San Franciscans hit the switch

The city by the bay was a little darker for about an hour Saturday evening (Oct. 20) thanks to an energy conservation event called Lights Out San Francisco.

Organizer Nate Tyler fashioned LOSF after an event in Sydney, Australia, that reportedly resulted in a 20 percent drop in electricity. His efforts were buoyed by the support of several San Francisco businesspeople and politicians, including Mayor Gavin Newsom.

With candles in tow, hundreds of folks gathered at Dolores Park to watch as several of the city’s landmarks, including the Transamerica building and Coit Tower, dimmed the lights between 8 and 9 p.m., according to the San Francisco Chronicle. A national event called Lights Out America is planned for March 29, 2008.