2015 Cable Car Bell Ringing Contest -- July 9, 2015

My cable for transferring pictures from the camera is not working, so photos and videos will have to wait.

1995, 1998, 2000, 2001, and 2005 champion Byron Cobb and defending champion Trini Whittaker, who won in 2012 and 2013 wound up in a tie. Trini Whittaker won the first tie in 2012. Byron Cobb won a ring-off, earning his sixth title in the 52nd annual Bell Ringing Contest on Thursday, 09-July-2015 at Noon in Union Square. Scotty Bastable of CBS Local won the amateur division for the 6th consecutive year, raising funds for AIDS research.

The weather was cloudy and cold. There was a large and enthusiastic crowd.

Motorized car 62 (former Cal Cable Jones Street shuttle car 61) was temporarily renumbered 52 in honor of the 52nd annual Bell Ringing Contest.

Freeman and the Slot Blades, a Cable Car Division employee group, accompanied by Abel and the Frisco Project, performed some good San Francisco soul and funk music.  Emcee Deb Durst explained that ringers are judged on:
•Rhythm
•Originality
•Style

Ed Riskin of the San Francisco Metropolitan Transit Authority, said the men and women of the Cable Car Division have "unique skills you don't find on the civil exam." He also spoke of the two crew members who have recently been injured on the job. Byron Cobb rang the bell before and after a moment of silent prayer for the injured men.

Representatives from media outlets rang the bell in the amateur portion of the competition.
•Shaaron Resendiz from El Mensajero rang for the San Mateo County Sheriff's Youth Program. She did a nice combination of ringing and dancing.
•Brandon Mudd of Comcast rang for United Way. He rang to "We Will Rock You" and "Eye of the Tiger" while his assistants, one of whom wore a star costume, threw items like tee shirts and hats to the crowd.
•Lil Miss Hot Mess rang for Causa Justa. She got the crowd excited.
•Scotty Bastable rang for the AIDS Research Institute at UCSF. He and his 5 dancers performed to "Uptown Funk."

The non-profit organization results:
•3. Shaaron Resendiz. She earned $200 for her charity.
•2. Brandon Mudd and Lil Miss Hot Mess tied for second. Both charities received $300.
•1. Scotty Bastable won for the sixth consecutive year, earning $500 for his charity.

The professional competition:
•Jorge Lacayo - Third time contestant.
•Ken Lunardi - 1997, 2002, and 2006 champ announced that he is retiring after 25 years, so this was his last performance.
•Leonard Oats - 2007, 2008 and 2009 champion. He tied for first in 2012 and lost a closely contested ring-off.
•Singh B Rai - Third time contestant.
•Charles Monday - Second time contestant
•Byron Cobb - 1995, 1998, 2000, 2001, and 2005 champ.
•Trini Whittaker - 2012 and 2012 champ. Before he rang, he danced to "Uptown Funk."

The professional competition:
•3. Leonard Oats
•2. Trini Whittaker - He won the ring-off in 2012
•1. Byron Cobb

Jennifer Williams, Miss Cable Car 1968, was a judge. After the contest, I had a chance to chat with her and meet her daughter.

Then I had to rush back to work.