Singing for Safety, March 17

Posted on February 25, 2012 by Cindy

Where: Jane Lathrop Stanford Middle School
480 E Meadow Dr, Palo Alto, CA
When: March 17, 2012
Time: 6:30 pm–9:00 pm

Cartoon Bar Fight

Enjoy an evening of great music and fun for a good cause! We’ll have artists like
Cartoon Bar Fight (a local folk/indie band), Gwen Howard, and Cantando (a youth a capella group). All profits from this evening will go to the Roadway Safety Foundation. The Roadway Safety Foundation is a great cause that helps in improving road and car design throughout the United States to improve the safety of our lives.

Gwen Howard

Adult tickets will be sold for $15, and tickets for those 12 and under will be sold for $10. Tickets can be purchased at http://www.gwensings.com/store.html and will also be sold at the door. If you cannot be present at the show, please consider making a donation or purchasing road safety bracelets at the link above.

There are 41,000 deaths in the US each year due to automobile accidents. We all use these roads. Let’s make them safe. Contact Gwen at info.rsfgwen@gmail.com with questions.

In honor of Veronica, Samantha, Ana Maria, and Robert whose lives were lost July, 2011.

Safe roads, safe future bracelets

In Remembrance

Posted on February 18, 2012 by Cindy

by Eleanor Daley

Do not stand at my grave and weep.
I am not there, I do not sleep.
I am the thousand winds that blow,
I am the diamond glint on snow.
I am the sunlight-ripened grain,
I am the gentle morning rain.
And when you wake in the morning’s hush,
I am the sweet uplifting rush of quiet birds in circled flight.
I am the soft stars that shine at night.
Do not stand at my grave and cry,
I am not there,
I did not die.

Howard/Dias Memorial Fund

Posted on February 10, 2012 by Cindy

With your help, El Carmelo Elementary School will soon have a beautiful gathering spot for friends, old and new, to enjoy—a welcoming place for all, in honor of one El Carmelo family, gone now but never forgotten.

Thanks to a grassroots, community-led effort, in partnership with Principal Chuck Merritt, plans are underway to plant a tree on the grass near the handball courts near Room 20. A sturdy, well-designed wooden bench will encircle the tree. More than just a landscaping project, this is a tangible, lasting way to celebrate the lives of former El Carmelo PTA President Ana Maria Dias, her husband Robert Howard, and their two treasured daughters, 11 year-old Samantha, and 9 year-old Veronica – a family that for years embodied the love, creativity and kindness that are at the heart of our school.

Last July, while traveling in their family camper on vacation in Canada, Ana-Maria, Robert, Nica and Sam, died in a terrible crash when a truck driver somehow lost control and swerved into their lane. Immediately following the accident, people throughout our community generously and selflessly did everything they could to help the family’s relatives, as well as our many grieving children, and each other—just as Ana Maria, Robert and their girls would have done for any one of us.

“The maple tree and the bench surrounding it will have a central location on the El Carmelo campus representing the way that this dear family had a ‘central’ impact on our school,” said Principal Chuck Merritt. “Their love and service intersected the lives of many groups of parents, staff and students, bringing us all together. The memorial bench will be a lovely place to rest and shelter beneath a beautiful shade tree, reminding us of the caring for people that Ana Maria, Robert, Sam and Nica helped to make part of the abiding culture of this school.”

In fact, that is why this “living” memorial is so fitting: the family loved nature, and for all of them, a stranger was just a friend they had yet to meet. Ana Maria always made a point of asking and remembering people’s names. She and Robert took the time to walk new families to school. From creating a community-wide art festival to organizing lunch-time arts and crafts activities, and so much more, Ana Maria brought joy, passion, intellect, leadership and conviction to our school every day, as she dedicated herself not just to her own two children, but also to all children. Daughters Sam and Nica brought that same life-affirming spark for empathy, fun and friendship. Whenever Ana Maria and Robert saw a need, they answered it—without ever putting the spotlight on themselves. In fact, my hunch is that they would perhaps want us to think of this memorial as a place to celebrate not just their family, but truly all families, along with all the beloved members of our El Carmelo extended family who are no longer with us. Ana Maria and Robert believed in including everyone, and that’s why the circle design for the memorial bench feels just right.

