Mountain Views News          Saturday, March 30, 2013

4


Mountain Views-News Saturday, March 30, 2013 

REMEMBRANCE

LOCAL BUSINESSMEN SHARE THEIR 
LOVE OF READING

Sierra Madre, CA. - 
Richard and Jeff Ward 
of E Waldo Ward & 
Son can be seen sharing 
their favorite books 
on posters around Sierra 
Madre. The posters, 
part of the Sierra Madre 
Public Library’s Read 
campaign, convey the 
simple but important 
message: READ. 

Richard & Jeff Ward 
continue to carry on the 
family tradition started 
by Edwin Waldo Ward, 
Sr. who moved to Sierra 
Madre in 1891 from 
New Jersey for a better 
life. His passion was to 
make the finest marmalade 
around and he 
started his company in 
1917. Four generations 
later, the family continues 
to make the original 
products along with 
100 more unique flavors 
made with cane sugar 
and local ingredients 
when available. Located 
behind the original 
1902 home on Highland 
Ave, the company operates 
out of the original 
buildings using equipment 
purchased many 
years ago. The family 
welcomes visitors 6 days 
a week and offers tours 
on Saturdays.

Richard Ward was born 
in 1934 here in Sierra 
Madre. He went to U.C. 
Davis and majored in Agriculture and Economics. He joined his father, Edwin Waldo Ward, Jr. in 
the business in 1966. He was instrumental in creating a more diverse product line by introducing 
barbecue sauces and seafood cocktail sauces in the 1960s. Although Richard Ward is semi-retired, he 
is still active in the business.

Jeff Ward was born in 1965 in San Leandro, California. He also attended U.C. Davis and majored in 
Food Science and Technology. He joined the family company in 1988. Jeff has helped with the introduction 
of more than 30 new items since he started. He has also helped with the company's website 
and computer technology.

Jeff Ward selected Fast Food Nation by Eric Schlosser as his reading choice, “I really liked this book 
because the author talks a little about the history of the American fast food industry, a lot of which 
took place locally. He also conveys the importance of getting back to the basics with our food. We 
must watch what we eat. There are so many foods that have hormones, antibiotics and pesticides and 
have shown to cause developmental and physical deformities. This book is very eye-opening.”

Southern California Story: Seeking the Better Life in Sierra Madre by Michele Zack was Richard 
Ward’s choice. “I think this is a great book about Sierra Madre’s history. Michele Zack did a wonderful 
job narrating the colorful history of our unique city along with Jeff Lapides. It shows the character 
and the rich history of our community along with detailed histories of individual founding families. 
My grandfather is also part of this book. I enjoyed reading it and have also given this book as a gift 
to my family.”

Bookmarks with the photos of the Wards are available at the Library. Both books featured on the 
bookmarks are available at the Sierra Madre Public Library.

Sierra Madre Public Library, 440 W. Sierra Madre Blvd., Sierra Madre, CA 91024 (626) 355-7186

ABBE J. KEITH

Abbe J. Keith, 66, died at his home, Monday, March 4, with his wife, Sharon Keith, at his side.

A lifetime resident of Sierra Madre, Abbe was a past-president of Sierra Madre Search and Rescue, 
which his family helped to found, and he was a longtime member of the Sierra Madre Rose Float Association. 
In his 50 years with the American Red Cross, he served as a first aid instructor and assisted 
at more than 100 disaster operations across the country.

In addition to his wife Sharon, Abbe leaves behind stepdaughter Andrea King (Robert), twin grandsons 
Sean and Patrick King, twin brother Roger (Deborah), and brothers Bill (Jan) and Riley, as well 
as his beloved nieces and nephews.

A memorial for Abbe will be held at Church of the Ascension in Sierra Madre, on Sunday, April 7 at 
2 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Sierra Madre Search and Rescue, or The San Gabriel 
Valley Red Cross.


Sierra Madre Police Blotter

For the period March 15-23, 2013

Friday March 15, 2013

At 1:30pm, a vehicle stopped for the stop sign at Sierra Madre Boulevard and Baldwin Avenue 
was struck from behind by another vehicle. The parties initially pulled to the side of the road and 
discussed the collision. However, moments later, the party at fault left the location without providing 
his personal information. The other party was confused as to how to proceed and did not notify the 
police department until three days later. 

