image courtesy of Ben Pease/www.peasepress.com

Maps can answer questions and raise new ones, and they can stir memories and document changing neighborhoods like nothing else.

photo by Kenji G. Taguma/Nichi Bei Times

By KENJI G. TAGUMA
Nichi Bei Times

Last year, in anticipation of the 2008 national election, former Secretary of Transportation Norman Mineta and former Washington State Governor Gary Locke formed a political action committee (PAC) to encourage candidates supportive of communities of color.

Kyodo News photo

Asahi Shimbun

OBAMA, Fukui Prefecture — A man striving to become one of the most powerful figures on the planet has returned some love to this coastal city.

The city, an enthusiastic supporter of Barack Obama's bid for the U.S. presidency, has received a long-awaited letter from the senator thanking residents for their backing, officials said March 4. "Our passion has gotten through," said an official of the city, where citizens have formed Obama support groups with "I Love Obama" headbands.

By HIROSHI FUKUDA

The San Francisco Planning Department has been conducting a series of meetings, each one focusing on different aspects of the overall Japantown Better Neighborhood Plan (BNP). I have been attending these meetings, and the following is a brief summary of each meeting.

Dear Editor,

The Better Neighborhood Plan Community Meeting, in my estimation, was a huge success — in attendance, interest, and in participation.

The month of February is traditionally designated by the Japanese Americans as a Day of Remembrance, and many Nikkei groups set aside a day during the month to observe the World War II evacuation and relocation of some 120,000 Americans of Japanese ancestry.

By AKITO YOSHIKANE
Nichi Bei Times

In December 2007, the South Oak Dodge dealership of Matteson, Ill., located about a half-hour south of Chicago, ran a controversial TV commercial which was quickly pulled off the airwaves following pressure from citizens and community organizations.

By KATHY AOKI
Nichi Bei Times

Edgar Dang knows home cooking appeals to people's palates.

"Our food is home cooking, nothing fancy," said Dang, who owns Honu's Island Grinds & Bar with his business partner Pat Fong. "Our menu items include salads, sandwiches, burgers and Hawaiian dishes. We serve breakfast all day long and some people just stop by in the morning for a cup of Hawaiian coffee."

By KOTA MORIKAWA
Nichi Bei Times

There's a taste that I can't forget.

I was about six years old. I took a train trip alone for the first time to my grandparents' house. After my adventure, I was waiting for my father to pick me up at the station near my home. In the cold winter weather, I was hungry and feeling alone rather than enjoying the triumphant achievement that I made it to the station. I needed something warm, either food or human compassion.

TOKYO (Kyodo) — Jero, presumably the first ever African American "enka" singer in Japan, is set to rank fourth in single charts based on figures compiled by Oricon Co. released March 3.

The ranking marks the highest ever among debut singles released by enka and popular singers in Japan.

By Kenji G. Taguma
Nichi Bei Times

Osaka is referred to as "The Country's Kitchen," and for good reason. Here, in this bustling metropolis, visitors can find a potpourri of culinary delights.