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N.Y. Today: A Party With 3,000 Pounds of Confetti, 1 Ball and Too Many People to Count N.Y. Today: A Party With 3,000 Pounds of Confetti, 1 Ball and Too Many People to Count
(35 minutes later)
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It’s Monday: New Year’s Eve.It’s Monday: New Year’s Eve.
Weather: Rain on your party, starting in midafternoon as temperatures climb through the 40s, tapering overnight. Nice tomorrow, though.Weather: Rain on your party, starting in midafternoon as temperatures climb through the 40s, tapering overnight. Nice tomorrow, though.
Alternate-side parking: in effect today, suspended tomorrow.Alternate-side parking: in effect today, suspended tomorrow.
You’ve made it to the end of 2018. You deserve a celebration.You’ve made it to the end of 2018. You deserve a celebration.
For many, that means watching the ball drop in Times Square.For many, that means watching the ball drop in Times Square.
But the biggest party in the city isn’t for the faint of heart. It requires dressing for the weather, arriving early and, perhaps, rationing liquids (no portable toilets). Problematically this year, umbrellas are forbidden.But the biggest party in the city isn’t for the faint of heart. It requires dressing for the weather, arriving early and, perhaps, rationing liquids (no portable toilets). Problematically this year, umbrellas are forbidden.
Where’s the ball: At the top of 1 Times Square, Seventh Avenue between 42nd and 43rd Streets. Where’s the ball: Atop 1 Times Square, Seventh Avenue between 42nd and 43rd Streets.
Who designed it: Waterford Crystal, led by a master artisan from a small Irish town.Who designed it: Waterford Crystal, led by a master artisan from a small Irish town.
Where to watch: The ball can “best be seen along Broadway, from 43rd Street to 50th Street, and along Seventh Avenue, as far north as 59th Street,” according to the Times Square Alliance.Where to watch: The ball can “best be seen along Broadway, from 43rd Street to 50th Street, and along Seventh Avenue, as far north as 59th Street,” according to the Times Square Alliance.
When to arrive: “Prime viewing areas may fill up early in the afternoon,” the alliance says.When to arrive: “Prime viewing areas may fill up early in the afternoon,” the alliance says.
How many people will join you: The alliance says around a million, though that figure is often disputed.How many people will join you: The alliance says around a million, though that figure is often disputed.
Vehicular traffic: Banned as early as 3 p.m. Vehicular traffic: Banned around 3 p.m.
How much are tickets? There are no tickets. It’s first come first served.How much are tickets? There are no tickets. It’s first come first served.
Should you wear a diaper? Some people actually do, given the bathroom access challenges, like this 14-year-old who came in from the suburbs and this Japanese tourist last year.Should you wear a diaper? Some people actually do, given the bathroom access challenges, like this 14-year-old who came in from the suburbs and this Japanese tourist last year.
What not to bring: Alcohol, backpacks, umbrellas.What not to bring: Alcohol, backpacks, umbrellas.
Guest of honor: The Committee to Protect Journalists, after a year in which journalists have been under siege in many countries.Guest of honor: The Committee to Protect Journalists, after a year in which journalists have been under siege in many countries.
Prior guests of honor: Last year it was Tarana Burke, founder of the “Me Too” movement. Others have included Justice Sonia Sotomayor, Lady Gaga and Muhammad Ali.Prior guests of honor: Last year it was Tarana Burke, founder of the “Me Too” movement. Others have included Justice Sonia Sotomayor, Lady Gaga and Muhammad Ali.
Fun Fact: Dropping the ball was Rudy Giuliani’s last official act as mayor in 2001.Fun Fact: Dropping the ball was Rudy Giuliani’s last official act as mayor in 2001.
Confetti: 3,000 pounds will be released 20 seconds before midnight.Confetti: 3,000 pounds will be released 20 seconds before midnight.
Want to watch from your couch? Here's a livestream.Want to watch from your couch? Here's a livestream.
Alternatives:Alternatives:
• Annual Midnight Run at Central Park. A four-mile head start on your fitness resolution. Registration is filling up and closes at 5 p.m. Before the race, there’s music and dancing.• Annual Midnight Run at Central Park. A four-mile head start on your fitness resolution. Registration is filling up and closes at 5 p.m. Before the race, there’s music and dancing.
• Fireworks in Brooklyn: At Grand Army Plaza near Prospect Park, with live entertainment starting at 10:30 p.m. “A massive display of fireworks will light up the skies over the park.” (Like we haven’t had enough of that.) • Fireworks in Brooklyn: At Grand Army Plaza near Prospect Park. Live entertainment starting at 10:30 p.m., then “a massive display of fireworks will light up the skies over the park.” (Like we haven’t had enough of that.)
