Each week we'll be featuring an especially interesting event in the neighborhood, based on the event submissions we get, and what we hear about while we're out on the beat. If you want to be considered for next week, please submit your event here.
The Emperor's Bridge Campaign invites everyone to The House of Shields (39 New Montgomery St.) on Sunday afternoon for the third annual Tannenbaum Toast.
The esteemed Emperor Norton championed the idea for the Bay Bridge in the 1800s and was a progressive thought leader and eccentric local character. He also supposedly lobbied for a public Christmas tree in Union Square.
Since 1880, a tree has been placed there every year. (The legend on the Emperor's Bridge Campaign blog saying it was the first public tree in the nation is highly doubtful, given that cities up and down the East Coast most likely put them up long before then).
To honor Emperor Norton and his holiday cheer, the Emperor's Bridge Campaign—a nonprofit dedicated to preserving Norton's history and legacy—is assembling for a toast from 4–6pm. "Those who would like an imperial escort to the Toast can join us under the Union Square Christmas tree at 3:30 pm," the website reads. "We'll be joined by the Emperor himself—as played by our good friend Joseph Amster of Emperor Norton's Fantastic San Francisco Time Machine—and will stroll over to The House of Shields at about 3:45."
Admission is free; the drink tab is your business, and donations to the group will be accepted.
Here are more events happening in and near the FiDi, including ongoing holiday fun:
Each week the FiDi editor will pick one event to write about from the submissions we receive. Submit yours here.
