Week of January 1, 1981

President-elect Ronald Reagan and

his wife, Nancy issue New Year’s

greetings to the country in an

interview taped for NBC and

broadcast during the Tournament of

Roses parade. “I know that there

are great problems. I know that

man people are disturbed

worldwide, but certainly here in our

country, as to whether we can solve

the gravest problems confronting

us. Let’s start this first day of the

fifth year of the third century of our country - all of us together - realizing that we

can solve the problems confronting us as we’ve solved them for 200 years. We

just have to do it together.”

Richard M. Nixon’s lawyer threatens court action to keep Senate Democrats from

receiving the former President’s tapes and other documents relating to Alexander

M. Haig Jr.

Ronald Reagan selects James Brady, the spokesman for his transition

headquarters since the election, as his White House press secretary.

Bowing to congressional pressure, the Postal Service says it will delay until June,

plans to begin implementing a controversial nine-digit ZIP code so that people

can learn how to use it. The longer ZIP, which has come under fire from

Congress and industry groups, is expected to save the Postal Service about

$6t00 million a year by 1987 and hold down postal rates.

The Carter Administration replies to a series of questions relayed from Iran and

there’s hope the hostages may soon be released.

The new Reagan Administration says it will recommend against any presidential

declaration of an economic emergency or request for extraordinary powers.

Unemployment, inflation and interest rates will remain high through 1981.

Prince Charles sends a special message to editors in Fleet Street - Britain’s

newspaper row, “Have a nasty New Year.” It seems the royal family, on New

Year’s vacation in Sandrigham, cannot go anywhere without being hounded by

the press. And, the press is on the lookout for Lady Diana Spencer, who is

rumored to be on the verge of marrying Price Charles.

Week of January 1, 1981

More England - Leeds - Peter William Sutcliffe - a 35-year-old truck driver is

charged in court with the murder of one of the 13 allegedly slain over the last five

years by the so-called Yorkshire Ripper.

General Motors raises the price of their average automobile by $149 or 1.5% this

week.

GM J-cars to be built in Japan - The world car entry from General Motors will be

built in Japan - the first time in 40 years that a U.s. car has been produced in

what is now the world’s leading auto country.

The Census Bureau officially puts the nation’s 1980 population at 226,504,825.

than 1,600 people, many of whom never met each other before.

The Unification Church says that over the past two days, Moon

performed a mass engagement ceremony for 843 couples in

New York City. Church members came fro as far away as

Australia for the match-up.

After a bad year for airline deaths in 1979, 1980 was totally the opposite - with

no deaths from airline accidents - the first year on record for U.S. airlines.

Sports - Sidelined with a knee injury, Earvin (Magic) Johnson should resuming

playing for the Lakers in February.

Bowl games -

Cotton - Alabama - 30 Baylor - 2

Marry - Olympic athlete-turned-actor Bruce Jenner and actress

Honolulu. It was the second marriage for Jenner and the first for

Thompson. She’s a regular on TV’s “Hee Haw.”

REO Speedwagon has got a hit album - “Hi Infidelity.” They’ve

been recording for Epic since 1971 and yes, are still with that

label. They’ve sold records, but this one could be the big break.

Member Kevin Cronin says - “it’s the new songs. They’re

different from what we’ve done before. We used to write songs

that were mild, about things that people between 15 and 25 were

Week of January 1, 1981

thinking about. But his album is more about persona experiences. This time we

bared our souls.”

Turner’s superstation WTBS. It’s a local variety show -

produced out of WTBS in Atlanta. He’s described as another

booth announcer. Before that he was a disc jockey in Atlanta.

The weekly show began December 28. (Tush later could be seen on CNN).

Monday night television -

CBS - Flo, Ladies Man, MASH, House Calls, Lou Grant

NBC - Little House on the Prairie, Movie, Tonight, Tomorrow

ABC - That’s Incredible, Movie,

Nightline

PBS - Great Performances, On

Working

ABC Movie - “SST… Disaster Flight

(1977)- Lorne Greene.