Saturday, December 31, 2022

THE WEEK IN REVIEW: DECEMBER 25-31, 2022: NEWS HIGHLIGHTS

 








WE NEED MORE
GUN RESPONSIBILITY!

BULLYING HAS TO STOP!

BAN BOOK BANNINGS AND BURNINGS! 
GET VACCINATED, WEAR YOUR MASK😷
& BEWARE ANY VERSION OF

DECEMBER 31 IS NEW YEAR’S EVE & ALSO THE 115TH ANNIVERSARY OF
THE FIRST BALL DROPPING IN TIMES SQUARE.
JANUARY 1 BEGINS 2023!
JANUARY 1 IS THE 80TH ANNIVERSARY OF DER FURHER’S FACE,
DONALD DUCK’S ONLY (TO DATE) OSCAR WINNING CARTOON.
JANUARY 1 IS THE ANNUAL INDUCTION OF
ANYTHING ENTERING THE PUBLIC DOMAIN.
JANUARY 3 IS THE 30TH ANNIVERSARY OF STAR TREK: DEEP SPACE 9.
JANUARY 5 IS BIRD DAY.
JANUARY 6 IS CUDDLE DAY.
JANUARY 7 IS OLD ROCKS DAY.

AM😷NGST EVENTS AROUND THE W🌍RLD THIS PAST WEEK…
*COVID and its variants continue to be a global problem. (There are 3/THREE separate links in this item.)
*The COVID state of the world, as of December 31, 2022.
*The global Monkey Pox status, as of December 31, 2022.

*Potential negotiations versus threats as the missile barrages continue. (There are 2/TWO separate links in this item.)
*The war enters 2023 at 310+ days and counting.

THE TERRORIST REPORT…
*The Free Choice E-zine does not support terrorism, no matter what the “cause” or alleged “justification”. Thus we will only be posting news items in this section whenever terrorists are brought to justice.

THE CLIMATE CHANGE CHRONICLES…🌐
*FYI: There are coastal areas that accept used Christmas Trees to help rebuild sand dunes along the beach. Check with yours to see if this program is available in your area.
*FYI: Some zoos accept used Christmas Trees to help feed their animals. Check with yours to see if this program is available in your area.

😢PASSING PARADE…
*The innocent lives lost during the Russian invasion of the Ukraine.
*Pioneering Journalist Barbara Walters is no longer with us.
*Pope (Emeritus) Benedict XVI is now among the angels.
*Yuji Nunokawa, founder of Studio Pierrot, has passed away.
*International football⚽ star Pele (Edson Arantes do Nascimento) is no longer with us.
*Actor Stephen Greif (The Crown, Blake’s 7, much more) has taken his last bow on life’s stage.
*College Professor turned actor Bob Penny (much work from the 1980s until early 2022) has taken his last bow on life’s stage.
*Ian Tyson of Ian and Sylvia is no longer with us.
*Actor Christian Roberts (To Sir With Love, The Anniversary, more) has taken his last bow on life’s stage.
*Actress Rita Walter (As The World Turns, The Secret Storm, more) has taken her last bow on life’s stage.

WITHIN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA…
POLITICALLY…
*Opinion: The irony.
THE SUPREME COURT REPORT…
SOCIAL (IN)JUSTICE…
*January 1 is the 160th anniversary of then President Abraham Lincoln signing the Emancipation Proclamation into law.
😷THE US VERSUS COVID-19…
😷THE US VERSUS MONKEY POX…
*The state of your state, Monkey Pox wise.
IT’S FACT CHECK TIME!
MEANWHILE, IN CONGRESS…
ELSEWHERE…
*Because of streaming Apple TV’s exclusivity to the Peanuts library, A Charlie Brown Christmas ended its broadcast record at 1965-2021.😢
😀AND FINALLY, SOME GOOD NEWS…

THE PUZZLE CORNER: DECEMBER 31, 2022

😎
FUN FACT
Just before the clock strikes midnight, make sure you raise your left leg. That way you will start the New Year on the right foot.😉
COMMON BONDS
The items in each subset below have something in common. Do you know what it is?
01. {It’s A Wonderful Life, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs} and yes we know they’re both movies.
02. {Atari, Chuck E. Cheese}

THE LETTER SHUFFLE
How many new words can you spell out of the letters in NEW YEAR?🥳

We’ll reveal all next weekend but for now, let’s open up THE ANSWERS BOX📦 and discover the results from the December 24, 2022 Puzzle Corner.

