Usually, I associate Memorial Day with BBQs and a trip to the beach. But unfortunately, this year Memorial Day lived up to its name. Tonight I went to a memorial gathering for Gabe Byer, an old friend of mine from acting class and Theatre Tribe, the first theater company I belonged to in Los Angeles. Last year, he and a partner opened up The York, a gastropub in Highland Park that got great reviews and added a jolt of energy to the community. Gabe was young and beautiful and and funny and kind. If you're in the area, stop by The York and throw one back. You'll feel him smiling.

 When I got home and booted up my computer, the top headline on the page for the New York Times was about the death of director Sydney Pollack. Although primarily known for his on camera appearances and his starry pics like Out of Africa and Tootsie, the Oscar-winning director actually dipped his toe into the documentary waters. He directed Sketches of Frank Gehry, which was released by Sony Pictures Classics in 2006.

Gabe and Mr. Pollack, you will be missed.