Ep 18: Nina Clima and the Gang & North Beach
Nina Clima and The Gang & North Beach
In the beloved Italian North Beach neighborhood, three San Francisco natives Nina Clima, Charles Farruggia, and Don Di Basilio join Susan and Jae to reminisce on the rich cultural history North Beach offers the city. Nina, Charles, and Don grew up together in North Beach and are all 2nd or 3rd generation Californians. Now 80 years young, the three friends boast healthy, independent, and active lifestyles. They remain dedicated residents of this incredible neighborhood.
North Beach is located in the hills of North East San Francisco, just above Fisherman’s Wharf and just below Telegraph Hill. This picturesque neighborhood is filled with smaller Victorian homes and family-owned cafes, as well as Italian grocery stores, shops and restaurants that sell food imported directly from Italy. Its deep Italian history is maintained by families who’ve kept their cultural traditions alive.
To add to its cultural richness, North Beach also became the stomping ground for Alan Ginsberg, Jack Kerouac, and other famous Jazz musicians, poets and artists of the 1950’s Beat Generation. Because of their influence, bars like The Saloon and bookstores like City Lights are now quintessential to North Beach’s identity. Even Francis Ford Coppola’s film production company American Zoetrope is located in the acclaimed Sentinel Building at the edge of North BeachJust like their dynamic neighborhood, Nina Clima and The Gang are vibrant, charming, vivacious, and simply lovely people.
Meet Nina Clima and The Gang!
