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Photo: New Years Eve at the Aquarium (left), Spinning Jennies (right)

Tuesday 12|31

Swimming With The Fishes

NEW YEAR'S EVE AT THE AQUARIUM Ring in 2003 in a watery wonderland, surrounded by sharks and kelp and otters and all the creatures of our Deep Blue Bay. If you've never been to a nighttime party at the Monterey Bay Aquarium, it's a magical experience. The lights are dimmed, the crowds are gone, and it's just you and the fishes-and maybe a couple hundred other folks, but nothing like the crowd on a typical Sunday afternoon. This is the first time the Aquarium is throwing its own New Year's Eve bash open to the public. Dine by candlelight at the optional gourmet dinner from 7-9pm-just don't wave your sushi in front of the giant tunas on the other side of the glass. If you just want the party, show up at 9pm for dancing until 1am to the sounds of Coco Beat, along with a no-host bar, no-host appetizers, and a dessert bar. Champagne's free at midnight, there will be live TV broadcasts of New Year's celebrations around the world, and prize drawings throughout the night. [SF]

7pm dinner, 9pm-1am party. $125 includes it all; $50 just for the party. Monterey Bay Aquarium, Cannery Row, Monterey. 648-4928.

Laughing In The New

COMEDIAN KERRY TALMAGE AT PLANET GEMINI The last year has been full of bad news. Iraq. The stock market. World terror. Children gunning down children. We woke up each morning, and Dubya was still in office. How did it happen? And, more important, when will it go away? Maybe in 2003, and maybe not, but why not laugh in the face of the future along with Canadian comedian Kerry Talmage, the headline act tonight at Planet Gemini. No sad-sack, loser New Year's Eve party here, that's guaranteed. Talmage's humor is wicked-he doesn't pull any punches, although some audience members might like to land one on him, sometimes. He tours extensively in Europe and North America, writes for TV, and is considering a talk show concept involving bowling, prizes, and rotting meat (see story pg. 24). It won't be dull, anyway. [SF]

Call Planet Gemini for time and price, 373-1449.

Party With The People

FIRST NIGHT MONTEREY 2003 Resist the urge to drink a whole bottle of champagne all by your lonesome, crying over the fact that you, once again, have no one to kiss at midnight, and get your ass to downtown Monterey. There's no designated make-out corner, but at least you'll be around other people (and avoid a nasty hangover on the first). The fun starts at 2pm, and takes place at more than a dozen venues, indoors and out. MaryLee Sunseri will be there for the young'uns, Garland Thompson hosts a poetry slam for the stout of heart, and the Broadway Band will help you blues the night away (see story pg. 29). There's so much going on, you won't know what to do with yourself. But at least you won't be doing it by yourself. [KF]

2pm until after midnight. Downtown Monterey. Buttons are $12 before 12/30, $15 the day of (kids under 5 are free) and are available at Longs Drugs, Mail Boxes Etc., and through the website. Parking shuttle runs from Del Monte Center until 1am. Call 373-4778 or visit www.firstnightmonterey.org.

There's No Place Like Home

BE ONE WITH YOURSELF On overload? Too much net-surfing blasted your circuits? Tired of office chit-chat, TV ads telling you what to buy, not in the mood for dressing up and facing the world? You don't have to. There's no cosmic rule that says you have to go out on New Year's Eve. Fly in the face of fashion-stay home. Invite a few friends, one special friend, or just hang with the family. Rent a great video, or watch the ball drop in Time's Square. Play Scrabble. Teach the kids how to bake a cake. Order a catered meal, just for the two of you, and break open a really expensive bottle of bubbly. Turn out all the lights and burn dozens of candles. Make outrageous resolutions. Why not? You deserve it. [SF]

Midnight, and any night. Your place, or wherever home happens to be.