The O-town Scene

Scene the O-Town Vol. 1, No. 13 www.otownscene.com 102 Chestnut St., P.O. Box 250, Oneonta, NY 13820 (607) 432-1000, ext. 255, editor@otownscene.com Managing Editor Cassandra Miller Calendar of Events Editor Adrienne Wise Publisher Armand Nardi Editor of The Daily Star Sam Pollak Contributors Kyle Beckley, Sam Benedict, Eric Coan, Terry Ludwig, Jim Koury, Deb Marcus, Emily Popek, Scott Schleiff, Adam Sisenwein, Sam Spokony and Jennifer Tighe. Circulation Director Fred Schmidt Advertising For info: 432-1000, ext. 222 The O-Town Scene is published Thursdays by The Daily Star Inc. Free copies are distributed throughout Oneonta, as well as parts of Otsego, Delaware and Schoharie counties. Member of The Associated Press and CNHI News Service Managing Editor’s Note New Year’s Eve doesn’t meant that much to me. I don’t usually get my hopes up for a night to remember, and I’ve have occasionally been found asleep on the couch when the ball drops. Jan. 1 has never really felt like the start of a “new” year for me _ up through college, and the three years after when I was a teacher, the new year started in September. I also don’t make New Year’s resolutions. I tend to make changes whenever they’re needed _ when I’m feeling out of balance, not acting in a way that reflects who I want to be. This year, a need for change happens to coincide with the transition from ‘10 to ‘11. Over pizza and board- games at a recent girls’ night (we’re a wild bunch), a couple of friends and I talked about what wasn’t working for us and what we could change. One was about to 2 O-Town Scene Dec. 30, 2010 move to Buffalo for a new job and another, a professor, was about to head to Missouri for a few weeks over break. I was staying in Oneonta. We all were working with the concept of a fresh start. We kept it pretty abstract _ use kindness as our default setting, be less sensitive, mini- mize gossip and judgement, let go of grudges, have more girls’ nights, learn to cook. Change for the better is always a good idea, and if people want to do it at the beginning of January, more power to them. Each week at the Scene, we’re working on ways to change for the better. We’re hoping the new year will bring a website where read- ers can comment on stories and columns. We want to be more involved in community events, like the Polar Bear fundraising Beard-off contest, which the Scene is helping to sponsor. Oneonta and its residents are trying to make the area better, too. This week, we’re spotlighting the return of First Night, which a group of resi- dents has been working for a year to organize. The variety of acts assembled is impres- sive, and the event is in line to be a great success. Enjoy the festivities however you choose. Hopefully the new year brings happiness to you and yours. _ Cassandra Miller

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