In Memory of Drew Goren

2011-11-14T09:04:00.001-08:00

Dear ALL,

The event page on Facebook has been amazing and for those of you not on Facebook here is the link:

http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=534424810#!/event.php?eid=230807386972555

As you know, all the money rasied at the Spike Hill concert itself will be donated to The Louis Armstrong Center for Music & Medicine at Beth Israel Hospital in New York City.

http://www.musicandmedicine.org/.

And we also started a Stand Up 2 Cancer Team to raise money in Drew's name for all of those people who can't make it to the concert. And we are almost half way to our goal already!!

http://www.standup2cancer.org/custom/?c=team&a=index&id=5323

But, to make it even more confusing, I have added a Donate Button here on the Blog so that people who cannot make the concert, who may not want to donate to Stand Up 2 Cancer, but want to donate to the Louis Armstrong Center for Music & Medicine directly can do so. All money raised thru this donate button thur the end of the year will go the Music and Medicine program at Beth Israel. Basically just more ways to give!!

We are very excited to do all of this and raise money to help people in Drew's name.

5th Anniversary Memorial

2011-10-30T19:12:00.000-07:00

Wow, I can't believe 5 years have past. The past three years, the memorials have been held in LA by a group of freinds who miss him like they're missing an arm. This year, New York is hosting the 5 year anniversary memorial, and we will another amazing concert, just as we did in 2006, the year Drew passed. And we are very excited to say that the concert will raise money to benefit The Louis Armstrong Center for Music & Medicine at Beth Israel Hospital in New York City. The show will be at:

Spike Hill
Bedford & N.7th
Williamsburg, Brooklyn
Saturday, December 3rd
7:00 - 10:00 p.m.

Five years is a long time...or is it? The blog doesn't get as much traffic as it used to, but we all know that Drew is still with us every day. These days Facebook (dare I say it) has more of the attention and most of the information and updates about the memorial concert are being circulated via Facebook. Here is the link to the Event Page:

http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=230807386972555

In addition, we also have a Stand Up 2 Cancer team page, which we are hoping to match the donations made at the concert, and is a way for all of the folks that won't be able to attend the NYC concert to participate in raisng money for a good cause in Drew's name. Here is that link:

http://www.standup2cancer.org/custom/?c=team&a=index&id=5323

We are really excited for this event, to gather and share with good people, to hear great music and bring good energy to those who love Drew, as doing this bring's Drew's good energy to each one of us, as we do good in his name.

Check out all the links and we hope to see you there!!

3rd CELEBRATION OF HIS LIFE.

2009-12-17T14:23:00.000-08:00

Hello all,
It's the time of year again to get together with friends and family, and to do our 3rd annual "DrewBQ" get together. It was 3 years ago (on the 5th day of Hannukah by the Jewish calendar) when we lost Drew, and every year around this time I like to get everyone together for a celebration of his life and the loving bonds between us that endure.

I would like to invite everyone over to my place in Topanga, aka "The Roadhouse" at 1704 N. Topanga Canyon Blvd., Topanga, CA 90290, on Dec. 23, at 6pm. Hana will be making a big, warm pot of a tasty homemade stew which was a fave of Drew's, as well as some other homemade treats. I will whip up a batch of the spiced, hot apple cider (the "wassail" as it is called in Denmark, meaning "to your health") some of you may remember from last year. If you like, please do bring along either an hors'deurve type item or a nice beverage of some kind.

Back when we were all in high school, we used to get together at Christmas and do a friends-only gift exchange. I was aware at the time how special and cool it was, but it seems even more so when I look back on it. It formed organically into something meaningful for us. Without forcing it, we created our own tradition where we got a chance to speak some loving truths to each other.
I know I am not giving much advance notice, and not only that, but everyone is especially strapped this year I am sure, so there is no pressure to participate, but in homage to that tradition, I would like to invite you to bring a wrapped gift of any kind, valued anywhere from "sentimental value only" to no more than $30, and we will do a version of the gift exchange with whoever wants to participate - just for fun. Last year, some really cool nostalgic treasures were unearthed, and no doubt we will see some of those items make their way around the circle again.

Please pass this along to any old friends of Drew's whose contact info I may not have. I also invite you to widen the celebration a bit this year and invite other close friends who you would like to have join us, even if they never met Drew. Hana and I agree that rather than a somber occasion, Drew's memory is better honored by our getting together with friends, old and new, and celebrating this festive time of year, just as we would do if he were still with us! I know it would please him to know that although we may not get to see each other often, that he can still bring us all together.

Much love to you all and best holiday wishes,
Eric

FarWest AlmanacPO Box 605Topanga CA 90290310-455-2949http://www.farwestalmanac.com

2009-11-05T23:02:00.000-08:00

I only found out about Drew’s passing about 6 weeks ago. I have been wanting to add to this memorial page, and decided to celebrate his birthday by posting this picture. I had the good fortune to get to know Drew when he was a young teenager. Drew was so easy to get to know, so warm and so friendly. My own son was a young boy at the time, and typical of Drew, he befriended him as well. Drew, like me, loved movies, and we went to many together. He introduced me to new music. But one of the most memorable times we had was when Drew accompanied me on my first trip to NYC. We took the red eye flight. As I remember Drew listened to music and napped while I read and tried to nap. Over the weekend, with his grandfather and mom, we all went to see the Broadway production of Starlight Express. I remember Drew had that sense of awe and wonderment that allowed him to enjoy and experience the musical the way it was meant to be. I see that same emotion in Drew’s photography and that is what makes his photography so special. That night was a night of firsts for me that I got to share with Drew– first Broadway play, first limo ride, and first White Castle hamburger . The picture above was taken when we were riding the subway in New York (my first subway ride). As you see Drew is napping and I find it ironic that his website is subwaysleeper.com.

