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December 27, 2017 The Skanner Page 7 A Look Back at 2017 Solar Eclipse, Loveable Baby Hippo Warmed Hearts in 2017 MINNEAPOLIS — It wasn’t all doom and gloom in 2017. The year was also filled with awe-inspiring moments that united us and warmed the heart. The first total solar eclipse to cross the U.S. in a century bought mil- lions together in what some could only describe as a primal experience. Thousands of immi- grants took the oath of citizenship, realizing their dreams of becom- ing Americans. And one adorable baby, Fiona the hippopotamus, became a story of survival as she overcame the odds and tumbled into the world’s heart. The stories provided some lighthearted mo- ments amid a series of deadly mass shootings, terrorist attacks, hurri- canes, wildfires, sexual harassment scandals and other tragic news in 2017. Here’s a look at a few of the moving, unifying and just plain fun moments of 2017: “BLACK COWBOYS” / ALBINA MURAL PROJECT OF 1978 /PHOTO: DARRYL CLEGG Yay, Science! It seems nothing brought Americans to- gether more than the first total so- lar eclipse to move across the U.S. in a century. For one moment in the middle of an August day, millions of people stopped what they were do- ing and gazed upward in wonder as the moon slipped In this Sept. 18, 2017 file photo, 35 immigrants from 23 countries recited the Oath over the sun of Allegiance, during the naturalization ceremony in Jackson, Miss. It wasn’t all — leaving a doom and gloom in 2017. The year was also filled with awe-inspiring moments that path of to- united us and warmed the heart. According to the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration tal darkness Services, 603,825 people became naturalized U.S. citizens in the first nine months that stretched from Oregon of 2017. The ceremonies can be huge moments for those involved. to South Caro- about nature, about this #TEAMFIONA lina. Some eclipse watch- phenomenon that was This little one wasn’t ers sang, some danced happening,” said Mam- expected to make it. and some were moved to ta Patel Nagaraja, who Fiona, a Nile hippopot- tears. Kids thought it was works on public engage- amus, was just 29 pounds pure magic, and people ment for NASA. “It didn’t (13 kilograms) when she traveled to remote sec- matter what color, creed, was born prematurely tions of the country to race, economic ladder in January. After early get the best glimpse. health scares, she’s now A study by the Uni- thriving at more than versity of Michigan, 600 pounds (272 kilo- requested by NASA, es- grams). This sassy girl timated that 215 million has become a symbol of American adults — or survival — and the star 88 percent of the coun- attraction at the Cincin- try’s adult population — nati Zoo & Botanical Gar- viewed the eclipse either you were on, people just den. directly or electronically. went out and enjoyed it. Fiona has captivated That’s 104 million more “It transcended all the the masses and the Team than the 2017 Super Bowl. other things,” she said. Fiona craze isn’t slow- “People were really just ing down. She stars in her own internet vid- eo series. Tens of mil- lions have gone online to watch her take a bot- tle, splash in the pool or learn to run. T-shirts bear her im- age. She’s the subject of children’s books. An ice cream flavor and local brew are named in her honor. She gets so many cards and letters that she has her own mail bin. Grown men will lean over the pool in their suits and ties to get close to her, said zoo director Thane Maynard. “It’s Fiona’s world, and AP PHOTO/ROGELIO V. SOLIS FILE By AMY FORLITI Associated Press “ It’s Fiona’s world, and we’re just living in it AP PHOTO/MEAD GRUVER, FILE AP looks at the bright spots in a year of tragic and difficult stories In this Aug. 21, 2017 file photo, Jack Kvenild, 5, of Laramie, Wyo., watches the eclipse onset at Glendo Reservoir in near Glendo in east-central Wyoming. An economic analysis of last summer’s total eclipse found that nearly 192,000 people traveled to Wyoming to view the event. In addition, the study released Monday, Dec. 11 by the state Office of Tourism estimated that the celestial event boosted the state’s economy by an estimated $63.5 million. we’re just living in it,” Maynard said. In her early, most vulnerable days, Fio- na received letters and pictures from kids who were preemies them- selves, urging her to stay strong. After nurses at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Cen- ter helped care for the hippo, the zoo sent Fio- na-themed onesies to the preemies there. “We are working with Fiona and her story to spread a number of mes- sages — one is a message of not giving up,” May- nard said. Inspiring Generosity Out of cash and out of gas on an interstate exit ramp in Philadelphia, Kate McClure found help from an unlikely source: a homeless man who told her to stay put, then used his last $20 to buy her gas. Johnny Bobbitt Jr.’s self- lessness was not lost on McClure. She set up a Go- FundMe page for the mil- itary veteran and former paramedic, and raised more than $400,000. Now Bobbitt has enough money to buy a home and his dream truck — a 1999 Ford Muralist Henry Frison Gets First Solo Show Local African American painter Henry Frison exhibited close to 20 in his first solo show, which opened at the end of July at greenHAUS Gallery and Boutique. Frison’s intimate portraits of iconic Black figures – President Obama, Rosa Parks and Michael Jackson among them – will be on display until the end of summer. At 77, Frison is primarily known as a Portland mural artist and one of seven Black painters that collaborated on the Albina Mural Project from 1978 – a work of five 20 foot by 20 foot murals, spearheaded by artist Isaka Shamsud-Din. Make The Skanner part of your daily routine SHOWTIMES THE BREADWINNER (PG-13) Fri-Thur: 2:25, 7:20 ROMAN J. ISRAEL, ESQ. (PG-13) Fri-Sat, Mon-Thur: 4:40, 9:50 Sun: 4:40 BLADE RUNNER 2049 (R) Fri-Thur: 1:35, 6:35 THE FLORIDA PROJECT (R) Fri-Thur: 2:15, 6:50 Ranger. An attorney and financial adviser helped create a plan that will al- low him to collect a small monthly salary and have some money for retire- ment. Bobbitt has said he’s overwhelmed. He told “Good Morning Amer- ica” he plans to pay the generosity forward by donating some of the money to organizations that will help others. “Everybody out there is facing some kind of struggle, so if I can touch their life, the way mine was touched, (it’d be) an amazing feeling,” he told “Good Morning Ameri- ca.” “Yes!” Over Roast Chicken From a simple propos- al over roast chicken to plans for a royal wedding, news that Prince Harry is engaged to American actress Meghan Markle has many cheering. The story drew people in for many reasons. For one, it’s fun. The happi- ness exuded by the cou- ple as they announced their engagement was contagious, while details of their courtship read like a fairy tale. See POSITIVE on page 11 The Week of Friday, Dec. 29 through Thursday, Jan. 4, 2018 BATTLE OF THE SEXES (PG-13) Fri-Sat, Mon-Thur: 11:50, 9:25 Sun: 11:50 LOVING VINCENT (PG-13) Fri-Thur: 12:10, 4:30 MY NEIGHBOR TOTORO (TONARI NO TOTORO) (G) Fri-Sat, Mon-Thur: 11:35, 4:50, 9:15 Sun: 11:35, 4:50 $4.00 adults, $3.00 senior citizens (65+), $3.00 for kids (12 & under) 7818 SE Stark St, Portland, OR 97215 503-252-1707 • AcademyTheaterPdx.com Enjoy an in-depth read on your desktop. Grab a headline on your mobile device. Page through the print edition online. Babysitting: Children 2 to 8 years old. Fri: shows starting between 3:30 pm and 8 pm. Sat - Sun: shows starting between 1 pm and 8 pm. $9.50 per child for the length of the movie. Call to reserve a spot, no drop ins.