Gavin

John Gavin, former U.S. ambassador to Mexico, warned Tuesday that conditions in Mexico are "very serious" and advised Mexican officials to embrace long-term solutions, including opening the country to more foreign investment. Citing Mexico's enormous foreign debt of nearly $100 billion, Gavin said that as it is presently structured, he does not believe that the money can ever be paid back. Current arrangements to deal with the problem are "at best, short-term solutions," he said.

No need to bone up on the Mormon prophet Joseph Smith before attending "The Book of Mormon" at the Pantages Theatre. Just know that this exceedingly naughty, though in the end disarmingly nice, show is devised by the minds behind "South Park" and that risqué "Sesame Street" for theater-loving adults, "Avenue Q. " In other words, leave the kids at home with a baby-sitter, or child-protective services might be knocking at your door. Built for the irreverent Gen X faithful, all those aging slackers (myself among them)

KCLU-FM (88.3), Cal Lutheran University's public radio station, has been selected to contribute its jazz playlists to the Gavin Report. KCLU will join 90 other jazz-oriented stations across the nation that help create the weekly Gavin Charts, which track the most popular jazz recordings. "That really legitimizes you and the record companies view you as an important station and one they need to court," said Mary Olson, KCLU's general manager.

Our departing ambassador to Mexico, John Gavin, is another example of President Reagan's appointment of inept unqualified cronies to important posts representing our country. Gavin's letter (March 29), berating The Times for advocating a diplomatic process to solve Cuban and Central American problems, doesn't speak well for our so-called diplomat. It's amusing that his letter was published at the time that our Administration's duplicity in the Honduran caper was exposed, with Reagan forcing Honduras to give him an excuse to send $20 million in military aid and helicopter pilots to help fight the Nicaraguans without congressional approval.

Former U.S. Ambassador to Mexico John A. Gavin said that two governors of Mexican states are "up to their elbows" in drug trafficking and corruption, but he declined to identify them to a Senate subcommittee Thursday. Gavin said Gov. Rodolfo Felix Valdez of Sonora, who had been accused by U.S. Customs Commissioner William von Raab of owning four ranches on which opium poppies and marijuana are being grown under police and military protection, was not one of the two.

The Virgin Prunes, Ireland's notorious gender-bending art-shock band, dissolved just before their scheduled L.A. debut in 1986. But the group--which has reportedly resumed playing--still has an estimable reputation among local gloom-rock fans, many of whom packed Club Lingerie on Tuesday to see former Prunes singer Gavin Friday.

Political party: Democrat Occupation: San Francisco mayor Age: 43, born in San Francisco City of residence: San Francisco Personal: Wife, actress Jennifer Siebel Newsom; 13-month-old daughter, Montana Education: Bachelor's degree in political science, Santa Clara University Career highlights: Served on San Francisco Board of Supervisors and on Parking and Traffic Commission. Legalized gay marriage in San Francisco. Approved city's universal healthcare program.

Rooster-coiffed rocker Rod Stewart gets along famously with all his exes. Good thing. Stewart is expected Thursday at a grand opening party for the Cotton Box, a trendy fabric store on Melrose Avenue launched by former girlfriend Kelly Emberg and her new husband, British textile tycoon Gavin Brodin. Also expected at the bash are Stewart's former wives, Rachel Hunter and Alana Hamilton, as well as Alana's first husband, tan man George Hamilton.

Gavin Newsom Political party: Democrat Occupation: mayor of San Francisco Age: 42; born in San Francisco City of residence: San Francisco Personal: wife, Jennifer Siebel Newsom; baby daughter Education: bachelor of science degree in political science, Santa Clara University, 1989 Career highlights: founded Plumjack wine shop and related businesses, 1991; appointed to San Francisco Parking and Traffic Commission, 1996;...

SACRAMENTO -- California Lt. Gov. Gavin Newsom continued his book tour on "The Colbert Report" on Thursday night, taking his fair share of abuse to plug his new tome on the future of governance. As Newsom began his spiel about how technology can “level the playing field” in government, media and other fields, Colbert interrupted asking, “What the [heck] does any of that mean? … Every single one of these things could be carved on a stone and put in someone's garden as like a mantra, but I don't know what they mean.” Newsom broke through the skepticism to make his point.