5. OTHER INVESTMENTS (Detail) - (Table 1) Net Investment Income from Other Investments (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011
Net income from other investments	$ 20,000	$ 10,000	$ 337,000	$ 56,000
Partnerships owning diversified businesses [Member]
Net income from other investments	7,000		38,000	25,000
Partnerships owning real estate and related investments [Member]
Net income from other investments			255,000
Partnership Investments in Technology [Member]
Net income from other investments		1,000		1,000
Investment in owned affiliate[Member]
Net income from other investments	$ 13,000	$ 9,000	$ 44,000	$ 30,000