The project price-tag is an estimated $5000. Donations of any amount may be dropped off at the El Carmelo office, (3024 Bryant Street, Palo Alto, 94306), with checks made out to El Carmelo PTA-Howard/Dias Memorial. Organizers say if they are fortunate enough to raise the necessary funds, any additional donated money will be given to Partners in Education, and to PreSchool Family, the nurturing infant, toddler and pre-school cooperative program where Sam and Nica thrived throughout their earliest years before coming to El Carmelo.

For the relatives of the Howard-Dias family, and for the hundreds of parents, children and community members who personally knew Ana Maria, Robert, Nica and Sam, the tragedy brings forth many challenging questions: how do we find meaning in this incalculable, shocking loss? Going forward, what lessons do we teach our children? How do we make sense of something so senseless and so sad? In the words of one close family friend, Suman Gupta, “My family loved this family very dearly and the only consolation in having lost them is that we first had the good fortune to know them.”

For Suman and her children, and for so many others, the memorial will be a place to celebrate the gift of four good people, and the lessons they taught in life and in death. “Each one had a special way of caring for and creating bonds with their friends and their community,” said another close friend, Andrea Christensen. “I always felt valued and appreciated in little ways that made me smile and laugh and also in more significant ways that made me realize the depth of their generosity and compassion. The honest conversations and heartfelt sharing brought our families together.”

The hope is that this tree and bench will help bring more families together, and not just the families that knew Ana-Maria, Robert, Nica and Sam, but all families throughout our community, now and for many years to come. For that to happen, all you have to do what this family did throughout their lives: keep your eyes and heart open, and if you ever see someone—large or small—who could use a friend, be that friend. And what better place for friendships to flourish than at our very own “giving tree”, inspired by a family that brought love to life every day.

For more information, contact Michele Kasper, mekasper63@gmail.com, (650) 858-1807. To read complete tributes from family and friends, or write one of your own, please visit www.robertandanamaria.com

Once Upon an Eclipse

Posted on January 1, 2012 by Cindy

written by Ana-Maria for AMT

Lily (Princess)
Amanda (Princess)
Alyssa (Princess)
Nicole (Princess)
Trisha (Lady in waiting)
Wise Owl
Wise Mouse
Kitty
Magic Mirror
Sun
Moon
Clock
Narrato
Pub Girl

Scene 1 – Castle

Narrator: It is the year 1460 in the land of Formaggio. The Vigo Princesses and their Lady in Waiting are happily taking a stroll.

Princesses stroll by smiling.

Narrator: It is a bright and beautiful day. The sun is bursting with pride at its glory.

Sun strolls across stage beaming.

Narrator: Suddenly there is a solar eclipse and it becomes darker and darker.

Moon walks on stage, Sun crouches behind Moon.

Narrator: It is a long solar eclipse plunging the land into total darkness for a full five minutes creating confusion and fear.

Everyone appears frightened, Sun appears surprised and not too pleased.

Narrator: Once the eclipse is over everyone is relieved and happily celebrates having light once again.

Sun is in corner of stage looking mad.

Lily: Thank godness, the light is back!

Amanda: I am so happy.

Alyssa: Let’s celebrate!

Nicole: That’s a great idea!

Kitty is happily playing.

Alyssa: Let’s have some music!

Amanda: I totally agree, darling.

Music!

Narrator: Well, not everyone is happy…

Sun: (grumpy and mad) The moon took five whole minutes! Five whole minutes where no one could see me! I feel so bad for the people who couldn’t see my awesomeness for a whole five minutes. The moon thinks she’s the star but she’s not! I am the star of this show!

Narrator: And so the Sun did not set. There was no night and so everyone stayed up and stayed up and stayed up…

Princesses yawn and appear tired.

Lily: Do you want to play chess, dear sister?

Nicole: Of course, I’m so good at chess.

Lady in Waiting walks in.

Trisha: Dear princesses, would you like a drink?

Alyssa: No, no and no.

Amanda: Yes, yes and yes. I was dying of thirst 5 minutes ago.

Trisha walks off stage to get drinks.

Lily: Check mate! I win!

Nicole: No, you cheated!

Lily: No!

Start pushing and fighting and grab pillows. Lily whacks Alyssa with pillow. Alyssa tries to whack Lily and instead whacks Amanda. All the sisters fight. Kitty joins in. Trisha comes in with a tray of drinks.

Trisha: Girls, girls, calm yourselves!

Trisha gets whacked.

Trisha: Oh no you didn’t!

Trisha joins in the fighting.

Clock walks across stage with hour hand going round and round.

Alyssa: Stop! This is silly.

Amanda: We need to have a family meeting.

