show it was. bright lights beautiful colors. when the clock struck midnight and the fireworks went off the crowds stopped what they were doing to watch the display of lights. people came in from all over the bay area. even though officials warned people to leave their cars at home, the bay bridge was packed earlier in the day as people anxious to get a head start on the celebrations headed for the city bringing traffic to a standstill. abc 7's john allston reports. >> it's a new year's eve tradition along the embarcadero. barricades going up to keep revelers out of traffic and families getting in one last skate before the new year. it's a quieter evening in san leandro. >> these days, spend the day time with family and friends and head back to the house later on this evening. >> she's here with her god daughter tanya jones, a new year's eve birthday girl who turned nine today. >> do you get to stay up past

midnight. >> i get to watch the fireworks on tv. >> another tradition is colliding with new year's eve this year, critical mass which rolled out of justin herman plaza at 6:30. >> seems to be a lot of number of street closures and for crowd control we have squads in specific areas like new year's square, broadway corridor. >> the city put up fences around the giant sculptures along the embarcadero as well as alongsided bay. this is a big night for hotels. the hyatt reports occupancy at 98% with an uptick of guests who live within driving distance. >> we haven't done that for a long time. just kind of driving and it's such a beautiful place and there's so much do here in the city. >> that's john allston reporting. and then there's that other city, new york city where as many as a million people braved tight security and chilly temperatures together in time square. crowds joined in the countdown as the six ton waterford crystal

ball marked the new year. lingering effects of the massive blizzard that paralyzed the city last week and which still hasn't been entirely cleared. law enforcement officials were out enforce throughout the bay area to take people driving under the influence off the road. warnings had gone out repeatedly about increased patrols that would have zero tolerance for drunk drivers. law enforcement officers from every county are participating in avoid the 21 program which will continue through the weekend, a message which we should all know by now, don't drive if you drink, save lives and save money. a south bay homeowner could face charges for shooting someone on his property. it's a legal issue for everyone. how far can we go to protect our homes and our families. the shooting took place in the backyard of a home on patio drive near meridian. sue thompson has our story. >> it was the noise outside that woke richard razzio. >> about 3:00 i heard somebody trying to get in our front door. >> a man outside was rattling

his doorknob. razzio ran to the looked door and called 9-1-1. >> i saw a young man, seemed to be in distress because he was probably intoxicated. >> the man left wandered to a curb and then took off. about an hour later and a few doors down, more problems and gunfire. >> he fired his firearm from inside the residence outside to the individuals. >> the homeowner who lives here told police he fired multiple shots through a window into his backyard and whoever was pounding and banging. he tells police someone was trying to break in. >> he was able to look from the inside of his residence outside through some french glass doors and see two -- what he said was two individuals. one of them appearing to be armed with a silver handgun. >> the second person disappeared. now police must decide if the homeowner was justified in using deadly force. >> unless there is an actual,

forcible unlawful entry, the homeowner can be in some legal jeopardy. >> abc 7 legal analyst dean johnson said it is a tough call. but in california, you just can't shoot anybody that comes into your backyard. >> deadly force can be used only in self-defense when someone is in imminent fear of either death or great bodily injury. >> the investigation isn't over. in the coming days san jose's district attorney's office will review the case to determine if that homeowner was justified in shooting the intruder. and if he may face charges. in san jose, sue thompson, abc 7 news. >> and world news at least 21 people are dead after a powerful bomb exploded in front of a christian church in egypt this morning just 30 minutes into the new year. this cellphone video captures the initial chaos that ensued. the bomb hit worshippers after they left a church after a new year's holiday mass.

they're not sure if it came from a car packed with explosives or from a suicide bomber in the crowd. it follows repeated threats by al-queda to attack egypt's christians. homeland security secretary janet napolitano is in afghanistan spending new year's eve with u.s. troops. tomorrow she's going to cutter and israel and belgium. her focus is aviation security in the region and the flow of terrorist financing through the persian gulf. the new year brings with it job cuts. there are reports that social net working website myspace.com is planning significant layoffs that could affect up to 50% of its employees. reports say myspace.com owner newscorp. is looking for drastic cost-cutting measures to combat decreased revenue and traffic. myspace.com is not commenting this morning. there is a glimmer of hope this morning the new year will bring signs of an improving jobs picture. the labor department says the number of first-time

