Posts Tagged ‘fredde duke’
Tuesday, May 22nd, 2012
No, it’s not a band. But, it is a group. They call themselves THE POLIO’S. Here is how my not-so-unlikely friendship with them began.
Here I go again. Another story that starts with my dad. After he died and I just wasn’t coping that well with the loss, I found an article in the L.A. Times about post-polio syndrome. It talked about this painful late-in-life condition of those who’d been afflicted with infantile paralysis, and how some of them formed a group that would meet at UCLA. My dad did not suffer from this syndrome, at least not that I was aware of. Still, I found the phone number, left a message and received a call back.
Friendliest, loveliest voice on the other end. Ruth Ross introduced herself. She asked me why I called and what could she do for me. I told her about my dad, that he had polio and recently died — and how much I missed him. Told her we did everything for him all the time. Duke always had someone helping him, and my brother and I were very good at fetching him things. We were trained early. He would point at something, let’s say a box of Kleenex, and without any words exchanged, we would stand and bring it to him. Now on the phone, Ruth, a stranger, was a therapist hearing me out about the love I had for my dad. When the conversation was about to end, I remembered why I called. “Listen,” I said, “anytime you need something, groceries, whatever, please call me and I will run errands for you.” (more…)
Tags: best Chinese restaurants los angeles, Chinese Restaurants, fredde duke, Freddie Duke, Fu's Palace B.H., Joss Cuisine in Beverly Hills, Maurice Duke, Mr Chow's Chinese Restaurant, post polio syndrome, Ruth Ross, Shun Lee Cafe, Shun Lee Palace
Posted in Reviews | 7 Comments »
Tuesday, May 15th, 2012
I wonder how I can write any story about this time without the sex and drugs, but let me try. I first moved into an apartment on Old Malibu Road with my boyfriend. When we split, I moved girlfriend roommates (Wendy, Diana) in and out so I could stay on the beach, but still be able to afford the pad. We partied a lot. But in our own homes. You see, several of us that were friends were scattered across the beach in different places. And we would float from one house to another. A lot.
Friends that would come visit me would wander to one of the boys’ homes and then might not come back until the following day. I’m not saying who or with whom. And I won’t implicate myself except to say– the name Heidi Fleiss comes to mind. Don’t get the wrong idea, I was never paid for my “matchmaking.”
The other friends who had apartments on the same beach I will name. At least, I will give you first names. Billy, Ricci and John. (more…)
Tags: Beecher's Cafe, Beecher's Cafe at Cross Creek, fredde duke, Freddy Duke, fun times before aids, John's Garden, John's Garden at Cross Creek Malibu, Old Malibu Road, Old Malibu Road in the 70's, pecan pie recipe, sex and drugs and rock and roll
Posted in Recipes, Reviews | 11 Comments »
Saturday, May 12th, 2012
I once went to the most spectacular Hollywood funeral ever. And the love that poured out was well deserved. We knew her by one name, kind of like Cher or Madonna. Kaye. Do you all know whom I’m talking about? You do if you were lucky enough to grow up in Beverly Hills at that time. It’s Kaye Coleman, beloved Nate n’ Al’s waitress and star of our collective childhoods.
Although Kaye had her own daughter and son (and grandchildren), she was the unofficial surrogate mother to some of the biggest mothers in Hollywood. And her “sons” looked after her well. I’d run into Kaye at the priciest restaurants, dining with her posse of waitress friends, the tab picked up by Lew Wasserman or Bernie Brillstein. Those two moguls would also send her on European vacations and ocean cruises. At times, Kaye lived a fancier life than many of her Beverly Hills customers.
