The San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency (SFMTA) announced that Trini Whittaker was declared World Champion of the 50th Muni Cable Car Bell Ringing Contest, held July 11 at in Union Square. The contest had two divisions, one for cable car Grips and Conductors and another for local community representatives.
The winners in the division for cable car crew members were: First Place, Trini Whittaker; Second Place, Ken Lunardi; and Third Place, Joseph Sue. The win was the second in a row for Whittaker.
The winners in the amateur charity division were: First Place, Scotty Bastable of CBS Local Media; Second Place, Pilar Alvarez of El Mensajero; and Third Place, Kimmie Taylor of KBLX. Their prizes will be donated to the following charities: AIDS Research Institute at UCSF, SF Food Bank and Arriba Juntos, respectively.
For both portions of the contest, the winners received a trophy and cash prizes provided by presenting sponsor Ghirardelli Chocolates. Other prizes included hotel stays, dinners and other gift certificates donated by Union Square merchants.