unemployment applications fell below 400,000 last week to end 2010 at the lowest number in more than two years. as abc 7's christina rusk reports, it's an important milestone in the economic recovery. >> amber cohen who is unemployed and steven levy who is a national recognized economist have something in common: optimism. even though national unemployment remainses at a frustrating 9.8%, there's a positive shift in the labor market. >> i got three great job leads actually by net working with somebody. they ended up liking me and said you know what, i think my company might be hiring. >> many economists have been waiting for months for job claims to fall below 400,000. the fact they came in at 388,000 is like an end of the year bonus. >> the director for continuing study of the california economy says it's one more sign a sluggish economy is turning the

corner. >> exports and foreign trade are near pre-recession levels. the tech firms are obviously selling stuff off the shelf. it's been a banner year for new products. >> the labor department reports california is specifically benefiting from fewer layoffs than expected in the agriculture industry. last week the state reported a drop in new unemployment claims of more than 7,000. managers and job placement agency man power say the activity goes beyond seasonal hiring and predicts growth early next year. >> construction should pick up a little bit in 2011. manufacturing of both durable nondurable goods should also increase i think information technology. >> thomas says more companies have budgeted for hiring in the first quarter of 2011 and that should offer relief for the unemployed. >> i actually have a job promised to me from one of my former company's competitors in february.

>> whether you are one of the recession statistics or just following the slow recovery with a watchful eye, there seems to be a collective sigh of relief. >> you're feeling people kind of going ohhh all right 2011. okay, i can do 2011. >> in sunnyvale christina rusk, abc 7 news. >> a lot of celebrating overnight and new year's eve isn't the only reason to party in san francisco. those working so hard to bring america's cup here are celebrating victory. the most prestigious yacht race is coming to the bay area. it's a big deal. but as lisa amin gulezian, critics believe it's also a bad deal. >> the world's oldest sports trophy arrived in san francisco in february. ten months later, the city that's held the cup has learned it will host the next race in 2013. >> the work really begins. and that is fulfilling the commitments we made in the post-city agreement doing the work that needs to be done. >> here are the deal's details.

race organizers will pay the city $55 million for use of eight piers. they'll get to use piers 30 and 32 for 56 years. san francisco meantime will spend $35 million. half will come from the general fund to pay for services during the race. all permits and taxes. and millions more will be spent on a viewing section for fans at pier 27. conservative groups like san francisco's republican assembly feel ripped off. >> the city cannot even repair its streets or educate its children. they can spend millions of dollars and dedicate thousands of city employees to this sport. >> race organizers insist this is an investment that will pay off. >> you're looking at shoring um facilities along the waterfront that until today have not been really looked at as far as this kind of infrastructure improvement. >> in fact, pier 27 will be further developed after the race and become a new cruise ship

terminal while many businesses along the embarcadero welcome the race -- >> it will be a lot of publicity for the city and good for fisherman's wharf. >> some taxpayers aren't buying it. >> i think it can be invested in education. >> construction is expected to begin in 2011. in san francisco lisa amin gulezian, abc 7 news. >> it's a somber display and the people who put it together hope you never see it again but this morning there are more crosses to add in oakland. and the bay area woman offering her life savings for what was

... and try...and try. i heard eating wle grain oats can help lower my cholesterol. it's gonna be tough...so tough. my wife and i want to lowe our cholesterol, but finding healthy food that tastes good is torturous. your father is suffering. [ male announc ] honey nut cheerios tastes great and can help lower cholesterol. bee happy. bee healthy. >> closed captioning brought to you by mancini sleepworld. . >> the new year in oakland began with a murder.

police were called to a home on highland street shortly before midnight. three people were shot including one man dead on the scene. the wounded men were taken to a nearby hospital. they have not released the identity of any of the victims, nor information as to who or what might have prompted the shooting. the murder scene was the site of another homicide just two months ago. a powerful way to illustrate the toll violence is taking in oakland, for the past four years saint columbia catholic church has crosses representing oakland. yesterday the church held a ceremony to honor 92 victims. family members were there as the crosses were removed. >> looking at the crosses just kind of reminds me just how violent it is out here. something's gotta change. >> too many guns and too many people using guns to resolve their differences. >> the lawn is left bare in front of saint columbia to start

the new year. organizers are hoping it stays that way but looking like the murder that just happened after midnight, another cross may be added. >> it is january 1st new year's day. it's a little chilly, a little wet but there's a bright outlook. >> you see the wet weekend. moderate downpours out there right now. high definition emeryville light rain for most of the bay area. a few pockets of heavier rain. i'll show you and tell you about the week ahead which includes, yes, some sunshine coming up. >> a particularly cold january morning in pasadena where people are trying to stay warm for the rose parade.

