Home Page | Rotary Club of Fisherman's Wharf-San Francisco

Thursdays, 7:30 am breakfast meeting. On the 3rd Thursday each month we meet at 5:30 pm for informal social at various venues on Fisherman's Wharf.
Wipeout Bar and Grill

Fisherman's Wharf
Pier 39 #A-02
San Francisco, CA 94133
United States of America

District Site

Venue Map

Congratulations Roger!

At last week's meeting, Louis Cuneo (right) of the Police and Fire: Fallen Heroes Program honored Rotary Club of Fisherman’s Wharf President Elect Roger Kaufman by presenting him with a plaque acknowledging his support for their recent golf tournament fundraiser. Roger attended the Potential Rotary Leadership Seminar (PRLS) all day Saturday, and the next day led the Rotary contingent in the Italian Heritage Parade. Is he committed? Yes he is!

Alison Healy, Executive Director, Alliance for Smiles was our guest speaker and presented an excellent overview of the very vital and life altering work being done by the organization in Guatemala. She's pictured at left with program chair Kay Auciello and secretary Suzanne Varacalli.

Galileo Students Describe RYLA Experiences

Posted on Oct 09, 2019

At last week's meeting we had the pleasure of hearing from High School students from Galileo Academy of Science and Technology, who our club sponsored for (RYLA) Rotary Youth Leadership Academy. Each shared some of their individual experiences and impressions gained through attending RYLA. Among the experiences one student shared how they became a part of a family comprised of other students they had not known previously and the family bonding exercises they participated in. The students shared they created new lasting friendships though their participation. One student spoke about the new personal insights they gained about themselves and others. One student stated "Life is more that going through the system its about interacting with others". Another student shared their RYLA experience allowed them to realize they can have a good relationship with their parents and not shut them out. Overall they enjoyed the experience (and the food) a want to apply to return next year. Special note. Bettie many thanks for all the work you put into coordinating this program, it and the students were excellent!

Aline Estournes, Past President and our current Community Service Chair, was awarded a Paul Harris Certificate and Pin. Aline has been a constant leader in our club and in the overall Fisherman's Wharf relative to community and community action in the Fisherman's Wharf area. Aline has and does serve on a variety of boards and committee in this community and is always at the forefront its betterment. . Aline, Congratulations on the Paul Harris and thanks so much for your dedication and tireless work for Rotary and our club.

We welcome new member and SFJAZZ

Posted on Sep 27, 2019

Program Chair Kay Auciello introduced this week's speaker, Marshall Lamm, publicist at SFJAZZ Center, who talked about SFJAZZ's history, mission, education outreach and upcoming events. SFJAZZ has supported our club's annual fundraiser for the last few years.

(From left) District Governor Sue Rokaw and Club President Herman Jones congratulate our new member, Steve Ike. Welcome, Steve!

Big Crowd Honors Our First Responders

Posted on Sep 17, 2019

At the Sept. 12 meeting, we hosted Captain Robert Yick, and several patrol officers from Central Police Station for our 8th Annual First Responders Appreciation Breakfast. Members from Rotary Clubs representing Chinatown, San Francisco #2, Greater Mission and San Rafael were in attendance as well as representatives from local businesses, community services and area residents.

Captain Yick and his officers each spoke of how they value and enjoy their assignment in the area and their gratitude for the community’s for support.

Special guest was San Francisco Mayor London Breed, center, pictured here with President Herman Jones and Bettie Grinnell of Galileo High School. Mayor Breed recalled her experiences as a student at Galileo High School. A scholarship from our Rotary Club launched her to do work in the community, and being inspired by Rotary's theme of Service above Self ultimately paved the path for her to become mayor of San Francisco.

Club member and District Governor Sue Rokaw presented the Mayor Breed with an Honorary Paul Harris Certificate along with a pin on behalf of our club.

We thank Community Chair Aline Estournes, and those who assisted her for the tremendous amount of work toward making this a very special event, which promotes Rotary in its best light.

Siloe Wellness Program in Baja, Mexico

Greg Tull, and John Marshall, Rotary Club of Ignacio, attended the Sept. 5th meeting, and presented the "Siloé Wellness Program", which is supported by our clubs mutually. The Siloé Wellness Center, is located in the rural community of La Mission in Northern Baja Mexico and is an exercise and recreation program which serves as part of a strategy to improve health and wellbeing.

Greg spoke about the very good work being accomplished there and his club's three-year commitment to support the program. Suzanne Varacalli, International Chair, will be providing us additional information about the program as a follow-up.

