The US first lady Laura Bush on Thursday again urged the Burmese military junta to release pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi and all other political prisoners.

Britain has admitted that it could seek further sanctions against the Burmese junta if it fails to improve its human rights record and deliver on promises over political reform.

Myanmar’s military junta claims its recent release of several political detainees and about 9,000 other prisoners marks the dawn of a new political era and another milestone in its roadmap to &#…

A bomb exploded in Rangoon yesterday morning, but like most acts of defiance in Burma it was more of a symbol than a serious act of rebellion. It happened in the mid-morning by a bus stop close to the…

One year ago, thousands of Burmese people took to the streets in nationwide protests against the military regime in Burma. The military government responded with a brutal crackdown on peaceful protest…

A year ago today, Burma’s military regime unleashed a brutal assault on peaceful pro-democracy protests. In full view of the world’s cameras, monks and Burmese civilians were beaten, shot,…

tensions+ (AP) - LONDON, Sept. 26 (Kyodo)—British Foreign Office Minister Meg Munn on Friday called for a renewed international effort to find a peaceful solution to the ongoing tensions in Myanm…

Sharply dressed in a black suit, architect Gordon Chong leans his arms on the wood railing of the walkway leading to the California Academy of Sciences’ stunning four-story Rainforests of the World exhibit, pausing to admire the massive 90-foot diameter glass dome.
“This is the most exciting project I have ever worked on,” he grins, causing his eyes to crinkle behind his black-framed glasses. He then points up to the roof and begins to rattle off facts about the skylights, which allow sunlight to reach the living rainforest and coral reef exhibits, and the 2.5-acre living roof of native California plants, which reduces storm water runoff by up to 3.6 million gallons of water per year and provides superior insulation.
Chong’s enthusiasm for the new Academy’s home is evident during a stroll across the museum, which will have its long-awaited grand opening on Sept. 27.
Along with renowned Italian architect Renzo Piano, Chong and his firm, Chong Partners Architecture (now Stantec Architecture), were part of the collaborating team that designed the new sustainable building, which includes a canopy embedded with 60,000 solar cells that generate 5 to 10 percent of the Academy’s power.
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The Academy’s decision to rebuild came after the 1989 Loma Prieta Earthquake damaged the original building. They recruited Piano for the $480 million project and sought a local partner who understood the intricacies of building in Golden Gate Park. Chong, who served as the national president of the American Institute of Architects, best fit that criteria.
“Gordon is elegant, resourceful, thoughtful and driven,” said Alison Rempel Brown, the California Academy of Sciences’ chief finance and operations officer. “He was able to bridge the requirements of design aesthetics and operational needs into a building that is beautiful and cutting edge. This project has met and exceeded all of our dreams.”
The museum contains old favorites — the African Hall and the Morrison Planetarium — and new crowd pleasers including a Philippine coral reef exhibit, with over 2,000 colorful fish. Attendees will also have a chance to see public art installations by architect Maya Lin and eat at the Academy Café, operated in part by Charles Phan, chef and owner of the Slanted Door.
Born and raised in Hawai‘i, Chong’s love for architecture came from his father, who was an artist.
“Growing up, my father would bring me to various buildings and discuss its composition and structure,” recalls Chong. “He was the one who encouraged me to be an architect.”
Since the founding of his own firm in 1976, he has focused on architecture, urban design and interior design, specializing in health care, university/academic, cultural and urban projects. His clients include Kaiser Permanente, the University of California, Stanford University, the City and County of San Francisco and United Airlines. Last year, Stantec Architecture, a Canadian firm, purchased his company. Chong’s next project will be to design the Yee Fow Museum in Sacramento.
Chong, who looks to architects I.M. Pei and Ando Tado for inspiration, said the best part of being an architect is “the thrill of starting from blank, now knowing what you can design, and then being able to build something out of nothing. With the Academy of Sciences, I hope the new building will stimulate an interest in science and last for generations to come.”
California Academy of Sciences
55 Music Concourse Drive
Golden Gate Park
9:30 a.m.– 5 p.m., Mon.– Sat.
11:00 a.m. – 5 p.m, Sun.
$14.95 – $24.95,
free for kids six and younger
calacademy.org
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SAN FRANCISCO — Every so often, a major trend sweeps across the Bay Area food industry creating buzz and a cult following. Right now, it’s frozen yogurt, or fro-yo, and Asian entrepreneurs are leading the charge.
The new trend of frozen yogurt has grown from the attention larger corporate frozen yogurt companies, such as Red Mango and Pinkberry, have gained in the past few years.
One reason for the growth of frozen yogurt businesses is the relatively low costs—the major investment is the frozen yogurt machine. But high gas prices coupled with bad weather have resulted in slimmer margins for operators as well as correlated to poor business.
Most the Bay Area frozen yogurt shops have minimalist decor and attract mainly students and young professionals. While traditional frozen yogurt stores such as TCBY (The Country’s Best Yogurt) feature a creamy yogurt, the new fro-yo shops offer the perfect level of tartness, just enough to excite the palate without creating an overpowering sour taste.
After graduating from UC Berkeley, Roy Lam toiled away for a hi-tech company but then found his true calling by starting Tuttimelon, which now has several locations in the Bay Area. Lam believes that his fat-free yogurt helps improve the diet with the help of probiotics, dietary supplements containing potentially beneficial bacteria or yeasts.
“The hardest part of being an entrepreneur is to know every aspect of a business including technical, legal issues, marketing, strategy, finance and operations,” Lam said. Patrons can enjoy a cup of frozen yogurt (more on the tart side) while relaxing amidst vibrant green walls.
Andy Choi’s frozen yogurt and cereal shop, Jubili, was derived from a project for a business class at UC Davis. Jubili imports and manufactures its own private-label frozen yogurt and sorbet mix from Italy. The smooth texture excites the palate, pairing well with the trendy minimalist decor.
Only twenty-four-years-old, Choi’s entrepreneurial itch began early, starting his first business at age fourteen. Currently on his seventh business venture, Choi admits that finding proper funding and partners were the biggest challenges. As the son of a pastor, Choi learned from his father that creativity is paramount, but business structure is critical.
Unless you’re on an extreme budget, skip the frozen yogurt at Quickly’s. Attractively priced at only 59 cents, the texture is on the creamier side, but the yogurt, developed with a joint partnership with Dreyer’s, misses the mark. On two occasions, the yogurt had bites of miniature ice pieces, making the yogurt watery in texture.
Located on San Mateo’s restaurant row, owner Catherine Chen is an innovator, integrating a refresh bar into her hi-end optometry practice. Patrons relax in a modern elegance at the 16-foot communal table or designer ottomans. Chen serves natural fat-free yogurt with active cultures and antioxidant-rich teas. The noticeably frosty temperature and full-bodied texture make this place one of my favorites for frozen yogurt. Aside from offering fresh fruits, her custom-made flavored, cubed mochi steals the show. Fresh shaved dark chocolate further adds to the experience.
Chen advises entrepreneurs to choose their employees wisely, since they represent the company. Additionally, Chen believes the key to keeping employee turnover minimal is to create a positive and fun working environment. Chen said, “With a soft economy, high gas and food prices, and fierce competition, making your store stand out is key.”

