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

Weekly on Thursday morning at 7:30 am, except the 3rd Thursday, which is an evening social, 5:30-7:30 pm, at rotating venues on Fisherman's Wharf.
The Franciscan Crab Restaurant

Pier 43 1/2 Embarcadero
San Francisco, CA 94133
United States

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Venue Map

December Birthdays, Member Survey

Posted on Dec 12, 2018

Bettie Grinnell and Aline Estournes, the birthday girls at our Dec. 6 meeting, each received a special pin from President Kay Auciello. Not present was Bob Intner, who shares the same December birthday with Aline.

Members present discussed some of the responses to the informal Club Morale Survey distributed after Ron Gin’s presentation a few months ago. There were strong opinions about remaining a morning club, staying at the Franciscan with its incredible bay view, and doing more to promote the club to potential early morning members.

Service with Rotary Smiles

Posted on Nov 16, 2018

Aline Estournes, President Kay Auciello, David Chan and President Elect Herman Jones joined dozens of other volunteers on Thursday, Nov. 15, to help serve turkey and all the trimmings to hundreds of guests, old and young, at Tel-Hi Neighborhood Center's annual Community Holiday Dinner.

Three Honored by Paul Harris Society

Posted on Nov 08, 2018

The NEW Paul Harris Society presentations to Rotary FW members Sue Rokaw and Roger Kaufman (also to Kay Auciello, not pictured). Presented by District 5150 Foundation Chair, Gary Chow.

All About San Francisco Achievers

Posted on Oct 27, 2018

Our inspiring speaker on Oct. 25 was Duane Wilson, Executive Director, San Francisco Achievers. The mission of this 0- year-old organization is reducing the achievement gap of African American young men in San Francisco high schools through support, mentoring and scholarships.

We are the second Rotary Club Duane has spoken to - one in Chicago and now our club in SF. Pictured below from left: Herman Jones, Pres-Elect; Alan Test, Program Chair; Duane Wilson, speaker.

Networking at SF Brewing Company

Posted on Oct 22, 2018

For our October social, members gathered Thursday evening, Oct. 18, at the San Francisco Brewing Company, located in Ghirardelli Square, 3150 Polk Street. Chaired by member Herman Jones, the happy hour gathering provided our club an opportunity to network and welcome owner/brewmaster Justin Boehle and his business to the community.

Pictured l-r: Erik Scheller, Cindy Tam-Bothwell, Justin Boehle, Tony Bothwell and Herman Jones.

Justin said he’s familiar with Rotary through his family, who are members in Washington State.

Kiva.org - Loans that change lives

Posted on Oct 15, 2018

Since Kiva.org, a San Francisco non-profit, was founded in 2004, the micro-finance organization has made loans as low as $25 to more than three million borrowers worldwide. “Loans that change lives” is its motto.

Our Oct. 11 speaker, Tess Murphy, accounts manager, explained how anyone can go to the Kiva.org site, view dozens of profiles of individuals and organizations who have qualified as borrowers, create an account, choose a borrower, and make an interest-free loan of $25 or more. When the loan is repaid, you have the option of reloaning, or increasing, that amount to another borrower, or cashing in your account to receive full repayment. Tess said that of more than $1.2 billion loaned to date, 97% of borrowers make good on their loans, and Kiva guarantees lenders full repayment.

Tess, at right, is pictured with President Kay Auciello and Alan Test, program chair.

Symbiotic Relationship Reaches New Heights

Posted on Oct 10, 2018

Members of the Rotary Club of Fisherman's Wharf (RCFW) and the San Francisco Chapter of Sons of the American Revolution (SFSAR) for years have attended each other's meetings, referred speakers back and forth, shared audio-visual equipment, and cosponsored a Galileo High School teacher's Valley Forge summer training.

On Oct. 7, 2018, ten Rotarians and Compatriots drove steep, winding roads to a peak above 3,000 ft. to attend an oenology seminar at Los Gatos Byington Winery. From left: Tom Riley (former U.S. ambassador to Morocco) of SFSAR and Nancy; Maria and Herman Jones of RCFW; David Chan of RCFW and Cecelia; Cindy and Tony Bothwell of RCFW and SFSAR.

Program on Water Project in Bangladesh

Posted on Oct 07, 2018

Our Oct. 4 program was presented by Patrice Perillo, Past President of the San Francisco West Rotary Club, who spoke and showed a video on a Rotary International project addressing the arsenic-contaminated water in rural Bangladesh. The World Health Organization has called this the "largest mass poisoning of a population in history.” She will discussed the problem and achievable solutions to bring clean, safe water to the affected areas.

