r.a.w. Books (Feature) Secret Service Agent Carter Kim Fights for Justice (in National News) APA Property Manager Sees HOPE for City Renters (in Bay Area News) Ultimate Diversions: Breath of Fire II (in Business) Time for APAs to Embrace Yao Ming (in Sports) Hot ’n’ Sour Dish: Calling All Rebel Grrrls (in A&E) Emil Amok: Tiger’s Asian Roots (in Opinion)

Out of this world creatures at an Academy of Science fundraiser. Photo by Carolyn Gan.

Fire Chiefs, Wedding Bells and Skulls

HATS OFF: We salute Sacramento’s first Asian Pacific American fire chief, Roderick Chong, who was recently honored by his city and by the Organization of Chinese Americans. Chong, the son of Ann Wong and stepson of Ken Wong, is the first APA Battalion Fire Chief appointed in the 129-year history of the Sacramento Fire Department. He heads the emergency medical services unit, supervises over 125 employees and has implemented many new programs during his tenure.

The National Foundation for Advancement in the Arts announced the winners of the 2002 Arts Recognition and Talent Search Competition including Jennifer K. Yuen of Alameda, Visual Arts; Hitomi Margaret Oba of Berkeley, Music Composition; Jerry Huong of Fremont, Classical Piano; Guson Kang of Palo Alto, Classical Piano; and Viet-Thi Ta of San Francisco, Visual Arts.Valerie Liu has received first prize in the regional competition by the California Association of Music Teachers. Congratulations to tenor Jimmy Kansau, who won a position with the Lyric Opera of Kansas’ 2002 resident artist program.

Bouquets to all the vibrant dancers and singers, and director of music Boko Suzuki, of the smash hit Mamma Mia!. The Best of Broadway show made its premiere in San Francisco on June 18 and is playing to sold-out houses while breaking all-time Orpheum Theater box office records. The show includes favorite ABBA tunes like “The Winner Takes It All,” “Dancing Queen,” “Knowing Me, Knowing You,” “Take a Chance on Me,” “I Do, I Do, I Do, I Do, I Do” and, of course, “Mamma Mia!” The plot is full of surprises and laughter. Mamma Mia! has extended its San Francisco run through Sept. 14.

SUMMER MUSIC, LOVE AND FAMILY: It was pure music to our ears as well-known music teacher Lois Poon introduced her students at a summer performance at the Ellen Discoll Playhouse in Piedmont. The talented students performed songs and arias by Franz Schubert, Franz Lehár, George Gershwin, Rodgers and Hammerstein, Andrew Lloyd Webber, Giuseppe Giordani, Giovanni Paisello and others.

Making joyous music together are Kenley Mew, and Peggy Lai, who tied the knot with wedding bells chiming at the First Presbyterian Church of Berkeley followed by a dinner banquet at the Hong Kong East Ocean Seafood restaurant in Emeryville. Parents of the happy couple are Helena and Arnold Mew, and Peter Lai. Grandparents are May Mew, Soo Ming Lai and Chow H.S. Kue.

A bundle of joy added sweet music to the lives of Michael and Gale Evanson as they welcomed baby Stephanie Leung Evanson to their home. Proud grandparents George and Annette Leung, Phyllis Evanson and siblings Samantha and Jordan joined friends at a Red Egg and Ginger Buffet party at the Empress of China.

SHARPLY DRESSED SKULLS: For summer fun, guests shook, rattled and rolled at the California Academy of Sciences’ 11th annual summer gala event, “The Bone Head Ball,” Saturday, July 13. The Academy’s newest exhibit, Skulls, inspired the antics for this skeletally themed gala.

At 8:30 p.m. “Bone Head” guests enjoyed cocktails and hors d’oeuvres by McCall Associates while dancing to the tunes of Wonder Bread 5. Also, the music of Brazil filled the halls when Vivendo de Päo hit the stage. The Harmonics Steel Band and jazz duo Skel-e-Tones also entertained throughout the evening. Co-chairs of this event were Peter and Dodie Sutro Crawford, and Ken and Akiko Freeman. Proceeds support Academy research and education.