March 30, 1984

Some interesting things about the world, near and far, that was going on about the time I was born 30 years ago.

Celebrity birthdays include singer Celine Dion (1968), rapper M. C. Hammer (1962), actor Paul Reiser (1957), and singer Eric Clapton (1945).

News and Politics

US President: Ronald Reagan
Ohio Governor: Richard Celeste
Barberton Mayor: William Judge

Geraldine Ferraro (who passed away on March 26) became the 1st female to run for US Vice-President, as Walter Mondale's running-mate.  Mondale got crushed by the popular Reagan in the November election.

The Soviet Union and the communist bloc of Eastern Europe was still at it during the 1980s.  Germany was spilt into capatalist West Germany and communist East Germany.

The first Apple computer was introduced to the marketplace two months before my birth.

Local Happenings (Barberton and vacinity)

Highland and U.L. Light schools were in their final year as junior highs, as they would become middle schools in the fall.

Rolling Acres, which was right outside of Barberton, was the place to hang out.  It was anchored by Sears, JC Penney, O'Neil's, and Montgomery Ward.  O'Neil's flagship store operated out of downtown Akron.

Longtime downtown stores, F.W. Albrecht Grocery's Acme 9 and Marshall's Department Stores were concluding their finals years, as they were losing interest among modern consumers.  McDonalds was on Wooster Rd., next to the BHS parking lot on Hopocan Ave.  Old, but vacant, downtown building stood at the site of the current restaurant, as they were facing condemnation and razing.

Kroger supermarket, Zayre discount department store, and Revco pharmacy were tenants of the Austin Plaza.  Kroger would sell out all its NE Ohio stores that summer.

Click 54 (now Acme 14) faced Manchester Rd. at the time and were surrounded by outdoor Summit Theather and Coventry Drive-In.

Ohio Brass closed its doors after several decades in Barberton.  It now operates out of Atlanta, GA.

Sports

The Baltimore Colts packed up their equipment into a big Mayflower truck and moved out to Indianapolis early morning on March 29.  While there were rumors of the team's move, the way it was done, without any announcment, pissed off a lot of loyal fans.  The didn't get NFL football back until they got Art Modell to move the old Browns there as the Ravens in 1996.  Unlike Cleveland, they didn't get to keep their team's name, records, and heritage.

The 1984 baseball season started on April 7.  Detroit Tigers ace Jack Morris threw a no-hitter on opening day and the eventual World Series champs got off to a MLB all-time best 35-5 start.  Cincinnati Reds star Pete Rose got his 4000th career hit, becoming only the second player to do so (Ty Cobb, who's record would be broken in 1985 was the other).  The baseball world was introduced to Boston Red Sox "Rocket" Roger Clemens and "Dr. K" Dwight Gooden, a 19 year old sensation from FL, who debuted with the N.Y. Mets.

The Cleveland Browns released longtime QB Brian Sipe in February, who then signed with the New Jersey Generals of the USFL.  The United States Football League operated for three seasons in the spring, competing with the NFL for talent.

The L.A. Raiders would win Super Bowl XVII in January, becoming the last AFC team to win the game until the Denver Broncos would do so 14 years later.

Miami Dolphins second year QB Dan Marino would break all the NFL single season passing records in 1984.

BYU, behind QB Steve Young, wins the college football national championship.  They remain the only school from a non-power conference to win a championship at the D-IA level.

Patrick Ewing's Georgetown defeats Hakeem "The Dream" Olajawan's Houston to win the 1984 March Madness.  "The Dream" would be drafted 1st overall with the Houston Rockets, with UNC Michael Jordan drafted 3rd by the Chicago Bulls.  David Stern would become NBA commissioner that year.

Arts and Entertainment

Singer Marvin Gay was shot to death after an drug induced arguement with his father on April 1.

Happy Days and Three's Company would air for the final time on ABC after decling ratings.  The Cosby Show, Who's the Boss, Mr. Belvedere, Murder She Wrote, and Miami Vice debuted.

Since 80's rock is my favorite music genere, it's no surprise there were a lot of good songs out around the time of my birth.  Karma Chameleon by Culture Club was Billboard Music Top 100 song from February 4 to 24 and Jump by Van Halen from February 25 to March 30.  Footloose by Kenny Loggins took over from March 31 to April 20, followed by Against All Odds by Phil Collins (April 21 to May 11), Hello by Lionel Ritchie (May 12 to 25), Let's Hear it for the Boy by Deniece Williams (May 26 to June 8), Time After Time by Cyndi Lauper (June 9 to 22), The Reflex by Duran Duran (June 23 to July 6).  Other good number ones that came out before the end of 1984 was Ghostbusters by Ray Parker Jr., What's Love Got To Do With It by Tina Turner, Let's Go Crazy by Prince and the Revolution, I Just Called to Say I Love You by Stevie Wonder, Caribbean Queen by Billy Ocean, Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go by Wham!, Out of Touch by Hall and Oates, and Like A Virgin by Madonna.  I can't forget to mention that Michael Jackson was the King of Pop at the time.

Top movies were Beverly Hills Cop, Ghostbusters, Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom, Gremlins, the Karate Kid, Police Academy, Footloose, Romancing the Stone, Star Trek III: The Search for Spock, and Splash.

Favorite TV Sitcoms

This is a blog that I saved from MySpace that I decided to update and repost:

Mom and I were talking about our favorite TV sitcoms.  These were among my favorites, beginning with shows that went off the air no earlier than 1990.  Many of the shows were in blocs that aired on ABC Friday (TGIF), NBC Thursday, and CBS Monday.  I'm sure of the nights and most of the dates, but some of the dates are approximate.  Most would probably consider these nights to be the best on TV over the last 20 years.  If anyone has any feedback, let me know.

Top 10 (Not in any particular order)

Married with Children, FOX Sunday, 1987-97

3rd Rock from the Sun, NBC, 1995-2001
Two and a Half Men, CBS Monday and Thursday, 2003-
Boy Meets World, ABC Friday, 1993-2000
Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, NBC Monday, 1991-96
Becker, CBS Monday, 1998-2004
Cosby Show, NBC Thursday, 1984-92
Perfect Strangers, ABC Friday and Tuesday, 1986-93
Full House, ABC Friday and Tuesday, 1987-95
Modern Family, ABC Wednesday, 2009-

Next 10 Best (Not in any particular order)

Seinfeld, NBC Thursday, 1991-98

Cheers, NBC Thursday, 1982-93
Step-by-Step, ABC Friday, 1991-97
Family Matters, ABC Friday, 1989-97
Everybody Loves Raymond, CBS Monday, 1996-2005
King of Queens, CBS Monday, 1998-2007
According to Jim, ABC Tuesday, 2001-
Home Improvement, ABC Tuesday, 1991-98
Blossom, NBC Monday, 1990-95
George Lopez, ABC Tuesday, 2002-07

Animated Sitcoms

The Simpsons, FOX Sunday, 1989-

King of the Hill, FOX Sunday, 1997-2010