Welcome the new year with a hike, a sound bath, cocktail classes or a free bluegrass festival, or try creating your own art ...

In need of a good read? Or just want to keep up with the books everyone's talking about? NPR's Book of the Day gives you today's very best writing in a snackable, skimmable, pocket-sized podcast.

Notable: Seattle is up to 54% to earn the No. 1 seed after beating the Panthers on Sunday, according to The Athletic's playoff predictor. If they beat the Niners on Saturday night, they'll win the No.