September 1, 1999

Jane Gross, in Our Towns column, notes that 146 freshmen, one quarter of Trinity College class of 2003 attended preorientation, three days of camping, biking, community service, art workshops and other bonding activities (M)

Marian Burros article on garlic, which comes in 200 varieties, with subtle and not so subtle differences; recipes; photos (M)

As investors turn their attention to rebounding economies in Asia and Europe, the United States dollar has begun to slide against the Japanese yen and the euro. The dollar fell below 110 yen, the second time it has done so since the fall of 1996. Against the euro, which was introduced in January as a currency for 11 European nations, the dollar is falling after a 15 percent gain in a rally that ended in July.

Pete Sampras withdraws from US Open tennis tournament because of herniated disk in his lower back (M)

Consensus among witnesses at City Council hearing is that New York has little to worry about from Year 2000 computer problem; Jerome M Hauer, director of Mayor's Office of Emergency Management, says New York is better prepared for year 2000 than any other city; several private consultants and computer experts say city has delayed too long its program for telling residents how to prepare and what to expect; most of experts predict that trouble will be limited to small glitches (M)