Nisei Ski Club

by Tina Woo, , Board Member

BEAT LA!   BEAT LA!   BEAT LA!

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 14, 2025

SF Giants vs. LA Dodgers – Game starts at 1:05pm

Oracle Park View Reserved Section 314. Only 30 tickets available.

Special Price from a Season Ticket Holder

Nisei Ski Club Member $60

Non Nisei Ski Club Member $68

We would like at least one Nisei Member per every 4 tickets.

Meet for Lunch @ 11:30am near the Crazy Crab’z Section 314 inside Giant’s Stadium

Please email Tina Woo for if you are interested baseball@niseiskiclub.org

Please complete the below information PER PERSON

Name: First ____________________________________ Last ___________________________________________

­­­Phone Number: _______________________________ Email _________________________________________ 

Write Check Payable to Nisei Ski Club

Send Check to Nisei Ski Club c/o Tina Woo, 21577 Villa Maria Court, Cupertino, CA 95014

by Curtis Otaguro, Board Member

Interested in getting some fresh air and exercise?  Join NSC for a leisurely, scenic bike ride at Alameda Creek in Fremont.  Our ride will start at the Coyote Hills Regional Park in the East Bay just north of the Dumbarton Bridge.  The trail is mostly flat, with minimal elevation gain.  Some portions of the trail may be bumpy.  There is a diverse range of scenery, including the creek, lakes, wetlands, coastal habitats, and grassy meadows. Users can also enjoy views of the Bay and nearby hills.  Riders can choose to ride the full out and back to Niles Canyon (~22 miles) or turn around earlier at Quarry Lakes (Sequoia Bridge (~15 miles)).  Afterwards, we will have a nice lunch at Coyote Hills Park.  Bring some snacks to share if you wish.

If you don’t want to ride, but want to meet our group, meet us at the Coyote Hills Regional Park around 12 PM (or come early, explore the park and meet us later).  Bring your own lunch.

Where to meet:  Coyote Hills Regional Park, Visitor Center Parking Lot   

Parking:  Coyote Hills parking lots ($5 / entry to park); street parking on Commerce Dr. (ride bike into park)
When:    Saturday, September, 20, 2025                               

Meeting Time:     9:00AM, rolling out at 9:30AM                                                   

Cost:    Members:  $12

   Guests:     $15

Drinks, snacks, and bánh mì (Vietnamese baguette sandwich) lunch will be provided.  Please select one sandwich type for lunch below https://www.yelp.com/biz/huong-sandwiches-union-city-2

What to bring:  All riders MUST wear a helmet and should carry a pump.  Bikes should be in good condition.  Bring a water bottle, spare inner tube, patch kit, tire levers, sunscreen, and snacks to share (optional).  Due to unpredictable weather, a light jacket is suggested for cool weather conditions. Directions and information will be sent in a separate email.

Help needed:  Group leaders and flat-fixers needed in case we split up into multiple groups.

No SAG Support but we will be equipped for flats and minor repairs.

SIGN-UP DEADLINE: Wednesday, September 17, 2025

Contact:      Curtis Otaguro       alamedacreekbike@niseiskiclub.org

by Roland Lee, Board Member

Join Nisei Ski Club for bike ride around the Tiburon Loop on Saturday, October 4, 2025

Bike riders are welcome to join the event. If you are not planning to ride, you can visit the Museum on the water front walkway path.

The NSC bike ride and museum are all free.

We will meet for lunch after the bike ride. There are restaurants on the main road near the Tiburon Ferry.

Electric bikes can be rented at the Trek bike store next to CHP office in Corte Madera.  They cost $ 100.00 for 24-hours.

RSVP by Wednesday October 1
Please let us know if you are a Bike Rider or Non-Bike Rider.
Email to Roland Lee Tiburonloop@niseiskiclub.org

Send in your deposit to hold your space.

by Karen Soo, Newsletter Editor

Powdered Gyokuro green tea known as matcha is available in Japanese markets. It is the flavor you associate with Japanese restaurant green tea. The usual combination of cardamom, the green tea and almond extract is a delightful tasty treat. Rectangular slices of shortbread are traditionally known as “highlanders”

Bon Appetite – Julia Child and Karen Soo share the same birthday.

