still around to greet the New Year."

Yes, another year is over and most of us are still alive. The coming year promises a wild ride, but many are only thinking of tonight's celebrations. Every good barber today had a long waiting line; I spent two hours listening to the pings of their cash registers while waiting for my turn. There'll be a hot time in the old town tonight for some; for others, it's just the end of another hungry day.