BRAMA, Mar 18, 2004, 9:00 am ET
OP-ED
'Sunny Ukes' - The San Diego Ukrainians
— by Max Pyziur and Hanya Krill
San Diego - Birthplace of Gregory Peck, Home to Basketball Hall of Famer Bill Walton, Ukrainian-American Ophthalmologist Bill Selezinka, The House of Ukraine and one UFO (Ukrainian Forensics Official).
With its sunny idyllic climate, pristine seashore varied hilly palm-tree graced terrain San Diego offers a number of attractions. With the San Diego Zoo, Sea World, the Anza Borrego Desert State Park it boasts a number of world-class attractions.
Further, San Diego has Balboa Park, the largest urban cultural park in the US, which along with the Zoo features 15 museums, numerous art galleries, beautiful gardens, and the House of Pacific Relations International Cottages (established in 1935).
Ukrainian crafts are featured in display cases.
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Included in the House of Pacific Relations cottages is the House of Ukraine (HOU), a cultural focal point and showcase for the Ukrainian-American community in San Diego. Open Sundays from noon to 4pm the cottage has permanent displays of Ukrainian folk costumes and pysanky. In addition, the House of Ukraine participates in the annual House of Pacific Relations Ethnic Food Fair (held on Memorial weekend Sunday) and hosts its own Ukrainian Festival, which features concerts, tours, and a "zabava."
Murals depict the regional diversity of Ukrainian costumes.
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Although small, it is well maintained by the tireless volunteers (the 'Sunny Ukes') who make the House of Ukraine an unparalleled charm. With Vera Skop as President, Bill Loznycky as immediate past President and the other officers, the leadership of HOU along with other volunteers comprise a team that sets HOU apart from most other Ukrainian organizations. In addition to being a local cultural attraction, the HOU concentrates on raising funds not just for itself but for other selected humanitarian groups. A variety of Ukrainian American and Canadian organizations have been recipients of HOU's generosity over the years. A few of the beneficaries have been the Children of Chornobyl Relief Fund, the Ukrainian Orphan Society and the Dzherelo Society. HOU has also donated to programs that support special projects in Ukraine such as the Lviv School for the Blind and a children's summer camp in the Carpathian Mountains.
Bill Loznycky, a self-described UFO - Ukrainian Forensics Official working for the San Diego Police Department - and former president of the HOU.
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Bill and his wife, Darka, are teaching their daughter about the rewards of volunteer work early in life.
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Honk if you see the SUV attached to this license plate tooling around San Diego.
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House of Ukraine, Balboa Park in San Diego
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