He was an irrepressible entertainer from the time he was a toddler, said his brother Robert of Mill Valley. When parents Danny and Irene, now of Los Gatos, despaired of John's youthful antics, brother Bob, age 6, reminded them, "We'd have a lot fewer laughs around here if it weren't for Johnny."

Longtime friend Candace Baker said, "I couldn't catch sight of him without breaking into song." She'd sing "Johnny Tempo" to the tune of "Johnny Angel." He'd respond by calling her the cow-ntess, because she was on a kick of photographing black-and-white cows.

John Danielson was "one of a kind, an unusual, whimsical man with a brilliant imagination," Baker said. Multitalented, his interests were all over the map. He wrote and illustrated children's books, composed music, wrote poetry, painted, sculpted, and designed and built furniture.

Hobbies included restoring a motorcycle he rescued from a river, model railroading, golf, and collecting toys with movable legs. Danielson was a compassionate man who always stood up for the little guy, said Byron John Bush. His love of people and sense of humor were legion.

Bush called his laugh "one of a kind." Like a doctor making house calls, Danielson regularly made the rounds of Los Gatos watering holes, dispensing laughs and camaraderie, noted Greg Hall.

Danielson's Los Gatos design firm in the Eureka Building was called Tempo Graphics. He also worked for Atari and pioneered the practical use of ultraviolet ink in that company's games. His art degree was from UC- Berkeley, and he graduated from Los Altos High in '71.

As a drummer he performed with a number of bands through the years, including, most recently, a reunion concert with Dan Hicks Hot Licks. At The Cats, he accompanied John Lee Sanders on a regular basis. His books can be found online at www.treepubs.com.

At a memorial, a video of John Danielson's life was shown, his artwork was on display and his myriad friends offered up tributes in words and music.

CRAFTSWOMEN: Porcelain artist Cathryn Yoshimoto of Los Gatos and clothing designer Kavita Singh of Saratoga are two of the 150 artists participating in the Celebration of Craftswomen show at Fort Mason, San Francisco, Nov. 29­30, 10 a.m.­6 p.m.

Crafts include ceramic and glass vessels; wood and metal works; polymer clay, beaded, stone and precious-metal jewelry; woven, painted silk and leather clothing; furniture and accessories; sculpture, photography, watercolor and oils; and children's toys.

Sunnyvale jewelry designers Susan Terry and Gina Senzatimore and Cupertino fashion designer Sally Mbuto are also in the show. Free shuttle service is available from Marina Middle School on Bay Street. For more information, call 415.383.3470 or visit www.teamproevent.com.

BENEFIT: The San Jose Wind Symphony held a benefit last month for the Theater Improvement Project for LGHS. Noted Los Gatos composer Craig Bohmler created a Celebration Fanfare for the occasion, dedicating it to the town. Sandy Decker, then mayor, narrated Lincoln's Portrait by Aaron Copland to much acclaim.

Another well-known Los Gatan, James Dooley, played trumpet solo. A reception preceded the concert hosted by Forbes Mill Steakhouse.

PLANT ADOPTERS: One of the first groups to adopt a planter downtown were the folks on Hepplewhite Court: Randal and Michelle Nelson, Maureen Olsen, and Laura and Chloe Vandendries, along with Liz Floyd, who lives on Hilow Court but wanted in on the action.

The group will tend its planter at N. Santa Cruz and Bachman for at least 18 months, replanting seasonally. The planter program was recently initiated by the parks department to get residents involved, and there is a list of recommended flowers to choose from.

GUESS WHO'S GOING TO DIE: It may sound macabre, but fascinating nonetheless. There's a competition for people to guess which well-known people are going to die in the coming year. Winners win cash at the end of each year, based on how many correct answers they had listed.

Elizabeth Fox and Pat Brundage of Campbell operate the Dead Club, and the website is www.pokeintheeye.com/pool.html. On the website they're Pat and Lizzie Cryptkeeper. Lists of guesses are 25 names long, and it costs $5 to enter each list. This year the club has 37 entries.

More than one list can be submitted, but each list has to be unique—and paid for. Lists for the new year are due by Dec. 31 and can be sent by email to crow@well.com. Checks should be mailed.

I met the couple at the cemetery tour on Halloween. Incidentally, the next tour of Los Gatos Memorial Park will be Dec. 9, 1­3:30 p.m., led by genealogist Sue Bruce.

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