Makes 2 dozen  cookies

Ingredients

• 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
• 1 1/4 teaspoon almond extract
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup confectioners’ sugar
• 1 1/2 tbsp matcha powder
• 1 tsp ground cardamom
• 1/2 tsp salt     
• Course or raw sugar for sprinkling

Directions

1. In the work bowl of electric mixer on low speed, cream butter and almond extract.

2. In a bowl, sift dry ingredients together, flour, sugar, matcha, cardamom and salt.

3. Add flour mixture to butter in 4 additions on low speed, mixing until smooth.

4. Divide dough in half and roll each half into a 6-inch log, then press into a long rectangle 6 by 2 by 1 inch.

5. Wrap in plastic and refrigerate 2 hours to overnight.

6. Preheat oven to 325 degrees

7. Line 2 large baking sheets with parchment paper; set aside.

8. Slice dough 1/2” thick and arrange on baking sheet about 1 inch apart.

by Karen Soo, Newsletter Editor

From San Jose Taiko

San Jose Taiko’s home concert series returns on Saturday, October 18, 2025 to the beautiful Campbell Heritage Theatre!

Saturday, October 18th 2:00PM & 7:00PM

$40 Reserved seating, $30 students/seniors/groups reserved seating (additional fees of $4-$9 are applied upon seat selection).

Prefer to purchase by phone or walk up? Check out available seats online and contact the CHT Box Office. For hours and contact information:

CHT Box Office info

Presale tickets close 24 hours prior to showtime. If not sold out tickets can be purchased at the door starting 1 hour before the show.

Campbell Heritage Theatre
1 W. Campbell Avenue
Campbell, CA 95008

Doors will open 30 minutes prior to showtime.  Will call will open approximately 1 hour before showtime.

Email info@taiko.org if you have any questions.

by Karen Soo, Trip Director

Check out Warren Miller’s new movie SNO-CIETY

Find out where it is playing in your neighborhood. https://warrenmiller.com/film-tour

by Armand Gutierrez, President  

Skiing in August? Well, maybe not around here but I will be schussing Valle Nevado, Chile from 1-7 August, and then spending a few days in Santiago touring around. Unfortunately, I’m scheduled to return on 11 August and will miss the Annual Membership Meeting & Luau Picnic.

The Puerta del Sol hotel (the one with the angled roof) sits at 9,924 ft. and the top of Tres Puntas (single-person J-bar lift) is 12,641 ft. Definitely high altitude country. Unlike in the states, South American ski resorts use T-bars and J-bars (similar to pomas) quite a bit.

NSC Annual Membership Meeting/Luau Picnic

The NSC Annual Membership Meeting/Luau Picnic is on Sunday, August 10th, so mark your calendars. As usual the club will be providing beverages and a lunch entrée and you can bring a favorite side dish. Details are in the PICNIC FLYER HERE

Zelle Membership Signups

Zelle is now available for submitting membership fees and the Membership Form has been updated with a checkbox for a Zelle membership payment.

NSC Annual Membership Meeting/Luau Picnic

The NSC Annual Membership Meeting/Luau Picnic is on Sunday, August 10th, so mark your calendars. As usual the club will be providing beverages and a lunch entree and you can bring a favorite side dish. Details are in the Picnic Flyer, and an Evite will be sent out this month.

Zelle Coming to NSC

Jason Ku, our new treasurer, brought a proposal to last month’s board meeting outlining how NSC can implement Zelle for making online payments (i.e. membership, events, etc.). Review his article for all the details and let him know if you have any questions.

One Warm Coat Drive

Don’t forget to go through your closets and if you come across any warm coats that you no longer need then bring them to the picnic as a donation for the One Warm Coat Drive.

2026 NSC Ski Week to Park City

Signups for Park City have been coming in and we’ve got 23 Park City Warriors signed up so far. There are 36 air seats reserved, and room for 44 people. New signups will be put on a Waitlist until a condo can be filled. Park City is on the Epic Pass and you will need to get an Epic Pass for this trip.

Online lift ticket prices are not exactly user-friendly and group rates are not available. August 15 is the due date for the second payment, so get your checkbooks ready.

