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More Reasons Every Day to Be Proud of San Pedro

San Pedro has had a long love affair with the armed services, but not without cost. This was poignantly illustrated by two recent events honoring a pair of San Pedro Marines who fought more than 60 years apart.

The first was the military funeral at Green Hills Memorial Park for PFC Roger Gonzales, a S`48 San Pedro High School graduate, who was killed in 1950 at the Battle of the Chosin Reservoir during the Korean War. His remains were only recently identified and returned to his family. Hundreds of people, mostly relatives, and friends from his old La Rambla neighborhood who knew of the service only through social media or word of mouth, attended, along with a busload of Marines. Kudos to Green Hills for putting together a moving tribute to one of San Pedro’s lost sons.

The second event was the induction of Ralph DeQuebec in the Los Angeles Sportswalk of Fame as a recipient of the Pat Tillman Award. The cover story of last month’s San Pedro Today, DeQuebec, a 1991 San Pedro High grad, was a gunnery sergeant when he lost both legs in an IED explosion in Afghanistan in 2012. He walked to the microphone at the Sportswalk ceremony on his prosthetic legs and drew a rousing, standing ovation. His tearful thank yous included a touching salute to his former football coach at San Pedro High School, Mike Walsh. Both events got lots of airplay on local television.

On the national front…

Hey, isn’t that…?

If you’re watching pro football (and that’s most of you), you may have noticed a lot of San Pedro lately.
Otis Livingston, the former San Pedro High School (1985) and Kansas basketball star, is an Emmy Award-winning sportscaster in New York, where he’s also been the sideline reporter on New York Giants and Jets games.

John Hussey, probably Mary Star High’s most famous gridiron alum besides Tim Wrightman, is back for his fourth season as a referee in the NFL. He started his NFL career in 2002 as a line judge, the position he had in the 2011 Super Bowl. You don’t have to look very closely to notice the latest Apple Watch commercial, seen regularly during games, was filmed entirely in San Pedro. It starts out in front of the Point Fermin Market on 39th and Pacific, moves to God-mother’s Saloon downtown, and ends up at Cabrillo Beach. Of course, no one unfamiliar with San Pedro would have a clue as to the locale.

Those watching the baseball playoffs got to see another native San Pedran, Aaron Hicks, who is rising to stardom as the starting centerfielder for the New York Yankees. Hicks, the son of San Pedro High School Hall of Famer Jojo Hicks, was born here, but raised in Orange County. It’s obvious where he got all his talent – his aunt is Cardte Hicks, who was inducted into the San Pedro Hall of Fame with her brother.

In the Land of Social Media…

Two thumbs up for the new website, storieslaharborarea.com, featuring interviews with Harbor Area residents, some well-known, some not so well-known, talking about local history. The short vignettes, co-produced by San Pedro Today columnist and Emmy Award-winner, Jack Baric, and L.A. Harbor International Film Festival founder, Stephanie Mardesich, are a promising start to what should be a valuable and entertaining addition to our digital historical archive.

And for you music fans out there, check out the interview on Minnesota Public Radio with San Pedro composer Mark McKenzie (a Minnesota native) on his latest soundtrack for the animated film, Max and Me. The film, telling the true story of Franciscan friar Maximillian Kolbe, who died in Auschwitz and was canonized in 1982, has yet to be released, but the soundtrack is available as a download. The interview is available at yourclassical.org.

More Hall of Famers…

San Pedro High School alum John Burich (W`54) was recently honored when Carson High School named its weight room after him. Burich is a legend in San Pedro; he was a lifeguard at Cabrillo Beach for 50 years (1953-2003) and wrestled professionally. He also was a longtime biology teacher at Carson, where he instituted weight training in 1969 and was credited with helping develop the players who made the Colts a city powerhouse throughout the `70s and `80s. Considering San Pedro High School’s football fortunes during that same period, is it fair to ask how we let this one get away?

