Has it really been 10 years, Hampden?
Well, according to my records, 2012 marks my 10th year as the Messenger's neighborhood columnist. It seems like just yesterday I was irking residents over my surprisingly controversial views about wall-to-wall carpeting, paneling and drop ceilings.
Well, we've all come a long way since then, haven't we?
One thing that has remained a constant, however, is the New Year's Eve Ball Drop and the annual running of Baby New Year (Bob Hosier greeting crowds wearing nothing but a diaper and a pacifier), on Dec. 31 at The Miracle on 34th St. (the 700 block of West 34t Street at 34th Chestnut Avenue). Festivities get underway at 11:45 p.m.
And as magical as the lights of Hampden are, the block is really at its most magical on New Year's Eve, when friends, family and neighbors crowd into the block to bring in the new year together.
But before that, on Friday, Dec. 30, Scott Huffines and Tom Warner kick off The Atomic TV Party, a monthly, free, television-watching series at The Golden West Café, 1105 W. 36th St.. The creators and hosts of the beloved cable access show Atomic TV will kick off the initial installment, "Holiday Fixins," by showing the best of their favorite holiday episodes, including footage of the Mayor's Christmas Parade and, of course, Underdog!
Also included will be other assorted video oddities, courtesy of Atomic Books.
It's always exciting filing one year into the history books and looking forward to a new year. 2012 promises many surprises and changes, some good, some bad. But that's kind of the point. That's the excitement of the promise of New Year's.
I wish you the best in 2012.