November 10, 2002

Summary of some major news stories on inside pages

Article describes democratization of benefit events in New York City, which are no longer exclusive terrain of high society members; stock market downturn and government cutbacks have fostered enormous growth in philanthropy and most 'society' benefits now draw people from diverse backgrounds; photos (M)

The Day in College Football column discusses decreasing number of undefeated programs left this season; number was reduced from eight to two after day's games left only Miami University and Ohio State University without a loss; photos (M)

Study by Joseph R Blasi and Douglas L Kruse at Rutgers finds that companies dispensing significantly larger-than-average option grants to their top five executives produced decidedly lower returns to shareholders than those dispensing far fewer options; findings are based on stock option grants and shareholder returns at 1,500 largest American companies from 1992 to 2001; it also confirms investors' suspicion that most options in recent years have been a perquisite to top management, not to rank-and-file company employees; graphs (M)

Lisa Belkin column interviews Stephen Viscusi, who has national radio show on which he answers callers' practical questions about workplace and who advises gays and lesbians against sharing that information with interviewers and co-workers; he himself has kept his homosexuality virtually to himself through many years' successful work in variety of occupations; drawing (M)

Article chronicles motor vehicles driven by James Bond character in films from series debut in 1962 to most recent film, Die Another Day, which features automobiles supplied by Ford Motor Co and its affiliates; both automobile manufacturer and film producer maximize on value of brand synergy; photos (M)

Six professionals in financial field share predictions on United States economy and stock markets, some bearish, some bullish and some in between; they are Steven H East, chief economist at Friedman, Billings, Ramsey & Co; Zachary Karabell, senior economic analyst at Fred Alger Management; Charles Pradilla, chief investment strategist at SG Cowen; Steve Oristaglio, co-head of investments at Putnam Investments; Tobias M Levkovich, equity strategist at Salomon Smith Barney; and Abby Joseph Cohen, analyst at Goldman, Sachs; drawing; photos; table; graph (M)

US Roman Catholic bishops preparing to complete policy on sexual abuse by priests are also confronting most organized widespread challenge to their power from laity in church's modern history; organizations like Voice of the Faithful are badgering bishops to disclose financial and personnel information, older groups like Call to Action are finding new momentum and all are demanding more accountability; Voice of the Faithful chapter in Indianapolis, which has had only two priests accused in lawsuits, calls on Abp Daniel M Buechlein to reveal how many priests have been accused of sexual misconduct; photo; nine bishops have banned Voice of the Faithful from church meetings, but others are more responsive, Baltimore Cardinal William H Keeler makes public name every priest ever credibly accused and San Diego Bishop Robert H Brom has met with Call to Action; debate among more conservative Catholics also discussed (M)

Profile of Yugoslavian performance artist Marina Abramovic, who plans extreme work of fasting silently before public for 12 days, at Sean Kelly Gallery; photo (M)

If Medaglia d'Oro had captured the Breeders' Cup Classic 15 days ago as the 5-2 favorite, Derrick Davis might have walked away with a lot of money and not drawn much scrutiny. The $4 million Classic is North America's richest horse race, and any number of bettors would have pocketed a modest amount if Medaglia d'Oro had finished first on that cold, gray afternoon at Arlington Park outside Chicago. A much smaller group -- the holders of 18 winning pick-six tickets each worth $141,666 -- would have made a fortune.

Ron Straci, an owner of Rao's restaurant at E 114th St and Mt Pleasant Avenue in Manhattan, will renovate unoccupied floors above restaurant and in three adjacent buildings into 22 rental apartments; drawing (M)

Article on scene at Miami Beach Senior High School annual homecoming dance; majority of school's population is made up of first-generation Americans, who come from 65 countries and speak 24 languages; photos (M)