Use this for Epic passes: https://www.sportsamerica.com/epic-nisei

Use this for Ikon passes: https://www.sportsamerica.com/ikon-nisei

Questions: contact president@niseiskiclub.org

QotM: Logic will get you from A to B. Imagination will take you everywhere – Albert Einstein

by Tina Woo, Board Member

On Sunday, July 13^th, 36 friends and family participated in the inaugural Nisei Ski Club SF Giants vs LA Dodgers baseball game at Oracle Park.  Many of us arrived early and received the free promotional Spirit Jersey. Board member Curtis Otaguro met us prior to the game for lunch and “fav” Crazy Crab sandwich in the View Reserved Section.  Several NSC board members attended, as well: Frank Chang, Joel Hayashida, Jeanne Katsuro, and Roland Lee.

You could not have asked for a better pitching match-up to decide this series.  A pair of “All Stars”: one from each side: Robbie Ray for the Giants and Yoshinobu Yamamoto for the Dodgers. 

The game was scoreless until the 4^th inning, then with hits from Freddie Freeman and Shohei Ohtani, the Dodgers were able to score 1 run for the lead.  Miguel Rojas hit a HR in the 5^th for a 2-run lead.  Yamamoto did a sensational job pitching, with 7 shutout innings.  Camilo Doval, the Giants’ closer was brought into the game in the 9^th. Matt Chapman was able to get onto 1^st and Luis Matos homered to tie the game in the bottom of the 9^th inning.

At this point, it was a brand-new ballgame! However, the Dodgers were able to score 3 runs in the top of the 11^th.  Final Score: LA Dodgers 5, SF Giants 3.  Not to mention the late game drama, nail-biting and innumerable grey hairs for the fans!

What is a Ghost Runner?  (courtesy of Sandy Kiyomura).

In MLB regular season games, if the score is tied after 9 innings, extra innings are played to determine a winner.  A key rule change places an automatic runner on second base at the start of each extra inning (10^th and beyond). This runner is the player who batted immediately before the leadoff hitter (or the last guy out). This is known as the “ghost runner” rule.

This rule aims to shorten extra-inning games, reduce pitcher fatigue, and add excitement by increasing scoring opportunities.

Group Comments

“This was such a good game. My family hasn’t gone to a game in years, but my Mom often took my kids to games.”

“Yes!  Die hards to the end!  It was fun!”

“Had a great time.”

Everyone had a great time visiting with each other and enjoyed the classic rivalry between the two teams.  Come join us at the next NSC baseball game between the Giants and Dodgers on Sunday, September 14.  Please contact Tina Woo for game details. OPEN HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION

by Armand Gutierrez, President

The Nisei Ski Club has participated in a variety of charitable organizations, and over the past few years we have supported the Asian Pacific Film Fest, Achieve Tahoe, and a one-time donation for the victims of the Lahaina fire in Hawaii in 2023 through cash donations. Now NSC has an opportunity to make an impact on people’s lives by participating in the One Warm Coat Drive. The One Warm Coat organization https://www.onewarmcoat.org/ is a national nonprofit organization that embodies a movement of kindness through the donation of coats to people in need.

This charitable opportunity is now available to the membership and for you to join Jeanne Katsuro and I on this charitable endeavor. Jeanne, with the help of Angela Ren (member), Arlene Mori (member), and Linda Minami, already gave me ~50 coats to start the party. So how can you help? Simple. At the Annual Membership Meeting and Luau Picnic on August 10, all you need to bring is one warm coat (or more if you have them). The coats can be for adult or young kids, and should be clean and wearable (no holes or rips). The coats collected at the picnic will be picked up by Jeanne or myself, and stored until October or November when they can then be taken to one of the One Warm Coat designated drop off locations. From there they will be distributed to people in need during the Thanksgiving or Christmas season.

by Karen Soo, Trip Director

Please join us on Sunday, August 10th at Las Palmas Park in Sunnyvale for our annual Nisei Ski Club Luau Picnic.

Time – 12:00pm – 5:00pm

You will receive your Evite invitation sent out from Armand G.

Please RSVP no later than August 6, so we can order the right amount of food for the picnic.

by Judy Hom , NSC Member

If you’re looking for somebody to play mahjong with, want more practice, or just learn how to play, then sign up for the NSC Mahjong event and potluck! Our coaches can teach newbies the basics and give tips to people who already know how to play.

