Dave Melrose has found that, when the going gets tough, it’s good to have friends.
Especially great friends, like he has.
Melrose is struggling with gastro-intestinal stomal tumors (GIST), a form of cancer that was diagnosed about two years ago. It’s tough and not easy to treat. In fact, it was treated once and came back. So his friends are throwing a benefit in Altadena with some big names to help pay for his cancer treatments.
Those are good friends.
“I have so many connections, it blows me away,” Melrose said.
The benefit is called “Save King Dave,” a concert/auction which will run from about noon to midnight at 711 W. Woodbury Ave. tomorrow (Sat.). Melrose is the founder of the nonprofit San Diego Chess Academy (hence “King Dave”), but chess is just one of the activities where he’s collected friends and supporters.
Melrose started gathering his friends when he worked at the Espresso Bar (E-Bar), a legendary Pasadena coffeehouse during the 80’s and 90’s. Habitues included the likes of Matt Groening (creator of The Simpsons) and director Tim Burton, who for a time was a resident of the nearby Hotel Green.
Melrose was known as the “fastest, most expert espresso drink maker” at the Old Town establishment. During his time there, he said, the regulars became a family, “THE family,” Melrose said, “a place that encouraged us to be ourselves at the extreme.”
Dave Melrose has found that, when the going gets tough, it’s good to have friends.
Especially great friends, like he has.
Melrose is struggling with gastro-intestinal stomal tumors (GIST), a form of cancer that was diagnosed about two years ago. It’s tough and not easy to treat. In fact, it was treated once and came back. So his friends are throwing a benefit in Altadena with some big names to help pay for his cancer treatments.
Those are good friends.
“I have so many connections, it blows me away,” Melrose said.
The benefit is called “Save King Dave,” a concert/auction which will run from about noon to midnight at 711 W. Woodbury Ave. tomorrow (Sat.). Melrose is the founder of the nonprofit San Diego Chess Academy (hence “King Dave”), but chess is just one of the activities where he’s collected friends and supporters.
Melrose started gathering his friends when he worked at the Espresso Bar (E-Bar), a legendary Pasadena coffeehouse during the 80’s and 90’s. Habitues included the likes of Matt Groening (creator of The Simpsons) and director Tim Burton, who for a time was a resident of the nearby Hotel Green.
Melrose was known as the “fastest, most expert espresso drink maker” at the Old Town establishment. During his time there, he said, the regulars became a family, “THE family,” Melrose said, “a place that encouraged us to be ourselves at the extreme.”