January 2, 2000

Robert Lipsyte satirical column on deteriorating relationship between athletes and fans in future (M)

While this year's electronic Christmas has brought forward forecasts of robust sales, key element of e-sales this year seems to be based on the truism 'delivering on time'; other trends are more subtle, such as role of television; television it seems can no longer be relied on to create successful brands out of thin air; almost all of big gains went to long-established retailers, not e-commerce start-ups with huge ad budgets; in addition, not just anything sells on the Web; items such as toys were successful, while gifts and apparel disappointing; chart on most and least efficient dot.com advertisers (M)

80-year-old Kaufman Astoria Studios in Astoria section of Queens is adding new building to its sprawling, 12-acre site, giving studios a seventh sound stage; 40,000-square-foot building is to rise across street from Kaufman's main entrance; it is $8.425 million development project, with demolition of existing buildings scheduled to start in February, groundbreaking due in April and completion scheduled for end of 2001; new building will be owned by New York City, which is to give Kaufman a 99-year lease; drawing (M)

At-Home Dads Convention in Des Plaines, Ill, draws about 85 men from 20 states who by choice or economic necessity are normally home changing diapers while their wives act as breadwinners; stay-at-home fathers are growing in number and gaining acceptance, even approval, but they still suffer from isolation, which manifests itself in loneliness, depression, stir-craziness and weight gain; convention, as well as Web sites, newsletters and play groups catering to men whose wives work, seek to break down that isolation; photo (M)

Article on coping with divorce of best friends; drawing (M)