We’ve reached the first Friday in 2021. Which means that 2020 is finally over. All 59 dumpster fire months of it.

Calendars are social constructs, and neither viruses nor hate groups are constrained by them. So we have no guarantee that 2021 will an improvement. But there is power in human perception, so maybe we can begin to make things better. If we can be hope.

But let’s get on to the Friday Five. This week I bring you: one special story that we need now, the top five stories of the week, five stories about people who definitely weren’t on Santa’s Nice List, and five videas (plus things I wrote and many notable obituaries).

This Week In News We Need Right Now!:

Sweet moment dog saves her 14-year-old blind pit bull sister from drowning after she fell into swimming pool. (the youtube video is also linked in the videos section)

Stories of the Week:

A Q&A about the new coronavirus variant with the Fred Hutch scientist who’s been tracking its spread.

America’s voice goes silent in Berlin as last US radio station closes – KCRW Berlin went off air this month.

A Love Letter To My Granddaughter (Who I Knew As My Grandson Until 5 Weeks Ago) – “As my thoughts and heart transition to embrace this new you, please know one thing isn’t changing ― I love you”.

CNN Fact-Checker: Many News Outlets Still Reluctant To Use The Word ‘Lie’ – CNN’s fact-checker Daniel Dale bemoaned the fact that many news outlets are still reluctant to use the word “lie” when it comes to Donald Trump and others, even after we’ve watched the serial-liar-in-chief for the last four years.

2020, The Year Death Became a Major Political Party in America.

This Week in People Who Definitely Got Coal In Their Stockings:

How Congress and coronavirus could quash Trump’s Electoral College gambit – Leadership has a potent arsenal to combat efforts to turn the electoral vote counting session on Jan. 6 into a spectacle — if they deploy it.

Even If It’s ‘Bonkers,’ Poll Finds Many Believe QAnon And Other Conspiracy Theories.

Trump pardon of Blackwater Iraq contractors violates international law – UN.

Aurora pharmacist arrested for intentionally spoiling coronavirus vaccine.

Culp campaign sues 9 county auditors, claiming ‘unlawful’ election process.

In Memoriam:

Dawn Wells, ‘Gilligan’s Island’s’ Mary Ann, Dies of COVID at 82.

Dawn Wells, Mary Ann on ‘Gilligan’s Island,’ dies of Covid-19 complications at 82.

William Link Dies: Co-Creator Of ‘Columbo’, ‘Murder She Wrote’, Was 87.

Marcus D’Amico, ‘Tales of the City’ Actor, Dies at 55.

Marcus D’Amico, the Original Mouse From ‘Tales of the City,’ Dies at 55 – He also starred on the stage in ‘Angels in America’ and ‘An Inspector Calls’ and worked for Kubrick in ‘Full Metal Jacket’.

Obituary: Pierre Cardin.

Fashion Icon Pierre Cardin Dies At Age 98.

Principal Joe Clark, who inspired film ‘Lean on me,’ dies.

Leslie West (1945–2020), ‘Mississippi Queen’ guitarist.

Rebecca Luker, Tony-Nominated ‘Mary Poppins,’ ‘Music Man’ Star, Dies at 59.

Things I wrote:

Weekend Update 12/26/2020: The end of the year is supposed to be a dead news time, but….

Monday Update 12/28/2020: Motivations.

The Eighth Day of Christmas Vacation: Time, Place, and Transitions.

Another stable orbit around our star… and my New Year’s wish for you.

Videos!

Heroic Dog Saves Blind 14 Year Old Pooch From Drowning In Pool:

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COVID-19 vs. Spanish Flu – If You Don’t Know, Now You Know | The Daily Social Distancing Show:

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Stephen Colbert Hosts “2020: The Year That Took Years, What A Clusterfond Look Back”:

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Absurdity No Obstacle To Republican Effort To Save Trump From Democracy | Rachel Maddow | MSNBC:

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The Piano Guys – What Makes You Beautiful (Live on SoundStage – OFFICIAL):

(If embedding doesn’t work, click here.)