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Editor's Note

The leaves of fall are on the ground, being swept up by a legion of street sweepers who will, perhaps, send them to be recycled as fertilizer in Daxing. Bare trees cast fine-lined shadows on the old city's great China-red walls, no longer blocking the sun that warms hutong lanes where people chat and play chess.

The holiday season is upon us, a traditional time of rest and recreation throughout time and around the world, and lucky we are that as Beijing residents so many Chinese and foreign traditions are respected and enjoyed. It is a joy-filled time that will continue through the Spring Festival (February 7) and the Lantern Festival that follows and brings the holiday season to an end.

Many Beijingers will relish this time, as it may be the last chance to take a break before the 2008 Olympic Games begins on August 8, when the eyes of the world will fall on Beijing and China and all those within. Among these will be some celebrities who have worked hard for more than 15 years to help make these Games a reality, including Deng Yaping, Sang Lan, Yang Lan, and the movie star Gong Li, whom we profile in this issue of the BTM Olympic Supplement. But a great deal of attention will also be given to people such as the late Na Zhong, whose home and village were sacrificed to make way for the National Stadium (Bird's Nest) and the Olympic Park. The Supplement details what was lost and what was gained by Na's family in this transition. Similar stories of selflessness could be told of many other families in the capital.

The Supplement also explores the reasons why the Olympic Park is so important to Beijing's future development.

But it's also the Christmas season, a time of gift-giving and receiving, and what could be better for a gift than a stunning piece of antique or faux-antique traditional Chinese furniture? The BTM staff provides some tips on where to find the best traditionally styled furniture, helps you figure out what is valuable and what to avoid and how much to pay in our "Cover Story" beginning on page 12.

Look inside this month's issue for other tips on concerts, plays, art exhibitions, hotel specials and other fun things to do in China's capital during this winter holiday season.

Happy holidays to you.