STORY:
Millennium Martini Stirs up Controversy

San Francisco's "Big Olive" a big problem for Religious leaders

Religious leaders in San Francisco are upset about a giant "Millennium Martini" whom will hang above their quiet New Year's Eve celebration. About 20,000 are expected to gather in the Union Square shopping area for a peace and prayer vigil this New Year’s Eve. However, the plans for a quiet evening are being stirred up because an area hotel is going to inflate a giant martini glass above the square.

The Westin St. Francis Hotel plans to inflate a seven-story giant martini glass in Union Square. The inflatable blue glass will be anchored around a flagpole atop the 13^th floor of the Westin. The martini will have a giant swizzle stick topped by a 10-foot olive inside the glass. At the stroke of midnight the olive is suppose to slide down the swizzle stick into the drink. The hotel is hoping to start a new tradition. The Westin wants to put San Francisco on the map as the "Big Olive," just as New York is the "Big Apple".

This idea has upset the city’s religious leaders who have planned to have a quiet celebration at Union Square. Not only will the martini glass attract a crowd, religious leaders fear it will support drinking which is something they do not want associated with their New Year’s Eve gathering.

The hotel has gone to the city council and received the proper permits to install the martini glass so it looks like the olive drop is a "go" for New Year’s Eve.

At this time the martini is going to have to serve as one of the main toasts of the town. There’s only one other New Year’s Eve celebration planned in San Francisco. The only other party will be along the Embarcadero waterfront. That celebration is a city-sponsored event featuring music and fireworks. A firework celebration planned to take place over the Golden Gate Bridge was cancelled for safety reasons.

As it stands right now the prayer and peace service is going to have to coincide with the giant martini celebration. Somehow the two will have to mix together and share Union Square.

Source: Reuters

DATE: 11/30/99

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