BUFFALO, N.Y. — Ten years ago this week in 2013
On a former industrial site along the Buffalo River near the old first ward, construction began on a dreamed-of entertainment complex to be known as Riverworks, which in the decade since has arguably become the most successful project along Buffalo's inner harbor to date, and much more than many thought it might be when ground was broken for it this week in 2013.
20 years ago this week in 2003
A community campaign raised $300,000 to purchase and save the historic Palace Theater in Lockport,
Electronics had by then climbed to become the most sought-after items among holiday shoppers, although younger viewers today might not recognize some of them, nor the prices.
They included DVD players, VCRs, and phones with camcorders built in which by today's standards seem primitive.
A 50-inch plasma TV could be bought for the princely sum of $9,000 which seems out of this world today when LED TVs of the same size can be bought on sale for under $300.
The World's Largest Disco was in just its 10th year of existence at the convention center in downtown Buffalo.
30 years ago this week in 1993
The Brady Bill was signed into law by President Clinton. Named in honor of former White House Press Secretary Jim Brady, who was wounded in an assassination attempt on President Reagan in 1981, the new law would require a background check on all firearm purchasers and a five-day waiting period for purchases. The waiting period was later waived when the federal government developed the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS).
"Will this totally end the carnage on the street? I don't think so," said Brady, who attended a bill signing ceremony. "But, even the longest journey begins with a single step."
Also turning 30 this week: the chicken pox vaccine, which first became commercially available, and you could still get breakfast locally for 99 cents this week in 1993.
40 years ago this week in 1983
Shoppers stood in long lines and even got into fights in their effort to secure what was the hottest toy item of the 1983 shopping season.
"So many kids are talking about them they just gotta have them," one woman told Channel 2 News outside a Hills Department Store, where 150 of the items made available were all sold in just three minutes
This week's News 2 You Pop Quiz: what do think the most sought-after item was, and which ended up becoming among the most popular toy items ever sold in the 1980s? (for the answer watch the conclusion of the video attached to this story).
Meanwhile, Gilbert Perrault was still delighting hockey crowds as a member of the Buffalo Sabres, Buffalo's native-born "Super Freak", recording star Rick James, was back in his hometown in concert at Memorial Auditorium.
The once popular and now long gone Festival of Lights in Niagara Falls NY was just in its third year of existence, and an 18-year-old from Springville named Penny Baker was announced as the choice to be Playboy Magazine's 30th anniversary playmate.
"I'm really proud of her," Baker's mother told Channel 2 News, noting that her daughter was picked over 7,000 other applicants.
The extent of her mother's support became apparent later when it was revealed that Penny Baker was only 17 when she posed and that her mom had signed the permission paper to allow her daughter to lay her claim to fame this week in 1983 when it was all News 2 You.
