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The FOGHORN
ROTARY CLUB OF HALF MOON BAY
November 16, 2017
SHOP TALK - Dave Dickson
Article by Bill Johnston
Photos by Dianne Bobko
Who can ever forget that first shoptalk 20 years ago when the maestro of sewage sludge donned his lab coat and demonstrated the opposite of water into wine. That was the presentation that inspired me to build a brand-new house without a garbage disposal. A decade or so later we heard from Dave as the czar of clean water. He convinced me that our tapwater is just as good as anything sold in a plastic bottle bearing a pretentious French name.
This shoptalk was not so much about what Dave does but about who he is. He was born in 1950 at a time when his father was a PhD student. One of his first memories is of his father's graduation. In 1957 the family moved to Redwood City where you could buy a house for $7000. (That house has probably appreciated in value). The family subsequently moved to Palo Alto and in 1961 Dave's parents bought 60 acres outside of Saratoga. The nearest neighbor lived 1/2 a mile away. They needed four-wheel-drive to get home in the rain. Dave attended Saratoga high school with our own Bill Klear. He was a wrestler. (2 of my younger brothers wrestled in high school. I remember a lot of spitting to make weight.) After high school Dave attended Stanford where he was blessed to breathe the same air as Steve Wilson and Bill and Ayn Johnston… But they didn't know each other then.
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34 years ago on August 18, 1984 Dave married Marla Wong in the Magic flute restaurant. They moved to Boston in 1985 where their son Dan was born. Eventually they get tired of the winter and in 1990 moved to Oakland. They had 2 more children, Druschia and Dara (I know I'm butchering the spelling, but as my dad would say, "oh well"). In 1995 Dave's brother died in a drowning accident and his 2 children Justin and Yvette moved in with them and were subsequently adopted by them. Thus far, Dave and Marla have 2 grandchildren, courtesy of Dan and Emily, Hadley and James. Druschia married Peter in Moscow. (There was a story about a successful toast at the Russian wedding and a lot of vodka). Dara will be marrying her fiancé Mark in July. Unless my notes are inaccurate, and they got married this past July… Oh well.
One of my favorite pictures from Dave's presentation showed him and Marla with their teardrop trailer. They are traveling around the west and just having a "good time together".
Dave told us that he had been contemplating the connections that all contributed to his oldest grandchild, James. On James's mother's side his great great-great-grandfather Earl Elliott was the city manager of Wichita and the president of The Cal Water Service Company. Earl's daughter was Dave's mother. On James’ father's side he has a great grandfather who came to Milwaukee from Dublin and was a coffee broker. Marla's grandmother and grandfather came from China and had a restaurant in Ukiah. When his grandfather went back to China to bring his wife here, she was held at Angel Island. James' other grandparents were prosperous African-American tobacco farmers in North Carolina. All of his grandmother's 10 kids were college graduates. Young James has quite a family history.
An excellent and interesting shoptalk that really helped us better know our friend Dave Dickson.
NOVEMBER 16, 2017 Meeting Recap
Article by Mary Rogren
Photos by Dianne Bobko
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Greeters: Past President Bill Johnston and Daily Sargent of Arms Catherine Yaque
Inspirational Thought: Catherine Yaque read words of inspiration as we look forward to Thanksgiving:
"Gratitude is not only the greatest of virtues but the parent of all others." (Cicero)
"Suddenly so many things become so little when we realize how blessed and lucky we are." (Joyce Girard)
"Gratitude is not only the greatest of virtues but the parent of all others." (Cicero)
"Suddenly so many things become so little when we realize how blessed and lucky we are." (Joyce Girard)
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Pledge of Allegiance was led by Millie Golder.
Guests and Visitors Anne Johnson, Marla Dickson, our exchange students Rafael and Louise, and Heather Bodman, our honorary Rotarian
President Warren opened the meeting with showing an inspirational video on International Service that focused on Rotary’s work with mobile pre and post natal care clinics in Africa.
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Happy/Not So Happy News
Past President Liz Schuck noted that she missed last week’s meeting as she was visiting her brother in the hospital. He went home on the weekend and will be fine.
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Bill Johnston commented on the great work that Robin Jeffs has done with our local Rotary Foundation Investment fund (we now have $170k in investments.) Bill added his contribution to the Foundation celebrating his birthday (He claimed $49 like he gave last year and the year before.)
