From the Lawrence Daily Journal-World for Nov. 14, 1985:

• Lawrence comet-watchers were frustrated in their attempts to catch a glimpse of the fabled Halley’s Comet, which was making a return to our solar system after 75 years’ absence. Many local residents had been looking forward to the comet’s 1985 appearance since they were children, but although conditions were otherwise favorable with an early-setting moon, a heavy canopy of clouds was blocking the view. KU’s Tombaugh Observatory had already canceled two planned viewing sessions because of the weather, and it was doubtful that the clouds would clear away before the end of the week.
• KU’s Office of Foreign Student Services was seeking volunteer families to welcome international students into their homes for the upcoming Thanksgiving holiday. About 50 students were expected to participate.
• An advertisement for Everything But Ice, 616 Vermont, announced a sale celebrating the concurrent birthdays of author Kurt Vonnegut and Sam, the store’s spokesman, or spokes-penguin, whose likeness appeared in many of the store’s ads. Other than their birthdays, the ad claimed that the two shared many other “amazing similarities” – both were intrigued by time travel; “Kurt has a beautiful home with floors; Sam sells USED VACUUMS;” and “Kurt has written many books and articles; although Sam can’t read, he does sell BOOKCASES.”