Like it did in 1906, April 18 falls on a Wednesday this year. And tomorrow morning at 5:11 a.m. the annual commemoration of the Great Quake and fire will take place at Lotta's Fountain at the intersection of Market, Kearny, and Geary Streets. The festivities will continue with the painting of the "fire hydrant that saved the city" at 20th and Church Streets at the upper corner of Dolores Park, followed by the traditional Bloody Mary brunch at Lefty O'Doul's in Union Square. Today at 3 p.m., three of the four remaining survivors of the quake, William Del Monte and Winnie Hook, who are both 106, and George Quilici, 108, will be at the Westin St. Francis for a ceremony.
At today's ceremony, Fire Chief Joanne Hayes-White will be renaming Fire Engine 28 for Del Monte, and this will be followed by a short parade down to John's Grill, led by the George Washington High School marching band, for the annual survivors' dinner at 4 p.m.
Ruth Newman, the oldest remaining survivor at age 109, resides in Pebble Beach and won't be attending this year. A fifth survivor, Rose Cliver, died at age 109 in February.
