Helping New Yorkers feel at home

Franklin Avenue puts out the word that KCAL Channel 9 will adopt a New York television tradition by airing a crackling fireplace on Christmas morning. From 6 to 9 a.m., the Yule logs will burn with holiday music in the background. KCAL got the idea from WPIX-TV, which started the tradition to bring a little cheer to apartment dwellers without fireplaces. The set used in New York is modeled after the fireplace at Gracie Mansion.

Also: Franklin Avenue's Michael Schneider comments on the rising popularity here of Hawaiian plate lunches. He lived in Hawaii and hosts "Hawaiian Eye," a show of island music from midnight to 2 a.m. on Friday mornings on KCSN (FM 88.5).