Unfortunately, I lost touch with Drew and his mom about 20 years ago and always wondered what kind of man he grew up to be. When I went to the memorial page and then to his website, I was able to get a glimpse of what a wonderful man he had grown up to be. I would have loved to tell him how pleased and proud I am of him, how beautiful his photography is, how amazing it is that he can capture raw emotion, including the pure love he had for his daughter, Nina. I won’t have that chance, but I will have my wonderful memories, and his soul lives on through this beautiful memorial website.

So Happy Birthday Drew. You were a good friend, and even though I was older and could tutor you in math, you taught me more about how to live life fully and enjoy it. As anyone can get a glimpse of in your photography, and those who have met you know, you have a gutten neshama, a good soul. May your name always be for a blessing my friend.

Love,

Ron

friday night kiddush

2009-09-05T12:04:00.000-07:00

I had to post this one, drew has an amazing smile..........

Oceanside, OR September 2006

2009-05-27T10:15:00.000-07:00

thinking of you...

Remembering The Good Times

2009-03-09T14:26:00.000-07:00

Nina's First Christmas...Doesn't Drew look happy!

2008-12-31T17:59:00.000-08:00

Eric hosted a BBQ on behlaf of Drew Saturday Dec. 27th 2008. It was nice to see faces I havent seen for a while. We did a gift exchange, with Drew in mind, and it was beautiful. It took us down memory lane. Everything Drew loved was there. Friends, family, steak, chicken, chili, beer, wine, cameras, pictures, and lots of love. Can't wait until next years.

The 730th Sunset

2008-12-19T17:46:00.000-08:00

I am writing this as I walk down the hill from Drew's. Turns out the gates code @ 17:00--no biggie; a little high-school-ditching-esque fence-hopping+some hiking took care of it. TBC when I get home...

-- Post From My iPhone

a winter memorial to drew from me and dr z

2008-12-19T13:01:00.001-08:00

drew would think this is cheesy as heck!
couldnt resist writing in the snow.....

LOVE YOU DREW

xooxx

2nd annual Drew Goren Memorial BBQ

2008-12-13T02:05:00.000-08:00

2nd annual Drew Goren Memorial BBQ
Date/ time: Dec. 27th, 2009 at 6pm
Location: The Topanga Roadhouse (Eric's place)
1704 N. Topanga Canyon Blvd.
Topanga, CA 90290

For more information, to RSVP or for directions, contact Eric:
Ph: 310-455-2949
email: eras_490@yahoo.com

Dear friends and loved ones,
It's hard to believe that 2 years have gone by since the passing of our dear friend Drew Goren. In some ways it seems like he was only with us yesterday, in others, it is like a lifetime has passed. One thing is sure, Drew's memory has not dimmed from our minds nor our hearts. I plan to keep doing these annual gatherings as long as I am able and I hope it will provide all of us with an opportunity to remember Drew as well as to stay connected and to reconnect with each other.
Although Drew was a vegetarian for a while toward the end of his life, somehow I can think of no better way to celebrate his memory than charring beast-flesh and imbibing liquid spirits, in the spirit to which he was accustomed for most of his life.
Another long lost tradition of our merry band of friends is the annual Holiday Gift Exchange, which has fallen by the wayside in recent years, but I would like to try to reinvigorate that tradition in this context. I invite anyone who would like to participate to bring a wrapped gift so that we can revive this tradition.

For those of you who were not part of the original gift exchanges, we would all bring a gift of similar value ($20-$40.) We would be secretly assigned someone to purchase for by a neutral 3rd party (my mom) and then at the exchange ceremony, we would pass around a candle and each person would take their turn to speak about the person they had bought the gift for, and what that person means to them, at the end of which they would announce the name of the gift recipient and present the gift.
In this way we managed to have a deeper experience than simply trading gifts, but also we would each express our appreciation for one another and also hear appreciation expressed for us.
I suggest we take this model but have Drew as an underlying theme throughout, giving each other gifts which have something to do with Drew, whether they might be actual possessions of his or simply things which he loved or would have loved, or just something that reminds you of Drew.
If you are reading this, even if we have never met, I want you to know that I love you from the bottom of my heart for continuing to remember Drew and for being his friend, as I was, while he lived.

Drew & Nina on my scrapbook

2008-12-08T20:20:00.000-08:00

Since Drew became sick i would always put him in my scrapbook.
I made one afer he passed cause i needed too, to try work through it.

I just titled this chapter 10.4.06 of new scraapbook
and I usually always did the cover. This was the cover Drew the inspiration in life.
.
Drew holding Nina in shadow in camille's room ( you can see ninas curl peeking out)
think drew was wearig a yellow sweatshirt
saying he was " leaving now

Thought I share. I know you cant see nina or drew. But just wanted to share.

Of course the US ( was drew and nina)

Drew's Hospital Scrapbook

2008-11-18T18:37:00.000-08:00

Something that I've been wanting to share for a while...the scrapbook we all helped put together, as Drew wanted, from about the 2nd day of being in the hospital, to document his experience with his camera. It took the doctors and nurses by surprise at first, but as they got to know Drew they quickly became more comfortable in front of the camera! These pictures are invaluable.

Speaking of Berlin...

2008-11-18T18:13:00.000-08:00

A couple Drewish videos. Hear a little voice, see a little smile... Maybe the boys can tell some stories behind these videos and their trip to Berlin.

2008-11-18T18:11:00.000-08:00

Good times.

2008-11-12T07:29:00.000-08:00

Mad and Mike's wedding in the pool hall.

Art opening

Dinner party in Brooklyn

Bucket of Beers in Tijuana

BBQ at Eric's place in LA

Thinking about Drew a lot this week! Of course because of his birthday. But other stuff too:
I pulled out my oldtimey 35mm camera and some notes I had written down about film stocks he recommended to me.
I recently experienced a new high with some excellent mexican hot sauce.
There's a grilled meat restaurant in my neighborhood that the mere mention of sends me drooling.
Planning a snowboard trip in the spring.
All these little things bring Drew to mind.
That's how it is. He's always around.
And I miss him so much.

