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BUBBLY ON A BUDGET/HAPPY NEW YEAR

IF YOU ARE GOING TO RING IN NEW YEAR'S WITH A GLASS OF BUBBLY... IT CAN EXPENSIVE! OF COURSE... MAKE SURE YOU ARE NOT GOING TO DRINK AND DRIVE. I RECOMMEND STAYING HOME AND IF YOU'RE OF AGE MAYBE TOASTING WITH A GLASS OF CHAMPAGNE. BUT CHAMPAGNE CAN GET AMAZINGLY PRICEY. IF YOU DO WANT TO BUY SOME BOTTLES. HERE ARE SOM RECOMMENDATIONS FROM CONSUMER REPORTS AND THE WASHINGTON POST! BEST, TRICIA KEAN IT'S ALMOST TIME TO RING IN -2- THOUSAND -9-. FOR MANY... THAT MEANS BREAKING OUT A BOTTLE OF BUBBLY! SO... WHICH CHAMPAGNES ARE BEST.... IF YOU'RE ON A TIGHT BUDGET? FIRST OF ALL... IF YOU'RE LOOKING FOR SOMETHING FOR UNDER -20- DOLLARS... WE'RE REALLY TALKING SPARKLING WINE... SUCH AS "BRUT" . CONSUMER REPORTS MAGAZINE RECOMMENDS.... AS GOOD I-NEXPENSIVE CHOICES.... MUMM NAPA BRUT... FOR -20- DOLLARS... SEGURA VIUDAS BRUT CAVA... FOR -10- DOLLARS. THE WASHINGTON POST'S WINE CRITICS RECOMMEND AS GOOD BUDGET CHOICES CRITALINO CAVA BRUT FOR -8- DOLLARS. FREIXENET BRUT... FOR -11- DOLLARS.

Here comes New Years Eve and New Years day!

A holly jolly Christmas is a fine memory and now it's time for bowl games and revelry! Our weather will be great with sunshine and upper 50 to low 60 degree warmth for the next 3 days so without that to fret about, what are your resolutions for this year? Let me know...Take care and have a happy, safe and prosperous New Year...Mike

What is your New Year's resolution?

From losing weight to spending less money, many people make New Year's resolutions. Action News wants to know what is your New Year's resolution? Let us know in this Action News blog!

EYE-PHONE DEAL?

I'VE BEEN WANTING TO GET AN EYE-PHONE OR I-PHONE... MY HUSBAND HAS ONE AND LOVES IT... HERE'S SOMETHING WE HAVE IN CONTACT 13 TONIGHT... AND I WANTED TO POST IT BECAUSE THIS IS ONE OF THOSE STORIES THAT PEOPLE CALL ME ABOUT DAYS LATER.... GOOD LUCK.... TRICIA SO HOW WOULD YOU LIKE TO GET YOUR HANDS ON AN EYE-PHONE FOR LESS THAN -1- HUNDRED DOLLARS? A-T AND T WIRELESS'S ON-LINE STORE IS NOW OFFERING REFURBISHED MODELS OF THE 8 GIGA-BYTE EYE-PHONE FOR ONLY -99- DOLLARS WITH A -2- YEAR CONTRACT. THE -16- GIGA-BYTE VERSION IS ALSO BEING SOLD FOR -ONE- HUNDRED -99- DOLLARS. BOTH ARE -1- HUNDRED DOLLARS MORE.... WHEN PURCHASED NEW. A-T AND -T- SAYS THE PREVIOUSLY OWNED DEVICES WERE RETURNED DURING THE INITIAL -30- DAY TRIAL PERIOD. THE REFURBISHED PHONES OFFER A -90- DAY WARRANTY.

CHRISTMAS TIME...I LOVE IT

Ya know something...I love Christmas and perhaps Christmas Eve more than any other night of the year! There is a familial feeling of togetherness that cannot be topped and when you have a young child at home it's even better. I can remember when I was a child trying to go to bed as early as possible so that when I awakened Christmas would be there. If you're like me once Christmas day arrived you had to go to someones house that was nice but you would much rather be doing something with your friends. For me it was playing Hockey all day long and scoring goals as opposed to eating overdone Turkey and hanging out with a bunch of old people. At the time I didn't see I did not see the value in that, but then again I was just a kid who who had no clue what life would bring in the future. Through older eyes now I see the value of family time and moments spent with close friends. Moments, that can be crystalized in thought later in life and rekindled to spark palpable memories of Christmas' past. I look back at those thoughts with joy these days and the memories of backyard goals all appear to be blurred as the years march on. Merry Christmas and to the younger set reading this, grin and bear it now because years from now you'll be happy for spending the time with loved ones and enjoying what is the true gift of Christmas...LOVE!

What do you think was the biggest Las Vegas headline of 2008?

Robberies, mug shots, fires and celebrities threw Las Vegas into the national spotlight this year. What do you think was the biggest local story of 2008 and why? Let us know in this Action News blog! We'll feature some of your responses before the end of the year.

