By KATHY AOKI
Nichi Bei Times

Fusa Takahashi knows a postal stamp not only brings much pleasure to many people, but also teaches about important national and world events.

By BEN HAMAMOTO
Nichi Bei Times

The future of San Francisco Japantown has been uncertain since the sale of several Japantown properties, including the Miyako Hotel, the Best Western Miyako Inn, the Kintetsu and Miyako shopping malls and the AMC Kabuki Theatre. Major renovations are expected or underway at all sites, though there remains both hope and concern in the community as to what such renovations will entail.

By KENJI G. TAGUMA
Nichi Bei Times

In revealing what is hoped to lead towards a "rebirth" of a once-thriving jazz district, developers and would-be proprietors of a landmark project in San Francisco's Fillmore area unveiled plans to the media last month for a massive centerpiece of the Fillmore Heritage Center.

"Wuz Crackin, My Asian Homies?"

By ANNIE KIM TOMITA NOGUCHI
Nichi Bei Times Columnist

I'd definitely decided that I'm probably most likely an ethnic studies major...I think. Or maybe political science. Maybe poli sci. Maybe both! That's a good idea...I can double major! Is that possible? But anthropology does sound nice. And so does peace and conflict studies. And there's always mass communications...and philosophy...

"Keeping Posted"

By FRED OSHIMA
Nichi Bei Times Columnist

ALOHA: It was a warm, nostalgic, heart-warming Aloha luncheon for Harry Fukuhara and his better half Terry, by the MIS (Military Intelligence Service) of Northern California, as members & friends gathered at the Miraku Restaurant in Walnut Creek Oct. 19 to bid fond adieu to the popular couple, who are heading for Honolulu to their Paradise of the Pacific retirement dig.

By APRIL ELKJER
Nichi Bei Times

"I applied to a scholarship and got $2,000. I asked them how they knew I was spending it on school, and they said they didn't. And so I thought this could be a pretty good gig � and I applied for about 30 of them," joked Asian Pacific Fund board member and Yahoo! CEO Jerry Yang to a packed banquet room.

FREMONT, Calif. � Some 25 finalists, including some novices attempting such large-scale public speaking for the first time and others who were more seasoned models already, gathered at the Flamingo/Mirage Ballroom on Oct. 21 to compete for the opportunity to be the "face" of Asian cosmetics giant The Face Shop.