three-parent baby

SPOILER: Pssst, None Of Us Make It Out Of Life Alive!

2016 has been a year where no one’s Childhood Heroes, Sports Icons, Music Stars, favorite Writing Talent, Journalists, Politicians, War Heroes, Entertainers, or Rock Legends have proven safe from the brutal grips of the ever-vigilant Reaper. We have all felt what it means to be left gobsmacked by Death’s swift & unyielding touch. Final, without warning, yet as natural a part of life as being born. We are left with our mouth agape, gasping for air as though we were just punched in the gut.

You think, “I just saw Carrie Fisher on the big screen as Princess Leia in Rogue One. She looked so healthy… how is this possible?” It makes you consider getting a health work up done. Take a good look at the cast of “players” in your own life. Perhaps even appreciating them that much more, flaws & all baby! Because truly, you just never know. Tomorrow is never promised. If you are waiting on a sign, THIS is Definitely it! Go bridge that divide, make good on that promise, fulfill that bucket list, whatever. It’s never good to wait!

Anyway…
2016 has not been ALL bad, not all Death & Gloom. Despite what so many, even I have said!! With that, I leave you the list that I have tediously accumulated. Enjoy!! Sources Cited… as always. Share this with your family & friends, would ya? We can all use a bit of Hope this time of the year! Thanks! And, Happy New Year!

British Columbia protected 85% of one of the world’s largest temperate rain forests
Child Mortality – Down across the globe
Peru and Bolivia signed a $500 million deal to preserve Lake Titicaca
Scientists in the US announced they had detected the existence of gravitational waves, confirming Einstein’s century-old theory of gravity
+9% survival rate in pancreatic cancer sufferers
Gene responsible for ALS found
Death by heart disease has decreased by 70% in the United States
There’s finally an Ebola Vaccine
US high school graduation rate at all time high
In July, more than 800,000 volunteers in India planted 50 million trees in one day. The country is planning on reforesting 12% of its land.
New research showed that acid pollution in the atmosphere is now almost back to the level that it was before it started with industrialization in the 1930s.
In June, a new survey showed that the ozone hole has shrunk by more than 3.9 million square kilometers since 2006. Scientists now think it will now be fully healed by 2050.
The US Special Forces soldier who beat up an Afghan officer for raping a boy was exonerated of any crime by the US Army
The notorious Planet 9 has not been directly observed, yet through computer simulations of the orbits of several distant objects beyond Neptune to show the possible presence of the unseen planet. It’s believed to be 10 times the size of Earth!
World’s First “three-parent baby” was born into the world by using a controversial new IVF technique that combines DNA from three people — the mother, the father and an egg donor. The technique involved removing some of the mother’s DNA from an egg and leaving the disease-causing DNA behind.
Leo DeCaprio finally won an Oscar
Chicago Cubs won the World Series – no more cursed goat
Scientists happened across a piece of amber which had preserved the intact feathers from a dinosaur tail.
A bad marriage can lead to an early death
Colombian government and FARC rebels came to PEACE
A solar powered plane circumnavigates globe without any sort of fossil fuel
The World Health Organization released a report showing that, since the year 2000, global malaria deaths have declined by 60%.
WHO announced that measles have finally been eradicated in all of the Americas, from Canada to Chile. It’s the first time the disease has been eliminated from an entire world region.
World hunger reached its lowest point in 25 years, no doubt thanks to selectively engineered crops.
In June, after years of wrangling, the drive to end female genital mutilation in Africa made a major breakthrough, when the Pan African Parliament endorsed a continent-wide ban.
2016 marked the 24th year in a row that teenage pregnancy rates declined in both the United Kingdom and the United States.
USA supreme Court outlawed for-profit prisons on a federal level!!
Thanks to rapid technological innovation and political support from around the world, renewables now account for more installed capacity than any other form of electricity in the world.
The Chinese government placed a ban on new coal mines, created new rules for grid access, and doubled its renewables targets for 2020.
Norway became the first country in the world to commit to zero deforestation.
The world’s largest marine zone, a 600,000-square-mile swath of ocean, was established in Antarctica’s Ross Sea this fall.
By August, every major grocery and fast-food chain in the US had pledged to use only cage-free eggs by 2025.
In 2016, for the first time, we heard that the number of tigers in the wild rose for the first time in 100 years.
In September, giant pandas became the latest species to be taken off the endangered list.
In February, the US Fish and Wildlife Service announced that the global manatee population is no longer endangered.
Wild wolves started coming back to Europe, and for the first time since the American Revolution, wild salmon began spawning in the Connecticut River.
In March, Yellowstone’s grizzly bears passed a major milestone, completing one of the greatest wildlife comeback stories in history.
Fifty years ago, the Columbian white-tailed deer population was 450 animals. This year, the US Fish and Wildlife Service took it off the endangered list.
Mongolia created one of the world’s largest protected areas for snow leopards.
Green sea turtles in Florida and Mexico were taken off the endangered list.
Sea World agreed to stop breeding captive killer whales.
Humpback whales were removed from the endangered species list, having fully recovered in the last 46 years. Take THAT Star Trek!!
At the beginning of the year, we heard that Global Aid & Development increased by 7%
2015 was America’s most generous year ever, with charitable donations from individuals, estates, foundations, and corporations reaching record highs. 2016 is on track to be even bigger.

