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STUART I. ROCHESTER, 63 Co-author of book on POWs Stuart I. Rochester, chief historian of the Office of the Secretary of Defense and the co-author of a book many consider the definitive account of American prisoners of war in Southeast Asia, died of melanoma Wednesday at his home in Burtonsville. Honor Bound: American Prisoners of War in Southeast Asia, 1961-1973 (1998) was written with Frederick T. Kiley, a retired Air Force colonel and teacher at the U.S. Air Force Academy. In harrowing detail, the 720-page volume tells the story of hundreds of American captives, among them future Sen. John McCain, former Alabama Republican Sen. Jeremiah Denton and Medal of Honor recipients George "Bud" Day and Humbert "Rocky" Versace.

In 1994, when she starred in "The Next Karate Kid," no designers were clamoring to flatter Hilary Swank's five-star figure. But since her gender-bending turn in "Boys Don't Cry," which has earned her an Academy Award nomination for best actress, she's reached a kind of quirky fashion-plate status. The willowy actress with the punk pixie haircut has become both edgy ingenue and the darling of designers eager to outfit her for the Academy Awards. "She's an attractive proposition because she's a contender and she's a cute young thing and she pulled off a difficult role, says William Calvert, a New York women's luxury clothing designer.

Bargain Charm necklace kit $16 necklace; $12 charms Babe, 1716 Aliceanna St., Fells Point. babeaboutique.com or 410-244-5114 Capture the excitement of the charm craze with this ball-chain necklace kit, a favorite of owner Lisa Ponzoli. With more than 25 charms and three necklace lengths, you can customize the gift to fit the taste of the recipient. Single-shoulder dress $79 Cupcake, 813 S. Broadway. cupcake-shop-baltimore.blogspot.com or 410-522-0941 Have her looking like a perfect 10 without breaking the bank in this red-hot one-shouldered number.

IT'S ALREADY the first place many Carroll County residents think of when they're in the mood to commune with or learn about nature. Now, the Hashawha Environmental Appreciation Center is working to make things even better.By restructuring its corps of more than 100 volunteers, the center has sparked a surge of innovative ideas that should bring improved hiking trails, a composting site, art and photography exhibits, and a nature playground."Volunteers made it possible for the Bear Branch center to open in the first place, back in 1993," said Melinda Byrd, center administrator.

When the Washington Bullets and Indiana Pacers square off at the Baltimore Arena tonight, don't be surprised to find promoters Bob Arum and Don King as courtside spectators, searching for new boxing talent.Said Bullets coach Wes Unseld, who has been portrayed as both a peacemaker and instigator in past scuffles, depending on your point of view: "I don't think we like each other. That's no secret, and it shows up on the floor."It is not listed in the Ring record book, but several Bullets and Pacers have been fined for their extracurricular activities during the past two seasons.

"Our word of the month is ... dream," echo hundreds of children in sync with their enrichment teacher, Margene Versace. "The kind you have while you're awake." More than 500 pupils and dozens of parents and faculty members packed the gymnasium of William Paca/Old Post Road Elementary School in Abingdon on Thursday to honor third-grader Kiera McKenna and nine other prize winners. Kiera, 9, won the grand prize of the "Dare to Dream ... Expect to Succeed" national competition. Any medium could be used for the contest.

Carol Goodman's lifestyle generally demands a casual approach. Sitting on the grass during a child's soccer game doesn't lend itself to 24-hour designer duds. But that doesn't mean Goodman can't throw on a Christine Foley sweater decorated with horses to wear to her daughter's riding lessons, or that she can't don low-heeled shoes by Stuart Weitzman that work with skirts and slacksOn Nov 1., Goodman, 40, will stand backstage in her American Girl T-shirt and allow 9-year-old daughter Kathy to take front stage as she models the clothing from the American Girl Collection for a fashion show fund-raiser sponsored by the Baltimore Junior League.

OK, I admit it -- I cried. Big tears, all over my cashmere sweater. Still, I was fairly sedate compared to the man sitting a couple of seats away. Blubbering.He, I'd like to believe, was wrapped up in the emotion of the story, a romantic comedy in which a chauffeur's geeky daughter returns from Paris transformed into a beautiful and sophisticated woman who entices not just one but both of the millionaire Larrabee sons.I, on the other hand, was crying over the fashions.While I have to admit that pantsuits and sleek velvet ball gowns are more apropos of the '90s, some deep-seated '50s part of me was craving the sight of opulent, luxurious clothing -- and not on the male actors.

At Amnesia, a swarm of long-legged, flowing-haired, ripple-chested models seize the dance floor for Madonna's "Vogue" at a Michele Pommier's season-opener party.A few nights later, it's time for Irene Marie scout Jack Donahue's weekly social for photographers, agents, producers and models, models, models. The wannabes, coulda-beens and already theres pass their "books" over white wine at Ocean Drive hotels."Here, take my card. Are you signed with an agency? Let's talk."And here's Jacqueline McArthur, of Black Models Network, with her fistful of business cards, slipping one to a burly bouncer as she breezes out of Bash.

So, tomorrow, opposites collide in the NFL. The unbeaten New England Patriots (14-0) vs. the beaten-like-a-scrambled-egg Miami Dolphins (1-13). But the contrast doesn't stop there. Here's the sports world tale of the tape (statistics as of yesterday). Baseball Red Sox, World Series champions; Marlins, last place, National League East. NBA Celtics, lead their division, 20-3; Heat, last in division, 7-19. College football Boston College, 10-3; University of Miami, 5-7 NHL Bruins, 18-12; Panthers, 17-16.