Arden Seretean Shares Three Stories From Community Members on Their Experience Since the Palisades Fire

By ARDEN SERETEAN | Intern

When the Palisades fire swept through the community, it left behind more than just burned buildings—it revealed what it means to start over. Some residents lost their homes, others their businesses and, for most, their treasured memories. In recent months, I have been documenting some of these stories to give voice to what was lost.

My name is Arden Seretean, and Pacific Palisades has been my home my entire life. It’s where I walk my dogs every evening, take dance classes, perform for the community, make documentaries, write poetry, participate in the 4th of July parade and watch the fireworks from Pali High’s field.

The Palisades holds a special place in my heart, and losing parts of it to the fires has only strengthened my commitment to telling its story. Having documented this place my whole life, I felt an even stronger desire to capture this moment in history for the Palisadian-Post that encapsulates not just the destruction, but also the connection, strength and love that define the Palisades.

“Finding Our Footing”

Emily Kay Tillman
Owner/Director of Fancy Feet Dance Studio

Emily Kay Tillman, a longtime community member and owner/director of Fancy Feet Dance Studio, has dedicated decades to bringing joy, passion and a sense of family to generations of local dancers. She has lived in the Palisades since she was 2 years old.

Grateful that her condominium still stands, Tillman described this phase of life as starting over—for her, moving forward means looking back and letting go of what was lost to the debris.

Tillman’s dance studio, which she had owned since she was 18, was destroyed in the fires. Five days after the fire started, she was able to enter through the terrace level at 881 Alma Real Drive. She described the experience as overwhelming.

When she reached her office, she said she found the space torn open. She grabbed whatever she could carry, but faced the loss of 33 years of work.

The studio was dark, filled with debris, and water was dripping from the ceiling. What hurt most, she said, was seeing her bookshelf of photo albums and memories scattered on the floor. Many were burned, others water damaged.

“When I tried to pick them up, the pages just fell apart,” Tillman said. “That’s when I lost it and left.”

Three weeks later, she returned, but the rains had caused more damage and parts of the building were collapsing. Michael, her husband, told her it was too dangerous to go inside.

Her best friend and office manager, Patty Isas, managed to visit the site before the heavy rains and salvaged a few irreplaceable photos from the wall—a gift Tillman believed she would never get back.

Now, her memories of the Palisades—from her involvement with the Palisadian-Post to her crown as Miss Palisades—are stored in a single storage bin.

“Growing up in the Palisades and then having a business there for 33 years, being a part of so many parades and events, dancing for the Optimist Club, and now it’s all gone, creates a feeling of loss no words can describe,” she said. “Nothing prepares you for this.”

Tillman reopened Fancy Feet in Santa Monica on February 24 after it was built by TMC Contractors in 11 days. Inside, she has recreated familiar touches for her Fancy Feet family, including painting the walls the same baby blue and displaying programs from dance recitals over the past 30 years.

She was able to save the sign from above the original studio door—its edges burned and charred, but saved.

“The most important thing is that we still have each other and the community,” she said. “Everyone is just happy to be together.”

Her advice moving forward is simple: “Everybody needs to be patient with themselves and patient with one another. The community bond we have is so strong, and the love that is shared is very real. That’s the only way to get through—lean on the people who support you and understand what you’re going through.”

Tillman said she believes the Palisades will return, rebuilt by those who love it and make it special.

“A Silver Lining”

The Peterson Family

During the Palisades fires, Ryan Peterson was miles away at University of Chicago. He said his parents’ call was brief but heartbreaking—their home was destroyed.

“It’s surreal,” Ryan said. “The house I grew up in, everything—just gone.”

Ryan’s books and clothes remained safe in his dorm, but personal belongings were lost.

Bruce Peterson, Ryan’s father, was present that day. He said he remembers evacuating with passports and essentials, leaving much behind.

“There are things we’ll never get back,” Bruce said.

The family relocated, beginning the process of insurance claims and rebuilding. Bruce, a longtime member of Palisades Lutheran Church, focused on helping others affected. Ryan took a leave from college to support his family.

They said the fire has shifted their view of possessions.

“You realize material stuff isn’t that important,” Bruce reflected. “It’s your family that matters. But certain items—letters, yearbooks—you miss deeply.”

For Bruce’s wife, who had lived in the Palisades for decades, clearing debris was especially painful.

“For her, it was heartbreaking,” he said.

Now, the family is planning to rebuild.

