Mountain Views News          Saturday, June 19, 2010

Story of Father’s Day

 Father’s Day is a beautiful festival 
that acknowledges and appreciates 
the important role played by a father 
in raising the child and consequently 
building a stronger society. Though 
fathers have been revered at all times 
by civilizations across the globe 
ironically what was missing until the 
last century was the official recognition 
of the significance of fathers in ones 
life. Father’s Day story is the tale of 
realization of the need for a Father’s 
Day festival primarily by Ms Sonora 
Louise Smart Dodd of Washington. The 
story narrates Sonora’s unflagging struggle 
to officially set a day to honor all fathers. 
Thanks to Sonora, today Fathers Day is 
celebrated in a large number of countries 
around the world. 

The Beginning of Father’s Day Story

Historians have recorded that there was 
a tradition to celebrate Father’s Day even 
thousands of years ago. Their study say 
that 4,000 years ago in Babylon a son called 
Elmesu carved a father’s day message on a 
clay card. In his message Elmesu wished 
his father a long and healthy life. There is 
no knowledge as to what happened to this 
father son duo but it is believed that several 
countries retained the custom of celebrating 
Father’s Day. 

Genesis of Father’s Day in Modern Society

The tradition of celebrating Father’s Day as 
seen today originated in the last century. 
Though there are several people who are 
credited for furthering the cause of Father’s 
Day, there is far greater acceptance for Ms 
Sonora Louise Smart Dodd’s contribution. A 
doting daughter from Spokane, Washington, 
Ms Dodd is recognized as the Founder or 
Mother of the Father’s Day Festival. 

Inception of the Father’s Day took place in 
Sonora’s mind when she happened to hear 
a Mother’s Day sermon in 1909. Sonora, 
who was 27 then, had begun to recognize 
the hardships her father must have gone 
through while bringing up his six children 
alone. When Sonora was 16, her mother 
had died during childbirth. Sonora’s father 
a Civil War veteran by the name of William 
Jackson Smart raised six children including 
the newborn on his own. Sonora questioned 
that if there is a day to recognize mothers 
then why is not there a day to honor fathers? 

Many people laughed and joked at Sonora’s 
idea. But her will did not droop. She began 
a sincere campaign lobbying for the cause of 
Father’s Day. Her hard work began to show 
signs of success when Spokane celebrated its 
first Father’s Day on June 19, 1910 with the 
support of Spokane Ministerial Association 
and the local Young Men’s Christian 
Association (YMCA). To pay tribute to 
her affectionate father, Sonora wished that 
Father’s Day be celebrated on her father’s 
birthday on June 5, but it so happened that 
there was not enough time for preparation 
and the day came to be celebrated on third 
Sunday in the month of June. 

The noble idea of celebrating Father’s Day 
became quite popular in US so much so that 
President Woodrow Wilson approved of the 
festival in 1916. President Calvin Coolidge 
too supported the idea but it was President 
Lyndon Johnson who signed a Presidential 
Proclamation declaring the third Sunday 
of June as Father’s Day in 1966. Then in 
1972, President Richard Nixon established 
a permanent national observance of Father’s 
Day to be held on the third Sunday of June. 

Fathers Day Celebration in Present Time

Father’s Day has become a hugely popular 
festival. World over people thank their father 
and pay tribute to them. Most commonly 
children gift Father’s Day cards and flowers 
to their father. Neckties are a popular gift 
on the occasion of Father’s Day. Due to 
the tradition of giving gifts, cards makers, 
florists and gift sellers campaign for Father’s 
Day Festival in a big way and cash in on the 
sentiments of the people. 

Good Food and Drink

7

Mountain Views News Saturday, June 19, 2010

TABLE FOR TWO 

By Peter Dills

Masa Restaurant

Fuji is back!

 Thomas Wolfe, in 1940, said, “You can never go home again.” That line has 
become a popular expression. Several years ago I was singing the praises of 
Masa Restaurant in Central Pasadena. Then things changed, and I went back 
only on and off – mostly off. I can’t tell you the number of times that I’ve zipped past this very local 
restaurant as I travel on the way to my next Odyssey to experience another restaurant about which 
everyone is buzzing. Often I wonder about that so-near restaurant I just passed on my own corner – it’s 
been a while, but I’m on my way elsewhere. 