NINA, JENN & DREW...one ny visit

2008-11-05T13:30:00.000-08:00

Nina and I here...looking through pictures. These were a couple of her fav's.

Nina says "We spent last night sharing drew stories and it was his bday. I especially love hearing about drew when he was a kid. We had a wonderful night and i asked Hana to write these stories down for me to read always."

p.s. my dad was a silly kid. ha ha ha.

I LOVE YOU DAD

The Perfect Bite

2008-11-04T21:51:00.000-08:00

it wasn't until i was about 26 that i was able to appropriately share drew's love for all things food. we spent our childhood as food opposites...drew tried everything, i ate chicken fingers and chocolate chip ice cream.

he was thrilled when my taste buds finally developed. since then we spent many of our moments sharing what we called 'the perfect bite'. this often included the careful layering, toasting, sprinkling, or spreading of ingredients we were sure was the ideal combination to warrant such a title. we'd trade tastings back and forth...no matter the hunger time was not a factor...he say "wait jenn, you've got to try this bite...hold on i'll make you one."

this pic is from my 30th? bday...another great party at amiees apt in bushwick.
a perfect cheese cracker bite i just knew he had to have.

happy bday drew...

Mazal Tov, Drew מזל טוב דרור

2008-11-04T14:23:00.000-08:00

This is my first time posting on this blog; while having followed it throughout its existence, I did most of my mourning and reflection in private. Today, on Drew's birthday, the following Instant Messaging session with Jenn inspired me to share how Drew's talent inspired (no time for thesaurus) me:

The first quality time I got to spend with Drew as an adult was in 2005 in Israel. While the main event of that summer was Orie's Bar Mitzva, Drew and Eric also set on a personal documentary(/mockumentary) tour of the country; Eric with an oversized first generation mini-DV, and Drew with the manual film camera—not that I had the slightest idea why or how to appreciate this oldschoolness back then. Throughout the summer, I joined the 2—along with Jenn—on every expedition I was available for. That summer illustrated a fundamental mathematical equation that forever holds: ∂rew = 1 - photography (had to play with the algebra, otherwise it'd sound too corny). While—looking back at it—I was not yet able to appreciate the true art in Drew's gift, I immensely admired his talent, dedication, and PASSION. God, he had passion... what else could possibly drive a man to do a photo shoot while hooked up to a bag of chemo?

Many summers have passed since, and with them our beloved Drew. This past May, when I had saved up enough money to get a camera, I initially went out and got what the typical consumer would get–an ultra-compact camera "to carry around anywhere"---------------------------------------------->

After a few days with the camera, some internal drive—which, retrospectively, I've increasingly attributed to Drew—was telling me to get a "real" camera and see what I can do with it. So I returned the sub-compact, dug out of the last pennies form my college-student pockets and got myself a Nikon D60, along with a fashionable carrying case so I would "take the camera everywhere I would take a sub-compact"------->

I skipped the free Ritz Camera courses I got with the purchase and got a couple of books from the library instead; one that taught me the technical basics in 15-20 minutes, and another with brilliant photos and descriptions of their styles. ~6 months later, I CONSTANTLY tell myself, as well as others how I wish I had discovered photography while Drew was still here; WOW, the possibilities...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, DREW! I think of you every time that shutter snaps bringing a bit of you in each of these:

Love you always; your cousin, Leeron

[Chronologically ordered from June up until the picture I sent Jenn, which was taken last night]

Happy Birthday Drew.....Love Shannon, Camille & Dr Zaius

2008-11-04T07:45:00.000-08:00

November 4th Drew's Birthday

2008-11-03T16:53:00.000-08:00

Big day for election and Drew's birthday, Jenn, Julia, Nina and I will have a quiet dinner to celebrate his life. I wonder if Drew was here, who he would have voted for.
Happy Birthday Drew, you are gone but not far from our hearts and thoughts.

well are all thinking and love you drew

2008-10-20T17:01:00.000-07:00

love

We MISS YOU

2008-09-13T13:21:00.000-07:00

More Papa Drew

2008-06-14T14:55:00.000-07:00

Happy father's day, papa drew.

2008-06-14T14:43:00.000-07:00

I picked nina up from school, june 9th, we were going to spend the afternoon with Justin (drew's cousin). Justin was getting ready for her prom.

As i got there, i noticed that nina was upset, there was a little mix up with who was picking her up. The teachers called her back as she was running to that person. I tried to explain to her why it is so important, to the school, that the right person picks her up and what can happen if it was the wrong person.

Sweet nina told me, as i was going into graphic detail about what can happen, "don't talk about it, it scares me and gives me nightmares." "Don't be scared, there is a little angel that sits on your shoulder, your dad, and he is always watching over you" I told her.

She calmed down and we drove to LI and met up with Justin and her mom, aunt Eliza. We went to the hair dresser and watched as Justin got her hair done.

Next it was the makeup artist's turn. Justin says she is psychic. As Justin sat in her chair, before she started applying the makeup, she saw her looking around as if she was looking at someone. She then turned to Justin and said, with nina sitting next to her, "there is a spirit here, i can feel it and it is a male. You are connected to this male, she told Justin, but he is very important to that little girl and she is important to him. He is watching and smiling, he is very happy that you are spending time together."

I hadn't been there at that time and Justin told us about it later when we were in the car. As she was relaying the story to me i was sitting next to nina in the back. Nina looked up at me smiled and said "see that was dad." I smiled back at her and said "he is with you where ever you are..........."

October 10 2005

2008-04-18T07:03:00.000-07:00

Good Times.....

2008-04-07T07:55:00.000-07:00

drew & nina & stella

2008-03-17T08:25:00.001-07:00

Drew waiting for camille to hook up playstation...

2008-02-26T09:16:00.000-08:00

8-6-06

2008-01-18T15:37:00.000-08:00

Drew and Nina came over...Drew used to work on his website. Nina is dancing on the bed while drews working away. Nina and I would do artwork. Oh, of course - I had to put this pic...in of Drews socks...

