Last updated 01/04/2012 at 11:27 a.m. PST

Fireworks, Kittens, and Meatloaf: New Year's Eve in the Bay

Four artists depict how they rang in 2012

By Lisa Brown, Mari Naomi, Jason Novak on January 3, 2012 - 10:24 a.m. PST

Quiet nights in with time to reflect (over large portions and adult beverages) seemed to be a popular choice this year. Lisa Brown illustrates her New Year's meal.

Of course, as Mari Naomi found, the wilds of San Francisco were still teeming with partiers. And kittens.

"New Year's Eve began with Les Leventhal's "Starter-Party" at Yoga Tree Castro. A live band, Alma Desnuda, played for 90 blissful yogis and yoginis. When I discovered, much later at 3 AM, that my car was locked in for the remainder of the night at the parking-garage on 21st street, I decided that this was my first opportunity to practice equanimity in 2012. I'm sure there will be many more. OM…." --Thorina Rose

And on New Year's morning, as others were nurshing their hangovers, Jason Novak and his family celebrated at Ardenwood Farms in Fremont, a working historic farm and reigional park—and sometimes home to Monarch butterflies.