REBUS
A line from a famous Christmas carol is represented by the image on the left.
Do you know what it is?
(Keith) Partridge in a pear tree.

THE LETTER SHUFFLE
How many new words can you spell out of the letters in CHRISTMAS?
A, act(s), ah(s), aim(s), air(s), am, amiss, arc(s), arch, arm(s), art(s), as, ash, ass, at
Cam(s), car(s), cart(s), cash, cast(s) cat(s), char(s), chair(s), charm(s), chart(s), chasm(s), chat(s), cram(s)
Ha, hair, ham(s), harm(s), has, hat(s), hi, him, his, hiss, hit(s)
I, I’m, is, it, its, it’s, itch
Ma, mach, march, mart(s), mash, mass, mast(s), mat(s), match, math, mint(s),mirth, miss, mist(s)
Racism, racist(s), ram(s), rash, rat(s), rich, rim(s)
Sash, sat, scam(s), scar(s), scat, sham(s), shirt(s), Sir, sis, sit(s), smash, smart(s), stair(s), star(s), starch, stash, stir(s)
Tar(s), this, Tis, trash, tram(s), trim(s), Tsar

Besides the 135 words listed above, Chris, Christ, and Sam might be eligible, depending upon your position of counting proper names in a game like this. Other words might also be possible.

Sunday, December 25, 2022

SUNDAY FUNNIES: CHRISTMAS 2022

Hello Everybody! Free Choice E-zine Editor-In-Chief Lee Houston, Junior here because Piper D. Katt and Koda Canine have the Christmas holiday off.
Now normally in this space there would be some appropriate humor like...

What does Santa🎅 say Christmas morning at the end of his long trip around the world?
"Oh, oh, oh am I tired."

Or something punny like...

Of course it is a rate event that Christmas actually occurs on a Sunday. In fact, because of the 2024 Leap Year, it doesn't happen again until 2033!
So with that in mind, let us pause and truly celebrate the day.


But above all else, we wish everyone upon this world what should be more plentiful than it actually seems to be...

Whether Hanukkah, Christmas, Boxing Day, Kwanzaa or whatever, enjoy the time with your family and friends.
Have a great week and we will return next weekend with a more "traditional" Sunday Funnies.—lh,jr.

Saturday, December 24, 2022

THE WEEK IN REVIEW: DECEMBER 18-24, 2022: NEWS HIGHLIGHT

THIS IS OUR 2800TH BLOGGER POST!😁
Unfortunately the bad winter storm of December 23 knocked out electricity to The Free Choice E-zine offices with it just restored less than an hour ago this Christmas Eve.
Having just posted this week's PUZZLE CORNER, we're striving to bring you THE WEEK IN REVIEW before posting the December 25 SUNDAY FUNNIES so we can spend Christmas Day with our family and friends.
GET VACCINATED, WEAR YOUR MASK😷
& BEWARE ANY VERSION OF

DECEMBER 24 IS CHRISTMAS EVE.
DECEMBER 25 IS CHRISTMAS DAY.
DECEMBER 26 IS BOXING DAY AND THE START OF KWANZAA.
DECEMBER 27 IS THE 90TH ANNIVERSARY OF
RADIO CITY MUSIC HALL OPENING.
DECEMBER 31 IS NEW YEAR’S EVE.
JANUARY 1 BEGINS 2023!

AM😷NGST EVENTS AROUND THE W🌍RLD THIS PAST WEEK…
*While COVID and its variants continue to be a global problem, thankfully the vaccination battles continue too. (There are 2/TWO separate links in this item.)
*The COVID state of the world, as of December 24, 2022.
*The global Monkey Pox status, as of December 24, 2022.
*So how did the 2022 FIFA World Cup⚽ competition turn out???

*Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy visited the United States to address Congress while Russian President Vladimir Putin warned America not to give the Ukraine any weapons or… (There are 4/FOUR separate links in this item.)

THE TERRORIST REPORT…
*The Free Choice E-zine does not support terrorism, no matter what the “cause” or alleged “justification”. Thus we will only be posting news items in this section whenever terrorists are brought to justice.

