Noriega Warning: Make My Dia

--Gen. Manuel A. Noriega apparently sees himself as a Clint Eastwood type. In an interview with the New York Post, he again vowed to remain as Panama’s military ruler. “I have no intention of leaving this country, ever,” he said. When asked about reported plans for a film on the situation in Panama, Noriega replied: “Who is that guy who was a mayor in California? Clint Eastwood! That’s who I want to play me, Clint Eastwood. He is very macho. He doesn’t take . . . from anybody.” The United States has imposed economic sanctions on Panama in an effort to force Noriega from power after drug and racketeering indictments against him in Florida. “I am not like (President) Reagan, with his astrologers,” Noriega said. “I rely on my own thinking. But I do study my daily horoscope in the paper. And I read the Bible. I align with King Solomon.”

--Ronald and Nancy Reagan mind their manners and that puts them at the top of etiquette specialist Marjabelle Young Stewart’s list. “People are aware of role models and they like beautifully mannered people,” said Stewart, who has written 15 books, including “The New Etiquette.” The President appeared on her list of the 10 best-mannered people for the fourth consecutive year. “There is such a warmth about that man,” Stewart said. “People say, ‘Isn’t he wonderful under all this stress.’ ” Mrs. Reagan demonstrates “real First-Lady manners,” she said. Stewart questioned about 70 journalists, television crew members, makeup artists, chauffeurs and maitre d’s who have frequent contact with famous people. Others in the top 10 are Sam M. Walton, founder of Wal-Mart Stores; entertainer Dolly Parton; actor James Stewart; Ann Buchwald, wife of columnist Art Buchwald; musician Lionel Richie; sports broadcaster Frank Gifford; talk show host Johnny Carson, and Hugh Sidey, contributing editor for Time magazine.

--A Seattle man is the world’s finest wine steward, according to organizers of an international contest in Paris. Lawrence Stone, 36, wine steward at the Four Seasons Olympic Hotel in Seattle, won the blindfolded wine-tasting contests and showed fine knowledge of France’s wines and vineyards. French candidate Philippe Faure-Brac placed second, followed by Mitsuo Kogai of Japan. In 1984 and 1986, Stone was chosen as the best cellar man in the United States by the French food and wine associations that also organized the latest contest. Stone is a three-time winner of the Wine Spectator Award of Excellence.