Stay Calm Update

This is an update about the Stay Calm event posted below.  Can’t be there in person?  Read on.

What I’d like for you folks who can’t make it to do, if you still want to be here in spirit… is to record a short video talking about your connection to Shannon and the IAM/BME Community. How it’s affected your life. Met a spouse? Had a baby? Traveled to Mexico for BMEFest and used a swimming pool as a gravity bong?

Tell your story!

Then either upload it to YOUTUBE (tagged staycalmbme) or get a dropbox.com account and link me. We’re going edit them together and put them online; shared here on SCPhilly as well as BME. There are some great stories out there; sweet, funny, raunchy… let’s not let them be forgotten.

Oh. Did you guys like the STAY CALM Hand Screened print that Johnny Thief designed for us? Well get this! If you submit a video to the THANK YOU SHANNON! Project- your name goes into a drawing to have one sent to you on us! They’re available exclusively to attendees of the memorial, so you’ll be the coolest kid on your block!

Once you’ve got it online, email staycalmbme@gmail.com with the youtube or dropbox link and you’ll be set.

OH! This is really important. All submitted videos must be shot “properly”.

Videos should be under five minutes, 720dpi or higher if possible, m4v or mov format.

You can read the full post by going here.

We here at BME would really love it if you submitted the videos to BME as well. Please do share your memories of Shannon, whether they be photos, a video or if you want to write up a story or memorial, or anything really, about him. You can submit content via your BME account or by sending it to submissions@bme.com. If you run into any problems at all please email BME support for help.

Our hearts are in Boston

All of us here at BME want to express our sympathies and condolences to everyone in Boston and those who were watching or participating in the Boston Marathon today.  Our hearts and thoughts are with you.

If you’re in Boston please check in with us and let us know that you’re OK.

If you were at the marathon today consider adding yourself to the Safe & Well List offered by the Red Cross so that your family and loved ones know you’re OK.

Google is also offering a person finder to check on loved ones.

Stay Calm

On April 27th, in Philadelphia, there will be a gathering to celebrate Shannon’s life and the friendships he helped to foster.  To read more about the event, please visit this blog.  Below is an excerpt from the site about the event:

The weekend will have something for everyone, reminiscent of BME BBQs of the past. There’ll be time at the park, private suspensions, a party/fundraiser at a bar and the eventual hotel shenanigans that IAM events made famous.

We’ve worked out a special group rate at the LOWES Philadelphia (update: SOLD OUT! We’re working on a second block at another local hotel so please stay in touch if you’re in need of accommodations) and are working on other perks. Checking back here or the Facebook event listing will be your best way to keep up with the latest news.

If you know of any other gatherings taking place please feel free to post about them in the comments below.

We just wanted to say thank you, again, for the love and support the community has shown all of us here at BME.  If you’re going to an event please do take pictures and share them with BME, we would love to see them, especially those of us who live too far away to attend anything.

Our sincerest thanks

 It has taken us more than a week to put together this short post. Stringing together even the most simple of words seems like a daunting task. All of us at BME have known and worked with Shannon for more than a decade and we are trying to not only keep ourselves, but BME as well, moving forward in a positive direction. While we are struggling with such a significant loss we also know that you are also looking for answers so we know we have to provide them in the best way that we can. We’ve tried to put this post together to address the questions and concerns that we have been receiving so that everyone is informed about the future. Please forgive us if this post is a little scattered but we are doing our best.

The outpouring of support the community has shown since Shannon’s passing has touched and overwhelmed us.  Many people have talked about auctioning off paintings, jewelry and other items Shannon has given them in order to donate the money to Ari, Shannon’s and Rachel’s daughter.  While this is a wonderful gesture, we would prefer if you could keep it safe and cherish it.  There is no need to auction off anything in order to provide financial support for Ari as she has been living solely with Rachel for over 2 years and is well cared for by her mother. We have been keeping an eye out for auctions so that we may purchase the work to give to Ari. If, for some reason, you don’t want to keep the item or find that you’re unable to, please consider sending it to Ari so that she may have her father’s work to cherish. You can contact Jen (support@bme.com) for more information on where to send it if this is something you would like to do and she will provide you with a shipping address.

People have been inquiring about sending in donations to support Ari and we are deeply moved by your kindness. If you would like to donate money that will go directly to Ari’s immediate care, we ask that you please send it to the PayPal account listed below.  All funds sent to this account are deposited directly into a savings account in Ari’s name.  They can be sent via PayPal to arilarratt@gmail.com. Please make sure not to create automatic Paypal links from BME as direct traffic from BME (and other sites prohibited from using Paypal) have caused those accounts and related funds to be seized by Paypal. We don’t want this to happen.  Please include your name and shipping address so that Rachel and Ari can send you a special “thank you” card to show their appreciation for keeping them in your thoughts and hearts during this tremendously difficult time in their lives.

Shannon recently created some new Tshirt designs for BMEshop that had not been offered for sale previously. We are considering printing a limited edition run of these designs as a fundraiser and we will let you know if/when these designs become available.

Please also consider continuing to contribute to BME.  Your contributions ensure that Shannon’s legacy remains alive and also directly helps to support Ari.  We would love it if you have photos of Shannon, from events and other meet ups, to please consider sending those in as well.  They are a wonderful memory for all of us to share and for Ari to see as well.  Submissions can be emailed directly to submissions@bme.com or sent through your BME account.

We ask that people please refrain from emailing Ari.  If you would like to send a message of condolence to her please send it to Rachel (rachel@bme.com – please put Ari’s name in the subject line) so that she may read it to her or save it for a later time when it is more appropriate.

We are aware that various members of the community are getting together to hold memorials in Shannon’s memory.  This is a wonderful gesture.  We would ask that you please provide us with the information on any local memorials and we will help to pass on that information.  We will announce, at a later date, when a larger memorial will be taking place.  A private memorial for family is already planned.

Again we are touched and overwhelmed by the love and support the community has shown and we thank you and appreciate the understanding you have shown us while we continue to grieve.