Sunday March 17, 2013

At 2am, a vehicle travelling east on Orange Grove Avenue made a panic type stop at the intersection 
of Baldwin Avenue, perhaps in response to a police unit in the intersection. The officer stopped the 
vehicle to investigate and determined that the driver was under the influence. The driver failed to 
perform any of the Field Sobriety tests and was booked for DUI. It was determined that the driver 
is currently on probation for a prior DUI conviction. 

Friday March 22, 2013

During the night, unknown suspects removed wrought iron decorative lawn chairs from the front of 
a residence in the 300 block of Mariposa. No witnesses to the incident were located. 

La Salle High School will hold its 14th Annual 
Crystal Ball entitled “CirQue De La Salle on 
April 12 at the Langham Hotel in Pasadena. 
The 2013 honorees and recipients of the 
Lasallian Volunteer of the Year Award are Mr. 
and Mrs. Steve Seidner P’09,’12.

Gigantic silent and live auctions will run 
throughout the evening, and a Hawaiian vacation 
will be raffled. A live band will provide 
musical entertainment.

The Crystal Ball is La Salle's most important 
fundraising event and provides tremendous 
support 

for it's academic, art, athletic, and financial 
aid programs. These funds most significantly, 
support the San Miguel Scholarship Program 
as La Salle enrolls 5% of each entering freshman 
class into a need-based program for very 
low-income families.

For reservations or more information please 
call La Salle High School at 626.696.4312. 

LA SALLE HIGH SCHOOL’S 14 ANNUAL 

CRYSTAL BALL SET FOR APRIL 12, 2013


THE FUTURE OF AFFORDABLE HOUSING

Public Forum April 4, 2013

“Affordable Housing After the Redevelopment Era: What Now?” will be the topic of a free public 
forum April 4, 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sponsored by the League of Women Voters Pasadena Area, the 
event will be at the Women’s City Club, 160 N. Oakland Ave., Pasadena. 

A panel of professionals with expertise in housing will look at the current stagnated state of affordable 
housing in the region since Gov. Jerry Brown pulled the plug on 400 redevelopment agencies 
last year. It also will address prospects for the future. Included will be how League members and 
the public at large can help support efforts to preserve and develop affordable housing through a 
proposed Homes and Jobs Act and a $5 million-a-year fund for affordable-housing.

Here is the lineup of panelists: 

Anne Lanier Marquit, Public Counsel’s community development attorney, will discuss how California 
got into its redevelopment quagmire, what the 2013 Homes and Jobs Act can do and how 
the $5-million fund works. 

William Huang, director of the Pasadena Housing Department, will talk about how Pasadena is 
coping with a 93-percent loss in fund for affordable housing.

Joseph Carreras, housing director of the Southern California Association of Governments, will discuss 
demographics and housing patterns in the region. 

As the luncheon speaker, Michelle White, director of Affordable Housing Services in Pasadena, will 
discuss opportunities to advocate for preservation and creation of affordable housing. 

The program is free and open to the public. Lunch is available by reservation and costs $20, including 
tax and tip. The number to call for reservations is 626-798-0965. 


PLANS FOR ARMENIAN GENOCIDE MEMORIAL 
MOVE FORWARD

Submitted by Chris Chahinian, Chairman Armenian Community Coalition 

On Wednesday Morning, March 27, 2013, members of the Armenian Community Coalition in 
Pasadena met with Pasadena City officials regarding the submission of a design for the Armenian 
Genocide Memorial in Victory Park. This was the second meeting between said parties.

Among the city officials attending the meeting were Siobhan Foster, Director of Public Works, Daniel 
A. Rix, City Engineer, and Loren Pluth, Project Manager for Parks and Landscape. 

Also present at the meeting was the monument designer Vahram Hovagimyan, who introduced 
himself and gave a brief description of the features of the design and its contents.

The design and its features were warmly welcomed and then Mr. Pluth, Project Manager for Parks and 
Landscape, asked that we also submit specific proposals about the landscape around the monument.

The meeting was cordial and the discussion centered on the purpose of the monument, which was 
to point out “man’s inhumanity against man”. Also constructive concerns were raised about the 
maintenance and the upkeep of the monument, so it would be a lasting one.

The Armenian Community Coalition of Pasadena hopes to have this project realized by the year 
2015, which coincides with the Centennial of the Twentieth Century’s First Genocide.