San Pedro High School’s Tony Dobra, the most successful softball coach in city history, will be inducted into the LAUSD Hall of Fame next year. Dobra, also inducted into the Sportswalk this year, will be the fifth San Pedro High School alum inducted into the biennial LAUSD hall, joining Willie Naulls, Louise Figlewicz Quick, Frank Endo, and Cardte Hicks.

Jeff Kiesel, my San Pedro High School classmate (W`69) and best man at my wedding, was recently inducted into the Aquatic Capital of America Hall of Fame in Long Beach in the new category of paddling. Kiesel, who starred for both the Pirate and YMCA swim teams, moved from the pool to boat racing in the `70s. He started out in outriggers and was a member of the U.S. national over-50 dragon boat team that finished second in the 2007 World Championships in Sydney. He’s not done; he’s hoping to make the over-60 team next year.

Members of Facebook’s San Pedro Born and Raised and Very Proud group are familiar with the woodcarvings of San Pedro native, Raymond Kinman (I went to school with his late brother, Larry). Now living in Northern California, Kinman was a Disney Imagineer for many years, and will be featured on PBS’s “The American Woodshop” with Scott and Suzy Phillips, when the new season premieres in January. This guy has some mad skills, but don’t take my word for it. Visit his website at wood-carverguru.com.

Steve Marconi can be reached at spmarconi@yahoo.com.

Živjeli to Love!

“If you wanna be happy for the rest of your life, better make a Croatian woman your wife…”

Okay, so that’s not technically how the 1963 Jimmy Soul song goes, but perhaps it should have.

Katarina (Dusevic)’s upbringing was very much a part of the Croatian community of San Pedro. “My dad came to San Pedro in the ‘70s from Croatia,” she explains. “Both he and his brother got married and started their families here.” Growing up, Katarina enjoyed participating in a variety of traditional activities, including performing folklore dancing for many years.

Billy, according to Katarina, “had an all-American upbringing on the hill,” including playing baseball at Peninsula High School, where the couple both attended and met in 2005. Though they often ran in the same social circles, their love story didn’t officially start then. “Billy claims he tried to get my attention a couple of times while back in school,” says Katarina. “But to this day, I don’t buy it.”

About ten years later, Billy enjoyed a trip to the Balkans. While traveling, he remembered fondly the Croatian girl he once went to high school with. “One Facebook request, and the rest is history!” says Billy.

The couple dated for two years, and while both shared interests such as a love of outdoor activities, including hiking, paddle boarding, and tennis, the duo also have differences that still compliment one another. “I like to think we are the perfect yin and yang couple,” says Katarina. “I am very emotional and he is very logical.”

Billy’s logic certainly came in handy on March 5, 2017. Planning to propose, he asked Katarina to go on a walk with him…in the rain. “I was complaining the whole time and being a total brat,” Katarina humorously recalls. After about ten minutes of trying to persuade her to go to a more secluded location, Billy got down on one knee and proposed. As luck would have it, the sun quickly came out just in time for the newly engaged couple to head to Billy’s parents home, where both families were waiting to celebrate.

Later that summer, it was Katarina’s turn to help create a memorable experience. This time, in her family’s homeland. The couple stayed at Katarina’s family home in Croatia, where Billy was able to experience the “selo [village] life.” The trip also included a four-day stop in Ireland, where Billy’s ancestors are from.

The love of family and heritage continued on their wedding day, April 7, 2018, at St. Anthony’s Croatian Catholic Church in Downtown Los Angeles.

The traditional ceremony, officiated by Father Zvonimir Coric, included father of the bride, Mate Dusevic, escorting Katarina down the aisle in front of 375 guests in attendance. The couple was also joined by mother of the bride, Dinka; parents of the groom, Robert and Stephanie Barron; matrons of honor, Ivana Bujas and Zora Kunich; bridesmaids Zrinka Dusevic, Kimberly Hults, Marina Kaymakcalan, and Stacey Williams; best man, Bryan Alt; and groomsmen, Robert Bujas, Brian Hults, Frank Kunich, Drew Whelchel, and Ryan Williams.

