Sheriff: Make a Pledge to Not Text and Drive

The Hennepin County Sheriff's Office asks people to make a New Year's resolution in 2013 that could save a life or prevent a crash.

Editor's Note: The following was taken from a Hennepin County Sheriff's Office e-newsletter. A new survey indicates that while 97 percent of teens know texting while driving is dangerous, 43 percent of them admit to sending a text while driving – and 75 percent say the practice is common among their friends.The survey found that teenagers feel pressure to quickly respond to text messages – and adults are also setting a poor example by texting while driving themselves.   Make a New Year's resolution in 2013 that could save your life or prevent a crash. Take a pledge NOT to text and drive and ask your family members to do the same. Remember, it is illegal to text and drive in Minnesota.   Create a new habit:  Put your phone in the glove box …

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Parents Talk: What's Your New Year's Resolution?

Have you resolved to have a family movie night each week? Take more time for yourself? Share your 2013 resolutions in the comments section below.

I make new resolutions every year. There's something about Jan. 1 that makes me want to start some things fresh. And usually I'm able to stick to about half of them—like giving up watermelon for the month of February or taking a nap once a week. (Wink) Try as I might, I haven't been able to convince myself that a gym is a great place to be three times a week—however, I'll give it another shot in 2013. Patch wants to know what resolutions you've made for the new year. Have you vowed to have a family movie night each week? Take a family vacation to Yellowstone National Park? Make a standing date with your partner? Or maybe you've decided to count to three before yelling at your clumsy nine-year-old for breaking yet another glass dish. Tell …

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12 Days of Hannukwanzaamas

New Year's Resolutions

Who started the tradition of making New Year's resolutions?

Civilizations around the world have been celebrating the start of each new year for some 4,000 years. Traditions include going to parties, eating special foods, watching fireworks and, of course, making resolutions. Who started the tradition of making New Year's resolutions? Editor's Note: Select your answer in the poll below and tell us how you know the answer in the comments section. The answer will be posted later in the day.

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Caitlin Burgess

1:08 am on Saturday, December 31, 2011

Ha! Close. The answer is: The Babylonians!   more ›

Noonday New Year's Celebration

Seniors celebrate the New Year early with an annual luncheon held at the Hopkins Activity Center.

Yes, it's only Dec. 30, but seniors and their families helped ring in the new year early at the Hopkins Activity Center. Even though the countdown was to 12 p.m. rather than 12 a.m. and sparkling juice was served instead of sparkling wine, the fun and spirit of celebration was no different. Susan Newville, the coordinator of the Hopkins Activity Center, has helped put on the Chicken Kiev New Year's dinner for the past 20 years. The Hopkins Raspberry Festival Royal Family also took part in helping serve hors d'oeuvres and leading games until the big countdown and celebration lunch at noon. Guest Marlene Dvorak, who has attended the event for many years,  said what she and most others enjoy is, "the gathering of family and friends and the …

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