Larry King was the emcee of Kaye’s funeral, the only funeral I can think of that had one. His two Nate n’ Al’s buddies, the ones he eats with everyday, Sid and Bob, gave their own hilarious eulogies. So funny, that I overheard Suzanne Pleshette — with that happy newlywed look on her face after her surprise marriage to Tom Poston — leaving the funeral saying, “Who knew? Guess we have to get those two to speak at my funeral.” Sadly, that day would come too soon (not fair). (more…)
Tags: Beverly Hills, deli's, fredde duke, Freddy Duke, great waitresses, Maurice Duke, Nate's
Posted in Uncategorized | 5 Comments »
Wednesday, April 25th, 2012
It’s entirely possible I had some learning problems. Or did I? I got by in school, barely. School was never inspiring except during recess and lunch. For me, it was all about being social. In fact, I don’t think I ever stopped talking while in my classes. Math and Science really threw me. They both still do. They are like a foreign language. I got by though and my report cards usually were all B’s, C’s, or even some D’s, and always an A in PE. I almost got an F once in Dunker the Flunker’s second grade math class and that is when my mom when into full-blown protect-her-child-mode. She showed up at school with the results of my IQ test to prove… not sure what? But, it worked. Then in high school, I actually did get an F and it was in a filmmaking class. Again, my mother showed up at school to fight that grade. This time, she lost. You get the idea; I maintained a strong C-plus average. Hey, I didn’t know I was there to learn. I assumed I was there to sharpen my already A-plus social skills. (more…)
Tags: Beverly Hills teachers, Emanuel Lombard, favorite teachers, fredde duke, growing up in the 60's, Harbison Poole, New Jersey Diner's, Roland Hutchinson, Saddle River Inn New Jersey, To Sir with Love
Posted in Reviews | 23 Comments »
Wednesday, April 18th, 2012
Some days are just harder than others.
Today I’m listening to my favorite Bruce Springsteen songs.
I had the Born to Run and Darkness on the Edge of Town album’s in the 70’s and I would play them over and over in my dad’s apartment. I would watch his foot, the one that was attached to his brace start to move to the beat of the music. One day, he said “Who is this guy, he’s very talented”. “Bruce Springsteen Dad, isn’t he great?”
Some days are just harder for me.
I miss sharing the love of music. I miss sharing the love of food. I miss sharing the love of people. I miss my dad! (more…)
Tags: Bob Dylan, Bruce Springsteen, CBS music special, fredde duke, Freddie Duke, Fried Chicken, harmonica players, House of Blues, Larry Adler, Maurice Duke, missing my dad
Posted in Reviews | 18 Comments »
Wednesday, April 11th, 2012
From left: Billy Vera, Alan and Kris Duke, Rita Coolidge
I cannot trace the exact moment, but somehow we started off on the wrong foot. And like a big wave, our discontent swelled over time, neither of us knowing the origin of it. We had both dug our heels in the sand.
When my sister-in-law, Kris, turned the big 4-0, my brother threw her a party. A really big one. Kris had always been a fan of Rita Coolidge, so naturally, Alan booked Rita for a private concert to honor his wife. He went all out.
As the big day approached, my one-day-to-be-husband urged, “You should really get along with Kris.” I agreed. I thought it was time to bury the hatchet.
So I did.
I went to a hardware store and bought a hatchet. I also purchased a beautiful gift bag that I filled with sand. Actually, cat litter. Where else can you get sand? And I buried that hatchet. (more…)
Tags: 40'th birthday parties, Alan Duke, Billy Vera, cats that we love, fredde duke, Freddie Duke, Freddy Duke, Kris Duke, Maurice and Evelyn Duke, Michael and Erica Duke, Pumpkin Bread Recipe, Rita Coolidge
Posted in Recipes | 15 Comments »
Tuesday, April 10th, 2012
When I first met my husband, I told him that I’m part Native American. I’m also half Jewish. This is when he said to me “ You don’t live on a reservation…you make them”.
I’m sorry, you will not be able to make a reservation at Wolf in Sheeps Clothing, a new pop up restaurant on Abbott Kinney. Well, I mean you can if you are a party of 6 or more. Since I am a huge micro-manager, my suggestion is to go, leave your name if there is a wait and walk around going in and out of the great stores. They will even call you when your table is ready.
Sign on for Wolf in Sheep's Clothing
It’s rare that I’m blown away by a restaurant. And I have become the town crier about this one. Which is funny because the woman who once coined me the town crier since I just like to share all my finds– is the one that called me late one night, sated, having to tell me every detail of her experience. She mentioned that they only serve beer, wine and water and I chose to ignore hearing this. So, the very next evening when I dragged my husband to an early dinner there, I tried, but failed in ordering my iced tea. The waitress informed us that once they get their permanent location, they will serve tea and coffee. I asked if anyone would object to me running out to fetch a drink. I came back quickly with my iced tea. I was already in love with the whole casual atmosphere and attitude of the place and of the staff. Nothing like the snooty wait staff at some of the other restaurants on the block. No, I’m not naming which one (you know who you are). (more…)
Tags: best kale salad in Los Angeles, best sand dabs in Los Angeles, fredde duke, Freddie Duke, Freddy Duke, new great pop up restaurant on Abbott Kinney, Wolf in Sheep's Clothing Restaurant
Posted in Reviews | 1 Comment »
Wednesday, April 4th, 2012
This is the eulogy that I wrote for my friend Laurie. I don’t love public speaking and in the end, I chickened out. At the time, I did send it to Laurie’s parents. I am sharing it here on my blog with you in honor of my old friend’s birthday, April 4’th. And because I know Laurie Susan would have really enjoyed and been supportive of my blog.