The youngest members of the wedding party included flower girls, Petra Bujas and Mila Kunich, and “ring security,” Christopher Bujas, Luka Kaymakcalan, Marko Kunich, Eric Williams, and Mark Williams.

During cocktail hour in St. Anthony’s main hall, guests were treated to delicious small bites and Croatian liquors, all while enjoying traditional tamburica music.

The lively wedding reception included family-style dinner and entertainment provided by DJ Bill Lovelace. A Croatian celebration wouldn’t be complete without dessert. “The desserts were endless,” Katarina exclaims. “My mom has baked thousands of cookies and desserts for other friends and family’s weddings, and the favor was certainly returned in kind.”

Though it is difficult to pick a favorite moment of the night, the couple shares a personal memory. “When we sat down to have dinner, I told Katarina to look up and just absorb what was going on,” recalls Billy. “For about a minute, we just sat there, in awe that all the hard work paid off, and all of these people were here for us.” Katarina adds, “It was an incredible feeling.”

Three months after the big day, the newlyweds went on a honeymoon to Bali, Indonesia. They, of course, made time to cheer on Croatia in the 2018 World Cup.

In addition to Katarina working towards getting her Master’s Degree in Counseling from LMU in May, the couple hopes to continue their love of travel and visit as many destinations as possible. They later hope to start a family, and pass down their inherited pride in their culture, while also creating their own special traditions for the next generation.

Billy and Katarina currently reside in Rancho Palos Verdes. Billy is an account executive for Bridgestone Global Mining, and Katarina is a fourth-grade teacher at Holy Trinity School in San Pedro.

Little America

Historically, there are only two areas in the entirety of San Pedro that were dominated by a single ethnic group, so much so that it warranted a nickname.

The earliest was “Little Sweden” on 6th Street between Centre and Mesa Streets before the business district crept west from the waterfront. The last and largest was “Mexican Hollywood,” a poor neighborhood of ramshackle homes in the area where the cruise ship terminal now sits. Any other “little” designation is contrived and could be construed as disrespectful to the inter-mingled fabric of San Pedro’s storied diverse neighborhoods where on any given block you could count as many different ethnicities as you have fingers on your hands. It makes as much sense claiming a large swath of San Pedro for any one group as it would to claim something similar on Ellis Island.

If San Pedro is a “little” anything, it is a Little America. It was the port of opportunity, and every single San Pedran is united by the fact that someone in our family was smart enough to realize it and brave enough to cross countries and oceans to get here. San Pedro is proof positive that the grand experiment that is America can work, that immigrants from all over the world can come here, live together, work hard and give their families better lives. These Pedro pioneers managed to retain their cultural identities while becoming fierce Americans, instilling in their children the importance of making your voice heard, whether it be on the picket line or at the ballot box. Diversity, work ethic and civic engagement are the core pillars of San Pedro culture and we should use them to build more than just a plaza, San Pedro needs a museum.

A museum is the mirror a community needs to see their experiences reflected in, a place where their stories can be told. San Pedro’s unique culture and history, apart from the city of Los Angeles and even the port, make it more than deserving of such a place. And there is no better time than now for one to emerge, because we’re going to need it. San Pedro is on the verge of major change and we need to have the knowledge of our past to guide us through these uncertain waters.

A quick look at history shows us that we’ve been in this position before. Charismatic leaders waving the banner of development, promising that what we sacrifice today will bring a better San Pedro tomorrow. In 1909, we gave up our independence to the city of Los Angeles and in the 1970s we gave up Beacon Street. The question we should all be asking ourselves is, what are we willing to give up today?

San Pedro is going to change, but it’s up to all of us to make sure that we have a say in how it changes. The world can’t afford to overlook this community anymore. We’ve been told time and time again that we’re the next frontier. So, whatever you love about San Pedro, be prepared to fight for it, however you can.

There is so much I love about San Pedro that it would tear me apart trying to save it all. I’m reminded of a slogan that appeared on a banner over Beacon Street at the height of the battle over joining the City of L.A., “Take All But Our Harbor.”