WESTERN REAL ESTATE MARKET

DESPITE LOW PRICES NOW THIS STILL MAY NOT BE THE BEST TIME TO BUY A HOME. FORTUNE 500 MAGAZINE SAYS THE HOUSING MARKET HASN'T BOTTOMED OUT YET. FOR THE THIRD QUARTER THE CLOSELY-WATCHED S AND P CASE-SHILLER NATIONAL HOME-PRICE INDEX FELL 16 POINT 6 PERCENT. AND EXPERTS ARE PREDICTING FURTHER DECLINES. MOSTLY IN THE WESTERN U-S. OF THE TOP -10- MARKETS WITH THE WORST FORECASTS -8- ARE IN CALIFORNIA. THEY INCLUDE L-A... STOCKTON... RIVERSIDE... SACRAMENTO... SANTA ANA.... ANAHEIM... FRESNO... SAN DIEGO AND BAKERSFIELD. LAS VEGAS.... AVOIDED.... THE TOP TEN. THAT'S GOOD NEWS THAT WE DIDN'T MAKE IT INTO THE TOP 10... BUT I THOUGHT THIS WAS VERY INTERESTING INFORMATION. TRICIA KEAN

Holiday Tipping

Happy Holidays Contact 13 Viewers- I am sorry I haven't blogged in a bit. But I ran into some technical difficulties. I am back though. Okay so it's a tough time for all of us. However, if at all possible.... this is the time of year we need to think about those that make our lives easier and better. We take it for granted that our mail arrives on time... or that our trash guy picked up that extra load or that our hair dresser fit us in to their schedule at last minute. So here are some guidelines on Holiday Tipping. If you can... think of someone else this holiday season with a few dollars. Tricia Kean HERE'S A GUIDE.... TO -HOLIDAY TIPPING-. CONSIDER GIVING YOUR BABY SITTER -2- NIGHT'S PAY AND PERHAPS A GIFT. YOUR HAIR DRESSER... ABOUT THE COST OF A REGULAR SESSION. AND DON'T FORGET THE GARBAGE COLLECTORS... ABOUT -15- TO -20- EACH.

I'm in a holiday kind of mood by Meteorologist Mike Tsolinas.

All this snow has put me in a holiday mood! I love the stretch between Halloween and New Years. Lot's of family fun, food and of course SPORTS!!! I love football, the game I believe to be the most perfect game ever devised. I grew up playing hockey and did so all the way through college but football is still my favorite. At any rate, this time of the year we have everything and it's perfect for me, especially when it SNOWS IN LAS VEGAS! Hey a couple of question for ya...First what is your favorite sport? What's your favorite holiday and why?...What is your favorite Christmas song? Blog in your answers and I'll give ya' a shout out and props on our morning show...Have a great weekend...Mike

For dog and cat lovers...

One of our viewers emailed this my way. I have both dogs and a cat. My cat is the sweetest angel... most of the time... as is my dog - however I often wonder what they are thinking and this email was just so funny I wanted to share it.

Hope it gives you a bit of a chuckle...

"Excerpts from a Dog's Diary….

8:00 am - Dog food! My favorite thing!

9:30 am - A car ride! My favorite thing!

 9:40 am - A walk in the park! My favorite thing!

10:30 am - Got rubbed and petted! My favorite thing!

12:00 pm - Lunch! My favorite thing!

1:00 pm - Played in the yard! My favorite thing!

3:00 pm - Wagged my tail! My favorite thing!

5:00 pm - Milk bones! My favorite thing!

7:00 pm - Got to play ball! My favorite thing!

8:00 pm - Wow! Watched TV with the people! My favorite thing!

11:00 pm - Sleeping on the bed! My favorite thing!

 Excerpts from a Cat's Diary…

Day 983 of my captivity. My captors continue to taunt me with bizarre little dangling objects. They dine lavishly on fresh meat, while the other inmates and I are fed hash or some sort of dry nuggets. Although I make my contempt for the rations perfectly clear, I nevertheless must eat something in order to keep up my strength. The only thing that keeps me going is my dream of escape. In an attempt to disgust them, I once again vomit on the carpet.

Today I decapitated a mouse and dropped its headless body at their feet. I had hoped this would strike fear into their hearts, since it clearly demonstrates what I am capable of. However, they merely made condescending comments about what a 'good little hunter' I am.

There was some sort of assembly of their accomplices tonight. I was placed in solitary confinement for the duration of the event. However, I could hear the noises and smell the food. I overheard that my confinement was due to the power of 'allergies.' I must learn what this means and how to use it to my advantage.

Today I was almost successful in an attempt to assassinate one of my tormentors by weaving around his feet as he was walking. I must try this again tomorrow -- but at the top of the stairs. I am convinced that the other prisoners here are flunkies and snitches. The dog receives special privileges. He is regularly released - and seems to be more than willing to return. He is obviously crazy. The bird has got to be an informant. I observe him communicating with the guards regularly. I am certain that he reports my every move. My captors have arranged protective custody for him in an elevated cell, so he is safe. For now......... "