Why is Times Square on New Year’s Eve such a destination?Why is Times Square on New Year’s Eve such a destination?
“The magic isn’t in the ball exactly,” The Times’s Concepción de León writes. “It’s in how all those gathered in Times Square and all those watching at home are united, for just one minute, in a flurry of hope and good wishes that rises like confetti, and then is dispersed.”“The magic isn’t in the ball exactly,” The Times’s Concepción de León writes. “It’s in how all those gathered in Times Square and all those watching at home are united, for just one minute, in a flurry of hope and good wishes that rises like confetti, and then is dispersed.”
Here are photos of past celebrations from The Times’s archives.Here are photos of past celebrations from The Times’s archives.
Playing Cuomo: The actor Michael Imperioli hung out with the governor before playing him in Showtime’s prison drama “Escape at Dannemora.” Playing Cuomo: The actor Michael Imperioli hung out with the governor before playing him in the prison drama “Escape at Dannemora.”
Transformation: Bill de Blasio morphing into Donald Trump was one of the changes our columnist said took place this year.Transformation: Bill de Blasio morphing into Donald Trump was one of the changes our columnist said took place this year.
Lord & Taylor is closing: Everything must go. A daughter’s guilt will remain.Lord & Taylor is closing: Everything must go. A daughter’s guilt will remain.
Jets coach Todd Bowles fired: After the team ended a 4-12 season with a 38-3 loss to the Patriots. Jets coach Todd Bowles fired: After the team ended the season 4-12 with a loss to the Patriots.
One takeaway from the El Chapo trial: “Nearly every level of the Mexican government has been depicted as being on the take,” our correspondent writes.One takeaway from the El Chapo trial: “Nearly every level of the Mexican government has been depicted as being on the take,” our correspondent writes.
Further punishment?: Young inmates say they were held in isolation and beaten.Further punishment?: Young inmates say they were held in isolation and beaten.
Safer streets: “The number of annual traffic fatalities in New York City is on course to fall beneath 200 for the first time in a century.” [Wall Street Journal]Safer streets: “The number of annual traffic fatalities in New York City is on course to fall beneath 200 for the first time in a century.” [Wall Street Journal]
More dangerous subways: A man fell to his death walking between subway cars, the fourth such fatality this month. [New York Post] More dangerous subways: A man fell to his death walking between cars, the fourth such fatality this month. [New York Post]
Immigration investigation at Trump’s N.J. golf resort: Prosecutors have evidence that supervisors may have committed immigration crimes. [Daily News]Immigration investigation at Trump’s N.J. golf resort: Prosecutors have evidence that supervisors may have committed immigration crimes. [Daily News]
City says yeshivas won’t allow inspectors: Four schools won’t let the city determine if students are getting proper education. [Daily News]City says yeshivas won’t allow inspectors: Four schools won’t let the city determine if students are getting proper education. [Daily News]
Something rotten at the Sotomayor Houses: Piles of decaying garbage at a Bronx housing project. [News 12 the Bronx]Something rotten at the Sotomayor Houses: Piles of decaying garbage at a Bronx housing project. [News 12 the Bronx]
Learn American Sign Language at the Kensington library in Brooklyn. 11 a.m. [Free]Learn American Sign Language at the Kensington library in Brooklyn. 11 a.m. [Free]
Stan Lee vs. Stephen Hawking? Celebrities who died this year (or comedians playing them) roast each other at The Creek and The Cave in Long Island City. 7 p.m. [$5]Stan Lee vs. Stephen Hawking? Celebrities who died this year (or comedians playing them) roast each other at The Creek and The Cave in Long Island City. 7 p.m. [$5]
A Roaring 20s Gatsby-themed party at The Footlight in Ridgewood. 7 p.m. [Free, Champagne toast at midnight]A Roaring 20s Gatsby-themed party at The Footlight in Ridgewood. 7 p.m. [Free, Champagne toast at midnight]
TomorrowTomorrow
Start the year with poetry at the annual New Year’s Day marathon reading at St. Mark’s Church in-the-Bowery. 2 p.m. till late. [$20]Start the year with poetry at the annual New Year’s Day marathon reading at St. Mark’s Church in-the-Bowery. 2 p.m. till late. [$20]
— Iman Stevenson— Iman Stevenson
Events are subject to change, so double-check before heading out. For more events, see the going-out guides from The Times’s culture pages.Events are subject to change, so double-check before heading out. For more events, see the going-out guides from The Times’s culture pages.