Nice Socks!!!

2008-01-17T07:35:00.000-08:00

Just found this sweet shot.

JENKINS BEACH 2007

2008-01-07T11:38:00.000-08:00

HERE WE ARE TRYING TO DREW IT UP AT JENKINS BEACH THIS PAST SUMMER. AND I HAVE TO SAY WE DID IT PRETTY WELL. BURGERS, RELISH, FISH FRY, THE BOAT!, AND GOOD OLD RELAXING AT JOE BEACH. SUCH A BEAUTIFUL PLACE. AND SOMEWHERE DREW LOVED--NICE AND QUITE AND OUT OF THE WAY. JUST A TRAILER AND THE WATER...WE WENT ON VACATION HERE FOUR TIMES WITH DREW AND THIS LAST TIME IN HONOR OF. IT WAS GREAT AND WE WILL ALWAYS BE BACK!

NINA'S PINK BALLOON

2007-12-28T09:54:00.000-08:00

Monday December 10th, 2007 we came together to mark Drew's year. We brought flowers and white balloons. Each of us wrote messages to drew. Nina had a special pink balloon so that Drew would know, when he saw it, that it was from her.

They say that within the first year of someone's passing, the soul is floating between here and heaven and after the year they are there...........

REST IN PEACE DREW, YOU WILL FOREVER BE IN OUR HEARTS. X

Want you all to know I am now able to post!!!!

2007-12-24T10:56:00.000-08:00

Eric Rasmussen here, now fully activated, very exciting, I can now post my thoughts as they come to me....it has been a year now since Drew's passing and I just wanted to say that there have been a few things this year which I know Drew would be so proud of....when we first drove past the "Old Stop 'n Fight" (an old, closed down bar in Topanga) we were looking for a location to shoot some pics of my band. He didn't say anything cause he wanted to see what I would show him first. But after looking at the spot I thought was good, he said, let's go back, I saw something back there.
We pulled up in front of the place and I laughed because it was such a well known place in it's day and I couldn't believe I hadn't thought of it as a location, beautiful as it was....he framed it up from across the highway, dangerously close to traffic, and was sure he could get the shot. So we went up to the door of the house behind, where the crazy lady lived, and asked her if we could take a picture of the bar.
She said we could do whatever we wanted....guess she wasn't so crazy after all, she acted kind of normal, so we set up the shoot for a few days later.
When we came back there was a crew in front of the bar installing a chain link fence, effectively ruining our shot, and it was never taken. But this was the place Drew liked best for that pic.

As it turned out, the fence was a portent of things to come....the place was put up for sale. I had in fact thought many times about buying it before, and I purchased the property last year, before Drew's death. Just recently I was finally able to get the place into some kind of party shape and throw a party there, complete with my own beer on tap as if I had my own bar. I couldn't help it, I almost cried while onstage when I told everyone there about Drew. He would have been so proud and happy to see this moment, and I guess he still is, wherever he is....

I am still working on finishing the songs which I have begun to write about Drew, I think it takes some real time and distance to get it out properly.

I wanted you all to see this image as well, which was the dedication of our album to Drew, which he sadly did not live to see the completion of either. But he and I were musical brethren, he was probably the biggest encouragement for my music in my life and I miss him all the time for all sorts of reasons. Unfortunately the image is too big and I don't have the software to re-size it but I will get it up here next time, keep an eye out ok?

Thank you all for continuing to post and show your love for this man. I can feel it when I come here, how strong it is and how we share this bond of the loss of this dear friend.

Love you Julia, Nina, Jenny, and Hanna, have a good new year, it was great to see you all at our "Drew commemorative Pho dinner" here in LA, and I wish you all peace and blessings in the coming year.

Drew and Me on a Tony Hawk Marathon

2007-12-17T09:46:00.000-08:00

i remember this morning. I just called in sick to work. Me and Drew had to get past this one level. We been playing it all night long and were so close to it. I called in sick alot with playstation marathons with drew....of course, camille woke up for work..and took our pictures..as we were in the same place holding a bud....and the playstation controllers....

june 27 2006

2007-11-26T05:18:00.000-08:00

Country Boy, Tillamook OR

2007-11-17T08:45:00.000-08:00

The beautiful beach at Oceanside. We stayed in a house up on the hill... My grandaunt Rose was married to "uncle" Rodney right at the head of that overlook. This was a family summer place for the young Penny family--my grandfather David, Beth and the kids, all six! Elizabeth and Rose grew up near here and the Penny clan as raised not far away--Klamoth Falls, where a number of family still live, looking out toward Mt. Shasta in the distance. Drew had heard many stories of my family in the northwest, yet in New York, so hard to visit. I am so glad they all got to come together last year. It was a pleasure on both sides.

Drew's favorite neice, Lily!

This was after an amazing stay at Jake's family home in Nasell, WA. Home brewed blackberry wine by the gallons sitting on the stairs. Home made beer and apple cider from the cider shed. Fresh veggies from the garden his dad tends. Nina canned beans. Jake slept under the stars and we were upstairs in the warm cabin. It was an amazing welcome into his home. Drew told his dad he wanted to come back to do an apprentice ship with him next year!
The rope swing was a childhood playground of Jakes!