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a different kind of new year's eve tradition is drawing those from down south. lining the boulevard from pasadena for a good view for the rose parade. it's been a cold wait. temperatures dipping to the 20s at times. blankets the only protection because there are no campfires or tents along that route. they need one of those snuggies. who cares what we look like as

long as we're warm! you can watch live coverage from the comfort of your home at 8:00 this morning on abc 7. >> this whole weekend going to be a lot of showers? >> yes. the rose parade will get by with upper 50s, no rain. >> that's good. >> rain coming tomorrow. we've got it today and tomorrow. as we head outside, definitely wet with 38-minute delays on arriving flights at sfo. looking at breezy winds around the bay as well. another shot for you, the embarcadero where temperatures are in the upper 40s. the tradeoff with the clouds, yes. warmer weather but gusty winds, san jose, napa. fog in livermore as well. just about everything this morning, live doppler 7 hd shows that the rain is ending in the north bay for now. petaluma roaner park you're dry. moving to the north and east. american canyon, vallejo light showers. further east 580 and 680 south

of dublin pretty moderate downpour right here. you can see the yellow right here and that's some pretty good rain. be careful out there. slick roadways further on the peninsula. along the peninsula and further south, light to moderate rain. we will look for the rain to continue to move to the north and east. shut off in the north bay first but eventually san francisco within the next hour you just need some drier weather. and lastly it will be out of the east bay and south bay by about 8:00 9:00 this morning. temperatures mainly the mid to upper 40s, especially the north bay where we have cool positive air. fairfield 39 and even further north in lake county some very cold air. hard to scour out. so that's why we have a winter weather advisory are areas of snow believe it or not, higher elevations about 4,000 feet. more rain arrives tonight after

our mid afternoon break and this will take us through much of sunday morning and afternoon. yesterday's high pressure ridge giving way to an area of low pressure that's pushing that cold front through the area. this isn't just the first one. this is pushing through rather quickly this morning. that's why we'll begin to see the rain turn more showery this afternoon. but then a second system will bring us more rain the second half of the weekend. in the sierra nevada, not a big snow maker. right now there's snow in there in lake tahoe but 3 to 5 inches lake level, 4 to 8 inches 7,000 feet. not sunny conditions for skiing but at least a little fresh powder out there for you. snow here, can you believe it! 6 to 10 inches around 3,000 feet. definitely cooler air in place. i want to show you the timing of the rain. right now we're looking at the rain by about 9:00 pushing out. a little more scattered activity and by late tonight look what happens. i should say early evening, 6:00 more heavy rain, moderate

rain through the overnight hours. it isn't until the afternoon tomorrow, 4:00, 5:00, we begin to dry out. that should be the end of it. look for temperatures today low to mid-60s for the most part except the north counties where napa, santa rosa, just chilly upper 40s. the monterey bay scattered showers through about 9:00. the accu-weather 7-day forecast you can catch a break mid afternoon. that's about it. and late afternoon tomorrow. after that just slight chances here and there, warmer sunnier, drier. so due for that. >> it will be nice when the kids go back to school monday they'll have some dry weather. thank you, lisa. >> in sports now, nba action the warriors ends on a high note. morning sports. >> good morning. warriors' steven sigh list jumped ship to join his father's coaching staff in charlotte. he knows every player and play's

tendency it ises he went to high school and college in charlotte. his tendency is knocking down threes. warriors up 6 at half. now in the third, steven jackson down the middle throwing down. he had 22. bobcats within 8. stop the ball! too easy for steve. monta actually 25. bobcats down. one jackson for the win! 96-95 warriors. they have won four out of five. st. mary's hosting hartford. picked this game up with two minutes to play. the scoreboard proves it. hits the three right there. he had 11. st. mary's up by 22. on the other end morgan savior with a pretty fadeaway. st. mary's, 87-63.

