"It's a triathlete's dream to have the opportunity to do it, because it's not easy to qualify," she said.

Rosser, an experienced triathlete who has competed since 1990, trained steadily for four months, mostly right in Los Gatos, and was well-prepared. The course consists of a 2.4-mile ocean swim, a 112-mile bike ride and a 26.2-mile run. I don't know about the rest of you, but I'm going to lie down for awhile.

Rosser's time was 15 hours, 15 minutes and she carried home a trophy. At the finish line were members of her family: husband Jack Rosser; son and daughter-in-law Chad and Ligia Rosser; daughter and son-in-law Ivy and Rowan Amann; and grandchildren Holly and Matthew—all there to greet her.

"That was wonderful and added great significance to my accomplishment." Missing was her special friend and elderly neighbor, John MacRae, who knew she was training for the Ironman. He had been an avid supporter, always enthused about her successes. He died two weeks before the race, "but the empowerment of his belief in me was definitely with me that day," Lynne says.

ADOPT A FAMILY: InnVision's Adopt-A-Family program has not received enough donations or funding to meet the increased needs of many families in Silicon Valley and is asking for help. A $200 donation will enable a family in need to have a Christmas dinner and gifts for each family member.

Teaming with friends or a church group could make a difference. The number is 408.292.4286 and the website's URL is www.innvision.org.

GIFT TIP: Here's a holiday gift tip on a lighter note: Los Gatan Chuck McCabe's new CD, Bad Gravity Day. One of the songs on the CD is "Minimum Wager," which won first place in The Woody Guthrie Folk Festival Songwriting Competition this year. And McCabe went to Nashville this summer to perform it.

The new CD was three years in the making, costs $16 and is available at Woodshed Productions, 15466 Los Gatos Blvd., Suite 109-161 or online at www.cdbaby.com
/cd/chuckmccabe2.

NEW COUNCILMAN 'ARRESTED': One of the new town council members, Mike Wasserman, was arrested and "jailed" at the Los Gatos Brewing Company last week. The charge was "having a big heart" and Wasserman was sentenced for "doing good," with bail set at $1,500.

Wasserman contributed bail money himself but urged friends to come for lunch and add to the pot. Since he was the biggest vote getter in the recent election, his popularity should swell the coffers for Jerry's Kids, youngsters with muscular dystrophy.

CASA ESSAY WINNERS: Some 347 students from fifth grade to high school participated in the Community Against Substance Abuse (CASA) essay contest. Establishing good character traits to refrain from drugs and alcohol and live a healthy life was the essay topic. CASA and the schools use this information to formulate effective prevention programs.

Francesca Ferrari of St. Mary's won first prize and $50 in the fifth-grade division, with Pooja Desai, Blossom Hill, second with $25 and Brittany Bozzini, St. Mary's, third with $15. Middle school winners were Emily Machado, St. Mary's, first, $50; Mary Sweeney, Fisher, $25; and

Jessica Osterhout, C.T. English, $15.

High school winners were Stephanie Murray, LGHS, first, $50; and Domenic Denicola, LGHS, second, $25. Kathy Winkelman and Terri Trotter were the CASA co-chairwomen.

ROTARY SANTAS: Los Gatos Rotary donated wrapped presents for 80 children and nine adults at its most recent meeting. The club is also providing Christmas dinner, clothing and toys for the children of five local families.

Lloyd Grant is in charge of food; Dave Downing, Darrell Monda, Beth Cilker Smith and Bob Skinner were clothes and toy shoppers. Julian Rodriguez is the coordinator.

CONCERTO COMPETITION: Geri and Lee Actor of Monte Sereno are coordinating a concert for high school and middle school students, sponsored by the Palo Alto Philharmonic, and the deadline for entries is Dec. 31.

The winners will be showcased in a concert June 8 at Cubberley Auditorium, Palo Alto, accompanied by the Palo Alto Philharmonic. Vocalists and players of all instruments are eligible to compete. The website is located at www.paphil.org, and the Actors' phone number is 408.395.2911.

Geri is principal violist and president of the board of the Palo Alto Philharmonic and Lee is assistant conductor. The Philharmonic, 55 members strong, is celebrating its 15th season. Contestants send in tapes for the first-round screening. From those tapes, the list of competitors is narrowed.

NO DANCE: The senior center dance listed here last week as Dec. 17 won't be held until Jan. 22 at the neighborhood center. The dance is not bimonthly, but quarterly.

Got a tip for Main Street? Send email to maryanncook@earthlink.net.