Take a break from holiday baking, shopping, wrapping and traveling to unwind with the winter issue of SFSU Magazine.

Read the cover story and step inside Rep. Bill Thomas' Capitol Hill hideaway. One of the most powerful lawmakers in Washington, the SFSU alumnus is the chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee. In "The Negotiator" Thomas discusses being a Republican at SFSU in the 1960s, making his first successful negotiation as a teenager and why he doesn't care how he's remembered. He traces his success in politics back to a lesson he learned from his former professor, Otto Butz.

Likewise, in "Found in Translation" alumna Caroline Vaughan reveals that her time at SFSU had a profound influence on her career. Once quite shy standing in front of a classroom of students, Vaughan grew confident in the University's Teaching English as a Second Language Program. Today she sits at the head of the United Nations Language and Communications Programme at U.N. headquarters in New York City, where she is in charge of 50 language instructors who help diplomats improve their language skills.

In "Behind the Lens: Searching for Eden," alumnus Lyle Gomes reveals that his SFSU professors helped him develop his photographic skills in record time. The profile details Gomes' latest artistic journey around the globe and showcases his striking black and white images of the serene settings that inspire him.

"Weathering the Storm" offers snapshots of the many ways alumni, students, staff and faculty are continuing to help those affected by the Gulf Coast hurricanes -- giving blood, putting on benefit performances, rebuilding homes and rescuing the furry and four-legged survivors of Katrina and Rita.

Check out the four features now and look for the rest of the magazine online in early 2006. Magazines are also available at a number of campus locations including the information desks at both the Cesar Chavez Student Center and Administration building.

The magazine's reader survey takes just a few minutes to complete and responses will be taken into consideration as the staff plans future issues.

The SFSU Magazine Web site also includes an easy way to request a back issue, update an address, and send a class note or letter to the editor. While supplies last, all letter writers will receive an SFSU arch decal.

Since its launch in 2000, SFSU Magazine has won three awards of excellence from the Council for Advancement and Support of Higher Education.

-- Adrianne Bee