49er news. multiple outlets reporting team owner will interview current v. p. player bulky today to the manager position and he is the front runner for the job. meanwhile the nfl network, they are saying brian billlock is the front runner to take over as head coach so stay tuned there. notre dame versus miami was dubbed the catholics versus the convicts. on the football field for the first time in 20 years. the sun bowl in el paso. first quarter, irish up 7-0 and adding on. tommy reese for michael floyd. floyd's 28th career-receiving touchdown, most in irish history. look like a tale on the rise. 34 yards for six. irish, man, they led 27-0 at half. 33-17 is the full-time. notre dame finishes the year positive note with four straight

victories. chick fillet bowl. first quarter game on the move. steven garcia. gets lit up! greg reid laying the wood. candlesmith recovers returns 46 yards. led to a field goal. ladmore will leave the game with a concussion. you can see why. e. j. manual back in the end zone. florida state chick fillet champs, 26-17. here we are. the first day of 2011. but before we completely move on from 2010 we offer a year in review. >> this is the best moment of my life! a fact! >> pennington he's got it! he did it! dallas has thrown a perfect

game! wow! >> oh, no! oh no! >> a hail mary for st. mary's! >> don't go say a bunch of stuff but don't tell him i said it. to me that's a rap, a personal failure. >> to the outside! touchdown, raiders. they are pouring it on. watch them run over. knock him over. look at him! and down-field! >> colin fires it up got it! and the win streak is over! it's over! >> if you look up there that's a very lonely flag. we want another one! >> there it is! struck him out!

and for the first time since 1954 the giants are world champions! >> do it again baby! i love you! thank you very much! >> aubrey huff, classic. be sure to tune in tonight. mike shumann with a huge day in sports. warriors sharks, college football that includes wisconsin and tcu in the rose bowl. i'm collin rush. >> next at 6:30 the fireworks over san francisco bay. a spectacular entrance to 2011. the changes in california laws that start today and the new year brings some changes t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t

t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t tlllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllll

♪ > happy new year everyone! it is january 1st 2011, and

we're going to see a number of new laws going into effect today this january 1st. nanette miranda reports on some of the new legislation aimed at issues ranging from prisoners to pot. >> california starts the year by downgrading possession of an ounce or less of marijuana from a misdemeanor to an infraction. though the fine remainses $100 there's no jail time or notation on your criminal record. >> it unclogs our overburdened court system which is dragged down because they have all the simple possessions of marijuana cases and they -- it's difficult to get into a courtroom. >> also in a cost-cutting mood the state will be releasing severely sick or dying inmates through medical parole. that's causing public safety concerns among republicans who call the move too dangerous. >> it's going to allow for the release of sex offenders and murderers just because they've gotten a note from their doctor, not because the judge that

sentenced them has said that they deserve to be let out early. >> the paparazzi known to surround or block celebrities while driving just to take their picture may be liable for damages under false imprisonment. a blue alert on those highway signs tell you when an officer is down and the suspect is still on the loose. it's similar to an amber alert for a missing child. if you have one of those yellow hybrid stickers you can still use the carpool lane as a solo driver six more months. >> when you're running late and you have a meeting wonderful to be in that carpool lane. >> california helping you be healthier. baked goods from breads to pastries made locally can no longer have artery-clogging trans fats. >> i'm a fan of the healthier foods. i think it's a good thing. i think other people will jump on board. >> lastly lawmakers went after some internet users. it will be a misdemeanor to impersonate someone on the

internet if the intention is to deceive or understand another person. >> san francisco muni operators and the city's transit bosses will sit down in new year to hammer out several labor dispute issues. the workers union and city officials plan to meet behind closed doors twice in the next month to discuss contract negotiations. the current contract expires in june. this marks the first time the two sides will negotiate since voters passed measure g in november. it sets working conditions while eliminating automatic raises from muni employees. >> caltrain will start the new year with fare hikes and service cuts. starting today all fares will rise by 25 cents per zone. that means a trip between san francisco and san jose will cost 75 cents more each way. caltrain will also shrink its weekday schedule from 90 to 8 6 trains. but it's trying something new that could be good news for passengers. baby bullet trains will run on the weekends for the next three months. that can make the trip from san jose to san francisco in about

an hour cutting 30 minutes off the current ride. the need to pay for ambulances is why it's going to cost us all more if we get a traffic ticket. the state is adding $4 to the price of every ticket. a shortfall has led to the medical helicopter program being underfunded. another law taking effect today opens the door to a second potential revenue stream allowing cities to install cameras on street sweepers to catch parking violators. even so it is unclear how many local agencies plan to take advantage of that law. health officials wanna make sure teenagers are vaccinated against whopping cough before they start another year of school. a new law will require all middle and high school students to be vaccinated against the infectious disease before fall 2011. immunity begins to weaken ten years after the vaccine is given

