FAMILY NEW YEAR: Some of you ever...

FAMILY NEW YEAR: Some of you ever faced that New Year’s Eve choice between a champagne night out on the town or just staying home with the kids? In Fullerton, they want you to hit the town tonight and bring the kids with you. . . . Some 10,000 people are expected to count down to the New Year at its fourth annual “First Night Fullerton” celebration--downtown fireworks, music, dance, pony rides and comedy. . . . Says city spokesman Steve Wilbur: “There is refuge outside the saloon doors, and that is downtown Fullerton.”

COUNTDOWN FEAST: You’ve had pizza delivered to your door, or Chinese food. But how about live lobsters? The New England Live Lobster Co. in Sunset Beach is running a special today: It will deliver live lobsters to your door for your New Year’s Eve party--minimum four, $8 to $20 each, depending on size. . . . It’s an experiment, says a spokeswoman, which will continue after today if there’s a demand for it. Sorry: If they aren’t delivered in 30 minutes, you do not get them free.

FIRST STEPS: Melissa Young, at 23, now dances professionally with Dallas Black Dance Theater. But she wanted to say thanks to the Saint Joseph Ballet in Santa Ana, where she spent seven years in training. . . . So she’s returned for the holidays to teach dance to youngsters at Saint Joseph, which is geared toward low-income youths who cannot afford ballet any other way. Says Young: “It will always be a place that I can call home.”

MAKE THEM DO IT: Most people are pretty good about having their little ones ride in car seats. But how about school-age children? Are they buckling up? . . . Local police point out that among the new laws going into effect Sunday is SB 2004, which could cost the driver a $50 fine if passengers 4 to 12 years old are not buckled up. Before, the fine was just $20. . . . Also, the car seat rule has been clarified: Any youngsters under 40 pounds must ride in a car seat--regardless of age.