THE CLIMATE CHANGE CHRONICLES…🌐
*FYI: There are coastal areas that accept used Christmas Trees to help rebuild sand dunes along the beach. Check with yours to see if this program is available in your area.
*FYI: Some zoos accept used Christmas Trees to help feed their animals. Check with yours to see if this program is available in your area.

😢PASSING PARADE…
*Former Professional Major League Baseball⚾ player Tom Browning has passed away.
*Actress Lindsey Pearlman (The Ms. Pat Show, Sneaky Pete, more) has taken her last bow on life’s stage.
*Actress Sonya Eddy (General Hospital, Barbershop, more) has taken her last bow on life’s stage.
*Actress Diane McBain (Surf Side 6, Spin Out, lots of TV work, rape victim counselor later in life, more) has taken her last bow on life’s stage.
*Professional football🏈 Hall of Famer and 4 time Super Bowl Champ Franco Harris is no longer with us.
*Songwriter Thom Bell (♫Rubber Band Man♫, ♫I’ll Be Around♫, much more) has passed away.
*Makeup Artist Christopher Tucker (The Elephant Man, Phantom of the Opera, more) is no longer with us.
*Former professional football🏈 player Cotton Davidson has passed away.

WITHIN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA…
THE BORDER WALL-KIDS-IMMIGRATION ISSUES…
*Former President Trump declared a “national emergency” to build his border wall, separating families upon apprehension. President Joseph Biden nullified the emergency, but other matters pertaining to these issues still have to be dealt with.
NOTE: While we are doing our best to provide coverage, the above is a serious ongoing issue. Especially since no one has yet to fully discuss the health and safety of all the detainees as well as the various costs under Donald Trump of separating families and who is truly responsible for the deaths of FIVE detainees (known to date), let alone if anyone might actually be making a profit from this situation.
CAPITAL CHAOS: JANUARY 6, 2021
>AFTERMATH
*The Final Report is officially released and Trump’s reaction to it. (There are 2/TWO separate links in this item.)
POLITICALLY…
*Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy visited the United States to address Congress, while
Russian President Vladimir Putin warned America not to give the Ukraine any weapons or… (There are 4/FOUR separate links in this item.)
THE SUPREME COURT REPORT…
SOCIAL (IN)JUSTICE…
😷THE US VERSUS COVID-19…
😷THE US VERSUS MONKEY POX…
*The state of your state, Monkey Pox wise.
IT’S FACT CHECK TIME!
MEANWHILE, IN CONGRESS…
*The Trump Tax Records were made public and what they reveal. (There are 2/TWO separate links in this item.)
ELSEWHERE…
😀AND FINALLY, SOME GOOD NEWS…

THE PUZZLE CORNER: DECEMBER 24, 2022

😎 FUN FACT
Human error originally kept Thurl Ravenscroft from being accredited with singing ♫You’re A Mean One, Mister Grinch♫, leaving many people to think Boris Karloff sang it during the Chuck Jones produced version of Doctor Suess’ How The Grinch Stole Christmas.

REBUS
A line from a famous Christmas carol is represented by the image on the right.
Do you know what it is?

THE LETTER SHUFFLE
How many new words can you spell out of the letters in CHRISTMAS?

We’ll reveal all next weekend but for now, let’s open up THE ANSWERS BOX🎁 and discover the results from the December 17, 2022 Puzzle Corner.


CHRISTMAS SPECIAL QUIZ
Could you match the Narrating Host to their classic Rankin-Bass holiday special?
Note: Since not every narrator was actually a character within the story, some of them either appeared as "themselves" or did not actually appear on screen at all.

