By MARY ANNE OSTROM and THERESE POLETTI
San Jose Mercury News (California)
Evoking the city’s can-do spirit, Mayor Gavin Newsom called San Francisco a city of dreamers and doers, as he and an estimated 5,000 onlookers marked the 100th anniversary of the Great Quake just at the break of dawn today.
The enthusiastic, slightly blurry-eyed crowd fell silent at 5:13 am, the exact moment the quake hit the city a century ago. Then, emergency vehicle sirens blared and church bells rang throughout the city.
Sending a national message, as network television cameras captured the event, Newsom said San Francisco’s rebuilding efforts 100 years ago are “a shining light and example’’ for hurricane-ravaged New Orleans. Added Newsom, “Don’t tell me we can’t rebuild.’'
In a touching moment, the city awarded its highest police honor to the great-grandchildren of Max Fenner, a policeman who died 100 years ago as he attempted to rescue a woman from a crumbling lodging house.
Joining Newsom on stage were a dozen quake survivors, who told their stories to an amused crowd.
Norma Norwood, who at 99 was conceived and born in a shelter tent in Golden Gate Park after the quake, was asked by Newsom, “How are you?’' “Cold,’' responded Norwood, who then deadpanned “I have Gavin Newsom to keep me warm here.’'
Two-time Grammy nominee, Tim Murphy of San Jose, opened the ceremony by singing the National Anthem.
The crowd of onlookers included several in period costumes. Slim Buick, in derby and vintage suit, said he regularly attends the anniversary events. “This one was a little busier than the typical ones.’'
Several in the crowd said they had stayed up most of the night, partying at bars.
“It’s like New York on New Year’s Eve,’' said Sonia Picone of San Francisco, as a big spotlight lit up Lotta’s Fountain, the scene of the pre-dawn ceremony.
Margie Chiechi of San Jose said she made the trek north because “there’s only one 100th anniversary and the next time another 100 rolls around, I’ll be in the ground.’'
City leaders also used the early morning event to promote earthquake preparedness. The city’s Office of Emergency Services director, Annemarie Conroy, told the crowd “We are a city that is 100 years older and 100 years wiser.’'
But the celebratory spirit was not lost: “Go out and have some fun, the bars open at 6,’' Conroy counseled.
After the event ended, many in the crowd headed to breakfast at nearby hotels and restaurants that were offering quake specials. At John’s Grill, which was serving up $4.06 Bloody Mary’s, the diners broke into a rousing rendition of “San Francisco’’ the song made famous by the classic 1936 film of the same name.
For the rest of the day, the city is readying itself for memorials, lectures, a parade and the arrival of Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger. Parts of Market Street will be shut down through the conclusion of a firefighters’ parade, scheduled to march from City Hall at 10 a.m. and end near the Ferry Building at noon.
San Francisco Municipal Railway is offering free rides throughout the city for 24 hours, ending at 3 a.m Wednesday morning.
In San Jose today, history buff and construction company owner Jim Salata will host a downtown walking tour of key 1906 sites, beginning at City Hall at 4 p.m. For information, call (408) 294-2787. Schwarzenegger and Newsom later this morning will address a scientific gathering at the Moscone Convention Center, which runs from today through Friday. The event is billed as the largest ever earthquake conference. Also, a U.S. Senate Committee will hold a special hearing on disaster preparedness. Other scheduled speakers today and Wednesday include U.S. Transportation Secretary Norm Mineta, Sens. Barbara Boxer and Dianne Feinstein and House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi.