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The Search for Rachel, a father's journal

Wednesday, December 1, 2004

We have a few ideas for January 10, 2005. That date will mark three years since Rachel disappeared. It's not something I'm looking forward to, but we need to get Rachel's story back into the public eye. Someone knows something.

Next month's M.U.S.T. seminar at B's Gathering House will be a little different. We are going to teach the beginner and advanced seminars back-to-back. The beginner seminar will be from 2:00-4:00 p.m. and then the advanced seminar will follow from 4:30-6:00 p.m.

Students can attend one or both seminars although the beginner seminar is required before taking the advanced seminar. Information about the free seminars is available at rachelalert.org/must.

Thursday, December 2 and Friday, December 3

I started making my donation for the RAN bake sale. I'm not much of a baker, so I make Rice Krispy Treats. They always seem to sell well. The weather prediction for Saturday is a 70% chance of rain. I hope the rain holds off until after the parade. We have a canopy for our booth, but attendance will be light if it rains.

Saturday, December 4

The weather was beautiful today. It was about 50 degrees when I arrived at the Georgetown Square to set up the RAN bake sale booth. I heard it got up to 72 degrees by mid-afternoon. It didn't start raining until late Saturday night or early Sunday morning.

Our booth did really well. We sold 48 RAN cookbooks and a lot of baked goods. We also received several donations and well wishes from people. Even though it was a fund-raiser, the bake sale helped to publicize Rachel Alert Network, the M.U.S.T. seminars, and Rachel's disappearance.

Sunday, December 5

Police believe they have found missing San Antonio teacher Diane Allison's remains. The discovery was near a small fishing hole in Northeast Bexar County. My thoughts and prayers go out to Diane's family.

Monday, December 6

I deposited the proceeds from the bake sale in the RAN account. It's good that we did well on the bake sale since we are not having the Run/Walk for Rachel in 2005.

Our stock of Rachel Alert Network cookbooks is down to fewer than 100. I expect to finish selling them within the next month. They will make great Christmas presents, but I suggest people order them by December 15 to make sure they arrive before Christmas.

Tuesday, December 7

The National Center for Missing Adults has placed a tribute video for Rachel on their web site. I show this video at the end of my victim impact statement in the missing person training class for law enforcement. RACHEL'S SONG was written and performed by Al White. Visit missingadults.org to watch the real video version.

Wednesday, December 8 and Thursday, December 9

I received an invitation from the CUE Center in North Carolina to attend a missing person round table meeting on April 2, 2005. The focus of the meeting will be to identify as many missing person organizations as possible and develop ways for the various organizations to work together.

I think this meeting is important, and I will present it at the next Rachel Alert Network officers meeting for approval. It will be good for RAN to send one or two representatives to the meeting.

Friday, December 10

The deadline to order Rachel Alert Network cookbooks is fast approaching. I think our supply will last into January, but if people want to receive a cookbook by Christmas they need to order it by December 15. We sold 48 cookbooks at the Christmas Stroll because people could see how good they are. The list of recipes and ordering instructions are on rachelalert.org/cookbook.

Saturday, December 11 and Sunday, December 12

I flew to Phoenix on Saturday, and Sunday the National Center for Missing Adults hosted another missing person training course for law enforcement. Thirteen sheriffs, police chiefs, and second-in-commands attended the course. A representative from the Polly Klaas Foundation observed the class. I think my victim impact section went well.

I flew back to Austin late Sunday night. The class will continue \ on Monday with additional educational sections.

Monday, December 13

We received a few more cookbook orders this weekend. Hopefully people who want them by Christmas will order this week. Otherwise, the cookbooks will not arrive on time.

Scott Peterson was sentenced to the death penalty today. Although he will probably never be executed due to California's large number of people on death row, the Laci Peterson case is finally closed. Laci's family can now fully grieve for Laci and Conner and try to heal the best that they can. There will never be any true closure for them. They have lost two people who can't be replaced.

Tuesday, December 14 and Wednesday, December 15

I still haven't put up any Christmas decorations. Last year I put up a Christmas tree, but this year I'm not really interested in doing anything. Holidays are just another reminder that our family is missing someone.

Thursday, December 16 through Sunday, December 19

The last of the cookbook orders set to arrive before Christmas have been shipped. We will continue to sell cookbooks until our supply runs out. Any future cookbook orders will arrive after Christmas.

Rachel Alert Network continues to be contacted about sponsoring M.U.S.T. self-defense and awareness seminars in other cities. We taught two classes in St. Louis in June and will consider traveling to other cities if the cost is not too high. Any local sponsorship will help make the seminars possible in other areas.

Monday, December 20 through Wednesday, December 22

I occasionally get questions from people who ask how a specific lead in Rachel's case turned out. At the request of law enforcement, I do not publish specific information about Rachel's case. Anyone could read what I write, and I don't want to interfere with the case.

What has been cleared to announce is information about the three "person of interest" sketches made in 2001 and the various car sightings. All of the subjects of the sketches and all of the vehicles have been located and cleared or dismissed. What is needed are leads and tips from people who might have heard or seen something on or after Thursday, January 10, 2002.

Wednesday, December 22 and Thursday, December 23

Project Jason has received an e-mail scam in which a foreign student guarantees to find your missing loved one. Even though the word psychic is never used, it sounds very much like a psychic routine.

I advise everyone who is considering speaking to a psychic to not give him or her a large amount of money. Also take what they have to say with a grain of salt. In speaking to countless families of missing persons, missing person clearing houses, search and rescue members, and others, I have found only one case out of thousands where the psychic was close to the facts. That's less than one percent, which is about the same as guessing.

Friday, December 24 and Saturday, December 25

Another Christmas has come and gone without Rachel. After three years I would hope it would get better. With the third anniversary of Rachel's disappearance on January 10, it makes this time of year even harder. At least I still have JoAnn and the rest of my family.

Sunday, December 26 and Monday, December 27

I'm taking a few days off to recharge for the new year. My journal entries will continue when I return.

Friday, December 31

My friend Marie left a message on Rachel's Message Board that she and her family are safe. Marie is a long-term Rachel Cooke Search Team member, Texas EquuSearch member, and RAN member. She is visiting family in India, and we were concerned for the safety of all of them.

So many people are dead, injured, and missing due to last week's tsunamis. The world's support is arriving now, but there is a lot to repair and much healing to do. Our thoughts, prayers, and donations are much needed.