May 2003

2007-11-16T08:09:00.000-08:00

I spent alot of time with DREW

2007-11-12T09:53:00.000-08:00

There were a couple or maybe a few years where Drew and i were inseperable. I would even go deliver pizzas with him when he worked at Marcellos pizza. A pizza parlor in the castro neighborhood of San Francisco. We had alot of fun driving around messing with peoples pizzas or atleast i would and drew would yell at me, and say grow up wassen, as i would be trying to eat a slice and then somehow arrange the pizza to look as if no pieces were missing...i even remember the day he met Julia and how crushed out he was. I hadn't seen him this way for quiet some time as him and lazia were on again off again...i miss drew dearly. We weren't so close in his later days, but i always thought of him as a brother...we played music, talked about our sex lives, always tried to find new bands to like, etc. I don't even know what to say, drew was a really big part of my life for a few years. I hope he is happy wherever he is, and looking down on us with his grin that was so contagious..I'm hindu and believe in reincarnation, so maybe he is with us, just in a million different forms...peace and love drew, i hope you understand.

feb 10 2006_Brooklyn

2007-11-09T06:33:00.000-08:00

DREW AND STELLA

2007-11-05T16:48:00.000-08:00

Driving with Sean of Longhorn Slim to do a photo shoot in atlantic city, they rented Stella. They had a great time together Sean has told me.
Drew tried his luck at the casino and WON. He bought Stella as a gift for Julia.
Drew loved Stella

MORE PHOTOS FROM MEGAN

2007-11-05T16:42:00.000-08:00

WONDERFUL LETTER FROM MEGAN ON DREW'S BIRTHDAY 11-04-07

2007-11-05T14:48:00.000-08:00

Dear Hanna,

I wanted to send you some of the pictures I have of Drew. I am unable to post on the blog for some reason. It eludes me, technically. I actually have tons of photos of Drew back in California and hope to pull them all out when I go home this December.Thank you for sharing the cake recipe, I think making it will somehow make me feel closer to Drew.I wanted to write you a note to tell you that I am thinking of Drew today, on his birthday. But the fact is I think about Drew every single day. If only for a brief moment. He is always there. Most of the time it's an easy memory that slips into my mind. Maybe the leaves changing color here in Berlin remind me of a crisp fall day in Brooklyn, laughing at a dumb joke, trying not to freeze on the way to the subway or a breakfast with hot sauce and I see Drew so clearly holding up a bottle of 'Kickin' Chicken' and extolling it's virtues to a table of hot sauce neophytes. Sometimes though, it's a sharp pain, the realization that he's gone, a sickness in my stomach, a lump in my throat that makes me want to rewind back to New York, find everyone who loves him and have one more day.Soon it will be a year since he's been gone and he is no less present in my heart. In fact as time goes on I realize that my friendship with Drew came at such an important and formative time for me, my mid 20's, that there are things I say, do and believe that are directly related to him. I tried to tell him this when he got sick. Tell him how important he is to me, how he helped me become who I am. He taught me to snowboard, (god bless him!), among other things. We became so close so quickly because we both loved doing the same things. Going to shows, making pictures and films, cooking food, eating food, meeting friends, this may not sound so unique but being around Drew was easy and inspiring. He had an energy and interest in life that was absolutely precious. Drew knew how to enjoy himself and how to make those around him feel at ease and welcome. He was an instant best friend.He also taught me to be calm in the face of chaos. I always think of his benevolent smile and it brings me peace.It's much harder to write this than I imagined. There's no way to capture a person and their essence in a letter. Or maybe that letter takes years to write.Basically Hanna, I wanted to tell you how important Drew is to me, how much I miss him and love him.It's that light in his eyes that shines like the beam from a star, he may be gone form this world but I can still feel his presence. I always will.So I am sending you all my love today. I'll be thinking of your whole family.And I will be in LA in December. Maybe we can see each other if you are in town too.Love,Megan

DREW'S BIG 3-0 BIRTHDAY 2003

2007-11-02T14:59:00.000-07:00

On november 4th drew would have been 34yrs old.. Ever since i started making this chocolate cake, it's became a family favorite, drew, jenn and nina (i haven't made 1 for julia yet, i keep missing her birthday, sorry julia) requested it as a birthday cake.

Last year nina helped me decorate drew's cake and later helped him make a wish and blow out the candles.

Happy Birthday Drew, we Love and Miss you.

For those of you who have been waiting, here is the recipe.

Drew's Chocolate Cake

pre heat oven 350 degrees

oil a cake pan and then lightly spread flour over it, shake off the excess.

2 cups of self raising flour

2 cups of sugar

4 heaping table spoons of hershey's coca

1 teaspoon baking soda

1 teaspoon vanilla

2 eggs

1 16oz sour cream

1 cup of oil 1/2 cup of milk

put all ingredients in a bowl and mix together. till well blended, no need to use a mixer. pour into the pan and put into the oven for 35-45 minutes.

take 1 small whipping cream and pour into a sauce pan.

add 2 bars of bitter sweet chocolate to it and cook over a small/medium fire till it melts together. mix well so it doesn't stick.

before taking out the cake check with a tooth pick that it comes out clean.

when the cake is done. while it's warm, take a fork and pierce the cake and then

pour the chocolate sauce all over it while it is hot.

if you have a question, feel free to call me : 818.921.0550 or emal me at: hzgoren@yahoo.com

enjoy............... X

DREW'S 13TH BIRTHDAY 1986

2007-11-02T14:49:00.000-07:00

DREW'S 11TH BIRTHDAY 1984

2007-11-02T14:34:00.000-07:00

DREW'S 10TH BIRTHDAY 1983

2007-11-02T13:31:00.000-07:00

DREW'S 9TH BIRTHDAY 1982

2007-11-02T13:29:00.000-07:00

DREW'S 5TH BIRTHDAY 1978

2007-11-02T13:26:00.000-07:00

DREW'S 4TH BIRTHDAY 1977

2007-11-02T11:30:00.000-07:00

DREW'S 3RD BIRTHDAY 1976

2007-11-02T11:25:00.000-07:00

DREW'S 1ST BIRTHDAY 1974

2007-11-02T11:17:00.000-07:00

ONE MORE GOREN VAN PENNY FUN MOMENT

2007-10-30T22:31:00.000-07:00

HAPPY HALLOWEEN EVERYONE

2007-10-30T22:22:00.000-07:00

the year was 1983. drew is 10yrs old, jenn is 8yrs old and raz is 7yrs old.

cute aren't they..............

2007-10-29T10:11:00.001-07:00

So I was going through a collection of 'drew' photos jules had...I thought this one was particularly worthy...its got to be at least 10 years old. if you look closely i'm sure you'll recognize a face or two. Enjoy.