Take all but our stories.

Buildings and people come and go but their stories can last forever if we give them a venue. And there are thousands of stories begging to be told. That’s why I’ve decided to establish the San Pedro Heritage Museum.

Heritage, to me, means a history and a culture that has been passed on through a commonality. San Pedro is the thing that unites all San Pedrans, the transplants and the legacies. The mission of the San Pedro Heritage Museum will be to identify, preserve, and promote our unique history and culture.

Undated photo of women in various traditional cultural dress outside Point Fermin Lighthouse. (photo: courtesy San Pedro Bay Historical Society)
Undated photo of women in various traditional cultural dress outside Point Fermin Lighthouse. (photo: courtesy San Pedro Bay Historical Society)

This is how I’m choosing to fight for the San Pedro I love. It’s a big deal and I’m super scared but my strength comes from these stories, like the one about a boy from Mexican Hollywood who grew up to be a lifeguard and turned some jars on a card table into the Cabrillo Marine Aquarium. I’m going to honor that boy, John Olguin, and just “do it, do it.”

If you’re willing to fight for the San Pedro you love and want to arm yourself with some history, please join me Sunday, November 4, at Siren’s Java & Tea House (356 W. 7th Street) at 1 p.m. for a free presentation called, “San Pedro History Basics.” This will be a great introduction to key events in local history. I will also be sharing more about my plans for the San Pedro Heritage Museum and how you can get involved. For more information and to RSVP, please email sanpedroher-itagemuseum@gmail.com or call (310) 808-7800.

L.A. Sportswalk of Fame Honors Local Athletes

The San Pedro Sportswalk to the Waterfront received a brand new name. The newly-titled Los Angeles Sportswalk of Fame celebrated a new group of honorees at an induction ceremony on Monday, October 8.

The nonprofit organization, which also celebrates its 40th anniversary, also held its event at a new location, in front of the Battleship USS Iowa. Record attendance was set for the occasion, and more than $20,000 was raised for the local Boys & Girls Clubs.

Rick Pielago, President of the L.A. Sportswalk Foundation, noted, “I think we set a new standard for our organization with our latest induction. We had world-class athletic talent, a hometown flair, coupled with a military salute while raising money for a great cause. But, being competitive types ourselves, we can’t wait to break our own records in 2019.”

This year, the L.A. Sportswalk presented a plaque to a record-number eleven inductees. Special guests involved in the induction ceremony included Los Angeles County Supervisor Janice Hahn, and Los Angeles City Councilmember Joe Buscaino, who awarded each athlete with proclamations from both the County and City.

Sportscasters Petros Papadakis and Ed Arnold (Sportswalk honoree), and Vince Ferragamo (Sportswalk honoree), took turns at the podium with introductions, remarks, and questions for the newest inductees.

Bringing the illustrious total up to 150 honorees, this year’s L.A. Sportswalk of Fame inductees included:

Swimming legend, Joe Bird, has run over 25 marathons and competed in the Hawaiian Iron Man four times, but is best known for a wonderful career teaching and coaching swimming and water polo from 1961–1981 at Fermin Lasuen and Mira Costa High Schools. In three short years at Mira Costa, he turned the Mustangs into a swimming and water polo powerhouse, developing over 30 swimming All-Americans, countless All-CIF water polo players, and led both a 14’s team and a 16’s team to water polo national championships.

Motorcycle racing legend, Johnny Campbell, a San Clemente native, is an 11-time Baja 1000 Champion, establishing himself as one of the Kings of the Desert. Campbell’s success at the Baja 1000, where riders navigate their way across 1,000 miles of rugged Mexican terrain, is beyond explainable, winning eleven times at insane speeds on a motorcycle, a feat many in the sport consider to be untouchable.

Tillman Award winner, Ralph De-Quebec, USA Paralympic Sled Hockey Gold Medalist, United States Marine, San Pedro High School football alumni, who was notably featured on the cover of last month’s issue of San Pedro Today.

