BAGHDAD - It was something not seen in Baghdad since before the 2003 invasion - people publicly welcoming a new year with singing, dancing and general revelry.

"Happy New Year!" I cheerily e-mailed my cousin. "It can only get better!" They had finished the year in the throes of a particularly challenging time, including a catastrophic house fire, a car accident and an ailing parent. Like anyone at a loss for real words of encouragement, I had fallen back on glib greeting card sentiment punctuated by excessively happy exclamation marks. Keep smiling! There's a silver lining somewhere! It can't get worse!

"Happy New Year!" I cheerily e-mailed my cousin. "It can only get better!" They had finished the year in the throes of a particularly challenging time, including a catastrophic house fire, a car accident and an ailing parent. Like anyone at a loss for real words of encouragement, I had fallen back on glib greeting card sentiment punctuated by excessively happy exclamation marks. Keep smiling! There's a silver lining somewhere! It can't get worse!

As I celebrated my 78th New Year, it was a little more difficult to get out of bed on New Year's Day. And it wasn't because of a hangover. I was in the rack at 10:30 p.m., and as sober as a judge. The partying is left to the younger generations who don't know any better.

Getting bad news is - well - BAD. Last year it seemed like just about every week I learned of something difficult a loved one was facing or painful losses others had endured. Sometimes it feels like the best choice is to hide in the house and not answer the phone or turn on the Internet. Unfortunately (like those big, dumb ostriches) trying to shut out the tragic and threatening events surrounding us does work. Not knowing isn't the same as making bad things unhappen.

Getting bad news is - well - BAD. Last year it seemed like just about every week I learned of something difficult a loved one was facing or painful losses others had endured. Sometimes it feels like the best choice is to hide in the house and not answer the phone or turn on the Internet. Unfortunately (like those big, dumb ostriches) trying to shut out the tragic and threatening events surrounding us does work. Not knowing isn't the same as making bad things unhappen.

It's the season for resolutions, and for many people that means vowing to get their home in the best shape possible.

If what you’re doing at midnight on New Year’s Eve is what you’ll be doing more of for the rest of the year, maybe standing in the street with thousands of strangers doesn’t seem like such a good idea.

All is quiet on New Year’s Day. A world in white gets under way. I want to be with you, be with you night and day. Nothing changes on New Year’s Day. —"New Year’s Day," U2

AAA Arizona will again provide Tipsy Tow service over the New Year’s holiday. It will start at 6 p.m. Monday and will run through 6 a.m. Tuesday.

Chinese New Year is one of the biggest celebrations of the year in the Chinese culture. This holiday has built up many traditions over the centuries. Chinese New Year is also known as Lunar New Year or the Spring Festival. This holiday is a 15-day celebration that starts on the first day of the Chinese lunar month. Each New Year also brings about a new animal from the Chinese Zodiac. For example, 2010 was the "Year of the Tiger." And 2011 will be the "Year of the Rabbit" and will fall on Feb. 3. The 12 animals of the Chinese Zodiac are: Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Sheep, Monkey, Rooster, Dog and Pig.

Chinese New Year is one of the biggest celebrations of the year in the Chinese culture. This holiday has built up many traditions over the centuries. Chinese New Year is also known as Lunar New Year or the Spring Festival. This holiday is a 15-day celebration that starts on the first day of the Chinese lunar month. Each New Year also brings about a new animal from the Chinese Zodiac. For example, 2010 was the "Year of the Tiger." And 2011 will be the "Year of the Rabbit" and will fall on Feb. 3. The 12 animals of the Chinese Zodiac are: Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Sheep, Monkey, Rooster, Dog and Pig.

2008 will start with warm sunshine, bringing an end to weeks of cold weather.

Organizers of the Scottsdale New Year’s Eve Block Party violated the law when they allowed patrons to drink as much as they wanted, the state liquor department reported Wednesday.

Organizers of the Scottsdale New Year’s Eve Block Party violated the law when they allowed patrons to drink as much as they wanted, the state liquor department reported Wednesday.