Princesses sit down.

Lily: We have been up for 36 hours straight!

Nicole: We are so tired and grumpy we can’t stop fighting.

Amanda: What should we do?

Lily: I know, let’s ask the Wise Owl for advice.

Alyssa: Great idea!

Nicole: Let’s go.

Alyssa: Let’s go, kitty.

Princesses walk off stage.

Scene 2 – Owl House

Owl and Mouse are sleeping. Princesses arrive at Owl House and wake them up.

Wise Owl: Yawning. I feel like I have been asleep for days.

All Princesses: You have been!

Wise Mouse: I feel very rested!

Alyssa: Hello Wise Owl. I am Princess Alyssa.

Lily: I am Princess Lily.

Amanda: I am Princess Amanda.

Nicole: I am Princess Nicole.

Wise Owl: Hello. This is my trusted advisor Wise Mouse.

Wise Mouse: Hello.

Wise Owl: How can I help you?

Alyssa: It started one day when we were taking a stroll on the palace grounds when suddenly it turned all dark.

Lily: We were so petrified! We didn’t know what to do. When the sun finally came out we were so happy we decided to party.

Amanda: We partied for 36 hours straight because for some reason the Sun wouldn’t set. The day went on and on and on!

Nicole: We got so tired and grumpy that a fight broke out.

Alyssa: The sun won’t set so we can’t sleep.

Lily: We are so tired and grumpy!

Amanda: We don’t know what to do.

Nicole: Can you help us?

Wise Owl: Hmm. Wise Mouse, what do you think?

Wise Mouse: I think we should ask the Magic Mirror.

Wise Owl: Yes, yes. Splendid idea. Wise Mouse fetch the Magic Mirror.

Wise Mouse goes and gets the Magic Mirror.

Wise Owl: Mirror, Mirror on the tree, what is it that we should see?

Magic Mirror: If it is truth you seek, find the Sun and ask her to speak.

Wise Owl: )looking confused) What??? (turns to Wise Mouse) What did she say?

Wise Mouse: I think she said that we should talk to the Sun.

Wise Owl: Yes, yes. Splendid idea. Wise Mouse fetch the Sun.

Wise Mouse returns with the Sun.

Wise Owl: What is this I hear about you not setting?

Sun: (very upset, Princesses are in the background yawning). You want to know why I won’t set! Well I’ll tell you! The Moon totally stole my spotlight! And she didn’t even ask! I mean I’ve never done anything mean to her! Well, except for the time I scared the cow when it was jumping over the moon and it peed on her.

Wise Owl: I see. Do you plan on never going to sleep?

Sun: Yes! As far as I am concerned the Moon can stay down for the next million years! (Sun stalks off).

Wise Owl: (turns to Princesses) Yes, you do have a problem. I will help you. But first you must give me something.

All Princesses: What would you like?

Wise Owl: (Thinks for a while then turns to Wise Mouse) What should I ask for?

Wise Mouse: I don’t know. How about we ask the Magic Mirror.

Wise Owl: Yes, yes. Splendid idea. (turns to Magic Mirror) Mirror, Mirror on the tree, what is it that we should see?

Magic Mirror: If you seek a treat, keep the friend, find another meat.

Wise Owl: (looking confused) What??? (turns to Wise Mouse) What did she say?

Wise Mouse: (shrugs) I don’t know.

Magic Mirror: Oh, for goodness sake. Do I have to spell it out for you. You promised the Wise Mouse you would become a vegetarian and you know how hard it is to find a good Veggie Burger in the forest. You could request that.

Wise Owl: Oh yes, splendid idea. (Turns to the princesses). Fetch me a Veggie burger and then I will tell you how to solve your problem.

(Princesses thank the owl and leave).

Amanda: Let’s go, kitty.

Scene 3 – Castle

(Sun in background is listening)

Amanda: So what exactly is a Veggie Burger?

Alyssa: I’m not quite sure…

Lily: I know, I know, it’s an animal.

Nicole: No, I think it is a mineral.

Sun: You don’t know what a veggie burger is??? (Turns to the audience) Such ignorant princesses! A veggie burger is full of fresh vegetables and grains that I grow.

All Princesses: Oh.

Lily: Where could we find a veggie burger?

Sun: You can find the best veggie burger at the Morningstar Pub. (turns to audience) Morningstar, you know, means sun. I go there every Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday. Just ask for a Quiche Vegetable Delight Appeal!

Alyssa: Oh, thank you very much!