New Banner: Home Club of District Governor

Posted on Sep 05, 2019

Rich Swart, Rotary Club of Chinatown, presented the "Home Club of the District Governor Banner" to our club during the Aug. 29 meeting.

Rotary is a leadership organization, and it is notable that we now have three District Governors who are members of our club: Bob and Riki Intner and current DG Sue Rokaw, pictured here with President Herman Jones.

Thursday Guest: Rotoplast Co-Founder

Posted on Aug 12, 2019

Club members learned all about Rotoplast International from Dr. Anthony Capozzi, co-founder and medical director, our guest speaker Thursday morning, Aug. 22. Dr. Capozzi is pictured at center, between Program Chair Kay Auciello and Vice President Roger Kaufman.

Club Supports Programs in Peru

Posted on Sep 05, 2019

At our Aug. 29 meeting, Program Chair Kay Auciello introduced Rotarian Bob Roberts of the Mill Valley Rotary Club and Joaquin de la Piedra, President of Kusimayo NGO Peru. Our club supports this project with our DDF Funds (Agrarian Enterprise and Nutrition in Peru)

Kusimayo addresses a variety of needs specifically through its "Thousands of Dreams" program, which provides daily breakfasts, school, and hygiene supplies to combat anemia and malnutrition. "Warmth for Puno" provides warm clean houses to tackle low temperatures, thereby reducing respiratory illness caused by the inhalation of fumes. "Productive Puno" provides innovative agricultural techniques to transform subsistence economies into ones of entrepreneurship. ”Happy Grandpas" addresses basic necessities (food, hygiene,cleaning materials) of the elderly living at Virgen del Rosario of Chucuito hospice.

Club helps with National Night Out

The Rotary Clubs of Fisherman's Wharf and Chinatown participated jointly this Tuesday, at the 2019 "National Night Out" Community Event. Our club was well represented by Cindy, Tony, Roger, and Erik. All were active introducing Rotary by engaging community and business persons present there, I want to single out Cindy in particular who's energy networking, speaking with many potential members and speakers for our club was truly remarkable. Extending special thanks to Roger and daughter Jana for their tireless work in the community. Roger is the champion ice cream scooper!!

Mayor London Breed attended the event also and met briefly with members of both Rotary clubs. As many of you may know, the Mayor has consented to attend our First Responder's event scheduled this September 12, 2019, Sooo, it was great she saw our club's activity in the community.

We welcome visiting Rotarian from Canada

Posted on Aug 09, 2019

Amy Songcuan-Collado was visiting family in San Francisco and elected to attended our meeting this week. She is an educator and has extensive background in Rotary, serving in Japan as President of the Rotoract there and in her club in Saskatchewan, Canada which currently has 16 active members

Past President Earns Foundation Honors

Posted on Aug 02, 2019

Club Past President Kay Auciello, pictured here with President Herman Jones, was received her Paul Harris+4 pin for her continued, generous support of our Rotary Foundation. District and Club Foundation Chair Riki Intner made the presentation during the Aug. 1 Club Assembly at the club's new meeting place, Wipeout Bar and Grill on Fisherman's Wharf.

Morocco Water Project Update

Posted on Jun 23, 2019

The June 13 meeting was well-attended and busy. The speaker, Steve Carlson, President of the San Carlos Rotary Club, updated us on the Morocco Water Project, which our club supports using our DDF funds.

Pictured from left: Bob and Riki Intner, Steve Carlson's son, who was part of the team on the last Morocco site visit, Steve Carlson, and Suzanne Varacalli.

We Meet Club Scholarship Winner

Posted on Jun 12, 2019

Among highlights of our June club assembly was meeting and hearing from Jin Wang, one of the two City College students who received a scholarship from our club this year.

Pictured, from left: Bettie Grinnell, Scholarship Recipient Jin Wang, Cindy Tam - Club Scholarship Chair, Tony Bothwell - Club Scholarship Committee.

Club Banner for International President

Posted on Jun 19, 2019

President Elect Herman Jones presents out club banner to Mark Maloney, incoming 2019-2920 President for Rotary International, and his wife, Gay. The couple is featured in this month’s Rotarian magazine.

The photo was taken when Herman and Maria, at right, attended the International Rotary Conference held June 1-4 in Hamburg, Germany.

Go GIANTS!