We focus on the Cantonese style where we play with 13 tiles and flowers. We will explain how to score, both HK and Classical Chinese scoring. If Mahjong is on your bucket list, then sign-up! We know that all NSC members like to eat so this is also a potluck event. 

Where:         Judy and Winston’s backyard, 18995 Carlton Avenue, Castro Valley

Cost: $5 for members and $10 for non-members. Bring a potluck dish to feed 4 or more.

Beverages will be provided. 

Space is limited to 16 sign-ups

For more information Email Judy at mahjong@niseiskiclub.org

Tina Woo NSC Member

Saturday, September 6, 2025 from 9:30am – 2:30 pm

Advanced Beginner & Lower Intermediate lessons from 10 -11:30 am – 8 people

Arrive at 9:30am to meet instructor Gary Wong and drop off potluck dishes

Potluck Lunch 11:30 am to 1 pm. Everyone Welcome!

Everyone Else Come at 11:00 am to set up all your dishes & prepare to eat!

Please bring Main Dish or Appetizers

Informal “new” beginner lesson at 11:30 am – 1pm – 8 people

Upper Intermediate lesson 1 to 2:30 pm – 8 people

1.5 hrs of Instruction, 8 people & 2 courts with Gary Wong, an experienced “Pro Instructor”

Nisei Ski Member: $70.00

Non-Member: $75.00

**New Beginners ($20 member/$25 non-member) taught by Intermediate Players**

Location: Mark Tsukuda’s parents

15146 Karl Ave

Monte Serrano, CA

Bring your own CHAIRS, water, electrolytes & protein bars.

Email Tina Woo for information Tina Woo pickleball@niseiskiclub.org

by Tina Woo, , Board Member

BEAT LA!   BEAT LA!   BEAT LA!

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 14, 2025

SF Giants vs. LA Dodgers – Game starts at 1:05pm

Oracle Park View Reserved Section 314. Only 30 tickets available.

Special Price from a Season Ticket Holder

Nisei Ski Club Member $60

Non Nisei Ski Club Member $68

We would like at least one Nisei Member per every 4 tickets.

Meet for Lunch @ 11:30am near the Crazy Crab’z Section 314 inside Giant’s Stadium

Please email Tina Woo for if you are interested baseball@niseiskiclub.org

Please complete the below information PER PERSON

Name: First ____________________________________ Last ___________________________________________

­­­Phone Number: _______________________________ Email _________________________________________ 

Write Check Payable to Nisei Ski Club

Send Check to Nisei Ski Club c/o Tina Woo, 21577 Villa Maria Court, Cupertino, CA 95014

by Curtis Otaguro, Board Member

Interested in getting some fresh air and exercise?  Join NSC for a leisurely, scenic bike ride at Alameda Creek in Fremont.  Our ride will start at the Coyote Hills Regional Park in the East Bay just north of the Dumbarton Bridge.  The trail is mostly flat, with minimal elevation gain.  Some portions of the trail may be bumpy.  There is a diverse range of scenery, including the creek, lakes, wetlands, coastal habitats, and grassy meadows. Users can also enjoy views of the Bay and nearby hills.  Riders can choose to ride the full out and back to Niles Canyon (~22 miles) or turn around earlier at Quarry Lakes (Sequoia Bridge (~15 miles)).  Afterwards, we will have a nice lunch at Coyote Hills Park.  Bring some snacks to share if you wish.

If you don’t want to ride, but want to meet our group, meet us at the Coyote Hills Regional Park around 12 PM (or come early, explore the park and meet us later).  Bring your own lunch.

Where to meet:  Coyote Hills Regional Park, Visitor Center Parking Lot   

Parking:  Coyote Hills parking lots ($5 / entry to park); street parking on Commerce Dr. (ride bike into park)
When:    Sunday, September, 20, 2025                               

Meeting Time:     9:00AM, rolling out at 9:30AM                                                   

Cost:    Members:  $12

   Guests:     $15

Drinks, snacks, and bánh mì (Vietnamese baguette sandwich) lunch will be provided.  Please select one sandwich type for lunch below https://www.yelp.com/biz/huong-sandwiches-union-city-2

What to bring:  All riders MUST wear a helmet and should carry a pump.  Bikes should be in good condition.  Bring a water bottle, spare inner tube, patch kit, tire levers, sunscreen, and snacks to share (optional).  Due to unpredictable weather, a light jacket is suggested for cool weather conditions. Directions and information will be sent in a separate email.

