The family of six found the fire had left their home in ruins. Hospital staff members checked out the situation and found the family had no renters insurance to cover the substantial damages and losses. The next day hospital employees started up a collection and raised $1,707 for the family.

Strictly from employees' pockets, the outpouring showed how people come together to help someone in need, said Jennifer Kwapinski, business development assistant. No one knew the family, yet they were very willing to help. Kwapinski is listing furniture donations that can be made, as well.

"We can't imagine how they could replace their possessions all at once without any help." To aid the family, call Kwapinski at 408.866.4058.

THE WRIGHT (PARTY) STUFF: One of the delights of the Christmas season is the annual party Jeanine Bugh and husband Curtis Wright throw. It's a very ecumenical celebration that packs their Monte Sereno home, though the emphasis is on English traditions of the holiday.

Still, there are touches of other cultures' rituals, including druid, what with the winter solstice being observed. That calendar highlight is noted at midnight, with candles, reflections on the past year's triumphs and tragedies and resolutions for the coming year.

English patterns that are followed include crackers (wrapped packets containing hats and small presents), wassail singing and morris dancing. Other Euro touches this year included the Three French Hens (host Jeanine, plus Carole Shaver and Lynn Waters) and Two Italian Tenors, Mark Wallace and Joe Haracal.

Shades of Saturday Night Live echoed what with blessings from the Swami Beyondananda (comic Steve Bhaerman). Local politicos in evidence included LG Mayor Steve Glickman and wife Judy; MS Mayor Erin Garner and wife Susan, and four former MS mayors—Dave Baxter, Jack Lucas, Suzanne Jackson and Barbara Nesbet.

Former mayoral husband Steve Jackson read The Night Before Christmas. "The Twelve Days of Christmas," on the other hand, called for audience participation. This was the 20th annual, and Los Gatans Jeff Killeen and Pam Hinz have been to every one.

Groups on hand were the Los Gatos Mountain Biking Club, Tuesday night yoga and Thursday morning French class. New this year was the Buche de Noel from Fleur de Cocoa. Wright is mayor pro tem of Monte Sereno.

NAMING NAMES: Ever wonder how University and College avenues got their names? 'Tis a puzzler, so when I spotted town historian Bill Wulf at Testerossa's Tasting Room opening last month, I posed the question.

Wulf was there with seldom-scene historic photos of town, including those of the Lyndon home. The winery opening (formerly the Novitiate Winery) was a fundraiser for the library's history project. So here's the avenue answer, with gratitude to Bill Wulf.

Before there was Old Town, the elementary school was housed in that building. Hence the street was called School Street in earlier times. But this must not have sounded swell enough for the local powers-that-were. Must have sounded too pedestrian? (Har, har.) So the name was elevated to University Avenue and that name stuck.

As for College Avenue, if you follow it all the way up the hill, you reach the Sacred Heart Jesuit Center, now a retirement home for elderly priests, but formerly a seminary. Archivist Brother Daniel Peterson says it was a seminary for 80 years (1888­1968). So why wasn't its entry road called Seminary? College and university must sound grander.

SENTIMENTAL SAX SOUNDS: During the holidays, saxophonist Judy Bingman played in a musical brass group that produced waves of nostalgia. The assembled were a Sons in Retirement band playing at a SIRS holiday party at Vallejo High School.

Though the wrong gender to be a SIRS member, Bingman tooted her way into the group for the night and made sure she was seated next to the man who was her first sax teacher, Doug Fehler. Directing the band was her high school band director, Virl Swan.

Also part of the band were her college music instructors from Vallejo College, Dave Froehlick and John Kolarik. Bingman is the retired band director at LGHS, who now roams the world photographing wild creatures, such as polar bears in Canada and large birds in Alaska.

OPERA BRUNCH: San Jose Opera Guild will hold its winter party at 11 a.m. Jan. 11 at the Plumed Horse. Michele and Jason Detwiler, Christine Major and Joseph Muir of Opera San Jose will sing. Contact is Elliot Swanson at 408.867.1225.

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