Visit Campusfork.com for full interview notes and for more food reviews.
Tuttimelon
tuttimelon.com
44 West Portal Ave
(between Claremont Blvd
& Portola Dr)
San Francisco, CA 94127
2150 Irving St
(between 22nd Ave & 23rd Ave)
San Francisco, CA 94122
2240 Chestnut St
San Francisco, CA, 94123
……….
Jubili
jubili.com
1515 Fillmore St
(between Geary Blvd
& Ofarrell St)
San Francisco, CA 94115
……….

Clear Optometry
138 E 3rd Ave
San Mateo, CA 94401
(650) 348-8818
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Nikki Lau habitually fell asleep during her high school Advanced Placement Art History slideshow, but she now hopes to make eyes pop open with her art.
At college in Seattle, Nikki’s work was displayed in several art exhibitions and commissions. Howard House, a major art gallery in Seattle, hosted one of her most notable exhibitions on the University of Washington campus.
Her juried art exhibition for Howard House included a wooden bench where she carved Ginko leaves and fish onto the surface. One of her pieces was also on display at the Allen Library at the University of Seattle, where she put the  face of Frida Kahlo on the head of a deer and placed it on a large altarpiece made of paint, tissue paper and plastic bags.
For many young artists, the struggle to rise within the ranks requires soul searching and dedication. For the 22-year-old San Francisco native, it required her to find a balance between her artistic goals with school. She found that balance by studying for AP U.S. History during long nights.
But the countless hours paid off. In high school Nikki’s work was exhibited in a citywide high-school art competition. She also designed the cover for her school’s newspaper.
When Nikki left San Francisco to go to college at the University of Washington, the art projects only got bigger and bigger. Many included public art displays at a local library and local stores.
Not only did college assist Nikki in growing as an artist, but it also helped her figure out how to market her artistically inclined talents for a career in public art.
“That’s where the money is at — commissions give you the most bang for your buck,” said Lau, who isn’t yet sure if she’ll stick to the public art form as a career.
For any young worker in America, knowing how to sell your abilities to the mass market is key. As a young artist, the competition to be on top is a balancing act between selling yourself and selling out.
“It’s a competive market if you’re competing for public art and it’s competitive if you’re just making your own art. And when your making your own art is hard not to get commercial. My goal right now is to have a fine line between commercial and non-commercial art.”
For the younger generation of high school and future college students seeking a career in the art field, Nikki dispenses a few words of advice: “Take more art classes; if you don’t try you’re just gonna be failing yourself. And take some time out to learn about the world — your art will be so much better.”
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