Amanda: Let’s go there.

(Princess walk to pub)

Scene 4 – Morningstar Pub

Pub Girl: Morning, girls. How can I help you today?

Alyssa: Well, we would like one of your… (turning to sisters) What is it called?

Nicole: Ah, vegetable something.

Lily: something with peal

Amanda: something kitsch

Pub Girl: Something with vegetable, peal and kitsch. (Looks a bit confused.) Okay, here you.

Alyssa: (picking up the kitsch item) What is this?

Pub Girl: You said kitsch, didn’t you!

Nicole: (picks up the banana peal) A banana peal???

Lily: That doesn’t look like what the Sun described.

Pub Girl: The Sun! You should have said so. She always orders the Quiche Vegetable Delight Appeal.

All Princesses: Yes, that’s it!

Pub Girl: Alright, here it is.

All Princesses: Thank You!

Scene 5 – Owl House

(Princesses visit the Wise Owl and Wise Monkey again and bring the veggie burger)

Nicole: We brought you the veggie burger.

Wise Owl: This is fabulous. (Passes burger to Wise Mouse)

Wise Mouse: Very Yummy!

Wise Owl: Wonderful. Now to solve your problem. Wise Mouse, fetch the Magic Mirror.

(Wise Mouse goes and gets the mirror.)

Wise Owl: (talking to magic mirror) Mirror, Mirror on the tree, what is it that we should see?

Magic Mirror: If you seek to change the mood thank the Sun so she feels good.

Wise Owl: (looking confused) What??? (turns to Wise Mouse) What did she say?

Wise Mouse: I think she said that we should have a party for the Sun and tell her how important she is to all of us.

Wise Owl: Yes, yes. Wonderful Advice.

All Princesses: Yes. Great Idea! Thank you, Wise Owl.

(Princesses leave).

Scene 6 – Castle

Narrator: And so everyone prepared a big party for the Sun.

Alyssa: Thank you, Sun, for the light

Lily: Thank you, Sun, for the warmth.

Amanda: Thank you for helping the plants to grow.

Nicole: Thank you for solar power.

Wise Owl: Thank you for veggie burgers!

Wise Mouse: Thank you for an excuse to party!

Lady in Waiting: And, you know, without the sunlight we wouldn’t be able to see the Moon.

Sun: True, true, all true. I suppose I shouldn’t deprive you of my wonderful reflection as it bounces off the Moon. Dear Moon, we are friends again! Let’s celebrate!

Music!

Robert’s Birthday

Posted on December 28, 2011 by Cindy

From Crazy Robert’s World of Fun – celebrating our third year in the beautiful Cloverdale Terrace subdivision:

MOFFETT FIELD NAS GOING OUT OF BUSINESS SALE/PARTY!

LOST OUR MANDATE! EVERYTHING MUST GO!

After 60 years of quality anti-submarine warfare for the peopleof Mountain View, Moffett Field is closing its doors forever!

We’re blowing it up out to the bare walls for one day and one day only! Nothing will be spared! Just pennies on the dollar!

Bring your checkbook! Or just something to barbeque (BYOM)! Come to Crazy Robert’s Sale HQ, Airshow, and BBQ at Emily Drive in Mountain View, on 17 October, 1200-2200 hours – come early for best selection!

Or shop by phone: RSVP’s are welcomed, call 415-967-1686 (secure line).

Bring the whole family!

International arms merchants welcome! We offer favorable conversion rates!

Free surveillance ballons for the kids! (limited to stock on hand)
No rainchecks will be honored.
All sales final.

Getting there is easy! Just hand this chart to your NAVCOM!

Check out these authentic WW II/Cold War artifacts:

P-3 Orions – some in original box!
Nuclear torpedoes – expand your sphere of influence – make new friends!
Hangars – great for projects: factory warranty!
Runways – cash and carry – be the first on your block!
Sonobuoys! Sonobuoys! Sonobuoys!
The Blue Angels – Clean! Low miles! See ’em in action!

NEW! – USED! – DEMOS! – BLEMS! – REFURBS!
No reasonable offer refused!
Everything is out on the apron for your inspection. Find what you need, then come make your best deal!

From Robert, 1992. Happy Birthday, Robert. We love and miss you.

Robert and Ana-Maria

May the hand of a friend always be near you.

Author Archives: Cindy

Singing for Safety, March 17

In Remembrance

Howard/Dias Memorial Fund

Once Upon an Eclipse

Robert’s Birthday