Though still a dirty little monthly with a modest budget and diminutive page count, City Paper was already putting down roots, taking on such topics as the rise of the word processor and, no kidding, the impending gentrification of Northern Liberties. Cathy Crimmins and Noel Weyrich filed their first stories. Our event listings section debuted, as did our Summer Fun guide.

It was also the year of our first headline pun. In his regular Eye 95 columns, Patrick D. Hazard reported on art/ theater goings-on in Baltimore, Washington, New York, Newark and such. It was inventive, open-minded and promising. It lasted three issues. Well four, if you count the final installment, which read: "Around the time of our deadline for articles this month we received a letter from Patrick Hazard postmarked Santa Rosa, Calif. It seems our intrepid East Coast culture courier has forsaken the frostbelt and tenure at Beaver College for the lures of California dreamin'." So that was that.

In August we ran this letter: "Just wanted to let you know how much I enjoyed Ron Jackson's piece on Connie Mack Stadium. Really nice writing. I don't run into the City Paper very often but I'll be keeping my eye out for it from now on." That letter was signed by one Tim Whitaker from Villanova. Thanks for reading, Tim!

In October, we dabbled in election coverage, and our analysis of the 2nd District U.S. congressional race between Bill Gray and Milton Street featured a head shot of the future first brother—big, impossibly patterned collar and all. "Street's scrappy climb to power began from, well, the streets. He started rocking City Hall by organizing on behalf of his fellow street vendors, but was catapulted into the limelight when he led a movement of homeless people."

The article continues: "While Street's brother, John (who played second fiddle during Milton's activist stage), flourished in City Council, Street quickly realized he was hopelessly outvoted in the state legislature."

While some things change (like who plays what fiddle and all), others never do. Some guys, it seems, are forever being catapulted into the limelight.

Next week: 1983! CP goes bi! We pan A Christmas Story!? Moonie Invasion!