Help needed:  Group leaders and flat-fixers needed in case we split up into multiple groups.

No SAG Support but we will be equipped for flats and minor repairs.

SIGN-UP DEADLINE: Wednesday, September 17, 2025

Contact:      Curtis Otaguro       alamedacreekbike@niseiskiclub.org

Send in your deposit to hold your space.

by Karen Soo, Newsletter Editor

Hey Fellow Chefs,

Since Julia Child and I share the same birthday, we’re taking this month off to celebrate.

Yes, its a month long celebration.

See you next month with new recipe posting. If you have a family recipe that you would like to share with us, send me an email at newsletter@niseiskiclub.org

In the meantime, have a great summer and enjoy this..

Bon Appetite – Julia Child and Karen Soo share the same birthday.

by Karen Soo, Newsletter Editor

Hand Maid Sighting on the MTA

by Armand Gutierrez, President  

The end of June brought us hot temps and July is going to give us some milder temperatures (but very pleasant). So get ready for that July 4^th BBQ with friends and family and enjoy the weekend celebrations. And don’t forget to bring out Old Glory and display it high above

NSC Annual Membership Meeting/Luau Picnic

The NSC Annual Membership Meeting/Luau Picnic is on Sunday, August 10th, so mark your calendars. As usual the club will be providing beverages and a lunch entree and you can bring a favorite side dish. Details are in the Picnic Flyer, and an Evite will be sent out this month.

Zelle Coming to NSC

Jason Ku, our new treasurer, brought a proposal to last month’s board meeting outlining how NSC can implement Zelle for making online payments (i.e. membership, events, etc.). Review his article for all the details and let him know if you have any questions.

2025 FWSA 92^nd Annual Convention

The FWSA 92^nd Annual Convention was held from 12-15 June, in Palm Springs, CA. Palm Springs is known for being hot, and it was. How about 110° hot?  This was my second time attending (13-15 June) in two capacities: 1) to assist Gloria Raminha (VP International Travel) with the Silent Auction and the International Travel booth, and 2) to provide NSC delegate representation. As a delegate representing NSC I attended various seminars, entitled to make nominations for the various open positions (I didn’t) and to vote during the elections (I did).

At Saturday’s luncheon, Keynote Speaker Samantha DeBoer (Director of Communications, U.S. Ski and Snowboard Hall of Fame), presented details on how candidates are nominated and selected for the U.S. Ski and Snowboard Hall of Fame. Following her presentation there were various FWSA awards (Media Awards, Historic Club designation, Council Recognition, and Athletic Scholarship).

The Snowsports Leadership Academy presentation was focused on climate change and the impact on snow sports. This presentation was a real eye-opener in that rainfall/snowfall trends from across the nation’s ski resorts are facing upward temperatures, and that in 25-35 years, a number of ski resorts may be faced with limited or out-of-operation scenarios. The evening concluded with the Awards Banquet & Dance. For some this is a formal event with tuxes and gowns, and for others (including myself) a little less formal. Although this was only my second convention, I was amazed and impressed by the passion and volunteerism by the many attendees. Not only the FWSA board, but by the various clubs and their delegates. Next year’s FWSA Convention is being held in San Diego.

NSC Takes 3^rd Place in FWSA Outstanding Web Site

Last year I announced at the annual picnic that NSC would try its hand at entering the FWSA Outstanding Club Website Award. After all, I think we have a great website that serves our membership well. This award is based on layout, content, usefulness, navigation, club size, and there are three categories: Masters, Advanced, and Novice. Well, since this was our first time entering we were definitely in the Novice category. Over the past year Karen Soo and I have been updating the website based on a worksheet provided by FWSA. As a newcomer for this award I am pleased to announce that we placed 3^rd in the Novice category.  Getting bronze for a first-timer establishes our baseline; NSC will definitely enter again in 2026.