Good things that have nothing to do with 2016 but I love so surely they can make you feel better over the HoliDaze… What are some of your own go-to happies? (leave in the comment section please)

Puppies & Kittens (I love the smell of puppy’s breath and toes – *their toes smell like popcorn*)
Wedding & Birthday Cake
Hiking in the woods
Rain (I like listening to rain hit a metal roof and smelling how clean everything smells directly after the rain)
Board & Card Games with family & friends
Kissing
Music (Music is tied to so many memories)
Friends’ laughing together about the smallest things is one of the greatest pleasures
*If you are a religious person you are an imperfect masterpiece creating yourself
**If you are not then you are a splendid coincidence coming together one day at a time
Any time spent with loved ones, be they family or friends is a well-spent year. Precious memories are made during that time. Trust me.

Sources Cited

A full list of all the celebrities that passed away in 2016 as of December 28, 2016
Bless those they left behind!

JANUARY

4 – Robert Stigwood, Entertainment Manager – age 81

6 – Pat Harrington Jr., Actor – age 86

7 – Troy Shondell, Singer – age 76

7 – Kitty Kallen, Singer – age 94

9 – Angus Scrimm, Acto – age 89

10 – David Bowie, Musician – age 69

11 – David Margulies, Actor – age 78

14 – Alan Rickman, Actor – age 69

14 – René Angélil, Singer/Manager – age 73

15 – Dan Haggerty, Actor – age 74

15 – Noreen Corcoran, Actress – age 72

18 – Glen Frey, Singer/Songwriter – age 67

26 – Abe Vigoda, Actor – age 94

28 – Paul Kantner, Singer/Songwriter – age 74

28 – Mike Minor, Actor – age 75

FEBRUARY

2 – Bob Elliot, Comedian – age 92

3 – Maurice White, Musician/Songwriter – age 74

3 – Joe Alaskey, Voice Actor – age 63

4 – Joe Dowell, Pop Singer – age 76

13 – Antonin Scalia, Supreme Court Justice – age 79

15 – George Gaynes, Actor – age 98

15 – Vanity, Actress/Singer – age 57

19 – Harper Lee, Novelist – age 89

22 – Yolande Fox, Singer – age 87

22 – Sonny James, Country Music Singer/Songwriter – age 87

24 – Lennie Baker, Musician – age 69

25 – Tony Burton, Actor – age 78

28 – George Kennedy, Actor – age 91

29 – Gil Hill, Police Commander/Actor – age 84

MARCH

4 – Joey Martin Feek, Country Music Singer/Songwriter– age 40

6 – Nancy Reagan, First Lady of the U.S.(1981-1989) Husband, 40th President Ronald Reagan – age 94

