You'll recognize restaurants and other landmarks, though they're mostly disguised under other names. The book is strictly fiction, though several friends have thought they detected themselves in it. It's the story of a detective tracking down the missing daughter of a former love. Corrupt politicians and developers figure in.

Di Napoli, a lawyer turned real estate developer, lives in Los Gatos with wife Julie, who published the book under the Bungalow Press label. She founded the company to get the book into print. Rick grew up in Los Gatos and his parents live here still--Lynette Clary and Dick Di Napoli.

His mother's appraisal upon reading the book: "It needs more sex," a comment surprising and delighting its author mightily.

Rick says writing the book was the hardest work he's ever done but also the most enjoyable. It was many years in the making; he started it in the late '80s, worked on it off and on. The manuscript went through two editors, including Tim Denevi (Pete's grandson).

Another local involved was John Sullivan, formerly of Monte Sereno, who designed the cover and chose the print style. The book is found at Willow Glen Book Store, Delta Queen Car Wash and through 800.694.3011 or bungalowpub
lishing.com.

BEST OF SHOW: The juried open show at the Art Museum of Los Gatos is one of the most popular of the year and just keeps getting bigger and better. Its sponsors are the museums and the LG Art Association. Out of 29 awards handed out at the show, LGAA members garnered 10.

Tonya Carpenter won first place in the pastel category with Attitude; David Kaiser won first in mixed media for Gracie & Anna; Hiroko Muramatsu won a first in photography for Study of Tulips; May Shei won first for her watercolor The Time #1; and Patricia Kvek won first in 3-D for Illuminati.

Other ribbon winners were Cynthia Riordan of Saratoga, second in pastels for Christopher; third place winners were J.W. Fry for a self-portrait photograph and Ellen Kiefer for her mixed media piece H.A.B.I.T. #15.

Honorable mentions went to Mary Ann Henderson of Saratoga, pastel landscape; Donna Grant, self-portrait; Sara Puterbaugh, photography; Karen Wong and Constance Jordan, watercolors; and Harry Motro for 3-D Adam & Eve in Process.

There are more than 10 names listed here because not all of the Los Gatos/Saratoga artists are members of LGAA. The curator of the Oakland Art Museum, Karen Tsujimoto, juried the show. Museum curator Catherine Politopoulos and Tonya Carpenter of the LGAA oversaw the installation and its aftermath, including a full-to-the-brim artist reception.

SWIFTS' SALIVA: BETTER THAN VIAGRA?: Here's more about Los Gatan Joe Poppo's trip to Borneo. The avid traveler headed to Borneo to do some jungle trekking and seek out wildlife, particularly orangutans, which he found strictly in rehabilitation centers. There they are trained to be reintroduced to the wild.

Poppo stayed with an Eban tribe for a few nights at a Longhouse guesthouse. These are so called because as the offspring grow up and marry, the family simply adds on to these houses along the river. Poppo also went to Brunei, next to Borneo, where one learns mostly about the sultans.

Caves with bats were other interesting places to visit in Borneo, mostly in the Provence of Sabah. At one cave called Gomantang, near the town of Sandkan, guards are stationed 24/7 because the bird nests built by swifts are so valuable.

The Chinese think that saliva from swifts makes them healthy and sexually functional--the people who ingest it, not the birds. The swifts' nests are made of mud and saliva. Somehow the mud is filtered out, since the resulting elixir is to be consumed.

GOOD EATS, GOURMET DIVISION: Manresa was named one of the world's 50 best restaurants in Restaurant Magazine's annual listing based on polling 300 international restaurateurs, chefs and critics. This is the first year in the restaurant's three-year history that it has been included in the prestigious lineup.

Chef David Kinch and business partner Michael Kean will pick up the award in London April 18.

BLENDZ: Blendz just opened next door to Los Gatos Coffee Roasting. It's a fast food site that promises a healthier approach to quick eats. There are no heat lamps or deep fryers on the premises. Instead, there are smoothies, paninis, salads and snacks.

BOOK SALE: A special book sale of used books will be held April 16, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. in the town council lobby.

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