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Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Instead Of George, Why Not Call The Mag John?

Compiled By Staff Writer Dan Web

Ever notice that in all those stories about John F. Kennedy Jr., the reputed “Sexiest Man Alive” is never quoted? It’s been enough to make some of us wonder if his sister didn’t inherit all the brains in the family.

But then he goes and shows he’s articulate and funny. He showed this last week during the unveiling of his new magazine, George, a take on politics for the 18-to-45 crowd.

“I don’t think I’ve seen as many of you in one place since they announced the results of my first bar exam,” said the 34-year-old Kennedy, joking before a gaggle of television cameras.

JFK Jr. promised George will follow a nonpartisan plan, doing such stories as Madonna writing on “If I Were President.” Yet, he admitted, “I realize a Kennedy talking about nonpartisan is like Mark Fuhrman addressing an NAACP convention.”

Loose talk

Jay Leno on computer whiz Bill Gates (in People magazine): “He’s not necessarily so different from the rest of us. I went into his den last night, and his VCR is still flashing 12:00.” Let’s all send him a big box of candy kisses

Bob Packwood turns 63 today.

Perhaps Divine Brown can give her some advice

Oh, will they never forgive Sydney Biddle Barrows for once running a prostitution ring? “My biggest problem for the last 11 years is that no one will - and I hate to use the word - permit me to do anything but Mayflower Madam-related stuff,” Barrows told the Los Angeles Daily News recently. “No one will pay me for doing anything else. All my business skills have absolutely gone to waste.”

Bonnie and Clyde paid regular homage to small-town banks

The poster for “Clockers,” Spike Lee’s new film, resembles the poster for Otto Preminger’s 1959 film “Anatomy of a Murder.” “It’s a salute rather than a rip-off,” Lee’s designer Art Sims told Entertainment Weekly. “I was paying homage to one of the most famous designers in the industry.” That very designer, Saul Bass, isn’t buying it. “The convention is when anyone steals something, they call it an homage.”

She stood him up once to keep a date with Ralph

So what does YM magazine’s 1995 Young & Modern Man look for in an ideal young and modern woman? “Someone who is caring, sexy and has a good head on her shoulders,” says 19-year-old Jason Brown. “It would also help if she didn’t get seasick.”

Talk about a relationship pingponging from sweet to sour

Number 8 of David Letterman’s Top 10 things overheard at the United Nation Conference for Women: “Anna Nicole Smith sure seems to be warming up to Deng Xiao Peng.”

He wanted to call it ‘Bedtime for Bonzo: The Return’

Albert Brooks says he met with Nancy Reagan - yes, that Nancy Reagan - recently to offer her the title role in “Mother,” a comedy he wrote about a man’s complicated relationship with his mummy. “Her schedule was such that she was unable to commit,” Brooks said.

, DataTimes ILLUSTRATION: 2 Photos

The following fields overflowed: CREDIT = Compiled by staff writer Dan Webster