This week: Between the holidays, more football

BETWEEN THE HOLIDAYS, MORE FOOTBALL

The college football bowl season accelerates this week, starting with a game of local interest: N.C. State vs. Rutgers today in Birmingham, Ala. For those of you who didn't make the trip down South, the game is on ESPN at 3 p.m. If that one isn't enough for you, there are 18 (!) more to be contested through Saturday. (Yes, that was done without one sponsorship reference.)

IS IT A CABINET YET?

President-elect Barack Obama just about finished naming his group of top agency heads before Christmas, but there hasn't been a word yet from Gov.-elect Beverly Perdue about her Cabinet. This week would be a good time, since the Jan. 10 inauguration approaches. Perdue could always consult Gov. Mike Easley, a noted woodworker.

THE ECONOMY: DUCK AND COVER

On Tuesday, the Conference Board will release the Consumer Confidence Index, while Standard & Poor's/Case-Shiller releases its October index of home prices. On Wednesday, the Labor Department will release weekly jobless claims.

NEW LAWS, MORE INSURANCE

Starting Thursday, state government wants you to have enough coverage on your vehicle. One of several laws taking effect Jan. 1 will require drivers to carry uninsured and underinsured coverage. The vast majority of drivers already have that coverage, which kicks in if the driver at fault in a collision doesn't have insurance or enough coverage. Those who don't have such coverage are looking at an increase in car insurance premiums.

SPEAKING OF NEW YEAR'S ...

Those drivers will want to take great care on New Year's Eve, the annual evening of amateur overconsumption. There is, of course, no sanctioned drinking at Raleigh's annual First Night celebration, which gets started at 2 p.m. Wednesday with the Children's Celebration. From there, there's constant entertainment into the night, including the fabled acorn drops at 7 p.m. for the kiddies and at midnight for the hardcore, um, acorn fanciers. Admission buttons are $9; for more information, go to firstnightraleigh.com.

AFTER THE CONFETTI, THE SHAME

For everyone who will be somewhere besides the acorn drop, we present these hangover tips. They will be handy when you open your bloodshot eyes to the cruel New Year's Day sun:

* Sleep. Your body needs to recover from your terrible sins.

* Replenish your desiccated self with fruit juice and water.

* Avoid caffeine. It will continue to dehydrate you, which is precisely what you don't need.

As for folkloric remedies such as pickle juice, Vegemite, menudo and the like, you are on your own. But perhaps you should just suffer. You will have earned it.

THE FIRST MAJOR EVENTS OF 2009

History will remember this. All taking place Thursday: the 120th annual Rose Parade, themed "Hats Off to Entertainment"; the main celebration of the 50th anniversary of the Cuban revolution, Raul Castro presiding; and the World Series of Beer Pong, hosted by the Flamingo Las Vegas.

AT THE WATER COOLER

Hakeem Nicks scored three touchdowns and made a spectacular, behind-the-back grab that became an instant replay favorite. Wasn't enough to push Carolina past West Virginia in that Charlotte bowl game named for a muffler shop. But man-oh-man did Nicks jack up his NFL value. Good luck keeping him in Chapel Hill, Butch.