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CBS News
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- CBS News
San Francisco's North Beach comes alive with celebrations during Festa Italiana
From flying pizza dough to traditional Italian folk dances, North Beach was alive with celebration this weekend as the annual Festa Italiana returned to the heart of the city's historic Italian district. Among the vendors lining the streets was Kim Scarlata, proudly representing her family's award-winning olive oil business. For Scarlata, the festival is about more than just food — it's about honoring heritage. "It's very important to us," Scarlata said. "My husband is Italian and Sicilian, and he always wants to come to every festival that celebrates his family background." Scarlata's local, award-winning olive oil, inspired by generations of care, was one of many cultural expressions featured at the street fair. The event draws thousands of visitors each year, offering a rich array of Italian cuisine, music, art, and language. "You can see here today, there are people from every culture — not just Italians," she said. "But everyone knows, everyone loves Italian food, right?" Hosted by the San Francisco Italian Athletic Club, the Festa Italiana is rooted in a mission to preserve Italian heritage in the city, even as time and demographics evolve. "We make sure we take care of our older generation," said Jeff DelBono of the San Francisco Italian Athletic Club. "We work closely with the Italian Consulate of San Francisco. We do a lot of arts that keeps the heritage going and passing it on to younger generations." For many, the festival is a flavorful reminder of their roots and a celebration of the immigrant stories that helped shape San Francisco's identity. For Scarlata, it's also deeply personal. "Our oil is a tribute to my husband's family," she said. And the festival? A tribute to the Italian families — past and present — who continue to influence the cultural fabric of the Bay Area and beyond.
San Francisco Chronicle
21-05-2025
- Sport
- San Francisco Chronicle
St. Ignatius junior Ellie McCuskey-Hay eyes gold at CCS track and field finals
It seems like ancient history to St. Ignatius junior track and field standout Ellie McCuskey-Hay, even though it was just two years ago. As a freshman, out of lane 8, a great start propelled her to a second-place finish in the CIF State Meet 100-meter dash in 11.52 seconds. Later in the competition she let loose on her final attempt of the long jump, going 19 feet, 7¼ inches to place sixth. Both marks that day at Veteran's Memorial Stadium in Clovis were considerable personal bests — her previous top numbers were 11.81 and 18-10½. 'That was such a surreal moment,' McCuskey-Hay said last week from the San Francisco Italian Athletic Club, where she was the San Francisco High School Awards' female athlete of the year. 'I couldn't believe that had happened. Seems so long ago. … I've come very far since then. I'm more consistent than ever.' The day and memory bring big smiles to the petite, powerful, fast-twitched 5-foot-4 athlete. But it could also be a burden to beat two elite marks, which are still lifetime bests. Last season she finaled in both events at state, taking fifth in the long jump (19-0) and ninth in the 100 (11.71). This season, heading into Saturday's Central Coast Section finals at Gilroy High School, she ranks fifth in the state in the 100 (11.54) and seventh in the long jump (19-7). She's perfectly positioned to break those freshman marks and add to her collection of four state medals. The 4x100 relay team that she anchors with Breion Glaspie, Avery Hui-Bytof and Sophia Boudraa also ranks 17th in state at 47.11 and could reach a state finals. But McCuskey-Hay, the daughter of a Marin Waves Track and Field Club founder and director, knows nothing can be taken for granted in this sport. There's weather. Starts. Health. And, perhaps most important, a mindset. That's why McCuskey-Hay works with a sports psychologist to manage a sport where every millisecond and movement counts. 'I would say I'm pretty hard on myself when things don't go the way I'd like them to,' McCuskey-Hay said. 'Restructuring that mindset really helps me. 'I've been doing this so long, I know all the abilities are there. It's a matter of putting it all together and being optimistic.' She's been a model of consistency, breaking 12 seconds in all nine races this season — winning eight — while running 11.54 twice and 11.55 once. Her only non-victory was placing fifth at the nationally recognized Arcadia Invitational, where she went 11.54. In the 200, she won six of eight times with a best of 23.90 (wind-aided), the 11th best time in California this year. McCuskey-Hay could easily bring home four golds from Saturday's meet as she did at the West Catholic Athletic League championship on May 9. North Salinas sophomore Clara Adams and Mountain View senior Hannah Rutherford in the 200 present the biggest obstacles for McCuskey-Hay. 'I definitely have certain expectations and would like to run certain times and jump certain distances," McCuskey-Hay said. 'But I think it's important to go with the flow.' More CCS athletes to watch: The boys 1,600 should be the most competitive as Menlo School-Atherton senior Landon Pretre (4:06.23) and Los Gatos senior Aydon Stefanopoulos (4:06.62) possess the third- and fourth-best times in the state this season. They also rank first and fifth in the 3,200. … Crystal Springs Uplands-Hillsborough senior Benjamin Bouie, the defending champion with a best of 4:06.92, and Sacred Heart Cathedral senior Miles Cook (4:08.33) are two more strong threats in the 1,600. … Other top 10 state marks this season from CCS athletes include: Woodside senior Mattheo Lacasia (400, 47.22, ninth), St. Ignatius senior Prince Buchango-Babalola (110 hurdles, 13.98, seventh), Serra senior Luke Lewis (shot put, 61-6¼, fourth), Woodside senior Evan Usher (shot put, 59-8, ninth), Mountain View senior Rutherford (400, 54.01, fourth), Palo Alto senior Kinga Czajkowska (girls 1,600, 4:46.34, fourth), Mitty senior Maya Ifo Desai (girls discus, 154-11, fourth), Monta Vista-Cupertino junior Lelani Laruelle (high jump, 5-8, tied for second), Burlingame senior Avery Boyse (pole vault, 13-0, second), Monta Vista senior Clara Fan (triple jump, 39-0, 10th).
