A year in the life : 2010

As years go, 2010 dished out more than it's share of tragedy.  But, among it's devastating lows there were a few remarkable highs as citizens of the world came together on local, national, and international levels to work towards peace and stability throughout the world.  

Here are a few of the moments that changed our perspective on the Bay Area and the world in 2010:

January 13 2010: The massive earthquake that destroyed huge swaths of the island nation of Haiti left the countries population in chaos, and the world scrambling to help. 

Washington Square Park in New York just as the snow began to melt/Image: S. Whittle for Style WyldeFebruary 5-14 2010: Snowpocalypse (aka SNOWMYGOD, and  SNOMEGGEDON) hits the east coast of the United states, crippling transportation and causing blackouts, not to mention making attending MBFW a serious element-battling endeavor.

March 10 2010  Forever a Lost Boy in our hearts actor Corey Haim dies, cause of death: accidental overdose

April 20 2010 BP Oil well explodes in the Gulf Coast killing 11 workers, and causing one of the biggest environmental disasters in US History, in the months that followed charities and organizations pitch into help the gulf fisherman survive the event, while international leaders discuss a real solution to fossil fuel use.

May 9 2010 in one of the biggest comeback/success stories of the year 88 year old actress Betty White hosts SNL and becomes a pop culture icon, two months later she launches her own clothing line.

June 7 2010: Veteran journalist Helen Thomas goes on an anti-Israel tirade and then 'retires' under a cloud of criticism.

July 11 2010 Spain wins the World Cup for the first time, putting much favored Holland down in the final game.

Anti- Prop 8 demonstrators celebrate at SF's city Hall/Image: S.Whittle for Style WyleAugust 4 2010: Judge Walker rules California's Prop 8 to be unconstitutional.  Although the final resolution is still awaiting appeal court decision, same sex couples in California are one step closer to equal rights.

September 9 2010: PG&E gas line explodes in San Bruno, killing 8 and displacing many others. Bay Area groups quickly mobilize to help those left stranded.

September 20 2010: Rutgers University Freshman Tyler Clementi commits suicide classmates harass and bully him.  This tragic event leads to the launch of the Trevor Project, which enlists influential gay and straight celebrities and politicians to offer messages of hope to gay teens battling depression.  Our favorite: Tim Gunn's intensely moving, and breathtakingly honest  revelation that he himself had attempted suicide.

October 13  2010 After a blast causes a cave in at a Chilean mine, the rescue effort to bring 33 miners trapped below the surface begins. The entire world watches around the clock coverage as amazingly every single worker is saved. 

November 1 2010 ( Do we even have to say it?)  SF GIANTS WIN THE WORLD SERIES!!!  An entire city is awash in orange and black and nearly every man in the 7x7 considers growing facial hair.

December 7, 2010 Wikileaks founder Julian Assange is arrested for a sexual assault in Sweden. Some say it is the US Government's attempt to go after Assange for releasing several secret military memos online.