“It’s the silver lining,” Bruce explained. “We can fix things and add what we’ve always wanted.”

His advice to anyone facing evacuation: “Take as much as you can, even if you think you’ll be fine.”

Despite the loss, Bruce said he remains optimistic about the community’s future.

“This is a great community,” he said. “People find ways to rebuild love, no matter where they are.”

“Not Just Service—It’s Humanity”

Lita Mustika, Manager of Palisades Garden Cafe

On the morning of January 7, Palisades Garden Cafe was already busy. Manager Lita Mustika, who has worked there for 10 years, was on duty when a customer mentioned a nearby fire after 10 a.m.

“We thought it was just a small brush fire,” Mustika recalled. “We went back to work.”

By early afternoon, smoke filled the sky. At 1 p.m., emergency alerts ordered evacuations. By 2 p.m., the cafe was empty.

For months, the Garden Cafe remained closed due to National Guard checkpoints.

“Nobody could sleep,” Mustika said. “We texted each other late at night, checking in.”

Owner James Kwon tried repeatedly to see the building and confirm whether it had survived, but was turned away. The only image he saw was from the cafe’s security camera, showing flames engulfing the area.

Days later, a photo from Seven Arrows confirmed the cafe was still standing.

“When we realized we’d survived, it was emotional,” Mustika said. “But we still didn’t know our condition or when we could return.”

When Los Angeles Department of Water and Power reopened the area, there were unlocked doors and a return of customers. The first visitors were not the regular crowds but fire management crews: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Coast Guard personnel, demolition crews, subcontractors, DWP teams.

“It was the first time in months we saw each other again,” Mustika said when the staff reunited. “Most of us came back. We resumed where we left off.”

Today, Palisades Garden Cafe is among the few businesses operating in the Palisades. Customers come from Santa Monica, Marina del Rey and even Orange County—former locals supporting the cafe.

Mustika said their motivation comes from love for the cafe and its community.

“We cry with customers,” she said. “Some lost their homes. Some are rebuilding and uncertain about when they’ll return. We want to be here for everyone. It’s not just service—it’s humanity.”

She said she believes the Palisades will never be the same, but can feel familiar again.

“Once we rebuild, I believe it will be stronger,” Mustika said.

Her message to residents is simple: “Whether you’re from here, once lived here or just work here, we want you to feel comfortable when you walk inside. Yes, much has changed outside, but here, it’s still the same.”

This series will continue in a future edition of the Palisadian-Post with Seretean’s first-hand account of the Palisades fire and ensuing debris removal process at her home.

Highlands Resident Kim Marshall Launches “#L.A. Rising: Stories of Healing, Help & Hope” Podcast

By AUDREY SMITH | Intern

In the aftermath of the Los Angeles fires, Kim Marshall, a 30-year resident of the Highlands, wanted to help her community heal through storytelling.

A veteran podcaster and wellness advocate, Marshall launched “#L.A. Rising: Stories of Healing, Help & Hope” just two weeks after the fires began.

“As a communications expert for my entire career and a podcast host and producer for the past five years, telling stories is my skill and wellness is my specialty,” she told the Palisadian-Post. “This podcast about healing, help and hope is something meaningful that I can offer to help find the light in a very dark situation.”

Marshall donates 20% of the podcast’s proceeds to The Los Angeles Trust for Children’s Health, a nonprofit that provides peer counseling and mental health support for students.

Marshall’s roots in the Palisades are deep: She and her husband, Laz Bello, were married on the bluffs off Marquez Avenue. She launched her business in the Palisades in 1995, and her son attended both Marquez Charter Elementary and Palisades Charter High schools.

Though her home in the Highlands survived the fire, she explained it is currently uninhabitable. She is temporarily living in Marina del Rey.

Since its launch, “#L.A. Rising” has featured a diverse range of guests, including Honorary Town Sheriff Sam Laganà, Supervisor Lindsey Horvath, Altadena Poet Laureate Lester Graves Lennon and Malibu-based author and filmmaker Kathy Eldon, founder of the Creative Visions Foundation. Marshall has also hosted Kehillat Israel Senior Rabbi Amy Bernstein and Master Registered and Consulting Arborist Carl Mellinger.

One of her most recent guests was U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Colonel Eric Swenson, who led the government-run debris removal program, at the conclusion of his mission. He spoke on “the rarely heard, deeply human side of disaster recovery,” read the episode description, “building trust with survivors, walking them through their darkest hours and leading teams that not only cleared debris but helped recover priceless memories from the ashes.”

