- Joseph Schneider – author (and

MORAGA magician). The newsletter editor

noticed him doing the “Coin
Knuckle Roll” trick over by the bar
ROTARY and as Detective Brian South
approached the editor asked if he
could escape from handcuffs. He
NEWSLETTER replied, “Yes” and showed a
master handcuff key he had
January 14, 2020 hidden in a leather pocket behind
his belt buckle. How cool is that!
- Terry South, Brian’s Dad
Next Celebration: January 21, 2020 - Det. Kevin Mooney, Moraga
12 noon Police Dept.
At Michael’s Restaurant, - Marissa and Craig Walker
Moraga (right next to Safeway) - Cathy Gisselli
- Gigi Gisselli
- Mason Bliss, Moraga Police
Greeter/Invocation – Linda May
Dept.
Upcoming Programs: - Donna and Jeff Kendall
Jan 21 – Moraga Town Manager, Cynthia - Doug Marr
Battenberg - Maririsa and Craig Walker
Jan 28 – Loto Rickman, on the topic of - Robert Ortiz
measles in Samoa
- Janice Cottica
Feb 4 – no meeting
Feb 5 – Joint Fab Five club meeting at the - Francie Wise
Rossmoor Event Center - Ben Ho, Moraga Police Dept.
A grand send-off from the Moraga - Sharon Lingane
Country Club. This was our last meeting - Katherine Pekreel
at MCC and lots of folks came out to - Dan Flower
hear the special speaker and say - Mary Caburi
goodbye to the Country Club. Since a - Sharon (apologies from the editor
number of our Rotarians are MCC because I didn’t get her last name
members the editor knows this is a – the Pledge of Allegiance was
difficult farewell. MCC has been good to starting…)
us. We had a total of 55 club members - Frank Dickerson, spouse of
and guests in attendance tonight. Joy Stephanie
Alaidarous our Fab Five Assistant - Jan Gregory, spouse of the Rajah
Governor was there. It is always fun to - Honorary Moraga Rotarians:
see Joy. She can sure find a party and Ann Damaschino
fire it up! Our speaker, Rich Jackson, Lou Roessler
retired LAPD, was great and more on Linda Campbell
him later. Guests with us tonight were: Clyde Wilson

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Taking care of us tonight we had:
Bill Miller, Assistant Mgr. MCC,
Matt, Mahmood, Al and Joseph -
all MCC staff.
Dinner was sliced pork roast, grilled
chicken breast, grilled vegetables, rolls
and salad. White chocolate chip cookies
for dessert. Oh, and we had a separate
bar located in the meeting room area for
convenience with a bartender, Mario.
(The editor apologizes if he missed
anyone. It was hard to get around and
see everyone. Particularly since the
editor was mesmerized by the Knuckle
Rolls of Joe Schneider!)
Moraga Rotarian, Jennifer Brophy did
the invocation and led the Pledge of
Allegiance.
~ Happy Bucks & Recognitions~
Because of the special nature of this
evening’s meeting and our many guests,
the Happy Bucks and Recognitions are
being held until next week.
~Program~
Co-President Debbie Koo introduced
tonight’s speaker, Rich Jackson. Rich
was a homicide investigator in Los
Angeles for 28 years. He was a
detective on the prestigious LA
Robbery/Homicide Unit for 23 years –
finishing his time with the “Cold Case
Homicide Unit.) Is that sounding a bit
like Detective Harry Bosch, of detective
novel fame? Well that’s not a
farfetched notion. Rich has collaborated
with LA author, Michael Connolley
continually for years.
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Rich, who retired from the LAPD in
2013, now lives in Danville and
resurfaced as a part-time cold case
solver in Contra Costa and San Mateo
Counties. He led us through a
discussion of DNA evidence and crime
solutions quite close to home… The
cold case work occupies him for a
couple of days a week over the last 21/2
years. One cold case in San Mateo
County used DNA to lead to the
identification of a killer after the
evidence had been sitting on a shelf for
45 years. The DNA was still viable.
Unfortunately, the killer had already
died. This killer was also tied by the
DNA to a 1979 murder of a woman in
Modesto.
Incidentally, Rich still consults on
Michael Connelly’s books. Michael has
about 15 to 20 books out. Two more are
in the works to come out later this year.
Rich is reviewing a manuscript now for
Michael. By the way, Rich said Joseph
Schneider (the magician) has a book
coming out. This will be his first book
and it is out next month. Let’s watch for
it!
 the Everbright site. Call Frank May
on 925 376-8195 if there are any
questions.
January 21st 5:30 pm - Moraga Rotary
Board meeting at Moraga Royale
January 25th 6:30 pm Orinda Rotary
Annual Crab Feed Dinner at the
Orinda Masonic Center. Cost
$60/person. Tickets via Orinda
Rotary website.
February 8th (Saturday) 6:00 to 11:00pm
the 15th Annual Holy Trinity
Orthodox Church Crab Feed &
Dance. Cost $60/person. Tickets
must be purchased in advance.
See reservation form attached.
February 14th Concord Rotary Annual
Dinner-Dance at the Clarion Hotel,
1050 Burnett Ave., Concord. Stay
tuned for updates as the event
gets closer.
February 28th Tahoe City Rotary 4th
Annual Ski Challenge at Northstar,
Lake Tahoe (continental breakfast,
registration, dual giant slalom
tandem courses with individual
and team awards. Ski the day with
fellow Rotarians, apres ski food
(chili, salad & sandwiches, two
Our guests tonight – drink tickets and awards). See the
Moraga’s finest with Detective Rich Jackson website now

~Upcoming Events~ www.tahoecityrotary.org for more info

January 20th 5:30 pm Moraga Rotary, email: mdcgary@gmail.com
“Nite at the Races” planning March 7 (Saturday): “A Nite at the
meeting at Moraga Royale. Races” annual dinner and event at
Tickets, education safety the Serbian Trinity Church Hall.
donations and horses can be Tickets,donations and horses at
purchased online. Just go to the Moraga Rotary website.
www.moragarotary.org to link to
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April 18th (Saturday): Moraga Rotary
E-Waste Recycling & Document
Shredding Event – 10 am to 4pm.

~Greeter/Invocator Schedule List ~

January 21 – Linda May
January 28 – Dianne Wilson

MORAGA ROTARY DIRECTORS 2019-2022

Co-Presidents Evie Michon & Debbie Koo
President Elect Brian South
Past President Ron Mucovich
Secretary Jennifer Brophy
Treasurer Rich Render
Club Administrator Debbie Roessler
Foundation Chair John Erickson
Youth & Community Service Chair Tony Schoemehl
Public Relations Chair Gary Irwin
Fundraising Chair Frank May
International Service Chair Dianne Wilson
Membership Chair Brian South
Director at Large Mary Sue Erickson
Director at Large Linda May
Advisor to the Board John Erickson
Advisor to the Board Jim Campbell
Advisor to the Board Cliff Dochterman

District Governor 5160 Tina Akins

President, Rotary International Mark Maloney

Newsletter Editor for January – Roger Gregory

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