DREW'S FAT RECORD BOWLING DAYS. 1997-1998

2007-10-23T19:55:00.000-07:00

DREW WAS PROUD OF A WATCH HE GOT WHEN HE BOWLED 100 POINTS OVER HIS AVERAGE.

I RECEIVED A BEAUTIFUL LETTER FROM HIM TELLING ME ABOUT IT.

by the way, i know drew hated wearing a watch, where would that watch be today? X

JONNY LEATHER REVIEW FROM NYPRESS OF HAPPENING AT LUNA BAR JUNE 30, 2007

2007-10-18T10:54:00.000-07:00

Drew Goren — RIP
The above photo is one of the many fond memories I have of Drew Goren. In August 2003, I took a train down to the city, from my hometown of Walden. In my hand was a portfolio. I was a nervous college kid on his way to an interview. It may have only been an internship, but I was trembling with the fear that I wouldn’t be good enough. When I finally got to that office on 25th street, the tension had already peaked, and upon meeting Drew and his sidekick Graham, the tension quickly disapaeared. I felt at ease. I got the job, and for the next 4-5 months, I got to hang out with Drew a few days a week, listening to music (I remember a lot of Killing Joke, Teenage Fanclub, Coachwhips, and Spoon), talking photography and designing a magazine. Drew was the best boss I could ever have. Not only was he cool and totally easy to deal with, but he became a mentor, and i learned for from him in a couple months, than one could ever imagine. Since those days, we had been in and out of touch, occasionally seeing each other, and talking music and photography. We had just recently spoke of meeting up, and I really feel a lot of regret for not doing so before he passed away in Decemeber, but I am glad that I was able to spend some time with Drew a year ago, and was able to meet his adorable daughter, Nina and Girlfriend, Julia, as well as sister, Jen. My last memory of Drew is a happy one, in which I was able to see how great a father he was. Friends and family have put together a memorial website where you can donate in order to help support Drew wonderful family. Also, please take a look at Drew’s amazing photography subwaysleeper.com. There will be a benefit concert, in honor of Drew, in the upcoming months, thanks Drew’s friends in The GoStation, among others. Details to come… Drew, I would not be who I am without you. You will surely be missed by everyone lucky enough to have known you.

2007-10-12T22:55:00.000-07:00

4_12_06

2007-10-11T11:43:00.001-07:00

2007-10-05T22:33:00.000-07:00

found a pic of lil drew....

Atlantic City 2002

2007-09-29T01:27:00.000-07:00

Helping Nina walk in the Stanley Kubrick Hallway

Celebrating the moment with some champange and a kiss

Drew, being playful

The Family

Drew and Nina _ June 2003

2007-09-27T06:52:00.001-07:00

Nov 18 2005 ...Williamsburg at Project Spaceman

2007-09-08T12:45:00.000-07:00

Birthday smiles....

2007-09-04T16:46:00.000-07:00

I just found this pic of Julia and Drew at Jo Orr's Birthday party 2005 in McGolirck Park. It's nice that Drew's smile pops up unexpectedly........
Hugs to all....

Drew,Nina,and Lucy during the great Blackout of August 2003

2007-08-27T07:23:00.000-07:00

Drew and Camille...another Tony Hawk Marathon!

2007-08-23T07:29:00.000-07:00

These look like VERY INTERESTING moments in all three of your lives....maybe you gals can tell us a little bit about those moments?

2007-08-21T18:48:00.000-07:00

And on a side note...

When Drew and I met in San Francisco, he used to fancy me a bit of a hippy, and I admit, there is a bit of it in me. But luckily I was just punk enough for Drew to appreciate! I believe it wasn't until I dyed my hair blue that Drew started showing me MORE attention! And I never knew him with his dreads, but when I saw the pictures of him, I said, AND YOU USE TO CALL ME A HIPPY! He said, NO! those were punk dreads!! There's a big difference. I'm sure Gina would have a lot to add to that point. But I think we can all agree, there really isn't THAT much difference between true punks and and true hippies. Drew had beautiful hair.

Greenpoint Ave.

2007-08-18T15:44:00.000-07:00

Sometimes when you just don't know what to say . . . Pictures tell a thousand words.

Crazy Drew Face...

2007-07-27T09:45:00.000-07:00

Pictures from the Luna Lounge benefit concert ---->please visit www.jonnyleather.com to see more photograghs from the show

2007-07-11T09:24:00.000-07:00

Langhorne Slim

Neckbeard Telecaster

The GoStation

Sikamoor Rooney

The Wooden Hills

The Shrubs

Three Amigos

2007-07-10T12:55:00.000-07:00

2007-07-02T23:53:00.000-07:00

The Go Station Covers New Order last SATURDAY night at Luna Lounge, Benefit for the Drew Goren Memorial Fund

2007-07-02T11:44:00.000-07:00

Doug Levy, event coordinator, lead singer of The Go Station, and all around amazing person!! Great cover guys!!

And he wore the Mustache so well...

2007-06-28T16:01:00.000-07:00

sometime between March and May of 2000, I believe... Saba's house, Borough Park days.

He looked at me with his lips pursed, in the Drew way, eyes looking elsewhere, "Wha'd'ya think?". I like it, I would say. And it was the truth. On him, I liked it, I thought it worked. He pulled it off. And why shouldn't he do something he's inclined to by the itch of a hair in his a** on a hot New York day? "You just don't want any girls looking at me", he would say. "I love you Drew, do what makes you happy", I said in my own nonchalant way.

DUCK DAYS...

2007-06-27T20:31:00.000-07:00

THANK YOU

2007-06-27T20:22:00.000-07:00

I am so excited, as people--friends--are coming into town and we are getting ready to celebrate--again--together, the life of someone we all love so deeply--DREW. Doug to thank for making this whole thing happen, Eric for bringinng such a memorable contribution, Jules for helping in his way, all of the bands OF COURSE! Amiee for doing her laborious part! And all the people who are making this happen, Rob, Jenn , Tedesco, Johnny, Christo , Andrew, Casey, Alissa, Jane, Dayla, everyone who's helped, all of those that are spreading the word and making it happen. I am so overwhelmed with graditude and thanks and joy to be surrounded by such beautiful people. What a gift I have been given. THANK YOU! You are all beautiful people....

