The first Father's Day message was carved in clay by a young Babylonian boy name Elmesu nearly 4,000 years ago. His wish for his father was to have good health and a long life.

Throughout time men have been a source of protection,  comfort,  inspiration,  education  and love for their children and  often for many other youngsters.  Fathers, whether by nature or deeds deserve this day to commemorate their importance to children or all ages.

Not until 1909 was a day set aside to honor Fathers. And this came about through the effort of Sonora Dodd who dreamed up the idea to honor her father and other fathers. William Jackson Smart, Sonora's father, had raised her and her five siblings after their mother died in childbirth.

A Mother's Day sermon at Sonora's church near her home in Washington State, reminded her about the sacrifices her father had made for his children and the fine job he had done in raising them. Because her father had been born in June, she decided to encourage the churches in her area to honor fathers in June. Through her efforts, the first Father's Day was celebrated in Spokane, Washington, in June 1910.

Here are some interesting links honoring Father's Day: Wilstar's Father's Day celebration that includes famous quotes about fathers, play a word search game, and send an electronic greeting card. If you're looking for some jokes to tell Dad, check out our Coffee Break section with hundreds of tales that will tickle his funny bone.

"Enjoy Father's Day" is a site loaded with links dedicated to Fathers and the same is true of Father's Day Funology.  Play the cool Famous Fathers Word Search game.

See who are Famous Fathers and take the Famous Fathers Quiz or Biography's Father's Day Quiz. And, check to see what famous people were born on your father's birthday.

Most popular boys names in 2002 - is you name on the list?  If you want to become a more informed Dad, then Fathers.com or Fathers First are worth visiting.  

How many of the 30 pro baseball games will your Dad watch from his easy chair this weekend? Here's the schedule. Better yet, take him to Pac Bell Park in San Francisco and watch the Giants . . . win.  An easy way to get there is to take B.A.R.T. to San Francisco and get off at the Embarcadero Center and pick up a free transfer ticket, then go down one level inside the B.A.R.T. station to the trolly, which will stop right in front of Pac Bell Park - Truly an easy and fun way to go to the ball game. Or, take the Alameda or Jack London Square Ferry or the Marin. County Ferry Both will take you right to the dock at Pac Bell Park.

If your Dad is going to be in his boat on the bay he'll need these links: National Weather Service - SFBay - The National Weather Service's Bay Area Home Page.  Real Time San Franciso Bay Wind - Real-time graphic rendering of wind strength and direction.  Real Time San Francisco Bay Currents - Real-time graphic rendering of current strength and direction.   Northern California Marine Forecast  - synopsis of the Northern California marine forecast at a glance. Or, go with him whale watching on the San Francisco Bay.

If you're cooking for Dad this weekend, check out my sister's recipes on her web site in Cyber Kitchen and her Prior Recipe Index, especially her BBQ recipes. 

How about ordering your Dad or Grandpa something very special, then look at my sister's neat finds in her "Hard to Find Wonderful Things" section.  Or, take your Dad and Grandpa on a fun Day Trip.  There are also a myriad of things to do in her Bay Area Interests section.

However you spend your Father's Day, please have a safe and happy holiday!

Ritch

Richard A. DeBiaso
 3205 Whipple Road
Union City, CA 94587-1218
510-429-4803

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