One Warm Coat Drive

Nisei Ski Club has participated in a variety of charitable organizations over the past few years and now NSC has an opportunity to make an impact on people’s lives by participating in the One Warm Coat Drive. Please review the article for additional details.

2026 NSC Ski Week to Park City

Signups for Park City have been coming in and if you haven’t signed up then what are you waiting for? Eight new members have already signed up and are excited about taking their first NSC ski trip. Final contract for Park City has been signed and booked for February 7-14, 2026. There are 36 air seats reserved, and room for 44 people. Park City is on the Epic Pass and you will need to get an Epic Pass for this trip. Online lift ticket prices are not exactly user-friendly and group rates are not available.

Use this for Epic passes: https://www.sportsamerica.com/epic-nisei

Use this for Ikon passes: https://www.sportsamerica.com/ikon-nisei

Questions: contact president@niseiskiclub.org

QotM: Time heals almost everything. Give time, time.

By Armand Gutierrez, presidente de membresía

Going into July we now have 77 members, and I’m sure there will be more signups in July and August for the Park City trip next February. Will this be a milestone year and we break 90 memberships? Included in the 77 are 12 new members and two former members:

Ron Kaida

Deborah Young

Randy Lee

Kelly Kwong

Roberta & Mike Mentzer

Yvonne & Donald Wong

Mary & Guy Chew

Arlene & Mike Mori

Lynn & Larry Handa

If you haven’t signed up now’s the time to write that check and get us up to our high of 86 members for last season, then it’s just a stepping stone away to 90.

Jason Ku – New NSC Treasurer

The Board approved the use of Zelle as an option for payment of membership dues instead of writing paper checks. 

 Zelle is a free, direct, bank account-to-bank account transfer that works the same as a paper check and is secure and instant.  Most major banks are part of the Zelle network. 

You would initiate payment via your personal bank account online or using your banking app.  If you would like to “opt-in” and use Zelle for your payment, the Nisei account contact information will be provided upon request by emailing treasurer@niseiskiclub.org. 

For now, we will limit this to only the collection of membership payments.  If you have any questions or concerns, please reach out at the email above.

by Armand Gutierrez, President

The Nisei Ski Club has participated in a variety of charitable organizations, and over the past few years we have supported the Asian Pacific Film Fest, Achieve Tahoe, and a one-time donation for the victims of the Lahaina fire in Hawaii in 2023 through cash donations. Now NSC has an opportunity to make an impact on people’s lives by participating in the One Warm Coat Drive. The One Warm Coat organization https://www.onewarmcoat.org/ is a national nonprofit organization that embodies a movement of kindness through the donation of coats to people in need.

This charitable opportunity is now available to the membership and for you to join Jeanne Katsuro and I on this charitable endeavor. Jeanne, with the help of Angela Ren (member), Arlene Mori (member), and Linda Minami, already gave me ~50 coats to start the party. So how can you help? Simple. At the Annual Membership Meeting and Luau Picnic on August 10, all you need to bring is one warm coat (or more if you have them). The coats can be for adult or young kids, and should be clean and wearable (no holes or rips). The coats collected at the picnic will be picked up by Jeanne or myself, and stored until October or November when they can then be taken to one of the One Warm Coat designated drop off locations. From there they will be distributed to people in need during the Thanksgiving or Christmas season.

Angela Ren – NSC Member

Sixteen NSC members came out to Milpitas Golfland on Saturday 6/21 to show off their chipping and putting skills in their goal to make birdies, eagles, or the ever-elusive hole in one.

Outside of conquering golf’s most prized achievements, a lot of laughs and fun were had by all in the process while enjoying the perfect weather for a summer day.

Jeanne and Angie played the parts of roaming spectators, cheering section, and event photographers. 

Since all 16 golfers finished all 19 holes in less than the allotted time of 2 hours, we all drove 1 mile down the road and started our planned lunch at Cheung Hing Seafood Restaurant 1 hour earlier than our reservation. 

Conversations between new and old friends continued while everyone feasted on all of the delicious dim sum delights that were ordered.  Finally, as new friends shared contact info. and promises to send pictures that were taken today, we all said our goodbyes but not before discussing seeing each other again at some of the upcoming NSC events this summer.

Send in your deposit to hold your space.