Good evening! You hopefully will remember that the Change.org petition to name the entire San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge for Emperor Norton was the impetus for the creation of a new organization, The Emperor's Bridge Campaign, launched about a year ago, in late September 2013. The Campaign remains "on task" for the bridge naming — we advocate a "one main title, two subtitles" approach — and we also are 'building out" this call into a larger mission that includes historical research and documentation; public education; and advocacy related to the Emperor. We hope to become the leading public resource on Emperor Norton — and we currently are in the process of incorporating and seeking 501(c) nonprofit status. :: :: :: If you're in the San Francisco Bay Area, we hope you — and your kids! — will join us for our next event, in a couple of weeks: THE EMPEROR'S GARDEN PARTY Sunday 21 September, from 2 to 5 p.m. Jefferson Square Park (Eddy Street, between Gough and Laguna) San Francisco We'll be marking two key September anniversaries: 21 September 1872 — the Emperor's third and final Bridge Proclamation, setting out the original vision for the Bay Bridge (the first two of his Bridge Proclamations were in January and March of 1872). 17 September 1859 — the original Proclamation in which Joshua Abraham Norton declared himself Emperor. For details, and to RSVP: Facebook >>> https://www.facebook.com/events/290346304485519 Email >>> john@EmperorsBridge.org :: :: :: For the 21st, We've got some fun activities planned for the kids: 2 - 3:15 p.m. We'll have a hat-making station — where kids will be shown photos of Emperor Norton in his plumed beaver hat, and can make their own versions. 3:15 p.m. Emperor Norton himself — played by Joseph Amster of Emperor Norton's Fantastic San Francisco Time Machine (Overland Monthly video profile at http://youtu.be/h852nCp_rls) — will be on hand for The Emperor's Story Time, to tell the kids his story. 3:30 p.m. The Emperor will lead the kids — in their hats! — in The Emperor's Parade (a little march around the park). :: :: :: BONUS!!! Free Walking Tour of Emperor Norton's Haunts — Led by the Emperor! If you'd like to get an early start on the festivities, "our" Emperor — see above — will be offering a rare free walking tour. The tour starts: Sunday 21 September at 11:30 a.m. Empire Park 642 Commercial Street (between Montgomery & Kearny) San Francisco Empire Park was the site of the Eureka Lodgings boarding house, where the Emperor lived from 1863 until his death in 1880. At the conclusion of the walking tour — which will last about 60-90 minutes — you can join the Emperor for a couple of short bus rides to near Jefferson Square Park, and get a proper escort to the party! Hope to see you there! :: :: :: If you've not already signed up for the Emperor's Bridge Campaign's occasional newsletter, please do so now: http://www.EmperorsBridge.org/signup You also can follow us on: Facebook >>> https://www.facebook.com/groups/EmperorsBridge/ Twitter >>> @EmperorsBridge Thanks for everything! JOHN LUMEA The Emperor's Bridge Campaign john@EmperorsBridge.org www.EmperorsBridge.org