FogHorn Oct. 15 Meeting

Posted by Editor: FDBobko 
 
The FOGHORN 
ROTARY CLUB OF HALF MOON BAY
Article by  Paul Wrubel 
​Photos by EJ Dieterle
 
Program: What's New in Residential Hot Water,
Air Purification, and Dehumidification Systems
 
The Club was treated to an interesting and for many members, a topic of interest, household water heaters and home air filtration.  The speaker was Bill Shepherd of Shepherd's Plumbing, Heating, AC, a very experienced expert on both topics.  But it is fair to say that most Rotarians were particularly interested in Bill’s overview of ways to provide hot water for your home.
He began by addressing hot-water systems myths and fables and concluded by telling us the truth about the upside and downside of four approaches for hot water delivery in our homes.  To cover the array of possibilities, Bill talked about traditional tank heaters (with their built-in obsolescence), tankless, hybrid systems and high efficiency tank-style systems at an installation cost of about $7,000+ but having some of the life-shortening issues associated with a traditional tank system.
 
 
In the end it was the hybrid system that seemed to be the best of all worlds in terms of efficiency and life of the heater (20 years) but at the same time it scored low (i.e. expensive) in terms of initial installation costs which were in the $5-7,000 range.  However, because the life of the heater was so comparatively long, over its life there might be a saving.  In the short run the saving could be felt immediately.  By Bill’s account the hybrid had an efficiency rating in the 98-99% range as compared with the efficiency of about 66% in the typical tank system.  In his overview of each type he compared them in terms of efficiency, life span, flow rates, and renewable times (once the hot water runs out, the length of time it takes to get more).  He also made some general comments about which approach might be preferred given the age and size of the house.
He then turned to air quality issues and made some comments about air filters, standard off-the-shelf filters, stacked filters, electronic air cleaners and ultra-violet filters.  Each had is plusses and minuses usually associated with cost and need.  The higher cost systems were more appropriate for homes with inhabitants who had allergies, asthma and other “trigger” conditions.  If they were not prevalent, the low-cost, off-the-shelf filter would do pretty well provided they were properly positioned and replaced frequently.
Bill typically caters to families over the hill from South City to Palo Alto and beyond.  But he does come to Half Moon Bay and the Coastside from time to time.  If you have a hot water issue, Bill Shepherd is a very professional resource.
 
October 15 Meeting Recap
Article by   Denali St. Amand
Photos by  EJ Dieterle 
 
Pres Dave called the meeting to order and asked Dianne Bobko to lead us in the Pledge of Alligence.  Mike Inglis provided our inspirational thought for this week.
 
 
Guests at the meeting were Anna Shepherd, the wife of our speaker, Bill Shepherd, and Marco, Catherine Yaque’s son. 
 
Happy/Crappy News
Dianne Bobko covered a few highlights of the last week of their 6-week trip, the Association of Space Explorers Congress in Sweden. Special experiences included a welcoming reception by the Mayor in the Gold and Blue Rooms of the Stockholm City Hall where the award ceremony and banquet for the Nobel Prize winners is held each year. the King, and the Crown Princess.  The next night they were received by the King and Crown Princess at the Palace. She also enjoyed a visit at the home of  with a local family in southern Sweden.  AND best of all Bo was named a "Distinguished Member" of the Association - one of only 7 Astronauts, Cosmonauts and Taikonauts of the 400+ members. 
John Evans reports that our foreign exchange student from has settled in well and is enhancing and enjoying our community.  He also asked that if you know any students who would like to help out at the Interact PF Booth, please let him know. 
Rosi Fontana has been very busy as a devoted mentor for young members of our community and has connected very strongly with one young man. She will be away for the next couple of weeks for some very interesting work facilitating focus groups in Southern California and Phoenix.  Also, if you have any children’s books you can donate, please let her know so that they can be shipped to a non-profit in Texas who will get them to the Rotary Club in BELIZE where they are so greatly needed and appreciated. 
Pres. Dave brings the news that Dr. Joy is in Seton recovering from surgery, and she will be at home soon in recovery for about 6 weeks.
 
Announcements
It is time for the Rotary Foundation Drive and November is Foundation Month. Kevin O'Brien is our Foundation Chair. He reminded everyone that it is time to be sure we have made the expected $200 per member donation. The question raised is whether this is a required donation or voluntary. Both he and Pres Dave  made it clear that while we are not required to give the annual $200.00 donation to the Rotary Foundation, we are strongly expected to contribute.  If you would like to make this contribution over time, you can do it by signing up for a monthly contribution through Rotary Direct.  Talk with Kevin about this, if you aren't already contributing this way.
Mike Inglis has returned and expects to be able to attend meetings regularly now.  He has been extremely busy this past year and has just recently opened a second location of Empowered Fitness in Pacifica.  It will be great to see him more often, and we welcome him back!
Dan Miller announced that the District’s First Annual Peace Concert is next month.  All of the details and the link to buy tickets have been front and center on our webpage for the last few months. Don't miss this opportunity to "show up" for this important effort in our District.
Ginger Minoletti  passed out Bay World Travel's new calendars for the year.
 
​PUMPKIN FESTIVAL REMINDER - SEE YOU THERE!!!!!!smiley
 
OTHER PICTURES FROM THE WEEK