8 – Sir George Martin, Producer for the “Beatles” albums – age 90

9 – Robert Horton, Actor– age 91

10 – Keith Emerson, Musician/Keyboardist – age 71

13 – Adrienne Corri, Actress – age 85

16 – Frank Sinatra Jr., Singer– age 72

17 – Larry Drake, Actor – age 66

18 – Joe Santos, Actor – age 84

21 – Peter Brown, Actor – age 80

22 – Rob Ford, Politician, Mayor of Toronto – age 46

22 – Richard Bradford, Actor – age 81

22 – Phife Dawg, Singer – age 45

23 – Joe Garagiola, Baseball Player – age 90

23 – Ken Howard, Actor – age 71

24 – Earl Hamner, Jr., Writer/Producer – age 92

24 – Garry Shandling, Comedian – age 66

27 – Mother Angelica, Franciscan Nun – age 92

28 – James Noble, Actor – age 94

APRIL

6 – Merle Haggard, Singer/Songwriter – age 79

12 – Anne Jackson, Actress – age 90

17 – Doris Roberts, Actress – age 90

20 – Victoria Wood, English Comedian/Actress – age 62

20 – Chyna, WWE wrestler – age 46

21 – Prince, Musician – age 57

21 – Lonnie (Mack) McIntosh, Guitarist – age 74

23 – Madeleine Sherwood, Actress – age 94

24 – Billy Paul, Singer – age 81

MAY

8 – William Schallert, Actor – age 93

12 – Julius La Rosa, Singer – age 86

19 – Morley Safer, Journalist for CBS News for 52 years – age 84

19 – Alan Young, Actor – age 96

24 – Burt Kwouk, Actor – age 85

27 – Mike Barnett, Singer – age 89

29 – Patty Duke, Singer – age 69

JUNE

3 – Muhammad Ali, Professional Boxer – age 74

10 – Gordie Howe, Hockey player for Detroit Red Wings – age 88

13 – Michu Meszaros, Actor/Circus Performer – age 76

14 – Ann Guilbert, Actress – age 87

14 – Ronnie Claire Edwards, Actress – age 83

16 – Jo Cox, British Labour Party Member of Parliament – age 41

17 – Ron Lester, Actor – age 45

19 – Anton Yelchin, Actor – age 27

27 – Mack Rice, Songwriter – age 82

28 – Scotty Moore, Guitarist – age 84

28 – Buddy Ryan, NFL Football Coach – age 85

28 – Pat Summitt, NCAA Basketball Coach– age 64

JULY

2 – Michael Cimino, Writer/Director – age 77

2 – Elie Wiesel, Jewish Writer/Political activist – age 87

2 – Teddy Rooney, Actor/Musician – age 66

3 – Noel Neill, Actress – age 95

6 – Danny Smythe, Musician – age 67

16 – Bonnie Brown, Musician – age 77

19 – Garry Marshall, Writer/Producer/Actor – age 81

27 – Jerry Doyle, Actor– age 60

30 – Gloria DeHaven, Actress/Singer – age 91

AUGUST

2 – David Huddleston, Actor – age 85

3 – Ricci Martin, Entertainer – age 62

6 – Pete Fountain, Jazz Musician – age 86

11 – Glenn Yarbrough, Singer – age 86

13 – Michel Richard, Chef/Restaurateur – age 68

13 – Kenny Baker, Actor – age 81

14 – Fyvush Finkel, Actor – age 93

19 –Jack Riley, Actor – age 80

23 – Steven Hill, Actor – age 94

25 – Jeanne Martin, Model – age 89

25 – Marvin Kaplan, Actor – age 89

29 – Gene Wilder, Actor – age 83

SEPTEMBER

1 – Jon Polito, Actor – age 65

6 – Hugh O’Brian, Actor – age 91

9 – James Stacy, Actor– age 79

17 – Charmian Carr, Actress – age 73

24 – Bill Nunn, Actor – age 63

25 – Jean Shepard, Singer/Songwriter – 82

25 – José Fernández, Baseball player for Miami Marlins – age 24

25 – Arnold Palmer, Golfer – age 87

28 – Shimon Peres, Statesman – age 93

OCTOBER

21 – Kevin Meaney, Comedian – age 60

23 – Pete Burns, Singer/Songwriter – age 57

24 – Bobby Vee, Singer – age 73

30 – Tammy Grimes, Stage Actress – age 82

NOVEMBER

3 – Kay Starr, Singer – age 94

7 – Janet Reno, Attorney General of the United States 1993-2001 – age 78

7 – Leonard Cohen, Poet / Songwriter – age 82

11 – Robert Vaughn, Actor – age 83

13 – Leon Russell, Musician/Songwriter – age 74

14 – Gwen Ifill, Journalist for “Washington Week” and “PBS NewsHour” on PBS – age 61

15 – Holly Dunn, Singer/Songwriter – age 59

18 – Sharon Jones, American soul and funk singer – age 60

24 – Florence Henderson, Actress/Singer – Carol Brady on “The Brady Bunch” (1969 to 1974) – age 82

25 – Fidel Castro, Dictator – Prime Minister then President of Cuba from 1959-2008 – age 90

25 – Ron Glass, Actor – age 71

26 – Fritz Weaver, Actor – age 90

28 – Van Williams, Actor – age 82

28 – Jim Delligatti, McDonald’s franchisee/created The Big Mac – age 98

30 – Keo Woolford, Actor – age 49

30 – Grant Tinker, Television Executive/Chairman and CEO of NBC (1981-’86) – age 90

DECEMBER

3 – Don Calfa, Actor – age 76

3 – Billy Chapin, Actor – age 72

7 – Greg Lake, Musician – age 69

8 – Joseph Mascolo, Actor– age 87

8 – John Glenn, WWII & Korean War Fighter Pilot. Marine Colonel. NASA Astronaut. Senator from Ohio (1974-99) – age 95

12 – Jim Lowe, Singer – age 93

13 – Alan Thicke, Actor – age 69

14 – Bernard Fox, Actor – age 89

15 – Craig Sager, Sports Reporter – age 65

18 – Zsa Zsa Gabor, Hungarian Actress/Socialite – age 99

18 – Gordie Tapp, Entertainer – age 94

20 – Michèle Morgan, French Actress – age 96

24 – Rick Parfitt, Musician/Songwriter – age 68

24 – Caroline Aherne, Comedienne/Actress – lead role and co-producer of “The Royle Family” – age 52

25 – George Michael, Singer/Songwriter – age 53

26 – Rickey Lopez, Actor – age 54

27 – Carrie Fisher, Actress – age 60

27 – Richard Adams, Author – age 96

I may have missed a couple… apologies if so.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deaths_in_2016

BeingFranc

The World According to Franc

Proof 2016 Wasn’t All Bad