Hello, I’m Fredde Duke. Laurie called me her B.F. Best Friend. I first laid eyes on Laurie in High School, the year was 1970 and she and her then B.F., Carrie Fisher had just gotten these disastrous haircuts. They were profoundly ashamed, and actually spent some days not even bothering to come to school to save face. Those haircuts were in fact, probably the very first shags. Since both Carrie and Laurie couldn’t bear to be “seen”, they went out and bought these very sort of Ali MacGraw-Love Story knit hats to cover their heads and I thought they were just the most stunning, stylish girls, so I just had to get to know them.
the infamous shag
I went out to breakfast with them one school morning at Nibblers. They were only 14 years old and already ditching school. I was impressed. I myself hadn’t starting doing this until at least 15. I was a senior and our paths didn’t cross again for some years.
I had the “happening” pad on the beach. Laurie Sue (what she liked to be called) would often come to visit. Sometimes she would be gone for hours, she had wandered down the road to Ricci’s (Martin) and she would usually reappear. But, not always. (more…)
Tags: Ali MacGraw knit style hats in 1970, Beverly Hills high school, buying the best meat at Owens Market, Cowboy Club Sedona Arizona, first shag haircut in 1970, fredde duke, Freddie Duke, Freddy Duke, Laurie Sue, Laurie Susan White, Owens Market Beverly Hiills, Sedona Arizona, shag haircut, steak and baked potato
Posted in Reviews | 21 Comments »
Sunday, March 18th, 2012
I don’t want to sound mean. Because I’m not. That said, I would sometimes ask my dad who this guy was or that guy. It would be a random dude that let’s say was always hanging around Jan Murray or Red Buttons. Sorry I’m not coming up with bigger names, but these were big names in my world. I guess I could say Frank. We’ll get back to Frank.
My dad would answer, “He’s a WITH.” And I will now explain what he explained to me because by this time in life, I knew what a “WITH” was. It’s a full-time, unpaid career of being best friends with someone famous. The prerequisite is that you usually did not have a real job and you just sort of hung around with someone. If you’ve seen “Entourage,” it’s sort of the modern day version. Okay, getting back to Frank, I have one name. Jilly. I’ll say no more. (more…)
Tags: Balboa Bay Club, entourage of show bizzy friends, fredde duke, Freddie Duke, Freddy Duke, He's a WITH, Italian chicken and peppers recipe, Jan Murray, Jerry Lewis, Kris Duke, Maurice Duke, Milton Berle, Phil Foster, poor mans butler, Red Buttons, the Duke
Posted in Recipes | 15 Comments »
Sunday, March 11th, 2012
I kept noticing her. The contradiction of her Saks Fifth Avenue/Bonwit Teller perfect girlie-girl wardrobe and the dark brooding in her beautiful and unusual face. She did not smile. Kim was small like me, but opposite in that I had an eternal smile and wore tattered hand-me-downs or homemade clothes. I was really intrigued and wanted to know what the story was behind those dark eyes of hers; almost black, that’s how dark they were.
Kim was not approachable, but somehow we did finally meet. And we became close, finding much in common, but mostly it was just a match in chemistry. I had never met anyone more authentic and honest. There was something deep, powerful and haunting in my new friend. She was a freshman and I was a sophomore in high school. She was funny, extremely funny, though at times mean-spirited in her humor. She never targeted her cruelty at me because she was highly aware of my fragility. I’m not only sensitive, I’m quite thin-skinned.
Kim was also brilliant. Well read, even at that age, she might pepper her conversations with names like Sartre and Kierkegaard. All very vague to ditzy me, and I would constantly tell her how insecure I was about my own IQ. She would invariably tell me that I was smart and that just because I wasn’t as well read as her meant and means nothing. Early on, she was always giving me props for my emotional IQ. (more…)
Tags: Beverly High friends, class at SMC, drugs, fredde duke, Freddie Duke, Freddy Duke, friends who died, Goth kids, Malibu, Malibu Seafood, seafood
Posted in Reviews | 13 Comments »