and most were immunized in kindergarten. on the job front there's a lot of buzz online buzz about the most absurd job interview questions people have been asked recently. this one is from goldman sachs. if you are shrunk to the size of a pencil and put in a blender how would you get out. that's for an analyst position. how about this one from google. how about basketballs can the fit in this room? in case these are too easy, there's this one. rate yourself on a scale of one to ten how weird you are. that's for an operations analyst job at capital one. the world's population is on the verge of a major milestone. ♪ >> "national geographic" put out this message about the world seeing its 7 billionth person. it's worth noting it took nearly

all of human history to get to just the 1 billion mark but 50 years to go from 3 billion to 7 billion people. people in north korea have seen their first western film ever in celebration of the tenth anniversary of the country's diplomatic relations with great britain. the state channel aired the british comedy "bend it like beckham." >> the only one of them. >> the movie was altered. the two-hour film was edited into a one-hour broadcast and featured a message about north korea's relationship with britain. this year president obama extended new year's greetings to the nation in his weekly address this morning. he said the u.s. is moving toward making the recession a thing of the past. >> we are, however, riding a few months of economic news that suggests our recovery is gaining traction. and our most important task now is to keep that recovery going.

as president, that's my commitment to you, to do everything i can to make sure our economy is growing creating jobs and strengthening our middle class. that's my resolution for the coming year. >> however, a new congress will be sworn in this week with each party controlling one house. the challenge he said will be for congress to work in a bipartisan fashion. this year abc news begins a year-long odyssey called be the change save a life. the series challenges each one of us to come up with solutions for problems plaguing the world. some solutions can be found right here in the bay area. >> in the darfur region of sudan, 2 million people struggle in the desert to find wood to cook with. women have been raped and killed trying to feed their families. in bangladesh, dangerous levels of arsenic in drinking water has led to birth defects. and in rural guatemala hot water is an unattainable luxury.

thanks to a national laboratory physicist and engineer many of these problems have simple pollutions. he made a name for himself in science discoveringry way to clean water with ultraviolet light. but it's his humanitarian project that made a huge difference. he led graduate students from u.c. berkeley on a journey to find simple engineering solutions to global problems. the stoves invented by the team use just a fraction of wood as a traditional cooking fire and limit the dangerous treks to look for that wood. the stoves are shipped flat assembled onsite and most importantly inexpensive. one stove costs just $20. >> each stove saves them almost $330 a year in fuel cost. so what used to be 33% of their daily budget is now only about 15%. >> in guatemala, the team is testing an inexpensive way to

deliver hot water using solar energy. >> the goal is try to have solar water heating at a cost people can afford. >> he just returned from the india border along bangladesh. 70 million people drink water with arsenic levels many times higher than what is considered safe. >> the challenge is find something technically effective and bring it down to ten parts per billion, really very low levels. >> next year they will begin a pilot project that uses simple technology to clear the water. two pieces of steel with an electrical charge. >> that causes it to corrode because you're driving a current through it and produces a particular kind of rust of nanoparticle size that grabs the arsenic. >> it costs just a fraction of a penny per person per day. he says these simple engineering solutions that we take for granted can have huge impacts.

his hope is that others will take the time to look for them as well. >> the study section comes from the cognition that we're all human and in some sense i could be in their skin and they could be in my skin. so all of us owe it to all the world to do the best we can. >> if you'd like to sign up to help make a difference or make a donation we have links on our website, abc7news.com. just click on assignment 7. >> have your umbrellas handy if you're heading out this new year. >> that's right. we will see a little break today but it's not going to last long. a live look outside the golden gate bridge. definitely wet out there and we've got more rain for the first weekend of the new year. i'll explain next. >> and an east bay woman is offering a huge reward for her stolen pet dog

