Medical society officials in Texas and other states said they helped plan the California suit.

Tully Hall was packed, though society officials estimate that only some 35 percent of the audience consisted of subscribers.

But no more than one or two items to be sold would be worth $1 million or more, society officials anticipate.

A home buyer should choose the expert carefully, society officials emphasize.

It received more than $30 million in the six months after the storm, an amount that surprised society officials.

Robert Martinez, the executive director of Connecticut Audubon, said society officials refused because it needs the money.

The zoo's staff is hoping the situation will be straightened out soon, and zoological society officials are confident that operations will continue, even without a sale.

The incident, society officials said, alienated some affluent donors and, with support wavering, a deficit began.

But society officials vehemently deny any mob influence in a festival that is intended to venerate the patron saint of Naples.

According to the society officials, Christmas was a popular time for weddings, thus one of the bedrooms contains preparations for the marriage.