The Compassionate Friends

South Bay - Los Angeles Chapter

From Our Members

This section of the TCF-South Bay website is dedicated to our members and announcements they may have that relate to their children, grandchildren, or siblings that have gone too soon. These announcements posted here do not in any way reflect the thoughts or opinions of The Compassionate Friends on a local nor national level.  These announcements are purely representative of those who submitted them.

Posted by: Z and Michael D. Event: Walk Like MADD 5K Walk Walk Like MADD Website This will be the third year that we have had a team participating in the MADD walk.   It is an easy 5K walk for adults, kids, dogs, and wheelchairs!  (If you prefer running, the runners go first.) There are booths  to  see,  a kids area,  dog area, great live band, and the Long Beach Firefighters serve hot dogs after the walk!  Everyone who has been with us has enjoyed the morning. We hope to have an even larger group this year.  If you are able to walk, please bring family, friends, co-workers, and your dog.  If you are not able to participate in person, would you please register yourself and family as virtual walkers?  Either registration can be done without a registration fee.  It doesn't cost you a thing, and our Los Angeles chapter gets credit for the number of registrants.  While raising funds is important,  our biggest goal is raising awareness, and of course, remembering Allison.  One last point!  This is a great opportunity for the kids in High School who have a community service requirement.  MADD gives 10 hours, and while the preference is for the kids to join in the walk, it can be done as a virtual walker as well. You can contact me for more information on this.  Saturday September 26, 2009 8:30am Ceremonies Begin 9:00am Walk Begins Queen Mary Events Park, 1126 Queens Hwy, Long Beach, CA  90802 We hope to see you then.   -Z & Michael- In Memory of Allison, Michella, and Whitney   Note from the website editor: This is the local Southern California walk, but please feel free to pass along the main website at the top of this post to those outside of the area to see if there is a walk near them as well. Please also see the following article written by Daily Breeze writer Larry Altman about this event: http://www.insidesocal.com/crime&courts/2009/07/z-dewart-mother-of-allison.html Ways to show your support: - Be a "virtual walker" if you are not able to be present - Organize your own team to walk together - Donate to Z and Michael's team "Do it for Dewey" who has been organized in memory of their daughter Allison whose life was taken by a drunken driver: Do it for Dewey

Posted by: Jim W. Event: In Memoriam - Art as a response to death PS Zask Art Gallery presents “In Memoriam – Art as a response to death”, featuring the work of three Southern California Artists - Peggy Zask, Steve Shriver and Jim Walker. Opening reception 6-9 PM, Saturday, August 29 Open Fri & Sat 12-8, and Sun 12-5. Exhibit closes Sat, Sept 12 Located in Golden Cove Shopping Center, where Hawthorne Blvd meets the Blue Pacific, in Rancho Palos Verdes. By Jim Walker, Cory’s father My dear Cory, I remember how you would proudly show my drawings of you and your brother Jeff to your friends. This memory brings joy to my heart amid the sadness. Do you see how we honor you now? Do you sit with me when I redo your memorial bench at Cove? Do you hear me talk with you as I light a candle in church? Sometimes, I attribute serendipitous gifts to you. Are you impatient to see me again, my dear, wonderful son? All my love beyond forever, Dad I do not need you changed, dissolved in air, nor rarefied, I need you all imperfect, as you were. - Maurice Baring    Bekah, Someday   Someday I will fill the silence Your absent voice inhabits Someday I will share your lost laugh And fly with you upon it. Thrust early and unwillingly toward Every true issue, forcing my way To nether worlds away From the terrible quiet Where your noises used to be. Cleaving to remembered sneezes, Filling up on your choice of words, I am an engine breaking down At too many corners. Knowing too well The emptiness in the street, Your even breathing during sleep A vacuum now, an avenue. Must I apologize when I admit I crave your white light Bekah? by Barbara Bales, Bekah's mother   by Peggy Zask, stepmother of Bekah   by Steve Shriver, Jeff’s friend In February of 1986, Steve Shriver’s childhood friend Jeff Trakas drowned at the age of 27 while surfing large waves off the Palos Verdes Coastline. Steve had just moved to New York City two months prior to explore the art world there. He found himself in the curious position of making art about the other coast where he grew up. He found it was a coping mechanism, a way of dealing with the pain of losing one of his closest friends far too early in life. One of the themes that emerged during the process was the connection of mind, body and spirit that occurs during the intense concentration of surfing big waves. He has never shown this monumental pastel drawing publicly since it was completed in 1986.