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>> a hayward woman is offering a $5,000 reward for the return of her yorkshire terrier stolen from her car yesterday. kim left her yorkie in her car outside macy's at southland mall. when she returned her car window was smashed and her dog was gone. >> i don't care who took her. i just -- i'm willing to give all my savings. i have $5,000, and i'll give it to anybody who will have her safely returned to me. >> hayward police asked her to come to the station to give a full statement and she is hopeful the security cameras at the mall will provide some clues. i hope they catch them, too. let's take a look at our new year's day forecast. a little wet. showers coming down. people maybe just coming home from the city after partying all night? >> yeah! seen like three cars. so many people out. and good reason. a big night last night. wet night. and it continues into this morning, although we're already beginning to see the back edge

of the showers exit the north bay. sfo, delays 38 minutes on arriving flights. fog around the peninsula, gusty winds as well and another look outside our window. the embarcadero still very wet out there but you too are looking at decreasing showers throughout the morning hours. live doppler 7 hd. look at highway 101 getting quiet in the north bay although the rain continues to press to the east. light rain american canyon out towards vallejo. richmond and concord a little further east looking at a heavier cell around 580 and hayward looking at rain exiting your area. watch out, the san ramon valley continues to get wet. and, also, the dumbarton bridge the san mateo bridge. light rain for you and we're looking at a little better cell here. notice east of woodside and 280 moving out. and more wet weather as you head down towards gilroy, hollister. light to moderate rain. it will take you a couple of

hours to see an end to the rain as the rain continues to shift to the north and east. south bay and east bay will be the last to see the rain end which should be about 8:00 9:00 this morning. high temperatures, well, they look like high temperatures compared to where we were the past couple mornings, 20s and 30s. much warmer. 49 mountain view but even upper 30s up by the delta. we had a rain/snow mix with some of that cold air continuing to stay settled into the lower elevations. and then as you get up in height, around 4,000 feet a rain/snow mix around lake county. so the rain this morning will be ending turning showery by about 9:00. we get a break around midday for new year's day but then more rain by this evening and then throughout much of the day on sunday. the setup high pressure has given way to our first area of low pressure. this system sliding towards the central coast and the heaviest rain pushing to the east of us right now.

also pushing that cold air out. once we get behind the next couple of systems, we're going to see a change in the weather pattern for more mild conditions. but here in novato looking at some very wet weather. it's snowing right now. not a big snow maker for you. 3 to 5 inches at lake level through 10:00. winter weather advisory, 4 to 8 inches above 7,000 feet. higher elevations of the north bay, rain/snow mix lake county right up until noon. probably discontinued a little earlier than that but definitely slick roadways and matches of ice not out of the question. 5:00 this morning the rain continues to press to the south along the central coast but the areas of rain press to the north and east. by this afternoon, more scattered activity. so that means we're lightening up. but by this evening, look what happens. heavier rain, north bay peninsula, south bay overnight hours. full out moderate rain throughout the entire bay area. by 2:00 3:00, more scattered

shower activities. a much drier weather pattern. today a few breaks out there. maybe a peek of sun. upper 40s by antioch and northern lake county, sonoma county. low to mid-50s with scattered showers through about 9:00. so really the only break comes this afternoon. more rain -- thank goodness for the break because we're getting pretty saturated out there. wouldn't be surprised to see low-lying flooding from some of those downpours and especially tonight. the drains can't handle it. >> you're right. it's good to have those breaks to let them go down and get us dried up. thanks so much, lisa. the doyle drive replacement project is well underway but finding the money to finish the job is uncertain. transportation reporter heather ishimaru explains why. >> the southbound presidio parkway viaduct is taking shape

alongside the 80-year-old doyle drive. this caltran animation shows how the billion dollar replacement project will look when completed. the new approach to the golden gate bridge is to be finished with money from a german company in an unusual funding arrangement called a public/private partnership or p-3. the union representing 1300 state engineers is challenging the legality of that deal and now it's in the hands of a judge who granted a temporary restraining order against it last week. >> the idea between the public/private partnership, the private sector is supposed to bring in some money. they're really not. no separate revenue stream. just going to take money out of the state highway account which is your gas tax dollars and mine for the next 30 years. >> the transportation authority says the law does allow the de. >> total revenue stream is not required to move forward. this project does have the funding it needs to proceed. >> the union says the p-3 could mean fewer jobs for its members.