Baseball legend and business mogul, Ray Deeter, earned All-City honors at San Pedro High School for baseball and went on to Compton College after serving for the US in the Navy. In 1948, Ray played in the National Association of Professional Baseball Leagues in 1948, followed by World Softball Championships in 1952-1953. In 1962 with the Mary Star softball team, he won another world championship in Connecticut and was named MVP of the tournament. Deeter was also a successful business leader in San Pedro for over 40 years.

Softball coaching legend and Trani Award winner, Tony Dobra, garnered an impeccable coaching record in 35 years coaching both at San Pedro High School and Mary Star. In his 29 years with San Pedro, the Pirates won 21 league crowns and 13 CIF-Los Angeles City Section championships. Dobra won 735 games, fourth all time in California according to Cal-Hi Sports.

Christopher Forsberg is the most successful drifting driver, having won three championships and 57 podium finishes. In Japan, Forsberg won a third Formula Drift championship.

Don Horn had an illustrious career in football at Gardena High from 1960–1962, and later quarterbacked Harbor College to an unbeaten 1964 season, played at San Diego State and quarterbacked the Aztecs to a 1966 “Small College” national championship. In 1967, he was drafted 25th overall in the NFL by legendary Green Bay Packers Coach Vince Lomardi, and was a member of the 1967 Packers team that won Super Bowl II.

Robby Gordon, son of off-road racer “Baja Bob Gordon,” got his start in off-road racing and won five straight SCORE championships from 1986–1990, a sixth championship in 1996, and then a seventh in 2009. In his career Gordon has won titles in Indy Cars, NASCAR sports cars, and off-road race cars, piling up victories in the Trans-Am Series, Formula Off-Road Series, the Inaugural Stadium Super Truck Championship, the Baja 1000 three times, and the Baja 500 four times.

Frank Manumaleuna was a four-sport star at Banning High in the early 1970s, but it was football where he most excelled. Manumaleuna went on to play at the likes of UCLA, San Jose State, the NFL’s Kansas City Chiefs, and the USFL Portland Breakers in his career.

NFL Hall of Famer and USC athletic director, Lynn Swann, who as a top-notch wide receiver, was a member of the 1972 undefeated national champion Trojans team, and won four Super Bowls with the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Mike Scioscia, who recently finished his 19th season as the manager of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, lead-ing the Angels to the World Series title in 2002, and won over 1,500 games. In his playing days, Scioscia played in the Major Leagues for 15 years, winning two World Series with the Los Angeles Dodgers in 1981 and 1988.

Class of 2018 (l to r): Robby Gordon, Mike Scoiscia, Frank Manumaleuna, Lynn Swann, Tony Dobra, Johnny Campbell, Joe Bird, Chris Fors-berg, Don Horn and Ralph DeQuebec. Councilman Joe Buscaino and Supervisor Janice Hahn (center) were also in attendance. (photo: Michael Baker)

Taking the Stage

“Vulnerability is our greatest strength,” says Renée O’Connor, actor, producer, director, and resident of San Pedro. “In this time in our lives when the risks of being open and accessible are scarier than when I was a kid, being strong enough to speak what is truthful, being compassionate with everyone, and being authentic in every moment is vital to being a great actor.” Keeping these principals in mind, O’Connor (famously known for her role as Gabrielle in Xena: Warrior Princess) is using her expertise to help young and aspiring actors learn more about their craft, as well as themselves.

Photo of Renée O'Connor (photo: courtesy Renée O'Connor)
Renée O’Connor (photo: courtesy Renée O’Connor)

O’Connor, along with husband, Jed Sura, and their children, are all heavily involved in the San Pedro arts and theater community, including work with Encore South Bay, Little Fish Theatre, and her own production company, ROC Productions. “There have been many opportunities where we work with [kids] to develop their scenes, both on and off the stage,” says O’Connor. “Eventually, I had enough parents asking, ‘When are you going to start a class in our area?’ And so, I did it.”

