Raise Your Glass & Some Funds For Stuart & Tom This Saturday!

The lovers, the dreamers and thee.  Yes, they still exist in San Francisco and this Saturday you have the chance to mix among them once again and remember why you chose to sit on that dock of the bay.

This past week was Citizenship Day and also in,1859, the day that one Joshua Norton dared to declare himself Emperor of the United States of America & Protector of México.

His departure from reality and colonial paternity south of the border not withstanding, Norton I became emblematic of the San Franciscan’s independent spirit and the right to dream big and horse feathers to any pork bellied politician snoozing under the gilded dome of City Hall that stood in their way.

Joshua Abraham Norton I, Emperor of the United States of America & Protector of Mexico

Aside from his “crazy” visions of a bridge and tunnel that would span the bay, he also had this to say,

“…fraud and corruption prevent a fair and proper expression of the public voice; that open violation of the laws are constantly occurring, caused by mobs, parties, factions and undue influence of political sects; that the citizen has not that protection of person and property which he is entitled.”

 ¡Hijole! Was this fucker clairvoyant or what?

The thing is that, in recent years, we have less Nortonesque denizens of our fair burg and more of the pork bellied variety that see change and big dreams as threats to their already shaky investments. Indeed our very own Mayor Monop-o-Lee came into office on a milquetoast raft floating on a gentle stream of apathy, while across town, our beloved City College, wavers in constant peril due to the machinations ACCJC and the mentality that it would be better privatized. That way, one supposes, the city could work on more important issues like selling the rest to the highest bidder.

Well, friends, this is San Francisco, and when you live at the end of the rainbow, there are always a few scrappy underdogs who bravely challenge the wicked witches and their ilk.

The Old Transbay Terminal plaque evoking homage to Norton. The Emperor’s Bridge Committee would like this honour applied to the bridge officially and so does Stu!

Two of these are the darling handsomes, Tom Temprano and our own Stuart Schuffman who are running for City College Board and mayor, respectively. Like myself, these gentleman escaped the clutches of suburban Southern California, because they knew that at the end of that dusty yellow interstate, their dreams awaited them. Dreams are constant work and although they have much that lay before them, they both want to give back to the city they fell in love with by helping it in its hour of need. The decks may be stacked and the battle brutal, but these boys are pure gold as the gate they walked through.

AND since they both know how to throw a party, why not strap on your sling backs and clatter down to El Río this Saturday afternoon and show them some support and love at their Grand Ole’ Party: A Benefit for Broke-Ass Stuart & Tom Temprano.  There will be live music, deejays, performances and palomas galore.   You can donate at the door or just come down and volunteer. Jams, voter reg and booze: the perfect SF cocktail.

Tom Temprano’s arm: a living memorial to José Sarria, The Widow Norton. I mean, come on!

Go get ‘em chicos!

See you on Saturday!

AND REMEMBER TO VOTE! IT’S YOUR CONSTITUTIONAL DUTY!

The Grand Ole’ Party: A Benefit Show for Broke-Ass Stuart and Tom Temprano
Saturday, September 19, 2015 2:00 p.m.- 8:00 p.m.

El Río…your dive!
3158 Mission Street (@ Precita)
[Outer Mission/ Bernal Heights]
SF
$10- $20 suggested donation