>> the concern is a billion dollars in gas tax money is going to be wasted over the next 30 years that could be used for other projects and those projects would benefit the taxpayers and our members would work on them because they're on state highways. >> they say it won't hurt engineers' jobs. >> we are getting a project built with no risk of cost overrun with a certain time line and with a 30-year warranty. how could we go wrong? >> the judge decides monday whether to extend the tro. the authority says the project will be finished no matter what. heather ishimaru, abc 7 news. >> another construction note for highway 101. the rainy weather we've been having pushed back plans to fill potholes on southbound highway 101 in sonoma county. the work between santa rosa and roaner park has been rescheduled for next week monday through wednesday during the overnight

hours. but tuesday's work will require all south bound traffic to exit the freeway and immediately get back on again. of course, this is all weather-permitting. find out how your phone can help

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>> now that it's the end of the year, one university is taking the time to do away with a whole list of overused, misused words. the new words from michigan state university. topping the list viral. the school thinks there's no more wow factor and that people should stop having those aha moments. they hate i'm just saying.

and man up. getting in shape is one of the most common new year's resolutions and this year one of the latest variations to help you out isn't at the gym but on your phone. health and science reporter carolyn johnson has the story. >> always trying to find ways to inspire my clients. they come in really stressed out and i thought how can i make this more fun. >> trainer christine hazelton is creator of body fate, a phone app fitness game. they pick the game and equipment available, the app produces a workout with a challenging twist. >> in the process sometimes you don't want to do something you can make a deal with the devil. >> you spin the wheel to pay back the devil. >> you may be forced to do a wall set which is horrific. >> another app yoga in bed for people looking for a more mellow workout. >> releasing any lingering thoughts. >> the program offers demo videos with illustrations to breathe refer stretch and meditate.

for those that want to up the tempo, there's an app for that too. >> you can import your favorite songs into tempo magic and adjust the beat or the tempo of your music to match the stride of your workout perfectly. >> the app can crank up or slow down a single song or entire play list. it may not replace treadmills and stair masters but it's turn phones into a hand-held exercise tool. >> those apps range in price from about $2.99 to about $7. the versions for the i-phone, droid and other smart phones. a lot of people are hoping that a small investment in a lottery ticket will lead to riches in the new year. we'll hear from the man who has the secret to winning megamillions. the six little numbers worth more than (20) 000-0000. force force

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here are the winning numbers from last night's $242 megamillions drawing, 10, 12 13 35 56 and the meganumber is 9. but guess what nobody picked all six numbers so the jackpot soars again to an estimated $290 million for tuesday's drawing. so what are your odds of actually winning that top jackpot? getting tips from the man who claims to have a system to beat the astronomical odds of picking those six numbers correctly. >> before you wait in that long line to buy a lottery ticket this man says you should do your homework. richard loustick is a lottery expert with a pretty impressive resume. he's won 7 jackpots, more than a

million dollars. and he wrote the book "learn how to increase your chances of winning the lottery." >> i started coming up with ideas. some worked, some didn't. >> first pick your own numbers. >> do not play quick pick. >> second do your research. >> going online and making sure the sets of numbers you play have never come up before. that's pretty important. >> third, pick your numbers and stick with them. >> you have to learn what numbers to play and how often to play and so forth. >> not everyone is buying his theory or his book. we found these comments in an online forum for lottery players. >> don't waste your money. there is no method. spent as much as you can afford, play every day and don't change your numbers. what did i have to lose except maybe 20 bucks. i asked richard to pick numbers for friday night's jackpot. >> let's take 7, 20 -- >> and i followed his advice

religiously. >> 7, 20 32 45 46 and a megabillion of 28. hope he knows what he's talking about. >> never mind that statisticians say the odds are better identifying elevated to the supreme court or heaven help us elected president of the united states. >> still richard insists with a little work you can improve those odds. and if he's right about mine i will not be here to tell you about it next week. ryan owens, abc news, los angeles. >> i don't normally play the lotto but i might because the jackpot, i could definitely retire. i could barely retire but i think i might do it. >> i might win those, too. >> we could retire and so many other people. final check on the forecast now. >> we have some rain around 680 and 580 the san ramon valley heading into fremont. also around ben lohman.

this is all moving up so by 8:00 it should be history. although still light showers in the north bay throughout the day. heavy year rain tonight tomorrow, then we see our break. warmer weather drier skies but that's not until next week. keep the rain gear with you today and be careful out there. lots of wet weather still to come. >> but something to look forward to. something to look forward to this morning, "g.m.a." coming up next and the tournament of roses parade at 8:00 followed by the outback bowl coming up at 10 a.m.. watch abc 7. happy new year, everyone.

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