The event is in conjunction with the opening day of the "L.A. Post-Cool" exhibit. Attendees are invited to discuss the themes and ideas expressed in the exhibition.

According to the museum's website, the exhibit represents the West Coast art of the past 20 years—a radical departure from the "cool art" of mid-1950s L.A.—with pieces that are "overheated, awkward, stimulated, embarrassing, romantic, frightening and genuine."

Duncan has been a corresponding editor to Art in America since 1993 and a regular contributor to the Los Angeles Times, L.A. Weekly, Frieze, New Art Examiner, Art Issues, Flash Art and Buzz. He has also curated numerous exhibitions of contemporary art for several West Coast galleries and nonprofit spaces.

The exhibition consists of nearly 70 works by 43 artists, including Karen Carson, Nancy Jackson, Patty Wickman, Lari Pittman, Llyn Foulkes, Reverend Ethan Acres, William Brice, Merion Estes, Robin Mitchell, Maura Bendett, John Sonsini, Tim Ebner, Monica Majoli, Martin Kersels, Charles Garabedian, Sandeep Mukharjee, Roy Dowell, Tom Knechtel, Laura Lasworth, Sharon Ellis, Lynn Aldrich and Russell Crotty.

For more information, contact the San Jose Museum of Art, 110 S. Market St., by calling 408.271.6840 or visit the website at www.sjmusart.org.


WWII internees can attain high school diplomas

The Santa Clara County Office of Education (SCCOE) is launching Operation Graduate, a program designed to honor veterans and Japanese-American citizens who were unable to finish high school due to military service or internment during World War II and the Korean War.

Spearheaded by the California County Offices of Education, Operation Graduate provides qualifying individuals with an opportunity to receive belated diplomas and additional recognition for their service to our country.

The Massachusetts Department of Veterans' Services created the graduation program in 1999. Originally intended to honor World War II veterans, the program has expanded to include Korean War veterans. The California program also recognizes Japanese-American citizens who were interned in World War II relocation camps.

"During World War II and the Korean War, thousands of young men and women left high school to serve their country," said Colleen Wilcox, county superintendent. "Additionally, thousands of Japanese-American citizens were forced to leave their homes to be interned in relocation camps. Despite the inability of these individuals to complete high school, the majority went on to lead productive lives and contribute greatly to the American way of life. Operation Graduate is one way we can acknowledge them for their sacrifices and honor their contributions to our county and to the country."

Diplomas may be awarded to any individual who left high school to serve in the U.S. military from Sept. 16, 1940 through Dec. 31, 1946 or from June 25, 1950 through Jan. 31, 1955. Proof of military service and discharge must be provided.

For Japanese-American citizens who were prevented from completing high school due to internment, eligibility for receiving a diploma requires proof of having been interned in a relocation camp between Sept. 16, 1940 and Dec. 31, 1946.

All applicants must have attended a high school during the periods of 1937 to 1940 or 1946 to 1950. Diplomas may be awarded posthumously to honorees' next of kin.

Individuals interested in receiving a diploma through Operation Graduate may call the Santa Clara County Office of Education communication services department at 408.453.6514; visit the office, located at 1290 Ridder Park Drive in San Jose; or visit the Operation Graduate website at www.sccoe.org/operationgraduate/.


Theater shows kid flicks to raise funds

Camera 7 Cinemas and the Healthy Kids Fund are organizing the Northern

California premiere of KIDS FIRST! Film, Video & DVD Festival 2002, which will be held Dec. 7­14.

The festival will feature Charlotte's Web 2 and showcase 20 adult-approved children's film and video premieres for kids ages 2 to 15.

For every ticket sold, a donation will be made to the Healthy Kids Fund.

Camera 7 Cinemas is located at the Pruneyard Shopping Center in Campbell.

The event is sponsored by the Greater San Jose Inner City Games, San Jose Unified School District, KLIV-AM 1590 and KRTY-FM 95.3, KBRG-FM 100.3 and KLOK-AM 1790, Camera Cinemas and the Santa Clara Family Health Plan.

The Healthy Kids Fund raises money for Healthy Kids, a full-service insurance program of the Santa Clara Family Health Plan. Healthy Kids strives to provide health insurance to uninsured children in Santa Clara County. For more information, visit www.healthykidsfund.org.

The KIDS FIRST! program is part of The Coalition for Quality Children's Media (CQCM), a national nonprofit organization founded in 1991. CQCM's mission is to teach children critical viewing skills, enable children to make their own good media choices and increase the visibility and availability of quality children's programs. Only titles endorsed by KIDS FIRST! will be shown at the festival. For more information, visit www.kidsfirstinternet.org.

For showtime information, call 408.559.6900. For group sales or special school screenings, call Grace-Sonia Lee at 408.998.3022, ext. 31.