MEDIA ADVISORY
Released: March 2, 2006

SAN FRANCISCO, The 100th Annual Commemoration of the 1906 San Francisco Earthquake and Fire that almost destroyed one of America's greatest cities will take place April 18 at Lotta's Fountain on Market Street, at 5:13 a.m.

What: The 100th Annual 1906 San Francisco Earthquake & Fire Wreath Laying and Commemoration

Where: Lotta's Fountain-Market Street at the junction of Kearny, Third and Geary, San Francisco, California

When: 5:00-6:00 AM-Tuesday, April 18, 2006

More than a dozen survivors of the 1906 San Francisco Earthquake and Fire from all over the nation will gather early Tuesday morning, followed by a moment of silence at 5:13 a.m. 'the exact moment the quake struck' at historic Lotta's Fountain for the traditional commemoration, honoring those who perished with the laying of a wreath on the famous San Francisco landmark.

Lotta's Fountain served as the communication point for thousands of worried San Franciscans looking for news of their families and homes after the devastation. The 100th commemoration at Lotta's Fountain will honor the survivors of the 20th Century's most notorious natural disaster and those hearty folks who rebuilt "the Paris of the West" from the ashes.

More than 2,000 members of the fraternal "South of Market Boys" 'most of whom were survivors who lost family members, friends and loved ones' began the tradition of honoring those who perished, along with those who rebuilt the great city, in 1924 by placing a wreath on the venerable Lotta's Fountain.

The highlight of the commemoration comes after the survivors are seated on the stage adjacent to the fountain. A moment of silence at exactly 5:13 a.m. is followed by the eerie and woeful sound of sirens from scores of vintage fire trucks, police cars and San Francisco's finest emergency vehicles, followed by the traditional wreath laying by the last president of the South of Market Boys, Leo Sapienza with his daughter Taren, and the singing of "San Francisco" (made famous by the 1936 movie of the same name featuring Clark Gable and Jeanette Macdonald).

Mayor Newsom will interview the survivors from the stage.

Following the commemoration the survivors will enjoy a recreation of the original breakfast served at the historic Westin St. Francis Hotel 100 years ago (for members of the media and survivors only). Sees Candies Shops Inc. and the San Francisco Special Events Committee are co-sponsors of the event.