Cover:
Japan's Secret Shame
In Silicon Valley's Chinese community, a new generation opens to the world the horrifying pages of Japan's diaries about the massacre of millions of Chinese during World War II, for which Japan has never made reparations.

News: One Lump or Two?
Microchip ID tags embedded in pets is just the beginning. The next step is chip implants and a homing device for humans.

Edison Complex: Of lawn trees, light displays and the not-so-subtle art of making spirits bright in Willow Glen.

Public Eye: Candidates line up to replace Supervisor Mike Honda.

Polis Report: Reduce, reuse and recycle those fruitcakes.

Deflated Pumpkins: New five-CD mega-album is anything but Smashing for cash-cow rockers.

Carrying Freight: Train's musical cargo runs from rock and pop to folk.

Boneheads in Berkeley: Skinheads bust up punk show at Berkeley Square.

Fantastic Failures: What's in a name? Failure is anything but.

Rappers Gang Up: A trio of new albums by Tupac, Snoop and Westside Connection reaffirms the staying power of gangsta rap.

Time and Time Again: Morris Day and the Time keep on ticking.

Audiofile: The latest CDs by Reverend Dennis Kamakahi, The Alligators, Frank Rogala and Social Distortion.

Beat Street: Local band Crack gets cased, but plays on.

Holiday Hops: Metro's libation queen, Christina Waters, explores a handful of fine emporia that offer the tastiest in holiday spirits, wine and beer at bargain prices. Plus, the Guidelines for Sensible Wine Drinking promotes healthy drinking through education.

Eye Candy: Tim Burton looks back in wonder at '50s science fiction in 'Mars Attacks!'

Jerry Rigged: Even Tom Cruise can't salvage the soul of a sports agent in 'Jerry Maguire.'

Heaven Comes to Houston: Whitney sings like an angel in 'The Preacher's Wife.'

Que Viva Eisenstein: Even in fragments, the world-renowned Russian director's historical Mexican epic impresses.

Short and Sweet: Local filmmakers showcased at ImageFest '96.

Home for the Holidays: San José Rep and TheatreWorks greet the season with bittersweet comedies.

Princes Of Prints: ICA displays the best of the Kala Institute.