As 2007 draws to a close, every publication/news outlet on the planet is releasing their standard lists of most notable people, places and things for the year. (From top to bottom, the so-called “father of Russia,” Vladimir Putin, was named Time magazine’s Person of the Year, while Britney Spears topped MSNBC’s (and everyone else’s) list for Biggest Celebrity Breakdown.) The New York Times’ DealBook covered the most talked-about business items of the year, including Jim Cramer’s freak out on CNBC this summer urging people to pay attention to the subprime mortgage crisis, which, the Times pointed out, seemed a little crazy at the time but turned out to be rather prescient. Futures magazine will weigh in with its “best and worst” list for 2007, Tops and Bottoms, in the February 2008 issue. We’ll be offering our own tongue-in-cheek look at this year’s dealmakers and breakers in the futures industry, including a no-holds-barred account of the subprime meltdown, and our take on the crazy antics of certain investment bank CEOs. With more intriguing events on the horizon, like last week’s announcement of the 2008 launch of a new electronic exchange, the CFTC’s continuing reauthorization show, and lots more, the futures industry in 2008 is sure to keep us entertained as well. Have a happy new year!