LOOKING AHEAD: 2010

Like sands through an hour glass, as the New Year begins to unfold, let's take a quick peek at what is in store for us this coming year...

*The Health Care Reform debate will obviously continue, as the House of Representatives and the Senate try to unify their respective versions into one bill to present to President Obama for consideration.
*David Tennant concludes his tenure as the tenth actor to portray Doctor Who, with his final episode airing between tonight in England and tomorrow night in both the United States and Canada. Actor Matt Smith will take over the portraying the title character this coming Spring.
*The Winter Olympics will begin in February.
*Some pundits note that this is the year that we (might) discover the secrets of the Monolith, as revealed in Arthur C. Clarke's 2010: Odyssey 2.
*This year is also the fifteenth anniversary of Doctor Sam Beckett stepping into the project accelerator and taking his first Quantum Leap, at least in the series. The show actually debuted in 1989.
*Bugs Bunny fans will note this year marks two 65th anniversaries for the "wascally wabbit": missing his first turn at Albuquerque in Herr Meets Hare and first appearance of Yosemite Sam in Hare Trigger, both from 1945.
*Thomas Nast's creation of the Democratic Party's symbol celebrates its 140th birthday.
*Comic strip bride Cathy will celebrate her 5th wedding anniversary in February.
*This year marks the 70th anniversary of the Disney classic Pinocchio.
*Members of the United States celebrating milestone anniversaries this year are Rhode Island at 220 years, Maine at 190 years, Texas and Florida both note 165 years of statehood. California celebrates 160 years while Idaho and Wyoming both joined 120 years ago.
*2010 marks the 50th anniversary of the world's first operational LASER.
*The Star Wars franchise celebrates two anniversaries this year. The fifth for Revenge of the Sith (2005) and the 30th for The Empire Strikes Back (1980).
*Comedy fans celebrate the 30th anniversary of the original Caddyshack (1980) while both My Three Sons and The Flintstones mark their golden (50th) anniversary this year.
*Tom Corbett, Space Cadet first blasted off in 1950, making 2010 its 60th anniversary.
*The Man of La Mancha (the musical version of Don Quixote) first charged on the Broadway stage 45 years ago.
*Pixar's first major CGI production Toy Story, celebrates its 15th anniversary this year while the Peanuts gang mark the 45th anniversary of A Charlie Brown Christmas.

And of course the NFL is approaching their post-season playoffs and the Super Bowl. The College Bowl games conclude over the next few days. Basketball season continues and spring training for baseball is just around the corner.

But come what may, The Free Choice E-zine will continue to provide coverage of all the above and other articles for your reading enjoyment, including The Puzzle Corner, The Sunday Funnies, and The Week In Review, whose first installment for 2010 will be tomorrow.