THE NARRATORS
a. Fred Astaire
b. Shirley Booth
c. Jimmy Durante
d. Greer Garson
e. George Gobel
f. Andy Griffith
g. Buddy Hackett
h. Burl Ives
i. Roger Miller
j. Red Skelton
k. Jonathan Winters

THE SPECIALS
01. Frosty The Snowman⛄ (1969)
02. Frosty Returns (1992)
03. Frosty's Winter Wonderland (1976)
04. The Little Drummer🥁 Boy (1968)
05. Jack Frost (1979)
06. Nestor, the Long Eared Christmas Donkey (1977)
07. Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer🦌 (1964)
08. Rudolph's Shiny New Year (1976)
09. Santa Claus🎅 Is Coming To Town (1970)
10. Twas The Night Before Christmas (1974)
11. The Year Without A Santa Claus (1974)

Jimmy Durante was the unnamed host of Frosty The Snowman. (C-1)
Jonathan Winters was the unnamed narrator of Frosty Returns. (K-2)
An otherwise unidentified Andy Griffith escorted us through Frosty's Winter Wonderland. (F-3)
Greer Garson narrated The Little Drummer Boy off screen. (D-4)
George Gobel as Father Mouse told the main story, but Joel Grey recited Twas The Night Before Christmas. (E-10)
Buddy Hackett as Pardon-Me-Pete the Groundhog told the story of Jack Frost. (G-5)
Roger Miller as Spieltoe, a donkey belonging to Santa Claus, told the story of Nestor, the Long Eared Christmas Donkey. (I-6)
Burl Ives as Sam the Snowman related the story of Rudolph, the Red Nosed Reindeer. (H-7)
Red Skelton as Father Time told us of Rudolph's Shiny New Year. (J-8)
Fred Astaire portrayed S(pecial) D(elivery) Kluger, a postman, because Santa Claus Is Coming To Town. (A-9)
And Shirley Booth as Mrs. Claus🤶 told the story of The Year Without A Santa Claus. (B-11)

Sunday, December 18, 2022

SUNDAY FUNNIES: OUR 2022 CHRISTMAS OFFICE PARTY

Merry Meow!
Hello Everybody! 
Happy Howl-idays!

Today you have the ENTIRE Free Choice E-zine staff here!
Piper D. Katt, Koda Canine and our Editor-in-Chief Lee Houston, Junior as we get together for our annual office Christmas Party.
“Santa’s making a list, chicken and rice.”
I don't think those are the right lyrics Koda.
Are you sure?
Yeah, unless he's ordering dinner. Speaking of food, I thought there'd be more here than cat and dog treats.
What's wrong with treats?
Can we get on with the jokes?
I thought we already were.
Anyway...
Now I know how David Seville feels!
Dear Santa🎅, I am telling you in advance that my sister is the naughty one.

How to dress for Winter.
Put on your pajamas and go back to bed.🛌
Except for missing the holidays, I always thought bears🐻🧸🐻 had the right idea about winter.
I could use a catnap or two.
Not me. I stay on guard duty at night. Ever alert and—*YAWN!* zzzzzzzz.

What did the stamp say to the Christmas card?💳
Stick with me and we’ll go places!

What do reindeers🦌🦌 always claim about their jokes?
"This one’s gonna sleigh🛷 you!"

What do you call Santa’s little helpers?
Subordinate clauses.
I thought they were elves.

What’s the difference between the Christmas alphabet and the ordinary alphabet?
No L. Noel!

How do you know when Santa’s around?
You can always sense his presents.
Can I use my cat senses?
If that works.

What do you call a bunch of chess players bragging about their games in a hotel lobby?
Chess nuts boasting in an open foyer!

What do snowmen⛄⛄ eat for breakfast?
Either Frosted Flakes or Ice Crispies.

As a detective, is Saint Nicholas Santa Clues?
Is his dog named Santa Paws?
He could always have a cat named Santa Claws.
Can we go on vacation to Santa Cruz?

So on that note♫, because Christmas and New Year's Day are between the next two Sundays, Piper and Koda will be on holiday and not back until the second Sunday of 2023 while I entertain you for the next two weekends.
OH NO! I mean, really?
Yes. In the meantime, have a great week. Hope everyone either enjoys Hanukkah or doesn't stress out preparing for Christmas or Kwanzaa.
Take care.
STAY SAFE! 😷
And please be back December 25 for the next Sunday Funnies!PDK, KC and lh,jr.

Saturday, December 17, 2022

THE WEEK IN REVIEW: DECEMBER 11-17, 2022: NEWS HIGHLIGHTS

 
WE NEED MORE
GUN RESPONSIBILITY!

BULLYING HAS TO STOP!


