March 23, 2006

New fragrances are blended, positioned and marketed to appeal to both men and women; photos (M)

In the Spirit of American Ingenuity**Alessandra Stanley TV Watch column reviews reality show American Inventor in which contestants must go in front of panel of judges, often humiliating themselves, in hopes that their invention will ultimately win them $1 million; photo (M)

Issues arise over background of New York Republican senatorial hopeful Kathleen Troia McFarland; interviews with officials in Pres Ronald Reagan administration and review of documents show her claims about her role were not entirely accurate; photo (M)

When you enter a zoo, you usually know pretty much where you stand: there are trees or rocks, sunlight or windows, bars or glass or fences. Zoos have traditionally been extensions of public parks, offering exotic marvels safely contained on home turf. Even fish can sometimes be found in such terrain, swimming about as they did in the well-stocked ponds of ancient rulers. Aquariums, though, which developed in the mid-19th century along with public zoos, are a different story. But it might be difficult to see precisely why when visiting so new and grand an enterprise as the Georgia Aquarium, which opened here to great acclaim last November.

Harvey Araton Sports of The Times column discusses New York Yankees player Johnny Damon, who faced former team Boston Red Sox in spring training game; photo (M)