URLwire ^tm news stories are for significant Web events, launches, and happenings ONLY. I post a selection of them here as courtesy to Web journalists. The primary distribution is via private Email.

It might be the next best thing to being there, or perhaps just confirmation that you have no social life. Either way, New Year 1998 brings with it several live Web events that even Dick Clark would dig.   The most famous is the New Years Eve Times Square Ball Drop, which will run from 10 to 12:30 EST. Access the site at http://www.audionet.com/events/newyearseve97/, and you'll be treated to live coverage. Grab NetShow to see it.

Before you head to Times Square, you might brush up on the lyrics to Auld Lang Syne.  The next morning, as you finish off the Alka-Seltzer, you can tune in to the 1998 Official Rose Parade Webcast - at 8:00am P.S.T, this site will be full of the sites and sounds of the Rose Parade in real time. If that's not a close enough view for you, just head to the 1998 Edison International FloatCam - the FloatCam will broadcast pictures from the top of a float as it winds its way through the Rose Parade.  This however, might cause those who over-did it the night (morning) before to get a little woozy. If your interests lie a bit further to the East, check out the Huis Ten Bosch '97-'98 Count Down Show - celebrate New Year's Eve with over 50,000 people, live bands, and a 5,000 rocket firework show, live from Japan. You'll need to grab RealVideo, then click over at Huis Ten Bosch from 12:00am - 11:45am

The Mining Company Cocktail Guide is holding a virtual cocktail party for New Years eve beginning at 10:30pm ET tonight, and for some alcohol free ideas, check out Flora's Collection of Non-Alcoholic Drink Recipes - everything from Aunt Arlene's Iced Tea to Bubbling Jade Punch to Zemi's Ginger Smoothies. Drink up and drive safe...

See you in '98.   -Eric Ward