ADVISORY/The Last Survivors of the '06 San Francisco Earthquake and Fire Will Gather to Share Memories of That Fateful Morning 94 Years Ago.

News/Assignment Editors

ADVISORY...for Tuesday (April 18)

--(BUSINESS WIRE)

At 5:00 a.m. on Tuesday, April 18th, More Than a Dozen Survivors (Ages 94 to104) Will Be Joined for the First Time by Chinese Survivors

(Hundreds of Chinese Dead Were Never Counted in 1906) at The Newly

Restored Lotta's Fountain

The newly restored Lotta's Fountain, in all of its' original glory, will be the meeting place for the 94th Anniversary of San Francisco's Great Earthquake and Fire. Since 1916, the South of Market Boys have been honoring those brave and hardy souls who rebuilt the city from ashes. Lotta's Fountain was a meeting place for survivors to find out the fate of their families and friends in the hours and days that followed the devastation. A large crowd is expected to be present at the fountain on Tuesday morning at 5:00 a.m. including survivors of the 1906 Earthquake and Fire, members of The Hook & Ladder Society, The South of Market Boys and representatives of the San Francisco Police and Fire Departments. After the traditional singing of "San Francisco," a minute of silence is followed by the eerie wailing of a dozen sirens at 5:13 a.m. (the moment the quake struck).

Approximately 12 survivors are expected to attend, including the Chinese citizen, a native San Franciscan. In a dark page of San Francisco's history, the vast Chinese American community suffered hundreds (some historians claim thousands) of deaths and unspeakable treatment at the hands of the San Francisco authorities and newspapers of the time. A special effort on the part of San Francisco's Mayor Willie Brown has made both the restoration of Lotta's Fountain and the healing of an old wrong possible this year.

WHERE: Lotta's Fountain (at the apex of Market, Kearny and Geary

Streets).

WHEN: 5:00 a.m., Tuesday, April 18th, 2000

Following the ceremony, the landmark Westin St. Francis, one of the last survivors in the 1906 Great Quake, will host a special "Survivor's Breakfast" in the historic Compass Rose at 6:00 a.m. for the media to meet one-on-one with the survivors.

The St. Francis gained fame during the morning of the quake because she was unhurt by the earth shaking and only minutes after the disaster calmed distraught guests with a "business as usual" breakfast in the Cafe. In fact, the St. Francis was known as a "safe-haven" and other nearby severely damaged hotels sent their guests to the St. Francis for safety. Bathrobe-clad hotel guests walked to the St. Francis and were instantly relieved when they entered the lobby. The most famous arrival was The New York Metropolitan Opera Company's star performer Enrico Caruso, who enjoyed a full meal and tipped each of the chefs $2.50 for their dedication to great hospitality under the most extreme circumstances.

Just as the survivors remember their past on Tuesday, so will the St. Francis. The grand dame of Union Square will not only host the survivors with deluxe overnight accommodations in the historic Main Building, but the award-winning culinary team will also re-create that famous breakfast served almost 94 years ago. Using the very same menu prepared in the kitchen the morning of April 18,1906, the St. Francis will re-live that infamous day with her fellow survivors and the media.

           1906 EARTHQUAKE SURVIVOR'S BREAKFAST RE-CREATION
     by: Chef Bernd Libergesell and Executive Sous Chef Greg Ische

                         Chilled Rhubarb Stew

    Assortment of Thinly Sliced Seasonal Fruit and Berries, Yogurt
                            Dipping Sauce

                Variety of Morning Pastries to include:
            Butter Croissants, Muffins and Danish Pastries

                             Stewed Prunes

                          Rice Griddle Cakes
            Made with "Flannel" Pancake Butter, Maple Syrup

                        Freshly Scrambled Eggs
               With Black Truffles in Pastry Vol au Vent

                      Southern Hominy with Cream

In addition, The Westin St. Francis Historian Howard Mutz will read original letters from visitors staying at the St. Francis the infamous morning of the great quake. Artifacts from the St. Francis will be on display, including items destroyed in the San Francisco Fires.

WHAT: `06 Survivor's Breakfast (Media Members Welcomed) and a

Historical Display of 1906 Memorabilia and Artifacts

Including Readings from Original Letters And Diaries of

St. Francis Guests on April 18, 1906.

WHEN: Tuesday, April 18, 2000 6:00 a.m.-7:30 a.m.

WHERE: The Compass Rose, Main Lobby of The Westin St. Francis

(Powell Street Entrance)

CONTACT: Heather Hovey, Public Relations Coordinator

Westin St. Francis

415/774-0193; [e-mail]