2007-06-18T20:37:00.001-07:00

went to visit drew for fathers day....nina asked me to give him a balloon....

CARTOON NETWORK AUCTION!

2007-06-14T07:50:00.000-07:00

Drew will have a photogragh in this auction as well, as he did last year. Please see flyers for details on donations or bidding. It is taking place the same day as the Memorial Benefit show, so check your timing if you plan on participating in both. The auction is in LA, the show is in NY!

THANK YOU CMJ FOR PROMOTING AND PAYING ATTENTION!!!

2007-06-11T16:35:00.000-07:00

Drew Goren Memorial Benefit
2007-06-11 14:44:03.087,
Story by: Pamela Garavano
On June 30, Brooklyn folkie Langhorne Slim and local New York City heroes Neckbeard Telecaster will take the stage at the Luna Lounge to remember beloved photographer, friend and father Drew Goren. The former CMJ art director, who snapped bands like Sonic Youth, Spoon and Bloc Party, lost his life to cancer late last year at 33 and is survived by his 5-year-old daughter, Nina. All proceeds raised from the evening will be donated directly to the Drew Goren Memorial Fund to ensure a future for Nina.

Spread the word and enjoy the great music and company at 361 Metropolitan Avenue, in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. Doors are at 6:00 PM. Tickets are $15 and available in advance on ticketweb.com.
Lineup For Drew Goren Memorial Benefit Concert:
07:00 PM - The Shrubs
07:45 PM - The Wooden Hills
08:30 PM - Sikamor Rooney
09:15 PM - The GoStation
10:15 PM - Neckbeard Telecaster
11:15 PM - Langhorne Slim

www.inmemoryofdrewgoren.com

August 2004

2007-06-09T10:04:00.000-07:00

Drew and I at Nina's third birthday--Pete's Candy Store, Williamsburg, Brooklyn. That was a beautiful, beautiful warm day, full with friends and family and fun times. I love that smile on his face and that look in his eye. Happiness comes from the inside out with him. He really felt it and you can see... The birthday parties are always a bit hard to pull off, but they always ended up being our favorite day of the year! Celebrating Nina together, celebrating being a family.

An email from Drew

2007-06-08T07:19:00.000-07:00

I found this today.
Drew invited me to go see Saba & Hana and eat dinner with him and Nina
and visit. I wrote him and sent some pics of the day together.
I remember it like it was yesterday.

From: drew goren drew@subwaysleeper.com
To: soupnico@aol.com
Date: Sun, 30 Apr 2006 10:19 am

wow. thanks a lot for sending these...
i'll pass them along now to my mom. its gonna mean a lot to her.
i'm glad you came with yesterday. at first i felt bad for bringing you into a depressing situation... i'm glad you ended up being ok with it.
thanks for the love and support shan...
drew

+ i'll send you pics as soon as i download them off the camera.

on 4/29/06 11:04 PM, soupnico@aol.com at soupnico@aol.com wrote:

hey drew
thanks for letting me hang with you...it really was great...and
if you or your mom need anything, let me know.. ok..
ill go with you anytime. its the simple things like
today that make life so important....it meant
alot for me ...to hang with you nina ya mom
and grandfather. im so tired...gonna go to sleep.
your new website will rock.
send me some pics, ill send you some from today.
love ya kid\
shannOn

Drew showing Nina how to put film on a roll and into the camera

2007-06-06T10:16:00.001-07:00

review from PHOTOLINK of drews work

2007-06-04T06:52:00.000-07:00

PhotoLinks Commercial Photographers Details

Title: SUBWAYSLEEPER - d.goren photography CWMSQQ-1246326336

Site Description: CWMSQQ-1246326336
loose, natural, striking images. portrait, live event, documentary/journalistic photography of music and musicians, people/children, travel and (now and then) fashion by low-key, guerrilla photographer drew goren.

Location: United States : New York : New York Photographers

Category: Commercial Photographers

Click to Visit this site

a review of drew's work from COOLSTOP

2007-06-04T06:43:00.000-07:00

subwaysleeper.com 1/20/04
Description: photography by drew goren
Comment: I'm not sure who Willi Zucker is, a house painter perhaps, but the updates tell me he's not doing too well these days. There's also a picture of him in the Visitors' Gallery thanks to Drew's participation, which I really appreciate. How wonderful it would be to get another shot, sometime soon, with Willi up and at 'em again. Drew Goren's portfolio selects has some of best portrait and documentary photography I've seen. The subwaysleeper seems to thrive on capturing musicians in their best light and the tear-sheets tell me he's a professional (as virtually all the photos do). But the site is free of promotional copy, simply presenting the best of Drew's art. Great works don't need to be hyped. I've got a strong feeling Drew's obsession with photography goes much deeper than making a living. Just a hunch...

Drew's Tattoo

2007-05-31T13:13:00.000-07:00

Drew got that tattoo in San Francisco, right before he moved to New York. I went with him to the tattoo parlor on Haight Street. This was when he was living in the lower Haight above the best Ethipoian in SF. He called it a time stamp. He wanted to mark the last four years of his life that he spent in SF, thus the four diamonds; a "love gone wrong", thus the upsides down heart, (although later on he would deny saying that?); and the dot beneath I am assuming for the first little lady in his life, Ramona. And of course the crown for a KING! Lucre at Marcello's, where Drew and I officailly met (although we had met the semester before in a Sidney Lumet film class) always said "Drew thinks that sign outside says his name!!"--which was the Marcello's sign on top of a big world. Lucre loved Drew and would do anything for him. He was a favorite of all the Marcello's folks! I also remember him designing the tattoo himself on his computer at home in the Haight Street apartment, fixing and tweeking the image just so. He was a perfectionist. Those were very good days. --Julia

Drew 4_12_06

2007-05-30T09:11:00.000-07:00

4_23_05_Williamsburg

2007-05-24T07:11:00.000-07:00

WE LOVE YOU DREW!!!!