Celebrating her October birthday was Sue Rokaw with a special pin President Kay gives all members during their birthday month

We Welcome District Governor Hulbert

Posted on Oct 04, 2018

District Governor Jayne Hulbert gave an inspirational talk to our club on Sept. 27. She met with the club board and chairs the evening before as we shared ideas, challenges and opportunities to help move our club forward. We were happy that Assistant DG Bruce Lyons was able to attend both meetings.

Member Larry Hoogasian surprised Jayne with a huge, gorgeous bouquet of fresh flowers from Hoogasian Flowers. Suzanne Varacalli receivd her “official” certificate as Rotarian of the Month for July 2018 from DG Hnulbert.

To benefit The Rotary Foundation, a gift basket from the Redwood City Rotary Club was auctioned off and the “winners” were Bob Intner and Suzanne Varacalli. Both will donate their generous bids to the Rotary Foundation. Our club’s auction gift basket was taken by Jayne to be auctioned off at the Tiburon Rotary Club later that day.

President Kay Auciello, right, was presented her Paul Harris +2 pin by Foundation Chair Riki Intner, who thanked Kay for her continued support of the Rotary Foundation.

We Appreciate Our First Responders!

Posted on Sep 15, 2018

We welcomed Central Station Captain Paul Yep and three police officers on Sept. 13 for our 4th annual First Responder Appreciation Breakfast to show our appreciation for what our first responders do for this community and honor all first responders. Club member Aline Estournes planned the program.

Capt. Yep spoke regarding the challenges and the pleasures of commanding at Central. Each of the beat officers described their police work in general and more specifically their experiences walking patrol areas.

From left: President Kay Auciello, Kevin Worrell (Beat Officer for North Beach), Brian Kelly (Fisherman’s Wharf Beat Officer), President-Elect Herman Jones and Aline Estournes, Capt Paul Yep, and Christopher Galligan (Fisherman’s Wharf Beat Officer).

Ben & Jerry's Corporate Activism + Ice Cream!

Posted on Aug 31, 2018

Amy Perkins, Ben and Jerry’s corporate representative, gave an inspiring and fascinating talk about Ben & Jerry’s history, corporate activism and social responsibility initiatives and ... ice cream. From left: Alan Test, Kay Auciello, Jana (Roger’s daughter and Ben & Jerry’s exec), Roger Kaufman, and speaker Amy Perkins.

Ben and Jerry in 1978.

Fun Evening Social at Po-Boy Cafe

Posted on Aug 24, 2018

The Rotary Club of Fisherman’s Wharf Evening Social on Aug. 23 at Queen’s Louisiana Po-boy Cafe on the Embarcadero. Fun time!

Tips on Building Membership

Posted on Aug 17, 2018

Ron Gin, Membership Chair for District 5150 and Immediate Past District Governor, gave an engaging presentation to our Club about building membership. Pictured are Herman Jones, left, Membership Chair and President-Elect, and Ron Gin.

Congrats to New Member of White Hat Society

Roger Kaufman was inducted into the White Hat Society by Foundation Chair Riki Intner. The Society was formed to promote regular, significant, annual giving to The Rotary Foundation. Congratulations and thank you, Roger!

We Learn About Human Thread Foundation

Brian Rusch, Executive Director of the Human Thread Foundation, (center, with Alan Test, Program Chair and Kay Auciello, President) gave a moving and powerful presentation at our Aug. 9 meeting. His work focuses on developing educational youth programs that help reshape conversations about peace, equality, and forgiveness. For more information go to http://www.humanthreadfoundation.org

Suzanne is District Rotarian of Month

Posted on Jul 27, 2018

Suzanne Varacalli was chosen as District 5150’s Rotarian of the Month for July 2018 by the San Francisco Club Presidents. CONGRATULATIONS SUZANNE! Assistant District Governor Bruce Lyons made the presentation, and Suzanne received flowers from Hoogasian Flowers. From left: Bruce Lyons, Suzanne Varacalli, President Kay Auciello

Riki Intner, Club Foundation Chair, formally inducted Suzanne Varacalli, International Chair and Club Secretary, into the White Hat Society. The Society was formed to promote regular, significant, annual giving to The Rotary Foundation. Congratulations and thank you, Suzanne!

Our speaker from the Academy of Art University, Patty Bishop, (center) with President Kay Auciello and Program Chair Alan Test.

