Are you tired of hearing about New Year's Eve yet? The Daily News reports on another little corner of the celebration, where some overachieving high school seniors will aid Mayor Bloomberg in dropping the ball tomorrow. Bill and Hillary Clinton helped him out last year, and often celebrities are invited — but this year it's all about the kids. Karnisa Aya, a student government president at the High School for American Studies at Lehman College in the Bronx, told the paper, "It's still sort of surreal. I think it will be pretty cold, but it will be a really fun time. The fact that we get to meet the mayor is pretty cool too." She was chosen through a system where principals from twelve public schools made a list of top students. more ›

Want to check out the big ball drop at Times Square, but worried for your safety? NY1 reports that the NYPD (who had the Jonas Brothers to worry about last year) is ready to go with "radiation and biological detection equipment [that] will be used during the big event. Nearby garages will be searched for bombs and sniper teams will also be in place." So now all you have to worry about are the hordes of tourists who can't hold their alcohol, the bitter cold, and the probably being hassled by said police officers. To help you out with that last one, you can find a list of things that aren't permitted at the event, here. more ›

Should the man once known as "America's Oldest Teenager" still be hosting the big New Year's Eve ball drop? The NY Post questions Dick Clark for white-knuckling on to his Rockin’ New Year’s Eve special because, well, it's depressing :( more ›

There's a new New Year's Eve ball in town, and it's bigger and brighter than the one of year's past (12 feet in diameter, 11,875 pounds, and containing 32,000 LED lights and 2,668 pieces of crystal). One Good Morning America viewer, where it was unveiled earlier today (video), tells us that while it can "do patterns (sun, water, rainbow, American flag)"...it's "ugly" and lacking the charm that the old school ball had. However, the Waterford crystal sphere that will ring in 2009 will remain in Times Square year round! Crazy, right? Newsday reports that the ball will also be in place to "celebrate other holidays including Valentine's Day, the Fourth of July and Halloween." It's the seventh one in the 101-year history of the ball drop, and the several million dollar price tag is being taken care of "privately" (according the the ball's publicist!). Now, the big question is, when will we see the 9 riding the subway? more ›

2008 is almost here, the ball drop is turning 100, the 8 is going to make its big debut, the year's bad memories have been shredded...so there's just one thing left to do. This year messages, wishes, resolutions and probably some nonsense will flutter to the ground when the clock strikes midnight. And you can join in the fun. more ›

Remember when you were a kid and it was a big deal to stay up and watch the ball drop in Times Square on TV? Then you grew up and at some point realized that Times Square is the last place you’d want to spend your New Year’s Eve, right? But what if that jaded point of view is just keeping you from celebrating a one-of-a-kind experience in harmony with thousands of your brothers and sisters from around the world? Maybe this is your year to get over your fear of crowds, Dick Clark and Ryan Seacrest and be the reveler your younger self always dreamt you’d be! (Anyway, it’s a lot cheaper than most other options.) more ›

2008 showed up a little early today as a shiny new addition to the New Years Eve celebration in Times Square traveled there by subway from the Bronx, where it was constructed. The 500-lb number "8" will complete the "2008" sign that will be a part of the midnight festivities. Standing at 7 feet tall, the "8" and it's three other numerical companions will be on display through the 19th at the Times Square information... more ›