It’s October, which means Christmas catalogs are arriving, heralding the holidays right around the corner. And right after that comes the New Year with the famous ball dropping in Times Square. That ball has been through various incarnations throughout the years. To celebrate 2008 and the 100th anniversary of the yearly tradition, the ball has gone green. In an upgrade close to my LED-loving heart, the ball is now lit with 9,576 light-emitting diodes. Last year’s ball had 600 halogen and colored bulbs giving off 291,541 lumens and using 30,000 watts. The LEDs will shine brightly at 625,033 lumens and use about 15,000 watts. Waterford crystal panels are still being used to reflect and sparkle the light out to the millions who watch each year in person and on television.