Jay Nicolas Sario, Hawai'i's first contestant on "Project Runway," came within inches of becoming one of the three designers to show his collection at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week.

In an unprecedented move in Thursday night's show, producer Heidi Klum and the judges put Sario and Mila Hermanovski into a run-off for the third place on the runway. While the judges had high praise for Sario's collection, inspired by Japanese samurai, they chose Hermanovski to go to Fashion Week.

Sario will be back in Honolulu next week as a celebrity judge for the senior fashion show at Honolulu Community College (his alma mater): "Flight" on April 24. Tickets are $20; 845-9203.

— Paula Rath, Advertiser Staff writer

PLACIDO DOMINGO BACK ON OPERA STAGE

A beaming Placido Domingo blew a kiss at the adoring La Scala crowd in Milan after Verdi's "Simon Boccanegra" last night, the Spanish tenor's first performance since cancer surgery 45 days ago.

His 131st role was something to sing about. "It was a great evening," the 69-year-old said backstage. "It was very emotional. I was happy to be in front of an audience."

He had colon cancer surgery just six weeks ago. The applause after his performance went on for 14 minutes.

APPLEGATE ENGAGED TO DUTCH ROCKER

Christina Applegate has gotten engaged to Martyn Lenoble, a founding member of the rock group Porno for Pyros. It will be the second marriage for both the actress and the Dutch rocker. No wedding date has been set.

GLOVER ARRESTED DURING UNION PROTEST

Actor Danny Glover and 11 others were arrested at a food service company's Maryland headquarters during a protest of what the Service Employees International Union calls Sodexo's unfair and illegal treatment of workers. Sodexo says the union is spreading misinformation.

GIRLICIOUS MEMBER PLEADS NOT GUILTY

Natalie Nicole Mejia of the pop group Girlicious has pleaded not guilty in Southern California to possession of cocaine with the intent to sell.

Glendale police say they found more than a dozen bags of cocaine in her Gucci purse during a March 9 traffic stop. She told police the drugs weren't hers, and that she didn't know how they got in her purse.

— Advertiser News Services