Posted on Apr 13, 2019

Club members were treated to our third annual SF Giants update in the persons of (l-r) Shana Daum, Vice President of Public Affairs & Community Relations, and Amanda (Nichols) Kershaw, Manager of Premium Seating Retention & Services. They shared many new initiatives, such as more flexible ticketing plans, new seating areas, larger/improved scoreboard, innovative group attendance options, increased use of technology to help Giants fans enjoy the live baseball experience even more. Shana and Amanda were welcomed by loyal season ticket-holder, President Kay Auciello

We Welcome a Scholarship Recipient

Posted on Jun 13, 2019

Last week we had a well-attended, busy meeting. One of the highlights was meeting and hearing from Jin Wang, one of the two City College students who received a scholarship from our Club this year.

Pictured from L: Bettie Grinnell, Scholarship Recipient Jin Wang, Cindy Tam - Club Scholarship Chair, Tony Bothwell - Club Scholarship Committee.

Fun and Success at Festa Italiana

Posted on Apr 03, 2019

Our annual Festa Italiana dinner on March 28 at the San Francisco Italian Athletic Club attracted a fun, friendly crowd who enjoyed Rotary hospitality, a delicious meal and an appealing array of silent auction items. Kudos to President Elect Herman Jones and his cadre of helpers who created and accomplished another first rate fundraiser. Pictured is auction guru Aline Estournes, left, and friend, Gerry Crowley.

Bravo for Roger and Company!

Posted on Feb 13, 2019

During our Club Assembly on Feb. 7, member Roger Kaufman shared his recent experiences in the aftermath of the Paradise Fire, bringing smiles and cheer to first responders, fire victims and neighbors, along with his family, employees and, of course, Ben & Jerry’s ice cream. Roger is an example of what Rotary “service above self” really means.

Suzanne Varacalli, our club’s International Chair, reviewed the amazing efforts our club supports locally and across the globe for 2018/2019, using our District Designated Funds (DDF) and Global Grant funds. Annual Fund projects: Global Scholar, Dictionaries, RYLA. Global Grant projects in Morocco, Guatemala, Peru, Bangladesh and India. Thank you Suzanne, for leading this very important effort for our club.

Date Changed to March 10

Posted on Feb 06, 2019

Due to a forecast for rain this weekend, the date for the Galileo Interactors' car wash has been changed to Sunday, March 10. The event will raise funds for emergency kit backpacks for the seniors of Next Village.

Interact Club members will scrub cars fro 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on March 10 at Galileo High School, 1150 Francisco St. Suggested donation is $10.

Gaining Understanding of Chinese Culture

Posted on Feb 03, 2019

Nan Su, news commentator and activist for China’s human rights, was our guest speaker on Jan. 31, with the topic, "Wisdom and Humanity from Ancient Chinese Culture." Mr. Su has spoken to hundreds of Rotary Clubs across the world. He was also one of the coordinators of the Human Rights Torch Relay in 2008 prior to the Beijing Olympics Game

Members Learn about Alliance for Smiles

Our Jan. 17 speaker, Alison Healy, Executive Director of Alliance for Smiles, described how the organization helps integrate the "Forgotten Children of the World" into society. Club President Kay Auciello, left, presented Alison with a book to autograph for donation to a San Francisco school library.

Reserve Now for Italian Dinner & Fundraiser

Posted on Jan 16, 2019

Holiday Dinner Party at the Franciscan

Posted on Dec 21, 2018

Club members and guests enjoyed a festive evening and fabulous holiday dinner on Dec. 20 at the historic Franciscan Crab Restaurant on Fisherman's Wharf. Suzanne Varacalli, club secretary and party-planner extraordinaire, orchestrated the annual event. The Franciscan, with its stunning view of San Francisco Bay, is our regular Thursday morning meeting place. Not pictured in the above photos are President Kay Auciello and Sue Rokaw.

Visiting District Governor-Elect

Posted on Jan 11, 2019

District 9910Governor-Elect Jan Kiernan of the Rotary Club of Norfolk Island and his wife, Jasmine, were special guests at the Club Assembly meeting on Jan. 10. They were enroute to San Diego for the International Assembly. Our own Sue Rokaw, DGE for District 5150, will also attend the Assembly. President Kay Auciello, center, exchanged club banners with the Kiernans.

February birthday pins were presented to members Tami Benau, left, and Riki Intner.

Understanding Cognitive Health

Posted on Dec 17, 2018

The program for the Dec. 13 meeting was presented by Nima Jafarian, with ACI Research Labs, who explained the cognitive health assessment process, the shortcomings of our current cognitive health paradigm, and some possible solutions to problems we rarely think about until we experience them. ACI Research Labs writes algorithms, builds tools, and creates apps that help people understand and monitor their cognitive health.