Daily News from New York, New York • 6

By STEPHEN McFARLAWD Daily News Staff Writer A consumer group asked the government yesterday to force commercial weight-loss centers to beef up the information they give consumers about their programs and prices. The Washington-based Center for Science in the Public Interest asked the Federal Trade Commission to require diet centers to inform consumers in writing about costs, success rates, qualifications and training of staff, and the health risks of rapid weight loss. Without such information, "choosing a weight-loss center is pure guesswork," said Bruce Silverglade, CSPI's legal affairs director. About 7.5 million Americans spent more than $1.78 billion at commercial diet centers last year, Silverglade said. The five largest are Jenny Craig, NutriSystem, Diet Center, Physicians Weight Loss Centers and Weight Watchers International.

CSPI attorney Leila Farzan said some pre-packaged food people buy in these programs is more expensive and higher in fat than options readily available in the supermarket But Jenny Craig spokesman Brian Luscomb said it was misleading to compare supermarket diet foods with Jenny Craig food because the company's prices include counseling and classes. He said the company complies with all FTC regulations. Weight Watchers in a statement said it agreed that "industrywide standards should be developed." Coliseum's for sale The Metropolitan Transportation Authority board voted yesterday to put the New York Coliseum up for sale, ending months of battles over the future of the much-coveted site. The move is expected to spark a bidding war for the 3.4-acre parcel at Columbus Circle. SEE BUSINESS PAGE 64 I i i I r- iiiiimi'-" Swedish court lulls name game STOCKHOLM A court has rejected the appeal of parents who have been fighting for the right to give their 5-year-old son a 43-let-ter first name that is gibberish to everyone but them.

The parents pronounce their son's name Albin but wanted to spell it: The parents said it was a "pregnant, expressionistic development that we see as an artistic creation." The court rejected the name. Rautar JOHN ROCA DAILY NEWS NIGHTCLUB: Area outside Club Marakesh in Westhampton, L.I., was scene of assault. BDJ7 afifiSKSCS-Du SI 'BUD0ug By DEBBIE TUMA, WILLIAM K. RA8HBAUM and DON GENTILE -v-; sqr. THE ADVANTAGE PLANS Feature your choice of: 50 off reg.

air time rates for up to 6 months or 6 months free evenings and weekends (off pee mtXHTe) college. "I've heard parents in the neighborhood say, 'I wish our kid was like said Daniels' father, Curtis, a Riverhead stonemason. Daniels' mother, Laura, was crushed by the condition of the son she calls "my baby." Family members gathered together, some traveling from out of state, to console and support one another. "He was never in any trouble at all, the kind of person who would give his heart to somebody," said the Rev. Charles Coverdale, pastor of the.

First Baptist Church of Riverhead. Shane Daniels is a church member and was among a dozen young people from Riverhead who went on a trip to Africa in 1993 sponsored by Coverdale. The members of the group "worked for four or five years" to earn the money to go on the journey, said Coverdale. They spent several weeks learning about the culture of their ancestors and one week at a World Baptist Conference in Kenya. Coverdale, who visited Daniels at University Hospital in Stony Brook was stunned that anyone would hurt the young man.

"He was bright and friendly and very respectful," Coverdale said. "He's a loving person, always helping people," said Darien Daniels, 31, a caretaker at Calverton National Cemetery on Long Island. "A couple of weeks ago we saw a bum. I gave him $2, but Shane gave him a five. "All of his employers wanted him to be dealing with the public be'caas'e he was so helpful.

And he loves his family" THE ADVANTAGE 30 PLAN 24.99 a month No activation fee 30 Included air time minutes per month Includes Motorola DPC-550 with 100 minutes continuous talk time for Just 10' THE ADVANTAGE CONVENIENCE PLAN $25 acuvelion foe required at point of sate. 14.99 per month Includes the Motorola DPC-550 for 39.99 Dairy News Staff Writers He is the kind of guy who tosses a five spot to a homeless man. He is proud to be black and wants to know more about his roots. And he knows the meaning of respect Relatives and friends of Shane Daniels, thei invoices filled with sadness and anger, struggled yesterday to come to terms with the beating that left him comatose. Daniels' brother, Darien, was shaken after seeing Shane clinging to life.

After the arraignment of Detective Constantine Chronis in the beating, Darien said: "I tried to get him to look in my eyes, but he held his head down like a coward." "Why my brother?" Darien Daniels said, his voice breaking. "Why any human being?" Darien said he was angered when Chronis' lawyer sought to have his client released on bail. "His lawyer had the nerve to say he Chronis can't see his his wife," Darien Daniels said. "I can't hold my can't hear him tell me he loves me. He has so many needles poking out of his body because of this police officer.

"How can I respect any cops now? Racist police hurt my brother and left him there to die," Darien Daniels said. A graduate of Riverhead High School on the East End of Long Island, Shane Daniels, 21, the youngest of six brothers and sisters, worked part time in restaurants and at a pool company while making decisions about going to I Km WMmSnta macys 8 5 A $300 acobe to any phone purchase 'made urthQut a serwce contract, Advantage Convenience plan reouires a 2 -year contract commitment. All other Advenutge pm require 1 year contract commitment Heguiar atrTime rates range from JJC lo 8bC per minute depending on calMng plan. Customer must pay landune charges ruM except tor Ran 300. monthly access and any toot distance charges.

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