Bill Johnston commented on the great work that Robin Jeffs has done with our local Rotary Foundation Investment fund (we now have $170k in investments.) Bill added his contribution to the Foundation celebrating his birthday (He claimed $49 like he gave last year and the year before.)
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Kevin O’Brien attended Brews and Views this past week where the topic of growing Cannibis on the Coastside was discussed. He noted his support and encouraged club members to attend the City Council meeting on the 21st at the Ted Adcock center.
Announcements
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Renee Lewis is looking for Rotary members to man the Night of Lights booth on December 1. Rotarians will hand out candy canes and brochures describing membership in Rotary.
The President Elect Tony Roehrick of the Santa Rosa Club (who lives 2 blocks away from the Coffey Park neighborhood that burned) announced that his club is holding a raffle for the fire victims who do not have insurance. See an email soon regarding the raffle or check the District 5130 site for more details. Tony was a member of our Club for several years when he was CUSD Superintendent, and he was on our Board as World Community Services Director
Joe Brennan announced that the Odd Fellows are still accepting donations for the fire victims. Please consider cleaning out closets, your kitchen, etc for any useable goods. The Odd Fellows will come and pick up your items from your home.
Shana Reilly-Pond noted that Evelyn at the Odd Fellows recognized Rotary for their donations to the fire victims to date. Past President Liz Schuck encouraged Rotarians who are active on Facebook to post links and information regarding the Odd Fellows collection effort
Shana is looking for volunteers for this month’s Rotary day at the Abundant Grace breakfast (November 29). Shifts are available from 6-8 and 8-9:45.
On Saturday December 2, District 5150 is hosting a Social Media Workshop from 8:30 to 12:30 at the Salvation Army location in San Francisco. Check the 5150 website for details. Registration closes November 29.
On December 9, the District is holding a Risk Management and Youth Protection seminar at the Sausalito club. See the 5150 site for more details.
The President Elect Tony Roehrick of the Santa Rosa Club (who lives 2 blocks away from the Coffey Park neighborhood that burned) announced that his club is holding a raffle for the fire victims who do not have insurance. See an email soon regarding the raffle or check the District 5130 site for more details. Tony was a member of our Club for several years when he was CUSD Superintendent, and he was on our Board as World Community Services Director
Joe Brennan announced that the Odd Fellows are still accepting donations for the fire victims. Please consider cleaning out closets, your kitchen, etc for any useable goods. The Odd Fellows will come and pick up your items from your home.
Shana Reilly-Pond noted that Evelyn at the Odd Fellows recognized Rotary for their donations to the fire victims to date. Past President Liz Schuck encouraged Rotarians who are active on Facebook to post links and information regarding the Odd Fellows collection effort
Shana is looking for volunteers for this month’s Rotary day at the Abundant Grace breakfast (November 29). Shifts are available from 6-8 and 8-9:45.
On Saturday December 2, District 5150 is hosting a Social Media Workshop from 8:30 to 12:30 at the Salvation Army location in San Francisco. Check the 5150 website for details. Registration closes November 29.
On December 9, the District is holding a Risk Management and Youth Protection seminar at the Sausalito club. See the 5150 site for more details.
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Youth Exchange Update
Louise, our exchange student from France, noted that she is so happy to be on vacation this upcoming week. She is also trying out for the Dance Team at the high school this week; so wish her luck. Louise tried out for the musical, "Little Mermaid", and she is in demand for a part given her French accent. Unfortunately she cannot take a speaking role as she will be in Hawaii during some of the performances; however, she will be coaching other students on using a French accent!
Rafa and Louise want to Alcatraz this past weekend with the other Exchange Students in the Bay Area. They spent the night with Exchange Students in Marin and enjoyed exploring around San Francisco on Saturday.
Rafa tried out for the High School soccer team and made the JV team. He announced that he will spend Thanksgiving week in Southern California with Mary Rogren’s family and will go sightseeing in Hollywood and will also go to Disneyland.
Rafa is sad to say that this is his last week with Mary and Phil Rogren. Rafa will be moving in with his second family, Julie and Dave Mell, after Thanksgiving. (Mary and Phil are also very sad.)
Marble Drawing
No luck again! 
COMING EVENTS AND SPEAKERS
OUR SPEAKERS and PROGRAMS for NOVEMBER
Nov. 30 Speaker: Craig Mead - Climate2 (or Climate Squared)
PHOTO GALLERY 