Almost time to say goodbye to 2005. Let the countdown begin.

10. Swing by The 3 Clubs (1123 Vine St., at Santa Monica Blvd., Hollywood; 323-462-6441) to sip martinis, hog the mistletoe, and watch Dick Clark watch the ball drop.

9. Foodies and the finicky will both be happy with Campanile’s  (624 S. La Brea Ave., b/t Wilshire Blvd. & W. 6th St.; 323-938-1447) prix fixe (pumpkin ravioli, oysters poached in Sancerre, roasted lamb).

8. Block party, anyone? Head Downtown, check into the Hilton Checkers, Westin Bonaventure, or Sheraton Hotel and check out acts like Black Eyed Peas, Death Cab for Cutie, and The Crystal Method at Giant Village NYE 2006 (6th & Hope Sts., Downtown).

7. More food: Violet (3221 Pico Blvd., b/t Urban Ave. & 32nd St., Santa Monica; 310-453-9113) is serving a four-course tasting menu with a glass of bubbly for $65.

6. Catch pianist and heavyweight pop producer George Duke on the keys for two shows at The Jazz Bakery (3233 Helms Ave., b/t Venice & Washington Blvds., Culver City; 310-271-9039). Libations and snacks are included in the ticket fee, and proceeds benefit the Symphonic Jazz Orchestra.

5. Shelling out $150 ($100 if you buy ahead) won’t just get you inside Element (1642 Las Palmas Ave., b/t Hollywood Blvd. & Selma Ave., Hollywood; 323-460-4632), it’ll get you access to the premium open bar and more (hors d’oeuvres and A-plus people watching) all night long.

4. Did you expect anything less than caviar, foie gras, and lobster on the prix fixe menu from the people who lovingly restored Old Hollywood glamour to the Tower Bar and the rest of the Sunset Tower Hotel (8358 W. Sunset Blvd., b/t Sweetzer Ave. & Kings Rd., Hollywood; 323-654-7100)?

3.  Get your dance party on till the break of dawn — literally. Mountain Bar (473 Gin Ling Way, b/t Hill St. & N. Broadway, Chinatown; 213-625-7500) will be open until 6 a.m. R.S.V.P. early to avoid the the $10 cover.

2. It’s not too late to apply for club membership to Xenii, but file your application ASAP for endless potables, easy pickings, and Coolio performing hits at a fabulous, totally top-secret location.

1. And while searching for the best seat in the house to ring in 2006, let’s not forget about your couch.

D - A - I
See you real soon.
L and Y
Why? Because we like you.
C - A - N - D - Y

Have a great holiday.