September 27, 2004

Federal agencies delay completion of range of proposed regulations from food safety and environment to corporate governance and telecommunications policy until after Election Day, when regulatory action may be more politically palatable; delays come after heavy lobbying by industry organizations as well as United States Chamber of Commerce and Business Roundtable; industry lobbyists and their critics agree that re-election of Pres Bush would probably lead to adoption of some regulations favorable to industry and rejection or watering down of others that industry considers objectionable; consumer groups, environmental organizations and food safety experts say delays could lead to significantly weaker rules that could increase prices on some products, reduce safety and relax environmental protection; photo (M)

New Jersey has 10 wine schools that are not attached to vineyards and that take students from grapes to glass in about 10 months; largest is Bacchus School of Wine, first independent wine school in state and largest, with four schools and plans to open branch on Staten Island; owners of schools say hobby is popular among Italian-Americans, especially those with memories of 'basement wine' on grandparents' tables; photos (M)

Boston Red Sox defeat New York Yankees, 11-4; photos (M)1

Nearly 10 years after Rudy Giuliani, then mayor of New York City, declared war on sex-shop business, industry is thriving, especially in Greenwich Village; restrictions that were centerpiece of quality-of-life campaign failed to stand in court challenges, and industry has found way to dodge nearly every regulation imposed upon it; store operators have exploited loophole in law to prevent clustering of such businesses in most residential areas by offering at least 60 percent non-X-rated merchandise in order to operate outside so-called adult entertainment zones; residents complain that their children must walk past rows of shops; photos; map (M)

New York Mets defeat Chicago Cubs, 3-2; photos (M)