As humans evolved from clumsy beasts who made fire by smashing rocks together into intelligent creatures communicating through emojis and GIFs, we somehow also developed an intense need to throw ourselves into the ocean at the coldest time of the year.As humans evolved from clumsy beasts who made fire by smashing rocks together into intelligent creatures communicating through emojis and GIFs, we somehow also developed an intense need to throw ourselves into the ocean at the coldest time of the year.
That day comes tomorrow.That day comes tomorrow.
For more than a century, this act in New York has been organized by a group known as the Coney Island Polar Bear Club.For more than a century, this act in New York has been organized by a group known as the Coney Island Polar Bear Club.
It’s free. But participants are asked to register — either online or at the location. And everyone is encouraged to donate to the organization, which in turns donates money raised to local charities. It’s free. But participants are asked to register — either online or at the location. And everyone is encouraged to donate to the organization, which in turns donates the money to local charities.
Where to meet: The Boardwalk and Stillwell Avenue.Where to meet: The Boardwalk and Stillwell Avenue.
Time to plunge: 1 p.m.Time to plunge: 1 p.m.
Water temperature forecast: 45 degrees.Water temperature forecast: 45 degrees.
What to bring: Organizers recommend “warm clothes, surf boots or old sneakers, towels” and a camera.What to bring: Organizers recommend “warm clothes, surf boots or old sneakers, towels” and a camera.
Don’t worry if you forget the camera. The event is well-known for being covered by local reporters, and, of course, anthropologists researching the latest evolutionary behavior of man.Don’t worry if you forget the camera. The event is well-known for being covered by local reporters, and, of course, anthropologists researching the latest evolutionary behavior of man.
Say cheese!Say cheese!
Dear Diary:Dear Diary:
We sat close together, trying not to slide too close to the people sitting next to us, the one sitting to her left and the one sitting to my right.We sat close together, trying not to slide too close to the people sitting next to us, the one sitting to her left and the one sitting to my right.
It was summer. The rattling sound of the train car moving through the tunnel from Hunts Point to Whitlock Avenue lowered as we emerged onto the tracks taking us above ground.It was summer. The rattling sound of the train car moving through the tunnel from Hunts Point to Whitlock Avenue lowered as we emerged onto the tracks taking us above ground.
My sister and I had taken this ride time and time again. On this particular day, we were coming from Midtown Manhattan. I don’t think we were allowed to explore the city below 34th Street and Herald Square at that point.My sister and I had taken this ride time and time again. On this particular day, we were coming from Midtown Manhattan. I don’t think we were allowed to explore the city below 34th Street and Herald Square at that point.
The sun was setting, and the train was so packed it was difficult for me to do what I always did: scan the trees along the Bronx River before looking into the sky to replay the conversations that had consumed us. The talk was often about our future successes and about getting out of the neighborhood.The sun was setting, and the train was so packed it was difficult for me to do what I always did: scan the trees along the Bronx River before looking into the sky to replay the conversations that had consumed us. The talk was often about our future successes and about getting out of the neighborhood.
As we approached Elder Avenue, two guys who were standing in front of us began to talk a little louder.As we approached Elder Avenue, two guys who were standing in front of us began to talk a little louder.
“I never understood why people get money and stay here,” one of them said, laughing and shaking his head.“I never understood why people get money and stay here,” one of them said, laughing and shaking his head.
My antennas were up.My antennas were up.
“Yo, that’s so dumb,” the other one said. “Why would I work to stay in the ’hood? I work to get out.”“Yo, that’s so dumb,” the other one said. “Why would I work to stay in the ’hood? I work to get out.”
As we walked down the steps at Morrison Avenue-Soundview, I turned to my sister.As we walked down the steps at Morrison Avenue-Soundview, I turned to my sister.
“Did you hear those guys?” I asked her.“Did you hear those guys?” I asked her.
“Yeah,” she said.“Yeah,” she said.
I vowed to never forget, to never fully disconnect.I vowed to never forget, to never fully disconnect.
— Ngozi Onike— Ngozi Onike
New York Today is published weekdays around 6 a.m. Sign up here to get it by email. You can also find it at nytoday.com.New York Today is published weekdays around 6 a.m. Sign up here to get it by email. You can also find it at nytoday.com.
We’re experimenting with the format of New York Today. What would you like to see more (or less) of? Post a comment or email us: nytoday@nytimes.com.We’re experimenting with the format of New York Today. What would you like to see more (or less) of? Post a comment or email us: nytoday@nytimes.com.