 I often have to remind myself: Slow down, Peter. I am off to a restaurant here, an engagement there, 
frantically trying to keep appointments as they race toward me on the calendar. It is a fleeting thought 
while I race to make the next meeting. Every once in awhile though, I jump off that appointment book 
and slam on the brakes and stop at just a place. When my Pal, Roberto, who first introduced me to 
Masa called me last Friday to inform me that Fuji was back. Is that Master Sushi Chef Fuji Wara who 
has returned to his familiar and successful role at the Masa Restaurant? My experience with his former 
creations are ones that I still remember with fondness. Yes, it is – and I’m like, “Hold on - I am hitting 
the brakes”. Here Masa is, right down the corner from my house, and I pass by it more times than I 
shave each day. I told Robert, “I’ll meet you there.” 

 Masa Restaurant is a Japanese Fusion/Sushi Bar. When I walked in, it was like nothing had changed. 
There was Fuji, smiling at me and asking me if I want the Spicy Tuna handroll – how amazing he still 
remembers that’s what I always got!!! I threw him a curve ball, though, and ordered the two premium 
rolls, which were phenomenal. The Fantasy Roll ($11.95) crab meat, wrapped inside, then topped with 
albacore, fried garlic and green onion. Robert, who is as good at sharing as he is in finding restaurants, 
ordered the 9 months later, ($11.95) breaded white tiger shrimp with spicy tuna and avocado topped 
with peppered seared salmon, lemon and housemade pesto. Friends this is good eats!! 

 At Masa you experience the skill of a Samurai warrior as the restaurant is in the very able hands of 
Master Sushi Chef Fuji Wara. You may remember him from Komoshi in years past. Fuji might be a 
little older these days but he has not lost his comedic spirit and still retains the highest mastery of his 
art!!!  First timers to experienced Sushi lovers will enjoy Masa Restaurant.  I am told that Fuji goes 
down to the Fish Market at least four times a week to pick his prey, so there is no need to worry about 
freshness.

 

 Do you like a Sushi Restaurant with an extensive Sake 
selection?  Well, there are over 30 different selections 
ranging in price. Not sure what to order, Fuji will 
give you a taste of his secret stash and you won’t be 
disappointed.

 
Let me not forget the appetizers. On my recent 
visit I tried the Heart Attack, a fried stuffed jalapeño 
with cream cheese and spicy tuna ($6.50), the Monky 
(sic) Brain, a deep-fried spicy tuna and crab-stuffed 
mushroom ($7.50), and the Yellowtail Sushi ($6.95) 
prepared simply , i.e., naked, and was magnificent. 
You know, there are a several good sushi restaurants in 
Pasadena, and Masa is now the leader of the pack.  The 
restaurant is owned and managed by Peter Park, who 
used to run a kitchen cookware manufacturing plant. 
He is very personable, and he might even sit with you 
for a little sake - now that is a potential friend. 

 Masa Restaurant, 2063 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena 
(626) 796-9604

 Check out their website for exact hours and updates...
www.masapasadena.com


Happy Hour 322 

Great food under 5 bucks! 

$5 martinis ~ $3 Pints of imported beers 

$3 cocktails ~ $3 vino's 

 4pm - 6:30 Tues thru Sun 

 

Early Bird Dinner Special 

 20% off your check every day 4:00 - 6:30

ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY Great Live Music 

 No Cover, No Minimum 


SIERRA MADRE’S FARMERS MARKET!

Wednesday 3-7 pm 

Fresh vegetables and seasonal fruits from California family farms. Specialty foods, vegetarian and vegan 
dishes, ethnic foods and hot food - Everything you’ll find at the farmers market has been made or picked 
fresh, is pesticide-free and preservative-free. 

Free public parking on Mariposa. 

Mountain Views News 80 W Sierra Madre Blvd. No. 327 Sierra Madre, Ca. 91024 Office: 626.355.2737 Fax: 626.609.3285 Email: editor@mtnviewsnews.com Website: www.mtnviewsnews.com