December 1, 2002

Profile of Martin S Feldstein, influential Harvard economics professor who holds no official government role but has been mentor to many on Pres Bush's economic team; his stature and his vigorous defense of Pres Bush's economic policies discussed; photo; tables of biographical data and of prominent economic figures who were his students at Harvard or worked with him there (M)

Article on Shellie McDowell, owner of Shellie McDowell Millinery in Brooklyn, NY, who is one of US's top designers of church hats for black women; photos (M)

Anemona Hartocollis Coping column on impact on ordinary New Yorkers of new fees, fines and taxes that Mayor Michael Bloomberg is proposing to close city budget gap; drawing (M)

Casco, white gelding approaching 20 years of age, leads triumphal march in Aida and handles most other horse assignments at Metropolitan Opera; spends his off-stage hours at Claremont Riding Academy, where he is popular mount for children's lessons; photos (M)

Workers Defense League and Unemployment Action Center free representation to people denied unemployment benefits in New York; only about 30 percent of people who attend hearings without advocate are likely to prevail; usually, employee has no idea of how to present winning case; graphs compare claims appealed with and without advocacy; (M)

America's Cup is one of world's most litigious sporting events, as cases like Team Dennis Conner's become more and more regular; Conner filed protest against OneWorld, accusing team of stealing other teams' design secrets; photo (M)

Mamie Till Mobley, 81-year-old Chicago woman, is determined to remind world of wrongfulness of murder of her son, Emmett Louis Till, 47 years ago; in Aug 1955, he was 14-year-old black youth visiting relatives in Mississippi, who was abducted by two white men and killed after he whistled at white woman; men were arrested and tried but never convicted, never punished; others rumored to be part of crime grew old, anonymous; story of his murder shamed nation and became cautionary tale for blacks at time when racial prejudice was justification for murder; Mobley is now writing book on case and legacy of her son; photos (M)

Cars with cargo beds are popular in Australia and are known as 'utes'; are comparable to pickups in America--blue collar icon and symbol of rugged independence; look like station wagon with top cut off behind front seat; photos (M)

Paul Newman stars and Joanne Woodward produces revival of Thornton Wilder classic Our Town; Westport Country Playhouse production moves to Broadway; couple discuss reasons for returning to stage; photos; drawing (M)

New York City rents have abated over past year in first wide-ranging rollback in 10 years; prices vary according to neighborhood with decreases ranging from 3 to 15 percent since midyear 2001; landlords in recent months have been advertising incentives to potential tenants; Andrew Heiberger, president of Citi Habitats brokerage, calls change necessary correction, as market was pricing out average earners; there is some concern that landlords may skimp on maintaining properties; effect is felt throughout region; graph charts rents from 1987-2002; photos (M)

Behind the Wheel column reviews 2003 Subaru Baja, which resembles Legacy Outback wagon with pickup bed; photos (M)

Profile of pop singer Mariah Carey and her determination to make comeback after flops of movie Glitter and accompanying album; photos (M)