San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom today announced "The Big Rumble," a series of events to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the Loma Prieta earthquake which rocked the Bay Area on Oct. 17, 1989.
He recalled being a 21-year-old staying at his mother's apartment on Rico Way in the Marina and being late to watch the Giants take on the A's in the World Series.
"The chandelier started to move, and it wouldn't stop," he said. "I'll never forget the intensity and the feeling of vulnerability of that moment."
He grabbed a video camera and ran outside to film buildings buckling and even ran into Joe DiMaggio at the Marina Middle School parking lot.
"Now we have the opportunity to celebrate our renewal, our rebirth," he said. "This is not just a commemoration but a celebration of the spirit of our city."
Highlights of the celebration will include San Francisco's participation in a statewide earthquake drill October 15 and ceremony at the Marina Green Oct. 17. The ceremony will include specifics on fundraising for a new memorial on the green to honor the San Francisco Fire Department.
Check out www.thebigrumble.org for information about earthquake commemoration events and visit www.meqm.org for specifics on the monument itself.
P.S. City officials today presented Newsom with a preparedness package - not for a pending earthquake, but for his coming baby, due Sept. 24. Inside was a blanket, bottles, diapers, formula, pacifiers and a onesie with the city seal on it. Newsom said he and his wife have picked their daughter's name, but he wouldn't reveal it. "I would be doomed if she heard it on the radio - doomed. Finished." |