Her Fundamentals of Acting classes are geared for ages 13 and up, with O’Connor teaching a variety of skills and methods, most notably, the Sanford Meisner Technique. “The technique teaches how to live truthfully in a moment,” says O’Connor. “Its still in the foundation of everything I do, on stage and in film.” In addition, she also offers classes that assist in audition techniques, as well as an introduction to performing Shakespeare. “I teach a way to deconstruct the text, so there is no fear,” she explains.

In today’s evolving entertainment world, young actors face new challenges. “Young actors today have a delicate balance to play with social media,” O’Connor describes. “On one hand, producers will take an interest in actors who are ‘influencers’ or who have a large following on social media. It also offers these young actors a platform to develop their own material and have instant feedback. The problem, which in my opinion, is larger than the benefit of having a large social media following, is that these actors very quickly think their greatness is in response to how many ‘likes’ they have acquired. Therefore, the amount of time spent trying to please an audience who is a click away from bullying you is time wasted. Instead, I am persuasive about guiding students to develop a craft which will be useful as a great actor.”

In addition to producing the film Watch the Sky, directed by San Pedro-raised, Alex Murillo, as well as recently finishing her second production with Little Fish Theatre, On Clover Road, O’Connor herself is constantly learning from her performances, saying, “I am always looking for new challenges.”

Looking to the future, O’Connor hopes to see young actors thrive in their careers, become involved within the local arts community, and continue to teach her a thing or two. “The students I have now have a desire to learn and that is infectious,” she proudly shares. “They are trusting me by being in my class and being open to what I have to say.” She adds, “I am honored, really.”

Fundamentals of Acting classes are held at the Grand Annex (434 W. 6th St.). For more information, visit ROCpictures.com.

Dojo Defense

What is Budo? Traditionally in Japanese, “bu” means war, and “do” means way or path to enlightenment. However, its meaning is much greater in concept. Marcus Bossett, Renshi and owner of the recently opened Budo Pavilion explains, “It’s a life choice.”

Bossett’s martial arts knowledge took shape while he was a pre-teen attending military school. In a teacher’s attempt to avoid Bossett’s failing of a class, he was encouraged to participate in a karate lesson. “In that class, I gained pride, honor, respect, and self-worth,” Bossett recalls. “[That teacher] changed the course of my life.”

Martial arts quickly became a passion for Bossett, who later participated in UFC fighting as well as a variety of work within film and television. As a certified instructor and fifth-degree black belt, he has dedicated his life to teaching those same values and inspiring others through his craft. “I am someone who loves the martial arts and wants to keep tradition, but share it in a new way,” he explains.

One particular program that is gaining attention is Budo Pavilion’s women’s self-defense class, which is offered weekly on Friday nights and is free of charge. “As a black man with a black belt, I feel it is my responsibility to offer these free classes and help protect my community,” says Bossett. Bossett’s personal connection to the horrific crimes of assault inspired him to help others learn how to properly defend themselves. After the tragic passing of his sister, Bossett decided to help empower women and provide them with important, life-saving techniques. “I wish that no woman would ever go through this kind of trauma,” says Bossett. “I provide defenses that are easy, fast, and effective.”

The main focus of all programs offered is to enhance the lives of members of the San Pedro community, “We want to help kids and young adults learn more about themselves, and build strong bodies, as well as character,” says Bossett. “As for adults, we also offer fun and exciting training opportunities.”

Budo Pavilion is a unique dojo, featuring a knowledgeable and expert sensei staff, and offering a wide variety of programs for all levels, including karate, kobudo, kyudo, aikido, kendo, jiujitsu, and kung-fu. They also offer training in European swords, Western archery, and for you Star Wars fans, even light sabers!

“I want to help San Pedro become a stronger destination city. I want to bring the best martial arts teachers here from all over the world, and through the practice of martial arts and self-defense, help people grow from unsure to beyond confident,” says Bossett.

Budo Pavilion is located at 1117 S. Pacific Ave. Free Woman’s Self Defense Classes (Ages 15+) are held every Friday, 7:30 – 8:30p. For more info, call (424) 287-BUDO (2836) or visit budopavilion.net.

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