“Begin a story with the words “Essential information” to stress its importance.”

And years later, sometimes I do.   Like now.

Amy Parmenter

For people of a certain age and beyond, I have essential information for you, courtesy of my NBC Connecticut colleague Amy Parmenter.  She has just published in the Huffington Post for a piece she wrote on her blog about health care and her mother.

Please read it.  To borrow a phrase we use far too often on health stories, Amy really does have essential information that could save a life.

Here is the link.

Sarasota has what’s been called America’s best beach, Siesta Key Beach.  And maybe some day I’ll see it.

But I saw what I wanted to see.  Three golf courses.  Five rounds in 3 days.

And this guy.  I swear he was smiling.

The Today show stays young because of its revolving cast of hosts, co-hosts, and sidekicks.

I stay young because I’m married to a woman who thinks young, a steady coterie of forward-looking people, and a revolving cast of co-workers who forbid my getting old on them.

Earlier this week, the Today show offered this piece on life in 1952, the year we were born.  Obviously, I think 1952 was a very good year.

But 2012 will be better.

But something caught my eye.  Four shiny pennies.  And for some reason, I flashed back to one of my uncles, who, whenever he saw me, would say, “Hey boy, I have a bright shiny penny for you.”  (For some reason, many older relatives called me “Boy.”  I’m sure they knew my name.  Well, pretty sure.)

For the first time in years, I examined one of those bright shiny pennies, and discovered the penny had changed!  The Lincoln Monument was gone.

I still pick a penny up when I see one on the ground because, as you know, it brings good luck.

But when did it change?

Had the penny completely lost its value to me?

Clearly not.  Because those four pennies gave me an unforeseen moment to remember a really nice man.

Whether he knew my name or not.

He was Johnny the Shoeshine Guy in “Police Squad!”, a 1982 ABC sitcom that was canceled after six episodes because, as critics pointed out, viewers actually had to pay attention.

It was a great bit.  Enjoy.

Never mind.  CBS apparently took it down.  Dammit.

Happy New Year.  Enjoy!

She stars in the FOX sitcom “New Girl,” and you may remember him from NBC’s “3rd Rock from the Sun.”

Both are going to be major stars.

I also like this video because I’m a sucker for the ukelele.  I grew up watching “Big Brother” Bob Emery play the uke on his kiddie show on Channel 4 in Boston.  And one of my close friends plays it.  This is for him.

Happy New Year.