December 14, 2005

Dan Barry About New York column on Patrick Balsamo, former New York City police officer who shot Gambino crime family captain Carmine Sciandra after argument in Staten Island supermarket; store is owned by mobster's brother Salvatore Sciandra, original object of Balsamo's anger; Carmine Sciandra is recovering from internal injuries and Balsamo has been charged with assault (M)

FOR lacy, effervescent moments, prosecco has its special place. Sparkling Vouvray is certainly distinguished, and I recently enjoyed a superb crémant d'Alsace from Barmès-Buecher. I'm always happy with a bottle of Schramsberg, Iron Horse or Roederer Estate from California, less so with fizzy wine in a pink can like Sofia Mini blanc de blancs, though I don't meet Niebaum-Coppola's target audience of young women for that product. But when talking about sparkling wine, let's be honest: There is Champagne and there is everything else. The others are good, but they're not Champagne.

New York City Mayor Michael R Bloomberg's crackdown on noise continues with presentation of wide array of revisions to existing noise-control code to City Council; among few concessions to council, Bloomberg agrees that Mister Softee ice cream trucks may continue to play music while seeking out customers, but must halt jingle while truck is parked; drawing (M)

The Food and Drug Administration has received from the Guidant Corporation several new reports about recent patient deaths associated with short circuits in company heart devices, agency records show. The three new cases all occurred after June when Guidant recalled the heart devices at issue. The recalls took place after the company came under scrutiny for failing to promptly warn doctors and patients about the risks of short circuits. The new reports bring the number of known deaths associated with the flaw to seven.

New York Giants will make adjustments to accommodate rash of injuries to valuable players (M)

Bob Dylan shocked his fans 40 years ago by embracing the electric guitar. Now he's stunning a few more by embracing another technological innovation: satellite radio. The singer has signed on to serve as host of a weekly one-hour program on XM Satellite Radio, spinning records and offering commentary on new music and other topics, starting in March. The famously reclusive 64-year-old performer said in a statement yesterday that ''a lot of my own songs have been played on the radio, but this is the first time I've ever been on the other side of the mike.''

Selena M Blake, longtime resident of Queensbridge Houses in Long Island City, nation's largest public housing project, set out in 2003 to make documentary film that would correct distorted perceptions of life there; with no experience and little money, but determination and careful networking, Blake ended up shooting 82 interviews and 75 hours of film that were ultimately edited into hour-long documentary; map; photos (M)

The parent of Florida Power and Light is in advanced talks to acquire the Constellation Energy Group for more than $11 billion, according to people briefed on the negotiations. A deal would create a utility behemoth with operations all along the East Coast, from Maine to Florida. The talks come as deal-making in energy has reached feverish heights. Oil and gas deals alone have totaled $180 billion so far this year, the most activity since 1998, according to Thomson Financial.

Baylor University women's basketball coach Kim Mulkey-Robertson has led team to 8-0 start after winning NCAA title last year; photos (M)

US long-track speed skater Shani Davis is also trying to make US Olympic team in short-track; photos (M)

Anyone visiting this town in the days after Hurricane Katrina might reasonably have concluded that it would be a long while before slot machines were again ringing their incessant chimes. The storm destroyed 9 of 10 floating casinos in Biloxi, and the tenth suffered significant damage. Yet so well financed is the gambling industry -- and so profitable the facilities that line the beaches here -- that one casino is set to open its doors to the public on Dec. 22. Another is to reopen the day after Christmas. A third, the Palace Casino, will have spent $23 million in four months to reopen by New Year's Eve, said the general manager, Keith Crosby.

Early Maya Mural Found Archaeologists in Guatemala have uncovered a masterpiece of Maya art that tests reveal to date to about 100 B.C., well before the Maya classical period that began after A.D. 250. THE ARTS, PAGE E1 Blast in New Jersey Kills 3 Three people were killed and three others were unaccounted for after an explosion and fire consumed an apartment building in Bergenfield, N.J. Five people were injured and dozens left homeless. PAGE B1 Cut in Minimum Tax Unlikely, Lawmaker Says As lawmakers moved into the final days of the session, Senator Bill Frist, the majority leader, said that Congress was not likely to act this year to shield millions of middle- and upper-income taxpayers from a larger bite from the alternative minimum tax. PAGE A33 U.S. Sprinting Star Barred Tim Montgomery, the former world-record holder in the 100-meter dash, was suspended for two years for using performance-enhancing drugs. SPORTSWEDNESDAY, PAGE D3 Interest Rate Raised Again The Federal Reserve raised its main interest rate for the 13th time in a row and said further increases might be needed to keep inflation under control. PAGE C1 Red Cross President Resigns Marsha J. Evans, who was brought in to help restore the reputation of the American Red Cross after the Sept. 11 attacks, is leaving. PAGE A32 Low Champagne And High Caviar Careful shoppers can find good champagne for under $30, but the last legal Beluga caviar will still cost about $200 an ounce. DINING, PAGE F1