GET VACCINATED, WEAR YOUR MASK😷
& BEWARE ANY VERSION OF

DECEMBER 18 IS THE 130TH ANNIVERSARY OF
TCHAIKOVSKY’S THE NUTCRACKER DEBUTING.
HANUKKAH BEGINS AT SUNDOWN DECEMBER 18
FOR THOSE CELEBRATING THE FESTIVAL OF LIGHT.🕎
DECEMBER 18 IS QATAR'S NATIONAL DAY.
DECEMBER 24 IS CHRISTMAS EVE.🎅
DECEMBER 25 IS CHRISTMAS DAY.🎄
DECEMBER 26 IS BOXING DAY AND THE START OF KWANZAA.

AM😷NGST EVENTS AROUND THE W🌍RLD THIS PAST WEEK…
*The COVID state of the world, as of December 17, 2022.
*The global Monkey Pox status, as of December 17, 2022.
*First Grant Wahl and now photojournalist Khalid al-Misslam. Coincidence???
*Having dissolved its Trust and Safety Council, how is Twitter under Elon Musk??? (There are 3/THREE separate links in this item.)

*Updates: December 14.
*Vladimir Putin versus the Ukraine's energy resources. (There are 2/TWO separate links in this item.)

THE TERRORIST REPORT…
*The Free Choice E-zine does not support terrorism, no matter what the “cause” or alleged “justification”. Thus we will only be posting news items in this section whenever terrorists are brought to justice.

THE CLIMATE CHANGE CHRONICLES…🌐
*FYI: There are coastal areas that accept used Christmas Trees🎄 to help rebuild sand dunes along the beach. Check with yours to see if this program is available in your area.
*FYI: Some zoos accept used Christmas Trees🎄 to help feed their animals. Check with yours to see if this program is available in your area.

😢PASSING PARADE…
*The innocent lives lost during the Russian invasion of the Ukraine.  News item
*The innocent victims between a shooting and a car chase in Italy December 11, 2022. (There are 2/TWO separate links in this item.)
*Author/screenwriter Chris Boucher (episodes of various BBC programs and series based novels) has passed away.
*Singer/actress and Cher’s mother Georgia Holt has taken her last bow on life’s stage.
*Professional basketball🏀 player (Hawks, Celtics) turned coach (Hornets) Paul Silas is no longer with us.
*Actor Stuart Margolin (The Rockford Files, much more TV work from the 1960s to the 2020s) has taken his last bow on life’s stage.
*Former Professional Major League Baseball pitcher⚾ Curt Simmons (1964 St. Louis Cardinals World Series winner) is no longer with us.
*The (Young) Rascals’ co-founding drummer🥁 Dino Danelli has passed away.
*Singer-songwriter Shirley Eikhard (♫Something to Talk About♫, ♫It Takes Time♫, more) is no longer with us.

WITHIN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA…
THE BORDER WALL-KIDS-IMMIGRATION ISSUES…
*Former President Trump declared a “national emergency” to build his border wall, separating families upon apprehension. President Joseph Biden nullified the emergency, but other matters pertaining to these issues still have to be dealt with.
*Asylum: Yes or No???
*“Not in our county!”—Arizona Sheriff to Construction Crew.
NOTE: While we are doing our best to provide coverage, the above is a serious ongoing issue. Especially since no one has yet to fully discuss the health and safety of all the detainees as well as the various costs under Donald Trump of separating families and who is truly responsible for the deaths of FIVE detainees (known to date), let alone if anyone might actually be making a profit from this situation.
CAPITAL CHAOS: JANUARY 6, 2021
>AFTERMATH
*Opinion: Is Trump rallying the "troops"??? Could there be ANOTHER insurrection??? (There are 2/TWO separate links in this item.)
THE PAPERS CAPER...
POLITICALLY…

*Is Birth Control the next “target”??? (There are 2/TWO separate links in this item.)
SOCIAL (IN)JUSTICE…
😷THE US VERSUS COVID-19…
😷THE US VERSUS MONKEY POX…
*The state of your state, Monkey Pox wise.
MEANWHILE, IN CONGRESS…
ELSEWHERE…
*Having dissolved its Trust and Safety Council, how is Twitter under Elon Musk??? (There are 3/THREE separate links in this item.)
😀AND FINALLY, SOME GOOD NEWS…
*We celebrate the 235TH anniversary of New Jersey becoming the third member of the United States December 18.