Unlike today's SantaCon, Mabel Hawkin's Santa Claus Association does not involve scores of drunken Kris Kringles. Instead, the Association was a charity group that distributed thousands of gifts to San Francisco's children. This week, Nicole and Michael provide the inspiring story behind this groundbreaking endeavor.

443: Santa Claus Association

Nicole Meldahl and a rotating cast of hosts from the Western Neighborhoods Project (outsidelands.org / OpenSFHistory.org) share San Francisco west side neighborhood history with humor, a real fact or two, and much-better-informed occasional guests.

Society & Culture

Personal Journals

History

Philosophy

Places & Travel

Nicole Meldahl and SFGATE reporter Amanda Bartlett explore the history of the Bridge Theater on Geary and interview drag legend Peaches Christ about her time there as hostess of Midnight Mass during our 25th Birthday Bash at the 4 Star Theater.

534: The Bridge Theater and Peaches Christ

Revisit our episode featuring Abbie Dwelle, the owner of Paul's Hat Works, a Richmond District institution for over a century.

347R: Paul´s Hat Works (repodcast)

David Friedlander joins the podcast to talk about Bay Area radio and television legend (and west side native) Don Sherwood.

533: Don Sherwood

Nicole and Chelsea chat about a grant from California Revealed that will let WNP catalog a collection of old Richmond Banner newspapers. Plus, thoughts on jam and exciting news from the past revealed.

532: The Richmond Banner

Retired NPS ranger John Martini joins Nicole Meldahl and Drew Moss to talk about the Presidio's transition from army post to national park.

443: Santa Claus Association

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