In the first episode of the podcast, “Fires, Fears and Finding Hope: The Birth of #L.A. Rising,” published January 24, Marshall detailed a “deeply personal and emotional journey” through the fires. She spoke on her personal escape story, “highlighting the quick decisions and moments of grace that define such crises.”

“Every episode is an act of witnessing and of service,” Marshall said. “It’s not just about telling stories. It’s about making people feel seen, giving them resources and offering hope.”

Each episode includes a “Wellness Lift”—a segment drawing on Marshall’s background in holistic health. Experts share tools for navigating trauma, including breathwork to reduce stress and anxiety, contrast bathing for smoke exposure, and guidance on processing grief.

“I wanted each episode to not just inform, but also help listeners feel a little better,” Marshall explained.

While the podcast highlights stories of loss, its true focus is on resilience, recovery and the power of community. Looking ahead, Marshall said she hopes “#L.A. Rising” can serve as a model for other impacted communities.

“The only way we survive this is by helping each other,” she said. “If this podcast helps even one person feel better, then I’ve done my job.”

For more information, including a link to steam the episodes, visit larisingpodcast.org.

Following Her First Marathon in 2024, Pali High Alum Joanne Levey Set to Participate in Chicago and Tokyo Marathons

By SARAH SHMERLING | Editor-in-Chief

After completing her first marathon in November 2024, Palisades Charter High School graduate Joanne “Jojo” Levey is preparing for two upcoming races: Bank of America Chicago Marathon on October 12 and Tokyo Marathon 2026 on March 1.

Her first was the New York City Marathon on Sunday, November 3, 2024, which she ran while raising funds for the Organization for Autism Research’s Run for Autism Change—the same team she will be running with in Chicago. Her goal is to raise $2,100.

“Like last year, I am running with the Organization for Autism Research, raising awareness and improving resources for applied science for autism studies,” Levey said. “Through OAR’s Run Team project, I am running the marathon to increase funding for such studies.”

Run for Autism is the Organization for Autism Research’s “signature fundraising program.” Those who participate can join a team in one of the featured events, like the Chicago Marathon, or run independently as part of its DIY program.

“The Organization of Autism Research was founded by the parents (now Board of Directors) of those with autism to improve the lives of their children,” Levey wrote. “Bettering social, educational and treatment spheres has been the mission of the board, which has since been achieved through creating a Scientific Council and filling out grants to fund applied research. By investigating everyday obstacles of autistic individuals through real-world case studies (rather than large-scale clinical trials), OAR succeeds in disseminating useful information, along with love and support.”

Levey cited her own personal connection, which “extends to the work” she has done over the years, including tutoring children and adults with autism, noting: “It became evident to me how important it is to improve education for those with autism.”

After the Chicago Marathon, Levey will participate in the Tokyo Marathon 2026 with Japan Committee, Vaccines for the World’s Children. She will begin fundraising in November, with a goal of $2,500.

“Together with us, we are looking for charity runners who can run in the streets of Tokyo for the smiles and future of children in developing countries,” its website read.

For her first marathon in 2024, Levey embarked on a 25-plus-week training schedule, complete with a “massive spreadsheet.”

“I’m following a similar training method as last time where I basically made this big spreadsheet where I organize my different styles of runs,” Levey described. “I usually run four to five times a week—two times are what I call my ‘baby runs.’ They range from four to six miles.”

Another day, Levey said, is a “mid-length run,” which started at eight miles, with a plan to work up to 13. Levey’s “long run” day started at 10 miles and, as of the day of the interview, had reached 16. Her plan was to increase the mileage of the middle and long runs each week until she capped out around 50 miles per week, close to marathon day.

Training has taken on a deeper personal meaning for Levey: “My running mentor and close friend, Sean Thomas, passed away in August,” she said. “Every time I run and I do anything related to running, I always will think of him because he was such a dear friend and I just feel inspired to keep him proud.”

Though Levey moved to the East Coast when she went to college at New York University, she still has ties to the Palisades—including a younger brother who is currently a junior at Palisades Charter High School.

“My heart goes out to the whole community,” Levey said. “The Palisades is one of the strongest tight-knit communities, and I’ve felt such warmth in my heart seeing them rebuild what they have lost.”

For more information or to donate to Levey’s goal for the Chicago Marathon, visit support.researchautism.org/2025chicago/jojolevey.