Shauna Wright
![This Day in History for December 31 – Times Square Celebrates and More](http://townsquare.media/site/126/files/2011/12/timessquare.jpg?w=980&q=75)
This Day in History for December 31 – Times Square Celebrates and More
Here’s a look at some interesting events that took place on this day in history:
1879 – Thomas Edison demonstrates incandescent lighting to the public for the first time (More info)
1907 – The first New Year’s Eve celebration is held in Times Square — then known as Longacre Square — in New York City (More info)
![Could ‘Silent Strokes’ Be Responsible for Memory Loss?](http://townsquare.media/site/126/files/2011/12/alzheimeroldlady.jpg?w=980&q=75)
Could ‘Silent Strokes’ Be Responsible for Memory Loss?
While dementia is often blamed for memory loss among senior citizens, new research suggests undetectable “silent strokes” could be the culprit instead.
![Iowa Lottery Winner Finally Materializes to Claim $16.5 Million After Year-Long Delay](http://townsquare.media/site/126/files/2011/12/lotterytickets.jpg?w=980&q=75)
Iowa Lottery Winner Finally Materializes to Claim $16.5 Million After Year-Long Delay
On Monday, the deadline passed for an unknown $77 million lottery winner in Georgia to claim the prize. Unbelievable as that may have been, officials in Iowa had a similar situation — days before the deadline, a Hot Lotto ticket worth $16.5 million was still unaccounted for.
But no more. In a squeaker of epic proportions, an attorney for the unnamed winner stepped forward with the valuable little
![Verizon Wireless Announces New ‘Convenience Fee’](http://townsquare.media/site/126/files/2011/12/cellphone-money.jpg?w=980&q=75)
Verizon Wireless Announces New ‘Convenience Fee’
If you listen closely, you’ll hear the collective screams of a lot of Verizon Wireless customers — the company has announced that starting next month, it will impose a $2 fee on anyone who pays a monthly bill using a credit or debit card online or by phone.
![Which States Charge the Most to Insure a New Car?](http://townsquare.media/site/126/files/2011/12/cars.jpg?w=980&q=75)
Which States Charge the Most to Insure a New Car?
The cost of new cars doesn’t vary much from state-to-state, but the cost of insuring one absolutely does. In fact, auto insurance can cost as much as three times the national average in some states.
A new survey finds various state laws, weather, theft rates, and the overall percentage of uninsured drivers are just some of the factors leading to such drastic price disparities. So where will your w
![10 Tried-and-True Ways to Lose Weight](http://townsquare.media/site/126/files/2011/12/bestintentions.jpg?w=980&q=75)
10 Tried-and-True Ways to Lose Weight
If you're like most people, you've probably made a New Years resolution to lose weight. Unfortunately, most people – 80 percent – tap out before they really get started. To help you maintain your goal through 2012 and for years to come, we've compiled a list of tips the experts want you to know to get on the right track to weight loss.
10
Don't star
...
![10 Tips for the Common Hangover](http://townsquare.media/site/126/files/2011/12/hangover.jpg?w=980&q=75)
10 Tips for the Common Hangover
Hangovers have long been the price of a night of overindulgence — and come January 1, you may be feeling the effects of one yourself. So how can you make it a little less painful?
![How to Get Home Safely on New Year’s Eve](http://townsquare.media/site/126/files/2011/12/newyears.jpg?w=980&q=75)
How to Get Home Safely on New Year’s Eve
With New Year’s Eve vastly approaching, many are planning a night of revelry — one that usually includes alcohol. But have you figured out how you’ll get home?
![Hugo Chavez Thinks the US Might Be Giving Latin Leaders Cancer [VIDEO]](http://townsquare.media/site/126/files/2011/12/hugo-chavez.jpg?w=980&q=75)
Hugo Chavez Thinks the US Might Be Giving Latin Leaders Cancer [VIDEO]
In recent months, Latin leaders, including Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez, Argentina’s Cristina Fernandez, Paraguay’s Fernando Lugo, Brazil’s Dilma Rousseff and former Brazilian leader Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, have all been diagnosed with cancer.
Simple coincidence — or an American plot?
![Sick of Guessing What Weekday Will Be Christmas? New Calendar Has You Covered](http://townsquare.media/site/126/files/2011/12/calendar.jpg?w=980&q=75)
Sick of Guessing What Weekday Will Be Christmas? New Calendar Has You Covered
If you’re tired of starting every year wondering what day of the week your birthday will fall on or the exact date of Labor Day, two professors at Johns Hopkins University have your back. They’ve proposed a new calendar that would eradicate any such mystery.
![Manraze Release Free Download of ‘Over My Dead Body’](http://townsquare.media/site/126/files/2011/12/manraze1.jpg?w=980&q=75)
Manraze Release Free Download of ‘Over My Dead Body’
After more than 20 years with Def Leppard, guitarist Phil Collen is moonlighting with another outfit: Manraze. The group, which also features Simon Laffy from Girl and the Sex Pistols‘ Paul Cook, just released its new single ‘Over My Dead Body’ — and you can now download it for free.
![New Movie Releases — ‘The Darkest Hour’ and ‘War Horse’](http://townsquare.media/site/126/files/2011/12/newmovies122811.jpg?w=980&q=75)
New Movie Releases — ‘The Darkest Hour’ and ‘War Horse’
Movie studios inundated us with releases last week, which meant some were bound to get lost in the shuffle — especially the two that bowed on Christmas Day. Let’s take another look at them, shall we?