January 22, 2002

Stone Pony nightclub is in center of dispute over redevelopment plan for Asbury Park, NJ; developer Ocean Front Acquisitions wants to move club away from area earmarked for new housing, but supporters of club are horrified by notion, saying town was built for entertainment, not as bedroom community, and its history must be honored; residents would like to see development and revitalization of their town and some are resentful of outsiders interference on behalf of Stone Pony; photos (M)

Kmart Expected to Seek Bankruptcy Protection Kmart is expected to file for bankruptcy protection as early as this morning in Michigan, where it is based, according to advisers to the company. The final straw was a decision by the Fleming Companies, a major food distributor, to halt most of its shipments to Kmart after not receiving its weekly payment. [Page A1.]

Martha Stewart, star of Kmart Corp's retail lineup, is expected to stay with Kmart even if retailer files for bankruptcy because language in contract is not clear and her departure could prompt lawsuit from Kmart; Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia president-chief operating officer Sharon Patrick says bankruptcy judge would have lot of leeway in how to interpret contract; some retail experts have speculated that Stewart would have little trouble reestablishing her products at another chain; turnaround at Kmart would depend heavily on Stewart's continued presence (M)

Michael R Bloomberg, New York City's new mayor, commemmorates Martin Luther King's Birthday by invoking his own version of late civil rights leader's dream, stating that he will listen to wide variety of New Yorkers from all races and backgrounds; makes whirlwind tour of city's black neighborhoods; is warmly embraced by black leaders, including Rev Al Sharpton and former Mayor David N Dinkins; photo (M)

Charlotte Hornets defeat New York Knickerbockers, 111-68, in worst loss at home in Knicks' franchise history; photos (M)

Scouting is taken to high level as only four teams--Philadelphia Eagles, Pittsburgh Steelers, New England Patriots and St Louis Rams--remain in NFL playoffs; chart shows statistical analysis of defenses; photo (M)

Bruce Weber reviews Cymbeline as produced by Theater for a New Audience, directed by Bartlett Sher; photo (M)

Scientists see public anger at Enron Corp officials who enriched selves as example of humanity's evolved and deep-seated hatred of the Cheat; say readiness to work for common good could not have evolved without corresponding eagerness to punish transgressors of social compact (M)

International donors meeting in Tokyo pledge more than $4.5 billion over five years for rebuilding of Afghanistan, coming close to goals set by World Bank and UN; major Western donors and Japan pledge $1.3 billion, Iran $560 million and India and Pakistan $100 million each; Saudi Arabia pledges $220 million, Kuwait $30 million and South Korea $45 million; list; Afghan Foreign Ministry spokesman Omar Samad expresses gratitude, and concern over whether promises will be kept; photo (M)

Ben Ratliff Critic's Notebook on disbanding of Carnegie Hall Jazz Band, which was creating its own body of work, superimposed on some of canonical works of jazz; photo (M)

Texas Supreme Court Justice Priscilla Owen who has been nominated by Pres Bush to fill vacant federal judgeship could face fierce Senate confirmation fight because her critics say she once wrote opinion that saved Enron Corp about $15 million after accepting campaign contributions from company; liberal groups plan to use her connections to Enron to try to derail her nomination; in 1996, Owen's critics note she wrote majority opinion in unanimous decision that reversed lower court order and reduced by about $15 million amount of school taxes paid by Enron; Texans for Public Justice study shows that since 1993, Enron has contributed $134,058 to members of state Supreme Court, including donation to Owen; photo (M)

Paula Poundstone struggles to rebuild career as comedian, seven months after arrest on child abuse charges; initial interview set with Maria Shriver on television program Dateline NBC; photos; Los Angeles court records have been sealed, but Poundstone, 41, was placed on five years probation and has completed court-ordered alcohol rehabilitation center; plea said alcohol created 'dangerous situation' but she denied committing lewd acts or child abuse; she has three adopted children, who she sees on monitored basis, and at time had two foster children (M)