Duke’s hosts an afternoon of togetherness in resilience
Hugs, laughter, tears — all the feels were expressed by Malibu residents who gathered at Duke’s Sunday for an afternoon billed as “A Day to Come Together.” Neighbors, many displaced after January’s fire, reunited at the heartfelt event that drew 350 fire survivors, first responders, and the generous staff of Duke’s, who donated their time, entertainment, and all the food and drinks even as the restaurant itself is struggling to fully reopen after the fire and mudslide inundated the building.
Duke’s Ocean Room, with its spectacular views and dolphins dancing in the background, was the perfect setting as Duke’s General Manager and Partner Jimmy Chavez welcomed guests and spoke of Malibu’s history of resilience in the face of disasters. He first thanked the Community Brigade, Malibu’s local fire stations, and Camp 8, who’ve helped save the beloved restaurant numerous times over its 30 years. Then Chavez recounted some history: “There’s been over 30 significant fires in the last 100 years here in Malibu. It puts a fire around every three years, which is crazy to think about what this community has been through. And this property we’re standing on goes back about that same amount of time being a restaurant. When Rancho Malibu started right here, at Los Flores Creek, May Rindge, put a guard here 24 hours a day with a shotgun and said, ‘You gotta turn around and go back.’”
Chavez explained that first a hot dog stand opened, then the Las Flores Inn in 1915, then in the 1940s, the Sea Lion restaurant, and then Duke’s. The oceanside spot has been a gathering place for more than 100 years.
“It means the world to us, that you are here,” he said. “Thank you for your support over the years. Thank you for coming back and thank you for your patience as we get reopened. We’re working our hardest to get there.”
The day was meant to reunite old neighbors and provide support to one another. Displaced Big Rock resident Jasmin Vahedi lost her family home. “My dad is in his late 80s now. We really, really want to get him back home,” she said. “That’s been the toughest part for us. And we also have a dog who lost his backyard. Watching our doggy every day not have his yard has been really tough. But more so seeing my dad. He wanted to retire and he wasn’t able to because now he has to pay rent. The whole process has been just awful and long.”
The hopeful part of the afternoon for Vahedi was meeting with the organizers of the event, the Big Rock Property Owners Association, who have many active community members working hard to streamline Malibu’s arduous rebuild process.
“The people in Big Rock are my family and more so after the fires,” Vahedi said. “We’re really helping each other out, getting through this. But it feels good to come here today and be with everybody. It just feels like a community that I love. I can’t wait to be back with my family.”
Even those not directly impacted by the fire came to support. Wailani O’Herlihy entertained with her graceful Hawaiian dancing and even taught others willing to swivel their hips, including Duke’s longtime Ambassador of Aloha and hostess Kathy Kohner-Zuckerman, the original Gidget.
Another beloved community member, nearly unrecognizable without her uniform, came to support. Jennifer Seetoo, who was promoted to Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Commander, flew back from D.C., to attend and greet familiar faces.
The Boys & Girls Club and local businesses and restaurants struggling since disaster fell on Malibu donated gift certificates and prizes to add to the festivities. There were lots of thank-yous to everyone who is helping Malibu move forward and to those who saved it. First responder Patrick Fearon of the LACoFD recounted the Palisades Fire was the worst he’s worked in his 30-year career. He fought the blaze for five days until being forced off-duty after suffering a lung issue from breathing in toxic materials. Now back at work, Fearon said, “Anytime the community comes together after something like that is a happy time.” The firefighter was happy to be at Duke’s since he was one of the responders to its devastating flood.
The first responders at the gathering all seem to consider their dangerous jobs as just another day at work. For Fire Captain Malcolm Dicks, the Palisades Fire will leave a lasting impression. He saved a life and made a lifelong friend when he rescued an event organizer and Big Rock resident Patty Phillips and her dog. The two got trapped in their car while fire was raining down on them. It was Dicks, without fanfare, who drove back up into the canyon with Phillips’ husband to rescue the two and then disappeared into the night to continue firefighting. Eventually, Phillips tracked him down to thank him. And Phillips’ son, who now wants to be a firefighter, wrote Dicks a letter saying, “Thank you for saving my mom.” The 30-year firefighter stated the letter touched him. “You don’t have another mom. It’s one of those things that hit deep to me,” Dicks said.
