Versatile

Feel better clothes Colorful, versatile clothes and accessories from Units will be featured in the Johns Hopkins Children's Center "Fashion Makes You Feel Better" teen fashion show Tuesday.The choice of Units was an obvious one for Debbie Bangledorf, public affairs coordinator for the children's center. The easy fit, the bright, clear colors, and the soft nap of their rayon and cotton jersey designs were all reasons for singling out the line for the show, she says.The clothes can be easily layered to achieve a more substantial look for patients whose illnesses have caused them to lose weight.

Cheers for chutney, a versatile relishTake a seat, salsa. Chutney is stepping up to the plate. According to the July-August issue of Metropolitan Home, chutney is the newest condiment to dazzle American cooks. This versatile Indian relish, with its range of spiciness and textures, adds interesting flavors to ordinary dishes. The magazine's editors suggest coconut chutney to perk up a sandwich or a pear-cranberry version to go with roast duck or chicken.The selling of couscousCheck out the new TV commercial on couscous.

WASHINGTON -- For a superstar, the young mezzo Cecilia Bartoli is blessedly free of mannerisms, attitude and shtick. In fact, the only evidence of her diva status is that her recital Sunday afternoon at Constitution Hall started 15 minutes late.Another nice thing: While her best-selling CDs are almost all collections of favorites, her recital programs cover more esoteric ground.Bartoli's voice -- limber, lush and infinitely versatile -- is so beautiful that she could sing a program of soda commercials (or Philip Glass!

I grew up as the youngest daughter in a large conservative family in Seoul. When I went to university in New York I immediately changed my style, although I've been careful to dress modestly when I went home on vacations.Now that I've graduated, have a job and intend to spend my life in Manhattan, I'm getting ready to go home for Christmas where my family is planning a party to celebrate my success.I don't want to upset them, but I think it's time they saw the real me. What do you suggest?

1999 Avg. Player, school Ht. Wt. yds. gain Ken Murray's skinny Thomas Jones, Virginia 5-10 210 1,798 5.4 Great skills and attitude, but not a pile-mover Shaun Alexander, Alabama 5-11 218 1,383 4.6 Tough, instinctive runner, strong in passing game Ron Dayne, Wisconsin 5-10 260 1,834 6.1 Powerful runner, suspect as blocker and receiver Jamal Lewis, Tennessee 6-0 230 816 4.5 Great upside, but coming off shoulder, knee injuries J.R. Redmond, Arizona State...

At last, high fashion for the less-than-perfect figure. As warm weather merchandise begins to fill the store windows, you'll still see plenty of impossibly snug miniskirts, low-cut bustiers and Lycra-stretch tops, but you'll also see something new -- easy-fitting tunics and a return of the Big Shirt, that loosely cut top with tails meant to be left untucked."

Many athletes select a college where they can best excel in their sport. But swimmer Dan Van Hemert, 18, a recent Glenelg High graduate, picked Northwestern University because of the school's top-notch radio/TV/film department."

I work as a party planner in a firm that employs only women. For events, our boss requires that we wear covered-up, staid dresses. They are not only uncomfortable but completely impractical for the work we do.This means rearranging tables and chairs, bringing in extra bowls of flowers and checking coats and packages that the guests bring to the table.We have argued for years that pants would be more practical and modern. She has at last said she'll consider them and asked for ideas. What would you suggest?

Mike Withycombe joked that his background in theater comes in handy as an offensive lineman with the Stallions."I act like I know what I'm doing," he said.Some act.There hasn't been a more valuable -- or versatile -- player on the line than Withycombe, 30, a Canadian Football League rookie who was signed as a free agent in May.With this unit, the names keep changing to protect the quarterbacks, and Withycombe keeps plugging the holes. He began the season at left guard but slid over to center when Nick Subis cracked two ribs.

Everyone knows the bright side to living in a small apartment -- the rent is cheaper, utility bills are lower and, last but not least, a smaller living space is a lot easier to clean.But when it comes to tasteful -- and practical -- decorating schemes, stylishly outfitting a small one-bedroom or studio apartment can be tough. The biggest challenge is figuring out how to pack plenty of design power into rooms that must serve double, or even triple, duty as living room, bedroom, dining area and at- home gym.Then there's the problem of storage.