BERKELEY -- Kent Nagano on Jan. 19 announced that he will step down as music director of Berkeley Symphony at the conclusion of the 2008-09 season, which will be his 30th season in the position.

By BEN HAMAMOTO
Nichi Bei Times

On the morning of Jan. 11, Nikkei senior Kenji Suzuki was struck by a westbound Muni bus at the intersection of Fillmore and Geary in San Francisco’s Japantown. Suzuki, 69, was dragged by the bus at 6:45 a.m., as the driver apparently did not initially realize what had happened.

By BEN HAMAMOTO
Nichi Bei Times

High School projects yield varying results. The best that can be said about the bad ones is that they consume time that students might spend doing something destructive. The good ones inspire students, enrich their understanding of the world, and give them the tools and drive to change it.

LOS ANGELES (Kyodo) -- Japanese actress Rinko Kikuchi was nominated Jan. 23 for a best supporting actress Oscar in the 79th Annual Academy Awards, while the films "Letters from Iwo Jima" and "Babel" that featured several notable Japanese actors were also nominated for best picture.

California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger recently announced the appointment of two Sacramento Japanese Americans to state posts.

The 40th Annual Northern California Cherry Blossom Festival invites the public to participate in the return of the Festival’s Poster Contest.

By KOTA MORIKAWA
Nichi Bei Times

SALINAS, Calif. -- Immigrants from Kagoshima Prefecture, Japan residing in Salinas have tried to pass down the traditional way of cooking to future generations.

Author Naomi Hirahara's third mystery novel in the Mas Arai series, "Snakeskin Shamisen," was nominated for the Mystery Writers of America's 2007 Edgar Allan Poe Award in the category of Best Paperback Original, it was announced on Jan. 19 in New York City.

TOKYO (Kyodo) -- Mongolian grand champion Asashoryu wrapped up the New Year Grand Sumo Tournament in style with a classy win over Kotooshu on the final day of the 15-day meet in Tokyo on Jan. 21.

NEW YORK (Kyodo) -- Japanese right-hander Shinji Mori has signed a minor league contract with the Tampa Bay Devil Rays with an invitation to major league spring training, the club said Jan. 22.