December 30, 2004

The doctor pulled out a stethoscope and Gladys Martinez stopped smiling. She inhaled. Her heart-shaped earrings trembled. The doctor listened. Two years ago, Mrs. Martinez survived a heart attack. Stethoscopes remain a cold reminder, the dreaded moment of any medical exam.

Assemblyman José Rivera, the Bronx Democratic leader, supports a proposed $1.4 billion football stadium for the Jets on the West Side of Manhattan. Nonetheless, he received thousands of dollars in political contributions last summer from the project's most formidable opponent, Cablevision. His daughter, Naomi, elected to the Assembly in November, is now starring in an anti-stadium commercial broadcast on Cablevision in the Bronx. During her campaign, she received contributions from both Cablevision and the Jets' president.

Profile of 1940's and 1950's record cover illustrator Jim Flora, subject of Irwin Chusid's new book The Mischievous Art of Jim Flora; photos (M)

Russia's mobile phone operator VimpelCom receives tax claim of $21 million for 2002, less than company expected; shares rise 8 percent; graph (S)

JOHN BARMAN is a decorator known for creating sleek, sexy interiors. Think of him as the Tom Ford of interior design. But at home he had to confront the reality of a working decorator's life: where do you hide a home office that could serve as reception central for million-dollar clients, as well as closets and a bar for entertaining? How do you fit function into the beautiful form? Mr. Barman, who lives in a 2,800-square-foot Manhattan apartment, also needed to be able to close off the space so he would not have to see the phone and computer when not in use. He considered appropriating part of his dining room, ''but that would have made that room smaller'' still, he said. Besides, he didn't like the idea of being stuck in a corner when he works.