Call Her Citizen Kane

Some people move away from their hometowns at the first opportunity. Some move from town to town throughout their adult lives. And some folks simply stay home. To wit: Susan Lucci, the actress who plays the worldly siren Erica Kane on the soap “All My Children.” She grew up in Garden City, Long Island, and there she stays, even though Hollywood beckoned loudly.

“I didn’t expect to stay here myself,” she says. “I just began to realize, as I grew up, what a spectacular place this was. There are many beautiful towns across the country, but very few of them have this great sense of community and multiple generations.” (From May Worth)

Signs of the times: In one context, living out of your car is synonymous with being homeless, which is bad. But according to the Recreational Vehicle Industry Association, about 25 million Americans now live out of their cars on purpose, which they think is good, even though they are technically homeless. These are the folks who are affluent enough to own those deluxe homes called RVs.

Increasing numbers of folks seem to want to live more and more of their lives in their vehicles, RV and otherwise. Manufacturers report a surge in sales of luxury cars outfitted with offices which allow owners to remain linked to their offices by phone, fax and modem even while driving down the open road.

Even those less well-heeled are benefitting from the trend: The typical Dodge Caravan offers 12 built-in cup holders; the new Chevy Venture offers 17. A full workstation (computer, printer, desk, filing compartment) has been designed for strapping into any front passenger seat. (From May The Atlantic Monthly)

Let ‘em be boys: Newsweek magazine published an article discussing the new studies of boys’ behavior, noting that until now, developmental research has focused on girls.

The early evidence indicates the old adage boys will be boys has currency.

“The feminist movement has done a great job of convincing people that a woman can be nurturing and a mother and a tough trial lawyer at the same time. But we haven’t done that as much with men. We’re afraid that if they’re too soft, that’s all they can be,” says Dan Kindlon, assistant professor of psychiatry at Harvard Medical School. (From May 11 Newsweek)

Facts of life: Percentage of teenage girls who say sex before marriage is always wrong: 53. Percentage of teenagers who say they believe in God: 94. (From May 11 Time)

Quote of the week: “In politics, if you want anything said, ask a man; if you want anything done, ask a woman.” Margaret Thatcher

Spokesman-Review. Contact her by mail at 999 W. Riverside, Spokane, WA 99201; by e-mail at susane@spokesman.com; or by phone at 459-5488.