Club Social July 19 at Hana Zen

Posted on Jul 20, 2018

The first Club Social of the new year at Hana Zen on Pier 39!

Author Describes Famous Trials

Posted on Jul 16, 2018

On July 12th, club members welcomed Lise Pearlman, an author, former trial lawyer and judge who is the country’s leading expert on the 1968 Huey Newton death penalty trial. She discussed her most recent books, With Justice for Some: Politically Charged Criminal Trials in the Early 20th Century That Helped Shape Today’s America and Call Me Phaedra, the Life and Times of Movement Lawyer Fay Stender.

Pearlman, at left, is pictured with President Kay Auciello and Program Chair Alan Test.

'Pop-Up' Meeting at Boudin Bakery

Posted on Jul 08, 2018

The first meeting of the club's new year was moved across the street to Boudin Bakery after last-minute notice that the Franciscan was closed due to a plumbing problem. President Kay Auciello said 12 members attended, and business was conducted despite the bakery's busy lobby and loud background music.

Alan Test was inducted as a new member, and he and wife, Sue Rokaw, were welcomed into the White Hat Society by Foundation Chair Riki Intner. The Society was formed to promote regular, significant, annual giving to The Rotary Foundation. A donation of $5,000 or more in one Rotary year and the willingness to recruit one other Rotarian to do the same qualifies one for membership.

Prior to the meeting's start, Rotakyrie sisters Aline Estournes, Suzanne Varacalli and Riki Intner gave notice of their retirement after three years of entertainment for club debunking dinners.

June 14 Speaker and Guests

Posted on Jun 18, 2018

Our terrific speaker on June 14 was Dave Blum, aka “Dr. Clue” who engaged our members in a lively two team “Treasure Hunt” exercise designed to “get everyone on the same page” and build trust. Key ingredients to achieving those goalsJu: partnership, benevolence, reliability, transparency and integrity.

Special guests were, on the left, Djaffar Ould-Abdeslam from Mulhouse, France, and center, Pat Messinger from the Bloomington, Illinois Sunrise Rotary Club. At right is our June President Aline Estournes.

Club Well Represented in Golf Tourney

Posted on Jun 18, 2018

Partners in the recent Fisherman's Wharf Merchants Association golf tourney were, l-r: club member Dan Morse, Christopher H. Christensen, President, Bay Area Longshoremen’s Memorial Association, and club member Herman Jones. Dan and Chris were big winners in the raffle. Herman reports: It was Dan's first golf exposure and he represented our club well."

The Giants are Back!

Posted on Jun 06, 2018

Representatives from the SF Giants organization made their third annual visit to our club on May 31st. Shana Daum, VP Community Relations, and Amanda Nichols, Mgr of Premium Seating and Retention Services, updated us and provided insights on all things Giants.

Another highlight of the meeting was when Erik Scheller received his newest Paul Harris pin in recognition of his support of Rotary International. Pictured here with Suzanne Varacalli, president of the week, and Riki Intner, Foundation chair.

We Learn About Sustainable Fishing

The May 24th speaker was Giuseppe "Joe" Pennisi, founder of Pioneer Seafoods and a local leader in the sustainable fishing industry. He was accompanied by Jolene Lambrecht-Skinner, fishing vessel deck boss, and they displayed an example of the special nets used to collect a wide variety of fish in a sustainable way, allowing limited contact with ocean floor and avoiding fish damage. They're pictured with President of the Month Aline Estournes.

We also welcomed and heard from the 2018 scholarship winner from Galileo High School.

Potluck Party Marks Club Anniversary

Posted on May 22, 2018

Members present and past enjoyed an informal potluck dinner and Rotary camaraderie on Friday evening, May 18, to mark the club's anniversary. The gathering was held in the east lounge of Riki and Bob Intner's condominium complex.

Everyone enjoyed meeting visiting Rotarian Juliet Wong of Toronto, and welcoming former members Rick Zimmerman and his wife, Stacy Tiffin and her husband, and Jeff Varacalli.

Photojournalism in Today's Media

Posted on May 15, 2018

Our May 10th speaker was Professor Ken Kobré, a professional photojournalist, educator and author for more than 35 years. His former students, who include winners of the Pulitzer Prize, World Press Awards, and many other prestigious honors, work on staff and as freelancers for publications and media outlets around the world. He's pictured with President of the Month Aline Estournes.

Ken's book, Photojournalism: The Professionals’ Approach, has been the widest-selling text on photojournalism in the world since 1980. His new book, Videojournalism: Multimedia Storytelling, was published in early 2012.