2007-05-19T13:17:00.000-07:00

WE MISS U DREW.......

2007-04-30T08:02:00.000-07:00

Love Auction May 3rd

2007-04-25T22:30:00.000-07:00

This photo of Drew's--the Coachwhips--will be in an upcoming auction in New York City to benifit LOVE, Leave Out Violence. Please see below for details. If you are interested in this photo or participating in the auction see web site at bottom, or email me at penny@billburg.com.

...34 years ago a 14 year old murdered my good friend’s father, Daniel Rudberg. Daniel was stabbed while trying to help a woman who was being attacked by the youth. The young boy was a runaway, who was on drugs, who had recently joined a gang. Daniel’s widow, Twinkle, decided something had to be done to give troubled youth the skills, confidence and the will to create productive, non-violent lives. The organization she started is huge in Canada and has helped over 30,000 teens there. The launch here so far has been quite successful, many New York City schools are now on a waiting list for the program.

A major component of the LOVE program is photojournalism. This is a year -long program that develops the photographic and writing skills necessary to document the violence around them. During the year we have several photographers pitch in as guest mentors. Contributing photographers have been: Christie Bush, and Mariette Papic with interest from many others such as Joanne Dugan, Erin Patrice O'Brien, Andy Lin, Mariette Papic, Deborah Feingold, John Bentham, Michael Corridore and Scott Sternbach.

Event details:
Date: Thursday night, May 3rd.
Location: Felissimo Townhouse
10 West 56th st. NY, NY.

The event will be part of a spring cocktail party, in honor of Richard Kirshenbaum, the advertising legend, who has contributed so much to LOVE in the past years. We will have great food, open bar, presentations of the current love youths’ work and the silent auction. I hope to get approximately 100 photographs donated by photographers in our community and also add an additional 25-30 photos that this years youth have produced and have them be part of the auction as well.

Leave Out Violence
64 Fulton Street suite 801
New York, NY 10038
www.leaveoutviolence-us.org

2007-04-19T20:01:00.001-07:00

these pics were taken march 2005 at a mexican restaurant in BK that drew treated us to.....

Drew...playstation..i cant tell u how many hours...we played tony hawk and contra...

2007-04-18T09:37:00.000-07:00

Nina & Drew.....

2007-04-16T08:17:00.000-07:00

A LETTER FROM BOB GREEN

2007-04-13T13:51:00.000-07:00

I RECEIVED THIS BEAUTIFUL LETTER FROM BOB GREEN, FOR THOSE OF YOU WHO DON'T KNOW HIM....... HE WAS DREW'S INSPIRATION FOR HIS PHOTOGRAPHY AND MUCH MORE........
THANK YOU BOB FOR ALLOWING ME TO POST IT.
HZG

Dear Hana,

How are you doing.
You have been in my thoughts.
The persistent and beautiful memories I have of Drew are constant reminders of just how lucky I was to have known such a beautiful man.
We had some great times working side by side in the office at CMJ. It was there that I began to form my admiration for him.
I will always cherish the day we spent together in Austin during SXSW. He came over to my home and met my dog, we went to breakfast and talked of his future.
It was a beautiful day, he felt like a brother.
That night he went out of his way to stop by the club I was working at just to give me a CD he thought i should hear.
He was on his way to the airport so I know it was a huge inconvenience for him, but that was your son...
It was these simple yet meaningful acts that he performed (consistently and subconsciously) that made him unique.

I will really miss talking to Drew about photography, especially his.
He would ask me to look at his work and was genuinely surprised when I had wonderful things to say.
He would take an image that was amazing and then doubt his abilities!!!
He was funny that way.
But, wow, he became an excellent photographer.
The images of Nina are absolute works of art.
He was blessed with a vision...

During the last conversation I had with Drew he told me he wasn't picking up the phone much but when he saw my name on the caller ID he knew I could make him laugh. I cannot begin to tell you how meaningful that was to me. He sounded really sick but we laughed and had a great time talking. I still cannot bring myself to delete his number from my phone...

I am deeply sympathetic for your loss.
His integrity and spirit is truly a reflection of you.

with love
bob green

Drew after he just bowled a strike....Las Vegas 2000

2007-04-13T09:06:00.000-07:00

We all went to Las Vegas. It was one of the best times in my life....Me Barkley Camille and Drew.....The Barfeeders played....a show there....There was a bowling tournament. Drew of course, sported his fastmusic bowling shirt....as you can see....
he made sure " HOMER" was printed on the front.

Giving away the secrets! ...He would want you to have it!

2007-04-11T17:51:00.000-07:00

D.GOREN CHAMPIONSHIP MARINADE

for 16 pcs. chicken and 1 rack of pork ribs

6 oranges (juice, pulp, and skin slivers)
2 bulbs garlic (chopped fine)
2 small yellow onions (chopped small)
1/2 cup sesame oil
1/4 cup olive oil
3/4 cup honey
1/4 cup molasses
2 healthy shots of whiskey
1/4 bottle beer
1 habeñero peppers (chopped w/seeds)
1 bunch cilantro
1 bunch italian parsely
1/2 knuckle ginger (sliced up)
1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
1/4 cup any bbq sauce
salt & pepper

marinate for 3 full days.

Camille & Drew....Playstation...and Hanging out..being silly..

2007-04-09T07:47:00.000-07:00

PICNIC

2007-04-04T20:05:00.000-07:00

...just a few pics of a picnic jenn brice and I had with drew...jenn tried to make "drelish"....

2007-04-04T07:46:00.000-07:00

October 2005....Drew took these of himself

2007-03-29T08:17:00.000-07:00