As now we are in the middle of Spring 2010, we fondly recall the days of this just past winter season and the snow adventures the NSC had. The 2010 ski season is behind us. The Nikkei Matsuri is behind us. And we all look forward to another beautiful Bay Area summer.
The 2010 Nikkei Matsuri that the NSC participated in this past April 24-25, was yet another rousing success as a fund raiser. Thank you to the Nikkei Matsuri committee of Alice Horio, Hoyt Nelson, David Tom, and Hi Fujii. These hard working board members really led the effort of this great activity. Also, thank you to all of you members that helped out at the Saturday preparation at the Mountain View Buddhist Temple as well as the Sunday festival itself.
Allen Hu led a small band of NSC brothers and sisters on a Hike at Almaden Quicksilver Park on Sunday, April 11, 2010. Thank you to Allen for leading the hike despite inclement weather conditions.
On May 8, 2010, Brian Lee led a good sized group of NSC hikers and friends on an exploration of the waterfalls in Uvas Canyon County Park in South San Jose. Thanks to Brian for leading this event.
Our 2010 Post Season Event will be a picnic at Cuesta Park in Mountain View on Sunday, June 27th. We will hold a brief General Meeting and then try to get a Bocce Ball game going while lunch is being prepared by yours truly. The outgoing 2010 Board will be lauded and the incoming 2011 Board will be introduced at the General Meeting. I want to emphasize that this picnic is NOT a potluck! We have budgeted for a great spread of food as well as a good amount of spirits. Please refer to the Picnic flyer for details. This year, the postseason will be combined with our annual “Volunteer Thank You Picnic (VTYP).” In the past, the VTYP was an invitation-only event where volunteers during the previous year would be treated to a free picnic. This year, the Board decided to let everyone attend but give it free to volunteers. So this picnic is another reason to help at the Nikkei Matsuri chicken salad sell-off! Volunteers will be contacted soon.
The 2011 NSC Board election and yearly member survey will be held this month so please make sure to vote when you get your email.
One traditional NSC summer event is to help at the Mountain View Buddhist Temple Obon Festival, July 17-18, 2010 (SAT & SUN). The festival is a great way to spend a day sampling Japanese culture and food. The NSC has committed to 24 3-hour volunteer time shifts so please sign up early as this effort is understandably very popular with most members. Email me at 
Also, the NSC annually helps out at the Palo Alto Buddhist Temple Obon Festival, August 7-8, (SAT & SUN). The PABT is the site of the monthly NSC Board meetings so the NSC is asked by the temple to help out. Stay tuned for more details in June.
Finally, the Board approved a significant perk for members for the 2010-2011 year. Every NSC member will receive a non-transferable $20 credit for a Tahoe area weekend NSC bus trip to be used during the 2010-2011 membership year. The credit cannot be used on the long-weekend or weeklong trips or non-ski events. If a member renews during the early renewal period ending June 30, 2010, the weekend bus credit will almost offset the cost of NSC membership for this upcoming year. So take advantage of the early renewal period right now!
The Board discussed some summer events in the April meeting. Hoyt Nelson is organizing a Curling event so drop him a line at 
In the fall, we will most likely reprise the Horse Racing, Bocce Ball, and Bunco events. As 2010 Trip Director will re-up next year, look to even more new ideas for our weekend Tahoe Bus Trips. As I will be Ex-Officio, I will lead the 2011 Weeklong trip. Also, it looks like we will be going to Mammoth for the 2011 Long Weekend Trip. More activities are in the planning stage now so look for more details in the next few months.
So see you at the Post Season Picnic on Sunday, June 27, 2010 at Cuesta Park in Mountain View!
