For New Year’s Eve in Homer, bars celebrate in two time zones: New York style at 8 p.m., with a live television broadcast of the ball dropping at Times Square, or at local time at midnight.

People celebrating can get home safe. As in past years, local taxi cab companies Kostas Taxi, Ryder Transport and Kachecab provide free rides home from 8 p.m. New Year’s Even to 6 a.m. New Year’s Day. Be kind to cab drivers and tip generously.

Saturday, Dec. 30

Pratt Museum

ROOT Ball

5-7 p.m.

Begin the weekend with the Pratt Museum’s Root Ball, the closing reception party and silent auction for the ROOT International Mail Art Exhibition. Exhibition pieces locally and from around the world are currently available for bidding in a silent auction through Saturday. The silent auction closes at 7 p.m. Refreshments will be served. Wine and beer isavailable for purchase. Bring your own instrument for a “rootsy” jam session.

Sunday, New Year’s Eve

The Alibi

453 E. Pioneer Ave.

9 p.m., DJ Fractal Theory, laser show by DJ Fiend

Alice’s Champagne Palace

195 E. Pioneer Ave.

9 p.m. Black and White Ball with DJ Movement. The theme is dress up in black or white (or black and white) with glamor and glitz.

AJ’s Old Town Steakhouse and Tavern

120 W. Bunnell Ave.

4 p.m.: Open for dinner.

6 p.m., Neck and Neck with Frank Delap and Mike Patch

8 p.m.: New York-time champagne toast.

Down East Saloon

Mile 3 East End Road

9 p.m. Troubadour North.

One of Alaska’s top Country-Western bands, the Kenai group also plays alternative rock.

Kharacters

Pioneer Avenue and Shelford Street

10 p.m.: DJ Asterix

Land’s End Resort

4786 Homer Spit Road

Late dinner 5-10 p.m. with dinner specials including king crab Oscar andproscuitto wrapped chicken.

Otter Room

Best Western Bidarka Inn

575 Sterling Highway.

Champagne toast at midnight.

Salty Dawg Saloon

Ramp 1, Homer Harbor, Homer Spit

9 p.m. Holy Santos and friends

Monday, New Year’s Day

Land’s End Resort

9 a.m.-3 p.m.: Remedy &Renewal brunch. eservations are recommended: 907-235-0406 or 907-235-0400

Alaska State Parks First Hikes

Eveline State Recreation Area, Mile 13.8 East End Road past McNeil Canyon Elementary School

Noon-3 p.m.: Ski or snowshoe, snow dependent.

Taxi Cab rides

8 p.m. Dec. 31-6 a.m. Jan. 1

Courtesy of Kostas Taxi, Ryder Transport and Kachecab.

For rides, call 399-8008, 399-8115, 399-8888 or 235-1950.